Synth.nl - New Studio Shots

New studio shots are up on synth.nl. Click on the Studio link in the header when you get there.

Roller Chester 1: Dr. Synthesizer

YouTube via drewtoothpaste
"New videos from Drew (author of daily online comic toothpastefordinner.com.)"
Be sure to check out these previous synth vids by drewtoothpaste and of course Dr. Synthesizer.

Human League Seconds Cover

YouTube via analoguecrazy4. Roland JP-8000 and Jupiter-4.
"Here is my cover of 'Seconds' by The Human League"

Waldorf Microwave 2 "Wavetable Synthesizer"

YouTube via retrosound72

"single sound demo by RetroSound with some typical Microwave II sounds my Microwave 2 inserted the XT-board with extended functions no external effects used, some patches uses the built-in delay and chorus effects"

Monome 256 flin into v-synth xt

YouTube via sidecars.

Access Virus TI Snow Demos

Virus TI Snow factory bank A demos

Contemporary electronica patches

Virus TI Snow factory bank D demos

Ambient and experimental sound design patches


Two demos via the Access TI Snow site.

x0×515’s custom acrylic case

via ladyada's ranting where you can find more shots.

verstaerkers audioexperiments

Click hear for a new blog by verstaerker. You'll currently find a ton of synth samples and studio shots. via verstaerker on the Matrixsynth Forum.

Aliens Project Studio

Click here for the Aliens Project blog where you'll find more shots including a sweet yellow hot rod.

Zwei Dunkel Jungen

YouTube via Schwiiing. KORG MicroKorg. via Ray.
"Richard Dunn interviews Zwei Dunkel Jungen, "2 Dark Boys" from Germany who have been playing together for 20 years."

And...

Cinco Midi Organizer

YouTube via neomerge. Don't miss Sports! for a Synth Babes post.
Note these are from the Tim and Eric Awesome Show on Adult Swim.

HM1973 Tyme Sefari

flickr by nakedintruder

full size

The Harvestman I973

"Voltage-controlled audio buffer/digital delay/1-shot sampler - come see it at namm (analogue haven booth, room 210 upstairs from the main lobby)"

NAMM: BIG CITY MUSIC

"Big City Music is going to NAMM, booth 6735 Hall A. We will have Eric Barbour from Metasonix unveiling his latest new piece at our booth which we're very excited about and it should keep our booth at a comfortable temperature with the heat it will be giving off. We will also feature the new Jomox prototype of the T-Resonator which will only be at the BCM booth. F-yeah. We are also really excited to have Jared and the new Future Retro XS semi-modular synthesizer on display which looks amazing. Wait, there's more! We will have a fully-functioning, 6-voice polyphonic modular synth thanks to Bob Williams of Analogue Systems in a massive dual 8500 cabinet. Here's a picture of one half of the system!
Josh"

What Synth is This?

Anyone know what the desktop synth is? I thought it could be a Roland MSQ-700, but it doesn't quite match up. The shots are small unfortunately. Here's a link to the source which appears to be Timbaland's studio.

via Nayyar

Roland Jupiter-6 Bender Circut Board Modification PXL2000

YouTube via redmartian
"A pretentious video demonstrating a Jupiter-6 with a modified bender board which allows the LFO-2 to have a much larger and useful range. See http://roland-jupiter.org/bender/ for further details."

Sequential Circuits Prophet 600 Analog Synthesizer

YouTube via retrosound72

"single sound demo with some self-made retro-sounds by RetroSound"

Equinoxe 2 J. M. Jarre cover by Synthyaro

YouTube via synthyaro
"Playing Equinoxe 2 on Korg R3."

KORG MS-04 Modulation Pedal

images via this auction

"This is more than just a footpedal though as it has it's own LFO built into it. The MS-04 is a foot pedal designed to be used with a synthesizer to control various modulation effects. Possible applications include: LFO modulated vibrato, pitch-bend "choke" effects, and sample-and-hold controlled glissando and random note effects. With the MS-04 you have foot control over these and other effects so your hands are free to play the keyboard. The MS-04 can be used with Korg and other synthesizers equipped with external control jacks.

LFO: WAVEFORM
Use this to select one of four LFO output waveforms: Cyclic sawtooth and rectangle waves for vibrato, a random noise waveform for random pitch and tone color variations, and a "glissando" waveform which is used with "bend" for stepped variations.
LFO: SPEED
This knob adjusts the LFO frequency or "speed" of variation. Turn clockwise to increase speed.
LFO: LEVEL
This adjusts the range of LFO variation. Press the pedal all the way down and set this knob to determine maximum variation.
BEND: WIDTH
This adjusts the range of (pitch) bend variation. Turn clockwise (+) away from the center click-stop for an upwards bend; turn counter clockwise (-) for a downward bend.
Press the pedal all the way down and set this knob to determine maximum variation.
LED indicator
This flashes on and off to indicate LFO speed when cords are plugged into output jacks. Useful for judging speed of vibrato, glissando and other effects.
Pedal
Controls depth of modulation. Press all the way down for maximum modulation effect.
OUTPUT-1 Mode Selector
Use to select output mode for OUTPUT-1 jack. Can be set for LFO, BEND or a combination of the two.
OUTPUT-1 (x 1) jack
This is usually connected to the synthesizer VCO (FM IN) to control pitch variation. A maximum 1-octave variation is possible (+-1V maximum variation.)
OUTPUT-2 Mode Selector
Selects output mode for OUTPUT-2 jack.
OUTPUT-2 (x 4)
This is usually connected to the synthesizer VCF (fcM IN) to control tone color variation. Maximum variation is four times that of OUTPUT-1 (+-4V maximum variation.)
Output Selector
This determines which jacks will provide an output signal. It can be set for both outputs 1 and 2 together, or for just output 1 or just output 2 alone.

ARP Odyssey MKI

images via this auction

"model 2800 (Mk1) with the first 4023 filter. This is a rare black and gold MK1. There were a few 2800's that were made with the black and gold casing. The insides though are identical to the white faced MK1.

Here is a sound clip of this particular odyssey: ARP Odyssey"

OSCar

via this auction

"OSC(oxford synthesizer company) synthesizer with latest software and midi. it was completely restored with new pots, latest software e.t.c in the UK by synthrepairservices. this synth is in perfect condition and sounds great.this synth has an amazing filter, arpeggiator, sequencer, glide."

reacTable

flickr by ChrisAC

full size

"The reacTable synthesizer system from Music Technology Group at Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona."

korgm00g

fickr by adapt™ (click for more)

full size

Korg MS20

Thighpaulsandra's Clisto Modular

via Thighpaulsandra:

"Here's a pic of part of the modular setup I used for the Clisto EP.

Synths L-R from top
2 ARP 2600s
Synthi AKS
2 Synton Fenix
Plan B/Doepfer/Cynthia racks (all Doepfer modules modified with Plan B style knobs)
Oberheim Dual SEM/MiniSequencer Modularised with midi
STS Serge Panel
Kenton Pro 4
Roland SPV-355
Oberheim DPX-1
There's a few holes in the racks made by my sick RSF Kobol which has gone for repair and my old Serge system which is being rack mounted." follow up to this post.

CalArts Plan B Analog Synthesis Symposium Jan 14-25

"Peter Grenader will be teaching a six-class course at California Institute of the Arts during the upcoming 2008 Winter Interim in room B-305. Schedule as follows:

Week 1: M/W/F 4:00–6:00
Week 2: TH/F 4:00–6:00

Credit Hours: 15

This class is limited to CalArts student body. Alumni may contact the CalArts School of Music to determine if you are eligible.

Curriculum will include a detailed overview on the operation of CalArts' new Plan B system, as well as in-depth instruction on the principles and practices of additive and subtractive analog synthesis which will include both theory and analysis of various electronic works which utilize analog technology.

Please note that Morton Subotnick will be returning to CalArts during the interim to teach two multi-session classes. One is 'Creating with New Media', and another entitled 'What Music really Is" which is also in B-305 and precedes the Plan B classes the first week. As well, Barry Schrader will be teaching an electro-acoustic flavored single session class which runs after mine next Friday

Photos the new CalArts system wil be posted here next week. It's nice, we think you'll like what you see!."

Access Virus TI Snow

link

via Mr. Array

Ultravox 1984 setup jpg

via gcoudert on VSE.

CHOPPA ELECTRIC IMPROVISED MUSIC FESTIVAL

More info on this Singapore event on SoNiCbRaT.

The Pluto 3000

via vout:

"It shows an amazing (DIY?) synth, the Pluto 3000, I've never seen or heard of it before, but it has some great features, including the enormous patch panels, 4 mod wheels, ribbon controller etc. There's lots of other good stuff on this site, unfortunately (for me) it is in Czeck.

Cheers, vout"

If anyone can read Czeck, please comment or shoot me an email with more info on what the page says. I'm most curious as to the story behind it. You can find the page with more images and info here. The following is the module list:

" * 3x VCO s PWM na bázi CEM 3340
* 1x Low Frequency VCO
* 1x Ring Modulation
* 1x VCF 24dB HP/LP
* 1x VCF 12dB HP/LP
* 4x ADSR
* 1x ADSR Control
* 3x LFO
* 2x VC-LFO
* 1x Envelope Follower
* 1x Sample & Hold
* 1x Wave Form Processor
* 1x Color Noise Generator
* 1x 6in MIX
* 2x 3in MIX
* 3x VCA
* 2x Interval Divider
* 1x MIDI -> 6xCV+portamento/1xGate
* 1x 3oct. Keyboard
* 4x Modulation Wheel
* 1x Joystick
* 1x Ribbon Controller"

Roland GR-500 on Aliens Project

More images here via sequencer.de.

KX25, KX49, KX61, AND KX8 USB KEYBOARD STUDIOS

Keyword is "STUDIOS"
"They also feature a range of drum, guitar, bass, keyboard and other musical phrases built in, minimizing the need for complex manual MIDI data programming. Complete compositions can easily be created with just one finger. Of course Yamaha keyboard know-how acquired and refined through years of experience offers feel and response that provide optimum musical control and comfort for smooth production."

More info on Yamaha's site here. Under the specifications and features I see reference to a 342 type arpeggiator which I'm guessing is the implementation of the above.

"The KX Series features a built-in arpeggiator with more than 500 pre-programmed phrases. Select an instrument and style, then simply hold the appropriate notes on the keyboard to play or enter the MIDI phrase data. For example, a guitarist could create a demo by entering all the required parts other than guitar by using the arpeggiator, and then overdub the actual guitar tracks. The KX Series makes it easy to create background music for your home page, backing for solo practice, and much more."

You can find the arpeggio list type here. Now we just need a built in multitrack step sequencer.

Pro One Session

via Resofreak's public channel. via sequencer.de.

microKORG vs Moog Minimoog

YouTube via nickeax. via Nusonica.
"A sound off between two great synths. The Mini is my 1974 D model."

Update via Nick in the comments: "Here's some images of the waveforms: link"

Roland TR-606 The Beast

images via this auction, via the Matrixsynth Forum.

"Roland TR-606 with 'The Beast' modification. This is by far the best 606 mod available, implemented to the highest quality by the designer. This mod doesn't come cheap. I'm gutted to let this go, but one of my monitors died over christmas, and I need to raise funds fast for a new set. Amazing condition, and awesome sounds.

Separate outs and kill buttons for all sounds, as well as the following tone controls:

CLICK FOR MORE »

modular synth circuit bent sequencers

YouTube via bubagoo
"This video shows two casio keyboards, a drum toy, switch sequencer, mini modular synth and analog sequencer all linked together.

I built the modular synth and sequencer based on schematics from
http://www.musicfromouterspace.com/
If you want to get into building analog synth gear, but don't know where to start, go to this site!!! Super helpful, tons of info and he has lots of circuitboards for sale.

The switch sequencer is the blue box second from the left. This is the central brain for this whole operation. Schematics for this piece can be found on my website:
http://www.casperelectronics.com/fini...

This is used to trigger the drum toy (rehoused in the brown box to the left) and is also triggering the casio keyboards which are pretty quiet in this video. The switch sequencer is also outputing a clock pulse which is being fed to the analog sequencer which is controlling the analog synth. What you get is a link between circuit bent instruments and analog synth gear."

Sequential Circuits Prophet 600

YouTube via ludwigtrap
"In 1982 Sequential Circuits introduced the worlds first commercially available MIDI synthesizer; the Prophet 600. This noise maker was built for slasher films, prog-rock and is a riot to play."

Synthesized Scarlatti in W. Carlos Style - Stereo

YouTube via Elhardt

"Here are some experiments I did in trying to mimic the style of Walter/Wendy Carlos' synthesizer technique and style of timbres. Carlos was using a 1960's era patchable modular Moog synthesizer with a different architecture than that of the Alesis Andromeda synthesizer. Each one has some advantages and disadvantages over the other but both use analog circuitry.

This video includes about 3/5 of a harpsichord sonata by Scarlatti. It is played by hand on a velocity sensitive keyboard, one monophonic passage at a time, and overdubbed onto multi-track.

Be sure to check out other related videos in my synthesizer series, and check back now and then as I will be posting more in the near future."

Korg Mini KP

YouTube via mtheadded
"All sounds from patch 99 "Synth + Looper. Background pre recorded on computer"

Sequential Circuits Prophet T8 Bronski Beat - Small Town Boy

YouTube via lewisjp8young
"i made this clip before i changed my studio around. i already played this song on a minimoog an memorymoog but i thought i will stick this on here anyway. hope you like it."

ribbon controller 2008

video upload by ouijafeet

"Demo of ribbon controller made by me and played on my Minimoog Voyager."

and one more:

ribbon controller demo


"Analog synth ribbon controller demo of "In Search Of" theme."

STUDIO ELECTRONICS SE-1

images via this auction

"'Seen where the sound of success was heard, the SE-1 recreated the power of the classic Moog tone and far more. The distinctive Oberheim filter and numerous additional features helped to make this Hiphop and R&B legend the serious professional's source for the boominest basses and smoothest, wormiest leads on the planet. The SE-1X continues in this tradition, remaining true to its roots, while stepping up its functionality and form; wide open to future expansion and exploration via its Flash-ROM operating system –not to mention the boundless creativity of our supernal sound designers!' It is well known that this instrument was created with the help of Bob Moog himself!" Is it? If you know feel free to comment.

Roland MC-202

images via this auction

"The MC-202 was sort of a next-generation TB-303. So the idea was to program sequence/patterns into it internally which would give you those 303 basslines that we've come to love. You can control it externally by hooking up a MID-CV/Gate converter. Then you basically have yourself an SH-101!

The sequencer is actually a 2-channel CV/gate sequencer, with both channels being capable of driving a separate external synth. It's a very useful unit, also, for its DINsync capabilities; it can receive on one port, and send over two, and also can 'split' DINsync to branch a sync signal out to multiple devices.

This machine is best for those who want to get 303-like patterns (it has accent just like the 303) and basslines with an SH-101 sound. If you can handle programming the notes into its sequencer you can have a lot of fun.

The MC202 is a sequencer and simple monophonic synth with 32 buttons arranged like a small keyboard (F-C).

The monosynth is similar to the SH-101. The VCO is based around the ever-so-popular Curtis 3340 chip and features a slider switch for octave (2', 4', 8', 16'), a slider for pulse width, and one for modulation (LFO) amount. The VCO outputs a square/pulse wave, a sawtooth wave, and a sub-oscillator which are mixed together in the "Source Mixer" section. The sub-oscillator is switchable between a square wave 1 octave down, a square wave 2 octaves down, and a pulse wave 3 octaves down. There are knobs which control fine tune and portamento. The VCF section has a slider for cutoff frequency and resonance. There is a slider for each of its control sources: envelope, LFO, and keyboard. The VCA can be controlled by a simple gate or the Envelope. The envelope is an ADSR with a slider for each stage.

The sequencer is quite powerful for its time. The MC-202 features a large (for the time) LCD display, upon which all the sequencing editing is displayed. The two available sequences can be played simultaneously using the CV/gate outputs to control another sequencer. The sequences can have a combined total of 2729 events. Sequences can be entered in real time via the pushbutton keyboard or via another keyboard using the CV/gate inputs. This feature has a negative side, though. Since all incoming CV/gate signals are routed through the microprocessor, there is a bit of a lag when the MC-202 is played by a another keyboard or a MIDI-to-CV device. The Sequences can also be programmed using step-time, setting a separate pitch and duration for each note. Also programmable in a sequence is accent and portamento. Accent works the same as in the TB-303, with an accent amount knob that can be adjusted in real time as the sequence is playing. The speed of the sequence is also controlled by a knob.

The back panel has a sync input and two sync outputs, a tape interface for saving and loading sequences, CV/gate inputs and two CV/gate outputs (one for each sequence), a headphone jack, and a main output jack.

The MC-202 came out at a time when the synthesizer market was just starting to impliment MIDI. After MIDI became an accepted standard, sequencers such as the MC-202, using the old-style CV/gate interface, quickly lost popularity and died away."

Oberheim OBX in a Dime Bag

via this auction

just add water

chi, chi, chi, chia

Thighpaulsandra's Clisto

Peter Grenader of Plan B actually sent the following to the Plan B list. I thought I'd put up a post.

"All,

Another fantastic CD offering from Thighpaulsandra, without a doubt one of the strongest works he's released. We're humbled by his decision to include our instruments in it's production. The Model 13 is immediately evident at it's start.

Without hesitation I can recommend you purchase a copy, else suffer from second-best syndrome with every other record in your collection.

There's nothing more I can add. Just buy it."

You can find the CD on Thighpaulsandra's website. You might also remember Thighpaulsandra from the recent Analog Live!

A day with analog synths

YouTube via thomasalsina. Sent my way via Jez.
"December 2007, Marigny theater. That day, all the synths decided to give up on Jean Michel Jarre, who spent the day re-tuning them. And in the evening, the main synth lost its tune at the beginning of the show, leaving JMJ struggling to play the right note. Painful."

How to Play the Synth Update

Remember this book? Some scans of the content are up! Click here for them courtesy of Adamo W .Jr. II.

"Due to popular demand, I've scanned a few pages out of this classic book, I stumbled across in my last visit to India. I saw the cover and thought it was simply irresistable.

It's obvious that the Indian conception of this instrument is a complete 170 from how any western musician would see it. This is from another planet, albeit very serious. There's no intention to offend anyone here, but this stuff in my view is simply hysterical.

It was difficult to select the pages to scan here, but there's some true gold here.

Enjoy!"

Update via heliospace in the comments:
"I don't think it's a 170. Knowing that many Indians are not educated the same way we are here, I think those pages describing how a synth works and such are in good detail for those who are unable to follow technology to its fullest.

I have a friend, assistant professor at the UMN who has done extensive research on Goa, India particularly and I highly recommend his book: "Psychedelic White: Goa Trance and the Viscosity of Race"

It talks about white people and their influence on India, particularly the area in and around Goa. It's non-biased and mostly based off of supported evidence. A great read if anybody reading this cares at all about that culture, the electronic music scene and where a lot of EDM styles came from...or were being created before they made it to the states ;)

-d"

A New Synth Toon by Dave

via Dave of one of our synth favorites, The Packrat, as well as numerous other tunes and music on umop. You might also recall him from some of his more, let's say, "interesting" artwork for Metasonix.

"The Daily Toon I just sent along to you was made using actual art my brother made back in 1978 when he was 11 years old.

From time to time I scan in old artwork from his "Kiss Story" cartoons that he made back in the day, "embellishing" them for contemporary consumption. This consumption can lead to some serious gastric side effects, so please consider yourself at risk. Anyway, this time out I unearthed some pretty amazing-looking synth rigs he drew. Most amazing of all is how little either one of us knew about synths back then; being a Peter Criss fan, he primarily made these toons as an excuse to draw drums and spaceships.

--
--Dave
http://www.umop.com"

Metasonix Puzzle Take 2

This one via sean. You can see sighups' here. Put the two together and you get closer. The individual images are going up on umop.

Arlo Guthrie & Doug Dillard

YouTube via jguth3. via baghead.
"DUELING BANJO & SYNTH.
August 1983 we got together with some friends in our living room. Doug Dillard was among the many pickers. This is at the end of the night. Penny Nichols, John Pilla, most of the pickers went home.

BTW, that's Cathy on the phone. She is now Vice President of our Record Company. Reuben Taylor is some executive for a digital film company out in LA. Annie runs the record company with Cathy and Sarah Lee is still running around and singing to this day.
www.risingsonrecords.com"

Eminent 310 and Solina-V Reaktor Emulations

You can find samples and the dowloads (free) here.

via hugo

KNECT YAMAHA CS80

click here for a site on the Yamaha CS80. The site includes the following:

Introduction
CS80 Features
CS80 User Manual
CS80 Overview Block Diagram
CS80 Overall Circuit Diagram
CS80 Service Manual and Circuit Diagrams

Mort Garson Has Passed Away

Mort Garson born July 20, 1924 passed away on January 4, 2008. He was an electronic musician that worked primarily with the MOOG (modular) Synthesizer. One of his most recognizable albums is pictured below.

Mort Garson on Wikipedia
Mort Garson on Space Age Pop Music

Recordings via Space Age Pop Music:
* Bossa Nova for All Ages (by the Continentals), Canadian-American SCALP-1009
* Symphony for Soul (by the Total Eclipse), Imperial LP-12353
* Sea Drift (by the Dusk 'Til Dawn Orchestra), Elektra EK 4008/EKS 74008
* Zodiac Cosmic Sounds, Elektra EK 4009/EKS 74009
* Electronic Hair Pieces, A&M SP 4209
* Signs of the Zodiac: Aires, A&M 4211
* Signs of the Zodiac: Virgo, A&M SP 4212
* Signs of the Zodiac: Gemini, A&M SP 4213
* Signs of the Zodiac: Leo, A&M SP 4215
* Signs of the Zodiac: Scorpio, A&M SP 4218
* Signs of the Zodiac: Sagittarius, A&M SP 4219
* Signs of the Zodiac: Aquarius, A&M SP 4221
* Signs of the Zodiac: Pisces, A&M SP 4222
* Wozard of Id, A&M SP 4156
* Do Not Disturb (soundtrack), Columbia 4-43459
* Lucifer : Black Mass, United Artists UAS 73111
* Music for Sensuous Lovers by "Z," Sensuous Anthem-5800
* Ataraxia: The unexplained, electronic musical impressions of the occult, RCA Victor APL1-1217