The Only Synthesizer You Can Program

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via this auction

1976 EML SynKey
Check out the patch card.
Click on the EML label below for more.

Global Alien Session pics & video

You can find images and video on sequencer.de.

CGS Master Divider and Pulse Divider

YouTube via bubagoo
"This an add on module for my modular synth. It's sort of a mega clock brain made up of a few circuits from Ken Stone's amazing site: www.CGS.synth.net The module incorporates the Master Divider, Pulse Divider, and an XOR/XNOR logic board"

casio cz101

YouTube via mopipi2. "some bass and ring modulation from my baby synth.. "

Roland Jupiter 8 improvised solo

YouTube via angelometz. "Improvised solo with the arpeggiator."

Jomox T-Resonator Feedback Loops 1

YouTube via bigcitymusic
"Here is just the T-Resonator by itself. We're using a DBX compressor as a limiter. This is mono. The next video will be in stereo!"

LPF as Spectral Gate

YouTube via isotopeofme
"This video demonstrates the 24db and LP of the multi-mode filter being triggered by fast ADSRs to use them as spectral gates of sorts rather than routing the VCO sine waves through the VCA. It also demonstrates the S&H being used as a random note length modulator by varying the filter frequency of one of the 2 filters used."

"Chronoton Cascade" (Sequential Improv)

YouTube via morbius001
"Buy My New CD at MusicByCybertron.com. An Improvisational performance on Cybertron's Synthesizers.com analog-modular synthesizer."

Access Virus TI Polar Demo # 2 Presets BY TONY

YouTube via acaruso36
"Some of Access Virus TI Sounds unedited banks that I Just love to play when ever I sit down with this Amazing Powerful Synth!"

PPG WAVE 2.3

images via this auction

"PPG Wave 3.2[sic]! this is a V.6 (the last updated version by Wolfgang Palm in the earlier 80's..then the ppg house closed forever"

Elvertronics WSG

via this auction

Another outside shot of the Elvertronics WSG.

You can find details, samples and the prior shot here.

Roland GR-500 Owned by Genesis?

images via this auction

As always, this is not my auction, so take the following details from the auction as you wish: "Very Rare Roland GR-500, and what makes this one even more collectible is the fack that it was the Guitar synth that the group GENESIS used, I got it from them when they sold a lot of there stuff back in 2001 on ebay and after lots of bids and $1600 it was mine I wanted it.

I have the certificate to prove it was GENESIS guitar synth GR-500, I have also left the settings marked by the band showing the sound that they used with this unit."

Oberheim Matrix-6R

images via this auction

"About the Matrix 6R:
This is the rackmout version of the popular Matrix 6 keyboard synthesizer, a fundamentally superior synthesizer to both versions of the Matrix 1000:

Matrix 6 / 6R Matrix 1000
2-parts Multitimbral 1-part Monotrimbral
2 output channels 1 output channel
Edit via front panel or Sysex Cannot edit via front panel, edit only via Sysex

In addition, the Matrix 6 / 6R's oscillators produce subtle harmonic and distortion anomalies not found in the sound generated by the Matrix 1000. The Matrix 6 has a less sterile character of sound over the Matrix 1000. According to sources on the Internet, the Matrix 1000's digitally-controlled oscillators have increased tuning stability over those in the Matrix 6 / 6R, and therefore the Matrix 1000 has no Calibration feature for this reason. Around the time of the Matrix 1000's introduction, this was considered an "improvement" over the Matrix 6 design. For those of us in the 2000's hunting for more of that vintage sound, it's a bad thing! When you don't Calibrate the Matrix 6 / 6R after leaving it on for a long period of time, its overall sound contains more "chorusing" caused by ever-so-slight deviations in tuning between the oscillators and each of the 6 voices."

Hmm... This is the first I've heard of this. There have been questions regarding the M1000 vs. the Matrix-6 and 6R, but the consensus I've heard is that they are essentially the same in sound. The 6 and 6R also use DCOs. Same CEM 3396 chips.

Research Facility 2, Hermoso branch

another flickr by jeremeohmy

full size

spot the synths

ARP 16 voice Electric Piano

flickr by jeremeohmy

full size

Inside an ARP Electric Piano

The Alison Project Update

I posted about The Alison Project back on July 18 of 2006 and again on March 27 of 2007. Magnus wrote in to let me know the modular has grown to a gargantuan size as you can see in this image. Check out the gallery for more.

Update via The Alison Project in the comments: "The modular is mostly DIY, there are 8 Modcan modules now (order just arrived) and 1 Encore Freq Shift that I did not build. Rest are from various Manufacturer's and designers: MOTM (16 bought as kits), Blacet (kits), CGS, oakley, MFOS, J. Hiable, S. Stites, T. Henry, G. Richter, Tellun, Dave Brown, Paparelli and Yusynth."

SunVox - Multiplatform Modular Music Creation Studio

"SunVox is a small, simple, fast and powerful program for music creation, based on modular synths and tracker-like interface. (Detailed info about music trackers is here)

SunVox is Based on parts of the PsyTexx tracker, the PsyTexxSynth engine and the SunDog engine.

Examples of use:
* composing music on PDA;
* music for games;
* "chip tunes" (sunvox tunes can be very small; for example - 30 kBytes (unpacked) or 2 kBytes (when packed to ZIP)).

Main features:
* Modular interface.
* Highly optimized synth algorithmes.
* Flexible architecture: SunVox can working on variuos devices. For example: PDA with slow CPU - 16bit sound (fixed point arithmetic); or big PC with powerfull CPU: 32bit sound (floating point arithmetic).
* SunVox engine (without GUI) is open source and distributed under the terms of BSD license.
* Built-in synthesizers: Generator (saw,triangle,square,noise waveforms); Flanger; Echo; Distortion; Filter (Low-pass, High-pass, Band-pass, Notch); Kicker; Sampler (supported formats: WAV, XI); SpectraVoice (FFT-based synth for analog-like pads); Loop.
* Supported platforms: Windows, Linux, PalmOS, WindowsCE.
* Export to WAV.

What is different between the SunVox and another music editors?
* SunVox has simple and useful interface.
* SunVox is small and very flexible. It can be ported on any device.
* SunVox engine (player and modular synthesizers) is open source software.
* Each music pattern has its own graphic icon (instead of name)."

Click here for more info. via Peter.

iamconsumed - skewered and swerve

via loopcycle on AH: "all sounds programmed in the analogue domain except for the 606 hihat. the sounds are generated from a few modules (motm, modcan, plan b, livewire, doepfer). i chopped up a raw one-pass recording and sequenced it up, adding a couple little bits from recordings last year. here is a raw recording (swerve), the predecessor to skewered, with some of the same textures and tones but no beats:"



More consumed sound on OVI (formerly Twango)

beamz music performance system

YouTube via epiclipsy. "a demonstration of the awesome new product beamz"
It looks like someone took up Stretta's request in the comments of the previous post.
Hopefully the beamz guys will not pull this one. They are definitely getting exposure on all the blogs.
This one via CDM.

Digisound Mod 80 modules - VEMIA

"A very interesting collection of Digisound modules, loose, but generally looking in very good condition. The lot includes: Noise/Sample & Hold; D:A Converter; External Input; Power Amplifier; Dual VCA; VCLFO; VCO; VCO; State Variable Filter; Dual ADSR; VCF (lowpass); and PSU. All chips including the rare and valuable ones (CEM3340s and SSM2040, for instance) seem to be present. Everything seems in good overall condition except that the two connectors which hold the power amplifier circuit board in place are broken, and the board is loose. Sold as seen, untested, with no guarantee of working order, and recommended for someone with good technical skills; but with no reason to believe there is a lot wrong with the modules. A spring reverb tank and what seems to be a spare psu are also included, and a non-matching multiples panel. Packing at VEMIA (a difficult job to do well) will be £10; some literature copies may also be available on request for a small fee."

via VEMIA - Click on Auctions, Search, and search for 5744.

IMJS - New Modular Track via Appliancide

"I posted another track made with just my modular and the 101 on my myspace page. The percussion sound that starts the track is the 101. All of the timing events are divided down from the gate out of the 101. This track should be listened to loud though speakers that can handle some bass. I also embedded a soundclick widget on my myspace page that has some older tracks I've done for the handful of people that enjoy my music."
Also see these posts for more.

Eurorack Modular Planner Update

via contact in the comments of the previous post: "I've made some updates to the planner. Your layout is now saved and reloaded when you come back. You can delete modules by clicking and pressing the delete key. A lot more modules graphics are in now with labeled blank panels for missing images." http://mega.modularplanner.co.uk

The Casio Symphonytron 8000

via Electone Zone were you can find more info.

Specs:
* Two CT-8000 Keyboards
* Dual Keyboard Stand with Integrated Audio Mixer, model CS-200
* Auto Accompaniment unit, model RC-1
* Memory/Sequencer unit MB-1, used RAM-Pack RA-2
* Bass Pedal Keyboard, unit FK-1<;li>
* Volume Pedal, model VP-2
* Two Sustain Pedals, model SP-1
* Two Amplified Speakers, either model AS-10 (small), AS-120 (medium) or AS-1000 (large)

Features included:
* Two 49-note Keyboards
* 8-note Polyphony per Keyboard
* Monophonic Bass Pedal Voice
* 49 preset sounds including Piano 1-4, Honky Tonk Piano, Zimbalon, Synth-sound, Harpsichord 1-2, Celesta 1-2, Marimba, Harp 1-3, Koto 1-2, Taisho Koto, Banjo, Mandolin, Guitar 1-3, Electric Guitar 1-5, Electric Bass, Pipe Organ 1-5, Accordion, Bagpipe, Oboe, Clarinet, Flute, Shakuhachi, Wa-wa, Horn, Flugel Horn, Trumpet, Brass Ensemble, String Ensemble, Violin, Cello, and Double Bass.
* 18 Pedal Sounds including Organ 1-4, Tuba 1-2, Bassoon 1-2, Wooden Bass 1-2, Pizz. Wooden Bass 1-2, Electric Bass 1-2, Harpsichord 1-2, Piano and Synth Chime
* 16 Rhythms: Rock, Disco, 16 Beat, Samba, Beguine, Swing 2 Beat, Waltz, Slow Rock, Rock 'n' Roll, March, Cha-cha-cha, Bossa-nova, Latin swing, Swing 4 beat, Jazz waltz and Shuffle
* Versatile accompaniment with two arpeggio and bass variants
* Sustain, reverb, vibrato and stereo chorus"
You can also find more shots here. via André.

L1000643

flickr by greypetcat

full size

SXSW 08

flickr by Dr. Bleep

full size

"Thingamagoops at the Dorkbot/Make show."

http://bleeplabs.com/

Build a Pocket Theremin on the Cheap

"Designed by Russian physicist Leon Theremin circa 1919, the two-handed instrument was one of the first ever electronic musical instruments and the first instrument one could play without physically touching it. Thirty years after its invention, the Theremin was popularized by American synthesizer godfather Robert Moog in the 1950s and immortalized in the classic Sci-Fi flick The Day the Earth Stood Still.

A full-fledged Thermin will set you back nearly $400, but with the instructions below, you can build a pocket-sized Theremin-like instrument that won’t break the bank. Unlike the real McCoy which relies on grounded variable capacitance for changing frequency and volume with the wave of a hand, our Pocket Theremin uses variations in light for producing its unearthly vibrato.

Time: 3 Hours
Cost: $18.39
Difficulty: Easy
Parts

* (2) 555 timer IC (All Electronics #; $1.50)
* (2) CdS photocells (The Electronic Goldmine #G14025; $3.00)
* (2) .01 mF capacitors (All Electronics #; $0.60)
* (1) 1K resistor (All Electronics #; $0.50)
* (1) 5K potentiometer (All Electronics #VTP-5K; $1.00)
* (1) 2-Position PCB terminal (All Electronics #TER-202; $0.45)
* (1) 8-Ohm 1” speaker (All Electronics #SK-100; $1.15)
* (1) 9-Volt battery snap (All Electronics #BST-3; $1.00)
* (1) Split-Level shielded box (All Electronics #MB-100; $1.20)
* (1) Hookup wire (RadioShack #278-1224; $5.99)
* (1) 9V battery (available locally; $2) "

You can find the instructions and more on POPSCI.COM
" You can also get a Bleep Labs Thingamagoop for $100 plus shipping.

the office of the future

flickr by mtritter

full size

You might remember mtritter from his previous images of synths in similarly creative situations - baby stroller anyone?


ARP Sequencer

buchla,minimoog,tr 808,synthex,ems 256 sequencer

YouTube via emssynthi100
"fooling around,sorry about the levels and the poor pic."
The flashing bright light is the Minimoog's overdrive indicator triggered with the audio loopback trick - you take the audio out of the mini and bring it back into the audio in. The Buchla 200e is the more dense multi-colored LEDs.

CASIO MT-68 by S-CAT

YouTube via PHONICPOTION. "CIRCUIT BENT with 11 MODIFICATIONS"
See this previous auction post for more detail.

Korg MS2000 by syntezatory.prv.pl (1 of 2)

YouTube via Jexus

"2000 Korg MS2000. All sounds programmed by WC Olo Garb. No effects whatsoever. Video editing by WC Olo Garb. ||| Syntezatory.prv.pl Videos: showing you not what a synthesizer can do, but what a man can do with a synthesizer."

The Analog Synthesizer Ensemble 040508 theremin Moog jam

YouTube via halmcgeevideo
"The Analog Synthesizer Ensemble during their April 5, 2008 recording session in Gainesville, Florida. Jay Peele on Moog Rogue, K Paul Boyev on Moog Voyager RME, and Hal McGee on Moog Etherwave Theremin, Moog MF-102 Ring Modulator, and Moog MF-104 Analog Delay."
Update: You can find their website here.

Psychosynth 0.1.1 (Reactable inspired synth) - Free Virtual Reactable

YouTube via handerpora
"This video shows the new features in Psychosynth 0.1.1, a free software innovative and collaborative soft synth inspired by the ideas of Reactable. The video features some loops by Shaker08 (http://www.myspace.com/shaker08). For more information visit: www.psychosynth.com"
If you don't know what Reactable is, click on the label below.

One more:

Psychosynth Test 2

"Development test of the a new free software synthesizer inspired by the Reactable ideas."

Update via Niall in the comments: "This reminds me superficially of the late, lamented Sonasphere."