MXR-185 Drum Computer

YouTube via rolandsh1000

" Demo of my modified MXR-185 EPROM-based drum machine. A lot like the LinnDrum (I think it even weighs as much), but a bit kludgier: you can't change patterns on the fly, it seems to lock up when pattern data isn't defined as blank, et al. Still, I don't have the manual and I haven't dug too deep into the programming, so it might be much cooler (or much buggier?) than I'm aware.

The internal architecture is similar to the LInnDrum LM-2, in that it uses multiplexed clocks and also multiplexes the drum samples. The drum samples are mostly stored on 2732 eproms and seem to be linear (not companded though, like on the Linn). One lame thing is that the sounds are stored on the EPROMs in a scrambled fashion, such that the addressing is not linear. This is a problem because you have to know the scrambling order to make your own EPROMs (though I think the Oberheim PROMMER can burn them). The toms and the open hat have VCA enveloping (using CA3280s). The shuffle is really stiff, though - the microprocessor cyclically drives the control voltage of a master 555 clock and it doesn't sound great at all.

I modified this one with the same tuning circuits I used for the LinnDrum LM-2. The only one I couldn't get to work was the crash cymbal. I also added pots that modify the control currents that go to the OTA's that VCA the toms and open hat, so that allows you to change the decay of those samples.

Overall, the sounds are pretty punchy, though, and I think sonically it could compete with other similar EPROM based machines."

Trash Audio Synth Meet 3

YouTube via thedeepelement. I spy a MATRIXSYNTH T. And a Keyboard Cat T. :)
"Trash Audio arranged the 3rd synth meet this summer in Chicago and this time was hosted at Xart's studio."

juno 106 in the nude

flickr by Seth Nemec
(click for more)

"stripped voice chips on a juno 106 voice board"

trash audio meetup - chicago - Aug 16 2009

5 pics via brian c

click on each for the full size shot

Formanta Polivoks

YouTube via lesingemonotone
"Trying out a Formanta Polivoks that has been modified with external CV/gate. A x0xb0x is the sequencer used in the clip."

Me checking a Simmons sds 8 drum module

YouTube via DX5
"Just showing what can it do.
All the channels has the same VCO, so they are basically the same. In preset mode each channel have different settings for each drum sound. You can put it in manual mode, then you can edit all the parameters. It is what I did."

Me playing New Order "Blue Monday" (updated)

YouTube via DX5.

The Oberheim DX was the original drum machine used for the track.

"Extemporizing with "Blue Monday". Now I added a Simmons SDS 8 Drum module (Just two pads) for messing with as Peter Hook did live.

Equipment:
Roland JP8000
Emu Emax
Roland D10

Simmons SDS 8

Backtrack recorded with Pro Tools and Reason rewired."

VINTAGE MOOG SONIC 6 SYNTHESIZER

via this auction

"Moog Sonic 6 synthesizer in new old stock condition. This synthesizer was discovered in a 40+ year old music store. It was recently cleaned and calibrated by Keyboard Specialties of St. Petersburg, FL. This synthesizer works perfectly - all controls work exactly as they should and the key bed is even and smooth. It has no issues whatsoever."

Oberheim Matrix-6 with Custom Wood Sides

via this auction

ROLAND SH-1000

via this auction

"The Roland SH-1000 is historically important because it was the first synthesizer that Roland made (1973)"