Roland CMU-800R

via this auction
"The following is from a Roland data sheet from 1983: **** The CMU-800R is a new dimension computer peripheral which allows free composing and arranging, as well as automatic performance. This unit features a host of functions, real musical instrument sound from its build-in sound source, and a wide variety of musical nuances such as slur, staccato, accent, and legato, plus an added function to control eight external synthesisers. Its is not an extention of a simple hobby computer as represented by conventional games. The CMU-800R is the very first unit to proclaim the arrival of a real computer age in the musical genre. Each computer is provided with a software package for easier programming and advanced editing functions. Now, music fans with no particular knowledge of computers or computer operators who cannot play a musical instrument can both compose and arrange at their option as well as enjoy automatic playback. **** The CMU-800R delivers its maximum performance with its separately available software package. With this software package, anybody will be able to handle the CMU-800R efficiently. The software package includes the CMU-800R control function and edit function for music data preparation. The edit function allows you to do difficult types of screen editing on the CRT monitor connected to the computer. So, sequence editing and modification can be done in amazingly short time. **** Complete built-in sound source for a real music sound **** In addition to melody, bass and chord (4 notes), the CMU-800R has seven percussion instruments sounds, i.e. bass drum, snare drum, low tam, high tam, cymbal and open/closed hi-hats for rhythm patterns. All other sounds have decay and sustain (melody only) effects. In addition, each part can be level-mixed with a slider volume control, and playback tempo can be varied as you desire. The CMU-800R is a product of Roland DG, an electronic musical instrument manufacturer, and built to give a new dimension in sound creation. **** Expandibility, a more sophisticated music system **** The CMU-800R needs an amp and speaker to produce sound. In combination with an effect unit, mixer, tape deck or the like, a more complete sound is created. The CMU-800R is able to operate up to eight external synthesiers simultaneously with its CV & gate outputs. Clock In/Out permit synchronous performance with external rhythm machines and percusion synthesisers. The more-you-play-the more-fun-you-have CMU-800R is superbly expandible into a more sophisticated computer music systems."

See previous posts here

Waldorf MiniWorks 4Pole Filter

via this auction

"Without doubt, no other synthesizer component has such a decisive effect on sound quality as does the filter. All of us at Waldorf, and of course the owners of Pulse's and Pulse Plus', know all about the exceptional qualities of our analog filters. We would obviously like all musicians to have the chance to access this quality component, so we simply implemented it as a separate module. The 4-pole is our four pole cascade filter, combined with incredibly fast envelopes and a stereophonic amplifier stage. You are free to apply this filter to any audio signal that you manage to patch into the device via a 1/4" jack. So if your favourite sampler or sample player lacks that special quality, you can give it a sonic boost via the 4-pole. You can even overdrive the audio input to get distorted signals, if you like. Cutoff Frequency, Resonance, Volume and Pan may be modulated by numerous modulation sources, eg. LFO, envelopes, MIDI or the built-in envelope follower.


Technical Features:
Waldorf 24 dB lowpass filter with variable resonance up to self-oscillation
40 programs, divided into 20 ROM presets and 20 user programs
24dB analogue low pass filter with resonance up to self-oscillation
Filter input can be overdriven
stereophonic VCA with real-time panning modulation
VCF ADSR envelope
VCA ADSR envelope
LFO (5 different waveforms; tri, sin, saw, pulse, sample&hold)
15 modulation sources
Envelope follower
4 edit knobs
1 gain knob
1 trigger level knob
5 buttons
Large 3 x 7 segment LED display
monophonic audio input
seperate trigger input
stereophonic audio output pair
MIDI In/Out/Thru
Waldorf Blue Suede Coat, alloy console chassis
Dimensions: 11" width, 5 3/8" to 5" height, 1 7/8" to 1 3/8" depth including 1/8" rubber feet"

Doepfer A-155 Analog Sequencer

via this auction

Analog Solutions SY02 MS20 Filter

via this auction

Analog Systems RS60 VC ADSR

via this auction.

Octave CAT

images via this auction

MOOG System 12 Manual from 1973

images via this auction. via Bill.
"Another obscure item from the Garage Archives. The Moog company was gracious enough to send me this manual in 1973 for me to learn more about modular synthesis. It's sixteen pages, 8 1/2" x 11", and gives a good general overview of patching the modules, and the basics of subtractive synthesis. It's interesting as a historical piece, but would also be useful to anyone using the excellent Arturia Moog Modular V virtual synth."

the squarewave parade updates

Some updates from the squarewave parade: "its been a while, there has been a lot of new work in and out of the store in the past month or two. i have a few new things in there now and more on the way soon.
http://tsp.bigcartel.com/

CONSTANT - analog VCO parasite

PARADE - 6 voice squarewave parasite

the CONTUSION - bent keyboard with a shiver parasite installed.

the PARADE - 6 voice squarewave oscillator - prototype

the SLOSH PARADE - 6 voice squarewave oscillator and low pass filter - prototype

Blast Fed Disaster Joystick - digital synth / noise generator
- samples and detailed explanations of everything can be found on their pages

over the next few weeks i'm going to try to release batches of the new SLOSH BOX - ST which is a stereo variable resonate low pass filter. a batch of the new MING-MING a dual ( stereo ) version of mingrod passive analog ring modulator / octave up. as well as some more PARASITES - the CONSTANT, PARADE, and possibly some others, and as soon as i can swing it a couple more brand new regular boxes with fantastic names.
sorry for holding off on releasing the new DOWNGRADE i want to be 100% happy with it before it leaves my hands. i hope to have the first batch available in a few weeks as well. also i saved over my page on accident and lost my write up. if by some odd chance you saved it could you please send over the text. it would save me a lot of time.

GETLOFI did a little interview with me regarding the parasites. it might answer some of your questions.

there now PARASITE wiring diagrams, manuals, and a couple walk through available -
http://thesquarewaveparade.com/paratut.html
http://thesquarewaveparade.com/other.html
http://thesquarewaveparade.com/sloshtut.html
http://thesquarewaveparade.com/MMM.html

i just signed up to be one of the sponsors of the Circuit Bending Challenge hosted by GETLOFI and Create Digital Music - the winner gets a PARADE ( 6 voice osc ) parasite and a hand full of stickers and buttons from me. Rodney from Tiger Claw Records is throwing in some CDs, a shirt and stickers. FutureKomp is putting in a stack of CDs and i’m sure there will be more great gifts from the others as well. so read the directions and clear your sunday schedule.
getlofi
CDM

i posted some more schematics on the scheme page. there is the BFD, TLLYWCKR, MIMEO, and a basic res filter diagram

i started a little mailing list for people to post their latest experiment electronics escapades called TRY http://la-ac.com/mailman/listinfo/try_la-ac.com its quiet right now but as soon as you subscribe and start telling people what you are up to i'm sure it will get interesting.
- more soon"

Doepfer A-100 Taurus Bass - Live Sampler patch

Google translated from Hielo Patagonia Sounds:
"Here is a free patch for Ableton Live's Sampler Instrument. Celui a été créé à partir d’un synthétiseur modulaire Doepfer A-100 . He was created from a modular synthesizer Mini A-100. La séquence a été jouée “live” sur un P3 Sequentix . The sequence was performed live on a P3 Sequentix. L’échantillonage a été effectué sur 3 niveaux de vélocité modulant la fréquence du filtre à l’aide du logiciel AutoSampler et d’une interface RME FireFace 400 . The sampling was carried out on three levels of velocity modulation frequency filter using the software AutoSampler and interface RME FireFace 400.

Modules analogiques utilisés | Eurorack analog modules used:
# A-111 High End VC Oscillator
# A-110 Standard VC Oscillator
# A-118 Noise Source
# A-138 Mixer
# A-140 ADSR
# A-101-1 Vactrol VC Filter (a creamy one !)
# A-131 Exp. VC Amplifier
# A-138 Mixer
# A-138 Mixer"

You can listen to the samples via a player under this section on the site. Click on the Google translated or the Hielo Patagonia Sounds link above to get to the page. via Hédi of Hielo Patagonia Sounds.

VEMIA Nov 3-10

Via Peter Forrest:

"Advance warning of another load of high-ticket items that will be in the next VEMIA auction (www.spheremusic.com) Nov 3-10 - delete this if you've had enough already.

Felix Visser, founder of the legendary Synton company, will be selling off some of his collection of synths, including his own personal Syrinx, vocoders and modular gear.

More details and pictures when I return from Europe at the end of the week - please email me offlist if you'd like me to email you when I get back.

Peter F"

I will post the pics and details as they come in.

Roland Saturn SA-09

Two images sent my way via LDT.

I'm curious how different these are to the organ section of RS-09. The SA-09 is an organ synth, the RS-09, organ and strings.

Creamware Minimax ASB

flickr by Head into music (click for more).

click here for the full size shot.

Polyphonic Minimoog VA

Innovative Synthesis - Introduction to Vocoders

"Vocoders are an instantly recognizable synthesizer sound, having been used in popular music since the 1960s. They allow you to ‘talk like a robot’, which while fun, is often not musically useful. However, used properly within a song they can work well, and add a (now rather retro) techno-effect to a piece of music. So how does it all work?"

click here for the full post. Be sure to check out the rest of the posts for more tips on synthesis.

MacBeth M5N Demo

click here for the demo on streetelectronics.

MOOG Memorymoog and The Source Demo

via Scott. "The Moog source starts at 4:02.. Just messing with presets." MP3 on YouSendIt.

HarriL - Synchron Blue (Live)

video upload by HarriL

"MP3. So, another one of these midnight tunes. Gear used: 309, ESX, EMX, K-station and the lovely Revolution on acid. Genre is house-ish. Enjoy and please do leave a comment :)"

Siouxsie and the Banshees - Red Light

YouTube via scythrop. Yamaha CS5. Anyone know the drums?
"Promotional video for album track from 1980 album Kaleidoscope."

THE CURE - Pornography München 84

YouTube via sisterM123. Roland Juno-60 and I'm guessing a JX-3P which you can see in the following video during the same time period:

The Cure - The Walk (live, Glasgow 1984)

YouTube via adz1962.

Note this Top of the Pops vid looks like the Maxi-Korg again:

YouTube via craigatcof.

And the original (no synths pictured but definitely synth heavy):

YouTube via SethOmac. Posts inspired by this VSE thread.

the cure - a forest - amsterdam 1980

YouTube via drewsboo. Maxi-Korg 800DV.

And the original video:

YouTube via Zombified.
You can find the Cure's Play for Today featuring the Roland RS-09 here.

B52s Rock lobster

YouTube via Scootabilly. Guess the synth and the organ.

And a montage with the original song:

Ensoniq Fizmo Demos

YouTube via RanKirlian. via Nusonica.

Yamaha CS-30L

flickr by Plankalkul (click for more synth shots).

click here for the full size shot.

Klee 2 sequencer

YouTube via timsynth.
"Short overview and demo of the Klee 2 sequencer for analog synthesizers. This is a DIY project and the video was shortened for YouTube...Enjoy!"

Electrocomp EML-400 Sequential Synthesizer Analog Sequencer

YouTube via 123synthland.
"We deal in vintage synths, so we get to play a lot of fun toys. But you already know that. So... Here's the EML Electrocomp-400 we just put up for sale. It's an analog sequencer with 2 sets of 16 faders x 3 and a built in 2 oscillator analog synth with a multimode filter and ring modulation. Enjoy, and email us anytime at minime123@onebox.com"

Vintage Tandy Techco Toyz

YouTube via tardis454.
"Here's my 1978 Radio Shack Tandy Toy organ. I added a line-out to it, and it's sequencing through Pro-Tools..."

Sequential Circuits Prophet-5

images via this auction

"Rev 3.3 w/ MIDI and 120 Memory Patch Expansion
Links to some great info/resources on the P5:
www.stcroixstudios.com
Synthchap
users.telenet.be"

Technics SY-1010 with CV and Gate Mods

via this auction. Vintage analog.

Roland RS-09

images via this auction

Yamaha IC Data Book

via Loscha:
"Chip Pinouts for all the customer Yamaha chips, and some other generic chips (4000 series, op-amps, etc) from the Yamaha devices listed below (as well as some PA equipment which is much less exciting). One page of the index didn't scan into the book, but, they are in a sensible easy to follow order, which is clear from the cross referenced matrix of chip vs device that follows. The original book is A5, double sided, and was bound with a clip. I was able to unclip it and feed it into the multi sheet feeding scanner at work. I am very happy to be able to share this with the world, as I don't think this book would have seen much distribution outside of Yammy service circles. I'm estimating the date to be 1981, but, if anyone knows, please let me know! You can mail me directly to loscha@gmail.com, I'd love to hear from anyone who enjoyed the book, or found it really helpful or educational!

CS5 CS10 CS15 CS30 CS30L CS50 CS50 CS60 CS80 CS20M CS40M CS15D
SK30 SK10 CP10 CP10 CP20 CP30 CP70 CP70B CP80
YC10 YC20 YC30
YC25D YC45D"

Link to scan of IC Data Book: [PDF]

Roland MKS-80 Jupiter-8-ified

MKS-80 updated with a Jupiter-8 color scheme. click the image for a larger shot. via Ross

MOOG The Source

images via this auction.

Roland Jupiter-6

images via this auction.

fukusuke-pon 福助ぽん

flickr by fukusuke-pon 福助ぽん.

Roland TR-909 and Bunny

via sequencer.de

Moog Archives October 2007

click here for the flickr set.

Pictured:
-Bob with Leon Theremin (left) and Bob with Roger Powell (right)
-Theremin
-Original Modules

see the flickr set for the full size shots.

CLICK FOR MORE »

MOS-LAB 914 Filter Demo

via Sebastian:
"I would like to inform you about a new MOS-LAB module : 914 Fixed Filter Bank. It's a wonderful module, very impressive! The original Moog's 914 design uses passive cells based on inductors and capacitors; but nowadays it's too difficult to find these inductors. I had replaced the passive cells with active filters."

Demos:

Analogue Preservation © Minimoog arp2600, VC3, CS80, CS-80,

YouTube via LF0. sent my way via stefan.
"Terrible picture and I go on a bit - but hear me out, if you love synths you should appreciate it.

Analogue Preservation © is a 12x16inch book based on the design and ergonomics of the analogue synthesizer. It was shot on a Hasselblad phase on for optimum detail. The idea and realization was a collection of synths that reveal all the specifications in the photograph rather then being listed in text.

The book and idea is complete and copy written.
I'm in talks with a few publishers but they are not really known for this sort of book, so if you like it and know someone - here is my website - it has better quality examples.

www.timmantle.com"

Yamaha CS80 Demonstration

YouTube via tx816. "Yamaha CS80 Demonstration by Mert Topel"
Istanbul, Turkey.

Yamaha cs50 CS-50

YouTube via LF0.
"bad sound, bad picture I know - it was shot on a mobile, better then nothing though right???? The Yamaha CS-50 was born before the CS-80, it is half a CS-80 without a ribbon controller. Although half the size it is 1/10th the price...of course one voice is out of tune."

Buzz-R Electronics

"The goal of Buzz-R Electronics is to make it easy for artists to get their hands on exotic soundmaking devices for very little money (by renting). These are mostly one of a kind devices that can turn any sound upside down, inside out and scattered around the room. We also offer workshops on how to use the devices, hardware hacking, etc.. If one likes the sound making devices enough I hope to be able to support the artists who are making these one of a kind devices by selling their work."

[link]

mpc500 for the IPhone

Note this is not an official Akai product.

"A Native iPhone Application replicating the Akai Mpc-500 Drum Machine/Sampler. Future goals are to have a complete studio of audio production applications. Application is in EARLY development stages as of now. Beta release planned @ mid Oct. 2007"

click here for more info. via failed muso in the comments of this post.

Synthi Dreams

via x-ray

EMS Synthi 'A'
EMS Synthi 'AKS'
EMS Pitch to Voltage Converter
EMS Random Voltage Generator
EMS Cricklewood Keyboard

How to make synth bass tutorial - 101

YouTube via nickeax. via Nusonica.
"Please note that this video is intended only for beginners. I myself am new to this and I am simply showing some things that I've found. Have fun with your synths!"

One more by niceax. This one was done before the above:
Moog Minimoog first play!

"I now have one! I am not an expert keyboardist and this is recorded with a Dell XPS webcam. I don't have my proper camera at the moment..."

DSI Evolver - tweaking parameters

YouTube via Analogger.
"I just got the Dave Smith Instruments Mono Evolver Keyboard (MEK). It has some really nice sounds...what I did for this video is pick one patch and twist some knobs while the 16-step sequencer triggered away. The Evolver has some awesome analog patches, ambient textures, and cool digital hybrids. For this exercise I wanted to see how rude and agressive I could get the Evolver to sound. I zeroed in on the display screen so you could see the parameter I was tweaking and how it was affecting the sound. I wish you could hear how it sounded in stereo and thru my studio monitors...but this will at least give you a perspective on one aspect of this very versatile synth.

I included some video clips documenting various adventures I've undertaken the past few years. Much of it includes explosive devices, burning instruments, and an occasional "this is going to turn out bad" encounter with a leather clad nymphet."

Modded x0xb0x

images via this auction, via SillonS.

"Mods I did:
Hardware:
- Increase Env Mod Range
- Increase Accent Range
- Increased Filter Low End
I also tried out the Bass Boost and Resonance Boost mods but I didn't lilke the sound it provided, too far from the original, so I took them out. Matter of taste i guess.

Software:
- Firmware SokkOS
(this one brings lot of new features like Loop Mode, Play backwards, Step-edit when playing in edit-mode, Pattern rotate, Save To, Pattern restart, Live Edit and many more. A must have)
Of course you can still load the original or other third party fimware via USB"

MOOG Modular 952 Keyboard Controller

images via this auction

"This is the duophonic keyboard that was often sold with the portable systems"

Crumar DS2

YouTube via evening1. via Nusonica.

Chromeo - Bonafide lovin'

YouTube via gothamfusion. Sent my way via moni. "About the vid" here.

Video reposted here.

Justice "D.A.N.C.E." on Jimmy Kimmel Live 10-9-07

YouTube via musickimmel. Sent my way via moni.

Charles Cohen / Color Is Luxury and the Buchla Music Easel

click here for more shots sent my way via Kenneth R. Jackson. Kenneth played a show this past Tuesday and one of the acts on the bill, Charles Cohen / Color Is Luxury, had a Buchla Electric Music Box."

BeatPhone

"BeatPhone is the first beatbox application for the iPhone. Aiming to be a “studio in your pocket”, it is still in an early stage of development. Are you ready to take your little studio in your pocket?"

Features & Notes :
* 9 one-shot pads,
* 6 loop-pads
* Samples in “any” format : WAV, AIFF, …
* Output at 44.1kHz, 16-bits
* Up to 256 samples polyphony

Future…
* Strudder pads (stop previous playback and start again)
* Metronome, BPM detection on “tap”
* Loop stretching
* Record samples and live mixes
* Landscape sequencer
* Tactile effect box

More info and the download here. via CDM.

A couple of vids of BeatPhone still in beta:
BeatPhone : A beatbox for the iPhone


BeatPhone : A beatbox for the iPhone

YouTube via b0nkb0nkb0nk.