via this auction
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
AKAI AX60
Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
via this auction
"This Akai AX 60 has had the power supply capacitors replaced with higher quality ones with a lifespan of 2 to 8 times the originals. It's been recalibrated (and was in dire need of it); it has also has its power cable replaced (2 prong male) permanent wired to a standard grounded 3 prong IEC type (so a common computer/studio power cable can be used). It comes with firmware version 1.2 (the latest/ most stable version)...
I've paid extra attention to this particular piece and every pot, slider, and switch has been cleaned and tested.
Aside from being a rarer synth , the main reason I decided upon this particular synth was for the following reasons:
- it has a basic MIDI implementation for send and receiving MIDI note on (and pitch and mod wheel data, if I'm not mistaken) but the brass tax is I could run it from an external sequencer
-it allows for physical adjustment of most of the settings (albeit I'n pretty sure it's not possible to automate over MIDI)- it felt like the best option between the Akai AX80, Sequential circuits Six Trak, and the Split Eight/Multi Trak
-like all the aforementioned synths this one has the Curtis CEM 3394 "synth on a chip" that is also in the Doepfer Dark Energy and (my main reason) Namco's vintage arcade video game machines
Out of all the synths out there- for those who want "video game sounds"- IMHO the Akai AX60 was the best option (albeit all the other synths probably allow for more control/automation over MIDI)."
via this auction
"This Akai AX 60 has had the power supply capacitors replaced with higher quality ones with a lifespan of 2 to 8 times the originals. It's been recalibrated (and was in dire need of it); it has also has its power cable replaced (2 prong male) permanent wired to a standard grounded 3 prong IEC type (so a common computer/studio power cable can be used). It comes with firmware version 1.2 (the latest/ most stable version)...I've paid extra attention to this particular piece and every pot, slider, and switch has been cleaned and tested.
Aside from being a rarer synth , the main reason I decided upon this particular synth was for the following reasons:
- it has a basic MIDI implementation for send and receiving MIDI note on (and pitch and mod wheel data, if I'm not mistaken) but the brass tax is I could run it from an external sequencer
-it allows for physical adjustment of most of the settings (albeit I'n pretty sure it's not possible to automate over MIDI)- it felt like the best option between the Akai AX80, Sequential circuits Six Trak, and the Split Eight/Multi Trak
-like all the aforementioned synths this one has the Curtis CEM 3394 "synth on a chip" that is also in the Doepfer Dark Energy and (my main reason) Namco's vintage arcade video game machines
Out of all the synths out there- for those who want "video game sounds"- IMHO the Akai AX60 was the best option (albeit all the other synths probably allow for more control/automation over MIDI)."
Sequential Circuits Prophet 600 Vintage Analog Synth w/ Orig Case SN 0945
Sequential Circuits Pro 8 with Original Case - Japanese Advert
Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
via this auction
"Hard to Find Pro-8 Analogue Synth Includes Road Case, Manual (Split-8 manual, this is the US version same features) and factory sounds data cassette. The Sequential Circuits Pro-8 is a very rare analogue synth. It was only sold in Japan. A modified version (without wooden sides) was later sold as the Split-8 in the US But only a few Pro-8s were produced and were actually considered to be only a rumor. It is a very rare synth indeed. It is an 8 voice bi-timbral analogue and sonically very similar to the Sixtrak and Multitrak. The voices can be layered, split or used in Unision mode for absolutely incredible 8 oscillator stacked basses and leads!! 
This is a very rare and cool machine Voice Architecture and Programming/Voice Architecture:/One VCO per voice, with on/off toggles for any combination of sawtooth, triangle and square waves. Variable pulse width for the square. Coarse (up to 4 octaves) and fine (to just under a semitone) tune. Programmable "poly mod" (0-15) which allows the audio output of one voice to feed another's VCF when they are layered in "double" mode. 
This gives 4-voice polyphony with no audio from the second voice's oscillators. One LFO, free-running (i.e. doesn't sync to key on), with programmable rate (0.25 to 20 Hz according to the manual, but see the specs below), depth, and waveform choice (triangle or square). Can be routed to any or all of filter cutoff, pitch, or pulse-width. Programmable chorus with fixed rate and frequency. Filter cutoff, resonance (to self-oscillation), keyboard track (0, half or full) and envelope amount (cannot be inverted). ADSR envelopes for VCA and the 24dB/octave VCF. Programmable polyphonic portamento rate. "Unison" mode (8 oscillators stacked; envelope triggers become "legato"; low-note priority) can be programmed. A program can be "linked" to another so that both are called up and assigned correctly in a split or layer. Note that this does not appear to work on my unit, however, which may be because the battery was dead (I have not tried this since replacing the battery). In unison mode, delay of four oscillators relative to the other four can be programmed (0, 20, 40 or 80 ms). Programmable output level for each patch. Relatively uncommon 8-voice polyphonic, bi-timbral analogue synthesizer with the ability to split or layer two patches ("double" mode). 64 patch memories. Patches may be "linked" in memory so that calling up one automatically calls up the second for a split or layer. Unison (monophonic, all 8 oscillators stacked) is possible, and programmable. Polyphonic portamento. MIDI, including system-exclusive. Front panel:Two volume pots, master tune, data entry knob, modulation and pitch wheels, various buttons for mode (double, split) and program selection, 4 x 8 grid for programming (all parameters labelled on the grid, 4 buttons down the left and 8 along the bottom). Some other functions are also listed on the panel as a reminder of which buttons to press. Metal case with light blue graphics and lettering, lots of red LEDs, black wooden end cheeks. Seems well-constructed, although on mine one of the rubber buttons has a tendency to pop out and the volume pots needed cleaning. Back Panel:Tape jacks (one doubles as footswitch input), MIDI in and out, separate A and B audio outs, mix audio out (A and B combined), power switch, fuse. Keyboard:?61 notes, C to C, unweighted. No velocity or pressure sensitivity."
via this auction
"Hard to Find Pro-8 Analogue Synth Includes Road Case, Manual (Split-8 manual, this is the US version same features) and factory sounds data cassette. The Sequential Circuits Pro-8 is a very rare analogue synth. It was only sold in Japan. A modified version (without wooden sides) was later sold as the Split-8 in the US But only a few Pro-8s were produced and were actually considered to be only a rumor. It is a very rare synth indeed. It is an 8 voice bi-timbral analogue and sonically very similar to the Sixtrak and Multitrak. The voices can be layered, split or used in Unision mode for absolutely incredible 8 oscillator stacked basses and leads!! 
This is a very rare and cool machine Voice Architecture and Programming/Voice Architecture:/One VCO per voice, with on/off toggles for any combination of sawtooth, triangle and square waves. Variable pulse width for the square. Coarse (up to 4 octaves) and fine (to just under a semitone) tune. Programmable "poly mod" (0-15) which allows the audio output of one voice to feed another's VCF when they are layered in "double" mode. 
This gives 4-voice polyphony with no audio from the second voice's oscillators. One LFO, free-running (i.e. doesn't sync to key on), with programmable rate (0.25 to 20 Hz according to the manual, but see the specs below), depth, and waveform choice (triangle or square). Can be routed to any or all of filter cutoff, pitch, or pulse-width. Programmable chorus with fixed rate and frequency. Filter cutoff, resonance (to self-oscillation), keyboard track (0, half or full) and envelope amount (cannot be inverted). ADSR envelopes for VCA and the 24dB/octave VCF. Programmable polyphonic portamento rate. "Unison" mode (8 oscillators stacked; envelope triggers become "legato"; low-note priority) can be programmed. A program can be "linked" to another so that both are called up and assigned correctly in a split or layer. Note that this does not appear to work on my unit, however, which may be because the battery was dead (I have not tried this since replacing the battery). In unison mode, delay of four oscillators relative to the other four can be programmed (0, 20, 40 or 80 ms). Programmable output level for each patch. Relatively uncommon 8-voice polyphonic, bi-timbral analogue synthesizer with the ability to split or layer two patches ("double" mode). 64 patch memories. Patches may be "linked" in memory so that calling up one automatically calls up the second for a split or layer. Unison (monophonic, all 8 oscillators stacked) is possible, and programmable. Polyphonic portamento. MIDI, including system-exclusive. Front panel:Two volume pots, master tune, data entry knob, modulation and pitch wheels, various buttons for mode (double, split) and program selection, 4 x 8 grid for programming (all parameters labelled on the grid, 4 buttons down the left and 8 along the bottom). Some other functions are also listed on the panel as a reminder of which buttons to press. Metal case with light blue graphics and lettering, lots of red LEDs, black wooden end cheeks. Seems well-constructed, although on mine one of the rubber buttons has a tendency to pop out and the volume pots needed cleaning. Back Panel:Tape jacks (one doubles as footswitch input), MIDI in and out, separate A and B audio outs, mix audio out (A and B combined), power switch, fuse. Keyboard:?61 notes, C to C, unweighted. No velocity or pressure sensitivity."Sequential Circuits ~ Six Trak Analog Synthesizer (Serviced + Upgraded)
Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
via this auction
"This beautiful polyphonic synth boasts 6 VCO oscillators with two internal sequencers, a multi-mode arpeggiator, + MIDI! This particular unit has been recently upgraded by Wine Country Sequential to the latest Trak-11 ROM which adds tons of new functionality to the unit and upgrades it to modern MIDI standards. This means you can easily and seamlessly use this unit within your modern studio environment alongside your other gear. All your settings will remain once you power the unit off. When you turn the unit back on, you wont have to go back and reset all your preferences. Big difference!
In addition the unit has been serviced inside and out. The board has been cleaned from dust and particles. The buttons all work excellently, as does the knob and pitch/mod wheels. One really nice thing about this synth is that it calibrates itself when you turn it on over a period of a few minutes while you're not playing it. Compare this with a modern Moog Phatty MONO SYNTH that takes 45 minutes to tune itself!
One of the greatest things about this synthesizer is it's UNISON mode. This alone takes the synth to a whole new level of juicy fatness! The sounds you can create with this synth are uniquely warm, fat, and powerful..."
via this auction
"This beautiful polyphonic synth boasts 6 VCO oscillators with two internal sequencers, a multi-mode arpeggiator, + MIDI! This particular unit has been recently upgraded by Wine Country Sequential to the latest Trak-11 ROM which adds tons of new functionality to the unit and upgrades it to modern MIDI standards. This means you can easily and seamlessly use this unit within your modern studio environment alongside your other gear. All your settings will remain once you power the unit off. When you turn the unit back on, you wont have to go back and reset all your preferences. Big difference!In addition the unit has been serviced inside and out. The board has been cleaned from dust and particles. The buttons all work excellently, as does the knob and pitch/mod wheels. One really nice thing about this synth is that it calibrates itself when you turn it on over a period of a few minutes while you're not playing it. Compare this with a modern Moog Phatty MONO SYNTH that takes 45 minutes to tune itself!
One of the greatest things about this synthesizer is it's UNISON mode. This alone takes the synth to a whole new level of juicy fatness! The sounds you can create with this synth are uniquely warm, fat, and powerful..."
Crumar Stratus Polyphonic Analogue Vintage Synthesizer
Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
via this auction
"The Stratus is a 6-note polyphonic analog that uses the highly popular CEM chips that have also been used in other popular synths o fthe time including Jupiters, OB-X synths, Prophets—even modern Dave Smith Instruments. The Stratus has a total of two oscillators(DCOs), and they’re fed through divide-down ICs, just like an organ orstring machine. The oscillators offer saw and square waveforms, or a mix of the two, and a mono/unison mode. The two oscillators can be tuned separately and synced. A unique option is the "Alternate Saw/Sq" mode which alternates the voices between square and sawtoothwaveforms—play a chord and some voices will be square, others willbe saw, or bang out a solo and each note will be a different wave form.
What is special about the Stratus is that it has six VCFs and sixVCAs—one per voice. The filter has a nice warm sound and offers a good amount of flexibility. It has cutoff, resonance, envelope amount controls and and an external pedal control option. The LFO can do FM,wah (when assigned to the VCF) or tremolo (when assigned to the VCA).The LFO section also has adjustable slope and delay controls, an uncommon but useful feature. Another uncommon but interesting feature isthe Octave Modulation mode, in which the LFO will apply square wavepitch modulation over an entire octave, resulting in some pretty wildsounds. The Oscillator Glide is a portamento effect with some extrafeatures besides the usual Amount and Speed controls. It can be set to Mono or Multi trigger and has four direction modes. Finally, there is a typical ADSR envelope generator section.
The keyboard is a standard 49-note affair with no velocity oraftertouch. A joystick controller left of the keyboard can be used as apitch bender that can also modulate the VCF and VCA sections. There areindependent outputs for the Organ and Synthesizer sections, pedalcontrol inputs for the filter, sustain pedal, and LFO sync. There is also a TM Interface for use with the Steiner Master's Touch—a wind controller that can be used to create pitch bends and vibratos using your breath. However,there are no CV/Gate options.
The Stratus does not have any sort of user patch memory. But it did originally ship with preset template overlays. These were paper overlays that you lay on to the face-plate (with cutouts for all the knobs) that had markings to indicate where to set each knob in order to re-create acertain preset or sound
I am including a power cord and a long lead and a copy of the instruction manual. It appears to be working perfectly (though when adjusting the keyboard volume, there is a temporary static noise.) Twiddling the knobs to check it out today, I came up with some very wild sounds I haven't really used it since late 90s, as always, everything sounds better with a delay pedal or echo effect. I'd recommend to anyone interested that before they contact me they google this great synth to learn a bit more about it, I'm far from a tech head, but I know when having a jam in the mid to late 90s. this keyboard was magic! The more I used it, well it never failed to suprise me, that might be cos i'm a novice, but being a lover of all things synth I was quite impressed. I just don't really know what i'm doing, but know enough to get by. The only draw back is.... it's 17kg!!! A solid monster!!"
via this auction
"The Stratus is a 6-note polyphonic analog that uses the highly popular CEM chips that have also been used in other popular synths o fthe time including Jupiters, OB-X synths, Prophets—even modern Dave Smith Instruments. The Stratus has a total of two oscillators(DCOs), and they’re fed through divide-down ICs, just like an organ orstring machine. The oscillators offer saw and square waveforms, or a mix of the two, and a mono/unison mode. The two oscillators can be tuned separately and synced. A unique option is the "Alternate Saw/Sq" mode which alternates the voices between square and sawtoothwaveforms—play a chord and some voices will be square, others willbe saw, or bang out a solo and each note will be a different wave form. What is special about the Stratus is that it has six VCFs and sixVCAs—one per voice. The filter has a nice warm sound and offers a good amount of flexibility. It has cutoff, resonance, envelope amount controls and and an external pedal control option. The LFO can do FM,wah (when assigned to the VCF) or tremolo (when assigned to the VCA).The LFO section also has adjustable slope and delay controls, an uncommon but useful feature. Another uncommon but interesting feature isthe Octave Modulation mode, in which the LFO will apply square wavepitch modulation over an entire octave, resulting in some pretty wildsounds. The Oscillator Glide is a portamento effect with some extrafeatures besides the usual Amount and Speed controls. It can be set to Mono or Multi trigger and has four direction modes. Finally, there is a typical ADSR envelope generator section.
The keyboard is a standard 49-note affair with no velocity oraftertouch. A joystick controller left of the keyboard can be used as apitch bender that can also modulate the VCF and VCA sections. There areindependent outputs for the Organ and Synthesizer sections, pedalcontrol inputs for the filter, sustain pedal, and LFO sync. There is also a TM Interface for use with the Steiner Master's Touch—a wind controller that can be used to create pitch bends and vibratos using your breath. However,there are no CV/Gate options.
The Stratus does not have any sort of user patch memory. But it did originally ship with preset template overlays. These were paper overlays that you lay on to the face-plate (with cutouts for all the knobs) that had markings to indicate where to set each knob in order to re-create acertain preset or soundI am including a power cord and a long lead and a copy of the instruction manual. It appears to be working perfectly (though when adjusting the keyboard volume, there is a temporary static noise.) Twiddling the knobs to check it out today, I came up with some very wild sounds I haven't really used it since late 90s, as always, everything sounds better with a delay pedal or echo effect. I'd recommend to anyone interested that before they contact me they google this great synth to learn a bit more about it, I'm far from a tech head, but I know when having a jam in the mid to late 90s. this keyboard was magic! The more I used it, well it never failed to suprise me, that might be cos i'm a novice, but being a lover of all things synth I was quite impressed. I just don't really know what i'm doing, but know enough to get by. The only draw back is.... it's 17kg!!! A solid monster!!"
Moog Memorymoog
Mellotron M4000D Mini Keyboard Synthesizer
TOM BUGS Living Leaving 12" NEW VINYL
Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
BWBR)KgJGLY!~~60_1.JPG)
via this auction
"Debut release from Tom Bugs on FXHE Records. Bugs is the man behind the BugBrand modular synthesizer company in the UK. His hand built electronics have become a staple in many studios including that of FXHE label head Omar-S. 'Living Leaving' is a peak into the creative mind of Bugs- two extended tracks that wander amongst the outer boundaries of techno, experimental, and ambient electronic music.
A1 Part 1 7:05
B1 Part 2 7:05"
BWBR)KgJGLY!~~60_1.JPG)
via this auction
"Debut release from Tom Bugs on FXHE Records. Bugs is the man behind the BugBrand modular synthesizer company in the UK. His hand built electronics have become a staple in many studios including that of FXHE label head Omar-S. 'Living Leaving' is a peak into the creative mind of Bugs- two extended tracks that wander amongst the outer boundaries of techno, experimental, and ambient electronic music.
A1 Part 1 7:05
B1 Part 2 7:05"
IT`S ONLY NOiSE BUT I LIKE IT!
Published on Nov 12, 2014 taskent99
"Rocking with MuteSynth, CicarBoxSynth and couple of Bugbrands boardweevils. Pedals I used on this the livesession are vintage 60` VOX Distortion and Shark Moo Kalei-distortion from Bangkok.
It was a fun to do for a long time you-tube session! Camera dropped couple of times , SLR:s memor full and for the second track I had to use iPhone`s recorded sound…first take is always the for the Noise-Music! ( at least older person like me...)"
Mute Synths on eBay | Bugbrand on eBay
PREVIOUS PAGE
NEXT PAGE
HOME
© Matrixsynth - All posts are presented here for informative, historical and educative purposes as applicable within fair use.
MATRIXSYNTH is supported by affiliate links that use cookies to track clickthroughs and sales. See the privacy policy for details.
MATRIXSYNTH - EVERYTHING SYNTH
© Matrixsynth - All posts are presented here for informative, historical and educative purposes as applicable within fair use.
MATRIXSYNTH is supported by affiliate links that use cookies to track clickthroughs and sales. See the privacy policy for details.
MATRIXSYNTH - EVERYTHING SYNTH
