New I Dream Of Wires 2014 Documentary Trailer - Official

I Dream Of Wires 2014 documentary Trailer - Official from I Dream Of Wires on Vimeo.

"Waveshaper Media presents
a film by Robert Fantinatto and Jason Amm
I DREAM OF WIRES (2014)

I Dream Of Wires is an independent documentary about the history, demise and resurgence of the modular synthesizer, featuring interviews with modular musicians, inventors and enthusiasts, including Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails), Gary Numan, Vince Clarke (Erasure), Morton Subotnick, Chris Carter (Throbbing Gristle), Daniel Miller, Carl Craig, Flood, Cevin Key (Skinny Puppy), James Holden, Factory Floor, Legowelt, Clark, John Foxx and Bernie Krause, as well as manufacturers and modular industry leaders Doepfer, Modcan, and Make Noise.

Although April 26 will be the world premiere of  I Dream Of Wires' 90 minute theatrical cut (at Moogfest), a 4-hour Special Edition cut of the film, I Dream Of Wires: Hardcore Edition, was released on DVD and BluRay in late-2013, and has already become an underground, grassroots sensation amongst electronic musicians and fans, with high profile reviews and coverage from the likes of NPR, Arte/Tracks, Pitchfork, The Wire, and FACTmag. Despite it's imposing 4-hour length and ultra-niche target market, the Hardcore Edition ("for the hardcore modular synth and electronic music fanatics") has proven an independent hit. Now, stripped of the Hardcore Edition's techy excesses, I Dream Of Wires' theatrical cut is set to bring the fascinating story of the modular synthesizer, a story driven by passionate and innovative people, to the masses.

I Dream of Wires begins with an historical primer, exploring the early development of modular synthesizers from pioneering companies Moog Music Inc. and Buchla and Associates, right through to the near-extinction of these instruments, brought on by the introduction of portable, digital synthesizers in the ’80s. From there, the rebirth of the modular synthesizer is retraced, leading into the phenomenal resurgence of the modular synthesizer. Along the way is some in-depth exploration of the passions, obsessions and dreams of people who have dedicated part of their lives to this esoteric electronic music machine. What started out as a “vintage-revival scene” in the ’90s has grown into an underground phenomena with a growing market of modular obsessives craving ever more wild and innovative sounds and interfaces. Today, the modular synthesizer is no longer an esoteric curiosity or even a mere music instrument — it is an essential tool for radical new sounds and a bona fide subculture.

Additional credits:
Director: Robert Fantinatto
Producer: Jason Amm
Soundtrack: Solvent (OST via Suction Records)
Trailer: Kevan Byrne

"I Dream Of Wires shows how, in the same way that the instruments themselves are rewiring both performers' and listeners' expectations about electronic music, the community that has evolved around modular synths is changing the relationships between users, sellers, and makers…"
- The Wire magazine (UK)

"As far as documentaries go, this is a slick, polished production. The film looks great, and as one would hope and suspect, the audio is wonderful, with the score by Solvent setting the perfect mood throughout...."
- Film Threat (USA)

"…lingering close-up shots of analog synths aside (and there are a lot of these), perhaps what's most joyous about I Dream of Wires is that it profiles a subculture that has almost nothing to do with the music industry."
- The List Film (UK)

"I would highly recommend Robert Fantinatto's documentary film not only to anyone interested in modular analog synthesizers, but to anybody interested in sound and the electronic reproduction of audio in general. This film is so well made it should appeal to anyone curious about people who are obsessed with minutiae, weird sounds, and music that 97 percent of the planet would find annoying."
- Tape Op magazine (USA)

"With its excellent narration and top-notch interviews with pioneers and popularizers like Morton Subotnick, Gary Numan, and Trent Reznor, I Dream of Wires gives us a glimpse into the mind of electronically-minded musicians and their often revolutionary perspectives on music, technology, and human ingenuity.... If you’re curious about the wide world of synths but intimidated by the steep learning curve, check out this movie...."
- DigBoston weekly (USA)

"A recommended watch for those with any degree of interest in synths and synth music. 10/10 Excellence"
- Music Tech magazine (UK)

"…if synthesizers are your thing this documentary provides a huge amount of insight and should appeal in particular to musicians or engineers."
- HMV (UK)

"…this is as thorough a study of the unique appeal of modular synths as you’ll find."
- Attack Magazine (UK)

I Dream Of Wires
idreamofwires.org
vimeo.com/idreamofwires
twitter.com/IDOWdocumentary
facebook.com/idreamofwiresdocumentary"

Salamander Modular Synth Analog Voltage Controlled Oscillator & Waveshaper

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

"Up for auction is a Salamander Modular Synthesizer single analogue voltage controlled oscillator and waveshaper. It is in museum quality condition and functions and tunes perfectly. Everything electronically and physically is in perfect condition. It is one of few made in San Francisco, California in the late 70's/early 1980's.

This module includes one voltage controlled analogue oscillator that is generated from an E-MU Modular VCO Sub-block and discrete components. The surrounding circuitry has been greatly expanded and the best possible parts were used in constructing the VCO and Waveshaper module by SMS. All of the knobs and switches are military grade (as in literally).

This module comes from the full SMS system that can be seen in the video below. I overtook the modular when I became the sound designer and producer for Asphodel Records/Recombinant Media Labs from Naut Humon. Nothing, and I mean nothing, sounds remotely close to what this module can do.

The bandwidth is so high that I used the SMS to modulate and generate video signals for several installations. From a tuning and musicality standpoint, there is nothing that rivals the absurdly over built quality of the system.

The buyer will have to design their own power supply to run this module. Don't miss a once in a life time opportunity to add one of the rarest synthesizer modules ever made to your modular. All the connectors are standard 1/8" which will interface directly with all Eurorack modulars and similar gear."

"A bit about the studio from which this comes from ... Asphodel Records/Studios and Recombinant Media Labs was San Francisco's cutting edge and award winning production, recording, and performance/research facility. We worked both with artists internal and external to the record label. Some of the clientele has included Academy and Grammy Award nominated M.I.A., members of Nine Inch Nails, Lou Reed, Kode 9, Speedy J, Blixa Bargeld, and many many others. The facility was home to many talented professionals who were the users of the equipment we are selling."

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NAMM: ARCHANGEL: Analog Sequencer and Touchplate Controller

pic via Suit Et Tie Guy on Facebook

Overview via Detachment 3 where you'll find additional info & media:

"Performance. Control. Expression.

These words describe the driving factors behind the design of the Archangel sequencer. When we started developing Archangel, we wanted to make something that is extremely functional yet acts as a catalyst for your creativity. The result? An analog sequencer streamlined for performance and interactivity in the modern electronic studio.

Performance

Archangel at its core is a 4-row 16-step analog sequencer with integrated 16-pad touchplate controller. The layout of the sequencer allows for instant access to every function available. Archangel can be its own timing master as well as slave to MIDI, DIN sync or an external clock pulse. The sequence length can be set from 1 to 16 stages, and step size can be adjusted from 1/32nd note to two bars. To speed composition and improvisation Archangel has an integrated multi-scale quantizer.
Control

The sequencer has five direction modes and three integrated sequential switches. There are two 2:1 switches on the top and bottom pair of rows as well as a single 4:1 switch for all 4 rows. Altering the step size and number of steps per row does not take effect until the start of the next pattern. The Archangel sequencer can free-run or operate in one-shot mode, which will stop when the pattern reaches the last step. The pattern can be restarted with the start/stop button, the external stage 1 gate, or via the touchplate keyboard.
Expression

As well as operating as a standard sequencer, Archangel can be played with the touchplate keyboard. Each sequencer stage will be activated when the corresponding key is touched. Each touchplate key is both pressure and position sensitive, giving 2D control of any parameter in your synthesizer system. Finally, there is an external CV addressing input that allows Archangel to be used as either a CV-controlled sequencer or a low-frequency step-based waveshaper."

You might remember the eurorack system with Roland CR-8000 on top from this previous post.

See the Detacment 3 Engineering label below for more.