Musicaid Clap Trap Analog Handclap Synthesizer SN 743

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"Cosmetically pretty rough but works perfectly.

Missing 2 button caps (buttons work fine)"

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ULTRA-RARE 1979 MusicAid / Simmons SDS-IV Drum Synthesizer SN 4043

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"This is the incredibly rare MusicAid / Simmons SDS-IV, the 1979 predecessor to the famous Simmons SDS-V. In 1978 Dave Simmons, along with MusicAid, released their first product, the SDS-III, which was a 4-channel drum synth that was inspired by the 1976 Pollard Syndrum and Japan's 1978 answer to the Syndrum, the Ult-Sound DS-4. These were the first dedicated drum synths in history. In early 1979, MusicAid / Simmons released the 2-channel version as the SDS-IV. There are only an estimated 500 of these that were made by Dave Simmons by hand!

It functions fine, but with some slight differences between channel 1 and channel 2, so you might want to go through it to make it consistent between the channels. This unit runs on UK power (230V), so if you're in a different country you will need to use a transformer."

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Musicaid Clap Trap Analog Drum Synthesizer pre-Simmons

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"The original, wildest Clap Trap - there are very few analogue Clap Traps in existence and many are the later Simmons version rather than the first one from Musicaid. Famously-used (and abused) by Throbbing Gristle and The Human League among others...

Sonically it offers a wide range - from huge oceanic crashing waves of noise to rhythmically-challenged helium finger pops (thanks, Ensemble control) - there's also occasional near-realistic electronic claps in amongst the myriad options. This is a very early unit and is pretty wild compared to the later ones - some ear-piercing resonance at higher settings make this a contender for serious techno-abuse."

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Musicaid Clap Trap

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Additional Analog U.S Listings

"This one is in excellent cosmetic condition and working 100%. This is the first, analog Clap Trap by Musicaid (later Simmons) and not the later digital model. As you can see, this model doesn't have the 'humanizer' function which was on the second revision."

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Aphex Twin's Old Synth

Alex Ball

"A brief look at an early Theis Modular Synthesizer (TMSS) from around 2002. This particular unit was originally owned by Richard D James / Aphex Twin.

0:00 Intro
0:23 Aphex Twin
1:09 What is the Theis Synthesizer?
2:06 Raw Demo Sequence
3:52 Summary
4:28 Contextual Demo

Other gear used in this video:
Roland System 100m
Roland System 500
Ryk 185 Sequencer
Roland Juno-6
Roland TR-707
Roland TR-606
Roland CR-8000 (samples)
Korg KR-55B
Yamaha DX7
Simmons SDS-3
Pollard Syndrum Twin
Fairlight CMI Drum Samples
Ibanez RM-80 Mixer"

Alex Ball synth vids

See the Theis label for more.

Musicaid Clap Trap Analog Drum Synthesizer

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"This is an incredibly rare early version of the clap trap, hand designed by Dave Simmons before Simmons existed.

This unit comes with the original manual, foot pedal trigger, case and incredibly hard to find audio pick up trigger!

Everything works but this is a vintage unit and could use a good cleaning but no major issues at all."

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Roland SVC 350 Vocoder | Where You Lie

Published on Apr 1, 2020 Alex Ball

See the Behind The Mix walkthrough below.

"In 1979 Roland released one of the most famous vocoders of all time, the VP-330, but some may not realise that it had a lesser known sibling; the SVC-350.

The 350 is essentially the same vocoder found in the 330, but in rackmount format and without the synth parts. That said, it does have some unique features that don’t appear on the 330.

The 350 went on being made quite late into the 80s and the serial of this particular unit dates to July 1985 which ties in with Roland’s move towards rack mount and module-based gear at that time.

Here’s a 1980 article on “The Roland Rack”: http://retrosynthads.blogspot.com/201...

SVC-350 features: Starting on the left there’s a microphone input section (xlr and jack) which is the modulator and then an instrument or guitar input section that acts as the carrier. The Guitar input also has a “harmonics” knob to balance the incoming sound.

Your modulator and carrier then run through the 11-band vocoder that has 11 corresponding sliders that can boost or cut that particular band to sculpt the sound. These are labelled “voice character control”.

There’s then a balance knob to blend between the direct modulator signal and vocoder as well as quite comprehensive outputs and remote (footswitch) controls for different live or studio applications.

In also has the classic Roland stereo ensemble.

My original intention was to do a talkthrough of its features and also compare it to my Seekers Voice Spectra vocoder which I absolutely love. I started trying out some test sounds for that video and was laying them down and multi-tracking for comparisons and basically I wound up making a whole track so, I decided to follow where that was going and abandon the original talkthrough idea.

There is already a talkthrough video here anyway: https://youtu.be/cOO6xTXTeiA

At the very start of the demo you actually hear a Juno and Seekers Voice Spectra (a bit weird I know, but it was intended as a comparison and this video unfolded in an ad-hoc manner). From 28 seconds we overdub with the SVC-350 and you can hear its mellower sound which compliments the more crystal-like Spectra.

From about 41 seconds I ran a Roland System 100m through the 350 with its own noise generator as modulator and an oscillator as a carrier which gave a slightly unusual texture to the ostinato I’m playing (controlled by the SH-101).

From around 55 seconds I tried a lower part singing an alternative melody and used a sawtooth from the Sequential Pro~One. I also ran a Sequential Drumtraks through the 350 as the modulator with a guitar as the carrier. The cymbals with the guitar created some particularly interesting sounds I thought (heard on the downbeat of every other bar).

As a contrast, in the middle things go acoustic in terms of voices and guitars. I quite like that moment as it’s as though we come out of electronics and into more natural sounds.

Gear / Sounds used:

Roland SVC-350 Vocoder (1979)
Seekers Voice Spectra Vocoder (1999)
Roland System 100m (1979)
Roland SH-101 (1982)
Roland Juno-6 (1982)
Sequential Circuits Pro~One (1981)
ARP Odyssey Mark II 2813 (circa 1976)
Musicaid Simmons SDS-3 (1978)
Sequential Circuits Drumtraks (1984)
Roland TR-606 Hi-Hats (1981)
Alvarez Baritone Acoustic
Squier Jagmaster Vista (1997)
AKG C414S
Stagg SDM-50
G-Force Software MTron Pro (Flutes)
G-Force Software VSM (Solina)
Spitfire Audio Joby Burgess Percussion (Orchestral Snare / Rain Sheet)
Fairlight CMI III Drum samples (end solo only)


Mixed by Jakob at Sonic Peak Studio.

In fact Jakob has done a walkthrough of the mix of this track:"

Behind The Mix : "Where You Lie" by Alex Ball

Published on Apr 1, 2020 Sonic Peak Studio

"In this video I'll take the viewer through most of the work that went into creating this mix and master. It'll also form the basis for future videos in the series.

1:15 Playthrough with soloing and un-grouping
5:30 Basic EQ details
9:58 : Parallel Compression - more on that later
11:56 : Compression/Limiting/Transient Designing/Clipping
17:33 : Vokal Processing
18:34 : De-essing
18:43 : Dynamic EQ
19:32 : EQ
19:39 : Limiting
20:01 : Bus Compression/Limiting vs "Normal" Compression/Limiting
20:54 : Acoustic Guitars, bussing and processing
21:39 : Send/Returns
21:55 : A Word of Warning....
22:35 : Parallel Compressor
22:45 : Chorus
24:34 : Tal Chorus demo using acoustic guitars
25:10 : Waves Doubler
26:50 : Short Reverb
31:24 : Long Reverb
32:48 : Automation of Reverbs
36:27 : Delay
38:16 : Mastering"

Origins of a Legend - The Simmons SDS-3 Drum Synthesizer from 1978

Published on Feb 28, 2020 Alex Ball

"A look at the original Simmons Drum Synthesizer, the SDS-3 from 1978.

This instrument was built by Dave Simmons when he was working for a company called Musicaid in the late 70s and it served as the precursor to famous SDS-V with its distinctive hexagonal pads that cropped up on many hit records in the 1980s.

Free sample pack: http://bit.ly/SimmonsSDS3

Thank you to EvilDragon for scripting the Kontakt patches

Check out Simmons Museum which is a great online resource on the Simmons story: https://www.simmonsmuseum.com/

Here's the 2017 interview cited in the film: https://drummagazine.com/dave-simmons..."

Additional Alex Ball posts

Musicaid Clap Trap ~ Analog Clap Synthesizer ~

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"This one is in good cosmetic condition and working 100%. As you can see, this is the earlier, analog Clap Trap (2nd model) and not the later digital model. It is also the first model with the "humanizer" function. The first model didn't have this function. Most of these that I've seen are 220V. This one is 115V."

Check out those buttons.

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Musicaid Clap Trap

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"A rare early analogue Musicaid Clap Trap in good cosmetic condition and very good working order.

I recently had this serviced by Synth Restore in Bedford so it’s ready for studio use or live!

There is minor wear and tear but overall it's in good condition. One knob is missing its white cap.

There are very few analogue Clap Traps in existence. Famously-used (and abused) by Throbbing Gristle and The Human League among others...

Sonically it offers a wide range - from huge oceanic crashing waves of noise to rhythmically-challenged helium finger pops (thanks, Ensemble control) - there's also occasional near-realistic electronic claps in in amongst the myriad options. This is a very early unit and is pretty wild compared to the later ones - some ear-piercing resonance at higher settings make this a contender for serious techno-abuse."

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Musicaid Simmons Drum Synthesizer SDS 3 SN 0118

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via this auction

"Monster drum synth - a triumph of British engineering. Serviced and working perfectly. Comes complete with 4 original drum pads in excellent condition.

NOTE: This synth is awaiting service and will ship within 15 working days of purchase.

The Simmons SDS 3 is just one of those machines that we can't get enough of. Not polite or shy and retiring, but it has some sounds that absolutely cut through and enough features to make it endlessly inventive.

CONDITION: Excellent. Has some very minor dings to the face. The wooden end cheeks are clean with only minor dings around the edges and some small scratches scattered across both cheeks. The original shop sticker has been left on the front but can be removed upon buyer's request. See photos for more information on cosmetic condition."

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Pre-Simmons MUSICAID CLAP TRAP - Rare and Historic Analog Hand Clap Synthesizer SN 411

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"For sale in excellent condition - has a few small dings to the finish and a couple of the knobs. I has lived in my studio for years after living many years in it's previous studio. This is made by Musicaid before Simmons bought them and put their badge on the Clap Trap

115v. AC which is rare, I've only seen a couple others and they were both 240v.

'The original, wildest Clap Trap - there are very few analogue Clap Traps in existence and many are the later Simmons version rather than the first one from Musicaid. Famously-used (and abused) by Throbbing Gristle and The Human League among others...

Sonically it offers a wide range - from huge oceanic crashing waves of noise to rhythmically-challenged helium finger pops (thanks, Ensemble control) - there's also occasional near-realistic electronic claps in amongst the myriad options. This is a very early unit and is pretty wild compared to the later ones - some ear-piercing resonance at higher settings make this a contender for serious techno-abuse.'"

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Musicaid Clap Trap - Simple MONO Demo of Range of Sounds

Published on Aug 23, 2018 Soundgas

"Original Musicaid Clap Trap. Freshly serviced by James Walker. A simple run through the settings. Two minutes showing the two separate sounds and then combining them. Then one minute at a slower tempo so you can hear the sustain on the hisssssssss."

MUSICAID CLAP TRAP

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"VERY RARE Classic 80s Clap Synth from the British Drum Machine Legends MUSICAID/SIMMONS ELECTRONICS

This one is in great condition and PARTICULARLY RARE, being the more scarce early MUSICAID analog version of the Clap Trap which is much harder to find. Excellent both cosmetically and functionally"

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Simmons - Musicaid - SDS4 Drum Synthesizer

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Musicaid Clap Trap - Ultra Rare Vintage Analog Drum Synthesizer

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Musicaid (Simmons) Analog Clap Trap synthesizer

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"Here is a very rare Musicaid (Dave Simmons worked here before founding Simmons Electronics) original model Analog Clap Trap in excellent condition.
Manufactured in St. Albans UK.
There's a little blemish on the right side of the case - pictured.
The balance slider is a bit noisy and so might need to be spray-cleaned.
A piece of electronic drum/synthesizer history.

From Bob Henrit's Complete Simmons Drum book...
'While all this was happening around the beginning of the decade, another Simmons (Musicaid) product was proving to be very successful around the world. This was the ubiquitous analog 'Claptrap.' At one time it was impossible to turn on the radio without hearing its 'noise.' It was made because Dave Simmons spotted a gap in the market. He noticed that 'disco' records invariably had hand claps behind the snare drum off-beat to bolster and sharpen the sound. All that they needed to do was design a simple circuit that would sound like a recording of hand claps. That original, analog, and to some minds the best Claptrap, was a very successful Simmons product. It certainly enjoyed three or four year of success without actually being 'ripped off' as a free-standing unit. Its sounds, though, were frequently 'borrowed' by many drum machine manufacturers.'"

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Vintage Simmons SDS IV Drum Synthesizer by Musicaid

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"There is a serial number on the machine which is 4006 beneath the address which is 176 Hatfield Road, St Albans, Herts. The unit is of a wood and metal construction and is in pretty good condition for its age. One of the skins and metal rim is missing from one of the drums but the brackets are there so fitting a rim and skin should be easy..."

Vintage MUSICAID CLAP TRAP Handclap Drum Synthesizer

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Recording the Claptrap for Rhys Marsh

YouTube via RothHandle
"This last MOnday I overdubbed some Clap trap to the end section of the Rhys marsh track all lights fade. For more info please visit www.roth-handle.nu"