Monday, December 17, 2007
Kawai SX-210 Analog Synthesizer
YouTube via mcvadsr. "Analog Keyboard (1983)"
Update via Qwave:
"Here is a short personal review of this Kawai SX-210 I now own for half an year:
Kawai SX-210
common info:
This is a single DCO per voice synth from the pre Midi times. It got 32 sound memories on board and a HUGE 6 digit alphanumeric display for the sound names.
sound:
Well a single DCO per voice (8 voices all together) is nothing special. But the filter is a SSM 2044 analog filter chip. As used in many great synth. Including the PPG wave. But this is the only thing it got in common with a PPG.
The DCOs are of cause very stable in pitch. No autotune needed (or featured). And they are not sounding bad just because they are digital controlled. The wave shaping is still analog.
interface:
Think Moog Source:
a single endless rotary with a two digit (0 to 99) LED display for the values. All switches and buttons got an LED to show their status (on/off on button switches). Or the LEDs show what gray button is selected to be edited with the big wheel. There are no hidden functions and no second level button use. This makes it straight forward.
features:
You can stack 2 voices for an 4 voice mode. Or stack them all for a bug monophonic sound. Of cause the DCOs will be slightly detuned (preset) for a wider sound. No split or layer mode, because this is a non-multi-timbral synth. You can use a chord memory. And it will be stored with the sound.
The DCO got saw, pulse, sub (- 1 oct) square wave and (white) noise. You can use a combination of them or all together. But no mixer available.
The LFO is routable to the pulse wide, the filter, the VCA or retriggering the envelopes in any given combination. The LFO got saw, triangle and square wave. The reverse button let you change the phase. This is a great help on the saw wave. There is only one LFO shared by all voices. That is most like noticed if you use the delay parameter of the LFO.
The pitch bender is a Roland styled one. This is nothing I am used to (yet).
On the top right of the userinterface there is a red button to switch the preset analogue ensemble FX on or off. And this FX makes the Kawai SX-210 to the very best programmable string keyboard
A clear 6 letter/number read out for the sound names was a big plus in the early eighties. And although you have 16 or more digest on most synths today, you will prefer six digit read out more then no user sound name at all.
likes:
- anlog SSM filters
- pwm by the LFO to widen the sound
- 2 envelopes
- clear layout and easy to use interface
- preset ensemble FX
dislikes:
- no mod-wheel. But you can shut of the LFO with a single button
- no velocity or aftertouch
- mass storage beyond 32 patches by tape interface only
- no user changeable detune for stacks
- no other FX parameter then on/off for the ensemble FX
- no S&H on the LFO
- no visual feedback for the pitch of stacked notes (chord memory function). Nice for octave layers.
__________________
keep on turning these knobs
Till "Qwave" Kopper"
Korg esx-1
YouTube via poesinoire.
"First delete all the crapy samples from korg: reset the machine! Then record on a computer your sound with quality effex and then load it and sequence it in the esx. The most important knobs are Modulation, Filter, and EG! Use the out for different channel of a mixer and send effex. Dub it live my friends!!!"
Studio Electronics ATC-1
images via this auctionFrom the manual:
"The ATC-1 is a truly modern Analog synthesizer, incorporating authentic discrete component circuitry with complete MIDI implementation and total programmability. Control of the parameters from the optical encoder is smooth and precise. Its creative and intuitive design incorporates unique features and functions, allowing the discerning musician complex tone manipulation and seemingly infinite patch variations.
The electronically produced sound of the ATC-1 is vibrant, warm, and "punchy"; possessing the highly pleasing qualities of inherent randomness in pitch and timbre, like those of a fine acoustic instrument."
Sunday, December 16, 2007
CrackleBook by WorthEkik
trent's keyboard laboratory...
via Adrian Belew's elephant blog. Sent my way via Mike. That would obviously be Trent as in NIN's Trent Reznor. Mike previously sent us this video of, I believe, Alessandro Cortini, also of NIN.BTW, check out my "Matrixsynth Thanks" section on the right. It contains a list of some of the more known synth oriented artists that have contributed to this site either via the comments, submissions for posts or just kind emails showing support. BTW, if you know of someone I missed, let me know.
DEVO - Girl U want / Gates of steel
video upload by UNDERGROUND NOISE
"Devo performing live on 'fridays' in 1980."
Sequential Circuits Prophet-5, Moog Minimoog, & ARP Odyssey.
See dealers on the right for pricing and availability on gear.
LABELS/MORE: ARP, MOOG, Sequential Circuits, Video
LABELS/MORE: ARP, MOOG, Sequential Circuits, Video
roland sh09 demo
YouTube via sawwaveanalog.
"a video of my ugly sh09.. for sale or trade if you have something neat. ugly, but very functional."
Jean Michel Jarre Live at Theatre Marigny Dec 13
YouTube via jarrecl. Videos:
Jean Michel Jarre - Oxygene 12 (Live at Theatre Marigny)
Jean Michel Jarre - Oxygene 6 (Live at Theatre Marigny)
Jean Michel Jarre - Variation 3 (Live at Theatre Marigny)
Jean Michel Jarre - Oxygene 4 (Live at Theatre Marigny)
Jean Michel Jarre - Oxygene 2 (Live at Theatre Marigny)
electroscape @ DIY Festival Zürich
YouTube via softfreak.
"electroscape at the diy festival zürich 08.12.07 http://www.electroscape.net"
Compo 04
YouTube via croco64. This one reminded me a bit of Michael Brook.
"My fourth composition on piano but my first on my Korg X50"
Tenori-On
YouTube via chachijones.
"CNET's Donald Bell interviews Yamaha's Yu Nishibori about his Tenori-On electronic music sequencing instrument. Shot on location at Robotspeak in San Francisco.
If you embed this video, please link to the blog post it originates from: link"
Focus the Dutch prog rock band and my harps Birth
YouTube via totaltwit. Ensoniq SD1.
"My attempt at the harpsichord intro to this tune. This one is really only for those into Focus and enjoy playing their tunes. This is the short harpsichord segment at the begining of a tune called Birth from the album Hamburger Concerto, as you will know!"
Ensoniq EPS M
images via this auction"Polyphonic with eight individual track outputs and 16 midi assignment tracks. Versatile editing capability. This module uses Mirage and similar Ensoniq and after-market (small floppy) disks."
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Holiday Music by Jonathan Hughes
via Jonathan Hughes:"I'm a long-time reader of and occasional poster to matrixsynth. For the past few years around this time, my friends and I have done a Holiday CD. It's usually all original stuff, and nothing like normal holiday music. There are several songs that might be of particular interest to you and the readers of matrixsynth (especially if you can't stand listening to normal holiday music). They're completely electronic, and feature singing robots (well, not really -- it's the VocalWriter software). The songs are all supposed to be at least mildly amusing, and they seem to go over well with kids. But anyone who likes synth pop should appreciate them.
Featured synths include: Roland SH101 (all the solos are on the SH101), Dave Smith MEK, Waldorf Micro Q and Microwave XT, and Roland JP8000, plus Native Instruments' Battery loaded with vintage drum machine samples. I'd that the analog stuff (including analog drum machine samples) makes up about 75% of the songs.
You can find the songs here:
http://www.jonathanhughes.com/holiday.html
These are the electronics songs:
"The Only Present I Want"
"Robot and Snowman in 3D"
"Robot Holiday" (this is in the 2006 section)
I hope you like them
Jonathan Hughes"
See dealers on the right for pricing and availability on gear.
LABELS/MORE: Audio, DSI, Native Instruments, Roland, Soft Synths, Waldorf
LABELS/MORE: Audio, DSI, Native Instruments, Roland, Soft Synths, Waldorf
JoMoX XBase 888
"XBASE 888Hoping to continue the grand tradition of these unique and intuitive analog instruments, while at the same time updating their abilities with the latest technologies, we are proud to introduce the JoMoX XBASE 888, our newest analog drum machine. It combines the ultimate vintage sound with a modern, intuitive interface for both modern studio and live requirements.
· 9 Instruments
Bass Drum, Snare Drum, Lo Tom, Hi Tom, Hi Hat, Clap, Rim, Crash and Ride. All instruments are polyphonically playable and have individual outs. From HH section onwards it's short 8-bit samples played back with an analog envelope. The sample flash ROM contains 31 samples per instrument, so there's a total of 155 samples.
· Real analog sound production
on BD, SD, LT and HT with digital control, means storeability and midi-controlability of all parameters. To make the disturbance of analog circuitry as small as possible, all D/A converters are specially adapted to the circuits and being integrated - with proven XBase/AirBase technology.
· 16 knobs
Sound editing is made by endless rotary encoders for every analog parameter which lets you edit the sounds without any jumps or awkward turning jobs.
Close to each knob there is a 3-color LED indicating which parameters for the selected instrument are editable.
· Improved kick drum
The most famous sound of the old XBase09 was actually the kick drum. We have even put a parameter on top and provided the most wicked bass drum in the world with a compression value that lets you decide between a 909-style ultra compressed envelope or an 808-ish exponential curve.
· Analog tom toms
For the beat freak there is also some extremely good sounding and widely editable analog tom toms included.
· Internal step sequencer
The XBASE 888 has the genious step sequencer build in already. There are some improvements to the old products: all patterns are A/B patterns, and it's your choice if it's 2 alternating 16 step patterns ore one 32 step pattern. The sequencer is made up by 3-color LEDs to indicate the individual step edit modes known from the XBase09 even better and more intuitive.
The micro shuffle can now be edited for each instrument individually.
Bank select has now an own switch. 4 banks with each 16 A/B patterns are made available, which results in 128 actual 16 step patterns.
· Stereo mix with pan control
All instruments except for kick drum can be panned in the stereo bus. If a plug is inserted to an individual input, the signal is spared out of the stereo bus.
· External midi tracks
As with the XBase classic there are at 4 tracks to control external devices by programmable midi notes.
· 2 LFOs
Of course the XBASE 888 has again two phat LFOs that can be beat syncronized or run freely and can be routed to any destination.
· Hi Hat Filter
The Hi Hat section contains a great sounding analog band pass filter with independend lowpass, highpass and resonance controls. Other than the 8-bit HH samples, analog noise can be the sound source as well.
· 2x24 Character LCD display
For a more convenient and clear operation the XBASE 888 has a big alphanumerical LCD display. Kits can be named and the analog step sequencer has a bar display.
· Flash sound ROM
The sound flash memory in the percussion section (HH, Clap, Rim, Crash, Ride) which contains 31 samples per instrument can be overwritten by the user via midi sample dump in order to create own samples.
We provide a free tool that converts your *.wav or *.AIFF samples into the right formatted XBASE 888 structure and lets you dump your own created short samples into the XBASE 888.
Further changes without notification"
whiz
YouTube via jasonkramer1
via sendling.
"early demo of whiz. visual lfo editor + 28 step sequencer. the puppy is Max."
10voicePS3100
Roland JP8000 JP 8000 Jupiter Juno demo
YouTube via synthartist69
"I had a few request for a demo of the JP8000 so here is a super quick one for you!"
Mining, PA, 1904 -- MG-1 Blues
YouTube via Goldenthrush. "My Woman Left Me And Took The Hammond, So All I Got Left Is A MG-1 Blues".
"This film, I'll warn you now, is in very bad shape. I did what I could with it with iMovie's filters, but it's a prime example of a piece of our historic record that is in dire need of restoration.
An "actuality" film, that is, footage of people doing normal people stuff, this documents aboveground work at a Pennsylvania coal mine. You'll see three explosions to start, one while the camera is panning; the second, two guys go running out of a mine while a third watches, then boom; and the third, a cool under-snow explosion.
Then it moves on to a horse drawing a dump wagon up to a steam shovel. It's amazing seeing how effortlessly the man running it managed the machine.
And finally, it shows the gravity rail that was moving coal up and out of the mine.
Tedd's father worked (briefly) as a coal miner in PA, with his father. This was where Tedd's Dad learned the old truism "you don't have to run faster than the explosion you just caused, just faster than your old man".
Yep, Tedd's dad's stint as a miner was pretty short.
Speaking of the misfits, the music is not a blues, and is actually titled: "My Woman Left Me And Took The Hammond, So All I Got Left Is A MG-1 Blues".
Synthesizer players hate it or love it, the poor little poly-synth enjoys a peculiar place in reality. Tedd loves his, obviously.
In this piece, the MG-1 is set to emulate our Hammond, and does so pretty well, I think.
And I really have no idea why it got the excessively long name. I suppose I should be happy he didn't come tear-assing out of the studio with an explosion on his heels.
Some rights reserved.
Welcome To Route 66"
See dealers on the right for pricing and availability on gear.
LABELS/MORE: MOOG, Radio Shack, Realistic, Video
LABELS/MORE: MOOG, Radio Shack, Realistic, Video
Marion 8 Voice Analog Synthesizer ( by Tom Oberheim )
via this auction
"The MSR-2 is an Analog 8-voice Polyphonic Synthesizer."
Note the OB-Xa and Ob-8 style blue stripes on black. Anyone out there know what Curtis chips these used and if/how they compare to the Prophet '08?
Oberheim OB-Mx
via this auctionNot the best shot, but you don't see these often. What is interesting is I think the Oberheim OB-Mx wins hands down for the absolute worst ebay shots ever. It actually is a bit fascinating when you think about it.
BTW, another interesting bit of synth info is if you click here you will see every single synth shot I've gathered since I started the blog. You can do a search for any synth and you will see how many images come up for each. This will give you an idea of how often particular synths come up on ebay, or rather the ones I've posted. I *think* the Juno-106 reigns king but I could be wrong. If you find a synth I've grabbed more shots of off the bay feel free to post it in the comments.
Inside the Alesis Micron
"Here’s a few pictures inside my Alesis Micron. I was expecting to
find a Freescale(Motorola) or Analog Sharc DSP but instead I found these low
cost Wavefront AL3101CG DSP’s. Nine of them to be exact, 8 for voices and 1 for
effects. These are interfaced to a Freescale Coldfire micro via some FPGA glue
logic. Some time ago Alesis sold semiconductors for audio and ADAT applications
but has since ceased doing that. I
wonder if Wavefront is the same group? Perhaps someone else knows."
If anyone knows more, feel free to comment.
If anyone knows more, feel free to comment.
See dealers on the right for pricing and availability on gear.
LABELS/MORE: Alesis, FPGA, synth guts
LABELS/MORE: Alesis, FPGA, synth guts
Analog Synthesizers; Understanding, Performing, Buying
"In this book, the technical explanation of the nature of analog sound creation is followed by the story of its birth and its subsequent development by various designers, manufacturers and performers. The individual components of analog sound creation are then examined in detail, with step by step examples of sound creation techniques. Then the modern imitative analog instruments are examined, again with detailed instructions for programming and using them, and the book is completed with appendices listing the major instrument lines available, hints on values and purchasing, other sources of information, and a discography of readily available recordings which give good examples of analog sound synthesis. The CD which accompanies the book gives many examples of analog sound creation basics as well as more advanced techniques, and of the abilities of the individual instruments associated with classical and with imitative analog sound synthesis."click here for more. via brian c.
The System - You Are In My System
YouTube via criticalbeat. Black PPG Waveterm.
"Great music video from The System for the hit single "You Are In My System". Released in 1983 (Atlantic Records)."
Update via Qwave in the comments:
"I wonder what is under the PPG waveterm A.
And where is the PPG wave 2.2 that would play the sounds created by the waveterm?
And this keyboard with the QWERTY keyboard inside is very unique. And it isn't a PPG keyboard for sure.
So we see a PPG waveterm here that loads a "Transiant File" (="sample" in PPG terms) on page 3.0.
The PPG EVU (= Extension Voice Unit) is based on the PPG wave 2.3 and does not work with a Waveterm A sample at all. The PPG wave 2.3 doesn't load them the right way too.
I had a PPG system ith a wave 2.2 and a 2.3.
And an upgraded waveterm A that ran waveterm B software. Bt the reformat disk for booting in waveterm A mode was bad, so I could not use my wave 2.2 together with the waveterm for sampling. But of cause for the very special Event Generator (not realtime sequencer!) of the PPG waveterm B.
keep on turning these knobs
Till "Qwave" Kopper"
Oscillator Cross Modulation "Chatter Box"
YouTube via isotopeofme. via poictesme on the Matrixsynth Forum.
"Cross modulating the 2 oscillators in my doepfer modular synth and running the resulting "chatter" through the VC phase shifter."
1000Bells
Another Waldorf Blofeld sample by Boele of SCD: 1000Bells.mp3
Friday, December 14, 2007
Breadboarding Filters - reloaded
AX80 voice board
flickr by mabel.sound.This is a follow-up to this post via Inverseroom on Inside electronic instruments. Shots of the Wurlitzer 206 and Akai AX80 have been added to the set.
Tenori-On Demo Fun
SUZUKI WARAKU japanese exotic KOTO synthesizer
via this auction, via inverseroom.
"WARAKU is extremely rare and one of the most strange japanese electronic musical instruments it was originally made for playing japanese traditinal music and made by SUZUKI(home of omnichord,NOBARA,tronichord..) but this is one of most strange & bizzare instrument SUZUKI ever made...
WARNING! WARAKU is looks like classic japanese taisho koto(japanese peacock harp) but WARAKU IS COMPLETE ELECTRONIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT NOT ACOUSTIC INSTRUMENTS
WARAKU was very expensive and made very limited quantities those days it was made for the very small circle of the people who seriously studying japanese traditional music and never sold at ordinary musical instruments market so i'ts very hard to find even in Japan these days this is your first and last chance to get this bizzare exotic gem!
first of all it's very beautifull! built in classy exotic wood case in classic taisho koto(japanese peacock harp)shape with strange shape 27 key keyboard(same key as classic japanese peacock harp) with 5 string bridge and 4 assignable drum pads it has 16 sounds(all exotic japanese traditional instruments like koto, shamisen, shakuhachi, weird voice etc) and in percussion mode you can play many exotic percussions by keyboard or assignable drum pad there are pitch bend lever and vibrate switch, OUTPUT JACK and HEADPHONE OUT and surprisingly it has MIDI OUT!, so you can play external MIDI module by WARAKU's unique 5 strings or keyboard size is approx W89cm D17cm H10cm
you can play WARAKU by keyboards(polyphonic) or 5 string bridge and 4 assignable drum pads( this unique 5 string brdge can play by usual guitar pick hold one key of the keyboards and play each 5 string bridge by pick like guitar 5 string brdge is sumilate japanese traditinal instruments like taisho koto(japanese peacock harp) etc.. japanese harp musician often uses fast trill play so it has above 3 strings with same sounds 4th string is -1 octave from first 3 strings(in the case you choose taisho koto,other case same as above 3 strings) 5th strings is bass string (you can set it favorite tone) string is touch sensible with verocity and totally electronic device, it's not just simply electrical amplified like usual electric guitar, complete electronic!
WARAKU has MIDI OUT so you can play another MIDI synth by this unique 5 string brdge this 5 strings are very effective for guitar,bass kind of string instruments it's feeling like guitar synthesizer
4 drum pad is also touch sensitive and can easily playing by your fingers assign drum sounds to pad is very easy,just hold one key and hit the one pad in percussion mode drum sounds consists of many exotic japanese traditional percussions of course in drum mode you can play all of them on keybord
WARAKU's sounds are very hi quality,exotic and strange!,very unique original sounds and playing by 5 string bridge wiyh pick is very funny experience"
click here for more images.
Miracle Piano Teach System
One last one via Andre.Anyone remember these? I do. Never played one though. I wonder what the "Synthesizer" sounded like.
Techni Musique Synthé Vocal (French vocal synth for C64)
"Built in 1984 by the french company Techni Musique based in Clermont-Ferrand. This unit has also been massively produced for the Amstrad 464/6128 and distributed in primary schools with the 'Plan informatique pour tous'. Unfortunately the Commodore 64 hadn’t a big success in France so this Commodore 64 version seems to be quite rare!"
You can find more info including images and a sample via stamba on the Matrixsynth Forum
Analogue Miniature 18
Analogue Miniature 17
Korg MS2000 a brief introduction with electric friends
YouTube via totaltwit.
"A quick look at the Korg MS2000 synth and a sound that got me playing Gary Numan's Our Friends Electric"
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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
