Heart - Magic Man

YouTube via aginggaijin. Minimoog solo starts at 4:33.

"Heart performs "Magic Man" on the KWSU program "Second Ending" in 1976.

Heart was:
Ann Wilson - Lead Vocals, Flute
Nancy Wilson - Rhythm Guitar, Bkgrd. Vocals
Roger Fisher - Lead Guitar
Steve Fossen - Bass
Howard Leese - Guitar, Keys, Bkgrd. Vocals
Mike DeRosier - Drums"

Future Retro XS

via this auction
"This is the Future Retro XS, serial number FRXS025 (the 25th XS to ever be made). It was purchased directly from Future Retro when our number came up on the pre-order list.

"From the Future Retro website:
The XS is a true semi-modular analog synthesizer with a universe of sonic possibilities just waiting to be discovered. Our versatile design allows it to be used as either a rackmount or desktop instrument, and its compact size makes it ideal for musicians on the go.

In its simplest form the XS is an extremely powerful monophonic synthesizer including 46 controls with internal signal routings pre-wired in a way which allow the unit to act similar to traditional synthesizers. The unit also provides 7 inputs and 11 outputs which can be connected in various ways to override the pre-wired signal routings, and interface the unit with other instruments in a modular fashion, and even process external audio.

The XS can be controlled by both MIDI and CV/Gate control signals simultaneously in a variety of ways. And can also act as a MIDI to CV/Gate converter with outputs including CV/Gate/Mod Wheel/Velocity signals for controlling other analog instruments.

With a single unit you can easily create basslines, leads, drones, percussion, and sound effects. Connect multiple units together to form larger systems and the possibilities are endless.

The XS provides 2 ultra stable wide range voltage controlled oscillators, each capable of covering a range of 0.5 Hz to 100 kHz. Oscillator A generates saw tooth, and square waveforms. Oscillator B generates sine, triangle, saw tooth, pulse width/square waveforms, and its own sub oscillator waveform which can be 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, the frequency of the main waveform. The pulse width shape of oscillator B can be set manually or modulated with an internal or external control voltage, and oscillator B can also sync its frequency to oscillator A. Each oscillator can be frequency modulated independently by both internal and external signals to create more complex waveforms. The XS also provides a white noise source, and ring modulator which can be used on the internal oscillators or an external source. Dedicated outputs are provided for the waveform select controls A, B, and C.

A dedicated LFO generates triangle, saw tooth, square, and random waveforms, to modulate internal parameters, or external circuits as well with its dedicated output. The LFO can act in a free-running mode, or sync its rate to divisions of an external MIDI clock. When synced to an external MIDI clock, the LFO can be used to generate analog clock signals at various synced rates for stepping analog sequencers or arpeggiators in time with modern sequencers.

The mixer section sets the levels of the oscillator waveforms, sub oscillator waveforms, white noise source, ring modulator, or any external audio signal to be sent to the input of the filter.

The 2-pole multimode filter provides 4 filter types including low pass, band pass, high pass, and notch settings, each capable of covering a range from 5 Hz to 18 kHz. With high resonance settings the filter will self oscillate allowing it to act as an additional audio source. The cutoff frequency can be modulated by both internal and external signals. And the filter’s input and output can be overdriven independently giving it unique tone characteristics. A dedicated output for the filter is also provided.

The XS includes our unique velocity sensitive ADSR type envelope with additional attack and decay time settings for accented envelopes. It’s like having two envelopes in one, and capable of some truly funky sounds. This is the main modulation envelope internally routed to the modify the oscillators and filter. The envelope can be triggered by internal or external logic signals. Both normal and inverted polarity envelopes are available at the output.

And finally a voltage controlled amplifier is provided to process the amplitude of signals. The amplifier normally affects the filter’s output but can also be used to process external audio signals. The amplifier has it’s own dedicated envelope with 4 selectable shapes, velocity sensitive amplitude, and independent accent times. The amplifier also has a volume control for attenuating signals sent to the main output."

Microwaves

via Qwave [image src] in the comments of this post. See the post for context.

Bored Synth Tweaking

YouTube via snevelin. "All self-running like they've a mind of their own. Heh."

ARTURIA ANALOG FACTORY EXPERIENCE

YouTube via MusicmarketingCanada
"Analog Factory Experience is the perfect synthesizer station. Its a collection of 3500 synthesizer tones from the Arturia library and a MIDI controller factory defaulted for mapped MIDI controller of the Analog Factory parameters. The experience is simple, uncomplicated, affordable, and sounds fantastic.

MIDI Controller: The controller is and elegant two and a half octave MIDI keyboard that runs off bus power. Although the controller is conveniently mapped for immediate control of the Analog factory presets and parameters, it works like any other standard MIDI device and can be used as a MIDI input keyboard for any music software or hardware.

Upgrade Version: The Analog Factory Experience Upgrade is for Analog Factory owners who want to acquire the Arturia hardware keyboard. Whereas the Analog Factory Experience is the software plus the keyboard, the product known just as Analog Factory is the software without the keyboard. Arturia makes the keyboard available as an upgrade by itself because it is so stylish, functional, and downright collectable and many Analog Factory users want to upgrade their Analog Factory and acquire just the keyboard since they already own the software.

ARTURIA ANALOG FACTORY EXPERIENCE $349 UPGRADE $295"

Roland SH-101 + TR-606 + EHX Small Stone by RetroSound

YouTube via retrosound72

"vintage synth demo by RetroSound

Roland SH-101 Analog Synthesizer (different settings); triggered by the Roland TR-606 'Drumatix'
Electro Harmonix "Small Stone" analog phase shifter;
phaser effect starting on 4.55
drums: Roland TR-606

This video demo is not a musical statement, only demonstration of the sound possibilities of the instrument."

Craig Anderton - Introducing the MiniMoog Tribute

YouTube via CakewalkSoftware
"Synthesis legend Craig Anderton talks about how he came up with the inspiration for creating the MiniMoog expansion pack for Rapture."

Roland Juno Stage

"A New Synth Star for the Stage
Designed from the ground up for live performers, JUNO-STAGE is a new breed of synthesizer that every gigging keyboardist will love. Decked out with an extra-large display, USB backing-track functionality, a Click output for drummers, dedicated performance knobs, hands-free patch select, instant master MIDI control functionality, and much more, JUNO-STAGE sets a new standard for powerful onstage performance at a friendly price.

High-quality, versatile sound set, including 88-key stereo multi-sampled piano plus dual SRX expansion bay

Newly developed 76-note keyboard with first-class touch and response

Live-performance features such as an extra-large LCD, dedicated Reverb and Master EQ knobs, Click Output for drummers, and hands-free patch-select footswitches

USB port enables accompaniment-track playback (MP3, WAV, AIFF, SMF) directly from USB key

Phantom powered mic input plus reverb, great for playing and singing along

MIDI Controller mode transforms JUNO-STAGE into a MIDI master keyboard with a single touch"

More info here. Roland also announced the GW-8 Workstation.

Love Like Deloreans Loves Matrixsynth

via Love Like Deloreans:

"Hey Matrixsynth, we're big-time fans of your blog. Just thought that we should write to say hello since we're fellow synth-fetishist-nerds. Our band's name is Love Like Deloreans, and we're an all-synth group from Brooklyn. We have our obligatory myspace page up at:

http://www.myspace.com/lovelikedeloreans

You can see a bunch of synth pics in our photo albums. We've got some rather rare stuff (not to brag) that you might be interested in looking at (including an ARP Odyssey Mk I, Casio VA-10, Yamaha CS01, Yamaha CP-70, etc.).

Also, we were happy to hear that the Synth Babe tag was resurrected since we have one in the group (her name is Lorna and damn, she's fine and super- talented). It would really make her day to get a mention. [for those of you without a MySpace account you can find some images here]

If you're interested in reading a bit more, our friends Alias Pail (another Brooklyn group, but they do more circuit bending - they played at the NYC bent fest this past time) did an interview/write-up about us that's here: http://aliaspail.blogspot.com/ [direct link to the post for the archives]

Anyway, we hope that you enjoy it and we'd love to hear what you think. We'll make sure to pass along more as time goes by. Thanks!

We love matrixsynth,
Peter/Love Like Deloreans"

And I love emails like this. Thank you! alias pail also posted below.
Both bands sound great. Magical stuff, so do check them out.

Update: a couple of videos:

Audiosurf - How to get along with others

YouTube via mtodead. You might recognize Audiosurf from this post.
"'How to get along with others' by Love Like Deloreans, check out their music at http://www.myspace.com/lovelikedeloreans. Learn more about AudioSurf at http://www.audio-surf.com/"

love like deloreans

YouTube via aliaspail. "they play synth and keyboard loveness."
Note there is one more video in the thumbnails when this one ends.

hiko bending - alias pail

Music and shots here