Infection Music

Infection Music is home to the Infection Instruments Zeit Sequencer pictured below. Title link will take you to the Infection Music homepage. Make sure to click on Zeit Sequencer and Instruments to see more including the Atem Prototype, Phaedra Sequencer and other incarnations of the Zeit Sequencer. There are also samples. Infection Instruments was founded in December 2001 by David J. Hughes who worked closely with Paul Maddox of Modulus Electronics featured in the post below.

Modulus Electronics Monowave

Another rarity in the synth world; only 25 made. The Monowave contains 256 waveforms including 127 from the classic PPG Wave range of synths. It's filter, envelopes and VCA are analog. Click through title link for more including tons of samples. The Monowave was created by Paul Maddox. Make sure to check out his Monowave II for the Sound Art Chameleon, his Modular work, and joint products.



Update: Or you could always build your own. : )

Update via Paul Maddox in the comments:
"New URL for my synth projects -
Http://www.vacoloco.net/synths/

For the 'kit' -
http://www.elby-designs.com/monowave/monowave-about.htm"

Another Andromeda A6 Demo from Colin Chung

Via the A6 mailing list. Enchanting.

"Just started fiddling with the patch the A6 had on
I turn the arp on, and latched it, hit 4 notes, and
a cool step sequenced melody came up

Then all I did was play around with the output mixer bringing
in the 12db BPF and the 24db LPF, post filter sinewaves
and ring mod. Wow that kept occupied for an hour with a smile on my face : )

I decided to record a live take of my jamming and saved the patch
well the basic setup anyway...

first just VCO1 sinewave, then some A6 delay, then the 2nd VCO's sinewave,
ring mod output, and the filters etc in and out and tweaked
I ran the A6 output into the Distressor compressor, adding it's Dist 3 - 3rd harmonic
distortion setting for a bit of that analog tape vibe
Then the whole lot gets processed by a convultion reverb, using a computer
modelled and generated impulse file."

Ableton Live 5 Review on Harmony Central

If you have the interest and time, there is an extensive review of Ableton Live 5 on Harmony Central News. What's really interesting about this review is that it's also in discussion format. You can actually post comments and questions. Pretty interesting. Title link will take you there.

Minimoog Model E

Update: From Tom at Music Thing via the comments of this post:

"They still own the name in the UK - you can't buy any Moog products here, they're all badged 'Big Briar': If you look at these product pages, you won't see any mention of Bob at all:
http://www.turnkey.co.uk/tkweb/stockdetail.jsp?sku=BIGB-VOYAGERS&context=BSTOCK
or
http://www.turnkey.co.uk/tkweb/stockdetail.jsp?sku=BIGB-PHASER&context=BSTOCK "

Interesting! I didn't know that.

Another rarity up on the *bay. This one is a Moog Minimoog Model E. What's so rare about it? Well, the original Moog Minimoog production run stopped at Model D. The Model E is a remake produced in the UK in 1999. Title link will take you to a SOS article on the Model E. Side Note: There was also the Donimoog produced in the US. This was the company Bob Moog fought over to get the Moog name back, not the UK Moog Music Ltd.

"The Minimoog 204E was an authentic reissue from Moog Music Ltd. which was based in Wales. They acquired the rights to the name in the UK some time in the '90's. I don't know how many they made (I waited six months for mine) but I do know they folded some time in 2000, so I was lucky enough to get one when I did. This makes this version of the Minimoog somewhat of a rarity."

Click here for a bigger pic.

Roland System100M on the 'bay

System 100 up for sale on the 'bay. Saved the shot for posterity. Title link takes you to a much larger shot.

Electronik Supersonic

Title link takes you there. Click here for more streaming options. Yep.... : )



Update: See this post.

Audiopad

I remember when this first came out. I haven't looked it up for some time. The site has been revamped with more info, pictures and video. Man, I want one.





"Audiopad is a composition and performance instrument for electronic music which tracks the positions of objects on a tabletop surface and converts their motion into music. One can pull sounds from a giant set of samples, juxtapose archived recordings against warm synthetic melodies, cut between drum loops to create new beats, and apply digital processing all at the same time on the same table. Audiopad not only allows for spontaneous reinterpretation of musical compositions, but also creates a visual and tactile dialogue between itself, the performer, and the audience."

Polishing Scratched Keys

In via AH. Ever think about cleaning up those scratched keys? I have. Someon on AH asked and the following came up. One of these days, I'm definitely going to have to give this a try.

"In the plastic shops you will find a product called Novus. It comes in
grades 1,2,&3, with 3 being coarse and 1 being fine. It is for polishing
and or removing scratched in plastics like plexiglass display cases. You
might try a 2 grade. Its sold in small bottles. Any sandpaper would be
likely to scratch things and open up the sealed plastic finish, so I'd go
with the novus if you have to. Lorne in Canada We use it in a museum on
display cases but we use glass cleaner for daily fingerprint problems.
Lorne in canada"

Korg Legacy Digital

No *free* upgrade path for current Legacy Wavestation users. More info and demos via title link.

Update: A couple of comments in that the upgrade path will be $99 for current owners. I think the gripe for some will be that there is no option to just update the Wavestation free of charge.



"Introducing the KORG Legacy Collection – DIGITAL EDITION; stunning software versions of two Korg digital synthesis masterpieces – the M1 and WAVESTATION – plus the MDE-X multi-effect plug-in."

Jomox M-Resonator Filter Box

Via Music Thing.



"The M-Resonator has a true differential envelope follower and 2 Filters that can be fed back in every way. The filter distorts smoothly...Audio samples come very soon."

YMO

Two great YMO performances from the early 80s. Analog synth heaven.

YMO Technopolis Live


YMO Day Tripper Live


Update (reworded and prompted from the comments below, thanks CM!):
I heard about YMO in the 80s, but never followed up until recently. They were somewhat known. However, the guy in the yellow suit playing the majority of leads and getting a fair amount of camera action is Ryuichi Sakamoto. Do a search for him and you will find a LOT of stuff he has done including the soundtrack to The Last Emperor. He worked with David Sylvian of Japan fame, Iggy Pop, Thomas Dolby, David Byrne (whom he co wrote the score for The Last Emperor), Bootsy Collins, and Tony Williams. He is an artist's artist, so to speak. He has an amazing body of work. See http://launch.yahoo.com/ar-262586-bio--Ryuichi-Sakamoto for more.

Another bio: http://www.sonyclassical.com/artists/sakamoto/adbio.html
Official Ryuichi Sakamoto Website: http://www.sitesakamoto.com/
Wikipedia on Ryuichi Sakamoto: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryuichi_Sakamoto
Wikipedia on YMO: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/YMO

Update (via comments. Thanks Ron!):
"I've been a fan of YMO for some time now. If you want to see what the other two are up to (Yukihiro Takahashi and Haruomi Hosono), do a search for band called Sketch Show. The are on Mr. Hosono's label, Daisyworld. The have 3-4 disks out, and a DVD of a live performance. Excellent stuff -- highly recommended."

Electronic Sound Maker CD

Click through for more including downloadable samples of the Ensoniq Mirage, Yamaha TX816, and PPG Wave.



"Electronic Soundmaker and Computer Music was a magazine published in the UK between 1982 and 1985 to compete with Electronics and Music Maker (E&MM). The magazine features bands of the time, the gear of the time and readers’ musical efforts.

From October 1984 to September 1985 it also came with a C60 cassette"

Micro Live

Update: The order form in the US can be flakey. If you want to order this, just send Chris Strellis and email. You can reach him at Chris @crystalvision.tv (space intentially put there to prevent spammers from picking it up).

Click here for more.

"The BBC transmitted a weekly computer music program called Micro Live around 1984 and 1985. It featured the BBC Micro, Sinclair Spectrum, C64 and the like. They made a special about synthesisers past and present. Bob Moog demonstrates the last ever made Minimoog."

Vintage Synth Videos

Click through and explore. : )



Videos include:
Yamaha CS-80
Yamaha CS-15D
Korg 700s
Korg 800dv
Roland sh-3a
Roland sh-1000

Lazy Blue Octopus - Vintage Synth Docs

dar Jedville of Lazy Blue Octopus just added some user manuals to his site including the commonly sought after Oberheim OBXa and Oberheim Cyclone user manuals. Awesome of him to scan and put them up. Via AH.

I just love this picture. : )

Vintage Synth Docs on his site:

Oberheim OBXa User Manual (pdf format)
Oberheim OBXa Service Manual 1st Edition Text (pdf format)
Oberheim OBXa Service Manual 1st Edition Schematics (pdf format)
Oberheim OBXa Service Manual 3rd Edition(pdf format)
Oberheim OBXa Factory Patches
Oberheim DSX Owners Manual (pdf format)
Oberheim DSX Service Manual (pdf format)
Oberheim CYCLONE Midi Arpegiator User Manual (pdf format)
MOOG Sonic 6 Service Manual part1 (zipped gif files)
MOOG Sonic 6 Service Manual part 2 (zipped gif files)
MOOG Sonic 6 Operations Manual (zipped tif files)
MOOG MICROMOOG/MULTIMOOG Service Manual (zipped gif files)
ARP SOLUS Operations Manual (PDF)
ARP QUADRA USER Manual (PDF FORMAT.)
ARP QUADRA SERVICE Manual - TEXT (PDF FORMAT.)
ARP QUADRA SERVICE Manual - SCHEMATICS(PDF FORMAT.)
Sequential Circuits Prophet5 Service Manual,Rev 3.3 (pdf format)
DR CLICK Operation Manual (pdf)
KORG MS10 Service Manual (zipped .jpg files)
Music Percussion Computer User Manual (pdf)
Music Percussion Computer Schematics (pdf)
EML101 OWNER’S MANUAL
EML101 SERVICE MANUAL - TEXT
EML 101 SERVICE MANUAL - SCHEMATICS
DIGISOUND ADSR, VCO, VCA Build Notes - (schematics, calibration - pdf)
SSM Datasheets 2030 VCO, 2020 VCA, 2040 VCF, 2050 VCTG (pdf)
DIGISOUND PRICELIST Jan 1980 (pdf)
DIGISOUND PROJECT 80 CATALOGUE ~1984 (pdf)

Forat Custimizations

Hit the goldmine of custom work. Click through title link for more. Mostly Akai MPCs, but a few others including this green beauty. Wow. I always wanted a green synth. This Yamaha Motif is absolutely stunning. Via reptar on Vintage Synth Explorer.



click here for more, larger shots and matching MPC.

Korg Mono/Poly Art

This just came up for sale on AH. I grabbed the pictures for posterity. : ) Title link takes you to more shots of this custom painted Korg Mono/Poly

Wall of Korg

Via Music Thing. MS20, MS50, SQ10 in a rack. Purty. Title link takes you to three bigger shots. What's with the LED in place of the meter on the MS50?

Akai AX-60 Heavy Metal

Ever hear about how raunchy an Akai AX-60 can sound? Well here you go. Title link will take you to The Beat Junkey. The first track titled Squarewave Manifesto is all Akai AX-60 in it's abrasive splendor. Be careful and start with the volume low. Via Vintage Synth Explorer. Enjoy. : )

More from Dave Wright via Carrionsound

More DIY synths from Dave Wright including some samples. I love his design. Click through title for a whole lot more including modular synths. Really, really amazing stuff. Really... Click through already. : )

Sedona Custom Synth

Sent to me from Eric of Metasonix. This is a DIY synth from Dave Wright. Title link takes you to more info and pictures. Love the cats. : )



"Dave Wright of Not Breathing took a dead Crumar Stratus and did this to
it, using various modules, mostly devised by Synth-DIY list regulars.

In fact, Dave is one of the most prolific DIYers I've ever seen. Look at
the galleries at carrionsound.com for more."

Eric Barbour
owner, METASONIX
senior editor, VACUUM TUBE VALLEY


the guts:

ray wilson 1v/oct single bus keyboard pitch/gate extractor - gate/trig/pitch output on back - cv/gate inputs bypass - portamemto2 - on breadboard

2 ray wilson VCOs - four layer slider mixer controls vco1/2's saw and pulse outputs - knobs control sine outputs of both

to mixer - knob controls amount of cross modulation from vco2's tri to vco1's cv in - 1v/oct in on/off both, pulse width

modulate VCO1 from VCO2 tri switch

1 noise source using old crow's PIC code for digital noise - to mixer

1 CGS DC Mixer (slider bank/varios pots)

1 PAIA Dual VCF w/ ASR - bandpass/highpass/lowpass for both stages via two rotary switches, cut off and Q knobs for

both, ASR w/ led - attack/decay and depth knobs, LFO/ADSR cycle, Gate IN On/OFF switch

asr is dedicated to both filters cutoff

JOYSTICK controller controlls X= VCF1 Cutoff Y = VCF2 Cutoff - knobs for depth

1 4011 Cmos based RING MODULATOR on breadboard - grabs vco 1 + 2's pulses - to dc mixer

1 CGS Psycho LFO - rate, glide, depth knobs, LED, VCO1 or VCO2 on/off routing switch

1 Rene Schmitz ADSR on breadboard - attack/decay/sustain/release knobs, wired straight to VCA on breadboard

1 Rene Schmitz VCA using 1583 transistor - manual volume pot on breadboard

2 Cats

Exclusively Analogue Sequencer on the 'bay

Never seen or heard of this one before. Title link takes you more shots, saved for posterity. : ) Link to auction.



"Here's something you don't see every day. If you're a fan of Vince Clarke, Octopus-era Human League, love analog(ue) sequencers, or if you're one of the lucky few in the world that owns an Exclusively Analogue Aviator synth, this auction is for you.

Here is a pair of 16 step Exclusively Analogue sequencers. According to the designer/builder (Tony Wride) there were between 11 and 13 of these made. See the accompanying letter for the breakdown of who had them.

I don't ever recall seeing one up for sale/auction before, so this may be your only opportunity to own one (actually a pair of them).

The EA sequencer takes the familiar analogue step sequencer popularized by Moog, ARP, and Roland and adds some unique twists.

The quantizer section gives you a full 5 octave range (0 to 5 volts) and in addition provides 7 other preset quantization schemes such as a pentatonic and C minor quantizations. A further refinement is the two position switch below the scale knob - you can have the new scale switch in immediately, or only when you push the small reset button! Neat for controlling when the change takes place. Best of all - they are stored on an EPROM and you can burn your own unique quantizations.

In addition, there is a clock input divide control. You can set each sequencer to run on it's internal clock, slaved exactly to an external clock, or run at some division of the incoming clock like 1/2 time or 1/4 time.

Other features include 16 steps, each with an on/off/reset switch and LED, gate pulse width knob, manual start/stop, step, and reset buttons, a cv input for transposing the sequence and various clock, cv, and reset jacks.

There are two 16 step sequencers built into one panel. They can run independently or can be tied together via cabling or by adding a jumper wire internally. The power supply can be set for 120 or 240 volts (currently running at 120). The sequencer panel will fit in a standard rack case."

Update:

Interesting bit from Mark Glinsky via AH:
"Tony Wride made these, along with the Exclusively Analog Aviator Synths,
described in Peter Forrest's books.
Good stuff, very few made.

Tony flew for British Airways (I believe) in the late 80's / early 90's.

Scored a lot of analog stuff, took it over to the UK as baggage, kept
some and sold some at very profitable prices.

After the Exclusively Analog pieces were designed and made,
his wife got tired of all the modular and analog synths littering
the kitchen, dining room, etc., and cut him loose.

Hasn't been heard from since...."

Moving Modules

I forget where I found this one, but I love it. It's a take on Rush's Moving Pictures. Full size image, so no title link.

Drumbuddy

Yeah baby... Click through for more and more importantly, to listen. Trust me, it's worth it. : )

Encore Electronics Frequency Shifter

Frequency Shifters came up on AH. A link was posted to the Encore Electronics Frequency Shifter. Interesting module. Title link will take you to more on the Encore site including some sound samples.



"The frequency shifter operates by altering the frequencies of an input signal. The device shifts all frequency components of the input signal by an equal number of Hz. With this kind of shifting the harmonic relationships in the signal are not preserved. This is unlike a standard pitch shifter, which shifts all frequency components of an input signal by the same ratio, thus preserving the signal's harmonic intervals."

The Release - Bob Moog Tribute

This one from Chris Strellis in via AH. Amazing piece with samples of Bob Moog.

"In tribute to the sad death of Bob Moog I have produced a track in
Bob's honour written soley using the only Moog equipment I could
muster - which (unfortunately) is the Moog Modular and Minimoog
softsynths (please don't flame me for this I do have analogue gear!).
Speech samples from a Moog demo disc and from the good
Dr. himself suppliment the raw (virtual) analogue power!"

More from Heath Finnie - Axaxaxas

Update: Fixed title link. Doh. : ) Synths used listed below each track. Song8 will be up tonight.

Thanks Heath! : ) BTW, song8.mp3 wasn't up when I posted it, so if it 404s just click through title link and select away. Need to find out what's on track 61. Sounds like a Yamaha CS synth or an Andromeda.


"This one is kind of Klaus Schulze like. It's long but I
think quite good.

http://www.heathfinnie.com/media/song8.mp3 (Minimoog, Moog Sonic Six, Roland Sh-5, Farfisa Syntorchestra)

Two short songs that are quite eno-ish are here:

http://www.heathfinnie.com/media/song61.mp3 (Andromeda and minimoog doing the bass. Some Prophet 5. The drums are a Roland CR-8000)

http://www.heathfinnie.com/media/song62.mp3 (droning minimoog, Arp 2600, Andromeda and a guitar with an E-bow)

Right now we are going under the name Axaxaxas. I kind of like it
because it's a throwback to the 70's prog and krautrock bands."

Synth Graffiti

An interesting post on custom synth art came up recently on Vintage Synth Explorer. Title link will take you to more and bigger shots. Sorry Carbon111, I know you'll love these. : )

Punk Disco Technosaurus Microcon


Nintendofied Alesis Micron


Yellow Checkered Moog Etherwave Theremin

Tribute to Bob Moog - Moog Prodigy Sample

Via Vintage Synth Explorer. Rawnoiseattack put this together using only his Moog Prodigy, drum machine and and effects stomp box. Interesting piece with some voice samples from Moog the movie.

New free soft synths - d-lusion's Drumstation and Rubberduck

Via Synthtopia.

Roland Vintage Effects

Via Analogue Haven. Click through title link for much larger shot.



Roland Dimension D SDD-320
Dynacord SRS 56
Roland RV-800 Stereo Reverb
Roland PH=830 Stereo Phaser
Roland SRE-555 Chorus Echo

Switched-On Bach - Wendy Carlos

My previous two posts have me reflecting on the use of analog synths in more traditional, musical instrument roles. The quintessential example of this would of course be Wendy Carlos' Switched-On Bach. It is credited for propelling synthesis into rock and roll and the main stream. It's fascinating to wonder how things might be different had it not been released. Title link will take you to more, including this image and comments from Bob Moog:



"Switched-on Bach was released at the end of 1968 and became an immediate success. It was acclaimed as real music by musicians and the listening public alike. As a result, the Moog Synthesizer was suddenly accepted with open arms by the music business community. We witnessed the birth of a new genre of music--classical music, realized with impeccable musicianship on synthesizer and tape recorder.

Now, some three decades later, the electronic music medium has evolved into a mainstream musical tool. Sixteen-track and twenty-four-track recorders came to be widely used after the release of Switched on Bach, and then digital synthesizers, hard disk recorders, and computer-based music production systems. Wendy's contributions to this evolution cannot be overstated.

She has realized a wide range of high quality music, set ever-increasing standards for sound synthesis, developed a significant body of alternate tunings, and generously provided her usual perceptive advice to equipment manufacturers. Her four Bach/Baroque albums, specially remastered for this release, are major milestones in the evolution of electronic music. At the same time, each album stands by itself as an important contribution to our classical music tradition. I'm delighted to witness the re-release of these works, as are countless numbers of music lovers throughout the world.

--Robert A. Moog"

Stars and Stripes Forever - M3X style

Yep... That is one match I never thought I'd hear. It's insanity I tell yah. Enjoy. : ) Via vogelscheiss on AH.

Now we just need a custom bald eagle paint job on this...

Taps for Bob Moog

This came through on AH via Mark Smart. Taps done via modular at Pogo Studio. Abolutely beautiful.