I Dream of Wires Announces New Film on Early Days of Synthesis

The I Dream of Wires Team has launched round three of their IndieGoGo campaign. Included in the new campaign are details on a follow-up documentary:

"Right from the start of this project, one of the questions hanging over us has been: 'How are we going to condense all of this amazing footage, these interviews, this subject matter, into a 90 to 120-minute documentary?'

Early on, we made a decision to focus the film, not on the history of modular synthesizers, but on the current resurgence of modular synthesizers. At the same time, we knew that by doing so we would not be able to take full advantage of some of the interviews and footage that we had already filmed; we felt strongly that our interviews with seminal early modular musicians and synthesists like Morton Subotnick, Bernie Krause, Bill Maginnis and Ramon Sender should not be reduced to mere establishing soundbites. Not only that - we are also wildly enthusiastic about both the history, *and* the resurgence of modular synthesizers!

So ultimately, what we have decided to do is to make two films: First, all of our efforts will be directed towards completing 'I Dream of Wires,' which will focus strictly on the resurgence of modular synthesizers. Following the completion of 'I Dream of Wires,' we will begin work on a follow up film, title TBA, about the early days of analog synthesizers, focusing on pioneering designers, manufacturers and musicians, including Robert Moog, Don Buchla, Raymond Scott, Hugh LeCaine, Wendy Carlos, and Morton Subotnick, right through to the rock, pop, disco and new wave musicians that made these instruments famous throughout the '70s and early-'80s.

Regarding 'I Dream of Wires': we are aiming to conclude filming before summer 2012, with a fall/winter 2012 ETA for the completed film.

Regarding the follow-up, historical documentary: we are already well on our way with this film, as so many of the interviews we have filmed seem tailor-made for a film like this. After the completion of 'I Dream of Wires,' we will dive right into the follow up, initially seeking out additional people to interview on the subject, complementing the footage that we already have amassed. It's still early days, but at this time we are going to estimate a fall/winter 2013 ETA for the completion of this follow up film."

Minitaur Demo Songs via Moog Music

"All songs created using Minitaur Analog Bass Synthesizer.

Minitaur is a compact and powerful analog bass synthesizer that features a classic one knob per function design. It packs legendary analog Moog bass into a package designed to fit seamlessly into today's performance and production environments."

CWEJMAN S1 MK II SYNTHESIZER, PEARL-WHITE

via this auction
"Traditionally made in a standard depressing military-type green color, this one is a gorgeous egg-shell or pearl white. It is hard to appreciate from a picture how beautiful this instrument really is... If you are looking up this auction, it means you know about this baby, but let me remind you anyway: it has 3 VCO's, an LFO, a mixer, a RM, a dual multi-mode filter, 2 EG's and a dual VCA. It is normalled in the traditional vco-vcf-vca fashion, but has patch points which can override the internal wiring, for true modular configuration. Comes with manual and original box. It runs for $3599 new"

CLICK FOR MORE »

Rheyne - 3/6/12 - Live Jam #37

(live looping with analog keyboards and USB controllers)

YouTube Uploaded by RheyneMusic on Mar 6, 2012

"Download the audio from this jam on SoundCloud:
http://snd.sc/z8w7nL

Improvised live looping jam with analog keyboards and USB controllers. Equipment used: Lemur on an iPad 2, Akai MPD26 controlling NI's Kontakt, Oxygen 25 controlling NI's Massive, DSI MoPho, Novation Launchpad, Akai APC20, Lemur on an iTouch, and a Fender Rhodes. The Rhodes is running through an MXR Wylde Overdrive. All audio is run through a PreSonus 1818VSL connected to a Macbook Pro running Ableton Live."

Resin

YouTube Uploaded by Ebotronix on Mar 6, 2012

"4ms Peg RCD VCAMatrix
Analogue Systems RS 100 RS 110 RS 360
Doepfer R2M (high pass chords) A 134 pan by Moog MP 201
Flame Chord Machine V.0.0
Make Noise Brains 2x PP(Chord Machine pitch&chord) Maths Moddenix QMMG
Malekko 4x Unkle (CM out's) 4x Anti (CM arp out to Quantimator)
Ringmodulator Anti& Unkle to 2x Moddemix
Toppobrillo Quantimator Sportmodulator
Master Clock Logic via Kenton Pro 2000II and 2x 4ms RCD"

New Sponsor Shout Out! - manmademadman

YouTube Uploaded by TheManmademadman on Mar 6, 2012

http://manmademadman.com/

You'll find the banner on the right under the Artists section.

"mm:mm is what happens when you try to silence a massive collection of synthesizers; they soak through your skin and work themselves onto your airwaves.
they saturate--- even supersaturate-- your thoughts and may begin to take over.
similarly, manmademadman seeps into you and will eventually control you. this is expected behaviour.
matrixsynth, you control manmademadman."

video description:
"this is the first video for the mm:mm single "touch"

lyrics:
please digitally alter me
please radically misquote me
And id thank you to force me
in a box most pleasing to you

digitize me, finalize me, normalize me,
to no end
recompress me, undermine me, redefine me,
once again

im just feeling for a touch
im just doing it again
am i asking for too much?
getting underneath your skin?
//////////////////////////////////////////////////
come along you suits and ties
here is where the bodies lay (lie)
cover up your suits and ties
here is where the bodies lay (lie)"

The GMX-1 - Doepfer's General MIDI Box

"In 1992 Doepfer released their version of a General MIDI (GM)-compatible MIDI Expander, the GMX-1.

It was Doepfer's attempt to offer a fairly cheap alternative to the popular Soundblasters, LAPC's and other cheap GM-compatible modules like the Roland SC-7.

The GMX-1 was (based on) a Dream mainboard - you will also find this module as Dream GMX-1 mentioned in old magazines - Future Music rated it 86/100 in issue 4, page 41 )"

via PatchPiere.Net where you'll find the full post.

Midnight Star - Freak-A-Zoid Official Video Synth Spotting

YouTube Uploaded by UnidiscMusic on Feb 19, 2010
via @shawnaverything

"Midnight Star - Freak-A-Zoid
© Unidisc Music Group
Follow on Twitter! http://twitter.com/UnidiscMusic
Join our Facebook http://tinyurl.com/unidiscfacebook
The synth-funk unit Midnight Star scored several times on the charts during the mid-'80s, led by their double-platinum album No Parking on the Dance Floor in 1983. Just one of the successful acts on Solar Records (also including Shalamar, Lakeside, and the Whispers), the group was formed in 1976 at Kentucky State University by the Calloway brothers, trumpeter Reginald, and trombone player Vincent, with vocalist Belinda Lipscomb. After signing with RCA near the turn of the decade, Midnight Star recorded their first album in 1980, The Beginning, with a conglomeration of studio players and producers. After moving to the Solar label by 1982, the group released Victory and then added a full band: guitarist Melvin Gentry, bassist Kenneth Gant, drummer Bobby Lovelace, and keyboard player Bo Watson.

Though the Calloways' production skills -- later used to full effect on tracks by Natalie Cole, Gladys Knight, and Teddy Pendergrass -- had pushed Midnight Star into the R&B charts during 1981-1982, with singles like "Hot Spot" and "I've Been Watching You," the group was unprepared for the success of the first single from their third proper album, No Parking on the Dance Floor. "Freak-a-Zoid" hit number two on the R&B charts in mid-1983, and though it failed to make the pop Top 40, it pushed the LP over the platinum mark. "Operator," the first single from their next album, Planetary Invasion, became their highest-charting single, making number 18 on the pop charts. By 1986, Headlines had become Midnight Star's third album to at least sell gold, but it proved their last; both Reginald and Vincent left the group to form Calloway in 1988. (Incidentally, the Calloways had introduced future legend Babyface to Solar executives for his first job, and produced Babyface's group the Deele).

Without Reginald and Vincent Calloway to lead the way, Midnight Star fell fast and far. A 1988 self-titled album flopped, and 1990's Work It Out proved to be their last until 2002's 15th Avenue. Since then, the members continued outside collaborations, but they also came together for frequent touring. As late as 2007, the group's lineup featured Lipscomb, Gentry, Watson, Lovelace, and Gant. As Calloway, the Calloways found success with their first single, 1989's "I Wanna Be Rich," which hit number two on the pop charts. The track was their only major hit, followed by "Sir Lancelot" and the title track from their 1990 debut album, All the Way. Calloway returned two years later with Let's Get Smooth, but the album proved their last. The brothers continued working, with Pieces of a Dream and Bootsy Collins, among others."

Freakazoid.

I Dream of Wires, Extended Interview Series: Allen Ravenstine and Robert Wheeler of Pere Ubu

Vimeo by I Dream Of Wires

"In February 2012, Pere Ubu synthesists Allen Ravenstine ('75 to '89) and Robert Wheeler ('94 to present), two legendary figures of Cleveland's punk rock scene, met at Grant Avenue Studio to discuss and demonstrate the EML modular synthesizers that have been an integral part of the Pere Ubu sound for almost 40 years. The interviews were conducted for inclusion in "I Dream of Wires: the Modular Synthesizer Documentary." The impromptu jam session that followed marked the first time the two have ever played together.

I DREAM OF WIRES is a forthcoming documentary film about the history and resurgence of modular synthesizers. The film is currently in production. This is the 2nd in a series of extended interviews, which will be produced and released in various formats throughout the production, and following the release, of the film. I DREAM OF WIRES extended interview segments are sponsored by MATRIXSYNTH (m.matrixsynth.com).

Note: An extended, 23-minute cut of this piece is available to watch on YouTube, with additional performance footage and further discussions on the early days of Pere Ubu. A must for Pere Ubu fans!
youtube.com/watch?v=fSBYPHWka_E

For more info on Pere Ubu, visit: ubuprojex.net/

For info on the film: idreamofwires.org"

Update: at the end of the video spot the custom EML modular to the right of the sequencer with what looks like chrome knobs. It's a one off custom EML. EML was known to make custom systems including the PMS Syntar and components of the custom EML for George Mattson of Mattson Mini Modular. See the Matton EML and Syntar labels below for more.

Improvisation on the Motus Mavis Star Shaped Modular from 2009

Vimeo by Skot Wiedmann


Via New Musical Instruments Battle for $10K in Prizes on Wired
Note this is from 2009. See the Motus Mavis label below for more.

"Finalist Skot Wiedmann's untitled instrument houses discrete modular synthesizer circuit boards connected by a neural network of wires in a star-shaped interface. It has oodles of knobs for sound-tweaking.

The instrument's somewhat unpredictable nature is mitigated somewhat by performance controls: Rotating dials and blue touchpads shape and add elements to the sound, from theremin-like whines to shuffling beats. Imagine this magnificent contraption providing live accompaniment to a silent science-fi film screening."