Thomas Dolby - Interview + Airwaves (Riverside)

Uploaded on Jun 5, 2009 jezzyby47

"Thomas Dolby showing us how he makes his music along with the video for Airwaves.
Shown on Riverside."

Destroyer by Trogotronic

Title link takes you to a post on Sendling, on the Destroyer by Trogotronic. I wasn't going to put this up as I already posted on Trogotronic, but when I saw this something immediately came to mind. Thomas Dolby and his custom MIDI controllers: one, two. The difference is these actually produce sound. Note this is not a slight on Thomas Dolby. I think it's pretty cool that he turns old devices into unique MIDI controllers. Hmm... with all the buzz around circuit bending and DIY, you'd actually think there was more modding of old non-synth equipment out there.

P.S. Don't miss the sample of the Destroyer on Sendling. No offense, but that is one of the most annoying sounds I have ever heard. Wow. : )

Another MIDI Gadget from Thomas Dolby

This one sent my way via Dave of UMOP. Title link takes you to more shots of Thomas Dolby's gear.

Thomas Dolby's Roland TB-303 Bassline Synthesizer for Sale?

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

via this auction

" This is a very specail Tb-303. Very little use came out of Tomas Dolby's Los Angeles studio. Everything functions perfectly and the sale includes the original manual, a working battery compartment with brand new C batteries, original repair sheet and unit diagram, and leather Roland carrying case. The is the most complete and well kept 303 I have ever seen on ebay. Don't let it slip away!"

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Transcendent 2000 Analog Mono Synth

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

"Made by Powertran , a British company in the late 1970s and 80s era, these were 1 vco kit form mono synths. Has in the past been used by artists such as Thomas Dolby, Joy Division / New Order. Raw gritty electronics and of course all analog, not the new tripe today.In real wood chassis, no mods, no rotary dials missing..."

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Cherry Audio Introduces Mercury-4 - Detailed Roland Jupiter-4 Emulation

Mercury-4 🌌 | Cherry Audio video upload by Cherry Audio

"The new Cherry Audio Mercury-4 is a detailed emulation of one of the best-sounding and quirkiest polyphonic synthesizers of the late 1970's, the Roland Jupiter-4.

It’s the rarest and most sonically unique of the fabled Jupiter series, and we’ve gone to great lengths to recreate the subtle (and not-so-subtle) nuances and character of this beloved classic.

Every aspect of Mercury-4 has been expertly modeled upon a vintage Jupiter-4 originally owned by Greg Hawkes of the legendary 80’s new wave band The Cars, and played on their double-platinum 1981 album Shake It Up.

In Greg’s own words, Mercury-4 'sounds just like my old Jupiter! It’s nice to have it back.'"

Update: user video by Starsky Carr:

Cherry Audio Mercury 4 // Jupiter 4 plugin // review demo and walkthrough

video upload by Starsky Carr

via Cherry Audio:

Mercury-4 Features:

Authentically modeled oscillator with sub oscillator
All filter characteristics modeled, including powerful low-frequency resonance
Up to 16-voice polyphony
Over 400 presets, programmed by industry veterans
Exactingly replicated unique arpeggio section w/tempo sync
Carefully modeled wide-range LFO modulation with "inverted" mod characteristics
Drift control for increased analog realism
Precisely replicated stereo ensemble effect
Warm and organic tape echo with multiple reverb modes
Tempo-syncable LFO
Detunable unison mode
Single-key chord memory mode
Highly optimized coding for high performance with ultra-low CPU load
User-adjustable oversampling control
Advanced one-click UI magnification
Comprehensive MPE support
Full MIDI control and DAW automation for all controls
Mercury-4 is available in AU, VST, VST3, AAX, and standalone formats.

A free 30-day demo of Mercury-4 is available. This demo will play white noise periodically, but is otherwise unlimited.

macOS Requirements: macOS 10.9 or above (including macOS 12), 64-bit required. M1 processor compatible (via Rosetta 2). Quad-core computer with 8GB of RAM recommended.

Windows Requirements: Windows 7 or above, 64-bit required. Quad-core computer with 8GB of RAM recommended.

History:

Left: Greg Hawkes’s Jupiter-4, atop the Prophet-5 in the center, at The Cars’ Syncro Sound Studio, during the Shake It Up sessions, 1981. (Photo courtesy of Greg Hawkes)

Originally released in 1978, the Roland Jupiter-4 synthesizer was one of the earliest instruments to combine voice-assign polyphony with digital patch storage - that is, the ability to store and recall sounds to a digital memory and recall them at the touch of a button.

The Jupiter-4 rapidly became the go-to polysynth for numerous English and European acts in the 80's including Duran Duran, Thomas Dolby, The Human League, Simple Minds, and more, and for good reason: the Jupiter-4 sounded fantastic, with a raw, raunchy tone not found in any of the other beloved Juno and Jupiter synths. Its analog oscillators have a uniquely aggressive tone quality, the built-in sub oscillator adds girth, its oddly fast and deep LFO modulation capabilities allow it to create uniquely whacked-out modular synth-like tones, and Roland's famous stereo chorus "ensemble" circuit is beautifully implemented, adding a boatload of width and dimension.

Bottom Left: Greg Hawkes’s Jupiter-4 in the Cherry Audio lab, modeled for Mercury-4.

https://cherryaudio.com/instruments/mercury-4

Thomas Dolby 1986 Interview on EM

click here for the interview. There is plenty of synth talk of course.

"I chose to use the largest part of the space for the control room, in order to accommodate my video equipment (a small Sony ¼-inch editing system, Fairlight CVI, and a large screen Barco projector over the mixing board) along with a large battery of electronic percussion (Emu SP12, Linn 9000, and assorted Simmons and PPG modules) and my new Fairlight Series III and Emulator II. I've never sold a keyboard, even my first two — a Micromoog and a Roland JP4 with which I recorded everything in 'She Blinded Me With Science.'"

I wonder if that is still the case.

MPC Electronics MPC-1 with Elby Designs MIDI Retrofit-8

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

via this auction

"The enigmatic MPC-1, called the British 808 by some, used by Depeche Mode, Thomas Dolby and others. I've owned this particular unit for well over 10 years now, but have finally given it the sorting out it deserves and since I have no room for the rather large beast, it's ready for a new home.

Like so many other vintage pieces, this suffered a nasty battery leak on the digital (sequencer) board, trashing it. I have completely removed the digital board (not that anyone would really miss the very limited sequencer it housed) and installed an Elby Designs MIDI Retrofit-8 ( formerly the MIDI2SDS) to give you MIDI control over the voices.

The Elby interface is very straightforward to program to your needs, lift the front panel of the MPC-1, hit the "Learn" button on the interface, and it's in omni learn mode - play the MIDI notes in sequence on the channel you want and it's set. I currently have it set to respond to channel 1and the first eight natural notes starting at C3. Bass is boomy, snare is brilliant, open and closed hats are fizzy, claps and cymbals (switchable from the MPC-1) are awesome, and Toms 3 & 4 do a great Simmons impersonation. For unknown reasons I haven't been able to figure out, Toms 1&2 will not trigger via MIDI - they trigger from the pads, but not MIDI. Otherwise, the noise for Tom 1 does not work. Those are the only real "issues". You may look into sorting that or not, but you still have Toms 3&4 working great.

Like so many of these, the pots are often wonky, specifically the voice level pots. This unit has wonkiness with just about all of the level pots, so forget about using the glorious mono output and use the indie outs! Included in the sale is a period-correct Yamaha KM802 mixer, so you have the ability to mix and pan the indie outs as you desire, and even get EQ on the first 2 inputs. The internal mixer was pretty noisy, so using an external is really the only way to go. I'm also including enough 1 meter long HOSA dual cables to hook you up."

PPG Waveterm A + EVU Expansion Voice Unit for Sale

via this auction

"PPG EVU Expansion Voice Unit module

This is the "brains" of a PPG Wave 2.3: Classic vintage 8 voice wavetable synth; digital oscillators for complex waveforms; warmed up with rich analog filters [8x Curtis SSM 2044 VCF chips], designed by Wolfgang Palm, used by famously by David Bowie, The Fixx, Trevor Horn, Jean Michel Jarre, Art of Noise, Rush, Depeche Mode, Gary Numan, Robert Palmer, Psychadelic Furs, Talk Talk, The Cars, Ultravox, Steve Winwood, Rush, Stevie Nicks, Thomas Dolby, Pet Shop Boys, Mike and the Mechanics, and Stevie Wonder.

If you already have a PPG Wave with an active PPG Bus, the unit will work directly, but won't work with MIDI until you or a technician complete

When complete, you can sample with the Waveterm-A, edit the sounds via MIDI over sysex and dump wavetables back and forth from computer to EVU and Waveterm-A.

However the buyer should know:

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Precise Model 635 Vintage Pulse Generator & Heathkit Model SG-8 vintage Signal Generator

via this auction and this auction

On the Precise Model 635:
"A.F. Sine, Square, and Pulse. SN# 2656. Vintage unit powers up but is otherwise untested; sold as-is but everything appears functional and this unit has been thoroughly cleaned."

Not synthss, but rather a cool piece of test equipment. You can see the seller's other items for more. Would make for interesting DIY cases. Thomas Dolby has been known to use similar devices [see this post].

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Boss DR 55 Dr. Rhythm Analog Drum Machine Demo

Published on Oct 19, 2017 Sound Provider

"Another Drum machine we use for the Sound Provider Sound Banks.( http://www.sound-provider.eu/ ), archaic to program but super punchy sound

The Boss Dr55 "Dr. Rhythm" Drum Machine is a early 80s vintage Japan write-step drum machine.

Some words about it from VintageSynth.com:
"The DR-55 Dr. Rhythm was released in 1980 and was one of the first step-write-style drum machines, and it was the first rhythm machine in BOSS' successful Dr. Rhythm Series. It was small, inexpensive and easy to use - perfect for musicians at any level. Incredibly basic controls and sounds made this drum machine an instant hit among guitarists and other musicians looking for drum accompaniment to practice along with and even record into their home recordings.

The DR-55 could store up to six 16-step drum patterns plus an additional two 12-step patterns. The 12-step patterns allowed for 3/4 and 6/8 rhythms. A variation switch allowed you to, on-the-fly, alter the pattern playing. There were only four sounds in the DR-55 which included Snare Drum, Kick Drum, Rim Shot and Hi-Hat. The sounds are comparable to Roland's CR-series of rhythm machines as well as some of Roland's cheaper TR-machines (like the TR-505, TR-606). You can globally adjust the Volume, Tempo, Tone and Accent for the drum sounds.

Step-Mode programming was accomplished in a fairly basic manner: Switch the DR-55 into Write Mode and select a sound from the Sound switch, and use the Start button to place the sound and the Stop button to step through the 16 (or 12) beat pattern. Only Kick, Snare, Rim Shot and Accent could be placed in a pattern in step mode--the Hi-Hats could only be programmed as either Off, 8ths, 12ths or 16ths via the Hi-Hat switch. Primitive programming for sure, but very simple and effective.

Today, where its sounds can easily be sampled, the DR-55 may seem pretty useless. However it does have an authentic sense of nostalgia being BOSS' first DR-machine and also quite a successful early programmable drum machine. You may not find a need for such an instrument today although it does make a great conversation piece! It has been used by New Order, The Cure, Chris Carter, Sisters of Mercy, Chris & Cosey, Xeno & Oaklander, Soft Cell and Thomas Dolby."

Win a Moog Voyager signed by Moogfest 2012 Artists!

Published on Nov 27, 2012 by moogfoundation
Enter the raffle NOW: http://bit.ly/U4RiQp
"Here is your chance to walk away with a brand new Moog Voyager signed by the coolest artists who performed at Moogfest 2012. With artists such as Thomas Dolby, Les Claypool, Orbital, Nas, Miike Snow, Santigold, Squarepusher, GZA, Black Moth Super Rainbow... and historical artists such as Morton Subotnick and Herb Deutsch, this is an incredibly unique and valuable collectors item. It's also the gold standard in modern analog synths! Watch the video to find out more.
Raffle ends November 30, 2012 at 11:59 PM, or when 700 tickets have been purchased. Enter now, while you can... you don't want to miss this opportunity!"

Powertran Transcendent Polysynth

via this auction

"This analog monophonic synthesizer was designed in the UK in 1978 by Tim Orr of EMS and made by Powertran, Hampshire in the early 1980s, either as a fully built synth or as a self assembly kit through the publication Electronics Today International. The synthesizer produces a distinctive sound and is believed to have been used by Thomas Dolby, New Order, Joy Division. The Transcendent seems to be quite rare and collectable now.

The synth features CEM chips (as used in Prophet 5, Pro-1, Korg polysynths etc) and has been described as "the kit-builder's Jupiter 8 without the memories".

See:

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jan00/articles/netnotes.htm

for more details."

=Silent Shrapnel=

Title link takes you to =Silent Shrapnel= on MySpace. When you get there scroll down to just below the embedded Thomas Dolby vid. You will see a "Sounds Like" label and to the right of that an embedded audio player. The track is untitled. It features and Akai AX80 for bass and the other synths listed below. I ran into dave of =Silent Shrapnel= in the comments of this post. He actually won the AX80 posted and used it for the bass in this track. Obviously check the rest of his music as well. There are a couple more gear shots in the pics section of his space.

Akai AX80 - bass
roland JV880 - strings
ensoniq VFX - echo plucked sound
ensoiniq SQ2 - blues guitar sounding lead part.
yamaha sy77 - fairlightish sounding bits
emu pro/cussion - all drums
digitech tsr6 - reverbs on jv880 and sy77
all fed into 2 motu mixer 7s
with their outputs going ito a alesis 3630
compressor.

About =Silent Shrapnel=
I'm =DÂV€=, A Visalia Calif. based Electronic Musician. Started Playing with Computer sequenced music back in the Late 80's using an Amiga 500 connected to a Roland D5 synthesizer. The sequencing software I used back then was called Music-X. I'm self taught, no formal music training. I love analog and metallic noises. Over the years I have aquired Most of the Music gear I've always wanted. My favorite will always be my beloved VFX because of its Matrix-like modulation routings and wealth of Patch parameter programming.

PPG EVU Expansion Voice Unit 80's wavetable synth by Wolfgang Palm

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

"This is the "brains" of a PPG Wave 2.3: Classic vintage 8 voice wavetable synth; digital oscillators for complex waveforms; warmed up with rich analog filters [8x Curtis SSM 2044 VCF chips], designed by Wolfgang Palm, used by famously by David Bowie, The Fixx, Trevor Horn, Jean Michel Jarre, Art of Noise, Rush, Depeche Mode, Gary Numan, Robert Palmer, Psychadelic Furs, Talk Talk, The Cars, Ultravox, Steve Winwood, Rush, Stevie Nicks, Thomas Dolby, Pet Shop Boys, Mike and the Mechanics, and Stevie Wonder.

However the buyer should know:

This unit predates MIDI [was built between 1982-1984] and will require a technician to complete the build we started for the MIDI to EVU converter, as planned here: http://www.hermannseib.com/english/synths/ppg/midiretro.htm

All of the parts, veroboard circuit, and new OS ROMs are included."

more pics here

SN 01012 or 07072?


Update via Rich in the comments: "Just a short note of clarification:
The above mentioned Curtis SSM2044 was a combination of 2 different companies:

Curtis Electromusic Specialties, founded by Doug Curtis - made the CEM3340 VCO, (Roland Jupiter 6 and others if I recall correctly), CEM3320 VCF, CEM3310 ADSR and quite a few others.

Their biggest competitor was Solid State Microtechnologies by solid state music who made the infamous SSM2040 4 cell chip that was used for 4 pole Low Pass Filters, 2 pole State Variable Filters and a few other configurations. (Prophet 5 versions 1 and 2. Version 3's used the thinner sounding Curtis CEM3320.)
The Korg Mono/Poly and Polysix (amoung many other units) used the SSM2044 4 pole Low Pass Filter."

Bob Moog Foundation Signed Moogfest Posters & Winter Gear

Available here.  Proceeds go towards supporting The Bob Moog Foundation.

"Posters have been signed by several artists from Moogfest 2012, including: Thomas Dolby, Primus, Nas, Santigold, Orbital, Morton Subotinick, Squarepusher, Explosions in the Sky, Miike Snow, Richie Hawtin, The Divine Fits, The Magnetic Fields, and more!

Printed on 100lb poster stock, this 24” x 36” poster also features the festival name, dates and complete line-up."

Pictured here is one signed by Morton Subotnik.

Below:

Iconic winter hat available at the Bob Moog Foundation store here and Iconic Hoodie available here.

Waldorf PPG Wave 2.V Wavetable Synthesizer VST in Original Box

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

via this auction

"Waldorf PPG Wave 2.V Wavetable Synthesizer VST Steinberg PC Mac

The original PPG Wave was used by artists such as Depeche Mode, A-Ha, Alphaville, David Bowie,
Gary Numan, Psychedelic Furs, Tangerine Dream, Talk Talk, Tears For Fears, and Thomas Dolby, but to name a few. This software enables those vintage tones at a scant fraction of the price!"

Just be sure it's compatible with your OS/system.

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PPG EVU Expansion Voice Unit

via this auction

"This is the "brains" of a PPG Wave 2.3: Classic vintage 8 voice wavetable synth; digital oscillators for complex waveforms; warmed up with rich analog filters [8x Curtis SSM 2044 VCF chips], designed by Wolfgang Palm, used by famously by David Bowie, The Fixx, Trevor Horn, Jean Michel Jarre, Art of Noise, Rush, Depeche Mode, Gary Numan, Robert Palmer, Psychadelic Furs, Talk Talk, The Cars, Ultravox, Steve Winwood, Rush, Stevie Nicks, Thomas Dolby, Pet Shop Boys, Mike and the Mechanics, and Stevie Wonder.

If you already have a PPG Wave with an active PPG Bus, the unit will work directly, but won't work with MIDI until you or a technician complete

When complete, you can sample with the Waveterm-A, edit the sounds via MIDI over sysex and dump wavetables back and forth from computer to EVU and Waveterm-A.

However the buyer should know:

This unit predates MIDI [was built between 1982-1984] and will require a technician to complete the build we started for the MIDI to EVU converter, as planned here: http://www.hermannseib.com/english/synths/ppg/midiretro.htm

All of the parts, veroboard circuit, and new OS ROMs are included.
Sale includes the following:

(1) PPG EVU Expansion Voice Unit: 4u rack module with 8 independent outs, volume & pan controls; PPG Bus I/O, Tape SYNC I/O and Pedal input
(1) Current Virtual Music 8.3 PPG OS ROMs mounted on veroboard circuit & processor board €80.00 Value -- Allows PPG to respond to SYSEX control for remote editing of sounds
http://www.virtual-music.at/webseiten_e/zubehoer/ppg.htm#83
(1) Old PPG 3.0 ROMs

THIS ITEM IS 30 YEARS OLD, WELL MAINTAINED OVER TIME, BUT IS SOLD *AS IS* AND SELLER WILL NOT ACCEPT ANY RETURNS ON ITEM.
ITEM WILL BE INSURED FOR FINAL SALE AMOUNT AND WILL NOT BE DEDUCTED FOR CUSTOMS, VAT, OR TAX PURPOSES.

LINKS:
http://theppgs.com/
http://www.ppg.synth.net/
http://www.hermannseib.com/english/synths/ppg/
http://till-kopper.de/ppg-wave2_3_V8-3.html
PPG Product Information
MPN: PPG EVU Expansion Voice Unit
Type: wavetable synthesizer rack module
Power Supply: 220V

From SynthMuseum.com
http://www.synthmuseum.com/ppg/ppgevu01.html"

Inside a PPG EVU. Also see: PPG PPG Waveterm A + EVU Expansion Voice Unit for Sale

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100 Years Of The Theremin | Podcast

video by Sound On Sound magazine

"An Illustrated Podcast.

Still Making Waves In The 21st Century

Theremin at 100. A special podcast in honour of the 100th birthday. We speak to Cyril Lance (Chief Engineer, Moog), Dorit Chrysler (composer/New York Theremin Society), Bruce Woolley (songwriter/Radio Science Orchestra) and Katia Isakoff (singer/songwriter and producer).

Show Notes

Chapters
00:32​ - Introduction
02:11​ - Cyril Lance / The Claravox
16:44​ - Dorit Chrysler
25:26​ - Bruce Woolley
32:08​ - Katia Isakoff
45:40​ - Ending

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INSPIRE THE MUSIC - 50 YEARS OF ROLAND HISTORY

via Bjooks

"More Than 70 Interviews with Music Makers

INSPIRE THE MUSIC gets up close and personal with world-famous artists and their relationship with Roland products, production and performing. The book shows the tools in the hands of the creators — tools that have been created by visionary product designers and engineers who’ve sought to design the future.

In this celebration of innovation and creativity, readers are introduced to a world of artists, DJs and producers through insightful stories and interviews, including: Thomas Dolby, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Ali Stone, Omar Hakim, Sister Bliss, Howard Jones, Orbital, Richie Hawtin, Peaches, Culture Club producer Steve Levine, Guy Fletcher of Dire Straits, Clive Deamer of Radiohead, Gingger Shankar, Swizz Beatz, Rachel Z, Nick Rhodes and Roger Taylor of Duran Duran, Nita Strauss, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Steve Stevens, Johnny Marr of The Smiths, Buffy Sainte-Marie, electronic music pioneer Jean-Michel Jarre, Yana Reznik, Jeff “Skunk” Baxter of the Doobie Brothers, Rance Dopson, Bonnie McIntosh, Egyptian Lover and many more.

Insights, Instruments & Innovators

Going beyond just products alone, INSPIRE THE MUSIC is a visual story of the Roland brand and the world it created, with exciting new insights on every page, including a rare glimpse into the world of the innovators who helped design the gear that made Roland what it is today.

Multiple chapters examine the evolving world in which Roland products came to be, and how their inventive and innovative approach to the art and craft of music led to machines that the world often didn’t know they needed until they had them. INSPIRE THE MUSIC tells the story of how Roland gear helped inspire entire musical genres, from 1980s New Wave to today’s EDM and hip-hop scenes.

Beyond the obvious icons — such as the Jupiter-8 that helped redefine pop music, the TR-808 and TB-303 that became the rhythmic voice of everything from rap to acid house, and the BOSS Compact Pedals that forever changed the sound of electric guitar — readers will get to know the context and history of uncommon yet influential technologies. They’ll be introduced to guitar synthesizers and electronic percussion like the V-Drums. They’ll learn how the Octapad became a mainstay of modern music in India and be introduced to the Grooveboxes that added new dimensions to beat making.

'We’re extremely excited to launch INSPIRE THE MUSIC this summer, with the blessing and enthusiastic cooperation of Roland itself,' said Kim Bjørn, founder and CEO of Bjooks. 'We’ve been privileged to gain access to the company’s vast archive of interviews and technical information, interview the quiet geniuses that design the musical future, and connect with the worldwide Roland community. Dozens of enthusiastic creators have helped put together this monument of music tech history, documenting decades of tech innovation and artistry, told by the people who used the instruments and the engineers who made them come alive.'

'Roland is thrilled to collaborate with acclaimed music tech publisher Bjooks to create a special book that honors the culture, people, and technology of Roland as we celebrate our 50th anniversary this year. It is exciting to see such a diverse group of artists share their experiences with our products,' said Gordon Raison, CEO and representative director of Roland Corporation.

INSPIRE THE MUSIC will be available through authorized resellers, and here at bjooks.com this summer."

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