Title link takes you to a post on VSE with some samples. Also saved here for when the VSE thread goes into limbo.
Monday, July 10, 2006
Cwejman Modular Samples
Title link takes you to a post on VSE with some samples. Also saved here for when the VSE thread goes into limbo.
Aries Music Website
Title link takes you to a great Aries Music website with tons of info, pics and a 1978 price list. Via the comments of this post.
Yamaha SK50D Product Sheet
Title link takes you to the full scan. Via the comments of this post."I have a Yamaha SK50d. It's an organ synth (with surprisingly good leslie-ish option), poly synth, string synth and one-osc wicked mono synth in one. With two damn keyboards. And you can layer stuff all over the place. Individual outs for each part."
Sunday, July 09, 2006
ntm - New Flickr Shot
Another via devowski. I'm begining to wonder when I might actually run into one of these in public. BTW, if you ever run into one of these or other in public and have a digital camera handy, send me a picture and I'll put up a post. I'll call it Synthspotting.Update via devowski in the comments:
"lately ive just been painting in upstate new york and ontario, as well as on freight trains which go all over the continent. i do however have a few of these guys hanging out in sweden and france.
for the love of synths indeed.
if anyone is interested in a painting or something id gladly sell or trade. "
Used Analog Gear Prices Going Down?
Ok, is it just me or has anyone else noticed old gear being let go for less than a year or two ago? I recently saw a Roland SH-101 listed for $375, a Kawai SX240 for $200 and now this, a Roland Juno 106 for $275. Title link takes you to the sale on Craigslist. I'm begining to wonder if people are dropping thier old gear in favor of new analogs, soft synths, and VAs. If this trend continues I just might get me an SH-101. : )
Casio HT-6000
I just came across this post on VSE. I grabbed the shots and put them here for posterity. I didn't realize this was a DCO based analog synth. According to Sealed's HT-6000 site, the "HT-6000 is a 4DCO analog synth with a ring modulator. VCF became polyphonic, and white/metallic noise can be controlled by an independent DCA."Title link takes you to more info including samples.
Yamaha GX-1 - New Flickr Shot
flickr by synthfanKH. Looks like synthfanKH put up a bunch of new synth shots. Title link takes you to the current set.
Custom SID - New Flickr shot
flickr via janvanvolt. Title link takes you to more shots including module faceplates.
Stolen Buchla Music Easel
Update: Click here.
Somone stole Evergreen State College's Music Easel (pictured). If you know anything please contact pbr. To the person who stole this: if you managed to sneak it out of there, sneak it back in. You suck. This is the one Easel, that those of us who can't afford, can actually hope to see one day; I was hoping to see it. Other bloggers and site owners out there who read this site, please feel free to post this as well. Maybe someone that reads your site can help.
"Yes indeed we had our wonderful easel stolen this week. I am heartbroken as it was one of my first instruments here at the college. They did not get the top, so someone has an easel without the top in their possession. We have a possible suspect who I will release his name once the cops finish their initial investigation.
Please circulate this information as widely as you can.
Thanks.
pbr"
Cwejman Modules Arrive
Title link takes you to more shots on electro-music.com.Update via the comments:
"You can find mp3s in this thread here"
Poly VL - Yamaha VL in a Soft Synth
Brian Moore dropped me a line about a Yamaha VL1 up for auction. I asked him if he had seen the VP1. He did and he mentioned that he was thinking of picking up the Yamaha S-YXG100 a softsynth with the VL physical modelling. I knew about the Korg OASYS PCI but not this. Brian sent me a couple of links (one, two) and a zip of the demo. Only thing is like the OASYS PCI it only runs on Windows 95/98. Here's the 1999 press release from Harmony Central:"February 17, 1999
Yamaha Corporation, the world' s largest manufacturer of musical instruments, today announced the development of the SoftSynthesizer Poly-VL which further enhances Yamaha’s SoftSynthesizer software for creating polyphonic sound with a Virtual Acoustic (VA) synthesizer. The Poly-VL, a plug-in module for the SoftSynthesizer S-YXG100, is designed to take advantage of the performance of Intel’ s Pentium® III processor. As a result, it can reproduce music approaching the realism of a live music performance.
"We are delighted with this development," said Yamaha Corporation President Kazukiyo Ishimura. "Thanks to the power of Intel’ s new Pentium III processor, everybody can now enjoy music in their own homes as if it is performed by real musical instruments. We will start introducing this software to all major computer manufacturers to bundle it on their new computers."
Yamaha SoftSynthesizer embodies software technology that enables the playback of MIDI data even without dedicated hardware such as an external tone generator or a sound card. At present, Yamaha has shipped over eight million units of its acclaimed SoftSynthesizer S-YXG50 for preinstallation on computers made by manufacturers worldwide.
WaveTable synthesis is widely used in musical instruments and software synthesizers, and this technology is based on playback of pre-sampled waveforms. On the other hand, Virtual Acoustic synthesis utilizes a model that builds a virtual instrument and then creates sound by simulating the behavior of sound generation in a real musical instrument. Because VA recreates the sound generating mechanism of a musical instrument itself, users can create sounds that replicate both the timbre and expression of real instruments much more closely than is possible with an ordinary synthesizer. New and unusual combinations can even be created, such as a timbre that simulates a flute with brass mouthpiece being played with a cello bow.
The new Poly-VL utilizes the power of the Pentium III processor to generate eight-voice polyphony with VA synthesis, allowing users to recreate— for example— the sound of a brass ensemble of up to eight voices, including saxes, trombones, and trumpets. The percussion and keyboard sounds that are generated using Wave Table synthesis and orchestral timbre generated with VA synthesis results in a powerfully expressive music performance."
baz 101 - New Flickr Shot
flickr by totally pixelated. Looks like someone took a scripto to it. Blasphemy...
Saturday, July 08, 2006
History of The Moog Synthesizer on YouTube
The Screen Savers: History of The Moog Synthesizer.
"Segments like this one are really what made TSS so great. Dr. Robert Moog explains his Moog synthesizer and the Etherwave Theremin, an instrument that you have to see to believe."
Not sure why it's title this as it's not really the history of the Moog synthesizer. Regardless it is definitely worth a watch.
YouTube by scorpshockey.
Juno 106s - New Flickr Shot
flickr by hinotori mortal. Juno 106s? I knew about the HS60 with built in speakers, but didn't realize Roland had a 106s. Anyone know more about this one?
Udpate via the comments:
"Apparently, it's the same as the HS-60 but with the cooler paint job. link" Scroll down when you get there.
X0XB0X Sample - VCA Distortion
Title link takes you to a 1.81M mp3 of the XOXBOX by Colin Chung. His notes below:
"Anyone notice that on the X0XB0X the output volume controls the amount of VCA distortion? When the volume pot is full up, and the reso high, I can hear a slightly distorted tone knock the volume back down to 75% and it's gone pretty cool either way - kinda like a Minimoog in that sense :)
I made a little quick demo just then first part is with volume pot at 100%, no accent and then as accent comes in, you can hear the grit. Also there is a ghost note from the accent due to a bug with v1.2 OS. I like that bug, cool shuffle feel effect :)
2nd part with volume pot at 75%, no distortion, but somehow loses the loudness and drive"
"Anyone notice that on the X0XB0X the output volume controls the amount of VCA distortion? When the volume pot is full up, and the reso high, I can hear a slightly distorted tone knock the volume back down to 75% and it's gone pretty cool either way - kinda like a Minimoog in that sense :)
I made a little quick demo just then first part is with volume pot at 100%, no accent and then as accent comes in, you can hear the grit. Also there is a ghost note from the accent due to a bug with v1.2 OS. I like that bug, cool shuffle feel effect :)
2nd part with volume pot at 75%, no distortion, but somehow loses the loudness and drive"
Friday, July 07, 2006
Threnody For Oscilloscope, Filter, and Organ on YouTube
Mesmerizing. YouTube by benoqo3. Sent my way via Ben.
Update via Ben: "you might also like an almost entirely analog high comedy version of "all by myself" on my myspace page. korg ms20, paia modular, bit of heavily treated farfisa, and an old string synth."
It's pretty cool actually. And I like Skinny Puppy. : )
Gakki Taisho-Goto
Here's an interesting one in via slabman:"Thanks for your blog - hours of endless joy!
In the background of the SMS200 pics, there's a poster for gakki.com. Browsing that site I came across this page on the taisho-goto
A regular taisho-goto is like a hybrid of a lapsteel and a typewriter. If you scroll down on this page though, you find some Frankensteins with loads of added buttons & blinkenlights (pictured). Gawd knows what they do (text is in Japanese), but I want one of each to equip my robot synth assault troop. Who knows what other monsters lurk on gakki.com..."
Very cool. Thanks slabman!
Ufoseries
Looks like something from another one of my synth dreams. I'm guessing that's not actually synth. If you know anything about the device/prop, feel free to comment. Title link takes you to the Ufoseries site with more low-fi sci-fi pics. Enjoy Carbon111. ; )via fmasseti.
Update via Tim in the comments:
That's one of Moonbase's communication consoles if I'm not mistaken.
There have been many fan ideas on why the Moonbase women wore wigs. The simple explaination is that Sylvia Anderson, who had a strong hand in the costume designs, liked wigs and thought they might become standard parts of uniforms in the future.
Series lead Ed Bishop also wore a wig for much of the series, but this was for practical reasons. The bleach used to make his brown hair blonde was damaging it.
Unfortunately Bishop and co-star Michael Billington(Col. Paul Foster) died within a week of each other last year.
ATV/ITC, the backers for the series, eventually edited several episodes together as Invasion UFO for theatrical release. They used some fast synth driven piece as the title music, and it sounds incredibly familiar, as if it was used as a theme for some tv news or sports show. I thought it might be something by Rick Wakeman for some reason, but I doubt I'm right."
Berlin Techno City 1993
Title link takes you to the video. Google really needs to let you embed to compete with YouTube.via sequencer.de
The Cosmic Blooper - Circuit Bent Atari 1200
"demo of cosmic blooper #1200 working with casio sk1"
Title link takes you to the Cosmic Blooper site. Here's a link to some shots pulled form this auction. More on GetLoFi.
Aries Modular
Title link takes you to shots pulled from this auction. The seller also has an Encore Electronics Frequency Shifter listed.
Synthesizers.com History
Title link takes you to an interesting bit of synth history. When Synthesizers.com first came about people questioned whether it was real or another hoax like the Bahn Sage.
"Monday morning I woke up to many dozens of emails with 'synthesizers.com' in the subject. Wow, something has happened - but what? As I start reading them, some are not very nice. This is a unexpected slap in the face for 3 years work, but why? Come to find out, a few weeks/months earlier, a prankster had posted a professionally created set of graphics depicting a new synth which had duped many people. Not being a reader of the Analog Heaven mail list, I missed the story. Paul Schrieber of Synthesis-Technology who lives nearby told me about it at lunch one day but I had no idea it was such a big deal and caused such a big stink. Anyway, this caused many folks to assume my work was another plot to overthrow the analog synth world. They began by pixel-picking the Q119 Sequencer picture which caused me a lot of grief to create. This was compounded by my whimsical depiction of a synth monolith linked to the home page. And I was so proud of my new found PhotoShop abilities too! On top of that, there were even questions about the photographs I had taken on the About Us page which were only cropped before placing on the website."
It's a fascinating read and it really makes you wonder about the SMS 2000. Another manufacturer that was questioned was Cwejman. I remember when renders first appeared of the S1. People questioned whether it was yet another hoax.
Elhardt even had a little fun:
"Just like the Cwejman and Dotcom, I kind of wanted people to suspect me. I
even faked a picture of a Cwejman sitting in my rack to just lead people
into thinking it was a hoax. That makes it more fun. I prefer to just keep
quiet and make people suspicious."
Well, Cwejman and Synthesizers.com are most definitely real. The SMS 2000? Time will tell. The one thing to note is that with both Synthesizers.com and Cwejman, the manufacturers and others came out relatively quickly, putting the rumors of a hoax to rest. That hasn't happened with the SMS 2000 yet. Anyone out there know anything? : )
"Monday morning I woke up to many dozens of emails with 'synthesizers.com' in the subject. Wow, something has happened - but what? As I start reading them, some are not very nice. This is a unexpected slap in the face for 3 years work, but why? Come to find out, a few weeks/months earlier, a prankster had posted a professionally created set of graphics depicting a new synth which had duped many people. Not being a reader of the Analog Heaven mail list, I missed the story. Paul Schrieber of Synthesis-Technology who lives nearby told me about it at lunch one day but I had no idea it was such a big deal and caused such a big stink. Anyway, this caused many folks to assume my work was another plot to overthrow the analog synth world. They began by pixel-picking the Q119 Sequencer picture which caused me a lot of grief to create. This was compounded by my whimsical depiction of a synth monolith linked to the home page. And I was so proud of my new found PhotoShop abilities too! On top of that, there were even questions about the photographs I had taken on the About Us page which were only cropped before placing on the website."
It's a fascinating read and it really makes you wonder about the SMS 2000. Another manufacturer that was questioned was Cwejman. I remember when renders first appeared of the S1. People questioned whether it was yet another hoax.
Elhardt even had a little fun:
"Just like the Cwejman and Dotcom, I kind of wanted people to suspect me. I
even faked a picture of a Cwejman sitting in my rack to just lead people
into thinking it was a hoax. That makes it more fun. I prefer to just keep
quiet and make people suspicious."
Well, Cwejman and Synthesizers.com are most definitely real. The SMS 2000? Time will tell. The one thing to note is that with both Synthesizers.com and Cwejman, the manufacturers and others came out relatively quickly, putting the rumors of a hoax to rest. That hasn't happened with the SMS 2000 yet. Anyone out there know anything? : )
Thursday, July 06, 2006
The SMS 2000 - New Flickr Shots
flickr by synthfan_bob. Title link takes you to more.
Update: New touched up shot via Elhardt in the comments.
Update: Note the name on the badge. Thanks Elhardt. : )
NI-Versary and Price Drops
"For a period of 10 weeks over the summer we are offering up to 66% off on some 30 NI products! A number of full versions have been reduced, virtually all the major updates, Sound Line products as well as attractive new bundles and a whole lot more are all on offer. " Title link takes you there. via Synthtopia. Also an FM7 II is coming according to sequencer.de.
MOTM Updates - Will No Longer Offer DIY Kits
Title link takes you there.
Summary:
# Synthesis Technology/MOTM is changing the product mix
# MOTM kits are being discontinued Dec. 31, 2006
# Some MOTM modules will be discontinued as stocks are depleted (both kits and assembled)
# Future MOTM modules will be assembled only, and will be shipped from stock (zero wait time)
# Existing MOTM modules, that will be offered only assembled beginning 2007, will be shipped from stock (zero wait time). There are no plans to discontinue these modules.
# The AudioEngine will allow unheard of (literally!) modules to exist that combine CV/MIDI control with 32-bit RISC processors and vast digital logic.
Summary:
# Synthesis Technology/MOTM is changing the product mix
# MOTM kits are being discontinued Dec. 31, 2006
# Some MOTM modules will be discontinued as stocks are depleted (both kits and assembled)
# Future MOTM modules will be assembled only, and will be shipped from stock (zero wait time)
# Existing MOTM modules, that will be offered only assembled beginning 2007, will be shipped from stock (zero wait time). There are no plans to discontinue these modules.
# The AudioEngine will allow unheard of (literally!) modules to exist that combine CV/MIDI control with 32-bit RISC processors and vast digital logic.
accross the street - New Flickr Shot
flickr by devowski. Title link takes you to more. synth mattress
Yamaha AN1X Samples
Title link takes you to samples via elmosexwhistle on this VSE thread. Also backed up here.
What always fascinated me about the AN1X is that you can hear Yamaha CS80 in it. More so than any other VA. Yet, I don't remember Yamaha ever touting that it had that character to it. My guess is that they did not want to box it in. Going through this set, I'm amazed at the diverse reange of sounds this synth is capable of. BTW, check out the nes triangle mp3 in the set for a treat. Another fascinating bit about the AN1X was that the UK Yamaha release the Roland JP8000 factory presets for it. I A/Bed the AN1X to a JP8000 and the presets were spot on for the most part. It was pretty amazing.
What always fascinated me about the AN1X is that you can hear Yamaha CS80 in it. More so than any other VA. Yet, I don't remember Yamaha ever touting that it had that character to it. My guess is that they did not want to box it in. Going through this set, I'm amazed at the diverse reange of sounds this synth is capable of. BTW, check out the nes triangle mp3 in the set for a treat. Another fascinating bit about the AN1X was that the UK Yamaha release the Roland JP8000 factory presets for it. I A/Bed the AN1X to a JP8000 and the presets were spot on for the most part. It was pretty amazing.
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
Conny Plank's Studio For Sale
Synths include: ARP Sequencer model 1611, Roland JD800, Emulator II, Yamaha DX7-II, Oberheim OBX-a, ARP Odyssey, OSCar, and Korg VC10 vocoder as well as a Fender Rhodes Mark I and Leslie 760 solid state.
Via Music Thing (via this auction). Pics saved below for posterity.
More on Conny Plank on Wikipedia. I first heard of Conny Plank via Ultravox. Some excerpts:
"During the 1970s Conny Plank produced and/or engineered many of the most important recordings by significant German progressive/experimental music acts (given the derogratory label krautrock by the UK music press at the time), including Kraftwerk (Kraftwerk, Kraftwerk 2, Ralf und Florian, Autobahn, and the precursor album Tone Float), Neu! (all their recordings), Cluster, Harmonia, Ash Ra Tempel, Holger Czukay (Can), and Guru Guru. His long association with Dieter Moebius and Hans-Joachim Roedelius of Cluster began in 1970 and endured until his death."
"Plank, via Bowie and especially Eno, in turn had a strong influence on many acts of the New Wave period in the late 1970s and 1980s. Neu!'s Hero is said to have been a major influence on John Lydon's work with his post-Sex Pistols group Public Image Limited. Eno produced an album for DEVO (another overseas act strongly influenced by Plank's work) and enjoyed a fruitful collaboration with Talking Heads and David Byrne, followed by an even longer and more successful partnership with Irish band U2. The earlier work of Australian band Hunters & Collectors also showed unmistakeable signs of familiarity with Plank's production techniques, and they were one of many international acts who recorded with him.
Plank's other production credits include Echo and the Bunnymen, Les Rita Mitsouko, Einstürzende Neubauten, Annie Lennox, Astor Piazolla, The Damned, Miranda Sex Garden, DAF (including the classic single Der Mussolini) and Nina Hagen."
"In the eighties Plank remained in high demand with the new generation of electronic pop and New Wave artists, including DEVO, Ultravox! (Systems of Romance, Vienna and Rage in Eden), Freur and The Tourists (Luminous Basement)/Eurythmics (In the Garden). He also worked on pop and rock productions with artists such as The Scorpions, Clannad, Killing Joke, Play Dead, and Gianna Nannini (Latin Lover, Sogno Di Una Notte d'Estate, Tutto Live and others, also credited for music)."
Roland Offers Zero Down for a Year Program
"Los Angeles, CA, June 23, 2006—Roland Contemporary Keyboards is proud to announce the Keyboard Acceptance Program, the latest consumer financing program offered by Roland U.S. With this new zero-down, zero-APR-for-one-year offering, Roland breaks new ground in the digital keyboard marketplace."
Title link takes you to the press release. Just be sure to pay it off before that year is up. : )
Title link takes you to the press release. Just be sure to pay it off before that year is up. : )
Novation XioSynth
Compact MIDI contoller with built in synth and step sequencer. Title link takes you to more on CDM.
roland system 100m - New Flickr Shots
flickr by hinotori mortal. Title link takes you to more shots of Five-G in Japan. Five-G is a vintage synth shop. You might recognize Five-G from the poster in this SMS 2000 shot.
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© 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
