Synthesizers.com Oscilloscope Lissajous demonstration

YouTube via AndySquirrel. Sent my way via Tim.

SH-5 Tune up

YouTube via CropDusters. Sent my way via Tim.

Micro Live - Computer Music in 1985

I previoiusly posted about Micro Live in this post. Looks like it's made it's way onto YouTube via analoghell. Sent my way via Tim.

Vangelis on BladeZone

via BladeZone where you will find the full article.

"A tremendously gifted yet private man, it was Vangelis, along with a handful of other musicians, who almost single-handedly brought about the acceptance of electronic music as it's own distinct art form. This feature is an attempt to analyze the creative process employed by Vangelis when recording the famous soundtrack for Ridley Scott's Blade Runner, and to try and give a brief insight into the unique manner in which he went about creating and recording the music that he produced during this time, when the digital samplers and music-making equipment that we take for granted today had not even been invented, and the creation of electronic-based music was a much more hands-on process."

"One of the major reasons why the Blade Runner soundtrack still sounds so modern and innovative to this day was the choice of instruments used to create the music, and the way Vangelis would combine acoustic and electronic sounds to create highly original, evocative sound textures - for example, the combination of orchestral percussion instruments and ubiquitous sweeping synth lines heard over the opening titles, played on Vangelis' favourite ever synth, the Yamaha CS80, which provided most of the solo synth lines heard in "Blade Runner", including the expressive, harmonica-like sound featured on "Blade Runner Blues" and "BR Main Titles". The Yamaha CS80 was one of the first ever polyphonic analogue synths to become commercially available, and was a serious beast, weighing in at around 210 pounds!!! Vangelis was introduced to the CS80 at a trade fair in 1977, and was tremendously excited by the possibilities it offered, but arranged to have one on loan for a few weeks before deciding whether to spend the necessary £4850 (the 'CS80's asking price at this time)! The equivalent cost today would be around £26,000. During this period, Vangelis recorded the "Spiral" album (released 1977), which featured the CS80 on every track. Shortly after, he imported a CS80 from Japan in order to bypass the six-month UK waiting list, and the synth arrived in London after a mammoth train journey through Russia. Vangelis eventually went on to buy another SEVEN CS80s, some of which were for concerts, while others were just for spare parts."

via Tim Peters. You can see some of that Blade Runner magic in this clip:

Green Waldorf Microwave

Title link takes you to shots pulled from this auction.

LennarDigital's Sylenth1

"Sylenth1 is a virtual analog synthesizer that takes the definitions of quality and performance to a higher level. Until now only very few software synthesizers have been able to stand up to the sound quality standards of hardware synths. Sylenth1 is one that does."

Title link takes you to more info including samples.

Frederic Gerchambeau

Title link takes you to Project, a page dedicated to some music by Frederic Gerchambeau. The B side is done entirely on a Yamaha SY-77. The A side primarly features the SY-77 along with other synths. Make sure to check out the stories behind the music when you get there. The A side is mostly timbral soundscapes. Really good atmospheric stuff. The B side is more melodic and showcases the SY-77.

"The thing is I have a strong fascination in albums recorded with a single synthesizer, such as “Switched on the Bach” from Walter Carlos (well, Wendy Carlos now…). I am always happy to know that people who recorded a whole album with a single and unique keyboard have obviously tried to explore any of its performances. I think this attitude leads to a more complete and thoughtful work rather than using a lot of different keyboards but just using their preset sounds. So Here we are, “Computed skies” is my first own album, a part of my “studies of the Yamaha SY-77”. Maybe one day, I may offer you a “recital of Emu Proteus 2000” or a “symphony for Yamaha CX-5m”, who knows …"

Very cool. Thanks Frederic!

Steve Roach

Via Eric:

"Steve Roach performed last night [9/23]in Tucson, Arizona. Steve played material from his recent release "Proof Positive" on guitar, synth and several sizes of didgeridoo while visuals from from his DVD 'Kairos' as well as images from other artists were shown. Here's my best photo from the show. Here's a link to Steve's web page on the concert."

"He's been doing ambient/electronic music for the last 25 years or so. Here's a link to an article about him in Electronic Musician from last year."

Alan Wilder in 1991

EMU Emulator III and Roland System 700 and 100m Modulars in the background. Unfortunately the modulars are not played. Via Eric. Depeche Mode

Pooh Wants a Virus

Just another shot from this set.