New Order Synth List

click here for New Order's equipment list over the years. Note the list is not complete.

snip:

| Equipment listed in an interview with New Order in the March
| 1985 issue of Electronics & Music Maker:
|
| Seq Circuits Pro One
| Powertran Transcendent 2000 w/ Powertran 1024 Seq
| ARP Omni
| ARP 2600 w/ ARP Seq
| Simmons SDS2
| ARP Quadra
| Moog Source
| Boss Dr Rhythm
| Prophet 5 w/ Seq Circuits PolySequencer
| Oberheim DMX
| Emu Emulator
| Octave Plateau Voyetra

Nord Wave Now Officially Shipping

via Clavia. Follow up to this post. It looks like the Nord Wave is now shipping.

"The Nord Wave is built on a legacy of making virtual analog synthesizers for almost 15 years. Virtual means “not physically existing as such but made by software to appear to do so”. Nord synthesizers are digital, but behave, feel and sound like analog synthesizers. An analog oscillator is limited to generating a few basic waveforms, and though we can add LFOs, EGs, and different filter types to make the patch more complex, the foundation of the sound is limited to what the oscillator can produce. Think of it like a highway - you don’t get more lanes by adding lots of access ramps. On the Nord Wave we have not only added a fast lane, but rebuilt the entire highway into a roller coaster. The magic is in the Wave’s oscillators, which produce far more than standard analog waveforms. This is a concept we have been working on since the first Nord Lead synthesizer introduced in 1995, and currently includes: - Traditional analog waveforms such as Square, Triangle, Saw and Sine; - Frequency Modulation, or FM-synthesis, generating very complex and metallic waveforms; - Wavetables: single cycle waveforms with large variations in tonal character; - Sampled waves: Sampled acoustic instruments turned into wavetables with the attack portion of the sample intact; - User replaceable samples: standard .wav-files used as oscillator sources in a virtual analog environment; Filters are great for shaping your sound. We have included not only the basic filter types, but some really interesting multimode filters as well, including a Comb filter and formant filter. The ultimate form of sound-shaping, though, is Morphing: the ability to assign multiple sound parameters, each with custom ranges, to a single performance controller, such as the modulation wheel or a control pedal. It is a very intuitive and extremely powerful feature (just the way we like it), and will change not only your playing but also your approach to sound design. Featuring the ability to use any type of sampled waveforms, the Nord Wave is a sample player and an analog synthesizer in one - and anything in between. Like driving a Ferrari Enzo on the open Autobahn, tangible response and brilliant sound just can’t be described in words - you just have to experience it. More information at the Product pages."

class of 1982

flickr by nakedintruder.


"identifying information redacted - full announcement on thursday or friday"

The Harvestman mystery module.

John Bowen Solaris Test Drive by Carbon111

via Carbon111, via this VSE thread where you will find more images and info.

"I was privileged today to have given John Bowen's Solaris a test drive in my studio! Though its not quite finished yet and there are some re-designs in progress, I can honestly say its a programmer's as well as a player's dream!

It sounds absolutely wonderful and is very powerful! It took a few minutes for the interface to sink in, but once it did...wow! Flexible, deep and yet relatively easy to program due to the excellent UI despite the huge number of available parameters and choices. Most parameters are not buried in menus and are easy to access and tweak.

There are a ton of audio-rate modulations available on this thing, none of which generate any artifacts or aliasing at all...lots of FM possibilities, linear as well as exponential. The Moog-style filter was as warm and squelchy as one could want and could be run in other modes besides LP! The "Obie" clone was a good state-variable emulation. The oscillators were plentfull in both quantity and variety. Each patch has a unique architecture, essentially a massively parallel yet integrated "multi" unto itself.

I was suprised at how organic and non-digital it sounded! A one-on-one "taste test" against my analog gear proved this thing has that elusive low-end "beef". Its no slouch as a complex wavetable synth either, holding its own easily against my Waldorf Microwave XT and Ensoniq Fizmo.

You can do FM, physical modeling, subtractive, wavetable and vector synthesis on it as well as the warmest VA I've yet heard.- I'm really blown away! Time to start saving...or figuring out what will have to go"

Also check out the official John Bowen Synth Design.

Some specs via this thread on the John Bowen Synth Design Forum (BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE THREAD FOR MORE including clarifications):
"The hardware Solaris has the equivalent of approximately 6 Scope boards (the 14 DSP cards), so 6 x 14 = 84 Scope generation DSPs - but remember, you would have to be running your Scope Project at 96 kHz as well...

We have lots of software to finish, so I can't report exactly as to the polyphony count, but here are some of the other specs:

CLICK FOR MORE »

ConBrio ADS200 lightshow

ConBrio ADS200 lightshow II

YouTubes via bdufdiskc. via Brandon Daniel in the comments of this post.

"Control panel lightshow on a ConBrio ADS200 digital FM/Additive synthesizer, taken at the 10th Vintage Computer Festival" Listen closely and you will hear that it has 64 notes of polyphony with 16 oscillators per note. This means you could have up to 1024 oscillators at once back in 1978 or shortly after. :)

For those that want real audio, word from an anonymous reader is that it is not 100% yet, so there was no audio actually coming from the synth - just recordings playing in the background.

Update via Devo in the comments:
"Just wanted to clarify... The sound that was heard of the Con Brio at the VCFX this weekend WAS indeed coming from the synth itself. It is true that the synth isn't 100% functional (yet), but the parts that need to be made "whole" still, are the connection from the keyboards to the "brain" (mostly), which will be sorted out soon, hopefully. The sounds that were heard consisted of existing sequences on the original 8" floppys, coupled with existing sound-patches from the same orig. disks (of which, the OS is derived). BTW: the Con Brio sounds as good (or, dare I say, BETTER) than it looks. Awesome! I hope this info helps. Much kudos to all (past and present) involved! "

Oscope with modular soundtrack

YouTube via bdufdiskc.
"Everything you hear is being generated by the modular, including the clock timing and the waveform on the scope.

It's also a pretty good demo of what the Analogue Systems delay can do, as much of what you're hearing is a single snare hit into the delay whose time is being modulated by the doepfer sequencer.

Longer, higher quality mp3 of the sound you hear is here:
http://www.fdiskc.com/aud/RS290.mp3"

Zyklus Mps midi sequencer

YouTube via fizzydiodes. via fizzydiodes on the Matrixsynth Forum.
"Zyklus Mps midi sequencer ROUGH demo !"
Update: link to pdf of manual via dlmorley.
Update via esaruoho in the comments: "AnalogGuy has posted a 3 part video on YouTube with the original Zyklus Demotape:" posted here

isotopeofme

click here for more pics, audio and video. via poictesme on the Matrixsynth Forum.
Note the classic "Lately Bass" preset on the Yamaha TX81Z.

Women That Play Synths

click here for the set via jeff.

Follow up to this post.

77 - Bowzer Zunday (Korg Electribe EMX-1 + Kaoss Pad)

YouTube via atishmeh.
"Went overboard w/ the looping feature on the Kaoss pad again...It's so fun though. Korg Electribe EMX-1 Kaoss Pad"

MOOG Synthesizer Amplifier

images via this auction.

"The unit comes in three pieces, the amp, the main cab and the midrange horn. Included are the front enclosures for all three as well as the rear enclosure for the power amp with the attached spring reverb unit."

Sequential Circuits Six-Trak

images via this auction

"The Sequential Circuits Six-Trak is a classic instrument from the 1980's -- the first multi-timbral"

If correct Sequential Circuits can lay claim to the following:
Prophet-5: 1st Programmable Polyphonic Synth with a microprocessor to save patches.
Prophet-600: 1st MIDI synth
Six-Trak: 1st multi-timbral synth

Moog Little Phatty Demo with Tony

YouTube via acaruso36.

Sequential Circuits Split-Eight

flickr by Ricardipus (click for more).

TI Touch and Tell

via epinastyelektronix on the Matrixsynth Forum. You can find more of his work including a bent Alesis HR16 and samples here.

SCREAM 2007: ANALOGLIVE!

"The program for SCREAM: Analoglive!, November 16th at the Redcat Theater in the Disney Music Hall in Los Angeles, is as follows:

Gary Chang: Sanctuaries: Faith (2007)

Chas Smith: The Ghosts on the Windows (2007)*

Richard Devine: Captract (2004)

[intermission]

Alessandro Cortini: Paris 1 (2006)*

Thighpaulsandra: The Aborted Ascension Of Angel Assassins (2007)*

Peter Grenader: The Secret Life of Semiconductors (2003)

*Denotes a premiere. Gary Chang's 'Sanctuaries: Faith' was part of his summer performance tour in Europe 2007. Richard Devine's 'Captract' is from his 2004 Schematic Records release 'asect/dsect' and Grenader's ' Secret Life of Semiconductors', in which only Part 4 will be presented, was originally written for and performed by the Odin Dance Company in 2003.

The performance will be heavily documented - photographed and filmed - with both posted at a future date on the EAR site and of course MATRIXSYNTH.

For more information or to purchase tickets, go here: http://redcat.org/season/0708/mus/scream.php"

Girls and Their Synths

Click here for more. via swissdoc.

Waldorf Q+

image via the-Music-House.

via swissdoc

Modular Rack

Click here for more images via Digitizer including a nice studio shot.

Casio Keyboard CZ-101 (1986)

YouTube via XippVid. via Shepitology. Don't miss this video.

Roland PG-200

images via this auction. This one is being touted as old new stock. via this VSE thread. The poster on VSE is gilwe.

"The PG-200 is the programmer to be used with Roland JX3P, MKS-30 and GR-700. The history of this specific item begins in the 80s, when a local guy who wanted to start a keyboard shop made a large order from Roland for analog equipment. However, his idea seemed to fail, and he had to sell most of the equipment privately over the years. Then it came to me that the guy had a few PG-200 units left. I had the chance to get them, and decided to put this one for sale on ebay"

Con Brio Desktop

Nice wallpaper created from the shot of the previous post. It was posted in the comments via Dave. I just liked the way it looks with Roland's The Synthesizer next to it.

misc modular

flickr by dannybosten

click here for mouse over descriptions of each module. You can click on the All Sizes link after that for a larger shot.

Module list includes:
mfb 601
MOTM 120
Doepfer A-155, A-174, A-102
Roland 100m 112
Roland TR606 modded
Doepfer A-156
PAiA 9730 VCF
DIY 4017-based sequencer
PAiA M2CV8
Acetone FR Rythmbox Soundboard module
Coron Synth Drum modded
Blacet Dart Star Noise Voice

Con Brio Pics

click here for more pics via Stephen Jones. Follow up to this post.

Casio SA1 + Novation A Station Glitchy Stuff

YouTube via shotmillions.
"A Casio SA1 going through a novation a station making some crazy crappy sounds..."

Mc09 vs Jomox Xbase 09 - Electronic Groove boxes

YouTube via massivebeatzz (click for more).
"Massivebeatz shows Roland's Mc09 monophonic synthsusing it's multitrack sample engine to duplicate tracks, synced with Jomox Xbase 09 Analog Drum Box."

Multivox MX-880

images via this auction

"The Multivox MX-880 is known as a preset monophonic analog synthesizer with a 3-octave, 37-note (C-C) keyboard with aftertouch. Although it is a preset synth by definition, it has 22 knobs and sliders which can override the preset values. As far as I know this analog synth was made late early to mid 1970 's. Some of its features were obviously taken from some of the Roland models that were made at that time, and the Filters on the Multivox MX - 880 are strikingly similar to the Moog filters. (rumored to have been identical)

Comments About the Sounds:
This synth can produce major electronic bleeps, sweeps, harsh noises, as well as mellow, moody, ethereal pads. Even if you don't know anything about synthesizer programming the layout of the controls makes it a breeze to customize the sounds to your taste."

Roland Juno-60

images via this auction

SMS Mars

images via this auction
"Synthetic Music Systems M.A.R.S. (Modular Analog Rackmount Synthesizer) Synthesizer voice. In excellent condition, with just a couple of scratches from rack mounting. Currently $599 new at AnalogueHaven. Includes a homemade eurorack patch panel for bringing up to 8 patch points around the front of your eurorack system. (You'll need to come up with a hole in the back of your eurorack. Includes manual and cord (not
shown) and will ship in the original box. It's about 8 months old. The moog type filter sounds particularly nice, and both the filter and VCA can be overdriven for a nice warm sound.

The Mars (Modular Analogue Rack Synthesizer) is a highly versatile music synthesizer and forms the core of the SMS modular system. As a stand-alone unit it can create the sounds associated with analogue synthesizers: silky smooth filter sweeps, squealing lead lines and deep rumbling basses. Its open-ended architecture has been carefully designed for expansion. The front panel controls allow the five synthesizer circuits (VCLFO, VCO, VC, VCA, ENV) within the the MARS to be isolated; the jacks on the rear panel allow signal and modulation routing to be configured to your specification, allowing for true modular synthesis. The Mars 1u rack synth has 16 knobs on the front panel and 21 patchpoints on the back."

Yamaha CS80

images via this auction. Check out the over-the-shoulder tote bag. You can see the Yamaha CS80 is in it. There's a shot of the user and service manual as well as the CS series brochure in the set.

Creamware Scope Pulsar II with Pro-One

images via this auction

"This is a Creamware Pulsar II (equivalent to the Project PCI card). It comes with the Pro One synth, and 7 premium Digital Audiosoft Plugins:

Dynpara MS For manipulating Mid/Side Audio
DAS-2A Premium Vintage Compression
DAS-1610++ Surgical Opto Compressor
RMX 160A Based on the legendary Reverb Unit
Polteq Based on the famous Pultec
A 550 EQ Based on the Vintage API EQs
N 1084 EQ Based on the popular Neve EQ

This card is also a standalone soundcard with a Classic (RCA style) interface with MIDI inputs and Audio In/Out. It comes bundled with various effects (other than those already mentioned above), offers the best sounding DSP synths and classic synth emulations, and allows for easy routing possibilities that other soundcards just can't match.

Creamware DSP systems can be expanded to 3 cards, offering more power and flexibility. You can also purchase an upgrade to the latest version of Scope (4.5) on the creamware website and add plugins to your arsenal.

Go to: www.creamware.com to get more information on the project card, additional software, and the Classic interface."

MOOG System 55

currently up for auction on VEMIA.

"The 55 has had a couple of sequencer knobs (one wrong, one cracked) replaced since the photo."

Update via an anonymous reader:
"This originally came from the RTB in Charleroi (Belgium) (Belgian Radio Television Station),where Felix Visser has obtain it by doing an super deal,in fact he has swaped an Ensoniq Mirage sampler for the moog ! Lol! The man that accepted the deal still works there and is up today still pointed with the finger… It was one of the last moog 55 batches I think and they almost never has used it. So this is an very good condition 55 (electronically)"

EMS Synthi AKS

currently up for auction on VEMIA.

This Synthi has the following mods:
"Modifications include 3-way sync switches for OSC 1 & 2, a high/low range switch for OSC 3, a portamento knob for when it is being run by the sequencer, and a normal / one-shot envelope switch."

Synton rackmount VCF 917

currently up for auction on VEMIA.

techno maiko

via hamilton

Edirol MIDI controller and little folded paper geisha.

PPG 360 on Aliens Project

click here for the PPG 360 page on Aliens Project. At the bottom of the page you will find some samples. via Mr. Array in the comments of this post.

The Musichouse Utrecht

click here for the flickr set by 37Hz.

"Visiting the number one synth shop in The Netherlands on October 27th, 2001."

Modulation of the filter of Ems Avs on "One the Run"

YouTube via deb7680 (click for more videos).
"Tutorial: an example of the interest to control the filter with the button of trapezoidal of the envelope. The test was carried out with the file midday of "One the Run" of Pink Floyd. The patch takes support on the preset bass 3 for the reading or the recording midi. The parameters of the filter were only modified."

The Moog Modular V2 singing - Le Moog chantant

YouTube via deb7680. via Nusonica.

moog emsa x-y controllers and CEMS cabinet

flickr by independentsoundandvisi on. Click through for more shots. To see to see the full size, click on the All Sizes link for each when you get there.

Click here for more info on the CEMS.

Update: see this post for more info on the x-y controllers. These are also part of the VEMIA auction.

Andor Digital Analog Wavetable Look-up Synth by Michael Dunn

"A music synthesizer module I designed ~1979. A cool digital/analogue hybrid that can generate either audio signals or envelopes using a 256-sample lookup table. To generate the table, it interfaces to either a computer, or to an XY panel I built (not shown) using four linear pots."

You can see more projects by Michael Dunn here. Anyone know what the first wavetable synth was?

Devi Ever : Effector13 - Drilling

YouTube via wwwEFFECTOR13com.
"http://www.deviever.com/"

Roland Juno-106 Analog Synthesizer (part2)

YouTube via retrosound72. Part 1 here.
"Some self-made retro-sounds from the Roland Juno-106. The Juno sound is awesome! Very, very bassy! more info: www.retrosound.de"

KORG PS900 preset synthesizer demo

YouTube via chechimusic.

10 step LED sequencer

Youtube via salamanderanagram.
"An LED sequencer circuit I built and modified to trigger the drum pads on a Yamaha DD5, allowing you to program your own beats and control the tempo. diagram and tutorial are at circuitbent dot wikispaces dot com in the advanced bending section."

SEX1000

flickr by RonnieJames Dior.

Jen SX1000

full size

Curtis Electromusic - CES

"Curtis Electromusic Specialties was founded in 1979 for the purpose of providing the manufacturers of electronic musical instruments and their accessories with the best possible design solutions. Initial projects included the design of custom integrated circuits for Oberheim Electronics and Arp Instruments. While continuing to consult with such companies, Curtis Electromusic developed a unique and versatile microprocessor controlled synthesizer using the first of our custom IC’s, the Lin-Log Synthesizer.

As a natural extension of these projects, Curtis Electromusic Specialties began to expand the line of music synthesizer “chips.” Much effort was spent developing novel circuit design techniques to not only overcome the deficiencies of presently available IC’s, but to do so with significantly fewer integrated components and hence in a smaller chip size. The result: a new standard of high performance available to the manufacturers of electronic musical instruments at the lowest possible cost. The first product, the CEM3310 quickly found its way into designs by Oberheim Electronics and Moog Instruments.

For applications that could not be fulfilled by the CES standard products, the company offered proprietary technology for custom IC design. Thus, the manufacturer was always assured of receiving custom devices with better performance and lower cost than available from any other source."

click here for the website. There is a list of all synths that used the CEM, a bio on Doug Curtis, Data Sheets and more.

via Dave.

Three passes

YouTube via IranContras.
"Four chords played three times on a Moog Opus 3, filtered by a Moog Rogue and mangled by a Tech 21 Comptortion."

Vermona Synthesizer

images via
this auction
click the images for full size shots.

Original MOOG Synthesizer Stickers from the 70's

via
this auction
"Original MOOG Stickers from the late 70's ~ early 80's

From a batch of stuff I bought from a guy in Buffalo NY many years ago

One of the more "rare" Big 12" x 5" Gold MOOG sticker...suitable for framing!

15ea...yes Fifteen...of the standard 2.5" x 7" black + white stickers as seen on some MiniMoog and other Moog Synthesizers and their cases back in the day

excellent unused condition."