Synth Rorschach #44: AKAT-1 from 1950

via Boing Boing

Like someone meshed a Buchla Music Easel, EMS Hi-Fli, and Doepfer modules along with an oscilloscope.

See more Synth Rorschachs here.

Synth Rorschach #43: Rogue Wave - "What Is Left To Solve" (Official Audio)

Published on Feb 8, 2016 Easy Sound Recording Co.

Whole lotta synth rorschach going on in this one. What do you see? For me, the punch cards reminded me of the 1974 RMI KC-1 Keyboard Computer ; the switches as well for that matter.

"Official premiere for 'What Is Left To Solve' by Rogue Wave.
From the new album Delusions Of Grand Fur, out April 29th!
Download: http://radi.al/DelusionsofGrandFur"

Synth Rorschach #42: JJ Abrams Synth Reference in Star Wars The Force Awakens

So did anyone else catch the synth reference in The Force Awakens? Hint: It has to do with that planet in the right of the image on the left. If so, leave a comment, and please do not reveal any other spoilers for those who haven't seen it yet, although anyone that hasn't might be due for some punishment. I've seen it twice already in 3D and 2D - a note on which was a better experience for me is below. That said, if you haven't seen the film yet do not look in the comments, but see my note directly below.

And for those that do not know, JJ Abrams is into synths.

A small tip for those that haven't seen the film yet: I saw it the first time in IMAX 3D and again today in IMAX 2D at the same theater. I'm not sure if it was the theater, but both the audio and video quality of the 3D version blew the 2D version away. The screen was sharper, brighter and the audio was significantly better in the IMAX 3D version. I almost think something was just wrong with the 2D theatre, the quality was that much worse. It was like going from stereo to mono.

Update: someone got the answer in the comments below, so don't look if you still want to guess.

Update2: related via skkatter in the comments: Cool Guys Don't Look At Explosions - JJ Abrams on Keys

Synth Rorschach #41 Christmas lights..... or is it a rhythm sequencer

Published on Dec 21, 2015 organfairy

Literally turning a synth rorschach into a working synth device. Be sure to see the Rorschach and Holidays channels below for more posts in each category!

"I found this old telephone exchange device in my garage. I remember buying it quite a while ago. But for some reason I have not used it for something untill now.

I converted it to a kind of drum sequencer somewhat inspired by the Eko Computerhythm from the 1970s and it can control the little drum synthesizer I build some years ago.

The music is "No milk today" that was a major hit by Herman's Hermits in 1966. I play it on my Wersi Prisma DX-5 while the rhythm comes from another distinctive drum machine namely the Wersimatic II."

Synth Rorschach #40: "The Lives Of Others (2006)"

This one in via ronan casey.

Note only the rack to the left but behind on the right. A number of things come to mind for this one. Feel free to share what comes to mind for you in the comments.

What comes to mind for me: Fairlight monitor on the left, Akai racks with PPG buttons, Bit 99 racks, and finally a monome merged with a Triadex Muse in the back right.

See the Synth Rorschach channel in the comments below for more.

Synth Rorschach #39: Senator Palpatine's Office - Star Wars

Been meaning to post this one literally for years... It's always when I'm watching one of the films and then I forget. :)

So, what design cues do you see here? Hint, the designer recently announced a new hardware synthesizer limited to two runs of 20.

The design cues are also in different scenes in the original Star Wars films. I always wondered if the designer picked up some of his design styles from the films.

Update: a few more design cues from the original films added below. Oh, and ignore the Oreos, although, the size of an Oreo is roughly the size of one of the knobs on the particular synth I thought of. :)

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Synth Rorschach #38: an operator

via monsta poly

"I found something in my lovely old book (Richard Scarry, What Do People Do All Days)."

Note the little vocoder mike!  :)

The obvious rorschach is a modular synthesizer, but see if you can identify what brand and why?

Hint: it's yellow and has tubes.

Synth Rorschach #37: Vintage Beckman 999 IC Tester

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

This one in via Loscha via this auction.

This one should be pretty obvious. It appears to be the exact same part used in the synth I'm thinking about. If so, it would be interesting. It would mean the synth manufacturer either sourced it or produced it and made it available to other manufacturers. If anyone knows, feel free to comment. Update via Colin f in the comments: these were made by a manufacturer name Cherry. I actually posted some here previously.

"Here is a vintage Beckman model 999 IC Tester. Just what you need to test old TTL and other IC's."

See the Synth Rorschach channel at the bottom of this post for more.

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Synth Rorschach #36: CBTC: Communications-Based Train Control

Published on Jul 20, 2015 mtainfo

"Learn all about CBTC, the future of the New York City Subway."

This should be an easy one. What do you see? Hint: That's one long..

Synth Rorschach #35: Largest Rubik's Cube - 17x17x17

What do you see in the synth world?



And the 7 hour version:

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Synth Rorschach #34: Twin Peaks

Twin Peaks' Sherilyn Fenn via Boing Boing.

What in the synth realm does this remind you of? Answer in the comments.

Synth Rorschach #33: Calling 0

Published on Sep 26, 2014 FSK1138

"patching and re patching the in the analogue world
calling 0"

Synth Rorschach #32 - 1945 Future of Voting Machine

via Gizmodo

What do you see?  My answer in the comments.

Synth Rorschach #31 - Data From Goonies

What's on his chest?

Synth Rorschach #30 - Synthesizer Mix 2

Published on May 1, 2014 Billy McBride·712 videos

"Music of Billy."

What do you see?

Synth Rorschach #29 - 1969 Peptide Synthesizer

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"1969 Press Photo NY, Dr Bernd Gutte at Rockerfeller Univ & peptide synthesizer"

"ADDITIONAL DETAILS: This is an original press photo. Credit-UPI-NEAPhoto measures 9 x 6inches. Photo is dated 01-16-1969."

It oozes sequencers for me.  We haven't had any new synthesis engines in quite some time...

See the Synth Rorschach channel below for more.

Synth Rorschach #28 - Prepare for lift off!

via Facebook

What do you see?

See the Synth Rorschach channel below for more.

Synth Rorschach #27 Grace Hopper and UNIVAC

What synth do you see? I'll post what I see in the comments in a bit.

flickr by public.resource.org

"SI Neg. 83-14878. Date: na...Grace Murray Hopper at the UNIVAC keyboard, c. 1960. Grace Brewster Murray: American mathematician and rear admiral in the U.S. Navy who was a pioneer in developing computer technology, helping to devise UNIVAC I. the first commercial electronic computer, and naval applications for COBOL (common-business-oriented language). ..Credit: Unknown (Smithsonian Institution)"

via Boing Boing's post for Happy Sysadmin Day. Happy Sysadmin Day! :)

Synth Rorschach #26

Anyone know what this is?  It kind of reminds me of one of Dan McPharlin's miniatures.

This one in via Jimmersound of PYRAPHONIC

"I saw this crazy cabinet & panel a while back at a local surplus place. I have no idea what its function was. I was tempted to buy it and turn it into some sort of synth, but I already have too many projects and gear!"

Synth Rorschach #25 - OMNI Reboot

via OMNI Reboot

I see a few things in this one. :) What do you see?