Clap Trap Fap

This one via Loscha, via this auction.

"Music Aid (Simmons) Claptrap

Super rare and highly collectable. 100% analogue circuitry!

This was made sometime in the 1970s by the company that was to become Simmons (famous for their digital percussion instruments).

I have never actually seen another one of these, and certainly not on ebay. I think Mouse on Mars have one.

Can be triggered from just about anything (see rear panel). I was triggering it from a TR-808 and MPC 3000 no problems.

Please note: it does not do 'realistic' handclaps. It is an analogue machine, so if freaky analogue percussive noises are your bag then this is the box for you. It is capable of all maner of classic Rolandesque snares, crashes etc aswell."

Title of post also curteousy of Loscha. Thanks Loscha!

Electroplankton Fun on YouTube

Published on Feb 21, 2006 danbhala

"Me playing electroplankton and also playing a melodica put throught a boss gt6 guitar fx pedal. Some vocal samples from myself too with the aid of the ds!"

This one via Martin Neumann. More on Electroplankton: 1, 2, 3. Thanks Martin!

Bob Cash's Keyboards and Synthesizers

Bob actually sent me an email to let me know he put up some super hi resolution shots of the Oxford Synthesizer Company's OSCar. He said these are "most-likely these pictures are the best most folks will ever get to see of an OSCar." Yep... I think he might be right. These are really nice shots. Title link takes you there, including more shots of his studio and bigger shot of the one in this post. Thanks Bob!

EMS Synthi Hi-Fli Guitar Synth

Title link takes you to shots pulled from this auction. Details:

"Legendary and very rare guitar synthesiser, designed by David Cockerell, and launched in 1973. As used by David Gilmour, Steve Hackett, Pete Cosey, and Chemical Brothers, to name a few. Serviced by EMS in Cornwall in 2004, when they fitted the envelope bypass modification. Unfortunately the stand is long gone, but the unit is in good condition (considering it’s age), and full working order. Took me a year to come round to the idea of selling it, but I don’t use it anymore, and this unit doesn’t deserve to end up gathering dust on a shelf. Please contact me if you’ve got any questions."

Via fabmass. Thanks fabmass!

Infant Noise

Looking for an MFB in the US? Infant Noise has 'em. Rumor has it this is Geoff Farr's new distribution channel. He was the US distributor for Waldorf, Access, Cwejman back in the day.

Francios Breant - Credits - New Flickr Shot

flickr by AdamVandenberg. This is the credits to the shot in the last post, done with the Apple II according to the caption. Check out the synth list.

Also check out this Dick Hyman Moog album cover.

Voyeur Extra-Lucide - Francois Breant - New Flickr Shot

flickr by AdamVandenberg.

See Sound - New Flickr Shot

flickr by larskflem.

[AH] Plan B Model10 Polyphonic Envelope

"Yo to all.

Over the past few weeks, the EAR consortium folk have been busily developing
a custom performance system for a band some of you may have heard of - their
acronym being very close to the number which falls between 8 and 10.

While this instrument was being conceived, it was obvious that some product
development would be required as essential components from what we
considered to be a complete system were missing from our stable.

Not all of these new devices will be released to market as they are highly
specialized, not so much in function but more due to their
configuration...but many will be released, and I I'm happy to announce that
the first of these - The Plan B Polyphonic Envelope.

Polyphonic? whu?

Go here to have a look:

http://www.ear-group.com/model_10.html

The Model 10 should be available at our dealers in about a month's time,
therebouts.

Keep your eyes on the EAR site over the next couple of weeks as more devices
born from this development effort are brought to market...especially from
the Livewire line.

More Plan B News:

Quick updates on other Plan B new product development efforts - The Model 14
Dual Processor should be available in three or so weeks The PCBs are in, as
are the components, we are waitng for faceplates. The Model 16 Spectral
Multiplexer and Model 23 Analog Shift Register are in the PCB design stage -
prototype designs for both have been finalized. The Model 18 Milton's -
steady progress is being made in the programming - this instrument is on
time for an early summer release - pots and tactile switch have been ordered
(many), with the Model 16 Output Processor will be coming quickly after
that.

Please do not respond to this email directly as I cannot read mail sent to
this account. However, feel free to contact me at the address listed below.

best,

- P
_________________
Peter Grenader
w: http://www.ear-group.com
e: peter[]ear-group.com
p: 818 761 9906"

SynthSpins! on SynthSights

I'm happy to announce that the SynthSights audio blog, SynthSpins! is here.

SynthSights is a mailing list for people that use synthesizers to make music. The interesting spin on the list is that "it's not about the gear." It's a great list with a myriad of discussions on technique, style and well, just about anything as long as it's not about gear.

Not too long ago Jim Aikin, former senior editor of Keyboard magazine, joined the list and asked people what they did to get their music heard. The usual range of replies came back from playing shows to hosting websites with their music. I thought, hmm... This is all great but what will keep people coming back and... what do we all have in common? Then it clicked. Why not have a Synth Sights audio blog or podcast. Members could submit their music with links to their websites and people could subscribe and hear what people on the list are doing. I threw out the idea, people discussed the idea and ultimately we decided to do it. Four of us got together to work on it.

The moderator and owner of the list Cikira directed us, Doug Wyatt of Sonosphere developed the interface and feed for the audio blog, and Paul Maddox of Modulus Electronics, home of the MonoWave, and host of the SynthSights website, revamped the look and feel of the site. Me? I just kind of sat around and said, "uh-huh, yeah, cool... gotta go post something on Matrixsynth!" : ) Well, in truth I did some of the verbiage.

Title link takes you there. When you get there, click on the "Listen to us" link on the left to get to the SynthSpins! audio blog. I've also added it to my blog roll on the right. BTW, don't forget to check out the member pages for some mass gear p*rn.