Umbra and the Volcan Siege and the M4000

via Mi2N

photo: Brad Meese

"Chicago, IL September 14, 2010. Chicago-based psych-rockers Umbra and the Volcan Siege have a new weapon in their musical arsenal. Bandleader and mellotron enthusiast Jim Licka reports that he has just received the new M4000 from Streetly Electronics, the foremost experts in mellotron restorations, and the home of the all-new M4000.

Licka, who also plays guitar and Moog synthesizer with Umbra and the Volcan Siege, placed his order for the M4000 in 2007 after visiting Streetly's Staffordshire, England, headquarters and testing a prototype. An older model mellotron is featured on the most recent Umbra and the Volcan Siege EP, 2009's The Beginning of the End.

According to Streetly's official Website, the M4000 was designed as an homage to the original MKII mellotron. It has revolving drums, a chain-linked, failsafe cycling mechanism and includes the following features: 8 stations/24 sounds (equivalent of 8 tape frames in one instrument), inching facility in addition to factory presets, cycling optical failsafe to prevent damage to the tapes while the instrument cycles to the next station, a light and playable MKII keyboard feel, an MKII playing height for comfortable standing position, a positively pressurized cabinet to filter in clean air and protect the instrument from smoke and other contaminants, playback heads that are mounted in revolving collars so that each one can always be positioned for correct response and a standard 24 sound tape set based on Streetly's most popular tape sales over the last 5 years.

The M400 is the newest model of mellotron, an electro-mechanical, polyphonic keyboard that dates back to the early 1960s. Psychedelic and progressive rock bands used the mellotron extensively in the 60s and 70s and the instrument features on such classic albums as George Harrison's Wonderwall Music, King Crimson's In the Court of the Crimson King and Architecture & Morality by Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark.

In a recent interview with Novo Arts, Licka stated that he purchased his first mellotron in Toronto several years ago and is proud to be among a select number of M4000 owners, including Sir Paul McCartney, Arcade Fire and Medeski Martin & Wood."

Man In The Mirror (Moog Bass version)

YouTube via Geeljasjes | September 15, 2010
Mini comes in at 1:08.
"Me playing 'Man In The Mirror' on the Minimoog synthesizer, which was used on the original recording. The Minimoog is famous for its bass sound and boy, this synth produces some serious bottom end. I got the sound as close as I could get it to the original recording. Anyone who owns a Minimoog, Voyager or other clone, can send me a message, so I can send you this sound in the form of a patch-sheet.

All other instruments I recorded in Logic, using most of the original instruments that were used on MJ's Man In The Mirror, like the MPC60 for the drums, the MKS20 and DX7 for the piano and the D50 for the Calliope and intro sound.
The Minimoog is a tad louder than the rest, as it's being the centre of attention in this video."

via Jorge

And another cover:

Heathrow - Tribute to Level-42

Geeljasjes | July 26, 2010

"This track is the reason why I became a fan of Level-42.
I was 13-years of age in 1981 when I first heard this track when listening to their debut album at the record store.

Next to Mark King's signature bass playing L42 were also distinctive sounding because of Mike Lindup and Wally Badarou's keyboard parts.
I've seen many Bass players covering Heathrow on youtube and no one doing the keys, while this track is really a keyboard oriented track, so here it is.

PROPHET-5
The keyboard-synthesizer you see me playing is the unmistakable and legendary Prophet-5.
Level-42 have used this synthesizer extensively on their early records, on the hits they later had on Running In The Family and Mike Lindup was still using the Prophet-5 during the Retroglide tour.
He's replaced it with a Prophet-08 for their anniversary tour, but I'm sure he wishes his Prophet-5 was still in good working order, as the sound cannot be reproduced on anything else.

This particular Prophet sound used on Heathrow is probably its trademark sound.
These type of brass sounds are possible on other synths, but this is the original Prophet sound and its filters and envelopes cannot be emulated on anything else. I've tried clones of the Prophet, but I could not get that Heathrow brass sound. When I bought the P5 I instantly got that sound with little effort.
The P600 has that same sound, but its envelopes are not as accurate and the filter is not as smooth.

The Prophet-600 which sits above the P5 is Midi'd to the P5 and used to play a double octave in some parts.
You can see me turning up and down the volume on the P600.

Heathrow is on Level-42's debut album, which still is their best album ever.
It's 140-bpm and in a 6/8 feel, which makes it hard to play.

The backing track was recorded by myself in Logic-Pro.
Enjoy!!!!!"

EARS NYC Technical Mentor Program - Synth Repair Course

via Peter Pearson:

"http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/msg/1953854261.html
http://www.earsnyc.com/
http://www.earsnyc.com/blenkinsopp.html

Want to try a new career and learn to be a gear tech?
EARS NYC earlier this year successfully started the first ever Gear & Instrument Repair/Building course in the NYC area. A technical and complete hands on mentoring program for those individuals who have an interest in being a professional gear tech or gear designer. You will leave with a "real world" education that you can't get anywhere else!

We will be holding a free orientation this thursday the16th, at 7:30pm, at EARS NYC for anyone that is interested in this as a career and becoming part of the program.

There are no more than 6 students to a class so once the spots are filled we won't be registering anyone for the fall.

The program begins Mon Sep 20th at 7:30pm, so if you have thought about it in the past, don't waste time and start now!!!! "


YouTube via blusmoke88 | August 06, 2010

"Learn to repair, design and modify analog and digital musical equipment. In-depth and total hands on approach to repairing & designing electronic equipment. If you've ever wanted to do something with that piece of gear collecting dust in the corner, don't throw it out...learn to fix it!!"

modular spaghetti: the Malekko/Wiard Oscillator

flickr By Mr. Biggs
(click for more)

"Took a few pictures of my music junk this morning. These were shot with an iPhone and an app called 'tilt shift generator.'
More here."

Doepfer MS-404 Mono Synthesizer

via this auction

"This is a 100% analogue mono synth with basic MIDI functionality and external audio input... Doepfer produced the 404 in the mid 90's and continued production up to 2001, according to Wikipedia. It was marketed as a Roland TB303 clone, but it's an instrument with a sound all of it's own."

Roland MC-202

via this auction

with spider web

Korg O3R/W MIDI Synthesizer and RE1 Remote Editor

via this auction

"This is the 1-space rack mounted version of the popular 01W synthesizer used by many artists in the '90s. It has 32 voices, is 8 part multitimbral, and contains some of the best ROM-based samples and multi-effects ever used in a synthesizer. These sounds are so classic that Korg still incorporates them into synthesizers they are selling today... The RE1 connection cable is included so you can start using the remote editor right away. The 03R/W has slots for PCM and Program data cards"

CLICK FOR MORE »

BugBrand Modular 1Frame System with External Joystick Controller

via this auction

"Finally! After 5 years in the dark dungeon that has been the BugBrand Workshop I have just moved to a better place! Over that time I have picked up quite a stack of bits'n'pieces and it is really time to have a serious clear-out -> to clear space, to pass on unused items and to generate some funds for setting up the new workshop.

BugBrand Modular - 1Frame System with external controller
This is quite special! A complete BugBrand Modular setup in a desktop enclosure, made up of a good selection of modules which are mainly early/prototype ones but brought fully up to current spec. For more details on the BugBrand Modular and the different modules do have a check of the BugBrand Modular website, but I will give an overview of everything here. As you may be aware, I've been making the BugBrand Modular Systems available over the last two years, but because I'm only a small setup I've restricted myself to working with only a handful of people. Usually I build up systems with people over a number of months, but here is a chance to get a full compact system with a unique controller!

The Modules:

CLICK FOR MORE »

A Synth for Self Defense - Mopho Saves the Day

via Alex Massad on Synthtopia:
"'This story begins with three elements.

First, I live in quite a lively part of downtown Ottawa, the ByWard Market. Home to countless restaurants, bars, a strip-club and many homeless people.

Second, I also work late very frequently when events run late at the art gallery.

Finally, I have just recently got a DSI Mopho synth that I was jamming around with, this thing sure sounds bad-ass! It’s like a single voice from a Prophet-08, sweet!

Last Friday I was walking home from work at 11 pm when I passed a group of about six people on both sides of me. Generally there are people waiting around here every night having a smoke outside the clubs, but this group was looking for something more. Just as I passed the group I saw one of them come up quickly from behind.

As I turned my head I saw him swing for my head. My first reaction was to duck and cover my head but I was holding both a pizza box and my synth. I freed one arm by dropping the pizza box, and with I swung my synth in self-defence.

Suddenly I felt another of the gang grab my laptop bag by the handle near my neck, but my reflexes led me to get out almost instantly as I dropped my weight to a crouching position. Obviously he wasn’t able to hold on, and I quickly turned so nobody was attacking me from behind, but the group was already running away.

The Mopho is by no means a heavy instrument. It’s compact, hand held and durably enclosed in a very sturdy case. It is however well enough made to do some serious damage in my angry hands. I guess I was swinging this “Killer Synth” around so much that I lost 4 knobs in the process, but on the upside the mob that attacked me backed away from my angry stance, preferring to keep their teeth that evening.'

Massaad adds that he thinks that Dave Smith Instruments – the company – is as bad-ass as their synths. When he told them about his unfortunate experience, they were kind enough to send him some replacement knobs for his synth."

GroovePacks FreeStyle 3 Instruments demo 2

GroovePacks FreeStyle 3 Instruments demo 2 from Groove Packs on Vimeo.

"This video is the second part of the demonstration of some of the instrument racks that come with the GroovePacks FreeStyle 3 Ableton Live Pack.

A live clip is played for each rack, and then the macro controls are manipulated in real-time, showing you the scope of sounds that you can take out from each rack, which are designed to be like a mini-synth in themselves.

Go to groovepacks.com for more."