"Black Corporation Deckard's Dream 8 voice analog polysynthesizer. It's in great shape and fully functional. Missing one fader slider tip (should be a cheap easy replacement). Includes external psu. This is a fantastic sounding rack synth."
"A friend of mine was very generous and loaned me his Black Corporation ISE-NIN so that I could compare it with my Roland System 8.
My main thoughts: they’re almost identical. The small differences felt extremely nitpicky. The ARP on the ISE-NIN is much nicer, with a longer gate time, and it just sounded richer? Hard to describe, but you can hear it in the video.
Honestly, this is a horrific comparison video, I freely admit it, but I felt pressed for time and didn’t want to spend too much time on it. So if you’re wondering why this is so crude, well, just don’t let perfect get in the way of awful, that’s all I have to say.
I talk towards the end about what my thoughts are - but really, the video was made just so you could hear the differences, not because I think you should buy either one.
Truth be told, I think the Prophet 5/10 is a better synth than the Jupiter 8 (or System 8, ISE-NIN). Different flavors perhaps. I think it’s reasonable to say that the System 8 and ISE-NIN are great alternatives to the Jupiter 8. If I could grab a Jupiter 8 for under $10K, I probably would, but I also think, based on the sounds out of these synths, I actually don’t think I would necessarily love it.
I’m impressed with the System 8, being completely digital, and seemingly able to compete with more accurate representations of the Jupiter 8. I also worry part of the differences could have been chalked up to my lack of skill, so you must take what I’m saying with a grain of salt.
"At Buchla and Friends 2024 we hooked up with Roman Filippov of Black Corporation who has produced a limited edition charity version of his synthesizer, based on the Jupiter-8, with all proceeds going to non-military charities in Ukraine. Filippov also announced his collaboration with Buchla, bringing back vintage modules that were released in the early to mid-70s. These modules have been recreated using modern technology, while still maintaining the core sound of the original Buchla models. They also include new features such as USB and MIDI out, polyphonic aftertouch, and extended tracking capabilities. The Buchla modules are now available for purchase through the Buchla website and the official sourceofuncertainty.com web store.
Soviet Space Child wrote in to let us know Buchla has teamed up with Black Corporation's Roman Filippov to release reissues of classic Buchla modules though a new venture called SOURCE OF UNCERTAINTY. From their new website https://sourceofuncertainty.com:
"AUTHENTIC REISSUES OF CLASSIC BUCHLA MODULAR. Source of Uncertainty is the official store for Buchla Classic Reissues, created by Roman Filippov of Black Corporation.
BUCHLA CLASSIC REISSUES SIGNIFY A RETURN TO PRODUCTION OF THE ICONIC COMPOSITIONAL AND PERFORMANCE TOOLS, using original parts wherever possible, plus minor adaptations for greater low-noise performance and reliability and component availability. We ship worldwide, direct from the engineer."
Roman actually got started cloning Buchla modules prior to forming Black Corporation. See the labels below or do a search for him if you want to go down the rabbit hole.
I feel the expander makes this instrument Shine.. the ring modulation is essential and should have been in the base model … together this synth is huge..
just a beautiful tone meeews broad rich sweeping textures .. instant cinematic soundscape.. paired with an MPE controller its just hair raising and dramatic..
there is a small scratch on top of both of these from installing into rack (shown in pics just full disclosure)
"Black Corporation ISE-NIN - Polyphonic Analog Synthesizer - Black Corps take on the Jupiter 8 --- in excellent to new condition. Original owner/bought new. In the original box/packaging with everything they arrive with new."
Note auction links are affiliate links. See the site's privacy policy for more info.
"Excellent used condition, includes original packaging, power supply and rack ear kit.
XERXES delivers an unmatchable level of warmth through its two digitally controlled analog oscillators. A multimode analog filter, white and pink noise generator, 2 ADSR envelopes, 2 sync-able LFOs, unique analog BBD chorus with 3 modes, full MPE-based polyphonic aftertouch, and complete MIDI control including polyphonic aftertouch and MPE work together to bring a classic analog sound ready to integrate into modern times. MK2 features an updated VCA section, and balanced outputs.
Xerxes produces triangle, saw, square, and PWM waveforms with variable drift controls from each oscillator, sync with variable phase shifting, and ring modulation allowing for complex cross-modulation effects. Each oscillator features an octave switch, bipolar transpose potentiometer +/-7 semitones, a master tuning pot affecting both oscillators, and a detune knob for subtly detuning Oscillator 2 to Oscillator 1. Portamento/Glissando or Glide can be programmed to affect Oscillator 1, 2, or both.
The analog multimode filter on XERXES offers 24db/oct low pass, 12db/oct high pass modes and a band pass filter mode switchable between 6db/oct & 12db/oct for all kinds of filter characteristics. The filter can also be modulated by the dedicated ADSR envelope, LFO, velocity, and aftertouch (MPE and Polyphonic Aftertouch) allowing for incredibly expressive performance and programming.
XERXES features 6 LFO waveforms: Sine, triangle, saw, ramp, square, and random, plus a dedicated delay control to fade the LFO to the full amount set by the depth knob. Two LFOs are selectable with an A/B switch, each of which can be used to control multiple parameters set by the button switches to control oscillator tuning (A/B/Both) filter cutoff, and amplifier levels (VCF/VCA/Both.) Each of these LFOs also includes a Sync on/off switch.
XERXES features a beautiful, fully-analogue BBD-based chorus with 3 selectable modes, similar to the chorus effect found on the vintage Elka Synthex synthesizer. XERXES MK2 is equipped with stereo 1/4” balanced outputs to take full advantage of the stereo chorusing effect.
Finally, XERXES features full MIDI control and ability to store 128 user presets per bank across 11 banks (Factory, Vintage and 9 user banks) integrating this classic synth concept seamlessly into any studio setup."
"Here is a demo jam using Antonus 2600 Original Size version, with Step Brother on top and the Black Corporation ISE-NIN. All the track is done in realtime, no multitrack recording. Antonus 2600 and Step Brother is making the different sequencer sounds, the bass drum, and the hihat sound plus some other sound during the perfomance. ISE-NIN (played with midi keyboard controller) is playing two sound using the Upper and Lower layer features like the Roland Jupiter 8, one layer is for the string-pad sound and the other layer is for the arppegio-sequence-effects during the performance. Is not easy for a poly synth to play face to face without being surpassed with a synth like a 2600 and the power of the ISE-NIN makes a very good partner in sound presence and quality with the 2600 and Step Brother. I know that the demos should be short and direct but every time that I play instruments like this the time goes fast and simply at the end I don't care nothing more than enjoy playing, so I'm sorry of the demo is too long or if nobody will listen it or just make jumps during transport bar. This instruments are a true joy of play and this is the result of it. Hope somebody enjoy the sounds and can have a better idea of the nice combo that are.
Also booth instruments shares a nice orange colour details, lovely combination!"
"The ISE-NIN is a synthesizer 'inspired by' the Roland Jupiter 8. Both sounds in this track are played at the same time using the dual layer mode. The first patch is sequenced by 'Stepic' by Devicemeister. I added effects from Valhalla DSP (Delay & Room).
This machine was kindly borrowed for making this video. No money changed hands and Black Corporation has no say over the content of this video."
"Madame Tussaud's Rock Circus (August 1989 – September 2001), was a walk-through exhibition celebrating the history of rock and pop music, featuring its major figures recreated in wax."
Update: video added. Stevie with the GX-1 comes in at 1:34.
The following is a cut and paste from the text in the image. Not sure how well the text parsing is. Below is the text Google translated.
"Rock 'n' Roll war nun DIE Musik des westlichen Kultur und verkaufte nicht nur sich selbst, sondern auch alle möglichen anderen Produktel Einige der größten Geldsummen in den 'Cola Kriegen alkoholfreier Getränke gingen an Madonna, George Michael und Michael Jackson, die an den gefilmten Werbekampagnen teilnahmen. Große Tourneen wurden von Herstellern von Bier, Sportkleidung und Jeans finanziert. Klassische Rocksongs aus den sechziger Jahren wie beispielsweise '1 Heard It Through The Grapevine', 'I Feel Free' und "When A Man Loves A Woman' wurden als Soundtracks für Fernsehreklamen benutzt.
1988 ergriff George Bush, der neue Präsident der Vereinigten Staaten, auf einer Party zu seinem Amtsantritt eine elektrische Gitarre und gab zusammen mit einer Rock 'n' Roll Band eine Bühnenvorstellung. 1989 nahm ein russisches Astronautenteam auf seiner Reise in das Weltall Bander mit Pink Floyd Musik mit. Wie es schon in dem alten Lied hieß: Rock 'n' Roll is here to stay!"
Googlish:
"Rock 'n' roll was now THE music of western culture and not only sold itself but all sorts of other products too Participated in advertising campaigns. Major tours were sponsored by manufacturers of beer, sportswear, and denim. Classic 1960s rock songs such as '1 Heard It Through The Grapevine', 'I Feel Free' and 'When A Man Loves A Woman' were used as soundtracks for television commercials.
In 1988, at an inauguration party, George Bush, the new President of the United States, grabbed an electric guitar and gave a stage performance along with a rock 'n' roll band. In 1989, a Russian astronaut team took bands with Pink Floyd music on their journey into space. As the old song said: Rock 'n' Roll is here to stay!"
"Madame Tussaud's Rock Circus (August 1989 – September 2001), was a walk-through exhibition celebrating the history of rock and pop music, featuring its major figures recreated in wax. It was located at the top four floors of the then-newly refurbished London Pavilion building at Piccadilly Circus, London. Predominantly British artists featured, but many American artists were also included. The attraction told the story of rock and pop from the 1950s to the then-present day by using videos, music, narration and audio-animatronic figures."
"ISE-NIN features eight voices, each consisting of 100% analog voltage controlled oscillators, analog lowpass and highpass filter, noise generator, two ADSR envelopes and a VCA. 2 different presets can be layered, making richer sounds, but limiting voices amount to 4 per layer. Each layer has its own fully assignable velocity and poly-aftertouch controls and global MPE settings.
ISE-NIN features full MIDI/USB control and the ability to store 128 presets per bank across 10 banks. Sophisticated microtuning with a support of ODDSound MTS-ESP and a signature arpeggiator integrates this classic synth concept seamlessly into the future of your modern studio needs."
