"extremely rare (as in hen's teeth rare) Roland MTR-100 Digital Cassette Backup unit for use with the Roland MC-4b MicroComposer. Without this unit, if you power down, you'll lose your MC-4b sequences. This unit allows you to save and load your patches at twice the speed using hard to find data cassettes (Roland recommends Maxell M-90 data cassettes). Fortunately, a number of years ago I sourced some new old stock cassettes and 20 of them are included with the MTR-100 in this auction (19 of them sealed). The MC-4b is the same sequencer Vince Clarke used on many of his earlier works with Erasure. Features: Double-speed backup of MC-4b sequencer data. You will need an MC-4b for this to work (or will have to upgrade your MC-4 to an MC-4b) since only the MC-4b has the add-on board and interface jack that allows you to interface with this unit." via Rob
Umm, wow - I think it is 4 months since my last mailout.. A *lot* has been changing. Here's the run-down.
**FXHE - Tom Bugs - Living Leaving 12"**
YES - almost 30 minutes of live studio techno wobble split over 2 sides of vinyl and released by one of the very finest Detroit Labels:::: http://omarsdetroit.us/eps.php#tombuggs
Omar S is something of an underground legend - very direct & hard-working and it gives me utter excitement for him to release this recording from around 1 year ago.
There's actually no BugModular *sound* (instead it is drum machines & synths) but the Modular is used to reconfigure trigger streams - a key concept in my Modular approaches.
The vinyl is available direct from Detroit or check your local record store - lots of availability online now, I think.
**PT Delay Standard 2013**
YES - finally time for the new PT Delay design. It has been quite a while coming, but perhaps the next section will explain a bit more of the background changes. http://www.bugbrand.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=24&products_id=113
The main changes from the 2011 model are: Voltage Control! More powerful Equalisation! Standardised Production methods! Internal Refinements!
I had hoped to get the full batch of 100 done and released at this stage, but.. time is of the essence (again, see below) so now I'm splitting it into two batches of 50 units each - the remaining batch will come in 2-3 months..
**Changes**
YES - I'm actually leaving Bristol in 2 weeks time - or, at least, I will be living in Sweden for the coming months, though the BugBrand HQ will remain in Bristol for the time being.
Bigger, exciting life outside the regular Bug World!
As such, I will not be working on Bug-Bits for around 2 months (life will keep my hands busy) and then from there there will be definite changes (not all fully decided at the moment) - more working remotely with occasional popping back to Bristol for hands-on work.
And the main thing is that I am putting the Modular on ice for the time being (there will be a Modular Mailout shortly explaining more - I've been focused on winding down for much of the last few months) and instead focusing on bigger batches of standalone devices - I'm already lining up a couple of new designs, but lips are sealed for now.
In essence - stopping, but not stopping.
Wishing you all a very happy SUMMER.
And extend great & ongoing thanks to everyone who continues to give me the buzz to work!
Bests, Tom
PS
**Changes 2** - alongside all the other changes, I want to say a MASSIVE thankyou to my trusty assistant of almost 4 years - Mark Durgan (who is something of an underground legend)
Without Mark's work I'd not have been able to produce the things I have - he has worked so reliably.
Mark was the production powerhouse of the cranky bug-setup - he did most of the building work while I did design, parts sourcing, testing and all the sending/emailing etc.
Mark now moves off to new areas and I wish him the very best for future works. http://markdurgan.blogspot.co.uk/"
Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
via this auction
These always make you wonder how many are sitting around sealed in their box out there.
Note the auction has a couple of pics of a Filterbank that appear to be from elsewhere, but the seller doesn't state whether this one has been opened.
The listing state: "Up for grabs here is a Brand New Sherman Filterbank Rackmount/Table Top Analog Filter! Unit has never been used..... was purchased as part of a production studio concept, and the plans have changed ;) Please check out my other auctions for more great stuff!"
"August 12, 2014 (Port Jefferson Station, NY) -- Addressing a gap in the eurorack and control voltage-equipped synthesizer market, Pigtronix is proud to introduce the Pigtronix Custom Shop Active Dual CV Expression Pedal. Not only is it the only active, CV-capable expression pedal available, but it also has dual outputs to control two CV parameters at once. This unique product sells for $249 USD and is available exclusively from Nova Musik.
With a range of 0-5V, the Active Dual CV Expression is eurorack-friendly and can also control other gear equipped with 1/8" CV inputs, including Arturia MiniBrute and MicroBrute, Studio Electronics BOOMSTARs, Tom Oberheim SEMs, and others. The pedal's dual outputs allow for control of two separate CV parameters at once---with a polarity reversal switch on one of the outputs to let you move the values of two separate parameters in opposite directions.
Made in the USA, this is the world's finest expression pedal. The custom-made, sealed potentiometer is precision-engineered to exactly match the throw of the pedal in order to achieve the full range of expression from your CV-enabled synths and modules. High-quality Neutrik jacks and an automotive-grade, textured green finish make this expression pedal both handsome and indestructible.
"The -Osage Organ- from Ellitone Instruments is a Polyphonic (15 Voice) Digital (32-bit) Wavetable Vector Synthesizer.
The Power and Unique Tonalities created by this Instrument Derive from its ability to Dynamically Crossfade or "Morph" between 4 different Waveform Shapes in realtime.
The Control Interface for this Synthesizer is arranged into 3 paneled sections, these 3 sections consist of 2 Identical -Vector Chord-Engines- and a Middle Panel for Global Pitch Settings.
Each of these Vector Chord-Engines are essentially a complete and independent polyphonic vector synthesizer by themselves. Interesting tones and textures are created by mixing and layering the 2 Vector Chord-Engines together.
"Selling a Buchla Music Easel in excellent condition, purchased this year, with everything that originally comes with it: Power adapter, Buchla bag containing cable, card in original sealed plastic container (never opened) & original bo. Note that the cool Buchla box will be packed itself so that you can enjoy it! This is what you get when you order new, no issue/repair, you get the Buchla/Cortini sound surprisingly easily!
Those units are very tough to come by and the waiting time to order from stores is weeks if not months."
"This auction is for an early oscillator 1974 minimoog model D serial number 99xx. It has a new Claro Walnut wood case and has a brushed aluminum wheel box with custom clear backlit acrylic wheels. It has been recently calibrated. The keyboard has new bushings and its buss bars have been cleaned. The oscillators have been tuned and scaled. The pots and switches have been cleaned where they can. Most of the pots are sealed. That being said, there does not seem to any scratchy or glitchy pots. The filter works and sounds great. Both contour EGs (for the filter and amp) work as well as modulation from the 3rd oscillator to both the oscillator and filter sections. White and Pink noise work, external in works"
"Beautifully-produced second volume of Matthias Becker's authoritative 'Synthesizers of the Past' book - in German, but with so many superb illustrations that it's hardly necessary to read the text. New, unused, still sealed. The photos were taken of another copy of the book.
Too many highlights to mention all, but the book covers such absolute classic synths as the Trautonium, ARP 2500, EMS Synthi 100, E-mu Modular, Steiner-Parker Synthacon, RMI Harmonic Synthesizer, Birotron, PPG 1002, Moog Taurus and Liberation, Roland System 700, Synlab Modular, Roland SH-7, Crumar DS-2, Korg Sigma, ARP Quadra, Roland RS-505 and VP-330, Fairlight CMI, Realton Variophon, Oberhaim OB-Xa, Xpander and OB-SX, Gleeman Pentaphonic, RSF Kobol, Emulator 1, Synergy, Roland SH-101, TB-303, TR-606, MC-202, Jupiter 6, Syntec Banana, SCI Prophet T8, OSCar......... an incredible roster which would (in the beautiful condition they are in the photos) probably now be worth over half a million US dollars.
All with superb photos by Dieter Stork. Hardback, beautifully printed on very high quality paper, bound to the highest standards. A coffee-table book which is also a superb source of information. The Rolls-Royce (OK, Mercedes) of synth literature. (I should know - I produced the Ford Fiestas of the genre.) ISBN 3927954012, printed in 1995."
"Peter Grenader’s Milton Sequencer
aka Cyndustries Milton Sequencer
aka Plan B Model 21 Sequencer
Up for auction is a partially assembled Milton Sequencer. I was Order #5 for this straight from Peter. I was really looking forward to this sequencer to control some modular gear and I almost fully populated the Engine and one Bank board--but then I ran out of time and the project sat for several years. It’s not going to sit anymore—it’s going to get built very soon by your hands!!!
If you haven’t seen the Milton, it is a dream analog sequencer that has highly configurable functionality depending on parts you populate on the boards--it is a great design! This auction includes all parts for the maximum configuration allowed by the Engine board. You may choose to do this maximum configuration or you can build it any way you like. You even get to design its user interface and control panel to be the centerpiece of your analog rack in whatever format you desire. Hopefully you'll make this an art piece! Fun stuff!
For a while Cynthia Webster for Cyndustries Modular Synthesizers company was making these but her module is no longer available. Currently similar (but inferior) pre-configured sequencers are available from Peter's Plan B company in the Module 21 series. Winning this auction you will get your Cynthia/Plan B sequencer you’ve been wanting; and you can configure the functionally well beyond anything offered commercially! This is your chance to get a nearly full parts kit for all 6 bank boards and you can get started right away!
Included in this auction
>>>> 1 Milton Engine Board…this is mostly populated. Has “Cynthia CYN10” and “PCB by Ken Stone “screened on it.
>>>> 6 Milton Bank Boards…one board is mostly populated, the remaining 5 are not populated. (note that in the picture, one pack of 3 boards is opened and each is displayed while the other pack of 3 is still sealed--under the Main Engine PCB).
>>>> 1 Milton 2-sided Original Schematic and electronic documentation. I will provide this hard-copy 11x17 inch 2-sided schematic along with all other electronic documentation I have available on a CDr. Also I have a printed copy of the manual dated June 2003.
>>>> Various Parts to finish the project. Parts include resistors, capacitors, diodes, ICs, transistors, LEDs, switches, pots, knobs (and faceplate mounting washers and nuts; knobs have a "soft" feel--same as Blacet uses; I have blue and gray knobs included!), professionally made ribbon cables connectors (that are used to connect the boards) and various other required parts. There are a few parts that ARE NOT INCLUDED—the stage gate output jacks (because I hadn’t decided banana or 1/8" mini-jack) and power supply (you have to provide 12-15V DC power).
Sequencer Configuration Choices
I was going for the fully-loaded setup. Of course, you can choose your own configuration and if less than mine you will have some spare parts.
My configuration was going to be:
Now that is one heck of an amazing analog sequencer! I was going to use the pulse outs to trigger drum sounds but you can use them for whatever you wish." via bug.out
This small analogue powerhouse features a single analogue VCO, with square and saw waveforms, plus a noise and a sub oscillator, the SSM chip, an analogue echo and a very unique loop sequencer section, which offers uncompromised access to the synths internal architecture, letting you rewire it as you see fit and make some of your own tones and patches.
Treadstone is fully eurorack compatible, with 3.5mm minijacks and it operates on a 1 v/oct standard, meaning you can use it to interface with your modular system, or have it as a superb external voice for your system.
Treadstone is made in the UK and is built using very high quality components, as you'd expect with any AS synth.
Audio demos to follow!
-Full rugged steel/aluminium case – no plastic mouldings
-Good quality smooth, fully sealed against dust
-Good quality knobs with spun aluminium caps
-High grade double sided circuit board
-Analogue discrete VCO, analogue SSM style 24db filter
-High Quality 16bit DAC for MIDI-CV conversion Stable MIDI to CV
-MIDI converter
-MIDI loop sequencer
-LFO, Noise, Sub Osc, EG, PWM, lofi digital echo
-Analogue voice and modulation circuits
-Stable analogue oscillator
-Designed, built, tested and assembled in the UK
-True retro analogue voice and modulation circuits used in the synth element to give an authentic retro
-Real solid wood (not ply!)"
Here's an interesting piece of synth history. A TB-303 replacement board original from Roland tech support. It's available at LA Synth Co for $4000. Here is the description captured for the archives:
"Never used, never separated TB303 Main + Switch boards. Works perfectly, only powered up twice for functional testing. Less than 15 minutes operational use time under our watch.
Switch board and CPU are joined and were never cracked apart. This is how they were manufactured and this step was done upon final assembly.
In great condition. Has a slightly misaligned ENV MOD pot which is likely why it never made it into a completed 303. It was probably meant to be reworked and never was. The pot works and there is no damage or irregularity, It just wasn't fully seated on assembly. This could be rectified easily by a competent tech. Due to the rarity of the piece, we decided to leave it alone, but we can fix it for you if you want upon purchase at no additional cost. Also for full disclosure, it has a very small amount of dust on it in the corners and crevices because it was found in an unsealed antistatic bag. Very minor stuff.
Has been carefully stored in a sealed antistatic bag in box inside a box inside a safe for the last 10 years .
This is a real collectors / museum piece. Very few if any 303's still exist in this condition."
MODEL 920 Musicware for the Commodore 64, Disc Drive and Sequential Model 64 or Model 242 MIDI interface.
This software package will expand your MAX into an even more powerful instrument. It contains three sections, designed to get the most from your MAX:
1: The Super Patch mode This unique feature lets you split your MAX keyboard in three separate sections (any size you like) and assign a different sound to each section.
3: The Great Sounds section This part of the software lets you display a full synthesizer front panel on your monitor. You can instantly view all of the knob and switch values of MAX's pre-programmed sounds, or you can create sounds of your own.
3: The Recording Studio Create and save multitimbral sequences and songs of up to 3400 notes in length, using up to six different sounds at the same time.
NEW FROM OLD SEQUENTIAL STOCK ! In original (sealed*) packing, complete with manual. * In 30 years, the cellophane has deteriorated on some packages."
Clone of the classic bassline synth in EURO modular format. Doepfer A-100 compatible .
Compact synthesizer module with normalized inputs and outputs.
Modular: VCO - 1v/oct Keyboard in , VCO FCV in, FreqGlide 0-5v in (holds gate open), Normalized VCO out. VCF - Frequency Control CV in, VCF signal in. (self-osc) ENV- Envelope CV out , Gate 0-5v in, Accent out. VCA - Accent 0-5v in , VCA signal in and Audio out. -Added Audio output amp to bring the volume up to modular levels, very loud and clean with-out clipping.
Formated: EURO 2mm aluminium Euro HP: 81mm Module Depth: 60mm
Powered: 12v+/- power supplies. Euro 10pin to 16pin cable and mounting screws included. User manual is also included .
somaticcircuits.com for more info or email for questions.
Version 2.5 circuit board is currently not shown in the photos , this will be updated. The PCB (circuit board ) for version 2.5 is green. The face plates are the same in the photo.
BRAND NEW sealed in box with manual direct from Somatic Circuits"
Analogue Solutions Ample Synthesizer -- All Sounds Ample video upload by rezfilter
"Here's a little retro track I put together using only the Ample synth from Analogue Solutions. All parts were sequenced or played live from the Ample, utilizing the onboard Patternator sequencer throughout.
Ample begs to be touched, sequenced, pinned, and played. It's a culmination of all great things from AS."
Check with the dealers on the right for availability. Press release follows.
Analogue Solutions announces availability of Ample as ANALOGUE 3 VCO PATCH PIN SYNTHESISER blending best of past and present products
SHATTERFORD, UK: after a successful soft-launch at SynthFest 2023 in Sheffield, UK on October 7, British boutique electronic instruments innovator Analogue Solutions is proud to announce availability of Ample to a wider audience as a desktop-friendly ANALOGUE 3 VCO PATCH PIN SYNTHESISER — beautifully blending the best elements of several of its past and present products to form a truly analogue modular system skilfully presented as a precision- engineered electronic musical instrument in a spacious (550mm x 262mm x 83mm) steel and aluminium case that also embraces ergonomic features such as VESA mount compliance, should desktop space be at a premium, all of which adds up to being a perfect fit for its appropriate appellation — as of November 29…
Ample adheres to Analogue Solutions’ tried-and-tested no-compromise construction formula, featuring a full rugged steel and aluminium case — no plastic mouldings here; high-quality metal potentiometers with smooth action, fully sealed against dust intrusion; high-quality knobs with spun aluminium caps; high-quality double-sided circuit boards; high-quality 16-bit DAC (Digital-to-Analogue Convertor) for stable MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) to CV (Control Voltage) conversion; stable analogue oscillators; gold-plated touch plates; plus true retro analogue voice and modulation circuits to give an authentic retro sound. Since Analogue Solutions’ innovative instruments are applauded for proudly possessing a truly vintage sound — synthesisers featuring fully-analogue audio paths with analogue LFOs (Low Frequency Oscillators) and EGs (Envelope Generators), in other words, Ample is in good company as an ANALOGUE 3 VCO PATCH PIN SYNTHESISER.
But by beautifully blending the best elements of several past and present products — namely, the sound elements of Fusebox fabricated originally as an aptly-named, three-VCO (Voltage-Controlled Oscillator) true analogue monophonic synthesiser that favourably fuses the company’s characterful vintage sound with an advanced choice of modulation and melodic possibilities in a beautifully-built box; the jack points introduced in the long-discontinued line of Concussor modular synth drum modules (themselves dating back to the time when Analogue Solutions was the third company to start producing Eurorack format-compatible modules, magical as that might sound in today’s ever-expanding era of thousands of Eurorack modules being produced by hundreds — if not thousands — of developers, both bigger and smaller); the patch pin matrix introduced in the long-lasting Vostok semi-modular synthesiser series (that knowingly nodded and winked at its Russian ‘roots’ from a visual standpoint); the lo-fi echo featured in Dr Strangelove as a small and affordable desktop signal processor (that ushered in Analogue Solutions’ so-called synthBlocks series); and last, but by no means least, the sequencer and CV touch plates introduced in Generator as a highly-versatile multi-channel analogue step sequencer — to form a truly analogue modular system skilfully presented as a precision-engineered electronic musical instrument is what really makes Ample stand out amongst Analogue Solutions’ present-day products.
Put it this way: while Ample shares all of those features from some of Analogue Solutions’ ‘greatest hits’, it still has a sound of its own thanks to the circuits on offer: OSCILLATING is handled by three analogue VCOs (Voltage-Controlled Oscillators), each providing a wealth of features and modulation choices, with the VCO3/LFO 1 legend visually highlighting that the third oscillator can easily be utilised as an LFO (with saw, square, and triangle wave modulation signals), while LFO2/SYNC has a triangle wave output to total two LFOs; the LP VCF (Voltage-Controlled Filter) section is anchored around a four-pole 24dB-per-octave low-pass filter; the VCA (Voltage-Controlled Amplifier) can be set to THRU so it is always ‘open’ (allowing Ample to be used as an effect processor); the two envelope generators — EG 1 and EG 2 — each offer full control over ATTACK, DECAY, SUSTAIN, and RELEASE; extensive modulation routing choices allow for a wide range of resultant sounds extending into percussion and ‘modular’ territory, further extended by patching with the jack sockets and pin matrix; MIDI is intentionally kept simple so users can concentrate on creating new sounds and making music, with all- important control over filter cutoff available via MIDI Velocity; patchable CV control sockets allow the synth in question to effectively be rewired to make new sounds, as well as easily patched together with external Eurorack and other modular systems; the PATTERNATOR is a vintage-style 16-step sequencer; the six touch plates each output a set voltage, so can be used to pitch notes or as modulation signals — either way, they are truly inspirational in action; the pin matrix represents a neat (and flexible) way to patch the synth; and the ECHO section provides easy access to adding a little lo-fi echo or delay.
Audio applications abound when working with Ample as a synthesiser — excelling at analogue sound effects, as well as fat basses, screaming leads, and all manner of other crazy sounds associated with analogue synthesis; an effect processor — perfect for feeding external sounds through the onboard analogue filter and ECHO sections via external audio inputs; a drum synthesiser — suited to producing electronic percussion, including cymbal, hi-hat, kick, and snare sounds; and as a modular synthesiser — partially pre-patched, but with such a wide range of modulation routing possibilities that it is almost as versatile as a full-blown modular system, and capable of producing the same types of sounds but dispensing with telephone exchange-like cabling confusion in favour of making space-saving connections with removable coloured pins, yet still providing a flexible selection of patch sockets so it can quickly be re-patched into itself or to/from external Eurorack and other modular systems.
It is also worth noting in conclusion that while Ample can be used with an external MIDI keyboard or DAW (Digital Audio Workstation), or an external CV keyboard or analogue sequencer, it is equally at home being worked with on its own using its internal step sequencer or pitch played via its six-touch plate ‘keyboard’. Whatever way anyone chooses to work with Ample, it could conceivably be argued that it is the best desktop synth of all — Analogue Solutions-wise or otherwise!
Limited quantities of Ample are already available to purchase directly from Analogue Solutions for £1,999.00 GBP (excluding tax/VAT) via its dedicated webpage (https://www.analoguesolutions.com/ample) while stock will soon be arriving at selected dealers (https://www.analoguesolutions.com/dealers).
"Twiddling knobs on this great American vintage analog synthesizer half way through restoration and repairs. Very well built hard wired to tag strips like an amp inside and sealed AB pots like minimoog ( a pain to open and clean) some of the caps have died and oxidation on all metal parts... The lack of connectors inside is a blessing as in my opinion most Moog synthesizers for example suffered from far too many unreliable connectors which constantly oxidised and caused random faults.
Some info from vintagesynthcom:
The ElectroComp 101 was the successor to the rare ElectroComp 100 from Electronic Music Laboratories (EML), a small synthesizer company based out of Connecticut in the USA. Like the ARP 2600, the 101 was a patchable (1/4'' patch cords) semi-modular synth with a pre-wired voice path that could be over-ridden via patching. But unlike the ARP (or Minimoog for that matter), the 101 had as many as four oscillators (two of which could go sub-sonic, for use as LFOs) with multiple waveforms that you could sweep between using its rotary knobs. The 101 was also Duophonic so you could play up to two notes at once. Another major distinction was that unlike Moog and ARP, who used transistors that would tend to drift out of tune under various operating temperatures, EML used op amps which proved to be far more stable and reliable.
Other onboard features included a voltage controlled 12 dB/oct multi-mode filter with resonance, two envelope generators, ring/amplitude modulator, noise, and sample-and-hold (they call this the "Sampler"). In addition, the 101 makes no distinction between control voltage and audio paths allowing just about any source to be patched to any control or audio input in any order. The 101 could easily be closed, secured and carried inside its wood casing.
In its day, the 101, as most of EMLs instruments, were marketed and sold to universities and other educational markets. But with the 4-oscillator architecture, multi-mode filter, and elaborate patch control, the EML-101 was undoubtedly one of the most flexible of all of the portable patch-synthesizers available at its time of manufacture. So it did not take long for it to find its way into mainstream music. It has been used by Skinny Puppy, Tommy Mars, Download, Weezer, Foreigner, and Ohm."
"This unit was disassembled, cleaned inside and out, meticulously serviced AND FUTURE-PROOFED and fully and repeatedly tested by vintage synth specialists with decades of experience (us). This process required 31 hours of skilled labor. The result is an ARP 2601 that is much better than the rest.
This unit is working perfect, is ready to play, and will hopefully outlast all others.
In addition to any repairs, we did the following work to this unit:
-Fully disassembled, cleaned inside and out.
-Power supply rebuilt: new capacitors and trimpots.
-All tantalum capacitors replaced (these are a common source of failure in ARPs).
-ARP typically installed rubber gromets in between the reverb tank and wooden enclosure of their 2600s. For some reason, there were no gromets installed in this unit, so we installed new ones.
-All sliders and switches cleaned and lubricated.
-Molex connector terminals replaced for better connection.
-Keyboard fully rebuilt: removed and cleaned all keys, cleaned J-wires, removed and cleaned bus bars, replaced rubber bushings.
-Replaced Cinch-Jones keyboard connector socket.
-Recalibrated.
-Replaced some metal hardware (screws, jack nut, etc).
-Burn in test.
-Multiple systematic tests of all functions.
Earlier revisions of the 2600 are notorious for having their modules sealed in black epoxy. This late version 2601's circuits are all open, so if a component ever goes bad, repair should be easy..."
