The MMM Arrives

See the full post on Box of Textures

"My Mattson Mini Modular arrived today. An entire year since I ordered it, taking a lot on faith, trading emails with George and getting pretty regular updates. And now it’s sitting in my living room with blinkenlights and a spaghetti of patch cords. It’s hard to even think of it as finished. It’s been a process for so long that it’s hard to think of it as a product. I’m not criticizing or anything, far from it. Some things simply take time to design, build and test."

Korg Poly 800 II Analog Synthesizer synth mod

via this auction
"Korg Poly-800 II. This model includes a wonderful, warm digital delay (with modulation!), a true analog Voltage Controlled Filter, three envelopes (one for each of the two oscillators, and one for the noise source/VCF), and an LFO to modulate filter cutoff or pitch.

I've also added a several well-designed modifications on this unit:

1- VCF CV Input.
This allows you to modulate the filter cutoff from a modular synth, CV pedal, or other signal generator. The input is designed to receive the standard 0-5 Volts, though the circuit ensures that voltages outside of that range will not hurt the Poly800.
2- External Audio Input w/Level Control.

This input is for processing other synthesizers, guitar, vocals, or any other sound source. It will work perfectly for guitarists, because the added circuitry provides just enough gain (and just the right impedence match) to boost the guitar's low level signal.
3- Filter FM Control.
This potentiometer controls the depth of Filter Cutoff Modulation from DCO1's audio. This modification allows for an extreme range of sounds- from growling synth bass to Ring Modulator-type noises.
4- Cutoff and Resonance Controls.
These potetiometers allow you to control the cutoff point and amount of resonance in the VCF!
5- Noise / External Audio Switch.
This switch disables the white noise source, so that the External Signal can run through the Poly800 alone. The switch also holds Envelope 3 at the maximum level (regardless of the settings on parameters 61-65).

Here are a few sound samples that I improvised to demonstrate some of the more unique features of this unit:
FMsyn
SHgtr
spacegtr
SHsyn
wackygtr"

via Robert

DSI still Sequential Circuits - Updates

See the updates of this post. Some fascinating stuff.

Alchemy Tutorial 1 - Part 1

YouTube via CamelAudio
"This is part 1 of the 1st tutorial on the features of Alchemy - the new ultimate sample manipulation synthesizer from Camel Audio.
http://www.camelaudio.com"

Alchemy Tutorial 1 - Part 2


Alchemy Tutorial 1 - Part 3

my new MaxMSP 5 synth

YouTube via jamesvla
"this is my new MaxMSP aditive synthesizer.. it works with seven oscilators, an adsr, a stutter patch (courtesy of a friend of mine) and a reverb patch from the legacy examples"

doepfer a-100 1 december 2008 patches

YouTube via jamesvla
"this is one of the first patches that I have been sucessful in making on my college's doepfer a-100"

doepfer a-100 patch 2 december 2008


doepfer a-100 patch 3 december 2008


doepfer a-100 patch 4 december 2008

KORG Z1

via this auction

SEQUENTIAL CIRCUITS PROPHET 5 REV. 3

via this auction

"Sequential Circuits Prophet 5 VER 3
Model 1000
Serial # 1000-4242
Warrany Expiration Date 5-18-83"

KORG Prophecy

via this auction

Cwejman S1 MkII Semi Modular Analog Synthesizer

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
via this auction via bigcitymusic

click the image for the full size shot

Sequentix P3

via userwave on the forum

note this is for sale

TV I circuit bent.

YouTube via benttronicsdotcom. via this auction.
"9" color TV I modified to have audio input modulate the picture tube. Audio in is a 1/4" jack.
Best if audio in is amplified a little, I used a headphone amp, but any amp should do."

arduiNoise

arduiNoise from Collin Cunningham on Vimeo.
"code from Loud Objects 'stereo' Noise Toy program - ported (and futzed with a bit) for Arduino.
- and what, no sensors?!?
no, i'll leave that up to you.
blog.makezine.com/archive/2008/08/arduinoise_beats.html
loudobjects.com/kit/"

Scratching with the XR-2206

Scratching with the XR-2206 from Collin Cunningham on Vimeo.
"XR-2206 function generator chip
+
resistive pressure sensors
=
good times"

SX-150 button mod

SX-150 button mod from Collin Cunningham on Vimeo.
"This right here be a Gakken SX-150 analog synthesizer kit - but ya see, I de-installed that resistive control strip deal … added me some good old-fashioned surplus pickbuttons and a bitty trimpot.

Now all me and the dog ever do is play with this thing … well occasionally he runs off to dig up a bone er somethin'.
speakin' a which - where is that dog?"

Ken Stone Interview via VICMOD

VICMOD: Ken Stone interview
(click for the full interview)

"Ken Stone is highly regarded in the Modular Synth business. He is also "the guru" of the DIY synth community.
Ken has been involved with many companies throughout the years from Bananalog, Cyndustries, Elby Design and Metalbox to name a few. He runs his own company Cat Girl Synth (CGS) were you can buy Printed Circuit Boards (PCB)and build up your own system. If you are into modular synths you are sure to have at least one of Ken’s designs in your system.

I caught up with Ken recently at his home, in the outskirts of Melbourne, Australia, a place that resembles only what I can only describe as "The Tardis". I went in and time disappeared. You will see modular synths all around the walls at strange angles, vintage oscilloscopes and wires everywhere. I was convinced when I left his home I had indeed been to another galaxy."

Eric Archer ABoT - Another Box o’ Techno

"ABoT: Another Box o’ Techno (2008)

A collection of experimental synth circuitry, linked together and mounted in a suitcase:

* Dual VCO w/ digital sub-bass sinewave
* 12dB/oct VCF
* SyncLFO
* LFO-Sequencer
* WaveFucker (1-bit pitch shifter)
* Analog-controlled speech synthesizer
* Generative CV sequencer for melody control

The ABot synchronizes with the BBoT. Continuing with the BBoT ethos, there is no computer interface, storage, MIDI, etc. Improvisation is the only approach.

The ABoT can be heard in the music of Operation Playmate… check out the bass drop at 0:40 in this clip. The Bird Box generative sequencer is creating the tom-tom pattern. Ragsdale is playing live keyboards (CS-15, MS20). The Drone Commander appears at the end."

more info including samples at eric archer . net

The Bard

flickr by ecsuecsu

"Night on the sun."

Don Buchla

image sent my way via Reed.

"It's the homepage image from the Buchla Yahoo users' group, but I think it may have first been in the Keyboard magazine interview in 1982."

Reed also noted the buchla on the left is the same one pictured in this post.


Update via keld in the comments: "The synth under the TV is Don's own Buchla."
Update via Rick: "the synth under the TV is a 300 series instrument and most likely is the same one that now belongs to the Audities Foundation - it was purchased from a European collector several years ago..

Dons system is much different...

it could be said that ANY buchla instrument was Dons at some point."

BoardWeevil09

via the BugBrand Blog

"Here's the initial build of the new Weevil for 2009 ----> the BoardWeevil

Its like a souped-up Postcard and takes in some new design ideas I've been playing with through 2008. My aim has been to create something with the power of previous big Weevils, but which is more easily replicated (to try to meet demand...)


Some notes:
* Three Oscs with Lo/Hi Ranges with the usual Quasi-ringmod
* Oscs 2 & 3 can Sync to Osc1
* Osc1 also has a Light Sensor for pitching (switchable)
* Power starve for the Weevil-heart - this also has a switchable Light Sensor
* Balance Control fades between Ring1 (oscs1 & 2) and Ring2 (oscs 1 & 2 & 3)
* Simple Tone Control
* Output Level dial feeding a standard 1/4" jack
* Onboard Mini-Amp
* 14 body contacts (gold plated!)
* All Dials are 9mm Alps -- still compact, but much sturdier than the orig. Postcard ones.

Due for release in Jan09."

The Boss Merry Christmas 2-All Guitar Effects Pedal

via MusicGearCompany.com. via Cikira via Keith on the SynthSights list.

► Input Love
► Output Peace on Earth
► Santa Detector
► Grinch Meter
► Naughty and Nice Mode
► Give and Receive Selector
► Control to Turn Up the Holiday Spirit

STAGEA ELS-01C Demonstration Movie - Horizontal Touch

YouTube via yamahacorporation

"Yuki Wada presenting the STAGEA ELS-01C."
via Kenneth Elhardt on the AH list:
"A lot of people would like polyphonic aftertouch on their synths. I've
always wanted horizontal touch for doing manual vibrato as that seems
potentially more useful. I thought that was gone with the old Yamaha organs
and the GX-1, but noticed in the Yamaha Stagea demo video at the link below,
they still have that feature. Go to the 1:58 mark to see how that works.
Now I have to wonder why they're not putting that on any of their synths!
Wish the Vax77 Keyboard people were doing this, or some other MIDI keyboard
manufacturer."

Update: Yuki Wada live:

Yuki Wada Lupin 3rd

YouTube via kyanhpham. "Ms. Yuki Wada's concert in Vietnam"

EWI USB 練習中の巻

YouTube via PXE02321. "ChineeErHu　DEMO"

scribbler, tube zipper, and t res

YouTube via spunkytoofers
"spunkytoofers scribbler
electro harmonix tube zipper
jomox t resonator

another video with this instrumentation. the scribbler is used to drive the tube zippers self oscillated tube driven sound following the envelope from the scribbler. the scribbler has two different bass responses and they both break up rhythmically and sonically in two different controllable but evolving rhythmic glitches or pitch soundscapes selectable by a switch . jomox compliments the interplay between the scribbler and the tube zipper playing together. the jomox is used as a first filter routed into a tube zipper forming a feedback path in the jomox. the jomox can be cross modulated between both filters available internally with a delay line available in each filter."

Synthesize a Deep Kick Drum in Ableton Live

YouTube via LoveCapacitor
"Another Tool for the Box: Playing power cords in a kick drum:

A simple method to play a perfect 5th or power cord in a kick drum demonstrated with Operator in Ableton Live 7."

Alesis Andromeda A6: Sixteen-Voice Analog Synth Overview, Part Four

YouTube via gearwire
"The sweet, creamy middle of Bill Holland's look at the Alesis Andromeda
A6 is all in the filters. Just because it's the middle of the series doesn't mean these filters won't take you to the ends of the universe!

See more on Gearwire.com."

Roland JX8p | demo (2 of 2) by syntezatory.prv.pl

YouTube via Jexus. Part 1 here (updated with hi quality audio).

"1985 Roland JX-8p. All sounds programmed by WC Olo Garb. All melodies 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. [].[].[] Deep apologies to all the people disappointed by the lack of the attempt to recreate The Final Cuntdown patch."

Korg nanoPAD Review - Sonicstate.com

YouTube via sonicstate
"The first of the three - this teenie li'l fella promises, but does it deliver?
More stuff at Sonicstate.com"

HumBox VM1 Scat Synth

"HumBox VM1 is a VSTi synth with advanced structure for manipulating sounds that allows a quick creation of quality backing vocals and solo lines, realistic scat melodies and original sound effects. It sounds unique as a melodic line, scat or backing vocal simulation as well as an effect for a Movie & Game soundtrack. VM1 is very sensitive to what you’re playing. Press a few MIDI keys and you’ll feel it! Listen to demo examples and have a blast using the HumBox!

It comes with 10 Voice Banks and 50 Styles, so each virtual vocalist has a few variations, in which he or she can perform. These Banks and Styles are named to help identify specify vocal character.
All Styles can be used in Solo, Dual or Poly mode, which increases possibilities for the user.
Another great VM1 feature is automatic “phrasing” and “breathing”. VM1 has phrase Volume and Pitch envelopes and inserts noises in pauses, which animates the voices considerably.

VM1 has an advanced system of patch parameters: every VM1 Style is a set of 7 patches, and their parameters are used for calculating the current patch on the base of musical context: Velocities, Note Numbers and music Intervals. Due to the “morphing of patch parameters” the sound very sensitive to musician’s play or to a MIDI score. “Phrasing” and insertion of noises add sufficient liveliness of the sampled synthesis. We call this approach ”Context Dependent Expressive Synthesis”.

The interface is very simple, so musicians are freed from technical details, and have wide possibilities for manipulating the sound.

Most control elements are intuitive and don’t require setting specific values. They are used to increase or reduce any given parameter of sound. So, after loading Bank and Style you can easily set the sound according to your needs.
In addition to that, all sections have QuickHelp - brief comments that can be shown on top of the program window.

So, listen to demo songs, take a look at the very detailed help file, watch the tutorials and have a blast using the HumBox VM1!
Price: 49 USD"

link to more info

Tom Gambles EFM 1900er series PCBs on fonitronik

old EFM forum topics
"olf EFM forum topics
I built several of Tom Gambles EFM 1900er series PCBs. He made a close out and sold his remaining stock in april 2007. there are a lot of these PCBs spread all around the world, many unbuild yet, i guess.
BAD NEWS: When these PCBs where actually released there was a forum at the EFM site. This forum is gone.
GOOD NEWS: Many thanks to Dave Kendall who filed many of the topics of the old EFM forum, and now i am glad to publish them. Thanks to Tim Stinchcombe who provided me with additional files to complete the list. Any helpful information is appreciated so don't hesitate to contact me if you have some files available that you might want to share here. The topics discuss errors, tweaks and modifications - VERY usefull:" [link]
Be sure to check out the rest of fonitronik modular synth diy.

Korg Minipops 120P

flickr by markku i
(click for more)

"Industar-61 2.8/50 M42. Analogue beat box from mid 1970s."

full size

Hohner Symphonic 30N

flickr set by transanalog

"Let's just say the Germans are very methodical. The build quality is top notch and it doesn't sound all that bad - kind of like a tamed down early 70's Japanese organ. To accomplish separate footings it uses glass neon tubes instead of transistors. Because of that there is a distinct high pitch whine emanating from the unit separate from the audio signal. Also since it uses neon tubes it can shock the living piss out of you if you're used to working with solid state circuitry."

CLICK FOR MORE »

HK2007

Happy Knobbing 2007 flickr set by fonitronik
(click for more)

"all bananas"

KORG PS-3100

"Happy Knobbing 2007 in Fishbach/Germany - where the modular geeks meet..."

Anyone ID the modulars?

FIRST PRODUCTION MATTSON MINI MODULAR FIVE - SWITCHED ON ANONYMOUS

YouTube via redmartian

"This is a renaissance dance by Cesar "Il Trombone" Negri [1535-1605] (Chilesotti's transcription) performed on the Mattson Mini Modular. The video features stills of the VCO-J and the JP-VCF which I did not have in the video 'Mattson Mini Modular Inside and Out".

I am hoping to do more of Chilesotti's lute transcriptions as well as a few of Luis Milan's Pavanas."

DSI still Sequential Circuits

This one spotted by prophei. He downloaded the sysex for the three individual OSes for the DSI Poly Evolver Keyboard off of the DSI website. When he looked at the manufacture in the Mac OS X SysEx Librarian this is what he saw. Anyone confirm?

Update: another screen shot sent in and confirmations in the comments.

Update via wavedeforum via the comments: "The manufacturer ID is not IP that would get sold with Sequential Circuits. It is an ID issued by the MIDI Manufacturers Association. Usually a number is retired or recycled when a company ceases doing business.

Because of Dave Smith's role in getting MIDI going, he gets to keep his ID, which is 1.

It's the programs that interpret Sysex that lookup the ID and display an appropriate string that are at fault for still displaying Sequential Circuits. I would think that they should be revised to display DSI/Sequential or something similar."

also sent my way privately via Stephen via Synthwood. Pretty cool when you think of it. Dave Smith was THE man behind MIDI. SCI was first with the Prophet-600 followed by Roland with the JX-3P. I'm guessing Roland has ID #2, but I have yet to confirm this. Be sure to see the comments of this post for more.

Update via Dave Cornutt in the comments:
"Roland is not ID #2 because the IDs are divided into three groups, American, European, and Japanese. The American group starts with 1; the European group starts with 20 hex, and the Japanese group starts with 40 hex. Roland is assigned ID 41H; for reasons unknown to me Kawai was given 40H. Here's the whole original list, from "The Complete SCI MIDI", January 1984 edition (all numbers in hex):

CLICK FOR MORE »

Buchla 200

Two shots via the comments of this post.

Top is a flickr by fastheadache
(click for more)

Bottom is via Christian here where you'll find other synth shots as well.

05-25-2008 Buchla Perdita

YouTube via jaqkuraj. Anyone know more about this? You can hear the synth come in around 2:34.

Update: it's a Buchla.

"Drums and keyboard: Jacqui Kuraj
Buchla: Bill Lefferts Brown
Saxophone: Steve Buchanan
Bass Guitar: Rick Iannacone"

"Ghost Whisker" - Rupert Chappelle, Theremin

YouTube via saintrupert. "Rupert Chappelle, Theremin, 12-15-08."

Korg M50 - Shine On You Crazy Diamond

YouTube via tehfujicory
"This is my custom combi and program set for the Korg M50 that attempts to pay homage to the Floyd classic. Apologies for the slightly desynced audio."

Thing-a-ma-kit

YouTube via sduck409
"I just finished this Thing-a-ma-kit, and after a short period of it not working and some debugging, here is my first experience with it. It's built into an old printer sharing box that's about 15 years old."

reedBoxDemoVideo.mov

YouTube via kuiphoff
"The ReedBox is a device that allows users to interact with a computer using magnets. It utilizes an Arduino micro controller and the open source programming language, Processing.

Note: Due to a bad VGA cable, the colors on the monitor aren't quite right."
Read more about it on John Kuiphoff's Projects.

ROLAND BUTTON

via this auction

"25MM ROLAND BUTTON BADGE"

Based on the seller's other items, I'm guessing this is a reproduction and not an original.

SUIKO-100

via this auction

"UIKO-100 is extremely rare and most strange japanese electronic musical instruments
it was originally made for japanese traditinal music circa. 1980. SUIKO-100 was a most expensive and top of the line product of SUIKO series

it built in cool brown custom suitcase like EMS synth, one side of the suitcase is a speaker so you can play without external amp or mixer but don't worry it has audio output too. keyboard itself is built in beautiful plastic case and design look little bit like Roland TB-303 BASSLINE keyboard is separatable from it's case

these keyboards were very expensive and made very limited quantities those days made for the very small circle of the people who seriously studying japanese traditional music so i'ts very hard to find even in Japan nowadays... this is your first and last chance to get this vintage bizarre gem!

it has 2 rows of button keyboard this keyboard specially designed for playing glissando easily like koto(japanese harp) front row of the keyboard is japanese scale,so just playing randomly you can easily get exotic japanese melody!

there are various switchs and dial for special japanese tuning, sustain, octave, vibrate, bend, mono/poly switchs are avaliable and it also has auto play/rec function,you can record and play your performance and play another instruments over your recording sound

many sounds are selectable,mainly japanese traditional instruments like shyakuhachi(japanese bamboo flute),koto(japanese harp) and to oboe, strings, chorus etc.. in drums mode it become exotic rhythm section full of japanese traditional drums and percussion and you can play all these percussion by keyboard

sounds are very real and warm and strange!,very unique original sounds even chorus or strings sound has dark vintage sound color like mellotron

I recommends SUIKO-100 for the artist who tired of western electronic instruments and seeking for new and bizzare sounds also recommends those who seriously studying japanese traditional music

Item is used but very good condition and working. some scratch on box using 6 batteries or DC9V adaptor(not included)"

Experimenting with Electronic Music - 1974

via this auction

"Published the very same year electro-industrial pioneers Kraftwerk released their breakthrough album "Autobahn," here's a wonderful, rare book covering virtually everything you ever wanted to know about music synthesis and reproduction. Within its pages is an overview of the history of electronic music, from RCA's tube-based Mark I to modern solid-state synthesizers, with photos of the Minimoog and the Moog Sonic Six, as well as the Tonus ARP 2500, 2600, and Soloist consoles. For you tinkerers out there, the book also contains numerous construction projects, including two (2) separate transistorized theremins complete with detailed alignment instructions. All projects come ready-to-build with full schematics and parts lists.

Contents include:
* Musical Electronics
History - Mechanical Tone Generation - Electronic Tone Generation - The Music Synthesizer

* Sound and the Electronic Signal
Sound - Harmonic Motion - The Sine Wave - Additive Synthesis - Square Wave - Sawtooth Wave - Beat Notes - The Envelope - White Sound - Using the Complex Wave

* The Instruments
Mechanical Tone Generators (string, wind, and percussive) - Experimenting

* Microphone and Pickup Applications
Principles - Ceramic and Crystal Applications - Homemade Ceramic - Homemade Percussion - Dynamic Microphones - Magnetic Pickups - Homemade Magnetic Pickup - Condenser - Impedance

* Building a Small Electric Organ
Tone Generation - General Construction - Tremolo Modulator - Mixer - Homemade Keyboards - Combining the Stages

* The Electronic Modifiers
Tremolo Circuit - Envelope Control Circuit - Trigger Circuit - Attack Envelope Generator Circuit - Photoelectric Modulator - Reverberation - Chime Device - "Fuzz" Circuit - Sustain Circuit

* Electronic Tone Generators
Multi-waveform Generator - Pink Noise Circuit - Two Theremin Projects - Automatic Percussion Circuit - The Almost Nightingale - Mini-Organ

* Odds and Ends
Two-Channel Mixer - Three-Channel Mixer - Voice Selector - Variable Bandpass Amplifier - Active High-Pass Filter - Resonant Filter - Tube Filter - Tape and Echo

Apart from a bit of cover wear, the book is in very good condition. Hardcover, 180 pages. First edition, copyright 1974."

Be sure to see the Synth Books link under the Stuff for Sale section just to the right of the site.

circuit bent KAWAI R-50e

via this auction

"Kawai R-50e Drum Machine Modified by Robert Green of Alien-Devices.com

This modified device is an electronic drum synthesizer and sequencer capable of producing very unique synth percussion sounds and patterns. The mods offer hundreds of patch combinations which can effect the drum sounds in subtle or drastic ways creating beat mutations, digital filtering, synth tones, envelope warping, bizarre beats and electronic textures.

This unit has a 17 point banana jack patchbay and includes five stackable banana cables, an ac adapter and a PDF copy of the manual

Here are a few samples to demonstrate the quality..."

KMD Drum Exciter Bias Coron Drum Synth

via this auction
"Here we have a very rare KMD Drum Exciter drum synthesizer module. The module is trigger sensitive and mounts directly to any drum. The module has the following knobs, Effect, noise, intensity, balance, rate, sweep, mode, decay, sweep, volume, decay, v.c.o. The unit has an FT/SW input and also a main out 1/4 inch jack. This unit sounds amazing, there is no other module that will do what this does."

POLIVOKS Soviet Minimoog Analog synth

via this auction
"Polivoks was designed by an engineering team lead by Vladimir Kuzmin from the Urals Vector Company later built by Formanta Radio Plant in the early 80's.
• This auction synth was made in July 1988 in USSR. Serial Number: 0788009
• Polivoks is one of the most popular vintage synths today because of its history and extraordinary industrial look. Many consider its sound capabilities to be comparable to a MiniMoog.
• POLIVOKS is a polyphonic 2 OSC analog synthesizer. It features a unique set of electronic parts, reliable keyboard (49 notes F–E) made in magnetically controlled contacts; synthesis modules consist of independent boards, which is convenient for maintenance.
• The synthesizer has 2-voices polyphony; each oscillator works with a keyboard note independently.
• Polivoks is housed in an original body of uncommon design with handy controls.
• Two types of filters – bandpass/lowpass and external input for cutoff control.
• Connection on the rear panel : on/off switch, OUTPUT on standard 1/4''jack, INPUT and Pedal input with 5-Din connectors, PHONES with 5-Din connector, power wire connection (220V), fuse (0,5A) ."

Roland Juno-6

via this auction