Nord Stage 4 + RK008 + Analog Rytm = DAWless powerhouse!

video upload by Jeremy Parker

"So I recently picked up a Nord Stage 4 as an upgrade to my Electro 2 from 16 years ago, as my main compact gigging keyboard. What I didn't realize was how powerful the multitimbrality could be when paired with a sequencer, like the Retrokits RK008, which I'm borrowing from my good friend "Cowboy" Ben Alman for our @TheEntireRobot gigs. I fairly quickly set up the sounds on the Nord and then played in some quick parts for an A and B section into the RK008. I'm reserving tracks 1 and 3 on the RK008 for my MiniKorg and Moog Minitaur, once I get the MIDI hooked up for those, so that will be next. I used 6 layers on the Nord, but technically I could have done 7 if I split up the organ into two separate manuals, etc. Anyway, this is a promising rig!"

Osmose // The 7 Stages of Ownership

video upload by Starsky Carr

"Don't be scared - The Osmose isn't like other synths... but its nothing to be afraid of! In fact it feels like we're entering a new more enlightened era. One where we can show more emotions... let's not call it a woke synth though, I could get in all sorts of trouble ;) Would it wear a pink cowboy hat if going to watch barbie? who knows - but it does display A LOT of emotion and dynamics.

Just for fun I've swapped the 7 stages of grief to the 7 stages of enlightenment - because you do go through a process as you play with it. I haven't whitewashed over the negatives either as its all part of the journey. The software can be a b*tch at first, and its so frustrating that a few tweaks to the manual would've saved me a day or so of headscratching.

Overall though... phwoar!!

There are free patches and samples and stuff to buy here: https://starskycarr.com

0:00 1 Shock - overview of the hardware
2:11 2 Realisation - whats MPE and how does it work
12:22 3 Conceptualisation - how to use it & controlling the sensitivity
15:21 4 Understanding - getting to grips with the Haken Editor
24:58 5 Rejection - some minor issues and some bigger ones
32:29 6 Acceptance - integrating into your studio
33:12 7 Enlightenment - Sunny Uplands of Synthershire"

Live at the New England Synth Fest

video upload by Jeremy Parker

"My good friend and musical collaborator, @cowboybenalman @TheEntireRobot , invited me to join him at the Spring 2023 New England Synth Festival, where we performed a live set. This was my first time performing at a synthesizer festival, so it was a great opportunity to get to know and participate in the local synth community. It was held in Burlington, MA and included a slew of other performers, lectures and workshops throughout the day. Thank you @newenglandsynthfest for having us, and thanks to the visual synth artists Vidumami and Allison Tanenhaus who provided the video backdrop for our set.

I used my @ArturiaOfficial Polybrute, @KorgOfficial Minikorg 700fs and the Elektron Analog Rytm MKII. Ben used various gear, including the @MoogMusicInc Sirin, Arturia Keystep 37, @EricaSynths Perkons HD-01, among other things.

Please check out @newenglandsynthfest at their website: https://nesynthfest.alt-mode.com/
And the entire stream of the day's performances here:"

New England Synth Fest, April 22, 2023

video upload by New England Synth Fest

You can check out more of Cowboy's stuff on his channel and twitch.tv stream for his latest project, 'The Entire Robot':

/ theentirerobot
and website https://www.theentirerobot.com/

Check out all my original music here: https://soundcloud.com/user-801248952"

Lorre Mill Cowboy Callosum Double Knot

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

via this auction

"If you’re looking at this you likely know what this is. Two double knots with a neat little mixer section in the middle. I believe there were only a dozen or so made. I’ve also got a case for it from Analog cases that I’ll include. It’s not an official case but it fits good enough (I think the case is made for a keystep)."

Rhodes MKIII EK-10 Rescue!

video by Jeremy Parker

"Here's my in-depth look at the Rhodes MKIII EK-10 and the recently finished restoration I did. Here are some links to the companies / resources that made this possible:

Vintage Vibe: https://www.vintagevibe.com/​
Fender Rhodes Super Site: https://www.fenderrhodes.com/​
The Electric Piano Forum: https://ep-forum.com/smf/​
Retro Synth Ads blog: http://retrosynthads.blogspot.com/​
Great Synthesizers online magazine: https://greatsynthesizers.com/en/​

0:00​ Intro
1:01​ History
3:08​ Demo & Features
6:51​ Mechanical & Cosmetic Work
14:18​ Electronics Repair
15:46​ Sustain Pedal
16:15​ Outro"

Here's a collaboration featuring the MKIII EK-10:

"Tough Cookies" w/ Dan Abreu, Steve Langone, Ben Alman
video by Jeremy Parker

"Here's my latest funky composition, 'Tough Cookies', featuring the talents of Dan Abreu on sax, Steve Langone on drums, AND 'Cowboy' Ben Alman on bass. After I restored my Rhodes MKIII EK-10, I just had to write a tune to feature it. The name 'Tough Cookies' is something I say to my daughter a lot. :) We hope you enjoy this tune as much as we did recording it!

Please check out Dan on his YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzvc...​ and website: https://danabreu.com/​​"

Korg ARP 2600 - Patch Book Sounds + Reason 11 VST FX [No Talking]

Marshal Arnold

"Korg ARP 2600 - Patch Book Sounds + Reason 11 VST FX [No Talking]

So I downloaded the Korg ARP 2600 patch book and setup several patches to demo. I used the Reason 11 VST for effects, specifically I used the RV7000 reverb along with the DDL-1 Delay. Some patches also use the ARP 2600's spring reverb.

Patch list:
0:00 - Octabass
1:23 - String Sweetener
3:28 - Cowboy Harmonica
5:58 - Flute
8:53 - Heavy Metal Fuzz
11:07 - Trombone/Tuba
13:35 - Outro

You can download the Korg ARP 2600 Patch Book here:

https://cdn.korg.com/us/support/downl..."

Synth Spotting with Jonzun Crew - Space Cowboy (Official Music Video)

Published on Jul 23, 2019 Tommy Boy

"Tommy Boy Music is a legendary Hip Hop & Electronic record label founded in New York City in 1981. The label is credited with launching the careers of notable legends Afrika Bambaataa, Coolio, Queen Latifah, House of Pain, De La Soul, and Naughty By Nature."

Heard about this one via Robert Ginsburg in the comments of this EML-500 post. Apparently there is a German performance for the song featuring an EML 500. I couldn't find it, but I did find the above which features a Minimoog and Oberheim FVS based on the size, and I believe a Rhodes piano.

Here's another track with the Minimoog panel down, an Arp Solina, and a couple of other synths.

Jonzun Crew - Pack Jam Show Tv (1983)

Published on Dec 14, 2009 d12n

"Live performance of the seminal Electro group Jonzun Crew's legendary single Pack Jam (look out for the OVC) on the german TV show Formel Eins in 1983. The crew consists of Michael Jonzun, Soni Jonzun, Maurice Starr & Captain Fingers."

Clavia Nord Stage 2 - "12 Guitars" Soundset

Published on Aug 14, 2019 chronosproject

"Imagine, you now having a guitar inside your Nord Stage 2 synth!

Thanks for samples option - you can download samples of real instruments inside your keyboard.

And it sounds really amaizing with pitch bend, aftertouch & modulation controllers applied.

We made 12 realistic guitar presets using powerfull Nord engine & effects
covers all today modern music styles.

BUY: https://sellfy.com/p/pmamz3/

1.Acoustic Delay
2.Acoustic
3.Electro Wah
4.Hard Guitar
5.Reggae Guitar
6.Cowboy Guitar
7.Tremolo Guitar
8.Electro Phaser
9.Soft Electro
10.Poly Electro
11.Mod Rock Guitar
12.Electro Solo"

Cowboy Callosum w/ dual Gesture Arcade

Published on Apr 30, 2019 Meng Qi

(subbass present 🎧🔊 recommended)

new musical interfaces enable new expressions.

Cowboy Callosum by Lorre-Mill (http://lorre-mill.com)
Gesture Arcade by Meng Qi
Music by Meng Qi

http://mengqimusic.com

Knobcon Guest of Honor Announced & Discount Tickets

via Knobcon news where you can find discount tickets.

"We are pleased to announce our guest of honor for this year is Gil Trythall.

Gil TrythallGil was responsible for one of the most unique contributions of the Moog records craze of the late 1960s. His Switched-On Nashville album is singular among Moog-driven pop records due to both its country and bluegrass source material and the total focus on the Moog synthesiser itself, in contrast with its contemporaries’ method of combining the system with traditional session instrumentalists. But he didn’t stop there. His textbook, Principles and Practice of Electronic Music, is one of the few books that elegantly bridges the worlds of tape music and voltage control synthesis.

Join us Saturday Evening for our annual Golden Knob banquet featuring our esteemed guest of honor Gil Trythall. Enjoy live music by the Knobcon Supper Club All Stars featuring Ed & Judy Howard and Cory Flanigan.

The $50 admission is an add-on to your Knobcon ticket and includes a catered buffet with vegetarian options, and each ticket is an entry into the door prize drawings."

Update via Suit & Tie Guy in the comments:

"Here's a great track from Switched-On Country (Nashville Gold). It's a cover of 'Folsom Prison Blues' which also happens to be the earliest known recording of Moog through a talkbox. I'll leave the details to his appearance at Knobcon!:"

Folsom Prison Blues - Gil Trythall (1970) Moog Synthesizer

Published on May 24, 2009 minutegongcoughs

"FOLSOM PRISON BLUES - GIL TRYTHALL (1970)

If 'The Ledge' Legendary Stardust Cowboy is 'Cow Punk' then Gil is Stetson Techno.

This is a strange odyssey take using the Moog Synthesizer. Gil was a techno expert tutor."

Red Martian at Bear Creek Studio with Mattson Mini Modular System - Cowboy to Be Officially Released

via Red Martian [bandcamp]

"Working with Scott Jackman and Gordon Raphael at Bear Creek Studio processing drums and other instruments using a guitar has a controller."

And for fans of Cowboy (featuring the Mattson Mini Modular), the single will finally be officially released after sevent years of making it's debut.

via @distillerpromo:

"Hey Radio folks, this retro lookin' synth-tastic record by @sdf_pubnix (Red Martian) goes for RPM ADDs on 7/12!"

via @somnambulist:

"Great music, THX @distillerpromo ! 5" floppy disc promo feat. Mattson Mini Modular synthesiser by Red Martian. #MMM"

Floppy disk pick below. See this video for what they look like when opening.

Details coming: http://www.sanfordco.com

@spaceprodigy w/ Cowboy Cat on Rainbow-Puking Great White Shark in Space, and a Moog Sub 37

Thanks goes to @spaceprodigy, for giving me the opportunity to post a title like that. :)

"@moogmusicinc @Moogfest Happy Phatty Friday! Sub37 was my first synth! #moog #synth #sub37 #switchedonkids"

Best. T-Shirt. Ever.

Not a bad synth as well. ;)

RED MARTIAN: RETRAILING (Featuring Ichabod) - Release Event in Seattle Tomorrow!

Published on Sep 18, 2015 Redmartian

Red Martian is having their album release event at the Seattle Living Computer Museum this Saturday. You might remember their recent performance there where they covered Kraftwerk. The track above was composed on Ichabod when Stephen Jones of Red Martian was helping George Mattson test Ichabod during its construction. Note Ichabod will not be at the event as it currently resides with Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins, but you are sure to see a great live performance with synths.

Video Description:
"A new album of 13 electronic pieces. The first 100 will be given away as gifts at SRGE: Arcade Armageddon September 19th, 2015 at the Living Computer Museum. Red Martian performs at 8:30pm on the main stage.

Track listing:
[Tracks 09 and 10 were composed on Ichabod, 03 on the Syntar, 04 on the MMM, and 07 on the Solaris.]

01 cowboy and the vocoder [see this post - great track with a sad story]
02 nedan omloppsbana
03 närmar snöblandat regn
04 av död (delorean)
05 retrailing
06 flytta hav av is
07 känner mig så låg
08 風の谷のナウシカ
09 utan hjärta *
10 bedövande en översvämning *
11 ひょろり
12 se io m'accorgo
13 ett vykort

improvised live on the custom Mattson Mini Modular named Ichabod."

Tory Starbuck plays with enhanced Moog Prodigy Synthesizer. Feb 2014

Published on Feb 10, 2014 Tory Starbuck·56 videos

"Tory experiments with sounds because it is fun, the way that some people like chasing, roping and tying up a small threatening calf dressed as a cowboy in front of a large cheering, drunk crowd."

Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders Catch a Virus

via Virus on Facebook

"Michael Torres from Selena Gomez's band, with his Darkstar, getting a little help with soundcheck from the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders.

Thanks Michael! Have a good show!

http://MichaelTorresMusic.com/"

Cowboy and the Vocoder by Redmartian

The track is now available here: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/redmartian9

"The song was recording using the MMM for bass and vocoder carrier. The lead is a jupiter-6 and the drums were done using a Sequential DrumTraks. The lead and vocoder (Roland SVC-350) parts were played manually along with the bass/drums which were sequenced using midi via Logic."

Some of you might remember Cowboy and the Vocoder from these previous posts.  The story behind this track has a somewhat intersting and quirky history.  Cowboy was VoiceEncoder's dog.  VoiceEncoder is known for his vocoder videos and demos that became somewhat of an obscure synth meme.  His demos actually came up in a recent conversation I had with someone.  VoiceEncoder would often feature his dog Cowboy in his videos.  Cowboy would just be lying on a bed somewhere while VoiceEncoder talked to him through a vocoder.  Sadly Cowboy passed away on Monday, March 23, 2009 (click through for a tribute post).

The second half of what makes this track special is that it is one of the first tracks predominantly featuring the Mattson Mini Modular (it might actually be the first) [Update: according to Redmartian, "it was the first 'song' on the MMM. I did a few musical demos and orchestrated lute pieces, but this was the first 'pop song'."] It was composed by Redmartian as a tribute to Cowboy.  The lyrics are a dedication to Cowboy and the videos he was featured in.  Below are two videos for the track.  The bottom video was taken at the 2009 PNW Synth Gathering and features the Performance Music Systems Syntar in place of the Jupiter-6 for leads.   The Syntar was the first fully contained keytar synthesizer created by George Mattson, the man behind Mattson Mini Modular.

Cowboy and the Vocoder and the MMM

Uploaded on Nov 5, 2008 redmartian·73 videos

"A song written for a dog who likes to listen to the sound the Roland SVC-350 vocoder. This song features the MMM as well as a Sequential Circuits Drum Traks and a Roland Jupiter-6. (I don't have a Poly-800 .. sorry cowboy).

Here are the lyrics:

Do you know Cowboy
and the SVC-350?
Do you know Cowboy
and the Roland Vocoder?

Hey there Cowboy
I see you there
Lazy gazing
Gazing lazy
Whos my sweet boy?
You know its you.
I like to vocode and you do too.

No Poly-800 to drive the SVC
So I use an MMM as my carrier wave
No Poly-800 but Cowboy doesn't mind.
We all know its the Roland SVC-350 vocoder time.

Audio version can be found here:
http://redmartian.com/napster/Red_Mar...

Don't hate the dog or the vocoder."

Wanna be an electric cowboy? [Teenage Engineering OP-1]

Published on May 30, 2013 ghostradioshow·23 videos

"CWO effect experience.
What a crazy shining Cow !!"

ARP 2600 SYNTHESIZER PATCH BOOK

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

See the seller's other items for more.

"IT HAS THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS AND 100 SOUND PATCHES IN IT:

* Basic Instruments:
- Marimba Roll
- Trumpet & French Horn
- Trucker Bass
- Octabass
- Wonder Clavinet
- String Sweetener
- Tubular Chimes
- Violin
- English Horn / Oboe
- Fanfare Trumpet
- Monster Organ
- Thereminovox
- Cello Section
- Cowboy Harmonica
- Classic ARP 2600 Patch
- Electric Mouth-Harp
- Licorice Schtuck
- Big Bass Drum
- Trombone / Tuba
- Flute
- Okie Guitar
- Jazz Guitar

* Advanced Instruments:

CLICK FOR MORE »

Red Martian ROLAND SVC-350 VOCODER

via this auction

"Rackmount unit, one of the best sounding vocoders ever made
Controls operate smoothly, unit works great
USA 120v
owned and used by a non-smoker
Free shipping in the USA, $75 to elsewhere
Used on Red Martian - Your Computer (1993) and Cowboy and the Vocoder"


RECORD PLAY LISTENING OF ACETATE DUB COWBOY AND THE ROLAND VOCODER - RED MARTIAN
YouTube Uploaded by redmartian on Mar 5, 2010
Some of you might remember this one.
"Listening to Cowboy and the Vocoder (1 of 10) acetate dubs. b/w MMM demo number four.
The record is a thick aluminum disk with a coat of dub lacquer. It was a heated cut on a modified 1949 Presto cutting lathe using fairchild and ampex equipment for the mastering and RIAA curve."

RED MARTIAN - YOUR COMPUTER [1993] - ROLAND VOCODER

Uploaded by redmartian on Nov 8, 2008

"Recorded at Hot Traxx (Garland, Texas) in 1993. Yes, I brought everything into a heavy metal recording studio in the back of an El Camino (thanks to Brian Rogers). Here is the equipment list:
- Roland SVC-350 Vocoder
- Roland Alpha Juno (bass line)
- Sequential Circuits Prophet T-8 (additional bass and solo)
- Sequential Circuits Six-Trak (lead)
- Sequential Circuits Prophet-600 (lead)
- Ensoniq Performance Sampler (ERROR 144 - REBOOT?)
- SDF-3 running BSDI BSD/386
- Telebit Trailblazer TB+ plus (calling 'adaptex' over UUCP)
- Pascal Blin (Official French Guy)
- Drums sampled from Kraftwerk's Computer World record
- Vietnamese vocal by Hoang Oanh from Hon Vong Phu

The Telebit was sampled live in the studio because I did not have a SCSI interface on the EPS. The song was supposed to be released on an 'Analogue Heaven' compilation that never materialized and sat on DAT until 2004 when I remastered it and added Pascal Blin's vocal to fill in what I felt were empty spots. Pascal did not know what the words meant but was very concerned about pronouncing them correctly."

RIP Walter Sear

photo by adriana trujillo via ZU33

We lost another synth pioneer. Walter Sear passed away yesterday. He was currently running Sear Sound NYC. Some synth related snips via Wikipedia:

"Walter E. Sear (1930-2010) was an American recording engineer, instrument importer, instrument designer, inventor, composer, tuba player, movie producer, synthesizer pioneer, and vintage recording equipment guru. Since 1970 he ran the legendary Sear Sound recording studio in New York City, which is known for its vast collection of vintage analog recording gear and is patronized by bands such as Sonic Youth, Steely Dan, Wynton Marsalis, and Paul McCartney...

Sear started out his long and varied career as a classical tuba player. After 4 years at the Curtis Institute of Music, he landed a job as principal tuba of the Philadelphia Orchestra. He later was a freelancer in New York City, playing for 6 years with the Radio City Music Hall pit orchestra as well as The Symphony of the Air, The Goldman Band, Sound of Music and numerous commercial studio dates...

In the late 50's he became friendly with Robert Moog after buying parts from him for a homemade Theremin. In the early 60's, Sear used his music industry connections to become Moog's sales agent and business partner. He encouraged Moog to make his synths more practical, eventually leading, in the late 60's, to the development of portable synthesizers which could be used in live performance. Sear also became known as a performer and composer on the Moog synthesizer for various movie soundtracks including Midnight Cowboy...

He built his first recording studio in 1964 as one of the first commercial electronic music studios. Sear Sound is the oldest recording studio in New York City, and boasts over 285 vintage and contemporary microphones, four rebuilt Studer recorders used by the Beatles at Abbey Road, and one of the earliest Moog synthesizers, built by Sear with Moog[2][3]."