MATRIXSYNTH

Peanuts Ping

YouTube via finsprings
"Really simple Arduino sketch using a Parallax Ping sensor to turn on a Charlie Brown 'Peanuts' sound board out of a birthday card when it sees something within 5 inches."

Waldorf Microwave XT SN 010730231

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"The famous Microwave XT.... It's basically a Microwave-2, plus the addition of some 44 dedicated controller knobs & dials transmitting midi data... The unit is also upgraded from the MW2 to have a 5U rack surface area which is also table mounting dj-mixer/plinth style, and as you can see it comes in black & orange colours... The extra rack-space compared to the Microwave-2 is required to facilitate all the extra controllers which upgrades & makes the XT a very powerful instrument with fast editing and hands on control throughout..."
All editable parameters of the Waldorf Microwave XT:

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360 Systems 20/20 Frequency Shifter (BODE)

via this auction

"This is a very rare item, probably the first I've seen one on ebay. It is a Frequency Shifter, model 20/20 by 360 Systems.

360 Systems was (and still is) an innovative company that developed this pitch changer (as used by Synergy/Larry Fast, John McLaughlin), one of the first guitar synths (John McLaughlin) the first sample-playback keyboard and many audio post devices since. They also developed the first LINN Drum for Roger Linn. Bob Easton was/is their clever designer."
360 based their design on Harold Bode's rare "Klangumwandler" that was made and sold for Moog in the late 1960s and early '70s.

The Moog/Bode 6552 Klangumwandler ('sound-changer', in German) was an interesting concept, to modify pitch (frequency) without changing the overtone structure. Bode's invention was first created for Ussachevsky's electronic music studio at Columbia University (Bob was quite familiar with the composer and studio, as well as his various students like Wendy Carlos. Wendy and Tomita used this module on their classic albums. Club of the Knobs synthesizers now make a very accurate replica of the original Bode/Moog module and you can see it (and the similarity to this 360 design) on their website. The 360 has the same "series of 5" settings (5,50,500) as the Bode - and mixed vs. independent outputs, although the squelch is internal on the 360 via trimpot. There is CV (Voltage Control) of the frequency - great with a sequencer, CV pedal (McLaughlin) or random. These are similar to a ring modulator, but have a VERY unusual effect at the lowest settings. This is the effect I love (and why anyone should own this) - a deep phasing in stereo, without "messing up" the sonic quality of the original signal - all bass a treble frequencies remain solid, and the harmonics shift around in stereo beautifully. It's weird but not ugly - very HiFi and cool-sounding.

BODE

some text from the web):
'... the EWE, which stands for Electro Wagnerian Emancipator. There's only one of them; it was designed for me by Bob Easton at 360 Systems… That is now gathering dust in the warehouse. I tried to use it on "Big Swifty" from Waka/Jawaka - Hot Rats, but it didn't end up on the final track." (BTW synth geeks - this is mystery item was basically just an EML Polybox, same idea!)

'We also have some neat little 360 Systems model 2800 programmable equalizers, which are four-band parametric with memory storage for saving any particular settings that you may like. Those were designed by Bob Easton and are no longer available, but we have a few of them.'"

via Brian Kehew of Moog Cookbook

Update via eben in the comments: "check out the comment in that ebay auction in the questions section - none other than Tom Rhea, author of the minimoog owners manual"

via the auction:
Q: Hey neighbor, interesting that you have a frequency shifter for sale, but your description that a klangumwandler shifts without changing the overtone structure is incorrect. Pitch shifting a la the Eventide Harmonizer does this; Harald Bode built frequency shifter(s) that provide a LINEAR shift in frequency (Hz) for all partials in the input signal. This will, of course drastically change the "overtone structure," not preserve it. Sorry to be a drudge about this, but I knew Harald well, teach this stuff at a well known music College," This message purely in the interest of sharing information. Hope you get a good penny. PS, I have several Bode 1630 FS (lucky me, but just knowing Harald was the real treat!) Tom Rhea (author Minimoog Owner's Manual, etc.) Good luck in the sale! Apr-14-09
A: Hey Tom - you are likely QUITE right. I only said it was based upon the Bode - which seems quite true given the controls and front panel, steps of "5's" etc. Obviously, the audio track given shows what this very unit does exactly, so no deception is implied.

HOW TO - Wireless MIDI using 2 Xbees

"Overview video on using 2 Xbee modules, Adafruit adapter kits and FTDI cable to transmit MIDI wirelessly." x0xb0x

You can find more info on ladyada's Adafruit Industries Xbee here.

"Adafruit Industries looked at all the XBee adapter boards available and decided to design something better...

* Onboard 3.3V regulator to cleanly power your XBee, up to 250mA
* Level shifting circuitry means that its trivial to connect it to 5V circuitry such as an Arduino without risk of damage
* Two LEDs, one for activity (RSSI), the other for power (Associate)
* 10-pin 2mm sockets included to protect the modem and allow easy swapping, upgrading or recycling
* All the commonly used pins are brought out along the edge, making it easy to breadboard or wire up
* Specifically created for use with an FTDI cable to connect to a computer via USB. This means that you can use or upgrade the adapter with a computer simply by plugging in a cable
* For use with any XBee/Pro pin-compatible module

The kit includes a PCB and all components necessary to build the adapter, unassembled."

Make Noise Interview on VICMOD

"Make Noise are not just another euro rack modular company. With just a few modules to their name they have made quite a racket.Amazing modules, great designs and great sounds! I just had to interview Tony Make Noise Rolando."

You can find the full interview here.

Be sure to check out VICMOD for more interviews.

Swarm Of Wogglebugs

YouTube via MAKEN0ISE
"Ever wonder what 12 wogglebugs sound like..."

two black beauties

via Cikira
"I had two of the prettiest items in my studio side by side while I was getting them settled in--both musical interfaces with plenty of black lacquer woodwork. You can tell they want to be together! The genoQs Octopus is familiar, of course. The other is a burl-top four-octave Array Mbira; no MIDI, just organic goodness and a pair of pickups beggin' for delays. They're such an elegant pair, I thought I'd share. :-)"

Update via Chef Barry in the comments: "Search for youtube vids of the Array Mbira. It sounds friggin gorgeous! Like this: [video below]"

Close up of the Array Mbira
YouTube via puppetpatti
"I keep getting messages about folks wanting to see this beautiful instrument close up so just put this together to show you :0) If you google Array Mbira, the website to this GLORIOUS instrument will come up and you can read all about it. Thanks to all of you who come to see my stuff. I really enjoy playing this mbira and it just fills my soul and heart."