Emergency Services - New Flickr Shot

flickr by мסмסяפаи.

New Moog Specs are Up

In case you missed the update to this post. Title link takes you to the full list on Moog's website. Scroll when you get there.

Pi Sequencer on Voltage Controlled

Too cool. Title link takes you to the post.

My First Step Sequencer

Title link takes you there.



ndc Plugs has released My First Step Sequencer, a simple 16-(or 8-)step sequencer aimed at children. It comes with a shuffle mode and a note randomize button, as well as a scale-forcing control, to make it so that you can only select notes within a particular scale.

The notes are represented by animal heads in the carriage windows, with the velocities being represented by flowers on the carriage doors. The octave can be changed by clicking the body of the engine. A signal at the bottom right is a global mute - setting it down will stop the plugin from outputting MIDI data. The arrow at the bottom left can be used to display a number of advanced options, left to right:

Shuffle.
Number of steps (16 or 8).
Scale: lets you ignore certain notes, to enforce a particular scale.
Notes: Switches between displaying the notes as animal heads, or their actual values.
Random: randomizes the note values.
My First Step Sequencer is available for free as a VST effect plugin for Windows and Mac OS X and it is open source, so the source code is also available.

AHMW 2006

Just a reminder that AHMW 2006 is this Saturday, March 25. Title link takes you to more info.

AHMW 2005

New Moog - Initial Specs Leaked

Update: Moog put up the official specs: http://moogmusic.com/news.php?cat_id=107 (scroll down when you get there).

A spec list was leaked on the Moog forum and posted on AH as follows. Amos of Moog jumped in and stated that the spec list leaked was not complete. We know it's a synth so... Here are some basics sent my way via Dylan. I also saw the specs on AH. So if that list gets to see it, so do you. ; )

-----

It was posted at address (now forbidden) :

http://moogmusic.com/detail.php?main_product_id=3D227

specs for the new synth : "Little Phatty"

Little Phatty Tribute Edition

Here are some specifications:

Sound Sources:
Two ultra-stable analog VCOs.

Sound Modifiers:
VCLPF: 24 dB /Oct Moog Ladder filter,
Overload control
Single Output VCA.

Envelope Generator section:
Two ADSR EGRs:
One to modulate the Filter (Filter EGR)
One to Modulate the VCA (Volume EGR).

For each EGR, the parameters are:

Attack
Decay
Sustain
Release

Modulation section:
4-waveform LFO
1x1 Mod Buss
6 possible mod sources
4 possible destinations.

User Interface section:
Fine Tune (for both Oscillators)
Glide On/Off
Octave Down
Octave Up

Output section:
Master Volume control
Output On/Off switch
Headphone Volume control
Headphone output jack (1/4?

I/O Panel Section:
AC In (100-250VAC, 50-60 Hz)
Power On/Off
Audio Out
Ext. Audio In
Pitch CV In (1 V/Oct)
Filter CV In
Volume CV In
Keyboard Gate In
Midi In
Midi Out

the price was briefly posted as $1479

(info from analogue heaven mailing list btw)

Keep up the good work
dylan

NitroTracker

Another reason to get a Nintendo DS. Title link takes you there.

Sun Ra Interview

An interesting and sometimes humorous interview of Su Ra and his synths (only 2.2M mp3). Some details below posted by elmacaco on AH. BTW, elmacaco is looking for the real scoop behind what happened to Sun Ra's Minimoog Model B prototype. Rumors have it that it was destroyed in a pawn shop fire but then interviews mention it went missing. If you know, please post in the comments.




"Hi everyone,

Well I've been getting kinda deep into Sun Ra since watching Space is the
Place, and have gotten my hands on a few recorded interviews. THis one in
particular is titled "Sun Ra Speaking at Oct. 1971 Rehearsal" and the link
below takes you to where you can download the mp3.

He starts off talking about an analog sequencer, with the lights chasing,
and how you can change the speed, etc. Then he talks about a synth you play
by touching a copper strip instead of keys, and how he couldn't play it
because his skin resistance was different, that he had to wet his fingers to
be able to play it. He says this was produced "around here" and I have
references to Sun Ra rehearsing in Oakland in 1971, So that could place
"Around here" in Buchla or serge range geographicly, but it seems a bit
early for serge. Anyone know anything about this encounter? Perhaps
someone who knows him can ask Don if he knows something about it? I

He also talks about the people at Moog calling him to have him return the
prototype, swap it for a new one, or pay for it :D. He says something about
a lawsuit or something, but he may be building the mystique around the Model
B, since he is talking to his band, and saying that no one has the one he
has, that they just made it for him when he went by there one sunday.

Sorry for all the detail, but the link only lasts a week, so it makes some
good archive info.

I've combed the archives here and in other places, and there doesn't seem to
be a lot of good information on Sun Ra and his instruments. The best I can
piece together about the Fate of the Model B is that it was destroyed in a
pawn shop fire, but in other Sun Ra interviews I see him mention that it
went missing. If anyone knows the real scoop, or just has some more
mythology, please share it.

Even general Sun Ra anecdotes are welcome, as he was a really interesting
guy, but particularly synth related stuff, as there isn't enough of that,
and it's on topic ;')"

elmacaco

Gnostic Rocket Live in Toronto

Update2: Via Doktor Future in the comments:
"Here are some pics of a recent Ambient Ping performance up on this page:

http://www.paulsop.com/gallery/February2006?page=2

(near the bottom)."

Update via Gnostic Rocket in the comments:

"Hey Matrix,

Thanks for the link. There has been a bit of a change to the events planned for next Tuesday.

I will not be performing musically, but will however be featured as one of three "human canvases" who will be painted throughout the planned musical performance."

Note the following is no longer current (see above). Just saving this for posterity.
Gnostic Rocket/Phil Ogison will be performing live Tuesday, March 28th at Ambient Ping (at the Hacienda Night Club) in Toronto Canada.

"The event is part of Ambient Ping, a weekly experimental/ambient music event held at Toronto's Hacienda club (located at 794 Bathurst Street in Toronto - on the northwest corner of Bloor and Bathurst). We will be onstage at around 9:45pm.

I'm thinking about a more atmospheric, and less rhythmically driven set for this show. Will definitely bring the Springboard Dub, Casio CZ1000, Theremin, circuit bent Speak and Math by fastmatt, and probably my lap steel guitar and my Korg X911 guitar synth."

Title link takes you there. Sounds cool. Wish I was near Toronto.

Voltage Controlled

Joshua Greenberg just started Voltage Controlled. His first post is a salute to Music Thing, Create Digital Music, Matrixsynth, and all the others. Definitely honored to be on that list. His first content post is on an auction for a Synthi 100. Title link takes you there. I'm subbed and look forward to see what else comes. I also added Voltage Controlled to my blog roll on the right. Thanks Joshua!

New Buchla 200e Shot

Title link takes you to the full shot on VSE.

New Moog is Most Definitely a Keyboard

Title link takes you to Moog clue #3.

"Taking Shape: Time to Put it Together!

Thanks to everyone for providing superb guesses and creating the most interesting mock-up designs, especially the Sailboat with the cool Moog Voyager Mast. Absolutely brilliant!

Thanks for fueling the overall enjoyment of launching Moog's exciting new product! We still have one more week until the full unveiling at Musik Messe where it will all come together.

We strive to provide everything you have come to expect from Moog while keeping you pleasantly surprised. We will see you in Frankfurt."

drvt - New Flickr Shot

flickr by softestthing. Cool shot.

Electrocomp EML 400/401 Sequencer

Warm shot of the EML 400/401.



Title link takes you to some more along with an Akai MPC1000, both of which are for sale; which means the link will probably go down when sold, so grab them now if you want them.

Lars' Livingroom - New Flickr Shot

flickr by geirarne. If you click through the title link you can mouse over the instruments to see what they are. There's a mini under that plastic. : )

Yaaaa! - New Flickr Shot

flikcr by scraz. Shot of The New Pornographers, one of my favorite Indie Bands.

Moog Lives. Play On. T-shirt

I sent Amanda/Cikira an email letting her know I put up the post below. She sent me a link to the shot of her "Moog Lives. Play On." T above. Very nice. The shirt is not for sale on the Moog site and was given to friends. She received her's at this years NAMM. Title link takes you to a bigger shot.

Cikira

Robert Cash sent me a couple of links to Cikira's site. I realized that although I have put up a few posts mentioning Cikira, I hadn't put up a proper post on her and her site. If you don't know Cikira, she is the moderator of the SynthSights list (where the discussion is about the people and the music rather than the gear), she runs Red Moon Music (makers of maxWerk, and powered by the uberHamster), and she runs the Cikira website which hosts tons of gear p*rn of her most immpressive studio. Check it out. But most importantly, Cikira is one good natured, cool cat.

Stop the PSE law - New Flickr Set

flickr by asobitsuchiya. Sent my way via DK. Check out the mixer, sax, and the red "TV Hat" in the back. If you don't know about the PSE law, check out these posts: one two three. Rumor has it that musical instruments may not be exempt after all. Title link takes you to more shots. Thanks for the link DK.

Sound Machines - New Flickr Shot

flickr by turboswami. Anyone know what that giant knobbed rack is?



Update: See comments.

Monomachine - New Flickr Shot

flickr by JSRocket. Title link takes you to more.

Popmodernism sCrAmBlEd?HaCkZ!

Saw this one on Music Thing followed by Create Digital Music. I didn't think it was synth related so I held off checking it out until now. This software is a complete trip. Simply put it takes a video and slices it into a bunch of short samples of audio and video. You can then sing or speak into it and it matches the sounds you produce with the short samples it created. The end result is a crazy mix of the sound and video samples mapped to whatever you are singing - in real time. Title link takes you to the sCrAmBlEd?HaCkZ! page on Popmodernism.org with video links. Warning, the video has lots of flashing, so if you are subject to seizures, be careful.

Derek's Keyboard - New Flickr Shot

flickr by Kriton Music. Saw wave or sine?

The Chicken Scratch Synth

Homegrown modular by Peng. More info and audio on sdiy here.

Roland SH-5 - New Flickr Set

flickr by unrest. Title link takes you to more.

Robert Rich Concert Pics

Title link takes you to more. via Pete on AH.

Zebronologic and circuit bent TR505

Title link takes you to another post and sample of the Zebranologic and a circuit bent TR505 on Subtlenoisemaker.

808 Swing

Title link takes you to a sample and a how too by Andrew Scheidler. Thanks Andrew!

The New Moog?

Sorry, had to. : ) It's actually the Midimax Keyboard controller for Creamwares Minimax. It was showing in NAMM 2004. Just ran into it again on this VSE post.

Akai AX80

One more shot from this link. I just love the way this one looks. Something about the contrast, the black and that shade of blue.

One Lucky Kid

Title link takes you to a slew of gear shots including this one. I ran into this link on this post on the-gas-station, but when I reached the last shot I relized it was the same one in Analog Industries GPF post this week. PSProject. ARP 2500 and more.

"Cross Wave Synth" - New Flickr Shot

flickr by Jaffa2004. There's another nice shot of just keys after the hop.

WC Olo Garb - Sunbathing - New Flickr Shot

flickr by polaranta.

Antler - New Flickr Shot

flikcr by killrobots. Looks like a Korg CX-3.

Moog 55 Advert - New Flickr Shot

flickr by maxkalehhoff.

Rhodes Chroma Printouts

Title link takes you to Rhodes Chroma printouts added to the Rhodes Chroma site. "There are books for sets 1, 2, & 3; and sets 4 and 5. These are printouts, I believe from Fender's Apple II software, of the program parameters of all the factory patches." Might be interesting to try these patch settings on other synths and see what comes out.

Roland SH-1000

Just a couple of shots pulled from this sale on Craigslist. Love the green velvet.

The Bahn Sage Makes a Come Back!

Remember the Bahn Sage? Word has it it's featured on page 14 of the April issue of Keyboard Magazine. Can't wait to get my copy. BTW, the same Elhardt that does the insanely impressive emulations, like the Jupiter 6 covering Freebird, was the man behind the Sage.


Shot via Sequencer.de

Metasonix S-1000 Take 2 on One Blue Monkey

Title link takes you there. Video link under date, under title.

Misprints of the Synth World

Update: Make sure to check out the comments in this post for some other interesting examples.

Thought this was interesting. Peter Forrest of Spheremusic and the VEMIA auction called out that the Korg PS-3100 up for auction had LIMITER misspelled as LIMITTER. Ron West posted a link to the image below where you can see it. According to Peter Forrest the mistake was caught and later models were corrected. I wonder how many other synths have unintentional misprints. I know many of my posts do. : )

"I was just having a last play on the Korg PS-3100 that is in the auction ending today, and saw that this one has the spelling mistake LIMITTER on its front panel. It's serial number 712139 - presumably an early one, before it was spotted and corrected."
Peter Forrest
Susurreal Publishing (A-Z of Analogue)
VEMIA auction (www.spheremusic.com)
fax +44 1363 777872

Korg Mono/Poly Samples

Two Korg Mono/Poly Samples.


One of my favorite Mono/Poly shots. Via the Zen Mono/Poly site.

http://www.retrosynth.com/tracks/joe_erwin_zippity.mp3
"The following tune was done by friend Joe Erwin on a Mono/Poly multritracked on a Tascam DA-88. I think this is circa 1998." Via Cary Roberts.

http:// www.baward.plus.com/mp3/MP4.mp3
I am jumping on this one a bit late (DSL has been down) but here's another example of the Mono/Poly solo which I originally I posted last year. 5 minutes of noodling, me getting carried away with the arpeggiator and lots of modulation options, as it is so easy to do. That's a Stage Echo tape delay it's routed through.
Ben
Korg Kornucopia - analogue synthesizers

Musical_instrument_shop1 - New Flickr Shot

They even have a spittoon. Shot by resonanced sky.

Moog Solar

There is Balance in the Synthiverse

Apologies for being down most of the past 24 hours. Blogger had a few hiccups with affected not only me but a number of blogs out there. I've been catching up and WOW, Moogulator has had quite the burst of posts while I've been out. Title link takes you there. Some drool worthy stuff going on there. There is balance in the synthiverse.

Update: Moogulator tells me the post that featured this shot was about another commercial site that used the shot without giving credit. That is just wrong. It's the equivalent of stealing it, because people visiting your site have no reason not to assume it's yours. Bad mojo. It really pisses me off because I go out of my way to make sure I give credit when credit is due and I definitely don't mind people posting about stuff on my site as long as they give me credit. I won't link to the offender in this case but I will call them out - they are called Phonostar. You can see the full post on Moogulator.

Li riconoscete

Title link takes you to Li riconoscete, a website filled with synth shots from various band videos. Clip from Billy Idol's Rebel Yell below?... Via Moogulator who has Nick Rhodes of Duran Duran in Planet Earth up. Definitely remember that one...

TR Brothers

Via Brandon Daniel.

Juno 106 - New Flickr Set

Title link takes you to more. Shot by unyo303.

HGPF on Analog Industries

And it's a synth one. Title link takes you there. Thought the following intro was kind of funny: "Old Schoolers Anonymous. Check this shit out. No computer, beeyatch! He makes songs the old fashioned way. He types them in to an MC-4, one note at a time, like Real Men Used To."

Metasonix S-1000 Wretch Machine on One Blue Monkey

Title link takes you there. Video under date, under title. Eric Barbour controls it with the Eowave Persephone picutred below. He also triggers it with the on board joystick. Thought that was pretty cool in that it actually does the triggering in addition to pitchbend so you can control the joystick with one hand and adjust knobs with the other sans midi controller.

Synth Demos by Ron West on StudioB12

Title link takes you to some synth demos by Ron West. Synths featured: Korg Mono/Poly, Moog MicroMoog, Yamaha CS-15, and Roland System 100m. Also check out his other links. It's worth noting Lenny the Lemur helped him with these. Who needs a cat when you have Lenny the Lemur. ; )