KORG M500 Micro Preset

images via this auction

via Tuan c/o Drone Studios

"The Korg M500 Micropreset is a funky, underrated little analog synth with a very warm resonant filter and cool retro wood enclosure. Many people do not know this, but the "Korg 35" VCF found on the M500 is also found on the Korg MS10, MS20 and Sigma synthesizers. It's a very unique sounding filter and is considered by many synth enthusiasts to be the best sounding 12db analog filter ever made. The M500 is basically 30 different preset sounds, and each sound is selectable via a matrix consisting of a knob and six push buttons. Each preset will allow a different mix of parameters to be edited, and some presets don't. And I think that is one of the reasons why it is labeled as a "preset" synth though there is a certain amount of control over some of the parameters onboard. Some presets allow direct control over attack, sustain, modulation rate, modulation depth, vibrato, LFO, portamento and the filter (which is interestingly labeled "Traveler"), and it varies to what degree some of these parameters can be edited depending on which preset is selected.

The M500 is structured on a matrix composed of six main families of sounds, and five variations for each (often just playing an octave up or down). The M500 also has this neat ability to layer two sounds from different families for a fatter, composite sound!

Several expressive controls make this an excellent "players" synth. Especially cool is the momentary Portamento switch that allows you to add portamento only when you need it -- great when adding slides to a brass preset. There is a Random Repeat switch that allows a random vibrato effect which is both subtle and chaotic. This synth nails down the Theremin sound perfectly and most all the presets sound warm, full and vintage. If you are a fan of early synth music from the 70's to the early 80's, this is a perfect synth to obtain those sounds, simply because the M500 was used on countless records from that early synth period. OMD used the M500 on their first four albums, and their lead singer/synthesist Andy McCluskey still cites the M500 as his favorite synth. Most apparent uses of the M500 are the lead synth part from "Enola Gay" and the intro white noise swooshes from "Electricity". Also Vangelis, Jean Michel Jarre and Brian Eno are also avid users of the Korg M500."

There are a ton of samples linked at the auction.

Roland SH-3A

images via this auction

via Tuan c/o Drone Studios

"The Roland SH-3A is a fully discrete (no ICs, just all resistors and capacitors) analog synthesizer made in 1974. It is actually one of Roland's first analog synths and is distinct from all other analog synths for its ability to do additive synthesis, allowing the layering of five of its oscillators/waveforms. Though the oscillators cannot be independently tuned, just the fact that five waveforms can be layered, and at different levels, makes for a distinct and fat sounding synth. Along with this are several other features which set the SH-3A apart from other synths. The ability to use two independent LFOs (including sample and hold) to modulate the VCO, filter and VCA allow it to sound more like a modular synth. In fact the circuitry of the SH-3A was later used in Roland's System 700 and System 100 modular synths and they all share a very similar sound. There is also a nice sounding PWM (chorus) control on the 8' waveform and both white and pink (rare) noise for those old school synth swooshes a la OMD in "Electricity". Also the SH-3A contains several expressive controls like the glide button and built in ADSR curves allowing quick programming of bass, brass or lead sounds at the turn of a switch. The 24db filter (called "growl") is rich sounding, can go into self-oscillation at high resonant levels. Overall it's an extremely nice, organic sounding filter. Also the envelopes are super snappy -- this a real, discrete analog synthesizer we are talking about here!!! The Human League used the SH-3A to great effect on their first two albums Reproduction and Travelogue, and Vangelis and Kitaro have used it live and in the studio. Overall the Roland SH-3A has a unique sound and is quite rare and collectible. So don't miss this chance to own a part of synth history!"

You can find links to samples in the auction.

Sequential Circuits Pro-One

images via this auction.

via Tuan c/o Drone Studios

There are some samples at the auction.

Happy Valentines!

flickr by Dr. Bleep

"Thingamagoop (hearts) Casio"

full size

http://bleeplabs.com/

alien is coming!!

flickr by Satoshi Aizawa
(click for more)

full size

Inside the Korg Electribe ES1

electronic experiment

YouTube via nchant.

Note the custom paint job on the Roland MC-505.

"freeform little bullsheeeeeit, just midid shit together and went for it, thought it was kinda neet so here ya are"

Catnip Banana

Cool comic via Knox Bronson. You might recognize the name Knox Bronson from this earlier post regarding his new release Pop Down the Years.

Crispy RozzBox Beats (LL Electronics)

YouTube via bigcitymusic
"This is our friend Duron tweaking some Rozzbox beats using its built-in sequencers. Find out more about the Rozzbox at bigcitymusic.com"

VAC: Harvestman Polivoks Filter, Moog Freqbox, MFB OSC-01.

YouTube via hexfix93. Be sure to check out the full review here.
"http://www.velvetacidchrist.com/synth/polivoks.mp3
If you want to hear a better version of the audio. www.velvetacidchrist.com ....This is my video demo and review of the harvestman polivoks filter, the moog freqbox oscillator, and the MFB OSC-01 Tripple DCO Oscilator. All in my doepfer eurorack case."

Update: for the audiofiles, you can find now find the DIVX version on the VAC post.

Technicians - Novation Xiosynth 3

YouTube via museumoftechno. More Museum of Techno here.
"In which Braidy and Cornwell enjoy the many rumbustious features of the Novation Xiosynth. And who wouldn't? ... it's the good shit."