MATRIXSYNTH

at 5/10/2006 12:21:00 AM

flickr by JSRockit.

"Very cool synth based on the chip from the original arcade game Space Invaders. You can control the parameters via the Tandy joystick."

Update via the comments:
"Here is a video from the guy who makes them:

spacesynth.MOV"

at 5/09/2006 10:18:00 AM

Check out this post on Digital Music Mag.

Hmm... Yeah, I'm with him, this would definitely suck. However, if there are dependencies on the hardware for DSP, that would make sense, but something tells me that's not the case. I haven't done much research on Kore. The Korg Legacy is a great example of doing it right. You can play the soft synths with or without the controller connected.

at 5/09/2006 10:05:00 AM

Marcus Couto on AH recently posted this asking if anyone knew more about it and if anyone actually owns one. If you know anything please comment. Title link takes you to Synth-Restore who carries it. There are demos on site. Details pulled from the doc linked on this page.

MODEL type: AURORA AR1
VCO 1 : saw,pulse,triangle waveform, adjustable pulse width, octave shift.
VCO 2: saw,square,triangle waveform, adjustable interval (pitch), octave shift, sub oscillator.
VCO 3: saw,square,triangle waveform, adjustable interval (pitch), octave shift, sub oscillator.
(main tuning from front panel control)

LFO: (can be used as another vco at hi-frequencies, for ring mod type effects) routing to VCO's, Pulse width, VCF, VCO & VCF.
Individual tri,sq,saw, random waveforms (any combination can be used) Manual depth, plus mod. wheel amount.
VCF 12db type (gives more raw sounding edge, similar to Oberheim, early ARP Odyssey)
High or low pass type (switchable) cutoff, resonance, keyboard tracking, ADSR amount, modulation from vco 3 also.
ENVELOPE GENERATOR. ADSR type (attack,decay,sustain,release) routed to VCF, and VCA. Auto trigger switch

PERFORMANCE CONTROLS: VCA keyboard gate mode, portamento (glide), white noise level, main output volume.
INTERFACE. Main output,headphones out, CV input, GATE input, VCF external control, external audio input.
POWER: IEC (kettle-plug) power input (external power switch/fuse holder) 220-240 volts.
37 note keyboard.
Aluminium data plate, with serial/model number
UK price £549
Turnaround time 4 weeks.
£200 deposit required (non returnable)"

BTW, if you heard the name Aurora in regards to synths but can't place it and know it's not this Aurora, it could be the Alesis Aurora you were thinking about.

Update via the comments:
" have had the AR1 for quite a while now and have used the synth on many recordings for solo projects under Brendan Pollard and Rogue Element.
She is extremely versatile, moog sounding but with careful manipulation even ARP. Fantastic for sound effects, leads, basses, etc.
Our studio is 90% analogue and she was definitely a worthy addition to our collection,
Cheers
Brendan www.rogue-element.uk.com"

at 5/09/2006 09:42:00 AM

Title link takes you to a huge auction list of some rare items including this Sequential Circuits Programmer 700.

I forgot about this unit. The 700 was basically a CV controler with patch storage, essentially allowing you to store patched for whatever you were controlling it with.

Details from the auction (Google translated from German): "Sales mean in the best way received and fully functioning Sequential Circuits Programmer Model 700. So far I was white the first storable Programmer as condition alone equipment. One can store the following control voltages: Volume days 1/2/3 (with insertable external tension) Envelope 1/2 along in each case Amount, Delay and ADSR (with second one can also still connect external tension). Everything with the pertinent outputs/input in 6,3mm Kline and mini handle. Further inputs for program programmweiterschaltung, gate, SWITCH trigger (Moog) and normal Trgger. Still additionally two sockets on the back were inserted, were times firmly attached at an upper home 2-Voice. In the best way suitably for modular systems. 8 banks with in each case 8 program memories are available."

Update: Synth shots saved here.

at 5/09/2006 09:22:00 AM

That's a bass synth she's playing. Title link takes you there.

This one via Vale on SynthSights.

Update via the comments:
Nice little movie. Been aired one SVT (Swedish Television) and seen at a few filmfestivals.

It's made by Kostr-film, an independent production company from Swedish.

Their website: http://www.kostrfilm.com"

at 5/09/2006 03:12:00 AM

Remember Synth Buddha? Turns out the shots were from a band called The Genie. Title link takes you to more shots of the band. Here's thier MySpace page.

at 5/09/2006 03:03:00 AM

flick by bvincent.

at 5/09/2006 01:44:00 AM

As promised, George sent me an mp3 from our Sunday get-together with me, George, James (Carbon111) and Greg (Alpha Wave). Title link takes you to the 5.32M MP3 of one of our jam sessions. George is on a Roland GR-20 guitar synth playing a sitar patch, James is playing a Waldorf XTk, Greg is on a Zoom drum machine and Ensoniq SQ80, and I was on an Ensoniq SQ1. The SQ80 is playing the bass, the SQ1 is the airy pad lead that comes in now and then and the rest is the XT, sitar patch and drums. George did the mixing.
As I was playing on this particular track, I didn't take any shots during it. This particular one is George playing the SQ-1 and a Mirage on another jam session. The shot captures the atmosphere we were playing in. George has a great studio. In case you missed my first post, you can find more shots here.

at 5/09/2006 01:31:00 AM

Title link takes you to shots sent my way via Michael Weeks. Mmmm.. The green glow...

Also check out this set.

at 5/09/2006 01:25:00 AM

Profile of a Korg MS20 on PunkDisco. Kinda creeped me out. : )

Via dancemachine along with the following:

"here's a track with a lot of ms20 (rev1) drum processing (listen
especially for the s/h, where i pacthed the trigger out of the ESP to
the input of the S/h, so the filter cuttoff changes with each new note)

anyway, i think that dude puts that doll in all his pics to avoid being
ripped-off. but i bet he'll let you post it...."

Me too. Title link takes you to PunkDisco. And... She's watching...

at 5/09/2006 01:24:00 AM

"This web-based hypertext document is intended to provide the advanced user of the Clavia Nord Modular synthesizer with a toolbox of techniques for creating complex and interesting patches. Although the emphasis is on the Nord Modular, the techniques described in this document can be applied to any modular synthesizer, from a modular Moog to the Native Instruments Reaktor softsynth. For more information on the Nord Modular, check out Clavia's web page at http://www.clavia.se."

Title link takes you there.

If you're interested in exploring the world of modular synthesis for fee, here you go. For a free G2 demo editor that will give you more than enough to get started go here.

at 5/09/2006 01:23:00 AM

flickr by windscreen fly. Title link takes you to the shot and one more. The shot has a cool story behind it.

at 5/09/2006 01:22:00 AM

flickr by tauntingjeans2. Looks like a little circuit bent thing-a-ma-goop. If anyone knows what it is, feel free to comments.

at 5/09/2006 01:21:00 AM

Shot of the Russian Junost' 21 pulled via this auction. Via bodo peeters.

at 5/08/2006 01:14:00 PM

Trip. Looks like Cynthia has Riyaz Master Pro and Tanpura modules. Via Doktor Future in the comments of this post. Thank you Doktor! I never would have even guessed...

at 5/08/2006 01:11:00 PM

Dave of umop sent this one it. Title link takes you to a 4.18M mp3 by Transformer di Robotor, using early Mac sounds. It's a good showcase of... Actually, neither of us know what exact system was used, other than itwas an early Mac. If you know, feel free to comment.

Update via Derek in the comments:

"That's the startup chime of a late second/third generation PowerMac... not very early. :)

On a related note, I just sampled a classic Mac's floppy drive. Does someone want to make a song out of this? ;)

http://derek.trideja.com/media/seek.m4a"

at 5/08/2006 11:52:00 AM

Absolutely amazing shot of a Steiner Parker system sent my way via Rolf Eichert. Image link takes you to a slightly bigger shot. Title link takes you to the full size shot. Thanks Rolf!

Update from Rolf:
"It is only now - when i have a look at other systems -that the concept really becomes clear. Professional Sound, Bakalit Potis like on the Moogs with enough rooms for tweaking. multiple inputs and outputs for most of the modules. You hardly need any multiples for splitting up outputs and VCO, VCF, VCA all have several inputs so you don`t need mixers. You never have to think "how do i patch it?" Just get going.
THIS is a very BIG difference to all the systems i have seen since!"

Module list

Steiner Parker Synthasystem

1 VCO Type A Sine/Tri/Saw/Square PWM and Hardsysnc
2 VCO Type B Sine/Saw Hardsync
1 VCO Type C TRI Hardsync (mostly vibrato though)
2 VCF LP/BP/HP
1 VCA
2 Frequency Divider Divides 2 - 120 Output Square/divides Triggers as well
3 even dividing/1 odd dividing outputs simulanously
2 Mixers/Selective Inverters Audio or Voltage
2x3ADR Minimoog style but you can add 3 to 1 or/and, a lot of functions... delay/Hold time... a dream to work with
1 Input Amp incl. record player sensitivity
1 Envelope Follower/Slew Limiter
1 Dual S/H
1 VC Phaser 720 deg.
1 Output/Tuner
2 Trigger Gen. VC Trigger/VC Width
1 Sequencer 151
1 Sequencer 161
1 Input Selector/Trigger
2 Ring Mod. can double frequencies->divider = several Squares
1 Noise
1 Frequency Counter
4 Multiples

at 5/08/2006 11:01:00 AM

"Taalmala Digi-100 - The first MIDI compatible Indian musical instrument. The digi-100 is a state-of-the-art digital musical instrument that has been designed by the pioneers in Indian electronic musical instruments. This instrument has a sampled natural tabla sound along with sophisticated features unmatched by any other model of electronic tabla.

These are:
* 100 thekas in various taals that can be played at any tempo.
* Thekas to suit classical music, Thumri, Ghazals, Bhajans and light music.
* MIDI Compatible -the first Indian MIDI instrument
* Tihayee facility for various thekas.
* FILL-IN facility for all 100 thekas.
* Laggi for selected thekas.
* Ten of the thekas can be modified by the user and stored in memory.
* A multi-functional digital display for indicating taal number, matra number, pitch, tempo and laggi group.
* Digital tuning of pitch with facility for fine tuning within half notes.
* Two settings for bayan (dagga) depth.
* Memory for storing the fine tuned pitch, tempo and bayan setting.
* Two user programmable thekas that can be stored in memory.
* Automatic operation on any voltage from 90-260v or six (‘C’ size 1.5v) internal dry batteries.
* Line-out and Speaker/headphone-out facility (to fit 1/8" jack)"

I remember seeing the Riyaz (pictured below) at a local music shop before, and thinking, hmm, this might be interesting; they kind of look like an old funky SEM type module. Unfortunately the Riyaz did not have MIDI.

Title link takes you there. Via fmasseti.

at 5/08/2006 10:31:00 AM

flikcr by dkcaudill. Don't miss this set. Title link takes you there.

at 5/08/2006 10:27:00 AM

Title link takes you to a site dedicated to the RSF synthesizer company. Tons of info and pics.

Now check out the current RSF site. Note the logo is the same. Interesting how companies change over time.

"RSF is a French manufacturer of audiovisual equipment that has more than 30 years of experience in applications dedicated to museums and live shows. RSF produces the largest, most advanced, and most innovative range of audioguides on the market."

at 5/08/2006 09:54:00 AM

I'm still in research mode looking for the best PC sequencer (btw if you have any recommendations for the PC feel free to comment - unfortunately I don't have a make yet and can't afford one at the moment).

I want something similar to miniMusic's beatpad to use with a small tablet PC.

So, back to Sonicbytes. I heard about them via Sonic State News. The post was on Phrazor Preview #3, a fully functional "virtual synthesizer workstation" with sequencing. I decided to check it out, but the sequencer looked like your standard piano roll - not what I'm looking for. However they do have a dedicated sequencer called ERA (pictured) that I will check out.

Their products as of this post: EST - Sampling Groovebox VSTi, Gat'R - Trancegate MultiFX, ERA - Midi Step Sequencer VSTi/MFX, Phrazor - Virtual Synthesizer Workstation.

Title link takes you there.

at 5/08/2006 09:32:00 AM

flickr by stigeredoo. Korg Polysix.

at 5/08/2006 09:26:00 AM

New forum for modular synthesis. Title link takes you there.

at 5/08/2006 09:21:00 AM

Title link takes you there.

at 5/08/2006 02:05:00 AM

Update: George sent me an MP3 of one of our jam sessions and I just put up a post here with details.

George Mattson, creator of the Syntar, invited me, James(Carbon111), and Greg (Alpha Wave Movement) over for an afternoon jam session and get together. We had a great time, and I finally got to see and hear the Syntar along with George's EML semi-modular. We spent most of the afternoon in a "tangerine dream" playing along to Greg's rhythms and a very nice sequence George patched up on the EML. After the session we had some delectable sandwiches and brownies made by George's wife Celeste. Thank you Celeste! We had a great time. Definitely not a bad way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Title link takes you to a ton of shots I took and a couple of short AVIs; unfortunately the audio did not come out. George has promised to send us a few mp3 of the session, so I'll put them up when I get them. Apologies for the quality of some of the shots - the room was dimly lit (great atmosphere), but the tranlsation was lost in many of these shots.

That's James in the Green T, George by the EML and Greg up front.

George and Syntar Prototype #2

at 5/08/2006 02:04:00 AM

Title link takes you to Syntheasy.com, home to a few miscellaneous items including MX4 patches, docs on MIDI timing on a Mac, Studio Electronics Omega 8 samples (focused on features), and upgrade tutorials for the Omega 8 and SE1/SE1x (image of an Omega 8 voice board to the left).

at 5/08/2006 12:07:00 AM

via Mister Beep, a site with music created by the Timex 48Kb Synclair and it's beeper. Samples onsite. Watch the volume level. : ) This one via phloem.

at 5/08/2006 12:06:00 AM

flickr by Elektrofant.

at 5/08/2006 12:05:00 AM

Title link takes you to Algorithmic Arts, makers of some interesting software midi tools including SoftStep, and BankStep sequencers. Two more I need to check out for coming UMPC.

SoftStep (Pink Flamingos!)

BankStep

Update via the comments:
"The most amazing soft sequencer i ever tried. Lots of wicked and unique features. The idea of the bouncing "ball sequencer" recently released as a VSt Plug In originates from Softstep. John Dunn the mastermind of algorithmic arts is a very helpful guy and has a long history as a developer (he did eg the sounds for some old Atari 2600 console games back then)

Softstep is now replaced by Artwonk.
The application has a steap learning curve and might not be suited for beginners, but the online documentation and tutorials are very good.

So, if you have never been satisfied with the features of your standard stepsequncer or ever wanted to turn DNA sequnces or Pitcures in to Midi controllers
give it a go."

at 5/08/2006 12:04:00 AM

flickr by Sameli.

at 5/08/2006 12:03:00 AM

Remember this post? Title link takes you to another Quicktime 360 by the Aliens Project. This one is of thier "Walhalla" modular. Via Digital Music Mag.

at 5/08/2006 12:02:00 AM

Editor posted a link to his Fruity Loops Resource, in the comments of this post. What's interesting is that it's a blog! I don't think I've ever seen a resource site dedicated to a given instrument as a blog before. I think it's a great idea as you can subscribe to it and get udpates over time. Pretty cool. BTW, I'm thinking of replacing my Palm running miniMusic with a UMPC/Origami so I have more room and more software to sequence my synths with. Fruity Loops is on my list for it, so this blog will come in handy. Title link takes you there.

at 5/08/2006 12:01:00 AM

Title link takes you to the post on GetLoFi including video.

at 5/08/2006 12:00:00 AM

Title link takes you to an A6 unison sample on VSE by Bitexion. The sample is a recreation of a Prophet 5 preset.

at 5/07/2006 09:31:00 AM

For you lucky Mac users.

"MRP Sequencer is a software step sequencer conceptually very similar to vintage analogue step sequencers such as the ARP 1601/1603 and Korg SQ10, and recent digitally controlled step sequencers such as the Frostwave Fatcontroller and Colin Fraser's P3.
MRP Sequencer goes a little beyond the feature set of most step sequencers.

sequences of up to 64 steps
track count limited only by processing power
output MIDI port and channel can be set per step
select-modify paradigm enables any set of steps to be affected by editing operations
extensive randomisation/variation functions
graphic user interface
text user interface enables full scripting"

Title link takes you there. Via Jason Proctor on AH.

Update:
Three more for the mac via Chris Muir on AH:
Roll your own in Max:
http://www.cycling74.com/products/maxmsp

Numerology:
http://www.five12.com/index.html

M from Cycling74
http://shopping.netsuite.com/s.nl/c.365211/sc.2/category.24/it.A/id.258/.f

Wednesday, May 10, 2006

Tuesday, May 09, 2006

Monday, May 08, 2006

Sunday, May 07, 2006

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