"Hi, I'm Kim Bjørn, the founder of Bjooks. We're an independent publishing company at the intersection of music, visual arts, history, engineering, and pop culture. My first book was funded via Kickstarter in 2017, and since then we have done two other successful Kickstarter campaigns and released another four books - seven titles in total.
THE MINIMOOG BOOK is our most vital project yet, documenting and delving deep into the iconic electronic instrument that has shaped generations of musicians and songs. We've already spent a massive amount of funds on exclusive photography, research, and production - and we need your help in getting the last bits together to release this important title.
We’re deeply privileged to bring this beautiful book to Kickstarter for our loyal readers and enthusiasts everywhere. Your support in making this labor of love a reality will mean the world to us, the music world - and hopefully you as well :)
Please check out the campaign and select a reward - your support is highly appreciated, and we can't wait to get this visually stunning and informative coffee table book in your hands later in the year.
"The SYNTHORAMA in Luterbach is one of two synthesizer museums in Switzerland (the other is the SMEM in Fribourg). This video shows some of the showrooms of Martin Hollinger's museum, which is open to the public on the first Saturday of every month. There are also Sequential and Yamaha showrooms and collections of Italian, Russian and synthesizers from other countries like one from former Czech Republic.
If you own BJOOKS - SYNTH GEMS 1, you will find a large number of the instruments illustrated and with descriptions by Mike Metlay."
"In this episode of Sonic Test Drive, synth guru Dr. Mike Metlay lays out the beautiful Sequential Circuits Prophet 10 synthesizer. EMEAPP Award winner, Dave Smith, created this dual-manual beast which is basically TWO Prophet 5s in a box, that a LOT of WOW!
Read more about the Prophet-10 and other classic and rare synths (many from EMEAPP!) in Mike’s book SYNTH GEMS 1 which can be found here: https://bjooks.com/products/synth-gem..."
"Getting ready for #superbooth 2023! Really excited to see all our friends and fellow makers again!
This year, we will be introducing our brand new Farbfilter series, and the best thing is, we have a small batch of DIY kits packed! If you join our workshop at @superboothberlin, you can solder the DIY version with our lead engineer Enrica and be the first to get your hands on one of these modules!
In this video, Enrica is playing the #Farbshaper - a classic westcoast analog #waveshaper for Eurorack, designed to add overtones with two CV controlled stages. This module is a non-linear shaper, and it's perfect for electronic and acoustic sounds, ranging from gentle timbral transformation to colourful wavefolding in 4HP.
In this patch, we're sending a MIDI sequence from Stolperbeats to the @WeAreElektron Model:Cycles, with the audio from Model:Cycles processed through the left Farbshaper. The module gets some extra CV modulation from Stolperbeats' envelope out, generating velocity curves from the drum pattern.
The bassline is a pulse wave from @apolloview9305's fabulous Allscillator complex VCO (kits available from @ThonkSynthDIY ), its pitch sequenced with This is Not Rocket Science's @thisisnotrocketscience3942 Tuesday procedural sequencer - a fantastic module that keeps on cropping up in @DivKid clips. The pulse wave is folded using the righthand Farbshaper, with CV input from TiNRS Tuesday's velocity and accent out.
Enrica is tweaking Farbshaper's Gain, Fold and Pleat parameters. With CV patched, Farbshapers knobs become attenuators for the incoming voltage. The little oscilloscope is the awesome battery-driven Korg NTS-2, which came with a lovely book by @BJOOKS on @KorgOfficial synthesizers.
The Model:Cycles sounds are derived from a factory patch, so shout out to @sm0hm and the Elektron team for the lovely and inspiring FM synth they created and also check out Ess' awesome new max4live stuff at @ForsFM!
Sunday 14.05.2023,
ca 5:00 pm
DIY Kit Day
Klunkerkranich
Berlin"
Farbfilter is a classic analog transistor ladder lowpass filter for Eurorack. It is a staple of subtractive synthesis and famous for its rich warm sound. We enhanced its palette with a colourful drive and CV controlled resonance.
"Here for your listening and viewing pleasure is yet another rarity from our extensive collection of obscure and unusual mono synths. This is the Syrinx from the Dutch manufacturer Synton, circa 1983. This particular unit features the rarest color combination of the whole production and we were proud to have it featured in the Synth Gems 1 book from Bjooks. In this episode of Sonic Test Drive, join electronic music pioneer Don Slepian as he takes you through the ins and outs of this beast, including it's highly sought after filter and unique paddle controls.
You can find us at www.emeapp.org where we invite you to join us as a FREE member."
"As we come to the end of Roland's 50th anniversary year, I thought it would be fun to look at their anniversary golden Jupiter-X [posted here], the 'Inspire The Music' book and to also tell you some stories of my own.
I'd love to hear your stories in the comments section.
0:00 Intro Jam
1:00 Roland Turn 50
1:56 Interlude Juno-6
2:36 Story 1: The Kitchen Synth
4:38 Interlude System 100m 1
5:48 Story 2: Window Shopping
7:48 Interlude System 100m 2
8:49 Story 3: Lost Prototype
12:10 Interlude TB-303
13:05 Story 4: Cereal box of 303
15:09 Outro Jam"
Use the player controls to skip around. See the SynthFest UK label below for additional posts.
Playlist:
SynthFest 2022 - Steve Levine
SynthFest UK 2022 - Yamaha MODX+ Range
SynthFest UK 2022 - Bjooks Roland & Korg Book Titles
SynthFest UK 2022 - Korg Drumlogue
SynthFest UK 2022 - Digisound Full Modular Range
SynthFest 2022 - Imaginando Visual Synthesizer
SynthFest UK 2022 - AJH Synth Minimod System
SynthFest UK 2022 - Studio Fabrications Prototype Instrument
SynthFest UK 2022 - IK Multimedia iLoud Precision Range
SynthFest UK 2022 - Enjoy Electronics The Godfather
SynthFest UK 2022 - Soundtronics Full Synth & Module Range
SynthFest UK 2022 - Tileyard North
Use the controls in the player above to skip around (drop down top right; skip controls bottom left).
"Videos from the SynthFest UK show in Sheffield put on by Sound on Sound Magazine"
Update: Smart MIDI Patchbay, & Ivo Beatrix Lorelei Persephone added to the playlist.
Playlist:
Synthfest UK 22: AJH Synth Patch Break Down With Dreams Of Wires
Synthfest UK 22: Adroit Synthesis - Granular Synth for Voltage Modular
Synthfest UK 22: MIDIum - SmartMIDI Foot Controller
Synthfest UK 22: Yamaha MODX+ Demo From Dom
Synthfest UK 22: Korg Drumlogue 1st UK Sighting
Synthfest UK 22: Rhodes - MK-8
Synthfest UK 22: RYK Vector Wave FM Module
Synthfest UK 22: Knobula Compact Skiff Demo Riffs
Synthfest UK 22: Studiologic - Numa-X Piano GT
Synthfest UK 22: Decksaver - Protective Covers
Synthfest UK 22: 3 New iLoud Precision Monitors
Synthfest UK 22: Dreadbox - Erebus MK2 and Hades
Synthfest UK 22: The Godfather Will Own Your Eurorack Mix
Synthfest UK 22: Soundgas - Rare Suzuki Waraku Koto Synth
Synthfest UK 22: Wang Synth Control - Wangulator
Synthfest UK 22: Sweet Discrete Can Pimp Your Vinyl Panels
Synthfest UK 22: Starsky Carr Meets Gaz Williams
Synthfest UK 22: myVOLTS Power and Audio Fixers
Synthfest UK 22: Transistor Sound Labs Stepper Sequencers
Synthfest UK 22: Studio-Electronics - MIDImini and SE-3
Synthfest UK 22: Bjooks - Patch and Tweak and Inspire the Music
Synthfest UK 22: Tileyard North
Synthfest UK 22: Kenton - Smart MIDI Patchbay
Synthfest UK 22: Expert Sleepers - Ivo Beatrix Lorelei Persephone
Synthfest UK 22: Synth Cables of all kinds
Synthfest UK 22: Roland SP-404 MK2 With 2.0 OS
Synthfest UK 22: More On The Eventide Misha
NTS-2 + PATCH & TWEAK with KORG: A message from Kim Bjorn video upload by Korg
"KORG, in collaboration with noted publisher Bjooks, ('PUSH TURN MOVE', 'PATCH & TWEAK' series...) is proud to present a fascinating KORG and ARP synth exploration experience in the form of this special, limited edition Bundle.
This bundle combines the NTS-2, a powerful new tool optimized for a variety of studio tasks, and the “PATCH & TWEAK with KORG” book, a comprehensive look at semi-modular synthesis through the lens of KORG and ARP’s iconic synthesizers. Along with a multitude of artist interviews, patch tips, tutorials, historical explorations, and more, this book will teach you how to put the NTS-2’s power to work in your studio as a companion to your synthesizers and audio gear.
Synth beginners and seasoned musicians alike will find the journey not just educational, but also inspirational and full of new discoveries."
"Easily build the NTS-2, analyze sounds, and create—it's fun, and functional!
The NTS-2 offers a four-channel input oscilloscope to monitor and analyze audio and CV signals, a flexible dual wave generator, an FFT spectrum analyzer, as well as a tuner.
INSPIRE THE MUSIC gets up close and personal with world-famous artists and their relationship with Roland products, production and performing. The book shows the tools in the hands of the creators — tools that have been created by visionary product designers and engineers who’ve sought to design the future.
In this celebration of innovation and creativity, readers are introduced to a world of artists, DJs and producers through insightful stories and interviews, including: Thomas Dolby, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Ali Stone, Omar Hakim, Sister Bliss, Howard Jones, Orbital, Richie Hawtin, Peaches, Culture Club producer Steve Levine, Guy Fletcher of Dire Straits, Clive Deamer of Radiohead, Gingger Shankar, Swizz Beatz, Rachel Z, Nick Rhodes and Roger Taylor of Duran Duran, Nita Strauss, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Steve Stevens, Johnny Marr of The Smiths, Buffy Sainte-Marie, electronic music pioneer Jean-Michel Jarre, Yana Reznik, Jeff “Skunk” Baxter of the Doobie Brothers, Rance Dopson, Bonnie McIntosh, Egyptian Lover and many more.
Insights, Instruments & Innovators
Going beyond just products alone, INSPIRE THE MUSIC is a visual story of the Roland brand and the world it created, with exciting new insights on every page, including a rare glimpse into the world of the innovators who helped design the gear that made Roland what it is today.
Multiple chapters examine the evolving world in which Roland products came to be, and how their inventive and innovative approach to the art and craft of music led to machines that the world often didn’t know they needed until they had them. INSPIRE THE MUSIC tells the story of how Roland gear helped inspire entire musical genres, from 1980s New Wave to today’s EDM and hip-hop scenes.
Beyond the obvious icons — such as the Jupiter-8 that helped redefine pop music, the TR-808 and TB-303 that became the rhythmic voice of everything from rap to acid house, and the BOSS Compact Pedals that forever changed the sound of electric guitar — readers will get to know the context and history of uncommon yet influential technologies. They’ll be introduced to guitar synthesizers and electronic percussion like the V-Drums. They’ll learn how the Octapad became a mainstay of modern music in India and be introduced to the Grooveboxes that added new dimensions to beat making.
'We’re extremely excited to launch INSPIRE THE MUSIC this summer, with the blessing and enthusiastic cooperation of Roland itself,' said Kim Bjørn, founder and CEO of Bjooks. 'We’ve been privileged to gain access to the company’s vast archive of interviews and technical information, interview the quiet geniuses that design the musical future, and connect with the worldwide Roland community. Dozens of enthusiastic creators have helped put together this monument of music tech history, documenting decades of tech innovation and artistry, told by the people who used the instruments and the engineers who made them come alive.'
'Roland is thrilled to collaborate with acclaimed music tech publisher Bjooks to create a special book that honors the culture, people, and technology of Roland as we celebrate our 50th anniversary this year. It is exciting to see such a diverse group of artists share their experiences with our products,' said Gordon Raison, CEO and representative director of Roland Corporation.
INSPIRE THE MUSIC will be available through authorized resellers, and here at bjooks.com this summer."
"Ciao a tutti e bentornati o benvenuti ai video del Soundmit, vi ricordo che potrete vedere i precedenti video sul nostro canale all’indirizzo www.soundmit.com/youtube e se vi piacciono, iscrivetevi e seguiteci anche sui nostri canali social all’indirizzo www.soundmit.com/social
Riprendiamo le nostre pillole letterarie con una serie nella serie, ci occuperemo infatti di una serie di 5 libri relativamente nuovi, scritti da Kim Bjorn, designer, DJ e scrittore Danese che abbiamo avuto il piacere di ospitare diverse volte al nostro Soundmit.
Andiamo in ordine cronologico parlando del libro che ha dato il via alla serie ovvero, PUSH TURN MOVE!
Come vedete, qui con me ne ho due copie, in realtà sono due edizioni differenti. La seconda, leggermente più sottile ma con eguale numero di pagine, è stata rivista recentemente e riallineata all’impostazione grafica dei volumi usciti successivamente.
Sono anche stati rivisti in parte i contenuti, infatti non troveremo alcune interviste e alcune considerazioni su prodotti di aziende che non esistono più o che hanno sospeso le attività, in favore di nuovi e più aggiornati contenuti.
"Gaz and Kim Bjørn take a look at the latest quality book from Bjooks. Synth Gems1 a lovely coffee table quality book about synthesizers. Focussing on vintage synths with excellent photography and historical facts and details.
More information: Http://bjooks.com"
"In an interview on Superbooth 2021, Kim Bjorn of Bjooks tells us all about his new book Synth Gams 1. This book, written by Mike Metlay, contains many hidden synthesizer gems. The book is also good reading for non synth-nerds."
SYNTH GEMS 1
Written by Mike Metlay
Concept, and design: Kim Bjørn
Editing team: Chris Meyer, Marc Doty, Gordon Reid, Collin Russell and Kim Bjørn
Copy editing: Diana Smethurst
Image editing: Kim Bjørn
Additional image editing and illustration: Natascha Bondo Bjørn"
"Text from the back cover:
SYNTH GEMS 1 is your guide to an eclectic and amazing collection of synthesizers as art. Experience the history, technology, and sonic innovation of electronic music in a completely new way.
With their widely diverse designs and intentions, synthesizers offer a world of fascination. What thoughts and emotions guided their creators? What do they say about the era when they were created? How do their form and function define one another, and the music they make?
As much for serious synth enthusiasts as for newcomers to electronic music, SYNTH GEMS 1 is an enlightening look into this wonderful world of vintage synthesizers.
An art gallery of electronic aesthetics
SYNTH GEMS 1 takes you on a tour of over 60 remarkable keyboards — large and small, famed and rare, elegant, beautiful, and brutal… and ranging from classics that define entire genres to rare oddities that bring their own grace to the world.
Each synthesizer is presented in a series of finely detailed photographs, with a discussion of its origins and importance. From the dawn of commercial synthesis to the close of the Twentieth Century, the lives and times of these unique instruments are chronicled in exquisite pictures and thoughtful stories – mingling music, technology, commerce, and visual art.
Meet the synthesizer
Besides a brief introduction to the basic elements of synthesizer design, as well as a comprehensive Glossary, the book is rounded out by tours of the three museums that opened their collections to be photographed, and a selection of resources for further study: books, films, educational initiatives, online resources – even ways to play with these sounds at home.
Known classics and significant rarities
Explore the designs and read the stories behind instruments from famous brands such as ARP, Casio, Clavia, Korg, Moog, Oberheim, Roland, Sequential, and Yamaha – as well as vintage gems from Crumar, Electronic Dream Plant, Elgam, E-mu, Ensoniq, Fairlight, Kawai, Gleeman, Lord Synthesisers, Steiner-Parker, Technics, Waldorf, and more.
The GEMS Series from Bjooks celebrate the inner and outer aesthetics of electronic musical instruments:
Detailed and beautiful color photographs, taken specifically for this series Insightful discussion of the technical details – and the historical significance – of each instrument Clear and inviting introductions to the concepts that guide these designs"
"This was the first patch demonstrated during the 'Patching the Monster' live webcast [below] with Chris Meyer of LearningModular.com, Ben 'DivKid' Wilson, and Kim 'Bjooks' Bjørn.
The arpeggiator in a Korg taktile 49 keyboard controller is driving a Mutable Instruments Rings, 2hp Pluck, and an analog synth voice consisting of a Birdkids TheBateleur, Livewire AFG, Rossum Evolution, and Erogenous Tones VC8, modulated by an Ian Fritz Hypster, Befaco VC ADSR, and Erogenous Tones RADAR. Voltage-controlled panning is from a Happy Nerding PanMix; reverb is from a Happy Nerding FX Aid.
The MONSTER speaks: initial patch ideas // Patching the Monster
Streamed live on May 9, 2020 DivKidVideo
"We had ' Feeding The Monster' where alongside Kim Bjorn and I Chris Meyer walked us through module choices and ideas for filling up his ADDAC Monster system case. Going through the high end power rig and sections of the case. Now we have PATCHING THE MONSTER with audio and with patches!"
