MATRIXSYNTH

at 1/17/2006 12:25:00 AM

Video of Alan Wilder of Depeche Mode demoing the Emulator II. Title link takes you to the post.

at 1/16/2006 11:22:00 AM

Title link takes you to the Eboardmuseum, home of over 700 exhibits. Make sure to check out the Highlights page, for gear p*rn galore. They claim to have the very first Minimoog, serial number 1001. You be the judge.

Elka Synthex

Note the colored knobs. I've never seen one with them before. And check out the rotational "arrows" in case you don't know what to do with them. ; ) One more shot after the hop. Via this post on electro-music.com.

at 1/16/2006 10:50:00 AM

Update3: Demo of SimTunes put up by thewhiteline: http://www.twofloorsrecords.com/uploaded

Update2: Via the comments of this post:
"Toshio Iwai also made a game back in 1996 for the PC called SimTunes
http://ns05.iamas.ac.jp/~iwai/ [Toshio Iwai's website]
If you google you'll find a demo to download"

Note the dates of the exhibits on his website. The piano piece was done in 1995.

Update1: Looks like the orders of the videos changed.
Click here for the one that mentions Electroplankton.
Click here for a crazy one that plays the piano via light.
Click here for the list including the Tenori-On and some interesting related videos.

Title link takes you videos of Toshio Iwai demoing his work including the Tenori-On and what he states to be the origin of his Electroplankton for the Nintendo DS. Make sure to check out the second video in entirety and listen carefully. You can hear him state, "these thoughts, um installations are kind of the origin of Electroplankton." It's amazing to see the interface and design on this scale. Brilliant stuff. Via the comments section of this post. Thanks to whoever took the time to post this.

at 1/16/2006 10:46:00 AM

Via GetLoFi. Looks like the Music From Outer Space DIY dream synth is complete. Title link takes you there. There are some amazing samples up.

at 1/16/2006 02:10:00 AM

Michael Weeks just sent me the following, also posted to AH, so I'm guessing it's good to post here. Title link takes you to the S1000 product page. Sample links below.

"Well, the S1000 is now shipped off to California for NAMM, and I'll be
out there too to take in the sights!

In the meantime - the product page is up on metasonix.com -
http://www.metasonix.com/index.php?
option=com_content&task=view&id=30&Itemid=61

There are two new audio demos - two more "song" oriented pieces, using
more compression/eq/delay/reverb etc than the raw demos. All sounds
from the S1000, except raw drumloops which were run through the filter
and waveshaper portions of the synth.

Direct links:

http://thewretch.com/s1000songs/S1000_Track1.mp3

http://thewretch.com/s1000songs/S1000_Track2.mp3

Enjoy! And if you're at NAMM, I'll be floating around the Metasonix
booths at both Analogue Haven and Big City Music.
_____________________

I'll be at NAMM for all 5 days, with a still and video camera, I'll try
and get some fun footage :D

Take care,

Michael Weeks"

at 1/16/2006 12:13:00 AM

If you are interested in the world of modular synths but don't know where to start, this site is worth checking out. Modularsynth.com contains links to current manufacturers, tutorials, a comparison chart and more. Title link takes you there.

Love the Casio T

at 1/16/2006 12:13:00 AM

Title link takes you to some nice shots recently posted on AH for some gear for sale. If you are seriously interested feel free to contact luigi.castelli[@]earthlink.net.

Set includes the following:
. Sequential Circuits Prophet-5
. Musonics Minimoog
. Sequential Circuits Prophet-10
. Oberheim 4-Voice
. Octave Electronics Cat SRM
. Oberheim OB-8 w/MIDI
. Moog Minimoog
. Rhodes Chroma

at 1/16/2006 12:12:00 AM

Title link takes you to some shots of the FR777 and a modifications rack. The mods were done by Peter Grenader of Buzzclick Music. Details are listed below. Note that they are written more like instructions on how to do the mods vs. the end result. BTW, my first thought was what if this is the Future Retro XS expander that's coming. My second thought is how will it compare to what's coming. Via RaZoR on AH. This unit is for sale. If you are interested contact razor[@]sbcglobal.net. It has OS 3.0 installed and the asking price is $800.

Modifications:

1 Snappy filter envelope

Short out R78 (47K) or replace R78 with a 50K
potentiometer for adjustable accent times and shortest
possible envelope times for the filter's envelope.
NOTE: You will probably want to make this mod
switchable between original and mod version. To do so
use a DPDP switch and use it to short resistor R78 or
to switch between resistor R78 and the 50K
potentiometer.

2 Faster envelope time for OSC B's sweep

Same procedure as the "snappy filter envelope" but
with resistor R68 (47K).

3 Secondary CV in for OSC B

For this mod we will let the original CV IN be the
control for oscillator A and the secondary CV IN to
control oscillator B. First locate the trace on the
top side of the circuit board that runs from S1 (OSC
B's internal/external switch) to S2 (OSC A's
internal/external switch). The trace will be just to
the right of the two trim pots located between these
CV switches. You will need to cut this trace and wire
it to the tip of the jack you will use for the
secondary CV input. Next, connect the sleeve of the
jack to ground. You should also run a diode (IN4148
type) from the secondary CV IN to +6v and another to
ground. This will help protect the circuit from high
positive voltages or negative voltages.

4 External filter CV input

For this mod you can use the same procedure as the
"secondary CV in for OSC B" except obviously you won't
need to cut the trace for the switches as mentioned
above. Locate R37 (0 ohm) resistor and lift the lead
that connects to diode D31, located just next to R37.
For this mod we will run a wire from the tip of the CV
jack to be used, to the lead of the diode D31 that was
connected to R37. If you use a switching jack you can
run a wire from the lifted lead of R37 to the
switching terminal of the jack. This way when nothing
is inserted in the jack, connection for the circuit
will be as it was originally. Next, wire up the jack's
sleeve to ground. Positioning of the jack is up to
you.

With this mod you can use the CV type switch in the
filter mod section to select how the CV affects the
cutoff frequency of the filter. You can use the CV
amount knob to control the amount of affect the CV has
on the filter's cutoff frequency.

Control voltages should run between 0 and +6v, avoid
higher voltages than +6v or any negative voltages!

5 Infinite sustain for sustained or glided notes

Infinite sustain

As in the original 303, if a long sustain is written
for a note's duration the VCA's gate signal will
eventually decay until no sound is heard. You can
change this so that the gate signal never decays, and
infinite gate times are possible. For this mod, lift
the anode end (side opposite the black band) of diode
D20 and run a wire to connect the lifted end of D20 to
the anode of diode D19. You could also use a switch to
make the connection of D20 selectable between its
original source and D19.

6 Turning your VCA's gate into an ASR type envelope

Variable attack time

You can adjust the time it takes for the gate signal
to reach its full potential by increasing the
resistance of resistor R176 (10K). For adjustable
attack times, lift one end of R176 and run a wire from
the lifted end of R176 to one of the outer terminals
of a potentiometer. Run another wire from the hole
which R176 went to, to the other outer terminal of the
potentiometer. Connect the wiper of the potentiometer
to one of its outer terminals so that the resistance
of the pot increases as you turn the potentiometer
clockwise. Note that more resistance creates longer
attack times, I would recommend using a 50K or 100K
potentiometer for this mod, but feel free to
experiment.

7 Increasing the overall amount all modifiers have on
the filter's cutoff frequency

For those of you who want some truly bizarre filter
effects try this one.

By increasing the resistance of resistor R128 you will
increase the range of each one of the filter's
modifiers (Ie. CV/Warp, Osc B amount, Envelope
amount). Lift one end of R128 (2.2K) and run a wire
from the lifted end of R128 to one of the outer
terminals of a potentiometer. Run another wire from
the hole which R128 went to, to the other outer
terminal of the potentiometer. Connect the wiper of
the potentiometer to one of its outer terminals so
that the resistance of the pot increases as you turn
the potentiometer clockwise. Note that more resistance
results in more affect the modifiers will have on the
filter's cutoff frequency. Try using a 50K
potentiometer for this mod, and again experiment.

at 1/16/2006 12:11:00 AM

Update: Updated title link to new location. Also there are samples online.

Title link takes you to a page containing dowloads of Sam Ecoff's electronic music books.

Fundamentals of Music Technology - On Synthesis
"I wrote a book a couple of years ago on modular synthesis to use in the courses I teach at a conservatory. It assumes zero knowledge of synthesis and it includes an example CD*. You may download a PDF of the book, below. One of the major shortcomings of my book (as I see it) is that it is specific to the ARP 2600, which is what I generally use to teach modular synthesis. It might be an interesting read for ARP fans, though. That having been said, it was my first attempt at writing a book, and there are some things that I would definitely do differently if I had it to do again."

Still sounds good to me.

at 1/16/2006 12:10:00 AM

Two shots:

www.synthtech.com/pix/1485_test.jpg
www.synthtech.com/pix/1490pcb.jpg

at 1/15/2006 01:56:00 PM

Missed this in my last post. Creamware has launched a separate ASB site. Title link takes you there.

at 1/15/2006 01:49:00 PM

First the Minimax, then the Pro-12 and now the B4000 Hammond B3 in a box. Title link takes you there.

Via CDM.

at 1/15/2006 09:05:00 AM

Title link takes you to the set with a few more shots mixed in.

at 1/15/2006 03:18:00 AM

Some samples up on Big City Music. Title link takes you there.

Update via the comments:
"Hi there, Unfortunately these samples are the FB2 samples (not 2x2) which are on their website since years."

at 1/15/2006 01:36:00 AM

You'll find it here [mirrored here]. I remember when this was announced. I haven't heard much about it for some time and it occurred to me that some might be missing out, so why not put up a post on it. For those that did miss it, Clavia put up a free mono version of their Nord Modular G2 engine for the PC and OS X. You can build your own mono modular synths and even save your patches. It doesn't expire, it doesn't time out after x minutes of playing with it, and it doesn't insert noise or mute out every x seconds like some demos. It's virtually a fully functional mono version of the G2 synth engine with the limitations below. I say virtual because Clavia claims it is severely limited, but only when comparing it to a full blown G2. This is a fully functional stand alone synth. Owners of the G2 have stated that the sound quality is exactly the same. Why did they do it? Well if you hear how good it sounds, maybe you'll consider getting an actual G2 with full polyphony and the extra functionality. And, you have to love Clavia for doing this right? Title link takes you to the download. BTW, this is obviously a great way to explore the world of modular synthesis. Have fun and explore. : )

The only limitations are:

* Polyphony is limited to one voice while the hardware has a maximum of 32 voices per sound.
* The demo can only play one sound at the time while the hardware is 4 part multitimbral.
* A couple of modules are disabled.
* The demo does not support audio in and MIDI out.

at 1/15/2006 01:35:00 AM

I've noticed a few Oakley DIY synths lately like The Ocean I just posted on. I thought I'd take a look at the Oakley Sound Systems site again and put up a post. They offer synth repair services, standalone music projects, including the TB3030, and of course the Oakley Modular. Title link takes you there.

The colorful 'Bergfotron' modular synthesizer

at 1/15/2006 01:34:00 AM

Title link takes you there. Via Brandon Daniel in the comments section of this post.

at 1/15/2006 12:01:00 AM

Title link takes you to a few more shots.

at 1/14/2006 03:54:00 PM

Update: Someone in the comments section called out that the Andromeda uses an ASIC not "the ASIC" as I originally posted. Good catch. I checked the Alesis site to see if they gave it an official name and I found this nice FAQ. Take a looksie for an intersting assumption at the time. : ) And for the record I love what Alesis is doing with the Andromeda, Ion, and Fusion. Who would have thought they'd be leading the way with new and innovative synths. Post updated.

Retro Thing recently posted on the possibility of a new Poly Moog using Anadigm chips, and I followed. I did a little poking around on the Anadigm site and I found this shot. Note the Andromeda in the image. The Andromeda uses it's own custom ASICs (Application Specific integrated Circuits)chipset. But does it use any Anadigm chips? If anyone knows feel free to comment. Title link takes you to the Anadigm page.

at 1/14/2006 03:09:00 PM

Title link takes you to a post on this absolutely stunning analog synth. Sent my way via Dennis Verschoor. Make sure to click through for more shots. Thanks Dennis!

Details:
Oakley spul:
3 x VCO (Oakley Sound)
2 x ADSR/VCA (Oakley Sound)
1 x VC-LFO (Oakley Sound)
1 x Equinoxe Phaser (Oakley Sound)
1 x Super Ladder Filter (Oakley Sound)
1 x MidiDAC (Oakley Sound)

Eigen PCB's:
1 x Ring Modulator (EFM design)
1 x Power Distribution Board
1 x Dual VCA (EFM design)
2 x Dual CV Mixer (EFM design)
1 x Sample & Hold (Ray Wilson design)
1 x Steiner Synthacon VCF (Ken Stone design)
1 x LAG (EFM design)
1 x Main Ouput Bus & Headphones Preamp (Ray Wilson design)
1 x Noise Source (Polyfusion design)
1 x VCO Octave Switch

at 1/14/2006 10:45:00 AM

Title link takes you to one more.

at 1/14/2006 10:29:00 AM

Check out the following two shots on Moogulator. The first is for all you Trekkie fans and the second is a really nice DIY modular. Love the colored panels. BTW, make sure to check out the posts on Moogulator, theirs a mockup of a Doepfer panel with the sword etched on it.

Sword of Kahless (click for post)

DIY Modular (click for post)

at 1/14/2006 01:43:00 AM

Yes it's just a teaser. Title link takes you to an interesting post on Retro Thing covering the possibility of Moog using the Anadigm analog chipset for a low cost poly synth. My first thought was no way, but then James mentions Bob was at least interested enough to drop by their booth during the 2004 NAMM convention. That and the current Voyager rack goes for $2195 for one voice.

The quality not meeting the bar? Who knows. If anyone has heard what an Anadigm chip can sound like or knows what it could be capable of, please feel free to comment.

What would I want from Moog? Just the other day I was playing with a Minimoog Voyager. I thought how cool it would be if you could put an expander in the space behind the front panel when open. That would be nice. Feel free to share what you would want. The person that gets it right gets bragging rights. : )

Update: Check out this shot of the Andromeda on the Anadigm site. Note that the Andromeda uses custom ASIC in-house chips for it's synthesis engine. The question would be what does it use Anadigm chips for.

at 1/14/2006 01:42:00 AM

Title link takes you to a bigger shot.

at 1/14/2006 01:41:00 AM

It's a synth one. Title link takes you there.

Note the Roland SH-101 on edge like an ARP

at 1/13/2006 10:47:00 AM

Another in via J chot. Now this is pretty bad ass. If you have an old NES lying around, you can now easily turn it into a synth. The Wayfar Midines is an NES game cartridge with a MIDI cable. You pop the cartridge in and hook the MIDI cable into the MIDI out of your device of choice, and then plug away. No hacking necessary. What's interesting is the cartridge also adds samples "featuring TR707, TR808, TR909, LINN, Amen+other breaks, stabs, and essential chip battlz." It also comes with NesFX, a retro visualization program that plays along to your incoming MIDI data. It's interesting comparing the sound of this vs. the SidStation and other C64 based units. I've heard some NES pieces before and wasn't really impressed with the sound. Now this is some lo-fi goodness, so make sure to check out the samples on site. Title link takes you there. Thanks J chot!

"Midines is a hardware / cartridge interface (game) that enables MIDI control of the 8bit NES sound chip. Midines allows the 8bit NES to join the ranks along side other retro gear in the professional MIDI recording studio. NesFX is a retro graphic visualization that is seeded by the incoming MIDI sound data, and is included with Midines.

Version 1.1.0 features 256 samples (accessible in two keyboard banks) featuring TR707,TR808,TR909,LINN,Amen+other breaks, stabs, and essential chip battlz."

at 1/13/2006 10:40:00 AM

Title link takes you to a post on DVDBORN with a live clip of Kraftwerk circa 1981. I am really impressed with DVDBORN's content. So, anyone know what's in the image below?

at 1/13/2006 01:26:00 AM

Title link takes you to some raw samples on a post on VSE.

at 1/13/2006 12:02:00 AM

Another synth that never was on DVDBORN. Title link takes you there including a bigger shot.

at 1/13/2006 12:01:00 AM

Another EMS Synthi-E on the bay. Title link takes you to three shots saved for posterity.

at 1/12/2006 11:59:00 AM

DSP based modular synth. Title link takes you to the list of modules. Click on the Product link on top to get back to the main page. It looks like it was PCI card that ran on 98/2000/XP. Looking at the order page it appears it is out of production. I grabbed most of the site here in case it disappears. Via Moogulator.

at 1/12/2006 11:15:00 AM

Now this is interesting. GetLoFi has a post up on VinylVideo. A device that lets you record video to audio LPs. You can then either play back the video through the device or play it as audio. Is it real? I have no idea, but it is entertaining. : ) Title link takes you to GetLoFi's post with a couple of images of the device in use. After that click on the VinylVideo link to get to the site which has samples and a somewhat creepy infomercial - reminded me of those videos in Lost for any Lost fans out there.

at 1/12/2006 11:05:00 AM

Via the Future Retro site. Anyone know more about this?

"01:19-22:2006 We invite all those attending the
winter NAMM show January 19-22 to stop by
the Analogue Haven booth #1787 in Hall E
and the Sweet Noise booth #6735 in Hall A
where we will be displaying all our current products
and the debut of our new analog XS prototype expander."

Just a nice shot of the Revolution from the site - not the XS

at 1/12/2006 11:04:00 AM

Title link takes you to the Roland Jupiter 8 Resouce Center, a site filled with history, pictures, reviews, manuals, patches, samples and links. The FAQ section has some good bits. Enjoy.

What Analog Synth Are You? · at 1/12/2006 10:11:00 AM

Title link takes you to a questionnaire that will tell you what analog synth you are. Via AH.

Me

at 1/12/2006 12:07:00 AM

I was going through the hoard of gear shots on the title link above and ran into The Minitron.

"Built in the 1970s by Norm Lederman"

"The Minitron consists of 48 keys in a slideout keyboard (which stashes away for shipping). Each has its own individual attack, release, and volume controls. These controls operate six broadcast cartridge tape drives, each having eight tracks. Thus, each of the tracks on a cart contains the tape loop for one key."

at 1/12/2006 12:06:00 AM

Title link takes you to a hoard of gear p*rn posts on Harmony Central. And I thought I posted a lot... Note this thread started on Friday 1/6/05. Enjoy. : ) Via Music Thing.

Purple Synthesizers.com

at 1/12/2006 12:00:00 AM

Title link takes you to more shots pulled from this auction.

at 1/11/2006 10:45:00 AM

Title link takes you to Roland's development history page that lists out products they consider to be firsts. The GR-500, released in 1977, is listed as the first guitar synth in the world. The ARP Avatar also came out in 1977. The SH-1000, released in 1973 was the first synthesizer manufactured in Japan.

Update via Kaden in the comments:
"heh? Walter Sears was producing boutique guitar synths in about 1973 (as I recall, Steve Howe from Yes had one with an elbow controller), which led to the 360 Systems guitar synth in (I think) 1976. There was a band called Symphonic Slam that made a *huge* deal out of having one. Sounded kinda Arpish, with appalling pitch tracking."

at 1/11/2006 10:35:00 AM

Title link takes you to more shots pulled from this auction. Via trobly1000. Thanks trobly1000!

at 1/11/2006 12:07:00 AM

I recently posted on the Non-Linear Digital Implementation of the Moog Ladder Filter. There were a couple of comments including the following by polardark:

"Antti Houvalainen who authored this paper has also made the free VSTi softsynth ASynth which uses this moog filter, as well as a modelled MS20 filter and an Oberheim Xpander filter. The same filter is also used for Basement Arts Frantic VST filter effect. Both well worth trying out, in my opinion... "

So I went looking and found ASynth on KVR. I clicked on the download link and ended up on Antti's VST plugin page, with samples and downloads. Title link takes you there. Thanks to polardark for taking the time to comment.

at 1/11/2006 12:06:00 AM

Title link takes you to a composer profile on Elain Radigue. Via Music Thing.

at 1/11/2006 12:04:00 AM

Title link takes you to more shots, info and samples. Via Music Thing.

at 1/11/2006 12:02:00 AM

Samples and more shots after hop. Via Moogulator.

""The Pig" is a very simple, little synth with 2 VCO's, 1 voltage controlled state var Filter, two Attack-Release Generators, VCA (of course), 2 LFO's (one of them with audio freq) and two 8-step sequencers.
The first sequencer modulates the two VCO's, the second one is for filter modulation.
After all, this little synth provides "slide" and a 8-step trigger sequencer for the latter function. Thus, as simple this machine is, it sounds astonishing complex, because of some little more features like cross modulation or LFO-modulation of the VCSFV with the audio-LFO."

at 1/11/2006 12:00:00 AM

Title link takes you to a few more. The Roland HS60 is a Juno 106 with built in speakers.

at 1/10/2006 01:00:00 PM

Title link takes you to some shots of the Korg MS2000 sent my way by David Tegerdine. All those knobs below look like a mini Jedi fight to me (yeah, I'm a dweeb). Thanks David!

at 1/10/2006 10:49:00 AM

Amdek Rhythm Machine on the bay. I have no affiliate with the sale, just haven't seen one of these before.

According to Fiercefish on AH
"I have one and would describe it as similar to a DR-55 in operation but between an 808 and 606 in sound, the bass drum in particular is excellent and can be adjusted via an internal trimpot for extended Boooooooooooooooooooooooooooooom's, the snare is very 606 sounding but with a bit more bite and the hats are simply superb very sophisticated sounding. Mine has mods for trigger ins, trig outs, sync in, sync out, accent out and more planned, it integrates with my Blacet modular very well."