MOTM in smaller Doepfer/FracRak formats?

http://www.synthtech.com/motm.html

In via AH. This could equate to lower prices on some select MOTM modules as well as the smaller format. If you are unfamiliar with modular synthesis, think of them as the legos or erector sets of the synth world. You buy individual components of a synth and patch them together to do what you want. You can buy complete systems from different manufacturers or you can buy individual modules and mix and match. Typically you will want to rack the modules into a case, cabinet, rack or other fixture of choice (really wish I had a good picture here). Different manufacturers typically adhere to different dimensions for their modules so they can fit nicely together in a rack. MOTM modules are similar in size to Moog, while FracRack and Doepfer are considerably smaller. If MOTM does this, you can now house MOTM modules with your favorite FracRak and Doepfer modules and... you can possibly save some money.

The following is a good chart on some differences between different modular systems:http://www.modularsynth.com/chart.html. Track back to http://www.modularsynth.com for general info on modular synths. Be sure to check out MOTM, also a great resource.

In via AH. This could equate to lower prices on some select MOTM modules as well as the smaller format. If you are unfamiliar with modular synthesis, think of them as the legos or rather erector sets of the synth world. You buy individual components of a synth and patch them together to do what you want. You can buy complete systems from different manufacturers or you can buy individual modules and mix and match. Typically you will want to rack the modules into a case, cabinet, rack or other fixture of choice (really wish I had a good picture here). Different manufacturers typically adhere to different dimensions for their modules so they can fit nicely together in a rack. MOTM modules are similar in size to Moog, while FracRack and Doepfer are considerably smaller. If MOTM does this, you can now house MOTM modules with your favorite FracRak and Doepfer modules and... you can possibly save some money.

The following is a good chart on some differences between different modular systems:http://www.modularsynth.com/chart.html. Track back to http://www.modularsynth.com for general info on modular synths. Be sure to check out MOTM, also a great resource.

Guiness Filter - Gulbranson Bottle Organ

Saw this one on Create Digital Music. At least it's Guiness. I can see the DIY community going nuts with this one. I just modded it with my Corona filter, what do you think! Or, "My damn girlfriend dropped a cigarette butt in one! But I like the timbre it added so I decided to keep it." Click here for the product site. Price? 29k US.

Some Waldorf Resources

I still can't believe Waldorf is no more. They made some of the absolutely, most beautiful synths out there including the Wave, Pulse, XT/XTk, and Q. Alex Hartmann of the Hartmann Neuron was responsible for much of the look and feel of the Waldorf Synths. Below is a few resources currently online for anyone looking for patches, OS updates and more:

http://waldorf.synth.net
http://waldorf.electro-music.com/
http://www.cavestudio.org/waldorf/ (mirror)
WaldorfWave
MicrowaveII/XT

The old site was at: http://www.waldorf-gmbh.de. I still have it on my MFG link section on http://www.matrixsynth.com in the hope that it will one day come back. : (

My pick for the most beautiful synth in the world, the Crimson Waldorf Wave:

ID this synth - Flickr Shot

via Flickr

This one came in under the tag "synthesizer." Not sure what it is but I like the picture. Click through for a larger shot and a couple of others.

Sequentix P3

Saw this in a picture of someone's studio and wondered what it was. Turns out it's a DIY Sequentix P3 8 track sequencer that you can now get pre-built direct from Sequentix or from Analogue Haven in the us. Looks sweet. Two rows of sixteen knobs and sixteen buttons. Yowza! Haven't used that word before, so it must be good. ; ) More info and pics after the hop.

Also be sure to check out the custom gallery for more including a nice red one.

Vermona Performer change in design

Music Thing has a good post on how much the design of a synth can change the desirability of a synth. Aesthetically I like the design of the old Performer with those classy chrome knobs, but functionally I think the new Performer will be easier to use. It also looks inspiring in a more colorful way (pun not intended but I'll take it).

Picture from Music Thing:

It's amazing how much the design of a synth can influence your perception and quite possibly the sounds you create. The Korg MS2000 and MicroKorg for example have essentially the same synth engine, minus a few deltas like being able to capture formant samples via the vocoder on the MicroKorg, yet the interfaces will pull you in different directions. I have an Alesis Ion, but every time I walk into the local Guitar Center, I play with the Micron and I walk away really, really wanting one. It's not just the fun factor, but for some reason the design inspires different sounds from me; it's as if it has a different synth engine. Heck if interface didn't matter, why not get a Yamaha AN1X rather than a Roland JP8000?

Creamware Minimax ASB now shipping

Sleek hardware with knobs running Creamware's Minimax software.

Elka x705 on Ebay

This interesting item came up on Ebay. It's an Organ with string ensemble, analog brass, mono-synth for bass or higher notes, and 16 analog rhythms. Some info on harmony-central. It was used by Jean Michel Jarre live: JMJ kit list.

Elka x705 on Ebay:

Some pictures of Jean Michel Jarre playing the Elka x705 live off of jarreography:

Ever wonder what chips your old analogs use?

I was wondering if the Prophet 5 Rev 2 and Korg Mono/Poly and Polysix all shared the same SSM (Solid State Music) filter, so I shot an email to AH. But then I remembered, duh, it's probably on synthech. The Rev 2 used an SSM 2040 while the Mono/Poly and Polysix both used the SSM 2044. If you are wondering what your synths might be using or if you are just curious what synths had what chips in common take a look at the list. You'll be surprised to find out different synths used the same Curtis chips. Note that the design of the synth and implementation of the chip made a huge impact on the actual sound of the synth, so two synths like the Prophet 5 Rev 3 and Oberheim OB-Xa which used CEM3320 VCFs will sound different. Other synths that used the CEM3320 were the PPG Wave 2.0, PAiA Proteus, Elka Synthex, Crumar Trilogy, SCI Pro One, SCI Prophet 10, Lindrum, and CMI Fairlight II. Pretty versatile chip. : )
NOTE: Synthtech is also home to the MOTM modular. Check em out.

Sequential Circuits Prophet 5 Rev 2

Gorgeous Prophet 5 Rev 2 for sale on AH. It has some nicks, but it still looks beautiful to me. There were three primary revs of the Prophet 5, Rev 1, Rev 2, and Rev 3 which was followed by Rev 3.2 and 3.3. The Rev 1 was notorious for tuning problems, with the Rev 3 the most stable; however, the Rev 2 had and SSM filter chip while the Rev 3s had Curtis chips. Most say the Rev 2 sounds warmer. I haven't had the luxury to A/B the two myself but I have heard SSM filters on a Korg Mono/Poly and Polysix and they definitely sound different than most Curtis filters I've heard - much more liquid or bubbly with some resonance.