Synth80s on the Marion Systems MSR-2

Synth80s posted the following on the Analogue Heaven mailing list. I thought it was worth posting here as there isn't much information on this short lived and rare synth by Tom Oberheim. I asked Synth80s if I could put it up and he gave the OK. via Synth80s:

"My two cents from having previously owned a MSR-2 for many years:

The MSR-2 is certainly not a do-all synth, but it has some strengths. For one thing, it's an 8 to 16 voice analog in a 1U rack format (if you have one ASM card inside or two), which is certainly not common. Because it's a 1U rack synth, it obviously doesn't have an ideal UI for quick tweaking (no faders, few knobs, etc.), but the OS is very logical and usable -- it's very similar to the eminently logical OS in the E-mu Proteus line. The modulation possibilities are fairly thorough and the filters are really interesting, especially using FM. The MSR-2 also has a DB-25 input for running external audio through the interesting filters, but I never tried it. I may be incorrect, but I recall that the pin-outs on the DB-25 didn't follow the Tascam standard that most other equipment used/uses, so I think one would have to make or have made a custom cable to use this feature. At least it's fully documented in the well-written manual.

The oscillators were deemed HROs (High Resolution Oscillators), which I understand to be DCOs that allowed waveshaping to bridge between the common waveforms (square/pulse, saw, etc.) My understanding is that they are DCOs with finer control than those in Tom Oberheim's previous design with his old company (the Matrix 6 / Matrix 1000, with which the MSR-2 shares a similar synthesis architecture). The HROs are a custom CEM part that's related to the current part used in DSI synths and I think the filters are CEM as well. A couple years back, I had a brief e-mail Q&A with Dave Smith about the analog synthesis parts in the DSI Evolver line -- Dave gave me permission to relay his description to the AH list, which I did back in 2007. In short, he said "the synth chips are an improved version of the Marion parts; the originals had some nasty oscillations and noise in them. Plus we drive them with much faster update rates and precision from the DSPs, so the overall quality of sound is much better. Cheers, Dave." I'm not sure if the same chips are used in the P08, but it would make sense.

Regarding the envelopes, this is from memory, but I recall that the early units had some issue that caused them to be very slow, but that the issue was fixed later in the production run. I also recalled that Tom Oberheim offered to fix the earlier units at no cost (I don't know if the fix was hardware, software or a combination), but I think the reputational damage had been done because the early review and demo units all had slow envelopes. My unit had the faster envelopes which were still not what I'd call fast, but also not slow enough to be an issue.

One solely practical negative: the power brick is beastly and proprietary with a MIDI-like DIN connector, but with a few more connection points than a MIDI cable as I recall. It had to be tethered to something or placed on top of the unit to avoid pulling the connector out!

So, given all that, my opinion is that the MSR-2 is definitely not a great synth for basses, percussion and strong, beefy analog sounds, but it's very good at deep, complex, evolving sounds. The oscillators can be made to do very interesting things with PWM and other modulation of the waveshaping features, though the effects are subtle. The best feature is the interesting filters which can do all kinds of nonsense using resonance and FM. Oddly, if you're good at programming digital devices with menu-based OSes, it's a good programmer's analog synth -- very capable and deep, but not immediate.

I think the MSR-2 biggest problem was the timing of its release. Who was buying new analog in 1994? Who was even making new analog in 1994? ;-) As I've said before, I thing the MSR-2 was a "synth out of time," out of step with current trends of the day, but more valuable than people may have given it credit for at its time of release. Lastly, FWIW, my MSR-2 recently sold for $775 on eBay including U.S. shipping.

-Synth80s"

Followed by:

"With regards to architecture and sound quality, I agree that the Matrix 6 / 1000 and MSR-2 are substantially similar, but the MSR-2 oscillators sound significantly different to my ears. I'm not saying they're a lot better (maybe they're worse to some ears), but they're different enough to be worth noting. The Matrix 6 / 1000 always sounded a little more generically mid-80s' DCO to me. The MSR-2 is hard to put a finger on -- it does sound different than anything else I've played. While still soft sounding, the HROs are fairly rich and a little grainy in an interesting way. I don't recall how the filters sound on a Matrix.

Lastly, with regards to price, I'm sometimes shocked at what the market will bear for certain items as well, but I think the value of the MSR-2 may be driven in part by its relative rarity. For better or for worse, it's one of the only analog synths of its era and it was produced in low numbers by one of the all-time legends. I just wish the first model had been more successful for Tom so he could have expanded the company in other areas -- the MSR-2 chassis is modular and was intended to eventually incorporate other models of sound generation, but that never materialized.

Some good links:

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/1994_articles/mar94/tomoberheim.html
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/1994_articles/dec94/marionmsr2.html
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/1995_articles/nov95/marionsynth.html"

Mr. Braska Visits Fonik

more pics and the write-up on SynthFrog

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Me playing Depeche Mode "Master and Servant".

YouTube via DX5
"(previous one deleted due to a fault).
Live 1984 version cover.

Gear:
Upper. Emu EMAX II HD (2mb ram)
Lower. Emu Emax (All sounds coming from my own library)

Right (hidden): Yamaha DX7 (bells sound)"

Synergy II Demo

YouTube via cscairney
"The Synergy Synthesizer was manufactured by Digital Keyboards from 1982 to 1985. Its a pretty rare instrument and I've found it to be a very expressive instrument for having only very limited control over the individual tones.
The sounds played here are the ones stored in the internal memory."

4ms Rotating Clock Divider - CV Rotate Demo

YouTube via 4mspedals
"More info: http://www.4mspedals.com/eurorack.php

The Rotating Clock Divider takes clock signal and outputs a different division on each of the 8 output jacks (Jack 2 is divide by 2, Jack 3 is divide by 3, Jack 4 is divide by 4, Jack 5 divide by 5... up to divide by 8). A "Rotate CV" input modulates what division each jack outputs, which is like re-patching the jacks simply by applying a CV (so for example Jack 2 becomes divide by 3, Jack 3 becomes divide by 4, ... Jack 7 becomes divide by 8, Jack 8 becomes divide by 1).

This video starts with a Clock input, then three drums are plugged in so we hear a time signature of 2 over 4 over 6, then 3 over 4 over 6, then 1 over 4 over 6. Next, a CV is applied to the Rotate CV jack, changing the time signature without modifying the clock speed.

One of the drums has a photocell on its filter (not visible in the video), so you can hear some pitch modulation as my hand's shadow crosses it."

4ms Rotating Clock Divider - Reset Demo

"In this video, we're running a steady clock into a Rotating Clock Divider module and running outputs 2, 3, and 7 into drum modules. Output 8 goes to a second clock divider, and at first it's divide-by-1 output goes to the Reset of the first module. (so we have a 2 over 3 over 7 with an 8-count reset). Then its divide-by-2 output is patched to the Reset of the first module (so we have a 2 over 3 over 7 with a 16-count reset). Then the reset patch is removed and just a single module is used as 2 over 4 over 8. In this state, a CV is applied to the CV Rotate jack, making all kinds of different time signatures..."

4ms Rotating Clock Divider - AUTORESET

"This video shows the auto-reset feature.

This particular module has a removable jumper on its PCB that tells it to reset the count every 16 clocks. So the weirder divisions (3/5/6/7) stay in tempo, since they come back around every 16 beats. We start with divide by 2, then add divide by 3, then add divide by 4. Then we change the divide by 2 to a divide by 1. Then we apply a CV to the CV Rotate jack and change the patching of divisions to jacks."

circuit bent vocoder casio rapman

YouTube via spunkytoofers. be sure to watch the second video below.
"spunkytoofers freakbox. in this video the rapman has a vocoder input which is processing the casio vl tone's rhythms. the effect input gets processed but is also possible to modulate internal feedback patterns within the circuit bent vocoder filters.
each knob controls a different filter each one seemingly overiding each other until there is only internal feedback played. it's does require tweaking to get the most out of it since all the controls are interactive and definately a hot signal if you want it.
also added controls that glitches the rapman's digital logic. it is a random glitch chance button with body contacts that produce random results. very often strange loops and glitchscapes occur. ever so more rarely it results in self compostions. for a demonstration of the rapman self composing along with playing around with the vocoder feedback played live: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVbUxj..."

atmospheric conditions

"short film with circuit bent music with casio rapman."

M-Z3R0 - curcuit bent ULTRA VL1 (concertmate - 200) part 1 of 3 - preset sound and beat manipulation

YouTube via manufacturedZ3R0
"The first of three videos demoing my casio VL1 based project. This one concentrates on manipulating the preset sounds and beats to create electro rhythms and later on some very NIN year zero inspired sound effects over a distorted beat. Part two focuses on subtle melody and sound fx and part three shows it creating all out wall noise and PE style sonic hell.

Can be built on request. PM me if you're interested."

M-Z3R0 - circuit bent ULTRA VL1 (concertmate - 200) part 2 of 3 - melody with Subtle LFO and delay

"Part two of three of my casio VL1 demos. This focuses on melody and subtle use of the LFO and embedded delay, moving on to trippy sound effects and then veering off into noise territory. Part three shows the absolute extreme end of what this machine is capable of."


M-Z3R0 - circuit bent ULTRA VL1 (concertmate 200) part 3 of 3 - harsh noise and power electronics

YouTube via manufacturedZ3R0
"Third part of three demoing my circuit bent concertmate - 200 based synth. (identical in every way to a casio VL1)....

Concentrating solely on the extreme noise this thing can make using it's embedded delay circuit and LFO mods..."

Moog Moogerfooger FREQBOX Modular Synth Pedal

via this auction

SEQUENTIX P3 SEQUENCER

via this auction

"The item is absolutely brand new. I bought it just before they stopped production. This particular unit is one of the latest being produced. The serial number is 1127. It features the latest stable firmware release Version 3.1.

To know more about the P3 and to download later beta versions of the firmware you can visit: http://www.sequentix.com/sq_p3.htm.

This particular unit has been professionally assembled by Sequentix. Right now it has wooden sides installed, making it a "Desktop" version. However by removing a couple of screws you have the option of installing rack mount ears (included) if needs be."

CLICK FOR MORE »

TKB Goofin'

TKB Goofin' from HexEnduction on Vimeo.

"Serge TKB exploration number 1. This just arrived in the mail yesterday and it's killer. Touch capacitive sequences and pressure sensitivity, what more could you ask for?
For more information on the Serge Modular Music System visit quadslope.com"

TKB Goofin' 2: Rhythmic Boogaloo from HexEnduction on Vimeo.

"Serge TKB Exploration #2.5
Raver vs crunker vs SETI"

Serge SSG: Patch Programing from HexEnduction on Vimeo.

"The Serge Smooth / Stepped Generator is very deep. Here are a handful of different patches that highlight some of the functions that can be performed through patch programming the different sections of this module. For more info and patching ideas see the SSG Hi jinx pages at serge-fans.com where many of these patching ideas came from."