MATRIXSYNTH

Thelonious Moog

Dave M wrote in to let me know I haven't put up a post on Thelonious Moog. I did a quick search and sure enough, I haven't! Well, here it is. Title link takes you there. You will find a number of small but drool-worthy shots and the story behind the making of Thelonius Moog.

"The vintage analog synths used during this project are the key to these arrangements. Many of the stylings are a direct result or influenced by a particular synth sound or patch or rhythm. There are too many items to cover in depth, so I'll just touch on a few that were crucial to the sound of the disc.

A lot of the leads and most of the synth bass parts were done by the old standby Minimoog. A real no-brainer there. I would have to say the real "stars" were the RMI Keyboard Computer 1 (it gave its life for this recording – RIP, dear, sweet RMI, along with a Prophet Five that can actually be heard dying on Beshma Swing!), an Arp 2600, an EMS Synthi AKS, a pair of newly aquired Moog 900 series modulars, and a modular from a new analog synth company, Synthesizers.com. We also used a couple of extremely rare Buchla synths, the Music Easel, and a Series 100 modular. The goofy rhythms were supplied via an old Acetone beat box and something called a "drummer." I have to say that these pieces were the "stars," and we just played the melodies. The studio has many other traditional keyboards – piano/organs/clavinets and such – so we just threw the damn rulebook out that first night."

Creamware Prodyssey ASB - bass presets - part 1

YouTube via triumphthruxton.

"Creamware Prodyssey is a hardware replica of the ARP Odyssey with an ARP and Minimoog filter. This video shows some tweaking with the preset bass patches. We really like it! www.clickpop.net."

Miniatures 13 & 14

flickr by danmcp.

Marsona 1200

"Vintage Marsona 1200 sleep aid device. This unit is actually an analog white noise generator, such as you would find on many old analog synthesizers. The white noise is modulated to simulate rain, waterfalls, and surf. There is a knob to select between these sounds, as well as knobs to change the surf rate, surf range, tone, and volume. There is an onboard speaker, or the sound can be amplified (or run into effects pedals) through the 1/4"output. Everything is in perfect working order and the power cord is intact. This would make a nice addition to any drone/noise musician's rig, or it can help you catch some Z's."

Looks like something by danmcp or devowski.

The SBC+ Super Bus Converter Plus Version 2.0

Click here for shots via this auction. There are videos at the auction.

Details:
"00, GR-300, GR-700, GM-70, G-202, G-303, G-505, G-707, G-808, VG-88, VG-99, GI-10, GI-20, GR-30, GR-33, GR-50 and More!

The Link Between Vintage, Modern and Future Guitar Synthesizer Technology

Combines Roland US-2, US-20 and BC-13 Technology in One Rack-Mount Unit, with Internal Hex Fuzz, CV Pedal Inputs plus more!

* Use ONE Vintage Roland Guitar Controller to play Three Guitar Synths: a 24-Pin Vintage Roland Guitar Synth and two 13-Pin Modern Guitar Synthesizers
* Special GK-1 Mode for GK-1 Users
* Built-In Hex Fuzz adds G-202 Style Hex Fuzz to ANY Vintage Roland or Ibanez Guitar Synth Controller
* Dedicated Switches for 13-Pin Systems
* Interface Vintage Roland Gear with OTHER Analog Synthesizers and Control Voltage Devices.
* Footswitch Control over 24-Pin Output, 13-Pin Output, and Direct Guitar Output or Auxiliary 13-Pin Output
* Additional SW1/SW2 Latching Footswitch Assignable to Primary or Auxiliary 13-Pin Synth
* 4 Electronically Buffered Rear Panel Inputs for Control Voltage Pedals
* 6 Front Panel Control Knobs for 24-Pin String Output Levels - No Need to Adjust Tiny Trimpots for Level Control!
* 4 Front Panel Control Knobs Selectable as Control Voltage or Volume Level
* 2 Front Panel Switches for Volume and Mute Assign
* 6 Rear Panel Individual Outputs for Each String
* Individual Output for Hex Fuzz Sound
* Selectable Internal or External Hex Fuzz sound
* 13 Front Panel Function Switches
* 10 Front Panel LEDs Show Mode Status of all Control Knobs and Power Supply
* High Quality Internal Power Supply
* Rack mountable or Desktop Operation
* Elegant Design

"New to Version 2.0 are individual outputs for each guitar string. The output level is controlled by the six output control knobs on the front panel. The output of the hex fuzz is fixed. In addition to the four CV pedal inputs, Version 2.0 has a new 7-pin Mute jack. The new 7-pin jack contains both the Mute functions and S1/S2 functions. However, the 7-pin connector is backwards compatible with the Version 1.0 and 1.1 5-pin footswitches. And the S1/S2 input jack allows use of the Version 1.1 S1/S2 auxiliary footswitch that used momentary footswitches instead of the latching footswitches found on the new consolidated footswitch.

Finally, one detail note: the input on Version 2.0 has been moved to the front panel. Also, the front panel input does not include a locking ring, but an additional locking ring is included with the unit. I simply found it faster and more convenient to skip the locking ring connection on the front. The primary outputs are still on the back, but the auxiliary output is on the front.

The SBC+ V2.0 has an unprecedented level of documentation. The 81-page General Design and Construction Notes is divided into three sections: Design and Build Notes, Reference Schematics and Reference Specifications.

The first section, Design and Build Notes, explains in detail how to use the SBC+ V2.0, along with example applications. Next are four pages explaining how the circuitry actually works, related to the four pages of electronic schematics that follow. In addition there are two full page color photos of the circuit cards, followed by part layout pages identifying each part and how it is wired on the color photo pages. And then there many pages of addition notes. The second section, Reference Schematics, includes schematics of circuits used as a reference for the design of the SBC+ V2.0, such as the GK-2, the IMG2010, US-2, US-20 and more. And finally, there is the Reference Specifications section, which reproduces technical information on critical components, like the LM13700 chip used for the internal VCA, and NTE 2355 digital transistors used for muting functions.

This spiral bound technical manual is basically a collection of all my plans and notes on how I made the SBC+ V2.0. This is made available exclusively to the owner, so that they can understand how the unit works, or modify the unit if they choose. If the unit needs service, and for some reason I am unavailable, then a basic electronic technician will be able to easily repair any problems.

I modeled this reference manual after the original GR-300 service notes, that not only gave technical data, but also explained in detail how the GR-300 works in clear English."

Link to the videos while they are up.

Octave the Kitten

Title link takes you to shots via this auction.

Details:
"The Kitten is a classic analog synthesizer from 1977 (before the days of digital synths, sequencers, built-in disk drives, and MIDI cables). Manufactured by Octave as a competitor to the leading synths of the late '70s (from vendors such as Moog and ARP), this baby is a streamlined version of Octave's more powerful synth called the Cat (hence its youthful name).

The interface is very clean and friendly, thanks to its straightforward and well-labeled layout. The knobs and sliders all move well. The keys are all in great condition, as is the case, trim, and power unit. There are slight visible signs of wear over the years but the unit has no significant scratches, chips, dents, or other physical ailments.

This handy little synth is extremely useful as a lead machine. It purrs a great tune, and is awesome at space bleeps, bloops, and sound effects that are the best this side of Forbidden Planet. And what's even better is the massive sub-oscillator (actually, the two sub-octaves are independently controlled!) that fattens up the sound! We're talking serious bass here!"