Roland MC-4: The 1981 Music Computer

video upload by Alex Ball

"A look at the Roland MicroComposer / MC-4 from 1981.

In 1977 Roland introduced the first ever microprocessor controlled digital sequencer, which was the MC-8 designed by Ralph Dyck. The MC-4 was the successor and was one of Roland's few CV/Gate digital sequencers before they moved over to MIDI shortly after.

Both when it was new and many years after it was seemingly obsolete, numerous artists swore by it and they're now sought after. In the video we explore why.

With thanks to Pea Hicks for the MC-8 footage and images.

0:00 Intro Jam
0:41 Origin of the MC series
2:54 Interlude
3:31 Demonstration of how it works
10:20 The end result
10:47 Summary of the experience
12:09 Others ways to program
13:16 Experiments & explorations
19:03 MC-4b etc
19:39 Who used it, when and why?"

Vtg 1940 NY World's Fair VODER Voice Synthesizer BELL SYSTEM EXHIBIT Brochure

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

via this auction

Here's something you do not see everyday. It was sent my way via Pea Hicks of optigan.com. If you are not familiar with the Voder, it was a 1939 speech synthesizer from Bell Lab's. Yes, that is correct, the year 1939. You can find some previous posts including demos here. This brochure is as rare as it gets. It's hard to believe it exists in this condition. The auction description follows: "A Vintage / Original 1940 New York WORLD'S FAIR Bell System Exhibit BROCHURE / BOOKLET of The VODER - The Worlds First Voice Electronic Synthesizer. The Bell Telephone Laboratory's Voder (from Voice Operating Demonstrator) was the first attempt to electronically synthesize human speech by breaking it down into its acoustic components. It was invented by Homer Dudley in 1937–1938 and developed on his earlier work on the vocoder. The quality of the speech was limited; however, it demonstrated the synthesis of the human voice, which became one component of the vocoder used in voice communications for security and to save bandwidth.

As found recently, it measures aprx 6" x 9".

Visually it appears to be in nice original condition showing light overall wear w/ some light creasing & a soft vertical fold/crease down the center (see pics)."

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Quilter - Panoptigon w/ 14 Discs

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

via this auction

"This listing includes 14 disc's as follows:

-Harmonium
-Darksophone
-Organ
-Wurliscape
-Vibrascape
-Minimalism
-Guitarscape
-Flute
-Oscillations x 2
-Vocal Choir
-Singing Rhythm
-Glitchedelica
-Marimba
-Radioaktivox

The Panoptigon represents the culmination of years of research and development that carries an awesome vintage instrument into the modern era. Redesigned from the ground up, the Panoptigon empowers the artist with MIDI, modern effects, and a deeper and more thorough feature set than ever dreamed of before.

The original Optigan program discs came in many popular styles, and our new disc mastering system has enabled us to create and release never-issued discs from the master tapes rescued and preserved by Pea Hicks. In addition, we have mastered original discs, some of which go much further in exploiting the cyclical nature of the playback loop, resulting in loop libraries with endlessly entertaining combinations.

Maximum Polyphony: 60 Voices (Tracks) Current Draw: 650 mA , 24V Dimensions (W x D x H): 17.6" (447 mm) x 16.75" (425 mm) x 5.25 (133 mm) without cover 17.6" (447 mm) x 16.75" (425 mm) x 5.50 (140 mm) with cover Weight: 13.4 lbs. (6.08 kg) without cover 15.1 lbs. (6.85 kg) with cover Accessories: Dust cover, PS24 Power Supply

Connectors: MIDI (IN, THRU) Headphones (3.5mm) Audio Output x 2 (1/4" phone): LEFT-MONO SUM, RIGHT-TRS STEREO Output Impedance: 1 kOhm 24 VDC Power (5.5mm barrel, 2.5mm pin, tip positive) SYNC IN (3.5mm), SYNC OUT (3.5mm) Power Supply PS-24 (24 VDC, 3A)"

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QUILTER PANOPTIGON Now Available

Some pics and details via Noisebug, who also as it listed on Rerverb here. Be sure to check out the pics with the cool transparent brown dust cover.

"The Panoptigon represents the culmination of years of research and development that carries an awesome vintage instrument into the modern era. Redesigned from the ground up, the Panoptigon empowers the artist with MIDI, modern effects, and a deeper and more thorough feature set than ever dreamed of before.
The original Optigan program discs came in many popular styles, and our new disc mastering system has enabled us to create and release never-issued discs from the master tapes rescued and preserved by Pea Hicks. In addition, we have mastered original discs, some of which go much further in exploiting the cyclical nature of the playback loop, resulting in loop libraries with endlessly entertaining combinations.

Maximum Polyphony: 60 Voices (Tracks)
Current Draw: 650 mA , 24V
Dimensions (W x D x H): 17.6" (447 mm) x 16.75" (425 mm) x 5.25 (133 mm) without cover
17.6" (447 mm) x 16.75" (425 mm) x 5.50 (140 mm) with cover
Weight: 13.4 lbs. (6.08 kg) without cover
15.1 lbs. (6.85 kg) with cover
Accessories: Dust cover, PS24 Power Supply, AC Cord, Disc Starter Pack, Owner's Manual
Connectors: MIDI (IN, THRU)
Headphones (3.5mm)
Audio Output x 2 (1/4" phone): LEFT-MONO SUM, RIGHT-TRS STEREO
Output Impedance: 1 kOhm
24 VDC Power (5.5mm barrel, 2.5mm pin, tip positive)
SYNC IN (3.5mm), SYNC OUT (3.5mm)
Power Supply PS-24 (24 VDC, 3A)"

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iOptigan - Optigan for iPad & iPhone - Demo Song - BEEBO - Optiganally Yours

Published on Nov 29, 2017 optigandotcom

iTunes: iOptigan - Stefan Stenzel

"Pea Hicks of optigan.com and Stefan Stenzel of Waldorf present... iOptigan!

PLEASE NOTE: if you're listening to this demo on a mobile device, you may have trouble hearing the keyboard part in the right channel, due to a YouTube quirk. For best results, please listen on a regular PC.

This is a demo of iOptigan running on an iPad Air. The music is 'Beebo' by Optiganally Yours, which is an old song that appeared on the album 'Spotlight On Optiganally Yours.' The disc used is 'Big Organ & Drums.'"

iOptigan - Optigan for iPad & iPhone - Demo Song - PATIO - Optiganally Yours

Published on Nov 28, 2017

"Pea Hicks of optigan.com and Stefan Stenzel of Waldorf present... iOptigan!

Now available in the iOS app store!
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/iopti...

PLEASE NOTE: if you're listening to this demo on a mobile device, you may have trouble hearing the keyboard part in the right channel, due to a YouTube quirk. For best results, please listen on a regular PC.

This is a demo of iOptigan running on an iPad Air. The music is 'Patio' by Optiganally Yours, which is an old song that appeared on the album 'Spotlight On Optiganally Yours.' The disc used is 'Bossa Nova Style.'"

iOptigan - Optigan for iPad & iPhone - Demo Song - midori2tree - Optiganally Yours

Published on Nov 2, 2017 optigandotcom

iTunes: iOptigan - Stefan Stenzel

"Pea Hicks of optigan.com and Stefan Stenzel of Waldorf present... iOptigan!

Now available in the iOS app store!

PLEASE NOTE: if you're listening to this demo on a mobile device, you may have trouble hearing the keyboard part in the right channel, due to a YouTube quirk. For best results, please listen on a regular PC.

This is a demo of iOptigan running on an iPad Air. The music is "midori2tree" by Optiganally Yours, which is an old song that appeared on various compilation albums. The disc used is "Rollin' Easy.""

New Discs for the Vintage Optigan: GLITCHEDELICA, GUITARSCAPE & Back Catalog

New 2016 Optigan Disc - GLITCHEDELICA

Published on Feb 18, 2016 optigandotcom

"Now available for pre-order!

http://optigan.com/shoptigan/new-opti...

GLITCHEDELICA is an experimental rhythmic pattern generator. Forgoing the usual drums/chords/keys convention entirely, each button and key features a different loop, drawn from Pea Hicks' personal archive of oddball instruments, electronics, and other sound sources. These can be combined and recombined in an infinite number of ways to produce a wide variety of disturbingly funky effects.

SFX Rockers: Glitchedelics
Chord Buttons: Glitchedelics
Keys: Glitchedelics

Arranged, produced, and/or mangled by Pea Hicks
Some drum loops come from the Optigan Master Tapes"

New 2016 Optigan Disc - GUITARSCAPE

Published on Feb 18, 2016

"Now available for pre-order!

http://optigan.com/shoptigan/new-opti...

GUITARSCAPE is the first Optigan disc in an asymmetrical meter- in this case, 5/4. The chord buttons feature bass guitar riffs, with drums on the SFX rockers. The keyboard scale features clean guitar tones, and like the other discs in our "scape" series, the notes are rhythmically articulated in a variety of syncopated patterns. This makes the scale generally more suited to chords than melodic playing, but both approaches produce nice effects, either forward or in reverse. The bass patterns have been specifically written to allow for a maximum of complimentary chord button combinations, such that pressing certain buttons at the same time produces composite, complex bass patterns. And if 5/4 is a bit too odd for your needs, you can always change chords on, say, every 4th beat, and you'll get even more complex pattern cycles. All of these effects are demonstrated in this demo video.

SFX Rockers: drums
Chord Buttons: Bass
Keys: Guitar

Arranged and produced by Pea Hicks
Guitar & Bass played & recorded by Kenseth Thibideau
Drums come from the Optigan Master Tapes
Photographic imagery by Kenseth Thibideau
(http://temporaryresidence.com/artists...)"

"Also, for a very limited two-week time period only, from now until March 3rd 2016, we’re offering an opportunity to buy discs from our back-catalog. Normally we’re not able to keep these titles in stock, because historically the vendor that makes the raw discs has required a minimum order of 25 copies of any given title. Since our cost for these copies is quite high, and the demand is quite low (the Optigan has a very devoted, yet very small following mostly limited to owners of the vintage hardware), we can’t afford to buy them in such large quantities and remain thousands of dollars in the red while the orders slowly trickle in. BUT, we've established a once-a-year arrangement where the vendor is willing to take a bulk order of titles from our back catalog without requiring the usual minimum number of copies for each title. This all has to happen in one fell swoop, so we’re limiting the time frame in which folks can place their orders. Once the deadline passes, we’ll order only as many copies as we have actual orders for. It will then take a month or two to get all those copies fabricated and sent out. Your patience is appreciated! Unfortunately, we cannot offer any sort of bulk discounts or other types of custom orders beyond what is offered in our store. In the past we’ve experimented with different bundle pricing schemes, etc, so the prices set for those bundles will remain in effect. All discs will ship with the printed jackets exactly as pictured on the product page for each item."

Yazoo - DON'T GO - Re-created w/ Moog Voyager OS

Published on May 3, 2015 downsampling

"This video demonstrates and documents Pea Hicks‘ Sequential Circuits Pro-One synth patches, inspired by the work of Vince Clarke on Yazoo’s Don’t Go. [posted here]

I make it with a Moog Voyager Old School.
HH, Clap = Miami Drummachine, Snare = XBase09.

Thanks to peahix

justforfun :-) downsampling.de"

Yazoo - DON'T GO - Re-created w/ Sequential Circuits Pro-One Synth

Published on Jul 23, 2014 peahix

Another one from Pea Hicks. Don't miss the Yazoo Only You cover, and his Yamaha CS-01 Depeche Mode covers. Click here for all posts featuring peahix.

"By special request, here's another Yaz track re-created w/ the Sequential Circuits Pro-One synth. The original actually has a fair amount of ARP 2600 in it, which means that the sounds in my version are a bit hit-and-miss, but I was able to get reasonably close with most of the sounds. My starting point for this was four patches posted at http://www.unease.se/proone.htm which I modified to get closer to the original sounds. The kick is the same patch from the Vince Clarke magazine article that I used on "Only You." All the other sounds I programmed from scratch. Everything was sequenced in Cubase, and the Pro-One sounds were recorded one at a time via a Kenton Pro Solo MIDI/CV interface.

Note that, as with 'Only You,' the original recording is actually pitched a bit sharp. I've decided to record my versions at concert pitch (A440) for the sake of keeping things standard.

The snare, clap (heavy reverb), and hi-hat (heavy flanging) are all 808. The kick and toms are Pro-One.

For the record, I don't view these re-creations as "covers" or creative projects. They're more like jigsaw puzzles to me. A way to challenge my ear, a way to find out the limits of my limited gear, and a way to try to get into the head of musicians/producers I admire. Otherwise, they're relatively pointless and aren't meant to be creative statements in and of themselves.

Here you can download my midi file and patch sheets if you want to have a go and make your own version. Just let me know and give me a mention if you post your version anywhere. https://www.dropbox.com/s/s5342gtfi6o...

Thanks again to frankperri.com for the blank patch sheets!"

Kraftwerk Rockpalast 1970

Published on Mar 26, 2014

Update: looks like the video was pulled. You can now find it here with a second video.

Kraftwerk with a Tubon

From the Rockpalast Archive
Mixed Media Show
Soest, Germany
Winter 1970

0. Intro
1. Stratovarius
2. Ruckzuck
3. Heavy Metal Kids
4. Improvisation 1

via Pea Hicks on The MATRIXSYNTH Lounge

VINTAGE MUSIC MATE SYNTHESIZER KEYBOARD?

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

via this auction - learn how to sell on eBay here.

Anyone know what this is?  The listing states that it is working but not much else.  Sequential Circuits had this MusicMate, but this does not appear to be that.  This is the first Music Mate post.

Update via Pea Hicks of Optigan.com in the comments: "I had one of these about 10 years ago. It was meant for school use. It's essentially a mini divide-down electronic piano. Polyphonic, but with just one bland timbre."

Update2: a couple of pics of the instruction sheets added below.

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Captain & Tennille MUSKRAT LOVE

Uploaded on Jan 9, 2009 Darren Q.·106 videos

"Here are the Captain & Tennille performing one of their BIG HITS on the Toni Tennille Show in 1980."

via Pea Hicks of Optigan.com: "epic use of white face arp odyssey" :)

Oberheim OB-1 on top of an ARP OMNI in there as well, but not played.

New 2013 Optigan Disc - WURLISCAPE

Published on Apr 13, 2013 optigandotcom·15 videos

"New 2013 Optigan Disc - WURLISCAPE! Now taking pre-orders at http://www.optigan.com! Please excuse the noodly nature of this demo recording- it's just a simple improvisation to demonstrate the sounds on this disc.

WURLISCAPE represents the next evolution in the Optigan disc concept we starting with Pianoscape and Vibrascape. This disc is not intended for playing "tunes," rather it's a sort of ambient arpeggiator of sorts (with the sounds of a familiar vintage electric piano on the keyboard), paired with a repository of previously unreleased vintage drum and percussion loops from the original Optigan master tapes spread over the chord buttons (well, except for a few of the chord buttons, which have bass patterns- but we'll get to that later).

The keyboard features a series of simple two-note rhythmic patterns that, when combined, can create complex arpeggiated chords. All patterns comprise only "white" notes, which means that since the Optigan keyboard stretches from F to F, everything is more or less in the F-Lydian mode (aka C Ionian mode). This ensures that most combinations of patterns will produce a harmonically consonant composite pattern, though the harmonic possibilities remain vast. The layout is thus:

White keys:
1st octave: patterns in 5ths, all perfect except for B, which plays a dim 5th (B-F)
2nd octave: patterns in 4ths, all perfect except for F, which plays an aug 4th (F-B)
3rd octave: patterns in 3rds, F, G & C are maj, A, B, D, & E are min

Brown keys:
Patterns are on the note 1/2 step lower than the key itself, ie the F# key plays an F pattern, G# a G pattern, etc.
1st octave: patterns in perfect octaves
2nd octave: patterns in 7ths, F & C are maj, G, A, & D are min
3rd octave: patterns in 6ths, F, G, C, & D are maj, A is min

Rhythmically, the patterns are arranged such that playing any three chromatically adjacent notes produces a complete composite rhythmic pattern in 8th notes. Other combinations of notes will produce less complex composite sub-patterns.

It's important to note that we don't intend for the player to actually memorize this system of patterns- one should approach this disc experimentally, trying out different pattern combinations until you find something you like.

Most of the chord buttons have drum/percussion loops of various types, but the F, C, G, D, A, and E maj chord buttons have single-note bass patterns on those corresponding notes. This is to help fill out the low end of the harmonic spectrum. The decision to feature a variety of drum/percussion loops expands the versatility of this disc for those who simply wish to use the Optigan as a lo-fi drum machine.

Audio arranged, produced, and mastered by Pea Hicks
Disc design and mastering by Robert Becker"

A LinnDrum Brought Back to Life

November Group "Put Your Back To It"

Uploaded on Jan 7, 2009 by tuneup89 - The track is from 1984.

Along the lines of the recent post in via Pea Hicks on the story of a Roland MC-8, we have a story of the actual LinnDrum used in the track for the video above by November Group.  That's the LinnDrum pictured to the left. This one comes in via XBS where you'll find the full post.

"The Linndrum we have has a long and illustrious lineage! It was originally owned by a good friend of mine who is now a great painter ( Alvan Long )! He is also a drummer and was in several boston bands long before my time! Here’s a Pure No Wave Gem from one of those bands called The November Group"

The bad news is it sat unused for 15 years with leaking battery and blown caps.  The good news is it was brought back to life by Forat.  Click through above for more pics and the full post.

Synth Talk with Richard Burgess of Landscape

LANDSCAPE: 'European Man'

Uploaded on Jan 19, 2008
Landscape's 'European Man', featuring Barbie Wilde.

Pea Hicks who runs Optigan.com and the MC-8 blog, has a great post up on Richard Burgess and the use of the Roland MC-8 Micro-Composer.  The following are a couple of excerpts and videos for reference.  Along with synth talk there are some interesting historical bits on the time including the origin of the New Romantic label and scene.  Richard Burgess worked with Rusty Egan who in turn was in Visage, a band consisting of him Billy Currie and Midge Ure of Ultravox, John McGeoch of Magazine, Siouxsie &  PIL (Johnny Rotten of The Sex Pistols), and others.  Lot's of cross collaboration at the time.  If interested you can start with Visage on wikipedia and click through the names.  The post-punk New Romantic followed by New Wave movement brought synthesis to many.  In Pea Hicks' interview you'll find a great audio snip with some geeky synth talk on setting values for the MC-8 - this is in an actual track.

"Pea: I’m sure to you it probably seems like a head-scratcher why anyone in this day and age would voluntarily subject himself to the hassles of dealing with ancient sync dilemmas, but for me that’s part of the fun and also it’s a way of working that inevitably produces some idiosyncratic results that you wouldn’t get by doing things the “easy way.” I’m definitely after that metronomic Human League type groove.

Richard: I think the machine definitely influences the result so I don’t see it as odd to want to use the MC8. I have thought about it myself.The same thing applies to analogue sequencers. Like I said, we synched the MC8 to the CR78 by programming a square wave to come out of the mulitplex outputs and then we adjusted the level through a console until it ran the CR78. Most of those old drum machines run on simple square waves with no flags. Getting them to run in the same time is less of a problem than getting them to start at the right time. I used the MC8 in preference to later machines because of the timing. I found early Cubase to be shaky (it’s fine now) and SMPTE Track from Hybrid Arts was very sensitive to processor load. I always liked the timing of the Linn 9000 and I still have mine. I don’t know about the DMX but the 808 should lock tight – it’s only one machine later than the CR78 if I recall correctly."

And on Shock's Angel Face:

"Richard: Oh yes, that was all me. Rusty Egan brought the group and the song and I programmed everything in my home studio and recorded it at Mayfair Studios in South Moulton St. with John Hudson engineering. It was the System 100Ms with the 10x gate modification on the bass line for sure. I did all their recordings and I wrote the rest of the songs with various members and Rusty."

Shock - ANGEL FACE - Shock

Yamaha CS01II Plays BIG MUFF by Depeche Mode by Pea Hicks Cubase Capture

Yamaha CS01II Plays BIG MUFF by Depeche Mode - Cubase Screen Capture

Published on Dec 4, 2012 by peahix

"I've had several skeptics weigh in on my various Depeche Mode covers done all on my Yamaha CS01II synth, so I thought I'd make a screen-cap video showing the Cubase session for my rendition of "Big Muff." Here's the mastered version I posted previously: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IiZlvr7fXs [posted here]

In this version, you can see all my parts, and I solo all the different bits throughout so you can hear how it all comes together. Note that for several sounds there are actually two different tracks that play together to form a composite sound. The CS01II is a pretty limited synth, and in order to more accurately achieve certain sounds, I had to split things into their component parts. The channels that remain muted throughout are just the MIDI parts, which aren't outputting to anything here, since each MIDI track was recorded one at a time via the CS01II to an audio track. Anyway, hopefully this is useful or interesting to someone!!"

Click here for a search on "Peahix Depeche Mode" that will bring up more covers featuring only the Yamaha CS01 mkII.

Synth Spotting with Art of Noise

Art of Noise Live 1984

YouTube Uploaded by wksufreshair on Nov 17, 2009

Art of Noise - Close to the Edit (live)

Uploaded by couchtatty on Apr 4, 2009

These in via Pea Hicks of http://www.optigan.com/.
lots of fairlight action, ppg, memorymoog, etc.

Another Ralph Dyck Synth Recovered

"Encouraged by the recovery of his Carson Graham synth, Ralph went in search of another synth he made around the same time for the UBC. Bob Pritchard of the UBC Music Dept. confirmed that the synth was still sitting offline in his office, and after a quick consultation with the school’s administration, it was decided to gift the synth back to its original creator! Ralph has been working on the synth for a few months now. Here’s a bit of Q&A about it, along with some pics and sound examples."

You'll find them on Pea Hicks' Roland MC-8 Micro-Composer blog here. Ralph Dyck is considered the godfather of the Roland MC-8. See the Ralph Dyck label below for previous posts.

Ralph Dyck's 1970s DIY Synth Recovered From Pawn Shop

You might remember Ralph Dyck as the Godfather of the Roland MC-8 MicroComposer. His home-brew sequencer served as the basis for the MC-8. See this post for a video featuring a track he wrote titled "Odd Rhythms" that was included in the MC-8 manual. Ralph Dyck was also featured for his DIY modular work in this 1972 news article.

via Pea Hicks on the Roland MC-8 Micro Composer blog:

"A couple years ago, Ralph mentioned to me that in the early-70s he had built a couple of custom analog synthesizers for local schools – UBC and Carson-Graham Senior Secondary. I attempted to contact the music departments of both of these schools. The UBC music department still had theirs, but the Carson-Graham synth was missing in action. Fast forward to a few weeks ago, and I get an email from Ralph that an acquaintance of his in Vancouver recognized Ralph’s handiwork in a craiglist ad for a homebrew synth- it was the long-lost Carson-Graham synth!

The asking price was only $75, but try as he might to recover it, Ralph was too late, and it was purchased by a young guy interested in making 'bloopy synth sounds.'"

Click here for the full story including audio and pics.

Side note: Pea Hicks aka peahix who wrote the article is also the man behind Optigan.com.