Jarre Synth Fest

Via DVDBorn. Check out this DVDBorn post for Jarre giving a demo of the Synthi AKS.

AX80 Membrane Repair Tutorial.

Title link takes you there. Via sequencer.de.

Korg Triton - New Flickr Shot

flickr by barjack.

Loop Level - New Flickr Shot

flickr by mikest.

The Glamour Box

Title link takes you there. Samples on site. So, what makes one circuit bent audio device better than the next? I'm curious if the debates are as in depth as what makes one analog synth sound different than the next. Do a search on circut bent on Ebay and you will see a slew of oscillator based audio devices. What's funny is, when I listen to some of the samples, for some reason, the image of an EMS Synthi comes to mind. The Synthi is like the ultimate version of one of these - it is the ultimage sound effect machine. BTW, if I offended you by putting the Synthi in the same light, don't read too much into that. It's just a thought that comes to mind... The Synthi of course is more, much, much more.

via brian comnes.

Optigan Logo

Cool logo. Title link takes you to a few more shots of the Optigan including its guts.

via Brian Moore who has it listed in the Seattle area Craigslist.

The Whitney Music Box

Title link takes you there.

via Voltage Controlled.

Line 6 TonePort

The MIDI controller for guitarists.

"Record everything from guitar and bass, to vocals and now keyboard parts easily with world-class studio results!

TonePort™ KB37 is the latest addition to the award-winning TonePort™ family of USB recording and modeling interfaces. With world-class Line 6 guitar, bass, and vocal tone with an integrated keyboard controller, you’ll be ready when that hit song comes calling!"

Everything from TonePort™ UX2:

* 18 guitar and 5 bass amp/cab models
* 30 stompbox and studio effects
* 6 high-end studio microphone preamp models
* 2 Mic Inputs with +48v Phantom Power
* Guitar/Bass Input w/ Pad Switch
* Stereo Line Inputs
* S/PDIF Digital Output
* Line Outputs via balanced 1/4-inch
* Monitor Input via stereo 1/4-inch jack
* Headphone Output w/ dedicated volume knob
* Assignable VU Meters
Tone Direct™ monitoring
* 44.1/48KHz, 16/24-bit recording - 96KHz mode
* Mac® and PC compatible
* 37-Note full-sized keyboard with Pitch/Mod wheels for MIDI control
* Transport & Control buttons/knobs assignable to GearBox and MIDI/recording software
* Expression pedal input to control GearBox™ wah/volume or MIDI
* And the same dual footswitch jacks as UX2 for control of GearBox (effect on/off, tone select, tap tempo, etc.) or MIDI/recording software (sustain, start/stop, punch in/out, etc.)

As seen on MusicThing.

Devo on TechTV on YouTube

The Wasp bit is hilarious.

Cirko Hound

This one in via Dr. Georg Müller. Title link takes you to a 5.65M zip of mp3s. Image via Synrise. Details below via the web archive. I remember when this came out.

"Hound Synthesizer
Cirko Electronics is a Dutch company specialized in custom made hardware. In a two years span we developed a music synthesizer module from scratch called the "HOUND". It is a multitimbral analogue synthesizer module build in a 19" rack. There are three version available only differing in the number of voices (6-, 10-, or 16-voices). This is not a so called "virtual analogue" synthesizer, with the VCF's simulated by fast DSP chips. The "HOUND" combines digital oscillators with real analogue (V)oltage (C)ontrolled (F)ilters. This synthesizer sounds big. That's why we called it the "HOUND". It's a savage beast.

Main Aspects
The VCF is equipped with not only the well known "Cutoff Frequency" and "Resonance", but also has a controller named "Fatness". There is a mode called twin mode where the voices are grouped to make the synthesizer function as a stereo device. Easy to learn menu driven graphical user interface with only six pushbuttons and a rotary knob. The four available audio outputs satisfy the full 16 part multi-timbral properties.

Librarian
The "HOUND" is delivered with a free librarian software package (W95/W98 only). This will enable the user to store and rearrange Patches(sounds) and Multi(timbral) settings on the PC's harddisk.

HOUND Analog Synthesizer Module

Polyphonic digital/analog classic synthesizer build in a 19" rack 2U.
24 dB/octave real analog VCF with Resonance & Fatness.
8-voice stereo or 16-voice mono routed to 4 outputs.
Digital oscillators with FM & PWM.
10 MIDI controllers (7 continuous, 3 pedals) simultaneously available.
Polyphonic Portamento.
Sample & Hold
16 Part Multi Timbral.
98 continuous parameters & 37 switches to setup a Patch
Easy manipulation of patches via 6 pushbuttons & rotary controller.
Large LCD display supports the graphic presentation.

HOUND specifications
The HOUND synthesizer combines both digital and analog technology. The oscillator's are digital in order to guarantee a sound source with very stable frequencies. The VCF is really analog (not virtual), thus giving warmth to the sound. The HOUND is a plain synthesizer. There are no samples inside, and no effect processors are build in.

The HOUND is MIDI controlled (MIDI-IN, MIDI-OUT, MIDI-THRU) and 16 part multitimbral. A total of 10 MIDI- controllers (7 continuous, 3 pedals) can be used simultaneously. All multitimbral settings are stored in multi's with a total of 24 multi's. Also the multitimbral routing to the four outputs of the HOUND is stored in a multi.

Different sounds are stored in patches of which 120 patches can be stored. A sound can be modified by editing the according patch. With the help of the graphical display and a smooth turning rotary knob it is easy to make adjustments. While editing a patch the parameters are surveyable displayed. Four pushbuttons have given a strict function, and two pushbuttons are soft keys. The latter functions are showed on the display.

The 10 MIDI-controllers (7+3) and the MIDI-messages note/velocity/aftertouch/release-velocity can control each patch in a way free to the users mind. Almost 100 parameters are available to make this possible.

The HOUND can operate in sole mode using the maximum number of voices available or in twin mode. In twin mode the voices are grouped in pairs resulting in stereo performance. Of course the number of voices is then cut in half, but in return there is more in it.

As a users aid a MIDI tester is available. It shows MIDI messages on different MIDI channels and displays them distinguished by MIDI message type."