"The Brooklyn Synth & Pedal Expo, a free for all interactive display of synthesizers and pedals of all kinds, will return to Brooklyn on the weekend of October 5th and 6th at Greenpoint's stylish warehouse venue 100 Sutton.
Hosted in a 6k sq ft warehouse in the heart of one of Brooklyn’s most musical neighborhoods located between Williamsburg and Queens, this year's event is expected to be attended by around 2k visitors. Pictures from last year's edition can be found here.
Eurorack Classes and GSG.live workshops The schedule of the presentations will be also integrated by two Eurorack classes hosted by Ben Atchouel of the New York Modular Society and two workshops about online performances curated by the team at GSG.live.
Confirmed Vendors Visitors will find a varied mix of companies, over 80, with a nice assortment of heavyweight synth and pedal brands and smaller boutique builders, including several Eurorack companies. Full list below.
"Drawing from the earliest days of polyphonic synthesizers, Sound Bank ‘79 for the Oberheim OB-X8 finds its inspiration in synthesizer music found in documentaries and library music from the late 70’s and early 80’s.
A sound bank comprising 64 patches (8 full groups) for instant inspiration, this set was painstakingly crafted to bring the absolute best out of this fantastic instrument. I was blown away by the quality of tone in this synthesizer, and the sounds speak for themselves.
Recorded completely dry with no effects or processing.
"Thank you to all of the exhibitors at SynthFest 2024 who will receive a prize in this tombola for the annual deal for all the passions of synths and modules."
"► Billetterie: www.synthfestfrance.com ► 20 lots / 2000 tickets / plus de 10000€ de lots ► 10€ le ticket ► Entièrement en ligne. Pas la peine d'être présent au SynthFest pour gagner un lot. ► Fermeture de la billetterie : 18 Avril 2024
Merci à tous les exposants du SynthFest 2024 qui font encore une fois de cette tombola le deal de l'année pour tout les passionnés de synthés et de modulaires.
1e prix - Expressive E Osmose 2e prix - Kodamo EssenceFM MKII 3e prix - Haken Audio Eagan Matrix Eurorack 4e prix - Kiviak Wofi 5e prix - Paire d’enceintes Nord Piano 6e prix - Korg Keystage 49 7e prix - Arturia MiniFreak 8e prix - 1010music Nanobox Tangerine Desktop 9e prix - Novation Circuit Tracks 10e prix - Projet Home Studio pack Mix / Mastering 11e prix - Hlabs EQ169 API 500 module 12e prix - Kaona Skippy Eurorack module 13e prix - Faselunare Vega Eurorack module 14e prix - BVR instruments TS1 Eurorack module 15e prix - This Is Not Rocket Science Ardabil 16e prix - Piano LED Plus 2024 17e prix - Fred's Lab Zekit Assembled 18e prix - Morphor Plectrum Eurorack module 19e prix - Joranologue Route 4 Eurorack module 20e prix - KR Home-Studion 1 an d'abonnement"
Fascinating bit at 1:50. Paul McGowan actually created his own synthesizer, The Infinitizer. Curious if there are any images of it out there. He almost sold one to Wendy Carlos. It gets a mention in his book 99% True: Almost a National Bestseller which you can find on Amazon here (note this is an affiliate link - see the site's privacy policy for more info).
Update: I asked Paul if he had any pics of The Infinitizer. Unfortantely he didn't, and he no longer has any of the parts, but he did send over the following additional info:
"I don’t have any photos of the Infinitizer, unfortunately. I remember a very sad day back in 1995 or so when I was cleaning out my lab and had to own up to hauling it off to the dump (it was a mere skeleton of PCBs, a keyboard, and lots of wires and didn’t work)."
"The idea was to make 10 synthesizers into one unit that was easy to use. This meant it would be the world’s first polyphonic synth, since musicians only have 10 fingers.
I designed a complete analog chain of 10 modules (the usual: VC filters, oscillators, envelope generators, amplifiers, etc.). Then, I hired an engineer out of Vandenburg Air Force Base who was a whiz at this new thing called “digital”. He designed for me a multiplexed keyboard that constantly scanned all the keys looking for ones that were pressed. The keys were all internally numbered and when pressed, the multiplexer would find an available VC oscillator and assign that number to the oscillator. Because we know the number of the key, the appropriate voltage was sent to that oscillator and it produced the appropriate frequency for that key. In order to have the entire keyboard voltage move up and down (like if you wanted to bend the notes or modulate the frequency with a LF oscillator) the master voltage (that got divided by the individual keys assigned to it) could be accessed as one might normally do through the patch bay.
I also wanted to have the keys pressure sensitive so for that, I invented the use of conductive foam under each key (and that too could manipulate the master voltage to the oscillator banks) and could be assigned to modulate any of the other modifiers too. My patch bay was a switch matrix and pots kind of like ARP used to do.
It was a very cool device which I wrote about extensively in my memoirs, 99% True."
-------
As for the first non organ based poly synth, currently that honor likely goes to one of the following depending how you define it:
1975 - Buchla 502 - six voice polyphonic with minicomputer and ability to save patches to tape drive. Development on the 500 series began in 1969.
1975 - Oberheim FVS - four voice polyphonic with Polyphonic Synthesizer Programmer. Not sure if the 502 or FVS was released first.
1977 - Yamaha - CS50/CS60/CS80 - first single enclosure polyphonic keyboard synthesizers, with the CS80 to be the first synth with poly aftertouch
1978 - Sequential Circuits - microprocessor control the SCI prophet 10 (briefly) and the P-5 --- again based on existing E-mu tech stuff
Timeline 0:00 Intro 0:09 Another Big One 1:26 Astral Titans 2:45 Beny's Territory 3:57 Bouncing Spray 5:18 Chick's Lead 6:35 Classicana Lead 7:08 Classipad 7:41 CS80 + Lead 8:16 CS80 + Ladder II 8:52 Eightiki 9:29 Ambient Analog 1 9:45 Versailles Brass 10:02 Three Waves 10:33 PolySynthetix 11:16 Piercing Bass 11:42 Fat Model D 12:02 Analog Scream
"Tornano a Torino anche gli ingegneri di @enjoyelectronics6070 che avevamo conosciuto con Reminder nel 2019 e che ora sono campioni di incassi con l'effetto 'Godfather', fonte inesauribile di effetti e modulazioni!
LINKS ENJOY ELECTRONICS su Soundmit: https://soundmit.com/en/exhibitor/enj... ENJOY ELECTRONICS https://www.enjoy-lab.com/
"The engineers from @enjoyelectronics6070, whom we had met with Reminder in 2019, are also returning to Turin. They are now champions of revenue with the 'Godfather' effect, an inexhaustible source of effects and modulations!
Les ingénieurs de @enjoyelectronics6070, que nous avions rencontrés avec Reminder en 2019, reviennent également à Turin. Ils sont désormais les champions des recettes avec l'effet 'Parrain', une source inépuisable d'effets et de modulations !
También regresan a Turín los ingenieros de @enjoyelectronics6070, a quienes conocimos con Reminder en 2019 y que ahora son campeones de ingresos con el efecto 'El Padrino', una fuente inagotable de efectos y modulaciones.
Si ringraziano per il video @pvmlab6423 - Max Esposito e Gabriele Guarnieri #soundmit #enjoylab #godfather #synthesizers #modularsynth #torino"
"Always a pleasure to spend time in the company of George Hearn from UDO Audio, and especially as he brought the production ready Super Gemini poly synth with him.
The Super Gemini is now officially shipping, units are leaving the buillding and soon the 20 voice (10 in binaural mode) FPGA oscillator equipped synth will be making its way into the hands of those lucky folks whov'e ordered one.
Two FPGA oscillators per voice, (with 3rd trackable LFO), Analogue filter, analogue VCA with two discrete synth layers that can be played in two 5 voice each (binaural oscillator mode), or 10 voice per synth, each with discrete controls and chorus/delay FX.
In the hands of George it sounds wonderful, - in fact if you are an upper tier supporter, we've posted some additional playing in another post to whet your whistle.
Its not cheap, ut you do get a heck of a lot of synthesizer for your money..
Super Gemini is shipping and available now priced at £3799 from all good retailers."
"This is the seventh video breakdown/rundown for my 'physically largest' eurorack 'Table Case' system although it only has 23 modules in it and ranks only 4th place for most modules out of my 7 eurorack systems! It houses a majority of my Synthrotek/Division 6/Mattson modules. Next time I'll do a small 5U system in an angled desktop case. Please subscribe to my channel and click the 'bell' button to be notified when I post new videos! (because as you may know, I post inconsistently! 😒😊)
Index:
0:00 Beginning
0:25 Introduction
2:09 Contents Rundown
9:15 A Look Inside
16:47 Final Words And Shirt
17:45 Previous Social Media Demo
18:45 Noise And Pedals Patch
20:33 Another Table Case Demo
24:03 Bonus Track: Excerpt From Live 2017 MOTS Performance
30:51 End
List of the modules in this system:
Korg: MS2000R
JLR: MS2000R I/O Breakout
Circuit Abbey: Unify, G8
Division 6: Mattson SQ816, Multiplicity IV
2hp: Nse
Intellijel: OR
EMW: T-Drum
Synthwerks: Lamp-3
Strymon: AA.1
Happy Nerding: LED Meter (x2)
Konstant Lab: PWR Checker
Synthrotek MST: Dual VCA, Dual Envelope, LP Filter, Audio/CV Mixer, VCO (x2), VC LFO, MIDI To CV, MIDI To CV Expander
As always, thank you for watching, rating, following, subscribing, and commenting! 🥳 If you found the content of this video helpful, interesting, or entertaining, please consider showing your support so I can stay stocked up on coffee and cookies. 😋 https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/JohnL..."
"GForce Software's latest instrument update is for the Minimonsta making it now at version 2. It follows the new features first seen in the OB-E V2 and then the Oddity V3 - namely an improved audio engine, re-sizable UI, four macro controls, new preset browser and a vintage control for dialling in more wonkiness.
The Minimonsta2 is a Minimoog Model D at it's heart with the familiar panel but obviously also is polyphonic. GForce also include the XLFO and XADSR - two fully assignable modulation sources, though with as many instances as you’ll likely to need that can be mapped to most variable parameters on a one to one basis.
You also get an additional 300 presets.
At present the Minimonsta2 is available at a reduced price of £49 (+VAT) from £99 - which makes if a pretty affordable deal, given that it's a fairly simple to navigate interface and is capable of a wide variety of sounds - from monster basses to lovely atmospheric pads."
"Some sounds from the Osmose. An initial impression of what it sounds like straight out of the box. This will no doubt be making an appearance on my next solo album on DiN records."
"This is different. It's a new journey to embark on. and I love it. Please hang out with me on my first proper sit down with the production model Osmose. I love how expressive you can be with every patch."
"After a perfect storm of COVID and global parts shortages. The Osmose instrument from Expressive E is now shipping to the backers, next step is full production.
The instrument has an incredibly sensitive playing action with a custom keybed combined with the Eagan Matrix - a highly expressive and complex sound engine offering physical modelling, FM and a lot more besides.
We had a visit from Christopher who's the main product guy for the Osmose to show Gaz Williams where this exicting new instrument has got to.
00:00:00 Start
00:01:59 GPU Sponsor Mac Support
00:02:51 Overview
00:06:15 Eagan Matrix
00:09:01 Sounds
00:11:52 Controller?
00:15:42 Pedals
00:17:56 Control Section
00:22:18 Macros
00:25:59 Sensitivty
00:33:12 Portamento and Arp
00:36:49 Percussive voices
00:41:47 MPE
00:45:09 Case and Wrap"
And the press release with pics:
"Expressive E is proud to announce Osmose, the new universal standard for musical expressivity. Osmose is a polyphonic synthesizer that unlocks new ways to control sound and features a powerful sound engine created in collaboration with the leading-edge audio company, Haken Audio.
The conclusion of an epic adventure
Three years ago, Expressive E embarked on an ambitious adventure by opening the pre-orders for their standalone synthesizer, Osmose.
Osmose elevates a playerʼs experience by introducing a new landscape of features for musicians to interact with sound and produce music in new ways. It does this while not only respecting, but also enhancing the playerʼs existing keyboard skills. Every note can be articulated independently with unique expressive possibilities, such as those seen in this Osmose gesture compilation video: https://youtu.be/AA5xe7k4OrM
To achieve that goal, the Expressive E engineers set out to industrialize a new generation of expressive keybed which is at the core of Osmoseʼs playing experience. The biggest challenge was to implement all expressiveness-related technologies into the familiar keybed form factor of the piano that musicians have been using for centuries. Creating a new kind of keybed generated many industrial production obstacles and ultimately required a total symbiosis between DSP and hardware to connect all players to Omoseʼs sound through the use of natural gestures.
Expressive E engineers conducted hundreds of on-field test sessions to fine-tune the complex design of the synthesizer. Artists played a tremendous role in the refinement of Osmose by providing precise feedback about playing sensations and helped shape a new ergonomic tool, relevant for musicians from various music scenes and cultural horizons. Thanks to their support as well as the early adopters and partners, the wait is finally over: Osmose has now started to ship.
First deliveries and re-opening of preorders Expressive E are thrilled to announce the delivery of the first Osmose units to early adopters of the project. The first products had already been delivered in late 2022 and early backersʼ shipments will keep flowing continuously.
Expressive E have thus decided to reopen pre-orders on January 5th 2023 for all musicians interested in purchasing Osmose. The pre-order scheme has been reconducted to allow Expressive E to anticipate demand as efficiently as possible and organize their production schedules accordingly. Despite a tense economical environment driven by inflation, component shortages and the resurgence of epidemics, the company will still commit to guaranteeing a $/€1,799 retail price, within the limits of allocated stocks.
Interested musicians can now pre-order their Osmose on Expressive Eʼs website or through an affiliated dealer. [see the dealers on the right]
A new kind of synthesizer From its inception, Osmose was designed as a solution to connect musicians with electronic instruments more intimately while still retaining the sound-design abilities of modern-day and vintage synthesizers.
Backed by a powerful sound engine made in collaboration with pioneering audio company Haken Audio, Osmose offers more than 500 creativity-boosting presets. Each of them was fine-tuned to offer performance and recording-ready macros. Preset curation covers many musical genres including modern pop, urban, film scoring, electronic music, sound design, and traditional instrumental music. Made to inspire, Osmose offers a playful experience based on familiar features and thus presents a gentle learning curve. It offers the benefits of MPE instruments without the need to relearn the instrument entirely.
From the beginning, Osmose has been a collaborative project with artists from many musical backgrounds. They have been involved in the development of Osmose to make it a musical companion to fit their creative and ergonomic needs. Expressive E celebrates these artist collaborations with the release of a video series recapping the Osmose adventure and the reaction of artists to the new, dynamic, inspiring synthesizer.
Shot in Chennai (India), Paris (France), and Los Angeles (USA), the video series features musicians and producers like Flying Lotus, AR Rahman, Jean-Michel Jarre, Mike Dean, Cory Henry, André Manoukian, and Tarik Azzouz. It shows their approach to musical expression, how they interact with Osmose, and how this new synthesizer has influenced the way they play. A trailer for the series is now available on YouTube.
During Q1 and Q2 2023 Expressive E will regularly release clips focusing on each individual artist from the main trailer video. The first three episodes of the series are now available on YouTube. They feature musical icon A.R. Rahman (Grammy winner and film scorer for 127 Hours and Slumdog Millionaire), jazz virtuoso J3PO (a prolific solo artist and keyboardist for Marcus Miller), and trap beatmaker veteran Tarik Azzouz (a Grammy winner who has worked with Jay-Z, DJ Khaled, 2 Chainz, and many more)."
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
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.
Timeline
0:00 Intro
0:10 Spacious Pad
1:01 Airy Fairy Pad
2:20 Big Pad
2:54 Feedback Lead
3:38 Awaken Sign Kn6
4:14 PolysixEX Square Lead
5:05 PWM Nag
5:35 Big Texture Strings
6:24 Saw Strings
7:06 E. Piano Dyno Chorus
8:49 Oasys Piano
10:36 Pods In The Pad
Unit has Two Analog Synth Modules and was customized by Marion Systems
This auction is for one of the most powerful 1 unit
analog synthesizers ever made. Two MIDI inputs and a 25 pin
connector on each module to access all sorts of advanced features.
Full MIDI implementation with velocity and aftertouch
This MSR-2 comes with Original Manual and Original Power Supply
Main unit 1.09 O.S. and 1.13 O.S. for each of the two ASM modules
A new Energizer battery was installed 3 years ago so should be good
for another 15-20 years, but back up your stuff if you create great sounds.
Customized by Tom Oberheim and Marion Systems
In 1998 I sent the unit back to Marion Systems for an upgrade.
They added a second Analog Synth Module (ASM) and upgraded the O.S.
I was working as a tech at E-mu Systems and Tom Oberheim called me
at work and we talked about my love for all synths Oberheim. He told me
he could disable the EQ in the MSR-2 and get an addition al 3 DB of gain.
I told him that would be great, they removed EQ, and the volume gain is significant.
Tom was really nice and it was an honor, as an EE myself, to talk to him.
So yes this is a customized MSR-2 by Tom Oberheim and his Marion Techs.
The Eq section screen is still there in software, but has no effect since disabled
Custom programmed SuperPatch sounds
I have created several Super Patches as shown in video below to show the power
of this synth. The Super Patches are organized in groups
10 Bass Super Patches
10 Pad Super Patches
10 Lead Patches
and Sound Effect Super Patches
The factory patches are installed in the first 200 patches on each
Analog Synth Module.
Search three words Silicon Breakdown Oberheim to see my love for the
Oberheim synths. I have a picture of Tom Oberheim hanging in my studio.
I have owned the website Silicon Breakdown since 1999, which is devoted
to American analog synths.
This MSR-2 has been used in many songs by Mad Science Lab,
search Spotify, Apple Music or my music site MadScienceLab(.)com
I only sell one or 2 synths a year from my collection.
The unit has never had any mechanical or audio issues and is 100% working."
"Today we are at SUPERBOOTH21 checking out the latest and greatest in synths & music tech. Become a Patron and support videos like this here: http://www.patreon.com/bobeats
00:00 intro
00:18 Waldorf M Sound Demo & Overview
02:57 Finegear Exclusive Teaser
03:58 Expressive-E OSMOSE first look
09:35 SUPER 6 DESKTOP
12:18 Dreadbox Nymphes Analog Poly
14:03 Erica Synths PERKONS drum machine (its crazy!)
15:46 Freds Lab Töörö & MORE
19:20 BEFACO Plethora (Yeah, I can't pronounce that!)
21:51 Enjoy Electronics GODFATHER (MUST SEE!)
24:37 Vermona DRM1 MK4 (can I justify getting one?)
26:20 ZAPS eurorack module (crazy cool!)
27:29 RetroKits RK008 MUST SEE
33:33 Patching Panda Modules
35:00 AE MODULAR and MORE!!
40:17 BONUS PERKONS SOUND DEMO"
"This is mainly for modular synth nerds, audio geeks, and maybe a couple fans of the movie Eraserhead? ;-)
Index: 0:00 Beginning 0:14 White Noise Level Setting 1:05 All Bands Open, Turning Down One At A Time 1:45 All Bands Closed, Solo Each In Isolation 2:45 Open Up All Bands In Random Order 3:25 Pink Noise Level Setting 4:35 All Bands Open, Turning Down One At A Time 5:15 All Bands Closed, Solo Each In Isolation 6:13 Open Up All Bands In Random Order 6:54 End
Gear Used: Club Of The Knobs - C914B Fixed Filter Bank Mos-Lab - 923 Noise/Filters Moon Modular - 526 mixer Apple - iPad Pro 10.5" Faber Acoustical - SignalScope app Line6 - SonicPort interface Allen & Heath MixWizard 20S Tascam SD-20M flash recorder Canon C100 MkII camera Canon CN-E 85mm lens PC running Windows 10 Pro Sony Vegas Pro 13 NLE
As always, thank you for watching, rating, following, and commenting! 🥳 Please consider "buying me a coffee" if you found this content helpful or entertaining: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/JohnLRice"
Concept & production: ciudadN
Music: Par
Visuals: C03RA
Footage: Luis E. Sosa, Pedro Grolla, SMA
Par is the project of Nacho Adda (Montevideo, 1983) focused on conceiving spaces and concepts with electronic music. Par has 4 studio albums, 2 EP and 3 remixes albums with 6 nominations to the "Graffiti Awards" for Uruguayan Music as well as soundtracks for several short films and drama plays. https://linktr.ee/parmusic
Mathías Chumino aka C03RA (Montevideo, Uruguay) is a multimedia artist, director, editor and musician, specialized in experimental image and sound manipulation, using state of the art software and hardware. His work delivers captivating, dark and mysterious immersive experiences achieved by a combination of heavy image processing with polished aesthetics and a poetic vision of the world.
His work in film and visual arts has been showcased and awarded in traditional and digital media and in many festivals around the world.
