Dave Burraston aka noyzelab on How to Get Into Modular Synths w/o Going Broke

For those interested noyzelab has a post up on how to get into modular synths w/o going broke. It features references and notes from his recent talk at unsound adelaide 2017.

"some notes / refs for my talk at unsound adelaide 2017 on how to get into modular synthesis without going broke in the process. there's obviously a strong emphasis on cheap / diy / open source as an entry point to modular.."

"Dave Burraston is an Australian experimental musician, who has worked with a diverse range of artists from Chris Watson to Aphex Twin via Oren Ambarchi. A self-confessed gearhead, among his many accomplishments is the publication of SYROBONKERS!, the most technical interview ever given by Aphex Twin. Today he discusses how to get into modular synthesis - with a particular emphasis on not going broke!"

Roland Model 101 Vintage Monophonic Synthesizer from 1975 SN 500971

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via this auction

This one sold for $1000. It was sent in by the seller, but it was sold before I got to this post. I thought I would capture it on the site for posterity. :) If the sale falls through I'll put a new post up.

"Roland System 100 Model 101 Synthesizer from 1975. This is a true, vintage analogue synth that has a huge sound and vintage tone that simply isn't available in modern analogues. It has patch points along various points of the signal path that makes it a great companion to a modular system. I would frequently use it as a 3rd oscillator for my modular or use a Mutable Instruments Peaks for a snappier envelope than the built in one. It has patch points for CV and Gate and it responds to 1v/Oct, so you can control it with any standard MIDI to CV controller or from a modular without any conversion.

Lots of possibilities on this synth, much more than other vintage monosynths. Of course, you can pair it with the other components of the System 100 (Model 102, Model 104, etc.) system to add a second voice, sequencer and more.

The synth is fully functional. All the keys work, all the sliders and knobs work fine."

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Analogue Systems RS-370 & RS-375 Eurorack Modules

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via this auction

"RS-370 & RS-375 additive synth and expander modules in perfect working order."


Note the listing has these as Analogue Solutions, but they are actually Analogue Systems.

The RS-375 hasn't been featured on the site before.

LO-FI TECHNO WORKOUT / Volca Sample / Monotron Delay

Published on Nov 19, 2017 mishpult

"Live techno set with Korg Volca Sample, heavily overdriven through the Korg Monotron Delay. I overlayed an some old 90's rave videos found on youtube just for the atmosphere. Videos are not mine and no profit of any kind is made here."

Centrevillage C Quencer DLX - Tokyo Festival of Modular 2017

Published on Nov 19, 2017 cuckoomusic

"I found the C Quencer DLX to be particularly lovely. For more information, watch this video ;-) and then go to:
http://centrevillage.net"

This is the first Centrevillage post on MATRIXSYNTH. They also have a non DLX C Quencer module, and one named Trigger HaCker pictured below.

DLX C Quencer DLX

DLX C Quencer

"It is a special phrase generator combining Euclidian rhythm and arpeggiator.

Demo sound source: C_Quencer Demo Tracks (Using some external oscillator, filter module, delay effect)

Documents, source code etc are in github.

centrevillage / C_Quencer

(Invisible story)

Originally, the board of this module was a jacket for coterie music CD. (The height of the euro rack panel is about 13 cm, which is almost the same size as the CD jacket)

The released album is still being distributed on bandcamp."

Trigger HaCker

This module is under prototype phase 5x5 matrix trigger sequencer

Red Roland Juno-106

via this auction

"Here’s a Custom Red Roland Juno 106 we finished up a few weeks ago.

It’s been totally electronically restored , and cosmetically modified.

What’s new is the polyphony meter on the far right of the front panel.

The switch turns it on and off. Right now , it’s set up to cause filter distortion. Pretty cool on filter dependent sounds.

You can also set it to be just a pretty light show, ( no filter distortion ) telling you which voice you’re playing.

Voice chips are perfectly restored and ready to go.

A copy of the “best of the best” sounds has been installed in memory."

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YAMAHA DX7, Classic Synthesizer SN 129638 w/ Extras

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via this auction

"Ladies and gents, they don't come ANY nicer than mine with no wear on the buttons or text. Features 61 keys, Modulation and Pitch wheels, all factory internal sounds. The extremely rare accessories include the factory removable music stand, Yamaha sustain pedal, removable Percussion/Effects data tone cartridge and factory user manual. This is the PERFECT Yamaha DX7 package for the collector and player alike, I have never seen a more complete or more beautiful package, this is very special!! Every key, knob, button, input/output jack works perfectly!! I ask that you please study the photos carefully to understand just how one of a kind my synth is, then base your bid on what you see."

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AKAI AX80 Vintage (1984) 8-voice Polyphonic Analog Synthesizer

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via this auction

"It's both cosmetically and functionally excellent. There are no dents or dings in the metal chassis. The paint, print, and logos are still intact and glossy. The end cheeks also have a nice glossy finish. The membrane buttons all work. There are no tears or rips in the membrane. All other knobs and controls work as intended. None of the keys are chipped/broken/repaired and they all trigger notes correctly. Yes, there are scuffs and marks on the end cheeks and a few very light scratches on the plastic display panel. The latter can likely be completely buffed out using plastic polish, if you desire. As you can see from the pics, though, the machine is in terrific condition overall. It's not like many of the beat-up examples you see on the 'Bay, where the sellers are asking outrageous prices."

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Vintage Chroma Polaris synthesizer - pristine SN 300830

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via this auction

"This synth was manufactured in the early 1980s by Fender. I was the lead designer, and when the project wrapped up, I bought a couple from the company cheap. This one is serial 300830. Since I mostly played a different unit, this one stayed in its original shipping box for the intervening years, and it is in essentially perfect condition.

This is a six-voice synth with a 61-key velocity sensitive keyboard. It has selective pitch bend, which lets you bend some notes in a chord while keeping others fixed. It has a MIDI interface, and includes a built-in sequencer.

When I took this out of the box for the first time in a long time a week or so ago, the membrane switch panel connections has dried out and cracked, as happens with most Polarises, so I installed brand new panels. I also replaced the CPU with a faster one for a snappier feel, put in the latest revision of the firmware, upped the sequence memory to the maximum 64K, checked out and calibrated all the circuitry, and cleaned the keyswitches and keys. You're not likely to find a cleaner looking and performing Polaris on the market anywhere.

This will be packed in its original box with styrofoam supports, then wrapped in large cell bubble wrap, then packed in another double-wall box. I'm including the line cord, one sustain footswitch, and the original manuals. If you want the Tempo-Tap function for the sequencer, you'll need another footswitch, but any standard footswitch with a 1/4" phone plug will work. It doesn't come with a variable pedal, but any Chroma or ARP pedal you find on eBay will work. It doesn't have a cassette interface cable, but MIDI is a much better way to get data into and out of the Polaris. It comes with one set of factory sounds in it, and the two sets that Fender provided on cassette can also be found on the web, and sent in via MIDI."

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Siel Cruise Vintage Synthesizer SN 183/249

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via this auction

"The Cruise is two synths in one, combining what is Siel’s Orchestra and Mono synthesizer models into one powerful synthesizer. It features two discrete synthesizer modes or sections: Mono Synthesizer and Poly Synthesizer. The front panel has a lot of graphical information printed on it to clearly designate the Mono section functions from the Poly section features, as well as signal flow charts to help the user understand how the sounds are internally routed. In the middle of the synth is the ‘Masters’ section. This holds master volume sliders for the Mono and Poly synth sections and keyboard split mode options."

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