Moog Prodigy

images via this auction

"This is a late production model that includes the S-Trig out, Kybd In/Out, OSC In, VCF In, Sync In, Audio Out jacks."

Update: /kroffe in the comments noticed the images do not appear to have the individual ins and outs. You can see one with them here.

EChucK Miniature Module Synth

via Inventor on this electro-music.com thread:
"Hi, I get positive responses when I mention this project so I thought it would be worth doing. It is a simple, inexpensive, miniature synthesizer. Instead of being rack-mounted with panels and jacks and cables, it exists as little bitty circuit boards that get hooked together by wire.

Circuits will be very simple one-chip dealies, classic opamp and 555 type circuits, passive and active filters. Pots are thumbwheel type and switches are DIP switches or similar. Interconnect is with mini-screw terminals or to save cost, soldered wire.

The boards may be arranged in any configuration physically. If you want to make a ring of three oscillators, well, that would look like a ring. You could make a BuckyBall or a Christmas Tree with LED modules that responded to microphone input, flashing the lights in response for example. So the system is it's own block diagram, physically in 3D space.

In exchange for super low-cost and 3D structure, we give up precision and quality. This is not the synth that you create your masterpiece on, it is the synth that you play with your kids on. Or make a gift for your loved ones. It's a poor man's synth, so to speak.

So I was advised to write this post to evaluate interest in the project. I've just created two of the initial modules and I am having fun with it, but the real fun is in collaboration and working as a team. I really enjoy the community spirit of electro-music.com and I'd like to participate in this way. Oh, the boards would be sold through electro-music.com just like the klee, etc.

So what do you think?"

Followed by:
"I have just thrown together a quick and slightly humorous little web page with a description of EChucK plus links to the first two boards: a 9V power board and a microphone input board. The page is here:

http://www.freedomodds.com/music/echuck/index.html

Have a look, have a laugh, and enjoy thinking about the concept, whether you are interested enough to participate or not. Oh, and thanks for clicking on the poll above, that helps."

Excerpt for the archives:
"EChucK is Born!

Conceived in the mind of a genius paranoid schizophrenic (that's me), EChucK was born in mid 2008. EChucK is a very inexpensive modular synthesizer that breaks all the traditional synthesizer rules!

Rather than mount expensive, super-accurate circuits in a rack and patch it together with connectors and cables, in EChucK we connect little bitty circuit boards with classic analog and digital circuits together using stripped wires. Instead of paying hundreds of dollars US for each module, EChucK modules will tend to be around ten dollars US or so each.

Because of the distributed nature of EChucK modules, we can build geometric structures like chains, rings, BuckyBalls, or Christmas trees - the possibilities are endless. In addition to having a life of its own, EChucK modules can connect to the audio i/o of your computer for interfacing to any software you like including ChucK, iTunes, and Audacity. You can even send out audio to a guitar amp or stereo for loud jammin' tunes - or your studio equipment for that matter.

EChucK is also inexpensive enough to be sold as a toy for young teens and older kids, plus it brings out the kid in adults as well. This is the main page for EChucK, see below for links to the open source hardware and software that fun-loving enthusiasts have contributed for you to enjoy. It's all free (protected by the GNU General Public License) except the hardware, which is low in cost. So read on and enjoy EChucK, it's a blast!"

Custom Printed Moog Stickers and a Polymoog Case

via Elhardt on AH:

"Since I'm going to be parting out my Polymoog, I figured my lid which is in almost new condition might be something somebody would want to buy to make their Polymoog look new. However, since day one that back Moog sticker was all scraped up (this was Moog's NAMM demo) making that part not look new.

So I spent several hours in Corel Draw, measuring and drawing up a new Polymoog sticker to replace the one there. Since the print shop has a minimum order cost, I had to print a bunch of extras including different sizes and colors, plus I went with the additional high-gloss laminated coating over the top which looks beautiful. Printed on Orajet vinyl stickers. So if anybody needs Moog stickers to replace damaged or missing ones on either a Polymoog, the back of a Multimoog or to replace the missing plastic logo on the front of a Multimoog, or if you just want a Moog bumper sticker, or to put Moog stickers on other manufacturer's gear to increase its value to Moog vintage prices, or for any other reason, then here's pricing and sticker details below. Note, if for some reason there's more of a demand than I expected, I can always have more printed up, including other sizes too, and even possibly with user requested text put right in the sticker, such as your name, synth SN#, etc.

Minimum order $6 Paypal, free mailing to US (and probably free to Canada and
Europe assuming mailing a letter isn't outrageous)

(1) $6, Polymoog Sticker 7" x 2-3/8" with the rounded rectangle around the edge. I have several in black, and one each in the colors at picture below. (2) $6, Polymoog Sized Sticker but without the white rectagular boarder. White logo, black backgrount. Looks stately without being pretentious.
(3) $4, Multimoog Back Side Sticker, Moog text is 4-3/16". Black background, White logo.
(4) $2, Multimoog Front Logo Plate Sticker Replacement, Moog text is 2-1/2" wide. Black background, White logo.

If your interested in purchasing, email me what you want so I can see if I still have any left.

-Elhardt"

Update: If you are interested you can contact elhardt, same name at att.net.

Kahns set-up

flickr by c_sns
(click for more)

full size

Doepfer modular

The Poor Man's Memorymoog - adamstan's DIY Polysynth

via adamstan in this VSE thread. Be sure to check out the thread for follow up posts. The following is the first post in entirety. The reason why I captured it in entirety is so that we do not lose this. When I first started MATRIXSYNTH I linked to VSE threads only to find out they expired and dissapeared over time. That info is lost forever. That said, enjoy this one. It is pretty amazing. Be sure to listen to some of the sound samples below. I found this gem on Sequence 15.

"After almost 2 years of work, I've finished my DIY polysynth :D :D It is based on various module designs available on the net. I consider it to be a "Poor mans Memorymoog" with a little bit of Prophet 5 thrown in ;-). It features:
- 5 voices
- 2xVCO per voice
- 3xEG per voice (hardwired to pitch, cutoff and volume)
- 3xLFO (pitch, cutoff and PWM)
- Moog ladder VCF
- Noise source
- Ring Modulator
- Patch memory (128 user patches)
- MIDI
- Mono mode with selectable note priority (High/Low) and triggering (single/multi) and with portamento
- unison with adjustable detuning
VCO A offers sawtooth, square and triangle. VCO B offers sawtooth and square waves. Having triangle wave available is essential if you want to obtain some nice fm-like sounds from RingMod.

It's built using only standard off-the-shelf components - no CEM or SSM or similar chips inside - only typical opamps, switches, transistors etc.

Case (together with keyboard) was salvaged from some crappy 70's combo organ.

Here it is sitting on a stand (photo made with phone - sorry ):


With front panel lifted up:


With keyboard lifted up (showing voicecards):


Main digital board (keyboard scan, voice assignement and patch memory):


Voicecards close-up:


Front panel close-up [I love the rever keys for bass]:


MP3 demos


It is noisy and tuning drifts a little bit, but hey, isn't that what we love vintage synths for?"

Oakley Voltage Controlled 'Cascaded OTA' Filter

"This is a four pole multimode filter capable of -24dB/octave low pass, -12dB/octave low pass and +/-6dB/octave bandpass outputs simultaneously. The filter core is based on four identical cascaded current controlled integrators. This is similar to the topology found on the filters in the SH series of monosynths as well as the CEM3320, IR3109 and SSM2040 filters of the classic polyphonics.
At high resonance, we call it 'feedback', the COTA VCF will oscillate well over the whole of the audio band with a clean sinewave. Its temperature compensated too. The module also features a feedback input. This is similar to the one we introduced in the groundbreaking Multiladder module. In conjunction with the 24dB/octave output this input allows the resonance signal path to be split. This means that additional modules can process the resonance loop independentally. This allows a large variety of new timbres to be created. And it also allows for voltage controlled resonance with the use of an extra single VCA module.
The design is intended to fit into a 1U wide 'filter-core' module or a more fully featured 2U wide panel with seven control pots."

More info including images and samples at Oakley Modular Synthesizer

"Purple Grits" - Rupert Chappelle, Theremin

YouTube via saintrupert. Great T-Shirt. Watch it while he plays.
"Rupert Chappelle, theremin and synthesizer, September 28, 2008"

MOOG TAURUS 1 analog bass-pedals

YouTube via retrosound72

"vintage synth demo by RetroSound
(for the vintage synth review)

The fattest bass ever...
Moog Taurus 1 bass pedals (demo of the legendary preset sounds and the various VCF and envelope settings, Glide, some untypical Taurus sounds and more);
drums: Roland TR-606

You must have very good bass loudspeakers or a subwoofer to hear the deep frequences.

Attention!
Please turn the Volume pot of your speaker in middle position.
Some sounds can destroy your speakers ... and your ears! ;-)

This video demo is not a musical statement, only demonstration of the sound possibilities of the instrument."

Doepfer 3 x A180 multiples for portable suitecase

Hielo Patagonia Sounds has a post up on a small DIY project to modify the Doepfer portable suitecase with multiples along the top.

The top strip outlined in blue is where the multiples will go.

"The trick will be to use 3 Doepfer A-180 modules and unscrew them from theirs faceplates. Then, use a square aluminium tube (20 x 20 mm - thickness 1 mm), drill some holes in it and screw again the Doepfer modules inside the tube. At the end, just drill two holes in the top wood part of a portable suitcase and screw the new 'Doepfer 3 x A180 multiples in a tube'."
You can find more info including a PDF of the technical drawings on Hielo Patagonia Sounds.

The Lonesomes Cow-Fi

The Lonesomes

Note the moo synth.

via Goesta in the comments of this post on a video by the same artist.

Be sure to see this prior post for a video of The Lonesomes Cow-Fi.

Bassline Concept

Bassline Concept

A pretty impressive synth gallery

via adrien

Roland GR-700 Service Manual

PDF on fdiskc

The user manual is available at the Roland U.S. Product Manual database

Roland manual
Roland manuals
Roland user manuals

The DSP Dimension

DSP Dimension
"Here is a list of the technology that is available for licensing for use in your products. We generally deliver our technology products as static libraries for MacOS X (Universal Binary, Xcode 2.5/gcc compatible) and Windows (Microsoft Visual C++ 6 and better). We can provide customized versions and versions for other operating systems upon request, generally at no extra cost if we have the development hardware and IDE software available or if it is provided by you. Our libraries do not require linking against platform dependent code or any version dependent libraries (such as STL). We use a plain ANSI C API and for the most part you will only need between 3-5 calls to our API to integrate our technology products with your application. All our products are multi-threading savvy and self contained, meaning that they do not depend on global variables in their behaviour.

DIRAC Time Stretching & Pitch Shifting
C/C++ Library for High Quality Audio Time Stretching and Pitch Shifting In this document: What is DIRAC? Licensing fees How to sign up Why should I use DIRAC? What versions are there and how do they compare? What about realtime processing? What quality parameters does it offer? Does it do pitch and intonation correction? Contact us! DIRAC Version Hist […]

Multi Component Particle Transform Synthesis
The audio synthesis engine uses what is called a „Multi Component Particle Transform Synthesis", a form of synthesis which could be best described as „adaptive Resynthesis". To reproduce sounds electronically with this synthesis it is necessary to first analyze the audio signal and convert it in a form usable by the Neuron Audio System. In the case of the < […]

RTmorph Realtime Audio Morphing
This technology gives your product that little extra in the effects department that your customers might be looking for. Tired of offering them the same effects as all the others on the block? Try RTmorph! The DSP Dimension RTmorph process analyzes both input sounds and determines the physical shape of the instrument that is being played, or the shapes of the vocal tract of […]"

kto tak pieknie gra?

YouTube via lukaszslg. Careless Whisper gone Gakken. You are welcome.

Bleep Labs ThingamaWEEN

The ThingamaWEENs are back!

In order:
“Jack-O-Lumen”
“The Modern Prometh-O-Lux”
“Bella Lubleepy”
“The Ghost of Robot TB1X”

Also see the ThingamaBlank if you'd like to make your own.

Jean-Jacques Perrey and Dana Countryman

Box of Textures has a review of the recent Jean-Jacques Perrey and Dana Countryman show in NY. Definitely worth checking out. You'll find more images including one of the opening act, Circuit Parade.

The following is an excerpt:
"Perrey was absolutely charming and totally hilarious! He introduced every song with a story, sometimes also pointing out some of his musical partners who were in the audience (Gershon Kingsley, for example). Perrey and Countryman played mostly analog equipment. Countryman had a Prophet ’08 as his main instrument, and Perrey had a Poly Evolver Keyboard, Minimoog Model D and an Ondioline. Countryman also had an Arp 2600, but it sounded like it was constantly playing a sample and hold pattern in the background while Perrey was talking, so Countryman leaned over and switched the 2600 off."

DSI Mopho Box

image via Box of Textures where you'll find two more shots of the Mopho itself.

Free Mopho Sound Editor

You can find it at Sound Tower

pluto calls

"TrackTeam Audio Aetherwave Live PAck - a Live Sampler preset, 36 bars straight then 36 bars with Audio Damge Dubstation to fatten it up - enjoy" via Baghead's sounds channel http://www.trackteamaudio.com/

KORG SQ-10 - VEMIA

"A one-owner example of this classic analogue sequencer from Ed Starink's studio. Some superficial scratches on the top panel and to the bottom right of the front panel, but otherwise excellent condition, with zero corrosion on the jack sockets, and everything in super condition, including the back, sides, and bottom. Works very well - a fantastic machine. Complete with original owner's manual."
VEMIA - Click on Auctions, Search, and search for 6062.

KORG MS-02 - VEMIA

"From Ed Starink's studio, one-owner, in excellent cosmetic condition, pretty much near-mint except for a little sticker residue on the back panel (visible in the photo), which could easily be removed. In full working order, tested and calibrated by Lucid Sound."

VEMIA - Click on Auctions, Search, and search for 6061.

KORG MS10 - VEMIA

"Very nice condition one-owner MS-10 from Ed Starink's studio. It would be almost mint except for some scratches to the bottom right-hand corner of the panel. Complete with original user manual and patch sheet. Excellent working order."

VEMIA - Click on Auctions, Search, and search for 6060.

KORG MS20 - VEMIA

"From Ed Starink's private studio, bought from new, and now at VEMIA for good packing and shipping. A lovely example of this classic synth. Sounds great, with masses of bass if required. Lightly used in its well-looked-after lifetime. It has some little scratches and screenprint wear around the VCA section of the front panel, which stop it being described as near-mint - but most of the synth looks and feels pretty much as-new. There is no trace of corrosion on any of the jack-sockets, and the keyboard is very level. The keys are starting to get a little clacky, so one day it will enjoy being re-bushed. (As we all would, I'm sure.) We haven't opened it up - too many synths, too little time) but presume it has the KLM-307A daughterboard filter. Whatever, it sounds awesome, and is a really good machine in every respect. Not serviced when it arrived at VEMIA, because it didn't need it - always the best situation! Comes with photocopies of the owner and service manuals. European voltage, English plug on the lead."

VEMIA - Click on Auctions, Search, and search for 6046.

Moog 904C Filter Coupler - VEMIA

"Very early 904-C, R.A. Moog logo, and with veroboard hand-wired circuit, so possibly a prototype. For restoration: three jacks and one potentiometer were missing on this (which probably came direct from Bob Moog to Joel Chadabe, and then to Felix Visser of Synton). Spare parts have been obtained from Kevin Lightner and are included - see the photo. Five new washers will be needed - not supplied."

VEMIA - Click on Auctions, Search, and search for 6114.

Roland Jupiter-8 - VEMIA

It's that time again. The VEMIA auctions on Spheremusic are up from now until November 1. I'll be putting up a few posts between now and then, but not everything, so be sure to check the site out. To get to the auction room, click on Auctions followed by Rooms when you get there. Pictured here is a Roland Jupiter-8, item number 6048. Note that you can search for the item by number on site as well.

Jupiter-8 description (btw, be sure to click on the image above for the super sized shot):
"From Ed Starink's private studio, bought from new, and now at VEMIA for ease of shipping. This is possibly the most incredible condition Jupiter-8 you will ever see. There are a few marks on it, but the whole feel is of a two-year-old instrument, not a 28-year-old one. This is actually an early JP-8, which theoretically should have slightly inferior tuning, but sounds wonderful - rich, precise, smooth, huge, glistening - whatever you want. Jupiter 8s in lovely condition are so sought-after that a well-known dealer is prepared to invest 1000GBP in a complete re-spray and re-finish of a slightly tatty example; how much better to have one that has had no need of re-finishing, because it is simply superb as it is? Tested thoroughly by Lucid Sound, and in perfect working order. It has the early OC-8 interface, which will interface with the OP-8 (and thus with any MIDI/CV unit like the MPU-101, or MC-8, MC-4, or any modular system). This means this JP-8 can be integrated powerfully into absolutely any kind of studio. It comes with its original user manual, and a flight-case which is in very good exterior condition but has been re-foamed in a slightly un-professional way. Great care will be taken to ensure the instrument is well-protected within the case."

DSI MoPho Presets

YouTube via bigcitymusic.
"Here is a very simple sequence running into the new Dave Smith Instruments MoPho so we could scroll through some presets. This is a bad little synth. The sub-oscillators make for a super beefy low end and the internal sequences are inspiring right out of the box. Deeper soon!"

Oberheim OB-8

images via this auction

You can see the outline of the voice boards in the bottom shot of the inside.

Sequential Circuits Prophet-5 Rev 3.3

images via this auction

There are a couple of videos linked to in the auction.

The KORG M50 on Kyma-Lab

"A message from Stephen Kay, developer of the KARMA Technology used in the OASYS and the M3, and now the KARMA M50 Software for the new Korg M50:

'While Korg's new affordable M50 Workstation contains many great features, it doesn't have the KARMA Technology of its bigger brothers, the OASYS and the M3. KARMA M50 Software provides you with the same second generation KARMA Technology contained in the flagship OASYS and M3 Workstations, in Mac/PC form. Using it with an M50 gives you all of the interactive KARMA features and grooves of the M3. If you've ever lusted after the OASYS or the M3 but couldn't afford one, then this could be the combination for you: the Korg M50 + KARMA M50 Software!

This page will be used to support and promote the M50 (both in relation to KARMA Technology, and just in general.) So bookmark it and check frequently in the coming weeks and months for all sorts of information about the M50. Also, visit Korg USA's M50 Page for the complete specs, more demos, and more information.'"

link via Aleksandar

Yamaha CS-80 Service Manual

via David on the CS-80 list.

You can find it here.

note the files are extremely large.

the room

flickr by iamjameskay

full size

SF Sirens - Nord Modular G2

flickr by Stefan Beckhusen
(click for audio with details)

full size

Modded TB-303

flickr by zonkout

full size

Modified by Eric Archer:
www.flickr.com/photos/alh84001/
ericarcher.net/

flight of harmony October newsletter

"Hello again!

First off: Plague Bearer Eurorack modules are now available, in single and dual units. Due to a minor manufacturing error, this first batch is slightly discounted.

A huge thank you to everyone who bought some PB Barebones Packs! They were much more successful than I expected. They are a permanent product line now. I plan to add barebones packs for each main product offered.

The website homepage now has an “available products” menu in the upper-right corner (I still haven’t decided on a “store” page layout, so I cheated), and has an RSS feed as well.

In development: The Infernal Noise Machine modules. Muahaha…

Thanks again to everyone,

~flight
http://www.flightofharmony.com"

Buchla 200e Filtermod

Buchla 200e Filtermod from Joe Pascarell on Vimeo.
"a little riff coming from the Buchlas. the 291e is sequencing along with the 250e. 7 steps against 5. the 144 is modulating the 291e filter , the 158 is the the sound you hear. the touch plate is changing the pitch of the 158. enjoy."

Z3000 Smart VCO

image via Muff Wiggler

TipTop Audio

moog modular sequencing 2

YouTube via polyvoks
"simple seq with 3 vco's , noise and bode"

alien robot dance live pa practice

YouTube via se7ense7
"First part of the live set - practice
Still very rough and unpolished, need to take all the outputs to the mixer seperately for more transition-possibilities."

Please don't use drugs

YouTube via diekleinekuh. Anyone know what synth they use?

New Molesome track: Parts 1 - 5

YouTube via RothHandle. I was originally only going to post the synth related parts, but then I realized one, these are definitely more interesting as a set, and two some of the rhythm synth bits cross over. Note this were shot at www.roth-handle.nu

Playlist:
New Molesome track: Part 1 Univox drummachine
"Today I continued working on a new Molesome track. Whilst recording I made some short films walking through the process."

New Molesome track: Part 2 Danelectro Guitars
"Today I continued working on a new Molesome track. The working title is "the lonely beatle and the banana peel". Whilst recording I made some short films walking through the process."

New Molesome track:Part 3 The second sections rhythms
"Today I continued working on a new Molesome track. The working title is "the lonely beatle and the banana peel". With this song I wanted to explore doing very sharp contrasts in the arrangement. Whilst recording I made some short films walking through the process."

New Molesome track:Part 4 Mini Moog and utopia synth rhythms
"Today I continued working on a new Molesome track. The working title is "the lonely beatle and the banana peel". With this song I wanted to explore doing very sharp contrasts in the arrangement. Throughout the song I have wanted to blend acoustic and electronic sounds. Whilst recording I made some short films walking through the process."

New Molesome track: Part 5 Danelectro Baritone guitars
"Today I continued working on a new Molesome track. The working title is "the lonely beatle and the banana peel". With this song I wanted to explore doing very sharp contrasts in the arrangement. Throughout the song I have wanted to blend acoustic and electronic sounds. Whilst recording I made some short films walking through the process.

This snippet was shot at Roth Händle studios where I work and record albums. If you are curious about the studio please stroll by www.roth-handle.nu for more info."

waldorf blofeld presets

YouTube via thegoacyst

Vidoes and descriptions:
Blofeld presets Teil Eins
Blofeld presets Teil Zwei
Blofeld presets Teil Drei
"Just the RAW blofeld"

waldorf blofeld teil vier
"home made song named waldblofines.
respect to both synth makers!"

waldorf blofeld teil fuenf
"this is a preset made by me on the so much loved and hated blofeld. who has ears and knowledge will know waht to hear. 10x."

Akai VX600 El-Foil Replacement

via ISM:

"The display can get a bit unreadable after years of use but fortunately Wolfgang at midi-rakete.de has a great solution for that: a fresh EL-Foil. It's very easy to replace. I couldn't find any pictures so i shot a few for other VX600 owners."

You can find more images and info on here on ISM.

Gakken SX-150 Synth

flickr by v8media
(click for more)

full size

Synth Project

flicr set by marinedalek

"My AS Design & Technology project - a simple synthesiser built from analogue chips and digitally controlled (vaguely!)"

some info from this electro-music.com thread:
"It's a triangle-core synth based on a simple op-amp integrator design. Not having time for lots of prototyping I took the rather odd route of making it resistance-controlled rather than voltage-controlled. Each keypress on the copper touch-sensitive keyboard triggers a reed relay that switches in the tuning pot corresponding to that note. There's also a variable rate and length "sequencer" which plays each note of the keyboard in turn - by entering non-standard tunings various riffs can be programmed in.

As far as sound shaping goes, there's a PWM section with its own LFO driven by the triangle core, as well as pure triangle and square waves, with divided -1oct and -2oct square waves also included. Filtering is very basic, just two 6db/oct buffered passive lowpass/highpass combinations, which can be chained in series for stronger filtering.

Initially there were going to be two additional oscillators with non-keyboard-controlled tuning for fun swoopy sound effects, which is why I included 2 filter sections (one for osc1, the second for the other 2 oscillators). The first of these was to be a saw/pulse oscillator, and the second a sine/square oscillator - however time constraints meant these were never built

During construction a fault developed which means the output is extremely distorted (~infinite gain) with a lovely DC offset just to make it even more unpalatable. I'm hoping to fix this some time when I get some equipment set up."

East Coast Monome Jam (4/19/2008)

East Coast Monome Jam (4/19/2008) from makingthenoise on Vimeo.
"10 of us gathered in Princeton, NJ to raise some audio hell."

Reconstructing The Eraser with the monome

Reconstructing The Eraser with the monome from makingthenoise on Vimeo.
"Here I show how you can reconstruct Thom Yorke's The Eraser using Ableton Live, a monome, and SevenUp Live.

Files necessary to do this are available at makingthenoise.com/software.html"

anvil polivoks

flickr by citizenmori

full size

"oubliettes of grief kept this one stillborn. the harvestman took it on and in the end everyone is better off for it.

i proudly sport the 'harvoks' in my modular, as opposed to my prototype.
www.theharvestman.org/r1982.php"

harvestman tyme sefari

flickr by citizenmori

full size

harvestman zorlon

flickr by citizenmori
(click for more)

full size

TipTop Audio Z3000

via Tiptop Audio.