Evaton Technologies RF Nomad Atomic Shadow Edition

"RF Nomad, Atomic Shadow Edition, sneak peek of the faceplate. A custom one-off (or is it...?) retrofit of the RF Nomad Eurorack module into MU/dotcom format. Look for it to be broadcasting from yesterday's world of tomorrow, in the future!

Adaptation of the RF Nomad module for Atomic Shadow (http://www.atomicshadow.com/), who wanted one to use in his fantastic 1950's-themed rig.

Knobs are real vintage 1970s pieces from an old-school DIY synth."

http://www.evatontechnologies.com/

Atomic Shadow's Lab

Some gear spotting in Atomic Shadow's new lab.

I spy a MATRIXSYNTH magnet and some new Synthesizers.com modules along with the vintage oscillators and some modern gear. Cool retro green cabinet. You can find a nice black and white pic of the previous studio in the IDOW & MATRIXSYNTH Modular Pic of the Week #26 contest.

via Atomic Shadow on Facebook

Details on Atomic Shadow's The Mouth of Hell

You might remember Atomic Shadow's most disturbing piece here. Details on the track and video are now up on the Atomic Shadow website.

Atomic Shadow: Metal Machine Monster

Metal Machine Monster from Atomic Shadow on Vimeo.

"This piece started out with a Halloween theme and slowly morphed in to a tribute to the late Lou Reed's groundbreaking album Metal Machine Music. The album was maligned by fans and critics when it was released, but has since come to be considered the foundation of drone music.

In the course of making this video my Moog Theremin packed up and stopped working just before recording. This required a reworking of the set up with the Kaoss 2 pad standing in for the MIA Theremin. There is a Dave Smith MEK just off camera providing a drone bass. Also featured are the EMW 200, Kaoss Quad, Eico signal generator and various effects pedals. The off camera modular system is providing the moaning sound courtesy of the Phonogene module from make Noise/Voltergeist.

The video was shot with an iPad that also decided to act up and I was unable to export the video to my Mac. I ended up shooting the screen of the iPad with another camera on a tripod, thus making the low quality, grainy film look even 'arty-er'."

via Rod Mitchell aka Atomic Shadow on The MATRIXSYNTH Lounge

Krisp1 Ring Mod Demo by Atomic Shadow

Ring Mod Demo from Atomic Shadow on Vimeo.

www.atomicshadow.com
An improvisation featuring the MU ring Modulator from Krisp1, two Hewlett Packard series 200 sine wave generators and the El Capistan tape echo pedal from Strymon.

This ring mod was based on the Arp2500/2600 design. According to the Krisp1 website- "Each input has its own differing non-linearities or imperfections. This greatly adds to the character of the resultant output."

I think that is correct. Turning up the input levels create interesting changes in the timbre of the output. This is a ring modulator with a ton of personality.

Find out more at their website...
http://www.krisp1.com/store/

Additional details on Atomic Shadow here.

New From Atomic Shadow - Shortwave Robot Pants

Atomic Shadow has a new album out, Shortwave Robot Pants. Click through for details and of course you'll find the embed above.

Atomic Shadow - Greetchplug Berna Album

You might remember Berna from Greetchplug in this prior post.

Atomic Shadow wrote in to let me know he has recorded an album primarily featuring Greetchplug's Berna: "The project Berna album by Atomic Shadow is complete. All twelve tracks were done with Berna software by Gleetchplug. Most of the tracks were done in real time as semi-improvisations with only the field recordings used in the virtual tape recordings prepped beforehand. Track #3 had on overdub of Wine Glasses from Mtron Pro by GForce Software and track #12 had an overdub of the faux theremin from a Kaos Pad 2.
http://atomicshadow.bandcamp.com/"

Introducing Hollow Sun Records - Esoteric Electronica

For those not familiar with Hollow Sun, they are known for bringing a number of incredibly rare instruments into our sonic palette that we would otherwise not have access to. They brought us the Hammond Novachord, vintage valve/tube oscillators and noise generators from the 40s and 50s, and a number of conventional but rare synthesizers, string machines, and more. See the Hollow Sun website for the full list.

They are now launching Hollow Sun Records which will showcase experimental electronic music.

"Hollow Sun Records brings esoteric electronica from a broad range of experimental sonic artists from across the world on modestly priced, high quality downloadable albums you can buy directly.

Hollow Sun Records offers considered, abstract soundscapes and thoughtful sonic tapestries brought to you by leaders in their field of modern (and some retro), offbeat electronica.

We pride ourselves on the slightly odd and weird and tend towards the unconventional. Many strange noises are to be heard reverberating around the crumbling, musty corridors and labs here at Hollow Sun Towers so it seems only logical to release the work of friends who are exploring new (and sometimes revisiting some old) sonic territories for others to enjoy."


The current line-up includes ATOMIC SHADOW, who's vintage oscillators and noise machines have been featured in some of Hollow Sun's instruments, BOB TAVIS, and MATTHIAS SCHUSTER. Bios follow.

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"Atomic Shadow is at the forefront of modern abstract electronica using as he does true retro equipment from the 50s and 60s ... test oscillators, reel-to-reel tape machines for feeding in tape loops or tape delays, etc.. His music invokes influences from the likes of Tod Dockstader, the BBC Radiophonic Workshop and others.

Atomic Shadow's electronica is moody and dark, sometimes challenging, sometimes whimsical, always intriguing."

---

"Bob Tavis started with experimental music in the late 60s when all he had was a test oscillator, two tape recorders, a Hammond and Farfisa Duo organ, a spring reverb and a tape echo.

Bob studied under electronic music pioneer, Vladimir Ussachevsky, in the 60s and has also worked with Boris Kovalev on developing two software synths, psyBox and Ambitron."

---

"Matthias Schuster's prolific output is forever fascinating with the various projects he and his Thereminist wife, Trautonia, are involved with. From Das Institut to Geisterfahrer, his unique brand of music always challenges.

But Matthias dates back a bit and is as adept at 'Berliner Krautrock' with sweeping Mellotrons backed by his PPG modulars and all the other crusty old analogue gear he has as he is at more angular experimental material."

http://www.hollowsunrecords.co.uk/

HP Oscillators Used for Hollow Sun's Oscillosine

HP oscillators used in Hollow Sun's new Oscillosine, first posted here.

Pic via Atomic Shadow, posted in The MATRIXSYNTH Lounge Photos.

"I am recording a series of pieces using this equipment for the next Atomic Shadow project."

Update: on the oscillators:
"For the upcoming Oscillosine, from Hollow Sun, two Hewlett Packard oscillators were mutli-sampled at mini thirds for their across their audible range. The 200ABR model provided continuous tones. The 201CR model was malfunctioning at the time and was beeping so that was sampled at minor thirds as well. These sounds were used to create the two demos that are live on the Oscillosine site. Full Moon 3 will probably be on the next Atomic Shadow collection.

The smaller generator in the photo is B&K 301B Sine/Square transistor oscillator. The square waves were also sampled and may feature on a future Hollow Sun Kontakt instrument."

Update: one more pic here

Atomic Shadow Reviews the EMW-200 & EMW-300 in the Works

via Atomic Shadow where you'll find the full review.

"I have spent several evenings getting to know a powerful little synth called the EMW-200 and I am very pleased to own the first unit off of the assembly line. Serial number 1001. Beta testing is on!

The EMW-200 is a recreation of the venerable ElectroComp EML-200, a rare synth to say the least. Only 150-200 of them were ever made, depending on your source, so let me say at the outset that I cannot speak to how much this little guy sounds like it's big brother. I have never laid eyes on on an EML-200. However the designer of the EMW-200 owns one and I think that he went to some pains to get them as close as possible, while making it an instrument that someone can afford to actually purchase.

The designer, and owner of Electronic Music Works is Paulo Sergio dos Santos. He and his company hail from Brazil and both are dedicated to building great sounding, affordable instruments..." Read the full review along with sound demo on Atomic Shadow here.

I asked EMW about the EML-200 connection and they had the following to say: "In general the EMW-200 can do almost anything that the EML-200 can do but the contrary isn’t true. The circuits are all analog but we redesigned some of them in order to improve some characteristics. As an example, the AD circuit on the EML-200 is very poor, it’s just a capacitor and it does not work very well, so we added some more precise control circuits, resulting on a more usable AD. The free oscillator that controls the AD and the Sample and Hold from the WAVE SHAPPER module also does not work very well, it has a narrow frequency range and a poor width (duty-cycle) control, so we redesigned this oscillator and now it has a wider control range. As I said, the sound is very similar but in general it is a more interesting equipment.

It’s important to say the EMW-200 is intendend to be a tribute to the original not an exact “in every detail” recreation. The result was surprisingly good and I think that will please the analog enthusiast and also who never had an old machine.

The EMW-200 launching price is $1,490.00 [Update: the price has actually been lowered to $1299] and we are planing to build 50 units, perhaps 100." Note an EML-300 is in the works, "We are already working on the EMW-300, an EML-300 recreation with some very interesting improvements."

MMTA Spring SYNTHFEST: Detachment 3 Archangel & Atomic Shadow Update

Another reason to make it to the MMTA Spring SYNTHFEST next Saturday if you are in the area. Atomic Shadow will be bringing two Detachment 3 Archangel sequencers, one 1/4" and one 3.5mm. If you want to see one in the flesh and are in the area, be sure to drop by.  Look for lots of knobs and the red strip.  See the Detachment 3 label below for additional posts of the Archangel including video.

Update: Unfortunately Atomic Shadow and the Archangel won't be making it this year due to unforeseen circumstances.

Bob Moog’s Birthday Garners Google Recognition and Industry Support

The Bob Moog Foundation Press Release:

"May 23, 2012 Asheville, NC-- The Bob Moog Foundation is joined by supporters worldwide in their celebration of the anniversary of the synth pioneer’s 78th birthday. Global technology leader Google released their latest doodle, an interactive, synthesizer-based, playable logo, which honors Bob Moog’s inventions. The Moog Doodle can be played using a mouse or by typing to make nearly limitless sounds. Keeping with the theme of 1960s music technology, a keyboard is patched into a 4-track tape recorder allowing the play back and sharing of songs via short links. The doodle can be viewed and played at www.google.com.

Google software engineer Joey Hurst’s plains the impetus behind the Moog doodle, "With his passion for high-tech toolmaking in the service of creativity, Bob Moog is something of a patron saint of the nerdy arts and a hero to many of us here at Google."

BMF Archive and Education Specialist Marc Doty has posted a 15 minute video demonstrating the various parameters of the doodle synthesizer. His video has over 8,000 views and has been picked up by Mashable and the Washington Post. The video can be viewed here: http://bit.ly/JFkWqi

To promote the incredible doodle tribute, the Bob Moog Foundation is hosting a contest on the home page of its website. Music fans from around the world can share their musical creations in the comments section of the blog on the home page of www.moogfoundation.org. A winner will be chosen and awarded Arturia’s Dr. Bob’s Collector’s Pack, which includes award-winning Minimoog and modular Moog software (valued at over $300).

Furthering the celebration, Moog Music, Inc. will donate 50% of all online clothing and merchandise sales on May 23rd to the Bob Moog Foundation. For every $350 raised, the company will also donate one Etherwave Theremin to the Foundation’s educational initiative, Dr. Bob’s SoundSchool. This promotion includes their brand new line of product-inspired apparel boasting graphics bold enough to induce a geekfest for synth enthusiasts everywhere. Moog instruments are not included in the annual event.

Moog Music clothing and merchandise can be purchased from the company’s online store: www.moogmusic.com/products/clothing and www.moogmusic.com/merch.

Spectrasonics, creators of the much heralded Omnisphere “soft-synth” and creators of the Bob Moog Tribute Library, have added to the already robust library of 700 sounds another 78 in recognition of Bob’s birthday. Spectrasonics continues to be one of the Foundation’s greatest contributors to continuing the legacy. Visit http://www.spectrasonics.net/products/tribute/ for more information about the BMF Tribute Library.

In the realm of esoteric electronics, starting on May 23rd Hollow Sun Records and electronica maverick Atomic Shadow are donating proceeds from the Shadow’s first two albums to the Bob Moog Foundation. This tribute honors the coincidence that Atomic Shadow and Bob Moog share a birth date and a passion for innovation and music. The albums can be purchased at the discounted price of £3 for a limited time at http://www.hollowsunrecords.co.uk.

Early Girl Eatery in Asheville, North Carolina, where Moog often ate lunch, is hosting the Bob Moog Birthday Salute, honoring its hometown innovator by donating 20% of their total sales from May 23 to The Bob Moog Foundation. The restaurant is open from 7:30am-9:00pm. www.earlygirleatery.com. Marc Doty will perform three sets of live music throughout the day. Anyone who donates $1 or more to the Foundation while at the restaurant will be entered in a raffle to win various Moog-inspired items."

Atomic Cognosphere

via Atomic Shadow on FB

"Demo of Hollow Sun's new Kontakt instrument. All sounds and effects were made using Cognosphere. The samples used in the instrument came from some of my vintage equipment in the photo."

A Few NAMM Pics & Comments in via Atomic Shadow Including the New VOX!

These in via Atomic Shadow

"The Vox keyboard is styled after the classic Continental combo organ. It has CX3 and Farfisa models as well as the classic Vox. It also has piano, clavs, Trons, and staple synth sounds. So it's in the same ball park as the Hammond SK-1 or the Roland thing.

The OB6 sounds fabulous! I am really impressed with the musicality of this thing. While I was there who wandered in but Tom Oberheim himself. I stepped back and fumbled with my phone but caught the moment. It was as if two unicorns had wandered in to a clearing. How often do you see something like this?

The Arturia Matrix Brute is a 3 oscillator mono synth with a Steiner filter and a classic ladder filter. The push button matrix is similar to a VCS3 pin matrix for connection modulation sources and destinations. Has CV options on the back. Again, this thing sounds incredible! The other photo is from a panel discussion about the future of synthesis. Check the roster! There was enough brain power on that stage that they could build an atomic bomb from items found in the room! Axel Hartman was in the audience."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Atomic Shadow - I Sleep On Magnets - Excerpt

"This is the introduction to a much longer piece from the next album. This is an exploration of how we relate to our machines and gadgets in an emotional way. In the course of the piece software and modular equipment was used to process field recordings. The EMW-200, STG Sea Devil filter, DotCom modules, and Krisp1 ring mod are featured, as well as the usual collection of dusty vintage lab gear, effects and even a couple of iPad apps."

Brian Eno's & Peter Chilvers' Scape Demo by Atomic Shadow

"This is a track that was made using the Scape iPad app by Brian Eno and Peter Chilvers. The track is made up of three recordings. The parameters were manipulated in real time during recording. The recordings were edited and manipulated in various ways for the sake of the composition. For example, some parts were slowed down, others were reversed. Some outboard effects were used in post production."

Don't miss the full review by Atomic Shadow here.

iTunes: Scape - Opal Limited

Atomic Shadow Panoramic Wave Generator Audio Demo

"This is a demo track for the first official Atomic Shadow instrument for the Kontakt sampler, the Panoramic Wave Generator. Details about the PWG may be found at www.atomicshadow.com"

Follow-up to this post.

Modulations by Atomic Shadow

Published on Dec 10, 2016 Atomic Shadow

"The main audio track for this composition began as a ring modulation experiment. I fed various oscillator sources (signal generators, modular) through modulation effects pedals (chorus, flange, vibrato and phasers) through the Moog MF-102. Effects depths and oscillator pitches were controlled in real time. A second audio track was added to go with the film. As the modular, tape, Pro2 and King Korg machines appear I added sound sources from each one to go along with the picture."

Oscillosine - Coming soon from Hollow Sun - Vintage HP Oscillator

"Almost as though it was found in the back of a damp garage after decades of neglect, Hollowsun has created Oscillosine. Reminiscent of an oddball inventor's strange homebrew creation, Oscillosine is designed to conjour the sights, sounds and smells of a 1940s experimenter's laboratory... glowing valves, otherworldly audio and maybe a hint of pipe tobacco.

The samples for Oscillosine are taken from a vintage tube Hewlett Packard sine wave test oscillator estimated to date back to the 50s or 60s, maybe earlier.

The more voices (or notes) the thing tries to play, the circuitry seems to strain slightly and the valves glow brighter which is visible through the front panel aperture.

Oscillosine offers serious abstract synthesis for the adventurous to bring something different to your productions whilst also providing more conventional sounds for more mainstream work.

For safety reasons, be sure to wear a white lab coat when operating Oscillosine."

http://www.hollowsun.com/

This one is in via Atomic Shadow.

Hollow Sun · Oscillosine - Sine

"Demo of 'Oscillosine', a new Kontakt 4 instrument from Hollow Sun using the valve generated sine oscillator samples from a Hewlett Packard test oscillator thought to date back to the 50s. Demo created by Atomic Shadow."

Modular Wild Visits Knobcon 2014 Performances-Atomic Shadow

Published on Nov 3, 2014 Modular Wild

"A short compilation of clips from Atomic Shadow's Knobcon 2014 performance.Sound and Video by Raul Pena."

http://www.atomicshadow.com