Alesis Aurora

The one thing I love about the synth world is that its just as much about the old as it is the new. Take for example the Alesis Aurora. Krhen took it upon himself to convert his Alesis Andromeda into this beauty of a synth alluding to the old analogs of yore. It has wood side panels and a full tilted front panel. Not sure about the ribbon controller, but the knobs definitely look more accessible. Click here for more pics and the story behind the Alesis Aurora.

Alesis Ion Prototype

Check out this Alesis Ion Prototype with yellow/green side panels and logo. These were the first shots of the Ion when introduced. Later they updated it with the red side panels that stuck with production. I wondered if there would be an option, but unfortunately there wasn't. Would have been cool if they came with a set of colored side panels you could swap out like skins for the synth. : ) No title link as this comes from my private collection of pics - not sure if there is a site out there with more on this. If you know of one, please feel free to share.

Bob Moog Obit on The Gaurdian

http://www.guardian.co.uk/arts/news/obituary/0,12723,1555746,00.html

Wow, this was an interesting and good one. Bob's take on synthesizers and musicians:

"I was never worried that synthesisers would replace musicians," he told journalist Jason Gross in 1997. "First of all, you have to be a musician in order to make music with a synthesiser. And second, I never thought that analogue synthesiser sounds would ever be mistaken for traditional musical instruments. To me, the synthesiser was always a source of new sounds."

This reminds me of when I purchased my first synthesizer, the Matrix-6 in 1986. I was blown away by the capability of creating and playing previously unheard musical instruments. The focus wasn't on trying to recreate the sound of an existing instrument but rather on creating subleties in sound never heard before. That is what a synth was and still is to me. To synthesize sound and new musical instruments.

Oscillator Goodnes on GetLoFi

Check out GetLoFi for some good oscillator DIY posts including:

Practical Oscillator Circuits
Function Generator/Oscillator VCO
Sound Generator Chip list

CEM - Center for Electronic Music

"The Centre for Electronic Music in Amsterdam, is the oldest institute for electronic-and electro-acoustic music and research in the Netherlands.
Founded in 1957 (on the remains of a psycho-acoustic research laboratory of Philips), the CEM has become a modern, fully equipped recording-studio, where composers, musicians and researchers can work in an informal, non-commercial atmosphere. "

Synthesizers:

ARP 2500 synthesizer inc. sequencer
ARP 2600
Serge modular synthesizer
EMS VCS3
EMS Synthi A
EMS Synthi AKS
PPG 1002 + PPG 313/314 modular sequencer/ switch
Analogue Solutions AS8899 modular drumsynthesizer
Akai AX73
Yamaha TX81Z
kawai k4 (x2)

Samplers:

Akai S2000
Dynacord AKS

Sonic State bids Farewell to Bob Moog

Can't believe I missed this one. My RSS reader has been acting up, and I've been mainly just hitting the-gas-station lately. This one is heart felt from the great guys at Sonic State. Man, I love those guys.

Moogerfooger MF-104Z Video via Sonic State

Sonic State has a video of the new Moogerfooger MF-104Z Delay pedal up. It's a good one, check it out.

Access Virus Redback - New Flickr Shot

Also click here for an ARP Odyssey and Moogerfooger Murf.

The Moog Unit - 1Mg

Now this is interesting. Someone proposed formalizing the 1 volt per octave standard Bob Moog invented as the Moog Unit, represented by the symbol Mg. John Mahoney put it on Wikipedia. It was taken down but then put back up by Mike Kent. Click through to see if it is still there. Why not? This came through on AH and people seem to like it. John Mahoney sent the email on the Wikipedia link, but only said *someone* came up with it. I'm trying to find out who as this would be a pretty cool and significant bit of synth history don't you think? Even if it doesn't go through. It will be interesting to see how this pans out.

ARP Omni Power Supply Mod

"Many Omni 1 and Omni 2 keyboards you see for sale are toasted in some way.Apparently this is due to a badly designed power supply which generates transient voltages when you turn the synth on and off. Over time, these power spikes fry the synth's chips and capacitors. ARP later figured this out and sent service bulletins to all their technicians instructing them to perform a mod on any Omnis they repaired."

Click here for copies of the mods and more info.

Moog Prodigy - New Flickr Shot

via Flickr

Sweetwater on Bob Moog

http://www.sweetwater.com/feature/moog/

Commercial content of course, but it's good. Video as well.

Keith Emerson on Bob Moog

http://www.keithemerson.com/MiscPages/RememberingBobMoog.html

Click through for more.

Bob Moog in the Paper - New Flickr Shot

via Flickr

Wow. This one hits in a different way. Even more sobering and real. : (

Another nice one from Heath Finnie

http://www.heathfinnie.com/media/song51.mp3

From Heath:

"This song uses the following. Weird noises throughout are a Alesis
Andromeda, the bass is a Minimoog and the main lead is an ARP 2600.
Some of the more mellower sounding leads are from the minimoog. Let me
know what you think! Hopefully we will have some shows coming up soon."

Yamaha VL1 Sample from Colin

http://www.members.optushome.com.au/blitzforce/Temp/CCJ_VL1_BreathBow.mp3

I just got done listening to it. Wow. Check it out.

Notes form Colin.

"man there is a big difference between the standard factory bank patches of
the VL1-M and the full control bank ones!
The former sounded really flat and bad! Then when I loaded the full control
one, this BreathBow patch just had me playing emotive lines even with no
breath control, just usining the mod wheel 2 instead.
Sorta stringed, blown instrument. Instant flm score stuff.
You can play with so much feeling and sensitivity. I admit I even shed a
tear while playing it : ) nice VL1 reverb too!"

Electronic Composer Luc Ferrari Passes Away

Via Create Digital Music. Click through title for more.

"Paris-born composer Luc Ferrari was a pioneer both of electronic and instrumental avant-garde music. He was the founding director of the Groupe de Musique Concrète in 1958 and was, along with Pierre Schaeffer, one of its leading practitioners. As a documentary producer, he profiled composers from Varèse to Cecil Taylor. He continued as an active composer, teacher/lecturer, and "sound hunter" throughout his life."

NPR - Bob Moog on Fresh Air

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4811694

A third from NPR. If you missed the other two, just search for NPR on the right there).

Vintage Synth Docs: Manuals, Schematics, etc.

Wow. You never know what you'll find out there. This site has scanned docs of the following. Very cool. I love when people share this stuff instead of trying to make a buck.

• Oberheim OBXa Service Manual 1st Edition Text
• Oberheim OBXa Service Manual 1st Edition Schematics
• Oberheim OBXa Service Manual 3rd Edition
• Oberheim OBXa Factory Patches
• Oberheim DSX Owners Manual
• MOOG Sonic 6 Service Manual part1
• MOOG Sonic 6 Service Manual part 2
• MOOG Sonic 6 Operations Manual
• MOOG MICROMOOG/MULTIMOOG Service Manual
• ARP SOLUS Operations Manual
• ARP QUADRA USER Manual
• ARP QUADRA SERVICE Manual - TEXT
• ARP QUADRA SERVICE Manual - SCHEMATICS
• Sequential Circuits Prophet5 Service Manual,Rev 3.3
• DR CLICK Operation Manual
• KORG MS10 Service Manual
• Music Percussion Computer (MPC) User Manual
• EML 101 OWNER’S MANUAL
• EML 101 SERVICE MANUAL:- TEXT
• EML 101 SERVICE MANUAL - SCHEMATICS
• DIGISOUND ADSR, VCO, VCA Build Notes - (schematics, calibration)
• SSM Datasheets 2030 VCO, 2020 VCA, 2040 VCF, 2050 VCTG
• DIGISOUND PRICELIST Jan 1980
• DIGISOUND PROJECT 80 CATALOGUE ~1984

ARP Quadra Retrofit

A common problem with the ARP Quadra is that the membrane switches can go bad. These guys replaced the membrane switches with buttons. They also got a mention in this Sound on Sound article on the Quadra (look for Frankenstein in the More Reliabilities blue box).

Before

After

The Tannerin and Theremin Like Devices

It is a common misconception that the instrument used in the Beach Boys "Good Vibrations" was a theremin. It instead was an electro-theremin, a theremin like device with a keyboard. It was built by Paul Tanner in the late 1950s.

Paul playing the final version of the electro-theremin.

The Tannerin is a similar device recently built by Tom Polk for the Brian Wilson Tour.

Via Francois Dion on AH:

"That's definitely a very very crude martenot keyboard. Looks like one of the 1926 early revisions of the Martenot keyboard. Missing all the tonal and expression parts as found in the "drawer" on the later martenot. Missing also the floating keyboard (for the vibrato), and the references for the slider.

It is interesting to note that by 1931, there were at least 4 commercial instruments with heterodyne oscillators:

1- the theremin
2- the Ondes Martenot
3- Clavier a Lampe (Armand Givelet)

##### Update: The 4- Trautonium (Franz Trauntwein) did not use a heterodyne Oscillator. See comments link below. Also neither did the Tannerin according to another thread.

(The Audion Piano was never available commercially)."

The Ondes Martenot (it had a ring device on a string that scaled the entire range of the keyboard).

The Trautonium:

I couldn't find a picture of the Clavier a Lampe and we all know what a theremin looks like right? : )

Also check out the Theremax. Some good sound samples there as well.

For a controller similar to the Ondes Martenot, check out Analog Systems The French Conncection:

Synth Polyphony Broken Down

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jan01/articles/synthsec.asp

Carbon111 sent this to me. It's a great article from Sound on Sound that covers how digital technology was used to overcome the high expense of analog polysynths. It covers the Crumar Trilogy's cut-down paraphonic approach which I refered to in this post. The SOS article is a long and semi-technical read, but well worth it if you've ever wondered about how the different approaches to polyphony works on an analog synth. In pure laymen's terms you can essentially have a bunch of mono synths hooked up in a box to make a polyphonic synth or you can cust costs and increase stablity by having polyphony shared accross boards, this is the paraphonic approach. You start with one board for one note, say C, that covers all octaves of C. When you play more than one C, that same board is triggered. The obvious problem is the Envelope stage as well as other components are shared. So if you want a short attack while sustaining a C on a lower octave, it won't quite work as they are not independent. But you could have some interesting triggering effects which Gordon Reid notes in the article regarding the Crumar Trilogy. Note that most poly analog synths have separate components for each voice, so you esentially have x number of mono synths digitally controlled to keep them sounding similar. The great polysynths including the Prophet 5, Jupiter 8, Memorymoog and Andromeda A6 for example did this.

Twilight Electric - Tribute to Bob Moog

Patrick of Twilight Electric has taken down his website for a bit and put up a little tribute page fro Bob Moog. There are two tracks for download that he did in Bob's honor. They are done with softsynth moog modulars. Check it out! : )

LA Times on Moog

Another good obit', this one from the LA Times.

"His improved synthesizer, with the addition of a keyboard, did for the instrument what Les Paul and Leo Fender did for the electric guitar, said Trevor Pinch, coauthor of "Analog Days: The Invention and Impact of the Moog Synthesizer."

"The synthesizer "freaked people out," Moog recalled earlier this year. "One of the many things you could do was imitate vocal sounds — make it go 'Weeoooooww.' That really upset. The reaction was a bit like that of primitive cultures believing cameras could catch your soul."

"The Moog synth transcends technology, ergonomics and pop culture. It wasn't some novelty sound or gadget," Gavriluk said. "It was a continuously new sound that shook the entire music industry several times, in every decade, in every genre."

Moog - New Flickr Shot

via Flickr

Update: Via the comments, this is "the guy" from Toto.

I've seen this before, but I don't remember where or who that is. If you know, please share in the comments.

Update: Alan got it in the comments.
That's "totolly" the guy here:
http://musicthing.blogspot.com/2004/11/other-peoples-studios-4.html
The dude from toto.

I knew I saw that before. I track Music Thing all the time. Thanks Alan!

Spaceship - New Flickr Shot

Nice shot of the Korg Prophecy in via Flickr.

Anyware Instruments

Just ran accross this site searchin for more on the SEMtex. They make a couple of analog filter modules and step sequencer pictured below. Title link take you to their site with more pics and sound. I've also added them to my MFG link on matrixsynth.com.

Step Sequencer

Megapole Filter

Megapole Lite

SEMtex - New Analog Synth

Update in via the comments:

"here's the URL for the anyware Semtex:
www.anyware-instruments.com

I did some new tracks and demos recently, you can find it in the anyware section of sequencer.de

hope that one is of interest.."

Title link now takes you to the Anyware-Instruments site.

In via Vintage Synth Forums. Click through for more pics. Now off to see if they have a website...

Key points from the thread:
2 VCOs + 2 Suboscs incl. FM, Ringmod and Sync, 1 Multimode Filter with CV controlled morphing, 2 VCAs, 3 Envelopes (very very fast), 2 LFOs (very fast, too, CV controlled, syncable), 48 jacks for patching, MIDI with 4 CVs and 6 Gates (usable for other Synths, too, even for MS20 and the like)...

Cost: 1200 Euros. It´s new, it hits the market right now. Production has just begun.

1/4" jacks, with a very good feel to them. The knobs are excellent quality, too. The whole thing is very sturdy and heavy. It is available as 19", as Desktop, whatever you like.

There are two special pots for the filter, one morphs from Low to High Pass, one morphs from notch to bandpass. With these two combined, you can achieve a LOT of different filter characteristics.

Well, about a year from the first idea to the final unit.

It started as "Oberheim SEM clone", but was developed much further then.

Bob Moog Charitable Foundation

Just realized I didn't get to posting this. via http://moogmusic.com/?cat_id=84

"Family announces charitable foundation

Bob's family has announced the formation of The Bob Moog Foundation for the advancement of electronic music.

Many of his long time collaborators, including musicians, engineers and educators have agreed to sit on its executive board including David Borden, Wendy Carlos, Joel Chadabe, John Eaton, David Mash, and Rick Wakeman. For more information about this contact Bob's son, Matthew Moog, by email - mattmoog@yahoo.com."

And for those that would prefer a lighter good bye, this one just came in from the Suit & Tie Guy on AH. Perfect. : )

to quote the Slashdot poster: "So long and thanks for all the bass."

rest in peace, Doctor Moog.

RIP Bob Moog

Update: I just heard back from the author of the track I wanted to post. This link will take you to it. Four tracks of minimoog. A tribute to Bob Mood from David Brans via AH. Enjoy.

Well, the dust seems to be settling for the day. The boards and mailing lists were buzzing with kind words, thanks, and cherished memories of Dr. Robert A. Moog. I've spent the last couple of days reading, listening, watching and sharing. Someone on the AH list said something perfectly. Different people deal with loss in different ways. That was like a breath of fresh air to me. I (and I like to believe others) sometimes have a tendancy to second guess myself and how I may be perceived in my handling of such things. I sometimes feel guilt as to who am I to even comment on such a thing. I say two things to this, one, show others respect in this time of grief, and two, don't ever sell yourself short. If you feel and you care, do so. The pain and grief may pale in comparison to those closest to him, but if it is there, it is there, don't dismiss that. And don't disrespect others by selling that short. People deal with things differently. The amazing thing is this diversity is in Bob Moog's instruments. He always claimed to be a toolmaker not a musician. He spent time with musicians and took their feedback into the design of his instruments. He understood that, and most importantly he understood and cherished the uniqueness of each individual playing one of his instruments. I really wanted to link to a piece of music posted on AH, but I promised the author I would not post unless I had his permission. I haven't heard back so I will not post it until I do. I respect that. But I do want to share a song that brought tears to my eyes this Saturday. I was driving up to Bellingham with my wife and daughter and she played The Captain by Kasey Chambers. I couldn't help but think of Bob and what he meant to so many.

...
Well I have handed all my efforts in
I searched here for my second wind
Is there someone here to let me in I asked
So I slammed the doors they slammed at me
I found the place I'm meant to be
I figured out my destiny at last
You be the Captain
And I'll be no-one
And you can carry me away if you want to
And you can lay low
Just like your father and if
I tread upon your feet you just say so
'Cos you're The Captain, I am no-one,
I tend to feel as though I owe one to you, to you
Did I forget to thank you for the ride
I hadn't tried I tend to runaway and hide
You be the Captain
And I'll be no-one
And you can carry me away if you want to
And you can lay low
Just like your father and if
I tread upon your feet you just say so
'Cos you're The Captain, I am no-one,
I tend to feel as though I owe one to you, to you
You're the captain and I am no-one
and I owe one to you


We are all going to miss you greatly Bob. Not only did you bring music to our world, but you brought great diversity. You were a bit of everything to everyone. Nothing will ever change that. Thank you.

Moog Movie Site

Some just find the right words. From the Moog Movie site:

Bob Moog (1934-2005)
You live in our music and in our hearts.
Rest in peace...

Analog Days

http://www.hup.harvard.edu/features/pinana/index.html

Putting this up more for my own reference to get later.

"Tracing the development of the Moog synthesizer from its initial conception to its ascension to stardom in Switched-On Bach, from its contribution to the San Francisco psychedelic sound, to its wholesale adoption by the worlds of film and advertising, Analog Days conveys the excitement, uncertainties, and unexpected consequences of a new technology that would provide the soundtrack for a critical chapter of our cultural history."

Update from AH (make sure to read the comments section for more). Personally I still plan to get it. There may be some mistakes but overall it should be a good read:
"It's also said to contain a lot of B.S. with attributions to people
who simply didn't do certain things the author says they did.

For one, Dan Wyman who ran SoundArts in L.A. in the 70s, and who
WROTE the Moog modular manual, was quite ticked-off when he read the
book and saw so many historical inaccuracies."

Wonderful, now what? ; )

Synthtopia on Moog

Click here for the post.

The first Minis

via Till Kopper

Check out this shot of the Minimoog Model A, B, C and finally D that became the standard. There is also a custom double mini in there. I had to do a double take. Funny. Title link takes you to bigger picture on Till Kopper's site.

Minimoog Voyager Prototype - Winter NAMM 2000

In via AH. Click here for Bob introducing the Minimoog Voyager prototype at the Winter 2000 NAMM show. I forgot aobut this one, but remember it when it came out. Note the lack of touch pad control surface, the bank of switches in the lower center, and full laden knobs accross the surface.

Update: It was a non functioning display unit.

Bob Moog, Lydia Kavina and William Olsen

http://www.cyndustries.com/bobmoog.htm

In via AH and Synth Sights. Lydia Kavina is Leon Theremin's neice.

Create Digital Music on Remembering Moog

Make sure to check out Create Digital Music for their coverage on Bob Moog. The have a link up to an audioMIDI interview of Bob Moog and the Voyager and much more. In the video he calls out that the Minimoog Voyager is exactly the same as a Minimoog Model D plus enhancements. You always hear about this, but there is a certain validity added to it when actually hearing it from the man himself.

Reboot Stereophonic

Update: From Steve-O in the comments section:
"i just got a copy of this -- double album -- if you like early kraftwerk, you will like this big time"

Update: Direct link to Reboot Stereophonic for release dates and more. This one is supposed to come out November 2005. Interesting thing is they call it Gershon Kingsley's Jewish Moog instead. Wonder if this is a different album.

Via Boing Boing. Meant to post this earlier today but got caught up in everything else. Reboot Stereophic is "a new non-profit record label reissuing (stay with me here) classic space age bachelor pad Jewish music." Brilliant. : )

NPR - Music Visionary Robert Moog

Another NPR piece on Bob Moog's passing. Title link takes you to NPR's All Things Considered with Music Visionary Robert Moog by Elizabeth Blair. This is different than the earlier NPR post.

New York Times on Bob Moog

Click here for a New York Times article on Bob Moog's passing. It's good and different than the generic AP News article making it's rounds. If you get the sign up screen, do it (it's easier than it looks), free and simple (cookie based).

"It was the theremin, in fact, that got Mr. Moog interested in electronic music as a child in the 1940's. In 1949, when he was 14, he built a theremin from plans he found in a magazine, Electronics World. He tinkered with the instrument until he produced a design of his own in 1953, and in 1954 he published an article on the theremin in "Radio and Television News" and started the R. A. Moog Company, which sold his own theremins and theremin kits. "

Carolina Eyck

Who says you can't mix an electronic instrument with the orchestra. Click here for Carolina Eyck's homepage. Click here for an amazing performance on the theremin by Caronia with orchestra.

Great shot below when she was just a kid with Bob Moog.

Aliens

Groovy Moog madness. Now that's what I'm talking about. Click here for an AVI. Check Aliens Project for more.

Moog Mania

I thought what would be more appropriate at this time than to celebrate what Bob Moog left us, by sharing some performances with his creations. Watch this guy go all out. Amazing. Second video here.

Where's the Mini?

Interesting note on the AP article on Bob Moog's passing. No mention of the minimoog. But the mititmoog gets a mention! : )

"He went on to attach his name to a long list of synthesizers developed over the years -- among them Micromoog, Minitmoog, Multimoog and Memorymoog."

Image from Vintage Synth Explorer

Bob Dancing

In via AH. Some shots taken at a NAMM loft party. That's Bob in the purple striped shirt.

NPR on Bob Moog

Title link take you to NPR announcing audio that will be available at 3:00PM Eastern. This in from Synth Sights:

"Just now heard a note on his passing on NPR's Performance Today,
accompanied by a piece from Wendy Carlos' Switched on Bach.

He will be missed.

Phil"

Associated Press on Bob Moog's passing

Good article on Bob. Some quotes:

"He's like an Einstein of music," Carlini said. "He sees it like, there's a thought, an idea in the air, and it passes through him. Passing through him, he's able to build these instruments."

"A lot of people today don't realize what this man brought to the masses," Carlini said. "He brought electronic music to the masses and changed the way we hear music."

"A deliberate man with brushed-back white hair and a breast pocket packed with pens, Moog drove an aging Toyota painted with a snail, vines and a fish blowing bubbles.

"When I drive that thing around, people smile at me," he said. "I really feel I'm enhancing the environment.""

Wikipedia on Bob Moog

Wikipedia has already been updated. Wikipedia on Synthesizers has the following on the history of the synthesizer. This is who we lost today:

"The first playable modern configurable music synthesizer was created by Robert Moog, who had been a student of Peter Mauzey, one of the engineers of the RCA Mark II. Moog designed the circuits used in his synthesizer while he was at Columbia-Princeton. The Moog synthesizer was first displayed at the Audio Engineering Society convention in 1964. Like the RCA Mark II, it required hours to set up the machine for a new sound, but it was smaller and more flexible. The Moog synthesizer was at first a curiosity, but by 1968 it had caused a sensation."

Bob has left us - August 21, 2005

Via Mark Pulver on AH:

Robert Moog took his last breath today, August 21, at 2 pm. We will be
paying tribute to his life with a Jewish funeral on Tuesday August 23rd
at 4 PM and a Memorial Celebration on Wednesday, August 24th at 12 PM.
The Memorial Celebration will be a time to pay your tribute in word and
song.

Details of the Memorial Celebration are:

MEMORIAL CELEBRATION: August 24, 12 NOON
The Orange Peel, Social Aid & Pleasure Club
101 Biltmore Ave
Asheville, NC
828 225-5851
www.theorangepeel.net



We love you Bob.

Thank you.

The Box

Brian Crabtree's The (presently untitled) Box. Interesting midi device. Check out this video of it in action. Click here for more info including pictures, sound and video.

Info from the site:

the (presently untitled) box.

alternative input paired with visual and audio feedback should theoretically eliminate the keyboard and mouse dance party.

a grid of buttons with internal lights. each system is independently interfaced via midi to an arbitrary computer program. what happens to the button data, or what lights turn on, is entirely dictated by software design. it is open.

fundamentally i use max/msp, though the box can easily communicate with supercollider, ableton live, reason, reaktor, and everything else which supports midi.