MATRIXSYNTH

Saturday, April 02, 2011

LOW ON MILK

On the front page of low on milk

via Obscotch

Looks like the Fender pic was picked up from this post.

110402 - buchla 11

YouTube Uploaded by pickleinn on Apr 2, 2011

"Buchla 200e live performance. Buchla track in one take."

Analogue Systems Modular Synthesizer RS-600 Perf Wheels

via this auction

"Performance Wheels Ideal alternative to rs220 joystick controller for Demon or Sorcerer keyboard systems or as a module in its own right in a modular set up. Backlit clear wheels which change colour as they move and the modulation wheel l.e.d flashes with intensity as it is moved showing the internal lfo frequency. Four sockets provide 3 outputs, Bend Mix and Mod and one input Ext in.The user can introduce audio or external c.v sources into Ext in and this source can be introduced via the mod wheel due to an internal v.c.a. Two knobs provide Depth of Bend and Frequency of Modulation respectively Superb looking multi functional performance wheels with built in lfo providing square and triangle waveforms."

See the seller's other items for more.

Analogue Systems Modular Synthesizer Module RS-95E VCO

via this auction

"Enhanced precision voltage controlled oscillator High frequency stability & excellent musical tracking over a ten octave range. Accurate waveforms of sinewave, sawtooth, triangle, square & pulse are available as separate outputs, the waveshapes can be independently voltage controlled. a wide range mode allows the oscillator to operate in both supersonic and subsonic frequency ranges as well as in the audio frequency range. Hard sync input for classic complex lead sounds. A high quality ten turn multiturn frequency dial allowing precise tuning of frequencies & incorporating a lock to ensure the dial cannot be turned accidentally. A perfect partner for the rs500e and rs510e modules to give the classic EMS synthi look and feel to any system."

See the seller's other items for more.

RCA THEREMIN Instruction Manual Reprint

via this auction

You can find an online version here.

"This is a reprint of the Instruction Manual that RCA-Victor shipped with the Theremins they manufactured in the late 1920's.

Topics covered include:

INSTALLATION
OPERATION
MAINTENANCE

12 page photocopy printed on good quality paper."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Vintage Multivox MX-150 Basky II Bass Synth

via this auction

"The Multivox MX-150 is a true analog bass synth. It has that warm, thick, room shaking bass that analog synths are known for. You can change the octave range and change the amount of sustain to get the exact feel you're going for. One of the most useful modes is to hold notes to lay a sonic foundation and create a mood to build songs around.

Made in: Japan

Serial Number: 155001"

PROJECT PRESET - Omnisphere Bob Moog Tribute - ARP + Rhythm 1

YouTube Uploaded by Torley on Apr 2, 2011

"Torley plays every preset from http://www.spectrasonics.net/products/tribute/

700 Inspiring Sounds - 45 Amazing Artists - One Great Cause
All New Sounds
Produced by Eric Persing, the new Bob Moog Tribute library features over 700 stunning new sounds for Omnisphere - created by more than 40 of the world's top synth artists, remixers and sound designers, including:

Hans Zimmer | Vince Clarke (Erasure/Depeche Mode) | Jean Michel Jarre | The Crystal Method | Jordan Rudess | Money Mark (Beastie Boys/Beck)
Bernie Worrell (P-Funk/Talking Heads) | Larry Fast (Peter Gabriel/Synergy) | Roger Joseph Manning Jr. (Air/Fiona Apple) | Ryuichi Sakamoto (YMO)
Morgan Page (Madonna/Katy Perry) | Keith Shocklee (Bomb Squad/Public Enemy) | Steve Porcaro (Toto) | Fredwreck (Snoop Dogg/50 Cent)
Jan Hammer (Jeff Beck/Mahavishnu Orchestra) | Danny Elfman | Michael Boddicker (Michael Jackson) | Richard Devine (Schematic/Warp)
Patrick Moraz (Yes/Moody Blues) | Eddie Jobson (UK/Roxy Music) | Diego Stocco | The Moog Cookbook | ...and many more!

Creative Approach
The new soundsources were developed using highly creative processing techniques with exotic gear like rare Buchla Modulars, Jean Michel Jarre's EMS Synthi AKS, Hans Zimmer's massive Modular Moog (including 1027 round robin Moog Drum samples!) and even Eric Persing's one-of-a-kind OMG-1. With so many different world-class artists contributing, the library is very rich in style and filled with inspiring, cutting edge sounds!
Benefit for the Bob Moog Foundation
100% of the proceeds from this library will go to supporting the innovative projects of the Bob Moog Foundation including their MoogLab student outreach program, the creation of the future 'Moogseum', and their efforts to preserve and share Dr. Moog's extensive and historic archives. The Foundation honors the legacy of synthesizer pioneer Bob Moog through its mission of igniting creativity at the intersection of music, history, science and innovation."

Driving along the mountains

YouTube Uploaded by skoulaman on Apr 2, 2011

"This is my second music with the Doepher Dark Time, I like that baby.
The music is based just on one chord and a 16 step sequence. The Moog LP is sequenced and connections are the same as in the vid "Dark time days are beginning". The chords are a combination of the Roland Juno 106, ta layered sound of the Waldorf micro Q, Kawai K1 and the strings of the Kurzweil Micro Piano. Additional there are the strings of the Korg Lambda. All are reverbed and echoded with the useal gear.
No it is not a live vid of me playing the keys but me driving trough the Swiss mountains over the San Bernadino pass to the direction city of Chur.

greetings Skoulaman"

The Beat707 Arduino Shield

YouTube by beat707videos
http://www.beat707.com
Playlist:
The Beat707 Arduino Shield
Beat707 Showcasing
Beat707 File Mode
Beat707 Pattern Mode
Beat707 Tutorial

"Beat707 is an Arduino Shield that adds several neat features to your musical arsenal. You get a 32 step machine, with 16 step buttons and leds, LCD screen and navigation keys. It's like the classic Roland TR707 but with some twists, as it actually has 32 x 1/32 or 32 x 1/64 steps. Plus, the 2 note-step sequence feature allows you to do bass and/or synth lines -- it's a MIDI groove-box all in one ! The unit doesn't produce any sound, it's all MIDI based, so you can use any MIDI compatible device.

Beat707 is an Arduino Shield that adds several neat features to your musical arsenal. You get a 32 step machine, with 16 step buttons and leds, LCD screen and navigation keys. It's like the classic Roland TR707 but with some twists, as it actually has 32 x 1/32 or 32 x 1/64 steps. Plus, the 2 note-step sequence feature allows you to do bass and/or synth lines -- it's a MIDI groove-box all in one ! The unit doesn't produce any sound, it's all MIDI based, so you can use any MIDI compatible device.

This project is a joint collaboration between Wusik.com and Rugged Circuits. We've made a proper Arduino shield that plugs in on top of an Arduino Uno, Duemilanove, or Mega/Mega2560 (not included). The software performs all the drum machine functions, but you can always tweak it to do whatever you want (with the source code purchase). We've added EEPROM, FLASH, and expandability options and connectors.

And it's not just a drum machine: the hardware is a general-purpose MIDI development platform and playground. The awesome software from Wusik.com is what provides the drum machine functionality, but you can run any software you want on your Arduino to make use of the hardware.

Here are the project specs:
Arduino shield that plugs on top of an Arduino Uno, Duemilanove, Mega, or Mega2560
512 kbytes of FLASH (beyond what's on the Arduino)
32kbytes of EEPROM (beyond what's on the Arduino), expandable to 128kbytes by adding more EEPROM chips (total of 4 EEPROM slots)
16 buttons with LED for each button
8 buttons for control functions (intended for up, down, left, right, shift, play, stop, record)
16x2 LCD with backlight
MIDI IN and MIDI OUT interfaces
System operation at 5V or 3.3V
Designed to be compatible with Arduinos as well as Netduino and FEZ Panda

The Wusik.com drum machine software provides:
14 Drum Tracks + 2 Accent Tracks (a total of 3 MIDI-note velocities can be sent from each step)
2 Step-Sequence Tracks (each step has its own Note selection, Velocity is set by the accent tracks)
Multi Pattern and Song Mode
Number of Patterns and Songs depends on the total amount of system EEPROM -- the base system provision of 32kbytes of EEPROM has enough for 94 patterns and 99 songs positions. The included Flash Nand memory can hold up to 42 songs. (see more below)
Each pattern has 32 x 1/32 or 32 x 1/64 steps and 14 tracks + 2 accent tracks
Each track has a note-number and MIDI-channel number, so you can also use tracks to output regular notes (one note fixed per track)
Optional MIDI echo (set during compilation and uploading of the Sketch)
File Mode for storing up to 42 songs into the internal Flash. With options to Load, Save, Dump to SySex MIDI and Erase"

Fukushima 50 - nuclear echoes in our hearts

YouTube Uploaded by TouchedByInspiration on Mar 28, 2011
On the gear: "Nord Wave, and a very old tube-driven tape echo, produced by a german company called "Klemt" in the late 60's. As far as I know, this company finally became the german company 'Dynacord'. We recorded the piece with the Fostex LR16 and two Neumann mics for the piano. The mic signal was fed into the tape echo via an aux bus. Christiane was controlling the feedback of the tape echo manually while playing the piano. The recording was mixed afterwards in Logic 9."
follow-up to Sendai - Improvisation for the japanese people

On the performance:
"Piano-Performance by Christiane Dehmer.
The disaster in Japan still occupies me. The earthquake and the Tsunami are over now. But Fukushima and what it means for our world will remain.
In this video I play a piece of music that I have dedicated to the "Fukushima 50 ". When the disaster took its course in Fukushima, 50 workers remained in the damaged nuclear power plant, to avoid that the situation gets completely out of control. With primitive means they fought under the most adverse circumstances against the radioactive danger and put their lives to risk. The catastrophe of Fukushima and the actions of these people show once again that bravery, courage and personal commitment in the face of the complete failure of high-technology is the only reality that we have. Security, however, is an illusion.
The piece was recorded live during the night of 24.3.2011. I played piano, synthesizer and vocals. In addition, I used a more than 40 years old tube tape echo (Echolette S) which produced pretty crazy sounds from the piano. This ancient device and its distorted sound symbolizes in a special way, how outdated and not very controllable some of our technologies became.
Listen to the echoes in our hearts...
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Die Katastrophe in Japan lässt einen so schnell nicht los. Das Erdbeben und der Tsunami sind vorrüber. Aber Fukushima, und das was es für unsere Welt bedeutet, wird bleiben.
In diesem Video spiele ich ein Stück, das ich den "Fukushima 50″ gewidmet habe. Als die Katastrophe in Fukushima ihren Lauf nahm, blieben 50 Arbeiter in dem havarierten Atomkraftwerk, um zu verhindern, dass die Lage völlig außer Kontrolle gerät. Sie kämpften sie unter widrigsten Umständen gegen die radioaktive Gefahr aus den Reaktoren uns setzten dabei ihr Leben aufs Spiel. Die Katastrophe von Fukushima und das Handeln dieser Menschen zeigt einmal mehr, dass Tapferkeit, Mut und persönliche Hingabe im Angesicht des vollständigen Versagens von Hoch-Technologie die einzige Realität ist, die uns bleibt. Sicherheit dagegen ist eine Illusion.
Das Stück ist live aufgenommen am 24.03.2011. Gespielt habe ich Piano und Synthesizer und Gesang. Zusätzlich habe ich ein mehr als 40 Jahre altes Röhren-Bandecho (Echolette S) verwendet, das aus dem Piano recht abgefahrene Sounds produziert hat. Dieses altertümliche Gerät und sein verzerrter Klang versinnbildlichen auf besondere Weise, wie überholt und wenig kontrollierbar manche Technologie mittlerweile ist.
Höre die Echos in unseren Herzen..."

Buchla Model 251e QUAD SEQUENTIAL VOLTAGE SOURCE

The official product image and description via Buchla. You might remember this one from this NAMM post with video.

"Four 99 stage sequencers, each with programmable pulse and control voltage outputs. A separate editing section permits setting each parameter for a selected sequence; sequences can be edited while running and follow the edit stage when stopped.

Intervals may be entered for each stage, with variable note values from 1/32 to whole notes. Triplets and dotted notes are readily accommodated. Pulse durations may be set to fractions of the intervals.

Output voltages range from 0.0 to 9.9 volts, conveniently accommodating oscillators with a sensitivity of .1 volts per semi-tone.

Tempos may range from 10 bpm to 250 bpm.

Additional features include:

Inter-sequencer triggering
Variable start delay
Retrograde capability
Multiple nested loops
Master voltage-controlled clock

A 200eUSB card is necessary to download new firmware for this module.

With the help of a 206e or 225e Preset Manager, the parameters of the 251e can be stored and retrieved as part of a preset."

Buchla Model 272e POLYPHONIC TUNER

The official product image and description via Buchla. You might remember this one from this NAMM post with video.

"4 stereo F.M.tuners, each with voltage controlled tuning and separate audio outputs. The 272e features a common station memory and a polyphonic output with individual envelope generators. Station tuning tables may be loaded automatically, particularly handy for the traveling musician.

A remote switch is provided to permit storing the settings of the 272e as a portion of a preset, as well as to retreive presets. A model 206e or 225e Preset Manager is necessary to accomplish this function."

VERMONA goes Eurorack!

via the Vermona Blog

"After the modular dock – our first step in to the world of modular systems – we will present our second eurorack module at the Musikmesse 2011 in Frankfurt.

TAI-4 is a high-end audio interface with transformer isolated in- and outputs. To ensure highest audio quality the module uses custom-made audio transformers to bring balanced signals into and out of your modular system. The TAI-4 will be available in May 2011."

ether^ra EVAC-U

YouTube Uploaded by potterpaint2000 on Apr 2, 2011

"an improv featuring a Oberheim OB-1 crossmodulated noise loop w/my Serge Creature/Seq A combo and Doepfer Dark Energy. http://etherra.blogspot.com/"

An Exclusive First Look at Tim Thompson's Kinect-Based Instrument: MultiMultiTouchTouch

YouTube Uploaded by newechoproductions on Apr 2, 2011

"MultiMultiTouchTouch is custom solution invented by Tim Thompson that offers players any number of arbitrarily-shaped multitouch areas with three-dimensional spatial control. Interaction with this space allows users to control and play virtual synthesizers using nothing but a Microsoft Kinect as the controller. In this video Mark Mosher interviews Tim who offers a behind-the-scenes look at the technology. At the end of the video Mark gives MultiMultitouchTouch a try. More interviews like this at http://www.modulatethis.com/interviews"

Aliens Project Close-up of the Week - Korg SQ10 Sequenzer

via Aliens Project where you will find more.

korg ms20

flickr By Seth Nemec

"etc korg. r.i.p. Tsutomu Katoh"

combo eurorack and modified Serge modular

flickr By Seth Nemec
(click for more)

I forget the top left module. Anyone know what that is?

Update via BugBrand in the comments: "I'm pretty sure that's the new Jones Video MVIP video processor module (Eurorack). Seth posted something on the MW video sub-forum about working with it at the moment."

It definitely looks like the one in this post.

New Clavia Nord Keyboard to Show at the Musikmesse?

via Nordkeyboards.com

"If you're in Frankfurt between April 6-9th, be sure not to miss the Nord booth and try out all the latest Nord gear! You'll find us in Hall 5.1, Booth B90, and we've also got a surprise for you..."

Late Night Buchla Patch 4-2-11

YouTube Uploaded by ccdm9 on Apr 2, 2011

"Noodling around again, thought to record this before I went to bed. Heavy Patching of the 4ms SCM, and Doepfer A-160 + 150"

Bugbrand Modular 6 - A moment of low-dimensional chaos

YouTube Uploaded by otoskope on Apr 2, 2011

"Don't ask me to explain this patch. I've had this little miracle machine for three days now, and keep discovering new ways of intermodulating things. Basically the three oscillators are modulating each other's fequencies connected clockwise, and waveform's counter-clock-wise. At the same time. Plus an audio-rate looping envelope gets modulated in different ways by this chaotic system.

The sound is recorded straight from the Bugbrand's line outs.

Enjoy!
/Palle Dahlstedt"

Circuit Bent Kawasaki Mini Keyboard by freeform delusion

YouTube Uploaded by eecouk on Apr 2, 2011
freeform delusion on eBay
"Kawasaki Mini Keyboard

Switched Mono mini jack output

Blue On LED

Pitch down control

Power Glitch Starve control

Distortion Switched

Crush/Crunch control"

monome 40h x2 + xylophone

YouTube Uploaded by BrianWilliamGreen on Apr 2, 2011

Amazing Grace with the Matryomin.

YouTube Uploaded by perfumepod on Apr 2, 2011

"She is performing amazing Grace with the Matryomin."

Friday, April 01, 2011

iMKS-50 v1.2 Wireless iPad Editor Now Available & iControlMIDI at AHNE

"Apple has released iMKS-50 v1.2 for Roland MKS-50, Juno-1 and Juno-2, a free upgrade for all iMKS-50 V1.1 users.

iMKS-50 v1.2 offers:
- a redesigned look & feel for enhanced readability plus some very tiny UI adjustments to make the workflow even better
- parameter default value buttons. In v1.2, if you touch the parameter value label, it resets the label / slider to a default value (ex: VCO wave = Saw; VCF Freq = wide open, etc...) for each parameter... this is the fastest workflow you'll ever get in sound designing!"

"Also iControlMIDI will be participating to the AHNE event (http://www.alt-mode.com/ahne/2011/) in Lowell, MA on Saturday April 16th 2011 and will be bringing an iPad with the 15 iControlMIDI applications for anybody to try out:
Arturia
• iMinimoogV
• iCS-80V
• iProphetV

Moog
• iMemorymoog (Memorymoog LAMM)

Oberheim
• iXpander

Rhodes
• iChromaCC+

Roland
• iMKS-30 (MKS-30 MIDI Upgraded)
• iMKS50
• iMKS-70 (MKS-70 v1.08)
• iMKS-80

Sequential Circuits, Inc.
• iProphetVS

Yamaha
• iDX7
• iTX81Z
• iFS1R

Waldorf
• iBlofeld

So bring your synth to try iControlMIDI out!"

iControlMIDI
iPads on eBay

The nature revolution

YouTube Uploaded by KotroLaszloLehel on Apr 1, 2011

"The nature revolution (Classic video game music) - composed on Korg M50"

Pittsburgh Modular Timetable Synth Module Clocks

via this auction
"The Pittsburgh Modular Timetable is essentially a pair of clock dividers that share a common clock and reset.

The divider produces quarter, half, whole & double whole-note divisions of the input signal. The patterns generated in the 2nd section range from the simple (or mundane, even an exact replica of the divider outputs) to the convoluted, depending on several factors – some adjustable in real time, some not.

Even in its basic configuration the Timetable is ‘bent by design’ it takes advantage of what could (should?) be considered errors to provide variations and unpredictable (but not random or chaotic) changes… all tied to a clock. The user can also take the ‘bends’ further by swapping out one, or both, of the CMOS logic chips in the core of the circuit. Changing the logic chip changes the functionality of the Timetable creating a new set of behaviors to explore.

The primary intention of Timetable is to provide timed events, both predictable & inconsistent… a little like the average public transport system.

In practice, you can use the module to provide a set of straightforward divisions or as a whacked out gate spewing lunatic… and of course something, somewhere in the middle. It loves feedback. Sending one of the many outputs back into its CV or Digital control inputs will make it jerk and twist. A Binary system that sometimes gets stuck somewhere between 1 and 0.

Here is some audio of the Timetable in action. A basic oscillator and filter are used with the Timetable in this demo. The pitch of the oscillator, frequency of the filter, and the divider within the Timetable are all CV’d from different voltages available on the Timetable.

A Mod Pack is available separately so it will be easy to try different combinations of logic. It comes with 2 sets of 4 different logic chips, a logic pattern table for each chip, an IC Remover to make swapping out chips a breeze, a sticker, a fancy cardboard box with anti-static foam to keep everything safe, and a secret prize. The mod pack will be $15 USD. The logic chips included in the Mod Pack are NOR, NAND, XOR, XNOR.

Divider 1:
Divider 1 (outputs 1/2/3/4) produces fixed /2, /4, /8, /16 clock divisions. These outputs are not effected by any of the CV or external controls, it is the straight guy.

Divider 2:
Divider 2 (outputs A/B/C/D) starts from the same point as Divider 1 but the counter can be manipulated in a number of ways…

Mode:
Divider 2 can be advanced by either the main clock, or the last stage of Divider 1. With no CV and the Invert control fully counter-clockwise this just extends the count for longer divisions. The Mode can be controlled by external gates.

Flip:
Decides if the 2nd counter is advanced on the positive or negative going edge of the clock. At its most basic this offsets Divider 2 by a clock pulse. It is the same divisions as Divider 1 but on the next beat. The Flip can be controlled by external gates.

Invert and CV Input:
The invert control is nominally fully counter-clockwise. At clockwise, each stage of the 2nd divider is inverted, but, its not just the outputs that get inverted, as each stage feeds the next to create the divisions the whole count is effected. The easiest way to explain it is it’s like offsetting the count backwards; where Flip moves the divisions one beat forward, with Invert clockwise the divisions are shifted one beat back. The CV amount control is attenuverting so you can add or subtract voltages from the Invert value.

Gate Inputs:
All the gate inputs have a threshold of ~1V.

Gate Outputs:
The gate outputs (1/2/3/4 and A/B/C/D) follow the pulsewidth of the clock. With some feedback patches its possible to get triggers from A/B/C/D with “gate” inputs.

CV1 – 3 Outputs:
These are voltages derived from Divider 2. CV1 is stepped, bipolar and CV3 is stepped, unipolar. CV2 is the smoothed difference between CV1 and CV2. In use CV1 and CV2 are usefull for things like filter sweeps etc… CV3 is great for pinging filters and Low Pass Gates. All 3 CV outputs are great for controlling VCOs.

Usage Notes:
1. Using a fast LFO into the CV Input, you can get bursts of events that only occur when the clock is high.
2. Both sets of divided outputs (1/2/3/4 and A/B/C/D) are generated the same way, by first ANDing the clock with the output of a binary counter. A/B/C/D has the voltage controlled logic applied to the binary outputs before the AND.
3. One cool patch is to control Flip with output 3 or 4. This starts both dividers from the same point but as they advance they get offset, then eventually after a fairly long cycle, they come back into alignment. SImilar to the effect of singing in the round ,but for the chorus everyone sings at the same time.
4. Another interesting patch is with the Mode switch up and the Invert pot fully clockwise. The A/B/C/D outs will now follow the clock, but for every 16 clock pulses a differant set of outs will be active. If the outputs where clocking sequencers you have a kind of “dueling banjos” set-up.

The Timetable was designed by Thomas O’Connor. His designs are a unique combination of utility and chaos and the Timetable is no different."

Pittsburgh Modular ViLFO Voltage Influenced LFO

via this auction

"Built around the fineCreating chaos out of designs from the past, Pittsburgh Modular is building a uniquely skewed vision of modular synthesis. Pittsburgh modules are handmade with the look of 1950′s science fiction laboratory equipment using bold components and unique layouts to promote interaction and experimentation. Fresh ideas in modern analog circuitry are used to create new, interesting, and strangely musical tones.

The ViLFO (Voltage Influenced LFO) is unique in the modular world. It is a strange, triangle based LFO that lives in an 8hp euro panel. The module offers two outputs, a triangle wave, and a variable waveform that shifts from a triangle to something that is almost not completely a square wave. The VILFO also includes a Voltage Influence CV input and a fine tune knob. The influence allows the incoming CV to mingle with the LFO waveforms in bizarre ways creating unique modulations and patterns."

Saturday, April 02, 2011

Friday, April 01, 2011

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