BOSS DR-55 + PRO-RHYTHM MINI SYNTH D-2

via this auction

Anyone ID the top right logo on the D-2? These were branded Coron, Cortez, JHS, Grant, BIAS, etc...

Song step pattern book for the DR-55 picktured below.

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D-2 Cortez Pro-Rhythm Mini Synth

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

via this auction

"Very rare Cortez Pro-Rhythm Mini Synth. Sounds awesome! Runs on a nine volt battery."

One of the most re-branded mini drum synths out there. See this post for a JHS branded demo. These were branded Coron, Cortez, JHS, Grant, BIAS, etc... See the labels at the bottom of this post for more.

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JSH DX5 Pro Rhythm Mini Synth w/ Original Box

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

via this auction

Curious how this differs from the D-2. You can find some pics of the inside of the DX5 here. There were a ton of other brands and model numbers as well. These remind me of the Atari Punk Console of the time. Tons of makes and models of the same or similar design. These appear to all be branded products vs. boutique DIY.

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JSH D-2 Pro-Rhythm Mini Synth c.1982

Published on May 19, 2018 Klinikle

"JSH D-2 Pro-Rhythm Mini Synth demonstration"

What's it plugged into?

JHS D-2 / CORON DS-7 PRO-RHYTHM MINI SYNTH w/ Original Box

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

via this auction

"JHS D-2 PRO-RHYTHM MINI SYNTH, Drum machine synthesizer with its box.
All recent photos, and exactly as shown.
Fantastic piece of kit.
Great sounds.
Works perfectly."

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MATRIXSYNTH Review and Overview of the Novation Circuit

Update: Not covered in this review, sample support has been added in the latest Circuit Components update.

The following is my overview and review of the $329 Novation Circuit.

Introduction

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Roland Museum Germany Massive Synthesizer Selloff - Most Gear for Sale in a Single Auction

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

This one in via Marko of Retrosound.de.

26.000,00 Euro gets it all.

via this auction

Someone needs to contact the Guiness Book of World Records. Longest list of gear for sale ever:

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Synamiitti 2015

Published on Sep 6, 2015 Petri Kauppi

"Turun syntetisaattoriseuran Synamiitti 2015"

Video from this year's Synamiitti synth event in Finland.

Some details on the event via http://synamiitti.com for the archives:

"12:00-18:00 Synamiitti, Loads of synths on display
The Daytime event is free of charge and the bar is open.
Päivätapahtuma on ilmainen ja Dynamossa on A-oikeudet.
AFTERPARTY
21:00-02:00 Live performances by:
RONSKIBIITTI (21:30)
MR VELCRO FASTENER (22:30)
visuals by:
VJ TURU SANOMA
Ovet/doors 21.00, liput/tickets 6e, ennakot/advance 8raita & Ticted
The Afterparty is presented by: TELMU & Turun Syntetisaattoriseura

ON DISPLAY / PETTING ZOO

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New Synth Gear and Makers in January 2015

After this year's massive New Years post, I thought it might be interesting to see how many new makers and new gear announcements we received in a single month.

This may or may not become a monthly theme on the site depending on interest.  If you think it's worth while, leave a comment.

At a high level we had 12 new makers, one new old maker previously never featured on the site, and a whopping 193 new synth related products. Check out the module list below.  The list is a combination of what was either announced or released this month.

The list in order of appearance:

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Happy New Year From MATRIXSYNTH! - A Look Back at 2014

Happy New Year everyone!

I want to start by thanking everyone that comes to MATRIXSYNTH and helps make it what it is - the readers, the supporters, and of course all the sponsors on the right.

THANK YOU and have a GREAT 2015!!!

This site is a labor of love and a ton of work. This site is ultimately meant to be an testament to everything synth in the making. We have over nine years of daily synth history captured here, 119,983 published posts. I can't wait to see what the future brings us in 2015!

That said, here are a few interesting bits from 2014 in the longest post of the year. ;)

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Happy New Year! The Year in Synths 2013

Happy New Year Everyone!

What a busy year it has been in the world of synths.

This is going to be one doozy of a post, so bear with me. This post is a review of the year in synths for 2013. We begin with Tributes to Those We Lost This Year, followed by New Manufacturers & Makers, Older Manufacturers Added to the Site, New Gear Announcements, Top 10 Posts by Traffic,  My Standout Posts for the Year, and finally This Years' Synth Events. I did my best to keep things as short and concise as possible.

Let's begin with the hardest part of the post.

Tributes to Those We Lost This Year

RIP Bernard Parmegiani - Electronic & Acoustic Composer
Lou Reed RIP
RIP Dick Raaymakers aka Kid Baltan
RIP George Duke - DreamWeaver
RIP Ralph Dyck, Sept 28, 1941 – May 20, 2013
RIP Ray Manzarek

All missed and never to be forgotten. Take a moment to remember them.

------

New Manufacturers & Makers

Starting last January, I decided to keep a running list of every new manufacturer and maker introduced to the site during the year.  This is something I haven't done before and I thought it would be interesting to see how many there were in the year.   It's easy to focus on the big synth announcements throughout the year, but what about all the new makers and brands? I shouln't have to go considerably into the significance of new designers on the scene, so I'll just say two things regarding them.  One, the number of new makers is a direct reflection on the interest in our scene, and two, these are the creators of new gear which directly translate into new designs not previously available to us.  Think about that for a moment.  These are makers and designs that did not exist before.  They are part of our synth history.  So what is the total count of new synth designers for the year? A whopping 113. Think about that a bit. One hundred and thirteen new synth designers and brands this year alone.

Here they are (note a handful date back to 2012, but 2013 marked their momentum and availability):

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Cortez D-2 Pro-Rhythm Mini-Synth

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

via this auction - learn how to sell on eBay here

"Made in JAPAN, the Cortez D-2 MINI-SYNTH (1976-7) created the “Puuuu, Puuuuuu" sound that became the signature sound of 1970s DISCO with songs such as Donna Summers’ "Last Dance" and The Gap Band's "You Dropped a Bomb On Me.” The mini-synth clamps on to a tom-tom, cymbal, snare or other stand; there's a small clamp provided for that purpose. Can be used to trigger or create sounds. No manual – but there are plenty of resources online for how to use it. 4-1/2" x 2"."

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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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Japan Cortez D-2 PRO-RHYTHM MINI SYNTH with Original Box

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated. via this auction
"Made in "JAPAN" ...The 'Cortez D-2 "MINI-SYNTH"'1976-7' Was Born The "Puuuu, Puuuuuu" PUUUUuuu "Sound" that became ''the signature sound of 1970s 'DISCO' ' ! With notable 'Music artists' such as with "Donna Summers" "The Last Dance", The Gap Band's 'You Dropped a Bomb On Me', And just about everyone used this "Japan-Made "Cortez 'Mini-Synth' What a cool little synth it really is ! ! !

The 'Cortez-"MINI SYNTH" clamps on to your 'Tom Drum or a Cymbal stand/ Snare stand or any stand will doooo You just "HIT THE Surrounding area of the mounted "Cortez" and it triggers the 'Synth' ...''that's how it works'''...! ((I have used this synth "Back In The Good 'OL' 70s Playing these songs in the studio, and on my Drum Kit while touring))

FYI:, I found it does "Way-More" than Just manually selected "Puuuuu, Puuuu's ...The synth will allow you to 'Create many "Way-Cool" Perc, and Low Frq 'PHAT" Moog-Like "Boom Tricks, and Very 'Metallic resonator sound Frequencies ...An Excessively & Musically-''cool-and-unique'' sounds and EFFECTS" Left only to the imagination !

* * You can spend hours messing with this Synth...A true Piece Of ''The "70's" "Thing" 'If ever you could find'.!...

As a collectors, or a serious Recording Project use the "MINI-SYNTH" to add a "Totally unique'' effect or 'Dub/Groove' "thing" this is the "MAN" !!!

* * Absolutely 'MINT.'.. No Digs, or Bongs, 'All is like new' ..W/ The ''Original": Mint Box 'AAANNDDD' comes w/ 'Complete Disco instructions', and "How To" operate instructions.

"WOW What a find...See Ya In The Funny-Papers" ! !

" T E C H "

The Cortez utilizes a : Wave form Rate...a-Mode-variable, ...A Sweep, ...Decay, ...VCO,.. Master Gain, and out put... Also possessing a "Vibration- Sensitivity'-"Cut-or-Gain"control !... As well ((on the side-panel)) a Pair of 1/4" OUTPUT Mono and optional "Foot-switch in" ( I never had that option) I believe it is a momentary click-on..Click-off !!!

" HOPEYOUGETIT "

* * Please visit our "Arte' Buss" eBay Store for ''additional 'pro audio and 'Music instruments'...."

RARE VINTAGE JSH DX-5 PRO-RHYTHM MINI SYNTH

YouTube Uploaded by ThePromoHouse on Jul 12, 2011

via this auction

Also known as the Coron DS8, Asama Drum Sync, Storm Drum Sync, Grant PS-7 Percussion Synth, KMD Drum Exciter, Cortez D-2 Mini Synth, BIAS BS-2, and possibly more. See the Coron label below. Anyone know why there were so many branding for this? I think this holds the record.

via the listing: "The Mini Synth, when connected to my headphones, covered a massive range of synthesised sounds and this is an incredibly flexible unit for its mini size and I would, I guess, sound fabulous in the right hands and with the right input and amplification (I haven't got the means to really put it through its paces). Please feel free to ask as many questions as you wish - I am not familiar with synthesisers (I obtained this in a job-lot including vintage microphones and headphones)"

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M-Audio Venom Review and Interview with Product Manager Taiho Yamada

A quick note: This review is long. You can jump to sections that interest you vs. reading it straight through if you prefer. This review focuses primarily on the synth engine for one single patch on the Venom. The Venom supports Multi mode with up to four multitimbral parts. Not only can you layer sound programs but you can set global parameters for the set. Be sure to see the Multi mode section of "Tips and Tricks via Taiho Yamada" at the end of this post. Taiho is the Lead Project Manager of the Venom and served as my contact during the review. I want to thank Taiho for his help and enthusiastic generosity. He is a true synthesist and the Venom is his baby.

Synth connections: Taiho previously worked at Alesis on the Andromeda A6. The DSP developer of the Venom worked on Radikal Technologies' Spectralis and the Accelerator. People that contributed to the presets via sound design include Richard Devine, Francis Preve, Mark Ovenden (Avid's AIR Instruments, ProTools VIs), Joerg Huettner (Waldorf, Access, Alesis), and of course Taiho Yamada.

*Don't miss the "Q&A with Taiho" section towards the end of the review. Also keep an eye out for "Taiho's Tips and Tricks" throughout the review in grey. You can find the consolidated list below the Q&A section.

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Cortez D-20 Pro-Rhythm MINI SYNTH

via this auction

"Cortez-D-20 Pro-Rhythm MINI SYNTH-Vintage 70's guitar effect. Uses 9 volt battery. Features: 6 knobs on top. Rate, Mode, Sweep, Volume, Decay & VCO. 1 knob on back for Intensity. 2 footswitch input jacks plus 1 output jack."

Cortez D-2 Pro-Rhythm Mini Synth

via this auction

Cortez D-2 Pro-Rhythm Mini Synth

images via this auction

"Interesting little drum synthesizer. Apparently meant to mount on your percussion kit. It's activated by vibration; hit the thing it's attached to and it operates. More info on it here. Has controls for Rate, Mode, Sweep, Volume, Decay, VCO, Intensity (which might be sensitivity to vibration). Includes two footswitch jacks and an output jack. This is an excellent addition to an existing kit for crazy synth drum tones which are easily adjusted via the knobs, or as a "kit" for the intrepid analog hacker to play with. All analog!"

Hataken Interview

Back on March 31, I put up a post on Hataken, a Japanese DJ artist who primarily uses analog synths. At the time, Shane Chisolm, the manager of Don Juan Dracula mentioned Hataken was working on a remix version of DJD's "Take Me Home". Shane asked me if I'd be interested in doing an interview with Hataken, and I thought why not. It would be interesting to hear his perspective on the world of synths as a live DJ artist. The following is the result of that interview. Note, this is a long one. You will want to use page down to scroll through. If it is too long for you, I recommend reading one or two questions each time you visit the site. Each DIY item below would typically have been a separate post. There is a lot of interesting stuff here. That said, I start with an introduction followed by asking Hataken how it all started for him. Note the focus is primarily on synths as this site is about everything synth, and Hataken delivers. The gear he has both worked with and designed to meet his specific needs is overwhelming. There's also an interesting interlude on experimenting with frequency counters to produce specific frequencies of sound known to have healing properties, and of course there is a bit of the age old discussion of digital and analog.

Before we start the interview, I want to thank Hataken for taking the time out for this, and I want to thank Shane for suggesting it. It's a fascinating history of a DJ synth artist with interesting perspectives that I'm sure I will come back to over time. Be sure to check out the video and link to more at the end. And of course be sure to check out Hataken's website.

1. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

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