The Oberheim Xpander from 1984

video upload by Alex Ball

"A look at the Oberheim Xpander from 1984.

This hybrid synthesizer was designed by Marcus Ryle and Michel Doidic with input from Doug Curtis and it boasts some surprising features for the time. In this video we take a closer look.

The information for this video was garnered from the following interviews:

GForce Bright Sparks: [below]

Ken Flux Pierce Interview: [below]

GEOSynths Interview: [below]

0:00 Intro Jam
0:58 Talk 1
1:31 Demo 1: Beach Comb
2:16 Talk 2
3:09 Demo 2: Faux Seq
3:52 Talk 3
4:30 Demo 3: Eff Em
5:04 Talk 4
5:59 Demo 4: Wobble 5
6:23 Talk 5
6:51 Demo 5: Judder
7:16 Talk 6
8:34 Demo 6: ALX
9:09 Talk 7
10:34 Multi Demo 1: Zone Call
11:55 Multi Demo 2 : Fond
13:54 Talk 8
15:56 Outro Jam"

Bright Sparks - Tom Oberheim

video upload by GForce Software

"After the 2015 release of our Bright Sparks Documentary & Album collaboration with I Monster, while we were elated at the critical acclaim the project received, we always felt it would have been enriched by the inclusion of one person in particular, Tom Oberheim."

See this previous post for the full description.

The SynthSummitShow ep 31 Marcus Ryle (line 6, Oberheim, Alesis)

video upload by Ken Flux Pierce Fluxwithit

Not seeing the date on this one, but clearly before Marcus joined the new Oberheim.

"Live Stream interview with Marcus Ryle co founder of Line 6 , who has worked with a wide assortment of legendary companies starting with Oberheim synthesizers, Alesis, and more."

GEOSynths Synth Show - Ep157 - Special Guest - Marcus Ryle

video upload by

"Having originally worked for Oberheim in the early 80’s and being Instrumental in the design and development of some classic Oberheim Synths, Marcus Ryle is no stranger to the world of Synthesizers and Electronic Music Equipment. He later went on to co-found “Fast-Forward Designs” who were responsible for some really ground-breaking technology with Alexis, such as ADAT Multi-Track Recorder, Quadra Synth and Effects. Marcus also co-founded Line 6, which developed a whole range of DSP Products for Guitarists, especially the POD range, which were extremely successful and graced many Stages and Studies alike.

Of course, Marcus is very accomplished Synth Player, Sound Designer and Session Musician with a Studio complete with some of the very best Classic Oberheim Synthesizers. Now, we have the honor of chatting to him about the latest Oberheim Product, taking the very best of the OB range into the fantastic OB-X8. We’ll be finding out about his history with Oberheim and others, his Music and of course the OB-X8 Project and beyond…"

Dave Rossum on audio Companding a SynthSummitShow special

video upload by Ken Flux Pierce Fluxwithit

"The SynthSummitShow is series of interviews with the people behind the music tech gear we love. This special episode was not intended to be a typical SynthSummitShow episode. Dave Rossum is a long time pioneer of the audio industry. Please check out the previous SynthSummitShow episode 8 [below] for a more direct interview. you can also catch the last interview we did with him on the BEATPPL episode 70. [posted here]

This conversation stems from me trying to better understand audio companding as was used in E-MU's early samplers. diving into wikipedia and other online resources, I found inadequate. Most of these online resources just assumed that the companding was the same as done in early days of telecom. This however I found to be inaccurate. So I reached out to Dave to ask him some details and what follows is the result. I can't thank Dave Rossum enough for sharing his knowledge and time with not just myself , but the community as a whole. This industry would not be the same without him and I am humbled everytime I get to speak with him."

The SynthSummitShow Episode 8 Dave Rossum : from sp1200 to modular

The SynthSummitShow Episode 36 Marco Alpert (mid 90's Akai stories and more)

video upload by Ken Flux Pierce Fluxwithit

"Marco Alpert has lead an amazing career spanning decades in the Music tech and influencing some of the great products from E-MU and Akai
I sit down to have a chat about what it was like bringing the MPC 2000, Akai DPS12 and other products to light during the mid to late 90's era"

The SynthSummitShow Ep. 34 Gary Chang

video upload by Ken Flux Pierce Fluxwithit

Beautiful Wiard system in the backgroud.

"about Todays guest : Gary Chang is an American composer of scores for film and television. Working primarily in the action and thriller genres, he has composed the scores to over seventy films, including Under Siege, Sniper, and The Island of Dr. Moreau. He is also a long-time collaborator of directors John Frankenheimer and Craig R. Baxley. For his work on Under Siege, he won a BMI Award.[1]"

You can find additional posts mentioning Gary Chang here.

SynthSummit Show Episode 32 Kris Kaiser of Noise Engineering

video by Ken Flux Pierce Fluxwithit

"The SynthSummitShow is a show dedicated to bringing the stories behind the people creating the gear we know and love.

Kris Kaiser is the hardware engineer (among other things) behind Noise Engineering. https://www.noiseengineering.us/"

The SynthSummitShow Ep 30 Twisted Electrons

Published on Apr 26, 2020 Ken Flux Pierce Fluxwithit

"On the show we have Alex of https://twisted-electrons.com/ to discuss the MegaFM, Deton8 and Acid8 desktop units."

The SynthSummitShow: Paul Schreiber Synthesis Technology E520

Published on Nov 10, 2019 Ken Flux Pierce Fluxwithit

"Synth designer and all around electronics guru Paul Schreiber returns yet for another interview. here to discuss his latest product the E520 Hyperion Stereo effects processor which will soon be up on kickstarter! tune in and join the live chat as we discuss this exciting new product."

Fluxwithit Paul Schreiber videos
SynthSummitShows with the makers

Update2: You can sign up to be notified with the Kickstarter launches here.

Update: some info on the module via https://synthtech.com:

"INTRODUCING THE E520 HYPERION, A STEREO EFFECTS PROCESSOR

Kickstarter campaign launches on Nov. 15th and the KS page will activate on Nov. 10th. Estimated shipping: late May 2020.

OVERVIEW

The E520 Hyperion is a mono/stereo in, stereo out effects module. It is 48HP wide and uses less than 300ma of +12V and less than 70ma of -12V.

Powered by a 480MHz ARM Cortex M7 CPU, the E520 has 64MB on on-board SDRAM for recording up to 6min of stereo audio at 48KHz sample rate. The LCD screen and optical encoder navigation uses the same 'shallow' menu scheme of our E352 and E370 modules, with the addition of 4 'soft keys' for selecting options without having to leave the main page.

The E520 uses a premium audio path not usually found in Eurorack. Crystal Semi CODECs, TI OPA-series op amps and WIMA film caps in the output stage are used along with low-noise, dedicated LDO voltage regulators for a clean, full soundstage. Audio conversion uses 48KHz sample rate, 24bit resolution with a line or synth level setting.

Please note this is a 'living document' and subject to modification at any time over the next 8 weeks.

CLICK FOR MORE »

The SynthSummitShow Episode 27: Jorg Schaaf Radikal Technologies

Published on May 26, 2019 Ken Flux Pierce Fluxwithit

"The SynthSummitShow is a show dedicated to shedding light on the creators behind the gear that we know and love."

The SynthSummitShow episode 25 Metasonix

Started streaming 28 minutes ago Ken Flux Pierce Fluxwithit

"The SynthSummitShow is a Live streaming Interview show by sound designer Ken Flux Pierce for FluxWithIt.com where he interviews Both Industry legends and upcoming creators of the musical gear that shapes the way we create.

This episode we welcome Eric Barbour founder of Metasonix. Eric has a long history as one of the premier Vacuum tube synth designers and has had his work featured on countless albums."

The SynthSummitShow Episode 24: Percussa

Streamed live 3 hours ago Ken Flux Pierce Fluxwithit

"The SynthSummitShow is a live streamed show focusing on music technology and the people behind it.
For more info about Percussa please visit https://www.percussa.com
Host Ken Flux Pierce is a Sound designer, producer and music tech consultant. Follow along at Fluxwithit.com
you can support by liking , sharing and also visiting shop.Fluxwithit.com. Sound packs are also available through Sounds.com and BigFishaudio.com"

The SynthSummitShow Episode 23: Vintage Synth Lab

Streamed live 3 hours ago Ken Flux Pierce Fluxwithit

"The SynthSummitShow is a live interview show dedicated to putting a face to the gear we use and love.
Vintage Synth Lab is a eurorack module manufacturer who focus on creating usable musical modular devices.

Host Ken Flux Pierce is a Sound designer, producer and music tech consultant. Follow along at Fluxwithit.com
you can support by liking , sharing and also visiting shop.Fluxwithit.com. Sound packs are also available through Sounds.com and BigFishaudio.com"

The SynthSummitShow episode 22: Warm star Electronics (eurorack module manufacturer)

Streamed live 23 hours ago Ken Flux Pierce Fluxwithit

"A Live show focusing on Synths, Modular, and all things gear related including interviews of some of the most interesting people in the industry and much more.
Hosted By Sound Designer and Music Technologist Ken Flux Pierce (I have severe ADD and it shows in this episode)"

The SynthSummitShow ep: 21 Chris Meyer (LearningModular.com and Sequential Circuits)

Flux302 of Fluxwithit.com
Streamed live 4 hours ago

"A semi weekly show focusing on Synths, Modular, and all things gear related including interviews of some of the most interesting people in the industry and much more.
Hosted By Sound Designer and Music Technologist Ken Flux Pierce

Todays guest is Chris Meyer. Known as the inventor of Vector Synthesis, Chris has a lengthy career in the music business and from his work with Sequential Circuits to his latest endeavor LearningModular.com"

The SynthSummitShow Episode 20: Taiho Yamada Synth designer

Streamed live on Jun 11, 2017 Flux302 of Fluxwithit.com

"The SynthSummitShow brings you interviews and discussion on the people who are responsible for the synths and gear we love. Taiho Yamada is a Synth designer and is responsible for many synth designs we know and love today. His new Company MOK has a new synthesizer released with Tracktion and is available now!
Host Ken Flux Pierce is a sound designer, synthesist and all around music tech lover."

http://fluxwithit.com/synthsummitshow-episode-20-taiho-yamada-mok-giveaway/

Taiho was the project manager behind the Alesis Andromeda A6, M-Audio Venom, as well as other synths. A search on Taiho here on MATRIXSYNTH will bring up previous posts featuring him and his work.

The SynthSummitShow episode 18: John Bowen synth designs

Streamed live 5 hours ago Flux302 of Fluxwithit.com

Fascinating bit of synth history with John Bowen who started his career with synths during the early days of Moog Music, followed by Sequential Circuits. Dave Rossum in the early days of E-mu is mentioned as well. John now of course runs John Bowen Synth Design, and is the creator of the Solaris. You can find previous interviews with John at various synth events in the archives here.

Interesting little bit of trivia at 41:55 regarding John drawing some of the Prophet-VS waveforms as estimations of the waveforms on the front panel of I'm guessing either the KORG DW-8000 or DW-6000. It's interesting to know they are in there. It's worth noting all of the Prophet-VS waveforms and Waldorf, and therefor PPG waveforms, are in his new Solaris x 4, meaning four independent oscillators capable of having separate waveforms or wavetables from each. The Prophet-VS vector synthesis of course made its way to Yamaha's SY-22/TG-33, followed by Korg and the Wavestation where it morphed into vector sequencing. He also worked on the original version of the KORG OASYS which turned into the PCI card version. He then left to work with Creamware on Scope, on some of the first software models of vintage synthesizers. It's pretty incredible when you think of all the connections between synths John has not only influenced, but created over the years.

Note the Solaris 1U rackmount at 1:11:48. Two were made a couple of years ago but the idea was scrapped. John spoke with Axel Hartmann on it and they agreed that the lack of UI made it not worth it. The Solaris has over 1200 editable parameters and part of the magic behind the Solaris keyboard is the UI which makes it all easily accessible.

Funny note regarding the Yamaha DX7 at 1:23:00. John is referring to the Jellinghuas controller for the DX7 after that, and Flux is referring to the DTronics DT7 based on it.

Video description:

"The SynthSummitShow is a live streamed show dedicated to Synths, music technology and the people who make the gear we use possible.

Todays guest is John Bowen. http://www.johnbowen.com/about.html

John was instrumental in many of the products we all know and love, from the prophet 5 to the solaris John has been a staple in the music industry.

Host: Ken Flux Pierce is a sound designer, Music technology consultant and blogger you can find me at Fluxwithit.com"

The SynthSummitShow Episode 17: Hyve touch synth Skot Weidmann

Streamed live 2 hours ago Flux302 of Fluxwithit.com

"the SynthSummitShow is a show dedicated to introducing gear lovers to those who create the gear they love.
This week we have Skott Weidmann of Hyvesynth.com to discuss his new 60 voice analog touch synth and its kickstarter campaign"

The SynthSummitShow Knobcon 2016 Live special

Streamed live 7 hours ago Flux302 of Fluxwithit.com

"The SynthSummitShow discussing all wonderful synth thins. This episode we are live from Knobcon 2016 with Paul Schreiber of Synthesis Technology and Ben Davis of Malekko"

Knobcon 2016 Details are In

"Knobcon, the world's only synthesizer convention, returns to the Hyatt Regency Schaumburg near Chicago IL USA for the fifth happening of this immersive event featuring over 60 exhibitors, live performances and workshops!

Knobcon:
Jack to the Future Part V
$35 Entry Fee for ALL 3 DAYS!
Optional Knobcon Banquet only $50

It all begins with an opening reception on Friday, September 9 with live performances by Allerian, Entanglement, Studio Dummies, and Suit & Tie Guy. Attendees of the reception will also enjoy specially priced drinks featuring whiskey from Balcones Distilling.

Multiple exhibit halls open to the public at 10AM Saturday and Sunday and are filled to capacity with large manufacturers such as Roland, Korg, Yamaha, and Moog, the finest boutique modular and pedal companies, and even some "classic cars" that collectors bring to display. Behringer’s new analog polysynth DeepMind12 will be making its North American debut at the event. Also appearing will be the new Minimoog Model D from Moog, and Arturia's Matrixbrute. See the latest releases and even purchase gear at special Knobcon pricing throughout the weekend!

Workshops scheduled on Saturday and Sunday, Sept 10-11. See the Knobcon website (www.knobcon.com) for complete descriptions and times.
• Syntheizer Basics and Synthesizer Myths presented by Marc Doty
• History and Theory of Additive Synthesis presented by Jon Sonnenberg
• Birth of the Prophet VS presented by Chris Meyer
• Tomita: A Voyage Through His Greatest Techniques presented by Nicholas D. Kent
• Experimental Music: Composition with an Arduino MIDI Controller presented by Elliott Inman
• MIDI: What’s it All About? presented by Amos Gaynes
• BeatPPL - Live Podcast Recording
• SynthSummitShow - Live Podcast Recording
• Learn to solder SMT with synthCube building a Buffered Mult and Cable Tester Module
• Build an AstroNoise Euro Module or Standalone Circuit with Synthrotek
• Build a Dual Passive Low Pass Gate Euro Module with Modular Addict

Saturday evening features multiple events including the annual Knobcon Banquet with a keynote address by guest of honor, Bill Hemsath. Enjoy cocktail music by the Knobcon Supper Club All-Stars, a classic organ, guitar, and drums trio.

Bill Hemsath, RA Moog's Chief Engineer from 1969 to 1971, gave us three fantastic things we all treasure to this day. He developed the first CV joystick, which then became pitch and mod wheels. He also had the bright idea to wire some modules together in a box with a keyboard, and the Minimoog was born.

The entertainment continues Saturday night with multiple live music events. The Knobcon Big Room - a house and techno party with projections by Lorenzo Vektor and Dennis Stein. Big Room performers include Glacial 23, Introvert, Low-Gain, Komprezzor and Oliver Dodd. If that's not your thing, head over to the International Players Club - a live music and jam session with The SynthFreq & Friends.

Knobcon ends on Sunday, September 11 at 5pm.

Full event details can be found at www.knobcon.com

EXHIBITORS
2hp, 4ms Company, Amplified Parts, Analogue Solutions, Antimatter Audio, Art For The Ears, Artisan Electronic Instruments, Arturia, Audient, Behringer, Believotron, Black Market Modular, Blue Lantern Modules, Casio, Detachment 3, Detroit Modular, Division 6, Dreadbox, EarthQuaker Devices, Elite Modular, Erogenous Tones, Evaton Technologies, EVE Audio, Future Retro, Foxtone Music, Grove Audio, Hexinverter Électronique, Industrial Music Electronics, Kilpatrick Audio, Korg, KVgear, Malekko Heavy Industry, Metalphoto of Cincinnati, Modal Electronics, Mode Machines, Moog Music, Moon Modular, Modular Addict, Nerd Audio, Noisebug, Novation, Old Crow, Percussa, Perfect Circuit Audio, Plastiq Musiq, Qu-Bit, Reverb, Roland, Sleepery Supply, STG Soundlabs, Syinsi, synthCube, Synth City, Synthrotek, Synthesis Technology, Tsyklon Labs, Verbos Electronics, WMD, Yamaha, Zetaohm, Żłob Modular, Z. Vex Effects"

The SynthSummitShow episode 12: Animodule (Jesse McCreadie)

Streamed live 3 hours ago Flux302 of Fluxwithit.com

"The SynthSummitshow is a semi weekly show where I interview synthesizer manufacturers and those in the audio industry.
you can find out more at Fluxwithit.com
check out Animodule.com for more great modules."

The SynthSummitShow episode 11: Electro-Acoustic Research Peter Grenader

Streamed live 3 hours ago Flux302 of Fluxwithit.com

"Fluxwithit.com presents the SynthSummitShow , a semi weekly show dedicated to Synths and the people behind them. This week we have Peter Grenader of Electro-Acoustic Research (formerly Plan B modular)"