Casio PG-380 MIDI Guitar Synth

Title link takes you to a few more shots of the Casio PG-380 MIDI Guitar Synth pulled via this auction.

Previous PG-380 posts

Sequential Circuits Pro-One Modded

Title link takes you to shots via this Matrixsynth Forum post. It's currently for sale via intercorni. More info at the forum. Note the modded switches above the pitch and mod wheels. Not sure what they do. I replied to the post on the forum asking for more info.

Update: "The two switches are for switching on/off CV and gate inputs."
Note the price was lowered as well.

Sequenox 5000 and MIDI Sphere

Sequenox 5000
MIDI Sphere below

via opticallightpipe.com. Not much info, just shots. When you get there mouse over the sections on the left. Third one down should be Tactile. Click on it. If anyone has more info on these, please comment.

This one in via Robert.

CLICK FOR MORE »

creamware Prodyssey

flickr by pac209.

This one kept popping up on my blog reader so I guess it really wants a post. ;)

click here for the full size shot. There is one more in the flickr set.

Also, according to the description of the shot, it looks like it's actually for sale.

"the Prodyssey (sold only 2006 and 2007) is a VA remake of the Arp Odyssey II. It has 12 voices and 127x user memory. The filter is switchable between ARP and Minimoog style 24dB charakter."

Buchla Sighting - DJ Heather Heart

Buchla Music Easel. This one sent my way via vgermuse.
"Here's a little clip from the DVD Better Living Through Circuitry by Jon Reiss. The clip is of the DJ Heather Heart and has a brief but nice panning shot of what looks to be a pristine Buchla Music Easel."

Update: found the DVD on Amazon

More info on imdb.

If anyone has an official website for the DVD, post it in the comments and I'll update the post.

Roland JP8000 Jarre

Roland JP8000 Demo

YouTube via oxygene65.
"Crap demo of the JP8000 doing the solo to Jean Michel Jarre's Overture, from The Concerts In China. Massive apologies for the really bad solo. This was using the Soaring Mini patch. You can listen to my proper cover version of Overture on my soundclick page."

jp 8000 jarre

"concert in china jp 8000"
YouTube via graal7.

Buchla 259e

Looks like there's one up this auction. You don't see these come up often.

Design: Fotosis No. 005

"Fotosis instrument No. oo5 will be a hybrid guitar / synth, but not 80's keytar style. Actually it will have everything our previous instruments had with a special sort of experimental guitar added to the control panel. That means square wave noise maker section, optical theremin, passive ring modulator and a weird stringed instrument all in one. The picture on the left is my first drawing of the proposed device. I suppose it'll look and play a bit like a lap steel guitar."

Title link takes you there.

Podcast: Sonic TALK 057 - Prophet 08, Logic 8 Leak

"First we get excited about the new synthesizer from Dave Smith Instruments - the Prophet 08, then Noneric gives us some second-hand but reliable information on the new Logic Pro imminent update, then we're off to the world of quad core laptops, OS upgrades ain't what they used to be, and as Jazz Mutant demo their first mulit-touch PC, how do we feel about using that as an interface?"

Title link takes you there. The Prophet '08 talk, actually doesn't come in for bit but the talk leading up to it is entertaining as usual. There is some mention of the Waldorf Blofeld and the recent Musotalk vids. Great podcast and... Matrixsynth got a plug. : ) Very cool. Thanks guys.

MOTM 300 Ultra VCO

Title link takes you to some words and a sample of the MOTM 300 Ultra VCO on My Synthesis Technology.

Doepfer-Modular Analog

YouTube via DavideModu.

Livewire Dual Cyclotron+Doepfer A-100

YouTube via DavideModu.

acidlab bassline 2 programming

YouTube via pac209.

Cwejman Res-4 Quad Resonator Demo

via REwire
"Tune/Demo using the new Cwejman Res-4 Quad Resonator exclusively. It is four BP/Notch Resonant Filters in array with knob controls for Freq, Bandwidth and Level of all four filters and 14 CV ins as well for all controls and Master Freq and Level. It acts as a Filter Bank, Formant Filter and stereo effects processor as the BP and Notch outputs are available simultaneously to create cool stereo effects.

Every sound in my demo is through the Filter and nothing else except a little Reverb in my DAW. I ran drum loops through the filter and just a Pulse from a Plan-B Model 15 and Saw from an ASys RS-95 Osc. All the Modulating was done by LFO's and Envs to the filters but the most useful module here is the Cwejman PH-4 Phase Modulator which sends four phased LFO's to all four Resonators for swirling Flanging and Chorus effects. Many of the ghostly ringing sounds are the Resonators Self Oscillating and me playing it by Keyboard CV. The Res-4 really allows any sound to be dialed in easily and twisted to hell."

Demo (mp3 4:06):
http://www.REwireMusic.com/Audio/Demos/REwire_-_Cwejman-Res-4_Demo.mp3
REwire (http://www.REwireMusic.com)
Previous REwire posts

New monomes are Coming

No that actually isn't the new monome. Via the monome site:
"this mold is used to make the little conductive rings in the new keypad design. we were optimistic and a bit ahead of ourselves with our projected release date (posted vaguely and quietly on the forums some time ago.) we currently expect to ship the two fifty six (256) mid-october. we will take pre-orders two weeks before. the good news is that the 128 and 64 will follow close behind (6-8 weeks.)


pricing (USD):
* two fifty six: $1400
* one twenty eight: $800
* sixty four: $450"

Via CDM where you will find more monome goodness including images, video and some pretty nice DIY.

IMG_3465 - Matrixsynth by stylinghead

flickr by stylinghead.

click here for the full size shot.

Elektron Machinedrum

MusoTalk 67 - Arturia Jupiter 8 V

YouTube via musotalk. Be sure to check out the others.
via the comments of this post.

KORG KAOSS Guitar

Yet another custom design by §ILLON§. A KORG KAOSS pad built into a guitar. Title link takes you to two more shots.

He's got a virus

YouTube via CosmicD. Sent my way via Jared.

The Rentals: Friends of P

YouTube via Cloudburst. Guess the MOOG. The Rentals.

Update: One more via BetterButler in the comments. Note this one gives the MOOG away.
Answer also in the comments.

SID 6581

via this auction.

" This is a hand made Analog Synth with SID 6581 as the sound engine. It has a 2x16 Blue LCD, blue LED power and midi in indicator There are (6) Big Black Buttons to select menu functions. There are midi in and outs on this unit.
-All internal wiring is CAT5 and hot glued down at the solder locations to survive a very long lifespan
-the front and back panels are very thick clear and Transparent Blue plexiglass.
-12v AC power adapter is included WALLWART
-a HEATSINK is on the SID6581 for cooling and heat management.
-It can be edited via CC midi messaging."

Sequential Circuits SIEL Piano Forte

via this auction.

Reviews on HC

Inside the First Drum Machine - The Wurlitzer Sideman

Or rather rhythm machine. Title link takes you to some posts on Deviant Synth.

Be sure to check out the posts here as well for a video of one and some shots pulled from an auction.

Custom Creamware Prodyssey

Another beauty via §ILLON§, who brought us the custom KORG Legacy MS20 controller below, as well as the custom Casio SK5 posted here.

"Note that this is however not the final version. Nice woodside panels will be used and there is a paint job to do on the keyboard metal panel. But basically you'll get the picture and it's fully working.

For the tech part:
- change the sliders caps to match colorful original Arp Odyssey caps
- added a 25 keyboard with aftertouch (originally a E-mu Xboard 25).
- Unit has now its dedicated volume slider.
- The three led switchs under pitch and mod wheels correspond to: Octave - / Latch / Octave +
- The three little pots next to volume sliders correspond to: pitch bend range / aftertouch to filter range / aftertouch to pitch range.
- The 2 switchs next to the pots correspond to: env retrigger / last note mode

It was very easy to do the job actually. The E-mu is a great controller and very resistant. I unsoldered most of the pots and while doing that I had a strange feeling: I was here unsoldering knobs from a midi keyboard because I had too much of them, and I remembered those days when you would have sold your mother to get a midi keyboard with just two real time controllers."

The thin wood side panels remind me of the Orange and Black Odyssey. Very nice work. I love it. Click here for one more shot and be sure to click on the images above for the full sized shots.

Custom KORG Legacy MS20 Controller

Title link takes you to shots via this auction. via §ILLON§.

"This is your chance to get a unique piece of gear. It's a modified KORG MS20i USB MIDI keyboard. Originally part of KORG LEGACY COLLECTION bundle. The keyboard has been cosmetically modified in order to get a more compact and vintage looking little beast. Wooden side panels have been added, replacing the original plastic ones (which are included in package too)

It is possible to go back to the original design at any time because no hole has been drilled or metal parts bent. In less than fifteen minutes of unscrewing/screwing you're back to the original design (see last picture).

In excellent condition and of course working perfectly. Comes with patch jacks, USB cable and original parts. NO SOFTWARE INCLUDED. Keyboard should work with main virtual instruments. No driver is required to use the keyboard under Windows XP.

This is a great looking 37 velocity sensitive USB powered MIDI keyboard with 36 knobs to control your favorite software or hardware. It doesn't produce sound on its own, you need a computer and software to use it."

Genoqs Octopus Sequencer - Quick Tip

Genoqs Octopus Sequencer - Quick Tip

Add to My Profile | More Videos
Realize this demo is to show just a little bit of what the Genoqs can be used for. It is not to be viewed as a piece of music. Realize what it is doing and think of the potential when using it to trigger your synths. via the comments of this post.

Navs' Modular Lab - Filter Fight Update! Update

In case you missed it there is an update via Nav on this post:

"Couldn't resist comparing the CGS with Plan B's Model 12. New files added."

OB-Xa Demos

Title link takes you to some demos on Clusterchord's synth demo page for the Oberheim OB-Xa.

Oberheim OB-8 Video and Samples

Oberheim OB8

YouTube via mikethompsonmusic.
"Just a short instrumental demo of my OB8, playing my song 'Thoughts'."

The following samples via Paolo Di Nicolantonio on this HC thread (check out the thread for some others):

(Stream all the examples below)
01 Strings
02 Eerie Choir
03 Bass with Resonance
04 Reso Synth
05 Classic Analog Strings
06 Classic '60s Combo Organ
07 Funky Analog Polysynth
08 Retro AnaStrings
09 Fusiony
10 Synch'd
11 Emerson Portamento
12 Analog Pipes
13 Fat S&H
14 Early '80s Melancholic AnaStrings
15 Classic '80s Synth-Pop Pad
16 Pitchin' Up
17 Extremely Thin Synth
18 Arpeggiator At Work

Prophet '08 to PEK Size Comparison

via sequencer.de via Stefan Tripler. Also, in case you missed it the Prophet '08 manual is availbable on the DSI site here.

Update: Looks like this is actually the Prototype. To start, look at the panel graphics in relation to the pitch and mod wheels vs. the images on the DSI site, then look at the rest.

Zerosum Inertia

Title link takes you to Zerosum Inertia. Check out the track "Opening A New Door, (Closing An Old)" and be sure to listen past the intro. Lot's of Metasonix grunge. The player is to the right of the top image.

Via the comments of this post:
"There is TM-3 fed into TX-1,TM-3 into TM-1 thanks to Muff Wiggler.
There is the resonator used as a sinewave fed into TM-1>TM-7.
All the guitars with the exeption of the very end has the TM-7 at the end."

Also be sure to check out the videos and the rest of the site as well. Here's a teaser vid.

TM-1 EG-1 to VCA synth demo.avi

Prophet '08 Page Is Up

Title link takes you there. Via Stephen.

Oberheim Strummer PERF/X

Title link takes you to shots pulled via this auction.

"The "Strummer" listens to chords played on your MIDI keyboard and plays them back to your MIDI sound source (Synthesizer or Sampler) just as they would be played from a guitar. Not only will the chord voicings be correct, but the chords can actually be "Strummed!" With the "Strummer," you can even change the speed and direction of your "Strums" just by changing the way you play your MIDI keyboard. Also, "Strummer" has the ability to distinguish the difference between chords and single notes, allowing you to send chords out on one MIDI channel (Distorted Guitar Sound for example) while your single notes are sent out on a different channel (i.e. Solo Sound). Your keyboard may have a great guitar sound, but can you play a great guitar part? Yes. The Oberheim Strummer will transform your keyboard playing into a stunning and convincing performance featuring realistic guitar articulation.

By looking at such factors as the range of the guitar, the number of notes being played, chord position, and the velocity of the performance, Strummer can transform the incoming MIDI data out into performance data emulating that of a real guitarist. Performance data may be delayed, echoed, harmonized, transposed and sent back out on multiple MIDI channels. In addition to control over strum direction and speed, the Strummer also features Chord Capture for real time single finger chords. Individual picking patterns and riffs may be assigned to a single key, for real time performance playback. You can even control the number of "strings" being strummed via keyboard velocity.

The "Strummer" includes features such as:
o MIDI Delay (Echo).
o Adjustable Delay and Decay Rates.
o Multiple MIDI Channel Output.
o Velocity Switching.
o Keyboard Splitting.
o Chord Voicing Variations.
o Arpeggiation.
o Chord Capture (Adjustable Single Finger Chords).
o Transposition of MIDI Delays (Great for MIDI Harmonizing).
o Ability to synchronize to MIDI Timing Clocks (External Sync).
o MIDI Program Change.
o Supports MIDI Sysex for storage of user defined patches."

SolinaChorusOverviewSmall

flickr by mpeake.

That would be Mike Peake. He was one of the people behind the Alesis Andromeda A6. It's nice to see him back.

Title link takes you to the flickr shots. Be sure to click on the All Sizes link for each to see the full sized shots.

Update: higher res scans
Solina2.tiff
SolinaChorusOverview.jpg

Hemma hos mig/Schapiro

flickr by jacobastrom.

KORG Legacy controller and banana boxes.

Caption-the-Cat Contest #2: Gonzo

Remember this beauty of a pic and contest? Well, #2 is up. This time we have Sushiluv's cat Gonzo. Title link takes you to the post on Catsynth.com.

DASHSignature daHornet

" * Two oscillators, 4 octaves selector, output level, saw and pulse waveforms, pulse width control on Osc 1, fine tuning up to 1 octave on Osc 2.
* Noise generator.
* One LFO with:
- Rate from 0.1 to 100 Hz.
- MIDI sync from 32/4 to 1/36.
- Filter cutoff and Osc pitch destinations.
- 6 shape modes, sample&hold.
* Multimode "vintage" resonant filter with key following function, LP,BP,HP.
* Two envelope generators, VCA and Filter control, with REPEAT function (loop the envelope).
* Polyphonic mode (2 to 16 voices) and mono legato mode with tunable glide effect.
* MIDI learn on every knob to freely assign any MIDI CC.
* MIDI velocity sensitivity adjustable independently for VCA and Filter envelope.
* Master volume.
* Master tuning.
* Virtual keyboard with hide/show button.
* 128 presets factory bank.
* Random presets generator.
* Saving default setting on registry option.
* Any Sample Rate supported (e.g: 44.1, 48, 96)
* Support for SSE, MMX and P4 instructions.
* Volume Type: High, Normal, Soft."

Title link takes you to more info including the download.

MusoTalk 80 - Workshop - Power PC Plug-ins auf Intel Macs

YouTube via musotalk.
Featuring the EDP Wasp and daHornet plug-in.

d16.pl Phoscyon "303" plug-in

YouTube via pac209.
"tweaking a software plug-in with a simple midi controller (Doepfer Pocket Dial), using only the regular 303 knobs to evaluate the sound"

Update via the comments: "to download a clean soundfile of the session, use this link. like mentioned I only used the regular 303 controls, i.e. cutoff, env, resonance, decay, tuning and threw in a few (sample) 606 sounds towards the end"

TB-303 & TR-606 Reverb and Over Drive Experiment

YouTube via eljuanlux.
"This is an experiment using a TB-303 and a TR-606 i hope u enjoy ;=)"

Access Virus | TI ' The Living Years '

YouTube via GCom67.
"A Short Video Demo Of The Virus TI Synth...The original 80's Tune is called 'The Living Years' by Mike & The Mechanics. One of the best songs ever!! The sound I used is ROM-S 67 HyperPad with a bit more CUTOFF & RELEASE & less ATTACK."

Roland System 100 Model 102

Title link takes you to shots via this auction.

"The Expander 102 section is a keyboard-less version of the 101, designed to stand upright and behind the main Synthesizer 101. More than one Expander 102 can be added to make your system fatter and fatter! The Expander is identical to the Synthesizer except that it replaces Portamento/Glide effects with a Sample-and-Hold feature for the LFO, the Noise gen. Is replaced by a Ring Modulator, and the A-440 tuning osc. Is replaced by weak/strong sync inputs and a mix-in jack. The Expander is an excellent way to add more oscillators and synth effects (the s&h and ring-mod) to a System 100. The oscillators can be synced if you have both modules. The 101 & 102 are already internally patched and ready to produce sounds, but that can be bypassed by external patching."

synthi e fun

YouTube via waveshaper. Sent my way via Dennis.
"little fun with the EMS Synthi E. No other gear used no midi no sequencers etc. Just a few pathcords. Recorded with a $200 photocamera so don't give shit about the audioquality!"

Pink Floyd - Run Like Hell (1980)

YouTube via JimmyToast. Prophet-5 Rev1 solo comes in at 4:01. You can't see it but you can hear it.

Update: and here is THE actual Prophet-5 used by Pink Floyd at the time, sent in via an anonymous reader. You can find more images here and you can also see it in the video below.


Pink Floyd - Another Brick in the Wall, Pt. 2 (1980)

"We Miss You, Bob" via the Bob MOOG Foundation

"As you may have realized, today is the second anniversary of Bob's death. We talked about a lot of things we might say today, but in the end, it all came down to "We miss you, Bob."

We hope you'll take just a minute today to remember him in your own way. Maybe turn on the Voyager, listen to a favorite Moog artist, or picture him in your mind's eye.


If you'd like, stop by our MySpace page to leave us a note. Post your thoughts on MySpace

All the best,
The Bob Moog Foundation
Make a gift 'In Bob's memory...'"

x0xchild - Roland Drumatix TR-606 Finds its Way Home

via Ghostdog.

Here's a story for you. Ghostdog's first drum machine was the Roland TR-606. He picked it up when he was 14. Eventually he sold it. 25 years later he picked one up again. When he looked at the serial number, it was the same exact one. No joke.

Here is a shot of the TR-606 and his son OSCar. Cool name! I wonder if he'll write it with the capital OSC when he gets older.

labolida synthesizers

TinySynth monophonic hybrid synthesizer
Tiny Synth is a simple, may be minimum, compact and integrated synthesizer. It was developed around a single MIDI controlled digital oscillator, including too a VCF, VCA, LFO, and AR ASR envelope generators.
The main project idea was to keep as simple as possible the construction and calibration, with a relatively cheap cost.
nano 1 - monophonic digital synthesizer
"nano 1 is a monophonic digital synthesizer module developed with digital technology giving the control facilities of analog synthesizers."
Title link takes you to the labolida sumtjesozers website where you will find more info on both.

New MOTM Cloud Generator Demos

"Using better MP3 encoding and tweaking the Cloud Generator firmware has produced some cleaner demos. Check these out.

www.synthtech.com/m520/better_sin.mp3
www.synthtech.com/m520/better_saw.mp3
www.synthtech.com/m520/better_tri.mp3
www.synthtech.com/m520/better_sqr.mp3
www.synthtech.com/m520/thru_zero.mp3
www.synthtech.com/m520/sq_sin_mix1.mp3
www.synthtech.com/m520/sq_sin_mix2.mp3

Enjoy....and watch those speaker levels.
And yes, it can do "through-zero" FM!

Paul S."

Thank You Bob

Today marks two years since Bob's passing. Title link takes you to the Caring Bridge site for Bob, where many of us visited on a daily basis when the sad news of Bob's condition became public. You can leave a comment there if you wish. Thanks goes to Mark Pulver for reminding us all on AH.

DSI Prophet '08 Detailed Shot

click image for the full size shot.

And a bit larger on VSE.

DEWANATRON documentary

YouTube via dutchblaine.
"he documentary of DEWANATRON by Paul Yates. A story of Brian Dewand and Leon Dewan-the greatest grass roots electronic creators of all time.
The special purpose of Dewanatrons, which are modern solid-state analog instruments, is to grow music live in collaboration with the operators who guide them. Edited by Paul yates and Jonee Eisen."
Be sure to mouse over the thumbnails for more when the video ends.