Showing posts sorted by date for query T Studio. Sort by relevance Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by date for query T Studio. Sort by relevance Show all posts
Friday, October 24, 2025
Harmonium VST FREE With Crow Hill VAULTS
video upload by CROW HILL
"With Theo off on hols this week Christian opens the lid on one of his favourite instruments, The Harmonium. Think Penguin Cafe Orchestra, think Jon Brion, think a leading (albeit inanimate) character in Punch Drunk Love."
Press release follows:
The Crow Hill Company announces availability of VAULTS - HARMONIUM, bringing bellows to DAWs as latest free VI abiding by its Make Music, Your Music motto
EDINBURGH, UK: The Crow Hill Company is proud to announce availability of VAULTS - HARMONIUM — bringing bellows to DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations) as its latest free VI (Virtual Instrument) monthly drop, allowing anyone to experience the timbral complexities and harmonic layers of its gorgeous and, some might say, quaint instrument namesake for the rest of their lives, abiding, as always, by the Edinburgh-based enterprise creators’ collective Make Music, Your Music motto — as of October 24…
Its iconic appearance in Director/Writer Paul Thomas Anderson’s 2002-released dark romantic comedy Punch: Drunk Love — look it up! — may make many think of the harmonium in a certain way. What is certain, though, is that the small free-reed organ was patented way before, back in 1842 by Frenchman Alexandre Debain. By being smaller and less expensive than traditional pipe organs, it quickly became popular through Europe, India, Africa, and the southern United States. Travelling through the north of the UK, harmoniums can still be found tucked away in the corners of many recording studios. Saying that, those that are there are not just set dressing; after all, the harmonium captured the hearts of artists such as The Beatles, Supertramp, Penguin Cafe Orchestra, and Tori Amos, all of whom featured it in their music.
Making music with a harmonium is easier said than done, however, since the instrument in question generates sound by pumping air — using two foot-operated pedals joined to a mechanism that operates a bellows or by pushing and pulling a handle joined to the bellows back and forth with one hand — past a thin piece of metal in a frame and making it vibrate. Vibrations then resonate through the harmonium’s wooden body, thereby producing the distinctive, church-like sound. Thankfully, The Crow Hill Company has succeeded in capturing this sound to produce VAULTS - HARMONIUM, making it much easier for many more appreciative sound-seekers to experience its musical magic.
Composer Christian Henson — original founder of The Crow Hill Company — freely admits to being a big fan: “It’s got to be one of my favourite instruments. It can bring a simplicity to music — dare I say it, a quaintness, but because of its timbral complexities, it’s also massively expressive.”
Thursday, October 23, 2025
Generative Patches: DFAM+Mother-32+Subharmonicon. Jam Demo
video upload by Anton Anru
📚 DMS Generative is a collection of 25 patches for the semi-modular system Moog Sound Studio: DFAM + Mother-32 + Subharmonicon. This genre of sound design is highly popular within modular culture, and the Moog Sound Studio offers an excellent feature set to explore it.
🎛 Controlled chaos and randomness, probability, non-repetitiveness, tempo shifts, pattern uniqueness, the alternation of short and long sounds, unexpected changes, silence and density, harmonic and FX-like tones, and glitchy bursts throughout sequences — all of these elements are part of the soundset.
🎚 Generative timbres can serve as a strong addition to, or the main element of, ambient or techno tracks, jams, and performances. You can also record fragments into your DAW or sampler, slice them into one-shots or loops, and obtain unique material for further processing.
📦 Get these patches: https://antonanru.sellfy.store/p/moog...
🕹 The key idea behind the soundset is a high level of interconnection. In this patchbook, the timbres of the synths are intertwined — they cannot exist independently:
🔹 They modulate each other with LFOs and envelopes.
🔹 A sequence from one synth may change parameters on another.
🔹 Trigger interactions, clock/rhythm, and run/stop modulations break predictable patterns.
🔹 Audio signals from VCOs may be used as modulation sources to create harmonies, intervals, or wild experimental inharmonic tones.
🔹 Alternatively, they can be used as audio sources routed into another synth to be processed through its unique filter and envelope — giving the signal a “second life.”
DFAM, M32, and SUBH each play distinct and defined roles — it’s not a sound mess, but a tightly integrated system where the synths work in close cooperation.
Erik Norlander's Farfisa Combo Compact I 61-Key Organ
Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
video upload by moogfoundation
via this Reverb listing
"Vintage Italian combo organ with classic '60s tone in a sharp-looking chassis. It sounds awesome, especially through FX pedals. 60s Brit pop sounds, naturally, but also early Pink Floyd psychedelic vibes. This unit needs repair, but it’s a great low-cost restoration project for someone handy!
The unit powers up and makes sounds, but the voltage to the keyboard needs adjusting. In the embedded YouTube demo video, a successful demo can be heard in the C scale, but all of the following keyboard voltage issues exist (potentially among others): C in the bass octave plays an F below; B in the bass octave plays a D# below and is too soft; G# in the bass octave is too soft.
Other issues:
Vibrato doesn't work. All Vibrato switches have some effect on the tone, but there is no actual vibrato
Reverb doesn't work. Reverb has a tube preamp (cool!)
Bass 16 / Strings 16 - same issues as bass octave but an octave higher
Bass 16 / Strings 16 - C2 and B2 do not sound
Flute 8 / All 8' stops - same issues as #6 and 7 but an octave higher again
Top C note sticks mechanically
This lot does NOT include the bass or volume pedals.
This organ is built in combination with its own carrying case. The top lid is removed to reveal the organ, and the bottom opens up to storage for wires and the fold-out, built-in legs (shown in some of the images). This lid is missing the suitcase-style carrying handle, which is likely easily replaceable. The case itself also has a crack on the right side.
The Farfisa Compact is known for its bright, buzzy organ tones and reedy bite, perfect for psych rock, garage, and early synth-pop textures. Whether you’re restoring it for stage use or just want that iconic combo organ flavor in your studio, this is a great piece to start with.
Details:
Multiple tone tabs for organ voices and percussion
Built-in vibrato (needs repair, as mentioned) and tone booster
49 keys with bass section on lower range
There is nothing like the sound of a Farfisa organ. Heard on classic tracks by Pink Floyd, The Doors, and The B-52s, these organs helped define the sound of '60s and '70s rock, and still holds its own in modern music.
30% of the sale goes to the Bob Moog Foundation, supporting electronic music history, innovation, and education."
video upload by moogfoundation
via this Reverb listing
"Vintage Italian combo organ with classic '60s tone in a sharp-looking chassis. It sounds awesome, especially through FX pedals. 60s Brit pop sounds, naturally, but also early Pink Floyd psychedelic vibes. This unit needs repair, but it’s a great low-cost restoration project for someone handy!The unit powers up and makes sounds, but the voltage to the keyboard needs adjusting. In the embedded YouTube demo video, a successful demo can be heard in the C scale, but all of the following keyboard voltage issues exist (potentially among others): C in the bass octave plays an F below; B in the bass octave plays a D# below and is too soft; G# in the bass octave is too soft.
Other issues:
Vibrato doesn't work. All Vibrato switches have some effect on the tone, but there is no actual vibrato
Reverb doesn't work. Reverb has a tube preamp (cool!)
Bass 16 / Strings 16 - same issues as bass octave but an octave higher
Bass 16 / Strings 16 - C2 and B2 do not sound
Flute 8 / All 8' stops - same issues as #6 and 7 but an octave higher again
Top C note sticks mechanically
This lot does NOT include the bass or volume pedals.
This organ is built in combination with its own carrying case. The top lid is removed to reveal the organ, and the bottom opens up to storage for wires and the fold-out, built-in legs (shown in some of the images). This lid is missing the suitcase-style carrying handle, which is likely easily replaceable. The case itself also has a crack on the right side.
The Farfisa Compact is known for its bright, buzzy organ tones and reedy bite, perfect for psych rock, garage, and early synth-pop textures. Whether you’re restoring it for stage use or just want that iconic combo organ flavor in your studio, this is a great piece to start with.
Details:
Multiple tone tabs for organ voices and percussion
Built-in vibrato (needs repair, as mentioned) and tone booster
49 keys with bass section on lower range
There is nothing like the sound of a Farfisa organ. Heard on classic tracks by Pink Floyd, The Doors, and The B-52s, these organs helped define the sound of '60s and '70s rock, and still holds its own in modern music.
30% of the sale goes to the Bob Moog Foundation, supporting electronic music history, innovation, and education."
New England Digital Synclavier Brochures
Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
New England Digital Synclavier 9600 Polyphonic Sampling System Brochure
via this eBay listing
"RARE! New England Digital Synclavier 9600 Polyphonic Sampling System Brochure
Yes, this is the 9600, and yes, this is in English.
This is THE RAREST and MOST SOUGHT AFTER of the 1989 new system brochures that that fake foreign website scanned the photos from 25+ years ago to show fake systems on the website (instead of real ones like Synclav com has shown for 20+ years). This is the original source of the scan, at least for the Synclavier 9600 model. Those photos show empty boxes. Uhm, what's holding that beige door closed (no locks)? And exactly what software generates that screen image?
This incredibly rare brochure gives all the information, and shows all the specs of the Synclavier 9600. And surprise! The maximum polyphonic sampling memory is not "1.5GB", lulz.
And, lastly, Synhouse has the Synclavier 9600 in stock (two kinds, actually). Nobody else does."
New England Digital Synclavier Brochure VPK Sample-to-Disk VT640
via this eBay listing
"This is an incredibly rare brochure from the summer of 1984 (when NED was working on polyphonic sampling Synclavier to be shown October 1984 and there was no actual system in production, the few shipped were hybrids of the Synclavier V/PK retrofitted to a Synclavier II Control Unit) that shows things that NED didn't exactly make, ever.
This was their first---and last---mention of "The Tapeless Studio" meaning the sequencer (later that meant the Direct-to-Disk system). It describes the SMPTE Reader Option without using that term because it wasn't yet available and they hadn't figured out how it would be done yet (similar to the 1987 discussion of the not-yet-released 3rd party SMPTE reader for the Linn 9000, saying they weren't sure whether or not it would require additional hardware to be added to the Linn 9000....that's the sound of someone who hasn't ever used SMPTE and doesn't know what it is), and it shows a graphical flow chart showing polyphonic sampling and multi-channel outputs (neither available then as building blocks), and is intentionally vague about the "floppy disk system" and "Winchester disks", as they didn't really have the set offering for that (high density Superfloppy, not out until 1985, and 5mb and 10mb IMI MFM Winchester drives being common, neither with SCSI until 9/1985).
It describes the Stereo Option, Sample-to-Disk, SCRIPT/MAX, and different Control Unit enclosures.
Most strangely, it shows a V/PK that never existed, with a back panel that wasn't made, with Synclavier II connectors that were never used and, sadly, an on/off power switch that they never put on this $11,000 machine.
New England Digital Synclavier 9600 Polyphonic Sampling System Brochure
via this eBay listing
"RARE! New England Digital Synclavier 9600 Polyphonic Sampling System Brochure
Yes, this is the 9600, and yes, this is in English.
This is THE RAREST and MOST SOUGHT AFTER of the 1989 new system brochures that that fake foreign website scanned the photos from 25+ years ago to show fake systems on the website (instead of real ones like Synclav com has shown for 20+ years). This is the original source of the scan, at least for the Synclavier 9600 model. Those photos show empty boxes. Uhm, what's holding that beige door closed (no locks)? And exactly what software generates that screen image?
This incredibly rare brochure gives all the information, and shows all the specs of the Synclavier 9600. And surprise! The maximum polyphonic sampling memory is not "1.5GB", lulz.
And, lastly, Synhouse has the Synclavier 9600 in stock (two kinds, actually). Nobody else does."
New England Digital Synclavier Brochure VPK Sample-to-Disk VT640
via this eBay listing
"This is an incredibly rare brochure from the summer of 1984 (when NED was working on polyphonic sampling Synclavier to be shown October 1984 and there was no actual system in production, the few shipped were hybrids of the Synclavier V/PK retrofitted to a Synclavier II Control Unit) that shows things that NED didn't exactly make, ever.
This was their first---and last---mention of "The Tapeless Studio" meaning the sequencer (later that meant the Direct-to-Disk system). It describes the SMPTE Reader Option without using that term because it wasn't yet available and they hadn't figured out how it would be done yet (similar to the 1987 discussion of the not-yet-released 3rd party SMPTE reader for the Linn 9000, saying they weren't sure whether or not it would require additional hardware to be added to the Linn 9000....that's the sound of someone who hasn't ever used SMPTE and doesn't know what it is), and it shows a graphical flow chart showing polyphonic sampling and multi-channel outputs (neither available then as building blocks), and is intentionally vague about the "floppy disk system" and "Winchester disks", as they didn't really have the set offering for that (high density Superfloppy, not out until 1985, and 5mb and 10mb IMI MFM Winchester drives being common, neither with SCSI until 9/1985).
It describes the Stereo Option, Sample-to-Disk, SCRIPT/MAX, and different Control Unit enclosures.
Most strangely, it shows a V/PK that never existed, with a back panel that wasn't made, with Synclavier II connectors that were never used and, sadly, an on/off power switch that they never put on this $11,000 machine.
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
The Florian Schneider Collection to Be Auctioned at JULIEN*S November 19
Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
via JULIEN*S
"THE FLORIAN SCHNEIDER COLLECTION
Auction to be held at Musician's Hall of Fame & Museum, Nashville, on November 19
An incredible collection of more than 450 artifacts from the life and career of Florian Schneider, co-founder of the pioneer electronic band Kraftwerk."
Pics and videos featuring some of the gear below, and his Lederhosen for good measure (thanks greg!).
Update: the post has been fully updated with all the synth related gear. This may just well be the longest post to be featured on the site. I wanted to capture all the pics for all of the details including notes, scuffs, and of course serial numbers. It's an interesting look into what he used, the condition he keped his gear, in some cases, how he actually used his gear. Note the phonetics on the keys of the Casio CZ-101 and DX-100. Note the Midi Switch Box with a built-in speaker? What's that about? Note the camouflage key strap on the Korg RK-100 Remote Keyboard. Did he pick it out himself or did the keytar just come with it? Note the repeat midi controllers and the MIDI saxaphones. Wind was his primary instrument. You'll find a ton of the acoustic gear he used in the other listings. This is a fascinating insight into both what and how he used his gear.
Side note: there is no affiliate compensation for this post. The note at the top automatically shows for all posts with the Auction label.


Rack Mount Sennheiser VSM-201 Vocoder
Starting Bid $5,000
Estimate $20,000 - $40,000 USD
A late 1970s Sennheiser VSM 201 Vocoder with no serial number from the personal studio and collection of Florian Schneider of Kraftwerk (see images). While it’s said that only a few dozen of these Vocoders were produced, a few examples made it into the hands of forward-thinking musical artists including Herbie Hancock, Daft Punk, and of course, Kraftwerk, who used a VSM-201 like this on their albums Man Machine (1978) and Computerworld (1981). The VSM-201 has an intelligible sound that has not yet been bested by modern gear. Includes power cable. This VSM-201 has been removed from its wooden enclosure (which bears the serial number plate) and modified with a metal rack mount casing, presumably for live use. Requires 240v, IEC power cable not included.
Dimensions: 19 x 9 x 9 inches
Category: Kraftwerk, Equipment
Provenance: PROVENANCE From the Estate of Florian Schneider
via JULIEN*S
"THE FLORIAN SCHNEIDER COLLECTION
Auction to be held at Musician's Hall of Fame & Museum, Nashville, on November 19
An incredible collection of more than 450 artifacts from the life and career of Florian Schneider, co-founder of the pioneer electronic band Kraftwerk."
Pics and videos featuring some of the gear below, and his Lederhosen for good measure (thanks greg!).
Update: the post has been fully updated with all the synth related gear. This may just well be the longest post to be featured on the site. I wanted to capture all the pics for all of the details including notes, scuffs, and of course serial numbers. It's an interesting look into what he used, the condition he keped his gear, in some cases, how he actually used his gear. Note the phonetics on the keys of the Casio CZ-101 and DX-100. Note the Midi Switch Box with a built-in speaker? What's that about? Note the camouflage key strap on the Korg RK-100 Remote Keyboard. Did he pick it out himself or did the keytar just come with it? Note the repeat midi controllers and the MIDI saxaphones. Wind was his primary instrument. You'll find a ton of the acoustic gear he used in the other listings. This is a fascinating insight into both what and how he used his gear.
Side note: there is no affiliate compensation for this post. The note at the top automatically shows for all posts with the Auction label.


Rack Mount Sennheiser VSM-201 Vocoder
Starting Bid $5,000
Estimate $20,000 - $40,000 USD
A late 1970s Sennheiser VSM 201 Vocoder with no serial number from the personal studio and collection of Florian Schneider of Kraftwerk (see images). While it’s said that only a few dozen of these Vocoders were produced, a few examples made it into the hands of forward-thinking musical artists including Herbie Hancock, Daft Punk, and of course, Kraftwerk, who used a VSM-201 like this on their albums Man Machine (1978) and Computerworld (1981). The VSM-201 has an intelligible sound that has not yet been bested by modern gear. Includes power cable. This VSM-201 has been removed from its wooden enclosure (which bears the serial number plate) and modified with a metal rack mount casing, presumably for live use. Requires 240v, IEC power cable not included.
Dimensions: 19 x 9 x 9 inches
Category: Kraftwerk, Equipment
Provenance: PROVENANCE From the Estate of Florian Schneider
LABELS/MORE:
ARP,
Auctions,
Casio,
Doepfer,
Dynacord,
EMS,
exclusive,
exclusive2025,
Future Retro,
Korg,
MOOG,
News,
oscilloscopes,
RHEEM,
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Updates,
Yamaha
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
Evolving Riddle
video upload by Memetune Studio
"Some ambient fun on 90’s synths
I used to be afraid of 90s synths - very afraid
My album 20 Systems stopped short of the 90s because I was scared of what happened next - it went all Rompler, and workstation, and presets, and tiny complicated interfaces with tiny silly screens and, like, two buttons to navigate the most complex synths ever made
But recently, I am learning to love my 90s synths. Some of the best and most beautiful sounding instruments were made in the 1990s and here are four of them - the Alesis Quadrasynth (1993) , a true 4-Layer Rompler with dual integrated FX units. The Yamaha TG33 desktop synth (1990) - using a hand-me-down straight from the Sequential Prophet VS, including a crazy vector-dial. Thirdly, the Waldorf Microwave-2 (1997) - a direct descendant of the PPG Wave series of wavetable synths. And finally the Roland JV1080 (1994) - their flagship Rompler derived from (and vastly expanded upon) the legendary D50 LA synth
I also added a plethora of vintage FX units to the mix (through the Neve 88D) - a Lexicon Model 200, Prime Time 95, AMS RMX16, Quantec QRS, and Eventide H3000 (the blue one) for good measure
The video doesn’t matter here - it’s about the s o u n d today
Thanks for listening"
Sunday, October 19, 2025
Yamaha CS30 SN 4145
Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
via this Vemia listing
Click the auction link on top when you get there for additional listings.
Pic of the inside.


"Released in 1977, the Yamaha CS30 is the flagship of their CS Monophonic range. It is as close to a modular synthesiser that Yamaha ever made and its modulation and routing options are extensive.
This one plays and sounds great. The synthesiser responds to all the pots and sliders as it should and it's ready to use and create weird and wonderful noises and textures. However, to get it to 100 percent functionality the synth requires a service to fix a few issues. Neither the combined 1+2 audio jack nor headphone output work, though the individual 1 and 2 jacks are fine. The sequencer works when switched to Manual and steps through by pushing the red button. However, the 'Clock' function only works when the synth has been powered on for a while and has 'warmed-up'.
Cosmetically the synth is in pretty good shape with nothing broken or missing. There are lots of very small dots of blistered paint, some with a hint of surface rust. The most noticeable ones are at the top of the control panel but these have not increased in size or number over the past decade-or-so. They don't look too bad, in my opinion. Inside is clean and dry with no signs of damp. One of the C keys has a cigarette burn (WHY??!!!) which has melted the plastic slightly. However, all keys are secure and function correctly. The case has a few marks here and there, but overall it looks good.
The case was designed to make servicing very easy. The front control panel is hinged at the back and can be opened by removing just two screws from each side panel. This then reveals a very neat collection of boards and wiring.
The CS30 can be easily integrated into a modern MIDI studio setup. By using an appropriate converter you can interface various features of the synthesiser via its numerous control inputs and outputs:
Foot Controller (CV) for volume in.
Sequencer CV and Trigger (gate) out.
Key Voltage (pitch CV) in and out.
Trigger (gate) in and out.
External (audio to the filter) in.
It features two voltage controlled oscillators (VCOs), two voltage controlled filters (VCFs - both featuring low-pass, band-pass and high-pass options), two voltage controlled amplifiers (VCAs) and three envelope generators. It also sports a ring modulator and a voltage controlled low-frequency oscillator (LFO).
It is fairly unusual for a hard-wired synthesizer in that it features a variety of switches which allow the user to re-route the signal flow from the usual VCO-VCF-VCA convention. For example, VCO 1 can output a square wave through VCF 1 whilst also outputting a high-pass filtered sawtooth wave through VCO 2. Another example is that the envelope generators can be assigned to any of the VCO, VCF and VCA modules and can also be inverted. Because the LFO is voltage controlled, the oscillating speed can be governed by an envelope generator and different waveforms can be applied to the other modules all at the same time. The CS30 also features an external signal input for filtering other musical instruments and audio sources, which can also be used as a modulation source. It includes an onboard eight-step analogue sequencer."
via this Vemia listing
Click the auction link on top when you get there for additional listings.
Pic of the inside.


"Released in 1977, the Yamaha CS30 is the flagship of their CS Monophonic range. It is as close to a modular synthesiser that Yamaha ever made and its modulation and routing options are extensive.This one plays and sounds great. The synthesiser responds to all the pots and sliders as it should and it's ready to use and create weird and wonderful noises and textures. However, to get it to 100 percent functionality the synth requires a service to fix a few issues. Neither the combined 1+2 audio jack nor headphone output work, though the individual 1 and 2 jacks are fine. The sequencer works when switched to Manual and steps through by pushing the red button. However, the 'Clock' function only works when the synth has been powered on for a while and has 'warmed-up'.
Cosmetically the synth is in pretty good shape with nothing broken or missing. There are lots of very small dots of blistered paint, some with a hint of surface rust. The most noticeable ones are at the top of the control panel but these have not increased in size or number over the past decade-or-so. They don't look too bad, in my opinion. Inside is clean and dry with no signs of damp. One of the C keys has a cigarette burn (WHY??!!!) which has melted the plastic slightly. However, all keys are secure and function correctly. The case has a few marks here and there, but overall it looks good.
The case was designed to make servicing very easy. The front control panel is hinged at the back and can be opened by removing just two screws from each side panel. This then reveals a very neat collection of boards and wiring.
The CS30 can be easily integrated into a modern MIDI studio setup. By using an appropriate converter you can interface various features of the synthesiser via its numerous control inputs and outputs:
Foot Controller (CV) for volume in.
Sequencer CV and Trigger (gate) out.
Key Voltage (pitch CV) in and out.
Trigger (gate) in and out.
External (audio to the filter) in.
It features two voltage controlled oscillators (VCOs), two voltage controlled filters (VCFs - both featuring low-pass, band-pass and high-pass options), two voltage controlled amplifiers (VCAs) and three envelope generators. It also sports a ring modulator and a voltage controlled low-frequency oscillator (LFO).
It is fairly unusual for a hard-wired synthesizer in that it features a variety of switches which allow the user to re-route the signal flow from the usual VCO-VCF-VCA convention. For example, VCO 1 can output a square wave through VCF 1 whilst also outputting a high-pass filtered sawtooth wave through VCO 2. Another example is that the envelope generators can be assigned to any of the VCO, VCF and VCA modules and can also be inverted. Because the LFO is voltage controlled, the oscillating speed can be governed by an envelope generator and different waveforms can be applied to the other modules all at the same time. The CS30 also features an external signal input for filtering other musical instruments and audio sources, which can also be used as a modulation source. It includes an onboard eight-step analogue sequencer."
Rare Vintage KORG KEIO (?) CHECKMATE Drum Machine
Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
via this Reverb listing
This appears to be the first one to be featured on the site. It looks a bit like the Wexler ROCKMATE. Teisco made a CHECKMATE keyboard. You can fhand a handful of posts mentioning CHECKMATE here.
Details via the listing:
"A vintage Checkmate drum machine, a true gem from the early days of rhythm boxes. This unit is as much a visual statement as it is a piece of music history: with its golden front panel and large knobs, it’s a guaranteed eye-catcher in any studio or collection.
Fully serviced: all electrolytic capacitors have been replaced, ensuring reliable operation.
Everything works as it should – all rhythms, switches, and controls have been tested.
Runs on a single 9V battery inside the unit, making it portable and hassle-free.
About the Checkmate
The Checkmate belongs to the family of early preset rhythm machines from the late 1960s/early 1970s, often linked with Korg’s DoncaMatic line. These units were designed for accompaniment but quickly became collectible for their quirky analog character and stunning design.
Limited but charming selection of preset rhythms.
Simple analog sound circuitry with a warm, nostalgic tone.
Rarely seen today, making it highly desirable for collectors of vintage drum machines.
Why You’ll Love It
While it won’t replace a modern drum computer in terms of versatility, the Checkmate delivers something unique:
A rare piece of music history that shaped the early years of electronic rhythm.
Unmatched aesthetics – the gold panel and oversized knobs look fantastic both in use and as a display piece.
Collector’s must-have – these machines are increasingly hard to find in good working order.
If you’re a vintage synth/drum machine enthusiast, this is a rare opportunity to own a serviced and working Checkmate drum machine. Perfect as a collector’s item, studio conversation piece, or source of authentic retro rhythms."
via this Reverb listing
This appears to be the first one to be featured on the site. It looks a bit like the Wexler ROCKMATE. Teisco made a CHECKMATE keyboard. You can fhand a handful of posts mentioning CHECKMATE here.
Details via the listing:
"A vintage Checkmate drum machine, a true gem from the early days of rhythm boxes. This unit is as much a visual statement as it is a piece of music history: with its golden front panel and large knobs, it’s a guaranteed eye-catcher in any studio or collection.
Fully serviced: all electrolytic capacitors have been replaced, ensuring reliable operation.
Everything works as it should – all rhythms, switches, and controls have been tested.
Runs on a single 9V battery inside the unit, making it portable and hassle-free.
About the Checkmate
The Checkmate belongs to the family of early preset rhythm machines from the late 1960s/early 1970s, often linked with Korg’s DoncaMatic line. These units were designed for accompaniment but quickly became collectible for their quirky analog character and stunning design.
Limited but charming selection of preset rhythms.
Simple analog sound circuitry with a warm, nostalgic tone.
Rarely seen today, making it highly desirable for collectors of vintage drum machines.
Why You’ll Love It
While it won’t replace a modern drum computer in terms of versatility, the Checkmate delivers something unique:
A rare piece of music history that shaped the early years of electronic rhythm.
Unmatched aesthetics – the gold panel and oversized knobs look fantastic both in use and as a display piece.
Collector’s must-have – these machines are increasingly hard to find in good working order.
If you’re a vintage synth/drum machine enthusiast, this is a rare opportunity to own a serviced and working Checkmate drum machine. Perfect as a collector’s item, studio conversation piece, or source of authentic retro rhythms."
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
YAMAHA MODX M Demos & Reviews
video upload by Woody Piano Shack
"YAMAHA MODX M demo and review covering all new features and comparison with original YAMAHA MODX, MODX+ and YAMAHA MONTAGE M. Covers the MODX M6, MODX M7 and MODX M8. Playing many of the sounds, piano, FM-X and AN-X."
Yamaha MODX M. The sound of Montage M for a lot less money!!
video upload by Woody Piano Shack
"With the MODX M Yamaha have just released an amazing value keyboard! If you are looking for a one synth does all live or studio keyboard you should check this out!"
Yamaha MODX M Is Here! Full Review & Comparison with Montage M
video upload by Scott's Synth Stuff
"Yamaha has finally done it — the new MODX M is here! In this video, I take an in-depth look at what’s new, what’s improved, and what’s carried over from the MODX+ and the Montage M.
We’ll break down the new AN-X virtual analog engine, expanded AWM2 element architecture, upgraded controls and interface, and how the MODX M compares to the Montage M in real-world use. I also cover performance tweaks, voice counts, processor changes, and the long-awaited inclusion of the Yamaha ESP plugin license.
If you’re a synth enthusiast, sound designer, or performer looking to see whether the MODX M is the right upgrade, this video gives you the details you won’t find in the press release.
🎹 What to expect:
Deep dive into MODX M vs MODX+ vs Montage M
New AN-X engine walkthrough
Interface and performance improvements
Honest first impressions and what Yamaha got right (and wrong)"
0:00 Intro
0:22 How Yamaha Works
0:56 Engines
1:16 Polyphony & Memory
1:59 AWM2 Element Expansion
3:14 User Library & SSS
3:43 Screen UI Speed
4:56 Faders
5:34 Encoders
6:00 Quick Edit Grid
8:01 Scene Buttons
8:15 Screen Encoders
8:51 Performance Controls
9:57 Super Knob Positions
10:43 Keybed & Aftertouch
11:08 Screen Differences
11:33 Set List Buttons
11:48 Other Differences
12:04 Yamaha ESP
Tuesday, October 14, 2025
Akai MPK mini IV Has Arrived
video uploads by Akai Professional
Playlist:
1. MPK Mini IV | Your Next Big Idea Starts with MPK Mini
2. MPK Mini IV | Overview
3. MPK Academy | Getting Started with MPK Mini IV - Quickstart Guide
KEY FEATURES
[NEW] Updated third-generation keybed for an expressive playing experience
[NEW] Push/turn rotary encoder for effortless function navigation
[NEW] Enhanced arpeggiator with Pattern, Arp Freeze, and Mutate functions to encourage experimentation
[NEW] Expanded DAW-mapped transport section for an uninterrupted workflow
[NEW] Two distinct colorway options to match your style
[NEW] Full-color screen for real-time feedback and easy navigation
[NEW] True pitch and mod wheels for tactile hands-on control
[NEW] Pre-programmed DAW mapping for Ableton Live, Logic Pro, FL Studio, and more, with 1-to-1 mapping for convenient control of preset parameters
[NEW] The Studio Instrument Collection, a VST/AU and standalone virtual instrument with over 1,000 sounds from AIR, Akai Pro, and Moog, plus MPK Mini IV integrated controls
25 velocity-sensitive mini keys with 10-octave up/down range
8 assignable 360° rotary knobs for tactile sound-shaping
USB Bus-powered for hassle-free connectivity
Scale and Chord Modes for playing in key, adding harmonies, and building progressions with ease
8 Velocity- and pressure-sensitive RGB backlit MPC pads for responsive, expressive feel
Connections:
Full-size MIDI output
Computer connection and bus power via USB-C
Nervy jam w/ Torso T-1, Moog Matriarch, Micromonsta 2, Drumbrute Impact
video upload by Jay Hosking
"Please support my work on Patreon: / jayhosking
A live synthesizer jam performed entirely on hardware.
After my recent work with the S-4, Torso reached out to see if I'd like to borrow the T-1 for a couple of months, with no expectations on me making a video or doing anything publicly with it. I found the T-1 to be an exceptional sequencer for noodling around, for both better and worse. Better: you quickly start writing song ideas you wouldn't otherwise come up with, and arranging multiple parts across different instruments is extremely fast. Worse: it was challenging for me to shape the output into a finished song; to get to the finish line, I had to work against (or ignore) some of the T-1's best features.
Together, it makes me think the T-1 would shine most as an idea generator with another sequencer (e.g. the DAW), where you could take output from the T-1 and then further refine it. Really enjoyed my time with it, though.
This also marks the return of the Moog Matriarch. I had sold off the Matriarch because it was too large for my smaller studio, or maybe too large to justify keeping around as a mono device for the table. Then I got a larger studio and immediately missed it. Happy to have it back, even if it still feels too big for what it does.
As for the rest, well, they do what they do well. The Micromonsta 2 is a great synth for filling in the gaps, and is bitimbral; the Arturia Drumbrute Impact is a superb drum machine for live performance; and the Chroma Console is a perfect little sweetener, here taking a mono instrument into the stereo space.
Performed and recorded live to a multitrack output, with EQ, compression, and limiting on the master.
Thanks for listening.
https://jayhosking.bandcamp.com"
Thursday, October 09, 2025
DMNO UDO's Raw & Chaotic Binaural Multitimbral Polysynth // Machina Bristronica DivKid Discussions
video upload by DivKid
"Here we have the UDO session on the DivKid Discussions stage from Machina Bristronica 2025. Cuckoo had spend some time with UDO and joined George and I for the chat discussing the new DMNO. DMNO is a binaural, multitimbral, polyphonic synthesiser that's far more raw and chaotic with lots of studio utility compared to the other UDO instruments. It's always a pleasure to chat to George and see hm play his instruments so enjoy the conversation! Talking points are in the chapter marks below."
*TIMING INDEX // CHAPTERS*
00:00 Introductions & hellos
00:25 The Hearn Morley VCO chip
02:04 Initial experiences in building electronics & synths
05:01 A new synth! DMNO
06:23 Initial DMNO sounds
07:23 The concept of DMNO
09:11 Phosphor VFD
11:24 DMNO as a raw palette cleanser post Gemini & Supers
15:06 DMNO feature run down (more concept than feature list)
16:48 The beauty of play-led creation
21:40 Building a simple sound from scratch
22:47 Cuckoo on the DMNO
27:04 Tumbling interaction & probability
32:20 The struggles of driving voice allocation & dual voices
34:13 Musical ‘accents’ from two voices
35:45 DMNO isn’t as easy to play!
37:02 DMNO development, release & price
38:34 It’s good to not always know what you’re doing!
Monday, October 06, 2025
🎛️ VAEMI : SLOS (Square Logic Oscillator Synthesizer) Atölyesi : Workshop #diy #diyprojects #gate
video upload by Vaemi
"VAEMI’nin en uygun fiyatlı ve en erişilebilir atölyelerinden biri olan SLOS (Square Logic Oscillator Synthesizer) atölyesi ile elektronik ses dünyasına adım atıyoruz!
Bu atölyede:
Logic Square Wave Oscillator ile frekans bölme (division) tekniklerini öğreneceksiniz.
Çıkışlara bağlanan LED’ler hem diyot görevi görüyor hem de “inhibit gate” (Engelleyici Kapı) gibi 'ogic' kombinasyonlarla yeni sinyal akışları yaratıyor.
Bu sinyalleri birbirine yönlendirerek ses, ritim ve müzik sentezleyeceğiz.
SLOS ile kare dalga tabanlı osilatörlerin nasıl birer ritmik ve melodik kaynak hâline geldiğini deneyimleyeceksiniz.
Sunday, October 05, 2025
Original SEM vs Behringer—Which Reigns Supreme?
video upload by Memetune Studio
"A basic comparison between a vintage Oberheim SEM and a Behringer 2-XM
The idea is to see if the VCO, VCF and envelopes sound and behave the same, or are there subtle differences that mean that I won't be selling my Four Voice any time soon 😉"
Friday, October 03, 2025
NINA Patterns by Mr. Dataline: Analog Motorized Polysynth by Melbourne Instruments
video upload by Melbourne Instruments
"⚡ Step inside the sonic universe of Mr. Dataline with his exclusive Pattern Bank for NINA’s Multi-track Sequencer. Crafted with precision and groove, these patterns demonstrate Nina's many sonic dimensions — from hypnotic sequences and retro video games to raw machine funk. Whether you’re into techno, electro, or left-field machine jams, these patterns showcase Nina's full creative power.
🔗 Nina owners can grab Mr. Dataline's NINA Pattern Bank here:
https://www.melbourneinstruments.com/...
🎛️ ABOUT NINA:
Unlock a standalone groovebox for beatmakers, producers, performers and sound designers with NINA's Multi-Track Sequencer. A groovebox for dynamic and expressive performance anywhere - studio or stage. Great for generating quick new ideas or adding some amazing complexity to your music. This is all powered by NINA's raw analog oscillators, ladder filter and wavetable oscillator. Not forgetting the revolutionary motorized knobs that snap to life for hands-on, tactile interactive control. Whether you’re crafting tough beats or complex melodic patterns, this next-gen groovebox workflow unlocks an exciting new way to create. And don't forget, NINA is also an incredible standalone 12-voice, 4-part multitimbral hybrid analog-wavetable synth beast!
Sunday, September 28, 2025
Golden Gate Park’s Hidden Gem in 4K | Black Sand Beach + Cinematic Electronica
video upload by Saul Stokes
New relaxing music and video from supporting member, Saul Stokes. Links below.
"I've lived in the Bay Area for 20 years and only recently discovered that there's one of only about 20-30 black sand beaches in the world right here in the Bay Area. A little search online says that this is due to ground-up volcanic rock. It's a stunning, yet somewhat challenging location to reach. My wife and I opted to take a little beach picnic while recording. Over the course of about 2 hours, only 2 people made it down to the beach. One of the more amazing stories about this area is that there's a Cold War nuclear launch site just up the road, which you can now tour. If you ever come to San Francisco, make sure to cross the Golden Gate and take a little afternoon hike down to the Black Sand Beach.
As for the music, a few long-time listeners might be a bit disappointed, expecting the entire Radiate album, as shown by the album cover. While compiling the music for these videos, I have discovered that sometimes certain songs don't quite fit the feel I'm going for. For Radiate, I opted to replace a few of the darker songs with some of my favorite tracks from my first demo tape, Burning Igloo, which was released in 1993. The song 'Haight Pacific' was a name I pulled from the MUNI bus I first rode on a trip to the ocean while visiting San Francisco in the 1990s. I still find it fascinating that the city of San Francisco is literally right on the ocean. Radiate was performed in Sausalito when I first moved here in the early 2000s. I don't remember much other than it was by a dock with many beautiful boats. Additionally, a few beautiful studio pieces were added to the CD to fill it up. Radiate was released on Databloem, a CDR label based in the Netherlands. I almost forgot, as a closer, I opted to add a single titled Collision, which was written many years later. If you want to hear the entire Radiate album, jump over to the Bandcamp link below.
01:18- Vast
08:12- Nano Flame
16:53- Haight Pacifica (Burning Igloo)
24:12- Curve of Symphony
32:58- Zerk (Burning Igloo)
35:25 Placenta (Burning Igloo)
43:49- Hard Landing
50:58-Collision (Single)
Instagram: / saul_stokes_music
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2kE0k...
Apple Music: / saul-stokes
Tidal: https://tidal.com/browse/artist/6474747
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/artists/B000...
Bandcamp: https://saulstokes.bandcamp.com/
FABESIS ENCLAVE Profesional Edicion 2024 - Sintetizador de Nueva Generacion
video uploads by Bautista D. Perez
via this eBay listing
Based on the user manual, this appears to be a preset synth. I'm not seeing the ability to do any deep sound editing - there's no mention of filters, LFOs, or envelopes. That said, this is the first post to feature FABESIS.
Details via FABESIS:
"16-Part Multitimbral Synthesizer
🎹 MÁXIMUN EXPRESSION FOR ACOUSTIC INSTRUMENTS
24-bit Audio for Maximum Authenticity and Expression of Acoustic Instruments Designed in the United States specifically for discerning musicians. This synthesizer includes the traditional sounds used to play Corridos, Chilenas, Banda, Alterado, Tierra Caliente, Tropical Cumbia and Sonidera, Merengue, Bachata, Tango, Chanchona, Cumbia Villera, Tecnocumbia, Chicha Peruana, Cumbia Ranchera, Rock, Romantic Music, and much more!
🖥️ EASY TO NAVIGATE
The Enclave's interface is easy to navigate. Its navigation is so intuitive that, if you already have experience as a musician, you probably won’t even need to read the manual. All menus are designed to be easily understood by any user.
🎹 SEMI-WEIGHTED KEYBOARD
Professional keyboard with fast response, semi-weighted design, and blister contacts — ideal for demanding musicians. Its lightweight build and portability make it perfect for any stage.
🎛️ EASY TO USE FRONT PANEL
The front panel of the Fabesis Enclave is intuitive, clear, and entirely in Spanish. It includes essential functions such as:
Tuning – Adjust pitch with precision
Transpose – Instantly shift keys without changing your hand positions
Octave Shift – Expand your range at the touch of a button
Navegation
Operation Mode - Select the operation Mode
Sound Banks - Choose your favorite sounds
Factory Effects – Apply studio-quality effects instantly with built-in presets
Additionally, its effects section includes factory pre-programmed presets, ready to use instantly..
🔌 CONNECTIONS
On the back panel, you’ll find all the connections you need:
Audio outputs - for live performance or recording
Headphone Jack - for silent practice
Damper Pedal - for expressive sustain
MIDI Ports - for external gear and sequencing
USB Connections - for storage
Programation Port. - for software updates
📦 EXPANSIONS
For those looking to expand the capabilities of the Enclave, Fabesis offers a variety of sound libraries and expansions, including:
Grupero Wave.
Romances.
Saxophones.
Trumpets.
Trombones.
Mega Synths.
Ambient Dreams."
Saturday, September 27, 2025
Patching @ 3am - Using Modular Synths With Bitwig Studio
video upload by justin3am
"In this episode we'll be exploring the vast possibilities when using modular synthesizers with Bitwig Studio. I'll demonstrate practical applications for MIDI and CV interfaces, modulation routing and using synth modules as insert effects.
Also, 3am merch now available on Bandcamp. Check out my logo t-shirt.
https://3amnoise.bandcamp.com/merch/3..."
Friday, September 26, 2025
Access Virus TI Soundscape | Sit and Rest
video upload by MIDERA
"I wish I could say what's been going on in my life, to complain about some of the stuff that has happened. It's not good, but not something I want to share publicly (nothing health related or anything). Just... huge letdowns.
Anyway - I'm here, still trying. I want to come back to something and say: I think the Virus TI is still my favorite synth in my studio... Coming back from the Moog Muse and thinking 'Huh, I didn't know I could do this on the TI.' The only thing I really wish the TI had was Filter FM, that's kind of a bummer - but I guess since it has oscillator FM, that can be maybe a more exact approach to a similar sound? And I know the LFOs can't go fast enough to simulate Filter FM (I tried, but after a certain frequency, pitch won't affect the rate like it should, so it won't work).
But... the Virus is something. After all these years it still impresses me. It STILL gets me feeling joy. Something not a lot of synths offer.
Like, the fact that it has those 'analog' filters (which are supposed to model the Moog filters?), they sound damn good. And something you might not think about is OSC VOLUME Saturation Type which can affect how the filter resonance sounds? I mean, this stuff can really change the sound in the most interesting way.
Don't know why I have half the crap I have to be honest... I've thought about selling the Prophet VS, Jupiter 6, and a whole lot of other things. They don't really bring me joy. But the Virus... it still does, and I've had this thing since 2012."
Wednesday, September 24, 2025
Arturia announces V Collection 11 INTRO
Overview | What is V Collection 11 Intro? video upload by Arturia
"Join Kari as she introduces V Collection 11 Intro: a streamlined suite of 10 essential instruments distilled from Arturia’s flagship collection. Explore how each one delivers instantly inspiring sounds, from analog classics to modern hybrids, all brought together in a powerful, studio-ready selection.
_CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
01:19 Analog Lab Intro
02:39 Contemporary Originals
04:25 Classic Synths and Keys
08:37 Cinematic Instruments
10:07 Summary"
"What’s V Collection 11 Intro?
Each instrument is a world of possibility. From analog sounds you can’t go wrong with, to wild modulations and innovative composition textures - discover essential sounds for any genre, and some.
Instruments included:
Prophet-5 V
DX7 V
Jun-6 V
Stage-73 V
Analog Lab Intro
Augmented STRINGS
Augmented GRAND PIANO
MiniFreak V
Mini V
Pure LoFi"
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MATRIXSYNTH - EVERYTHING SYNTH
© Matrixsynth - All posts are presented here for informative, historical and educative purposes as applicable within fair use.
MATRIXSYNTH is supported by affiliate links that use cookies to track clickthroughs and sales. See the privacy policy for details.
MATRIXSYNTH - EVERYTHING SYNTH


































