Simmons SDS-V Drum Pads

via this auction and this auction

"Simmons 12' drum pads for the Simmons SDS-V drum synth system"

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Inside an Oberheim OB-Xa

images via this auction

Electrocomp EML 400

via this auction

"EML 400 Sequential synthesizer. Serial # 594.

This unit has two banks of 16 stages, and can be configured to trigger 32 stages sequentially. All stages trigger. The clock has been tested to trigger at a continuous range of speed. The oscillator sounds "fat and juicy". The filters (2) have been tested to modulate the signal."

Update via Dave Cornutt in the comments: "The 400 sequencer is actually the leftmost box on top. It was a neat design with a quantizing feature that could be tuned for equal tempered or alternate scales. And by patching the gate signals, it was possible to make it do quasi-random permutating sequences.

The box on the right was the 401 synth. It was a two-oscillator synth with the EML two-pole multimode filter. The synth they are both sitting on top of is the EML 101 semi-modular."

Voyager - Moog mix

YouTube via spaceweb10
"A new version of my movie about the journey of the Voyager space craft from earth, the Solar System and beyond,with a new soundtrack created using a Moog Modular 3C Synthesizer.Space footage coutesy of NASA"

BOSTICH+FUSSIBLE (live) / Nortec Tenori-on set

YouTube via pepemogt
"Bostich+Fussible Live set at Mexicali FEX,
thanks mexicali!

Live Performance by:
Pepe Mogt: Tenori-on, Ableton live, Reaktor 5, Jl Cooper Cs-32
Ramon Bostich: Tenori-on, MaxSP, Ableton live, Jl Cooper Cs-32
Ernesto Aello VJ PR4 - GarageCube Modul8 Iphone aka Remote + I3L, VJ mixer Edirol V4, 2 Mac book pro
Juan Tellez - Acordeon
Erasmo - Clarinete
Banda Aguacaliente - Tuba
Banda Aguacaliente - Trumpet
Camera man- Wilbert Chong "

Roxy Music - Ladytron

YouTube via Marquee84.

"From Old Grey Whistle Test (1972)"

Brian Eno and the EMS VC3S aka Putney. Anyone know what Brian Ferry is playing?

The ARP 2600: Oscillators Part 4

YouTube via AutomaticGainsay. All parts here.
"Here is the fourth in a series of demonstrations of the sound and functionality of ARP 2600 oscillators. It is a thrill-a-minute joyride which will have you on the very edge of your seats!"

Inside the Korg Polysix. Analog synths with Storage

YouTube via sounddoctorin. via Nusonica.
"Bob Weigel of http://sounddoctorin.com goes over the layout of some of the more significant components in the Korg Polysix, a synthesizer which sold around 22,000 units produced from 1981 to 1983 or thereabouts. Korg simplified and cut cost in many ways on these units but they stand as one of the few fully analog (with a discrete VCO for each voice if not two) polyphonic synthesizers ever mass produced along with the Prophet 5/10, the Oberheim OBX, OBXa, and OB8, which had BOTH memory and full editing from the panel without toggling through menus etc. Later a MIDI retrofit was also introduced bringing this unit and a rather nice one I hear. Hopefully I can get mine working that I just purchased broken :-). That unit is not shown in this demo though. The MIDI board lays over the top of the CPU's and a connector actually goes into the cpu sockets and the cpu's set on the new MIDI retro board."

Hologlyphic_Volumetric_Synth

flickr by Hologlyphics

full size

"Portable Analog Modular Volumetric Video Synthesizer-

Patch programmable by 'patch wires', just wire with no cable. Synthesizes a multitude of hologram quality 3D moving images. The smallest synth of the Hologlyphics system.

Inspired by when Synthi-AKS met R2D2 and saw him holographically project Princess Leia."

http://www.hologlyphics.com/

RozzBox One V2 Drum and Bass Demo

YouTube via JSBasss, via the forum.
"Demonstration of the RozzBox One V2 polyphonic synthesizer by L.L.Electronics, performed live by Kilian Leonhardt. Featuring (among others) envelope follower, bit crusher, sample rate reduction.
Other gear used: Roland PMA-5 (sequencing and crappy piano sound), E-MU e64 (sample drums), Behringer Virtualizer (delay)."

Does Your Synth Have Whiskers?

"As I was working on my [Hammond] M-2 I had a good view of the tone wheel generator in bright lighting. I thought that the tone wheel generator chassis was dusty but instead it was covered in whiskers. Zinc whiskers are crystalline structures that grow in the shape of a thin hairs emerging outward from a zinc surface. Every metal surface of the tone wheel generator is covered."
More info including why here.

Prague Synthesizer Gathering

Remember these videos?
Both peteness and Tiracon wrote in with some more info.
via peteness:
"Thanks for adding my unpretentious YouTube videos from Prague. That was the meeting of czech/ slovak internet forum "Electrozone". Electrozone is interested in mixing, recording, FXs, synthesizers since 2002....... The biggest analog freak of us is Bodyia. See his site [Syntetizéry].

There was a first synth's meeting in Bratislava one year ago. Here is some pics from Prague a week ago."

via Tiracon:
"pictures from prague meeting:
_3012371_web_2.jpg
ew-ezonesraz-audiopro.jpg
ezoneaudiopro.zip (cca 15MB)

And all known vids on youtube:

Links to the individual vids: V-synth, Oasys, Promars, Microwave, -"-, Wavestation, Moogy, SH-09

Update: one more via petenesss
eZone sraz březen 2008

Studiologic NUMA

I'm guessing this is a MIDI controller keyboard only. Not much info on the Studiologic site. According to juri on the Waldorf list the physical design (think appearance) was designed by Axel Hartmann who also designed the Blofeld's look.

Axel Harmann also designed the look for the MOOG Little Phatty, Alesis Andromeda an other synths. He also of course produced the Hartmann Neuron.

BTW, if you know what synths he worked on, feel free to list them out in the comments. It would be interesting to know them all.

Mochika

flickr by kernelslacker
(click for more images)

Mochika from Atomo Labs

Keio (Korg) Mini Pops Junior drum-box by RetroSound

YouTube via retrosound72

"vintage drum machine demo by RetroSound

Keio Mini Pops Junior drum-box:
10 preset rhythm (Ballad, Cha Cha, Latin Beat, Rock 1, Polka, Waltz, Mambo, Bossa Nova, Rock 2, Fox Trot)

used by Trevor Horn (Buggles)"

Roland SH-2000

YouTube via tipetto. via Nusonica.

MOOG PRODIGY Analog Synthesizer sequenced by RetroSound

YouTube via retrosound72

"vintage synth demo by RetroSound
- first test of the new CV/Gate connections with my Prodigy

The Prodigy is triggered by the SCI Pro-One arpeggiator and internal sequencer with different settings.

drums: Roland TR-606"

One man band plays Tetris Theme

YouTube via d0pefish. Yamaha DX100 on Bass.

Korg X-911 Guitar Synthesizer

video upload by buchla300

"Just a demo of my latest purchase!

A funky little Korg X-911. Tracks quite well. Just fooling around on the Video. May modify this to be a little modular as actually there is a lot of stuff in this little box according to this site http://home.swipnet.se/~w-49485/x911.htm"

Roland JD800 Improv

YouTube via fischek
"no video cuz I wasn't planning on creating a video - just recorded an audio improvisation using a great patch on JD800"

Monome with variable intensity LEDs

Per led intensity: with sound from Jul on Vimeo.

You can find more info on The Stretta Procedure.

Modded Matrix-12 Stolen

Stephen wrote in to let me know the one of a kind modded Matrix-12 pictured here was recently stolen from a friend of his. If you find this synth either online or posted for sale, please contact him at lx_rudis at sbcglobal.net. There is currently a reward. Contct lx for more info. You can also reach him here.

"the instrument can be instantly recognized, and the mod is described in the caption ['a trip down memory lane. this is the 'matrix 12' which confused so many reviewers back in 2002 when i released Crashing the Russian Renaissance. note cyclone arpeggiator on right side, it is a monstrously powerful device for creating ostinatos and repetitive figures out of nothing. sadly, the synthesizer was stolen from me in 2007. it can be recognized by a half dozen 1/4" jacks on the back and toggle switches which enable one to either process six external signals or pass voices 7-12 into voices 1-6 for additional processing. '] it's the only one in the world modified that way, i know that because i modified all four of them and this one is unique - none of the others have toggle switches.

a row of six 1/4" jacks in the middle of the back of the instrument, with six three-position mini toggles in a line above them. the toggles control whether the jacks feed external signal to voices 7-12 or route voices 1-6 into voices 7-12. internally, the mod is distinguished by the use of test probes to access the individual voice outs by clamping to the pins on the stock 'external output' mod on the left side of the synth.

Once again: this is an instrument with provenance, the only one modified in this way that i know of. three others were modified _BY ME_, and can be recognized because they have 12 jacks on the back, a plastic plate that identifies it as a 'matrix 12 xpansion', and no toggle switches.

this one was modded by one of my collaborators with my assistance, it has _six_ jacks on the back approximately 1.5" apart from each other, in a straight line, roughly in the center of the back. above that is a row of six three position mini-toggles which allow the user to:

a-route the six synths in the bottom voice board into the six synths of the top voice board

b-do nothing

c-send line level signals at the jacks into the six synths of the top voice board.

there is no plastic plate on this instrument, the mod is clean but looks homebrewed. i never duplicated this mod, and to the best of my knowledge it never occurred to anyone else to duplicate this mod.

if the instrument is opened, it can be seen that the voice stacking option is done by running test probes with spring clips over to the hot pins on six of the voices on the stock multiple output modification made by oberheim.

additionally, the numbers for the multiple output mod have been peeled off because i had a bit of tape covering them up - in order for dan to make the mod work, he had to reverse the two banks of six jacks referencing the multiple outputs, so if you try to use them you'll find that they run
7,8,9,10,11,12,1,2,3,4,5,6"

Formication's Studio Shots

click here for more.

Note the Dynacord Desktop Electronic Echo and the Sherman Filterbank

via Alec of The Formicarium

Kandinsky Variations

via vgermuse
"Albany Records just released a new album, An Encounter With the Music of William Kraft. The cover art is Kraft's graphic score for his Kandinsky Variations from 1975. The performance (2006) of that graphic piece is by Todd Barton, Akai EVI and Terry Longshore, Roland Handsonic. Enclosed is a 1:30 crop from that track."

Be sure to check out these videos of vgermuse and the EVI.

CR-78 triggering a synthesizer.com vs the pitch pirate

YouTube via RothHandle
"Yesterday two friends from Västerås came by the studio to try to explain what this whole modular synth business is about...And what better way than to bring a large beautiful synthesizer.com system to Roth HÄndle for a day of tweaking and noise making...and the odd musical sound here and there too..."

MK II moving violins through Moogerfooger bass murf

YouTube via RothHandle
"Yesterday was a really interesing day in a lot of ways...I started out by recording some drums for my good friend Niclas Criborn. Doing some pitch experiments and moogerfoogering. Then two friends from Västerås and brought a large synthesizer.com system for me to try out so that I would get a better understanding of how they work as I have been curious about them for years.

Sadly enough the experience left me impressed, inspired and utterly confused.

So to round off the day I thought I could make some standard films of pedals trying to show and demonstrate a bit how they work. Usually when people do this they use a drum machine or a arpggiated synth so I thought that maybe I could do something a bit different...so I recorded a little loop into a Boss loopstation of the Mellotron MK II strings and then tried that through a bunch of pedals."

The Persephone playing the synthesizer.com

YouTube via RothHandle
"Yesterday two friends from Västerås came by the studio to try to explain what this whole modular synth business is about...And what better way than to bring a large beautiful synthesizer.com system to Roth HÄndle for a day of tweaking and noise making...and the odd musical sound here and there too...

This short film is of the french instrument, the persephone controlling the synthesizer.com modular system.

This film was shot at the Roth HÄndle studios in stockholm with a simple Nokia phone. The studio is filled with odd and interesting instruments including Mellotrons, optigans and piles of other analog goodies. If you are curious about the studio please take a stroll by www.roth-handle.nu"

Jomox Resonator Neuronium Mutation with Mike

YouTube via bigcitymusic

"Here is a good example of the mutation function of the Neuronium. You can hear the sound "mutate", adding bits and changing sequences on it's own."

Rhode Island - a Statescape

YouTube via DaveCornutt via Sequence 15 were you can find a higher resolution audio file.
"Source Code, "Rhode Island" - composed using the delay-line technique of Statescapes"
Gear: Roland JD800, Oberheim Matrix-1000, Studiologic MP-113 pedals, Boss DD-20 Giga Delay

Peavey DPM3 Sample

mp3 here

via kitnexus
"I bought my first real (albeit digital) synthesizer , a Peavey DPM3se, a couple of weeks ago, and I LOVE IT! I finally figured out how to program the thing, so I decided to make a demo of the sounds I made for it! I'm not the best live player, and there's a tad bit of popping from my old computer's soundcard, but I had fun making it (and making the sounds)!

If anybody has a Peavey DPM3se and wants the patches, they can email me at kitsunexus gmail.com"

Pixelh8 XY Online Noise Generator

click here and move your mouse in the black area. Read the bottom of the black area for instructions.

via Pixelh8

Yamaha MM6 Cubase Demo

YouTube via boysynth
"The Yamaha MM6 is a budget synth, but it sounds great. This video shows the MM6 on auto-pilot being sequenced by Cubase. The song playing is Pet Shop Boys - I wouldn't normally do this kind of thing. This MIDI file was downloaded from www.psb-atdeadofnight.net where you can find high quality PSB MIDI files."
I think voodoo dog is actually controlling it.

Mattel Electronics Synsonics and Novation X station

YouTube via inducejack
"Heres a little tune with a mattel synsonic analog drum machine and synth lines from a Novation X station running through a DOD 585 Analog ... all » Delay. No other gear is on because the synsonic has no syncing capabilities for now but will soon mod for trigger ins... If you notice about half way I get psyched out thinking that the 707 is on...This was me just having fun hope you enjoy."

Future Retro Revolution Meets Rave-O-Lution

YouTube via DjPuzzle73
"A live demonstration of the Future Retro Revolution as a filter. The drum groove from a Quasimidi Rave-O-Lution 309 is being filtered."

The Incredible Sounds of the Synclavier II

via this auction

"Ultra rare private pressing demo record on clear blue vinyl, an artifact of electronic music history originally given out to prospective buyers of this innovative classic synth. It contains a montage of brief melodies and unique sound effects showing off the amazing capabilities of this system that combined sampled and FM synthesized sounds and was designed by legendary electronic composer Jon Appleton at Dartmouth College. The music and programming on this disc is credited to Denny Jaeger and Bill Keenan, plus there is an excerpt of a synthesized version of Vivaldi's Four Seasons by Patrick Gleeson (member of Herbie Hancock's 70s-era electric funk band). The Sync II has featured prominently in the recordings of Pat Metheny, Michael Jackson (who pretty much swiped the synth intro to "Beat It" from this lp!), Laurie Anderson, Siouxsie & The Banshees, Soft Cell, Marc Almond, Bronski Beat, ABBA, Genesis, Chick Corea, George Duke, Sting, Tomita, and Stevie Wonder."

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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."