MATRIXSYNTH

Roger Powell Clinic

flickr by E-sus
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"Roger Powell conducting Moog synthesizer clinic April 1975."

Rendering of the MOTM-730 VC pulse divider

via My Synthesis Technology MOTM Analog Modular Synth

"The STEPPED output is an 8-level rising sawtooth (starting at 0V and going positive). The 4/O/5 switch is the step size. It is not calibrated, but "close enough for rock". The 2 prototypes were within 4mv of 'correct'. You can always use a FM attenuator to 'dial in' if you want.

Production/delivery in late August. Just doing all the CAD work now and handed off, still concentrating on getting the backlog shipped. I made quite a dent this week, shipped 17 orders and finished the MOTM-420 kits. Next up: MOTM-190s."

moog 960 sequencer (www.synthorama.com)

YouTube via emssynthi100

"moog sequencer cabin with two 960,961 and one 962 modules. the cabinet used to belong to tangerine dream modified by project elektronik. i just got them and dont know much about the mods"

Roland JD-800 + Yamaha DX-7 + Oberheim Matrix-1000 + TR-707

YouTube via retrosound72

"vintage synth demo track by RetroSound

sweeping pad sounds: Roland JD-800
sample/hold bass sequence: Oberheim Matrix-1000 (played with the DX-7 II)
digital fx sounds: Yamaha DX-7 II FD
drums: Roland TR-707

Unfortunately it came by the youtube sound compression to a few unwanted digital noises in the sound."

Korg Z1 | demo (2 of 2) by syntezatory.prv.pl

YouTube via Jexus. follow-up to this post.

"1997 Korg Z-1. All sounds programmed by WC Olo Garb. Video editing by WC Olo Garb. ||| Syntezatory.prv.pl Videos: showing you not what a synthesizer can do, but what a man can do with a synthesizer.

Note that in some patches I use aftertouch (the force applied while depressing the keys as a modulation source) - that's why the sound changes even though it seems that nothing is really being done to the synth in terms of control."

First Sequential Improvisation

YouTube via angelometz
"The Q960 sequencer arrived today! Incredible machine. Very complex. My first atempt at sequential improvisation."

Groove Electronics Oratron

images via this auction
"# Description -
Really about as rare as youre ever going to get, this, so far as im aware, or anyones been able to tell me, is the *only* oratron in existance.

The story, so far as i gather, is that Groove Electronics (maker of the various midi interfaces, but more famously, the Stinger) got so far as advertising the Oratron in the music press of the time, and then promptly went bust!

This is what ive been told (although noones actually been able to furnish me with a copy of any advert - id be interested to see one, if anyone has one?) but it sounds about right.

This one was a factory prototype (i assume) accquired by me from someone who accquired it from Johnny Marr. He, im told, was given it, as he used to live by the Groove HQ when all this was going on. Again thoug i have no proof! : (

# Item specifics
What it is is a vocal synthesiser, based around the General Instrument SP0256 chip, which, I'm lead to believe, is somewhat different from the usual 'speech chip' type of approach.

When opened up, you can clearly see groove's usual method of doing things - a modified m2cv board (as per the stinger, which i also have one of : ) and an additional custom board with the synthesis chip on it.

The top interface has grooves usual "binary plus one" programming procedure, allowing midi channel to be set, etc. but hints at some other more interesting functions such as sequencing individual phonems into phrases, which ive never got to work (it may be me, it may have failed, or it may have never been inplamented at all!) There are some stored phrases though, which ive never been able to edit or overwrite - such things as "Welcome to Groove Electronics", "I am not a man, i am an Oratron", some others, and a curious one, which, i guess may have been some private joke of the time "Can i pop your lemon?"

Midi triggering of phonems is entirely functional, with the machine responding nicely to the bend wheel, and this is how ive used it. I should provide some samples really, but, in description, dont think of the sort of glitchy cut-up sound youve heard from so many circuit bent speak and spells. Think much more gutteral 'throat-singing' type effects. But, yes, i should try and record some and post it... "

x0xb0x tb-303 clone

images via this auction.
"# Description -
"The x0xb0x is not just another MIDI-controlled TB-303 clone. x0xb0x is a full reproduction of the original Roland synthesizer, with fully functional sequencer. The sequencer can be programmed just like the original 303 (ok its actually a little easier, we think) and can be used to control other synthesizers via any of its various output formats. 128 banks of track memory and 64 banks of pattern memory are stored in onboard EEPROM, no battery-backup is needed! " (www.ladyada.net)

# Item specifics
Assembled by www.thebeast.co.uk (hence by someone who knows some stuff about 303s... ; ) this x0xb0x is spotless.

It was built with all the correct components (ie original 2SC536F etc, not cheap modern substitutes!). Its fully tested, fully working. Tuned as per 303 service docs, and the most recent firmware uploaded. The usb is tested and working, connection to the c0ntr0l ap. 100% functional, etc. etc.

About as close to perfect as ever comes up for sale, this machine has not been messed with or modified in any way."

PLAN B ELF Series Pricing

via Peter Grenader of PLAN B

"The pricing of the ELF products have been finalized:

Model 23 Analog Shift Register: $165
Model 36 Leveler: $60
Model 37 LFO: $160
Model 38 ADSR: $130
Model 38A ADSR Expander: $55
Model 39 Wave Splicer: $100
Model 40 Headphone Preamp: $75

They will be shipping in late June, possibly early July depending on
the ramp-up time of the first production lot.

The Plan B site will be updated to include product pages for the ELF
series within the next week and preorders will be available through the Noisebug site within the next two weeks."