Update: Looks like it's on GetLoFi along with another shot, as well.
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
Gameboy Synced Sequencer
CDM has a post up on a DIY Gameboy Synced Sequencer. Title link takes you there.
Update: Looks like it's on GetLoFi along with another shot, as well.
Update: Looks like it's on GetLoFi along with another shot, as well.
The London Synthesis Orchestra
Matthew Hodson sent me a link to his site, The London Synthesis Orchestra.
"After examining the different composing techniques of the likes of Cage and Stockhause, Matt Hodson devised several pieces of music to be played and recorded that were a 'nod' to both of these pioneers, using the inspiration behind 'chance' recordings and 'IChing', steering away from rigid structure, melody, and performance with a greater desire for influence and interpretation from the performers."
Sounds like my kind of sound exploration. There are some samples on the Sound page - listening to a nice evolving drone on the Synthetic Landscapes page while I type this; it sounds like the OSCar (pictured below). There's just something about drones that are soothing to me. Title link takes you to the site. Make sure to check out the about page for more info and the visual page for some more shots.
"After examining the different composing techniques of the likes of Cage and Stockhause, Matt Hodson devised several pieces of music to be played and recorded that were a 'nod' to both of these pioneers, using the inspiration behind 'chance' recordings and 'IChing', steering away from rigid structure, melody, and performance with a greater desire for influence and interpretation from the performers."
Sounds like my kind of sound exploration. There are some samples on the Sound page - listening to a nice evolving drone on the Synthetic Landscapes page while I type this; it sounds like the OSCar (pictured below). There's just something about drones that are soothing to me. Title link takes you to the site. Make sure to check out the about page for more info and the visual page for some more shots.
Variphon
Analog Industries has a post up on the Variphon. I haven't seen one of these before. According to the Variphon site, the instrument appears to be an anolog synth with a low pass, high pass and band pass filter with pulse wave oscillators. Title link takes you to the site with more info, shots and samples.
"The Variophon is a monophonical electronical musical wind instrument, invented by Jobst Peter Fricke, Wolfgang Voigt and Jürgen Schmitz at 1975 at the Acoustical Department of the Musicological Institute of the University of Cologne. At the beginning it has been built up by the firm Ernest Martin KG."
Update via Clifford in the comments: "Talk Talk (Mark Hollis) used this extensively on the fantastic albums "Spirit Of Eden" and "Laughing Stock"- they said they were terribly unreliable- solo at 4min on After The Flood is a Variphon in all it's malfuntioning glory- wish I could buy one!"
"The Variophon is a monophonical electronical musical wind instrument, invented by Jobst Peter Fricke, Wolfgang Voigt and Jürgen Schmitz at 1975 at the Acoustical Department of the Musicological Institute of the University of Cologne. At the beginning it has been built up by the firm Ernest Martin KG."
Update via Clifford in the comments: "Talk Talk (Mark Hollis) used this extensively on the fantastic albums "Spirit Of Eden" and "Laughing Stock"- they said they were terribly unreliable- solo at 4min on After The Flood is a Variphon in all it's malfuntioning glory- wish I could buy one!"
Remembering Robert Moog - Binghamton NY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Remembering Robert Moog...
creator of musical instruments that changed the world.
An exhibit of rare Moog photographs, memorabilia, and historic instruments from the MoogArchives.com collection. First Friday Gallery Night, January 6, 2006, at Christ Church, 10 Henry Street, Binghamton.
As a teenager in 1954, Robert Moog built a few electronic musical instruments at his Long Island home. The instruments caught on and soon Moog's hobby turned into a small business that eventually paid his way through graduate school at Cornell University. By 1964 Moog had set up shop in Trumansburg and it was that year that he created the Moog Synthesizer. The rest is history.
On August 21, 2005, after a half-century of designing and producing innovative musical instruments, Robert Moog passed away.
The exhibit, by former Moog employee and creator of MoogArchives.com,
Roger Luther, will be on display January 6 at the historic Christ Church, 10
Henry Street, Binghamton (across from the Lost Dog Cafe).
To learn more about Moog visit http://MoogArchives.com . For more information on the exhibit send an e-mail to rluther [@] moogarchives.com
Cyndustries Zeroscillator - New MOTM Format Shot
New MOTM format shot of the Zeroscillator sent my way via Cynthia. Title link takes you to the main Cynthia site (it looks great btw - mmmm gear lust).
Click for bigger image
Click for bigger image
New Cwejman Site Coming
Title link takes you there. Via Shawn Cleary of Analogue Haven on AH.
"The new site is http://www.cwejman.biz
It should be finished within a few days.
FWIW the new Eurorack format module prototypes will be
shown at NAMM.
January 19th-22nd
Company: Analogue Haven
Booth: 1787
Location: Hall E
Thank you,
Shawn Cleary
www.analoguehaven.com"
Moogulator's EMS Page
Just recently visited the EMS page on sequencer.de and thought I'd put up a post. If you haven't checked it out do so. There's tons of info and some really nice shots. Title link takes you there.
Monday, December 19, 2005
More Essential Synth Books - Peter Forrest
The "A-Z of Analogue Synthesizers" books by Peter Forrest are hands down two of the most highly regarded synth publications out there. I have a copy of each myself and they are absolutely essential in my opinion. Highly, highly recommended if you are into synths. They read like an encyclopia/catalog of synthesisers. There's a load of detail on each synth including specs and images. I sent an email to Peter Forrest asking if he had a recommended link to put up for the image on the right pane below. He ended up sending me a few nice scans of the books and another book, which I do not yet have, (but heard good things about), "Analogue Heaven, the Museum of Synthesizer Technology." Title link takes you to those shots. These are great books to curl up in your favorite spot and just flip through. Sometimes a book is just better than a computer screen.
For more info on ordering send email to pforrest@vemia.co.uk.
Electroniscape - Exercises in Synthesis
Title link takes you to Ron Berry's Electroniscape. It's a wonderful site with a section on "Synthesiser adventures" and "Acoustic Modeling." The section on synthesizer adventures is a mini history page on synthesis with snapshots of various modulars. The section on acoustic modeling covers the use of analog modulars in creating real world instruments. The image below is taken from this section. If you want to learn more about honing your programing skills, this is a great resource. Check out this sample of creating a plucked string. What's great about this sample is you can hear it evolve as it is programmed. Models covered include plucked strings, bass guitar, gongs, bells, etc, trumpet, saxophone, clarinet and flute, other sounds. Link via Eric on AH.
Green Buchla Thunder
Update: fixed title link to bigger shot. Sorry about that. : )
One of four made. Umm... That would probably be my choice of color, you think? : ) Another via echo7even of The Electric Music Box. Title link takes you to a larger shot. Make sure to check out The Electric Music Box for more Buchla. Thanks echo7even!
More on the Buchla Thunder.
"THUNDER IS A SPECIALIZED MIDI CONTROLLER that senses various aspects of the touch of hands on its playing surface, and transmits the resultant gestural information via MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) to responsive electronic instrumentation."
One of four made. Umm... That would probably be my choice of color, you think? : ) Another via echo7even of The Electric Music Box. Title link takes you to a larger shot. Make sure to check out The Electric Music Box for more Buchla. Thanks echo7even!
More on the Buchla Thunder.
"THUNDER IS A SPECIALIZED MIDI CONTROLLER that senses various aspects of the touch of hands on its playing surface, and transmits the resultant gestural information via MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) to responsive electronic instrumentation."
Mike Ford's Creations on GetLoFi
Wow. Some interesting gadgets via Mike Ford on GetLoFi. I think these beat the hippo in the prior post.
Synthopotomus - New Flickr Shot
Yep... Title of that schematic in the shot says, "Your First Wacky Electronic Noise Maker Thingy."
Update: Source of the schematic via the comments:
http://www.musicfromouterspace.com/analogsynth/YOUR_FIRST_SYNTH/YOUR_FIRST_SYNTH.html
Update: Source of the schematic via the comments:
http://www.musicfromouterspace.com/analogsynth/YOUR_FIRST_SYNTH/YOUR_FIRST_SYNTH.html
Online Rhythmicon
Title link takes you to The Online Rythmicon. Via Alex Dorfman. Interesting. Thanks Alex!
"The Rhythmicon was a musical keyboard instrument built in 1931 by Leon Theremin at the request of composer/theorist Henry Cowell. Each key of the Rhythmicon played a repeated tone, proportional in pitch and rhythm to the overtone series (the second key played twice as high and twice as fast as the first key. The third key played three times higher and repeated three times faster then the first key, etc.)"
You can also find more on the Ryhthmicon on 120 Years.
"The Rhythmicon was a musical keyboard instrument built in 1931 by Leon Theremin at the request of composer/theorist Henry Cowell. Each key of the Rhythmicon played a repeated tone, proportional in pitch and rhythm to the overtone series (the second key played twice as high and twice as fast as the first key. The third key played three times higher and repeated three times faster then the first key, etc.)"
You can also find more on the Ryhthmicon on 120 Years.
Roland Jupiter 4 Samples
Title link takes you to a post by premieklovn on VSE with some really nice Jupiter 4 samples. Enjoy.
Elhardt on Synthesis
Elhardt. Some of you may recognize the name. For those of you that do, it might conjure up a number of reactions, some good some bad. : ) He has been the source of a number of controversies and one grand spectacle in the synth world - the Bahn Sage. The Bahn Sage was probably the biggest synth spoof ever. I remember spending weeks with others trying to find more on this mystery synth. A photo showed up on the net and it quickly spread, followed by more, and finally a brochure that had people whipping out their Photoshop skills to analyze in detail. In the end it was a fake; a brilliant hoax.
Now Elhardt has be showcasing his amazing programming skills by conjuring up some of the most realistic acoustic examples of real life instruments with an Alesis ION, Andromeda A6, and MOTM modular. Is it real or is it another hoax like the Sage? Who knows. I'm inclined to believe these samples are real given the attention to detail with the Bahn Sage, and replications of real world instruments by synthesists such as Wendy Carlos in the past, but you never know, do you. His samples are pretty awe inspiring (check out the links to some of my previous posts below for some examples, specifically the realistic drum set).
Another controversial perspective on synthesis from Elhardt? Knobs are not performance controllers. They are used to edit and create sounds. That's it. If you want to control sounds while playing, use the dedicated performance controllers on the synth like the mod wheels and keyboard. : ) I like to play outside of the box myself. Regardless I am impressed by Elhardt, and I do appreciate his dedication to synthesis.
Recently Elhardt sent an email to AH on his perspective on synthesis. I asked him if it would be ok for me to post it and he said yes. Enjoy. Or not. : )
Elhardt on Synthesis:
"Following are all the reasons I like to do realistic emulations of reality.
1) There is nothing interesting about playing samples. Everbody is doing that. Buy a $200 Casio and it does it. The skill of synthesis is completely missing. An artist paints a landscape, he doesn't just snap a photo of it. Sample libraries make everybody sound the same. If everybody synthesized their own acoustic sounds, everybody would have a different style.
2) Sample libraries are so insanely huge and can't even be fully used in real-time. I'd have to spend weeks sifting through 35 Gig of string samples and articulations and go through days of intense sequencer/midi programming to get them to play in a realistic manner. I'd have to use them from a computer with bug-ridden software. Major sample libraries are never complete, and constant updates suck money from you for the rest of your life. It's all going in the wrong direction.
3) I want instruments that play like physically modeled instruments. I just call up one patch and play it expressively in real-time. Simple. I also want to do instruments I can't buy samples of, or create brandnew instruments never heard before.
4) BTW, I have a lot of sample libraries, and some of the instruments suck, sometimes it's just a few notes that suck, sometimes the attacks are too slow and they can't be played fast, there are mistakes made (like clicking noises in garritans trombones, or a mono sample within stereo samples and so on), there's the repetative nature of hearing the sample recording played everytime the note is played, and so on.
5) Synthesis died in the 80's, before anybody ever pushed it to its limits. That is unsatisfying to me. When I first heard Tomita, I thought he was synthesizing virtually everything. Through the years, I found out he was using real instruments, mellotrons, and other acoustic methods in places. I want to do what he didn't. When I do a CD, I want to say I created all those sounds. As synthesists, aren't we supposed to show those snobby acoustic musicians we don't need them or their sounds?
6) Acoustic sounds are complex and hard to synthesize. It demonstrates extreme skill, knowledge of sound, and totoal control over a synthesizer to accomplish the advanced and difficult programming to acheive some of those sounds. It requires coming up with new techniques and tricks which are challenging and have never been done before. We've been hearing awful string patches, corny brass patches, cheesy drum patches for decades now. I want to push subtractive synthesis to its limits to see what it can really do, even if it were for no other reason than to say, "see", it really can be done.
7) Doing spacey synth pads and sequenced bass lines and that stuff is all nice and good, and I create many patches like those myself. But those things are relatively easy to accomplish. They don't force you into extreme patches of a 100 modules or into using a 42 band filter bank and spending weeks to acheive something nobody else can seem to do. You can't do this stuff on a Minimoog or OB-8. So as Matthew pointed out, it's mostly unexplored terrain. And doing something for the first time is more motivating to me than doing things already done.
BTW, my latest Nord violin I believe sounds better than the Synful one over certain ranges of notes. After I make two more passes through the 42 band filter bank refining it, I think I may have a better sounding violin over the entire range. Though it still won't play as smoothy. I'm also back to working on my additive string synth for the winter. The one I started working on before Synful hit the market and took some of the wind out of my sail."
Some previous posts on Elhardt:
http://matrixsynth.blogspot.com/2005/08/bahn-sage.html
http://matrixsynth.blogspot.com/2005/12/alesis-ion-ralistic-drum-kit.html
http://matrixsynth.blogspot.com/2005/11/alesis-ion-demos-by-kenneth-elhardt.html
http://matrixsynth.blogspot.com/2005/11/alesis-andromeda-a6-and-motm-demos-by.html
http://matrixsynth.blogspot.com/2005/11/alesis-andromeda-a6-samples-by-kenneth.html
Now Elhardt has be showcasing his amazing programming skills by conjuring up some of the most realistic acoustic examples of real life instruments with an Alesis ION, Andromeda A6, and MOTM modular. Is it real or is it another hoax like the Sage? Who knows. I'm inclined to believe these samples are real given the attention to detail with the Bahn Sage, and replications of real world instruments by synthesists such as Wendy Carlos in the past, but you never know, do you. His samples are pretty awe inspiring (check out the links to some of my previous posts below for some examples, specifically the realistic drum set).
Another controversial perspective on synthesis from Elhardt? Knobs are not performance controllers. They are used to edit and create sounds. That's it. If you want to control sounds while playing, use the dedicated performance controllers on the synth like the mod wheels and keyboard. : ) I like to play outside of the box myself. Regardless I am impressed by Elhardt, and I do appreciate his dedication to synthesis.
Recently Elhardt sent an email to AH on his perspective on synthesis. I asked him if it would be ok for me to post it and he said yes. Enjoy. Or not. : )
Elhardt on Synthesis:
"Following are all the reasons I like to do realistic emulations of reality.
1) There is nothing interesting about playing samples. Everbody is doing that. Buy a $200 Casio and it does it. The skill of synthesis is completely missing. An artist paints a landscape, he doesn't just snap a photo of it. Sample libraries make everybody sound the same. If everybody synthesized their own acoustic sounds, everybody would have a different style.
2) Sample libraries are so insanely huge and can't even be fully used in real-time. I'd have to spend weeks sifting through 35 Gig of string samples and articulations and go through days of intense sequencer/midi programming to get them to play in a realistic manner. I'd have to use them from a computer with bug-ridden software. Major sample libraries are never complete, and constant updates suck money from you for the rest of your life. It's all going in the wrong direction.
3) I want instruments that play like physically modeled instruments. I just call up one patch and play it expressively in real-time. Simple. I also want to do instruments I can't buy samples of, or create brandnew instruments never heard before.
4) BTW, I have a lot of sample libraries, and some of the instruments suck, sometimes it's just a few notes that suck, sometimes the attacks are too slow and they can't be played fast, there are mistakes made (like clicking noises in garritans trombones, or a mono sample within stereo samples and so on), there's the repetative nature of hearing the sample recording played everytime the note is played, and so on.
5) Synthesis died in the 80's, before anybody ever pushed it to its limits. That is unsatisfying to me. When I first heard Tomita, I thought he was synthesizing virtually everything. Through the years, I found out he was using real instruments, mellotrons, and other acoustic methods in places. I want to do what he didn't. When I do a CD, I want to say I created all those sounds. As synthesists, aren't we supposed to show those snobby acoustic musicians we don't need them or their sounds?
6) Acoustic sounds are complex and hard to synthesize. It demonstrates extreme skill, knowledge of sound, and totoal control over a synthesizer to accomplish the advanced and difficult programming to acheive some of those sounds. It requires coming up with new techniques and tricks which are challenging and have never been done before. We've been hearing awful string patches, corny brass patches, cheesy drum patches for decades now. I want to push subtractive synthesis to its limits to see what it can really do, even if it were for no other reason than to say, "see", it really can be done.
7) Doing spacey synth pads and sequenced bass lines and that stuff is all nice and good, and I create many patches like those myself. But those things are relatively easy to accomplish. They don't force you into extreme patches of a 100 modules or into using a 42 band filter bank and spending weeks to acheive something nobody else can seem to do. You can't do this stuff on a Minimoog or OB-8. So as Matthew pointed out, it's mostly unexplored terrain. And doing something for the first time is more motivating to me than doing things already done.
BTW, my latest Nord violin I believe sounds better than the Synful one over certain ranges of notes. After I make two more passes through the 42 band filter bank refining it, I think I may have a better sounding violin over the entire range. Though it still won't play as smoothy. I'm also back to working on my additive string synth for the winter. The one I started working on before Synful hit the market and took some of the wind out of my sail."
Some previous posts on Elhardt:
http://matrixsynth.blogspot.com/2005/08/bahn-sage.html
http://matrixsynth.blogspot.com/2005/12/alesis-ion-ralistic-drum-kit.html
http://matrixsynth.blogspot.com/2005/11/alesis-ion-demos-by-kenneth-elhardt.html
http://matrixsynth.blogspot.com/2005/11/alesis-andromeda-a6-and-motm-demos-by.html
http://matrixsynth.blogspot.com/2005/11/alesis-andromeda-a6-samples-by-kenneth.html
Sunday, December 18, 2005
TB-303 Package
No title link. I recently posted on the Roland TB-303 Bass Line Chordwheel. echo7even of The Electric Music Box sent the following shot of a TB-303 and all accessories. You can see the chordwheel in the shot. Sounds like he got a killer deal on this package as well. One man's garbage is another's prize. Lucky man.
"HI Matrix,
I just posted a comment about the 303 Chordwheel.. I have all the 303 Accessories.. the guy I bought it from bought it in 1983, brought it home,, HATED it and stashed it in his closet.. I found out about it several years ago but just bought it from him recently.. pretty much brand new.
attached is a pic. the pattern sheets I got arent pictured. he found them in his stack of old synth brochures.
-r"
"HI Matrix,
I just posted a comment about the 303 Chordwheel.. I have all the 303 Accessories.. the guy I bought it from bought it in 1983, brought it home,, HATED it and stashed it in his closet.. I found out about it several years ago but just bought it from him recently.. pretty much brand new.
attached is a pic. the pattern sheets I got arent pictured. he found them in his stack of old synth brochures.
-r"
Roland SH-101 Remake - Holiday Synth Project
Interesting holiday project. Mush has decided to use some of this holiday time to create a new case for his SH-101. The case will be solid oak with a new face-plate. Title link takes you to the thread on VSE with more info and pics. Can't wait to see how this turns out.
The Ambient Ping - Analogue Oil Projectors and Synths
Interesting discussion going on AH regarding analogue oil projectors. David Evans posted a link to "The Ambient Ping." Some amazing visuals. Title link takes you there.
Mystery Modular
Lester Barnes posted this on AH asking if anyone on the list knows what it is. If you do, please share. Title link takes you to more shots.
"From what I've worked out the thing has 6 VCOs with various features, 3
VCA, Noise/S+H, 3EGs with toggles for speed, 2 filters: one is Low pass or band pass with subtle cutoff slope and doesn't self oscillate with reso at max the other is a multimode but without Resonance. It also has a 3 input sum mixer, VC Reverb, VC Echo - with 3 separate echo return times and controls. VC Vowel Filter - Bloody Lovely, Equalizer, inverter Divider, Counter clock. It has a two manual keyboard each with a joystick and the cabinet has two separate keyboard control sections as well as a basic CPU ? There seems to be an input for 'GUIT' guitar ? and a din input marked 'Micro 15'
Patches are made on a 60 x 60 patch matrix and there are ten output faders as destinations on the row E - 5 for Left and 5 for Right -
The most unusual thing and the thing I haven't sussed out yet is the functions of the Sequencer: Its a 3 x 10 analogue sequencer. rows A+B are clocked together but row C can travel at any subdivision of the upper rows clock speed. As you'll see in Picture 3 on the link, at the far right of the cabinet are 4 groups of 4 controls - each group has a Left and Right control and two dials above - - in picture 4 you'll see another 10x10 patch matrix which has something to do with the 10 stages of the the sequencer and L+R outputs of each of these groups of four dial named GC,CY, CC,B and 58 - putting a patch pin into column 4 row 1 produces a beep clocked every time the sequencer passes stage 4 but altering the the voltage on that stage of the sequencer has no effect on the beep. One of the unknown controls above the L+R of GC alters the gate time of the beep - the other seems to alter the pitch - I have no idea what this is for. Row CY has a multi-step dial and toggles .. . ?"
"From what I've worked out the thing has 6 VCOs with various features, 3
VCA, Noise/S+H, 3EGs with toggles for speed, 2 filters: one is Low pass or band pass with subtle cutoff slope and doesn't self oscillate with reso at max the other is a multimode but without Resonance. It also has a 3 input sum mixer, VC Reverb, VC Echo - with 3 separate echo return times and controls. VC Vowel Filter - Bloody Lovely, Equalizer, inverter Divider, Counter clock. It has a two manual keyboard each with a joystick and the cabinet has two separate keyboard control sections as well as a basic CPU ? There seems to be an input for 'GUIT' guitar ? and a din input marked 'Micro 15'
Patches are made on a 60 x 60 patch matrix and there are ten output faders as destinations on the row E - 5 for Left and 5 for Right -
The most unusual thing and the thing I haven't sussed out yet is the functions of the Sequencer: Its a 3 x 10 analogue sequencer. rows A+B are clocked together but row C can travel at any subdivision of the upper rows clock speed. As you'll see in Picture 3 on the link, at the far right of the cabinet are 4 groups of 4 controls - each group has a Left and Right control and two dials above - - in picture 4 you'll see another 10x10 patch matrix which has something to do with the 10 stages of the the sequencer and L+R outputs of each of these groups of four dial named GC,CY, CC,B and 58 - putting a patch pin into column 4 row 1 produces a beep clocked every time the sequencer passes stage 4 but altering the the voltage on that stage of the sequencer has no effect on the beep. One of the unknown controls above the L+R of GC alters the gate time of the beep - the other seems to alter the pitch - I have no idea what this is for. Row CY has a multi-step dial and toggles .. . ?"
Roland TB-303 Bass Line Chrodwheel
Now this is something I've never seen before. A chordwheel for the TB-303. Title link takes you to the acution for this. Image and text saved below for when the auction dissapears. Click the image for a larger version.
"The ULTIMATE TB-303 rarity!!
I've not seen one of these for sale on ebay before. This particular one stayed behind when the original Roland TB-303 Bass Line (bought for around £100 from London Rock shop) was sold on in 1985 for £50! It has spent the last 20 years packed away in some music equipment documents.
This is the one to have to complete your set.
The top rarity, rarer than the TB-303 pattern data sheets that Roland issued at the time.
Go for it!"
"The ULTIMATE TB-303 rarity!!
I've not seen one of these for sale on ebay before. This particular one stayed behind when the original Roland TB-303 Bass Line (bought for around £100 from London Rock shop) was sold on in 1985 for £50! It has spent the last 20 years packed away in some music equipment documents.
This is the one to have to complete your set.
The top rarity, rarer than the TB-303 pattern data sheets that Roland issued at the time.
Go for it!"
Korg EX-mas Shot and Sample
Thought this was a nice X-mas shot of a Korg EX-800 (desktop Poly-800) up for sale. Title link takes you to an mp3 posted in the auction. As usual, I have no affiliation, just like the shot.
Carbon111 on Analog Industries Gear P*rn Friday
Title link takes you to Analog Industries post. Cool to see Carbon111 featured.
Synth Books
No title link. With the recent book posts for Essential Retro and Real World Digital Audio, I thought I should put up a list of synth books. A friend of mine joined the Amazon affiliate program and started putting up book ads in posts where he reviewed the particular book. I actually liked the look of the ads because they include a small snapshot of the book. So, I figure why not. I joined and added a few of my favorites to the right pane (just scroll down and look for the books on the right). I also found one I hadn't heard of before called "Quick Guide to Analog Synthesis." Anyone know if this one is any good?
BTW, if you know of any others I should add to the list on the right, please post them in the comments below and I'll put them up. I checked Amazon for A-Z of Analog Synthesis but surprisingly it wasn't there. BTW, I don't want to limit the list to just ads, so if you have any links for synth books not on Amazon or other, send them my way. I just think it would be cool to have a list of all synth books on the right. And yes the Amazon ones are ads, no trickery there on my part. And obviously, if you are interested in picking up one or more of these books, feel free to support my site by ordering through one of these links. : )
Update via Peter Forrest in the comments below : )
"Hi all - very nice to be a toilet stalwart! I'm Peter Forrest, writer of the A-Z books. Sorry, but Amazon demanded such a ridiculous price to stock my books that I won't do it through them. Luckily you can buy them direct through me if you want :o) The easiest way is to email me at pforrest@vemia.co.uk, and I'll send you the details. I also still have some copies of the Synthesizer Museum books (and videos if anyone wants a nice retro original vintage 90s etc. etc. version of Bob Moog's speech and a bunch of incredible synths)."
BTW, if you know of any others I should add to the list on the right, please post them in the comments below and I'll put them up. I checked Amazon for A-Z of Analog Synthesis but surprisingly it wasn't there. BTW, I don't want to limit the list to just ads, so if you have any links for synth books not on Amazon or other, send them my way. I just think it would be cool to have a list of all synth books on the right. And yes the Amazon ones are ads, no trickery there on my part. And obviously, if you are interested in picking up one or more of these books, feel free to support my site by ordering through one of these links. : )
Update via Peter Forrest in the comments below : )
"Hi all - very nice to be a toilet stalwart! I'm Peter Forrest, writer of the A-Z books. Sorry, but Amazon demanded such a ridiculous price to stock my books that I won't do it through them. Luckily you can buy them direct through me if you want :o) The easiest way is to email me at pforrest@vemia.co.uk, and I'll send you the details. I also still have some copies of the Synthesizer Museum books (and videos if anyone wants a nice retro original vintage 90s etc. etc. version of Bob Moog's speech and a bunch of incredible synths)."
Saturday, December 17, 2005
Homebrew Sequencer - Galoppierende Zuversicht
Pic of a homebrew sequencer (and possible synth?) used by styro2000 of the swiss group galoppierende zuversicht. Sent my way by Philip Sherburne. Title link takes you to the galoppierende zuversicht site. Click here for a live set.
GenoQ Octopus Ready to Order
Looks like the GenoQ Octopus is ready to order. Title link takes you to their news page with more info. I previously posted on the GenoQ Octopus back in August. The Octopus looks to be an amazingly feature rich pattern generator/sequencer, focused on ease of use (little to no "sub menus") and live performance. For more, make sure to check out other sections of the site including the Story-Board pdf.
Bad Wolf TV
Kenny Balys sent a link to a couple of videos, "Eternity" and "Deja Voodoo" to AH. I finally got around to checking them out. Brilliant. Spoiler below shot. Check them out in this order: "Eternity" then "Deja Voodoo." Each is about 60M.
Spoiler:
Starting with "Eternity" my first impression was this is mediocre but pretty refreshing. Made me want to travel and gave me that sense of taking a cold shower, but a bit deeper than that; it reminded me of my self induced repression, reminded me of my college days when things were so much more crisp and life was simply magic, and how things aren't quite like that anymore. Things still are magical, but scars kind of leave their marks the older you get. Then it hit me. This is much deeper than the surface. The video quality reminded me of the videos I used to make in college. There is a certain depth to that. Coincidence? Who knows, but it brought me back. "Deja Voodoo" was a complete contrast; pulled me out of the wonder and into the scars, back to reality. What's interesting is the two paired reminded me of my rave days but in the opposite order. You'd start off at a rave that had the vibe of "Deja Voodoo" but end with the vibe of "Eternity." But life seems to go in the opposite direction, or does it? Maybe it just goes in waves. Anywho... Don't know if this effect was on purpose or not, but, brilliant stuff; nice contrast between the videos. The interesting thing is "Eternity" was more deja voodoo to me in reminding me of the past; reminded me a bit of Dif Jus actually. So, anyone know the significance of 099 or the fly that shows up in both videos?
Gear list comments from Kenny:
"The tracks were done with ATC-1 on bass, Moog Voyager,
Jupiter 6, TR808/909/606 CR8000 DR-55, Jomox Xbase-09 and lots
of Doepfer A-100. Also have some MFB in there from
Schneider's Buero at Alexanderplatz, Berlin.
Electrix Filter Factory and the Warpfactory used to add
shimmer and life to top end of certain sounds.
Dimension-D chorus for some pads and counter melodies.
We mixed analogue on a SSL 4048 board with a bank of Neve
pre-amps."
Spoiler:
Starting with "Eternity" my first impression was this is mediocre but pretty refreshing. Made me want to travel and gave me that sense of taking a cold shower, but a bit deeper than that; it reminded me of my self induced repression, reminded me of my college days when things were so much more crisp and life was simply magic, and how things aren't quite like that anymore. Things still are magical, but scars kind of leave their marks the older you get. Then it hit me. This is much deeper than the surface. The video quality reminded me of the videos I used to make in college. There is a certain depth to that. Coincidence? Who knows, but it brought me back. "Deja Voodoo" was a complete contrast; pulled me out of the wonder and into the scars, back to reality. What's interesting is the two paired reminded me of my rave days but in the opposite order. You'd start off at a rave that had the vibe of "Deja Voodoo" but end with the vibe of "Eternity." But life seems to go in the opposite direction, or does it? Maybe it just goes in waves. Anywho... Don't know if this effect was on purpose or not, but, brilliant stuff; nice contrast between the videos. The interesting thing is "Eternity" was more deja voodoo to me in reminding me of the past; reminded me a bit of Dif Jus actually. So, anyone know the significance of 099 or the fly that shows up in both videos?
Gear list comments from Kenny:
"The tracks were done with ATC-1 on bass, Moog Voyager,
Jupiter 6, TR808/909/606 CR8000 DR-55, Jomox Xbase-09 and lots
of Doepfer A-100. Also have some MFB in there from
Schneider's Buero at Alexanderplatz, Berlin.
Electrix Filter Factory and the Warpfactory used to add
shimmer and life to top end of certain sounds.
Dimension-D chorus for some pads and counter melodies.
We mixed analogue on a SSL 4048 board with a bank of Neve
pre-amps."
Airport81 - New Yoko - Yamaha CS60 over Atari 2600
Title link takes you to MySpace site for Airport81. I previously posted on their track The Buddy System. Looks like they have a couple of more tracks up including "New Yoko" which features just the Yamaha CS60 over an Atari 2600 for beats. Pretty interesting track. Via this post on Sonic State's the-gas-station.
Friday, December 16, 2005
Essential Retro
Looks like James Grahame of Retro Thing has a book out and... it has synth. : ) Title link takes you there (scroll down the page to see what's in the book). Looks like a fascinating trip down memory lane as well as current retro design. Very cool. Would make a great stocking stuffer. Congrats James!
"My new book is entitled Essential Retro: The Vintage Technology Guide. It covers a few hundred of my favorite vintage and vintage-style gadgets.
Since I'm a synth addict, there's an entire chapter dedicated to electronic musical instruments. I start with a look at some classics like the ARP Odyssey and Sequential Circuits Prophet 5, but I couldn't resist including a few modern 'vintage analog' devices from Dave Smith, Clavia, and even the real analog growl of the Alesis A6 Andromeda.
Check out www.essentialretro.com for more details. People can buy signed copies direct from the site, and it should be available on Amazon in the USA and UK early next week. Priced at $19.95 in the USA, £11.95 in the UK."
"My new book is entitled Essential Retro: The Vintage Technology Guide. It covers a few hundred of my favorite vintage and vintage-style gadgets.
Since I'm a synth addict, there's an entire chapter dedicated to electronic musical instruments. I start with a look at some classics like the ARP Odyssey and Sequential Circuits Prophet 5, but I couldn't resist including a few modern 'vintage analog' devices from Dave Smith, Clavia, and even the real analog growl of the Alesis A6 Andromeda.
Check out www.essentialretro.com for more details. People can buy signed copies direct from the site, and it should be available on Amazon in the USA and UK early next week. Priced at $19.95 in the USA, £11.95 in the UK."
Nord Lead Demos
Title link takes you to some Nord Lead demos by SpeckO on Sonic State's the-gas-station.
Distorted Music Festival Pics
I recently posted about the Distorted Music Festival in Melbourne Australia. Title link takes you to shots of the festival including synths. Via Andee on AH; this was Andee's first live gig and he had a blast.
"Well, I had my very first ever live gig and it was a blast! I had to get the
A6 and my 20kg+ road case up 2 flights of stairs to do it, but damn it was
worth it:)"
"It was part of the distorted music festival in melbourne (distorted.com.au) so
not only had a great time performing, but also got to see and meet a bunch of
artists I've admired for years, not to mention getting onto a compilation CD
with the likes of converter, architect, scorn and mono no aware!"
"Well, I had my very first ever live gig and it was a blast! I had to get the
A6 and my 20kg+ road case up 2 flights of stairs to do it, but damn it was
worth it:)"
"It was part of the distorted music festival in melbourne (distorted.com.au) so
not only had a great time performing, but also got to see and meet a bunch of
artists I've admired for years, not to mention getting onto a compilation CD
with the likes of converter, architect, scorn and mono no aware!"
My New Wallpaper
More amazing synth pics added to benj-sp's Flickr set. Amazing, synth pics. My new wallpaper. Again. Title link takes you to more.
Access Virus Ti and SH-101 Demos
Title link takes you to samples of the Access Virus TI sent to me by Jose Sogo Flores. Two of the samples are the Roland SH-101 followed by the Virus. Impressive. Also make sure to check out the third sample of the Virus. Absolutely liquid sounding; talk about bubbly. If the name looks familiar, he recently sent in those amazing G2 Minimoog samples. Enjoy, and thank you Jose!
Thursday, December 15, 2005
Real World Digital Audio - Peter Kirn
Looks like Peter Kirn's book, "Real World Digital Audio" is out! Congrats Peter! I look forward to reading my copy. Title link takes you to the Real World Digital Audio site. Click here for Peachpit Press' page. Who's Peter Kirn? Why, Editor in Chief of Create Digital Music of course. Title link takes you to more info on http://www.realworlddigitalaudio.com/.
"Real World Digital Audio is a comprehensive resource that offers practical advice on making great music with modern technologies—a valuable reference whatever your musical genre or preferred audio application. You’ll learn how digital sound works, and then apply that knowledge to getting your music to sound the way you want. From recording, mixing, and producing CDs, musical scores, and video soundtracks, to performing live with your laptop, this is the definitive guide to the art of creating digital music."
Orgon Modular
There's an Orgon modular up for auction. I tried searching for more info on Orgon Systems and found some reference to kit synths like PAIA. Also found the title link on Synrise in German; click here for a Google English translation.
Update: via the comments: "they sold the Enegiser see SOS reviews, then started selling modules a bit hafter Blacet had a few going. so what 1999-2000? check the AH archives."
SOS on Orgon.
"A UNIQUE oportunity for you to own a classic ORGON SYSTEMS modular synth. Built exclusively by the man himself Geoff Waterston. The power and sonic versatlity of this machine is gaurenteed to blow you away. Check out the specs below and you will see that this is a once in a lifetime chance to grab a beast like this one! 21 modules 6x ADSR envelope (mk2) 3x hi spec VCO (lin FM, sync tri saw sine pwm) 3x dual LFO (6 lfo's in total) 2x VCA (log and linear mode) 1x VC waveform animator (very cool) 1x noise gen (white pink red blue) 1x multimode fiter mk2 (hi low band notch self osc) 1x ENIGISER filter mk2 (VC res, 25 filer modes, yes thats 25 different filters in one panel, sounds very sweet) 1x audio mixer with inverters 1x PSU 1x multi conection May the best man win!"
Update: via the comments: "they sold the Enegiser see SOS reviews, then started selling modules a bit hafter Blacet had a few going. so what 1999-2000? check the AH archives."
SOS on Orgon.
"A UNIQUE oportunity for you to own a classic ORGON SYSTEMS modular synth. Built exclusively by the man himself Geoff Waterston. The power and sonic versatlity of this machine is gaurenteed to blow you away. Check out the specs below and you will see that this is a once in a lifetime chance to grab a beast like this one! 21 modules 6x ADSR envelope (mk2) 3x hi spec VCO (lin FM, sync tri saw sine pwm) 3x dual LFO (6 lfo's in total) 2x VCA (log and linear mode) 1x VC waveform animator (very cool) 1x noise gen (white pink red blue) 1x multimode fiter mk2 (hi low band notch self osc) 1x ENIGISER filter mk2 (VC res, 25 filer modes, yes thats 25 different filters in one panel, sounds very sweet) 1x audio mixer with inverters 1x PSU 1x multi conection May the best man win!"
Bizarre Guitar Synth
More freaky dream material. Title link takes you to shots saved from this auction. Text below in it's ALL CAPS glory, also saved for posterity. You never know when you'll want to look this thing up again to frighten little... Seriously though, you gotta wonder what this sounds like. Via Music Thing.
"CHECK OUT OUR STORE FOR ALL YOUR HOLLIDAY NEEDS!! BE SURE TO REGESTER WITH EBAY BEFORE YOU BID !!! THIS IS A 1 OF A KIND GUITAR IT WAS DESIGNED AS A PROTO TYPE BUT WAS NEVER PRODUCED!! I HAVE THE ONLY ONE!!! DESIGNED FOR SCOTT CROMWELL IN 1970 I RECEIVED IT AS PART OF OUR ESTATE SALE.A LITTLE KNOWN GUITAR PLAYER SCOTT CROMWELL JAZZ ROCK PLAYER PLAYED BACK UP FOR SEVERAL MAJOR BANDS BEFORE HIS DEATH IN 1975!!! THIS GUITAR HAS NO STRINGS OR FRETS BUT LITTLE BUTTONS TO REPLACE THEM AND A SYNTHISIZER IN THE BASE TO CHANGE THE SOUND TO ANYTHING YOU WANT THIS GUITAR CAN MAKE YOU SOUND LIKE HENDRIX HIMSELF IN THE RITE HANDS THE GUITAR IS FOR SALE ONLY WE KEEP THE PAT AND ALL RITES TO REPRODUCE UNLESS OTHERWISE AGREED ON!!!!FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT OLDIESBUTGOODIES2000@HOTMAIL.COM"
"CHECK OUT OUR STORE FOR ALL YOUR HOLLIDAY NEEDS!! BE SURE TO REGESTER WITH EBAY BEFORE YOU BID !!! THIS IS A 1 OF A KIND GUITAR IT WAS DESIGNED AS A PROTO TYPE BUT WAS NEVER PRODUCED!! I HAVE THE ONLY ONE!!! DESIGNED FOR SCOTT CROMWELL IN 1970 I RECEIVED IT AS PART OF OUR ESTATE SALE.A LITTLE KNOWN GUITAR PLAYER SCOTT CROMWELL JAZZ ROCK PLAYER PLAYED BACK UP FOR SEVERAL MAJOR BANDS BEFORE HIS DEATH IN 1975!!! THIS GUITAR HAS NO STRINGS OR FRETS BUT LITTLE BUTTONS TO REPLACE THEM AND A SYNTHISIZER IN THE BASE TO CHANGE THE SOUND TO ANYTHING YOU WANT THIS GUITAR CAN MAKE YOU SOUND LIKE HENDRIX HIMSELF IN THE RITE HANDS THE GUITAR IS FOR SALE ONLY WE KEEP THE PAT AND ALL RITES TO REPRODUCE UNLESS OTHERWISE AGREED ON!!!!FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT OLDIESBUTGOODIES2000@HOTMAIL.COM"
Marx & Arbiter
Remember that QY and DSI in bed post I almost didn't put up? Well Jj is the guy in that shot. He sent me a few links including some samples of his QY and Evolver and this lovely shot of his cat. Sweet dreams....
Don't even think of touching that Ensoniq ASR-10 rack.
Don't even think of touching that Ensoniq ASR-10 rack.
Alesis Ion - Ralistic Drum Kit
Right click title link and save. Via programming wizard Kenneth Elhardt on AH. Amazing.
" It's a full drum kit I spent days on. Since it's a pain in the neck to play drum sounds on a keyboard monophonically and multitrack them to create the end result,
it is rather short (52 seconds). This demo shows, tight snappy toms, huge heavy toms, metalic snare, snare with attached tambourine, snare with emphasized head sound and reduced "snappy", hi-hats (should have played at higher pitch), cymbal crashes / splashes / taps, and more. I used some of the techniques from my MOTM renaissance demos in programming them."
" It's a full drum kit I spent days on. Since it's a pain in the neck to play drum sounds on a keyboard monophonically and multitrack them to create the end result,
it is rather short (52 seconds). This demo shows, tight snappy toms, huge heavy toms, metalic snare, snare with attached tambourine, snare with emphasized head sound and reduced "snappy", hi-hats (should have played at higher pitch), cymbal crashes / splashes / taps, and more. I used some of the techniques from my MOTM renaissance demos in programming them."
Some Nice Synth Pics
Looks like Carbon111 put up some synths for sale on SYNTHWIRE. Some really nice shots in the post. Enjoy. And yes, this is kosher on SYNTHWIRE, as long as you put up something postworthy, like nice pics, or interesting tidbits of synth info, etc. The idea is that the post is worthwile even if you aren't looking to buy.
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Two Octave Juno-106
Nice! An no, this is not real. How I wish.... I have a thing for portable lap synths.
Via Henrik Nydell:
"Saw that you put up an imaginary AlphaJuno-10 on the blog
and thought of my project that hopefully will be realised
some day, the SH-106, a 2 1/2 octave Juno-106."
Update: See this post for a real one, the "Junior 106."
Via Henrik Nydell:
"Saw that you put up an imaginary AlphaJuno-10 on the blog
and thought of my project that hopefully will be realised
some day, the SH-106, a 2 1/2 octave Juno-106."
Update: See this post for a real one, the "Junior 106."
Novachord Sample disk and CD Coming
I recently posted on Phil Cirocco's Novachord restoration project. Well, multiple sources indicate that Phil plans on creating both a sample CD for others to sample and use and a music CD to showcase the Novachord. Very cool.
Analoghell Manuals
Click here for downloads for the following docs.
Arp
Arp 2600 Fundamentals Of Music Technology (1.24Mb)
Arp 2600 Owner's Manual (10.27Mb)
Arp 2600 Service Manual (8.16Mb)
Arp 3620 Keyboard Owner's Manual (3.74Mb)
Arp 3620 Keyboard Service Manual (2.13Mb)
Arp
Arp 2600 Fundamentals Of Music Technology (1.24Mb)
Arp 2600 Owner's Manual (10.27Mb)
Arp 2600 Service Manual (8.16Mb)
Arp 3620 Keyboard Owner's Manual (3.74Mb)
Arp 3620 Keyboard Service Manual (2.13Mb)
Moogulator's Neuronium Site
Title link takes you to Moogulator's Neuronium site with pics, video and general info. He also mentions a possible stripped down version on the way called the m-resonator. Interesting bit is that he comments the m-resonator as being more of an filter/effects box minus midi. If you haven't heard of the Neuronium Resonator, it's an interesting device consisting of what Jayemsonic referes to as six analog resonant neurons that can interact with each other. Rather than do injustice trying to explain it myself, just click this link for the Jayemsonic page on the Resonator. Also look at the star pattern on the Resonator above. Six knobs for six neurons to play off of one another, one ring to rule them all.
SCHIPPMANN
Title link takes you to the SCHIPPMAN site. According to Moogulator they are now shipping their filters. Dig the plexiglass. Make sure to check out the downloads page for samples and the pictures page for more shots including what looks like the shell of a knob ladden monster synth. Reminds me of an old EMU Emulator on steroids. Damn!
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MATRIXSYNTH - EVERYTHING SYNTH
© Matrixsynth - All posts are presented here for informative, historical and educative purposes as applicable within fair use.
MATRIXSYNTH is supported by affiliate links that use cookies to track clickthroughs and sales. See the privacy policy for details.
MATRIXSYNTH - EVERYTHING SYNTH
