Mark Isham's Favorite Synths

What's my favorite synthesizer??? Oh boy... That's a tough one...
video upload by Mark Isham

About Mark via Wikipedia:

"Mark Ware Isham (born September 7, 1951) is an American musician and composer. A trumpeter and keyboardist, Isham works in a variety of genres, including jazz and electronic. He is also a prolific and acclaimed composer of film scores,[1][2] and has scored over 200 film and television productions since his debut in 1983.

Isham is a nine-time Grammy Award nominee, winning Best New Age Album for his 1990 self-titled album. He was nominated for an Academy Award for A River Runs Through It (1992), and a Golden Globe Award for Nell (1994). He has also been nominated for six Primetime Emmy Awards, winning Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music for EZ Streets."

https://isham.com

Alan R. Pearlman Foundation Panel Discussion and Booth Events Coming to NAMM 2025

via The Alan R Pearlman Foundation

ALAN R. PEARLMAN FOUNDATION TEC TRACKS PANEL DISCUSSION AND BOOTH EVENTS AT THE 2025 WINTER NAMM SHOW

The Foundation promises an exciting event schedule in advance of Alan R. Pearlman’s centennial.

KINGSTON, NY, JANUARY 17, 2025– The Alan R. Pearlman Foundation has announced a series of exciting events during the 2025 Winter NAMM show, featuring a TEC Tracks session in conjunction with Korg, USA, featuring a distinguished panel of filmmakers, sound designers and composers discussing ARP's profound influence on movies, games and television. The session; Behind the Screen: ARP Synthesizers Impact on Sound Design in Film, TV, Gaming and More will take place on Thursday, January 23rd from 4PM to 5PM in Ballroom B at the Hilton Anaheim. Moderated by DJ Cherish the Luv, panelists include: Anthony Marinelli, Mark Isham, and Michael Stein.

In addition, the Foundation will be exhibiting at booth #10700, where we will have vintage instruments to play, host famed synthesist and composer Anthony Marinelli as well as other luminaries, and have short demos including a primer on integrating vintage (and modern) ARP synths into Eurorack modular systems.

ARP synthesizers have been woven into our storytelling tapestry for over half a century,” said Dina Pearlman-Ifil, ARP Foundation founder and daughter of Alan R. Pearlman. "We’re excited to inspire at NAMM with insights into my father’s genius from some very influential artists, and to go ‘behind the screens’ with the influential creators who put the endless potential of ARP synths into their work.”

The Foundation continues its work with contributors, collaborators, vendors, manufacturers, venues, and owners of rare original ARP synthesizers. Among their goals is the creation of installations where students can utilize ARP synthesizers as part of their music curriculum, and to explore the endless possibilities of electronic music.

For more information about the Alan R Pearlman Foundation, please visit alanrpearlmanfoundation.org.

And a message on the Los Angeles Wildfires:

"RESPONSE TO THE LOS ANGELES FIRES
The Alan R Pearlman Foundation acknowledges the horrors of the Los Angeles fires and would like to share a few words about this, and about our presence at the NAMM show.

We have been keeping close watch and staying in touch with our numerous friends, colleagues and family in Los Angeles. While it appears that Anaheim, the home of the NAMM Show, is safe from imminent danger, the impact that this tragedy inevitably has had, and will have, on our community of musicians, producers, film and recording professionals and friends cannot be downplayed.

Because Anaheim has been deemed as safe, we will be displaying at the NAMM Show in booth 10700. We hope to see many of you there and to learn more of how you’ve weathered these unprecedented circumstances, whether directly or through contact with those you know who have been impacted.

We salute the NAMM organization for their pledge of $50,000 to donate to the 2025 LA Wildfires Relieve Fund, and their encouragement of more contributions. (Read NAMM's President & CEO John Mlynczak statement.) We encourage everyone that is either going to NAMM or watching from afar to join us in supporting our music family who are being affected by these horrific events.

For those of our music family who are in need of gear from losses from the fires, please reach out to us and we will try to connect you with members of the industry who are helping musicians replenish their studios."

Michael Whalen Introduces Cherry Audio's Wurlybird 140B

video upload by Cherry Audio

Update: CatSynth TV video added below.

"Michael Whalen is a composer, producer, recording artist, and Cherry Audio supporter who has created vibrant music spanning various genres. He has produced 44 solo albums and won numerous awards for his film, television, and advertising work, including two Emmy® Awards, ten Clio Awards, a BMI Award, and four Global Music Awards. Cherry Audio is thrilled to have Michael introduce the new Wurlybird 140B, our first sample-based electro-acoustic virtual instrument.

Read our new interview where we catch-up with Michael on his latest release, Watercolor Sky, and get his thoughts on Wurlybird and more: https://cherryaudio.com/news/an-inter...

Michael's latest release, 'Watercolor Sky,' celebrates his love for Windham Hill Records, the independent record label in the 1980s and 1990s that practically created its own genre. Watercolor Sky is nine tracks of contemporary instrumental music from the prolific composer, and features a dream team of musical talent including Mark Isham, Michael Manring, Nancy Rumbel, Will Ackerman, and Charlie Bisharat. The album is available now from Bandcamp and your favorite streaming services at https://linktr.ee/MichaelWhalenMusic

Cherry Audio's Wurlybird 140B is modeled after the rare and revered 1964 Wurlitzer 140B electronic piano. Wurlybird 140B promises unparalleled sound quality and authenticity for musicians and producers alike. Now available at the astonishingly affordable price of only $39, this plugin makes its dynamic vibe accessible to all.

Get Wurlybird today at https://cherryaudio.com/wurlybird

Wurlybird 140B is available in AU, VST, VST3, AAX, and standalone formats for macOS and Windows. A free 30-day demo is available for those eager to experience its magic firsthand. Visit https://cherryaudio.com/wurlybird for additional product details, system requirements, and an extensive collection of awe-inspiring sound demos from talented keyboardists."

Cherry Audio Wurlybird 140B - a detailed demo and tutorial

video upload by CatSynth TV

"We take a detailed look at the features and presets in the new Wurlybird 140B from Cherry Audio, a recreation of what some consider the best of the Wurlitzer electric pianos, the model 140B. These are far more elusive than the better known 200 series, but our friends at Cherry Audio were able locate one for extensive sampling and modeling for this version, which sounds great and (as an electric piano enthusiast) is a lot of fun to play."

00:00 Introduction
00:25 History
01:40 Overview
02:27 Features from the original 140B
05:39 Effects section
14:58 Factory presets
19:59 Conclusion

All examples in this video performed by host Amanda Chaudhary, who regularly plays electric pianos in her own music. https://amandachaudhary.bandcamp.com

Merch: https://shop.catsynth.com
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/catsynth
Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/catsynth

Waldorf Q: Never Cry Wolf Intro

video upload by wedream2

"The Waldorf Q was programmed with multiple zones in Multi-mode to allow real time performance of the Intro to the movie, 'Never Cry Wolf.' Original music by Mark Isham."

Synth Tips With Alex Bornstein: Prophet 10 Cinematic Sound Design

video by Sequential

"Welcome back to “Sequential Synth Tips,” where some of our favorite artists share their tips, tricks, and techniques on a Sequential synth. In this episode, we feature composer Alexander Bornstein creating cinematic patches on the Prophet-10.

Alexander Bornstein is an award-winning composer currently based in Los Angeles. His music has been heard on television, independent films, feature films, web series, documentaries in the festival circuit, and concert halls around the U.S. Alexander has also been at the forefront of new multimedia platforms, composing music for one of the first VR television series.

Recent works include the Nickelodeon series ‘ARE YOU AFRAID OF THE DARK: CURSE OF THE SHADOWS’, ’TRANSFORMERS: WAR FOR CYBERTRON TRILOGY’ on Netflix, and was co-composer on several episodes of ‘SUPERNATURAL’ with Christopher Lennertz. SCHEMATIC, Alexander's debut album, launched in the Summer of 2017 and is available on all music platforms. The final chapter of TRANSFORMERS: WAR FOR CYBERTRON TRILOGY’ premieres later this year on Netflix.

His work has brought him through major music studios including Abbey Road Studios, Remote Control Productions and Sonic Fuel Studios. In addition to his own music, he has worked with composers such as Danny Elfman, Brandon Roberts, Marco Beltrami, Mark Isham, and Tony Morales on everything from sound design to additional music on various projects.

Follow Alexander here:
http://www.alexanderbornstein.com/

More info on the Prophet-10:

https://www.sequential.com/product/pr..."

Announcing Modular Icons Sound Bank for Kontakt!

Published on May 9, 2019 moogfoundation

"We are thrilled to announce our collaboration on the new MODULAR ICONS sound bank with industry giant Native Instruments, featuring some of the most coveted, rare, vintage modular synthesizers in the world. Modular Icons features sounds by Jean-Michel Jarre, Steve Porcaro, Mark Isham, Jeff Rona, Michael Boddicker, Benge, Walter Holland, Robing Rimbaud (Scanner), Francis Preve, Dan Goldstein, Jim Solomon, Kurt Ader, and Paca Thomas.

This video features sound design guru Francis Preve during his visit to the National Music Centre of Canada to sample the legendary TONTO, one of the many modulars featured in this sound bank. Find out more here."

Vintage Oberheim OB-8 Synthesizer SN C33233

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

via this auction

"This is a beautiful vintage synth in excellent condition. One owner, (the first female Windham Hill artist) bought new in the 80's when working with Mark Isham, and impressed by the magic he was making with the OB-8. This synth was used on only a handful of local gigs. It works perfectly and was recently checked over by a keyboard repair professional. Midi capable. Purchased in late 1984, Serial # C33233."

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Buchla Video Tutorials by Todd Barton

00 Buchla Mind Introduction from todd barton on Vimeo.

You can find the full set of 26 videos in this series on Vimeo here.  Per Todd Barton:

"These instructional videos were created for a course I co-taught with Prof. Robert Coburn this past autumn (2015) at the University of the Pacific. The focus is on the main Buchla 200 series modules in their system housed at the new Analog/Digital Studio.

Though the focus is on the older Buchla 200 modules almost all of the information, tips & tricks are applicable to the newer 200e series. I will be adding more 200e tutorials to this collection in the coming months.

My deep thanks to Prof. Coburn and the enthusiastic and talented students of this first class: http://www.analogital19.com

Also a big thank you to my friend and colleague, Bruce Bayard, who patiently taped and editied this entire video series. http://brucebayard.com/

For more information and discussion of things Buchla please visit my blog:

http://toddbarton.com/category/buchla-blog/

'The videos have been great! I've gone through them all and will continue to review them for quite a while I am sure.'
-- Mark Isham, film composer"

Sound Pages via Ron

Click here for a number of SoundPage Flexidiscs (flexi disk) sent my way via Ron aka nonbeing. Enjoy. The following is the full track listing:

DISK 1 (One)
1. “Cranes In Their Nest”
Arranged, performed, and produced on synthesizer by Isao Tomita (with Goro Yamasuchi on Shakuhachi)
Soundpage No. 11 (August 1985)
Flip Side: Blank

2. “My Wife with Champagne Shoulders”
Composed, performed, and produced by Mark Isham
Soundpage No. 14 (November 1985)
Flip Side: Blank

3. “Moon Machine”
Jean-Michel Jarre
Soundpage No. 18 (March 1986)

4. Flip Side of 3: “An Introduction to the Kurzweil 250”

5. “Sometimes . . . Not Always”
Ralph Grierson
Soundpage No. 20 (May 1986)

6. Flip Side of 5: “The Kurzweil 250 Rock Block – A Demonstration”
Original music composed and performed by Paul Heckert live to 2-track master using Kurzweil 250 presets only.

7. Synth Sketch for “Varying Lengths”
Lyle Mays
Soundpage No. 22 (July 1986)

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