Jožka Říhák plays the ELEKTRON - 83 drum machine / synth

Published on Jun 15, 2015 Peter Kirn

"From Brno, CZ - Synth Fest 2015, hosted by Bastl Instruments / Noise Kitchen. A one-of-a-kind instrument from Communist-era Czechoslovakia."

This is the ELEKTRON - 83 posted here. We now have some additional details on this unique system via CDM: "The Elektron-83 is the creation of Jožka Říhák, legendary in Moravia as a genius electronic instrument builder. His Syntezátor – 83 Unisono went into production, but the ELEKTRON – 83 is one of a kind. We got a live performance and demo/ explanation of the creation at Brno’s Synth Fest hosted by Bastl Instruments and their new Noise Kitchen shop in the Czech Republic.

And this thing is simply amazing.

First of all, it does so much that Jožka – now into his 70s and mostly retired from playing – was worried he wouldn’t remember everything he’d made it do. It’s really an early rendition of a workstation/arranger keyboard. It’s part organ, an analog synthesizer with loads of timbral variations. It’s also part drum machine, with a rich analog sound set that might be as at home accompanying techno as playing Czech folks songs. And it’s part effects box, with various additional processing onboard or accessible via a set of stompboxes he also designed.

It’s when you look closer at the design that you begin to realize how deep the rabbit hole goes. Some of the controls are obvious: okay, those are drawbars. But then the drawbars are augmented with switches, and knobs, and combinations of switches “unlock” other features, and then you find more knobs and more switches augmenting the other knobs and switches. If there was a spare bit of panel, he added a control. If he ran out of space for controls, he kept adding functionality anyway, by using combinations of additional switches and knobs..."

See the full post with additional pics on Create Digital Music.

NOISE.KITCHEN SYNTH FEST - June 12 - 15 Brno, Czech Republic

"NOISE.KITCHEN SYNTH FEST SynthFest = tweak + listen + build + enjoy SYNTHS

Bastl Instruments, Kabinet Múz and Skleněná louka are inviting you to the first year of Synth Fest in Brno, Czech republic. Whole friday in Kabinet Múz will be dedicated to Synth Meeting where you can try and listen to many various synths from all over the world which will be presented by their own makers. In the evening the main hall will turn into a place where dance will be inevitable.

Saturday will host informal moderated brunch with Peter Kirn of Create Digital Music about the present and future of electronic musical instruments. In the afternoon the festival will move to Skleněná Louka where various synth building workshops will take their place. But mainly there will be opening of very unique synth shop NOISE.KITCHEN. The evening will be dedicated to more experimental electronic music in the basement stage. Sunday, Monday and maybe also tuesday will give a chance to build mainly (but not only) Bastl Instruments modules and synths for really crazy cheap prices!

The event is supported by the best deputy major for culture Matěj Hollan.
more info at w​ww.noise.kitchen/synthfest​or h​ttp://www.bastl-instruments.com/modular/

Program

Friday 12.6.
Synth Meet​- 11:00-21:30 - meet the makers, try out and buy crazy instruments !
(Kabinet Múz, Sukova 4, Brno)
Synth Party​- 21:30 - ??:?? - epic music ! dance inevitable ! HRTL(Cz), PROJEKT DATALINE(Se), PETER KIRN DJ SET(Us/De), MASTER CLOCK sharing (Kabinet Múz, Sukova 4, Brno)

Saturday 13.6.
Synth Talk​- 12:?? - 15:?? - talk about the future of music with Peter Kirn of CDM (Kabinet Múz, Sukova 4, Brno)
Synth Workshops​- build synths ! 14:30 - ??:?? (Skleněná louka, Kounicova 23, Brno)
Noise.kitchen grand opening​- 16:30 (Skleněná louka, Kounicova 23, Brno)
Noise.Kitchen Party​- 20:00 - ??:?? - experimental, noise, dance, ambient, electricity, love (Skleněná louka, Kounicova 23, Brno)

Sunday 14.6.
Synth Workshops​-11:00 - ??-?? - (Skleněná louka, Kounicova 23, Brno)
Bastl synth workshops​-11:00 - ??-?? - (Skleněná louka, Kounicova 23, Brno)

Monday - Tuesday 15-16.6.
additional B​astl synth workshops​if needed :) (Skleněná louka, Kounicova 23, Brno)
21.5.2015 vaclav@bastl-instruments.com

Confirmed participants:
E l e k t r o n ​( S E ) , K​ o m a E l e k t r o n i k ​( D E ) , M​ e e b l i p ​( U S / C A N ) , E​ r i c a S y n t h s ​( L V ) , B​ u r n k i t 2 6 0 0 ​( U S ) , Soulsby​(UK), G​inko Synthese​(NL), F​alafular​(NL), E​rror Instruments​(NL),​D​in Sync​(DE), B​R Laser (AT), L​.E.P.​(IT),L​OM Instruments​(SK), Jožka Říhák - E​lektron​(CZ) B​astl Instruments​(CZ), BuranElektrix​(CZ), A​utiolab​(CZ),​S​tanda Filip​(CZ), P​avel Ondračka​(CZ),​P​avel Richtr​(CZ)
Still considering participation:
E n d o r p h i n e s ​( A T ) , A​b s t r a c t D a t a ​( U K ) , X​a o c D e v i c e s ​( P L ) , B​e f a c o ​( E S ) , A​D D A C S y s t e m ​( P T ) , T​e e n a g e E n g i n e e r i n g ​( S E ) , G​i e s G i e s k e s ​( N L ) , A​l w i n W e b e r - C i r c u i t C i r c l e ​( D E ) , P​r a s e S y n t h ​( C Z )"


Meeblip Anode Turns One with 72-Hour Flash Sale, New Video and Online Store

via Peter Kirn of Meeblip:

"We’re celebrating one year since the introduction of the MeeBlip anode synthesizer, with a new store, a new video, and a very special offer.

For 72 hours only - Thursday through Saturday, March 12-14 - you can get anode direct for just US$99.95. It's the lowest price we've ever offered, and we'll revert to normal pricing once it's over.

We also took anode to the studio of Robert Lippok, the Berlin-born music producer and artist known for his releases on raster noton. In a new video with Robert [posted here], you can see how you can craft your sound with MeeBlip.

anode offers:

- Dual digital oscillators, now with a wavetable mode you can unlock with 16 more wave shapes
- A unique and aggressive analog filter
- Hands-on control in a rugged but compact 4"x4" enclosure

It’s been a great year. We've gotten rave reviews from the likes of Sound on Sound, Resident Advisor, Future Music, and Electronic Musician, plus a Key Buy from Keyboard. We’ve introduced a new wavetable mode update, now shipping on all anodes. And we’ve heard great music from the MeeBlip community.

You can learn about anode and buy your own via our new store, launching today.

Visit the new site and store at:
http://meeblip.com"

KORG SQ1 Sequencer Hands-on (+ MeeBlip + volca sample)

Published on Feb 25, 2015 Peter Kirn

"Here's a quick test of the $99 KORG SQ1 sequencer, running in standalone mode and transmitting MIDI (to a MeeBlip anode) and SYNC output (to a KORG volca sample)"

Korg SQ-1s on eBay | Korg Volcas on eBay | Meeblips on eBay

New Pocket Operators - Pocket Synths Coming From Teenage Engineering

The line-up:

PO-12 / rhythm [pictured further below]

the rhythm is a drum machine with a 16 step sequencer with 16 different sounds which are a mix between synthesis and samples.

PO-14 / sub

the sub is a bass line driven synthesizer. it’s got a 16 step sequencer with 16 sounds and 16 effects/playing styles.

PO-16 / factory

the factory is a melody / lead-synth oriented machine with a 16 step sequencer, 16 sounds and 16 effects/ playing styles.

Note the Cheap Monday logo.

Video & samples further below.

This one in via Lars Nielsen. Teenage Engineering will be at Booth 6409 at the NAMM show.

The details via AskAudio Magazine:

"January 22nd teenage engineering and cheap monday launch a line of pocket operators – micro synthesizers that fit in your pocket and a line of matching gear. the launch takes place simultaneously in-store and online at colette, paris and the namm trade show in los angeles.

The idea of the collaboration between teenage engineering and cheap monday was born in the autumn of 2013. the engineers needed new, protective, lab coats for the staff and instead of buying generic ones teenage engineering’s creative director, jesper kouthoofd, turned to his longtime friend ann-sofie back asking cheap monday to design a unique coat and additional garments for his team. cheap monday took on the challenge but asked for a return favour; what began with the engineers need for new lab wear grew into a project where a line of portable synthesizers and matching gear were born in a unique collaboration between the two brands.

The matching brand philosophies: to 'make jeans and fashion for the people' -great products at a good price- (cheap monday) and “we believe in making products for everyone, no matter where you live or what language you speak” (teenage engineering) has provided the perfect cornerstone for the collaboration as well as acted as an inspiration for the design process. with the new pocket operators, retailing at only $59 each, teenage engineering and cheap monday are most likely introducing the smallest, smoothest and cheapest synthesizers ever, still delivering premium sound, features and effects.

'I think this can be the seed to a new movement, at least a new music genre. all thanks to the open minded team at cheap monday and ann-sofie back', says jesper kouthoofd, founder and ceo at teenage engineering. With the launch of the teenage engineering collaboration, cheap monday has now taken a step outside of its core business; jeans and fashion.

'It’s great to work with jesper again, not to mention the rest of the amazing team at teenage engineering. in addition to being amazing products in its own right, the pocket operators are a perfect addition to the cheap monday assortment, fulfilling our brand promise to make great products at a good prize,' says ann-sofie back, creative director at cheap monday.

The pocket operators will be launched at internationally renowned concept store colette on january 22nd and will be available exclusively in store, on www.colette.fr and on www.teenageengineering.com until february 1st. from beginning of february www.cheapmonday.com and selected retailers across the world will carry the pocket operators and the gear.

Teenage engineering’s new line of musical instruments is called pocket operators and consists of three pocket sized synthesizers. all three models come without casing where the components and artwork are visible directly on the printed circuit board. the 2xaaa battery powered pocket operators also come with a segment lcd screen, built in speaker, alarm clock and a stand made from bent wire. all models also feature parameter locks as well as synchronization functionality and they all have 3.5mm line in and line out. each model has its own set of effects such as filters, bit-crushing, delay, stutter and many more."

Teenage Engineering PO-12 Hands-on Published on Jan 21, 2015 Peter Kirn

"A quick look at the new, Nintendo Game & Watch-inspired, LCD display for the PO-12 synth line. Here, it's the 'factory' melodic instrument. Stay tuned fora bigger demo, though - this sounds a LOT bigger than you think."



Demos via Peter Kirn of Create Digital Music. You'll find his write-up and a additional pics here.

Steim Summer Party 2014 (Aftermovie)

Steim Summer Party 2014 (Aftermovie) from STEIM Amsterdam on Vimeo.

"On the 18th of June 2014, STEIM invited former artistic director Jan Werner to curate the concert portion of the STEIM SUMMER PARTY. He came iup with a great lineup including Peter Kirn, Kathy Alberici and ofcourse the man himself. Next to these performances there was also the Soundart installation LINES by Ivo Bol and Katinka Marac and Tapage closed the evening with some downtempo grooves. This aftermovie includes several interviews that provide an insight into the creation process of the artists."

Inside Moog's New Emerson Modular Synth

Published on May 7, 2014 keyboardmag1·441 videos

"At MoogFest 2014, Peter Kirn gets a tour of Moog's mammoth new tribute synth, a part-for-part reconstruction of Keith Emerson's iconic Moog Modular."

Meeblip Tonight at Control in New York

via Control on Facebook

"Join us April 22nd for a Demo & Discussion featuring the forthcoming Anode MeeBlip. Inventor Peter Kirn will be on hand from Berlin. See you then."

Event page here.

RD4 Groovebox Comes to iOS

Android's RD4 is now available for iOS.

iTunes: RD4 - Groovebox - mikrosonic

"Turn your iPhone or iPad into a musical instrument! RD4 - Groovebox is a music making app with virtual analog synthesizers, drum machines and effects.

Compose and arrange your music in real-time. Choose instruments individually for the 4 channels. Record live or set notes with the dedicated sequencer or piano roll of each instrument.

"This is no desktop app crammed onto a touchscreen. It seems the interface has been designed around your fingertips." Peter Kirn from CDM (createdigitalmusic.com)

This multi-touch enabled app makes it simple to invent unique loops and musical phrases. Manipulate the sound of the synthesizers by tweaking the oscillators, resonant filters and audio envelopes. Add audio effects like reverb, distortion, phaser, filter and delay to your sounds.

Appropriate both for experienced musicians and beginners.

Feature Overview

Mixer
- 4 channel rack mixer
- Instrument selection for each channel
- Volume control with level meter per channel
- Direct audio effect channel assignment
- Tempo control with tap tempo
- Channel mute and solo

Sequencer
- 2 banks with up two 8 bars per instrument
- Adjustable play modes from 1 to 8 bars and random modes
- Song Mode with a length of up to 99 bars

Choose between two virtual analog synthesizers and the drum machine for each channel:

Analog
- Modeled after legendary monophonic synths of the '70s
- For fat sounding bass and powerful lead sounds
- 3 oscillators with 6 different waveforms
- Each oscillator can be tuned precisely and has a warmth control for the typical analog sound
- Attack, Decay, Sustain and Release envelope generator
- Pitch wheel
- Low-pass filter (24dB/oct, 4-pole) with knobs for cutoff, resonance and an Attack/Decay/Sustain envelope generator

- Recording of played notes in real-time
- Piano Roll for editing recorded notes comfortably
- Or compose by drawing notes directly with the piano roll in 1/16 or 1/32 resolution
- Piano roll editing features: Transpose Pattern, Shift Sequence and Quantize Pattern

Bassline
- Reminiscent of the legendary 303 synthesizer
- Create bubbling basslines and screaming lead sounds
- Successor of the famous synthesizer Rubberduck from d-lusion
- High-quality low-pass filter with resonance, cut-off, and envelope controls
- Oscillator with 4 types of waveforms
- Real-time step sequencer with accent and slide

CLICK FOR MORE »

MeeBlip Meets Koma - Quick Hands-on Jam

Published on Dec 8, 2012 by Peter Kirn

"MeeBlip, the open source synthesizer, meets Koma Elektronik's FT201 filter/sequencer and BD101 gate delay -- digital (MeeBlip) combined with analog (Koma). Just a fun Friday afternoon jam session in Berlin as CDM visits the Koma offices.

MIDI source is an iPad running Phaedra."

http://meeblip.com
http://www.koma-elektronik.com/

http://createdigitalmusic.com/2011/12/inside-phaedra-the-analog-style-midi-sequencer-for-ipad/

Mouse on Mars: WretchUp, an Instrument for iPhone

Published on Nov 7, 2012 by mouseonmarsofficial

http://indiegogo.com/appwow

"WretchUp is a unique handheld effect and instrument for the iPhone that anyone can play. Developed by Mouse on Mars, it's easy to learn, but also sophisticated enough that it's heavily used in their live shows and new albums. Now with your help, we want to bring it to everyone.

We're launching an IndieGogo campaign to support developing WretchUp for all iOS users. (With enough funding, we'll port to Android, too.) We'll share exclusive music, updates from the band and development team, and more with backers - plus, of course, the app. And the entire project will be open source, including iOS projects and a free Pure Data (Pd) patch for users of any OS.

Here, Andi and Jan explain what the app is about and how they use it.

See you on IndieGogo!
Peter KIRN, createdigitalmusic.com
Jan St. Werner, Mouse on Mars
Andi Toma, Mouse on Mars

Shot at Mouse on Mars' studio at the Funkhaus, Berlin; edited by Peter Kirn"

iPads on eBay, on Amazon
iPod Touch on eBay, on Amazon

Impressionen vom iOS Music Meet 2012 in Berlin (iMM)

YouTube Published on Aug 9, 2012 by justmusicvideo

http://www.justmusic.de

"Am 12.7.2012 veranstalteten CDR und JustMusic das iOS Music Meet 2012 in Berlin. Mehr als 300 Besucher konnten an 30 iPad Stationen die neueste Hard- und Software für iOS ausprobieren.

Von Alesis bis Tascam waren auch die wichtigsten iOS Entwickler & Hersteller vor Ort und entwickelten einen regen Austausch mit den Besuchern.

Auf der Bühne präsentierten Mike Huckaby aus Detroit, Robert Lippok und Henrik Schwarz mögliche Workflows mit iOS Geräten. Auch Peter Kirn von createdigitalmusic.com war vor Ort.

Nicht zuletzt durch die begleitenden DJ-Sets von Penner&Muder, Kyson und Domenique Xander, und natürlich den CDR-DJs, die unveröffentlichte Musik der iOS Meet-Besucher spielten, endete das Event erst in den frühen Morgenstunden.

http://www.justmusic.de/
http://cdr-projects.com/"

iPads on eBay


Googlish:
"On 12.07.2012 organized CDR and Justmusic the iOS Music Meet 2012 in Berlin. More than 300 visitors were able to try on 30 stations iPad the latest hardware and software for iOS.

Alesis to Tascam were the main iOS developer & manufacturer site and developed a strong interaction with the visitors.

On stage, presented Mike Huckaby from Detroit, Henrik Schwarz and Robert Lippok possible workflows with iOS devices. Even Peter Kirn of createdigitalmusic.com was there.

Not least by the accompanying DJ sets by Penner & Muder, Kyson and Domenique Xander, and of course the CDR DJs who unreleased music of iOS Meet visitors played, the event ended only in the early morning hours."

RIP Hans R. Camenzind - Creator of the 555 Timer IC

via Designing Analog chips

"Hans Camenzind was born and raised in Switzerland and moved to the U.S. after college. He received an MSEE from Northeastern University and an MBA from the University of Santa Clara. After several years doing research in the Boston area, he moved to the West Coast to join Signetics (now Philips) and later started his own company, Interdesign. After heading it for seven years he sold Interdesign to Plessey. Since then he has been an independent design consultant in analog IC design, operating under the name Array Design in San Francisco. During his career at four different companies he designed the first integrated class D amplifier, introduced the phase-locked loop concept to ICs, invented the semicustom IC and created the 555 timer. He has designed 151 standard and custom ICs so far."

via Wikipedia: "Hans R. Camenzind (1934-2012[1]) is an electronics engineer best known for inventing the 555 timer IC in 1970.[2] He has also acquired 20 US patents,[3][4] written numerous books and technical articles,[5][6][7][8] and lectured at the University of Santa Clara.

He received an MSEE from Northeastern University and an MBA from the University of Santa Clara. After several years doing research in the Boston area, he moved to the West Coast to join Signetics[9] (acquired by Philips Semiconductors, now NXP Semiconductors) and later started his own company, Interdesign. After heading it for seven years he sold Interdesign to Ferranti. Since then he has been an independent design consultant in analog IC design.

During his career he has written three textbooks, designed the first integrated class D amplifier, introduced the phase-locked loop concept to ICs, invented the semicustom IC and created the 555 timer. He has designed 140 standard and custom ICs as of 2006.

Camenzind's latest book, Much Ado About Almost Nothing, a general audience book on the history of electronics, was published in February 2007.[10] Other books in publication include Designing Analog Chips."

The Atari Punk Console by Forrest M. Mims III consisted of two 555s. Via wikipedia: "The Atari Punk Console (commonly shortened to APC) is a popular circuit that utilizes two 555 timer ICs or a single 556 dual timer IC. The original circuit, called a "Stepped Tone Generator", was published in a Radio Shack booklet: "Engineer's Notebook: Integrated Circuit Applications" in 1980 and then in "Engineer's Mini-Notebook - 555 Circuits" by its designer, Forrest M. Mims III (Siliconcepts, 1984). It was named "Atari Punk Console" (APC) by Kaustic Machines crew because its "low-fi" sounds resemble classic Atari console games from the 1980s, with a square wave output similar to the Atari 2600. Kaustic Machines added a -4db line level output to the circuit which was originally designed to drive a small 8 ohm speaker."

via this auction
YouTube Uploaded by makemagazine on Sep 13, 2011

http://bit.ly/prZRJ1 "A true classic for DIY synth makers & circuit benders, the Atari Punk Console can kick out some ear-catching square waves. It's easy to build and a lot of fun to play around with. It may be challenging to make traditional music with an APC, but hey - there's enough of that around already, right?" via Create Digital Music where you'll find a good write-up by Peter Kirn.

HMM Amsterdam 0911

Handmade Music at STEIM Patterns + Pleasure

YouTube Published on Jun 4, 2012 by cdmtv

Update: YouTube description in:

"'What are they building in there?'

Create Digital Music presents Handmade Music at Amsterdam's famed STEIM center, during the Patterns + Pleasure Festival 2011.

Presented with support from Livid Instruments, makers of the Builder series of hardware for DIYers. http://lividinstruments.com/

Camera: Rigel Kilston

Edited by Peter Kirn"

Koma Electronik: Boutique effects, demoed in a van

YouTube Published on May 3, 2012 by cdmtv

"Inside the Koma "limo," we take a look at analog filter/sequencer and gate/delay effects from this boutique Berlin manufacturer. Instead of getting a booth, they circle the Musikmesse trade show - the largest in the world - and serve champagne. Marvel as Create Digital Music's Peter Kirn attempts to talk effects, shoot video, and drink bubbly at the same time. Part 1 of 2, featuring the filter unit; in part 2, we see the delay."

Koma Electronik: Boutique effects, demoed in a van (pt 2)

meeblip!!! it's ALIIIIVE!!!

meeblip!!! it's ALIIIIVE!!! from Danny Fluck on Vimeo.

"my first attempt at building a hardware synth (and soldering PCBs in general)

so much joy when when I could finally make music, after hours of inhaling fumes and watching youtube videos (making sure I wasn't going to kill myself)

now i feel a sudden urge to take apart everything i own!

thanks to Peter Kirn (for making hard hacking a little bit more accessible) and my parents (for buying me the components)"

Reactable Live @ Dubspot! Interactive Sound Design Workshop Recap

YouTube Uploaded by DubSpot on Nov 21, 2011

"More info - http://bit.ly/sAjMDV
In September, Dubspot had the wonderful pleasure of hosting a live streaming workshop with Create Digital Music's Peter Kirn and Martin Kaltenbrunner of Reactor. Developed in Spain by Austrian and Spanish music and media technologists, Reactable is a musical instrument that is changing the way modern electronic music is produced and performed. In this video recap of the live webcast, Peter Kirn asked the necessary question "what makes this an instrument?" and Martin Kaltenbrunner answered that question with a demonstration using Reactable's tangible and intuitive interface to create and manipulate sounds on the fly. Furthermore, Peter and Martin talked about interface design, music technology, production and performance of electronic music without a computer, and much more."


iPads on eBay
iPod Touch on eBay

STEIM: Patterns + Pleasure Festival: Call to Makers

"For 42 years, STEIM has helped artists realize dream instruments that would allow them to make music like no other. Patterns + Pleasure will feature some of the newest and most adventurous approaches in today’s live electronic music. With live performances, a symposium and workshops."

"Attention, makers of things that make music! Be part of an open laboratory, a science fair-style show and tell of work hosted by Peter KIRN of createdigitalmusic.com. We want to see your creations!...

Be part of an open laboratory, a science fair-style show and tell of work. We want to see your creations, including but not limited to:

Custom circuitry
New custom synthesizers
Creative controllers
Open source hardware and software
Audiovisual software
Original acoustic and electroacoustic instruments
Sound art/sculpture
Circuit-bent designs
Instruments and composition and performance tools made with game technology, mobile technology, Kinect cameras, and the like

The essential element is that you've built something yourself, in hardware, software, or both. Please be prepared to show a self-contained presentation of your work. Some display/projection and amplification will be available, but we encourage you to bring your own displays and speakers if you can."

Full details here.

Sarah & Lara Grant's Felt Based Modular Synth Design & Sound Processing

FSP005 Prototype from lara grant on Vimeo.

"What you are seeing is a prototype of FSP005, this is one module that will be part of a collection, making up a wall mounted soft musical interface. The interface is made out of merino wool felt, yarn, elastic and conductive thread, and snaps. The sound is being created by a modified gated oscillator circuit, AKA the siqque-est sounding circuit known to FSP.
Fsp.fm"

FSP005 Prototype - HQ sound from lara grant on Vimeo.

"A second recording of this circuit, which is def my favorite so far. Now you can hear the lowest frequencies and full texture of the sound being produced.
What you are seeing is a prototype of FSP005, this is one module that will be part of a collection, making up a wall mounted, soft musical interface. The interface is made out of merino wool felt, yarn, elastic and conductive thread, and snaps. The sound is being created by interacting with the soft variable resistor that is hooked up to a modified gated oscillator circuit, AKA the siqque-est sounding circuit known to FSP.
Fsp.fm"

FSP005 - divider circuit feeding into pre amp from lara grant on Vimeo.

"testing cords made with higher resistance and greater range."

More details here (see the rest of their site for more). Also see this excellent write-up on Rhizome.

"For those who may want to learn soft circuitry in person, the Grants will be giving a workshop during the upcoming In/Out Fest happening on September 17th and 18th at the Tank in New York City [previous post]. The subject of their workshop is textiles and electronics, and they will be teaching various techniques of soft circuitry while instructing participants on how to connect the textile to a circuit."

via thier site: "Sarah and Lara are a sisterly team with interests in physical computing, electronic textiles, controller design and signal processing.

Lara has a background in fashion and textile design and is currently studying at NYU's Interactive Telecommunications Program. Sarah has a background in visual arts, programming and sound design. She is also an alumni of NYU ITP."

Circuit Bending Orchestra: Lara Grant at Diana Eng's Fairytale Fashion Show, Eyebeam NYC / SML from See-ming Lee 李思明 SML on Vimeo.

"Lara Grant, part of the circuit bending orchestra for Diana Eng's Fairytale Fashion Show held at Eyebeam NYC. Through various hacks and circuit bending techniques, Lara's sewing machine trigger signals that is then fed onto laptops running MAX/MSP to produce the final soundtrack for the runway. Other team members of the orchestra are Peter Kirn and Matt Ganucheau.

Lara and Sarah are a sisterly team with interests in physical computing, electronic textiles, controller design and signal processing.

Lara has a background in fashion and textile design and is currently studying at NYU's Interactive Telecommunications Program. Sarah has a background in visual arts, programming and sound design. She is also an alumni of NYU ITP.

+ fsp.fm
+ laras-home.com
+ chootka.blogspot.com
+ facebook.com/​lara.cat
+ flickr.com/​8528527@N02

+++

SML 720p HD Simulcast
+ flickr.com/​photos/​seeminglee/​4392722594/​
+ vimeo.com/​9784116
+ youtube.com/​watch?v=fksyhmCi0FM

+++

Fairytale Fashion Show
2010-02-24
7pm - 9pm
Eyebeam

Diana Eng presented the Fairytale Fashion Collection in a technology fashion show on Wed., February 24, 7PM, at Eyebeam. Models hit the runway while an orchestra of circuit bending DJs create music from hacked video game consoles.

The Fairytale Fashion Collection uses technology to create magical clothing in real life. Electronics, mechanical engineering, and mathematics are used to create clothing with blooming flowers, changing colors and transforming shapes. Research and development for the Fairytale Fashion collection are shared online at FairytaleFashion.org as an educational tool that teaches about science, math, and technology through fashion. Fairytale Fashion was created with the support of Eyebeam Art and Technology Center, the leading not-for-profit art and technology center in the United States.

Diana Eng is a fashion designer who specializes in technology, math, and science. Her designs range from inflatable clothing to fashions inspired by mechanical engineering. She is a designer from Bravos Emmy nominated TV show, Project Runway season 2 and author of Fashion Geek: Clothes, Accessories, Tech. Diana is cofounder of NYC Resistor hacker group. Diana is currently a resident artist at Eyebeam.

eyebeam.org/​events/​fairytale-fashion-show
fairytalefashion.org

+++

CC-BY-SA See-ming Lee 李思明 SML / SML Photography / SML Universe"

New Roland Jupiter-80 Pics & Specs Leaked?

via the Roland Clan Forums

This one in via Soviet Space Child

Also see this post.

via wladymeer in the Roland Clan Forums thread:
"As it's meant for live performers, I don't think it's wrong at all. Especially because you could probably enter effect selection with SHIFT+ON/OFF shortcut and assign, lets say, distortion or delay instead of effect. Afterall, Juno-Stage had such knob next to high/low EQ.

Face it, Jupiter-80 is not gonna be next Fantom. Consider it more as a advanced stage piano. In other words, as a Nord Stage. I saw on one website that Nord Stage 73 costs $3.299,00 - you tell me - why Jupiter-80 can't cost the same if it's not workstation?

And here's my overview of front panel buttons:

• USB MEMORY SONG PLAYER/RECORDER - guess we can record directly on USB thumb drive?
• D-BEAM section with typical assign: PITCH, VOLUME and ASSIGNABLE
• CONTROL section with:
Arpeggio: HOLD, ON/OFF for LOWER and UPPER and TEMPO (probably tap tempo)
bellow something that's called either VISUAL CONTROL or V-LINK CONTROL and HARMONY INTELIGENCE
and last is typical Roland TRANSPOSE, OCTAVE DOWN and UP
• PART BALANCE section:
LOWER, UPPER, SOLO faders with ON/OFF buttons
I can't read what's on that white fader, but my guess is just for piano sounds. You can see there are 3 "gray" buttons saying piano, e. piano and clav so my guess that fader is just for that type of sounds.
• Then we have some MENU and SHIFT buttons below display and 4 encoders in between with display showing what they're controlling, typical DEC/INC, wheel, EXIT and WRITE on the right...
• REVERB section with ON/OFF button
• SONG PLAYER/RECORDER with usual controls (so I guess, phrase recording will be possible)

And last row seems to have next (my best guess with (?) where I'm not sure):

• ROTARY SOUND section ON/OFF and SLOW/FAST buttons
• LOWER section:
- SPLIT
- BASS
- PAD
- CHOIR
- STRINGS
- SYNTH STRINGS (?)
- BRASS / SAX
- SYNTH BRASS (?)
- WOOD WINDS (?)
- Something white labeled
- ALTERNATE ON/OFF (guess every button has two alternates?)

• UPPER section:
- PIANO
- E. PIANO
- CLAV
- CHURCH BELLS (?)
- ??? BELLS (?)
- THEATER ORGAN (?)
- GUITAR
- SYNTH LEAD
- VIBES/MARIMBA
- ACCORDION/HARMONICA
- Something white labeled
- ALTERNATE ON/OFF

• SOLO section:
- VIOLIN
- TRUMPET
- SAX
- FLUTE
- OBOE (?)
- BELL
- Something white labeled
- ALTERNATE ON/OFF
- SOLO SPLIT

Beneath keybed, there is WRITE (or maybe REC?), PREV and NEXT buttons on the ends and in between it seems that it will have SH-201 system with 4 banks up with 8 patches per bank. Hope it's just USER bank but then again... come on... it's 2011 we're talking about! What's wrong with 1000 user slots idea?"

And via IgorChristo:
"This is the advertising on Keyboard Magazine - May 2011
I've managed to get a copy of the entire magazine (I know this is wrong!) from another forum, and this ad is at the beggining of the magazine.

I beleave he got it in this leaked version of the magazine."





Update 5/5/2011: Sounds & Demo Video from Musikmesse 2011 YouTube Uploaded by delamartv on Apr 5, 2011

"Roland Jupiter 80 http://www.delamar.de/news/musikmesse/

In diesem Video kannst Du den Roland Jupiter 80 etwas eindringlicher hören und sehen. Erfahre, wie dieser Synthesizer klingt, was der Roland Jupiter-80 kosten wird und wann er auf den Markt kommt.

Viel Spass bei diesem Roland Jupiter-80 Video"

Roland Jupiter-80 Musikmesse 2011 PREVIEW :)


Update:

Original Jupiter 8 Explained

YouTube Uploaded by DanKrisher on Apr 5, 2011

"The original JP8 was a live performance synth."

And some pics from Create Digital Music's post on the Jupiter-80 where you'll get Peter Kirn's take on the new synth. In simplest terms, the Jupiter-80 is being touted as a performers' synth with the emphasis on performance and playability. The video above makes the connection with the mindset behind the original Jupiter-8.

On the synthesis front, the Jupiter-80 uses Roland's SuperNATURAL engine.

"SuperNATURAL is more than a single sound, effect, or operation. Each type of instrument, whether string or keyboard, wind or percussion, ethnic or even electronic, subtly shapes sound in its own unique way. Particular characteristics enable different forms of tonal expressiveness. SuperNATURAL provides the ability to realistically shape the physical parameters of virtual instruments in organic and expressive ways. Across the broad and varied forms of Roland musical instruments, SuperNATURAL is the gateway to a new universe of expression.

SuperNATURAL is available in many forms. There are SuperNATURAL ARX expression boards for Fantom-G, for example. First out of the gate are the stunning ARX-01 Drums board and the ARX-02 Electric Piano Electric Piano. The RD-700GX has SuperNATURAL Electric Piano built in, giving you amazingly expressive electric piano sounds. In addition, thanks to SuperNATURAL technology, all the characteristic control of acoustic organs are provided on Roland’s Music Atelier Organs."





Update: the official description:

"One of the most revered prefixes in the history of synthesis returns. Welcome the arrival of the JUPITER-80— a live-performance powerhouse that pays homage to its legendary namesake with road-proven hardware and massive sound, yet blasts into the future with advanced SuperNATURAL technology. The JUPITER-80’s expressive, organic approach to synthesis makes a new world of sound design possible with multilayered SuperNATURAL textures under the control of a full-color touchscreen and creative hands-on controllers. Experience the metamorphosis of a legend with the all-new JUPITER-80!

Powerful integrated SuperNATURAL synthesis engines designed for legendary vintage synth sounds to realistic organic acoustic sounds and more
Single Tone is equivalent to the performance of powerful single synthesizer—stack four of these to create a mind-blowing “Live Set”
Tone Blender tweaks multiple parameters of tones in realtime for complex, emotive sonic movement during performance
Fast, friendly operation with intuitive front panel and color touchscreen optimized for live performance
76-note semi-weighted synth keyboard, and 256 polyphonic voices (varies according to sound-generator load)
USB-memory Song Player/Recorder for backing tracks or quick idea capture
Easy integration with computers via built-in USB-MIDI/Audio interface

Past, Present, and Future Sound

The JUPITER-80 nods to its past with lethal, multi-layered SuperNATURAL synthesizer tones so fat you’ll need a knife to cut through it, but that’s only the beginning of what this powerhouse synth will do. Gigging musicians will love the stockpile of essential sounds onboard, including Roland’s famous SuperNATURAL Piano, strings, brass, and much more. The JUPITER-80 puts a fast-access user interface under your fingers—a dream for live performance. Its heavyweight design, complete with metal side panels, recalls the legendary JUPITER but with a modern twist.
Powerful Live Sets Featuring Four-Tone Structure and Registrations

JUPITER-80’s sound engine handles four x tones with dedicated DSP per tone as a basic unit “Live Set” for manual performance. Layering of Upper and Lower Live Sets, plus a specialized “SOLO” part, means the incredibly massive nine-tone-stack sound. Customized complex settings can be saved as Registrations, and easily recalled during live performance.
Tone Blender

You will love the deep possibilities of the stackable SuperNATURAL architecture and unique features such as Tone Blender, which tweaks values of multiple parameters simultaneously and lets you “Capture” any new combination and save it as a Live Set. Create complex, emotional textures that respond, react, and evolve like nothing you’ve heard before. Tone Blender can also dramatically enhance your live-performance capabilities by letting you assign its multiple parameters to controllers such as the D Beam."

And the official site is live. You'll find the intro video there.

Updates 4/6:: new demos added below.




Howard Jones and the Roland Jupiter-80 Synthesizer

YouTube Uploaded by SoundsLiveShop on Apr 6, 2011

"Howard Jones, he of the amazing haircut and baggy jumpers, knows a thing or two about synths and live performance. Here, Howard Jones talk about the new Roland Jupiter 80 synthesizer. Launched at Musik Messe 2011, the Roland Jupiter-80 revives one of the great names in music synthesis and it's a recognition of the renewed interest in synths by musicians of all genres."

Roland Jupiter 80 Synth Overview

Uploaded by SoundsLiveShop on Apr 6, 2011

"Roland promised something big for Musik Messe 2011 - it is! The Jupiter-80 brings one of the most revered names in synths into the modern era. Roland appear to be aiming the Jupiter 80 squarely at the live performer who wants easy access to some of the best sounds available. The Jupiter-80 is absolutely stacked: - SuperNatural synthesis engines for vintage sounds - Stackable tones to create 'multi-synth' live sets - Tone Blender - 76 semi-weighted keys - Built-in USB-MIDI/Audio interface The Roland Jupiter-80 - Check it out!"

Update 4/6 10:21 PST:

MusikMesse 2011 - Roland Jupiter-80 1/3

Uploaded by accordoTV on Apr 6, 2011

"MusikMesse 2011 - 1"

MM2011 - Roland Jupiter-80

Uploaded by accordoTV on Apr 6, 2011

http://audio.accordo.it/articles/2011/04/51102/mm2011-roland-jupiter-80.html


Uploaded by RockoNCompany on Apr 6, 2011


YouTube Uploaded by HarmonyCentral on Apr 6, 2011

"Choosing the demo for this video was a tough call, because the demo player did three totally different ones - from a Zappa-esque piece in 15/16, to a more lyrical demo, to an electro-type mashup called "Oh My God." This is the techno one, because I think most people weren't expecting that kind of sound from the Jupiter-80. Yes, it does strings, brass, pianos, and all that...but this demo shows that there's more to this synth than meets the spec sheet."


YouTube Uploaded by musotalk on Apr 7, 2011