MATRIXSYNTH

YouTube via tarabusch
"Follow the first of several adventures with AnalogSuicide.com's Tara Busch at the wonderful NAMM 2009 in Anaheim, CA! Here we check out the recently released microKorg XL!!

http://AnalogSuicide.com
http://tarabusch.com"

NAMM: Plan B Model 30 Demo

via the Plan B list:
"The first of a few demos of the Model 30 has been posted by Dan Levey:

http://www.muffwiggler.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2847&highlight=model

Regardless of everything else we're showing that's new, namely the system and the cases, the Model 30 has taken almost 100% of the attention and I couldn't be more pleased that this has occured.

Regarding the picture: After spending some faceplate time with it, Phil Gallo and I have both come to the conclusion that the faceplate is lacking some features. The icons representing the which patch you're in aren't cutting it. We're going to add some LEDs for this which will give you a much clearer idea of what's going on. There will also be some other controls added. In short, the faceplate's going to grow a little bit. This will not cause us a delay in releasing it, we were already aware there were things we needed to add, the patch indicators though didn't come up until we actually sat infront of it and played around. I've been working with this projectof Phil's for over a year. If it was confusing to me, I can onky imagine it would be for others.

Analogsuicide did a short vid yesterday showing the unit and in the upcoming Sonic State video we went into a lot of detail, with Phil himself leading the demonstration. I'll post links as soon as they show up."

Update: video here

The Baltimore ElectroMusic Fest 2009

via Logan:

"Hello to all. Here's the latest info on the upcoming Baltimore ElectroMusic Fest 2009, to be held at The Hexagon (http://hexagonspace.com) which is located at 1825 N. Charles Street Baltimore MD 21201 on Saturday June 13th 2009 from 12:00 noon until 2:00 am on Sunday June 14th 2009. Here's the website that I'm working on for this event (http://sites.google.com/site/baltimoresdiygroup/Home/group-shows/baltimore-electromusic-fest-2009). This will be an electronic music/experimental music/electro-acoustic music event with workshops like the one that Karl Ekdahl did at the Circuit-Bent/8-Bit Festival in Sept of 2008, so spread the word.

If you plan on performing or know of anyone else who wants to perform please let me know as soon as possible so that I can update our website because I need to let Karl know so that he knows who will be performing at the festival. I also need to know what your performance name will be so that we can list it on the performers list including your personal website address that you have, if any, so that it can listed too. If you have already requested to perform then I already have your name and/or group listed on the website above.

Logistical details are still being worked on so check the website above regularly for further info as it becomes available. Thanks.

Logan Mitchell Sr"

Moog 1130 Percussion Controller

via this auction
"rare Moog 1130 Percussion Controller. This is basically a drum that sends control voltage out. The unit has a connector for a Minimoog (not a Voyager!) or a Sonic 6. I've also seen Prodigy's modified to take these connectors. If you don't have a Minimoog, a Sonic 6, or a modified Prodigy you will need to do some work to adapt this to your synth. This drum doesn't make sound on its own, but does send CV for both volume and pitch (as well as a S-trig gate). "

Analogue Systems RS220 Joystick Module

via these auctions
"The following is from analoguesystems.co.uk:
Nowadays the synthesiser is almost always considered to be a keyboard instrument, much like a piano or an organ. This is a view that is as much a consequence of modern synthesiser design as it is a necessary part of that design. In other words, we think of synths as "keyboards" because that is how they are presented, not because there is any fundamental reason why they should be so.

Of course, an analogue keyboard is merely a controller that generates different voltages for each of the keys pressed. This is a simple way to create the discrete voltages that relate to the common musical scales of western music. But there are many other ways to control synthesisers. Most synthesisers will have auxiliary controllers such as pitchbend and modulation wheels, some will feature ribbon controllers, and others might offer pressure sensitive pads. But all of these additional controllers share a common limitation: they only output a single control value at a time. So, no matter how many destinations your wheel, ribbon or pad controls, the same information is sent to each.

Strangely, there is an auxiliary controller that was known to all the early synthesiser designers, and which was incorporated in most synthesisers throughout the 1960s. But, after the release of the Minimoog and ARP2600 in 1970, this controller fell into disuse, with only sporadic re-appearances on unusual instruments such as the Korg Sigma. Yet it remains an intuitive, creative and straightforward way to make sounds change in two independent ways at the same time. This controller is the simple joystick.

IN USE
The RS220 uses a very high quality self-centring X/Y joystick mechanism that provides smooth response across its full range. (You can remove the internal springs to allow for non-centring action, if desired.) It provides two outputs for each CV generated.

RANGE
At its far left extreme or its lowest point, the joystick will generate a voltage of -5V at the X outputs or Y outputs (respectively). At its far right extreme or its highest point, the joystick will generate a voltage of +5V at the X outputs or Y outputs (respectively). But there will be many occasions when you would like finer control over the CVs generated on one or both of the axes. The RANGE controls offer this fine control, reducing the output CVs to approximately 0V at their MIN settings, while passing the full ±5V ranges when set to MAX.

OUT
Each axis offer dual outputs with a maximum range of ±5V. Each pair carries identical signals with maximum operational values determined by the RANGE control. (See above.)"

Steiner (Crumar) Masters Touch Analog Filter/Interface

via this auction

"Steiner Masters Touch analog breath interface/filter
The breath input works - This is one half of the dual medical tubing you see in the picture. You can blow into the tube and generate voltage based on how strong your breath is. You can also control the cutoff frequency of the filter this way.
The voltage controlled filter works - it's a really nice resonant filter (sounds 24db but I can't find any documentation that backs this up). It can self-oscillate. You can run external sounds through it.
The bite input does not work - this is the other half of the dual medical tubing.
The touch input does not work - moving your finger around doesn't generate any voltage.

This would make a good addition to any modular setup; I used it with my Synthesizers.com system as well as my MS-20. If you're a DIY-er you could probably repair this (or at least yank the guts out and put it in a module).

The entire package includes:
- Base unit
- Breath tubes
- Vinyl trim (for the metal sides of the unit)
- Schematics"

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