Monday, February 11, 2008
Mitchell Sigman's Synthesizers.com Modular System!
"http://www.celebusite.com
http://www.analogsuicide.com
http://www.synthesizers.com
Filmed by Maf Lewis in December 2007, Mitchell Sigman takes us for a divine tour of his beloved synthesizers.com modular system from his North Hollywood studio."
The Therevox - et-3 finished
flickr by mikebeauchampfull size
http://therevox.com/
"NEW model Electro-Theremin, called the ET-3 for now. This will improve on a few aspects of the ET-1 and add a lot of interesting features. The improvements over the ET-1 are that the mock-keyboard will be perfectly spaced, that is each key will be exactly the same size. All previous Electro-Theremins, relied on an internal mechanism that approximated this and came very close but not exact.
The new ET-3 is going to have a feature I've wanted to implement for a long time, Control Voltage output! I'm not lucky enough to own a synthetizer to use this with, but those that are will be able to control another synthesizer with the standard 1v/octave control voltage. There will also be inputs for linear and log frequency modulation and external control voltage input if you wish to control the electro-theremin with something else or modulate the frequency with an LFO or something. The ET-3 will also have 10v p-p square wave output to use to sync other oscillators and the ET-3 will have a sync input as well."
Robert Moog
and other flickr by Neil Vance (click for more). There's more going up daily, so be sure to check it out.full size
Color Coding Patch Leads
via Navs:"thought I'd share this with the modularists...
Lost in a jungle of grey and black patch leads and can't figure out what's modulating what?
Then grab yourself some Post-it notes, sello-tape & scissors for a transparent patching experience!"
Giorgio Moroder - Chase (Midnight Express) German TV
YouTube via matschinsky2. Sent my way via Kris.
"Giorgio Moroder on German TV 1979"
Minimoog comes in at 2:12. The angle makes the panel appear much longer. I didn't realize Morodor spoke German. He is Italian.
Latinsizer live 02:08:2008
YouTube via pepemogt. Anyone been to TJ? I have. Man this would have been a sight to see.
"A live analog synthesizer jam by Latinsizer in Tjuana @ Lobby .
Equipment used at this concert is as follows:
Oberheim 4 voice
EML 200
Korg SQ-10 analog sequencer
Tenori-on
Live6
JLcopper CS-32
Feb 8 2008. (footage by lxuk)
enjoy!
http://www.myspace.com/latinsizer"
Acid House
YouTube via Cubik303
"A quick bit of acid house for the cronies. Filmed with my new Sony Handycam."
Roland TB-303, Creamware ASB Prodyssey, Jazz Mutant Lemur, KORG KP-3
x0xb0x 356
images via this auction"Adafruit x0xb0x TB-303 Replica Acid Analog Synth This synth sounds exactly like a 303!!! No-Joke!!! I put it next to my friend's 303 and I could get them so close you could not tell the difference!!! This was built professionally by an experienced synthesizer tech. The soldering looks perfect!!! He also did quite a few mods on it for a closer 303 sound. Mods: -On/off switch added to rear panel, Rear panel painted with durable black wrinkle paint, Interior connecting wiring done with wires rather than the flimsy ribbon cables supplied, Bass boost mod, and Resonance boost mod."
I love the dog tags these come with. I wonder what the current count is.
JoMoX Xbase 999
images via this auction"Gritty 8 bit samples with the ability to add your own samples. 4 extra midi sequencer tracks. A built in analog filter for filtering everything"
Roland PG-200 In Original Box
images via this auction"Roland PG-200 Programmer, for use with Roland synthesizers such as the JX-3P (among others). includes the PG-200 Programmer, cardboard box, black Roland programmer storage case, owner's manual, and DIN (connector) cord (w/storage bag)."
Sequential Circuits Six-Trak
images via this auction
"The Sequential Circuits Six-Trak was released in 1984 at a list price of $1295. It is 28’’ wide, 11 ¾’ deep, 4 ¼ high, weighing in at 18 pounds. It features a 4 octave, non touch sensitive, keyboard with non spring loaded pitch and modulation wheels located on the left hand side above the keyboard. My initial impression of the wheel location was negative but after using the board for about a week, I become accustomed to reaching above the keyboard for the wheels. The pitch wheel’s range is a third and is not adjustable. I prefer a spring loaded pitch wheel but this made up in the fact that the six-trak will send and receive pitch and modulation wheel data via midi. The six-trak is a six voice, multi-timbred unit that features an 800 note sequencer, arpegiator, and 100 patch locations. The back panel features and a single audio out (six would have been great and was later implemented in SCI’s multi-trak), midi in and out ports (where’s the thru?), and a control foot switch which can be used to scroll through programs and advance the arpegiator one step at a time.
Multi-Tambral/Keybord modes/Sequencer/Apregiator
The unit can be used in number of keyboard modes which will alter how the voices are assigned. When powered up, the unit is a six voice, homophonic synthesizer. You can program the patch to operate in unison mode which will play all six voice at once (lowest note priority), or normal which assigns one voice to each key press. Triggering may be single or multiple. What is amazing is something SCI calls stack mode, which allows you to assign six separate patches (SIX separate timbres) to one key. When in stack mode you can turn off voices by simply setting their the ‘trak’ volume to zero for the particular voice. The unit can remember two of these stacks in the units memory. Additionally using its internal sequencer, you can assign six separate monophonic voices to each of the one six sequencer tracks. And you can play along with the sequencer using as many of the remaining voices that aren’t being used by the sequence. Once a sequence is recorded you can go back and change the applicable sequence’s patch and volume.
The unit offers a simple arpegiator which only uses the sixth voice. It can be assigned to play in an up/down mode or in the order the notes are played. The arepgiator may be latched and the remaining five voices may be used to play on top of the arpegiator. Unfortunately to get the unit to realize you want to change the arpegiation you have to take it out of the latch mode. Additionally the sequencer can not be used at the same time as the arepgiator - Probably to much work for the central processor.
The six track has an 800 note sequencer that is divided into two banks. Its a bit on the slim slide and I really don’t use it much. Once a sequence is recorded you can speed up or slow down the sequence from its initial recording speed. You can change the patch it will use to play the sequence but you can insert patch changes in the middle of the sequence. By turning the sequencer’s speed knob all the way to the left, the sequencer will sync to incoming midi clock. (Note: The arpegiator will not sync to incoming midi clock - this should have been implemented in the o/s ver .11 (final release) but wasn’t)
The VoiceEach voice is contained on a single CEM 3394 chip which includes a single VCO, VCA, and VCF. The LFO and three envelopes per voice are software generated. The VCO offers saw, triange, vairable pulse width waveforms, and more than one waveform may be selected at a time. The pulse width may be controlled by the LFO. The VCO may be modulated by its own dedicated ADSR which may be inverted and portmento (glide) is included at the patch level (much better than global i.e. Roland JX8P). The LFO offers either a square or triangle waveforms and can modulate the filter, VCA, and the pulse width. However the amount applied to each of these destinations is set using one LFO parameter and you can only choice if you want this amount to affect each of the three destination. There is no delay for the LFO either. The filter is great it can sound real dirty or pretty clean. The filter offers the cutoff, resonance (self oscillating), three levels of keyboard tracking (on, half, off), LFO on/off, and a dedicated ADSR which may be inverted. Additionally the filter may modulated by the oscillator’s triangle wave which is excellent and offers some really cool sounding effects. Last but not least the filter offers a mixer to mix the level of the oscillator and a dedicated noise source. The VCA has its owned dedicated ADSR and the VCA output level is programmable. Included at the patch level is a parameter to select normal or unison mode (see above).
Editing is done by using a 10 digit (0-9) numeric key pad to dial up the applicable parameter you wish to adjust. Parameter values are adjusted by a single knob. For some reason the evelopes only offer a range of 15 values for each parameter which is to restrictive for my liking. Almost all other parameters offer plenty of values. The two digit LED will display the patch number, or the parameter number or parameter value. Clearly knobs for each parameter would have been great but would have increased costs. This method is reasonably simple and easy to get used to especially once you become familiar with parameter numbers which is listed on the front of the synth for easy reference. The only draw back is that you can't see what parameter you are editing and its value at the same time. On the Multi-trak, Sequential devised a grid for selecting paramters which is quite good.
So how does it sound? Let me first say that is no OBXa or Memory Moog when it comes to obesity and lushness. Having said that though, I still think it sounds great. Its sounds analog and it excels at making synth sounds. While a second osc would have been nice - it was obviously not included to keep the cost down and not to directly compete with the Prophet 600. However having the ability to modulate the filter with the oscillator and having three separate envelopes in tremendous. And the ability to layer six different sounds on one key will provide you with massive fatness at the expense of polyphony.
MIDIThe six trak has a midi in and out ports but no thru port. The unit may operate in onmi, poly, or mono mode. In mono mode each monophonic voice is assigned a midi channel so the unit can be used in a multi-tambral fashion via a midi. It would have been nice if the unit used a voice allocation scheme (preferably dynamic allocation scheme) so you could have played more than one voice on each channel if there were unused voices.-but I dont think any manufacturer had implemented this feature back in 1984. The unit can perform system exclusive dumps of its sequences, stacks, 100 programs, or single programs. The unit will send and receive program changes, pitch and modulation wheel movements. Additionally the unit will respond to parameter changes but not send them. (Does anyone know if the ability to send them was implemented on later operating systems). Local on/off is also provided which allows you to turn off the six trak’s keyboard. The best midi feature of the six track is that each paramter will respond to a specific midi continious controller number (cc#). Paramter 0 will respond to message sent by cc #2, parameter 1 will respond to messages sent by cc#3 and so. Essentially, just add 2 to the parameter # and you have identified the CC# that affects the parameter. One word of caution, the cpu of the six trak is not that fast and if send the unit more than 4 or 5 of these cc commands at one the unit will lock up. However for most practical uses it works fine and realy lets you control the unit via midi."
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Démonstration du clavier NordWave (La Boite Noire)
YouTube via ManuInFrance
"Un tour d'horizon des nombreuses possibilités du Clavia NordWave par Jonas Lofvenmark. Catalogue Nord sur http://www.laboitenoiredumusicien.com"
SunSyn RCO Madness
click here for audio of the SunSyn RCO via Shagghie."Per request, SunSyn demo featuring primarily only RCO1. Only one (of 8) voices used on a single patch. Touch of springverb for depth... but that's it. No, you aren't going crazy when you start to hear things that don't quite sound like your average poly analog. Fairly dynamic, so use caution in headphones, as always."
Moog Minimoog sequenced by MFB Step64
YouTube via retrosound72
"Moog Minimoog triggered by the MFB Step64 step sequencer drums: Roland TR-606"
Saturday, February 09, 2008
Audio Damage Ricochet Update
"I have to say, on a personal note, this plug has taken a bit (okay, a lot) longer to make than most of our other offerings, but it is well worth it. While it seems rather simple on the face of things (and wasn't that the point?) there is a lot going on under the hood of this one. Unlike the everything-and-the-sink approach of something like Delay Designer or PSP 608, we narrowed the focus down to the most usable feature set. As such, I'll be the first to admit that Ricochet has a definite sound to it, unlike those two effects, which only have "vibe" if you program it in to them. This is the result of not having controls for every possible parameter, but rather making conscious design decisions, and only baring the controls that you literally can't live without." Click here for more. I actually got an early copy and it is definitely going to be a fun one.
iFOREST
via SoNiCbRaT"This is a synthesis based live improvisation I've done at home. This 16+ minute set features the Doepfer A100 Modular System; Sherman Filterbank 2; and MOOG Little Phatty. All synthesis were created and done on the spot except for the LP which I've just used a preset to start with and did modulations and filtering along the way. Recorded on the KORG MR1000 and delay was applied post. It's a noise and synthesis based improvisation so it's not the usual music you'll hear on my myspace. Session was recorded with KORG MR1000."
You can find the mp3 here.
The Threeler and Filter Foundry
via Scott Stites:
"Here's something that doesn't come along every day. A few years back, I built a dual version of PCB pattern for René Schmitz's "late" MS20 VCF, which René had designed using CA3080s and green LED's for the resonance limiter. This particular rendition of the circuit has the marvelous capacity of creating strong harmonics above and below the fundamental while feeding it a sawtooth into it while in HP mode, which creates a sound not unlike two or more oscillators operating simultaneousy (the effect is not the same a simple sub-oscillator). I'd posted some samples that happened to include the filter, and the sound of the thing caught Ian Fritz's ear. The chaotic non-linearity of the the filter, and the resulting timbres interested him. To make a long story short, he came up with a filter based on the concept that does some amazing things, which he calls the "Threeler". It actually contains three six dB blocks in cascade, each of which can be configured either in HP or LP mode. He includes a version of the resonance limiter, which helps to impart the nonlinear response, to which the timbre of the the output owes much.
There's a thread at electro-music about it here.
The threeler operates in four modes. Here the links to a couple of samples:
Mode 1
Mode 2 (I especially like this one!)
If anyone is unfamiliar with Ian Fritz and his work, he's a well-seasoned author in the Electronotes series, and has a site here.
Cheerio,
Scott"
"Here's something that doesn't come along every day. A few years back, I built a dual version of PCB pattern for René Schmitz's "late" MS20 VCF, which René had designed using CA3080s and green LED's for the resonance limiter. This particular rendition of the circuit has the marvelous capacity of creating strong harmonics above and below the fundamental while feeding it a sawtooth into it while in HP mode, which creates a sound not unlike two or more oscillators operating simultaneousy (the effect is not the same a simple sub-oscillator). I'd posted some samples that happened to include the filter, and the sound of the thing caught Ian Fritz's ear. The chaotic non-linearity of the the filter, and the resulting timbres interested him. To make a long story short, he came up with a filter based on the concept that does some amazing things, which he calls the "Threeler". It actually contains three six dB blocks in cascade, each of which can be configured either in HP or LP mode. He includes a version of the resonance limiter, which helps to impart the nonlinear response, to which the timbre of the the output owes much.
There's a thread at electro-music about it here.
The threeler operates in four modes. Here the links to a couple of samples:
Mode 1
Mode 2 (I especially like this one!)
If anyone is unfamiliar with Ian Fritz and his work, he's a well-seasoned author in the Electronotes series, and has a site here.
Cheerio,
Scott"
Michael Iceberg on The Tonight Show With Johnny Carson
YouTube via sandysoup.
Be sure to see this post for one of his full performances at Disneyland.
Sent my way via mark. From the video description: "See www.isntlifeterrible.com"
escape hawaii - is this everything
YouTube via MacAssfromheLL. via C64Music!
http://www.escapehawaii.com/ - features the Nintendo GameBoy and Commodore 64.
Commodore 64 Cynthcart: DIY Programmable Auto Filter!
YouTube via littlescale. Via C64Music! where you can find some additional info on Arduino.
"A little program on a Macbook is controlling the filter frequency on a (real) Commodore 64 that is running Slocum's Cynthcart program. Funtimes!
Software, schematics + code:
http://little-scale.blogspot.com/2008...
---
http://little-scale.blogspot.com"
Commodore 64 Cynthcart: Syncing a filter sequencer to LSDJ
"The program Cynthcart is running on the Commodore 64. The filter is usually controlled by a paddle control in real time. However, it is easy also to sequence the filter frequency using some cheap IC's.
In this case, the speed of the sequencer is controlled by the master clock sync output from LSDJ running on the Gameboy.
---
http://little-scale.blogspot.com"
EK-Lounge #15 Songs Online
Remember EK-Lounge #15? You can now find the tracks online here. You can find previous lounge tracks here (look for the player on the right. Note the site is in German. You can find it in Googlish here. You will note that Stockhausen was an influence for #15.via Aliens Project
LL Electronics Poly RozzBox (no effects!)
YouTube via bigcitymusic
"Here is the LL Electronics Poly RozzBox being tweaked by Randy Kerber. There are no effects on this. It's just the RozzBox. www.bigcitymusic.com"
Pixelh8 - Music Tech Pro Performer (2 of 3)
YouTube via Hiddenfortress. www.hiddenyouthrecords.co.uk
D85: FlametopFred Shreds Electone Style
YouTube via FlametopFred. Yamaha Electone D85.
"What it possibly might sound like when Keith Emmerson takes over the Yamaha Electone organ at the Retirement Home for old Rock Musicians."
Korg Electribe MX plays the Korg MS-20
YouTube via Newueel
"This is a Korg Electribe MX used for playing the Korg MS-20.
The EMX output bus for Synth Part 5 is set to the OutBus 3/4 and is used as input signal for the Korg MS-20 (ESP). The ESP (CV OUT) is used for only one oscilator (VCO2), so the other one (VCO1) still can be used by playing the MS-20 keyboard.
So basicly all sounds come from the MS-20. (except @2:14-3:00)
Useful for:
- realtime playing (@0:00)
- playing prerecorded parts (@1:42)
- both combined with playing the MS-20 keyboard (@1:59)
- also combined with other EMX parts (@2:14)
and of course many varieties...
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
KNOBS:
VCO1: [Rectangle] [(left)] [32']
VCO2: [Rectangle] [0] [8']
PORTAMENTO: [4]
VCOMIX: [0/10] [10] [ 0] [ 0]
HPF: [ 4] [ 7] [ 6] [ 0]
LPF: [ 6] [ 6] [ 7] [ 0]
MG: [^(middle)] [0]
EG1: (not used)
EG2: [0] [0] [10] [10] [3]
ESP: [6] [5] [5] [10] [4]
PATCHES:
1. (EMX OUTPUT 3) -> ESP (SIGNAL IN)
2. ESP (CV OUT) -> VCO 2 (CV IN)
3. ESP (TRIG OUT) -> (TRIG IN) "
minimoog
YouTube via emssynthi100
"just testing the filter input on my mini. also there is a bit of reverb from a roland re 301"
Synth Brochures
for anyone interested there are a number of synth brochures up for auction this auction.Korg Wavestation.
Some synth history: when Sequential Circuits absolved, Dave Smith went on to Yamaha to work on the SY22 and TG33 Vector Synths, a direct descendant of the Sequential Circuits Prophet VS vector synthesizer. He then went on to KORG to produce the KORG Wavestation also a vector wavetable synthesizer. He finally ended up forming Dave Smith Instruments where he now produces the Evolver and Prophet '08 synths. An interesting note is that the Evolver line features both analog oscillators and the digital oscilators of the Prophet VS, but there is not joystick to morph between OSCs like his previous vector synths.
Note that the difference between a vector synthesizer and a wavetable synth like the PPG Waves and Waldorf line of wavetable synths is that a vector synth typically has four digital oscillators with various waveforms that you can adjust the volume of each with a joystick. A wavetable synth on the other hand has a wavetable with multipe single cycle waveforms that you can assign to each oscillator. You can then assign a modulation source like an LFO or envelope to sweep through that wavetable. This obviously makes the voice sound dynamic as you hold a key down. The Wavestation hand a bith of both. You could sweep through waves to create motion and you had the joystick to adjust the levels of each OSC. The one thing I am curious about however is if the Wavestation had wavetables in the sense of the PPG and Waldorf synth or if it rather swept through the different digital oscillator types. If you know, feel free to comment.
Studio Electronics Omega 8
images via this auction"The Omega 8 is an eight-voice, discrete circuit, multi-timbral, stereo, multi filtered, arpeggiating, DSP free Analog Dream Machine. Overflowing with elaborate MIDI control, dynamic signal processing, and expansive modulation, its sound creation and manipulation could very well exceed the boundaries of your imagination. Apparitional pads, foundational basses, revelatory leads, electrosonic drums, other-worldly sound effects and utterly massive synthetic soundscapes... The Studio Electronics Omega8 delivers true ANALOG stimulation. Exactly what you need to compete and remain a vital force in today's highly charged musical ecology.
GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
Voices: eight.
Multitimbrality: eight part; Parameters: patch, number of voices, mono or poly.
Audio outputs: one stereo per voice. One main stereo and main mono output.
Interface: 32 knobs (relative and jump modes), I rotary encoder, 35 tactile switches, 24 LEDS.
Display: 16 x 2 back lit liquid crystal.
Memory: 256 sound patches,128 multi patches in RAM.
Weight: 20 lbs.
Dimensions: 4 rack spaces, 15 inches deep.
Power: 90 - 250 volts AC auto switching."
Friday, February 08, 2008
Sex!
Well, not really, but it definitely contends for a monolith shot. Click here for more shots via Muff Wigger.
domo synth mixx
flickr by octoberskiesfull size
Casio, Yamaha? Anyone know what that is for the label?
Update via tylerstickley in the comments: "Yamaha PSS-470"
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MATRIXSYNTH - EVERYTHING SYNTH
© Matrixsynth - All posts are presented here for informative, historical and educative purposes as applicable within fair use.
MATRIXSYNTH is supported by affiliate links that use cookies to track clickthroughs and sales. See the privacy policy for details.
MATRIXSYNTH - EVERYTHING SYNTH
