MATRIXSYNTH

CONTROL - Synthesizers Sequencers & Drum machines

YouTube via synthjunk | December 15, 2010 |

"Produced with analog sounds.
Jomox drums, Moog Bass, Sh101 controlled by csq600
Monopoly triggered by TR707 . MPC sequencing / master clock.
Doepfer gate pulses . CV DCB Midi interfaces & sync devices."
Oberheim OB-Xa as well. More vids by synthjunk here.

2010 TECnology Hall of Fame - Dave Smith and the Prophet-5

via TECFoundation

"Dave Smith
First Polyphonic Programmable Synthesizer
Sequential Circuits Prophet-5 (1978)

Once in a while a product comes out that puts it all together—combining the latest technology, while breaking new ground and at the same time, filling a definite void in the market. And as the first programmable polyphonic music synthesizer, the Sequential Circuits Prophet-5 was exactly that. An analog synthesizer with the ability to play five notes simultaneously (enough for a chord) and having the memory capability to store a whopping 40 preset programs (later expanded to 120) might not create headlines today, but the Prophet-5 was a sensation in its time, and is still considered a classic.

The path to success wasn’t easy. Sequential Circuits founder/chief designer Dave Smith was excited about the prospect of combining the sound generation capabilities of the new ICs from Solid State Music (SSM) that reduced the major functions of analog filters and synthesis (VCO, VCA, VCF) into single chipsets, reducing the number of necessary components in an synthesizer circuit from hundreds to a few handfuls. At the same time, new microprocessors had just come to market (such as the 8-bit Zilog Z80), which while primitive by today’s standards could definitely handle tasks such as storing/recalling synth patches. Once the ingredients were in place, Smith worked with John Bowen (now of John Bowen Synth Design) and with some consulting help from E-mu founder Dave Rossum, the Prophet-5 project was underway, and was completed in just six months—an amazing accomplishment.

On its debut at the Winter NAMM show in January 1978, the Prophet-5 was nothing less than a hit. The SSM chips (later replaced with Curtis ICs), combined with Smith’s autotuning circuit kept the Prophet-5 in tune—a problem that plagued many early analog synths. Of course, its ease of operation, great factory patches of thick bass and lead sounds, and lush analog string pads made the Prophet-5 quite desirable—even at an original retail of $3,500 (later $4,500). Soon every top keyboardist either owned one—or wanted one—and the Prophet-5 sounds became a common fixture over radios everywhere, from punk bands to Michael McDonald’s signature sound on hits like the Doobie Brothers’ “What a Fool Believes.”

The Prophet-5 stayed in production until the mid-1980s and sold approximately 8,000 units. Today, Dave Smith continues creating award-winning analog synthesizers with his company, Dave Smith Instruments."

See TECFoundation for more.

Marsynth Prototype Testing: Part 2

YouTube via marsynth | December 15, 2010 | 0 likes, 0 dislikes
follow-up to this post
"As promised, here's another video of the new prototype that's been under development. A few slight changes have been made since the last video, but nothing major.

I recorded a simple guitar loop using the empress super delay and fed it through the prototype. No other effects were used.

I tried to show more of the subtle capabilities of the unit this time, but I can't help but crank the ratchety and bubbly stuff from time to time.

This prototype is nearing the final stages of development, and a few beta units will soon be sent out to a few friend for some abuse. Production units will be available sometime early next year.

Thanks again for watching!"

Rare Yamaha VL-1 Acoustic Modelling Synth

via this auction
"This is a rare beast indeed - the TOP OF THE LINE Yamaha's 90's new and revolutionary synthesizer designs. Introduced in 1997, the VL1 had two sound elements - the revolution lay in the way the sound patches are created: They are built in a way akin to the creation of sound in wind instruments - different from pre-definied, limiting, and artifically-sounding modern virtual analog romplers...

=====================================================
Yamaha still has a product page for the rack version - but does not seem to show off their best keyboard - so this is combined form their VL1m and VL7 product pages:

The Yamaha VL1- bringing state-of-the-art Virtual Acoustic Synthesis to you at an affordable price.
Specifications

Tone Generator/ Type: S/VA (Self-oscillating Virtual Acoustic Synthesis)
Tone Generator/ Modifiers: Harmonic Enhancer, Dynamic Filter (LPF, HPF, BPF, BEF, with resonance). Equalizer ( 5 bands with frequency, resonance, and boost/cut control). Impulse Expander. Resonator.
Tone Generator/ Effects: 32-bit digital signal processor, stereo in/ stereo out. Modulation effects (flanger, pitch change, distortion). Feed back delay. Reverberation.
Assign Modes: Mono, Poly,Unison
Memory/ Internal: 128 voices
Memory/ Disk: 3.5" 2DD or 2HD floppy disk
Keyboard/ Keys: 49 (C scale, FS type)
Keyboard/ Sensitivity: Velocity, Channel aftertouch
Controllers: Master volume slider. Modulation wheel x 2. Continuous sliders x 2. Data entry dial. Pitch bend wheel. LCE contrast control.
Display: 240 x 64 dot liquid crystal display (black and white type) with fluorescent (CFL) backlight.
Connectors/ Front Panel: Stereo headphones. Breath controller.
Connectors/ Rear Panel: Output x 2 (L and R). Foot controller x 2. Foot switch x 2. MIDI In, MIDI Out, MIDI Thru.
Power Requirements: General model 220...240 V, 16 W
Dimensions (W/D/H) 914 x 380 x 105 mm (36" x 14-7/8" x 4-1/8")
Weight 12.3 kg (27 lbs 1 oz)"

myVST Demo: SH-009 Monosynth

myVST Demo: SH-009 Monosynth from myVST on Vimeo.

More VST on: myvst.com/ (here)

The Swedish Movements - Synthrotek devices & Yamaha CS-5 Delay Nand Synth

YouTube via synthrotek | December 15, 2010 |

"The Swedish Movements live recording using synthrotek gear. Check out my other music at:
http://theswedishmovements.bandcamp.com/
and
www.wil-ru.com (label)"

Lunetta demo

YouTube via rdbartlett | November 16, 2010 | 0 likes, 0 dislikes

"My first real lunetta. The case is an old PA amp. Top left is a 4093: 4 gates and 4 oscillator outputs. Below that is a 40106 with 4 oscillators with different ranges. Next along is a 4040 with an input and the first 3 outputs (1/2, 1/4, 1/8), then the 8 green knobs are for a 4051-based tone sequencer. Beneath them are 2 XNORs. Then on the right is a 4069 filter with just the LP output and a 4-input mixer.

http://richdecibels.com"

synthbot

YouTube via rdbartlett | November 09, 2010 | 0 likes, 0 dislikes
http://richdecibels.com/exhibition

Playlist:
Synthbot- Video Advert (Made by Saachi & Saarchi).m4v
synthbot advert 2
synthbot original.mov - This is the original synthbot, a 4-stage gated oscillator.
synthbot sequencer.mov - This is the granddaddy synthbot, an 8-stage tone sequencer.
synthbot melodygen.mov - This is the holy man of the bunch, it's a melody generator.
synthbot filter.mov - This little baby bot is a lo-fi LP filter

kequencer

YouTube via rdbartlett | December 15, 2010 | 0 likes, 0 dislikes

"Eight oscillators, an on-button and a pitch knob for each. First you adjust the pitch of each oscillator so they're vaguely in tune with each other. Then you flick on the sequencer. Then you play polyphonic chiptunes.

more details at http://richdecibels.com/blog/?p=51"

Free i505 for iPad

"Sit back with the i505 and start creating beats using classic sounds from one of the most venerable drum machines of the 80's.

The i505 allows you play free-form as well as record your old-school beats using the built in sequencer. Tap the grid and the window will expand so you can edit your creation. Use the tempo wheel to speed up or slow down the beats per minute.

Simple, easy, fun... and best of all free!"