MATRIXSYNTH

at 10/03/2006 01:22:00 PM

flickr by polaranta.

Anyone know what the blue boxes are? I'm guessing analog Russian guitar synths.

A better picture of the soviet guitar synth via the comments (funny, I put this up here as well). It's the Formanta Lider-2.

at 10/03/2006 10:19:00 AM

YouTube via opcabpol.

at 10/03/2006 10:08:00 AM

I thought I put this up a while back but apparently not. Title link takes you to more info and samples.

• digital dirty sound
• advanced matrix modulation
• unique oscillator distortion
• looping envelopes
• waveform type modulation
• flexible routing
• oscillator synchronization
• filter with booster
• blazingly fast arpeggio
• envelope/osc bit reduction
• editor for PC, Mac and Logic™
• all features MIDI accessible

via synthesizer-magazin.de

at 10/03/2006 10:05:00 AM

flickr by corkyburger.

at 10/03/2006 02:47:00 AM

YouTube by bigtex. Caption: "This is a video I made for the track 10,000 Gallon Hat. The track is from my Big Tex album Authentic Songs of the Old West, released in 2002 on the Crunch Pod label. The album is available from crunchpod.com, iTunes, Amazon, etc."

via bigtex:
"Even though you can see an Octave Kitten in the video, the music was made entirely with just three things: a Casio Rapman, a delay pedal, and a distortion pedal. I modified the Rapman to have an adjustable internal feedback, using one of the onboard capacitors as a lowpass filter. It really makes the normally wimpy "bass" drum on the Rapman kick! That feedback, coupled with the Rapman's built-in audio input (also in a feedback loop) made for some interesting pseudo-melodic elements. I was rather impressed by how much I could do with such simple ingredients.

I made the music back in 2002 and didn't get the Kitten until late last year, so music featuring the Kitten will be on my next album. The video is just me messing around with various things found in my studio that day, plus a little bit of walking around downtown San Francisco.

So enjoy... or don't. But you've got to admin, the Kitten just looks cool!

-bigtex"

Indeed. Cool video.

at 10/03/2006 02:26:00 AM

Title link takes you to shot pulled from this auction.

Via Brian Comnes.

at 10/03/2006 02:09:00 AM

"The 'Light Harps' are an immersive installations using movement and laser light to trigger sound. The use of light instead of a physical string plays with our perception of space and matter. What is physically not there (the virtual string), responds as if it were."

via Analog Industries.

at 10/02/2006 02:37:00 PM

Scans are courtesy of Bill Sautter.

at 10/02/2006 02:25:00 PM

Via Chris Strellis on AH:

"I haven't played with many vocoders before but I've got simple and effective results from my Roland EF-303. Here's the vocoded section from one of my tracks in isolation: link.

I'd be interested to here what other vocoder it most sounds like. There aren't many controls on the EF-303 to alter this sound much but I think it's pretty decent enough. The EF-303 can do a fair Air's "Kelly watch the stars" at times.

BTW the song it comes from can be downloaded from here.

As a comparison, I have also used NI Vokator which is absolutely brilliant. I used it in another track of mine called Skylab.

Vokator_Solo.mp3
Vokator_Poly.mp3

The full track is here: link.

Over and out
Chris

www.strellis.com
www.voynich.co.uk
www.strellis.co.uk
www.chromic.co.uk
www.myspace.com/strellismusic

at 10/02/2006 01:55:00 PM

Anyone know what this is?

via Synthesizer-Magazin.

Update via cornutt in the comments and confirmed by Moogulator: "I see a Pasco logo at the bottom right. Pasco Scientific makes instruments and lab equipment for classroom use. They've got some interesting things on their Web site like lab power supplies, function generators, ripple tanks, and decade boxes. This box was probably used with a scope to teach students about Fourier analysis and sum-of-sines."

at 10/02/2006 01:48:00 PM

flickr by DavidMenting.

at 10/02/2006 01:46:00 PM

Title link takes you to a thread on synthsizerforum.de with currently 53 pages of gear shots. Note the forum is one of Moogulator's many sites including sequencer.de and synthesizer-magazin.de

at 10/02/2006 01:02:00 AM

This one in via Gerald:
"In this one, X is modulating a CGS Bi-N-Tic filter, X-dot-dot is modulating a Blacet StonZ phaser, and X-dot is modulating the mix of these two sources. A Bleep Labs Thingamagoop is hanging out, communicating on some primal level with the oscilloscope. Unfortunately, his squelches aren't audible this time - he's just there to look ultra-cool.More details / schematics, and a PCB layout at: link."

Another video:

"A video, and some audio recorded later of the Furious Low Frequency Chaotic Oscillator. The audio is of the x and x-dot-dot outputs modulating a lowpass and bandpass filter respectively, while the x-dot (first derivative) mods the PW of a square-wave. The freak knob is adjusted, then the offset knob."

at 10/01/2006 03:26:00 PM

Remember the M-Electroworks? Title link takes you to samples and a bigger shot.

"Hi Matrix,here as promised some 18 soundsamples made with the new M-electrowork modules. They where directly recorded onto an Tascam Pro CDR without any processing and next converted to mp3 in the PC. On some I have used an Roland 104 Sequencer. There is still no website ATM, but for any questions abouth price or ordering there is an e-mail (change [AT] to @)."

at 10/01/2006 03:17:00 PM

Soft synth version of the Latronic Notron. Note the extra "r."
Mac only.

"A software sequencer inspired by classic hardware, Nortron goes further into new sequencing dimensions while retaining tight timing, quick navigation, and instrument like playability. Through IAC and CoreMIDI, Nortron controls Softsynths and standard MIDI devices. Nortron breathes new life into old instruments and otherwise dull synthesizers by playing them in ways not previously possible."

Title link takes you to more info and samples. Seen on Music Thing.

at 10/01/2006 03:11:00 PM

Via the man himself, Ray Wilson, on AH: "Sequencer boards are back (new and improved)"

Features
Improved PC board (far less kludging).
Produces sequences of 4 to 16 steps in length
Modes include stop at count, reverse at count,
reset at count and random 16 mode
Each step has switchable gate/trigger
Accepts external clock and start pulse.
Simultaneous outputs with and without portamento.
Forward and Back step controls ease sequence set up.

at 10/01/2006 02:58:00 PM

The Casio VL-Tones at the end tripped me out. via frederic.

at 10/01/2006 10:33:00 AM

Title link takes you to a few more shots and module list on sequencer.de. There's a really nice shot of the Voyager there.

at 10/01/2006 10:27:00 AM

Title link takes you to a jpg of a bunch of shots pulled from this auction. There are some nice close-ups.

at 10/01/2006 10:17:00 AM

Title link takes you to a site with quite a few mp3s including a couple by Florian Schneider of Kraftwerk. Via frederic.

at 10/01/2006 10:14:00 AM

Remember this post? Here it is embedded via YouTube via Artmuzz. Sent my way via frederic.

at 10/01/2006 10:08:00 AM

via Darren in Singapore:

"The Zebranalogic updated their website.... now with more new gear (new VCF and new LFO). It has now added more pix, more examples, a video, zebrablog, radioblog, etc... cool stuffs. Amazingly, Zebranalogic's blog has two mentions of Singapore's site... One special site to note is Mr MISSE site which has an interview with Zebranalogic in the feature site... Mr Misse belongs to my friend, an online store that carries mainly stomp boxes and effects from major brands including Korg and Moog... nice web site I must say... check out the short interview with Zebranalogic if you have the time to grace :) URL

cheers,
d a r r e n
sonicbrat"

Thanks darren!

at 10/01/2006 09:47:00 AM

Title link takes you to a 6M mp3 of the Korg Polysix by konvert. Via this VSE thread:

" started tweaking my Polysix (thanks to morbius! ) and thought to share this, uhh, 5 min sequence showing something I found out Polysix is capable.
Not too extreme but there's surprising range of timbres available with only one oscillator + sub-osc.

I used Logic to send trigger signal to the arpeggiator of Polysix.
I added a touch of reverb/delay to liven it up a little. Ooh I want Space-echo!

'Enjoy'"

And yes, konvert gave me the thumbs up to put this up and host the sample.

at 10/01/2006 09:38:00 AM

flickr by der_schnorz.

Title link takes you to the set.

at 10/01/2006 02:45:00 AM

Get this video and more at MySpace.com

By Barbara Buchholz.

at 10/01/2006 02:38:00 AM

Click here for more shots via this auction

at 10/01/2006 12:10:00 AM

This one in via Nikos:

"PPG front panel differences:

In the picture, the 2 upper photos are the PPG Wave 2.0: as you examine the front panels you'll find differences:

The upper one (which I call the first version because it was used for the original brochure) has no space between top legending and top flat panel. Also the legending around the LCD screen has a different configuration, compare with the second version. That usually had Moog type- chrome topped knobs, here in the pic has the standard PPG type. The second version which is more common, has a space between top flat panel and upper legend. To be more confusing, I've seen sec. ver. Wave 2.0's with chrome topped knobs! Also in the second the legending around the screen has the same configuration with the later Waves (2.2 , 2.3). Also, the top writing 'Multiple digital/analog control panel' has different placement and font size in all versions (2.0a, 2.0b) and in the 2.2/2.3 is on it's final placement. The later versions (2.2 / 2.3) had no differences between them anyway, and both had standard pitch/mod wheels, compared with the wave 2.0 single wheel with it's strange ergonomic angle - I can't tell if it's more comfortable than the usual placement - better ask a wave 2.0 owner!

A curious thing is that in almost every Wave 2.0 I've seen, the front panel paint is worn, mostly in the volume knob area and the programmer's numerical switches area. This problem is not common in later waves -maybe they improved the front's panel paint quality/sturdiness. It is reported that only 200 2.0's were made (both versions).

The main internal difference, apart from the single oscillator per voice in the 2.0, is that the filter chip was the CEM 3320 -in the Wave 2.2/2.3's used the SSM 2044 of course. As for the VCA's, in the 2.0 used the CEM 3330 (dual VCA) and in the 2.2/2.3 the VCA chip was the CEM 3360 dual VCA as well.This info is backed by service literature. Sound wise, the 2.0 was more rawer and primitive than the 2.2/2.3's, although the INTERNAL wavetable resolution in ALL Waves, was 8-bit. Things were different in 2.3's, where it had SRAM of 12-bit and thus you could play samples from Waveterm B loaded into the 2.3.

Edgar Froese of Tangerine Dream and Klaus Schulze both had the first version of Wave 2.0 and used them 'till 1983 as far as I know. In fact, E. Froese's is visible in his rig in the 'Poland' video (1983 - left) and Klaus Schulze had his own Wave 2.0 with him, when he toured Poland in 1983. You can have a very good idea how well the Wave 2.0 by listening to track 'Remote Viewing' by Tangerine Dream, from the 'Exit' LP, from the middle and on there some melodies played by Froese on the Wave 2.0 with a voice-like patch,gritty, beautiful and majestic.

PPG photos credits: top photo from ebay auction, second by Laurent Prot from Paul Maddox PPG CD-ROM, the 3d by a 'Matrixsynth' link and Edgar Froese's pic is a capture from the 'Poland' video.

That's about now,
Long live the Wave.
Nick-Greece"

at 10/01/2006 12:09:00 AM

YouTube via morbius001.

at 10/01/2006 12:07:00 AM

via this VSE Post.

inVrs: "i recently bought this very rare german synthesizer called "banana". it was manufactured by SSB (Synthesiezr Studio Bonn) and only about 100 were built as far as i know."

Analog Crazy: "The Banana is basically an Oberheim OB Polyphonic made only in Germany. Its flat top reminds me of the OB-SX but apparently it sounds more like an OB-8. You are lucky to have one because only 200 units were ever made."

dougt: "Supposedly they were trying to get Oberheim to market it that's why they copied the OB look..."

My question: Was it really called the banana? What's up with that?

Update via Dirk Matten in the comments:
"The price for the OB-Xa was DM 14.230 - the Banana sold for DM 5.350. Tschak!
It is not a Oberheim copy and the sound can be compared to Moog. We made it look like the Oberheims, because we sold the Oberheim line exclusiv in Germany, did all the advertising and marketing without any support, made the name Oberheim big in Germany - and planed to offer the Banana to Oberheim as a competetive item for the international market. Received quite a lot of requests from internation distributers. Even without having seen the product, Tom Oberheim told me that he would never produce or sell something from outside his company. This was a big mistake - that's what Russ Jones, marketing & sales for Oberheim, told me some years later. "Dirk, we both know that this would have been a big business."

Dirk Matten"

Update regarding the name:
"We also planned a drummachine "Coconut" and had the idea for an ad: my business partner and me as apes eathing bananas throwing with coconuts.

I asked several people over a long period and Conny Plank, most important producer in Germany, told me: Dirk, very simple "Harras" or "Hasso" like the german shepherd dog. That's what he thought would be fine for international success. We kept it national with "Banana".

harrharr"

Funny! : ) There would just something funny about owning a synth called the banana. I'd get a kick out of that.

Another Update from Dirk. Fascinating stuff:
"To be a little bit more precise on the historical aspect, which might be intersting to someone:

When Tom came to our company we asked him: "What do you think about a hot product from outside?" His answer was: "Every day I get a lot of letters and telephone calls from all over the world by no name people, who want to offer their ideas to me. Did Roger Linn call me? No. He did it himself."

We stopped that discussion, did not show the prototype to him, had a nice lunch in an italian restaurant in Cologne and decided to go the Roger Linn way."

at 10/01/2006 12:06:00 AM

flickr danmcp.

at 10/01/2006 12:05:00 AM

Remember this post? Title link takes you to more.

at 10/01/2006 12:04:00 AM

"A stack of new film soundtracks, a six-album boxed set, a new line-up, and Tangerine Dream are on the road again. But what's the future for the world's best-known electronic music group?
Interview Annabel Scott
Photography Matthew Vosburgh"

Title link takes you to the post on The Archive Plus.

at 10/01/2006 12:01:00 AM

Title link takes you to demos of:

Yamaha VL1 VL1m VL7
Yamaha VL70m et PLG150VL
Yamaha VP1
Korg Prophecy
Korg Z1
Korg Oasys PCI
Korg Wavedrum
Technics sx-WSA1 et sx-WSA1r
GEM Promega 1, 2 et 3
Roland VG8, VG8ex, VG88, VGA7, VGA3

I always wonderd what the Technics WSA1 was like. Anyone know how deep it's synth editing is?

at 10/01/2006 12:00:00 AM

Plan B Model 10 Polyphonic Envelope released

The first shipments of Model 10's will be delivered and shipped to our dealers Monday. US customers will have them available as early as the day after that. Please leave more time for international shipping to our European dealers.

Major announcement forthcoming on EAR-GROUP.NET

In the next few days Electro-Acoustic Research will announce the first of two new partners into the consortium which will expand it's products and services into an entirely new direction. Keep your browsers here for the official announcement...soon!

Plan B Model 24 Heisenberg Generator progress report

The Model 24 PCBs and faceplates have arrived. Some initial units have been built, but we've determined some slight tweeks required to the firmware. We just felt that your entire system bursting into flames may be a bit too severe for some users. Just kidding - it's only a software interrupt issue, nothing major. Shipments will commence very shortly.

Plan B Model 16 Spectral Multiplexer progress report

The M16 design has been finaliized and with that effort a few new features have been added to what already was a robust set of control options. Go here for details. The board layout process is now in full swing, faceplates are on order and we should be seeing the first of these within a month or so.

Module Statistics added

We have added module statistics (width, maximum current draw) to all released products on the site. They follow directly after the mdule's descriptions.

EAR featured in the Computer Music Journal

The Summer 2006 issue of the prestigious Computer Music Journal features a nice column or two on Electro-Acoustic Research. We'd like to thank our friends Elainie Lillios and Colby Leider for making this happen.

Model 15 ~ a great sine wave just got greater

The Plan B Model 15 Rev. 1.5 boards have arrived. Aside from some minor component placement changes, these new boards have an improved sinewave shaper which reduces the total harmonic distortion by approx. 1/2% (that's one half of one percent). As the photo indicates, the M15 sine has always been real good...but now it's real real good! Instructions for updating your rev. 1.1 to 1.4 boards will be posted in a few days, keep an eye out on this site for updates. For a photo of the resultant waveforms from this change, go here

Model 12 MARK II

The Plan B Model 12 has had a bit of a makeover, adding a Q Low/Q High switch which throws the filter into super high resonance response. It's completely sick, but we think you'll like it Go here All Shipments forom here on in will include the Mark II artwork and functionality.

Model 14 Released

The Model 14 Dual Proocessor has been released at a limited introductionary price of $225 Click here for more info and photos

Model 13 Redux

Like the Model 17, the Dual TImbral Gate has gone through a bit of a facelift with a redesigned board which ellnimates point to point wiring. It's now all done with a single flat cable and the addtion of a second PCB . Go here

New Gallery Section

The homepage was taking too long to load, so we moved our fotos to their very own section. Use the Navbar GALLERY tab to check them out or go here

Plan B Mystery Meat

the following link is a soundbyte of an all-Plan B patch which along with a single Model 10, Model 13 and Model 15, incorporate three new modules you've not seen nor heard before...but you will real real soon One hint: that's NOT a model 12 filter you're hearing. . Go here

at 9/30/2006 08:38:00 PM

flickr by judsonian.

Moog is the title of the shot.

The synth is obviously a Korg MicroKorg.

Tuesday, October 03, 2006

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