MATRIXSYNTH

at 6/04/2006 09:23:00 AM

Title link takes you there.

at 6/04/2006 09:22:00 AM

Rember the Screamers here and here?

All synth punk band from the early 80s. Click play to launch.

at 6/04/2006 09:21:00 AM

flickr by roland.

at 6/04/2006 09:20:00 AM

"Who is to blame for the creative collapse of Ethiopian music? The Communist regime and the synthesizer. The Communist government, which carried out a military coup in the mid-seventies, marked American soul music, which more than anything else had fueled the musical blossoming in Addis Ababa, as the music of the enemy, persecuted the musicians who continued to remain loyal to it, and directed the entire preoccupation with music to military-patriotic channels. The synthesizer, which captured the market in the 1990s, turned the wind instruments, the source of the vitality of modern Ethiopian music, into superfluous objects, and enabled untrained musicians, who were often untalented as well, to issue discs at one-tenth the price demanded previously. Abate Barihon calls the synthesizer "the cancer of Ethiopian music," thus expressing the feelings of many. "At a certain point, a few years before I left Addis, the entire city suddenly became filled with the cancers," he says."

Title link takes you to the full article. Via Synthtopia News.

at 6/03/2006 02:50:00 AM

Title link takes you to the building process including more shots and samples.

Update via Sneak Thief in the comments:

"It sounds good because the ASM-2, synthesizers.com & several CGS modules are based on a series of DIY plans released in the early 70's electronics publication called Electronotes: http://electronotes.netfirms.com/

In 1975 the authors of Electronotes, Bernie Hutchins, wrote a book called the "Musical Engineer's Handbook" - both the Electronotes series and this book have basically been the reference and inspiration for a good portion of todays modular synths.

In fact, Don Buchla, Bob Moog and Serge Tcherepnin were all subscribers to Electronotes and were definitely inspired by the schematics, and even contributed their own to the magazine.

I would even go so far to say that almost every current modular manufacturer has "borrowed" designs from the Electronotes series ; )"

at 6/03/2006 02:49:00 AM

What you are looking at is a CPU replacement board for the Rhodes Chroma created by Sandro Sfregola and David Clarke. Title link takes you to more info and shots on The Rhodes Chroma site. More vintage synths could use a group like this; I am continually blown away by them. I wouldn't be surprised if a poly-aftertouch kit came next.

at 6/03/2006 02:48:00 AM

Title link takes you to shots pulled from this auction.

via Brian Comnes.

at 6/03/2006 02:47:00 AM

flickr by Julio Martinez. BTW, if you are ever curious why these shots are title as such, click through the title link and see for yourself.

at 6/03/2006 02:46:00 AM

Title link takes you to a 27.2M mp3. Right click and save. Also saved off here. Great stuff. Enjoy. : )

at 6/03/2006 02:45:00 AM

Title link takes you to a 1.51M mp3 of the Polymoog by Heath Finnie.

Update via Heath in the comments:

"I have since done a better clip of it here

http://www.heathfinnie.com/media/polymoog2.mp3"

at 6/02/2006 07:38:00 PM

Nice shot of the Buchla Electric Music Box pulled from this VSE thread.

Also check out this shot.

Update via electricmusicbox.com in the comments:

"When I owned that case & a few of the modules in it, it was a half-working, chipped-laminate sad excuse for a system (though I made some great sounding music on it). After 5 years I tore out my favorite modules & sold it for 3 times what I paid for it. When it fell into the hands of "anonymous," it was transformed into a better-than-catalog version of itself. Long live the Buchla underground railroad."

at 6/02/2006 03:04:00 PM

Title link takes you there. Love the Hoover sample for some reason. : )

via Brian Comnes.

at 6/02/2006 02:57:00 PM

Title link takes you to more info. The board adds the following as well:

* Midi input and output
* Two analog outputs, can be used to midi control for example filter cutoff etc.
* One analog input, have not decided what to use it for. Maybe to send
midi data from pitchbend or modwhweel, or other analog signal

It's great to see people working on things that will bring new life to the old classics. There's the Juno 106 replacement ICs, the Old Crow's Polysix battery fix,and now this. Very cool.

at 6/02/2006 02:47:00 PM

And it's a synth one. Title link takes you to another shot and more info.

at 6/02/2006 08:33:00 AM

Title link takes you to more info on Sequencer.de.

at 6/02/2006 01:27:00 AM

A rack full of EAR, all for NIN. Title link takes you to a couple more shots.

Upate via rewire in the comments:

"I was over at Peter Grenader's this weekend while they were building and assembling this. Many modules in there are custom prototypes. I was surprised to learn it is not indended to be played by a keyboard, only triggered by a click track to play sequences."

at 6/02/2006 12:05:00 AM

Title link takes you to shots pulled from this auction.

via Brian Comnes.

at 6/02/2006 12:04:00 AM

Remember the Minisonic 2? Well, this is the original Minisonic. Title link takes you to the Minisonic Synth Site with more info, images and samples. Thanks Kris!

at 6/02/2006 12:03:00 AM

Title link takes you to #002 for sale (pictured) at Big City music which states only 13 were made. I didn't realize so few were produced.

I sent Big City Music an email asking about it and they quickly replied with the following:

"First Wowa Cwejman designed the S1 a few years ago. Later came the S1 Mk-II, which is very much the same synth with a few improvements.

Last year Wowa designed the S2, which is an entirely different synth, with two oscillators instead of 3 and no patch points, etc. The S2 did not sell well, despite the fact that it is a phenomenal sounding synth. Because it did not sell well it was discontinued. With only 13 made it is quite a rare synth."

at 6/02/2006 12:02:00 AM

Title link takes you to a short BBC video clip on modelling Mona Lisa's voice. It reminded me of the buzz behind physical modelling when it first came out. The ability to create a two story tuba and the like. I remember anticipating the Korg Prophecy and Yamaha VL1 thinking I'd be able to get lost creating these crazy physical models. Instead they came with predefined models you could tweak. It's too bad the software never allowed you to create a two story tuba or Mona Lisa's skull, but something tells me it would be a long and tiring road to actually get a peep out of something like that.

via Brian Comnes.

at 6/02/2006 12:01:00 AM

Thought this was a pretty cool looking case. The red is see through. Title link takes you to more info on GetLoFi.

at 6/02/2006 12:00:00 AM

Upcoming on BBC Radio 4. Should be available on Listen Again via the
interweb (www.bbc.co.uk/radio4):

BBC Radio 4 Saturday 3 June 2006
Sampledelica! The History Of The Mellotron
10.30-11.00am BBC Radio 4

"Launched in 1963, the Mellotron was the first music sampler - an
instrument that could capture and play back other sounds. In this
fascinating feature, which contains new interviews with Sir Paul
McCartney, Paul Weller and Tony Banks from Genesis, Mark Radcliffe
examines the history of the Mellotron and the part it played in British
pop music history.

The programme examines the history of the instrument, investigates its
impact on the music business as the earliest sampling technology and
particularly how it was adopted by bands in the early Seventies
progressive rock era. Tony Banks, the keyboardist with Genesis, talks of
his love/hate relationship with the instrument, which proved notoriously
difficult to take on the road. Other contributions come from Andy
Partridge and David Gregory of XTC, Ian McDonald, the keyboardist from
King Crimson, and Justin Haywood from The Moody Blues, who famously used
the instrument on Nights In White Satin."

via Jordan Gibson on AH

at 6/01/2006 10:10:00 AM

Title link takes you to shots of Dennis Verschoor's custom Oberheim Two Voice Modular. There's also a nice shot of someone's racked two voice. I saved the shots for when the thread dissapears into the ether, here: dennis, racked.

at 6/01/2006 01:47:00 AM

via this auction

via sizone in the comments of this post: "not related, but here's the link to an eml on ebay, cat included in one of the shots"

Thanks sizone.

Update via nick in the comments:

"I've got a 100 and 101. The blue is very pretty though can get a lot of nicks and dings in it over the years. The 101 aluminum(?) has all the legends etched and paint filled so it won't show wear like the 100's white painted legends on metallic blur.

Correct that the 101 has a ring mod and S&H. It has some diffferent waves and the different filter uniquely does LP->BP->HP->BR->LP using a pot rather than the 101 who's filter pot does LP->BP->HP. The 100 since it has slightly less features has some slightly more sensible jacks up top. Those familiar with the 101 will notice it's not quite as patched out as the first impression it gives."

at 6/01/2006 01:22:00 AM

Well, tomato juice, sea salt and some other stuff. Title link takes you there, including a video.

at 6/01/2006 12:15:00 AM

CASIO CZ230-S. Title link takes you to another shot. Via sequencer.de.

at 6/01/2006 12:10:00 AM

flickr by arnehepp. Title link takes you to another shot.

at 6/01/2006 12:05:00 AM

flickr by Skyphone. Title link takes you to another.

at 6/01/2006 12:00:00 AM

Title link takes you to another one synth sample by memo on VSE, also saved here for posterity. Great sample.

at 5/31/2006 12:23:00 AM

"Welcome to my pages on Vintage synthesizer restoration. On these pages I aim to have information on synthesizer restoration, links to parts, manuals, schematics and so on. I have been reading electronics sporadically since way back in the 90´s and I always was the kid who fixed my neighbors TV set or VCR. So naturally I started to open up my synthesizers as well and started investigating how these machines worked and what parts they used and so on. My interest in restoring these machines does not stop at getting them back to life, I also like to cosmetically enhance these instruments either back to their original state or to do some custom work on them."

Title link takes you there. Walkthroughs and tons of shots. Pretty cool. Man I want a PPG after seeing this.

at 5/31/2006 12:22:00 AM

If you haven't been checking out CDM lately, you've been missing some great coverage of Cybersonica 2006 like this device that plays scrps of torn paper. Yep... Title link takes you there. BTW, I love the tagging system on CDM, you can click on the cybersonica link and get all of the posts tagged with it. I wish Blogger had this.

at 5/31/2006 12:21:00 AM

"This MicroSynth purposely uses old electronic toys with the main sound modules being 2 toy rayguns from 1980, made by Kuson."

Cute synth. Title link takes you to more shots and info on GetLoFi.

at 5/31/2006 12:20:00 AM

Remember Ciat Lonbarde? He now has a paper circuit now. Title link takes you there. Sound samples will come. Via Subtle Noise Maker.

at 5/31/2006 12:18:00 AM

Resonating rice. Amazing. Via Music Thing. BTW, Tom thinks this video is spooky but has an even spookier video on his post. I don't know, I thought this video was pretty cool. That other video, though. Scared the crap out of me. So much so I won't post it here; you need to go there to see it. Freaky, freaky stuff I tell yeah - can't believe I actually watched the whole thing. Thanks Tom.

Update via the comments (thought this was pretty funny):

"Doktor Future said...
This is so good. I'm happy to see that humanity is so close to discovering anti-gravity and personal psycho-shields.

On another note, it would be cool if there'd be a movie where the dead communicate with resonance patterns. Sort of like that lame 'EVP - Electronic Voice Phenomenon', but this would be 'URC - Undead Rice Communicator'."

at 5/31/2006 12:17:00 AM

Shots pulled from this post on craigslist. Details below.

Details:

"This is a completely assembled and working modular synth.

( Those unfamiliar with Formant may wish to google-search for background.
Search "Formant Modular" or "Elektor Formant" )

They were kits that hardcore electronic wizards assembled. This one has been built by a professional electronic technician and I have never seen so much attention to detail paid to the soldering, wiring layout and assembly. The builder was totally anal about putting this together.

This is a complete "Book 1" Kit, all hard-wired in a cabinet with a keyboard.
3 x VCO (multi-waveforms out)
3 x LFO (multi-waveforms out)
1 x VCA
2 x VCF
1 x RFM (parametric eq)
1 x COM (main output with bass, treble and mid eq)
2 x Ring Modulators
With patch-cables and connector for 61-note keyboard that has portmento and vibrato.

A 2x8 sequencer is also included. The synth itself is hardwired, meaning you don't need patch cables to make sounds. But you can add patch cables for extra deep modulation, sweeps, etc.

The VCFs cover the full range of Moog, Arp and Oberheim sounds via the LP, HP, BP and Notch selectable filters. In addition, there are unique sounds that the Formant is good at that I have never heard out of any other synthesizer.

It is basically (more than) equal to a Minimoog or Arp 2600, but allows deep depth for those wishing to create complex and layered custom synthesizer sounds like a filter sweep that goes on for days and days and days.

$2500 Firm."

NOTE: This is not for sale via Matrixsynth. Just pulled the details for reference and posterity. If you are interested in the unit, click on the title link and contact the seller.

at 5/31/2006 12:16:00 AM

Title link takes you to more shots by Jason Proctor. This one is up for sale; if interested contact Jason.

at 5/31/2006 12:15:00 AM

Title link takes you to shots pulled from this auction. There is a great shot of the back side of the MPG-80. After seeing it I realized I've never seen the back side before. It's also a table top unit to my surprise; I've only seen the MPG racked before.

at 5/31/2006 12:10:00 AM

Synthesizers.com clone of the Moog 960. Title link takes you to the post on Sequencer.de.

at 5/31/2006 12:05:00 AM

flikcr by gentle bakemono. Title link takes you to more.

at 5/31/2006 12:00:00 AM

Title link takes you to an AN1X demo by Zamise on VSE, also saved off here. Be careful, there are some high resonance squeals at the end.

at 5/30/2006 09:52:00 AM

I recently received an email from Felix Martin of Hot Chip. I was flattered to find that he reads this blog. I heard of Hot Chip in passing but hadn't checked them out until now. Good stuff that really grows on you. Watch this video a couple of times and you'll see what I mean. You can also check them out on MySpace and thier official site. Felix and the rest of the band are very into synths and keys. They use a number of them including a Casiotone MT-70, Fender Rhodes Mark II, Teisco 60-F, MicroKorg, Roland SH-101, Moog MURF, Elektron Machinedrum and Akai MPC1000. Check out the Teisco in the video. I never realized they were that small! Also, love the red balloon scene in the video. : )

"we are appearing on the jools holland music show this friday on BBC2 if you are able to tune in, playing all the stuff mentioned above. also, the Over and Over video features some of the gear but is very obviously mimed!"

Felix goes on to say, "I have studio in london as well which is filled with odd old synths, including a modified Pro-5 that used to belong to the BBC symphony orchestra - will take some pictures soon and send them in"

Can't wait. Thanks for sending this in Felix.

at 5/30/2006 12:45:00 AM

Click play button to launch. Ok, I might be stretching this one as "Everything Synth" but a computer drives it so, I'm guessing you can control it somehow via MIDI and your synths. Just be sure it's your outdoor studio.

More videos. Title link takes you to Infernoptix.com with more info, images and videos.

BTW, remember the rave kids killing their eardrums up against the speakers in their little trance dance worship of the bass?... Well, just keep these up high if you plan to use 'em...

at 5/30/2006 12:24:00 AM

Now this is pretty cool.

Title link takes you to a page on the instruments used by Doug Wyatt on his The Dream of "I." What's great about it is you can click on an instrument and hear it played solo followed by in the track. It's an interesting exercise in that you actually get to hear how a particular synth sounds solo vs. in the given track. Some just sound odd until you hear them in context. Great stuff. Make sure to track back and check out the rest of Doug's site while there.

Update via the comments:
"Doug Wyatt is also the main developer behind OMS at Opcode, back in the OS9 days, and also CoreMIDI/CoreAudio at Apple on OSX. Brilliant guy, and responsible for making some essential tools for sequencing and audio on the Mac."

at 5/30/2006 12:23:00 AM

Throbbing Gristle, Moog and more. Via Sequencer.de. Update: You can pick up a DVD here

MODULATIONS Vol. 1

MODULATIONS Vol. 2

MODULATIONS Vol. 3

MODULATIONS Vol. 4

You can pick up a DVD here

at 5/30/2006 12:10:00 AM

flickr by Jyoti Mishra. Click here for more.

at 5/30/2006 12:10:00 AM

Title link takes you to shots also saved here. BTW, this is up for sale for 1400 euro by Dennis Vershoor. email if interested.

at 5/30/2006 12:09:00 AM

Shot pulled from craigslist. Circa 1982 according to the listing. Anyone know what model this is?

Update via the comments:

"Jexus / Polaranta said...
It's CT-403 :)"

at 5/30/2006 12:08:00 AM

Via Suit & Tie Guy.

I aksed Suit & Tie Guy what was left of the 909:
"ha. a craptastic behringer submixer used to sum the 101 and 303 and overdrive the fuck out of them. i mean, his name _is_ Distortech, right?

I'm a bit amused with the video because it's like, this is where real rave is at now: a small party at someone's studio with some cheap disco lights from Target.

so on one hand it's kind of silly because we have these crappy lights and it's quite obviously a project studio in an ancient storefront but on the other hand it's really cool because we're having a blast just like it was 91 and the hoover just hit us or something.

that night i heard some of the most bizarre heterodyning coming outta that tiny little mixer. the 101 and 303 may or may not have had any kind of tuning relevance to one another, which definitely contributed to the effect."

at 5/30/2006 12:07:00 AM

Shot pulled from this auction. Note it is different than this one, although the video in the auction is the same. Also note that the Soundbeam logo is the same as the logo in these updated Soundbeams. If you know more about this, feel free to comment.

According to the EMS History page the Soundbeam was designed by Richard Monkhouse (Digital & Video design:1972 - 1975), however it was not manufactured until after Edward Williams took over EMS assests in 1984. According the site EMS (London) folded in 1979, their assets were bought by Datanomics who owned them from 1980 to 1984, followed by Edward Williams when the Soundbeam was made.

via Torsten Keppeler.