steinerevihornguts

flickr by transanalog

full size

Inside a Steiner EVI

BC8

flickr by Chris_Carter_

full size

"My new BC8 sub-miniature Synth/Sequencer. Bloody amazing for something so small ! More details at: www.chimerasynthesis.com"

Note: that would be this Chris Carter from Throbbing Gristle, Carter Tutti and Chris & Cosey.

CS01_osc

flickr by transanalog
(click for more)

Inside a Yamaha CS01

MIDI to Volts via Arduino

flickr by Collin Mel
(click for mouse overs and more images)

"DC Boarduino type Arduino with the DAC, filter - oh and a littlebox o' MIDI"

Waldorf New Blofeld Keyboard Synthesizer

via dolphinmusic.co.uk
"We are proud to introduce the next member of the Waldorf family, our brand new Blofeld keyboard!

Features:
* 60 Megabyte sample memory
* Class compliant USB MIDI for PC,Mac and Linux
* 16 part multimode
* maximum 25 voices polyphony
* highest quality standard keybed with 49 weighted keys and aftertouch
* Internal power supply
* Pitchbend and modulation wheel
* Virtual analog, wavetable, and sample based oscillators
* MIDI in/out
* Sturdy metal case
* Stainless steel rotary encoders
* Backlit 128x64 pixel LCD
* Over 1000 sounds
* 3 oscillators, 2 filters per voice
* Selectable drive curves
* Frequency modulation for oscillators and filters
* Three LFO, four envelopes per voice
* Extensive modulation capabilities
* Complex arpeggiator
* Powerful effects section
* weight: apprx 8,-- kgs
* weight in carton: apprx 9,5 kgs"

Philips PMC100 Composer Synthesizer Sequencer

images via this auction
" Here we have a weird beasty from the 80's; Philips' one and only attempt at the synthesizer market. It combines preset FM synthesis with a sequencer, a cassette deck that doubles as a data and audio deck to load/save sequences or groove over the top of your favourite tapes plus a cool touch-membrane keyboard (ala EDP WASP, EH MiniSynth etc.)

It comes with a data cassette plus a tape and book of 'Hits of The 80's" for the full nostalgic experience. There isn't a manual included but most functions are figured out easily enough through trial-and-error or common sense."

MFOS Voltage Quantizer (+/-12V to +/-15V)

"Features
* Converts continuous voltage input to discrete .0833 voltage steps.
* Also provides whole step and fourths mode (.1666V and .3332V steps).
* Low cost parts used in the A/D and D/A circuits.
* Adds 12 tone (or whole or fourth tone) musical dimension to S&H outputs.
* Eases sequencer set up by correcting notes to discrete steps.
* Conversion time varies from sub millisecond to 1.26 millisecond (full count)
* This thing is pretty darn fun!

Possible Quirks
* Never let it be said that you won't find a voltage that causes inter-count jitter.
* Minimal chatter on step change with slowly changing input voltage.

Introduction
A voltage quantizer takes a continuously variable input voltage and outputs a stepped (or quantized) voltage. Whereas the input voltage might ramp up from 0 to 1V continuously the output voltage of the quantizer will be discrete steps of .083V. In normal mode this quantizer always starts at digital 1 or .083V. As the input voltage starts to ramp from 0 up to 1 volt the output will step to .1666V, .2499, .3332, etc up to 1.0V. The circuit also features a whole step mode in which the in to out conversion is quantizd to steps of .1666V. It also features a fourth step mode in which the in to out conversion is quantizd to steps of .3332V. Useful with sample and hold circuits to bring voltages into musical scale steps (half, whole or fourths). Useful with sequencers to bring voltages into musical scale steps (half, whole or fourths)."

http://www.musicfromouterspace.com/analogsynth/VOLTAGEQUANTIZER/VOLTAGEQUANTIZER.php

SoundDiver Adaptation for Waldorf Blofeld updated

via Achim on the Waldorf list:

"Hi folks,
I've updated the SD adaptation for the Waldorf Blofeld to make use of bugfixes in OS 1.04 (multi edit buffers now work correctly). You must upgrade the Blofeld to OS 1.04 (released today) for this adaptation to fully work. Please consult the Readme for further details.

If you are on Windows take note especially on the workaround necessary due to the buggy USB-MIDI driver supplied with all versions of Windows since WinME. I've also added a link to Waldorfs INI-File so that the Blofeld will be recognized as "Waldorf Blofeld" instead of "USB Audio Device" (this previously required manual poking in the registry). An example WIN-INI [SoundDiver] section is added to explain the MIDI-Yoke setup a bit better.

Users of the OSX Beta2 should edit the checksum entries as detailed in the Readme and also check that the Entry Increment for all bank drivers is set to 1 and not 256 (this is a big/little endian conversion issue that SD seems to get wrong sometimes). You will know this is wrong when you can only request the first sound in all banks.

http://Synth.Stromeko.net/Downloads.html#WaldorfSDada

V1.04R1
* First version supporting the release OS 1.04 of the Waldorf
Blofeld
* Corrected some problems with Envelope 4 editing.
* Added missing edit facilities for LFO 3 and Filter 2
* Straightened spelling for modulation sources lists
* Corrected parameter labels for popups
* Added init values for Sound and Global Data

Achim."

SoundDiver is a universal editor/librarian for synths by Emagic from years ago.

SOLINA String Ensemble with Custom Buttons?

via this auction

Not the best shots, but there you have it. Anyone know more about this one?

ARP 2813 Custom Modular Odyssey

images via this auction
"FEATURES -
The whole instrument is patchable
Has PPC flat or sharp pitch bender with vibrato
Touch Sensor has pitch bend, brilliance, vibrato, or volume. TS is stiff from age.
Delayed vibrato with two preset speeds
LFO is key-triggered or free running
Two voice memory
ARP 2500 style Multi-Mode Filter -
2 pole highpass, low pass, band pass, notch pass (I love the notch!)
4 pole low pass, distortion
Resonance Modulation
Multiple is 2x4 or 1x8
Inverter processor and Inverted ADSR
Single or multiple trigger ADSR
Several foot pedal and foot switch inputs
Upper and lower CV, Gate, and Trigger outputs and inputs
New, rare opposite-colored keys
Black/Gold graphics
Professional labeling for modifications
White and multi-colored, custom fit ANVIL case is in great condition
Owned and maintained by former ARP technician - never gigged
Just serviced and calibrated, No intermittants
All sliders reconditioned
Excellent cosmetics
Professional modification work
Includes full 2813 and modification schematics, Avatar (Odyssey) Patch Book, 3 patch cords, power cord"
via Brandt

From Ian Fritz, The DoubleDeka Ultrasonic VCO is coming...

You might remember the DoubleDeka Ultrasonic VCO recently from this post. Well it looks like the bride chamber will be making them available.

"This unique VCO consists of an ultrasonic oscillator core followed by a parallel pair of waveform generators. Each waveform generator consists of a switched multi-octave divider followed by circuitry to generate a 10-step waveform using a set of 10 slider potentiometers. Also included are a novel synchronization circuit with two different operating modes and a built-in "digital ring modulator" (DRM) for producing a wide variety of synchronized and anharmonic sounds. The oscillator core is highly stable (better than 20 ppm/K in the prototype) and features wide-range, accurate tracking (better than 0.05% over fifteen octaves). The variable waveform generator provides fine control over an enormous range of available timbres.

From Ian Fritz, The DoubleDeka Ultrasonic VCO is coming...
Full Kits and Assembled Modules should start shipping in October. Until Sept 15, you can preorder at these prices, which are 10% (or more) off!!

$300 Full Kit
$550 Assembled Module"

the Sea Devils Filter

via Suit & Tie Guy
"i probably should do more stuff like this, but i haven't been making as much music as i'd like lately. kind of important to remind oneself why we own gear to begin with. this is also the first piece of music i've ever composed to be intentionally atonal, to mimic the ambiguous volt-per-octave scaling of certain infamous synthesisers. i was using the attenuated exponential inputs on the Q106s and feeding other voltage sources through attenuators. also there are 2 different sequences used, and neither one of them is synced to the other.

the oscillators are Synthesizers.com, and the keyboard controller used for 2 of the 5 tracks was a x0xb0x. everything else was either one of the modules i sold, sell, or will sell or the Ray Wilson envelopes i made panels for. the sequencing on 2 of the tracks are with the Voltage Mini-Store, clocked from a Q106 on one track, and the Trigger Mini-Store clocked from the x0xb0x DIN sync on the other track. the effects are a delay/reverb patch on a PCM80, and all 5 tracks were recorded mono, one at a time, into an Alesis HD24 and mixed with no editing in Digital Performer 5 and converted to mp3 in iTunes."

Inside a Yamaha SY-1 25

flickr by transanalog
(click for more)

full size

Inside a Moog Minimoog

flickr by transanalog
(click for more)

full size

Alesis Andromeda A6 Red

via this auction
"This auction is for a red one, one of the first 100 produced and built right here in the good ol' US of A! This one is #17 to be precise - Don't let the "A5" on the serial number shown in the photo throw you. Alesis serial code for the red version was A5, the mass produced blue ones were A6. This Andromeda is brand new, still in its unopened shipping carton (photos 6, 7 & 8). No joke. This is the real deal." via Mr. Array

Korg Radias at night

flickr Yotsuba&!

full size

MICRO-KORG MK-101

Custom white MicroKORG with reverse keys and handle.

Third Encounter of a Close Kind? ARP 2500

YouTube via ShortFuse519.

"Video tour of a 2500, and working two simple oscillators"

Minimoog + Roland SH-101 "Analog Blues"

YouTube via gattobus
"Just a little improvisation (Vangelis style...) with my two analog monophonic synths:

Minimoog Model D and Roland SH-101

I also used an Ibanez AD-100 Analog Delay and a Nord Modular G2 for Reverb FX.

It's amazing what it's possible to do with only 2 voices of poliphony and with no keyboard velocity:

just envelopes and filters..."

EM-1 and Micro Korg Jam

YouTube via helpcomputing
"an old vid or me trying to get a legowelt-style sound out of these boxes

the em-1 is sequencing the MK while the arpeggiator is turned on

its not really a finished piece cause I need to get my old em-1 back from a friend so I can record the midi data into my new one and finish the track"

ULT SOUND MODULE&BOSS DR.55

YouTube via mopipi2. "UFFFFFFF!!"

Analog Synthesizer DIY Teil III Meeresbrandung

YouTube via Redled72. Prior vids here.
"siehe Teil I. Zusätzlich wurde der Rauschgenerator und der erste Antilog-Converter in Betrieb genommen."
"see Part I. In addition, the noise generator and the first antilog converter into operation."

EMS Random Voltage Generator

images via this auction

Moog Source

images via this auction

Moog Taurus Pedals

images via this auction

EMS Synthi A (1971)

images via this auction
"EMS Synthi A. Fully working Synthi A. Mains outlet has been changed for a common 3-prong AC power cable. The case is a composite of 2 front lids. It was supplied by Robin Wood (current owner of EMS). 2 screws are missing in the back and the latches are loose. Now the good thing is, this synthi works perfectly, no cross talk in the matrix, full set of pins and you get the sweet sounding filter of the first edition of the VCS-3. The synthi A is identical to the VCS-3 MK1. It also has separate rows for all osc's in the matrix. Robin Wood has said that he prefers the older synthis (and MK1 VCS-3) over MKII'S and synthi AKS. You can get a cable from Kenton that will make it work with standard CV-Gate (1 volt/octave) gear. It works perfectly! Otherwise this the deepest FX and treatment machine there is. Included is the ORIGINAL manual, a full set of pins and, if you buy it now, I'll include the tutorial called "Playing the Synthi" and the EMS Synthi patch book! This is the synth that is all over Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" and most of Brian Eno's great albums from the 70's. Great reverb, ring modulator, filter and an amazing matrix that lets you explore the signal in a modular way, without the patch cords"

ZW BASSMACHINE by ZW ELECTRONICS

flickr set by Bapt_

follow-up to this post

Access Microwave Programmer

via this auction

Not the best shots but you don't see these often. Access Programmer for the Waldorf Microwave.

Yamaha CS80 Kenton MIDI Retrofit

via this auction

TouchOSC

"TouchOSC is an iPhone/iPod Touch application that lets you send and receive Open Sound Control messages over a Wi-Fi network using the UDP protocol.

This allows to remote control and receive feedback from software and hardware that implements the OSC protocol such as Pure Data and Max/MSP.

The interface provides a number of different touch controls to send/receive messages:

* Faders
* Rotary controls
* Push buttons
* Toggle buttons
* XY pads
* Multi-faders
* Multi-toggles
* LEDs

The program comes with four layouts that are organized in multiple pages. We are working on another version of this program with configurable layout and adjustable control behavior and value-range."

You can get TouchOSC here:

B. got chubbier...

via modwheelmood

Update: image below via cebec in the comments: "I knew that looked familiar!"

TG-55

image via AnalogSuicide

"The TG55 Synthesizer, made by Top Gear England. More of a processer similar to the Synthi Hi Fi, but more powerful. Sporting 4 tracking oscilators, insanely good fuzz and a matrix of processing loops. 24 Chicken head knobs!"

Sisters of Transistors - The Don

YouTube via thisismusicltd. spot the synths. via AnalogSuicide.
"The official video for Sisters of Transistors 'The Don', released on This Is Music 29th September 2008"

Blacet Mini Wave Kits Back in Stock

http://www.blacet.com/store2.html

"xtremely versatile -- a modular "must have"!

The Blacet/Wiard Mini Wave is our incredibly popular wavetable lookup device with 256 on board waveforms (256 bytes per waveform). You drive it with a VCO sawtooth wave and it tracks the input frequency. Or, drive it with any waveform for some amazing distortion effects! Wave and Bank selection are voltage controllable! You will want more than one.

* 256 waveform EPROM included
* Second LIF EPROM socket (empty) with PROM Select switch (Add "Socket Rocket" -- see order page)
* Applications include:
o audio waveform bank
o complex LFO functions
o random functions
o non linear waveform distortion
o quantizer"

Audio samples here

Moogers for Obama

via Democratic Stuff.com

via Brenden

If anyone has any other political-synth content feel free to send it in.

Update via synthetic in the comments: Thereminists for Obama.

Le Orme - Rosso Di Sera (Popcorn 1982)

YouTube via silverhammer79. via Ian. Anyone ID the three Casios?

Arp Axxe Vintage Analog Synth MIDI Control Doepfer

YouTube via WayneJoness
"A Doepfer MCV4 is used to drive the Arp Axxe. I put a simple pattern in Digital Performer, and manipulated the controls on the Arp Axxe as the sequence played."

Arp Axxe Vintage Analog Synth White Noise

"This clip demonstrates the sound of the white noise generator in the Arp Axxe processed by the low pass filter."

Roland Jupiter-4 + JX-8P + TR-707

YouTube via retrosound72

"vintage synth demo track by RetroSound

VCF mod bass: Roland Jupiter-4 sync with the TR-707;
at 1:55 I switch on the JP4 arpeggiator
pad sounds: Roland JX-8P
drums: Roland TR-707

no overdubbing, no sequencer software used"

Clavia DDrum Rack

flickr set by Waveterm

"This is the first DDrum products.

The Pad came first and the rack after that.

The rack contains up to eight modules and each module has the same electronics as the pad.

Very cool and sounds like the best vintage drummachines. E.g Linndrum, DMX etc....."

Blofeld Firmware V1.04

via Stefan Stenzel on the Waldorf list:

"I just uploaded the Blofeld V1.04 firmware to our server:

Blofeld_V1_04.zip

This version shall serve as a cure for some of Blofeld's misbehavior:
-S&H and Random LFO shapes decorrelated
-Sustain works as Modulation Source
-Tempo always edited from Part 1
-Multi Sound buffers accessible by SysEx request
-Effects shown properly after Init and SysEx reception
-Occasionally silent Delay and Reverb fixed
-Snow problem eliminated

Relating web content will be updated this afternoon.

Regards,
Stefan"

Plogue Bidule Experiments

"Improvisations, expérimentations et compositions avec le logiciel de musique électronique Plogue Bidule"

Plogue Bidule Experiments in French
Plogue Bidule Experiments in Googlish

As the name suggests, this is a blog all about Bidule. You will find posts with images, samples and more.

Click the image here for a MATRIXSYNTH by Plogue Bidule Experiments

Top 20 Weirdest Instruments - Part 5

Suzuki Omnichord, EDP WASP and Bentley Rhythm Ace.
See the write-up on Sonic State. You can find the prior videos posted here.

genoQs Octopus

via BERND KISTENMACHER

"With Andreas Michel, editor of the German “Synthesizer-Magazin”, I arranged to write a field report about the Octopus. The article will be explicitly no test report, because this would be too boring. The report is expected to be released in issue no.11 and I will put then a summary of the article in English language into this blog."

Roland TB-303 and TR-606 with Customsynth Cases

via these auctions:

Roland TB-303
Roland TR-606

customsynth.co.uk

Update: I thought this design looked familiar. Take a look at www.thebeast.co.uk

Note that there is no mention of The Beast in the auction.

CLICK FOR MORE »

POLLEN

"the pollen is a compact variable analog noise generator with a few extras. the two main controls are "grain" which helps shape the static, and "pitch" which controls a self oscillating filter that helps to alter the pitch of the static and has a switchable range, high / low. there is also an external audio input with its own volume control and a switch to kill the internal noise source so it will allow the pollen to be used as a distortion box. the output is up to about 7 volts so that it can be used as a control voltage source. the output knob will allow you so turn it down to safe audio level as well.

CONTROLS
grain: gives you control over the static breakup and amount, this control is not very linear so certain setting ranges will change more drastic then others

pitch: this is a control for the self oscillating filter used to alter the pitch of the static, just so we're clear there is not way to use the filter alone or to cause it to not self oscillate
range switch: high / low range control for the pitch
input: this is the audio input volume control, its used to adjust the breakup threshold and lower / quieter settings usually yield more interesting results
output: the output volume
noise source kill switch: this will switch out the noise source inside so that you can use the pollen to process external sources only
power switch: um yeah the power switch
clipping led: shows you when the internal sounds are clipping, usually a good thing. not to be confused for a power led which does not exist.
input jack: mono audio input here
output jack: mono noise out here"

More details and samples at the squarewave parade

MATTSON MINI MODULAR SAMPLE/TRACK & HOLD DEMO MMM

YouTube via redmartian
"Here is a brief demonstration off SAMPLE/TRACK & HOLD on the Mattson Mini Modular"

Update: and better quality on Vimeo:


MATTSON MINI MODULAR SAMPLE/TRACK & HOLD DEMO MMM from RED MARTIAN on Vimeo.

Bluesynth Meeting 2008

YouTube via Moogulator
"as always this is an excerpt, find better quality of bluesynths pics and vids on sequencer.de"

Arp Axxe Pulse Vintage Analog Synth Sawtooth Waveforms

YouTube via WayneJoness
"The Axxe has sawtooth and pulse waveforms. This video hightlights each waveform and uses modulation source to vary the pulse waveform width."

Arp Axxe Modulation Effects

"This video demonstrates the variety of modulation possibilities of the Arp Axxe."

MOOG Voyager Cherry

images via this auction

CLICK FOR MORE »

TEISCO KAWAI S-110F

images via this auction

"The auction includes:
* Teisco S-110F
* Original Manual
* Original Cover
* Custom made flight case (new)
The unit it is 100% working and looks absolutely gorgeous. Please look at the pictures. The unit is in new condition. The only cosmetic imperfection is a very small chip on the upper corner of the right wood panel. All the metal is in brand new condition with no scratches or scuffs - not even minor."

CLICK FOR MORE »