Invasion From Within — Malcolm Cecil - Tonto & KiNo Update

The schedule of live performances link in this post is fixed.

Live! — Part 3

TONTO at 1:42
"Poet of Sound and Image KiNo presents a film in episodes: Live!
Documentary of life and collaborations in New Vague City.

This film is dedicated to my friend Ira Cohen who passed away recently; leaving behind a materialised account of the akashic records in his poems, photographs, films and inspiring conversations with the individuals whom were graced by his friendship.

With highlights from the KiNo Exhibition — Invasion from Within.
Featuring footage of the performances with musical legends Malcolm Cecil (Pioneer of electronic music) and Andy Rourke (The Smiths).

Ira Cohen film
The Invasion of Thunderbolt Pagoda
strangebeautiful.net/​2007/​08/​16/​ira-cohen/​

Made by 9"

Announcing Modular Icons Sound Bank for Kontakt!

Published on May 9, 2019 moogfoundation

"We are thrilled to announce our collaboration on the new MODULAR ICONS sound bank with industry giant Native Instruments, featuring some of the most coveted, rare, vintage modular synthesizers in the world. Modular Icons features sounds by Jean-Michel Jarre, Steve Porcaro, Mark Isham, Jeff Rona, Michael Boddicker, Benge, Walter Holland, Robing Rimbaud (Scanner), Francis Preve, Dan Goldstein, Jim Solomon, Kurt Ader, and Paca Thomas.

This video features sound design guru Francis Preve during his visit to the National Music Centre of Canada to sample the legendary TONTO, one of the many modulars featured in this sound bank. Find out more here."

WORF SON OF MOOG Album Cover

TONTO in the background.

Also see his salesman promotin pic here.

Some Star Trek for you.

SYNTH EVOLUTION - Illustrations of Classic Synthesizers

"SYNTH EVOLUTION is a new business specialising in illustrations of classic synthesizers, from the earliest Moog and Buchla systems of the early 1960s, right up to the introduction of the first analogue modelling synths of the early 1990s.

Every synth manufactured during that time has been covered - from the big names of Moog, Roland and Yamaha to the more esoteric products from RMI, Wersi and Powertran. Between them, all these synthesizers - and more importantly, the musicians who use them, have transformed music of the last 50 years bringing previously undreamt of sounds and styles to musical culture.

The first range of products from SYNTH EVOLUTION are stylish white ceramic mugs emblazoned with illustrations of these mighty instruments. There is a selection to browse from on the website, but any synth from a list of over 270 can be requested!

Note that currently only synthesizers are available - drum machines, samplers and more recent instruments are in the pipeline, as are other products.

Delivery worldwide.

www.synthevolution.net

Pictured:

Moog Modular 3C (1967)

Buy now

The Moog Modular Synthesizer 3C (1967) was one of Robert Moog's earliest instruments and formed the basis of what was to become the world's largest modular synthesizer 'TONTO'. Created by Malcolm Cecil, 'The Original New Timbral Orchestra’ eventually comprised two Moog Modular 3C's as well as many other modules from other manufacturers.




Arp 2600 (1971)

Buy now

The Arp 2600 was created in 1971 by Alan R. Pearlman and has been a classic ever since. Notable users are too numerous to list in full, but include Stevie Wonder, Jean-Michel Jarre, Orbital, Rick Wakeman and Nine Inch Nails. It was also used to create R2D2's bleeps and bloops in Star Wars.


Yamaha CS-80 (1977)

Buy now

The polyphonic Yamaha CS-80 is synonymous with the lush chord sound of Vangelos - such as the opening sequence of Bladerunner.

Released in 1977, it's eight note polyphony was a revelation, but it's 90kg weight meant some serious weight training was required to own one.


Con Brio ADS 200 (1980)

Buy now

The Con Brio Advanced Digital Synthesizer (ADS) 200 was an extraordinary synthesizer released in 1980 costing over $20,000. Based on additive synthesis, FM, phase modulation and some other esoteric sound generation methods it had 64 note polyphony and 16 oscillators per note.

Quite a beast, and a splendid looking one too - perfect for a retro-futuristic mug of tea!

—————
SYNTH EVOLUTION is the brainchild of Oli Freke, a composer and musician who’s had a lifelong passion for the synthesizer. He has previously supported the Human League on tour, run a dance music label, performed live house and techno in clubs and festivals, performed Brazilian drumming at the world famous Glastonbury festival and composed music for television. Find out more at www.olifreke.co.uk"

Moogfest 2014 Presenters Include Makers Roger Linn, Dave Smith, Tom Oberheim, Don Buchla, Forest Mims & More

"Moogfest 2014 Announces Daytime Presenters Including Futurists, Musicians, Scientists, Authors, Filmmakers, and Pioneers of Electronic Music Instrument Design

Phase 1 tickets start at $199 for 5-Day General Admission, and $499 for 5-Day VIP Admission while supplies last through December 19 when Phase 2 GA tickets go up to $299. All prices exclusive of applicable fees.

ASHEVILLE, NC – November 14, 2013 – Moogfest is a five-day festival dedicated to the synthesis of technology, art and music. Since its inception in 2004, Moogfest has been a magnet for artists, engineers, and enthusiasts of Bob Moog. With an experimental lineup of daytime conference programming featuring cultural, artistic and technological luminaries and punctuated by a diverse line up of landmark nightly performances, Moogfest honors the creativity and inventiveness of Dr. Robert Moog and pays tribute to the legacy of the analog synthesizer. This is no ordinary festival.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Synths in TV and Film

Note: some of the videos below have been pulled from YouTube, but I'm keeping mention of them up as a reference that they are out there.

Let the page load before scrolling - it's a long one.
Be sure to see the Synth Movies list and see the Synth Movies and Synth TV and Film labels for more.

1. Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Synths: ARP 2500 played by Phillip Dodds, head of ARP Engineering, Yamaha CS-?.


2. Fame Synths: ARP 2600, MOOG Minimoog

CLICK FOR MORE »

Analogue Synthesizer goes Berlin Old school (GRP A8, Minimoog, Moog Prodigy & friends)

YouTube Published on May 17, 2012 by Synthiefrau

"Hi lovely Synthfreaks, here is a new improvisation from me. My new cat 'Tonto' listen to my music. I use my Synthesizers.com Sequencer, the Sequencer of the GRP A 8, Moog the leads are from theProdigy, Minimoog, Roland V-Synth, the effects comes from the Dark energie and the Juno 60 (LFO sounds), welcome to the analogue sound universe!"

GForce Intros RE STRINGS for Reason w/ Billy Currie Interview & Freeman String Symphonizer Overview

Published on Apr 11, 2017 GForce Software

"RE-STRINGS is our Rack Extension version of the award winning VSM and contains a selection of its most popular and iconic String Ensembles including: ARP Quadra, Crumar Multiman, Elka Rhapsody, Eminent 310, Freeman String Symphonizer, Godwin String Orchestra, Hohner K4, Junost 21, Korg Lambda, Korg PE2000, Logan String Melody II, Mellotron Violins, Moog Opus III, Roland VP330, ARP Solina, Technics KN200, Yamaha CE-25 & Yamaha SS-30.

With it's dual layer capability, it's possible to load the classic string ensemble sounds from years gone by or create your own hybrid ensembles.

Legal Notice
All musical instrument manufacturer and product names are trademarks of their respective owners and in no way associated or affiliated with GForce Software Ltd. The trademarks of other manufacturers are used solely to identify the products of those manufacturers whose sounds and technical data were studied for this instrument. All names of instrument inventors have been included for illustrative and educational purposes only and do not suggest any affiliation or endorsement of GForce Software Ltd."

Billy Currie talks String Synths, VSM & RE-STRINGS

Published on Apr 11, 2017 GForce Software

"During the process of creating patches for RE-STRINGS Rack Extension, we talked with Billy Currie about his use of String Ensemble keyboards over the years and how the Elka Rhapsody and Yamaha SS-30 contributed to some of Ultravox's classic tracks.

Billy also talks about how valuable the VSM and RE-STRINGS libraries are to him and how they've been used in his latest album, Doppel."

Freeman String Symphonizer

Published on Apr 11, 2017 GForce Software

"A brief walkthrough of the Freeman String Symphonizer, invented by Ken Freeman, sounds from which are in both VSM and RE-STRINGS.

The Further Adventures of K.FREEMAN and his Incredible Machine of a Thousand Strings courtesy of I Monster - BRIGHT SPARKS album. www.imonstermusic.com

Ken Freeman footage courtesy of BRIGHT SPARKS Documentary
http://brightsparks.movie"

via Propellerhead

"50% OFF Release Offer! 2 weeks.

The modern, polyphonic string synthesiser was invented in 1970 by Ken Freeman, a British keyboard player and engineer who discovered that if you layered two notes then detuned and slightly modulated one a pleasant ‘chorused’ sound resulted. Over the next 10+ years Ken’s initial discovery spawned an industry that saw the manufacture of more than one hundred ‘string machines’ and multi-keyboards.

Although viewed by some as a one-trick-pony or a poor man’s polysynth, string machines had so much character they’ve graced tracks by artists as diverse as; Lonnie Liston Smith, Air, Pink Floyd, The Cure, Parliament, Herbie Hancock, Camel, Joy Division, Jean-Michel Jarre, Thomas Dolby, Tonto’s Expanding Head Band, Genesis, Toni Tone Tony and countless others.

Product details
Based on our award winning Virtual String Machine (VSM), RE-STRINGS comprises 67 individual sample sets from a plethora of classic analogue string ensembles including the ultra rare (and first) Freeman String Symphonizer, the highly coveted Solina, the eminently desirable Eminent 310, the highly-lauded Logan String Ensemble, plus several other classic (and not so classic) string machines.

Each sample set spans 49 notes (4 octaves), each individually sampled and looped, plus RE-STRINGS contains a 700+ patch library created by respected patch designers including legendary string machine user and keyboard maestro, Billy Currie.

With Dual Layer capabilities - each layer comprising of a Lowpass, Bandpass & Highpass Resonant Filter Section, Two Envelope Generators, Pitch or Filter LFO, Dynamic control including filter aftertouch - if you want to create your own hitherto unrealised hybrid combinations of classic and evocative string ensembles, it’s a cinch. Finally, global vintage style Ensemble & Phaser effects are provided, allowing you to hone your sound to evocative, retro, string ensemble perfection.

RE-STRINGS includes string tones from the following classic instruments ARP Quadra (1978) Crumar Multiman (1975) Elka Rhapsody (1975) Eminent 310 (1972) Freeman String Symphonizer (1973) Godwin Model 749 String Concert (1980) Hohner K4 (1977) Junost 21 (c 1986) Korg Lambda (1979) Korg PE2000 (1976) Logan String Melody II (1977) Mellotron (1963) Moog Opus III (1980) Roland VP330 (1979) Solina String Ensemble (1974) Technics KN200 (1982) Yamaha CE-25 (1983) Yamaha SS30 (1977)"

Stevie Wonder - Superstition live on Sesame Street

YouTube via RSLweblog

"It doesn't get much better than this.... I can't imagine a better feel good song than this one! Check out the REST OF THE VIDEOS in this collection! Stop by my music webpage (Ryan's Smashing Life) and say hello!"

Some interesting notes via Malcom Cecil on the AH list:
"I engineered and co-produced Superstition and still have the Master Track Sheets, Work Orders and Tape Legends from all of the recordings that I made with Stevie between 1971 and 1975.

The 8 tracks of clavinet are actually 4 stereo pairs, however, there are two very important timed stereo slap back tape tracks that Stevie was listening to while he played the first pass. They bwere created on a two track Ampex with a varispeed.

I recorded them because they are an important intrigal component of the musical line. I timed the slap to be drum track to create the funky feel. I only used the first stereo pair of clavinet tracks that were recorded with those slap back tracks in the final mix. If your tracks are numbered those clavinet tracks are 7 & 8 and the associated stereo slap tracks are on tracks 6 & 9 but if not you can hear which they - you can always listen to the mix!

Stevie recorded the drums (solo) first, then the cavinet/slap echo tracks and then the TONTO bass. Then he put down a reference vocal with "Lal-as" for words (except for "very Superstitious"). The words didn't get written until about two weeks later and the horns were added much later

I am very surprised to hear that that you have copies of the original tracks! I guarded those masters with my life but I gave them all to Stevie when we stopped working together in 1975.

I guess his security system 'aint what it was when I was with him - but then a lot changed when I left.

Peace,
Malcolm Cecil"

1066 - on a Modular Synth

Published on Mar 1, 2020 The Mad Music Machine

"A quick demo of a patch inspired by one of Caitlin's topics at the Secondary (High) school she now attends.

Here Make Noise René 2 is sequencing the 4ms Spherical Wavetable Navigator, Synthesis Technology E352 & E370 (with VCA controlled by Doepfer A-178 Theremin). Voice Samples are controlled by the 4MS Stereo Triggered Sampler (further pitch-shifted by the QU-Bit Nebulae). Drones via the Mother32. Keys via Behringer K2. Drums via Mutant Bass and Snare.

A tiny bit of reverb via Soundcraft Lexicon unit."

Haven't seen her in a while. You can find additional posts featuring Caitlin here. Here she is with TONTO.

Live! — Part 3 Featuring Malcom Cecil & Andy Rourke

Live! - Trailer from KiNo on Vimeo.

Live! — Part 3 from KiNo on Vimeo.

"Poet of Sound and Image KiNo presents a film in episodes: Live! Documentary of life and collaborations in New Vague City. This film is dedicated to my friend Ira Cohen who passed away recently; leaving behind a materialised account of the akashic records in his poems, photographs, films and inspiring conversations with the individuals whom were graced by his friendship. With highlights from the KiNo Exhibition — Invasion from Within. Featuring footage of the performances with musical legends Malcolm Cecil (Pioneer of electronic music) and Andy Rourke (The Smiths). Ira Cohen film The Invasion of Thunderbolt Pagoda strangebeautiful.net/​2007/​08/​16/​ira-cohen/​ Made by 9" Features TONTO

TONTO -- The Coolest Modular Synthesizer Ever Video Demo

YouTube Uploaded by symphorobot on Dec 2, 2010

"http://symphorobot.com/"

TONTO Video by The Analog Lab

Untitled from The Analog Lab on Vimeo.

via The Analog Lab
The Original New Timbral Orchestra featuring Moog modules, Oberheim SEMs, and ARP 2500 Module 1047 Multimode Filter / Resonator, ARP 2600, Ghielmetti patch matrix, and DIY.

The Simpsons Meet Phantom of The Paradise - Ultimate Halloween Synth Flick?

via Moog Music Inc. on Facebook

"The #Simpsons pay tribute to doom-synth composer Winslow Leach in the opening sequence of Treehouse of Horror XXIV"

And the trailer for the original featuring the massive modular TONTO.  The Ultimate Halloween synth movie?

Uploaded on Dec 2, 2007 mousepod·22 videos

"The original theatrical trailer for DePalma's masterpiece. See it now!"

Phantom of The Paradise on Amazon

Phantom of The Paradise (1974)

via I love hot dogs
via Tycho

That would be TONTO in the background.

You might recognize the shot from the Synths in TV and Film post.

See I love hot dogs for a few more shots and a write-up on the film.

Bottom: nice grill

Hmm... was this the first grill? Is it actually a grill? The grill before the grill? Would be cool if the first grill ever was somehow associated with synths.

Mark Mothersbaugh's Tour of Mutato Muzika

Published on Jun 4, 2013 keyboardmag1·273 videos

"In this archival clip from May 2010, Mark Mothersbaugh gives us a tour of some of the vintage synths in Mutato Muzika, DEVO's headquarters in L.A."

EMS SYNTHI AKS, Oberheim TVS, Moog Memorymoog, Minimoog & Sonic Six, various circuit bent gear, EMS VCS3, custom DIY modular Aries Modular, EDP Wasp, Novachord, Electronium, TONTO, EML 500, Polybox, Octave CAT, Pink Floyd's Ondioline, Sequential Circuits Prophet-5 & more.

Update via Michael Hewel in the comments: "the modular around 08:00 is an Aries"

MOOG'S MUSICAL EATERY

flickr by tonto--kidd

full size

"The great moog cookbook 'Moog's Musical Eatery' (1978) written by Shirleigh Moog, wife of the late synth genius Robert Moog."

You can actually find this one on on Amazon

I added it to the Synth Books section.

TROGOTRONIC 666 M

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

Note this render is in red. You can see one in black here.

"The plug and perform simplicity of our stand-alone Triple Six synth has been carefully distilled into Eurorack format by hirsute hands. We designed a single module as powerful as an expensive array of traditional VCO/VCF/VCA modules patched together. While no compromise to the true spirit of the original circuit was afforded we worked especially hard to make this one of the most compatible Eurorack instruments available with a generous array of 9 distinct control voltage inputs:

Added into the Euro-Format bargain are three additional new controls not available on the original:

· Shape-Knob
· Patch-Knob
· Three-way Patch Switch

In essence it is quite possible that this one module alone, placed under the control of up to 9 separate sequenced CV channels, could sound like someone slipped a C4 charge into Tonto’s “expanding headband”.

Features:
· 2 for Twin Oscillators Freq.
· 1 for Threshold (Osc. Gate/Selection/Etc.)
· 4 for Twin Amplifiers (FX/2nd Osc.)
· 1 for Signal Shape parameter (filter)
· 1 for Output Drive parameter
· Plus audio input (modulation/filter/etc)

Sound Samples:
§ 666 Solo 1
§ 666 with Reverb; Troggota & Fugue in D Minor
§ A 666 M-series demonstration by Weinglas
§ 666 with old Drum Machine patched to the Input
§ 666 with Bob & Doug McKenzie"

The Electric Golem Live & New CD “Sky Snails"

The Electric Golem - STS Morrisville - 4-21-2011 - Part 1 of 2

YouTube Uploaded by KurtKarsin on May 26, 2011

"This video (Part 1 of 2) features The Electric Golem, an electronic improvisational synthesizer duo from Ithaca, NY. Here they are performing a piece titled "What Watson Doesn't Know" at Morrisville State College (NY) at the fifth annual Science, Technology and Society Symposium, titled "Technomusia: Science, Technology and Music" (more at www.morrisville.edu/sts). The program also featured Roy "Futureman" Wooten the synth drummer from Bela Fleck and the Flecktones.

The Electric Golem is composed of Trevor Pinch and James Spitznagel, who yield generative, modern psychedelic mindscapes thanks to Pinch's command of his Moog Prodigy and homemade modular synths, and Spitznagel's battery of similar devices like the Evolver, Mopho, Tenori-on, Nintendo DSi, iPod Touch, and Orb Sequencer. During his daylight hours, Pinch is Professor of Science and Technology Studies and Professor of Sociology at Cornell University, and the coauthor of perhaps the definitive book on synthesizer technology, Analog Days: The Invention and Impact of the Moog Synthesizer. Spitznagel is a true techno-polyglot, a digital computer artist, photographer, and sonic provocateur who has released all manners of twisted electronica on his Level Green imprint, and continues to raise the bar for circuit-based music as he craftily wrestles with the vagaries of tone, glitch, frequency, and pulsation."

The Electric Golem - STS Morrisville - 4-21-2011 - Part 2 of 2


via Trevor: "our new CD “Sky Snails" has just been released by Periphery records www.otperiphery.com [link]:

The CD was endorsed by our ginger cat, Mango, who loved Sky Snails – unfortunately the day after the record came out Mango vanished from this Earth!

Sky snails is also available on iTunes for downloading. It consists of three tunes: the melodic “What Watson Doesn’t Know”; the Space Noise medley, “Sky Snails Part One”; and the cosmic “Sky Snails Part Two”.

Shortly also to be released on Periphery is one track of our live collaboration with Macolm Cecil of Stevie Wonder and Tonto’s Expanding Headband fame. That CD comes out August 5

We plan a CD release party/concert on Saturday August 20 in Ithaca at The State of the Art Gallery – so mark that date in your diaries if you're in or near Ithaca

Meanwhile have a great summer. We are back in the studio working on our third album. And if you see a big ginger cat anywhere who likes electronic music please let me know! We miss him terribly!

Trevor"