images via this auction.
Friday, September 21, 2007
MAM MB33 II
sample 1
sample 2
• 100% analog audio synthesis
• VCO : Square wave and Sawtooth
• Suboscillator
• 18 dB low-pass filter like the original TB-303
• Pulse width modulation (PWM)
• Distortion effect
• VCF IN (External audio signals can be applied to the VCF IN socket for processing by the MB 33 II.)
• MIDI In / Out / Thru
• MIDI can send/receive controls for the cutoff, resonance, ENV mod, accent, decay, distortion, and autoslide on/off
• Reso adjust
• Autoslide
Plexus Instruments CR-800
via royce on AH."the only trick with the triggering is the cr8000 voice boards need a downgoing (positive to negative) trigger. this can be accomplished with an inverter, such as a doepfer or analogue solutions inverter module. i wound up using an elby midi-trigger converter, with a reprogrammed pic. the upside is that THE TRIGGERING IS VELOCITY SENSITIVE. this is fantastic, and allows for subtle nuances."
More images here.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Jim Patchell's DIY Synthesis
Many of you might recognize the name Jim Patchell. For those of you that do not, Jim is about as respected as it gets in the Synth DIY community. He started his first synth project back in 1973:"Well, this project was started in 1973, or there abouts. I was at Santa Barbara City College at the time. The library there had Radio Electronics magazine, and I would go there to read and do home work. When I saw the article on building your own synthesizer, I was hooked immediately. This was, of course, the legendary Paia 2700. Some of the circuits were build as is, others I didn't like. The VCO was one of those. I used the national semiconductor application notes for the LM324 to build
the voltage controlled triangle oscillator. Back then, I had no money to speak of, so everything was pretty much built from salvage parts. The LM324 was a free sample. They were not cheap back then. I did buy some LM741/747/748 type opamps to make some of the modules. All of the transistors were salvaged. Pots were a very strange collection of pots salvaged from old radios (I could kick myself for that misdeed)."Low Pass Filter pictured. He's contributed quite a bit to the synth community. You can see a bit of his work in the following three sites.
The Jim Patchell Synthesizer D.I.Y. Web Page
Jim Patchell's First Synthesizer Project
A New DIY Synthesizer Project
He is also responsible for the electronic design and PC Board layout for the MIKADO Analog Sequencing System posted here.
Plan B releases two new MMModules :)
Two new Plan B products wil begin shipping in two weeks:1) The Model 9 Mixer/Attenuator is the forth in a series of utility modules from Plan B. A truly modular, multi-tasking 5 in, 3 output mixer, it's balanced inputs are suited for either AC signals or DC control voltages, or both simultaneously.
Along with these mixing options, each of the four main inputs channels are fitted with dedicated Attenuator Outputs which allow access to the leveled output from each channel by itself, independent of the mix. Many thanks to Plan B Norman Fay for thestellar idea of adding independent post fader outputs.
Go here for details.
2) The third in our utility module series, the Model 29 Dynamic Mult is a unique 1-to-5 signal splitter in which four of the outputs are equipped with manual level pots, allowing for both contour control and signal distribution. The perfect companion for non-attenuated VC inputs, the Model 29 requires no power supply connection to operate as it takes it's ground reference from the cables patched into it.
Go here for more details.
The 'mama massacre kein sex' project by syndrome
Click here for a number of tracks, in most cases, created by using only one synth. Warning: the title to the tracks may be offensive to some and possibly banned in Germany. I forget if that particular word is or not. I do know it was on the black list for most search engines. This one via Serge.
MOOG Needs Help for Restoration Project
Bryan from Alka found this one on the amia-l job posting mailing list. It was forwaded and posted by:
David C. Spencer
Senior Curator / Cinema Studies Faculty
NCSA Moving Image Archives
"Hello All!
My name is Michelle Moog-Koussa. I am the Executive Director of the Bob Moog Foundation. located in Asheville, NC. For those of you who are not familiar with Dr. Moog's work, he was a synthesizer pioneer, largely credited with inventing the first synthesizer and changing the face of music forever. Dr. Moog lived and worked in Asheville for the last 25 years of his life and passed away in August of 2005. We created the Bob Moog Foundation soon after that and received our non-profit status in March 2007.
In January of this year, we went through Dr. Moog's extensive archives, which include 50 years of prototype instruments, photos, schematics, articles, notes, correspondence, vintage recording equipment, reel to reel tapes and other historic ephemera. Unfortunately, Dr. Moog stored this unique, historic and fascinating collection in a hot, humid buidling out in the country and everything is covered with mold. Additionally, time has taken its toll on just about every item. With the help of a core group of dedicated volunteers, we have moved the most important materials into a climate controlled storage space in Asheville. We have begun to seek help in preserving this important collection.
We are presently in the midst of applying for a grant from the Grammy Foundation to help us retore the reel to reel tapes and the vintage recording equipment. The Grammy Foundation requires that we find a qualified archivist to help us with this project. If you are an interested archivist with knowledge of reel to reel tape preservation, please contact me immediately.
The grant application is due on October 1st, so time is of the essence. Please respond at your earliest possible convenience.
Thanks so much for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Michelle Moog-Koussa
Executive Director
The Bob Moog Foundation
(c) 828.215.8414
www.moogfoundation.org"
David C. Spencer
Senior Curator / Cinema Studies Faculty
NCSA Moving Image Archives
"Hello All!
My name is Michelle Moog-Koussa. I am the Executive Director of the Bob Moog Foundation. located in Asheville, NC. For those of you who are not familiar with Dr. Moog's work, he was a synthesizer pioneer, largely credited with inventing the first synthesizer and changing the face of music forever. Dr. Moog lived and worked in Asheville for the last 25 years of his life and passed away in August of 2005. We created the Bob Moog Foundation soon after that and received our non-profit status in March 2007.
In January of this year, we went through Dr. Moog's extensive archives, which include 50 years of prototype instruments, photos, schematics, articles, notes, correspondence, vintage recording equipment, reel to reel tapes and other historic ephemera. Unfortunately, Dr. Moog stored this unique, historic and fascinating collection in a hot, humid buidling out in the country and everything is covered with mold. Additionally, time has taken its toll on just about every item. With the help of a core group of dedicated volunteers, we have moved the most important materials into a climate controlled storage space in Asheville. We have begun to seek help in preserving this important collection.
We are presently in the midst of applying for a grant from the Grammy Foundation to help us retore the reel to reel tapes and the vintage recording equipment. The Grammy Foundation requires that we find a qualified archivist to help us with this project. If you are an interested archivist with knowledge of reel to reel tape preservation, please contact me immediately.
The grant application is due on October 1st, so time is of the essence. Please respond at your earliest possible convenience.
Thanks so much for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Michelle Moog-Koussa
Executive Director
The Bob Moog Foundation
(c) 828.215.8414
www.moogfoundation.org"
Limited Edition Akai MPC 4000 via Guitar Center
"GUITAR CENTER INTRODUCES HI-TECH CUSTOM SHOP FEATURING UNIQUE ELECTRONIC MUSIC ITEMS ESPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR TODAY’S ARTISTSLimited Edition Akai MPC 4000—Exclusively Designed By Master Customizer Bruce Forat—Is Premiere Offering
Westlake Village, CA: Guitar Center, the nation's leading musical instrument retailer, announced today the introduction of its exclusive Hi-Tech Custom Shop. A new model for the retail chain, the Hi-Tech Custom Shop gives musicians unique access to rare and specialized items designed to break the homogeny of mass-market gear. The planned inventory for the Shop includes limited custom editions, exclusive product and artist-endorsed items. These will be conceived and designed by industry experts to celebrate the legacy of genre-defying pieces as well as appeal to musicians with a desire to own a piece of history.
These exclusive collaborations will be on display at select locations but can be special ordered at any Guitar Center nationwide.
To launch the Hi-Tech Custom Shop, Guitar Center purchased the last eleven Akai MPC 4000s ever made and partnered with Bruce Forat, who has been at the forefront of music electronics for the last 25 years. Forat, who has personally customized drum machines and keyboards for top musicians including Prince, Dr. Dre, Jermaine Dupree and Madonna, customized the eleven to create one-of-a-kind MPC 4000s, of which only six remain for sale exclusively through the Guitar Center Hi-Tech Custom Shop. The Akai MPC series, used by influential musicians and producers such as Kanye West, Just Blaze, and Pete Rock, has been instrumental in the development of hip-hop music and is widely regarded as the industry’s gold standard. Additional information can be found at www.guitarcenter.com/forat.
“For the launch of Guitar Center’s Hi-Tech Custom Shop, we wanted to offer something incredibly special,” said Tony Baraz, assistant buyer for Guitar Center. “The Akai MPC is iconic in and of itself, but when customized by a monster talent like Bruce Forat it is a work of art.”
“To make each of the remaining Akai MPC 4000s truly unique we headed to the Caribbean for inspiration,” says Forat. “There’s something about the atmosphere and cool breeze that gets the creative juices going—I count these Hi-Tech Custom Shop MPCs among my best work.”
About Guitar Center
Guitar Center is the leading United States retailer of guitars, amplifiers, percussion instruments, keyboards and pro-audio and recording equipment. Our retail store subsidiary presently operates 214 Guitar Center stores across the U.S. In addition, our Music & Arts division operates more than 100 stores specializing in band instruments for sale and rental, serving teachers, band directors, college professors and students. We are also the largest direct response retailer of musical instruments in the United States through our wholly owned subsidiary, Musician's Friend, Inc., and its catalog and Web site, www.musiciansfriend.com. More information on Guitar Center can be found by visiting the Company's Web site at www.guitarcenter.com.
The Guitar Center logo is a registered trademark of Guitar Center, Inc. Other brand or product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated."
BTW, the first person to comment with the correct number of remaining MPC 4000s, and WITH a registered account gets a $100 GC gift certificate courtesy of GC. : ) Sorry anons, but there is no way to confirm who you are for this one.
More images here.
Genoqs Octopus Basic Demonstration 5
YouTube via DayflightTrok.
"A short demonstration about how to program chords up to 7 notes and how to strumm this chord up- or downwards (also called "the Chris Franke" effect). Have Fun!"
click here for all demonstrations. genoQs website
HarriL - Revolution Acid Testing (live)
video upload by HarriL
Hey, I got the Future Retro Revolution today. Revolution is synced to-and fed through EMXs' effects. The overdrive is from the revolution."
Sequential Circuits Prophet VS Vector Synthesizer
YouTube via retrosound72.
"short demo of the legendary SCI Prophet VS Vector Synthesizer
used by: Brian Eno, Ice House, Apollo 440, Depeche Mode, Vince Clarke, Kraftwerk, Erasure, John Carpenter and many more
more info: www.retrosound.de"
Create Digital Music, ETSY & MAKE - Handmade music night 9/27 8pm! NYC
It looks like our buddies, Peter Kirn of CDM and Richard Lainhart will be at Handmade Music at Etsy Labs in Brooklyn. Richard will be playing a solo set with his Buchla and Continuum on Thursday, September 27 at 8PM. The cool part? It will be free! Just RSVP. If you are in the area, don't miss this! Check out the videos on Richard's site for a sample. Also see these previous posts for some of Richard's contributions to this site."Handmade Music is an evening of original creations for music making, open to the creative minds of the New York area. It's equal parts party, show-and-tell, performance, and science fair, open to whatever oddball software and hardware people want to bring, complete or not. Some come with projects, others just to hear and see unusual new instruments, from software to game systems to homemade electronic instruments.
Each installment brings plenty of surprises, but appearances confirmed
for this one include:
* A featured performance by Richard Lainhart, a renowned electronic improviser and innovator
* Seven-foot tall "Suburbanite" aka "60 Switches of Fury", a music controller by Eric Johnson
* The Monome, a minimalist open-source hardware controller with grids of buttons
* A fluid musical instrument controller entirely by webcam, by Peter Kirn
* Lots of other things that may just appear"
click here for more info.
Synthwood SCI Pro-One Wood Case - LAST CALL!!!
via this auction.via Stephen Jones:
"We're down to the last 19 conversion kits. We're now offering to do the install for our customers for free if they ship their Pro-One to us. Also, we've reduced the price by $26. We're doing this so we can focus on the MMM cases."
Oberheim OB-12
images via this auction.Not the sharpest images, but they should give you a feel for the presence of the synth.
Sequential Circuits Prophet-600
images via this auction."The Prophet-600 is a 6-voice polyphonic analog synthesizer with a 5-octave, 61-note (C-C) keyboard. Each voice consists of two VCOs, two VCFs, and two VCAs. Each of these components has its own independent ADSR envelope. Each Prophet-600 voice uses 2 sets of Curtis Chips for its architecture. The sound originates in a pair of Curtis 3340 VCOs, each with independent on/off switches for sawtooth, triangle, and pulse waveforms. VCO1 can be synced to VCO2. Both oscillators are set with a frequency knob that is notched in semi-tones, with a separate fine tune knob for VCO2. Portamento is adjusted by a single knob. The sound then passes through a pair of Curtis 3372 chips. Each 3372 contains a VCF, a VCA, and a separate volume control for mixing. The VCF is a resonant 24dB/octave filter, with its own ADSR and knob for frequency. The frequency knob is quantized into steps, not allowing you to change it smoothly. Key follow can be set to full, half or off. The LFO can modulate the oscillators (both at the same time), the filter frequency, and the pulse width on the oscillator. The Prophet-600 has mono mode with chord memory as well as two one-track sequencers and an arpeggiator. The sequencers are programmed in real-time and cannot be edited. The arpeggiator can be set to the normal up or down modes or can cycle through the keys in the order that they were played"
Roland SH-2000
images via this auction."Great Looking 1970's Vintage Roland SH-2000 Analog Synthesizer Keyboard. It was found packed away in storage at a local Estate Sale. I doubt the previous owner has played it within the past few years. Its in Very Good/Excellent condition cosmetically, all knobs & controls are original & intact. Its been well cared for by the previous owner. I've tested all the functions, playing it through my amp, and it works fine. You may choose to have it cleaned, since it sat unplayed for so long."
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Arduino Punk Console - programmable 8 step tone sequencer
More info on the Arduino Punk Console here. via fotosis.
"This is my first build using an arduino microcontroller. I wanted to create a simple tone output device along the lines of the 555-based atari punk console, but using solely the mcu as the tone generator. Unfortunately, that was just too simple a task with a microcontroller to play with--it was done in about five minutes and my mind was already forging ahead with a bunch of stupid ideas."
Fairlight Xynergi Videos
MOOG Tatoo
via Till "Qwave" Kopper in the comments of this post:There is a female german Moog synth player named Christa with a Minimoog tatoo on her right arm near the shoulder. Here is a picture shot during the Kufstein BlueSynth meeting two weeks ago."
Studio 35d's Analogy
"The Analogy sampler CDs are compilations of tracks sent in by various artists with music made with analog electronic music instruments only. Use of any digital instruments, such as samplers and digital synthesizers are not allowed. Because of the succes of both volumes 1 and 2, it was a logical step for Groove Unlimited to continue the series with Analogy Volume 3."The track Probe One (original version here), by Studio 35D features only the Pro-One according to My Synthesis Technology.
click here for more info.
Ursa Major Recording Studio
click here for more. Via Analog Industries HCGP.
Spot the synths.
Update via the comments:
"This is David Morley's studio (he has also produced stuff with Andrea Parker). He uses the ARP 2600 on just about everything, and it sounds wonderful. He also has a nice collection of reverbs (couple real EMT plates, Roland R-8, etc) that he really knows how to use.
His new CD is one of my favorite electronic releases of the year. The sounds and moods he creates are very inspiring. Very much worth picking up, I think you have to order it directly from him.
http://www.davidmorley.com/"
Roland SH-1 Synth OVER LORD
via Larry, aka Computer Controlled on the AH list. He found this one on his SH-1.
Bingoboys Studio for Sale
This one in via burnie:"the studio in the first district of vienna of the producer collective bingo boys is for sale or rent now. as far as i know they had some massive chart success in europe with lets say kind of commercial productions, and with their single "show me how to dance" i think they even reached us top 5. also georg luksch and peter rauhofer did remix jobs for madonna and got an emmy for this...
but maybe more interesting for you and other synthheadz, there was a nice feature of georg lukschs gear and him talking about the difference of touching real gear or doing it virtually , like making an instant soup or do real cooking, on the dvd of in the german magazine sound&recording (formerly "keyboards"), issue 4/2007 [unfortunately the article is not available online, just an abstract] also hes showing his huge gear park, including mostly all improtant synthesizers of the last two and a half decades, even switching on the emulator 2 and the fairlight... today i came across the website of the studio, and that it is going to be sold or rented."
Note the Achtung! at the bottom of the page states that the equipment is not for sale by itself.
How To Open a Waldorf Synth
Via Chris on the Waldorf list. Photos originally courtesy of Achim Lenzgen."This works for either a yellow Q or an XTk, which I have personally verified. Other Q's are probably similar, though not identical. Keep track of the screws - there are seemingly millions of them."
SYNTH GOD
"SYNTH GOD is a feature-length documentary film project that explores the world of synthesizers and electronic music.Developed over fifty years ago, the synthesizer is essentially an electronic sound generator that can produce an infinite spectrum of sound colors. This one seminal idea – in its many incarnations and applications – has shaped modern music and culture and profoundly altered our contemporary soundscape.
SYNTH GOD is a search for the influence and power of the synthesizer in our everyday sound environment. The concept is not simply a contest of musicians or keyboardists. The gods of synth can manifest in the minds of artists, inventors, performers, composers and sound designers as well as inside transistors, vacuum tubes, lines of computer code, ringtones and video games.
Comprised of interviews, live concert footage, archive clips, animation, behind-the-scenes tours of small indie workshops and giant synthesizer factories, SYNTH GOD is set to film in the U.S., Japan and Europe under the direction of Hans Fjellestad, whose past films include MOOG (2004)."
Click here for more info.
Kelly Osbourne Has a Synth Tatoo?
via Perez Hilton, via catsynth.com.Synth Babe tag for both Kelly and Perez. BTW, how many of you know who Perez is? Just curious. My wife is addicted to his blog and I've been known to look. Never thought I'd get a post from it though.
Update: I swore I saw this one before. Turns out I did on Music Thing. Link. But it was just the close-up of the arm back then.
SEKU Analog Sequencer
YouTube via sigmambient.
"Self made analog step sequencer controls Korg MS10 and Roland S100M synthesizers. First row controls MS10 pitch and S100M noise-drum gate. Second row controls MS10 filter-cutoff. Synthesizer sounds are modified live when sequence is running. More information about SEKU and Sigma on www.studiomanus.com"
Korg MS-20 - Endless random triggered space loop
YouTube via Newueel.
"Another 'endless' loop...
With many thanks to an anonymous comment at http://matrixsynth.blogspot.com/ on the previous movie (Endless Space Loop):
"Anonym ous said...
Also try patching a noise output to the ESP and taking the random trigger outputs from that."
Never used the ESP for this kind of purposes and I like it a lot! Had lots of fun already!
So the noise generator is used to get a random trigger. This trigger is also used for clocking the sample & hold using the EG2 reversed output.
Later on the MG is clocking the sample & hold combined with a slower random trigger.
If you're interested check out the patch info below:
KNOBS:
VCO1: [Rectangle] [very narrow] [16']
VCO2: [Rectangle] [-2/-3] [2']
PORTAMENTO: [0]
VCOMIX: [10] [ 0] [10] [ 0]
HPF: [ 2] [ 5] [10] [ 0]
LPF: [ 5] [ 8] [10] [ 0]
MG: [(max to the right)] [8]
EG1: (n/a)
EG2: [0] [0] [10] [5] [0]
ESP: [6] [(n/a)] [(n/a)] [(n/a)] [5]
ESP Note: Only SIGNAL IN and TRIG OUT are used. SIGNAL LEVEL (about 6) and THRESHOLD LEVEL (about 5) is a very precise combination. Each SIGNAL LEVEL requires the appropriate THRESHOLD LEVEL. Changing the SIGNAL LEVEL will change the interval for the random trigger. The THRESHOLD LEVEL changes the length of the trigger.
USED PATCHES:
(random trigger:)
1. NOISE GENERATOR (WHITE) -> ESP (SIGNAL IN)
2. ESP (TRIG OUT) -> (TRIG IN)
(random sounds:)
3. ENVELOPE GENERATOR 2 (REV OUT) -> SAMPLE & HOLD (CLOCK)
4. NOISE GENERATOR (PINK) -> SAMPLE & HOLD (IN)
5. SAMPLE & HOLD (OUT) -> VOLTAGE CONTOLLED OSCILATOR 1 (TOTAL)
(later:)
Replace 3. by MODULATION GENERATOR (OUT RECTANGLE) -> SAMPLE & HOLD (CLOCK)"
Thanks for the thanks Newueel!
AH Bay Area Gathering 2007 - Cary Roberts' Serge and Blacet
YouTube via therealretrosynth.
"Cary Roberts' Serge, Blacet, and MFB gear driven by Doug T's Serge TKB at the Analogue Heaven Bay Area gathering in Oakland CA on Sept 9 2007."
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MATRIXSYNTH - EVERYTHING SYNTH
© Matrixsynth - All posts are presented here for informative, historical and educative purposes as applicable within fair use.
MATRIXSYNTH is supported by affiliate links that use cookies to track clickthroughs and sales. See the privacy policy for details.
MATRIXSYNTH - EVERYTHING SYNTH
