MATRIXSYNTH

ThingamaKIT hack

"ThingamaKIT bent for Hack a Day by Logan Williams"

"It took some time to get everything up and running, but it’s finally here: Machinecollective.org! The site is currently in public beta state as there are still some parts that need attention.

Our final prototypes will be produced this week and our website is almost completely done. Our prototyping modules will be available early september, when the webshop is ready for business. In the meantime we would like everyone to sign up for our forum and start discussing their projects, plans and requirements.

The picture above shows our final prototypes. We made the sides from thin laser-cut acrylic so it’s easy to see if everything fits. The side panels of the final prototyping modules will be made from a high tech aluminum sandwich material which is also thin but much stronger than acrylic. The picture above shows a few different configurations, which are, from left to right:

* - Rotarypot 16 - 16 x panel mount 10K rotary potentiometers
* - 4.5″ LCD - for pal/ntsc video signals
* - Monome 10h - for monome keypad kits
* - Slidepot 16 - 16 x 10k slide potentiometer with 30mm travel
* - Spark 16 - for Sparkfun silicone keypads with support for RGB leds
* - Slidepot 6 - 6 x 10k slide potentiometer with 70mm travel
* - Patchbay 25 - 25 x High quality banana jacks, can double as body contacts
* - Toggle 16 - 16 x panel mount SPDT toggle switch
* - Rotarypot 4 - 4 x panel mount 10K rotary potentiometers"

http://news.machinecollective.org/

Fun with the Analogue Systems rs290 Sampler/Delay

YouTube via bigcitymusic
"Here we put a beat from the Machinedrum into the rs290 in 'sample mode' to create a loop.

Using CV outs from an envelope generator you can start and stop playback and recording. We use a third EG to modulate the sample pitch/speed and then try out different waveforms from an LFO. You also have direct knob access to the sample start and end times which can be great for repeater-type effects.

This module has a great digital delay with delay times up to 26.8 seconds and also has a great sounding tape delay mode. You can save presets too! There's also an expander module which gives you MIDI control over sampler functions, the rs295.

http://bigcitymusic.com/product.asp?c...
http://www.bigcitymusic.com
http://www.myspace.com/bigcitymusicdo...
http://www.bigcitymusicblog.blogspot.com"

Vintage Synths Vol 1 - KORG Poly 800

YouTube via triumphthruxton
"Vintage Synths Vol 1 - KORG Poly 800
German synth historian Matthias Becker produced a CD series back in 1990 with tracks made with one synth only. The CDs were named "Synthesizers Von Gestern Vol 1/2/3". This track was composed by Klaus Stülen at Originalton West Studio / Köln."

Vintage Synths Vol 1 - Oberheim SEM

YouTube via triumphthruxton.

Another Synthesizer Von Gestern track.

Note I added the CD to my Synth CDs section.
"Vintage Synths Vol 1 - Oberheim SEM
German synth historian Matthias Becker produced a CD series back in 1990 with tracks made with one synth only. The CDs were named "Synthesizers Von Gestern Vol 1/2/3". This track was composed by Klaus Stülen at Originalton West Studio / Köln."

ARP Odyssey

images via this auction

Soundlab Analog Modular Synth

images via this auction

"Listen to mp3s and more pictures at www.healthclub-music.com/scribbles.htm

This is Health Club Music's Soundlab analog mini synthesizer. It has two VCOs, one LFO, one Attack-Release Envelope Generator, one Band Pass/ Low-Pass VCF (self-oscillates with resonance up), one Sample and Hold, one Mixer, and one VCA. It is patchable with patch cables so you can play it with many different analog synthesizers.

The two ramp VCOs have inverted level shifters and have both ramp and sawtooth outputs. VCO 2 has an additional square wave output and a pulse width knob. There is a Pulse Width Modulation input on VCO 2. There is a Sync switch which allows the two oscillators to sync. VCO 1 has a Mod input, which is the CVII jack. These oscillators are scaled to 1V/octave, so it will track a keyboard that is also 1V/octave like most Moog keyboards and Roland synths. They can play many octaves in itself.

The Attack Release Envelope Generator has a Loop switch which allows the Envelope to repeat on one of two sources. With the switch on internal repeat, it loops on the gate, and with the switch on the "down" position, it loops on the Sample and Hold's gate output. You have to have an input going to the Sample and Hold. With the AR internal repeat on, you can use the AR like an LFO.

The Sample and Hold has a portamento control, and an input and output jack. It sounds great with the LFO's triangle output plugged in, it sounds like a sequenced melody. The LFO's square wave output works when the wave shape switch is switched onto the center triangle position.

There is an audio input jack and a mixer knob for the audio input. There is a pre-amp on the audio input, so you can plug a guitar into it and can also be used for distortions. There is another pre-amp circuit after the filter and before the VCA. There is also another pre-amp on the main output, so you can listen to this synth on headphones.

Runs on 2 9V batteries.

There is also a chalkboard surface on the back of this synthesizer, so you can carry it by its rope handle and scribble down your ideas on the back with chalk. Some chalk is included, of course, in the red felt pouch beneath the battery holder.

The circuit on this synth is based on a design by Ray Wilson. Check out www.musicfromouterspace.com for more of his exciting analog projects and PC boards."