Lot's of Knobs

Title link takes you to more Waldorf Q shots via this auction.

via Loscha.

Synthmaster

Trip. When I had severe GAS (Gear Aquisition Syndrome), I used to have these dreams where I'd walk into a pawn shop and see all these bizarre and obscure synths. Sometimes they were rare models of Oberheims and Rolands, etc, but usually they were obscure synths from manufacturers I've never seen before. Right before I was waking from the dream, I'd think if I only grab one I might be able to take it to the other side. : ) If you ever had dreams like this you probably know what I'm talking about.

Well, when I saw the Synthmaster post on sequencer.de, I had that same feeling, like I just walked into a pawn shop of obscure synths in dream land. There are a ton of bizarre and obscure synths I've never seen or heard of before. Looks like he brought them over from the other side. Click here for more.

Pictured above top down: E-Pro Minisynth, Firstman FS-4V       Polysynth, and Antares 1.

Synths on Synthmaster:
Antares 1
E-Pro Minisynth and Spirit - this looks like the Crumar Spirit to me.
CRB Daimond Vocostrings Ser.1, Ser. 2
Crumar Spirit, Compac Synth
Conn Electrik Band
Elka Accordion Synth Soloist 505
Excelsior Digital Synth, EK 4
Excelsior EK 4
Firstman SQ-01, FS-4V Polysynth
Jen Synx 508
Keytek CTS 5000, 2000, 1000, 400
Paia System 4700
Powertran Transcendent Polysynth, Transcendent 2000, Transcendent Variation
Pulser M 75
Salamander SMS 400
Skyline Orchestra
Steelphon S 900
Stramp Synchanger 2
Welson Syntex

Jordan Rudess Shot

Found this one on the-gas-station. Title link takes you to Jordan Rudess' site.

Synth Legends Symposium DVD

via AudioMIDI

"If the Musical Instrument industry had rock stars, there's no doubt that Bob Moog, Tom Oberheim, and Dave Smith would be in the Hall of Fame. These men are as beloved by electronic musicians as Les Paul and Leo Fender are to guitar players. The recent death of industry legend Bob Moog brings into even greater focus the impact these men have had on music in the last three decades. And as interest in these "retro" instruments grows it seemed like a great time to bring together these "Synth Legends"; to speak about their accomplishments, tell some stories, and talk about what they have planned for the future.

Russ Jones, owner of audioMIDI.com, brought together his longtime friends, former competitors, and former partners to create a memorable night. The panel was moderated by Roger Linn, a synth legend in his own right and he set the warm, lighthearted tone for the evening. Each presenter spent about 15 to 20 minutes giving a brief history of their respective careers and how they initially got involved in creating the products that changed the MI business and what they are doing presently as well as their views of the future. Then the Q&A panel was formed and Marcus Ryle, former design engineer at Oberheim and co-founder of Line 6, joined in.

See the video and hear from these "Synth Legends" as they offer insights into music making past, present, and future. Also see the warmth and humor that was Bob Moog in his last public appearance."

Bob Moog, Tom Oberheim, Dave Smith and Roger Linn going left to right, top down.

Update via Brent Hoover in the comments:

There was some mixup and Kevin finally got a hold of us and we are straightening it out. Russ never got an email from Kevin (which I am probably to blame for since I'm the IT guy too). The cover was done by Axel Hartmann (of the Hartmann Neuron and art design of most Waldorf synths) who I don't believe would knowingly use copywritten material without taking care of it, he hates having his stuff stolen too. So apologies to Kevin and I am sure it will get worked out to his satisfaction.

As to why its American-centric is because the event was really made up of people that Russ knew personally. He worked at Oberheim in the beginning and thus came into contact with Roger, David, Tom, Bob, and Marcus. Marcus, David, Roger and Bob (until he passed away) we still dealt with all the time cuz we still sold their products. So it was not so much American-centric as Russ-centric. And not being a rich company I don't know if we could have afforded to fly and house someone from Japan (everyone else came on their own nickel). But we are all very much aware the contributions the Japanese have made to electronic music.

The point being that this was a labor of love and we are so in the hole on this we will probably never make a profit, but that was never the point. It was to contribute in our own way since we don't make synths and utilize Russ' unique relationship with all these guys.

So I sincerely hope people enjoy the DVD though we wish the sound was better (its a long story) but its a unique opportunity to really see and hear the people behind the famous gear. I know its easy to be cynical about a retailers motivations (and I certainly would) but if you spend all your times at big retailers, you might be suprised about how many others of us are in it for the love of music, because it's certainly not making me or Russ rich men (although I do have a very nice studio).

Brent Hoover - Webmaster - audioMIDI.com

These views expressed are my own and do not reflect anyone elses including Russ, audioMIDI.com, or Fox Television.

ps. I heart Matrixsynth and read it almost every day. I don't know how you do it."

Thanks! : )

Carbon111 Bathes

Title link takes you to Carbon111's site. : )

Carbon111 takes a bath.

Tali

Brain to CV Converter

This one via Andrew aka drewtoothpaste. Thought this was pretty funny. Why isn't he smiling? Yeah, I prefer knobs as well. Title link takes you to Toothpaste for Dinner where this shot comes from. Thanks Andrew!

TENORI-ON Report

Remember Toshio Iwai and the Tenori-on?. Looks there is a Tenori-on blog with info, pics, video and more. The blog was set up by One Tonne Music. Title link takes you there; also added to my blog roll on the right.



via CDM. BTW, do check out the CDM post for more on Toshio Iwai.

Glitchsim - Video Synthesis

Although my posts are mainly about audio synthesizers, every now and then I see something that interests me on the video synthesizer and circuit bending front. GetLoFi has an interesting post up on Glitchsim, an artist that bends old video equipment.

"I have started modifying secondhand and obsolete video tools to create my own tools. By making my own tools I create the image together with the tools. I let technology play an important role by bringing the mistakes and imperfections of the tool to the front."

Title link takes you to the post on GetLoFi including links to more info, video, pics and more.

New World Order - New Flickr Shot

flickr by insane jane.

MSIC Synths - New Flickr Shot

flickr by jo co.

Anyone know what that red box is? I'm thinking Red Square, but not sure. Also what's to the right of it and to the left of what looks like a Juno 6/60? Sherman Quad filter? Click image for a larger shot.

Update: Ortho thinks the red box could be an Oberkorn Sequencer. Definitely could be. You can see images of both the Oberkorn and Red Square on this sequencer.de page.

Sync Analog Sequencer and Arpeggiator on YouTube

Fun with a Roland Juno-6.

CMS - ARP Odyssey Upgrades & Restorations

Title link takes you to the ARP Odyssey Upgrades & Restoration page on Phil Cirocco's CMS site. If you haven't been to CMS, you owe it to yourself to check it out. It is probably the richest ARP site out there. You might also recognize Phil from The Novachord Restoration Project.

filter - New Flickr Shots

flickr by Heath Finnie. Click here for more shots of the EML 100.

Update via Heath in the comments: "I'm actually selling it for $1,400. Or trading it for a Waldorf Q (or XTK plus a little cash)"

If you are interested just post in the comments and I'll make sure he gets it.

Xpander With Black Wood Ends by James R. Coplin

Remember this post? James just sent in this shot of an Xpander with black wood ends he created. Very nice.

BTW, if you are interested in having James create something for your synth, you can contact him here.

Earsmack Studio

Shot of earsmack's studio. Title link takes you to earsmack.com with the list of gear.

Bob Moog Demos the Voyager Prototype

Title link takes you to a Real Media video of Bob Moog introducing the prototype Voyager. Clip courtesy of zZounds.

The Stylophone

Hmm... Move over Buchla Multi-Dimensional Kinesthetic Input Port. I want one of these. I think I need to hit the local Value Villages again. Maybe I'll find a Thunder sitting with the toasters. Remember, always check the toaster section.

Tite link takes you to more on the Stylophone on Retro Thing.

Update via the comments: "I have two of the little buggers, one black and one white. The main difference, apart from the color, is that the white one is an octave higher than the black one."

Update2 via solipsistnation in the comments: "There are a few versions, actually. I had a black one, a white one, and a woodtone one, and the black was an octave lower and the woodtone had a slightly different timbre from either. It's a really simple little circuit, and it went through a bunch of iterations. Each version is slightly different.

I bought 2 of mine from this guy, and I highly recommend his refurbished Stylophones:

http://www.stylophone.co.uk/

Plus he has loads of info. Check out the 350S!"

RSF Kobol Schematics

Title link takes you to them. Via synth ollie.

Ion Shadows - New Flickr Shots

Flickr by NoNightSweats. These are shots of PhilT's setup. Title link takes you to more including an ARP Odyssey.

PhilT's sites:
sydney post-punk
a slow rip

Moog Factory - New Flickr Shots

flicky by minimoog7000. Title link takes you to more.

Update. This top shot is the prototype Voyager shown in Winter NAMM 2000: link.

Aliens Project Happy Knobbing 2006 Shots

Title link takes you there. Click on the "zu den Bildern.." link to get to the gallery. Via sequencer.de.

Rob Papen's Albino 3 Released

"There are loads of amazing new creative features added like the two new filters "Scream" and "Comb"; four FX units with new FX like LoFi and WahWah; a Compressor and an improved Reverb. But the biggest new feature is that you can layer up to four instances of Albino in one single preset!"

Title link takes you to more info.

Sonic State Podcasts

I didn't realise Sonic State started doing podcasts. The second one just came out. Title link takes you to there. There's a link to the first one at the bottom of the page.

"Our second round-table discussion once again with Andy Jones and Dave Spiers ranges in topics from monitor choice – Dave have just bought a pair of ADAM monitors and wants a Roland D50, Andy wants something like the Lemur polyphonic touchscreen but not quite and the best and worst of Ebay. We also talk of Imgoen Heap, Thomas Dolby, Russian synths, EML Polybox, Daves enormous synth collection, the Optigon and a few grumpy words on ringtones and more."

New Source of Inspiration

This one in via Paul. A new kid introduced to the world of synths. : ) Just make sure to keep those volume levels low. Hmm... That's one nice pillow. Title link takes you to more gear shots. Thanks Paul!

NI Traktor MIDI controller - New Flickr Shots

flickr by fibra. Title link takes you to more.

Keith Emerson Band at Ramshead Tavern - New Flickr Shots

flickr by gerenm. Title link takes you to more.

Solvent Bunnies 300 - New Flickr Shot

flickr by burnlab.

Update: Link to Burnlab.

Update2: One more Solvent flyer via Deathlab featuring Solvent and a synth below. Anyone know what that is? Tip via gerald in the comments.

A King with a Polivoks - New Flickr Shot

flickr by polaranta. Gotta love WC Olo Garb.

Prophet64 First Impressions and Knob Mod on GetLoFi

Title link takes you there.

Hiromi (上原ひろみ) - Kung-Fu World Champion

Awesome. Ever since I saw Hiromi featured in Keyboard Magazine, I've been meaning to check her out, but never seem to get a chance. Create Digital Music put up a post with a link to this video. It features a Nord Lead 2. Title link takes you to the post on CDM with more info and links on Hiromi. Great stuff.

Moogerfoogers - New Flickr Shots

flickr by chaircrusher. Click here for more.

Upate via chaircrusher in the comments:
"The band in question is called Blizzards of Wizzards, and they're kind of post-rock-esque.
Anyone with a free flickr account can log in and look at larger sizes...
For the record, the guitar setup comprised:
EH Linear Power Booster
EH Microsynth
Roland CV Pedal
Moogerfooger Lowpass
Moogerfooger 12 Stage Phaser
Moogerfooger Ring Mod
Moogerfooger Analog Delay
2nd Roland CV Pedal
Ibanez Analog Delay
Moogerfooger Control Processor
He had a pretty expensive amp as well -- a Mesa Boogie IIRC.
There are a couple of pics of the keyboardist in the set, I didn't take any gear geek pics though. He had a JX3P (with the knob box) a Wurlitzer Electric Piano, and one of the Yamaha CS series keyboards."

EAR on YouTube

celebrity custom rig test 1


celebrity custom rig test 2


celebrity custom rig test 3


celebrity custom rig test 4


celebrity custom rig test 5


celebrity custom rig test 6


Initial testing and burn in of the EAR Performance Synth. FSOL in the background in Test 3. Title link takes you to the set on YouTube..

Update: Try launching each video in a row above for some fun modular multi-tracking. Click the Play icons to launch each.

Joe's Modular Synthesizer Video

I previously posted on Joe's Modular Synthesizer site, but either I missed the video or it's been added since I last posted. It's pretty amazing. Title link takes you there.

EAR Performance System

Remember this post? Title link takes you to shots of the EAR Performance System debuted by NIN.

Catgirl Synth

I previously posted on Ken Stone's Catgirl Synth (CGS). I was reading the Analog Renaissance article by Electronic Musician and noticed that CGS was featured along with this shot. Now that would be one cool module to have in your modular. I couldn't find a higher res shot, so if you find one please comment and I'll update the post with it. Title link takes you to the CGS site.

Rockets-Ideomatic (Live)

Features an EDP Wasp. Via Dennis Verschoor (gear, music)
Update via sneakthief in the comments: "one of the "doctors" is playing the EDP Spider sequencer that goes along with the wasp. heheh." Nice, I was wondering what that was.
Update via the comments: "they also play the EH mini synthesizer. Cool stuff, i've always loved The rockets - even when Sal Solo from Classix Nouveaux became the singer" and "...and of course the simmons sds-v drum set :-D"

Analog Renaissance on Electronic Musician Online

Click here for an 861kb pdf of the Analog Renaissance article in Electronic Musician. The article features the Cyndustries ZeroOscillator, pictured.

Via John Loffnick on the Cyndustries mailing list. You might recognize John Loffnick of The Microtonal Synthesis Web Site and The Wavemakers Synthesizer Web Site.

BTW, I love it when magazines put full articles online. Thank you Electronic Musician.

The Appreciation Post

This one in via Roger Lussier of The Appreciation Post.

"I play moog synthesizers for Boston indie-rock superstars The Appreciation Post. We're getting quite a following up and down the east coast.

I play a Moog Source and a Realistic MG-1 and the pure analog sound just can not be beat. Our singer also used a Sonic Six (which he has since sold) to record a cover of rod stewarts "some guys have all the luck" which you can hear on our Purevolume page. Every sound except vocals was made by the sonic six, even the 'drums.' So, check it out, tell me what you think."

I did and I think I like it. : ) BTW, before I get bombarded with MySpace sites, I only put stuff up that has something interesting about a particular synth or synths. In this case there were two things - the shot and a track featuring nothing but a Sonic Six. It's always a cool surprise when I like the music as well. Thanks Roger.

Yamaha CS60 on Synthwire

Looks like Carbon111 got his Yamaha CS60. Title link takes you to the post on Synthwire including more shots. I'm looking forward to the samples.

Arturia's Analog Factory Demo Online

Just saw this one on One Blue Monkey. Title link takes you to the demo download page. The best thing? No dongle required. Thank you Arturia.

My Doepfer A-100 - New Flickr Shot

flickr by Luca Capozzi. Serge VCS in there as well. Note this is not my A-100, it's Luca's, although I am thinking about one... : )

Update via Luca in the comments:
"ehehe i'm glad you like it :) check also my new entries on YouTube here. Whole A-100 test video here."

Excellent. And I almost didn't post this one because I thought I had too many Flickr shots going up. You never know what you might find. Thanks Luca!

Korg Electribe ER-1 - New Flickr Shots

flickr by Ethan Callender. Title link takes you to more. I love how clean and light these shots look.

Simultaneously Playing Two Waveforms on an MS10?

David of DVDBorn, posted this one on AH, but no one replied. If you have an MS10, MS20, or MS50 feel free to comment. I don't so I couldn't check myself.

"I never saw this mentioned before. I found out that it's possible to use 2 waveforms simultaneously with the MS10.

It needs a bit of finesse but it will work. You'll have to place the Waveform selector switch in between 2 waveforms. There's a sweet spot in there where you'll hear the 2 waveforms at the same time. This means that you can have triangle + Saw, Saw + PWM or PWM + Noise.

The Saw + PWM setting is quite beefy for bass sounds.

I guess this will also apply to the MS20 and MS50.

David
http://dvdborn.blogspot.com"

A6 Banker

Patch Bank Software for the Andromeda A6.

Send and receive:
individual Programs and Programs Banks
individual Mixes and Mix Banks
Global data dumps
Rename new in version 1.40:
individual Programs and Programs Banks
individual Mixes and Mix Banks
Split new in version 1.40:
Programs Banks
Mix Banks
Initialize Mix with user-definable defaults new in version 1.40
XP Themes supported new in version 1.40
Read and write standard SysEx files
Easy to use

Title link takes you there.

Moog Updates

A couple of bits from the June 19th Moog News Letter.

-New Little Phatty Samples are up: link.
-The Little Phatty goes into production on July 19. Hand built.
- Wendy Carlos' Switched on Bach Honored by the Library of Congress - Librarian of Congress names 50 recordings to the 2005 National Recording Registry including Switched on Bach: "'This meticulously recorded album introduced the Moog synthesizer to a much wider audience than it had previously reached. Many of the separate synthesizer voices on the album were recorded to tape individually and carefully mixed to create the final product. After the recording, Bob Moog’s musical circuitry enjoyed an enormous boom. Within a decade the synthesizer was well established in the idioms of rock music, dance music and Western art music. Wendy Carlos went on to record several more well-crafted Bach recordings.'"

For those of you in New York this Wednesday, here's your chance to see a Little Phatty before anyone else:
"6/21/2006 5:00:00 PM - 6/21/2006 6:00:00 PM

Sam Ash and Moog Music cordially invite you to attend a special demonstration of Moog products by Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater, accomplished solo artist) and Roger O'Donnell (Formerly of the Cure and now with a new solo album, The Truth in Me).

The demonstration will include the latest new product from Moog Music, the Little Phatty Analog Synthesizer. This will be the first in-store demonstration of this soon-to-be released product.

For more info, contact Sam Ash.

Download Map."

Also:
"Moog Music has introduced a new photo gallery called Uniquely Moog: A Pictorial Journey. To be supplied by Moog subscriber submissions, we hope that it will grow quickly. Send in your photos to help build up the gallery. We are looking for creative images with the only prerequisite being that are Moog-centric. Take a look at a few current examples. Please send images to jared[]moogmusic.com"

And finally:
"The Lothars will headline the Saturday night concert, August 5, 2006.

Well respected in the theremin community, the Lothars promise to entertain. We are very excited to bring them to Asheville.

For more information about them, check out their website- The Lothars.

Most importantly, visit Moog Music to read more about this event and register today!"

Devine Machine

"Born from the ideas of two music professionals who were unsatisfied with the current loop software, Devine Machine VSTi allows you to spontaneously and effortlessly explore the possibilities from loops you already own.



Hundreds of presets allow you to create variation on any loop with a single click. Drum mode allows you to have loops match precisely with independant control over groove, tempo, and score."

Via Doktor Future in the comments of this post. They also make Minion, previously posted here.

Glitch

"Glitch chops up your audio in real-time and applies a variety of effects which can either be chosen at random, manually sequenced, or a mixture of both. The sounds it generates range from quite subtle to extremely bizarre, depending on how much you tweak the controls." Title link takes you to more info and samples.