In case you missed the update to this post, Click the pic to the left for a super sized shot of the image. It was sent my way via John Loffink, author of the article linked to in the prior post and host of The Microtonal Synthesis and The Wavemakers Synthesizer web sites. He also mentioned there was a typo in the article. Via John: "Article has a typo, mentions Analogue Solutions as having Bode FS and Putney tribute modules, should be Analogue Systems. That will be corrected in an errata." Modular formats chart.
Yes, I'm aware of the typo. That's how it's listed.
There's also Korg's new fripSide, which isn't a typo. Not sure if that was a reference to "flip side" or other. It would be interesting if using "r" instead of "l" is a new thing and simply a new embracement of the phonetic abroad. If anyone knows feel free to comment. It's silly, but kind of interesting...
"Showing a typo on the overload circuit board inside a Roland SH-1 that we are restoring for a customer. I'm sure the Overlord would be pleased."
Note the space between OVER and LORD, hence the typo in the title of this post. Maybe Roland meant if an overload happens here it's all over, synth lord.
flo kaufmann shows his "satrap activ" portable analog synthesizer made out of a vacuum cleaner
YouTube via elmzki
"The "satrap activ" is a old vacuum cleaner from the 70ies, converted into an analog synthesizer.
It contains 2 cmos based VCO's , a Moog ladder filter, a 555 based ADSR, a cmos based 8 step sequencer, a PIC based vc to midi interface and a PIC based auto trigger unit.
There are 4 tunable knobs on top, mostly to play bass-lines, and 2 conductable wires, which act as voltage dividers to generate variable tones. the wires do not vibrate. so it is not a cord instrument. satrap activ can also control other synthesizers either by midi or cv/gate interface.
check out some other projects on: http://www.floka.com/bricol.html"
flo kaufmann presents his "FLooper" a multi-channel 8bit sound looper without a microcontroller
"The "FLooper" is a 8bit , multi-channel sound looper.
Here you can see the very early 4 channel prototype.
The sound is sampled by 8bit ADC with samplerates up to 200k and stored into a SRAM.
Because of the 8bit design you get very punchy sound. very similar to an old analog tape loop. some background noise as well.
In contrast to most other loopers you have totally independant channels and you can change the speed, volume, mute or reset to start point for every channel.
As long as you dont do anything sound is repeatet forever similar to a tape loop. if you press the record button of a certain channel it starts recording sound at that positiion.
On 2 channels there are steiner-parker voltage controlled filters in series.
I redesigned the FLooper and made some PCB's and the whole project will be open-source very soon.
check www.floka.com"
The October 2007 SEAMUS newsletter goes retro. click here for the pdf. It includes a full analog modular round up written by John Loffink of The Microtonal Synthesis and The Wavemakers Synthesizer web sites. Pictured in the article: Modular formats, left to right: Mattson Mini Modular, Eurorack (Plan B), FracRack (Blacet), Serge, Buchla 200e, MOTM, Moog (Synthesizers.com), Modcan A, CMS, Wiard 300. Be sure to click the image for the full size shot.
From the Editor, Kurt Stallmann:
"As we celebrate 50 years of musical computing we can’t help but notice that the analog technology that many predicted would be outmoded and replaced still hasn’t died! Not only that, in recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in analog instruments in popular music and among many young instrument builders. New designs of analog modular synths have been released, some of which hybrid sophisticated digital control with analog sound engines (like Buchla’s recent release of the 200e). It is along these lines that we asked Chapman Welch to conduct an interview with German improviser/composer, Thomas Lehn, whose sole setup consists of a classic analog Synthi. We also asked the Austin-based Wavemaker specialist and analog enthusiast John Loffink to give us a quick overview of a few current analog synth makers. Going even farther back, and in response to our July interview with Max Mathews, David Mooney contributes an article tracing the history and influence of Henry Cowell’s Rhythmicon on a current generation."
via Grant Richter of Wiard on the Wiard list. Update via John Loffink: "Article has a typo, mentions Analogue Solutions as having Bode FS and Putney tribute modules, should be Analogue Systems. That will be corrected in an errata."
"The Farfisa Syntorchestra is as rare as can be. This Service Manual is in English AND Itallian, loaded with images, schematics, component layouts, diagnostics, calibration routines, etc. A handful of markings appear to be typo corrections, but it's virtually marking- free. 34 pages plus cover."
see the second update in this post. Again remember to check posts for red Updates throughout the day. The red stands out and should be easy to spot scrolling quickly down the page. Always click on the Older Post link at the bottom of each page and do the same. Each new day starts with a red date header, so it's easy to see where new days start as well.
Remember you can submit stuff via my contact info on the bottom right, or in the comments of any post. The rule is you have to be able to ID the synth in a post. Posts are about the synth first, music second, so if you want to promote your stuff in a vid or the like, be sure to show your synth. Also I try to spread things out so the site doesn't get overrun by one person, so send me your best and I'll link to the rest.
Finally, auction posts are welcome. Anything goes on MATRIXSYNTH-B and good pics, rare items, interesting facts and the like go up here on MATRIXSYNTH.
"The year, 1971, 16 years old from Japan, on a trip to NYC.Walk into Manny's Music in Manhattan. Excited that I'm getting my first "real" guitar, a new Gibson Les Paul Deluxe ( still have it!! finish is cracking nicely!!). Strange keyboard with a ton of switches catches my eye. Way cooler than the Mini-Moog I had seen before. My Dad, being cool that he is, urges me to check it out. Makes all kinds of weird noises. Gotta have it!!! Wow everybody back home, groove to Walter Carlos, pre Wendy, Morton Subotnick, etc. Awesome tones and crashes when I intertwine the oscillators, envelope generators, VC filters. Many a stoned headphone journeys taken. 2010, Synth hasn't seen the light of day in 30 years, packed away the whole time. Plug it in, move around the oscillators, and BAM, wacka-wacka memories!!!!!! I have no use for it now.But I know that it'll make someone's fantasy come true!!! The workout.... Every switch works, every knob works, every key works in tune ( all keys are uniformly stiff. they will need to be re-conditioned.. felt?) As you can see, no dings, a little dusty. This machine has never been played outside. Never been onstage like my Paul. Just in great condition for its age. Let me know how you would like it wrapped for shipment. Merry Christmas!!!!"
Update via Micke in the comments: "The Synthacon first appeared in 1975 so there's no way the seller could've bought it back in 1971. It's obviosly a typo.
Much more interesting than DM's use of this synthesizer is, in my opinion, its use on the Apocalypse Now soundtrack (1979). The Steiner EVI, synthasystem modular and double-synthacon are all over the score."
The Jupiter-8 also used a Roland IR3109 IC for the VCF, BA662 for the VCA, and IR3R01 for Envelopes.
Via wikipedia: "The voice architecture is almost identical to the Jupiter-6 synthesizer, the service manual states that "The module board of MKS-80 features the following in addition to that of JP-6, its brother module. 1) HPF. 2) Low boost circuit in the 2nd VCA. 3) DC supply current boost circuit (IC50)." The unit is fully capable of producing most of the Jupiter-6's signature sounds, in addition to many sounds unique to the MKS-80. In February 1985, Roland started producing a new revision of MKS-80, known as "Rev 5", that had no ties with any previous Jupiter's hardware, as it used a new generation of both Roland VCO's, VCA's and filter. The Rev 5 filter was also used in JX-8P, JX-10 and MKS-70 synthesizers."
And the following which I thought intersting:
"Confusion with Jupiter 8
In 1998, UK magazine Sound on Sound published an article about MKS-80. It contained a critical typo. Instead of referring to Jupiter 6, the comment about the rack version constantly referred to Jupiter 8, leading to serious confusion and even spreading myths across various online forums. However, once we read that article and replace numbers 8 and 6, the whole part of the article suddenly makes sense:
'The MKS80 delivered the entire Jupiter 6 wish-list and more, including a much larger memory and upgraded internal electronics. Now let's get one thing clear -- despite a few commentators postulating otherwise, the MKS80 had nothing to do with the Jupiter 8. Although there were ultimately to be two versions of the instrument (one with the Jupiter 6's Curtis oscillators, the other with custom chips developed by Roland themselves) both retained the architecture of the Jupiter 6, sounded identical to the Jupiter 6 and, apart from their many enhancements, were the rackmount module versions of the Jupiter 6.'."
Also see this post for The Story of the Roland JUPITER-8 & JUPITER-6.]
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That said, here is the description for the video above:
"Roland MKS-80 - the Super Jupiter. Rolands last analog VCO synth and one that packs all the punch of the mighty Jupiter 8 and 6 into one box
With 8 voices, 16 VCOs, fast envelopes, cross modulation, sync, 2 ADSRs, a very flexible LFO and velocity and pressure sensitivity over Midi, the Super Jupiter was the professional musicians dream module in the mid 80s. Used on countless hit records.
Support this channel on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/espenkraft
Through the years the MKS-80 came out in a Rev.4 and a Rev.5 and the debate over which one sounds the best never seems to stop. I don't care about that at all. The versions used in this video are both Rev.5, but as I actually compare these to a Jupiter 8 here, no one should tell me that the Rev.5 can't sound like it. It DOES sound like it, down to 99% and that's enough for me.
A big thanks to Joakim Tysseng for the loan of the Jupiter 8 and a big thanks to Brynjulf Blix for the one MKS-80 and the MPG-80 programmer.
Anders Jensen has as always been very kind too and thanks for the other MKS-80 Anders, as well and for all the driving!
The other MKS-80 programmer I use here is from Retroaktiv and that's a new one. I did a demo of that just a couple of videos before this so check that out if you want to."
Demo of most of the stock patches. The Right Channel SID has a dead Oscillator (OSC 1), so the patches are not going to sound exact, but close enough. Couple of things to note, the loud pop when changing patches is the nature of the beast. Also the VCA bleed is inherent in all SID chips.
Effects used: Electro Harmonix Cathedral, Moog Moogerfooger MF-104M Analog Delay.
PSP Vintage Warmer V2 Compressor on Master Channel at mixdown."
Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
via this auction which mentions EML. I'm guessing this is just a typo or mistake. I don't recall if EML worked with Emu on any modules back then. If you know feel free to comment or send me an email. As for design, these are clearly E-mu modular modules. Via the listing: "Some vintage 1970's components modules to perhaps a vintage synthesizer or sequencer? I have some paper work that I acquired with these parts. View the photos and judge what I have for yourself. I have no idea if these parts will work or not. Selling as is as found. Pick up only."
Some nice pics of the inside/backside including power supply.
YouTube via erasemusic — June 08, 2010 — "running the app ssquares thru the machinedrum, resampling it and generally messing about." I'm not seeing "ssquares" on iTunes. Typo?
Update via Pea in the comments: "It's called sound squares, cool app!"
Update via Micke in the comments: "*CS-80* is a typo I think, it should read GX-1. The album was recorded in March '77 and that's a bit too early for the CS-80 unless they had access to the prototype or a pre-production unit."
"Maschine+ and aFrame jam, creating a modern take on a classic sea shanty: Hi-ho, Come Blow Me Over
(the title card has a typo)
'Ambience, Seaside Waves, Close, A.wav' by InspectorJ (www.jshaw.co.uk) of Freesound.org
- sorry I forgot to put that in the title card as well for the ocean clip at the end..."
"Live modular improv using monome modular isms system and er301 sampler module"
Update: There was a typo in the video title and description. This video featured the existing Orthogonal Devices ER-301, and not a new ER-302. See the comments below for additional details including links.
"I always disliked the dirty, scratched look of my black #MPC1000XL i once bought 2nd hand. In summer 21 i finally found the time to give it a decent styleflip. I planned to make it look a bit like the gorgous #MPC-60. First the original frontpanel was scanned to have a Photohop background. After all outlines and typo were added i gave a faceplate sticker with cutouts into production. Then the case and the acrylic window with it's deep scratches were sanded. The case got a white painting, the window was polished to high gloss. The window did not come out 100% perfect but much better than before. Btw... toothpaste does NOT do the job. Then I made some 3D-prints for nicer Data and Volume knobs, first in fancy transparent blue and red, later dark grey. Not sure which i like more, tending to the red/blue ones. The last step were some woodcheeks - difficult because the 1000 does have strangely formed sides with all kinds of edges and corners.
Featured gear besides the MPC: #OSCar, #JV-1080, #NordDrum2, DIY-MPC-MuteScener"
