H.W. Cano Gravitom Rare Drum Synthesizer

video upload by akestromer

"Quick demo of an early 80's drum synth made by H.W. Cano."

Here's an intersting bit of synth history. You can find previous creations by Cano here. I believe Cano's designs were bought out by Basyn according to this post back in 2006. Not sure if Cano dates back to the 80s. This is the first post to feature the Gravitom though. The design and sound remind me of the JHS/Cortez variety drum synths various band produced.

RARE 2005 HOWARD CANO SAURUS DIY SYNTH

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via this auction

From 2005 based on the circuit board.

See the Howard Cano label below for more.

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The Saurus Cortez Analog Synth Bass Pedals

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video upload by JorgeCortez01 on Sep 19, 2012



via this auction

"This is a one of a kind, it's a handmade set of bass pedals, the board was made by Howard Cano and it's called the Saurus: it's an all analog programmable with 28 memories synth.

2 oscillators, with digital frequency control for drift-free performance. Osc 1 is tuned to 16' (low C=32.7 Hz) and Osc 2 is tuned to 8'. They have variable detuning to give a very thick sound when used together.


A pseudo-random noise generator with a cicle time of more than four minutes

A real analog ADSR

A real analog VCF (24 dB/octave)

VCA.

easy to use programming interface: everything is done via the LED display and five pushbutton switches., no other components are needed.

I build it to be very small and portable, it has a lexan case which is kind of scratched but it's also very sturdy, it has 13 (notes) pushbuttons or "keys" (1octave) midi in to control it's internal sounds. A line level 1/4" audio phone jack which you just conect to an amp."

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Basyn Analog Synth Module 13 Note Bass Pedals

via this auction

"This is the Basyn Analog Synth Module Kit, a 13 note, 2 oscillator analog synthesizer module, licensed from Cano Electronics excellent Sonosaur adapter. This kit will easily allow you to connect any 13 note analog trigger device, such as an organ pedalboard and turn it into an analog synthesizer, similar to the Moog Taurus. It features 2 oscillators (each tuned one octave apart), filter controls, full ADSR envelope controls and a noise generator. It requires a 9v 300mA DC power supply. Complete instructions are included. A 14-pin wiring connector is included so no modifications to the adapter are needed. Its easy to retrofit into your project. The board itself measures 4" x 5".

Features include:
Two oscillators with digital frequency control for drift-free performance. Oscillator 1 is tuned to 16' (low C = 32.7 Hz), and oscillator 2 is tuned to 8'. A mix pot lets you blend the two oscillator outputs in any ratio you desire.
A pseudo-random noise generator with a cycle time of more than four minutes. Make explosions, wind, timpani, etc.!
Analog waveshaping giving a preset mix of ramp and pulse waveforms, or red (1/f) and white noise.
A REAL analog Attack-Decay-Sustain-Release (ADSR) envelope generator with true exponential decay and release curves for a natural sound.
A REAL, honest-to-God, analog Voltage-Controlled-Filter (VCF)-- NOT a digital substitute! The VCF is a state-variable design with resonance ("Q") control. The filter tracks the pedals and has variable cutoff frequency along with variable sweep control from the ADSR.
A Voltage-Controlled-Amplifier (VCA) that can be controlled from the envelope generator or gated by the pedals.
Eight pots and two switches for creating your own sound. The pots control attack time, decay time, sustain level, release time, oscillator mix, VCF initial frequency, VCF sweep, and VCF resonance. One switch selects either the oscillator outputs or the noise source, and the other switch selects either the ADSR or gate output to control the VCA.
Direct connection to pedal switches-- no other interface is required."

Basyn Analog Bass Synthesizer

via this auction

"This is the Basyn Analog Bass Synthesizer, a 13 note, 2 oscillator analog bass synthesizer pedalboard, At the heart of the synth is our Basyn Analog Synth, licensed from Cano Electronics excellent Sonosaur. Instead of heavy and bulky organ pedals, it uses heavy duty 1" momentary pushbuttons and comes in a sturdy but lightweight aluminum case that weighs in around 5 lbs.. It features 2 oscillators (each tuned one octave apart), filter controls, full ADSR envelope controls, a VCA and a noise generator. It comes with a 9v 300mA DC power supply. Just plug and go.

Features include:

Two oscillators with digital frequency control for drift-free performance. Oscillator 1 is tuned to 16' (low C = 32.7 Hz), and oscillator 2 is tuned to 8'. A mix pot lets you blend the two oscillator outputs in any ratio you desire.
A pseudo-random noise generator with a cycle time of more than four minutes. Make explosions, wind, timpani, etc.!
Analog waveshaping giving a preset mix of ramp and pulse waveforms, or red (1/f) and white noise.
A REAL analog Attack-Decay-Sustain-Release (ADSR) envelope generator with true exponential decay and release curves for a natural sound.
A REAL, honest-to-God, analog Voltage-Controlled-Filter (VCF)-- NOT a digital substitute! The VCF is a state-variable design with resonance ("Q") control. The filter tracks the pedals and has variable cutoff frequency along with variable sweep control from the ADSR.
A Voltage-Controlled-Amplifier (VCA) that can be controlled from the envelope generator or gated by the pedals.
Eight pots and two switches for creating your own sound. The pots control attack time, decay time, sustain level, release time, oscillator mix, VCF initial frequency, VCF sweep, and VCF resonance. One switch selects either the oscillator outputs or the noise source, and the other switch selects either the ADSR or gate output to control the VCA.
Compact heavy duty case design that fits in a gig bag or micro keyboard case."

MIDI only version previously posted here.

Peter Forrest's A-Z of Analogue Synthesisers books

via this auction

"A complete two-volume set of the most comprehensive encyclopaedia of analogue synths and keyboards in the world - direct from the author. Now that all completely mint copies of the A-M part are sold out, I'm selling sets which include an A-M which is not mint...

"The A-M is a printers' run-on copy, so had no serial number, but I have written that in it, and the N-Z is serial number 855. Both books will be signed by the author - if you want a particular dedication, please say when you pay.

The original A-M was produced in 1994, and then re-written and expanded in 1998. There are probably nearly twice as many words crammed in to the second edition as there were in the first. The second edition has 320 pages, 16 of which are full colour, while the original edition only had 240 pages. There's a whole lot of extra information about EMS, Moog, and many other manufacturers; a greatly improved index, and a new index to the musicians mentioned in the book. So if you're into, say, Tangerine Dream, you can find the 25 pages on which they're mentioned; Tim Blake, 8 pages; and even Tim Buckley on two.

The first edition was printed in a run of 2000, and 2000 copies of this revised edition were also printed. This second edition has been officially out of print for well over a year now, so is impossible to buy via any bookseller like Amazon.

The original N-Z was printed in 1996, in a run of 2000, and then the second revised edition (of 3000) was printed in 2003. It has 384 pages, including 16 in full colour. Please check the photos to see the sort of coverage you will get of rare, obscure instruments like the Syntons and Wavemakers or ultra-famous offerings like the Rolands and Yamahas.

The total number of words in these two books is probably over half a million. With hundreds of illustrations, charts, etc., the whole package provides a comprehensive guide to analogue synths, organs, electric pianos, theremins, etc., up to 1998 for ones beginning A-M, and 2003 for the N-Zs. The books have been well-reviewed in magazines all round the world, by people as knowledgeable as Mark Vail and Gino Robair, and enjoyed by some of the best-known names in electronic music, such as Fatboy Slim, Hans Zimmer, Herbie Hancock, Aphex Twin, Chemical Brothers, Depeche Mode, and Adrian Utley of Portishead.

Who's selling: my name's Peter Forrest. I've been writing about synths, keyboards, effects and recording gear for over 20 years now, and for 14 years I have been running an internet auction called VEMIA (Vintage Electric Musical Instrument Auctions) which specialises in synths, drum machines, effects, and so on. Please check my eBay feedback to see that you can bid with confidence. Feel free to email me any questions."

I have a copy of these books. They are absolutely amazing. Highly, highly recommended. This is the ultimate analog synth reference book. This is also listed in the Synth Books section.

Pages pictured:

-Cover
-Roland System 100 and 100m
-Roland Pics
-Exclusively Analogue Aviator, F.A.T. and Farfisa
-Moog The Source
-Cano Electronics, CEI, Cellulophone, CFR Associates, INC, Chadacre, Chamberline
- Buchla, Crumar, Stylophone, Digisound Mod 80, EDP pics
EMS
- College, Series3000 - note that is not a x0xb0x
- Wavemaker
- Yamaha
- Moog pics

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MIDI Bass Pedal and MFB Synth Lite II analog synth with sequencer

Cortez/Cano Midi Bass pedals MFB analog synth jam video upload by JorgeCortez01

via this auction.

• 2 Oscillators (Sawtooth, Square)
• 1 Square Suboscillator, Audio Input
• Ringmodulator, Oscillator Sync
• 2 ADSR-Envelope Generators
• Voltage controlled 24 dB/oct Lowpassfilter (VCF)
• 83 User Memory Locations
• Step sequencer with up to 32 Steps (20 Memory Locations)

The SYNTH LITE II is the programable successor of MFB´s popular SYNTH LITE. This monophonic synthesizer offers three digital oscillators, external audio input, analogue lowpass filtering with 24dB/oct and an analogue voltage controlled amplifier. The SYNTH LITE II is equipped with MIDI and offers 83 memory locations. MFB has even integrated a programable step sequencer. Here are the details: two main oscillators each offer sawtooth and square. In addition, OSC 2 can be set to generate an impulse waveform. Ring modulation is possible, as well as syncing OSC 2 to OSC 1.Each oscillator´s octave range can be set to 4', 8' or 16'. OSC 2 can be further detuned over a range of plus or minus one octave. The voltage controlled filter (VCF) offers 24 dB/oct lowpass filtering. EMPHASIS (resonance) can be set up to self-oscillation. An external audio input is also routed directly to the filter. Both the voltage controlled filter and the following voltage controlled amplifier have dedicated envelope generators with Attack, Decay, Release and Sustain parameters. Decay and Release share a control and are selected by a switch. The SYNTH LITE II´s LFO can modulate the oscillators´ pitch or the filter cutoff frequency. Pulse width modulation for OSC 2 is also possible by setting its waveform to Impulse. A glide function can be activated with different speeds to achieve popular portamento effects.

MIDI data is received as note on/off, pitch wheel (+/- 2 semitones) and mod wheel. Velocity can be routed to VCF and/or VCA, alternately it can be disabled. The sequencer is programed from a MIDI-keyboard. Its resolution is 16th notes with up to 32 steps. Pause notes can be set as well as external synchronization.

The MFB-SYNTH LITE II measures 175 x 125 x 35 mm. The power supply unit is included. The user manual is available as a word document, you can find it here (part 1) and here (part 2).

Please click here to visit the manufacturer's webpage for more info."

Custom 13 Note Analog Bass Pedal Synth

via this auction

Details:
"You don't play a friggin' organ. So why do pedalboard synths all look like they came off one? I recently built myself an analog bass pedal synth, using Howard Cano's excellent Sonosaur.

2 VCOs w/mix
VCA
VCF w/sweep and resonance
a real Envelope (ADSR)
Noise Generator
Here are some sound samples"

via brian comnes.

Cano Electronics

via Cano Electronics on the bay.

They make a number of devices including MIDI converters and a couple of bass pedal synthesizers, the Suarus Bass Pedal Synthesizer for $199 and the Sonosaur Analog Bass pedal for $99 pictured below. There are samples in the Saurus bass Pedal listing. Via Music Thing.

Update via BLevine in the comments: "Just a note. I have purchased the rights to the Sonosaur from Cano Electronics and have incorporated them into a new bass pedal synth, the Basyn (www.basyn.com). I will continue to make the Sonosaur available. The current price is $124.95."