MMTA Spring SYNTHFEST 2013: John Bowen Demos the Rotors on the Solaris

Published on Mar 18, 2013 matrixsynth·274 videos

One of my favorite features of the John Bowen Solaris. You won't find this in other synths. The simplest way to think of a rotor is a cycle through four oscillators. You can set whatever oscillators you want in the four rotor slots in any order you like, including up to four external audio inputs. If you want you can set all rotors to just OSC 1. Why would you do that? Because you can set modulations on OSC 1 and then use the rotor to skip through the changes. You can then cycle the rotor into the audio frequency range to create new timbres not possible on other synths. You can also adjust the crossfade level for the rotor for either smooth sounding or more edgy transitions. Everything is open to modulation as well. This is a new and pretty incredible method of timbral synthesis for source oscillators when you think about it. Be sure to see the John Bowen Synth Design website for more.

A side note: this marks the last post of my own content on the MMTA Spring SYNTHFEST 2013. More is coming in from others though, so stay tuned.

MMTA Spring SYNTHFEST 2013: Computer Controlled - Octotrack & TT-303

Published on Mar 18, 2013 matrixsynth·273 videos

Part of Computer Controlled's performance with the Cyclone Analogic TT-303 & Elektron Octatrack. Apologies for the audio quality on this one. It sounded much better live. The TT-303 sounded great BTW.

Again, these videos are meant to give you a look at the event. Be sure to see the MMTA SYNTHFEST 2013 label for all posts on the event this year. I leave the link up on the top right of the site for a little bit while new posts come in.

KMI QuNexus and Moog AniMoog at Synthfest NW 2013

Published on Mar 18, 2013 Christian Heilman·16 videos

"Keith McMillen Instruments new Smart Sensor Keyboard controlling Moog AniMoog app in iPad, shown at Synthfest NW 2013. For more information on QuNexus, visit http://www.keithmcmillen.com/qunexus/"

Update: some pics from the event.  Click on them for the full size shots.

MMTA SYNTHFEST 2013: Dave Bristow & The History of Yamaha FM Synthesis

Published on Mar 18, 2013 matrixsynth·271 videos

This is a fascinating and significant bit of synthesizer history starting with the Yamaha CS80 through the DX7 from the man that was actually there. Yamaha hired Dave Bristow to showcase the Yamaha CS80 followed by asking him to provide input on their first FM synth the GS1.  It was sold as a preset synth but in the video you will see a programmer for it.  Dave was the person that Yamaha had program the presets for it followed by the GS2, DX7 and more.  You'll see the prototype for what became the DX7.  The prototype actually had a DX5 label and a huge breadboard of chips.   He co-authored "FM Theory and Applications" with Dr. John Chowing, the man that discovered FM synthesis at Stanford Unniversity, and he was a member of IRCAM.  Do not miss this. Bookmark it for when you have time if you need to. Dave also had a prototype SY77 at the event. You can see it in my video walkthrough as well as my event pics here.  An interesting side note is John Bowen was at the event, so we had both the man responsible for the presets on the Prophet-5 and other early Sequential Circuits synths, and the man behind the DX7 and other Yamaha FM presets.  Pretty incredible bit of synth history there.

Dave Bristow is part of the Music Technology group at Shoreline Community College where the MMTA Spring SYNTHFEST was held. Via Shoreline:

"Dave Bristow was born in London and began to study music on the piano at an early age. He graduated from university with a BSc in Psychology but soon turned his musical talents full-time and worked as a professional piano/keyboard player with jazz fusion, rock and folk bands. His interest in electronic music and sound steered him towards synthesizer design and development and he played a key role creating factory voicing for the well-known DX7 synthesizer and indeed most of Yamaha's FM synthesizers up to and including the SY99, and is internationally recognized as one of the important contributors to the development and voicing of FM synthesis, co-authoring a text-book on the subject with Dr John Chowning called "FM Theory and Applications". Dave has toured the world as a professional synth demonstrator teaching courses on synthesis and related acoustics in Europe and the USA. He spent three years at Pierre Boulez's music research institute, IRCAM in Paris, running a MIDI and synthesis studio and working with the visiting composers. He moved to the United States in 1995 to work with the electronic music company Emu Systems, Inc. in product development with sampling and filter based synthesizers. Following that in 2002, he began working again with Yamaha as a consultant, focusing on the introduction and support of their small format audio chip series (SMAF) for cell-phones and other mobile devices with ringtones and system sounds. More recently he ran and developed a non-profit community music school for four years on Bainbridge Island, and now spends his time teaching electronic music production and synthesis, and playing with his jazz trio."

MMTA Spring SYNTHFEST Pics by Scott Rise of Division 6

Full set here.

Top: Division 6
Middle: Division 6 Jacklight
Bottom: Mark Mosher

2013 MMTA Synthfest featuring Craig Padilla

2013 MMTA Synthfest featuring Craig Padilla from Paul Clark on Vimeo.

"On Saturday, March 16 2013 the MMTA ( Mostly Modular Trade Association ) staged a modular synthesizer Synthest, featuring a "Petting Zoo" where enthusiasts could show off their gear , "The Performance / Telepresentation Room" for performances and presentations, "The Trade Show Room" where manufacturers gave demos of their gear and a "Jam Session Room" a big day-long jam session that anyone could join and leave as they pleased.

This is an overview of that day (minus the Jam Session Room)."

MMTA Spring SYNTHFEST 2013: Walkthrough & Craig Padilla Performance

Published on Mar 17, 2013 matrixsynth·271 videos

Quick walk through of the event ending with a portion of Craig Padilla's performance.

MMTA Spring SYNTHFEST 2013: I DREAM OF WIRES Presentation

Published on Mar 17, 2013 matrixsynth·269 videos

First ten minutes is the IDOW trailer. You can find it here. Q&A with the director Robert Fantinatto comes in after ten minutes. Skip to 9:50 to get to the skype call. Again, these videos are meant to bring you to the event. You'll get some additional insight into the film not found anywhere else.

http://idreamofwires.org

MMTA Spring SYNTHFEST 2013 Pics - 3rd Set

This is the last set I took. It has also been added to the full set here.

If this does not load for you, click here for the set.

MMTA Spring SYNTHFEST 2013 Pics by James Maier aka Carbon111

Full set on Facebook here.


Pictured:

Mark Vail, author of Vintage Synthesizers & former Editor of Keyboard Magazine drawing the winning ticket for one of two Bob Moog Foundation raffles at the event.  Craig Padilla on the right & Jarrett manning the desk on the left.

David Skinners Synthesizers.com Box11 cased system.  Randy Jones of Madrona Labs in the background to the left. I also see Lorne aka kidtronic with a MATRIXSYNTH T!  :)

Jason with his three cabinet wide Mattson Mini Modular system & the recently released SQ816 sequencers.

MMTA Spring SYNTHFEST 2013 Pics by Computer Controlled

Full set on Facebook here.

Pictured:

Division 6
Synthwerks

Back From The MMTA Spring SYNTHFEST

And I am back... This year's SYNTHFEST was the best. More posts will follow, but now I need to catch up on the day's non-SYNTHFEST posts. Some of what you have to look forward to is the I Dream of Wires presentation with some insight on what to expect from the film aside from the interviews (you can thank me for asking - I think I got caught on film but I did try to hide to not ruin the experience for anyone). After that I captured a walkthrough of the event areas (camera induced nausea coming your way - it's always that way when you do a flyby of everything). I caught some of Craig Padilla's performance on video, Dave Bristow's talk on his time at Yamaha starting with the CS80 and on through the history of Yamaha FM synthesis and the launch of the DX7. Dave's talk was the absolute highlight for me. This is synth history in its essence. It's something you will not find anywhere else and it comes from the man that was there, working for Yamaha giving feedback on their designs prior to the public ever knowing a thing. There are tons of funny moments and interesting behind the scenes stories in this one. You do not want to miss it. After that I captured some of Computer Controlled's performance with a Cyclone Analogic TT-303 and Elektron Octatrack. The TT-303? It sounded amazing. I am sold. I ended with some time tweaking the John Bowen Solaris, specifically focusing on the rotars. As always these posts are not meant to be polished, they are meant to be raw and they are meant to bring you to the event. If you have ever been to one including NAMM you will understand. If you haven't been to one, you'll get a taste for what these events are like. This one was truly special. I can't wait for the next! Now back to regular programming. SYNTHFEST posts will follow soon after.

MMTA Spring SYNTHFEST 2013 Pics - 2nd Set

These have been added to the main set as well. Posting these separately for those that already went through the last set. I'm still hear so there's more to come. Enjoy the synth spotting. :)

If this does not load for you, click here for the set.

MMTA Spring SYNTHFEST 2013: Mark Mosher Performance

Published on Mar 16, 2013 matrixsynth·268 videos

Update: finally have a chance to add some more info. These are just two videos of Mark Mosher's performance set at the MMTA Spring SYNTHFEST 2013. I believe the whole performance was recorded so hopefully we'll get to see it soon. These videos are just to give you a taste of what it was like to be at the MMTA SYNTHFEST.

The main instruments or rather controllers featured were Percussa's AudioCubes, the Yamaha Tenori-On & a Moog Theremin in the second video courtesy of Lunchbox Audio

You can find Mark Mosher's music at http://markmosher.bandcamp.com

MMTA Spring SYNTHFEST 2013 Pics

First set of pics. More to follow now that I have an internet connection. Have fun synth spotting! :)

Update: the full set has been uploaded.  Also, if this does not load for you click here for the set.

Bob Moog Foundation Raffle at the MMTA Spring SYNTHFEST

For those attending the MMTA Sprint SYNTHFEST tomorrow, there will be a raffle benefiting the Bob Moog Foundation!  There will be two drawings.  One around noon and one around three to four PM.  Tickets are $5 a piece or five for $20.  Cash only!  You can pick them up at the Mattson Mini Modular table.  Each winner will receive one limited edition numbered and signed poster, a t-shirt (L), and hoodie (XL). The two posters are pictured here.

Top: "This print 'Bob Moog' was created for the SYNTH Art Show by Jenny Greer of Sound Mind Creative. The poster measures 18x24 and is printed on 100lb poster stock. This is a hand-printed, hand signed, limited-edition."

Bottom: "This print was created for the SYNTH Art Show by Jenny Greer of Sound Mind Creative. The poster measures 18x24 and is printed on 100lb poster stock. This is a hand-printed, limited-edition of 100. Professionally framed locally in Asheville NC by BlackBird Frame and Art. Frame is traditional style, black, and includes glass, rigid black backing and pre-attached hanging hardware."

Note there will be some free BMF stickers and flyers at the event as well, so be sure to pick them up.  For those not attending the event, you can find BMF posters, Ts and more at the BMF shop.

T and hoodie pics below.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Division-6 Mattson SQ816 Coming to the MMTA Spring SYNTHFEST

Just a heads up for those going to the MMTA Spring SYNTHFEST, the Division-6 Mattson SQ816 will be on display and three units will be available for sale at a $850.00 each. That's a discount of $120.

http://division-6.com
http://mattsonminimodular.com

AES PNW Section March Meeting on The State of Modular & IDOW Trailer

via http://www.aes.org/sections/pnw/

Note this event is on Friday March 14, the day before the MMTA Spring SYNTHFEST.  The AES meeting is free to the public and also at Shoreline Community College.

AES PNW Section
March Meeting Notice
The State of the
Mostly Modular Art of Synthesis

Presented by
James Husted — Synthwerks & MMTA
and the
AES Pacific Northwest Section
Date: March 14, 2013, 7:30pm
Shoreline Community College, Music Building, Room 815

NOTE: anyone can attend this meeting regardless of their status as an AES member. AES MEMBERSHIP IS NOT REQUIRED.

James Husted, of Synthwerks and the MMTA (Mostly Modular Trade Association) gives a short history of synthesis, then walks through a "typical" Eurorack Modular synthesizer setup. This will be a preview of the sorts of things you will see and hear and feel at the upcoming MMTA Synth Fest on March 16th, also at SCC.

We will also show the trailer for the new documentary I Dream Of Wires."

Madrona Labs Coming to the MMTA Spring SYNTHFEST

Randy Jones of Madrona Labs will be bringing the Soundplane to the MMTA Spring SYNTHFEST this Saturday.

See this post for videos on the latest software for the Soundplane.

MMTA SPRING SYNTHFEST 2013 Poster & Location Details

Click the poster for the full size shot. You'll find the details post here, the Facebook event page here and the MMTA forum here.

Remember, the event is free this Saturday at Shoreline Community College just north of Seattle, WA. You can find a map of the campus here (building 800). There will be items for sale so be sure to come prepared and ask tables if they have anything available.  Not all will of course.  You are in the area and want to bring gear to show and tell, please do.  There will be a separate room for jamming if you want to play with others.