MATRIXSYNTH

Noise Generator

flickr by Noel Feans

Korg MS-20

One Step Closer: Apple iPhone OS 4.0 to Include Multitasking

via AppleInsider

"Apple this summer will go a long way towards silencing critics and catering to one of the most prevalent demands of its iPhone user base, when it introduces a multitasking solution through the handset's 4.0 software update that will finally allow several third party apps to run concurrently and in the background."

I'm guessing this will make it's way to the iPad. If you remember this post, I'm obviously pretty excited about the slate format, both Windows and the iPad. I have an iPhone and what makes it is how responsive it is to gestures. There's no lag. For me, the screen, however, is too small for a proper full featured UI in regards to editing and controlling synths, both internal and external. My biggest disappointment with the announcement of the iPad was that it would not support multitasking, so you'd be limited to running one audio or one controller app at a time. Now this may not be so much of an issue. My other grip was lack of ports, specifically a USB port for MIDI controllers, but now that OSC and some new hardware like Akai's SynthStation25 and iConnectMIDI may have this solved.

Jen Synthetone SX1000

via this auction

Polyphony - Monophonic
Oscillators - One DCO (sawtooth, square, pulse-width modulation); 4-octave range (32', 16', 8', 4'); white and pink noise generators
LFO - 1 LFO; Vibrato
Filter - 1 Low-pass filter, 12dB/octave, with ADSR
VCA - 1 ADSR
Keyboard - 37 keys
Memory - None
Control - None (Kenton Midi Retrofits available)
Date Produced - 1978 - 1982

UNIVOX MINI KORG SYNTHESIZER

via this auction

"This is a RARE Univox Mini Korg Synthesizer Electronic Organ. Vintage Sounds not Possible with Modern Equipment. The Serial Number is: 0317. Made by Keio Electronics Lab Corp in Tokyo Japan."

Waldorf Q -Synthesizer

via this auction
"The Waldorf Q is a 16 part multi timbral virtual analogue synthesizer with 16 voices, expandable to a total of 32 voices. In multi mode, up to 4 parts keep their 2 high quality effects, giving a total of 8 effect processors. Each voice offers 3 LFOs, 3 oscillators with all classic shapes plus new algorithms, 2 filters with a sophisticated routing method and all filter types that you expect from a virtual analog synthesizer.

Furthermore, the Q offers unique Comb filter types in two flavours.

This enables the Q not only to create polyphonic Chorus or Flanger effects but previously unheard athmos or pluck sounds with great life. To top things off, the Waldorf Q has a very powerful arpeggiator and an even more powerful step sequencer. And with 58 endless rotaries, the Waldorf Q easily doubles the number of controls of other synths.

General Features
* 16 voices, expandable to 32 voices
* 16 part multi timbral
* 300 single programs

* 100 multi programs
* 100 step sequencer patterns
* 20 drum maps
* card slot for optional RAM card
* 58 endless dials
* 39 buttons for editing
* 2 x 20 character display
* 5 octave keyboard with aftertouch
* 1 Pitch Bend Wheel, 1 Modulation Wheel
* 2 Control Buttons
* 6 analog outputs (3 stereo outs)
* 2 analog inputs (1 stereo in)
* 1 coax S/PDIF output (44.1kHz)
* MIDI In/Out/Thru
* 2 Switch Inputs (e.g. Sustain Pedal, Gate In etc.)

* 2 CV Inputs (e.g. Foot Pedal, external controller etc.)
* built-in universal voltage power supply
* Dimensions: Width 995mm, Height 135mm, Depth 360mm
* classic blue

Per Voice:
* up to 5 Oscillators per voice
o Pulse with Pulse Width Modulation
o Sawtooth
o Triangle
o Sine
o 2 wavetables with 128 waves each plus Sub Oscillator per Alt Wave

* FM and Oscillator sync
* Noise generator
* Ring Modulator
* Mixer with Balance, each signal source (oscillator, noise, ringmod, external audio material) can be balanced individually between filter 1 and filter 2
* 2 Filters, different types, all including FM and distortion
o Low Pass (12dB/24dB)
o legendary PPG filter
o Band Pass (12dB/24dB)
o High Pass (12dB/24dB)
o Notch (12dB/24dB)
o Comb Filter (positive/negative feedback)

* Modulation Matrix with 16 slots, freely routable
* Pre-routed Modulation destinations, sources selectable
* modulation update frequency in audio range to allow the oscillators to be used as modulation sources
* 4 Modifiers

* Arpeggiator with user pattern, including accents, timing information, swing, glide, chords and more
* Step Sequencer with 32 steps, polyphonic, different controller values per step
* 3 LFOs up to audio range (> 5000 Hz)

* 4 envelopes, enhanced ADSR configuration with loop and one shot function, bipolar
* Poly, Mono, Dual, Unisono modes
* HMT for realtime tuning
* 2 individual high-quality effects per sound
* Effect Types:

o Reverb
o 2 x Surround Delay
o Tap Delay
o Chorus
o Flanger
o Phaser
o Distortion
o Delay
o 5 FX
o Vocoder with 25 bands
* and lots lots more..."

Roland SH-101 analog synthesizer

via this auction

Tenzo - Tenori-on performance video by Marc Adamo

"Tenori-on Light Show Video created by Marc Adamo from Product.01 (http://www.product01.co.uk/). Samples available on http://tenori-on.yamaha-eur..."

Also:
http://www.tenori-onusa.com
http://www.global.yamaha.com/design/tenori-on
Tenori-On on Ebay

Tenori-on, as seen on YouTube

YouTube via mpymf01.
"Amongst tons of Tenori-on user videos, here are some of my favorites..."

Interview with Howard Jones - Part.1

YouTube via soundonsoundvideo
"Musicians Howard Jones and Robbie Bronnimann explain their passion for software synths and retro gear."

Don't miss the live set in this. It's from the Howard Jones - 20th Anniversary Concert Live at the Shepherd's Bush Empire (2005) DVD. I have this one, and the vintage gear set is pretty incredible. Even if you aren't into Howard Jones, it's worth a watch if you are into synths. All vintage, all live. You can find the DVD on Ebay and on Amazon. It's also on Netfix.

Update:

Interview with Howard Jones - Part 2

"Howard Jones talks about his album "Revolution Of The Heart" how it was recorded and the mics, preamps and vocals used."

Howard Jones Interview - Part 3