MATRIXSYNTH

Monday, January 28, 2008

Korg X-911 w/ SQ-10

YouTube via ZonkOut
"The X-911, sequenced by the SQ-10, with filter modulation from a Moogerfooger (ringmod) LFO."

YouTube via LF0
"Yes this is the Roland SH-101, a classic synth produced in 1983, used by the likes of Orbital and Squarepusher to name just two. Great synth, shit video...yeah this is a boring video I did it because I was bored, how to make being bored boring...anyway I try to show a range of things the synth can do which is why there is a big gap between things happening or sounding good, it's obviously all improvised and this time it turned out bad. The video improves quite a bit at aprrox 3mins 15sec, where I jazz up the recording - don't hate me for this video it's just a day I lacked in creativity."

Energy Flash tribute TR909 TR808 TB303 + S1000

YouTube via pendlecoven
"A quick remake of the classic Techno track 'Energy Flash' by Joey Beltram, inspired by a floppy disc library i inherited, as the first disk had the Ecstasy sample on it. Sounds by the Roland TR909, TR808, TB303, SH09 and Akai S1000. Track recorded live to DAT and pasted over the footage. Enjoy!"

WNAMM08: Harvestman Modules

Be sure to see the write-up on Sonic State.

WNAMM08: More Kore Fore Free

Be sure to check out the write-up on Sonic State.

FLAME Clockwork

"SHIFT CLOCK / CV - puls generator
(for Moogerfoogers, Modularsystems, Analogfilters, Analogstepsequencers etc.)
- Individual generator for experimental grooves
- Easy soundmachine on your analog filter
- Create new patterns with analog stepsequencer
- Tool for modularsystems and analogsynth"

More info include manual, specs and video here. via Sendling.

BugCrusher08

"Released Jan08 in a batch of 8

Here's the new and updated big version BugCrusher! Its a desktop unit with quite a complex design (check the block diagram to the left) that packs in many features -> analogue rate reduction followed by a resonant filter, plus voltage control so that rate and/or filter can be controlled with an external CV or expression pedal.

* Input preamp for guitar or line level signals - switchable Hi or Lo gain plus input level control
* Voltage controlled Crusher circuit ranging from fizzle-highs to drone-tone lows, with a large chickenhead dial for the master CrushRate, plus variable modulation depth from an external source
* Pre-filter mixer to blend the dry and crushed signals - also with switchable phase inversion on the crushed signal for a extra mixing possibilities (audio phase cancellations!)
* Voltage controlled Filter with switchable LoPass or BandPass responses and variable resonance. This has a main Cutoff dial plus variable modulation depth
* Switchable output levels for guitar amps (lo level signal) or mixing desk (hi level signal)
* External input switchable between CV or Foot Pedal, with variable modulation depth for CrushMod and/or Filter Mod - ie, you can use a standard expression pedal to change the Crush Rate or the Filter Cutoff - or both at the same time - or use a CV (standard +/- 5v) signal from an analogue synth
* Electronic true-bypass switching with input socket for an external momentary footswitch - the main big red bypass button is NOT suitable for foot operation!
* Powered by an external 12vAC plug-in power pack (supplied)
* Housed in a metal case measuring 12.5 x 12.5 x 7.5 cm"

You can find more info on the BugBrand website.

Patrick Gleeson - Rainbow Delta

"'Rainbow Delta' was created by Patrick Gleeson using a custom Emu synthesizer built by Emu Systems engineer Ed Rudnick utilizing an Emu Modular with a double sequencer, 'The Blue Box', and two Sequential Circuits Prophet Tens wired together and controlled via a single keyboard

Patrick Gleeson was instrumental in introducing Herbie Hancock to the possibilities of the analog synthesizer, performing on the Arp 2600 on some of his early 70's recordings such as 'Crossings' and 'Sextant'. Amongst numerous other achievements he was also credited as 'Master Synthesist' for his work on the soundtrack to the film 'Apocalypse Now'. Slightly more under the radar is his hypnotic 1980 solo LP 'Rainbow Delta' which was originally released on the Passport label and recorded at his own Different Fur recording studios. Initially the result of an intensely creative acid trip, the album includes two long compositions ('Rainbow Delta' and 'Draconian Measures') that range from pulsating insect rhythms to warm melodic synth washes bringing to mind the work of a more classically based Tangerine Dream or Popol Vuh utilizing some of repetitive elements made famous by early minimalists such as Steve Reich."

click here for more including the audio.

via Mark Pulver on AH.

Workspace and Environment: Tobias Freund

"What is your current favorite piece of hardware?
My favorite machine is still the Roland TR-808, but actually it is the combination with my analog effect rack, my Akai S 3200 sampler and the Pearl syncussions. This combination is full of surprises."

click here for the full post on trash_audio.

Racks

flickr by hpsounds [misc] (click for more)

"Doepfer, Waldorf, MOTU, Kenton Ref. F061220 Studio HPS 04"

Roland SH-101

scan via LDT

This one dates back to 1983 and was featured in Guitar Player

NED Synclavier II with Digital Guitar Option

scan via LDT

This one dates back to 1983 and was featured in Guitar Player

Kamoni Plays Squarepusher - I Wish You Could Talk

YouTube via kamoni. Roland SPD-20 triggering samples in Ableton Live. Follow-up to this post.
"Kamoni rehearses a Squarepusher tune at his studio in Brooklyn."
http://www.kamoni.net

Inside a KORG VCF

images via bit|bin

Kurzweil K2600R with Sample Option

click here for more images sent my way via bit|bin. Note this one is up for auction here.

"Sampling option allows you to, well.. sample into the synth or use it in 'Live Mode.' You can route pretty much anything anywhere and sculpt some great sounds that you just cant get anywhere. Or use the pre-made ones which all sound fantastic. There is so much you can do with this synth... to be honest I have only just scratched the surface with what it can do.

This synth also comes with Kurzweils KDFX built into the unit too which for those of you who dont know.. some of the most amazing sounding reverbs, phasers, quantisers, compressers, pitch shifters etc etc in the digital domain. With the sample option you can run anything through these effects to get some amazing sounds."

E-Maximum - E-mu Emax SE Track on Strellis.com

"'E-Maximum' is made up from SE (Synthesis Enhanced) samples, Male Choir, Trap drum set, Piano, Hammond organ, Oberheim OBX samples through Emax filters, Moog bass with real time filter tweaking via the modulation wheel and Roland JX3p samples. Compuvoxes were also added. No MIDI was used, only looped audio arranged and processed in Adobe Audition 1.5."

click here for the track and more. via Strellis in the comments of this post.

Califaudio: I Will - Thingamagoop Track

click here for a track featuring the Thingamagoop. Scroll down and click on the "I Will" link for the mp3.

Synthesizer jam by Klauss - The Making of -

YouTube via wutierson
"Making of the concert performed by Ernesto Romeo and friends at Cadí Hall, Barcelona, in 8-10-05. Soon to be released on DVD. Background music is from Klauss album, Metales Perfectos. Como se hizo... el concierto de la Sala Cadí, Barcelona 8-10-05 a cargo de Ernesto Romeo y colaboraciones de amigos en el escenario. Próximo lanzamiento en DVD. La música de fondo la podrás encontrar en el álbum Metales Perfectos, de Klauss."

Electrocomp EML-200 + Korg SQ-10 Sequencer Demo 2a

YouTube via 123synthland

Moog Acid

flickr by danmcp

full size

Update via Oliver Chesler in the comments: "Read my interview with Dan here"

Sunday, January 27, 2008

Machinedrum Custom Case

click here for more images sent my way via derma_tek on the Matrixsynth forum.

"i got tired of leaning the machinedrum against boxes and such so i could angle it to see the screen.

i decided to build a nice looking cradle. i think it turned out pretty nice, and the best part is the machinedrum just slides in, so i didn't have to alter the machine in anyway, no holes or anything."

Update via derma_tek: "i got a few requests to build some of these cradles, so i figured i'd make the offer available to everyone. if anyone else wants one of these cradles for their monomachine mk1 or machinedrum mk1 it'll be $85 and i'll pay the shipping. e-mail me at: joe at derma-tek.com if interested."

Manuel Live

Via Manuel:

"Hey matrixsynth, if you're online, i'm doing a liveset in 45 minutes (at 5pm EST, 22:00 GMT) on http://bl0rg.net/~manuel/live.html

Machinedrum and Nord Micromodular.

Cheers, Manuel"

Udpate via wesen aka Manuel in the comments:
"So, the liveset can be downlaoded at http://bl0rg.net/~manuel/emtv-liveset.mp3! It's missing the last 20 minutes cause I had no space left on my harddrive, which is a pity cause the last few pattern were sweetz0rs. This was a very fun experience, thank you all for joining.

More EMTV at http://em411.com."

EMS VCS3 Analog Universal Sequencer

images via this auction

"An absolutely super rare EMS Item here: The Universal Sequencer complete with see through perspex top Based on the Synthis AKS sequencer but much improved. It has clock in and this can be a click or an audio track (Line or Mic)! It also has simultaneous Cv/Gate out for the Sequencer and the keyboard. These are positive and negative gate. In short, you can use it with most analog synths. It has a connector to go straight to the EMS VCS3 or Synthi A and this is how I have been using it. I have included a video below of it in action This is one of the rarest analogue sequencers ever made and I doubt you will find another one easily. If you are an EMS collector or user, this is a must. It may not be the cheapest sequencer around, but it adds that value at least to your EMS setup AND it's a useable and creative tool It works perfectly. You program the notes from the keyboard, which makes it more musical than most analog sequencers, where you have to tune each knob. It can run on it's internal clock or externally and each step can be free when run internally or run externally it is quantized to the incoming clock. Many questions coming in and I will answer them here: The 4 keys on the left above the keyboard are for real time transposition. On the right there is a gap key for programming rests. The dials are for pitch scaling and gate length as well as whether the keyboard or sequencer is triggering the output... In the Middle you have rec and play buttons. It will control any 1 v/oct keyboard and will clock to any external trigger such as another sequencer or trigger out from a drum machine (my TR808 usually triggers it in my setup) Yes, it is THAT rare. Someone told me it was made for a trade show and that they were made in a very limited run."

EMS VCS3 MKII & Universal Sequencer

video upload by buchla300

"Very simple patch and sequence.
VCO 1 to the left speaker through the reverb
VCO2 to the right speaker through the filter"

MFB OSC-01, Modular Oscillator, Eurorack. Review

"It’s a great deal, 3 oscillators for about 220 US dollars. I got it used for 170. I would compare this to an alpha juno oscillator on steroids. Since the junos don’t do sync sounds it gets hard to compare there. The saw is ok, but it’s the pwm that really shines on this. When using all 3 oscillators, it always sounds like a polysynth in unison. This oscillator shines when played down low or in the mids."

Click here for the full review plus demo on VAC. Funny, it does sound a bit like my Roland alpha juno at times.

Livewire AFG, 303, 606, AH, Richard Devine, Namm 08, part 1

Livewire AFG, 303, 606, AH, Richard Devine, Namm 08, part 2

YouTube via hexfix93
"Livewire AFG, TB303, TR606, Acid Jam Session with Richard Devine @ the Analog Haven Booth at Namm 2008. I put these up for matrixsynth!" Thank You hexfix93!

E-Mu SP1200 with Grafitti

images via this auction. found by MG

Giant KORG MS20 Eductional Edition

This one via Rich 1. "It was one featured on a BBC programme featuring Soulwax's studio"

To give you an idea of how giant this MS20 is, those are full size keys. Also see these two posts:
My Synth is Bigger Than Your Synth
KORG MS20 Educational Edition and Das Synthesizer Handbook

I beleive there is also a Japanese instructional video out there featuring this giant MS20, but I couldn't find it. If anyone knows were to find it, post a comment or shoot me an email.

SCI Six Trak Track

ALL sounds from the Seqeuntial Circuits Six-Trak.
"Created by sizzlemeister (copyrighted 2007 Schedule I music)."

Spectral Audio Neptune 2 Track

ALL sounds from the Neptune 2.
"Created by sizzlemeister (copyrighted 2007 Schedule I music)."

Alesis Fusion demo part 3

YouTube via aadusya. You can find parts 1 and 2 here.

Ben Folds on Clavia Nord Lead

The Ben Folds Synthesizer @The Palace July 5th w/ John mayer

YouTube via palacethe5th

Ben Folds Synth Freakout

YouTube via 1classified1

Some Mono Evolver Presets MEK

YouTube via Analogger
"I've had several people ask me to post some of the factory presets from the Dave Smith Mono Evolver keyboard. Here are a few...along with a drum machine thru several "External In" patches. Most of these patches really take advantage of the stereo out - so unfortunately you will only here them in mono. I used to have an Arp 2600 which was a joy to program with all the patch points. You can actually get even more radical sounds out of the MEK. Its internal patch system is very "modular like." Some of the presets are "drone" patches that play themselves - others utilize the sequencer. No matter what the patch, though, there is a sequence ready to go. I really like this synth. It is a programmer's dream. I would also like to get a Moog Little Phatty just for its "sound." But for electronica/experimental/noise stuff -you can't beat the MEK for versatility."

Elson's 2008 NAMM Show Adventure

YouTube via elsongs
"Singer, Keyboardist, Bassist, Producer and overall music geek Elson Trinidad goes to the 2008 Winter NAMM Show in Anaheim, CA, runs into some friends, meets some celebrities, grabs some free stuff and plays around with the gear."

TB-303 potentiometers

"This page contains a few notes and photos concerning the six small pots of the TB-303."

SmallDotSound

click here for a new synth blog named SmallDotSound. It currently features a few posts on sound design with Propellerheads' Reason Thor. It will feature sound design in general and eventual feature posts on the next album for the Small Dot Sound project.

Remember, the easiest way to check back on updates for any blog without having to remember to go back is to subscribe to the blog with something link bloglines.com. Just add the address of the site to your RSS reader and whenever a new post goes up it will show up in your reader. You can sub to MATRIXSYNTH, SYNTHWIRE and MATRIXSYNTH-B the same way.

Arturia Origin

YouTube via griffinavid. Note this vid is from AES and was uploaded back in Oct.
"Arturai Origin demonstration at the 123rd AES New York arturia.com aes.org ProducersEdgeMagazine.com"

Arturia Origin Galaxy Filter

Arturia Moog modular V

YouTube via griffinavid. "Clips from the Arturia tutorial and teaser DVD."
Hmm... That should be the Arturia Minimoog V not the MOOG Modular V.

jx8p analog polybrass

YouTube via wilcossb
"this is a better quality video of a roland juno d playing a tweaked patch that i call juicyfunk its actually an analog polybrass from my favorite jx8p and jx3p!"

Korg MiniPops 35 Vintage Drum Machine at BigCityMusic.com

YouTube via bigcitymusic.
"Here's a demo of a great sounding little drum machine, the Korg MiniPops 35! Sounds cool right? This is part of the ever-growing collection of bigcitymusic.com This particular drum machine is not for sale but there is other great vintage stuff available. www.bigcitymusic.com"

STEPP DGX Midi Guitar synth controler

images via this auction

"STEPP DGX Midi controler guitar. This model is from 1987 and is in MINT CONDITION. The STEPP DGX was far ahead of it's time as was a lot of the midi technology of the 80's. It is a very versatile instrument, each string can be assigned it's own parameters and midi channel, the guitar can be sculpted to your own touch. The fretboard can be switch on to remember and sustain hammered on notes or chords whilst playing other parts with your right hand. The 2 foot pedals can be assigned to a wide variety of functions.

The original manual is included and the guitar is switchable between 110 VOLTS and 240 VOLTS."

Quintron Drum Buddy

Remember this post on the Drumbuddy going up for auction? It looks like the time has finally come.

images via this auction

"Up for auction is a brand new Quintronics DRUM BUDDY, a one of a kind light activated analog synthesizer / rhythm machine hand crafted by New Orleans musician and inventor Quintron. The basic principal of operation is that there are cadmium sulfide light sensors hidden inside the colored tubes around the rotating black can and as the light holes pass them by, the various oscillator sounds are charged, filtered, bleeped and blooped in a variety of different ways. Each of the 4 oscillators is represented by a different color and each has been designed to complete a total rhythm kit, much the same way that the different elements of an acoustic trap set go together. The Blue pipe is the “kick drum”, the red is the “snare drum”, and the green is the “organ oscillator”. This green oscillator is raw VCO melodic organ tone controlled by “general” and “fine” tuning knobs for playing songs in a whole new way - no chromatic scales on this instrument. The yellow is the “space” or “scratch” oscillator which is plain un-effected, eerie sine wave tone which increases and decreases directly depending on the amount of light that is shed upon it. There is a 10 turn / 10K potentiometer wired to control the spinning can motor speed. This allows the player to precisely beat match DRUM BUDDY rhythms to DJ records, drum machines, railroad crossing signals...whatever. There are also various oscillator filters, on / off switches, and momentary buttons on the top panel and a general volume mixer on the front. There is also a light dimmer on the top panel which is a way to uniformly change the overall sound of all oscillators together. At its core the DRUM BUDDY is a straight up old school analog synth (built from scratch with the finest components) with a VERY unusual activation system which allows the player to create a variety of different fixed rhythms or to “scratch” the different sounds by using the momentary switches and spinning the can by hand. In addition to the sound synthesizing capabilities of the DRUM BUDDY, it is also a signal processor and can filter any instrument THROUGH to produce a strange ethereal bubbling effect onto the original signal. This is called the “WOBBLE FEATURE”. There is a bypass on the top panel for this feature and the best thing about this new 2008 addition is that the wobble feature is a totally separate circuit from the DRUM BUDDY synthesizer sounds so that you can play BOTH at the same time and they will be in perfect rhythmic tandem....the possibilities for new sounds and rhythms are endless. ABOUT THE CABINET: The cabinet was built by New Orleans furniture maker Marvin Hirsch out of 100% virgin pecky cypress. The wood for this particular one came from the original Cypress harvest (sometime between 1880 and 1930) and the tree itself could have been hundreds of years old when it was cut. The pecky dark streaking is quite rare and is the result of a fungus that only effects older cypress trees. This special swampy wood is a living antique and most certainly predates the purchase of Louisiana by the United States in the early 1800s. Only 10 cypress Line Drum Buddies were built and there are no plans to build any more ever. The Drum Buddy up for auction here is serial #1 and was originally intended to belong to Quintron (he decided to keep serial #6 with a strange cracked knot in the back as well as #10 - a green sinker cypress cabinet). All Drum Buddies in the world (less than 50 total and only 10 Cypress-Line) except this one here have found homes. This is it for a long long time....possibly ever. The cabinet is truly one of the most beautiful ever made and very unique. Profffits from this sale will go to the New Orleans Musician’s clinic. Please visit http://www.neworleansmusiciansclinic.org to learn about their tireless effort to provide health care to noninsured New Orleans musicians. This Drum Buddy comes with two different cans - a “TWO STEP” can and a “SLOW RIDE” can as well as a manual, power cord, and a static DRUM BUDDY DUSTER for cleaning the instrument. Also included will be a special kit for instructing how to cut your own cans! You will also receive the original broadcast version DRUM BUDDY INFOMERCIAL on Vhs tape and a rare signed test pressing of the original DRUM BUDDY DEMO lp. We understand that this price is very high for your average musician but please keep in mind that the many duties of this auction are being handled by a third party furniture store in Brooklyn called FRESH KILLS and that part of the auction profffffits will go to the New Orleans Musician’s clinic. Fred and John at FRESH KILLS are old childhood friends of Quintron and are very friendly. Don’t hesitate to stop in and see the Drum Buddy in real life and take a test drive or PLEASE don’t hesitate to email me thru this auction with any questions. SEE DRUM BUDDY DEMO VIDEO. VISIT FRESH KILLS: 50 North 6th Street, Brooklyn NY 11211 (718) 388-8081"

Analogue Systems rs430 Distortion module for Eurorack synth

YouTube via bigcitymusic
"Here is the new Analogue Systems rs430 Distortion module. Controls include: Drive, Mix, Signal 1, Signal 2 and Output level. Sockets: Drive CV-IN, Mix CV-In, Sig-IN 1, Sig-IN 2, and Output. There is a switch for Inverse and Non-Inverse. Its available in the U.S. at bigcitymusic.com and anloguesystems.com for everywhere else."

Surfin Step Sequencer

flickr by Synthesizers

full size

Update via Qwave in the comments:
"Have a look here for information about this project of Wolfgang Michalowicz from Dusseldorf/Germany:

I heard it and his 4 channel panning-processor last September in Kufstein/Austria during a little gig we (HAJo and me = EL-KA) had together with Wolfgang.

Saturday, January 26, 2008

New Young Pony Club - The Bomb

YouTube via glengoetze

"Ice Cream" - New Young Pony Club

YouTube via bangonkatie
Roland HS60

Alesis Ion The Cars "Let's Go"

YouTube via synthartist69.

"Here is a cool Sync Lead patch from the Ion."
BTW, if you have an ION or a Micron or are contemplating one, read this. I'm not sure how wide spread this problem is as the first I hear of it was on AH today. If you know more feel free to comment. For what it's worth, I have an Ion and haven't run into this but you better believe I will be careful with electro-static shock. The ION really is a great synth.