Dark Energy II Product Page Live

The Dark Energy II product page is live.

"As the Dark Energy (I) had to be discontinued because an important electronic part (CEM3394) is no longer available we decided to do a redesign of the Dark Energy. The new Dark Energy II looks like the Dark Energy I at first sight. But the basic sound of Dark Energy II is clearly different from version I because of the new circuits for VCO, VCF and VCA."

You'll find the full list of specs here.

Click the pic to the left for the super size shot.

RichyHo's Rack Planner Updates - Nears Beta & Adds New Formats

Published on Oct 15, 2012 by Richard Horsman

"RichyHo's Rack Planner continues to take shape with zoom-to racks."

Richard Horsman wrote in to let us know The Horsman Modular Planner now supports Roland System 100m and erthenvar/ PulpLogic 1U tile modules. A beta version will be going out to beta testers soon. You can find updates on RichyHo's Facebook page here and discussion on Muff's here. When released, the planner will run USD 20 / GBP 12.50.

The Synthesizer in Mid 20th Century Science Fiction

This one comes in via the author Nicholas C. Laudadio.


"This article examines the role electronic music and musical instruments played in the musicological discourse of the mid-twentieth century by analyzing two early sf stories about synthesizers: Charles Harness’s novella “The Rose” (1953) and Lloyd Biggle, Jr’s short story 'The Tunesmith' (1957). It argues that science fiction echoed both the concerns of critics fearful that new electronic forms would “dehumanize” music and the optimistic rhetoric of those who dreamt of the technology’s enormous potential. I argue that by examining sf’s contribution to the perception of electronic music and musical instruments, one can find a prescient analysis of the consequences of an increasingly technologized culture, as well as a farsighted and thoughtful analysis of a nascent technology that would soon become one of the most significant cultural developments of the twentieth century."

Unfortunately the full article is currently only available to those with library access to JSTOR, which should include most university students. If you have access, enjoy.

Something New from Elektron In the Works

"Tradition & Future"

Looks like new hardware.  Note the side buttons and the knobs over the bottom row of buttons.  That is not the current Octatrak.

http://www.tradition-and-future.com./

Update: one more pic via Computer Controlled in the comments.

Sequential Circuits Prophet 5

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Sequential Circuits Pro One Fully Restored SN 9580

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"This instrument has been rebuilt from the ground up, including 40+ hours of my time as well as $500+ just put into it at Wine Country Sequential, the country’s premier Sequential Circuits specialists. I told Wine Country to “Do whatever it takes to make this synth work as though it just came off the line”. They did better than that! This instrument is truly in perfect operational condition and is ready to perform well for another 30 years. Operationally and sound wise, this synth is unquestionably a 10 out of 10.

There are two scratches on the back and a few on the bottom, other than this the unit is in great shape cosmetically. Easily 8.5 out of 10.

Work done on unit includes:
· New, custom made American Red Oak wood ends (you also get the original walnut ends)
· Every potentiometer and switch cleaned and lubed, checked for correct operation
· J-Wire keyboard fully serviced, every key’s wire and the bus bar meticulously cleaned with DeOxit and then coated with Silver Oxide to ensure years of accurate triggering
· All keys leveled out
· All keyboard bushings replaced using the “Archive Sound” Pratt-Read keyboard rebuild kit, bringing it back up to fresh from the factory action
· Case-mounted power supply completely rewired, new original-style Fuse Holder installed, new power cord installed
· 2.2uF Power Supply bypass capacitors replaced with higher V rated 35v caps
· High quality IC sockets added for several of the chips to make servicing and replacement of chips more efficient
· Replaced 4049 ICs for the Gate Controller, Sequencer and Arpeggiator
· Rebuilt Noise circuit, including replacing/socketing the 5532 Dual Op Amp and replacing electrolytic capacitors
· Replaced LM348 Quad Op Amp and TL082 JFET-Input Dual Op Amp IC chips across the board
· All oscillators tuned and calibrated per factory service manual procedures
· 2 full 50 hour Reliability Burn-In test cycles performed at Wine Country, making sure synth continue to operate flawlessly after all components reach max operating temperature

Extras: If you buy this synth, you will also receive the following extras:
· The original wood ends, power cord and case screws
· The “CAIG Audio Survival Kit”, including DeOxIT deoxidizing solution, spray and tube ProGold preservative and lubricant for plated metal connections, spray and tube CaiLube lubricant for plastic and carbon compound faders and switches, spray and tube Lint-free swabs, brushes, and cloths 5" x 8" carrying case
· Printed and Electronic versions of the Pro One Operation Manual, schematics, third party patches, more.."

Sequential Circuit Prophet 5 1351

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SEQUENTIAL CIRCUITS DRUMTRAKS SN 2256

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"Vintage 'Drumtraks' unit by Sequential Circuits. In beautiful shape, has lived in Anvil case (included) most of it's life. Ch 6 & 7 caps recently replaced, IC's and connectors re-seated and pots de-oxed. CEM filter chip also new. Serviced and good to go by authorized technician. In-case dimensions 6.5"/12.5"/25" (16/32/63cm) Weight 25lbs (11.6kg)."

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Mini Moog Model D

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"Up for auction we have yet another classic. A Mini Moog Model D. The good news is it functions and sounds awesome. The bad news is that it has a few cosmetic flaws, kinda like Paris Hilton..."

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Disneyland's Michael Iceberg 1977 Moog Minimoog up for Auction?

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"This synth has been stripped down to the bare metal and wood and painstakingly reassembled and cleaned. All of the capacitors on every circuit board have been replaced and the keyboard disassembled , grommets replaced mechanism lived and cleaned. The label overlay on the panel is new, the logo plates are original. This unit has a pedigree of sorts, as it was purchased about 20 years ago at auction from Disney, where it had been used , predominately in the tommorow land terrace."

Note the listing does not mention Michael Iceberg, but he did perform regularly at Disneylan's Tomorrow Land in the 1970s so I'm curious if it's his. Don't miss this post for videos. I remember seeing him perform as a kid.

Update via @NilsWarren

"This is a few years after the fact, but I am the seller of that Minimoog, from2012.. It did come from Disney world,. I bought it in 1992 at auction, but , it was not Michaels. His had the keyboard removed , and was used as a slave to the CV /Gate on prophet5.

I still have the original front panel label skin from that minimoog. I replaced it with a new retrofit. The old one had shrunk and warped too much to look right. I stripped that thing down, and rebuilt . The signatures inside were factory guys from 1977."

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