MATRIXSYNTH

Monday, December 10, 2007

MOOG Moogerfooger Murf

images via this auction

"The MF-105 MuRF is a new and unique effect designed by Bob Moog. MuRF is short for Multiple Resonance Filter Array. The MuRF provides sequenced filter effects that have not been heard before!

MuRF stands for "Multiple Resonance Filter Array". What this means is the MuRF has 8 filters - their levels are controlled by 8 sliders. It looks like a graphic eq, but the sound of the filters are very different: warm and resonant.

What is really unique is the ability to animate the levels of the 8 filters in up to 24 preset patterns. The rate of the patterns can be set by a knob, expression pedal, or plug a footswitch into the tap tempo input to match the rate to the tempo of your song. Rhythmic variations can be created by adjusting the levels of the filters. The Envelope control sets the shape of the modulation, which can be set for percolating techno rhythmic modulation or shimmering timbral morphing. Other controls include Input Drive, Output Level and Wet/Dry Mix.

MuRF shares the musician-oriented features that are common to all Moogerfoogers. All the audio processing is 100% genuine analog, for warm, fat sound quality. Any line level or instrument level audio signal may be processed. Wide-ranging player parameters may be controlled from the panel knobs as well as from expression pedals or CV-compatible analog synthesis instruments. Components are rugged and long lasting, to withstand the rigors of stage and studio. The MuRF is housed in the classic Moogerfooger "double-wedge" enclosure that may be used on a table or on the floor.

More information plus lots of nice audio examples at the Moog Site

Independent review from Sound on Sound"

Moog Synthesizer 201

YouTube via DoKashiteru. Follow-up to this post.
"A description on how to use the sequencer section of the Moog synthesizer. WIRING DIAGRAM UP SOON - until then, see http://myspace.com/dokashiteru"

1982 Music Emporium Catalog

via REwire. Click on the images for the full size shots. Compare the price of the Casio's vs the others.

MOTM-521 Cloud Generator Expansion Breadboard

via My Synthesis Technology MOTM Analog Modular Synth where you can find an update from Paul S. of MOTM. For those not familiar with what a breadboard is, it's where you prototype and work on designs before actual manufacturing. The breadboard itself is the brown board you see the components sitting on.

Happy 25th C64!

The Commodore 64 turns 25 today.
Article on CNN.

More links on ThisIsNotALabel.com

DSC02943

flickr by industrial drawing (click for more).

full size

SCOPE & M-TRACK: CHRONOLOGIE 4 Jean-Michel Jarre

YouTube via grandmoff. Sent my way via fischek.
"Hoy lo pasamos increible tocando temas de JMJ. Aqui pueden ver un momento entretenido. Esta es la version de Memo Scope.

Melodia: DIVO - Roland D-50 as a Controller
Strings: VARO - Korg 01/Wfd
Solo: MEMOSCOPE - Yamaha SY99 as a Controller

Today we had a great day playing some Jarre songs... Wow... we had a really god time isn't? Memo made this very good new version of this great song."

serge modular56

YouTube via cray56. Follow up to this post.

Snuff Box - Empty Room

YouTube via Exulus.

"Empty Room Suicide song." Via Suit & Tie Guy of STG Soundlabs:
"Matt Berry is one of the actors on The Mighty Boosh, he plays the owner of the zoo i believe. anyway this is from a show he did called Snuff Box. this skit is a parody of Edgar Winters' Old Grey Whistle Test appearance. i think it's important to point out this isn't pissing all over synth rock ... it's fairly obvious Matt and his friends are pretty intelligent dudes who can love something and laugh at it simultaneously. it also seems like he actually played the lines you hear on an SH-1000, and there's a bunch of EU-format modular stuff with a Minimoog sitting on top of it also in the shot which don't get used: for reference, this is the quite fantastic Edgar Winter clip being referenced:"

Edgar Winter Group - Frankenstein (previously posted)

YouTube via joneps.

And two more not directly synth related:
snuff box guitar lesson

Dark Place Opening Titles

"and these are the opening titles to Garth Marenghi's Darkplace, which was another series Matt Berry was in with another comedian/musician named Matthew Holness. if this doesn't make you want to go watch all 6 episodes in a viewing binge i don't know what would"

Build a Not so Ghetto Talk box out of a Toilet Plunger

YouTube via widgetphreak
"WidgetPhreak shows you how to build a ghetto talkbox with some simple household tools (plumbing supplies, pc speaker, and a toilet plunger)"

The Ghetto Talkbox

YouTube via mootbooxle. Funny I always thought it was moot-boo-il like pop-si-cle.
"MooT BooXLe demonstrates how he made a talkbox out of common parts, for a very small amount of money and time. The idea for this project came from paranorm's article here. NOTE: This will NOT give you a sound like a pro talkbox, but it's cheap, easy, and fun."

Follow up to this post.

You might recognize Mootbooxle from these videos:
MooT BooXLe's Synthesizers.com movie

Explosion - An improvised synth solo

Serge Modular TKB Doepfer Plan B Livewire Panther

YouTube via cray56. "Serge TKB"
"Serge/ Plan B/Livewire/Doepfer/CGS Panther modular . Using the TKB as sequencer."

Casio CZ-101

images via this auction

Touched By Sound Clap Cussion ACM2

images via this auction

"The ACM2 is a German made analog clap synthesizer capable of many kinds of clap sounds due to the number of, and range of the clap real-time controls.

ACM 2 Features:
* Quality analog clap synthesis
* 7 real-time sound controls and master volume:
o Decay Reverb
o Reverb (Length)
o Clap (Spacing)
o Noise
o Resonance
o Filter (Frequency)
o High Pass (Post Filter)
* Trigger button for manual claps or via MIDI
* 19" 1U
* AC adapter included"

Simmons SDS800

images via this auction

"The SDS 800 has 4 separate analog drum synthesizer modules: Bass/Kick, Snare, Tom 1, and Tom 2. In addition to the individual sound generators, there is a global trigger section for configuring the external triggers. The sound modules create the classic Simmons analog drum sounds, and can create a wide range of percussive synth special effect-like sounds (think bleeps, space drum, ray guns, and resonant synth drums).

Individual ¼” line outputs for each of the sound modules are located on the rear of the SDS 800, as well as a handy headphone jack on the top."

Roland TR-808 and a Poll

images via this auction

Atari Synthcart

via this auction
"custom [white] atari 2600 synth ! The bit crushing low end , this creates is unlike anything you've heard . This model is upgraded from the ones I normally sell . It has been custom painted and the controllers have been upgraded from the video touch pads and keyboard controllers that are available . The biggest and most essential add-on , is the MIDI2600 external kit from highly_liquid adding midi capabilities to this little bitcrushing Monster, without any other modifications . I have also added a 1/4 inch out put for easy use with amps, pa's mixers, computers , and more !! Thus making it perfect for many live and studio applications.

First off , I want to start out by saying that I believe in this machine. Its power is unbelievable ! The bass tone that this unit produces is one of the best I've heard. Sometimes I can't believe it's actually a 4-bit machine producing these tones. The cartridge was designed by a brillant man by the name of Paul Slocum . He's also created a cynthcart for the Commodore 64 and he's working on another cartridge for the 2600 called the Loopcart, that's actually going to be a sequencer for this machine. It should be ready by the end of the year. So you have even more to look forward to with this unit . With the synthcart you can do the following (as written on Mr. Slocum's website)

Play using an assortment of familiar Atari sounds
- Use two different sound types at a time, one assigned to each controller
- Intelligent voice management constantly re-assigns the two oscillators for maximum perceived polyphony
- 8th, 16th, and 32nd note arpeggiator
- Can arpeggiate both oscillators simultaneously
- Beat Box with many pre-programmed beats and fills
- Play two beats simultaneously to create custom beats
- Two tremelo settings
- Four attack/release settings

and now the hardware.....

oAtari 2600 fitted with a quarter-inch jack for easy use with amplifiers, PA systems and mixers
o2 upgraded controllers to play notes and drum patterns
o power supply
oSynthcart (brand new)
oOwner's manual/documentation for synthcart
o MIDI2600 kit w/ joystick extensions
o wired with a 1/4 inch output jack for easy use with PAs',mixers, amps, etc."

Update via wgungfu in the comments: "Its not a 4-bit system making these sounds, its an 8-bit. The 2600 is an 8-bit system."

RadioShack MOOG MG-1 with MIDI

images via this auction
"Although Moog built this synth for Radio Shack, Moog liked the design so much that they took the design of the MG-1, dropped the polyphony and ring mod and added pitch/mod wheels) to produce the Rogue.

Go here to find out more about the EXCELLENT 16 channel Synhouse MIDIJACK installed on this unit.

PDF user's guide and service manual (covers the principles of operation, basic repair, tune up, schematics, parts lists, etc) here.

User review here.

Some features:

* 31 note keyboard (F to C) * Monophonic
* Two tone sources / oscillators, square and saw waves
* Oscillators can be synced or detuned
* Pink noise generator
* Bell tone generator (ring modulator)
* A countour generator
* External ports for trigger and pitch
* 50dB signal to noise ratio"

Waldorf XT

images via this auction

"This is among the greatest and most original sounding and looking instruments to have come out of the 1990's, the Microwave XT. Fortunately, it sounds as great as it looks, and the burnt-orange "powdercoat" paint job is really nice, and this is one of the early models, before they cheaped out and went to glossy bright orange paint; this unit has the aqua-colored plastic cover over the LCD as well, unlike the later models. The original "fat-style" knobs are all present, all encoders and buttons work flawlessly, and the LCD shines brightly. The jacks on the rear are all intact and in flawless condition. The sound of this instrument is very versatile, going from very warm, dramatic pads with lots of movement (thanks to the wavetables and one of the nicest-sounding filters around) to some of the coldest, hardest digital timbres. 7-stage envelopes also provide endless possibilities for the dedicated programmer. The Microwave XT is descended from a line of landmark instruments that began with the PPG Wave synthesizers in the 1980s, and offers the benefit of knobby goodness for tweaking on the fly and really dialing in complexity with ease."

Sunday, December 09, 2007

New Yusynth STANDARD CV Module

via yusson on this electro-music.com thread

"I have just published a new YUSYNTH module at my site. It's an utility module that provides two three channels of standard control voltages.
It features OCTAVE rotary switches, SEMITONES rotary switches, 3 buffered outputs per channel and one external CV input per channel (to input a keyboard controller CV for example).

Enjoy it at: yusynth.net, or direct link to the module"

Nord Wave Tracks

Click here for the track on electro-music.com. Via Aleksandar.

Poly Challenge - Canecutter's Christmas Competition

"Name the synth in a blind listening test and win a fabulous prize!

The contenders are Jomox's Sunsyn, Roland's MKS-80 Super Jupiter, Korg's PolySix and some POS kid's toy.

Follow the link on the canecutters homepage to the forum thread, download the zipped folder and mail me your answers by next Sunday.

Guess them all right and you could win one of these fabulous polysynths."

Talkbox: Roger & Zapp Medley

YouTube via talkboxmayhem (click for more). Sent my way via fischek.
"Gettin' funky with Roger to a beat I made. I hope you enjoy :)
Equipment: Yamaha DX100, Rocktron Banshee
This video recently appeared on MTV: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?id=1568..."

Oberheim OBXa + JUNO 60 + SH 101 + TR 606 part 5

YouTube via magevers.
"The fat "jump" Oberheim OBXa, the Roland JUNO 60, SH 101 and the TR 606 together. The OBXa was played in split mode. This recording was made with a small pocket camera."

Jean Michel Jarre & The Vizitors - The Voyage

YouTube via Sharpblue. Roland JP-8000
"Live from Okinawa 200l - Jean Michel Jarre and TK."

MOOG Synthesizer Videos by DoKashiteru

The Synthesizer Police

"Oh, no! (Credit where credit is due: the synthesizer police idea is Sammi Vella's!)"

Moog Synthesizer 101

"A basic description on how to simply get a sound out of a Moog or some other old analog synths. WIRING DIAGRAM UP SOON - in the meantime, see http://myspace.com/dokashiteru"

Moog Synthesizer 102

"More instruction on a fuller, more interesting sound out of the Moog synthesizer. WIRING DIAGRAM UP SOON - until then, see http://myspace.com/dokashiteru."
YouTubes via DoKashiteru. Follow up to this post.

ACCESS VIRUS TI Synth solo

YouTube via gattobus.
"I just wanted to play with my VIRUS TI the same demo I played with Korg Radias in my first video. And this is the result..."

Computer Music (Synthesizers, Synclavier) 1986 Pt. 3

YouTube via cowsill2x2.
"Only a minute or so more of the program I recorded in 1986. Not as interesting as parts 1 and 2, but still worth watching for its place in the digital and computer music timeline."

Korg MS-20 - Independent melodies

YouTube via Newueel
"This is the Korg MS-20 playing two independent melodies at once. All sounds are coming from the MS-20 only!

Both VCO's use different keyboards for creating independent melodies. VCO 1 (CV) is played by the secondary keyboard using the ESP. VCO 2 (CV) is played by the MS-20 keyboard.

Just in case you wonder the secondary synth is a Korg Triton ('99).

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

KNOBS:
VCO1: [Triangle] [(n/a)] [32']
VCO2: [Sawtooth] [0] [2']
PORTAMENTO: [4]
VCOMIX: [ 9] [ 8] [ 0] [10]
HPF: [ 6] [ 7] [ 6] [ 0]
LPF: [ 5] [ 8] [ 0] [ 0]
MG: [^(middle)] [0]
EG1: (n/a)
EG2: [0] [0] [10] [10] [3]
ESP: [5] [2] [8] [9] [5]

PATCHES:
(alternate keyboard -> VCO1)
1. ALTERNATE KEYBOARD (AUDIO OUT) -> ESP (SIGNAL IN)
2. ESP (CV OUT) -> VCO1+2 (CV IN)
3. ESP (TRIG OUT) -> (TRIG IN)

(MS-20 keyboard -> VCO2)
4. KEYB (CV OUT) -> VCO2 (CV IN)

(varying frequency)
5. CONTROL WHEEL -> VOLTAGE CONTOLLED OSCILATOR 1+2 (FREQ)"

U-73, Paia 9700, Sherman Filterbank2

YouTube via mtheadded. via Nusonica.
"I used a Monotonic U-73 synth, in line with a Paia 9700 Modular synth into a Sherman Filterbank"

Mystery Circuits Micro Casket

via Mike Walters of Mystery Circuits

"It's a new instrument I finished about a week ago, as a birthday gift for a friend. It's called Micro Casket. The circuits come out of those musical birthday cards, and each had its clock resistor replaced with body contacts. The songs are the ET theme, Superfreak, and Macho Man. The audio causes the red LED to flicker under the jewel lens, and there is a 1/4" output."

Beautiful design, awesome tunes. ;)

YouTube via mysterycircuits
"Built for Nick Speak's 40th birthday. The Micro Casket's sounds come from 3 circuit bent musical birthday cards. The first card plays the E.T. theme, the second plays Super Freak, the third plays Macho Man. Each circuit is identical, and declocked. Touching the metal contacts with the center metal contact affects speed and pitch of each song. Audio controls a red LED under the red jewel lens. The gear controls volume when using 1/4" output.
www.mysterycircuits.com"

Yamaha DX100 jam

YouTube via grondo2001.
"In this video I'm doing my usual drill- a drum loop + bass and EP sounds provided by the DX100. Then I'm just flicking through mainly my own programs that I created along the years. I also do some on the fly programming- who said FM programming was a nightmare? No fancy audio processing. I ran the DX through the Korg mini KP for reverb and at the end of the video for manual gating FX.For more details go to shepit.blogspot.com"

Radias and Lamp

flickr by guitarstar0011

full size

Virus C Desktop

flickr by spacedust2019

full size

Infected

http://www.synthmusic.info/mp3s/Infected.mp3
Another Waldorf Blofeld mp3 by Boele of SCD.

Novation X-Station 61 - Demo 1 - Presets

YouTube via mikamulperi.
"Just browsing through some presets and testing with Korg TR61.

For those who are yet to decide between Micron and microKorg I say: Buy Novation X-Station and you'll be saved from lot of trouble. All the knobs and sliders you'll need. Also USB-audio/midi-interface included. Runs on batteries / USB-power / PSU."

Oberheim OB8 ARP 03

YouTube via OB8rushes.
"3rd installment of Oberheim OB8 arpeggio rushes. This is again a free running, latched chord. The OB8 is in split mode and I use the high/low balance to create the dynamics in the pulses. Heavy FM from the LFO to just about everything it can."

The Mighty Boosh - Naboo & Bollo's Drugs Song

YouTube via xIntrinsicx. Sent my way via H G. Minimoog
"From The Mighty Boosh Episode 'The Strange Tale Of The Crack Fox', here's 'Naboo & Bollo's Drug Song'!"

Minimoog + SCI Pro-One + Roland JD-800 + TR-707 "RetroSound"

YouTube via retrosound72.
"synth demo by RetroSound

bass: Moog Minimoog, triggered by the MFB Step64 step sequencer and sync with the TR-707
percussive sound: SCI Pro-One, triggered by the built-in sequencer and sync with the TR-707
pads, fairlight voice & fx-sounds: Roland JD-800
drums: Roland TR-707

more info: www.retrosound.de"

KORG SQ-10 Sequencer

SN 153375 via this auction.

Cool green knobs.

"A very good old-school sequencer from Korg. Designed for the MS series synthesizers and using Korg's CV / Gate control the SQ-10 sequencer can really surprise you with some groovy basslines. Use the knobs to adjust and build up a sequence. Sure it's limited to 12 steps (with a max of 24) but when you hook that up to your MS-10, MS-20 or MS-50 you can get some pretty cool TB-303 like stuff happening. Because the SQ-10 outputs CV (Control Voltage) it can be connected to the Oscillators, VCF filters or LFO's of your MS synths for even cooler tricks. Using a CV / Gate converter allows you to use the SQ-10 with other Roland, Moog, Sequential and even MIDI synthesizers. It's definitely a fun instrument which allows you to program basslines like they did back in the early days!"

Roland MKS80 MPG80

images via this auction

Circuit Bent Guitar Synth

images via this auction

"This is a one of a kind Bent Guitar. The body is hand made from 3 project boxes and the circuit is from a teddy bear that simulates the sound of a heartbeat inside a womb. It has its own internal speaker. The only problem is that the circuit is to unstable to use a AC powered amplifier, if you do it takes on alot of noisy distortion which sound pretty cool but you can't get that clean sound unless you use it's own speaker or a battery powered amp. So to play it on stage you will have to mic it through a nice battery powered amp."