MATRIXSYNTH

Funkytown Remixed with Old Computer Equipment

YouTube via bd594

"This is a shamless ripoff of James Houston's remix of Radiohead's Nude but I decided to try it for Funkytown by Lipps Inc. I choose Funkytown and only used computers from the early 1980's that were destined for the Junk Yard. This is how I got the idea for Junkytown. I also used a modem but DTMF tones are lousy for musical notes (no harmonics) but I was very lucky to find two notes that did sound good. On your phone punch in 3 3 2 3 and you got the beginning part of the solo and the rest is history. Please note no synthesizer or audio effects were used and all the audio was recorded from either a microphone or direct line. Some of the audio was amplified when it was mixed down because the levels were unusable ie. the printer and modem. The Commodore 64 was used for the main Bass and Guitar. The Ti-99/4A was used for the second part of the solo because of the limitation of DTMF tones. It was tempting to just sample the modem but I did not in order to keep it 100% original. Finally it was difficult to video tape the printer because it kept shaking the table so I looped the printer video in the begining of the video. The printer sometimes caused the harddrive head to shake out of sync so I inserted a screw into the mechinism and this some what helped."

Custom Panel Graphics

You might remember the Buchla 281 clone project from this post, or if you frequent electro-music.com you'd of course remember it from there. I came across an update to the thread by josh, aka topp. I thought it was a good insight into how he created panel graphic for his module.

"so i just wrote someone alot about how i labeled my most recent panel and i thought maybe someone here may find it helpful too. it involves laser transparency paper and spray adhesive... very durable!

1. print the art in reverse [so that the toner will contact the panel and stay protected]

2. cut it to where you have a bit of excess on all sides, maybe 1 1/2" orso

3. tape your painted, drilled and otherwise finished panel down with double-sided tape

4. position your 'decal' properly over the panel

5. tape the top-edge [you could do the side edge too] of it down to your work surface with masking tape while keeping it in position [remember you left some excess]

6. make sure your tape is stuck well, fold the decal back on the tape 'hinge' make sure when you pull it back over the panel, it stays in perfect position [ i learned this simple technique while working in a sign-shop applying vinyl decals to things, i think it is called the 'hinge' technique if you want to look it up]

7. pull it back again, and give the panel and the decal an even coat of spray-adhesive [i used 3M general purp.] let it dry for 10-15 seconds, as the instructions say for a stronger bond

8. then carefully!! fold it back over, keeping the 'hinge' pulled taut, with your thumb,start to 'apply' the transparency like a sticker, use alot of pressure and consistent coverge, side-to-side, continue to lower the decal onto the panel while and keep smoothing it down, don't push too hard where you have holes drilled right now.

9. get it all down, then press hard around all the edges, this is probably the most important part- work FAST! that stuff dries super fast

10. remove the masking tape hinge carefully so that your sheet is all flat, you don't want any resistance.. press the sheet down all over, then press around the holes, keep doing it for like a minute or two-i suppose a rubber mallet might be good to use here if you have one. i don't, i just pressed as hard as i could till i was confident that i could do no more.

11. ok, so it is down and all flat, now let it dry for a while, maybe over night.

12. flip it over and trim the excess off with an exacto knife

13. with fine sandpaper, carefully sand the edges to where there is no transparency protruding over the edges. it might be easiest to tape the sandpaper down flat, and move the panel instead.

14.ok so it is looking nice now right?? remove ALL the gunk from the transparency with denatured alcohol, then with the finest steel-wool you can get, ruff up the surface of the plastic, it will take the glare off it.

15. all that is left is to cut out your holes with an exacto knife. try your hardest not to lift the decal around the holes [use a narrow blade]

ok that's it! maybe a print-shop could do light print with a color-laser printer, or make long prints for rack-panels..

here is a photo of the panel::

josh"

Inside a Ensoniq DP/4+

Not technically a synth, but here you go.

Inside an Ensoniq DP/4+ via firegroove

MD sps1- Hand of KoG by PaPyKoG (Brainz in JaRz)

YouTube via aPyKoG. In response to this video.
"A Quirky little numba performed live by PaPyKoG from BrAiNz iN JaRz on a Machinedrum Sps1."

J. M. Jarre - Equinoxe 5 - cover by Yarosystems

YouTube via yarosystems. via fischek.
"30 years "Equinoxe" anniversary cover (1978 - 2008) by Yarosystems. All the vintage synthesizers sounds are emulated on Korg and Novation virtual analog synthesizers in real time. "

SDIY UK 2008 via Vocano Ramblings aka Paul Maddox

post and images here.

Paul Maddox is the man behind the MonoWave.

Roland SH-2

images via this auction

RSF Kobol Expander I

images via this auction

"RSF Kobol Expander I - Very rare semimodular synthesizer
* Very sought after French semimodular synth from the late 70's.
* 100% analog semimodular synth with two VCO's (each with a separate VCA), one VCF (the famous SSM2040 filter), two Envelopes, LFO, Voltage Processor and Noise.
* Every parameter is fully controllable by CV!
* Endless sound possibilities by itself, or an excellent addition to any modular system like Synthesizers.com, Modcan, MOTM, Moog, Roland and so on.
* Technically in very good condition. Fully working. 230V version."