Merry Synthmas!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone! As far as "Synthmas" gifts go, under my tree is a MOTU UltraLite mk3 and MOTU's Volta, purchased from Novamusik, as well as a signed Bob Moog Foundation calendar. Coming in the mail are two Monoroket Mission6's. Thank you to Novamusik for the extra T-Shirt and Coffee Cup (to the right of the Volta box)! :) I wasn't expecting either.

Hmm... Something else synth related is coming from my wife that I had no idea about until composing this post... I wonder what it is... Apparently it is under the tree. I'll post back when I find out.

Update: It's a Zoundz!!!!


video upload by
YouTube via matrixsynth

Pacific Northwest Synth 2009 - photos via David Skinner

The first pics are in. This set via David Skinner. Too many great pics to post so be sure to see them. It was an awesome event this year.

Pictured:
fight going over his new modules
Harvestman is in that case as well

Randy Jones (Madrona Labs) showing his multitouch continuous controler. I have video of this talk that I will post. Impressive piece of gear that will be available to purchase.

A kid toy that plays music and lets you sample. I posted this once before but forget what it's called. If anyone knows, let me know. I want one. Frostwave Alienator next to it. Update: it's a Zizzle Zoundz (click for video). Thanks to PaulR in the comments.

The group listening to on of the talks. We typically go around the room and discuss what we have.

Lorne with the best Synth T in the world. :) Thanks Lorne!

Mattson Mini Modular - not so mini here. Midified skulls. I have some excellent video of that coming up as well.

DIY synth kit from the either the 70s or 80s. I forget what it's called. If you know comments.

Atomo Synth Mochika from Peru

Rare Sequential Circuits Pro-8 and MMM

Pink Thingamagoop, graciously given to me by Bleep Labs a couple of years ago. It was my first gift actually.

The retro, groovy and spooky Optigan. Great Halloween kit.

Computer Controlled skinned Elektron Machinedrum

John L Rice modular featuring Moonmodular, synthesizers.com, Club of the Knobs and more.

click here for all PNW 2009 coverage.

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Playing with Zizzle Zoundz

YouTube via brianbrarian.

What is it? The following video sums it up. Check out the music of sound, where I found these videos, for more..

Cool New Music Toy!! Zoundz!

YouTube via civrj1

"This is one of the coolest new products I've seen in along time. You move the pieces around and they glow and pulse to the music that you create. One of the pieces even lets you record your own music or voice.
I really like the fact that you can add effects to the music, even the music you play from your ipod. It uses RGB LEDs triggered by Rfid tags to make all the music. It even has a talking clock!"

ZIZZLE Zoundz

Ok, this is pushing it as far as synth content, but there you go... If it only supported MIDI in and out.

"ZoundzTM creates a fusion of self- composed music with an accompanying light show. With it, users can create musical light shows never seen before. They can create their own riffs by placing one of Zoundz TM’ pawns on an interactive “hot spot” on the sound board. Each pawn associates with the sound it makes and by placing them on different locations and in different combinations, users can compose music all their own. The music portion can be fine tuned with the mode switch which enables users to adjust the tempo of the music, raise and lower the volume, increase or decrease an echo, or sustain and draw out specific sounds. Each interactive “hot spot” lights up when a pawn is placed on it and will groove to the tempo of your music. The color of the light also reflects what type of music the pawn produces with red indicating a sharper tone while blue reflects softer more soothing sounds."