Mad Science Lab - Tom's Big O's

video upload by Mad Science Lab

"This Oberheim was custom built for Ronnie Montrose around 1980 and used by him until the early 1990's. This synthesizer has some great sounding Synthesizer Expander Modules. In this video, the two sequencers are driving all four SEM units. I am stepping through the sequencer steps with a foot switch plugged into the step input on the patch panel A. Recorded direct off mixer no effects, compression or eq.
#synthesizer #oberheim"

And one with the "The Wizard - E-Mu Systems Modular Synth":

Mad Science Lab - TechnoSaurus LIVES (2026 Live in Studio)

video upload by Mad Science Lab

"Two 1970's Synths and a Drum Machine in the Mad Science Lab Studio.
A E-Mu Systems Modular Analog Synthesizer is used to play 3 voices, and an Arp-2600 plays another voice along with an XBASE 999 Analog Drum Machine. Recorded direct off mixer into an iPad.

More Music Here - https://madsciencelab.com
INFO on this E-mu Modular Here - https://siliconbreakdown.com/wizard-s..."

Side note: the first post to feature Mad Science Lab was back in 2007 here.

Marion Systems MSR-2 SN 01408

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

via eBay

Interesting location for the serial number.

"Marion Systems MSR-2 16 Voice Analog Synthesizer

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."

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CCTV-Quadtec 101 Digital dual quadraphonic oscillator first sound

Published on Aug 8, 2019 Dziam Bass

"Today I have the first sound from the Quadtec 101 digital dual oscillator.

This is a module offering a quadraphone, but initially I did not use the full show when I wave through the pan placing it on the speakers. this patch was more about the sound itself and also quite interesting sequences when one sequencer controls this patch and the sound from one oscillator I raise and lower almost like transpositions ...
This is a great module because it extends the possibilities of creating new sequences or spaces and moving between two oscillators"

more info here: https://www.cctv.fm

"THE GARDEN CITY ELECTRONIC MUSIC COMMUNITY CREATED A TIMEMACHINE USING RARE TESLA BLUEPRINTS AND WENT INTO THE FUTURE TO GATHER DATA OF THE DAY; SEEKING OUT INSTRUMENTS FROM THE CREATIVE YOUTH OF THE FUTURE. UPON RETURNING TO 2019 THEY BROUGHT THOSE IDEAS TO FILIP PIETRUSZEWSKI TO RE-ENGINEER, DESIGN, AND REALIZE THIS FUTURISTIC INSTRUMENT USING MODERN AND ANTIIQUE TOOLS AT HIS MAD SCIENCE LAB AT CAPITAL CITY TRANSISTOR AND VALVE.

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MOOGFEST 2016 Lineup & Details Announced

Moogfest 2016 Talent Announcement with Reggie Watts

Published on Dec 8, 2015 Moogfest

"Headlining performances include Gary Numan playing a three night residency of his trailblazing early albums, a two-night residency by GZA, ODESZA, Laurie Anderson, Oneohtrix Point Never, Suzanne Ciani, Blood Orange, and Sun Ra Arkestra; with keynote presentations by transhumanist activist and pharma tycoon Dr. Martine Rothblatt, and computer scientist Jaron Lanier, a pioneer in the field of virtual reality.

More than one hundred other acts are already confirmed to perform, while the conference program continues to develop in partnership with a range of esteemed universities, innovative businesses, and art/technology organizations. Program partners include MIT Media Lab, Google, Duke University, Georgia Institute of Technology, The New Museum’s New Inc., IDEO, Gray Area, and the EyeO Festival.

For the first time ever, Moogfest will take place in Durham, NC. Moogfest activates seventeen venues, throughout the walkable downtown core, from intimate galleries to grand theatres, including a free outdoor stage with participatory, all-ages programming. Durham promises to be an ideal setting for Moogfest: a city uniquely blending diversity, authenticity, world class innovation, and culture, with a long history of great music.

Program highlights:
Pioneers in Electronic Music
Electronic music pioneer Gary Numan will perform his first three albums (Replicas, The Pleasure Principle, and Telekon) over three consecutive nights in three different venues. Musical experimentalist Laurie Anderson weaves stories and song in her solo performance, “The Language of the Future” and then returns to the stage the next day to hosts a daytime conversation.

Future Pop
Headlining talent also charts a zig-zagging course across today’s synthesizer infused pop landscape, from the vibrant electronic duo ODESZA, to the future soul of Blood Orange (playing in North Carolina for the first time), a return of utopian rockers YACHT, and even the comic stylings of Reggie Watts.

Experimentalists
Immersive noise and minimalist sonic-scapes from some of today’s most progressive experimental artists, including sunn O))), Ben Frost, Tim Hecker, Silver Apples, Oneohtrix Point Never, Quintron & Miss Pussycat, Olivia Block, Alessandro Cortini, and Lotic.

Ambient Music Innovators
A rich program of sustained tones and cascading moods led by Daniel Lanois, Brian Eno’s prolific Grammy winning protege, Suzanne Ciani, and the UK’s originators of ambient house The Orb.

Hip-Hop
GZA leads Moogfest’s strongest ever hip-hop and rap lineup, supported by a roster of emerging talent including Lunice, Tory Lanez, Denzel Curry, Dr. Dre protege King Mez, and Well$.

The Future of Creativity
Futurist philosophers set the tone for a mind-expanding conference. Keynotes by Dr. Martine Rothblatt, author, entrepreneur, transhumanist, inventor of satellite radio, and Jaron Lanier, a computer scientist and composer who has pioneered the field of virtual reality. Other visionaries include sound explorer Onyx Ashanti and his 'exo-voice' sonic prosthesis, Tod Machover from MIT Media LAB presenting his work in HyperInstruments, and Gil Weinberg and The Robotic Musicianship Group at Georgia Tech performing with Shimon, an improvising robotic marimba player that uses artificial intelligence.

Orchestral Ensembles
The intergalactic voyagers of Sun Ra Arkestra channel the cosmic philosopher himself. Arthur Russell’s Instrumentals ensemble, making their US debut. Floating Points’ live project veers fluidly from warm electronic to jazz to sonic space rhythms.

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Sequential Circuits Prophet 5 Rev 3.3 with MIDI

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

via eBay

"This is a fully functioning Prophet 5 in great condition. It has not been in a storage unit and shows no signs of rust. (tip: always look at the rear screws and jack washers for signs of rust on old synths) This Prophet 5 correctly runs autotune on all 5 voices and has been hot tuned by Riley Smith.. It has been in the Mad Science Lab for the last 14 years and used by the group Silicon Breakdown on many songs..."

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Oberheim OB-X with Encore Electronics MIDI

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

via eBay

"This is a 4 voice OB-X with the Encore Electronics MIDI kit installed and it comes with the owners manual, service manual, and Encore Electronics kit Manual. It will be shipped in a brand new road case.

This OB-X was serviced November 4th 2012 by Riley Smith former tech at Sequential Circuits and E-Mu Systems. He went through the unit completely, replaced the key bushings so it plays great, retuned all the oscillators, and calibrated and tested the unit as specified in the service manual.

More pictures and sound examples of this OB-X here.

CONDITION

This OB-X is in near perfect condition. It has NOT been in a storage unit and shows NO signs of rust

(tip: always look at the rear screws and jack washers for signs of rust on old synths)

It has been in the Mad Science Lab for 16 years and used by the group Silicon Breakdown on many songs. The second photo on this page shows the studio where it’s home has been.

I bought the OB-X from the Starving Musician store in San Jose in 1996. The tag on the back says 8 voice, but it is a 4 voice, I assumed they used the other voice cards to fix other Oberheims. Check out sound examples to see how fat 4 voices can be.

The wood panels and screws and jacks are all original, yet they look almost new. It has never left the studio except to be tuned. The front panel graphics are perfect. The tech mentioned the D key near the word Programmer had been repaired at some point, but the key plays, it is just goes down about 1/8th of inch less then the other keys and feels more squishy then the other keys. It is not visible till you know it's there, and it's not visible in these pictures. I did not know about the key until he tore the keyboard apart to replace the key bushings. There is one large scratch on the back of the unit near the MIDI jack, which is clearly visible in the pictures.

MIDI

This OB-X has the Encore Electronics MIDI kit installed.

This kit allows for MIDI notes as well as midi control of the filter cutoff, resonance and many other controls. It also increases the patch storage from just 32 to 120. And you can save the presets over MIDI so no more messing with tapes. I had the Kenton MIDI kit initially but the Encore Electronics kit is much better. The Oberheim OB-X never had MIDI when produced, and you do not want to deal with a special sequencer DSX hookup to control an OB-X. You need MIDI so you can control the OB-X from a computer sequencer, or a midi keyboard that has controllers to route to the many MIDI controllers on the OB-X Encore kit."

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The Most Underrated Synths

Update: also check out this post for Sonic State's podcast on the list.

JB thought it would be fun to come up with an underrated synth list in the same vein as The first synth to post. I think this might be a pretty cool idea. I think all synths have something to offer and it would be interesting to see what people come up with. So here is how it will work. Put a synth you chose in the comments with 1 to 3 main points on why you think it's underrated and I'll update the list in this post. Make sure to follow the format below, or it doesn't go up. I need to be able to just copy and paste it in. You can discuss away in the comments, but only the list will get updated in the body of the post. Note the reasons can be a combination of what was cool about the synth in your opinion and what you believe kept it from gaining higher status. And yes, you can cheat by combining small things like I did below. I'll make this a sticky post on the right of the site as well so we can check it out and add to it over time as other posts go up. That said. I'll start with two. The most underrated synth in my book of course starts with:

The Oberheim Matrix-6
1. The modulation capabilities for the price - ramp and tracking generators, release velocity, matrix modulations, etc.
2. It is completely overshadowed by it's bigger brother the Matrix-12.
3. It is a CEM based DCO analog and categorized as one of the lesser sounding poly analogs along with it. It's true to an extent but I still like it's sound and it is the source of name of my alias and this site. : ) My first synth.

The Rhodes/ARP Chroma
1. It's just as incredible sounding as the more popular analog poly monsters like the Roland Jupiter-8, SCI Prophet 5, Oberheim OB-Xa, Memorymoog and so on, but for some reason it never seems to get the same recognition. I found one for US $950 in prestine condition from a shop that usually overprices gear.
2. It has a weighted keyboard and mod settings to die for. It's one of the most expressive and best sounding synths I have ever played. Definitely in a class of it's own.

Elka Synthex
1. the Elka synthex was much underrated too because of its brand. It's a fantastic synth anyway.

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Mad Science Lab SSM2 Boards

SSM 2040 filter boards from Mad Science Lab.

"This board has the following connections on Molex .156 headers. The 2 filters are completely separate.

-- Filter 1 -audio in and out
-- Filter 2 -audio in and out
-- Filter 1 -4 control voltage inputs (0 to +15 volts)
-- Filter 1 -3 resonance control voltages (0 to -15 volts)
-- Filter 2 -4 control voltage inputs (0 to +15 volts)
-- Filter 2 -3 resonance control voltages (0 to -15 volts)
-- Power in (+15 ,-15 volts and ground)"