MATRIXSYNTH

Electronic Music Laboratories Modular Restoration Project

via George Mattson of Mattson Mini Modular: "This is my Electronic Music Laboratories sequencer. It is actually a compilation of assorted EML synthesizers I own that I stuffed into a common case.

In 1978, I was tired of trying to stack all of these and decided to compile them into one unit. At the time, I owned: The Electrocomp 400 sequencer with the 2x16 sequencer panel, The EML 200 "Modular" And, the EML 300 controller. I also own an EML 101 and an EML Poly-Box but, they didn't stack. I built the case out of 1/2" plywood with wood mounting rails and stapled black vinyl around the case. The case measures 4' wide x 3.5' high x 1' deep. Since I had a couple of extra holes, I ordered another 2x16 sequencer panel and another EML 300 without a case to fill it up. After 32 years, I've decided to refurbish this compilation and give it a new house.

The plan: Besides the panels in the case, I also have the EML circuit modules that I had purchased from EML in order to build a 'proof of concept' Syntar in 1979 [Update: see this post]. I also have a few left over 3-octave Pratt-Read keyboards from my old Syntar stock along with some old Syntar circuit boards. I want to determine what I have that is still working or, easy to fix. Once I have an inventory, I'm going to design a modular panel to fit between the 300's and the top portion and incorporate the working modules into the system. I'm also going to add the two 3-octave keyboards. Below those, I will put my 88-key M-audio MIDI controller keyboard and add a couple of MMM MIDI/CV controllers. Anything that I feel I need to fill out the signal paths and patching structure I'll just pull from my DIY module stock.

After the "modular" section is defined, I'll refurbish, re-cap the existing EML panels, calibrate them and clean/lube all of the panel controls that aren't sealed. Any sealed pots that are noticeably bad in an audio path will be replaced with something newer.

It should be a fun refurbishing project.

To be continued…."

George Mattson"

synergy synthesizer voice cartridge modification.mpg

YouTube via xenmaster0 | October 15, 2010

"This modification of a standard Synergy synthesizer voice cartridge adds a ZIF (Zero Insertion Force) socket and comes with 21 EPROMs containing the complete Synergy synthesizer voice library.

The Synergy voice library originally came on EPROMs in separate cartridges, but since the cartridges and EPROMs haven't been produced for 30 years, this mod gives people with Synergy I or Synergy II+ synthesizers instant access to all 504 timbres in the Synergy voice library."

Polysynthi - Multitrack Session

YouTube via aurexlive | October 15, 2010

"Okay, because of the many requests ... another Polysynthi vid :)

This time a multitracked song, first completely dry then wet to show the full potential of the Polysynthi.

Next up, some new aurex songs, it' about time I think :D

See ya!"

Circuit Bent Speak and Spell Vintage Synth (sloog) Part 3

YouTube via radial77 | October 15, 2010
via this auction

AKAI PRO SYNTHSTATION v1.2.1 AVAILABLE NOW VIA iTunes

"Update Adds Hardware Support for SynthStation25 keyboard, iOS 4 multitasking, High-Resolution Graphics for iPad and iPhone 4 and more

Cumberland, R.I. (Oct. 14, 2010) – Akai Professional, the name synonymous with music production, announces the immediate availability of SynthStation v1.2.1, the latest update to the music production app for iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad. SynthStation v1.2.1 is now available for download on the iTunes App Store.

SynthStation transforms an iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad into a portable music production studio. The app gives musicians three synthesizers, over 50 drum kits and a full mixing section with multiple effects to create loops and sequence entire songs. Musicians can record song performances to .WAV files and MIDI files of the performance, capturing all modulation, mixing and on-screen keyboard playing. Through a WIFI connection, the files can then be transferred to a computer for playback.

With the 1.2.1 update, SynthStation now provides complete support for Akai Professional’s SynthStation25 keyboard, the first ever music controller of its kind for iPhone and iPod Touch. This portable, 25-note mini-keyboard features a built-in dock for iPhone and iPod touch, and gives users two octaves of velocity-sensitive keys, pitch and modulation wheels, and physical buttons to control parameters within the SynthStation app. SynthStation25 also has a USB MIDI output that can be used to control any MIDI music software on a Mac or PC.

The SynthStation update provides compatibility with Apple’s latest mobile operating system iOS 4. Now all iPhone 4 users will be able to download and enjoy the SynthStation experience with multitasking and Retina display support. Furthermore, the SynthStation update utilizes the latest iOS to offer more stability, speed and overall performance enhancements. iPad users will appreciate the inclusion of crisp, high-res images designed specifically for the larger display as well.

“The SynthStation app transforms the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad into a professional synthesizer workstation in a streamlined, all-in-one program,” said Adam Cohen, Director of Business Development, Akai Professional. “With the latest SynthStation update musicians can take full advantage of pristine image quality on their iPhone 4 or iPad, and iPhone and iPod touch users are ready to plug into SynthStation25 and enjoy music creation using a physical keyboard as well as their touchscreens.”

The SynthStation app is available now and can be purchased from the iTunes App Store for $9.99 US.

Read more: http://blogs.myspace.com/akaiprofessional#ixzz12TnT4sRJ"

iPads on Ebay
iPads on Amazon

iPod Touch on Ebay
iPod Touch on Amazon

1st Annual Moog Circuit Bending Challenge

"Enter the First Annual Moog Circuit Bending Challenge

Moog Music was born when a young Bob Moog, who considered himself a geeky, socially awkward kid with a passion for electronics and music started tinkering with electronic circuitry. As a boy, Moog built small radios, amps and three note organs in his basement workshop with his father & the rest is history. In celebration of this creative curiosity, Moog and Moogfest 2010 are sponsoring a circuit bending challenge, to honor all those that lick and stick, modify signals and jump traces.

How to Enter:
1. Procure a battery-powered sound-making device
2. Bend it by any means necessary.
3. Document the bend process and outcome with video with audio (required). The better you document, the better we can judge. All videos must be uploaded by midnight eastern time on Monday October 18th, 2010.
4. Upload the video to YouTube and tag with “moog circuit bending competition 2010” and “Moogfest 2010”.
5. Send an email with the subject Moog Circuit Bending Challenge 2010 to info@moogmusic.com with the YouTube links to your entry.

Finals:
The top 3 contestants will be chosen as finalists on Friday, October 22, 2010 and win weekend passes to Moogfest 2010 as well as a Moog merch package. At Moogfest the 3 finalists will be given a workstation in the Moogaplex, the same toy and the same bag of tools (which includes a soldering iron, wire, switches, potentiometers of varying degrees, resistors, capacitors, heat shrink, bread boards, diodes, plus more surprises). Each finalist will have from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Saturday, October 30 & Sunday, October 31 to bend the toy at their workstations. Grand prize winner will be chosen by a Moog Music Engineer at 5 p.m. on Sunday, October 31.

Grand Prize:
Grand Prize winner receives a Moog Pedal Board which includes one of each Moogerfooger (MF-101 Low Pass Filter, MF-102 Ring Mod, MF-103 Phaser, MF-104Z Analog Delay, MF-105M Midi MuRF, MF-107 ) and a Multi-Pedal (MP-201). [and a Slim Phatty]

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. PURCHASE WILL NOT IMPROVE CHANCES OF WINNING.

All winners must be 18 years of age or older, unless otherwise stated and/or posted.

1. Entering Contest and Choosing and Contacting Winners:

CLICK FOR MORE »

Elektron Octatrack is Coming...

via Elektron via Mr. Array

"The Octatrack offers a variety of machines, each designed to fill a specific function. The machines can be assigned to the eight available tracks in any combination. Here some of them and their functionality are presented.

Flex machines offer the most extensive sound manipulation possibilities. A sample used within a Flex machine is loaded to the RAM memory of the Octatrack. From there it can be twisted, stretched, warbled and reassembled in multiple ways. Flex machines are unbeatable sound processors.

Static machines are the perfect tool for handling extremely large samples. Samples assigned to Static machines are streamed from the Compact Flash card, thus their size can be in the order of gigabytes. Of course you can time stretch and pitch scale them as needed.

Thru machines do not sample or play back sounds. Instead they let the Octatrack affect incoming audio with the dual FX blocks. Two powerful FX chains each consisting of up to four linked tracks, totalling eight effects per chain, can be formed.

The Octatrack will feature special machines for recording audio from the four external inputs. These machines can be used as strange effect devices, intricate loopers or as simple audio recorders. They will allow for quick assembling of audio structures. "

Flex machine 1 by Elektron