flickr by delobbofull size
"closeup of Access Virus KC knobs. Nikon Coolpix 4500."
Sunday, July 13, 2008
neil's webbly world
Neil Johnson is the host of the UK SDIY gatherings. You can find a number of projects by Neil including the MIDI Matrix 2, the MSM or Mini Synth Modules, links to music and of course the SDIY UK events on neil's webbly world.
ARP Omni and Omni 2 Resource Page
Click here for an ARP OMNI page by Mark Smart. The page includes:* Common failures on the ARP Omni and Omni 2
* 4075 Filter modification
* Power supply modification
* Imitating ARP string sounds
* ARP slider caps
Steiner Parker Synthacon with Sequencer 151
YouTube via b3nsf
"Just messing around with these babies, totally cool sounding ... Nyle Steiner is the man!"
Steiner Parker Synthacon, Sequencer 151 and Masters Touch
"I thought maybe I'd put 3 Steiner instruments to the test... Sounds dang good."
Metasonix Eurorack Modules
via Eric Barbour of Metasonix on the ModularSynthPanels list:
"Was planning to start making Euro-compatible tube modules for next year. I want to ask around about what people want to see, and I do read every serious suggestion.
One thing I do keep hearing: complaints from many Euro modular owners. They want to buy a new module--but it doesn't "exactly match" the rest of the modules in their system. They want all the modules available to look the same. Supposedly, some of the lesser Euro module makers have trouble selling a module that's black or some other color, other than plain anodized aluminum with black lettering. 'If it doesn't look like a Doepfer, I won't buy it.' Yes, it seems lame, but a LOT of people
assemble large modulars primarily for appearance!
This is a big problem with Euro, MOTM and dotcom. Less of a problem for Frac Rack owners, they don't care so much as long as things are cheap...
On the other hand, I'd like to have yellow color panels. It would look kool. And my stuff would really stand out. But I do need to sell them, and if people won't accept Metasonix yellow, fine, they won't be yellow.
Opinions are welcome."
"Was planning to start making Euro-compatible tube modules for next year. I want to ask around about what people want to see, and I do read every serious suggestion.
One thing I do keep hearing: complaints from many Euro modular owners. They want to buy a new module--but it doesn't "exactly match" the rest of the modules in their system. They want all the modules available to look the same. Supposedly, some of the lesser Euro module makers have trouble selling a module that's black or some other color, other than plain anodized aluminum with black lettering. 'If it doesn't look like a Doepfer, I won't buy it.' Yes, it seems lame, but a LOT of people
assemble large modulars primarily for appearance!
This is a big problem with Euro, MOTM and dotcom. Less of a problem for Frac Rack owners, they don't care so much as long as things are cheap...
On the other hand, I'd like to have yellow color panels. It would look kool. And my stuff would really stand out. But I do need to sell them, and if people won't accept Metasonix yellow, fine, they won't be yellow.
Opinions are welcome."
MOTM-730 demos
http://www.synthtech.com/new_stuff.html"scroll down to the MOTM-730 section, the demos are listed along with some production information. The demos show the divider being used "normally' (to use a master clock to trigger multiple EGs, which then gate the voices through the VCAs) and as a "tone generator" a la Hammond organ (input a high frequency, generate multiples below
and mix together externally).
The last demo is the introduction to Robert Rich's 'Electric Ladder' CD. The divider sequence begins at the 2:00 mark and continues to the end of the snippet. This portion is overdudded 3 times and if you listen carefully you can hear the 3 sets of voices being triggered at the 3 different clock rates. And just for grins, this piece is in JI tuning via the MOTM-650 MIDI-CV."
Metasonix F'cking F'cker amp(2) - NAMM 2008 - Big City Music
YouTube via bigcitymusic
"Here's a video clip we just discovered on our MacBook from NAMM 2008. It shows the prototype Metasonix G-1000, better known as the Fucking Fucker amp being demo'ed at the Big City Music booth with a Future Retro XS synthesizer running into it. Ripping good sound, huh? The amp is really meant to be used as a guitar amp but - well gee, what the heck.
http://www.bigcitymusic.com
http://www.myspace.com/bigcitymusicdo...
http://www.bigcitymusicblog.blogspot.com"
SPS-1 Live Tweak
YouTube via zibbybone. "Edit sounds faster by pushing down knobs as you turn them."
MFOS Sequencer and my 4 Step sequencer
YouTube via dolphinicus
"This is a short introduction to my Ray Wilson MFOS Sequencer build, playing along with my 4 step rotary switch 1 volt / octave sequencer as well as my Liquid Hihat module being played. - July 2008"
ARP, Moog, and Heather.
YouTube via AutomaticGainsay
"Heather travels thousands of miles to play a few impromptu selections on analog synths."
MONOTONIC LABS LR55 Analog Synth Effects
via this auction"The Type-LR55 Synthesizer contains a 4-step sequencer and a voltage controlled oscillator. The sequencer can be triggered by internal or external clock sources. The format for external clock sources is an analog metronome or “click” signal; however other signals (like electric guitars) can be used to cause crazy effects.The internal clock is manually controlled with a potentiometer with speeds ranging from the very, very slow, to the extremely fast. The voltage controlled oscillator is similar to the Type U73 synthesizer which can be frequency and pulse width modulated. A unique feature of this circuit is the “stepped tones” that are created when the pulse width exceeds the period of the output allowing the user to play several “notes” with minimal manipulation. We offer a one year factory warranty for parts and labor and will ship world wide. The unit is powered by a 9 volt battery (included) which has a very extensive operating life."
Sound Clips
http://www.monotoniclabs.com/
ROLAND MSQ 700
images via this auction
"It runs off a Roland 2-prong power cable which is not included in the auction (but these are easy to get). In 1984 Roland released an 8-track MIDI sequencer called the MSQ-700. Weighing in at 11 lbs it looked like half of a TR909. The MSQ-700 is an 8-track sequencer that holds up to 6,500 notes that can be stored on one of the 8 tracks. Several functions of the MSQ-700 include a chain function, multi-track function, overdubbing and a merge function. The MSQ700 is a very reliable and robust design which will survive for decades. It is based around a Z80 micro-processor. There are 2 circuit boards, one is mounted to the front panel and contains the controls, the other is mounted to the base plate and is the main digital board. Use it to control your TR-909 or JUNO keyboard. The MSQ-700 is compatible with both MIDI and Roland's proprietary DCB sync methods. Today the MSQ-700 is a very useful sequencer for storing 8 short sequencer loops, with all the advantages of hardware control. Lots of knobs and switches! Its immediacy makes it a creative tool."
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Synth DIY UK 2008
click here for more images of this year's event. There are some inside shots of the Maplin in the set.SDIY UK 2008
Roland System 700 Demos
You can the demos by HEXAGON on this Synthforum.nl thread. Note the demos are 100% System 700 - no effects and no other synths.Robot drummer
Robot drummer from Michael Una on Vimeo.
"An implementation of the HighlyLiquid MSA-R MIDI control kit, triggering solenoid and dc motor-based kinetic drum strikers."
BTW, you can catch Michael Una, Peter Kirn of CDM and more at We Are Hacks: Music and Visual Performance at HOPE, NYC.
http://createdigitalmusic.com/2008/07/12/we-are-hacks-music-and-visual-performance-at-hope-nyc-preview/#more-3638
"Friday night, a live audiovisual lineup from the worlds of createdigitalmusic.com / createdigitalmotion.com invades the HOPE conference, aka Hackers on Planet Earth, the three day-long convergence of tech hacking. $10, open to all, 11-2a Friday July 12 at the Hotel Pennsylvania in New York. It’s a live digital, technological variety show in a doomed NYC landmark hotel with an audience of famous and infamous hackers. (Think Kevin Mitnick and MythBusters’ Adam Savage and Steven Levy, all in one place.)"
music : guitar + the harvestman suitcase modular synth
YouTube via devievervlog
"http://www.deviever.com/music/
Suitcase Modular Synth thanks to...
http://www.theharvestman.org/
I decided to fuck around in the new studio. The lighting is non-existent and the sound is recorded via the camera mic, but whatever.
- The guitar set up -
Fender Strat (w/ kill switch)
Electro Harmonix Little Big Muff Pi
Crybaby Wah (fasel mod)
Boss MT-2 Metal Zone
Boss DD-3 Digital Delay
Digitech PDS 20/20 Digital Delay
Fender Studio 85 amp
- Synth setup -
Custom built suitcase modularby The Harvestman :
malgorithm bit crusher (unused here)
polivoks vcf
zorlon cannon
tyme sefari delay
... some other stuff
-into fender studio 85 line-in
I'm still figuring out the modular, so bear with me. Should hopefully have better lighting in the studio in a few weeks and will take pictures / more video."
Adrian Utley's Theremin
via this auction"A theremin custom-made for Adrian Utley of Portishead, by No. 1 Electronics of London.
The sparkle finish made some of the labels difficult to stick on, so it's not totally clear what everything does. But it clearly works, and pretty well too - although as Adrian himself once famously said, learning to play the theremin is a job for life.
You can tell this is a custom item by looking at the serial number: AU02. It has extra sockets to output CV and gate - so it should be possible to use it to control all sorts of other stuff. Works on 9V battery (included) but also seems to have a 9V PSU input socket.
Will come with provenance from Adrian."
walkathon's Projects
click here for some videos on various finds by walkathon. walkathon, if you see this post, my email replies to you bounced.
Vintage Synth: the Minimoog Model D
flickr by dlumenta(click for more)
full size
"'Modifiers', 'Frequency cutoff, 'emphasis' 'envelope', - a whole new vocabulary for musicians in 1970.
Designed by Robert Moog in 1970, the Minimoog Model D synthesizer is still regarded as the Rolls Royce equivalent of analog keyboard-based synthesizers. Specifically designed for touring musicians, the minimoog exported electronic music experiments from university labs out to the masses - and her deep farting bass-sounds (think of Kraftwerk's Autobahn), lead and space bleeps and sweeps have become HUGELY popular over the last 38 years.
There were originally 13,000 minimoogs produced between 1970 and 1981. After a brief hiatus during the digital-synth craze in the 1980s, the minimoog enjoyed a resurgence of interest among musicians since the 1990s...and yes, it's becoming harder to get a hold on one.
I obtained this Mini from a studio garage sale back in 1989 for US$ 150 (in prime condition - save the crackling external input knob). After lying dormant for 7 years now, it's time to bring life back into this 1973 model D mini. Tropical humidity heavily damaged the furnishing. It needs re-tuning of the oscillators, cleaning of the electronic board, new switches for filter modulation, and thinking about a new base panel."
Frequency Dance No.5
YouTube via nero54ad
"This was shot while laying down the basic track for the latest in my Frequency Dance series."
Drum n bass with various gear
YouTube via filtersweeperVCO
"Just a bassline sequenced by the MPC 1000, triggering the Moog Voyager, and then running the signal through a Sherman Filterbank. The MPC has the drums running from the assignable outs on the back and into the Kaoss pad."
Synthesizers.com Q127 fixed filter bank demo
YouTube via birbabirbabirba
"Simple sequence filtered by a Synthesizers.com Q150 24db filter and the Synthesizers.com Q127 fixed filter bank (a modern reissue of the Moog 914 fixed filter bank)."
Techno Booyaaaa
YouTube via waveshaper. spot the modulars
"Techno Booyaaaa Techno Booyaaaa Techno Booyaaaa Techno Booyaaaa Techno Booyaaaa Techno BooyaaaaTechno Booyaaaa"
Update: you can find a link to the mp3 in the comments of this post.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Noisebug is OPEN!
The Noisebug.net website has also been updated. Check out the site for more info and images. You can find some additional images here.
New Firmware for Moog Source midi kit
via Scott Metzger on the AH list:
"This makes me very happy. Haven't had a chance to check it, but it supposely fixes the detune issue when spinning the input knob quickly. This is a huge deal!!!
Moog Source SMK MIDI Retrofit Version 4.10 This version of the SMK fixes a few bugs and incorporates a new installation procedure.
In previous revisions, if the Incremental Controller was turned too quickly, the sample and hold update code would fall behind and the voice would temporarily drift downward. This was due to a sharing of the Z80 interrupt line. Version 4.10 uses the NMI line for MIDI, and the INT line for the Incremental Controller, alleviating the problem.
Fixed a sysex load problem.
Fixed a minor bug with Level 2 – 5 waiting for the old PPQ parameter.
(Note: This firmware revision (and all following revisions) require a modification to the installation.)
http://www.encoreelectronics.com/sour410.zip"
"This makes me very happy. Haven't had a chance to check it, but it supposely fixes the detune issue when spinning the input knob quickly. This is a huge deal!!!
Moog Source SMK MIDI Retrofit Version 4.10 This version of the SMK fixes a few bugs and incorporates a new installation procedure.
In previous revisions, if the Incremental Controller was turned too quickly, the sample and hold update code would fall behind and the voice would temporarily drift downward. This was due to a sharing of the Z80 interrupt line. Version 4.10 uses the NMI line for MIDI, and the INT line for the Incremental Controller, alleviating the problem.
Fixed a sysex load problem.
Fixed a minor bug with Level 2 – 5 waiting for the old PPQ parameter.
(Note: This firmware revision (and all following revisions) require a modification to the installation.)
http://www.encoreelectronics.com/sour410.zip"
Lauren PolySix
Lauren and a PolySix keyboard"Lauren from work holding the PolySix Keyboard Action before I delivered it to a buyer. She saw me looking at Synth Babes on Matrixsynth and wanted in on the action!!!"
via Loscha
Novation KS5 + Yamaha PSR9000
YouTube via Wulfhard1965. sent my way via WOK.
"Testing the arpeggiator of the KS5 synced to the PSR. Who says, "entertainer-keyboards" can only play waltz?"
Moogsetup
flickr by otherside(click for more)
full size (click for the moog quote)
"Little Phatty Stage #0042 - OS2.0 | CP-251 | MF-107 FreqBox | MF-102 Ring | MF-105B Bass MuRF | JoMoX T-Resonator"
via Luis of www.pushmp.com
Circuit Bending Interview On Live News Cast
YouTube via Madcitycobra.
"Igloo Martian and Talking Computron, preform improv circuit bending set and interview at a local television station in Madison, Wisconsin. Crazy Sexy Circuit Benders Doing Experimental Music."
sent my way via brian c: "Igloo Martian is behind the garage sale here in chicago"
Missing Knob, sound of Fenix, warming up
YouTube via FenixModulair
"Request of earstroke: hello, could you please upload the video you have previously taken down, the 'warming up' video?"
Elektron MachineDrum mkII Live Tweak Demo
YouTube via zibbybone
"This a quick demo to show live tweaking of snare drum"
Novation KS 5 Synthesizer Arpeggiator Test
YouTube via Wulfhard1965
"Testing the arp of my Novation in multi-mode. Poor audio quality because of my cam."
Moog The Source
images via this auctionThat is definitely one knob to rule them all. I recently had the chance to play with a The Source recently and that knob is pretty impressive. It has a perfect weight to it and you can literally fling it in either direction and the weight just keeps it spinning. It's a bit like Tempest if you ever played the coin-op.
Alesis Ion | demo (1 of 2) by syntezatory.prv.pl
YouTube via Jexus.
You might remember Jexus picking up the Ion from this post.
"2003 Alesis Ion. All sounds programmed by WC Olo Garb. Video editing by WC Olo Garb. ||| Syntezatory.prv.pl Videos: showing you not what a synthesizer can do, but what a man can do with a synthesizer.
///
When you click "watch the video in high quality", you can enjoy the high quality of picture, however the sound sucks. It is artfully normalized/compressed/whatever by the Youteam. Hence the sudden bursts of volume (especially at the abrupt beginning of a new sound after a moment of silence), and uneven volume level at times. This kills the overall effect of the intended dynamics. In "standard quality version" the dynamic behavior is original, but the sound lacks high end and details due to lower bitrate. You choose. Or is it just me having a bad/old codec ? Hmm. Anyways, I prefer and recommend the standard quality."
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© Matrixsynth - All posts are presented here for informative, historical and educative purposes as applicable within fair use.
MATRIXSYNTH is supported by affiliate links that use cookies to track clickthroughs and sales. See the privacy policy for details.
MATRIXSYNTH - EVERYTHING SYNTH
