MATRIXSYNTH

Tuesday, September 02, 2008

Sound demos of the YUSYNTH modular system

You can find a new demo section on YuSynth here. Two tracks are currently featured as of this post:

"Mocking Aqua
This is an attempt to recreate the sound of murmuring water, it's all done with yusynth modules and was recorded in two takes. It was meant as a kind of tribute to "Aqua" by edgar Froese.

Mesmerizing Bounces
This a short demo of the system driven by an external sequencer. It was recorded in one take (no overdubbing), only an external echo effect was added to the raw sound. MP3 compression altered the sound of the cymbal making it sound crushier than it was... Too bad!"

Pro-One Dub - Audio Demo

"The sounds are effects for a dub track at 73 beats per minute. I ran them through a couple of tempo delays and reverb to create some atmosphere. Even after using this instrument for more than ten years I still manage to get new sounds out of it."

You'll find the demo on Audio Cookbook.

STEINER PARKER SYNTHACON

images via this auction
"Here is a very scarce Steiner-Parker Synthacon silver face analog synthesizer from the mid-1970’s... Actually claimed to be more versatile than the MiniMoog, it can produce literally billions of sounds with its 3 VCO’s and dual envelope generator."

AKAI VX600

images via this auction

note the dual level knobs.

"AKAI VX600 is 12VCO (2VCO per VOICE – 6 VOICE) 6 note polyphonic programmable analog synthesizer. It was one of the last Japanese pure analog synthesizers in '80s. Few quantities were built, so very hard to find. This modular matrix analog synthesizer is very similar to OBERHEIM EXPANDER synthesizer and older ARP Odyssey. AKAI adopted basic schematics made by OBERHEIM, so actually the VX600 and OBERHEIM EXPANDER uses the same voice chip, so basically VX600's sound the same as the OBERHEIM EXPANDER MODULE - very fat and warm! But in my opinion, the VX600 is fatter than the OBERHEIM EXPANDER - especially brass, strings, and lead sounds are really great You can use 12VCO for 6 voice polyphonic or unison all 12VCO to a monophonic lead sound (CAUTION! it's very BIG & FAT!) Also it can be used as a multi timbre synth. (6 different voices). It's very flexible. VX600 has a variety of modulation source and destinations to program sound including MIDI control change, so you can use a MIDI controller to tweak cut off etc, and very cool feature is external audio in jack so you can synthesize external sounds using analog filter and other parameters AKAI VX600 is used but in great working condition."

As always, take auction descriptions with a grain of salt. If anyone out has had extensive time with one, feel free to comment.

Future Retro XS

images via this auction
"This is the Future Retro XS, serial number FRXS025 (the 25th XS to ever be made)

Information From Future Retro:
The XS is a true semi-modular analog synthesizer with a universe of sonic possibilities just waiting to be discovered. Our versatile design allows it to be used as either a rackmount or desktop instrument, and its compact size makes it ideal for musicians on the go.
In its simplest form, the XS is an extremely powerful monophonic synthesizer including 46 controls with internal signal routings pre-wired to allow the unit to act similarly to traditional synthesizers. The unit also provides 7 inputs and 11 outputs that can be connected in various ways to override the pre-wired signal routings, interface the unit with other instruments in a modular fashion, and even process external audio.
The XS can be controlled by both MIDI and CV/Gate control signals simultaneously in a variety of ways. It can also act as a MIDI to CV/Gate converter with outputs, including CV/Gate/Mod Wheel/Velocity signals for controlling other analog instruments.
With a single unit you can easily create basslines, leads, drones, percussion, and sound effects. Connect multiple units together to form larger systems and the possibilities are endless.
The XS provides 2 ultra stable, wide range voltage-controlled oscillators, each capable of covering a range of 0.5 Hz to 100 kHz. Oscillator A generates saw and square waveforms. Oscillator B generates sine, triangle, saw, pulse width/square waveforms, and its own sub oscillator waveform, which can be 1/2, 1/4, or 1/8 the frequency of the main waveform. The pulse width shape of Oscillator B can be set manually or modulated with an internal or external control voltage, and Oscillator B can also sync its frequency to Oscillator A. Each oscillator can be frequency-modulated independently by both internal and external signals to create more complex waveforms. The XS also provides a white noise source and ring modulator that can be used on the internal oscillators or an external source. Dedicated outputs are provided for the waveform select controls A, B, and C.
A dedicated LFO generates triangle, saw, square, and random waveforms to modulate internal parameters, or external circuits as well with its dedicated output. The LFO can act in a free-running mode, or sync its rate to divisions of an external MIDI clock. When synced to an external MIDI clock, the LFO can be used to generate analog clock signals at various synced rates for stepping analog sequencers or arpeggiators in time with modern sequencers.
The mixer section sets the levels of the oscillator waveforms, sub oscillator waveforms, white noise source, ring modulator, or any external audio signal to be sent to the input of the filter.
The 2-pole multimode filter provides 4 filter types, including lowpass, bandpass, highpass, and notch settings, each capable of covering a range from 5 Hz to 18 kHz. With high resonance settings, the filter will self-oscillate, allowing it to act as an additional audio source. The cutoff frequency can be modulated by both internal and external signals, and the filter's input and output can be overdriven independently, giving it unique tone characteristics. A dedicated output for the filter is also provided.
The XS includes our unique Velocity-sensitive ADSR type envelope with additional attack and decay time settings for accented envelopes. It's like having two envelopes in one, and it's capable of some truly funky sounds. This is the main modulation envelope internally routed to the modify the oscillators and filter. The envelope can be triggered by internal or external logic signals. Both normal and inverted polarity envelopes are available at the output.
And finally, a voltage-controlled amplifier is provided to process the amplitude of signals. The amplifier normally affects the filter's output but it can also be used to process external audio signals. The amplifier has its own dedicated envelope with four selectable shapes, Velocity-sensitive amplitude, and independent accent times. The amplifier also has a volume control for attenuating signals sent to the main output."

LELL UDS

via this auction
"VERY EXTREMELY HARD TO FIND - THE FIRST RUSSIAN DRUM SYNTH LELL UDS is a unique bitembral analog drum synth made in the early eighties in the former USSR. Sounds more better than SIMMONS, TR-909 etc. One of the first russian electronic drum synth. The module has no MIDI, it's audio trigger controlled - you can hook it to any audio device, be it a synth, a drum machine or a sound card and trigger the sounds. The sounds can be tweaked using 24 different knobs. All the labels are in cyrilic. It has 2 independent and identical channels with powerfull parameters of synthesis such - sensitivity, tone pitch, attack, env mod, rezo, noise/tone balance, accent etc. NO MIDI ARE INSTALLED."

Sound Demos:
lelluds.zip (318KB)
leloops.zip (835KB)

More Serge

More Serge from jon johnstone on Vimeo.
"Jeff showin off part of the Bunker Labs workshop. This video features his Serge and Cat Girl modular, and a Pro One mono synth."

Mimì and Yamaha CS01

via catsynth.com where you will find one more.

Solaris Demo

solaris1.mp3

via redmartian who also brought us these posts. Note the John Bowen Solaris has not yet been released.

PPG Wavecomputer 360A

"restored PPG Wavecomputer 360A.
This is the extremely rare wavecomputer 360A in black with 8 voices:
- new Keyboard-Brushings
- new Capacitors inside
- new Battery
- new EPROM"

This is available for sale.
Located in Hamburg/Germany.
hellmusic yahoo.de

more images here

Udpate: Audio sample via hellmusic:

GRP Synthesizer A3 A6 and A8

You might remember the GRP in this post on the Bluesynths Meeting 2008.

mayo wrote-in with the link to the GRP website and some info: "That's a Paolo Groppioni hand made creation. I had the pleasure to get in touch with the man a couple years ago as his former Juno60 is in my studio now, nice to see he's moved forward with his beautiful machines. "

micromov004 - Assemblage #1

YouTube via Cranda11
"Assemblage #1 is music set to a repurposed industrial video courtesy of the Prelinger Archives. Gear used: Roland MKS-80, Elektron MachineDrum, Soniccouture and Goldbaby samples, Audio Damage plugins"

DIGISOUND 80 analog modular synthesizer

YouTube via scienceforce

"This modular is a Digisound 80 with 8 voices polyphonic keyboard... you can play it as mono or in polyphonic mode. The Digisound 80 circuits are based on Curtis IC (CEM). All the knobs are the same of the EMS VCS3 (mirror cap release) very nice shape!"

buchla 200e in dub

YouTube via otisvue. follow-up to this post.
"this is same patch as the 'non-sequencer loop rhythm' but after 5 minutes of evolving/tweaking -- then got heavy with the malekko analog delay. apologies to King Tubby."

buchla 200e non-sequencer loop rhythm

"there is no sequencer in play here. I did add a little echo with a Malleko analog delay. After my drummer friend Jonas of Black Betty was playing with the knobs, I did some random twiddling and ended up with this neat sort of 'trod along' reggae rimshot riddim. one waveform is the source."

Oxygene IV (J.M.Jarre)

YouTube via aemmezero

"Oxygene IV, Ensoniq ESQ1, Korg Polysix, Steelphon S900, Roland TR505"

soyuz_music

flickr by breath.sound flickr tags: fake modular synth
"a video to fool our friend. it didnt work. you blew it!"

Monsterbase has landed

read more about it on The Stretta Procedure.
excerpt:
"I've been anxiously awaiting the arrival of the monster base since it was announced at the Winter NAMM show as I've outgrown my frame and desperately required some room to expand. Another monster case is out of the question - I don't have the space. The monster base is the perfect solution - zero footprint - it occupies the same space my monster case presently occupies.

Overall, I'm delighted. And relieved. More space. More modules. More modular. This is a good thing."

Mochika2 Analog midi jam. Pics

more pics on AtomoSynth

The Mochika 2 is the box just under his elbow and to the right of the KORG mini-KP.

Drumfire2000 Samples

You can find the samples via Floppy on this electro-music.com thread.

"i just bought a drumfire df 2000 and after few minutes playing with it i think its also in the top 5 of the best drummachines. first of all it offers insane tuning ranges, almost a bit to sensible this pot makes it hard to tune the right pitch. does anybody know what the 2 different decays really do? lin / expo curves maybe? then i tried to remotely trigger the manual / preset socket with a 606´s tom trigger but the light only lit very dim, no function... i imagine this very cool, to change remotely between 2 slightly different settings. does anybody have the manual, schematics or any info about this mysterious devices?"

SONIFR

via sonifr on this electro-music.com thread.

"Hello everyone,
sonifr here- just wanted to put it up that my new album can be heard over at:

http://www.teamabunai.org/sonifr

this latest features the Nord Modular (about 90% of the album i would say) on every track. i also used a microKorg and a KP3 for effects. all songs were performed live and recorded onto 4 tracks (2 clean, 2 for effects) on a Pro Tools rig by my friend Tim at the Ira facility in Kalamazoo, MI.

as a service to this dedicated community, anyone who is interested in playing with my patches can contact me through that website. i will be glad to mail you song sets. most of them use all 4 slots, one slot being a simple audio in patch for the microKorg.

thanks and enjoy!
sonifr"

Doepfer A100 Analog Modular System Synth Wood DIY Cabinet

YouTube via PlastikOD
"A short clip made with photos and soundsamples of my DOEPFER A-100 Modular System.

I sold the Doepfer a few years ago.

The Cabinet was Do-It-Yourself made to get them a more vintage look (which i prefer more than the design of today's) and very sturdy.
The Keyboard on the photos was a simple and cheap midi-masterkeyboard. The case of the keyboard was also DIY to get a close look of the cabinet and the keyboard.

I think the Doepfer A-100 is a bit overrated.
The Doepfer A-100 is good for noise and atonal stuff but it can't afford the full range and powerfull sound of the "old" modular systems.

The soundsample is an old and cheesy cassette recording so you can hear a lot of noise.

The modules:
A-110 VCO (x3)
A-114 Dual Ringmod.
A-118 Noise/Random
A-119 Ext.Input/Envellope Follower
A-120 VCF 24dB LowPass(Moog Filter)
A-121 VCF 12dB MultiFilter
A-124 VCF Wasp MultiFilter
A-130 VCA Linear
A-131 VCA Exponential
A-138 Mixer Linear
A-138 Mixer Exponential
A-140 ADSR (x2)
A-145 LFO (x2)
A-148 Dual Sample & Hold
A-170 Dual Slew Limiter
A-180 Multiples
A-185 Bus-Access
A-190 MIDI CV/SYNC Interface

Greetings from PlastikOD."

Doepfer A-189-1 VC Bit Modifier Modular Demo

YouTube via noisesource. "Stepping through the 16 Settings." See the full write-up on noise source.

Wurlitzer Funmaker Super Sprite With Orbit Synthesizer

flickr by xelent
(click for more)

"This thing is great. A wide selection of instruments, most of which apply to the main (center) deck. The bottom deck makes simpler sounding tones with a limited set of sounds. The top (smaller keys) deck is for the Orbit Synthesizer, which is truly awesome. Extremely basic controls (attack, decay, volume, deviation) but sounds very neat. You can get great warbling OMD type sounds with it. On the floor there is a traditional volume pedal, and a set of awesome bass pedals. It has a built in drum machine (with speed and beat layering controls), and the bass pedals can set the key for some built in bass lines that play with the beats. Pretty much every bell and whistle that these organs included. Also has a tape deck where you can record to Cassette. You can also change the recording pitch, which is cool. 1/4 inch output below decks."
Synthesizer Controls

full size 1
full size 2

CLICK FOR MORE »

missioncontrol2

flickr by Guerre des Boutons
(click for one more)

full size

"RBMA Taster - Linz 2007
patrick pulsinger"

Formant Modular
Anyone know the sequencer?

via Morley in the comments: "I reckon the sequencer is a SAM
http://www.s-n-d.com/sam16e.html"

I thought I recognized it. You can see some previous posts on the SND SAM-16 including video by clicking on the SND label below.

ROLAND JUPITER-6

flickr by Neil Vance

full size

inside a Roland Jupiter-6

PPG-300 Modular

more images on Aliens-Project

Monday, September 01, 2008

Ruin & Wesen

via Wesen:
"I am very proud to announce the launch of the Ruin & Wesen website at http://ruinwesen.com/. I am Wesen, and Ruin is my partner in Canada. We are building analog and digital music gear, and our first two products are especially directed towards Elektron users. I am specializing on the digital side and software programming, while Ruin is a master of analog noisemakers. Our goal is to make flexible gear for musicians, because we think that with electronic music it all boils down to the workflow rather than pure sound shaping. Careful thought has been put into the user interfaces of our machines. Both Ruin and Wesen are musicians, and value the possibilities that lie in well thought out instruments.

As each musician's approach to electronic music is different, we believe in making our products easily customizable. This means that we will work and rework our firmwares, adding additional features, modifying some, and sometimes completely changing the purpose of our products. We also believe that users should be able to do these modifications themselves, which is why we provide extensive documentation, schematics and sourcecode for our devices.

But enough about that – without further ado, please welcome the MidiCommand and the MonoJoystick.

MidiCommand:
The MidiCommand is a “generic” MIDI controller that has native support for the Elektron MachineDrum. It features 5 endless encoders, a small backlit LCD and an additional button. The initial firmware features 8 patches, each of which is made up of 4 pages of 4 controls each. Pages and patches are easily accessed and each parameter can be configured using the built-in editor. The MidiCommand can also be programmed from a computer.

Each page of the MidiCommand features a Macro knob which allows you to change simultaneously up to 4 parameters at once – all at the twist of a single knob. Each patch also features a Macro page where each encoder can be assigned to modify up to 4 parameters. With native support for the MachineDrum, the MidiCommand can access the effect machines of the MachineDrum directly, allowing you to tweak effects without the need of a CTR-FX machine.

I use the MidiCommand a lot in my sets, here is a small set recorded on video:

Playlist: Machinedrum Monomachine Liveset Practice 1 - 4

YouTube via daswesen

MonoJoystick:
The MonoJoystick is a joystick companion for the Elektron MonoMachine. Its interface makes it very easy to integrate and the device sends the same data as the SFX-6 joystick, allowing it to be controlled directly using the ASSIGN menu of the
MonoMachine. The MonoJoystick is more than just a joystick replacement or add-on, however – the MonoJoystick allows you to send joystick data to multiple tracks at once, to revert the current kit to its saved status (think function + classic on the Machinedrum), and to revert a single track to its saved status!

If you’ve been waiting for a CTR-AL machine on the MonoMachine, the MonoJoystick is perfect for you. Press the SELECT button on the MonoJoystick, and each knob twist on the MonoMachine will be sent to each track. You can also broadcast knob twists to only certain selected tracks.

Here is a small video showcasing the MonoJoystick:
Ruin & Wesen MonoJoystick

Both the MidiCommand and the MonoJoystick can be preordered from our website at http://ruinwesen.com/. Also check the website for additional information, product manuals, example videos and DIY information! Use our RSS feeds to stay up-to-date – there is much more to come in the following weeks!

Cheers,

Manuel aka Wesen"

Techno Industrial Jam September 2008

YouTube via statikfire
"Yamaha's Ry-30 is almost unknown. Terrific machine for backing tracks especially in industrial. Producers used to use the RY-30 along with the Roland R-8, a very powerful combination. Here it is running with the 309, and a few DSI Evolver backing tracks off of the computer."

bc8 pt.2

YouTube via ChimSyn.

Part 1 previously posted here. "part 2, demoing the envelope generator (single-shot & auto-repeat). extra unwanted stopwatch ticking in background.."

bC8 pt.3

"later half of pt2. showing the auto-repeat envelope generator and other stuff"

buchla 200e in malekko dub

YouTube via otisvue
"same 'loop riddim' patch further tweaked. i removed 9 cables that were no longer affecting the sound, and this is just 1 channel of a potential 4 with the 200e. Featured is the Malekko Echo 600 analog delay, of which I am not well versed at using."

Latinsizer new Album, out now on staticdiscos

YouTube via pepemogt. Spot the synth in the background.
"I just got my new Album, latinsizer 110, i presented last friday at lobby in Tj, is available trough Staticdiscos.

This CD contains 11 songs and zero remixes and was made using Emu Drumulator, Boss Dr-110, Linn Drum, TB-303, Future Retro Revolution, Cwejman Modular, Korg Sq-10 and MS-20, EML 200, Prophet 5, Oberheim Four Voice and Xpander, Waldorf XT, ROlarnd TR-606 and TR-909, Sherman Filter Bank, Analogue systems, Analogue Solutions, Frostwave Alienator and Protools.

cheers! http://www.myspace.com/latinsizer"

Livewire AFG-Cwejman VCO-6-Plan-B VCO-15-MFB

Livewire AFG-Cwejman VCO-6-Plan-B VCO-15-MFB-2

YouTube via DavideModu
"All CV/Gate-- no Midi
For Note use Doepfer MAQ16/3"

John carpenter themes

YouTube via mik300z
"thrown together at the weekend, badly recorded and edited it was kind of rushed, but I'm a huge Carpenter fan, both movies and music and I enjoyed putting these great soundtracks together."

Waldorf XTk

via this auction

Not the largest shot, but you don't see these too often. Anyone know how many XTks were actually made?

EMS Synthi AKS

images via this auction

"It includes the manual, a stand, AC cord, keyboard cord, 3 modules, 12 patch cards, and repair documentation form Robin Wood."

Roland Juno-60

images via this auction

inside a Roland Juno-60

Moog Prodigy Signed by Bob Moog

images via this auction

"The seller had taken the Prodigy to an AES convention and was lucky enough to have Dr. Moog autograph it."

Bilder vom Bluesynths Meeting 2008

You can find more images of the event on Aliens Project

Pictured:
GRP Modular (anyone know more about this one?)
Technosaurus Selector Series Modular
Waldorf Wave

606x303x606

YouTube via omnibotoom
"606x2→jomox m-resonatetor
303→CBS Volumax410
mixer with fullgain
aux RetReverb"

SX-150 PLAN-K-TRONIKS CUSTOM Type A

YouTube via PLANKTRONIKS. Mods.

Techno Jam with Ableton and Hardware

YouTube via statikfire. DSI MEK, Quasimidi Rave-o-lution 309

Desplazamiento - Tim Blake tribute by Klauss

YouTube via meteoquimper. Spot the synths. "Desplazamiento - Tim Blake tribute by Klauss"

MFB-502 19

flickr by myspecialalonetime
(click for more)

full size

Juno Guts 5 and Juno Guts 8

flickr by myspecialalonetime
(click for more)

full size 5
full size 8

Guess the Juno.

Inside a Roland Juno

Karma-Lab Wiki

"Welcome to the Karma-Lab wiki, an extension of karma-lab.com! The purpose of this wiki is to enable the Karma-Lab community to build a library of useful "how to" information for working with the various keyboards, music workstations and software incorporating KARMA technology.

But is it only about KARMA-related topics? Not at all! You will find articles covering many different aspects of the products, not just KARMA (although that will have a large presence, of course.)

This wiki won't write itself! If you've learned how to do something with your KARMA-related product, why not share what you've learned here? The links in the side menu can help you get started. And your article may win you some cool KARMA LogoWare Merchandise during our 'Win Some Stuff Wiki Contest'!"