Oberheim Matrix-6R

images via this auction

"About the Matrix 6R:
This is the rackmout version of the popular Matrix 6 keyboard synthesizer, a fundamentally superior synthesizer to both versions of the Matrix 1000:

Matrix 6 / 6R Matrix 1000
2-parts Multitimbral 1-part Monotrimbral
2 output channels 1 output channel
Edit via front panel or Sysex Cannot edit via front panel, edit only via Sysex

In addition, the Matrix 6 / 6R's oscillators produce subtle harmonic and distortion anomalies not found in the sound generated by the Matrix 1000. The Matrix 6 has a less sterile character of sound over the Matrix 1000. According to sources on the Internet, the Matrix 1000's digitally-controlled oscillators have increased tuning stability over those in the Matrix 6 / 6R, and therefore the Matrix 1000 has no Calibration feature for this reason. Around the time of the Matrix 1000's introduction, this was considered an "improvement" over the Matrix 6 design. For those of us in the 2000's hunting for more of that vintage sound, it's a bad thing! When you don't Calibrate the Matrix 6 / 6R after leaving it on for a long period of time, its overall sound contains more "chorusing" caused by ever-so-slight deviations in tuning between the oscillators and each of the 6 voices."

Hmm... This is the first I've heard of this. There have been questions regarding the M1000 vs. the Matrix-6 and 6R, but the consensus I've heard is that they are essentially the same in sound. The 6 and 6R also use DCOs. Same CEM 3396 chips.

Research Facility 2, Hermoso branch

another flickr by jeremeohmy

full size

spot the synths

ARP 16 voice Electric Piano

flickr by jeremeohmy

full size

Inside an ARP Electric Piano

The Alison Project Update

I posted about The Alison Project back on July 18 of 2006 and again on March 27 of 2007. Magnus wrote in to let me know the modular has grown to a gargantuan size as you can see in this image. Check out the gallery for more.

Update via The Alison Project in the comments: "The modular is mostly DIY, there are 8 Modcan modules now (order just arrived) and 1 Encore Freq Shift that I did not build. Rest are from various Manufacturer's and designers: MOTM (16 bought as kits), Blacet (kits), CGS, oakley, MFOS, J. Hiable, S. Stites, T. Henry, G. Richter, Tellun, Dave Brown, Paparelli and Yusynth."

SunVox - Multiplatform Modular Music Creation Studio

"SunVox is a small, simple, fast and powerful program for music creation, based on modular synths and tracker-like interface. (Detailed info about music trackers is here)

SunVox is Based on parts of the PsyTexx tracker, the PsyTexxSynth engine and the SunDog engine.

Examples of use:
* composing music on PDA;
* music for games;
* "chip tunes" (sunvox tunes can be very small; for example - 30 kBytes (unpacked) or 2 kBytes (when packed to ZIP)).

Main features:
* Modular interface.
* Highly optimized synth algorithmes.
* Flexible architecture: SunVox can working on variuos devices. For example: PDA with slow CPU - 16bit sound (fixed point arithmetic); or big PC with powerfull CPU: 32bit sound (floating point arithmetic).
* SunVox engine (without GUI) is open source and distributed under the terms of BSD license.
* Built-in synthesizers: Generator (saw,triangle,square,noise waveforms); Flanger; Echo; Distortion; Filter (Low-pass, High-pass, Band-pass, Notch); Kicker; Sampler (supported formats: WAV, XI); SpectraVoice (FFT-based synth for analog-like pads); Loop.
* Supported platforms: Windows, Linux, PalmOS, WindowsCE.
* Export to WAV.

What is different between the SunVox and another music editors?
* SunVox has simple and useful interface.
* SunVox is small and very flexible. It can be ported on any device.
* SunVox engine (player and modular synthesizers) is open source software.
* Each music pattern has its own graphic icon (instead of name)."

Click here for more info. via Peter.

iamconsumed - skewered and swerve

via loopcycle on AH: "all sounds programmed in the analogue domain except for the 606 hihat. the sounds are generated from a few modules (motm, modcan, plan b, livewire, doepfer). i chopped up a raw one-pass recording and sequenced it up, adding a couple little bits from recordings last year. here is a raw recording (swerve), the predecessor to skewered, with some of the same textures and tones but no beats:"



More consumed sound on OVI (formerly Twango)

beamz music performance system

YouTube via epiclipsy. "a demonstration of the awesome new product beamz"
It looks like someone took up Stretta's request in the comments of the previous post.
Hopefully the beamz guys will not pull this one. They are definitely getting exposure on all the blogs.
This one via CDM.

Digisound Mod 80 modules - VEMIA

"A very interesting collection of Digisound modules, loose, but generally looking in very good condition. The lot includes: Noise/Sample & Hold; D:A Converter; External Input; Power Amplifier; Dual VCA; VCLFO; VCO; VCO; State Variable Filter; Dual ADSR; VCF (lowpass); and PSU. All chips including the rare and valuable ones (CEM3340s and SSM2040, for instance) seem to be present. Everything seems in good overall condition except that the two connectors which hold the power amplifier circuit board in place are broken, and the board is loose. Sold as seen, untested, with no guarantee of working order, and recommended for someone with good technical skills; but with no reason to believe there is a lot wrong with the modules. A spring reverb tank and what seems to be a spare psu are also included, and a non-matching multiples panel. Packing at VEMIA (a difficult job to do well) will be £10; some literature copies may also be available on request for a small fee."

via VEMIA - Click on Auctions, Search, and search for 5744.

IMJS - New Modular Track via Appliancide

"I posted another track made with just my modular and the 101 on my myspace page. The percussion sound that starts the track is the 101. All of the timing events are divided down from the gate out of the 101. This track should be listened to loud though speakers that can handle some bass. I also embedded a soundclick widget on my myspace page that has some older tracks I've done for the handful of people that enjoy my music."
Also see these posts for more.

Eurorack Modular Planner Update

via contact in the comments of the previous post: "I've made some updates to the planner. Your layout is now saved and reloaded when you come back. You can delete modules by clicking and pressing the delete key. A lot more modules graphics are in now with labeled blank panels for missing images." http://mega.modularplanner.co.uk