Synthesizer Day in Portland Oregon

YouTube via MrKnesh

feighnroom

YouTube via stretta
"I haven't released anything a capella in over a decade. Solo multitrack a capella is one of those things you can't perform live, which is one reason why I believe recorded music and live music are separate art forms. However, the idea of performing a polyphonic a capella piece live is still an interesting challenge. Of course, one can use delays or looper hardware, but I've often found the results lacking interesting compositional structure.

The recent Imogen Heap on David Letterman video got me thinking about performing an a capella piece in conjunction with a monome. The goal was to use just the monome and a microphone. No other gear or touching a computer is allowed. Also, no sequencers running backing tracks. This is somewhat of a challenge.

I recorded this as a two camera shoot - a Canon 5DmkII with a lens baby pointed at my head... well... the mic, and another video camera pointed at the monome so you can see what my hands are doing."

Mickey Mouse Abuse

YouTube via kamoni
"Some excerpts from Kamoni's live set using Ableton Live and a DrumKat. Includes some more jungle, dubstep, dnb improvised freestylin'."

An experimental theme

YouTube via attorks
"I have got to apologies for the camera position; I don't expect you are eager to see my hairy arms. But it was around midnight when I decided to make this clip and I also had to let the dog out before going to bed. So I had no second chance and just tried to capture the moment.
What you hear and see is basically some experimental music. Two 8 step sequences on the Doepfer MAQ16/3 are driving the self built Modular and the Creamware MiniMax ASB. Some strings from the Clavia Nord Lead 1 to get a layer; sometimes modulating the 2nd VCO's pitch to get some nice variation. And the odd bass from the Roland XP-80 to spice things up. Upon all that I am fiddling around with the Doepfer R2M Ribbon Controller which is connected with the CV outputs to the Synthesizers.com Modular. The resonance knob of the Q150 Transistor Ladder filter is on 10 and during the 'solo' I vary the frequency knob from 0 to around 5. I hope you like it."

Doepfer Sneak Peek

Doepfer Sneak Peek from niamhguckian on Vimeo.

"An interview with the great man himself, taken from the documentary 'Totally Wired'. Dieter talks about the inspiration for the A100 series, his collaborations with Kraftwerk, and the future of modular. Unmissable! 'Totally Wired' is available on DVD from amazon.com"

Follow up to this Totally Wired post featuring Ken MacBeth

Analogue Solutions Semblance synthesizer

via this auction

* Pure analogue voice circuitry.
* Accurate SEM circuitry clone.
* Similar SEM size and layout.
* Extra features such as Sample and Hold.
* Plenty of modulation possibilities
* Rugged steel construction.
* MIDI In for software sequencer / keyboard control.

You can find the full specs and samples on the Analogue Solutions SEMblance page.

Sonic LAB: Kenton USB Solo

via Sonic State
via Kenton's USB Solo Page
"Features for USB SOLO
* Designed to control all types of mono-synth
* Super-fast response time
* Famous Kenton build quality
* Rugged brushed aluminium case
* CV and Aux1 outputs use high specification 16 bit D/A converters for rock-steady pitches
* Gate / S-trig output configurable output to match virtually any synth
* Aux2 & Aux3 outputs are on-off only (zero or 5V)
* Dedicated DIN socket output for Sync24
* CV/Gate/Aux1,2,3 outputs on 3.5mm jack sockets (3.5mm to 1/4" cables are available in our cables section)
* Any MIDI channel can be selected
* Switchable for V/oct & Hz/V & 1.2V/oct scaling systems
* Fine tune & scale are software controllable
* Transpose (coarse tune) - up & down 12 semitones
* Adjustable pitchbend range
* Programmable Gate V-trig (up to 15v) or S-trig (with or without pull-up)
* Multiple and single trigger modes - adjustable re-trigger time
* Note priority selection - newest / lowest / highest
* Old notes are remembered to facilitate trill effects and increase playability
* Portamento - fixed rate or fixed time modes
* Auto Portamento mode selectable (where legato playing turns on Portamento)
* Portamento Controller is selectable
* Programmable Auxilary outputs controllable by any MIDI controller
* Programmable LFO - 9 wave shapes inc. random
* LFO can modulate pitch &/or AUX output
* Separate Controllers for LFO to CV and LFO to AUX
* LFO can be synchronised to MIDI clock
* LFO sync point can be selected
* Key-on can reset LFO
* Aux3 output can output clock - Aux2 can output stop-start
* Clock output can select from 1 to 12, 24, or 48 clocks per quarter note
* All parameters are controllable in real-time by SysEx
* Set-ups are stored in non-volatile memory for easy recall
* 40 memory locations for store / load
* MIDI monitor mode - for easy MIDI troubleshooting
* USB powered
* Size 130mm x 97mm x 40mm
* Suitable for use with XP / Vista / MAC OS-X v10.2 onwards / Linux

Improvements over Pro-Solo mkII
* USB connection - faster data transfer
* Has 40 memories which can be stored and recalled
* Setups pre-loaded for popular synths
* Dedicated DIN Sync-24 output
* Aux 2 & 3 on 3.5mm jacks
* Variable gate-off time for re-trigger (multiple trigger)
* LFO start point can now be selected for Sample & Hold too
* Aux 2 & 3 have adjustable threshold
* Program changes can be used to recall memories

Socket upgrades for Analogue Synthesisers

For those monosynths without the necessary inputs, Kenton have a range of Socket upgrades to enable you to add those all-important CV, Gate & Filter sockets and sometimes a few others too. We can fit such sockets for you or, alternatively, supply a kit of parts and instructions. Please look at our Socket upgrades page for further information."

Roland TR-606

via the forum where it is listed for sale. Click on the image for the full size shot.

Crumar Organizer 2 repair tips and demo part 1

YouTube via sounddoctorin. inside a Crumar Organizer.
Sound Doctorin'Studio Map (click on different sections when you get there for images of the gear)
"Bob Weigel of Sound Doctorin' shows a few tech tips and gives a view around inside this classic analog beast. Paul Haugen joins him to demonstrate the features and continuing with this in part II"

Crumar Organizer 2 demo part 2

"continuation of part 1 with Bob Weigel and Paul Haugen demonstrating the capabilities of the Crumar Organizer 2"

Non Eric´s erste Tests mit Celemony Melodyne DNA!

YouTube via musotalk

"Ich habe meine ersten Minuten mit der Beta des neuen Melodyne Editors mit DNA für euch als Screencast ins Netz gestellt.Für mich die absolute Softwaresensation der letzten 2 Jahre.Mehr in Kürze nach ausgiebigeren Tests,"