VASTprogrammer

"VASTprogrammer (VP) is an exciting new program that allows you to interact with your Kurzweil VAST synth from your PC or Mac. It uses the Kurzweil control paradigm; but in a much more useful and expanded way than you have ever seen before. VP is a Java program developed by Michael Warpenburg that allows users to interactively develop Setups, Programs & other types of objects on Kurzweil VAST machines. Users interact with the machine(s) in real-time using VP, and as such can also use it as a general control user interface in a performance setting.

VASTprogrammer runs on both the PC and the Mac (in fact, any platform that supports Java).

VASTprogrammer is absolutely free."

link via sequencer.de

Alesis Micron FM Experimentation

YouTube via Gtechture.
"What you are hearing is Oscillator 1. The volume of OSC 2 and 3 are at 0%. They are being used to modulate the frequency of OSC 1. I have assigned "FM" Amount to knob x, "FM Type" to y and "Osc Sync" to z. I have only touched upon the FM capabilties of the micron. The end result of FM can be manipulated and is affected by an large quantity of parameters for each oscillator such as waveforms, waveshape, pitch."

minimoog demo 70's & 80's groove/breakdance basslines

YouTube via lewisjp8young.
"here's a basically played demo of some of my favourite basslines from my favourite 80's songs of all time. hope they bring back memories, and hope you can guess what songs they are. there is a little bit of improvisation going on."

Knob Tweakin'

YouTube via drjackohollious.
"A little ambient break and adding subtle fx with a kaoss pad and knob tweakin."

Blotouch

via Stefan on the Waldorf List.

How cool would that be. :)

Blofeld

Richard Lainhart - Tranzducer

Seth wrote in to let me know he made it to the Tranzducer show featuring Richard Lainhart. The following are his notes and a couple of shots of the show. Thanks Seth!

"Here's a couple of photos from the Richard Lainhart show at Tranzducer last Friday.

It was a really good show. Rui Pereria did an incredible piece with looping video and audio that was both intellectually and musically interesting. Short video loops with audio snippets that went with them, mutating and overlapping and constantly changing but at the same time all related somehow. Moldover did a genius piece combining recognizable song segments in Ableton Live, custom-made MIDI controllers and an fabulous sense of humor all mixed together to create a captivating and fun performance that was also quite powerful. I didn't know what he did before I saw the show, but if somebody told me "laptop performer" beforehand I would have been maybe mildly interested. However, after seeing his custom-modded Novation controller, his creativity and his energy, I can only say it was totally rock 'n' roll!

And then came Lainhart. I don't even know where to begin. He started slow and low with long slowly changing drones and they just built and built and built until the room was completely taken over by this enormous wall of sound that was moving and changing with sound and textures and rhythms all over the place. It was amazing.

It was also nothing like any of the other things I've seen him do either live with Jordan Rudess at Moogfest or on video. With Rudess he's providing textures, backgrounds, support, an anchor, and then there's Rudess doing his virtuoso thing. And YouTube videos just can't convey the power and intensity of what an actual live performance feels like.

Plus, at the end, Lainhart and Moldover did a totally improvised and unplanned piece together.
I honestly didn't think an Ableton rhythmic loop-meister and a Buchla sound sculptor would have very much in common to play together, but it was actually a perfect combination of rhythm and texture and it totally worked.

Anyway, about the photos, I really like the blue one as a photograph, but maybe the purple one is more representative of the show. I just thought I'd pass them on and put in my 2¢ on the show."

Klee Sequencer Circuit Theory of Operation

via Scott Stites on this electro-music.com thread.

"I thought it might be a good thing to begin compiling a circuit theory of operation here. When its complete, I'll compile it into a PDF. In the meantime, if you plan to read and study this, have a copy of your schematic handy. I'll start off with the Clock and Load functions, with Load being the first function described.
=============================

Load Function

U5, CD4013, performs the load function by controlling whether the shift register ICs are in the parallel or serial mode. For 99.99% of the time, the shift registers are in the serial mode.

..." See the thread for more.

TechStuff Video on Robert Moog

via Synthtopia.

OB8 Free run

YouTube via OB8rushes.
"Basic ARP patch for the OB8, free running with a little mod on the decay of the amp and filter envelopes."

Casio DG-10 on RetroThing

One of my favorite blogs, Retro Thing, has a post up on the Casio DG-10 Synth Guitar.

"Like the multitude of keyboards before it, the Casio DG-10 is all plastic (strings included), has a rubber fretboard, multiple instrument sounds, and drum rhythms. The strings don't need tuning as the guitar works on an interesting principle. Pressing on the frets of the rubber keyboard is what selects the notes. Strumming controls the amplitude. It's actually a clever system as it side-steps the expensive and unreliable pitch-to-MIDI circuitry of the day, and it still lets you perform slides and taps just like on a real electric guitar." click here for the full article.

Oberheim Matrix-6R Manual

click here for a pdf of the Oberheim Matrix-6R Users Manual on www.synthesizer.at. Note that this one takes a bit to load, so don't click on it unless you really want it, and if you do, you might want to save it (right click save as). Marking this post with Matrix-6 as well for anyone looking for the manual.

tee betan-02EQ - Serge I/O

via Ross:

"a track using my Serge TKB and Livewire Dual Cyclotron as sequencer and 3 Serge Oscillators one Plan B Oscillator, Evil Twin etc"

click here for the track

ARP Avatar Modular Analog Synth Modified by CMS

images via this auction

"Here we have a very special item. It started life as an ARP Avatar guitar synthesizer, which basically took an ARP Odyssey and grafted on a very ineffective guitar interface. Well, that genius Phil Cirocco of CMS gutted the guitar interface portion and added CV/Gate inputs and patch points in and out of virtually every function of the machine. You can make great sounds with this unit alone (hear the mp3 demo I made of 100% sounds from the instrument on auction), or you can pair it with an ARP 2600 or other compatible modular for additional functions.

The filter is Mr. Cirocco's own exquisite Moog clone, I believe based on the design which ARP was almost sued over, and which they then substituted with an inferior design of their own which most of the Odysseys have. I had Phil do one for me and one for a friend, probably 10 years ago. He also added a "turbo" mode the the ADSR envelope generator. The lowest row of jacks along the bottom are multiples."

If you are considering this one, read the details in full at the auction as always.

Klee Jamming

YouTube via synthdood.
"This is a test of the Electro-Music Klee sequencer. What you hear are three Thomas Henry XR2206 VCO's one CEM3320 filter, two MOTM EG's, one Thomas Henry VCA, a Thomas Henry UD1 drum voice, and a Ken Stone Cynare(which you can barely hear)"

SynthFesta2007OSAKA in Japan #02

YouTube via unyo303. Follow up to this post.

Roland PG200

images via this auction

Minimax ASB

images via this auction

"I used this synthesizer to create music and sound effects for a Disney multi-media project featuring a mad scientist and his lab. That project has been completed for a while and I hung onto this synth just because it was a lot of fun; rich warm voices that astonishingly faithfully emulate the original Minimoog. Totally, it has around 16 hours or less of use on it, and comes with it's adaptor and a PDF manual on a CD ROM. Here's what Creamware has to say: The Minimoog was a classic for reasons beyond just its sound. Everything was perfectly laid out so you could start playing right away, without having to browse through phonebook-like manuals, and even every accident sounded expressive and inspired. Minimax ASB will give you the same sensation. Quite simply, if you loved the Minimoog, you'll love the ASB. The original made by Moog was the role model for all subsequent synthesizeresizers, so you can experience a part of history through the Minimax ASB. Minimax ASB provides various enhancements, which didn't exist the Minimoog's time: keystroke dynamics, effects, memory for storage, and much more."

Waldorf MicroQ

images via this auction

Product Description
The microQ's synthesis architecture and sound comes directly from the Waldorf Q Synthesizer and was packed into an nice 2 unit rack housing. Still the microQ is easy to program with its editing matrix (some users already may know a similar editing surface from the Waldorf Pulse Synthesizer). This allows you to edit nearly most of the sound engine parameters directly on the surface of this little beast without being in need of activating menus.

Not only the expensive sound of the Waldorf Q was implemented: also the powerful arpeggiator and the more than useful Drum Map can be found in the Waldorf microQ, too.

The Micro Q is not an analog synth, but it can emulate them very well. It is great for punchy analog bass, 303 lines, synth leads, trance pads, swirling effects, analog drums, percussion, beats, and lots more! It's worth a listen! Wonderful preset sounds, a challenge to program...bottom line is affordable, incredible sounds!

Features

* up to 25 voices, expandable up to 75 voices
* 16 part multi timbral
* 300 single programs
* 100 multi programs
* 20 drummaps
* 7 endless dials
* 16 buttons for editing
* 2 x 20 character display
* 6 analog outputs (3 stereo outs)
* 2 analog inputs (1 stereo in)
* MIDI In/Out/Thru
* color: classic blue

Per Voice:

* up to 5 Oscillators per voice
o Pulse with Pulse Width Modulation
o Sawtooth
o Triangle
o Sine
o 2 wavetables with 128 waves each and suboscillator per alt-wave
* Oscillator FM
* Noise generator
* Ring Modulator
* Mixer with Balance, each signal source (oscillator, noise, ringmod, external audio material) can be balanced individually between filter 1 and filter 2
* 2 Filters (serial and parallel routing switchable), different types, all including FM and distortion
o Low Pass (12dB/24dB)
o Band Pass (12dB/24dB)
o High Pass (12dB/24dB)
o Notch (12dB/24dB)
o Comb Filter (positive/negative feedback)
* Modulation Matrix with 16 slots, freely routable
* Pre-routed Modulation destinations, sources selectable
* modulation update frequency in audio range to allow the oscillators to be used as modulation sources
* 4 Modifiers
* Arpeggiator with user pattern, including accents, timing information, swing, glide, chords and more
* 3 LFOs up to audio range
* 4 envelopes, enhanced ADSR configuration with loop and one shot function, bipolar
* different trigger modes for each envelope, poly, mono, dual, unisono, manual trigger etc.
* 2 individual high-quality effects per single program, up to 5 effects in total in Multimode
* Effect Types:
o Reverb
o 2 x Surround Delay
o Chorus
o Flanger
o Phaser
o Distortion
o Delay
o 5 FX
o Vocoder with 25 bands
* and lots lots more...

Waldorf XTk

images via this auction

"The MicrowaveXTk is a keyboard version of the powerful MicrowaveXT. It's a great big orange polyphonic performance synthesizer with 49 full sized velocity sensitive keys. There are 44 rotaries of knob-laden heaven and lots of control. All of the knobs transmit MIDI information as well! It's perfect for performance and studio work.

The MicrowaveXT synthesizer engine is relatively the same as the Microwave 2 and Wave synths that came before it. Digital wavetable synthesis and FM synthesis in which waves are mixed and combined into new sounds. The MicroWaveXTk can easily emulate the sounds of the PPG wavetable synths as well as create squelchy acid-303 lines or boomy Moog bass.

Other great functions include a programmable arpeggiator, 4 integrated digital effects and stereo audio inputs. A sinus shaper 12dB low pass filter, a wave shaper 12dB low pass filter, sample & hold with a 12dB low pass filter, dual parallel filters with 12dB low pass and 12dB band pass, a 12dB low pass filter with filter FM (cutoff modulation through oscillator 2). Top that off with 8 part multitimbrality, 256 sounds and 128 multi-patches for one mega-powerful performance synthesizer perfect in any live or studio application where fat analog sounds are needed!"

Vintage Roland SH-2000

images via this auction

Cortez D-2 Pro-Rhythm Mini Synth

images via this auction

"Interesting little drum synthesizer. Apparently meant to mount on your percussion kit. It's activated by vibration; hit the thing it's attached to and it operates. More info on it here. Has controls for Rate, Mode, Sweep, Volume, Decay, VCO, Intensity (which might be sensitivity to vibration). Includes two footswitch jacks and an output jack. This is an excellent addition to an existing kit for crazy synth drum tones which are easily adjusted via the knobs, or as a "kit" for the intrepid analog hacker to play with. All analog!"

Moog - 'Tis The Season

YouTube via MoogMusicInc.
"Happy Holidays from the employees of Moog Music... www.moogmusic.com"

Prophet 5

YouTube via Paardekut. via Nusonica.
"Prophet 5 demo by Andre Arink & Eus Veldhuisen. Every single sound was done on the Prophet-5, including the guitar and drums. For the synth freaks; it's a Rev-3.3, the last P5 ever made, but a bloody phat sounding mother of a synth."

ARP Odyssey III + SCI Pro-One demo track by RetroSound

YouTube via retrosound72.
"short demo track by RetroSound, the Odyssey was triggered by the Pro-One built-in sequencer,
on 1.40 change the sequencer theme

bass: Arp Odyssey III
modulated sounds: SCI Pro-One
drums: Roland TR-707

more info: www.retrosound.de"

Roland D-550 Synthesizer + Roland Juno-60 + Roland TR-707

YouTube via retrosound72.
short demo track by RetroSound with 3 "old" Roland machines,
on 0.42 change the sequencer theme

bass: Roland D-550 (D-50 rack), triggered by the MFB Step64
drums: Roland TR-707
other sounds: Roland Juno-60

hand-played

more info: www.retrosound.de"

iPod touch Step Sequencer

YouTube via cappelnord. via Nusonica.
"I wrote a little step sequencer for my jailbreaked iPod touch. (inspired by the awesome Monome 40h Controller) The sounds are quite crappy (also my chair sqeakks likke hell!!!), but you could do better sounds in SuperCollider or even trigger a Software/Hardware Synth/Samplers via MIDI.

I used SuperCollider as a programming language (http://supercollider.sourceforge.net ) and the aka.iPhone Application (http://www.iamas.ac.jp/~aka/iphone/).

Sometimes OSC messages get dropped, so it isn't 100% perfect.

If someone needs the SuperCollikder code, then please leave a comment.

More german information on my blog: http://blog.cappel-nord.de/2007/12/ip..."

Controlling Doepfer modular synth with a Wiimote

YouTube via DamagedMeat.
"This video is about controlling a modular synth with Nintendo's wiimote gamepad, using Doepfer A-100, Doepfer MCV24, Wiimote and computer. Softwares used are Bluesoleil, Glovepie and midiox. This video is not an artistic demonstration but a technical explanation of this system (that can be used for making music ofc). Musical jams and stuff coming soon... Thanks for watching and sorry for approximative english."

Isidore, the modular robot with CV lights

YouTube via DamagedMeat. via Nusonica.
"My friend Louis shot this video while I was testing the voltage controlled lights with some 16 steps sequence MIDI running in cubase, then converted to CV by Doepfer MCV24. All sounds by Doepfer A100 modular synth."

Roland JP-8000 JP-8080 DVD Video Tutorial Demonstration

YouTube via ProAudioDVDs (click for more).

"This is an excerpt from a full length DVD available at www.ProAudioDVDs.com.

Host David Wills has toured with major artists such as Michael Jackson, Phil Collins, Whitney Houston, Chicago and Diana Ross and provides you with a professional's perspective but always demonstrated in an informal, easy to understand way."

Re: Machinedrum jam session No1

YouTube via electronicvibes.
"All sounds were synthesized by my beloved Machinedrum, except for one lofi sample caught from master outpouts..."

Roland JD-800 Synthesizer by RetroSound (audio part2)

YouTube via retrosound72.
"part2 of the Roland JD-800 Digital-Synthesizer demo by RetroSound. The JD like pads! ;-) more info: www.retrosound.de" Part 1 here

Circuit bent Ibanez Pm-7 part 2

YouTube via Vtolus.
"My new project - Phase Modulator from Ibanez bendet by me (light bending - it can be modified match more deeper)"

Christmas at Bob Moog's House

Yep... Don't shoot the messenger.

via nickb2009 on this VSE post:

"We believe this may be a candidate for the worst use of a Moog Modular V "softsynth" and possibly violates Arturia's Terms & Conditions on the proper use of their software.

But imagine the scene, it's December 25th 1968 and Wendy Carlos has dropped in at Bob Moog's house with her latest album 'Switched On Christmas'." [link to blasphemy - enter at your own risk]

SunRa5

flickr by not_even_remotely_funny (click for more)

full size

Waveform and Juno

Two flickr shots by barjack.

KORG DW8000 (full size)
Roland Juno-6 (full size)

"Great 80's graphics addornign a Korg DW-8000 synthesizer, who's gritty digital sounds eventually found their way into great synths like the Prophecy and MS-2000."

"Juno-6, macro with 28-105 Nikon AF-D lens."

heckadecimal's photos

click here for more. via heckadecimal on the Matrixsynth Forum.

Cardboard Keyboard and Amp with Fotosis No. 003

YouTube via lavieenjaune.
"Here are two more devices we have just completed.

The little keyboard you see in the center is based on a simple 555 timer circuit, the keys come from a busted kids keyboard and the housing was created by laminating about thirty layers of cardboard together with glue and wood screws.

The little amp is actually three amps in one. There are three LM386 2.5 Watt circuits, one for each instrument we plan to plug into it. Each amp has its own 100mm diameter 8 Ohm 10 watt speaker. The housing was constructed using a laminate of MDF and cardboard all held together with glue and wood screws.

In this video the little keyboard was being played into another of our instruments, Fotosis No. 003. The keyboards output was fed into the ring modulator of Fotosis No. 003 and modulated with a weird bleeping carrier signal.

Read more on our blog: fotosis"

EMS Synthi - Battle Prestopatch

You can listen to a sample of this patch on EMS SYNTHI.

Roland JV1080 Player Organ

"This is a faux 'player' organ that contains a JV1080, and plays back classical fugue and other creepy organ pieces via midi using the awesome Cathedral patch on the 1080.. The boxes up to the left and right of the pipes contain speakers and the amp is hidden inside as well along with a subwoofer and the 1080 on a custom rack.

I built this for use in a commercial haunted house, which folded before it even opened. Their loss, my gain! I have the coolest house on the street for halloween!"
via MetroSonus

Elby Designs CGS Pather Series Modules

Modules include:
CGS735 Synthacon Filter
CGS758 Utility LFO
CGS721 Super Psycho LFO
ED103 MIDI2SDS
ED102 Octave/Volts/Hertz Converter
ED104 Dual Lin/Log VCA-Panner
CGS747 Cynare Drum Simulator

BugBrand BugCrusherMicro

" BugCrusherMicro
Released Dec07
The new Micro squeezes the lovely sample-rate-reductions of the BugCrusher line into the most compact form yet - just 120 x 65 x 40mm (about the size of MXR pedals).

A single dial sets the Rate for sounds from fizzly-fuzz highs to distruct-o-gurgle lows. There's no need for level controls - the signal going in is neither amplified nor attenuated. The Micro works well on low level signals (such as guitar) or line level signals (perfect for mixing desk - and the output is in-phase with the input). Bypass is now done electronically (still true-bypass) with a strong stomp switch and silent operation. The Micro runs off either an internal 9v battery or standard Boss-style DC Jack.

No sound samples yet, but it has the characteristic BugCrushing sounds of previous pedals, so check mp3 examples further down the page."

"Batch of 10 released today and available through the BugShop

This is the most compact BugCrusher yet, measuring in at just 120 x 65 x 40mm (about the size of MXR pedals). Lovely Rate-Reduction sounds from fizzly highs down to gurgley lows. The Micro is happy operating with low level signals (eg guitar) or line level for desktop / mixing desk work. The redesign has eliminated the need for level controls - there's no amplification or attenuation of the input signal. Bypass is now done electronically - still true-bypass with a chunky stomp switch (but a lighter action than previous stomps) and totally silent. The Micro runs off 9v - either internal battery or Boss-style DC Jack.

The Micro costs £75 plus shipping (inc battery, instruction sheet and 3 year guarantee) Beware - this batch won't last long, but I will be making more early next year to meet demands. Hopefully this design can become a regularly stocked item."

Panther series kit of Super Psycho LFO and Steiner

via Ross

Ken Stone (CGS)
Elby Designs

Baldi Sintetizadores - Synth Repair and More

Hernan Baldi, from Buenos Aires, Argentina is an electrical engineer who offers vintage music equipment repair and restoration in South America. On his website you will find details on his services and more.

Also check out his flickr sets under the moniker sintetizadores. I pulled this ARP Solina image from the set. Do check out it out, there is quite a variety in the various sets.

Complexystems Ethos Studio - Drive

YouTube via complexy.

highway to noise

flickr by white noise bleed
of Argentina.

click here for more

Alesis Micron
E-Mu XL-1

NIN Modular System

image posted by Trent Reznor on the official Nine Inch Nails website.

Analog Solutions Vostok
Schippmann ebbe und flut Filter
Mixed Modular (spot the modules)
Cwejman S1 mkII

via Davide

A Matrixsynth Xmas

Holiday pic via Larry.

Advent Blofeld

via Till Kopper on the Waldorf list:

"today most German light the first candle. We light one more candle each sunday till Christmas eve.

We name this time 'Advent' here. The very same name is used in english. It is the period of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Christ, also known outside the Church as the season of Christmas. It origines from the latin "adveniat" (= he will come).

And this year it does look like this"

BTW, feel free to send in your holiday synth shots and I'll put them up.

Bloated

click here for another Waldorf Blofeld demo by Stefan Trippler.

Poesboes World of Sound Adventures

click here for Poesboes. You'll find some synth experiments including a KORG MS-20 style oscillator, the Hand Cranked Wobulator and more.