Ambient jam with the Soma Terra and Soma Cosmos

video upload by Jay Hosking

"A live, semi-improvised synthesizer jam performed entirely on hardware.

First, apologies for the change in video quality. I upgraded my camera, but some problems with the SD card led to a reversion back to 30 frames a second (I'm a big believer in 24fps). It also isn't looking quite how I want yet. I hope it's not too jarring.

Second, I got the Soma Terra. It is a joyful experience.

Some of the Soma stuff just doesn't work for me: the Lyra was always halfway to what I wanted, the Pulsar has great sounds and (for me) small sweet spots. But the Cosmos was a revelation, like something I'd always wanted but didn't know how to put into words. The Terra has a similar feeling.

The Terra is expressive and has complexity, but also is immediate to understand, musically. It's quick and easy to modify in terms of the sound engine and the notes associated with each brass button. The sound engines were a real positive surprise, with lots of warmth and musicality. The reverb and delay are good and totally useable, but not near the level of some of the dedicated pedals out there.

The Terra's not perfect for me—the number of buttons, and general layout, make it feel more like a device for solos versus a complete arrangement like guitar or piano—but it's a joy to play, and utterly unlike anything else. I wonder if Soma will iterate upon the design, make something a little more for two-handed playing. I'd also love to see diatonic transposition, though that would require some sort of way to set the scale; in the meantime, I love how fast and relatively seamless it is to switch patches (and thus switch the notes). Ultimately, I'm sitting here thinking about going back and playing the Terra some more, and that's always a fantastic sign.

Thanks for listening.

Soma Terra - synthesis and performance
Soma Cosmos - asymmetrical looping

Performed and recorded live to a stereo output, with EQ, compression, and limiting on the master."

soundmachines SD1 Quick overview

video upload by soundmachines

"Quick overview of the SD1simpledrum module functions and sounds.
Sequencing using various other modules. Engaging advanced mode and using build in synth voice for melody lines."

Demo & Detail of a Switched Formant Synth Module Made From a 1960s Bell Labs Speech Synthesis Kit

video upload by ParadisoModular

"This video describes and demonstrates a novel synthesizer module I recently designed and built out of a "Speech Synthesis" Kit that was distributed to schools by Bell Labs in the 1960s. After walking through some basic background on the kit and how I adapted it, I demo the kinds of sounds this module makes."

You can find a handful of posts featuring Bell Labs Speech Synthesis here, and all Bell Labs posts here. Don't miss the Alles Machine.

Lofi tech beats PCBcore w/ NUNOMO QUN MKII, TX-6 and pikocore

video upload by Arman Bohn

"Bare PCB devices. The Qun clocks the piko through the rk-006.

The Qun provides a generative bass-scape and I tweak the amount of FM and certain probability ranges. The Qun has been a bit of a mystery … I’m still thinking about making a video where I talk through trying to use it."

Yacht - devlog #3

video upload by hügelton Instruments

"Yacht is sequencer app for Panic Playdate.
devlog #3: crank navigation"

Messing with touchwaves by ｻｽｶｯﾁ

video upload by Akunull

"Play in browser:
https://sascacci.com/
⏦"

A history of synthesizers with Melbourne Electronic Sound Studio | Art Works

video upload by ABC Arts

"Melbourne Electronic Sound Studio (MESS) holds the largest collection of electronic instruments in the Southern Hemisphere. It’s home to 1400 synthesizers, drum machines and other electronic making equipment.

We zeroed in on two synthesizers in particular, the ARP 2600, which provided the iconic voice of R2-D2 in Star Wars, and the Fairlight CMI, which was made in Australia and changed synthesizer history."

You can find additional posts featuring the Melbourne Electronic Sound Studio here.

GODWIN DRUMMAKER 45 SOUND DEMO - LAST AVAILABLE UNIT

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
video upload by Vintage Audio Institute Italia

"A little demo of a the last available Godwin Drummaker 45 for sale - just back from extensive repairs it sounds marvelous!
Some spring reverb and echo from the Solton Cathedral E-2000 unit.
Condition is very good with some oxidation on front panel which tend to happen with these - we put down some anti-oxidation to halt it in its tracks so should not deteriorate further down the line.
The keys of the keyboard have some minor scratches and miss-coloration up close.
We demo the one finger mode towards the end of the video - along with the Orchestral arpeggiator mode - good fun."

via this auction

"Godwin Drummaker 45 for sale - this is our last available unit - just back from extensive repairs it sounds marvelous!

All wooden details have a fresh new veneer.

The keyboard has a new all-black paint job and a new cable.

I cannot stress enough how damn cool these machines are - check the video demo of this very unit for sale here.

Condition is very good with some oxidation on front panel which tend to happen with these - we put down some anti-oxidation to halt it in its tracks so should not deteriorate further down the line.

The keys of the keyboard have some minor scratches and miss-coloration up close.

220 volt version Power cable (standard) is not included.

Item ships from Italy."

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Bugari Sound Unit

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

via this auction

Note this appears to be the first post to feature Bugari.

Some details from the listing:

"Amazingly rare machine - Most likely this was made by Bugari in Italy in the early 80s or late 70s.

There's no brand logo or serial number number anywhere on the machine so we can't say for sure who made this but it's a professionally, mass produced unit.

It's likely controlled by an external controller such as a foot pedal or accordion.

Lots of sound presets and and what are most likely rhythmic options on the front panel.

The idea would be to build a controller for it but right now there are too many other projects lined up.

It looks almost new inside and out with some light oxidation on the handle on top and metal plate underneath.

It sports 2 hardwired cables : 1 for external controller and 1 for the on board (thank god!) power supply with long cable with regular Italian 3 prong power connector at the end.

220 volt version with EU plug.

Items ship from Italy"

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Elka Drummer One - Serviced

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
video upload by Vintage Audio Institute Italia

via this auction

"Just back from service - sounding just like it should - please have a look at the video of this very device. Gold metal front frame version.

We’ve had 5 of these now and we’re starting to get a hang of how to get them sounding right.

This one’s has had little use - front panel looks amazing - some smaller, hairpin scratches on metal piece and plastic corners and a few smaller spots on the tolex that might go away with some patience. The feet have been removed - not a bad idea.

These machines are old - 1968-1970 - they don't like other machines or metal surfaces - they start humming immediately - so don't stack them on top of other instruments, amps or any metal / electric current loaded surface."

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