Space Brain Circuits Poly Sequencer V3 | DAWless Dream Machine

video upload by Space Brain Circuits

Poly Sequencer V3 | Getting Started
video upload by Space Brain Circuits

"The POLY SEQUENCER is a MIDI based polyphonic step sequencer that records up to 128 steps. The Poly Sequencer works by recording a sequence by a MIDI controller, and outputting the recorded sequence via an external MIDI enabled device. The Poly Sequencer’s tempo is controlled by the Internal Clock by use of the Tempo Knob or Tap Tempo. However, the Poly Sequencer may also be synced to external gear by use of the Gate In, or receiving MIDI Clock messages. The rate at which the steps are sequenced is controlled by the Division section, representing the number of steps played per clock. By Default, the Poly Sequencer can store up to 5 notes per step with 1 Velocity and 1 CC reading, however the user may choose to change the Sequence Type which varies the stored data depending on the mode selected. Additional functionality includes saving, auto generating blank sequences, as well as step override/ interrupt/ transpose during playback. Firmware versions may also be upgraded by USB connection.

0:00 Intro
0:40 Sequence Type Per Step
1:12 Midi Thru
1:45 How to Record a Sequence
2:26 Record a Tie
2:55 Record a Rest
3:15 Record CC
3:35 Modes
4:03 Transpose
4:23 Override
5:07 Interrupt
5:35 How to Save
5:48 Subscript Functions
6:25 Motion Control and CC Demo"

via Space Brain Circuits Etsy

"The Poly Sequencer V3 is a MIDI based polyphonic step sequencer that records up to 128 steps. The Poly Sequencer works by recording a sequence by a MIDI controller, and outputting the recorded sequence via an external MIDI enabled device. The Poly Sequencer’s tempo is controlled by the Internal Clock by use of the Tempo Knob or Tap Tempo. However, the Poly Sequencer may also be synced to external gear by use of the Gate In, or receiving MIDI Clock messages. The rate at which the steps are sequenced is controlled by the Division section representing the number of steps played per clock. By Default, the Poly Sequencer can store up to 5 notes per step with 1 Velocity and 1 CC reading, however the user may choose to change the Sequence Type which varies the stored data depending on the mode selected. Additional functionality includes saving, auto generate blank sequences, as well as step override/ interrupt/ transpose during playback. Firmware versions may also be upgraded and/ or changed by USB connection.

Sequence Types:
The Poly Sequencer’s operation may be adjusted depending on the Sequence Type selected. The Sequence Type defines what type of data is stored for each step. For Example, Mode 0 stores up to 5 notes, with 1 Velocity and 1 CC reading per step.

Mode 0 (Default): 5 Notes, 1 Velocity, 1 CC
Mode 1: 4 Notes, 2 CC
Mode 2: 4 Notes, 4 Velocity
Mode 3: 1 Note, 1 Velocity, 3 CC
Mode 4: 0 Notes, 3 CC
Mode 5: 8 Notes

9V center positive DC adapter not included."

Space Brain Circuits MidiVolts Desktop - Polyphonic 4 channel Midi to CV Controller

video upload by Space Brain Circuits

0:00 Introduction
0:30 Modes
3:38 Polyphonic Moog Grandmother
4:25 Duo Mode
5:19 Poly3 Mode
5:57 Demo Sounds with Reverb
6:57 Calibration and SysEx Messages

Followed by:
MidiVolts Desktop - Beginners Guide
Moog Grandmother | MidiVolts Desktop - Moonlight Sonata
Moog Grandmother | MidiVolts Desktop: Chords
MidiVolts Desktop - Poly Moog Grandmother

via Etsy

"The MidiVolts Desktop is a MIDI based 5 octave CV controller. The device contains 4 separate CV outputs with an associated Gate output. These CV outputs are called voices, and are named V0, V1, V2, V3. Each voice operates on the 1 volt per octave standard for eurorack and most hardware synthesizers. The device uses 6 different modes (MONO, DUO, UNISON, POLY3, POLY4, CC) to control each voice in different ways. See below for descriptions of each Mode. The device also contains a Midi to Clock output conversion and further customizations with SysEx midi messaging.

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Space Brain Circuits DarkSky-4 | Stereophonic Analog Polysynth

video upload by Space Brain Circuits



"All sounds are directly from DarkSky-4 without any external effects or plugins.

User manual: https://github.com/SpaceBrainCircuits..."

New synth priced at $699.00, from the maker of MidiVolts.

"DarkSky-4 is a 4 voice stereophonic analog synthesizer.The synthesizer consists of 4 independent oscillators that can be played monophonically, paraphonically or polyphonically. Each oscillator is equipped with a dedicated VCA and Envelope, which allows for better musicality and the ability to sound each note as it is pressed. Each oscillator contains a sawtooth and square wave, which can be mixed to generate various timbres and sounds. The square waveform can be gradually adjusted from a square waveform to a narrow pulse width waveform to further expand the sonic characteristics of the oscillators. The synthesizer also features two 24dB low pass filters with dedicated controls for cutoff frequency and resonance peak. DarkSky-4 provides several ways to add modulation to the audio signal, including frequency modulation, pulse width modulation, and filter modulation. The unit was designed to create a more expansive soundscape for studio and performance settings. The filter adjustments, along with filter modulation, provide a wide range of stereo effects when in stereo mode. Additionally, the semi-modular patch bay can be used to further modulate multiple sources of controls."

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MidiVolts Desktop | Moog Mavis

video upload by Space Brain Circuits

"A little demo on using the Moog Mavis with the MidiVolts Desktop. The LFO rate CV response is good for only a couple octaves. Nonetheless, you can still get some cool results. Thanks for watching!

Patch Diagram:
https://github.com/SpaceBrainCircuits...

If interested in a MidiVolts Desktop, you can purchase here! https://spacebraincircuits.com/pages/..."

Patch Diagram:

DarkSky-4 | Poly Sequencer V3 | Synth Punk

video upload by Space Brain Circuits

Gear Used:
DarkSky-4
Poly Sequencer V3
HOF Reverb

See the announcement post here.

Polyphonic Moog Grandmother with MidiVolts Desktop

video upload by Space Brain Circuits

See this post for additional details.

Albireo | Ambient Moog Minitaur + Mavis

video upload by Claus Gahrn

"Longform generative ambient music on the Moog Minitaur and Moog Mavis.

MIDI sequenced in Ableton Live

Software effects: Valhalla Supermassive + Soundtoys Crystallizer

MIDI to CV: MidiVolts Desktop by Space Brain Circuits"

Stolen Gear - Help Needed

via Jeremy of MODEL WORKER: "This past weekend my bands practice space (in chicago) was broken into and A LOT of gear was stolen. Unsurprisingly a number of these items you have inadvertently helped us track down with your blog.

A few items here are not synths but I'm going to include them anyways as they were part
of this heist. I'm just hoping people can keep their eyes open and just maybe help some of these items we spent so much time acquiring, repairing and recording, find their way back to us."

If you can help in any way, contact Jeremy at gallo75 *at* gmail.com

Also listed on http://www.myspace.com/modelworker

Stolen Gear List (October 4th, 2009)

Synthesizers (keyboards):
-Roland Jupiter 4
-Roland Jupiter 8 (serial# 192078)
-Moog Source
-ARP OMNI MK 2 string synth (serial# 24730779)
-Korg MiniKorg 700s (serial# 00344)
-Sequential Circuits Pro One (serial# 1473)
-EMU Emulator II synth with floppy disks
-Sequential Circuits Six Trak

Drum machines:
-Korg KR-55 drum machine
-CR-8000 drum machine
-Simmons full electronic hexagon drum set
-Simmons SDS V brain (1 bass, 1 snare, 4 toms cards)

Other Gear:
-Roland Chorus Tape Echo RE 501
-Dr. Click (Garfield Electronics)
-Oberheim DSX sequencer
-Peavey KB-300 amp
-Univox Pro Verb reverb Unit
-Shure sm58 mic scratched up from 70s


Guitars:
-Epiphone Les Paul guitar light/beige yellow three pick-ups
-1969 Fender knockoff bass guitar ("Fender Bender" written on headstock)

Update: recovered! :)

RIP Stanley Lunetta

Stanley Lunetta passed away on March 3 this year.  The first I heard of it was via Chuck Stephens in the comments on Ray Wilson passing away, posted yesterday. Lunetta was known for his Lunetta CMOS synth used in a number of synth DIY projects. You can find a collection of his work featured here on MATRIXSYNTH.

On his passing via The Sacramento Bee:

"Percussionist, composer, sculptor and much-loved icon of the local music community Stanley Lunetta relentlessly explored avant garde music while maintaining a legendary career. He died March 3 from brain cancer in Sacramento.

Lunetta played drums for Music Circus, missing only two weeks of performances until his retirement in 2008 after 54 years. He also served as the music contractor who assembled orchestras for Music Circus from 1973 until his retirement. He also was the principal timpanist for the Sacramento Symphony Orchestra, Sacramento Philharmonic Orchestra, Sacramento Opera and Sacramento Choral Society and was an instructor of timpani and percussion at UC Davis and Chico State."

On Lunettas via MsModular:

"The Lunetta is an electronic instrument that uses primarily CMOS chips for gates, Boolean logic, and mathematical functions for sequenced sounds. A Lunetta is basically a simple rhythmic modular musical computer that makes abstract sounds in sometimes unpredictable ways. It is a beautiful experimental synthesizer.

Lunettas are most typically DIY instruments, although there are a few small boutique manufacturers that sell them. ElectroLobotomy for example sells a few simple Lunetta synthesizers on Etsy.

The most beautiful part of a Lunetta is that one can make one for themselves and experiment with its functionality and layout. The guide for making a Lunetta can be found here: Intro to Lunetta CMOS Synths. The introduction goes into Stanley Lunetta’s concept, and provides an introductory guide for making them. Every Lunetta though is made a bit differently, as they often reflect the makers preferences."

The image above is via electro-music.com. Stanley Lunetta's work was frequently discussed on the electro-music.com forums. I highly recommend doing a search on Lunetta there.

Updates via Chuck Stephens in the comments:

"Thanks for posting this. Stanley and Ray were huge! Their work showed me the direction to take when I started learning to build circuits. My lunetta synth has influences from both men, as well as Eric Archer, Forrest Mimms, Reed Ghazala, etc.- we stand on the shoulders of giants!

BTW- My lunetta cost less than $100 and has 36 modules (so far!). It's built into an old rifle case I found in a dumpster and the panels are cut from 4" square PVC fence posts from Home Depot. Steel nuts and bolts and alligator clip test leads handle patching duties. Save more- work less!"

Here's a noise piece from my lunetta synth:


Buster-Jangle by nepchune from chuck stephens on Vimeo.

"This is my Lunetta noise synth run through a Ross Time Machine digital delay. I love the sounds this thing makes. The video features Honey Boy the Cat doing what he does."

And here's a song from the same rig:


Confidence is High by nepchune from chuck stephens on Vimeo.

"This is 90-95% Lunetta with a tiny dab of Kaossilator and Korg R3 (the explosion sounds and the 'pip' on the fast part) and an Arduino based 'auduino' granular synth for the lead (say what you want about Arduino- this little granular synth sounds great and provides a nice 'live' element). The Lunetta part forms the basis of the song and it is completely unedited- this is how it came out of my machine. I used two of Eric Archer's Mini Space Rockers for the percussion sounds and they are completely Lunetta controlled. The drum sounds are routed through a Ross Time Machine digital delay and the spacey bass sound is created by routing my lunetta-integrated Atari Punk Console through a Korg Pandora guitar processor. The other 7 Lunetta voices are unprocessed. This track is the closest I've come to integrating my interest in generative music and my skills for arrangement and song writing. I set out to create a traditional song structure and sound and I'm really pleased with it. It shoes that a Lunetta isn't just a noise machine- although I love noise, too. I love what my Lunetta makes possible. Lightning in a bottle!"

Dave Smith Was an Ironman Triathlete

In case you missed it in this post, Roger Linn noted Dave Smith was "an avid athelete, cyclist and triathlete. He actually participated in the Hawaii Ironman Triathlon in his younger years..."

@birdkids reminded me of an article on the development of the Prophet VS archived on the WaybackMachine. In it, Chris Meyer mentions Dave was in Hawaii prepping for the tournament during that time. I thought it was interesting and worth sharing. I captured it below.

"Date: Wed, 15 Jan 1997 07:55:41 -0800
From: Xrystal
MIME-Version: 1.0
Subject: Birth of the Prophet VS

I thought the following might be of interest to you. Xrystal
_____________________________________________________________________


The Birth of the Prophet VS

By Chris Meyer, ex-employee of Sequential Circuits

reprinted from the VS WaveWrangler User Guide by permission of Interval Music Systems,
©1991 Interval Music Systems.

It all started somewhere in 1985. We were still working on the Prophet 2000 sampler,
and as resident historian (in other words, I had the most magazines and manuals) another
engineer was asking me to explain how various instruments performed crossfades. I had
finished discussing the Fairlight, and had moved on the PPG - explaining its wavetables,
and the ability for it to scan a group of waves first in one direction and then back again,
While I was scrawling this back and forth motion in my notebook, suddenly a little twinge
went off in the back of my head, and myhand drew the next line arcing down the page.. and the
concept of crossfading beween waves in two dimension, not just one, was born.

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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. ;)

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