Moog Matriarch and Roland Juno 106

video upload by Suspect Media

"There's something strangely isolating yet comforting about working while it snows. The final snowfall of the year with two beautiful synths."

Roland Juno 106 and Roland JX-3P Mini Horror Movie Soundtrack

video upload by Suspect Media

"After testing out the Juno-106 and JX-3P in the demo, I was curious how they'd fit into a track. So, I put together a mini soundtrack for an imaginary horror movie. It’s been raining all week, so I guess I was in the mood for a slow, atmospheric vibe."

Sequential Prophet 5 and Roland Space Echo | Horror Movie Soundtrack

video upload by Suspect Media

"The Prophet 5 is amazing for horror soundtracks—I use it in almost everything. When it’s processed through the Space Echo, it’s pretty much unbeatable. It just has that perfect 80s sound."

Roland Juno 106 and Roland JX3P Demo

video upload by Suspect Media

"It's been raining for the past few days, so I felt like switching things up and put together this simple, super basic, unstructured, and slow demo of the Roland Juno-106 and JX-3P. While they share similarities, each has a distinct tone. Both are awesome synthesizers.

The Juno is a bit brighter, and with the chorus on, it’s like flying through clouds. The JX has a more serious, muffled tone, which makes it great for horror soundtracks. The filter and LFO on the Juno are just insane—I get lost in the video when playing with them. The JX-3P’s LFO is pretty slow, and its filter is on the softer side. I added DCO-2 for more bite, but it has a tone I really like.

For this demo, since the Juno only has one DCO (though it has an unbeatable sub), I decided to use DCO-1 on the JX—except for one moment when I was tripping out with the filter.

I'm running both synths straight into the interface.

00:00 Recorded dry.
04:55 Recorded with Valhalla Delay."

Roland Juno 106 | Roland Space Echo

video upload by Suspect Media

"Imaginary horror movie soundtrack with the most incredible chorus I've ever heard... I love this synth so much. We're diving into a bit of darkness with the Space Echo on this one.
Enjoy!"

Prophet-5 and Wood Stove

video upload by Suspect Media

"For one of the last fires in the wood stove, I thought a Prophet-5 tune could mark the end of this winter season. The Prophet-5 runs through an Eventide ModFactor and TimeFactor."

ARP 2600 FS Synthesizer | Moog Matriarch Delay

video upload by Suspect Media

"One of my favorite synthesizers, with delay coming from the Matriarch."

ARP 2600 With Moog Matriarch Delay

video upload by Suspect Media

Yamaha DX7 + Trout Fishing

video upload by Suspect Media

"A small except from Trout Fishing Tasmania (1992) with a nice little DX7 tune."

NYZ DRN4 DECLASSIFIED

Exclusive mix on SoundCloud:


Tracklist:

1. NYZ_FMMGKSQ_43t
2. ISR_16x16_WCM
3. CSN [excerpt 2 mono]
4. SWI_r170_16x32x32_B
5. SWI_FM1#16
6. NYZ-1_1#08_A [finite downsized]
7.CSN1 [excerpt 1 mono]

Be sure to see the MATRIXSYNTH exclusive further below!

FM EXPLORATIONS AND MICROTONAL DRONES FROM NYZ (AKA DAVE NOYZE, DAVID BURRASTON, NOYZELAB, BRYEN TELKO)

This is the first release by NYZ and is a superb musical collection of research areas classified to internal Noyzelab operations. Not even .MEDS label were informed of the secret processes underlying its creation, excepting that we know it involved Frequency Modulation (FM) synthesis! We have not been given any information regarding when this work was recorded, but we suspect the material spans at least a decade of David's FM algorithm research on numerous synthesizers, as well his own custom built ear deceiving gear...

According to one reviewer of David's previous musical output he "gleefully disrupts just about every standard convention of musical form you could think of, including those of so-called experimental musics."

Other reviewers have written that :
"His music is a bizarre, yet compelling journey investigating the outer realms of music generated on ancient & contemporary machines." "It's strikingly original audio that doesn't really sound like anything else I can think of." "Utterly sublime. So there you go, a life-affirming slab of mind-altering sound to reawaken you to the terrifying possibilities of creation."

"absolutely wreaks havoc" wrote Keith Fullerton Whitman on reviewing David's last release T. H. Cycle cassette on Important Records/Cassauna .

Cassette releases April 1, 2016

All Audio by David Burraston
Design Tom Knapp

----

MATRIXSYNTH recently asked NYZ why he put together this new album of FM synthesis based explorations, and whether he would discuss some of the process behind it. The declassified information below has been put together by NYZ especially for a MATRIXSYNTH exclusive.

***BEGIN NYZ DRN4 DECLASSIFICATION REPORT***

DC REPORT STATUS: PARTIAL DECLASSIFICATION ONLY
PARTIAL DC STATUS: INCOMPLETE CELLULAR BINARY SPACETIME
PARTIAL DC LEVEL: SEMI-PICTORIAL_TEXTUAL_HIGHLIGHTS
FUTURE DC STATUS: _PENDING

The main reasons for making this album were an interest in FM synthesis in both analogue modular and MIDI/digital mediums. I had worked with digital FM synthesis since getting a Yamaha TX81Z when they came out back in 1987 (which I still have, along with another backup machine with a very hummy mains transformer which bleeds onto the outs). How me and another synth friend used to cry with drunken laughter at preset D11 Hole in 1... :) But after initially wondering whether I had just wasted about 350 UK pounds on an utter piece of shit... I quickly warmed to its better presets, and its very different approach to synthesis yielded enough interesting results early on for it not to get outed.

CLICK FOR MORE »

An Interview with Barry Schrader

Hi everyone! As you know Barry Schrader will be giving his farewell concert at CalArts on September 26. The following is the beginning of my interview with him. I opted to post the questions and answers as they come in.  New QAs will get a new post so you do not miss them and they will be added to this post so we have one central post for the full interview. This should make it easier for all of us to consume in our busy lives, and it will allow you to send in any questions that may come to mind during the interview process.  If you have anything you'd like to ask Barry, feel free to send it in to matrixsynth@gmail.com.  This is a rare opportunity for us to get insight on a significant bit of synthesizer history, specifically with early Buchla systems, and I'd like to thank Barry for this opportunity. Thank you Barry!

CLICK FOR MORE »

New I Dream Of Wires 2014 Documentary Trailer - Official

I Dream Of Wires 2014 documentary Trailer - Official from I Dream Of Wires on Vimeo.

"Waveshaper Media presents
a film by Robert Fantinatto and Jason Amm
I DREAM OF WIRES (2014)

I Dream Of Wires is an independent documentary about the history, demise and resurgence of the modular synthesizer, featuring interviews with modular musicians, inventors and enthusiasts, including Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails), Gary Numan, Vince Clarke (Erasure), Morton Subotnick, Chris Carter (Throbbing Gristle), Daniel Miller, Carl Craig, Flood, Cevin Key (Skinny Puppy), James Holden, Factory Floor, Legowelt, Clark, John Foxx and Bernie Krause, as well as manufacturers and modular industry leaders Doepfer, Modcan, and Make Noise.

Although April 26 will be the world premiere of  I Dream Of Wires' 90 minute theatrical cut (at Moogfest), a 4-hour Special Edition cut of the film, I Dream Of Wires: Hardcore Edition, was released on DVD and BluRay in late-2013, and has already become an underground, grassroots sensation amongst electronic musicians and fans, with high profile reviews and coverage from the likes of NPR, Arte/Tracks, Pitchfork, The Wire, and FACTmag. Despite it's imposing 4-hour length and ultra-niche target market, the Hardcore Edition ("for the hardcore modular synth and electronic music fanatics") has proven an independent hit. Now, stripped of the Hardcore Edition's techy excesses, I Dream Of Wires' theatrical cut is set to bring the fascinating story of the modular synthesizer, a story driven by passionate and innovative people, to the masses.

I Dream of Wires begins with an historical primer, exploring the early development of modular synthesizers from pioneering companies Moog Music Inc. and Buchla and Associates, right through to the near-extinction of these instruments, brought on by the introduction of portable, digital synthesizers in the ’80s. From there, the rebirth of the modular synthesizer is retraced, leading into the phenomenal resurgence of the modular synthesizer. Along the way is some in-depth exploration of the passions, obsessions and dreams of people who have dedicated part of their lives to this esoteric electronic music machine. What started out as a “vintage-revival scene” in the ’90s has grown into an underground phenomena with a growing market of modular obsessives craving ever more wild and innovative sounds and interfaces. Today, the modular synthesizer is no longer an esoteric curiosity or even a mere music instrument — it is an essential tool for radical new sounds and a bona fide subculture.

Additional credits:
Director: Robert Fantinatto
Producer: Jason Amm
Soundtrack: Solvent (OST via Suction Records)
Trailer: Kevan Byrne

"I Dream Of Wires shows how, in the same way that the instruments themselves are rewiring both performers' and listeners' expectations about electronic music, the community that has evolved around modular synths is changing the relationships between users, sellers, and makers…"
- The Wire magazine (UK)

"As far as documentaries go, this is a slick, polished production. The film looks great, and as one would hope and suspect, the audio is wonderful, with the score by Solvent setting the perfect mood throughout...."
- Film Threat (USA)

"…lingering close-up shots of analog synths aside (and there are a lot of these), perhaps what's most joyous about I Dream of Wires is that it profiles a subculture that has almost nothing to do with the music industry."
- The List Film (UK)

"I would highly recommend Robert Fantinatto's documentary film not only to anyone interested in modular analog synthesizers, but to anybody interested in sound and the electronic reproduction of audio in general. This film is so well made it should appeal to anyone curious about people who are obsessed with minutiae, weird sounds, and music that 97 percent of the planet would find annoying."
- Tape Op magazine (USA)

"With its excellent narration and top-notch interviews with pioneers and popularizers like Morton Subotnick, Gary Numan, and Trent Reznor, I Dream of Wires gives us a glimpse into the mind of electronically-minded musicians and their often revolutionary perspectives on music, technology, and human ingenuity.... If you’re curious about the wide world of synths but intimidated by the steep learning curve, check out this movie...."
- DigBoston weekly (USA)

"A recommended watch for those with any degree of interest in synths and synth music. 10/10 Excellence"
- Music Tech magazine (UK)

"…if synthesizers are your thing this documentary provides a huge amount of insight and should appeal in particular to musicians or engineers."
- HMV (UK)

"…this is as thorough a study of the unique appeal of modular synths as you’ll find."
- Attack Magazine (UK)

I Dream Of Wires
idreamofwires.org
vimeo.com/idreamofwires
twitter.com/IDOWdocumentary
facebook.com/idreamofwiresdocumentary"

LYNC LN-1000 JAN HAMMER Keytar

via this auction, via the forum.
see the update below
"The most mythical, the most wanted keytar in the world. The keytar which was used (a custom model) by Jan Hammer. It has been nicknamed "The Rolls-Royce of the keytars".

This is not the (inferior) LN-4: this is the next (and improved) model LN-1000.

Much better than the Roland AX-1 / AX-7 and others:
- 49 keys / 4 full octaves (The Roland only has 45 keys).
- Velocity sensitive keys with AFTERTOUCH (Roland keys only transmit velocity).
- Real continuous controller mod/pitch wheels (The Roland only has a very awkward and almost unusable ribbon / D-beam control).
- ...And much more (if you are looking this article, that's because you already know what type of jewel the Lync LN-1000 is, compared to other keytars...)

The original manual and cables are included. It feeds directly from the MIDI port by means of an ad-hoc little box which is connnected both to the electrical plug and the MIDI cable (as I'm not the original owner of the keytar, I'm not sure if this was the default configuration, but I suspect that it was modified in order to allow this MIDI-feeding)."

Update via Richard Lainhart of O-Town Media:
"One comment about this - the LN-4 is actually the superior controller. The LN-1000 was designed to be a lower-cost, less fully-featured version of the LN-4.

For example, the LN-4 had a separate rackmount interface/power supply that provided 4 MIDI outputs; each MIDI output was separately programmable and controllable from the LN-4. The LN-1000 had a single built-in MIDI output, and was battery-powered.

That's not to say that the LN-1000 is a dog; far from it. But it isn't superior to the LN-4. (I owned an LN-4, used to work for Lync, and wrote the manuals for both controllers.)"

MOOG Minimoog Model E

Note Model E, not D. This is "The Welsh Minimoog" manufactured by Alex Winter's MOOG Music in the UK, referred to in the previous post. The other "non-MOOG" Minimoog E was Don Martin's Minimoog often referred to as the Donimoog (previous posts). Don Martin owned the rights to the name in the US until Bob Moog won the name back in time for the Voyager, however in the UK the Voyager was released as the Voyager by Bob Moog (more info in the previous post).

Image and details pulled via this auction

Details:
"You're looking at a Minimoog Model 204E Analogue Synthesiser - the 'Welsh' Minimoog!

It is in mint condition - I am the sole owner from new, when I bought it in 1999. It has never left the house. It is also fully functional - all controls, switches and keys work perfectly. It comes with the original manual and power cable.

There are one or two 'gremlins' in the system, which were present when I bought it, but they didn't concern me enough to address. I feel I should mention these so as to make the buyer aware!

- there is a slight 'tick' noise which can be heard periodically whilst playing. The below sound demo shows it at its worst. I've no idea what causes it - I know that Moog Music Ltd. had a number of 'bugs' to iron out, so I suspect this is one of them. It's never really bothered me.

- plugging in a set of headphones and lowering the headphone volume to minimum will result in a humming sound. This sound is only audible in the headphones and does not occur with the main outputs (high or low).

My reason for selling is because I've had it eight years and feel like a change.

So what is a 'Welsh Minimoog' then? Moog Music Ltd., based in Caerphilly, Wales was set up in the 90's to reissue Moog Modular parts before setting out to recreate the classic Minimoog... with a few enhancements! From what I understand, only five Minimoog Model 204Es were made before the company went under. I was lucky enough to acquire one (cost £1500 at the time!).

The improvements are as follows:

- Ultra-stable oscillators - these have yet to go out of tune in eight years.
- Transpose switch - the range of the keyboard has now been increased by +/- 1 octave.
- Digitally-scanned keyboard
- PWM on Oscillators 1 & 2 when they are set to Square/Pulse waves. Osc 3 in LFO duties provides modulation.
- Multiple Triggering - the envelopes can be set to multiple triggering, in addition to the original's single triggering.
- MIDI - the Minimoog Model 204E features MIDI built-in (not a retrofit).

The picture below is of the actual synth and by following the link below to my 'music' page, a set of demos that I recorded can be found at the bottom of the list.

http://www.soundclick.com/greenalsatian

Here are some other demos that I recorded, including the 'tick' - this was from a test in which I taped down a note for half an hour - the 'tick' only occurred once, but the frequency of it can vary.

http://media.putfile.com/Minimoog-Tick
http://media.putfile.com/Camel-esque-Lead-Noise-Filter-Mod
http://media.putfile.com/Minimoog-Stranglers-esque
http://media.putfile.com/Minimoog-Devo-ish-Bass
(if the links go down, they are mirrored here)

Here is a link to the review of a pre-production model on Sound on Sound. The issues mentioned in the review were resolved on the production model.

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/oct98/articles/minimoog204e.html"