NAMM 2020: 2HP Lunchbox - Small Cheap Solution for Modular Synths

Published on Jan 17, 2020 sonicstate

"2hp were on the booth this year to show off their new Lunchbox system, this is a small portable modular synth case. It will be available in various different system configurations.

Stephen also showed off a couple of their other modules that have been added to their ever expanding range of modules."

2HP Lunchbox posts

NAMM 2020: Noise Engineering New Modules for 2020

Published on Jan 17, 2020 sonicstate

"Noise engineering always seem to have lots to show off at the NAMM show and this year was no exception. You can almost always guarantee that they will have a oscillator too.

First of all we had a look at their USB Midi interface, which is completely programmable. We then looked at their Stereo oscillator platform, and finally their new reverb."

A Roland SH-101 synth plugin?

Published on Jan 17, 2020 once upon a synth

"This is a tutorial and demo of the TAL Bassline 101 VST synth plugin. This is based on the classic Roland SH-101 analog synthesizer from the 80s."

Pittsburgh Modular Synthesizers NAMM Day 2 Live!

Published on Jan 17, 2020 Pittsburgh Modular Synthesizers

Don't miss 9:18. The gentleman you see there, named Don, presented the ARP 2600 back in 1972 as well. So cool.

https://alanrpearlmanfoundation.org

Dj Cyberium Presents My Synthesizer Music Experience

Published on Jan 17, 2020 Dj Cyberium

"Dj Cyberium Presents My Synthesizer Music Experience
Welcome To My Cyberdark World From Darkness To Light"

Some great synth spotting in this one. Filed under studio tours.

Dj Cyberium Presents My Recording Music Experience

Published on Jan 17, 2020

"Dj Cyberium Presents My Recording Music Experience
This Is The Best Studio Sound In The World In My Life"

Patch Base Adds Roland Alpha Juno-1, Alpha Juno-2, and MKS-50 Editors

via Coffeeshopped

"Simple and classic" is how I would describe the Roland Alpha Junos. Like the Korg DW-8000, they don't have too many moving parts: your standard subtractive synth setup, and with only a single envelope and a single LFO. Not a lot of modulation capabilities. But the sound of the oscillators and the resonant low-pass filter give you a classic Roland sound, and the minimal parameters let you quickly explore a lot of different sonic spaces. You can get round and punchy basses, hollow leads, and soft pads all with ease. And everything sounds sweeter with the Chorus turned on; it's a Juno.

The MKS-50 (photographed above by Lauren Slusher) is the same inside as the Alpha Junos, but with a little more in terms of performance setups, utilizing the weird "Patch" structure that Roland also used in the D-110, which is like a precursor to the idea of "Performances". But that aside, you've got the same sound capabilities as the Alpha Juno keyboards.

Patch Base gives you quick and easy control over all of the sound parameters inside these synths; no menu-diving or wheel-jogging required.

Thanks again to Stefan George for lending me his Roland MKS-50 for development work, and Cody Johnson for his Roland HS-10 (an Alpha Juno-1 in different clothing)."

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NAMM 2020 Spitfire ALBION Neo Orchestral Library

Published on Jan 17, 2020 sonicstate

"A new extension to the Albion collection from Spitfire audio, with more muted and flautando voicings as well as additional synthesized sections.
Available for preorder now, 59GB download, uses Kontakt player."

See this post for additional details on Spitfire's ALBION Neo.

NAMM 2020: Yamaha

Published on Jan 17, 2020 sonicstate

"We get a look at the new Yamaha YC61 Stage Organ - a 61 key VCM modelled organ but with pianos and other sounds as well.
Organ emulation uses some advanced VCM modelling techniques to create realistic tone, transistor and FM organs, as well as Leslie and additional effects."

Blackbox Sampler 1.4 Update - 1010 Music | NAMM 2020

Published on Jan 17, 2020 Under the Big Tree

"Aaron Higgins of 1010 Music demos the exciting new enhancements to Blackbox at NAMM 2020. If you have a Blackbox, you are going to want to download the free firmware upgrade to get enhanced keyboard and scale modes, as well as many other improvements."

1938 Hammond NOVACHORD SN 105

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

via this auction

Some incredible pics of the inside below.

Update via Kenny in the comments worth noting: "Beautiful instrument but no where near the first synthesizer. The Trautonium was already in use and for sale long before the Hammond came out. Even the Hohner Multimonica predates the Hammond. One could say that the Hammond design was heavily inspired by these earlier synthesizers. The Hammond is an amazing instrument so there is no need for false information."

This reminded me of the 120 Years of Electronic Music site. It's a great resource for the timeline of electronic instruments.

Listing description:

"In the late 1930's, Hammond engineers went way above and beyond to create the worlds first electronic synthesizer, and built it the Hammond way ~ the best. I could ramble on all day about this device, but you're honestly better to visit this website, they've fully documented their Novachord and it's restoration.

As for my specific instrument, it's among the very earliest built (#105) and features what I believe is a factory blonde cabinet accent, which I've never seen before. I think it's original because it's so expertly installed, and wraps around the back to the amplifier compartment. The material feels like a grained vinyl (leatherette) with a canvas backing? It's been stripped off on the left side, but you get the idea. The cabinet will need refinishing as seen, but is in remarkable shape for it's age.

When I decided to power it up for the first time, I brought up the voltage on a Variac - slowly. I heard a loud popping sound and found a bad 2A3 tube, which I replaced with a good/tested one. Once up to line voltage, I was able to actually hear this thing play! Volume, vibrato, attack, and various variations of all the controls were essentially functional on the upper half of the keyboard. I didn't get a response from the lower half of the keyboard. This tells me that the basic components (pre-amp, amplifiers, speakers and motor were all functioning) There are 160 vacuum tubes to check, and about 1000 capacitors! You'll have a good and worthy project ahead of you. I do have a short video of my experimentation, happy to email or text it to you! The wiring harnesses, speakers, amplifiers, and other components appear to be in very good cosmetic condition!

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