MATRIXSYNTH

Circuitry Snacks

flight of harmony Infernal Noise Machine

v1.1 Limited run available - $666.00 USD each. 2 of 5 remaining

"This was built by accident, but that is a good thing. A customer said that he was interested in an INM when it was available. I was out of my medication at the time, and replace the word "INM" with "Plague Bearer". Once I woke up, work began. This is NOT a production unit, I am trying to find a more cost-effective build. The joysticks are from my jealously-hoarded secret stash, but I'm looking into distributing them - 100k, 0.2W, 90° swing, all-metal construction (apart from shaft pivot bearing)." You can find more info including final specs and samples on the flight of harmony Infernal Noise Machine page. via Deviant Synth.

SM Pro audio V-Machine

"The V-Machine is a compact VST/VSTi hardware playback module built for performance keyboard players and DJ's. It is one little beast that can't be underestimated once loaded up with your favorite VST instrument and effect plug-
ins. Take your plug-ins on the road or into the studio and access them live without a computer. Multiple plug-ins can be pre-loaded into bank/preset memories for immediate access. Combine VST and VSTi plug-ins into chains, splits, and layers to create extremely rich and unique sounds. Full external MIDI controller support allows users access to available loaded plug-in parameter controls such as virtual dials, switches, and faders.

Infinitely adaptable and powerful, the V-Machine is set to become a truly indispensable tool."

Product Page

via Aleksandar

synth-diy

A new DIY blog by Aris

http://synth-diy.blogspot.com/

Keiko Matsui

Z3000 Production Update

just posted on the Tiptop Audio Blog: "We've been working around the clock... Burning the midnight oil... Applying copious amounts of elbow grease... Whatever you want to call it, we've been doing it. All to get the Z3000 out the door. The first batch is being assembled as this post goes up and needless to say we are extremely excited.

We hope to have the first batch available by the end of this month or very early next month. More importantly, this first batch is fairly limited, so if you want one keep an eye on the site for launch and distributor announcements!"

You might remember the Z3000 from these posts. Note the updated graphic.

Puremagnetik Emissions for AudioCubes

"Emissions is a real-time soundscape generating instrument by Ableton Live content developer Puremagnetik (www.puremagnetik.com). It utilizes an array of textural ambiances, specifically designed for use with Percussa’s AudioCubes. It will morph, react and evolve depending on what the user (and the cubes!) decide to do.

AudioCubes are a tangible interface for creating music and sound. They interface seamlessly with your existing audio software giving you hands-on control in creating elements for music production, sound design and live performance."
via the Percussa blog.

Evolver

via j: "With all this talk about the mopho, I decided to post this test I did with the Evolver... Just the Mono Evo and a little plate reverb - no editing."

meanTonite by lesser

We Used To Be Friends

YouTube via TheOdditorium. follow-up to the previous post.
"(2003) dir. Courtney Taylor-Taylor"
I swore I put this one up already, but apparently not. Zia and her KORG MS20. Moog Prodigy.

The Nord Lead used as.. a Lead

Tegan And Sara - The Con [OFFICIAL Video]

YouTube via SireRecords.
"The Con by Tegan And Sara.
Directed by Suzie Vlcek"
http://teganandsara.com/
http://www.myspace.com/teganandsara

Matthew Sweet "Where You Get Love"

YouTube via PostModVid. Not the best quality video, but this is the best I could find on the tube. BTW, I can thank Matthew Sweet for my Clavia Nord Lead 1. I used to go see him perform live. My wife loved his music and asked what that red synth the band was playing all the leads with in every show. I said it's this new cool synth called the Clavia Nord Lead. She said I should get one and eventually talked me into it with some extra money that came in at just the right time. :)

BTW, Mathew Sweet has an ARP 2600 in the following video. Anyone know if it's his and if not who's it is?

Matthew Sweet "Sick of Myself"

YouTube via detour066. "This speaks for itself." Again not the best quality, but the best of the two I found.
http://matthewsweet.com/
http://www.myspace.com/matthewsweetmusic

Back to the Clavia Nord Lead (and the purpose of this post), it definitely has it's own character and it excels at lead sounds. All synths are obviously capable of a wide range of sounds including leads, but you have to wonder how much it's strength in it's character lead to the name of the synth.

If you know of other tracks featuring *that* Nord Lead sound feel free to share. Also feel free to comment on other specific synth lead sounds you think stand out in general. The MicroKORG detuned saw in various tracks, such as The Killers' Somebody Told Me comes to mind. I'd post the video but there's no embed code for it. Side note: every time I hear that track I hear bits of Midge Ure and early Robert Smith. Their new track Human sounds like Alphaville. Not much synth playing in the video but you can see their MicroKORG. I like bands that own, show and stick to their synths. Ladytron, and the Dandy Warhols with their KORG MS20s come to mind.

Human