MATRIXSYNTH NAMM 2016 Pics

Update: Booth list added below.  30 booths in one day!  It's become tradition for me to come on Saturday only.  The site is just too busy leading up to then.  Be sure to see the last image in the set  It's the NAMM Booth promo for the first showing of the original Minimoog Model D.  The Bob Moog Foundation was giving out buttons of the flyer which you can see in the second to last image.  You never know what will be your last pic at NAMM.  I am glad it was this one.  It's more than fitting considering the Minimoog was the birth of modern day synthesizers.  Apologies for not calling this out earlier.  It was one of those should I not say anything and let people pause at that image and discover what it meant on their own, or should I call it out.  I guess I did both.  :)

--

So first of all, apologies for the super tall pic to start! For some reason Flickr's slideshow is not resizing it, and a few others, to fit the desired frame size. Mouse over the image and use the controls that come up to move through the slide show. Once you get past the first image, the majority of the rest should fit fine. For what it's worth, the super tall pic to start does give you a feel of what it's like to walk up to the entrance of NAMM. If you prefer you can check out the set on Flickr here. Feel free to grab any pics for your wallpaper but if you'd like to use them professionally (not that any are that good :), please contact me by clicking on the small email icon on the bottom right of the site. This year I took a total of 328 pics.

All that said, enjoy the set! The pics speak for themselves. If you have any questions or comments feel free to leave them in the comments.

NAMM was great this year. Lots of familiar faces and lots of new. Modular has grown exponentially. It was on the main floor this year rather than what we like to call the dungeon. As for new synths, the DSI Oberheim OB-6 stole the show. The minilogue looked and sounded great and the KORG Volca FM was a very nice surprise. Roland's booth was great; nice dim lighting to let the blinky synth lights shine, as well as giving you a more intimate experience with their synths. There was also a cool wall sized timeline of Roland synths. Malekko's Roland System 500 synths were in show and I actually was able to help with one that had its envelope switched to loop mode. Moog's Island of Electronicus was an incredible space. The pics don't do it justice. It was literally like an oasis in NAMM. Things get pretty hectic and can feel overwhelming at times. Moog's booth just made you smile and relax. Thank you Moog!

PS, there are a couple of non-synth shots in the set that might make you smile. I took them to show my wife what I was looking at. :)

Including this post, 253 NAMM2016 posts have gone up and more are sure to follow.

Update: The booth list in order of appearance in both the set and in me walking through NAMM.  The pics in the set are in the order taken.

1.   Entrance to NAMM
2.   Dave Smith Instruments
3.   Moog Music
4.   Schneiders Buero Booth featuring Doepfer, MFB, Birdkids, AJH Synth, Endorphines, soundmachines, and Haken Audio
5.   Pittsburgh Modular
6.   Modal Electronics
7.   Make Noise
8.   Moon Modular
9. WMD (4ms, Verbos & Koma pics came prior to Moon Modular as they were across from each other. The WMD modular area was huge): 4ms Pedals, Abstract Data, Audio Damage, BaSTLE, Delptronics, Elite Cases, Rossum Electronics, Expert Sleepers, Foxtone Music/ Black Market Modular, Koma Elektronik, Hexinverter, Macro Machines, Mordax Systems, Noise Engineering, Qu-Bit Electronix, Soulsby, Steady State Fate (SSF), STG Soundlabs / Detachement 3 [check out the Crowbox black SEM eurorack module!], TipTopAudio, Toppobrillo, Verbos Electronics.
10. Studio Electronics, Mode Machines, and D-Tronics (check out the massive DT7 dedicated programmer for the DX7 similar to the old Jellinghaus)
11. Roger Linn's Linnstrument
12. Tom Oberheim
13. Elektron
14. Malekko - complete with Roland banner to promote their new System 500. Check out the glowing case! You can control the color with CV control.
15. Big City Music - Analogue Systems, Critter & Guitari, Cwejman, Dewanatron, Dirty Boy Pedals, Effectrode Tube Effects, EMC, Eowave, Jomox, Livewire, Mellotron, MWFX Pedals, Sherman
16. Schmidt in the Big City Music booth.
17. Radikal Technologies
18. Waldorf
19. Arturia
20. intelligel
21. Social Entropy and Abstrakt Instrument
22. Expressive E
23. John Bowen Synth Design - check out the custom Sonic Six with Sequential Model 700 Programmer & modded Model 800 Sequencer.
24. Roland (the guy with the hat on the right is the drummer for Train - I was taking pics of the timeline and they were standing there. I asked them if they wanted to be in the pic and they said sure! :) Apologies to Ed Diaz! I took his pic right when he saw me. Trust me he was full of smiles after that pic. I was flattered to find out he knew about the site! :)
25. Yamaha
26. Novation
27. KORG
28. Tangible Instruments showing their Arpeggio
29. Industrial Music Electronics (formerly Harvestman) and Sputnik Modular Synthesizers.
30. The Bob Moog Foundation

30 booths in one day!

Original Vintage Buchla 200 Electric Music Box For Sale on MATRIXSYNTH CLASSIFIEDS - Video

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
Published on May 20, 2014 scienceforce·43 videos

For sale on MATRIXSYNTH CLASSIFIEDS

via MATRIXSYNTH CLASSIFIEDS

"For sale: original vintage Electric Music Box Buchla 200 system

Boat 1:
- model 256 dual control voltage adder
- model 258 dual oscillator A (second version)
- model 212 dodecamodule with 10 modules inside:
* preamplifier
* balance modulator, ring etc.
* voltage controlled resonant filter
* mixer
* noise source
* envelope detector
* stored random voltage
* random voltage source
* triple envelope generator
* triple lopass gate
* output amplifier / stereo mixer
* reverb (voltage controlled) assignable on the channels

Boat 2:

- Programmable complex waveform generator model 259 (mega rare old stock)
- Mixer / preamplifier model 207
- Sequential voltage source model 245
- 4 channels combination filter model 294

Details:

The two aluminum boats are old originals, fitted in this really nice vintage case, its lid is included. Professional switching PSU, working voltage 110 volts.

Modules are old originals and ALL come in near mint conditions and work perfectly, this is a truly magical instrument..
There are huge sound possibilities from the ingenious mind of Donald Buchla. This is a truly amazing system for making every type of special effects, space drones, cool rhythmic sequences and ethereal textures.

The 259 onboard is mega rare because they are early genuine examples. In the past some were sold with dubious origin and were half clones, passed off as originals.

Serious offers only. It’s not cheap as the original modules are extremely rare and consisting of components of the highest quality (old US military parts), and in my opinion it is very hard to find better sound quality. Some old original banana and audio patch leads are included.
Some trades in parts will be taken into consideration only around EMS, old modulars like Moog, Polyfusion, Korg PS series, Arp.

I can ship worldwide and local pick up is welcome."

PS

Published on Jan 29, 2014

4ms Peg, QCD / Expander, RCD, VCA Matrix
Analogue Systems RS100²,RS110²²,RS 170,RS360²,RS500e²
Arp Odyssey 2821 white noise
Bananalogue VCS
Doepfer R2M, A114, A118, A134²², A143-2,A148,
A 149-1, A151²²,A160/161, A175²²,A185-2, A 138c
Flame Chord Machine²,Talking Synth Module²
Grendel Formant Filter²
flight of harmony choices
Make Noise PP, Maths²,Moddemix³,Optomix,QMMG,René,Woggl­ebug²
Malekko Anti Oscillator²² Uncle³,Jag
Moog Freqbox²²,MP201,B Murf , CP251
Oberheim Sem bass with B Murf,TWF²,Grendel²,RS100²
Simmons Clap Trap
SSL Modulation Orgy
Tip Top Audio Z8000 manual voltage source
Toppobrillo Quantimator²,Sportmodulator,TWF²
Logic masterclock to Kenton Pro 2000² , QCD,Peg, RCD
FX :Boss VF1,Lexicon MX 400,PCM 80, Line6 echopro,TC M one XL
mackie the mixer³
kick by RS110, Maths,QMMG

New MOOG SUB 37 Paraphonic Polyphonic Synth Coming to NAMM?

Click the pic for the full size shot.

Some discussion on The MATRIXSYNTH Lounge and MATRIXSYNTH Facebook.

Update: [see Update4 below] for those not familiar with Paraphonic synths, a definition via wikipedia followed by a couple of notes:

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Moog Memorymoog LAMM SN 2854 with Siemens Display, 5 CEMS & Manual

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

via this auction - audio demos at the listing but they are not working for me. Your luck might be better.

"Upgrades / Modifications: LAMM upgraded and serviced including Siemens display on 04/19/2009 http://www.lintronics.de/lamm.html (See enclosed pictures for details). The original Memorymoog display is obsolete; there is no clone / no replacement available, if your display fails, the only solution is a LAMM which has the firmware to drive the new Siemens display http://www.lintronics.de/display.html."

"What’s in the box: Synth + PS cable + Original User Manual + Original LAMM CD + Service Manual (copy) + LAMM Manual (copy) + 2x CEM3310 (NOS) + 2x CEM3340 (NOS) + 1x CEM3360 (NOS) + 2x CA3080E (NOS) + 1x Ultra Rare VCO Fine Control Panel Dual Potentiometer (NOS). The Step Up converter will be in a separate box / shipment."

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Amin Bhatia "Interstellar Suite" Indiegogo Campaign

Interstellar Suite Needs You!

Published on Sep 6, 2012 by interstellarcrew

Some synth spotting with Amin Bhatia.  Read below and click through to Indiegogo for additional details and pics.  One of the benefits will be a private Bob Moog Foundation dinner.

"Amin Bhatia is feverishly transforming his original analog baby into a 25th Anniversary 5.1 Surround Edition in a special commemorative package but he can't do it alone www.indiegogo.com/is25"

And the official press release:

"Dear "Interstellar Suite" Listener,

The launch has begun!

After twenty-five years of cards, letters and emails The Interstellar Suite is getting remixed in 5.1 surround sound. Amin Bhatia is working with award winning producer/engineer Frank Morrone (Lost, The Kennedys and Sleepy Hollow) to transform his original analog baby into a 25th Anniversary 5.1 Surround Edition. It’s not straightforward and it’s not easy but it’s already blowing the ears and minds of everyone involved on the project.

But that's only the beginning of Amin's vision - imagine bonus audio, all sorts of video extras, and a glossy, full color collectors edition hardcover book.

Starting today* you can pre-order the DVD and get other exclusive perks through a respected fund-raising website called Indiegogo. Starting at $10 every participation level has a cool gift like a binaural mix, the upcoming DVD, a collector's T-Shirt, the collectors edition hardcover book, early synth experiments (Roland synth users will recognize this stuff), your name in the credits, exclusive listening parties in Toronto and LA, a private Bob Moog Foundation dinner with special (secret) guests, and even one of the last ten remaining vinyl LPs from the original release. There's something for every level of support!

Whatever level of participation you choose, The Interstellar Suite 25th Anniversary 5.1 Surround Edition by Amin Bhatia is something you’re going to treasure, savor, hoard and gloat about for at least another 25 years—much in the same way you held your very first Interstellar Suite vinyl album so many years ago. It's the least we could do to thank you for making the Interstellar Suite such a wonderful journey for Amin Bhatia and for you, his fans.

With thanks from the Interstellar Crew

PS. Do you know other gearheads, audiophiles and fans who'd like to hear about this project? Go ahead and share this info via email, Twitter, Facebook, Myspace, LinkedIn, Pinterest or that old fashioned device we used to call the telephone!

*offer expires November 15th"

Moog Source with CV and Audio Input Mods

via this auction

SN 1215

"I purchased this unit from Mike Bucki of Modusonics a number of years ago who fully serviced it and added a couple of unique mods for me - an audio input (!) and keyboard-CV output scale...

Sonically, apart from a minimoog, there is nothing like it - with the 24dB Moog filter, it's the real deal... The Source has 16 memory locations, built-in step sequencer, and very nifty arpeggiator which, of course, are not found on a Minimoog. It's very east to program and makes a great synth for gigging too. An SKB PS-25 pedalboard case I discovered makes an excellent carrying case (not included)."

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New Schmidt Analog Synth Debuts at the Musikmesse

via John Bowen:
"I thought I’d get you the first news about a new, 8-voice all analog synthesizer debuting at Messe in the EMC/Moog Booth (along with the Solaris, Muse, Spektralis, and Mellotron stuff).

It has presets, it has 7 filters (3 ladder type, 4 state variable 12 dB set up as 2 ‘dual filters’) and 4 Oscs - each osc is a bit different. Something like 107 knobs on the thing!

The designer is Stefan Schmidt, but not the one who runs Native Instruments - it’s yet another ‘Smith’ in the synth world :-)

It’s got stereo outs, individual voice outs, and some control voltage inputs (I think 4). I’ll try to get you more info later.

By the way - it sounds great!

And it’s a REAL heavyweight synth - with the travel case (like an anvil case) it’s 55 kilos!!

p.s. we are starting production finally - I have 4 production units of Solaris at the show."

Update: trying to find out if this is the Stefan Schmidt from TBS/MAM mentioned here. If anyone knows feel free to comment or email.

Update 5/6: John Bowen confirmed it is the same Schmidt. The following is via Juergen Haible who is known for his own designs specifically in the Synth DIY world:

"That's *the* Stefan Schmidt, all right.

I've followed the development of this synth over the last 8 years or so, and have always been forced to keep my mouth shut and keep it a secret. So it finally has hit the Musikmesse and it's out in the open. From what I've seen and heard, this will be the most powerful analogue polysynth *ever*, if it goes into production. It's not the typical "modern" approach of having a knob-ladden panel connected to a small piece of electronics with specialized chips. On the contrary, it's stuffed with opamps and OTAs to the brim, and each of the endless filter functions is realized in such discrete hardware. An absolutely amazing design, from one of the most dedicated synth designers on this planet.

JH."

Rumors on the price? $25,000 euros. Only one is currently in existence.

Update 5/7:

MESSE11: Mother Of God - Its The Schmidt Polysynth

via Sonic State

Some highlights:
157 knobs - all parameters on the front panel.
Panel folds down.
LED color knob and colors can be saved per patch.
Four VCO at 8 voice polyphony for 32 analog oscillators.
Seven filters.
Many modulations per OSC, filter, etc.
Stereo.
New innovative functions - unique oscillator with four points modulation on OSC1, metallic oscillator that makes digital sounds, but is fully analog.
Schmidt made the MAM MB-33 - again, see this link for some history.
Schmidt started eight years ago on this synth. He spent six full years focused on it.

Update 4/8: some audio at the end. via D in the comments.

Musikmesse 2011 EMC Schmidt Synthesizer

YouTube Uploaded by MusicStoreTV on Apr 7, 2011

"MSTV auf der Musikmesse Frankfurt 2011 auf dem Stand bei EMC!

Schmidt Synthesizer
http://www.musicstore.de/de_DE/EUR/

Prototyp des 8 stimmigen Analog-Monster Schmidt.

http://news.musicstore.de/"

Update 4/8 5:19 PST:

Schmidt Synthesizer (Musikmesse 2011)

Uploaded by Moogulator on Apr 8, 2011
Video pan of the interface.
"8 Voice Schmidt Analog Synthesizer @ Musikmesse by sequencer.de synth database / blog"

Update 4/13: via D in the comments:

Schmidt Eightvoice Polyphonic Synthesizer video demo [Musikmesse 2011]

YouTube Uploaded by audiofanzinetv on Apr 13, 2011

Mackie Control C4 template for Rhodes Chroma

via Michael Rosner

"We just released a template for the Rhodes Chroma CC+!

If you have this synth, you know it sounds great but super challenging to program...

This is the solution!

You have Rhodes Chroma C4 template screenshots plus audio demo here. [Update: It looks like the link is down. Fortunately, the templates do appear to be available on the Rhodes Chroma site here]

Cheers,

Michael
PS: You also have more than 20 synth templates to choose from:
- Arturia CS80 V2
- Arturia Minimoog V2
- Arturia Prophet V2 (Prophet 5 only)
- JL Cooper CS10 Emulator
- JoMox SunSyn
- Kenton Pro-Solo mkII
- Mackie HUI Equalizer Emulator
- Modartt Pianoteq V3.5
- Moog Memorymoog LAMM
- Oberheim Xpander / Matrix-12
- Octave Voyetra Eight REV4
- Rhodes Chroma CC+
- Roland Jupiter-6 Europa
- Roland MKS-50 / Juno-1 / Juno-2
- Roland MKS-70 V1.08
- Roland MKS-80
- SCI Prophet VS
- Waldorf Blofeld
- Waldorf Wave V1.804
- Yamaha DX11 / TX81Z
- Yamaha FS1R"

Impressions of the Synthesizer Meeting in Kufstein 2009

YouTube via Metunar

"I made some Recordings and Pictures at the Synthesizer Meeting in Kufstein Austria 2009.
The Sound you here on the Video corresponds to the Synth you see.
There are no external Sound-Effects used.

Eindrücke des Synthesizer Treffens in Kufstein Österreich 2009.
Die Klänge die man im Video hört entsprechen den Synthesizern die man in den Bildern sieht.
Externe Effekte wurden keine benutzt."

Synth audio featured: Chroma Polaris, FBT Synther - 2000, Waldorf Wave, Moog Multimoog, Akai VX600, Korg 770, KORG MAXI-KORG 800DV, SCI Prophet VS, SCI Prophet-5, Elka Synthex, PPG Wave 2.2, Synton Syrinx, LL Electronics Oddulator, Teisco SX-400, GRP A8, Technosaurus Selector modular, EEF modular, Doepfer modular, Curetronic modular, KORG PS-3100, Oberheim OB-1.

Yewell Electronic Systems Midi-CV

via nikseven in this gearslutz thread via the AH list.
"has anyone heard of this company? is it an actual company? i bought this midi-cv converter used a couple months ago, and it was d.o.a., but i would like to get it up and running. i can't seem to find any info at all about Y.E.S., and i'm wondering now if it is just a kit that someone slapped their own faceplate sticker on (it kind of looks like it). and if it is a kit, can anyone identify where it may have come from, or if it resembles something that another company manufactures? sorry about the crappy phone photos."
Update via Lorne on AH:
"In 1989 I wrote to Chris Yewell and was on his mailing list. Yewell Electronic Systems (YES) were in Chagrin Falls, Ohio.

The MIDI-955 pcb board (gave velocity and pitch, 5V or 10V trigger and gate outs (the 5Vs are also available inverted), an S-Trig out for Moog. It had separate DAC for pitch (0-10V, last note infinite hold for pedal notes) & velocity (0-10V) to avoid "droop caused by sample and hold circuits." (?). There is a velocity low High output that brakes at 64-127 which allows for velocity to also be used as a switch. Channel is set internally by dip switch.

You could buy one for $149 (9.5"x 5.5", needs +/-15V and +5, all less than 50 ma) to install. It has a 14 pin sockets to expand pitch bend out and aftertouch. The other (16 pin) socket is for timing and system data. There is a stuck note reset push button option, or hold 16+ midi notes down, which shifts the gate to reset. But its a Linear 1V per octave, there were no hertz options.

The factory rack was the YES B4 MIDI to control-voltage Interface 19" rack also added bend voltages -2.25V to +2.25V (a major third) and a combo bend and pitch out for single cv in synths. He also added a 3080 (OTA) based vca for processing vintage synths with no vca access points. His bender had no zipper noise. It was $299.95 with an internal ps. That is what is in the images on the link.

He also sold the XYZ 818 experimenter's pcb which is 16 outputs of midi to triggers (also available inverted) to drive combinations of (with additional DIY circuits) pre-midi drum machines; sequencers; adsrs; mechanical relays for motors, strobe, smoke machines, lasers, slide projectors; solid state relays (motors); drivers for solenoid switches for percussion.; analog switches ; and an early digital pot for fading audio (E2POT, Xicor Inc.). he was a Mac kind of a guy.

I have a sales drawing of the pcb showing what is where generally on the board but it shows no components/traces/or schematics, sorry. Lorne in Canada"

360 Systems 20/20 Frequency Shifter (BODE)

via this auction

"This is a very rare item, probably the first I've seen one on ebay. It is a Frequency Shifter, model 20/20 by 360 Systems.

360 Systems was (and still is) an innovative company that developed this pitch changer (as used by Synergy/Larry Fast, John McLaughlin), one of the first guitar synths (John McLaughlin) the first sample-playback keyboard and many audio post devices since. They also developed the first LINN Drum for Roger Linn. Bob Easton was/is their clever designer."
360 based their design on Harold Bode's rare "Klangumwandler" that was made and sold for Moog in the late 1960s and early '70s.

The Moog/Bode 6552 Klangumwandler ('sound-changer', in German) was an interesting concept, to modify pitch (frequency) without changing the overtone structure. Bode's invention was first created for Ussachevsky's electronic music studio at Columbia University (Bob was quite familiar with the composer and studio, as well as his various students like Wendy Carlos. Wendy and Tomita used this module on their classic albums. Club of the Knobs synthesizers now make a very accurate replica of the original Bode/Moog module and you can see it (and the similarity to this 360 design) on their website. The 360 has the same "series of 5" settings (5,50,500) as the Bode - and mixed vs. independent outputs, although the squelch is internal on the 360 via trimpot. There is CV (Voltage Control) of the frequency - great with a sequencer, CV pedal (McLaughlin) or random. These are similar to a ring modulator, but have a VERY unusual effect at the lowest settings. This is the effect I love (and why anyone should own this) - a deep phasing in stereo, without "messing up" the sonic quality of the original signal - all bass a treble frequencies remain solid, and the harmonics shift around in stereo beautifully. It's weird but not ugly - very HiFi and cool-sounding.

BODE

some text from the web):
'... the EWE, which stands for Electro Wagnerian Emancipator. There's only one of them; it was designed for me by Bob Easton at 360 Systems… That is now gathering dust in the warehouse. I tried to use it on "Big Swifty" from Waka/Jawaka - Hot Rats, but it didn't end up on the final track." (BTW synth geeks - this is mystery item was basically just an EML Polybox, same idea!)

'We also have some neat little 360 Systems model 2800 programmable equalizers, which are four-band parametric with memory storage for saving any particular settings that you may like. Those were designed by Bob Easton and are no longer available, but we have a few of them.'"

via Brian Kehew of Moog Cookbook

Update via eben in the comments: "check out the comment in that ebay auction in the questions section - none other than Tom Rhea, author of the minimoog owners manual"

via the auction:
Q: Hey neighbor, interesting that you have a frequency shifter for sale, but your description that a klangumwandler shifts without changing the overtone structure is incorrect. Pitch shifting a la the Eventide Harmonizer does this; Harald Bode built frequency shifter(s) that provide a LINEAR shift in frequency (Hz) for all partials in the input signal. This will, of course drastically change the "overtone structure," not preserve it. Sorry to be a drudge about this, but I knew Harald well, teach this stuff at a well known music College," This message purely in the interest of sharing information. Hope you get a good penny. PS, I have several Bode 1630 FS (lucky me, but just knowing Harald was the real treat!) Tom Rhea (author Minimoog Owner's Manual, etc.) Good luck in the sale! Apr-14-09
A: Hey Tom - you are likely QUITE right. I only said it was based upon the Bode - which seems quite true given the controls and front panel, steps of "5's" etc. Obviously, the audio track given shows what this very unit does exactly, so no deception is implied.

Plan B at NAMM - Update

follow-up to this post. More detail via Peter Grenader, the man behind Plan B, on the Plan B mailing list.

"Both Plan B and Buchla will be at the Noisebug booth 6108 which is on the main hall this year in the vicinity of Moog and Motu.

Sometime this week I will be posting further details on what we'll be showing on the Plan B Analog Blog (go to www.ear-group.net to sign up. On the module end will be the models 21C Mini Milton VC Sequencer, the Model 32 Vector Plotter and the M30 and 30A - two components of the mighty Triple Digital VCO Subsystem. There are four other products being introduced which are part of the big move into cases and systems.: The he Ringer, a single row rack frame offering a low-cost solution to a previously expensive expansion requirement, and the Model Zero, which is the same three row Zero Halibuton case used by NIN with some significant improvements, including power saving modes, top/bottom strip modules and the option of expanding to six rows. A photo has been posted in the PB Analog Blog.

The Performance System, which has it's own case not unlike the Doepfer portable although two rows of 102 HP and eight inches deep is our fist venture into the systems arena and will also be on display and operational.

To support the Ringer, the Zero and the PS we're introducing an external power system which utilizes two high-grade second party switching supplies as it's engine. The supplies are audio grade and protected to the point that key'd power connectors on the bus will not be required...the PSU will shut itself off instantly if a module is installed incorrectly.

Along with Noisebug's, Plan B goods will be on display at a couple of other booths as well - keep a sharp eye out!

Again, when my schedule allows I will be posting more details on all this, including photos to the PBAB. Please grant me patience with this and in getting back with anyone who may need to contact me as I'm deep into Namm hell at present and time away to post is minimal.

Thanks again and I look forward to seeing you all at the show!

- Peter Grenader"

Update: see the comments of this post for some notes from Peter.

Interview with Hexfix93 of VAC

The following is an interview I just wrapped up with hexfix93 of Velvet Acid Christ. As you know, this site is about the gear, namely synths, and the gear that helps drive and enhance synths, but ultimately the focus is on synths.

I was chatting a bit with hexfix93 and asked him if he would be interested in a slightly different take on an interview, one focused on synths and their impact to his world. We all have our story regarding how our obsession with synths first started, how we see and approach synths and what they mean to us. I thought it would be interesting to hear his story. The following is the interview.

Before it begins, I want to thank hexfix93 for taking the time out for this. We all have a different approach and a different story when it comes to our synths. This is his. For more of his music check out VAC and don't miss Toxic Coma. Cheers, matrix.


1. What was your first synthesizer, how old were you when you picked it up, and why did you pick it up?

"It was some kind of old yamaha cheap thing. i got it for my atari st, so when i played games like leisure suit larry that the music wouldn't come from the wimpy fm built in sound, but a general midi synth instead. it really didn't sound all that great. i wasn’t really a keyboard player at this point.

The first synth i got as a keyboard player was a roland w30 sampler workstation. And we made like 3 records with that keyboard. i remember gary slaughter an x vac member, spilled orange vodka drink on it. and i had to take it apart and clean every part of it by hand slowly, it took weeks. it was a pure nightmare.

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Jean Jacques Perrey and Dana Countryman Live - Seattle

Remember this post? Well, I managed to make it to the kick off show in Seattle tonight, or rather last night. It was a very FUN show. Filled with quirky bits of music and musings by Jean-Jacques Perrey. Definitely recommend seeing them if you get a chance. Title link takes you to a ton of shots and some short video/audio clips I took with my old digital camera. Apologies for the poor quality.

One of the coolest things about the show was Jean-Jacques' antics during the performances, from pretending to ride a horse to air guitar. Classic, funny stuff. He said his goal was to make others happy and to bring a smile to our faces - to have FUN. I'd say he more than succeeded. What was also fascinating was the stories he'd tell before each piece. I don't want to ruin it for anyone that might make the upcoming shows, so let's just say there was a fascinating story about Salvadore Dali and one about Disneyland. As for gear, Jean played the Ondioline (that brown box in front of him), what looked like a Moog dual manual organ, a couple of synths and a few Moogerfoogers. Dana primarily played a Yamaha DX7 and every now and then he broke out with the Synthesizers.com modular. Oh, and his little elephant mascot joined the show as well. : )

You can read more about Jean Jacques Perrey here, and Dana Countryman here.

P.S. I also had the pleasure of meeting and sharing a table with Blake of Hotels. They use a Casio CZ-3000 and JP8000 in their set up. I just checked out their site and MySpace page. Good stuff.

Update:
OK - SPOILER (do not read this if you are going to the show and want the effect of hearing this story for the first time - this is the story about Salvidore Dali):
Jean talked about how Salvadore Dali asked him what he was working on next. Jean said he was working on 'Flight of the Bumble Bee.' Dali said, hmm.. that's not that special. Jean said, well I'm doing it with live bees! Dali said, oh I must hear this. Jean recorded the buzz of live bees and other bugs. He then sliced the tapes and mapped it to the full range of a keyboard. It took him 46 hours to set this up. He then played it for Dali. Dali was blown away and said he must play it for him again. He said Dali said Mignificent! It was a fascinating intimate story and I really am not doing it justice. You just picture them sitting together and Jean playing this for Dali. Amazing. You can read more on the tape process in this excerpt of his biography.