via George Mattson of Mattson Mini Modular: "This is my Electronic Music Laboratories sequencer. It is actually a compilation of assorted EML synthesizers I own that I stuffed into a common case.
In 1978, I was tired of trying to stack all of these and decided to compile them into one unit. At the time, I owned: The Electrocomp 400 sequencer with the 2x16 sequencer panel, The EML 200 "Modular" And, the EML 300 controller. I also own an EML 101 and an EML Poly-Box but, they didn't stack. I built the case out of 1/2" plywood with wood mounting rails and stapled black vinyl around the case. The case measures 4' wide x 3.5' high x 1' deep. Since I had a couple of extra holes, I ordered another 2x16 sequencer panel and another EML 300 without a case to fill it up. After 32 years, I've decided to refurbish this compilation and give it a new house.
The plan: Besides the panels in the case, I also have the EML circuit modules that I had purchased from EML in order to build a 'proof of concept' Syntar in 1979 [Update: see this post]. I also have a few left over 3-octave Pratt-Read keyboards from my old Syntar stock along with some old Syntar circuit boards. I want to determine what I have that is still working or, easy to fix. Once I have an inventory, I'm going to design a modular panel to fit between the 300's and the top portion and incorporate the working modules into the system. I'm also going to add the two 3-octave keyboards. Below those, I will put my 88-key M-audio MIDI controller keyboard and add a couple of MMM MIDI/CV controllers. Anything that I feel I need to fill out the signal paths and patching structure I'll just pull from my DIY module stock.
After the "modular" section is defined, I'll refurbish, re-cap the existing EML panels, calibrate them and clean/lube all of the panel controls that aren't sealed. Any sealed pots that are noticeably bad in an audio path will be replaced with something newer.
"This modification of a standard Synergy synthesizer voice cartridge adds a ZIF (Zero Insertion Force) socket and comes with 21 EPROMs containing the complete Synergy synthesizer voice library.
The Synergy voice library originally came on EPROMs in separate cartridges, but since the cartridges and EPROMs haven't been produced for 30 years, this mod gives people with Synergy I or Synergy II+ synthesizers instant access to all 504 timbres in the Synergy voice library."
"Update Adds Hardware Support for SynthStation25 keyboard, iOS 4 multitasking, High-Resolution Graphics for iPad and iPhone 4 and more
Cumberland, R.I. (Oct. 14, 2010) – Akai Professional, the name synonymous with music production, announces the immediate availability of SynthStation v1.2.1, the latest update to the music production app for iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad. SynthStation v1.2.1 is now available for download on the iTunes App Store.
SynthStation transforms an iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad into a portable music production studio. The app gives musicians three synthesizers, over 50 drum kits and a full mixing section with multiple effects to create loops and sequence entire songs. Musicians can record song performances to .WAV files and MIDI files of the performance, capturing all modulation, mixing and on-screen keyboard playing. Through a WIFI connection, the files can then be transferred to a computer for playback.
With the 1.2.1 update, SynthStation now provides complete support for Akai Professional’s SynthStation25 keyboard, the first ever music controller of its kind for iPhone and iPod Touch. This portable, 25-note mini-keyboard features a built-in dock for iPhone and iPod touch, and gives users two octaves of velocity-sensitive keys, pitch and modulation wheels, and physical buttons to control parameters within the SynthStation app. SynthStation25 also has a USB MIDI output that can be used to control any MIDI music software on a Mac or PC.
The SynthStation update provides compatibility with Apple’s latest mobile operating system iOS 4. Now all iPhone 4 users will be able to download and enjoy the SynthStation experience with multitasking and Retina display support. Furthermore, the SynthStation update utilizes the latest iOS to offer more stability, speed and overall performance enhancements. iPad users will appreciate the inclusion of crisp, high-res images designed specifically for the larger display as well.
“The SynthStation app transforms the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad into a professional synthesizer workstation in a streamlined, all-in-one program,” said Adam Cohen, Director of Business Development, Akai Professional. “With the latest SynthStation update musicians can take full advantage of pristine image quality on their iPhone 4 or iPad, and iPhone and iPod touch users are ready to plug into SynthStation25 and enjoy music creation using a physical keyboard as well as their touchscreens.”
The SynthStation app is available now and can be purchased from the iTunes App Store for $9.99 US.
"Enter the First Annual Moog Circuit Bending Challenge
Moog Music was born when a young Bob Moog, who considered himself a geeky, socially awkward kid with a passion for electronics and music started tinkering with electronic circuitry. As a boy, Moog built small radios, amps and three note organs in his basement workshop with his father & the rest is history. In celebration of this creative curiosity, Moog and Moogfest 2010 are sponsoring a circuit bending challenge, to honor all those that lick and stick, modify signals and jump traces.
How to Enter: 1. Procure a battery-powered sound-making device 2. Bend it by any means necessary. 3. Document the bend process and outcome with video with audio (required). The better you document, the better we can judge. All videos must be uploaded by midnight eastern time on Monday October 18th, 2010. 4. Upload the video to YouTube and tag with “moog circuit bending competition 2010” and “Moogfest 2010”. 5. Send an email with the subject Moog Circuit Bending Challenge 2010 to info@moogmusic.com with the YouTube links to your entry.
Finals: The top 3 contestants will be chosen as finalists on Friday, October 22, 2010 and win weekend passes to Moogfest 2010 as well as a Moog merch package. At Moogfest the 3 finalists will be given a workstation in the Moogaplex, the same toy and the same bag of tools (which includes a soldering iron, wire, switches, potentiometers of varying degrees, resistors, capacitors, heat shrink, bread boards, diodes, plus more surprises). Each finalist will have from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Saturday, October 30 & Sunday, October 31 to bend the toy at their workstations. Grand prize winner will be chosen by a Moog Music Engineer at 5 p.m. on Sunday, October 31.
Grand Prize: Grand Prize winner receives a Moog Pedal Board which includes one of each Moogerfooger (MF-101 Low Pass Filter, MF-102 Ring Mod, MF-103 Phaser, MF-104Z Analog Delay, MF-105M Midi MuRF, MF-107 ) and a Multi-Pedal (MP-201). [and a Slim Phatty]
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. PURCHASE WILL NOT IMPROVE CHANCES OF WINNING.
All winners must be 18 years of age or older, unless otherwise stated and/or posted.
1. Entering Contest and Choosing and Contacting Winners:
"The Octatrack offers a variety of machines, each designed to fill a specific function. The machines can be assigned to the eight available tracks in any combination. Here some of them and their functionality are presented.
Flex machines offer the most extensive sound manipulation possibilities. A sample used within a Flex machine is loaded to the RAM memory of the Octatrack. From there it can be twisted, stretched, warbled and reassembled in multiple ways. Flex machines are unbeatable sound processors.
Static machines are the perfect tool for handling extremely large samples. Samples assigned to Static machines are streamed from the Compact Flash card, thus their size can be in the order of gigabytes. Of course you can time stretch and pitch scale them as needed.
Thru machines do not sample or play back sounds. Instead they let the Octatrack affect incoming audio with the dual FX blocks. Two powerful FX chains each consisting of up to four linked tracks, totalling eight effects per chain, can be formed.
The Octatrack will feature special machines for recording audio from the four external inputs. These machines can be used as strange effect devices, intricate loopers or as simple audio recorders. They will allow for quick assembling of audio structures. "
Two pics in via Bob Wittmann. These are for sale. If interested, contact Rob at: wittmanns@comcast.net.
Note the last two Musonics Minis listed on Ebay had BINs of $8,299.00 (posted here), and $8,800.00 (posted here). If anyone has any ideas what these are realistically worth feel free to comment. Note these numbers are just for reference and curiousity, not to set expectations for this sale. Contact Rob for more info if interested.
Update: via Peter Forrest of the A-Z of Analogue Synth books and VEMIA: "Musonics Minimoog depending on condition $6000 - $8000"
"I’m still wiring up the panels, but it’s almost completed. I need to order the fancy dials for the 10-turn pots on the Living VCOs, but they’re really expensive, so that may not happen soon. I’m also missing a couple small components that I’m ordering tonight. Overall though, I’m really happy with the way it’s turning out."
"NeoKitsch invites you to a screening, with a new soundtrack to the Cabinet Of Dr. Caligari, with live improvisation at the NeoKitsch studio, featuring odd instruments such as the Continuum Fingerboard and the Etherwave Theremin, as well as performances by David Way on Violin and Viola. You can watch the complete film of The Cabinet Of Dr. Caligari on the NeoKitsch site for free, with original music and sound. www.neokitsch.com Direct link to film: http://tinyurl.com/39cmk75"
Update:
NeoKitsch presents: Alfred Hitchcock's 'The Manxman' - trailer 1
NeoKitschMusic | October 15, 2010
"NeoKitsch invites you to a screening, with a new soundtrack to The Manxman, with live improvisation at the NeoKitsch studio, featuring odd instruments such as the Continuum Fingerboard and the Etherwave Theremin, as well as performances by David Way on Violin and Viola. You can watch the complete film of Alfred Hitchcock's The Manxman on the NeoKitsch site for free, with original music and sound. www.neokitsch.com"
NeoKitsch presents: Alfred Hitchcock's 'The Manxman' - trailer 2
via this auction "maestro "maestro rhythm" MRQ-1 Model Drum Machine Synthesizer c. 1970, made in Lincolnwood, Illinois, serial #17583 , wood grained vinyl finish, wood, metal. Has built in speaker and 8 different thymic settings. Each setting can be varied in 3 ways: by Volume, by Balance, and by Tempo. Back has a 1?4 inch external amplifier output and a 1/4 inch Foot Swithc output. 50 watts, 115 volts, 60 hertz. Comes witha substantial length electric cord. Metalic plate at back is printed Maestro Sound Sytem. Patents Pending, Gibsoninc., Lincolnwood, ILL. Height is 7 1/2 in. (19 cm), 12 1/8 in. (30.8 cm.) width, and 9 5/8 in. (24.4 cm.) deep."
YouTube via cardinalvincent | July 22, 2010 Flashing lights for those prone to seizures in this one. "Nothing better to start the day by listening to these 3 machines discussing the state of civilization. starring the Alesis Micron, the DSI Mopho Keyboard and the Korg Kaos Pad 3. All sounds and images: Cardinal Vincent"
"Nothing very musical, just tweaking the LFO's and S/H. Note: DON'T PLAY TOO LOUD! There are a couple of very nasty high-pitched bursts of sound in this video."
Alesis Micron Voices
cardinalvincent | July 11, 2010
"Mommy, i hear dead people."
Arctic Region (Alesis Micron)
cardinalvincent | July 19, 2010
Alesis Micron talking about his problems
some flashing lights in this one. cardinalvincent | July 21, 2010
"this track was fully composed with a Moog Little Phatty as a sound design and performance instrument, entire drum set and synths were created with this amazing musical instrument!"
"in this case the powerfull world-wide-knew Minimoog Voyager have done the work of a docen!.. i have composed/designed this track 100% with this amazing musical instrument! done by luCho mOlinari Rosario-Santa Fe-Argentina"
"This track was performed on a DSI Mopho Keyboard driving a DSI Prophet 08 rack!... how grate is adding some nice keys to this baby Prophet rack-synth!.. i can't imaging how sweet the main keyboard can be!..., but it also true for me that this set up is pretty amazing! actually dreaming about playing them live!... DSI is out there!.... lol"
Dave Smith Evolver Keyboard 100% - "beAt cruSher" by luCho moLinari
YouTube via luchomolinarixxx | September 12, 2010
"this track was fully composed with a Dave Smith Evolver Keyboard, all the drum sounds, synths, fxs, distortions, filtering etc. This was the first track i made after i took it out of the box!.. what an grate surprise to find out such an amazing instrument!.. again and again DSI rocks the party!... peaCe"
Mopho Keyboard - "moFo" by luCho moLinari
luchomolinarixxx | August 07, 2010
"this track was 100% composed with a Dave Smith Mopho Keyboard Monophonic Analog Synthesizer, all the sound(drums and Synths) were created and performed with this amazing musical instrument by me! Music, MIDI, Sound Design, Recording, Mastering and all the Multimedia."
"This track was composed 100%(drum/synths) with a Studio Electronics ES-1X "Red Eye" Analog Monophonic Synthesizer. Virtual Acoustics using Universal Audio DSP card and fully composed/programed/recorded/mixed/master on Nuendo 4(Mac)by me!.. lol
luCho moLinari"
http://www.commodoreusa.net Top pic: "Taking the styling cues and inspiration from the futuristic rendering above by Marko Hirv, and the contemporary elegance of our Phoenix model below, to the classic retro design of the original C64, we'll be introducing a complete line of Commodore and Amiga branded computers in the months ahead."
middle: "Commodore Phoenix Intel 3.0 GHz Quad Core Processor, 4GB DDR2 SDRAM, 1TB hard drive, DVD/CD, WiFi Available NOW
2.66 GHz Intel I7 processor, NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M , 2 TB hard drive, 4GB DDR3 SDRAM, BLU RAY drive. Available late 2010"
bottom: "It's back... and better than ever! Inside our all new Commodore PC64, you'll find an Intel dual core Atom 525, Nvidea Ion2 graphics, slot or tray load DVD (Bluray optional) 2or 4 GB DDR3 memory, 1GB Hdd, multi format card reader/writer and a custom professional mechanical keyboard using genuine Cherry switches, for that authentic IBM touch and click experience. Available late 2010"
via cebec in the comments of this post directly below. I thought this warranted a new post.
Some pics via the re64 blog. Note the 909 and 808 styles. These and others are for sale. See the link for more info. An interesting side note is they also sent me an Ebay link for one, but by the time I clicked on it, the auction was gone. I mentioned it to them and apparently it was pulled for a very interesting reason:
"Yeah freaky - the owners of the Commodore brand took exception to me rebadging a commodore computer with my own label and reported a trademark infringement to ebay - like they're actually using it..! Real pain in the ass"
Note the following description states this is a wavetable synth, but it doesn't appear to be so in the PPG/Waldorf sense. It looks more like a standard sample playback synth.
"WaveSynth is a wave table synthesizer wavetable keyboard application for iPhone / iPod touch with 128 preset sound tones and 1 drum set defined by General MIDI specification.
It is possible to play various musical instruments sound tone such as piano, guitar, trumpet, strings, flute, drums, percussions and so on.
The keyboard can be selected by 1 octave keyboard or 2 octave keyboard on the display. In every sound tone, most suitable octave is assigned automatically or to be chosen by manual.
In addition to normal keyboard play, various expressions could be added by the Pitch Bend Controller, Portamento, Mono Mode.
Vibrato(Modulation) effect is available if you shake the body."
"m16はiPhone / iPad のMIDIプレーヤアプリです。 GM(General MIDI)規格に準拠し、SMF(Standard MIDI File)を再生することができます。 m16 is MIDI player application that supports SMF (Standard MIDI File) for GM (General MIDI) specification. SMF files can be shard by using iTunes's file sharing function. Also you can send SMF files by using m16's WiFi uploader."
This appears to only be a MIDI player. It would be cool if you could create your own sequences. I do like the layout with sixteen buttons for sixteen MIDI channels. The iPad/iPhone can become the ultimate direct to hardware sequencer.
m16 is MIDI player application that supports SMF (Standard MIDI File) for GM (General MIDI) specification.
SMF files can be shard by using iTunes's file sharing function. Also you can send SMF files by using m16's WiFi uploader.
16 icons arranged in upper part of main screen show 16 MIDI channels. Each channel is changed to the mute or the solo mode by tapping icons once or twice. Moreover, during playback, performance information is displayed in the icon in piano roll / circle / MIDI analyzer mode.
In lower side of screen, there is 12 buttons in scrolled view. They works for start / stop playback, changing key and tempo.
m16 supports background MIDI playback. (Supported device / OS version only) So you can play your favorite musical instrument app together with the background tracks produced by m16 !"
"The 4021 serial data out is going into the enable pin of the 'slacker' melgen, which simply gates the output, allowing for stutters and such according the buttons pressed on the game pad."
YouTube via MoogMusicInc | October 15, 2010 Note the size of it. "Richard Devine meets the new Slim Phatty Analog Synthesizer from Moog.
Real Moog sound now fits your back pack and your budget. The Slim Phatty's 100% analog signal path, intuitive user interface, rugged construction and rich MIDI, USB and Control Voltage functionality make it a must-have for producers, touring musicians and DJs.
Introducing the Slim Phatty Analog Synthesizer Module from Moog Music
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (October, 2010) – Real Moog sound now fits your back pack and your budget. The Slim Phatty’s 100% analog signal path, intuitive user interface, rugged construction and rich MIDI, USB and Control Voltage functionality make it a must-have for producers, touring musicians and DJs. At just 17” wide, it goes where no other Moog has gone before. Earth-shaking basses, scorching leads and more are now housed in a high-quality instrument ideal for laptop artists and space conscious musical road warriors.
Based on the powerful Little Phatty sound engine, the Slim Phatty is the latest descendant of the iconic Minimoog Model D and features the classic Moog Ladder Filter, the touchstone of analog sound design. In addition to shaping the sound of its on-board oscillators, the Slim Phatty’s filter is a valuable production tool that can be used to process external audio, sweetening your favorite audio source with everything from smooth analog warmth through wet, resonant filter sweeps.
“Good things come in small packages – and the Slim’ is no exception” said Moog Product Development Specialist, Steve Dunnington. “Its small stature doesn’t take away from the massive sounds it can produce.”
The Slim Phatty’s convenient size makes it an ideal voice expander for your existing gear, with two oscillators of massive Moog sound that are always just a MIDI cable away. A new Tuning Scale feature and editor allows easy exploration of alternate scales and tunings. Microtonal, just intonation, quarter-tone, world music scales and more make the Slim Phatty an international traveler. Good thing it has a universal power supply!
In addition to the world of MIDI and USB gear, the Slim Phatty’s Control Voltage inputs give it unlimited realms of expression and sound design possibilities. “Modular synth” style patching with Moogerfooger effects processors, the CP-251 Control Voltage Processor and other Moog synths (even The Moog Guitar!) creates soundscapes previously available only on large modular systems. Connecting to the Etherwave Plus Control Voltage Theremin or the MP-201 Multi-Pedal adds unique and intuitive new modes of expression.
Shipping in the 4th quarter of 2010 and priced at $849, the Slim Phatty beefs up any table-top production environment and with the optional rack mount kit or wood side panels, it’s equally at home in a high-powered touring rack or a vintage synth set-up. Its low price, ergonomic design and Little Phatty compatibility also make it an ideal voice expander for the legions of Little Phatty owners worldwide."
"A film and a music performance with the lights and sounds of the steel foundry. Shooted in super8 and recorded at the Acciaierie di Rubiera (RE) in 2010
Friday November 5th, 2010 - Teatro Valli - Reggio nell'Emilia
Commissioner: I Teatri (Reggio nell'Emilia) Production: AGON (2010) Direction and Photography: Giorgio Sancristoforo Music: Giuseppe Cordaro and Giorgio Sancristoforo Technical Direction: Massimo Marchi
The album Plastic Beach OUT NOW: iTUNES: on Amazon
Recorded just a few weeks ago, Gorillaz were so excited about this stunning new cut, they wanted to unleash it onto the world as soon as humanly possible! All bouncing beats, deep funk grooves and sumptuous soothing vocals (courtesy of hot new British talent Daley), this track just makes you want to move. And in case you're wondering; inspiration for the track and the title comes from The Donca Matic - the groundbreaking Japanese-designed drum machine which started the Korg Musical Instrument Company in 1963!"
"Vestax unveiled their new meaty beast of a small MIDI controller - the Pad One - at BPM 2010. I cast my video camera over it for a feel of the quality."
"These are all custom modules of my design with the exception of the awesome CGS Sequential switch. Originally I was going to resize the panels to fit Eurorack standards but that would leave a lil over 4x5 of unused metal, so each panel has two modules squished together.
These panels will not be for sale but I do plan on releasing euro-rack standard modules as soon as possible for purchase."