Moog 1130 Percussion Controller

via this auction
"rare Moog 1130 Percussion Controller. This is basically a drum that sends control voltage out. The unit has a connector for a Minimoog (not a Voyager!) or a Sonic 6. I've also seen Prodigy's modified to take these connectors. If you don't have a Minimoog, a Sonic 6, or a modified Prodigy you will need to do some work to adapt this to your synth. This drum doesn't make sound on its own, but does send CV for both volume and pitch (as well as a S-trig gate). "

Analogue Systems RS220 Joystick Module

via these auctions
"The following is from analoguesystems.co.uk:
Nowadays the synthesiser is almost always considered to be a keyboard instrument, much like a piano or an organ. This is a view that is as much a consequence of modern synthesiser design as it is a necessary part of that design. In other words, we think of synths as "keyboards" because that is how they are presented, not because there is any fundamental reason why they should be so.

Of course, an analogue keyboard is merely a controller that generates different voltages for each of the keys pressed. This is a simple way to create the discrete voltages that relate to the common musical scales of western music. But there are many other ways to control synthesisers. Most synthesisers will have auxiliary controllers such as pitchbend and modulation wheels, some will feature ribbon controllers, and others might offer pressure sensitive pads. But all of these additional controllers share a common limitation: they only output a single control value at a time. So, no matter how many destinations your wheel, ribbon or pad controls, the same information is sent to each.

Strangely, there is an auxiliary controller that was known to all the early synthesiser designers, and which was incorporated in most synthesisers throughout the 1960s. But, after the release of the Minimoog and ARP2600 in 1970, this controller fell into disuse, with only sporadic re-appearances on unusual instruments such as the Korg Sigma. Yet it remains an intuitive, creative and straightforward way to make sounds change in two independent ways at the same time. This controller is the simple joystick.

IN USE
The RS220 uses a very high quality self-centring X/Y joystick mechanism that provides smooth response across its full range. (You can remove the internal springs to allow for non-centring action, if desired.) It provides two outputs for each CV generated.

RANGE
At its far left extreme or its lowest point, the joystick will generate a voltage of -5V at the X outputs or Y outputs (respectively). At its far right extreme or its highest point, the joystick will generate a voltage of +5V at the X outputs or Y outputs (respectively). But there will be many occasions when you would like finer control over the CVs generated on one or both of the axes. The RANGE controls offer this fine control, reducing the output CVs to approximately 0V at their MIN settings, while passing the full ±5V ranges when set to MAX.

OUT
Each axis offer dual outputs with a maximum range of ±5V. Each pair carries identical signals with maximum operational values determined by the RANGE control. (See above.)"

Steiner (Crumar) Masters Touch Analog Filter/Interface

via this auction

"Steiner Masters Touch analog breath interface/filter
The breath input works - This is one half of the dual medical tubing you see in the picture. You can blow into the tube and generate voltage based on how strong your breath is. You can also control the cutoff frequency of the filter this way.
The voltage controlled filter works - it's a really nice resonant filter (sounds 24db but I can't find any documentation that backs this up). It can self-oscillate. You can run external sounds through it.
The bite input does not work - this is the other half of the dual medical tubing.
The touch input does not work - moving your finger around doesn't generate any voltage.



This would make a good addition to any modular setup; I used it with my Synthesizers.com system as well as my MS-20. If you're a DIY-er you could probably repair this (or at least yank the guts out and put it in a module).

The entire package includes:
- Base unit
- Breath tubes
- Vinyl trim (for the metal sides of the unit)
- Schematics"

CLICK FOR MORE »

Yamaha CS80

via this auciton

Axel F on Ensoniq SQ-80

YouTube via derekaggs11
"I remade Harold Faltermeyer's "Axel F" on my Ensoniq SQ-80 synthesizer using only its onboard sequencer. It took about two hours. No effects were used."

YAMAHA CS1X synthesizer

YouTube via finetunes45. wish the clip were longer... also not sure if the audio is the CS1X or just some music with the image... hmm...

KSS Midwest Gathering - Andy jams the MidiNES

YouTube via Allerian1
"Andy plays a little Mario using the Nord Wave to control the MidiNES."

Machinedrum UW Infinite Samples

YouTube via Allerian1
"A demonstration showing how to make the Machinedrum loop back and forth through a section of a sample with only one trigger and to increment the sample point forward. Useful for all manner of good times."

Machinedrum UW turntable goodness

"Here are the basics of turning an old record into derivative rhythmic ambience."

ef303

YouTube via bhangra666. sent my way via brian c.

Carillon My Wayward Son

YouTube via peahix. Anyone know what the interface on top does?
"This is a preview of a piece I wrote for the UCSD Geisel Library Carillon. You can hear the official performance on Jan. 23rd, 2009 at 12 noon. Just be somewhere in the vicinity of the library. You won't be able to actually SEE anything being performed, as the carillon is housed in a small cement room atop the library in a restricted area. But this video will give you an idea of what the carillon looks like. The "bell" are amplified metal rods that play over a loudspeaker system on the roof of the library. Included in this video are some shots of the library that I took after practicing the piece, in case you've never seen this amazing building. Thanks to Scott Paulson for commissioning this piece! For more info, see http://blog.ucsd.edu/artslib/2009/01/..."

Joel on Buchla Lightning: the "7 styles in 7 minutes" solo

YouTube via JJDavel
"Percussionist Joel Davel playing a demo Buchla Lightning solo circa 1999. The wands emit infrared light read as 2 dimensional location gestures by the optics in the foreground. Each hand is independent. Gestures are programmed to control MIDI events: strikes, virtual scales or volume controls along x-y coordinates.
Joel still does Lightning solos, though without any looping now, so no one gets confused about the real-time gestures. "Lightning is considered more of a new music tool, and I more of a new music player, but I've also played for hours at SF Bay Area parties especially 10 years ago when tech gigs were plentiful."

NAMM: NAMM 2009 - Analogue Systems guitar synth w/ Blues Saraceno

YouTube via bigcitymusic
"Here is the monster guitarist Blues Saraceno at the Big City Music booth on Saturday at NAMM. He's playing his Les Paul into the Analogue Systems rs35 External Source Processor module, which is a pitch to voltage (1 volt per octave) module. The rs35 is triggering a pair of rs95 voltage controlled oscillators, which are then processed through several other A.S. modules.

The final sound is coming from the tiny 5" Yamaha speaker which was mic'd with a handheld SM-57."

William Tell a la modular

YouTube via dkimcg. let me know if I missed any synth labels.
"The infamous William Tell Overture played on my modular from a midi file I found in the Googles.

Nothing too serious, just having fun with my newly found polyphony capabilities, thanks to a second hand Roland MPU-101 I just acquired.

Sounds kinda goofy to me, made me laugh while I was recording this..."

GiantSteps a la modular

"John Coltrane's Giant Steps played on my modular from a midi file I found in the Googles.

Nothing too serious, just having fun with my newly found polyphony capabilities, thanks to a second hand Roland MPU-101 I just acquired."

TekFunk Full Live PA

YouTube via shagghie
TekFunk Full Live PA (Shagghie vs. Ritardo Montalban(aka VictorJohn)) MachineDrums and 303 (part 3)
"TekFunk Recording artist and owner Victor John (aka Ritardo) and Shagghie go full live PA at a house party in San Diego. The table is three MachineDrums (two with custom green Matrix mods) and a very special 303 of Ritardo's. A Kaos Pad 3 and A&H Xone62 round out the sound. We work so well together that two of the MachineDrums were 'ad hoc improve' driven, building each pattern up from scratch in real time. Green MD's customized with help from the esteemed Pavel Kirkovsky. We're currently booking up 2009, so please have your agents contact us via PM. 2009 is going to blow up, with new releases, and live PAs. Thanks to our fans for all your love and support. And yeah, Happy Birthday Bobby!"

Part 2


Part 1

"Got together with VictorJohn of Tekfunk Recordings and did a killer full live PA with three MachineDrums and a 303...
Thought peeps would like to see the Matrix Green MachineDrums in action... I'm getting more emails about them than I can handle, so please everyone...
if you REALLY want a customized MD like this, I will put you in touch with my Russian tech and we can work a grey market deal on the impossible to source
LCDs... Just go to Mouser for the KingBright LEDs...
Thanks again Matrix for everything... your site is a constant inspiration and source of magnificent synth discoveries for the entire TekFunk crew.
Ritardo and Shagghie are starting to book up already in 2009, so PM me in the forums here if you are on the west coast and are interested...
-Shag
www.myspace.com/shagghie"

Roland Re 201

YouTube via abertronic. Yamaha SS30 string synth.
"Demo of Re 201 Roland space echo for ebay auction"
Not sure which one of these it is if any.

Vintage String Synthesizer Roland RS-202

YouTube via kaizokuhousou
"I bought it as a second hand one. Costs about $144 but the sound is Great! i love 70's sound!"

NAMM: NAMM 2009 - Signal Arts Tetra MAPS sequencer at Big City Music booth

YouTube via bigcitymusic
"Here is the latest from Signal Arts at the Big City Music booth. The all new Tetra MAPS sequencer offers so many possibilities. Here is just a taste."

NAMM: NAMM 2009 - Metasonix R-51 and R-53 Eurorack modules at Big City Music booth

YouTube via bigcitymusic
"Here are the new Metasonix Eurorack modules at the Big City Music booth at NAMM 2009."

GorF Prototype

YouTube via VacolocoSynth
"This is the first prototype board, assembled and tested.
I had a few problems (3 in fact), 2 got fixed in code, one required a mod to the board.

This is longer than my other videos as I'm running through it explaining the functions as I go."

"Electric owl" (1999) Quasimidi & Kurzweil

YouTube via knarrbacken
"A short cut from a track made year 1999 with Quasimidi 309 & Kurzweil K2000RS."

AN200 pattern 100 (2008) "easy acid"

YouTube via knarrbacken
"Playing around with pattern nr 100, tweaking the knobs while recording. No external fx, only pure evil internal sounds ;-)"

Yamaha SK15 stringmachine

YouTube via knarrbacken
"A demosound from SK15. No external FX, ensemble effect is switched on after the first tones and the internal filter is sounding like some kind of phaser.
(Some transients did get distorted I think when converting, sorry for that)"

303 saw the feedback (2008) acid / noise

YouTube via knarrbacken
"Acid/Noise with ML-303 sawtooth, Zoom BFX-708 + Smallstone, Locobox AD-15 & Behringer UB1002."

Red Square Synthesizer & Realistic Reverb (2009)

YouTube via knarrbacken
"Testing the Red Square with arpeggio from Korg Z1. Some parts are backwards."

Matrix Green MachineDrum (Shagghie ft. Bacon the Flying Pig)

YouTube via shagghie

"Sneak Peak Preview of a track called Detroid that Bacon and I are working on. Green MachineDrum transformation was no easy feat, but with help from Pavel (http://pavel.kirkovsky.com), and after many months of dealing with obtuse factories in China...the green display was provisioned, and matching LEDs installed, along with black faceplate with the "Shagghie" logo (artwork by VictorJohn of Tekfunk Recordings). It turned out so perfect that we are building another one just like it as we speak for my live PA's. Thanks for all of Katy Rokit's support as well, can't do squat without her these days... :)
Thanks to Jon of Elektron too, for another great NAMM and for the constant hope of 'something new' just in time for 2010 from the Elektron Elves...I'm sure Dan is going to smile from above!
Lastly, a huge thanks to Matrix of MatrixSynth (matrixsynth.blogspot.com) for all his years of ongoing support to the synth community. This one's for you...from Bacon and I." Thanks Shagghie and Bacon! :)

Update: some more detail from Shagghie: "It's a customized MachineDrum... the displays are no longer being made, so sourcing a green one took the better part of 5 months using google translator and visiting chinese and swedish websites.... the LED's from Mouser. The top is a custom black top. Other than that, it is a MD UW mkII underneath..."

Adrenalinn III Tips

via the Roger Linn newsletter:

"Want to stretch the capabilities of your AdrenaLinn III a little farther? Here are a few tips that you may not be aware of.

Tip #1: Transpose Arpeggiator Sequences with a MIDI keyboard
AdrenaLinn III's Arpeggiator Sequences--used by John Mayer in his hit "Bigger Than My Body"--are a wonderful tool for inspiring new ideas. However, they loop the same 2-bar note sequence regardless of what chords you play. To transpose these sequences in real time, simply connect a MIDI keyboard (or MIDI bass pedals). Press any key lower than the "E" below middle C to transpose down, or any key above it to transpose up.

Tip #2: Syncing AdrenaLinn III's effects to a human drummer
In order to sync AdrenaLinn III's rhythmic effects to a human drummer in a live situation, the best way is to send the A3's drumbeat directly into the drummer's headphones (and not into the PA) so he can play along to it. From the audience's point of view, the AdrenaLinn III's effects will appear to be magically in sync to the drummer.

However, if you ask your drummer to wear phones and play to a drum machine, he may not like you anymore. An alternate method is to make A3 play in sync to whatever the drummer is playing. To do this, turn the drums volume all the way off and reassign the left foot switch to RESTART, which resets the beat-synced effect to the beginning of the 2-bar loop instantly with each press. Then you can use the right foot switch (Tap Tempo) to tap in the drummer's tempo and use the left foot switch to occasionally resync the A3 to the start of the bar played by the drummer. Click here for more details.

Tip #3: Beat-Synced Time-Slice and Reassembly
This is a truly weird effect that produce solos you'll either love or hate. It's demonstrated in preset 184, "Mangled Notes", and works by combining Square-Wave Tremolo with Beat-Synced Delay. In this effect, Square-Wave Tremolo is used to slice away every second 1/16 note, and delay is used to fill the resulting holes with the 1/16 note slice immediately preceding each hole. Here are a few interesting variations of preset 184:

1) Set SPEED to "8t" and DELAY TIME to "8n"
2) Set SPEED to "4n" and DELAY TIME to "8n"
3) Set SPEED to "16n" and DELAY TIME to "16d"
4) Set SPEED to "4n", DELAY TIME to "8d" & DELAY REPEATS to "65" (better with chords)

Tip #4: Restore an individual preset or drumbeat to factory status
You probably know to restore all of the AdrenaLinn III's presets and drumbeats to factory status: hold both foot switches while connecting power. But did you know that you can also restore only one preset or drumbeat to factory status? To restore an individual preset, select the preset, hold the UP ARROW key for at least 1/2 second, turn the PRESET knob to the right until it shows "FAC", then briefly press UP ARROW again. To restore an individual drumbeat, select the drumbeat, hold the DOWN ARROW key for at least 1/2 second, turn the DRUMBEAT knob to the right until it shows "FAC", then briefly press DOWN ARROW again.

That's it for now. If you don't have an AdrenaLinn III, please visit our web site, www.rogerlinndesign.com to learn more, including video and audio demos. You can even buy it there with a 30 day guarantee and free shipping to the U.S. and Canada ($40 shipping everywhere else). If your local dealer doesn't carry it, please have them contact us at sales@rogerlinndesign.com. We're happy to sell to any established musical instrument or pro audio dealers."

Roland Jupiter-6 Europa Mod Samples

http://www.midiwall.com/gear/drewnjp6/JP6Bass1.mp3
http://www.midiwall.com/gear/drewnjp6/JP6Bass2.mp3

"Anyway--to recap from previous posts--there is the Europa mod (brilliant) then increasing cap values at the CV lines controlling the filters and VCAs (this reduces or kills the zippy crackling sounds) and finally bypassing the 10uF caps that are in the audio path post filter. The first two mods are well known and you should be able to find them with a Google search."

You can find the Europa mod here.

Roland D-50 Factory Patches Part II

YouTube via hvrhd1000u. via fischek

The Moog Minimoog Sawtooth-Triangular Waveform

YouTube via AutomaticGainsay

"Viewers of my Minimoog video are constantly trying to decipher what I'm talking about when I describe what at that time was a mystery waveform. It wasn't long after I posted the Minimoog video that I looked up the name of the mystery waveform in the Minimoog manual. It is the "Sawtooth-Triangular," a sort of weirdly bent Triangle wave.
This video is a portion of a bonus video which is included in my soon to be released synthesizer DVD. Be watching for details on how to order!
Thanks for watching!"

The Stowaway

YouTube via TheUmbrellaCo
"Atmel based 12 step bend sequencer with selectable sets of six. Delicious dual circle LED array, powered by 9v adapter. New Series!!"

MFB Kraftzwerk

YouTube via nirvanabeach. "MFB Kraftzwerg - Compact Modul Synthesizer"

working with Synplant

flickr by Mr. Biggs


full size

"Wilson working with Synplant on Ableton Live. He says he likes the interface better than the traditional knobs of other synths, but it's annoying that it makes unpredictable sounds. The kid knows what he wants."

NAMM: More pics on fdiskc

http://fdiskc.com/syn/ - click on NAMM Shows, Winter and go from there.

Pictured:
John Bowen Solaris Limited Edition
genoQs Octopus

NAMM: WNAMM09: Microkorg XL Demo

see the write-up on Sonic State

Tristan Perich: Active Field - LIVE Tonight

Tristan Perich: Active Field
WITH William Brittelle: Mohair Time Warp

Tonight, Active Field, Tristan Perich's first major work for ensemble with 1-bit music accompaniment, arranges ten violinists and ten audio speakers on stage in a work that investigates the fundamental relation between physical and electronic sound. Working with primitive electronic machines he creates, Tristan Perich explores the foundations of sound. Last heard live at the Whitney Museum, Active Field is a jubilant intersection of the opposite but equal domains of data and sound, treating the violin and computer, each pinnacles of their respective disciplines, as primitive machines for the creation of sound.
William Brittelle's Mohair Time Warp is a full-length, lip-synched, mixed-genre, art-music concept album featuring an 8-person, mixed rock/classical ensemble. Possible descriptions include: a punk-classical collage version of the Beach Boys' Pet Sounds; a marriage of Basquiat, Prince and Debussy; and/or Captain Beefheart put through an art-pop filter with a well-dressed, wildly charismatic lip-synching frontman.

Tristan Perich and William Brittelle
Saturday, January 17, 2008, $10
7pm wine reception, 7:30pm music
Chelsea Art Museum, 556 West 22nd St (at 11th Ave), New York

Violin: Sage Cole, Monica Davis, Olivia De Prato, Kiku Enomoto, Sasha Korczynski,
Matt McBane, Elena Park, Jessica Pavone, Andie Springer, Tom Swafford

Kind Regards,
Tristan

- tristanperich.com
- 1bitmusic.com

Note the image in this post wasn't part of the announcement above. You might remember it from this post back in 2007. The first post I put up on 1-bit music was back in August of 2005, one of the first posts on MATRIXSYNTH.

NAMM: patcharena.com NAMM Shots

See patcharena.com for more. Note they have some more info on the Mystery Star Synth below.


Pictured: The DSI MoPho round table.

Beastie Boys, Grand Royal Magazine Issue 3

via this auction

Beastie Boys' Grand Royal magazine

"Comes with original Grand Royal "synth" iron on t-shirt transfer which has never been removed from the magazine, be aware that this is about 15 years old and so is not guaranteed to work should you choose to try it! There is some marking and slight scuffs on the cover but the magazine is in otherwise good condition with all pages unmarked and intact. Features a great 32 page feature on "everything analog" (synth) with Bob Moog, Dick Hyman, Wendy Carlos, Walter Sear, Stereolab and Money Mark also the story beheind Adidas. A great read!"

NAMM: NAMM 2009 - Evolution of a Neuronium patch

YouTube via bigcitymusic
"Here is Jürgen Michaelis at the Big City Music booth on Friday at NAMM. Jürgen is the man behind Jomox, the analogue synth & drum machine manufacturer.

Jürgen originally created the Resonator Neuronium as an "art" project, but ended up building several dozen more for others. It became apparent that other open-minded musicians appreciate his very unique form of art. We surely do!

www.bigcitymusic.com"

NAMM: Moog Music Etherwave Plus

YouTube via audiomidicom
"Moog Music's Amos Gaynes talks about the Etherwave Plus Theremin with CV outs."
Amos rocks.

juno106 chip test

YouTube via abertronic. "chip test for ebay item"
Not sure if it's listed yet. Remember to include your auction numbers if you want a direct link. Here's a link to a search on Juno-106 Ebay.

quasar2

YouTube via circuitbenda

"Introducing....
" QUASAR / PULSAR "
DUAL - OPTIC " THEREMIN " Synthesizer

Whats the QUASAR / PULSAR.....??
The QUASAR / PULSAR is a DUAL OPTIC THEREMIN SYNTHESIZER.
The Theremin Synth has 2 Square Wave Audio Oscillators ( Tone Generators )
The Frequency / Pitch of both Oscillators are each controlled by a "PHOTO-CELL"
A PhotoCell is an Electronic device that reacts to varying light levels.
Oscillator 1 ( QUASAR ) runs across the Audio Spectrum from approx.
15 Hz to 10 KHz
Oscillator 2 ( PULSAR ) runs across the Audio Spectrum from approx.
0 Hz to 50 Hz

PULSAR is " PATCHED " ( connected ) to QUASAR
" Audio Out " is taken from QUASAR via a standard 3.5 mm jack socket on the rear of the unit .
Both units are powered from a standard PP3 type ( smoke alarm ) type Battery and switch - on is automatic as soon as the Audio Jack is inserted into QUASAR
The QUASAR / PULSAR is played with both hands .....
The left hand controls QUASAR
The right hand controls PULSAR
As your hands approach the Photo-Cells on each unit, the
Frequency / Pitch decreases in sympathy
Below are Video Clips demonstrating the capabilities of the
QUASAR / PULSAR THEREMIN SYNTH
If possible , it is best to connect your PC sound card to a High Quality Sound System to fully appreciate the Synth."

quasar1

Moog Satellite Synthesizer ca. 1977

flickr set by echoplex
(click for the full set)

inside a Moog Satellite

via Aliens Project.

Be sure to check out the archives for more when you get there.

NAMM: 2009 NAMM Show

flickr by Mark Dalzell

The red controller on the bottom is the Haken Continuum. Anyone know what the star shaped device is?

Update: I found more info on patcharena.com (check it out for a better image): "Mysterious unnamed super synth at the Hakken Audio Booth! I'll try and find out more about this unique synthesizer today. The inventor mentioned that he was inspired by neural networks. Note that those blue pads above the rotary knobs are touch sensitive as well. Every section is unique and will exhibit different behavior based on what it's connected to. You can find the creator's website with more photos here"

Update via adam s in the comments: "It's a custom instrument by Skot Wiedmann.
http://motusmavis.com"

NAMM: Analogue Haven NAMM Sale

http://www.analoguehaven.com/

NAMM: MicroKORG XL - NAMM 2009

YouTube via soundonsoundvideo

NAMM: NAMM '09- Access Virus TI

YouTube via audiomidicom
"A preview of the new Access Virus series with v3 software from Anaheim NAMM 2009. Available from www.audiomidi.com!"

DIY Analog Synth Demo #6

YouTube via rodriemi. follow-up to these posts.
"On http://arsamus-lineal-tml01.blogspot.... you can see details

This is another a demo of an do-it-yourself analog synth I designed and build. This video shows some capabilities of the synth.

Mix with no effects

Remember I just want to show the synth no my performance skills!!!"

Water-controlled chipmusic! (Toriton and SEGA Mega Drive)

YouTube via littlescale
"The toriton water music controller is controlling the SEGA Mega Drive soundchip inside the SEGA Mega Drive in real time."

OXFORD OSCAR

via this auction