MATRIXSYNTH

Sunday, July 25, 2010

PNW Synth Gathering 2010 Pics

flickr set by matrixsynth (click here for a full screen slideshow - 127 photos)

It was a great event this year. Speakers included John Bowen with the Solaris, Dougcl with a Buchla 200e, Aaron of Analog Bytes with the Atari Pokey module, Carbon111 with the Yamaha VL1, David Skinner with new modules from Synthesizers.com and the Korg MicroSampler, Scott Jaeger of The Harvestman, Scott Rise of Division 6, John L Rice and his massive modular, George Mattson of Mattson Mini Modular, Sonja of flight of harmony, James Husted of Synthwerks, Computer Controlled with the Bitchen Sync and other gear, Jeff Sanys with the OLPC, Lorne with various noise makers, and Dana Countryman with the Ondioline and his DIY pitch controller based on the Ondes Martenot.

This was also the last PNW Gathering to be hosted at the Renton Technical College by our gracious host John Marshall. Carbon111 and Laura picked up the cake below for him.

Videos of each talk will follow through the week. I took 23.7 G of pics and video. Big thanks to John L Rice for his 16 G memory card! And Jarett for loaning me his PC to move pics and vids off my memory card.

Admin: SITE COMMENTS

Spam pron links (the non synth kind) were showing up on the comments section on the right of the site even after deleting them. They don't show on the more comments page. Because of this, I removed the comments from the right and added a link in the Other Stuff | Other section. Do check it out now and then as people leave comments in older posts you might miss otherwise.

Poltern performing live on Deep Space I

YouTube via noisedream | July 25, 2010

"Poltern performs live on Deep Space - KSPC 88.7 FM -
www.myspace.com/poltern
www.kspc.org
www.FutureStatic.com"

Poltern performing live on Deep Space II

Hesed Modular

YouTube via hesed23 | July 23, 2010

"patching with curetronic and metasonix

thanks to Chris for video."

NXT-606 LEGO Drum Machine NEW VIDEO

YouTube via PeterCocteau | July 25, 2010

"8bits Sample Based LEGO Drum Machine by Peter Cocteau.

This is the NEW VIDEO !!

Contact: petercocteau=AT=gmail.com"

Roland RS-101 String Synthesizer

via this auction

"Roland RS-101s are rather basic string ensemble synths, but they deliver a lush analogue string sound! They are fully polyphonic, using divide-down circuitry...

RS-101s are nice vintage analog string machines. They are budget string synths… certainly compared to Arp Solinas and others, but they are lightweight and well-constructed… being perfect for gigs. They have split controls for the lower and upper halves of the keyboard. In addition to the two string sounds per half, they also have a brass sound. In my opinion, the brass sound is less impressive by itself and really is most useful to add richness and/or punch to the strings, although it has almost a solo-worthy quality when used with lots of vibrato. Brass’s tone control slider has a “filtery” effect, too, which is cool when using just that sound. There are tone controls for both strings and brass, and each half of the keyboard has both an attack and a soft volume control switch. The RS-101 also features a vibrato control slider, and it also has sustain control sliders for both the upper and lower halves of the keyboard separately."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Ad infinitum

YouTube via e7ektro | July 25, 2010

"The Drone Lab is a 4 voice analog drone synth, rhythm generator and FX processor. See http://www.ghostwizard.com/ for more information. Tweaking the oscillator pitches in realtime is a lot of fun.

The Vermona ER9 is an ultra rare analog rhythm device which is about the only rhythm machine produced in former East Germany. It was produced in 1976. The sounds are quite vintage and can be modified by internal trimpots. I managed to get a nice snare sound with a short decay.

This track was mixed with a Behringer Xenyx 1204USB and recorded and mastered on a Boss BR-600."

Moog Bode Frequency Shifter Update

See the update in this post for an interesting comment from Michelle Moog-Koussa.

Sailing the Blue Sea (Tassman 4)

YouTube via GruithuisenCityMan | July 25, 2010

"Hello ! My name is Frederic Gerchambeau. I have made this movie and this music. The music has been made entirely with the Tassman 4 in one take. Enjoy !
http://www.myspace.com/fredericgercha..."

Trapezoid

YouTube via Filterbank914 | July 25, 2010
via JH: "Quick and dirty demo.
http://www.jhaible.de/trapezoid/jh_trapezoid_vca_1.mp3
Farfisa VIP 500 thru the Trapezoid VCA + Phaser + BBD Delay"

FunkBox Drum Machine for iPad Demo

YouTube via syntheticbits | July 25, 2010

"Demo of the FunkBox Drum Machine iOS app from Synthetic Bits. FunkBox emulates the look and feel of a vintage drum machine, using classic beatbox sounds including the TR-808, TR-909 and Maestro Rhythm King MRK-2. It works on the iPhone, iPod Touch and now the iPad. FunkBox is a universal app, so you only need to buy it once and you can use it on any of those devices. This demo is of the iPad version, especially designed for the iPad to be fun and super easy to use. Available now in the Apple app store"

iPads on Ebay

The iTunes link above is for both the iPhone or iPad version. I have had the iPhone version for a while now and it's a great app.

WHAT YOU SEE is WHAT YOU HEAR: Times Square // a sound & light collage in three parts

WHAT YOU SEE is WHAT YOU HEAR: Times Square // a sound & light collage in three parts from df on Vimeo.

"by daniel fishkin

i. toys
ii. champs
iii. times

I went to Times Square with some electronics I built that convert light waves into sound waves. I used photodiodes, which are actually tiny solar batteries. When light shines into them, they generate voltage. Many electronic lights are actually flickering off and on faster than the eye can see. In the place of a normal microphone, the photodiodes let us hear this flickering as pitch.

I built these sensors into a preamplifier circuit and mounted it to the camera base, so that you can simultaneously look and listen to whatever light you’re filming. What you see is what you hear, with no special effects or processing.

Here's a picture of the photodiode camera rig:
flickr.com/photos/lionstooth/4810470492/
flickr.com/photos/lionstooth/4809843419/

I don’t usually like being in a place like this, but the “sound camera” has a transformative power; like a skateboard, which turns the parking lot from urban wasteland to paradise.

all editing, filming, circuits, everything by me, daniel fishkin.

Key Grip: Wilder Alison

thanks to: Bob Bielecki, Stephen Vitiello, Eric Archer, Sparkfun Electronics, John DuQuette, Yabla Inc., Derek Holzer, Daphne Oram, Jeff Stark, and everyone I caught on film."

Note df (http://www.myspace.com/dandelionfiction) also brought us the Magnetic Casio, Circuit Bent by Reed Switches - scroll for the Vimeo version when you get there.

John Bowen Synth Design added to Manufacturers Page

http://johnbowen.com/

Remember to check out the Manufacturers section on the right and the link to the Manufacturers Page for more. These are the manufacturers that visit and support the site.

43,951 Posts in 5 Years

I forgot to note the number of posts since the inception of the site in the anniversary post here. Turns out it was 43,951. With this post I'm at 44,154. I updated the anniversary post. Comments disabled here to keep then there.

Roland TR-606 Drumatix

via this auction

click on the top pic for a super size shot.

"This one still had it's original Roland batteries"

EDP WASP with Blue Knobs

via this auction

MACBETH M3X ANALOG SYNTH SN 1002

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

CLICK FOR MORE »

ARP Odyssey MK II 2813 "Black and Gold"

via this auction

"This version of the Odyssey has the Pitch Bend knob and Trigger, Gate and CV in and outs."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Roland MC-202 MicroComposer

via this auction

"Roland MC-202 MicroComposer with original box, manuals and tape."

AVR Virtual Analog Monophonic Synthesizer

via this auction

"AVR Virtual Analog monophonic Synthesizer

This synthesizer has been professionally built by Elby Designs in Australia
The synthesis architecture is simple 2 dco, 1 dcf, 1 dca, 1 lfo, 1 AR/ASR envelope generator.
The synthesizer is in perfect condition and really simple to use.
For more information visit http://www.elby-designs.com/avrsynth/avrsyn-about.htm"

Oberkorn at San Fransisco

flickr by Analogue Solutions
(click for more)

"Can you take a picture of your Analogue Solutions synth in an unusual or public place, or by a landmark?"

YONU60 - Free VST Synth - vstplanet.com

YouTube via vstplanet | July 25, 2010

"YONU60 - http://www.vstplanet.com/News/10/YONU...
Developer: ldaysynths.blogspot.com"

1Song1Week1Year - Week 30 - Ping

YouTube via DJDJSMusic | July 25, 2010

"Week 30 in my 1Song1Week1Year project to write one new song each week for the year 2010.
This week I reconnected with my muse and everything was finished by Thursday. Though, fo course, I still waited till Saturday to Make and post the video :)

Download Audio file from: http://djdjs.bandcamp.com/track/ping"

NanoStudio with iPad

YouTube via Denkitribe | July 25, 2010

"I think this is the most awesome iPhone app ever."

iPads on Ebay

Skywatchers (Feat: Tara Busch on Korg Monotron) Busk Line, Tramlines Festival, Sheffield, 24th July.

YouTube via tarabusch | July 25, 2010

"Jarrod, Kevin, Philly and Tara on the Busk Line at Tramlines festival, Sheffield"

Hilltree nassmacher [moisturizer clone]

YouTube via hilltree | July 25, 2010

"This is my diy version of the Hilltree nassmacher . This is a moisturizer clone build with components of my diy projects . these components [ synth/ filter/ fuzz] are discribed on my website and on the dutch synthforum. The springtank is a accutronics version. More at http://www.groenewoudnet.nl"

Attack! from the Sunamachi

YouTube via SunamachiSoundSystem | July 25, 2010

"___tebure camera to gogo 4zi no sunamachi ginza street___"

Saturday, July 24, 2010

PDX Synth Gathering Weds Nov 3rd 2010

"At the Cleaners at the Ace Hotel

on Wednesday, November 3rd, 4pm to 10pm.

This is an early announcement. The date and time are confirmed, however. The hotel is willing to offer a 10% discount on your room rate if at least 10 people decide to stay in the hotel during the event. More details to follow."

Update: link via dougcl in the comments: http://www.hevanet.com/dougcl/synth/

Merry-go-round

YouTube via attorks | July 24, 2010

"It all started last Thursday evening when I saw the 'Comparing PPG 2.2 & Hermann Seib PPG WAVESIM Software' videos on the MATRIXSYNTH website. I downloaded the VSTi from a somewhat confusing website and I tried in in Ableton Live. Very soon I came up with a 4 track sequence with 3 PPG voices (Buzz, Bells and Bass) and some CR78 drums. But at the end of the evening, when trying to save the session, Live hang. The next day I tried to recover the session, which worked. But trying to save the session made Live hang again. After some investigation I found out that the PPG VSTi caused the problem but I could not fix it. This evening I added 2 MIDI tracks for the Creamware MiniMax ASB (track 6 MIDI) and the Waldorf Q Keyboard (track 7 MIDI). I had to decide what to video; me playing the strings and solo or the Live screen. Sorry, but I choose the easiest way. What you see in the video are clips in Ableton Live which are pre-recorded in a loop. I added the strings on the Roland XP-80 and the solo on the Clavia Nord Lead 1. The strings and solo are both played live and not by Live.

The video and music is about 13 minutes long. You can download them from the video section of from my website."

Dewanatron Tripple Slice

via Big City Music

"The first run of hand-wired Dewanatron Triple Slice eurorack modules are starting to trickle in, a few at a time. We are taking pre-orders.

The Dewanatron Triple Slice VCO harmonic metamorphosis module generates a highly stable 1v/octave sine-based waveform that ranges from .5hz thru 16khz.

The initial sine wave passes thru 3 successive slice stages. The end result is a continuously undulating waveform, which yields an ever-changing spectrum of emerging and receding harmonics.

Harmonics are generated by "slicing" a waveform, in which an absolute value function with a variable zero point reverses the polarity and thus reflects the portion of the waveform below it. As this reflecting line passes thru the waveform along the voltage (vertical) axis, various harmonics are generated. The three slice stages are controlled by 3 independent LFOs.

The first slice stage is controlled by either an internal oscillator or the external oscillator input. The frequencies of the LFOs driving the second and third slice stages are derived from this initial LFO signal, and their frequencies relative to each other are adjusted with the "skew" control. The "mix" output sums these three outputs with the original sine wave (these three outputs are also available separately). The resulting final signal contains multiple sets of cascading harmonics."

Studio and Moose

flickr by Andez Flamenco

EML 500 and Polybox

flickr by codeslave9000
(click for more)

303s Gone Wild

via D' Naab 136 of The Analogue Renaissance

Update via Binary in the comments: "ACID BBQ @ MrGasmask's Hideout.
30 x 303 all synced up using 5 D'naab136's "Sync Galore" - splitboxes."

Update: video below, via egebamyasi in the comments.

Update via Binary in the comments: "official video" via mrgasmask303 below.

YouTube via yambasz | August 02, 2010

"30 303,s at the acid bbq in ghent sat 24 july 2010"

Mr.Gasmask's Acid BBQ - 30 x TB-303

YouTube via mrgasmask303 | August 02, 2010

"30 x TB-303
TR-909 as master
Synced up by d'naab136's (analogue rennaissance) "sync galore"-units.

24.07.2010 - Belgium"

Echigoya Music

via Depressed Children

"Another fantastic synthesizer shop in Tokyo. Much smaller than FiveG, but the selection was very good... Minimoogs from floor to ceiling!"

More pics here.

via Avery

CLICK FOR MORE »

DOUPIANOFORTE

flickr by armenws

"in development"

follow-up to this post

Buchla and INM

YouTube via FuckingSynthesizer | July 24, 2010 "Infernal Noise Machine and Buchla"

Yamaha SK - 15 Polyphonic Synthesizer Organ Keyboard

YouTube via RadicalGeometry | July 16, 2010

"This is my demo of the SK 15 for my blog All Kitty Cats Are Grey.
http://allkittycatsaregrey.blogspot.com/

Here is my myspace page for my music as well.
http://www.myspace.com/radicalgeometr..."

via this auction

Breakaway Vocalizer 1000 Voice Synthesizer Demo

video by

YouTube via CaptainKazoo | October 02, 2007

"Captain Kazoo demonstrates The VOCALIZER 1000, ELECTRICK KAZOO or VOICE ACTIVATED SYNTHESIZER. ALL INSTRUMENT SOUNDS are created simply by HUMMING !"

via this auction

"This wonderful device was exclusive to the Sharper Image stores and quite costly for the times. It was marketed as a way for someone to make their own music, without learning to play a keyboard, or even knowing how to sing very well. It takes voice input and converts the vocal sounds to Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) signals or digital codes. Use it just for fun, or in a more sophisticated manner if you possess musical talent... The operating manual, in pdf format, is available online to print or save to your computer at:

http://www.greywings.com/breakaway/Breakaway%20Main%20Manual.pdf

You can also go to the YouTube link listed below [above] to see Captain Kazoo demonstrate the use of the Breakaway Vocalizer 1000. He has four or five other links, on the same site, where you can listen to several recordings he made using this same synthesizer."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Frank Eventoff Sonica Synth - Serge

via this auction
"Extremely rare Sonica synthesizer, built by Frank Eventoff. Only 650 of these were ever made. Very few are now known to exist.

The body is carved of mahogany, and has a plaque with the number (#229). It comes in a custom-sized case.

I've played this both with the internal speakers and plugged in on a stage, and it sounds fantastic. Something like a sitar combined with a theremin. Very easy to play, with options for bending notes and changing keys. The gentleman who gave me this synthesizer claimed it was a gift from Donna Summer, when she bought 24 of them and made a Sonica Orchestra. I unfortunately have no proof that this is the case."

Circuit Bent One Man Jam Keytar

via this auction

"Alien synth sounds!!!!

Here is a list of the circuit bent features:

- 2 body contacts that you can add vibrato and small pitch and tone changes to the sound by touching them.
- 1 Pitch change control with cool round ball knob..sends the sounds waaaay down for amazing drone sounds. There is also a pitch control that is already on the keytar...with both pitch controls you can send the pitch waaaayyy down!
- 1 1/8" audio output to send the signal to an amp or stereo system.

This unit will work as normal with all bend switches off.This unit is designed for recording sounds in the studio. It can make some amazing sounds and drones! It makes sounds that you can't get from any other instrument! Great for techno, sound FX, electronic music."

Studio Electronics Midimini Minimoog Analog Rack Synth

via this auction

"Perfect condition Midimini. which is basically a SE recreation of the Midimoog, which was a rack mounted Minimoog. This particular midimini has an authentic minimoog filter, it sounds amazing. It also has an authentic minimoog power board. The unit is in 100% working condition, it was serviced by Greg S, Regis from Studio Electronics in June 2010."