MATRIXSYNTH

SoftPotEvolver (a DIY ribbon controller for the DSI Evolver)

Published on Dec 8, 2014 jhvanaken

"quick demo of an Arduino-based ribbon controller for the Dave Smith Instruments Evolver

submitted as a term project for MUMT 306 under Gary Scavone, McGill University

details of this project here: http://softpotevolver.wordpress.com/"

Some details saved for the archives:

"The hardware is based on an Arduino Uno microcontroller, using SoftPot membrane potentiometers as touch sensitive inputs. It will send high time resolution control data over USB to a PC, where a Max/MSP patch which will then receive and convert that data into a variety of MIDI messages.

With only six analog input pins on the Uno board, and no pressure sensitivity on the SoftPots, the controller cannot effectively act as a MIDI keyboard replacement. However, the ability to modulate parameters other than note on/off using MIDI control change and SysEx messages make this an effective interface for live performance and sound design using digital instruments. Ribbon controllers are an intuitive means to change values over a continuous range, and may prove to be more useful than knobs and sliders for some aspects of gestural synthesis control.

In addition to a ‘general’ MIDI control Max patch, I will be focusing on developing a patch specific to the Dave Smith Instruments Desktop Evolver synthesizer. The Evolver has a well documented MIDI specification and a large number of parameters available for SysEx control. The fact that this synthesizer also has a inbuilt 4-track sequencer means that it does not rely on an external MIDI keyboard or sequencer to play musical sequences, simplifying the task of generating MIDI control messages immensely. By the end of this project I hope to use this controller to modify the pitch and timbre of looping Evolver sequences on the fly. Time permitting, I also plan to implement some more advanced features into the control of the Evolver’s sequencer such as tap tempo, or multi-finger gestures to trigger new sequences."

::vtol:: metaphase sound machine

::vtol:: metaphase sound machine from ::vtol:: on Vimeo.

"The Metaphase Sound Machine is a kind of homage to the ideas of the American physicist Nick Herbert who in the 1970s has created both Metaphase Typewriter and Quantum Metaphone (a speech synthesizer). These were some of the first attempts to put the phenomenon of quantum entanglement in practice and one of the first steps towards the creation of a quantum computer.

The experimental devices, however, had not confirmed theoretical research, and Herbert’s obsession with metaphysics resulted in the publication of several of his works on the metaphysical in quantum physics, that have led to a serious loss of interest to the ideas of quantum communication. One day, in a course of his experiments, Herbert has hacked into an university computer trying to establish a contact with the spirit of illusionist Harry Houdini at the day of the centenary of his birth.

In his device Herbert in order to achieve a quantum entangled state used as a source radioactive thallium, which was controlled by the Geiger radiation counter. The time interval between pulses was chosen as conversion code. Several psychics had participated in the experiments. They tried to influence the endless stream of random anagrams arising from a typewriter or cause "the ghost voice" to be heard out of metaphone. Scientists also have conducted sessions to bring about the "spirit" of a colleague who had recently died, and who knew about this typewriter. In 1985 Herbert wrote a book about metaphysical in physics. In general, his invention and articles quite severely compromised the ideas of quantum communication in the eyes of potential researchers and by the end of the XX century no any substantial progress in this direction was observed.

The Metaphase Sound Machine is an object with 6 rotating disks. Each of the discs is equipped with acoustic sound source (a speaker) and a microphone. Each of the microphones is connected via computer and the rotary axis to the speakers on the disks. Also in the center of installation a Geiger-Mueller counter is set, that detects ionizing radiation in the surrounding area. The intervals between these particles influence rotation velocity of each of the disks. Essentially the object is an audio- and kinetic installation in which a sound is synthesized based on feedbacks, produced by microphones and speakers on rotating discs. Feedback whistles are used as triggers for more complex sound synthesis. Additional harmonic signal processing, as well as the volatility of the dynamic system, lead to the endless variations of sound. The form of the object refers to the generally accepted symbolic notation of quantum entanglement as a biphoton - crossing discs of the orbits.

more info - http://vtol.cc/filter/works/metaphase-sound-machine"

ZenSound TIMBRAL EXPLORATIONS Free Zebralette Soundset

Published on Dec 8, 2014 ZenSound

"http://www.zensound.es/soundsets/zebr...

This is our fourth FREE soundset at ZenSound.

I made Timbral Explorations with the purpose to bring you smooth, nice and original electronica sounds."

Sequential Circuits Prophet 600 with Gigli Upgrade

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WATKINS MIDI PARTNER 11

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"Watkins Midi Partner Mark2 in excellent condition and only used occasionally on my accordion for home use. Comes complete with Power adapter and manual. Very easy to operate.

The Midi Partner 2 is the same size as the original but has an extra line of buttons giving extra functions. The single drum button on the front has now been properly accommodated and extended to 3 drum sets which are all individually adjustable for volume..

The buttons are assignable to the footswitches like all the MIDI Partner buttons allowing foot operation during playing. (You can set quickly and easily any of the 4 footswitches to operate any of the front panel buttons).

All the functions are fully editable i.e. they can be varied to taste and the settings are stored permanently. Changing the sounds is accomplished by holding down the button of the function to be changed until the lights next to the controls start to flash. Pressing the buttons again puts you back to normal playing mode and stores the effect just like the already variable effects on the MIDI Partner.

Access to the sound editing functions is now much easier without having to switch the unit on and off, allowing you to experiment with the 128 internal sounds more easily.

Solo : This allows you to switch to a preset (by you) volume on the right-hand's sounds so you can increase the level for solos or even reduce it down to zero where this means you can effectively mute both right hand sounds together. Pitch Bend : This bends the pitch of the right hands down and the pitch slides up slowly to the original pitch - great for slide or Hawaiian guitar effects. The amount of bend and the recovery slide up time are variable. Tremolo : This gives a gently changing volume effect, the speed and depth of which can be varied - you will recognize the effect once you hear it). The Drums : 3 drum select buttons. These are an extension of the existing drum sounds on the chords and bass. There are now 3 different drum sets (with different drum/percussion sounds) all with independently settable volume levels."

This is the first one posted on MATRIXSYNTH.

Oberheim OB-12 Virtual Analogue Synth - Viscount

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Roland MKS-30 Synth Module + PG200 Programmer + MC16C Memory Cartridge

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Korg PolySix SN 461412

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Pics of the inside below. Note this one appears to have an original battery (or original style battery replacement) but no battery leakage. If you ever pick up a Polysix be sure there is no battery damage and be sure you have a new battery before any occurs.

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KORG MONOPOLY Monophonic/Polyphonic Synth

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"It has 4 VCO's which can be shared in 4-voice Polyphonic mode, or linked in Unison for a versatile monophonic lead. Each VCO has its own level, tune, and waveform type control. Waveforms include triangle, sawtooth, variable pulse wave. It has a great VCF (filter) section as well as 2 envelope generators (one for the oscillators and one for the filter). There are also 2 individual LFO's which can be used to modulate the Pulse Width, envelope and Arpeggiator independently. Excellent condition for its age,but slight superficial damage to the back left hand corner, all up and working fine,comes with manual."

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