synthstuff

flickr via polaranta.

The cartridge if for the Korg SAS-20 (Super Accompaniment System)



Image via the Audio Playground Synthesizer Museum.

Steveo Studio Pics

Title link takes you to more shots of Steveo's studio. Steveo is top notch. He was one of the first people I met online on Sonic State's the-gas-station, and one of the most informative and helpful. Cheers Steveo.

Roland SH-09

No title link. Just three really nice shots pulled from this auction.

Alien Devices Bent Roland TR-505

Title link takes you to samples pulled via this auction.
"The Alien-Devices modified Roland TR-505 is a MIDI drum synthesizer that is capable of producing thousands of new and unique synth drum sounds and percussion patterns. The mods can effect the drum sounds in subtle or drastic ways creating synth tones, digital filtering, distortion, bizarre beat warping, and strange electronic textures. These units are great sample sources as well as stable live instruments and are fully MIDI capable."

BTW, be sure to check out Alien-Devices for more.

Update: Looks like they have a Bent Alesis HR-16 up as well: link. samples.

Yamaha CS15D

Click here for shots pulled via this auction.

Chroma Polaris 2

Title link takes you to shots pulled via this auction.

Synth Albums

Synthbaron put up a couple of links to recordings of synth ablums on Synthwire. They include "Everything You Always Wanted to Hear on the Moog" and Ruth White's "Short Circuits." Title link takes you to the post.

Roland CMU-800R for Sale

Remember the Roland CMU-800R demoed by James Gallant at this year's Pacific Northwest Synth Meeting? Well, at the meeting James mentioned he purchased one brand new from a school that was going to auction off another one. Well here it is. Note these are extremely hard to find with interface card and software. This one is brand new. If you ever wanted one of these, here is your chance. Note that the proceeds will go to the school, so this is also for a good cause. No title link as there are just these two shots.
Here's a link to the auction.

Details:
"This is the second of two extremely rare units from the same source (described below). There is a very cool blog [Matrixsynth! :)] devoted to synthesizers. You can see videos of the first unit we listed in operation and being demonstrated by the successful bidder at the following link.

Up for auction is an all original (and very very rare) Roland CMU 800R in ABSOUTELY NEW condition. This unit is in original Roland packaging, and has never even been unbagged until now (we opened the shipping bag to take a picture of the back of the unit.) It includes the original box, original manual, Apple interface card, interface cable, power cord, and a copy of the original Apple format 5.25” floppy disc with Apple software. The disk copy was made by the gentleman in the above mentioned video, and is an exact copy of the original software (The disk in the picture is the original disk, not included in this auction.) Several Roland brochures are included as well. The Apple interface card has the original metal foil around it used for ESD protection (we will add a modern ESD bag for the card – but we will leave the metal foil intact.) It appears this is exactly what Roland shipped – Box, manual, cable, interface card, power cord, and the unit itself. The original Styrofoam inserts for the box are missing – we will use bubble wrap to pad the unit.

Special Feature: The winning bidder of the first unit spent a fair amount of time figuring out how to get it to work. He has written a wonderful 1 page document to help guide you through that first power-up. This invaluable “Setup Tips” document is included with this sale! It includes a color photo of how to orient pin 1 on the interface cable – a very valuable piece of information.

The winner of the first auction has suggested I include a couple additional interesting facts about these units:

First, they require an Apple II e with at least one floppy disk drive to operate. These are available on Ebay for reasonable prices.

Second, all the eight channels of control voltage and gate outputs on the back of the 800R can be used to control both vintage and modern analog synthesizers that work on the 1V/octave standard. That's pretty much every analog synth out there except for those by Korg and Yamaha.

A history of these units can be found at: link

Scroll on down a little over half way at the above link, or search for the heading “Milestone: The Roland DG CMU 800R CompuMusic”. This unit is a piece of history. Well, maybe a small one. The Sound on Sound page says it all. These were way way ahead of their time, and almost none remain in operating condition.

This unit was donated to a local school decades ago, and sat untouched for years. Unfortunately the original Roland box has “Sound Mixer” written on it in black felt pen by confused band director. To the best of our knowledge, this unit is exactly what was shipped from Roland. We have no way to test it, so it is sold as is, with our belief that it is exactly as shipped by Roland in its day, a couple decades ago. Check out the matrixsynth link for details on how the first unit ran.

All proceeds from this auction will be donated to the local public school instrumental music program. Bid with the assurance you’re helping a small town music program!"

Again, here's a link to the auction.

Update: Note that this seller has been known to sell the software.

Yamaha GX-1

Move over EMS Synthi 100 (listed at $60k). This one has a buy it now of $125,000. Title link takes you to shots pulled via this auction.

Someone buy it so I can see what the affiliate commission for something like this is. ; ) BTW, I remember this unit coming up on AH. The owner managed to buy it from an estate sale in Australia. Amazing find.

via Reed

Update: Here it is again.

What is Circuit Bending?

"This Short/Preview for the Circuit Bending Documentary by Derek Sajbel (http://absurdity.biz) features Q.R. Ghazala, Nebula Girl, The Shinths, Daedelus, Dave Wright, Cynthia and music by Venetian Snares"

YouTube via DrRek. Sent my way via FreakyFreeFrancis. Cynthia makes an appearance along with some modulars.

Sonic Destruction Trio

"TB-303 Sequence run through a Jomox M-Resonator, Frostwave Sonic Alienator and Effector13 Synth Mangler."

Via REwire.

Moog vs. Synthesizers.com

Title link takes you to a review by Mike Peake sent to AH back in 2002 on Moog vs. Synthesizers.com. It's an oldie but worth reading if you haven't seen it before. It recently popped up on AH and I figured I'd put up a post. For those of you that read the comments here, you might recognize synthbaron gets a mention. : ) BTW Mike Peak was the man behind the Andromeda A6. He helped make it happen. I remember before it came out he was gathering feedback on AH and Sonic State's the-gas-station. I kind of miss those days. Waldorf was still in business, the-gas-station was still pumping (pun intended) and someone was actually going to come out with an analog poly monster synth. Anyway, I'm going off on a tangent. This post is about Moog vs. Synthesizers.com. Go read about it and then check out some of these videos.

The following is a small excerpt:
"The Moog 904a lowpass filter and the Arrick ladder (in the "traditional" response configuration in which resonance is proportional to Fc) sounded quite alike! Very much so. The tests weren't detailed enough to be conclusive (owning and using both would be the next step) but dang, they were close. The Arrick tracked a hell of a lot better than my Moog filter (but then again, it's not calibrated at the moment) without sounding rigid. The only issue I had with the Arrick ladder was some self-noise. But for the price, if you want something that close, you can't beat the Synthesizers.com ladder filter. You could probably buy three or four Arrick ladders for the price of a vintage Moog 904a!"

Korg Synthe Bass

Title link takes you to a track by syntheriver featuring the Korg Synthe Bass. I think. : )

via sequencer.de

Electronic Music - Its Composition and Performance by Robert A Moog

Title link takes you to a Orac Records where you will find a pdf of a 1967 article on Electronic Music by Bob Moog.

Yamaha CS-10

Title link takes you to shots pulled from this auction.

ARP Axxe

Title link takes you to a couple more shots pulled via this auction.

Three Octave Alesis Andromeda?

It could have been, along with a rack. Check out the update in this post.

Korg EA-1

flickr by giginger.

Title link takes you to a few more.

Roland CR-78

Title link takes you to shots pulled via this auction.

via luke, the seller of this one:
"I'm biting the bullet and selling my Cr-78, will I regret it, hmmm? But I
must build the System 100 so it's for the greater good. It's the cleanest
one I've seen." Yeah it is. Amazing condition.

Inside a Juno 106

Title link takes you to the set.

Dual Synthis

Via RMC on AH. The kicker is I'm under the impression that he was given these. Meaning for free? I have no idea, but wow. He'll be fixing them up over the coming months.

Update via other! in the comments: "Maybe if he leaves them on the bed and turns down the lights, and puts on some Floyd, they'll mate..."

Doesn't get much better than that folks. Good one other! ; )

Cliff Richard - We Don't Talk Anymore

Some "I feel the need to poke out my eyes goodness." Features the Moog Polymoog. You can thank one of the anonymous for this one in the comments of this post.

Memories of Miss Memory

It looks like our Moog heroine in the previous post is Sofie Loizou. She put up a couple of posts on her impression of the Moog Little Phatty on her blog. Title link takes you there.

"It looks and feels solid, great key action (no skimping on key size depth), it has pink and blue buttons (extremely important) and rotary LED knobs. The layout is simple and easy to use, and its controls are chosen to emphasise its role as a chunky sounding monophonic synth. And above all it sounds like a moog. My thirst for tangible analogue aesthetic has been quenched. Every girl should have one. ;)"

Update: Make sure to check out this post on CDM. Peter Kirn uncovers a bit more about Miss Memory. Pretty cool.

Update: here's Part 1 of the review.

give a girl a moog

flikcr via sofie loizou. Title link takes you to more.

Over 1 million hits!

Looks like I finally broke 1 million hits. I'm not sure when it happened, but my site stats are showing 1,022,798 hits. Number of posts to date? 4488. This one marks 4489.

Bent Circuits vs Modular test

"Circuit bent Grillo Parlante, Speak and Maths and Boss Dr Pad with it's circuits exposed and a wet finger, and a Doepfer/Analogue Solutions modular synth. The Grillo is used as the oscillator and the S&M is triggering the clock via an envelope follower which is then triggering the filters, envelope and sequencers on the modular. All sound is generated by the Grillo, S&M and Dr Pad, no other oscillators are used. Recorded at the Bathysphere studio"

YouTube via eddie23a. Sent my way via frederic.

Gerry Rafferty - Baker Street

A teeny tiny Minimoog action.

Korg Z3 Guitar Synthesizer

Title link takes you to shots pulled via this auction.

Details:
"you are looking at a used Korg Z3 Guitar synth system. this auction includes the rackmount interface, the pickup (with mount) and the necessary connecting lead....so there you have it - the somewhat obscure entry by Korg into the even more obscure guitar synth market. until i came across this device, i had no idea korg had even ventured into the guitar synth market - i assumed it was purely a roland pipe dream...(later entries by yamaha tried and failed). even so, this unit could be an ideal entry level unit if you fancied dipping your toes into guitar synth territories or even if you have an existing Z3 unit and would like a spare... "

You'll find more info on the Z3 here, where the following was pulled:
Features of the Korg Z3:
* Yamaha FM Synthesis
* Built-in Reverb
* Built-in Tuner
* Multi-timbral operation (allowing each string to play a different sound)
* Easy front-panel access to most frequently used functions
* Responds only to Master volume commands, ignores all guitar controller information, CV knobs, bender-arm, etc.
* Front panel guitar input connector will not accept first generation Roland locking cables!
* No Sound Patch Editing!
* Limited editing for Programs (basic string settings, etc)
* Use of the Z3 as MIDI sound module disables Guitar Synthesizer
* Synthesizer Off foot switch input
* Foot switch inputs for Patch Up and Down
* Dedicated Hold foot switch input (like Ibanez MC1)

Korg oscillator panel

flickr by pureCaffeine.

Korg EA-1 MKII. I like the green. Title link takes you to a few more.

Miquette's Synths

flickr by basilb.

EMS Synthi, Nord Lead. Title link takes you to more.

Santa Rocking a Prophet

via Music Thing.

Matrixmoog

Ok, time to move on from the Voyager Matrixsynth post! So it doens't get completely lost in the archives, I put up this smaller image on the right pane of this site. It links to the previous post. If you think this would be a great idea, feel free to post a comment in the previous post, not this one! I want to keep all the comments in that post as that is the one we will refer to if this actually looks like it could happen. Also, feel free to comment even if you can't afford one now but would consider it in the future, who knows, you might win the lotto. I obviously want one. : )

Moog Voyager Matrixsynth Edition?

Some readers in the comment of this post voiced interest in a Minimoog Voyager Matrixsynth edition which would have green instead of the current blue or solar illumination. I'm going to contact Moog and possibly Novamusik to see how to go about doing this. If you are seriously interested in picking one of these up, please post a comment in this post. If you commented in the previous post, please comment again here. This will give me a better idea of how many are seriously interested. Note that I cannot afford to front the bill, so that bit would need to be worked out. If there is enough interest, maybe Novamusik or even Analogue Industries would be willing to move forward with the idea? BTW, if they steal the idea and come out with another name, we will of course have to protest. : )

Update: Image via Bee Jay in the comments. WOW! I want it. Thanks Bee Jay!

Update: If you are not interested in one now, but might be at a future date, or if you just think it would be cool to see a green Voyager like this made, feel free to comment as well.

EML Electrocomp 101 Mods and Sample

This one in via cornutt:

"The modifications include adding a patch point to the sample-and-hold signal input (which comes from the factory hard-wired to VCO 4), and jacks to break out the individual lowpass, bandpass, and highpass signals from the multimode filter.

Also, in an earlier thread, someone asked me for a sample of the 101's sample and hold in action. Here is a link to a rather long sample (about 6 minutes).

This patch uses all four VCOs. The S&H is sampling VCO 1, in low range; as the piece proceeds I gradually advance the rates of both VCO 1 and the S&H's trigger oscillator. VCO 2 and 3 are generating the sound, and VCO 4 is being used as the carrier for the ring modulator. The output is fed into a Lexicon MPX 500, set to some rather extreme large-hall settings."

Thanks cornutt!

NED Synclavier

Click here for shots pulled via this auction.

Details (check out the original cost):
"Still the finest composing keyboard and DAW ever devised. Many composers and producers still use and swear by the Syncalvier. Even Pro Tools can't touch this for creativity and composing songs. This originally cost us $180,000.00. Yes, you read that right! We are closing our studio after 20 years. Our loss is your gain. This system has been maintained by CTG of Atlanta, GA. It is is beautiful condition, electroncially and cosmetically. This Synclavier is being sold by us, the original owners, and has been kept in our smoke-free, environmentally controlled studio since we purchased it new. It has been used on one hit album and many motion picture scores. There is no better composing instrument for doing hip-hop, scoring to picture, or composing full sampled or MIDI orchestrations. Nothing on today's market allows you to compose music as fast as a Synclavier. 196 digital tracks-fast access from banks of buttons on front of keyboard or from software. Digital editing and DSP processing of soundfiles onscreen. Runs on any Mac that accepts PCI cards. No need to upgrade because with the PowerPC card, this system runs lightning fast, even on an older G3. Maintained and upgraded; in beautiful condition Upgraded to new mahogany velocity/pressure keyboard! Upgraded to new Power PC card. Synclavier PSMT ?PowerMac PC card Release 5.0 software Medium Blue Tower Model C processor with 15" Apple flat panel monitor 8 MB RAM (plenty for a Synclavier--we never needed more, even for cutting full albums). 32 poly panning voices (PSV style) 32 FM synth voices Stereo sampling STM module Mono sampling (much sought after sound for hip-hop drums) 16 analog outputs Fabulous Frontier D/A converters 2 in 8 out MIDI SMPTE reader card"

via Marc.

Casio CK-10 AM/FM Radio With Keys

Title link takes you to a few shots pulled via this auction. Check out the antenna in the picture of the box.

"Here is one of the rarest Casio keyboards around, I have never found one on Ebay: A Casio CK-10 keyboard and AM-FM radio. Comes with original box, which is in OK condition, the keyboard however is in fine condition, no noticable marks or scratches or discoloration. Great conversation piece, it even comes with a built in stand so you can easily display it. The sounds are typical toy keyboard from the early eighties, but it does feature a nifty step sequencer, although that is not feature rich."

These things always trip me out. I never had one, nor knew anyone that did. One day...

Rhytmicspaceorgan and Koelse.org

flickr via anttia.

"Sound device made from two circuitbended drum machine toys, keyboard and a joystick. Made by Harri Vähänissi from koelse.org"

Via Koelse.org:
"Our basic idea is, that all electronic sounds are just amplification of alternating current, so any device that can be used to produce or modify the current can be used as an electronic instrument. We just take any device, open it, test it, bend it and experiment with it as long as we get it to work in a way we consider interesting.

We work mostly with electronic waste. We do that for two reasons:

1. The stuff we dig from the thrashbins sounds so much better than any pluginshit.
2. Todays digital technology -based lifestyle is not ecologically viable. The lifespan of all devices is getting shorter and shorter, and the amount of consumers wanting all new digital gizmos is rising exponentially. Think about it, how long can this continue?"

via Synthesizer-Magazin

Spectralis Gets More Features

Title link takes you to the video on Sonic State.

Update: I just got around to checking this video out. If you haven't yet, do it, it's a good demo - lot's of interesting bits. One thing that stood out for me is the implementation of the random sound generator. Instead of just randomly setting parameters that can end up with garbage it randomly selects parameters from the 200 onboard sounds. The result? You are most likely get get something useful out of it. Check out some of the random patches he gets out of it. Pretty cool.

Another simple pleasure

flickr via whatevermortal.

Kawai Synthesizer 100f

Zorch Synths

flickr by basilb.

EMS Synthi
Access Virus
E-MU XBoard
Moog Prodigy
Yamaha VL1

Fairlight Voicetracker

Ian Cooper sent in these two shots of his Fairlight Voicetracker along with a link to this site for more info. Via the site:

"In 1985, Fairlight Instruments introduced the Voicetracker VT-5, a device that allows you to operate MIDI and control voltage synthesizers with your voice or any monophonic instrument, rather than with a MIDI keyboard. It was priced at US$2495 when it first came out."

BTW, if you are on the look out for a Voicetracker, check out the comments section of this post. Thanks Ian!

Folktek

Shots pulled via this auction. Title link takes you to Folktek on MySpace.
Details:
"First...Folktek is something you're going to see a lot more of. There are many of us, but here we begin with the feature of 2 artist's work - there will be a much more extensive bio, portfolios, musical ventures, mixtapes and displays of art works and sound devices by us and others. You will also see Folktek grow as a community venture. Stay tuned and have your mind blown through your ears and sucked back in through the powerful force of conductivity.

Folktek designs connect with the past and reestablish these ideas in the present...You'll notice with anything we do, whether it be Instruments, sound art installations, puppets, bookmaking, music or visual works that there is a common theme or a common asthetic. This design work is based on the concept that things of the past built extremely well...Properly rock solid and made to last - fraught with ingenuity - even the parts you can't see. If you ever find a meter from the early 1900's have a look inside, you'll be amazed and maybe more so to know that it probably still works. This is the idea we travel with. We often build our own switches and buttons for example and we're working on making our own potentiometers and knobs. Analog mechanical styles that will outlast."

"This particular instrument is entitled "the Filanthoid". It is part of a series entitled "philanthropoid" that you'll see a bit more of in the future if you stick around to see us come up. We have another of this series also currently listed here on ebay. Sounds for this and the other are under the same mp3's named: Growling 1 and 2. Though they are of the same series, each has it's own sonic character. It is a sonic symphony of nasty and grimy sweetness - honey that's gone crusty, peanut butter from the fridge, endless layers of sound possibilities emenating from High quality OSC originally based on high tech speech synthesis. This however is a language nothing else speaks - seemingly random bits that can be rediscovered time and time again. The main controls for altering the synthesis are 2 knobs that work together with extreme sensitivity - the slightest turn of either changing the texture to a great extent. Waveforms (individual, or multiple layers) can be captured and maintained, often intermodulating in beautiful and/or disturbing ways. Albums are waitng to be created here as the sound is quite different from anything else you'll find and we're certain you'll be amazed.

There are two folktek designed buttons and switches on the panel that are the primary activating controls. One is intended to activate waves either as a button or a switch, the other to capture waves. Once a wave is captured there is a button that will allow you to cipher through new waves at random. And we've included a switch that will change the overall texture of the sound. We've got a power starver knob that drastically changes the way this piece functions, and a gain knob to play it hot or cool. A bright white lamp will indicate the power level and the sound travels out to 1/4" jack and the meter will go crazy and is extremely useful in getting fine details with the main controls. The Growling Insect runs on an included battery pack

The housing we've used is a very high quality vintage cloth covered wood case."

via sonicbrat.

New Audio Damage Product Teaser

"Meet Replicant. It should be fairly obvious as to what it does, especially to those of you familiar with Live's built in Beat Repeat."

Title link takes you to more info on Analog Industries. Having been on a bit of a looping kit recently, I can't wait to check this one out.

Rhodes Chroma Updates

A couple of interesting bits from the Rhodes Chroma Group.

Chroma interface lead (pictured). Allows you to communicate between Chromas and applies to the ARP Chroma, Rhodes Chroma, and Chroma Polaris. Title link takes you to the details on the Rhodes Chroma site.

And... A knob box for the ARP/Rhodes Chroma just might be coming via jesper:
"My knob project will take advantage of Sandro's and David's CC+ and then add a Doepfer Pocket Dial on the midi chain. I spoke to Sandro about this and he said it should work. I'll keep you posted when the CC+ has arrived, has been installed and the Pocket Dial has been programmed to send on the right channels... (expect a few more months ;) If it works as I hope I'll do a Chroma-style new case for the Pocket Dial."

It's stuff like this that makes the Rhodes Chroma group and site pretty amazing. I find it pretty fascinating that out of all vintage synths, the Rhodes Chroma ended up with the best direct support group and site.

Update: When I put up this post, I wanted to call out a big thanks to Chris Ryan, the owner of the Rhodes Chroma site and list, but I wasn't sure if the thanks should be limited to just him or others. I contacted Chris directly and he let me know that although he maintains the site on his own, we can find a list of the contributors here.

"David Clarke has been the most consistent and prolific contributor of articles and information, and to the mailing list. Sandro worked with him on the CC+ and contributed a couple of articles. There are lots of other people active on the list as well (as you've seen), and contributors."

Anyway, thanks Chris, David, Senso and everyone else that contributed. It really is one heck of a group.

Googoofish Updates

Yamaha MR10


Dick Smith OSC Box


Philips PMC Samples

Chris sent me some updates worth checking out on his site Googoofish. Each link above takes you to more info and samples for each. Enjoy.

Build me a time machine

Title link takes you to more on Googoofish.

via Chris.

Chewbacaca Puppet Theatre

Part 1


Part 2


Part 3


YouTube via azotus.

Rogue Moog + Ring Mod + MuRF

YouTube via azotus.

Suzanne Ciani Live Tonight

Just got this so apologies for the short notice, but if you are in New York, check this out. Title link takes you to more info. I have idea what she might bring, but she was a pretty big Buchla fan. : )

"An Evening with Suzanne Ciani
Tuesday, November 7, 2006
8:00PM

Guest flautist Matt Eakle will accompany 5-time Grammy nominee Suzanne Ciani in a program of her own compositions."

More on Ciani here: 1, 2.

Sherman Filterbank II Demo on SoNiCbRaT

Title link takes you there.