Live at the New England Synth Fest

video upload by Jeremy Parker

"My good friend and musical collaborator, @cowboybenalman @TheEntireRobot , invited me to join him at the Spring 2023 New England Synth Festival, where we performed a live set. This was my first time performing at a synthesizer festival, so it was a great opportunity to get to know and participate in the local synth community. It was held in Burlington, MA and included a slew of other performers, lectures and workshops throughout the day. Thank you @newenglandsynthfest for having us, and thanks to the visual synth artists Vidumami and Allison Tanenhaus who provided the video backdrop for our set.

I used my @ArturiaOfficial Polybrute, @KorgOfficial Minikorg 700fs and the Elektron Analog Rytm MKII. Ben used various gear, including the @MoogMusicInc Sirin, Arturia Keystep 37, @EricaSynths Perkons HD-01, among other things.

Please check out @newenglandsynthfest at their website: https://nesynthfest.alt-mode.com/
And the entire stream of the day's performances here:"

New England Synth Fest, April 22, 2023

video upload by New England Synth Fest

You can check out more of Cowboy's stuff on his channel and twitch.tv stream for his latest project, 'The Entire Robot':

/ theentirerobot
and website https://www.theentirerobot.com/

Check out all my original music here: https://soundcloud.com/user-801248952"

Moogerfooger Effects Plug-ins Tutorial | Creating "Conditional" by Colleen

video upload by Moog Music Inc

"Tutorial: How to create a complete song using five Moogerfooger Effects-Plug-ins and just two external audio sources!

Inside her DAW of choice, French musician Cécile Schott (Colleen) details how to replicate a hardware gear workflow with sends and returns using nine instances of the plug-ins, treating each effect as its own instrument. From the artist:

'I have a pretty intimate knowledge of the MF-104M Analog Delay, MF105 MIDIMuRF, and MF-101 Lowpass Filter, so I was curious to hear the effects’ digital replica and try the other two I didn’t know, especially the MF-107S Freqbox, which I fell in love with madly (it is responsible for the song’s impossibly crunchy rhythm!).

I purposefully used a very minimal sound source—the Hammond of the Yamaha Reface-YC—as a blank canvas to showcase what makes the Moogerfoogers truly unique: their ability to radically transform sound and impart a sense of motion, making them closer to a synth module than an effect pedal. Having just finished a fully instrumental album, I actually really felt like singing the lyrics to a song which I had to discard, allowing me to also showcase the MF-104M as an awesome vocal processor.'

Visit the link below listen to “Conditional” by Colleen in full, and hear more complete tracks created using the Moogerfooger Effects Plug-ins.

Listen to "Conditional" by Colleen: https://soundcloud.com/moogmusicinc/c..."

Touring Jean-Michel Jarre's Studio In Paris

video upload by Headliner

"Join us as electronic music pioneer and composer, Jean-Michel Jarre invites us to his recording studio in Paris.

His studio is a haven of vintage and modern gear, including a plethora of synths and his @SSLvideos desk.

Other highlights include a digital Mellotron, an impressive modular synth rack, @MoogMusicInc Sub37, and a fascinating acoustic speaker."

Dreamy Moogy Doom

video upload by Freedom of Movement

"#jamuary #jamuary2023 Day 24 ’Courage’

100% pure @MoogMusicInc Matriarch

Just needs @thomyorke5885 @anohnivevo5746 or @Bjork singing over it"

#jamuary #jamuary2023 Day 12 ‘Bromine Ghosting’

video upload by Freedom of Movement

"The Oblique Strategies prompt was ‘Do Something Boring’ so I made a modular patch

Here it is played live

Ingredients;

100% @MoogMusicInc Matriarch with nothing added"

Industry Tributes to Dave Smith

Some tributes from those in the indsutry. If there are others, feel free to leave them in the comments section below and I will add them to this post. I wanted to start with this one via @BirdKids from a post here on MATRIXSYNTH back in 2006, the year I actaully started this version of the site. It was the top pic from that post and I thought it fitting to start with it as it features a hidden message from Dave Smith.

via @BirdKids

"'May Peace prevail on Earth' Image via @matrixsynth matrixsynth.com/2006/09/on-ins… That's a Sequential Drumtraks (1984) How cool is that!?!? Thank you for everything Dave Smith and @sequentialLLC — your legacy, not just the machines, but the music and people it inspired, endless!"

via @WeAreNovation

"We're extremely sad to share that industry legend, Dave Smith, founder of fellow Focusrite family members Sequential, has died. We're heartbroken, but Dave was with his family, and doing what he loved best. To share your thoughts and memories, please visit http://sequential.com"

via @RolandGlobal

We are deeply saddened to learn that Dave Smith of Sequential has passed away. As a true synthesizer pioneer, he was very much admired and respected by Roland and others. We offer our condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and fans worldwide.

via @WeAreElektron

"We are terribly saddened to hear the news of Dave Smith’s passing. He has been such a pioneering giant of our industry, and his creativity and innovation will forever be part of the story of electronic music. Our thoughts are with his family & the entire @sequentialLLC team. RIP"

Note all three above used the image released by Sequential also featured in my post here. I grouped them together for that reason.

via @moogmusicinc

"Thank you, Dave, for all that you have given to our shared community. The world wouldn't sound the same without you."

via @SoulsbySynths

"RIP Dave Smith, thanks for the pioneering synths (including my Pro One which I love!), MIDI & so much more."

and via @tiptopaudio

"Rest In Peace Dave Smith. You brought so much happiness to this world, the sounds of your instruments touched the souls of so many of us. @sequentialLLC"

And via Roger Linn Design

"On May 31, 2022, Dave Smith, my dear friend of many years, passed away. His legacy of excellent synthesizers will last well beyond his years, as well as the positive influence on music that his instruments have had.

I first met Dave in the late 1970s at a trade show in Anaheim, California. He was showing his new Prophet 5 synthesizer, which I believe was the first polyphonic, programmable analog synth. I marveled at his creation, as did everyone else in attendance. Dave was full of energy and ambition, and well understood the new technology of microcomputers and software programming that was starting to change the world. He decided to use this new technology to change musical instruments. Of course the Prophet 5 went on to become a huge success, used on countless hit recordings in the 1980s.

Unlike me, Dave was an avid athelete, cyclist and triathlete. He actually participated in the Hawaii Ironman Triathlon in his younger years, an astoundingly difficult physical endeavor. He even enlisted me in some of his strenuous hikes, including Mount Whitney, the back side of Yosemite's Half Dome, and Mount Shasta. I named our climb up Mount Whitney 'Iron Man and the nerd'. :)

Our friendship continued over the years, and in 2011 I had the pleasure of collaborating with him on the Tempest analog drum machine. It was fun working with Dave and I learned a lot from him. He had a deep understanding of analog synthesis circuitry and the many design choices that are necessary in order to insure that the final instrument meets the demands of golden ears. He was also good at pushing me a little to bring out my best.

Sadly, the healthiest of atheletes are no match for the roll of the genetic dice, and Dave developed some medical problems in his later years that no doubt contributed to his being taken from us earlier than many. I feel privileged to have known and to have enjoyed a friendship with this extraordinary and creative individual. I miss my dear friend.

Roger"

Update: there's a brief mention of Dave Smith's Hawaii Ironman Triathlon in this article on the development of the Prophet VS (also captured here). He was there during development.

Update2: KORG pays tribute:

via @KorgUSA

"Korg USA wishes to pay respects to the family, friends, and legions of fans of Dave Smith. We've lost a true pioneer and wonderful human being. From the roots of MIDI to Sequential, Dave leaves behind a legacy of innovations that have forever changed the way we create music."

Klaus Schulze Has Passed Away

Klaus Schulze passed away yesterday at the age of 74.

via Discogs

"Born August 4th 1947 in Berlin, died April 26th 2022, was a german electronic pioneer, composer and musician. Schulze initially made his mark as a drummer, first with the group Psy Free, later with Tangerine Dream (he played on their first album "Electronic Meditation" before he quit) and Ash Ra Tempel (with Manuel Göttsching). In 1971 Schulze started a solo career as an electronic musician and released a couple of heavily experimental albums, 'Irrlicht' and 'Cyborg'. 1973's 'Cyborg' was the first release where he used a 'real' synthesizer, the legendary VCS 3 and later in the 70's he would record albums such as 'Moondawn', 'Mirage' and 'X' and embark on several tours, documented across a number of live albums.

In 1978 he set up the label Innovative Communication and the following year he also launched the pseudonym/project Richard Wahnfried. In the 1980's Schulze continued his hectic release schedule as well as recording several soundtracks and rebuilding his studio (he "went digital" in 1986). In summer 1983 Klaus Schulze 'sold' Innovative Communication.

In the 1990's Schulze recorded several electronic interpretations of works by classical composers (most notably Wagner) as well as collaborating with opera singers and other classical music performers on his own albums. He also started collaborating with German ambient/techno artist Pete Namlook in the series 'The Dark Side Of The Moog' on the latter's Fax label, and steered the Wahnfried project into a more modern techno- and trance-inspired direction.

Schulze '...passed away on April 26, 2022 at the age of 74 after a long disease but all of a sudden'. - statement from his social media pages."

You can find numerous posts mentioning Klaus Schulze over the years here. Below are a few better known performances featuring his work from early on to a more recent performance with Dead Can Dance's Lisa Gerrard.

Klaus Schulze with his rack of Quasimidi Polymorphs built to his specifications.
Klaus Schulze Live 1977 better image & sound

video upload by Relena Bonasoro

Klaus Schulze Live - WDR Köln 1977

Klaus Schulze Live - WDR Köln 1977 video upload by Boropolis

Klaus Schulze talks about, and demonstrates, his first synth an EMS Synthi A

video upload by Synthasy2000

Klaus Schulze - A few Minutes after trancefer

video upload by Electronic Progression

Klaus Schulze Feat. Lisa Gerrard - Rheingold

video upload by Ioannis Gourgoulidis

via @moogmusicinc

"A pioneer of electronic sound, Klaus Schulze and his contributions to the synthesizer community and modern music as we know it will continue to inspire for generations.

Thank you, Klaus, for showing the world how truly human electronic music can be.

❤️"

Photo credit: Klaus D. Mueller
Source: klaus-schulze.com

This image was taken in Berlin in 1976 according to Till Kopper @realqwave. That would have made him 28 or 29 at the time depending on the month taken.



Update: also see Klaus Schulze: A tribute to his music and legacy

This Day in History: December 17, 1963 Letter from Bob Moog to Herb Deutsch

via @moogmusicinc

"#OnThisDay in 1963… and the rest is history 🎶"

Moog Werkstatt Discontinued

via @moogmusicinc

"The time has come to say goodbye to our favorite DIY sonic companion: Werkstatt-01

Werkstatt-01 was created to provide a hands-on understanding of how analog synthesizers work and encourage experimentation with sound through patching and interconnectivity.

The novel build-it-yourself synthesizer kit based on classic Moog circuitry, first introduced in 2014, leaves its mark as both a powerful standalone instrument and an enhancement to any integrated electronic music ecosystem.

#DidYouKnow that the research and design that went into Werkstatt-01’s circuitry ultimately led to the development of our entire semi-modular family? If it weren't for Werkstatt-01, instruments like Mother-32, DFAM, Subharmonicon, Grandmother, and Matriarch might not exist today!

Let’s show the small-yet-mighty synth some extra love in its final days. Share your musical explorations with the instrument here using #MoogWerkstatt01.

If you haven't had a chance to explore Werkstatt-01's powerful spectrum of sound, check with your local authorized Moog dealer (http://moogmusic.com/dealers).

The instrument is still available at select locations worldwide, and is the perfect holiday gift! Wrapped present"

-- Be sure to see the dealers on the right, here on MATRIXSYNTH, for availabity.

Mort Garson and Moog Music

Interesting bit of synth history today via @moogmusicinc

"Composer, arranger, songwriter, and pioneer of electronic music Mort Garson was born on this day in 1924."

"Mort Garson first encountered Bob Moog and the Moog synthesizer during the 1967 AES Convention in LA as Bob was demonstrating his futuristic innovation. Mort quickly developed an affinity for the instrument and its application to his growing interest in avant-garde arrangements."

"Soon after, he purchased his own Moog synthesizer—one of the first ever made.

Over the next decade, the composer used his Moog synthesizer on countless jingles, television programs, commercials, and film scores, including music for the televised 1969 Apollo 11 moon landing."

"Join us in celebrating Mort Garson today with “An Ode to Plantasia: For Mort Garson and the People Who Love Him,” a series of ambient modular explorations performed by electronic artist Patricia:" [previously posted here]

On This Day Today...

via @moogmusicinc

"#OnThisDay in 1970, the Moog Synthesizer Model I-CA was shipped to Keith Emerson."

Moog Equalizer Keytar Controller?

Retro Synth Ads shared this one on Twitter.

"Can someone please explain to me what a @moogmusicinc Equalizer is, where it came from, and why no one has told me this existed. A Liberation without synth guts?"

Anyone seen one before? This appears to be the first one featured on the site.

Update: according to Brian Kehew of roundandwound.com and more, this was the prototype of the Liberation. "The EMEAPP collection in Philadelphia has two of them. Stevie Wonder's old ones."

The Allman Bros had one on the road as well as you can see at 30:39 in the following video (it should start right when in comes in):


The Allman Brothers Band - Full Concert - 01/16/82 - University Of Florida Bandshell (OFFICIAL)
video by Allman Brothers on MV

All Moog iOS Apps Currently Free in Tribute to Bob Moog's Upcoming Birthday

via @moogmusicinc

"In honor of Bob Moog’s birthday this Sunday, all Moog iOS apps are currently free to download and explore ❤️🎶

apple.co/33b09GS"

Explorations in Analog Synthesis Compilation by Moog Music

moogmusicinc · Explorations in Analog Synthesis

"This genre-bending compilation of original electronic music compositions features a chiptune-inspired head trip from Bonobo, an R&B-influenced synth pop track from Peter CottonTale feat. Jamila Woods, an ethereal vocal collage from Julianna Barwick, an evolving psychedelic excursion from Dan Deacon, a driving percussive electronica track from Madame Gandhi, an emotive dark wave song from Martial Canterel, and an industrial-tinged electronic pop track from Ela Minus. Each track was built around the instruments and accessories included in each artist’s Moog Sound Studio of choice: Mother-32 & DFAM or Subharmonicon & DFAM."

Artwork reminds me of Adventure Time.

Moog One Serial Number 3,000

via @MoogMusicInc

"This #synthesizer has been on an amazing, evolving journey since it first met the world in October of 2018. To everyone here at Moog who’s helped make this instrument special, and to so many of you around the globe whose musical creations continue to inspire us, thank you."

This tells us there has been up to 3000 produced to date. It all depends on what number they started with, for example 1001 or 0001.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Kraftwerk's Florian Schneider Has Passed Away

Some sad news in. Florian Schneider has passed away at the age of 73 due to cancer. As you can see below he was recently active and accessible in the synth community. To say he will be missed is an understatement. It could be said that Florian along with Kraftwerk is directly responsible for bringing the appreciation of synthesizers and electronic music to the masses. His influence is legendary. According to the WhoSampled site, Kraftwerk has been sampled 769 times, covered 180 times, and remixed 56 times.

Via The Guardian

"Florian Schneider, who as one of the founding members of German group Kraftwerk changed the sound of pop music forever, has died aged 73 of cancer.

The news was confirmed to the Guardian by one of his musical collaborators, who said Schneider had died a week ago and had a private burial. It was also confirmed via Sony Berlin.

Born in 1947, Schneider was the son of Paul Schneider-Esbelen, a noted architect who designed Cologne’s airport. Schneider first played music in various groups while studying in Düsseldorf, beginning in a band called Pissoff. Operating in the experimental, open-minded rock scene dubbed “krautrock” in the British press, he formed the group Organisation with Ralf Hutter, the pair later forming Kraftwerk in 1970.

Schneider played the flute, violin and guitar, though often filtered through electronic processing. His interest in electronic music grew. 'I found that the flute was too limiting,' he later said. 'Soon I bought a microphone, then loudspeakers, then an echo, then a synthesiser. Much later I threw the flute away; it was a sort of process.'"

Great tribute video from a djmixsound in 2009:


Electronic legend Florian Schneider Published on Jan 8, 2009 djmixsound

An nterview with Florian Schneider at SUPERBOOTH16 (previously posted here)


Some tributes from various artists in this BBC article, sent my way via Michael Hewel:

My dear Florian
Your Autobahn will never end..
Le Tour de France ne sera plus jamais le même..#FlorianSchneider #kraftwerk #Autobahn pic.twitter.com/07Oks7PV2j

— Jean-Michel Jarre (@jeanmicheljarre) May 6, 2020

We are absolutely devastated to learn that one of our heroes Florian Schneider has passed away. pic.twitter.com/Y2dnYfxkj8

— Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (@OfficialOMD) May 6, 2020

Such an important influence upon so much of the music we know, from Bowie, to electronica, much of the 80s and beyond into modern techno and rap, Florian Schneider was forging a new Metropolis of music for us all to live in. RIP #FlorianSchneider #Kraftwerk pic.twitter.com/y2nXuAY66e

— Gary Kemp (@garyjkemp) May 6, 2020

Take a look back at posts featuring Florian Schneider here.

Update: a nice tribute from CatSynth and couple of tributes from Korg and Moog below:

Florian Schneider (1947-2020)

Published on May 6, 2020 CatSynth TV

"We look back at the life and legacy of Florian Schneider, who passed away today (May 6, 2020).

Schneider was a founding member of Kraftwerk and saw the group’s evolution from experimental rock in the early 1970s to the icons of electronic music that we know today. He began as an accomplished flutist, and many of the Kraftwerk’s early albums feature him on flute and electronics. He later moved to pure electronics including vocoders for the band’s most well known albums and their iconic stage performances.

We at CatSynth send our thoughts to his family, friends and collaborators."

We are absolutely gutted to hear about the passing of @kraftwerk Co-founder, Florian Schneider, due to cancer. He was 73 years old. Florian, while being a part of Kraftwerk, helped shape electronic music & its influence on many genres from synthpop to rock. pic.twitter.com/tSrmnOgMQl

— KORG USA (@KorgUSA) May 6, 2020

Florian Schneider will forever be an inspiration to the world of electronic music. His artistry has been influential to creatives for the last 50 years. Today, we thank and honor him for helping to guide and shape our community through sound, imagination, and innovation. pic.twitter.com/wrq4nB4icz

— Moog Synthesizers (@moogmusicinc) May 6, 2020

Update:
Farewell Florian Schneider - Vintage Synth Lab tribute - The Model - Das Model
Novation Pays Tribute to Florian Schneider
MIKE303 'Tribute to Kraftwerk'
KRAFTWERK tribute to Florian Schneider 1947 - 2020

Transformers by Lisa Bella Donna Featuring New Moog One Update

via @moogmusicinc

"A new #MoogOne firmware update with more than 50 new patches is now available for registered owners!

To highlight the instrument's new features, synthesist Lisa Bella Donna has created this series of Moog One compositions designed to inspire"

"This collection of tracks is available for purchase (pay what you want), and 100% of profits will be donated to Sweet Relief in order to help artists in need.

‘Transformers’ is a series of compositions by Lisa Bella Donna created while exploring the new features of Moog One’s powerful expression engine. These patches were designed to inspire creativity while guiding you through the instrument’s vast possibilities. As each track evolves, imagine how these sounds can integrate with your workflow and your next musical creation."

Moog Offers Minimoog Model D iOS App For Free

via @moogmusicinc

"A gift to spread positivity, creativity, and expressivity. A moment to slow down, appreciate our innate strength, & experience the uplifting power of sound.

The Minimoog Model D iOS app is free for download.

Stay open, stay safe, and #synthesizelove."

You can download the app here.

When Machines Rock: A Celebration of Robert Moog and Electronic Music Event at Cornell

via @Cornell_Library

"Mar 5-7, the hills of Ithaca, NY, will come alive with the sound of #Moog music. Guests at @Cornell include Gary Numan, Suzanne Ciani, ADULT, and Suzi Analogue. Learn more: rmc.library.cornell.edu/moog/ @numanofficial @sevwave @suziAnalog @MoogFoundation @moogmusicinc"

Additional details:

"Electrifying Music: The Life and Legacy of Robert Moog

March 6 to October 16, 2020

Hirshland Exhibition Gallery, Level 2B, Carl A. Kroch Library

Drawing from Cornell’s rich archive of materials that traces Moog’s lifelong fascination with electricity and its musical possibilities, this exhibition features instrument prototypes, design schematics, photographs, correspondence, and audio recordings. It also provides viewers with an opportunity to play a theremin and Minimoog supplied by Moog Music Inc.

[left: Wendy Carlos's studio, ca. 1968.]

Highlights include documents from Moog’s years studying at Cornell University, running his first synthesizer factory in Trumansburg, New York, and collaborating with composers and recording artists for whom he created personalized systems, including Wendy Carlos, who popularized the Moog synthesizer with the album Switched-On Bach; Keith Emerson of the progressive rock band Emerson, Lake, and Palmer; and jazz musician Eddie Harris.

Electrifying Music is a collaboration among Cornell University’s Department of Music, Department of Science and Technology Studies, and Cornell University Library’s Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections.

Exhibition curators: Judith Peraino (Music), Trevor Pinch (Science and Technology Studies), Roger Moseley (Music).

This exhibition is funded through the generous support of the Stephen E. ’58, MBA ’59 and Evalyn Edwards ’60 Milman Exhibition Fund, with additional contributions from Moog Music Inc.

Online exhibition coming in March.

PERFORMANCES AND TALKS
When Machines Rock: A Celebration of Robert Moog and Electronic Music
March 5 to 7, 2020
Various locations on and off campus
Join us for a three-day celebration of Robert Moog PhD ’65 and his pioneering invention of the Moog synthesizer, which electrified music and sparked a revolution in sound. When Machines Rock: A Celebration of Robert Moog and Electronic Music features panels and performances by a wide array of electronic music artists, including renowned synthpop and electro-industrial artist Gary Numan; singer-songwriter, beat-maker, and producer Suzi Analogue; and electronic music composers David Borden, Herb Deutsch, and Suzanne Ciani.

Other events include an opening reception for the Cornell University Library exhibition Electrifying Music: The Life and Legacy of Robert Moog, a DIY synth-building workshop, a concert by Cornell’s Electroacoustic Music Center, and shows at the Haunt by the punk-inspired electronic group ADULT and Suzi Analogue."

1st Moog Synthesizer IIIp Shipped to Micky Dolenz in 1967 Today

via @moogmusicinc

"#OnThisDay in 1967, the first Moog Synthesizer IIIp was shipped to Micky Dolenz of
@TheMonkees
🎛🎛🎛"