Vicious SID Commodore 64 Keytar

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

Via the seller: "In this auction we have one of the most tricked out, one-of-a-kind, nothing else like it Commodore 64 computers in existence! I hand built this fully functional mod over the course of 5 months +/- years in stress. So much research, development, time, design and money went into this project and I can honestly say I am super proud of what I built. I am currently in a bit of a bind and my priorities are completely shifted. In short, I am selling off the majority of my studio to be with my son.

Here is a list of all the mods, hacks and work I put into this thing. Please read all of this to understand exactly what it is that I am selling. There are links for you to further research and see more pictures of this build in the text below.

-Painted the chassis blue and black inside and out.
- Mounted nice locking guitar strap pegs
-Added a custom Li-Ion battery pouch attached to locking guitar strap
- wired a 12v pass through from battery pack, through body and out the top by the LCD mount (no wires, easy disconnect, clean)
- wired a color selector switch close to the 12V battery pack input. Choose Power LED color to suite you mood, can also turn off LED once colors cycle fully if you have not chosen one
- Added a Stratocaster guitar boat style output plate wired for stereo TRS (for stereo output)
- Added a Telecaster style control plate. 2 knobs control volume of dual sids while the switch selects dual sid or mono sid

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Vintage MOOG SIGNAL PROCESSORS

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

via this auction

See the original advert for the set in this post.

via the seller: "THIS IS A ONCE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY FOR ANYONE TO OWN ALL THESE UNITS WITHOUT HAVING TO WAIT YEARS & YEARS TO FIND THEM ALL... IT TOOK ME MANY YEARS TO FIND THEM ALL AND SPENT LOTS OF MONEY ON THEM PLUS ALL THE ELECTRONIC MAINTENANCE I HAVE GIVEN TO EACH ONE OF THEM TO HAVE THEM WORK ALL 100%.

I have 5 units in a robust ATA Molded PE Shock w/ Rubber Shock Suspension (12U Space) Model: G-Shock-12L almost new with both front and back lid covers with it's own locking key as well... (REFER TO PHOTOS...) And the Moog Parametric Equalizer as a single unit because it didn't fit in the case unfortunately... But you get all 6 units shipped together as a complete set... NOTE: On the last picture the Bode Frequency Shifter, Bode Vocoder, and the second Moog Parametric EQ ARE NOT included in the bundle they are there just because that's where I had mounted both Parametric EQs but you only get one of the Parametric EQs and not 2 that are pictured there along with the other Bode stuff... Although the Bode Units are going for sale as well but are being sold separately so please refer to info description or ask questions if you're not sure. Thanks...

Here's what's included in the bundle:

- Moog 16 Channel Vocoder 327A - Model: MBVO - X 1 Unit
- Moog Custom Engineering String Filter - ( Fully Calibrated...) - X 1 Unit
- Moog Custom Engineering Dual VCO - ( Fully Calibrated As Well...) - X 1 Unit
- Moog 12 Stage Phaser - Model: MPKH - X 1 Unit
- Moog Three Band Parametric Equalizer 304A - Model: MKPE - X 1 Unit
- Moog Ten Band Graphic Equalizer - Model: MKGE - X 1 Unit

Here's some info you may want to know about each unit:

* Moog Dual VCO - The Moog Dual Voltage Controlled Oscillator was built in very limited quantities by the Moog Custom Engineering Department A.K.A. Modusonic which has 2 Ultra-Stable VCOs based on the 3rd Revision of the Minimoog 921A VCO With Temp Comp UA 726 Matched Differential Pair Transistors. SUPER FREAKING PHAT..!!! Personally I think it beats any Minimoog I've own... The waveforms are just "EARGASMIC"... =) You've got to hear it for yourself... The Moog Dual VCO was designed to add that extra two oscillator fatness to other Moog Synthesizers as the Multimoog, Micromoog and the Minimoog at the time; although the Minimoog required the addition of the Keyboard CV Output Modification so it could control the Moog Dual VCO's pitch and route it's output back into the Minimoog's External Audio Input... The Micromoog & Multimoog did not require this mod because they have already a Keyboard CV Output Jack as well as their respective audio input. So basically you can use the Moog Dual VCO with any Analog Synthesizer with a Keyboard CV Output (1 Volt/Oct.) and an External Audio Input to pass the Dual VCO's output signal back in it and voila two extra fat Moog Oscillators in your set up.

* Functions, Features & Input/Output Option:

- Master Tune - Controls overall tuning of both oscillators or one when only used as single...
- Pulse Width - Controls width of both oscillator's pulse waveforms when used either as single or dual.
- Octave Select Multi-Switch Knob with: LO, 32', 16', 8', 4', 2'. (Both Oscillator 1 & 2 have their own Multi-Switch Knob)
- Waveform Select Switch with: Up Ramp/Sawtooth, Triangle, Pulse, Sine.
- Oscillator On/Off Switch - Each Oscillator has it's own on/off switch to quickly add or subtract one oscillator while performing.
- Oscillator 2 Sync Switch - Automatically syncs both oscillators together by the flick of a switch.
- Oscillator 2 Tune Knob - To tune or detune oscillator 2 from 1 either while synced or un-synced.
- Output Level Knob - Controls overall output volume.
- Power Switch - Turns on/off unit.
- Oscillator 1 CV Input Jack 1/4" (1 Volt/Oct.) - Controls oscillator 1 only.
- Both In 1 CV Input Jack 1/4" (1 Volt/Oct.) - Controls pitch of both oscillators while oscillator 1 being the master controller.
- Oscillator 1 Output Jack 1/4" - Outputs signal of oscillator 1 only.
- Oscillator 2 CV Input Jack 1/4" (1 Volt/Oct.) - Controls oscillator 2 only.
- Both In 2 CV Input Jack 1/4" (1 Volt/Oct.) - Controls pitch of both oscillators.
- Oscillator 2 Output Jack 1/4" - Outputs signal of oscillator 2 only.
- X 4 Multiple Output Jacks 1/4" - Note: These are not connected whatsoever to any circuit inside the unit, they only serve to split any input or output signal you wish to multiply.
- Runs on 120 VAC Only.

* Moog 16 Channel Vocoder - The Moog 16 Channel Vocoder was designed by Genius Engineer and Pioneer In Electronic Music Instruments Harald Bode in the mid 70's about and first released in about 1977 under the "Bode Sound Company" Brand which was manufactured by Polyfusion under the name of Bode Vocoder 16 Channel Model 7702, and was then licensed to the Moog Synthesizer Brand in about 1978 which was then released as The Moog 16-Channel Vocoder 327A Model MBVO. Both Vocoders are almost identical in circuit design except for a few slight variations in the type of components that were used in each but functions and features are basically the same...

* Functions, Features & Input/Output Option:

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Interview with Hexfix93 of VAC

The following is an interview I just wrapped up with hexfix93 of Velvet Acid Christ. As you know, this site is about the gear, namely synths, and the gear that helps drive and enhance synths, but ultimately the focus is on synths.

I was chatting a bit with hexfix93 and asked him if he would be interested in a slightly different take on an interview, one focused on synths and their impact to his world. We all have our story regarding how our obsession with synths first started, how we see and approach synths and what they mean to us. I thought it would be interesting to hear his story. The following is the interview.

Before it begins, I want to thank hexfix93 for taking the time out for this. We all have a different approach and a different story when it comes to our synths. This is his. For more of his music check out VAC and don't miss Toxic Coma. Cheers, matrix.


1. What was your first synthesizer, how old were you when you picked it up, and why did you pick it up?

"It was some kind of old yamaha cheap thing. i got it for my atari st, so when i played games like leisure suit larry that the music wouldn't come from the wimpy fm built in sound, but a general midi synth instead. it really didn't sound all that great. i wasn’t really a keyboard player at this point.

The first synth i got as a keyboard player was a roland w30 sampler workstation. And we made like 3 records with that keyboard. i remember gary slaughter an x vac member, spilled orange vodka drink on it. and i had to take it apart and clean every part of it by hand slowly, it took weeks. it was a pure nightmare.

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RIP David Hillel Wilson - Curator of the New England Synthesizer Museum

via Jay Williston of Synthmuseum.com

"Dave Wilson, of the New England Synthesizer Museum has just passed away.

Dave was our inspiration for starting the Synthmuseum.com web site some 15 years ago.

So many of us in the electronic music field have made a trip up to see him in Nashua and his amazing collection. He is one of us and will be fondly remembered and missed.


http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/obituaries/836148-225/david-hillel-wilson.html

-Jay (of Synthmuseum.com)"

He was only 49:

"David Hillel Wilson, 49, passed away Friday, August 27th, 2010, in his Nashua home. Dave was born in Bronx, NY, on December 12, 1960, and grew up in Fairfield, CT. He was curator and founder of the New England Synthesizer Museum in Nashua. Dave is survived by his parents, Jay & Vivian Wilson, and his 3 siblings, Rebecca, Ruth and Daniel. A graveside service is planned for August 30th at 1 p.m. at the Agudas Achim cemetery on Reid Street in Fairfield, CT."

I was fortunate enough to visit Dave at the museum and communicated with him off and on via email. You can see all posts featuring Dave and the museum here [update: Blogger search appears to be broken; use the Google search box on the right]. He was extremely kind and gracious. Some might consider him a bit eccentric, but how could he not be. He lived literally surrounded by synths. For what it's worth I consider myself a bit eccentric and most of the people I appreciate in life are as well. The one thing that stood out for me overall though, was that he was just plain nice. It's something I value more than anything else in people I meet. The ability to just be nice to others. He was just one of those guys you liked knowing was out there doing his thing.

He loved synths as much if not more than anyone I've met and he loved ALL synths, not just the rare and the analog. I'll never forget him wailing the Star Wars theme and Emmerson's Lucky Man for me on the Yamaha DX7 with the Rhodes Chroma Polaris by it's side. I remember wondering why he chose those two out of everything else he had in the museum to play for me. I knew many of the pieces needed work, but he genuinely appreciated the DX7 and the Polaris for what they were. He told me a little about the two and the significance of the DX7. Of course he showed me all of the other synths in the museum including the very first ARP 2500 featured here.

He'd often pop up on the AH list with interesting bits of info. He always promptly replied to my inquiries via email. He was just a very kind, giving, and gentle soul. I remember asking him if he ever worried about people stealing from the museum. He told me a story about some kid trying to walk out with an SEM under his jacket. Dave didn't seem angry in telling me the story. It was just something to be aware of. I remember leaving the museum, dropping somewhere for a quick bite to eat and then popping back on the freeway back to Connecticut with my wife. Right as I was heading off a ramp to another freeway, I see a purple PT Cruiser with a SYNTHE license plate driving by. It was Dave! I remember thinking how cool is that! He didn't see me and he continued on while I went on the other freeway. I was hoping to visit him again some day. That unfortunately will never happen. 49 is way too young. Although I did not know him well, I will miss him very, very much. Dave, wherever you are, may the synths be with you. Today's posts are for you.


David Camlin

"The late David Wilson, curator of the New England Synthesizer Museum, discusses his collection of analogue synthesizers."video from October 2007

Note: This post went up at 10:50 AM. I post stamped it at 11:59 PM so it stays on top all day. As this literally was the first thing I woke to, I will put new posts up today below this one. Update via BexElttil in the comments: "Hi, Dave's sister Beckie here.. I would like to shed some light on how Dave died. He was in and out of the hospital since May 20th, they finally diagnosed him with amyloid AL. Basically, and extra protein attaches and grows to internal organs, there was no cure. We, the family did think he was going to beat it with chemo, God had other plans. He ultimately died of a heart attack on Friday afternoon. I guess they needed a really good synth engineer in heaven, and called for the best. If not for his friend checking on him daily and more than once a day, he might have been left there for days instead of hours. The museum does have a board, and my other brother Dan will be contacting them regarding what to do with the machines. Thank you, everyone for your kind words. I am awed by how many have known, loved, and respected Dave. I too, even as his sister, never had the chance to visit the museum. Blessings to you all. Beckie (Wilson) Basehore" Update via RuthsHere in the comments: "Hi there, (the OTHER sister chimes in.)
I hope you are all well. David was a pack rat(a family trait). It was a bit "sanford and son" over there. He knew what was important to him. Lack of funding kept the place in a little bit of a shambles. It's just how it was. Things could have been different, but that's not important anymore.

I am assisting Dan with organizing his material possessions. I had been in the "trenches" before and cleaned there a few times. I had ideas for his museum, but he really just wanted to do it his way.

Nothing is new to me when it comes to David except how much of an impact he has made on the world. I doubt he can ever be replaced, but I hope someone is able to finish repairs he started on some of the machines.

Thanks for everyone for their support and admiration. It's been a very pleasant surprise for his family.

Ruth Wilson"

An Interview with Barry Schrader

Hi everyone! As you know Barry Schrader will be giving his farewell concert at CalArts on September 26. The following is the beginning of my interview with him. I opted to post the questions and answers as they come in.  New QAs will get a new post so you do not miss them and they will be added to this post so we have one central post for the full interview. This should make it easier for all of us to consume in our busy lives, and it will allow you to send in any questions that may come to mind during the interview process.  If you have anything you'd like to ask Barry, feel free to send it in to matrixsynth@gmail.com.  This is a rare opportunity for us to get insight on a significant bit of synthesizer history, specifically with early Buchla systems, and I'd like to thank Barry for this opportunity. Thank you Barry!

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Rare Dewanatron Swarmatron FM Modulation Analog Ribbon Synthesizer

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

via this auction

"For your consideration is a very rare Swarmatron 8 Oscillator FM Modulation Analog Ribbon Synthesizer. It is in excellent physical, and 100% operational condition. Please refer to the specs and description below. Payment via paypal to include $ 85.00 shipping in the Continental U.S. within 48 hours of auction end. Overseas or International shipping is set at $ 250.00

This is a synth like no other, eschewing conventional controls, nomenclature and even an ordinary on/off switch. Is it destined to become a cult classic?

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CL Scams - Buyer Beware

See this post for common eBay scams.

A few CL scams were reported on the Analogue Heaven mailing list today. I thought I'd put a post up for new buyers. Always be careful out there. What I found interesting about the scams was when I think of Craigslist, I think of local pick-up only. I would never buy something from CL unless I was able to pick it up and try it out in person. I wondered what the seller might do if I were to state I'd like to pick it up and/or test it out. The following is an actual reply a list member, Mati, received from a seller:

"Hello,

My name is Sandra Cooper and I am now in London UK, the reason why I listed this ad in your local area is because a friend told me that I would get a better price and faster deal there than here in London and I am more than happy to ship it to you for free.
The item is in perfect condition barely used for a few hours so I wouldn't mind calling it brand new. Obviously we need a safe way to complete this deal without worrying about the safety of your money or my item.
The best way I could think of is to use a shipping company that will also act as an escrow service and found one with quite a good name.
I chose to use TNT WorldWide Transaction, a subsidiary of the well known(at least here in europe) TNT.
Using their services your money will be safe with them until you receive and check the product and I will rest assured that I'll get paid if you like and decide to keep the item. Also the company will provide you with 5 to 7 days to test the item and make sure you're making the right decision.
Please let me know what you think so I can explain to you the transaction steps in detail.

Thanks for your time,
Sandra."

The images in the listing were pulled from a valid Ebay auction.

A rule of thumb for Craiglist is to simply not buy unless you or a friend in the area can pick up and test the item in person. Make that clear to the seller, and if it's a scam the seller will most likely back out. And of course be careful meeting up with people. You never know what's out there. I'd pick a public place with outlets to test the gear. Bring headphones. Note Ebay is full of scams as well, review a seller's feedback, ask the right questions and be very careful. Also I try to filter out multiple scammers on the Ebay links on this site. If you catch any feel free to let me know and I'll review them for removal as well, but be careful, there are first time sellers out there and not everything suspect is a scam.

Update via Paul on AH:
"Hi all. Don't want to beat a dead horse, but there are a few methods by which you can suss out the type of scams we've been seeing on CL:
1. Do a google search on some of the text in the posting. I did that on the recent 909 scam and it returned clone ads in HongKong and Athens. I searched for the string "This is the one and only Tr-909. Nothing beats it! I had one a long time ago that wasn't as nice as this one." and google found some of the ads.
2. Another way is to use the jaxed service: http://jaxed.com/cgi-bin/mash.cgi?cat=mus&itm=roland&loc=&fil=tr-909&ys=&ye=&submit=++++go++++
I just tried it now, and it shows the same 909 ad in over 30 cities now! These people are more spammers than scammers, it seems. They spray ads like bullets and hope they hit someone. Small chance anyone here will be taken for a ride, but it's nice to have some tools to help spot these kinds of scams.
Again, sorry if I'm out of line here, but if it prevents people from posting about a great deal on CL the next time this happens, it will have served its purpose."

If you have any tips feel free to comment.

Absolute JUPITER 8 WAV Collection 1.9GB Roland JP8 JP6 MKS80 Samples Synthesizer

Published on Sep 22, 2016 SynthgodXXX

"Absolute Jupiter Wav Collection
by Rik Marston 100% No Talking!
**Watch in HD & with Headphones!**

This collection is on sale NOW on EBAY $9.99!!
SAME DAY DOWNLOAD via WeTransferPlus
Pay Today, PLAY IT TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!

All samples for this demonstration video were recorded into
Ableton Live 7 "Sampler" device with no effects!!
This demonstration video shows off some STRINGS, PADS & SWEEPS!!

.Wav Sample Names, Key Locations & place in video listed below:

JUPITER 8 "PHAZEPAD" C4 @00:04
JUPITER 8 "ANALOG BRASS" C3 @00:52
JUPITER 8 "SLICK" C3 @01:27
JUPITER 8 "STRINGS" C3 @02:33
JUPITER 8 "SWEEP" C3 @03:19
JUPITER 6 "EGYPTIAN" C3 @03:56
JUPITER 6 "EQUALITY" C3 @04:54
JUPITER 6 "HEAVEN STRINGS" C3 @05:55
JUPITER 6 "LANDSCAPE" C3 @06:32
JUPITER 6 "NEON" C3 @07:09
JUPITER 6 "STARGATE" C3 @08:04
MKS-80 "EUROPA X" C3 @08:56
MKS-80 "TRANCE LEAD" C3 @09:23
MKS-80 "VINTAGE STRINGS" C3 @10:05

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MATRIXSYNTH WIKI and Discusson List?

Update: I've decided to put this on hold. It turns out the Wiki site has a 100M limit which is a non starter for synth images, audio samples and the like. The votes on the list vs. forum below favor the forum and I do not want run both as it would just dilute information further. So.. for now things will remain as is. Thanks for taking the time out to vote and provide feedback everyone.

NOTE: this would have zero impact on the blog. This would mainly be for your use, not mine.

I've been toying around with the idea of a WIKI and Discussion/Email List.

Here's why:
WIKI
A number of people have suggested I turn MATRIXSYNTH into a WIKI that everyone can contribute to. That obviously isn't going to happen. MATRIXSYNTH the blog is what it is, a blog and it will remain the same. I do see the value of a WIKI though. There's Wikipedia, but when it comes to "EVERYTHING SYNTH" it can be difficult to navigate. There are also other synth wiki's out there, but most are either centralized on a single synth/topic or they get lost in the shuffle. I'd like to think our WIKI will have a chance as I can make it a permanent link in the header above. Note a WIKI is only as good as those that contribute to it and with the blog I will have very little time myself. That said, it will probably be a slow process, but I like to think long term. In five to ten years from now it could be quite the resource. I created one here and I added the list of manufacturers from my labels. Note in our world manufacturers include one offs and people that design synths, not just businesses. Vote below on whether or not you think this is worth doing.



Discussion/Email List
We currently have the Forum, however there are two problems with it. One it's hosted on a paid server so as it grows the cost of hosting it will grow and should something happen to me it will go down. Two, you have to actually go to it to see what's new and if you are tight on time like me, you may not check often. There are questions there that go unanswered and honestly there hasn't been much traffic on it, so I'm thinking now might be the right time to move to a Discussion Group. With a list, you don't have to do anything. The emails come to you and you can decide to engage or not. You can organize everything that comes in on your end as you want it and everything will be archived online. The Analog Heaven, SDIY and Waldorf lists are amazing for this. But... Analog Heaven has a strict rule on analog only, SDIY is pretty much SDIY and Waldorf, Waldorf. There's a list called Digital Hell that is supposed to compliment Analog Heaven for everything else, but it really doesn't get much traffic. The discussion list will be hosted here. Note that although the UI isn't great, most activity will be via email. The site will just serve as a searchabe archive. Another thing worth noting is that with the old forum you had to create a new separate account. The WIKI and the Discussion List are hosted by Google, so you can use a gmail account for them as well as comments here on the blog. Vote below on whether or not you think this is worth doing.



NOTE: for those voting no, feel free to comment why and/or email me directly with why. You can find my contact info on the bottom right of the site.

AJH Synth Patch of The Week Videos

video uploads by AJH Synth Official

Videos by supoorting member, DreamsOfWires.

Playlist: 1. Patch of The Week: The Sonic XV's Wave Folder - So many tones from just 1 VCO's Triangle wave

'Sonic Arps': The Sonic XV Transistor Diode Ladder Filter has a built-in Wave Folder, and in this video I'm using an arpeggiator in random mode to show the many subtle flavours of sound it can achieve from just a simple triangle wave from a single VCO. I will also pull a huge variety of timbres from a sine wave in a similar fashion.
The filter is a re-creation and expansion of the VCF from the Musonics Sonic V (5) synth of the 1970's (predecessor of the Moog Sonic Six), and shares a similar character to that of the EMS Synthi and VCS3, also being early diode filters. Bearing that in mind you might expect it to produce aggressive tones and chaotic feedback, which it can do well enough, but you might not have expected that it can also be very subtle, organic and warm in character, particularly well-suited to melodic arps/patterns and percussive sounds. With the added wave shaping functionality that wasn't present on the original, along with 24dB and 6dB low pass modes, and band pass filtering, this module packs a lot of tone shaping into 14hp.

Index:
00:00 'Sonic Arps'
00:34 Introduction
01:01 Assembling the patch
01:39 Sounds & Settings
04:33 Patch Sheet

A PDF file of the patch can be downloaded here: https://kvisit.com/8AE/xfUG

Patch notes:
Green dots show approximate pot and switch positions. Where a pot has two dots, this illustrates the range I move them during the video. Pots and switches that do not have green dots are not used in this patch, and should be left at their zero or off positions.
I'm using the VCA as a mixer so that I can use the outputs from both the BP and 6dB outputs of the Sonic XV. Notice in the video they are set at different volumes at different points depending on the sound - you will need to adjust this too, as different combinations of IN LEVEL, IN MIX, IN WAVE, and filter settings can make a significant difference to volume levels.
Modules used from left to right: Vintage Transistor Core VCO, Sonic XV, Contour Generators, Discrete Cascaded VCA.

2. Patch of the Week: 'Schulze School' - Melodic Eurorack performance + 'how-to' guide & patch sheet

This week's patch makes use of the V-Shape wave shaper/wave folder to sculpt the great analogue tone of the MiniMod VCO to create some delicate timbres that reminds us of Klaus Schulze's mesmerising sounds created on his sequencer-driven Moog modular synth systems in the 1970's. It also makes particular use of the Ring SM as a sub oscillator generator, and the rich tones of the Sonic XV diode filter.

Check out the AJH Synth playlists for more 'Patch of The Week' videos, which will be either performances or 'how to' guides detailing a range of sounds, some familiar, some less so, and each containing a patch sheet at the end to show you how to construct it for yourself.

3. Patch of the Week: 'Singing Gemini' - Dual Analogue VCF as a Dual Sine Wave VCO How to & patch sheet

This patch uses each of the 2 analogue filters of the Gemini as a dual VCO, self-oscillating, so that they produce sine waves and can be sequenced melodically using the Korg SQ-1 or any analogue step sequencer. This guide shows you how to make this patch, along with a patch sheet at the end. It is one of the many ways you can use just a couple of Eurorack modules to make music, as modular synthesis can be rewarding even with a minimal gear list.

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Upcoming Sound Labs at Amsterdam Dance Event Oct 14 - 18

Workshops at this years' Amsterdam Dance Event currently include Moog, STEIM, Ginko Synthese, and Falafular Synths. Details follow.

ADE Sound Lab: a modular synth heaven

"The modular synthesizer has always been an integral part of dance music, and ADE Sound Lab will shed a light on its heritage during a three day modular synth bonanza.
If you're planning on visiting ADE Sound Lab make sure to grab the annual ADE Card, which allows you to access MusicTalks and live performances.

Modular synths have been on the rise of late. Their new found popularity boosted the modular market in unforeseen ways. The market has spiked like never before, and there are ever more and more musicians, artists and producers making their own modular set up in search of unique sounds and machinery.

ADE Sound Lab focuses on the history and heritage of synths by inviting sound designers, inventors and even some legends of the modular world to inspire you with talks, workshops, performances and a Modular Market. By exhibiting the latest inventions in (modular) synthesis ADE explores the realm of the development of new electronic instruments, (modules for) modular synthesizer systems and audio installations, as well as innovations in the field of image and visualisations of sound. Amongst other work, ADE Sound Lab introduces the Modular Expo.

Do It Yourself Synth Building Workshops
You can not only play around with existing modules and modular systems, but you can also build your own synthesizer. ADE Sound Lab offers several Do It Yourself workshops, some free of charge, others for a fee. The latter will ensure you can take your brand new, playable synth back to your home studio.

Moog’s Chris Howe will head the workshops on Thursday and Friday. Friday will see a workshop that will be led by STEIM - Hypothetical Instruments, which will focus on the future of electronic music, what instruments will be needed and how we will correspond with those yet-to-be-invented modules. On Saturday, the DIY Workshop will be hosted by Ginko Synthese who will let you build your own synth with their very own DIY kits. They’ll even let you make a case to harness the instruments. Falafular will host on Saturday. If you like to learn more about prices and workshop registration, keep a close eye on our website and the respective event pages.

Workshops
Moog Werkstatt by Chris Howe (Moog Music Inc, US)
Werkstatt Workshop provides a way for synth experts and novices alike to explore subtractive synthesizers. Through hands-on instrument modifications, participants will learn the fundamentals of subtractive analog synthesis and the control voltage paradigm. Analog synthesizers have long had their own maker culture born of curious engineers, physicists and hobbyists who have created and crafted their sounds through electronic experimentation. It is our goal to share our love for learning, music, and electronics by encouraging everyone to create the world they want to hear, one mod at a time.

STEIM - Hypothetical Instruments
In this workshop you can design machines for creative expression. Working with low and no-tech, you’ll build non-functional instruments aimed at inventing the music machine of the future. By taking as a starting point how an individual imagines the experience of playing electronic music, we will spend the afternoon making the perfect machine or instrument for that person. This process is directly informed by the designers and researchers from Native Instruments, Johannes Kepler Universität and STEIM, with the goal of making instruments that are positioned on the bleeding edge of technology.

Ginko Synthese
Ginko Synthese, the braindchild of Jan Willem Hagenbeek, aims to close the gap between the stage and the studio. At ADE Sound Lab they will be presenting easy to build cheap DIY kits. The components are available at a reasonable price. The popularity of these kits is currently spreading across the world fast, meaning that a lot of new user codes are becoming available almost weekly. You can use these modules as granular oscillators, wavetable oscillators, drum synths and even as clock sources just by uploading a different code.

Falafular Synths
Falafular is the SDIY brand that enabled Falafelbiels (Niels Kloet) to build himself a fabulous modular synthesizer. The ’S’ in SDIY stands for soldering, and Niels Kloet will show you the nit and grit of Do It Yourself synth building.

ADE Sound Lab is organised by ADE, in cooperation with Creative Industries Fund NL, the Dutch fund that offers sound pioneers and innovators an opportunity to demonstrate what they are working on, as well as helping them to develop their talents further in a 'hot house' environment.

ADE Sound Lab
Dates: Thursday Oct. 15 - Saturday Oct. 17
Time: program starts at noon
Venue: Compagnietheater
ADE Sound Lab is a free program (except for the ADE MusicTalks series and live performances, free for ADE Card holders, also accessible for 1 & 5 Day conference ticket holders)."

MATRIXSYNTH Swag & Hall of Fame!!!

MATRISYNTH Ts are $20 in the US and $25 outside the US. This includes the shipping cost, three MATRIXSYNTH cards and one magnet.  A set of three cards and one magnet, minus the T, is $5.

The T-Shirts are from Gorilla Screen Printing - highly recommended. If you get Ts done by them, let them know you found out about them here.

Paypal any amount to matrixsynth *at* gmail.com. Be sure to include the shipping address, size and whether you'd like long or short sleeves.

Below are some MATRIXSYNTH Ts and cards spotted in the wild. If you have them, send them in!

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RIP Eddie Van Halen

VHTelevision

Update: Don't miss the 1982 interview below. Make the time. It is worth it.

Known for his mastering of the guitar, Eddie Van Halen also embraced synths in his music. As you are likely well aware of, Eddie played the OB-Xa in the classic Jump video above. You can see him solo at 2:34. The keyboard lines in Jump have essentially become to keyboardists what the guitar lines in Stairway to Heaven have become to guitarists.

He passed away today at the age of 65 after a battle with cancer. To say he will be missed is an understatement.

Interesting note: Eddie was also a classical pianist.

Eddie Van Halen on How He Switched From Kid Classical Pianist to Shredding Axeman

Billboard

"The legendary guitarist talks to Billboard about his rock'n'roll start as a kid and how a good guitar riff 'engulfs you.'"

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Eddie Van Halen Interview 1982 | Plays 'Jump' Keyboard Riff On The Phone

SimpsonMusic Productions

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And and interview with Sammy Hagar, post Jump and David Lee Roth, on Eddie's love for synths:

Who's to "Blame" for Van Halen's Use of Keyboards? | AUDIO ONLY


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Eddie Van Halen before Van Halen

Rock Pills

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Pic via Project EVH

One with his classic guitar via tumblr.

And some interesting history from Wikipedia:

"Born in Amsterdam,[3] Netherlands, Edward Lodewijk van Halen (Dutch: [ˈɛdʋɑrt ˈloːdəʋɛjk vɑnˈhaːlə(n)]) was the son of Jan van Halen and Eugenia van Halen (née van Beers). Jan was a Dutch clarinetist, saxophonist, and pianist, and Eugenia was an Indo (Eurasian) from Rangkasbitung on the island of Java in the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia).[4][5] The family eventually resettled in Nijmegen.[6]

In February 1962, the Van Halen family moved from the Netherlands to the United States, settling in Pasadena, California.[5] Both Eddie and his older brother, Alex van Halen, naturalized as U.S. citizens.[7] The brothers learned to play the piano as children starting at the age of six.[8][9] They commuted from Pasadena to San Pedro to study with an elderly piano teacher, Stasys Kalvaitis.[10]

We came here with approximately $50 and a piano, and we didn't speak the language. Now look where we are. If that’s not the American dream, what is?[11]

Van Halen revealed in an interview that he had never been able to read music. Instead, he learned from watching and listening. During recitals of Bach or Mozart, he would improvise. From 1964 through 1967, he won first place in the annual piano competition held at Long Beach City College.[10] Afterward, the judges would comment that he had an interesting interpretation of the classical piece. Van Halen's view was, "What? I thought I was playing it correctly!" However, according to one interview, playing the piano did not prove to be challenging or interesting to him.[12] Consequently, while Alex began playing the guitar, Eddie bought a drum kit and began practicing for hours every day."

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Update:

You can find additional posts mentioning Van Halen here. You'll find some demos and other interesting synth connections.

The following is a video I found while searching on YouTube. I was going to post this separately, but I thought it was a nice tribute to the song and an example of the influence Eddie has had on people in the synth community.

Van Halen's 1984 & Jump Covered on Oberheim OB-8

Inasimplerhyme

"First I play '1984' on the OB-8 and then 'Jump' along with the original song's stems. The ending I crafted is modeled after how they performed the song live on the 1984 tour. (Check out Jump + Montreal on youtube and you can see my inspiration.) I did this by editing together individual drum hits, guitar and bass parts from the split stems and other Van Halen songs."

Synth Stories

A thread by Ralph of insidemyOSCar went up on the Analogue Heaven mailing list asking people to share their funny synth stories. Here are my two entries, followed by a funny one from customsynth.co.uk. If you have any feel free to send them in and I'll update this post. I'll also add this to the More Stuff section towards the bottom right of the site.

My stories:
Several years back I went to Maui. I set my wife up with expectations that we would hit every single pawn shop while there. We never got around to it until the last day when we were partially sunburnt and just plain beat. I convince my wife to trek around the island. Over two hours of hitting pawn shops with nothing but jewelry we give up. On the way back to the hotel I see one. I ask her if we can go in and she says hell no. I then see a Taco Bell right next to it and realize its about lunch time and we are pretty hungry. I say how about Taco Bell? :) I manage to get us a quick look in the pawn shop and sitting in the back I see a beige drum machine. I think, no, it can't be. I'm thinking it's probably just a TR-707, but when I get up to it, it's the 909. I pick it up and aside from being dusty it's in prestine condition. I see a few amps and ask if I can try it out. They go searching for a cable for about 15 minutes and can't find one. I'm thinking maybe it's busted, but I look for a price and see a little sticker on it. 220, no $. I think, no way... that can't be the price. I ask someone and it happens to be the owner of the shop. I shout accross the room "is 220 the price?!" The response? Oh, I can take $30 off of it! I whip out my credit card. Cash only. I have no cash. I ask him if there is an ATM near by. He says there's one accross the street, but he's closing shop as he has a movie to catch. He suggests the next day, but my plane leaves before they open. I ask him to give me five minutes. I run accross the street (think hwy/mini freeway), get the cash and run back. I get back and I see him locking up the doors. I get that sinking feeling in my stomach. He turns around and he has the 909! I pay for it and head back to the hotel. It's in pristine condition both cosmetically and functionally.

Another story, this one short. I went to a local guitar center and they had a Pro-One sitting there. I ask them if I can try it out and the guy says yes but it's broken - one note just hangs. Their tech looked at it and couldn't figure it out. I buy it for $125, take it home, open it up and bend a j-wire so it isn't in constant contact with the bar. Worked perfectly after that. :)


customsynth.co.uk
"the sh09 and sixtrak i found in a farmers barn , covered in hay and i mouse nest in the sixtrak was an interesting find , both were just rust buckets , but looked great chromed , and the sh black and orange , both are on my home page ,
jeff : )"

Update: see the comments for more. I also added a link to the More Stuff section twoards the bottom right of the site.

Driscoll Modular

Update: Some comments with additional info from Ken below. Click on comments at the end of this post.

Wow. Josue Arias sent this to me. You can put this on the list of the rarest of the rare. I'm not one to benchmark rarity against, but I've never seen or even heard of one of these before. The only thing that comes up on Google is this site with a brief reference of the Driscoll. The Analog Heaven archives come up dry as well.

Josue refers to the Driscoll as a Driscoll/Serge modular. He states, "the 'serge' part is just because the similar modules in it (Slope generators, Random voltages, cv processors, Analog shift register,...) and because my system even have a serge 5 stage sequencing programmer!, but driscoll designed the same functions than the serge modular using another electronic aproach and design, so is not a clone(!)"

The Driscoll was built in the 70s by Australian composer/designer/engineer Julian Driscoll. Josue, believes the original Driscoll was a 10-12 panel system.

As for the sound?
"The sound for this synth is incredible, its really "organic", it sound like creatures more than electronics : ) I have it next to my 4 panel serge and I really like the driscoll sound a lot more."

http://www.cyndustries.com/bugmusic/17.mp3

"All the water drops/woodblocks/marimba/rithms, comes from the driscoll. I think it show the organic qualities. I`m ataching you a couple of photos but they are from my old studio"

Wow. Thanks for sharing this Josue.

Update:
Josue gave me the ok to post the following thread. Thanks Josue!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I`ve found some of the conversaions I had with australian composer
Warren Burt, He used the Driscoll and even it have a CD now for sale
made with it!:

"Hello Mr. Burt,

I`m Josue Arias, a musician and sound engineer from Madrid(SPAIN)
I just got the old Segemodular tape from 1983, and I`ve found you have
a nice piece there called "You want, maybe, something a little intense
diatonic?"

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Possible Repair Technique for the 80017a, the Juno-106 Voice Chip

YouTube via rolandsh1000

"Upfront, I'd like to say that I take no credit for inventing this technique, only for demonstrating it. I was inspired to try it by two compelling images that a person named Ramcur had posted on Flickr. I emailed him and he told me what he had done. So very special thanks to Ramcur for the method, and thanks to Chris Strellis (http://www.strellis.com) and K/Modeless Factory (http://modelessfactory.com) on the Analog Heaven mailing list for sending me sample failed chips to test this method out. Please visit their sites and patronize their services!

Some background: my HS-60 had 4 bad voices so I removed those 80017a's with plans to buy clones sometime in the future. But after I stumbled across Ramcur's photos, I tried to see if these chips could be repaired. I first used a professional heat gun, and I was able to salvage 2 of the 4 chips satisfactorially by simply removing the resin coating of the chips (the right heat allowed me to peel the coating off). But that was still only 50% yield and about 30minutes messing around with the heat gun - not easy.

After Ramcur emailed me back about using acetone, I tried it on a bad 80017 that Chris Strellis had sent me and it worked great. So I decided to create a video to show how this might be done. In the video, my HS-60 has been fitted with SIP socket to allow for quick swap out of the chips for testing. These sockets are in voice slots 2 and 3. Slot 1 has a 'known good' chip for comparison. In the final part of the video, I installed the chip that I was able to get "cleaned" in slot 2 for comparison to the good chip in slot 1 (slots 3, 4, 5, and 6 have no chips/are empty). I apologize for the bad lighting in that last part.

Does this really fix the chips? What about longer-term performance? The chips I've "rescued" so far I have put in my constantly-powered-on HS-60 for over a week and checked them twice a day and all of them no longer had any popping or cracking or cut-outs or runaway resonance or any of the classic failure modes of the 80017a. They did sound slightly different chip-to-chip, but I think that was due to me not recalibrating the trimmers for each voice.

Should you try this? I'd say you have nothing to lose and, as I show, it's pretty easy to do. If you already have a bad voice chip in your 106 or HS-60, you already would have to desolder it to install the reportedly-excellent clones from D'Naab (http://www.analoguerenaissance.com). So you could try this method first and, if it doesn't work or it's not to your liking, or you just want the comfort of something pretty much guaranteed, then you can always get the clone.

As the weeks go forward and I get time, I'll be subjecting this method to a lot of known-dead chips. I'll try to report back how that goes.

Good luck!"
Roland Juno-106 chip fix - IC repair

a free analog synthesizer in every magazine

nick sent the following in to the Analog Heaven (AH) list. I asked him if I could put it up here and he gave me the OK.

"It's fairly common especially in Japanese kids magazines to include a free toy of some sort.

There's a rather unusual magazine about inventions and the science behind them aimed at adults called Otona no Kagaku. It's sold mostly in bookstores who usually keep the back issues in-stock if they have room.

They always try to include some kind of amazing kit packaged inside each issue. What's amazing that it actually (more or less) works. Mind you the inventions are borderline toys. And of course the high issue price cearly means it not actually free. It's not like some promo item a company is giving away that the company foots the bill for.

Some past examples have been an Edison grammaphone that uses styrofoam coffee cups instead of wax cylinders to record and play from and recently a very minimal Theremin amusingly shaped like a dollhouse sized plastic RCA Theremin. link

So if that's not enough, they do occasional special issues costing more with something they couldn't stuff into a regular issue. For instance a Berliner disc phonograph that cuts some seconds worth of analog sound with a needle into a spinning CD disc that you choose to sacrifice. On July 30 their next special issue will feature an analog synth along the lines of a PAIA Gnome with a few cut corners (no VCA). link

It's about $30 in Japan and it's quite possible to find them in the $40 something range either online or occasionally in Japanese language bookstores (seen other issues in Asahiya though not Kinokuniya) if you wait a few weeks. The good thing is that it's borderline like a book means it's actually likely to be easier to get than a regular magazine.

They feature their consultations with Hideki (Logic System) Matsutake, who is without a doubt the go-to man in Japan for all things synthesizer in the mainstream Japanese media.

It also occurs to me that because of the low price and it's being sold with a magazine, for better or worse this probably will be the biggest selling analog synth of all time.

nick
http://technopop.info"

"Some quick additions.

It is more or less a kit and I have no idea how easy it will be to put together if the instructions are in Japanese.

I have no idea where the best place to get it but I doubt it will be too hard to get since past issues can be bought.

I'd search for "otona no kagaku" on ebay and online for English language pages. "Gakken" will get you more hits.

Be aware it's not out yet, it goes on sale 7/30 in Japan and retailers in other countries might not see it for a month or so."

Hoy Crap! GUITORGAN Analog Guitar Synth SN 1444

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

via this auction (yes it is "Hoy")
See the MCI channel label below for more.

via the seller: "Oh sweet mother of pearl! It's the Guitorgan. Here's the skinny:

What the 'ef is it? It's a late 60s or early 70s guitar/organ. Each fret is segmented, so the "brain" can read each note and make organ-like sounds, which really sound more like cheesy synth patches. It's also a regular guitar, and the footpedal/power supply thingy has an output for organ and straight guitar built right in along with a volume pedal. The guitar itself also has a regular 1/4" guitar out.

Where the 'ef did it come from? As I understand it, the Guitorgan company was in business a long time, mostly kept afloat by the inventor himself. The guitar itself seems to me to be some kind of Norma or similar Japanese guitar. The knobs, hardware, pickups, tuners, all scream Norma/Grecco and other imported guitars of that period.

What the 'ef does it sound like? Well…..it's actually not as bad as you'd think. Listening to the strait organ sound, you get a miniature forrest of switches to change the pitch, tone, waveform, add vibrato etc. But overall, it sounds for all the world like a cheese ball Lowery organ. What's cool about it is mixing that tone back in with the regular guitar sound. Then it starts actually sounding good.

What's even more interesting is that it if you slide or bend a string, you misstrigger the fret/switch, and that adds some random weirdness to what you are playing. So if you get all geeky and take the regular guitar sound and distort it, then mix it with the vibrating organ sound, you actually get something pretty huge and unique. A guy who puts a lot of time into using both sounds with a lot of pedals is likely to make some really special sounds with this. Add to that the idea that there's no reason the guitar has to be in tune with the organ since it's triggered off the frets. Tune every string a 5th out and you've got something crazy sounding.

I should also point out that you can also play this thing with one hand because the organ doesn't rely on the right hand strumming or plucking. So you can hold a full chord and the organ sound will play while you pick individual notes. Try it with Stairway to Heaven and you'll dig it. Also note the button by the nut: you can hit that and it triggers another chord, so you can play it open I suppose. I'm not really sure what that button and the button on the pick guard are supposed to do.

Condition: this Guitorgan is complete and appears to be working great. The cable is good, the foot pedal is good, the case is original. The guitar is played but I find no major flaws on it.

Playability: the action is fairly high on this guitar, and I think it has 11s on it right now. But it plays fine, though I think it would benefit from new and lighter strings. The guitar itself is HEAVY because of all the electronics."

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1968 RA Moog Modular IIIC

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

via this Reverb listing

"A 3-cabinet authentic, period correct all RA Moog modules system that dates from 1968.

This instrument forms a part of the RL Music Vintage Synthesizer Collection. We have managed to keep some of the very best examples of Vintage Synthesizers that have come through our business over the last 22 years which we kept for our pleasure and interest. Whilst having a privileged position as a specialist dealer in this genre of equipment, we managed to hang on to particular instruments that were interesting and inspiring. The RA Moog Modular IIIC is one of 40 instruments we have, but is the oldest and most historically important.

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Metasonix TS-22 Pentode Filterbank Serial Number 2

via this auction

"The TS-22 Pentode Filterbank is an analog filter that utilizes four unique vacuum-tube bandpass filters. That provides you with four independently sweep-able and tune-able filters over a four-octave range. Capable of complex filtering, the TS-22 lets you sweep the lows, mids, highs, etc. independent of one another or you can latch them all in unison. Tweaking can be accomplished from the knobs on the unit or via external CV sources from other analog equipment. A round window at the center of the unit provides a view of the glowing tubes at work inside!

The TS-22's unique use of vacuum-tubes gives it a unique sound that is analog, clean and sometimes unpredictable. Also included is a vacuum-tube pentode voltage-controlled amplifier (VCA) to shape the effect of the filter on your sounds. Adjustable resonance that leads to self-oscillation for each filter is also a treat! CV inputs to control the filter sweeps and VCA allow easy integration with your existing analog synths! The TS-22 is not your typical filter, but its unique approach may do wonders for your synth sounds, loops, samples and/or human voices!

Specifications
Polyphony - Mono Input/Output
Oscillators - n/a
LFO - n/a
Filter - 4 vacuum-tube bandpass filters with resonance; staggered frequency ranges in one-octave increments, starting at 50 Hz; 1-octave range sweeping via knobs or external CV; Individual tuning controls for each filter from F to F.
VCA - built-in vacuum tube VCA to shape filters, usable with any external envelope generator via CV
Keyboard - None
Memory - None
Control - CV Input for filter sweep and VCA

Product review:
"WHAT A BEAST! Nothing like the FAT thick tube sound this thing pushes. Not like the newer TM-2 they are selling now. This is the real deal. Its not going to give you that pristine prissy glass sound of "liquid analogue"; its going to beat your face in! So, I cant say its the absolute most clean and clear filter out there, but for what it is designed for, it DEFINITELY does the trick! I've gotten some WILD stuff from this thing. Try sending squarepusher through this baby......OUCH"

"Built like a tank, solid rackmount unit. Could be used anywhere. Just dont throw it down a flight of stairs and you should be fine....it does have glass TUBES inside! LOTS OF TUBESSSSS!!!!!!"

"Excellent device. Does things NOTHING ELSE CAN DO. This is an ORIGINAL old school piece of gear! Because of the shitty market demand, people will only buy cheap little stomp-box devices. People dont appreciate the beauty of true vintage synthesizers anymore. This thing is UNIQUE and RARE!!! If you see one, GET IT!!! Hell, I'll buy another one off you. It took me two years of searching, finally a friend told me a local band had one for some reason. A bit pricey, but worth it. From what I understand, less than a dozen were made. It is a unique part synthesizer history---REALLY! If I lost this, I would probably kill someone. Then I would begin the long hike back to tube synth heaven--maybe in another 2 years I'd find a replacement....""

via brian comnes

Update via brian in the comments: "If I remember correctly , Eric only made a couple dozen of these ,and abandoned production mostly because the parts were so expensive ....if you have the balls (not afraid of 140 Volts) and tube project skills, the schematic is available online at http://www.cgs.synth.net/tube/ts22.html

not a beginner's project"