ARP 2800 Modular

images via this auction.
"one of a kind ARP 2800 analog modular synthesizer. This synth started out its life as an ARP odyssey MarkII (black and gold faced unit), which then had its keyboard removed, front panel hand brushed and refinished, custom durable (water proof) sticker artwork (which is reminiscent of the original artwork) created and applied, and then reassembled in a custom plywood modular cabinet. The back panel of the cabinet has space to tuck the attached power cord into. Also added are 1/4" jacks tapping off nearly all the signal outputs, and allowing you to insert any signal into the signal modulation selector switches. And also adding several 4x jack multiples. The unit works fine, but when the modifications were done, it disabled the use of the CV portamento control, and the octave range select switch. The synth can be controlled with standard 1V/Oct CV input and positive polarity gate signals. I think this unit also had a snappy envelope mod done to the ADSR envelope, as I always found the ARP envelopes not quite fast enough for my tastes."

Quasimidi Sirius

images via this auction.

* polyphony -- 28 voices
* multitimbral -- 7 parts - 3 synth,4 drums
* Patches -- 384, 16 vocoder settings
* drumkits -- 192 kick, 192 snares, 192 hi hats, 192 percussion sets each of 12 sounds.
* vocoder -- nine band with high and low pass filters
* patterns -- 242 - 142 preset, 100 user
* songs -- 16
* sequencer tracks -- seven
* effects -- Two processors with reverb, delay, chorus, and flange; global overblast effect.
* keyboard -- 49 keys, velocity sensitive
* inputs -- mic, carrier, analyse, footswitch
* outputs -- stereo out, headphone
* midi -- in,out,thru

Roland TB-303

images via this auction.

AudioCubes Demo at New Media Meeting, Sweden

YouTube via Percussa.
"Tobias von Hofsten (aka ONE) giving an overview of the Percussa AudioCubes at the recent New Media Meeting in Sweden."

Thomas Dolby on the tube - She Blinded me With Science

YouTube via BrusselZuid. via DVDBorn. Spot the synths.
"Thomas Dolby performing 'She Blinded me with Science' on the tube circa 1984."

Update: One more sent my way via Jared.
Thomas Dolby Hyperactive

YouTube via parkhill62.

Oberheim OB-12 Review on Cellular Structures

click here for the review in Spanish or here for the Google translated version.

Take The Time Keyboard Solo

YouTube via jd800er. KORG DW8000. Via kitsunexus.
"Here's some more info on the DW-8000: http://www.dw8000.com/index.html

And here's some more sound demos: http://homepage.mac.com/synth_seal/html/dw8000b.html

IMO the DWGS waveforms on the MicroKorg don't sound nearly as good as they do on the DW-8000."

Kawai K5000 *Advanced Additive Synthesizer*

YouTube via retrosound72.
"Additive Synthesis + special PCM samples; some typical factory sounds from the Kawai K5000R. more info: www.retrosound.de"

Performing with the TouchBox

YouTube via raidersofthelostarp.
"The TouchBox is running two step sequencers controlled with two onscreen keyboards, a monosynth controlled via MIDI, and a guitar fx... Filmed during a performance with a low quality photocamera :( More info at... link"

Something I have been working on today with Gazdatronik

YouTube via Gazdatronik. Name of the video, not actually me.
"A nice chilled out piece, sorta. I show little bits of the setup in action
Moog on bass
Matrix 6 on angry bass
e6400 on drums
korg dw-8000 on choral
TX81z on 'rhodes'"

DACS FwS FREQue II

via this auction. via philip

"Produce pumping tracks that stand out from the crowd with the FwS FREQue II, a genuinely new and inspirational analogue effects processor. In a world filled with plug-ins that do everything, the FREQue II is a processor that few, if any, plug-ins can emulate. The FREQue II is truly a sound designer’s dream. It’ll chew up program material like nothing else out there!

The Effects:
With low frequency modulation inputs:
Simple to complex autopan effects, gating, amplitude modulation, flanging, spatialising

With mid frequency modulation inputs:
Vocoding type effects, adding tunable harmonics, both lower down to subsonic, and up to supersonic, second harmonic distortion (like valves/tubes), harmonising, retuning percussion, gating, general rich distortion, Sci-Fi voices (eg a Dalek)

With high frequency modulation inputs:
Transposition with distortion, adding glitter, air, sparkle etc when mixed back into original

With music or sounds into both inputs:
Vocoding effects, gating effects, fattening/thickening effects, spatial effects, weird transformations

Internal FM:
Frequency Modulation of modulation oscillator at all frequencies, giving effects ranging from slow pulsation to the classic FM generation of complex waveforms

External voltage control of oscillators:
Envelope follower effects, FM effects as above, randomised autopanning

Frequency shift:
Up and down shift of frequency with change in harmonic structure, with FM for sliding effects, using feedback loop to create filter type sweeps

Paul White from Sound on Sound said:
'I’ve used numerous ring modulators over the years, but none have felt either as musical or as natural to use as this one.'"

Previously posted

EML Poly-Box

via this auction. via phillip.
"The Poly-Box is an odd piece of synthesizer technology. It's basically a small-remote keyboard controller for ancient analog synths, but with a twist. It takes control of your analog synthesizer and, even though they're monophonic, the Poly-Box will create polyphony by programmable chord memory presets. Designed for use via CV/Gate with these Related synths. Here is how EML describes it: 'Poly-Box is a pitch following variable chord generator controlled by your synthesizer and Poly-Box's own keyboard with built-in memory. Poly-Box takes a single pitch from your synthesizer and creates two banks of pitch sources. Each pitch bank contains 13 simultaneously available pitch sources at precise semitone intervals - covering an entire chromatic octave. The pitch banks may be in the same or different octaves, and can cover the range from one above to three octaves below the synthesizer oscillator.'"

Latronic Notron

images via this auction. via philip.
"This is probably the best step sequencer ever made, its very sought after and very rare. Only about 100 of these were made. This one is in great condition. I'm the original owner, bought it new back in 1998. Has MIDI inputs and outputs. I have a US power suply for the unit and also comes with the owners manual. It fits very nicely in a standard guitar stand (like shown in the photo's), or can sit flat on a table. I will Ship the item with UPS. No PO boxes. Paypal payment prefered.

Some well known Notron user's are Goldie, The Orb, Jeff Mills, The Advent, Joey Beltram, Bjork, Claude Young, etc. Its great for making techno, electro and some incredibly unique basslines.

If you want to know what this machine does and how it works, you can read Paul Nagle's review from 'Sound on Sound' here

Also, some info from Wikipedia, here"

Synth Testbench

flickr by wooster_synth

click here for the full size shot

2007 Disco Keytar

via Dave

"It's a monophonic, monotambric (same note every time) sound module, employing not a VCO but an ACB (air-controlled blister). I don't see any inputs or outputs on it, but I'm sure we'll figure out a way to sample it eventually. It's not technically a synthesizer, since it creats not artificial, but only natural sounds. But I strongly believe that when in the right hands (or paws), it shall prove to be a surprisingly expressive instrument."

FreqBox vs Access Virus

YouTube via Analogger.
"I used my EMG equipped Strat thru a Vox distortion into the Moogerfooger FreqBox into the external in of an Access Virus. I wrote a rhythmic pattern into my sequencer which gated the Virus. That same pattern was also converted into control voltages with my MPU-101 which modulated the frequency of the FreqBox oscillator. The osc. was synced to my guitar pitch. I also wrote a basic 8-bar pattern for the sampled drums on the SH-32. I included a snippet of video of my brother-in-law and I setting off a Blockbuster in a ditch. That's my wife screaming "He's so insane!!!" I really can't argue with her."

Fade to grey-Visage and Gazdatronik

YouTube via Gazdatronik

"I play Visage's Fade to grey somehow. Micromoog on Bass, Korg DW-8000 on strings, Oberhiem matrix 6 on the high part, and Emulator SP-12 on drums. I'll clean up the production and re-record it and put it up at my other site"

Roland JD-800 Digital Synthesizer - *Pad Sounds* (part2)

YouTube via retrosound72. Follow up to this video.
"more vangelis like sounds from the Roland JD-800 Digital Synthesizer
more info: www.retrosound.de"

Vintage 1972 PAiA Modules

images via this auction

Modules include:
2720-14 - a Sine Converter/Pulse Width Modulator
2720-12 - an Inverter-Buffer
2720-11 - an Envelope Follower
2720-7 - a Power Supply
2720-5 - a Control Oscillator
2720-4 - a Function Generator
2720-3L - a Low Pass Filter
2720-3B - a Bandpass Filter
2720-2 - a Voltage Control Oscillator
2720-1 - a Voltage Control Amplifier

EOWave Persephone

images via this auction.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Roland MC-202

images via this auction.

"The modification that was done gives control voltage inputs for
1. Slide
2. CV
3. Gate
4. VCF (filter cutoff)
It also gives an additional output of the PWM waveform.
The original CV ins and outs all work also. The new CV/Gate input is better than the original (there is a lag on all the original 202s) I think most people would prefer to use external controls as the internal sequencer requires thought and time to program. However the internal sequencer affords special results with the use of accents and slides.

While the MC-202 is often compared to the TB-303, I think the sound and filters are closer to the SH-101. When the resonance is set very high the machine becomes very acid. It synchonized via din sync.

There are two wave forms Square (with PWM) and Saw. There is also a square Sub Oscillator that can be shifted one octave down, two octaves down, or down two octaves with PWM.

The MC-202 is obviously a great bass line synthesizer. The Sub can be absolutely devastating. "Watch the bass bins...." The MC-202 also excels in making acid. The combination of solid bass, acid sequencing, and filters that take on a life of their own when you krank the resonance, makes for acid bass lines or great sqeeky acid effects. The MC-202 also makes very nice strings sounds and woodwind sounds."

Elektron Sidstation

images via this auction.

"Elektron laser-etched numbers into the last 200 Sid Stations that they made. This one is laser etched with the number 14. So, it was the 14th to last one ever made!"

Or is it the 187th to the last made?

MOOG Memorymoog

via this auction.

KORG VC-10

images via this auction.

KORG SQ-10

images via this auction.

"Korg Analog Sequencer, the SQ-10 Model. It is in fully working condition. This old school sequencer was designed for the MS series, using CV/Gate Controll. You can make some reall groovy basslines like the TB-303. It has three rows of 12 steps for a total of 24 or multi timberal 3 seperate channels (3 channels of CV control), 1 Pattern, 1 Song, 36 Knobs in all. Cosmetically, I would rate it at 8 out of 10, it has minor scratches, blemishes, which is typical for an instrument that was produced in 1978."

KORG Lambda ES-50

images via this auction.

1970 Maestro Rhythm MRQ 1 Drum Synth

images via this auction.

Sequential Circuits Prophet-5 Rev 2

images via this auction.

Roland MKS-30

images via this auction.

"The MKS-30 is the rack version of the Roland JX-3P keyboard and the GR-700 Guitar Synthesizer. Sounds like a Juno Series Syntheszer, but much better since it has 2 oscillators with sync and ring modulation, as well as PWM. Excellent Filters plus, one of the best features, just like the Juno 60, 106 and MKS-7, is the pitch bends have a very analog, elastic kind of stretching quality to them, sort of like a rubber band being plucked and stretched. Not many DCO based Analog Synths I've heard do this, except for the Juno's. In fact I recently had a MKS-7(rack of Juno106), and I was surprised by how close the oscillators sound to the MKS30 's. Except you get two of them that can sync and be ring modulated. Plus it has a nice analog chorus circuit built-in for stereo effects.

Some people say it's got a digital sound, but I compared this to the MKS-7, which everybody says is effectively a racked Juno-106. The MKS-30 is just as analog sounding with a remarkably punchy, and pure musical character, especially on those pitch-bends. A few years ago, I was planning to buy a Access Virus C, and this MKS-30 was sitting close by in Guitar Center. After trying both of them out side by side, I ended spending my money on this one. The Virus is great, but compared to this, it's sound is clearly digital. At the time I was looking for that deep analog quality. This synth has that. It's also functionally better than it's keyboard counterpart, the JX3P. It has a better implementation of MIDI with velocity. It's easily programmed from the front panel, however their isn't any sysex that can be accessed by an editor. However, the Roland PG-200 programmer/knob box can be plugged into it, or there is a 3rd party ROM upgrade that can be purchased for around $100(last time I checked) that gives you full sysex, CC control over every parameter. Here's a link to that information."

KORG MicroKorg

flickr by Legendary Classic.

click here for the full size shot

pdPod

YouTube via mkalten. via Wingo Shackleford in the comments of this post.

"pdPod allows the creation of interactive musical applications for the iPod. It integrates Pure Data (http://crca.ucsd.edu/~msp/software.html ) a visual sound programming language by Miller Puckette which allows the rapid development of musical applications. Guenter Geiger (http://gige.xdv.org/ ) has made PDa (http://gige.xdv.org/pda/ ), a port of Pure Data for PDA Linux devices which we recently adapted to run under iPod Linux as well. Martin Kaltenbrunner (http://modin.yuri.at/ ) created a GUI application which allows the execution, display and control of PD patches on the iPod. This application was made by the creators of the reacTable at the Music Technology Group (http://mtg.upf.edu/) at the Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona, Spain.

This instrument was made possible thanks to the efforts of the iPodLinux (http://ipodlinux.org ) project, which provides a Linux environment for the iPod. pdPod itself can be downloaded from its WIKI page (http://ipodlinux.org/Pdpod)"

Arp 2600: Jim Baker Crosses His Wires

click here for the video on Gearwire.
"Improviser Jim Baker uses the Arp 2600 to make unique sounds in his curious brand of "folk music." In this introductory video, Gearwire's Gretchen Hasse catches up with Baker late one Tuesday evening after his set at Chicago's Hotti Biscotti - actually a bar, not a coffeehouse - and he recollects how he came to use the Arp. We also have rare footage of Baker in performance with a sax, upright bass and drums. Check it out in the Gearwire video."

CP-251 Patch

YouTube via demerzel242.

"I made this video to illustrate the uses of the Moogerfooger CP-251. I am only using half of the modules capability in this patch."

iPod Touch Impressions

click here for iPod Touch Impressions on The Stretta Procedure. Yep, that gets a post. I'm looking forward to the day small portable multi-touch devices will be powerful enough to drive MIDI via USB.

John Duval's Custom Silverface "blond" Milton Sequencer

This is the very last Milton out of Cynthia's (Cyndustries) shop.

JoMoX M-Resonator Demos

Demos via Ookpikk - Ookpik

"The first demo goes through each different part of the M-Res, basically breaking it down into comprehensible chunks, the second and third are on a drum-loop and a whole track, and they're much more subtle than, say, REwire's Sonic Trio demo."


M-ResDemo1.mp3
"This demonstrates the individual parts of the M-Res, e.g. what the filters sound like, how the envelope follower reacts, what the phase-inverting feedbacks do. In many ways, this is the most informative of the three. The sounds are coming out of the Nord Modular first, sequence is a simple sawtooth except for the distortion demo, and the pad is something a little more complicated."

M-ResDemo2.mp3
"This is a MDUW drum track through the M-Res."

M-ResDemo3.mp3
"This is a full track (or a part thereof) through the M-Res to show how much more fun it is than filter-sweeping a track."

More demos and details here including demos of the Elektron Machinedrum

AFG (Audio Frequency Generator - VCO)

Via Mark Pulver on AH:
"Livewire is ready to release the AFG (Audio Frequency Generator - VCO). This is looking to be the hottest VCO on the market.

The the Chaos Computer first showed up at Musikmesse 2006, looks like the (next!) ultimate random voltage generating machine. Mike is saying that it _will_ be out before the end of the year.


Then there was an inference that there may be other goodies released before those.

Pics from his showing at NAMM are here:
http://www.fdiskc.com/syn/namm/2007/LivewireACandAFG.html
http://www.fdiskc.com/syn/namm/2007/LivewireChaosComputer.html
http://www.fdiskc.com/syn/namm/2007/LivewireXModandAFG.html

"

Allen & Heath XONE:VF-1

"The XONE:VF-1 is a high quality, 1U rack analogue filter unit equipped with a wide range of input and output connectors, which features an enhanced version of the legendary XONE Filter circuits. An RIAA preamp version - the Xone VF-1R - enabling direct connection to turntables, is also available.

Live Perfomance
The VF-1 is designed with live performance in mind. It offers the artist control over the music and the creative experience. The valve overdrive option gives the “dirty” sound to bass and synthesized sounds giving added depth and “fattening” of the sound. The filters can be linked to another VF-1 for control of both VF-1 units by one control as well as the ability to link VF-1's to a Xone:92 and control the VF-1 filters from the Xone:92. As well as the valve overdrive there is an envelope follower giving added effects to a live performance. LFO is also included for an automated response of the filter cutoff, and many filter types are included. Superior sounding Filters associated with valve analogue circuits (e.g warmth, clarity and depth) with the features and control of digital equipment.

In the Studio
The VF-1 is an ideal addition for the studio, be it project or professional. The Filters can be used to remove unwanted sounds (e.g. low frequency rumble) or as an effects processor with tube (valve) front end for added warmth. MIDI implementation means that filter sweeps can be recorded and replayed from a sequencer. The VF-1 can be controlled from external MIDI equipment and can also manipulate MIDI equipment, offering exceptional flexibility from an analogue filter."
click the image for a full size shot. [more info]

Synthwood Minimoog

flickr by info_dump

click here for the full size shot
click here for more

Synthwood

ASMO : Echo Destruktor [ circuit bent ]

YouTube via eddie23a.
"Circuit bent barbie karaoke machine, I can pick up radio broadcasts on this baby."

ASMO : Texas Chaos [ circuit bent ]

YouTube via eddie23a. "Circuit bent control voltage test"

ASMO : Chaos Sequencer [ circuit bent ]

"Circuit bent Chaos Sequencer and modular controller. Made from the circuits of 2 Vtech Little Smart Tiny Touch phones, (the same one I used in the Dub Siren) with their brains wired together. The case was made to my specifications by Will and JJ at http://www.wernick.net, big thanks to them. It has powder coated aluminium chassis and bubinga wood end pieces, and it looks the bollocks. The electronics are work in progress, I still have to add CV trigger outs, 2 internal LFO's, and CV ins for external modulation."

fear2

YouTube via rustyanalog. "club of knobs analog modular synthesizer"

Admin: Number of Posts on the Main Page Now Set to Two Days

I'm noticing the site is getting a bit slower to load. I think most loyal readers on the site actually visit daily, so I decided to cut it down to from 3 days to 2. You can always click on older posts at the bottom of the page, and there's a drop down menu for the archives on the right. Hopefully this will also help the Mac users out there that have seen issues with the site. Update: 2 days, not 2 posts. ;)

MOOG Model 1P

via this auction.

"1968 vintage

This Moog synthesizer was recently hooked up and played at the computer lab at C.W. Post University, and is working well. It has been stored, covered with plastic, for the past 15 years, and is in remarkable condition for its age. With a basic overhaul this synthesizer should function well. It has excellent sound production capability. For a collector, sound purist, recording artist or engineer, or a college professor teaching synthesis, this two case Moog is a rare find indeed.

Description
1. 956 Ribbon Controller (Scale dial and Lowered voltage switch) (ribbon needs replacement)
2. 950 Keyboard Controller (scale program (internal/external switch) scale, range and portamento dials- Glide/No Glide Switch)

Case 1
(2) 902 Voltage Controlled Amplifiers (Internal & external control mode switch. Fixed Voltage Control Switch)
2 signal inputs and 2 signal outputs, plus 3 control inputs per Amp.
Trigger envelope and voltage component (6 switches) [8 input multiple component]

pitch component
6 inputs-
6 trigger outlets.
(2) ½ amp slow burn-fuses
(1) 1½ amp-fuse.
and power switch and light.

Back of Case 1
5 trunkline inputs plus power cord hookup prongs

Case 2
(1) 907 Fixed Filter Bank Component (1 lowpass & 1 highpass dial- 8 equalizing dials (with wide Hertz control)
250, -350 -500, -700, 1000, 1400, 2000, 2800

(1) 901-A Oscillator Controller
2 Fixed Control Voltage dials and one (width of wave form dial
3 control inputs

(2) 901-B Oscillators
Frequency range dial – 2’-32’ & Lower Frequency Vermer dial
Four outputs – Sawtooth, sine, pulse, and triangular wave. (on each component)

(2) Voltage control components with four switches each- 1ext input and an attenuator dial on each

(1) 903 white Sound source with one output.

(2) mixer/input components
5 dials each, 12 input slots.
Click filter switch (master gain and output volume control.)

(3) 905 Reverberation Unit with ten position dial –and input and output slot.

(1) 901 Voltage controlled Oscillator
(fixed control voltage dial, (Frequency range dial), (width of pulse wave form dial) (volume dial)
4 separate dials for sine, sawtooth, triangular, and pulse waves.
3 control inputs.
4 fixed level inputs for sine, sawtooth, triangular, & pulse.
4 variable level inputs.

(1) filter and attenuator component bank with 3 inputs, and 3 outputs lowpass dial, high pass dial, and attenuator dial.

Back of case 2
1 trunk line hookup (to join cases) and 4 trunk line inputs.

Additional Information
(The two cases have solid covers when not in use.)
There are 16 patch cords (amplifier cables) of varying size (from 1 foot, to 4 feet.)
2 click track connector wires.
Power cable/extension cord-heavy duty.
3 trunk line cables.
1 can Tuner Renu Cleaner

Included are some basic instructions- 8 handwritten pages by the previous owner and descriptions of hookups and schematic drawings showing basic connections and functional description."

Roland MSQ-100

images via this auction.

box shot

Casio CZ-101

images via this auction.

"Interfaces: 1 Audio out (mono) 1 MIDI In, 1 MIDI Out Synth capabilities: Digital Phase Distortion synthesis 8 Oscillators, up to 4 per sound Effective polyphony: 4 4-part Multi-timbral Keys: 49 mini, not velocity sensitive The Casio CZ101 was a popular entry point into the world of digital synthesis, putting a surprising amount of power into its home-keyboard style case. The unit's Phase Distortion technology is capable of some surprisingly complex sounds, including chunky bass, not least owing to the fact that up to 4 oscillators could be combined into one patch. This would reduce the polyphony to a mere 2 parts though! The 101 came with 16 presets and 16 user patches, which could be edited and stored via SysEx. Close siblings to the CZ101 included the CZ230s which came with a pattern-based sequencer, and the CZ1 which had a full size keyboard and double the number of oscillators. Bottom line is this is practically showroom perfect which is very difficult to find in this condition. It has a nice 80's synth feel and supports midi. Various patch editors out there allow easy patch transfers back and forth."

1973 MOOG Sonic Six

images via this auction.

"Manufacture Tag: Final Assembly - 3-28-73 , Mechanical Inspection - 4-11-73, Electrical Test - 4-13-73. Can't find a serial although 1193 is written on the control face."

Yamaha CS15

images via this auction.

"It's basically a 2 oscillator (VCO) synth with almost two of everything. It has 2 multimode filters (Low, Band and High Pass), 2 mixers, 2 VCA's and 2 Envelope Generators. It also has an LFO with three selectable waveforms and it goes from super-slow to super-fast. It actually reaches audio speed so you can do basic filter FM and get pseudo ring modulator type sounds.

There's also selectable Noise and External Input, so you can plug in your guitar, other synths, whatever and play it through the filters of the CS-15. I've put my guitar through it many times and get an excellent analog tone out of it. From nice clean filter sweeps through to classic 70's overdrive. Very nice!

The filter is 12db so it won't self-oscillate on it's own but I discovered that by plugging the Output into the Input, you effectively have a filter that self-oscillates for screaming effects and sub-bass. Don't worry, it doesn't hurt the synth!

It really is a thoroughly flexible synth with 38 knobs and 10 sliders for manipulation of your sounds. It does very convincing Moog type leads, basses etc but I had much fun doing experimental music with it. By doing the aforementioned output-to-input plug, and modulating the oscillators with the 'sample and hold' LFO and hooking it up to a cheap reverb, much weird fun was had!"

Sequential Circuits Six-Trak with Lucite Sides

Not the best image via CL, but there you have it. Via brian comnes.

ZBASS / ZTAR MIDI GUITAR SYNTH GUITAR

via this CL post. Note the design is different than this one.

"starrlabs faq
The ZBass is a four-"string" by twenty-four fret controller which incorporates all of the functionality of the Ztar but has a narrower neck with a wider string spacing between its four strings to provide an additional level of familiarity for bass players. String Triggers are available for the Z-Bass as a Model # 424S. Various pad combinations are also available. This ZBass a high-end model in the Diamond-shaped body with the full Display/Programmer and Joystick installed. Previously owned by Billy Sheehan" via brian comnes