LIVEWIRE AUDIO FREQUENCY GENERATOR

"Livewire Electronics announces the release of the Audio Frequency Generator, a true vintage-style analogue VCO capable of producing unique, harmonically complex waveforms.

The first production run of the AFG will be in a special numbered limited edition with black and gold circuit boards. Pre-orders are now being accepted. See below for full details."

More info and samples on the Livewire site.

via Shawn of Analogue Haven. Update: some pricing and pre-ordering info on Shawn's blog.

Rush - La Villa Strangiato at Pinkpop 1979

YouTube via workingman. Oberheim 8 Voice in the background.
Video description: "I was 19 at that time and saw that performance, it was my first Rush concert.

This was the last performance of the European tour in 1979.
Alex Lefeson hurt his finger because he had a very wild night with his wife,
his finger came between the mattress and the bed.

Info came from: Tjerk Lammers, he was there press manager from WEA record company at that time."

Jazzmutant Lemur & Traktor

YouTube via citrusonic

The Persephone vs. the Moogerfooger Freqbox

YouTube via RothHandle
"Today I continued working on a track by the Opium Cartel. It is a really interesting project where files are sent around all over the world with people doing overdubs separately and then Jacob, the bands songwriter sits in Norway and listens and sorts it out in the end. The material is really good and exciting so it is really fun material to work with.

Today I worked on a track called picker girl recording a lot of percussion stuff. During the afternoon I started with the Persephone experimenting with pedals. Here is a short experiment using the Moogerfooger Freqbox.

This film was shot at Roth Händle studios Stockholm. For more info on the studio, blogs and whatnot please visit www.roth-handle.nu"

Serge Analog Modular

via this auction

"Four custom panels built by Sound Transforms Systems

Top row: New Timbral Oscillator, Precision VCO, Dual Comp, Triple Waveshaper, Audio Mixer, Variable Q VCF, Universal audio Processor Second Row: 8 Channel Interface, Dual Universal Slope Generator, Smooth/Stepped Generator, Scaling Processor, Dual Transient Generator, Boolean Logic, Extended ADSR Third Row: New Timbral Oscillator, Ring Mod, Analog Shift Register, Quantizer (TKB), 4-stage Sequencer Programmer, Extended ADSR Bottom Row: Touch Activated Keyboard sequencer Not seen: Power Supply 4 panel Power Supply 2 panel"

MMS - Drum Machine

YouTube via djcylob. via Cyloblog where you can find some more info on this project.
"The Monome Music System takes its first steps." Be sure to see this post.

Musikmesse: Synthesizer-Welt Video

click here for the link to a short video of the Synthesizer-Magazin sponsored booth at this years Musikmesse.

Moog Little Phatty
Moog Voyager
MacBeth M5N White

Also see a clip of the Clavia Nord Anniversary Edition here.

midibox sid bass test

YouTube via blowcocsy. via Nusonica.
"sequneces of bas line is transfered midi roland mc505,sound only midibox sid:)"

Latronic Notron Sequencer

images via this auction
"The features of this fantastic device are too numerous to mention, everything is described in the manual which is linked [here]. There are four step sequencers, each of which can be controlled independently and adjusted while sequences are playing. Each sequence can have a different length and tempo. There are three-color LEDs for each step to indicate different states. Sequences can be forced to any of a large variety of scales, including some unique ones. Pitch bend, aftertouch, or other midi controllers can be sent in addition to notes. Velocity and note length are adjustable. Patterns can be saved and chained. The four wheels allow sequences to be "played" by transposing the notes - combined with force-to-scale, this is a great performance feature, something I have not seen on any other sequencer. The layout of the wheels makes it easy to play all four at the same time."

Korg R3 (Synthesizer/Vocoder) - Overview Demo

YouTube via korgcanada. via Nusonica.

Kaossilator Teardown

YouTube via furrtek. via Nusonica. Inside a Kaossilator.
"Accelerated teardown of the Korg Kaossilator that I received this morning. More details at: [link]"

KORG MS20

via this auction. via ghostdog.

Jupiter 8V – new version 1.1

New features
* Added velocity and aftertouch modulation support
* CPU optimization of several modules
* Improved cross-modulation
Bug fixes
* Fixed a bug when audio buffer is not multiple of 64
* Fixed the compatibility issue with Kore
* Fixed the non-linearity bug on the envelope
* Fixed a problem when using several MIDI devices on standalone Mac
* Fixed issue with selecting different audio channels as standalone on a Mac
* Fixed some artifacts on the chorus
* Fixed a bug in keytrigg, some notes could get stuck when using several instances
* Fixed a bug when saving the phaser shape
* Fixed a bug in the delay when synced to a low tempo
* Fixed a tuning problem when running RTAS plug-in in non 44.1 sample rate
[link]

synthesizer

YouTube via aimait

Recording Murfed Glockenspiels for the Opium Cartel

YouTube via RothHandle. Yeah, I need a Murf. Anyone have any thoughts on the standard vs. Bass?
"Today I worked on a new song for the norwegian band The Opium Cartel. It is a really interesting project with sound files being sent all over the globe to try to create something wonderful.

Today I worked on a track called Picker girl and this short film shows me just starting up doing some small overdubs in the verses using a Hohner Glockenspiel, a moogefooger bass murf, a moogerfooger analog delay and a roland re-501.

This film was shot at Roth Händle studios, stockholm. For more info...please visit www.roth-handle.nu"

ANGELSPIT Blipvert #3 : Destroying Bass

YouTube via krankhaus. If you don't like the intro, get past it for some good synth conent.
"Zoog from Angelspit shares ideas about destroying bass using a modular synthesizer.
Check out Angelspit's other Blipverts here: http://www.angelspit.net/blipvert/"

EWI1000

YouTube via denha. "AKAI EWI1000+EWV2000"

SYNDRUM CLONE 2

YouTube via denha. "Pollard SYNDRUM 278 clone."

SYNDRUM CLONE

Visage-New Romantics Top 10

YouTube via chrisf242. One more of the Top 10 series. You can find all previously posted here along with some other synth oriented videos from chrisf242.
Update: finally got around to watching this one in whole. The most synth heavy band of the series and no synths featured. Sorry about that all. I saw the studio bits and assumed synths would show. Nope.

Soft Cell-New Romantics Top 10

YouTube via chrisf242. Synth spotting.

Japan-New Romantics Top 10

YouTube via chrisf242. Some synth spotting.

Moog Minimoog Model E - The Welsh Minimoog

images via this auction
"this is a very rare (5-8 units worldwide) Minimoog Modell E / 204E from Alex Winter, an english manufactor from the mid 90ies. the synth is in perfect optical and technical condition, small scratches in the woodpanel. technical its near mint incl. absolute stable oscillators, pwm for osc 1 and 2 and a factory midi interface (in/out/thru). it works with the most important midi cotroller (vcf, vca, modulation, pitch, last note priority).

The sound is also identical to the Mini Moog D model bearing in mind that the Minimoogs from the 70s in different phases always nuances also different. This is the debate whether Oscillator Board 1 (often unstable and serviceanfällig) or oscillator Board 2 (stable OSC) is better."

via Ed

Do a search for Welsh Minimoog on the top left of the site for prior posts.

MPC FORUMS STUDIO TOURS

YouTube via beatmaker2000
"PRODUCE BY BEATMAKER2000 TOOLS LOGIC 8"

Axe from Marz

via Deviant Synth

"Kurzweil Expressionmate ribbon controller, Digitar, DJMC, day-glo legos."

And a Guitar from Marz here.

Recombinant Media Labs

flickr by BeerNotBombs
(click for a lot more)

full size top
full size bottom

"My tour through RML in SF, CA."

Serge and SMS modular. I also see a Roland Jupiter-8 and Jupiter-6. Not sure what the synth on the top left is.

MESSE08: The Little Synth With An Evil Sound

Waldorf Blofeld. See the write-up on Sonic State.

MESSE08: VST and VSTi Without A Computer

See the write-up on Sonic State.

Nord Lead Anniversary Model presentation

YouTube via gearjunkies
"The moment Clavia unveiled the Limited Edition of their Nord Lead at this years MusikMesse. More at Gearjunkies.com."

And an image and some info via the Clavia Website:

"Nord Lead Anniversary Model Ltd. EditionClavia was founded 25 years ago by Hans Nordelius. The very first products from us involved digital audio and samples, technologies that were well and truly in its infancy back in 1983. 13 years ago Clavia launched the original Nord Lead, which made a huge impact on the synthesizer community and the MI business. The Nord Lead was Clavia's first keyboard instrument and was to lead the way, not only for the MI business but also for the direction of Clavia as a company. In order to commemorate this first 25th anniversary for Clavia, we have created the Nord Lead Anniversary Model Limited Edition. This collectible synthesizer will be made in a limited production run that will consist of only 299 units. The Nord Lead Anniversary Model Ltd. Edition shares the specifications with the Nord Lead 2x and will be easily recognizable with a custom printed front panel and the inverted color scheme on the keyboard. The individually numbered units will be delivered with a certificate of authenticity, signed by Mr Nordelius."

Update on the Acxel Resynthesizer

I just made a major update to this Acxel Resynthesizer post. You will find details on the use of this unique synthesizer as well as comparisons to the Kyma system. At the very end of the post you will find some links to more info as well as a soundtrack done mostly with the Acxel.

Micro Performance Poly-MIDI.1 Update

via Florian:

"I am the one who bought the Poly-MIDI from Bernd. It took me some time to understand how it works, but in fact it works fine - though I did not get everything. There are five sequences, which must be recorded from an external MIDI-keyboard in realtime. I did not find any relation between the keyboard like coloured buttons and the input modes. There is no mode, where you could use the buttons as a keyboard.

For playback there is a non-quantized mode and several quantized modes from 16th to quarter notes and several triplet modes.

Very nice feature is a chord trigger mode: it records a chord from MIDI and in playmode this chord will be transposed by the incoming MIDI notes.

There is also a step input mode, but each step it seems to be related to an step of the clock. The internal clock is 192 ppm - so this step mode is not very useful - at least until I understand it better. ;-)

Regarding clock: It reads and provides MIDI Clock, DIN-Sync and a TTL-clock (which is identically with the clock signal from the DIN-Sync), and finally it outputs a 16th trigger. Unfortunately it does not sync to an external 16th trigger. Syncing as slave works only for MIDI and DIN-Sync, the external Clock in seems to require TTL-level and so it is very "timid" (sorry, funny word, but describes it the best).

Finally I am still seeking for more information. There is no brand description neither at the outside nor inside the case. This one has the serial number "00387", but I cannot tell whether there really were that much of these sequencers. My suspicion is, it means: third made in 1987...

Anyone who has more info please get in touch with me via http://fa.utfs.org/contact, or of course, post it at matrixsynth.

All the best, Florian Anwander"

Baldwin Microcomputer Orchestra (Organ)

via this cl post.

"1970's Baldwin Organ from smoke free house. Includes over 30 music books as well as the original owner's guide."

Anyone know what this is capable of? Any synth inside?

via David.

no. 15: equivalent dosage (500 Röntgens)

YouTube via youshriek
"the caesium fallout series: 2 of 3
symptoms indicate acute radiation poisoning.
convalescence period: january - november, 1995"

devi ever : fx - BIT MANGLER, SPECTACULAR AENIMA, noise jam

YouTube via wwwEFFECTOR13com. http://www.deviever.com/fx/

Yamaha MM6 Synthesizer Music

YouTube via synthplay
"This music was produced on a Yamaha MM6 Synthesizer. The video is audio only, with a few graphics and title overlays. I've had the Synth about 6 months. And enjoy using the inbuilt patterns and sequencer. Yamaha are also due to release the new MM8 - which looks even better!"

PINK FLOYD "One of These Days" Cover

YouTube via gattobus
"I'm a big fan of David Gilmour but I can't play the guitar very well so... I did it with my Moog! I know, It's not like the original but... what the helll... It was fun! "

Akai at Messe 2008: Mike Hosker on MPC5000

YouTube via AkaiProVideo
"Mike Hosker performs on the new MPC5000 at Music Messe in Frankfurt Germany."

ELKA WILGAMAT III

images via this auction
"RARE ELKA WILGAMAT III SYNTH ORGAN DRUM MACHINE"

Update via Chris Jenkins in the comments:
"I have one of these; it seems to be in working order, but you need an Elka organ with a compatible KEYBOARDS output socket to make the Wilgamat play. Mike Walters came up with an ingenious solution; he built his Wilgamat III into a cabinet with its own keyboard. See [link]"

Nyle Steiner's Korg M1R EX?

via this auction

"originally owned by Nyle Steiner the inventor of The Electronic Wind Instrument or EWI for short. Here's a link to his home page! The unit is in great shape and has Nyle's drivers license and name ecthed into the front panel...."

PAiA OZ Vintage Analog Synth

via this auction

Looks like it's the OZ from this video.
"The OZ is a fantastic and flexible little keyboard with full polyphony. It sends a gate or trigger out (switchable from the front panel) to fire envelopes on modular analog synthesizers. Its one-and-a-half octave keyboard is augmented with a switch that cover 5 octaves and there is even a simple filter/tone control on board to tailor the sound. Included in this auction are the assembly instructions, schematics, and manual.

PAiA Steam Whistle Kit

via this auction

"Interesting and obscure Paia kit meant to emulate engine and whistle sounds for model railroad.

From the Paia catalog:
If model railroading is one of your hobbies you probably have at least one problem in common with every other railroad buff in the world--finding a steam whistle sound for your layout. If you're not inclined to invest the dough necessary to install boiler and pipes for a real whistle this design for an electronic substitute may be for you. You couldn't get any closer to the sound of a real locomotive even if you bought ol' 99 and rolled her into your living room."

Just out of curiousity, how many of you are into model train railroading as well? This is a serious question. I'll explain why later in the comments, and/or if you are, feel free to comment as well.

PAiA Wind Synthesizer

images via this auction

"Have you ever wanted electronic wind in a box? Here it is! The board is housed in Paia's 3711 case and uses a single 1/8 inch jack for output.

From the Paia catalog:
Don't be surprised if you feel like running for your coat when you hear the wind, it's so realistic that people who have heard it report they actually feel cooler. Trimmer adjustments provide a range of effects from moderate breeze to full gale. Great for background sound, special effect accessory for organs or other musical instruments, or just as a party starter."

Modded PAiA Gnome

images via this auction

"This unit has an audio input modification so you can run things through its filter. It uses the Paia pin jack (in addition to the trigger button) to trigger the envelope, so it can be patched with other Paia gear."

JoMoX MBase 01

via this auction. Yes this is a dealer auction. I like the shot.

"Welcome to the House of Jomox!

The new Jomox MBase01 V2 is a MIDI bass drum module with storable presets. It does basically one thing, but it does that one thing in a most excellent way, create killer kick drums!

The MBase01's presets feature analog bass drums, from extremely powerful to soft and tender and covers the entire range from 808 to 909. The MBase01 was designed to sound different than the XBase09, making it a true expansion if you already own the XBase09.

The MBase01 can also be used as a bass module since the decay can be lengthened and the pitch can be played on the keyboard in semitones over three octaves.

Jomox includes a very useful feature in the MBase01, the kick drum can be triggered by an external analog trigger input. This can be any audio signal, for example a club vinyl or the electronic pads of a live drummer. For only $349 you get a tool that helps you to create great kick sounds, without the time consuming searching associated with most inferior-sounding sample libraries. If ever there was an argument against using sample libraries, here it is! You save time & energy while getting better sound quality than you could have ever imagined.

* Bass Drum All bass drum parameters and the sound production are 100% identical to the XBase09 and the AirBase99. But the value ranges and the sound are different. The decay can be turned to 2 seconds and makes it possible, in combination with split mode 2, to play real semitone basses. The pulse sounds sharper and has a noticeable click in the beginning, and the eq also has a wider range for obtaining smoother 808 bass drums. The decay envelope isn't compressed as in the XB/AB/JB, so that the decaying sound has a true exponential curve.

MIDI
* The MIDI controllers of the MBase01 are 100% identical to the XB/AB/JB. All parameters can be remote-controlled by midi. The MBase01 is also compatible with our midi editors and templates in the bass drum department.

LFO
* The MBase01 has an LFO which works on the pitch of the bass drum. The LFO speed can be edited in BPM or be synchronized by midi clock. As with the XBase09, the LFO can be synced on a note trigger or can run free. The wave forms are saw up, saw down, triangle and rectangle.
* Check out a demo video. [this one]

Features
* Technical specifications Presets: 10 User RAM, 64 ROM
* Pure analog sound with storable parameters
* Analog Envelopes: Externally trigger the env amount and threshold
* LFO: modulates the pitch, midi synchronizable
* Display: LED 7-segment 3 digit
* MIDI: Midi In, Midi Out
* User Interface: 1 data wheel, 5 buttons, 16 LEDs for parameter and functions
* Outputs: 1 mono out 1/4" RCA jack
* Output Level: about 0dBu
* Input: External analog trigger
* Supply: External wall wart 9V DC
* Weight: approximately 1.2 lbs."

Musikmesse 12.3 Pics on Sequencer.de

click here for more.

Nintendo DS10
and
Roland Fantom G

MESSE08:Melodyne Blows Our Minds

More Melodyne. This time via Sonic State's Musikmesse coverage. If you haven't already, be sure to see this previous post on Melodyne.

Close Encounters ARP 2500 for Sale

more images here

via Brian Carrigan:

"I have had it for over a decade and after much thought, hesitation, and swearing I never would... I think it's time to sell.

ARP 2500 (main cabinet and both wings) + keyboard.

Modules included:
(3) 1023 dual osc, (3) 1004t osc, (1) 1004p osc, (1) 1045 voice, (2)
1027 10X3 seq, (1) 1050 mix seq,
(3) 1006 filter / amps, (2) 1047 multimode filters, (1) 1036 dual S&H/ random voltage, (1) 1016 dual noise & slow random voltage, (1) 1005 Mod / amp, (1) 1003 dual ADSR, (2)
1046 quad ADSR, (1) 1002 pwr
supply, and keyboard with (1) SP-2 mono keyboard module, and (1) SP-4 duophonic KB module.

The skinny...
As far as I can tell, this was the last one built by ARP in 76' so even though it's 32 years old, it could be the newest remaining 2500. I am the 4th owner and the history as told to me by the seller was that this was the visual prop used in the filming of Close Encounters in 76' It was then purchased by Lucasfilm / Skywalker sound in Palo Alto and used for 8-10 years as a sound design machine. That was the Star Wars trilogy era so who knows, it could have designed the blaster doors or imperial droids for all I know. It was then sold off to make room for the hot new mirage samplers & DX7s. Ah, the 80's...

It is in excellent condition. Uber-ARP tech, Phil Cirocco repaired & calibrated all of the bad modules when I bought it and they are all still running strong. I haven't had any issues since and have no doubts it will still be running in another 32 years.

I have restored it to the best of my ability including finding every single colored slider cap (matching original color code of course) The original dual keyboard was destroyed in the making of the movie but was lucky enough to find another single manual one which contains an SP-2 and SP-4 module. Basically it's 2 octaves of reverse black keys in the bass range to control 1 voice and a duophonic 3-octave on top. Add 2 sequencers playing up to 3 note chords each plus a couple of S&H modules firing more voices and you've got a sound like Jerry Goldsmith's score to Logan's Run. Original owner's manual included as well as any extra slider caps & parts, calibration procedures, slider color code, etc.

You don't see these pop up very often, especially with both wing cabinets. Also, typical ones that I have seen for sale don't have nearly this module selection. Due to it's history, full module compliment, being restored, and in turn-key working condition, i'm obviously not going to part with it cheap.

If anyone is seriously interested... repeat... SERIOUSLY, please shoot me an email and make an offer. A local Los Angeles buyer would be greatly preferred as this is large, heavy, and fragile but if someone out of town or country really wants it and can line up a shipping company to professionally pack it and take responsibility, then i'm open.

pic of young speilberg and Dodds who recently passed away can be found in the special edition dvd of CE3k."

Update: this item has been sold.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Audiosurf - Featuring Ishtar

YouTube via CosmicD.
"I'd think it was as goofy as the song itself, to try this in audiosurf, however you can't score many points with this as it's a light accoustic song. It's a song by Ishtar and they won the preselections for eurovision 2008 here in Belgium. The addition of some beats help by boosting audiosurf points :)"

Nord Modular USB Board Installation

YouTube via daswesen. See this post for more info.
"How to install my nord modular USB board inside..."

Siel MDP 40

images via this auction

"Siel MDP 40 Midi Digital Percussion Machine. This rare vintage Italian drum machine features a midi in,out, and pedal. Also included is the manual and generic adapter. Its measurements are 13&1/2 inches by 6&5/8 inches by 2 inches. Its shipping weight is four pounds."

Siel Orchestra 2 part 1

Siel Orchestra 2 part 2

YouTube via derrytift2. via Nusonica.