SAIC Instrument Construction Class - May 2010

YouTube via yakthekyle — May 18, 2010 — "More video of the students work in the Instrument construction class that I TA at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago"

NEW 2010 Optigan Disc - PIANOSCAPE

YouTube via peahix — May 18, 2010 —

"Now available for pre-order at http://www.optigan.com/shoptigan/inde... is our brand new Optigan disc: PIANOSCAPE! When we've reached 15 pre-orders, we'll go to press with the limited run of 25 discs.

The dusty old Winter spinet piano we recorded for this disc is the very same piano that Pea Hicks learned to play on, and is also the source of the photos on the jacket cover and in this video. This demo recording is just a quick improvisation to give you an idea of the overall sound possibilities of this disc. Toward the end, we've flipped the disc over so you can hear with it sounds like running backwards. Here's the blurb from the back of the jacket:
**************
They said it couldn't be done, but we've done it! We've brought the sound of a spinet piano to the Optigan Music Maker in a way that is both musically captivating and strangely haunting. You'll enjoy creating your own piano soundscape by merely pressing a few buttons and playing a few keys.

Now we're going to test your creativity! Try playing this music program disc with an of the Optigan Music Books. Give up? Next, try holding down as many of the keys as you can. Ah, that's nice. Now it's your turn to challenge your friends and family to create their own piano soundscape. Pianoscape!

Playing tips:
The attack of the keyboard piano tones are staggered across a 16th-note grid, such that by playing chords with your right hand, a windchime-like arpeggio effect is achieved. A drum loop is provided to help with your timing. The bass notes are staggered on a 1/2-note grid, and the chords on a 1/4-note grid.

Optigans equipped with a spring reverb will provide the most haunting sound, which is further enhanced by inserting the disc upside-down for backwards play."

Detachment 3 Website Live - Archangel Sequencer Touchplate Info

http://www.det3.net/
Their first product is the Archangel analog sequencer and touchplate controller which has been featured in previous posts (see the Detachment 3 Engineering label below). The following is a brief description of the Archangel which is currently listed at $1795 for Late Summer. Be sure to see det3.net for more including media.

"Archangel at its core is a 4-row 16-step analog sequencer with integrated 16-pad touchplate controller. The layout of the sequencer allows for instant access to every function available. Archangel can be its own timing master as well as slave to MIDI, DIN sync or an external clock pulse. The sequence length can be set from 1 to 16 stages, and step size can be adjusted from 1/32nd note to two bars. To speed composition and improvisation Archangel has an integrated multi-scale quantizer."

Roland System 100m + Oberkorn MK3 Analogue Sequencer

YouTube via smashgods — May 17, 2010 — "Here is an Analogue Solutions Oberkorn MK3 analog sequencer connected to a Roland System 100m modular synthesizer. I've sequenced a simple bassline and added a few tweaks for interest. Enjoy."

Circuit bent dual drum machine

YouTube via stylinghead — May 17, 2010 — "Matching drum circuits with independent pitch controls and human contact points and 1/4 inch outs. Bent by Billy Neenos of Bent Not Broke."

Circuit bent delay pedal self oscillation and human contact organ 1

"stylinghead — May 17, 2010 — Bent by Billy Neenos of Bent Not Broke."

Circuit bent delay pedal self oscillation and human contact organ 2


Circuit bent delay pedal with drum machine


Circuit bent delay pedal with synthesizer

Effeweam

Effeweam by stretta
"analog modular synth synthesizer electronic stretta

Original composition. All modular synth+minimoog. No DSP aside from a single reverb.

I gave myself until today to get this project to a point where I could publicly preview it. I still have a few concerns that may be addressed by re-orchestrating, mixing, or redoing a few parts. But, for now, I need to put this, and the rest of 'A Funneled Stone' aside (probably for the best) while I take the opportunity to record a new ambient piano project. (if you're curious about the reason, check my blog http://stretta.blogspot.com)

I pulled my minimoog out to test it prior to releasing it for a brief rental stint. I discovered a few things.

First, even though my kids are constantly surrounded by electronic music gear, they both loved the minimoog. I had thought it was the novelty of an unfamiliar device, but there seems to be something about it that really draws them in, especially my daughter.

Second, inserting a minimoog into this kind of composition instantly gives it 'that' moog modular character. You'll hear what I'm talking about. I don't have an S-trig cable (one is on order) so I'm controlling the minimoog with volta entirely though the three CV inputs: pitch, amp and filter. When I get the cable I'll be able to use the on-board envelopes, but what you're hearing here is the minimoog driven by cwejman envelopes.

Oh, one more thing about the mini that I found interesting was how all the knobs are in musically-useful ranges. Obviously, all instruments strive for this, but it turns into a major tradeoff between flexibility and resolution where it matters. Resonance, for example, had a huge tonal range in an area that I'm accustomed to a fairly small range. So, the mini is an exceptionally limited instrument, but the whole thing is one big sweet spot."

Highly Liquid MIDI CPU

"Instant DIY MIDI Controller / MIDI Encoder

Features
* Fully assembled: simply attach your own switches, potentiometers, etc.
* Accepts input from switches, switch matrices, potentiometers, rotary encoders, or digital & analog signals
* Monitors up to 128 switches, 14 potentiometers, or 12 encoders
* Allows mixed input types
* Generates virtually any type of MIDI message
* Merges MIDI input with locally-generated messages—multiple units share a single MIDI Out port
* Standard MIDI IN and MIDI OUT ports
* Measures 66mm × 38mm (2.6" × 1.5")
* Powered via battery or DC supply between 3.3V and 12V
* User-upgradable firmware"

http://highlyliquid.com/midi-controllers/midi-cpu/

Emilio "Millo" Sapia - Fragments

Emilio "Millo" Sapia - Fragments from Emilio Sapia on Vimeo.

"An original track..? Actully just little improvvisation on a 2 bar loop. Gear used: Waldorf MicroQ, Clavia Nord Modular G2, MPC500 (main sequencer), Elektron Machinedrum, DSI Tetra, Korg MS2000, Korg SV1. No computer were used. Recorded on a Yamaha Pocketrak CX."
via Resonant Filter

Vermona DRM1 MK II Analog Drum Module Synthesizer

via this auction

Star Instruments Synare Tympani Synth Drum

via this auction

"Here is a hard to find Synare Tympani synth drum made by Star Instruments in the early 80s. It's in terrific shape and works perfectly. What makes this one unique is the remote "Tune" selector box custom made for the original owner by the inventors to allow quickly switching to any of 6 user-preset base frequencies. It truly is a 1-of-a-kind package (actually 2 of a kind since I also have its sibling which was created at the same time).

The Synare Tympani produces a full tympani-like sound in a great range of octaves. You can adjust the tympani's ringing up and down sweep, decay (from staccato tom sounds to long decays), sensativity, and volume. You can also connect a pedal to modify the tuning in real-time, if you have one."

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