"PC3K8 Overview [via] The PC3 introduced the world to a new generation of ground-breaking Kurzweil technology, having a synthesis architecture that remains unparalleled in depth and flexibility, combined with a staggering amount of effects processing power. The PC3 sound set, which encompasses everything from the traditional to the cutting edge, has been widely acknowledged as second to none.
And now the PC3's successor has arrived. The Kurzweil PC3K is the pinnacle of our PC3 line, bridging the gap between Kurzweil's past successes and present innovations. An Old Friend
"It is with great honor that we announce that Bob Moog is one of the United States Patent and Trademark Office 2013 National Inventors Hall of Fame inductees. This is an honor that is bestowed to 'individuals who conceived, patented, and advanced so many of the great technological achievements that have changed our world.'
Bob is being recognized for Patent No. 3475623 more commonly known to Moog fans as the Moog Ladder Filter. Using the new properties provided by transistors, the Ladder Filter was the first voltage controlled filter. By using voltage control such as keyboards and envelopes to steer the harmonic content of music over time, the Ladder Filter allowed new ways of manipulating sound that became part of the basic grammar for a new vocabulary of musical expression.
This humble invention laid the foundation for the electric pulse that beats through all forms of modern music. Bob brought to life basic concepts of dynamic filters used in the mix in every genre of recorded music today. The Ladder Filter allows the organic movement of sound in such a way that people can not only hear its warmth, but also feel its sweep come to life.
Patent No. 3475623 is best known for its use in the Minimoog Synthesizer and its effect can be heard on genre defining albums by artist like Michael Jackson, Kraftwerk, Parliament Funkadelic, Emerson Lake and Palmer, Dr. Dre, Diana Ross, and Brian Eno.
Everyone at Moog Music is grateful to be a small part of continuing Bob's work and the enduring legacy of Patent No. 3475623. We would like thank the USPTO for recognizing Bob's great innovation. This year's induction ceremony will take place May 1st in Alexandria, VA at the USPTO headquarters."
"The National Inventors Hall of Fame, founded in 1973, annually honors 'the individuals who conceived, patented, and advanced the great technological achievements since the birth of our nation.' Bob Moog, was identified today on the Invent.org’s website as the man behind Patent Number. 3,475,623, (Electronic High-Pass and Low-Pass Filters Employing the Base to Emitter Diode Ristor for Bi-Polar Transistors).
The organization cites the following:
'In 1964, Moog introduced the first complete voltage controlled modular synthesizer, an instrument capable of producing a wide variety of electronic sounds. The Moog synthesizer helped revolutionize the face of music by giving artists and composers the capability to create a brand new palette of sounds. Composer Wendy Carlos was one of the first to usher the synthesizer into the spotlight with the 1968 Switched-On Bach album. Since then, countless performers and composers have utilized the original Moog synthesizer and the Minimoog®, a smaller, portable version of the original instrument.'
'On behalf of the White House, I add my congratulations to this year’s inductees,' said John P. Holdren, President Obama’s science and technology adviser and Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. 'Your creativity, perseverance, and entrepreneurialism exemplify the American ‘can-do’ spirit.' Mr. Holdren’s quote was part of the press release issued by the organization.
The National Inventors Hall of Fame is the premier non-profit organization in America dedicated to honoring legendary inventors whose innovations and entrepreneurial endeavors have changed the world. Founded in 1973 by the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the National Council of Intellectual Property Law Association, the Hall of Fame will have 487 inductees with its 2013 induction.
This year’s induction ceremony will take place on May 1, 2013 at the United States Patent and Trademark Office’s headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia. The USPTO founded the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 1973 and has been a long-standing partner since the organization’s incorporation as a separate, non-profit educational foundation."
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Congratulations to Moog Music, The Bob Moog Foundation, Michelle Moog-Koussa (Bob Moog's daughter who runs the foundation), and of course the rest of his family and friends! Heck, congratulations to us, the fans of synthesizers! :) This isn't something we see every day.
BTW, it's worth noting that supporting Moog Music & The Bob Moog Foundation not only supports the memory and lifelong work of Bob Moog, but they help introduce that world to new people every day. I like to think of sites like MATRIXSYNTH as supporting the existing community as well as those that have discovered it, but The Bob Moog Foundation brings it to kids that may have never gotten the opportunity to discover our world. If you can support them, please do.
On a side note, click here for a search on 1963 (a year prior, and the birth of it all) on MATRIXSYNTH. You'll find Korg was formed, Moog and Buchla came out with their modular systems, and other interesting bits happened in the world of electronic music and synthesizers during that time.
The Story of TONTO Published on Jan 22, 2014 National Music Centre
"The Original New Timbral Orchestra (TONTO), the world's largest analog synthesizer, has found a new home at the National Music Centre in Calgary, Alberta. This is the story of how TONTO went from a dream to a reality, and then found a new life and home at NMC."
Note the above video is from January 22, 2014. You should all be familiar with TONTO.
Update: It has come to my attention that John Leimseider has passed away. He was scheduled to give a TONTO Demonstration with Malcom Cecil on Nov. 17 per below. The demonstration will remain scheduled with Malcom Cecil, however the Synthesis 101 course on Nov. 14 has been canceled.
Details on the event:
TONTO Week puts "holy grail of synthesizers" in the spotlight from November 14-18
Week of activities to feature TONTO co-creator Malcolm Cecil, A Tribe Called Red, Phantom of the Paradise screening, and more
(Calgary, AB — September 13, 2018) After years of careful restoration, the National Music Centre (NMC) will commission one of the crown jewels of its music and technology collection, The Original New Timbral Orchestra (aka TONTO), during TONTO Week from November 14-18.
To commemorate this milestone, NMC will host a week of music programming timed to coincide with Alberta Electronic Music Conference (AEMCON), running concurrently at Studio Bell during TONTO Week. NMC Members receive discounted or free admission to all TONTO Week events (not including AEMCON conference passes), so purchase your membership online today at studiobell.ca/members. Individual tickets are available at nmc.ca/whats-on. AEMCON conference passes are available at albertaelectronicmusic.com.
Members of A Tribe Called Red will be the first musicians to create new music with the legendary synthesizer, and they’ll demo TONTO during a public workshop and incorporate the instrument into an evening Studio Bell After Hours set. “After seeing TONTO for the first time back in 2014, I knew that I had unfinished business at the National Music Centre,” said 2oolman of A Tribe Called Red. “I have been waiting patiently ever since to get my hands on that instrument.”
Malcolm Cecil, one of the co-creators of TONTO, will be in attendance to deliver demonstrations and lectures on the history of the instrument. NMC will also host a screening of the cult classic film, Phantom of the Paradise, in which TONTO appeared, and other activities associated with the instrument.
TONTO is one of the world’s largest analog synthesizers. Created by Malcom Cecil and Robert Margouleff in 1968, its creation marked the first attempt at making a universal language for different synthesizers to communicate with each other, which was a revolutionary achievement. Under the band name Tonto’s Expanding Head Band, Cecil and Margouleff released the highly influential album Zero Time. The album demonstrated the rich, layered sounds of the massive synthesizer and attracted significant attention.
Used on multiple Stevie Wonder and The Isley Brothers albums in the 1970s, TONTO helped shape albums by a long list of notable artists such as Minnie Riperton, Joan Baez, the Doobie Brothers, Quincy Jones, Randy Newman, Bobby Womack and more, and was prominently featured in Phantom of the Paradise.
“I needed to find a home for TONTO that would survive me and where it could be used,” said Malcolm Cecil after NMC acquired the instrument in 2013.
“We made a promise to Malcom to ensure that TONTO would be used again in the creation of new music and that its legacy would live on,” said Adam Fox, NMC’s Director of Programs. “It took several years to properly restore the instrument, and now it’s finally ready to enter its next chapter. We couldn’t be more excited to hear where NMC’s Artists in Residence take TONTO next.”
"The next generation of music workstations is here—KRONOS has returned. With a fast boot time, an enhanced touchscreen, and a refined aesthetic design, this next-generation powerhouse sets a new standard in versatility and performance capabilities."
"Appearing in 1984, the RK-100 remote keyboard broke the chains of keyboardists, setting them free to perform as they liked. It allowed the keyboard player to challenge the vocalist or guitarist for the main role on stage. Now, thirty years later, the RK has been resurrected. Although beautiful curved surfaces have been added, the essence of the original and very popular design is unchanged. What had been a somewhat large and heavy body has been made more compact and lightweight thanks to modern components such as a slim keyboard. While the original required an external sound module, the new RK-100S contains a built-in analog modeling sound generator. New features and functions include two ribbon controllers, an arpeggiator, and a vocoder, and there are also "favorite" buttons that allow you to register frequently-used sounds for one-touch selection. The RK-100S is your choice for smarter, more active, and more enjoyable performance. Enjoy play anywhere performance utilizing AA batteries. The RK-100S Remote Keyboard is available in White, Black & Red.
For more information on the KORG RK-100S, head over to http://www.Korg.com
Like Us - https://www.facebook.com/korgusa
Follow Us - https://www.twitter.com/korgusa"
"WINTER NAMM SHOW, ANAHEIM, CA, January 23rd, 2014 - Korg (Booth 6440 / Hall A) is debuting the RK-100S synth/controller for the 30th anniversary of the original RK-100. Korg's latest keytar offering provides an alternative to traditional keyboards by allowing players to step out from behind a keyboard and into the spotlight. Housed in a stylish, solid wood body, the battery-powered RK100S offers a number of additional updates from the original model. Equipped with a full palate of keyboard sounds from the built-in microKORG XL+ engine, it enables users to perform in a wide variety of music genres wherever inspiration may strike. It also functions as a USB/MIDI controller, as well as a vocoder.
There are 200 programs available in the onboard MMT sound generation system, including a broad range of oscillator algorithms such as the characteristic sawtooth and square waves found in analog synthesizers, plus formant waveforms, noise, and classic PCM/DWGS waveforms.
In addition to the 37-note slim keyboard (as featured on the Korg MS-20 Mini), a short ribbon controller on the neck and a long ribbon controller in front of the key bed are included for controlling parameters such as pitch and filter. The long ribbon runs the entire length of the key bed and can also be used to play scales over three octaves. Also included is a built-in arpeggiator, with six arpeggios available. Notes in the arpeggiator can be individually switched on/off, for even more rhythmic variation.
The RK-100S comes equipped with a vocoder function that lets players use their voice, via the optional headset mic, to process the sound of the oscillator.
The Korg RK-100S synth/controller runs on six AA batteries or the optional AD adaptor and is available in a choice of three colors: red, white and black. It will be available June 2014, with U.S. pricing to be announced shortly. For more information, please visit www.korg.com."
The next in Dave Smith Instruments' "In the Spotlight with the OB-6" is up with Body in the Thames here.
"Born in Manchester, lived 8 years in London, 2 years in Paris and now 13 years in Stockholm, Body in the Thames is quite the journeyman. From composing jingles for Microsoft CD-ROMs, to soundtracking Haute-Couture catwalk shows to playing in stoner rock garage bands with (then) future stars, to being a multi-instrumentalist on tour with well-established international stars, he is an artist who has been around the block enough times that he doesn’t need to namedrop any more.
Now a little older and more of a studiohead, he has spent the last few years in an actual former cold-war nuclear bunker under the Stockholm streets, crafting and releasing electronic explorations that cover a fairly broad range of genres and sub-genres which are mainly instrumental and 'aimed at the dancefloor between your ears.'"
Two for $329.99 each. Estimated delivery between Tue. Mar. 26 and Tue. Apr. 2. Go through eBay for the buyer protection on these to be safe. That said, it looks like these are going to be available soon. Be sure to check out the dealers on the right here on MATRIXSYNTH for stock.
We also have the full product description:
"Analog synthesizer with 32 full-size keys, 3340 VCO with 4 simultaneous waveforms, VCF, ADSR, 32-step sequencer, arpeggiator, and live performance kit
The 1980s and 90s spawned a new “wave” of synth performers including Devo, The Chemical Brothers, The Prodigy, The Crystal Method and a host of others, all empowered by the sound of a simple strap-on instrument that let keyboardists steal the spotlight away from their guitar- wielding bandmates. An ultra-affordable homage to that iconic synthesizer with all the features of the original and then some, such as a 32-step sequencer, arpeggiator and live performance kit, the Behringer MS-101-RD Synthesizer lets you conjure up virtually any sound with incredible finesse and ease. With its 32 semi-weighted full-size keys, pure analog signal path, authentic 3340 VCO with 4 simultaneously-mixable waveforms, plus extremely flexible VCF and VCA filters, the MS-101-RD is sure to become your favorite keyboard. Owning the MS-101-RD is like having your own personal time machine, enabling you to embrace the past – or make your imprint on the future!
Note the video and project is not directly focused on synthesis, however the application (like the iPad as a synthesis platform) should be obvious. The following is a write-up on that potential in via reader cheater:
"I'm in no way affiliated with those guys, but this thing opens so many possibilities for the synthesis aficionado that I have to let you know what's in store. Why is this cool? Simply put, it's a Kickstarter for an open platform which could enable synthesis methods that are currently not possible, unless you lug around an expensive workstation, and put them in a desktop-module style case. For those intents and purposes it's a self-contained system with a 45 GHz CPU, the size of a DVD box.
Below are some examples of synthesis methods that could work out thanks to the radically different way this thing works. Each of those is slow on current PCs and because of the parallel nature of the chip in question are tons faster to execute on it:
1. granular synthesis. Ever try to run one of those in VST? They sound better the more parts you can have. Current PCs can only run so many parts, and you need thousands per voice. This thing could easily run a polyphonic synthesizer.
See how Alchemy only allows 10 grains per voice? You could have an order of magnitude more, with each grain bank (Alchemy has 10) modulated separately.
"Ephriam Nagler, born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, obsessed with audio and photography, can be seen at airports around the world arguing his DSI Pro 2 and Prophet 08 into the main cabin. He performs under his own name as a synth-pop soloist and also performs with his brother, Judah Nagler, in The Velvet Teen. While residing in the Pacific Northwest over the past 7 years, he has been producing records at Robert Lang Studios, Red Room, and Dub Narcotic Studios of K Records. Submitting to his constant itch for travel, he is the touring front of house engineer for The Thermals, The Good Life, Suuns, and is at this very moment on the road with Russian Circles.
We caught up with Ephriam to talk about about how he’s using his Pro 2."
Update: mini press release added below. Update2: User videos added below.
"24 timeless instruments lovingly recreated in #software, and modernized with contemporary features. This is the most comprehensive anthology of classic #synth and #keyboards ever made. This is decades of passionate research, modelling, and development. This is your chance to take your place in music history."
Playlist:
Arturia announces | V Collection 7
Arturia announces | Synthi V
Arturia announces | CZ V
Arturia announces | Mellotron V
Arturia announces | B3 V 2
Tutorials | Synthi V - Episode 1: Overview
Tutorials | CZ V - Episode 1 : Overview
Tutorials | Mellotron V - Episode 1: Overview
New Synths in V Collection 7
Synthi V
BRITISH SILVER MACHINE
Synthi V completely captures the spirit of the unique analog synth that burst out of ‘70s London to inspire the entire emerging electronic music world—and it has new superpowers to inspire your world today.
Synthi V brings you all the experimental excitement of EMS’ legendary 3-oscillator analog synths—now infused with thoroughly modern enhancements. Venture beyond unusual lead and bass sounds to create soundscapes and sci-fi effects ranging from beautiful to bizarre and everything in between.
The British-born EMS family of synths—featuring the sonically identical Synthi AKS and VCS3—were among the first to distill modular synthesizer functionality into a more portable form. Where most competitive designs like the Minimoog sacrificed flexibility to size and simplicity, EMS retained a modular heart through the genius of one of the first matrix patchbays to grace a synth. That additional versatility led to more experimentation outside of melodic norms and into the more electronic realms of psychedelia and sci-fi effects. Cue Pink Floyd’s “On the Run” from “The Dark Side of the Moon” LP.
Synthi V is the perfect evolution of the synth that turned a lot of heads. Now you can use it to turn some heads of your own.
Main Features
A component-level model of the EMS Synthi AKS
3 oscillators with waveform mix, noise generator, 18 dB/oct resonant filter, output section with spring reverb modelling
Modular architecture, allowing to route signals in unexpected ways
Ring Modulator, loopable Envelope Shaper, 2 axis Joystick and Sample and Hold modules for advanced modulations
Original keyboard sequencer module with sync to DAW tempo
2 matrix behavior modes: modern and vintage for cross-talk simulation
5 assignable voltage functions to create multi-point envelopes and LFOs synced to DAW tempo
Advanced joystick automation module for modulating parameters in a 2D space
Matrix pin amounts modulations possibilities (with 4 independent groups)
10 effects, Reverb Phaser, Flanger, Chorus, Overdrive, Delay, ...
Up to 4 voices of polyphony
Over 250 factory presets
CZ V
PHASE DISTORTION CULT CLASSIC
The budget synth that became a legend in its own right. The instrument that brought the digital synth revolution to the masses is now at your command.
A simpler kind of powerful digital synthesis
Released in 1984, the CZ-101 was Casio’s answer to the wildly popular Yamaha DX7. It was significantly less expensive and infinitely easier to program than its rival. Instead of frequency modulation, Casio’s phase distortion (PD) used various user-selected waveforms to modulate the timing of simple carrier waves at the cycle level in order to create more complex wave shapes. This simplified form of digital synthesis made it comparatively easy to perfect a wide variety of timbres spanning warm pads, natural percussion, buzzy digitalia, sci-fi effects and even analog synths. While PD could sound similar to FM, it also had a unique sonic signature all its own.
The CZ sound helped propel artists like Salt-N-Pepa, Was (Not Was), and Vince Clarke into the spotlight. Let’s add your name to the list.
Classic Casio Phase Distorsion
+ cutting-edge Arturia modeling
= infinite sonic possibilities for you
Imagine a virtual instrument that realistically models every nuance of the CZ-101—and with four times the polyphony and zillions more presets. What if it gave you an intuitive graphic interface that unlocked of all the hidden jewels in this unique digital synth? And what if it now had additional envelopes, filters, LFOs, effects, and extensive beat-sync-to-host parameters? Oh, and what if you could interconnect all that via a new super-flexible modulation matrix? We’ve faithfully reproduced the instrument that brought ‘80s pop to new heights.
Yeah... we did that!
Main Features
Two synthesis lines and independent noise source
All CZ-101/CZ-1000 original parameters
8 original waveform and custom waveform editor
Original CZ SysEx import
CZ, DADSR and Multi-Segments envelopes (syncable and loopable) to control pitch, DCW and amplitude
2 Modulation envelopes
4 assignable macros
Advanced modulation matrix
A Sample and Hold module, 2 LFOs with 6 waveforms, 3 sources combinators and an Arpeggiator
4 FXs slots that can be routed in serie or per synthesis line
A synthesis line state viewer for real-time feedback
Emulation of the original CZ DAC
32 voices of polyphony
Up to 8 voices of unison with unison detune
Over 400 factory presets
Update: and the mini press release:
"Arturia have announced the arrival of the latest edition of V Collection : their flagship anthology of reimagined historic synths and keyboards.
Containing 24 premier software instruments and thousands of preset sounds, V Collection 7 is the must-have reference for musicians, producers, sound designers, and keyboard fans.
Legendary keyboards reinvented
In V Collection 7, Arturia have used cutting-edge modelling techniques to create the most accurate software versions of dozens of time-honored instruments. Their exclusive True Analog Emulation® (TAE) and advanced physical modelling put these legendary instruments at your fingertips as software. Over 100 years of music history are now yours to explore, and use to shape the sound of the future.
Launch offer
To celebrate its release, and only for a limited time, V Collection will be available for an incredible price. Whether you are new to Arturia products, want to upgrade from a previous version of V Collection , or own any other Arturia products, you will have access to an exclusive deal that will put the very best synth and keyboard recreations ever made at your fingertips.
Intro offer from $399/399€, ends June 10th.
Street price $499/499€
NEW INSTRUMENTS
MELLOTRON V
LEGENDARY TAPE KEYBOARD
The original instrument redefined what keyboard players could do, unlocking the doors to orchestral and choral sounds at the touch of a key. Arturia’s reinvented versions not only features all original Mellotron tapes, but also lets you import and play your own samples with authentic tape emulation.
SYNTHI V
BRITISH SILVER MACHINE
The quirky British “silver machine” that put a new spin on modular synthesis, reborn in software with exciting new tricks up its sleeve. Advanced component modelling let Arturia model even its wild, unpredictable nature, with advanced modulation and powerful effects added to the mix.
CZ V
PHASE DISTORTION CULT CLASSIC
The budget synth that became a legend in its own right. The instrument that brought the digital synth revolution to the masses is now at your command. Easy to program phase distortion synthesis with custom editor, huge modulation potential and awesome effects.
EXCITING UPDATES
ANALOG LAB 4
INSPIRE, CREATE, COMBINE, AND PERFORM
A treasure trove of amazing synth and keyboard sounds with effects, easy to browse, fun to control, with a new built-in live mode. Your go-to choice for inspiration and performances.
B-3 V 2
THE MOST POPULAR ORGAN REBORN
Our recreation of Hammond’s legendary organ has received a total sound engine overhaul, making it the most authentic, vibrant electric organ virtual instrument ever.
SYNTHOPEDIA
CUTTING EDGE PRESETS
Over 800 brand new, modern sounds created for legacy V Collection instruments. The hottest synths and chart-topping keys are yours to explore.
Arturia have created a series of promotional videos and tutorials to whet your appetite, and get you familiar with the exciting new instruments. Each software instrument also features an in-app tutorial mode, too! Just another one of the fantastic new features in V Collection 7.
To discover more about Arturia V Collection 7 , the stories behind the vintage instrument recreations, and to start your free trial, visit the Arturia website."
"In a town known for its strong work ethic and an overabundance of world-class musicians, Melissa Mattey may be one of the hardest-working creative talents in Nashville. A graduate of Berklee College of Music, with a focus on synthesis and recording, Melissa deftly juggles three careers without missing a beat. By day she’s an in-demand mix and recording engineer for a broad array of artists including Van hunt and Cam. By night she’s synthesist and composer for the electro-ambient trio Everyone Moves Away. And the rest of the time she’s handling keyboard chores and producing records for Indie favorites, Elliot Root. Did we mention that she tours with both of the aforementioned bands, as well?
"Los Angeles, CA, November 28, 2012 — Roland is proud to announce JUPITER Synth Legends Volume 1, the first in a series of free sound libraries for the JUPITER-80 and JUPITER-50 synthesizers featuring a wealth of authentic vintage sounds from some of the most legendary and iconic instruments in Roland’s history.
The collection uses Roland’s powerful and flexible SuperNATURAL® synthesizer sound engine to capture the essence of historical Roland synths and showcases all-new Tones, Live Sets, Registrations, and arpeggio patterns. The Live Set architecture and multi-effects of the JUPITERs are fully maximized, giving players a huge selection of “dream” synth combinations comprised of the most legendary synths ever created.
JUPITER Synth Legends Volume 1, the initial release in the series, honors these seven legendary Roland instruments from the 1980s:
These classic synths each have between 10 and 20 iconic factory preset sounds that distinguish their character, and they’re all represented among 123 newly created single Tones for the JUPITER-80/-50. There are 512 new Live Sets also included that combine the historic synths together using layers and multi-effects processing. Many Live Sets feature single legacy Tones, enhanced with effects unavailable in the original instruments, and nearly 300 new arpeggio patterns are included that are perfect for a wide range of contemporary electronic music genres.
The inspiring sounds made by these classic instruments have helped shape modern music, and now players can access them all inside the JUPITER-80/-50. Future JUPITER Synth Legends volumes will feature the sounds from other sought-after analog classics and spotlight the three vintage LPF types available in the JUPITER-80/-50.
In honor of the release, Roland is hosting the Roland JUPITER #SynthLegends Giveaway. Synth fans in the U.S. can enter the contest for a chance to win a JUPITER-50 fully pre-loaded with all the sounds from the JUPITER Synth Legends Volume 1 sound collection. Synth fans are also being encouraged to join the conversation with @Roland_US on Twitter using the hashtag #synthlegends to share all-time favorite synthesizers and synth sounds."
The next interview in the Dave Smith Instruments' "In The Spotlight with the Prophet-6" series is currently up with Karina DePiano here.
"Karina DePiano is a Los Angeles-based pop keyboardist and musical director. She currently performs with Troye Sivan. She spent the latter half of 2015 touring the U.S. and Asia with Rita Ora. In 2014, Karina toured with Bad Things, a band that boasts double-Olympian Shaun White as one of its guitarists. The band supported Phantogram in the southeastern U.S. and Thirty Seconds To Mars in Romania, Russia, Estonia, and France. In June of 2014, Karina was the musical director for vocalist Tricia Tahara-Stoller for a show at the Catalina Jazz Club that featured Ndugu Chancler, Alphonso Johnson, and Patrice Rushen. Karina has also recently performed with pop act Megan Nicole, the Filipino American Symphony Orchestra, and at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books. Karina’s playing style has always been heavily influenced by R&B, funk, and pop acts such as Stevie Wonder and Prince. She credits her experience at USC’s Pop Program as the most valuable foundation to her career."
"Unlike many Sequential artists who play their trade in the studio or on stage, Andrei Kudryavtsev labors largely behind the scenes as a technologist. With a Computer Science degree and a background as a classically trained pianist, he’s combined his two passions into a lifestyle as an Intel engineer and a synth tech/home studio maven. As Andrei puts it: “Everything that I’m working on falls into one of those categories and when it’s somewhere in the middle that makes me the happiest. The world of music and technology opened up for me when I got my first synthesizer 20 years ago. Fast forward to the present and I’m a Solutions Architect for Intel, working on Solid State Drives that power the leading edge of that technology. But by night I’m in my studio, immersed in the world of synthesizers. I enjoy repairing vintage instruments, especially early digital ones, as they are computers on their own. There are generally no standards, different architectures, and in every case there is a real catch to overcome hardware limitations. I’m known for my work on sampler restoration — instruments such as the Fairlight Series II/III, EMU Emulator I/II/III, Kurzweil 250, the original SCI Prophet 2000, the Synclavier, and many more. Each of them are unique in many ways including their sound. All of this was sort of the groundworks for my involvement with Sequential and the Prophet-X.”
"Cypriot Pianist Nicolas Melis enjoys an international career performing as a concert soloist as well as a keyboardist. At a young age, he represented Cyprus at the international music festival Steinway for Young Pianists in Hamburg, Germany. A graduate of the University of Music and Theater “Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy,” Melis, who has studied Piano Performance in Classical music and Contemporary Improvisation, has won numerous competition awards both at a national and international level including the 1st Prize at the International Piano Competition for young musicians of H.O.N in Athens, Greece and a special prize at the 1st international piano competition of E.P.T.A. in Zagreb, Croatia amongst others.
He is a founding member of Cyprus’ leading blues band, The Zilla Project, who released their first album This One’s for the President in 2014. The band has successfully collaborated with a number of international artists including Adam Levy (USA), Bex Marhsall (UK), Gil Edwards (N0R), The Blues Wire (GR), and Panos Mouzourakis (GR). After having toured Greece in 2016 they perfomed at the Palais Des Natios in Geneva, Switzerland and enthused their audience with three more performances in the city. The band has also performed in London and headlined the August Full Moon festival in Crete.
Recently Melis collaborated and recorded keys for Loizos Pafitis’album The Underdog, and is slated to record for alternative rock band Belua’s second album. The Zilla Project’s next album is expected to be released in 2019.
We chatted with him about how he’s using the Prophet Rev2."
"Novation and GForce are proud to announce the release of the GForce Bass Station, a brand-new software version of the original analogue synthesiser.
Bass Station is an iconic mono-synth, celebrated for its raw, punchy bass and distinctive analogue filter. First launched in 1993, it has been a core part of Novation's brand ever since.
The new GForce Bass Station AU / VST is an exact emulation of the original Bass Station, now with a new expanded mode, which includes up to 16-voice polyphony and unison modes, taking its versatility far beyond the monophonic hardware original.
"Once described by Geoff Barton of Classic Rock Magazine as “Peterborough’s answer to Vangelis,” Rob Cottingham started his musical career in high school, later forming the rock band Cinema. In the early 90’s, he gigged with an R&B band and formed the cover group, Ghost. Itching to write his own material, Rob produced his first album “Behind The Orchard Tree”(BTOT) released in 2002. From there he founded the group Touchstone, who went on to release one EP, four albums, a double live album and a live DVD. The group hit the UK rock album charts at number 34 in 2011 and number 26 in 2013 after being signed for two albums. The band toured UK, Europe and USA.
In 2016, Rob formed Cairo, keeping the same sensibilities in song craft, but with heavier guitars and more electronica in the sound. Cairo’s debut album “Say” was released to rave reviews, including a recommendation from Steve Hackett of Genesis. The band won Classic Rock Society’s Best Newcomer Award a few months later. Rob released a solo follow up to his earlier album BTOT with “Back Behind the Orchard Tree” in April 2019, and soon after, Cairo released a live album “Alive In Holland” in January 2020. Their next studio album is planned for late 2020.
We chatted with Rob on how he uses the Prophet-6 in his music.
"Ben Andrew is a concert pianist, composer, arranger, graphic designer, and app creator. He studied at Trinity College of Music, London, under renowned British concert pianist and pupil of Heinrich Neuhaus, John Bingham, and at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest where he studied under Jenõ Jandó.
He has given numerous solo recitals both in the UK, Eastern Europe, and East Asia at venues including St Martin in the Fields in London, The Pump Room in Bath, and Óbudai Társaskör, Budapest. Ben also has an extensive concerto repertoire and notable performances include Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, Rachmaninov’s 2nd and 3rd Piano Concerto to name a few. In 2013, he performed the music of Hollywood film composer Harry Gregson-Williams at St John’s Smith Square, London under the baton of the composer himself.
Ben’s original songs have been played on BBC radio and in 2019, a song he co-wrote with his band Collingwood called “Not in My Name” led to an interview on LBC, one of the UK’s leading radio stations. He is also a Hal Leonard author and he recently released a book on music theory as well as an arrangement of “Hatikvah” for violin and piano, which currently features on the ABRSM and Trinity violin syllabus.
Ben’s band Collingwood has been the support act for musicians including Roger Hodson, founder of Supertramp, and Tony Hadley, the founder of Spandau Ballet. In January 2020, Ben performed with Rick Wakeman and Bernie Marsden as part of a Beatles tribute concert in Buckingham, England.
Ben is also the artistic creator of two iOS apps, ScaleTracks and ScaleTracks JAM, which aim to make scales and arpeggios an enjoyable and, most importantly, musical experience. ScaleTracks has been a worldwide success and has been endorsed by leading figures in the music industry. ScaleTracks has also received highly positive reviews in BBC Music Magazine, The Strad, and Music Teacher Magazine among others.
Ben is Head of Keyboard at Stowe School, England where he leads a strong team of piano teachers.
We chatted with Ben on how he uses the Prophet-10 in his music."
The 3rd in the Dave Smith Instruments' "In The Spotlight with the Tempest" series is currently up with BEAR’S DEN here.
"Inspired by, among other things, the paintings of Edward Hopper, the short stories of Raymond Carver, and film director Robert Altman’s Short Cuts, Bear’s Den is both erudite and intensely personal, defying trends and easy labelling. Musically, it also sees a startling progression. Following the amicable departure of guitarist Joey Haynes they are now a six piece touring unit built around a nucleus of Andrew Davie and multi-instrumentalist Kev Jones. While the band’s folk roots are still evident, they now come cloaked in the lush alchemy of ‘70’s and ‘80’s FM rock: Fleetwood Mac, The Eagles, and in particular, the nocturnal ambience of Bruce Springsteen’s Darkness On The Edge Of Town, alongside more contemporary artists such as The National, and Sufjan Stevens."
For those of you around Brandon Manitoba Canada, you might want to check this out. The first event will be a drone day event on May 25, which will soon be followed by a Prairie Modular Meetup June 14-15. The press release follows:
Prairie Wires Modular (PWM) gives signal boost to Prairie-based experimental audio artists
Inaugural event 'Drone at the Global Market' brings experimental music spotlight to Brandon Manitoba
Brandon, Manitoba, Canada -- Prairie Wires Modular (PWM) is a new music and art organization created to shine a spotlight on emerging Prairie-based experimental artists with a focus on modular synthesis, experimental electronic music and sound art.
PWM’s inaugural event Drone at the Global Market on May 25, 2019 will fill downtown Brandon with some new and interesting sounds. Organized as part of International Drone Day celebrations, the event —beginning at 2:00pm at the Global Market (1215 Rosser Avenue)— will showcase local artists experimenting with drone music including Moon Shape Noise (modular synthesizer), Jeff Smith (guitar) and Abby-Jade (cello duo). The event is free, so bring a chair, blanket or yoga matt to relax and enjoy the drones. Attendees are also encouraged to participate in the Drone Jam at the end of the performances. Program and map information can be found at http://www.prairiewires.ca/droneday
“The recent resurgence in popularity of modular and semi-modular synthesis is exciting. It’s evident in large cities around the world, it’s all across the internet and in the air waves,” said Prairie Wires Modular founder Brendon Ehinger. “Prairie Wires Modular is bringing these synthesizer happenings to Brandon, first with Drone at the Global Market and then throughout the summer with even more local events planned. Great things are happening on the Canadian Prairies.”
Recognizing the unique intersection between art and experimental music that modular and semi-modular synthesis represents, Winnipeg expat, electronic musician and graphic designer Brendon Ehinger established PWM to promote and present artists, musicians and events in the Prairies. Based in Brandon, Manitoba, PWM is positioned to serve as a hub and meeting place for artists from across the prairies. Situated almost half way between Winnipeg, MB, and Regina, SK, and with an airport servicing direct flights between Brandon and Calgary, AB, Brandon is an accessible location and a logical centre for Prairie modular enthusiasts to congregate.
In addition to Drone at the Global Market on May 25, PWM has a two day Modular Meet-up planned for June 14-15 which will feature free concerts from regional artists, a public open house and modular synth show and tell, and more. Visit prairiewires.ca of find Prairie Wires Modular @prairiewires on social media to stay wired."
