MATRIXSYNTH

NEXT SPACEBASS 3.3

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via Tuan c/o Drone Studios

Note the MIDI dip switch and VCF In.

"The Next! Spacebass 3.3 is the best Roland TB-303 clone there is! The analog circuitry is based almost entirely on single transistors which make these units sound absolutely authentic. The control interfaces are built around the original 303 design for easy on-the-fly use. The sounds generated by analog bass synths come from two types of waveforms, Saw and Square, which can be mixed for a large number of sound possibilities. The SpaceBass 3.3 features a 24 dB low pass filter, through which the sound passes to create various effects, can be modulated with Cutoff, Resonance, and Envelope Modulation. The decay time and accent are variable from 120 velocity. There is a separate VCF input for routing any audio signal through the filters...perfect for warming up drum loops! By the way the Next! Spacebass 3.3 was manufactured under several different names such as the FAT Freebass FB383 or the MAM MB33, but they are all the same synth with the same circuitry. They are all perfect TB-303 recreations and sound fat and acidy!"

You can find samples at the auction.

PAiA Fatman

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via Tuan c/o Drone Studios

"The Paia FatMan is a truly underrated analog synth! Though it is quite simply a two oscillator VCO design routed through to a VCF and a VCA, it makes up for it with a wonderfully beefy sound. The Fatman contains two fat VCOs with detune and mix controls as well as a very nice glide that gives it an old school analog edge. Add to that a warm filter that self oscillates when resonance is pushed to its max and it sounds quite Moogish in nature. There are two separate envelopes for the VCF and VCA, and like the Minimoog there is a special AR/ASR mode that is switchable for the filter and a full ADSR for the amplifier. Add to that a switch labeled PUNCH which simulates the tight envelopes found on the Minimoog. Unlike most old school analog synths, the Fatman contains MIDI ports, so all you need is a Midi controller to start using it. In addition, the Fatman can be used as a CV Gate output to control other classic V/Hz synths like the Korg MS series synths as well as the Yamaha CS series. The Fatman works well as a Midi to CV/Gate interface, but does not have all the features of a Kenton CV/Gate box, though a Kenton box will cost you well over $200. The addition of a CV/Gate output on the Fatman is a big plus! The Fatman is an excellent synth for fat analog bass and lead sounds as well as zany sound effects. If you're a circuit bender, the Fatman is one of the most modded synths on the planet!"

You can find links to samples in the auction.

KORG M500 Micro Preset

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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

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"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.