Burst Generator

http://www.cyndustries.com/modules_burstgen.cfm

This in via AH. I decided to copy and paste this one as it's perfect as is and I need to run out for a bit. Enjoy and make sure to check out the sound samples.

"some discussion of burst generators came up on the Serge list (SMOG)....
after some dinking around and advice from others I put together some
voltage-controlled burst generator patches based on the Serge Universal Slope Generator.

What's a Burst Generator?
Basically it's an oscillator that gives you a discrete number cycles when you hit it with a pulse. So for example you can get exactly ten complete cycles of a waveform.

Cynthia sells a packaged Burst Generator here...
http://www.cyndustries.com/modules_burstgen.cfm

By adding voltage control you can vary the number and/or the speed of the cycles that you get out of your burst generator.

http://www.mnmlnoise.com/misc_samples.html

several examples of VC burst generators.

The last one is 2 in series. One emits 2 pulses. The other one is used
for pulses and as an FM source!
This is because both the pulse and OUT of the DTG is used.... so we're
getting a VC number of triangle cycles.

--
m/n/m/l
surreal electronic music, sound, noise
http://www.mnmlnoise.com
"

I can't wait to check out these samples!

Doug Wyatt Interview on O'Reilly

O'Reilly has an interview up with Doug Wyatt, co-designer of OMS(also see a brief history) and musician. It's a good read. Inspiring. The interview also includes some sound samples and great shots including the Aerosol Grey Machine I blogged on earlier.

MOTM in smaller Doepfer/FracRak formats?

http://www.synthtech.com/motm.html

In via AH. This could equate to lower prices on some select MOTM modules as well as the smaller format. If you are unfamiliar with modular synthesis, think of them as the legos or erector sets of the synth world. You buy individual components of a synth and patch them together to do what you want. You can buy complete systems from different manufacturers or you can buy individual modules and mix and match. Typically you will want to rack the modules into a case, cabinet, rack or other fixture of choice (really wish I had a good picture here). Different manufacturers typically adhere to different dimensions for their modules so they can fit nicely together in a rack. MOTM modules are similar in size to Moog, while FracRack and Doepfer are considerably smaller. If MOTM does this, you can now house MOTM modules with your favorite FracRak and Doepfer modules and... you can possibly save some money.

The following is a good chart on some differences between different modular systems:http://www.modularsynth.com/chart.html. Track back to http://www.modularsynth.com for general info on modular synths. Be sure to check out MOTM, also a great resource.

In via AH. This could equate to lower prices on some select MOTM modules as well as the smaller format. If you are unfamiliar with modular synthesis, think of them as the legos or rather erector sets of the synth world. You buy individual components of a synth and patch them together to do what you want. You can buy complete systems from different manufacturers or you can buy individual modules and mix and match. Typically you will want to rack the modules into a case, cabinet, rack or other fixture of choice (really wish I had a good picture here). Different manufacturers typically adhere to different dimensions for their modules so they can fit nicely together in a rack. MOTM modules are similar in size to Moog, while FracRack and Doepfer are considerably smaller. If MOTM does this, you can now house MOTM modules with your favorite FracRak and Doepfer modules and... you can possibly save some money.

The following is a good chart on some differences between different modular systems:http://www.modularsynth.com/chart.html. Track back to http://www.modularsynth.com for general info on modular synths. Be sure to check out MOTM, also a great resource.

Guiness Filter - Gulbranson Bottle Organ

Saw this one on Create Digital Music. At least it's Guiness. I can see the DIY community going nuts with this one. I just modded it with my Corona filter, what do you think! Or, "My damn girlfriend dropped a cigarette butt in one! But I like the timbre it added so I decided to keep it." Click here for the product site. Price? 29k US.

Some Waldorf Resources

I still can't believe Waldorf is no more. They made some of the absolutely, most beautiful synths out there including the Wave, Pulse, XT/XTk, and Q. Alex Hartmann of the Hartmann Neuron was responsible for much of the look and feel of the Waldorf Synths. Below is a few resources currently online for anyone looking for patches, OS updates and more:

http://waldorf.synth.net
http://waldorf.electro-music.com/
http://www.cavestudio.org/waldorf/ (mirror)
WaldorfWave
MicrowaveII/XT

The old site was at: http://www.waldorf-gmbh.de. I still have it on my MFG link section on http://www.matrixsynth.com in the hope that it will one day come back. : (

My pick for the most beautiful synth in the world, the Crimson Waldorf Wave:

ID this synth - Flickr Shot

via Flickr

This one came in under the tag "synthesizer." Not sure what it is but I like the picture. Click through for a larger shot and a couple of others.

Sequentix P3

Saw this in a picture of someone's studio and wondered what it was. Turns out it's a DIY Sequentix P3 8 track sequencer that you can now get pre-built direct from Sequentix or from Analogue Haven in the us. Looks sweet. Two rows of sixteen knobs and sixteen buttons. Yowza! Haven't used that word before, so it must be good. ; ) More info and pics after the hop.

Also be sure to check out the custom gallery for more including a nice red one.

Vermona Performer change in design

Music Thing has a good post on how much the design of a synth can change the desirability of a synth. Aesthetically I like the design of the old Performer with those classy chrome knobs, but functionally I think the new Performer will be easier to use. It also looks inspiring in a more colorful way (pun not intended but I'll take it).

Picture from Music Thing:

It's amazing how much the design of a synth can influence your perception and quite possibly the sounds you create. The Korg MS2000 and MicroKorg for example have essentially the same synth engine, minus a few deltas like being able to capture formant samples via the vocoder on the MicroKorg, yet the interfaces will pull you in different directions. I have an Alesis Ion, but every time I walk into the local Guitar Center, I play with the Micron and I walk away really, really wanting one. It's not just the fun factor, but for some reason the design inspires different sounds from me; it's as if it has a different synth engine. Heck if interface didn't matter, why not get a Yamaha AN1X rather than a Roland JP8000?

Creamware Minimax ASB now shipping

Sleek hardware with knobs running Creamware's Minimax software.

Elka x705 on Ebay

This interesting item came up on Ebay. It's an Organ with string ensemble, analog brass, mono-synth for bass or higher notes, and 16 analog rhythms. Some info on harmony-central. It was used by Jean Michel Jarre live: JMJ kit list.

Elka x705 on Ebay:

Some pictures of Jean Michel Jarre playing the Elka x705 live off of jarreography: