EMEAPP SONIC TEST DRIVE: STEINER-PARKER SYNTHACON Feat. DON SLEPIAN

video upload by EMEAPP

"That filter! Need we say more. The fabled Steiner-Parker Synthacon is a three oscillator beast of a portable mono-synth capable of immensely fat tones, is highly regarded for its tuning stability and is chock full of awesome control and modulation options. However, the star of the show is the Synthacon's peerless multi-mode LP/BP/HP which has cultivated an identity of its own and has achieved legendary status. Its a fantastic bit of electronic engineering and it truly behaves in a unique manner as compared to its contemporaries. Join Don Slepian as he takes a dive into the Sytnthacon and puts the filter through its paces."

ARPchives LIVE! X with EMEAPP! September 17, 2020

Alan R. Pearlman Foundation

"Dina Pearlman (d'ARP) meets with Education and Preservation Project (EMEAPP) as they give us a tour, and demonstrate their rare ARP 2500 and other ARP beauties."

The ARP 2600 Synthposium (Trailer)

video upload by Alan R. Pearlman Foundation

"TICKETS: bit.ly/2600-event

Join the Alan R. Pearlman Foundation online Saturday, September 18th, for a virtual Festival and Fundraiser honoring the 50th anniversary of the mighty ARP 2600, hosted by The Record Co. in Boston, MA!

This online celebration will feature live performances, live panel discussions, a 2600 synthesizer clinic, premiered videos of performances and interviews, special guests, a silent auction, and more. All proceeds will benefit the Alan R. Pearlman Foundation and the ARPs For All project. (For schedule please see below.)

Panelists include:
Alsún Ní Chasaide, Alison Stout, Antonio Guitterez (Antonus) BT, Brian Kehew, David Baron, David Friend, David Frederick Jr, David Mash, DJ CherishtheLuv, EMEAPP, Jack Hotop, Jennifer Hruska, Jean-Michel Jarre, Jon Carin, Korg, Lisa Bella Donna, Marie Ann Hedonia, Michael Bierylo, Michael Brigida, Richard Boulanger, Richard Devine, Steve McQuarry, Tom Piggott

New and exclusive content by:
Alex Ball (video performance), Berklee Ensemble (video performance), Bill T. Miller (video performance), David Van Pelt (video performance), DJ CherishtheLuv (video performance + interview), Don Slepian (video performance + demo), EMEAPP (video performance + Live Stream), Ernesto Romeo (video performance + demo),Renzo Torti Forno (video performanc),, Glen Harlock (2600 video patchbook)*, Jennifer Hruska (video performance with ensemble), Jim Mitchmerhuizen (interview excerpt), Lisa Bella Donna (video performance), Marie Ann Hedonia (video performance + interview), Steve McQuarry (video performance + interview)

The ARP 2600 is one of the most influential synthesizers ever created and has been played by artists such as Stevie Wonder, Herbie Hancock, Edgar Winter, Joe Zawinul, and sound designer Ben Burtt (as the voice of R2D2). Recently brought back into production by Korg, the ARP 2600 is once again a beacon of unlimited possibilities for a whole new generation of musicians.

The event will live stream from Boston’s own The Record Co, a community music workspace with professional recording and rehearsal studios. The event will focus on the ARP 2600, the iconic synthesizer that brought semi-modular synthesis to performers and educators around the world. It will feature panel discussions, performances, and interviews with world-renowned artists, technicians, engineers, and more. Participants will be able to interact live with panelists via Zoom.

Proceeds will benefit ARP Foundation initiatives, including The ARPs For All project, a joint effort by The Record Co. and ARPf, enabling anyone who rents studio or rehearsal time to use these incredible instruments at no additional cost.

Come join us!

CREDITS
Video Editing by Margot Bennett
Music by Omer Berger"

Fifty Years of ARP: The 2500 in 2020 Online Event This Saturday, September 26

via The Alan R Pearlman Foundation:

ALAN R. PEARLMAN FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES “FIFTY YEARS OF ARP: THE 2500 in 2020” SYNTHPOSIUM EVENT

Celebrating five decades of the 2500 synthesizer with interviews, panels and more

STONE RIDGE, NY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2020– The Alan R. Pearlman Foundation has announced “Fifty Years of ARP: The 2500 in 2020”, a virtual event to be held on September 26th at 12PM EST on Zoom via Eventbrite. The event will be free for all participants with a suggested donation. Registration and other information can be found here.

The event will focus on the ARP 2500, the groundbreaking synthesizer made famous in Close Encounters of the Third Kind. It will feature panel discussions and interviews with original ARP engineers, software developers, artists, composers, producers, educators, and others. Participants will be able to interact live with panelists via Zoom.

"We are beyond thrilled for this deep dive into the iconic ARP 2500,” said Dina Pearlman, ARP Foundation founder and daughter of Alan R. Pearlman. "We’ve assembled an amazing collection of engineers who made the original 2500s, artists who have used them, and ARP historians and organizations that work to preserve them."

The Foundation continues its work with contributors, collaborators, vendors, manufacturers, venues, and owners of rare original ARP synthesizers. Among their goals is the creation of installations where students can utilize ARP synthesizers as part of their music curriculum, and to explore the endless possibilities of electronic music.

For more information about the Foundation, visit www.alanrpearlmanfoundation.com.

CLICK FOR MORE »

STORYTIME IN DREAMLAND, PART III: LIVE @ EMEAPP FEAT. JOE DIMATTIA

video upload by EMEAPP

"Joe DiMattia (Lunar Philharmonic, Shaman) brings us this ambient composition titled Storytime In Dreamland, Part III. He performed it live on a vintage Oberheim OB-Xa, a pair of Roland D-50 with one controlling a JD-990 module. Both a vintage Korg and a Roland Space Echo were used as well."

ARP 2600x2=ARP 5200: DUAL ARP 2600 MELODIC PERFORMANCE FEAT. VINCE PUPILLO JR.

video upload by EMEAPP

"The iconic ARP 2600 is an undeniable classic, 50 years old and going strong. Here in their full glory are our pair of Tonus-era ARP 2600 semi-modular synthesizers (the 2600 on the left was formerly Jack Bruce's) running in tandem with our ARP 1613 Sequencer along with the Arturia KeyStep, KORG SDD-3000 digital delay and Roland MX-1 performed by EMEAPP associate director and sound designer Vince Pupillo Jr.. This performance was created for and featured in the Alan R. Pearlman Foundation's ARP 2600 virtual 'Synthposium' on September 18, 2021 which celebrated the 50th anniversary of this legendary instrument. Both of our organizations are dedicated to preserving the legacies of electronic music pioneers and we are proud to be a partner with Dina Pearlman and her dedicated team who do wonderful work in uplifting the life and legacy of Alan R. Pearlman. This one's for you Dina! Enjoy!"

https://alanrpearlmanfoundation.org/

EMEAPP SONIC TEST DRIVE: ELGAM CAROUSEL Feat. DON SLEPIAN

video upload by EMEAPP

"A synth and a groove machine! How cool is this little vintage Italian beast! It even has "crazy hands" and ragtime"! The Elgam Carousel is just one of those unique instuments that beautifully straddles the line between awesome and cheesy, but we love cheese around here too! In this episode of Sonic Test Drive, join electronic music pioneer Don Slepian as he takes you through the ins and outs of this rare oddity from the mid 70s."

You can find additional posts featuring the ELGAM CAROUSEL here.

ARP 2500 MELODIC PERFORMANCE FEAT. VINCE PUPILLO JR.

video upload by EMEAPP

"This video features EMEAPP's associate director (and chief knob twiddler) Vince Pupillo Jr. taking our beautiful, fully-equipped ARP 2500 system for a melodic and rhythmic ride (along with a vintage ARP 1613 Sequencer). This performance was originally recorded for Alex Ball's amazing film "Electromotive-The Story of ARP Instruments" which chronicles the timeline of Alan R. Pearlman and the company and instruments which resulted, with the crown jewel being the 2500. Enjoy the blippy bloopies!"

EMEAPP TEST DRIVE: Moog 15 with Oberheim SEM

Published on Apr 22, 2019 EMEAPP

"SONIC TEST DRIVE: Moog Model 15, Oberheim SEM and Roland RE-301 demo, from your good friends at the Electronic Music Education and Preservation Project."

EMEAPP SONIC TEST DRIVE: REALISTIC CONCERTMATE MG-1 FEAT. DON SLEPIAN

video upload by EMEAPP

"What do you get when you throw Moog into a blender with Radio Shack? The Realistic Concertmate MG-1, of course! Similar to the Moog Rogue, the MG-1differs in that it adds an organlike polyphonic mode that even routes through the synth filter. Some folks love it, others not so much, but electronic music pioneer Don Slepian will give you the intel so you can decide."

The History Of The Minimoog, From Model A To The Model D

Published on Apr 3, 2019 Synthtopia

"At SynthPlex 2019, Electronic Music Education and Preservation Project (EMEAPP) made its first synth event appearance - and was displaying the prototypes for the Minimoog.

EMEAPP is a non-profit group, dedicated to "Archiving and sharing the history, artists and tools of electronic music, keeping it alive and relevant for the future."

We talked with Executive Director Drew Raison & Associate Director Vince Pupillo, Jr., who gave us an introduction to the organization and its mission. They also gave us a tour of their Minimoog prototypes, and some of the design decisions that not only determined the shape of one of the most iconic synths of all time - but many of standard features of synths that have followed."

Check out more SynthPlex Minimoog posts here.

Cherry Audio Introduces PS-3300 Virtual Analog Recreation of the KORG PS-3300 Synthesizer

video upload by Cherry Audio

"PS-3300 is an exactingly faithful virtual analog emulation of the colossal and ultra-rare semi-modular analog polyphonic synthesizer released by KORG in 1977. Cherry Audio has pulled out all the stops to accurately recreate and update this mythical monster synth, from its massive stacked sonic character and signature multiple‑resonator sweeps to the considerable patching capabilities that distinguished the PS-3300 from all other polysynths at the time."

Introduction to Cherry Audio's PS-3300 - Hosted by Tim Shoebridge

video upload by Cherry Audio

"To get users up and running with PS-3300, Cherry Audio and Tim Shoebridge of Sound Mangling have again teamed up to create an introductory tutorial video walking users through the history and extensive features of this massive virtual synthesizer instrument.

https://cherryaudio.com/products/ps-3300

00:00 - Introduction
02:57 - The KORG PS-3300
04:38 - Cherry Audio's PS-3300


User Interface Basics
05:41 - Signal Generator Panels and Master Panel
06:33 - The Oscillators
08:15 - The Filters
09:22 - The EGs
10:54 - Keyboard Tracking
11:21 - The Resonators
13:00 - Modulation (LFOs)
16:45 - Temperament and Tuning Controls

Semi-Modular Patching with Virtual Cables
18:14 - Patching Basics
20:58 - Mod Wheel Patching
25:20 - Conclusion

Cherry Audio PS-3300 - a massive demo and tutorial for a massive synth

video upload by CatSynth TV

"Today we present the new PS-3300 from our friends at Cherry Audio, in partnership with the good people at the Electronic Music Education and Preservation Project (EMEAPP). The original Korg PS-3300 is a massive polyphonic semi-modular analog synthesizer with three independent polyphonic synth voices, each of which has a multi-waveform oscillator, low-pass resonant filter, a unique three-band resonator, independent tuning of each note of the scale and more. Cherry Audio's version recreates the look and sound of the original, and adds some additional modern features.

Such a beast of an instrument deserves a beast of a video, almost an hour in length, packed with details about the history of the instrument, how each part of the synth voice works, how to use all three together, the global and effects sections, and factory presets."

00:00 Introduction
00:26 History of the Korg PS-3300
01:33 Overview
02:39 Single voice - oscillator
05:40 Low pass filter
10:42 Resonators
13:56 Amplitude and frequency modulation (single voice)
17:56 More global modules
19:55 Temperament and intonation
23:48 Multiple voices
25:57 Multiple resonators and low-pass filters
34:27 Cross-voice modulation
39:23 Different temperaments on each voice
41:33 The effects section
48:48 Factory Presets
57:15 Conclusion

**NEW** Cherry Audio PS3300 // 3 polyphonic synths in a semi modular box

video upload by Starsky Carr

"This is one CRAZY synth!! 3 full polyphonic synths in one big box. Here's my review, demo and walkthrough of the Cherry Audio PS3300. It's a replica of the Korg of the same name from 1977. This is a great example of a unique and characterful synth from the days when they were figuring out how best to create and control the tones.

Each voice has a single oscillator, lowpass filter, ADSR envelope and 2 LFOs. The resonators are a great addition - 3 resonant BP filters per voice - gives a lush or crazy phasing effect.

Follow all this with Cherry Audios FX, and the scalable interface, MIDI control etc etc and you end up with something well worth picking up. Have a cheese sandwich for you dinner and pick this up instead of a pizza!"

0:00 what is it?
2:35 Oscillators
4:52 Filter
6:20 Envelope
7:22 Polyphony
7:41 Keyboard Volume Balance
8:18 Resonators
9:50 Amp Modulation
10:27 Keyboard CV Outputs
11:08 Mixer
13:08 CV Processors
15:23 Sample and Hold
16:21 CV Processors Signal Invert

Functional and Audio Demos of the Ultra Rare Con Brio ADS 200R Synthesizer

Those of you who have been coming to the site over the years should be familiar with the ultra rare Con Brio ADS. There was a keyboard version and a remote, or rather desktop, version. They are identical in function and sound. There is only one known ADS 200R in existance and that is it in the videos above (and farther below). Note the placeholder image is the ADS 200 keyboard version but you will see the videos feature the 200R. Brian Kehew wrote in to let us know he is working on a website that will cover the history of this rare synth. He also made the set of functional and audio demos. Above are the functional demos and farther below are the audio demos. You will find video titles and descriptions for each video in the playlistbelow, but before that, here's what Brian had to say:

"I've been making a website for the Con Brio synth history. Will be ready in a few more months. But meanwhile I've uploaded some video of how the thing worked. Primitive now, especially to younger musicians. But for anyone who lived through the days of floppy discs and early digital synthesis will see how advanced the Con Brio's design was.

We still don't know much about the workings, as all known manuals are gone, and the designers can't recall everything of how it did work. Here are some simple explanations and demonstrations of the main functions.

It's also a true 16-bit synthesizer, which was rare and expensive at the time. It also used an iron output transformer (like good studio consoles) which somehow also helps it sound (in my opinion) better than the Fairlight, DKS and Synclavier designs.

The two instruments I had are now at the EMEAPP Archive Project in PA, they may be able to make better headway figuring out more of the system and it's operations..."

Be sure to see the Con Brio label for various bits of info that have come in over the years. Also see the exclusive label for the rare of the rare in the synth world.

Playlist: 1. Con Brio Synthesizer Instructional #1: Loading the O.S. and Light Show

This is the basic beginning, to load an Operating System for the Con Brio synthesizer from an 8" floppy disc. First, the Light Show disc is used, then the standard OS disc that allows for music synthesis.

2. Con Brio Synthesizer Instructional #2; Panel lights show relevance.

One of the most-brilliant and unique aspects of the Con Brio design is the implementation of panel lights; they guide you to work much faster and more accurately.

3. Con Brio Synthesizer Instructional #3: Loading Sounds onto the keyboard zones.

Finding sounds on the 8" floppy disc directories, and then assigning them to the two keyboards in various combinations.

4. Con Brio Synthesizer Instructional #4 - Speed of Disc Access

One of the notable aspects of the Con Brio systems is a custom-written code to make disc access practically instantaneous. This demonstration shows the rapid access speed when loading from the floppy drive.

5.

Further demonstration of loading sounds from disc and sequences to play them.

Con Brio Synthesizer Instructional #5 - Basic Loading 6. Con Brio Synthesizer Instruction #6 - Ensemble

Loading and using the Ensemble feature; the Con Brio could store a combination of sounds, layers, outputs, and sequences - and then save the whole set as an "Ensemble" preset - which loads nearly instantaneously.

7. Con Brio Synthesizer Instruction #7 - Loading and Stacking

Bringing in two sounds and layering them together.

8. Con Brio Synthesizers #8 - String Sequence with Tempo change

Basic Tempo control of a string sequence with the panel Tempo knob.

9. Con Brio Synthesizer Instructional #9 - Tuning and Synthesis modes experiment

As none of the Con Brio Owner's Manuals survived, it's very difficult to understand how they were supposed to operate. With a little guidance and help from the inventors, some methods produce results. This video is an experiment with saved alternate Tuning Tables and the Synthesis modes.

1 Con Brio Audio Demo One

A really nice wide-ranging set of sounds, changing across time, yet just a beginning demonstration of what the instrument could have done with more time and exploration.

2 Con Brio - String Section

Some string section sounds, very detailed and shimmering timbres.

3 Con Brio - Pipe Organ

Mussorgsky's Pictures At An Exhibition using a basic pipe organ program.

4 Con Brio - Wine Glasses

Digital synthesizers excel at this kind of crystalline ringing sound.

5 Con Brio - Sound 67

Playback of a sound with glitching, jittery elements; a fairly complex layered tone with some noise components, too.

6 Custom Con Brio Sounds

These tones are quite ahead of their time for 1980, and still sound quite modern. Easy enough to do them today, but back then, these were exceptional tones.

7 Random Number demo

Very similar to the randomness of a Sample/Hold on an analog synthesizer, but quickly becomes more layered and deep, a complexity that would take many analog synths to generate.

Con Brio Synthesizers #8 - String Sequence with Tempo change

Basic Tempo control of a string sequence with the panel Tempo knob.

9 Con Brio - Clear and Bright sequence

Demonstrates the sharp and detailed sound of these instruments.

10 Con Brio - Short Latin sequence

Just as the title suggests...

11 Con Brio - Dramatic

Dramatix, suspenseful set of sounds.

Synthplex 2019- Check Out These Vintage Minimoogs

Published on Apr 1, 2019 sonicstate

"Emeapp.com Electronic Music And Education And Preservation Project.
They brought along their collection of MiniMoog prototypes - A,B and C.
You can see the evolution from modular format to the self-contained keyboard. Which of course is the end game - the playable, no patching required instrument that the Model D eventually became"

Note the preset model at the end.

Bob Moog Foundation's 2020 MINIMOOG 50TH ANNIVERSARY CALENDAR

via The Bob Moog Foundation.

"Just in time for the turn of a new decade, we are excited to release our 2020 calendar, The 50th Anniversary of the Birth of the Minimoog, which traces this synthesizer's history from the creation of the prototypes through its eventual release in 1970 and beyond, featuring rare images of the instrument including those with pioneering artists Sun Ra, Dick Hyman, and Mother Mallard's Portable Masterpiece.

Images were drawn from the Bob Moog Foundation Archives, as well as from David Borden (Mother Mallards Portable Masterpiece), Dick Hyman, Douglas Trubey, and the extensive collection at the Electronic Music Education and Archive Preservation Project (EMEAPP), owners all four Minimoog prototypes.

Further honoring Minimoog history, the calendar features important dates along the evolution of the Minimoog on its journey to becoming the most iconic analog synthesizer of all times.

All profits from the sales of our calendar benefit our hallmark projects, Dr. Bob's SoundSchool, the Moogseum and the preservation of the Bob Moog Foundation Archives. Thank you for supporting our important work!"

David Van Koevering Has Passed Away

Update: this post will be pinned on top for the day. You can find newer posts below.

Brian Kehew wrote in to let us know synth legend David Van Koevering passed away yesterday at the age of 77. Per Brian, "So many people in the industry knew him; such a long and varied life!" Indeed. The following is the obituary sent to him from Van Koevering's family.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Moog Equalizer Keytar Controller?

Retro Synth Ads shared this one on Twitter.

"Can someone please explain to me what a @moogmusicinc Equalizer is, where it came from, and why no one has told me this existed. A Liberation without synth guts?"

Anyone seen one before? This appears to be the first one featured on the site.

Update: according to Brian Kehew of roundandwound.com and more, this was the prototype of the Liberation. "The EMEAPP collection in Philadelphia has two of them. Stevie Wonder's old ones."

The Allman Bros had one on the road as well as you can see at 30:39 in the following video (it should start right when in comes in):


The Allman Brothers Band - Full Concert - 01/16/82 - University Of Florida Bandshell (OFFICIAL)
video by Allman Brothers on MV

Wanna see Gershon Kingsley's Moog used at the First Moog Quartet's premiere Carnegie Hall concert?

video upload by EMEAPP

"Wanna see Gershon Kingsley's Moog used at the First Moog Quartet's premiere Carnegie Hall concert? Check out this quick video that tells the story of this innovative electronic music pioneer and one of his most influential performances.

Archival photos Courtesy of The Bob Moog Foundation archive."

Vintage HEM Electronic Music Machine

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

via this auction

This one was spotted and sent in via M Me.

Google translated from the listing: "Estate : H.E.M. Electronic music machine 60s 70s for hobbyists and collectors approx. 60x48x16cm weight approx. 27 kg (what is that? Origin? Think what for musicians. Function? Plug and cable are missing. So what for collectors and hobbyists See pictures for condition!"

Not finding anything else about this machine out there. It appears to be a preset organ expander with rhythm mahcine. They also made a STRING-PHASING, chorus/vibrato effects pedal pictured further below. If you know anything about them feel free to leave a comment at the bottom of this post.

CLICK FOR MORE »

INSIDE THE MIX: Richard Wright

video upload by EMEAPP

"Are you a fan of early Pink Floyd and their keyboardist, Richard Wright? We are too! Enjoy this deep look into instruments and techniques used by Rick in the early days of the band leading up to the time of their live-performance film release, Live At Pompeii. This includes the type of instruments he used on Obscured By Clouds, Atom Heart Mother, A Saucerful of Secrets and Meddle. We faithfully recreated his early setup and had musician Mike Kiker deliver a killer performance of their beloved song, Echoes."