MATRIXSYNTH

YouTube via sequentix KORG Sigma on Ebay
"This is a quick run-through of each switch and knob on the Korg Sigma I have up on eBay to show that it is fully functional as described. Starts with a brief snippet of each instrument sound with its control adjusted. Then a little bit of the synthe section, followed by the inevitable Forbidden Planet knock-off that the 'ring-mod' function demands."

Mellow MuRF Synth Sketch

YouTube via br0therl0c0
"A minimalist live experiment. One note from each synth, modulated and manipulated to try and get something interesting.

Voyager OS through MuRF which is sync'd to Electribe drums using the tap-tempo input (no MIDI-MuRF here). Fun because the MuRF keeps finding new tempos to try and lock to. Foot pedal is controlling MuRF mix. Prophet '08 and Andromeda are using internal sequencers for simple rhythm. Andromeda runs through MF-104Z delay.

Knob tweaking and sloppiness ensues."

Early Hinton Modular

via Graham Hinton Hinton Instruments: "Briefly, it was developed in the early 70s as a very high spec instrument while I worked in a nuclear physics laboratory. I actually believed that the major manufacturers' published specs were true, so I met or bettered them. (It was quite a disappointment when I later worked in a studio with a Synthi 100 and found that it didn't come close by a long way. Same again years later when I got my hands on a large Moog modular.)

Brief spec:
Fully modular, hot pluggable 4U 19" rack mounting.
Every input has a voltage 3.5mm jack AND a summing Lemo 00 connector. So any input can have more inputs added as needed, mixers or the big matrix can be added. Or both with a Lemo T-piece.
Open collector (wire-OR) logic control on the rear panels. That's like Moog S-trig for Gates, but there were counters and other logic modules too. The Envelope Generators gave out logic pulses at each stage so two or more could be locked together at a particular phase or cascaded.
By '75 it had a 256 step digital sequencer programmed from an eight voice digital keyboard scanner, both built in discrete TTL. (It pre-dates microprocessors and synth chips.)"

Update: a close-up of the modules.

NOT NAMM: HINTON INSTRUMENTS NOW SHIPPING SWITCHMIX

"HINTON INSTRUMENTS NOW SHIPPING SWITCHMIX: A TRUE SUMMING ANALOGUE PATCHING MATRIX FOR AUDIO AND CONTROL VOLTAGES

Somerset, England, 19 Jan. 2010 - SwitchMix is a compact, true summing patching matrix of illuminated switches, designed for use in modular synthesizer systems, and for other specialized audio interfacing applications.

Signals are routed through fixed precision resistors, with all the necessary buffering and support circuitry to provide true summing of audio or DC coupled control voltages. Only one operation is required to make a connection, and the illuminated switches provide immediate visual feedback.

SwitchMix can be shipped with either balanced or unbalanced compatible inputs and outputs. Balanced inputs make it a suitable choice for Silent Way and Volta users to easily interface a DAW with an analogue synthesizer system.

An 8x8 matrix designed to fit within the popular Eurorack format is available as a standard product.

Prices start at £399. Larger 12x12 or 16x16 SwitchMix systems can be custom built to customer specifications, either in Eurocard format, or on custom panels.

ABOUT HINTON INSTRUMENTS:
Hinton Instruments has provided a range of audio engineering services for the professional recording, broadcast, film, and entertainment industries since 1984.

For further information or to place an order, please contact Graham Hinton at Hinton Instruments:

Email: enquiries@hinton-instruments.co.uk

Phone: Int. +44 (0)1373 451927.

Web: http://www.hinton-instruments.co.uk/switchmix"

Happy Birthday Jean-Jacques Perrey!

I posted the video below earlier. I just found out it is Jean-Jacques Perrey's birthday today! He turned 81! You can wish him a Happy Birthday here.

Jean-Jacques Perrey & Dana Countryman in NYC, 1st October 2008 YouTube via mee3d http://www.jean-jacquesperrey.com/ "After almost 40 years, Jean-Jacques Perrey returns to New York City, the birth place of his seminal 1960's moog albums. For one night only, on the 1st October 2008, Jean-Jacques performed with musical partner Dana Countryman at (le) poisson rouge club to celebrate 50 years or recording and performing. Part One... featuring the following songs:- Atomic Twist, Pizzicato Samba, Destination Space, Kittens On The Moon, Strangers In The Night, Chicken On The Rocks and Baroque Hoedown." click here for all posts featuring Jean-Jacques Perrey.

Update:

Jean-Jacques Perrey & Dana Countryman in NYC, 1st October 2008 (Part Two)