MATRIXSYNTH

Blacet News for Spring 2008 and the Blacet Bargain Basement

"Check out our News Page for a really hot special on our Dual Filter Kit!

Also: new Bargain page, new modules, etc.

http://www.blacet.com/news.html

--
John Blacet"

SunSyn 2.0 Update

via swissdoc:

"Hi Matrix,

this text is from the "Products 2008" flyer from JoMoX as distrubuted during Frankfurt Musik Messe:

'Later in 2008, we will bring out a final firmaware upgrade for SunSyn. It will add some important functions as Midi Wave import by Sysex dunp and some other improvements in OS like better autocalibration functions and better Midi performance. It will also address the system stability and offer a stable firmware bios that won´t be able to crash and frustrate our valued customers. A processor update is required, too, and so it´s neccessary for existing SunSyns that they will be shipped to Jomox or to an authorized service station in order to install the hardware upgrade.

This also implies that this update is not for free, but it will offer years of trouble-free enjoyment of this wonderfull sounding unique bolide synth.'

swissdoc"

Mini EMS

via Meat Beat Manifesto's MySpace, via sequencer.de.

So cool. Anyone have a bigger shot of this one?

EMS Mod

I saw this one on sequencer.de. Anyone have more info on it? Apparently it was done by SamZen?

Waterorgan Zadar, Croatia

YouTube via webschepper

"The waterorgan in Zadar, Croatia. Filmed in the summer of 2005."
Update via redroom in the comments:
"these waterorgans are powered by wind as well. you can find more at:
http://www.tzzadar.hr/events.php?id=9&el_id=2067"

Casio CK-500

images via this auction
"Casio CK500 BOOMBOX SYNTH w 2 Tape Decks & Radio. It is a Casio MT-65/68 with twin tape decks and a radio! And what is so special about the MT-65? Nothing much, except it is THE definitive 80’s Casio - a mighty beast with full accompaniement options, the full gamut of vowel consonent generated tones, ability to modulate the vowel and the consonent tones against each other to create new sounds and the finest reverb that has ever graced a home keyboard."

If you look at this bottom image you will see there is a switch to select either Radio, Tape, or Keyboard for Function. Anyone know if that means you can only play or rather hear one option at a time? I always thought you could play along with the radio or tapes if you wanted to.

Technos Acxel Resynthesizer For Sale

Go here and scroll down. The only other one I knew that went up for sale was this one. Click on the Acxel label below for more.

via electro-music.com where you will find some discussion on this.

Update via an anonymous reader:
"I wrote to the guy last year,and u can buy the unit for between 3500-4000e.
Its one of the ex Boman M. Acxel systems.

Comes with only 1 card,no multi-out support,way to expensive and certainly now with the new Acxel II comming.

here one more Acxel for sale:
http://synthsfl.tripod.com/keys.html

i searched to death last year in my Acxel-trip on the web,and if u search very well there are another 2 units for sale.

then more info on various stuff can be find here,Ircam,4X,Synclav etc..:
http://jbemond.free.fr/?cat=4"

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."