EMS Synthi AKS Keyboard Transfer

No title link. Just these two shots pulled via this auction.

Highly Liquid

Title link takes you to Highly Liquid, home to MIDI retrokits, modular expansions and more for your circuit bending susceptible gear including the Casio SK-1.

Korg DW8000 Modded

Title link takes you to shots pulled via this auction.
















via sequencer.de.

Details Google Translated:
"First characteristic is the memory expansion of the company Musictonics. Thus this DW-8000 has now unbelievable 512 (!) Sound on board, instead of only 64. Also the exchange of individual sounds between the banks, and the change-over of the banks are possible by Midi! Those are already times sufficient arguments to purchase this super Synthesizer. Because this extension was not cheap straight and is only with completely few DW-8000 to be found. But which makes this copy finally singular then, those is affectionate, and with much trouble modification of the Erstbesitzers arranged this DW-8000. And does the whole out-looks also still correctly geil. With the turnable regulators and rocker switches it concerns tunable, similar filters. For each filters 2 potentiometers and 1-2 rocker switches. Adjustable are in each case Gain and frequency. The modifications within the range of the Joysticks serve its for the influence. One can “freeze” here the position of the Joysticks in the horizontals as well as in the vertical one. If one does not wish this, one surrounds the switches simply. Even turnable regulators for the individual volume adjustments are inserted. In the back there is also still a few additional exits, with which I am not safe, which function it has. The Erstbesitzer was an electrical engineer, and here really great work carried out. Which concerns the sound of the DW-8000, it remains noting that this is one the most versatile Synthesizer at all. 4 weeks ago ago the storage battery was replaced; is thus a completely new battery in it. Unfortunately thereby the sounds were lost; and there to me the time is missing to provide these 512 sounds again leave I this creative job to the buyer."

Roland SH-3A

flickr by jelliffe_rick.

"Here's some photos of the insides of my Roland SH-3A with some construction comments. The filter is actually a kind of Moog transistor ladder, contrary to what all the material on the WWW says."

Title link takes you there.

White Christmas via Till Kopper

This one in via Till "Qwave" Kopper (shared here).

"Because there is no snow here at all, here is a link to my personal white christmas. I just received my Manikin Memotron with the serial #007. It is a beautiful instrument. I love it! And the white parts of the housing except the backpanel with the jacks are very well white painted wood. The keyboard on the top is a Hohner String Vox. This is a ELKA 490 sold by Hohner International. Built 1974! see here for more info about it.

Have a peaceful and healthy christmas and 2007!"

Thanks Till!

Bank Step Now Free

Remember Algorithmic Arts

John Loffink of Microtonal Synthesis and Wavemakers wrote in to let me know that their Bank Step analog style sequencer is now free.

Oberheim DMX insides

flickr by asbestosis.

Ensoniq SQ1

flickr by aaronazz.

Title link takes you to more.

SyNtH MaNtRa SeSSiOn II

Remember this Synth Mantra session on SoNiCbRaT? Title link takes you to the second session featuring the "coctail party" effect.

"Cocktail-Patry Effect is the ability of the human ear to perceive a distinctive sound out of a collage of sounds. The ability to filter out a single sound from a collective of sounds. Sounds which are masked by a myriad of noised can be perceivable by the human ear through the exercise of this effect."

Gear used: KORG Prophecy, Moogerfooger MF105 MurF, KORG EM1, BOSS VF-1 multi-effects processor, and KORG Koass Pad III.

Sherman QMF

Title link takes you to shots pulled via this auction.

via SoNiCbRaT

Happy Holidays via Nikos

"HELLO THERE!

THE SOUNDLAB AND I WISHING HAPPY CHRISTMAS, GOOD HEALTH, HAPPINES, PEACE, LOVE AND SYNTHS TO EVERYONE!

NICK"

Yamaha DX200

Title link takes you to some gorgeous shots of the Yamaha DX200 sent my way via Tom. Now that looks like a "Matrixsynth Edition" synth if I ever saw one. : )

Roland Super JX-10 & PG-800

Title link takes you to images pulled via this auction.

Sequential Circuits Pro One Wood Case

More pics here via this auction.

Note the auction is not for an actual Pro One, but the custom wood case built by Synthwood, along with a new mod and pitch wheel case from Dave Smith Instruments.

Details:
"This is a custom ALL NEW WOOD CASE for the Sequential Circuits Pro-One analogue synthesizer. The case is complete with screws, mounting hardware and a newly designed pitch / mod wheel box. It is designed to replace the flimsy original plastic case with very little or no alteration to the original sheet metal bottom case. You will need to align your keyboard tray to accommodate the new wheel box. This can be done by either machining or drilling new holes in the keyboard tray about 1/2" offset from the originals.

Dave Smith Instruments has designed a brand new pitch / mod wheel box which we are including with the kit. The new wheel box allows you to use your existing Pro-One pitch / mod pots and wiring harness with a brand new set of acrylic wheels.

Its important to note that the images below are of our second PROTOTYPE and while it does have a couple of noticable blemishes they WILL NOT show up on yours. Yours will be even more beautiful and unique.

When you are doing the installation you will also need to replace your old plastic SwitchCraft jacks with more durable metal switched jacks that can be mounted to the back of the case. Typically these jacks will be broken anyway, so the conversion is a great opportunity to wire in replacements. We can include these 7 pre-wired jacks if needed for $15, or you can just make them yourself by following our installation guide.

What is included:

# A completely finished and assembled wood case
# Black Walnut (shown), Cherry or Mahogany - Your Choice
# Brand new wheel box designed by Dave Smith Instruments
# Two new clear acrylic pitch / mod wheels
# Pitch / Mod pot brackets (You use your existing pots)
# Four black head machine screws to replace your old ones
# 6 T-Nuts with 6 washers to mount your control panel
# 8 black wood screws (installed)
# Installation guide with a step by step process with pictures Nameplates will be available very soon. Shipping is $25 in the USA, $55 via airmail elsewhere"

Previous posts on Synthwood

Waldorf XT Christmas

Title link takes you to a Quicktime video of Derek putting up his Christmas tree. The music in the background is a Waldorf XT sample track. The video with the music playing in the background is pretty cool, so be sure to have your sound turned up.

Thanks Derek!

ARP Quadra

Title link takes you to shots pulled via this auction.

THEREMANIA

For those of you in Washington D.C. This one via George Mattson.

"Friends of El Possible--Mark your calendars and prepare yourselves for
THEREMANIA!!

Sunday January 7, 2007--THEREMANIA!!
All-theremin show with Coven of One + Rupert & Art + Echolalia + Dave Vosh

You know the SOUND of the theremin, even if you've never seen one: the Beach
Boys used one on "Good Vibrations" and it's featured on the soundtrack to
more than one science fiction B-movie (like Forbidden Planet). The theremin
is a unique instrument that the musician plays without touching it. It's all
done with electric currents coming out of two antennas. You have to see it
to believe it. And at THEREMANIA you will see and hear what the theremin is
all about! Five DC-based experimental musicians bring their theremin chops
to the stage!!

THEREMANIA!! featuring:
Coven of One--Solo project of Nicoletta Stephanz incorporating
voice,theremin & other instruments. Nic has played theremin with Legendary
Pink Dots, Daevid Allen (Gong), and with three groups at the recent Gong
Reunion Festival in Amsterdam. Check these props: "Thank god we had a REAL
thereminist!" - Wendy Carlos; "Nic is one of the most creative people I
know." - Bob Moog. link

Rupert & Art--Duo of Ruppert Chappelle & Art Harrison plays homemade & Moog
theremins plus other electronic gadgets. Formerly known as legendary late
70's group Jobs for America. Art currently plays theremin for The Cassettes.

Echolalia-- Scene favorite doing lots of shows & collaborations of late,
bringing the latest advance in her solo theremin + electronics experiments.

Dave Vosh--Analog electronics improvisation with a set up that includes a
theremin module.

more artist info and weblinks on website!

$5--all money goes to the artists!
8:00 pm, Sunday, Jan 7, 2007
Phillips Hall, 801 22nd St, NW
Rm B120 (in the basement)
(22nd and H Streets/GW Metro)
George Washington University
703/533-3423"

Image via this site.

Oberheim Xpander From NightBird's Studio

flickr by NightBirds (Electronic Music).

Just saw this in the set after putting up the last post. Wow! There are some really good shots in this set - don't miss them.

P.S. I love that the Matrix-12 and Expander both have the "Matrixsynth Edition" look going for them. : ) They should have made the blue lines green though. The Matrix-6 was my first synth, hence the alias and name of this site. The Matrix-12 was and still is my dream synth.

Update: NightBird's MySpace Page

PS3100 , RSF Kobol & Modular system

NightBirds studio - Promotional N°3

flickr by NightBirds (Electronic Music).

Title link takes you to more.

Update: NightBird's MySpace Page

casperelectronics Vocal Processor

New VP from Casperelectronics. Title link takes you to another shot and some more info.

Folktek Walking Stick on SubtleNoiseMaker

Title link takes you to more info and samples via sascha.

Previous Folktek posts

Casio PT-7 on Synthwire

I told myself I wasn't going to put up every Synthwire post that comes in, but this is just too cool. Click here for a video of the CAsio PT-7 by Inverseroom. The very beginning made my jaw drop. You have to see this video. I want one of these!

Waldorf Microwave Green Machine

You are looking at serial number #1 of the Waldorf Microwave limited green edition. This one is indeed real, and not a "Matrixynth Edition." : ) Title link takes you to the thread on synthforum.nl where this was posted. BTW, the post is for the unit for sale - 475 Euros.

Also pictured: Waldorf Rack Attack and Waldorf Wave.

Update via Qwave in the comments: "The picture shown here is not by the seller of the Waldorf. The picture is hijacked from here, from this site"

PSP Rhythm 7.0

"The homebrew audio sequencer for the PSP has beed released just in time for the holidays. PSP Rhythm 7.0 is a complete music workstation in the palm of your hand. PSP Rhythm features include sample playback, sample manipulation, audio effects, grid sequencer, and song arranger. PSP Rhythm enables you to take audio samples, arrange them, effect them, and record your songs to CD quality audio files.

Major Improvements for version 7.0:
- Wave Table Synthesizer (with user defined oscillator)
- Sample Volume Envelope
- Improved Audio Engine
- Song files have replaced bank files
- Improved file user interface

Thank you!
The PSP Rhythm Development Team"

http://www.psprhythm.com Some direct links:
Windows Installer
Manual Installer
User Manual
Quick Reference Guide
Rhythm 7.0 Demo Song (song file and samples included with release)
Previous Posts

SIGHUP Drum Macine

"Drum machine emerges as an extension of the ideas developed by SIGHUP in the Machines series, which has aimed to create music entirely guided by the distinct qualities of any given sound source. While the drum machine series touches on more familiar and conventional sounds--and an effort was made not to modify the basic sound of the drum machines with many effects--structurally the tracks are intended not to follow conventional forms, or the ecstatic punctuation of meter of popular beats, but rather to weave sounds and phrases like vine formations. The structures are not dissimilar from SIGHUP's noisedrone work, but the change in the type of sounds used brings a new perspective to the SIGHUP style."

Title link takes you there. You'll find five tracks of audio.

A Little Phatty Christmas Card via Eric Frampton

Title link takes you to Eric Frampton's cover of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" performed with a Little Phatty.

"Merry Christmas and happy holidays, y'all!

Remember the piece that Steve Porcaro did back in the early 80's for
a Keyboard Magazine soundsheet, the one that was nothing but
Minimoog? I thought that might be fun to do with a newer instrument...

This is all Little Phatty except for the Hammond (CX-3), piano (S90),
and drums (Stylus RMX). No MIDI anywhere.

Cheers,
Eric"

Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays folks! Hope it's a warm, safe and happy one. : )

Title link takes you to a few more shots. BTW, if you have any synthy holiday shots, feel free to send them in or post them in the comments.

Pictured: My Clavia Nord Lead.

Poly Evolver "Matrixsynth Edition"

Two more via Bee Jay.

Poly Evolver "MatrixSynth"


Poly Evolver "MatrixSynth Darkside"

Update: Looks like Blogger shrunk them. Here are bigger versions: Poly Evolver "MatrixSynth" and Poly Evolver "MatrixSynth Darkside". I also archived them on flickr and here. I particularly like the Darkside version. Something about green on black. : )

Rhodes Chroma Voice Card

via this auction.

-Contains 1 CEM3360 dual VCA
-Contains 1 CEM3350 dual VCF
-4 1.87k Tempco's
-Could be used as a replacement or spare for your Chroma.
-My last Chroma Voice Card.

BTW, if you have a Rhodes Chroma, you probably already know about this from the Rhodes Chroma list. If you don't because you haven't joined it yet, do take the time to check it out. It's a great list.

BINSON Pre Echo Tube Mixer

This one via KONEY.

"Inside there are 7 tubes and a signed diagram, dated 1963! I use is as a dostortion unit, by feeding the signal in and out, or as a analog 7 way summer... More pictures here."

'Closer' (music video) - bit|bin 'Alias EP'

Matt Hodson, the man behind TLSO (London Synthesis Orchestra), sent me a link to this mesmerizing video of his track, Closer, featuring an oscilloscope throughout. The music and the video are hypnotic; it's fascinating watching the waveforms as the track is being played. His latest release is out on herb recordings. It is a 5 track EP available for download, and due out on CD with 3 more extra tracks. You can find more info on the EP on Matt's MySpace page or www.bitbin.co.uk, where you'll also find a higher res version of this video. Enjoy.

Roland Guitar Pickups

No title link, just shots pulled via each auction.


G=707/700 Pickup.



Roland GK-2A Pickup.

Keeping that Wood Looking Good

Bob posted the following on how to keep that analog wood looking good, on the Rhodes Chroma list. I asked him if I could post it and he said yes, so here it is. Thanks Bob!

"I used "orange glo" (made with orange oil) on mine when I first got it, and
it cleared enough of the scuffs and minor scapes up, that I decided not to
even sand mine. Another product that works great is "liquid gold" which is a
lemon oil based product. I used that on my Arp Axxe, and it also worked
great. I guess if I had to choose one it would be the liquid gold, but only
because it smells better. They pretty much work the same functionally.
Anyone who hasn't done this to their Chroma yet should do it. Even if your
Chroma looks fine, she can look finer, plus it will keep the wood
moisturized, and looking good for alot longer. I use it every other month or
so. Just apply a little to a folded paper towel, (in quarters) and rub it in
untill it looks like just a little too much, then turn the paper towel
around to the drier side, and rub the excess out. I know this from my day
job cleaning peoples houses. This is the same thing I would do with high end
furniture. Don't ever use anything like pledge, or probably anything in an
aerosol can, it will cause a waxy buildup on the wood which will be hard to
remove, and most probably uneven. Also never spray anything directly onto
the wood, always use some sort of towel to apply the oil evenly. If the wood
is actually dirty and needs a cleaning before adding the orange or lemon
oil, you can use Murphey's oil soap first, but I'd mix it a little weak, and
make sure the wood is completly dry before adding the oil, since the
Murphey's oil soap is a concentrate mixed with water. Hope someone finds
this to be useful! Merry Christmas!!!"

STG Gate Delay

A little Holiday cheer from Suit and Tie Guy: "it's a yusynth.com module i'm building and selling with the license of Yves Usson. it's a custom board designed by Detachment 3 Engineering which utilizes the Synthesizers.com conventions of having the connections to the front panel on standardized MTA100 connectors, and adds an MOTM/Frac style power connector which makes this module electrically compatible with a majority of currently- produced American modular formats, in addition to being physically compatible with both Moog and Arrick systems. the front panel is consistent with the conventions of Trumansburg-era Moog modules." Title link takes you to a page with more info to come. You can find more images here, pulled via this auction

BTW, check out the STG logo at the bottom. Very nice.

KORG Radias "Matrixsynth Edition"

This one via Wingo. Click image for full shot. Cool LCD. : )

Howard Goodall

Just thought this was a pretty classy shot. Click image for the full effect. I found it on this VSE post. The synths are a Roland 100m, T8 and P5. Title link take's you to Howard Goodall's website.

C o N v E r S a T i O n S

Title link takes you to a recording of a transistor radio being fed through a MOOG Moogerfooger MURF on SoNiCbRaT.

ZeroPoint on Synthwire

Title link takes you to a post on Synthwire on ZeroPoint, an artist with some interesting homebrew gear. Pictured here is two square wave oscillator. You can find more after the hop.

BTW, if do not regularly check out Synthwire, you might want to start checking back more often. Some recent entries include "A warning to those buying ASys modules in the US," "Free 10 Minute Classic Electronic Track" [gas0095 - this is really, really good stuff], and "Maintenance" [MOOG 960 sequencer chips]. BTW, if you want to post on Synthwire, shoot me an email and I'll add you. Title link takes you there.

More Fairlight on DVDBORN

Title link takes you to a post on DVDBORN with a number of videos featuring the Fairlight and a few resource links. Above is Revolting Cocks - TV Mind (Live sept'87). You can see the Fairlight monitor in the keyboard rig. I saw them live in 1990 . I don't remember seeing the Fairlight, but then again, my memory of that time is pretty fuzzy. : )

The ATARI Hotz MIDI Translator

Click here for the ATARI Hotz MIDI Translator page on the Atari Museum site [BTW, do check out the rest of the site for more retro Atari goodness]. You can find two more images of the Hotz MIDI Translator on Sendling.

If you look at the image in this post you will see the translator on the left. Note how much thinner it is than the unit on the right with the ATARI logo. If anyone knows what the unit on the right is, please feel free to comment.

Update: Check out the comments for more links. The unit with the ATARI logo is the same as the other. It's just the back, and it's tilted up for a flat surface.

PAiA Programmable Drum Set

Click here for images via this auction

Some of the Details pulled:
"From the manual:

'"While most electronic rhythm units offer only a limited choice of pre-determined rhythm patterns, the PAIA Programmable Drum Set allows the user to tailor the pattern, time signature and drum sounds to each application. Among the unique features provided by the unit are touch sensitive electronic controls and the provision for an independently structured bridge rhythm."

From an interview with John Simonton (founder of PAIA)
"'That's been credited as the first programmable drum machine, and it may be. For about a year, it was dominant, because there weren't any other programmable drum sets."

Larry Fast (Synergy) wrote:

"1978 I built one of John's Programmable Drum machines from a PAiA kit. As far as I know, that was the first ever drum box that the user could program patterns into and store them in battery backed up RAM. I showed it to Peter Gabriel who loved the concept. Marvin Jones put together another one for Peter to keep. That became the basis for all of the electronic drums on PG#3 (Games Without Frontiers, Biko and many others). From that came the LinnDrum a few years later. Thanks John, for single-handedly changing how we make records."

My comments:

You can program drum patterns, and store them. This was a new beginning for electronic drums and sequencing.

I built this unit from a kit in 1980.

I have been an electronics hobbyist and musician for over 40 years. When I first saw this unit, I knew I had to have one. I saw it as an opportunity to learn about touch switches, drum patterns, analog sound sources (oscillators, white noise generators), and digital logic. I also imagined using the logic control circuit to trigger other analog sound sources. The term sequencing had yet to be used on drum machines because prior to this unit the previous electronic drum machines only played fixed patterns. I built some other sound sources, but never integrated them into this unit. I preferred the internal sounds. This drum synth has a unique sound."

Kurzweil VA 1 Video, Samples and More

Title link takes you to a Kurzweil VA 1 site sent my way via Roger. You'll find video, mp3s, images and more. I found the videos best played by downloading all of them and then loading them all up to play one after the other as one piece. The VA 1 prototype was shown at Frankfurt back in 2004. It was never released, and most of us just assumed Kurzweil canceled the project, however earlier this year there was a rumor that it might be coming this year. If anyone knows anything about it, please feel free to comment. I'm curious as to how many prototypes were made and if any are floating around out there.

Roland V-Synth "Matrixsynth Edition"

Another via Bee Jay. Damn, that's nice. Click image or title link for the full effect.

ARP OMNI-2 "Matrix Edition"

Via Ethan Callender. Title link takes you to more shots. I like it! : )

Thanks Ethan!

Quasimidi The Raven

Click here for images pulled via this auction.

Circuit Bent Kaoss Pad

Note the switches. Title link takes you to more shots of Jesse's circuit bent Korg Kaoss Pad.

Doepfer Universal AD/DA module

"The picture shows the first prototype of the universal AD/DA module. In principle this module is nothing a clocked AD/processor/memory/DA chain. AD means Analog-to-Digital converter, i.e. the analog voltage (audio or control voltage) is converted into a digital format with 12 bit resolution. The digital signal is processed or delayed by a microcontroller with a large memory and then converted back into the analog voltage by an Digital-to-Analog converter. The prototype has two AD inputs (with attenuator), two clock inputs, 2 pairs of LEDs, and two DA outputs as for certain functions (e.g. voltage controlled bit crusher or waveshaper) two voltages are necessary. The mode is selected by means of 8 buttons and a LC display.

Examples for processing (without using the delay memory): bit crusher, bit exchanger, audio and CV waveshaper, Hz/V-to-V/Oct converter and vice versa, and many more. In principle everything that can be realized by calculating the AD output using certain rules and then converting the result into a voltage by the DA converter.

Examples for processing (with delay memory): clocked audio/CV delay with adjustable memory length between 128 (e.g. for flanger or Karplus/Strong) up to one million (for long audio delays many seconds or even minutes), digital sequencer (i.e. recording/storing/plaing back a CV).

The clock input is used to trigger AD/DA conversion. For audio signal processing the clock has to be in the audio range or beyond (e.g. from a VCO or high speed VCO). For CV processing the clock can be slower.

The final module(s) will probably look different. The prototype is used as a kind of defelopment tool to find out which function are useful. As soon as we made our first experiences and have found out what is possible we will probably start a poll in the A-100 Yahoo group how many different modules with which kind of controls should be released after all. The prototype will be probably shown at the NAMM booth of Analogue Haven in January."

via sequencer.de

ghost duo

flickr by Removethatnow.

"they play one song, which is the love theme from risky buisness but with decades of reverb on it so you can only just make it out"

Voyager Matrixsynth Edition

Via Bee Jay in the comments of this post:

"Happy Christmas, Matrix! may all your (synthy) dreams come true!"

Thanks! : ) A Matrixsynth green Voyager would indeed be a dream come true. Man, that looks nice. Bee Jay saw my Voyager Fire edition post and created a mock-up of the ad with a Matrix Edition. Something tells me the Matrix edition would not fly due to the Movie, however a Matrixsynth edition probably would. I had the site and the green on black before the movies folks - back in Oct' 97. BTW, I ran the idea by someone at Moog and they said we would need to order 50 of them, so... We'll see. If anyone out there can pull any strings...


Update: Also posted on SoNiCbRaT. Thanks Bee Jay! Thanks SoNiCbRaT! One day....