TADAO KIKUMOTO - Creator of the Roland TB-303 & TR-606

I realize I've never posted an image of TADAO KIKUMOTO. Here he is. The man behind the legendary Roland TB-303 & TR-606.

Posted today @Roland_US:
"#TBT with the developer of the Roland TB-303: Tadao Kikumoto. Discover more about the history of the #TB303 and its impact on music culture: roland.com.."

"The Roland TB-303 is a machine like no other. With an unmistakable sonic signature brimming with warmth, energy and character, the iconic silver box defined the acid house movement of the late 1980s. Widely misunderstood when launched in 1981, the true revolution began several years later when electronic music producers rediscovered the quirky box, unleashing the hypnotic, liquid sound that captivated a generation. While we may never really understand why the 303 sound makes people want to dance, there is no denying its power, influence, and unwavering ability to get a party started. It just works, even after all this time.

An engineer called Tadao Kikumoto was hard at work on a new product that would accompany Roland’s TR- 606 drum machine. Mr. Kikumoto’s plan was to develop a machine to recreate the sound of an electric bass guitar, for solo performers to practice with and even take out to gigs. The two machines would link up and play at the same tempo via DIN Sync technology, providing a programmable and highly portable ‘backing band’."

Early ad featuring Ocsar Peterson with the HR-70, TB-303 & TR-606, originally posted here, and in black & white with text here.

Tokyo Festival of Modular Set for November 16 - 17

TFoM 2018 digest Published on Aug 1, 2019 Tokyo Festival of Modular

"Tokyo Festival of Modular 2018 official digest video.

TFoM is organizing modular synthesizer exhibition , demo , lectures and live concerts from the world wide .

http://tfom.info/"

PURPOSE OF THE EVENT:

to promote awareness of and interest in the modern modular synthesiser and it’s extensive creative possibilities;

to showcase both local and international electronic musicians performing with modular synthesisers;

to give the opportunity for some of the many manufacturers producing Eurorack synthesiser modules to promote their designs in what is currently a limited market in Japan.

CONCEPT

The modern resurgence of modular synthesisers has brought the organic and esoteric beauty of analogue electronics in harmony with advances in digital technology.

This momentum has been enhanced by a growing desire for physical hardware interaction with real circuits among a generation of musicians, producers and sound designers tired of preset sounds and of being a slave to the mouse and screen.

Most of all, the open patchable format of modulars makes sound exploration virtually infinite in configurability and creative experimentation.

Pushing the boundaries further and faster than anywhere else is the portable and affordable Eurorack format for modular synthesis, spearheaded by Doepfer in 1995 but now joined by a dizzying array of boutique companies.

Oraculum Solar (extended trailer)

Published on Aug 1, 2019 PositronMusic

"Fragmento de Oraculum Solar, obra transdisciplinaria que explora las posibilidades de la transducción de especies endémicas y nativas de México a través de la síntesis modular y su propulsión a través de la energía solar.

La película completa muy pronto.

Por favor use audífonos para una mejor experiencia.

Excerpt of Oraculum Solar, a transdisciplinary work that explores the possibilities of transduction of endemic and native species of Mexico through modular synthesis and its power through solar energy.

Complete movie coming soon.

Please use headphones for better experience."

Buchla

Vintage Roland RS-101 1970s Analog String Synthesizer Keyboard SN 391371

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via this auction
Roland's first string synthesizer and first to debut Roland's ensemble effect, the RS-101 is a 61 key, fully polyphonic bitimbral (string and brass) analog synthesizer, featuring tone control and vibrato.

5 octave (F to F) / 61-key
Full polyphony
Keyboard is split into 2 parts with each having:
Strings I
Strings II
Brass
Slow attack & Volume Soft switches

Tone Sliders (Brass & Strings)
Sustain sliders for upper and lower register
Vibrato slider
Tuning knob
Master volume slider

2 mono 1/4" outputs (High and Low)
Serial 391371
37 lbs
37 x 14 x 7"

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Just Sounds: Modal Electronics CRAFTsynth 2.0

Published on Aug 1, 2019 Noisegate

"What does the Modal Electronics CRAFTsynth v2.0 sound like?
Here is our "Just Sounds" Video that reveals just what this little synth with a big sound can do.."

Crafting the Score of APOLLO 11 with Matt Morton | TIFF 2019

Published on Apr 5, 2019 TIFF Originals

Highly recommend this film if you haven't seen it on the big screen, IMAX if possible. Just saw it for the first time yesterday. The soundtrack featuring the Moog IIC is great - very John Carpenter-esque. Be sure to see Matt Morton on Moog IIIc Modular Synth and the Apollo 11 Soundtrack, and check out the latest Apollo inspired synth rorschach posts here.

"Composer Matt Morton discusses the process of crafting the score for Apollo 11. He discusses the origins of the music, the instruments he used, and the labourious process of recording, and he breaks down the elements of a cue.

Directed by Todd Douglas Miller (Dinosaur 13), Apollo 11 recounts the momentous days and hours when humankind took a giant leap into the future. Miller's frequent collaborator Matt Morton wrote, orchestrated, performed, recorded, and mixed all of the music for the film and its trailers using instruments available at the time of the 1969 mission, including the Moog Synthesizer IIIc, the Binson Echorec 2 (tube echo), and the Mellotron (keyboard).

Crafted from a newly discovered trove of audio recordings and 65mm footage — including shots of the launch, the inside of NASA's Mission Control, and recovery and post-mission activities — Miller’s immersive documentary yields surprising moments of humour and camaraderie, along with remarkable new insights into key events of the celebrated 1969 lunar voyage.

Now playing at TIFF Bell Lightbox.

Special thanks to NEON, CNN Films, and Milan Records."

Synth Kid Caitlin back with TONTO

Published on Aug 1, 2019 The Mad Music Machine

"Caitlin was invited to a special backstage tour at the National Music Centre in Calgary.

This included the chance to try out some unique and historic instruments, the highlight for her was undoubtedly creating and playing a simple patch on TONTO."

You can find previous posts featuring Caitlin here. See the label below for more posts featuring TONTO.

Colorado Modular Synthesizer Festival

Published on Aug 1, 2019 Mayen Music

"🎛🎚🎧🎼🎵This is a short video of the amazing Colorado Modular Synthesizer Festival that happen this past weekend. In this festival you had live acts happening all day long, conferences and an interactive section where you could test modules, ask questions and learn more about Modular Synthesizers and Synthesis."

Roland The synthesizer 2nd edition

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via this auction

"Roland The synthesizer 2nd edition set of 4 booklets:

- A Foundation for Electronic Music (67 pages)
- Practical Synthesis For Electronic Music Volume One (103 pages) with illustrations of the System 100
- Practical Synthesis For Electronic Music Volume Two (108 pages)
- Multichannel Recording For Electronic Music (48 pages)

Ultra Rare and vintage issues from Roland with instructions and examples on the subject
Lots of pages of information from the master in excellent condition (never used)"

For those content with a digital version, you can find them on Analog Industries website here.

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Moog Opus-3 Keyboard Synthesizer

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via this auction

"Moog Opus-3 Keyboard Synthesizer in perfect working condition. Keyboard was just serviced by WD machines in Miami and sounds amazing!"

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