Roland Juno 106 and Korg MS20 pics in via Flickr

via Flickr

Nostalgia - Synth Manual Intros and Paramaters

I was searching the web for a Matrix-6 manual. I entered "Matrix6 manual" in Google and the first result that came up was a page I created for http://www.matrixsynth.com years ago! I couldn't believe it! It was flattering and pretty nostalgic to say the least.

When I first started the site I thought it would be cool to type up the intros for synths in their manuals followed by all editable paramaters in a table. Along with every single parameter of a synth you could also see how the manufacturers introduced the synth into permanent history. Being the synth geek that I am I always found these intros fascinating and fun to read.

I created pages for the following synths before it became too tedious to continue. Click here for the page listing the synths, while the nostalgia link on http://www.matrixsynth.com will bring it up on the right page, which was how each page would have originally been viewed from the site. Or you can just click on each link below. Enjoy! : )

- Oberheim Matrix-6
- Oberheim OB-SX
- Oberheim OB-3
- Sequential Circuits Multi-Trak
- Korg Poly-800ii
- Korg Prophecy
- Roland Juno 106
- Kawai K4r
- Casio CZ3000
- Voce Micro B
- Yamaha TX81Z

Synton Syrinx via Flickr

Image in via Flickr. Super rare and unique analog with not one, not two, but three! analog filters that can be used to create formant vocal type sounds. It came in blue, black, silver, and red. More info on Vintage Synth Explorer and Sonic State

A6 Wiki for Alesis Andromeda bugs and feature requests

Word on the A6 list is that someone from Alesis asked a member for a list of the top pet peeves of the Andromeda. Someone set up a Wiki to gather bugs and feature requests. Feel free to add to the lists and let's hope Alesis comes through. Crossing fingers...

P.S. Plug for Alesis. The Andromeda can easily be considered one of the most promising and powerful analog pollies past and present. It's an absolutely beautiful synth and I personally hope Alesis keeps it going. Years from now I garuntee people will be looking back at the Andromeda with the same awe as the best of the best polysynths. Alesis took a big risk with the Andromeda and went overboard implimenting user requests. Not many synth companies do that. Moog did it with the Voyager. With the Ion and Micron, Alesis is on fire.

10 more from Beermaster

Click here for great shots of the Aries modular and this Analog Systems beast.

New Pics in from Beermaster

Beermaster sent me a few pics to post. I just set up a Flickr account to host these and others. Enjoy! Thanks Beermaster! : )

From the set, behold... The mighty Polyfusion!

Korg Manuals - MS-10, MS-20, MS-50, SQ-10, VC10...

This came in overnight via AH. Owners manuals and patch sheets for the Korg MS series synths. As always, track back to the root to see what else the site has.

Synth Manuals on Oldschool Sound

I decided to go to the root of last link I posted on the Roland SH-101 Novamod and low and behold I found another great site. Unfortunately I don't read French, but I do speak the universal language of synth! Doh, sorry about that. : ) Anyway, checking out the site I found a huge list of manuals! Goldmine. I decided to add a Manual category to the blog to keep track of these. Anyone that has purchased a used piece of gear without a manual knows how valuable a resource like this is. If anyone knows of any other major manual sites, send them my way (contact link at bottom right pane). Make sure to check out the rest of Oldschool Sound as well. Tons of pics and info. I'll add a link to http://www.matrixsynth.com next.

Roland SH-101 Novamod

Update on where to get mod from B in the comments section:

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The files are on the SH101 yahoo group home page. I loaded them up about 3/ 4 years ago. There are a couple of errors on the rev 1 docs too so be careful.

Cheers B"

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If you want to mod your SH-101, join the Yahoo! SH-101 group and ask for help.

The mod adds the following:

• VCF FM: Amazing new sounds are now added through this feature. Six FM sources are available.
• LFO Clock Input: Syncing the Arpeggiator and LFO to external drum modules and sequencers is now possible. As well, interesting feedback loops can be created.
• PW Modulation Source Selection: Now you can choose a pulse width source. it is independent from the LFO's waveform setting. OSC sources are included.
• Pulse width to near 0%: Pulse width effects are now made more extreme and powerful.
• External Audio Input: The ability to do FM of the VCF by an external audio source or to simply route a signal into the audio path is now provided. Don't forget feedback loops!
• VCF CV Input: Just plug in a foot pedal or a CV from a midi converter and your SH-101 will sing!
• LFO Rate Scalar: Ever hear a bell sound out of a 101? Try this on Hi!! Want a really slow sweep...you got it too!
• 1/4" CV/Gate In/Out Jacks: Aren't we all tired of those miniphono plugs? They should only exist on walkmans.

OB-Mx

On 7/22 I posted on a misunderstood synth, the Ensoniq Fizmo. In the post I reference to a thread on Sonic State's the-gas-station that meandered into a discussion on the Oberheim OB-Mx. Well, the thread is still going on and two articles of interest came up that I thought I would post.

The first article is on the history and relative failure of the OB-Mx: link.

The second is a raving review from Jim Aiken in Keyboard magazine: link. I actually have that issue of Keyboard magazine. : )

Both are excellent reads.