Yamaha Synth Space History | CS40M | Dom Sigalas

video upload by Yamaha Synths Official

"In this episode Dom Sigalas takes a look at the CS40M, a duophonic analogue synthesizer designed as a smaller sibling of the CS80. Sound-wise this instrument is more related to the monophonic CS20M, but also shares some of the technology found in the CS80. It was used by bands such as Ultravox, Duran Duran & Front 242."

Yamaha Synth Space History | FS1R | Dom Sigalas

video upload by

"Dom Sigalas takes a detailed look at the powerful Yamaha FS1R FM synthesizer.

The FS1R was released in 1998 and uses 8 operators with 88 algorithms which offer additional waveforms and wave shaping features plus an added multimode filter, effects and EQ. In addition, the FS1R exclusively offers eight unvoiced operators per voice which result in a unique sonic engine called Formant Shaping Synthesis.

In our Synth Space History video series, we take you on a journey to explore the different historic Yamaha Synths and Stage instruments to be found in our Synth Space." You can find addtional episodes here. You can find additional posts featuring FS1R controllers here.

Yamaha Synth Space History | VL1 | Dom Sigalas

video upload by Yamaha Synths Official

"Come along as Dom Sigalas walks us through the ins and outs of the groundbreaking Yamaha VL1 virtual acoustic synthesizer.

The VL1 was the world's first musical instrument to use physical modelling. It was first released in 1994 and included 49 keys with aftertouch, 128 programs (voices), a breath controller jack, and much more. This duophonic synthesizer simulates the complex vibrations, resonances, reflections and other acoustic phenomena that occur in reed and wind instruments – a completely new approach to synthesis.

Synth Space History features demos of historic Yamaha Synths and Stage instruments."

Yamaha Synth Space History | DX1 | Dom Sigalas

video upload by Yamaha Synths Official

"In this video, Dom Sigalas explores the super rare Yamaha DX1 Synthesizer.

This FM synthesizer was introduced to the market in 1983 with no expenses spared when creating this machine with 73-key with polyphonic aftertouch. The DX1 was packed with features, including a distinct palette of new synthetic and 'authentic' sounds, six operators with thirty-two algorithms, all placed within its beautiful handmade Brazilian rosewood case. There were only 140 DX1 Synthesizers ever produced."

Arturia Announces V Collection 7 w/ EMS SYNTHI & Casio CZ-101 Based Synth Engines

Published on Apr 25, 2019 Arturia

Update: mini press release added below.
Update2: User videos added below.

"24 timeless instruments lovingly recreated in #software, and modernized with contemporary features. This is the most comprehensive anthology of classic #synth and #keyboards ever made. This is decades of passionate research, modelling, and development. This is your chance to take your place in music history."

Playlist:
Arturia announces | V Collection 7
Arturia announces | Synthi V
Arturia announces | CZ V
Arturia announces | Mellotron V
Arturia announces | B3 V 2
Tutorials | Synthi V - Episode 1: Overview
Tutorials | CZ V - Episode 1 : Overview
Tutorials | Mellotron V - Episode 1: Overview

New Synths in V Collection 7

Synthi V
BRITISH SILVER MACHINE

Synthi V completely captures the spirit of the unique analog synth that burst out of ‘70s London to inspire the entire emerging electronic music world—and it has new superpowers to inspire your world today.

Synthi V brings you all the experimental excitement of EMS’ legendary 3-oscillator analog synths—now infused with thoroughly modern enhancements. Venture beyond unusual lead and bass sounds to create soundscapes and sci-fi effects ranging from beautiful to bizarre and everything in between.

The British-born EMS family of synths—featuring the sonically identical Synthi AKS and VCS3—were among the first to distill modular synthesizer functionality into a more portable form. Where most competitive designs like the Minimoog sacrificed flexibility to size and simplicity, EMS retained a modular heart through the genius of one of the first matrix patchbays to grace a synth. That additional versatility led to more experimentation outside of melodic norms and into the more electronic realms of psychedelia and sci-fi effects. Cue Pink Floyd’s “On the Run” from “The Dark Side of the Moon” LP.

Synthi V is the perfect evolution of the synth that turned a lot of heads. Now you can use it to turn some heads of your own.

Main Features
A component-level model of the EMS Synthi AKS
3 oscillators with waveform mix, noise generator, 18 dB/oct resonant filter, output section with spring reverb modelling
Modular architecture, allowing to route signals in unexpected ways
Ring Modulator, loopable Envelope Shaper, 2 axis Joystick and Sample and Hold modules for advanced modulations
Original keyboard sequencer module with sync to DAW tempo
2 matrix behavior modes: modern and vintage for cross-talk simulation
5 assignable voltage functions to create multi-point envelopes and LFOs synced to DAW tempo
Advanced joystick automation module for modulating parameters in a 2D space
Matrix pin amounts modulations possibilities (with 4 independent groups)
10 effects, Reverb Phaser, Flanger, Chorus, Overdrive, Delay, ...
Up to 4 voices of polyphony
Over 250 factory presets

CZ V
PHASE DISTORTION CULT CLASSIC
The budget synth that became a legend in its own right. The instrument that brought the digital synth revolution to the masses is now at your command.

A simpler kind of powerful digital synthesis

Released in 1984, the CZ-101 was Casio’s answer to the wildly popular Yamaha DX7. It was significantly less expensive and infinitely easier to program than its rival. Instead of frequency modulation, Casio’s phase distortion (PD) used various user-selected waveforms to modulate the timing of simple carrier waves at the cycle level in order to create more complex wave shapes. This simplified form of digital synthesis made it comparatively easy to perfect a wide variety of timbres spanning warm pads, natural percussion, buzzy digitalia, sci-fi effects and even analog synths. While PD could sound similar to FM, it also had a unique sonic signature all its own.

The CZ sound helped propel artists like Salt-N-Pepa, Was (Not Was), and Vince Clarke into the spotlight. Let’s add your name to the list.

Classic Casio Phase Distorsion
+ cutting-edge Arturia modeling
= infinite sonic possibilities for you

Imagine a virtual instrument that realistically models every nuance of the CZ-101—and with four times the polyphony and zillions more presets. What if it gave you an intuitive graphic interface that unlocked of all the hidden jewels in this unique digital synth? And what if it now had additional envelopes, filters, LFOs, effects, and extensive beat-sync-to-host parameters? Oh, and what if you could interconnect all that via a new super-flexible modulation matrix? We’ve faithfully reproduced the instrument that brought ‘80s pop to new heights.

Yeah... we did that!

Main Features
Two synthesis lines and independent noise source
All CZ-101/CZ-1000 original parameters
8 original waveform and custom waveform editor
Original CZ SysEx import
CZ, DADSR and Multi-Segments envelopes (syncable and loopable) to control pitch, DCW and amplitude
2 Modulation envelopes
4 assignable macros
Advanced modulation matrix
A Sample and Hold module, 2 LFOs with 6 waveforms, 3 sources combinators and an Arpeggiator
4 FXs slots that can be routed in serie or per synthesis line
A synthesis line state viewer for real-time feedback
Emulation of the original CZ DAC
32 voices of polyphony
Up to 8 voices of unison with unison detune
Over 400 factory presets

Update: and the mini press release:

"Arturia have announced the arrival of the latest edition of V Collection : their flagship anthology of reimagined historic synths and keyboards.

Containing 24 premier software instruments and thousands of preset sounds, V Collection 7 is the must-have reference for musicians, producers, sound designers, and keyboard fans.

Legendary keyboards reinvented
In V Collection 7, Arturia have used cutting-edge modelling techniques to create the most accurate software versions of dozens of time-honored instruments. Their exclusive True Analog Emulation® (TAE) and advanced physical modelling put these legendary instruments at your fingertips as software. Over 100 years of music history are now yours to explore, and use to shape the sound of the future.

Launch offer
To celebrate its release, and only for a limited time, V Collection will be available for an incredible price. Whether you are new to Arturia products, want to upgrade from a previous version of V Collection , or own any other Arturia products, you will have access to an exclusive deal that will put the very best synth and keyboard recreations ever made at your fingertips.

Intro offer from $399/399€, ends June 10th.
Street price $499/499€

NEW INSTRUMENTS

MELLOTRON V
LEGENDARY TAPE KEYBOARD
The original instrument redefined what keyboard players could do, unlocking the doors to orchestral and choral sounds at the touch of a key. Arturia’s reinvented versions not only features all original Mellotron tapes, but also lets you import and play your own samples with authentic tape emulation.

SYNTHI V
BRITISH SILVER MACHINE
The quirky British “silver machine” that put a new spin on modular synthesis, reborn in software with exciting new tricks up its sleeve. Advanced component modelling let Arturia model even its wild, unpredictable nature, with advanced modulation and powerful effects added to the mix.

CZ V
PHASE DISTORTION CULT CLASSIC
The budget synth that became a legend in its own right. The instrument that brought the digital synth revolution to the masses is now at your command. Easy to program phase distortion synthesis with custom editor, huge modulation potential and awesome effects.

EXCITING UPDATES
ANALOG LAB 4
INSPIRE, CREATE, COMBINE, AND PERFORM
A treasure trove of amazing synth and keyboard sounds with effects, easy to browse, fun to control, with a new built-in live mode. Your go-to choice for inspiration and performances.

B-3 V 2
THE MOST POPULAR ORGAN REBORN
Our recreation of Hammond’s legendary organ has received a total sound engine overhaul, making it the most authentic, vibrant electric organ virtual instrument ever.

SYNTHOPEDIA
CUTTING EDGE PRESETS
Over 800 brand new, modern sounds created for legacy V Collection instruments. The hottest synths and chart-topping keys are yours to explore.

Arturia have created a series of promotional videos and tutorials to whet your appetite, and get you familiar with the exciting new instruments. Each software instrument also features an in-app tutorial mode, too! Just another one of the fantastic new features in V Collection 7.

To discover more about Arturia V Collection 7 , the stories behind the vintage instrument recreations, and to start your free trial, visit the Arturia website."

Update2: First user videos:



Arturia V Collection 7 - Played by a LEGO Robot - Carl-Mikael's Cabinet of Curiosities
Arturia SYNTHI V Synthesizer (EMS Synthi AKS Emulation) First Look & Sound Demo - SYNTH ANATOMY
Arturia MELLOTRON V First Look & Sound Demo - SYNTH ANATOMY

NOISEBUG | Store & Synth Studio Tour - Pomona, CA

Published on Apr 16, 2019 synth4ever

https://www.noisebug.net/

"An in-depth store & synth studio tour of Noisebug in Pomona, California -- including the Noisebug synthesizer showroom, modular synths, and synthesizer music event / performance space.

Join me on this journey into Noisebug's storefront location with Blake Griffith, General Manager & musician. Noisebug is owned by Chuck Oken, Jr. and the current space was the original Analogue Haven location, which was started in 2005.

Blake was kind enough to provide me with a Noisebug synthesizer studio and store tour, and gives great commentary and insight into the history of the store, various analog, digital and modular synthesizers, and the synth industry as a whole.

Noisebug stocks keyboards, synthesizers, drum machines, electronic percussion and desktop modules from all over the world. They specialize in Multi-Format Modular Synthesizers, including Moog Format (MU), Buchla Format, Eurorack, Serge, 5U and beyond.

For more details visit Noisebug in Pomona, CA or online at: https://www.noisebug.net

=========
Timecodes:
=========

0:00 - Intro
1:04 - History of Noisebug
2:16 - Record collection
3:22 - Grooveboxes, effects pedals, pocket operators
4:23 - Showroom floor - Arturia Drumbrute Impact, Lyra-8, Dreadbox Medusa
6:56 - Moog Mother 32, Elektron Digitakt & Digitone
7:50 - Dreadbox Erebus
8:18 - Passion for synthesizers & modular
10:57 - Exclusive modular partnerships - Moon Modular, Suit & Tie Guy Eurorack, Free State FX, Buchla
12:20 - Elby Designs Pixie
12:54 - Analogue Solutions Vostok (Deluxe)
13:55 - Jomox Alpha Base
14:10 - Vermona DRM1
14:22 - Nord Piano 3, Nord Lead A1
14:40 - Sequential Prophet X
14:51 - Yamaha MODX
16:10 - Kurzweil PC3K7
16:48 - Korg Arp Odyssey, Moog Sub 37, Moog Sub Phatty
17:14 - DSI Rev 2, Korg Prologue, Arturia Matrixbrute
17:32 - Studiologic Sledge, Roland System-8
18:35 - Modular loft
19:12 - Roland System 500, Elby Serge
19:30 - Analogue Systems Apprentice
20:14 - Eurorack
20:37 - GRP A2
21:11 - Doepfer A100 Eurorack system
21:22 - Waldorf KB37
21:36 - 5U large format modular - Free State FX, Analog Craftsman, Synthetic Sound Labs, Noise Engineering, STG,
22:07 - Moon Modular 10-year Anniversary "System X"
23:04 - Gert Jalass (Moon Modular founder/owner)
23:36 - Moon Modular 5U system
23:42 - Buchla 200e

24:14 - Intermission

25:03 - Performance space intro
25:27 - Noisebug synth performance space
25:47 - Moog One
26:00 - Chuck's personal synth collection - Theravox, Serge modular TTSH, Arp 2600 clone, GRP A4, Waldorf Q+, Waldorf XTK, Roland V-Synth
26:35 - 5U large format modular systems
26:44 - How artists can perform at Noisebug
28:07 - Blake's music
29:00 - NAMM 2019 - Haken ContinuuMini, Le Bois de Luthier
30:53 - Moog One
32:18 - Shipping/Warehouse area
32:26 - Online business
32:58 - Famous artists
34:18 - Synth industry trends & future outlook

40:52 - Wrap up & contact info"

Some of the Synths Coming to SoundMiT Torino on November 3 & 4 - Next Weekend!

Some of the synths to be showcased at this years SoundMiT - International Sound Summit will include The River by Baloran, the Analog Fusion by Fingersonic, the new Moog One, the Schmidt, and a Yamaha showcase featuring the CS80 and DX1.

An announcement from SoundMiT follows:

CLICK FOR MORE »

Happy New Year From MATRIXSYNTH! - A Quick Look Back at 2016

Happy New Year Everyone!

This post is a little late going up, but better late than never! :)

I'm going to keep this one a little shorter than usual as I am aware I have a tendency to get a little too wordy at times.

First of all, I want to thank you all for taking a little bit of your day out to visit the site. I want to thank those that contribute to the synthesizer scene and actually give me something to post! Finally, I want to give a HUGE THANK YOU to all the individual supporters of the site, and the sponsors you see on the right and above! Your support literally makes the site as it is possible!

---

And a look back at 2016...

Update: I forgot to mention, we had a total of 13,679 posts in 2016!
Update2: also, as always take a look back at the exclusive label for the most interesting bits of synth history.

First a look back at some of the people (and companions) we lost last in 2016.

2016 was rough. On the maker front we lost Don Buchla, who along with Bob Moog, was undoubtably the creator of the synthesizer as we know it today. We lost Ray Wilson of Music From Outer Space, arguably one of the greatest, if not the greatest, influencers in synth DIY. Many makers out there started with his projects.

On the musician front we lost some of synths' greats including Keith Emerson, Isao Tomita, Bernie Worrell and Jean-Jacques Perrey. We lost a couple of pioneers of electronic music as well, namely Jean-Claude Risset and Pauline Oliveros.

The following is the list:

David Bowie - January 10, 2016
Else Marie Pade - January 18, 2016
Stanley Lunetta - March 3, 2016
Keith Emerson - March 11, 2016
Isao Tomita - May 5, 2016
Bernie Worrell - June 24, 2016
Ray Wilson - July 21, 2016
Don Buchla - September 14, 2016
DJ Spank-Spank - September 21, 2016
Jean-Jacques Perrey - November 4, 2016
Jean-Claude Risset - November 21, 2016
Pauline Oliveros - November 24, 2016

And never to be excluded, a couple of the companions we lost:

nonlinear circuit's Bill - March, 2016
CatSynth's Luna - October 31, 2016

Note the above are only those I could tie in with synths. Two artists you might notice missing are Prince and George Michael. Both deserve a mention. Prince I could have tied in with an Oberheim connection. I still remember lusting after an OB-8 after seeing his videos in the 80s.

RIP posts are the hardest to write. Not only because you are mourning the loss of someone great, but because you know your post will never be good enough.


As for new gear in 2016, you might have noticed all of the "New in 2016" labels that have gone up in posts throughout the year. I created the labels back in 2015 as a means to keep track of all the new gear coming in. I also thought it would be a quick, easy, and interesting way to get total counts of everything at the end of the year. Here are the numbers (links will take you to posts for each):

New in 2016 (753)
New Cases in 2016 (18)
New Controllers in 2016 (38)
New DIY in 2016 (108)
New Makers in 2016 (101)
New Mobile Apps in 2016 (65)
New Modules in 2016 (299)
New Old in 2016 (21)
New Soft Synths in 2016 (55)
New Sound Machines in 2016 (34)
New Sound Packs in 2016 (24)
New Synth Effects in 2016 (9)
New Synths in 2016 (112)
New Tools in 2016 (51)

Note, as with anything, labels can be a little tricky. Sometimes there will be overlap, sometimes items will be announced one year, but released in another if at all, and of course, if I'm not made aware of an item it gets missed. You'll likely see a few items from 2015 in the 2016 list for that reason. I also found it can be difficult to categorize certain items. Drum machines for example get bucketed under synths, but I think for 2017 I will create a new label for them and just use both.

All that said, if you look at the numbers above we had 753 new products/items appear on the site last year. Always of notable interest were the items from vintage synth history that were never featured on the site before. Last year there were 21. An interesting side note is that matches the 21 we had the year prior in 2015. I won't go into any in detail as you can take a look at the label yourself and as I mentioned above I'm going to try and keep this post short. You can check out any of the categories above.  Also worth noting is there were 101 new makers to the site in 2016!  Check them out via the link above.

I was never one for top 10 lists, as although they can be fun, I'm a firm believer that all gear has something to offer. It's up to us to use the gear and find out. That said I do think it's worth mentioning some of the major synth releases this year. Not only does it gives us a quick look at what the major players released but it also lets us see when they were released in the year.  The following is a quick list:

1. Korg Minilogue - January 8
2. Yamaha Montage AWM2 & FM-X - January 11
3. Clavia Nord Piano 3 - January 18 & January 21
4. Roland A-01 - January 19
5. Korg Limited Edition Kronos Platinum
6. Make Noise 0-Coast - January 20
7. Artuia MatrixBrute - January 21
8. Dave Smith Instruments OB-6 - January 21
9. Teenage Engineering Pocket Operators - January 21
10. MFB Tanzamus & Tanzbar Lite - January 22
11. Mellotron Micro - January 22
12. Modal 008 Rack - January 25
13. Anyware Instruments Modulator - March 23
14. Nord Drum 3/3P - April 4
15. New Minimoog Model D - May 18
16. Moog Brother From Another Mother - May 18
17. Audiothingies Micromonster - May 27
18. Mini GRP A2 - May 28
19. DSI OB-6 Desktop - June 22 & June 23
20. Mode Machines ADX1 - June 28
21. New Black Oberheim TVS - June 28
22. Ninstrument SynthBoy+ July 2
23. Behringer Deepmind 12 - July 7
24. New Red & Blue Korg Electribes v2 - July 20
25. Yamaha FM Synth for iOS - July 21
26. Jomox Alpha Base - July 23
27. Korg Desktop Odysseys - August 28
28. Percussa Remote - August 29
29. KORG MicroKORG-S - August 31
30. Korg Volca Kick - August 31
31. KORG Odyssey Desktop Modules - August 31
32. Roland System-8 - September 3 and September 9
33. Roland TR-09 & TB-03 - September 3
34. Roland VP-03 - September 3
35. Synthstrom Audio Deluge - September 8
36. CMS 2607 - September 23
37. Dreadbox Murmox V2 - September 25
38. Arturia Drumbrute - October 7
39. Bastl Instruments Kastle - October 7
40. Korg Monologue - November 1
41. Full Size Korg Arp Odyssey Keboards - November 4
42. Cyclone Analogic TR-606 Clone - November 16
43. Tangible Waves AE Modular - November 16
44. Modal Electronics CRAFTSynth - November 18
45. Cyclone Analogic TT-78 - November 23
46. The White Schmidt Synthesizer - November 25
47. Plankton Electronics Ants! - December 9
48. Dreadbox NYX - December 15
49. Cyclone Analogic TT-303 MK2 - December 15

Note this is only 49 of the 112 items in the new synths in 2016 category. I'd recommend checking them all out.

What stood out for you in 2016? What are you looking forward to in 2017? Leave a comment or two below.

I want to end this with a humble thank you to everyone that makes this site what it is!

Thank you and Happy New Year!!!  On to 2017!

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 »

Meet the little-known "Soundblaster" Keyboards

Published on Aug 1, 2015

A little history on the Soundblaster synth engine spotted and sent in via Soviet Space Child who notes:

"This chip is a relative of the Yamaha YM2612, which was used in the Sega Genesis, and is faithfully emulated in the following VST:"

SEGA GENESIS / MEGADRIVE VST FM SYNTH

Published on Apr 20, 2013 Aly James

"YM2612 OPN2 FM chip modeled. Check the real audio Demos! : http://soundcloud.com/alyjameslab
OUT NOW at http://www.alyjameslab.com more previews on my channel! donations start at 10 € only!.
Read the FULL MANUAL http://www.alyjameslab.com/wa_files/F...
FMDRIVE is a VST SYNTH based on the SEGA Genesis/Megadrive YM2612 FM sound chip.
It contains a ton of features that makes it easier to program than before and covers every unique particularity of the chip like:
PCM, SSG EG, Special & CSM mode, Optional Model 1 distortion (ladder effect) and even some circuit bending options...
You can import and export: .tfi presets, dumps from emulators and even some compatible HOOT dumped voices (PC88 and compatible X68000...)

Every registers are automatable in your DAW of choice via MIDI for awesome results and the output can be converted later into a .VGM file.
FMDRIVE is not simply an YM2612 emulator, it add many extended features and huge user friendly GUI! It is a fantastic synth suitable for chip music and SEGA nostalgic pleasure and also a powerful FM tool for modern music production. Check the manual and see by yourself!
Take your chance, even the legendary Yuzo Koshiro is using it :)
https://twitter.com/yuzokoshiro/statu...

You can design a vast range of sounds on top of 33000 instruments presets already extracted from Games ROMS.
MIDI control the real hardware with a special add on interface: The GENMDM designed by Little Scale.

For complete Megadrive sound emulation SPSG VST take cares of the PSG chip!"

Happy New Year From MATRIXSYNTH! - A Look Back at 2014

Happy New Year everyone!

I want to start by thanking everyone that comes to MATRIXSYNTH and helps make it what it is - the readers, the supporters, and of course all the sponsors on the right.

THANK YOU and have a GREAT 2015!!!

This site is a labor of love and a ton of work. This site is ultimately meant to be an testament to everything synth in the making. We have over nine years of daily synth history captured here, 119,983 published posts. I can't wait to see what the future brings us in 2015!

That said, here are a few interesting bits from 2014 in the longest post of the year. ;)

CLICK FOR MORE »

TOTO'S 1981 YAMAHA GS-1 FM SYNTH SN 1013

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

via this auction

"Up for sale is a Synth that Toto had during the "Rossana/Africa" days. Apparently I was not clear in my earlier listing that THIS ACTUALLY BELONGED TO TOTO. I can provide evidence of this; call my customer service if you doubt that. There were only 100 of these built- they cost $25,000 and are pretty heavy. This was the immediate predecessor to the Yamaha DX-7 which was also based upon the new FM Synthesis theories developed by Professor John Chowning at Stanford University. (Baldwin & Hammond are STILL kicking themselves for NOT jumping at Prof Channing's formulations).

For the history of this unit, Sound on Sound dot com has a lengthy overview of not only this instrument, but the battle that was waging between the different companies of the time...

The controls are deceptively simple and studio musicians LOVE these machines because of the sounds, and textures that can be coaxed out of them when in the right hands. To the left it has Pitch Control (there is a master pitch conroller underneath to Tune the unit (see last photo)). Next there are TREMELO & VIBRATO- each is Variable and controlled by the left two foot pedals. The Right Foot Pedal is a damper. Next is an ENSEMBLE button to the left of the TOUCH CONTROL button. These two buttons woking together might be called "PSYCHEDELIA", because the combination of the two is Startling. Sometimes Ensemble sounds like a Chorus Effect. When you Really slam a key the effect is HEAVY Distortion. (i.e. THIS is a PLAYER'S EXPRESSION MACHINE).

Three band EQ.

There are 16 SOUND BUTTONS that light up when One is selected. The sounds are loaded from the SOUND STRIPS which are like little tiny plastic bookmarks with magnetic backing. As the photos show, I have both the SOUND LIBRARY & VOLUME ll of the SOUND LIBRARY.

AS MENTIONED ABOVE, THE FIRST SOUND STRIP (A-1) IS MISSING !!!

You place the "A" End of the SOUND STRIP in the mouth of the reader to the right of the keyboard. When you press the designated sound button (1-16) the mechanism pulls the SOUND STRIP inside much like a credit card machine. When it has read the "A" end, the SOUND STRIP is returned to you. You have Now loaded sound onto ONE of the TWO onboard computers in the GS-1. You can now load the "B" end of the sound strip onto the SECOND Computer. UNLESS you want to experiment and load another "A" or "B" end into the second computer (Yamaha actually encouraged "mixing it up".). If you like the new sound you have created, you can record it and store it on a BLANK SOUND STRIP. (there are 8 blank strips provided). Again, THIS is a PLAYER'S EXPRESSION MACHINE!

The Yamaha engineers REALLY "knocked themselves out" on the design of this- the way the sounds can be loaded into the TWO computers, giving the option of 16 sounds YOU HAVE CREATED coupled with the interplay of the Touch-Sensitivity and the Expression functions, coupled (again) with the real-time pedal control of both the Vibrato and Tremelo functions - it's like "The Space Shuttle for Keyboard Players".

If you look at the video of Toto's AFRICA, you will see this machine on stage. Perhaps you are not much of a keyboard player, but a HUGE Toto fan, and turned your dope dealing money into a fortune on Wall Street. Wouldn't it be nice to have this in your living room so your kids could learn the "bum bum bum ba bum bum bum" intro to "Africa"? Or perhaps you are a PLAYER, and want the challenge of the predecessor the the famed DX-7 (which "kicked butt and took names"). Or you have a studio and need THIS to complete your keyboard stable- your clients might feel a tad humbled to be able to sit at Toto's Keyboard. ('let's see shall I up my rates 20, 30, or 40 per cent?')."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Animoog Vector and Wave Sequencing Synthesis

YouTube Uploaded by matrixsynth on Oct 24, 2011
Hit play and read the following, then play it again and watch.
Update Oct 25 1:19 AM PST: made quite a few updates to the following description:

In my original post on Animoog, I touched on the PATH and ORBIT modules and how they reminded me of Vector synthesis on the SCI Prophet VS, Yamaha SY22 and TG33, and later the KORG Wavestation line of synths. The technology started with the Prophet VS and when Sequential went under, the technology went to Yamaha and finally KORG where Dave Smith actually consulted on the Wavestation (see here for some history). The Prophet VS and Yamaha synths were exclusively vector synths while the Wavestation added wave sequencing. The Animoog kind of falls somewhere in between. I thought I'd post this video to demonstrate just a little bit of the Animoog covering wave sequencing and vector like synthesis.

A quick primer: Vector synthesis typically consists of morphing between various oscillators or sound sources. Wave sequencing consists of sequencing through various oscillator wafeforms within an individual oscillator. In the Prophet VS and Yamaha SY22/TG33 you have four oscillators, each of which can be set to a different waveform ranging from your standard analog shapes to more complex digital shapes (note the DSI Evolver and Tempest come with the Prophet VS waveforms, but they are limited to two oscillators for these shapes and two for analog only). With a vector synth you can typically use a joystick to morph between the oscillators, so you have one oscillator in each of the four extremes of the joystick range. You can also set modulation sources and draw paths to morph between the oscillators but you can't see them like on Animoog. With wave sequencing on the KORG Wavestation line of synths each of the four oscillators can sequence between waveforms in addition to morphing between oscillators. Side note: Wavetable synthesis is similar, but instead of morphing between oscillators you sweep through a table of waveshapes for a given oscillator. It's a bit different, but both forms of synthesis can give you animated evolving sounds as they morph through shapes not usually possible with standard analog synthesis. The Animoog to my surprise can not only cover this but it does so rather elegantly. After setting your paths you can then move and adjust them in real time as you watch visual cues that let you actually see what is going on.

As for the video, first of all take a quick look at the animated gifs on this page (previously posted here). You'll note the X/Y pad is broken up with horizontal bars for sound source (oscillator waveforms - you get eight on the Animoog) and vertical bars for sound modulation and processing. Note the path through the eight sound sources is linear and a bit like wave sequencing, however you only effectively have two oscillators to morph through, while on the Prophet VS and other vector synths you have four. However, with the added axis for modulation you can get similar results with Animoog - more so than most other synths. In the video you will see a shape covering the XY pad. This is the path through the XY pad a sound will take once you trigger it. Up and down movement travels through the waveforms and left and right travels through modulation. You can actually see the sound traverse the pad. The "keys" are set to follow the path in line when pressed at the bottom. If I slide up a key, the note drifts from the path. That little moving light is the note (you'll notice additional notes get assigned a different color so you can easily identify each note visually). You can see this happening at the beginning of the video. I trigger the note and once it traverses the full patch, I then move up the key and you can see the sound orbiting the last point. The ORBIT module lets you adjust exactly how it orbits the path, but that is not covered in this video. What you'll also notice is each note works independently of each other so you can adjust the orbits of each note with how much you move up the key touch-plate for each. Think polyphonic aftertouch, something sorely missing in most hardware synths and keyboard controllers. In the video you will also see me adjust the speed the note travels through the path, as well as whether it's one shot (as in the beginning of the video), back and forth (reverse), or looped. In the end you will see the notes take a pentagram shape as I change the path, crank up the rate, and slide up the notes being held to move the orbit out a bit. Diabolical stuff. Note this is a very simple patch. You can obviously get pretty creative mixing different waveforms with different modulations settings, paths, and orbits.

And of course, Moog's description via the original post on Animoog:
"• Anisotropic Synth Engine (ASE) - An exciting new Moog technology that allows the user to move dynamically through an X/Y space of unique timbres to create an expressive and constantly evolving soundscape.

• Timbre page – Assemble unique sounds in the X/Y space from timbres of a wide variety of vintage and modern Moog synthesizers and pedals. Note: this is NOT simple sample playback.

• Polyphonic Modulation - Simply slide your fingers to control multiple modulation parameters in Animoog right from the keys."

Animoog - Moog Music Inc. - iTunes
iPads on eBay

Challenger 25th Anniversary Tribute Created with Korg KRONOS Released

"KARMA Developer Stephen Kay, working with the new Korg KRONOS, has released an inspirational and heart-felt tribute song/video to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Challenger Space Shuttle disaster which occurs this Friday, January 28, 2011.



Accompanied by his long-time partner David Alvey on guitars and backing vocals, Kay used the new Korg KRONOS to record all of the keyboard, synth and drum parts for the resurrection of his 25 year old original composition 'The Challenger (Where No One's Gone Before)'.

'25 years ago, right after the event when I wrote and recorded a version of this song, the Internet was nothing like it is now," comments Kay. "There was no YouTube, no Facebook or Twitter - no social networking sites and forums to release this on myself. While I received some great responses and positive interest, I was unsuccessful in getting it released back then.'

In early 2010 Kay, now the developer of KARMA Technology at Karma-Lab and a partner with Korg and Yamaha, discovered that the 25th anniversary of the disaster was approaching, so he re-visited his effort and realized that perhaps the song might finally be able to find an appreciative audience.

Kay found a challenge of his own in resurrecting the song: the tracks and the equipment used to play them were now decades old, and it would be difficult to restore them, particularly as the original master tape was decomposing and decaying. He could have re-recorded the song anew, though it had been years since he had regularly performed, but he felt the emotion held in his original performance would be more appropriate and vital. He found help restoring the tapes into new digital files, and brought his old equipment out of storage, including his now 30-year-old Apple II+ computer, which he successfully nursed back into working order.

The story of this process, which he figures may be of most interest to 'musicians and recording geeks,' is related on his site ChallengerTributeSong.com with great care and comprehensive detail, along with the history of the Challenger mission, the astronauts, and other resources related to the production of the song and video:

http://www.ChallengerTributeSong.com

In all, the project took some six months to complete. Not wishing to gain from this financially, he hopes that it will encourage donations to the Challenger Center for Space Science Education, founded by Challenger family members, www.challenger.org. And he merely wishes to once again take the chance to convey the heartfelt message of hope and inspiration to all who would challenge the odds, and to remind the world that 'it¹s with the brave that the future lies.' "

Sydney Fringe Festival and Under the Blue Moon Events

"You’ve never seen the Enmore Theatre like this – Sydney Fringe Festival Event

Electro aficionados & vintage synth geeks get a taste of the real thing, live without a laptop in sight.

Long time collectors of analogue equipment Steve Jones and Ryan Spinoglio have teamed up with Carolyn Shine to re-create some of electronic music’s classics under the moniker ‘Studio Serpentine’ on stage at the Enmore Theatre on September 11 2010.

Some of electronic music’s most innovative scores like Vangelis’ Blade Runner and Delia Derbyshire’s Dr Who theme will oscillate between electro-pop classics like Fade to Grey by Visage and Studio Serpentine’s own music.

Priceless pieces of analogue studio heaven will be assembled to showcase the trio’s beloved equipment and give the audience an opportunity to experience electronica history live.

Yamaha CS-80, Prophet 5s, Jupiter 8s, PPG Wave 2, Space echos, and practically the entire back catalogue of Roland drum machines, a vintage Korg Vocoder and the legendary MS-20 will be stacked up with a couple of ARP Odyssey MKIIs, a Space Modular and a Theremin among other things. If that all sounds like another language - it kinda is.

This is a rare opportunity to experience the evolving language of electronic music from its classic origins.

Steve Jones is a prominent recording engineer and keyboard programmer who has worked on many platinum award-winning albums in Australia. He has worked as a keyboard technician for touring artists Kylie Minogue, INXS and Burt Bacharach and is by all regards, a certified synth geek.

Ryan Spinoglio is a musician and avid vintage synth collector, bordering on compulsive. His tracks, under alias, have been released through Ear Pimp and Clan Analogue and you can find him at http://www.myspace.com/electrofetish

Carolyn Shine is a composer, keyboardist and performer. Her recently released single Monsoon Rain featuring Chris Ball that was featured on ABC’s Australian Story is out now on iTunes.

The trio will perform as part of the annual Lunarmorph parade, a celebration of alternative creativity and fashion.

In partnership with the Sydney Fringe Festival the annual Under the Blue Moon Festival, Lunarmorph will be held at the iconic Enmore Theatre in Newtown on Saturday September 11.

Tickets are available through Ticketek and Enmore Theatre.

www.underthebluemoon.org.au http://thesydneyfringe.com.au"

Hataken Interview

Back on March 31, I put up a post on Hataken, a Japanese DJ artist who primarily uses analog synths. At the time, Shane Chisolm, the manager of Don Juan Dracula mentioned Hataken was working on a remix version of DJD's "Take Me Home". Shane asked me if I'd be interested in doing an interview with Hataken, and I thought why not. It would be interesting to hear his perspective on the world of synths as a live DJ artist. The following is the result of that interview. Note, this is a long one. You will want to use page down to scroll through. If it is too long for you, I recommend reading one or two questions each time you visit the site. Each DIY item below would typically have been a separate post. There is a lot of interesting stuff here. That said, I start with an introduction followed by asking Hataken how it all started for him. Note the focus is primarily on synths as this site is about everything synth, and Hataken delivers. The gear he has both worked with and designed to meet his specific needs is overwhelming. There's also an interesting interlude on experimenting with frequency counters to produce specific frequencies of sound known to have healing properties, and of course there is a bit of the age old discussion of digital and analog.

Before we start the interview, I want to thank Hataken for taking the time out for this, and I want to thank Shane for suggesting it. It's a fascinating history of a DJ synth artist with interesting perspectives that I'm sure I will come back to over time. Be sure to check out the video and link to more at the end. And of course be sure to check out Hataken's website.

1. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

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