MATRIXSYNTH: Monday, April 16, 2007

Inside an Oberheim Xpander

via this auction.

Title link takes you to more shots of the outside.

Analog Solutions Oberkorn Silver Edition

Title link takes you to shots pulled via this auction.

Details:
"This is a Mk1 Oberkorn that includes the midi trigger converter, current models omit this feature to save cost. I made a custom front panel in silver to replace the rather grim black panel it came with as standard, and replaced all of the led's with nice icy blue ones, and fitted double led's at positions 1, 5, 9, and 13. I also fitted led's to show the state of gates a,b,c,x and y at each step. These enhancements make what is already a great sequencer into something even better and truly unique."

The Oberkorn is an excellent, feature-laden sequencer that offers way more than anything else in its price range. However, I'd recommend using it with a voltage quantizer (I've been using a Doepfer quantizer) if you're going to be using it to control pitch as there is a little bit of interaction between the rows. There is an excellent review of this sequencer at link."

via John.

Vox Gong - Buchla 200e Demo

Title link takes you to another demo of the Buchla 200e, Vox Gong, by Chris Muir. The link is just under this image when you get there. Make sure to check out the other demos on site if you haven't already.

Semifluid Graphical LCD Oscilloscope

"Using the PIC18F2550 GLCD Text Test as a basis for further experimentation, I put together a simple and accurate graphical oscilloscope using a PIC18F2550 microcontroller and a AGM1264F graphical LCD. The oscilloscope measures the average voltage, the maximum voltage, the minimum voltage, the peak-to-peak voltage, and the zero-crossing frequency for a DC signal over 100 samples. The oscilloscope has a built in edge trigger function that can be set to capture on rise or fall (or disabled altogether). The time scale for the display is variable and can be easily redefined using the changeTimeDivision function. Likewise, the voltage range can be change to 0-5V, 0-2.5V, and 0-1.25V. The main limitations of this oscilloscope include relatively slow acquisition time and sampling rate (~60kHz) and the fact that the inputs are limited by the constraints of the internal ADC. However, it is a very nice display and I highly suggest you view the videos to see it in action."

Title link takes you there.

Analog returns to TapeOpCon

Via Peter Grenader:

"Electro-Acoustic Research has been invited to return to Tape Op Magazine's annual TapeOpCon convention at the Hilton El Conquistador Resort in Tucson from June 8 to June 10. Plan B Products will again be on display and awaiting your enquiring tweaks. And due to it's popularity in 2006, another Analog Synthesis symposium is scheduled, this year with Alessandro Cortini of Nine Inch Nails, Dave Wright of Not Breathing and EAR's Peter Grenader. Equipment will include the EAR Performance System, Dave Wright's monster modular, a Buchla 200e and a huge array of Plan B products. The panel discussion will be held at the El Conquistador Resort on Sunday from 10 to 12 which will include live demo's, a performance, an open discussion on the renaissance of analog synthesis and plenty of audience hands-on ops. Make sure to arrive early as seats filled up quickly in 2006.

For more info on TapeOpCon, go here"

Baba's Shuffle

New video game by Mr.Array. Synth connection? All sounds were done with the Waldorf Q+. Title link takes you there.

MOOG Little Phatty Darkside

via Amos of MOOG Music and Future Wars, on the AH list:

"I just wanted to share some pics of this... I got a local company to put a black anodized finish on the aluminum back panel of my LP (was not expensive, either!) and had my buddy at the graphics shop down the hall make a gloss-black Moog logo to go with the satin black finish.

I say this is in-progress because now the end caps look incongruous... my two favorite ideas for how to finish them is either to have solid CNC-machined aluminium ends made (difficult, expensive) or go with wood ends stained in a black/graphite finish."

Title link takes you to more shots. Note if you saw this on AH, there are more shots in this set. I asked Amos if I could back them up and put up a post. He gave me the thumbs up and gave me the links to more shots.

Baby Baphomet

Baby Baphomet 1st solo performance

Baby Baphomet 2nd Performance Joint

YouTubes via biggaB. Via Hans in the comments of this post.

Waldorf Q Rack

flickr by DeadZone.

Title link takes you to close-ups of a few more synths.

Cheer Time

via loscha.

"According to the lettering on the PCB inside the Boss SYB-5 pedal, it's 'CHEER TIME'."

Update: Steven's notes about the syb-5. Also, title link takes you to more shots sent in via loscha.

Del Dettmar (with Gerald Toon)-Synthesis,tape,1980,UK

"Great classic electronic tape released through Energy tapes in 1980 ,by ex Hawkwind/Melodic Energy Commission keyboardist.A must for all space /electronic music lovers!Sorry no pic sleeve scans.Would appreciate it if someone could upload the cover!"

Title link takes you to the post with a link to a download for the cassette. Anyone know what synth/s were used for the tape/album?

via josh. Josh is guessing it could be the EMS Synthi A

Akai XE8 Drum Expander

Title link takes you to shots via
Details:
"The Akai XE8 is a rack mount Programmable Sample SOund Module/MIDI Drum Expander. For Drum Sequencers, Synthesizers, MIDI Sequencers and MIDI Master Keyboards. The XE8 is a rhythm sound source with 16 basic internal sounds and 32 external sounds through external cards 1 & ". The XE8 can also store up to 32 programs of diverse parameters so that subtle sound nuances can be expressed. Each sound can be processed by changing the parameters of the sample sound. Not only can you playthose sounds separately, but you can play as many as eight sounds with one key note by setting the sounds to that MIDI key note. There are 8 separate outputs on the back. Extra sound card - SL801R 'Dry Set' included"

Anyone know more about this one? Any analog synthesis?

via loscha

Hip-Hop School

flickr by exebechay.

Akai MPD24

Sound Destruction Unit

flickr by farnea.
"DIY modular synth made putting together a lot of things I've built in the last times. There is a Weird Sound Generator, a Crackle Box, a random pattern generator, some filters (cutoff, square to sine), a gate controller, a Vactrol based controller, optical sensors and body contacts, mixing and power stuff."

Title link takes you to more shots including this one with mouse overs with more info on each section. Check out the key on the top left.

Via Sendling.

EMS Synthi with Prestopatch

Title link takes you to more shots via this auction.

Details:
"EMS Synthi AKS Synthesizer with Manual, Cord Pegs Keyboard

- EMS Synthi AKS Synthesizer
- EMS Battle Prestopatch
- EMS Keyboard Prestopatch
- EMS Guitar Prestopatch
- Power Cord
- Keyboard Connector Cord
- 9 White pegs

- 9 Yellow pegs
- 4 Red Pegs
- Comes with "The Synthi Educational Handbook" by Peter Gorgono, April 1972"

via Dave.

You plug these little patch cards into the little blue strip in the shot above to create a patch.