Sequential Circuits Prophet~600 | By Design

Published on Nov 21, 2019 Alex Ball

"Another synth demo, this time with the Sequential Circuits Prophet~600 buddied up with its siblings.

This synth was the very first instrument released with midi (with Dave Smith of Sequential being the "father of midi"). He was later awarded a Grammy for its invention along with Ikataro Kakehashi of Roland. It was famously hooked up to a Roland Jupiter-6 at the Winter NAMM of 1983 to demonstrate that a universal protocol had been achieved.

The Prophet~600 was the third of this iconic series to be released after the Prophet~5 (1978) and Prophet~10 (1980). With their eye on affordable poly synths such as the Kory Polysix and Roland Juno-60, Sequential looked to create a cutdown version of their earlier Prophets and the 600 was the result. Around 6,000 of them were made between 1983 - 1985.

It has 6-voice polyphony with two oscillators per voice and has mixable saw, triangle and pulse available on both of those oscillators. The VCOs are identical to those found in the Prophet~5 rev3, Pro~One and Prophet~10 but the other ICs are different.

It has a resonant low pass filter, two envelopes, an LFO, poly mod, glide, oscillator sync, unison mode, patch memory, an arpeggiator and two sequencers.

And here's where things get interesting: the 600 has digitally generated envelope, LFO and glide voltages as well as digital values for the switches and potentiometers. In order to keep the cost down, an 8-bit Z80 processor and DAC were used that didn't quite have the spec to perform these functions at the speed or with the resolution that was ideal (it was 1983 after all). The result was that the envelopes weren't snappy enough and when sweeping the filter you can hear it stepping through the values.

Most owners rectify this and unlock the potential of the 600 with the GliGli mod that replaces the old processor with a modern one and also adds a bunch of features and the unit I'm using has this upgrade. We now have increased resolution, extra LFO modes, multimode envelope generation, unison detune, noise source, mix overdrive, full midi implementation and more.

In terms of physical changes, the oscillator mix potentiometer is now the Oscillator A level and the portamento the Oscillator B level. The envelope amount is now bi-polar with level 5 being the 0 volt point. The other updates are accessed via the numeric pad and speed dial whilst in manual mode.

I made all the sounds in manual mode and also used some timed automation of various parameters in places via midi.

Instruments used:
Sequential Circuits Prophet~600 (1983)
Sequential Circuits Pro~One (1981)
Sequential Circuits Drumtraks (1984)
Ibanez Jem 7DBK (2002)
Fender Blues Junior II mic'd with an SM57
Boss CE-2 (1979)"

DSI Pro 2 & TC Electronic Flashback 2

Published on Nov 21, 2019 3rdStoreyChemist

Plaits Synthesis Models Series #3

Published on Nov 21, 2019 Omri Cohen

"This was a fun one! This one is all about the Two Operator FM model on Plaits (Macro Oscillator 2)

If you like what I do and want to support my work, consider joining my crew on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/omricohen

Here is the patch - https://patchstorage.com/plaits-synth..."

The Osmose by Expressive E, first demo

Published on Nov 21, 2019 True Cuckoo

"Expressive E is currently taking preorders on their new synthesiser, the Osmose. It's an expressive synthesiser with an amazing sound engine."

See this post for details.

The Art Of Production: Surgeon's Techno Live Setup

Published on Oct 29, 2019 Resident Advisor

LepLoop, Octatrack, and OTO Boum.

The Art Of Production: Surgeon's abstract live setup

Published on Oct 29, 2019 Resident Advisor

SOMA Lyra-8, Roland SH-01A, OTO BIM, and EHX looper.

The Art Of Production: Floating Points - Yamaha CS70

Published on Nov 1, 2019 Resident Advisor

"Floating Points runs through the magisterial Yamaha CS70 and shows how he used it to make "Requiem For CS70 And Strings" from his new album, Crush."

The Art Of Production: Floating Points - Buchla system

Published on Nov 1, 2019 Resident Advisor

"Floating Points unpacks the sprawling Buchla system powering both his solo live shows and his new album, Crush."

Vangelis - Blade Runner (End Titles) - Live by Kebu in Helsinki 2019

Published on Nov 21, 2019 Kebu

"Kebu's all-analog synth arrangement of Vangelis' Blade Runner (End Titles), performed live at Kuudes Linja in Helsinki, 22.5.2019.

Thanks to Mika Knuutila and Jonatan Flinck for operating the cameras, and Sebastian "Baba" Sjöblom for the light show!

Kebu performed the tune using only analog synthesizers, with some parts played live and some parts sequenced. The performance was recorded directly from the mixer to a stereo track, and was later mixed together with the ambience from the room.

Equipment used in this song: Alesis Andromeda A6; Korg Polysix, Poly 61, Mono/Poly; Roland TR-808, JX8P, Alpha Juno 1&2; DSI Tetra, Jomox AirBase99, Touched-by-sound DRM1, Oberheim Matrix 1000, Marion Prosynth, Akai MPC2500 (only for MIDI sequencing), Yamaha 01v96, Behringer X32 Rack (preamps & reverb only), Lexicon MPX1, as well as a midi patchbay and additional preamps for my mixer."

New AI Synthesis AI011 Eurorack Analog VCO

Published on Nov 21, 2019 AI Synthesis

"A walk through of the 8HP analog VCO Eurorack Module usign the legendary 3340 IC.
Available at aisynthesis.com as a PCB/Panel, full kit, or built and tested unit with a 1 year warranty."

"The AI011 Analog VCO is a robust and stable analog Eurorack VCO. Using the legendary curtis 3340 IC, the Oscillator provides buffered Triangle, Square, and Ramp waveforms, as well as a triangle to sine wave shaper to provide a sine wave output.

The Eurorack VCO features both Coarse and Fine tune knobs for easy tuning.

Pulse Width Modulation is normalled to the PWM input jack, so PWM is controlled with the PWM knob, and when a jack is inserted, the knob serves as an attenuator.

Volt per octave and FM input jacks are present, with an attenuator for FM modulation.

The VCO is capable of both hard and soft sync.

An expander jack is present at the rear of the module for use with future AI modules.

Kits include all parts needed to build and mount the AI011 Eurorack VCO:

Hi Quality Aluminum Panel
Mounting Screws
Potentiometers
Jacks and Nuts
Power cable"

EMS Synthi AKS SN 4363

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

via this auction

"This is a working EMS Synthi AKS, serial number 4363KS. This is one of the coolest, holy-grailiest synths in Synthland. Everyone wants one and you should have one! The suitcase is in great shape, with all latches and screws working and in place. The Synthi label acrylic is clean and the stenciling on the faceplate is clean, used, but not abused. Every function has been tested and works, including the KS sequencer."

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