MATRIXSYNTH

New AtomoSynth's Abyssal

"This is the "Abyssal" analog photo-noise-machine & oscillating-filter
This synth features one square and saw waveform VCO (voltage controlled oscillator) with a huge pitch range, from subsonic to ultrasonic sound controlled by a big photocell (pitch control) allowing to play it like a photo Theremin.
One square and triangle waveform LFO (low frequency oscillator), that can modulate the VCO for the vibrato effect creating arcade Atari-like sounds; and also can modulate the filter creating a resonant tremolo effect.
One white noise generator that modulates the frequency of the VCO.
Voltage controlled vactrol filter with the classical cut off and resonance controls that produces unique, weird effects, also capable to process external audio signals.
It has a 1/4 inch audio output, 1/4 inch Line Audio Input, 1 big photocell. Also the instrument includes a red ultra bright LED tentacle to provide light for the photo cell, very useful when playing it on a dark stage.
The Abyssal synth is packed in a clear acrylic case that shows all the handmade analog circuitry.
The instrument is powered directly from 110V or 220V AC.
Dimensions: 170 mm (W), 170 mm (D), 75mm (H. included rubber feet and knobs). LED tentacle length: 500mm." See Atomosynth for more.

Playing around with Fairlight IIx and Mirage samples

YouTube via treplacements90. via Nusonica.
"Just a song I did consisting of Ensoniq Mirage and Fairlight IIx samples. The strings, piano, and pizz are from the Mirage (played from an Oberheim DPX-1). The Fairlight consists of the Arr1 sample, and a String sample at the end, as well is a sample of my voice played through the Akai s5000. The Drums are sample from a Linn LM-2. As far as the video its just me laying down the Fairlight track, some of what you hear is from the recording, some of it I redid (you'll see when the video goes out of sync). Nothing really to look at, but I thought the music would be interesting for those wanting to hear those old samplers sounds in action. The Casio I used to midi to the Akai s5000 was just for conveience sake, I do have better synths...Enjoy, let me know what you think of the track..."

Yamaha GX1

flickr by Loscha

full size

"From the pages of the Organ Blue Book 2002 - Japanese Edition!"

via Loscha. If anyone can translate this one, feel free.

KORG MS20 Painted White

images via this auction
This is the MS20 from this video and this video.

"For auction is one Korg MS-20 semi-modular two oscillator analog monophonic synthesizer with patch cables, power converter, and 4 channel Rolls passive mixer.

The MS-20 has diverse functionality even before you start altering the signal path with the patch cables. It is a two oscillator synthesizer with multiple waveforms including ring modulator, noise, triangle, saw, square, and adjustable width pulse. It features an osc mixer, portamento, and two types of tuning. Multiple forms of pitch modulation are included. The synthesizer has a resonant 12dB per octave low pass filter and a resonant 12 dB per octave high pass filter. Both filters have their own LFO and ENV modulation. The LFO (or modulation generator) has control for waveshape and frequency. Two envelopes are included with delay and hold.

The patch panel allows for more modulation possibilities and more inputs and outputs. It also contains a Sample and Hold module, an extra VCA, positive and negative envelopes, mod gen outputs, modulation inputs, and voltage and trigger inputs and outputs.

The MS-20 features an external signal processor which allows you to control the synthesizer with any audio input. This section allows for pitch to voltage conversion (allowing the pitch of the input to control the pitch of the MS-20), conversion of amplitude to envelope, conversion of peak to trigger, and other functions which allow the instrument to be played controlled by audio input... even your voice!

This particular MS-20 has seen some use. There is wear apparent upon it. Someone took the liberty of painting the back, sides, and bottom with what looks to be something like housepaint. There are no trim covers. The on/off pot could benefit from a pot nut!

Despite these alterations and minor shortcomings, this MS-20 is fully functional, and sounds great. All pots, jacks, lights, wheel, and button are fully functional.

The auction includes a Rolls MX41 passive mixer, which can be used to mix and adjust control voltages in ways that the MS-20 alone cannot provide. Use of this mixer opens a lot of possibility and variety in the sound of the MS-20! (see patch idea in picture below)

Also included is 10 patch cables for use with the MS-20 am MX41.

This MS-20 has European voltage, but a transformer for use in the United States is included!"

Roland SH-1

images via this auction

Roland TR-606

images via this auction

Roland System-100M

images via this auction

"110-140-150 in 190"

Yusynth

Synth.nl has decided to build a Yusynth DIY modular. If you are interested in reading his journey you can find Part 1 here and Part 2 here.

"The last thing we did was to spray a layer of PCB spray on the PCB's to finish them of. This prevents the copper from corroding and will make the soldering easier. We also did this outside. Luckily it was very nice weather. The sun helped the drying process quite well. You can clearly see now that the dark layer of photo sensitive material is gone. Very shiny copper now :) It even hurt my eyes when the sun was reflecting in it. If I counted correctly we did 26 PCB's the last two days." You can find more info on YuSynth here.

Music Thing: Chimera BC16 mini modular synth demo

Music Thing: Chimera BC16 mini modular synth demo from Tom Whitwell on Vimeo.
"Quick play on the Chimera BC16. Soundtrack is just random tweaking and patching, good bits edited from five minutes of noise." via Music Thing of course.