Tyme Sefari as a bit reduced CV recorder

YouTube via dkimcg
"I tried using the Harvestman Tyme Sefari as a CV recording module a little more seriously last night. I was able to get it to record some LFOs that sounded rhythmic and have the frequency CV of the Tyme Sefari control the playback rate of the recorded gesture. Too bad I didn't record it, because it sounded better than what you're watching. This video is purely technical experimentation, it kind of annoys me actually, which might be good. I have the TS record the Dalek Modulator which is being modulated by the Dual Cyclotron. The CV if the ringmod out of the Dalek is recorded by the Tyme Sefari, and the DLY out send it off to the PlanB Model 15's FM input, fully cranked most the time. The CV's also sent to the Polivoks filter's frequency CV input and attenuated. That goes through the M13 and is controlled by the M10 which is triggered by the M24 Heisenberg. The M10 also triggers the playback of the Tyme Sefari at points in the video too. The Heisenberg is also sending the stepped output into the Tyme Sefari. Finally, the LFO is turning on and off the recording and panning (which you probably don't hear). That's about it for the patch. You don't actually "hear" the Tyme Sefari. It's basically FMing the M15 and the Polivoks VCF."

Polivoks

images via this auction
"Duophonic analog synthesizer, with a 49-note (F-E) keyboard.
It features two VCOs, a noise generator, one LFO, a filter (low-pass and bandpass), and two ADSR envelope generators.
VCO1 can be cross-modulated by VCO2. Each ADSR can be switched to auto-trigger, each with independent rates.
The sound is quite rich and somewhat harsh and aggressive. This is more of a space-synth.
You can be sure that you will have never heard the sounds this one can produce.
It sounds like these old Yamaha CS-30's, but then fat filters like in Moogs. Produced in 1980x.
The supply voltage - 220-230V/50Hz. For use with 110/127V, a voltage converter is necessary.
POLIVOKS has 5-DIN output connections (adapter to 1/4 jack included). No midi, no CV/Gate are installed.
Dimensions - 780x490x195mm
Weight of synth only - 16.00 kg"

Lullaby for Lucio Fulci on Polivoks

YouTube via chicotilo
"Soundesign work on soviet analog synthesizer Polivoks.
With use: Clavia Nord Modular, Shure SM58"

Voice of Saturn Sequencer - Endif Style

"My build of the VoS sequencer.
Bought the PCB, had most of the parts already.

They also sell varying levels of kits, or prebuilt, so whatever your skill/interest level, a VoS is within reach.
http://www.curiousinventor.com/kits/v...

Instead of pots and knobs I used some sliders I had lying around. Upgraded the LEDs to some big fat obnoxious blue ones I'd been using for throwies and such. Case used to house the firing controls to an MX missile.

Face plate is 1/8 inch aluminum stock from some Amazon seller. Small Parts I think. Anyway. Laid it out on the back side, drilled out the pilot holes with a 2mm bit, then went larger as needed. Filed down all the rough edges, then sanded it all down til it was 1200 grit smooth and gave it 3 coats of glossy clear coat. Looks nice.

Used a router attachment on my Dremel to do the slider holes. They're rough, but they work. Cleaned them up with some files. Next time I do it on a sub-plate and just cut one big hole. Pots and knobs are soo much easier. =P

Mounted the PCB to the face plate with 1 inch standoffs. Battery holder wound up on the plate too. I went so far as to drill holes for them on the bottom of the case, then realized that this would *suck* when it came time to change out the batteries, or whatever. Bad idea. Definitely mount to faceplate.

The build went smooth, everything worked correctly except, predictably, the sliders. I had never worked with sliders before, and didnt have any docs on these, so I winged it. First try was wrong. Second try was closer. Third try was correct. Sliders are much more intuitive than knobs. Linear.

Next step is to label this thing. I can't keep referring to my chart. =/ Maybe I'll hand paint it.

So, the video.

Sawtooth is from the Blacet VCO. Meaty little bastard. Filter is the Harvestman Polivoks clone. Nasty, unpredictable, awesome. Envelope generator is another Blacet. Rest is explained in the vid.

Anyway, here's 2 minutes of me messing around with it.
Enjoy. =]

Oh, and if you want to hear the project this will be used with, check out my work at http://www.myspace.com/endif

Thanks,

~!J!"

music : guitar + the harvestman suitcase modular synth

YouTube via devievervlog
"http://www.deviever.com/music/

Suitcase Modular Synth thanks to...
http://www.theharvestman.org/

I decided to fuck around in the new studio. The lighting is non-existent and the sound is recorded via the camera mic, but whatever.

- The guitar set up -
Fender Strat (w/ kill switch)
Electro Harmonix Little Big Muff Pi
Crybaby Wah (fasel mod)
Boss MT-2 Metal Zone
Boss DD-3 Digital Delay
Digitech PDS 20/20 Digital Delay
Fender Studio 85 amp

- Synth setup -
Custom built suitcase modularby The Harvestman :
malgorithm bit crusher (unused here)
polivoks vcf
zorlon cannon
tyme sefari delay
... some other stuff
-into fender studio 85 line-in

I'm still figuring out the modular, so bear with me. Should hopefully have better lighting in the studio in a few weeks and will take pictures / more video."

Polivoks

images via this auction
"The Polivoks is the most popular vintage Russian synth made in the early 80's - it was among the first synthesizers produced in the USSR. It had 2 oscillators with pulse or triangle waves, and 1 noise generator, the levels of which were controlled via the internal mixer. You could also connect an external input (guitar, electric piano etc) for mangling with the Polivoks' switchable high/low pass filter and LFO.

Polivoks had been produced since 1982 by Formanta electronic factory (one of the biggest at the time); it was sold exclusively in the USSR. Polivoks has its own particular electronic parts, reliable keyboard (49 notes F to E) made in magnetically controlled contacts; synthesis modules consist of independent boards, which is convenient for maintenance. The synthesizer has 2-voices polyphony; each oscillator works with a keyboard note independently; two types of filters - bandpass/lowpass and external input for cutoff control. In addition, Polivoks is housed in an original body of uncommon design with handy controls. Being closed with a cover, the synthesizer turns into a strong aluminum case.

SPECIFICATIONS :
Mains voltage of alternating current, V 220
Power consumption, W max 10
A range of operating temperature, C -10 / +35
Relative generator drift over 4 hours continuous work is within, % max +/- 05
Total musical range overlaped by main generators, Hz 21,8 (F of subcontra octave), + 5274 Hz (E of fifth octave)
Tuning range of the main generators, % min +/- 12 (+/- 1 tone)
Detuning range of the second generator, % min +/- 25 (+/- 2 tone)
Frequency change range of the cutoff frequency of the filter, Hz min 100 + 10000
Dynamic range of the synthesizer, dB min 60
Inlet voltage of the synthesizer in a load 10 kOm
Low output voltage, V 0,025
High output voltage, V 0,25
Dimensions of the synthesizer, mm 780x490x195"
Inside a Polivoks

Harvestman Tyme Sefari examples

via Mr. Array:

"I just caught these on the Harvestman mailing list.

The first two come from the user named Loopcycle:

'the doepfer 143-1 gate outs are triggering direction, record and loop functions in the tyme sefari independently. a turntable is feeding the harvestman tyme sefari. i am also switching between frequency shifted and normal versions of the source material.'


'the tyme sefari record cv input is being clocked at audio rates and the loop points are set very close to each other for the metallic effect.'

The third comes from the user named Luigi, who had this to say:

'Heya... well, here is a clip I just made using my new Plan B Tapclock, Malgorithm, Polivoks, a Sequential Switch and a Moog mf-107.

I'll make more clips tomorrow when my Tyme Sefari and Sound Of Thunder come in!

http://tragedybysyntax.com/TAPCLOCK.mp3

peace! :)'

POLIVOKS

via this auction

this one in the US.

"This auction includes:
- Polivoks Synthesizer
- Three Polivoks-specific audio cables (DIN5 to Phono plug)
- Power cable
- Voltage converter

Manuals and schematics are available online: link

Some More Information
There are 4 octaves on the keyboard. The inclined desk is divided into the following functional sections: Modulator, Generator #1, Generator #2, Mixer and Amplifier.

There are 3 internal audible signal sources in the instrument: to broad-ranged of the Generators with changed form of oscillations and a noise generator for creating a non-musical sounds such as wind, surf, whine, etc.
Possibility to connect an external audible signal sources to the synthesizer is provided for (e.g. guitars, electropianos and electroorgans). Sounds of different external sources are combined separatly in the mixer in any ratio. There is a filter in the synthesizer with cutoff frequency control and resonance to change colour of timbre of audilble signal over a wide range."

Mr Clacks Synthesizer extravaganza

via Mr Clack

"Baby baby ive been busy,

Here is 3 synthesizers I Finally got round to putting together in the last 3 months. I put them in my fine art degree show so I got to get some good snaps of them.

left to right [top to bottom here]

Dual MFOS Soundlab and Keyboard
with S+H and Drum trigger
the mixers can take all 4 of the available oscillators

ASM-2 semi-modular
without patching the left side is 2 saws to state variable then vca
right 2 squares to LP moog then VCA



CLONE MODULAR

Built to act like a traditional subtractive modular. stupidly dense ( it needs to be due to lack of bedroom space ) trying to fit a sort of bank of well know filters thats , polivoks, steiner, arp, moog, korg ms20, korg resonator, ems, wasp etc - 6 YU vco's and some unusual modules like fritz chaos , tube vca, S+H/T+H, attenuverter, Noise cornicopia . with a little vca bank, it should be possible to get about 5 voices going at once. the mixers are not yet on it ( they go in the 1 u strips ) . 2xfritz AR 2xMFOS AR 1xYUADSR 1xMFOS ADSR - the mfos AR has repeat so it should double up as a sort of trapezoid LFO. It should be possible when its complete to do some FM experiments too

at the moment they only just work, but in a few months they should be all operating and then eventually in years! I should have them finished!

I screen printed and designed the panels and cases " You can find them on this electro-music.com thread

CLICK FOR MORE »

Polivoks

images via this auction
"Very good for agressive bass, weird modulations, cool FXs & agressive sounds. Impressive fat saw & cool glidings. Killer 2-Voice mode.

2 VCO with classic waveforms, noise oscillator and external source.

Very strong sounding Analog LP/BP filter with ADSR Envelope,
which can play in loop (retrig). You can process external sound through it,
such as guitar, vocal, drums or another synthesizer. Because of FILTER sound of POLIVOKS is so unique and strong/

Amplifier section contain Envelope ADSR with loop function (retrig), modulation & bypass mode.

Modulator section is a low frequency oscillator with multiple waveforms
and changable rate. LFO roots to amplifier, filter, VCO-1, VCO-2.
Polivoks can play like a classic monophonic synth or in 2-voice mode.
And also You can modulate VCO-1 with VCO-2 (ringmodulator).

No pitchbend & modulation wheel.

Cool design. Very solid. Hard aluminium body & case - it's Bulletproof I think. (It's a joke. Do not try this @home ; ))
All words printed in cyrillic - so it's very unique too.

There is a custom made CV/gate modification on the board (1 voice).
Now You can connect analog sequencer (1 volt per octave)
This is very usefull function. Feel free to use it with Your analog sequencer.
I had use it with my Roland TB-303 sequencer.

CV/Gate - is the first step to MIDI . You can find in the web how to do that.

Of course You can play with keyboard.
There is a tumbler.
Choose CV/gate or Keyboard."

Resonance instability = fun

"I was fiddling with the polivoks vcf's resonance this evening and came about a startling setting. Something I can only describe as a sustaining vinyl needle slip.

The only modules in this set up (as shown to the right [left]) are a Livewire Dual Cyclotron -> PlanB Model-15. the Model-15 pulse out -> Polivoks vcf -> Model-13 set fully open (vca-only setting)."

click here for the full post including audio on noisesource.

Formanta Polivoks | demo by syntezatory.prv.pl

YouTube via Jexus. Some Manson for you.

"1982 Poliwoks from Formanta factory. All sounds programmed by WC Olo Garb. Video editing by WC Olo Garb. ||| Syntezatory.prv.pl Videos: showing you not what a synthesizer can do, but what a man can do with a synthesizer."

Polivoks VCO, LFO Knob

via this auction

for those with a knob fetish

"The Polivoks synth is rare socialist moog like madness! The sound is fantastic rich and warm – 100% pure analog machine! It was made in period of 1982-1990 and sold in Russia (then USSR).

The Polyvox (Polivoks) is a duophonic analog synthesizer, with a 49-note (13F-E) keyboard. It features two VCOs, a noise generator, one LFO, a filter (low-pass and bandpass), and two ADSR envelope generators. VCO1 can be cross-modulated by VCO2. Each ADSR can be switched to auto-trigger, each with independent rates.The sound is quite rich and somewhat harsh and aggressive. This is more of a space-synth. You can be sure that you will have never heard the sounds this one can produce. It sounds like these old Yamaha CS-30's, but then fat filters like in Moogs. It is built like a rock, pure military technology, contacts will last forewer. The body is solid and the knobs feel nice. It runs on 220V AC. Polivoks (Polyvox) is the most popular vintage Russian synthesizer all over the world. It has inimitable peculiar sound and very powerful aggressive filters outperforming the famous Minimoog! A fat, lush and very analogue sound is achieved through instability and thanks to unique architecture of the Soviet-era components; in addition, highly reliable military technologies were applied in the process of production. The synthesizer may be used for hard electronic music, or for soft ambient/old school projects and for modelling various effects as well."

Moog Freqbox mf-107 Oscillator. Hexfix93’s Take.

You can find the full take here.

"The moog freqbox, a versatile fx pedal unit that can be used as an oscillator in a modular synth setup. When I first plugged them in, I noticed how huge they sounded. How alive. They reminded me of the older moog stuff, like tarus pedals and model d minimoog. With two, the oscillators would beat and sound pretty vintage. These things are FAT. The biggest. The sync sounds were so mean and huge, it would make my whole house shake. I ran these into my doepfer custom eurorack filled with rare boutique modules. I loves how the moog oscillators sounded through the polivoks filter the most. I prefered these oscillators for BASS duties. There is this warm beef that you get in the 60 to 200hz range on the low end of the frequency spectrum. No other synths and oscillators can pump this style of sound out. These pedals really did sound more vintage to me than the little phatty and the new minimoog voyagers. They had plenty of high end frequencies which I think are lacking a tad on the newer moog synths."

Interview: Scott Jaeger aka The Harvestman by Bryan Erickson.

"Let me start by saying I love my polivoks filter and my malgorithm bit crusher. The Harvestman makes really unique analog and digital modules for the doepfer eurorack modular format. I could not live with out either of these, In fact when I was freaking out over the unstable tracking on my oscillators, I was going to sell my modular system, But I kept going, what would I do with out my custom faceplated Malgorithm and the brutal resonance of the Polivoks filter? Die I think. The Harvestman gave me the real reason to keep my modular, so I could make mean evil sounds, and skin peeling resonant acid sounds(Not to mention he is a totally cool guy to talk to, and yeah, I think he will get his guitar pedals out before Gun’s and Roses gets their new LP out). LOL. I really appreciate that Scott took the time to answer my silly questions."

You can find the full interview on VAC.

Synth: Modular demo, MFB into Polivoks into Frequensteiner.

via hexfix93:
"I love this modular I have built. This demo shows me what I love about both filters, the bubbly resonance of the harvestman polivoks, into the aggressive cutting sound of the livewire frequensteiner. I recorded this into my mackie onyx, out into the rme fireface 800 into logic, I used a limiter on it, 6db only. The mfb osc is a pwm sound. I could never make this sound on a Future Retro XS. The more I mess with this thing, the more I realize how great the doepfer rack is, how many great custom boutique third party modules are available for this format. Thanks to Analog Haven and the advice of Shawn I have been able to slowly build up a system that really fits my needs and gives me a solid mono synth that is capable of making alien soundscapes and rhythms. No digital synth gave me the bite and juicy resonance on filters like these have. It almost sounds like real water bubbling. Turn this up loud!" You can find the demo here.

Polivoks Vintage Soviet Analog Synth

images via this auction
"Synth has two oscillators with triangle, saw, and three square waveforms with different pulse width. You can choose from 32’ to 2’ register for every oscillator. You can modulate the first oscillator by the second (crossmodulation). There is portamento effect for the first oscillator. Polivoks is duo-phonic synth it means that you can play two notes at the same time. The heart of the Polivoks is originally designed 24db dualmode filter, well known by its killer resonanse, unique and unstable sound. Filter can be switched in LP or BP mode. There is LFO with 4 waveforms, it can modulate every VCO, VCF and VCA. Mixer section consists of 1osc, 2osc, noise and external signal.There are dedicated ADSR envelopes for VCF and VCA.Envelopes has autotrigger mode when signal repeats from attack to decay stage."
Demos at the auction while it's up.

Surachai Modular Loops

"The current modular tour setup is:
Livewire Dalek
Cwejman VM-1
Doepfer A-188-2 BBD
Doepfer A-142-3 Quad LFO
Doepfer A-155 Sequencer
Harvestman Malgorithm
Harvestman Polivoks VCF
Plan B Mixer"

click here for the post with audio on Trash_Audio.

FORMANTA P-432

images via this auction

"It was made in Soviet Union (Russia) by well-known Polivoks/Formanta plant in Kachkanar city. This instrument is analog synthesizer with preset patches and midi. Synth has 37 patches in memory (electronic piano, strings, bass, organ etc.), vibrato and chorus effects. Also there is joystick for pitch/modulation control. It’s a great instrument for any music or collection.

This FORMANTA is in a perfect shape and well working condition. Instrument has original configuration: with standard midi in/out/thru, ¼ Jack audio out, 220V power."

Polivoks Live in kitchen

YouTube via chicotilo. Audio comes in at :53.
"Midnight live on Soviet analog synthesizer Polivoks."