See you Sunday!

Well, I will be officially offline for the weekend in a few minutes. Every now and then you just have to do it. : ) I'll be back online Sunday. Have a synthtacular weekend! Sorry for the cheese. Every now and then you just have to do it. ; )

Hardcore Gear Porn Friday at Analog Industries

Analog Industries just announced Harcore Gear Porn Friday. Very cool.

Absolute Beauty

Check out these beautiful shots of the Orange Waldorf XTK and Yellow Waldorf Q from moose. Note the wood on the Q. He stained it a purple hue. Click here for more shots and close ups on the hue. Absolutely gorgeous. Man I miss Waldorf...

More OB-Mx Samples and Pics

Two more samples and some pics here. Me want one.

MOTM Madness - Featuring Yamaha GX1 Filter clone

The Yamaha GX1 was the great behemoth that led to the more affordable Yamaha CS80. The sweeping brass sounds in Blade Runner are the CS80 courtesy of Vangelis. One thing that absolutely makes the CS80 is the character of the filter. It is extremely distinct and offers a character to the CS series sound that is unmistakably unique. It's a gorgeous sounding filter and the MOTM-485 diode filter captures it. You can hear a bit of it in the demo. I asked Paul about the demo sounding a bit out of tune and he said that's just Dave Wright. Good enough for me. Enjoy. : )

Make sure to check out other MOTM demos via http://www.synthtech.com/news.html.

Track module listing from the man behind MOTM himself:

http://www.carrionsound.com/485plasticworld.mp3

- five tracks in multitrack
- one track - bassline - vco-485vcf-mixer-soundcard (midi 2 cv controlled)
- one track - fast bassline - vco - 485vcf-mixer-soundcard (midi 2 cv w/ gate on burst generator to adsr to vcf)
- one track - drone - vco-time machine-490vcf(w/ lfo on it) -mixer-soundcard
- one track - drone - vco-infinet melody generator-phaser-mixer-soundcard
- one track - mpc1000 w/ beats - 485 vcf (w/ hand tweaking) - to soundcard - to mixer
- MOTM-485 diode filter based on the Yamaha GX-1 circuitry (mainly) + other MOTM goodness

Paul S.

Update:
I was trying to figure out a good way to describe the GX1/CS80 filter. I wanted to say nasal, but not quite. I just realized how much is sounds like processing sounds through a swarm of buzzing bees. I also was trying to think of what this particular track reminded me of and realized it's Ultravox. Like something that could have been on a b-side from the Rage in Eden days.

Analog Table Sequencer

Found this on Music Thing. Would be fun for playing shots. Of course you'd have to convince yourself that any spilt booze ads character to the table.

Update: unfortunately the image is gone for this one.

Mmmm.... Magic Mushroom

Here's another nice shot recently added to Flickr. Made this one my wallpaper for now.

Update: unfortunately the flickr image for this one is gone.

Blacet Improbability Drive

In via Synthtopia.

- Analog White Noise
- Digital Noise with VC Level and Width (Window Comparator)
- VC BP or LP Filter
- Noise Mixer with Output
- VC Sample Hold Clock
- External S/H Clock Input
- Built in Quantizer
- Separate White, Digital, S/H, and Quantized Outputs

Oberheim OB-Mx Sound Samples!!!

Finally found me some OB-Mx sound samples [on Aliens Project]. Credit goes to Yahoo! and their new audio search.

Going through them now. Some interesting FX sounds so far.

Vengeance Sound Samples

Just discovered this site. They sell soundsets for various synths and have great (long and varied) demos online.

Synths currently listed:

- Access Virus - all models
- reFX Vanguard VST
- DiscoDSPs Discovery (Nord Lead 2 emulation)
- Native Instruments Pro 53
- Analog Essentials Powercore01
- Novation V-Station
- Waldorf Q
- JP 8000/8080
- Yamaha CS6x

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:

##################################################

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"

##################################################

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.

AVR-X - New Synth!!!

Brand new hybrid synth. Waveshaper, wavetabe and analog filters. Looks good and sounds great. Check out the site for more info, samples and pictures. Very cool.

Gary Numan's Sampler on Ebay

For all you Numan fans. : )


via eBay

Magic

via Flickr

"Corky and Max on the keys"

A Minimoog Voyager Electric Blue.

I love this shot. To be a kid with a glowing synth in front of you.

Korg on Fire - Mmm... Sparkles.

via Flickr

So far the new images coming in on Flickr are underwhelming, which in this case might be a good thing. I'm going to start posting new images as they come in until it becomes unmanageable. So... You'll get to see new stuff here as they come up on Flickr for a while. Enjoy.

Evolver Demo

More magic from Stefan Trippler.

Flickr Update

Interesting. Flickr doesn't do stemming so synths is not the same as synth. Each term is discrete - it's up to the image poster to use multiple tags for the same picture. Read the following post below if you don't know what the heck I'm talking about. : )

Update:
I sub to the Flickr blog for updates on the site's features. They just introduced something called clustering which actually might help the above. Funny how that works sometimes...

So... if you append /clusters to what you are searching for you will get the other categories that come up for the pictures in the set. Try http://flickr.com/photos/tags/synth/clusters for an example. You will see different clusters for music, keyboard, korg, synthesizer and moog to start. Pretty cool. And no I have no affiliation to Flickr whatsoever.

Flickr Synth Porn Galore!!!

This is one of those, "I cannot friggin believe I didn't think of this before!!!!" moments. I'm an idiot! Flickr. A site dedicated to hosting pictures that people tag with different keywords like... synthesizer, or moog, or analog. You can search for these terms and all the pictures from all the people posting pictures on Flickr will come up! You can then subscribe to them via your favorite reader, Bloglines for me, and you will get notified whenever there are new pictures up. So search, look at all the pictures, then sub and just wait for more to come in without having to check back. Your reader will let you know so you can relax knowing that if any new gear porn comes up you will be sure to be notified.

Tip on using Flickr: Instead of searching for terms you can just replace the trailing tag with whatever it is you want to try. For example start with http://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/synth, then change synth to something else like moog: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/moog. Some tags are better than others. For example Roland will bring up a bunch of pictures of guys named Roland along with the Roland products we want to see. So... Be carefull seeking your porn out there.

Some I'm starting with:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/synth
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/synthesizer
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/moog
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/oberheim

Coffee Table

MC's Polymoog coffee table via AH. Oh yeah baby.



via Retrosynth

Moog Voyager NAMM Video - OS 3.0 Update

In via AH.

Some updates:

• Available for all versions of the Voyager



• Ups presets from 1 bank of 128 to 7 banks of 128



• 768 presets from the sig and anniversary sets and others



• Midi enhancements for interfacing with older gear - option to transmit 7-bit or 14-bit and touchpad can send less midi CC so older gear can keep up
  Input volume knob can now act as a preset knob allowing you to run through presets more easily than having to press the inc and dec buttons

Very Cool!

CMS - Discrete Synthesizers

Phil Cirocco of CMS is considered to be the best when it comes to ARP repair and service. He also makes his own discrete analog modular synths which are considered to be the best of the best. Title link will take you to his site which has a great section on ARP history in the Arptronics page and more info on his synthesizers in the Discrete Synthesizers page.

The following image courtesy of Analogue Haven's schism (this was recently posted on AH for $3000):

Pulse Samples

In via our friend Stefan Trippler via AH. Man, I miss Waldorf.

Waldorf Pulse:

Decibel Festival

For those of you in the Northwest during September 22-25, make sure to check out the Decibel Festival. It will be held in Seattle's Capital Hill district. Great location with quirky, shops, food, booze and plenty of coffee. My coffe recommendation is Espresso Vivace. Just get a hazelnut or other flavor of choice latte there and see for yourself. For the best Pho, check out the little hole in the wall called Asia Express. Super cheap and damn good Pho and other dishes.

Ionic Performer - Synthi AKS clone

Many know the EMS Synthi AKS as THE synth used in Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon. The low bass sequence loop in "On The Run" is the Synthi. The Synthi AKS is one of the most coveted, rare and expensive analogs of yore. Few know of the Ionic Performer. The title link will take you to a great site on the synth with pictures, samples, and some great email threads on the history and relation to the Synthi. From the site:

"Somewhere in my collection of EMS material I have a lurid photo of the Ionic Performer you mention. I remember attending a NAMM show in Chicago in the early seventies where Ionic Industries had a small booth and were exhibiting the Performer. You are correct that it was a repackaged VCS3 with an integral keyboard. Instead of the pin matrix it had rows of rectangular push-button switches - like an early ryhthm box. What really struck me about it was the publicity leaflet which brazenly announced 'No skill required' in its operation, before expanding further on this theme. It still had the familiar vernier dials for tuning the oscillators. I spoke to Steve Mayer on the stand but no Alfred. Dealings with Ionic were soon curtailed and from about 1972 the US side of the business was handled by Dr. Everett Hafner and his company EMSA from Amherst, Mass."

Pic of Synthi AKS from an Engadget post (absolute beauty):


Pic of Ionic Performer from Ionic site:


There is also a VSTi of the synth on the Ionic site:

Sealed's Deep Synthesis Page - Samples

I refered to this page in my post below, but I figure it warrants a separate post to make sure you don't miss it. This is a great page full of samples of various synths.

Kawai K1 Samples

Got this from a thread on Vintage Synth Explorer discussing the K3 vs. the K4. Wow. I never realized the K1 sounded this good. I previously dismissed it as just a low end rompler. I really like the way it sounds. Make sure to check out the rest of Sealed's Deep Synthesis Page for more samples of other synths.