Yamaha AN1x

Title link takes you to shots pulled via this auction.


I just realized Yamaha has been sorely lacking in the VA market the last couple of years compared to the two other biggies, Roland and Korg. I wonder if they have anything cooking... The AN1X was one of the better sounding VAs. The knobs stepped like a train off it's tracks, but it did sound good. It's the only VA that sounds like a CS50/CS60/CS80 to me.

Fizmo Rack

Title link takes you to shots pulled via this auction.

Be sure to read this if you ever go for a Fizmo. The auction mentions it comes with the "recommended Radio Shack 9v 1300ma power supply." If this is like the keyboard, the power supply will not take care of the problem. You will have to take care of the voltage regulator.

via Rick.

Casio MT-70 with Bar Code Reader

Casiotone MT-70. Not technically a synth, but check out the bar code reader and bar code music sheets. Title link takes you to more shot pulled via this auction.

via loscha

Update via Loscha:
"Here is an article from "Your SPectrum" magazine which has info about interfacing a VL-5 to a ZX Spectrum computer via the barcode port. Like MIDI, well, only just sort of."

Update via .alex in the comments:
"It's sorta like my yamaha portasound pc-100 playcard system... but it reads cards with a magnetic stripe!!! i took some shots for you matrix. [link]"

Jeffrey Koepper

Title link takes you to Jeffrey Koepper's site. Be sure to check out the gallery.

DX7IIFD Controller?

Anyone know what this is? Title link takes you to the source image.

via woggler in the comments of this post.

Update via woggler in the comments. More info via this electro-music.com thread (I pulled the info below in case the thread expires like other forums).

Via Rylos, the creator of this device:
"Since the TouchRam controller outputs midi, which is software-driven, it could be made to operate about any midi-controlled device. The native inherent resolution is about 20 times higher than the DX7 can use, so it had to be scaled back in the software to match the synth. It uses a patent-pending electrical noise rejection design, which enables it to respond with no perceptible delay, and gives it a snappy, responsive "look & feel".

The limiting factor in using it with the DX7 series synth is that the DX7II will suffer buffer overload if you try to cram midi data into it at anywhere near the maximum data rate, so the software had to be crippled enough to slow down the data rate. Tried it first with an original DX7, but that unit would stutter & fart whenever you changed parameter data while playing a note. The DX7II lets you change parameter values while playing. Multiple control strips can be operated at the same time. It operates by touch, not pressure, so it won't wear out.

When you call up a patch from memory, the display bargraphs immediately show the values of the parameter settings. To tweak any parameter you simply touch on the display where you want the value to be. Couldn't be any simpler. Makes it easy & fun to learn & use FM. After you use it a while it gets pretty intuitive to operate, so you get used to playing the sound parameters as well as playing notes. Instead of a multi-step procedure to tweak sounds, you can do it without having to think about how to do it. Much more efficient way to play than having to mentally task-switch to menu dive!

Here are some samples of the real-time sound morphing a lowly DX7 can do. This is just a bit of noodling around (not any real songs) using only the touch control panel. Anyone who has played a DX7 will appreciate the difference from the usual lack of real-time sound dynamics.

http://www.rentaltechnologies.com/audio/noodle-1.mp3
http://www.rentaltechnologies.com/audio/metabass_mutate-1.mp3
http://www.rentaltechnologies.com/audio/epiano1_morph-1.mp3

It's home-made, and the technology is available for licensing. So as soon as some synth producers can be persuaded to build it into their products synths will suddenly become much more expressive. And cooler-looking!"

One more image:

I mirrored the mp3s here.

C.U.E. Studio

Title link takes you there.

via Jupiter8

Studio Synthavoice

"Beside a gifted pianist, Guido is also an audio engineer, a software designer and a computer specialist. He started a studio for electronic music in the late seventies. With a room full of analogue synthesizer, with among others ARP 2500 studio Cabinet - Roland 700 system. During years he made with this system all kinds of music for the Japanese Recording industry. He also took part in the realization of many Belgian hits among others “DISCO TRAIN”. All sound samples are made with this system"

Title link takes you there. What's cool about the page is every image is a link to an mp3. Be sure to check out the rest of the site while there.

via Jupiter8.

Real Music Media - Fizmo and Wavestation Samples

"Synthetic Vortices represent the cutting edge of modern sound design. The work of Sound Designer/Musician Brent Reiland, employing a selection of classic synths, recorded through a pristinely quiet signal chain, including the finest of modern preamps, these loops are ideal for musicians and sound designers in search of fresh sounds to work with."

Kit List
Ensoniq Fizmo
Korg Wavestation
Great River Electronics MP-2NV Preamp
Pro Tools HD 1 System

Title link takes you there. On the right you will find a demo download currently featuring the Ensoniq Fizmo and KORG Wavestation.

via SIGHUP

Nord Lead 2 Demo playing

YouTube via nige87.

Kraftwerk: Autobahn

YouTube via cecibeans. Sent my way via Gregory.

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