Monday, November 26, 2007
KeyToSound I-NetSynth Pilot System
Prototype system. I remember seeing the ads for these in Keyboard magazine if not elsewhere. If you know more about this one, feel free to comment.
keybdwizrd - Brazzaville (Ethno and MachFive 2)
YouTube via keybdwizrd.
"All sounds created using MOTU Ethno Instrument and MOTU MachFive 2 software. Drums, bass, and guitar sequenced using MOTU Digital Performer."
DK Synergy II
images via this auction"The Synergy II + was made famous by Wendy Carlos on the legendary recording "Beauty in the Beast", the Synergy essentially replaced her Moog modular system. The Synergy is a Phase Modulation/Additive synthesizer. Phase Modulation is very similar to FM found on the Synclavier and Yamaha DX style synths. The main difference is that the Synergy has FAR more parameters and features when it comes to creating sounds. For
example the Phase Modulation algorithms are user defined with up to 16 oscillators available. The envelopes have up to 16 stages/per osc, and are loopable. Each program/sound consists of 2 'boundaries' which are essentially 2 separate timbres. You can morph between these timbres via velocity and key number. Voice allocation is very sophisticated, allowing for very complex 'floating' keyboard splits/layers/voice cycling. One can easily say that there are many amazing features on this instrument which have never been equaled or surpassed in other synthesizers."
Garfield Electronics Time Commander
images via this auction."This is the sale of the Garfield Electronics Time Commander Real Time Clock and
Synchronizer, a popular unit back in the 80's among electronic/synth-oriented musicians."Anyone know more about this piece?
Crumar Spirit
Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
via this auction
"This is an extremely rare Crumar Spirit monosynth, one of the few surviving out of around 200 ever made.
# Multiple waveshapes on the VCOs
# Oscillator synch
# Wide Span & Deep Bass on VCO 2
# Two resonant filters, 12/24dB - Lowpass and overdrive/band/highpass
# Two full 4-stage envelopes
# Two LFOs (LFOs can be used for unpredictable effects)
# Random Sample and Hold output from LFO
# Sample and Hold can be fed by noise, VCO, or other source
# Manual and Auto Glide
# Last Note triggering, single or multiple keyboard triggering
# Arpeggiator with single, octave, and double octave patterns.
# VCA bypass
# Two Modulation wheels, pitch bend wheel
# Rear panel with audio in through filter, CV/Gate In, VCO2 Voltage in
# Ring Mod / White Noise"
via this auction
"This is an extremely rare Crumar Spirit monosynth, one of the few surviving out of around 200 ever made.# Multiple waveshapes on the VCOs
# Oscillator synch
# Wide Span & Deep Bass on VCO 2
# Two resonant filters, 12/24dB - Lowpass and overdrive/band/highpass
# Two full 4-stage envelopes
# Two LFOs (LFOs can be used for unpredictable effects)
# Random Sample and Hold output from LFO
# Sample and Hold can be fed by noise, VCO, or other source
# Manual and Auto Glide
# Last Note triggering, single or multiple keyboard triggering
# Arpeggiator with single, octave, and double octave patterns.
# VCA bypass
# Two Modulation wheels, pitch bend wheel
# Rear panel with audio in through filter, CV/Gate In, VCO2 Voltage in
# Ring Mod / White Noise"
AKAI XR10+XE8
images via this auction"XR10 Specifications:
Sample sound format: 16 bit PCM tone generator
Drum Section/internal sound: 10 drum kits; 65 drum sounds; 32 user programmable sounds
Programmable sound parameters: Volume Level, Pan, Tune, Decay, Reverse On/Off, Effect Send Level
Polyphony: 8 voice
Pads and knobs: 24 pads (not velocity sensitive); can send on simultaneous MIDI channels
Other pads: numeric keypad (0-9); [<] [>] [^] [v] [-/N] [+/Y] [Enter]; Big Volume and Tempo/Data knobs
Sequencer: 450 preset patterns (50 patterns, 3 variations, 3 fill-ins, 1 intro, 1 break, and 1 ending) and 99 programmable (a max combined total of about 5000 notes a max of 4 bars/pattern); 20 programmable songs (with a max 99 patterns each); 3 variations; 3 fill-ins (nice for standalone performance)
Timing resolution: 96 clocks/quarter note (play)
Tempo: 40 bpm~296bpm
I/O connectors: (1/4 inch phone jacks) L (mono), R, Effect output; Stereo Headphone x1; Footswitch x2 (Start/ Stop, Fill-in); MlDl lN/OUT
Display: 16 characterx2 line LCD
Power: DC 12V in, 200mA (jack: negative on the inside, positive on the outside); On/off button PSU INCLUDED WITH BUY-IT-NOW
Dimensions (mm): 350(W) x 241(D) x 68(H)
Weight: 1,7kg
XR10 Description/coments:
» Akai's first (and only) preset drum machine, launched in the late 80’s (1989).
» Provides drum sounds unlike those found in competing products at the time. As well as 'stock' kit and percussion sounds, the XR10 is packed with many sounds of its time, such as Peter Gabriel-style gated power toms, big Robert Palmer kicks and snares, trashy Jam and Lewis sounds, Simmons kit and others!
» The sounds are very similar to the classic Linn Drum & the electronic kits do a very good 808 impression! Used by Alec Reece, Prince, Larry Heard (Mr. Fingers), Peter Gabriel…
»The XR10 is one of a few 80s machines that doesn't have a filter (like the Yamaha RX5 and the Linn LM-1) which means that when you pitch down the sounds, you get some crunchy clock noise and aliasing artefacts, which can be quite cool.
» The compact XR10 contains 65 of the most impressive collection of 16 bit digital drum sounds you'll ever hear! PLUS! You can create YOUR OWN SOUNDS, using the extensive editing parameters including sweep, reverse decay, (fine) tune, and more.
»The decay parameter is adjustable from 0-1.5 sec in 31 steps. Other parameters such as Hold and Sweep let you select the desired sustain power and the pitch sweep. Reverse opens a whole new set of sounds! Programs you create can be stored in any of the 32 user programmable memory locations.
» The XR10 also gives you the powerful ability to create effect send mixes (fully assignable effect send) which will greatly help free up mixing channels on your recording studio board.
» It wasn't an overwhelming success as a drum machine due to its somewhat 'quirky' pattern/song programming user interface... however… it was very popular as a sound module when driven from an external sequencer (as a drum module triggered from external sources), as it provides a wide range of kit sounds from the era."
E-Mu Proteus 2000
images via this auction
There is space inside for other ROMs.There are 16 E-MU ROMS, some more rarer than others:
9061: Peter Siedlaczek Advanced Orchestra (32MB ROM)
9062: Pure Phatt (32MB ROM) Standard in Mo'Phatt, MP-7 and MK-6
9063: Beat Garden (32MB ROM) Standard in Orbit 3
9064: Ensoniq Project (32MB ROM)
9065: Vintage Collection (32MB ROM) Standard in Vintage Pro
9066: Protean Drums (32MB ROM) Standard in PX-7
9081: Holy Grail Piano (16MB ROM)
9082: Protozoa (16MB ROM) Standard in Proteus 1, 2, 3
9083: Definitive B-3 (32MB ROM) Standard in B-3
9084: Techno Synth Construction Yard (32MB ROM) Standard in Orbit 3
9085: Orchestral Sessions Vol. 1 (32MB ROM) Standard in Virtuoso 2000
9086: Orchestral Sessions Vol. 2 (32MB ROM) Standard in Virtuoso 2000
9087: World Expedition (32MB ROM) Standard in Planet Earth
9088: Sounds of the ZR, feat. Perfect Piano (32MB ROM) Standard in Ensoniq Halo
9089: X-Lead (32MB ROM) Standard in Xtreme Lead-1, XL-7 and XK-6
9140: Proteus Pop Collection (32MB ROM) Standard in Proteus 2500
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Analog FM patch demo
via poictesme on the MATRIXSYNTH FORUM.
"I surprised myself with an analog FM experiment that I was trying out the other day so I made a video [mp3?] of it. It's a 4 operator FM patch where my self oscillating filters are summed and used to modulate a VCO (A-110) which is then used to modulate the final carrier (A-111) using the non linear CV2 input. I'm then filtering that output through the VC phase shifter (A-125) before compressing and adding a little reverb. All 4 operators and the phase shifter are tracking the keyboard CV, the result being a nice formant type sound. The patch tracks well over 2.5 octaves before becoming rather squelchy and chaotic. I've used it in this video in the lower part of the usable range as a bass line."
Audio via isotopeofme's Twango page.
Update: Here's the video.
Kaossilator vs. mini-keyboard
YouTube via Denkitribe.
"KORG Kaossilator vs. Evolution eKeys (USB mini-keyboard). I used Tweakbench Tapeworm VSTi for Mellotron-like strings."
Gonzo Makes Lolcats
Remember Gonzo? It looks like he's up on I Can Has Cheeseburger?, I beleive the official lolcat site. What's a lolcat? Some bizarre craze going on where people put silly words, usually in the font you see, on images of cats and sometimes other animals. Some are actually pretty funny. You can create your own at the I Can Has Cheeseburger? site. Nice name for a site, btw. As for synths... Sherman Filterbank, MOOG The Rogue, and KORG MS20. via Michael.
tranzducer - Richard Lainhart and the Buchla 200e Live - Reminder
Just a reminder that this event is coming up. via Richard Lainhart:"Friends: a reminder and update for those in the New York City area, I'll be performing a solo Buchla/Continuum set at Tranzducer Friday, November 30, at 8PM, providing live accompaniment for three of my films, including the world premieres of "One Year" and "Lux":
http://www.tranzducer.com
Joining me will be Rui Pereira and, at very short notice, Moldover (http://www.moldover.com), who'll be playing a solo set with his new Controllerism rig, and, we hope, a duo set with me. Admission is still $5. We hope to see you there - thanks."
ZO1U - Zeroscillator
via Cynthia"A single height 19" rack mount Zeroscillator called the ZO1U, (who woulda' ever thunk it?) Pronounced "Zee-Oh, One You".
(BTW, this is now the ~sixth~ format of Zeroscillator, with a seventh Buchla flavored version on the way too!)"
JH. String Filter
"A string filter has been on my personal wish list for a long time. The above mentioned Electronotes articles give a good description what is possible with multiple resonances, and also describe a feedback method to control depth of the peaks and notches, starting with filters of fixed Q. And there is the legendary (and rare) Moog CE String Filter that is based on a similar principle."Click here for more info.
technoloop - Elektron Machinedrum Demo by Rebel Droid
"30 seconds from Elektron MachineDrum.
- single 16 step repeating pattern
- all parts are from "trx" tr-808/909 style synth engine
- nasty bass part is two trx-bd (909 type) kick drums on two tracks with the most of the knobs cranked to max.
- any variations in the pattern are from square wave lfos changing knob values.
- recorded straight out of the machinedrum with no post-processing."
via Rebel Droid
Moog Little Phatty ON THE RUN
YouTube via gattobus.
"A classic from the Album Dark Side of the Moon played with a Moog Little Phatty... Rythm and sound FX made with Access Virus TI"
Roland System 100m Analog Modular
images via this auction"Included:
Roland synth modules 150, 112, 121, 130, 140
Roland 191-J Rack/Power Supply
Roland 181 49 note Keyboard Controller
Roland 1 x 6 pin DIN/ and 14 patch leads
Roland "The Synthesizer" 3 Rare volumes inside a great folder."PracticalSynthesis for Electronic Music" volumes one and two and "Multichannel Recording for Electronic Recording, 1979.These books contain plenty of pic's and text refering to the system 100m.Plus original patch sheets, and promotional brochures advertising the modules.
The modules included are:
150 Ring Mod/Noise/S&H/LFO
112 Dual x VCO
121 Dual x VCF
130 Dual x VCA
140 Dual Envelope and LFO
The unit is 240 volt"
Kawai Q-80EXE
Images via this auction
"upgraded to the Q-80EXE version with an enhanced memory of over 100,000 notes. Q-80EX software version 1.30.
This unit gives you reliable hardware sequencing with standard MIDI files and also serves as a SYSEX data manager. Has 32 channels on dual MIDI outputs, non-volatile internal memory and permanent storage on floppy disks.
Comes with original 205-page factory Owner's Manual which is in mint condition. Also includes a bound copy of the supplemental 17-page Q-80EX Operation Guide, and a wall wart AC power adapter."
Roland MSQ-700 MIDI DCB Sequencer
images via this auction"The MSQ-700 Sequencer is an 8 track MIDI / DCB sequencer that can sync to Roland DIN SYNC 24 code, MIDI clock and/or FSK tape sync code. It will also convert MIDI clock to DIN Sync for your Roland TR808, TR909 or TB303. Provides DCB sequencing for your Juno 60 with an appropriate DCB cable (NOT included).
This sequencer has been tested under AC power, and while I cannot test the MIDI or DCB sequencing, all functions, keys and LEDs appear to be fully functional Metronome click is loud and clear, responding to tempo changes."
Saturday, November 24, 2007
CITILAB Open Day Alex Synth
Behringer BCR2000 controlling Nord Modular
YouTube via lesingemonotone.
"Using the BCR2000 midicontroller to sequence step sequencers within the Nord Modular."
Jamming On The Gem
YouTube via loonytunes1234.
"I have been playing with the sample playback features of the Equinox and built a reasonable moog lead, here is a short clip of me "trying" to record a lead line using it. Syncs a little off on this one but i couldn't get my DV running smoothly, probably cause i dropped my camera yesterday which hasn't helped i think :-)"
New Cwejman + Livewire Modules
YouTube via thedeepelement. You can read more about the system including a review on trash_audio.
"During the summer, I received a shipment of Livewire and Cwejman modules. This is a timelapse of me assembling/disassembling my modular. The audio is from a patch made shortly after."
Old Brochures, Posters and Articles etc.
Click here for more vintage synthesizer scans on Tim Stinchcombe's website, currently featuring EMS and MOOG.
Latronic Notron Sequencer
via this auction. via Sascha of SubtleNoiseMaker. Note that this is his.
"Details:
* Parts -
- 4 step time sequencer "Elements" with 16 steps per element.
- Each element is completely independent but can interact with others when they share the same Midi Channel.
* Maximum data generated at any instant -
- Up to 4 Midi Channels with total of up to 24 Note On or Note Off messages plus up to 3 other Midi messages of Pitch Bend, Aftertouch or Controller; all user-definable for Channel / type.
* Effects (generated by Midi data) -
- Echo - up to 4 simultaneous different settings (Delay Time and Number of Repeats-user definable)
- Super Step Soundshapes ( user manipulates wave forms to control Pitch Bend, Aftertouch or Controller messages)
- Beatcreep adds "swing" to steps or whole Elements or both.
- Kill consecutives for special echo effects.
- Scale correction (45 available).
- Events (user "draws" own shape of effect on Note Numbers, Pitch Bend, Controller, Aftertouch, Sequence Skip or Sequence Pause.) Other Events can be Transpose, Chord or Strum up/down
- Midi Kill for "broken midi lead" effects.
- "Inverse" muting.
- Loop Point flipping with "Inverse".
- Copy and Paste element data.
- Creepmap & Velomap algorithms (approx: 29,000,000,000,000,000 per element)
- CreepMute /un-mute.
- Volume and Panning with "Inverse".
- Preset & Custom instant recall Controllers.
- Re-assign Controllers and or Aftertouch.
- ... All settings can be saved and retrieved as System Exclusive data.
* Internal Memory -
- Chords 16 (5 are pre-set) plus extra functions see Patterns...
- Patterns 16
- Setups 16
- Chained Patterns 16
- Scales 45
- Super Step Soundshapes 16
* Connectors -
- Midi Connectors (In and Out)
* Display -
- 87 triple colour LEDs
* Power Consumption -
- D.C. 5v up to 1 AMP
* Dimensions -
- Approximately 14 inches wide x 18 inches long x 2.5 inches high.
* Weight -
- 5kg
* Accessories -
- Instruction Manual
- Notron Power Supply
- Aluminium case
mehr info unter:
http://www.technomage.freeserve.co.uk/notron.htm"
WARNING: NEW EBAY SCAM!!!
There appears to be a new Ebay scan in which the auction link on Ebay redirects you to a phishing site that looks exactly like the auction post. If you log into Ebay on that site you are actually logging into the phishing site where they can grab your info including your password. What is scary about this is that it is not an email link sent to you that is easily identifiable. It IS THE EBAY auction on Ebay itself. If you clicked on the auction link for the last EMS Synthi post I put up here, change your password immediately and check for any activity on your account. I would check any accounts for activity that you have link to Ebay such as Paypal. Do this immediately and be careful. Thanks goes to retrosynth for catching this one. I got caught on this one myself. BTW, please spread the news. This is real.
NOTE: If you want to be safe purchasing on Ebay, there is only one way to do it. Purchase by Credit Card only and make sure your credit card has fraud protection. Call your credit card company and find out. If it does than all you have to do is report the fraud to your credit card company and they will reverse charges and handle the situation for you.
NOTE: If you want to be safe purchasing on Ebay, there is only one way to do it. Purchase by Credit Card only and make sure your credit card has fraud protection. Call your credit card company and find out. If it does than all you have to do is report the fraud to your credit card company and they will reverse charges and handle the situation for you.
MACBETH STUDIO SYSTEMS Site Updates
There are some new shots of the M5N on the Macbeth Studio Systems website along with some news last posted on Novermber 12th if you haven't dropped by in a while. The following is just an excerpt of what you will find on the home page:"Each Oscillator now has the 'hidden' preset calibration parameters available to the user- with the use of a small screwdriver- parameters such as tuning, waveshaping and range are now at the discretion of the player- not everybody wants oscillators rigidly in tune- and some may feel that they prefer a more vintage sound by affecting how the oscillators track in accordance with each other- subtly adjusting the oscillator tracking can provide the user with some very 'fat' bass end sounds- conversely - high end detuning can add some real sparkle to recordings! Any of the adjustments can be quickly and easily returned to the normal without fuss. Other functions also have this facility and this also means not having to send a unit back to be recalibrated..."
marvin gaye - sexual healing drum beat Roland TR-808
YouTube via lewisjp8young.
"i created this sound completey by ear, i know its not absolutey perfect but if anyone can help me out to get it completey right i would appreciate it."
Vintage Synth Jam
YouTube via lewisjp8young. Sent my way via JB. Spot the synths.
"I was just having a late night jamming session and decided to post it on you tube. Hope you enjoy"
New Tracks via Carbon111
There are a couple of new tracks featuring the KORG OASYS, Yamaha VL1, DSI Prophet '08, Nord Modular, and Waldorf XT amongst other synths up on Carbon111's music page, specifically Dead Leaves and Crows for Marie. There are a number of older tracks on the page as well. What's great about the track listing is that each has the list of instruments used so you can get a general idea of what the instruments sound like. Definitely worth checking out. When done be sure to check out the root of Carbon111 for more synth resources including some of the best pages dedicated to individual synthesizers.
Tony Allgood on Propellerheads Thor
The following came in on the AH list from Tony Allgood of Oakley Sound Systems. I thought it was an interesting perspective.
"> Anyone had a chance of trying out the new THOR synth in Reason...
Yes. I've been a Reason user for quite some time now, and I signed up for 4.0 as soon as it came out. I don't tend to use Reason these days much though, but I thought that Thor would be useful. Indeed, my first thoughts were that it was very good. However, the more I played with it the things I found on it that I didn't like.
The filter's overdrive is no where near right. There's a harshness about it that sounds simply like Reason's own distortion unit. It has two modes for some reason - something about the overdrive being applied at different points in the filter. Anyway, it doesn't sound right.
The other thing is that the filter is not 'always on', I guess to conserve CPU. This means that at low frequencies and high resonance you can hear it 'warming up' at the start of every note. On a real synth, the VCF is always connected and always ready to accept its input. In Thor it must start at the same initialised state for every note. This means that every attack sounds wrong - its takes a while for resonance to start. Other VSTi do this much better.
The 'Moog' filter mode is the best one, but really its nowhere near as good as the donation ware ASynth.
The oscillators alias quite badly. The FM one is really easy to hear this, but the analog one does it too. Running Reason at 88.2kHz helps.
Expect aliasing at levels of around -55dB, which is pretty bad these days.
You can't detune them very easily. They're just too accurate in pitch.
ie. play an octave and they phase lock. Yuck.
The modulation matrix is good, but its a shame there's only two knobs on the front panel.
The wavetable oscillator is excellent. Limited waveforms though, but the PPG clones are wonderful.
CPU is quite high in comparison to the other Reason synths.
The note allocation, legato and glide modes are good. The EGs are not bad at all. Perfectly linear attack, but exponential decay and release.
Almost identical to the Moog Voyager I might add.
Reason's new sequencer takes more than a little getting used to.
In summary: Good, but there are better sounding VSTi out there. I prefer the Pro-53 and ASynth, coupled with the freeware GSuite effects. Routing is good, but its beaten by things like Vaz Modular and Absynth. CPU is fair, but it needs to run at higher sample rates to make it sound good.
But, after all that, if anyone wants to buy Reason 4.0. I'm selling my copy for 150GBP including shipping to UK/EU.
Tony
www.oakleysound.com"
"> Anyone had a chance of trying out the new THOR synth in Reason...
Yes. I've been a Reason user for quite some time now, and I signed up for 4.0 as soon as it came out. I don't tend to use Reason these days much though, but I thought that Thor would be useful. Indeed, my first thoughts were that it was very good. However, the more I played with it the things I found on it that I didn't like.
The filter's overdrive is no where near right. There's a harshness about it that sounds simply like Reason's own distortion unit. It has two modes for some reason - something about the overdrive being applied at different points in the filter. Anyway, it doesn't sound right.
The other thing is that the filter is not 'always on', I guess to conserve CPU. This means that at low frequencies and high resonance you can hear it 'warming up' at the start of every note. On a real synth, the VCF is always connected and always ready to accept its input. In Thor it must start at the same initialised state for every note. This means that every attack sounds wrong - its takes a while for resonance to start. Other VSTi do this much better.
The 'Moog' filter mode is the best one, but really its nowhere near as good as the donation ware ASynth.
The oscillators alias quite badly. The FM one is really easy to hear this, but the analog one does it too. Running Reason at 88.2kHz helps.
Expect aliasing at levels of around -55dB, which is pretty bad these days.
You can't detune them very easily. They're just too accurate in pitch.
ie. play an octave and they phase lock. Yuck.
The modulation matrix is good, but its a shame there's only two knobs on the front panel.
The wavetable oscillator is excellent. Limited waveforms though, but the PPG clones are wonderful.
CPU is quite high in comparison to the other Reason synths.
The note allocation, legato and glide modes are good. The EGs are not bad at all. Perfectly linear attack, but exponential decay and release.
Almost identical to the Moog Voyager I might add.
Reason's new sequencer takes more than a little getting used to.
In summary: Good, but there are better sounding VSTi out there. I prefer the Pro-53 and ASynth, coupled with the freeware GSuite effects. Routing is good, but its beaten by things like Vaz Modular and Absynth. CPU is fair, but it needs to run at higher sample rates to make it sound good.
But, after all that, if anyone wants to buy Reason 4.0. I'm selling my copy for 150GBP including shipping to UK/EU.
Tony
www.oakleysound.com"
drbloexcerpt - Waldorf Blofeld Demo
A super short but good one via Stefan Trippler: drbloexcerpt.mp3
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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
