MATRIXSYNTH


Thursday, July 10, 2008

Kurzweil K150


via this auction

"It features real time additive synthesis with 240 oscillators, 16 voice polyphony, upwards of 240 oscillators and extensive programmability. The K150 implements a unique editing method in which you mix, combine and alter the 150's 22 resident voices and 69 preset programs. You basically manipulate sounds on a harmonic level for creating various new timbres. With extensive layering effects and abilities you can get some thick and unique sounds. There's 186 patches for memory storage and you can get up to 255 when you remove the installed sound blocks or overwrite presets.

The Fourier Synthesis (FS) is an upgrade (included in this device) to the standard K150 which allows you to define new instrument models by editing their velocities and envelopes, tuning intervals and more further expanding creative and unique sound synthesis potential.

Everything is modifiable and controllable about this synth. Pitch bending, vibrato, EQ, chorusing, polyphonic after-pressure and full 16 channel MIDI implementation with almost everything being MIDI controllable.

You can have up to 3 keyboard regions with up to 7 layers for each region for all sorts of splits/stacks/velo switches and so on. For every layer you can select one of the low-level instrument models and then globally assign controllers, set up the very flexible pitch LFO, add chorus/delay effects (not via DSP but by stacking up voices) and apply timbre shifts.
I find the parameters offered quite nice and very "musical": e.g. the response to attack velocity and the timbre is nicely adjustable - even via MIDI CCs if you like. Together with a fader box and maybe an arsenal of pedals, switches, joysticks and wheels you can do what the terminology implies: adjust an instrument to the musical context or playing style. It is really a fun to play expressively.

The sound hardware uses a 16 bit DA converter at about 20 kHz. The rolloff of the anti aliasing filter is rather smooth but the instrument models may compensate for this. Main CPU is a 10MHz 68000.

The user interface is - well - usable. The one line display and the OS have their limits but after a few days you get everywhere with a few button pushes. What leaves most other synths way behind is that all parameters are in real units: semitones, cents, dB and Hertz. This adds up to the general impression that someone was really trying to do it right.

Polyphony - 16 voices
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Oscillators - 240 osc! (sine and noise)
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LFO - Yes
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DCF - Yes
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DCA - 256 stage envelopes
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Keyboard - None (rackmount)
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Memory - 186 patches (up to 255)
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Control - MIDI (16 parts)
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Date Produced - 1986"

My Chroma is not happy - Repairing a Rhodes Chroma

A thread recently came up on the Rhodes Chroma list regarding problems storing patches. Most synths have batteries that last for years, but eventually they run out and you have to replace them. The person on the list was pointed to this thread on the excellent Rhodes Chroma Site. It's an interesting thread that goes through a few problems on a particular Chroma. I noticed the standard Duracel batteries being used. I'm curious what others think of replacing batteries on synths with them. Is it safe or are you risking the battery linking over time? I'd imagine you'd noticed before there ever was a problem as the memory would be dead beforehand, however, if you don't play the synth for a while...

Updated JH Interpolating Scanner and Scanner Vibrato

via JH on AH:
"I hope it's ok when I post even another message about this project.
I've made an update of the web page, showing how to configure this PCB as an ordinary Interpolating Scanner, a Tracking Generator, a Waveshaper, and a hybrid of Scanner and Waveshaper. The latter produces sounds that are less static than are common in normal waveshapers. Here's a sound sample (first dry, then thru the Scanner/Waveshaper):

It's all explained on the web page, here.

I hope you like it. :)" follow-up to this post.

Roland SH-2 Monophonic Synthesizer External Input Demo


YouTube via zibbybone
"The SH-2 is not only a powerful dual oscillator monosynth, but an excellent signal processor. First I control the SH-2's sound from a red SH-101's keyboard and sequencer. Next, I run the audio output of a TR-626 drum machine through the SH-2's filter and modulate the filter cut off with the SH-2's enverlope follower. Lastly, I trigger the SH-2 filter with the 626's trigger out to the SH-2's Gate In."

Vermona DRM1 MkIII Sequenced


YouTube via bigcitymusic
"Here's the Vermona DRM1 MkIII sequenced with the Elektron Machinedrum. The DRM1 is an amazing analog drum synth which puts it in a class all of it's own. Dedicated knobs for each parameter make programming simple. The new kick channel sounds great!

http://www.bigcitymusic.com
http://www.myspace.com/bigcitymusicdo...
http://www.bigcitymusicblog.blogspot.com"

Waldorf X-Pole


images via this auction

- TRUE analog - not digital emulations or models
- FULLY midi controllable - all parameters
- User assignable presets
- Syncable LFOs to midi clock
- Midi-controllable Envelopes

For more info on this model, click HERE.

Access Virus TI Atomizer - Remix Hotel NYC 08


YouTube via pong2600. sent my way via /m.
"Footage from Remix Hotel NYC 2008 at the Access Music booth. The Access boys were showing Atomizer running on a Virus TI Polar. GREAT tracks and sounds coming from this room."

wolves

flickr by roderico
(click for more)

full size

Roland JX-3P

Ode to Narf

flick by _mpd_

"Are you pondering what I'm pondering Pinky?

I think so Brain, but if the Moody Blues had access to Prozac, what would we call them?"

full size

TTRNS Live Gig @ Gramaphone Bar - Track: Tenshi


YouTube via thetenorions. You might remember the Tenorions from this post.
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