Mike Pinder was the keyboard player and a founding member of The Moody Blues. Prior to that he worked on the manufacturing of the first Mellotrons in the UK. According to mellotronics.com, "Streetly Electronics are the original UK manufacturer of mellotrons and world experts in the instrument."
"Between 1962-63 Pinder worked for 18 months as an engineer at Streetly Electronics, in Streetly, Birmingham, a factory manufacturing the first models of Mellotron in the UK.
In May 1964 Pinder left Streetly Electronics to co-found The Moody Blues with Ray Thomas, Denny Laine, Clint Warwick and Graeme Edge."
His impact becomes clear when you read the following from Music of the Daze:
"This from my friend Nicklas Barker, guitarist, singer and composer from Swedish proggers Anekdoten. He is also a connoisseur of the Mellotron:
'Very sad, imagine if he had not started working at the Mellotron factory and done something else before joining The Moody Blues and introducing the glorious Mellotron string sound to a wider audience through Nights in White Satin. What would have happened then? No King Crimson? He was also friends with John Lennon and introduced the Mellotron to him. No Strawberry Fields? Mike Pinder was the first, and the impact of his use of the Mellotron changed music history. He was also the greatest Mellotron player ever. Just listen to Out and In from To Our Children’s Children’s Children. He was the wizard of the astral orchestra.'"
"Mike Pinder describes how the mellotron works in the fabulous 'Live at Isle of Wight Festival (1970)' You really should buy this DVD, it's not only a great documentary but a wonderful concert film as well. The sound is surprisingly good, you will enjoy it."
"Here's the Moody's live on French TV. You can really see/hear what Mike Pinder contributed to the sound of that band. Without him and the MK 2, they would have just been another guitar band. It's startling how much they sounded like the records live!"
The Moody Blues - Full Concert - French TV Special 1968 (Remastered)
"Audio and Video Remastered by BrunoSamppa - Support me on KO-FI http://ko-fi.com/brunosamppa
CHAVE PIX: brunovideopix@gmail.com
1. Tuesday Afternoon 00:01
2. Nights in White Satin 04:54
3. Legend of a Mind (Part 3) 09:36
4. Bye Bye Bird 12:42
5. Fly Me High 17:33
6. I've Got a Dream 24:12
7. A Beautiful Dream 27:36
8. Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood 31:49
9. Peak Hour 35:18
10. Nights in White Satin (Reprise) 41:38"
"Being a collection of interviews I shot at the London Synth & Pedal Expo '24, after they hired me to cover the event. The format was up to me. So I put the SAME two questions to industry folks at the show: 1️⃣ What is your favourite thing you sell? 2️⃣ What your favourite thing you DON'T sell?"
CHAPTERS
00:00 The Journey Begins
00:41 Divkid
02:44 Endorphines
03:53 Knobula
06:07 Lord Morts Thoughts
08:29 Nick Batt - Sonic State
11:29 Signal Sounds
14:35 ASM/Arturia
16:52 Scanner & Daniel Troberg
18:12 KMR Audio
19:51 ALM Busycircuits
24:05 RYK Modular
26:14 Enjoy Electronics
27:41 Erica Synths
29:04 PWM Synths
31:08 Journey's End
Good people make for good events and good gear, so lets meet them // London Synth & Pedal Expo 2024
"What an amazing weekend we've just had! Here's a video with some of the people at the London Synth & Pedal Expo 2024. Held over this past weekend (Saturday and Sunday the 16th+17th of March 2024) in Studio 9294 in Hackney Wick, the London Synth & Pedal Expo is a free to attend show with plenty of synths, modular and pedal FX on show for people to come and play with.
As it takes good people to make good events (and the good gear we love) I wanted to focus on the people, asking who they are and what they do, more specifically how would they explain what they do to someone with no idea about synths, pedals and music tech. That led to some funny answers, all spread around various bits of b roll and footage from the event."
Well this looks pretty interesting - you can patch 'The Map Is Not The Territoire' matrix mixer using magnets
LondonSXPO-24 Knobula: Pianophonic updates
Jason from Knobula had some firmware updates to the rather impressive 'Pianophonic' module, plus a shiny new mirrored faceplate for 'Kickain'
LondonSXPO-24 Enjoy Electronics GODFATHER rides again
Martin from Enjoy Electronics, makers of The GODFATHER demonstrated the latest updates to Nick
LondonSXPO-24 Rides In The Storm: BOC module
Uwe George from Rides In The Storm runs us through the new BOC module
LondonSXPO-24 Gamechanger Plasma Voice Modules
Last time we caught up with Ilya from Gamechanger Audio he was in our studio showing us the MotorSynth - the Plasma Voice Modules were almost ready, but not quite finished.
At the show we were able to see - and hear them for the first time, and get another quick peek at the new pedal too.
LondonSXPO-24 Erica Synths: BullFrog Accessories
It's always a pleasure to see Ģirts at a show, and here he was showing some updates and accessories for the education oriented Bull Frog synth
LondonSXPO-24 PWM: Latest on MANTIS Quad Mode
Always interesing hearing what Paul has been up to with his Malevolent and Mantis models - news is that Mantis is about to ship, and has some interesting new updates to the 'Quad' mode
LondonSXPO-24 Z-RAY: Wireless Lights in a briefcase
This is right up our street - cool portable battery powered wireless stage lights - oh yeah!
Dominik had a briefcase full of prototypes for his latest project - to find out more, head to his website at thinkrad.io
LondonSXPO-24 Joranalogue Dim 2 is quite bright actually
In a slightly confusing naming incident, Joranalogue decided to call the latest module 'Dim 2'' - and it is definitely not dim at all. Quite the opposite ;-]
LondonSXPO-24 Apollo View: Rabbit Hole +more
Can't recall coming across Apollo View before, but Jon-Mark was showing some lovely looking modules including the Rabbit Hole - we took a look
LondonSXPO-24 Bastl Intruments channel The Matrix with Neo-Trinity?
Okay, tell me someone hasn't been watching re-runs of The Matrix
... Neo...Trinity..
come on, surely? ;-]
LondonSXPO-24 Vertice Analogue Filterbank from Euterpe
Stefano reckons you should spend a month with his rather splendid 'Vertice' filterbank - a beautiful if brutal instrument. And if his smiles are anything to go by, it should be a fun time :-]
"Tornano a Torino anche gli ingegneri di @enjoyelectronics6070 che avevamo conosciuto con Reminder nel 2019 e che ora sono campioni di incassi con l'effetto 'Godfather', fonte inesauribile di effetti e modulazioni!
LINKS ENJOY ELECTRONICS su Soundmit: https://soundmit.com/en/exhibitor/enj... ENJOY ELECTRONICS https://www.enjoy-lab.com/
"The engineers from @enjoyelectronics6070, whom we had met with Reminder in 2019, are also returning to Turin. They are now champions of revenue with the 'Godfather' effect, an inexhaustible source of effects and modulations!
Les ingénieurs de @enjoyelectronics6070, que nous avions rencontrés avec Reminder en 2019, reviennent également à Turin. Ils sont désormais les champions des recettes avec l'effet 'Parrain', une source inépuisable d'effets et de modulations !
También regresan a Turín los ingenieros de @enjoyelectronics6070, a quienes conocimos con Reminder en 2019 y que ahora son campeones de ingresos con el efecto 'El Padrino', una fuente inagotable de efectos y modulaciones.
Si ringraziano per il video @pvmlab6423 - Max Esposito e Gabriele Guarnieri #soundmit #enjoylab #godfather #synthesizers #modularsynth #torino"
50 New Custom Sounds for the Modal Cobalt 8, a very interesting and unique sounding little synth this one, capable of some fantastic modulations and complex sequence parameters.
a bank of 50 playable, production ready sounds for you to enjoy!
"The SoundForce SFC-OB is a class-compliant boutique USB MIDI controller dedicated to OB-style synth plugins.
Features With 37 rotary pots, 41 switches and 45 LEDs, you can finally control your virtual instrument in an instinctive and fun way. Create better synth sounds easier and improve your overall experience. A couple of extra “USER” controls are available to be freely assigned to additional parameters, for example Reverb size, Delay time, DAW FX sends levels. etc… The controller sends out standard MIDI cc messages and can be used with any software that is MIDI-mappable. A web-based control panel app allows the user to change the cc messages number for each control, change the MIDI channel and load the different plugin modes.
Plugin modes Although the controller can be used with any software that can be mapped to MIDI CC messages, the SFC-OB has been specifically designed to work with the most popular OB-style synth plugins. Set the controller to the right plugin mode using the control panel. This will ensure that every switch on the SFC-OB is fitting the plugin used as well as possible. For more information, please check out the manual on the support page.
Build quality The controller is assembled in The Netherlands with parts from Europe and Asia. It is built to last and withstand intense usage on tour and in the studio. SoundForce has an excellent track record for its controller line, with many units built and very little registered issues and repairs. The enclosure is made of 100% sheet metal and is manufactured by Grawart (http://www.grawart.pl). The case is made of bent steel and powder coated in black. The front panel is aluminum, also powder coated and screen printed with scratch-proof white and blue ink. Walnut wood side panels of 8mm thickness are fitted to both sides of the controller. On the electronics and firmware side, the controller is powered by the same STM32 Cortex-M micro-controller platform used successfully in previous products, insuring a very high level of compatibility with different computers and DAWs. The devices have been even used successfully with iPads.
2-way/1-way communication As with previous controllers, users can enjoy 2-way integration using the latest Arturia OP-Xa V. This means that the controller interface can be updated when presets are changed in the plugin, when plugin instances are switched or even manually on demand. The controller even accounts for discrepancies between a plugin pot-position and a controller pot-position, and implements pick-up or smoothing modes to avoid juming values. This allows for an improved and tighthly integrated workflow. Other traditional 1-way MIDI CC mapping is available for the brand new GForce OB-X, SonicProjects OP-X PRO-II, DiscoDSP OB-Xd and Synapse Obsession. Those modes, even though more limited, still offer a fantastic new hands-on experience for virtual synth users.
Pricing and Availability The SFC-OB is available on the SoundForce webshop for 399 euros incl VAT (exact price will depend on your local VAT %) in the EU and 329 euros for customers outside the EU. Perfect Circuit will be distributing the SFC-OB in the US, Signal Sounds in the UK, Cicada Sound in Canada and Dupertuis in Switzerland. Please get in touch with your local distributor for pre-ordering/ordering and pricing information."
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Update: The listing has the FAEMI-M as being from 1968. It seemed a little early to me so I checked my copy of Peter Forest's The A-Z of Analogue Synthesisers. It's listed but without a production date. Right before the entry for the FAEMI-M is the FAEMI children's keyboard which was released in 1972. I then checked http://www.ruskeys.net, but no date is given either. Previous posts refer to the FAEMI-M being from the 1970s. Sound on Sound's article on the Polivoks mentions the FAEMI-M but w/o a date. If anyone defininitively knows, feel free to leave a comment. A couple of interesting comments from that Sound on Sound article:
"The Polivoks is a duophonic synthesizer designed by Vladimir Kuzmin, an electronics engineer who had been the bass player and sound engineer in his student band. Having graduated in 1976, he was inspired to apply for work at the Urals Vector Company by the inventor of the FAEMI, the first commercially successful Russian electronic keyboard. That man was Vladimir Lugovetz, the Director of the bureau that controlled development of electronic instruments at the Vector company, and the father of Kuzmin's future wife."
Followed by "Interviewed by Polish synthesizer enthusiast and supplier Maciej Polak, in 2003, Kuzmin explained: "My first task was to design the spring reverberator, but I also tried to improve the design of FAEMI‑M in order to obtain some modern effects such as portamento and filtering."
Auction details:
"So, the good news: All four oscillator generators are working; I have cleaned the potentiometers, and only one couldn't be fixed, and just one is slightly crackling on movement. I replaced the output jacks with the standard 1/4" jack.
Things I couldn't fix: The vibrato section is not working. Several keys are not working at all, and some of them work when pressed harder.
The external original power supply is unusual – it is combined with the scale pedal in one housing. The pedal works, but it also has a slight crackle on movement.
To see and understand the objective condition, I recorded a video. Please watch below, where I aim to show the specific condition of the device. Despite the problems, it is still alive, and I believe you can either repair, sample, or simply enjoy the time with such an old and unusual synthesizer, even in its current state. Of course, due to these reasons, I have also objectively reduced the price.
The package is fully loaded: synthesizer, original power supply/volume pedal, original 5-Din cable to connect the pedal to the synth, power cable for the power supply, original wooden hard case
Here is some official spoecifications:
Specifications:
Keyboard volume - 4 octaves.
Full sound range (all the registers are switched on) - from F in the controctave to E in the fifth octave.
Output voltage at the load of 100 kOhm - not less than 0.1 V.
Power supply: -from an external DC source - 12 V +10\-20 %;
Power consumption from AC mains - not more than 15 W.
Current consumed from the battery of dry elements - 350 mA.
Modbap Modular announces availability of Osiris WavPak Volume 3, carefully crafted by Chris Meyer to integrate seamlessly with Eurorack module namesake
LOS ANGELES, CA, USA: Modbap Modular is proud to announce availability of Osiris WavPak Volume 3 — carefully crafted by Learning Modular’s Chris Meyer to integrate seamlessly with the black-owned electronic music instrument manufacturer’s own Osiris BI-FIDELITY WAVETABLE OSC (originally introduced to a captive audience at Knobcon Number Nine, Hyatt Regency Schaumburg, IL, USA, September 10-12, 2021), providing four banks of all-new custom 32 x 32 wavetables which have been meticulously curated and designed to expand anyone’s approach to wavetable synthesis using its Eurorack module namesake — as of November 2…
As the owner of Learning Modular, an online resource to help anyone master their modular synthesizer, Chris Meyer is perfectly positioned to help expand anyone’s approach to wavetable synthesis using Modbap Modular’s Osiris, operating powerfully in and of itself as a (frequency modulation- and phase modulation-including) seven-plus TIMBRE MODE 12HP BI-FIDELITYTM WAVETABLE OSC (oscillator) module, neatly-packed with an independent sub-oscillator, LOFI processing, extensive CV (control voltage) modulation capabilities, a PITCH quantiser, four banks of 32 x 32 wavetables, the ability to load user wavetables via Micro SD card (not included), and its own free open-source wavetable editor (OsirisEdit). After all, Chris Meyer is the talented individual responsible for creating the-then-trailblazing Vector Synthesis technology behind the 1986-vintage Prophet VS DIGITAL VECTOR SYNTHESIZER, supposedly intended to revive the flagging fortunes of US synth ‘giant’ Sequential for whom he worked in an engineering role. Subsequent stints at Digidesign, Music Maker Publications, and Tom Oberheim’s Marion Systems soon ensued, before becoming the Chief Engineer at the now-defunct Roland R&D US while serving also as Technical Chairman of the MIDI Manufacturer’s Association. A transition into the video and film industries followed thereafter as his storied career continued, coming full circle to ultimately end up where he originally started — playing with modular synthesizers.
Duly derived from Chris Meyer’s sizeable studio modular synthesizer — affectionately called The Monster, the four banks of all-new custom 32 x 32 wavetables included in Osiris WavPak Volume 3 are a result of undergoing a meticulous sampling process drawing upon the talents of one of the industry’s leading experts to offer Osiris owners a wide range of timbral possibilities catering to different sonic aesthetics: BANK A — otherwise known as the ‘East Coast’ bank — features wavetables that have been carefully crafted as a result of working with Livewire Electronics AFG’s Animated Pulses and Alien Saws waveforms, as well as Serge-filtered waveforms, using techniques such as audio rate waveform crossfading to offer a diverse palette of sounds, ranging from smooth and evolving textures to aggressive and cutting tones; BANK B — the ‘West Coast’ bank — incorporates techniques like Serge rectification, wave folding, and Serge resonant EQ, the resultinwavetables providing a more experimental and abstract sonic experience suited to those interested in pushing the boundaries of sound design and diving into harmonious tones and textures; BANK C — Formants — focuses on different vowel sounds with a sound design approach anchored around both digital and analogue formant filters for creating expressive vocal-like textures and tones that are ideal for adding a human touch to compositions or exploring more abstract and otherworldly sounds; and BANK D — Harmonics — utilises tube overdrive, filter banks inspired by both Buchla and Moog stylings, as well as featuring analogue and digital additive oscillators.
On the face of it, then, the results are all a testament to the expert craftsmanship involved in ensuring the highest-quality sound production possible. Put it this way: Osiris WavPak Volume 3’s four sound banks were sampled at 96kHz, perfectly aligning with the Osiris BI-FIDELITY WAVETABLE OSC module’s unique, high-quality 96kHz sample rate operation. Ultimately, users can enjoy pristine audio clarity, enabling exploration of full depth sonic landscapes.
Lending themselves a knowing nod in the direction of Chris Meyer’s trailblazing achievements, the X-axis in all the banks contain different waveforms, while the Y-axis introduces different harmonics for each X-wave; the harmonic series used in Osiris WavPak Volume 3 are: H1 (root up), H2 (one octave up), H3 (one octave, plus perfect fifth), H4 (two octaves up), H5 (two octaves, plus major third), H6 (two octaves, plus perfect fifth), and H8 (three octaves up). It is worth noting that in some cases — especially the filter banks, formant filters, and resonant EQ — the waveform also changes with ‘harmonic’ on the Y-axis, allowing for sculpting and refining patches with extraordinary detail thanks to this precise control over harmonic content. Modbap Modular encourages experimentation with different modulation sources patched to its Osiris BI-FIDELITY WAVETABLE OSC module’s WAVE Y to further enhance sonic explorations with the texture-rich Osiris WavPak Volume 3 — think velocity/accent from a sequencer or keyboard, a mod wheel, aftertouch, ribbon controller, or even a sample & hold triggered on each new note to create dynamic and evolving timbres that respond to playing style.
Watch Learning Modular’s Chris Meyer mentioning the-then-upcoming Osiris WavPak Volume 3 — while talking about Modbap Modular’s Osiris BI-FIDELITY WAVETABLE OSC module as a new way to wavetable — at Knobcon Number Eleven, Chicagoland, USA, September 8-10, 2023 here: https://youtu.be/tYkDT82wxx0
a NEW way to WAVETABLE! with Alias Zone & Osiris // Chris Meyer & ModBap at Knobcon 2023
"Chris Meyer of Learning Modular & Alias Zone has A NEW WAY TO WAVETABLE!
Chris has been working on a new X and Y based wavetable systems that does two fascinating things, firstly it "samples" his whole large studio system while keeping that performable and responsive in the ModBap Modular Osiris and secondly he's using harmonics and interval sets to create morphing tunings within those sounds too.
"Today I'll talk to you about one of my favorite eurorack module, the flagship from Verbos Electronics: the Harmonic Oscillator.
I've done this video at the demand of one of my former student at Les Escales Buissonnière. I hope you will enjoy watching it as much as I had fun doing it."
"4 track mixer, with delays, compression, filters, LFOs, reverb all put together in a very sexy little package. The Godfather from Enjoy Electronics fits the Moog Studio rack and complements the Mother32, DFAM and Subharmonicon perfectly.
In this I build a track from a simple arpeggio using all the main features piece by piece, which should give a good overall impression of how it all works, and what it all does.
"Had a shop visit from the talented @helenastndc all the way from Spain/Sweden yesterday! We had a great discussion about synthesizers, design/diy and education. She got a little time to patch on the lunchbox voice system prototype on my test bench. We didn’t get a chance to get a proper recording of it but I fired it up where she left it and grabbed this recording of it this morning. Just turned a couple of knobs during the recording to see what sonic journey it would take! Hope you enjoy! Headphones recommend for full fidelity!"
"https://critterandguitari.com/5-moons
5 Moons is a multi-track recorder! Write songs in loops or straight through like a tape recorder. Connect an instrument, record 5 tracks, then bounce down to start a new song with the bounce on the first track. 5 Moons is simple and immediate. You'll be making song after song after song..."
"5 Moons is a multitrack recorder. On one hand, it's a tool to record your creativity. Build up layers of tracks and enjoy crafting that perfect song or field recording.
On the other hand, it helps you create new sounds! Looping and bounce down functions open up new dimensions for your sound and fun ways for your tracks to interact with each other!
The unassuming wood enclosure draws you in, but hidden inside are high fidelity electronics designed for rich recordings. Its sleek user interface offers crisp control and ample room for sonic experimentation.
Easy Interface, Rapid Results
Get straight into recording - let your creativity flow.
5 Moons' simple interface is perfect for effortlessly building up many tracks.
The immediacy of 5 Moons means you'll be quickly experimenting and exploring the new ideas flying around your studio - watch out!
One Shot or Loop?
Create evolving jazz loops and/or a 3-chord pop song.
5 Moons is happy to acommodate recording a song with a beginning and end or a looping vibe - it's all in how you decide to play back your tracks.
You'll probably do both!
Bounce with Me
Build up your song with more tracks.
At first glance, you might think 5 Moons 'only' has five tracks. But once you bounce down those five tracks to the first track of a new song, you'll have 4 more tracks to add to it!
Once those four new tracks have audio, bounce down again and you'll have another four new more tracks to play with! ...and on and on until your masterpiece is complete.
File Freedom
Disk Mode makes it easy to transfer files to your DAW.
The USB-C port is used for both power and data transfer. Connect to your computer and copy your recordings for posterity and/or additional editing.
You can also copy existing audio files onto 5 Moons. Use these files as the beginnings of new songs or use 5 Moons' interface as a way to reenvision and remix your prior tracks!"
"Original vintage 70’s EML Electrocomp 500 analog synthesizer in excellent playing condition!
This fine example has just been fully serviced, recapped, calibrated, and is ready for another 50 years of weirdness!
For the uninitiated, these old EML machines are beasts! They were designed for possibilities, rather than performance, and can get really, REALLY far out in terms of sound creation, and experimentation. Sure, you can make leads and basses, and classic Moog/ arp sounds, but you can also go deeeeep. This one was actually used in a high school science lab to teach electronics and synthesis, and still has the school name, and serial inscribed on the walnut side panel!
Playlist:
Stoel Music Systems Vacuum Tube Ring Mod Introduction
Stoel Music Systems 2044 Eurorack Filter Demo - No Audio Effects
Stoel Music Systems 2044 Eurorack Analog Filter Demo
Stoel Music Systems Spring Reverb Eurorack Module
Generative Music on Eurorack Modular Synth - Session 1
Stoel Music Systems Standard Voltage Controlled Oscillator for Eurorack Modular
Stoel Music Systems Discrete Filter Eurorack Module
"My philosophy is to make beautiful, long-lasting instruments with musically functional user interfaces that will become heirlooms for future generations of music makers. I enjoy a day of soldering and prototyping in my workshop as much as a day in the studio immersed in sound.
I started tinkering with electronics and designing sound effects for school plays when I was a teenager. During high school, I worked hard to be able to buy a Juno 106, an Oberheim Matrix 1000, and an Akai sampler. Then, I studied electronic music and audio for film and video in college. I also started modifying organs and keyboards and learning how they worked. This led to starting a musical instrument parts and repair business I operated for over ten years.
In the back of my mind, I dreamed of designing synthesizers and effects processors. After moving on from the parts and repair business, I was hospitalized and nearly lost my life to COVID. During my recovery, I looked through all the designs and ideas I had accumulated for twenty years and decided it was time to begin making my ideas a reality.
The Vacuum Tube Ring Mod is our most popular module, and the one I patch in the most. It has more harmonics and edgy character than a typical solid state ring modulator. It is built using full-sized vintage vacuum tubes, ceramic tube sockets, and audio transformers. The look and feel was really important to me so it has a high-gloss aluminum front panel with a raised texture and UV-cured digital printing.
Every month we give away a free Eurorack module to one of our newsletter subscribers. We’ve given away Vacuum Tube Ring Mods, VCOs, Dual Morphing LFOs, and other fun modules. Worldwide shipping is included. You can sign up at https://www.stoelmusicsystems.com."
