Experimental Electronic Instruments by Raul Alvarez

Currently on Kickstarter where you'll find additional details and some videos.

"The goal is to develop a catalog of experimental instruments in order to evolve the electronic music production scene. The project will deliver new ways to interact between digital, analog and the physical environment."

The campaign starts with four proposed devices: an analog mono synth, analog drum synth including eurorack modules, and envelop module, and a analog controller that is already developed. There are a few other prototype pics further below.

Some details on each starting with the Thundervolt MK1 analog mono synth:

"The second prototype, a monotone lead synth, is called 'Thundervolt MKI'. It features two oscillators, an Attack-Decay-Release envelope, a special one pole filter and several stages of distortion. The synthesizer is able to create sounds ranging from industrial and percussive sounds to harmonic bells, interplanetary pads and distorted basses - and numerous further electronic moods."

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::vtol:: modulator

::vtol:: modulator from ::vtol:: on Vimeo.

Another fascinating creation by ::vtol::. The sound that you hear is software. The hardware controls the sound.

"I have always perceived the concept of modulation in music as a complex cyclical visual system: the ricochets of the crest of a wave constricted in its own amplitude, rotations within rotations (in particular, if the shape of the wave is aspiring for a sinus), compound pendulums and centrifugal spirals. Meanwhile, I actually experienced the frequency modulation as synesthesia a long time ago – I had such an experience when playing a guitar, with the oscillatory movements of my fingers accurately and demonstrably accompanying the palpable vibrations of the string.

The modulator is a system consisting of electric motors and a composite hand, with a passive magnet installed at the end. The Hall effect sensors register the movements of the magnet. This only occurs if the rotation phases coincide in such a way that both composite parts of the hand with the magnet at the end and the senor are on one line. After registration of the magnet’s movements, the status of the entire system shifts -– there is a change of pace, the direction of the rotation of one or both motors changes, and most importantly - the parameters of the sound synthesis. The more frequently the system mutates, the more complex the sound becomes and vice-versa, the more infrequently, the tone becomes more diffuse. As the Hall effect sensors register not only the existence of a magnetic field, but also its strength and polarity, another three additional magnets have been installed on the object on the rotating axes which modulate the position of the main magnet when it is all of a sudden in close proximity to them. Taken all together, they form a composite dynamic system in a closed loop and in a constant state of mutation and modulation of its state rotating in an endless sound composition.

soft:

- axoloti

hard:

- axoloti
- 3 custom made Hall-sensors
- 5 dc motors
- custom electronics
- 1 channel sound system

Moscow, 2018."

Be sure to see the vtol label for more.

Circuit bent BOM Toy Keyboard by Psychiceyeclix

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Published on May 2, 2018 psychiceyeclix

via this auction

"Circuit bent by Psychiceyeclix - Circuit bent BOM toy keyboard, pitch bent & squarewave rapid trigger for extra madness!!
This keyboard has many features - 24 rhythms, 9 keyboard voices, 30 scratch disc sounds, all can be mangled & bent with added circuit/controls.....

Mods -
Pitch control,
3 way pitch on/off switch
2 x body contacts,
body contacts on switch
Square wave trigger circuit
7 way trigger selector knob
square wave frequency control
overdrive control
jack out
speaker still connected"

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Absynth Single Sine experiments

Published on Aug 7, 2018 Empty Vessel - Sound Design

"Exploring how much can be done with Absynth using only a single sine wave source.
Using the delay line in the Aetheriser to produce the rhythmic plucked line and step envelopes to change the pitch of the Aetheriser grains.
Audio straight from Absynth standalone, no post-processing or external FX.

'Pandora' - Absynth FX patches coming soon."

Best Ambient Synth Shootout #51: Olegtron 4060 MK2 - Song 1

Published on Aug 7, 2018 Christian's Sonic Spaces

"This is the first song with the Olegtron 4060 MK2. It's an experimental signal generator. Signals and sequences are generated by sticking all kind of electronical components to its patchboard. Pretty cool!

I used for the recording the following FX chain:
Olegtron 4060 MK2 - Alesis Philtre - Pigtronix Echolution 2 Deluxe - GFI System Specular Reverb 2 - Alesis 3630 (bassdrum on sidechains). Depending on the recorded track some FX are deactivated

The signal went through a small Behringer mixer with a Korg Kaoss Pad KP3+ in the FX bus into the pc for recording. The song was then mastered with noise reduction and a bit compression/limiting.

To create the complete song I recorded consecutively several stereo tracks. The final song was then mastered with a bit EQ and compression on some tracks and some limiting on the master track.

Well, I decided to go back to the basics, but at the same time make something useful for the synth community and do a kind of competition (I like competitions;-). What's my best synth for ambient music :-)"

Arturia DrumBrute Impact Sounds

Published on Aug 7, 2018 Perfect Circuit Audio

"Arturia’s new drum machine is the DrumBrute Impact which is a little smaller and less expensive than the original DrumBrute, and features its own unique sound. The Impact has a powerful sequencer with swing and randomness as well as accents. All of the drum sounds also have a “Color” setting which tweaks the sound to give you two sounds for each of the 10 drum sounds. There are individual outputs for the kick, snares, hi hats and FM drum sounds. There is also a built in distortion circuit and touch pads for rolls.

Available here: https://www.perfectcircuitaudio.com/a..."

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Supporting MATRIXSYNTH members get %10 off at Perfect Circuit Audio!

"Tipsy" by J- Kwon cover, Moog Grandmother demo + Elektron Machinedrum + Volca Sample

Published on Aug 7, 2018 Mattelica

"Live take of J- Kwon's 'Tipsy' with the Moog Grandmother sequenced by an Elektron Monomachine, Elektron Machinedrum on beats, and Korg Volca Sample on additional beats to a Roland VS880 to a Yamaha MG10xu mixer to a Canon 6D with a 17-40mm lens."

Synthesizers.com Prototype Auction to Benefit The Bob Moog Foundation

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via this auction

"Synthesizers.com is auctioning this prototype of its Q170 MIDI Gates module to benefit the Bob Moog Foundation. This one-of-a-kind module was the first used and programmed by Roger Arrick. It is fully functional and warranted.

The Q170 MIDI Gates module produces gate signals from a stream of MIDI messages, either from a keyboard, a DAW or any MIDI source. Each of the 8 outputs can be programmed for one or more MIDI note messages or Continuous Controller messages. See Synthesizers.com web page for complete docs.

The prototype being auctioned varies slightly from the production model and the front panel shows the original name of Note Gates.

It is usable in any Moog-Unit 5U format modular synthesizer using an industry-standard Synthesizers.com power system. But not in a Moog modular which which use a different power system.

Face plate measurements are 8.75" x 2.125" x 2.25" deep behind the panel. Requires: +5v.

Roger Arrick, founder of Synthesizers.com, explains, 'I've been designing modular synthesizers for the past 20+ years and have been deeply inspired by Bob Moog's pioneering work since the 60's. It's an honor to support the Bob Moog Foundation's educational and historic preservation work through this auction, so please bid high and bid often! :) I usually keep my prototypes, so this is a rare offering.'"

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1970s Baldwin Syntha-Sound early synthesizer

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via this auction

"This is an original Baldwin Syntha-Sound synthesizer from the 1970s. Rare early US made synth from a well-known maker. It DOES NOT WORK Properly! Powers on, the switch lights up, and I can hear a slight hum through the built in speakers but absolutely no sounds from the keyboard. When I plug in a cord into the external output and into an external amplifier, I can sometimes hear a faint sound of the synth overshadowed by noise, BUT after it was on for awhile suddenly the keys seemed to be working and it got pretty loud with some changes in sound when pressing various buttons, and then the volume dropped down to almost nothing. The next time I turned it on, I got no sound either with the internal or external output. Who knows what will work or not work next?

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Kawai K1m Midi Digital Multi-Dimensional Synthesizer

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via this auction

"Works great, looks great, and comes with manual, wave list with cheat sheet, getting started manual and an ad from sound source. Light scuffs on the bottom. Does not come with power supply but takes a generic 9 or 12v DC wall wart."

Always be sure to check the polarity before plugging in 3rd part power adapters so you don't fry your synth!

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