New Electra 4 x 4 Next generation Touch MIDI Controller

Demos with a Rhodes Chroma & TB3 Published on Jan 24, 2019 Martin Pavlas


A new programmable MIDI USB controller from Martin Pavlas of https://www.electrasid.com

"Electra is a fully programmable MIDI controller for studio or live rig equipment. The controller provides real-time visual feedback for up to 36 MIDI controls at once. Features high resolution 360 degree pots with touch sensing and a capacitive touch display. Extended connectivity offers USB MIDI device and USB Host interfaces as well as four DIN5 MIDI In / Out ports.

The driving idea behind the project was to make programming of Rhodes Chroma synthesizer easier. Chroma has got almost one hundred sounds parameters and editing them without seeing other relevant parameters at the same time affected the creative part of the process. Over the time, Electra has become an all-purpose MIDI controller with extensive USB MIDI interface and host integration.

The main concept of Electra MIDI controller is so-called Control. The control represents a MIDI parameter, its value, and assignment to a MIDI port and channel. An example can be, say, Cutoff frequency of Rhodes Chroma connected to MIDI port 1 channel 2.

A control visualizes value of an assigned parameter as well as it can modify the value either turning corresponding pot or with a touch gesture on the display. Watch the demo of control manipulation on youtube.

There is a number of control types: faders, dials, switches, buttons, and selection lists. All controls can trigger CC, SysEx, or NRPN MIDI message.

Controls are organized on Pages. A page is a set of controls that are displayed on the display at the same time. Pages may group controls by their meaning (Oscillator, Filter, etc) or can be collections of controls that should be close together for a performance purposes (Filter cutoffs and modulations of several connected synthesizers).

A set of pages is called a Preset. A preset is a top level configuration of Electra and consists all information about controls, pages, connected instruments, and MIDI routing.

Presets can be created with an Electra Controller Editor application and users can easily switch between them.

Crumar Multiman String Synthesizer Orchestrator

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"Crumar Multiman string synthesizer recently serviced, in 100% functional condition. This is the early version of the Crumar Orchestrator and has the same features minus the string brightness slider and volume/brass pedal connections. The brass section has a true voltage controlled filter similar to the moog design, the string section is very lush and compared to the ARP solina and the piano/clavichord is similar to the RMI electra piano. All very vintage and usable sounds packed into one machine. The faders have been cleaned and the entire unit was re-capped to provide stability for years to come. Cosmetically, the metal panel has scratches and scuffs, but the physical integrity of the instrument is very strong; it's built like a tank. Comes with the original lid."

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Final Set of A-Z of Analogue Synthesisers

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The listing is from the author Peter Forrest who states this is likely the last set.  These are great books and imo the most comprehensive.  Click on the pics to get an idea of what they are like.  Peter also has other items listed including The Museum of Synthesizer Technology and Synthesizer von Gestern II.

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ELECTRA MELODICA by Hohner from 1967

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Translation via Matthias:

"This is not just an amplified Melodica - even sound synthesis is done completely electronically. While the outside looks like a normal melodica, this is in fact one of the first monophonic analog synthesizers - with a wind controller: a diaphragm is moved and more or less covers a photocell, which controls the volume envelope of the sound.

6 different tone colours can be set, along with a switchable band-pass filter to give the sound an I-, A- or U-staining. These filters can be altered with a continuous push-button according to a wah-wah effect (curiously labeled "bow-wow"). Through a 5-stop octave switch the scope of the 3-octave keyboard can be expanded to 8 octaves. There is also a vibrato effect with adjustable amplitude and frequency. 2 knobs are used to tune the instrument (pitch and splay).

This belongs to an external power supply-amplifier combination, which already own some preying and looks like a Fritz Lang movie.

The Electra Melodica was used in 1968 by the band "The Lovin 'Spoonful," but was probably too innovative for its time, so that a total of only 600 units were produced. The major weakness was the sensitive membrane, which got broken soon in many instruments.

This copy will not only work, but is also in surprisingly good condition - it was apparently played little. On the exterior there are almost no scratches, only the lettering is rubbed off a little. The interior is clean, all controls are working properly without scratching. Of course, all the keys work. In the upper quarter of the keyboard 4 keys sound about a semitone too high. However, these can be tuned - the curcuit board contains a trim potentiometer for each key.

The complete range of accessories is available: Connection cable Melodica - power supply / amplifier, output cable (6.3 mm jack), power cord, leather shoulder strap, 2 different mouthpieces, replacement lamps for photo diode and operating lights. All this is housed in a beautiful, sturdy case."

Satellite - Circuit Bent Silver Rocket

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"'The SATELLITE', a sound device that houses two identical circuits that you can layer or play separately. You can combine a voice from the Left side with a voice from the Right side and layer them at different pitches or different volumes to create totally new sounds. When the sounds are pitched and layered you get really thick, intense sounds, perfect for your sound arsenal or unique sampling. With 3 pitch-knob controls and 4 body-contact controls per circuit (or side, if you will), this unit is really versatile. Add the voice-alternating push-buttons and it soars!

This unit is exactly like the other silver boxes that I had previously listed (Like the Galaxie, Comet, Mercury, Mercury ll, 2000, Electra, and the Meteor), EXCEPT that it has steel-ball turners instead of knobs on the pitch controls, AND I replaced the Voice Selector knobs and the Volume knobs. ALSO, the Output Jacks on the back operate intuitively, the Right side becoming a mixed output if nothing is plugged into the Left.

EACH SIDE has 8 voices, that are:
* Square Wave
* A 34-note diminishing pattern ending in distortion,
* Two alternating tones like a European siren (devils interval),
* A repeating strike & white-noise pattern,
* A rapid, repeating white noise pattern,
* A 3-note diminishing sequence,
* A Sine Wave,
* A 34-note RAPIDLY diminishing pattern ending in distortion.

The TWO SETS of 8 voices are divided Left and Right on the control panel. Both Left and Right sides have the following controls:

* On/Off Knob & Master Pitch control
* Volume
* 8-Voice Selector Knob
* Pitch Control Knob 1
* On/Off for Pitch Control Knob 1
* Pitch Control Knob 2 (fine tune)
* 4 Body Contacts (effects tone just by touching them)
* Green On/Off LED lights

You can combine a voice from the Left side with a voice from the Right side and layer them at different pitches or different volumes to create totally new sounds.

ALSO, it has two push-button controls on the right that, at the flip of the switch on the back, allow you to play the two selected voices alternately or together, on & off, like a keyboard, while operating the Pitches & Volumes in real-time. These add to the overall playability of this box, whether through separate channels to a mixer, or mixed straight into an amp.

* OUTPUTS: This unit has a number of 1/4" output options, controlled by the switch on the back, which allow you to mix the two voices together through one output OR discreetly through two outputs, each mixed by their own volume controls on the control panel. The separate outs allow you to run effects separately as well.

It runs off two AA batteries batteries.

It comes with an instruction sheet to help you get started with the functions of this box.

I housed it in a chromed truck mirror with formica laminate for a base. All components are top-notch, and it’’s named "Satellite" after the vintage metal car-script gracing it's face.

I NOW HAVE SOUND SAMPLES AVAILABLE AT THESE SITES:
(click on the Galaxie or Comet to hear the exact same circuit as the Satellite)
http://montyman1.googlepages.com/home OR http://home.earthlink.net/~montyman1/

The 'Satellite' sounds exactly the same as the 'Galaxie', 'Mercury', and 'Comet'. The samples are recorded straight, with no extra effects."