NAMM: LinnDrum II Prototype

"Update: January 17, 2008

Happy new year! Today is the first day of the 2008 Winter NAMM Show and, for the first time ever, Dave Smith Instruments is introducing two new products. We'll be showing a prototype of the LinnDrum II Analog (previously announced as BoomChik). It doesn't do much yet, but it's finally more than just a nice Roger Linn rendering. As you might imagine, this is a very software-intensive project, so having hardware is just one step towards completion. But it is a step. And those pads with the blue backlighting are mesmerizing! Check out the LinnDrum II Analog product page for more information."

more info. via MG.

NAMM: Roland Fantom-G6 Workstation

"Reaching New Levels of Power and Luxury Features

Introducing the most powerful and luxurious live workstation in Roland history. The Fantom-G is a dream instrument that redefines the boundaries of playability and creativity with its advanced sound engine, revolutionary ARX SuperNATURAL™ expansion bay, large-sized color LCD, powerful new audio/MIDI sequencer and more.

* Advanced sound engine with double wave capacity of previous flagship workstations
* 2 x ARXexpansion with SuperNATURAL — the world’s greatest performance-expression technology
* Graphic user interface with extra-large 8.5” wide color LCD and mouse connectivity
* Newly developed onboard audio/MIDI sequencer with 128 tracks, including 24 audio tracks
* Multi-FX for each part; up to 22 effects routings can be programmed simultaneously
* Heavy-duty casing with aluminum panel"

more info

The Sounds and Music of the RCA Electronic Music Synthesizer

via Orpheus Music where you will find more.

"Mark from The Reverse Time Page, your trusted source for "early radios, vacuum tubes, electric clocks, and unusual technological debris of the past" (www.uv201.com) posted all eight sides of this obscure record. Many many thanks Mark!

* Side 1: The Synthesis of Music-The Physical Characteristics of Musical Sounds (7:13, 3.3 mb)
* Side 2: The Synthesis of Music-Synthesis by Parts (Part 1) (5:55, 2.7 mb)
* Side 3: The Synthesis of Music-Synthesis by Parts (Part 2) (4:37, 2.1 mb)
* Side 4: Excerpts from Musical Selections (Part 1) (6:05, 2.8 mb)
* Side 5: Excerpts from Musical Selections (Part 2) (3:28, 1.6 mb)
* Side 6: Complete Selections-Bach Fugue No. 2, Brahms Hungarian Dance No. 1 (4:47, 2.2 mb)
* Side 7: Complete Selections-Oh Holy Night (Adam), Home Sweet Home (Bishop) (6:42, 3.1 mb)
* Side 8: Complete Selections-Stephen Foster Medley, Nola (Arndt), Blue Skies (Berlin) (7:49, 3.6 mb)"

Akai XR20

"THE PERFECT PORTABLE BEAT MACHINE.
Inspiration can happen anywhere. The XR20 is loaded with pro-grade, industrial-strength drum, percussion, bass, synth, sound effects, vocal and instrument hit sounds and has the ability to lay them in a groove wherever and whenever you're ready.

Over 700 pre-loaded sounds, and an integrated effects engine for Reverb, EQ and Compression put you in full control of your beat production. A microphone input is even included for mixing vocals with your patterns. Brilliant backlit pads provide visual cues for added beat precision.

The XR20 features sounds of standard and electronic drums, single (one-shot) hits, bass and synth sounds to easily create your maximum mix in minimal time."

more info

NAMM: Akai MPC5000

"The MPC5000 is the first MPC ever to include 8-track streaming hard disk recording, a 20-voice, 3-oscillator analog synthesizer with arpeggiator, a new sequencing engine with 960 ppq resolution, pad and track muting and mixing, 64 continuous sample tracks. There's even a new FX engine with 4 FX buses and 2FX per bus.

In addition, the MPC5000 features a 64-voice drum/phrase sampler with 64MB memory Ð expandable up to 192MB. The display is twice the size of the MPC2500 and MPC1000 so waveforms appear crystal-clear. Integrated Chop Shop 2.0 now supports stereo chops and Patched Phrases. The MPC5000 is the first MPC to include Random and Cycle sample playback in addition to velocity Zone Play. A turntable preamp is also included.

The MPC5000's virtual analog synth eliminates need for external analog synth modules or buggy software based synthesizers. The new 8-track direct to disk recorder lets you produce your whole song in the MPC and then mix it down with the internal sequenced programs and any input thru material. Add the optional CD/DVD drive and you can then burn an audio or data CD or your mix. Over 650MB of premium-quality sounds from Loopmasters are included to get you up and running with pro-quality production in seconds."

more info

NAMM: DSI Prophet '08 Rack

"Prophet '08 Synthesizer Module—Coming Soon!
The Prophet '08 Synthesizer Module is a tabletop "knobby" module with all of the features and controls of the Prophet '08 Keyboard (minus the keyboard, of course) in an even more compact enclosure. Includes rack ears for optional rack-mounting." It's real.

TipTop Audio: Module One Beta Test

via TipTop Audio:

"I am looking for beta testers and more precisely, four of them. I have questionnaire for you to fill out and send back so we can make our decision. If you are chosen, we will ship you the module for free. Try it out, let us know what you think, and if it becomes a valuable part of your system, keep it for a small fee or send it back."

The e-mail address is: sean@tiptopaudio.com

Feel free to change the language a little to fit your posting style, but I would like to make sure that everyone knows that we will send the module free of charge and that if they like it, they can keep it for good chunk off of retail."

Admin: Comments now Support OpenID

Check out the comments of any post to see what accounts are supported. More info on OpenID.

The New MOOG Voyager OS

via the MusicPlayer forum. via Sushi for 2 in the comments of this post. Thanks Sushi!

Update: below is the original MOOG Voyager prototype at the MOOG factory. Note the similarity with the panel layout. Thanks to pac for pointing it out in the comments.

Bob Moog Tribute in Barcelona

"The Tribute will be held on Sunday February 3rd.

Place: Sala Apolo II - Barcelona
Address: Nou de la Rambla, 3
Time: Opening at 6:00pm
Contact: Jordi Sampe. info@gdrecords.es
Phone: +34 93 736 86 71

-Francisco Isla performing the Theremin Pro.
-Local Minimoog and other Moog instrument Performers.
-Moog, A Documentary Film.
-The incredible Moog museum by Joan Cerezo.

-There will be a raffle for an Etherwave Standard.

This Tribute is organized by:

GDRECORDS
www.gdrecords.es

SYNTHETIKDB
www.myspace.com synthetikdb"

Keyboard Zipper Pouch

flickr by [m]ichellelikesittootoo

I'm not seeing the new Voyager on the MOOG site yet, so I figured I'd put this up instead. You can use it to stash your gold (synth) bouillon.

Note the pedal is up.

Doepfer Modular

Note this one is for sale.
"1: eurorack with power supply in a road case with handle. 2:: plan b model 15 complex vco. 1: frequensteiner multimode filter by live wire. 1: a-105 ssm monopoly filter by doepfer. 2: a-140 doepfer adsrs. 1: a-143-3 quad lfo, 4 lfos, by doepfer. 2: a-180 mutlis. 1: a-125 doepfer phaser. 1: a-119 doepfer input amp. 1: a-118 doepfer noise generator. 1: analog solutions 4x attenuator. 1: a-138 doepfer mixer. 1: harvestman malgorithm cv bitcrusher. 29 mogami patch cables! included."

Moog Source Demo

YouTube via shawnster123. via this auction.

VIRUS SYNTHESIZER

flickr by nazrimuhi

full size

Moogerfooger Training DVD

"Everything you always wanted to know about Moogerfoogers...

...But Were Afraid To Ask

New from Moog Music... The Sonic Infinity Series - Moogerfooger® Training DVD Expert Moog clinicians Brian Kehew (Moog Cookbook, The Who) and Steve Dunnington (Moog Product Engineer) twist your knobs and give you an education in all things Moogerfooger. Each Moogerfooger is dissected and explained, including the newest member of the family, the FreqBox(tm)."

Roller Chester 4: Dr. Synthesizer b/w Hey, I Like Your Socks

YouTube via drewtoothpaste. Roland SH-2. Follow up to this post.
"Dr. Synthesizer instructional video. "Hey, I Like Your Socks." New videos by Drew (author of daily comic toothpastefordinner.com .)"

Me checking my E-mu EMAX (DM keyboard)

YouTube via DX5.

Some INXS in the intro.
"This is my new E-mu EMAX. Just checking the library. I start with ARCO STRINGS original emax disk. Then, some third partner disks. Some sounds remind Depeche, others Pet Shop Boys, etc...

This sampler was used by Depeche Mode, at Music for the Masses age (later they switched to EMAX II on Violator). Below it, a Yamaha DX7II FD; so that set is exactly the same that Alan Wilder and Martin Gore played on 101 Pasadena live. (Of course, the same without the depeche samples and the midi triggering pads :) )"

Sequential Circuits Prophet VS + Roland Juno-60 + TR-606

YouTube via retrosound72

"synth demo track by RetroSound

legendary vs-choir and fx sounds: SCI Prophet VS
bassline: Roland Juno-60, arpeggiator is triggered by the TR-606
drums: Roland TR-606
external effects: a little bit reverb and delay

hand-played"

Inside an Oberheim SEM

images via this auction
"2 Oscillators - VCO’s - sawtooth and variable-pulse waveforms. +Sync.

1 Filter - VCF multimode: low-pass, high-pass, bandpass and notch with filter envelope generator ASR (Attack, Decay and Sustain).

1 Voltage Controlled Amplifier - VCA with amplifier envelope generator ASR (Attack, Decay and Sustain).

1 Low Frequency Oscillator - LFO"

Roland SH-5

images via this auction

Inside a MOOG The Source

images via this auction

Serial # 2641

Wiard Joystick

via this auction
"The Wiard Joystick Controller provides two joysticks (with CV output), two manual triggers (for manual start of envelopes or sequencers), a custom vintage voltmeter, two patchcord converters and the unique style common to all Wiard products. The Joystick Controller is a must-have for anyone using their modular system as a performance or recording device."

This unit will work with all analog modular synths. The CV range on the joysticks is -15 to 15v. Although I include the power supply, please note that this unit does not come with any housing. It can be rack mounted, but the wires in the back are exposed."

Build a Better Music Synthesizer by Thomas Henry

via this auction

"THE highly coveted bridge between beginner and advanced electronic musicians, "How to Build a Better Music Synthesizer" by Thomas Henry.

I've never seen a book of this subject (or remotely this subject) cover all the ground that needs to be covered to build your own analog synth.

Written in 1987 before the true digital age of music, this book was like a gift from god among a very particular group of people."

NAMM: Plan B Wave Splicer - First Listen

via Peter Grenader of Plan B:

"On this Namm-eve I give you the first audio sample of the proposed Plan B Wave Splicer:

http://www.ear-group.net/splicesamp.mp3

The patch is not complex. A single Model 15's saw is being fed into the Waveshaper of a Model 26. That output is fed into INPUT A of the Splicer. Into the Splicer's INPUT B is the Square out of the same Model 15. A single Model 10 is being self-cycled and is pacing a sequencer which is controlling the Model 15's pitch. The Envelope output of that Model 10 is sweeping the VC Splice Input of the Wave Splicer.

There is no PWM going on, the timbral sweeps are being caused by the edit point of the Splicer being VC's by the Model 10.

See you at Namm."

Jupiter sounds (so strange!) NASA-Voyager recording

YouTube via hryzunik. via Mr. Array.
"From an original CD: JUPITER NASA-VOYAGER SPACE SOUNDS (1990) BRAIN/MIND Research
Fascinating recording of Jupiter sounds (electromagnetic "voices") by NASA-Voyager. The complex interactions of charged electromagnetic particles from the solar wind , planetary magnetosphere etc. create vibration "soundscapes". It sounds very interesting, even scary.
Jupiter is mostly composed of hydrogen and helium. The entire planet is made of gas, with no solid surface under the atmosphere. The pressures and temperatures deep in Jupiter are so high that gases form a gradual transition into liquids which are gradually compressed into a metallic "plasma" in which the molecules have been stripped of their outer electrons. The winds of Jupiter are a thousand metres per second relative to the rotating interior. Jupiter's magnetic field is four thousand times stronger than Earth's, and is tipped by 11° degrees of axis spin. This causes the magnetic field to wobble, which has a profound effect on trapped electronically charged particles. This plasma of charged particles is accelerated beyond the magnetosphere of Jupiter to speeds of tens of thousands of kilometres per second. It is these magnetic particle vibrations which generate some of the sound you hear on this recording. Visit http://www.inner-net.com/bmr/bmrpg2aa... for more sounds."

NAMM: Metasonix G-1000

Nice shot and full disclosure now up on umop. Click the image for the full size shot.

Update: I missed it, but apparently Mike Brown of Livewire came up with the name. You can read more about it on the Metasonix site.

Mini-Magitron - is it a Mellotron?

"Here's my Mini-Magitron. This video is recorded in stereo. More than 2 000 people have seen my babytron at YouTube in less than three months! My babytron contains a laptop computer, a pair of active PC-speakers and a midi-keyboard. This MM400 looks like a M400 mellotron and it has sounds from mellotrons.
You can see the project in progress at: link. The text is originally written in swedish and is partly translated to english."


YouTube via maxbackstrom.
"A Midi-keyboard and a computer, put together in a piece of wood that looks like a M400 mellotron, can make the sound from a mellotron for real at hardly no cost at all."

ARP 2600 and ARP Axxe

flickr by Zilla -Boo

NAMM: AFE Analog Factory Experience Released

" Analog Factory Experience offers the immediacy of a hardware synthesizer combined with the flexibility of a software based solution. How is it possible? Analog Factory Experience is a unique combination of a software synthesizer that brings 3500 sounds, along with a high quality dedicated hardware controller. Once the Software is started, you can put your mouse away, all functions can be activated from within the keyboard controller: select a sound to play, modify this sound, recall snapshots... This is a true hands-on experience : simple, straightforward and fun." More info

Also Prophet V 1.2 available
"It was very much anticipated so we are glad to announce the release of an important update to the Prophet V. It comes with improvements such as
• VST 2.4 support, allowing for Cubase 4 compatibility on Mac Intel
• RTAS 7.3 support
• Correction of different bugs such as the cracks some would experience when using several instances of the Prophet V in their sequencer."

Big Briar Etherwave Waveforms

via Thumbuki

CalArts Plan B System

another shot of the CalArts Plan B system sent to the Plan B list. Mmmm... Green....

NAMM: MOOG MP-201 and New Voyager

via hispasonic, via sighup in the comments of the prior post. The description is in Spanish and mentions the Voyager. Here it is Google translated:

"Moog Music has prepared two surprises for the NAMM show that is about to take place, first is the new Multi-Pedal MP-201. It is based on the EP-2; work with HP and MIDI (standard and USB). You can control up to four Moogerfoogers at once. It has four independent LFOs and sincronizables and four control outputs. The second surprise may like the fans of sintes: the new release "Old School" of the Minimoog Voyager. This is a cut Voyager, in fact: they have left the analog system, eliminating all digital controls (pure "old school").

MP-201

Features Multi-Pedal MP-201

* Work with control voltage (CV), MIDI (standard and USB) and can simultaneously monitor up to four Moogerfoogers
* Four independent LFOs, and sincronizables generated internally, which may emerge as a CV and / or MIDI (4 waveforms more noise H and S%)
* Quick Setup of analog equipment using the preset levels for storing HP (this opens up many possibilities with sintes as Voyager, Little Phatty, sintes modular and other sintes analog)
* Four simultaneous control outputs: each can transmit MIDI and CV
* MIDI Clock Sync and Tap Tempo
* Converting MIDI-to-hp four-channel
* No mechanical parts: the pedal is optically coupled to the electronic

With this pedal, you have a driver with optical presets for CV, MIDI and USB. You could connect all your analog equipment, your team and your MIDI computer through a central controller. There are 100 presets available, which can be used through the LCD on the front panel.

Its price will move around the 400 2008

A new Voyager

The Minimoog Voyager OS (Old School) will be the engine sound analog Voyager original, but without digital controls. It caters to a segment of musicians of a certain age who simply want something to replace its Model D, and for young musicians who want a minimalist approach to his musical creativity. The classic design and capabilities HP expanded doing interesting couple users sintes modular.

The price of around $ 2,400, somewhere between the cost of a Little Phatty Voyager and a complete, and will be available in March 2008.

Moog Music"

NAMM: Sneak Peak on New MOOG Products

via Peter Forrest on the AH list:

"If I missed some posts, forgive me.. but I just saw that Future Music February UK edition has details of three interesting Moog items:- a Little Phatty II with arpeggiator and USB; a retro Voyager with no MIDI, presets, or touchscreen but 'enhanced modulation', different knob layout, and a lower price; and the MP-201 pedal - USB, MIDI, and four CV outputs.

Maybe, I just thought, FM jumped an embargo on this. In which case apologies to Amos and the Moog company, but if the guys who read FM can know about it, I guess AH can as well. [and MATRIXSYNTH]

Same mag has my interview with Peanut, the keyboard player with the Kaiser Chiefs, whose favourite stage instrument is and always has been the SH-101. He's had all his keyboards re-finished in white by list member Jeff Toman of Custom Synth. They look very good indeed. (Kaiser Chiefs are one of the top indie/rock bands in the UK, and their live shows are legendary.)

Peter F"

Regarding photos:
"There were photos, yes.
But although watson asked really nicely, I'm not going to do it.
I just checked on the Moog site, and it's obvious that FM did forget an embargo, and that's basically cheating in magazine / manufacturer circles.
I doubt they meant to, but there we go.
Both look good. The retro Voyager is like a cross between a Mini and a modular in visual design - lots of module-like vertical divisions between sections.
I expect pics will be up soon enough on the web.
Peter"

I completely respect Peter on this one, but if you have a shot, and feel like sending it in, feel free. FM UK is print and it's been released meaning all of the UK can see it. If no one does send one in, we'll know soon enough as NAMM starts tomorrow.

Roland GR-500 Ibanez

images via this auction.

via dlmorley on the forum.

"Roland GR-500 and GS-500 Guitar Synth. 30 years old! Complete and highly collectible system with:
GS-500 Guitar. Built by Ibanez GR-500 Analogue synth section 24 pin Cable to connect the synth to the guitar

Original case for the guitar (stamped with Nils Tuxen Hamburg. He is a respected guitarist and was in the Danish group Savage Rose) pdf manual and service manual The Guitar was built 30 years ago. serial number A781030 (January 1978) It is a superb guitar. 2 piece top, set neck and best Ibanez quality from the late 70's. The guitar alone is highly desirable and plays extremely well, with a low action and a solid neck and has no issues or damage apart from a few small spots on the back and headstock. 9/10"

Polymoog - slightly broken!

YouTube via buchla300. via this auction via dlmorley on the forum.
"Here is my Polymoog 203a taken out of it's case for the first time in years! I bought it as in need of work, but it doesn't seem that bad. A few voices don't work, sometimes craps out and some waveshapes need sorting etc etc but, worth doing though as I LOVE polymoogs. Better than people think. Crap phone quality video. Sorry!" images here

Olivier Grall's Yusynth Modular

via Yves:
"it has been added in the modular section of Olivier's web site.

It is the serial #001 and was built in parallel with my own yusynth modular serial #000. It's a jointed project by Olivier (front plate engraving, assembling,
woodwork) and I (electronic design, electronic construction, woodwork).

Here is a picture of my yusynth #000 in construction.

For those who wonder the availability of such systems, this is DIY stuff ONLY and these synths are not commercial products, they are not for sale and I do not build synths for others ( sorry about that ;-) ). However, I provide all the information at my site for those who would like to build their own.

Cheers
Yves"

Casio SK-1 Tattoo

via Jasyn

Announcing TipTop Audio

Something tells me more exciting synth news is actually coming outside of NAMM this year. I have just been tipped (pun intended) that there is yet another new synthesizer company coming. Yesterday I announced Synthasonic, and today we have TipTop Audio.

More will follow so be sure to check back.

jupiter synth jam

YouTube via rebelbassnz. Sent my way via Raphael.
"Jupiter 4 run thru a distortion pedal"

AvrX

Remember AvrX going open source?

altemark found some pictures and sound examples posted by troy sheets on the avrx.se forum.

sixcylinder teaser

YouTube via robotpickle. "wierd machine #72"
DaevlMakr daevl.sixcylinder. You can find more info and more daevl plugs here.

Girl Talk - Mike Holme (Moog Synth)

YouTube via michaeljholme.

SUZUKI WARAKU

Remember the Waraku? It looks like one's up for auction. images via this auction. See the previous post or the auction for the description.

Computone Lyricon Vintage Wind Synth Driver

images via this auction

FAEMI-1M

images via this auction

"Faemi -1M it is fully polyphonic synthesizer (made at the same Kachkanar radio factory as the great Polivoks synth) and has a 4-octave (F-E - Fa-Mi, hence the name FAeMI) keyboard, 1 VCO, 1 LFO, 1 VCF with ADSR envelope and 1 VCA. The control panel is divided into four main sections. The first is for the oscillator, with controls for decay, tuning and glissando. The second section is subdivided into two parts. The first subsection is called "timbre" - this is essentially the waveshape-control section - with knobs labelled piano, strings, clavesin and brass. The second subsection is called "vibrato": this controls the LFO, and has knobs for frequency, depth and delay. The third and biggest section is the "filter" section, with knobs to define the ADSR envelope as well as controlling cutoff frequency, resonance and modulation.

There is also an interesting little red button in this section which toggles between "brass" and "filter" - that is, when it is depressed, the signal from the VCO is processed through the filter, but when unpressed the signal goes straight to the VCA. The last section is the VCA control, and this has only a knob for volume.

Knob names in English

You can find samples on the excellent Ruskeys.net

Oberheim Xpander

images via this auction

MOOG 16 Channel Vocoder

images via this auction via derma_tek on the forum.

SERIAL No. MBVO 1084

Roland TR-808 Modded by Robin Whittle

images via this auction, via Gustavo.
"Robin Whittle modifications / extra features :
1. In addition to the original memory, two banks of 10 memory units
(ie. 20 times the original memory).
2. 4 levels of volume accent (rather than the original 2) each one with volume control giving you much more dynamic feel. There are LED's that flash during playback to indicate what accents apply to each beat.
3. Individual tone control for both the toms and the hand clap. This means you can vary the toms from being a dull thump to a sharp crackle.
4. Three phono jack sound inputs to replace the sound generators for the toms, white noise and the cymbals. The drum settings for these channels act as a gate for the input sound so for instance, you could feed in another sound such as a sound effect, musical chord or voices and program the 808 instrument to gate that incoming sound. There is some post filtering so the input sound takes on some of the drum's original character.
5. 3 x trim pots for adjusting the pitch of toms, white noise and cymbals.
6. Multipin input for a touch sensitive drum pad set to drive the 808's sounds manually. (pads not included).
6. Individual damper switches for the three toms - left = short, right = long.
7. Soft reset button - resets the computer without the need to power the whole machine down.
8. Two more toggle switches that I can't remember the function for.
Though there was no instruction manual for the Robin Whittle mods, I have prepared some illustrated notes to help you get the most out of this 808.

It is otherwise as manufactured, and has not been MIDI retrofitted. If you wanted this feature, I believe it can be done reasonably easily and I found this URL for an 808 MIDI retrofit that looks very well priced ... and also another one in England."

Namm Show Analog Synths - Analogue Haven

YouTube via ellewebb.
"The giant collection of synths at Analogue Haven at the 2007 NAMM Show." Note this is 2007, not 2008. Winder NAMM 2008 starts this Thursday, January 17. If you are going, be sure to drop by the Analogue Haven booth. There will be a tiny MATRIXSYNTH presence, or should I say "present," there. And when I say tiny, I do mean tiny. : ) Seriously, nothing big, but if you are a fan of the site, drop by the booth and ask.

Roland VP-330 Vocoder Plus + Juno-60 + TR-606

YouTube via retrosound72

"short demo track by RetroSound. analog strings/ human voice choir: Roland VP-330 Vocoder Plus sub-bass: Roland Juno-60, arpeggiator is triggered by the TR-606 drums: Roland TR-606 hand-played, no external effects used"