Roland Juno-60

YouTube via analoguecrazy4.
"Here are a few classic 80's sounds i created on my Roland Juno-60."

Creamware ASB Rack

via Sendling.

Three ASB Boxes
Minimax
Pro-12
Prodyssey

Image originally via fidgit on sequencer.de.

EMXP

"EMXP is a software primarily designed for use with vintage Emu samplers, especially Emax samplers.

EMXP is currently the only Windows XP software available which is capable of writing and reading Emax sound data and OS data to and from floppy disks.

Started as an evolution of the original EMX software (which was only available for MS-DOS), EMXP now contains a lot of additional features such as WAV-to-EMAX conversion and support for removable harddisks (like ZIP disks and CDROMs).

Moreover EMXP is not limited to Emax samplers anymore. Other vintage Emu samplers are also (partly) supported: Emulator II and Emulator III."

Title link takes you there. via dvdborn.

ELKA Soloist

via Till "Qwave" Kopper on electro-music.com. Note it is for sale.

Musikmuseet

via altemark on the Matrixsynth forum:
"A member of the swedish analog sympathizer-mailinglist is working at the Musikmuseet with documenting the electronic instruments there.. Some pictures of guitar synthesizers, modular synths, the rare swedish DATATON system etc"
Title link takes you there. Pictured here is the DATATON.

Wiard Site Updates

Via Grant Richter on the Wiard list:
"Introduced Model 311 "New Controller" with dual Joystick / JAGs. Photo on 'Purchase' page.
Introduced Models 353, 354 and 355 which are Borg 2 and Boogie filters on 300 compatible faceplates. See 'Purchase' page for photos.
Kept 3 of the 1200 series for the moment in black only. 90% of 1200 sales were black faceplates, made sense to keep the most popular.
I'm looking at a Model 372 which is an over and under dual Noise Ring. Graphics are the problem, requiring extensive editing of the hpgl engraving layer to clear the white graphics and text."
Title link takes you there.

Buchla with a Touch of Serge

via Reed:
"Thought I'd throw another log on the fire regarding the Serge/Buchla debate [see comments of this post]. Here's a picture of my current home Buchla system, for bleeping without having to remain after hours at work. It features an embedded Serge panel, expertly tweaked by Mr. Verbos to accomodate the 0-15V Buchla range. It is a standard issue from the "red" series, comprised of a quantizer, shift register, dual transient generator, random source, smooth/stepped generator, cv mixer, dual slope generator and a vc-adsr. It provides a Swiss Army knife's worth of voltage processing. (Here's where the Serge fans get agitated that it's not being used to make sound).

On one hand, most of its functions can be accomplished (some may argue, more elegantly) with various Buchla modules. Sometimes you can pretend that when you're patching up a Serge "SSG," you're just avoiding tieing up half of a Buchla "SOU," a 257 Voltage Processor & a sample & hold. At other times it's fun to get sucked into the Serge mindset ("Whoa, everything's just something that goes up, down, or gets frozen in time, man"). Plus there are Serge quirks that yield unique results. The VC Rate on the Stepped generator comes to mind. Plus there are things that are simply fun & easy, like clock division with a slope generator.

Last time I saw Gary Chang he told me of his opposition to the "frankensynth" concept, meaning that the serious person should commit to one system & get down to music making. I tend to agree. Personally, nothing speaks more to my musical soul than Vietnam-era Buchla modules. But a souped-up Serge panel sure makes a robust plug-in, to use the parlance of our time.

There's a 259 on the shelf behind the Buchla in case I feel like getting trendy. An additional touch plate keyboard is out of frame. "

MOOG Liberation

Title link takes you to shots via this auction.

#Laboratory

Title link takes you there. The following are a number of online instruments you can play with real time.

http://lab.andre-michelle.com/tb-303
http://lab.andre-michelle.com/wavepole-synthesizer
http://lab.andre-michelle.com/playing-with-pulse-harmonics
http://lab.andre-michelle.com/synthesized-drumsounds

The Definitive Sequential Circuits Prophet-5 Rev1 vs Rev3 Test

"Since the introduction of the Prophet-5 Rev 3 a legend or myth has perpetuated that
the SSM based Prophet-5 Rev 1 and Rev 2 are sonically superior to their CEM based,
and much more prolific successor, the Rev 3. In this experiment I intend to
demonstrate the sonic similarities and subtle differences between the revs using
similar manual mode patches that define the sound of the PROPHET-5."

Title link takes you there including A/B samples.

Syntrax - Free Mobile Music Studio

"Meet Syntrax, the long awaited sequel to Jaytrax, the first software synthesizer and sequencer on the PocketPC. It has all the modern musician wants when away from the studio! A sequencer, sound synthesis and sample editor all wrapped up in a nice little package! Syntrax runs on Symbian devices as well as the PocketPC. Syntrax is the first and only professional music package for the mobile phone. Syntrax is packed with all the professional features you might expect from a mobile music studio. This includes MIDI support, a sequencer, sample editing, software synthesizer, realtime echoes, morphing etc."

This was sent in by Stefan who had the following to say about it: "It's a free tracker with (unique) softsynth for running on a PDA or Smartphone. i did some demos for it in 2001 already. It's mega cool fun playing around with. (great for killing time in public transport)" Syntrax website. Samples.

VIRUS indigo, quatrième partie

YouTube via docteurgreene.

Roland SH-101

Title link takes you to shots via this auction. Cool box.

Roland Super Jupiter MKS-80 and MPG-80

Title link takes you to shots via this auction.

Details:
"The MPG-80 is a Revision 5 opertaing system (the most stable available) The MPG-80 serial number is 572225. The MKS-80 serial number is 593547."

SUIKO-100

via this auction. Click the image for a larger shot.

Details:
"SUIKO-100 is extremely rare and most strange japanese electronic musical instruments it was originally made for japanese traditinal music circa. 1980. SUIKO-100 was a most expensive and top of the line product of SUIKO series it's built in cool brown custom suitcase like EMS synth, one side of the suitcase is a speaker so you can play without external amp or mixer but don't worry it has audio output too. keyboard itself is built in beautiful plastic case and design look lil bit like Roland TB-303 BASSLINE keyboard is separatable from it's case

these keyboards were very expensive and made very limited quantities those days so i'ts very hard to find even in Japan nowadays... this is your first and last chance to get this vintage gem! it has 2 rows of button keyboard this keyboard specially designed for playing glissando easily instruments like koto(japanese harp) front row of the keyboard is japanese scale,so just playing randomly you can easily get exotic japanese melody!

there are various switchs and dial for special japanese tuning, sustain, octave, vibrate, bend, mono/poly switchs are avaliable and it also has auto play/rec function with IC card but unfotunately this one has no cards

many sounds are selectable,mainly japanese traditional instruments like shyakuhachi(japanese bamboo flute), koto(japanese harp) and to oboe, strings, chorus etc..

in drums mode it become exotic rhythm section full of japanese traditional drums and percussion and you can play all these percussion by keyboard sounds are very real and warm and strange!,very unique original sounds even chorus or strings sound has dark vintage sound color like mellotron"

Music Video: bulbotron

YouTube via robotpickle.
music made on my OB8, Minimoog, and Matrix1000 with some virus for tasty waves; video frankensteined together from various docs. enjoy love and peace."

Flower Electronics Little Boy Blue

Title link takes you there.

The Mighty Serge Modular

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

"The Serge is kind of hard to nail-down and quantify because, depending on how they're patched, some modules can be many different things - this is called "patch programmable" in serge-speak.


Most notable in this regard is the Dual Universal Slope Generator, it can be any of the following things:

-Non-linear lowpass filter
-Envelope follower
-Sub-harmonic generator
-Linear portamento
etc..."

Fascinating when you think about it. What other modulars can do this?

MOOG Dual VCO

Title link takes you to more shots and opinions of the MOOG Dual VCO rack on Lt. John J. Rambo.

"These units were not built by Robert Moog but the are basically a rackmounted pair of the Moog 921 VCO modules. I did some direct comparisons between my Voyager and the VCO in the CE, and the CE killed the Voyager at every waveform tested."

Vocal Processor via Casper Electronics

Vocal Processor, VP2 via Casper Electronics. Title link takes you to more info including a separate echo effect unit.

Roland TB-303

Title link takes you to shots via this auction.

BTW, looks like there have been quite a few TB-303'sup for auction since this Music Thing post.

Oberheim 4 Voice

Title link takes you to shots via this auction.

ARP 2600

Title link takes you to shots via this auction.

EMS Synthi AKS

Title link takes you to shots via this auction. Funny seller name on this one.

Roland System 100

Title link takes you to shots via this auction. Not the best shots, but you don't see these too often.

Latronic Notron

Title link takes you to shots via this auction.

Details:
"4 elements of 16 steps each. 4 wheels. 4 knobs for note length and 4 knobs for velocity. There's a transpose area, and some specialty sections for saving/loading and setting up various wheel functions. You can set each element to the same or to different MIDI channels. You can pretty much do everything without ever hitting the Stop button.

So why is the Notron better than the Zeit, P3, Octopus, etc? In my opinion, it has a great balance of hardware and functionality. There's just enough tools to completely mutilate your MIDI sequences and enough hardware control to give you awesome live capabilities. You don't spend time and lose focus by paging through menus on screen and the functions that are built in give you a lot of control over what's happening without getting you lost in the details. There's also simple dedicated controls that make a huge difference. These include dedicated Note length controls and the Sustain, Mute, and MIDI Kill buttons. In addition, the Notron handles MIDI slightly differently than most other boxes. The Notron spits out MIDI CC data inbetween steps. A lot of other hardware MIDI sequencers only send MIDI CC data at discrete intervals (ie - on each step). If you watch the Notron data, you'll see the CC data coming out between steps for smoother changes.

Other cool functions include Supersteps, Events (automated changes as if the wheel was manually moved each time), Scales, Sequence Shifts, BeatCreep (swing), and more. I used to have the manual on-line (before the latest ISP crash wiped out the site) and maybe you can still find a copy to look at somewhere."

Sonicstate Talk to DEVO

Title link takes you to the interview. They touch on Morton Subotnik and John Cage as influences, the Minimoog, circuit bending before Circuit Bending, the Synthi AKS, PAiA, their broken ARP Odyssey (they had a tech to make sure it remained broken) and more.

Robotspeak Sessions 3.5 (3 of 5) *Peter Kirn*

YouTube via chachijones.
"Peter Kirn's performance from Robotspeak Sessions 3.5 (Maker Faire Edition). May 18th, 2007. Filmed and edited by Andrew Cavette."
Title link takes you to the post on Robotspeak on CDM with more info and vids.

Adern announces Flexor 3

"Adern announces Flexor 3, a groundbreaking add-on for the Scope DSP modular system.
Adern is proud to announce the release of FleXor 3, a groundbreaking add-on pack of modules that takes your Scope Modular system to the next level. Flexor3 integrated with SonicCore (Creamware) Scope Modular3 is quite simply the most advanced and powerful digital modular system available today. The thick sound of FleXor3 recreates the satisfying warmth of analog as well as offering routes into uncharted digital territory..
150 new synthesis and processing components have been added since the original, revolutionary FleXor collection was released. As well as rich and complex oscillators, waveshapers and filters, a mind-expanding range of granular processors, sequencers, modulators and effects unleashes extraordinary new sound design potential.
FleXor3's modules are designed to be modulated at audio rate - together with the Scope's zero-latency real-time DSP architecture, you can explore extreme sonic worlds that few digital modular systems can reach. FleXor3 can sound lush and creamy or razor sharp, aggressive and futuristic, with an infinite variety of shimmering possibilities in between.
If making patches isn't your strong point, don't worry because FleXor3 ships with 500MB of patches from our team of gifted and visionary sound designers. A huge range of jaw-dropping synthesizers, audio processors, guitar effects, sequencers and granular manglers are ready to drop straight into your tracks.
Featuring:
New Oscillators, Shapers, Filters, Sequencers, Modulators, FX, Granulators and more!
Over 150 new modules, with more than 250 modules in total.
A huge library of stunning ready-made patches for synthesis, processing, sequencing and more.
Immense Potential for synthesis, sound design and audio processing
Audio-rate modulation
Full Documentation & Integrated help
Distinctive UI design
Based on a purist programming approach for the Scope DSP cards, the entire arsenal of FleXor modules are built entirely from scratch using low level building blocks such as Buffers, Adders, Dividers, Multipliers, and so on. Each resulting module is a brand new design with a characteristic sound of its own and is not a replica of any previously existing modules.
FleXor 3 Highlights:
FleXor 3 FR Oscillator Collection:
A diverse range of oscillators featuring internal waveshaping and anti-aliasing, providing a huge spectrum of oscillator wave-shapes and modulation effects.
FleXor 3 Granular Collection:
Basic building blocks for granular processing that can be combined to create mind-blowing complex realtime granular effects.
FleXor 3 Shaper Collection:
Shape the waveforms of oscillators and audio signals in real time, with everything from subtle saturation modules to extreme harmonic and formant shapers.
FleXor 3 Filter Collection:
More than 30 different filter modules offering a wealth of flavors. Some highlights include all-pass based phasers and formant filters, classic low-pass and high-pass filters, wahwahs, comb filters and more.
FleXor 3 Envelope Collection:
Fast, precise and complex custom envelopes are available, featuring the ability to incorporate LFO's or any external signal as envelope stages.
FleXor 3 Sequencer Collection:
FleXor's sequencing toolset is now even easier to use, and includes all-new sequencing tools. Make larger, more complex sequences of notes and parameters to make your sounds come alive, manipulate ramps with waveshapers and even drive sequences with any audio source.
Requirements
SonicCore (Creamware) Scope DSP board system
Scope Modular2 or Modularv3
6 dsps or more recommended (Scope Project / Pulsar2)

http://www.adern.com
June 20th, 2007"

The Tellun Corporation

This is actually part 2 of the previous post. Title link takes you to The Tellun Corporation where you will find sections on MOTM, the Sequential Circuits Pro-One and the MOOG Polymoog. Definitely check out the MOTM section for some stunning shots.

TLN-428 Voltage Controlled State Variable Filter

"The TLN-428 is a state variable filter built around a Curtis Electromusic Specialties CEM 3320 chip. Four simultaneous outputs (all with two pole response) are provided: low pass, high pass, band pass, and notch. A built in mixer allows for two audio inputs. The filter frequency can be set using a panel mounted pot, a "one volt per octave" external control voltage, or via two external FM inputs with attenuators (one reversing). Filter resonance can be set using a panel mounted pot or an external control voltage with a reversing attenuator."

Title link takes you to more info and samples.

Nervous Greg

YouTube via greggo89. "Nervous Gender cover"

EML Prototype?

via this auction

Details:

"To my knowledge, this is a unique synth. It appears to be an EML prototype. Basic features are - 2 VCOs, multi-mode filter, VCA, AR envelope, sample and hold, and spring reverb.

Given the professional build of the case, the use of some pre-made circuit boards and some breadboards, and the overall sound, it appears to have either been made by EML or made by someone closely associated with EML. I don't have any specific documentation on this synth, but I do have some tech sheets and circuits that seem to closely resemble most of what's in here.

Some paths are pre-patched, and I am including 10 patchcords to make additional connections. I've tested most of the functions, knobs, and jacks and so far, the only thing I need to look at is the LFO LED is not blinking.

The raw oscillators and the multimode filter sound great and the spring reverb is an Accutronics and definitely high quality.

As you can see from the pictures, the VCF board is labelled EML VCF and the VCA board says EML-100 along the edge. Most of the boards have hand-written dates of 1977 on them, so that gives a good idea of when this was assembled.

So, now you know what I know about this. It's a 110v power supply. I didn't see an obvious way to switch it, but it looks like the same power supply as used inside the EML 101, EML 200 and EML 400."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Robert Moog - news profile from the early 90s

YouTube via postingoldtapes.

Modified Toy Orchestra on Sonic State

Title link takes you to a pretty cool vid on Modified Toy Orchestra and their love for toy instruments. The music they create with this is pretty amazing.

Modified Toy Orchestra
"Modified Toy Orchestra are a collection of abandoned and reconstructed Childrens electronic toys, conducted by a selection of musicians.

As a solo artist Brian Duffy [bottom left] has been performing, lecturing, and demonstrating the Modified Toy Orchestra and the philosophical implications of his experiments for six years."

Lemaril Studio 1989 and studio35d

Remember this awesome video? Here's a shot of the studio. The video was uploaded by studio35d and it turns out studio35d has a pretty cool blog of his own. You can check it out here. You can read more about this shot and the vid in his post here.

via the Matrixsynth forum

Buchla 200e and Haken Audio Continuum

Gorgeous shots sent my way via Richard Lainhart of his Buchla 200e and Haken Audio Continuum. Title link takes you to a couple more.

To see what someone with this gear is working on and with (people and gear), check out Richard's O-Town Media.

And yes, samples of the two will be coming. : )




And a nice Matrixsynth by Richard Lainhart. : )

C64 Vids

Etwas Zeit - Mikron 64

YouTube via kleenefotze.

mikron 64 - was ich weiss

YouTube via ketukaru. Two favorites of convoythecat. Was the C64 capable of speech synthesis?

attackingdrone - Custom Oberheim Modular drone

Remember this shot from this post? Below is a drone of the custom Oberheim SEM modular by Dennis.



download here
Also see this post.

AMAZONA.de and the ELKA Synthex

Title link takes you to AMAZONA.ed's ELKA Synthex Page in German. There are some nice pics and samples. You can find a Google translated version in Enlish here. Be sure to click on the keys link on the left when you get there for more synths, new and vintage.

Live in the studio 1989

YouTube via studio35d. Via the Matrixsynth forum.

"Browsing through my archive of old material, I stumbled upon this interesting video. It was filmed somewhere in 1989 and 1990 by Robbert Schuller. Here you see me improvising with the Sequential Pro-One, Elka Synthex and Korg DSS-1. I have tried to correct the color and lightning digitally, as the Hi8 camera had some problems with low lightning apparently. No further editing has been made to the video. Other instruments that were present, but not used during the take are: Yamaha CS20M, Korg DDD1, Roland TR808, Korg Mono/Poly, Riha Adagio organ :-)"

cv control of boss microrack effects

scan via electro-music.com via synth ollie.

ULTRAVOX - THE THIN WALL - TOTP

YouTube via transceive. via sequencer.de.

Inner Circus - original synth prog rock

YouTube via hamsterdunce.
"Here's a snappy little tune in a not very dance-able 11/8. I stuck a few more solos in there than there really should be. If you like this kind of nefarious note-noodling you'll love my Parallax CDs on umop.com/parallax.htm"

Moog Opus3 Demo

YouTube via legionhwp.
"Demo of Moog Opus3 organ/strings analog synthesizer. From: http://www.HelpWantedProductions.com.

Electronika EM-25

Title link takes you to shots via this auction. The auction appears to be via the great Ruskeys site. If you haven't checked out Ruskeys yet, do it.

Details:
"SOVIET CCCP RARE VINTAGE ANALOG SYNTHESIZER IS LOOKED LIKE ROLAND JUNO! VERY HARD-TO-FIND NOW, IN VERY GOOD CONDITION! EM-25 HAS VERY IMPRESSIVE SOUND - WARM FAT STRINGS, SOLID ORGAN, VINTAGE BRASS, SMOOTH LEADS AND POWER FX SOUNDS...INSTRUMENT CAN BE SYNCHRONIZED FROM EXTERNAL SOURCES (CV MONO/POLY)

DESCRIPTION: EM-25 is 49-note (C-C) polyphonic string / brass / organ keyboard. Control of string and organ envelopes. Brass section has ADSR, LFO with vibrato delay and rate control, filter with awesome resonance. Single or multiple triggering of envelope. Sliders ranged along the panel behind the keyboard, with three integral-LED switches in centre. Roland-like modulation wheel, keyboard splittable. Made in the Moscow electronic factory.

EM-25 HAS 6 MAIN SECTIONS OF CONTROL:

POWER - on/off switch
STRINGS - attack, sustain, global sustain mode on/off; registers 16", 8", 4" - left, 8", 4" - right
ORGAN - registers 16", 8", 4", 2"/ 8", 4", 2"
SELECTOR - strings; organ; brass on/off
BRASS - vibrato; 16", 8", 4"/ 8", 4"; LFO rate, delay; filter ADSR, multi trig on/off, filter LFO deptch, mod, cut off, resonance
TRANSPOSER - detune, slide time, interval, octave, main volume, pitch wheel

CONNECTIONS - phones; stereo out, mono (0dB, -20dB), ext control in - mono, poly; pedal (for volume & pitch shift)

Demos via ruskeys.net:
sound1 - sweep pad
sound2 - layered strings
sound3 - cosmo FX
link to scanned manual/schemes"

EMS VCS3

Title link takes you to shots via this auction.

Details:
"Beautiful vintage Electronic Music Studios VCS3 synthesizer. This is a pretty early one in amazing condition. Very minimal cosmetic wear and works like a charm. Has a complete sent of pins. I bought replacement silver caps for the knobs that are missing them that will be included in the sale. There is one modifiaction that was done in the 70's by the university that purchased it or by EMS for the University. It is a pitch inverter which I have not played around with."

Plan B Cases and Plan B Goes to College

via the Plan B list:

"Along with the Synthbox Spacecase solution, Plan B will be releasing a desktop system of their own. The yet-unnamed chassis is a desktop unit which consists of three 25 1/4 inch rows and a total capacity of 630 HP (roughly 5 1/2 standard Eurorack rows). An optional top-mounted expander will provide an additional 25 1/4 inches of mounting space. The system will be powered by a single ultra low-noise DC power supply with an external transformer so that VCOs and other temporature-sensitive devices may be mounted anywhere. Further noise-floor safeguards come from a specialized motherboard configured with direct routing of all ground signals (no daisy-chaining).

The top and bottom rows will have an additional 1.75 inches (1 RU) of vertical capacity each, which will be used for mult strips, an extensive I/O patchbay for routing from and to the case itself and in time, touch keyboards for driving the Model 21 Sequencer."

Also:
"We're pleased to announce two Plan B college installations currently in production - one at Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA. and the second at the California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, CA. While the Evergreen instrument takes more of a large scale 'frankensynth' configuration, consisting of other manufacture's products along with ours, the installation at CalArts will consist entirely of Plan B goods and the first to be shipped in our new case which will available for purchase in the fall of 2007. More info will be posted on these systems as it is available."

My Wife Rocks!

I wasn't planning on posting anything regarding my birthday today, but after an excellent lunch (Pho and some stir fry) we headed back home for presents! I got one of those Radio Shack 200 in 1 electronic kits which I've been wanting for some time now. Gotta start somewhere... and it just looks like some fun to be had building sirens and crap. After the gifts and cards she puts a blind fold on me and tells me not to peek. Her and my daughter come back singing happy birthday with this! I could not believe it. A Matrix birthday cake, green on black with my first and favorite synth, the Oberheim Matrix-6. So awesome... She has been 100% behind me, the blog and my synth habit since day one. They are out there guys. : )

I love my wife!

I of course took a ton of shots of the cake for posterity's sake. You can find them here.

And no, she does not call me Matrix on a regular basis. : )

John Foxx - Theres No One Driving Top of the Pops

YouTube via Elektrapunk. Via sequencer.de where you will find one more vid.
So are those Yamaha CS60s or CS80s? I see the ribbon so the CS50 is out. I don't see the two rows of patch bank buttons on the CS80, so I'm guessing they are CS60s.