The Tone Generation

Note: these are long, so you might want to bookmark this one for when you have time.
You might remember The Tone Generation from this post when the program was first announced. In short, it is a radio series on the history of electronic music. Thanks goes to this post on Califaudio for reminding me of the series. The next program will feature the RCA synthesizer. I am now subbed and will post when it comes in.

Update: if you prefer to download these as mp3s for the road or other, you can find them here.

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Oswin synthin out

via Joshua

"I promise this is not posed, everytime I put him on the ground this is the first thing he goes for!"

Don Buchla checks out Dave Smith's Mopho #1

flickr by Yotsuba&!

full size

"Don Buchla checks out serial number 1 Mopho synthesizer as Dave Smith looks on. Roger Linn's ear can be seen on the far right."

Be sure to see the updates in this post.

Del Shannon Runaway

YouTube via delshannonnetwork.

Inspired by this excellent post: Synth pop, circa 1961 on Sequence 15.

"Del Shannon singing "Runaway" which was a #1 hit in 1961. This became Del's first big smash and catapulted him to superstar status in over 21 countries. Max Crook was his organ player, playing a "musitron" which was built from parts from a clavioline, Viking 85 reel to reel machine, Fisher K-10 Reverb Spacexpander, a Gibson guitar amp, and several other parts and pieces. Maximilian's musitron was the perfect compliment to Del's soaring vocals and seering falsetto."

Update via Stephen:

Del Shannon Runaway live 1982

Re- Published on Aug 30, 2009 hastronder

Sequential Circuits Prophet-5 Rev 2 takes over the lead.

Del Shannon Runaway Live David Letterman 1986

YouTube via DelRocksMySpace.


Paul Schaffer on Oberheim OB-Xa. The audio isn't too good on this one, but it is fun to watch. Update: image of Max Crook via his website.

I'm guessing that's the "musitron" Clavioline.

Meet the bitfreak! (reaktor synth)

"This is the Bitfreak for Reaktor 5, it uses pseudo-random, or pitched noise (NES, Atari 2600) as it's main sound source, and more than 200 types of it!!!There is no other software synth that does anything even similar to this (I have no idea why, because it sounds awesome!). Now you have another good reason to get your hands on Reaktor 5!"
You can find the download on Veqtor's corner.

Admin: Note on Post Updates and a New Synth by Tom Oberheim?

Just a heads up, but you might want to check posts for updates. Always, check out the current and last day's worth of posts to be safe. When I update a post I will put the word Update in red so it is super easy to find. Just scroll and look for the red Updates. Click on Older Posts after the last post on each page and look at the date for each post. Also, new days are preceded with a header date in red.

For anything older than two days, I'll put up a new post to let you know an update went up.

Why might you want to do this? Well... You probably wouldn't want to miss something like the update in this post. Go look. It's worth it. Trust me. This one goes out to the people that read this blog. Now the question of course is, is it real? Time will tell...

JayB's new Yamaha AN1x patches

YouTube via Hanni13579. Part 1 here.
"The second video for my AN1x, with some more "up to date" sounds. ;) Hope you like it.
Download my sound bank FOR FREE at http://jayb.ath.cx/"

JayB's Yamaha AN1x patches

"Patches now available for download:
http://jayb.ath.cx/Sounds.php#AN1x"

NI Reaktor ensemble: Spiral sequencing Clavia Nord Lead 2

YouTube via modular77
"New Reaktor ensemble Spiral sequencing/arpeggiating Clavia Nord Lead 2. Kick drum is not being controlled by Reaktor/Spiral.. on another NL slot, the drum synth channel is running, with the NL arpeggio assigned to the kick timbre. NL arpeggiator is MIDI clock-slaved to Reaktor, and set to 'Hold.. "

Ultradorky Patch: Sequencing the BassMuRF with the Modular

YouTube via dkimcg
"MFB Seq-01 syncs up the Moogerfooger BassMuRF with the rest of the patch. Master clock is Logic which send out a MIDI clock into the Kenton Pro Solo MkII which send a clock signal into the Seq-01. A gate sends out a pulse to the tap/step input of the Bass MuRF, and syncs it to the MIDI clock."

KORG MS10

images via this auction

DRUMFIRE ANALOG DRUM SYNTH

images via this auction
Not the best shots, but note the preset patch sheets for each column of knobs.

"5 channel analog drum synth that includes the 5 piezo triggers for your drums or pads. Each channel has adjustable sensitivity - you can trigger these with light fingertaps if you wish. Alternatively, you can trigger these with your multi output drum machine, I used a TR-707, which worked great. Each channel has an individual output, so you can stack voices by triggering another channel with it, which I like. It also has a mixer, so you can pan each channel and send everything through the mix out.

Drumfire 5 Channel Synthesizer/Mixer Brain:
- 5 Channels for 5 different sounds with control knobs for: Sensitivity, Oscillator Decay, Noise Decay, Sweep, Pitch, Noise/Osc Balance, Volume, and Pan.

Power On/Off and Left/Right Master Volume Knobs.
.
Five Multi-Colored Remote Contacts:
- Comes with red, orange, yellow, green, & blue drum triggers/cables to attach from a drum set or drum pad, back to the drum synthesizer.
- "Drumfire's piezoelectric pickups convert mechanical energy into electrical impulses. They can be fastened easily to any surface on your drum heads or rims. Drumfire's pickups will give you different sounds on different drums or on different spots of the same drum. Just experiment to find the right sound."

Original Box:
- Box is still in good condition, has some storage wear from being stacked and moved

Original Paperwork:
- Comes with original paperwork, like a basic manual with patch recommendations for different Snare, Tom-Tom, and Bass Drum Settings.
- Registration cards

Preset Sound Cards:
- Comes with a keychain of preset patch sound card that you can place over a channel of the synth to quickly dial in some awesome sounds like : Computer Drum, Synth I, Synth II, Modified Drum, Hand Clap, Wet Drum, Laser Drum, and more!
- 12 total sound cards! The top card has an example of a recommended Band Graphic EQ setting."

Korg Synth Pedal Analog Guitar Synthesizer FK-1

via this auction

"Vintage 1970s analog synthesizer by Korg.

Bottom Plate reads:
Korg Synthepedal
Model FK-1
AC 117V 50/60 HZ 5 Watts
Serial No. 750802
Manuf. by Keio Electronic Lab.,
Corp. Tokyo, Japan
For: Unicord Incorporated
Westbury, New York

All controls and jacks are located on the top panel:
Input, Output, Remote
Expand: Threshold, Max
Bright, Balance (direct/effect mix),
Manual/Remote switch
2 "Traveler" faders
Power lamp
On/Volume knob

There is no "bypass" switch, the unit is either on or off."

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Moog Prodigy

images via this auction

ELEKTRONIKA-26

images via this auction
"OKODER\STRINGS synth "ELEKTRONIKA-26". It produces interesting vintage sounding vocoding effect and also works as string synthesizer. Device has microphone input (but internal mic preamp is weak, so better use external mic preamp for better signal), line input, line output and phones out. All inputs and outputs are standart 1,4" jack. The synth completely working, but has minor cosmetical issues - few tiny scratches. Power consumption - 220V."

EDP WASP Deluxe

images via this auction

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Synth Pioneers - Update: A New Synth by Tom Oberheim?

flickr by Yotsuba&!
(click for more)
full size
"Tom Oberheim, Oberheim
Dave Smith, Sequential Circuits, Dave Smith Instruments
Don Buchla, Buchla & Associates
Roger Linn, Linn Electronics, Roger Linn Designs"
Note the MoPho. This shot is recent - from AES 2008. You have to wonder what Tom Oberheim is thinking. Anyone think he'll join the fray and do something new in the synth world?

Update via yotsuba&! in the comments:
"i talked to Tom Oberheim- he's currently in the process of remaking the SEM module- just like the original, not digital, not midi, etc. i thought that would make it in the title, i took the picture this afternoon! it'll likely be released as a brand with something like "Tom Oberheim" since he can't use the name Oberheim alone. we talked about Xpander maintenance, incidentally."

Update via yotsuba&!
"it's true! it'll be noted in the electronic music magazines since there were journalists in the crowd and the AES panel was moderated by Electronic Musician."

A new Oberheim SEM.

Update: see New SEM from Tom Oberheim for all the details.

moog

flickr by darshana-na-na-nah

full size

"fun. built by dr. moog himself."

Roland TR-606 The Beast Prototype

images via this auction

"# Description - Beast606Rack : Prototype
Offered for sale is one of only two final units, from a project that proved too costly in man-hours to be feasible. This "prototype" unit (without s/n) is identical to its twin in all respects, excepting some minor cosmetic imperfections. It is *highly* unlikely that any subsequent units of this type will be built, as the time taken to produce them does not tie up with the expected sale price : (

In short, this machine consists of a donor tr-606 core, which has been extensively modified, and repackaged into a 4u rack enclosure. The extent of this work is not insignificant - there is, for example, only one single external electronic component that has not been replaced (the time signature select switch!). Every thing else you can see (the leds, the pots, the jacks, the buttons, the switches, the power inlet, etc. etc.) is brand new. Custom circuitry has been added, in addition to modifications to the existing paths, to create a machine with as much functionality as possibly within the 4u layout.

I have quite a history (some years) of modifying tr-606s / tb-303s (see www.thebeast.co.uk for more information), and not only is this the most complex tr-606 by my hand, it also surpasses any others I have seen previously.

# Item specifics
# Fully modified TR-606 in 4u rack enclosure
# Sync I/O on rear panel
# Voice editing controls (20-off)
# Trigger kill switches (7-off)
# Trigger outputs (5v/buffered)
# Trigger indicator LEDs
# Trigger inputs (7-off)
# Noise reduction mods
# Pre-mixer audio outputs
# All tact switches replaced (ALPS)
# All level pots replaced
# Rotary switches replaced
# All jacks replaced
# All LEDs replaced (blue)"

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Clothes Pin Midi Controller

via Another Day in the life of PaulPanebianco.com where you will find more images and info.
"This entry is for the DIY keyboard group. I am working on a design idea for a 6-6 midi controller, the keys are made out of 'clothes pins' and assorted wood cuts. The main problem i am encountering is, level and even spacing between keys........I would like to have some plastic molds of my key designs made to glue on top of the keyboard I am using for this project - or something similar to the "evolution MK 149 keyboard adapter"(see below) the octave span of the yamaha pss portasound keyboards are very close to the original Janko - so an adapter could work well for some one looking to learn the Janko key layout."

Dave Smith Instruments Mopho Serial #1

flickr by Yotsuba&!

full size

"the first.... and Dave Smith is right behind this one, out of the picture."

Klee Sequencer

flickr by dr.photon
(click for more)

Inside a Klee

Yamaha FVX-1 FM 8 op synthesizer module

via this auction, via dlmorley in the forum. "very rare programmable 8-operator FM synthesizer expander released in 1988 - 64 editable parameters - 22 direct + 42 with DOS based editor - DSP - 11 effect algorithms Stereo-Chorus, Stereo-Pan, Symphonic, Phaser, Flanger, Delay, Tremolo, Digital hall, Celeste and Wah. - 5 LED dsplays + levelmeter - 4 x 8 voice blocks (4 part multitimbral) - 248 ROM, 248 RAM presets, 16 performances - 2x MIDI IN (front and back), 2x MIDI OUT (front and back), MIDI THRU, Headphone OUT, Aux OUT Stereo, Main OUT Stereo, Main In Stereo Cinch, Main Out Stereo Cinch, Aux In Stereo Cinch, Aux Out Stereo Cinch, Pack Port - 14 Buttons + 1 Coarse, 4 endless controllers, 1 Main Out volume knob, 1 Aux Out volume knob, 1 headphone Out volume knob One of, if not THE best FM synth module. 8 operator FM. 4 separate synths each with 8 note polyphony I believe."

ciani-buchla keyboard cover

flickr by bdu

full size

"suzanne ciani and her buchla 200 on the cover of contemporary keyboard, june 79"

dataton what?

flickr by bdu

full size

"Never heard of this before. Seems to suggest CV controlled washing machines?"

Update via Robert in the comments:
"Dataton is a Swedish company and they manufactured a modular system Dataton 3000 in the end of the 70's with an very innovative design and interesting way to interconnect!

Read more here.

The company still exist but are now manufacturing video and display systems. http://www.dataton.com/"

Drumfire DF2000 Track

Drumfire DF2000 by Synthain

via manmens

Sunday in E Minor - Waldorf Blofeld Track

SundayinEminor.mp3
via SCD

waldorf blofeld teil sechs

YouTube via thegoacyst

Lopass Gate Buchla 292c Clone PCB

YouTube via djthomaswhite

"Here is the first of 2 new videos of my Buchla 292c Lopass Gate clone project. These PCB's will be available on a limited run through the www.electro-music.com forum. Check it out if you are interested or catch my at my Youtube mail here for more details. Thanks for stopping by!"

Lopass Gate Buchla 292c Clone PCB Pt. 2


"Here is the second of 2 new videos of my Buchla 292c Lopass Gate clone project. These PCB's will be available on a limited run through the www.electro-music.com forum. Check it out if you are interested or catch my at my Youtube mail here for more details. Thanks for stopping by!"

Liveset Filter Scratching

Liveset Filter Scratching from trash80 on Vimeo.
"Liveset test with a unknown song by trash80.
Using Monome, midiNES, Vestax VCI-100, Ableton live, and at the end the Korg KP3 as a motivational speaker.

Ableton's mix, filters and beat repeat cued by the vci. Monome controlling the midi sequences.

Sorry for the double posting. Tring out Vimeo :)"

Arduinoboy mGB

Arduinoboy mGB from trash80 on Vimeo. "Arduino inside a Gameboy DMG for MIDI communication. Shows off example of custom midi -> gameboy cart. More info at: code.google.com/p/arduinoboy The pictures of my DMG arduino are available at: flickr.com/photos/trash80/sets/72157606262638032/"

Happy Colors

YouTube via zoomboongwoom
"I should be doing more serious things, but when I received an update (Artmatic 4.6) that renders so much faster I was playing around... When I put together a system with nested loops that usually takes almost a week to render I could get it in about a day. - And as "happy colors" require a light sound that goes with it I made the dance like sound track that you hear.
Animation with Artmatic 4.6. Sound Absynth plus my old Waldorf Q for the "dance" sequence. And Ultrabeat for the rhythm."

Sexy Synthesizer

YouTube via Royce2Kool. "From The Movie: De De Mouse" Anyone know more about this one?

Update via the world of next tuesday in the comments:
"Maybe "movie" just means music video. Anyway De De Mouse and Sexy Synthesizer are two different recent chiptunes acts from Japan. I've not figured out the connection other than both acts being part of the same scene.
http://www.sexy-synthesizer.com/index_e.html
http://www.dedemouse.com/profile/index.html

they both have their own myspace pages, though they only have Japanese text. De De Mouse tends to have a much more pro level of engineering, promotion and art direction.

The "it" style in Japan right now is Akiba-kei, which has vintage game sounds, disco-ish programmed beats, vocoded vocals and cute girls in costumes."

hammond synthesizer - 102200

via this auction

Note the best shot, but you don't see these often.

"Hammond Synthesizer - model id 102200. From the production we know that there was made around 200 units back in the 70s"

You can find prior posts on this synth by searching for 102200 (on the top left of the site).