MATRIXSYNTH

Z4 Music and Griff - Pocket Samplers

Kirk emailed me asking if I knew of any IPod sized samplers. The smallest hardware sampler that came to mind was the Yamaha SU10. I then remembered there was Griff for the Pocket PC and possibly others. I did a quick search for Kirk and found Z4 Music and Griff. There is also my favorite Sequencing software, MiniMusic for the Palm with SynthPad. Finally there's the M-Audio MicroTrack and the Edirol R-1 and R-09, but I beleive they are more straight audio recording devices rather than samplers. I figured I'd put up a post for others as well. If you know of any other IPod sized samplers, feel free to comment.

Update: A couple more:
Via the comments: The Roland MS-1
Via Kirk: The Boss SP-202.

Update via David Kristian in the comments:
"Chocopoolp also makes some decent Palm OS apps, including Bhajis Loops, which combines sampling, sequencing and effects. http://www.chocopoolp.com/"

Stevie Wonder - Superstition Sesame St on YouTube

Embedded link was off for this video on YouTube, so title link takes you there. Via Analog Industries. Hey, how did Chris get it embedded on AI? : )

Note the ARP 2600 in the background.

Update via underface in the comments: "If you're like me and think the pinnacle of western music is Stevie Wonder on a talkbox, be sure to check out this video from the same Sesame Street episode and this video of his "Close to You" cover.

(This brought to you by the letters z, o, a, d, i, q, and k.)"

Thanks underface. BTW, to everyone that posts comments, you all rule; it really makes this site better.

WARNING: Yahoo! Unlimited

Just a warning for any of you signed up to or considering the Yahoo! Unlimited Music service. I signed up for it when it first came out for the $59.88 introductory rate. I expected the service to cancel after a year unless I renewed my contract. Well, I had a little trouble with the player and figured that had happened, so I went online to check about renewing. When I did I was surprised to find my credit card already charged $119.88 on 6/15/06. A bit puzzled, I called customer service last week to find out what happened, and they said I should have received an email indicating that the introductory rate was over, and that I would automatically be charged the new price. I don't remember the email. I asked them to cancel the account and refund my money as I liked the service but not for that price. They said they cancelled my re-occurring billing but they would need to escalate for a refund. I was given a service number and told it would be submitted for refund, but it would have to go through an approval process first. Fair enough, as I figured there shouldn't be a problem as I called shortly after being charged. I waited a week and decided to call back today as my card was not credited. I was told my refund was denied because email was sent to me prior. Um... I thought we went over that already... I knew where the conversation would end up, so I let her know, no problem - I'd just call my credit card agency, dispute the charge and post about it here for others to know. My credit card agency immediately refunded my charge and here is the post. Consider yourself warned and make sure your buddies know in case they "miss" the email like me. NO MORE Yahoo! for me. See yah... Back to Napster if I ever sign up for DRM again.

Update: Be sure to check out the comments for opinions and alternatives.

The Persephone on Monstersynths

Analog fingerboard synth. Title link takes you there. Be sure to check out the video when you get there.

Thomas Dolby at the Scala - New Flickr Set

flickr by towsercat. Yes, cat. Title link takes you to the set. A bit blurry but think of it as the abstract. : ) You can see this midi knob box in the background.

Gary Numan's Access Virus Used in Jagged 2006 Up For Sale

Title link takes you to shots pulled from this auction.

Details:
"This Access Virus B synthesizer is offered to you from the studio of Ade Fenton, co-producer of Gary Numan's critically acclaimed 2006 album 'Jagged'. This fantastic synthesizer was used extensively on Jagged and many of the programmed patches will be instantly recognisable to Numan fans. It was featured in Ade Fenton's kit list in the May 2006 edition of Future Music Magazine's article about the making of Jagged. It is signed on the rear by Gary Numan and Ade Fenton and carries the phrase 'Jagged 2006', written in silver ink by Gary Numan."

SK-1 Modular

Title link takes you to the post on GetLoFi.

Yamaha CS70M Demos

Title link takes you to a post by clusterchord on HC with samples. Also saved them here for posterity.

Synths That Never Were on DVDBorn

Another via DVDBorn. More pawn shop dreams... These synths almost made it.

Prototypes
Emulator IIIx
Oberheim OBMx prototype
Yamaha CDSX prototype (DX1)
Akai VX90 (rack pictured above)

Synths That Never Were Part 3
Akai MWS-76
Akai AX80
Mellotron Digital Workstation III

la pâte à son

This is pretty cool.

"Drag instruments, switches, and transporter pipes from the conveyor belt to the checkerboard above to make music. Rotate the pieces. Choose a melody. Change pitch, tempo and volume to fine-tune your composition."

Title link takes you there. Requires Flash. Via Scott Metzger.