PNW2008: Carbon111 Demos the MMM, Creature and Six-Trak

YouTube via matrixsynth.

http://carbon111.com

"Carbon111 demos the Mattson Mini Modular, Serge Creature and Six-Trak at the Pacific Northwest Synth Gathering 2008."

ThingaMunny (aka The Goblinator)

YouTube via SUBboy
"This is the ThingaMunny, aka "The Goblinator." It incorperates my two favorite DIY kits; Kid Robot's Munny, and Bleep Labs' Thingamakit. Thanks to Bleep Labs, Kid Robot, and HackADay. PS: Can anyone guess what I used for the jetpack?"

PNW2008: Idiotboy Demos the Future Retro XS

YouTube via matrixsynth

"Idiotboy demos the Future Retro XS at the Pacific Northwest Synth Gathering 2008."

Update: Just a quick note on these videos: They are not meant to be performances and they are not prepped. The gathering is very informal. People get together and just set up their gear followed by walking around, checking gear out and talking shop. After lunch (some good pizza) we typically go around the room one by one and just talk about the gear we brought. It's not scripted and it's not a performance, so don't think of these videos as "taped for YouTube." They are not. They are however meant to give you an idea of what these events are like. I went to the SIDY event in the UK this year and it was very much the same minus the talks.

BTW, if you gave a talk at the event and prefer I not put it up, shoot me an email. My contact info is on the bottom right of the site.

PNW2008: David Skinner Demos the KORG KAOSSILATOR

YouTube via matrixsynth

"PNW2008: David Skinner demos the KORG KAOSSILATOR at the Pacific Northwest Synth Gathering 2008."

machine drum beats

YouTube via 909techno. It looks like we have the first McCain synth content. You can see the Obama ones here.
"making beats on the machine drum. 20 minute session but mac photobooth only recorded 2 minutes for some reason.

kids: never, ever, question barack "the one" obama. you are too dumb to be responsible for yourself. hand all over to the mighty obama and the "progressive" left."

Custom KORG Poly-800ii

via Shepitology

Waldorf Blofeld Keyboard Preview

YouTube via audiomidicom (click for more videos by audiomidi)
"This is a preview of the prototype of the awesome new keyboard version of the Waldorf Blofeld synthesizer. The keyboard version adds 60MB of user sample memory (accessed via USB) and a solid semi-weighted keyboard. Coming this December!"

Moog Opus 3

images at this auction
"The MOOG OPUS3 consists of three 'fully polyphonic' voice sections - STRINGS, ORGAN & BRASS, as well as an overall voice modulation section, an overall simple amplitude envelope and STEREO mixer output section.

The STRINGS section allows you to dial-in either 16' or 8' pitched strings, with the ability to mix both together. This is routed through a separate filter which is switchable through Lowpass, Bandpass and Highpass settings, which is quite unusual on a Moog synth. Standard Resonance and Cut-Off controls allow you to change the strings from smooth moog sounding strings all the way to buzzy Jupiter 8 sounding strings. One thing to note here is the legends, as the filter Cut-Off is marked up as 'FREQ' and the filter is marked up as 'EQUALIZATION" both incorrect and a departure from Moogs normal FILTER and EMPHASIS.

The ORGAN section comprises a very simple array of flute footage's including 16', 8', 4', 2', 1' (even stops), plus an overall tone control. Not much good on it's own but mixed in with the Strings and Brass it adds a certain amount of weight to the sound... also it can be effected which brings the simple organ section into a class of it's own - more on that later.

The BRASS section comprises switchable 16, 8 and 4 pitched voices (only one pitch at a time) plus a selectable preset filter and envelope or the ability to routing through a separate standalone filter section. With the Brass filter switched to PRESET you get the usual 'blurp' synth brass sound but switching in the filter you have full standard synth controls including FILTER Cut-Off (CF) and Resonance (EMPHASIS) and filter envelope controls including ATTACK, DECAY & SUSTAIN. The Filter envelope RELEASE is controlled via a toggle switch, so it's either on, and it matches the same setting amount as the DECAY slider or it's off, emulating a simple organ envelope which stops on key off. Lastly there's an 'amount to filter' slider which MOOG call CONTOUR AMOUNT... Contour being Moogs name for ENVELOPE.

So here's the magical bit, and the functions that really set the tone of the OPUS3 apart from similar combi units from Crumar & ARP etc (IMHO). The STRINGS section can be routed through a very nice CHORUS unit with controls for effects depth, rate and delay... this effects unit really makes the strings sound vintage and lush and the ability to delay the effect adds a lot to live playing.

Now, in between the STRINGS and ORGAN sections is a horizontal slider which allows you to either route the STRINGS to the chorus unit or the ORGAN to the chorus unit (or a mix of both)... this allows you to then experiment with putting the ORGAN through the chorus... on top of that, between the ORGAN section and the BRASS section there's a similar slider which allows you to put the ORGAN through the separate standalone FILTER... put both sliders to the ORGAN section and you effectively have an additive synth, allowing you to dial-in the tone footage, put them through a filter and envelope and add chorus to fatten the sound. Quite a unique feature and one that can produce some real phat moog synthesizer sounds out of what is basically a combi organ!

All voice sections are put through an amplitude envelope which Moog call an ARTICULATOR... this is basically a simple ATTACK and RELEASE envelope with the ability to either have each note cut off sharply when a new note is played or have the sound sustain through the new notes, this is then routed to the MIXER section where you can control the output volumes of the 3 voice sections and pan them in a stereo mix.

Lastly there's the modulation section. Again this has controls for Amount, Rate and Delay and you can modulate either the filter or the pitch of the voices... which MOOG call FM but I wouldn't call it FM modulation... perhaps at the very fastest setting you'll get some clang?

And the sound... classic retro, sweeping lush strings, rasping brasses and full on organ tiones. All fully polyphonic but surprisingly very Moogy in sound... great live as this thing once warmed up (30 minutes) is very stable. There's much that can be done with this unit... phat moog bass lines, squelchy funk lead lines and rythmic drones with the Modulation section... not to be considered a boring combi organ but a full-on polyphonic Moog synth."

Yamaha SY20 with Japanese Labels

images at this auction

"2 banks of 8 presets.
Bank A: Flute - Oboe - Clarinet - Sax - Fagot - Violin - Violia - Cello - Contrabass - FX

Bank B: Trumpet - Mute Trumpet - Horn - Trombone - Tuba - Pizzicato Violin - Pizzicato Violia - Pizzicato Cello - Pizzicato Bass - Harpsichord "

Roland Juno-106

images at this auction

Crumar Group 49

images at this auction

Serial A/4 #389

x0xb0x Sir Migs Demo

YouTube via msapessoa via this auction
"A local technician, who has made over 10 x0xb0x's, built this unit. He outfitted this unit with lots of MODS. The MODIFICATIONS on this unit are what make it more rare:

* Green LED on Steps 1,5,9,13, TEMPO and DONE buttons
-Visually, this makes it much much easier to program.
* Added ON/OFF switch MOD
-Simple on/off power switch.
* Increase Envelope Mod Range MOD
-This will make it possible to turn the envelope modulation all the way down.
* Increase Accent Range MOD
-Gives a more pronounced accent (this rocks).
* Increase Filter Low End MOD
-Lowers the bass cutoff by one octave.
* Resonance Boost MOD
-Larger resonance range = more acid.
* Transistor MOD; Every 2sa733p is high beta
-Gives the best possible 'clone' of the original resonance.
* Center-detent tuning knob
-The original 303 had a non-detent tuning pot, but it was a pain. This knob allows better control of tuning.
* 1% metal film resistors
-Higher quality parts than what was included in the kit."

Minimoog Lapel Pin

via this auction

"Goldtone tac pin with beautiful enamel detail.
Measures approx 1-1/4" long.
Clutch back."

Check out the seller's other items and be sure to click on the jewelry label below to see what's come in over the years.

Update: looks like the seller has a Sequential Circuits Prophet-5 pin here and an Oberheim OB-X pin here.

bigbook120 (evil camillia)

flickr by whitney waller

full size

"she was having an evil moment.
102708
bastards of fate @ the Lantern"

Analogue Solutions Trans Bass Express TB-303 Clone

YouTube via bigcitymusic
"We finally got around to making a better demo of this great piece. Analogue Solutions has done a great job of emulating a TB-303 using components that closely match the original. This does not have a sequencer built in you have to use a MIDI sequencer but obviously this adds to the possibilities for more interesting patterns and greater performance capabilities. Near the end we kick in the Fulltone OCD which is a fantastic overdrive for guitars and synths. We'll highlight the features that go beyond the standard 303 tones on the next video."

audioMIDI.com blogspace

Mitchel Sigman of Celebutante wrote in to let me know Audio Midi has a new blog that he will be writing for. You can find it here. Mitchel will be covering various products.

On the synth related front you can find a good post on building your own analog sequencer here.

Live Stage: Analogos 12 [us Brooklyn] - Tonight

"Diapason gallery for sound and intermedia presents Analogos 12 - a night of “vintage” analog synthesis with performances and informal discussions :: October 29, 2008; 8:00 pm :: 882 Third Avenue (between 32nd and 33rd Street), 10th floor, Brooklyn, NY.

Kabir Carter: MoogerFooger and Moog pedals and synthesizers :: David Galbraith: self-built electronics :: Kato Hideki: Octave “Cat” synthesizer, bass :: Michael J Schumacher: Steiner-Parker Synthacon synthesizer :: Sergei Tcherepnin: Serge modular synthesizer :: Stefan Tcherepnin: Serge modular synthesizer :: Ed Tomney: EMS VCS 3 “Putney” synthesizer, various."

more info on Networked Music Review. via Bill M.

The Buggles » Video Killed The Radio Star and MTV Videos

The Buggles |MTV Music

via John Levin. It looks like MTV has a video service up were you can find almost every music video ever. Here's The Buggles' Video Killed The Radio Star, the first video ever on MTV. Some Moog at the end. I originally put up a post here on a version on YouTube but it looks like it was probably removed due to terms of use. Search and enjoy.

Revenge Of The Synth: Benge Interviewed

see the full interview with more shots on The Quietus. In regards to Benge's new CD, Twenty CD previously posted here: "Ben, better known as Benge has just released an album called Twenty Systems which traces a history of sorts through twenty years in the development of synthesizer, starting with the 1968 Moog Modular and ending up with the Kawai K5M which was released onto the market in 1987. Each song is played entirely on one keyboard with no additional effects or processing (apart from on one track but more of that in a second). It is very true that this project feels very 'now' with the recent years seeing re-ignition of interest in vintage synths and such figures as Delia Derbyshire and Dr Moog. Edwards started his collection nearly two decades ago however, picking up the instruments for a song when people were chucking them out to upgrade to computer software and the songs aren't at all retro-flavoured but instead will find favour with those who like electronica and IDM. This said he must be aware of the new found allure that his collection of instruments has as the album comes with a lovely booklet portraying them all. (At the bottom of this interview, there are a selection of photographs to whet your appetite.)"

Lecture: Sergi Jordá and the Reactable

"The Mills College Music Department and the Center for Contemporary Music present:

Lecture: Sergi Jordá and the Reactable

November 17, 7:30 PM

Music Buildiing Ensemble Room

FREE

Sergi Jordà will lecture on his work as coordinator of Interactive Systems at the Music Technology Group of the Audiovisual Institute of Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona, Spain. Mr Jordá leads the team of researchers who developed the Reactable, a collaborative electronic music instrument with a tabletop tangible multi-touch interface, which was recently awarded the Golden Nica for Digital Musics at the Ars Electronica Festival in Austria. Several simultaneous performers share complete control over the instrument by moving and rotating physical objects on a luminous round table surface. By moving and relating these objects, representing components of a classic modular synthesizer, users can create complex and dynamic sonic topologies, with generators, filters and modulators, in a kind of tangible modular synthesizer or graspable flow-controlled programming language. The Icelandic singer Björk has successfully used the Reactable during her last "Volta" world tour.

Sergi Jordá will perform in a concert that features his own improvisations and collaborations with Mills students and faculty on the Reactable on Friday, November 21 at 8 PM in the Mills College Art Museum.

Mills College
5000 MacArthur Blvd
Oakland, CA
http://music.mills.edu/events"

via brian c

Korg Electribe ESX1: Program That Funky Music, Whiteboy

YouTube via gearwire
"You can't fake the funk, even when the funk is being sequenced on a unit as funk-friendly as the Korg Electribe ESX1. Do yourself a favor and dig this patch-editing walkthru with B-Funk Holland; it'll help to ensure that the funky things you do are the good kind of funky, and not the bad kind of funky.
Examples of bad funk: Gorgonzola, depression, My Morning Jacket's Evil Urges.
Examples of good funk: if you have to ask...
See more on Gearwire.com"

Re: keybdwizrd - Korg Micro X Demo #1 (Programs)

YouTube via maltcus. "Video Cam Direct Upload"

Sennheiser Vocoder VSM201 Demo, pt.1 of 2

YouTube via AnalogVocoder1. No video, just audio. Update: videos re-uploaded
"Information and demonstration of the Sennheiser Vocoder VSM201."

Sennheiser Vocoder VSM201 Demo, pt.2 of 2

Vanya's sound setup

YouTube via Matchugovsky
"4 years old Vanya plugging cords, setting up the synth and effects (flanger, overdrive, wah-wah, delay). A melodic improvisation by Vanya also recorded in the second part of this video."

Darkness (Gregsynth Song)

YouTube via Gregsynth

"Another one of my personal favorite songs.
I decided to use the famous Prophet 5 synthesizer (as well as the typical Roland, Moog, and Oberheim team) and create a dark haunting 6:10 song in D minor.

I snuck some "Under Pressure" riffs starting at 2:43. Sorry Freddie, Brian, Roger, John, and David!
(At least I'm admitting that I'm using the riff--unlike a certain white rapper)...

Type &fmt=18 for stereo sound

© 2008 Synth and Son Productions
@ 1981/1991 Elektra/Hollywood Records: For the sample of "Under Pressure." I'm giving credit to Queen/Bowie."

Euro Miniwave

YouTube via dkimcg
"This is literally the 2nd time using the monome with the modular, first being right before the video and figuring out how to use some of Stretta's Max patches. I have to figure out some sync issues I'm having, the monome is offset a tad from the beat. The Monome is cool, a lot smaller than I thought it would be, which is cool.

Someone asked about miniwave samples, so I set up a patch that uses the Heisenberg to randomly go through the Miniwave's waveforms. The smooth output is also put through the ASR to make it a stepped output too which also randomly goes through the banks. The miniwave is driven by a saw wave, and is being used as an audio wave shaper here, you can also quantize with it, it's a very cool module, and thanks to Peter Grenader of PlanB, it works in a euro case.

I'm still getting used to the monome, so this video is not a monome video, except it's controlling a modular synth. Musically, this video is pure solid gold poo."

Welcome To Electronica Underworld (Gregsynth Song)

YouTube via Gregsynth
"A dark arpeggiating song written in the wonderful key of Eb minor by yours truly.

The song starts off with a classic Oberheim swell and is driven by my brand new ARP Oddity virtual synthesizer (Though the photos show the ARP Odyssey) in "sample and hold" mode.

The song also features the occasional PPG Wave and Prophet 5 synthesizer."

Duran Duran - In Review : Classic Albums : RIO Sneak Preview

YouTube via figital666. Roland Jupiter-8 and Simmons drum set.
"Here's a little teaser for the upcoming Eagle Rock Entertainment DVD release "Classic Alnums : Rio"

This is presented by the Duran Duran - In Review Podcast.

http://www.switchpod.com/cats.php?a=622"

Jamming Roland 909 606 727 future retro 777 vermona drm mk2

YouTube via Thirstmonkey
"Recorded on my phone and really just a bunch of patterns turned on and off. I will post a better quality version in a few days."

flame midi talker

YouTube via kidtronic

"I'm playing one for the first time at the PNW synth meet. R2D2 in a box and then some. I'm filming with one hand and playing with the other and your not getting (from the camera) the full two channel nature of the flame. Got me grinning, quite a mad bit of gear."

Spacey Studios

Lumos Studio via the music of sound

Vince Clarke's studio via the music of sound

Off The Meat Rack Report -> BEND THIS FORE (4)

you can find more info and pics of the event on GetLoFi.

PolyDaWG/8 for Low Cost Avnet FPGA Development Board

"PolyDaWG/8 is an 8 voice polyphonic physical model synthesizer. It implements 8 Karplus-Strong string models in a harp that supports variable string length. String vibrational behavior is one dimensional due to RAM size limitations.

The source code provided here implements the PolyDaWG/8 synth on an inexpensive FPGA development board marketed by Avnet. This synth is functionally identical to the original version written for the Spartan-3E Starter Kit. The sound samples are from a Spartan-3E Starter Kit which has a 12 bit DAC. "

more info including samples here. vie this thread on electro-music.com where you will find more info as well. You can find more info on the FPGA Synth here.