Korg Trident Mk 1

SynthDan1

"A massive sound! Strings plus synth."

A Relatively Brief History of Synthesizers

Published on Nov 5, 2019 SynthDan1

"On October 2nd, 2019, I was invited to the College of Southern Nevada to give a talk on the history of electronic synthesizers, at CSN's 2nd Annual Audio Industry Event. There are lots of important inventors and instruments that I couldn't fit into my talk, but I tried to hit the major highlights of the strange and winding path that synthesizers have taken, from the earliest days of analog modular synthesizers, to the complex days of sophisticated digital instruments, and then, oddly, the winding road back to analog modular synthesizers, which are more popular today than they've ever been before."

Polymoog undergoing restoration

Published on Jun 12, 2019 SynthDan1

"In April 2019, against my better judgement, my friend Martin and I purchased a broken Polymoog (but aren't they all?). We've fixed issues with the power supply, octave divider chips, and a multiplexer chip in the resonator section. We've replaced all the LEDs and dismantled, cleaned, and lubricated every single slider. There are still a few minor issues (aren't there always?) but the Polymoog has roared back to life, and you can see and hear how great this instrument has become."

1981 Aries Modular Synthesizer

Published on Jun 11, 2019 SynthDan1

"This is the first demo of my Aries Modular system. This large modular synthesizer was factory-built in 1981, and consists of a 5-octave keyboard, a 14-module cabinet, and an 11-module cabinet (with 10 modules installed), for a total of 24 modules. In total there are 6 oscillators + 2 LFOs, 3 filters, 4 envelope generators, 4 VCAs, a dual 8-step sequencer, ring modulator, phaser/chorus, spring reverb, and a host of other utility modules, including a pitch follower and an envelope follower. Cosmetically it's in incredible condition, has tons of original patch cables, and even includes the original shipping crates. There are plenty of dirty jacks and the keyboard is going to require a complete overhaul, but the system is about 80% functional at this time, and I'll do my best to restore it to as-new condition. It's a very rare synthesizer, and I'm proud to own it!"

Casio VZ10m - Some Factory Presets

Published on Mar 21, 2016 SynthDan1

"Here are some factory presets played on the Casio VZ-10m phase distortion synthesizer.

From Virtual Synth Explorer: 'The VZ-1 takes a hybrid approach to its sound generation. Where the CZ line used Phase Distortion Synthesis and the Yamaha DX line used Phase Modulation (incorrectly advertised as FM), the VZ-1 uses Phase Distortion for ring modulation and waveform generation but true Frequency Modulation Synthesis to generate harmonics. The end result is a unique and hauntingly space-age sounding synthesizer with many smooth "twangy" textures - but it can also be very harsh and noisy when complex phasing is employed. Thumping bass-lines and sweeping pads are its strongest points but it is also very capable of analog-ish brass and strings.'"

Some Prophet 10 sounds

Published on May 4, 2015 SynthDan1

"Showing sounds on the top and bottom keyboards, some modulation capabilities, the sequencer, doubling of the keyboards, and just the big analog tone of the Prophet 10."

Oberheim OB-1 Sounds

Published on May 20, 2014 SynthDan1·20 videos

"My Oberheim OB-1 was recently serviced by This Old Synth in San Jose, CA. This video is just running through some of the features, including cross-modulation, presets, 12/24 dB/oct filter, modulation sources, sub-oscillators, pulse width modulation, and a few other things.

I found this OB-1 at a shop in Portland, OR, and it had a number of issues. This Old Synth straightened it all out (figuratively and literally) and now she plays like new.

The OB-1 is a cool piece of synthesizer history. It's a monophonic programmable analog synthesizer with two oscillators, each switchable between sawtooth and pulse waveforms, and each with an independent sub-oscillator. Plus discrete electronics, a very early form of programmer, great-sounding 2- and 4-pole switchable filter, and a handful of unique features, all with circuitry that comes straight from the classic Oberheim SEM modules, make this monophonic analog synthesizer worthy of the Oberheim name."

Arturia Beatstep driving ARP Odyssey

Published on May 15, 2014 SynthDan1·20 videos

"Some random fun with the Beatstep driving my ARP Odyssey. The Beatstep's Gate Output isn't strong enough to drive the ARP's Gate Input, unfortunately, so the VCA is wide open. Still tons of fun."

Roland System 100M improv

Published on Apr 23, 2014 SynthDan1·19 videos

"Experimenting with my 'new' Roland System 100M. In this patch, two oscillators are mixed together, then fed through two different resonant filters, both being modulated by separate LFOs. Half-way through, I switch on the Phaser circuit for even more modulation madness."

RS505, Prophet 10, and Taurus 3 improv

Published on Mar 4, 2014 SynthDan1·15 videos

"Just having a little fun with these three classic analog synthesizers. Note: Taurus 3 bass pedals not visible in the video. But you can sure hear 'em!"

Roland RS505 Paraphonic String Synthesizer

Published on Feb 28, 2014 SynthDan1·14 videos

"A little improv on the 1978 Roland RS-505. It's a paraphonic string synthesizer, with a synth section (with resonant filter) and a bass section to boot. This video is a blend of the synth & strings, which creates a lush and almost haunting sound.

What's a paraphonic synthesizer? It's a keyboard that allows you to play many notes (because it's essentially a divide-down organ), but all the sounds run through a single filter and envelope. This is of course less powerful than a conventional polyphonic synthesizer, but they allowed for unlimited polyphony and some interesting sounds and effects. There were tons of string synthesizers made in the 1970s, all based on the paraphonic concept, and they were used in tons of famous songs (think of the beginning of "Dream Weaver" while listening to my demo).

P.S. Sorry about the weird audio glitch at the very first note, I guess my phone glitched."

EML Electrocomp 500 Demo

Published on Feb 25, 2014 SynthDan1·13 videos

"I've noticed a distinct lack of EML Electrocomp 500 videos on YouTube, and now that I'm the proud owner of one, I decided to post the first of perhaps many demo videos showing the EML 500 in a musical context. The EML500 is a super-rare, strange, and interesting synthesizer with some cool sonic possibilities. Here's a little taste.

(I'm missing 3 slider caps, as you can see. Let me know if you've got any for sale!)"

Moog Taurus 2 Bass Pedals

Published on Aug 29, 2013 SynthDan1·9 videos

"Quick demonstration of the awesome sounding Moog Taurus 2 bass pedals"

ARP Quartet Demo

Published on Jul 31, 2013 SynthDan1·9 videos

"The magic of the ARP Quartet lies in layering its four sounds (Brass, Organ, Piano, and Strings) together in interesting ways to create some huge analog sounds. Here are a couple short demos of the huge analog walls of sound that can be created by combining Brass & Strings, and Strings & Organ together.

** Note: This ARP Quartet is currently listed for sale on eBay."

via this auction

"This ARP is in very good shape and is fully functional. It's a 100% analog String/Organ/Piano/Brass synthesizer. The magic of the ARP Quartet comes in layering the various sounds together to create some gigantic new sounds. Here is a short video I created to showcase a couple of these layers"

More Roland Jupiter 4

Published on Jun 10, 2013 SynthDan1·7 videos

"Exploring some of the sounds of the Roland Jupiter 4. Showing arpeggiator modes, Hold function, modulation capabilities, portamento, noise source, sub oscillator, and Ensemble effect."

Jupiter 4 Demo

Published on Jun 10, 2013 SynthDan1·6 videos

"A quick look at the very rare and very soft after Roland Jupiter 4."

The VCS3 is angry!

Published on Apr 24, 2013 SynthDan1·4 videos

"Just showing off the intense range of sounds you can get from the EMS VCS3 without ever turning knob, just by using the joystick and some clever patching."

A little EMS VCS3 noise

Published on Apr 23, 2013 SynthDan1·3 videos

"Just unpacked the instrument and taking it for a quick spin. There's nothing quite like this thing. Its unbelievably trippy.

If it sounds a little like classic Doctor Who sound effects or crazy Pink Floyd synth effects, that's because this is the classic British synthesizer responsible for all those great works of art and many others. It's an incredibly bizarre instrument aimed not at melodic music-making but rather pure synthesis, pure synthy noise-making goodness."

1969 R.A. Moog Modular Synthesizer after clean-up

YouTube Published on Aug 27, 2012 by SynthDan1

"I fulfilled a life-long dream by buying a 1969 Moog Modular system. This system was custom-ordered by Rick Powell, a musician and friend of Bob Moog, and was used on a number of pretty bad Moog albums in the 70s. When I got it it had been restored by one of the top technicians in the United States but had been sitting for a while. The jacks were dirty and the keyboard was entirely non-functional. I shot this video just after getting the keyboard cleaned up and working. I had just reassembled and polished the wood on the keyboard's cabinet.

This system is a dream to play. It's far more stable (due to factory stability mods) than I could have hoped for, and the filter is just amazing. This patch shows two 901A oscillators tracking together through the resonant low-pass filter in a typical Minimoog-style setup, with the third 901 oscillator acting as LFO for the filter."