MATRIXSYNTH

Monday, July 07, 2008

Moog Minimoog Pratt-Read Keyboard

via this auction

Sunday, July 06, 2008

Magazine and the ARP Odyssey

Magazine - Parade

YouTube via sham64andahalf. "Another live Magazine song from 1980"
ARP Odyssey comes in around :40.

Magazine: Definitive Gaze.

YouTube via ParnellMooney. "British TV, 1979."
ARP Odyssey comes in around :50. There's a Yamaha SS30 there as well.

More is Less: Moogerfoogers vs the kitchen sink

YouTube via dkimcg
"A couple more toys, some new ones, some old ones. A couple more noises, some cool, some annoying. A couple minutes too much, it gets quite repetative.

Everything was recorded in one take, no overdubs. MPC1000 sequences the MBase01 and triggers the DSI Evolver which also sequences my Paia 9700s modular synth. LFOs cross modulate throughout, everything tried to sync itself to the main beat of the MBase01 by tracking the envelope that the FIltered Coffee generates.

Pretty much, this is most my current analog gear working together.
Moogerfoogers:
CP-251 Control Processor
MuRF
BassMuRF
Analog Delay 104z
Ring Modulator
FreqBox
Dave Smith Instruments Desktop Evolver
Jomox:
T-Resonator
MBase01
Analogue Solutions Filtered Coffee
Roland Space Echo
Paia 9700s Modular synth (built from a kit)
And some processing courtesy of Cycling'74 Pluggo and Logic (some additional reverb, delay and compression,and a little bit of that odd MaxMSP sound courtesy of Pluggo)."

Stirring Up Some Filtered Coffee Self Resonation

video upload by dkimcg

"I made this video while testing out the filter's self oscillation and the CV ins and outs on the Analogue Solutions Filtered Coffee. This time I did things right, and the audio syncs up, unlike the 1st Filtered Coffee video. In case you're curious, it was a timecode issue, 30fps vs 29.97 (drop frame).

LFO1 on the Analogue Solutions Filtered Coffee is the master clock here. It triggers the Jomox MBase01 kick drum through the Moog CP-251 (a neat way of triggering the kick via CV control) The CP-251 splits and combines a few signals and send them out to the Moogerfoogers (FreqBox, RingMod, and MuRF), the sample and hold of the noise controlling the RingMod and FreqBox frequency inputs is the most recognizable sound the CP-251 controls. It's LFO is also controlled with the LFO from the Filtered Coffee. So...basically, the self modulation of the filter's resonance is the tone generator that gets everything rolling. Well, except for the MBase which kicks the TResonator's envelope which combines the kick and the Coffee's self oscillation. Then it goes through the FreqBox, into the RingMod, and out the MuRF to be compressed, space echoed, and recorded through compressors. Three tracks were generated/recorded and mixed with some additional compression and a little reverb, nothing else. The reverb adds some depth and stereo imaging, it sounds extra reverby since the Space Echo was doing it's thing with the spring reverb and delays. The levels get a bit hot, and the T-Resonator barely stays in control...what a beast, I love it. It gets a bit messy in there at time, but I think there are a couple cool parts, and you get to see more of what the Analogue Solutions Phobos Filtered Coffee can do to create sound as well as subtracting from sound. I really love the feedback you can create from the coffee, tres, and space echo...so many types of feedback. I love audio feedback...."

The ThingamaKIT is here!

YouTube via drbleep. "Get your own noise friend kit at Bleeplabs.com"

BeatMachine - Amateur

YouTube via marcinwalesa. via sequencer.de
"Więcej informacji:
http://mw.boo.pl/beatmachine/

Made by
Marcin Wałęsa and Krzysztof Wojtas

Filmed by
Jan Mazurczak

High Quality (112.3 MB, AVI)
http://www.sendspace.pl/file/HOtI525U/

Inspired by
Bubblegum Sequencer"

Yusynth on Synth.nl

Synth.nl is documenting his progress on the construction of a Yusynth DIY modular. You might remember his similar posts on the ASM-2 and more previously posted here. The posts are definitely worth checking out if you are curious about one person's experience in creating a DIY modular synth.

The following is a small excerpt from the latest post: "I made quite some progress today. I almost finished the VCO and LFO modules now. I'm still missing 4 resistors and 4 trim potmeters, but I will get them next week. I did correct an error as well. I mounted two 10K resistors on a spot where 18K should have been. I found this out because I had two 18K resistors left ;) So I started looking where they were supposed to be. Always good to do these kind of cross checks in the end. In the picture on the left you see all the modules I have so far. Still a lot to go."

Funny Cat is on

flickr by synx508

full size

Roland SH-1000

Note the "FUNNY CAT" and "GROWL WOW" patches.

Jamming in C on the Prophet '08

YouTube via grondo2001
"running through a few patches on the P08. check for more on shepit.blogspot.com"

thingamakit 016

flickr by JohnEdgarPark
(click for more)

bleeplabs.com

Buchla MARF project

flickr by verbos
(click for more)

Be sure to check these out full size when you get there.

Pet Shop Boys - Opportunities Live Whistle Test 1986

YouTube via dvdborn. via AnalogSuicide
"Artist: Pet Shop Boys
Title: Opportunities - Live Whistle Test 1986
Gear: 2 x Fairlight CMI Series II, Emulator II, Yamaha DX1, DX7, Technics PX-1."

Chimera Synthesis BC16

Chimera Synthesis BC16 from Makingsound on Vimeo.

"Création de quelques patchs avec le BC16, un synthétiseur monophonique modulaire portable. l n'y a pas de sons au début de la vidéo, c'est normal."
Googlish: "Creating a few patches with the BC16, a portable modular synthesizer monophonic. There are no sounds at the beginning of the video, this is normal."
Sent my way via dalas.

roland tr 808 for sale

YouTube via emssynthi100. listed here.

roland tb 303 for sale

YouTube via emssynthi100. listed here.

Quadratschulz SQ10 EXT

YouTube via quadratschulz
"This handcrafted device is intended to extend the capabilities of a vintage KORG SQ-10 without the need of opening or modifying this valuable device. The QUADRATSCHULZ SQ10 EXT provides loads of step switches (3 channels à 12 switches) and advanced synchronization capabilities using the ROLAND Sync-24 format (sometimes also referred as DIN Sync). This device fits perfectly on top of the KORG SQ-10 so that the step switches of the SQ10 EXT are perfectly aligned to the CV potentiometers of the KORG SQ-10.
Using the Sync-24 format allows to sync a KORG SQ-10 to other vintage gear, e.g. the ROLAND TR-808. It's also easy to synchronize with your MIDI equipment using a standard MIDI/Sync interface (e.g. from DOEPFER, KENTON, etc.). More info: http://www.quadratschulz.com/SQ10EXT/"
previously posted here.

Simmons SDSV and MFB SEQ-01

YouTube via quadratschulz
"If you own a Simmons SDSV drumbrain and asking yourself what to do with some of the free module slots (if any), here's the idea how to fill it: Use a MFB SEQ-01 drum sequencer and create a stand-alone Simmons drum machine. This will be a really fun device! More info: http://www.quadratschulz.com/SEQ01/"

HINTO DE PINTO (Theme from TV Quiz show)

YouTube via denha. "'Hint de pinto' is japanese TV show. 1979-1994."

Theremin Students

YouTube via neonwind
"Theremin Students of mine from the Netherlands."

The Verb, To Be

YouTube via morbius001
"It starts off with a jam to a reverb patch... after that, medication would be in order. Leave a comment and a rating."

Yamaha CS01

images via this auction
"The CS-01 is a very old but classic analog monosynth from Yamaha. Although originally designed for use by novice musicians or first time synth-buyers, the CS-01 has been recognized by today's electronic musicians as one fat little bass machine with simple controls. In a nutshell, the CS-01 is simple to use and edit but still has some great features for any situation. It's tiny and portable, it has baby-sized keys and it can run on batteries, and there is a built-in amplifier and speaker which is quite fun.

As for sounds and synthesizing, the CS-01 is the perfect monosynth for bubbly and growling bass! It features a very nice 12dB resonant VCF filter. In addition to the oscillators' sine and square type waveforms there is PWM and noise. There are also LFO controls, glissando (like portamento), a typical ADSR envelope generator, pitch & mod wheels and even a breath controller input.

The CS-01 may look simple or toy-like but it is still able to create cool little analog bass blips, bass lines and bass bubbles that are just perfect for today's electronic musicians.

The CS-01 is a monophonic, single oscillator synthesizer with a 2 1/2 octave mini-sized keyboard, that can run on battery power or via a wall-wart AC/DC converter. It was obviously marketed to the young, first synth buyer, market. However, dispite it's mini-sized keys, it has been since adopted by many professionals for it's simple design, active sliders, and great sound.

The voice architecture is quite simple. A single oscillator with a sub-oscillator, a VCF, an LFO. The oscillator has a slider for fine tune, and an other with four octave settings, with the fifth setting switching it to the noise source. Available waveforms are triangle, sawtooth, square, and narrow. There is also a pulse width modulation (PWM) waveform with a separate slider controlling the PWM speed. There is a slider for glissando (unfortunately, not portamento). The filter (12dB/octave) section has sliders for cutoff frequency, resonance, and EG (envelope generator) depth. There is a EG depth for the VCA. There is a switch for resonance (low and high only). The LFO can be switched to control the VCA or the VCO. There is a slider for LFO speed and the amount is controlled by the controller wheel. The envelope generator is a simple ADSR with sliders for each (attack, decay, sustain, release)

Plugged into an amp it gives a great fat sound from deep bass to high glass spliting high notes. Built in speaker if your amp is not around.

Runs on batterys or mains (you need a cheap 12-v or multy-v mains adapter - easy to get for very little money)"

Yamaha CS30

images via this auction
"Features:
Monophonic / Duophonic
2VCOs
44 Keys.
1 to 8 Step Analog Sequencer
Envelope: 5 Type
External Trigger / Signal

The CS-30 is a large, knob infested, black analog synthesizer with traditional features. It is a monophonic synth with extensive analog control and shaping. It has two oscillators with separate outputs, two VCF resonant filters, two VCA amplifiers and three envelopes. It also features a ring modulator, external audio triggering and a simple but useful 8-step sequencer for use as a sketch pad, pattern or arpeggio effect. The CS-30 does not have any on-board effects, memory nor MIDI. Although the CS-30 is just a monophonic synth with a short 44 note keyboard it offers a lot of programming flexibility, and plenty of knobs."

Yamaha CS15

images via this auction

"This thing is basically TWO synths in one. Each synth has its own oscillator, filter, envelope, and VCA. You can sequence one and play the other by hand, or sequence both individually to get two simultaneous melodic lines with distinct sounds. Both synths have their own CV and trigger inputs. Additionally, the CS-15 has an external input that triggers one of the envelopes, which means that this synth becomes an amazing effects processor. One can get a creamy filtered distortion on guitar, or mutate vocals with an LFO, or get envelope-following filter sounds on drum machine.

Here is a video I made with this very CS-15 and the Frostwave sequencer I am selling in another auction."

YAMAHA CS-15 and FROSTWAVE Fat Sequencer

YouTube via ZonkOut

"The two separate channels from the Frostwave sequencer control the two separate channels on the CS-15 synth. Performed live, no effects or overdubbing."

CIRCUIT BENT KURZWEIL K2000

images via this auction

"One of the Mightiest Meanest Over The Top Prototype Circuit Bent Atrocities I have come across: A One Of A Kind Heavily Modified KURZWEIL K2000 V.A.S.T. ( Variable Architecture Synthesis Technology ) Keyboard Synthesizer Workstation ! Ray Kurzweil Of Man-Machine Cyber-Science & Synthesizer Technology Fame has Created several successful generations of refined & expansive synthesizers culminating in the K-Series instruments that are still widely used by Studio Pros & Live Performers for their Incredible Flexibility, Deep Precision Programing And Control ( Parameters are in REAL Values: True Intonation Tables, Adjustments In: Hertz, Milliseconds, Ticks, not "1 to 13" or "4', 6', 8', " as per some Other Synths ... ), & Lush Dynamic Sound. Kurzweil K Series Instruments have one of the widest ranging and diverse sample libraries available on Any Synth Platform. Now; To Take It Further... This Prototype K-2000 has been Extensively Modifed. Not Only can All of the usual synth parameters be accessed and utilized; but now interactive glitch switches and a Phat Circuit Bent Cyber-Patch has been implanted to achieve all sorts of combinations of Extra Outrageous Sound Manipulation. One of the Kings Of The Modern Synth World Conquered By the Insane Technicians OF DIABOLICAL DEVICES Down In Florida At the Infamous CLASS A ELECTRONICS Synthesizer Rehabilitation Center. The floppy disc drive has been replaced with a Backlit Panel Featuring a DIABOLICAL DEVICES Circuit Board Art Logo & the space where the drive sat internally is now taken up the New Electronics & the Patch Bay. Samples can still be loaded & extracted by SCSI or by MIDI. You can load up and Damage all those Kurzweil & Third Party Sounds; or masticate Your Own. All Bends are Super Stable & Repeatable; choose a Patch & Set Your Bends: -It Will Be A True Restore Every Time ! ! ! The Blue Button & The Red & Blue Banana Points Next To It Are Assignable From The Red & Black Audible Data Outs As A Momentary Bend Switch System. The rca Are Data/Bend Points That have Different Effects Dependent Upon What Is Cross- Patched To Them. Four Of The Switches Produce Ring-Mod Or Cross-Mod Type Effects. Three Switches Produce Delay Type Effects. The Other Seven Are harder To Describe, But Were Extreme Or Cool Enough To Make Them Hard Switch Points -So These Are Worthy Effects. It's Easy To Engage Or Patch Multiple Points & Effects & End Up In Difficult To Describe Territory... The Two 1/4 Inch Ports Are Designed To Put Audible Data To Mixer To Add To The Analog Out SIgnal For Further Hard To Describe Effects... The Switch in Back Turns The LED's Behind The "Diabolical" Display On Or Off. It Is A Behemoth Amongst Circuit Bent Synths; Full Arp, Seq, Extreme Synthesis Before The Bends Are Mixed In."

Synthorama - Airböurne Synthesizer

Click here for the first set of images from my trip to Synthorama.

This set includes images of the Airböurne modular synthesizer by Martin Hollinger, curator of the Synthorama synth museum. Martin has been working on this one of a kind modular for the last several years. The design is 100% his. It is a fantastic sounding modular. I asked Martin if he planned to produce these for sale anytime soon. He said it consists of over 10,000 components so it would not be easy. He does hope to show it at the Musikmesse.

Check out the patch cables. The tips are very similar in look to the patch pin tips used by EMS, but they are much smaller. I asked Martin why he chose them. He said mainly for size and quality. The quality of them is apparently very high - better than the patch pins he showed me for EMS. The one risk however is that if too much pressure is applied at an angle, they can break. If they were to break off while patched in the modular, it could be difficult to remove them. Because of this he is not sure if he would use them again. I can say, they are very attractive and add to the overall character of the modular.

Note the blue patch cable in the shot to the left. You can see what they look like unplugged.

As for the individual modules and what they can do, check out each image in detail. I tried to capture what each can do.

In my previous post, you might remember the shot of the skateboard. The significance? Note the name. :) Also take a look at the Airbourne logo in the bottom left of the last shot below. If you look closely, you will see that it's a skateboard! Pretty cool. Martin had a collection of skateboards as well.

A note regarding the shots: not all of them are the greatest, but rather than filter the bad shots out, I decided to put everything up. I sometimes hate the way images look when using a flash - glare sometimes shows and you lose the effect of the natural lighting. So... some of these shots will be blurry because of that. You will need to use your imagination to get a sense of what the setting was like for some of these shots. I do promise you there are some great detailed shots though. There are different reasons for each, some functional, some to capture mood, and some to capture the grandeur. As always be sure to click on them for the full size. You can click on the "All Sizes" link in flickr. Feel free to grab the shots for your personal use. If you have a website, and you want to use them, do so, just be kind and provide a courtesy link back to MATRIXSYNTH.

Update: videos of the Airböurne coming up. Check back soon.
Update: Actually, the upload is being extremely slow. I'll put up a new post letting everyone know when the Update: videos have been added to this post.

Experimentalists Anonymous Sandwich Echo #13

YouTube via eaced
"This a demo video of the sandwich echo, which is a rehoused and modified danelectro PB&J. This sandwich echo is the 13th that I've made. It has a switch to extend the max delay time, a delay modulation circuit, and expression jacks for delay time and feedback. It can self-oscillate and is true bypass. This video shows it being used with a guitar and a synth, specifically the Novation X-station"

Vermona DRM-1 Mk III Analog Drum Synth

YouTube via bigcitymusic
"Here is the huge sounding DRM1 MkIII analog drum module from Vermona. The DRM1 has amazing hands-on control for every single parameter, giving a knob for immediate manipulation. Trigger the sounds either with the trigger button or via MIDI. No menus here! There are 8 channels at your discretion: kick, 2 drum (from kick to high tom sounds), multi (think 808 cowbell to sound effects), snare, 2 cymbals (for closed and open hats or crashes) and a clap channel. This thing is punch-you-in-the-face GREAT! We'll make a sequenced video soon!

http://www.bigcitymusic.com
http://www.myspace.com/bigcitymusicdo...
http://www.bigcitymusicblog.blogspot.com"

Nord Lead Extreme patches pt 1

YouTube via jack07777. You can find p2 and more here.
"Here are a pair of performance sets from my original performance bank. These videos are created for demo purposes of these original sounds."

Nord Lead Circuit Bending

"A couple original performance sets created on a Nord Lead 2X. No modifications or harm were done to this synthesizer."

MOONMODULAR trigger sequencer M563

YouTube via moonmodular
"Sale announcement of the modul. One 960 unit, clocked by a MC 303 with drum fills is used. Ambient soundscapes are from the YOU production LASERSCAPE, track CHANGING ROOMS. We thank so to the band to give us the permission to use this sounds. Futher we come up with a video to demonstrate all options of the M563."

Saturday, July 05, 2008

MATRIXSYNTH Visits Synthorama

I recently had the privilege to visit the Synthorama synthesizer museum in Luterbach Switzerland. My synth buddy Georg Muller, aka swissdoc was gracious enough to pick me up from my hotel and take me to the museum where I met the curator, Martin Hollinger. Thank you Georg! I also want to thank Martin for his hospitality and for making such a place available to the public.

The experience was overwhelming to say the least. I have never seen so many rare synthesizers in one location. The museum is impeccable and the majority of synthesizers are hooked up and ready to be explored. I of course took pictures and video. Unfortunately I did not gather much audio for three reasons. First, time was limited; my visit was approximately for four hours and trust me that was not enough. Second, I have a Flip Ultra video camera which is very convenient for travel, however there is no audio in. And third, the majority of synths in the museum are not hooked up to monitors or amps. There is a VERY good reason for this. The synths sit on tables and visitors are free to explore all of them. Too many visitors playing synths over speakers and monitors.. well, you get the idea. You instead use headphones to listen them. This is very nice as you can surround and isolate your listening to one specific synthesizer at a time.

As for the images, I will be posting sets over the next few days as time permits. Being the synth obsessive I am, I took 756 images, that's approximately 1.44G of photos. I took about 40 minutes of video. The video is a literal walk through the museum. I'll explain more when I put them up, but first the photos. Note that I created a synthorama label below specifically for the posts I plan to put up. I will of course continue to put other posts up. As I finish sets of posts for a given run, I will upload another set or two as time permits. I will put Synthorama in the title of these posts for easy identification as well. If you are into synths, you are in for a very special treat.

BTW, I need to call out the enormity of synths on display. I went in expecting to spend a few minutes capturing the synths on video and taking pics followed by digging in. I ended up spending TWO HOURS taking the pics and video (oh, what I sacrifice for you, my readers... :). I had two hours after that to play. If you plan on visiting the museum, I strongly recommend you come prepared, give yourself enough time, and be patient with yourself if you plan to take pics, video and/or capture audio. It is overwhelming.

Martin is an extremely gracious host. He makes you feel more than welcome and he encourages you to just go off and explore on your own, at your own pace, and for however long as you like. Note that the museum is only open on the first Saturday of every month and I believe the doors close around 4PM, so be sure to check with Martin on the hours before you go, or just show up knowing you have until roughly 4PM or so. I like to think there are a few synth meccas out there - places where if you truly appreciate synths you must go at least once in your lifetime. Synthorama is definitely one of them.

To close this post, I want to again thank Georg (swissdoc) for taking the time out to take me there and of course Martin Hollinger for his hospitality and of course for making such a fantastic place even possible.

P.S. A quick note on the images and video. In general, I will be putting them up in the order that I took them to give you a sense of the time-line for my journey. The file names of the shots are numbered so if you are OC like me you can see them. As for this last shot, Martin also appreciates skate boarding! How cool is that? There's actually a cool synth connection coming up.

New Tiptop Audio Module Coming

via Tiptop Audio:

"Hello. Its been few months of intense design work, but our next module is coming along nicely. This module is a dream come true for our designer, pairing a gloss of digital electronics with a thick layer of analog sound circuitry. A radical departure from our first product, the Z5000, this new module is an embodiment of our design process and our slogan: Analog. Digital. Harmony.

Our design process starts with the community; we listen to synthesists, technicians, hobbyists and everyone in between, learn your desires and needs, and combine them with our ideas and new technology to bring you affordable analog sound technology. The new module is the culmination of years of discussion and debate finally being realized in physical form. We are supremely excited about the potential of this new product.

As excited as we are, we can't really explain what this is all about just yet, but we can say that our beta testers are about to get their hands on the first prototypes and will have interesting things to say in the coming weeks.

Please be sure to visit our website and forum for updates on the upcoming release."

flight of harmony Parasite

" Continuing from where the Plague Bearer left off - the Parasite.

The Parasite is a single-channel filter of the exact same topology as the Plague Bearer, with extra goodies to enhace its usefulness! We like goodies. Now here's the list thereof:

1. The VCRBPF has a Mix control - akin to "Depth" or "Wet/Dry".
2. Two independant LFOs, each with Saw, Ramp, Triangle, Square, and Sine waveforms.
3. Each LFO has a rate control as well as a rate indicator LED
4. The filter's High and Low cutoff frequencies each have a panel control and a switch to select LFO A, LFO B, or neither.
5. The High and Low cutoffs also have a modulation depth control to vary the amount of effect from the LFO. (Thanks for reminding me!)
6. 1/4" Switchcraft jacks for Input and Output.
7. Power switch

This one took some work! The control layout may seem a bit odd, but that was the only way to get everything in there. I crammed as much as possible into this enclosure, and I hope you enjoy it. The Parasite runs off of a 30V wall-wart, but I am debating on designing an external battery pack for it, we shall see.

The model in the above pictures is the prototype - there will be a few minor changes in the shipping units. The LFO selector switch knobs will be virtually identical to those displayed, just with a black band around the upper end of the knurled portion. I am looking for some suitable power switches with shorter levers but haven't found good ones yet. That's pretty much all for now, but there may be other minor changes in the shipping units.

I should have sound samples up late 7/6/2008 (tomorrow). The samples on the Plague Bearer page apply to the Parasite as well. All of the guitar and bass samples are using just one channel of the PB, so have a listen!" Check out flight of harmony for more.

Lone Node

flickr by jbud70
(click for more)

full size

Elekton - NEW MONO OS RELEASED

"Good people around the globe, the hydra just got two extra heads. In other words - Monomachine OS 1.20 is here! Two new machines have been added in this magnificent update, allowing you to use your own customized waveforms. Read all about it in the updated Monomachine and C6 manuals (you'll find them in the support section). The added waveform functionality is for MKII units only."
http://www.elektron.se/

korg ms 50 & sq10 demo

YouTube via throbgoblin
"a simple 12 step looping sequence with analogue bass squelches from the korg ms 50 patch synth."

minimal MnM2 tb303 tr606 tr909 machinedrum elektron modular

YouTube via frankieserious "MnM2 - Frankie Serious recorded in May,2008 - Sirius rec.studio"

FPGA Music Synthesizer

YouTube via lcircuit. "fm synth"

Clavia Nord C1 versus Hammond B-3

YouTube via hammondrebuilder
"This video is a comparison of the new Nord C1 to a 1965 stock Hammond B-3."

ARP 2600 Service Manual

via this auction
"ARP 2600 SYNTHESIZER
116 Unbound (Loose) Black and White A4 Pages - Double sided
Plus three A3 Pages with Schematics - Double sided
Contents:
* Signal Flow 1.1 - 1.3
* Checkout, Calibration & Repairs 2.1 - 2.24
* Tuning 3.1 - 3.3
* Assembly & Disassembly 4.1 - 4.3
* Keyboard Adjustments 5.1-5.4
* Maintenance Aids 6.1 - 6.4
* Schematics & Board Layouts 7.1 - 7.9
* Parts List
* Service Revisions"

Alesis Andromeda A6

images via this auction

Friday, July 04, 2008

Oxygene 8 Cover Featuring SonicProjects OP-X and Stringer

via Georges
opxstringer_oxy8poropat.mp3
"I made it only with VST’s. Mainly with Sonicprojects OP-X (OBX emulation), Sonicprojects Stringer (string ensemble emulation).

Otherwise I used GS201 (emulation of Roland tape echo), Waldorf Attack (for some drums),

Waldorf D-Pole (to filter), Audiodamage Phase 2 (emulation of the MU-TRON BI-Phase),

And Dasample glaceverb for reverb."

Clear Plexiglas Module

Ian sent this into the SDIY mailing list. I thought it was very cool and asked him if I could put up a post for others to check out and he gave me the OK. Thank you Ian.

"I had an idea quite a while back to make a modular synth with clear plexiglas panels because I love seeing everything. Well, it fell through back then because the drill bits I was using constantly cracked the plex. I got a step-up bit recently and peered at my pile of plex, grabbed a scrap and drilled a couple holes. No cracking this time. There was much joy. So, without further ado, I give you the front panel for a Baby 10 sequencer... I can't remember where I got the schematic, but the name on it is M. Herrmann."

As always, click the image for a larger shot.

SDIY UK 2008

Just a reminder that SDIY UK 2008 is coming up next weekend.

Arturia Origin final release almost there

via the Arturia news letter:
"Yes, we’ve said it several times, but today we are extremely close to releasing Origin. The synthesizer is now fully working and we are wrapping up the sound-design. Production of the hardware is nearly complete so shipping is just around the corner. Once again, thank you for your patience.
Future Music UK got its hands on the much anticipated machine earlier this year and had this to say in its July issue:
'The Origin is so much more than a hardware embodiment of Arturia's famous software. The ace up its sleeve is the ability to patch together the various components of the synths on board to build your own virtual hybrid. So now you can take the oscillators of the Jupiter 8 and filter them with an ARP 2600's filters. Each synth is broken down into modules, and these modules can be numerous and lashed together in whatever chain you like. It's this flexibility that is Origin's unique selling point... you really are building your own modular synth and one that's capable of sounds that no other synth could make. We were well aware of the synths power - and it certainly sounded superb at the demo.'

Musically yours,
the team at Arturia."

The "Hockey Organ" 2007

via Gord:
"I was recently in Halifax and was able to catch the last day of the 'arena: the art of hockey' show at the art gallery. One piece of synth-trest was this - link - that I thought you would get a kick out of.

The sk1 somehow had each key hooked up to each player (eg: A=goalie, C#=right winger etc...) and when the keyboard was played they would move around and such.

I tried to sample my own voice but forgot how to store and loop on the sk1 (I haven’t played with mine since I got it – stupid ebay impulse purchase/attempt at re-living my childhood)… but all the internal voices were still accessible." The device itself, and just the thought of leaving your own samples for others is absolutely hillarious. :)

xoxos Friction

"Friction VSTi combines a 2nd order mass-spring with a friction algorithm and two waveguide resonances. It is capable of elementary emulations of sounds produced by tangent surfaces, such as squeaky hinges and squealing tires.

This instrument is proposed for experimental music and low-budget foley sfx.

Friction is priced at $15, or $10 for current customers. The demo version removes some parameters.

listen to mp3, download demo" Check out http://www.xoxos.net/ for more including other VSTis.