All gear is better in black (replacing the Midicake Arp case)

video upload by Richard DeHove

"Why just make a quick guide on replacing the Midicake Arp's front panel when I can have an extended gripe about too-colorful gear? So here it is, all talk and no music about the joys of black front panels. For reasons unknown a jumble of gear colors disturbs me. Perhaps there's some deep explanation centring on light patterns, color contrast and their interaction with brainwave states? After all, why are some color groupings universally regarded as "beautiful" or "harmonious" - such as a sunset - and other combinations like brown and orange, or magenta and red, judged terrible? Either that or I'm just getting more grumpy and demanding. In the meantime, if anyone knows of a black overlay sticker for the Big Sky, I'm in.

0:00 Approved colors
1:18 Midicake Arp
2:35 Strymon neon
3:24 Arp front panel
3:50 Replacing the case
5:35 Knob time
6:55 Ta da!

Lots of downloads for supporters on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/richarddehove
Many thanks to my kind patrons who keep this channel ad-free
My website: https://richarddehove.com/"

New Moog Keyboard Synth Spotted at Usher's Super Bowl Halftime Show?

via Andrew Huang:

"Did you catch the mystery synth in Usher's Super Bowl halftime show? Well...I've got it in my studio now. Thanks Moog Music for giving me some early play time with it. Excited to share more when it launches - I think people are gonna flip over this!"

Update: two screen shots of the setup below. All of the gear appears to be clad in white.

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Erica Synths SYNTRX w/ New Knobs

via this auction

"Erica Synths SYNTRX purchased new about a year ago - used sparingly in my home studio. I replaced the drab MXR style knobs with very high quality Sifam collet knobs (as seen on Buchla 200e) in an EMS Synthi style color scheme. Original knobs included as well as original box and power adapter."

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Oberheim OB-X8 Videos by Adam Borseti

video uploads by Adam Borseti

The above playlist features a handful of Oberheim OB-X8 videos by Adam Borseti. Note the first few videos feature the custom OB-Xa style overlay (link below), followed by the stock OB-X style panel.

Playlist:

1. First Day of Summer! (Oberheim OB-X8)

Here's a fun little spur-of-the-moment jam over a song I've been working on. This is the direction I want the song to go in, but I'm probably going to re-record some of it. We'll see. You like the 80s style OB-Xa/OB-8 blue pin stripes for the OB-X8? I do to! They're made of semi-rigid plastic and can be applied or removed in less than 2 minutes with no adhesive. It's really cool to be able to switch between the late 70s OB-X look and the super-1980s OB-Xa and OB-8 look.

Get yours here https://www.synthoverlays.com/product...

2. Random Improv Jam

3. Going places in DOUBLE MODE

Using the SEM filters in lowpass for the bottom layer and a delicious Notch filter on the upper layer pad.

4. OB-X8 - Left Hand Bass Exercises

Laying down bass lines thick and hard with lefty, following the lead of whatever chord righty is holding down. This was all improvised so forgive any chord meandering and weird transitions, mistakes and the like. Is what it is.

5. "Approaching Chaos" - Oberheim OB-X8

All sounds made with the Oberheim OB-X8 run through a Zoom MS-70CDR, with the drums from my Roland TR-626. Enjoy

6. Oberheim OB-X8 - Cinematic improvisation & Double Mode patch

Consider this some filler while I'm working on my next actual song. I'm almost done!

7. "Reflections" - Oberheim OB-X8

A new original tune of mine, the first in a good long while! Less time and more stress have resulted in less creativity haha, but I'm trying over here. :)

8. The Camera Eye - Oberheim OB-X8

I mean, it's THAT sound......

Custom Black & Gold Finish Blue Roland SH-101 by GhostInMPC

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

via this auction

"You’ve seen GoldZilla on the internet before haven’t you? That wasn’t 'a' Black & Gold SH-101, that was THE Black & Gold SH-101: the one and ONLY in the entire known universe

Yes, GoldZilla is THE 1 of 1 Custom Black & Gold 1982 Roland SH-101 by GhostInMPC (Japan).

I love this synth with all my heart, which is why the price is what it is. It’s cold, dead hands otherwise ;)

The linked YouTube video [below] is a song I wrote doing the 'One Synth Challenge' with GoldZilla as the ONLY sound source because what else could you possibly need?"

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Beasty commisson synth

video upload by Love Hultén

Incl

Syntrx2
Nymphes
Binson Echorec
Microcosm
MOOD
GenLoss
Thermae
ReverseC

My inspiration for this one was the beautiful Syn-ket(1963)

Also see the ATOM-IC SYNTH by Love Hultén

MIDI NES AXE

video upload by Love Hultén

"@catbeatsofficial jammin his brand new commissioned Hultén MIDI axe!

The guitar includes a built-in NESpoly synth, a detachable dome for avatar replacement and a custom strap made from extraterrestrial skin 👽 Based on the YouRock MIDI guitar #midiisback"

Red Orange Waldorf Microwave XT

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

via this auction

I thought that was rust on the front panel, but it's actually what remains of the orange Nextel paint.

From the listing:

"This synth is in excellent functional condition, the original LED screen has been replaced with a brand new one.

This is one of the early units with the Nextel paint finish, which naturally degrades over time. The Nextel finish has mostly rubbed off, showing a bright orange paint undercoat. Some of the knob markers are hard to read and/or have rubbed off."

It's interesting that the print on the panel remains.

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Custom Korg Poly-800 with Filter and Chorus Mods

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
video upload by Ground Grown Circuits

via this auction

"This thing is great for dreamy evolving pads, drunk sounding horns, lofi surfing, and 80’s car chases.

The filter is modded to allow free playable control over cutoff and resonance, with a 2 pole/ 4 pole switch installed for more variety.
The chorus has been modded to allow adjustment of the rate, going into audio range for ringmod-like effects, adjustment of depth, and a true mix knob allowing for control between fully dry and fully wet.

There’s an external input, so you can run some audio signals in and override the noise.

The internal battery has been replaced with a battery clip for no-solder battery swaps and a brand new battery has been installed.

All the tact switches have been replaced, so no annoying switch bounces while trying to program a sound.

The instrument is painted to match the green lettering in the programmer menu."

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Korg microKORG-S 37-Key Synthesizer/Vocoder

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

via this auction

"Microkorg S , about 4 months old , custom rainbow overlay with custom curly maple end cheeks"

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Keith Humble's Optronics Workstation

video upload by Robotussin Vintage Synths

"This is the Optronics Workstation, an Australian synth made for composer Keith Humble around 1970. It could be controlled by brainwaves…

The Optronics Workstation contains an EMS VCS1 – you can see the controls in the bottom right corner. Yes, a VCS1, not the VCS3 that EMS eventually marketed. The VCS1 was the first synth made by British company EMS. Three were created, the original, known as the Don Banks Music Box, can be seen above in the last image. It was made in 1968, predating the VCS3 by 12 months and many say it was the commission from Don Banks that led to the formation of EMS, so perhaps without it, there would be no other EMS synths.

Humble’s Optronics was built by an engineer called Graham Thirkell around the VCS1. It is perhaps the world’s first electronic workstation, containing a mixer, a synth and FX, all of which are inter-patchable.

In the centre is the 'Mindreader' or 'OmniVoila'. Players attach an electrode to their temples and this device read the signals and turned it into voltage to produce sound or modulation. On the left side is a three-channel mixer for three external line inputs, plus a send for a delay. Top right is a patch panel where voltages can be routed to create sound or modulation. Above that you can see two ring modulators. It also has an in-built spring reverb.

Humble was a huge early proponent of electronic music in Australia. He founded the Electronic Music Studio at Melbourne Universities’ Grainger Centre and the music school at La Trobe University, Melbourne.

The Optronics Workstation is now in the collection of MESS, the non-profit Melbourne Electronic Sound Studio. They are fantastic people who preserve and restore vintage instruments and encourage people to come in and play with them. Humble’s Optronics still works, so if you’re in Melbourne or near there, drop them a line and go say hello.

They were going to send me some video of it in action but I think they’re too slammed. I’ve included the only audio I could find that might be the Optronics in action. It might not be, though. But it was made by Keith Humble about a year after he started working with the Optronics and given that it was his only synth at the time, I think there's a good chance the audio was made with the Optronics."

Love Hultén Minilogue, Reface CP, TR-08, Mood MKII and Lossy

video upload by Love Hultén

"Another vid using my custom setup for a client, incl Minilogue, Reface CP, TR-08, Mood MKII and Lossy from Chase Bliss."

Love Hultén Subsequent 37, Fusion Box and Plasma distortion

video upload by Love Hultén

"Custom folding synth for a client incl. Subsequent 37, Fusion Box, Plasma distortion and ferrofluid visuals"

Original Slate Blue Waldorf Q Keyboard w/ Custom Bronze / Gold Knobs & Wood Side Panels

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

via this auction

"Beautiful example of this classic Waldorf Synth. Some modifications that improve the look and the sound of this instrument.

Upgraded to 32 voices!

Replaced original side panels with zebrawood stained to match the Halloween color scheme.

Original rubber knobs replaced with metal knobs that also improve the aesthetics of the instrument.

Q256 memory card included"

You can find pics of a yellow one with the bronze knobs previously posted here.

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Korg Polysix (1981)

video upload by Ticco Ross

"Korg PolySix Custom White with Reverse Keys:

The Korg Polysix is a vintage analog polyphonic synthesizer that was first introduced in 1981.

Korg developed the Polysix with an eye on the Sequential Circuits Prophet 5, trying to provide some of the features found on the more expensive synth in a compact, reliable and much cheaper design.

With one oscillator per voice and six voices, SSM2044 4-pole voltage-controlled filters, unique Korg VCO design, awesome envelopes and analog effects, the Polysix sounds fantastic.

The white panel of this Polysix was made by synthronics.de and the inverted keys come from a pair of Korg Poly 800, although the origin of those original Korg grey knobs remains a mystery to me."

Mondaynight droning with [Custom] Soma Lyra-8

video upload by Futile_Soundscapes

"Playing with my DIY Soma Lyra-8 in combination with my Zoom MS-70CDR."

And a view from the side:

Sunday Droneday w/Digitakt - Lyra-8 - MS70CDR

video upload by Futile_Soundscapes

Droning away with a lovely setup.
Elektron Digitakt
Soma Lyra-8 ((DIY))
Zoom MS-70CDR

Custom BLACK Korg microKORG S MK-1S w/ Built-In Speakers & Gig Bag

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

via this auction

Note auction links are affiliate links. See the site's privacy policy for more info.

"This is a Korg Microkorg S customized with factory black case & faceplate, black 3d printed side plates and vinyl-wrapped bottom plate. FACTORY SPEAKERS INSIDE!"

Note the back looks camoflauged.

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Twin Peaks on custom setup

video upload by Love Hultén

"Custom setup for a client, incl Minilogue, Reface CP, TR-08, Mood MKII and Lossy from Chase Bliss.

The amazing CP(hidden piano) combined with the Minilogue+Mood MKII made me drift away in Badalamenti soundscapes"

Custom Skinned Korg monologue

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

via this auction

"This gold-colored synthesizer with a vinyl wrap by Moebius is perfect for musicians who want to add a unique touch to their music."

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Black Korg Electribe-MX EMX-1 Music Production Station

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

via this auction

Never seen one in black before. Guessing it's custom. The tube window appears to be sealed and note the side bar handles.

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