1979 SMP Overview

Published on Nov 19, 2019 Todd Barton

"My initial encounter and overview with 1979's Stereo Microsound Processor (SMP) based on Mutable Instruments Clouds but styled with added features for the Buchla format. A later episode will have some sound demos.

Purchase information: https://1979.ws

A good Clouds tutorial for the curious: [posted here]

Consider joining my Patreon page to support continuing tutorials for Buchla, Serge, Hordijk and some Eurorack:
https://www.patreon.com/synthtodd"


Update: Note 1979 is the brand, not the year. I created a new site label for them. I believe 1979 is Wes Milholen of Grayscale's brand. You can find a 20Objects interview with him here.

The SMP / STEREO MICROSOUND PROCESSOR is currently priced at $850.

"Granular synthesis for 4U systems. Based on Clouds by Mutable Instruments, the SMP is a realtime granular synthesis processor that expands significantly on the original. Dedicated controls for previously hidden functions, additional CV inputs with inverting attenuators, easier access to preset recall and sampling settings, and increased control over output gain make this one of the most full-featured hardware granular processors available. It's a powerful addition to any Buchla-format system, offering a form of digital signal processing not previously available in this format."

An Interview with Barry Schrader

Hi everyone! As you know Barry Schrader will be giving his farewell concert at CalArts on September 26. The following is the beginning of my interview with him. I opted to post the questions and answers as they come in.  New QAs will get a new post so you do not miss them and they will be added to this post so we have one central post for the full interview. This should make it easier for all of us to consume in our busy lives, and it will allow you to send in any questions that may come to mind during the interview process.  If you have anything you'd like to ask Barry, feel free to send it in to matrixsynth@gmail.com.  This is a rare opportunity for us to get insight on a significant bit of synthesizer history, specifically with early Buchla systems, and I'd like to thank Barry for this opportunity. Thank you Barry!

CLICK FOR MORE »

serge 40th reunion setup videos

Published on Feb 9, 2015 Todd Barton

"a little Serge Modular Music System synth porn from the recent 40th Reunion party in San Francisco honoring Sergei Tcherepnin and his team. Presented by the Church of the Super Serge. Excuse the crappy editing, just did what I could while setting up my own 1979 Serge. There were plenty more folks setting up later that I unfortunately missed. Enjoy!"

Settin up

Published on Feb 8, 2015 Dmitri SFC

"Serge Modular 40 year reunion concert Preppin."

Todd Barton on the Buchla and Sound Synthesis

via groundloop where you'll find the full interview.

"How did you discover the Buchla?

My first encounter was with a Buchla Music Easel that my friend, Doug Leedy
handed me and let me just explore it for a few days back in the mid-1970’s.
At that time I had no idea what I was doing…just plugging in patch cords and
twisting knobs hoping to get a sound. Eventually sounds came. I was smitten
with the ability to alter timbres and create sounds from scratch.

Since I couldn’t afford a Music Easel I instead saved up and got a lovely three
panel Serge from Serge Tcherepnin in the Haight Ashbury in 1979. Still not

knowing much about synthesis I also got Allen Strange’s book, Electronic Music:
Systems, Techniques and Controls. Parts of that book helped but mainly I began
patching 4-8 hours a day.

It wasn’t until 2004 that, having a steady job as Resident Composer at the
Oregon Shakespeare Festival since 1969, I was able to save enough to finally
get a Buchla 200e system. Since then I have spent as much time as possible
plumbing its endless depths."

Todd Barton Interviewed on vicmod

Interview on vicmod here.

"Tell us about yourself.
Cut my analog teeth on my friend Doug Leedy’s Buchla Music Easel in the late 70’s. Couldn’t afford a ME so hocked the house and got a Serge Modular Music System in 1979. Remember going to Haight/Ashbury and picking it up from Serge. The only book/manual at the time was Allen Strange’s Electronic Music: Systems, Techniques, and Controls which I ate, drank and slept with..."

Click through above for some Serge & Buchla eye candy.

Todd Barton recently released and all Buchla album here.

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Todd Barton - Analog Horizonings

"a very mellow collection of ambient soundscapes featuring the EVI-2000 along with the S-P Synthacon, Buchla, Serge and JP-8"

http://cdbaby.com/cd/toddbarton

"After four decades of exploration Todd Barton is still delving deeply into the ever-expanding frontiers of musical expression: from his DNA derived Genome Music to his innovative scores for plays at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival; from performances of Zen Shakuhachi Meditation Music to avant-garde music for electronic synthesizers and computers; from performing with luminaries of jazz and poetry to lecturing on music and composition from the Middle Ages to the 21st Century.

Todd's music has been heard on NPR’s Morning Edition, Westcoast Live, and the Curve of Wonder.

Since 1979 Todd has been exploring electronic systhesis and computer-based music. His love for vintage analog synthesisers continues to this day.

Over the years Todd has collaborated with a variety of jazz musicians and poets including Anthony Braxton, Zakir Hussein, William Stafford, Ursula K. Le Guin and Lawson Fusao Inada.

analog horizonings: ambient soundscapes for vintage analog synthesizers.

all music composed, produced and performed by todd barton"

Note Todd also goes by the alias vgermuse. You can see previous posts featuring vgermuse here and one more here. You might remember him from the Steiner Parker Synthacon and Buchla 200e demos.