Marvin Jones Website - NAMM Memorial, Paia History and Much More

Title link takes you to Marvin Jones website. I arrived to what looked like a simple, lean website. I then began to explore and found much more than meets the eye. I found the history of Paia, Marvin worked there and became lifelong friends with founder John Simonton. I found some humorous ads from Paia including this great shot of Marvin dressed as Santa.



I found some great shots of NAMM 2006 including these two Buchlas.


And... I realized that Marvin Jones has had a year I simply cannot fathom. The following are shots from this years NAMM Memorial. Morris "Morrie" Jones below, is Marvin Jones father. Title link takes you to his site with much more.

Moog 900 Series Demo Record

Title link takes you there, including MP3. Via Henry Birdseye on AH.



"When I was a kid, starting in 7th or 8th grade, I was rabid about finding info about synthesizers. When I wrote the R. A. Moog company in 1968, I got a pile of literature and this 10" vinyl record. I haven't heard it in some 35 years, and for a relic, it's in pretty good shape. An odd thing about this... the labels are reversed. The side 1 label (shown) is on the side with excerpts from "Switched-on Bach," and vice versa."

MEK Video Up on Sonic State

Title link takes you there. Watch this video. Some juicy tidbits including Dave Smith stating that the Curtis filter chip is the same filter as used in the Pro One, Prophet 5 and Prophet VS. He states that the evolver series is what the Prophet series would look like twenty years later. He also notes that Doug Curtis is a good friend and is making the chips exclusively for him.

Moog Tribute Project

Title link takes you to the Moog Tribute Project, a site put up by James R. Coplin to host musical tributes to Bob Moog. From James R. Coplin: "I don't want this to come across as some sort of a contest; I'm not making editorial decisions etc. Many people I've talked to feel the need and desire to express something they feel about Moog's impact on their music and so I've volunteered the hosting space for it. I thought that music would be the best tribute to him as words, memorials, foundations, etc. are fundamentally disconnected with the work and gifts he gave us as musicians and artists. It's more of a musical guest book of sorts I suppose in that sense."

If you would like to submit your own tribute, James R. Coplin is still accepting them.

More NAMM Shots from Brandon Daniel

Title link takes you there. Same set under NAMM, Winter, 2006, just more shots.

Buchla 222e Multi-dimensional Kinesthetic Input Port

Analog Systems NAMM 2006 - New Flickr Shot

Title link takes you to a bigger shot.

Ferrapsylix Mindblock

Right click title link and save (13M) for a little ditty by Troy Sheets featuring:
"Real analog bass (Moog MG-1), real analog 303 emulation (x0xb0x), all
other synths are waldorf Q." More on http://www.ferrapsylix.com/.

ARP Quadra Shots

Title link takes you to shots pulled from this auction.

NAMM 2006 via Pigpen Digital

Title link takes you to the set. Via Moose of Pigpen Digital.

Notice On Matrixsynth.com

For anyone that used my old site, I've moved it to http://www.matrixsynth.com/old. Matrixsynth.com will now redirect to this site moving forward, as here is where I spend all of my time and this is Matrixsynth. My old site was mainly my personal portal to all other synth sites, and home to a few pages on my first synths (the nostalgia link). And of course there were some shots of my cats and Aleister the Water Dragon. I started Matrixsynth.com in October of 1997. This feels like the end of an era for me as I am basically laying the old site to rest, but it will live on.

A PunkdISCO Wedding

Title link takes you to the track and the story. Synths featured: Moog Voyager and Korg MS-20.

GMedia Flashes a Boob on Sonic State

Nice! Man I love Sonic State. In the latest issue of Keyboard Magazine there's a small bit asking why no one has come out with an Oberheim soft synth yet. Well.... Looks like this might be it. : ) Title link takes you to a clip on Sonic State where GMedia accidentally flashes the SOB pictured below. GMedia rules. I have their impOSCar and Oddity, both great and affordable soft synths.

The Analog Collection

Title link takes you to Reflex Audio's The Analog Collection. What's impressive about this collection in addition to the list of synths, surprisingly, is the price at a mere $29. That and it's from James of Retro Thing. Reflex Audio is also responsible for the Sonia Xi and HardSid Quattro PCI.



Samples include the ARP Odyssey, Chroma Polaris, Elka Synthex, EML ElectroComp 101, Kawai K3, Korg MS-20, Moog MemoryMoog, Moog Minimoog, Oberheim Matrix 12, Oberheim OB-1, Oberheim SEM, Oberheim Xpander, Roland Juno 106, Roland Jupiter 8, Roland MC 202, Roland MKS-80, Roland SH-7, Roland TB 303, Sequential Circuits Prophet 5, Sequential Circuits Prophet 600, Sequential Circuits Six-Trak, Waldorf Microwave, Yamaha CS-5, and Yamaha CS-50.

Korg Radias Video up on Sonic State

Title link takes you there.

The MonoVoice SID Based Synth

3 oscillator monophonic synth with a register editor software and a simple 8-step sequencer. Title link takes you to more on C64Music!.

JWM Electronics Thunderchild SZ3540 - New Flickr Shot

According to this post, "back in 1976 Jeff Wayne released War of the Worlds, upon which allegedly featured a specially built synthesizer called the Thunderchild SZ3540."

Caption from the Flickr Shot
"...there lay thunderchild."

in a garage in an undisclosed location somewhere in the uk lies THE synth that made all those wonderful sounds. I'm always into the very latest sounds coming from the new wave electronica scene, but War of the Worlds always holds a special place in my heart. And it was a wonderful moment meeting Thunderchild.

And of course, now you all know where the name comes from..."

More on Thunderchild in War of The Worlds.

Korg Karma - New Flickr Shot

Nice black and white of the Karma. Title link takes you to a color shot.

JD990 Samples

Two samples (links below image) of the Roland JD990 via this thread on HC.

JD800 - the keyboard version of the JD990


http://www.babic.com/SYN/JD990-BladeOfGlass.mp3
http://www.babic.com/SYN/JD990-Patches.mp3

Corky Burger's Flickr Sets

Title link takes you to one. Note the other sets on the right.

Roland SH-201 - No LCD and Zero Menus?

James of Retro Thing has an interesting point on the new Roland SH-201 - there are no menus and there is no LCD. Everything is right there out front. I had to do a double take to believe it, but he's right. But then what if it has hidden menus only accessible via pressing different combinations of buttons. Eeek! Hopefully not. I'm more curious as to how it will sound compared to the SH-32 and JP8000. Will it cover both or lean towards one more than the other.

Akai EWI400S VA Wind Instrument

Title link takes you there. The VA synth is built in. Wireless MIDI. Think about that. : )




"The EWI4000S has many of the long sought after controls and functions that are necessary for expressive performance. These benefits have been proven by its predecessors, but the EWI offers these features at a much lower price. There are several improvements to the design as well, such as having a built-in sound module, direct MIDI IN and Out, and other updated operating functions. These functions make playing the EWI4000 easier than any other electronic wind instrument.

With the sound module and the instrument all in one product, players no longer need to be tethered to a module. By using MIDI and audio wireless transceivers, EWI4000S players can move freely on the stage as they are playing. The user can easily switch between programs on the EWI4000S directly with a dedicated Program selection button, or use the note keys to select stored patches."

Native Instruments KORE

Title link takes you there.




"KORE can host any VST and AudioUnit instrument and effect. It runs stand-alone or as a plug-in within all major sequencers. KoreSounds can consist of multiple instruments and effects and can be transferred seamlessly between songs, systems and studios."

Korg Radias Hands-on via CDM

Title link takes you there.

Korg Radias on Sonic State and MP3s are up on Korg

Nice close up of the Korg Radias on Sonic State. Title link takes you to their news article on the Radias. I can't wait for their videos to come in. Also MP3s are up on Korg.

Ultra 303

Click here for more info.

"ultra303 is a cpu replacement project for the tb 303 and the ml 303 clone...
which means the old cpu is desoldered and replaced by a new one... a cpu replacement adds new features to your tb 303 and makes things easier to handle it and beside this it turns your tb 303 into a state of the art synth.
the new firmware has still an internal sequencer with the "same" behavoir but with lcd display, midi implementation, saving, reading and editing your patterns via a midi interface on pc.

the entire editing on the 303 is lcd based. you can see the current note that one after and before and you can browse thru your pattern going steps back and some more features which were impossible with the old cpu
of course the firmware is realtime editing...means you don't need to stop the pattern replay during editing."

Three Octave Synths Please

Moogulator has a funny post up on how there aren't enough three octave synths out there. Instead we keep getting two octave mini synths. I couldn't agree with him more. I once picked up a Novation k-Station and while it's a nice synth, I barely used it because it only had two octaves. Not much range there, you know. A nice three octave synth? The MEK of course. Thank you Dave Smith. And thank you Brandon Daniel for posting these shots of NAMM 2006 and more. You rock.

FTG - Roland MKS Site and More

Title link takes you to the MTG Roland MKS page. Note the links on the left when you get there. There is also a System 100m page and an SCI Prophet 2000 page with the users manual and more.

Roland TR-808 Shots

Title link takes you to shots pulled from this auction. Check out the Japanese overlay.

Korg Polly 800 II - New Flickr Shot

Nice Buchla Shot

Title link takes you to a bigger shot on Analog Industries.

The Mini Open Labs Miko

Title link takes you there. Ok, this looks pretty sexy. Credit when credit is due: via Music Thing.

NAMM Synth P*rn from the Inside

Now for what we've all been waiting for. Title link takes you to images coming in from Brandon Daniel. Enjoy. : )

Buchla


MEK

Sonia Xi MIDI Knob Box

You can link up to five of these for a massive sixty programmable knob box with twenty five assignable buttons. MSRP at $135 a unit. Title link takes you there. Via James of Retro Thing, literally; he is the man behind Sonia. Very cool, I must say.



Features:
12 assignable soft-touch knobs and 5 assignable buttons.
120 programmable memory banks.
Includes 25 preset memory banks that work instantly with popular soft synths and recording applications.
ControlChain function seamlessly links up to five units as a single system.
Connects to computers, keyboards, sound modules, and effects using standard MIDI In/Out connectors.
Independent MIDI channel assign for each knob/button.
High visibility UltraBright LED display for quick programming and memory bank selection.
Full support of SysEx memory bank dumps to computer.
MIDI Input with merge function to cascade multiple control units.
Extremely compact: 8" x 6" x 3" (20cm x 15 cm x 8cm)
Shipping January 2006 for $135.

The Arturia Prophet V

Title link takes you there.

Peter Kirn of CDM Speaking at NAMM

Interesting! Peter Kirn of Create Digital Music will be talking at Ableton's booth about Live's warp features and how to control Live with a Max/MSP/Jitter video input from a webcam. Title link takes you to the post on CDM. BTW, I finally started on his Real World Digital Audio (link on right pane). The first chapter on how sound works is excellent.

The New Korgs

Update2: The links on the Korg site are working now. The MicroX? A two octave Korg Triton. ; )

Update: The list is up on Korg.com but the links crap out. Oops. : ) Some pics on the new gear below.

The Radias


The List:
K-series USB MIDI Studio Controllers
Korg Radias and RadiasR (rack) VA? keyboard (lots of controls)
Korg D888 DRS Recorder
Korg microX/X25 and X50
Korg padKontrol
Korg AX3A Modeling Signal Processor
Korg TR88
Korg C320 & C350





Another of the Radias

Korg Legacy T-Series - Free Update

The countdown on Korg.com is still ticking as I post this, but it looks like the Sonic State guys have some news on the Legacy update. Title link takes you there.

Clavia's Patch Mutator

Clavia usually announces major releases during the Frankfurt Musikmesse, so we don't expect much to be revealed during NAMM. With that, they do have some updates on their site including the Patch Mutator, a free update for the Modular G2.



"From this version the Nord Modular G2 Editor provides two new tools for patch modification, the Patch Adjuster for quick patch changes on a global level, and the Patch Mutator for extensive sonic exploration based on interactive evolution."

The New CMEs

MIDI controllers with some interesting features. Get your "Game" on. ; ) Title link takes you there.



"CME has just release their brand new intelligent keyboard controller - VX series. It's the first keyboard with motor fader controller as well as multi-function expansion slot in the world. As the first keyboard with 'PadStyle' intelligent MIDI songs and styles in the world, it is available to update via USB. It’s also the first keyboard with unique Game mode, Multi-scale and U-CTRL function in the world.

Not only a MIDI keyboard controller, VX also supplies many unique functions to meet the need of 21 century's new musicians. Firstly, VX supplies both USB MIDI and USB audio functions. Users do not need extra audio interface when they using VX with music software. VX also builds in many MIDI songs and accompaniment in different styles, including loop variation and chord change, which are elaborate made by professional musicians and can be sprung by VX's unique 'PadStyle'. All MIDI songs and styles can be downloaded from Internet and transferred into VX via USB. VX supplies a brand new Game mode, users could use this function and music books with VX to test their skill of performance, and students could learn many tips in this mode. VX is the first keyboard that has build in muiti-ethical scales in the world, and it will surprise you, no matter you want to play Arabian music of Asian music. U-CTRL is a brand new concept by CME, it provides the easiest way to communicate between controller and music software. You do not need to load template or presets, just press U-CTRL button and all the controllers for software you may use will be ready. VX's multi-function expansion slot gives you many option for expanding your VX, including sound module with sample function, analog synthesizer module, firewire audio interface module, digital mixing console module and etc, with these expansion cards, VX will bring you a all-in-one music production platform. "

electro-music 2006 - Philadelphia, PA

Title link takes you to more info.



"We proudly announce electro-music 2006(TM), a three day international conference/music festival to be held at the Cheltenham Art Center in Philadelphia, June 2 - 4, 2006. The program will include lectures, demos, jam sessions, and concerts.

The scope of this festival is very broad, covering all aspects of electro-music, experimental electronic music, including circuit bending, computer music, electro-jazz, modular synthesis, musique concrete, improvisation, noodles (generative music, automatic and algorithmic composition), multi-media, visual art and much more. The focus will be on participant involvement, sharing, community development, audience education, and great music."