Moog Subsequent 25/Arabic: "Iram of the Pillars" (إرَم ذَات ٱلْعِمَاد)

Kris Lennox

"Different flavour of composition this time, with a piece after the famed lost city (currently I'm working on a lot of MENA music, hence something different). Great tone from the Moog (as always). Very interesting to hear synths used in this context (synth companies: take note. You're missing a trick...).

The MENA sector is growing at quite a rapid rate - not only in the world of music, but also in the world of business/finance.

This piece is a fusion of 'East meets West'. In terms of 'East', the non-standard scales should be obvious (still 12-TET here, of course. But that is part of the fusion). Less obvious will be the rhythm: the work is in 7/4, and the drumming sequences are three patterns:

1) Iqa' Nawakht
2) Iqa' Dawr Hindi
3) Iqa' Muhajjar.

With Iqa' Muhajjar, I'm treating it as a double-time 14/4 (i.e treating it as 7).

In terms of the above/if anyone is looking to study Arabic music: perhaps the best book/resource is 'Inside Arabic Music' by Johnny Farraj and Sami Abu Shumays. Released late last year, the book is a veritable tome of information. And very approachable. Good introduction - and far more.

There's potential for Arabic-styled synth music...

PS I'm reading from the score (score is sitting to the R), and playing along with the metronome for sync with parts in the DAW (added post).

PPS playing the bassline is no mean feat! Hugely offbeat/syncopated, only compounded by the time signature.

Enjoy/all best
Kris"

Yamaha RM1-X Synthesizer/Sequencer SN PH01812

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MidiBox Sid V2 4x sid chips

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"Unique fully working custom Sid v2
Separate outputs
Midi In and Out

4 original chips from the Commodore 64

Only one of this was made."

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KORG KMS-30

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"Korg kms 30 midi sync for Roland tr 808 - 909 Tb 303
no power supply no box .
everything works"

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Korg ARP 2600 FS Semi-Modular Synthesizer

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Sequential Circuits Six-trak Analog Synthesizer SN 0030027

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Pics of the inside below.

"Just serviced (6/28/20) with new battery, re-caps, cleaned pots, reloaded factory sounds.

Fully functional! Very good cosmetic shape with minor marks/scratches."

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Yamaha SK-30 Symphonic Ensemble Synth SN 2278

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"The SK-30 has a poly synth, mono synth and organ section. All unique on their own, but an onboard mixer allows numerous combinations and tweaks simultaneously.

The keyboard is great overall condition for its age. I've owned it for about 15 years, only been used in the studio except on a few rare occasions."

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Roland Juno-60 SN 288277

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"According to Roland serial # decoder UK, this was made March 1983. Just serviced this month by a well known bay area pro tech. New battery, clean internals, re-calibrated, cleaned switches and replaced few switches, reloaded original factory sounds. Works and sounds great"

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Roland System 100 Model 101 Keyboard SN 460458 w/ Original Box

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Korg Trident MKII 1982 Serviced

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"This Korg Trident MKII has been completely refurbished by a technician with the original battery repaired, and all main board electrolytic capacitors replaced. All knobs, buttons, and keys are working perfectly and all voices are tuned and calibrated.

This is one of the classic 2-oscillator golden age analog synthesizers that there is no comparison to, except other classics of the era. 16 total VCO's into SSM filters with lush BBD string ensemble and extra brass section, along with a beautiful flanger that can be applied to any section. The keyboard simply sounds majestic!"

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