Paia Programmable Drum Set

via this auction

"Paia Programmable Drum Kit -
Here's a truly unique piece of musical history. Apparently this is the very first stand-alone drum machine as well as the first programmable drum machine! It's basically an analog synthesizer which synthesizes pre-programmed drum sounds. The drums are triggered from touch-sensors. . .Made from 1975-1983, this was sold as a kit for DIY. As a result of that DIY factor, I believe, this kit is indeed somewhat functional, but despite it's warm analog sounds, displays some operational issues. Firstly, the "snare" sound seems to be multi-triggering really fast and will do this, almost sounding like white noise, until you touch the sensor, at which time it repeats normally with the tempo. The other sounds work except for the kick drum sounds, which seem to be heard but very softly. . . I either can't figure out how to program it (spent all of five minutes and gave up) or it doesn't work. . . .Tempo works just fine, output is relatively clean once you start "triggering" the sounds by touching the pads"

Update via metasonix in the comments: "Every PDS I've seen or heard about in the past several years, has (without exception) had a non-functional programming section.

Apparently the (now primitive) 2112 shift-register chip dies after 20+ years, and is almost impossible to find today. Funny, how early semiconductors fail----usually for not-obvious reasons. I've looked to find if someone did a study on this phenomenon, and it seems no one ever did."

Update via Krunkwerk in the comments: "I purchased a bunch of SY2114A ICs the other day, on the gut feeling that there's something that I'd worked on recently which uses them.

As Not Even Remotely Funny correctly points out, the SY2112A (aka: 2112) is a 256x4 SRAM. For the past few days, I've been trying to locate spec sheets for this device. I finally found a couple this evening:

http://www.datasheetarchive.com/

(search for 2112)

It was during this same search that I came across this particular post, which I found quite interesting.

Incidentally, if anyone here has a PDS with a failed 2112 onboard and has been unable to locate a replacement: let me know. I'd be happy to help out (I have about 20 of the SY2114-35s at the moment). The thought of a vintage piece of kit in a non-functional state - for want of a difficult to locate part - makes me sad ."

Circuit Bent Casio SK-1 Sampler

via this auction
"circuit bent Casio SK-1 lo fi sampler and synth. This is the mother of all circuit bent keyboards! This custom unit has all of the standard features of the classic SK-1, with tons of extras. The added mods to this unit include sturdy modular case with unique stamped black vinyl, custom metal control panel with extra add ons, and internally mounted power transformer for 110v use. The added bends to this keyboard include 1/4" sampler input jacks for mic and line, 16 point RCA patchbay, an additional 5 patch points with potentiometer for variable effects, seperate 1/4" outputs for drums, bass, and main, high pass filters on the drum and bass outputs, pitch control knob, and hard reset button. There is plenty of space for adding additional mods or bends, such as extra switches or MIDI control...

he Circuit Bent SK-1 is a great keyboard for experimental and electronic musicians looking for a unique sound and sample source. The lo-fi 8-bit style beats, drones, and tones from this are quite impressive. This SK-1 is missing the C#/Db key above middle C. If you are looking for a normal keyboard this isn't for you. If you're after crazy and unique sounds, this may be your ticket! I have been selling my circuit bent creations here for over 5 years, and I take pride in offering unique, quality pieces. Sound samples of this and some of my other works can be heard at: myspace.com/anode8

Check out my other auctions!"

The Buchla Electric Music Box - Ad from 1971

via vgermuse

"The Electric Music Box: A comprehensive collection of precision electronic modules for generating, processing, and directing sound for other perspectives."

Pseudorandom Clip 1/2

YouTube via arrowbang

"Mike Dobler performs Pseudorandom. Equipment used: Korg ESX-1, KP3, and Quadfecta filter (Sherman Filterbank 2, Schippmann Ebbe und Flut, Moog MF-102 and MF-107). Recorded at Annex Seven."

Custom Sequential Sixtrak Vintage Analog Synth

via this auction
"Sequential Sixtrak analog synth that was turned into a module by Dave Smith of Sequential Circuits as a one-off for a client back in the day.

Specs:
* 6 voice single VCO polysynth
* VCA - 3 env. generators
* Dual Sequencer
* CC control of every single parameter via MIDI - for control freaks
* 6 independant analog monosynths in one - responds to 6 separate MIDI channels"

Update: see the comments in this post below. This could be the same one from a prior auction which was modded by Phil at Sequential Circuits, not Dave Smith.

Octave Plateau Voyetra Eight - Analog Synthesizer

via this auction

Not the best shot, but you don't see these come up often.

"a very rare 1983 Octave Plateau Voyetra Eight analog synthesizer as used by New Order (see Perfect Kiss 10 minute version on YouTube) and Eurythmics, among others. I bought it from a musician in New York about 10 years ago who claimed he was the former keyboardist of the Tom Tom Club (ex-Talking Heads members). He said he used it in several live shows when they toured in the mid-80's and had two of these synths. He sold me one of them. I've used it on several of my own personal projects and songs over the years, particularly on my cover of New Order's "Your Silent Face". It's an extremely rare synth on the used market, and even more rare to find in stable, fully-functioning condition. It blows away any other analog polysynth I've ever used or played, including the CS-80 (at least sonically). If you've been looking to add one to your studio, this is the one you want.

Specs:
* Polyphony - 8 voice
* Modes - Split (responds to two separate MIDI channels), layer (2 MIDI channels), unison
* LFO - 2 LFOs (Sine, saw, triangle, sample & hold)
* VCF - 24 dB/oct low pass resonant filter with separate ADSR
* VCA - 2 ADSR envelope generators - can be switched to ADR for percussive sounds.
* VCO - 2 VCOs per voice (saw, sine, sqr, pw - combinable). Cross modulation and sync
* Keyboard - 61 note remote keyboard (velocity + aftertouch) - (included if Buy Now is used)
* Memory - 100 patches
* Sequencer - Built in
* Knobs - Came in two knobs styles, teardrop (more rare) and rounded. This model sports the rarer teardrop knobs.
* Control - MIDI with XLR connectors (MIDI cable included); Arpeggiator sync input (trigger), responds to various MIDI controllers.
* Date Produced - 1983 - 1986"

VectorForm's DJ v2.0 alpha for Microsoft Surface

YouTube via mssurface
"Eric Havir chats with Joe Engalan about their DJ 2.0 alpha application, a fun DJ tool for the novice on Microsoft Surface."
A bit of a virtual reactable.

Breakaway Vocalizer 1000 and Pychic TV

Interesting update in this post.

Roland V-Synth Acid (TB-303, TR-909) Patch / Emulation

YouTube via stealthgear
"Here I use samples and a really customized performance patch to emulate the TB-303 & TR-909 on the V-synth.

Explanation:
The midi control knobs control more than one function. C1 opens the cosm filter and adds more reverb effect send. C2 Controls the levels on OSC1 (Where drum samples are loaded) and also closes the resonance on OSC2. I could have used the D-Beam and also used more resonance, but maybe next time.

The Arpeggiator turned on and set to 16steps lets us create & loop our patterns. The drum samples all have their own zone. No loops are being used"

Waldorf Blofeld Encoders

flickr set by sammycoffeepants
(click for more)

"Finally opened up the Blofeld and had a look around, then decided I felt up to desoldering one of the encoders for a better chance at identifying it (with the intention of upgrading all of them in the near future)."

inside a Waldorf Blofeld