Synth Sunday Coming to Melbourne March 22

Full details on the event here.

"SYNTH SUNDAY ATTRACTIONS

Demo Room

Packed with the latest from Korg & Arturia, including the brand new ARP Odyssey, Kronos 2, along with the MiniBrute, MS-20 Mini, Volca, Electribe and more.

Presenters

Steve McNally: When it comes to hot-shot, blow-your-socks-of keys playing, Steve McNally is an undisputed master. Steve will be flying in especially for the event — brace yourself.

Ross Healy & John Pillans: Ross (VICMOD Records) and John (Mungo Enterprise) are two gentlemen with their fingers firmly on the pulse of the modular synth renaissance. Get across the state of the art in this arcane but endlessly fascinating world of synthesis.

Davide Carbone: Producer, sound designer and founder of the School of Synthesis, Davide has been circling the world making electronica and spreading his love of synthesis.

Josh Abrahams: Aria Award-winning Josh is indeed ‘addicted to bass’ but also a synth nut and composer / producer of world renown. Josh will build a track before your eyes.

Live Electronic Music

Live sets from electronic artists."

This one in via Loscha.

all modular night

"MAKE IT UP CLUB
25 NOVEMBER 2008
ALL MODULAR NIGHT.
Bar Open, 317 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy 3065, Melbourne , Australia

A full night of nothing but MODULAR SYNTHESIZERS!!!

*1st act:
VICMOD ENSEMBLE
Ross Healy- Buchla 200e modular
Scott Baker- Euromodular
Jed - Chimera bc16
Brett Maddaford – Euro Homebrew modular
Simon Birds- Euro/Blacet modular

2ND act :
Steve Law – Roland System 100
Steve Williams – EMS VCS3

3rd act
CRAY VS ABRE OJOS
CRAY (Ross Healy) vs ABRE OJOS (Scott Baker)
Buchla Vs Euromodular battle. Buchla splinters and Euro drone."

Vicmod Ensemble Live at Melbourne Music Week

VICMOD ENSemble - LIVE @ State Library Victoria 2016 - MMW

Published on Nov 17, 2016 11brassmonkey11

VICMOD - Workshop - MMW 2016

Published on Nov 17, 2016 11brassmonkey11

Update: videos above added. Pics below.

"A live sound art performance piece performed live in the Queens Hall at the State Library of Victoria for Melbourne Music Week on the 13th November 2016.

VICMOD ENSemble

- Modular Performers
Simon Birds
Ross Healy
Ben Willis
Adrien Harris
Guy Taylor
Grant Atkinson
Rosalin Yuen
Jeremy Toland

- Live Visuals
Jess Ramsey

- Production and Editing
Ben Willis

- Filming
Ben Willis
Adrien Harris
Evan Lorden

- Audio Recording
Grant Atkinson

Special Thanks
Kevin Karlberg - Stable Music"


Some pics of Vicmod Ensemble's recent performance at Melbourne Music Week, Sunday, November 13, in the Melbourne State Library. 350 Melbournians were in attendance. The event focused on electronic music, with Severed Heads performing the following night. Ross Healy of Vicmod did a talk during the day on modular synth history and Vicmod, while the Vicmod crew did demos allowing the general public to play with eurorack modular systems. It looks like it was a great event.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Racked EMS VCS1 & VICMOD ENSemble "Schematics On Trees" Dedicated to Richard Lainhart, Mike Brown & Jürgen Haible

via Vicmod Records

"VICMOD ENSemble
Schematics On Trees
VMDL15

Description:

VICMOD ENS
2009 – 2012

Recorded @ locations around Melbourne, Australia.
Compiled and mix by Ross Healy.

1. Schematics On Trees 1
2. Schematics On Trees 2

VICMOD Ensemble have been Ross Healy, Graeme Trott, Simon Birds, Gerrard Jenner, Stephen Richards, Owen Harris, Blake Stickland, Scott Baker and Brett Maddaford.

Machines used:
EMS Synthi AKS, EMS VCS3, EMS VCS1, Buchla 200e, Serge Modular, Euro Modular, Frac Modular, DIY modular and various fx.

Dedicated to Richard Lainhart, Mike Brown and Jürgen Haible.

Original schematic by Jürgen Haible used by permission."

"This first release from VICMOD ENSemble is a mix of live performances from 2009 to January 2012."

Left: According to Vicmod this is the racked EMS VCS1. I'll see if I can get some additional info on it. You can see another VCS1 in this post from 2007. It was a prototype VCS3.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Roland Juno 106: Classic Synthology 101 With Ross Kelly

YouTube via gearwire
"We check out more of Ross Kelly (aka DJ Steak) and his synth collection. This time, we focus on the 80s-riffic Roland Juno 106 and its score of sounds from a score ago."

Serge M-Class - New Serge Half-Panel Format

Update: images and details via Ross.

Picutured: The Creature

"Hi all,
As you're all no doubt aware, STS stopped taking custom panel orders back in June of 2007. What you may not be aware of is that there have been some exciting developments percolating beneath the surface at STS headquarters since well before that announcement. I'm pleased and very excited to announce the new Serge M-Class series from Sound Transform Systems.

What is it? Well, imagine the Serge modules you already know and love in a half-panel format -- we'll call these half-panels "M-odules -- and the modules, as they were previously known, comprise "function blocks" with individual "function cells", i.e., a DTG is a function block and a single TG is a function cell. Let's leave the new nomenclature for a moment so it can sink in and visit the tangible differences, now.

Rex has made a slew of changes under the hood and these include improvements to the designs, topologies, and circuits, across the board. Yes, there was still room for improvement, if you can believe it! Externally, very little has changed except for the new format, which, as I mentioned above, resembles half-panels, now known as "M- odules, joined in the center by a new power distribution scheme which incorporates the familiar PSD, indicator LEDs, a cool modulatable water-diffused blue LED, and eliminates the dangling power interconnection cables we're used to. A new, smaller, and custom- built power supply, the PS2a, is available to power 2 M-boats (each M- boat holds two "M-odules plus the new power distribution strip). It's also switchable for operation in Europe and will come with the appropriate power cable, as well. If you need to power more than this you can still opt for the PS4 or PS6.

Last, but not least, there are some new function block designs, such as the VC Timegen Oscillator, and VC Timegen Clock. Each is comprised of two distinct halves, or function cells. Two "M-odules incorporating these blocks are the "Creature" and "Sequencer" which, when combined, form a powerful mini-modular in a single M-boat. It's my understanding that these will be some of the first "M-odules available.

Well, now I'll turn it over to the list so we can get some discussion going. Undoubtedly, you have some questions, and we'll do our best to answer them.

Thanks for your attention,
Matt"

via Ross via the Serge list.

Update:
Prices via Egres, The Unofficial Serge Synthesizer Website.

Gator - $1499.00 USD (pictured)
Creature - $1499.00 USD
Sequencer-A $1650.00 USD
SQP Sequencer - $1200 USD
Triple Oscillator - $1650.00 USD

Update in the comments: There's some good info from Carbon111 who will be creating some pages for the new Serge systems as well. If that doesn't get you excited just check out http://carbon111.com/. He has some of the best pages on individual synthesizers out there including Serge.

hassslerhealy

via Ross
"I have been swapping CDs with Don Hassler. I send him improvisations on my Serge/ Eurorack modular and he has sent me his Buchla 200e improvisations....today i decided to play both recordings at the same time and this is what you will hear



it suffers from 128k mp3 but its fun if you like improv electronics as much as i do

Ross"

Cray (Ross Healy) @ Bar Open (May 2017)

Published on May 18, 2017 brassmonkey

Cray (Ross Healy) performance at Bar Open (May 2017)
http://www.vicmod.net/

Live Visuals by Cat Full of Ghosts Electronics
http://www.catfullofghosts.com/

Production / Editing by Ben Willis
https://ben-willis.com

The following is a video of the patch used for the performance:

My eurorack live patch 2017

Published on May 7, 2017

Moving Brands - Muon Speakers Lunch, Sound Reactive Installation 2007

YouTube via MediaArtTube
"Made with Processing.
With a brief to simply create the ultimate, KEF assembled a cross-disciplinary team of designers and agencies to design, brand, and launch the most extraordinary audio speaker ever conceived.

The speakers themselves were created by visionary industrial designer Ross Lovegrove, and marry a sensual yet logical organic form to state-of-the-art audio technology, whilst the Muon identity and book, created by Farrow Design, reflects the speakers totemic sculptural form.

Moving Brands were commissioned to create an audio responsive visual installation to compliment Muon a liquid light experience and used a custom built sound-responsive visual engine to dynamically map liquid behaviours.

The resultant installations organic, responsive light-forms created an emotional aura around the speakers that perfectly encapsulates the dual inspirations of particle physics and Zen Buddhism from which Muon derives its name.

Credits
KEF
Ross Lovegrove
Farrow Design
Moving Brands

More info: http://www.movingbrands.com/?category..."

MESS Ltd Synth Workshops

This one sent my way via Ross Healy of Vicmod Records, who is offering a workshop on getting started with Buchla.

The following is the list of workshops:

Getting started with Eurorack modules with Keith Fullerton Whitman

Introduction to EMS and pin board patching with Robin Fox

Introduction to synthesis for women and GNC people

Getting started with Buchla by Ross Healy

Introduction to DIY synth maintenance with Morgan McWaters

Introduction to subtractive synthesis with Byron Scullin

You can find details at: https://mess.foundation/store/

CLICK FOR MORE »

Melbourne, Australia DIY Modular Synth Builders unite

For those of you in Australia, Ross Healy asked me to post the following. Sounds like a great idea.

"Melbourne, Australia DIY Modular Synth Builders unite

In the Spirit of the 60's Modular synth builders....

Modular Synths cost way too much for Australians to import (I know I
just bought a 5 panel Serge Modular Synth) so kits seem to be the best
option, but for a noobie to solder and build here is an idea...

This idea came from *Serge Tcherepnin and the 60's spirit.

I have a classroom in the centre of town that we could use on 1
Saturday a month to get together and build modular kits. W*e would all
buy the same board and parts ( say of a Ken Stone - Low Pass Filter) and
build it all on the same day, this would enable people with no knowledge
to be next to people with no knowledge and in the process have fun.

I am collecting names of people who are interested, I am hoping to get
10 - 15 people max interested (already have 5 people, all you need to do
is get involved in the spirit ..., pay nothing except for the Board,
parts, and your own solder etc. and come along..

Contact Ross Healy healyr@tpg.com.au and I will start to get the ball
rolling."

Yazoo-Don't Go-Jonathan Ross Show,16.5.08

YouTube via chrisf242. sent my way via Jez.
Jez spotted the Fairlight. Sequential Circuits Prophet-5. Vocals steal the show.

Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross - In Motion - Modular synthesizer cover

Published on Mar 3, 2019 joeSeggiola

"From The Social Network ‎original soundtrack (2010, The Null Corporation).

I was trying to recreate the easiest parts of my favorite track from The Social Network's OST in my modular system. It soon became an exercise in using all the modules simultaneously. Recorded in February 2019.

Both drum sounds are created feeding signals from MFB OSC-3 into LxD vactrols, which are opened with Maths envelopes; the kick drum is a pitch-modulated triangle wave, the hat is from the white noise output. Intellijel Shifty is used like a gate sequencer to alternate kick/hat triggering. Two segments from Mutable Instruments Stages are used as faders for controlling drums' volume in Veils.

The bass sound is made with the Minibrute 2 using two saw oscillators one octave apart, with the LP filter controlled by an AD envelope from Stages. Pitch CV is manually triggered tapping buttons on the Korg SQ-1 in "step jump" mode; CV Out is sent to the SSF Modbox S&H for tempo quantization and to a slew-limiter made with Stages for slight portamento. The Minibrute mod-wheel is patched to increase the decay time of VCA and VCF envelopes, so it can be used to gradually control legato.

The 64-notes arpeggio is a square wave from MFB OSC-3, sequenced with the Minibrute (whose pitch CV is free to be used since does not control the on-board bass sound) and filtered with Bastl Cinnamon. A button on the second SQ-1 track is used to control Veils to un-mute the arpeggio at will. Digitech Obscura Altered Delay's mix and repeat controls are used to create the messy ending.

The piano-like long notes are pre-recorded in the Morphagene. A "distortion effect" is applied in real-time using the Minibrute's metalizer wavefolder, modulated by Morphagene's envelope follower. The sample doesn't loop, it's triggered using clock divisions.

Everything is mixed and sent through three guitar pedals: OBNE Dark Star for shim reverb, then a little room reverb and a compressor at the end."

New Commodore 64 Chiptune Music & Music Maker Project by Perifractic's Retro Recipes

New Commodore 64 Chiptune Music Video 🎧 "The Lost Years (feat. C64)" | ©1997-2018 Perifractic Published on Oct 1, 2018

More info & tunes: http://euromantix.com

"🍟 ON TODAY'S MENU: Marvel as I channel my inner Ross Geller in this music video as I go back to my roots again with another brand new original chiptune, recorded on the Commodore Music Maker Station built in a past video. Every note you hear was recorded on my Commodore 64 (only some echo & percussion added) straight out of the SID chip, using CynthCart, and GarageBand on the other end. This is in line to be my Q4 Theme Tune. Let me know what you think!

© DMCA Copyright Notice: "The Lost Years (feat. C64)" aka "What Do You Want" Registered International Copyright ©1997-2018 CJ Simpson aka Perifractic / euromantix music / TuneCore Music Publishing Administration / Atlantic Screen Group. Unauthorized distribution prohibited. All rights reserved. PRS-MCPS registered."

Commodore Music Maker Project - The C=MM² red


"My project to turn Commodore Music Maker into the CMM Station - a sexy music workstation inspired by Fairlight"

Playlist:
1/6: Commodore Music Maker Refurb - The Beginning
2/6: Commodore Music Maker Refurb - Recording An Original Hit Song
3/6: Commodore Music Maker Refurb - The Music Station
4/6: Commodore Music Maker Refurb - Shattered Case Repair
5/6: Commodore Music Maker Refurb - Darth Vader Case | feat. Retro Man Cave
6/6: Commodore Music Maker Refurb - Hammer Repair & Big Finish!
And the video above.

NAMM: Buchla Acquired by Former Industry Veterans?

via DedMousie aka Les Mizzell on Muffs:

"... some industry veterans (including Michael Marans, former Keyboard tech editor) have acquired Buchla & Associates, with Don Buchla now acting as Chief Technology Officer for a new company, Buchla Electronic Musical Instruments. They have some really exciting plans for new products that Don's wanted to do for a long time, and now has the resources to do so."

I checked with a source and this one just might be true. No formal announcement on the Buchla site. Note this is speculation until confirmation.

This one in via Soviet Space Child.

Update 1/20/12: and we have confirmation from Synthopia (note the new keyboard controller):

"At the 2012 NAMM Show, several interesting announcements were made about electronic music legend Don Buchla, above, and the future of his electronic music instruments:

His company, Buchla & Associates, has been acquired by a group of investors, who are creating a new company Buchla Electronic Musical Instruments. Buchla wil be the Chief Technology Officer of the new company. The organizational change will bring design, manufacturing, sales and marketing resources to Buchla. The intent is that, by freeing Buchla from some of these areas, he’ll be able to spend more time to ‘introduce more innovations in music technology’, expand the Buchla product line into new areas and make his instruments available to a wider range of musicians.

Buchla also introduced a new modular synthesizer, the Buchla Skylab. The Buchla Skylab is a compact and slightly more affordable configuration of the Buchla 200e modular line.

Finally, Buchla announced that, after 50 years of not making a keyboard for his synthesizer [Buchlas aren't known for piano style keyboards, but he did have polyphonic keyboards with velocity and aftertouch in 1971 - 237/238 in 1971, touche in 1979 and the 406 in 1983 - see the Buchla 406 here.], that there will finally be a Buchla Keyboard controller. The Buchla Keyboard is currently in early stages, but don’t plan on it being a standard control keyboard. Buchla Electronic Musical Instruments expects to release a keyboard design that is as different from other keyboard controllers as its modular synthesizer is from other modulars."

Update 1/26/2012 via Ross Healy of Vicmod:

"The 3 owners are Aussies all working in the music equipment business and huge synth lovers. Lewis Chiodo, John Fuller, Danny Olesh are the new owners of Buchhla Electronic Instruments. Michael Marans is CEO in the US. Their intention with Buchla Electronic Instruments is to keep the brand as cool as it has been in the past allowing Don to do what he excels at ( creating/ designing). I have no doubt this will be a brilliant future for our beloved Buchla and Don/ Ezra etc. I have known Lewis for 12 years and believe me this guys LOVES synths/ playing synths since he was age 5."

Alesis Andromeda Noisy Sound Effects.

video upload by Ross Totino

"Alesis Andromeda patches using more unusual modulation routings, specifically exploiting audio rate modulation possibilities. Additional effects used were from the Andromeda's own effects processor."

cray5656's healyhassler channel cray5656.healyhassler

DON HASSLER BUCHLA
ROSS HEALY LIVEWIRE MODULES

GoFundMe Campaign for Synth Repair Workshop Fire

This one in via Ross of Vicmod:

You can find the GoFundMe here.

"My close friend Brett Maddaford, synth repairer, lost his workshop including my mint Roland MC-202 and a friends original ARP Odyssey ( plus so many more great classic synths) over last weekend.

Brett started Vicmod with me 13 years ago and has been a huge part of the worldwide synth community for 20 plus years. He is one of the nicest people you will meet and I wanted to put this out to our amazing synth community.

There is a go fund me to help Brett Maddaford rebuild his excellent synth repair service and home that was devastated in the fire."

Brett Domino: 'We No Speak Americano' + LIVE INFO!

YouTube via brettdomino | September 28, 2010

"TICKETS SELLING FAST! Get yours here:
Ross Lee's Scream House: http://tiny.cc/rossleetix
Saturday Night Fulchfest: http://tiny.cc/fulchfesttix
Brett and Steven @ Camden Proud: (LINK COMING SOON)

Brett performs Yolanda Be Cool vs. D-Cup: We No Speak Americano on keytar, kazoo and Korg Monotron.

http://brettdomino.com"

EMS Synthi 100 Restored in Australia

This one in via readers Ross & Luke. An EMS Synthi 100 is being restored at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music by Mr. Leslie Craythorn. According the article on ABC News Australia:

"My count is we're down to maybe three Synthi 100s which are actually working and in original condition, of which this is one"

I'm curious how close that count is. I took a quick look in the archives and there was one in Kohn. The Digitana was featured here (according to the video only about 30 total Synthi 100s were made). There was one fully functional for sale in 2009 and 2006 (the same one?). One was spotted in this Aphex Twin post. Meat Beat Manifest had one featured here. Note the one in the background of this post, and of course the one being lifted by a crane in this post. Click here for all posts featuring the EMS Synthi 100.



You'll find pics, video and the full story on ABC News Australia here.

"On request of the university, Mr Craythorn has spent some of his last months on the job meticulously restoring a rare Electronic Music Studios (EMS) Synthi 100 modular synthesiser.

With its rows of coloured knobs and primitive displays the large grey cabinet looks like something from an old science fiction TV show and, in a way, it is.

Mr Craythorn said the instrument is identical to the one used by the BBC Radiophonic Workshop in the 1970s to create sound effects and incidental music for Doctor Who.

He first encountered the Synthi in 1975 when he was employed as a technician in the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music's electronic music laboratory.

'When I walked in and saw the size and the immensity of the machine... it's overwhelming,' he said."