New Synth Book: The Prophet from Silicon Valley: The Complete Story of Sequential Circuits

via Amazon:

Update: I forgot to mention, Amazon has a preview of the book you can flip through online.  Click through the link above to check it out if you haven't already.

"The story of Sequential Circuits, the leading synthesizer manufacturer of the 1980s. One of the great American synthesizer companies, founded and led by San Francisco electronics and computer graduate, Dave Smith, Sequential Circuits Inc. paved the way for music of the future. Smith brought easy, affordable and powerful polyphonic synthesis to all levels of music production in the form of the ground-breaking Prophet-5 synthesizer. Released in 1978, the Prophet led the new wave movement into the next decade, creating a sonically exciting soundtrack to eighties culture. It expanded the palette of all music genres and was embraced by professionals and amateurs alike. Sequential Circuits went on to create further innovative concepts and products such as programmable effects, MIDI, multitimbrality, high-quality sampling, workstation and MPC systems and many more. Today the Prophet-5 is very much sought-after as one of those truly iconic classic musical instruments. The book features many exclusive and highly entertaining and informative stories from ex-Sequential staff, music industry moguls, and famous keyboard players. Includes over 240 photos and illustrations (paperback)"

by David Abernethy

Reviews:

Mark Vail, Music journalist, author, teacher, musician: 'The story of Sequential Circuits includes thrilling successes and unfortunate demise. Thanks to Dave Smith's contributions to electronic music, we in the industry owe him dearly. Through thorough research and by reaching out to many artists who benefited from Sequential Circuits' instruments and Dave Smith's work, David Abernethy delivers the essence of the story in this beautifully written and detailed book.'

Dominic Milano, Keyboard magazine writer/reviewer, editor: 'David Abernethy has left no stone unturned in researching this incredibly detailed account of how Dave Smith and Sequential Circuits unseated Moog and ARP to become the leading synthesizer manufacturer of the 1980s. The Prophet from Silicon Valley is a must-read for synth junkies and students of musical instrument design.'

Stanley Jungleib, Sequential's Publications Manager, Seer Systems founder: 'Sequential was the dominant US synthesizer think-tank for a decade. David Abernethy fairly and carefully accounts for the diverse contributions of the talented lot that made it work. Anyone interested in making their career in this business should study its lessons, as many of Sequential's graduates remain influential in the field to this day.'

About the Author
David Abernethy is a musician, writer and electrical engineer from Auckland, New Zealand.

Product Details
Paperback: 274 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform; 1 edition (June 10, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1512198323
ISBN-13: 978-1512198324
Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.6 x 11 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds

Sweet Effectrode Mercury Vacuum Tube Fuzz

Published on Jun 17, 2015 bigcitymusic

"00:00 - Intellijel Rubicon Sine Wave through Effectrode Mercury Fuzz to demonstrate fuzz harmonics.
00:21 - JoMoX ModBrane through Audio Damage Dub Jr. (time modulated) through Effectrode Mercury Fuzz."

Red Roland SH-101

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Analog Monsters Roland Juno-106 does ARP SOLINA String Synthesizer!

Published on Jun 17, 2015 SynthgodXXX

"Analog Monsters: Roland Juno-106 does
ARP SOLINA or ARP OMNI String Synthesizer!

Analog Monsters Roland Juno-106 Jupiter-8 style
Blue LEDs, Bender & Polymeter!
100% No Talking! Just pure Analog Bliss!

The Polymeter is synced to the voice board, just like a DSI synthesizer, when a key is struck each voice lights up on the Polymeter panel! VERY Trippy in a dark studio!!
Perfect for collectors and acid trippers!! LOL!

The Roland JUNO-106 does (In my opinion)
a GREAT STRING SYNTHESIZER emulation!
I tried to do my best making a ARP SOLINA,
ARP OMNI or ARP QUADRA string patch.
The chorus is no phaser , but I like it better on the
Roland Juno-106 dry with no chorus.

The video starts off dry with no chorus then I add chorus I & then II.
After that I show off some drone atmospheres & space EFX.
With & without the internal chorus.

This synthesizer has been modified by Allen at The Synth Spa
Full restoration, Voice Chips, Blue LED's, Bender & Polymeter!
Custom Roland Jupiter-8 Color Style Buttons! Wood Sides!
100% Bad Ass!!!! Just priceless. No offers excepted.
This one stays in the studio forever!

I love you guys!
You all ROCK!
Rik
Thanks for watching!"

Jumpers - Synthesizers.com

Published on Jun 17, 2015 synthesizersdotcom

"How to adjust jumpers on an analog synthesizer module circuit board in a Synthesizers.com analog modular synthesizer.

Hosted by Roger Arrick of Synthesizers.com

http://www.synthesizers.com/"

EMS SYNTHI A

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Moog Minimoog Model D SN 7723 Synthesizer and Sample-Hold Controller 1125 SN 1780

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Roland Jupiter-6 SN 311802

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Quasimidi PolyMorph

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carp

Published on Jun 17, 2015 Ebotronix

"4ms Peg, QCD² /Expander², QPLFO, ,RCD², VCA Matrix
Analogue Systems RS 100², RS110²², RS 360², RS500e²
Bananalogue Serge VCS
Buchla System #1
Cyndustries Zeroscillator
Doepfer R2m, A101-2², A118, A133²,A134²², A143-1/2/9,
A149, A151²,A152,A156²,A160/161², A175²²,A185-2(14x),
A138a²²b²²c²²²², A192-1(4Vox midi CC )
Flame 4 Vox ,Arpeggiator 2013 (melodic minor),
FX16,Talking Synth Module²
flight of harmony choices
Koma Kommander
Make Noise Brains ,PP², Maths²,Moddemix²²,QMMG,
Optomix, René, Wogglebug²
Malekko Anti²², Unkle²²,Jag
Moog Taurus 2, FreqBox²², MP201
Oberheim Sem
Roland SVC 350 Vocoder, System 104 Sequencer
SSL Modulation Orgy
Tip Top Audio Z8000 manual voltage source
Toppobrillo Quantimator²(melodic minor), Sportmodulator,TWF²
Logic masterclock to Kenton Pro 2000
Rocktron Rack Interface²
Yamaha MCS 02 ( Flame Arpeggiator 2013 Midi CC)
FX : Alesis 3630,Philtre, Boss VF-1,BSS DPR 402
Lexicon MX 400, PCM80,, Line 6 Echopro ,TC M one XL, M3000
mackie the mixer²
drums : Ultrabeat
vid # 1347"

Yamaha CS-80 Analog RYTM Minimoog Formant Filter

Published on Jun 17, 2015 MrFirechild

"The Yamaha CS-80 plays the lead in this track along with other vintage gear as the Memorymoog and Minimoog. Creative use of the Grendel Formant Filter can be heard in the intro and outro. Composed and arranged by Firechild."

RIBOSOMAL 16S CV CONTROL OF FM DEMONSTRATION

Published on Jun 17, 2015 littlem4tt

"I originally wanted to build the MFOS sequencer to control an FM modulation Oscillator. Here is my first attempt."

New AMSynths Aqua Synthesizer In the Works

Some details via AMSynths

"The Aqua is a complete analog synthesizer inspired by the mono-synths of the 1970’s. A single VCO with sawtooth, pulse and sub octave square waveforms drives a 4-pole Low Pass Filter, which is connected to a final VCA with ADSR envelope. Noise, S&H and an advanced LFO complete the configuration. The synthesizer is analog with CV inputs for keyboard CV, gate and trigger – there is no MIDI. The Aqua is based on two PCB’s; one for the potentiometers and switches and a second for the analog circuits. The PCB’s mount to a powder coated and silk screened steel front panel designed by AMSynths.

Detailed Description
The Aqua is an all new design that uses modern components.

One wide range VCO with precision power rails, sawtooth and square waveforms.
-1 and -2 octave sub-oscillator waveforms.
VCF 8075 4-pole Low Pass Filter with matched transistor arrays.
CMOS based based ADSR with x0.1 and x1 timing switches.
S&H, Noise and high quality LFO with frequency LED and delay control.
VCO Range rotary switch provides 32′,16′,8′,4′ and 2’octaves.
VCO Fine Tune rotary potentiometer.
High Pass Filter with 4 modes including Bass Boost.
Portamento slide potentiometer.
Robust power connectors for +/-12V on PCB.
Non-illuminated 45mm slider potentiometers with plastic slider caps.
High quality metal baton slide switches.
3.5mm jacks sockets for inputs and unbalanced output, all mounted on PCB.
Pitch, Gate and Trigger 3.5mm jack socket inputs plus a variety of patch points.
NO MIDI input, please use a MIDI to CV with gate & trigger (e.g. Kenton).
Product Details

Stage 1: The Aqua will be available as an unpopulated PCB’s with a professional EuroRack front panel, customers need to buy and fit the components, AMSynths provide any hard to find parts. The Panel is rack mounted into a standard 3U 84HP EuroRack with rails within the customers case. The Aqua is powered via 12V using a standard Doepfer power socket.

Stage 2: The Aqua will also be available as a completed synth in EuroRack with all parts fitted and the synth tested.

There are no plans to sell the Aqua in a metal case with a mains power supply, and customers can design their own cases. Pricing and BOM will be announced when the PCB and Panel have been finalised."

Geektronica #11: John Williams Medley

Published on Jun 17, 2015 Ace Waters

"This video has been in the works for a long time, and I am happy to finally present my John Williams Medley, featuring songs from Jurassic Park, Indiana Jones, Harry Potter, Hook, and of course, Star Wars."

OBERHEIM MATRIX 6 with Calzone Case

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Shruthi XT w/ Roland IR3109 Filter Board

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"New Mutable Instruments Shruthi XT w/ IR3109 Filter Board assembled by Jason Fry @ Free State FX during May 2015."

Cool PCB art!

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Tiptop Audio Quantizer lullaby

Published on Jun 17, 2015 Tiptop .Audio

"Testing the tuning of our new Quantizer circuit. Playing manually on two of them, controlling four Z3000 passing through Z2040. All mixed up in MIXZ and sent to the Z-DSP running Halls Of Valhalla. Drums from 808 drum modules. Everything is sequenced from the Circadian Rhythms."

Modular Wild Visits New Media and Art Sound Summit Performances

Published on Jun 17, 2015 Modular Wild

Playlist:
1. Modular Wild Vists New Media and Art Sound Summit 2015- Tyler Thompson
"A live performance fromTyler Thompson from WMD devices. Performed at the New Media and Art Sound Summit on June 13, 2015 in Austin, Tx. Showcases some of the abilities of the Monolith Synthesizer. Sound and Video by Raul Pena."

2. Modular Wild Vists New Media and Art Sound Summit 2015- Dylan C

3. Modular Wild Vists New Media and Art Sound Summit 2015-Snowbeasts

4. Modular Wild Vists New Media and Art Sound Summit 2015-Surachai

5. Modular Wild Vists New Media and Art Sound Summit 2015-Richard Devine

6. Modular Wild Vists New Media and Art Sound Summit 2015- Alessandro Cortini

7. Modular Wild Vists New Media and Art Sound Summit 2015- Baseck

2010.10 x0xb0x / z0xb0x demo

Published on Jun 17, 2015 zbr_audio

Roland SH-2 Vintage Analog Synthesizer 70's

Published on Jun 17, 2015 SubTokyoShop

"Roland SH-2 Vintage Analog Synthesizer 70's

recorded with Roland RE-101 space echo / Tascam RS-20B spring reverb / Arturia beatstep"

subtokyoshop on eBay | subtokyoshop on Reverb

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Nihon Hammond & Ace Tone (Pre ROLAND) Rhythm Ace FR-6 Drum Machines

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Ace Tone (Pre ROLAND) Rhythm Ace FR-6 SN 078045 via this auction

Nihon Hammond Rhythm Ace FR-6 SN 571308 via this auction

Note the different branding SN plates on the back.

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Percussa AudioCubes Sensor Mode

via Percussa where you'll find a video tutorial by Rishabh Rajan.

"When you put an AudioCube in sensor mode, it will work by itself, and doesn't detect any other cubes. It just measures distance to your hands or other objects nearby using its 4 sensors. For each AudioCube in Sensor Mode, you can assign each of its 4 sensors to different effects in your DAW, and MIDIBridge 3.0 allows you to use 15 wireless audiocubes as Sensor cubes.

AudioCubes can definitely sense distance to other cubes or your hands and at the same time detect other cubes, if you use the new topology mode. However, if you just want to sense distance you can use sensor mode, which is sometimes easier and quicker to work with than topology mode :-) The data provided by sensor mode and topology mode is the same.

A very cool application of using AudioCubes in Sensor Mode is building an interactive sound and light installation where visitors can interact with each other, sounds and visuals.

Imagine a room where visitors can grab an AudioCube, go to the other side of the room, while controlling effects by moving their hands and fingers in front of the sensors. The wireless range of the AudioCubes is up to 3 meters, so the AudioCubes don't need to be next to each other, but can be placed around the central master cube within the range of a couple of meters.

Besides controlling effects, they can also receive feedback through the colors when moving their hand closer or further away from the sensors.

The sensors of the AudioCubes are very accurate and high speed: the audiocubes data updates at 1kHz sample rate so latency is on the order of a few milliseconds."

Moog Werkstatt-01 - Analog Synthesizer Kit Fully Built Moogfest 2014 Synth

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Animoog Updates for iPad & iPhone

iPad: Animoog - Moog Music Inc.

What's New in Version 2.2.5
• Mapped controls now respond to MIDI when Animoog is in the background
• Fixed MIDI input and output port selection sometimes tacitly picking another one
• External pitch bend now behaves linearly across the pitch bend range
• Pitch bend strip is more usable by reducing the sensitivity in the middle
• Stability improvements of the 4-track recorder
• The recording length of the basic recorder has been doubled
• Invalid timbre files are marked and don't cause crashes anymore
• New installations now by default map CC64 to the Hold switch
• Version number is now shown at the bottom of configuration screen
• Improvement of in-app store layout
• Overall stability improvements"



iPhone: Animoog for iPhone - Moog Music Inc.

What's New in Version 1.1.8
• Fixed bug on iPhone Touch 5 where Animoog showed only a black screen without any interaction nor sound
• Fixed bug where MIDI Expansion Pack was accidentally disabled, even after purchasing it would not activate
• Stability improvements in situations where the audio engine is reset by iOS itself

And in Version 1.1.7:
• Stable support for iOS 8
• Stable support for 64-bit devices
• Revised timbres panel with categories (touch-hold timbre in category for preview)
• Added ‘hold’ switch to keyboard for iPhone 5 and later
• New installations now by default map CC64 to the Hold switch for iPhone 5 and later
• Audiobus input slot compatibility fixes
• Pitch bend range can now be selected in MIDI settings

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Sequential Prophet-6 Soundscapes Demo

Published on Jun 17, 2015 perfectcircuitaudio

"This demo shows off the soundscape and sound effect abilities of the Sequential Prophet 6 synthesizer. Enjoy!

Buy a Sequential Prophet-6 here: http://goo.gl/VwAknj"

Live modular techno : pure electronic

Published on Jun 17, 2015 Maxime F

"octatrack used only as master clock
2* eventide h9 for some delay and reverb
mackie 1202 to mix
overstayer vca to compress

everything else modular :)"

Bleep Labs The Rad-Fi system - First circuit & Glitch Delay - First sounds

Published on Jun 17, 2015 Bleep Labs

"Accompanies instructions at http://bleeplabs.com/radfi-base-instr..."

Rad-Fi Glitch Delay - First sounds

modularbeats: Phonogene Percussion Kit

Published on Jun 17, 2015 MAKEN0ISE

"Video shows how to isolate and perform with portions of a loop or group of sounds recorded into the Phonogene using the SPLICE, Gene-Size, SLIDE and PLAY parameters."

NAMM 2015 - MOOG - The Coolest Synth Ever Made

Published on Jan 26, 2015 THE MUSICIAN NETWORK (TMNtv)

Quick demo of the System 35 at this years NAMM. Note the price mentioned below also includes the optional Sequencer Complement B not visible.

"While we walked thru the MOOG booth at Winter NAMM 2015, we came across this ***incredible*** hand-built HUGE custom synthesizer manufactured by the company. It sells for......wait for it......$22,000 dollars and MOOG is planning on only making 40+ units during 2014 and that's IT. When they are "gone their gone" - so, if you want one.....you better purchase one thru one of their authorized dealers = ASAP. Finally, just listen to how FULL & TRUE the tones are coming out of this beauty!!! Simply - in our opinion - absolutely the COOLEST synthesizer EVER MADE by the company & man (Bob Moog) who = Started It All !!!! Enjoy, The Musician Network (TMNtv)"

RedSound Elevata Rack Mount Synthesizer [Ultra-Rare 1 of 250 in existence] w/ Original Box

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See the notes on buggy RedSounds below.

"Specifications:

Polyphony - 16 voices

Oscillators - Two with square, sawtooth, sine & formant waveforms plus pink/white/blue noise

LFO - Two with ramp, triangle, square, sine, pulse, sample + hold, random waveforms.

Effects - Chorus, Flange

Filter - 12 dB/oct resonant filter, low-, high-, or band-pass modes

Keyboard - None

Memory - 127 preset, 127 user patches, 90 multi-patches with 8 programs each

Control - MIDI IN/OUT/THRU (8-parts), Joystick Controller with independent socket input


PLEASE READ BEFORE PURCHASE:

RedSound gear is NOTORIOUSLY BUGGY and the Elevata is no exception. It was originally slated to have expansion EPROM's, but none were ever produced. Thus you have 3 ghostly empty EPROM slots that will sit forever unfilled. Elevata's are known to lock up and I find that if I flood the unit with rapid MIDI input from a keyboard I can lock it up and have to reset it. I have not had that problem when just using basic arpeggiations or playing Andantino. So to repeat this unit IS BUGGY! Please be advised: ALL Elevatas are buggy, and this one is no exception. I assume if you're looking at this unit you know this, but I want you to be an informed buyer!"

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TAMA DS200 Drum Synthesizer

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Roland MC4 MicroComposer SN 160587

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"Classic 80's sequencer
The MC4 has legendary clock stability and note event synchronization.
Great for creating complex compositions with multiple CV/Gate Synths.

This unit has the following issues:
- some of the buttons take a few presses to work
- the unit sometimes crashes when it gets hot
- the plastic coating around the base of the power cord is partially severed (shown)"

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Roland System 100 Model 104 Vintage Synth Analog Sequencer SN 500588

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Class Action Ft. Chris Wiltshire - Weekend Acapella - Live vinyl remix

Published on Jun 17, 2015 Tony Horgan

"Remixed live using the vinyl acapella with a Roland Aira TR-8 and two Cylone Analogic TT-303 Bass Bots. Recorded on a Tascam DP24."

In The KOMA Studio: Orphx

Published on Jun 17, 2015 KOMA Elektronik

"One of the most highly respected acts in techno and industrial, Orphx, stopped by our studio on their last European tour. They are able to combine modular synthesizers, hardware and software live creating intense atmospheres and heavy rhythms. In the KOMA Studio, Rich Oddie and Christina Sealey tried out some of our equipment, including the Komplex Sequencer, jamming on some dark and hypnotic techno."

Tutor Acid303 full analog

Published on Jun 17, 2015 Kevin Polzer

"tb-303, mc202, volca bass, volca keys, dave smith tempest live sequencing"

Electribe 2 | Ambient

Published on Jun 17, 2015 r beny

"Ambient exploration/jam (jamsploration?) on the Korg Electribe 2. Was going for a Fennesz-ish sound, but ended up somewhere else. All sounds/effects from Electribe 2."

SWEETWATER - GEARFEST 2015 - The Inventors of Synth (Roger Linn, Dave Smith & Tom Oberheim)

Published on Jun 16, 2015 THE MUSICIAN NETWORK (TMNtv)

"At Sweetwater's GearFest 2015, we were extremely lucky to have attended & filmed a one-of-a-kind seminar & panel discussion with three (3) HUGE contributors (i.e. 'The Inventors') of = The Synthesizer: Mr. Roger Linn, Mr. Dave Smith and Mr. Tom Oberheim. If you are an Electronic Musician and a synth-lover, then you NEED to watch this video, in its' entirety. Great Thanks to Sweetwater for putting this seminar & panel on during GearFest! Sincerely, The Musician Network (TMNtv)"

Update:

Tom Oberheim Interviewed by Sweetwater Sound

Published on Jun 29, 2015 SweetwaterSound

"Mitch Gallagher sits down with synthesizer legend Tom Oberheim for a special interview at Sweetwater's GearFest 2015. A pioneer of the synth and MIDI world, Tom Oberheim co-designed the Synthesizer Expansion Module (SEM), a device that allowed musicians to simultaneously combine live playing and sequenced playback - a concept that pre-dated the MIDI revolution. In 1981, he, along with Roland's Ikutaro Kakehashi and Sequential's Dave Smith, developed the MIDI spec, which changed the course of modern music. Tom recently re-released his famed Two Voice synth."

Dave Smith Interviewed by Sweetwater

Published on Jun 22, 2015 SweetwaterSound

"Mitch Gallagher sits down with synth pioneer Dave Smith here at Sweetwater Sound. Dave was visiting Sweetwater for GearFest '15, featuring a special panel discussion between Dave Smith, Roger Linn, and Tom Oberheim.

Legendary synth designer and Grammy-winner Dave Smith was the founder of Sequential Circuits in the mid-'70s. His Prophet-5, the world's first fully programmable polyphonic synth, was the first musical instrument with an embedded microprocessor. Dave is also known as the driving force behind the development of the MIDI specification. He has continued to innovate, and recently unveiled his latest synth creation, the Sequential Prophet-6."

The first soft synth ever, Seer Systems Reality, gets a mention.

Roger Linn Interviewed by Sweetwater

Published on Jul 10, 2015 SweetwaterSound

"At GearFest '15, synthesizer pioneer Roger Linn sat down with Mitch Gallagher to talk music and electronic instruments. Technical Grammy award-winner Roger Linn invented the LM-1 Drum Computer (the first sample-based drum machine) in 1979. He later designed the Akai MPC60, which combined a sampling drum machine with a real-time MIDI sequencer. His guitar effects unit, AdrenaLinn, has been used on hit recordings by John Mayer and Red Hot Chili Peppers. In 2014 he released the LinnStrument, an expressive MIDI performance controller.

The Sweetwater Minute, Vol. 298"