GForce String Machine

GForce's String Machine previously announced here is now available.

"Instrument Overview
The modern, polyphonic string synthesizer was invented in 1970 by Ken Freeman, a British keyboard player and engineer who discovered that if you layered a note with another detuned and slightly modulated version of itself, a pleasant ‘chorused’ sound resulted.

Even though Ken's invention wasn't the first instrument of this genre to be commercially released (That honor fell to the Eminent organ company with their 310 Unique organ) there's little doubt that Ken's vision contributed immeasurably to electronic music over the next few decades in the guise of over 100+ different models that followed from a huge variety of manufacturers.

The VSM is an intuitive but highly powerful Virtual String Machine which captures many of the sounds from this genre of instrument, containing a wealth of sounds from a small mountain of classic and rare string machines. These range from the first commercial string ensembles (Eminent 310 & Freeman String Symphonizer) through to the highly lauded Solina, Elka Rhapsody, Logan String Melody, Korg PE2000 and many more.

With the sheer amount of instruments captured within the VSM, it's simplicity itself to recreate all those golden string machine tones from yesteryear. However, with the VSM's comprehensive, yet intuitive feature-set, plus a two-layer option it's now possible to create your own hybrid instruments taking these sublime vintage tones into hitherto unchartered territory."

GForce Software

Update: Looks like the Yamaha GX1 will be added as well. Macaixa in the comments noticed this image and the following blurb after clicking through.

"?
A teaser of something that should appear in a VSM add-on pack. This instrument is a true rarity and something that we were truly privileged to play, let alone record."

If you look at this post you will see it's the programmer for the GX1.

KarmaFX Synth Modular 1.0

Remember KarmaFX Synth Modular? V1 has been released.

"KarmaFX have introduced Synth Modular 1.00, and advanced simulated analog modular synthesizer for Windows.

Advanced Simulated Analog Modular Synthesizer:
# Modular patching of synth components and controls.
# Internal high-frequency digital simulation of analogue voltage levels.
# Oscillator with phase, Detune and Pulsewidth that generates standard synth waveforms.
# Dual Oscillator with Detune, Hardsync and Ring modulation.
# Sampler, 16/24/32 bit Mono/Stereo multi sample player that imports WAV/SF2 files.
# Additive and Pad module with waveform and harmonic magnitude/phase editors.
# 2/4 Pole Multimode Filters with Cutoff, Resonance (LP, HP, BP and BS filtertypes),
# SVF, Zolzer, Moog, 303like, EQ, Formant, Comb, Allpass, Parametric and Shelving Filters.
# Amplifier and Mixer with Panning, Volume and Velocity control.
# Delay, Reverb, Phaser, Chorus, Distortion, PitchShift and BitShuffle Effects.
# Soft-knee Compressor with Peak/RMS detection and optional Sidechain.
# 10 Octave/12 Note Pitch control with Detune and Portamento.
# Controllers for frequency modulation (FM) and fast frequency sweeps.
# Up to 16 channel Unison controller with detune and stereo pan spread.
# 32 step, 4 octave pattern/arp controller with hold, loop, and legato support.
# Bipolar/Unipolar LFO, HFO, ADSR/Multipoint Envelopes and Step Sequencer.
# Output module with Panning, DC removal, Volume and Clip control.
# Noise generator, filtered Pink, White and Brown noise with freq. sync control.
# Input generator so synth can function as an insert effect.
# Full stereo support (selected modules can run in mono to save CPU cycles).
# Instant visual feedback on all controls. Frequency, Time/Amplitude, Modulation, etc.
# Choose between Mono, Legato, or up to 16-voice true Polyphony.
# Up to 128 assignable automation controls.
# Fully skinnable GUI: Optional skins are bundled with the installation.
# 7 banks of pre-made patches (More than 500+ patches total).

Sample_1.mp3 (2.7MB) Sample_2.mp3 (4.2MB) Sample_3.mp3 (3.4MB) Sample_4.mp3 (4.6MB) Sample_5.mp3 (3.8MB) Sample_6.mp3 (4.7MB) Sample_7.mp3 (4.8MB) Sample_8.mp3 (6.2MB)

"

http://www.karmafx.net/

FM Synthesis Made Easy

"FM synthesis is based on two key things – a ‘modulator’ oscillator, and a ‘carrier’ oscillator. These oscillators usually both use a sine waveform, and from this the modulator oscillator works just like an LFO – because it modulates the frequency/pitch of the carrier oscillator. You can try this yourself on a normal subtractive synthesizer, by setting up a sine wave oscillator and an LFO, and using the LFO to modulate the pitch of the oscillator – as you increase the rate of the LFO, the sound becomes non-harmonic. Note that in FM synthesis, the word ‘oscillator’ is often replaced with the term ‘operator’. As you change the modulation of the carrier operator, the frequency of the carrier will constantly move up and down depending on how the modulator is set up (e.g. it’s depth and rate), and in doing this different harmonics are created (called ‘sidebands’), because these harmonics surround the carrier frequency depending on how it is modulated."

click here for the full post on Innovative Synthesis.

Industrial Tones

"If you need an addition to your arsenal of VST plugins or Audio Units, something new, unique, odd, beautiful sounding and interesting, but at the same time rough and industrial, then let us recommend Industrial Tones. Industrial Tones is a synthesizer which produces sounds that can be related to the music genre which is often referred to as "industrial".

This music category is based on sounds from industries, noisy, heavy, made of steel or just odd. We have included the finest selection of industrial waveforms and when they are processed by the synth functions and the advanced effects engine then the result is a unique collection of sounds, which are both powerful, interesting and useful.

Industrial Tones includes 256 presets and you may purchase additional soundpacks which expand the plug-in. Each soundpack adds new waveforms and 256 new presets. Three soundpacks are available for Industrial Tones.

Listen to the MP3s further down on this page.

The synth is one of our VST plugins for Windows and Audio Units for Mac OS X.

Currently version 1.5 is available for Windows only, but we will release an update to version 1.5 for Mac OS X within a couple of weeks. You may buy the Mac version 1.0 and receive the update for free within a couple of weeks. If you subscribe to our newsletter then you receive an email when version 1.5 for Mac OS X has been released.

Version 1.5 includes a new graphical user interface and 13 of the samples/waveforms were improved and/or replaced."

Demo Song 1 (1.3 MB)

Demo Song 2 (1.4 MB)

Demo Song 3 (1.5 MB)

Demo Song 4 (1.3 MB)

Demo Song 5 (1.1 MB)

Demo Song 6 (1.5 MB)

Demo Song 7 (1.7 MB)

Demo Song 8 (1.5 MB)

Demo Song 9 (650 KB)

Preset G9 Sub-Travels(296 KB)

Preset G13 FBank-Voc(835 KB)

Preset G8 Sub-Container (710 KB)

Preset G10 Dist-Noise-3 (332 KB)

LinnDrum LM-2 with Tuning Modification

YouTube via rolandsh1000. via CDM.
"I modified my LinnDrum so all voices could be individually tuned, which was an acknowledged limitation of this Linn model. It's a similar mod that some have done to their TR-707. I think it really expands the sound of the LinnDrum. If you want to do this to your LinnDrum, go to the Yahoo LinnDrum group and go to the files section. The whole writeup is there for downloading."

Kool & The Gang - Summer Madness

YouTube via Fualdafu. ARP 2600, Solina and Fender Rhodes.

MOOG Foundation Fund Raiser

"We're throwing our first fundraising event
You're invited to "Enter the Mind of Moog" with us...
Do you want to see some of Bob's archives in person? We'll have several pieces on display at our very first fundraising event. We're working with an amazing organization called the Asheville Affiliates that helps non-profits pull together exceptional fundraising events.

The event is: Thursday November 15th, 2007 from 6:30 to 9:30pm at The Orange Peel in Asheville, NC $25
All proceeds go to the foundation Click here to buy your tickets online. http://www.theorangepeel.net/calendar200711.php (gohalf-way down the page)

Not only will we have free food & drinks from Ophelia's World Cafe, Catawba Valley Brewing Company and Barefoot Wine, but we'll also have live entertainment, interactive stations where you can play Moog instruments, and a silent auction featuring a Little Phatty from Moog Music and two tickets to Bonnaroo courtesy of AC Entertainment. Throughout the night, local musicians, each using a different Moog
instrument, will work together to record a new composition, written exclusively for this event. That's right...every musician will use an instrument that is a Moog or played through a Moog effects pedal. For those of you who can't make it, we'll put the track online after the event.

Immediately following the event, we'll have a special after party from 10-12 with local band Telepath, a local live electronica band rapidly gaining national attention, featuring multiple Moog instruments. We hope to see you there!"

via Evan. If anyone attends the event and takes some pictures, please sent them my way.

Symphony No.9 in E minor,op.95 "From the New World"

YouTube via sasayakanaru.
"http://www.mandarinelectron.com/theremin/" (english link at bottom of page). The link takes you to Theremin player Masami Takeuchi's official website. You might recognize the name from these previous posts (scroll when you get there).

Sent my way via brian c, via Sonic State.
" Masami Takeuchi, a Japanese thereminist invented Matryomin in 1999 – a theremin built into a traditional Russian wooden doll, Matrioshka."

You can pick up these Russian nesting doll Theremins and other styles at Mandarin Electron.

Here is another piece by Masami Takeuchi.

Theremin by Masami Takeuchi

keybdwizrd - Monarch 1

YouTube via keybdwizrd

"Playing vintage prog rock with Access Virus TI Polar, Korg Micro X, and Moog LP. Ostinato part is actually coming from Virus TI, although triggered via the Korg."

Curetronic 5HE Modular System

"The Curetronic modular synthesizer is the only german-made system in 5rackspace, i.e you have lots of space to jack and to operate. So they are compatible with US-modular systems if needed. Module connection is provided by a 10-pin-jack, which is compatible with the Doepfer system-bus. Jacks are 6.3mm (= 1/4�), of course, Knobs can vary on demand. The Systems we have seen have been very well done and mounted exactly in the also well done wooden cases. At least because of business reasons I would not recommend the available kits for soldering iron artists.

technical details
available modules: VCO, VCO-light, dual shape LFO, quint LFO, quad CV-LFO, VCF-VCA, VCF-CV-reso, multi-VCF, VCA, ADSR, noise, digi-noise, dual mixer 2x4, dual ringmodulator, dual sample & hold, clock divider, clock sequencer, wave-crush, MIDI-interface, CV-phaser, multiple, fine-tool, tool and more ones to be introduced at Superbooth in Frankfurt .."

Click the image for the full size shot. via SchneidersBuero.

SchneidersBuero

I've referred to SchneidersBuero in previous posts, however I realize I haven't put up a post on the site itself, so here it goes. Click here to check them out. At the bottom of the page you will see two flags, one for German and one for English. Click the one you want. It is a retail shop but there are plenty of synth resources. Be sure to check out the Sounds link for samples.

Technosaurus Microcon

images via this auction

Samples via SchneidersBuero
[Technosaurus]_Microcon1.mp3
[Technosaurus]_Microcon2.mp3
[Technosaurus]_Microcon4.mp3
[Technosaurus]_Microcon5.mp3
[Technosaurus]_Microcon7.mp3 (along side an Xbase)

Main Features:
VCO with square or sawtooth wave, LFO with square or triangle wave, SUB-Oscillator, AD or ADR-Envelope Generator with manual trig button, 12 or 24 dB/Octave VCF with Resonance, VCA with AD or GATE control, adjustable GLIDE. CV/GATE inputs (Roland style). 12 V DC power required. Dimensions: 20 x 10 x 5 cm (l x d x h)"

Ensoniq MIDI Bug

via this auction

"Ensoniq MIDI Bug Ant Data Verifier, take a look at this link... Cool item, just plug it into any Midi-thru connector to Light Up and indicate that your unit is receiving Midi Data! Or, plug it into any Midi-out, set your gear to transmit MIDI and watch the Midi-Bug's EYES light up!"

Yamaha CS1X

images via this auction.

Polyphony - 32 notes
Voices - XG Format - 480 Normal Voices and 11 Drum Kits
#Instruments - 16 Part multi-timbral
Filter - YES (w/ real-time control)
Arpeggiator - Yes, including Hold and Split
Keyboard - 61 keys (velocity sensitive)
Memory - Preset: 128; Programmable; 128
Control - MIDI & computer interface
Date Produced - 1996

Note the CS1X is not a Virtual Analog, but PCM based synth - samples in memory as oscillator waveforms that you can tweak. It is a fun little synth.

Siel DK-70

images via this auction

Bruno Spoerri's old EMS Synthi 100

Serial number 3007 currently up for auction on VEMIA.

click here for more images.

PERKRISTIAN.NET

This one in via Mr. Array.

"Anyhow, this guy named Per Kristian used to be a regular on the Harmony Central forums a while back. He's really a wizard in sound design and has some FANTASTIC Jarre covers up on his site. There's also lots of cool demos and patches for download. I really haven't seen him online anywhere in the last couple of years though. :("

Note the ELKA Synthex with an ELKA stand.

MusicLive07:Novation SL Compact

More info on SonicState.

MusicLive07:Korg Kaossillator Exclusive Demo

More info on SonicState

Felix Visser Collection

click here for shots of the rest of his collection currently up on VEMIA.

Prophet-5 with black case.

via Marc of Gearjunkies.

Pearl Syncussion SY-1

via this auction. via Magneteyez.

"This one has the output mod built in professional which gives every channel his own output"

Workspace and Environment: Captain Ahab

Click here for another workspace post on trash_audio.

"What is your current favorite piece of hardware?
My Synthesizers.com /MOTM / Blacet /Tellun /Wiard /CGS /Oakley /Bananalogue Analogue Modular Synthesizer is my favorite (almost my *only*) piece of hardware. People talk a lot about the versatility of an analogue modular environment, but coming from computers and (particularly) MAX/MSP, I find modulars *fairly* limiting ... it's kind of the lowest amount of customizability that I find acceptable in hardware. I can't really see myself buying any synthesizers with fixed-signal paths, except for ones that I think are fairly unique in their sound/approach (i.e. Yamaha FSLR, Oberheim OBXM, etc. ) What's really astounding about all this analogue gear is who phenomenal it sounds."

Con Brio ADS 200R Vintage Synthesizer

YouTube via therealretrosynth.

"Brian Kehew demoing the only Con Brio ADS 200R in existence at the Vintage Computer Festival at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View California."

Update: if you remember in this prior post I noted that someone mentioned the Con Brio was not producing sounds on its own. Devo just left the following comment:
"Just wanted to clarify... The sound that was heard of the Con Brio at the VCFX this weekend WAS indeed coming from the synth itself. It is true that the synth isn't 100% functional (yet), but the parts that need to be made "whole" still, are the connection from the keyboards to the "brain" (mostly), which will be sorted out soon, hopefully. The sounds that were heard consisted of existing sequences on the original 8" floppys, coupled with existing sound-patches from the same orig. disks (of which, the OS is derived). BTW: the Con Brio sounds as good (or, dare I say, BETTER) than it looks. Awesome! I hope this info helps. Much kudos to all (past and present) involved! "

Free VST Instruments

via crispin_java in this the-gas-station thread:

"Just posting to let you know that I finished setting up a site to list decent free vsti's which are good quality and work with my (soon to be released) software sequencer called XPIN. They will most likely work with the majority of other hosts as well. There are currently about 220 instruments listed, and I will keep adding more as I find them. Hope you like it!

http://freevst.blogspot.com" Pictured CS80R, Yamaha CS series VST.

Girl Fight

YouTube via Hiddenfortress. Nintendo Game Boy.
"'Girl Fight' Taken From The Forthcoming Album 'The Boy With The Digital Heart'
Out Dec 7th, 2007"
Update: For Imogen Heap fans, it looks like she is a fan of Pixelh8. Via brian c.

Vermona Perfourmer

images via this auction.

Note the colored knobs.

"Vermona Perfourmer with CV gate inputs / Midi in and out and the optional wood sides. Also included is a good stack of "preset" overlay sheets so you can mark your settings, copy of the User Manual, product flyer and the power cable.

This is literally 4 seperate monosynths that can either be tied together in Unison for a HUGE monosynth sound, a 2x2 duo polophony mode and also a 1 x 4 polophony mode. I used it in 1 x 4 mode, hooked up to a sequencer with each synth on a seperate Midi channel for 4 seperate music tracks. Super easy to use (NO MENUS TO FLIP THROUGH)

The PERFOURMER is a true analog synthesizer, providing a nearly unlimited diversity of basses, leads, pads and effect sounds through its incredibly flexible sound generation circuitry and its easy user interface.
In addition, the PERFOURMER can be used as a complex filterbank with its 6 filter inputs!
Even though the PERFOURMER is not a modular system, you can configure its structure as a semi-modular. The basic concept is reminiscent of classic synthesizers like the Oberheim 4-Voice or the Korg MONO/POLY.
The PERFOURMER consists of four voices. Each of them is a completely separate synthesizer which can be played and tweaked individually . You can link the synthesizer channels in any combination with each other and play them in three modes.

Synthesizer Channels
The PERFOURMER's four synthesizer channels are identical and have the following structure:
- One VCO with six waveforms, which are divided into two different octaves and a noise generator which produces white noise. The pitch can be adjusted smoothly in a range of +/- 13 halftones.
- A 4-pole lowpass filter with resonance and variable keytrack.
- A fast ADSR envelope that can modulate the VCA and VCF.
- An LFO with four waveforms which modulates the VCO frequency and the CUTOFF frequency, as well as the VCA.
- One VCA that can be modulated by the ADSR envelope, a fixed GATE envelope or the LFO.
FM
The synthesizer channels 1 to 3 can function as modulator for their neighbouring synthesizer channel. For example, synthesizer 1 can modulate the VCO frequency and the CUTOFF frequency of synthesizer 2. Or synthesizer 2 can modulate synthesizer 3, etc.
The modulation intensity can be adjusted separately for VCO and VCF.
MODES
All four synthesizer channels can be linked in arbitrary fashion and can be used in one of the following three modes:
- UNISON: All combined channels work as one monophonic synthesizer.
- DUOPHONIC: This mode separates the PERFOURMER into a two-voice synthesizer. Synthesizer 1 and 2 are voice no. one and synthesizer 3 and 4 work as voice no. two.
- POLYPHONIC: All combined channels work as a polyphonic synth.

Depending on the selected mode and in which way the synthesizer channels are combined, the PERFOURMER can be used as a fat monophonic synthesizer with 4 oscillators, 4 filters, 4 VCAs, etc., but also as a two, three, or four voice polyphonic synthesizer.
All synthesizer channels, that aren't combined with any other, work as simple monophonic synthesizers.

PERFOURMER as a filterbank
The PERFOURMER has six filter inputs.
There is one filter input per channel. The input signal will be added to the oscillator's signal of the respective channel.
On the rear panel of the PERFOURMER are two more inputs that are routed in parallel to all four synthesizer channels and which can be used alternatively to the oscillators' signal.
The CUTOFF frequencies of the single synthesizer channels can be controlled by MIDI.

Connecting Features
As well as the filter inputs, there are individual outputs per channel that can also be used as a channel insert. It's easy to connect the PERFOURMER to other equipment! It's also possible to tap the unprocessed VCO signal from each synth channel.
You can increase the sonic possibilities of the PERFOURMER by "internal patching" between the channels. For example, you can create a synthesizer that consists of two PERFOURMER channels with two envelope generators and LFOs. It's also possible to double the slope of the filters by connecting two of them in a row.
The PERFOURMER can be controlled by MIDI, and optionally can be equipped with four CV/GATE inputs (1V/octave)."

KORG X-911 Guitar Synth

images via this auction

Moog Minimoog Voyager - Select Series

imagesvia this auction

"This is the Minimoog Voyager Select series synthesizer. The select series allows you to choose your combination of lights/wood case. It is also the most expensive version of the synth, at $3195 wherever you go. Personally I think this is the most tasteful combination, with the classic Minimoog ash case and the sweet blue backlighting."

I'm not seeing ash in the images and I forget the "Select Series." Anyone remember this?

MOOG Voyager Signature Edition with Modwheel LFO Mod

images via this auction

"The signature edition is a collector's item due to Bob Moog's signature of only 600 made. This one is in absolutely mint condition with version 2.5 software and looks just as it did the day I first took it out of the box. It has that awesome Moog sound and is a joy to play and one can spend hours with this thing creating most any sound you can think of...if you are reading this then you already know what it is capable of. I am the original owner and was one of the first 172 to submit my order when Moog first released to the press that they were building 600 of these. I quickly placed my order and this is serial #172 with the cherry wood cabinet. This particular voyager is unique in a way that it has the mod wheel flashing in sync with the LFO rate. I had Moog do this modification after I thought of the idea thinking it would be a cool looking effect to have the mod wheel flash in relation to whatever rate the LFO is set. It is an amazing looking effect watching the blue-lit Mod wheel glowing on and off slowly in the dark or flashing rapidly depending on how the rate speed is set. This is the only known voyager in existence that has this unique feature."

Sequential Circuits Six-Trak

images via this auction

Roland Jupiter-6

via this auction.

Click the image for the full size shot. For those that care, there is an interesting "Guitar Babe" shot in the auction (no synth, no post, so I didn't grab it).

Oberheim SEM 4-voice Synth Power Supply

via this auction

"Looks like the switch was cut off (see picture) and someone removed the sticker. "

SIEL Owners Manuals

Two shot via two auctions:

Siel Expander 80
Siel DK70

Alesis Andromeda Mix Maker

"The Alesis A6 Andromeda is without any doubt the most powerful and flexible analog polysynth ever made. But all that power and flexibility comes at a price: complexity. The sheer number of patch parameters is almost overwhelming yet most can be easily controlled with all those knobs and switches.

But it's quite a different story for multi-timbral Mix setups. The A6 display is more than adequate for most tasks but using it to set up a Mix can be awkward, tedious and quite error-prone. Mix Maker was designed to make that process a lot easier and user-friendly by providing a familiar and intuitive mixing desk interface to those 'hidden' Mix parameters." [link]

ANDROMIZER 1.2

Random patch generator for the Alesis Andromeda A6.

"Tired of your A6 always sounding the same? (Yeah right ;-)

ANDROMIZE it!



ANDROMIZER is a utility designed to screw up your Alesis Andromeda's current program edit buffer. Utterly, completely, and irretrievably.

ANDROMIZER sends series of MIDI sysex messages to your A6, automatically changing lots of program parameters to random values. The result can be stored in patch memory or tweaked until doomsday and then stored, or even discarded on the fly.

What to expect?
Your instant, self-running, aleatoric chaos patch will not appear just using a randomizer. Remember that the only thing this tool does, is: to give a host of parameters totally random values. Most often, after a complete run of ANDROMIZER, what you will hear is complete silence, because most combinations of parameter values in a system like this just do not make sense. I have tried to reduce the number of useless configurations... but not too much, since such a selection process necessarily means applying personal taste. Be prepared to spend a lot of time tweaking, trying to figure out why the bloody thing sounds like it does (or does not make any sound at all), and how to make it sound more to your liking...

How to use it?
In all the ways it wasn't designed for, how else? :-) Seriously, I could tell you how I've used it successfully to create some remarkable sounds, but that wouldn't be much fun, would it? The only advice I will share: be selective about which modules to randomize. Not all of them are equally useful. And don't forget you can use the Normalize button to (wholly or partly) initialize your patch to default values."

click here for more info and the download.

W. Palm 'Der kleine'

click here for the flickr set by janvanvolt.

W. Palm as in Wolfgang Palm of PPG

Ego Death

YouTube via inducejack. via a new blog, Chicago Jack (check it out).
"SUPER FOUL 707 JACK WITH REVOLUTION 303 emulation accompanied with a random arpeggio from the infamous pss 480 triggered electribe style."

MOOG CEMS X-Y Controllers

currently up for auction on VEMIA.
"RA Moog X-Y controllers all in a row. These five, serial numbers 1002-5 and 1008, are part of the CEMS custom Moog system. Joel Chadabe and the other guys who used the system would set up elaborate interacting sequences with the eight 960/962s, delays, VC mixers etc., and then tweak them with these joysticks."
follow up to this post. To see all VEMIA posts to date, click here.

RMI Harmonic Synthesizer

currently up for auction on VEMIA.