Moog LP & DSI MEK Comparison in Hi-Fi pt1

YouTube via shaft9000. Sent my way via Mr. Array.
"Here is a basic sound comparison between two incredible synthesizers. They are the two top analog monophonic keyboards on the mass market today...so rather than competing for your adulation, it is best to appreciate what they do differently. You NEED them both!"

Yamaha VSS-30

I just saw this posted on Synthwire by Inverseroom. He has a number of items up for auction. - circuit bent stuff and some modules.

Pictured is a bent Yamaha VSS-30.

"The VSS-30 was probably the ultimate in mini lofi samplers, and this one is in pretty good shape, a little dusty perhaps. I have added a series of buttons and switches that have various effects on the sound. The red buttons affect the sampled sound (listen to the samples below) and the switches affect the preset sounds and arpeggiations (also hear samples). The switches are labeled with the effect each has on the sounds--don't turn your headphones up too high, some of them are rather harsh (you can guess which ones). The "glitch" switch is unpredictable, and in the sound sample causes the song to stutter and eventually double in tempo."

Circuit-bent VSS-30 sound sample Images saved here for when the auction disappears.

Music From Outer Space Custom Face Panels

via Wild Zebra on electro-music.com.

"Panels are plexi glass that was laying around at work. Alittle photoshop magic printed to glossy cardstock at work(boy its nice to work in a print shop) Sparay glued voila."
Title link takes you to more.

Korg MS-20 - Endless space loop

YouTube via Newueel.
"The MG output is connected to TRIG IN to create an endless loop (so we don't need the keyboard anymore for triggering the envelopes). The other MG output is used to clock the SAMPLE & HOLD to generate the random space bleeps. Both VCO's and the NOISE GENERATOR are used to create the sounds. The amount of noise from the noise generator is controlled by the control wheel (using the VCA and EXT SIGNAL IN). Additionaly an (external) delay is used to sound even better.

Wanna try for yourself? Check out the patch settings below!

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

KNOB SETTINGS:
VCO1: [Sawtooth] [(N/A)] [32']
VCO2: [Sawtooth] [-2] [2']
PORTAMENTO: [0]
VCOMIX: [10] [10] [ 0] [ 0]
HPF: [ 5] [ 7] [10] [ 0]
LPF: [ 5] [ 7] [10] [ 0]
MG: [(points to the right)] [4]
EG1: (N/A)
EG2: [0] [0] [1] [1] [1]
ESP: (N/A)

PATCHES:
(create endless trigger loop:)
1. MODULATION GENERATOR (OUT RECTANGLE) -> TRIG IN

(sample & hold:)
2. MODULATION GENERATOR (OUT TRIANGLE) -> SAMPLE & HOLD (CLOCK)
3. NOISE GENERATOR (PINK) -> SAMPLE & HOLD (IN)
4. SAMPLE & HOLD (OUT) -> VOLTAGE CONTOLLED OSCILATOR 1 (TOTAL)

(noise generator:)
5. CONTROL WHEEL -> VCA (CONTROL INPUT)
6. NOISE GENERATOR (WHITE) -> VCA (IN)
7. VCA (OUT) -> EXT SIGNAL IN"

Redsound Elevata

Title link takes you to shots via this auction.

Suzuki Omnichord

Click here for shots via this auction.

"This synthesizer has a very interesting sound. It has qualities of an organ,guitar and drum. The Sonicstrings that are strummed similar to a guitar or harp gives the instrument its unique unusual heavenly or not of this earth sound.Features: Level/ Mode Selection: Manual/ Auto-bass Chord; Chord Hold; Sonic Strings (Sustain and Volume); and Chord Volume.The Rhythm selection has: Rock 1 and 2; Disco; Latin; Country; March; Tango; Blues; Swing; and Waltz. There is a tempo dial and volume dial. Master Control has: the power button and volume dial. The case is gray and hard plastic with handle and locks. This unit can use the AC adapter or 8 C Size batteries ( Batteries are not included. Approximate dimensions: The OmniChord is approximately 20 1/2" in length; 1 1/2" in height; and 11" in width. The hard case is approximately 21" length; 3" in height; and 14" (including handle) in width. Included: OmniChord System One OM-84 Autoharp Synthesizer One AC/DC Adapter power cord, One car lighter plug and One Gray Hard Plastic Case. A unique instrument nice condition with an added chord memory feature letting you play rhythm and lead at the same time. It also has a 1/4" output connector. This Onmichord will provide guitar, piano, drums, bass, and organ all in one."

Sequential Circuits Six-Trak

Title link takes you to shots via this auction.

"This Six-Trak has the upgraded ROM 11 from Wine Country, which expands its MIDI capabilities. The Six-Trak not only sounds great, but is very inspiring to play thanks to the six track real time sequencer. You can play 6 mono parts with 6 different sounds or stack the sounds using multiple sequencer tracks for chords, etc. There is also a stacked mode when playing which creates thick 6VCO mono sounds!! All the editable parameters are listed on the front panel and can be seen in the picture below. This is really a fun synth and due to its compact size, ability to store presets and extensive MIDI capabilities, the Six-Track is well suited for the studio or the stage, although since I have owned it, it's never made it past the studio. Overall I would rate this synth 9+/10.

The unit includes, original manual (not in great shape) and power cord."

Alesis Andromeda A6

Title link takes you to shots via this auction.

MOOG Realistic MG-1

Two sets via two auctions.

set 1 via this auction.
set 2 via this auction.

Note the patent sticker.

Akai AX80

Title link takes you to shots via this auction.

"Akai’s first venture into the synthesizer arena. Released in 1984 for $1,395 and later reduced to $999. The unit is mono-tambral eight voice with two DCO’s (plus a sub-osc) per voice. It features a 5 octave velocity sensitive keyboard with a nice amount of resistance. Velocity can be routed to control the filter cutoff and / or the VCA, and has a nice full range of 99 steps. A spring loaded pitch bend wheel and non spring loaded modulation wheel are at the base left on the keyboard (where they belong). The wheels parameters are global and are controlled by two knobs above the wheels. The pitch wheel has a maximum range of +/- 1 octave. The modulation wheel can control the oscillator modulation and/or filter modulation. The most interesting feature on the unit is its fluorescent display which details the parameter value of almost all parameters at once via bar graphs (only one envelope is displayed at a time). The display makes programming the unit a breeze and is very informative especially if your new to subtractive synthesis. Almost each parameter has its own switch (32 switches in all) and the parameter’s value is changed using a knob for large changes and membrane switches for +/- 1 increments. The know functions in real time so you can adjust a specific parameter as you play. In addition to the massive parameter display the unit also features a two digit and three digit L.E.D. which in edit mode displays the parameter selected for editing and its current value. When the unit is not in edit mode the unit displays the patch selected. The thirty two membrane switches are used to select the patch when the unit is not in edit mode. The unit holds three banks (A,B,P) of thirty two or 96 in total. And as you probably guess P stands for preset which are non volatile but the other 64 are volatile which is plenty of storage space. The display is one of the best on any synth I have ever seen or used. The voice parameter section is quite nice albeit fairly standard and makes some great sounds. The AX-80 uses CEM chips and has a two pole filter. Each voice is comprised of two oscillators with an additional sub oscillator, VCF (high pass and low pass), three LFO’s, and two envelopes. Note: The unit has only three LFO’s in total so each voice shares the LFO’s (see below). DCO 1 offers a frequency range of 16,8,and 4, choice of waveform between sawtooth, pulse width, and a mix of the two, pulse width control, pulse width modulation speed (which is controlled independently of the LFO!!!), and a sub oscillator which produces a square wave one octave below the frequency selected for osc 1. DCO 2 offers a frequency range at any half step interval between 16 and 2. In additional it may de-tuned +/- 36 steps to achieve a nice fat beating sounding when heard with osc 1. Osc. 2 offers sawtooth, square (no pulse width), and mix of the two. In addition osc 2 may be hard or soft synced to osc 1. Osc 2 pitch may be modulated by either envelope (note: the envelope may be inverted). Osc 2 may be modulated by LFO 2. Each oscillator offers it owns volume control for simple mixing. Its a shame that the mix can not be controlled by velocity or one of the envelopes. VCF. The AX uses a two pole filter. The filter is fine for leads, basses, sweeps, synth brass, etc. The filter parameters for filter cutoff, keyboard follow (99 steps), envelope depth (may be inverted), resonance, key velocity and high pass filter (which is non dynamic but 99 values are allowed). The resonance is nice and thick and the filter can self oscillate. The resonance has a bass boost circuit so the sound doesn’t fall out from underneath so quickly as it does on some other synths. When the filter is opened wide, the sound can be quite bright. LFO. The AX has three LFOs in total for all eight voice, however LFO 1 controls osc , LFO 2 controls osc 2, and LFO controls osc 3, which allows for some very nice effects. Its great for fat leads since each oscillator can be slightly detuned using different LFO amounts, and their is still one LFO left to modulate the filter. If you hold down a chord and play a lead on top, every time you play a new key, the LFO’s will re-trigger this affecting the held chord. Sometimes this type can be quite useful. I wish that you could select weather the LFO would re-trigger or not. The LFO section is a trade-off but is different from most other synths, so I view it as a positive since it allows me to do stuff I can’t do on other units. Each LFO has the following parameter: depth, delay, rate, waveform which include sawtooth, reverse sawtooth, square, and triangle. It would have been nice to also have sine and random. ENV. Two standard ADSR envelopes with key follow. Key follow has 99 values which is much better than off/half/on as found on some synths. One envelope is for the VCA, the other is for the filter. However the VCA envelope can be used for both the filter and the VCA (note: this is parameter 30 set to 2 (VCA-VCF mode), leaving the other envelope to modulate the pitch of osc 2. Either envelope may be used to modulate the pitch on osc 2. The AX has midi in / out / thru (wouldn’t it be nice if all synths had all three jacks opposed to the combination out/thru or worse no thru). At least the unit powers is always in POLY mode and you may select any channel to receive on. Interesting enough you may then select any channel to send on, and therefore these channels may be different. The save / load time is very quick and one of the most reliable I have used. A verify feature is provided. The back panel is angled upward making for easy access. The back pannel supports a ¼ mono output, headphone jack, sustain jack, program pedal (which can be used to change programs in an +1 upward manner), and midi jacks (as noted above). The unit also has a chord memory feature and the keyboard can be transposed upwards over a range of 11 semitones. A really good synth ... very good and different sounding. The sound reminds me a lot of the Chroma Polaris, and it couldn’t sound anything less like a Roland. I view these as positives and the AX was a welcome addition to my set up. Being different is what it is all about."

Schematics via Mike Peake

Title link takes you to them. Be sure to click on the "All Sizes" link for each.

GX1 Ring Modulator
CS80 Ring Mod (pictured)
Tau VCA 5
Tau VCA 7
Tau VCA Layout
Tau VCA PCB
Polyfusion Octave Divider
MS20 Ring Modulator

Korg Electribe MX-1

flickr by Cron-Z.

click here for the full size shot.

Moogfest 2007 in NYC -- featuring the first annual Moogfest Symposium

"Featuring an all-star lineup from the world of Moog
Greetings from the Bob Moog Foundation!

We have been hard at work all summer as we work towards our mission to document, celebrate & teach innovative thinking. On September 22, 2007 we will be traveling to Moogfest, an annual NYC event celebrating the musical legacy that continues through the instruments that Bob created. Check out Moogfest at moogfest.com and if you live in the NYC area, please join us for this very special tribute!

The Bob Moog Foundation has partnered with Moogfest to create the first annual Moogfest Symposium. At the Symposium, which takes place at 8pm on Thursday September 20, 2007 at Columbia University, luminaries in the field of electronic music will gather to discuss Bob’s legacy as it pertains to their own work and they will be taking questions from the audience. Symposium panel members include:

Herbert Deutsch – collaborator on the development of the first Moog synthesizer; composer, musician and performer; twice Chair of the Music Department at Hofstra University and former Director of Sales and Marketing at Moog Music, Inc.

Gershon Kingsley – musician and composer who led the Moog Quartet, which performed around the country and at Carnegie Hall. Best known for his catchy melody “Popcorn”, which is part of his “Music to Moog By” album, Mr. Kinglsey has recorded many Moog Albums, including “The In Sound From Way Out” with Jean-Jaques Perry and his most recent addition “God is a Moog”.
Joel Chadabe – composer, performer and pioneer in the development of interactive music systems. Mr. Chadabe has had a lifelong career in academia and has lectured, performed and recorded extensively. He is currently Professor Emeritus at State University of New York at Albany; Director of the Computer Music Studio at Manhattan School of Music Visiting Faculty at New York University. Joel is the President of the Electronic Music Foundation and the author of “Electric Sound: The Past and Promise of Electronic Music.”

John Eaton – Avant garde opera composer and performer and Professor Emeritus of Music Composition at the University of Chicago, where he taught for 10 years. He also taught at Indiana University (Bloomington) for 20. Mr. Eaton is a McArthur Fellow who, over a 20 year collaboration with Dr. Moog, created the Eaton-Moog Multi-Touch Sensitive Keyboard. He currently serves as the Composer and Artistic Director for the Pocket Opera Players, based in New York City.

David Borden – musician, composer and performer; played and tested early Moog Modulars in Bob Moog’s studio in Trumansburg, NY. Founder of Mother Mallard’s Portable Masterpiece, the first Moog synthesizer ensemble. Retired Director of the Digital Music Program at Cornell University, where he taught for 37 years.

Trevor Pinch – Author of “Analog Days: The Invention and Impact of the Moog Syntheziser” and professor and Chairperson of Science and Technology Studies at Cornell Univeristy.

Moogfest and the Bob Moog Foundation are proud and honored to be
sponsoring an event that pulls together Bob’s lifelong friends and colleagues and the vast amount of experiences and knowledge that they share. This promises to be a very special evening.

Please join us at:

Center Room
3rd Floor, Prentis Hall
632 West 125th Street
Columbia University

For directions online, please see:
http://music.columbia.edu/cmc/contact/index.html

For those of you who live in the New York City area, we hope to see you at the Symposium and at Moogfest. We’ll be checking in with the rest of you to let you know how it all went.

Until then-
The Bob Moog Foundation"

Yamaha TENORI-ON via Making Sound

Title link takes you to a review in French, on Making Sound. Here's a link to a Google translated version.

"The random mode:

This mode makes it possible to spice its services with a little chance. While pressing on a button a note is played in a repetitive way. While pressing on a second, a light travels between the two by generating a sound with each time it meets one of them. While pressing on a third the light modifies its way again. In this manner it is possible this to create a musical “continuation” which it is even possible to make swivel on itself. Very interesting."

Sept 07

Ems synthi aks
serge modular
waldorf pulse
alesis andromeda a6
roland tr 606
xoxbox
elektron machinedrum
eurorack ( Plan b, livewire,cgs,doepfer)

flickr via cray5656
aka ghostdog.

John Bowen Solaris Pre-order information

"Pre-ordering is now available. The pre-order deposit amount is $1,000, which is roughly one-third of the final introductory price (expected to be $3,199). Pre-order deposits can be spread over 2 consecutive months with two $500 checks if needed. (Serial number list will be entered on the second payment.) A full refund of your deposit will be offered up to 3 weeks prior to shipping of your unit. Current plans for initial shipment of pre-orders is now mid-December."

Title link takes you there. via Davide.

MOTM behind the scenes

Title link takes you to more shots and details on My Synthesis Technology MOTM Analog Modular Synth.

Update via emeb in the comments:
"Hi - Thanks for posting that. Actually, it's not the lab at Synth Tech, but the MOTM demo table at AH Cali in Oakland on 9/9/07. In the front is the MOTM 520 Cloud Generator prototype. The 8x8 LED display in the back is part of an eval for the upcoming Lite Engine."

RIP Joe Zawinul

"VIENNA, Austria (AP) — Joe Zawinul, who soared to fame as one of the creators of jazz fusion and performed and recorded with Miles Davis, died early Tuesday, a hospital official said. He was 75.

Zawinul had been hospitalized since last month. A spokeswoman for Vienna's Wilhelmina Clinic confirmed his death without giving details. His manager, Risa Zincke, said Zawinul suffered from a rare form of skin cancer, according to the Austria Press Agency.

Zawinul won widespread acclaim for his keyboard work on chart-topping Davis albums such as "In A Silent Way" and "Bitches Brew," and was a leading force behind the so-called "Electric Jazz" movement.

In 1970, Zawinul founded the band Weather Report and produced a series of albums including "Heavy Weather," "Black Market" and "I Sing the Body Electric." After that band's breakup, he founded the Zawinul Syndicate in 1987."

Title link takes you to the full report via the Associated Press. It's a sad day.

side view

flickr by nakedintruder.

click here for the full size shot. One more here.

the harvestman Malgorithm

The Juno Brothers

image via marko of retrosound.de.

Roland Juno-106
Roland Juno-60

Be sure to check out the site for more.

Moog trilogy

image sent my way via marko of retrosound.de.

MOOG Minimoog
MOOG Prodigy
MOOG Taurus Synthesizer

Be sure to check out the site for more.

Vp-330 Vocoder Plus mk2

Image sent my way via marko of retrosound.de. Be sure to check out the site for more.

AH Bay Area 2007 via Peter

Title link takes you to shots of this years AH Bay Area 2007 sent in via Peter.

G-Red Grime Music Mix Live Mashup

YouTube via shotmillions.
"Novation A Station Ensoniq ASR X PRO Computer... Live grime music..."

KORG Radias

Title link takes you to shots via this auction.

Kawai K3

via this auction

Click the image for the full size shot.

"The K3 is a wavetable synthesizer [not exactly - it's a digital additive synth with analog filters]. It has 32 waveforms, some of which are samples of acoustic instruments like piano and percussion as well as some unique waveforms. By combining two of these waveforms you can create unique new sounds or add a twist to a traditional sound. Since there are only 32 of these waveforms, the K3 also features a programmable digital waveform where you can tweak the harmonic content of a waveform allowing for added flexibility and range of sounds.

What's really neat about the K3 is that (unlike the K1) it has analog filters and envelopes! So although the sound may be digital at first, it sure does get warmed going through the filter. The low pass resonant filter even has its own envelope generator. There's also a hi pass filter and a highly flexible LFO. The K3 is an interesting synth, nicely bridging the gap between the analog and digital domain of vintage synthesizers.

Here's a video of this synth in action"

Yamaha CS01

Title link takes you to shots via this auction.

"It's monophonic 1 VCO synth with extra sub VCO, both of them make sounds very fat for this little keyabord, especially if You put right wave type and make little detune. She has 5 wave forms and pretty good range 32-16-8-4."

Note: there is no extra sub osc.

Yamaha SK30

via this auction.

"Its strength is its drawbar hammond sound. It has 7-note polyphony and, like a real Hammond organ, nine variable drawbars (16, 8, 5 1/3, 4, 2 2/3, 2, 1 3/5, 1 1/3, 1). It also has variable percussive 2nd, 3rd, and 5th, with variable delay and sustain. The tremolo effect imitates a leslie rotary, with slow and fast speeds, and slow acceleration between the speeds. The ensemble effect is a rich chorus that makes the harmonics full, round, and rich.

I hastily and sloppily recorded some short audio demo snippets tonight which you can hear at:
gliss_ensemble.mp3
adding_16_8_5_4_2_1_with_tremolo.mp3
removing_8_5_4_2_2.mp3

It also has a monophonic solo section with a 3-octave keyboard range, but switchable to cover a total of 8 octaves with waveforms varying from sawtooth to square with modulateable pulse width and single lowpass filter with variable resonance and EG and/or LFO modulation.

An equally as hasty and sloppy and inadequate-to-fully-demonstrate audio snippet exists: boppling_solo_section.mp3

It also has a string section and poly synth section but they are not that impressive compared to its hammond sound. There are independent mono audio outputs for organ, polysynth, and solo sections, as well as a single mono output for a mixed output (all three)."

nords

flickr by pac209.

click here for the full size shot.

nord rack 2 and nord modular rack

Studio Electronics SE-1X NE RED EYE

via this auction. Another custom SE synth via Nova Musik.

"SE-1X Improvements on an SE-1 Theme
4 ROM Banks (396 locations).
4 RAM Banks (396 locations).
Red Eye ships with 7 banks loaded...693 total patches.
Greatly enhanced MIDI specs.
3 MIDI-syncable L.F.O.s
Tight new look - phatt new logo, sharper, more attractive front and back panel graphics and text.
Flash-ROM Web-updateable Operating Software.
Smoother tweaking and MIDI transmission of front panel pots (switches send info. as well).
External Audio Input.
2 year parts & labor warranty coverage.

In short, more, much more, of "Caswellz Genius", and the globally acclaimed programming savvy of Rionero's Sons: those virtuoso sonic avengers, masters of shadow and the illuminant."

the jirny

YouTube via jameshow1234.
"The jirny (1994-2004) music video, song done in 1994 video done in 2004"
Spot the synths. Here's one you don't see often: a Marion Systems MSR-2 as the first synth in the vid. Pretty cool.

Emerson in Tokyo

Wax figure of Keith Emerson in Toyko Tower with a Yamaha CS80 and MOOG Minimoog. Title link takes you to the full size shot.

Remco Sound FX

via this auction

"It is basically (on top of being one of the most insane toys ever given to children) as oscillator lfo noise maker envelope trigger and distortion all in one little box. Now mine is all original which is cool, but the thing to really take this thing to another level is to fit it with a quarter inch output. The small built in speaker does not do it justice as I have heard one unleashed through real speakers and it basically can sound like an EMS Synthi. Seriously this thing is mean and angry... You can check this link out to hear a very brief sample."

via jonathan

CLICK FOR MORE »

G-Red Acid House Live Mash Up Ensoniq Asr X Pro & Novation A

YouTube via shotmillions.
"Live house mash up using novation a station, and ensoniq asr x pro. www.myspace.com/itsgred"

odosynths Doube Six

6-operator FM synth with 32 DX7 algorithms and 16 4-operator algorithms.
Every operator has his own envelope. You can choose between 1 and 8 stages and set the sustain point from 1 to 7 or even off .There are 14 different curves for the envelops and you can disable the envelope to save some CPU and all envelops have a time knob.
The operators can be disabled/Fixed or pitched and have a octave range from -6 to 3 a fine tune that can be reseted and pulse width
There are 5 different waveforms for the operators Sine/Saw/Ramp/Traingle/Pulse/
The filter has the same envelope and there are 5 different filters types lowpas 12db/lowpass 24db/lowpass db32/hipas/band pass.

The EZ preset!! this are tools to make fast very nice sounds.You can reset all the finetunes with a hit on a button or change all waveforms set all the octaves the same and the times of the envelops.
A Phase modulation depth controll and a feedback controll
A master and a volume envelope.
Theres one BPM LFO for PMD operator 1 to 6/pitch 1 to 6 and cutoff.
there are 3 different effects a chorus/stereo delay and a phaser
and 128 preset + 32 made by Cuppa

Title link takes you there

Roland Jupiter-8 Demo

Title link takes you to the mp3. Via Goran on Matrixsynth Facebook.

Cinco Midi Organizer

YouTube via neomerge. via Justin on Matrixsynth Facebook.

MFOS Analog Sequencer 8 of 8

YouTube via djthomaswhite. via My Synthesis Technology
"series of videos about my new Music From Outer Space analog sequencer. Log on to www.naturalrhythmmusic.com for mor Another in the series of videos about my new Music From Outer Space analog sequencer. Log on to www.naturalrhythmmusic.com for more information on my DIY projects."

Custom Minimoog owned by Steve Hillage

via this auction.

"This example, serial number 6390, is particularly interesting because it once belonged to Steve Hillage, of Gong and System 7. It's clearly visible on stage in some of his live videos.

The reason it stands out is that Hillage had this synth covered in a blue material which I think is Tolex, a sort of textured plastic used for covering amp cabinets. You'll certainly never see a more distinctive Minimoog, though if you want to restore it to its natural wood finish, I'm sure that would be possible (though it might need a good deal of polishing depending on how the Tolex reacts to being removed). Hillage also had this synth modified by EMS with an oscillator sync switch and keyboard transpose panel, but both these mods failed and have been removed; the key transpose panel might have left a row of small holes in the wood panel above the keyboard, though it's hard to tell without removing the Tolex.

The only other mod is that the S-Trigger input socket has been replaced with a conventional 1/4-inch jack socket; it still functions on the S-Trigger standard, but this makes it easier to find the correct lead - I'm sure a specialist could supply you with a replacement S-Trigger socket if you want! The rear panel of the synth has been removed for better heat dispersal, but again, I'm sure a specialist could supply a replacement. There's also a small rough oblong cut-out in a rear panel, possibly for some other custom connector which has been removed."

via Chris who is the seller.

ESQ-1 Digital / Analog Synthesizer (Episode 2 Preview)

YouTube via williamenroh.

"This is a preview for Inside Synthesis Episode 2. It will demonstrate LFO programming on synthesizers that lack real-time phrase/drumbeat triggering, such as the ESQ-1.

While the ESQ-1 has a built-in sequencer, there's no way to dynamically control the sequences. To make matters more challenging, the ESQ-1 lacks a modulation sequencer of the MS-2000 (as seen in Episode 1).

But that doesn't mean you can't do real-time drumbeats and arpeggiations.

Episode 2 will be finished soon. I had a small setback."

OT: Apple Sucks

RANT:
Just felt the need to say that. I was planning on getting an IPod Classic 160G to hold all my music and my home videos. My home vids are in MPEG-2 format. I went to the Apple store today and asked what I needed to convert the vids to play on the IPod. I was told Quicktime Pro would do it. I buy it and nope. I then read I need the MPEG-2 utility here. Another $20 bucks.

The MPEG-2 site reads (pay close attention here kiddies):

"Transcoding video content

Your MPEG-2 video content can be imported into QuickTime and exported to other formats such as MPEG-4, the new international standard for Internet media, QuickTime Movie or DV Stream, to name a few. The QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback Component allows the transcode of MPEG-2 video from both multiplexed and elementary video streams(1). By converting your MPEG-2 video content into other formats, it can be used in new forums, such as on the web, on CD-ROM or on DV tape."

I convert the home video and... no audio. So I go to the online support and find this!:

"It is not possible to export the audio portion of a muxed MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 audio/video stream using QuickTime. For editing purposes, the entire MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 stream is treated as a single sample. You may create edit lists to display parts of the stream in the usual way, but if you flatten the movie data, the entire stream is saved, not just the parts displayed in the movie."

I'm sorry, but WTF is that?! Apparently there are no refunds either, so I'm out $54.43 for software I don't even need. Apple sucks. And for the record, every single report of problems with the site have been on the Mac.
RANT Over

So if you are considering doing the same, consider yourself warned. This software seems to work, and was recommended by the guys at Gizmodo, but it will cost me another $29.95 to automate the process.

BTW, if I'm reading the above wrong and it should actually work but I need to do something I'm missing let me know.

BTW, I'm pissed at MS to. Why the hell they released the Zune in only 30G capacity is beyond me.

AH Cali 2007 Images

Two sets are in:

One
Two

AKA AH Bay Area 2007

Update: another set via synchro1
and more from retrosynth.

Sound Transform Systems Serge

Title link takes you to shots via this auction.

New Timbral Oscillator
Wave Multiplier
Wilson Analog Delay
Precision Voltage Controlled Oscillator
Mixer
Divide N Comparator
Variable Resonance Voltage Controlled Filter
Universal Audio Processor

Alicia Keys and the Jupiter-8 - VMA Awards

My wife is watching the VMA awards (I'll never admit to it : ). Anyway Alicia Keys just played and get this, she had a Roland Jupiter-8 out on the catwalk. She performed and walked over to it and played a few notes. If anyone has a screen shot of this or sees it on YouTube, post back and I'll update the post up. Not much happens with it, but it was nice seeing something vintage there. There were some nice close-ups of it.


Update: image and link to the video via the comments.

Iapetus - instrumental synth prog rock

YouTube via hamsterdunce.
"More music on umop.com!
Putting the mental in instrumental, once again... Another odd ditty... this one grooves in an alternating 15/8 and 4/4... more epileptic dancing fun for everyone! Backing tracks & rock organ part are all Garage Band... such a great program. Meanwhile, the Nord Lead, Access Virus kb, and trusty old Korg 01/W are along for the ride, with Cthulhu riding shotgun."

Drunk

YouTube via reichmarshall.
"I don't drink very often. Here's why." Lightweight. :)

MD liveset practice part 1

YouTuve via daswesen.

keybdwizrd - Morphine Demo

YouTube via keybdwizrd.
"Demo of the Morphine additive synthesizer (software), using M-Audio Oxygen 8 v2 MIDI controller. Minor detail: The Morphine GUI is NOT as large as it appears here - I used the zoom feature in OSX to make it bigger on the screen for purposes of making this video."

MOOG The Source

Title link takes you to shots via this auction.

Roland SH-3A

It looks like the Roland SH-3A in this video by AtomaticGainsay is up for auction. Title link takes you to the shots.

"Functions:

One oscillator with five level-adjustable sections offering 3 waveforms to choose from for "additive" type sounds, adjustable pulse-width modulation on the 8' setting, and adjustable frequency modulation.

One 24 dB/oct voltage controlled filter with resonance that can self-oscillate, adjustable envelope sensitivity, independent pre-set envelopes as well as ADSR control, and adjustable filter modulation.

Level-adjustable noise generator with pink and white noise that can be directed through the VCF or directly to the VCA.

Two Low Frequency Oscillators. One is an adjustable saw wave. The other is an adjustable square or sine wave with adjustable delay. The LFOs are connected to a matrix-style routing system, allowing you to direct different waveforms to different sections.

The VCA has a level control, an adjustable hold control, ADSR or independent envelope controls, and adjustable amplitude modulation.

ADSR envelope which can be directed to VCF, VCA, or both.

Pitch control knob, octave selector switch, and "glide" button, which pulls the pitch of any note played down a half step, returning it to its proper frequency upon release.

Adjustable portamento, with defeat button for non-portamento use in the midst of portamento use.

Extensive and unique sample and hold section with triangle, ascending and descending ramps, and random waveforms, with adjustable level and adjustable sample time.

Adjustable headphone volume and jack.

The back port features another tuning control, CV control of oscillator, CV control of filter, phones jack, and three-level adjustable output jack.

It should be immediately apparent that this synthesizer demonstrates a level of versatility uncommon to a single-osc. monophonic. Because of its unique architecture, it is capable of generating unique sounds of a desireable sound quality consistent with it being fully analog. The waveform matrix, the dual LFO matrix, the preset envelope waveforms (essentially giving you two envelope generators!), the VCA modulation, the degree of control over the Noise Generator, and the amazing "Sampler" section all combine to give you a surprisingly powerful monosynth.

For a demonstration of this synthesizer (this exact synthesizer), please watch the videos below!

I have owned this synthesizer since about 2003 or so. It has been lightly used, and kept in a smoke-free studio.

The synthesizer comes with its cover and the original manual. The power cable is built-in, and can be found in a compartment on the underside of the synth.

The synthesizer face is in very good condition. There is a mark on the metal above the keyboard from what looks like excessive cleaning. The paint of the Roland insignia on the back has been scratched. The outer case demonstrates some wear in places as shown in the pictures. The tolex is slightly loose in a place on the lid, but is not a threat and could be glued down.

Functionally, the synthesizer is in great condition. All knobs and sliders work, and do what they are intended to do. The "chorus (which is actually PWM)" function sounds like it may need calibration to me, but is still functional. There is some oscillator-divider crosstalk when you listen to the synthesizer in the headphones, but this is not apparent in the general output (as demonstrated in the video).

The sounds you hear coming from the synthesizer in the video are recorded direct without effect, EQing, or room ambience.

If you're looking to create a signature sound, if you're looking to have an analog sound, if you're looking for a vintage piece with a great aesthetic, this is the monosynth for you!"