Synth Pop Art

via these auctions

Roland Jupiter-8 here
Yamaha DX7 here

1979 BCD Technologies Guitar Synth Ad

via Retro Synth Ads where you'll find the full write-up.

"A new company has entered the guitar synthesizer/processor market, BCD Technology, Inc. (285 K Sobrante Way, SunnyVale, CA, 94608 - tel (408) 739 2880). Their product, the NEBULA, makes extensive use of the SSM chips designed by Dave Rossum and Ron Dow. The guitar signal is processed directly (no hex pickup, no PVC) and is modified by way of: an input processor (consists of compressor, fuzz, and octave divider/multiplier), a VCF, a VCA, envelop generators, and a parametric equalizer. List price is $795 + options"

Color a Sound - Projector Based Sequencer

Color a Sound from blair neal on Vimeo.

"A demo/walkthrough of my installation entitled 'Color a Sound' which was set up at RPI's West Hall Gallery 111 for the month of April 2010.

There are two previous videos of when I first developed this from a couple years ago as well, but they only show the point of view of the analysis camera and not the device itself.

If you're curious, videos are available here: vimeo.com/953967
vimeo.com/866382

Would love to install this again...and if anyone wants the ugly max patch, send me a message"

Partner instruments for Ableton Live

YouTube via AbletonInc — April 19, 2010 — "A new range of exquisite instruments, custom-made for Live by our favorite sound partners. The instruments are perfectly integrated into Live and the range of sounds available is highly diverse. All partner instruments work with Suite 8, Live 8 or Live Intro, and many of them are exclusive to Ableton Live."

circuit bent e-mu command station

YouTube via spunkytoofers — May 10, 2010 — "spunkytoofers sequenthesizer: circuit bent e-mu mp7 and xl7 demonstration. both units are identically the same except they have different sound sets with the option to expand sound sets with rom simms. they both feature breakouts for spunkytoofers mm1 midi module expansion for modular circuit bending over midi.

1st demo is one pattern being mangled manual with a rotary patchbay

2nd demo is a midi multi-setup on the command station with setups for akai ewi, akai mpk25 and sequenced drones. all sounds are randomly circuit bent throughout via midi. the command station itself is used over midi to trigger it's own bends.

for more information: http://www.spunkytoofers.com"

Drumaxx Tutorials - Chapter Six - Eight Pattern Sequencer Parts

See the update in this post.

Harpsitron programming

YouTube via zioaxiom — May 10, 2010 — "Note: this is a work in progress.

The Harpsitron is an acoustic emulation of an harpsichord by subtractive synthesis. This instrument has been synthesized and, then, sampled in order to get better polyphony and other enhancements. This video shows new improvements of the sound.

www.progsounds.com
www.lucacapozzi.com"

A Critique on Eurorack Format Modulars

The following is from David Kronemyer (Sentience Studio). Note this pertains to Doepfer rack enclosures and not cases like those provided by Monorocket which support both Doepfer and ASys style power connectors. Feel free to comment.

"There’s a semi-not-obvious issue with the now-popular Eurorack format, which is that while the modules may be economically-priced, the racks are expensive. And while they are amazing, many of the newer modules no longer are so economically priced. Doepfer’s dealer in the U.S. is Analogue Haven/Shawn Cleary. Shawn sells Doepfer Euroracks for $530 + shipping (approximately $35) + California’s confiscatory 9.75% sales tax (if you live in California, at least). This pushes to $620 per rack. If one has 10 modules in a rack (which seems to be about the average width), this adds an extra $62 to the cost of each module. Compare: a set of MOTM rails, which will accommodate 10 single-width modules, is $54 + shipping; a set of synthesizers.com rails, which will accommodate eight single-width modules, is $65 + shipping; and a set of Blacet (frac rack) rails, which will accommodate five double-width modules, is $79 + shipping. Even if you double these to reach the same average module density as a Eurorack, you’re still at about 25% of the cost.

Please understand I’m not bagging on Shawn or saying the Eurorack isn’t worth it. In fact we have about a dozen of them! It’s a highly specialized business and I’m sure Shawn’s margins are really thin. I’m just making an observation about relative cost. Also, there are less expensive alternatives. For example, Monorocket (also available through Analogue Haven) makes a portable case for $350 (though it’s not a rack mount).

There’s another problem with Euroracks, which is the power supply. While the buss board offers +5 VDC, all Doepfer power supplies now are +12/–12 VDC. If you want +5 VDC – a necessity for many modules from Analogue Solutions, for example – you’re out of luck. Doepfer makes a little thingy that converts +12VDC to +5VDC. While we’ve never tried it, the picture on Doepfer’s site makes it look not all that sturdy, capable of handling one or two modules at most. On top of that the Doepfer power supply is 1200 mA, which leaves little head-room. Doepfer used to make a power supply with only half that much! As a general principle, the more head-room, the better the sound.

We are very careful with module count, correct polarity, etc. However, mysteriously, the –12 VDC on one of our Doepfer power supplies recently disappeared. The +12 VDC was just fine, as were the buss boards. We realized we were exhausted by this tomfoolery and decided to install our own power supply, which also would provide +5 VDC. Power One makes a high-quality linear power supply, sold by DigiKey (Part No. 179-2317-ND). It gives +12 VDC, –12 VDC and +5 VDC, all in one convenient unit. So we removed the now-deceased Doepfer power supply and installed this one instead.

This power supply is way overkill for the rack. As you can see the Alcatel connectors also are ludicrously huge for this application. The only reason why we used them, and the heavy-gauge wire, is because we had them lying around from a previous project. It was a happy moment to see all of the LEDs on the Doepfer buss rail light up. We are eyeing our other Doepfer racks guardedly.

WARNING – do not try this at home unless you know what you’re doing!"

Update: two shots of David Kronemyer's Sentience Studio.

Be sure to see the comments of this post for further discussion.

Analogue Modular Synthesizer Dual VCF BY SMS

via this auction

"Dual Voltage Controlled Filter by Synthetic Music Systems.

Perfect cosmetic and performance condition.

Two independent Voltage Controlled Filters in a single 1u 19" rack space.

The unit has its own built in PSU and is switchable 230/115 AC.

Directly compatible with all classic and modern synthesizers using the industry standard 1V/OCT 3.5 mm patching system.

VCF 1 is the classic 24 db/Octave Low Pass Transistor Ladder Filter based on the awesome design by the great Bob Moog.
Silky smooth and very natural but very electronic at high Res settings.

VCF 2 is another classic 12db/Octave Multi Mode Filter designed around Dual Transconductors with simultaneous Low High Band and Notch outputs.

Each VCF has a dedicated 1V/OCT input, bi-polar input for frequency modulation and two audio inputs.

[the seller] will be listing further SMS equipment Dual VCO Dual Envelope Multi Module Complete 5 Module System MARS PLANET 7 System."

CASIO FZ-20M digital sampling synthesizer module

via this auction

Not the best shots, but this appears to be the first post on an FZ-20M.

"The FZ-20m is an eight voice, monotimbral digital synthesizer/sampler rack (3U) with flexible I/O (2 inputs, mix output, 8 individual outputs, MIDI, RS232, SCSI). Waveforms can be sampled (16b, 9/18/36kHz, 64 sample points, 2MB memory), additive (48 harmonics), hand drawn (similar to Korg DSS-1) or preset (6 waves available). Sample editing includes 2 loops, reverse, mix, cross mix. Resonant, low pass digital filter and digital amplifier are controlled by 8 stage envelope generators, LFO and velocity/aftertouch. Patch memory contains 8 user locations (also has 3.5" DSHD disk drive).

key features
1. Aftertouch: Modifies LFO and EGs
2. Architecture Class: additive subtractive sampler
3. Audio IO: Headphones, 2 audio inputs 8 individual, TRS and XLR mix
4. Audio Source: The waveform can be a sample, an additive wave (48 harmonics), hand drawn (similar to Korg DSS-1), or a preset wave (i.e. random, pulse, saw, square, double sine, saw/pulse). Samples are 16 bit (9, 18, 36kHz) with up to 64 sample points. Sample editing includes 2 loops, reverse, mix, cross mix.
5. Communication Interface: MIDI In, Out, Thru, 25 pin RS232 communication port SCSI
6. Effects: None
7. EG: Dedicated, 8 stage EG's modify DCF and DCA
8. Expansion: 3.5" 2HD Disk drive
9. Filter: Resonant, low pass
10. Form Factor: 3U rack
11. Key Scaling: Switch samples and modify EGs rate/level
12. LFO: Modifies pitch, amplitude, or filter level. Waveforms include up saw, down saw, random, sine, square and triangle. LFO also features delay and key sync"

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