Bon Harris of Nitzer Ebb Gets His First Synthesizer

Published on May 3, 2016 Voltage Control Lab

"Bon Harris of Nitzer Ebb discusses his first experiences with synths, trading in his Mongoose bike for an EDP Wasp, working in Mute Records studio and using the studio as an instrument.

Bon is known for his work with his band Nitzer Ebb, as well as his roles as synthesist and sound designer for artists like Depeche Mode, The Smashing Pumpkins, Marilyn Manson and many others."

ludoWic - Trautonium (Lucid Dream variation)

Published on May 3, 2016 ludoWic music

"Lucid Dream track from the EP: "Dream Content", download here:
http://wicrecordings.lnk.to/dreamcontent

Used gear:

- Trautonium VT (http://www.trautoniks.com)
- KNAS moisturizer
- Akai MPC 2000xl (with samples from Casio SK-1)
- Roland space echo RE-150"

Moog Releases Model 15 Modular Synthesizer for iOS

Published on May 3, 2016 Moog Music Inc

Now available on iTunes: Model 15 - Moog Music Inc.

Update: a quick note worth mentioning from Quincas Moreira who beta tested the app: It's a "brand new engine, they even worked directly with Apple to improve the ios's handling of heavy audio processing like this. Geert Bevin, the Dev, has said there is no dynamic voice allocation as this is a modular, all modules are constantly running, just like on a real one." You can find a list of Quincas Moreira's presets in the comments below.

"Suzanne Ciani, one of the first and most influential female electronic music composers and synthesists, creates a short sonic sketch using the Moog Model 15 modular synthesizer app. Ciani explores the custom-programmed sounds she designed in the app alongside Moog technicians as they hand-build the app's hardware modular namesake at the Moog Factory in Asheville, NC.

Listen to Suzanne's full composition here:



Ciani's unique patches are available as a free expansion pack in the Model 15's in-app store.

The Moog Model 15 App is an iOS version of the iconic 1970’s instrument. It is designed to evoke the joyous experimentation and sonic bliss of it’s predecessor’s vintage hardware, the Moog Model 15 App meticulously recreates the look, feel, and sound of its highly expressive analog namesake."

And a couple of user videos:

Moog Model 15 Synthesizer - Factory Sounds Demo

Published on May 3, 2016 Synth Anatomy

iTunes: Model 15 - Moog Music Inc.

Please support me on Patreon if you enjoy my content: https://www.patreon.com/synthanatomy?...

"This is the new Moog Synthesizer App Model 15 based on the Model 15 Analog Modular Synthesizer."

Moog Model 15 Modular - Monster New iOS App Exclusive

Published on May 3, 2016 sonicstate

iTunes: Model 15 - Moog Music Inc.

"In yet another beautiful studio room at the Funkhaus in Berlin, we saw a preview of the Model 15 - a lovingly emulated Moog System 15 modular modeled on iOS - sounded pretty tasty - Geert Bevin takes us through it"

Side note: Geert Bevin is the man behind the MPE: Multidimensional Polyphonic Expression MIDI specification. You can find previous posts featuring Geert and his work here, including the LinnStrument, Eigenharp, Madrona Labs Aalto, and Symbolic Sound Kyma.

iTunes: Model 15 - Moog Music Inc.

"The Moog Model 15 App is the first Moog modular synthesizer and synthesis educational tool created exclusively for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch.

* The Model 15 App requires iOS version 9.3 or later to work. *

Each facet of the Moog Model 15 modular synthesizer has been meticulously recreated in this application to ensure the power and transcendent sound quality of each module remains intact. The character, harmonic complexity and mystique of the Moog Model 15’s modules, from the legendary Moog 921–series oscillators and 904A Low Pass Filter, to the coveted 907 Fixed Filter Bank have been painstakingly preserved.

In order to develop the most immersive and expressive modular interface possible, the Model 15 App has been designed utilizing Apple’s new Metal advanced graphics engine. This ensures that all zooming, panning and modular patching throughout the application feels completely natural, something that would have been impossible otherwise.

The Model 15 App features both monophonic and 4-voice polyphonic operation is easily commanded via 4 seamlessly integrated controllers. Simple swipes and taps provide instant access to a traditional Moog keyboard, 1150 ribbon controller, 8-step sequencing arpeggiator and the award-winning Animoog keyboard with 22 built-in scales and polyphonic modulation capabilities.

Also included are extended features which expand the capabilities of the app beyond the traditional offerings of the hardware Moog Model 15. These include total MIDI integration, assignment for external control, use as a MIDI controller, dedicated Audio Bridge and MIDI Bridge modules, looping recorder module with overdubbing, a master ping-pong delay module and a new extension cabinet that includes additional amplifiers and voltage-controlled reversible attenuators that can be used for effects like ring-modulation.

Because the Model 15 App utilizes Apple’s Metal technology, only 64-bit devices are supported. Compatible devices include iPhone 5s or newer, iPod touch 6 or newer, iPad Air or newer, and the iPad Pro.

Additional Features
• Ships with over 160 unique presets
• Recreates the sound of a hardware Moog Model 15 modular synthesizer
• Easily share presets and recordings with anyone
• Tutorial patches to assist all experience levels
• Intuitive patching and cable coloring
• Support for landscape and portrait modes
• Voltage-controlled stereo ping-pong delay
• Expressive sequencing arpeggiator
• Moog 1150 Ribbon controller
• Real-time looping recorder with overdub and immediate sharing
• Up to two controllers on-screen (iPad only)
• Optional left-handed UI operation

Supports
• 3D Touch and Apple Pencil integration for after pressure
• Note-per-channel MIDI controllers
• Ableton Link
• Inter-App Audio and Audiobus
• MIDI Bridge and Audio Bridge
• 7 and 14-Bit MIDI
• MIDI Program Change
• Bluetooth LE MIDI controllers
• Typing keyboards for shortcuts and musical typing
• AudioCopy, AudioPaste and AudioShare"

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Sonicstate Live Event Bristol - March 2016

Published on May 3, 2016 sonicstate

Pretty cool. I love Nick's piece on the Moog Sub 37.

In order of appearance:

Jason Jervis - http://getjervis.com (0:15)
Mark Tinley http://www.marktinley.co.uk(13:54)
Noizy Robot https://soundcloud.com/noizyrobot (30:50),
Gaz Williams http://www.Gazwilliams.me (43:45),
Nick Batt http://soniclab.bandcamp.com (58:30),
Ty Unwin (1:17:27)

Get the T-Shirt! - http://goo.gl/JAXvWS

XBASE 888 (Digital-side), SH-101, CMU-800 demo by Jordan Passmore

Published on May 3, 2016 Jordan Passmore

"This demo is of the JoMoX XBASE 888 (utilizing solely the digital, sample-based side of the drum machine, rather than the analog voices), Roland SH-101 (doing the bassline), and Roland CMU-800 (with the arpeggio melody). The Mutable Instruments MIDIpal is sequencing the CMU and the Roland SH-101 is running off of it's own sequencer. A Roland SBX-80 is the master clock, sending MIDI clock to the XBASE and MIDIpal and triggers to the SH-101's trigger in. The mixer is a Roland M-16E and the only effect is the Boss DM-2w analog delay.

I uploaded my own samples into the XBASE 888; a mix of LinnDrum and Oberheim DMX samples. The XBASE has an 8-bit sample playback engine for 6 of it's voices and they can either be one of the stock 808/909ish samples or user uploads (via the JoMoX Win/OSX utility)."

EMS Synthi A Rare Vintage Analog Synthesizer Mono Synth AKS MkII Demo

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
Published on May 3, 2016 VintageSynth2013

"Sound quality isn't great because I used built in microphone on camera and built in speaker on the EMS. It will sound much much better when used with real speakers in person."

via this auction

"Here's the rare chance you've been waiting for!
Legendary EMS Synthi A.

Functional: the right speaker is not working and the noise generator also is not working, and the power cable is a little DIY. There is some wear but otherwise it is functioning great.

Cosmetics: It definitely shows wear on the outside case and a fair bit of wear on the synth face as well. This is a well used Synthi and its age shows. This is not a minty unit so be sure to check out the pictures below to make sure you like it.

Sound: The EMS Synthi A is one of the most classic legendary mono synths, and it really is worth every penny, it has such unique huge analog sound and can get a range of tones like no other synth.

This is a great chance to own a legendary synth. Don't miss out!"

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Ultra Rare CLEF Computer BAND-BOX

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

First one to be featured on MATRIXSYNTH.

"Here's something that you won't find everyday.

Ultra Rare, never seen on the market (probably less than a 1000 of these were produced)

CLEF BAND BOX, that is essentially an analog bass, chord machine made for the CLEF MASTER RHYTHM analog drum machine.

Here is the blurb from a sale ad from Clef 1982:

BANDBOX:
The Band-Box provides an electronic backing trio consisting of bass, drums and a chord instrument (one of 16 Waveform/Envelope combinations) with the capacity to store over 3000 User Programmable Chord changes on more than 120 different chords. Using advanced microprocessor technology, playback of 50-100 scores can be executed in any key and at a chosen tempo. Complete Music Pad is electronically indexed and stored on second battery backup . Facility exists for composition of intro, repeat chorus and code sections including multiple score sequences. sockets are provided for volume pedal and footswitches plus separate and mixed instruments outputs.

The clef master rhythm has several sounds and encoders for decay and volume, and its an expanded version of the Roland DR55, with more memory and a similar sequencer.

It comes in its custom made flight case.

This machine is sadly not working fully and the Master Rhythm sound board is missing but the sequencer pcb and everything else is there and works!!

Included are photocopies of issues of Practical electronic magazine with all the schematics and construction manual."

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Korg MONO / POLY Analogue Synthesizer with Case SN 373184

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

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Vintage Original 1970s Oberheim Two Voice Synth + Sequencer

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"Classic synthesizer in excellent shape, fully restored and cleaned. It will be completely serviced again before shipping it will take 48 hours for a complete overhaul included in selling price.

Oberheim's first synthesizer was a single-voice mini-module called a SEM (Synthesizer Expander Module). However, in 1975, Oberheim created their first compact, programmable and polyphonic synthesizer by coupling two SEM modules to a 37-note keyboard and a simple analog sequencer. This was what became the Two Voice. Oberheim achieved a polyphonic sound not yet seen in ARP and Moog gear at the time by hard-wiring the two monophonic SEMs into the compact keyboard design.

In 1976 Oberheim came out with another module, the Polyphonic Synthesizer Programmer (see SEM). This could memorize the control voltages of many parameters for up to eight SEM modules. When these were added to the Two Voice, Oberheim finally had one of the earliest programmable and polyphonic instruments! Released alongside the Two Voice also came the Four Voice which had four SEMs installed, and a larger 49-note keyboard. And later, in 1977, a second tier was added above the four SEMs on the Four Voice to add yet another four SEMS, making the Eight Voice.

Two voices was great in 1975, and eight voices was pretty monstrous in the later seventies. But, a major drawback to these first Oberheim synths was that polyphony was achieved by having multiple modules. This meant that each voice had to be independently programmed. This also means that each voice has its own filter, making real-time filter sweeps of all your voices more than a handful! Fortunately the sequencer comes in handy for controlling each voice/module independently.

Despite its innovative features, the Two Voice was soon blown out of the water by the popular monophonic and truly polyphonic synths like the OSCar, ARP Odyssey and SH-101. The Two Voice has been used byVince Clarke and Vangelis."

Overhauled Emulator III with Custom Colored Buttons & Upgrades

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"This Emulator III sampler is in perfect working condition and excellent physical condition. Fully upgraded with front mount loading CF card reader for fast and maximum storage. Includes easy to read newly installed OLED screen and two whisper quiet upgraded cooling fans. I can also install easy to see multi-colored buttons (no additional cost). I prefer these multi-colored buttons as the factory installed black buttons are not as easy to view with the black background (see photos for a comparison).

All sliders are very smooth and have been thoroughly cleaned and calibrated. All the front push buttons and contacts have been removed and cleaned. No sticky or unresponsive contacts. The front panel has no damage and the screen graphics is exceptionally clean with nothing worn out. The outside case has some scratches to the paint- typical of any rack mount unit.

Power supply is stable an calibrated. All of the internal circuit boards have been removed and contacts cleaned. This Emu III works flawlessly. Ill also include 6 formatted and bootable CF cards for sample storage (1 GB maximum per CF card) and the official E-mu tutorial manual."

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