Moog Sound Studio Generative Patches: DFAM + Subharmonicon

video upload by Anton Anru

"Welcome to the soundset for the semi-modular system, Moog Sound Studio: DFAM + Subharmonicon. DS Generative is a collection of 25 patches. This genre of sound design is very popular inside modular culture, and Moog Sound Studio suggests a good set of features to enter this club.
The bank covers a wide range of tones: warm, deep, bright, metallic, soft, expressive, dreamy, dark, evolving, detuned, inharmonic, noisy, distorted and others.

🧊 Get the soundset: https://antonanru.sellfy.store/p/moog...

Controlled chaos and randomness, probability, non-repetitiveness, tempo break, pattern uniqueness, short and long sounds alternation, unexpected changes, silence and density, harmonic and fx-like tones, freaky splashes during a sequence - all these things are included in the soundset.

Generative timbre may be a good addition to (or a lead part of) ambient or techno tracks, jams and performances. You may also record fragments into your DAW or sampler, slice it to one-shots or make loops - you’ll get a unique material for further processing.
The main point of the soundset is the high level of interconnection. In this patchbook, the timbres of the synths are soldered and can’t exist separately:
🔸 they modulate each other with Envelopes
🔸 a sequence from one synth may change parameters on the other one
🔸 triggers interaction, clock/rhythm, run/stop modulations break predictable patterns
🔸 audio signals from VCOs may be used as modulation sources to create harmonies/intervals or crazy experimental inharmonic tones.

The soundset is presented in PDF format. Each page contains notes that explain how the patch works, what parameters are worth tweaking during playback, and how to develop the timbre during a performance. If you make all the settings consciously and try the things mentioned in the notes, you will learn a lot about the synths and discover their true depth.

To recreate these patches, you need up to 13 patch cords.

There are audio examples of all patches inside the folder with the soundset. Audio examples for a patch are presented in three variants: DFAM only, Subharmonicon only, and both together.

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Synth Rorschach #84

What is it?

See the video below.

Note the patch points appear to be mini pins in to banana plug type sockets.

P.S. Akai gets a label for this one.

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Synth Rorschach #83: Nuns and Synths

This one is in via Gerard P.

Reminiscent of Every Nun Needs a SYNTHI, and Pin Electronics more risque version.

Update from Loscha in the comments:

"That is Sister Mary Keller.
A very important woman.
First person to get a computer science Ph D.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Kenneth_Keller"

Synth Rorschach #82: Gallery of Apple Macs That Could Have Been

Spotted this one on Boing Boing

What comes to mind?

See the Synth Rorschach label at the bottom of this post for more.

The Gmebaphone Concept and the Cybernéphone Instrument

This one is in via Asbjørn Blokkum Flø. "Here is an interesting synth produced in various forms from 1973-2001. It was produced in various analogue and digital forms. If you do a Google image search for 'Gmebaphone' you will see a few different versions. The music of Christian Clozier and Françoise Barrière probably includes the instrument. I tried the instrument at the Bourges festival in 2004, and it was quirky but fascinating."

via https://ur.booksc.eu/book/43779232/b24219

"The Gmebaphone is an instrumentarium consisting of amplifiers, sound-treatment systems, loudspeakers, a console, and a processing system designed and built for live diffusion and performance. The specifications for the instrument were dictated by musical criteria. The musical interpretation of a work is based on analysis of the work and on analysis of its physical signals. Thus, the instrument is able to provide a pertinent acoustic rendering of a work’s sonic complexities (in terms of timbre, time, and space) directly under the performer’s control, thereby allowing transparent and expressive interpretations. The Gmebaphone is a processor/simulator of sonic electroacoustic space, as well as a polyphonic acoustic synthesizer of musical spaces. It is an instrument comprised of the hierarchical combination of a control system with memory, tablatures, and combinatory modes of play that give rise to a rich and workable system of interpretation and expression."

Also see https://collectionsdumusee.philharmoniedeparis.fr/

Image below with an E-Mu Modular in the back ground, and EMS Putney on the left via here.  Not sure what the black system on the farl left is.  If you know feel free to leave a comment. Also if you know if any demos of the Gmebaphone let us know!

P.S. The design reminds me of various equipment featured in synth rorschach posts.

See the exclusive label for more of the rare of the rare in the synth world.

Update: additonal info in via Asbjørn Blokkum Flø:

I've looked further into the Gmebaphone.

It basically looks like a system for live surround sound for electronic music, or as it is called "diffusion" of electroacoustic music. The surround setups could be very complex with up to 50 loudspeakers of various shapes and placements, a bit like the Acousmonium (GRM 1974-) [link]

The term 'acoustic' is used several times in the article. This seems to describe how loudspeakers interacts with the acoustics of the space, and not acoustic sound sources in the traditional meaning the word.

Being built as a custom instrument for live performance of electronic music, it is more of a musical and compositional tool than a conventional analogue or digital mixer.

It evolved over the years, but the latest model seemed to have a 76 channel mixer with 8 inputs and 16 outputs, with the possibility of digital treatments (phasing, delay, reverberation, and detuning).

From the article:
'The console has a total number of 76 channels of diffusion (36 are touch-controlled and 40 are digitally controlled via the screens) spread over 16 master outputs and eight master inputs. [..] Pull-down menus control digital treatments (phasing, delay, reverberation, and detuning).'

The article describes 6 different models (with photos):
Gmebaphone 1 (1973)
Gmebaphone 2 (1975) - 6 inputs, 2 "networks" (outputs?).
Gmebaphone 3 (1979) - 8 inputs, 22 outputs. Manual analogue control as well as digital computer control.
Gmebaphone 4 (1983) - Digital playback of soundfiles. Digital treatments (phasing, delay, and timbre).
Gmebaphone 5 (1992) - sequencing, graphical interface, automation.
Gmebaphone 6 - (renamed Cybernéphone) (1997) - 8 inputs, 16 outputs, 50 loudspeakers. Possible to save files to CD-ROM.

This page mentions the Gmebaphone number 7 / Cybernéphone (2005): [link]

The convoluted language of the article reminds me of the writings of French composer Pierre Schaeffer, and can be a bit hard to decipher.
--------
There is also some information on a large number of synthesizers that they produced between 1973 and 2008. called Systhysysop (1976), Charybde (1985), Gmebogosse (1972-1999) and Cybersongosse (??-2008?).

They are described in this article (with images): [link]

Many nice images here: [pdf link]

Another article: [link]

More images: [link 1 Also captured here] [link 2] [link 3 Also captured here]

These instruments was also made at the International Institute of Electroacoustic Music at Bourges /IMEB. Read more about IMEB here (use Google translate). [link]

You have written about the Cybersongosse before: [link]

I could not find any audio clips.

All the best"

Synth Rorschach #81

This one is in via an anonymous reader. Based on the REAC label it appears to be a Reeves Electronic Analog Computer. Via Wikipedia:

"The Reeves Electronic Analog Computer (commonly shortened REAC) was a family of early analog computers produced in the United States by Reeves Instrument Corporation from the 1940s through the 1960s."

Followed by:

"There were seven models produced during the life of the system:

REAC 100 (1947)
REAC 200 (1952)
REAC 300 (1953)
REAC 400 (1956)
REAC 500 (1963)
REAC 550 (1964)
REAC 600 (1965)"

Synth Rorschach #80: NASA Ames Research Center - 1962

This one is in via Gerard Pardeilhan.

"My new MIDI "body suit" interface 👽"

In actuality, it's a pilot restraint and Closed Loop Breathing System, NASA Ames Research Center - 1962.

See the Synth Rorschach label below for more.

Synth Rorschach #79: SUPERBOOTH21

via @NonlinearLabsHQ

What does this remind you of?

SYNTH RORSCHACH

Synth Rorschach #78: The Crown Teaser

Bendu

"A teaser for a new single, 'The Crown.'"

Spacey retro-vibe teaser from supporting member Bendu, for his upcoming release. Giving this one the Synth Rorschach label for the light pen, monitor intro.

Synth Rorschach #77

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

via this auction

What does this remind you of?

See the Synth Rorschach label below for more.

Synth Rorschach #76

Read the labels.

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Synth Rorschach #75: Star Trek The Next Generation - Darmok

Season 5 Episode 2

What do you see?

If you do not know, I laugh at your face! Ahahaha!

Video below for more.



Update: via @SydHeresey

"Very cool! I did an EP entirely based on this episode years back. Still one of my favorite stories."

The Darmok EP

Synth Rorschach #74: Mooer E7 Synth Polyphonic Guitar Synthesizer Pedal

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

Giving this one the Synth Rorschach label for the look of this pedal. It's like a Waldorf Q and MFB Dominion Club had a baby.

This is the first one to be featured on the site. Below is a quick intro video from Mooer.

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Synth Rorschach #73: GEM SPA

Spotted this one on Seth Elgart's Twitter feed, @selgart:

"*heavy sigh* Been going there for probably more than 45 years, since the 1970s. The best egg creams. Period. #gemspa"

---

So... This one is pretty nuts. I was curious when the black & white image was taken so I zoomed in and started looked for cues. If you look carefully you will see the synth connection. If you give up see this post for a tip.

P.S. I don't want to give too much away. If you get stuck leave a comment and I'll give you one hint. And if you do get this one, please don't give it directly away in the comments. Just say you got it.

There is a cool reference to synth history here.

Synth Rorschach #72

This one is in via an anonymous reader who briefly thought it someone poking out of 5U system. :)

The sticks on the right remind me of DIY controllers, EMS, and the Bahn Sage.

The image is actually: “Finishing days at the construction of the factory workshop. Photo by Vladimir Vorobyov, Novokuznetsk, USSR, 1980”


See the Synth Rorschach label for more.

Synth Rorschach #71: Terrapin Station

via Terrapin Station

Terrapin Station is the ninth studio album by the Grateful Dead and the name Terrapin is close to Tcherepnin, aka Serge Tcherepnin of Serge modular. Note the triangular shapes created by the bars holding around the speakers. Reminds me of Serge modular synthesizers producing sound.  The rows on the left almost symbolize a touch interface as well as patch points. The black and gold reminds me of Make Noise which pays tribute to "West Coast" synthesis which Serge was a part of. Pretty cool. Check out the Synth Rorschach label for more.

On a related note, check out the vintage Black Panel Serge from Cal arts here.

Synth Rorschach #70: Santa Caterina castle in Favignana w/ sector

Care by mecha - eurorack techno jam in Santa Caterina castle with pittsburgh sv-1

Published on Dec 30, 2019 sector

"A little jam in Santa Caterina castle in Favignana. Through the centuries the castle has been mainly used as a prison, and according to the legend the major italian mafias (cosa nostra, camorra and ndrangheta) were formed in this castle by the 3 brother Osso, Mastrosso and Carcagnosso. this is one of the highest rooms in the castle and is still full of radio devices from wwII

https://fanlink.to/sector"

Programmable #Arduino Synthesizer Watch

Published on Dec 6, 2019 element14 presents

A Buchla for your wrist. Almost gave this one the Synth Rorschach label, but it is a synth after all... Definitely Synth Bling though.

"In 2016 Clem built a very annoying synthesizer in the form of a wristwatch. After showing it around at various Maker Faires it broke, so he decided to rebuild it better louder and more annoying than ever before! It is user-programmable thanks to the Arduino MKR and a haptic interface with satisfying sliders! Download the files for free and make one yourself: http://bit.ly/2DMIKIU"

Synth Rorschach #69: Putin's Nuclear Sequencer

via @jasperhamill

"Putin’s nuclear briefcase looks like a retro 80s analogue music device (Roland sequencer).

Now I’m imagining the nightmare scenario of Vlad reaching for his vintage synths and accidentally unleashing the wrong sort of techno banger."

Scary stuff...

More Synth Rorschachs here



Update: pic in case the video goes.

Synth Rorschach #68

This one was spotted and sent in via Soviet Space Child, spotted on Instagram.


Three synth related items immediately came to mind. I won't give them away, so I have them in black font directly below. Click and drag your mouse over them below if you are curious.

Moon Modular Quad Sequential 568 Trigger Source & NED Synclavier mixed with the Acxel Resynthesizer.

See the Synth Rorschach label for more.