A family portrait of the Plan B clan taken in the Noisebug analog compound yesterday, from left to right: Sam Hernandez (our go to guy), Sergio Trejo, Dylan Sang (sitting), Some fool inna hat, Kateri Lirio and Elias Angulo.
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
Da B Crew
A family portrait of the Plan B clan taken in the Noisebug analog compound yesterday, from left to right: Sam Hernandez (our go to guy), Sergio Trejo, Dylan Sang (sitting), Some fool inna hat, Kateri Lirio and Elias Angulo.
Gear Costs
Ivan posted the following on AH. I thought it was an interesting perspective many of us seem to forget over time, myself included. I asked Ivan if I could put it up here and he gave the ok.
"Just an observation here since gear prices always seem to bring gasps from the audience. It may sound snobbish, but we've all got our opinions.
I started thinking about another forum post regarding Richard Lainhart and his Buchla 200e and Haken Continuum Fingerboard controller. Back around 1978 I worked with a club band that played the local circuit. Their keyboardist had the typical mondo setup. Hammond B-3 with Leslie 122, Yamaha CP-80, Arp String Ensemble, Minimoog, and a Clavinet. I think he had another synth too but I can't remember (maybe an Arp Odyssey). Oh, and Anvil ATA cases for everything (including the B-3 and CP80). This was 1978 and he had, roughly, $20,000 worth of gear. A new Corvette the same year was $11,388. I seem to remember the local university purchasing a mid-size Emu modular synthesizer in 1978 for $18,000.
Fast forward 30 years. Richard Lainhart has a $20,000 Buchla and a $5000 Haken Continuum. This is extremely rare equipment that most of us will never touch. Yet compared to a rock and roll keyboard or synth setup of the 70's or 80's it is inexpensive, especially when considering inflation (a 2008 Corvette is about $60,000). Even a brand new MOTM modular synthesizer is less expensive than a Emu modular was back in 1978.
Anyway, I know for most of us electronic music is a hobby (and an obsession, but that's beside the point). But quality gear still costs a few dollars. Even if you're using soft synths you get what you pay for in terms of computer audio interfaces. It's pretty simple; a Metric Halo or RME box sounds better than an M-Audio box.
My point? I see posts about Tom Oberheim's new synth and people think it should cost less than the new one did 30 years ago! Look, it still costs a lot to produce a piece of quality hardware. I'm getting tired of the bushing-less pots, cheesy construction, and other cost cutting done to turn good circuit designs into inexpensive "mass market" products all in the name of saving a few bucks. What happened to the brick shithouses that people used to build? There is a reason all of these Moogs, Oberheims, and others are still around and working. They were built well using decent components. And guess what; it cost a lot do build them that way. Nothing magical happened between now and back then to drastically reduce quality component costs.
I worked for one of the big pro audio companies that forever changed the price point for mixers. Were they good for the price? Yes. Did a $600 mixer rival the performance of a world-class studio console? No f'ing way, regardless of what the marketing department told you. Not in terms of performance, and not in terms of build quality.
Speaking of which, if do happen to have many thousands of dollars in gear, you might consider spending more than $100 on the mixer that you route it through..."
"Just an observation here since gear prices always seem to bring gasps from the audience. It may sound snobbish, but we've all got our opinions.
I started thinking about another forum post regarding Richard Lainhart and his Buchla 200e and Haken Continuum Fingerboard controller. Back around 1978 I worked with a club band that played the local circuit. Their keyboardist had the typical mondo setup. Hammond B-3 with Leslie 122, Yamaha CP-80, Arp String Ensemble, Minimoog, and a Clavinet. I think he had another synth too but I can't remember (maybe an Arp Odyssey). Oh, and Anvil ATA cases for everything (including the B-3 and CP80). This was 1978 and he had, roughly, $20,000 worth of gear. A new Corvette the same year was $11,388. I seem to remember the local university purchasing a mid-size Emu modular synthesizer in 1978 for $18,000.
Fast forward 30 years. Richard Lainhart has a $20,000 Buchla and a $5000 Haken Continuum. This is extremely rare equipment that most of us will never touch. Yet compared to a rock and roll keyboard or synth setup of the 70's or 80's it is inexpensive, especially when considering inflation (a 2008 Corvette is about $60,000). Even a brand new MOTM modular synthesizer is less expensive than a Emu modular was back in 1978.
Anyway, I know for most of us electronic music is a hobby (and an obsession, but that's beside the point). But quality gear still costs a few dollars. Even if you're using soft synths you get what you pay for in terms of computer audio interfaces. It's pretty simple; a Metric Halo or RME box sounds better than an M-Audio box.
My point? I see posts about Tom Oberheim's new synth and people think it should cost less than the new one did 30 years ago! Look, it still costs a lot to produce a piece of quality hardware. I'm getting tired of the bushing-less pots, cheesy construction, and other cost cutting done to turn good circuit designs into inexpensive "mass market" products all in the name of saving a few bucks. What happened to the brick shithouses that people used to build? There is a reason all of these Moogs, Oberheims, and others are still around and working. They were built well using decent components. And guess what; it cost a lot do build them that way. Nothing magical happened between now and back then to drastically reduce quality component costs.
I worked for one of the big pro audio companies that forever changed the price point for mixers. Were they good for the price? Yes. Did a $600 mixer rival the performance of a world-class studio console? No f'ing way, regardless of what the marketing department told you. Not in terms of performance, and not in terms of build quality.
Speaking of which, if do happen to have many thousands of dollars in gear, you might consider spending more than $100 on the mixer that you route it through..."
PNW Synth Gathering New Room
"This year the meeting will be in the K-Quad, K203 and K204." Original post updated.
CGS Pulse Divider Destruction
YouTube via neandrewthal
"Rhythm courtesy of Pulse Divider/Logic
Melody courtesy of Gated Comparator
Sounds courtesy of Digital Noise/VCO's"
New Serge M-odule - 'Bi-filter'
via Bakis
"It includes (from left to right), the following modules:
Mixer (ac coupled audio mixer), Variable Slope VCF, Variable Bandwidth VCF, DUAL VCA (one AC coupled, one DC coupled), MIX PRO (for mixing, inverting and offsetting voltages, dc coupled of course).
the Bi-Filter price is 1700 USD."
Blacet Stock Update
"Assembled VCOs back in stock. Improbability Drives: no kits, 7 assembled units in stock, no restock until 2009!" http://blacet.com
KORG Electribe ER-1 MKII
Every now and then it's fun to look back on old product descriptions. What was once new compared to what is now available:
"With a more powerful groove than ever before, this advanced rhythm machine arms you with an analog beat that’s all your own.
The intuitively designed Korg Electribe R mkII is packed with fat, innovative sounds produced by DSP synthesis technology, a classic interface for creating beats and tweaking them in realtime, and the ultimate array of up-to-date dance styles.
* An amazing rhythm machine with a cool new look!
* Many new patterns representing the latest dance styles
* Powerful Cross Modulation adds a new dimension to your sounds
* Audio Input function can be used to rhythmically gate two incoming signals for cool effects
* Step Sequencer for easy input of patterns
* “Motion Sequence” function records knob movements
* Low Boost and Delay effects
* Tap Tempo and MIDI Clock for synchronizing with an external sequencer, etc.
An awesome analog beat box
The Korg Electribe R mkII is a new generation of rhythm machine that is enhanced by spontaneous knob-based editing of analog drums and sound effects. After you create your ultimate sounds, you can use the Electribe R mkII’s internal step-sequencer to create original rhythms. Sound editing is simple; just turn the knobs to adjust the various elements of the sound. You can use the onboard sounds in conjunction with the external audio input to create unconventional rhythms that have never been heard before.
Cross Mod creates aggressive new sounds
A new cross modulation function (replacing the previous Ring Mod) can be applied to percussion synthesizers 1 and 2 to take your DSP drum sounds into bold new timbral areas. Use it in combination with the motion sequence function to create unimaginably extreme sounds.
Use external audio with your grooves
You can also run two external sounds into the Korg ER-1mkII. They can each be rhythmically gated in tempo with your music using the same simple step key interface. By using the knobs to modify the level, duration and panning of these external sounds, you can create truly unique and experimental rhythms.
Step record with ease
The Electribe R mkII’s step sequencer lets you use the 16 pad keys to make rhythms from the sounds you create. Since you can hear the results as well as see them while you step-record, you can instinctively create cool patterns.
Add motion to your mix
Knob movements you make to edit the sound – such as changing the volume of parts, or opening/closing the filter – can be recorded directly into the sequencer. You can use these to add timbral change to your phrases, panning and other motion-inducing fun. These Motion Sequences are saved in each pattern along with your sounds and phrases.
Amazing new sounds and patterns
The mkII also boasts a significantly expanded list of new preset patterns that cover every type of dance music from techno, house, trance, two-step, electro, R&B, hip-hop, drum'n'bass, big beat, IDM, trip-hop, and lounge. This broad selection provides you with powerful grooves for your performances and productions.
Take control
You can control the Korg Electribe R mkII from an external MIDI sequencer, keyboard, sampler, or other device to integrate it into your current production and performance setup."
Untangling MIDI
YouTube via midnightsleazy. You might remember these from this post.
The set included the following nine videos:
Untangling MIDI Intro
Untangling MIDI Section 1: In the Beginning
Untangling MIDI Section 2: The Players
Untangling MIDI Section 3: A Closer Look
Untangling MIDI Section 4: Who's on First?
Untangling MIDI Section 5: The Ins and Outs of MIDI
Untangling MIDI Section 6A: Putting It All Together
Untangling MIDI Section 6B: Putting It All Together
Untangling MIDI Section 7: Trouble Shooting
Understanding MIDI
CASIO RZ1 with my modification, TR909, DMX, RY30
YouTube via electromods
"This mod add three sound kits, Oberheim DMX, Roland TR 909 and Yamaha RY30.
The Casio RZ-1 was a drum machine manufactured and released by Casio in the 1986. It was one of the first drum machines to have an on-board editable sampled drum beat.
More info: http://www.sonicstate.com/synth/CASIO..."
Buchla "292c Resonant" LPG PCB Project Documents
via djthomaswhite in this electro-music.com thread. Note Bridechamber might be making these."Gentlemen,
Here is the Revision 3.0 Document Packet for the Lopass Gate project. If you find errors, please let me know. I have never put anything like this together before and hope you find it useful and thorough. Included are:
Schematic
Parts List
PCB Component Overlay
PCB Board Layout
Copper (Top/Bottom) Images
Build Document
Front Panel Files
All are in PDF format where available.
Thomas
PS. There is a possibility that Bridechamber will be willing to make panels for this project. Please examine the 2 included files and post your thoughts on if you would buy panels in that MOTM format or not. My vote if for the 2U version with all the bells and whistles. Thanks!"
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© Matrixsynth - All posts are presented here for informative, historical and educative purposes as applicable within fair use.
MATRIXSYNTH is supported by affiliate links that use cookies to track clickthroughs and sales. See the privacy policy for details.
MATRIXSYNTH - EVERYTHING SYNTH
