MATRIXSYNTH

Sunday, April 04, 2010

Living Transient's Accordio for the iPad

Living Transient on iTunes:

Virtual accordion for the iPad.

Saturday, April 03, 2010

iPad Arrives

Just got my iPad 64G today. Some pics and vids below. I love it.

Apps:
Smule Magic Piano (on iTunes)
KORG iElectribe (on iTunes)
FunkBox (iPhone version - on iTunes)

Update: I posted this last night right before I had to log off for the evening. I'll keep this update short. One thing I mentioned in this post and others was that I thought the iPod would finally bridge the gap between software and hardware, meaning software synths would finally feel like hardware on the device. In regards to iElectribe (for me) I can honestly say it does. The response is better than I expected. I thought it would be functional, but I did not expect it to be as smooth as it is, especially with small knobs vs. sliders. The response is direct and exact - no delay and no accidentally triggering things. I do not feel disconnected from the synth like I do with software synths on my laptop. Next step will be exploring how to sync it with external gear and how to control external gear, but as a stand alone chameleon for various synth engines, it can definitely deliver. KORG has definitely delivered.

YouTube via matrixsynth — April 03, 2010 — http://matrixsynth.blogspot... Presets on day one of the iPad release.

Synth-DIY Southern California - April 3, 2010

YouTube via thisfear — April 03, 2010 — "A rough drive-by shooting at the Synth-DIY analog/digital synthesizer gathering in Sante Fe Springs, CA. See the Synth-DIY mailing list and the Analogue-Heaven mailing list for more info. If you see yourself here, (a) sorry for the vid quality, (b) please make a comment so others can find you."

Update: Two pics of Jim Patchell's modular via George Mattson. Note these images are from the PNW SDIY gathering a few years ago. steelydang in the comments asked what modular it was so I thought I'd update the post with these images.

Gizmo Watch

YouTube via SunamachiSoundSystem — April 03, 2010 — karakuri tokei no image desu

Dhani Harrison from thenewno2 and his Korg KP3 KAOSS Pad

YouTube via KorgUSAVideos — April 03, 2010 — "Dhani Harrison from the newno2 talks about his KP3 KAOSS Pad, part of his Korg-heavy rig which features four KP3s, two K01 KAOSSILATORs, a KM-402 mixer (that's SEVEN KAOSS pads), plus a microSAMPLER. For more information, please visit us at www.korg.com."

miniSynth PRO for the iPad

YouTube via YonacSoftware — April 03, 2010 — "Introducing miniSynth PRO for the iPad! Here's a first look into our brand-spanking-new, analog modeling pro synth with a completely new engine. For more info and some of the specs, visit www.yonac.com or the iTunes App Store."

Yonac on iTunes:

MB-808 Bassqueen Roland TR-808 Clone

via Beats 'n Bytes where you'll find more pics and full details.
"The MB-808 is a clone of the famous Roland TR-808 with a Midibox step sequencer; The bassdrum has this loooong boom, the snare comes snappy and sharp, the toms go pretty deep while the congas almost self oscillate, clap and rims sound just as warm as the original and the hihats groove nice! She has swing, accent, 2 additional trigger for the classic SH-101 & 808 combination or the arpeggiator of some other synth; the digital heart of the MB-808 is the Midibox sequencer, with a rock-solid timing and quite a bunch of useful features"

MB808 soundsample by markburow

HAMMOND SOLOVOX SN 81377

via this auction

"This is a vintage Hammond Solovox Keyboard-Model L. This is designed to fit with the Solovox Cabinet... This was among the earliest Music Synthesizer type units and was designed to bolt onto a piano or organ-I suppose-and provide a novel and interesting tone to the music with considerable variation. I plugged this all in and the tubes in the Tone Cabinet lit, but I could not get any sound to come from the unit-whether the problem is in the Keyboard, the complicated wiring or the speaker, I do not know. This measures about 8 by 10 by 21 1/2 in. and runs almost a full three octaves with sharps and flats."

CLICK FOR MORE »

OBERHEIM DS-2a Digital Sequencer analog synth CV

via this auction

"This is a digitally controlled CV/Gate sequencer from Oberheim. It can save three sequences that are received from the CV outputs on your synthesizer. Two of the sequences can be chained together for longer runs."

Note this is the one posted here (more pics).

CLICK FOR MORE »

OBERHEIM Polyphonic Keyboard 4 Four/Eight Voice synth

via this auction
"This module is the polyphonic accessory for your Oberheim Four or Eight Voice keyboard."

Note the OBERHEIM Polyphonic Programmer in this post is up for auction here.

OBERHEIM Output Module 4 Four/Eight Voice analog synth

via this auction
"This module is the output mixer accessory for your Oberheim Four or Eight Voice keyboard."

OBERHEIM FVS-1 Four/Eight Voice expander synth cabinet

"This expander cabinet holds four SEM modules and an additional module, like the Mini Sequencer, Output Module, or Polyphonic Keyboard Module (see my other auctions). It is a large, robust box that is perfect for consolidating your new or vintage SEM modules. There is a patch panel for each module on the front of the box with 10 patch points--they connect via molex connectors to the pins on your SEM modules. The expander also includes a power supply for powering the SEMs"

CLICK FOR MORE »

RARE Vintage PAIA Synth Spin MkII Analog Leslie Phase

via this auction

"Official description: 'Other than the rotating speaker sound, the Synthspin can produce numerous effects ranging from very slow phasing sounds to a bubbling pseudo-reverb. Electrical inputs provide for foot-pedal control of both speed and range of the rotating effect and allow instantaneous foot-switch cancellation and bypass functions.'"

Roland SH-3a

via this auction

"Roland SH-3a. This is a very unique synth. It was Roland's first non-preset synthesizer, and was one of the few ever designed Analog synthesizers with both subtractive and additive synthesis.

Though it’s only a single oscillator synthesizer, the additive blend feature allows for the creation of some really fat sounds. And a chorus effect on the 8’ tone gives the same sound that most synth’s use two oscillators for anyway: detuned chorus.

The Sh-3 had a five stage diode ladder filter…the Sh-3a replaced it with a four stage transistor ladder filter. It’s often said that it was changed due to a Moog patent infringement…but I don’t think that’s correct since the Sh-3a is even closer in design to the Moog 904 ladder filter. Moog did sue Roland over filters…but I think it had more to do with other models. But anyway, when most people think of the Moog sound they think of the Minimoog, which is totally different…not like the 904 that this one resembles.

To me, there’s two things that really make this synth valuable. One, it has a CV and Gate interface for the oscillator that allows it to be controlled remotely. One Midi to CV convertor later and you’re suddenly sequencing this from your favorite DAW. That will keep it active in your studio line-up…not just a sideline tool. Second, this thing has a very vintage analog sound. I attribute several things to this, including the filter, and the fat additive section. But also, there’s something about the CV tracking on the oscillator that occasionally give’s you what sounds like a transient tracking error..so you get this slight random portamento sound now and then that somehow reminds you of how alive this thing is. Soft synths, digitals, and most analogs don’t do that... The Sh-3a weighs about 35 lbs"

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C64 with Tubes

via the re-64 blog

Super Rare Vintage Chamberlin Rhythmate Drum Machine

Untitled from PHONOGRAPH VIDS on Vimeo.

via this auction
"super rare Chamberlin Rhythmate Drum Machine. This is an early model 35 with el84 tube amp, 12 inch speaker and 16 track tape loop. This IS the one! I haven't seen a Rhythmate for sale in over ten years on Ebay. These were Chamberlin's first designs and the predecessor to the Melotron. This is a must for any Chamberlin, Melotron, Optigan collector or avid fan... as am I. I hate to sell this as it was in my collection of things..."I'll never sell" but things happen, babies get made, and this too shall live on someone else's record. Here is a recording I did with it a couple months ago:
SONG SAMPLE OF ACTUAL MACHINE: MP3

It runs extremely smoothly and all 16 tracks play as seen in video. The back of the amp has controls for treble, bass, and volume as an addition to the volume knob on the top. The tempo stick is a little finicky though I have been told this is how they are. I believe it works similar to an optigan tempo which controls the voltage. 16 beautifully recorded drum tracks on to tape!"

iPad App by Smule: Magic Piano [initial tour]

YouTube via smuleage — April 03, 2010 — "Magic Piano, by Smule, exclusively for iPad. http://magicpiano.smule.com/"

smule on iTunes
Magic Piano on iTunes

BTW, I just picked up my iPad today. I didn't pre-order and actually waited in line four hours starting at 7:30 AM. The wait wasn't as bad as I expected chatting with like-minded people. I can't wait to explore the iPad and get my hands on Magic Piano actually. Need to catch up on posts as quickly as possible. :)

Update:

iPad App by Smule: Magic Piano [Fur Elise]

iPad App by Smule: Magic Piano [Turkish March]

GrooveMaker iPad Free

YouTube via ikmultimedia — April 03, 2010 — "A quick video of the new GrooveMaker for the iPad with GrooveMaker Free."

GrooveMaker iPad Hip-hop

GrooveMaker iPad House

GrooveMaker Free for the iPad on iTunes

ikmultimedia on iTunes:

Update:

More info on the full version here.

"In GrooveMaker for the iPad the user will find a convenient mixer-like environment with large slider controls for volume, pan and master level of the 8 controllable loop tracks as well as more immediate track controls such as tempo, solo, mute, etc… all available from the same screen.

There are new functions available such as the ability to switch the snapped grooves with a simple touch or control the number of loops that are automatically combined during a random mix. These push the limits of what you will be able to do with GrooveMaker in a live situation such as, for example, integrating the iPad into traditional DJ setups.

There are 4 GrooveMaker packs for the iPad available now: Free (a 120-loop pack with a mix of House and Hip-Hop), House, Hip-Hop and D’n’B with over 300 loops each for a cost of only $9.99 from the iTunes App Store."

Neptune 2 plays Roygbiv (BoC) Bassline

YouTube via Dogboy73 — April 03, 2010 — "Short vid of the Neptune 2 doing the Roygbiv(ish) intro.

Higher quality audio here;
http://soundcloud.com/dbdog73/roygbiv..."

Roygbiv Neptune 2 by dbdog73

dotcom quantizer.wmv

YouTube via angelometz — April 03, 2010 — "First Patch with the new synthesizers.com quantizer set Q171,"

Printed Circuit Board (home made)

YouTube via nathanielscott — April 03, 2010 — "This video shows the multi-step process I use to print my own circuit boards that I use in my synthesizers and other audio circuits."

Owl City Fireflies - Monomachine

YouTube via schokokontrol — "April 03, 2010 — The mighty Monomachine doing a live cover of Owl City's hit record. The holder of the copyright for both composition and lyrics is of course Adam R. Young (and maybe Postal Service, LOL)."

"Doepfer III-P"

via Frederic Gerchambeau

Knob Solo

Knob Solo from Charlie Visnic on Vimeo.

" A simple patch using the A-156 Quantizer and my favorite module the A-129/3 Attenuator / Offset module. It always comes in handy when trying to have a little more subtle knob control of a particular voltage"
See The B-Roll for more info, pics, and posts.

Waldorf Microwave 1 - 18 soundsets

via this auction

"THEO MOEBUS
UWE G. HOENIG
GEOFFREY RYLE
DAVE GOULD
TOBIAS MENGUSER
ROB PAPEN
MIKE ROSEN
MARTIN STEHL
CLAUDIUS BRUSE DRUM
ROB PAPEN TECHNO
WOLFRAM FRANKE
CLAUDIUS BRUSE
METRA SOUND CARD I
METRA SOUND CARD II
DIRK FABRITIUS
SOUNDSETS 1
SOUNDSETS 2
SOUNDSETS 3"

Sequencer Modified Roland TR-505 +Circuit Bent

via this auction
"This is one of a kind, which has extremely modified sequencer CPU that generates several randomized sequencing patterns from the original looped pattern. It's using highly skilled modification, however its operation is quite easy, just push some marble buttons out of eight, you will get a bunch of different randomized patterns!!

And real awesome feature is this mod is also functional for other midi devices connected via midi-out. So not only the limited internal sound, you can extend sounds infinitely whatever you connect sound modules samplers, drums percussion, voice shouts, sample shots, even melodic sound like a bass line! midi note# is programmable.

Also this one has additional 8 mini toggle switches on the top which allows to mute each sound groups individually. And well known circuit bending type of mod is applied too, for the sound alchemists or the noise lovers.

Since I'm thinking the best point of TR-505 is its small size in the comparison of other TR brothers, so it still keeps same body size, no space addition even though lots of extra circuits and components are inside! Also this one is still battery operated too! easy to bring and easy to set-up!"