Analog Notes

Title link takes you to Analog Notes, a great resource site for modular synths. The following is just an excerpt from the site.

"Modular analog synthesizers are musical instruments that are typically made up of discreet analog electrical circuits. These circuits may be mounted on individual panels, or may be grouped together in various chassis configurations.

While some manufacturers produce modules in sizes that no others make, there are three physical and electrical formats that are used by more than one module manufacturer - "Euro-Rack", the format used by Analogue Systems, Analogue Solutions, Doepfer and Plan B (with minor differences), "Frac-Rack", the format pioneered by PAiA and used by Blacet, Wiard and others, and "MOTM", used by Synth Tech and many other makers. Euro-Rack and Frac-Rack formats use 3U (5.25") of vertical space. MOTM uses 5U (8.75") of vertical space. Typically, this means that the Euro- and Frac-Rack modules use smaller knobs and jacks, while the MOTM modules use larger ones.

In general, european modules use 12v power and modules from the United States use 15v. There are exceptions, as well as some newer modules that use 5v power.

* Modular Synthesizer Comparison Chart
* Synthesizers.com form factor list

One of the biggest decisions you can make is whether to purchase full kits, parts, or pre-built modules. The main analog module kit supplier is Blacet, with a couple available from PAiA. Various parts are available from CGS (Ken Stone), Music From Outer Space, Oakley and others. Most other manufacturers sell complete modules. NOTE: Sadly, as of December 2006, Synthesis Technology will no longer provide full kits, although boards and panels should be made available in February 2007."

Yamaha SY-2

via this auction: "This was yamaha's very first entry into the synthesizer world. This keyboard came out before the popular CS series. This monophonic VCO synthesizer has 28 presets all of which can be edited, but not saved. The SY-2 comes with its original stand legs, which are inside the case (see pics). These legs screw onto the bottom of the keyboard."

Interesting coincidence this showed up after this post. Title link takes you to more shots.

SCI Prophet 600

Title link takes you to shots pulled via this auction. Note the new wood side panels from SYNTHWOOD.COM. Note the "Fluent MIDI Spoken Here" in the other shots. The Prophet 600 was the first synth with MIDI. An interesting bit of trivia on this particular unit, is according to Stephen, the seller, this was John Bowen's Prophet 600. The first synth with MIDI owned by one of the people at Sequential when it came out.

Korg VC10

- Oscillators=1 carrier+1 input
- LFO= Vibrato w/rate
- VCA=Mix level wet-dry
- Effects=ensemble
- Keys=32
- External pitch control CV input
- made from 78-82

Title link takes you to more shots via this auction.

Minimoog Flyer

via this auction.

Vintage Synth Pins

No title link. Just the shot via this auction.

Anyone know where the ARP 2500 module shot on the bottom left came from?

PPG Wave 2.2

No title link. Just the shots and details via this auction.

Details: "PPG Wave 2.2 with factory midi. The Wave 2.2 is an 8-bit wavetable synthesizer that has 32 tables each containing 64 waveforms that you can sweep through. These 64 waveforms can be changed in real time via an EG, mod-wheel, after-touch, velocity, etc. To give even more depth to the sound the two oscillators per voice can be de-tuned and filtered by the infamous SSM2044 filter chips. The PPG Wave 2.2 has a very unique and beautiful sound with no equivalent even with most recent and sophisticated machines! It can produce bright and tingly sounds that cut through a mix like a hot knife through butter. But it is also capable of smooth, glassy, ethereal pads and much more."

Morton Subotnick Live in San Fransisco

"Morton Subotnick's Until Spring Revisited is performed by Subotnick and Miguel Frasconi on three laptop computers. The performance is based on the idiosyncratic vocabulary of pulsating and sculpting gestures that the composer has developed during the last 40 years. Subotnick's software interprets the position, speed, and gestural quality of the mouse movement, as well as which keys are pressed and when they are pressed, and translates that information into musical variation and spatial motion. Two large-scale video screens display the hands of the two performers manipulating keyboard and mouse.

At the same time, Sue Costabile, photographer and light artist, improvises a video performance using a laptop, lightpad and digital video camera to build abstract, layered worlds of light and texture out of hand-painted papers, photographs and fabrics.

Asphodel and RML are pleased to present Until Spring Revisited, a full evening-length work of surround sound and projected images that together create an immersive audio and visual experience."

Two shows April 6. Title link takes you to more info. Via daddio on the AH list.

Previous Morton Subotnick posts

More Details on the Nord Wave

Title link takes you to more details recently posted on CDM. You can also find some details on sequencer.de.

High points:
Sampled waveforms: Oscillators can now use full waveforms (not single wavetables, Clavia hastens to add), while still routing through fully-analog circuitry.

Oscillator models: Virtual analog, FM, wavetable, sample-playback can be applied in combination (which I hear is all the rage these days). And you can load in custom waveforms, as well, via fully user-definable memory areas (so you can delete samples you hate). Clavia even promises it’ll offer additional, free waves on their website. An included software sample editor lets you tweak samples.

Morphing: Morph “almost any parameter” via mod wheel, expression, velocity, or pitch, with assignable “morph scenarios” and morph “timelines.”

Filters: 24db analog-modeled resonant filters, low-, high-, band-pass filters with envelope and velocity control, combinations of filter types, and formant filters.

Effects: EQ, delay with tap tempo, tube-style amp with overdrive, reverb.

Pitch stick: Clavia’s signature wooden pitch stick allows precise bend and vibrato.

Solaris and Musikmesse Shots

Another nice shot of the John Bowen Synth Design Solaris. I think this is my favorite look for the synth. This one sent my way via Laurin on Tangerine Vintage Synthesizer. You can see the complete Musikmesse gallery here.

Previous Musikmesse Posts