MATRIXSYNTH

Synthex Demo Sounds

YouTube via JMPSynth

"A selection of sounds created on the Elka Synthex. These are mainly pad sounds and all are single eight voice patches, some using the onboard chorus and with an external reverb effect added."

ARP AVATAR GUITAR SYNTHESIZER with MIDI

via this auction
"Originally released around 1977, it has been rumoured there was only 300 ever made. It was designed to be used with the hard to find and operate hex pickup system. NOT ANY MORE WITH THIS ONE!! This specific Avatar was modified by EMI in Minneapolis with a MIDI retrofit that allows you to use and access the sounds via any MIDI device/controller. And yes, it works!

The Avatar has many of the same sounds and functions as it's legendary family member, the Odyssey. This Avatar puts those famous tones at your fingertips, for a fraction of the price."

Siel OR 400

via this auction

"This is SIEL OR 400 ,a preset polyphonic anolog synth, but if you are just getting into analogs this thing is godly. 8 voice polyphony. VCF Animator Equalizer LFO HFO."

click here and scroll for previous posts with close-ups of the panel.

Digital Auto-Tuning and Digital Memory for the Yamaha CS80

via gavincurtis on the Yamaha list:
"Been experimenting with a prototype digital tuning add-on for the CS-80. A small micro-controller board calibrates all critical oscillators to a reference crystal via serial data controlled trim-pots on demand. Never have to open the unit up again for tuning.

Also working with a memory preset system which has been a challenging design concept so far. Like the auto-tuner, is a relatively compact circuit board that fits into the case of the CS-80. A low profile remote user panel fits to the underside of the micro-slider memory cover via a 4 conductor ribbon cable. The add-on is only visible when the cover door is open.

You program the keyboard as you normally would by adjusting the micro-sliders to obtain the desired sound. Then select any one of 999 available memory locations and instantly store that setting into digital memory. You can also copy any store sound settings in your library to a row of 5 "radio preset" buttons for instant performance presets. A 2nd identical digital storage interface is directly below and is for the 2nd set of micro sliders... so nearly 2000 presets could be stored.

The memory preset system has it's own internal bank of digitally controlled trimmers that exactly mimic the control panel sliders. Imagine if each micro-slider had a twin internal motor driven slider controlled by a computer.

The memory preset system records the slider positions you set with your fingers and stores their positions into any one of the 999 spaces in the FLASH memory. Simply call up any of the (up to 999) memory locations, the internal pots instantly move to the desired positions.

Technical to install, but would be very clean. It could also be removed at a future date and keyboard returned 100% to its original state if desired."

ALESIS DM6 ELECTRONIC DRUM SET NOW SHIPPING

"Drum Set Features Natural Feel, Superb Sound and a Wide Range of Capabilities

Cumberland, R.I. (Sept. 24, 2009) – Alesis, the world’s leading manufacturer of professional audio equipment and studio electronics, announces that the DM6 Kit, the most capable electronic drum set in its price class, is now shipping to retailers.

The Alesis DM6 Kit is an excellent choice in electronic drum sets for price-conscious drummers and aspiring players. The set features a completely new sound module with 108 quality drum, cymbal and percussion sounds. The DM6 Kit’s pads feel natural and its hardware and rack system are rugged and high quality.

Like all Alesis drum sets, the DM6 Kit features extremely realistic playing surfaces. Drummers will feel right at home with the DM6 Kit’s natural rubber drum and cymbal surfaces that were selected for their low vibration feedback. The five-piece kit features a dual-zone snare pad for two-sound compatibility. Players can dial in a snare drum sound in the center and a rim click, rimshot or other instrument such as a cowbell on the rim. The DM6 Kit also comes with three tom pads, an upright kick drum pad, hi-hat, crash and ride cymbal pads. Completing the set, the DM6 Kit includes Alesis hi-hat and bass drum pedals and a pair of drumsticks.

The brand-new DM6 module features a high-quality internal collection of drum, cymbal and percussion sounds. Drummers can edit and save drum kits for custom sound palettes. In addition to the sounds in the DM6 module, drummers can use the DM6 as a trigger-to-MIDI interface with drum-module software such as BFD, Toontrack or Reason for a limitless collection of sounds.

Drummers can play quietly with headphones or connect the DM6 Kit to an amplifier or PA system for full-volume performance. They can also connect an iPod or CD player and mix it in with the DM6's stereo input jack. The DM6 contains a metronome and sequencer with music tracks for playing along.

The DM6 Kit comes with a heavy-duty aluminum rack. The kit also comes with a full set of mounting hardware and cables.

“This drum set brings a new level of performance, feel and sound to its price class,” said Jim Norman, Product Manager, Alesis. “The combination of the great quality of sounds, the play-along tracks, the metronome, the input for your iPod and the feel of the pads all together make the DM6 Kit a serious instrument.”

The DM6 Kit is available from musical instrument and pro audio retailers with a U.S. Retail Price of $699.00 and an estimated street price of $499.00.

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About Alesis
Alesis manufactures a full line of professional audio and musical instrument products capitalizing on its strengths in digital, analog, semiconductor, and transducer technologies. Alesis delivers revolutionary product solutions to the music and audio production industries. For more information, visit www.alesis.com; images are available at http://www.alesis.com/media."

Jethro Tull - Peter-John Vettese - 1983 Video Update

See the second update in this post.

Inside a Waldorf Pulse and Moog Voyager - Transitor Array Filters

There was some discussion on the Waldorf list regarding this video on the Waldorf MicroWave 1 compared to the MicroWave 2. The discussion digressed to the analog filter types used in Waldorf Synths. Till "Qwave" Kopper sent in the following bit of information that I though was interesting and deserving of a post: "in the Pulse there is a CA3046 transistor array in the filter. (last picture, and my fingers shown too)(remember Boele taking these pictures at my home, Georg?)

The Moog Source also uses this transistor array. And if you don't know the sound of the Pulse, but the sound of the Moog Source, you will know it has big balls soundwise.

The Moog Voyager also uses a filter array like this, but the type CA3086 (again last picture).

So even if you know the specs inside, it is still the sound thatmatters."

A fun side note: you might recognize the names Boele (SCD), George (swissdoc) and Till (Qwave) from this post, this post and others (just do a search for them on the top left of this site). They do not work for Waldorf but have definitely been experts in all things Waldorf for as long as I can remember. They all beta test Waldorf gear and they offer great non-official support on the Waldorf list on their own time. All great guys in my book.