Two Years of MATRIXSYNTH

I just realized I missed my two year anniversary. Matrixsynth went live on July 20th of 2005. You can see some of the early posts on the right side of the site under Blog Archive. Note that the current month is always expanded by default. Under each month you can see the titles for every single post. If you click on one it will take you to the post. If you click on one of the triangles to the left it will either close or expand the section based on it's current state. Thanks everyone. I hope you are all enjoying the site. This year I thought it would be interesting to see some stats for the last year. What surprised me were the number of unique visitors over the year. I thought there were fewer of us out there.

From July 20, 2006 - July 20, 2007:
1,912,361 Page Views, (2,630,413 all time so far)
306,646 Absolute Unique Visitors
00:08:43 Average Time on Site
29.05% New visits
463,196 (44.52%) Via Search Engines
295,687 (28.42%) Via Referring Sites
281,536 (27.06%) Via Direct Visits
27 (> 0.00%) Via Other (hmm... what would that be?)

Top 10 visits by location:
United States 484,381
United Kingdom 92,121
Canada 74,827
Germany 48,289
France 45,530
Sweden 30,351
Italy 27,093
Japan 25,020
Netherlands 23,020
Australia 22,399

Number of countries/territories that visited the site: 180
Crazy. BTW, I just added a Google Translation page on the top right. Let me know how it works.

Yamaha SY22 Resource Page

Title link takes you wolzow's Yamaha SY22 page where you will find a sysex viewer, a link to the operating manual, links to other resources and some notes on the synth.
"The sounds (voices, as Yamaha calls them) are normally combined of 4 different waveforms (2 samples, two FM) and this process is controllable with a cute joystick (this is the 'dynamic vector synthesis' part). The manual has a table exposing the ingredients of the factory sounds. I was curious about how the rest of the sounds (found on the net, that can be loaded via sysex dumps) are made up, so I examined the sysex spec and wrote a small utility to create similar table with details for any sysex file." The Yamaha TG33 was the table top version of the SY22.

Live Analog. ARP2600, Korg MS10&20

YouTube via tomwave2600.
"www.positionzero.se for more. Live performence with my analog gizmos."
Note there are mp3 downloads of some tracks including the end track of this video.

02.06.2006 - rock am ring (2)

flickr by hurti1000.

Sent my way via Jason

The drummer of Tool, Danny Carey with an EMS Synthi

Building a Robot

YouTube via robotmakers. Also see this post.
"The Robotmakers new video "Building a Robot" was filmed on location at their mysterious superterranean lair. Secrets are revealed, but questions are left unanswered."

Ratty Roland SH-1000 Rebirth

YouTube via tardis454.
"I bought this synth in many pieces and just finished restoring it. Here's a short demo of the Ratty Roland SH-1000 in some random note action."

ACKLEBOX ANALOG CONTACT NOISE SYNTH

via this auction.
"Simply touch the the metal contacts to make all kinds of chaotic sounds.
User must touch at least two contacts to produce the sounds.
Listen to a sample here.
Check out my other auctions here."

Roland TB-303 VCF Env Mod

Title link takes you there.

We're Bringin' Sexy Back

The biggest news of Summer NAMM 07. The NEW Timbaland Special Edition MiKo LX!

Timbaland

Assembling the Modular

Title link takes you to another video of packing a modular. This one via stretta. Fun to watch these. This of course is in response to Trash Arcade's video.

Dopefer Modular. And a cat.

White Roland MKS-7

Title link takes you to shots via this auction.

Racked Juno-106 with velocity sensitivity.

minime123 Synth Sale

Via minime123:

"FA: Vintage Synths + (27 items)

Hi friends,

We've got the following up on eBay now if anyone's interested. Some are ending soon:

http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQfgtpZ1QQfrppZ25QQsassZ123synthland


- Akai S-1000 w digital card
- Akai S-900 faulty
- Analogue Solutions SEMblance Oberheim SEM Clone
- ARP Odyssey III
- DK Synergy
- Emu Emulator III Keyboard w 8 Megs
- Ensoniq ASRx
- Ensoniq EPS faulty w/4x expansion
- Ensoniq SQ-R
- Hohner Clavinet D6
- Kawai K5M boxed
- Korg ES-50 Lambda
- Korg LP-10 Analog Piano
- Korg Toneworks Effects
- Korg Wavestation SR
- Moog Taurus 2 Pedals + Synth
- Moog Taurus 2 Pedals Only
- Mu-tron Bi-Phase
- Oberheim Mini-Sequencer
- Polymoog Keyboard
- Roland AX-1 Keytar (black)
- Roland SH-1000
- Sequential Circuits Prophet VS
- Sequential Circuits Six-Trak
- Yamaha DX-11 w hard case
- Yamaha DX-7 original for parts
- Yamaha DX7IIFD

Any questions please email me at minime123@onebox.com

We've got lots more stuff so email us if you're looking for anything - we'd much rather sell directly than have to post to eBay."

iPhone to Max/MSP Demo 1, 2007

YouTube via masayukiakamatsu. Via CDM.
"This is my first trial of the communication from iPhone to Max/MSP. The scheme is: Web - Button - JavaScript - PHP - OSC - Max. I'm using Mr. Galen Scorer's udp.php. You can get files at: link"

Trash Arcade

Title link takes you to Trash Arcade, a blog on miscellaneous things including this mini review on some modules. I love this video:



Check out the post for some nice shots and details behind the modules. And... check out this whacked video of a bunch of prison mates doing the choreographed dance from Michael Jackson's Thriller.

via surachai

Roland SP-555

Summer NAMM is starting. I will be filtering in the synth related stuff. Feel free to send anything synth related you find. With that here's the new Roland SP-555.

SP-555: Creative Sampler with Performance Effects
Realtime Audio Toolkit for DJs, Producers, & Sample-Based Musicians

Features
The newest member of the SP-sampler family breaks ground with innovative features such as Loop Capture, and Super Filter. The SP-555 is fast and powerful, but one thing has been preserved from previous SP models: fun! It’s the ultimate toolkit for DJs, producers, sample-based musicians, or performers who want to take their act to the next level.

* Ultra-easy sampling with innovative Loop Capture feature
* Versatile sampling through Line input, phantom-powered Mic input,USB audio streaming, and WAV/AIFF import
* Dozens of killer performance effects, including Super Filter and DJFX Looper
* Audio interface capability with any DAW or DJ audio application (Cakewalk SONAR LE included)
* Large Sample Memory via CompactFlash (up to 2GB)
* Bundled Wave Converter software (Mac and PC) for importing and exporting WAV/AIFF files
* Infrared D BEAM controller and V-LINK compatibility for high-impact performance

Title link takes you to more info including a couple of videos. Note Summer NAMM is starting. If you see anything synth related feel free to send it in.

Oberheim OB-MX 12 Voice Cross Section

via this auction.
"Rich, warm, swirlling textures are created with 32 knobs, 47 buttons, and many many MIDI controllable cross modulations(pan, pulse width, osc sync, even "analog" FM. Bright, M1 size green display, with a simple user interface. 3 LFO's(triangle, forward and reverse sawtooth, and random, with a sample and hold feature for generating "computeresque" LFO sounds or a square LFO) Up to 6 oscillators (Triangle, Sawtooth, Pulse Width) per voice. Oberheim Filter(with adjustable resonance, hipass, lowpass, and bandpass), plus a "Mini-Moog" style 24 Db resonant low-pass filter. Signal to Noise ratio is EXCELLENT(better than some "super-clean" digital synths), around 88-92 db for most patches."

via brian comnes. Note brian is not the one selling this, so as always be careful.

Roland GR-100

Title link takes you to shots via this auction.

This is the third one in less than a week. Here's the first and the second. The first was the first one to be featured on this site.

MOOG Minimoog

Title link takes you to shots via this auction.

Pondular

"Pondular is a unique way of interacting with a synth. The grid on the screen is your “pond.” Playing notes or clicking creates ripples in the pond."

Title link takes you to the download. via sequencer.de

DSI Evolver Demo

Title link takes you to and mp3 showcasing the filter, via Stefan Trippler.

Casio DG20 Guitar Synth

Title link takes you to shots via this auction.

roland jx-3p

flickr by -hi-no-to-ri-mo-rt-al-.

click here for the full size shot.

Guess the other synth.

The Sonica with Serge Oscillator

Remember The Sonica? Looks like one is up for auction. Title link takes you to the shots.

Note this one and the Black Coffee below is a bit of a fund raiser.

"Up for auction here is the very rare Frank Eventoff Sonica. It's a one oscillator analog synth built into a wood guitar shaped controller. The oscillator was built by Serge electronics. Yes the same who build high end modular synths! It has its own speaker and runs on a regular 9v battery. It's about 18" long. It's number 276 out of 650. With this instrument you are officially the King or Queen of the hippie synth nerds (certificate not included).

Here's a link to the entertaining history of the Sonica.

This unit for auction is in very good shape cosmetically and works 100%. However because of the age of the electronics, it's being sold as-is. I already fixed a bad solder joint on the fretboard. You will probably have to do the same some time in the future. The fretboard flexes slightly even with a light touch. Solder joints don't like flexing. If the Sonica sounds continuously without you touching it, heat up the solder joints on the fret board and it will fix it. It's just the way the Sonica is designed. At least I told you about it and how to fix it, you'll notice no other sellers of Sonicas mentioned it. Also, some of what look like scratches in the pics are just reflections from the light.

You get the Sonica, its custom case, instruction manual and blank warranty card.

Sorry about the watermarking on the photos below, it's a necessity now because of scammers that ebay seems to tolerate.

So you can rationalize your gear lust: you're helping me pay to get rid of a brain tumor. You're not a gearhead, you're a humanitarian!"

Note I usually shy away from posting images with watermarks. If you have an auction with great shots and watermarks and you are wondering why I haven't posted it, that's probably why. Just shoot me an email and I'll post it. BTW, I'll post anything on Matrixsynth-b regardless of the shots, so feel free to send them in.

Analog Solutions Black Coffee Phobos

Title link takes you to shots via this auction.

"Analogue Solutions Phobos Black Coffee analog modular synth. It's a whole analog synth with VCO, VCF, VCA, Ring Mod, White Noise, Ext. Audio in to filter, and LFO. It sounds great and is more versatile than you might think from looking at it. Just about every knob has two or three functions.

Here's a review of the module
The unt for auction here DOES NOT have the MIDI-CV module.
Synthesiser Features
VCO (Saw/Square)
LFO (Square/Triangle)
VCF 24db/oct (4pole) Moog Ladder Style LPF
EG (A, switchable Sustain, D/R)
VCA
White Noise
Ring Modulator

Sockets - all 3.5mm
VCO (Pitch CV In, PW CV In, Sync In)
VCF (Audio Input, Cut Off CV In, EG, Trigger In)
LFO (Square Wave Out)
VCA (Audio Out)

Front Panel Rotary Controls (AKA Pots)
VCO (Tune, Mix, VCF)
Cut (Resonance, EG Depth)
EG (Attack, Decay)
LFO (Frequency, Depth)
VCA (Volume)

Front Panel Switches - built into the Pots
(Tune) LFO Mod on/off
(MIX) Mix Source A/B
(CutOff) LFO Mod on/off
(EG Depth) Cross Mod on/off
(LFO Depth) LFO Waveform select
(Volume) EG/ Thru/Gate select

Front Panel Toggle Switches
VCO Pitch Sweep - high/off/low
MIX Source
PWM Source - LFO / off / EG
Ring Mod Source - External Audio / LFO
Sustain - In / Out
VCA Mode - Thru / Gate (only active when Volume pot switch is on (out).

Front Panel LED Indicators
EG Trigger
LFO Frequency"

Casio Brochures

Title link takes you to shots of various Casiotones via this auction. Anyone know more about the 101? Analog? Digital?

360 Systems MIDI Bass

Title link takes you to shots via this auction. Note the copyright in the bottom picture.

Blondie's Roland Juno-60?

Title link takes you to shots via this auction.

"Blondie: I found inside this set of musical instruments an interest note from Nigel Harrison ex “Blondie”, what show me that this set could be from Blondie’s band (see last picture)."

Roland SH-3

Just one shot via this auction. Note the other shots appear to have come from other auctions. Let me know if you know where this one came from.

BTW, if you ever question the shots you see in an auction, just search for them in my flickr sets. Search for the model number, in this case SH-3. If you see the same shot, check the description in my flickr set. Each shot has a link back to the original post I put up. The original post in turn has a link to the auction I found it on. Click on the link and scroll down for the details including who sold and bought the item, how much it went for and when the auction ended. You can then use that info along with the info you have in the current auction.

And for the record I will never state whether I think an auction is legit or not as I have no idea. In this case I'm just calling out something I noticed and an interesting use for all the images I save.

Acid house stomp!

YouTube via darenager.

White Sequential Circuits Pro-One

Via customsynth.uk

Title link takes you to more shots.

Update: the case was done by synthwood, the white by customsynth. See the comments for more info. Before and after shots here.

Endorphin - quad SID synth (still in progress)

flickr by fibra.

Title link takes you to more.

Curved Air - Vivaldi

YouTube via Fusso.
Via Tony:
"At the 5.00 minute mark the VCS3 makes an appearance and there follows a minute and a half of total sonic hooliganism (only spoilt by the tropical fish). Absolutely mental!

and another version here

YouTube via malditaflorcita.

KORG M3 Videos by Stephen Kay

Title link takes you to them. Note the link is to part one and part two is in the menu to the left.

>Moogs in the Home<

And a Korg Lambda.

flickr by zonkout.

MOOG The Source
MOOG Minimoog
KORG Lambda

Click here for the full size shot.

MATRIXSYNTH RULZ

A Matrixsynth by Cikira of the great Synth Sights.
G.A.S.-heads know the questions. Here are the answers:
1. eight
2. all of 'em, times 8
3. yes, got that
4. those, too
5. monstrous!
Guess the questions in the comments.


Click the image for the full size shot.

Synthmonger

Synthmonger D.B.M. + P.W.M. + VC Delay + Fonzzai = Crazy!

"Here we have my current line up as of July.

Setup is as follows: Dual Bleep Machine (right side) running through a Fonzzai, then through a Pulse width Modulator, then into a Voltage Controlled Delay pedal. The left side of the Bleep Machine is, at times, controlling the delay speed on the VC delay pedal.

Unfortunately the sound recording is craptastic. I do plan on redoing all of these when I'm not so eager to sleep ;D


If you would like to purchase any of these, please head on over to noisefx.com, Ebay, or myself synthmonger@gmail.com for more information."


Synthmonger VOltage Controlled Delay External CV Demo

YouTube via synthmonger.
"This is a demonstration of my 10 step sequencer controlling the Delay on my VC Delay Pedal. These are for sale at www.noisefx.com through me synthmonger@gmail.com, Ebay, and more retail sites."

Title link takes you to more.

roland of the antarctic

flickr by cydonia.

click here for the full size shot.

Roland SH-101

filter sweep

flickr by desertdragon.

click here for the full size shot.

"the insanely wonderful Motif xs 7"

Synthesizers.com Q150 Transistor Ladder Filter

YouTube via AutomaticGainsay.
Follow up of this post.

Dave Smith Instruments Poly Evolver Keyboard

Title link takes you to shots via this auction.

ARP AXXE Orange

Title link takes you to shots via this auction.

An Orange on Black while the last one was a Gold on Black. So... Was there ever a white AXXE? : )

ARP AXXE Preset Cards

via this auction.
"This is a very rare set of ARP Axxe Analog Synthesizer 2313 patch pre set card layovers. Lay the presets over the synthesizer to creat different sounds. This package contains patch charts for the following sound effects: Saxophone, Cosmic Thunderstorm, Playable Percussion, Klingon Phasors, Clarinet or Trumpet, Solid Led, Bird Calls, Automatic Wow, Tenor Nirf and Speedboat Race. Slip the chart over the control panel of the AXXE and set the controls in the positions shown by the red indicator markings. Some blank to mark your own sound. 18 cards in all."

ARP Axxe 2313

via this auction.

PNW 2007

"The next Pacific Northwest Synthesizer Meeting:
(Is this the fourth year or the fifth year?)

September 29, 2007
10:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Renton Technical College
Building C, Room 111
3000 NE 4th St
Renton, WA 98056

A new economical modular synthesizer may be announced and demonstrated.

The now happily married Jim Patchell may come up again from SB. (We gotta do some serious string pulling.)

Too bad we can't talk Cynthia into visiting the Pacific Northwet with modules.

Bulgarian Pizza will be served at Noon as usual. (Please contribute $$)

James hair will be the color of Carbon111 this year.

I will post additional information on my website soon. The old information gets you on the right track.

Please RSVP with requirements.

Take care,
John
www.sound-photo.com
www.antenna-farm.com"

You can see images and videos of previous PNW Events here.

acid round my house

YouTube via darenager.
"A groove from one of the tracks from my forthcoming album, I just felt the need for a quick jam :)

My FR-777 is one of a few purple face units which have a different sound than the more common black ones, the distortion circuit is less tame, also this one has some of the mods from the Future Retro website, it was once owned by Charlie Clouser.

Don't forget to subscribe and check out my other videos."

MOOG Modular

flickr by diaspar.

Title link takes you to more.

Life In Balance

Remember this post? Here are a few more shots from Life In Balance (and on MySpace).

Juliana (art and light designer for Life In Balance) Try's her hand at the theremin at the Moog factory in Asheville.

Ami with Quartz Crystal Singing Bowls - Moog Voyager and Theremin Pro - EML 101 - Korg midi controller and more

Steve on Jamming on his Voyager

own reacTable #2

YouTube via okoman. I found this on the newly created AudioInsightWiki. There are a couple of other videos there as well, so do check it out. As it is a wiki you are free to add to the site. You can find more on Reactable via the MORE link below.

Synthesizers.com Q107 State Variable Filter

YouTube via AutomaticGainsay.
"Here is a brief demonstration of the capabilities and sound of the Synthesizers.com state variable filter."
Follow up to this post.

Kepler's Orrery and Gravity Simulator

Kepler's Orrery -- PhaseX: 2 Mutations

YouTube via simrangleason.
"Same world as PhaseX, but with mutation: every time a body hits the center square, its mass changes. Maybe larger, maybe smaller. If it gets small enough it becomes a point, and leaves a trail. Since mutation adds randomness, it comes out different every time. Here are two takes."

Be sure to check out the other videos by mousing over the bottom of the player when the video is over. Title link takes you to more info including and online Java version you can play yourself.

via CDM where you will find a little more info and another link.