EMS still kicking - Home of EMS Synthi

Someone asked about the EMS site and whether it was legit on AH. It is and I beleive you can still get a brand new Synthi out of them built to original spec or other if you like. But... It is pricey and I've heard there is a long wait. Before I die.... I will have a real Synthi. : )

EMS claims to be the world's longest synthesizer mangacturer. From the history page (make sure to check out the history and products page while there for some amazing historical pics):

"Electronic Music Studios (London) Ltd. was formed in 1969 by Dr. Peter Zinovieff to market innovative ideas arising from his private studio and interest in musical applications of computers. Over the next ten years many seminal products were released and many talented designers worked for the company. EMS had its own peculiar brand of British eccentricity which could be both endearing and annoying, but should be viewed in the context of true pioneering. It is easy to copy and follow others, but not to think up new ideas in the first place and EMS had no shortage of originality. The EMS influence was significant and can be traced into many contemporary products. "

"After EMS(London) folded in 1979 the assets were bought by Datanomics, a company that made rocking hospital beds [sic.]. From 1980 to 1984 a small number of VCS3s, Synthi AKSs and Vocoders were made and a new synthesizer was developed, the DataSynthi. This was essentially a VCS3 type monophonic keyboard using Curtis ICs with a programmable patch matrix and it was never produced. They also redesigned all the circuitry of the Synthi 100 and then sold just one to a studio in Spain.

After the honeymoon, Datanomics realised that they were not destined to become commercial synthesizer manufacturers and EMS was sold again. The next owner was composer Edward Williams, a long term EMS user and enthusiast, with the soundtracks of the famous "Life on Earth" documentary series to his credit. The Soundbeam and several upgrades to the Vocoders were made during this period.

In April 1995 Robin Wood aquired the full rights of EMS after working for all incarnations continuously since 1970. Synthi As, VCS3s and Vocoders are still being produced to the original or modified specifications. Current details and news appears in the EMS Main Page. "

Moog Voyager 50th Anniversary - New Flickr Shots

Some nice shots of the 50th Anniversary Edition Logo of the Minimoog Voyager. Click here for more.

Groovey Korg - New Flickr Shot

via Flickr

Alright, those eyes are freakin' me out.

Some Nord Lead 3 Demos

Just posted here. Takes a bit to load but worth it. The samples are varied and give a good overview of the synth.

Sony PSP Rhythm Composer

http://www.iturzaeta.com/PSPRhythm/index.html

Update: For those of you brave enough, there is a PSP OS 2.0 downgrade to 1.5 available via Make:. Just click the Make link for more. I ain't going to take the chance myself, so you are on your own. Good luck. : )

Update: Looks like it only works on OS 1.0 or OS 1.5. Will have to wait for higher than 1.5. My guess is they skip 1.52 for 2.0 as it should hit any time now.

Update: Changed URL to homepage for the software (last link had horrible pop-ups!). Also not having any luck getting it going. I get corrupt data file on my PSP. I have OS 1.52. Need to dig a little more...

Whoah. I will definitely need to check this out.

"“PSP Rhythm Composer is a TR-x0x style drum machine. It features a easy to use 16 step sequencer, 16 drump pattern loops and 16 drum sounds."

Update (from the readme):
-=PSP Rhythm Composer=-

Coding: Louie Iturzaeta rconlives@yahoo.com
Audio: Billy Iturzaeta
Graphics: Tri Nguyen

PSP Rhythm Composer is a TR-x0x style drum machine. It features a easy to use
16 step sequencer, 16 drump pattern loops and 16 drum sounds.

-=How to use the drum sequencer=-

CLICK FOR MORE »

Casio SK-1 - New Flickr Shot

Thought this one was interesting. Click here and mouse over the SK-1 to read the description. Other fotos give more context.

Spectrum - Sonic Boom

I couldn't help but think of Sonic Boom and Spacemen 3 after reading and posting about Space Machine 3. Sonic Boom, aka Peter Kember, did some excellent solo work as Spectrum with a Synthi VCS3. If you haven't checked out his work yet, do so. Forever Alien is one of my favorites. Some samples on the link.

P.S. Yes the Forever Alien link takes you to Amazon, and no I don't get a cut. Freinds are pressuring me to wrap up so we can watch a movie, and that link had some samples, so up it goes. : )

Space Machine 3 - Yamazaki-Maso

http://www.yamazaki-maso.net/

Someone asked about this band on AH. Click through http://www.importantrecords.com/releases.htm and scroll down to Space Machine 3 for two tracks of some analog mayhem.

"Space Machine is Yamazaki Maso's solo synth-psych side project. This single cd release includes both the Space Machine 3 studio sessions as well as Space Machine live at Big Cat in Osaka, Japan with Makoto Kawabata of The Acid Mothers Temple"

Interesting. Will need to check them out sometime.

Also check out Merzbow

Akai VX600 Analog Mini Polysynth

Found a great site on the Akai VX600 analog synth. Loads of sound samples, pictures, the manual and more.

Speechless...

Yamaha Taurus pedals...

Yamaha CS01 with pedal casing for sale on the bay. My balance simply would not be good enough for this, especially after a beer or two...