MATRIXSYNTH


Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Steiner Microcon



via this auction

"Serial# 5599 Here are some details about the unit: The Steiner Microcon is a complete synthesizer (less keybaord) in a single module. It has its own power supply, VCO, LFO, VCF and envelope generator, thereby combining all of the most needed parts of a synthesizer in one unit. "It can be used with synthesizer accessories such as sequencers, electronic valve instruments, guitar slave-drivers, pitch followers, or with a keyboard. Multiple units can be combined with a guitar controller to form full polyphonic synthesizers at a fraction of the cost normally expected. Combined with a regular synthesizer, it ads an extra 'voice' to your present system.

'Oscillator stability and tracking are the best that state of the art will allow. Numerous inputs and outputs are available on the front and top of the unit. Other signals available inside can be brought out for special applications, and connected to other equipment in a variety of useful ways. The Microcon truly packs alot of synthesizer into a small space (which looks to be about 4-inches by 6-inches. There are 8 knobs and 6 switches. The VCO has knobs for course and fine tuning and switc hes allowing selection of "three waveforms". The LFO has knobs for rate and level and a switch for beat and is available for vibrato. The VCF has knobs for frequency and gain, as well as a switch for resonance. The Envelop Generator has knobs for attack and decay, as well as a switches to enable damp (a quick release decay) and sustain. The VCA is described as a "trigger controlled audio gate". Connections include positive and negative trigger out, VC filter in, calibrated and uncalibrated voltage control ins, a signal out (which "can be paralleled"), and a trigger in. According to the product literature the "beat function causes the VCO to sound like to sound like two oscillators beating together.' The Minicon was rumored to be used as the synthesizer innards of the Hagstrom Patch 2000 guitar synthesizer."

Oberheim SEM

images via this auction

Part 1: Laurie Spiegel Bell Labs Interview 1984


YouTube via MusicMouse
"This interview was taped at Bell Labs in 1984, with brief intro by Max Mathews. Some of this footage may have made it into the documentary for which this was recorded but most of it has not been seen anywhere yet. Apologies for not knowing the name of the interviewer. This is Part 1 of 2."

Part 2: Laurie Spiegel Bell Labs Interview 1984


video upload by Laurie Spiegel

Update: also see this video.

Evolver's Plan B Revolution


YouTube via dkimcg
"My new PlanB modular synthesizer sequenced by the FutureRetro Revolution which also filters the DSI Evolver and sequences the Jomox MBase01 kick. I just got the Plan B modular, so I'm still getting the hang of it. I play around mostly with the Model 10 Polyphonic Envelope Generator here, with some other tweaks on the Plan B filters and gate. Some analog Moogerfooger delay, Space Echo, TResonator, blah blah blah and reverb in the computer.

Stereo Version here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dstdi2..."

Formant (Part 2) on Synth.nl


You can find the full post on Synth.nl here. Also see Yusynth (Part 6) here.
"When I studied it closer I was surprised about the fact that the PCB's of the modules were not fixed to the front panels. A lot different than the Yusynth modules I'm working on. There is a whole metal construction in the wooden case to hold the modules. Also the whole inside of the case is covered with tin foil. This is done for shielding purposes I guess. Another thing I was a bit surprised about is the stuff that was laying around loose in it. From the loose components and the wooden housing I could tell that there used to be a back panel, but that is missing now. It was probably ripped of by force and took a lot of components with it."

Update: Formant (Part 3),

Beat Maker for iPhone by Intua - Demo and Review


YouTube via iSmashPhone. Note BeatMaker is available now. via CDM.
"Read full review on our website. A video demo of Beat Maker, a music studio app from the App Store, with an extensive review."
You can get BeatMaker here:
BeatMaker

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Synthorama - ARP and EML Room


As mentioned in these prior posts, I was fortunate enough to visit Synthorama, the synthesizer museum in Switzerland. Each room in the museum has a theme based on manufacturer, and the majority of synthesizers are playable including this ARP 2500. You can find images of the ARP and EML room here. As always be sure to check out the images full size by clicking on the "All Sizes" link when you get there, and check out prior posts by click on the synthorama label below. Apologies for some of the blurry shots, but as I said before I decided to put them all up.

Update: some info on the lone module from Martin: "This ARP module is very rare I think. It is a prototype of an early digital sequencer. I bought it from the Museum of Synthesizers in England, which does not more exist. I don't know if it works because I don't know how I have to connect. This is the reason that I don't have mounted it in the 2500 itself."

John Bowen Solaris Preview with Audio

Carbon111 put up a post on SYNTHWIRE featuring the John Bowen Synth Design Solaris. The post features a full track with nothing but the Solaris for synths and the KORG Electribe ES-1 for drums. "It's a blast to program with this knobby/visual interface! Everything is right at the top, no menu diving. No mod matrix either - If I want to add modulation, I just go to the destination on the control panel, select a mod source and dial in the amount."

MB-6582 - MIDIbox SID Synthesizer V2

via Wilba in the comments of this post. You can find more images and info on Wilba's MB-6582 Page.

Waldorf Blofeld Sound Organizer


YouTube via KotroLaszloLehel
"Waldorf Blofeld Sound Organizer Demonstartion
http://lady.rdsor.ro/~kotro/wbso.zip or http://www.ady-conexiuni.ro/wbso.zip"
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