FingerRing

"FingerRing (FrR) - is a simple, cheap, intuitive and easy way to play with electronically mediated multi-channel sound. It was developed in Moscow Sound Art Studio SA))_studio by sergey kasich in 2016 to provide accessible d.i.y. technology for multichannel live performances. The simplest version of FrR does not require anything at all, except what you already have, if you want to play with multiple speaker set. Just a bunch of cables and amplification. The more advanced versions can be built in form of different interfaces. The one for 8 inputs and 8 outputs, kasich proposes himself and calls fFlower-interface. It uses exponential curves etched on copper boards to provide flexible articulation during performance. All the instructions and design are available for free on official web-page.

This version was presented around the World in exhibitions and universities, including: BRERA art & technology academy (Milano, Italy), National University for Science and Technology (Moscow, Russia), New York University Tandon School of Engenering (New York, USA), EXPO-2017 (Astana, Kazakhstan), NIME-2018 (Virginia Tech University, USA). Special presentation was made for Dr. Peter Zinovieff in his studio in Cambridge (UK). FrR received high estimation from academic community of music tech, during selection of works for NIME 2018 (New Interfaces for Musical Expression), and was the only project from Russia, presented in the conference in form of all-day interactive installation at Moss Art Center.
Since October 2018 anyone, who lives in New York or near is able to visit weekly FREE seminars to explore the FrR technique and build their own interface. The regular seminars are supported by HarvestWorks - one of the oldest non-profit artist-run organizations in USA, working with sound and technological arts. Seminars are usually happening on Wednesday evenings, but can be changed. They are planned till the end of December. To get the address, date and time - please express your interest, messaging directly to official FrR page in FaceBook, or to the email: "music.diy.nyc [AT] gmail [DOT] com"

At this playlist [embedded above] - see the FrR explanatory videos and some documentations of the regular seminar in Brooklyn."

Tristram Cary’s Step Son's EMS Synthi AKS (1976) - Mint Condition - SN 45423.KS. For Sale

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

via this auction

"You know what this is and there is no need for an introduction.
What makes this particular AKS special though is its condition and historical significance.

You will not find an AKS in better condition and for sale. All potentiometers and switches are smooth, absolutely no scratches on the panel, all paint remains on patch matrix, the Keyboard Sequencer is a thing of utter beauty and case latches open/close without issue. The Spartanite case itself is clear from deep scratches, the slight discoloration that is visible will clear off easily with some delicate cleaning product. This is almost museum quality. For something that is nearly 50years old it is absolutely divine.
Pictures are raw so you can see anything of interest, no fancy photoshoots or photoshop techniques to cover things up here.

What perhaps is of most significance is that I bought this very AKS from Tristram Cary’s step son soon after Tristram passed away in Adelaide, South Australia. Tristram founded EMS(London) in 1969 alongside Peter Zinovieff and David Cockerell. Mr Cary wrote music for, among many other things, the science fiction television series Doctor Who (including the first Dalek story) and was one of the first British composers to work in 'musique concrète' before moving his career and studio to Australia in in the 1970's.

Robin Wood from EMS(Cornwall) has informed me that this AKS, judging from records of the serial number was made in late 1976.

What you are buying here is not only a fantastic musical instrument that will keep you (happily) on your toes for many many years but also you'll be securing an extremely rare piece of electronic musical history.

Comes with a power cord with an Australian style plug, an adapter may be needed.
The Synthi has an onboard switch to connect to both 115v and 240v."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Sun - Featuring Peter Zinovieff of EMS

Published on Jul 19, 2017 NUSTEM

This performance was during the Rainwire [Processed] installation at University of Hull by Noyzelab.

"Poet Katrina Porteous and composer Peter Zinovieff collaborated to produce a planetarium experience of live poetry, wrap-around visuals, and surround-sound music. The piece is an artistic response to the work of Northumbria University's Solar Physics Research Group.

Sun premiered at Newcastle's Life Science Centre planetarium on November 18th 2016.

This version was produced for follow-on performances, and for YouTube. For more background about the piece, and the wider context of the Imagining the Sun project of which this was part, see: https://nustem.uk/imagining-the-sun/"

"Imagining the Sun is a collaboration of a poet, a sound artist and a visual artist with Northumbria University’s solar physics research group, supported by the outreach specialists at NUSTEM. The project challenges public and schools audiences to explore how approaches from art and science can complement and inform each other. Alongside the schools programme sit a series of public performances and exhibitions."

---

Peter Zinovieff, of course, was the founder of EMS.

"A scientist, composer, librettist and pioneer of electronic music, in the 1960s Peter was one of the first people in the world to use a computer to create music.

With David Cockerell and Tristram Cary he formed Electronic Music Studios, which created some of the earliest electronic instruments, including the seminal VCS3.

Peter’s instruments – and particularly the techniques he pioneered, like sampling – continue in widespread use."

Rainwire [Processed] install test University of Hull

Published on Apr 12, 2018 noyzelab

"A quick iphone recording during the final testing stages of my commissioned Rainwire [Processed] installation at University of Hull, UK for Sound + Environment 2017 Conference.

The installation featured live unattended processing by the EMS VCS3 MKII, and multi-channel speaker setup using a range of combo stage amplifier/speakers. Each speaker was driven by different recordings made during my residency at EMS on Buchla and Serge modular synths + Roberta Settels diode transformer ring modulator, and using Richard D James Fairlight CMI Series 1.

I had a great time putting this installation together, and it was even visited by EMS founder Peter Zinovieff!!

Recorded June 2017 at Middleton Hall during my Regional Arts Fellowship. This Regional Arts Fellowship is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW.

More details on the Rainwire project can be found here:

http://rainwire-project.blogspot.com.au/

Thanks to:

Rob Mackay, and all the techs at University of Hull for assisting and making this happen!
Absolutely everybody at EMS!!
Richard D James for use of the Fairlight CMI Series 1 during my mentorship.
Sarah Last at The Wired Lab : http://wiredlab.org/"

Update via Noyzelab:

"Pic of Peter Zinovieff when he visited the installation. Also in the pic on the right is Ben Poulton of Zoviet France"

Iconic Pink Floyd sounds recreated on iVCS3 by James Edward Cosby

Published on Dec 11, 2017 James Edward
Update: renamed to: iVCS3 James Edward Cosby Pink Floyd sound recreations

"Some iconic VCS3 and Synthi Pink Floyd sounds recreated on iVCS3 the definitive EMS VCS3 Emulation fully endorsed by Peter Zinovieff. These Patches will be available at the end of 2017 or early 2018 via iVCS3's Presets And Mods Shop from within the app. Enjoy..."

iTunes: iVCS3 - apeSoft

Radio Belgrade EMS SYNTHI 100 Restoration is Complete

This system was briefly mentioned here on MATRIXSYNTH back in 2005. It is great to see that the system is not only fully working again, but is being made available for use. Very few working EMS SYNTHI 100s exist. This is pretty amazing news.

via camp303:

"Just wanted to tell you that we just finished the restoration of the Radio Belgrade Synthi 100!

The Synthi hasn’t been in use for years so it was very dirty but otherwise in good condition. Luckily they had a big supply of spare parts and replacement cards - enough to keep it running for years. We replaced the main power supply and rebuilt the sequencer power supply. Many smaller problems were fixed and all modules and functions were checked and tuned when necessary.

This Synthi is serial number 4 but in fact it was the first Synthi 100 ordered. According the information from one of the original founders of the studio, Paul Pignon, Radio Belgrade worked closely together with David Cockerell and Peter Zinovieff to come up with the specifications of the instrument that would eventually become Synthi 100. There are details that could indicate that it might have been the first machine built.

Synthi 100 in Radio Belgrade is planned to be used by local and international composers to create new works. The details are being worked out but it will stay at the Radio.

We have previously restored the Synthi 100 at the KSYME foundation in Athens in 2016 with the support of documenta 14.

/Daniel Araya and Jari Suominen"

Tape Leaders A Compendium Of Early British Electronic Music Composers

via Tape Leaders

"A Compendium Of Early British Electronic Music Composers.Published 16th June, 2016.

In the form of a richly illustrated compendium, Tape Leaders is an indispensable reference guide for anyone interested in electronic sound and its origins in Great Britain. For the first time a book sets out information on practically everyone active with experimental electronics and tape recording across the country, revealing the hidden history of early British electronic music.

With an individual entry for each composer, starting with Daevid Allen and going through to Peter Zinovieff, it covers everyone from the famous names of William Burroughs, Brian Eno and Joe Meek, to the ultra-obscure Roy Cooper, Donald Henshilwood and Edgar Vetter. There are sections for EMS and the BBC Radiophonic Workshop, as well as amateurs, groups and ensembles that seriously experimented with electronics, including the Beatles, Hawkwind and White Noise.

Author Ian Helliwell draws on his experience and knowledge of electronic music, and after six years and dozens of interviews, has
amassed information never before brought to light in this fascinating subject. With a specially compiled 15-track CD of mainly unreleased early British tape and synthesizer works, this is an essential volume for anyone with an interest in the history of electronic music during the 1950s and 60s.
There is also an ebook version with electronic music extracts, to highlight the work of 25 of the featured composers.
​
220 page Book + 15 track CD - available via Sound On Sound
£29.00 + p&p.
soundonsound.com/shop"

$199.99 EMS "Synthi and the Composer" Album

This one is not an April Fools joke. You can actually find this album for sale behind the counter at Silver Platters Seattle. Call them if interested.

From the back cover
(note Peter Zinovieff is the man behind EMS):

"Synth and the Composer

Extracts of music realized with EMS Synths equipment.

SIDE A

Concert Music by:

Harrison Birtwistle
Peter Zinovieff
Tristram Cary
Delia Derbyshire
George Whitman

SIDE B

Television, Radio and Computer Music by:

Dudley Simpson
Delia Derbyshire
Malcom Clarke
David Vorhaus
Peter Zinovieff
Brian Hodgson

Demonstration record - Not to be sold or performed in public.

Stereo 33 1/3 rpm"

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Peter Zinovieff: Synth Pioneer

Published on Jul 21, 2016 Sound On Sound magazine

"Peter Zinovieff has been described as Britain’s Bob Moog. A renowned composer from the mid ‘60s to the present day, he was also one of the founders of EMS who produced seminal synthesizers such as the VCS3 and the Synthi AKS, as used by Brian Eno, Pink Floyd and the Chemical Brothers. We met him in his home studio to discuss half a century of technological innovation and musical development, from his first experimental studio, to his use of early computers, as well as his compositions and the latest music production software."

Peter Zinovieff, EMS-Founder @ KlangLabor KHM Cologne

Published on Jul 11, 2016 Moogulator

"Note: this was not intended to post, so it is just a wobbly recording made for myself (Phone) - so please excuse the shaky erratic image!

Peter Zinovieff talked to us, I am happy to be allowed to post his interesting speech.

EMS-Founder @ KlangLabor KHM Cologne"

The Melbourne Electronic Sound Studio

AT Tours MESS, Melbourne's New Synth Haven

Published on Apr 14, 2016 Audio Technology Magazine

This one in via MATRIXSYNTH Member, Ross Healy of Vicmod Records. You'll find the Melbourne Electronic Sound Studio or MESS website here.

"Based in Melbourne Australia, MESS is a unique not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the creation of electronic sound and music founded by Robin Fox and Byron J Scullin.

The heart of MESS is the MESS Studio, a fully functioning sound production workshop representing one of the most unique, eclectic and historically significant collections of electronic instruments in the world. Working from within the studio is the MESS School, a place for people to engage with the history, technique and artistry of electronic sound and music creation presented in a format that is flexible, affordable and artist driven. Work created at the studio and school is supported by MESS Show to promote unique performance events and recording releases reflecting the diversity of sound created at MESS alongside historical releases from the vault of Australian electronic music . Finally MESS Schematic not only maintains the instruments in the MESS Studio collection, it also offers a space for the development of new instrument ideas focussing on design, engineering and construction.

MESS is an independent, inclusive and culturally broad organisation, reflecting the history of the field, supporting those currently involved in creation, as well as ensuring and encouraging its vibrancy, diversity and legacy into the future. Wherever it is, MESS will create an environment based on encouraging physical interaction between artists and instruments. This is a place where coincidence, chance and curiosity allow and encourage people to interact with each other and with the collection. MESS maintains independence through a diverse funding model drawing on private patronage, membership donation, and cultural institutions."

All photos credit to K ristoffer Paulsen.

Buchla
This machine is based on the inspired and eccentric designs of Don Buchla who founded Buchla & Associates and later the Buchla Electronic Musical Instruments company. The system in this photo is based on the Buchla 200 series modules and this particular instrument is made up from authentic 200e modules and 'cloned' modules made by 3rd party manufacturers. A Buchla 200e system in action.

EMS VCS3 & EMS Synthi AKS
The EMS VCS3 and the EMS Synthi AKS are legendary machines in electronic sound and music. Inspired in-part by a commission from Australian composer Don Banks, EMS was founded by Peter Zinovieff who worked alongside David Cockerell & Tristram Carey designing some of the first 'affordable' synthesisers for the general public. These machines were used by artists such as Pink Floyd, Jean Michel-Jarre and Brian Eno. The Synthi AKS is the portable suitcase version of the VCS3.

Moog 55
Robert Moog is one of the preeminent designers of early synthesisers used continuously by countless artists since their first emergence in 1965. There are 2 of these Moog 55s’ in the MESS collection. Both are part of a limited edition (55 only worldwide) reissue of one of Moog’s best loved pre-assembled stock modular systems. Suzanne Ciani playing one the System 55 reissues that we have in the studio."

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Expressive E Reveals the Touché - Innovative Hardware Expression Controller

Published on Jan 21, 2016 Expressive E

"Video introducing Touché, a new device to control your favorite synths.

www.expressivee.com"

Remember the videos featuring EMS' Peter Zinovieff and various artists discussing the upcoming controller from Expressive E? Here it is. Below is a NAMM floor demo of the unit. Pretty cool device!

Some initial specs:

1 wood skin
4 expression controls with mechanical force feedback & sensibility adjusting
4 CV/Gate Output (3.5mm) with -10V / +10V maximum range
1 MIDI input & 1 MIDI output (3.5mm jack with MIDI adapter)
1 Type B USB port
1 Encoder-pushbutton & 2 buttons
4 Multicolor LEDs
Dimensions : H x W x L = 60 x 102 x 250 mm
Weight : 1kg

And a NAMM floor demonstration:

[NAMM] Expressive E Touché

Published on Jan 22, 2016 Audiofanzine in English

"Here's a demo of Touché by Expressive E at the NAMM Show 2016."

NAMM2016: Touché - The Super Sensitive Expressive Device

Published on Jan 22, 2016 sonicstate

The First EMS VCS3 - SN 001

Apparently, you are looking at the very first EMS VCS3 aka The Putney and sibling to the EMS SYNTHI. Red Bull Music Academy has an excellent post up on White Noise with the history of this particular synth.

"Perched on top of a speaker in another corner sits the synthesizer used on the early White Noise albums, The EMS VCS3, serial number 001.

'That was the very first one he ever made,' Vorhaus says. 'He turned up with a bottle of Dom Pérignon, which cost probably more than the synthesizer.” The ‘he’ in question is Peter Zinovieff, who created the VCS3 with Tristram Cary and David Cockerell in 1969. If it wasn’t for Zinovieff, Vorhaus might never have met his two principal collaborators on An Electric Storm, Brian Hodgson and Delia Derbyshire, of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop. 'Delia Derbyshire was my girlfriend. She showed me everything that was known about electronic music in a couple of weeks,' Vorhaus explains, adding, 'There wasn’t much more to know than that then.'"

On a separate note, one of my biggest regrets was missing the opportunity to purchase Delia Derbyshires' VCS3 several years back. Sonic Boom of Spectrum was selling it along with a Synton Syrinx. Two dream synths I would have loved to own.

EMS' Peter Zinovieff on New Midi Controller "Touché" by Expressive E Coming to NAMM

Peter Zinovieff talks about modern musical interfaces

Published on Jan 6, 2016 Expressive E

"The inventor of one of the most famous synthesisers of all the time, the VCS3, talks about Expressive E' s new musical interface..."

And some info directly in via a contact at Expressive E:

"I work for a young company named « Expressive E», located in Paris.

We are developing a new kind of musical controller named « Touché » which will be unveiled for the first time at the NAMM SHOW 2016.

Touché, is an innovative controller, a revolution in how you play with software and hardware synthesizers by offering extremely precise and sensitive gesture controls.

Its wood surface was designed to react to the smallest vibration, the slightest pressure of your hand, allowing synth players to shape sounds spontaneously as with an acoustic instrument.

A great number of artists (Adrian Utley (Portishead), John Baggott (Massive Attack, Robert Plant) , Rone, Matt Robertson (Björk), Peter Zinovieff, etc.) already agree on the fantastic potential of this product : Touché appears as a breath of fresh air in the world of MIDI controllers!"

Update: Expressive E will be at NAMM booth #4807 for those attending.

You'll find a PDF of the Media kit here, captured to the left as JPEGs starting with the second image down.

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BRIGHT SPARKS: New Synth Documentary Ignites Funding for Bob Moog Foundation

Follow-up to the Something's Coming teaser.

"Help Bright Sparks Synth Documentary Ignite Funding for Bob Moog Foundation Projects

'An engrossing and fascinating documentary that pays tribute to the modest but amazing innovators who changed the face of electronic music' - Vince Clarke

Last week Bright Sparks, a film project which documents the stories of a number of iconic electronic music pioneers and companies, was released in conjunction with the I Monster album of the same name.

Featuring eight of the most influential companies, Moog, Buchla, ARP, Chamberlin, Mellotron, EMS, EDP, and Freeman, the feature length documentary includes interviews with many of the legendary personnel involved in the development of the instruments including Peter Zinovieff (EMS), Ken Freeman (Freeman), Herb Deutsch (Moog), Alan Robert Pearlman (ARP), John Bradley (Mellotron).

The film is available via download only.

The creators of Bright Sparks, recognizing Bob Moog's seminal contribution to modern synthesis, are generously supporting the Bob Moog Foundation with 100 downloads of their movie as a means of raising funding for our educational project, Dr. Bob's SoundSchool, and our Archive Preservation Initiative.

Make a $25 (or more) donation to the Bob Moog Foundation by December 31, 2015 and receive a download code for Bright Sparks as a thank you for your support!

Exploring the human stories of success and adversity behind these early companies and instruments, the film captures the passion of these engineers who were driven to design something in much the same way as any artist or musician is driven to create.

You can see a trailer to the movie here. [embed above]

Join Bright Sparks in supporting our important work and get rare insights into the world of synthesizer and keyboard innovators that won't get anywhere else. Donate $25 or more here. We will send you a download code with simple instructions when you make your donation.

Many thanks to Dave Spiers, Chris McLeod, and I Monster, the team behind the Bright Sparks project, for your wonderful support of our projects and for your excellent documentation of electronic music history.

'Electronic music has been around for long enough to deserve its own historians and archaeologists. Dave Spiers is right at the top of the list: this loving and exhaustive study sets a new standard in instrument research, unravelling the tangled webs that lead to innovations' - Brian Eno"

Peter Zinovieff interview 2015

Published on Jun 30, 2015 ED電音頻道 E.D.Music Channel

"Copyright: E.D. Music Co.
Special thanks: Peter Zinovieff, Dave Skipper, Kenichi Hata
BGM: Timmy Lok (using iVCS3 app)"

Follow up to Peter Zinovieff electronic music lecture at TFoM Japan, 2015 (in English and Japanese)

Peter Zinovieff electronic music lecture at TFoM Japan, 2015 (in English and Japanese)

Published on Jun 28, 2015 ED電音頻道 E.D.Music Channel

"Special thanks: Peter Zinovieff, Dave Skipper, Kenichi Hata (JFoM)
BGM: Timmy Lok (using iVCS3 app)
Copyright: E.D.Music Co."

Wolfgang Flür's E.D.Music Channel…….More Interviews and Synth Demos to come!

Published on Jun 20, 2015 ED電音頻道 E.D.Music Channel

Trailer video for Kraftwerk's Wolfgang Flür's E.D.Music Channel with some synth spotting & some synth greats.

"Stay tuned with E.D. Music Channel
More interviews and gear demos are coming…
Copyright: E.D.Music Co.
Special thanks: Peter Zinovieff, Isao Tomita, Wolfgang Flür, Hideki Matsutake, CEvin Key, Russell Haswell, Hisashi Saito, Galcid, Doravideo, Risa, Dave Skipper, Kenichi Hata"

The Story of Cybernetic Serendipity Music - The World's First Compilation of Electronic Music

Published on Oct 13, 2014 The Vinyl Factory

"The Institute of Contemporary Arts & The Vinyl Factory present Cybernetic Serendipity Music, the world's first compilation of electronic music, reissued on vinyl for the first time since it was originally released as part of the ICA's groundbreaking robotics exhibition Cybernetic Serendipity in 1968.

Click here to order a copy: http://www.vfeditions.com/product/vie...

The exhibition documenting the original Cybernetic Serendipity show is on at the ICA from 14 October to 30 November 2014. For more information, visit the ICA’s website: https://www.ica.org.uk/whats-on/cyber...

Thank you to Peter Zinovief [EMS], Russell Haswell, Yuri Pattison and Juliette Desorgues for their contribution to this film.

Filmed by Anoushka Siegler, Kamil Dymek, Pawel Ptak and Luis Muñoz"

Vinyl Tracklisting:

Side A
1. Lajaren Hiller and Leonard Isaacson - Illiac Suite (Experiment 4)
2. John Cage - Cartridge Music (excerpt)
3. Iannis Xenakis - Strategie (excerpt)
4. Wilhelm Fucks - Experiment Quatro-Due
5. J.K. Randall - Mudgett (excerpt)

Side B
6. Gerald Strang - Compusition 3
7. Haruki Tsuchiya - Bit Music (excerpt)
8. T.H. O'Beirne - Enneadic Selections
9. Peter Zinovieff - January Tensions
10. Herbert Brün - Infraudibles

CLICK FOR MORE »

Peter Zinovieff in the EMS Synthesizer Musikmesse Booth Circa 1975

This one in via Brian Kehew

"Circa 1975: A photo from the Frankfurt Music Fair

Peter Zinovieff in the EMS synthesizer booth!

They are featuring the rare SYNTHI P model, just announced on the left side and stand. Underneath the board listing EMS musical artists is a SYNTHI HI-FLI effects unit is barely seen. Another unusual/prototype model is next to the Hi-Fli."