Collin's Lab: Guitar pedal hacking with Arduino

YouTube via makemagazine — August 19, 2009 —

"Instead of chaining multiple guitar effects in search of a new sound, I decided to mod just one. Using an Arduino microcontroller board + digi-pot chip, I was able to add a variable gating effect to a fuzz pedal.

source code + more infos here:
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2009...

video, audio, & riffs by Collin Cunningham"
Features wavetables.

Moog Source Synth art (Sharpies)

flickr by TheSynthFreq
(click for more)

Roland JP-8 Jupiter-8 Vintage Analog Synthesizer w/MIDI

via this auction

Lo-d (Hitachi) Vintage Analogue Synthesizer HMS-30

via this auction

"I have never seen one of these synths before, and there is very little info on the internet about it. Seems to be a rarity. Made sometime around the start of the 80's by Lo-D, which seems to be an offshoot of Hitachi in Japan. Reasonably large and well built machine, with classic wooden panels from the vintage era.

Here's what i have observed:
it is FULLY POLYPHONIC. not 4 or 6 or 8 voice polyphonic, but 100% polyphonic. Every key produces a note.

Each voice consists of 2 layers:
a sustained wave for the body of the sound, and an enveloped wave for the dynamic attack of the sound. each of these layers has the following 8 controls:
filter cutoff, filter resonance, pan, volume, warble speed and depth, tremolo speed and depth.
('warble' is an LFO which modulates the filter cutoff.)

so, basically, you build the sound from 2 layers, which are mixed together. each layer has its own filter and modulation options, and can be panned, so you can make nice stereo by putting one part to the left and the other to the right.

There is a global LFO for vibrato on the pitch. Rate and Depth can be altered with knobs. Total pitch can also be quite significantly altered using a knob which sweeps from bass right up to very high tones.

As if that's not enough, there is also a built-in rhythm machine, which consists of various simple drum patterns and a simple analogue drum engine which makes some simple bass, kick, hihat sounds. Certainly not going to replace you

So, a quick roundup so far of what this baby contains:

5 LFO's (global pitch, plus tremolo and warble for each of the 2 layers), 2 VCF's, One VCA, and a drum machine.

For an early 80's machine, that stuff by itself is pretty cool, but it seems to have gone a fair bit further than that with a whole section of buttons for controlling and editing an inbuilt sequencer. The LED's on that section are sadly not lighting up anymore, so one can only wonder to the full capabilities of this synth. I'm guessing it would have been quite expensive with all these options. The build is also very nice. The keyboard volume seems to change at a point 2 octaves up the keyboard. I assume this is to keep the volume of bass a bit lower than the melody when playing."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Fundamental Technologies of the Synthesizer

via this auction
Review via Amazon:
"Although a little dated, this book offers both the novice and intermediate student of the synthesizer a great foundation for the basics of sound structure and synthesizer functionality. It utilizes clear, concise language that is not overly academic or boring. It is written in a friendly fashion that makes you feel that the author is talking to you as if he was standing right next to you. It is very relaxed.
It has been used at Modesto Junior College (I am a former student) as the primary textbook since 1995.

It covers all of the basic forms of synthesis as well as a chapter on the synthesizer's basic relationship with computers and a chapter on how to look for and purchase a synthesizer based on your needs and finances.

It also covers the fundamental principles of MIDI.

If you are wondering about how you are going to learn about your new syntheizer without taking a college course, this book is definately the way to go.

It is absolutely packed with an incredible amount of very useful information. Do not hesitate to purchase this book. It is well worth the money."

Also added to the Synth Books section.

x0xb0x

via this auction
"XB303 aka x0xb0x
somatic circuits custom version
http://somaticcircuits.com/xb303.html

http://www.ladyada.net/make/x0xb0x/"

"selected high beta transistors
audio grade polyester capacitors
1% metal film resistors with matched DAC
multi-turn trims for precise tuning
genuine NOS 2sc1583, 2sc2291, 2sk30A,
BA6610, LA4140 and AN6562.
complete with all the electronic voodoo"

Circuit Bent E-mu MP7 Command Station

via this auction
"-circuit bent with freely routeable 24 point rotary patchbay for the maximum in flexibility.
-points were carefully researched and arranged in order of harmonics whenever possible. very intuitive interface.
-chrome chickenhead knobs
-heavy duty toggles activates rotary patchbay connections
-db25 connector added- adds the option of expanding the e-mu commandstation units with the spunkytoofers mm1 midi module.

connector supplies power to the mm1 as well as allows circuit bending over midi via added midi circuitry.

the mm1 allows a tightly integrated system with the e-mu that can trigger it's own bends and other compatible bent devices.

all spunkytoofers instruments are now all compatible with mm1.

mm1 is sold seperately.
-unit is expandable with up to 3 more e-mu rom cards
-2 blue jewel lenses with bright blue lighting
-solid build and and quality components used throughout
-don't have a way to check the spdif output but should be fine.
-comes with power cord, bend diagram, and pdf manual
-support and warranty work covered for modifications

the e-mu command stations are perfect companions for the mm1 for a centerpiece for modular circuit bending over midi. there is no better way to sequence all your circuit bent devices than starting with one of the most powerful hardware sequencers ever made. modular sequencing and circuit bending is all possible through the e-mu command stations. the internal synthesizer in the command station is truly a powerful synthesizer and practically all waveforms within respond to the pressures of circuit bending. there are complex filters onboard and can virtually create any kind of circuit bent sound so long as you can picture it in your head. want a circuit bent speak and spell looping sound in one of the 32 sequencer tracks available? no problem. bend vocal roms applied with formant filters and will sound like a bent speak and spell. it does a whole lot more and covers alot of sonic territory within the onboad circuit bent synthesizer. the synthesizer sports a huge modulation matrix both in synthesis and circuit bending.

simple drum patterns are reconfigured rhythmically, tonally, and you can shape the circuit bent sounds any way you like with the powerful proteus 2000 synth engine onboard. 128 voices of sequenced mayhem is possible on this device. you can also add your controllers on top of the sequencer to any of the 16 voice parts. in addition to onboard sequencing you can sequence outboard midi gear. this makes it perfect companions with any spunkytoofers instruments with midi since they can integrate seamlessly."

circuit bent e-mu command station- rhythmic by spunkytoofers

circuit bent e-mu command station- melodic by spunkytoofers

video here

Quickswitch - World's First Turntable Controller

Turntable with built in keyboard and pads.
YouTube via QuickSwitchTV — May 31, 2010 — "This is the first look at Quickswitch, the world's first turntable controller. Quickswitch allows users to control any software without having to touch the computer. Quickswitch allows users to perform normally impossible tricks with lightning fast speed and accuracy. Quickswitch turns your computer to an engine running in the background, and allows you to focus on your instrument. This video shows the original prototype version & extension modules. The final production version is now ready for market. An HD video with full introduction, upclose shots & explanation to come in the following weeks.

You can pre order here
http://quickswitch.myshopify.com/coll...

For investment opportunities:
http://blog.quickswitches.com/?page_id=6

Demonstration + Music by Ruckazoid
http://www.listencompute.com"

Jean Michel Jarre -Equinoxe Pt. 7 - Live in Braunschweig 03.03.10

YouTube via theultimatefly — March 04, 2010 — "Fantastic Concert Evening of Jean Michel Jarre split in various parts. Have Fun. Captured with my TZ7 by MR MV. Many thx for doing this man. I hope you like it. Be sure to check out my other new HD vids. If you like my videos, please feel free to write a comment and also to rate it. ;)"

Native Instruments Launches the "Kickstart Your Summer" Special for Producer and DJ Products

"Native Instruments Launches the "Kickstart Your Summer" Special for Producer and DJ Products

Berlin, June 1st, 2010 – Native Instruments today launched the "Kickstart Your Summer" special, which offers a 50% discount on all software updates and upgrades across the NI product range in June.

For producer products, the special offer includes the update versions of the KOMPLETE 6 bundle, the KORE 2 software and those of ABSYNTH 5, BATTERY 3, FM8, GUITAR RIG 4, KONTAKT 4 and REAKTOR 5, including the KONTAKT 4 crossgrade for owners of any KONTAKT PLAYER-based third-party software instrument.

For DJ products, the special offer applies to all update and upgrade versions of TRAKTOR PRO, TRAKTOR DUO and TRAKTOR SCRATCH PRO, including the "TRAKTOR SCRATCH Certified" upgrade for selected DJ mixers.

The "Kickstart Your Summer" special offers are available exclusively in the NI Online Shop from June 1st to June 30th.

Additional information on "Kickstart Your Summer" is available at www.native-instruments.com/kickstartyoursummer

A digital press kit including picture material is available at www.native-instruments.com/press

About Native Instruments:

Native Instruments is a leading manufacturer of software and hardware for computer-based music production and performance. The company's mission is to develop innovative, fully integrated solutions for all professions, styles and genres. The resulting products regularly push technological boundaries and open up new creative horizons for professionals and amateurs alike."