the little moog that could...

flickr by IntangibleArts.

Radio Shack/MOOG MG-1

Fizmo Rack

Title link takes you to shots pulled via this auction.

Be sure to read this if you ever go for a Fizmo. The auction mentions it comes with the "recommended Radio Shack 9v 1300ma power supply." If this is like the keyboard, the power supply will not take care of the problem. You will have to take care of the voltage regulator.

via Rick.

Korg Legacy Analog Edition 2007

Title link takes you to the press release in German, Google translated here.

"With the new KORG Legacy Collection - similar to edition 2007 (AE07) KORG starts perpendicularly into the new year 2007! The tradition always in the field of vision offers KORG with the similar to edition 2007 the legendary KORG mono/Poly, a classical author of the similar Synthesizerära, which brilliert with authentic sound quality however many new features and possibilities.

Technically the electronic is based mono/Poly on KORG' s of revolutionary CMT software, which considers all aspects of the original contrary to many other imitations, which emulate only the output signal, actually: The transistors, condensers, resistances and the other construction units as well as their specific peculiarities. Perfection in the smallest detail!

Thus also „the new " mono/Poly is “a genuine” original, whose sound offers the full range at warmth and pressure, like already the classical model.

In addition the mono/Poly of the similar to edition offers 2007 still another 128-stimmige Polyfonie and many new sound possibilities owing to two additional, independent MDE-X of effects, as well as four external sources of modulation. The Voice structure with 4 VCO' s, 1 VCF, 1 VCA, 2 EEC' s, 2 mg' s and altogether 256 Preset sounds does not leave desires open!

The new similar to edition 2007 contain beside the fire-new mono/Poly also the MS-20 and Polysix which are based on CMT technology, which represent a outstanding addition of the KORG Legacy Collection.

The new similar to edition 2007 like their other KORG counterparts the current Synchrosoft license technology, which Autorisationen can supplement existing KLC RTAS and KLC-DE registrations to already, needs.

KORG Legacy Collection - similar to edition 2007 is available for the following computer platforms:

Mac OS X (PowerPC /I ntelMac universal Binary), Windows XP

Condition alone; Mac VST/AU/RTAS, Windows VST/RTAS"

via sequencer.de. The US Korg site is still counting down. About 10 minutes to go as of this post.

Realistic Moog MG-1

Title link takes you to shots pulled via this auction. Check out current bid. $910 and under 45 minutes to go as of this post. Crazy. You'll be able to get a brand new Little Phatty for about that soon.

Star Instruments Synare S3X

Title link takes you to shots pulled via this auction.

Details:
2 Oscillators w 3 way selectors and each with separate tuning parameters
Filter section with Tuning,OSC 2 MIX, SWEEP, RESONACE
MASTER SECTION WITH DECAY & VOLUME as well as an Adjustable PRESET
Bank selector.This could become the most versatile 10" in your set up!
Standard 1/4" out put works with any amp or PA
Standard 1/8" ac jack and piggyback power link, The unit also runs on 9 volt batteries
The AC jack is included and is a modern low noise Radio Shack Multi amp model with the original 1/8" jack spliced on
This came straight out of a studio and is fully tested and 100% operable
The striking surface has recently been replace with a neoprene surface for silent use in studio and stage settings
No scratchy pots or bad OScillators in this one
The noise switch sometimes needs to be activated more than once to engage so the new owner should plan on giving this contact switch a cleaning

MOOG Realistic MG-1

Title link takes you to shots pulled from this auction. I don't think I've ever seen one this clean before.

Moog MG-1

flickr by Kriton Visuals.

Nice warm shot, bringing it back down to earth for a moment.

Kleonard.com

Title link takes you to Kleonard.com where you will find pages on the Alesis Andromeda, ARP 2600, Hammond A-102, Mellotron, Realistic/Moog MG-1, Minimoog, and more.

Metasonix and the Agonizer

So I found this image of the Metasonix Agonizer on this VSE post of stuff for sale including a Realistic MG-1, Nord Lead 2, Akai S612, and a couple of other pedals. I don't remember checking out the Agonizer before, so I head over to Metasonix for more info. It's not listed as a current product but I did find the manual in the support section. I take a look and the first thing in the manual is:

"AAAGGGGHHH!!!!!
YOU SLIME!
YOU PERVERTED ANUS-MAGGOT!!
YOU ACTUALLY BOUGHT ONE??!??
WHAT THE HELL'S WRONG WITH YOU???"

Eventually followed by:

"The Agonizer is great for driving the bloody hell out of a tube guitar amp, but don't whine at US if it blows your speaker's cone across the room.... Because of the construction techniques required, the Agonizer cannot be kicked around like a fuzzbox. You WILL BREAK A TUBE if you kick it around. And thereafter, we will kick YOU around, shortly after charging you a large amount of money to fix the damn thing.The Agonizer is for the DISCIPLINED, intelligent, non-risk-averse musician. It is NOT SUITABLE for drunken/stoned bozos who play dude-guitar in Creed cover bands. Dude! MAN! Like, it SUCKS, right? (Getting the damn PICTURE yet??)"

Suddenly it all makes sense...
I have to admit, I found the image of the cone flying accross the room pretty funny. Aah! My eye!

Update via phloem in the comments: "The TX-1 Agonizer art was done by Sarah Combs."

Update via Dave in the comments: "I am happy to say I provided about a dozen custom illustration for the TX-2 Butt Probe manual, and my soul still aches from the process. Easily the filthiest shit I've ever drawn in my life."

Now it really makes sense. Dave did The Packrat series and Retarded Animal Babies. Be sure to check out Retarded Animal Babies for some cute, wholesome toons. You can find more of Dave's work on UMOP.com.

Zero OSC in the Kitchen

Via Doktor Future in the comments of this post:

one
two
three


updates via the comments:
From Doktor Future: 1, 2.
From Mono/Poly: link

Casio Tried to Weasel Out of Import Tax

Here's a fascinating bit of synthesizer history sent my way via Brian Moore. Apparently Casio claimed their synthesizers fell under "electrical articles which produce sound" taxed at 3.9%, rather than, "electronic musical instruments" taxed at 6.8%. They argued this because they were sold without an amplifier, speakers or headphones and because they went beyond that of "electronic musical instruments." Title link takes you to the case brief for Casio v. U.S. Below are some exerpts. The case was decided against Casio in 1996. Good stuff. Thanks Brian. Makes you wonder what Roland, Korg and Yamaha classified their synths as during the same time...

"Casio imports into the United States electronic musical synthesizers. All of the imported synthesizer models were classified by the Customs Service, upon entry into the United States, as "Electronic musical instruments: Other," TSUS 725.47, with a duty rate of 6.8% ad valorem.

Casio timely challenged the classification by filing suit in the United States Court of International Trade. Casio argued that these synthesizers were improperly classified as electronic musical instruments and should instead have been classified under TSUS 688.34 as "Electrical articles and electrical parts of articles, not specifically provided for: Electrical articles using pre-programmed digital integrated circuits to produce sound," dutiable at the rate of 3.9% ad valorem."

"In addition, Casio argued that five of the imported models, VZ-1, VZ-10M, HZ-600, MG-510 and PG-380, could not be classified as electronic musical instruments because they were imported and sold in commerce without an amplifier and speakers or headphones and thus did not make an audible sound as imported. The ability to make an audible sound, they argued, was a requirement for classification as an electronic musical instrument."

"The trial court's finding that the synthesizers do not possess features substantially in excess of those within the common meaning of the term "electronic musical instruments" is not clearly erroneous. All of the additional features are designed primarily to make it easier for a musician to create music or embellish the sound he or she would normally be able to produce. The auto-rhythm and auto-accompaniment features allow inexperienced users to create chords and accompaniment with the press of a key, and the sequencer features allow a single musician to play, in essence, multiple instruments simultaneously. The only feature which does not appear to enhance a musician's ability to play the instrument is the one that plays prerecorded melodies. However, Casio admitted that this may be a musical instrument feature because it is similar in nature to a music box, which was specifically designated a musical instrument by Congress. TSUS 725.50."


Update via Dave Manley in the comments:
"Apparently Casio tried to do this more than once. In Pinch and Trocco's book "Analog Days" there is a short description of a 1994 case that sounds similar, but I guess is different: Casio Inc. versus the United States", October 7, 1994. The products aren't described but apparently they only played preprogrammed patterns.

"What the court had to decide was whether the Casio devices were machines or musical instruments. It fell to Bob [Moog], testifying for Casio, the plaintiff, to argue that the Casios were machines and to Herb [Deutsch], testifying for the government, to argue that they were musical instruments. Bob pointed out the essence of a musical instrument is that the performer should have "real-time control" and that the Casio takes this away. The judge did not buy this argument, describing it as a "seemingly myopic premise" and contrary to legislative inent. The government won the case and the judge decided that, for tariff purposes anyway, the Casio, as long as it contained an amplifier and loudspeakers, was a musical instrument, and thus subject to the higher rate of tariff."

Interesting that Casio tried this twice once arguing with amplifier and loudspeakers, and once without.

Herb Deutsch played an interesting part in the development of the synthesizer. He met Moog when he sold Theremins and started requesting features that eventually led to the synthesizer. Take a look at Analog Days for more details (read it for the story, not for the authors' editorializing and analysis)."

The Appreciation Post

This one in via Roger Lussier of The Appreciation Post.

"I play moog synthesizers for Boston indie-rock superstars The Appreciation Post. We're getting quite a following up and down the east coast.

I play a Moog Source and a Realistic MG-1 and the pure analog sound just can not be beat. Our singer also used a Sonic Six (which he has since sold) to record a cover of rod stewarts "some guys have all the luck" which you can hear on our Purevolume page. Every sound except vocals was made by the sonic six, even the 'drums.' So, check it out, tell me what you think."

I did and I think I like it. : ) BTW, before I get bombarded with MySpace sites, I only put stuff up that has something interesting about a particular synth or synths. In this case there were two things - the shot and a track featuring nothing but a Sonic Six. It's always a cool surprise when I like the music as well. Thanks Roger.

Realistic/Moog MG-1

flick by rodgre.

Alesis ION Filter Types

There has been some discussion on AH on the Alesis ION filter types. It's interesting that they are not listed in detail on the Alesis site. I thought I'd put up a post with the list so far. Title link takes you to a Sound on Sound review of the ION where the majority of the below came from. However, some new filters also listed below, were added since the SOS reveiw. Here's a link to the details on the OS updates to date.



'mg': a four-pole low-pass modelled on that of the most famous monophonic analogue synth ever made.
'ob': a two-pole low-pass closely resembling the one in a classic synth xpander... whoops, I mean expander module.
'ob': a two-pole band-pass.
'ob': a two-pole high-pass.
'rp': a four-pole low-pass modelled on the one in a popular semi-modular synth.
'tb': a three-pole low-pass (think 'little silver bass synth').
'jp': a four-pole low-pass (from an eight-voice synth noted for its coloured buttons amongst other things);
'Eight-pole low-pass': all the filters from here on were created for the Ion; this one gives a very steep cutoff.
'8ve dual band-pass': two two-pole band-pass filters spaced one octave apart.
'six-pole band-pass': like an exaggerated version of the 'ob' band-pass.
'phase warp': an analogue phaser effect based on eight all-pass filters in series.
'comb filter 1': multiple resonant peaks and notches which are not harmonically related.
'comb filter 2': as above, but the signal is additionally filtered to warm up the sound.
'vocal formant 1': three band-pass filters emulating 'ah' and 'oo' vowel sounds.
'vocal formant 2': as above, but 'oh' and 'ee' vowel sounds.
'vocal formant 3': a five-band formant filter.
'band limit': a two-pole high-pass filter and a two-pole low-pass filter in series, limiting the signal to everything between them; resonance adjusts bandwidth.

New Types:
'OP 4-Pole Highpass - This filter is based on our "MG" 4-pole lowpass filter model. It has a steeper cut-off and more extreme resonance than the "OB" highpass. Like the "MG", it will self-oscillate when the resonance is turned all the way up. It can thus be used as a fourth (or fifth) oscillator.
'Comb 3 - Based on a different design than Comb's 1 and 2, it has deeper notches and more pronounced resonance.
'Comb 4 - Similar to Comb3, but with negative feedback. This will oscillate and even clip when the resonance is turned up.

Mindtrip - Moog MG-1 and Roland SH-1000 Tune

Title link takes you there. Posted by macman on the-gas-station.

Ferrapsylix Mindblock

Right click title link and save (13M) for a little ditty by Troy Sheets featuring:
"Real analog bass (Moog MG-1), real analog 303 emulation (x0xb0x), all
other synths are waldorf Q." More on http://www.ferrapsylix.com/.

x0xb0x & MG-1 Demo

Title link takes you to a demo of the x0xb0x and Radio Shack / Moog MG-1 via Troy Sheets on AH. "The MG-1 is the growly little brat, and the x0xb0x is the light-footed pixie."

Miniorgan - Realistic Concertmate Rhythm Box

Trip. Never saw this before. Title pretty much says it all. It's a rhythm box made in 1981. Not sure if it's analog and/or whether it uses any design or components from another manufacturer like the Realistic MG-1 did with Moog. Click here for more on Miniorgan.com, a site worth checking out in its entirety and on it's own.

Analog Solutions Modifications Page

I was searching the net for more info on a Moog Prodigy Modular picture I have. I came across Analog Solutions' Modifications Page. I didn't realize how many modifications they had for vintage analog synths. Title link will take you there with more shots.

Listed Mods as of this post:

Roland SH101 modular upgrade
Roland SH101 cut-down modular upgrade
Roland MC202 modular upgrade
Roland SH09 keyboard removal
Roland SH09 keyboard removal
Roland SH3a modular upgrade and keyboard removal
ARP Axxe modular upgrade and keyboard removal
ARP Odyssey modular upgrade and keyboard removal
SCI Pro 1 modular upgrade
Moog Prodigy modular upgrade
Moog Radio Shack MG1 basic CV upgrade
EDP Wasp rack mounting
EDP Wasp modular upgrade
Roland TR606 / TR303 blue LED mod
Roland TR606 / TR303 blue LED mod
Roland TB303 BORG modification
Roland TB303 BORG modification
Roland TB303 BORG modification
Roland TR606 separate audio outs
Roland TR606 tonal mod (extra pots)
Roland CR78 tonal mod (extra pots)
Roland TR808 tonal mod (extra pots)
Roland CR8000 tonal mod (extra pots)
Roland TR808 MIDI kit

Lot's of Little Toys - New Flickr Shot

Moog/Radio Shack MG-1, Electro Harmonix Micro Synthesizer, Yamaha DX21?, BOSS SP-808. What fun. : )