MATRIXSYNTH

cambria sessions pt1 • cambria [ambient modular synth + OP-1]

Published on Feb 23, 2019 Hark Madley

Part 2 below.

"'cambria' for modular synth + OP-1

from the cambria sessions, a tidal meditation

patch notes:

// MODULAR SYNTH

Inspired by the waves and tides, a breathing filter modulation
Make Noise MORPHAGENE playing ambient guitar recorded to cassette
Whimsical Raps THREE SISTERS processing the morphagene in stereo, LOW to one channel and CENTRE to another
Mutable instruments TIDES modulating the cutoff with an LFO

Squarp HERMOD sequencing PLAITS, MANGROVE, STO
uO_c on PIQUED for envelopes
TIDES modulating: MORPHAGENE Phase modulation, MORPHAGENE Slide, VCA of STO, SISTERS Span (filter modulation)
All voices processed by MAGNETO and MERIS Mercury 7

// TEENAGE ENGINEERING OP-1
Tape loop of ambient FM bell synth melody played back at half speed (and thus octave down)"

cambria sessions pt2 • terrace [modular synthesizer composition]

Published on Feb 28, 2019 Hark Madley

"'terrace' for modular synth

from the cambria sessions, a tidal meditation

this modular patch is inspired by a walk along the coast.

patch notes:

// MODULAR SYNTH
Squarp HERMOD sequencing Intellijel PLONK, Mutable Instruments PLAITS, Make Noise STO
MARBLES sequencing Whimsical Raps MANGROVE
SISTERS for filter
Strymon MAGNETO for delay
TIDES modulating MANGROVE Air
1U QUADRATT (upper left) assignments:
1: STO VCA Amplitude
2: MANGROVE VCA level
3: SISTERS Cutoff
4: TIDES Frequency (for tremolo effect"

Vintage Oberheim TVS-1A Two-Voice Analog Synthesizer w/ Mini-Sequencer SN 0456

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via this auction

"Vintage Oberheim TVS-1A Two-Voice Analog Synthesizer in 100% Working Condition. Very well cared for with all original knobs with caps, all LEDs working, no sticky or dead keys, no dirty pots, no hum or crackling. There is one issue with the high "B" key being a bit higher than the row (please see pic). It does not affect function or playability. This TVS-1A will be meticulously packed with only new bubble-wrap in the first new box. Then, more new bubble-wrap inside the second new box. A 37"x30"x18" double-walled box weighing in at 51 lbs. 4 oz. Includes two power cables, copy of the manual and schematics. Capable of deep analog saturation without losing clarity. The incredible sound one expects from vintage Oberheim SEM modules. 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 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. This could memorize the control voltages of many parameters for up to eight SEM modules. When these were added to the Two Voice in the form of the Mini-Sequencer, Oberheim finally had one of the earliest programmable and polyphonic instruments. Each voice has its own filter. The filter is unique and like no other, and apparently cannot be reproduced even by its own creator. The 8-step analog sequencer controls each voice/module independently allowing two independent sequences to be run simultaneously if desired."

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Muse synthesizer by Triadex Inc., 1972 SN 02164

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via this auction

"The Muse (synthesizer ONLY) by Triadex Inc., 1972
I am the original owner of this Muse model -1. My Dad worked with Ed Fredkin on the rollout of The Muse back in the early 70's. When he brought a set home I made sure it lived in my room - as one of 4 kids that wasn't easy. The other two components, the light show and the external amp are now in the collection of the Computer History Museum in Mountain View. If you haven't been there definitely go -it's an amazing place. The last picture is of the CHM music exhibit, the day we dropped off the other components.

**(this auctions does NOT include the light show and ext amp)

I've had the Muse all these years and now feel it's time to share it with another music/tech lover. Included in the sale is the original box, packing styrofoam and 20 page booklet, 'How to make Muse music.' The Muse is in perfect working order. The only defect is the Step Key sits off-centered, but it functions correctly."

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YAMAHA DX5 FM SYNTHESIZER SN 2554

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via this auction

"The Yamaha DX5 was a derivative of the DX1, introduced in 1985 with a list price of US$3,495. It has the same synth engine, but lacked the DX1's fully weighted keys, polyphonic aftertouch, aesthetics (rosewood case and wooden keyboard) and user interface features (parameter displays). It included 76 keys with channel aftertouch and slightly improved MIDI features.

Programming instruments on the DX1 is a little easier than on a DX5 because of extensive parameter displays, but both have an advantage against a DX7, because they have dedicated buttons for some programming tasks and bigger display, so programming is not so tedious as on a DX7."

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Futuresonus Parva

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via this auction

"Features 8 voices with 3 DCO's per voice.
It also has 8 stereo outputs - one per voice!
Very powerful, big, lush sounding synth.

There are currently no new models being sold, so the only way to get one is second hand!"

Per Futuresonus: "Parva orders are temporarily suspended while we focus on new development"

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Korg VC-10 Vocoder

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via this auction

"Very beautiful vocoder with an extremely unique sound. You've really never heard anything quite like this -- unless, of course, you've listened to Pink Floyd's Animals [apparently so], or any other number of acclaimed records on which it was utilized as a secret sauce of pure vibes.

This guy plays great but has certainly seen somewhat better days. Everything works just fine, except one key (lowest) -- which I imagine could be easily repaired, though I just never bothered. The pots are a bit scratchy but other than that it's just the same eerie vibe-machine monster that a VC-10 ought to be."

via Wikipedia: "(used in Animals) 'Floyd first used a Vocoder in Animals (recording during 1976) for Roger’s lead vocals in 'Pigs' and for the bastardised psalm on 'Sheep', as well as for the treated barking sounds and other effects in “Dogs”. Rick’s keyboards were also fed through the Vocoder, notably during the middle section of “Dogs”. Although it is not documented which particular model was used in Britannia Row studios for the recording of Animals, it is reported that they used the 'now-classic Korg VC-10 model'"

Anyone know for sure?

It does appear to shoot lasers out of its keys. Be careful!

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Spektro Audio ACDGEN – Hardware Edition MIDI Pattern Generator

Published on Feb 27, 2019 Spektro Audio

"ACDGEN – Hardware Edition is a limited edition hardware version of our ACDGEN Max for Live device. ACDGEN is a MIDI Pattern generator which lets you use different algorithms to create 16th-note, acid-style, basslines and melodies with a push of a button and manipulate them live using the different parameters available. You can use ACDGEN to create anything from acid house basslines to lush synth arpeggios.

Besides including the same parameters available on the software version (Key, Scale, Density, Length, etc), the hardware version also includes additional features such as random MIDI velocity, Keyboard Shift, MIDI CC sequencing, Shift modes, Swing modes and more.

The hardware edition is designed and handcrafted in Brazil by Spektro Audio and Vinicius Brazil, the creator of the Vinicius Electrik Eurorack modules."

Vector Hardware Synthesizer Update - Demos & Some Features

You might remember the upcoming Vector hardware synthesizer from this initial post. Click through for pics and a video. Above are new demos for the synth. Some new details on features follow:

"It’s been a long wait but now we have completed the beta testing of our fourth prototype iteration and we have finally started our first small commercial batch production. Hooray!

While we’re preparing a complete set of information material, there’s a few things we’re confident to share now that Vector features:

Polyphonic additive/subtractive hybrid synthesis engine
Complex warp modulator based on Lissajous curves that defines the composition of the partials and the parameters of the per-voice filters
An extensive arpeggiator with lots of controlled randomization
A tightly integrated set of effects with high synergy
A 7” touchscreen to control and perform the vector motion, among other things
A vast amount of endless rotary encoders

There’s of course a lot more details to share, but then we’d have nothing to write about in our following newsletters :)

Last but not least, we compiled a small set of demo tracks to showcase some of the sounds Vector can do. These are of course not exhaustive, but give a decent insight into what sort of sonic palette one can expect from Vector."

Clavioline repair maybe one of the earliest valve vacuum tube synthesizers

Published on Feb 28, 2019 markusfuller

"Here is a simple repair on the Clavioline. this is one of the earliest ever synthesizers available from 1947. this was a simple fix though theres a lot more work that needs doing to it to bring it back to good health again."