Whitney Houston Unloads

Title link takes you to the auction.

Via Music Thing.

Geartek Corporation Wiggwaffe

More circuit bendy stuff. Title link takes you to more. Warning: naked woman if you back track to the root of the site.

another via sendling.

Man From Uranus at Interzone part three

Jen SX1000 and theremin.

YouTube via manfromuranus. Via sendling. Title link takes you to the rest on sendling.

ITOX Expanding Dragon PCI Host

Need a host for that Korg OASYS PCI card? Title link takes you there.

"Enter the >>ITOX Expanding Dragon, a 1U rackmount PC with full-length PCI slots, available until recently on eBay for $100 a pop. The boxes apparently work fine as OasysPCI hosts (under Windows 98SE, naturally); the only problem with them is that, being designed as servers, they have multiple noisy fans. Other folks on the OasysPCI list (notably Scott Harris) have made progress with alternative power supplies and utilities to control fan speed."

New Zebra 2 Filter Module Sample

Title link takes you to a sample of a new Zebra 2 Filter module posted by creator Urs Heckmann on this BigBlueLounge thread. I decided to go with the R2 image in the thread as there are no screens yet, and the reference below.

Some notes via Urs in the thread:
"Last year I had coincidentally discovered a way to create a filter with a really good sounding self-oscillation when a new scientific paper on Moog filter simulation came up. Latter was a great source of information, but it would still not work like I wanted, especially in terms of cpu hunger and tuning.

So I spent the holidays on getting a Moog Little Phatty and tweaking the shit out of the new filter (dubbed XMF for Croos Modulation Filter). Yesterday it came to the point where

- cpu usage is moderate (2-3% for stereo operation on an 1.83 GHz MBP @44.1 kHz)
- self-oscillation (with no input) is in almost perfect tune and nearly constant level from 50Hz to 14+kHz
- any trick used in Littly Phatty presets would work on the XMF as well
- parameter ranges exceed that of the LP
- bandpass mode works (I gave up on highpass for now)

It's not a perfect emulation of the Moog ladder filter though. But it has all of the properties of an anlogue filter, starting from the juicyness up to the self oscillation that does *not* lock into the spectrum of the incoming signal. Latter is especially interesting. There is a range of resonance where the self oscillation would "wobble" between the actual filter frequency and the closest frequency in the spectrum of the input signal. I havn't heard this in digital filters so far but it's exactly how the Moog does it.

The R2-D2 solo at the end btw. is just the filter with full resonance and a little overload. ModWheel controls filter fm by an oscillator while PitchWheel controls cutoff over several octaves.

The first solo sound (thin, voicy) features filter fm with an oscillator tuned 4 octaves up. Sounds exactly like the LP, with the difference that it's stable & in tune over the whole keyboard range.

The ultra phat guitarish solo sound is not based on hard synced oscillators, it just plain detuned sawtooths run through the bandpass mode with lots of overload.

The pad sound is a couple of detuned sawtooth/pwm oscs run through the bandpass. An lfo modulates the frequency of the bandpass in opposite polarity for right/left side which creates the panning effect.

I think it's almost ready for release, but the SSE code has yet to be rewritten in AltiVec for G4/G5 (no big deal). I'm afraid though that it will probably not work on a G3, or it would consume close to 20% on a G3 when operating mono instead of stereo... and it's gotta be fine tuned & tested for samplerates other than 44.1 kHz...

Later,

Wink Urs"

Previous posts on Zebra 2

Update via Bee Jay in the comments:
Pic for you if you want: [link]



"This is one of the phattest filters I've heard since impOscar - and the bandpass mode is also superb."

Kawai K3m Filter Bank Mod

Title link takes you to more info, shots and instructions.

"Most of my synthesizers are boring DSP-based digital stuff that cannot be easily tampered with. However, one piece in my setup is at least partly analogue: the Kawai K3m. It has 6 voices, each with a dual DCO, a VCF and a VCA. It's rather obvious what part of the synthesizer is plain boring and what could actually be fun to abuse.

Since the K3m is controlled by a microprocessor (which, by definition, therefore is rather boring to mess around with) I saw no point in trying to make the K3m into a 6-channel LP-filterbank (since that would mean having to alter the software), but instead decided to turn it into a 1-channel 6-peak LP-filterbank."

This one via synth ollie, who's friend martin has done this mod.

cr8000 modification

flickr by rrooyyccee

Title link takes you to more including some details.

JoMoX MBase 01 on top.

EMT 250 and 251 Digital Reverb

Two shots pulled via this PSW Recording Forum thread. Title link takes you to one more.

Via David Kulka on the thread:
"Maybe I missed it, but has no one mentioned the EMT 250 or 251 on this thread??? Most old timers will remember these but for you young lads, this was one of the first digital reverbs. As you might imagine, the 250 caused quite a stir when introduced in 1976 for a mere $20,000. Plus freight.

A while back we had three of these in the shop -- an obvious photo opportunity -- so Greg took some high res digital shots. The unit on the left is the original 250, the two on the right are 251's. Forum member J.J. ended up buying the one with the big wheels.

There's an article on my website with much more info about these, for anyone who's interested.

Maybe we should do an other worldly-gear calendar? No rude comments boys, this is my WIFE! [Cute comment and image]

Lastly, here's some of the the insides of one -- I think this was the 250. EMT scraped the identification off of all the important IC's so the designs couldn't be copied, which makes servicing them a lot of fun. I finally got a set of the original 250 blueprints from Gotham so I know the secrets of that one now, but I'm still looking for the top-secret info on the 251.

Barry Blesser (past AES president and former Lexicon engineer) was part of the original design team. Here's an archived AES recording in which Barry makes some prescient comments about the industry and talks a little about the EMT project..."

ZO Wins EM 2007 Editors Choice

Looks like the Cyndustries Zero Oscillator picked up an EM 2007 Editors Choice.

Congrats Cynthia!

Prvious posts:
Cynthia
Cyndustries

MOOG Memorymoog

Title link takes you to shots pulled via this auction.

This one sent my way via Dave.

Yamaha EX2

Looks like there is a Yamaha EX2 up on the bay. Title link takes you to shots pulled from this auction.

Note there is also one for sale here, with a price tag of $5995. Details from that listing (not from the Ebay auction):

"(Leslie 122 compatible) This is actually an analog synthesizer cleverly posing as an electronic organ! It was an outgrowth of Stevie Wonder's "Dream Machine" synth, which was used to score the documentary film, "The Secret Life of Plants." This Instrument was owned and operated by the late organist/keyboardist, John Seng, who was both a Yamaha Artist and consultant to that firm in the development of the Dream Machine. Its tonal resources are based on Yamaha's PASS technology, also found in the famous CS-80 synthesizer. What makes this instrument unique is that it's individual sounds were "tweaked" and re-scaled by Yamaha techs to Mr. Seng's personal specs, producing a sound unlike any other production examples of this model. The 1969 Leslie will be included with this Organ (including customized interface) and is in perfect working order. See bottom of page for Leslie photos."

Some previous Yamaha Electone posts

Novation BassStation Rack - MIDI to CV and CV to MIDI Convertor

No title link, Just an awesome tip from Brian Comnes:

"I was re-working my rack this weekend and I looked at the back side of my Novation BassStation Rack (haven't looke back there for 2 years) and I noticed MID/CV ports on the back so I got out the manual and sure as shit this thing is a switch hitter, it goes MIDI to CV and CV to MIDI and it supports HZ/Volt and Volt/Oct to boot

given that these things can be had for $100 or so on eBay , they are a bargain if you consider that you also get a 2 osc monosynth in the package"

Note this does not apply to the Novation BassStation keyboard.

Update via Bill in the comments:
"You can do this with a Pulse Plus as well. I think they go for about 250$ + you get real analog oscillators and filters."

Update via Brian Comnes:
"the relevant sections in the bass station manual are on page 18 of this link."

Thumbnail Guide to Soldering

"Soldering is not some rarified art. It does take a little bit of patience and some practice, but mainly, it's a question of having the proper tools to do it right, carefully following a few simple steps, and steering clear of a few common pitfalls."

Title link takes you there. Saw this one on Boing Boing.

Duar Show DJ Studio

flickr by JimboCooper

Roland MC-09
Korg Kaoss Pad
Korg Electribe s

Title link takes you to more.

korg ms10 semi-modular and the mighty sequential circuits pro one

flickr by kelskelsall

They definitely look good together.

Eliosound ELS Vocoder

"The ELS Vocoder® faithfully reproduces the analog vocoder sounds that have been used by many artists in the electronic music history. It also includes a wide range of rare and new features, which makes it unique, powerfull and simple to use."

Title link takes you to more info and samples.

Waldorf Microwave XTk-30

Flickr by dreikelvin.

Mystery Beat Box

This one sent in via an anonymous reader who hopes someone out there can ID it. Anyone know what this is? Above the keyboard, there is text that reads MOVEMENT. Title link takes you to another shot. You can zoom in on each by clicking on the image followed by the "All Sizes" link after you click on an image in the set.

Update via Gustavo in the comments:
"Movement Drum Computer. Used by Thomas Dolby, and Dave Stewart of eurythmics.

More info:
on Wikipedia
on Sonic State

Update via El Gaucho Andres:
"Seems also exist the System I and System III but never saw one of this. Others who used it: Japan, Willian Orbit, Chemical Brothers, Vince Clark, and...
Check this nice picture (below). I think the correct name is "Movement Computer Drum System II" and Movement Computer maybe was the company." Follwed by: "reading further more my old info about this beast I've found that was also named Larking Movement and now seems to me the name of the company was probably Larking... I know that was a sort of analog drum, digital drum and sequencer and nothing more. Cheers."



Update via J Lesser in the comments:
"In 2001 I was in a large practice studio in London preparing for a long tour. I snuck down into the equipment cages and took some pics of some famous folks' gear... and just look what I saw in Phil Colllins' cage: [link]

The MIDI Gadget - Hayden Based MIDI Controller

"Mk I MIDI Gadget
As you'll see in the pictures, first I built a flat 8X8 array of switches laid out in the Hayden pattern (the white one plays "c"). The flat array let me lay the first one out pretty much just like the schematic diagram. It also let me not care too much about the end result, since I was learning to solder. The first version was wired to a breadboard, (not shown) where I debugged the circuitry. And after the electronics worked, I used it to develop the software.

The flexibility of this technology is part of the fun. It's just buttons on a board, so you can build just about any shape you'd like to try. My son wants me to build another flat array, but complete with PIC & battery. His vision is, you hang it around your neck like sort of an electronic washboard. ("Bellyboard") The range of a small electronic keyboard, the form-factor of a sandwich, and the ergonomics of scratching your stomach. With a sound module on your belt and headphones, just the thing for grooving in subway or hammock. Why not?"

Title link takes you there. Via fmasseti.

Previously posted Hayden controller.

Roxy Music - Viginia Plain

The original with Brian Eno on EMS Putney

YouTube via theburnleyboy


Big Train version with Minimoog

"Big Train - Chairman Mao leaves his deathbed to perform Virginia Plain as Bryan Ferry with Roxy Musi"
YouTube via wimpyburger.

More Roxy Music on YouTube
More Big Train on YouTube

Yamaha DX7 II D - Grey Matter

Update: I do not want to get into the habit of policing auctions, but as always be careful. The odd thing about this seller is zero feedback with the claim to having an old account with tons of positive feedback. Then why not use the old account with the positive feedback? On the other hand, all of the images for the sellers other auctions seem to have the same lighting, leading one to believe either he took them or he managed to find them somewhere. BTW, if you ever catch images from another location, please comment and I'll update the post.

Title link takes you to shots pulled via this auction. You can find more info on the Grey Matter add-on on Dave Benson's DX7 Page.

In short:

The DX7 version gives:
# extra patch memory (with function data for EACH patch)
# optional ROM sounds from GMR, allowing 576 patches in a DX7
# patch mapping
# master contoller functions
# transmission on two midi channels
# stacking of sound (makes it thicker but only 8 note poly)
# ...and more...

The DX7II/FD version {includes all of the above?} and adds:
# 8 voice multi-timbral capability
# a sequencer
# a MIDI monitor
# a simple, "interactive" player mode

Again for more info including the list of individual MIDI enhancements check out Dave Benson's DX7 Page.

Studio Electronics SE-1

Title link takes you to shots pulled via this auction.

Update: I do not want to get into the habit of policing auctions, but as always be careful. The odd thing about this seller is zero feedback with the claim to having an old account with tons of positive feedback. Then why not use the old account with the positive feedback? On the other hand, all of the images for the sellers other auctions seem to have the same lighting, leading one to believe either he took them or he managed to find them somewhere. BTW, if you ever catch images from another location, please comment and I'll update the post.

Yamaha SK15

Title link takes you to shots pulled via this auction.

Update: I do not want to get into the habit of policing auctions, but as always be careful. The odd thing about this seller is zero feedback with the claim to having an old account with tons of positive feedback. Then why not use the old account with the positive feedback? On the other hand, all of the images for the sellers other auctions seem to have the same lighting, leading one to believe either he took them or he managed to find them somewhere. BTW, if you ever catch images from another location, please comment and I'll update the post.

Sequential Circuits Fugue

Title link takes you to shots pulled via this auction. Love the LEDs. Details on synthmuseum.com.

Update: I do not want to get into the habit of policing auctions, but as always be careful. The odd thing about this seller is zero feedback with the claim to having an old account with tons of positive feedback. Then why not use the old account with the positive feedback? On the other hand, all of the images for the sellers other auctions seem to have the same lighting, leading one to believe either he took them or he managed to find them somewhere. BTW, if you ever catch images from another location, please comment and I'll update the post.

Roland VK-09

Title link takes you to shots pulled via this auction.

Update: I do not want to get into the habit of policing auctions, but as always be careful. The odd thing about this seller is zero feedback with the claim to having an old account with tons of positive feedback. Then why not use the old account with the positive feedback? On the other hand, all of the images for the sellers other auctions seem to have the same lighting, leading one to believe either he took them or he managed to find them somewhere. BTW, if you ever catch images from another location, please comment and I'll update the post.

Update via the comments: "I'm the seller and I moved it back to my original account. please go here to see the auction: [link.]
thanks
tubeman1"

Korg PE-2000

Click here for shots pulled via this auction.

Some Details:

"Korg PE-2000 Poly-Ensemble "S" polyphonic synthesizer. Also known as the Korg K-5, this unit was produced in 1976. It features eight preset polyphonic "orchestral" sounds (Pipe Organ 1 & 2, Chorus 1 & 2, Brass 1 & 2, and Strings 1 & 2), all of which have adjustable parameters to include attack & sustain, detune / oscillator calibration, EQ, and the coolest of all being the built-in analog PHASE SHIFTER !!! This same type of Korg synth was used by Jean Michael Jarre on his famous Equinoxe album."

Plan B News - Self Contained Plan B System Coming Next Year?

Via Peter Grenader on the Plan B list. Note the bold. : )

"All -

Now that a new year is upon us, I felt it was as good a time as any to give you an
update on things.

First things first...Namm:

We will be showing an all-Plan B system at the Namm show this year which will be fitted into one of Sean Price's super-hip Space Cases. There will be a little of everything in this system, including FIVE NEW MODULES (the Model 16 Spectral Processor, the long-awaited MILTON VENTI and three others which you don't (and won't!) know about until the show begins. My only hesitation on mentioning all this is the Model 16. The PCBs are currently on order. If they arrive in time for a fully functional unit to be assembled, then it will be on display at Namm. If not, the unit which will be presented will only have four of the 12 filters active. As limiting as they may sound, it will still make for one hell of a demo as even with but a third of it's matrix, the Spectral Processor justifies it's existence. Again,
we're hoping to have the boards in time for visitors to experience the full effect. If that doesn't happen however, it's not worth stressing over and the show must go on... and we've got a back up plan.

Milton news
Had to make some hard decisions recently regarding the functionality of the Milton. Our limiting factor was not our imagination or technical dexterity, but more space in which to utilize all that. The basic problem being that even at 84 HP wide, everything we had originally planned to cram into this unit was not fitting. To that end, we have removed the vertical sequencing from the base unit, using the space previously taken by the vertical pulse outs to fan the bank pots a bit further from one another. That alone was a paramount change as the previous spacing introduced serious ergonomic challenges. Further, the real estate previously used for the vertical clock in and vertical sequencing out jacks has been replaced by an internal clock and VC clock freq input. With this new configuration, one will be able to drive their Milton on it's own. The external clock input will remain and using that input will disconnect the unit's internal clock. Further cuts (or better put, postponements - see below) are the skip step buttons. They are also being removed from the base unit.

Fear not, there's something in the works - an add on module - which brings skip step,
vertical sequencing and some other new features into play, including full midi control. Basically put, we are not willing to sacrifice Milton's functionality due to 19 inch wide real estate limitations - we just have to design another interface to house those controls.

What's coming in 2007
I think it's been obvious over the last few months by our product development cycle that we're moving in the direction of a self-contained Plan B system. While this will be become more apparent once the new modules slated for the Namm Show are formally announced, I am willing to say that by the end of the year this will be a reality - Plan B will have a the necessary component selection to construct a modular system which will ellipse the functionality of the Synth, Steiner Synthasystem and ARP 2600. It promises to be be a big year in many ways.

Along those lines....we're moving

Finally, I wanted to let you guys in on some other news that has had the folks around the 10870 Camarillo St. address pretty damn excited (no one more than me, let me tell you). Over the past few months we have been scouting industrial space to take Plan B ops out of the cottage and into it's very own manufacturing facility. I see this going down sometime in the next couple of months. We will remain in the Los Angeles area for now....just no longer in my living room! More info on that as it's available.

- P"

Rezolution 290 Edit

flickr by Knuckledragger.

Title link takes you to more.

Roland
TR-909
TR-606
TB-303
MC-202

Nord Modular Rack Package

flickr via dreikelvin.

Title link takes you to more.

The Copper Box

"This unit consists of two Voltage Controlled Oscillators with pitch control, pulse width control, and a blend control. The copper plates as a body contact playing surface that controls the pulse width. The plates are floated about 3/16" off the metal case and wired up with ribbon cable. Very satisfying to realize my design goal so completely."

Title link takes you to larger images, samples and more projects on Allerian.com.

SND

Title link takes you SND, makers of the SAM-16 Sequential Analogue Memory, and FB-14 Extended Range Fixed Filter Bank. Also be sure to check out their "Special Services" section where you'll find some nice mods including a racked Oberheim FVS, the MINI in a case below, and more.

Update via the comments: "Nice lift of Raymond Scott's 'Wall of Dazzle'"

Be sure to click through to see the title link to see the animated gif.

Rhodes Chroma Site Updates

Via Chris Ryan on the Rhodes Chroma list:

"A bit of a diversion this month: I've received a number of requests for information about the Chroma site, its history, design, and implementation. I have expanded the "About This Site" page into a section that includes information on the origins and growth of the site; data on visitors, referrers, and page popularity; an overview of visual and interactive design considerations; and a discussion of Web standards (XHTML/CSS) issues and the PHP framework I put together for the site. I have also broken out contributors onto a separate page.

The site enters its ninth year in February, and over the years there have been over a million page views, with about a third occurring in 2006. There were over 38,000 visitors last year, the best year ever and about five times the number of visitors in 2000. Thanks everyone for your continued participation and contributions.

Happy 2007 to all!

Chris"

Title link takes you there. The new links are currently under the Site News section on the left. If you haven't been there before, I encourage you to take a look. It is hands down the best resource site for any given synthesizer. The list is fairly active as Chris Ryan is continuously providing new resources and new life to both the site, list and the Rhodes Chroma itself.

Previous Rhodes Chroma posts

Roland Juno-60

Title link takes you to shots pulled via this auction.

Roland D-50

Click here for shots pulled via this auction.

Some Details:
"The D-50 combines 8-bit PCM samples with "LAS" synth-generated sounds and is capable of unique, complex and beautiful sounds. The PCM samples contained the attack transients, while the rest of the sound came from the Linear Arithmatic Synth (LAS) section which sounds very analog, with subtractive-style synthesis and low-pass-resonant filters. The D-50 is great for new and non-acoustic, percussive, ethereal and beautiful pads, & sounds and the electric piano and organ sounds are in a class all of their own. It has a built-in chorus, digital reverb and a joystick controller for real-time timbre manipulation (bending the sound). It is a very lush, warm-sounding and versatile synth.

The D-50 spawned a whole line of D-Series synthesizers from Roland and many of the features introduced in the D-50 in 1987, can be seen in newer Roland keyboards like the V-Synth and Fantom Series."

MIDIbox Controller

Another MIDIbox Controller. Title link takes you to another shot on Sendling.

Lemon Fourses

Remember Ciat Lonbarde? Here's a video of a cat playing with a Lemon Fourses. Click the image to launch the video. Title link takes you to Ciat Lonbarde, where you will find the Lemon Fourses and more.

via Sendling.

Update via Sendling:
"I got the pic from ciat-lonbarde site where is written that we see a "kitty with a fyrall". but ok, if you^re sure that it`s a lemon forses.... va bene :-)"

Looks like it's referred to both, "Lemon Fourses" on the home page and both on the other. Updating this post just in case someone searches on either.

Inside a MOOG Source

Title link takes you to a couple more shots posted on VSE by djfetus. I backed them up here for wen the thread goes to limbo.

YuSynth AUTO-BEND

"This module is very useful utility module to simulate the transient frequency bend that can be heard at the onset of a note played by some instruments such as trumpets and oboes. The same effect could be achieved using an ADSR module connected to the FM input of a VCO. However, having such a dedicated module autobend modules makes it possible to reserve ADSR modules for a "poshier" use."

Title link takes you to more info. There is also a Single Auto Bend module.

Creamware ASB MiniMax Samples by Stefan Trippler

Some samples via the always awesome Stefan Trippler. You can find more on his MiniMax page. As always, be sure to check out the rest of his site for much more.

All MiniMax including drums:
maxindahouse.mp3
MaxFxDrumMix.mp3 (mostly filter FM sounds)


All MiniMax excluding drums. Drums via Spectrasonics Stylus
cheesemax.mp3
cream/XMax.mp3
maximising.mp3
zebulon.mp3


Happy New Year everyone!

This was the description for the first track "Max In Da House" and is also true for "MaxFMDrumsMix"

Drums in the other tracks come from Spectrasonics Stylus -> www.spectrasonics.net

Plan B NAMM Preview

Via Peter Grenader:

"We're currently on the final thrust in completing a handful of new
devices which will be shown at the Winter NAMM in Anaheim. You can
hear a preview of one of them here:

http://www.ear-group.net/mystery_meat2.mp3

All of these new products will be formally announced on the EAR
website the morning the show (1/18) and available for purchase very
shortly after it's over.

- P"

Yamaha Motif XS6

New Motif coming from Yamaha?

via xonox.

Some details via sequencer.de:
* Yamaha Motif XS6 Profile:
* 61-touch sensitive keys
* New UI with large color LCD and 8 knobs and sliders
* Xpanded Articulation Synth engine with 355MB of WAVE ROM
* Studio-style mixing environment with Virtual Circuitry Modeling effects
* 4 intelligent arpeggiators with instant Performance Recording
* Integrated Sampling Sequencer with 1GB of optional memory
* Total Computer Integration and Cubase AI software included

Michael Iceberg In Concert - Disney's Main Street Electrical Parade

Uploaded on Dec 28, 2006 Joseph McGinty

Update: 28 minute version added below.

Dineyland Main Street Electrical Parade. Man this brings back memories... YouTube via rastro2. Sent my way via Joe McGinty . BTW, I hope everyone has a very safe and Happy New Year!

"Michael Iceberg plays a medley of "Star Wars", "Close Encounters", and "Baroque Hoedown". "Now, here's somebody crazier than me"--Hunter S. Thompson. For more information and booking, check out http://www.michaelicebergmusic.com"


Michael Iceberg - In Concert from Disneyland

Cwejman FSH-1 Frequency Shifter Demo

Title link takes you to the post by Synthbaron on Synthwire. Details and link to the demo after the hop.

Csound Image Processing

NeoFormation
Uploaded by HplanKjp

Title link takes you to more. The videos were made with HPKComposer and the audio with csound audio generators, no samples and no score.

via Audio Video Synthesis

Yamaha A7000 Version 2

Title link takes you to the product page in Japanese. The following pulled via this Google translated page.

completion item
Manufacturer desired retail price
600,000 (tax removal) A7000 Version2 photo

The high-end model which actualizes the efficiency of worldwide highest level including the high sound quality of 20bit AD/DA.

Specifications Options
- Size weight: 430W×180H×420Dmm 15.8kg
- Extended board: ATGB32 90,000
- Time cord/code board: ATCB1 30,000

The sound library CD-ROM for ●A7000: Each 29,800
* Price is manufacturer desired retail price (tax removal).

via xonox

HarriL - GaiaDisco (Live)

video upload by HarriL

Visual Acoustics

Looks like I missed this one. Via Music Thing and Create Digital Music, title link takes you to Visual Acoustics.

"Visual Acoustics is a concept for interactive expression. A canvas to paint reactive music and vision as a real-time artistic performance.

Rhodes Chroma Expander IO Board

Click here for a couple more shots pulled via this auction. It's listed as a Chroma Polaris IO board, but apparently it's a Chroma Expander board.

via the Rhodes Chroma list.

Arturia Hardware Coming

Apparently Arturia mentioned hardware would be announced at this year's winter NAMM. If anyone knows more, feel free to comment.

Korg DW8000

Click here for shots pulled via this auction.

Details (Regarding the PPG comments, do note that the DW8000 is not a wavetable synth like the PPG and although some of the sounds are reminiscent of the PPG, they are a bit different as would be expected. The PPG also has considerably more waveforms. Also, the digital waves in the DW-8000 were carried over to the more current MS2000 and MicroKorg line of synths):
"The DW-8000 has an old school analog sound from the early 80's, but it also excels at creating those DX-7 digital pianos and other digital timbres. (Please check out the MP3 links below!!!) It actually sounds very similar to a PPG Wave synth because it's oscillators are digital and filters are analog. If you are into the sound of Depeche Mode, Tangerine Dream or Kraftwerk, this synth is for you! This synth is perfect for emotive, organic pads, deep filter sweeps, screaming portamento leads, throbbing Moog basslines, fat burbling analog sequences, some noisy madness and sweet analog synth percussion. You can also get a nice acid sounding patches like on the Roland TB-303. The filters on the DW-8000 sound a lot like the filters on my old, school Roland SH-2 and Minimoog -- as the resonance increases, the filter screams! The DW-8000 has 8 rich analog voices, a very simple to use sequencer that syncs to MIDI, a very expressive pitch bend/mod joystick, full MIDI implementation and sysex, and a very nice sounding effects processor that allows for chorus, flange and reverb effects. It was an ingenious synth in the 80's and is now still sought after for its rich hybrid digital/analog textures ala synths like the classic PPG Wave. The DW-8000 sound is truly distinct from other polyphonic analog synths, and it makes a great addition to any synth setup!"

SOUNDS & TECHNICAL INFORMATION

* Korg DW6000 Audio Workshop MP3 (same synth as DW8000 less waveforms)
* Blue Synths DW8000 MP3 Files (free registration required)
* Seal's DW8000 Site - very nice mp3s!
* Pallium DW8000 Information Site - very technical!
* Korg DW8000 User Manual in PDF format
* Korg DW8000 Synth Users Group
* Another DW8000 Synth Users Group
Update: DW-8000 Service Manual [mirror]