ESTRADIN-230

images via this auction
"Altair-231. It was made in USSR at Zhitomir factory "Estradin" in 1983. A monophonic synthesizer Estradin - 230 (plant "Elektroizmeritel" of Zhitomir) contains 4 main sources of sound - 3 tone generators and the source of noise. Such external sources as electroguitar and electroorgan can be connected to the instrument. The filter of lower frequencies is intended for changing harmonic compound of signals of audible frequency in self-excitation condition. This filter can be used as fifth source of sound. There is a possibility to control attack, release and sustain. One use such an interesting effect as sliding transition from one sound to another. There is a memory device in the synthesizer that saves sounding of tone as soon release time. There are some other devices in the instrument such as glissando, modulation mixer and filter controlled from the keyboard. Frequency range is from 1 to 20000 Hz One can use an internal generator "A" for tuning (440 Hz)

Tara and Thighpaulsandra

Image of Tara Busch and Thighpaulsandra via AnalogSuicide. Tara paid a visit to Aeriel Studios. You can find a few more images in her teaser post. You'll also find a few videos of Thighpaulsandra, Coil, Spiritualized, and Spacemen 3.

Mono Synth --- Poly Synth

YouTube via btpro. via Waveformless.
"Using EML Polybox, you can make polyphonic sound with 1 VCO monophonic synthesizer.
Connection is Korg MS-10(1VCO synth) VCO out (customized) --- Polybox --- MS-10 VCF in"

The San Francisco Tape Music Center Images via Pete

You can find some great images of Buchla (both man and machine) at the recent San Franscisco Tape Music Center event from Pete here. Be sure to check these out full size by clicking on the "All Sizes" link when you get there. These are great shots. You can click on the images in this post for full size shots as well.

Update: Some additional notes from Pete regarding the Buchla 100: "Mort mentioned that half of it wasn't working. Bill told me that the Frequency Modulator that's in it is one of a kind, and it requires a filter to smooth out the steps it created. Don never built another one. The Buchla sounded really nice. Bill had a few reel to reel decks that he had been trying to get something playing, but they broke right then and there. Its too bad the gear was in such a state. The Buchla that was there was the actual one they had at the Tape center. It now resides at Mills college in Oakland."

The San Francisco Tape Music Center Images and Words via Jan-Hinnerk

Remember The San Francisco Tape Music Center event?

Jan-Hinnerk attended the event and sent in some images and words.

"The place was packed, the Fire Marshall told 40 people to leave or they'd have to shut the whole thing down. Terry Riley could not come, but Don Buchla, Morton Subotnick, Ramon Sender, Bill Maginnis and Stu Dempster were there at the panel and talking about how it was back then. Very nice memories. Hope I have that many smiles on my face when I am their age.

Some excerpts were played from the DVD, and Morton Subotnick did a quick demo of the Buchla 100 system (note: it was not the one Silver Apples were done on, but also a very ancient one). Stu Dempster played Dijeridu.

Don Buchla didn't want to say a word at the panel, he just smiled.

I was glad I could make it. Thanks to musicologist David Bernstein for hosting the event, and for Johannes Goebel for getting the book started. I bought three copies for me and my friends."

Synthesizers.com late nite patch

YouTube via angelometz

Analog Sequencer SQ-10 and MS-10

YouTube via johnnyruru
"Me and a friend discovering the noodling of a Korg SQ-10 analog sequencer. It stayed at his home for years(he imagined i was like a kind of space ship) and now its mine as I had a Korg MS-10.
These are the first videos.
I now discovered other possibilities.
Korg inventor were totally mad. But so creative. More videos soon

WWW.myspace.com/supermercato "

Mind Meld 2008 via jk

via jk

"Images from a recent trip Richard Devine and I made to Duncan Laurie's Lab in Jamestown, RI. There we made music with fruits, vegetables, plants, rocks, our own muscles & brainwaves, and oh yeh, with other musicians as well.
Jeswa's Picasa Album
Flickr photostream from Peter Kirn (of Create Digital Music)
Mind Meld 2008 Site
Duncan Laurie

From the main page on duncanlaurie.com:
"This site documents efforts by artist Duncan Laurie, electrical engineer Gordon Salisbury and designer Todd Thille to develop and articulate art methodologies which employ subtle energy or engage Nature intelligence. 'Panpsychism' is a term employed to describe a world where consciousness exists at every level of matter. Our 'Rockstar' video is an attempt to illustrate this concept.

Radionics, an alternative healing technology, is explored as a methodology for visual art and design. Radionically based tools and techniques are presented that lend themselves to experimental art and multi-media praxis.

Experimentation by visiting artists ilustrates an ongoing exploratory approach to subtle energy. Currently featured is the sonification of small voltages produced by plants and minerals.

Two books by Duncan Laurie provide contemporary and historical insight into the experimental basis for our research: OUTLAW TECHNOLOGY (2006) and A SHORT HISTORY OF RADIONICS: INSIGHTS FOR ARTISTS WORKING WITH SUBTLE ENERGY (2007).

EXPERIMENTAL FACILITATION is a special section based upon the contributions of Gordon Salisbury, designed to provide a window into each type of device we have developed or employed experimentally." More pics and videos will follow...

Akai Now Shipping MPC5000, MPD32 and updated MPD24 firmware

http://www.akaipro.com/

"MPC5000 delivers a comprehensive compliment of production features including:
* Sixty four-voice drum/phrase sampler with 64MB memory built-in; expandable up to 192MB RAM
* Three-oscillator virtual analog synth engine with arpeggiator
* More than 300 Virtual Analog synths including
* Eight-track direct-to-hard disk recording
* More than 40 unique effects within a modular four-bus effects processor
* Master equalizer and compressor
* “Old school” mode provides vintage sampler sound
* Built-in 80GB hard drive
* Optional CD-R/DVD drive
* USB 2.0 port for computer connectivity
* CF Type-2 card slot (up to 2GB)
* Chop-Shop 2.0 software included - slices stereo loops into individual samples and automatically assigns to pads
* Patched Phrases - creates multiple splits in looped samples to ensure proper tempo sync without changing pitch
* Continuous Sample Track - ensures samples play in perfect sync no matter where you start the beat in a loop
* 12 Q-link controllers for internal automation, external MIDI control and quick parameter editing.
* 240 x 128 hinged backlit LCD is double the size of previous MPC displays
* Ten analog outputs, eight ADAT-optical outputs, and stereo S/PDIF I/O
* Powerful new multimode filter
* Two MIDI inputs and four MIDI outputs
* Turntable phono inputs with RIAA preamp
* XLR + 1/4-inch combination inputs, selectable mic/line for use with any input source"


"Key features of the MPD32 include:
* MIDI-synced note-repeat with MPC swing
* Sixteen full-sized, genuine MPC pads with velocity and pressure-sensitive response
* Three banks of eight assignable switches, sliders and endless knobs for a total of 72 controllers
* Two assignable Foot Switches
* One assignable Foot Pedal controller
* Large, easy-to-read backlit LCD
* Thirty user-definable presets for use with software applications
* MMC/MIDI Start/Stop transport buttons
* Ableton Live Akai Edition software included
* BFD Lite software included
MPD32 is available for purchase now, with an MSRP of $499.00."

drift

drift from Richard Lainhart on Vimeo.
"An abstract HD film created in After Effects. The soundtrack is an improvisation for lapsteel guitar processed with Kyma."
http://www.otownmedia.com