Weekend Projects - Optical Tremolo Box

YouTube Published on Aug 23, 2012 by makemagazine

"Complete instructions for this episode of Weekend Projects can be found at
http://makeprojects.com/Project/Optical-Tremolo-Box/2276/1

Inspired by Charles Platt's "Stomp Box Basics" article (MAKE Volume 15, page 82), follow along as we build this Optical Tremolo Box, which reads a patterned disk with a light sensor to create a warbling audio effect (tremolo).

For this project, MAKE Technical Editor Sean Ragan used a cadmium sulfide photoresistor to provide us with our light sensor - a component we have used in previous Weekend Projects. Not only does it look cool and sound great, but once you've made the project, you can customize it by making your own effects disks!"

MFOS NOISE TOASTER In Space II

YouTube Published on Aug 23, 2012 by theraywilsonshow

"Same as last one with some enhancments to the video. There were no flying toasters in the first one... DUH! What was I thinkin'

The MFOS NOISE TOASTER is way more fun than you thought was possible with a 9V battery! It's an awesome little 9V powered noise box that's like carrying around a miniature synth. This project is a bit more complex than the WSG but has far more sound shaping and producing capability. This is going to be one of your favorite toys and it's portable (1W amp and speaker built right in).

This piece is a sound painting. It represents the computers on a planetary probe ship that sometimes whir with activitiy and at other times simply monitor and scan the surroundings. When there is data to record threads in the ship's program activate. The small course correcting jets keep the ship on course. The monitor threads drone in the background.

Multi-track recording using MFOS NOISE TOASTER for all sounds and SONAR Producer Edition for reverb and delay. Made in a semi musique-concrete way using wav file snippets instead of tape. The background drones are all real time throughout. It is a low frequency ramp synced to the LFO and I'm using the vco freq knob to accentuate harmonics. The VCO then goes through the voltage controlled low pass filter whose cut-off frequency is about half way up.

Build one or buy one here:
http://www.musicfromouterspace.com/index.php?MAINTAB=SYNTHDIY&PROJARG=NOI..."

Part 1 posted here.

Real Guitars are for Pussies 2 by A.S.M.O.

YouTube Published on Aug 23, 2012 by eddie23a

"Circuit bent toy guitar by A.S.M.O.
Super pitch bend knob and touch bolts, LFO with speed and depth controls, headstock light sensor, audio out jack socket.
If any prima donna guitarists are offended by the title of this video then I suggest you develop a sense of humour and irony, as many failed to get the joke in my previous video here http://youtu.be/ZzzwsWrnvpc [previously posted here]

Abusive comments will be laughed at."

Pianoteq 4

YouTube Published on Aug 23, 2012 by tomesoTV

"Promo-Video zu MODARTTs Pianoteq 4 Physical Modelling Piano"

Stones Throw Bleep Laps Dam Funk Drum Machine

YouTube Published on Aug 23, 2012 by djthomaswhite

"Before we begin... You can get it at http://www.stonesthrow.com and it's limited to 100 pieces (yes, one hundred only). And yes, Dam's name is pronounced like "Dame/Same/Game, etc." and I am not saying wrong just in case you are scratching your head while watching the video.

Now then, Hello! I make music and I review gear and love to teach what I discover so others can enjoy soothing repetitious beats and creative music making. Presented here is my explanation, demo and review of the NEW limited edition Dam Funk Drum Machine - yes, available for a limited time and via a limited production run from Stones Throw Records (read: Collectible!).

How did this project come to be? "Well I wanted to make something special for Dam and I reached out to Bleep Labs since I am a huge fan of their products. I told them what I would like the machine to do and they made it happen." says Scotty Coats from Stones Throw. Like he says it's a Bleep Labs design with 4 drum sounds, 4 patterns, play/record, reverse and pitch control over the bass drum and high tom. The tempo is fully adjustable with knob control or tap tempo. There is a very useful LED that changes color per pattern playing to help you keep track of where you are. Patterns are automatically quantized when played in. There is a 9V DC power source and no jack for a wall wart but a mod could easily be added if you dare. The open PCB construction should lend itself to other mods as time goes on and the masses get busy with this thing. I am sure a user-created enclosure will be around the corner as well. Only time will tell.

I love it. It's a fun time to play with for music geeks like me, so don't buy one thinking it is a MPC or Logic in a cute box. It's portable funk and very useful to get your mind out of the DAW world for a second... yes, put Ableton down and push some non-QWERTY buttons, you'll thank me later.

Disclaimer: All opinions expressed are solely my own and I do not represent the manufacturers of this product. I am merely super good friends with my man Scotty Coats who works at Stones Throw. Thanks to Stones Throw, Bleep Labs, Dam Funk and of course, Mr. Coats. All composed music patterns by Thomas White and used with full permission from myself. This unpaid product review has been uploaded with permission from Stones Throw Records.

Again, from what I've been told you can get it at www.Stonesthrow.com (http://stonesthrow.com) and its limited to 100 pieces (yes, one hundred only).

Oh yeah, thanks for stopping by and checking out another one of my videos."

Vermona Perfourmer - Multi-mode Analog Synthesizer SN D04496 with Original Box

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
via this auction

"In great condition. This cost $1425 new and it about 4 years old. It comes in the packaging, with wooden panels, German and English manuals, all original. Here is a demo." [previously posted here]

CLICK FOR MORE »

Roland TR-606 TR 606 Drumatix DRUM MACHINE with case

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via this auction

Sequential Circuits - Split Eight SN 02627

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
via this auction

"Sequential Circuits - Split Eight - vintage 1984 analogue synthesizer. Just had this fully serviced by a pro audio technician, everything is working perfect. Battery was just replace along with calibrating. It's like owning a new synth but it's vintage!!"

This has the same synth engine as the Six-Trak, Multi-Trak, and Max.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Analogue Solutions Leipzig-S

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated. via this auction

"Analogue Solutions Leipzig-S Analogue Synthesizer and Step Sequencer - as new and hardly used. Comes complete with box, manual, power supply and 11 months manufacturers warranty. Sounds fantastic, but I simply have too many analogue monosynths already, so it has to go.

KEY FEATURES OF LEIPZIG-S

Pure analogue voice and modulation circuitry.
Fat Moog style transistor ladder filter.
2 VCOs with Glide and Sub-VCOs.
Osc Sync & Cross-Mod
Plenty of modulation routing possibilities.
We are a big fan of electronic percussion here, so Leipzig-S modulation choices provide for good drum possibilities
Analogue step sequencer – with plenty of clocking options.
Audio input so can be used as a sound processor.
Rugged steel/aluminium construction.
MIDI In for software sequencer control.

This synth has NO memories! - Advantages;

None of the parameters or controls are quantised. So when you turn a knob, you are turning a resistor that affects a real analogue circuits.
Because each parameter is not under solid CPU control, each parameter has that tiny analogue drift that adds so much to character.
You are forces to be creative. No reliance on presets! Each time you make a sound you are being original.
Quick, easy and simple to use! WYSIWYG - no nasty menus and sub-menus to change the sound.

Differences between Leipzig-S/SK and the original Leipzig;

Envelopes are now full ADSR

EGs can be disconnected from MIDI trigger

VCO2 can be disconnected from MIDI (free running modulator!)

Analogue step sequencer

VCF can be modulated from either EG1 or EG2"

Electro-Harmonix HOG Octave Generator Synthesizer Guitar Effect

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated. via this auction
I was going to pop this one up on MATRIXSYNTH-BB, but figured it was an interesting reminder of what else is out there in the synth world. Electro Harmonix pedals tend to cross over to the synth realm not only with their dedicated synth pedals like the HOG, but others as well. See the EHX label at the bottom of this post and scroll through posts for more.

"Generate everything from extreme sub bass to powerful multi-octave chords with this harmonic octave generator!

Blast off to a whole new universe of sounds with the Electro-Harmonix HOG, a polyphonic guitar synthesizer with NO special pickup required. It gives you complete control of up to 10 interval pitches including fifth and third intervals, glistening filter sweeps, and insane pitch bends. Dedicated filtering and envelope control, with numerous setup options, make the HOG a must-have performance instrument.

The HOG can simultaneously generate multiple octaves and harmonics from your input signal. Whether you play single notes, arpeggios or full chords, the HOG will track every note you play. In addition, the HOG has seven expression modes that enable you to modify your sounds using the included expression pedal, a MIDI controller, or the expression button on the HOG itself. There is also an amplitude envelope and a 2nd order low-pass filter with resonance. The optional EH Foot Controller (I am listing separately) allows you to store and load six presets.

You have control over the HOG's basic audio circuitry with an input gain slider (with clip LED), a dry output slider, and a bypass switch. Audio I/O includes 1/4" Hi-Z input, 1/4" output, and a buffered direct output jack. The voice controls let you access the polyphonic synthesizer section. There are 10 voice sliders on the HOG, each with a white cap with a black line that controls the output volume for its voice. The ten sliders let you generate notes two octaves down, one octave down, the incoming signal, a fifth up, one octave up, an octave up plus a fifth, two octaves up, two octaves up plus a third, three octaves up, and four octaves up. The selectable envelope section controls the amplitude attack or decay of the voices, with separate sliders for the lower five voices and upper five voices.

The Spectral Gate button activates circuitry that emphasizes the loudest frequency or harmonic and reduces the volumes of all other present frequencies and harmonics. The filter frequency slider controls the cutoff or peak frequency of the low pass filter, while the filter resonance slider controls the Q or peak of the filter.

The HOG's seven different expression modes are selected consecutively by the expression mode switch: bend one octave, bend one step, volume, freeze plus gliss, freeze plus volume, wah-wah, and a filter. There is also an expression reverse mode and you can control the expression modes externally with an expression pedal or modulate any of the expression modes using MIDI pitch bend.
Features

Polyphonic guitar synthesizer
No special pickup required
Includes expression pedal
Tracks single notes, arpeggios, or chords
10 interval pitch voices controlled by sliders
Dedicated filtering and envelope control
7 expression modes controllable by expression pedal or MIDI
Spectral gate frequency emphasis
Input gain slider
Dry output slider
Bypass switch
1/4" Hi-Z input
1/4" output
Buffered direct output jack
MIDI input"