Formanta EMS-01 soviet synth demo

YouTube via dergach11
"Just my formanta ems-01 synth-station in action"

Native Instruments to Release KORE PLAYER for Free

"Free, advanced instrument with access to the best NI sounds
KORE PLAYER is a free software instrument designed for use with KORE SOUNDPACKS. Built on the same principles as the flagship KORE 2 Super Instrument, KORE PLAYER includes six Native Instruments sound engines under the hood and provides ready-to-play sounds that can be browsed and tweaked via the ultra-intuitive KORE PLAYER interface. Adding new sounds is as easy as purchasing and downloading affordable KORE SOUNDPACKS.

Whether used stand-alone or within your favorite sequencing environment, KORE PLAYER brings world-class Native Instruments sound within the reach of any musician or producer.

KORE PLAYER will be released in March as a free download."

more info

I wonder if it will come with any soundpacks out of the box.

Old School at NAMM

YouTube via MoogMusicInc.
"Eric Levy of Garaj Mahal demos the new Minimoog Voyager - Old School at NAMM 2008. Visit www.moogmusic.com for more information."

NAMM 2008: Tara Busch @ Fender Rhodes

YouTube via tarabusch.
"http://analogsuicide.com
http://tarabusch.com
http://moogmusic.com
NAMM 2008 Tara Busch @ Fender Rhodes"

MusoTalk 114-Namm Report 2008-Omnisphere-Euphonix MC

YouTube via musotalk
"weitere Informationen: www.musotalk.de Der neue Spectrasonics Megasynth Omnisphere kommt Ende des Jahres. Die Euphonix MC Control war einer der kleinen Hypes der Messe."

WNAMM08: Perfect Prophet Pair

See the write-up on Sonic State.

WNAMM08: MTron Pro Makes its Debut

See the write-up on Sonic State.

Drumfire DF-500 Drum Synthesizer

via this auction. This one in via Bryan K who was previously featured in this post. The Drumfire was used on most of the tracks for that release. Some details from the auction:

"This is what is also known as a "drum brain"... a synthesizer for drum sounds made to be triggered by contact mics (drum triggers) attached to a regular drum kit or pads or whatever you want, like regular audio signals.

In the picture you'll see some contacts that I'll include for those that want to make their own triggers. I have a bunch, so within reason I'll include however many you need.

The Drumfire is in great shape, everything works well.

Here's the lowdown... there are five channels that can be triggered independently and each has controls for the trigger input sensitivity. You can take audio output from each track individually or just use the stereo master output and have the sounds panned however you want.

The sounds on each channel: there's a triangle wave and a noise source with the addition of a "click" sound which adds attack. There's a "balance" setting for mixing the amount of oscillator or noise sound you want. Individual settings for oscillator and noise decay which vary in length from a short "click" to a long decay (longer than you'll want for percussion). You can adjust the pitch/frequency of the oscillator from sub-audio to midrange. There's a sweep setting for making the sound either sweep up or down in frequency (think disco toms).

Oh no, it's not just for disco toms.... it's fun for experimenting with by feeding the trigger inputs with different sounds. I made a ground loop by connecting the trigger IN of channel one to the footswitch IN and then taking the output of channel 1 into channel 2. By chaining them together and keeping the decays very short some interesting crackly sounds can be had, a low frequency noise source. Listen here to track 3 here. I used this thing to get sounds on other tracks there as well.

I've heard the electronic group Pan Sonic had one of these, and I recognize some of its sounds on their first album. Also, David Tudor used a percussion synth on his piece "Phonemes" and I could swear he used this model. Like I said, fun for experimenting with... for more than just drum sounds."

The Bubblegum Sequencer - Making Music With Candy

YouTube via theberlintable. Sent my way via Michael. Reminds me of a better version of this. More info on the gumball here. "The Bubblegum Sequencer is a physical step sequencer that lets you create drumloops by arranging colored balls on a tangible surface. It generates MIDI events and can be used as an input device to control audio hardware and software. Finally, people can't claim anymore that electronic music isn't handmade."

NAMM: Pigtronix Mothership Analog Synthesizer

More info to come on Pigtronix.com. For those of you at NAMM, you can try out this guitar synth at Booth 1241 on lower level E.

Korgtronic

YouTube via EISoundtrack.
"A song made entirely with a microKorg synthesizer."

NAMM 2008 - Big City Music - Metasonix F@#%ing F@#%er amp 2!

YouTube via bigcitymusic.
"Metasonix designer, Eric Barbour, has never been known for subtlety. His new amp usually gets some kind of reaction. Dan Levey (REwire) plays through it in this video."

Checking DM Black Celebration samples on Emax

YouTube via DX5.
"Short demo about some Black Celebration sounds in an Emu Emax."

AnalogSuicide @ NAMM 2008 with the Moog MP-201 Multi Pedal

YouTuve via tarabusch.
"http://analogsuicide.com
http://tarabusch.com
http://moogmusic.com
NAMM 2008 Tara Busch AnalogSuicide MP-201 Multi Pedal"

NAMM: magazine 2/08 - mag4musicians: news & infos

YouTube via mag4musicians.
"Magazin 2/08 - mag4musicians news & Infos (Aus aktuellem Anlass haben wir die Ausgabe 2/08 etwas vorgezogen)"

Akai VX600

images via this auction

"It was used with a wind midi controller."

note the INs. Anyone know if those are audio ins or controller ins? If audio, do they replace the existing OSCs in the signal paths or are they in addition?


Update via vgermuse: "Both options are possible using the balance knob. Enclosed (click for more scans) are the pages describing the Ext In in detail from the VX600 Matrix Synthesizer manual for you files. Enjoy! This is a very cool synth and for the longest time was only available in Japan. Though it can be a standalone it is best with an EVI or EWI."

Also via peterwendt in the comments:
"The EXT IN jacks are audio inputs to the VCFs on two of the voices. If you plug in only one audio jack, only one voice is used. The inputs are in parallel with the VCOs, but Akai intended for you to turn the VCOs off. The main intended application is to process external sources under the control of an Akai wind controller. You can play 4 or 5 synth voices in parallel with the (2 or 1) EXT IN voices.

Full details are in chapter 10 (page 61) of the scanned manual, which you can download at this site.

This is a good site. It's one of matrix's links on the old matrixsynth site."

Wow! Someone that actually remembers my old site. :)

MOOG Multimoog

images via this auction
"the serial number 2485. The Multimoog is a monophonic analog synthesizer manufactured by Moog music from 1978 to 1981. Derived from the earlier (internally, it consists of a stock Micromoog Micromoog circuit board with the extra circuitry on a second board), the Multimoog was intended to be a less expensive alternative to Moog's flagship Minimoog. It nevertheless had some advanced features which the Minimoog did not include--most notably, it was one of the earliest synthesizers to feature aftertouch capability. Key features include:
* 44 note monophonic keyboard with aftertouch
* ribbon-type pitch bend controller
* "glide"
* two voltage-controlled oscillators with waveform continuously adjustable from sawtooth, through square, to narrow pulse
* oscillator sync
* noise source
* 24db/octave Moog transistor-ladder lowpass voltage controlled filter
* dedicated low frequency oscillator with triangle, square, and random waveforms
* extensive modulation routing options, including sample & hold, audio-frequency modulation of the VCF for quasi-ring modulation, waveform sweep/quasi-pulse width modulation, and more
* two AR (attack/release) evelope generators with switchable percussive/sustaining profiles
* external audio input for processing instruments, vocals, etc.
* external control voltage and trigger inputs/outputs for interfacing with other synthesizer equipment"

Sequential Circuits Six-Trak

images via this auction

Kawai K5 Additive Synth

images via this auction

Update: see the comments in this post for more.

Sexy Back

YouTube via punkdiscoUK. From the people that brought us this.
"Putting the X-Factor into the xBase 999. Major sex appeal + 999 = punkdISCO!
Everything is the 999 plus 777 and 303. Recorded in single take. Should have done some editting but could not work out how. Lots more at www.punkdisco.co.uk."

NAMM: New VOX Continental?

MPS caught this image on fdiskc's NAMM set. Anyone know more about it? I'm not seeing this particular model on the VOX website.

Synth analogico - demo 01

YouTube via Penetrovisk
"Video demo do meu synth analogico made in fundo de quintal."

AnalogSuicide @ NAMM 2008 - Minimoog OS Demo

YouTube via tarabusch. Update: BTW, Amos is the one that created the Matrixsynth patch #70 on the Little Phatty in honor of MATRIXSYNTH! :)
http://analogsuicide.com
http://tarabusch.com
http://moogmusic.com
NAMM 2008 Tara Busch AnalogSuicide Minimoog OS"

Alesis Ion Sustain Pedal Control

YouTube via futureimage.
"Video showing what can be done using a sustain pedal with the Alesis Ion's Mod Matrix. Sorry about video and sound quality, it was all done on a crappy little camera."

Aelita soviet synth demo

YouTube via dergach11

MFOS Dual Attack Release Envelope Generator

"Envelope generators are a staple of any modular synth. Having lots of them gives you lots of options when it comes to VCA control, VCF control, delayed modulation, and AR modulation of anything else your heart desires. This dual AR generator is very cool and each EG features triggered, gated and repeat mode operation. When repeat is on (while in triggered mode) the EG continually goes through the attack and release cycles. In triggered mode the front edge of the gate (or a trigger signal) is used to trigger the circuit into operation. The attack cycle begins and completes and then the release cycle starts, the circuit can be re-triggered as soon as the release cycle begins. In gated mode when a gate is applied the attack cycle begins. If the gate is removed before the attack cycle completes (output attains maximum voltage of 10V) the release cycle begins. In gated mode, with repeat on, the EG repeats when the gate is low (when short times are used). In gated mode, with repeat on and the gate is held high the EG will go to and remain at the maximum output voltage (10V) until the gate is released at which time the EG will begin to repeat the AR cycles (when short times are used). Primarily repeat mode is designed to be used in triggered mode.

Dual Attack Release Envelope Generator Features
* Two separate Attack Release Envelope Generators on one PC board.
* Each EG has its own repeat function.
* Gated mode provides classic AR response.
* Triggered mode provides AD response.
* Retriggerable as soon as the attack cycle completes.
* Attack and release times from 1 mS to 20 seconds."

more info

NAMM: Richard Devine to Perform at Analogue Haven Booth

via r:
"Richard Devine will be doing live sets in the Analogue Haven booth at NAMM today and tomorrow:
Afternoon (3 – 330ish)
Room 210d
Using Livewire/Harvestman (possibly some Devilfish)"

NAMM 2008 at the Anaheim Convention Center Day 2

click here for more shots via Amateur Chemist.

KORG Microkorg with reverse keys.

Sound Box

flickr by thedrewid13

"A weird thing I made. For explanation: wallbender.blogspot.com/"

full size

Update via pual in the comments: "Judging by the layout of the knobs and 16 square buttons along the bottome, I'd say that the synth under the tan cover is a Korg MS2000r. So the project is mixing the left and right audio inputs coming from the boombox that just holds the IPod it appears."

NAMM: Nord Wave

flickr by ANDY_MOOG_BOY (click for more NAMM shots)

full size

NAMM 2008 - Big City Music setting up on Tuesday

YouTube via bigcitymusic. Big City Music website Audio is low on this one so if you turn it up, be sure to turn it down after.
"This is the Big City Music booth (#6735) at NAMM 2008 in Hall A, two days prior to the Thursday opening."

NAMM 2008 - Big City Music - JoMoX XBase888 drum machine

YouTube via bigcitymusic. Big City Music website
"Here is the new Jomox XBase888 drum machine at the Big City Music booth (#6735) at NAMM 2008."

NAMM 2008 - Big City Music - Metasonix F@#%ing F@#%er amp!

YouTube via bigcitymusic. Big City Music website
"Here is the new guitar amp from Eric Barbour, the fiendish designer from Metasonix. His designs always raise some eyebrows, but this is the first name which we had to edit."

NAMM 2008 - Big City Music - Future Retro XS Demo

NAMM 2008 - Big City Music - Future Retro XS Demo - Part 2


naMM 2008 - Big City Music - Future Retro XS Demo - Part 3

YouTube via bigcitymusic. Big City Music website
"Here is the new creation from Jered Flickinger at Future Retro. He been working on it for quite awhile and his hard work has paid off. It is amazing!"

Switched on- Inside Mike Walters' Melloman!

YouTube via tarabusch
"http://analogsuicide.com
http://www.tarabusch.com
Mike shows us the glorious melloman, his Sony - Walkman based Mellotron."

Moog Prodigy Analog Synthesizer

YouTube via retrosound72

"synth demo by RetroSound

The Prodigy is Moog typically simply fat but the possibilities are limited. A marvelous bass and lead synth. In the sound nearly as Minimoog."

MusoTalk 112 -NAMM 08 Teil 1 - Access Virus TI Snow Kore

YouTube via musotalk.
"weiter Infos: www.musotalk.de ..Die ersten Highlights aus der Halle C: * Access Virus TI Snow präsentiert von Christoph Kemper (Gründer von Access und Entwickler des Virus)- Halbe DSP Leistung des Standard TIs, Erhältlich in wenigen Wochen, Listenpreis ca. 1200,-€ * Native-Instruments KORE Player - spielt die neue NI Soundlibrary ab und ist kostenlos.

in Teil 2 = Linn Drum, Prophet 8 Rack, und mehr"

WNAMM08: It's The LinnDrum II Analog Video

See the write up on Sonic State.

NAMM: Minimoog Voyager Without Digital Controls

See the write up on Sonic State.

NAMM: John Bowen Solaris and Radikal Technologies Hybrid Elements on fdiskc

Two you don't see often. John Bowen Design's Solaris and Rakikal Technologies Hybrid Elements in the flesh. Be sure to check out the rest of the NAMM 2008 shots on fdiskc. Be sure to click on each image after they load for the full size shot.

overview system

flickr by janvanvolt (click through for mouse-overs for some of the modules)

rearranging the studio

flickr by Yotsuba&! (click for more, there are some good ones in this set)

full size

NAMM: MOOG Voyager OS on CDM

"All of that is technically true (and we are coveting), but — reality check. The Moog Voyager Old School as a left-brained compromise? A value buy? I don’t think so. You’re shelling out US$2600 on the most beautifully anachronistic synth keyboard from Moog yet. You’re going to use nothing but control voltage because you think digital makes people’s souls weak."

Click here for the full post.

NAMM 2008 via Amateur Chemist

click here for more.

Pictured: the DSI Prophet '08 rack. Note the knobs are Evolver style.

George Clinton - Atomic Dog

YouTube via joeyfanatic.

Sean wrote in and was curios if anyone out there knows what synths were used for this track. If you know feel free to comment.

NAMM 2008 on fdiskc

images are going up on fdiskc. Tons of synth shots. This one gets the post.

Elmo and Cookie Monster

Roland Juno-106 Analog Synthesizer

YouTube via retrosound72

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

no. 14: overexposure (200 Röntgens)

YouTube via youshriek. Be sure to also check out http://weblog.youshriek.com/
"the caesium fallout series: 1 of 3
symptoms indicate moderate radiation poisoning.
convalescence period: december - february, 1994"
Sequential Circuits Pro-One, Akai AX60, MOOG Memorymoog

Custom Oberheim Modular

images via this auction. via andres. "modular built with parts from Obies donors and some diy solutions with a Doepfer MIDI/CV converter all cased in a strange eurorack cage with banana jacks. Seems the owners was Matthias Stock (Arpheton), googling the most informative page was: link.

The English translation should be coming in the auction, but until then the following should give you and idea of what this modular consists of.

"3 VCO mit den Wellenformen Sägezahn, Dreieck und Rechteck (+ PWM, FM, Sync).

1 Mixer mit 5 Eingängen und 1 Ausgang

1 VCF - Filter mit 24 dB /Oktave und 3 Modulationseingängen (Env., Cutoff, Resonance). Selbstoszillation ist möglich.

2 LFO den Wellenformen Sägezahn, Dreieck und Rechteck. Der Regelbereich der LFO´s ist recht weit, für ganz schnelle Modulationen nimmt man ohnehin die VCO.

2 ADSR mit recht schnellem Attack. Nicht ganz so schnell wie Minimoog und ARP-2600, aber schneller als sämtliche digitalen Synthesizer-Hüllkurven. Für elektronische Perkussion sämtlicher Spielweisen ist es schnell genug.

2 VCA zu denen es wenig zu sagen gibt, also Standardausführung.

Power-Modul hier sind Netzteil und Netzschalter untergebracht und als Besonderheit je ein 4-fach Splitter für ein oder ausgehende CV und Gate-Signale, was sehr vielfältige Verbindungsmöglichkeiten mit externen Analogequipment von früher oder heute bietet.

Döpfer Midi-Interface ein Vorbesitzer hat das Standart Midiinterface von Döpfer eingebaut. Neben der normalen spielbarkeit über ein Midikeyboard werden noch zwei zusätzliche Steuerspannungen ausgegeben, die beliebige Module des Instruments steuern können. Mit der richtigen Einstellung und Verkabelung hat man sogar Anschlagdynamik, etc.

1 Noise für Wind, Snares und andere Geräuschhafte Klänge ist dieses Noise-Modul zu gebrauchen.

1 RINGMODULATOR, für disharmonische und metallische Klänge zu nutzen. Dieser Ringmodulator gehört allerdings zur brachialen Sorte und sorgt für sehr verzerrte und böse Klänge. Eine edle Ringmodulation a la Vermona RM-1 ist hier nicht zu erwarten; hier gehts zur Sache.

2 x 4 MULTIPLES, dieses Modul dient zum Mischen und verteilen von Steuerspannungen und auch als Adapter zwischen den Bananensteckern des Instruments und den allgemein gebräuchlichen Klinkensteckern (6,3mm)."

Update via Moogulator in the comments:
"link: We had this system multiple times, so I'd like to give all german readers the chance to re-read about it. it's not really an oberheim, it's a DIY thing.. ask "feinstrom" on the sequencer.de forum if you like more info about it.. "

Inside My Korg Kaossilator

flickr by gary.kibler (click for more)

"This was easy to disassemble - just 5 screws and some smaller screws on the PCB. Got a bit excited when the metal frame was removed to reveal two phantom LINE IN (RCA phono jacks) until I remembered this is the same plastic body used for the MiniKP which obviously has these implemented. Disappointed not to find any obvious contact points that would indicate easy access to a MIDI IN/OUT nor any type of obvious programming mods or tweaks. Interesting autopsy nonetheless.

Also discovered that the plastic backplane of the touchpad has 4 very slight recessed vertical grooves. I sensed something was there - the touchpad itself did not feel totally flat - but I wasn't sure if it had something to do with the touch pad material itself or something else. I assume these are there to give your finger some placement reference as well as some guidance, helping you to remain on your sustained note while performing a vertical (Y) modulation. That could be one possible easy mod. As Kaossilator players become more proficient and desire more accuracy in hitting specific notes consistently, they could make additional grooves and markings on that backplane of the touchpad to help with this."