Rara Avis –––– computer synthesis + birdsong

"Barcelona based label ALKU presents Rara Avis, a tape + booklet about computer generated birdsong.

Rara Avis is a collective research/fun project that recreates bird calls through autonomous synthesis systems.

It features material by Chris Brown, Oswald Berthold, Anders Dahl, Joe Gilmore, Roc Jiménez de Cisneros, Fredrik Olofsson, Tim Perkis and Peter Worth, compiled on a cassette tape and a 64 page publication featuring essays and interviews with the artists. It has also been presented as a multichannel installation in 2011 (CosmoCaixa, Barcelona) and 2016 (Entzumen Behatokia, Donostia).

The tape is tweety-yellow and comes in a yellow clear case. The booklet was offset printed on 120 gsm canary-yellow PopSet paper.

Click here for an mp3 of the first minute of the tape. The tracks feature custom designed/written software synths in SuperCollider and Max/MSP, except for one, Tim Perkis (of League of Automatic Music Composers fame), who used a Yamaha TX81z.

Vintage Analog Studio Equipment

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

This one spotted on eBay DE by Florian. It appears to be test equipment. You can see a a filter, complex waveform synthesizer, a TIEFPASSFILTER low-pass filter OF5T, various oscillators (a couple Made in England by LEVELL ELECTRONICS LTD.), oscilloscopes and more. If anyone can ID any of the equipment, feel free to leave a comment.

original text:

"Angeboten wird diverses analoges Studio Equipment.inkl. Regal und Kabel. Den Zustand möchte ich als mindestens gut bezeichnen. Die Teile stammen aus einem analogen Studios meines Onkels. Wofür man sie genau nutzt ist mir leider nicht bekannt. Ich weiß nur das ein Teil ein seltener Sequenzer ist."

googlish:

"We offer various analog studio Equipment incl. shelf and cable. The state [of the gear] I would call at least good. The parts come from an analog studio of my uncle. Unfortunately I do not know, how to use them. I know that one device is a rare sequencer."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Vintage Oberheim Matrix-12 Analog Synthesizer SN P06301

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

via this auction

"The Matrix 12 is a synthesizer of legendary reputation. Created in the mid-eighties, it is still one of the most sought-after analog synthesizers. It's long been in the forefront of the market when it comes to thick, fat and round analog pads, sweeps, buzzes, basses, and textures. This thing has an incredible range of sound capabilities! It's in great condition, too! Keys are in good shape, knobs are all in-tact and all systems are functional."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Custom Bass Pedals Synth

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

via this auction

"Note: This is not a midi instrument,.. it is a sample-based Bass Pedals Synthesizer. If needed, your own sounds can be added to the instrument (send contact inquiry [on eBay] for details).

The computer used for this application is an IBM Thinkpad X41. It's attractive, and great for this application. As pictured you can swivel the screen around and lay it down as a flat screen (locks into place). The computer is held to the Pedal unit by 4 screws (very secure). A new internal memory battery has been installed.

The Pedal Shafts used in the construction of this unit are the very same Norlin-made shafts that were used in the original Moog Taurus series...

This is a very versatile Bass Pedals System that will open up all kinds of possibilities for the right musician. At power up, a custom automation program runs.. opening the appropriate software and putting everything into place for you so that you are ready to play in moments...

A list of the included instrument samples are as follows:

1. Taurus Bass
2. Custom Taurus Bass
3. Hammond B-3 w Leslie (single low note)
4. Rickenbacker Bass
5. Yamaha FB-01 Bass
6. ARP 2500 Bass
7. Warm Sawtooth Bass
8. Piano/String Bass
9. Mellotron Low String
10. OBX (single low note)
11. Stand Up Bass
12. Filter Sweep Bass (..as in Rush's "Tom Sawyer")
13. FM Tone (single low note)
14. Tympani / Orch
15. Dyn Bow String
16. Woodwind (single low note)

Another feature of this instrument is that samples of major and minor chords are also included. Major chords across the standard 12 note range, and if you push the momentary footswitch provided (pictured to the left of the Pedals in the pix) the chords then turn to Minor. Chord Samples include:

1. Organ
2. Strings/Horns Mix
3. Korg Layer Strings

Software features include:

1. Full ADSR control
2. Distortion
3. LFO (Low Frequency Oscillator, for vibrato effects etc)
4. Reverb
5. Delay
6. Glide (also known as Portamento,.. a rare feature for a Sampler to have)."

Waldorf Streichfett - Elevate

Published on Sep 19, 2016 Krog360

"The first hour with the Streichfett !"

Dave Smith Instruments "In The Spotlight with the PRO 2" with STEREOSPREAD

The seventh in Dave Smith Instruments' "In The Spotlight with the PRO 2" series is currently up with STEREOSPREAD (JAMES HOPKINS AND SARA SNYDER) here.

"Stereospread, an electropop love affair, has been making music since 2012. Pairing James Hopkins’ idiosyncratic production techniques with Sara Snyder’s complex and versatile vocal and synthesis skills, the duo have performed across the Southeastern USA with various electronic and alt-rock acts. They have recorded and released three EPs and several singles and have finished their debut album, which will be released in December 2016. In addition to their original tracks, Stereospread has remixed many artists, including Assemblage 23, Slighter, Null Device, and more. The duo has also mixed and mastered for numerous artists including Alter Der Ruine and Thy Fearful Symmetry. They are DSI fanatics, owning a Prophet 12, Prophet 6, and Pro 2."

You can find previous posts featuring DSI's Spotlight series here.

Is Circuit a Toy? - Circuit Jam with Custom Patches

Published on Sep 15, 2016 BoBeats

"This video is a Novation Circuit Jam. I tried to make an arpeggio sounding main lead that works both as a 'bass' sound, arpeggio with lead elements. If anyone doubt the sonic potential of the Circuit this should put it to rest.

Features custom patches by me and Light. http://www.lightfinger.net/"

Yamaha CS-5 Analog Synth Song

New video added to this overview post. It's a very cool track showcasing the CS-5, so don't miss it.

don buchla - 112309 & Skot Wiedman on Don Buchla's Passing

"in 2009 don buchla went to mexico city to do a lecture or visit a friend or both. anyway he ended up performing on a 200e and a recording was made. i'm pretty sure nannick bonnel is playing the piano, unfortunately i don't know who else is participating, if you do please reach out."

The above is from a post on Smile Politely, featuring Skot Wiedman of Motus Mavis and The Hyve Touch synthesizer, who had the following to say on Don Buchla's passing:

"This week has ended on a melancholic note for me. The news of the passing of one of my heroes, musician, engineer, and futurist, Don Buchla, has left me only to contemplate the vastness of his contributions to music, art, and technology. I was fortunate to meet him and couldn't thank him enough for his generous creativity and maverick spirit. His life's work is both an inspiration for me and he continues to be a giant on whose shoulders I proudly stand."

Improvisation II

Published on Sep 19, 2016 Sanger Studios

"Improvisation with Make Noise modular synth and shakuhachi.

Luke Sanger: Modular Synth.
Joseph Sanger: Shakuhachi."

Update:

CLICK FOR MORE »