Knob Laden Heavily Modified KORG Poly-61 Analog Synthesizer SN 724389 w/ MIDI In

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"This is a very unique instrument. This Poly-61 was modified to bring a lot of the settings to the front panel. As you can see from the pictures, a total of 12 knobs have been added, as well as 12 rocker switches. The purpose of these mods was to allow hands-on, real-time editing of the synth's various parameters -- something that was impossible on the original Poly-61.

Although I'm not 100% sure, I am virtually certain that this is the instrument that was modified by a YouTube user named "rolandsh1000" who was apparently either an engineer or an incredibly knowledgeable hobbyist. If you search YouTube for his channel (put in the term "rolandsh1000 channel" without the quotes and you'll find it), you will see that he put out a series of two videos in 2009 and one more in 2011 about how he modified this synth and what the various mods do. [see here for all three] I strongly suggest that you check them out. I bought the synth from Perfect Circuit Audio about three years ago, here on eBay.

One huge bonus? It's got MIDI in! So unlike the original Poly-61, you can at least connect it to a sequencer or your DAW."

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Waldorf Microwave synth - original version 1 (rev b)

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Unboxing SEM Pro by Tom Oberheim

Published on Feb 19, 2017 martinjazz78

"Unboxing my new semi-modular synth. This time it's SEM Pro by Tom Oberheim. Beautiful piece of gear.

The sequence is SEM Pro CV controlled by Oberkorn sequencer from Analogue Solutions. Low tones are VCO 1, high tones are VCO 2. Sound is further processed through the vintage tape Roland Space echo for delay and Strymon Big Sky for reverb. Audio is stereo output from the Motu interface into Ableton Live.

Camera is Go Pro Hero 4 Black, edited in Final Cut Pro."

And a couple more:

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0-Coast Lead, Polyevolver Sequence - Gallery Jam Excerpts

Published on Sep 5, 2016 martinjazz78

Playlist:

1.0-Coast Lead, Polyevolver Sequence - Gallery Jam Excerpt # 1

"I was fortunate enough to spend an evening in a gallery among sculptures of Olbram Zoubek. Not that I would want to compare my simple synth jam to his masterworks, but indeed it was very inspiring and I wish there were more evenings like this one.

There is a simple sequence running on DSI Polyevolver, it's in fact only one voice of the Polyevolver, although PEK's internal sequencers sequence pitch of each of the four oscillators separately - that's why the polyphony.

Local Control is off on the Polyevolver, its keyboard however controls the Make Noise 0-Coast. First I wanted 0-Coast to be sequenced as well, but then realized 0-Coast as lead was an interesting exercise.

There is the on-board midi delay on Polyevolver, both PEK as well ad 0-Coast are processed through Strymon Big Sky for reverb. It was recorded live, one take only and everything done on the fly and stereo output only from Tascam interface into Ableton."

2. Polyevolver filter, 0 Coast lead, PEK sequence - Gallery Jam Excerpt #2

"4-pole low pass filter of DSI Polyevolver can be very wild animal, very gentle tweaking can result in very expressive sound changes and if you feed the filter with itself via feedback knobs it can get even worse :)"

3. 0 Coast Lead, Polyevolver Sequence (osc sync) - Gallery Jam Excerpt #3

"Another excerpt from my gallery jam. Alone in a gallery in the middle of the night, surrounded by sculptures and paintings on cement desks by Olbram Zoubek. Not that I would want to compare my music with his master pieces, but it was very inspiring session for me indeed."

4. 0 Coast Lead, Polyevolver Sequence (Fly by) - Gallery Jam Excerpt #4

"Another excerpt from my gallery jam. Alone in a gallery in the middle of the night, surrounded by sculptures and paintings on cement desks by Olbram Zoubek. Not that I would want to compare my music with his master pieces, but it was very inspiring session for me indeed."

Minimoog & More - Videos by martinjazz78

Published on Jan 11, 2017 martinjazz78

There are 12 videos in this playlist by martinjazz78. They start with Moog's recently discontinued Minimoog Model D followed by the Voyager. Other gear featured include Analogue Solutions Telemark - K, the Dreadbox Erebus, DSI Polyevolver, Sequentix Cirklon, and a Rhodes. There are a couple of live band performances in there as well.

Playlist:

1. New Minimoog D - Brass Patch Solo - Complete Session
2. New Minimoog D - Brass Patch Solo #2 with Rhodes, Telemark and Erebus

"Published on Jan 11, 2017
This is complete session video of my dawless improvisation on the new Minimoog Model D. I started with sort of brass patch with filter modulation and filter tweaking and little bit more of glide, but it develops and changes to not so brassy lead throughout the video. Sequences on the background are Erebus by Dreadbox and Telemark-K as well as DSI Polyevolver.

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Space Echo vs. Elements Synthesizer On-Board Delay

Published on Aug 29, 2017 martinjazz78

"Not really a rigorous comparison than rather self-oscillation of the vintage Roland Space Echo, then Elements' on-board delay only, then with reverb from Strymon Big Sky and finally also with delay from the Space Echo on the top.

More important and ultimate inspiration during this moment, however, was for me the organic sound of the Elements Synthesizer (by Ken Macbeth) delay. So many colors, nuances and sonic variations during so short time.

This was the very end and rather ambient of my longer and mostly not so ambient dawless synth jam. The whole session can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/edit?o=U&vide...

There is a noticeable hum, it's from the Strymon. I have it hooked through the Lexicon effect processor and then via spdif into the Ableton interface and something's wrong with it. Apologies for inconvenience.

Have fun :)"

Nyx, 0 Coast, Mother 32, Telemark-K, Erebus - sequencing semi-modular synths

Published on May 27, 2017 martinjazz78

"Gear used:

Erebus Nyx (lead sound)
Make Noise 0 Coast (wooden percussion sounds)
Moog Mother 32 (sequence 2)
Analogue Solutions Telemark-K (sequence 1)
Dreadbox Erebus (low bass pedal)
Sequentix Cirklon
Analogue Solutions Oberkorn
Vintage Tape Roland Space Echo
Strymon Big Sky

Record live, stereo output from my Motu interface into Ableton Live. Camera was GoPro, edited in Final Cut."

Dreadbox Abyss Videos by martinjazz78

Published on Jul 6, 2017 martinjazz78

Playlist:

1. Abyss Drone While Nyx and Erebus Randomly Sequencing

"For your maximum enjoyment, please use good headphones or ideally speakers with subwoofer(s).

Dawless synth jam with three extraordinary instruments from Greek synth-maker Dredbox Effects. Four voice analogue synth Abyss asks for most of your attention in this video. This time, however, not as polyphonic gear but in unison mode producing drone and self-oscillation type of sounds.

It starts with with 24 dB LPF cutoff closed and resonance full open. The filter is modulated by both LFOs of the Abyss. First both of them go very slowly as ramp and square waves, later LFO B goes much faster and is switched to ramp wave too. During the shooting I was also playing with the Drive (VCA) knob overdriving the sound and even getting it distorted - absolutely gorgeous and absolutely my type of thing. Towards the end Abyss on-board effects are also added to the mix. It was very interesting and inspiring to achieve self-oscillation of the Delay very similar to the self-oscillation of Roland's vintage tape Space Echo.

On the background of Abyss' drone you hear Nyx and Erebus. Both of them playing simple few notes sequence and are sequenced by Cirklon. Both sequences have also several random parameters, so they seem to never exactly repeat in the same way. Another layer of randomness was achieved by using CV inputs and outputs on both synths. Maths module from 0-Coast controlling LFO on Moog Mother 32 that was controlling VCA of Erebus added even more randomness to the Erebus sequence, and this one is very devilish, I would say.

All three synths are processed through vintage tape Roland Space Echo for delay (this time rather slower) and Strymon Big Sky for the reverb. Recorded live, stereo output from my Motu interface into Ableton Live only. Camera is GoPro, edited in Final Cut.

Will I be stoned, if I say I absolutely love these Dreadbox synths, the sound they produce and the feel they give and I have no doubts they are going to become classic like Moog, Art or Oberheim?"

2. Dreabox Abyss Slow and Heavy 4 Voice Sequence

"Exploring multichannel mode of Abyss 4 voice synth from Dreadbox Effects. Each of Abyss' voices is independently sequenced by Cirklon hardware sequencer. Additionally, I was also exploring possibilities of Abyss' multi-timbrality. Dip switch 5 is on and each voice has slightly different envelope set up.

I have to say I was so nicely surprised how heavy such 4-voice sequence on Abyss can be. Haven't expected that. Also not exaggerating if I say that otherwise I achieve so heavy sequence usually only when I put Taurus III Bass Pedals into work. In this context we should indeed mention suboscillators of Abyss.

Moog's CP-251 controls filter cutoff and phaser of Abyss. Not sure if CP-251 gives the proper voltages for Abyss, but definitely interesting things sonically speaking.

Noise and hissing on the background is Erebus by Dreadbox heavily modulated and controlled with 0-Coast by Make Noise and Moog's Mother 32. Before it goes to delay and reverb effects it is also processed quite drastically through Zvex Fuzz Factory. All these appear at the very end of the video.

Both synths are further processed through vintage tape Roland Space Echo for delay (I think the time for changing the tapes is quickly approaching as you may hear the repeats get bit out of tune) and Strymon Big Sky for mighty lush reverb.

Recorded live, stereo output from my Motu interface to Ableton Live. Camera was GoPro, edited in Final Cut. I like these late night improvised dawless synth jams."

3. Dreadbox Abyss 4 Voice Sequence and some Erebus, Moog's Mother 32 and 0-Coast too

"Each of Dreadbox Abyss' voices is sequenced in C sharp minor independently by the Cirklon hardware sequencer, Abyss is therefore in the multi-channel mode. Additionally, Dip switch 5 is on for bit of multi-timbrality when each of the voices has slightly different envelope set up. Filter cutoff and phaser are modulated and controlled by Moog's CP 251. And some tweaking on the fly (sub-oscillator level, wave form shape, drive VCA, filter modulation etc.)

Noise on the background was intended as I like when there's always something disturbing and distracting. It's Dreadbox Erebus heavily modulated and controlled by Make Noise's 0-Coast - that is also sequenced by Oberkorn sequencer - as well as Moog's Mother 32. Before it goes to delay and reverb effects it is also processed through rather psychedelic Zvex Fuzz Factor stomp-box.

Both Abyss and Erebus are further processed through vintage tape Roland Space Echo for delay and Strymon Big Sky for reverb. It was dawless synth jam, recorded in one take, stereo output from my Motu interface into Ableton Live. Camera was GoPro, video was edited in the Final Cut Pro. "

New Polivoks Pro Videos by martinjazz78

Published on Aug 3, 2017 martinjazz78

Playlist:

1. Polivoks Pro (reissue of legendary Soviet synth) solo sequence - Rusko je stav duše

"For your maximum enjoyment, please use good headphones or good speakers with subwoofer(s).

Polivoks Pro is a reissue of legendary Soviet synth from 1980s that's been approved by the one and only Vladimir Kuzmin designer of the original Polivoks. No matter which century we are currently in, the Russia has always been a state of mind. As much as I hate Putin and everything he represents, I also deeply love and admire Russian arts and culture, Russian modus vivendi and sounds coming from Russia. Please check also the fabulous documentary on Russian synths and synth scene called Electro Moskva by Elena Tikhonova & Dominik Spritzendorfer.

This video is part of my longer dawless synth jam. It's a longer moment when there was no other synth playing except of the Polivoks Pro, although at the very beginning you may also hear a little bit of Sem Pro by Tom Oberheim.

The Polivoks is sequenced by Cirklon hardware sequencer, various parameters are tweaked in real time almost always bringing rather surprising and interesting results. Polivoks is processed through vintage tape Roland Space Echo for delay and Strymon Big Sky for reverb. It was recorded live in one take only, stereo output from my Motu interface into Ableton Live. Camera is GoPro Hero 4 Black, video was edited in Final Cut."

2. Polivoks Pro and Tom Oberheim's Sem Pro sequencing #1

"Excerpt from my dawless synth jam with two modern reissues of two classic synths. Tom Oberheim's Sem Pro playing bass ostinato with random high notes and Polivoks Pro doing its screeching sounds or as my girlfriend says: crying about Russia ;). Both synths are controlled by Cirklon hardware sequencer via midi and processed through vintage tape Roland Space Echo for delay and Strymon Big Sky for delay.

Recorded live, stereo output from my Motu interface into Ableton Live, camera was GoPro Hero in my right hand, video was edited in Final Cut.

I had so much fun during this jam :D"

3. Polivoks Pro and Tom Oberheim's Sem Pro Sequencing #2

"Another and this time shorter excerpt from my dawless synth jam with two modern reissues of two classic synths. Tom Oberheim's Sem Pro playing bass ostinato with random high notes and Polivoks Pro doing its screeching sounds or as my girlfriend says: crying about Russia ;). Negative envelope is applied on Oberheim's filter and you may also see some rather drastic changes to LFO settings and destinations on the Polivoks.

Both synths are controlled by Cirklon hardware sequencer via midi and processed through vintage tape Roland Space Echo for delay and Strymon Big Sky for delay.

Recorded live, stereo output from my Motu interface into Ableton Live, camera was GoPro Hero in my right hand, video was edited in Final Cut.

I had so much fun during this jam :D"

4. Polivoks Pro and Tom Oberheim's Sem Pro Sequencing - Complete Session

"This was my first encounter with Polivoks Pro - reissue of legendary Soviet synth. Just by accident there was another modern reissue of classic synthesizer - Tom Oberheim's Sem Pro - on the table next to the Polivoks, so I started to jam with both them. For the first three and half minutes you here Polivoks only, then Oberheim kicks in and both synths play together for about 8 minutes, last 7 minutes of the video is solo Polivoks again.

Both synths are controlled by analogue hardware sequencer Cirklon via midi. Polivoks' sequence is 100% random until the last one or two minutes, when it gets certain regularities. Low notes on Oberheim is a regular sequence in so called "pendulum" mode, several random parameters are applied to high notes played by Oberheim, though.

Both synths are processed through vintage tape Roland Space Echo for delay and Strymon Big Sky for delay.

Recorded live, stereo output from my Motu interface into Ableton Live aka dawless synth jam, camera was GoPro Hero in my right hand, video was edited in Final Cut.

I had so much fun during this jam :D"

Acid Jam with Avalon, Tempest and Jomox Mbase 11

Published on May 29, 2017 martinjazz78

"Some moments from my weekend dawless synth jam. This time pretty straightforward acid/acid techno - you name it.

Gear used:
Avalon by Abstract Instruments (clocked by Tempest, otherwise internal sequencer)
Tempest by DSI (master clock, internal sequencer)
Jomox Mbase 11 (triggered by Tempest)

The kick sound is from Jomox only, no kick from Tempest.

The effects you hear are from the Behringer mixpult and I have to say in this context I really like how they suck :)

If you really want to hear how low can Avalon as well as Jomox go, you need good headphones, good speakers and ideally subwoofer.

It was recorded and tweaked live on the fly, stereo output from the Behringer into Ableton Live. Camera is GoPro Hero, edited in Final Cut."