MATRIXSYNTH

Oxygene I

YouTube via samurailonewolf
"JMJ encore...
Oxygene 1 100% Analogique"
Live playing of the Alesis Andromeda A6 and Moog Voyager come in at 1:44.

Minimoog Analog Synthesizer 1973

via this auction
"built in 1973, serial number 5339
Built in 1970, and released at the NAMM convention in 1971, Robert Moog’s Minimoog changed the course of electronic instruments forever. It was the very first compact and affordable synthesizer for musicians. Specifically designed for touring musicians, the Minimoog Model D synthesizer moved electronic music experiments from university labs out to the general public. Prior to the Minimoog synthesizers were huge modular designs that were expensive and built one at a time for large recording studios and electronic music labs. After the Minimoog, synthesizers were mass-produced making them much cheaper. The Minimoog was still able to recreate the thick warm sound of the large modular models and offered the most essential programming controls required for producing an endless variety of new sounds. The Minimoog Model D synthesizer is still regarded as the Rolls Royce equivalent of analog keyboard-based synthesizers. The Minimoog’s fat sound and unparalleled filters eventually became responsible for some of the best analog synth bass and lead sounds on the market. There were originally 13,000 minimoogs produced between 1970 and 1981. After a brief hiatus during the digital-synth craze in the 1980s, the minimoog enjoyed a resurgence of interest among musicians since the 1990s. It is becoming increasingly more difficult to purchase an earlier model. Technical Specifications: 3 Oscillators, 1 External Input, 1 Noise Source_Oscillator Waveforms: Triangular, Sawtooth, Triangular-Sawtooth Mix, Reverse Sawtooth, 3 widths of Rectangular White or Pink random waveforms_Filter: Wide-range low-pass filter with variable-height resonant peak at cut-off frequency, and 24dB/octave cutoff slope._Range of Cutoff Frequency: Continuously variable from 40Hz to 20kHz (9 octaves). Glide (portamento) 44 note keyboard_Adjustable front panel that swings up and down for proper level of comfort by user._Size (with front panel down): 28-1/4'' x 16'' x 5-1/2''_Wieght: 28 lbs."

Plan B interview on VICMOD

"Peter Grenader is the man behind Plan B modular synthesizers. Plan B [http://ear-group.net/] have one of the stronger choices in the euro rack modular format and it continues to grow. I sent my questions in code to Peter and he deciphered them via his Heisnberg Generator."

You can find the full interview here. Be sure to check out the rest of VICMOD for more interviews.

The Bog Moog Foundation - A Remarkable Year of Progress and Impact

via The Bob Moog Foundation

"Dear Friend,

At year's end we look back on tremendous progress and the crucial elements that us got us here.

Thank you for supporting our historic cause and our unique mission. Our work would not be possible without your involvement.

Progress. We have stabilized and cataloged Bob's archives, garnering support from industry leaders who have championed our efforts. The GRAMMY® Foundation has recognized our worthy pursuit with a coveted grant. Some of the finest music museums around the country have expressed an interest in featuring the archives in their facilities.

Impact. Our outreach program has connected thousands of people to the power and possibilities of electronic music, opening their minds and sparking curiosity and intrigue at the intersection of music and technology.

Moving forward. Now, we make a tremendous stride forward and embark on the planning process for a Bob Moog Museum. Please lend us your voice and take our survey on this important project. Your input is crucial to our success. The more participation we have, the better informed we can be.

Support. The progress we have made comes from the hard work of a very lean organization. The Bob Moog Foundation has one paid employee, and scores of passionate, dedicated volunteers. We need your help to grow and we welcome your donation of any size. Our future depends on your generosity. Help us inspire and educate. Help us preserve musical, technical and cultural history. Help us carry Bob's legacy forward.

We wish you all a splendid and safe holiday season.

The Bob Moog Foundation

Make Waves by donating to the Bob Moog Foundation"

Buchla and Associates LIGHTNING III

"LIGHTNING III is a specialized MIDI controller that senses the position and movement of handheld wands and transforms this information to MIDI signals for expressive control of electronic musical instrumentation. In addition to functioning as a powerful MIDI controller, LIGHTNING III, with its self contained 32 voice synthesizer, comprises a complete, ready to play instrument.

The bulk of LIGHTNING III's electronics is housed in a half rack cabinet.

A remote head, designed to be mounted on a standard mike stand in front of a performer, contains specialized optics, as well as graphic and numeric displays.Based on principles of optical triangulation, LIGHTNING gathers its information by tracking tiny infrared transmitters that are built into baton-like wands. Unencumbered by wires, these wands provide complete freedom of movement within a performance space that can be as large as 12 feet high by 20 feet wide.

Basically, LIGHTNING III senses all three coordinates of each hand, for a total of six independent coordinates. From this information, LIGHTNING's digital signal processor computes instantaneous velocity and acceleration, and performs detailed analysis of gesture. An easily mastered, musically oriented interface language allows the user to define relationships between various gestures and potential musical responses.

In one sort of implementation, LIGHTNING's coordinates might be mapped to various MIDI controllers on multiple channels. Spatial pitch wheels, pan pots, level sliders and modulation wheels are easily defined and great fun to play. Performance gestures can be analyzed for direction and velocity and can be used to generate a variety of notes as well as other musical events. Multi-dimensional zoning capability can be used to create different musical responses in different regions. Everything you need to create the conceptual ensemble (an invisible, acoustic virtual reality).

User definable scale and tuning tables allow one to determine the range and selection of notes occurring along a horizontal or vertical axis. Pitches can be in any order, and the boundaries can be set where ever desired, facilitating the creation of spatial instruments and imaginary orchestras.

LIGHTNING III features a conducting facility that can analyze a conductor's gestures, display deviations from a preset tempo, and signal errors such as missed beats. Simultaneously, LIGHTNING can transmit a synchronous MIDI clock for controlling external sequencers and output programmed note data to accompany specific beats within a measure.

Those tiny, postage stamp size boxes hanging out with the peace dove are memory cards for storing presets. As many as thirty presets can be stored on one card. An additional thirty presets can be stored in RAM, and yet another thirty ROM based presets are provided as tutorial examples (good places to begin the LIGHTNING experience).

To facilitate its use in conjunction with other controllers, LIGHTNING possesses intelligent MIDI merging capability. A complete system exclusive implementation enables LIGHTNING presets to be stored and edited via external computers and sequencers."

via Lundi

Isaac and Daddy on the Roland SH-2

YouTube via koolknitter. "Isaac's first time on the keys. He's into it."

Empty BugBrand Case

via the BugBrand Blog

hmm...

Listening to an electric candle

YouTube via edwindertien. follow-up to this post.
"Using a BPW41 photo diode you can listen to various light sources. For instance a tube light will hum at 100Hz.. an LCD screen will whistle at its refresh rate.. and apparently this candle works as spacey synthesizer..."