MATRIXSYNTH

The Microskill AS32 Synthesizer - Britain's Answer to the PPG Circa 1985

An article from Electronics & Music Maker on the Microskill AS32 via noyzelab. You can find additional scans of Electronics & Music Maker at noyzelab's site here.

"From the wilds of West Yorkshire comes a new computer-based instrument that could be Britain's answer to the PPG."

Note this is the first Microskill post on the site.

Side note: I was curious what happened to Electronics & Music Maker and did a lookup on Wikipedia. There isn't an article on the magazine however it was mentioned in a number of other articles including one on Mark Jenkins who has been featured here on MATRIXSYNTH a few times. Mark was the Music Editor for the magazine.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Anvil Synthesizers "The Anvil" Digital Percussion Synthesizer Circa 1985

1985 E&MM article scan in via noyzelab. You can find additional scans of Electronics & Music Maker at noyzelab's site here.

"You probably don’t need me to tell you that it takes a good deal of nerve to enter into the commercial arena of hi-tech musical instruments, especially if you’re an unknown name and attempting R&D on a shoestring budget. Yet that’s exactly what a new British company, Anvil Synthesisers, have tried to achieve with their advanced digital drum machine, the Anvil."

Note this is the first Anvil post on MATRIXSYNTH.

Side note: I was curious what happened to Electronics & Music Maker and did a lookup on Wikipedia. There isn't an article on the magazine however it was mentioned in a number of other articles including one on Mark Jenkins who has been featured here on MATRIXSYNTH a few times. Mark was the Music Editor for the magazine.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Robert Schroeder's Vintage DIY Synth Designs

An article via 1982's E&MM in via noyzelab. You can find additional scans of Electronics & Music Maker at noyzelab's site here.

Robert Schroeder composed his own electronic music, was friends with and worked with Klaus Schulze. The following are a couple of excerpt on the article regarding his designs which you can see pictured:

“The synthesizers and sequencers used on “Harmonic Ascendant” were all designed and built by Robert. All the synthesizers were monophonic. I asked him if he had ever designed or built a polyphonic synthesizer or had any plans for doing so in the future; his answer was a very definite ‘No!’”

“After the release of his first album, Robert wrote a book entitled “Sequencer - Ein Musikcomputer(?)”. Available only in German, it gives full details on how to build a complete 30-note sequencer, including component lists, PCB patterns and circuit diagrams, all designed by the author himself. He claims it can be built for a tenth of the price of commercially available sequencers in Germany.”

Note this is the first post to feature Robert Schroeder as a maker.

Side note: I was curious what happened to Electronics & Music Maker and did a lookup on Wikipedia. There isn't an article on the magazine however it was mentioned in a number of other articles including one on Mark Jenkins who has been featured here on MATRIXSYNTH a few times. Mark was the Music Editor for the magazine.

CLICK FOR MORE »

More Pics of Noyzelab's Hinton Instruments Music Lab Modular

via noyzelab where you'll find additional pics.

The system "was built by Graham Hinton back in the mid 70's ! Its the precursor to his current series of modules. The strange looking co-ax like connectors are nuclear physics spec Lemo connectors which connect to the virtual earth inputs on the Music Lab modules and the Pin Matrix module..."

CLICK FOR MORE »

2014 Montreal Synth Meet Video

Published on Aug 25, 2014 FSK1138

"a gathering of analogue enthusiasts
Aug 24 2014 at atomic cafe"

AIRA x ACID CITY - Kuniyuki Live @ Air Tokyo

Published on Aug 25, 2014 RolandChannel

"ACID CITY --- http://nitelistmusic.com/acidcity.html"

Aira's on eBay

The Automaphone by Rarebeasts

Published on Aug 17, 2014 Rare Beasts

"More info here: http://grandtippler.wix.com/rarebeast...
The Automaphone is a robotic synth that scans a4 pictures and turns them into songs."

"Have you ever wondered what a picture or drawing sounds like? The Automatphone scans for light and dark areas on the paper and uses the information to set song variables such as tempo, scale, beat, note frequency and length...

The Automaphone uses an old printer mechanism and a basic LDR light sensor to read the information. Lines are scanned to make the 8bit numbers that become the different variables. Three small PicAxe microcontrollers are used in the Automaphone, one to control the old printer mechanism, scan in data and make the beat sounds, the other two are used to make the lead and bass synth sounds."