Sent to me via Philip Sanderson. Title link takes you to a blog post on the story behind the first track, "Under Press of Sail." Thanks Philip!
Under Press of Sail by Philip Sanderson
http://www.psouper.co.uk/snatch/sound/Sail.mp3
Blackheath by Storm Bugs
http://www.psouper.co.uk/snatch/sound/blackhaeth.mp3
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Synton Modular
Update via the comments. Cool. Thanks John!
"Synton 3000 Modular Documents
These documents are from 1984 when Big Briar, Bob Moog's company, was distributing Synton in the US. The Synton 3000 appears to be a modest and cost effective but capable system. This is a banana jack system.
http://www.wavemakers-synth.com/synton/Synton_3000.html
For other interesting historical synths visit my Wavemakers site linked below.
John Loffink
The Microtonal Synthesis Web Site
http://www.microtonal-synthesis.com
The Wavemakers Synthesizer Web Site
http://www.wavemakers-synth.com
--------------------------------------------------------------
Synton Modular on the bay. Via Luca of SYTHOSIUM. Title link takes you to his site with some other interesting items including Snoop's Minimoog! : ) Thanks Luca! Two shots saved for posterity:
"Synton 3000 Modular Documents
These documents are from 1984 when Big Briar, Bob Moog's company, was distributing Synton in the US. The Synton 3000 appears to be a modest and cost effective but capable system. This is a banana jack system.
http://www.wavemakers-synth.com/synton/Synton_3000.html
For other interesting historical synths visit my Wavemakers site linked below.
John Loffink
The Microtonal Synthesis Web Site
http://www.microtonal-synthesis.com
The Wavemakers Synthesizer Web Site
http://www.wavemakers-synth.com
--------------------------------------------------------------
Synton Modular on the bay. Via Luca of SYTHOSIUM. Title link takes you to his site with some other interesting items including Snoop's Minimoog! : ) Thanks Luca! Two shots saved for posterity:
Buchla 200e on Sound on Sound
Word has it that the review is not favorable. Just might have to pick up a copy...
Update: The review is part 1 of 2. Some interesting notes in via Peter Genader on cost and complexity of the Buchla, via AH:
"On the 200's cost in general. Yeah - $1400 is a lot of money for a VCO.
$700 for four VCAs (LPGs) is kind of steep, too. But you've got to keep in
mind - the 200e is is basically a complex computer network - the modules
acting as the workstations and the 225e working as the server, all on a
customized bus --- all with an amazingly sophisticated musical instrument
laid on top. The technology in play here is mind-boggling. Once you see
one of the new modules out of the chassis, when you see how much componentry
is involved with even the 'simple' modules, the price point starts to make
sense and becomes practical - even inexpensive.. It seems like no big deal
to have a button that says 'save' which records all of the switch settings,
all but about 10 of the pot settings. It's like saying "bend light". Easy
to say, but you've got to be traveling faster than the speed of light to
pull it off.
"For anyone whose done synth DIY work or even produced modules products,
there are countless think tank meetings among the players in which they go
through this sort of mental diarrhea - it would be cool if it did this. How
about we make this control also do that? In the end you find that much of
that brainstorming ,while cool, would be completely impractical due to the
technology and $$ required to do some of it. It's obvious that the 200 was
no exception to this sort of brainstorming -the BIG difference is, he
actually pulled it all off. He DID the things most other designers scratch
off the list after two seconds of thought about the practicality of each
given feature."
Update: The review is part 1 of 2. Some interesting notes in via Peter Genader on cost and complexity of the Buchla, via AH:
"On the 200's cost in general. Yeah - $1400 is a lot of money for a VCO.
$700 for four VCAs (LPGs) is kind of steep, too. But you've got to keep in
mind - the 200e is is basically a complex computer network - the modules
acting as the workstations and the 225e working as the server, all on a
customized bus --- all with an amazingly sophisticated musical instrument
laid on top. The technology in play here is mind-boggling. Once you see
one of the new modules out of the chassis, when you see how much componentry
is involved with even the 'simple' modules, the price point starts to make
sense and becomes practical - even inexpensive.. It seems like no big deal
to have a button that says 'save' which records all of the switch settings,
all but about 10 of the pot settings. It's like saying "bend light". Easy
to say, but you've got to be traveling faster than the speed of light to
pull it off.
"For anyone whose done synth DIY work or even produced modules products,
there are countless think tank meetings among the players in which they go
through this sort of mental diarrhea - it would be cool if it did this. How
about we make this control also do that? In the end you find that much of
that brainstorming ,while cool, would be completely impractical due to the
technology and $$ required to do some of it. It's obvious that the 200 was
no exception to this sort of brainstorming -the BIG difference is, he
actually pulled it all off. He DID the things most other designers scratch
off the list after two seconds of thought about the practicality of each
given feature."
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Moog Music Bass MURF & CV Expander VX-352
Interesting. Via Synthopia.
"New to the Bass MuRF is a shelving filter on the lowest band, with a cutoff frequency of 110 Hz. This means that all very low frequency content passes through the Bass MuRF’s filter section clear and strong. The remaining 7 filters are resonant filters and are also voiced for low frequencies.
The Animation section includes some exciting new beat-oriented patterns and more of the great diversity of tone-mangling the original MuRF is capable of."
Also: Voyager Intros Rack Mount CV Input Expander
"New to the Bass MuRF is a shelving filter on the lowest band, with a cutoff frequency of 110 Hz. This means that all very low frequency content passes through the Bass MuRF’s filter section clear and strong. The remaining 7 filters are resonant filters and are also voiced for low frequencies.
The Animation section includes some exciting new beat-oriented patterns and more of the great diversity of tone-mangling the original MuRF is capable of."
Also: Voyager Intros Rack Mount CV Input Expander
Synth Oddity Forum
Title link takes you to Moogulator's forum of some interesting synth oddities including the shots below. An absolute Goldmine! Well worth checking out. Thanks Moogulator! P.S. Don't forget to go to each next page when you get there for more.
Odd, huh? : )
OBMx original design? I remember seeing this before.
"Im Deutschen Museum München stehen ein Fonosynth und ein Synthesizer Thowiphon III (Bild)"
Odd, huh? : )
OBMx original design? I remember seeing this before.
"Im Deutschen Museum München stehen ein Fonosynth und ein Synthesizer Thowiphon III (Bild)"
Acid Cats
Love this shot. Via legion on AH. Title link takes you to a bigger shot. I saved it offline, so ost a comment if it goes away and I'll put it up.
EDP Wasp Page
Just a cool little EDP Wasp page that I haven't seen before. Via Louis van Dompselaar on AH.
Alesis ION Demos by Kenneth Elhardt
Demos have moved here.
Via Kenneth Elhardt on AH. Enjoy.
"In a recent catalog I recieved, I noticed that the Alesis Ion was now
selling for $600. I had a 10% coupon for 8th Street, so at $540 it was just
too good of a deal to pass up. I bought one at the end of october. 2 weeks
later I had created a bunch of sounds on it and then recorded the demos
below. Since I like the music of Ennio Morricone, I decided to use that as a
vehicle to demo some realistic accoustic imitations. I don't have any
printed music scores, so I did it by ear, improvised stuff, and threw
together elements from different movies just to create a eclectic mix.
The only equipment used was an Ion + expression pedal, + sustain pedal + EQ,
+ reverb. I also played the whole thing on that little tiny keyboard because
the Ion wouldn't work properly with my 88 note RD-1000 piano. That's just
one of the many limits, cut corners, disappointments, and just outright
unacceptable behaviors on this lowcost synth. However there are many great
things about it, and physical construction is surprising good. A list of
sounds modeled is listed after, plus some other short demos follow.
Note that I have only heard these on clear detailed headphones and have no
idea what it sounds like on crappy computer speakers or dull sounding
monitors. There is some background noise in places, especially the acoustic
guitar parts. Please try to ignore that. I've found that a second listen
through makes it less noticable."
(3:33) Running time.
http://home.att.net/~synth6/Alesis_Ion_Western.mp3
Instruments in order of when they make their first appearence.
01) Kettle Drum
02) Bass Drum
03) Tenor Recorder
04) Mellotron Choir (filters modified with envelope to make it say "Wah",
and NO, the lame and useless Ion vocal filters were not used)
05) Alto Recorder
06) Acoustic Guitar (nylon string rythm guitar)
07) Whistling
08) Telecaster Electric Guitar
09) Acoustic Guitar (brighter sound, somewhere between a nylon and steel
string rythm guitar)
10) Trumpet
11) Trombones
12) French Horn
13) Snare Drum
14) Mellotron Male/Female Choir (sacrificed vocal clarity for density of
sound)
-------------
(2:20) Here is an attempt to model Tomita's mellotron choir sounds. He seems
to have two types, a typical "aah" sound and also a murky and sometimes non
distinct one consisting of "ooh" sounds on some notes, humming on others,
and almost synthetic vocal throat sounds with no vowels on others. The first
Ravel part shows four subtle patch variations ranging from delicate vocal
sounds to forceful "aah" sounds. The second part is trying to sound like his
murky type, though it's still a work in progress. That's followed by a
typical Tomita effect.
http://home.att.net/~synth6/Ion_Tomitas_Mellotron.mp3
(1:11) You only need to listen to this if you want to hear two snippets from
the above demo inserted into a real Tomita recording. He does the "ooh" and
"hmm" parts, I do the "aah" parts.
http://home.att.net/~synth6/Ion_Real_Fake_Real_Fake.mp3
(0:18) Here is an Ion recorder modeled with such realism and detail in
timbre and breathy attack, that it is indistiguishable from the real thing.
It can play side-by-side or replace recordings of real instruments without
anybody having a clue. Assuming your wires aren't crossed, my recorder is
playing in the left channel and the real one is in the right. I'll do a full
recorder demo later.
http://home.att.net/~synth6/Ion_Recorder_Compare.mp3
(1:37) This is orchestral power brass. It provides rather realistic and huge
brass sounds ranging from ppp to fff. This demo shows the trombone range,
followed by the high trombone/trumpet range, then the tuba section, then
octave brass - sounding large with just 4 notes, then french horn, then G.S.
Patton.
http://home.att.net/~synth6/Ion_Brass.mp3
Via Kenneth Elhardt on AH. Enjoy.
"In a recent catalog I recieved, I noticed that the Alesis Ion was now
selling for $600. I had a 10% coupon for 8th Street, so at $540 it was just
too good of a deal to pass up. I bought one at the end of october. 2 weeks
later I had created a bunch of sounds on it and then recorded the demos
below. Since I like the music of Ennio Morricone, I decided to use that as a
vehicle to demo some realistic accoustic imitations. I don't have any
printed music scores, so I did it by ear, improvised stuff, and threw
together elements from different movies just to create a eclectic mix.
The only equipment used was an Ion + expression pedal, + sustain pedal + EQ,
+ reverb. I also played the whole thing on that little tiny keyboard because
the Ion wouldn't work properly with my 88 note RD-1000 piano. That's just
one of the many limits, cut corners, disappointments, and just outright
unacceptable behaviors on this lowcost synth. However there are many great
things about it, and physical construction is surprising good. A list of
sounds modeled is listed after, plus some other short demos follow.
Note that I have only heard these on clear detailed headphones and have no
idea what it sounds like on crappy computer speakers or dull sounding
monitors. There is some background noise in places, especially the acoustic
guitar parts. Please try to ignore that. I've found that a second listen
through makes it less noticable."
(3:33) Running time.
http://home.att.net/~synth6/Alesis_Ion_Western.mp3
Instruments in order of when they make their first appearence.
01) Kettle Drum
02) Bass Drum
03) Tenor Recorder
04) Mellotron Choir (filters modified with envelope to make it say "Wah",
and NO, the lame and useless Ion vocal filters were not used)
05) Alto Recorder
06) Acoustic Guitar (nylon string rythm guitar)
07) Whistling
08) Telecaster Electric Guitar
09) Acoustic Guitar (brighter sound, somewhere between a nylon and steel
string rythm guitar)
10) Trumpet
11) Trombones
12) French Horn
13) Snare Drum
14) Mellotron Male/Female Choir (sacrificed vocal clarity for density of
sound)
-------------
(2:20) Here is an attempt to model Tomita's mellotron choir sounds. He seems
to have two types, a typical "aah" sound and also a murky and sometimes non
distinct one consisting of "ooh" sounds on some notes, humming on others,
and almost synthetic vocal throat sounds with no vowels on others. The first
Ravel part shows four subtle patch variations ranging from delicate vocal
sounds to forceful "aah" sounds. The second part is trying to sound like his
murky type, though it's still a work in progress. That's followed by a
typical Tomita effect.
http://home.att.net/~synth6/Ion_Tomitas_Mellotron.mp3
(1:11) You only need to listen to this if you want to hear two snippets from
the above demo inserted into a real Tomita recording. He does the "ooh" and
"hmm" parts, I do the "aah" parts.
http://home.att.net/~synth6/Ion_Real_Fake_Real_Fake.mp3
(0:18) Here is an Ion recorder modeled with such realism and detail in
timbre and breathy attack, that it is indistiguishable from the real thing.
It can play side-by-side or replace recordings of real instruments without
anybody having a clue. Assuming your wires aren't crossed, my recorder is
playing in the left channel and the real one is in the right. I'll do a full
recorder demo later.
http://home.att.net/~synth6/Ion_Recorder_Compare.mp3
(1:37) This is orchestral power brass. It provides rather realistic and huge
brass sounds ranging from ppp to fff. This demo shows the trombone range,
followed by the high trombone/trumpet range, then the tuba section, then
octave brass - sounding large with just 4 notes, then french horn, then G.S.
Patton.
http://home.att.net/~synth6/Ion_Brass.mp3
Alesis Andromeda A6 and MOTM Demos by Kenneth Elhardt
If the links below do not work, try https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=642528F1BD8958CC&sc=documents
Via Kenneth Elhardt on AH. Enjoy.
"Andromeda and MOTM sound effects and Misc."
(0:06) This is your head sticking up just above some stereo boiling liquid.
http://home.att.net/~synth6/A6_Boiling_Liquid.mp3
(0:04) Here is in impression of somebody pouring a bit of water into a cup.
http://home.att.net/~synth6/A6_Pouring_Water.mp3
(0:24) I was creating a string sound for a Greek style folk dance I was
making up when I did a few mods to make it more sitar-like.
http://home.att.net/~synth6/A6_SemiSitar.mp3
(0:36) Needs to be played loud. This is what a diesel train sounds like out
here when one passes by, synthesized on the MOTM modular. Sounds range from
the train horn to the sqeaks, scrapes, and sounds shaking and rattling box
cars flying by.
http://home.att.net/~synth6/MOTM_Train.mp3
Via Kenneth Elhardt on AH. Enjoy.
"Andromeda and MOTM sound effects and Misc."
(0:06) This is your head sticking up just above some stereo boiling liquid.
http://home.att.net/~synth6/A6_Boiling_Liquid.mp3
(0:04) Here is in impression of somebody pouring a bit of water into a cup.
http://home.att.net/~synth6/A6_Pouring_Water.mp3
(0:24) I was creating a string sound for a Greek style folk dance I was
making up when I did a few mods to make it more sitar-like.
http://home.att.net/~synth6/A6_SemiSitar.mp3
(0:36) Needs to be played loud. This is what a diesel train sounds like out
here when one passes by, synthesized on the MOTM modular. Sounds range from
the train horn to the sqeaks, scrapes, and sounds shaking and rattling box
cars flying by.
http://home.att.net/~synth6/MOTM_Train.mp3
Alesis Andromeda A6 Samples by Kenneth Elhardt
Via Kenneth Elhardt on AH. Wow. Enjoy. No title link, everything below.
Demos have moved here: https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=642528F1BD8958CC&sc=documents
"Here are some Carlos/Baroque style demos. All were done on the Andromeda.
The only onboard effect used was delay, the only post effects were reverb,
bass/treble, and some EQ on the Timpani. The time for each is given, so you
can figure out the file size from there if download time is an issue. About
512K for 0:30 seconds. And as always, every note was played by hand. No
sequencers, midi files, or half speed recording was used."
(1:30) I get annoyed when people repeat pieces Carlos has already done
instead of something new, but I had to use one of those Scarlatti sonatas
myself because its structured in a way that seems to best allow a variety of
timbres to be shown. This is the most colorful of the lot. The point was for
me to try out my Andromeda W.Carlos soundset and see if I'm on the right
track. 2 oscs per voice and subpar filters are quite a limitation when doing
Carlos impressions, though mix mode does help in the few places I used it.
Please ignore the slight flub at 0:47.
http://home.att.net/~synth6/A6_Scarlatti.mp3
(0:20) I don't have the music score for this one, so I faked it.
http://home.att.net/~synth6/A6_Monteverdi.mp3
(0:39) The point of this piece was to go from the solo instrument to full
out complex and energetic polyphony that hits you at 0:13.
http://home.att.net/~synth6/A6_Bach_Fast.mp3
(1:50) I wanted to try a slow movement that's kind of loose sounding.
http://home.att.net/~synth6/A6_Bach_Slow.mp3
(0:39) Timpani is the only acoustic mimicry here.
http://home.att.net/~synth6/A6_Bach_Gavotte.mp3
Demos have moved here: https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=642528F1BD8958CC&sc=documents
"Here are some Carlos/Baroque style demos. All were done on the Andromeda.
The only onboard effect used was delay, the only post effects were reverb,
bass/treble, and some EQ on the Timpani. The time for each is given, so you
can figure out the file size from there if download time is an issue. About
512K for 0:30 seconds. And as always, every note was played by hand. No
sequencers, midi files, or half speed recording was used."
(1:30) I get annoyed when people repeat pieces Carlos has already done
instead of something new, but I had to use one of those Scarlatti sonatas
myself because its structured in a way that seems to best allow a variety of
timbres to be shown. This is the most colorful of the lot. The point was for
me to try out my Andromeda W.Carlos soundset and see if I'm on the right
track. 2 oscs per voice and subpar filters are quite a limitation when doing
Carlos impressions, though mix mode does help in the few places I used it.
Please ignore the slight flub at 0:47.
http://home.att.net/~synth6/A6_Scarlatti.mp3
(0:20) I don't have the music score for this one, so I faked it.
http://home.att.net/~synth6/A6_Monteverdi.mp3
(0:39) The point of this piece was to go from the solo instrument to full
out complex and energetic polyphony that hits you at 0:13.
http://home.att.net/~synth6/A6_Bach_Fast.mp3
(1:50) I wanted to try a slow movement that's kind of loose sounding.
http://home.att.net/~synth6/A6_Bach_Slow.mp3
(0:39) Timpani is the only acoustic mimicry here.
http://home.att.net/~synth6/A6_Bach_Gavotte.mp3
More Arp Quadra Shots
Some more nice ARP Quadra shots from Heath in the comments section of my last post. Yes it's beat up, but Heath is hoping to ressucitate it. Hopefully another Quadra saved. I love the look of these synths. I saved these shots offline, so if the link ever changes, just post a comment and I'll update it.
Arp Quadra Shots
Title link takes you to some nice shots via this auction. Man I wis I were in Atlanta now. That's a nice looking Quadra. Local pickup would also mean I could most likely check it out first.
Synth T-Shirts
Title link takes you to a slew of t-shirts for sale on the bay. I don't know the seller or the quality of the shirts. I just saw the Buchla T below and checked it out. I clicked on what else the seller had and saw a huge list of Ts including other various synths. Hopefully this will be around come next summer. : )
Monday, November 21, 2005
OZNI Music Synthesizer Systems
I was checking out Technorati to see if anyone was linking back to this site. I found a blog called BloggieWoogie. Cool name, BTW. : ) I was checking it out and ran into the following picture. Title link takes you to the post. Anyone know what this is?
Update: I checked the AH archives and didn't find much other than the following (sounds like the ad above - also felt compelled to share the the comment regarding the dual VCOs. Yep... : )
"To add to the list of modular synths, I also have literature on the
OZNI modular synth from Process Electronics of Centerville, PA.
It touts "Distinctive Quality at a Sensible Price".
The front sheet shows a fairly large system, about 20 modules,
being displayed by a model with fairly nice dual VCOs of her own.
Also about 15 modules available, ranging in price from $75 to
$275, dated 1976. Actually, pretty nice looking stuff (the modules too!),
especially considering the prices."
Update via CAndres in the comments:
"I am to blame for the sexist marketing literature. I was only 22 at the time; seemed like a way to get our product known. The modules were actually of excellent quality, but we completely underestimated what it would cost to produce them in quantity. We actually built 3 synthesizers like this -- I still have one that still works 30+ years later -we built these in 1975 except I hacked in a digital keyboard about 1984."
"Oscillator range .05 - 50Khz;
envelope generator up to 5 minute envelopes, VCOs with sine, square, pulse, sawtooth, VCFs were hi low band pass. We thought we were so cool with 741 op amps; the power supply was completely overdesigned. But the case was not really roady ready -- thin vinyl over foam. We probably should have sold these for $10K to cover what it really cost to build, but at that price, you could get a Moog."
Update: I checked the AH archives and didn't find much other than the following (sounds like the ad above - also felt compelled to share the the comment regarding the dual VCOs. Yep... : )
"To add to the list of modular synths, I also have literature on the
OZNI modular synth from Process Electronics of Centerville, PA.
It touts "Distinctive Quality at a Sensible Price".
The front sheet shows a fairly large system, about 20 modules,
being displayed by a model with fairly nice dual VCOs of her own.
Also about 15 modules available, ranging in price from $75 to
$275, dated 1976. Actually, pretty nice looking stuff (the modules too!),
especially considering the prices."
Update via CAndres in the comments:
"I am to blame for the sexist marketing literature. I was only 22 at the time; seemed like a way to get our product known. The modules were actually of excellent quality, but we completely underestimated what it would cost to produce them in quantity. We actually built 3 synthesizers like this -- I still have one that still works 30+ years later -we built these in 1975 except I hacked in a digital keyboard about 1984."
"Oscillator range .05 - 50Khz;
envelope generator up to 5 minute envelopes, VCOs with sine, square, pulse, sawtooth, VCFs were hi low band pass. We thought we were so cool with 741 op amps; the power supply was completely overdesigned. But the case was not really roady ready -- thin vinyl over foam. We probably should have sold these for $10K to cover what it really cost to build, but at that price, you could get a Moog."
VCS 2 Segmentwave Synth
Update: Via Moogulator this came from AUDIO-LIGHT-STUDIOTECHNIK.
Update: Link to site via Moogulator: http://www.synthesizerarchiv.de/html/segment.html. Another shot from the site as well:
Update: Intersting. Looks like it was more than a Sage; not meant to be a fake but an actual idea according to Moogulator: http://maschinensound.de/blog/?p=197
"It has never went into production, it's an idea by some guys in germany.. there is a site in german&english discribing the synth.. it will not show up.. so no "sage" but some sort of "mephisto" ;)"
Another via Steveo on Sonic State's the-gas-station. Title link takes you to the post. Yeah, I don't think it's real either. Click image for a bigger shot. Another Sage perhaps?
Update: Link to site via Moogulator: http://www.synthesizerarchiv.de/html/segment.html. Another shot from the site as well:
Update: Intersting. Looks like it was more than a Sage; not meant to be a fake but an actual idea according to Moogulator: http://maschinensound.de/blog/?p=197
"It has never went into production, it's an idea by some guys in germany.. there is a site in german&english discribing the synth.. it will not show up.. so no "sage" but some sort of "mephisto" ;)"
Another via Steveo on Sonic State's the-gas-station. Title link takes you to the post. Yeah, I don't think it's real either. Click image for a bigger shot. Another Sage perhaps?
Site Updates - Let me know...
I'm finding that I'm posting anywhere from five to about ten posts a day on average, sometimes more, but rarely less. I want to keep it between five and ten as more than that starts to seem like too much, but if there's content to put up, I'm gonna put it up. The bar just kind of changes depending on how much is out there. Also, I try to keep posts short and to the point to make them easy to parse, but some simply warrant more verbiage. Let me know if you think I'm putting up too much.
Also, I originally had the home page set to show 15 posts. On busy days this can be annoying if posts you haven't seen yet get rolled into the archives. To remedy this I just set the homepage to show three days worth of pages, so hopefully this will be better.
What I'm interested in hearing is if three days is too much or too little. Would four days be better considering the weekends? How does the site download on your end after upping the setting to three days (is it any slower)? I haven't noticed a difference so my plan is to keep it.
Let me know...
Also, I originally had the home page set to show 15 posts. On busy days this can be annoying if posts you haven't seen yet get rolled into the archives. To remedy this I just set the homepage to show three days worth of pages, so hopefully this will be better.
What I'm interested in hearing is if three days is too much or too little. Would four days be better considering the weekends? How does the site download on your end after upping the setting to three days (is it any slower)? I haven't noticed a difference so my plan is to keep it.
Let me know...
The Tiracon
Update: According to Lutz in the comment section, "This is a prototyp made in 1989 from AAC (Automatisierungs- und Anlagenbau Cottbus). It is a keyboard with presetsounds, some effects and a rhytm-machine inside. Its not a Synth !!!"
Update: Via Moogulator of seqencer.de. The Tiracon was not a by Vermona but actually a prototype that never went into production by an east german company. He didn't state the name. If I get it I'll include it. Would be an interesting bit of synth history to know.
Via Steveo on Sonic State's the-gas-station. Title link takes you to the post. Nothing on the Vermona site yet. Click image for a slightly bigger shot.
Update: Another synth, the Tiracon 6 is on the Vermona site.
Update: Via Moogulator of seqencer.de. The Tiracon was not a by Vermona but actually a prototype that never went into production by an east german company. He didn't state the name. If I get it I'll include it. Would be an interesting bit of synth history to know.
Via Steveo on Sonic State's the-gas-station. Title link takes you to the post. Nothing on the Vermona site yet. Click image for a slightly bigger shot.
Update: Another synth, the Tiracon 6 is on the Vermona site.
Mini Wakeman Set
Music Thing is on a roll. Where did these all come from?! It's a mini doll synth invasion. I definitely need to get some of these for my daughter. Check out this mini Wakeman set-up. Amazing. Title link takes you to the source site with more shots.
Barbie and a Modular
Looks like Tom of Music Thing is on a doll roll. Title link takes you his Barbie post (I never knew he was into Barbies ; ). Also check out the GI Joe on a theremin while there. Too damn funny! : ) Tom, set up a Flickr set already!
Han Zimmer's Polyfusion Modular
First Brian Eno's gear on Vemia, now Han Zimmer's Polyfusion Modular is up on the *bay. Well a little different in that this was formerly owned by Hans Zimmer, but... Who cares?! It's a Polyfusion Modular! Title link takes you to two large shots saved for posterity.
Details from the auction:
Amazing analog system, formerly owned by Hans Zimmer . This is the main part of the monster synth that I received from Media Ventures Studios, the 2 wings having been sold recently . This particular system had been quoted in many books: Mark Vail / Vintage synths., Keyboard marg april 99, Martin Newcomb / Museum of synth. technology, and the A-Z of analog synths.
The sound is very close to the Moog modulars, Polyfusion having been founded by 2 ex-Moog employees. The modulation possibilities are endless.
MODULES LIST : includes a large number of standard modules produced by Polyfusion, and some very rare factory custom ones. All modules are fitted in a trail, and are easily moved and removed.
>3 VCO. 1 factory custom with waveform select ,from a single output
>1 VCF. Freq AND resonnance are volt. controlled.
>1 HPF with resonnance. Freq AND resonnance are volt. controlled.
>4 VCA ( 2 dual)
>4 DADSR (2 dual) : 1 standard dual, 1 dual factory custom :the upper with 2 gate selector , the lower with 2 outputs selector and attenuator.
>5 mixers .each with 4 ins and + - outputs.
>1 LFO. 5 waveforms, control over PW and freq.
>1 rare quadrature oscillator. 4 outs, for surround panning or other complex modulations.
>1 octave divider. for waveforms or impulses.
>1 dual Sample and Hold.
>1 dual ring modulation.
>1 (spring) reverb.
>1 enveloppe folower.
>1 phase shifter.
>1 voltage quantizer
>3 multiples .
>1 5 bands Parametric EQ. 5 X frequency / Q /Level.+cut / boost.
>1 bipolar attenuators. X 3.
>1 variableDC source. X 3.
>1 keyboard output controller, with pressure, dynamics, X/Y controls >corresponding to the polyfusion keyboards wide possibilities,or to be connected to a Kenton
>2 power supplies.
This system is located in Paris. Sold as is due to his age. Buyer is responsible for shipping and insurance fees. NO "0" feedbacks ebayers please. Good luck bidding !
Details from the auction:
Amazing analog system, formerly owned by Hans Zimmer . This is the main part of the monster synth that I received from Media Ventures Studios, the 2 wings having been sold recently . This particular system had been quoted in many books: Mark Vail / Vintage synths., Keyboard marg april 99, Martin Newcomb / Museum of synth. technology, and the A-Z of analog synths.
The sound is very close to the Moog modulars, Polyfusion having been founded by 2 ex-Moog employees. The modulation possibilities are endless.
MODULES LIST : includes a large number of standard modules produced by Polyfusion, and some very rare factory custom ones. All modules are fitted in a trail, and are easily moved and removed.
>3 VCO. 1 factory custom with waveform select ,from a single output
>1 VCF. Freq AND resonnance are volt. controlled.
>1 HPF with resonnance. Freq AND resonnance are volt. controlled.
>4 VCA ( 2 dual)
>4 DADSR (2 dual) : 1 standard dual, 1 dual factory custom :the upper with 2 gate selector , the lower with 2 outputs selector and attenuator.
>5 mixers .each with 4 ins and + - outputs.
>1 LFO. 5 waveforms, control over PW and freq.
>1 rare quadrature oscillator. 4 outs, for surround panning or other complex modulations.
>1 octave divider. for waveforms or impulses.
>1 dual Sample and Hold.
>1 dual ring modulation.
>1 (spring) reverb.
>1 enveloppe folower.
>1 phase shifter.
>1 voltage quantizer
>3 multiples .
>1 5 bands Parametric EQ. 5 X frequency / Q /Level.+cut / boost.
>1 bipolar attenuators. X 3.
>1 variableDC source. X 3.
>1 keyboard output controller, with pressure, dynamics, X/Y controls >corresponding to the polyfusion keyboards wide possibilities,or to be connected to a Kenton
>2 power supplies.
This system is located in Paris. Sold as is due to his age. Buyer is responsible for shipping and insurance fees. NO "0" feedbacks ebayers please. Good luck bidding !
Lemur and a Continuum - Video
Title link takes you to a great video of a Lemur and a Continuum fingerboard. Note how you can set an end point on the lemur and have it gradually move to it while you move on. Look for the scene towards the begining below; that little white dot in the purple circle will slowly move back when he lets go, modulating the sound on the way back. Pretty sweet. Via Edmund Eagan on AH.
Lemur Workshop
You've probably heard of the Lemur by now. If you haven't it's a tablet type device that you can use as a midi controller. It's pretty impressive to say the least. Check out http://www.jazzmutant.com/lemur_overview.php for more. The site's been updated since I was last there and they now have a few workshops including one on using the Lemur to control complex granular synthesis and one as a fantastic midi sequencer. Title link takes you there.
The Amen Break - The Winstons & 6 Seconds from 1969
Interesting documentory of the Amen Break, sampling, and a hit on Zero G. If you don't know what the Amen Break is off the top of your head, check it out, you will recognize it. Remember the history of the TB-303 documentary? This is from the same guy, Nate Harrison; you'll recognize the monotone voice. This is a really good documentary. Better than the 303 one in my opinion. Do take the time to check it out. Via humanoidalert on this Sonic State the-gas-station post. The Winstons and the Amen Break are also on Wikipedia.
The Winstons
The Winstons
Synth Orgy Video
Another via Michael Weeks. A Metasonix TM-1, Moog CP251, MF104 and Roland SH101s going nuts. Hmm... I wonder what they are saying to each other... Right click title link and save - it always seems to go faster that way on my end. Also saves bandwidth if you want to see it again later. Enjoy.
More Metasonix Shots
Two shots sent my way via schism of Analogue Haven. Title link takes you to bigger shots. Thanks Schism!
Metasonix Wretch
Metasonix TM6 Multimode Filter
Metasonix Wretch
Metasonix TM6 Multimode Filter
A Moog Modular for every studio
Well, sort of. : ) Now this is kind of cool. See the modular in the picture below? Click on this PDF. Get it? I think I'm going to print out a ton of these and build my own paper modular over time. : ) Via Music Thing, via Till Kopper. Title link takes you to there. There's also a Klaus Schulz version. Very nice. Next time someone comes to my studio, I'll be like, "Dude, check out my modular. Bitchen, huh?"
Sunday, November 20, 2005
Hollenangel - Yamaha CS80 showcase
I posted on Stephen Parsick's Hollenangel back on Oct 5 as an excellent showcase of the Yamaha CS80. He just posted a review and another sample on the Yamaha CS80 group. Below are links to the sample in different bandwidths. If you want to hear some Yamaha CS80 magic, check it out. Enjoy. Title link takes you to Parsicks.com.
http://www.neuharmony.com/56k/hoell.m3u
http://www.neuharmony.com/mp3/hoell.m3u
http://www.neuharmony.com/56k/hoell.mp3
http://www.neuharmony.com/mp3/hoell.mp3
http://www.neuharmony.com/56k/hoell.m3u
http://www.neuharmony.com/mp3/hoell.m3u
http://www.neuharmony.com/56k/hoell.mp3
http://www.neuharmony.com/mp3/hoell.mp3
Arp Odyssey and Moog Polymoog track
Update: Martin ('Liquidscreamer') did the track.
Very cool Odyssey and Polymoog track. Man I miss that sound. If Billy Currie of Ultravox and Gary Numan where morphed together, this is what it would sound like. Via Jordan Gibson on AH (track is by Jordan's mate). Enjoy.
Very cool Odyssey and Polymoog track. Man I miss that sound. If Billy Currie of Ultravox and Gary Numan where morphed together, this is what it would sound like. Via Jordan Gibson on AH (track is by Jordan's mate). Enjoy.
Nord Modular Comparison Chart
A $300 Nord Modular recently came up for sale. I always wanted one but I put it on hold as I figured I'd get the G2 instead. But at $300 I decided maybe I should go for it. I checked out the Clavia site and couldn't find a comparison chart. I wanted to know if the Nord Modular and G2 were totally different in sound character or if the G2 was built off of the first generation modular. Like the Nord Lead 2 is built off of the original Nord Lead, but the Nord Lead 3 was redesigned from the gound up - totally new software. Well, I haven't found the definitive answer yet, but I have found some interesting bits.
This above is just a short list. Check out the title link for a more comprehensive list. Regarding the $300 Nord Modular I found. Looks like four others beat me to it. Oh well, another day...
- Title link takes you to a comparison chart (thanks Wout!)
- You can't upload Nord Modular 1 patches into the G2
- The Nord Modular classic has a Filter Bank and Spectrum OSC that the G2 does not have (thanks to Vincent and fizmo)
- Vincent who has both hasn't had a chance to fully compare them, but he said they do sound different
- The G2 can send it's sequencer data via MIDI so you can build sequencers to control external gear. The original can't
This above is just a short list. Check out the title link for a more comprehensive list. Regarding the $300 Nord Modular I found. Looks like four others beat me to it. Oh well, another day...
Metasonix S1000 "Wretch Machine"
Metasonix S1000 "Wretch Machine" prototype. Damn, that is one sexy looking behemoth of a synth (never thought I'd ever say that). Look at that thing! It's got tubes poppin out of it. Be careful... Title link takes you to a bigger shot and a PDF with details (I copied and pasted the details below in case you don't have a reader). Via Michael Weeks of www.endmusik.com, via the floor of the VTV expo. Thanks Michael!
Specs via the PDF in case you don't have a reader:
"The Ultimate Tube Synthesizer.
Pitch sources: two independent VCOs.
Made entirely of vacuum and gas-filled tubes.
Range >2 octaves using CV, octave switching allows range from
33 Hz (low C) to more than 2 kHz.
Three waveforms: thyratron sawtooth, square, and square with
suboctave.
VCO 2 may free-run or be soft-synced to VCO 1.
Numerous patch points allow enormous flexibility.
Waveshaper: unique circuit, with soft clipper and pulse adder
(shapes waveforms from VCOs by adding small pulses to top of
waveform at discontinuity).
Made entirely of vacuum tubes.
Settings: disable, soft-clip only, and soft-clip with pulses added to
signal. Latter circuit allows simulation of noise source.
Filter: unique multimode circuit, allows its use as a lowpass,
treble/midrange bandpass or bass bandpass filter.
Continuously variable control allows mixing of filter forms in any
proportion.
Made entirely of vacuum tubes.
Range of treble resonance switchable, 400-1700 Hz.
Bass resonance tunes from ~100-350 Hz.
Filter sweep is performed with photoresistor element.
VCA: unique circuit using a pentode tube.
Made entirely of a vacuum tube.
May be modulated with the AR generator only, or with the control
voltage generated on modulation bus 2.
Modulation: two envelope generators, A(S)R and AD.
Both triggered with input gate signal. Both may be combined on
either modulation bus to create ADSR.
Two independent LFOs, triangle waveform, range <0.3 Hz to more
than 5 Hz.
Two modulation buses allow combining the A(S)R, AD, and two
LFOs as needed to effect any CV input in the audio circuit (VCO
pitch, VCO squarer waveshape, waveshaper pulser, filter tuning).
Main CV input controls pitch of both VCOs (Hz/V response).
Gate input triggers envelope generators, accepts 0-5v or 0-10v
gate voltage.
6AL7 "eye" tube displays status of LFOs and A(S)R control voltages
on three separate glowing green bar graphs.
Miniature joystick performs multiple jobs: vertical motion affects
pitch of both VCOs, horizontal motion affects tuning of filter.
Press joystick in to trigger envelopes.
Size: 6U high standard EIA rack mount, 3" depth below rack panel.
11 vacuum/gas tubes. Weight about 20 pounds with AC adapter.
Draws 12 volts AC ONLY at 3 amps.
Expected availability mid-2006, expected retail price $2500.
Optional internal MIDI-CV interface, add $300."
Specs via the PDF in case you don't have a reader:
"The Ultimate Tube Synthesizer.
Pitch sources: two independent VCOs.
Made entirely of vacuum and gas-filled tubes.
Range >2 octaves using CV, octave switching allows range from
33 Hz (low C) to more than 2 kHz.
Three waveforms: thyratron sawtooth, square, and square with
suboctave.
VCO 2 may free-run or be soft-synced to VCO 1.
Numerous patch points allow enormous flexibility.
Waveshaper: unique circuit, with soft clipper and pulse adder
(shapes waveforms from VCOs by adding small pulses to top of
waveform at discontinuity).
Made entirely of vacuum tubes.
Settings: disable, soft-clip only, and soft-clip with pulses added to
signal. Latter circuit allows simulation of noise source.
Filter: unique multimode circuit, allows its use as a lowpass,
treble/midrange bandpass or bass bandpass filter.
Continuously variable control allows mixing of filter forms in any
proportion.
Made entirely of vacuum tubes.
Range of treble resonance switchable, 400-1700 Hz.
Bass resonance tunes from ~100-350 Hz.
Filter sweep is performed with photoresistor element.
VCA: unique circuit using a pentode tube.
Made entirely of a vacuum tube.
May be modulated with the AR generator only, or with the control
voltage generated on modulation bus 2.
Modulation: two envelope generators, A(S)R and AD.
Both triggered with input gate signal. Both may be combined on
either modulation bus to create ADSR.
Two independent LFOs, triangle waveform, range <0.3 Hz to more
than 5 Hz.
Two modulation buses allow combining the A(S)R, AD, and two
LFOs as needed to effect any CV input in the audio circuit (VCO
pitch, VCO squarer waveshape, waveshaper pulser, filter tuning).
Main CV input controls pitch of both VCOs (Hz/V response).
Gate input triggers envelope generators, accepts 0-5v or 0-10v
gate voltage.
6AL7 "eye" tube displays status of LFOs and A(S)R control voltages
on three separate glowing green bar graphs.
Miniature joystick performs multiple jobs: vertical motion affects
pitch of both VCOs, horizontal motion affects tuning of filter.
Press joystick in to trigger envelopes.
Size: 6U high standard EIA rack mount, 3" depth below rack panel.
11 vacuum/gas tubes. Weight about 20 pounds with AC adapter.
Draws 12 volts AC ONLY at 3 amps.
Expected availability mid-2006, expected retail price $2500.
Optional internal MIDI-CV interface, add $300."
Saturday, November 19, 2005
Audio Realism ABL Pro
Via Wiglaf on this VSE post. Title link takes you to the Audio Realism ABL Pro page with more details and screen shots.
"The Pro version is intended to take what ABL is good at and extend on that to reach new sonic possibilities but with the same feeling. Extended range on oscillators and filters (which now goes up to self oscillation). Audio rate modulation is possible on the excellent filter and oscillators which can be swept from bass up to treble ceiling while retaining low aliasing and without any other digital artifacts. The slave (audio) oscillators can be tuned +/- 48 semitones with 1 cents accuracy from master oscillator. This range aids in making sweeps that feel unconfined and lets your music breath. The modulation generator can be used as a third oscillator while routed to multiple destinations. A stereo delay unit with modulatable delay times will aid you in making interesting and atmospheric sounds."
"The Pro version is intended to take what ABL is good at and extend on that to reach new sonic possibilities but with the same feeling. Extended range on oscillators and filters (which now goes up to self oscillation). Audio rate modulation is possible on the excellent filter and oscillators which can be swept from bass up to treble ceiling while retaining low aliasing and without any other digital artifacts. The slave (audio) oscillators can be tuned +/- 48 semitones with 1 cents accuracy from master oscillator. This range aids in making sweeps that feel unconfined and lets your music breath. The modulation generator can be used as a third oscillator while routed to multiple destinations. A stereo delay unit with modulatable delay times will aid you in making interesting and atmospheric sounds."
Scott Stites "Buchla 200e" Demo
In via John P of m/n/m/l, via AH. Title link takes you there (look for Scott Stites). BTW, John "thinks" this is the 200e. It sounds like it based on other samples I've heard. I'll update the post if I hear anything back on AH.
Update: Via AH. It's not a 200e. : )
"Scott Stites speaks:
"For samples, the thread pointed here:
http://www.mnmlnoise.com/misc_samples.html
I found that there was a sample of mine linked there, one I'd
discussed with you a while back. I'm absolutely thrilled to you would
put it on M/N/M/L (a heck of an honor!). The only problem is that
it's labeled as a 200e sample, and I think all these guys are thinking
that it is a 200e (actually I did it with some Buchla stuff I'd
cloned)."
Update: Via AH. It's not a 200e. : )
"Scott Stites speaks:
"For samples, the thread pointed here:
http://www.mnmlnoise.com/misc_samples.html
I found that there was a sample of mine linked there, one I'd
discussed with you a while back. I'm absolutely thrilled to you would
put it on M/N/M/L (a heck of an honor!). The only problem is that
it's labeled as a 200e sample, and I think all these guys are thinking
that it is a 200e (actually I did it with some Buchla stuff I'd
cloned)."
Buchla Breaking the Mold
One of the achilles heels of digital virtual analog synthesis has always been aliasing. Another has been the precision of digital oscillators and of course stepping. Buchla has always sat on the pinacle of analog modular synthesis. Buchla is considered to be the holy grail along with only handful of others. Buchlas have always been considered to break the mold when it comes to synthesis and design. What I find fascinating and am coming to realize is that the new Buchla 200e just might be breaking another mold. The mold of aliasing and digital oscillators and their negative perception. I posted earlier on Buchla's digital oscillators. I was just reading the Keyboard Magazine Review on the Buchla 200e (title link), and I just read the following:
"Did he say “digital?” Yes, the 259e is a digital oscillator. Analog purists may not be pleased about this. I’m happy to have lots of waveforms at my fingertips, but I found that many of the wavetable combinations produced aliasing. Pure sine waves, which don’t alias, are available among the waveforms, and it was possible to coax some sweet tones out of the 259e, especially at low warp settings and at lower pitches. However, the higher-pitched tones of most of the waveforms alias spectacularly, making them ideal for edgy, glitchy mixes but not desirable for traditional definitions of “beautiful.” According to Buchla, this design was intentional."
So, if the Buchla does it...
"Did he say “digital?” Yes, the 259e is a digital oscillator. Analog purists may not be pleased about this. I’m happy to have lots of waveforms at my fingertips, but I found that many of the wavetable combinations produced aliasing. Pure sine waves, which don’t alias, are available among the waveforms, and it was possible to coax some sweet tones out of the 259e, especially at low warp settings and at lower pitches. However, the higher-pitched tones of most of the waveforms alias spectacularly, making them ideal for edgy, glitchy mixes but not desirable for traditional definitions of “beautiful.” According to Buchla, this design was intentional."
So, if the Buchla does it...
Buzzclick Music
Title link takes you to Peter Grenader's website, Buzzclick-Music. If you've been following my posts, you might notice that the last two had Peter Grenader's name on them. Now you know how I end up on a role, one thing really just leads to another. I started with a simple link to a Buchla review with samples on Keyboard Magazine, that Peter sent to AH, I dropped by Sonic State for the NAMM demo of the 200e he did, and I ended up on his site, Buzzclick Music, dropping by the EAR and Big City Music sites on the way.
So, Buzzclick Music...
There is just too much content on Buzzclick-Music to do it justice in a single post. Just go check it out if you haven't been there before. There are music samples, pictures, a bio and a few slices of synth history including Buchla, Serge, Morton Subotnick, John Cage, and much, much more. Peter Grenader is also involved with EAR which I've posted on a few times. He designs the Plan B line of modulars. You can hear it on Secret Life on the Music Samples link of his site. Really amazing stuff.
Also make sure to check out the Son of Frankenstein when you are there. : )
So, Buzzclick Music...
There is just too much content on Buzzclick-Music to do it justice in a single post. Just go check it out if you haven't been there before. There are music samples, pictures, a bio and a few slices of synth history including Buchla, Serge, Morton Subotnick, John Cage, and much, much more. Peter Grenader is also involved with EAR which I've posted on a few times. He designs the Plan B line of modulars. You can hear it on Secret Life on the Music Samples link of his site. Really amazing stuff.
Also make sure to check out the Son of Frankenstein when you are there. : )
Buchla 200e Video on Sonic State
I thought I put this up already, but apparently not. Title link takes you to a video demonstration of the Buchla 200e given by Peter Grenader for Big City Music during Winter NAMM 2005.
Buchla 200e Keyboard Mag Review and Samples
Looks like the Buchla 200e Keyboard review is online with samples. Via Peter Grenader of Buzzclick-Music and Plan B, via AH. Title link takes you there.
Radikal Technologies Spectralis Demos
Title link takes you to the Spectralis demo page. Some amazing samples there. If you are a Pink Floyd fan, definitely check out the Spectralis_Shine_On_Pf.MP3. Wow. Make sure to also check out the left nav menu items (pictured below) when you get to the site. These are links to more component focused demos. The Spectralis has a much wider palatte of sounds than I was expecting. Based on previous demos, I thought it would be more inclned to rougher industrial sounds. Some of these demos show that it can definitely do that, and... much... much... more. Very nice indeed. It's awesome seeing ex Quasimidi Jörg Schaaf building synths again. Now if we could only get those Waldorf guys going again...
Synth Videos on Music Thing
I've posted a few synth videos over time, but like my synth shots they tend to go up one at a time, as I find them. Well Music Thing just put up a post that conglomerates a number of them and more, and... Tom gave me credit for the ones he found here. Very cool. Thanks Tom. Title link takes you there. I'm off to go check them out myself.
Retro-Moog - New Flickr Set
I swear there's a synth resurgence on Flickr. Some great Moog Prodigy shots. Title link takes you to a whole lot more. Some really nice ones in this set.
Friday, November 18, 2005
ARP 2600 Shots
Title link takes you to some amazing shots of the ARP 2600. Seems like we are on a picture roll. Lots of em coming up lately. I'll try to only post the really interesting ones to keep the noise down. Enjoy. : ) This set came from Jeffrey Needham on AH. And yes it is for sale as well. Info below.
Call me crazy, but I actually like how beat the casing looks on this 2600. Like a comfy pair of jeans.
Notes:
"extras things:
No keyboard (keyboard CV output is now the input)
IEC power plug
CMS designed 4012 sealed VCF
If you care, 2 OSCs are sealed, 1 is not
The sample/hold is sealed, everything else is not
1 spare (unsealed) OCS
SYNC switches on OSC 2 and 3 (both back to 1)
Phil cleaned all the sliders (all of the CMS work orders will come with it)
Phil rebuilt the power supply.
This is different from REPLACING the power supply with a switching one.
2 1/4" jacks added to get the audio out (barely visible in master shot)
Just give me a shout with questions.
It is located in the San Francisco Bay Area (south bay), California
I assume most people in the world know where that is, but don't want to be
too North American centric.
Jeff Needham, Principal, Scale Abilities, Inc.
Oracle Performance Architect / Music and Film Production
VOX 408 739 2344 FAX 408 739 2394 IP jneedham [@] scale-abilities.com"
Call me crazy, but I actually like how beat the casing looks on this 2600. Like a comfy pair of jeans.
Notes:
"extras things:
No keyboard (keyboard CV output is now the input)
IEC power plug
CMS designed 4012 sealed VCF
If you care, 2 OSCs are sealed, 1 is not
The sample/hold is sealed, everything else is not
1 spare (unsealed) OCS
SYNC switches on OSC 2 and 3 (both back to 1)
Phil cleaned all the sliders (all of the CMS work orders will come with it)
Phil rebuilt the power supply.
This is different from REPLACING the power supply with a switching one.
2 1/4" jacks added to get the audio out (barely visible in master shot)
Just give me a shout with questions.
It is located in the San Francisco Bay Area (south bay), California
I assume most people in the world know where that is, but don't want to be
too North American centric.
Jeff Needham, Principal, Scale Abilities, Inc.
Oracle Performance Architect / Music and Film Production
VOX 408 739 2344 FAX 408 739 2394 IP jneedham [@] scale-abilities.com"
Kawai K1 - New Flickr Shot
This looks to be part of the set from the SidSation shot I posted earlier. It just came up on my reader and it's a nice shot, so I figured I'd put it up.
Novation e-zine
Novation email magazine. You can sign up via their email list here. Title link takes you to the Sonic State article with more detail.
"Each issue of the E-Zine contains news, competitions and user advice from some of the many stars using Novation gear. In the first issue Rennie Pilgrem and Fischerspooner revealed their top tips while Ferry Corsten is lined up to talk tech in the next issue out in January."
"Each issue of the E-Zine contains news, competitions and user advice from some of the many stars using Novation gear. In the first issue Rennie Pilgrem and Fischerspooner revealed their top tips while Ferry Corsten is lined up to talk tech in the next issue out in January."
PSPRhythm V2
I posted about PSPRhythm back in August. Well it looks like an upgrade is out. It will still only run on PSP OS 1.0 and 1.5, so if you've upgraded, you are out of luck. Title link takes you there. Via Sonic State News.
Look familiar? V2 is inspired by the Elektron MachineDrum
"Inspired by classic drum machines such as the Linndrum and Roland TR-series, PSP Rhythm has been created to use the simple, yet effective 16 step style drum sequencer. PSP Rhythm incorporates the use of audio sample playback instead of drum synthesis. Version 2.0 has been directly influenced by one of our favorite modern drum machines, the Elektron MachineDrum. The most significant change between ver. 1.5 to 2.0 is our use of "parameter locks" (as used by the MachineDrum). Parameter locks enable you to change the pitch, volume, and pan per step to create moving, changing melodies and effects. This control over your sounds will give you much more creative freedom and allow you to not only use drums, but to use instruments in your music. Song Mode has been enhanced with a mixer function, allowing you even more versatility with your song writing. The user interface has been made more intuitive and easy to use."
Pattern Mode
- 16 Step Pattern Sequencer
- Flam
- Parameter Locks
Pitch
Volume
Pan
- Memory Banks
- 16 Patterns per bank
- 16 sample sounds
- Mute
Song Mode
- 1 Song per bank
- 512 Pattern Step Sequencer
- Sample Mixer
System Mode
- Tempo (30.0 - 280.0 BPM)
- Swing (50 - 80%)
- Save Bank (0-3)
- Load Bank (0-3)
- Copy Pattern (current pattern > 1-16)
- Clear Pattern
- Clear Song
Look familiar? V2 is inspired by the Elektron MachineDrum
"Inspired by classic drum machines such as the Linndrum and Roland TR-series, PSP Rhythm has been created to use the simple, yet effective 16 step style drum sequencer. PSP Rhythm incorporates the use of audio sample playback instead of drum synthesis. Version 2.0 has been directly influenced by one of our favorite modern drum machines, the Elektron MachineDrum. The most significant change between ver. 1.5 to 2.0 is our use of "parameter locks" (as used by the MachineDrum). Parameter locks enable you to change the pitch, volume, and pan per step to create moving, changing melodies and effects. This control over your sounds will give you much more creative freedom and allow you to not only use drums, but to use instruments in your music. Song Mode has been enhanced with a mixer function, allowing you even more versatility with your song writing. The user interface has been made more intuitive and easy to use."
Pattern Mode
- 16 Step Pattern Sequencer
- Flam
- Parameter Locks
Pitch
Volume
Pan
- Memory Banks
- 16 Patterns per bank
- 16 sample sounds
- Mute
Song Mode
- 1 Song per bank
- 512 Pattern Step Sequencer
- Sample Mixer
System Mode
- Tempo (30.0 - 280.0 BPM)
- Swing (50 - 80%)
- Save Bank (0-3)
- Load Bank (0-3)
- Copy Pattern (current pattern > 1-16)
- Clear Pattern
- Clear Song
Blue Screen of Death - New Flickr Shot
Nice shot including a Korg MicroKorg, Electribe S, and Roland MC-307. Title link takes you to the Flickr set including a bigger shot of the below.
HAARP - High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program in Alaska
Title link takes you to a post GetLoFi put up on HAARP, the High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program in Alaska. There is a link to an Art Bell show that has audio from HAARP and Art Bell's commentary. It's amuzing hearing Art Bell get worked up on what he's hearing. Well worth checking out. It sounds like an analog synth to me. Whenever I hear that ringing in my ears, I usually think, "Looks like I'm getting reprogrammed again!" Now I'll be thinking, "There goes HAARP again!"
Hiwatt Echo Theremin
Via GetLoFi. Theremin with built in delay and a pretty interesting design. Title link takes you to the Hiwatt website with some videos of the piece, well worth checking out.
Me & Charlie of NIN - New Flickr Shot
Look at who's in the background. Talk about a lucky shot.
Oh, that's not actually me, it's just the title of the Flickr shot.
Oh, that's not actually me, it's just the title of the Flickr shot.
Pro One Shots
Some really nice shots of an SCI Pro One via this auction. Title link takes you to shots saved for posterity.
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MATRIXSYNTH - EVERYTHING SYNTH
© Matrixsynth - All posts are presented here for informative, historical and educative purposes as applicable within fair use.
MATRIXSYNTH is supported by affiliate links that use cookies to track clickthroughs and sales. See the privacy policy for details.
MATRIXSYNTH - EVERYTHING SYNTH
