MATRIXSYNTH


Monday, April 16, 2007

Baba's Shuffle

New video game by Mr.Array. Synth connection? All sounds were done with the Waldorf Q+. Title link takes you there.

MOOG Little Phatty Darkside

via Amos of MOOG Music and Future Wars, on the AH list:

"I just wanted to share some pics of this... I got a local company to put a black anodized finish on the aluminum back panel of my LP (was not expensive, either!) and had my buddy at the graphics shop down the hall make a gloss-black Moog logo to go with the satin black finish.

I say this is in-progress because now the end caps look incongruous... my two favorite ideas for how to finish them is either to have solid CNC-machined aluminium ends made (difficult, expensive) or go with wood ends stained in a black/graphite finish."

Title link takes you to more shots. Note if you saw this on AH, there are more shots in this set. I asked Amos if I could back them up and put up a post. He gave me the thumbs up and gave me the links to more shots.

Baby Baphomet

Baby Baphomet 1st solo performance


Baby Baphomet 2nd Performance Joint

YouTubes via biggaB. Via Hans in the comments of this post.

Waldorf Q Rack

flickr by DeadZone.

Title link takes you to close-ups of a few more synths.

Cheer Time

via loscha.

"According to the lettering on the PCB inside the Boss SYB-5 pedal, it's 'CHEER TIME'."

Update: Steven's notes about the syb-5. Also, title link takes you to more shots sent in via loscha.

Del Dettmar (with Gerald Toon)-Synthesis,tape,1980,UK

"Great classic electronic tape released through Energy tapes in 1980 ,by ex Hawkwind/Melodic Energy Commission keyboardist.A must for all space /electronic music lovers!Sorry no pic sleeve scans.Would appreciate it if someone could upload the cover!"

Title link takes you to the post with a link to a download for the cassette. Anyone know what synth/s were used for the tape/album?

via josh. Josh is guessing it could be the EMS Synthi A

Akai XE8 Drum Expander

Title link takes you to shots via
Details:
"The Akai XE8 is a rack mount Programmable Sample SOund Module/MIDI Drum Expander. For Drum Sequencers, Synthesizers, MIDI Sequencers and MIDI Master Keyboards. The XE8 is a rhythm sound source with 16 basic internal sounds and 32 external sounds through external cards 1 & ". The XE8 can also store up to 32 programs of diverse parameters so that subtle sound nuances can be expressed. Each sound can be processed by changing the parameters of the sample sound. Not only can you playthose sounds separately, but you can play as many as eight sounds with one key note by setting the sounds to that MIDI key note. There are 8 separate outputs on the back. Extra sound card - SL801R 'Dry Set' included"

Anyone know more about this one? Any analog synthesis?

via loscha

Hip-Hop School

flickr by exebechay.

Akai MPD24

Sound Destruction Unit

flickr by farnea.
"DIY modular synth made putting together a lot of things I've built in the last times. There is a Weird Sound Generator, a Crackle Box, a random pattern generator, some filters (cutoff, square to sine), a gate controller, a Vactrol based controller, optical sensors and body contacts, mixing and power stuff."

Title link takes you to more shots including this one with mouse overs with more info on each section. Check out the key on the top left.

Via Sendling.

EMS Synthi with Prestopatch

Title link takes you to more shots via this auction.

Details:
"EMS Synthi AKS Synthesizer with Manual, Cord Pegs Keyboard

- EMS Synthi AKS Synthesizer
- EMS Battle Prestopatch
- EMS Keyboard Prestopatch
- EMS Guitar Prestopatch
- Power Cord
- Keyboard Connector Cord
- 9 White pegs
- 9 Yellow pegs
- 4 Red Pegs
- Comes with "The Synthi Educational Handbook" by Peter Gorgono, April 1972"

via Dave.

You plug these little patch cards into the little blue strip in the shot above to create a patch.

WURLITZER ORGAN ORBIT SYNTHESIZER MODEL


via this auction.

Anyone know more about the Orbit Synthesizer?

Roland GR-300

via this auction.

Sunday, April 15, 2007

Future Retro Revolution

Title link takes you to shots pulled via this auction.
Note this one is signed by the designer, Jared. Shot of the sig is in the photo set.

Also the seller has a second one up for auction. This one has light wood sides as the one above has black sides. Shots saved here.

MOOG Opus 3

Title link takes you to shots via this auction.

YMO - The Making of Rydeen

YMO - Rydeen (Live 1979)

YouTube via VickySakamoto.

Every Barbie Needs a Synthi

Awesome take on the Every Nun Needs a Synthi ad.

Via Wetdragoon.

"Just for fun, here is a shot of my synthi, inspired by the famous add: "every nun needs a synthi" ;)"

Click the image for a full size shot. Cool popsicle.

Yamaha RS7000 School

RS7k School Episode 1 Part 1


RS7k School Episode 1 Part 2

YouTubes via KomatosRecordings. Sent my way via Niall. Also check out Komotos website for an SU700 FAQ and more.

Roland SH-2

Title link takes you to more shots via this auction.

Ludwig Synthesizer Phase II

In case you missed the update to this post, title link takes you to more shots and info on the Ludwig Synthesizer Phase II.

Roland System 100

Title link takes you to shots pulled via this auction.
Details: "Synthesizer 101 This is a self-contained semi-modular synthesizer with a 37-note (F-F) keyboard. It features an ADSR, LFO, Portamento, a VCO (with pulse width modulation and a tuning knob marked in Hz from 10Hz to 10kHz), white or pink noise, an audio mixer (with sliders for VCO, Noise, and External Input), a high-pass filter, a low-pass VCF, and a VCA with input for LFO. There are also buttons for auto-glide and manual-glide and an A-440Hz tuning oscillator. All of this in 21 sliders, five knobs, 14 mini-jack sockets, seven switches, and three 1/4" jacks (for headphone and high and low outputs). Expander 102 This is essentially a keyboardless Synthesizer 101, with a few exceptions. It was designed to sit upright, behind the 101. Instead of glide controls, the 102 has a sample-and-hold module with variable lag time, and instead of noise, the 102 has a ring modulator. The 102 also features weak and strong sync inputs and a mix cascade jack socket instead of the tuning oscillator."

Moog Little Phatty Demo and Revew by Hexfix93


Title link takes you to the review by Hexfix93 of VAC.

1948 Mono Synth

Title link takes you to the post on Synthwire by Carbon111.

Roland Rack System

Title link takes you to one more shot on Lt. John J. Rambo.

Saturday, April 14, 2007

LSC Synth Jam 1


YouTube via shagghie.

"Setting up for LSc Synth Jam #1 in san diego at the www.lostsleepclub.com studios"

EML 101

via this auction.

- EML101 manual.
- 25 Electrcocomp Sequencer Sheets.
- EML101 schematics.
- EML 100 & 200 keyboard cleaning procedures.
- EML101 Panel Jacks information.

Ludwig Synthesizer Phase II

Via this auction.

Anyone know more about this piece?

Update via the comments: morre info and pics: link

Oberheim VCF

Title link takes you to shots pulled via this auction.

details: "mid 70s very rare oberheim pedal which was only made in very small numbers. this is basically the sought after maestro filter sample hold pedal"

via Johan

KORG 800DV

Title link takes you to shots pulled via this auction.

Details:
"MaxiKorg 800DV (dual voice) analog synthesizer. It has 2 identical synths side by side, each with its own controls. This synth has a caracter of its own. It sounds like nothing else and to be able to finetune each part a little bit different then the other results in some nice sounds. The Filters have a nasty "Korg twang" and the way the filter sliders are constructed makes it do specials things...The 800DV is believed to be Korg's awnser to the Moog MiniMoog and although it sounds totally different (both are powerfull) i can stil agree with Korg that this is one hell of a analog synth, it is rare as hens theeth and it looks stunning..I just love the design of this Korg era. It has that 1973 flavour... It has 3 waveshapes, tuneable noise generator, dual ring modulator and loads more.The layout and parameters are not as conventional but that does not make it less powerfull.."

via Johan

KORG PE-1000


via this auction.
Details:
"The PE-1000 is a polyphonic analog synth with presets plus the option of programming it yourself. It has 2 waveforms, chorus, its own envelope generator, 2 band VCF with resonance peaks and a vibrato option. It is allmost like a baby PS-3100 with its 2 resonant peaks. The PE-1000 series are unique sounding, very pure and haunted."

via Johan

Update via Galactika in the comments:
"Here's a beautyfull 1970's demo:

http://www.korganalogue.net/korgother/sounds/PE1000/KorgKPE1000.mp3

(Source: http://www.korganalogue.net)"

The First Synth to....

Update: The new home for this list is now here. You can add to the list there or comment here and I will update both lists. Note that the complete list however will be there as I do not plan on updating this list with updates made there. That would be too much work and would compete with me being able to put up new posts here. Can't let that happen. : ) Related but separate from that list also see https://120years.net. That said...

If you are going to add to the list in the comments, use the same format.

Year - Manufacturer - Model - First at
1837 - C.G. Page (Salem. Mass) - first to produce electronically generated sound (not necessarily associated with a musical instrument). After inventing the Volta in 1800 (an early battery), in 1837 Page was doing experiments with coils and realized when certain coils were attached to a batter they omitted a ringing sound. While he initially thought the ring came from the electrical current was interrupted (battery disconnected), what was actually taking place was the induction through the coils was causing them to vibrate. via Peter Grenader
1885 - Person and Ernst Lorenz -'Elektrisches Musikinstrument' - the first musical instrument designed to produce electrically generated sound. It used electronic vibrations to drive an electromagnet that were connected to resonating boards, which translated these vibrations to sound. via Peter Grenader
1897 - Taddaeus Cahills - Telharmonium - electromechanical instrument.
1936 - Oskar Sala - Mixturtrautonium - first synth using Subharmonic synthesis
1939 - Homer Dudley invents the Parallel Bandpass Vocoder (VODER) - A manually key operated speech synthesizer
1940 - Homer Dudley invents the The Voder speech synthesizer - A device which used the human voice and an artificial voice to produce a composite
Both were researched as a way to transmit speech over copper wires (id est, telephone lines)
1948 - Hugh LeCaine - Electronic Sackbut - First voltage-controlled synthesizer
1948 - Dr. Raymond Scott - Wall of Sound - First polyphonic Sequencing Worstation (electromechanical) and the Electronum - first sequencer.
1950 - CSIR - Mk 1 - The first known use of a digital computer for the purpose playing music
1956 - Louie and Bebe Barron - Produced the first all-electronic musical score for a major motion picture - MGM's 'Forbidden Planet'
1957 - Max V. Mathews at Bell Labs - MUSIC - the first digital synthesizer. Technically, it was a computer program, though it set the stage for every digital synthesizer that proceeded it. See Laurie Spiegel with one here.
1963/64 - Buchla - model 100 modular - 1st "modern" modular synth
1967 - Moog - Moog modular synthesizer I, II & III - 1st commercial modular synth.
1969 - EMS - Synthi VCS-3 - first non-modular mini-synth
1970 - MOOG - Minimoog - 1st Mono Synth with keys (non-modular)
1971 - Tonus/Arp - Soloist - 1st preset mono synth
1971 - John Chowning - developed FM synthesis using the MUSIC-IV language (source), a direct descendent of Mathew's MUSIC program. FM synthesis was later licensed by Yamaha, and used in popular synths such as the DX-7.
1972 - Triadex Muse - first digital synth
""is the first digital musical instrument and was produced in 1972. It was
designed by Edward Fredkin and Marvin Minsky at MIT. It is an algorithmic
music generator: it uses digital logic circuits to produce a sequence of
notes based on the settings of various parameters. It has four small sliders
in that control Volume, Tempo, Pitch, and Fine Pitch. It is not known how
many were made, but they are considered extremely rare.
The Muse is the subject of U. S. Patent 3610801"
1973 - Coupland Digital Music Synthesizer - First Digital (Triadex beat it?) Update via Peter Grenader: "No time to read through all these posts to see if it's come up yet, but the Coupland was vaporwear...it never existed. I met Mark Vail, who's now a friend, by writing him a letter informing him that his story about the Coupland in his Vintage Synthesizers book (GREAT book) which mentioned it's only recorded showing was at the AES show in LA in 1978 was a farce. I was there - at their booth and their suite in the Hilton where the instrument was said to be. I was there on the first day, I was there on the last day. The only thing they had was a small model - about six inches across, sitting on a table. The booth was amazing - this radial orb multiple people could sit in, with a cover that came over each person which played what I remembered was a very impressive demo which swirled around four speakers inside the box. I, and everyone else, were blown away. They kept saying...'it will be here tomorrow, it'll be here tomorrow'...so I showed up the last day just to see it, figuring by the then it would have arrived...it didn't. I did see the frst Synthclavier at that show however. Their suite was across the hall from the Coupland folk. That completely kicked the crap out of everything else shown that year."
1973 - Dartmouth Digital Synthesizer - NED - Synclavier prototype - first digital synth
1974 - Roland - SH-3A - first commercial additive synth
1974 - RMI - Harmonic Synthesizer - first commercial additive synth
1975 - Buchla 502 - six voice polyphonic with minicomputer and ability to save patches to tape drive. Development on the 500 series began in 1969.
1975 - Oberheim FVS - four voice polyphonic with Polyphonic Synthesizer Programmer. Not sure if the Buchla 502 or FVS was released first.
1976 - PPG - PPG 1003 sonic carrier - 1st programmable mono/duo synth with patch memory (this, along with the model 1020, might have been the 1st synths to use DCO's as well)
1977 - Yamaha - CS50/CS60/CS80 - first single enclosure polyphonic keyboard synthesizers with the CS80 to be the first synth with poly aftertouch
1977 (late) - Oberheim - OB-1 - 1st commercial programmable mono synth with patch memory
1978 (late) - PPG - Wavecomputer 360 - 1st wavetable synth
1978 - Sequential Circuits - microprocessor control the SCI prophet 10 (briefly) and the P-5 --- again based on existing E-mu tech stuff
1979 - NED - Synclavier - First FM
1979 - Fairlight CMI - First Sampler, First Workstation
1980 - Performance Music Systems - Syntar - First self contained keytar
1982 - Sequential Circuits - Prophet 600 / First Midi Synthesizer (though some argue the Prophet 5 rev 3.2 is pre-MIDI MIDI)
1983 - Yamaha - DX7 - Digital takes over, FM goes mainstream
1983 - OSC - OSCar - First real-time additive with analog filters
1984 - Sequential Circuits - SixTrak - first multitimbral
1985 - Casio - CZ-101 - First battery-powered all digital mini-synth
1987 - Kawai K5 and Technos Axcel - first additive synths
1989 - E-Mu Systems - Proteus - First dedicated ROMpler
1992 - Seer Systems - first host-based software synthesizer in 1992
1994 - Yamaha - VL1 - first physical modelling synth
1995 - Clavia - Nord Lead - 1st Virtual Analog
1996 - Rubberduck - still not the first softsynth but came before Seer Systems Reality.
1996 - Steinberg - VST - Ok not a synth but enabled a lot to be written as plug-ins and used simultaneously
1997 - Seer Systems - Reality - First Modular Soft Synth
2002 - Hartmann Neuron - first neuronal synth
2912 - KalQuestoTron - the first genetically engineered synth. Each cell is an oscillator, filter, and neural sequencer. Can be delivered via injection to always play 'hold music' in your head.

I thought it might be fun to have a "first synth to..." post. There's been a lot of buzz over Sonic State's Top 20 Synths of All Time with good reason. What exactly is a "top synth?" Is it it's influence on the music scene? It's rarity and lust appeal? The number of synths sold? According to Sonic State their list was the result of Sonic State reader's voting for their favorite synths. Blame the voters if you don't like what you see. Based on what has come up on the list so far, the E-Mu Proteus and Roland JV-1080 for example as well as the Roland Jupiter 8 not even making the top ten, I'm guessing a bit of it has to do with the vote and... possibly the most influential/ground breaking synths for their time. The JV1080 and Proteus? Not super sexy in this day and age, but what they offered in their time? Who knows. It's obviously subjective. But there is something that isn't. The most influential synths of all time not because they were super sexy or utilitarian, but because they offered something that was not previously available.

I thought what might be interesting to create a list of the first synths to feature a particular technology or feature. For example what was the fist synth to bring FM to the table? Was it the DX7 or a predecessor? What was the first digital synth and when? The first additive synth? I have a good idea and could probably look it all up, but that wouldn't be any fun, so.... You tell me. I am going to make this an open post that will live over time. You get to participate by putting an entry in the comments. I will update the list and when I do I will change the time stamp of the post to keep it current. That said, for the archives, this post went up with a time stamp of 4/11/07 7:20 PM PST. I'll start the list (btw, do correct me on the MOOG, what model should we be talking about here? The A, B, C or D or all of them?).

Year - Manufacturer - Model - First at
1970 - MOOG - Minimoog - 1st Mono Synth with keys (non-modular)
1978 - Sequential Circuits - Prophet 5 - 1st Programmable Polyphonic Analog
... List continues above.

Update 3/34/12: Also see the first synthesizers to offer patch storage here.

The Baby Ball Box Two - Circuit Bent Contraption


YouTube via carpeteria. Hmm... I remember Carpeteria from when I was a kid. Carpeteria, Carpeteria, Carpeteria! Via Sendling where you will find one more video.

MUSE at the Forum

Title link takes you to more shots and a review on Amateur Chemist.

On Radio Modular via Doktor Future

On the right hand side of this site, just above the Sparkle Train logo, you will see a link for Doktor Future's Radio Modular. It's a live feed of his gear just doing it's thing. Below is a description of what Doktor Future (Paul Sop) started running last night.



"Andromeda -(mono out)>
-> triple-resonant filter w/lfo modulating
-> compressor (maybe 1-2db reduction at times)
-> chandler germanium
-> compressor (maybe 3-4db reduction)
-> ADC
-> digital eq (free Kajerhus Classic EQ)
-> Kyma (passing through a physical model of a Violin's Resonant
Cavity - subtle)
-> Some Weiss Ambiance Processing (very subtle)
-> Eventide panning delays (to make it seem like Stereo)

+ those risset bells I'm fond of in the background at a very very low volume.

The A6 is going at a low BPM through an arpeggiator, which is what
makes the tone sequence. A6 digital effects are off but there is a
slight touch of the A6 transistor distortion.

I have cables sticking down two keys on the A6.

I like how sometimes it's crystal, sometimes its grungy low. Kinda
neat. I thought you might enjoy giving it a listen, for I know you
like drones a bit."

Hi Auntie Anne!

Mijn Modcan

Title link takes you to more.

Via Dennis

AHNE 2007: An Analogue Cinco de Mayo

via alt-mode:

"Hi,

We're running a bit late this year but Analogue Heaven Northeast 2007
will be on Saturday, May 5th in Bolton, MA USA from 11AM to 5PM! More
information can be found at:
http://www.stretta.com/ahne/2007/

That is just three weeks from today so make your plans now! You can
subscribe to the event mailing list via the web page above.

Join us for an Analogue Cinco de Mayo, umm celebrating our victory over
digital tyranny... ;) Plans are also afoot for a party afterwards.

Please feel free to post this to other analogue synth groups.

Eric"

Abiku

flickr by NateGroadie.

MOOG Liberation

More:
Abiku
myspace.com/abiku
flirckr.com/photos/abiku

Elektron Easter Suprise

This one via Niall.

"I ordered some replacement encoders from Elektron for my Machinedrum, and they included a little holiday surprise. Note the SPS-1 sticker. Sadly, I have yet to see the best-known easter egg, a pixelated Elvis on startup, and I've had the MD for a few years, now."

Too cool. Title link takes you to one more shot.

Oberheim Xpander with External Signal Input

Title link takes you to shots pulled via this auction.

Interestingly the auction does not mention the input mod in the bottom picture. Anyone know more about this?

Friday, April 13, 2007

Minimoog Front Panel

via this auction.

Details:
"If you have a damaged front panel in your beloved Minimoog, here is a brand new one for restoring it. Also, if you are planning to make a DIY synthesizer, a Mini Clone or a similar project, this panel is a real must... It is made in plastic, identical to the old original one and will allow you to give a real rebirth of a worn Mini panel. It has already the holes that perfectly fit the Mini's hardware"

Harmony Central Theater - John Bowen Discusses the Solaris at the Musikmesse

This is a good overview by John. Title link takes you to the HC Musicmesse videos. You will find John's in the middle right.

Anyware Instruments M-Pole Thoughts by JanVanVolt

Title link takes you there. Note samples will follow so be sure to check back later.

Synton Syrinx


Click here for shots via this auction.

Details:
"There are 300 Syrinxes on this planet. 3 of them are white, 20 of them are blue, 20 of them are red and the rest is black.
2 BPFs and a LPF all with cut/peak control at the same time. also strange bending sensor and modulator. HARDWARE: 2 CEM3310 EG 2 CEM3340 VCO 2 CEM3350 Dual VCF 1 CEM3360 Dual VCA."
via Johan

rightside

flickr by pac209. Leftside and middle after the hop.

Five 12 Numerology


Just realized I hadn't put a post up on Numerology before. Mac only from what I can tell. Now if they only ported this to Windows...

"So what is it?

Numerology is a revolutionary new virtual studio environment from a small company known as Five12. It is a modular sequencing and Audio Unit hosting environment designed for performing musicians. It works by giving the user an organized workspace within which they can quickly create and connect together a variety of modules for sequencing, MIDI generation, automation, audio synthesis and effects. By using Numerology in conjunction with your choice of Audio Unit plugins and hardware synths, you can create an open compositional environment that is truly your own.

The sequencing modules in Numerology follow a model similar to that originally used by analog sequencers: The user creates sequences of general-purpose control values that can be routed to other modules to control generation of MIDI Notes, CC, NRPN or Pitch Bend messages. These streams of MIDI data can either be routed to Audio Synthesizers running in Numerology, or external MIDI hardware and software, or both."

Au Revoir Simone - Fallen Snow


YouTube via pinkteeth. "Synth" content comes in at the end. : )
via Wingo Shackleford in the comments of this post.

The Octave CAT with Cat

via Catsynth.com.

Cylob Music System - CMS Environment

"I started programming in the first version of SuperCollider in 1998, making a simple drum machine / synth, and later a granular automatic remix tool. After a few years break, I returned to the program in 2001 (version 2 on Mac OS 9) and made a new "drum machine" with many more different sounds. Extending this further, I added 8 step sequencer modules and a much more involved synthesis system to go with it. I used this new program, named Cylob Music System 3000, to make a series of EP's which were released in 2004. After this I started to investigate the new version of SuperCollider running on Mac OS X, which, although it had a much steeper learning curve, was much more flexible in terms of sound patching and generation. Attempting to learn from my previous mistakes, I set about making a new version of my program (CMS Environment) the scope of which has grown to encompass many different ways to compose and create sound.

The CMS consists of 784 classes, the code itself coming to 4.1 MB. It remains a work in progress, having taken 5 years so far."

Title link takes you to more info. Also check out DJ Cylob's blog, Cyloblog.

Nintendo Wiimote Theremin with Moog Little Phatty


YouTube via gattobus.

CIRCUIT BENT HR-16B SEQUENCED BY LAPTOP


YouTube via weatherkop.

KORG M500

Title link takes you to shots pulled via this auction.

Details:
"The M-500 was the first preset analog synth released by Korg. Features: -32 keys -portamento -6 preset banks, 30 preset tones -traveler modulation -vibrato -attack and sustain adjust -fine tuning pitch control."
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