Wanna see Gershon Kingsley's Moog used at the First Moog Quartet's premiere Carnegie Hall concert?

video upload by EMEAPP

"Wanna see Gershon Kingsley's Moog used at the First Moog Quartet's premiere Carnegie Hall concert? Check out this quick video that tells the story of this innovative electronic music pioneer and one of his most influential performances.

Archival photos Courtesy of The Bob Moog Foundation archive."

Popcorn (Gershon Kingsley) -Variation Live on a DIY Analog-Modular System

video upload by Andreas Remshagen

"This is probably the thousandth version of Popcorn, but it's somehow also a must for analog synth freaks like me. It's played live and runs partly via Midi to CV/Gate and partly via analogue sequencer. I described the devices i used in the video. Have fun :)"

The first recording with Minimoog synthesizer - Sun Ra – ‘My Brother The Wind’ (1970)

video upload by George Greene

"The first recording with Minimoog synthesizer (Model B prototype) - Sun Ra And His Astro Infinity Arkestra – ‘My Brother The Wind’ (1970)

In 1969, Sun Ra had recorded on Moog Modular synthesizer at the New York midtown studio of Gershon Kingsley. Those recordings were issued on My Brother the Wind, Vol. 1 (although it was not titled 'Vol. 1'— it only achieved that reference after 'Vol. 2' appeared). The following year, drummer Tommy Hunter arranged a meeting between Sun Ra and synth pioneer Robert Moog in upstate Trumansburg, New York. Bob and his crew were testing prototypes of the Minimoog at that time, inviting Sun Ra to explore its sounds. A recording of this test session was made and, although not originally intended for commercial release, partly released many years later in 1992 (My Brother the Wind, Vol. 2, CD tracks 7-11: The Wind Speaks, Sun Thoughts, Journey to the Stars, World of the Myth 'I', The Design - Cosmos II). But more significantly, it was during this visit that Moog loaned Sun Ra a prototype Minimoog (Model B), several months before the commercial instrument (Model D) was introduced in March 1970. Ra immediately added the instrument to his repertoire of keyboards, later acquired a second, and featured the Minimoog prominently on many of his recordings of the early 1970s. Sun Ra sometimes played two Minimoogs at the same time to achieve a duophonic synthesizer sound.

#ElectronicMusic #SunRa #Minimoog #MyBrotherTheWind #BobMoog #Synthesizer

All rights belong to their respective owners."

You can find dditional posts mentioning Sun Ra and the Minimoog here.

You can find Sun Ra – ‘My Brother The Wind’ on Amazon here.

Found this one updating this old post, after posting AutomaticGainsay's The History of the Minimoog Prototypes. Down the rabbit hole I went...

1969 R.A. Moog 1p Modular Synthesizer System

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"This modular system is synthesizer history!! It came from a local university that sold it in auction. It looks to be well taken care of, and dust was really the only thing to clean up. These Moog cabinets were made in 1969, as can be seen on the back of the modules, that was written in by hand. Due to the painted markings on the front of one of the lids, and the pasted paper on the inside of another lid, I have to believe that this was once Gershon Kingsley's system, or at least it was in his studio in New York. I cannot confirm nor deny the truth of that assumption, but super cool! I put a picture up from a New York Times article about him. In any case, there are no cables of any kind. And I know the power supply should be rebuilt before anything. This could be a perfectly working modular system, or it may need some work. By the looks of it, it shouldn't be too far off from rocking. I am not a technician though. There is a green switch missing, a hinge connector is missing on one lid, and both handles are missing from the tops of the cabinets. All can be seen in the pictures."

Also see Rick Powell's 1969 RA Moog 1p/2p Modular. Note the different modules. This is a different system.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Gershon Kingsley - Popcorn (cover, Syntaxis uModules demo)

Krzychu1995

"!!! available at syntaxis.com.pl !!!
Last time I showed some sounds from Syntaxis micromodules system. Now it's time for more musical demonstration. Very old and overused track, but it's great for presenting capabilities of our synth.

Every sound, except drums comes from synth in the same configuration as in the second demo from my channel."

"micromodular starter kit

This is a set of components for building a basic but complete analog synthesizer on a breadboard. Although it might not have professional look, you will be surprised with its professional sound.

The kit includes:

μPSU·112·A power supply unit
μVCO·3340·A micromodule
μVCF·3320·LP4·A micromodule
μVCA·3360·LIN·A micromodule
μADSR·3310·A micromodule
μLFO·3340·A micromodule
a breadboard, 3x3 units (3 x EIC-16020, 6 x EIC-16010), E.I.C, Taiwan
jumper wires 340 pcs, Wisher, Taiwan
20 potentiometers B10k(*), Alpha, Taiwan
rotary switch, 3 positions, Alpha, Taiwan (VCO wave selection)
rotary switch, 4 positions, Alpha, Taiwan (LFO wave selection)
3 breadboard connectable 3.5mm jack mono sockets
6 connection wires (power connection)
laptop charger, 20V, 3A with 2.5/5.5 plug
2.5/5.5 DC socket with spring contacts
connection diagram

CLICK FOR MORE »

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone, or rather, Happy New Decade!

I want to thank everyone who visits the site, supporting members, and the sponsors you see above and to the right. You all make this site possible. So, thank you! I am humbled and grateful every day. The site will be going 15 years strong in 2020. Since then there has only been one single day w/o a post when I had no idea there would be something to post every single day. Every single post has gone up by hand, so the support is more than appreciated.

In 2019 we had a total of 13,069 posts. That comes out to an average of 35.81 posts a day, all by hand. We had 819 products new to the site, including 112 new makers, and 64 older items never featured before. You can find a breakdown of some categories here.

In 2019 we lost the following people: Alan R. Pearlman, Mark Hollis, Mike McGrath of Muff Wiggler, Philippe Zdar of Cassius, John Blacet, Carl Matthews, and Gershon Kingsley. I keep hoping for a year we do not lose anyone. These are always the hardest posts to put up for so many reasons. They never feel good enough.

---

That said, synth history continues to be made and I hope to be able to continue to capture it here on MATRIXSYNTH. The good and the bad...

I'm going to keep this post relatively short this year. I'm guessing most of you reading it are daily visitors and are more than familiar with what has, and continues to go up throughout the year. Know as long as posts go up, I am always here and I will always be a daily constant for you as long as I am able. I hope the site brings some pleasure in your daily routine. Consider the site family, but one that hopefully doesn't bother you too much. :) But don't worry, aside from the occasional post like this one, I do my best to stay out of posts, and let the content speak for itself.

Thank you for all the support! You have no idea how much it truly means. I do exist, and you all help keep me and the site moving forward.

Happy New Year everyone! Happy New Decade! :)

cheers,
matrix

Gershon Kingsley [Episode 210]

Published on Dec 26, 2019 CatSynth TV

"We discuss the life and work of Gershon Kingsley, who passed away on December 10, 2019.

Kingsley is perhaps best known for his 1968 synth-pop tune Popcorn, which has been covered many times. However, he had quite a varied career as an electronic musician, with a variety of styles as the founder of The First Moog Quartet, and also as the composer of many modernist works exploring Jewish identity and liturgy."

---

Also see Gershon Kingsley Has Passed Away

Custom JMT UNVO-1 (Drone)

Published on Dec 15, 2019 Kris Lennox

"- EDIT TO ADD - I just heard that Gershon Kingsley passed away. Sad to hear; I spoke to Gershon a number of times last year in relation to his piano music (Gershon improvised at piano, so no scores existed; I was transcriber for his works). The transcription project remained unfinished/my contact was with Gershon directly, so if Gershon's publishers happen across this and are looking to speak RE his scores, they can drop me a line via my email (krislennoxpiano@gmail.com). I've posted one of his score samples here for verification - https://imgur.com/a/EDDcwcf

In any instance, all best to his family.

To the video at hand:

A short while back I was working on quite a large-scale/major project that required copious quantities of noise; possibly the finest noise synth presently on the market (with the most diverse range of noise-based sounds) is the JMT UNVO-1. I contacted Tetsuji and asked him if he'd build me a custom/modified model, which is what you are seeing here.

Great instrument. Very powerful oscillators. I'll upload some videos demonstrating the 'noise' side of the UNVO-1 (in context with other instruments etc), but the included is possibly more accessible as a first listen/introduction to the instrument.

Tetsuji's instruments are quite impeccable - and his attention to detail is on another level. Granted, the uses of an instrument such as this are relatively limited, but if you're working on a noise-based sound design project, it is a no-brainer.

I asked Tetsuji to build the case in olive drab, as when used as a noise synth, it is distinctly reminiscent of an old military radio (pure noise through to squelch sounds etc). Tetsuji agreed that the aesthetic works well for the synth.

I also suggested he take some photos from during the build phase: he sent a few through, and I also have a selection of the innards that I took when the synth arrived. Once I have it ready, I'll upload a small article/include a link. In the meantime, here's a link to Tetsuji's website where you can see my custom order - https://www.jmtsynth.com/single-post/...

I picked up a few instruments for the project; some off-the-shelf, others custom-built. In the new year I'll probably add a few here on YT.

Best
Kris"

JMT UNVO-1 posts

Gershon Kingsley Has Passed Away

Gershon Kingsley- Music to Moog by, full LP (1969) Published on Feb 8, 2015 Gershon Kingsley


Gershon Kingsley - Popcorn

Published on Jun 16, 2007 sometest353

"The Original Popcorn Video cuz i didn't found it on youtube."

This one was sent my way via Joshua Shroyer.

Via user Peake on Muffs

https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/obituary/8546355/gershon-kingsley-dead

Bettmann/Getty Images
Gershon Kingsley demonstrates a Moog Synthesizer on Aug. 25, 1969.

via Billboard where you'll find the full article:

"Composer, conductor and electronic music pioneer Gershon Kingsley, who wrote the top 10 hit “Popcorn” and played a pivotal role in popularizing the synthesizer sound, died Dec. 10 in New York. He was 97.

The Emmy Award-winning composer recorded 'Popcorn' in 1969, but it was a remake by Hot Butter that reached No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1972, and No. 1 in at least six other countries. In 2005, Crazy Frog released its version, with the song again going to No. 1 in a number of countries. In 2018, Kingsley released a yellow vinyl 12” of his trademark song for Record Store Day.

Kingsley, who also composed 'Baroque Hoedown,' the theme song for Disney parks’ Main Street Electrical Parade, was born in Germany in 1922. He came to New York in 1946 and then attended the LA Conservatory of Music..."

You can find previous posts featuring Gershon Kingsley here. One of my favorites growing up in Los Angeles and going to Disneyland as a kid (as well as an adult during NAMM :), was Baroque Hoedown with Jean-Jacques Perrey.

Thank you for the memories Gershon Kingsley, they literally lasted a lifetime. You made the world a better place for so many.

Baroque Hoedown 1967-2015

Published on Mar 8, 2017 Macro Magic

"The original Baroque Hoedown plus all variations used in the American Disney theme parks. Tracks used:

Baroque Howdown- Jean-Jacques Perrey and Gershon Kingsley (1967)

The Main Street Electrical Parade Soundtrack: Disneyland (1977-1996) Magic Kingdom (1977-1991) (1999-2001) Tokyo Disneyland (1985-1995) Disneyland Paris (1992-2003) Disney's California Adventure (2001-2010)

Disney's Electrical Parade/Dreamlights: Tokyo Disneyland (2001- present) Magic Kingdom (2010-2016) Disneyland (2017)

Paint the Night Parade: Hong Kong Disneyland (2014-present) Disneyland (2015-2016)

No audio owned by me. All rights go to their respective owners.
Enjoy!"

PhatOne - New DIY Programmable Mono Rack Synth Based on AS33xx and Arduino

DIY Synthesizer - PhatOne Demo (AS33xx and Arduino based) Published on Apr 28, 2019 Krzychu1995

English description below
==========================
Mam przyjemność zaprezentować instrument PhatOne - monofoniczny, programowalny syntezator w formacie rack 19" 1U. Sterowanie odbywa się za pomocą kilku przycisków na panelu wraz z 2 enkoderami (konfiguracja, edycja presetów i ich zapis). Moduł zbudowany jest w oparciu o układy serii AS33xx firmy Alfa z Łotwy, w części cyfrowej znajdują się dwa układy ATmega 328P-PU zaprogramowane w środowisku Arduino (łącznie ok 2000 linii kodu). Zastosowanie mikrokontrolerów umożliwiło ponadto pozbycie się sprzętowych generatorów modulacji (ADSR i LFO), co znacząco wpłynęło na koszt instrumentu.

Parametry:
-2x 3340 VCO TRIANGLE, SAW, PULSE/SQUARE
-1X 3320 VCF (OPARTY NA OBWODZIE Z PROPHETA 5)
-2X ADSR (ZREALIZOWANE W SOFTWARE)
-2X LFO (ZREALIZOWANE W SOFTWARE)
-MATRYCA MODULACJI 4 SLOTY (SOFTWARE)
-MODULACJA FM VCO1 - VCO2
-128 MIEJSC W PAMIĘCI

==========================

I am pleased to present PhatOne instrument - monophonic, programmable synthesizer in rack 19" 1U format. For steering purposes there are several buttons on panel and 2 encoders (configuration, preset edit and saving). Module is basen on AS33xx IC produced by Alfa in Latvia, in digital part there are two ATmega328P-PU chips programmed in Arduino environment (around 2000 lines of code). Employment of microcontrollers made possible to get rid of hardware modulation sources (ADSR, LFO). Thanks to this costs are lower.

Parameters:
-2x 3340 VCO TRIANGLE, SAW, PULSE/SQUARE
-1X 3320 VCF (BASED ON PROPHET 5)
-2X ADSR (MADE IN SOFTWARE)
-2X LFO (MADE IN SOFTWARE)
-MODULATION MATRIX 4 SLOTS (SOFTWARE)
-FM MODULATION VCO1 - VCO2
-128 MEMORY LOCATIONS

And two previous development videos:

DIY Monophonic Synth Demo

Published on Oct 14, 2018 Krzychu1995

Gershon Kingsley - Popcorn (cover) [SYNTH DEMO]

Published on Dec 31, 2018 Krzychu1995

"For the end of year - short demo of my DIY synth. It played bassline and lead. Rest of arrangement done on Arturia Minimoog and Microbrute."

Popcorn by Gershon Kingsley on the Moog One synthesizer (vintage 1971 Moog version)

Published on Nov 16, 2018 Sean Christopher - Evoking Emotion Through Music

"I thought that I would recreate the 1971 vintage version of Gershon Kingsley's popular synth piece, Popcorn with the Moog One synthesizer. Composer Gershon Kingsley first recorded "Popcorn" for his 1969 album Music to Moog By. In 1971 the track was re-recorded by Kingsley's band First Moog Quartet. The record was one of a rash of Moog synthesizer-based releases, following the Billboard pop Top 40 chart success Walter Carlos had in 1968 with Switched-On Bach, and which characterized electronic music of the future."

Irene Cara's ''Fame'' 16th-note sequence

Published on Sep 2, 2017 SynthMania

"Viewer request: 16th synth pattern from Irene Cara's ''Fame'' song. I couldn't find much information on the synth used, other than the synth player in this song is Ken Bichel, a very famous NY keyboard session player: and I've seen photos of his ARP 2600, but was also in Gershon Kingsley's First Moog Quartet, so could also be a Moog or other synth:
"Bichel attended the Juilliard School where he graduated with a master's degree in piano performance in 1969. While at Juilliard he met Gershon Kingsley and Robert Moog, the inventor of the music synthesizer. He became a founding member of Kingsley's First Moog Quartet, a live performance synthesizer ensemble, and was recognized as the preeminent synthesizer authority in the New York recording industry from that time on" - http://www.kenbichel.com/Welcome.html"

Jean-Jacques Perrey et son Ondioline - New Release Produced by Wally De Backer aka Gotye

Readers of the site should all be familiar with Jean-Jacques Perrey's work. His preferred instrument was the Ondioline. As many of you know, Jean-Jacques Perrey passed away on November 4th of last year. I was actually fortunate enough to see him perform live with Dana Countryman for his 2006 tour.

Wally De Backer aka Gotye has produced Jean-Jacques Perrey et son Ondioline, an archival project featuring Jean-Jacques Perrey's early music with the Ondioline. The release features previously unreleased and rare tracks both on vinyl and digital download.

via Wally De Backer: "I got to know JJ in the years before he passed and this is a labour of love I undertook to pay tribute to his incredible work, specifically with the remarkable Ondioline."

You can read a great article on the Ondioline, Jeen-Jacques Perrey, Wally De Backer and the release at The New Yorker here.

The following are the official details for the release:

"Out on Forgotten Futures on LP/digital

- Never-before-released Ondioline cuts from Jean
- Jacques Perrey’s archive.
- Super rare tracks from early private press releases.
- Meticulously restored and remastered from original sources.
- Includes collaborations with Angelo Badalamenti and Billy Goldenberg.
- 36-page booklet with unreleased archival photos and an essay by Simon Reynolds.
- Compilation curated and produced by Wally De Backer (Gotye)

Jean-Jacques Perrey (1929-2016) was a pioneer of electronic pop music celebrated for his uniquely whimsical sampled soundworld, his groundbreaking style of rhythmic tape editing, and his early use of the Moog modular synthesizer.

From seminal instrumental albums such as The In Sound From Way Out! (1965, with collaborator Gershon Kingsley), to Moog Indigo (1970, featuring the classic cut E.V.A.), Perrey’s inimitable sounds have been sampled by everyone from Fat Boy Slim and Gang Starr to Disneyland’s Main Street Electrical Parade!

Not as celebrated or widely known is the fact that Perrey was the world’s only virtuoso of the Ondioline, the remarkable proto-synthesizer developed by Frenchman Georges Jenny in the 1940s.

Jean-Jacques Perrey et son Ondioline focuses on this early period of Perrey’s musical life, when he traveled the world as the Ondioline’s prime demonstrator, began experimenting with multitrack recording technology, and made demo recordings designed to exalt the Ondioline’s incredible array of sounds and effects.

The compilation features never-before released collaborations with Angelo Badalamenti (Twin Peaks, the films of David Lynch) and Billy Goldenberg (Steven Spielberg’s Duel, Columbo) as well as a collaboration with Dick Hyman which delivers the only piece of music composed by Ondioline inventor Georges Jenny currently on record.

Further gems include a sparkling early version of the beloved Pioneers of the Stars, given a stirring Ennio Morricone-esque arrangement here, as well as choice selections from Musique Electronique du Cosmos, the highly collectible album of library music Perrey recorded in 1963.

Ondioline enthusiasts will be excited to hear a super rare extended demonstration of the instrument, recorded by Perrey in the early 1960s, which also receives its first commercial release on this compilation.

A must for dedicated fans, and a vibrant introduction for new listeners to Perrey’s wonderfully individual style of music, Jean-Jacques Perrey et son Ondioline canvasses his unparalleled mastery of the Ondioline, points towards the exuberance of his later sample and Moog-heavy work, and importantly, illuminates a reflective and melancholy side to his recorded work that expands on his already considerable achievements.

Curated by long-time Perrey fan and recent collaborator Wally De Backer (Gotye), this is the first release on Forgotten Futures, a new record label set up by De Backer to excavate lost works by pioneering producers and musical instrument inventors. De Backer got to know Perrey over the last few years of his life, visiting him a number of times at his home in Switzerland, and coordinating the archiving of his recordings, photos and music scores. Perrey mentored De Backer in the restoration and playing of Ondiolines, and through their developing connection over this instrument, Perrey entrusted De Backer with a number of the rare masters and one-of-a-kind test pressings of Ondioline recordings that form the basis of this compilation.

Tracks:1. La Vache et le Prisonnier 2. Visa to the Stars (commercial arrangement) 3. Chicken on the Rocks4. Danielle of Amsterdam 5. Cigale 6. L'âme des Poètes 7. Dandelion Wine 8. Barnyard In Orbit9. Sérénade à la Mule 10. Mars Reflector 11. Pioneers of the Stars (orchestral arrangement)12. to 38. Ondioline demonstration from Satellite Records acetates"

https://jean-jacquesperrey.bandcamp.com/

Photograph by Anna Webber

via The New Yorker:

"Wouter De Backer, known as Gotye, has a keen understanding of the electronic musician Jean-Jacques Perrey’s discography, and of the nuances it contains."

RIP Jean-Jacques Perrey 1929-2016

The image to the left may be a little blurry, but it comes from the one time I actually got to see Jean-Jacques Perrey live with Dana Countryman, back in 2006. I took that photo. That was one of the rare times I could sum up an experience in one word: magical. Well maybe two: magical, and joyful. That may sound cliche to some, but it is 100% accurate, and I do have to say, with the absolute upmost respect, Jean-Jacques Perrey (and Dana Countryman) put on one of the funnest shows I've been too. The man brought absolute joy to life. When I was a kid I had no idea I was listening to his tunes while watching Disneland's Main Street Electrical parade! He was a pioneer of electronic music that brought humor and playfulness to his music throughout his career. I still remember his pet elephant (you'll need to go through numerous posts here on MATRIXSYNTH to find it. :) As you'll see his presence influenced many posts here on MATRIXSYNTH over the years. His main instrument was the Ondes Martenot.

Image credit: Mal Meehan, in via Dana Countryman, who had the following to say (Update: you can find his full words here - do take the time to read it for a fascinating bit of synth history):

"My dear friend and mentor Jean Jacques Perrey passed away today, November 4th, 2016. His illness came on quickly, and he did not suffer long, for which I’m happy. I’m extremely sad that I’ll never see him again, but I have been playing some of his happiest music today, and it immediately cheered me up. I know that’s what he would want --- for everyone to be happy, and not to be sad."

He will be missed, but his music and memories will continue to bring joy to people for years to come. He brought so much joy to the world. Thank you Jean-Jacques Perrey!

Update: Dana Countryman wrote a longer piece on Jean-Jacques Perrey here. Do take the time to read it. From that piece:

"For those who don’t realize it, Jean-Jacques rst started recording electronic music in 1952, long before the Moog synthesizer was rst made for sale in 1967. Relocating from Paris to New York City, JJ actu- ally owned and recorded with the second Moog ever produced, and with his musical partner Gershon Kingsley, they released their rst Moog album -- almost two years before Wendy Carlos released her rst Moog album. Jean-Jacques was truly the pioneer of popular electronic music.

His crazy, happy music has been heard everywhere from commercials, to Sesame Street - in hip-hop songs, in dance remixes and most famously, for decades in the delightful featured music in Disneyland’s 'Main Street Electrical Parade'. In recent years, his music has even made appearances on the Simpsons, and on Comedy Central’s 'South Park'."

Update2: one more sent my way via @bronwenjones:

Jean-Jacques Perrey & Dana Countryman - Funky Little Spacegirl - Music Video

Uploaded on Jan 19, 2009 mee3d

"View a High quality version here - www.funkylittlespacegirl.com

Celebrating 80 years of Jean-Jacques Perrey's Legendary Happy Electropop Music here is the Music Video for "Funky Little Spacegirl", released from the new album with Dana Countryman 'Destination Space'. Available on Oglio Records. Music Video Created by Mal Meehan from mee3d"

Historian Thom Holmes Examines Early Moog Modular Performances

via The Bob Moog Foundation:

"Delving Deep into Moog History: Early Live Moog Modular Performances

Historian Thom Holmes returns this month with a fascinating examination of the earliest live performances on the Moog Modular synthesizer, and the musicians who brought them to life.

Replete with rare photos, vintage concert programs, and other archival material, the blog features artists such as Herb Deutsch [pictured], Gershon Kingsley, John Cage, John Mills-Cockell, Chris Swansen, Paul Bley, Annette Peacock, and many more.

Read the entire historical blog here."

An Interview with David Van Koevering on Astronauta Pinguim

via Fabricio Carvalho on The MATRIXSYNTH Lounge

"David was one of the main [people] responsible for the Mini Moog becoming a very popular instrument in the early seventies, when he decided to travel thru the USA demonstrating and selling the instrument. David Van Koevering was also the developer of the Orchestron, an instrument that was based on Mattel's Optigan, that became very famous when musicians like Patrick Moraz and Kraftwerk members used in their records!"

You'll find the interview on Astronauta Pinguim here.

Pictured:

Top: "On stage: David Van Koevering (2nd from left) and Robert Moog (seated)."

"ASTRONAUTA - How did you meet Robert Moog for the first time?

DAVID - I was traveling and doing musical educational programs in the public schools. There is a picture of my educational presentation in Trevor Pinch's book "Analog Days". I saw an ad in the Music Educators Journal that had a photo of the R. A. Moog Studio in Trumansburg, NY which said "Come Visit Our Backroom". I was performing in the area and decided to visit. Bob Moog was in Europe so I did not meet him then. Awhile later I was performing at a school in Long Island, NY and the principal said "I want you to meet Bob Moog". He had come from Trumansburg, NY to meet me and see and hear my show. Bob and I talked about the last song on my show where I performed on a "Theremin". I had made it from and article that Bob had published in an electronics magazine. After meeting Bob that day he asked if I would like to join him and his family at Carnegie Hall in New York City. It was the first ever live performance of the "Moog Quartet" with Gershon Kingsley. During that concert something switched on in my spirit, I knew I needed to be involved! I had a huge audience and showing the future of music to the younger generation became my goal."

Left: David Van Koevering with Moog theremin.

www.davidvankoevering.com

Sun Ra & the History of the Minimoog at The Bob Moog Foundation

The Bob Moog Foundation has a post up featuring Sun Ra & the history of the first Minimoog.  Sun Ra was given a prototype Model B. The later Model D was the released production model. You can find a couple of videos of Sun Ra with the prototype Model B here and an audio interview with an image of the prototype here.

"In 1969, a year before the introduction of the Minimoog, Sun Ra became familiar with Bob Moog’s modular studio synthesizer. He was given a demonstration in New York by Gershon Kingsley.[i] Sun Ra first met Robert Moog after Downbeat journalist and Sun Ra acquaintance Tam Fiofori arranged for a visit to Moog’s factory in Trumansburg in the Fall of 1969. [ii] This was most likely October. Bob and his crew were testing prototypes of the Minimoog at that time, inviting Sun Ra to explore its sounds. A recording of this test session was made and, although not originally intended for commercial release, partly released many years later in 1992 as the 'Moog Experiment' (My Brother the Wind, Vol. 2, CD tracks 7-11, Evidence Records.) But more significantly, it was during this visit that Moog loaned Sun Ra a prototype Minimoog (Model B), several months before the commercial instrument (Model D) was introduced in March 1970...

What is perhaps most interesting about this encounter is that the Minimoog was still an untested idea—at least in the mind of Bob Moog. The development of a portable synthesizer was a risk for his small company. But Sun Ra’s enthusiasm was one of the first indications that a veteran live performer found promise in the new instrument."

Read the full post at The Bob Moog Foundation here.


In related Bob Moog Foundation News:
Samoogarai T-shirt Comes to Life
Dr Bob's SoundSchool Expands to Rural Madison County

And don't forget, the 2014 BMF Calendar makes a great stocking stuffer!

Introducing the Mattson MAXI Modular!

Today marks the six year anniversary of George Mattson deciding to get back into the synth business with the Mattson Mini Modular.   The first public teaser actually went up here on MATRIXSYNTH back on September 15, 2007.  Pictured to the left is a white prototype sitting on top of a Synthesizers.com system from the 2007 PNW Synth Gathering.

As you can guess, people were astounded by the small form factor. Not satisfied with having the smallest format in the modular world, George Mattson has decided it's time to have the largest.  We are talking hardcore BIG with THE FATTEST knobs and jacks you will find on any system.

I had the honor to announce the original Mattson Mini Modular to the world.  I am now proud to present to you his next format, the Mattson MAXI Modular.  Pictured below are the first two modules in the series, the SQ3/6 MONDO Sequencer and the Jet Engine Noise module.  Each module in the series will come in it's own powered cabinet - one module per cabinet. The Noise module can be set to blow dryer modeo for those live hair in the wind moments.  Don't forget the spandex!  Update: George tells me there is a hidden "Popcorn" mode in this dual system.  It plays Gershon Kingsley's synth classic "Popcorn" and doubles as a popcorn maker. The popcorn shoots out of the noise jacks.  You set the fluff, rate, salt, and butter settings with the SQ3/6 sequencer.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone!!!  I hope 2012 treated you well and I wish you the best in 2013!

As I do each year, I thought I'd reflect a little on the past year.  These posts are always difficult to write, and I always wing them, so bear with me.  It's impossible to justify a whole year's worth of synth coverage in a single post.  The following is just a small bit of what comes to mind when looking back.  You'll find a top ten list of posts with the most page views followed by my picks for the year further below.  Apologies if I miss anything, and of course, if you have anything to add, feel free to leave a comment below.  I'm curious what you, the readers of the site, felt stood out in the world of synths this past year.

First, I want to begin this post with a HUGE THANK YOU!!!  If you are reading this it obviously means you have come to this site and some of you have been coming here for years! Thank you for sticking with me. This site is a journey I hope to continue for years to come. Thank you to everyone that has taken the time to showcase their synths, and thank you to those that share what they find! Thank you to those that link to the site and help spread the word on MATRIXSYNTH via Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and your own websites! And of course, THANK YOU to all the sponsors on the right who believe in the site enough to support it!

A nod to previous New Years posts, pictured to the left is the MATRIXSYNTH world domination map. :)  I always think it's worth taking a look at who's watching the site.  Synths are global and you are looking at a map of the readers of MATRIXSYNTH.  Everything you see in green represents a visit from that country.  The darker the green, the higher the number of visits.  This is just for the year, but for the life of the site, we still haven't gotten a single hit from North Korea!   I don't know what they have against synths!  ;)   You'll find the top 10 visits by country further below.

This is the eighth New Year the site has gone through!  The focus for the site this year has been the same as previous years, and I plan to keep it that way.  This site is about showcasing specific synths, not just synths in general, and not just news and press releases.  The focus is on the individual synths that have existed throughout history, the technology behind them, and the lives they lead with their odd owners, myself included.  :)  Yes it is about the gear, their makers, and their players.  It has always been my opinion that synths in general have a tendency to be undervalued. Compared to say collectible guitars, they are often discarded and devalued in favor of next year's model, next year's technology.  It has always been my opinion that every synth has something of value to offer,  something specific and something unique that gives it its character. I built this site to showcase that.  This site is about the history of synths as their history unfolds - videos and images of synths being played and used, by both those that make them and those that play them.  Vintage synths being offered in the second hand market, being exchanged from one sonic explorer to the next. It really is a wondrous thing. Think of the magic synthesizers bring into your world. That is what this site is ultimately about.  Some posts may not seem to make sense now, but they will in time, because they will be a look back in time. A day in the life of a particular synthesizer.  I love analog and I love digital. I love all synths and this site celebrates that.

And now for a little reflection on the year. This year we had a total of 16678 posts including this one.  That comes out to roughly 45.69 posts a day.  Not a single day of the year went without a post.  So what dominated the synth year?  Mobile, modulars and a few dedicated hardware synths.

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And Interview with Hans-Joachim Roedelius of Kluster / Cluster & Eno

Hans-joachim Roedelius birthday is today, October 26. Fabricio Carvalho wrote in on The MATRIXSYNTH Lounge to let us know he has an interview up on Astronauta Pinguim here. It's a fascinating read so do not miss it.

On the instruments first used: "We used electric organs, cello, guitar, kneeviola, tonegenerators, echomachines and many mostly selfbuilt little electronic devices in the beginning. Brian when he came to our place brought one of the first synths that existed at the time but nothing else, so he played this synth, guitar, bass and he sang. It was not him who produced that album it were the four of us first with/on a fourtrack tapemachine that Michael Rother provided..."

BTW, after you finish the interview, be sure to check out his others.  You can find them by doing a quick search on "Interview" on the top left Blogger search box on the site.  You'll find interviews with John Eaton, Gershon Kingsley, Hereb Deutsch, Vince Clarke and more.