The Casio CZ series

Title link takes you to an article by Tomás Mulcahy on the Casio CZ series. While there also check out the rest of his site including the articles page.

via Music Thing.

202 Hack

"202 Hack is an application that converts sequence information stored in standard MIDI files into a format compatible with Roland MC-202™ sequences. You choose one or two MIDI channels, whose note information is then extracted from the MIDI file and converted into the "internal" and/or "external" sequences of the 202. Accent and Portamento can also be coded for, as well as some post-processing tricks to generate Roland TB-303™-like slides. The output of 202 Hack is an audio file that can then be played by your computer into the 202's "tape in" jack."

Title link takes you there. via dmxkrew.

SH-5 and Bowljo Live

YouTube via CropDusters. Sent my way via frederic.

IDM SESSION 3

"Another track recorded while I recorded it, if you can understand that. Using and OB-12, AN200, DX200, DR660 and sequenced with FL studio. If you have any tips on how to record audio into a sound card and recombine it with the original video or any type of camera that can record good audio with good video (at a reasonable price) I am all ears."

YouTube via weatherkop. Sent my way via frederic.

Elogoxa's Elottronix XL

Note this is not a new VSTi. According to the download page the latest version was out on 5/11/04. That said, I've been playing with this for the last hour and I must say it is quite addictive. You can make some crazy loops with it by just adding layer after layer. I currently have it running a whacked out loop with Audio Damage's Reverence. Amazing stuff. The reviews on KVR for Elottronix also seem to be favorable. BTW, word of warning: on the top right of the plug-in UI there is a Stop/Start switch with REC to it's left. This is not what you switch to start recording loops, it's what you switch to start saving the audio looping to your hard drive. Don't turn it on unless you want to record and don't leave it on or it will eat up hard drive space with the file it saves. Also, you need to rename the file in the input box under "file" before hitting record otherwise you will probably overwrite the previous file. Overall, it takes a little experimentation to get used but once you do it's a pretty amazing tool. I need to check out the rest of Eogoxa's stuff next. Big thanks to brian comnes for sending this one in.

"Emulation of Robert Fripp's tape delay effect 'Frippertronics': two Revox B-77 in continuous loop. This XL version supposes a complete rewrite of the old Elottronix, and adds a ton of new possibilities"

- Two independent routable delay lines, with a maximum delay time of 80 seconds.
- Tempo can be synced to host BPM.
- LFO controlled Pan per delay line, with definable Bar Divisions, Pitch and Waveform.
- Two global Pan modes: normal and inverted.
- Rehearsal option: when switched ON, the incoming signal doesn't pass through the delay lines, so you can try different things before inserting them into the loop.
- Biquad-X multimode filter per delay line. This advanced filter has 9 different modes: Low Pass, High Pass, Low Shelf, High Shelf, All Pass, Band Reject, Band Pass CSG, Band PassC0PK and Peak. Optional parameters to control are Gain, Cutoff and Q.
- Tape machine: this module generates tape hiss, which can be pitched up and down.
Completely automatable via MIDI CC.
- Moderate CPU use (-8% Athlon XP 2400+).
- Includes 8 Presets to give an idea of the effect (4 for sends, 4 for inserts). But what Elottronix XL does can't be covered with presets as you'll discover.

Via Brian Comnes.

Vince Clark Studio Shots

I just updated the previous post with a link to these shots, and figured I'd put up a separate post in case you missed it.

Pictures of Gareth Jones

Gareth Jones is the producer of Erasure's upcoming album. You can find a blog on the new album here.

Title link takes you to some pictures of Gareth Jones and gear including the two I grabbed for this post. Check out the ARP 2500. In the shot below he's holding a small keyboard called a Chord Computer. Anyone know more about this little keyboard? Click the images for larger shots.

P.S. There is a nice close up of Gareth Jones and an E-MU Modular after the hop.

Update: Be sure to check out other shots of Vince Clark's gears as well.

Controlling Synths Via Your Cell Phone

In short, you can use Sailing Clickr to transmit messages to your PC via wireless. Jason Kramer wrote some software to have it control Ableton Live. Title link takes you to the full post on CDM.

Y2K6 Looping Festival and NorCal Noisefest

Two events coming up sent my way via Brian Comnes.

Y2K6 International Live Looping Festival
"Over 50 artists from around the globe will converge on the San Francisco Bay Area this fall for the Fifth Annual Y26K Live Looping Festival. Perfomers from across the United States and as many as 10 other countries will appear in Santa Cruz, Calif., on October 21 and 22, for the main two days of the festival. Additional festival-related events will be held in San Jose, San Francisco, and Oakland during the week preceding the main festival."

Nor Cal Noise Fest.
"The Norcal Experimental Music Festival was started in 1995 and was held at the Guild Theatre in Sacramento, on November 3rd, and 4th. Performers came from all over the western United States and Canada. 2006 will mark the 11 year anniversary of NOISEFEST happening in the Sacramento area, and will be the 10th time this event has occured. After searching the web and beyond ..we have yet to find ANY other Noise/Experimental festival happening anywhere else in the World that has continued for as long as NorCal NoiseFest has. we thank you for your patronage."

Waldorf Wave Demo

Click here for Paris Open Sky's music page. You will find a list of tracks. The last one titled "risong 2 min DEMO," features the Waldorf Wave: "I remembered ppl asking how the wave sounded. I have just uploaded a 2 minute demo of my new trance composition which extensively makes use of my 32V wave. It is still a rough mix but the beginning is almost exclusively WAVE and shows the large stereo image of the synth very well. maybe some will now understand why I think that it is an extraordinary instrument."

Crimson Wave pictured.

The Keyboards of John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin)

Click here for an article by Brian Kehew of The Moog Cookbook. Via Peter Forrest on AH.

Keyboards include:
Hohner electra-piano
Hammond M-100
Hammond C3/B3
EMS VCS3
Hohner clavinet
Fender Rhodes
Mellotrons
Steinway grand piano
Farfisa VIP-255
Yamaha CP70B piano
Yamaha GX1
bass pedals

Mobius - Free Software Looper

"Mobius is a program for the real-time creation and manipulation of audio loops. It has functionality based on the venerable Echoplex Digital Pro with Loop IV software. It is not a complete emulation, but it does implement many of the Loop IV features, as well as a number of useful new features. Mobius is essentially 8 synchronized stereo EDP's with the ability to copy loops and timing between them. Extensive MIDI and computer keyboard control is available. Audio content may be saved to and loaded from files.

Mobius is free, though I do request that you report any problems you encounter and offer suggestions for new features you think would be useful."

Title link takes you there. Via Tony. BTW, check out Loopers Delight for everything loopy. ; )

Update: previous link (http://www.zonemobius.com/index.html) no longer working. You can now find it on the WayBackMachine here.

Maplin 5600S STEREO SYNTHESISER

Title link takes you to shots pulled from this auction.

via fmasseti.

Frank Zappa - Documentary (part 5 of 6)

Features the NED Synclavier. YouTube via doogit. Sent my way via Tim.

ARP 2600 Samples

Title link takes you to a couple more shots and samples. This one sent in by one of the anonymous:

"I made some riffs & Fx with my ARP 2600. No FX or EQ,direct to CDR, Includes 1 scifi and 1 drone track where the output was feedbacked into the filter."

White Modcan B Modular Analog Synthesizer

Title link takes you to a supersized shot pulled from this auction.

2 VCO 01B
1 dual VCO 46B
1 dual mixer 27B
1 s&h/noise/ring mod 07B
1 VC DADSR 04B
1 dual ADSR 47B
1 moog LPF 44B
1 multi filter 10B
1 VCA panner 21B
1 freq shifter 39B
1 phase shifter/timbre mod 06B
1 3x1 mixer 09B
1 multiple 48B
1 attenuator 49B
1 pulse divider/VC switch 20B

3 cases with 50B power supply

Milton Users Group

Title link takes you the Yahoo! Users Group for the Milton Sequencer. The group currently has 142 members as of this post. Here's the Milton product page on Plan B.

"BuIlt Milton sequencers in all flavors (standard silver with mini jacks, Wiard blue, Buchla, Serge, MOTM and Dot.com lookalike compatibles) are availible through Plan B starting at $1550 for a standard silver faced unit with 3.5mm phone jacks. There is a ten week delivery cycle once the deposit is recevied. Custom features are also availiable and will be quoted on an individual basis. Contact Peter Grenader at peter@buzzclick-music.com for a quote or for more information."

via sequencer.de.

Depeche Mode at the World Trade Center Video

via ortho. Title link takes you to the video. Synths featured: Two Emulator IIs. That said, I'll never forget seeing the WTC for the first time. If you love architecture and buildings, it was one of the pinacles. I always had a fascination with buildings. Monuments of what we can accomplish. I grew up in LA so the twin towers weren't part of my childhood, but I always knew about them and I always wanted to see them in person. When I went to New York for the first time in 1996, on a side trip from Connecticut, we stayed two nights and only had one day to explore the city. WTC was on the top of the list and then the Empire State Building. We were fortunate enough to have a drink and lunch at Windows on the World, a restaurant on the 107th floor. The view was spectacular. We had lunch at roughly 11:30 AM. I always wondered if any of the staff there was unfortunate enough to be there when it happened. The video captures the amazing view as well; they were really that high. It's hard to fathom how they were built when you are standing there.

Moog Little Phatty Shots

Looks like Carbon111 got his Little Phatty. Title link takes you to a couple of shots he posted on Synthwire.

The End of MOTM synth kits

I posted about this back on July 6. Looks like the day has finally arrived. Via Paul Schreiber on the AH list:


"Tomorrow at 9PM Texas time, I am loading into the shopping cart: link

the last and final set of MOTM analog modular synth kits. I'm both relieved and
sad. About 7500 kits have been built by members of this list, in 17 different
countries. However, the sheer logistics of keeping up with 50,000 parts/month
means I am converting to assembled modules only. And letting other folks worry
about it.

The last *order* date will be Dec. 1st, assuming there are kits left to order :)
It will take until the end of the year to ship all of them (there are ~375 on
back order as of today). Yes, the shopping cart says 'In Stock' but that doesn't
equate to 'will ship by Friday'.

I have "turned off" the kit portion of the cart until I've completed the update.

Thanks to everyone for the many years of excitement. MOTM is far from dead: in
fact, just the opposite. By no longer spending 90% of my time shuffling parts
around, I can concentrate on *design* and *delivery*.

Paul Schreiber
Synthesis Technology"

Synton Fenix Modular

Update via the comments: "Electrically they're fine. Mechanically, they could use some help. Boards held in place with hot glue (and the wrong type that doesn't stick well to smooth surfaces), various pot shaft types, poor strain relieving, thin metal, etc. Wonderful in the design, poor in the construction. Fwiw, I've serviced at least 5 of them. Anyone that buys one should open it up after shipping and before powering up. The boards inside can flop over onto each other and short out."

Update: Be sure to check out the comments. Supposedly, this is Thighpaulsandra's Fenix. Link to studio shots posted here.

No title link. Two shots and details pulled via this auction. Sent my way via Vincent.

"Very rare semi modular synthesizer, one of only 75 designed and built by the original Synton team. A direct descendant of the Synton 3000 modular synthesizer and the Syrinx lead synth. Almost every module is unique: this means that every LFO and Envelope Generator (and most mixers, VCO's, VCF's) have different controls and ins/outs. The Fenix uses industry-standard 1 V/octave for pitch control, and positive gate signals. Internal audio levels are 4 VPP, control voltages are -4/+4 or 0-8 Volts. Uses sturdy banana jacks for patching.
3 VCOs
3 LFOs
1 Noise module (2 independent sources with VLFO output)
2 Multimode VCFs
1 24dB/oct low-pass VCF
4 VCAs
3 General-purpose mixers, plus 1 integrated in VCF3
2 Dedicated CV mixers
3 EGs plus extra AD in EG1
2 Portamentos
2 Ring modulators
1 Slew limiter
1 Sample & Hold generator
1 Comparator
2 External signal processors
2 Main CV inputs (3.5mm mini-jacks on rear panel)
2 Auxiliary CV inputs (3.5mm mini-jacks on rear panel)
2 Gate inputs (3.5mm mini-jacks on rear panel)
2 External audio inputs (quarter-inch jacks on front-panel)
Grounding point
Power: 17V/17V @ 880mA. Universal 115V/230V external PSU."

malgorithm speaks

"Test of a voltage controlled digital signal processor, in the context of a small-format modular synthesizer. JUST SAY NO TO RoHS."

YouTube via meatlog. Sent my way via Stag Ejector.

Stekgreif Modular MIDI Controller

LEGO based MIDI building blocks. Construct your own MIDI controllers. Title link takes you to the site mostly in German. Here is a Google English translated link.

via SoNiCbRaT.

EL-Foil - Solution for Dimming Displays

Bookmarking this one in case I ever need it. Title link takes you to a site that explains how to deal with fading displays on certain synths.

"After some years many displays become "darker" and unreadable. In most cases it is not necessary to replace the whole display. These displays are transparent with backround-light. This light is an EL-Foil."
The EL-Foil is the lighting element strip within the display.

The Klangbox

And we have a real image of the Klangblox in the flesh - not rendered. Link to more on the Klanbox in case you are wondering what it is.

Cortex Design Terpstra Keyboard

"Similar to a digital piano in function, but with a totally radical new form, our revolutionary Terpstra Generalized MIDI Keyboard."

Title link takes you there.

Kitten Composer

YouTube via infinitedigg. Via Cute Overload. Yep, I'm guilty. I check out Cute Overload every now and then. Hey, my daughter makes me. : )

Cavagnolo Exagone Monophonic Presetable Synthesizer

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
via this auction

"analog synthesizer of French manufacture (1982): very rare Cavagnolo EXAGONE XM 64. Good state general (large sounds) a number of oscillators: 2+1 sub-oscillator. Forms of waves: 3. 2 LFO, 1 ADSR, 1 filter PB (24 db/Oct), 64 presets (sites to memorize the sounds). Sold in the state (correct operation), without guarantee."
Sent in via Vincent.

P.Lion - Happy Children

YouTube via jubilao. Sent my way via Jos. Roland Jupiter 8.

Xpander Drones by Andrew

Title link takes you to some Oberheim Xpander drones by Andrew.

"Just in time for Halloween :)"

Also mirrored here.

Buchla 200e Demos

This one sent my way via françois. Title link takes you to seven Buchla 200e demos. I've posted a link to the share in the past, however it looks like a few more have been added. Thanks françois!

SoundLab Mini Synth

flickr by janvanvolt.

Index of /waveterm/LJLab2006

Title link takes you to a slew of synth shots from Andrew Dean, including some rare items (Update: the site is gone, title link now points to Waveterm's flickr set for the LAB). The gear list is pretty long so hop over to see based on the titles. You'll find a ton of PPG including the Waveterm and EVU (Expansion Voice Unit - the sequencer looking thing in the shot below), various Simmons drum machines, the Yamaha CS30L (below), and more. Note the CS30L is flat unlike the CS30 which had an angled control panel.
Update: More on the PPG Waveterm and PPG in general, including samples on the PPG Webpages. Tip via Mr. Array in the comments.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Oberheim OB8

Just a cool shot of the OB8 sent to AH from the "opening shot of the music video for "Sierra Leone" by Coconut Rough, from 1983." BTW, I checked YouTube for the video, and couldn't find it.

Update via Andrew in the comments: Here's the YouTube link.

Jomox Clap Samples by Mark

Mark sent the following to AH. He gave me the ok to host the samples and put this up.

"FYI, a look inside the SE shows a ROM chip with the words "Airbase ROM" stickered to it - so it definitely is the exact sample set. Here are some samples from the XBase09SE - dialed to different settings in a usable range: link.

The 808 and 909 are pretty much what you'd expect. The CR78 doesn't sound a thing like a clap to me, but an interesting sound. The JMX (Jomox) clap is a new one altogether, and pretty cool.

Enjoy,
Mark"

Esa Kotilainen @ Tuubi, TV1 (1979) (Musiikki-TV klassikko)

video upload by Ghost10101

Sent my way via HarriL. Esa Kotilainen is a member of Wigwam.

Custom Cased Wiard

This is just too cool.

Via sequencer.de. Title link takes you to the thread with much larger shots posted by 11ish.

Modified Minimoog

"Additional function is : LFO (TRI wave only), Pitch env, OSC sync, DC modulation"
YouTube via interlogic. Sent my way via frederic.

Livewire Dual Bissell Generator

"Based on an original design by the (in)famous Harry Bissell, Jr., this module contains two quite unique lag (or slew) generators... while this module does normal glide/portamento type effects nicely, what makes it unique is the fact that you have separate control over the rise time, fall time and shape of the curve... very useful and fun to play with."

MiniMoog

flickr by DSutherland.

"This is a scan of the sales literature for the Moog MiniMoog synthesizer. This is definitely vintage 1970s - I used to carry this bit of paper around with me everywhere when I was a teenager, one of the things I used to dream about : )"

Korg MS20

Just a few shots sent to AH via Brandon Rogers.

MS20_1.jpg
MS20_2.jpg
MS20_3.jpg
MS20_4.jpg

Hmm... I wonder what that little grey guy is.

Plan B M16 Sound Clip

Via Peter Grenader on the Plan B list back on 9/10:

"The following link is a soundbite of the Model 16 prototype currently in it's final stages prior to release.

This sample consists of two VCOs, slightly detuned at octaves that DO NOT CHANGE PITCH. I'm using the VC sweep function in Bandpass mode and stepping through four(of 12) filter outputs, then slowly increasing the resonance from full CCW to full CW, roughly giving the effect of a crossfade from a standard fixed filter bank to a vocorder."

Update via Peter in the comments:
"Well, I hope you guys don't think this is the coolest effect going, becauuse I've yanked the voltage control of this feature off the final version. It'll stil go from low res (one filter) to high res(two filters in series) for each of the 12 in the matrix, and you will still be able to select a mixture betwen the two...but not via VC, only with a pot.

The circuitry required to do this correctly vs. the net effect itself, to my taste, iwas not singing together. It would easily add another $20 to the bottom line

So we lost this VC, but we gained two other very cool features, so I don't feel guilty about nixing the VC here.

We've added a STEP PULSE out, which returns a timing pulse every time the SWEEP function goes fro9m one filter to another...and..we added a soft/hard select switch to that as well, which gives you either hard step between the filters with the sweep function, or a softer fading from one to another. And the sweep did retain it's VC, so I think it's all good.

In any event, the other two sound samples on the EAR site for the M16 are more interesting. Have a listen.

- P"

Link to EAR site.

Bristol Audio Synthesis

Softsynths for Linux.

Hammond, Yamaha, Roland, Rhodes
ARP
Moog
Korg
Sequential Circuits
Oberheim

Title link takes you there.

Yamaha CS30 Demo

Title link takes you to a couple of demos and a supersized shot of the image in this post. Via one of the anonymous.
Direct stereo recorded to CD without any processing or eq.
Live manipulations:
LFO speed
Cutoff of both filters
Vcf 2 amounth
Swithing vcf 2 to bp
Switch in the ringmod from vco to lfo and morf from normal to ring
Variating the balance slider (at right of kb)
Vcf and vca envelops tweaking

Tangerine Dream 1969

via frederic:
"To me, this video is an absolute must ! Why ?
Because for the very first time one can see Thomas Kessler.

Thomas Kessler (a very ahead minded composer) is the man who transform Tangerine Dream from a psycho-rock band into an electronic music band. That fact is not much told. But that fact is the basis for a good understanding of Tangerine Dream's story and also Klaus Schulze's story (remember he was a guitarist/drummer before he met Thomas Kessler)."

kluster 1971

via frederic.

TECHNOMANIA! episode 5

Via Sonic State. Love the monome toast. BTW, if you haven't seen the Creative Labs drumm video before, do check it out in full.

Japan Collection - Sonicstate.com

Via Sonic State. Make sure to check out the article as well.

Waldorf Update

Via this electro-music.com thread. I have no idea if this is real.

"From: Michael von Garnier
Sent: 06 October 2006 09:50
To: David
Subject: AW: Sales query

Hi,

we are going to have 3 of the old models available soon (MicroQ, Q and Q+) as well as the software bundle 'Waldorf Edition'. There will be a version 2 upgrade available later this year, including Mac/Intel compatibility and AU format)

For next year we are working on a couple of new products, at NAMM and Musikmesse we will see more.

We also have this liitle module for the CME UF series keyboards: The CME Nano module which is basically a MicroQ sounding preset synth.

My best,

Michael von Garnier

-----Ursprüngliche Nachricht-----
Von: David
Gesendet: Donnerstag, 5. Oktober 2006 16:54
An:
Betreff: Sales query
Hi,

Please can you advise what products you have for sale? I am ideally looking for a new Microwave XT but will consider others.

Many thanks,

David."

Update via Moogulator in the comments:
"it's real, I wrote something based on this info some month ago for a magazine in germany called "beat", and still there is no more info available, we have to wait for the products to come.. so this one tells no real new things.. it's also true, that the Q rack is no longer available.. (as well as the XT also) - atm we are waiting for the OS updates on XT + Q Series and new Waldorfs on NAMM"

Eric Siday's Moogs

Title link takes you to more.

via frederic.