"Based loosely on the infamous Triadex Muse; a shift register based musical instrument where faders represented different feedback loops into shift registers. What it leads to are literally zillions of musical patterns. It’s an amazing compositional tool for ambient, baroque and many synthesized music genres. Stuck on a lick and need a good melody? Use the Zillions and you’ll find endless musical possibilities."
"Testing out The Matrix and this recording resulted. The feedbacking of the 1310 is worth archiving here. At the end I pull the audio cable from the 1660 and it’s CV continues to squeak the Destructor Beam while the 1310 feedbacks.
The Matrix is based on the Triadex Muse. Have to learn it, but this will be a cold dead hands module."
"The Matrix Algorithmic Composer model 1660 from Synthetic Sound Labs was designed by Doug Slocum and programed by Harold Screven. It is directly inspired by the Triadex Muse which was invented about 55 years ago by Edward Fredkin and Marvin Minsky at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T.) and was one of the earliest digital music sequencers ever created.
Index:
0:00 - Beginning
0:50 - Introduction Reel
1:45 - Brief Layout Overview
3:11 - Interval Controls and Binary Basics
5:33 - Normal vs Rest
6:10 - Scale Quantizer
6:45 - The C3 and C6 Difference
8:00 - Distraction and Audio Out Processing
9:00 - Back To Rests Plus Resets
10:41 - Partial Review Before Moving On
13:56 - Theme Controls and Shift Register Basics
17:42 - The Linear Feed Back Shift Register
20:42 - LFSR Pattern Watching
22:15 - Patch Example 1 - Clock Dividers and Quantizers
24:31 - Patch Example 2 - Audio Out as Modulation Source
27:51 - Patch Example 3 - External Shift Register and Quantizers
31:53 - End
If you found the content of this video helpful, interesting, or entertaining, please consider showing your support so I can stay stocked up on coffee and cookies. 😋 https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/JohnL..."
"Meticulously overhauled by the most critical professionals around and working perfectly. The unit is in exceptional shape and is in excellent working order. You won't find a better one."
"Professionally Serviced and working just fine. This rare piece is designed to hook up the the Triadex Muse Sequencer box. Gets a lot louder than the sequencer's internal speaker, though you wouldn't want to crank it as you could damage it.
The fabric covering the speaker is stained. We imagine a professional cleaner may be able to remove this stain, but this is nothing we wanted to attempt. Comes with original box (!)."
"This unit was fully serviced and is in excellent working order, unlike most. We are detail-oriented professional perfectionists here, so buy with confidence."
"Who wrote the intro to "Beat It"? Michael Jackson?
Let's find out...
One correction: I misspelt Jon Appleton in the video, apologies to Jon.
Root Studio's Synclavier demo video mentioned:"
NED Synclavier I Demo
video by rootstudio
"This rare New England Digital Synclavier Model I plays from its internal sequencer what is probably a factory demo.
To find out more about this instrument, watch my history video:"
Synclavier I - the first digital synthesizer you could buy
video by rootstudio
"One of the rarest musical instruments, this historic computer controlled synthesizer is as flexible as you want it to be and sounds like nothing else. Video includes high definition close ups of the insides and demo sounds.
Update via gridsleep in the comments: "Triadex Muse was released in 1972, five years before the Synclavier."
And you could buy it. The Synclavier 1 would be the first *programmable* digital synth you could purchase, but only via the included DEC VT100. via 120years.net: "The synclavier 1 was an FM synthesis based keyboard-less sound module, and was only programmable via a DEC VT100 computer supplied with the system."
So I guess it depends on how you define a synthesizer - programmable or not. Note there were at least two earlier digital "synths". See The First Synth To post for more.
"Long form live performance of the elusive Triadex Muse. The sliders will be modified from time to time during the stream. The output of the Muse is a series of dry square waves so effects were added to spice it up. Enjoy!
The Triadex Muse is a sequencer-based synthesizer, produced in 1972, and designed by Edward Fredkin and Marvin Minsky at MIT. It is an algorithmic, deterministic event generator, utilizing early digital integrated circuits to generate an audio output that can sound very musical. It produces a sequence of notes based on the settings of about a dozen different parameters, including four small sliders that control Volume, Tempo, Pitch, and Fine Pitch. Only a few hundred were ever made."
"Very rare Triadex Muse Sequencer unit, built in Newton, Mass. Even more rare is the Lightbox add-on unit. Considering their age, both units are in very good condition. There are 4 issues to mention: The ‘Tempo’ fader knob is missing. Aside from affixing another similar knob to the fader hook, one can adjust the control with a thin rod, if need be. The internal speaker is not functioning. I always ran RCA’s out to a 1/4” to seperate amplification, as the internal speaker volume was rather low output. I will supply that cable in the purchase. There are also four dots drawn on the lower corner of the Lightbox. The B8 bulb on the actual sequencer has always been dim. This is the first sequencer of it’s kind ever built..."
"Excellent example of the Triadex Muse. This vintage device is in very good cosmetic, and 100% operational condition. It comes complete with the Original 19-page Owners Manual, which thoroughly explains all functions, as well as providing many examples of melodies. Also included is the Original color sales brochure, and a typed custom patch page which features many interesting sequencer events."
Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
Rare SWTPC Psych Tone 1971 digital analog synthesizer sequencer triadex Muse electronic music Published on Apr 28, 2013 salvadory
Interesting note that this was the first digital sequencer synth prior to the Triadex Muse, the first digital synth.
"First of all my camera is terrible so my apoligies for audio and video-( my camera keeps shutting off even though the power is charged-)
However this is a very rare SWTPC psych tone music composer from 1971 with original magazine article- the only video on youtube as of now - my model is in very good full functioning condition and is a much sought after piece- a precursor to the famous and also rare Triadex Muse-
An interesting missing link in synthesizer development from the early age.... quirky interesting patterns and sound- design way ahead of its time in my opinion- plenty of switches and knobs to make things interesting!"
Looks like a crusty, beat-up KORG Volca in a custom case with speaker. These do come up now and then. You can find some in the archives here. You can find pics of the inside/backside below.
Note the video above is not for this specific listing. You can see it is dated 2013. I found it searching for demos on YouTube. This is the first demo of the SWTPC Psych-tone posted on the site for that matter.
"Here's a Very Uncommon, Original Triadex Muse. I had 11 of these at one point and they have just been gathering dust - time to let someone else enjoy it.
This is my last one!
See condition notes above. It seems to be fully functioning, unlike the last 2 I sold. I believe I have seen some #'d in the 500-600s and based on the ones offered for sale over the years - I'm guessing around 700 were produced, not 300, as Wiki estimates.... although many were not in perfect working order, so several were shipped back. This is being sold without a serial #. I have shipped others to collectors in the UK and Japan for restore. Also, most of these - even new in the box, had warped wood - they just weren't made from high quality materials... so the wood warped over the years..."
"Messing around with one of the 5 Triadex Muse to synthesizer adapter/converts I have made. The muse is to the left, sitting in front of its case! The converter is to its right. It contains two sections - one that converts the muse output directly to CV for use with 1V/octave synths, and one that allows a user to pick 8 different CVs (frequencies) that are selected by which note the Muse chooses. This allows harmonies, or sequences that are not limited to the 2 octave major scale of the Muse itself, or control of a VCF or VCA.
There are also CV outputs for note-only and octave-only, as well as some inversions, and gate signals, including gate, gate/rest and rest. The CV outputs can be mixed with a root-in CV, and can also be switched to work in a minor scale. The inverted outputs will not reflect the correct scale.
Jumpers on the circuit board allow for some responses to be changed. For example, the four input bits can be inverted, as can the REST output.
Theoretically, this converter can be used to convert the digital outputs of other equipment, if a suitable wiring harness was made, as it is essentially a deluxe CGS Diatonic Converter."
"Here's a Very Uncommon, Original Triadex Muse. I had 11 of these at one point and they have just been gathering dust - time to let someone else enjoy it. This one is PROOF that MORE than 300 were produced - this has serial # 462 - see photos; I believe I have seen some #'d in the 500-600s and based on the ones offered for sale over the years - I'm guessing around 700 were produced, not 300, as Wiki estimates.... although many were not in perfect working order, so several were shipped back. This is being sold as NOT 100% perfectly functioning, for parts/restoration (probably an easy fix for a competent purveyor, which I am not). I have shipped others to collectors in Japan for restore and my fully functional units sold long ago. Also, most of these - even new in the box, had warped wood - they just weren't made from high quality materials... so the wood warped over the years. Due to the museum caliber rarity/collectability, I will not accept lowball offers on this relic, but with advance notice, it can be seen where I work, in Danvers, MA, during the day."
"The Zillion is a single track algorithmic MIDI sequencer based on the principles of the Triadex Muse. The Muse used counters and a shift register to generate more than a million musical melodies.
The Zillion expands on these ideas to add more features and functionality, providing a zillion possibilities for you to discover.
There are 16 operating modes. These include Playback, Tempo, Swing, Direction, Loop, Transpose, Scale, Scale Program, Melody, Rhythm, Velocity, Theme, Shift Register, MIDI OUT, MIDI IN, and Sync."
"The Muse (synthesizer ONLY) by Triadex Inc., 1972
I am the original owner of this Muse model -1. My Dad worked with Ed Fredkin on the rollout of The Muse back in the early 70's. When he brought a set home I made sure it lived in my room - as one of 4 kids that wasn't easy. The other two components, the light show and the external amp are now in the collection of the Computer History Museum in Mountain View. If you haven't been there definitely go -it's an amazing place. The last picture is of the CHM music exhibit, the day we dropped off the other components.
**(this auctions does NOT include the light show and ext amp)
I've had the Muse all these years and now feel it's time to share it with another music/tech lover. Included in the sale is the original box, packing styrofoam and 20 page booklet, 'How to make Muse music.' The Muse is in perfect working order. The only defect is the Step Key sits off-centered, but it functions correctly."
