MATRIXSYNTH

at 12/31/2005 02:05:00 AM

via this auction. I love the look of blue displays on black. The DS8 was a 4 Op FM synth by Korg with joystick and three sliders for real time control. Check out the Deep Synthesis page for some samples.

CLICK FOR MORE »

at 12/31/2005 02:04:00 AM

Now the Moog rumors are running as well. Via this thread on VSE on Moog.

13ghostsofscoobydoo wrote:
Well Amos hinted earlier at some big news at Moog, so I'll take that last statement to mean a stripped down, cheaper Voyager.

Amos wrote:
not exactly how I would describe "it" (whatever it may be)
but the point is --
OMG
Get ready to lose control of your bodily functions
Truth is not beauty, beauty is not love...
but what we are coming up with is all three [Truth, Beauty, Love -- figuratively speaking of course] wrapped up in one gorgeous package.
OK, I've said too much already
NAMM is coming soon...

at 12/31/2005 02:01:00 AM

Yes the MEK is an Evolver with keys, so any evolver demo will do, but... We all enjoy Stefan Trippler tunes right? Click here for a new demo. Start with samples of individual patches and then get's really interesting at about 5:01. Enjoy. : )

at 12/31/2005 01:58:00 AM

My wife came up with the title for this one. Click here for a nice close-up of the MicroKorg.

at 12/30/2005 11:49:00 AM

Synthosium has an intersting post up. Someone actually had the cajones to start installing stuff on his $8k Korg Oasys. Intwesting... If you think about it, for $8k, why shouldn't you be able to use the Oasys as an OpenLabs type system? Click here for the post.

at 12/30/2005 11:35:00 AM

Update: 1.85M giant size full shot: http://www.trippler.net/pics/monok/mekui.jpg

You can see the labels indicating editing paramaters as well.

at 12/30/2005 09:30:00 AM

Looks like the rumors are true. : )

Update: Nice side by side shot on Moogulator's Machinesound: http://maschinensound.de/blog/?p=322

And a bigger shot of the following on Music Thing.

at 12/30/2005 01:40:00 AM

Peter Grenader of Buzzclick music posted a link on AH to some of his music including an all Buchla piece titled Eclipse. Each of his pieces has a great story behind them. Download a track, put it on and read. Not a bad way to spend some of that leisure time during the holidays...

BTW, make sure to track back to http://www.buzzclick-music.com/ for the rest of his site.

at 12/30/2005 01:39:00 AM

http://www.cyndustries.com/ Click on the Goodies link, then Synapse.

"Get your DEVO New Year by reading the latest issue of Synapse!

http://www.cyndustries.com/

DEVO Issue Just Posted!

Click the News link or the Cynthia Logo for what may be one of
the very first magazine interviews with Devo ~ever~ way back in the
summer of 1978.

Other features in this issue include interviews with Don Preston, and Cameron Jones of Synclavier.

Also read more on Guitar Synthesis, Electronic Music Notation,
Laser Sculptures, and a review of some newfangled polyphonic keyboard
called The Sequential Circuits Prophet! Wow!

Hoppy New Year to Every Bunny!"

Oh, I have a Bunny for you: Sparkle.

at 12/30/2005 01:38:00 AM

Moogulator has a post up on the SCI Programmer pictured below. Apparently you can use it to store "patches" on a modular which I guess would mean storing control voltages as you tweak? Interesting. Title link takes you to his post which includes a shot where you can see it hooked up to a modular. If anyone has more info on this piece, feel free to share. BTW, makes sure to check out Moogulator's SCI page for even more oddities from SCI. And as usual, track back to the root of his site for more synth goodness. His site is really coming along in a big, big way.

at 12/30/2005 01:36:00 AM

Three super nice Roland SH-09 shots and a few non synth shots for any camera junkies out there. 10 points if you know who I am thinking of? ; )

at 12/30/2005 12:50:00 AM

More on CDM. Just don't sit on a magnet...

It's made of magnetic tape. Almost titled this, "Phish gets a synth... dress."

at 12/29/2005 05:43:00 PM

Robert Moog, rightfully, made the list on Newsweek's Unforgettable in 2005.

"Robert Moog, 71
His synthesizer brought music into the electronic age—or vice versa."

MC mentioned this on AH.

at 12/29/2005 05:08:00 PM

Edmx sent me the following shot and a few links below. Thanks edmx!

http://home.freeuk.net/lowpass/synths2.htm - bigger shot of the above.
http://home.freeuk.net/lowpass/synths.htm
http://yusynth.net/

And, yeah, it's photoshopped. How I wish...

at 12/29/2005 04:36:00 PM

Click here for a post on Synthtopia News on Zzounds 100k Gear for Life Giveaway. Sign up and post back if you win. ; )

at 12/29/2005 04:15:00 PM

Andrew posted these two spec sheets on The Synthi Educational Handbook post. Click either link below for the full shot. Good stuff. Thanks Andrew!

http://home.freeuk.com/1a/ems/synthi-e-spec-sheet.jpg
http://home.freeuk.com/1a/ems/synthi-aks-spec-sheet.jpg

at 12/29/2005 12:45:00 AM

Tom of Music Thing recieved this book for Christmas this year. I haven't heard of this one yet, but it sounds good based on what Tom has to say about it. "It's my new geek bible, a 542-page encyclopedia of lore, full of diagrams and flowcharts... The ten pages on oscillators don't just explain what they do, but how they do it. " The book was written by co-inventor of the EMS VCS3, Tristram Cary.

at 12/28/2005 02:18:00 PM

MS2000 looking softsynth on KVR. Rumor is that it will be available for $50 in Feb 06.

Features:

12 Voices, 3 Oscillators + Noise Generator:
13 Oscillator Waveforms
Band-limited Wavetable Synthesis
Anti-aliased Hardsync
Pulse Width Modulation
Waveform Morphing
2 LFOs.
Mixer (OSC1, OSC2, Noise).
4 Filter types with Resonance (24LPF, 12LPF, 12BPF, 12HPF).
2 ADSR Envelopes with Time Scale function.
Amplifier (Level, Pan, EG2/Gate, Distortion).
Virtual Patch function x4 (8 Source Inputs, 8 Destination Outputs, Depth Level).
Arpeggiator (Up, Down, Alt1, Alt2, Alt3, Alt4).
16 Step Sequence x4 (Modulation x3, Gate):
29 Sequence Destinations.
Sequence Types (Forward, Reverse, Alt1, Alt2).
Independent Beat Resolution for each of the 4 Sequences.
Pre-Bend function.
Effects: Chorus, Phaser, Delay (Stereo, Cross, L/R), Equalizer.
128 preset Instruments, Sounds, Sequences and FX.

at 12/28/2005 01:53:00 PM

No title link. I was on a secret mission looking for green synths, and I came across this shot of the limitted Green Waldorf Microwave off of sequencer.de, so I thought I'd post it.

From Wikipedia:
"A limited edition Mean Green Machine was released at the same time as this
upgrade, being a Microwave with a new "Nextel" rubberized finish in a green
color, a certificate of authenticity, special rubber feet, and comical
silkscreening (the power switch was labeled Life, and the card slot was
labeled Food.) Normal Microwave units from now on featured the Nextel finish
in the usual blue color."

BTW, if you know of any other green synths, please share. So far I have the following:
Custom Forat Yamaha Motif
Cwejman
Green Buchla Thunder

at 12/28/2005 01:47:00 PM

Update: A couple more links in the comments section via andrew:

http://home.freeuk.com/1a/ems/synthi-e-spec-sheet.jpg
http://home.freeuk.com/1a/ems/synthi-aks-spec-sheet.jpg

Click here for a 4M pdf of The Synthi Educational Handbook. I also stashed it here in case the link goes down. Via John Loffink of http://www.microtonal-synthesis.com on AH.

Love this snip from the first page:

Don't get your screws loose!

at 12/28/2005 01:25:00 AM

Two shots via Kevin Kelley of the Audio Playground. The Fostex Foundation are the grey pieces in the shot. I wasn't familiar with it before this. According to this site, it's a direct to disk recorder that came from the former NED Synclavier engineers. The Synclavier was a high end synth featuring sampling and FM in the late 70s. Before you get too excited about the Fostex Foundation, note that it's not a synth and was basically a $30k recorder when it came out. Coupled with the Fairlight and the Kurzweil Midiboard, you had quite an impressive set up indeed. The box on top of the Midiboard is the Roland MSQ-700 sequencer.

at 12/27/2005 07:59:00 PM

So we all know about Vemia, right? Well, somone took a look at what else was listed by the seller of the rack 808 I just posted today. So I decided to take a looksie. Umm... Umm... Just click here and scroll. No biggie? Click on the next page and scroll (might want to be sitting down). Damn....

You don't see these three together everyday. And... There is more.

Here are some shots saved for posterity including Buchla, RSF Kobol, ARP, Roland System 700, and a Korg EX800 (just never saw one with rack ends before).

CLICK FOR MORE »

at 12/27/2005 02:09:00 PM

Looks like Jomox has some new shots up of the XBASE 999 and M-Resonator (pictured below).

at 12/27/2005 11:23:00 AM

Interesting. Haven't seen these before.

"Metalbox is a line of analog synthesizer modules in Frac rack format. The modules are intended for supplementing existing systems with extended functions and sounds.

Voltage Generators and Processors

Sequential Switch - Sequencer with individual stage inputs

Pulse Divider/ Logic - Divide and compare pulses

Dual LFO - Dual multi-wave LFO

Analog Shift Register - Three stage ASR

VC Divider - Divide pulses under voltage control

Analog Logic - Compare voltages

Psycho LFO - Erratic modulation source

Gated Comparator - Unique rhythmic accessory

Audio Generators and Processors

Wave Multiplier - An amazing sounding wave-folder

Burst Generator - Clock or audio generator

Cynare - Monster percussion voice

Dual Chime -- Dual cymbal voices

Dual Drum - Dual percussive voices

Digital Noise - Versatile noise source

8008 Bass Drum - Classic analog boom"

at 12/27/2005 11:13:00 AM

This came in via the Yamaha CS80 list. Interesting bit if true.

"I`ve heard that the man behind the CS-80`s design is called Phil
Nishimoto, and that after the work with analogue instruments he
spent nearly 10 years researching and developing another brilliant
instrument, the amazing FS-1-R"

at 12/27/2005 11:07:00 AM

"UFO software synthesizer is the first product to implement TransModal Synthesis technology. TransModal Synthesis relies on K-Osc, an oscillator model capable of smoothly transitioning between various oscillation modes like harmonic, noisy or chaotic, and Morphilter, a filter allowing continuous transitions between modes (low-pass, high-pass,...). Coupled with an extremely powerful modulation matrix, UFO's synthesis engine lets you accurately shape your sound and its evolution over time with an unparalleled ease of use, thanks to the innovative user interface concept lying on top of it." Via Harmony Central News.

at 12/27/2005 10:50:00 AM

The "Harvey" 808 is Studio Electronics' Roland TR-808 in a rack. via this auction. Anyone know the story behind the name "Harvey?"

Also, I missed this earlier this year, but Studio Electronics has re-released it's old school racks:

5.20.05: OLD SCHOOL STUDIO ELECTRONICS RACKMOUNT CLASSICS RETURN!
"Harvey" 808s, P5s, a new TR-909 rack (minus its sequencer), OBIE RACKs, and even OB-8s (I think) are back in the fold! Give Greg St. Regis a hollah @ 310-640-3546 during regular business hours, and get the love of your life–OK it has nothing to do with him slash her–that piece you were convinced would never see the light of eBay.

CLICK FOR MORE »

at 12/27/2005 10:44:00 AM

Title link takes you to some nice shots of an EML 101 and sample on VSE.

at 12/27/2005 12:54:00 AM

Another Elka Synthex up for auction. Seems like a few of these have come up lately. As always I have no affiliation with the auction, just posting the shots.

CLICK FOR MORE »

at 12/27/2005 12:37:00 AM

Interesting drone box from King Capitol featuring four VCOs and optical sensors for theremin like control of pitch. Click here more info including some samples; I found some to be more interesting than others. Via GetLoFi.

at 12/27/2005 12:36:00 AM

Martin sent me a link to this auction for a Formanta/Rokton Percussion synth. Title link takes you to more shots. Info on the machine pulled from the auction below. Thanks Martin!

"FORMANTA
A PERCUSSION SYNTHESIZER

VERY RARE SOVIET-ERA ANALOGUE DRUM SYNTH WITH BUILT IN PRESET DRUM MACHINE!
WAS MADE IN RUSSIA, THEN USSR, BY FORMANTA POLIVOKS FACTORY IN 1987!
EXCELLENT MINT CONDITION. WORKS PERFECTLY. ALL PARTS ARE ORIGINAL.

FORMANTA PERCUSSION SYNTH (OTHER NAME ROKTON PERCUSSION SYNTH) - RARE SOCIALIST VERSION OF ROLAND TR-909 AND OTHER MOST POPULAR VINTAGE DRUM MACHINES FROM 80'S. IT SOUNDS BETTER THAN MANY CLASSICAL DRUM MACHINES AND THIS MACHINE IS ALSO MUCH MORE RARE. THE DRUM SYNTH PROVIDES IMPRESSIVE ANALOG SOUNDS! IT IS CONVENIENT FOR MODELING OF SMOOTH KICKS, CLASSIC ELECTRO TOMS, OLD SCHOOL AND TECHNO SNARES, SINE WAVES. ETC. IT WAS MANUFACTURED IN 80'S by FORMANTA, A SOVIET MILLITARY RADIO PLANT AT KACHKANAR CITY, NEAR SVERDLOVSK CITY. The same one wich manufactured now legendary POLIVOKS synth. It is built like a rock, pure military technology. The body is solid and the knobs feel nice. There is an original soviet factory structure - i.e. method of synthesis, knob resistors, parts, connections, voltage etc. It runs on 220V AC (US customers will need an adaptor).

FORMANTA PERCUSSION SYNTH has 5 independent channels with a complete spectrum of synthesis (sensitivity, filter, pitch, balance tone/noise, decay etc) and two channels for cymbals. There is a built-in PRESET rhythm machine with 16 preset patterns; basic control functions and various styles, which can use any edited or factory sounds. It can also produce any preset style and live triggered sounds simultaneously. The module has a standard 1/4 jacks for triggers connection, pedals input and line-outs. Each of seven FORMANTA drum channels inputs can be triggered from individual outputs of the drum machines such TR 707, TR 626 or similar!

Dimensions - 440x450x165 mm
including packing materials I would guess about 9 kgs total weight"

CLICK FOR MORE »

at 12/27/2005 12:13:00 AM

So I just heard about slut-o-meter. You enter a query term and it calculates the difference between the number of pages that come up for the term vs. the number that comes up under Google SafeSearch. Matrixsynth scores a whopping 15.9%. Hmm... Must be all that synth p*rn.

I ran my blogroll (right pane) and got the following for my blogging buddies (guys, get your smut up)! : ) I was actually expecting Analog Industries to come up on top, with all the expletives, but surprisingly it didn't. What's up with that? Anywho... Mildly entertaining for about ten minutes, so have fun. : ) Synth content? Rate your favorite synths and synth sites, of course! Hmm.. I wonder what's the smuttiest synth out there...

Blogroll in smut order:
SparkleTrain - 20.39%
Matrixsynth - 15.9%
Retro Thing - 13.09%
Synthwire - 12.9%
Analog Industries - 9.38%
GetLoFi - 7.23%
Machinesound - 5.26%
Synthosium - 5.06%
Music Thing - 2.73%
Create Digital Music - 1.19%

Update: Looks like I'm smuttier than a Roland TB-303 (6.43%). Ok, this is embarrassing; I'm not finding any synth site with a higher smut rating than mine. If anyone finds one, let me know. Not sure if this is something to be proud of.

at 12/26/2005 07:55:00 PM

More new gear shots from Shawn Cleary of Analogue Haven. Dual Sherman Filter Bank Rack picutured below. More gear links below.

Via AH:

"hello,

Cwejman have sent further details about their new
modules. Info here:
http://www.analoguehaven.com/new/cwejman/
(these are big files). A few of these will be shown at
NAMM.

Doepfer have uploaded info for their newest modules
here:
http://www.doepfer.de/a100n_e.htm
The first 5 should be shown at NAMM: BBD module
(delay/flanger/karplus strong), universal vactrol
module, thru-zero quadrature vco, switched capacitor
filter and a version of the a-100 tkb-style sequencer
that is near to the production version. BTW there are
more mp3s for the BBD module on the A-100 usergroup at
http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/Doepfer_a100/ ,
in the last post by Ingo.

Also I have uploaded one more photo of a "dual"
Sherman Filterbank 2 Rack:
http://www.analoguehaven.com/new/sherman/sherman_rack_big.jpg

Thanks,

Shawn Cleary
www.analoguehaven.com"

at 12/26/2005 03:59:00 PM

And I'm back. Hope everyone had a great holiday weekend. I thought I'd put up a post on the synth goodies I got for xmas this year. Belated xmas presents on my list are James Grahame's Essential Retro, Peter Forests revised A-Z Books and the Analogue Heaven Synthesizer Museum book, and finally the Moog DVD.

Different Skies Arcs & Angles DVD
Synth centered music performance that happened this year. I put up a few posts including this one when I heard about it. I can't wait to check out this performance.

Learning Music With Synthesizers
Cool book about sound synthesis authored by David Friend and Alan R. Pearlman of ARP as well as Thomas D. Piggott. Not sure if Piggott was part of ARP; if you know feel free to comment. The book came out in 1974 and uses the ARP Odyssey as an example to demonstrate creating different types of sounds.

Synthesizer Basics
Haven't had a chance to flip through this one yet, but it looks good. Features Bob Moog, Roger Powell, Tom Rhea and Steve Porcaro. Volume 1 put out by Keyboard Magazine back in 1984.

Analog Days
This one is coming in the mail. I posted on this earlier as well. I can't wait to read this one as it will be more about the history of synthesis and should be a great read.

Real World Digital Audio
I also received a copy of Peter Kirn's Real World Digital Audio. I'm hearing it's a great book and just looking through the chapters I'm looking forward to it.

Oh, and of course there was this amazing surprise. : )

at 12/25/2005 02:20:00 PM

Saw this shot over on Moogulator's blog. Check out the Packrat site for more. Now that's a Christmas tree. : )

at 12/25/2005 11:50:00 AM

So, I was going through online withdrawals and decided to sneak a peek, today on Christmas day. And what did I find? A wonderful Christmas present sitting under my happy holiday post tree, just for me. This shot absolutely made my day. Thanks to whoever took the time to post this in the comments of my last post. This is just way too cool. I am literally floored. Thank you! : )

at 12/24/2005 12:00:00 AM

Happy Holidays everyone. Don't forget to queeze in some synth time. ; )

Above is a shot of my MicroKorg and xmas tree.

at 12/23/2005 02:59:00 PM

Title link takes you to some nice new gear shots including the Jomox Xbase999, Sherman Filterbank rack, Analog Solutions 4 voice, Metasonix TM6 and Wretch. Via this post on VSE and AH. Enjoy.

Jomox Xbase999

Sherman Filterbank Rack

Jomox MResonator (also on Analog Industries)

at 12/23/2005 10:31:00 AM

Here's and old school drum machine for ya. The Chamberlin Rhythmate. Title link takes you to a couple of shots saved from the *bay. Details from the auction below. Sent to me via underface. Thanks underface!

"You are bidding on a Chamberlin Rhythmate 30. It is a tape loop drum machine. Chamberlin originated the tape loop idea before the Mellotron Co. These are quite RARE! There were just over 10 manufactured along with the one you see. This model is heralded as the first drum machine ever! Read the links below for more history and background. My Chamberlin is in great working order. The exterior is in good shape other than a small piece of the covering which has chipped off of the left bottom corner (visible in the frontal pic) I had the unit serviced this past year for cleaning. It is impeccable for a unit like this. It has 14 tape loops with a sliding head that allows you to play different tracks on each piece of tape, or a blending in between of them. It contains a volume and a pitch/speed control and also has a seperate amplifier with bass, treble, and volume controls and an input jack for a guitar, mic. or other instrument. The tape loops are of real acoustic jazz drum kits playing different style beats with some additives to tracks such as bongos, clave, castanets, etc. It sounds amazing. I have used it on 2 records myself! With the speed control you can cover all the bases. This is like selling my left arm but, I have fallen short of fortune recently and must part ways with it. This is going to make a great Christmas present for someone. Own a functional and rare piece of musical history. Good Luck and Merry Christmas to all you bidders. Please give it a good home. (see links below) http://www.mellotron.com/chamanu.htm http://www.roth-handle.nu/instruments/drummachines_chamberlin.htm http://www.broadwaymusicco.com/beatbox3.htm http://www.hollowsun.com/vintage/chamberlin/ http://www.haddock.org/directory/?i=12425"

at 12/23/2005 10:30:00 AM

Jose Sogo Flores just sent me a demo of the Acess Virus Ti covering that CS80 Vangelis sound. It's interesting that this is actually coming from the Acess Virus Ti. Title link takes you there - look for the demo with Vangelis in the title. Thanks Jose!

at 12/23/2005 09:25:00 AM

Technos Acxel Resynthesizer up on the bay. Title link takes you to the shots and I grabbed the text below, before it goes to *bay limbo. In via reader Rasmus. Thanks Rasmus!

"Only 39 Axcels [sic] were ever made - and those who own an Acxel (ACoustic + X + ELement) hold on to them - proved by the fact that it is very, very rare that an Acxel is for sale. The last, and probably the only, time an Acxel was offered on Ebay were 2003. If I remember correctly, the starting bid was USD10,000 that time.

Imagine drawing waveforms, 128-stage envelopes, base pitches and amplitudes (the user interface allows editing of 32 base pitches/amplitudes at the same time, like an 32 track pitch and audio mixer, with a discreet “page” for each group of 32 oscillators, or ISC’s – Intelligent Synthesis Cells, as they are called in the Technos terminology), and other sound parameters with your finger - and have 256 intelligent, digital oscillators follow your every creative move in real-time. Imagine creating a monophonic sound with 256 oscillators, 8 multitibral voices with 32 oscillators each or any combination in sections of 32 oscillators.

CLICK FOR MORE »