synth R&D for performance

YouTube via nathanielscott
"I am playing two instruments both are made out of Radio Shack electronic learning kits. The first instrument is an a sort of cheap-o optical theremin that I am playing with my left hand. The second is a ten step sequncer with a very basic square wave VCO. I did build three steps of addition master voltage control which you can see me triggering with the blue buttons with my right hand.

Before I started to take componants off the breadboard and put them into a dedicated enclosure I thought I would see if I could make noise that somewhat resmbled music with homemade electronic instruments.

I got close but in the end I dont think a ten step sequencer is a very musical design."

I Can See You, Can You See Me?

I Can See You, Can You See Me? from Rex The Dog on Vimeo.

"Brand new video for Rex The Dog's first single from the new album 'The Rex The Dog Show'!

Keep up to date with new Rex vids here:
vimeo.com/therexthedogshow

rexthedog.net"
via SonicBrat.

Jen SX-1000, Casio VL-Tone VL-1, Univox/KORG Mini-KORG 700S

NAMM: MOTU VOLTA

Another scoop via bleepology where you will find the full post. I couldn't find anything but an email form for more information on the MOTU site.

"MOTU was showing off something that absolutely blew my mind this morning: Volta.

It’s a plug-in intended for use with any of their DC-capable audio interfaces (Like, say, a Traveller or 828), it allows multi-channel PitchCV/Gate/ControlCV out to your modular system. Its interface is like a grid for your IO, each output is a box in the grid. Into the grid, you place (drag and drop-style) the voltage source for that output. You may choose from items as mundane as the channel’s midi input (for things like note data), or as crazy as step/trigger sequencers, LFOs, clock sources, etc.

This all sounds pretty neat, right? But wait, it gets better…"

Find out how on bleepology.

NAMM: Jazzmutant Lemur V2

" More flexible. More intuitive. More control.

With the groundbreaking Lemur controller Jazzmutant have revolutionised the way in which performers can now interact with light, video and sound. The Lemur offers an unrivalled package of intuitive features beneath a futuristic multitouch-sensitive surface, and as result has won fans across the globe including the groundbreaking musicians Richie Hawtin, Björk and Ryuichi Sakamoto.

With the new free version 2 firmware update Jazzmutant are taking the Lemur to another level of control, flexibility and intuitive operation. A host of new object features allows users to really interact with sound and manipulate it in real time like never before. Workflow improvements, scripting additions and other new features allow the controller to be used seamlessly with leading software applications. Ableton Live users, in particular, will benefit from some of the new features.

Organised Container objects with tabs
You can now pile up several containers and access their content through their indiviual tabs. Put all the controls you need for one part of your performance in one tab, then simply push the next tab to reveal a whole new bank. This feature will definitely allow you to greatly improve interface layouts and ergonomics.

Enhanced control of all your envelopes with the new Breakpoint object
The new Breakpoint object offers total control of synthesiser or sampler envelopes with a multi-segment envelope editor to allow you to really get inside a sound, live on stage! Rather than assigning knobs to these sound shapers, jump right in and directly tweak an on-screen representation of the envelope. This familiar, visual interface allows you to see exactly how you are changing the sound and you can easily add extra breakpoints with a simple double touch.

Faster set-up with the Alias feature
Duplicate a controller object that sends exactly the same information to your computer as the original with Alias. What are the benefits? It takes up less memory and is less time consuming than setting up a new object with identical characteristics. Manipulating the original can now control the same computer parameters but from different interface screens. Moving one will automatically update its "mirror image".

Mouse and keyboard control
Still finding yourself reaching over to the computer during your live show? Not any more! Now Lemur's objects can be used to remotely control the mouse cursor or computer keyboard.

Acute precision with the new Gesture object
The new Gesture object emulates a trackpad control with advanced gesture recognition and has three novel ways to interact with your sound. Pinch, Rotate or Trace your fingers to send different control messages to your computer.

Intuitive design with new LemurMenu object
It's a new pop-up menu selection tool offering a list of items from which to choose from.

Easier interface design with JazzEditor
Improved customization of your interfaces is a reality with the new Jazzeditor. You now have the ability to easily drag objects from the new palette into the work area and make your interface visually stimulating with the new "color" picker.

Extended scripting abilities
In the JazzEditor, a new Multiline script pane opens up a whole new world of possibilities. You can now modify the physical behaviour, appearance or size of an object in real time. Add a ball to a Multiball object by touching a pad, zoom in on a fader for ultimate precision or modify a Text object content via MIDI or OSC. For Ableton users that means it is now possible to receive clip names and colours and display them on the Lemur. Any changes in your Live set are automatically reflected on the Lemur. Now you can really put that computer behind you and concentrate on your performance!"

http://www.jazzmutant.com/

Kepler's Orrery for the iPhone

"Kepler's Orrery is a generative music system that uses gravity equations to compose and play ambient music. Each simulation starts with a collection of bodies that attract each other, move, and swirl around under the influence of their mutual gravity.

When the bodies collide, they make music. Each one is assigned a melody and an instrument and plays its next note at each collision.

Simulations are set up with "world" files that specify position, mass, and velocity for each body, as well as their melodies and instruments, and world metadata that defines simulation parameters such as step size, modifications to gravitational constants, etc.

The music it makes differs with each world. Sometimes slow and ambient; sometimes random, sharp, and surprising.

While the simulations are based on gravitational equations, and therefore deterministic, from a listener's point of view, it is difficult to predict what is going to happen next, and so the soundscapes tend to remain fresh."

http://www.art.net/~simran/GenerativeMusic/kepler.html

You can watch a video of Kepler's Orrery from before the iPhone here.

via Palm Sounds

NAMM: Waldorf Blofeld to get Sample Functionality

bleepology has the scoop. It will be available as a paid upgrade. No price yet.

Funny side note for the archives: Brandon of bleepology asked Stefan Stenzel and was told he was the first person to actually ask them there! :)

MELLODRAMA: Mellotron/Chamberlin Documentary Trailer

YouTube via MellotronMovie. via Brian Kehew of The Moog Cookbook.
"From a California garage to Royal Albert Hall, Mellodrama is a documentary film by Dianna Dilworth that explores how the haunting sound of an ingenious contraption called the Mellotron changed the production and texture of popular music, from the Beatles to Kanye West.

http://www.mellotronmovie.com
http://www.myspace.com/mellotrondocum..."

SEM bearings packed 'n Tire Rotation

Frequency pots for the Oberheim SEM

image via synthwood

Electronic Music Circuits by Barry Klein

"I originally wrote Electronic Music Circuits back in 1982. Published by SAMS, it went out of print a couple years later, as interests turned to computers and digital synths. But interest in analog synthesis has returned! If you want to build your own synth, repair an old one, or just try and understand the basics of analog synth design this book is for you.

I have enlarged the page size to 8 1/2" x 11" and made corrections to several of the original circuits. The pages are held together by a plastic "GBC" binding that allows one to open the book on a lab bench for reference while working on a design. The book has schematics for VCO's, VCF's, VCA's, envelope generators, noise sources, keyboard interfaces, sequencers, and much more (over 300 pages). Check here for the table of contents . Each of these schematics is accompanied by descriptions of the theory involved in the design but I tried to keep the math to a minimum. These designs have been implemented in some pretty amazing home-built synths."

You can find more info here.

Cerebral Sabbath” at Octane Coffee

via suicide lane:
"Merkatroid opened up the night with a Live PA feeding his keys into Ableton controlled it via iPhone.
Reset performed as Suicide Lane (MonoMachine, Jomox XB09) tag teaming with the almighty Thunderkiss on Speak&Spell and 909 and Rightclique friends at Octane Coffee.
Check out Rowland's and Distal's great DJ sets as well.

Sets and pictures can be found [here]"

Update via shortstack in the comments:
"Thanks for checking us out, we are already piecing everything together for the February installment of Cerebral Sabbath. Stay tuned to our blog for more information as we will provide updates as they become available. Glad you all enjoyed what we had to share, there is still one more mix from the evening being uploaded in the next few days, so if you like what you've heard so far, just know there is more to come."