MATRIXSYNTH

Kinect - MIDI Controller in C Major

YouTube via svenisnumb | November 22, 2010 | 2 likes, 0 dislikes

"Did a little bit more work on the software, and I've added a mute button and the ability to play notes from a specified scale. In this case, 2 octaves of C Major.

Many apologies for the bad sound quality. Microphone in front of a speaker and dodgy screen capture software. Any recommendation for a free Windows based one?

Binaries and source here: http://benxtan.com/temp/pmidickinect_...
I've noticed its quite the CPU hog, so I'll need to fix that up.
Most likely going to switch to the libfreenect library soon though.

As always, my digital footprint is here http://benxtan.com.

If you are a musician or a music business in Australia, check out http://rockstarhookups.com.au and sign up!"

Bzangy Groink Studio 2010 - White Town - Cut Out My Heart

YouTube via JyotiMishra | November 16, 2010 | 11 likes, 0 dislikes

"From the new White Town album, due out early 2011. Check: http://www.whitetown.co.uk http://www.facebook.com/pages/White-T..."

Also on MATRIXSYNTH-C

flickr set by Jyoti Mishra
(click for more)

"This is the studio just after finishing off mixing and mastering 'Cut Out My Heart.' A bit messy!"

Circuit bent instrument / noise glitch synthesizer by Aural Antithesis

YouTube via AuralAntithesis | October 22, 2010 | 1 likes, 0 dislikes

"Steam Engine Sound generator with whistle. Kit by -Velleman-

I soldered this sound maker and put it in a sturdy wooden box i painted.
brought 10 body contacts out and the speed control knob ( which has awesome vintage style!) also added 9v battery holder and output jack."

iBallz Monday Morning App Demo of reactable with DJ Kero for iPad

YouTube via iballzinfo | November 21, 2010 |

"iBallz Monday Morning App Demos for iPad with DJ Kero"

iPads on eBay
iPads on Amazon

iPod Touch on eBay
iPod Touch on Amazon

Customsynth ARP 2600 and JD-800 in White

click here for more galleries of various custom synths by customsynth.co.uk.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Mutable Instruments Shruti-1 with SM4 filter Assembled

via this auction

"What is it?
The Shruthi-1 is a hybrid digital/analog monosynth. Its hardware design is deceptively simple, but the sonic range is wide: sometimes grungily digital like a PPG-Wave, fat and funky like a SH-101, videogame-y like a Commodore 64, weird and warm like an ESQ-1 ; but more often than not, truly original.

Best of both worlds
Digital…
An 8-bit microcontroller plays the role of the two main oscillators + sub-oscillator. This allows the generation of (aliasing-free) classic analog waveforms, but also wavetable/transwave synthesis and a trove of weird digital algorithms (sinewave bitcrushing, formant synthesis, phase distortion, bit toggling, XOR modulation).

... and Analog

Beyond this point, everything is analog. Most of the Shruthi-1s are built with the SMR-4 filter, a warm 4-poles “modern analogue” low-pass (no vintage IC). But you are in no way limited to this! The filter section of the Shruthi is on its own board and can be easily replaced. We currently offer 2 alternatives filter boards, one with the CEM3379 VCF/VCA chip of the Ensoniq/Waldorf fame ; and one with the classic SSM2044 VCF. More to come, based on vintage chips or modern OTAs and VCAs! From silky-smooth to squelchy or fat: pick the filter that matches your personal taste best.

The Shruthi-1 has an audio input: external signals can be processed by its analog section, under the control of the digital LFOs, sequencer and arpeggiator for crazy gating and re-enveloping effects. A perfect way of warming up the sound of your favorite VA or… cheesy organ!

Before all, a musical instrument

Designed as a tool, not a toy

Getting a microcontroller to make bleeps and bloops is easy, but this is not where we wanted to go. We took the challenge of creating an instrument that could play in the same league as a Waldorf, Ensoniq or DSI synth; and from what Shruthi-1 users can attest, we have succeeded. Gameboys and Prophet-VS’ both ran on 8-bit cores. Guess what inspired us…

Of course, you are free to use the “dirty PWM” or “8-bits” oscillators algorithms if nasty bleeps are what you are looking for!

Feature-packed

We have packed the Shruthi-1 firmware with plenty of great features: a complete MIDI implementation (large CC coverage, NRPNs, SysEx data dump including wavetable transfer), a 12-slots modulation matrix, a 16-steps notes/CC sequencer and advanced arpeggiator with some unusual time warping modes, and even a polychaining feature to turn several Shruthi-1s into a monster polysynth!

Hackable

Open…

The Shruthi-1 firmware is GPL. Schematics are released under a CC license which gives you the freedom to build your own synth. We also provide assembly instructions, BOMs with references, case drawings, and some analyses of the filter circuits.

... and low barrier to entry

Posting code and schematics is not all… The Shruthi-1 has other great assets that make it a cool hacking platform:

A readable, well-structured code-base in C++, relying on a freely available toolchain.
Schematics editable with the freeware version of Eagle.
An easy firmware update procedure: just press a button and play a midifile to upgrade your Shruthi.
Solid foundation for developing your own analog filters, modulations and effects circuits. We provide PCB templates and an experimentation board to get you started on the design of the next Shruthi-1 filter board!
So get ready for new filter boards or hardware extensions!

This is from the second batch of Shruti-1's that went on sale the other week. It was hand assembled and tested by geargasstore in our shop. It comes with the clear acrylic case with honeycomb patterns on the sides."

Musix for iPad Update

via Brett in the comments of this post where you'll find video.

"Just a quick update. The newest version of Musix (1.0.3) has OSC and Midi out. In addition, it contains support for inter-note expressivity. This means you can map midi features (such as cc, pitch bend, velocity, aftertouch) to horizontal or vertical movement within a note. As well with OSC, the location of the touch within the note is sent allowing you to do anything your mind imagines."

iPads on Ebay
iPads on Amazon

Davolisint Demonstration

YouTube via switchedonaustin | June 06, 2010

"This rare synthesizer from 1972 has several interesting performance features."

Atari Video Music Modifications Demo

YouTube via switchedonaustin | November 08, 2010 | 0 likes, 0 dislikes

"A demonstration of our set of custom modifications for the Atari Video Music video synthesizer/audiovisualizer. The modifications involve controls to glitch out and morph the output shape/pattern, a composite video output, operation as a static image synthesizer, upgraded 1/4" input and thru jacks for both audio inputs, and a distortion output (in which the guitar is run through in some of these clips.) For more information on purchasing a modified video music, or getting yours modified, please visit http://switchedonaustin.com/other-ins..."

Be sure to see the rest of Switched On for more. "We specialize in vintage synths, drum machines, effects, full service repair & modifications as well as computer music tools & accessories. Not to mention workshops & classes!"