Audiosurf - Featuring Ishtar

YouTube via CosmicD.
"I'd think it was as goofy as the song itself, to try this in audiosurf, however you can't score many points with this as it's a light accoustic song. It's a song by Ishtar and they won the preselections for eurovision 2008 here in Belgium. The addition of some beats help by boosting audiosurf points :)"

Nord Modular USB Board Installation

YouTube via daswesen. See this post for more info.
"How to install my nord modular USB board inside..."

Siel MDP 40

images via this auction

"Siel MDP 40 Midi Digital Percussion Machine. This rare vintage Italian drum machine features a midi in,out, and pedal. Also included is the manual and generic adapter. Its measurements are 13&1/2 inches by 6&5/8 inches by 2 inches. Its shipping weight is four pounds."

Siel Orchestra 2 part 1

Siel Orchestra 2 part 2

YouTube via derrytift2. via Nusonica.

Chris Carter's Musicaid Clap Trap

flickr by Chris_Carter_. Yes, this Chris Carter.

This item is actually up for auction here along with a number of other instruments from Chris.

full size

"This is my original (rare) 1970s' Clap Trap, which differs slightly from the later Simmons version of the same name.

It uses 100% analogue circuitry to create handclaps, which in all honesty are not realistic... but are quite unique sounding nevertheless. Stored in various cupboards for nearly 30 years, I'm now selling it on eBay.

Note:
It was used on a number a early Throbbing Gristle recordings (notably: Twenty Jazz Funk Greats)."

Moog

flickr by abkeating2000

"Horniman Museum moog - Dulwich"

full size

Blade Runner Synth Jam

YouTube via EnvelopeGenerator. via Nusonica.
"The opening titles from 'Blade Runner' by Vangelis on a microKORG and an ARP Axxe. I can't make an Axxe sound like a CS-80, of course... but then again, who does? :P"

Ensoniq Mirage how to make wavesamples that fit

YouTube via totaltwit

"A crash introduction into making wavesamples for the Mirage. This demo is quite intensive and explains some crucial detail. This is not a fully comprehensive presentation, there are a number of ways to make wavesamples, this is just a starting point. This vid will only interest these who own an Mirage and find pressing those buttons a chore."

Musikmesse: Emulator X3 Launched

via Sonic State

"E-MU has announced its new Emulator X3 Streaming Sampling Synthesizer, offering both 32-bit and native 64-bit applications, multi-processor and multi-threading support. E-MU say that xciting new features have been added to the extraordinary capabilities of this instrument. In addition, the E-MU hardware lock has been removed so that E-MU hardware is no longer required as a dongle.

Emulator X3 features E-MU’s Xstream™ streaming sound engine with up to 192kHz sampling and playback, an arsenal of automated sampling/beat analysis/editing tools and almost unlimited sound manipulation that builds on E-MU’s 35 years of synthesis experience.

Emulator X3 ships with:

* 32-bit Emulator X2 Application (Windows® XP/Vista)
* 64-bit Emulator X2 Application (Windows® x64/Vista)

New Features in Emulator X3:

* Xstream™
New improved and Vista compatible Xstream 24-bit/192kHz Streaming Engine—32-bit and native 64-bit applications optimized for Multi-core and Multi-threaded processors. Xstream intelligently balances the processing load across all available resources for exceptional performance.

* Region Xplode Beat Slicer
This great new feature translates recorded drum parts into MIDI files. The Xplode function generates new voices from the selected Region, then creates a MIDI file that maps the new regions to MIDI notes. Just import the Standard MIDI File into your favorite MIDI sequencer and have authentic drum grooves under your control.

* Tempo Map Export
TwistaLoop can now analyze and export the Tempo Map of a song. This indispensable tool allows you to synchronize a rhythm track to a performance that was recorded without a metronome. You sequencer will “groove” with you instead of marching to its own beat.

* Xtractor™
The Xtractor is a new audio manipulation tool that can cut or boost audio levels based on stereo position and frequency. If a song was mixed using stereo panning, this tool allows specific instruments or vocals to be removed, isolated, or pitch shifted. You can remove or isolate vocals, basses, or other instruments, process them and then return them to the mix if you like. The Xtractor is also a powerful analysis tool, since it visually displays the location of each instrument in a stereo mix.

* Translator Convertor
The Translator Emulator X Convertor, by Chicken Systems, enables you to convert many popular sampler formats into the Emulator X’s .exb file format. The bundled Translator Emulator X Convertor application can convert the following types of files:
o Akai S-1000/3000
o Akai MPC
o Emu EIII/ESi/Emax
o Tascam GigaStudio 1 + 2
o SoundFont
o Native Instruments Kontakt 1 + 2
o Steinberg HALion I and I

* Over 3.3 GB of sounds (over 2500 Presets) from E-MU’s premier sound library are included:

o X Producer : Four classic Emulator banks: Proteus X Composer, Hip Hop Producer, E-MU General MIDI, Saint Thomas Strings
o Studio Grand : A stunning 1.4 GB grand piano bank
o Beat Shop 1: Contains nine great drum kits with beats and grooves
o Xperience: Examples of TwistaLoop, morphing filters and more
o Xtreme Lead-1: An inspiring Techno/Industrial with clock-synchronization
o LoopMasters: Top quality, copyright-free samples from the masters of loops

Pricing and Availability:
Emulator X3 will ship in late March 2008 at an estimated street price of £349.99/ €499.99 (including VAT). US estimated street price is $499.99."
http://www.emu.com/

Musikmesse: New Yamaha MM8

"Power and control. Two elements that can make all the difference in your music, whether you compose, create or perform.

The MM8 and MM6 Music Synthesizers deliver all the musical power and creative control you need - and a whole lot more. Taking their sounds from the highly popular pro-level MOTIF series instruments, the MM8 and MM6 have an enormous variety of dynamic, authentic Voices to help you create and perform in virtually any style of music.

These powerful instruments also give you total control over your sound, letting you dynamically change sonic textures as you play with real-time tweakable knobs. Also built-in are special Patterns that provide full instrumental backing - drums, bass and chords - to accompany your live performance and song creation.

With its exceptional light weight and portability, the MM6 is the perfect choice for musicians on the go, while the full length 88-key keyboard of the MM8 delivers natural touch and expressive control over the complete piano range.

The MM8 feature:
• Super-high-quality sounds
• Tons of real-time control
• Dynamic music creation tools—including automatic Pattern and Arpeggiator generators
• Performance Memory for instantfull-panel setting changes
• Versatile song recording features —with eight normal tracks and one Pattern track
• Convenient, easy-to-use data storage solutions"

Link