Arturia Moog Modular V 2.5

via UniQue Werkx

* Switch to Syncrosoft copy protection ( V 2.5 )
* VCF audio quality improvements ( V 2.5 )
* lower CPU utilization on Mac OSX ( V 2.5 )
* All the parameters of the original Moog Modular: 9 oscillators, 2 LFOs, 3 filter slots, 1 Noise Generator, 6 envelopes, 2 VCAs
* 16 auxiliary VCAs with modulation inputs
* 24-step sequencer
* 1 filter bank (14 bandwidths available)
* More than 600 presets, made by professionals, more...

field studies generative synthesis software

click here

via yakthekyle

Tiptop Audio: Z-DSP depth

flickr by Analogue Haven

"One more photo of the Z-DSP, on the development "bench". This photo gives an idea of the depth of the module. Most manufacturers these days are trying to make modules which are shallow in size. This leads to lighter, thinner cases as well, and gives us more room to stock modules and ship them safely. LINK."

Sequential Circuits Prophet T8

via this auction

Chimera Synthesis bc8 micro-synthesizer

via this auction
"The maker describes the bC8 as "probably the smallest production synthesizer in the world and certainly the cutest." That's probably about right. This thing is only 2.75 inches in diameter and 2 inches tall, but they packed in a hand-assembled gold-plated circuit board, eight potentiometers, a stereo mini-plug, a push-button control, four LED's, and a battery holder (it takes three AAAs).

The maker says: "Sophisticated digitally based oscillators are housed on the DSP as well as an innovative recording system and internal control voltage patching. Choose between single-shot and repetive envelope generator modes; use the separate ATTACK and RELEASE knobs to create long and soulful drones; select the recording system to record and play back complex patterns of control knob movement, speed up or slow down the pattern playback to add extra glide detail or confusion, override any of the controls during playback to adapt, complicate or simplifiy your composition."

More description is here.

This was one of the last batch of bc8s made, and Chimera Synthesis says they have no plans to make more. If you followed the saga, you'll know that it was almost impossible to get one even when they were being made. I waited about six months for this one, then realized I really need more definite pitch control (read: keys, and polyphony) for what I want to do.

You can hear the bc8 in action played by my friend Opsysbug on YouTube"
Here, here and here. Click on the Chimera link below for more.

Marion MSR-2 Analog Synthesizer - RARE (Oberheim MSR2) A- 01307

via these auctions

"Tom Oberheim (of Oberheim synthesizer fame) founded Marion Systems in the early 1990s to develop a mainframe modular synthesizer that was planned to accomodate differerent synthesis technologies as plug-in boards. The MSR-2 chassis, which is 1U rackmountable, supports 2 plug-in boards. The subtractive analog ASM was the only plug-in board ever offered for the MSR-2 -- it offers 8 voices (16 HROs) of analog synthesis using Oberheim's new DCO-based HRO (High Resolution Oscillator) technology with continuous waveshaping to create waveforms that bridge the gap between the usual saw/square offerings. A derivative of this CEM chip-based HRO design lives on today in Dave Smith's Evolver and other DSI instruments.

A slightly less expensive version of the MSR-2 was sold as the Pro Synth which included a single ASM board but I don't believe the Pro Synth was expladable like the MSR-2. Like most MSR-2s, this unit has one 8-voice ASM board, so it has room for another ASM board in the 1U chassis if you can track one down. If two ASM boards are installed, they can be used as one 16-voice (32 HRO) synthesizer, or they can be layered.

The best features of the MSR-2 are the filter section with very powerful FM capabilities and the deep modulation routings offered -- not surprisingly, they are very similar to the modulation capabilities of Oberheim's Matrix 6 and Matrix 12 synthesizers which preceeded the Marion. Also, even though the unit only has a few knobs, it is very easy to program even with complicated patches. The MSR-2 operating system is very similar to that of E-mu's Proteus line -- very logical."

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electro-music 2009

The electro-music festival, known as the "Woodstock of electronic music," is the world's premiere event for experimental electronic music. This year's event features three mind-bending days of innovative electronic music concerts, seminars, workshops, demonstrations, jam sessions, video art, a laptop battle, and a swap-meet. Action starts at 12 noon on Thursday, October 29 and runs until after midnight on October 31. Musical activities will be running continuously throughout the three days of the festival.

electro-music 2009 takes place at the Star Lake Camp in Bloomingdale, New Jersey. This year, on-site lodging and meals are available. Tickets range from $22 for a single day to $220 for a 3-day pass including meals and lodging. Tickets that include food or lodging must be reserved by October 15.

More information, including a complete schedule of events can be found on the web site at:
http://event.electro-music.com/
You may also contact us at
event *at* electro-music.com

A wide variety of instruments and musical styles will be represented, ranging from theremin to analog modular synthesizers to home made devices, from classic space music to abstract electronica to world beats.


The following artists will be performing:
1undread
Ace Paradise
Acoustic Interloper
Alphacore
Azimuth Visuals
Jonathan Block
Brainstatik
Casperelectronics
Delicate Monster
Dewanatron
dRachEmUsiK
Dubathonic
Duet for Theremin and Lap Steel
Earthgirl
FULCRUM
Hong - GuZheng
In The Loop
Steve Jolliffe
kataStatik
Kingdom of Sharks
Kevin Kissinger
Klimchak
Andrew Koenig
Kribophoric
Richard Lainhart
Lonely Robot Audio presents MUS EXCELSIOR
Mayakara
Terrence McManus
The Megadrives
Kurt Michaels
Logan Mitchell
Modulator ESP
Shane Morris
MyOwnYoko
NEOREV
Joker Nies
Northern Valentine
Project Ruori
RDK
Ricochet Gathering
safe 2
Siebert and Lepre
Don Slepian
Spinning Plates
SPITZNAGEL
State Machine

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korg monopoly drummachine

YouTube via f...ingharpsichord
"Angelique, my Monopoly, has turned into a drumcomputer"

Elka Synthex & Roland CR-68

YouTube via zaphid
"synthex sequencer transposed with keyboard."

DIY Sequencer Synth

flickr set by Unity Gain

"This is a work in progress: A synthesizer and 16 step sequencer. When finished ther will be 70 more knobs controlling the VCOs, noise genertors, envelope, and Filter on each of the 16 channels. There will be main parameter overides, adjustable sequence length, and individual outputs for each channel if desired. All that's holding this up is $."