MOOG Taurus Pedals

images via this auction

serial # 1656
"pics have been changed to wood/oak but could be changed back to original"

Rhodes Chroma Polaris

images via this auction

Paia GNOME synth 3740 black face 1974

images via this auction


"Paia GNOME mini synth from the '70's. This unit is in very nice condition, I tested it and it works, the strip and probe seem to have no effect, trigger button does. I've had a few of these, due to the inexpensive parts used as a kit, most of the slide switches seem to be an ongoing problem, the pots are less of a problem, but some are scratchy. I wish someone offered these little noise making beauties with quality controls. Complete manual set is original, the front plate of this synth is very nice, the battery connections(2) look to have been insulated with tape , and might have to be longer. The trigger button is cheap, all in all you don't see many of these complete as this one."

Vermona on Sequencer.de

Sequencer.de just put up a bunch of content including samples, images and info on the following:
Vermona DRM1 mkII - Analog-Drumsynthesizer (pictured)
Vermona RINGMODULATOR RM1
Vermona M.A.R.S. monophonic analogue rack synthesizer
Vermona Synthesizer 1983

You can find them here.

Absynth History and Review on Sequencer.de

Sequencer.de has a good post up on the history of Absynth and a review on Absynth 4. You can find it in original German here, or in Googlish here.

Moog Little Phatty Tribute Edition

flickr by uberLAB

full size light
full size dark

Musikmesse: Percussa to Demo New MIDI Bridge Software

"MARCH 6TH - MERE, BELGIUM — Percussa, a Belgium based electronic musical instruments company, will demo its AudioCubes hardware platform with Propellerheads Reason at the upcoming Musikmesse.

AudioCubes are a unique and visually intriguing performance tool that can be used as fully assignable MIDI controllers for music and multimedia as well as a standalone wireless digital/analog lo-fi sound generator and processor.

When used as a controller, the AudioCubes translate their physical positioning and proximity (including external surfaces) to Trigger and scalable Continuous Controller information, which can be routed via its Midi Bridge software to other applications such as as Ableton Live, Reason, softsynths, plug-in FX and physical MIDI devices. Through construct development programs such as Cycling 74's Max/MSP/Jitter these capabilities can be extended to the control of Lighting, Video, even electromechanical Installations, and open a world of research and education possibilities in which hands-on interaction with technology plays a key role.

Besides presenting an update to the MIDI Bridge application and manuals for AudioCubes, Percussa will demo improved compatibility with Propellerhead Software Reason 4 through a new remote codec, to be released as a free download for all AudioCubes users after the Musikmesse. Among the other improvements of its MIDI Bridge software are sensor scaling and inversion, and a preset system.

More than just an alternate controller, the AudioCubes inspire creative new approaches to your productions.

Availability: Software available as a free download from http://www.percussa.com/
Photos
Video"

genoQs Octopus

image via this auction via Rod.

Variable theremin collaborative presents March 12-13

If you are in Ohio:
"Variable theremin collaborative presents March 12-13 events
Tuesday, March 4, 2008

The Variable Theremin Collaborative is a multidisciplinary performance that coordinates performance between participants by means of audible and visual feedback derived from each performer. The feedback takes the form of collaborative instruments, which require the performance of two dancers to function. There are two primary feedback vehicles: a theremin and video processor. The musicians -- Joe Adamik (percussion), Marina Peterson (cello) and Jesse Peterson (violin) -- will improvise, providing multiple potential inputs for the theremin.

A demonstration of this performance is scheduled from 2 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 12, at the Aesthetic Technologies Lab in Putnam Hall 235. The Variable Theremin Collaborative will perform at 9 p.m. the same day in Seigfred Hall's Mitchell Auditorium. The group will also host a workshop from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, March 13, at the Aesthetic Technologies Lab.

The theremin is a musical instrument that relies on two inputs to produce a single synthesized tone. The first input controls the frequency of the audible output, the second input controls volume. The result of the combination of the inputs is a monophonic, highly variable linearly controlled musical instrument. In a traditional theremin both inputs are controlled by a single player.

The Variable Theremin Collaborative expands on the traditional theremin by allowing elements of two dancers' performances to be mapped to inputs on a virtual theremin. The quintessential example of this is mapping a dancer's position relative to the front or back of the stage to the volume of theremin."

via Ty

Roland Juno-60 + EHX Small Stone + Minimoog + SCI Pro-One

YouTube via retrosound72

"vintage synth demo (70`s style) by RetroSound
analog strings: Roland Juno-60 through EHX Small Stone phase shifter
lead sound: Moog Minimoog
bass-drone: SCI Pro-One
drums: Roland TR-606"

ROBOTERWERKE Update

Hajo sent in some more info on the ROBOTERWEREKE including interviews, interesting comics and a couple more images. click here and scroll down to the red update. Comments disabled here to keep them all in that post.

MOOG Prodigy Modular

click here. Be sure to scroll down when you get there for the Update including samples and this piece. Comments disabled here to keep them all on the prior post.

via robert

Re: My kitten plays keyboards better than me.

YouTube via stretta. "My response to Dave's cat's mad keyboard skillz"

genoQs at the Musikmesse

via genoQs Machines
"we are delighted to announce that we will be present at the Musikmesse in Frankfurt, on Friday and Saturday, the 14th and 15th of March, 2008.

Most of all, we would like to take this opportunity to meet you in person, should you plan to be there, present you Octopus in person, and possibly reveal to you the one or other secret..

We will be located in the "Synthesizer-Welt" area: Hall 5.1 / B66, and much looking forward for you to drop by. See you in Frankfurt next week!"

Cwejman Review on The Stretta Procedure

click here for the full review.
"This is a somewhat lengthy preamble to deep love of Cwejman modules. To be clear, I own a nice mix of modules from a variety manufacturers. I always enjoyed using my modular, but there was a quality of unpredictability that was endearing in some situations, but somewhat annoying in others. So, sometime in the last six months I picked up a used Cwejman VCO-2RM. It was a revelation. Here was a precision that I have not experienced before in this format. This module does exactly what you ask it to do without giving a few suggestions of its own."

Jean Jacques Perrey and Dana Countryman in England

click here for more pics of the show.


Roland JP-8000
Roland Juno-6
MOOG The Rogue

Yamaha CS-60 Polyphonic Analog Synthesizer

YouTube via bigcitymusic. The little brother of the CS80, the CS60.
"Here is a Yamaha CS-60 that we have had in storage since around 1996. It is in exceptional condition. These are normally fairly beat up because of their size and weight. Our friend Duron Kochli is playing it."

Swamp Thang

SwampThang.mp3

Bass - Doepfer modular ;-) (from an Allen Strange patch)
Perc - ESX1
Noises - KP2->KP3
the Mobius is clocking the beats

via daddio of Tapewarm

Electro Harmonix Clap Track Demo

You can find it here.

Me playing Visage "Fade to Grey"

YouTube via DX5
"As requested, Fade to Grey. There are some mistakes, but if everything were right, I would be Billy Currie :D.
Above: Roland JX8P
Mid: Roland D10
Below: Yamaha DX7 II FD
Backtape running on Pro Tools"

Practical Electronics Sound Synthesizer and the Minisonic

There is a current thread on the SDIY list regarding who has the oldest DIY synth. You might remember Jim Patchell's 1978 DIY modular.

Geoff built the Sound Synthesizer designed by G.D. Shaw featured in Practical Electronics.

"I built the Practical Electronics Sound Synthesiser featured in the February 1973 issue of the magazine. I think it was the first DIY Synth to be published in the UK. For those who have never seen this, the designers page is here (Shaw's Corner), click on 'New Stuff v Old Hat' and scroll down to the front cover of the magazine"

From the site:
"An interest in the physics of sound meant that 1972 saw the design of a Sound Synthesiser. The prototype instrument is shown on the far left. Practical Electronics agreed to publish the design providing that it was made in modular form and equipped with a keyboard. The resulting instrument is shown on the front cover of PE for February 1973 and the series ran for a total of thirteen months."

Be sure to check out the Practical link below for more. Also check out this site.

Update via McKansas in the comments:
"Hi. I also built the 1973 Practical Electronics synth . Added the VCF that was published later. It had a sample and hold module that is still unrivalled. There were two simple but incredibly useful differential inverter/non-inverter/mixer amps. The ramp generators are very interesting eg: one ramp through the non-inverting and the other ramp output to the inverting input- this result to osc or filter. All my modules still work. This was a well thought out design. It was of course intended as a 'sound workshop' rather than a keyboard synth. The only glaring omission was the VCF. ... also had a great Ring Modulator..and voltage controlled stereo output amps."

Sequential Circuits Six-Trak

via this auction

ARP Quadra

via this auction

ARP AXXE

via this auction

Arp 2600 Keyboard Model 3604-P

images via this auction

"Includes the Cable which connects the keys to the 2600, keyboard is fitted in a road case with top. This is the early model Arp 2600 keyboard that came with the Arp 2600 with the Moog style filter."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Synthesizers.com 22 space modular

via this auction
1 - 22-Space cabinet made from MDF (Medium density fiberboard). Covered with Walnut contact paper
1 -Power supply
1 - Cable harness for 20 modules
1 - Q137 Power Control Module
1 - Q104 MIDI Interface Module
1 - Q124 Multiple Module
2 - Q106 Oscillator Modules
2 - Q109 Envelope Generator Modules
2 - Q108 Amplifier Module
1 - Q107 State-Variable Filter Module
1 - Q112 4-Channel Mixer Module
1 - Q105 Slew Limiter Module
1 - Q110 Noise Source Module
1 - Q117 Sample / Hold Module
1 - Q116 Ring Modulator Module
1 - Q118 Instrument Interface Module
2 - Q141 Oscillator Aid Modules
1 - Double Space blank Module Panel
1 - Single Space Blank Module Panel
1 - Single Synthesizers.com Logo Panel
4 - QP4MM-12 12" Patch Cable (brown)
5 - QP4MM-24 24" Patch Cable (red)
3 - QP4MM-36 36" Patch Cable (orange)

Vintage MOOG Prodigy Pins

via this auction

"vintage moog pins!
they say moog prodigy several times
and then I Dig Prodigy is highlighted in a different color.
in great shape, sorry if the picture is a bit blurry.
the pins measure about 1.5-2 inches."

Anyone seen these before?
I'm curious if they are from MOOG or custom and when they came out.

Cwejman 19" Rack Mounting System

now available at Analogue Haven along with the VCO-6.

click for a bigger shot

via Mr. Array

Zendrum Zap Midi Percussion Controller

YouTube via hypnosapien
"Demonstration of the rhythmic and melodic capabilities of the new Zendrum ZAP desktop percussion controller. All sounds triggered from an E-mu PX-7."

Soulwax2

flickr by Michael De Wilde
(click for Soulwax1)

Spot the synths.

Some labels below for what I immediately spotted.

AVIADOR DRO - La TV es nutritiva

YouTube via mgmanu2. Via David on AH. 1982. Is this the first TV appearance of the Roland TB-303? Anyone spot the other synths?
"Actuación en el programa de Ángel Casas 'Musical Express'"

Some notes via David on AH:
"(bassline makes appearance, in sync with 606, of course at 1:30 and 3:45)
"La Television es Nutrativa" appears on the LP Primer Aliento recorded '81 & '82
"El Naciemiento de la Industria" was on the Navidades Radioactives comp from 1982 which is when I'd assume they made the promotional rounds on Spanish TV.
El Aviador Dro are an outstanding band. Their 1st ever US tour brought them to a Rhumba club in Queens in 2006 where I captured the updated sound (sans 303) of "Nuclear Si":

AVIADOR DRO - El nacimiento de la industria


Aviador Dro - Nuclear Si 1983


Reunion in 2006:
Aviador Dro - Nuclear Si -NYC 2006

Pixelh8 Update

In case you missed the update in this post, Matrixsynth actually got a thanks in the credits of the Pro Performer. Go check it out!

BTW, always look for the red Updates in posts. I just added another Alesis Andromeda video to a post below.

Laser Harp Mk II Construction

YouTube via shobley
Remember the Laser Harp? Here are some videos on it's construction. you can find more videos here.

Recording Oberheim DX for new Criborn track.

YouTube via RothHandle
"Today we started working on a new track for Niclas Criborns solo project. He said he wanted a slightly more harder electronic feel for the track. So I started off by taking out the Electribe and then I just felt it would be too simple...so I used the Oberheim DX instead. I hooked it up to the Roland Re-501, a moogerfooger analog delay and the sinister Sherman Filterbank MK I and then into a Urei compressor.

I think it turned out o.k.

This film was shot at my studio, Roth Händle. It is located in Stockholm Sweden and is available for sessions, or full productions. For more info please mumble by www.roth-handle.nu"

Flame midi talking synth on new Criborn track

YouTube via RothHandle

"Today we started recording the second track for some sort of ep. Niclas wanted it to be electronic so I made it.....electronic. The rhythm was made on the Oberheim DX and after that I recorded a random arpeggio thing using this wonderful device...The flame midi talking synth.

As David Bowie once said about the Stylophone...I write all my songs on this.

Well...maybe not, I still write some on the stylophone.

This film was shot at Roth Händle studios, Stockholm. For more info and/or bookings please visit www.roth-handle.nu"

The beat from Palookaville messing with the Yamaha GX-1

YouTube via RothHandle. The GX-1 was the precursor to the CS80.
"Tomorrow Thursday will be a big day because we will be changing the power supply for the Yamaha GX-1.

But yesterday I had a wonderful swedish band visiting me in the studio. The are called the beat from Palookaville and I couldn't resist turning on the GX-1 and let Torbjörn fiddle around with the giant synth. The synth is terribly out of tune because we didn't really let it warm up but you can sort of get an idea of the textures...YOu should also keep in mind that this is the first time Torbjörn sat down at this synth. Anyways it might be of some interest...

I think he was very intrigued by the knee control...

For more info on the Yamaha GX-1 and the roth händle studio in general...please visit www.roth-handle.nu"

Novation A-Station + Novation Drum Station

YouTube via xigronaus
"Presentation for Ebay: Novation A-Station + Novation Drum Station triggered from Roland TR-505 and Ableton Live 5.2"

Little Lap Dogma

YouTube via robotpickle

"Annoying my little doggie to my music. Minimoog, Roland Juno, Arturia Moog Modular"

Roland Juno-106 + SH-101 + TR-606 by RetroSound

YouTube via retrosound72

"vintage synth demo by RetroSound
analog pads and sweeps: Roland Juno-106
bass-seq: Roland SH-101, triggered by the TR-606
drums: Roland TR-606"

drummachine jam, md 606 and evolver smallstone

YouTube via enapa1apa
"jam with 606 thru smallstone and evolver, md throu evo too.... chaos and smooth elektrojam.... soundcraft 400b mixer..."

Hand Made TB-303 Clone

via wire to the ear where you can find more info.

"It didn’t have the interesting sequencer of a real 303 but the basic sound was extremely close. With careful Midi programming (back then on Atari Cubase) you could fake the slides and accents that made the 303 so wicked."

Divius - Roland TR808 clone

via Sequencer.de

Roland TB-303 The Beast

images via this auction
via Pawn sphinx on the forum.

You can find more info on The Beast mods here.

Nord Lead 2x Demo

YouTube via theveg99. via fischek. Overview comes in about a minute into it.
"House/Trance Producer Marshal Arnold shows off a Clavia Lead 2x."

Oberheim OB-MX

YouTube via rezfilter. "The Oberheim OB-MX. Sonic Fury."
Hopefully we will see more of these. The OB-Mx is a fascinating bit of synth history.
See these posts for more and be sure to see this post. Don Buchla was involved in the design.
Update: Be sure to also check out the samples in the prior posts including these from Brian Kehew of The Moog Cookbook.

Roland TR-606 "Drumatix" Analogue Drum Machine by RetroSound

Youtube via retrosound72

"vintage drum machine demo by RetroSound
Roland TR-606 from 1982

7 analogue Sounds: Bass Drum, Snare Drum, Low Tom, High Tom, Closed/ Open Hi-Hat, Cymbal

The little sister of the legandary Roland TR-808 with the typical LED step programming."

Alesis Andromeda "'I"ll Wait" Van Halen

YouTube via synthartist69. Sent my way via Mr. Array.

Jim Patchell Patchtron

DIY modular built from scratch by Jim Patchell in 1978.

Note the filter in the Mattson Mini Modular bears his name.

You can find previous posts feature Jim Patchell including more of his modular DIY here.

You can find the Jim Patchell DIY Synthesizer Web Page here.

New Old Stock Boss RPH-10

via swissdoc:

"just got this in the mail today, a brand new, mint in box, New Old Stock Boss RPH-10.
Opening this up was like in a time machine, the flyer, the sticker etc. 23 years old if I take the printed in 1985 label from the manual.

Will add a decent phasing to my Blofeld ;-)"

Check out AudioCubes at Musikmesse 2008

via Percussa
"I am Bert Schiettecatte, the founder of PERCUSSA, and the inventor of the AudioCubes, the first tangible interface in the world for live electronic music.
I would like to personally invite you to our booth at the upcoming Musikmesse in Frankfurt, and check out the latest developments of the AudioCubes, such as:
• improved compatbility with Propellerheads Reason
• the MIDI Bridge preset system
• improved MIDI continuous controller scaling, range setting and inversion
Our booth location: Hall 5.1, Stand D39. Stop by and say hello!
Also, don't forget to visit the AudioCubes forum where you can exchange experiences with other users of the AudioCubes and ask questions.
Warm regards from Europe,
Bert Schiettecatte
PERCUSSA"