Monday, July 02, 2007
KORG MS03 Pitch to Analog CV
via this auction
Details:
"KORG MS-03: Identical to the MS-20's "External Signal Processor"
This amazing little device translates audio into voltage to control both Hz/V (Korg, Yamaha) and V/Oct (Roland, Moog, Octave, Arp, etc.) analog synths. What's more, it outputs positive and negative gate signals, ENV follower voltage, and has built-in portamento. I used it to make automatic bass lines from drum machine beats and to sweep a Frostwave Resonator filter from the envelope follower. For more in-depth reading on the MS-03's functions, the manual can be found here. The item functions perfectly and runs on US voltage. I have tested it on a Roland SH-2 and a Yamaha CS-15."
Sunday, July 01, 2007
Music Video: Mooger Vacation
YouTube via robotpickle.
"Summer time in Corpus Christi. Vacation footage from Corpus Christi, TX. All video shot on a Canon Powershot camera. For the music, I used the Oberheim OB8, Roland Alpha Juno 1, Virus, and Reaktor. Crowd ambience is from one of the indoor aquariums at the Texas State Aquarium."
Dor Demos the EMU SP-1200
YouTube via boomspot.
"Dor of www.boomspot.com shows you the basics of the legendary SP-1200 drum machine."
Bell Labs Speech Synthesis Site
via Pete
midiGun - alternative midi controller
Remember the midiGun? Here's a video of it.
YouTube via starcodo.
"The "midiGun" is a novel handheld midi controller. This gunshaped interface was especially designed to remotely control realtime music softwares like Ableton LIVE, Traktor DJ or others.
The "midiGun" replaces the classical DJ mixer and the keyboard at the same time. The "midiGun" is a new kind of device that can be intuitively used because of its handy shape and easy accessible knobs, buttons and sensors.
The user can trigger and control sounds and effects on a PC without watching a monitor or using a mouse and keyboard. The controllers and sensors can be individually customized to fit the connected software or to serve special user preferences. The "midiGun" offers 16 different controllers which can be cascaded in 16 switchable sets. This allows for a total of 256 independent sound and effects controls at the reach of your fingertips. Additional lighting effects and a visible distance measuring laserbeam guarantee for the attention of the audience. http://www.midigun.com"
YouTube via starcodo.
"The "midiGun" is a novel handheld midi controller. This gunshaped interface was especially designed to remotely control realtime music softwares like Ableton LIVE, Traktor DJ or others.
The "midiGun" replaces the classical DJ mixer and the keyboard at the same time. The "midiGun" is a new kind of device that can be intuitively used because of its handy shape and easy accessible knobs, buttons and sensors.
The user can trigger and control sounds and effects on a PC without watching a monitor or using a mouse and keyboard. The controllers and sensors can be individually customized to fit the connected software or to serve special user preferences. The "midiGun" offers 16 different controllers which can be cascaded in 16 switchable sets. This allows for a total of 256 independent sound and effects controls at the reach of your fingertips. Additional lighting effects and a visible distance measuring laserbeam guarantee for the attention of the audience. http://www.midigun.com"
3 Generations of EVI
via vgermuse3 generations of EVI:
bottom: Crumar Steiner EVI, early 80's
middle: Steiner Midi EVI, 90's onward
top: AKAI Steiner EVI, 1987
As always, click the image for a larger shot.
rocco perciante ORGANISM 1.0!!!
via rocco"noise synth with 3 oscillators 2 frequency modulator and more glitch effects generator.....video coming soon....."
http://www.percianterocco.it
COMMONTONES Phase II
COMMONTONES is a project by Sonicbrat, Eric, and LDT. In Phase I of COMMONTONES the members produced one track a day. The great thing about each track was that the description included a list of the instruments used. I put a few posts up on tracks featuring only one or two synths. It really was an interesting trip listening to what they come up with each day. For Phase II they will be doing one track a week. Each track will feature one member as a main driving force with the other two members as support. "Three musicians...
Three minds...
One song...
A weekly affair between the trio. Their first music making effort as an entity rather than solitude contributions. They will be working on a single piece weekly, a song a week, for the entire month of July. This is their next step, something they had in mind for a long time... and finally materializing. This is only the beginning."
Title link takes you there.
Rhodes Chroma Programming Manual Now Online
via Chris Ryan on the Rhodes Chroma mailing list:"The Programming Manual is now online at the site. This includes transcriptions and scans of all the sections from the print version: Structure, Programming, Panel Parameter Descriptions, Hidden Functions, Sample Program, Cassette Interface Notes, and Glossary.
There are a number of corrections, from spelling mistakes to errors in parameter values and a little bit of additional information. Thanks to David Clarke for his help with this.
As this was a significant effort -- 25,000 words manually transcribed and a fair amount of scanning -- I may consider this update a "special summer double issue" and forego a new article for August. (I will still post the ChromaTalk archive for July and do other minor updates.)
A question: now that this manual is available in hypertext, do you see any value in retaining the PDF file on the site? The PDF file is a scan (it is not searchable text), and the site does have a print style sheet which provides for a nicely formatted paper copy if needed. The (1.4MB) Programming Manual PDF has only been downloaded 54 times so far this year. The same goes for the 5MB Service Manual PDF, which has been downloaded 88 times, versus 701 page views in 2007 for the main page of the HTML version (the Schematics and Drawings page has been viewed 1055 times). There are now over 1700 files on the site, for a total of about 200MB of the 250MB I'm allowed with my current hosting plan, so there's some room left to grow but also a few large files of dubious value (I have removed the 5MB Sequencer Manual PDF as it's been downloaded only four times so far in 2007; it's still available on request).
Chris"
CustomSynth.co.uk Black Roland Juno-106
Click here for more shots via CustomSynth.
Update: two more higher res shots below. Click this for the full size.
Crumar Orchestrator
Title link takes you to shots via this auction. Click the images for a bigger shot. Note the glass/plastic buttons under the main control panel in the second shot.
SK1 VISUAL SYNTHESIZER (eddi)
YouTube via STAKKERHUMANOID. via Sendling.
"the visuals you are watching were created using just a casio sk1 and eddi (electronic devices digital interface) an output was taken from eddi and fed to a visual mixer where only the contrast and chroma were increased - no other effect has been applied for more info http://www.glitch.tv to purchase eddi http://www.fsoldigital.com this product was created by glitch.tv somerset uk for FSOLDIGITAL.CO"
RS7000 Acid House
YouTube via darenager.
"Rough mix of a track I am currently working on, it is just me muting tracks in and out on the RS7000 in realtime.
The track was written as a retrospective to the sounds I used to dance to at parties in my youth from 1987-1989. It takes influence from artists such as Mr Fingers, Frankie Knuckles, Marshall Jefferson and other great early house and acid house producers. There are no samples from other records but there is a couple of 303 loops and an 808 sample from my machines.
Hope you enjoy it."
Awesome stuff. I remember going to raves during this time in LA. Good times.
MOOG Micromoog
Title link takes you to shots pulled via this auction.Details:
"To download a copy of the Moog Micromoog User Guide:
1) Right-Click on the link below
2) Choose “Save Target As...”
3) Choose your destination folder
4) Click “Save”
Moog Micromoog User Guide - 13.3MB (pdf file)"
Octave CAT
via this auction.Details:
The original CAT Synthesizer was released in 1975 when the company now called Voyetra Turtle Beach, INC was called Octave Electronics. The second version called the CAT SRM (for "Series Revised Model"), was released in 1977, followed by the SRM2 in 1980. By that time the company had merged with Plateau Electronics and the company name changed to Octave-Plateau Electronics,Inc.
The Cat analog synthesis design served as the basis for the Voyetra Eight Synthesizer released in 1982. The Voyetra Eight's rich sound was utilized by such artists as Edgar Winter, Bon Jovi, The Eurythmic, Stevie Wonder and many other famous artists of the early 1980's. A copy of the first literature for the Voyetra Eight is included with the CAT instruction manual.
This CAT SRM 2 was the last of 100 units manufactured in 1981. These units were stored in a warehouse for 20 years and were intended for distrubution on the 25th anniversary of the CAT debut. As such this is a "Collector's Edition" CAT Synthesizer representing the art of analog music synthesis in the days before MIDI, programmability and digital synthesis."
Bell Labs Speech Synthesis
Click here for additional pics via this auction
Details:
"This complete and unused kit contains everything you need to understand speech synthesis and build your own synthesiser. Produced by Bell Systems Laboratories in 1963, the kit contains all the original equipment and parts which includes the book with complete instructions. The kit is complete and has never been used. It was intended for high school and college students and not for young children. This is an excellent source for hands on learning. When Bell Labs made something, they made it extremely well."
Update via Pete in the comments:
Bell Labs Speech Synthesis site
Kits still available here
Saturday, June 30, 2007
What You See When You Die
Maybe this synth obsession is not worth it after all. Title link takes you there [or click here]. Via Xavier.
A little Jean-Jaques Perrey for you.
A little Jean-Jaques Perrey for you.
New genoQs OS and Website
"Dear all,some time has passed since we brought to you version 1.0 of the Octopus OS. Response has been tremendous, and we have been quiet since. So have been most of you, playing your machines, as it turned out. And rightfully so!
In case you were wondering about us.. we were busy doing some homework in the background. And finally, we are now ready to present you our latest achievements!
1. NEW WEB PRESENCE
We have completely redesigned our web page. Same place, different look!
We are far from done, but this structure enables us to grow more easily.
2. NEW FORUM
The new page incorporates a new forum engine.
We will not move contents from the old forum into the new one, but let
us know if you find that something should be carried over and we will work
out a solution.
The user access information is not carried over either, so you need to
re-register to use the new forum. Sorry for any inconvenience this may pose.
3. IMMEDIATE DELIVERY
We have significantly cut our delivery lead time for Octopus.
For all practical purposes, one can say that Octopus is now available
without any wait!
4. FACE LIFTED DOCUMENTATION
We have re-formatted the Octopus documentation, and hope that you will
find it more easy to read. We have also isolated out the tutorials, to make
them easier to handle and hopefully multiply in the near future.
Separate PDFs in A4 and Letter versions will appear shortly, watch the space.
5. OS UPDATE
Finally, the release of a new OS version!
OS 1.02 is primarily a maintenance release, but does bring you a few goodies:
. Multi-track MIDI recording
. Channel pressure is now part of the implementation
. Pitch bend is processed in 14 bit resolution
. Throughput of MIDI data when recording
The update to 1.02 is recommended for all users.
We hope you enjoy the new artifacts, and as always, we much look forward to your comments and feedback.
Until then, happy sequencing!
Gabriel + Marcel"
Christine Ott and the Ondes Martenot
The woman playing the Ondes Martenot in this Radiohead video is Christine Ott. Title link takes you to her home page.
Via Yusynth
Oberheim MC-3000
Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
via this auction
Does anyone remember when these came out there was supposed to be a version with the M1000 engine in it? I forget if it was the MC-3000 or one of the other controllers. Would have been nice.... Also anyone know if this was before Viscount?
Details:
"The hammeraction is absolutely comfortable and covers the range of fast soli and pianistic demands. Answay it exceeds the current cheap USB-Controllers from China by far.
MC 3000 is a "state of the art" professional Master Keyboard, able to manage 128 MIDI channels on 8 out ports. Equipped with an 88 weighed keys "Hammer-action" keyboard , the instrument is able to store 1024 user programs. For an optimal "real time" controlling, MC3000 provides 8 sliders, 3 wheels and 8 pedals where each-one can be assigned to a specific Control change meassage and to a specific keyboard zone (8 Keyboard zones + 8 auxiliary zones are available) Concerning the MIDI programming capabilities MC 3000 features 48 User Program Change tables plus 16 presetted, a completely programmable MIDI patch bay (where the configuration can be stored on each program) and 128 different user "chains" of programs.
* 88 keys with velocity
* very comfortable hammeraction with aftertouch
* large graphical and lighted LCD display (240x60)
* 1024 user programs
* 8 splits/layers
* 48 patches for program-changes
* 16 preset/48 user aftertouch curves
* sysex-editor with learn-function
* 8 programmable realtime-sliders
* 8 programmable pedal-inputs
* RS-232 port for serial computer mouse
* programmable midi-patchbay/merger with 8x Midi OUT/2x Midi IN/2x Midi THRU integrated
* extensive and very easy to handle midi-routings
* size:1285x370x130 mm
* weight: 28 kg"
via this auction
Does anyone remember when these came out there was supposed to be a version with the M1000 engine in it? I forget if it was the MC-3000 or one of the other controllers. Would have been nice.... Also anyone know if this was before Viscount?
Details:
"The hammeraction is absolutely comfortable and covers the range of fast soli and pianistic demands. Answay it exceeds the current cheap USB-Controllers from China by far.
MC 3000 is a "state of the art" professional Master Keyboard, able to manage 128 MIDI channels on 8 out ports. Equipped with an 88 weighed keys "Hammer-action" keyboard , the instrument is able to store 1024 user programs. For an optimal "real time" controlling, MC3000 provides 8 sliders, 3 wheels and 8 pedals where each-one can be assigned to a specific Control change meassage and to a specific keyboard zone (8 Keyboard zones + 8 auxiliary zones are available) Concerning the MIDI programming capabilities MC 3000 features 48 User Program Change tables plus 16 presetted, a completely programmable MIDI patch bay (where the configuration can be stored on each program) and 128 different user "chains" of programs.
* 88 keys with velocity
* very comfortable hammeraction with aftertouch
* large graphical and lighted LCD display (240x60)
* 1024 user programs
* 8 splits/layers
* 48 patches for program-changes
* 16 preset/48 user aftertouch curves
* sysex-editor with learn-function
* 8 programmable realtime-sliders
* 8 programmable pedal-inputs
* RS-232 port for serial computer mouse
* programmable midi-patchbay/merger with 8x Midi OUT/2x Midi IN/2x Midi THRU integrated
* extensive and very easy to handle midi-routings
* size:1285x370x130 mm
* weight: 28 kg"
Radiohead Pyramid Song Live (perfect audio)
YouTube via fabiocchi. Another great find by AudioLemon.
The track features the Ondes Martenot. Before seeing this I always though Radiohead only used the Analog Systems French Connection (previous posts including video).
Kermit The Frog SK-1
Well, actually it's the EP-30, but... if you have to have Kermit on your synth..."We've talked about the SK-1 -- Casio's highly successful sampling keyboard -- before. The SK-1 was a bit toylike thanks to its size, but it offered a lot of surprisingly professional features. Those more advanced facilities are stripped away in the EP-30, a more clearly toylike keyboard - but it's the only keyboard I know of that features Kermit the frog in top hat and tails."
Title link takes you to the rest of the post and another image on Retro Thing.
My Synthesis Technology - MOTM User Blog
K2K Koos wrote in letting me know about his blog, My Synthesis Technology MOTM Analog Modular Synth. As the name implies, K2K Koos writes, "it is mainly dedicated to MOTM synths, and specifically my own experiences in building one, as well as MOTM news, and related items." I'm subbed.
Friday, June 29, 2007
FAUST (1971, rare footage documentary)
YouTube via plateformes. Sent my way via Yves of Yusynth.
""Rare footage courtesy of this past year's mindblowing WDR-TV German rock documentary" Faust jamming in the studio, 1971".
Features the ARP 2500 which unfortunately not played.
Theremin Cats
Title link takes you to the post on CatSynth.com with more info on this shot and a video of another cat playing the theremin.
Steiner Parker Synthacon
YouTube via matrixsynth
A new vid sent my way via vgermuse.
The grizzly bear of synths.
You can see the previous Synthacon vids here:
Steiner Parker Synthacon (with RC-20 Loop Station) live
Steiner Parker Synthacon (with RC-20 Loop Station) live 2
Analogue Miniature 16
flickr by danmcp.
"105x80x65mm
Hand-made cardboard model.
For sales enquiries please contact purpleowl [at] primus.com.au
These are however one-offs and are sold on a first come first served basis.
View the full set."
comunque (terrazzo live)
YouTube via jumpstartz.
"jocker and carlo castellano performing "comunque" live. (feat. carletto) this song is dedicated to m. and d. thank you, really."
Guess the synth.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
PROTOTYPE sintetizzatore analogico 2 ottave
via this auction. Details: "Analog VCO termo (x2 ) with square/saw wave, everyone with LFO triangle/up/down wave, rate and out level. Moulation FM / EXP Sync VCF , with EG ( adsr with level control), LFO tiangle/up/down wave ,rate and out level, frequency, resonance ( MiniMoog filter 24 db, completely transistorized ). VCA with EG ( 
adsr ), with volume control, GLIDE and GATE manual/ keyboard control. NOISE generator with pink / white and out level ( behind ) out BF and out stereo headphone, 220v cable. (the CV IN is not inserted, but possible)"via Tim g.
MOOG Rogue in orig. box!
Title link takes you to shots via this auction. Title is via the auction.Details:
"The Rogue, a "Miniaturized, cost-cutting successor" to the Moog Prodigy, is a 2-VCO, monophonic synthesizer with a 2-1/2 octave, 32-note (F-C) keyboard. Both VCOs are tunable to three octaves by a common switch. In addition, VCO2 is tunable via a knob to anywhere between a half-step below to an octave above VCO1. There is also a single switch that selects the waveform for both VCOs. A three position switch syncs VCO2 to VCO1. It can be hard synced or contoured synced, where the amount that VCO2 is synced to VCO1 is controlled by the envelope generator. The mixer section allows both VCOs and the noise generator to be mixed together, with a slider controlling each level. The mixer can be pushed to overdrive (distort) the waveforms. The filter section features variable keyboard tracking controlled by a knob, and sliders for the cutoff frequency, emphasis (resonance), and envelope amount. It also has "the pitch and mod wheels up above the keyboard, not to the left of it, along with a fine tune knob and a glide (portamento) knob." The Rogue has a single envelope generator for attack and decay, that switches to activate the sustain mode. There is also a switch that selects how the envelope affects the VCA. It can be set for either contour, keyed, or bypass (which was a simple organ-style gate)."
MOOG Music Inc.
Buffalo, N.Y. 14425
MADE IN U.S.A.
Buchla 218 VC-able Portamento
via vtl5c3 on electro-music.com:"Last night I finally tested the slew circuit that I cloned from the Buchla 218 keyboard. I'm happy to say that it works. I've posted the schematic and a couple of sound samples below. I may have to do a bit of fine tuning... if nothing else I will try smaller cap values, since it's pretty easy to get way too much portamento going."
Demos at the post.
Cyclus Sequencers
Remember this post? I didn't realize it was designed by Cyclus and not Spectral Audio. Title link takes you to the Cyclus website. Currently it links to the Spectral Audio site. Bookmarking the site to check out later.via Suit & Tie Guy
Thoughts on the genoQs Octopus
In the comments of this post, eric f wrote some notes on the genoQs Octopus. I asked him if I could put them up as a separate post and he gave me the ok. Here they are. Enjoy: "I *adore* the Octopus. The interface looks intimidating and, if you read the manual, it sounds intimidating, too. Quite the contrary... in practice learning to read the LEDs is very simple. You very quickly learn what mode you're in from the distinctive LED patterns in the grid without referring to the circle (see the manual, though it doesn't really do the idea justice). Ease of use: The Octopus is easily the most intuitive sequencer I've used, hardware or software, for building great patterns once you have it set up (MIDI channel-wise and in terms of base track pitch). In terms of building a monophonic, single track melody, it's not as straightforward as the P3, but moving into multitracking, it more than makes up for this.
What it does best: I intuited this from the manual and am thrilled with the results, having bought it without using one before... You have ten tracks on a page, each assignable to its own MIDI channel (or the same MIDI channel as another track). Let's say you have four monophonic instruments each on its own channel and the current page is dedicated to a single chord structure within a single musical bar. I can assign four tracks to one channel (with a different base pitch for each), two to another, two to another, and one to the last track. Now I can arpeggiate the notes on each instrument among the base pitches (adding chromatic alterations per step on a track, where required) and explore the various inversions of the vertical harmony over the time of the bar.
This is amazing. On almost any other sequencer, you have to leave one track, go to another, remember from memory what notes were where, and then compose the harmony.
In other words, you can use the Octopus for polyphonic and multi-timbral arrangements in a visual and immediately interactive fashion, something I've never really seen before. The results have been very insteresting and once I get my MOTM-650's power supply and Bridechamber cabinet, this plus my modular will be very interesting indeed.
Once the aforementioned module and cabinet arrive, I'll send Matrixsynth some serious synthporn.
The caveats I'll add are that the Octopus does three things poorly (in my estimation). First: If I want to quickly put together a melodic line in one voice, know the notes I want, the P3 just cannot be beat. Second: The P3 is the *master* of evolving sequences and unpredictability. This is a tricky thing (parameters must be carefully pre-programmed and possibly filtered by a MidiSolutions-type box) in a harmonically complex environment, but is great for longform pieces (eg, live ambient, which I haven't actually done). Third: The Notron separates CCs from the clock step better than the Octopus and as such is better (I've heard) at being used as an independent voice modulator for a well-CC-mapped VST. But I use all analog/hybrid equipment, so it's not such a concern.
Ok, long, verbose post. I set up an email address if anyone is curious in asking Octopus-related questions: eulersid (dash) octopus (at) yahoo (dot) com. I'm not a shill for genoQs or Analogue Haven or anyone else. It's a fascinating piece of kit with relatively little first-hand info out there and the folks who run their forum are bad about approving memberships. I'm also interested in tips and thoughts on it as well.
cheers,
eric f"
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© Matrixsynth - All posts are presented here for informative, historical and educative purposes as applicable within fair use.
MATRIXSYNTH is supported by affiliate links that use cookies to track clickthroughs and sales. See the privacy policy for details.
MATRIXSYNTH - EVERYTHING SYNTH
