MATRIXSYNTH

The 1953 Charlie Douglass "Laff Box"

Here is an interesting bit of history sent in via MATRIXSYNTH reader, monsta poly, Charlie Douglass' "Laff Box" from 1953. It's the original device used to create laugh tracks used for TV shows. As you can see, it looks a bit like a typewriter mixed with the tape mechanism of the Mellotron. It's worth noting the Mellotron would not be released until 1954, however, the predecessor of the Melltotron, The Chamberlain was produced from 1949 to 1956, which means the "Laff Box" wasn't quite the first instrument to employ the technique. Regardless, it is a fascinating piece of gear and technology from roughly the same time period. monsta poly, sent in a couple of links on the "Laff Box" including Charles Douglass on Wikipedia, an Indiewire article on the history of the laugh track, and the following video.

The Laff Box,Laugh Box,Audience Reaction Reproducer,Laugh Track,Charlie Douglass,Canned,Fake...
Published on Dec 18, 2013 BEWARE OF SHYSTERS.COM

"The Original Historic Laff Box,Laugh Box,Recorded Studio Laughter,The Audience Response Duplicator,Sweetened,Laughter Machine..."

Note the circuit board on top appears to be an addition. Curious what it does. If anyone knows, feel free to comment.

You can also find a great video on PBS featuring the "Laff Box" being auctioned on Antiques Road show here. I was going to have it be the top video in this post, however the embed appears to give an error, so linking it here instead.

Update: here's a picture of the add-on board.

Beat707 NXT Overview

Published on Sep 5, 2017 William Kalfelz

www.Beat707.com

MacBeth Studio Systems Micromac D Analog Synthesizer

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

via this auction

"'The highest priority was to design a synthesizer that would have not one oscillator, or even two- but three voltage controlled oscillators. key was to have more than the standard sawtooth and square waveforms available- but also to employ triangle waveforms and sine waveforms. it was also also deemed very important that the oscillators would have their own voltage control inputs and separate audio outputs to integrate with other modular synthesizers. another very important audio component was the inclusion of a noise generator. any full-scale synthesizer must have dual envelope generators. the first eg is key to sweeping the filter- but a separate eg is also very important to shape the final output or voltage controlled amplifier section.

oscillators as sound generators are very important for audio but they are extremely important for control and modulation effects- and this is why the third oscillator can double as an audio frequency modulator as well as a low frequency oscillator.

looking at many previous designs of voltage controlled filters from the past, macbeth designed a filter that uses the very same parts as used on vintage equipment. the result is a bold, resonant filter capable of a very deep bass end a fantastic for lead solo work.

from experience, parts selection is also key to the overall sound of a synth- many now work with surface mount technology- not the micromacs- they use the same kinde of through hole part technology associated with the powerful synths of old! if the micromac sounds like old school gear- you know why!' - Ken Macbeth"

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Roland JD-800 Synthesizer

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via this auction

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Behringer DeepMind 12D Synthesizer Review and Demo by Sean Divine

Published on Sep 5, 2017 Sean Divine

"Hey everyone! I've been working with the DeepMind 12D and wanted to share a review and let you hear some of it's potential. After owning MANY different digital rack synths over the years (with much dissapointment), I was excited to try out something analog."

Yamaha Cs30 Demo

Published on Sep 5, 2017 Alphacode

House Music on the Sequential Prophet 6 & Boss RC-505 Looper

Published on Sep 5, 2017 Luke Neptune

"Luke Neptune's House, Disco & Funk soundset OUT NOW http://www.lukeneptune.com/soundsets/"

New NI Massive Biomorph Soundset Focused on Extreme Morphing

NI Massive Biomorph Tutorial | Synhtmorph Published on Sep 3, 2017

"Massive Biomorph is not 'just another Massive soundset', but the result of a new sound design approach, focusing on the extreme morphing capabilities of Native Instrument Massive.

Two parts of the video:
00:00 Massive Biomorph - overview
10:53 Synthmorph sequences - demo

These Massive presets are great for hybrid electronic scoring, game music, commericals or smooth stratospheric electronica. A must have for the modern film, game and broadcast composers or any musician who want previously unheard, smooth and expressive morphing sound easily out of Massive.

Massive Biomorph is available at https://goo.gl/2jpwsG"

Roland SE-02 Review - Sonic LAB

Published on Sep 5, 2017 sonicstate

"The Roland Boutique Designer Series SE-02 analog mono synth
made in conjunction with Studio Electronics - a three oscillator monosynth with 24dB ladder filter, delay, sequencer and USB audio."

You can find the preview video here, and a demo with the Expressive E Touche here.