Octatrack Slice Tutorial, Part 1

YouTube via Catabolicdj | February 21, 2011 |

"Here's a turbo-start to using one of the most powerful (and fun) aspects of the Octatrack, the slice function. This video is for those who are looking to get started on the Octatrack as opposed to established users. The Octatrack is quick to work with once you get a few basic ideas nailed down. After watching you should be slicing within minutes. HD video available so you can get a detailed look at the screen."

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Vintage analogue synthesizer Eko Ekosynth P15 "Digital System"

YouTube via booksforsaleATebid | August 07, 2009 |

"I think this synthesizer was manufactured in 1979.

Although described by the manufacturer as a "digital system", it is an analogue synthesizer. The 'digital' refers to the type of circuitry employed i.e. silicon chips rather than transistors - so I am told.

The audio is to give you an idea of what the synthesizer is capable of, even though it seems to have a number of faults - you can read more about this on ebid.net, ( http://uk.ebid.net/stores/booksforsale ) go there and enter the following search terms: Eko P15

You will of course realise that I am no musician, that is not the purpose of the audio, I just want you to hear what the synth can do. There are no effects, it is totally dry, apart from a little compression.

It reminds me of the early Roland synthesizers in look and sound.

This synthesizer is rare. It will be an excellent project for anyone who likes to get these 'old dears' back to how they were in the land of Kraftwerk, Gary Numan and Ultravox."



via this auction

"This is an original 1979 suitcase synth made by Eko, better known for organs and guitars. Due to the companys organ background its got a great keyboard feel. It sounds brilliant with really present and deep oscillators that are massively tweakable from all the knobs and sliders, ranging from subbed out to lfo madness., a completely different sound to say Roland synths. Obviously pretty rare, this one is in good condition having just been serviced. This is an excellent and unusual bit of gear.

It says "digital system" on the front panel, but that refers to the fact that most of the circuitry consists of Integrated Circuits rather than indivudual components.
There are 15 preset sounds (Hence, P15). You can play them as they stand, or switch the Voltage Controlled Filter (VCF), and Voltage Controlled Amplifier (VCA) into "manual" mode, and tweak the sound anyway you want. There is also a full LFO section, capable of affecting the Oscillator, and the Filter. (Wah Wah and Tremolo). The VCO functions can be delayed as well. (as per Roland Juno)!"

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Powertran Transcendent 2000

YouTube via telecastersteve | March 05, 2009 |

"2nd youtube video of Transcendent 2000, all the parts were played on this synth using SONAR and a digital delay..no other synths used!"

via this auction
"Wave Shapes - Pulse / Saw / Triangle / Noise
1 Oscillator / Sub Oscillator
1 Filter - LPF / BPF / Self-Reso 2 Pole
2 Envelope Generators - ADSR / AD
Midi Control via CV Gate
37 keys

Some things you may not know about this surprising synth –
1. The ADSR envelope generator can be set to repeat mode, turning the envelopes into a
second (low-range) LFO.
2. The ADSR envelope generator can be bypassed, allowing the oscillator to sound indefinitely, perfect for drones, wind noises etc.
3. The triangle Wave Shape is adjustable from a ramp to a sawtooth allowing some rather subtle, delicate timbres to be created.
4. There is also VCF input that takes the supplied expression pedal, allowing the filter’s cutoff to be played like a wah-wah. Talking of which, the filter can self-resonate with the best of them and can be switched between BP and LP modes."

Monotron Routing iPod

YouTube via Saibot216 | October 04, 2010 |

"I routed my iPod through the Monotron's auxiliary jack and was able to do... magical things. The song I'm using is "Der Tor Ist Ein Dandy" by Einsturzende Neubauten"

And some music via Saibot216 aka Fafhrd:

glitter box.mov

YouTube via drmoonstien | February 21, 2011
drmoonstien on eBay

black thing with lofi envelope generator.mov

drmoonstien | February 21, 2011

Roberson Audio RA Mowg, Oddy-Free and Prophanity

via Roberson Audio

"RA Mowg

The Roberson Audio Synthesizers interpretation of the MiniMoog Model D synthesizer."

From the ReadMe file:
“This synth is meant to be a model of the Minimoog Model D synthesizer, and a lot of time was invested to get it the way it sounds, including oscillator and filter character as well as modulation struction and response.

A few notes to keep in mind before you get to playing with it:
-The synth was built with 48khz sample rate in mind, so it may not sound the same in other sample rates (generally though, higher will not have negative effects)

-Even though a mod wheel is not present in the graphical portion of the synth, using the mod wheel on your keyboard still has the same effect as the real synth

-There is a switch on the synth for an external input. In a real Minimoog, this could receive any audio input, but for this plug-in it has been hardwired as a feedback loop from the audio output of the synth. Be careful pushing the volume of it too high!

-The synth is completely monophonic, with priority given to last note played. Realism has been sacrificed for playability, but I believe it is a good trade-off in this instance.

-Update Version 1.2 *IMPORTANT*

-Made a few modifications, basic playability is largely unchanged. Most mods came in the form of filter modifications, it is BIG sounding now. Also, can resonate itself into oblivion, which itself can be dependent on what sample rate you are using, so BE CAREFUL. You’ve been warned. Some patches from prior versions may then have problems or may cause unwanted side-effects, so load them with caution.

Any updates will be reflected in this document with the corresponding update packs. If you have any questions or comments about the synth, you may refer them to blu_gruv@lycos.com, or contact me on KVR Audio under the screen name “Chris Roberson”.

Artwork for the instrument was provided by Modeler of KVR Audio forums. Truly brilliant work if I do say so myself.

I hope you enjoy using the synth, and look forward to hearing what you have to say about it.

Cheers,
Chris Roberson
Roberson Audio Synthesizers”



From the Readme file:

'The absolutely fantastic artwork and GUI were done by androidlove and Modeler of KVR, many many
thanks to him as the synth just wouldn’t be the same without it.

Now onto business…

The Oddy-Free is quite apparently a emu of an Arp Odyssey Mk.II, and much attention
to detail was given in the layout of the signal path to have it behave as accurately
as possible. Granted it does have just a touch more umph than most originals would,
this particular emulation was based on the “illegal” filter versions based on Moog’s
-24dB Low-Pass filter, so it sounds quite a bit smoother and richer but at the same
it can produce the harsh metallic tones known from the Odyssey.

I really hope you enjoy the synth, I know that I enjoyed making it. It brings me joy to
release free models of synth emulations that otherwise one may have to pay out the nose
to get.

If you liked the synth and/or were able to find good use of it, please vote for me
and it as the number one entry in the KVR Developer Competition ’07.
——————————————————————————————

Update Version 1.1
Changes:
–new face panel, a little bit of a more realistic touch.
–fixed spelling issues on face panel
–fixed masking problem with slider cap graphics, so there is no longer the black box
around the caps (rather nice fix)
–added “analog” features, including oscillator and filter instability, along with a few
minor affects on related components, also a very subtle power supply bleed-over to
related components.
–added a slight filtering to the final output to reduce the unrealistic high end of the Oddy
just a slight amount for accuracy purposes.
–added voltage and amplification mods to waveforms to enhance edginess of waveforms
and certain modulations (you may need to correct previously made patches.)
–added user-made patch banks and individual FXP files for the Oddy, hopefully you’ll enjoy. :)
–and probably some other things I forgot at 2 in the morning. :D

Updated Version 1.2
Changes:
–numerous internal changes to oscillator structure, including totally different oscillators to begin with
–modified filter to behave differently and a little more “analog”.
–removed much pre-EQ in the signal path, making it a much easier to mix instrument
–removed older user patch banks from pack, they became incompatible with new oscillators and filter.”

-Update Version 1.4 *IMPORTANT*

-Made a few modifications, basic playability is largely unchanged. Most mods came in the form of filter modifications, it is BIG sounding now. Also, can resonate itself into oblivion, which itself can be dependent on what sample rate you are using, so BE CAREFUL. You’ve been warned. Some patches from prior versions may then have problems or may cause unwanted side-effects, so load them with caution.

Cheers,
Chris Roberson
Roberson Audio Synthesizers"



From the ReadMe file:

“Hi and thanks for downloading Prophanity, the Prophet 5 clone.

I know it’s been a long time coming, so I hope you enjoy.

There isn’t a terrible lot to say for the synth, it’s a model of the Sequential Circuits Prophet 5. Much time was given for attention to detail in nearly every aspect of the instrument, and most every subtlety has been accounted for.

The excellent artwork was done courtesy of Modeler of KVR audio.

If you have any comments or requests or problems/questions with the synth, my email is blu_gruv@lycos.com, and can also be found at www.myspace.com/mrblugruv.

Hope you enjoy the synth.

UPDATE VERSION 1.1:

-Added unison mode

-implemented new oscillators, which behave more accurately in poly-mod section

-modified filter design to sound more pleasing

-changed envelope response to exponential, no more linear envelopes

-added per-voice instability, to simulate the multiple signal path architecture of the original

UPDATE VERSION 1.2:

-fixed some oscillator distortion problems

-massively overhauled filter/preEQ to make it more pleasing and technically correct

-many small adjustments to hone behavior to that which is closer to original

-Update Version 1.4 *IMPORTANT*

-Made a few modifications, basic playability is largely unchanged. Most mods came in the form of filter modifications, it is BIG sounding now. Also, can resonate itself into oblivion, which itself can be dependent on what sample rate you are using, so BE CAREFUL. You’ve been warned. Some patches from prior versions may then have problems or may cause unwanted side-effects, so load them with caution.”

The end result of all this is a (hopefully) more true-to-life representation of the original. As mentioned above, direct any questions to blu_gruv@lycos.com, www.myspace.com/mrblugruv, or find me on KVR under the user name “Chris Roberson”.

Sincerely,
Chris Roberson."

"Bug machines I & II" (electronic drumtrack) by Zviij

"Bug machines I & II" (electronic drumtrack) by Zviij — Beat making production by Zviij
""Bug machines" (drum track) by Zviij — © 2011
Beat making production: electronic drumtrack w/ Elektron Octatrack, Jomox M-Base 01 & M-Resonator + Oto Biscuit (raw file)

http://www.zviij.com
http://www.vimeo.com/zviij
http://www.youtube.com/zviij
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Zviij/186822201343111
Release date: Feb 21, 2011"

"Archangel's Thunderbird" by Mauve La Biche feat. Cary Grace

YouTube via Door13Music | February 20, 2011 |

"The legendary Mauve La Biche covers the Amon Düül II song "Archangel's Thunderbird" (single release coming soon) with guest vocals and electronics by Cary Grace [ http://www.carygrace.com ].

Guitars and bass by Andy Budge.
Drums by Mark Lilley.

Mixed-media video production by Grant Richter of Wiard Synthesizer Company in collaboration with Cary Grace."

via @carygrace "The latest offering from Wiard Pan-Galactic Headquarters and Cary Grace (Buchla 200, Putney)"

COMDYNA LGP-20 Analog Computing System

via this auction
As always, the seller's description:
"This machine is a combination of two Comdyna GP-10 analog computers and a MicroHybrid I digital control and interface system. It is one of only 20 made for the US Navy for use in their control laboratory schools. It offers 20 Operational Amplifiers, multipliers, coefficient setting pots, etc etc. The MicroHybrid has comparators, two counters, and I/O facilities for controlling the two GP-10 machines. The Operator's and Maintenance Manual, as well as various descriptive brochures, are included. It is assumed you have a basic familiarity with analog computation techniques, and the proper math backround to be able to set up the programming.

I purchased this machine some years ago for use in experimental music synthesis and composing. It was to be an expansion of my Comdyna GP-6 machine (which I am using currently). It was purchased in the condition shown and described below. My music research has branched out into other channels, so this Computer is not going to be used for the original purpose. Time to get it out of storage in into use!

This LGP-20 apparently had it's control panel broken at some point in it's life, and another LGP panel was provided. The replacement panel was cut out of a machine, and has a power transformer and the external sockets, as well as a connector for the regulator board attached. These parts are also on the main machine. The control panel harness must be spliced into the existing wiring. The main machine harness has bits and pieces of the switches, etc still attached. The clean-up and splicing job should take about an hour for a competent tech to perform.

The Power Supply regulator board is missing. There are three main options:
1. If one is still available from Comdyna, purchase it. Even a 'blank' board can then be easily populated.
2. Make a new board. All parts are common and are instantly available from Mouser, Digikey, etc,. The complete schematics and layout is in the Manual.
3. Operate the System using external power supplies - plus/minus 15VDC, plus/minus 10VDC (well regulated) and plus 5VDC for the MicroHybrid is required. Current is an amp or two, and there are many supplies which will do the job.

I have recently powered up the MicroHybrid portion of the System and it appears to be working as it should.

If you are experienced in basic electronic-technician level work, or can enlist the services of someone who is, restoring this machine will be easy. I just have too many other projects currently to allow the luxury of time needed for it." This one in via Brian Kehew.

Update via dkelvey in the comments: I have a LGP-20 that is working. I just this last weekend had it doing spyrogrphs at the Maker Fair in San Mateo, CA. I can assist in connecting the wires by giving someone a point to point listing. I'd be most interested in a copy of the LGP-20 manual though. That I don't have. See a quick flash of my machine and output at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDnIGM-J4Os [comes in at 1:30]
Dwight "

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Helmatronic Challenger in the Flesh

via OurDarkness on Gearslutz


CV & MOD BUSSES
"Modulation Sources:
1. The square output of the LFO
2. The triangular output of the LFO
3. The upwards sawtooth output of the LFO
4. The downwards sawtooth output of the LFO
5. S&H
6. Oscillator 4
7. External In 1
8. External In 2
9. Env (the envelope from VCF1)

Modulation Destinations:
1. Oscillators (individually)
2. Filters (both)
3. Pitch (equivalent to modulating all oscillators simultaneously)
4. Pan

Mod Wheel Range:
Specifies how much the modulation wheel affects the modulation between source and destination.

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