MATRIXSYNTH


Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Vintage Synths Vol 1 - Oberheim SEM


YouTube via triumphthruxton.

Another Synthesizer Von Gestern track.

Note I added the CD to my Synth CDs section.
"Vintage Synths Vol 1 - Oberheim SEM
German synth historian Matthias Becker produced a CD series back in 1990 with tracks made with one synth only. The CDs were named "Synthesizers Von Gestern Vol 1/2/3". This track was composed by Klaus Stülen at Originalton West Studio / Köln."

ARP Odyssey

images via this auction

Soundlab Analog Modular Synth


images via this auction

"Listen to mp3s and more pictures at www.healthclub-music.com/scribbles.htm

This is Health Club Music's Soundlab analog mini synthesizer. It has two VCOs, one LFO, one Attack-Release Envelope Generator, one Band Pass/ Low-Pass VCF (self-oscillates with resonance up), one Sample and Hold, one Mixer, and one VCA. It is patchable with patch cables so you can play it with many different analog synthesizers.

The two ramp VCOs have inverted level shifters and have both ramp and sawtooth outputs. VCO 2 has an additional square wave output and a pulse width knob. There is a Pulse Width Modulation input on VCO 2. There is a Sync switch which allows the two oscillators to sync. VCO 1 has a Mod input, which is the CVII jack. These oscillators are scaled to 1V/octave, so it will track a keyboard that is also 1V/octave like most Moog keyboards and Roland synths. They can play many octaves in itself.

The Attack Release Envelope Generator has a Loop switch which allows the Envelope to repeat on one of two sources. With the switch on internal repeat, it loops on the gate, and with the switch on the "down" position, it loops on the Sample and Hold's gate output. You have to have an input going to the Sample and Hold. With the AR internal repeat on, you can use the AR like an LFO.

The Sample and Hold has a portamento control, and an input and output jack. It sounds great with the LFO's triangle output plugged in, it sounds like a sequenced melody. The LFO's square wave output works when the wave shape switch is switched onto the center triangle position.

There is an audio input jack and a mixer knob for the audio input. There is a pre-amp on the audio input, so you can plug a guitar into it and can also be used for distortions. There is another pre-amp circuit after the filter and before the VCA. There is also another pre-amp on the main output, so you can listen to this synth on headphones.

Runs on 2 9V batteries.

There is also a chalkboard surface on the back of this synthesizer, so you can carry it by its rope handle and scribble down your ideas on the back with chalk. Some chalk is included, of course, in the red felt pouch beneath the battery holder.

The circuit on this synth is based on a design by Ray Wilson. Check out www.musicfromouterspace.com for more of his exciting analog projects and PC boards."

Moog Prodigy

images via this auction

Sequential Circuits Model 700 Programmer

images via this auction

inside...

Access Virus C

images via this auction

"32 note polphony, 4 oscillators, 2 filters, 3 LFOs, an expanded mod matrix with 6 source and 9 destination slots, 98 effects"

BugBrand BugCrush 08 Desktop Filter/Rate Reducer/CV EXP

via this auction
"*Info from Tom Bugs @ BugBrand.
BugCrushers:
BugCrushers are Sample-rate Reducer pedals - I guess I confused things by naming them Crushers - just to be clear, they are not actually Bit Crusher effects! If you look at a standard BitCrush plugin you have controls for Bit Depth (thats the part I can't (yet) do - I work in analogue) and Sample Rate -- my pedals just do the second bit. That's not to say they're sonically lacking - the sound of RateReduction is very fine - at high rates you get fizzly distortionary sounds, while turning down the rate brings you into sounds quite like ring modulation (though perhaps more musical?) - really great for droning!
In technical terms the BugCrusher uses a Sample & Hold circuit running at audio rates. Sample & Hold is found in various analogue synths, but generally running at low frequencies to provide randomised voltage steps. The circuit is often fed from a pure noise source (so you've got randomness) and then clocked by an LFO.
BugCrushers currently come in three standard forms:
BugCrusher08, BabyBugCrusher, BugCrusherMicro

BugCrusher08
"Released Jan08 in a batch of 8
Here's the new and updated big version BugCrusher! Its a desktop unit with quite a complex design (check the block diagram in the photos) that packs in many features -> analogue rate reduction followed by a resonant filter, plus voltage control so that rate and/or filter can be controlled with an external CV or expression pedal.

* Input preamp for guitar or line level signals - switchable Hi or Lo gain plus input level control
* Voltage controlled Crusher circuit ranging from fizzle-highs to drone-tone lows, with a large chickenhead dial for the master CrushRate, plus variable modulation depth from an external source
* Pre-filter mixer to blend the dry and crushed signals - also with switchable phase inversion on the crushed signal for a extra mixing possibilities (audio phase cancellations!)
* Voltage controlled Filter with switchable LoPass or BandPass responses and variable resonance. This has a main Cutoff dial plus variable modulation depth
* Switchable output levels for guitar amps (lo level signal) or mixing desk (hi level signal)
* External input switchable between CV or Foot Pedal, with variable modulation depth for CrushMod and/or Filter Mod - ie, you can use a standard expression pedal to change the Crush Rate or the Filter Cutoff - or both at the same time - or use a CV (standard +/- 5v) signal from an analogue synth
* Electronic true-bypass switching with input socket for an external momentary footswitch - the main big red bypass button is NOT suitable for foot operation!
* Powered by an external 12vAC plug-in power pack (supplied)
* Housed in a metal case measuring 12.5 x 12.5 x 7.5 cm"

Ensoniq Fizmo

images via this auction
"The Ensoniq Fizmo was Ensoniq's last attempt at creating The perfect synthesizer. The Fizmo is a 48-voice synthesizer which uses 2nd-generation Transwave technology to create very organic sounds unlike any other synth available. Every programming function has its own dedicated knob or button, and there is a limited but useful 4-character LCD display. The Fizmo features an Arpeggiator and 24-bit VLSI effects with 41 algorithms, including a Vocoder and the ability to process incoming audio through the Vocoder and effects.

Transwave synthesis uses wavetables of sound data with layered variations in harmonic structures such that their timbres progress naturally from one end to the other. This allows for sounds to modulate over time, or by velocity, wheel, pressure, or any number of other options. Just like Waldorf MicroWave and PPG WAVE.

There are 2 oscillators available for each of the 4 presets allowing for 8 unique oscillators at the same time, not to mention individual LFO and Noise generators for each Osc. Another wonderful feature is the ability to stack up to four individual presets together into one sound and map them across the keyboard. This synth is very capable of some very complex sounds.

The built-in Arpeggiator has 118 presets which can be easily edited to your liking, and 26 real-time control/editing knobs make mutating your sound a pleasure. All controls may be recorded in real-time to an external sequencer.

Lots of info including audio demos HERE and THERE"

MFB 502

images via this auction
"The full analogue MFB-502 is a drum computer with versatile sound and intuitive realtime control. Its easy, TR-808 style, integrated step sequencer offers memory locations for 72 rhythms and 8 songs. The following instruments are included:
Kick Drum with adjustable Attack, Pitch, Decay and Level. 2 programmable pitches. Individual output.
Snare Drum with adjustable Attack, Noise, Pitch and Level. 2 programmable pitches. Individual output.
Hand Clap with adjustable Attack, Tone, Decay and Level. The number of virtual claps can be programmed.
Tom with adjustable Attack, Pitch, Decay and Level. 3 programmable pitches.
Bongo with adjustable Attack, Pitch, Decay and Level. 2 programmable pitches.
Cymbal with adjustable Attack, Tone, Decay and Level and individual output.
Open and Closed Hihat with adjustable Decay and Level and individual output.

The stepsequencer has memory locations for 72 rhythms and fill-ins. The 8 programmable songs allow to chain up multiple rhythms.
The additional stereo output is used alone or in combination with the individual outputs. MIDI In: The MIDI Input allows dynamic triggering of the internal sound sources by any MIDI source - keyboard or sequencer. The sequencer can also be synchronized to MIDI-Clock.
Dimensions: W/H/D 175 x 38/72 x 125 mm. External power supply included.
· 7 analogue instruments
· integrated 16 step sequencer
· 26 controls for Attack, Decay, Pitch and more
· Kick and Snare each programmable with two different pitches
· Tom programmable with three different pitches
· Memory locations for 72 rhythms and 8 songs"

Audio demos HERE

Korg Trident MK1

images via this auction

"Korg Trident vintage analog synthesizer. It is an original MK1 version which is more rare than its counterpart .... the MK2."

via baptman
Anyone know the main differences between the two?
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