MATRIXSYNTH

CV RIBBON CONTROLLER

images via this auction

"RIBBON CONTROLLER - FOR ANALOG SYNTHESIZERS - SELF POWERED, SMALL FOOTPRINT, CONTROL VOLTAGE OUTPUT

Ribbon controllers provide a means of adjusting various aspects of a synthesizer's sound in real-time as you play. I find them especially useful in adjusting the filter cutoff frequency in real time, but they can also control pitch, amplitude, and other parameters in some cases. Ribbons provide an expressive input device that allows you to perform trills, tap-tempo effects, swells… you name it! I got spoiled with the ribbon in my Multimoog, and I thought it would be nice to have a small-footprint ribbon that I could use with my other synthesizers. The problem that I ran into was that there are simply not many options commercially available in this space.

I wanted a ribbon that was small enough to attach to one of the end-bells or front panel of the synthesizer. Also, some of my synthesizers do not have a means of powering a passive ribbon controller; consequently, I wanted a self-powered unit. It became obvious to me that I really had no choice but to design and build my own ribbon controller.

Quality was my primary objective. It was important to me that the ribbon be extremely durable yet sensitive to touch, in order to be expressive enough to capture every nuance. I selected the materials that I felt would accomplish this goal best, without regard to build time and cost. As a result, I am very happy with the outcome, and I am certain that you will be as well. Using the supplies I had leftover after building my own units, I’ve decided to build a few more of these powered ribbon controllers, and offer them to other musicians who may be looking to fill a similar need for a durable, yet relatively inexpensive, small-footprint control voltage (CV) ribbon controller.

My ribbon controllers feature:
* Hand-made wooden (birch) enclosures, with durable polyurethane stained finish
* Quality 3M products to ensure longevity of the ribbon assembly
* Heavy gauge, copper-clad base-plate - providing an extremely rigid structure for the ribbon assembly
* Unique combination of sheer woven metal and nylon textiles covering the ribbon assembly - offering a durable yet smooth, tactile ribbon response
* Dedicated power Supplies featuring in-line transformers, making connection to a densely populated power strip a breeze
* Maximum 0-15VDC control voltage output, to ensure compatibility with most manufacturer's analog equipment
* Capability to swap power adapters, in order to support any potential alternate power requirements (the ribbon accepts a standard 2.1mm DC power plug)
* High quality Switchcraft ¼” phono plugs for CV connections
* Velcro base with included adhesive-backed strips for ease of monting on equipment

A video clip demonstrating some of the possibilities of my ribbon controllers can be viewed here:

Ribbon Controller Demo

YouTube via 12T0NE
Update: The previous video embed in this post by 12T0NE appeared to have been pulled. I added the video above which was previously posted here with a different description. The following is the description for the original video and was part of the original post, so it stays up.

"Operation of the ribbon controller is easy. Simply plug in the included power adapter, connect the power adapters plug to the corresponding plug on ribbon controller’s harness, and finally plug the ¼” phono (TS) connector into any CV input on your synthesizer that you wish to modulate. Once everything is connected, there is around 6 feet of slack on both the CV cable (between the ribbon and synth) and the power cable (between the ribbon and the power adapter's transformer), making many placement options possible.

I use my own ribbon controllers with keyboards from several manufacturers – including (vintage) Moog, Oberheim, Sequential Circuits, and Yamaha. I have not yet run into any compatibility problems. Obviously, I can’t guarantee compatibility with keyboards I have not yet tested against; however, given that the units supply their own power, and output a control voltage in the 0-15VDC range, they should function within acceptable operating parameters of most analog equipment. That said, please do your research and make sure it will work for your intended application before making a purchase. I assume no responsibility for incompatibility or damage to equipment that may occur thru improper use."

Greatest Use of LED Technology EVER! Spring Break Nationals

YouTube via audiojunkies00. Someone should tell audiojunkies about synthesizers.
follow-up to this post and of course, Moaning Lisa.

VCA filter

MacBeth Moroco. via -'Boris'

MuRF FreqBox

via -'Boris'

PPG350 - VEMIA

"Rare and interesting early sequencer from PPG. Has some quirks, but works fine and has some excellent features. Here's Lucid Sound's informal report after servicing it:- 'There were a few 'anomolies' with this, and very little info available on the web, but I've got it to a good useable state. It really is quite an innovative device. There are some great features here, like the ability to invert the notes in a sequence just by pressing a button, or 'immediate playback' where the sequence repeats what you've just played as soon as you lift fingers off keyboard (takes some explaining but it's good, trust me). Two transpose modes, immediate (waits until the end of the current note) or delayed (waits until the end of the loop) - brilliant. There is a sync in/out, which is a high frequency audio clock, so you can sync to tape, or as I did, use a VCO to control the speed of the sequence (great with an EMS). It's 1V/Octave out, positive trigger. A few strange things though: The 'manual' (translated and brief) says pressing middle C starts a sequence or any other key to transpose - not on this one, bottom C is no transpose, all other keys transposing up. There is a Gate output. This works from the keyboard but not from the recorded sequence even though the trigger output does - however even the guy who wrote the simplified manual that's available online says, and I quote: 'there is no word HOW and what these trigger modes are (sorry!)' It'll also do real time recording, and there's a whole load of editing stuff (timing and pitch changes etc). In really nice cosmetic condition too."

You can find this one on VEMIA - Click on Auctions, Search, and search for 5760 or PPG for the rest.

808State- studio 101 1994

YouTube via massonix. via Analog Suicide (they and Autechre are playing at the Echoplex in LA tonight)
"808States writing studio back in 1994,manchester u.k."