MATRIXSYNTH: Thursday, September 20, 2012

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Moog Prototype "Thingamajig"?

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

Piece of unrelated DIY work, or something actually from the early Moog days. You be the judge. This one is from the seller listing a number of Moog items from an estate sale supposedly of an early Moog engineer. I'm curious who that might be. The following is the item description:

"The auction is for a Moog thingamajig. I am not sure what this is. It is labeled only as a frequency divider. It was found with the Moog gear I have. Came from what I believe to be the estate of an early Moog engineer. as you can see it is in beyond rough shape. Case broken and missing parts. Boards damaged. Very incomplete. Yet its has some value to the Moog collector. Was this a custom built piece? A prototype? A rare part of the modular system? I do not know. But is for sure a missing link in Moog synthesizer history. Likely the only one to, well, sorta exist. So, here is what I see. We have 12 input, output sections. 12 pots labeled as scale.

12 breadboards underneath loaded with cap and resistors. Most boards look damn near identical. With one board looking a bit more complex. This excludes the 13th broken board, that may be a power supply board. or output board. The keyboard looks to be touch/force sensitive. Output jacks are labelled 1,2,4,8. With a switch for internal or external on each set of input, outputs. Check the pics. If any of you Moog junkies out there got any ideas. Please share. This is the first of a few unreleased Moog items I will be listing. I also have a Moog Apollo synthesizer. Which is from what I can tell a final rendition of the Polymoog keyboard, previous to its release. And another keyboard named the Moog "Polypreset".

Which shares some likeness to a Polymoog. But is really unique in features and layout."

Update: see this post for an update on the possible Moog tech this belonged to.

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Minimoog Voyager Select Series to be Phased Out with Price Drop

via Moog Music
"Moog has announced its plans to discontinue production of the Minimoog Voyager Select Series, the top selling backlit analog synthesizer of all time.

Over the last 6 years the Select Series has been used in studios and on stages around the globe. Whether it’s Madonna, Dr. Dre, Alicia Keys, CeeLo Green, Lady Gaga or Sugarland, the custom combinations of color and finish reflects the unique aesthetic and personality of its owner. Moog will continue building the Select Series through the end of the year, with the final Select Series leaving the factory on Jan 1, 2013.

This is the last chance ever for prospective buyers to purchase a Select Series Voyager, but it will also be their best chance. During the remaining months of production, Moog has reduced the selling price on all Select Series Voyagers from $3,659 to $2,999.

“We felt it was important to give musicians who had always dreamt of customizing a handcrafted Voyager a final chance to build one at an unprecedented price," said Mike Adams, CEO Moog Music Inc. “We are a small company that still builds by hand, so sometimes we have to make hard decisions about ending the life of even our most favorite products. However, history has shown that discontinued Minimoogs, like the Model D and the Old School, have a tendency to become highly sought after collector's items. I'm sure we'll see them on stages and in studios for years to come.” said Adams.

The discontinuation of the Select Series comes just as Moog begins celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the Minimoog Voyager. The first Minimoog Voyager introduced the world to the next generation of analog synthesizers in 2002. To honor this milestone, Moog has created an interactive ten-year retrospective containing the untold history of the Voyager, artist profiles and performances, free gifts, and other announcements that are yet to come.

Minimoog Voyager Select Series will be gone by 2013. Until that time the price has been reduced from $3,659 to $2,999. Available direct from the Moog website or your favorite Moog Dealer."

Happy Birthday from ExperimentalSynth.com

Published on Sep 20, 2012 by experimentalsynth

"Happy Birthday! Whether we are close friends or just Facebook aquaintances, I hope this day is special for you. ~Chris"

Featuring the Minimoog Voyager Select series in green. Related post on that coming up next.

MOOG and Ableton with Koushion

Published on Sep 20, 2012 by kudzucreative

"Koushion is a MIDI Step Sequencer iPad app that allows you to easily program drum patterns, melodies and more using your existing hardware synthesizers, softsynths, samples and other electronic music gear. Works great with Ableton Live and other DAWs. Look for Koushion in the iPad app store."

iTunes:
Koushion MIDI Step Sequencer - Kudzu Creative Group

iPads on eBay

Roland Organ/strings RS-09

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

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1981 KORG Polysix SN 464316

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

If you ever pick up a Polysix, be sure the original battery has been upgraded. They are known to leak and damage the circuit boards. You can find a fix for them here.

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Tiptop Audio Z4000 VC- Envelope Generator Goes Into Production

http://tiptopaudio.com

MFB OSC-02 Eurorack Module

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"This is a barely used eurorack module. Works perfectly. Used just a handful of times.

* 3 voltage-controlled analog oscillators
* triangle, saw tooth, square waveforms
* common and individual CV-control
* 2 x pulse width modulation
* internal and external hard-sync
* digital ring-modulation

OSC-02 offers a variety of notable functions: Beside a common CV-control voltage for all VCOs, all oscillators can be individually controlled by CV-sources, e.g. by different tracks of a CV-sequencer like Doepfers MAQ-16/3 or the AS Oberkorn. VCO 1 can be synchronized to VCO 3, individually or paired with VCO 2. The same goes for external hard-sync. The additional CV-inputs allow for common and individual modulations.

Three outputs allow for summed and individual audio outputs. A separate outputs carries a digital ring-modulated signal of OSC 1 and 2 (configurable to OSC 1-3 by jumper)."

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An Instrument for the Sonification of Everday Things

An Instrument for the Sonification of Everday Things from Dennis P Paul on Vimeo.
"This is a serious musical instrument. It rotates everyday things, scans their surfaces, and transforms them into audible frequencies. A variety of everyday objects can be mounted into the instrument. Their silhouettes define loops, melodies and rhythms. Thus mundane things are reinterpreted as musical notation. Playing the instrument is a mixture of practice, anticipation, and serendipity.

The instrument was built from aluminum tubes, white POM, black acrylic glass, a high precision distance measuring laser ( with the kind support of Micro-Epsilon ), a stepper motor, and a few bits and bobs.

A custom programmed translator and controller module, written in processing, transforms the measured distance values into audible frequencies, notes, and scales. It also precisely controlls the stepper-motor’s speed to sync with other instruments and musicians.

More Information:
http://dennisppaul.de/an-instrument-for-the-sonification-of-everday-things/"

Life, Laughter & Loops DVD - Jean-Jacques Perrey on the Ondioline

Published on Sep 20, 2012 by mee3d

"An extract from the Jean-Jacques Perrey 'Life, Laughter & Loops' DVD Boxset.
http://www.jjpdvd.com/
copyright © 2004-2012 Mal Meehan"

Roland CR-68 Vintage Analog Drum Machine

Published on Sep 20, 2012 by Sjobeck7

Korg Delta and Polysix featured in this one as well.

Moog Celebrates 10 Years of the Minimoog Voyager

"The Minimoog Voyager turns ten. For the next 60 days Moog will release exclusive content, free giveaways, special offers, and big announcements on this timeline.

As the first Minimoog Voyager left the Moog Factory on August 31st 2002, it carried with it a message, that Moog was back and a new era of analog synthesizer had begun. The Voyager is the crowning achievement of one of the centuries greatest minds, and has stood as a testament to Dr. Robert Moog, and his dream to make electronics sing. Ten years later the Minimoog Voyager stands as the world's most iconic synthesizer. To this day each instrument is made by hand with the love and care of Moog's craftsmen..."

Check out the Voyager timeline here.

via Moog Music on Facebook

Update: just wanted to capture the following regarding the prototype Voyager. If you haven't already, be sure to click on the link above for the full timeline. It's fascinating history. I can't see a way to larger versions of the images there though. If anyone knows how, feel free to comment or shoot me an email (icon on the bottom right). That said, on the prototype:

"The first fully functional Voyager prototype was built from Bob’s original oscillator and filter development, combined with modified Moogerfooger circuitry to serve as functions such as the LFO.

The Voyager was originally envisioned as an interconnected collection of independent circuit boards, however it was realized that this type of hardware architecture would limit the capability to make production model Voyagers. To circumvent this problem and stream line production the smaller modules were combined into larger boards reducing the amount of wiring necessary in the final product.

The original Voyager prototype did not have the white overlay seen on modern Voyagers nor did it have a functioning touch pad. While the touch pad was planned as can be seen in the photos actual functionality was not added until the Voyager went into production. The first touch pads were hand made by Bob Moog and tempered in his home oven."

Brian Eno and Peter Chilvers Scape for iPad

"Scape makes music that thinks for itself. From Brian Eno and Peter Chilvers, creators of Bloom, Scape is a new form of album which offers users deep access to its musical elements. These can be endlessly recombined to behave intelligently: reacting to each other, changing mood together, making new sonic spaces.

Can machines create original music? Scape is our answer to that question: it employs some of the sounds, processes and compositional rules that we have been using for many years and applies them in fresh combinations, to create new music. Scape makes music that thinks for itself.

- Brian Eno, Peter Chilvers

Includes 15 original scapes
Scapes can be saved into a gallery and added to a playlist
Plays in background of other apps (excluding iPad 1)
Generates random scapes
Scapes can be shared by email
Supports AirPlay and Retina display

Headphones or external speakers recommended"

iTunes:
Scape - Opal Limited
iPads on eBay

E-MU EMULATOR II+ HD SN 1855 with Manual & Disks

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

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KAWAI SYNTHESIZER 100-P with Original Box

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"This is a rare KAWAI (Teisco) 100-P Analouge Synthesizer made in the 70's or 80's.

All controls, levers and knobs are present and work as they should The kawai-100P is a monophonic preset synthesizer from 1979. There were a number of such keyboards around at the time and earlier, including Roland's SH-2000 and the ARP Pro Soloist. They gave quick access to generic sounds, and were often designed to sit atop another keyboard, such as an organ.

The sounds themselves are a mixed bag – but many of them are a pleasure to play, and several are very usable. The bass sounds possess a solid low end, the shakuhachi is smooth and effective, and the four "synthe" sounds have a pleasing rawness. The limited tweaking afforded by the panel controls includes a clumsy pitch-bend slider, filter "brilliance", and modulation rate, as well as octave up/down, portamento (and glissando) time, tune, volume and three keyboard triggering modes.

Perhaps the most unexpected and interesting aspects of this modest little synth are its built-in reverb and assignable aftertouch. Reverb is of the spring type, with an effect level knob on the panel; aftertouch also has a sensitivity control knob to suit your playing, and can be routed simultaneously to several destinations, including pitch bend up/down, filter, vibrato amount and "growl". The degree of flexibility this adds to the otherwise simple sounds makes this synth much more expressive than many more patchable monos of the time. There is also an "effects" section allowing the switching of porta/glissando, hold/sustain, note repeat and – another nice feature – a flanger.

There is minimal interfacing here: high and low outputs, headphone jack, and an expression pedal input for volume control – but the advantage of this is that the 100P begs to be played. Forget your CV/Gate, your MIDI and USB – forget how many demisemiquavers you can quantize at 300BPM – flex your finger joints and have some fun!

great vintage synth that comes in original box packaging with cover and sheet holder"

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Korg Monopoly with Front Panel Overlay

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via this auction

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ROLAND SH-101 with Mod Grip

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via this auction

donkyrider

Published on Sep 20, 2012 by Dmitri SFC
"night of the everlasting donky ride"

Looking over the SH-101

Published on Sep 20, 2012 by Fahz0r

"Playing around with my SH-101, showing off it's many features."

Roland SH-101s on eBay

1984 Synton Syntovox Ad

via Retro Synth Ads where you'll find the full write-up.

"Synton Syntovox "High performance vocoders" 1/4-page black and white advertisement from page 86 in the March 1984 issue of Keyboard Magazine."

KORG KRONOS Tracks by Jambodhi

Solar Flares (New Age by Jambodhi)

Uploaded by Jambodhi on Feb 16, 2012

"Music created on Korg Kronos Workstation Keyboard - Has Multi track recorder!

For 1St Album Jambodhi CD on Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0030GM7FW?ie=UTF8&camp=213733&creat...

For 1St Album Jambodhi CD on iTunes: [link]

Kronos 88 workstation. For the Best Keyboard with unbelievable quality go to
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004M8ZZKG?ie=UTF8&camp=213733&creat... "

Joy ( "NEW" Slow Sweet Sax - New Age Film Score by Jambodhi )

Published on Sep 8, 2012 by Jambodhi
These are all Kronos.

"Acoustic Guitars, Electric and Acoustic Piano, Fretless Electric Bass, Violins, Flute, keyboards, Drums, Alto Sax, Bongos, Conga. Music and Pictures by Jambodhi (Pictures of Hamilton Bay ) Slow Jazz"

Radiant Heat ( Slow Jazz with Sax Film Score by Jambodhi )

Also see:
http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_12131892
http://www.youtube.com/user/Jambodhi?feature=watch

Doepfer A155 Analog/Trigger Sequencer Basics

Published on Sep 20, 2012 by raulsworldofsynths

"Discussing the Basics of the Doepfer A155 Analog/Trigger Sequencer. Sound and Video by Raul Pena"

Doepfer A155 Analog/Trigger Sequencer Basics-Notes and Triggers Part One

Published on Sep 20, 2012 by raulsworldofsynths

"Demonstration of Sequencing Notes and Triggers with the Doepfer A155 Analog/Trigger Sequencer.Sound and Video by Raul Pena."

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Thomas Dolby wins 2012 Moog Innovation Award

via Moog Music

"Dolby is a self made man, synth pioneer, and mad scientist. Like Bob Moog, Thomas Dolby’s quest for knowledge and desire to sculpt the world around him led him to the world of electronics, where he designed his own synths, founded his own software company, and charged head long through the world of pop music and into America’s consciousness. To say he was blinded by science would be doing him a disservice, for science has been his guiding light, and technology his namesake. For expanding the sonic boundaries of the new wave movement and for fearlessly embracing the future, Moog is proud to present Thomas Dolby with a custom Minimoog Voyager XL, in honor of being the 2012 Moog Innovation Award winner.

Go to www.moogfest.com to purchase your passes for Thomas Dolby's Moogfest performance."

New MacBeth Touch Controller Pics

via Ken MacBeth on Facebook

Top: "I took this picture of me and the controller/synth to give you an idea of the size of the thing!....please see previous post!"

Bottom: "Well here is the built up VAPORWARE! It has twin touch stylii for ease of use! It sends out 1V Octave CV and Gate. It also receives 1V/Octave CV and Gate too- it's a purely analogue design- there are a couple of basic audio Oscillators, Noise, SV Filter and Envelopes...and it works and sounds great!"