Phidgets - Products for USB Sensing and Control

via Loscha who found these on bunnie's blog (do check it out)

Loscha:
"These are a series of USB interfacing modules that connect electronics in the real world to the virtual world of your computer. To me, they seem reasonably priced, and the support and documentation seems well organized.

Some examples are present for MAX/MSP, and a library of interfacing code for the majority of flavours of coding that people use (although ChucK isn't here, I'm sure if enough people notice these exist, it's a possibility!)."

The PhidgetCircularTouch pictured
"The PhidgetCircularTouch detects changes in the capacitance between the on-board electrodes and the object making contact. The side of the circuit board opposite the connector and components is the side intended for contact." You can find more info here

A Synthesist's Guide to Acoustic Instruments

via Loscha

Side1.mp3
Side2.mp3

Update via Loscha:
"I've re-uploaded the mp3s. The disc is in Mono, so, I've made the mono, and trimmed the tops and tails.

Written my Howard Massey, Alex Noyes and Daniel Shklair. Published in 1987, the book gives it's reader a good insight into how sounds are made up, attacks, spectral components and such. These patch examples in the book are for CZ-101, Dx7, and generic subractive systems. They are presented on the Flexi as, well, realistic. But,
only realistic in terms of that these are the sounds that you, the end user, would end up with if you were to follow their book! The book presents typical ranges, polyphony in use, if the note can slide or trill, etc. A sort of how to guide for people without access to these instruments. It's not just about synthesis, it's about
playing technique, and how that translates into realistically recreating the style of the instrument in Synthr format.

The LP features an Acoustic sound, followed by the result from following the patches and techniques in the book.

The introduction from Dr John Chowning:
One of the most exciting experiences for musicians is in learning about the medium beyond "Playing the notes in a musical way." This book, designed for those who play and program synthesizers, is insightfully written. Here, the nature of the micro-structure of sound is clearly revealed and with it much of the magic of music. - Dr John Chowning, CCRMA, Stanford University."

Casio MT-70 with Bar Code Reader

Casiotone MT-70. Not technically a synth, but check out the bar code reader and bar code music sheets. Title link takes you to more shot pulled via this auction.

via loscha

Update via Loscha:
"Here is an article from "Your SPectrum" magazine which has info about interfacing a VL-5 to a ZX Spectrum computer via the barcode port. Like MIDI, well, only just sort of."

Update via .alex in the comments:
"It's sorta like my yamaha portasound pc-100 playcard system... but it reads cards with a magnetic stripe!!! i took some shots for you matrix. [link]"

Matrixsynth by Loscha

via Loscha

The Bird is the Word

flickr by Loscha
(click for more)

"Pic of the Cockatiel on the new MS2000r I got. Also on there, lots of pics of which chips are which. Can someone people send in Pics of inside a MicroKorg!!!?!!! The architecture is fundamentally the same, but the chipset is quite different."

via loscha.

Funk yr Duck - Frostwave Funk-A-Duck James Earthenware Loscha

Published on Nov 29, 2015 Edward Jones aka Loscha

"Hanging out at the then Frostwave Central in Carlton

Electro Harmonix drum machine being played through a funk-a-duck"

The almighty Paul Perry!!!

Schematics via Loscha

click here and here for the rest.

via loscha

Mini Synth
Semiconductor Reference Guide

Yamaha PTX8

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

via this auction

Details:

"This is the awesome Yamaha PTX8
It is basically a FM tone generator [Update via Loscha: "The sound engine isn't FM, it's 12 bit pcm samples, with envelopes and pitch and such, no filters."] that is completely editable and changeable. It has many kits and hundreds of sounds included from the totaly 80's drums sounds to sweet analog sounds. All sounds are completely customisable
The great this about this unit though is the fact that you can use it as a Trigger to MIDI converter. Using triger pads or mic signals you can actually convert live playing on the drums into MIDI information for sequencing or triggering events in Abelton Live etc
It has 8 trigger inputs and 8 audio outputs.
If you are looking for a flexible drum trigger brain that has a hure load of sounds included with it this is for you

It comes included with 2 cartrages. One with extra wave forms and another with extra storage for sounds and banks."

This one sent my way via Loscha.

Update: more info including samples on Sealed's Synth Site.

via twitter.com/Chris_Randall

CLICK FOR MORE »

The GTR Orgatron

via loscha. Update via Loscha in the comments:

"Hi Folks,

Once a year I get someone emailing me asking for information on the Orgatron. Sadly, I lost all that information to a HDD crash in 2009 or so, and I sold the Orgatron soon after these pictures were published, as I moved to a much smaller house.

So, I'm really sorry - I can't help anyone out with further information about the keyboard.

It had a chord organ section on the left, and the main synth voice was a very sketchy monosynth. There was some kind of weak lowpass filter that would close on some of the brass sounds, I seem to remember.

If you can get one for $50 -- do it!
If you can get one for $200 -- don't do it!"

Roland, Yamaha and Casio Manuals

In via Loscha. Bookmarking these for when we need them. Note that if you don't find what you want, try again. For example I searched for SK-1 on the casio site and nothing came back. Loscha suggested I try SK, and sure enough I got results.

Casio
Yamaha
Roland (must register first, but, it's free)

Image Zoom for FireFox

Cool extension for FireFox sent my way via Loscha. If you have Firefox you can install this extension and zoom in and out of images on this site and any other site for that matter without leaving the page. It just makes it one step easier. Thanks Loscha!

Oberheim Xpander Shots

Sent my way via Loscha of Edmaro. Title link takes you to high-res shots pulled from this auction. Thanks Loscha!

Roland TR-909

Title link takes you to shots pulled via this auction.

via loscha

Serge N Voice Controller

via Loscha:

"In 1982, Serge Modular Music Systems were set to release something very amazing, which, it appears, never saw retail production. This marketing bulletin which I found among some other things I was given is the only illustration I have been able to find out about the device. Read into it what you will, and bear in mind, that the date is not April the 1st."

Do check this out. You will be surprised. The scanned bulletin also includes a price list.

Yamaha SK50D

images via this auction.

Analog organ synth. Title link takes you to more shots including some close ups of the editing parameters.

via Loscha.

MATRIXSYNTH Shout Out in John Tejada Interview

This one spotted by Loscha in Australia's Sunday Morning Post. If anyone has a sharper scan, let me know.

"Found in 'YOUR GUIDE TO CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT': THE REVIEW – page 2"

MATRIXSYNTH and CDM get a knod. If you are not familiar with John Tejada's work, check out this wikipedia article on him.

International 3600 and 4600 Scans

more scans via Loscha

"International also known as the Maplin, also known as the ETI.
Cover
The "Goods"

This is a bit different from my usual scans. I removed the staples and scanned the book in as a book. So, you print it out on double sided paper, staple it in the middle, and have yourself a real book! I thought it was a nifty change, and was quick and easy for me on the work copier."

Roland System 100m

Click here for additional shots pulled via this auction.

via loscha

Details:
"4 x 112 Dual VCO Modules
This module consists of two independent Voltage control Oscillators. A variety of external controls are possible with this unit including, Pulse Width Modulation and strong and weak sync mode for phase locking. Simultaneous Manual Pulse Width Modulation is also possible. Each VCO has five different range settings from 32' to 2' as well as a Tuning control. Three different waveforms are available on each including, Triangle, Sawtooth, and pulse.

3 x 121 Dual VCF Modules
Two independent VCF's are part of this package. Each VCF includes the added feature of a built-in foxed high pass filter with a switch for turning the high pass functio off or selecting one of three cutoff points. Each VCF also includes three audio and three control inputs, and LED's for following signal flow. The green LED's light when a signal appears at the outputs, the red LED's light for overdrive (distort) condition.

4 x 140 Dual Envelope Generators & LFO
The 140-module and the 110 module provide the minimum basic elements necessary to produce a single synthesizer voice. Two voices can be provided with the added use of modules 112,121, and 130. ADSR's can be triggered from the keyboard's gate or gate + trigger, from an external gate, or manually with the front panel pushbutton. Both envelope generators provide inverted and normal outputs. Voltage controlled low frequency oscillator (LFO) has a built-in delay for delayed vibrato effects. KYBD TRIG switch allows phase locking of LFO output to keyboard trigger pulse.

6 x 130 Dual VCA
Two independent Voltage Control Amplifiers are included in this single package. Each VCA provides three audio inputs with continually variable level controls. Three VCA Modulation inputs are also included, each having its own level control. The outputs of each VCA have a low and high output jack with LED's to monitor output levels. An initial gain control that is continuously variable is included on each VCA and the user is allowed to choose between an exponential or linear response.

2 x 150 Ring Mod, Lfo and S&H
The most common function of the ring modulator is to combine two VCO outputs to produce metallic, bell clanging sounds. The Sample and Hold can be used for sampling an input waveform or for producing control voltage patterns based on that waveform. The musical result is patterns of notes such as arpeggios, random notes, etc.

3 x 132 Signal Mixer and Voltage Processors
Each mixer is a four-channel mixer with simultaneous inverted and non-inverted outputs. They can be used for summing control voltages and/or for mixing audio signals. Both include built-in posititve and negative voltage sources. A red LED indicates an overload condition. The module also includes a separate variable negative voltage source.

2 x 131 4 Channel Stereo Output Mixer
This four-channel stereo mixer has panning on each channel. The mixer can be ised in four track recording or to coordinate multiple synthesizer outputs. Also included are a stereo headphone output with separate level control: 220Hz, 440Hz, 880Hz. Mixer program outputs include left and right stereo outputs and separate mono output. Program outputs include both mini-jacks and 1/4" phone jacks for convenient connection to other parts of the synthesizer or to other studio equipment- Each program output also includes a red LED to show overload (distortion) condition.

1 x 165 Dual Portamento
Two independent portamento controllers are included in one module. Because the portamento time can be controlled by an external control voltage, you can be more expressive in the musical melody.

1 x 172 Phase Shifter and Effects Unit
The phase shifter and audio delay can be used for producing spatial effects. Both include convenient effect on/off switches and can be controlled from an external control voltage source so that two units may be used together for stereo effects, or may be used as a part of the sound synthesis process itself. The built-in control LFO has both normal and inverted outputs. The gate delay can be used where desirable to provide a delayed output from a pulse source, or it can be used as a pulse shaper. The gate delay also has a built-in high gain amplifier with a THRESHOLD control so that low level pulses recorded on tape can be amplified and shaped into a form which will trigger synthesizer functions.

1 x 174 Parametric EQ
This module has a four-band parametric equalizer. Each center frequency can be set exactly within the range of 20Hz to 20kHz, using four control knobs with overlapping effective ranges. Each frequency level can be set individually within the range of =,9 to 9. As an equalizer this module can be used to create various tone colours, and as an effector by exaggerating the setting of each parameter.

8 VCO's, 6 VCF's, 8 EG, 7 LFO, 12 VCA,
5 Mixers and the 'rare' modules - dual portamento, effects and parametric
add up to a MONSTER MODULAR"

Roland MC-4

Title link takes you to shots via this auction.

"Roland MC-4
Vintage 4 Channel CV/Gate Sequencer MC-4A

This is a quite rare and hard to find CV/Gate sequencer from the late 70s early 80s..
If you are sequencing with vintage analog gear this is the cream of sequencers, ask anyone who has one and they will tell you it has the tightest timing and most flexible advanced programming features.
This is the A version, MC-4A. Internal Memory is 16Kbytes. It has not been upgraded.
Please note this is a 100V unit, in Australia and Europe you will require a stepdown transformer. It draws 25W so a relatively cheap transformer will be fine.
US may also require a small stepdown transformer to go down to 100V.."

via Loscha.

Loscha Plays his Korg MS2000r - headphone warning: Loud Piercing Sounds! Beward!

Published on Aug 12, 2016 Edward Jones

"My super secret 'Scream' sound I made on the MS2000r.
Inspired by The Human League's sounds heard on Travelogue, Reproduction and the prior releases collated on The Golden Hour of the Future."

Like whale calls!