MATRIXSYNTH

Bebot.mpg

YouTube via minsky57. Roland JD-800, KORG Polysix.

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

Part 2 added to this post.

NOT NAMM: Image Line Drumatrix

"The Drumatrix [now Drumaxx] percussion modelling instrument gives you total control over 10 physically modelled drums that can be routed to independent outputs for external effects processing.

Great, but why should you care when the internet is awash with fantastic sounding drum samples? In two words, expressive realism. Once a drum sound is recorded, the performance and modulation options are limited to filtering, volume or similar 1-dimensional filtering effects. When a single drum sample is triggered in a roll you get the familiar 'machine-gun' effect, it just sounds artificial. Multi-sampled, multi-layered drums can overcome this limitation but need multi-megabyte or even Gigabyte! drum libraries, and even then, you are still limited to the sounds originally recorded.

Drumatrix is not based on samples or even commonly used 'synthesis' techniques, where oscillators are mixed and the result is 'electronic'. Drumatrix is a truly 'modelled' drum, and not just a single drum, Drumatrix can model bass drums, hi-hats, snares, realistic and yes electronic sounds too. But what about the traditional 'Achilles' heel' of synthesis, cymbals? We have left the best until last, Drumatrix models cymbals & metallic 'ethnic' percussion instruments with ease.

At the core of Drumatrix is a model of the drum-head. Here the vibrating membrane is represented in a mesh of inter-connected of points, each given physical properties, mass, inertia, stiffness, damping and all that good physics stuff. For the musician, this means Drumatrix can model the drum-head with multiple parameters such as material, thickness, tension and even shape. More importantly the parameters can be modulated in real-time as a function of velocity or external controls. The drum body is also modelled, in terms of material, size, vibration damping and shape. All this gives you multi-dimensional performance possibilities, a Matrix of variables providing the almost infinite complexity & subtlety of hitting a real drum.

Key features:
10 Physically modelled drum pads.

Multi-output for individual effects processing on each pad.

Huge range of modelling possibilities covering sounds from cymbals to kettle-drums.

Velocity modulation matrix for detailed expressiveness.

Integrated Stepsequencer with trigger-key playback.

Integrated effects.

Single-pad version 'Drumpad' available for tight integration with FL Studio Stepsequencer

Drumbot jam

Drumbot jam from Michael Una on Vimeo.

"My new drumbots banging out a few rhythms. The beats are programmed in Ableton live, then sent via MIDI to a Highlyliquid MD24 kit, which converts MIDI to voltage. The voltage then feeds some relays and transistors to power the solenoids."

Moog Realistic MG-1 Restoration

flickr set by Pablo Penas
(click for more)

Click on the images for larger shots. The switches and sliders in the middle shot look like little garden / plant boxes.

NAMM: NAMM 2010 - Korg Kaossilator Pro

flickr by InterstateMusic
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PPG WAVE 2 SYNTHESIZER

via this auction

"A German PPG Wave 2 synthesizer.

An amazing sounding analog/digital hybrid vintage synth.

A classic and warm sound.

Generate over 2,000 different waveforms. [anyone confirm this for the original Wave 2?]

Loads of knobs. LCD screen.

Sequencer will Record any filtering and wave changes in real-time.

The PPG wave has been used on thousands of hit records for nearly three decades. Everyone has used one. David Bowie, Trevor Horn, Stevie Wonder, Amy Winehouse, Lady Gaga, Michael Jackson...you name it. This is it."

Update via Achim:
"The original Wave2 has 32 wavetables plus the upper wavetable. If you
count the interpolated waves (only every fourth slot has an actual
wave), then yes it's "over two thousand". The number of distinct ROM
waves is "only" around 300."

L.I.F.E. with B.O.B. Handheld Synthesizer

via this auction

via TechnoMage where you'll find additional info: "the little infinite frequency expander is essentially a compact self-contained hand held inspirational tool for everybody interested in the creation of sound. It is difficult to describe the sounds that the little infinite frequency expander can produce, words such as… "organic", "unexpected", "ambient", "hypnotic", "subtle", "analogue", "fun", and other expletives have been used by musicians who have used the device , usually followed by "can I keep it ?" and "how much ?"."

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