Craig Padilla - Solina Movement 5 (ARP Solina String Ensemble and Source Audio Pedals Improvisation)

video upload by Craig Padilla

"This is the epic final track from the ambient album 'SOLINA' by Craig Padilla. This improvised spacemusic performance was captured live on three cameras, performed on an ARP SE-IV Electronic Music Synthesizer using COLLIDER and LUNAR effects pedals by Source Audio which run through a long decaying looper plug-in called ElotTronix XL. Everything that you see and hear was performed live in the moment on this classic synthesizer from the 70's without any overdubs.

The ARP SE-IV String Ensemble is a classic synthesizer that was used on many albums by a variety of artists throughout the 70's. Its unique warm sound combined with the right effects makes it inspiring and fun to play."

Craig Padilla - Solina Movement 4 (ARP Solina String Ensemble and Source Audio Pedals Improvisation)

video upload by Craig Padilla

"This is more ambient spacemusic from the 2024 album 'SOLINA' by Craig Padilla. The improvised performance was captured live on three cameras, performed on an ARP SE-IV Electronic Music Synthesizer using COLLIDER and LUNAR effects pedals by Source Audio which run through a long decaying looper plug-in called ElotTronix XL. Everything you see and hear is performed live in the moment without any overdubs.

The ARP SE-IV String Ensemble is a classic synthesizer that was used on many albums by a variety of artists throughout the 70's. It certainly has a warm and inspiring sound which makes it so much fun to play."

Craig Padilla - Solina Outtake 1 (ARP Solina String Ensemble and Source Audio Pedals Improvisation)

video upload by Craig Padilla

"This was recorded during the making of the spacemusic album 'SOLINA' by Craig Padilla. This track didn't make it on the album. It's an improvised performance that was captured live on three cameras, performed on an ARP SE-IV Electronic Music Synthesizer using COLLIDER and LUNAR effects pedals by Source Audio which run through a long decaying looper plug-in called ElotTronix XL. Everything that you see and hear is 100% live in the moment without any overdubs."

Craig Padilla - Solina Movement 3 (ARP Solina String Ensemble and Source Audio Pedals Improvisation)

video upload by Craig Padilla

"This is from the 2024 spacemusic album 'SOLINA' by Craig Padilla. The improvised performance was captured live on three cameras, performed on an ARP SE-IV Electronic Music Synthesizer using COLLIDER and LUNAR effects pedals by Source Audio which run through a long decaying looper plug-in called ElotTronix XL. Everything you see and hear is 100% live in the moment without any overdubs."

ARP 2600 Synthesizer

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

via this auction

"ARP 2600 - SN 2601-0613

Lovely example of pure analog synthesis. Famous examples of its signature sounds are abundant.

This system lineage:

Casey Young: Bought new. Designed keyboard setup for Rick Wakeman of YES. Toured with YES as off-stage fill-in keyboardist. Later, Casey taught synthesizers in Portland Oregon. Michael Garrison was one of his students, and bought the instrument from him.

Michael Garrison: Electronic musician and performing artist. Met fellow electronic musician Craig Padilla at a performance in Mt Shasta California where the two exchanged notes about performing electronic music live, and became friends. Sadly, Michael passed away much too young.

Craig Padilla: Arranged to purchase this instrument from the estate of Michael Garrison. This instrument was then used by Skip Murphy and Craig Padilla in their studio, and can be seen on some YouTube videos.

Skip Murphy: Well, we now have 2 of these ARP 2600’s, so it is somewhat redundant. Now is time to sell this one so that somebody else can enjoy it, and add to its lineage.

Recently cleaned and calibrated by George Mattson, of Mattson Modular. It is in full working order but missing one slider cap on Sample and Hold Rate. That doesn’t affect performance, and you could get a matching cap online if you like. No keyboard, just the synth. It was most recently used with various analog step sequencers, but any 1 volt per octave keyboard or source will run it. Will throw in some patch cords too, but it plays without any patch cords required, due to the unique normalization design. This unit is absolutely stock, with no modifications I am aware of.

Clean and no noticeable flaws, except for the missing slider cap mentioned. Minor scuff marks on the Tolex, as one would expect for an instrument of this vintage. Will be professionally packed and shipped UPS, as they have a good history with shipping this synth.

The EBay listing wants it to say it has 49 keys and an AC Adapter for a power supply, and an arppegiator/sequencer which is not true. I can't seem to figure out how to correct that in the listing. It has no keyboard and the power supply is built in."

Craig Padilla on his Synthrotek MST Eurorack Modular Synthesizer

Published on Feb 5, 2016 Synthtopia

"At the Winter NAMM Show, synthesist Craig Padilla was helping staff the Synthrotek booth.

Padilla gave us an overview and demo of his custom Synthrotek MST Eurorack modular synthesizer, and described some of the customizations that designer George Mattson has made for him."

http://synthrotek.com

Fun with Synthrotek MST EXPRESSOR Module - Craig Padilla

Published on Sep 13, 2015 Craig Padilla

"These are just a few fun ideas using the Synthrotek MST EXPRESSOR module (designed by George Mattson) with an expression pedal. This setup allows your feet to manipulate sound while your hands are doing other things!

For more information: http://www.Synthrotek.com

and http://www.CraigPadilla.com"

Craig Padilla Synthrotek MST / Division 6 Modular Synth Improvisation

Published on Aug 22, 2015 Craig Padilla

"This is the first recording of music with this huge modular synthesizer by Craig Padilla. The combination of the Division 6 Sequencers and the Synthrotek MST Oscillators make a very beautiful sound!! This synth was custom built for Padilla by George Mattson.

For more modular synth info:
http://www.synthrotek.com
http://www.division-6.com"

Craig Padilla & Mattson Mini Modular "Challenger Deep"

Published on Jun 5, 2014 Craig Padilla TV·25 videos

"This was shot while I was recording the song 'Challenger Deep' in my home studio in September, 2013. It was created using ONLY a custom Mattson Mini Modular synthesizer and Mattson/Division 6 Sequencer running through a Roland Space Echo unit. This song is available on my very limited edition double colored vinyl LP 'SONAR' released on FRUITS DE MER RECORDS in June, 2014!

I shot this while I was recording the song. It took a few months to finally get everything edited into what you see here. I'm quite happy with the finished product; The sound quality is amazing, especially when you consider that I am using a one-oscillator synthesizer. The Mattson Mini Modular is a big synth with mini design!

www.MattsonMiniModular.com - for more info

www.CraigPadilla.com - get more music here

www.FruitsDeMerRecords.com - great sounds on vinyl"

MMTA Spring SYNTHFEST 2013 Panoramas by Bohonus VR Photography

Check them out here. These are pretty amazing.  They will bring you into some of the rooms of the event. The first two panoramas are the entrance and Trade Room hall, the third is The Petting Zoo before it got packed, the fourth is the Jam Session room before the the lights were dimmed, and the fifth was the Performance and Presentation room where you saw Mark Mosher, IDOW and Craig Padilla in previous posts.

2013 MMTA Synthfest featuring Craig Padilla

2013 MMTA Synthfest featuring Craig Padilla from Paul Clark on Vimeo.

"On Saturday, March 16 2013 the MMTA ( Mostly Modular Trade Association ) staged a modular synthesizer Synthest, featuring a "Petting Zoo" where enthusiasts could show off their gear , "The Performance / Telepresentation Room" for performances and presentations, "The Trade Show Room" where manufacturers gave demos of their gear and a "Jam Session Room" a big day-long jam session that anyone could join and leave as they pleased.

This is an overview of that day (minus the Jam Session Room)."

MMTA Spring SYNTHFEST 2013: Walkthrough & Craig Padilla Performance

Published on Mar 17, 2013 matrixsynth·271 videos

Quick walk through of the event ending with a portion of Craig Padilla's performance.

MMTA Spring SYNTHFEST 2013 Pics by James Maier aka Carbon111

Full set on Facebook here.


Pictured:

Mark Vail, author of Vintage Synthesizers & former Editor of Keyboard Magazine drawing the winning ticket for one of two Bob Moog Foundation raffles at the event.  Craig Padilla on the right & Jarrett manning the desk on the left.

David Skinners Synthesizers.com Box11 cased system.  Randy Jones of Madrona Labs in the background to the left. I also see Lorne aka kidtronic with a MATRIXSYNTH T!  :)

Jason with his three cabinet wide Mattson Mini Modular system & the recently released SQ816 sequencers.

Back From The MMTA Spring SYNTHFEST

And I am back... This year's SYNTHFEST was the best. More posts will follow, but now I need to catch up on the day's non-SYNTHFEST posts. Some of what you have to look forward to is the I Dream of Wires presentation with some insight on what to expect from the film aside from the interviews (you can thank me for asking - I think I got caught on film but I did try to hide to not ruin the experience for anyone). After that I captured a walkthrough of the event areas (camera induced nausea coming your way - it's always that way when you do a flyby of everything). I caught some of Craig Padilla's performance on video, Dave Bristow's talk on his time at Yamaha starting with the CS80 and on through the history of Yamaha FM synthesis and the launch of the DX7. Dave's talk was the absolute highlight for me. This is synth history in its essence. It's something you will not find anywhere else and it comes from the man that was there, working for Yamaha giving feedback on their designs prior to the public ever knowing a thing. There are tons of funny moments and interesting behind the scenes stories in this one. You do not want to miss it. After that I captured some of Computer Controlled's performance with a Cyclone Analogic TT-303 and Elektron Octatrack. The TT-303? It sounded amazing. I am sold. I ended with some time tweaking the John Bowen Solaris, specifically focusing on the rotars. As always these posts are not meant to be polished, they are meant to be raw and they are meant to bring you to the event. If you have ever been to one including NAMM you will understand. If you haven't been to one, you'll get a taste for what these events are like. This one was truly special. I can't wait for the next! Now back to regular programming. SYNTHFEST posts will follow soon after.

Stuff for Sale at The MMTA Spring SYNTHFEST

For those coming to the MMTA Spring SYNTHFEST on March 16,  there will be some items for sale, so come prepared.  Division 6 will have their complete line of modules for sale at a 15% event discount. Lunchbox Audio will have the list below for sale. Craig Padilla with have CDs and I'm sure others will have items for sale as well.  If you are attending and have anything for sale as well feel free to comment or shoot me an email and I'll update this post.


Some items from Lunchbox Audio:

MOOG
Limited Edition Moog Glow in the Dark Etherwave... (to be performed by Mark Mosher at the event)
Moog Electric Blue Voyager on hand for the event...Fresh from factory.
Moog Merch & giveaway stuff.
All the Moogerfoogers, and a Slim Phatty in Whitewash as those are somewhat limited as well...

KMI
KMI QuNeos on hand for sale.
KMI Soft Step & 12 Step also available.

Hal Leonard / Alfred Books
Approx. 15 copies of Mark Vail's book for the event. (Note Mark Vail will be at the event. If you catch him you should be able to get it signed).
Several other synth & pro audio related titles.

Ableton
One copy of Live 9 in stock & authorization to sell one copy of Live 8 Suite at $599 (pre 9 release pricing) which gets you a full upgrade to 9 for $200 off...
One remaining Live 8 Intro for $69.

Dave Smith Instruments
Possibly a Prophet 08', Tetra, Tempest, and Mopho x4 on display & for sale.

MMTA Spring SYNTHFEST 2013 Event Details

MMTA SYNTHFEST on Facebook

Update: Mark Vail, author of Vintage Synthesizers and former Editor of Keyboard Magazine will be in attendance at the Mattson Mini Modular Booth.  If you have a copy of his book, bring it in to get it signed. Also I added London Bridge Studios to the list.

As announced on February 7th, the MMTA Spring Synth Fest is coming to Shoreline Community College just north of Seattle on March 16th! You can find a map of the campus here (building 800).  The event is completely free so if you are in the area, do drop by.  It's a great chance to see gear you might not otherwise and a chance to sync up and converse with others that share your interests.  Note you do not have to bring any gear to attend, so if you can only make an hour or two, drop by.  The festival runs from 10AM - 5PM PST, but if you plan to bring gear you can start setting up at 8AM. There will be four rooms this year.  The Petting Zoo Room will be where people can bring their gear and mingle.  For those who attended previous events at the PNW Synth Gatherings at Renton Technical college, this is your room.  Along with The Petting Zoo, there will be a Jam Session room where you can jam along with others,  a Presentation room where dedicated lectures and performances will be given throughout the day (see the schedule below for some interesting talks lined up), and finally there will be a "Tradeshow Room" where manufactures will showcase their latest gear.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Mattson Mini Modular On the Air

via Craig Padilla on Facebook:

"A couple years ago on the day after Thanksgiving, I recorded a piece of music created entirely on The Mattson Mini Modular Synthesizer with the assistance of master synth creator George C Mattson and his brother Gregg Mattson. The song, 'Black Friday', makes its radio airplay debut tomorrow on Bruce Gall's Sunday Synth program at http://www.arfm.co.uk/ . Check it out; it's a trippy tune."

The show runs 3-6PM Scotland time, so 7AM -10AM PST, 10AM - 1PM EST if you want to catch it.

George Mattson in the Early Days - 1981

via George Mattson on Facebook

"A long, long time ago in a State not-so-far away....."

EML, ARP & his Performance Music Systems Syntar.

You can find his current creations at http://www.mattsonminimodular.com/

"This was a photo shoot Michael Garrison (RIP) and I did for one of his albums. We tossed our gear together for the pic. All of the Arp stuff was his. The ARP stuff now belongs to Craig Padilla."

Craig Padilla Live at State Theater 3 - The Century's Entrance

YouTube Uploaded by synthwiz on Nov 17, 2011

"THE CENTURY'S ENTRANCE - This is the third song to Craig Padilla's February 2000 "Music for the Mind" performance at the historical State Theater in Red Bluff, CA. Padilla uses a variety of older synthesizers in this performance."

ARP 2600, Sequential Circuits Pro-One, Roland Alpha Juno & Ensoniq ESQ-1.

Craig Padilla Black Friday on the Mattson Mini Modular

Audio added to this post.