Performing with the TouchBox

YouTube via raidersofthelostarp.
"The TouchBox is running two step sequencers controlled with two onscreen keyboards, a monosynth controlled via MIDI, and a guitar fx... Filmed during a performance with a low quality photocamera :( More info at... link"

Something I have been working on today with Gazdatronik

YouTube via Gazdatronik. Name of the video, not actually me.
"A nice chilled out piece, sorta. I show little bits of the setup in action
Moog on bass
Matrix 6 on angry bass
e6400 on drums
korg dw-8000 on choral
TX81z on 'rhodes'"

DACS FwS FREQue II

via this auction. via philip

"Produce pumping tracks that stand out from the crowd with the FwS FREQue II, a genuinely new and inspirational analogue effects processor. In a world filled with plug-ins that do everything, the FREQue II is a processor that few, if any, plug-ins can emulate. The FREQue II is truly a sound designer’s dream. It’ll chew up program material like nothing else out there!

The Effects:
With low frequency modulation inputs:
Simple to complex autopan effects, gating, amplitude modulation, flanging, spatialising

With mid frequency modulation inputs:
Vocoding type effects, adding tunable harmonics, both lower down to subsonic, and up to supersonic, second harmonic distortion (like valves/tubes), harmonising, retuning percussion, gating, general rich distortion, Sci-Fi voices (eg a Dalek)

With high frequency modulation inputs:
Transposition with distortion, adding glitter, air, sparkle etc when mixed back into original

With music or sounds into both inputs:
Vocoding effects, gating effects, fattening/thickening effects, spatial effects, weird transformations

Internal FM:
Frequency Modulation of modulation oscillator at all frequencies, giving effects ranging from slow pulsation to the classic FM generation of complex waveforms

External voltage control of oscillators:
Envelope follower effects, FM effects as above, randomised autopanning

Frequency shift:
Up and down shift of frequency with change in harmonic structure, with FM for sliding effects, using feedback loop to create filter type sweeps

Paul White from Sound on Sound said:
'I’ve used numerous ring modulators over the years, but none have felt either as musical or as natural to use as this one.'"

Previously posted

EML Poly-Box

via this auction. via phillip.
"The Poly-Box is an odd piece of synthesizer technology. It's basically a small-remote keyboard controller for ancient analog synths, but with a twist. It takes control of your analog synthesizer and, even though they're monophonic, the Poly-Box will create polyphony by programmable chord memory presets. Designed for use via CV/Gate with these Related synths. Here is how EML describes it: 'Poly-Box is a pitch following variable chord generator controlled by your synthesizer and Poly-Box's own keyboard with built-in memory. Poly-Box takes a single pitch from your synthesizer and creates two banks of pitch sources. Each pitch bank contains 13 simultaneously available pitch sources at precise semitone intervals - covering an entire chromatic octave. The pitch banks may be in the same or different octaves, and can cover the range from one above to three octaves below the synthesizer oscillator.'"

Latronic Notron

images via this auction. via philip.
"This is probably the best step sequencer ever made, its very sought after and very rare. Only about 100 of these were made. This one is in great condition. I'm the original owner, bought it new back in 1998. Has MIDI inputs and outputs. I have a US power suply for the unit and also comes with the owners manual. It fits very nicely in a standard guitar stand (like shown in the photo's), or can sit flat on a table. I will Ship the item with UPS. No PO boxes. Paypal payment prefered.

Some well known Notron user's are Goldie, The Orb, Jeff Mills, The Advent, Joey Beltram, Bjork, Claude Young, etc. Its great for making techno, electro and some incredibly unique basslines.

If you want to know what this machine does and how it works, you can read Paul Nagle's review from 'Sound on Sound' here

Also, some info from Wikipedia, here"

Synth Testbench

flickr by wooster_synth

click here for the full size shot

2007 Disco Keytar

via Dave

"It's a monophonic, monotambric (same note every time) sound module, employing not a VCO but an ACB (air-controlled blister). I don't see any inputs or outputs on it, but I'm sure we'll figure out a way to sample it eventually. It's not technically a synthesizer, since it creats not artificial, but only natural sounds. But I strongly believe that when in the right hands (or paws), it shall prove to be a surprisingly expressive instrument."

FreqBox vs Access Virus

YouTube via Analogger.
"I used my EMG equipped Strat thru a Vox distortion into the Moogerfooger FreqBox into the external in of an Access Virus. I wrote a rhythmic pattern into my sequencer which gated the Virus. That same pattern was also converted into control voltages with my MPU-101 which modulated the frequency of the FreqBox oscillator. The osc. was synced to my guitar pitch. I also wrote a basic 8-bar pattern for the sampled drums on the SH-32. I included a snippet of video of my brother-in-law and I setting off a Blockbuster in a ditch. That's my wife screaming "He's so insane!!!" I really can't argue with her."

Fade to grey-Visage and Gazdatronik

YouTube via Gazdatronik

"I play Visage's Fade to grey somehow. Micromoog on Bass, Korg DW-8000 on strings, Oberhiem matrix 6 on the high part, and Emulator SP-12 on drums. I'll clean up the production and re-record it and put it up at my other site"

Roland JD-800 Digital Synthesizer - *Pad Sounds* (part2)

YouTube via retrosound72. Follow up to this video.
"more vangelis like sounds from the Roland JD-800 Digital Synthesizer
more info: www.retrosound.de"