Serge Modular Synth with 1st and 2nd Gen Panels

via this auction
"First Generation Panel
-Top Left (Left Half): Oscillator, Oscillator, Oscillator, Comparator
-Top Left (Right Half): Schmitt Trigger, Triple Wave-Shaper, Dual Mixer

Second/Early Third Generation Panel
-Top Right (Left Half): Stepped Function V.C. Generator/Smooth Function, Dual Universal Slope Generator, Variable Q VCF (1978 Era)
-Top Right (Right Half): Positive Slew, Negative Slew, Dual Processor (1973-75 Era; Unlabeled)

Unknown Generation Panel
-Bottom Left (Left Half): Mults, Filter, Filter, Ring, Gate, Gate
-Bottom Left (Right Half): Gate, Dual Mixer, Bi-Directional Router, Send

Unknown Custom Panel
-Bottom Right (Left Half): Unknown Custom
-Bottom Right (Right Half): Unknown Custom"

MFB 503 Drumcomputer

via this auction
"Here is what MFB has to say about this unit.

*3 analogue instruments (kick, snare, tom)
*2 sample-based instruments (cymbal, hi-hat)
*stepsequencer with up to 32 steps per pattern
*26 sound-edit functions (attack, decay, pitch etc.)
*programmable tom tuning (lo, mid, hi)
*90 pattern, 90 songs, 90 kits

Bring fresh sounds to your beats with the MFB-503! The third drum-computer in MFB's 50x series introduces a more powerful sound and a new operational concept. Due to their analogue origin, kick, snare and toms can be edited in various ways. The drumkit is completed by the two sampled instruments cymbals (crash, ride available) and hi-hats (two variations). In addition, the samples of each group can be continuously mixed to create further sound variations. sounds can be saved individually as well as complete drumkits. The instruments are triggered by an internal step-sequencer.

This tr-style sequencer uses the beloved led-per-step method to set the selected instruments. There are 90 memory locations for patterns that can be further combined into 90 songs. Instruments are edited by four master rotary-encoders with corresponding displays."

Sequential Circuits Prophet-10

via this auction. This is the Prophet-10 featured in this video.

Note how it sits in the case.

Crumar Spirit

via this auction

"OK, by now, everyone knows the Crumar Spirit was designed by some of the Moog folks, namely Dr Moog, Tom Rhea, and Jim Scott. What's never been explained is how or why. That's where I come in. This is how it might have happened...

Let's first set the stage.

The year is 1982. The monophonic Prodigy and Rogue were still in production. Moog's attempt at a less-knobby synth (the Source) had been released the year before. The powerful but problematic MemoryMoog had finally started to ship and everyone involved really needed a break because of all the problems. New development had temporarily ground to a halt as all hands came on board to salvage the MemoryMoog effort.

During this time, the Rhodes Chroma had also recently been released.

Three Moog folks - Dr Moog, Tom Rhea, and Jim Scott decided to take a short holiday overseas to unwind and reset. They chose Italy as their destination and set off on their trip.


Meanwhile...
In Italy, Crumar had the DS-2 and Performer synths out there. They had also teamed up with a New York based firm to create the GDS and Synergy but they were having as many problems with them as Moog and ARP did with their recent polysynths.

So, the three Moog employees are in Italy, touring around and checking out the local culture. A chance meeting with Mario Crucianelli kickstarts an idea for a new synth. Moog as a company is stretched too thin and is too worn out to take on any new R&D. Dr. Moog and friends discuss features that they'd like to see. Since this isn't going to be branded as a Moog, there is some more freedom to borrow ideas from other synths and to vary from the traditional Moog designs. They have had good luck with the CEM 3340 and 3360 ICs in the MemoryMoog and the Chroma was using the 3350 VCF to create some unusual routings and new sounds. Rather than worry about licensing a Moog filter for this product, the team decided to go off on a new track and try a pair of 3350's and provide separate control over each filter chip.

The idea for a monosynth that could sound traditional or radically modern was born and the Spirit is the result.

Well, that's how it might have happened...

Let's get back around to the auction now.
I have a Crumar Spirit, serial # 62, that's been cleaned and calibrated. In addition to the synth (110 volts) and power cord, I'm including the owner's manual and schematics. In addition, I sketched out the trimpot locations and names for the VCO board to make future calibrations easier. As an added bonus (I'm all about giving you guys bonuses), I'm including 2 CEM 3340 VCO ICs, 1 CEM 3350 filter IC, and 2 CEM 3360 VCA ICs. So you'll never have to worry about CEMs again."

Double-Pulse Waveform Generator

"Here is a waveshaper circuit that produces unique timbres not available with conventional (sawtooth, triangle, pulse) synthesizer waveshapers. The standard sawtooth and pulse waveforms have strong overtone series including both even and odd harmonics. On the other hand, the standard triangle and square waveforms have just odd harmonics, but at only moderate strength. Waveforms with strong, odd-only harmonics are not available with traditional waveshapers. These "missing" waveforms combine the "buzzyness" of pulse waveforms with the "hollowness" of triangle and square waveforms."

more info here

synth R&D for performance

YouTube via nathanielscott
"I am playing two instruments both are made out of Radio Shack electronic learning kits. The first instrument is an a sort of cheap-o optical theremin that I am playing with my left hand. The second is a ten step sequncer with a very basic square wave VCO. I did build three steps of addition master voltage control which you can see me triggering with the blue buttons with my right hand.

Before I started to take componants off the breadboard and put them into a dedicated enclosure I thought I would see if I could make noise that somewhat resmbled music with homemade electronic instruments.

I got close but in the end I dont think a ten step sequencer is a very musical design."

I Can See You, Can You See Me?

I Can See You, Can You See Me? from Rex The Dog on Vimeo.

"Brand new video for Rex The Dog's first single from the new album 'The Rex The Dog Show'!

Keep up to date with new Rex vids here:
vimeo.com/therexthedogshow

rexthedog.net"
via SonicBrat.

Jen SX-1000, Casio VL-Tone VL-1, Univox/KORG Mini-KORG 700S

NAMM: MOTU VOLTA

Another scoop via bleepology where you will find the full post. I couldn't find anything but an email form for more information on the MOTU site.

"MOTU was showing off something that absolutely blew my mind this morning: Volta.

It’s a plug-in intended for use with any of their DC-capable audio interfaces (Like, say, a Traveller or 828), it allows multi-channel PitchCV/Gate/ControlCV out to your modular system. Its interface is like a grid for your IO, each output is a box in the grid. Into the grid, you place (drag and drop-style) the voltage source for that output. You may choose from items as mundane as the channel’s midi input (for things like note data), or as crazy as step/trigger sequencers, LFOs, clock sources, etc.

This all sounds pretty neat, right? But wait, it gets better…"

Find out how on bleepology.

NAMM: Jazzmutant Lemur V2

" More flexible. More intuitive. More control.

With the groundbreaking Lemur controller Jazzmutant have revolutionised the way in which performers can now interact with light, video and sound. The Lemur offers an unrivalled package of intuitive features beneath a futuristic multitouch-sensitive surface, and as result has won fans across the globe including the groundbreaking musicians Richie Hawtin, Björk and Ryuichi Sakamoto.

With the new free version 2 firmware update Jazzmutant are taking the Lemur to another level of control, flexibility and intuitive operation. A host of new object features allows users to really interact with sound and manipulate it in real time like never before. Workflow improvements, scripting additions and other new features allow the controller to be used seamlessly with leading software applications. Ableton Live users, in particular, will benefit from some of the new features.

Organised Container objects with tabs
You can now pile up several containers and access their content through their indiviual tabs. Put all the controls you need for one part of your performance in one tab, then simply push the next tab to reveal a whole new bank. This feature will definitely allow you to greatly improve interface layouts and ergonomics.

Enhanced control of all your envelopes with the new Breakpoint object
The new Breakpoint object offers total control of synthesiser or sampler envelopes with a multi-segment envelope editor to allow you to really get inside a sound, live on stage! Rather than assigning knobs to these sound shapers, jump right in and directly tweak an on-screen representation of the envelope. This familiar, visual interface allows you to see exactly how you are changing the sound and you can easily add extra breakpoints with a simple double touch.

Faster set-up with the Alias feature
Duplicate a controller object that sends exactly the same information to your computer as the original with Alias. What are the benefits? It takes up less memory and is less time consuming than setting up a new object with identical characteristics. Manipulating the original can now control the same computer parameters but from different interface screens. Moving one will automatically update its "mirror image".

Mouse and keyboard control
Still finding yourself reaching over to the computer during your live show? Not any more! Now Lemur's objects can be used to remotely control the mouse cursor or computer keyboard.

Acute precision with the new Gesture object
The new Gesture object emulates a trackpad control with advanced gesture recognition and has three novel ways to interact with your sound. Pinch, Rotate or Trace your fingers to send different control messages to your computer.

Intuitive design with new LemurMenu object
It's a new pop-up menu selection tool offering a list of items from which to choose from.

Easier interface design with JazzEditor
Improved customization of your interfaces is a reality with the new Jazzeditor. You now have the ability to easily drag objects from the new palette into the work area and make your interface visually stimulating with the new "color" picker.

Extended scripting abilities
In the JazzEditor, a new Multiline script pane opens up a whole new world of possibilities. You can now modify the physical behaviour, appearance or size of an object in real time. Add a ball to a Multiball object by touching a pad, zoom in on a fader for ultimate precision or modify a Text object content via MIDI or OSC. For Ableton users that means it is now possible to receive clip names and colours and display them on the Lemur. Any changes in your Live set are automatically reflected on the Lemur. Now you can really put that computer behind you and concentrate on your performance!"

http://www.jazzmutant.com/

Kepler's Orrery for the iPhone

"Kepler's Orrery is a generative music system that uses gravity equations to compose and play ambient music. Each simulation starts with a collection of bodies that attract each other, move, and swirl around under the influence of their mutual gravity.

When the bodies collide, they make music. Each one is assigned a melody and an instrument and plays its next note at each collision.

Simulations are set up with "world" files that specify position, mass, and velocity for each body, as well as their melodies and instruments, and world metadata that defines simulation parameters such as step size, modifications to gravitational constants, etc.

The music it makes differs with each world. Sometimes slow and ambient; sometimes random, sharp, and surprising.

While the simulations are based on gravitational equations, and therefore deterministic, from a listener's point of view, it is difficult to predict what is going to happen next, and so the soundscapes tend to remain fresh."

http://www.art.net/~simran/GenerativeMusic/kepler.html

You can watch a video of Kepler's Orrery from before the iPhone here.

via Palm Sounds