Praise for Synth Tech Mike Metz of Thesis Audio

This one in via MATRIXSYNTH reader Neil Hetrick:

"This posting is a sort-of combination THANK YOU and glowing review for expert synth technician Mike Metz of Thesis Audio Service (Wichita, KS). Mike recently refurbished my prized Roland JUPITER-6 synth, giving it a total overhaul so that it would be in top shape for the next couple decades or more.

I'm lucky to own a near-mint-condition JP-6, and Mike is far and away the most careful synthesizer tech I've ever found, handling every repair & restoration project with the utmost precision, care & expertise. I don't doubt that he could take on just about any project out there and come out with top-flight results (just check his page on vintage synth restorations for the proof). So I knew my instrument would be in the most capable hands when I shipped it off (providing FedEx could get it there and back without damage... I constructed a HUGE box just for the purpose, and even took out an insurance policy, just in case...).

Here's a quick rundown of the work Mike performed to bring my synth back up to top condition:
Cleaned chassis & all PC boards
Replaced 2-voice card main VCA chip (CEM3360)
Repaired solder connections for arpeggiator section LEDs
Replaced all main power supply capacitors
Cleaned all main & mod-panel controls & switches, lubricated all sliders, replaced slider dust felts
Replaced back-up battery w/ socket
Cleaned all rear panel jacks
Complete checkout

THANKS again to Mike Metz @ Thesis Audio !!"

CLICK FOR MORE »

Mike Hall's & Vince Clarke's EMS Polysynthi For Auction

via this auction

"[The seller is] selling this Polysynthi on behalf of it's owner, Mike Hall, who used to be synth technician for the previous owner of this eccentric electrical item, a certain Mr. Vincent Clarke of Basildon - former founder member of Depeche Mode, and Yazoo, and currently with Erasure.

Mike bought the synth on behalf of Vince in 1990 from the latter day Mr EMS himself Robin Wood (a scan of the letter from Robin confirming which is included in the photos in this listing) but he literally ended up rescuing it from Vince's rubbish skip, after having been both surprised and shocked to hear Vince claim it was 'the worst sounding synth ever made' and had decided to get rid of it. Mike was to be its saviour, and he whisked it away to the safety of his abode - this Polysynthi has subsequently been used by fellow Mute Records artists Komputer (previously known as I Start Counting) who've borrowed it from Mike occasionally, as indeed have I for my own musical exploits.

For corroborative purposes, take a look at this link to the official Erasure website (circa late 1990s), which features an interview with Mike, where he mentions the very Polysynthi for sale here...

Sadly, the time has finally come, and Mike has decided to sell his beloved Polysynthi. Fair enough really, seeing as he rarely uses it himself!

The EMS POLYSYNTHI

Made in 1979 by the legendary EMS, alledgedly no more then 29 were ever produced. Size-wise, it's bloody massive, and it really looks the business, despite its multicoloured, toytown style exterior. It houses the first ever (only?) velocity sensitive, aftertouch responsive 100% POLYPHONIC keyboard - if you've enough fingers and toes, you can play every single one of its 49 notes at the same time. The keyboard has a totally unique velocity sensitivity and aftertouch implementation - the entire keyboard itself moves as one mechanical piece. And, it has to be said, the Polysynthi also has one of the most difficult to fathom control surfaces ever to appear on any synthesizer!

It uses a switchable bus matrix system to determine, amongst other things, the signal and modulation sources, which can also be variably assigned to velocity and/or aftertouch. This switchable bus system on the Polysynthi is quite frankly bonkers. When I've used it in the past, to be honest, there have been times where I really couldn't make head nor tail of what was actually happening - but I'm sure(-ish) that this was probably just my own ignorance of it's more intricate workings!

As you can see from the specifications below, it has a somewhat standard set of synthesizing functions, but it does have some additional useful abilities too. The two ADSRs onboard are also routable and patchable through the bus system, though take some getting used to, and there's an external audio input, routable through the filter section and modulation matrix, as well as a fantastic analogue delay line. This delay was the original design for what became the ElectroHarmonix Memory Man, and produces very peculiar and interesting effects indeed, especially with higher feedback settings - you seriously have to watch out for your bass bins when using it.

It's in really good condition despite it's age, apart from a couple of scratches in the decal, and one cap is missing from a knob on the delay line. We're also including it's very own, high quality, custom-made flight case, so you can take it on the road to wow synth-nerds with at your gigs.

What else can I say? There's nothing else like it. It's weird. It's at times frustrating. It's great though - even if Vince does hate it.

Specifications
4 Octave velocity sensitive keyboard
100% FULLY POLYPHONIC Oscillator Bank - Sine, Square and Triangle Waveforms
Noise and External input with envelope follower
2 x VC LFO
2 x VC ADSR
VCF: 2 pole (12db per octave) /4 pole (24db per octave) resonant filters
Switchable Modulation Bus matrix system
VC Analogue Delay
Designed by Graham Hinton
Delay Unit designed by David Cockerell

(For full specifications, see the included photo of the original promotional leaflet)

Previously owned by:
Vince Clarke

As used by:
Komputer
Mechanical Cabaret
LCD Soundsystem"

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MATRIXSYNTH NAMM 2012 MEGAPOST

Just thought I'd consolidate everything into one post. First is the flickr set of pics I took (288 in total) in the order taken, followed by the videos in the order taken. Links to the individual posts at the bottom.

CLICK FOR MORE »

METZ vintage monosynth?

via Pal of the Hungarian Oscillator blog:

"In the early eighties I saw a monosynth with an upright control panel like the MS-20 and I am 99% sure it was called METZ, because I even found it on the map (it is a town in France). I understand there is a company manufacturing electronic stuff with that name but I have not found anything, NOT A TRACE of that synth on the web. Have you heard about it?"

If anyone knows feel free to comment or shoot me an email. My contact info is on the bottom right of the site.

Update via Dirk:
"i've just found some Informations for the Metz Synthesizer on synrise.de

http://synrise.de/docs/types/m/metz.htm

Unfortunatley all the Informations are german but i've just did an translation:
(Feel free to modify it)

There are also 2 Companys called Metz, the first one is from germany which is building tv's and satelitte receivers the second one is from france and building heater / radiator stuff

Best wishes

Dirk

METZ
The US American Mike METZ has developed an analogue synth for his own purpose

ANALOGSYNTH / mon syn exp kmi ?

Metz combined parts and construction units from various companies and putted it all together in an wooden case.

For example he used the oscillator bank and mixer (as used in the minimoog). All the parts were modificated. So the oscillator banks had PWM and the possibility for seperate pitch modulation

Also he had several outputs for each waveform. For each oscillator in the oscillator bank (there are in total 3 banks) there is the possibility of coarse- an finetuning. The vca and vcf are built from parts of the sequential circuits - prophet 5

There are also two envelope generators with cv controlls , an cv controlled lfo, an inverter, an attennuator, an gate delay and cv/gate interface."

I should have thought of looking at synrise! Someone once challenged me to find a synth not listed there. I thought I did, but apparently not. I forget what it was though. :)

Update via the maker himself, Mike Metz of Thesis Audio Service: "Here is all the info for the "Metz Synth", just before too much urban legend misinformation starts. This synth appeared in the Keyboard Magazine May 1998 issue as "Keyboard of the Month". I am amazed that someone remebers that.

It is a one-off synth that I built for my personal use out of "leftover" parts from my repair shop. The OSC section is made from an original Minimoog OSC board that I had in stock from repair parts. It has been built in a modular fashion with several options that the Mini never had. Each of the 3 OSCs has mixable waveforms, PWM, coarse and fine tune controls, and individual modulation inputs much like a modular synth. Thats the OSC section on the left.

The right half contains circuitry designed around the SCI Pro-1, not the Prophet 5, but the same thing. It contains a modular VCF with voltaged controlled Co and Rez. There are 2 voltage controlled envelope generators, a voltage controlled LFO, a VCA/envelope generator module, two attenuator / inverter modules, a gate delay module, and the master CV I/O module. All designed around the Curtis CEM circuits."
Side note: per above Mike Metz now runs Thesis Audio Service. It looks like we have a new (old) synth tech.

"Since 1976, THESIS AUDIO SERVICE has provided the midwest with quality, afforable repairs, maintenance, and restoration services on all types of equipment for musicians, sound companies and dealers."

New Electro-Harmonix Mono Synth Guitar Synthesizer

Published on Feb 12, 2019 EHX

See if you can recognize the songs. :)

"EHX unveils the Mono Synth which transforms a guitar into 11 different synthesizers… from vintage synth emulations to fat, stacked voices to soaring lead synth sounds and more.

The Mono Synth was designed to work on guitar without any modifications, special pickups or MIDI implementation. Its intuitive layout makes it user friendly. The pedal’s DRY dial adjusts the dry guitar volume at the Synth Output while SYNTH controls the volume of the synthesizer sound at the Synth Output. Used together they let a player fine tune their mix. The SENS control, short for sensitivity, adjusts how playing dynamics trigger the synthesizer and tailors the pedal’s response to the guitarist’s instrument and playing style.

A key parameter for each of the 11 synth types can be adjusted via the CTRL knob. It varies depending on the preset and provides enhanced “tweakability.” There is also an EXP input that lets the player control an entirely different parameter in real-time with an expression pedal.

EHX Founder, Mike Matthews, stated: “From string-like synths, to aggressive resonant sounds and deep drones and bell-like tones, the Mono Synth puts a collection of hot synthesizers at your fingertips.”

The Mono Synth comes equipped with an EHX 9.6DC-200mA power supply.

Quick Specs:

- Features eleven great sounding, mono synth sounds

- Easy to use controls let you dial in the sound you want quickly

- EXP pedal input for real-time expressive control with your foot

- Create, save and recall eleven user presets, one for each of the eleven synth sounds

- EHX 9.6VDC-200mA power supply included

- Current Draw: 125mA @ 9VDC

- Dimensions in inches: 4.0(w) x 4.75(l) x 2.25(h)

- Dimensions in mm: 102(w) x 121(l) x 58(h)"

Mike Dean Building a Track Is Analog Synth Mayhem | The Process

video upload by Reverb

"Even if you don't know his name, you know Mike Dean's sound. The super-producer and "Synth God" solo artist is a pillar of modern music production. The Weeknd, Beyoncé, Kanye West, Travis Scott, Madonna, Jay-Z, Christine and the Queens—these artists and more have made classics with Dean, and that's just his recent work.

Before that, he helped craft a whole era of Southern hip-hop with the likes of Scarface, Geto Boys, UGK, and Devin the Dude, after getting his start as Selena's keyboardist and musical director.

Ahead of an upcoming solo performance at Los Angeles' Wiltern Theatre on March 1, we got the chance to see the genius at work, learning first-hand exactly why so many artists seek him out.

Get tickets to the Wiltern show: https://bit.ly/3whQRMa

Shop Synths Like Mike's on Reverb

Mike Dean's YouTube Channel: https://shorturl.at/cfsI0
Mike Dean's Website: https://shorturl.at/bhBLX
Mike Dean on Instagram: https://shorturl.at/crT06

0:00-10:42 - Part One: The Studio
10:43 - Part Two: Building A Track"

Mike Dean - Making of "Challenger" (Live via Stream)

video upload by MIKE DEAN

"Mike Dean in the studio creating the track "Challenger" from the album 4:22 live via Twitch stream on Day 11 of the 422 jams.

4:22 now available on all platforms.

Official Site
https://mwamusic.com"

Making the Andromeda A6

A great thread is up on the VSE Forums on the Alesis Andromeda. I know the threads expire there, so I'll grab some of the most interesting bits here. DB below is David Bryce who worked on the Andromeda. I remember when all of this was happening. Mike Peake was on sonic states the-gas-station and AH. The guys behind the Andromeda really loved synths and they respected the rest of us enough to frequently pulled us in for feedback on the design of the synth. It was as if they were one of us, and in reality they were and still are. Mike Peake stayed active in the synth community and as you can see from this thread, David Bryce is still very active. You have to love a company that does this. Great people make a great company. I personally think Alesis has been one of the better synth manufactures to date. The Andromeda, ION and Micron, and the Fusion have all been pretty amazing synths. The price points for what you get compared to what else is out there is astounding when you think about it. Do take the time to check them out. The Andromeda is a 16 voice analog with a huge modulation matrix, dual filters, built in step sequencer and much, much more. And it sounds pretty amazing imo. Whenever I think I've heard it all, someone makes a demo that showcases a completely new character of the synth. BTW, are there any other poly analogs with 16 or more voices other than of course the fully polyphonic boards using divide down technology?

Alesis A6 Andromeda, Now where did that come from? (title of VSE thread)
---------------
CTB wrote:
Our very own Dave Bryce, who sometimes posts here and works for DSI, was involved in the A6 project. Perhaps he would be the one to ask. Smile

DB:
Actually, we just got tired of people complaining that the QS synths had no resonant filters, so we decided to make something that did. Very Happy Cool

Making Andromeda was really the culmination of a dream for a bunch of us who had grown up with the older analog synths. We had spent years working on sample based stuff, and Erik and Rob Rampley got Alesis founder (and major engineer geek) Keith Barr drunk one night and talked him into letting us make an old school American power synth. Keith actually designed Andromeda's ASICs himself, if memory serves.

One of the back stories was that we were fought tooth and nail by Alesis' sales and marketing VP at the time, who thought we were out of our minds. He once told me we'd be lucky to sell 50 total units. Guess he may have been wrong. Shocked Idea

If anyone has any specific questions, I'll do my best to answer if I can remember. That was a while ago...

StepLogik wrote:
I'm shocked that the marketing group fought you

DB:
It wasn't the marketing group. I was the marketing manager of the synth division, and I was certainly behind it. It was the VP.

,
Quote:
seems like they would want to distinguish Alesis from the "workstation hell" of that era.

DB:
Not just workstations - it was VA synths, too. We figured making a Real Actual Analog synth would catch some people's attention (as Bitexion correctly surmised).

Plus, we were tired of hearing that we weren't a real synth company despite the fact that our ROMplers (especially the QS8) were outselling just about everything else at the time...but there were folks who kept telling us that ROMplers aren't real synths...so we made a real synth. Idea

That seemed to do the trick... Laughing

cbjlietuva wrote:
so maybe i can get my question amswered here:

does the Andromeda have Polyphonic Aftertouch?

DB:
The short answer would be no.

theglyph wrote:
Dave, the one major question I have had and the one thing which has kept me from pulling the trigger on an A6 purchase is what will the status of the A6's ASICs be in the future? CEMs and SSMs were used in several synths from many manufacturers so those chips were manufactured to some degree in surplus as we see today (although they ain't cheap Crying or Very sad). Did Alesis make sure that the IC manufacturer made enough chips to fulfill any future failures or is the well not so deep?

DB:
Alesis is the chip manufacturer...I mean, they don't own the foundry where the chips are physically made, but they do everything else. Consequently, there's no way we can know how many of them Alesis has made/wants to make...

...unless they want to tell us, of course... Wink

Soundwave wrote:
Few questions;

Is the A6 still in production and will it remain so for the foreseeable future?

Will the support continue for the machine i.e. OS updates/fixes?

Are the first, more expensive Alesis A6’s different in any way than the later Numark ones that are apparently now made in the far east as some claim the earlier Alesis ones sound better?

There are rumours that some of the people behind the A6 were also involved in the Xpander/Matrix12 is this true?

Will there ever be an analogue successor or derivative or the A6 as the VA market has kinda reached a standstill now?

DB:
I can only answer two of those questions becuase I haven't worked for Alesis for about seven years, so I have no idea what their current plans are.

Marcus Ryle, who founded Line 6, was one of the guys responsible for the XpanderMatrix 12. He and his team had a lot to do with a bunch of Alesis products including the ADAT and the QS synths...but they had nothing to do with Andromeda.

There are a few "rev 2" Andromedas that were only used during beta. They are slightly different from the production models, but the OS in them is different enough that you can't transfer programs between, them, so they can't really be directly compared....nor, if you could, is there actually any point in doing so. Howver, all the production models are (AFAIK) exactly the same...."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And that's it as of the time of this post. Check out the VSE thread for updates. I'll try to update this post with the historical bits so we don't lose them. Image via this post.

NAMM: Our First NAMM Teaser of the Year Comes from Casio

Click on the bottom two pics and zoom in. Some things to take from the images:

1. Four Assignable knobs

2. Two rows with LEVEL labels

3. First LEVEL Row: (my guess) SYNTH1, SYNTH2, PCM1, PCM2, ???, ???, ??? New Section with ASSIGN1, ASSIGN2?

4. Second LEVEL Row: (my guess) LAYER1, LAYER2, LAYER3, LAYER4, LAYER5, LAYER6, New Section with ASSIGN1, ASSIGN2?

5. Below the LEVEL sections appear to be numbers and/or letters? Maybe tempo settings?

6. There is another section to the right of the knob controller section with buttons.

7. Note what looks like a KORG MS20, laptop and mixer on the table of the concert image. The image along with "The Beginning of a New Era" implies a new audience and new market for Casio.

What do you think?

Update: the two bottom shots joined together and blown up a little:

If you are on a Mac and try to do a screen grab with Command Shift 4 and select the whole image, you will see it brighten up, and you can see some of the additional controls on the far right. I captured a MATRIXSYNTH ghost in there BTW. I really need to invest in Photoshop.

Update: and a new teaser pic spotted on ComputerMusicGuide

The XW-P1 Performance Synthesizer

Update 1.12.12:

"A Mono solo section with up to six oscillators: two virtual analog, two PCM, noise, and external audio. Poly section with wide variety of gig- ready sounds. Drawbar organ mode. Six-way HexTone multis. Nine-track step sequencer with dedicated drum track."

Rumored price for the Casio XW-P1 is $699.

via this HC thread, via Computer Music Guide.

 


Update 1/19/12: Details are in:

Click each pic for the super size shot.  Details on each section below.

STEP SEQUENCER

Providing everything from pulsing dance grooves to animated synth textures and arpeggios, the Step Sequencer in both the XW-P1 and XW-G1 is the first of its kind. With nine tracks for drums, basses, synths and chordal parts, four controller tracks for adding panning, filter changes and other animation to existing parts and eight patterns make up each sequence; the user can build and mix their performance on the fly. Sequences can even transpose live from the keyboard, providing a completely interactive experience.

DRAWBAR ORGAN

In addition to the solo synth and HexLayers, the XW-P1 performance synthesizer is armed with an arsenal of gig ready sounds like stereo pianos, vintage electric pianos, strings, brass, guitars, basses, drums and more. It also has a new drawbar organ mode. Utilizing the nine sliders on the XW-P1 you have full range control over each drawbar. The XW-P1 even has dedicated controls for key percussion and rotary speaker while also providing vibrato, distortion and more for the ultimate drawbar organ experience.

SOLO SYNTH

Utilizing Casio’s exclusive (HPSS) Hybrid Processing Sound Source, a six oscillator monophonic solo synth is just one of the amazing sound engines in both the XW-P1 and XW-G1. The solo synth has the power to deliver classic analog sounds and sounds with an aggressive edge unlike anything else. Two virtual analog style oscillators, two PCM based oscillators, a noise oscillator and an external oscillator via mic and line inputs can be combined to make up a single solo synth tone. Each oscillator has an independent filter, envelopes, independent key tracking, portamento, two LFO’s and access to master resonant filter. With impressive modulation and control capabilities at your fingertips, the solo synth is capable of a wide range of sounds and expression.

HEXLAYER

In addition to the solo synth, the XW-P1 also features HexLayer tones. A HexLayer is a single sound comprised of up to 6 components, allowing complex layers, splits and velocity switched sounds. The sliders on the XW-P1 can be used to mix sounds on the fly to create evolving pads and rich synth textures while key velocity can be used to create dynamic velocity switched orchestral sounds and more.

ARPEGGIATOR AND PHRASE SEQUENCER

The XW-P1 and XW-G1 both have powerful Arpeggiators. In addition to typical arpeggio patterns, this Arpeggiator can create polyphonic synth gated patterns, acoustic instrument emulations and is even fully programmable allowing you to create your own unique sounds. An additional phrase sequencer allows you to quickly capture any riff that you play on the keyboard and have it available on a front panel switch or triggered and transposed live from a range of notes on the keyboard. The combination of the Step Sequencer, Arpeggiator and Phrase Sequencer provides an endless array of sound possibilities.

CONTROL

The XW-P1 and XW-G1 have 4 real- time controller knobs, pitch bend and modulation wheels, along with 9 sliders to provide control over internal sounds and external devices. Through standard MIDI ports and with a class-compliant USB port the keyboard can be used as a controller for other instruments, including computer software and iPad® based software applications. It also includes an audio input allowing you to monitor an MP3 player, computer or other device without the need for a mixer.

TECH SPECS
6 Oscillator Monophonic Solo Synthesizer (Both)
Sample Looper - Up to 19 Seconds of sampling time (XW-G1)
Sample Player - 10 user tones with up to 5 samples each can be stored in Flash Memory for instant recall (XW-G1)
HexLayer - A single sound made up of 6 components for gig ready splits and layers (XW-P1)
Drawbar Organ Mode with 9 sliders, adjustable rotary speaker, key click, vibrato and percussion (XW-P1)
Fully editable PCM based sounds like stereo pianos, vintage electric pianos, strings, guitars,
drums and more. (400 XW-P1) 300 (XW-G1)
13 Track Step Sequencer (Both)
16 step programmable Arpeggiator (Both)
Performance mode providing 4 internal or external instrument zones with instant recall of effects, Step Sequences, Arpeggiators and Phrases (Both)
4 real-time controller knobs (Both)
Phrase sequencer to record and playback your riffs (Both)
Stereo 1/8" line input to connect an MP3 player, laptop or tablet (Both)
USB and MIDI ports (Both)
1/4" Line Outputs (Both)
Included Power Supply (Both)
Can operate on 6 D batteries (Both)

http://casiomusicgear.com/home/index.html

Update 10:07 1/19/12: The Official Press Release with pricing:

"NEW YEAR, NEW ERA, NEW PROFESSIONAL SYNTHESIZERS INTRODUCED BY CASIO

Synthesizers built with Innovative and Interactive Features for Performing and Recording Musicians

ANAHEIM, CA, January 19, 2012 —Casio America, Inc. and its parent company Casio Computer, Ltd. today unveiled two new professional Synthesizers. Casio's roots were cultivated from the CZ-series synthesizers over 25 years ago. Recognizing that today’s professional musician wants more, Casio has re-entered the professional synthesizer market with two products which are the ideal tools for performing and recording artists. The XW-P1 is a 61 key performance synthesizer with Casio’s exclusive (HPSS) Hybrid Processing Sound Source. Providing screaming virtual analog monophonic leads and basses, drawbar organs, complex layers, stereo pianos, drums and more, the XW-P1 has the sounds and real-time control the performing musician needs. While the XW-G1 groove synthesizer is designed for the DJ and club performer providing an interactive step sequencer and a sample looper for digitally capturing performance patterns and external instruments. Both will be on display at the 2012 Winter NAMM Show, beginning today through January 22nd at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California, booth # 5900, Hall B.

“The XW series are not just new keyboards, they represent a new direction for Casio in the musical instrument business” said Mike Martin, general manager of Casio’s Electronic Musical Instrument Division. “Casio’s formula of value and quality that has been the foundation of award winning instruments like Privia has been applied to a new product category, and the XW-P1 and XW-G1 are just the beginning.”

A six oscillator monophonic solo synth is just one of the amazing sound engines in both the XW-P1 and XW-G1. Two virtual analog style oscillators, two PCM based oscillators, a noise oscillator and an external oscillator via mic and line inputs can be combined to make up a single solo synth tone. Each oscillator has an independent filter, envelopes, independent key tracking, portamento, two LFO’s and access to master resonant filter.

“The solo synth has an incredibly deep and powerful design. Among countless others, the oscillators even have access to waveforms from Casio’s original CZ synthesizers. It can create a variety of classic analog sounds, but also has the power to deliver sounds with an aggressive edge” said Mike Martin. “Everyone is going to be surprised by the expressiveness and range of sounds the solo synth can create, but that is just one aspect of these products.”

In addition to the solo synth the XW-P1 performance synthesizer is armed with an arsenal of gig ready sounds like stereo pianos, vintage electric pianos, strings, brass, guitars, basses, drums and more. It also has a new drawbar organ mode providing nine steps for each drawbar, vibrato, percussion and rotary speaker control. Rounding out the XW-P1’s sound-set are HexLayer; a HexLayer is a single sound comprised of 6 components, allowing complex layers, splits and velocity switched sounds.

The XW-G1 groove synthesizer is geared for the club DJ and dance music performer. In addition to 420 built-in sounds, solo synth and PCM based sounds, the XW-G1 also has the ability to sample. A 19-second sample looper captures internal sounds as well as external instruments allowing the performer to create layers and overdub sounds on the fly. Sampled sounds can even be saved in Flash ROM so they remain in memory after the keyboard has been powered off.

Providing everything from pulsing dance grooves to animated synth textures and arpeggios, the Step Sequencer in both the XW-P1 and XW-G1 is the first of its kind. With nine tracks for drums, basses, synths and chordal parts, four controller tracks for adding panning, filter changes and other animation to existing parts and eight patterns make up each sequence; the user can build and mix their performance on the fly. Sequences can even transpose live from the keyboard, providing a completely interactive experience.

Furthermore, both the XW-P1 and XW-G1 have 4 real-time controller knobs, pitch bend and modulation wheels, along with 9 sliders to provide control over internal sounds and external devices. Through standard MIDI ports and with a class-compliant USB port the keyboard can be used as a controller for other instruments, including computer software and iPad® based software applications. It also includes an audio input allowing you to monitor an MP3 player, computer or other device without the need for a mixer.

The XW-P1 will be available in March 2012 for an MSRP of $699.00 and the XW-G1 will be available in April 2012 for an MSRP of $799.00.

For more information, visit www.casiomusicgear.com

XW-P1 Features
• 6 Oscillator Monophonic Solo Synthesizer
• HexLayer – A single sound made up of 6 components for gig ready splits and layers
• Drawbar Organ Mode with 9 sliders, adjustable rotary speaker, key click, vibrato and percussion
• 400 fully editable PCM based sounds like stereo pianos, vintage electric pianos, strings, guitars, drums and more.
• Step Sequencer with 9 instrument tracks and 4 controller tracks
• 16 step programmable Arpeggiator
• Phrase sequencer to record and playback your riffs
• Performance mode providing 4 internal or external instrument zones with instant recall of effects, Step Sequences, Arpeggiators and Phrases
• 4 real-time controller knobs
• Pitch and Modulation Wheels
• ¼” Mic and Line puts to process your voice or other instruments
• Stereo 1/8” line input to connect an MP3 player, laptop or tablet
• USB and MIDI ports
• ¼” Line Outputs
• Included Power Supply
• Can operate on 6 D batteries

XW-G1 Features
• 6 Oscillator Monophonic Solo Synthesizer
• Sample Looper – Up to 19 Seconds of sampling time
• Sample Player – 10 user tones with up to 5 samples each can be stored in Flash Memory for instant recall
• 300 fully editable PCM based sounds
• Step Sequencer with 9 instrument tracks and 4 controller tracks
• 16 step programmable Arpeggiator
• Phrase sequencer to record and playback your riffs
• Performance mode providing 4 internal or external instrument zones with instant recall of effects, Step Sequences, Arpeggiators and Phrases
• 4 real-time controller knobs
• Pitch and Modulation Wheels
• ¼” Mic and Line puts to process your voice or other instruments
• Stereo 1/8” line input to connect an MP3 player, laptop or tablet
• USB and MIDI ports
• ¼” Line Outputs
• Included Power Supply
• Can operate on 6 D batteries

###

About Casio America, Inc.
Casio America, Inc., Dover, N.J., is the U.S. subsidiary of Casio Computer Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of consumer electronics and business equipment solutions, established in 1957. Casio America, Inc. markets calculators, keyboards, digital cameras, mobile presentation devices, disc titles and label printers, watches, cash registers and other consumer electronic products. Casio has strived to fulfill its corporate creed of “creativity and contribution” through the introduction of innovative and imaginative products. For more information, visit www.casiousa.com."

NAMM 2012 Video of Mike Martin & the Casio XW-P1 Including Deeper Editing

Don't miss the second video below. The first is the general overview and the second is deeper editing of the synth engine parameters. This is a full blown editable synth. The full list of parameters are not yet available but you will see some of them in the second video. What's impressive is it's essentially a six oscillator synth that you can layer with built in arpeggiator, step sequencer and effects. The interface is pretty nice. You use the sliders to set oscillator levels, step parameters and more. It also supports MIDI CC and sysex. The plan on creating a PC editor, but no plans for an iPad editor at this point. Of course ou should be able to create your own. Mike mentions CZ waveforms in the first video. I believe these are PCM samples of the waveforms as the XW-P1 does not support Phase Distortion synthesis. What's interesting is you'll see a section of the synth engines is under a PCM label while the Synth, Hex and and Drawbar Organ are not. I'm guessing it's meant to point out the type of sounds you expect vs. the engine itself. It's my understanding it's all PCM. It does sound good, extremely good for the price actually. The GW-P1 exchanges the Hex layer for a sampling engine. You can sample your own sounds.

One thing that throws me off after watching these again is at 2:34 in the first video you will see him adjust the filter cutoff while holding down a chord and he mentions it, however at 3:51 in the second video he mentions the filter does not work in real time for hex sounds. Not sure what the difference is. I might have missed it as I'm post editing mode. If you know feel fee to comment. Both of these videos are worth watching in full.  Update: turns out real time filter control via the filter knob only works in solo mode.  See this post.

NAMM 2012: Casio's Mike Martin - Overview of the Casio XW-P1

YouTube Uploaded by matrixsynth on Jan 26, 2012

NAMM 2012: Casio's Mike Martin - Deeper Editing on the Casio XW-P1


Pics here: NAMM 2012: Casio Booth Pics with the New XW-P1 & XW-GW1 Synthesizers
The original teaser post here: NAMM: Our First NAMM Teaser of the Year Comes from Casio

http://casiomusicgear.com/home/index.html

Synth South West - Pro Synth Network's First Live Event!

video upload by Pro Synth Network

"Pro Synth Network is proud to announce our very first live event, Synth South West, in the picturesque seaside town of Dawlish, on March 21st, 2026.

Nestled on the Devonshire coast, and easily accessible by both road and rail (or boat for the adventurous!). Dawlish will provide a beautiful backdrop to our maiden event.

During the day, there will be a synth expo at The Strand Centre, featuring synth manufacturers, enthusiasts and performers. In the evening, we move across the road to The Shaftsbury Theatre for an evening of electronic music with some of the most talented live performers within our community.

Our headline act is Dave Bessell, one quarter of synth supergroup NODE! We also have a rare performance from Film & TV composer, Ty Unwin and flying in from the USA, Mr Spiral, aka Dr Mike Metlay. And our very own Peter James Stephen will be kicking the evening off!

Visit https://www.synthsouthwest.com/ to book your tickets. The day and evening events are ticketed separately at £10 pp each, but buy both tickets and save £2!"

"Concert Line up:

Peter James-Stephen Breaking the Sound Barrier
Dr Mike Metlay Mr Spiral and Guess
Ty Unwin
and Dave Bessell from Node

Tickets £10 for Daytime Expo
£10 for Concert
or £18 for both"

RIP Mike McGrath of Muff Wiggler

It's come to my attention that Mike McGrath, founder of the Muff Wiggler forum, has passed away. I am in complete shock. I don't know what to say, what to post. As most of you know, Mike created the de facto modular synth forum on the internet, Muff Wiggler, and he did it in a way that put members first. He created a platform for makers and users of synths to come together and engage directly with each other.

Some personal history:  Mike reached out to me years ago, before starting the Muff Wiggler forum. He actually had a couple of blogs including Muff Wiggler before the forum. That image to the left is the first image of his I posted here back on Dec 4, 2006 (he also had a classic blue Wiard modular system that was the envy of many synth enthusiasts). The last post from Mike went up back on July 30, 2018 when he gave away a Buchla Music Easel to save a life.

I met Mike at NAMM, and at the opening of the Muff Wiggler store in Portland back in 2014. We chatted off and on over email over the years and he was always supportive. He was real and down to earth. I was looking forward to reminiscing with him on the "old days" and what it was like for him to run the best modular (and synth) forum on the net. He once corrected me when I said he ran the best modular forum - he said the forum covered synths too! :)

I just can't believe he is gone. As the host of this site, I feel like I lost a fellow compatriot. Someone I had history with through the ups and downs. Running a site can be a challenge, and just knowing he was out there doing his thing helped. I am going to miss him and the lost experiences we would all have had with him around.

#Synthuary2020 / #Jamuary2020 - 02

Jamuary 2020 - day 2 (zenbook pro duo / OP-1 / PO-20)

Published on Jan 2, 2020 amenemo1010

Side note: I created a #Synthuary2020 tag and label for the synth only Jamuary2020 jams. Click through for more.

"#jamuary2020 day 2 experiment with #zenbookproduo and #teenageengineering synth. Audio route from zenbook using VCV modular soft synth to the OP-1 input to play with some filters. I hope you enjoy 😊"

CLICK FOR MORE »

The Incredible Story of AudioKit Synth One // 1st Pro Open-source iPad Synth

Published on May 29, 2018 MATTHEW FECHER

"The 2-year struggle to make the first Free & Open-Source Professional iPad Synthesizer app.
Learn more at http://audiokitpro.com/synth

Release date: Mid-June 2018"

Follow-up to AudioKit Synth One for iPad In the Works.

"AUDIOKIT SYNTH ONE
The Largest Free & Open-source iOS Music Project in History.

AudioKit Synth One is the first completely free & open-source full-featured professional iOS synthesizer app in history.

Created by volunteers, the app will include MIDI support (play it with a MIDI keyboard or controller), sequencer, vintage-inspired analog filters, expressive arpeggiators, warm analog delays, and, over 200+ presets to get you started!

Plus, it’s completely open-source. Use the code to learn how to build your own synth app or modify the app yourself. Anyone can contribute code & features!

EXCLUSIVE SOUND DESIGN AND CONSULTING FROM ENGINEERS AND SYNTH TECHS WHO HAVE WORKED WITH M83, TYCHO, RIHANNA, KANYE WEST, MIKE POSNER, SAVOY, OWL CITY, TEGAN & SARA, NEON TREES, RED SKY LULLABY, BRICE BEASLEY, DJ PUZZLE, AND MORE!

AUDIOKIT SYNTH FEATURES:
This synthesizer will be completely free, fully functional, and ad-free. It’s the ultimate free iPad music instrument app.
Hybrid Analog/FM Poly Synthesizer
Over 200+ Presets crafted by famous sound designers
Audiobus 3 & Inter-app Audio (IAA)
Five Oscillators (2 DCO, FM, Sub, Noise)
2 Assignable LFOs with dozens of routing possibilities
100+ Alternative Scales & Tunings
Vintage-Style 16-Step Sequencer
Classic poly arpeggiator
MIDI in (Control with a MIDI Keyboard or DAW)
Touchable ADSR Envelopes for Amp & Filter
FM Oscillator w/ Mod
Dedicated Sine/Square -12/24 Sub Osc
4-Pole Vintage Low-Pass Filter
High-Pass/Band Pass Filters
Mono portamento & legato
Beautiful Sean Costello Reverb
Multi-tap (ping-pong) delay
TouchPads
Preset Import/Export & More…
Compact app size (under 25mb)
MIDI Learn on all knobs, MIDI Bank/Patch & Sustain Pedal support
Full Source code included

This is the perfect synth for those who like to make their own sounds- Easily sculpt and customize your own sounds!

COMING SOON
Ableton Link
AUv3 Plug-in support to use in your iOS host
MPE Midi Support – Expressive control with Roli Seaboard, etc"

ROLAND BOUTIQUE D-05 with Synth Mike - How Does It Sound ?

Published on Jan 18, 2019 Synth Mike

"ROLAND BOUTIQUE D-05 with Synth Mike - How Does It Sound ?

Gear:
Roland Boutique D-05 Linear Synthesizer
Novation Bass Station 2 ( as midi keyboard )
IK Multimedia iRig Pro DUO ( audio interface )
iPad 2018 ( camcorder / iMovie editor )

Warsaw - Poland 2019
Synth Mike"

List of Synth Techs by Location

If you are a tech or know of one that should be on the list, email me - it's matrixsynth at gmail.com.
Only submit those you can recommend or know are recommended by others.

Also see:
Syntaur's list of service centers.
https://www.getrecommended.com for user recommended techs.
Mike Overacker's list on arpodyssey.com.
http://www.synfo.nl/pages/synthrepair.html - List of techs around the world

---

USA

AZ
Kurt's Amps & Keyboards
MTroniks

CA
Perfect Circuit Audio
Wine Country Productions - everything Sequential Circuits
Analog Synth Service (Greg Montalbano), https://www.getrecommended.com/greg-montalbano/ - Prophet 5 Specialist & more.
This Old Synth (Chris Hewitt)
Audio Design and Service
Rosen Sound

CT
On The Bench

FL
EPR Pro Audio Electronics - via Subtronik: "Been to them a few times to service my K2000 and never was dissatisfied."
SDMachines - "Since 2005 I've been customizing and modifying and repairing 80's, pre-80s drum machines, synthesizers having limited syncing capabilities from their original manufacturers..."

GA
CMS - Cirocco Modular Synthesizers - ARP specialists but Moog and, EMS also listed.

IL
A Sound Education - via ./luther: "Steve is the tech here, formerly of Midwest Music Menders. Very good with synths."

KS
Thesis Audio Service - Mike Metz

MO
vansickle audio - 573.823.4379 - via spunkytoofers: "vansickle is just a little guy in the midwest but he's a really cool dude that will talk shop, does lots of cool custom work and cabinetry, and will be able to work on just about any vintage synth.. he's had some interesting vintage pieces come through his shop that he's sucessfully repaired.. he's a little bit of an anomoly for the middle of missouri which is also middle of nowhere in terms of synthesizers."

OR
Portland Custom Shop - Synapse Audio Systems

OH
SECRET SERVICE - 541-2292 - via spunkytoofers: "i think secret service changed their name due to problems with the name but i have used various equipment that people have sent in to them to get repaired including old wurlys, the old conn electric band, amplifiers, etc."

Analogics

PA
RetroLinear in North Wales

NY
Ears
The Analog Lab
Patch:Work

TX
Switched On in Austin, TX! 512 782 8806



Interwebs
Synthpro

---

Mexico

Akira Honda - referenced here.

---

Canada
Ramcur in Montreal
Rick Smith in Vancouver - echo7even at yahoo.com
Brian Dekok in Ottawa - brian_dekok at yahoo.ca

---

UK
Synth Repair Services
Clacktronics
NORM LEETE

---

Europe

GERMANY
Tubbetec
SynthesizerServiceDepartment in German - via Till Kopper: "I can recommend SynthesizerServiceDepartment in Germany close to the home town of Waldorf synths. The name behind this company is Achim Lenzgen. He used to be one of the few technicians here in Germany able to fix a PPG wave in the late eighties. I had to contact him often and we shipped individual boards of my PPG waves back ad forth several time. Before he started his own business, he was the tech behind the Synthesizer Studio Bonn which used to be THE synth shop in Germany for many years."
Studio Repair (Niko Riehm) from near Frankfurt/Main (btw: extremely interesting his picture archive)
SND (Sebastian Niessen) in Munich
Xtended in Berlin (that is, where jomox split off)
http://www.ampology.de in Hannover (the website is in german only). via Florian
http://www.sequencer.de/synth/index.php/Synthesizer_Repair - list of techs on sequencer.de

OTHER COUNTRIES
www.virtual-music.at (Alexander Guelfenburg) in Austria
Elektroakustik Wagner in Austria
gotharman in Denmark
MOS-LAB in France
The Laboratory of Sound in Netherlands (featured in this post)
Saint Eric in Netherlands - Arp Specialist
List of Techs in Norway - via Rune: "I can at least vouch for Service Partner Instrument Workshop, Oslo where I have recently got some gear repaired myself. I see that Locomofon, Oslo may not be accepting new orders at this time, but may be worth mentioning still."
Synthoma in Spain
phono1337 (dinsync) in sweden
www.defekt.ch in Switzerland
Synthorama in Switzerland

---

South America

Argentina
Sintetizadores - Hernan Baldi - Buenos Aires

---

Australia and New Zealand

AU
Secret Life of Synthesizers

NZ
Kiwitechnics
Dogmatek (Tim Prebble)

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone!!!  I hope 2012 treated you well and I wish you the best in 2013!

As I do each year, I thought I'd reflect a little on the past year.  These posts are always difficult to write, and I always wing them, so bear with me.  It's impossible to justify a whole year's worth of synth coverage in a single post.  The following is just a small bit of what comes to mind when looking back.  You'll find a top ten list of posts with the most page views followed by my picks for the year further below.  Apologies if I miss anything, and of course, if you have anything to add, feel free to leave a comment below.  I'm curious what you, the readers of the site, felt stood out in the world of synths this past year.

First, I want to begin this post with a HUGE THANK YOU!!!  If you are reading this it obviously means you have come to this site and some of you have been coming here for years! Thank you for sticking with me. This site is a journey I hope to continue for years to come. Thank you to everyone that has taken the time to showcase their synths, and thank you to those that share what they find! Thank you to those that link to the site and help spread the word on MATRIXSYNTH via Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and your own websites! And of course, THANK YOU to all the sponsors on the right who believe in the site enough to support it!

A nod to previous New Years posts, pictured to the left is the MATRIXSYNTH world domination map. :)  I always think it's worth taking a look at who's watching the site.  Synths are global and you are looking at a map of the readers of MATRIXSYNTH.  Everything you see in green represents a visit from that country.  The darker the green, the higher the number of visits.  This is just for the year, but for the life of the site, we still haven't gotten a single hit from North Korea!   I don't know what they have against synths!  ;)   You'll find the top 10 visits by country further below.

This is the eighth New Year the site has gone through!  The focus for the site this year has been the same as previous years, and I plan to keep it that way.  This site is about showcasing specific synths, not just synths in general, and not just news and press releases.  The focus is on the individual synths that have existed throughout history, the technology behind them, and the lives they lead with their odd owners, myself included.  :)  Yes it is about the gear, their makers, and their players.  It has always been my opinion that synths in general have a tendency to be undervalued. Compared to say collectible guitars, they are often discarded and devalued in favor of next year's model, next year's technology.  It has always been my opinion that every synth has something of value to offer,  something specific and something unique that gives it its character. I built this site to showcase that.  This site is about the history of synths as their history unfolds - videos and images of synths being played and used, by both those that make them and those that play them.  Vintage synths being offered in the second hand market, being exchanged from one sonic explorer to the next. It really is a wondrous thing. Think of the magic synthesizers bring into your world. That is what this site is ultimately about.  Some posts may not seem to make sense now, but they will in time, because they will be a look back in time. A day in the life of a particular synthesizer.  I love analog and I love digital. I love all synths and this site celebrates that.

And now for a little reflection on the year. This year we had a total of 16678 posts including this one.  That comes out to roughly 45.69 posts a day.  Not a single day of the year went without a post.  So what dominated the synth year?  Mobile, modulars and a few dedicated hardware synths.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Happy New Year From MATRIXSYNTH! - A Look Back at 2014

Happy New Year everyone!

I want to start by thanking everyone that comes to MATRIXSYNTH and helps make it what it is - the readers, the supporters, and of course all the sponsors on the right.

THANK YOU and have a GREAT 2015!!!

This site is a labor of love and a ton of work. This site is ultimately meant to be an testament to everything synth in the making. We have over nine years of daily synth history captured here, 119,983 published posts. I can't wait to see what the future brings us in 2015!

That said, here are a few interesting bits from 2014 in the longest post of the year. ;)

CLICK FOR MORE »

The Akai ADR15 (MPC60) - Synth History with Mike McRoberts

The following is a fascinating bit of synth history that I was never aware of. The famed Akai MPC-60 was internally and originally named the ADR15.  That's the prototype pictured to the left and directly below. The sole US Project Manager for Akai at the time was Mike McRoberts pictured in the third shot below.  You'll find an interview with him on his time at Akai and the MPC60 at BBOY Tech Report here. Definitely check it out.

Regarding how it became the MPC60, from that interview: "'It was originally named the ADR15, along with the sequencer-only version named the ASQ10. One day, Jerry Freed, who was president of International Music Company, called me into his office and asked me what ADR15 stood for. I said that the ADR could stand for Akai Drum Recorder, but the number 15 had no relationship to it. Jerry said, 'Let’s brainstorm. What is this machine?' I said, 'Well it’s basically a MIDI production center, it’s got a 60,000 note sequencer….'. Jerry interrupted me and said, 'How about MPC60?' I think I said, 'Sounds good to me.' And that was the origin of it"

I asked Mike McRoberts what happened to the prototype and he had the following to say:

"Around 1989-90, Akai had decided to discontinue the MPC60, despite the fact it was a huge success in the US. It wasn't selling well in the rest of the world. We convinced them to keep it in the line, but for about 6 months there was no supply. I had decided I wanted to do sequencing in a Mac. I called a friend who was a keyboard tech for various artists, and told him I was thinking of selling it. Twenty minutes later it was sold.

There were two differences between the ADR15 and the MPC60 other than the name. The LCD display was fixed, not in a tilting enclosure. And the arm rest was foam rubber, not the nicer leather-like arm rest the MPC had."

It's interesting to think that the MPC60 like Roland's TB-303 were not deemed enough of a commercial success at the time to continue production.

Below are a few images in via Mike McRoberts, including a few advert scans.  The 2nd image below is him with Michael Jackson's band for the Bad tour who did Akai clinics during the tour. In order from left to right: Ricky Lawson (drums), Mike McRoberts (Akai), Greg Phillinganes (keyboards), and Rory Kaplan (keyboards).

Update: be sure to see the following Akai demo videos from Mike Roberts:

Akai S3000 Advanced Sampling Operations
Akai 1994 Product Sampler

Roland G-505 Guitar Synthesizer Controller, GR-300 Polyphonic Guitar Synth

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


via this listing

"Up for sale, a 1980s Roland G-505 Guitar Synthesizer Controller and GR-300 Polyphonic Guitar Synthesizer [SN 090427] in 100% original condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original 24-pin cable. First introduced in 1980 as a follow-up to the GR-500, the GR-300 is perhaps best known for its usage by Pat Metheny; produced at the venerable Fujigen factory in Japan, this versatile guitar synth can deliver a huge range of decidedly unique sounds, with a hexaphonic fuzz circuit, VCO synth, and combinations of the two. This GR-300 comes complete with the G-505 Guitar Controller, taking its design cues from a Strat with a sleek ash body, one-piece maple neck, and a trio of single coil pickups alongside the synth pickup.

The G-505 Guitar Controller guitar has plenty of natural sparkle and shimmer, and the Roland PU-134S pickups deliver a bevy of Strat-style tonalities via the five-way selector switch. Weighing 8lbs 12oz, the G-505 has been professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with 10-46 strings, low action, and spot-on intonation.

The maple neck has a slender C-shaped profile carve with good shoulders, gaining appreciably more heft and roundness in the upper registers, measuring .810” deep at the 1st fret and 1.015” at the 12th. The fretboard exhibits light finger wear through the gloss, and the slender fretwire ostensibly benefits from a level and crown in this guitar’s lifetime, showing virtually no wear. This Roland plays cleanly up the 25 1/2“ scale with a straight neck and a responsive, optimally-adjusted truss rod, and the nut measures 1.650” (42mm) in width. The headstock features a bullet truss rod nut and gold “GR” logo, and the Gotoh tuning machines function reliably. The back of the headstock retains the silver foil serialized sticker.

The electronics on the guitar controller are untouched, with a control scheme including Master Volume, Guitar Tone, Guitar/EG Balance (Blend), VCF Cutoff Frequency, VCR Resonance, and LFO (Vibrato) Depth knobs. Additionally, the three-position Mode toggle enables on-the-fly switches between Hexaphonic Fuzz only (Mode 1), Fuzz and VCO synth tandem (Mode 2) and Synth only (mode 3). The controls are capped by the original sextet of knobs with ridged grips for easy adjustments, and the three-ply white pickguard rounds out the plastics.

Cosmetic wear on the gloss Metallic Blue finish includes a number of nicks and dings on the body as a whole, most prominent along the lower bout perimeter, with some finish chipping adjacent to the output jacks, and some very subtle texturing in the finish on the top. The neck profile retains its smooth gloss, with a handful of shallow marks that have no impact on playability.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Swinth Commodore 64 compilation in HD - C64 SID chip

Published on Jul 18, 2014 MrCaliforniaD

"Played on a REAL Commodore 64 with the 6581 SID chip.

I did not compose this and can't find out who did it. Sorry!

Songs:
- Theme from Stationnary Ark
- Saturdays in Silesia
- Excerpt from Vangelis's 'Spiral'
- Mike Oldfield's 'Tubular Bells'
- Theme song from Magic Shadows
- ???
- Oxygene II
- Pachelbel's Canon in D minor
- ???

From the program 'Swinth'."

Update via yeryry in the comments:

"Probably by Georg Feil:

COMMENT: All comments for this file are by Georg Feil himself and are denoted
by (GF).
"I wrote it around '84 or '85 as a demo for my music editor called
'Synth'. I was going to University of Waterloo at the time and just
gave it to a friend of mine... didn't even bother to put my name on
the thing. Anyway it soon started cropping up all over the place.
I never made any sequels with music, although there was something with
annoying sound effects done in the same style as Synth Sample that I
posted in the beginning of 1994. So any music you see that looks like
a sequel or has graphics added was done by someone else.
Anyway the computer bust of 85/86(?) hit and Synth was never marketed.
I had been negotiating with a software company but they went out of
business. By that time I was working on a new version of Synth that
was a sequencer program for Midi instruments (called MSS), and had
joined my first band. I've been in a couple other bands since then,
the last one was called SugarPush and we came close to getting signed
(but then broke up [...]). So I guess you can credit that little
program with launching my musical career..." (GF)
(#1)
TITLE: Stationary Ark
ARTIST: John Mills-Cockell
COMMENT: "Theme from Stationary Ark, a nature show on PBS. [...] It appears on
Synth Sample as interpreted by a friend of mine. I didn't know what it
was myself until I happened to see Stationary Ark one time. This song
does not play properly on some C-64's where the SID chip filter is
calibrated differently." (GF)
(#2)
TITLE: Saturdays in Silezia
ARTIST: Rational Youth
COMMENT: "A fluffy pop song I taped off the radio. Seemed simple enough to
render on the C-64." (GF)
Also used in the game Shocker.
(#3)
TITLE: Spiral [from Spiral]
ARTIST: Vangelis
(#4)
TITLE: Tubular Bells, Part 1 [from Tubular Bells]
ARTIST: Mike Oldfield
COMMENT: A little free-hand adaptation.
"I just thought this was ultra cool. Used as the music to The
Exorcist, unfortunately." (GF)
(#5)
TITLE: Magic Shadows, closing theme
ARTIST: Harry Forbes
COMMENT: "Magic Shadows was a half-hour movie show on TV Ontario, sort of the
Canadian equivalent of PBS. They'd show old movies in half-hour
installments. I have no idea if there's an album. I taped it off the
TV." (GF)
(#6)
TITLE: Funeral Music for Queen Mary
ARTIST: Henry Purcell
(#7)
TITLE: Oxygene 2 [from Oxygene]
ARTIST: Jean Michel Jarre
(#8)
TITLE: Canon in D major
ARTIST: Johann Pachelbel
COMMENT: "This is a very popular classical hit. I transcribed the notes from a
Transactor or Compute! article (this is the only Synth Sample piece
not transcribed by ear)." (GF)
(#9)
TITLE: Enola Gay [from Organisation]
ARTIST: Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD)"