studio34d wrote in to let me know he put up some pictures of his studio some time around 1990-1991. Spot the synths and the cat. You can find the list of synth in this image here. Be sure to check out the rest of studio35d as well.
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
studio35d Pics from the Past
studio34d wrote in to let me know he put up some pictures of his studio some time around 1990-1991. Spot the synths and the cat. You can find the list of synth in this image here. Be sure to check out the rest of studio35d as well.
Analog Clone AC303 - Roland TB303 Clone
Click here for the original site in Japanese. Click here for it in Googlish."AC303 is TB303 the source clone MIDI equipped with your own DIY kit. Part of the original source is the same circuitry and components * using the analog unique and powerful dynamics of ACCENT
A SLIDE to fully reproduce and TB303 distinctive sound from the thick slices of resonance for me is ACID sound system, TB303 original sound can be obtained."
via Inteliko.
Santablo
click here for another Blofeld demo by Stefan Trippler.
"Some quick filter-drive sounds from the Blofeld, rectified, clipped, sine shaped, also some squaring introduced with the modwheel, some overflow from aftertouch and, hmm, don't remember the name of the other drive curves ;) drums from Spectrasonics Stylus"
"Some quick filter-drive sounds from the Blofeld, rectified, clipped, sine shaped, also some squaring introduced with the modwheel, some overflow from aftertouch and, hmm, don't remember the name of the other drive curves ;) drums from Spectrasonics Stylus"
thought synthesizer
flickr by krischall.
full size
"the old e-mu modular analog synthesizer you can see in the background was originally captured visually by fr1zz. I decided to experiment with it by connecting it directly to my brain, added a little bit of hirnspray and ..tada!"
Update: You can find krischall's website here. Note it is in German. You can find the Googlish version here.
mind control
Roland JD-800 + Roland D-550 (D-50 Rack) by RetroSound
YouTube via retrosound72.
"synth demo track by RetroSound
bassline: Roland D-550, triggered by the MFB Step64 step-sequencer and transposed by the DX-7 II
pads: Roland JD-800, hand played
drums: Roland TR-707, sync with the MFB Step64
more info: www.retrosound.de"
Sequential Circuits Prophet VS + Oberheim Matrix-1000
YouTube via retrosound72.
"short demo track by RetroSound
bassline: Oberheim Matrix-1000, triggered by the MFB Step64 step sequencer
drums: Roland TR-707
other sounds: SCI Prophet VS
more info: www.retrosound.de"
The Tenori-On helper 0.952
YouTube via pyrolator. Via Nusonica.
"The Tenori-On is a great instrument, but if you work with Ableton Live, you need additional software, wich makes it possible to control filters or to be in sync with the internal Midi-clock of the computer. This software is the "tenori-on helper 0.952" and is a Max/msp-patch i wrote. You find it on my weblog http://pyrolator.blogspot.com/ "
ZEIT Sequencer (Custom Polar White)
YouTube via InfectionMusic.
Via Robert. No audio, just a glimpse of one in production.
"A video of a custom built ZEIT Sequencer in the Polar White styling."
Archive Sound Keyboard Rebuild Kits
"Have you noticed that the keys on your classic synth have become noisy, loose, and generally sloppy? If so, you are not alone. Age has deteriorated the critical rubber bushings which are the "heart & soul" of the Pratt-Read key mechanism, the action used in many of the great synths of the past, including the Prophet-5, OB-Xa, PPG, most ARPs, and the Minimoog. This degradation occurs over time, as many of these instruments are now 15-30 years old. Because of the gradual nature of this effect, we have forgotten howsilky smooth these keyboard mechanisms felt when they were new. The good news is that there is a solution available now." Click here for more.
If you ever wondered what bushings look like, here are a couple of shots from Synthesizer Bushings at High Spies. You can also find bushings and other keyboard repair kits available here (note there are some synths for sale there as well).
Spectron's Sequencer
Polyconnect found this while browsing NOISETIME.COM. I can't place it. Anyone know what it is? BTW, check out NOISETIME.COM for more synth goodness including shots of the Musikmesse over the years.Update: found it in the Messe 2003 set. It's Spectron's Sequencer. You can see it has VCOs as well, so I'm guessing it is a synth as well as sequencer. If you know more about this one, feel free to comment.
Oberheim OB8 ARP02
Cool iPhone Apps: beatphone
YouTube via DuraJim.
"A quick demo of Beatphone for the iPhone (This *DOESN'T* work for the iPod touch, however most apps do), I'm not very musically minded so don't expect some really good show."
UniQue Werkx - Q-Werkx - Waldorf Based Music
David Ryle wrote into the Waldorf list with a link to Christian's website, UniQue Werkx. I decided to take a look and found it contained a number of compositions featuring the Waldorf Q as well as track featuring a Blofeld demo by SCD. The site is definitely worth checking out if you are interested in hearing some of what the Q is capable of.
Kaossilator Pad
YouTube via oish1.
"Kaossilator is awesome, no midi out is not. But it is possible to recreate it's features on it's big brother the Kaoss pad. In this video I'm using the program Bidule to translate the midi messages to notes and then routing them into Reason. The possibilities be endless."
Formanta EMS-1
images via this auction"This synth was developed in USSR in 80-s years on the same military radio plant in Kachkanar where well known Polivoks synth was produced. Perhaps, Formanta ems-01 is most unusual sounding synth among the soviet made synthesizers. Its modulation possibilities are infinite, raw analog sound is absolutely unique, and it looks like peace of rock.
Let’s see overal architecture of the instrument. Instrument has two sections. The first section is analog mono-synth with two oscillators. It is the wild heart of the beast. Synth has 3-octave keyboard based on electromagnetic elements. It means that contacts of the keys will last forever. Every oscillator has triangle, saw and square waveforms. You can change square’s pulse width by knob or modulate it by LFO. Audio diapason of the every oscillator changes from 16’ to 2’. Mixer section has 5 knobs for control of amount audio from: 1 osc., 2 osc., external input, noise source, ring modulator. Then there is flexible LFO with controllable delay onboard. LFO has 6 waveforms: noise, sample-and-hold, two types of saw, square and sine. You can route LFO to modulate: every oscillator pitch, filter’s cutoff, VCA. Then you can switch LFO to trigger VCA and VCF envelopes, and you can modulate speed of LFO from keytracking. There is a ring modulator. You can switch input signals for ring modulator as 1osc. and 2osc., or as 1osc. and LFO. Then we have unique analog filter based on the same circuitry which used in Polivoks synth. You can control filter’s resonanse and cutoff by knobs, amount of modulation from LFO to cutoff, amount of modulation from dedicated AR envelope. Filter can be switched in low-pass mode or in band-pass mode. Filter’s envelope can be switched to positive or negative direction. Also we have VCA with dedicated ADSR envelope with autotrigger possibility. There is a portamento. You can adjust its time and switch off portamento from second oscillator and to get very special effect, this feature also borrowed from Polivoks synth. There are also: memory for last pushed key, slide knob which change overal tune in about 3 octaves, interval knob for detuning oscillators in about 1 octave, detune knob for detuning oscillators in about 1 ton range. Synth section has factory installed CV-in in Hz/Volt scale, but for its own gate trigger signals standard.
Then there is second section of instrument. It is analog organ with 5 octave keyboard also on electromagnetic contacts. Organ has 6 preset sounds. For organ you can control: tune, amount of pitch modulation from dedicated triangle lfo, frequency of pitch modulation, delay of pitch modulation. Some organ’s preset sounds feed to rich analog 3-stage chorus effect. Then you can independently route synthesizer and organ to exellent analog stereo-phaser effect. Stereo-phaser has control of resonanse. On the back of the instrument there are outs for phones, audio mono sum, audio stereo outs, and input for pedal controller. Also there are CV-in, CV-out and external audio in.
Here is audio demo of just this formanta ems-01 which i am selling. All tracks was recorded direct to PC without any additional effects and without
any multi-tracking. The signal recorded from stereo outputs. The track formanta7.mp3 is yamaha vss-200 processed through the external input. Just listen to incredible sound of ems-01:
formanta1.mp3
formanta2.mp3
formanta3.mp3
formanta4.mp3
formanta5.mp3
formanta6.mp3
formanta7.mp3
formanta8.mp3
formanta9.mp3
formanta10.mp3"
DSI Mono Evolver
images via this auction"Mono Evolver Keyboard, a fantastic synthesizer created by Dave Smith, who designed the Sequential Circuits Prophet 5, Pro One, and Prophet VS. It has 4 oscillators, 2 analog, 2 digital (with VS waveforms), run through a real analog filter."
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Next! Superbass 4.4 Demo (aka mam MB33 mkII)
YouTube via jkselsyn.
"A midi analog synthesizer performed with a step sequencer (off camera). "Next!" is a Stanton brand that produced a series of midi equipment for DJ use. This product is a re-branded MAM (Music-And-More) MB33 mkII made in Bavaria.
It tries to sound like a TB-303 but it falls short compared to the real thing. (It's still useable.) The first slow sequence has long notes playing the synth. What you hear is the longest possible note length the synth can produce."
SynthFesta2007 OSAKA in Japan #02
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."
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.
"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.
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)"
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 auctionProduct 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!"
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!"
Monday, December 03, 2007
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"
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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
