GypsiMIDI

Remember the GypsiMIDI? The following are some words from someone that has actually used one. Note that it is for sale. Contact info below.

Via Matt:
"General info: It's the right arm. I have all of the software and manuals that came with it (these things can also be downloaded from the sonalog webpage). I purchased it about 4 months ago and have used it about 10 times. The project that I was getting together to use it with ended up falling apart and now I have this really cool motion to midi controller that I never use. As for what it does, it translates your right arm's entire range of motion into midi CC's which can then be used to manipulate synthesizers and the like. I was using it with a davesmith mono-evolver and getting amazing results out of it. I was able to play the keyboard with my left hand and manipulate the synth with my right arm in real-time. Because there is so much information being recorded from your arm's movement you can really control alot more parameters than you can with just simple knob tweaking alone. Furthermore, this technology has the potential to revolutionize electronic music (and music in general) if placed in capable hands. Imagine dance music being created live and in realtime by dancers. I think the best way to understand how it works is just to watch the demonstration video's provided on Sonalog's website. I am asking $900 for it. I paid $1300 for it including S/H when I purchased it. Please direct emails to this email address paisleyartmachine AT gmail.com"

Title link takes you to a couple more shots.

Roland GR-300

Title link takes you to shots via this auction.

"Classic Roland resonant filter, compression, vibrato, pitch-shifting and awesome hex-distortion. You can plug in a CV pedal (not included) for hands-free controlled filter sweeps. LIghtning-fast, responsive analog synth circuitry with no lag-time! Requires a Roland G-808, G-505, G-303, G-202 guitar controller and cable (original G-500 guitar may work also, not sure). This unit is not designed to work with the later Roland GK MIDI pickups, it uses a 24 pin cable which is NOT included.

You can download the manual in PDF format here:
http://www.joness.com/gr300/GR-300_OM.pdf

For more info on this unit visit these links:
http://www.helpwantedproductions.com/guitsyn.htm
http://www.joness.com/gr300/patent.htm
http://www.hillmanweb.com/guitsyn.html
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Effects/product/Roland/GR-300/10/1
http://mixonline.com/recording/interviews/audio_polices_every_breath/index.html"

Roland GR-100

Title link takes you to shots via this auction.

"Early 1980's Roland GR-100 polyphonic guitar synthesizer unit, excellent condition, all functions work as they should. Sounds great!! Classic Roland filter, vibrato, chorus, and features an even more sophisticated hex-distortion circuit than the GR-300 model. The hex-fuzz offers incredible clarity for each string, you can acheive that 'clear distortion' reminiscent of Brian May or Robert Fripp. And there is also a separate VCF circuit for each string! You can plug in a CV pedal (not included) for hands-free controlled filter sweeps. Very inspiring to play and harder to find than the GR300. LIghtning-fast, responsive analog synth circuitry with no lag-time! Requires a Roland G-808, G-505, G-303, G-202 guitar controller and cable.
Please note: this unit will not work with the later Roland GK-series MIDI pickups, it uses a 24 pin cable which is NOT included.

You can download the manual in PDF format here:
http://www.joness.com/gr300/GR-100_OM.pdf

For more info on this unit visit these links:
http://www.joness.com/gr300/GR-100.htm
http://www.helpwantedproductions.com/guitsyn.htm
http://www.hillmanweb.com/guitsyn.html
http://www.synthony.com/vintage/GR100.html
http://mixonline.com/recording/interviews/audio_polices_every_breath/index.html

http://www.joness.com/gr300/patent.htm"

Roland System 100

Title link takes you to more shots in a flickr set by missmillogram, sent my way via ISO50 / Tycho.

Update: Looks like there is one up for auction with some of the same shots and some different.

technik - troprecordings.de

Title link takes you to the studio page for technik. The two shots to show the diversity of what you will find there.

Above is tph (Thomas P. Heckmann) and the machines.

Below is the PPG Realizer - this was in essence going to be the first synth to specifically model other synths. An image of the synth to be modeled would appear on the screen with lines connecting the knobs you see to the parameters in the image. A Minimoog was frequently shown.

via Audio Lemon via electro-music.com.

Keyboardless Minimoog in Cherry with English Chestnut

Title link takes you to more shots via synthwood.

Roland System 100m 182 Sequencer

via this auction.

Long Range/ Phil Hartnoll - Orbital

YouTube via madtheory.

"A look at his favourite synths from Orbital days to Long Range. Edited and compressed from August issue of Future Music Magazine."

Kitsch Space Drum Dub Disco Synth Sound Effect

via this auction.
"Freak Machine! This is a weird little sound effects box which dub dj`s used to use to toast with - has a little speaker built in and two screws at the back to wire an output to (I can do that for a coupla quid if you need). You`ll have heard the sounds on this thing used on various and nefarious rekkids from back in the day - generally manipulated in some way. True analogue & sounds it - get some Moorish Madess in the mix Bwana! Runs on 2 x walkman batteries (not supplied unless I can find a pair) all the way to Revolutionary Dub Heaven!"

Anyone know more about this piece, specifically who made it and the actual name of the model?

Synthesizer-Magazin

Title link takes you to Synthesizer-Magazin a German Synth magazine in traditional print via sequencer.de. There is a 20 page mini issue for download under "Leseprobe".

COMMONTONES: WEEK 3

Remember this post? Title link takes you to the completed tracks featuring the Roland MC-303.

Navs Clockbox

via Navs:
"Navs' Clockbox: a compact 8-Step analogue sequencer featuring clock divide, odd step, random reset and speed settings. Oh, and loads of pretty LEDs.

Obviously inspired by Schneider's Jimibox and Doepfer's Vanity Cases - I know, I could have saved myself the grief, and calloused hands, but the A_Sol SQ8 is just too damn deep (10cm) to fit in one of those boxes!

Modules used: A_Sol SQ8, Doepfer A-160 + A-161 Clk Div/ Seq, A-147 VCLFO, MNT Mini PSU. Random function provided by A_Sol SH-NZ (in main suitcase).

Oh, the legending is obviously Photoshopped. I'll make a real sticker as soon as I fix my printer ;)

Cheers,
Navs

PS More modular tests coming in the first week of August. Meantime, be sure to check out the rest of the site and forum!

http://www.canecutters.co.uk/"

Title link takes you to the post on the Clockbox

Waldorf XTk Pad via Mr.Array

music craft and circuitry

flickr by late nite.

click here for the full shot.

The New G2 Micro Modulars

Well, not really. Just a great mock-up via crystalmsc on VSE

Imaginary Specs:
- 2 parts of full G2 engine
- 16 voices of polyphony
- thousands of patch storage
- NEW! real stereo analog: filter, chorus and distortion/fuzz/overdrive
- List price $699

the keyboard version with all the MMG2 features, plus:
- X-Y pad
- Built in audio looper
- 16 mb of non volatile sampler
- Exclusive link mode with other micro modular, using the midi in for up to 8 part/layer multi mode.
- a DVD rom containing:
* 2 gigs of waveform, loops, single cycle digital and spectral waveform.
* Patches/banks using those waveform materials
* complete Nord Wave Factory banks

via Music Thing where you can find a little more info on the originals.

Moog Synth Fun 2

YouTube via christinag856.
"Having Fun with a Moog Taurus II Synth and Ace Tone Rhythm Ace. Looking to join a synth/pop electronic/goth group in NJ or Philly. Also check out manual demo at:
Moog Taurus II Synthesizer (Part 1)


When either of these videos end, mouse over the bottom of the player for more. Title link also takes you to more via christinag856.

Pump Up The Volume and The Birth of Acid

Just a heads up that I updated the Birth of Acid post with three more vids via HarriL.

RadioModular Back Up

"After a long delay, due to an equipment malfunction, RadioModular is back up (hopefully stays up). Right now, it's pretty much all ZeroOscillator.

Modules used: Two Modcan 01a's modulating Zero Oscillator, A Dual LFO, Modcan Super Delay. (No Filters). It's then sent through some light digital processing for ambiance and out through the Internet.

I tried to get some 'buchla-200esque' Chris Muir-ian Timbers out of it.

Listen to it at:
http://paulsop.com:8000/radio1.m3u

joySYNTH_

YouTube via cretin4321.
"more info @ cliplead_."

Solarmaxx BroadWave Synthesizer

Two more shots of the BroadWave Synthesizer.

PAiA Keyboard

Click here for additional images via this auction

Anyone know the model number? It looks like the 4762 4782 in the brochure top center.

ARP Solus

Title link takes you to shots via this auction.
"The model is 2353 and the serial number is 2353599. I received this keyboard on trade and I do not think it was played very much. It still has the protective clear cover on the controls and on the back plate serial number. I left it so when you receive it you can peel it off and it will look excellent."

Oberheim 2 Voice

Remember the Oberheim 2 Voice Sequencer Demo posted here? Apparently it's up for auction. Title link takes you to a couple more shots and the following is one more video followed by a couple of links listed in the auction.







Oberheim 2 Voice demo 1

More information about the 2 voice:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGq1R1HInIs (previously posted)
http://www.sequencer.de/oberheim/oberheim_SEM_2voice.html

Kurzweil 250 Service Manual

Title link takes you to shots via this auction.

"Kurzweil Document #92000201

Covers the Kurzweil 250 (K250, K250X and RMX Models). Includes a whole bunch of schematics, drawings, exploded views, PC board wiring diagrams, repair procedures, etc. The manual is over 1 inch thick and comes in a 3 ring binder. Sorry, no returns or refunds on books and manuals."

Drumfire Five Channel Synthesizer Mixer Remote Contacts

Title link takes you to shots via this auction.

"It's 5 channels each one with a trigger in and direct out gives you some pretty nice 80's electronic drum sounds kraftwerk, new order kind of sounds come to mind as well as techno, trance, dance style sounds from the roland tr909. each of the 5 channels has a nob control for sensitivity, oscillator decay, noise decay, sweep, pitch with a cilck button on/off, balance (osc - noise), volume, and pan l-r. Unit also has a main left and right out each with a volume nob. The trigger cords are in new shape. I have never used them they still have the velcro tape on them. (i used roland trigger pads with the drumfire). All 5 triggers work. I just tested them by plugging them in and tapping on them . They are more sensitive than my roland pads. Comes with original box and some stickers, the five 1/4 inch trigger cords, and the unit itself."

Hobby Synth

Remember this Minimoog Model D from earlier today? Murray, the person doing the project dropped by to comment. Title link takes you to his blog, Hobby Synth, which covers his project of pimping his minimoog. Pretty cool stuff.

The Music 4000

via this auction.
"This is the Music 4000 , it is a 4 octave keyboard add-on that allows the user to play the sounds, and to record sequences directly into the Hybrid Music System. The Hybrid Music system is a range of musical add-ons for the BBC Micro. The first to appear was an 8 voice digital synthesizer called Music 500. This uses a music composition language called AMPLE to control its sound generation and playback of musical parts.

Music 2000 Manual (PDF Format, 143k)
A bit of Bach (540k)
More of the Bach (3.7M)
Oscillator sync fx (320k)

Below is the address to a very useful page on the system also.
http://www.colinfraser.com/m5000/m5-eti.htm"

via Nelson

Synton Syrinx

Title link takes you to three shots via this thread on synthforum.nl. It is for sale. This was sent my way via David of DVDBorn, but note that he is not the one selling it.

Red Army

flickr by tnerm.

click here for the full size shot.

A little blurry but cool.

Dark Sun

via mono-poly:
"What happens when mono goes to the Dour festival and listens to Sun O))) live? Yeah he starts to worship satan and after a good recover starts to noodle. Here is a dark drone i did today inspired by the guys from Sun O)))

Ooow gear used:
RSF Kobol
Zero VCO
Bunch of clock dividers
Gate sequencer
Wiard VCO to control the zereo vco
Sub Mux Deluxe
Noise Ring
Plate reverb and Chorus from my Ensoniq Paris

Cheers,
Dennis

Oberheim 2 Voice Sequencer Demo

YouTube via Hobbs360.
"demo of the sequencer function on the oberheim 2 voice"

Adding illuminated wheels to a Minimoog Model D

flickr by info_dump.

click here for the full size shot.

Title link takes you to more shots of how it was done.

Update: you can also read more about this project on Hobby Synth.

Roland VP330 Samples

Title link takes you to the samples. The samples were originally sent into AH via Norman Fay and Mark Pulver broke them apart for sampling and hosted them.

Tr-808

YouTube via losme. via AudioLemon.

Custom Oberheim SEM

In case you missed it, there were some very interesting items pictured in this post, particularly a blue Sidstation and this custom Oberheim SEM. The title link of this post takes you to jesper's page on the SEM with more info.

The following are some comments from jesper in the previous post:
"The other "weird stuff" in the pic is my modified SEM; A "butchered" MS-10 which was wrecked when I bought it and the keys has saved dozens of other machines... ...and yes, the blue Sid is one of two existing AFAIK. The blue panel was a test version produced when Elektron was about to launch the SidStation Ninja (which is black). The former owner picked this up at Elektron in Gothenburg, saw the empty blue body on a shelf and asked if he could have that instead of the stock silver one... I wasn't late to get it when it was up for a trade."


BTW, don't miss the other cute shot of jesper's kids with an EDP Gnat and Wasp on electronic obsession.

Juno 60, controlled via Ableton Live

YouTube via RedRoomNW.
"Running through the abilities and sounds of the Juno 60, connecting to it via the DCB port with a MIDI adaptor and then sequencing with Ableton Live. From Live I am looping a simple Bobby O style rif and running the Juno through its ADSR settings, waveforms, noise filters, chorus, up/down octave, etc..."

U-MAX

Another shot of the U-MAX via JMCO.

MIDM

Title link takes you to a video of the Elektron Machinedrum via Rui on AH.

CONDOR SAXOPHONE SYNTHESIZER by HAMMOND

via this auction.
"For sale here is an ULTRA rare synthesizer (the VERY FIRST) for any wind instrument. It was made in the very early seventies buy Hammond (the organ folks). The synth unit is stored in it's own locking carrying case...the key is included. The power cord also stores in it's own locking compartment...the same key locks this too. When performing, the synth unit is locked to the top of the extended carying handle. The synth unit has slider controls for intensity and rate of vibrato, control of treble and bass, tone and volume, sensitivity, mono or stereo signal. It also has organ type switches for Repeat, attack, tremolo/vibrato,sub octave, dyna mute, fuzz, bass sax, tuba, bass clarinet, basson, English Horn, cello, natural amplify, horn, oboe and soprano sax. The front of the unit has a stop bar to cut signal and two micro inputs from the horn's contact mic . It does not include a contact mic. The only missing part is one of the pulls at the side of the unit that release the handle so it can be raised to withdraw the synth unit."

Davis Development Analog Sequencer

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"Up for auction is an analog sequencer made by "Davis Development" for use with analog synthesisers that have cv/gate inputs. This unit appears to be either A: a prototype, B: a one-off someone made in the late seventies or C: from a kit. Not sure which, but, have you seen another? I can't find anything online about it, but it seems to have been built by a serious pro. The main board is all point-to-point wiring, but very nicely done (this definitely was not an amateurs work). It has been in fine working condition since I've owned it, although it does show its age here and there (see pics).

It should be noted that this sequencer apparently puts out a "volts per hertz" output at the "pitch out", and a "gate" at the "trig out" (both 1/4"). This explains why it works fine with the EML-101. The EML, Korg MS-series, and a few others use this type of interfacing. ARP, Roland, Moog, etc. use a "volts per octave" system, which seems to be the more common. It works with that type as well, but adds a (sort of) "ring-mod" effect to the oscillator(s) its driving. Just thought you should know, to avoid future issues (don't want any unhappy customers...) :~)

O.K., back to the details. It has a momentary button under each of the 8 steps (handy for "tuning in" your sequence), as well as a "random" on/off button, "clock" on/off, and a "range" thumbwheel switch (for making it 4-step, 2-step, 5-step, etc.). The CV output is not quantized."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Vermona Synthesizer

Title link takes you to shots via this auction.

"This auction is for vintage analog synth VERMONA “SYNTHESIZER”. It’s made in DDR (Germany) in 80s. This 2-VCO monophonic analog synthesizer (like Moog Prodigy, Oberheim OB-1 etc.) have VCF with 24 dB/oct filter, single LFO and classic ADSR VCA envelope. Sound is really original, warm, deep, analog!

Condition is very good and full working. All keys and knobs work fine. Photos are actual. Instrument has original configuration: without midi or CV. Power - 110/220V. Out - 1/4 Jack."

As always be careful. This one is a bank wire transfer.

Casio MT-600 Filter Mods

YouTube via rolandsh1000.
"This is a demo of the effect of some circuit modifications to my Casio MT-600. Taking control of the onboard analog filter turns this thing into an altogether different keyboard. I've documented some of these mods here"

Kurzweil 250 RMX

via this auction.

"When the Kurzweil K-250 was 1983, the music industry was astounded by its ability to emulate acoustic instruments with extraordinary accuracy. The K250RMX is a rack mount version of the K250 keyboard. The instrument features very high quality sounds utilizing Kurzweil's exclusive Sound Contoured Modeling technique."

Sequential Circuits Pro-One Modded

Title link takes you to shots via this auction.

"It has a little modification on it, it's got mod Ext CV Amt nob on top right above the wheels, MOD CV INPUT, VCO A switch, PB CV INPUT, PB CVIN OFFSET switch on the back."

Synthesizer von gestern vol.2

via this auction. Vol 1 here.
Update: check out the comments if you are interested in this book.
"Synthesizer von gestern vol.2 (in German)
Matthias Becker, 1995. 148 pages, A4, high quality full colour pictures by Dieter Stork.

Matthias Becker, born in 1955, has been involved in the world of synthesizers for more than two decades. During the eightes he ran a school in Koeln concentrating its activity on the theory and practise of the synthesizer. Matthias Becker is considered beeing an expert on Vintage synthesizers. His large collection of synthesizers have been publicly exhibited Osnabruck, Leipzig, Hamburg and Frankfurt.

This is Matthias Becker´s second book with historical synthesizers. One of the best book ever!"

Happy 1st Anniversary to Catsynth.com!

Today was Catsynth.com's 1st year anniversary. Unfortunately the site is down, but I'm sure it will be back up soon enough. Personally I really enjoy catsynth.com so, cheers catsynth!

BTW, cool hat! :) Weee!

via Synthwire.

the birth of acid house

Update via HarriL in the comments:
From the "pump up the volume" documentary. You can find the three 50 minute parts here:

Pump Up The Volume - Part 1 - The History Of House Music

Pump Up The Volume - Part 2 - The History Of House Music


Pump Up The Volume (The History Of House Music) 3/3 (Eng)

my last roland mc303 jam

YouTube via spooloops.
"I decided to sell my old roland mc303 so I fired it up and made this pattern to test it out. Then I drank a little to much beer and decided to video it. My wife thinks I'm hilarious and she is probably the only girl who will ever see this. The video stops short of the audio.
+ this mc303 has a gold tooth & custom knobs
+ this is a fast tempo for me"

Acid hoedown sans TB-303

YouTube via darenager, aka fierce fish.
"Very rough mix of a track from my forthcoming album. I got a new synth yesterday (an MFB SynthII, if you are interested) and thought I'd try it out instead of my tb-303 on this track, to see if it had acid potential. It is being sequenced by my korg emx, which is also providing the drums and the synth parts.

The finished track will sound much better as I rushed this mix and some parts are a bit loud. If you like it check out my other tracks and look out for some more coming soon."

HEM - Home electronic modular

YouTube via dnnny.
"synth made of home electronics. the osc's are just tape deck's that are making feedback noise and then there is also a clock radio theremin..."