VTS 01 1 - Hammond Novachord Video

YouTube via Screenery | November 30, 2010

via Mitch on the AH list:
"If any of you know of people other than Cantos, Audities, and Phil Cirroco, who have taken on a Novachord restoration, i would love to get their name. Or even if you know people you could recommend who haven't attempted a Novachord restoration but who you think would be capable doing an excellent internal restoration job on one, I would be greatly appreciative (especially if they are in Los Angeles)."

If you can help feel free to leave a comment or shoot me an email and I will forward it to Mitch.

The Flaming Lips and a Bucha 100 at Cantos

http://www.cantos.ca

Roger Luther - Moog Modular

flickr By rick403

"Large Moog Modular at the Cantos Music Foundation.

Just re-jacked, recapped and fully cleaned and calibrated. it sounds AMAZING"

Close Encounters of The Third Kind ARP 2500 at Cantos

via Wikimedia Commons via .guilty on flickr

"This is the ARP 2500 found in the last moments of the movie Close Encounters of the Third Kind. It is an actual synth however the movie had it housed in a white case at the time.

Got a demo of it; guess what was the patch stored XD

More photos to come...
Visited the Cantos tonight and got a lovely tour of the facilities. Took a lot of pictures & videos. The tour was conducted by Brandon Smith."


This photo was taken on February 12, 2009. This one in via DJ Ivan

Cantos

flickr set by jeff pineau
(click for more)

shots of the Cantos synth museum

prior posts here

Note the EMS Synthi 100

Update via pineau in the comments: "Pictures taken by Stephanie D'Entremont."

SYNTHI 100 at Cantos museum

flickr by guiltysin

full size

"SYNTHI 100 utilizes a patch board instead of cables. You can see Brandon, the interpreter, pointing to it in this photo. The SYNTHI 100 had the coolest knobs, of which a crop shot of it is my current avatar.

I think I failed to mention I took around a couple hundred photos during this tour, yes?

Visited the Cantos foundation museum of electronic instruments and keyboards in February 2009 and got a lovely tour of the facilities. Took a lot of pictures & videos.

Today is Tuesday! Another tour tonight (I'll be armed with tripod and a clear empty memory card)."

You can find more images at guiltysin's photostream

Buchla 200e System Interface Model 227e module

flickr by guiltysin

full size

Anyone know what swirl is/does?

Note this is another Cantos Synthesizer Museum shot by guiltysin. Click on the link above for more.

Update via guilt1 in the comments: "Swirl in action: FFWD to 1:08 in the video"
YouTube via blindoldfreak.

"say no to social life..." previously posted here.

Buchla 100 demoed

another flickr by guiltysin

full size

"Visited the Cantos Foundation and took a lot of pictures & video.

Our guide, Brandon, showing us the Buchla 100."

Wall of MOOG

flickr by guiltysin
(click for more)

full size

note the double mini

"This is a shot of part of Canto's collection of MOOG synths.

Visited the Cantos Foundation museum of electronic instruments and keyboards in February 2009 and took a lot of photos and videos.


Confession: when I first saw this, I squee-d in absolute and uncontainable glee."

Buchla Ken Kesey

flickr by guiltysin
(click for more)

full size

According to the description this is at the Cantos Foundation museum in Calgary Alberta and is still working. It was designed for Ken Kesey and the Merry Pranksters. Note the Ken Kesey's signature.

Update via rick in the comments: "This is the "Sound System" from the bus "Further"..it is made up for 3 stock buchla modules - 190 Dual Reverb, 170 Dual Mic preamp and the 106 6 channel mixer.. the last panel appears to be custom. it was connected to the amps in the bus and allowed the occupants to broadcast their acoustic performances of music, poetry etc. there are no tubes. I assume the transformers on the 170 are what are being referred to... don used transistor based technology on the 100... some ICs were incorporated later on but not on these particular modules."

Wall of KORGS and Two Buchla 200e

flickr by guiltysin
(click for a ton more including captions)

These are from the Cantos Foundation

VIRTUALITY Video: Part 2 The Making of Bolero Electronica

YouTube via interstellarcrew.

Part 1 previously posted here.
"The second of many podcasts to come features The Making of Bolero Electronica and talks about the inspiration for using 75 years of synthesizers; the origins of the instruments; and the challenge of putting it all together, including footage of rare keyboards used at the esteemed Cantos Foundation. Along with composer Amin Bhatia are Interviewed guests including Roland founder Ikutaro Kakehashi, Steve Porcaro, Patrick Moraz, Michelle Moog-Koussa as well as producers, engineers and musicians from "Virtuality."

The podcast series was produced by Mark Dwyer and Saul Pincus with contributions from cinematographers and journalists all over the world. Special thanks to the crew at Full Sail University, as well as the Bob Moog Foundation, the Cantos Foundation, and the offices of Steve Porcaro, Patrick Moraz, Bhatia Music and Splice Heist.

Please visit aminbhatia.com for more on the album and artist."

Amin Bhatia VIRTUALITY

VIRTUALITY Video: Part 1 The Moog Legacy

YouTube via interstellarcrew

"The first of many podcasts to come features the Bob Moog legacy and talks about how Amin Bhatia came to dedicate the album to him. Interviewed guests include Steve Porcaro, Patrick Moraz, Michelle Moog-Koussa as well as producers, engineers and musicians from 'Virtuality'

The podcast series was written and directed by Saul Pincus with contributions from cinematographers and journalists all over the world. Special thanks to the crew at Full Sail University, as well as the Bob Moog Foundation and the offices of Steve Porcaro, Patrick Moraz, Bhatia Music and Splice Heist.

Please visit aminbhatia.com for more on the album and artist."
Be sure to check out the Behind the Scenes section of the site.

VIRTUALITY Video: Part 2 The Making of Bolero Electronica

Uploaded on Dec 21, 2008

"The second of many podcasts to come features The Making of Bolero Electronica and talks about the inspiration for using 75 years of synthesizers; the origins of the instruments; and the challenge of putting it all together, including footage of rare keyboards used at the esteemed Cantos Foundation. Along with composer Amin Bhatia are Interviewed guests including Roland founder Ikutaro Kakehashi, Steve Porcaro, Patrick Moraz, Michelle Moog-Koussa as well as producers, engineers and musicians from 'Virtuality.'"

VIRTUALITY Video: Part 3 Inside the Computer

Uploaded on May 20, 2009

"The third installment of the Virtuality podcasts explores the possibility of making videos using the album as underscore. With the help of Music Academy Online and Second Life we are shown one interpretation of the virtual world - one where people can travel into the album. Interviewed guests include Patrick Moraz, Steve Porcaro, Ari Posner, Michelle Moog-Koussa, and (SL) Benton Wunderlich as well as producers, engineers and musicians from 'Virtuality.' The podcast series was directed and edited by Saul Pincus and Mark Dwyer with contributions from cinematographers and journalists all over the world. Special thanks to the crew at Full Sail University, as well as the Bob Moog Foundation and the offices of Steve Porcaro, Patrick Moraz, Bhatia Music, Splice Heist and Second Life. Please visit aminbhatia.com for more on the album and artist."

AMIN BHATIA DEDICATES NEW ALBUM TO BOB MOOG

"Film Composer / Synthesist Amin Bhatia announces the release of 'Virtuality', the long-awaited sequel to his synth orchestral epic 'The Interstellar Suite', on the anniversary of synthesizer pioneer Bob Moog's birthday, May 23 2008.

The album is dedicated to Moog, who was a friend of the composer and is endorsed by the Bob Moog Foundation. Michelle Moog-Koussa, Executive Director and daughter of the late Bob Moog says:

'My father's genius and passion was taking the synthesizer out of the laboratory and making synthesis accessible to musicians, and through them, to the world. Amin Bhatia’s 'Virtuality' is another fine example of that accessibility.'

True to Bhatia’s obsession with orchestral music and science fiction, the first half of the album explores the micro-universe that exists inside the computer. Titles like 'World Wide Web', 'Virus' and 'Second Life' portray aspects of our modern virtual world through music and sound design. Artwork was provided by the award winning digital artist Alexander Preuss.

The second half of the album features 'Bolero Electronica', a one-of-a-kind journey through 75 years of synthesizers through an innovative realization of Maurice Ravel’s 'Bolero'. In Bhatia’s version, instruments as early as the Ondes Martenot and Theremin begin the work, and the piece progresses through generations of synthesizers from Moog, Roland, Yamaha and others chronologically. The work builds in size and power decade by decade ending in present day virtual instruments and technologies. Guest artists include veteran keyboardists Steve Porcaro and Patrick Moraz. Many of the instruments used were from the Cantos Music Foundation. The album was recorded and mixed by award winning producers David Greene and Jeff Wolpert.

Bob Moog had been scheduled to provide a special feature narration track for “Bolero Electronica” but sadly that recording never happened. True to Bob’s mission to document, celebrate and teach innovative thinking, Amin instead employed noted synthesizer historian Mark Vail to create additional liner notes. The result is an illustrated guide which allows the listener to follow along stanza by stanza through Bhatia’s elaborate rendition, complete with a timeline chart of every synthesizer used.

'The Timeline of synthesizers in Bolero Electronica looks like the Moog Legacy to me and I only wish Dad were around to hear this project come to fruition', says Michelle. 'I think he would be delighted in the artistry Amin used to employ so many different instruments.'

Says Amin 'Electronic music to me is like animation. It’s a portrayal of reality through an innovative use of non-reality. When done right it creates beautifully animated images in the mind of the listener. And Bob was the greatest animator of them all.'

'Virtuality' will be released via CD and download on the anniversary of Bob Moog's birthday, May 23rd 2008. A portion of each sale will be donated to the Bob Moog Foundation."

My Notes:
I have been fortunate enough to listen to the CD in full. I have to say the experience of listening to "Bolero Electronica" while viewing the "Timeline of Synthesizers" is an extremely rare and satisfying treat. I literally could not stop smiling throughout the piece. I do not want to spoil this track for anyone, but let's just say there is nothing I have experienced quite like it. The intro delivers in a way that is simply beyond cool and it just keeps on giving. It is an absolutely brilliant composition for the synth enthusiast. Trust me, you will be able to appreciate this one like no one else. Be sure to click on the timeline image in this post.

If you know "Bolero," it is a piece that starts with just a few instruments and then builds with layered instruments into a triumphant finish. When you listen to "Bolero Electronica" and watch the timeline, you instantly make the connection and realize that this isn't just Bolero done with synths, but literally a redefinition of Bolero as the triumph of synthesizers over time. "Commercial synths" essentially began with MOOG, Buchla, EMS and eventually grew into the myriad of synths we have today. Click on the image in this post that looks like a track listing. That is the actual progression of the piece. When you listen to it, you can literally listen to the evolution of synthesizers over time. Utterly amazing. There are very few tracks that will go down as pivotal in the history of synths. I honestly believe this will be one of them considering what it conveys, the history it speaks. You simply have to hear it to experience it in full. You will find yourself going back to focus on different synths and sound evolution through time via synthesis. It is simply just brilliant.

You can find more info including clips and how to get this CD via The Bob MOOG Foundation.

Update 4/27/17:

The Making of The Interstellar Suite

Published on Apr 27, 2017 Amin Bhatia Composer

The Making of The Interstellar Suite
Directed and produced by Byron Kent Wong
Additional Interviews directed by Saul Pincus
This 18-minute featurette of Amin Bhatia's epic album The Interstellar Suite features interviews with noted artists and engineers:
Steve Porcaro, Patrick Moraz
Frank Morrone, James Porteous, David Greene and Mark Vail
Roland’s esteemed president, the late Ikutaro Kakehashi
The Carolina Crowns Drum Corps!
and many others…

This video is a bonus feature from the The Interstellar Suite Anniversary Limited Edition
Remixed by Frank Morrone from the original multi-tracks.
Under exclusive license from Capitol Records, Inc.
Publishing Bhatia Music Inc.
DVD & Blu-ray Dual Pack and Companion Guide Book available only until May 7, 2017 at http://aminbhatia.com/is25mayday/

Cantos Music Foundation

Cantos Music Foundation is the largest synth museum in Calgary Alberta, Canada. Brandon Smith who works there, sent in the following.

"I work at the Cantos Music Foundation (The largest and as far as I know only keyboard museum in Canada) in Calgary Alberta, and thought I'd send a few Pics of interest., The modular system is a Delta Music Research system which started off as a local Calgary company. That double minimoog belonged to Patrick Moraz (of Yes), The Apollo and Lyra were Keith emmersons at one point, and as far as I know the only ones ever made, and the one that looks like a franken-moog is the prototype of the multimoog. Well, keep up the good work!"

Thanks Brandon! Click here to see the full set of images.

ARP 2600 Shots and Mods

In via Loscha. Title link takes you to shots pulled from this auction.

MODIFICATIONS:

"I had this modified by John Leimseider, Electronics Technician at the Cantos Music Foundation in Calgary. JL has had over 20 years experience with Arps and can be Googled

This one has had TL071 op amps installed to replace the old ones which reduced the noise and improved fidelity. This also reduced the DC offset which is like the background voltage which the audio signal rides on. The offset doesnt actually contribute to the wanted signal its just like static so reducing it is a good thing.

The Arp envelopes are known for having inconvenient lengths so I had switches installed that allow you to double the attack, decay and release times.

The power supply was replaced to allow both 240/115V operation, its currently set to 115V but can be changed by disconnecting one wire and soldering another, about 15mins work.

Also added was AC coupling which involved adding capacitors to the circuit again to reduce the the static (DC) components from the input signal to the amplifier.

Finally, John installed an external input for the electronic switch which lets you control the switch from something other than the clock for the sample and hold. This is great because 'you can plug in 2 oscillators to the inputs of the switch and then control it from the square out of an oscillator. When you do this with synched oscillators, you get some amazing new timbres'."

Buchla - New Flickr Shots

more from arrrika.

According to rick of electricmusicbox, "thats the buchla 406 ( keyboard equipted 400) from Cantos.. i know that instrument well as I spend alot of time at Cantos."

Cantos Synth Museum - New Flickr Set

Title link takes you to some absolutely stunning shots of the Cantos Synth Museum by arrrika.

That's a Synthi 100 to the left. Check out the colored knobs in the reflection.