MATRIXSYNTH

E-MU Emax "Dark Planet"

"(c) 2014 vintage synthesizer demo track by RetroSound

all sounds: E-MU Emax Sampling Synthesizer (1986)
drums: LinnDrum
recording: multi-track without Midi
fx: reverb and delay"

via Marko on The MATRIXSYNTH Lounge

KingKORG : MS-20 vs KORG MS-20 & MG vs MOOG SOURCE Filter Comparisons

KingKORG : Filtre MS-20 vs KORG MS-20 par Olivier Briand (La Boite Noire)

Published on Jan 20, 2014

"Essai comparatif du Filtre MS-20 du synthétiseur KingKORG avec le KORG MS-20, par Olivier Briand.
http://www.laboitenoiredumusicien.com"

via Olivier on The MATRIXSYNTH Lounge

Update: the above was part three in the series. The following featuring the Moog filter is part 2. All parts posted here.

KingKORG : Filtre MG vs MOOG SOURCE par Olivier Briand (La Boite Noire)

Published on Jan 13, 2014

"Essai comparatif du Filtre MG du synthétiseur KingKORG avec le MOOG SOURCE, par Olivier Briand.
http://www.laboitenoiredumusicien.com"

Minimoog D Faceplates

via Hernán on The MATRIXSYNTH Lounge

"In case someone needs a Minimoog D faceplate... Just 40 units left!"

Rest Tender Fear

Published on Apr 23, 2013 cunacide·2 videos

"Quick Improv Live Techno Hardware Jam & even quicker (shoddy) video edit/render. Sequencing and Pads - Roland MC-307 Groovebox, Bass - x0xbox, Drums MFB-522, Samples - Zoom Sampletrak ST-224, Delayed lead synth sounds - MFB Synth lite 2. Effects - EHX Stereo Memory Man & Behringer Overdrive/Distortion pedals. Tascam M30 Mixer. DBX 118 Compressor. Recorded with Ableton Live."

1983 Big Briar Model 331 Touch Plate Ad

via Retro Synth Ads where you'll find the full write-up.

1983 Roland JX-3P German Ad

via synthmuseum.de

New Pittsburgh Modular Modules

"DNA Symbiotic Waves
The Pittsburgh Modular DNA Symbiotic Waves is a powerful 8-bit digital oscillator and waveform processor. A unique dual oscillator system paired with a comprehensive waveform processing and modulation section. Even with all this power, the interface of the Symbiotic Waves module is as intuitive and easy to use as all of the analog Pittsburgh Modular eurorack modules. Nothing is hidden behind layers of menus, secret button combinations, or hard to understand graphics. This is naked digital synthesis.

Envelope
The Pittsburgh Modular Envelope is a complex multi-stage envelope generator with voltage controllable rise and fall. Using the sustain switch to toggle between modes, the Envelope functions as either a 2 stage attack-decay envelope or a 3 stage attack-sustain-release envelope.

Lopass Gate (LPG)
The Pittsburgh Modular Lopass Gate module is a new take on a classic. Our intention was not to clone but to reengineer and expand on the original circuit. Our module includes an amazing new self-oscillating resonance circuit and a quieter vactrol based VCA circuit with true unity gain. Voltage control of the module is handled using an invertible, attenuated input and ping input. The ping input takes any gate or square wave and converts it into a very tight trigger used to ping the vactrol.

Mix Mult
The Mix Mult is a multifunction utility module. The module combines three important functions into a single module. A high quality three channel mixer and/or attenuator and two sets of passive multiples.

Phase Shifter
The Pittsburgh Modular Phase Shifter is a complex, 16 stage, analog effect module designed to expand on the classic swirls, rich swooshes, and doppler effects associated with the phaser.

Synthesizer Box
Wired for instant access to classic tones without needing a single patch cable, the Synthesizer Box is a modern, complete semi-modular, monophonic synthesizer module. The Synthesizer Box is 100% analog and 100% Eurorack compatible with a complete set of patch points able to override the internal audio and CV signal paths.

Waveforms
A wide range, high quality, complex VCO designed to be the core of a modern, analog synthesizer. The Waveforms module offers a full complement of standard waveforms including sine, triangle, saw, and pulse waves in addition to a sub octave generator and a unique modulatable blade wave. The oscillator offers 5 octaves of 1 volt per octave tracking, and a frequency range starting as low as 7 seconds per cycle, allowing it to double as an LFO. Additional features include oscillator reset for hard syncing, attenuated linear or exponential FM input, pulse width, and pulse width CV input."

via Pittsburgh Modular where you'll find full details and pics for each.

Also see:
Pittsburgh Modular Waveforms Oscillator Module Demo
Pittsburgh Modular System 90 Demo
Pittsburgh Modular Unleashes a Fire Breathing Dragon & More

Pics of the new modules for the archives:

CLICK FOR MORE »

New Moon Beam Synth/Sampler for iPad Inspired by the Casio SK-1

iTunes: Moon Beam Synth/Sampler - Christopher Conti

"Inspired in part by the Casio Sk-1's lo-fi sonics/sampling and Sequential Circuit's Pro-One synth, the Moon Beam also adds features only possible in the touch screen world: bend keys independantly!!! You can of coarse also bend all voices in sync using the touch pad. Also, for those of you Baroque sticklers... you can switch to Well-Tempored mode!

The Moon Beam Synth/Sampler gives you:
-Unique key independant pitch bending
-2 sample/oscillator layers for each voice... or split them to top and bottom keyboards.
-Effects (Delay/Reverb, Filter, Tremelo, Vibrato, Vinyl Noise, Distortion)
-Easy sampling for each audio source
-Easy editing of audio sample start/loop points
-4 octave keyboard + 2 pitch ribbons
-1 assignable effects touch pad"

CLICK FOR MORE »

Octave-Plateau CAT SRM II Monophonic Synthesizer Overview Video

Published on Sep 10, 2013 FarewellOldFriends·21 videos

"Old Friend No. 13 has left home.

A dual-oscillator, monophonic, analogue synthesizer.

This unit is getting old, and its internal connections could do with a bit of cleaning, but it still works. There is a bit more audio leakage from the oscillators when all levels are set to zero than I would like, but in general, it performs as it did when I bought it second-hand in the late '80s.

Please note that although I put on a caption stating that CAT schematics were widely available on the Internet, in practice these are only for the CAT SRM; there seems to be no source for CAT SRM II schematics.

As can be seen from the internal shots, the circuit boards are as originally built, all at Revision B. They have never been removed: the locking varnish on all the board retaining screws is still intact. A couple of bridging wires and associated track modifications on Board B are, I assume, a mod implemented during production.

Not all of the multi-pin inter-board jumper connectors are of the locking variety, and in particular the one on Board B, which slides onto stake pins vertically, has a habit of working a little loose, leaving the oscillators running continuously. I could have cured that with some hot-melt glue but do not want to disturb the original internal condition of the unit.

Mercifully, I have never had to repair the unit demonstrated here. However, any electronic engineer worth his or her salt faced with such a task should be able to trace the circuits where necessary to determine the differences between this and the original CAT SRM. I get the impression that the VCO and VCF designs in the SRM II use purpose-designed CEM chips, rather than the discrete circuits of earlier models.

Additional note: Just in case someone notices that I've missed out a large chunk of this unit's potential sound palette, I should point out that VCO1 has an enormous frequency range, so if its audio output is switched off (see later in the video) and its coarse frequency control is brought right down, it can act as an alternative or additional LFO with a wide range of waveforms that can be brought to bear on VCO2 or the filter.

(Text updated 27 Sept 2013)"

Kitten II Analogue Monophonic Synthesizer Overview Video

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
Published on Jan 20, 2014 FarewellOldFriends·21 videos

"Old Friend number 19 - Kitten II synthesizer

Despite only having a single oscillator, compared to the two oscillators of its bigger brother, the Octave CAT SRM II, this is still a versatile synthesizer.

Revisiting these old pieces of kit has made me realise how much fun it is to use purely analogue equipment - all controls are dedicated, so there's no trawling through menus to find the parameter you want to tweak!"

SN F1089

Update: pics via this auction