New AtomoSynth's Abyssal

"this is the "Abyssal" analog photo-noise-machine & oscillating-filter
This synth features one square and saw waveform VCO (voltage controlled oscillator) with a huge pitch range, from subsonic to ultrasonic sound controlled by a big photocell (pitch control) allowing to play it like a photo Theremin.
One square and triangle waveform LFO (low frequency oscillator), that can modulate the VCO for the vibrato effect creating arcade Atari-like sounds; and also can modulate the filter creating a resonant tremolo effect.
One white noise generator that modulates the frequency of the VCO.
Voltage controlled vactrol filter with the classical cut off and resonance controls that produces unique, weird effects, also capable to process external audio signals.
It has a 1/4 inch audio output, 1/4 inch Line Audio Input, 1 big photocell. Also the instrument includes a red ultra bright LED tentacle to provide light for the photo cell, very useful when playing it on a dark stage.
The Abyssal synth is packed in a clear acrylic case that shows all the handmade analog circuitry.
The instrument is powered directly from 110V or 220V AC.
Dimensions: 170 mm (W), 170 mm (D), 75mm (H. included rubber feet and knobs). LED tentacle length: 500mm." See Atomosynth for more.

Playing around with Fairlight IIx and Mirage samples

YouTube via treplacements90. via Nusonica.
"Just a song I did consisting of Ensoniq Mirage and Fairlight IIx samples. The strings, piano, and pizz are from the Mirage (played from an Oberheim DPX-1). The Fairlight consists of the Arr1 sample, and a String sample at the end, as well is a sample of my voice played through the Akai s5000. The Drums are sample from a Linn LM-2. As far as the video its just me laying down the Fairlight track, some of what you hear is from the recording, some of it I redid (you'll see when the video goes out of sync). Nothing really to look at, but I thought the music would be interesting for those wanting to hear those old samplers sounds in action. The Casio I used to midi to the Akai s5000 was just for conveience sake, I do have better synths...Enjoy, let me know what you think of the track..."

Yamaha GX1

flickr by Loscha

full size

"From the pages of the Organ Blue Book 2002 - Japanese Edition!"

via Loscha. If anyone can translate this one, feel free.

KORG MS20 Painted White

images via this auction
This is the MS20 from this video and this video.

"For auction is one Korg MS-20 semi-modular two oscillator analog monophonic synthesizer with patch cables, power converter, and 4 channel Rolls passive mixer.

The MS-20 has diverse functionality even before you start altering the signal path with the patch cables. It is a two oscillator synthesizer with multiple waveforms including ring modulator, noise, triangle, saw, square, and adjustable width pulse. It features an osc mixer, portamento, and two types of tuning. Multiple forms of pitch modulation are included. The synthesizer has a resonant 12dB per octave low pass filter and a resonant 12 dB per octave high pass filter. Both filters have their own LFO and ENV modulation. The LFO (or modulation generator) has control for waveshape and frequency. Two envelopes are included with delay and hold.

The patch panel allows for more modulation possibilities and more inputs and outputs. It also contains a Sample and Hold module, an extra VCA, positive and negative envelopes, mod gen outputs, modulation inputs, and voltage and trigger inputs and outputs.

The MS-20 features an external signal processor which allows you to control the synthesizer with any audio input. This section allows for pitch to voltage conversion (allowing the pitch of the input to control the pitch of the MS-20), conversion of amplitude to envelope, conversion of peak to trigger, and other functions which allow the instrument to be played controlled by audio input... even your voice!

This particular MS-20 has seen some use. There is wear apparent upon it. Someone took the liberty of painting the back, sides, and bottom with what looks to be something like housepaint. There are no trim covers. The on/off pot could benefit from a pot nut!

Despite these alterations and minor shortcomings, this MS-20 is fully functional, and sounds great. All pots, jacks, lights, wheel, and button are fully functional.

The auction includes a Rolls MX41 passive mixer, which can be used to mix and adjust control voltages in ways that the MS-20 alone cannot provide. Use of this mixer opens a lot of possibility and variety in the sound of the MS-20! (see patch idea in picture below)

Also included is 10 patch cables for use with the MS-20 am MX41.

This MS-20 has European voltage, but a transformer for use in the United States is included!"

Roland SH-1

images via this auction

Roland TR-606

images via this auction

Roland System-100M

images via this auction

"110-140-150 in 190"

Yusynth

Synth.nl has decided to build a Yusynth DIY modular. If you are interested in reading his journey you can find Part 1 here and Part 2 here.

"The last thing we did was to spray a layer of PCB spray on the PCB's to finish them of. This prevents the copper from corroding and will make the soldering easier. We also did this outside. Luckily it was very nice weather. The sun helped the drying process quite well. You can clearly see now that the dark layer of photo sensitive material is gone. Very shiny copper now :) It even hurt my eyes when the sun was reflecting in it. If I counted correctly we did 26 PCB's the last two days." You can find more info on YuSynth here.

Music Thing: Chimera BC16 mini modular synth demo

Music Thing: Chimera BC16 mini modular synth demo from Tom Whitwell on Vimeo.
"Quick play on the Chimera BC16. Soundtrack is just random tweaking and patching, good bits edited from five minutes of noise." via Music Thing of course.

Synths and Hot Rods

What do Synths and Hot Rods have in common?

Aliens-Project

S-CAT CAT'S WHISKER DIGITAL DELAY+JUNO-6

YouTube via PHONICPOTION. "CIRCUIT BENT DELAY WITH 9 MODIFICATIONS"

S-CAT CAT'S WHISKER DIGITAL DELAY+TR-909

The Electronic Peasant's SynthCase Patchable Roadcase Synthesizer

"This project is the first in a series of synthesizer "multi-modules" that will be built in heavy-duty equipment road cases. A friend had passed on to me a bunch of used cases from obsolete equipment that were being disposed of, and I had a number of new synthesizer module printed circuit boards waiting to be used, so a plan to combine them together was made. The first "SynthCase" will hold a basic patchable voltage-controlled analogue synthesizer, and subsequent expansion cases will include sequencers and other controllers, delay/chorus/phaser modules, and other signal/CV processors."

To R.A.Moog: the BOByager tribute synthesizer

Another via micromundo arts.

Bernie @ Happy Knobbing V3.0

Bernie of Aliens Project.

The Album K

via rusty

"an album created only with a Korg Kaossilator and Ableton Live working as a multitrack recording device. I've only used Live to record and as a maximum changed volume on two places in a song." [link]

Il creatore - Ti illudi di guidare

YouTube via iosonoilcreatore. Be sure to check out previously posted videos here.
"Tu ti illudi di guidare
ma in realtà tu sei una ruota
dentro questo meccanismo
così vasto e complicato
che è impossibile capire...

"Ti illudi di guidare" dal disco "La testa, che pensa?" 2007 pubblicato da Iperuranoaddizioni.
Il creatore ha suonato:
Sidstation, Commodore 64, Vocoders, Talk-box.

http://iperuranoaddizioni.googlepages...

Doris Norton, Bruce Haack, Florian Schneider, Karl Bartos, Rob Hubbard,"

Starkey Hearing Science modular synthesizer

YouTube via scienceforce
"Starkey Hearing Science analog modular synthesizer laboratory. It is a scientific instrument, with many particular synthesis features... with this gear you can also process any external signal inputs between filters, vco's and more... The Starkey laboratory is absolutely not common & classic instrument ;-)"

Korg Wavestation + Roland JD-800 *Astral* by RetroSound

YouTube via retrosound72
"vintage synth demo track by RetroSound
*Astral Voyager* excerpt

all sounds: Korg Wavestation SR (played with the Yamaha DX7) and Roland JD-800

Two of the best digital pad machines ever!

no overdubbing, no sequencer software used

Unfortunately it came by the youtube sound compression to a few unwanted digital noises in the sound.

more info: http://www.retrosound.de and http://www.myspace.com/retrosound72"

Buying & transporting & playing Alesis ION

YouTube via Jexus. More crazy Jexus videos here. There's an NSFW moment in this one.
"Here is the documentary of us traveling & buying & transporting an Alesis Ion. After that there's a demo of my Ion (my baby) where I show its features and play some neat tunes and arpeggiated madness as well as some classic stuff to present the real power and extract the fullest of the possibilities of this 'little beast'. Simply I take it onto a journey across variety of musical styles to showcase its capability to cover various sound areas."

Tijuana Sound Machine Live NORTEC

YouTube via pepemogt. You can see the Orgon modular. See this post for more info.
"Nortec Collective presents:
Bostich+Fussible
Tijuana Sound Machine LIVE@Planeta Tijuana(ex Multikulti)
enjoy!"

TENORI-ONで12音技法のようなことをやってみました

YouTube via surroundyokota
"12音技法はよくわかりませんが、それっぽくやってみました。1つのブロックを繰り返 すだけじゃなく、いくつもの違うブロックを組んでやるのがいいね、ぜったい。"
Googlish:
"12-tone technique is sure, but I really do. One block to return the ginned not just the many different blocks in league play is good, too, certainly."

KORG Electribe SX LEDs

via sequencer.de

Inside a KORG Electribe SX

micromundo arts: AMS (australator modular system)

Another great piece via micromundo arts. This is a follow-up to the Blue One. You can find more here.

Note the cables are actually patchable.

Sound Candy

YouTube via shuuuuuu1. via Califaudio.
"[Sound Park Project] http://www.sound-candy.com/ Sound Park is the future playground that everyone can play using sound and movement. Our goal is to create an interactive playground that provides a new experience in many places. Now, We make a device named Sound Candy that is one part that makes up Sound Park. The user who plays with Sound Candy can enjoy the changes of the sound by various movements on the playground."

Droid´s Secuencia Mochika 606

YouTube via atomolab. Via the Atomo Lab's blog, AtomoSynth.
"sequence by Dante Gonzales droid2600, may2008 in Lima Peru http://www.myspace.com/dantegonzales"

Modular Synthesizer + Video Feedback

YouTube via ZonkOut
"Camera-less video feedback performed to a self-generating patch on a modular synthesizer.
Synth specs" (click for mouse-overs of the modules)

Filter 1

flickr by zubibaja

"Andromeda´s Oberheim SEM copy."

full size

Modular Synth Drumbeats

YouTube via bigcitymusic
"Here's a little noodle we made real quick this weekend on the dual 8500 Analogue Systems Modular in our showroom. The snare sounds a bit like a Roland CR78."

OBERHEIM 4 VOICE SYNTHESIZER

images via this auction
Interesting history via the details of the auction: "I purchased this four-voice MODEL FVS-1 new with warranty in 1983 directly from the Oberheim distributor Jacques Isler AG in Zurich Switzerland. The serial number is 667. This unit is a later model 4-voice complete with the Poly Programmer, which was only available on later model 4 and 8 voices synthesisers.The instrument was being used as a showroom demo by the distributor and I picked it up in Zurich personally by car and took it back to my home in France. I never toured with and I never took the instrument to the studio with me. I mainly used it at home for composing and arranging ideas. The four-voice is rated for 230 volts and there is no voltage switch on the unit. I brought it with me when I moved back to the United States and have used it with a transformer and/or directly with 220 volt outlets that I have installed in my home in Florida. The case is in excellent condition and after letting it sit unused in my 24 hour a day air-conditioned no smoking home for at least 17 years the only faults I now find with the 4-voice is that the programmer module is not functioning anymore and the keyboard split feature is not working with all the voice modules. However, you don’t need the programmer to play the synth. The keyboard and all the 4 voices are still great. If I leave it on for several hours the voices keep their tune as best as can be expected for an anolog synth. The only control that is a bit scratchy is the master volume but all the other controls are like new. The instrument is quite large and heavy and as I work mainly with live orchestras and use very little synthesizer I have decided to let it go. Because this instrument is old vintage I must sell it as is with no returns. I will include the original manual and the power cord (230volts)."

Future Retro Revolution R2

images via this auction

"# ANALOG CONTROLS: OSCILLATOR WAVEFORM SELECT: Sawtooth, Square wave
# TUNE CONTROL: +/- 1 semitone
# FILTER: 3 pole, 18db lowpass resonant filter
# CUTOFF: Filter frequency
# RESONANCE: Amount control
# CV MOD: Amount of filter modulation
# ENVELOPE: Amount control for modulating filter
# ENV DECAY: Envelope decay time for filter
# ACCENT: Amount of signal to modulate the filter and amplifier
# ACC DECAY: Accent decay time
# VOLUME: Master/headphone output level control
# OVERDRIVE SWITCH: Off/on

DSP EFFECTS:
16 preset 24 bit stereo effects including:
# Chorus/room 1
# Chorus/room 2
# Delay 1
# Delay 2
# Chorus
# Flange
# Plate 1
# Plate 2
# Plate 3
# Room 1
# Room 2
# Room 3
# Hall 1
# Hall 2
# Rotary Speaker
# Low Pass Muffler

SEQUENCER:
# NUMBER OF PATTERNS: 256 patterns (16 banks x 16 patterns each)
# RECORDED PATTERN CONTENT: note duration, pitch, accent, glide, loop point, time signature, swing amount
# NUMBER OF STEPS PER PATTERN: 3/4 time=12 steps max, 4/4 time=16 steps max
# NOTE PITCH RANGE: C1 to D#6
# LOOP POINT: 1 to 16 notes per pattern to loop
# PATTERN TRANSPOSE: from -36 to +36 notes
# OTHER PATTERN FEATURES: pattern remixing, play patterns forwards or backwards, copy and paste patterns, pattern shifting, permanent pattern transposing, multiple pattern cueing (for chaining patterns together live), LED chase, realtime editing of pattern information while the sequencer is running or stopped, sequencer automatically saves all editing.
# REMIX: 256 variations for each pattern and song
# NUMBER OF SONGS: 16
# NUMBER OF STEPS PER SONG: up to 3580 measures each
# RECORDED SONG CONTENT: tempo, bank/pattern for each step, pattern transpose for each step, song loop point
# SONG PATTERN TRANSPOSE: from -36 to +36 notes steps for each song step
# TEMPO RANGE: from 20 to 250 beats per minute
# MIDI FUNCTIONS: on/off, channel selectable from 1 to 16, program change messages for selecting patterns remotely
# MIDI SYNC: internal or external
# MIDI SYSEX: for dumping patterns and songs
# NOTE DATA: transmitted and received
# MIDI TO CV/GATE CONVERTER
# MIDI TO DIN SYNC OUT CONVERSION

INTERFACING:
MIDI
# IN
# THRU
# OUT
DIN SYNC
# OUT
1/4" JACKS
# V/OCT CV OUT
# +12v GATE OUT
# CV IN (for modulating the filter cutoff frequency)
# AUDIO IN
# STEREO HEADPHONE OUTPUT
# STEREO MASTER OUTPUT
POWER
# 12V AC input, current rating of 1 amp or 1000mA
DIMENSIONS
# (L x W x H) 13 x 12.5 x 2.75"
WEIGHT
# 5.4 lbs."

Vintage Synth Book - Robert Moog, Herbert Deutsch

images via this auction
"Here is a cool vintage hardback book that is a history of electronic musical instruments, with a forward written by Herbert Deutsch of Moog/Hofstra University!

If you are a synth history person, you will enjoy this, or if you are a person who enjoys what are now vintage electronic music instruments, from Synthesizers to Amplified Sound to Pickups etc.

Covers the origins of electronic music, from RCA's work in the 1950's to Moog and beyond. Explains how synths work in a very easy to follow manner. Great pictures, great text and hardback. A former library book, has the mylar cover and the dust jacket, usual library markings.It is 122 pages, and in good shape. Written in 1984. You will enjoy this. Nothing very deep, but does a nice job and will make a good addition to your collection. First time I have seen it."

Anyone know the title of this one? I'm not seeing it on the list.

MINIMOOG D owned by Grateful Dead Brent Mydland

images via this auction
Auction details (who knows...)
"formerly owned by deceased keyboardist Brent Mydland. This MINI, I am not sure of year but serial number 12,xxx ...I got this from someone who got this from Brent before he died I think, or he possibly got it just after..I can't remember if it was before or after.....He was a friend and worked for the band back in the late 80s... I have had this particular MINI for about 6 years now..I had it recently serviced..it is FULLY FUNCTIONAL.... This board was NEVER out on the road with the Grateful Dead....This logo is something that was only used on DEAD gear for those of you in the know..."

SIEL DK-80

via this auction.
COOL SIEL SIGHT / : HAS THE MANUAL DOWNLOAD AND SCHEMETICS

SIEL RAM PACK via this auction

Sequential Circuits Prophet-5

images via this auction

Note the clear mod wheels.

"Sequential Circuits Prophet 5 VER 3

Model 1000
Serial # 1000-4242
Warrany Expiration Date 5-18-83"

ARP Solus

images via this auction

"This is the "Little Brother" to the Odyssey. The sound is as full, with its two, phatt VCO's. The Odyssey includes Sample and Hold. The Solus does not... Variable Pulse Width Modulation controls are one of this synthesizer's secrets to a very unique and versatile sound... Note also the External Audio Input, allowing processing of external sounds... Note the Gate/CV/Trigger Inputs. Rotary Pitch Bend, and Portamento Control allow additional expressiveness... ARP was thinking when they created this unit in more ways than one - a cover latches onto the front panel and the whole unit becomes its own case. Note the condition of the case... The RIGHT side of the Control Panel with it's ADSR Envelope Generator...with REAL knobs controlling it in REAL time. Eat you heart out, computer would-be's :)"

Dave Smith Poly Evolver Keyboard

images via this auction

Roland SH-1000

images via this auction

"The SH-1000 was Roland's first instrument, and probably one of the first Japanese compact affordable keyboard synthesizers. It has been used by Vangelis, Human League and Jethro Tull. it's also a classic piece of Roland's history Roland's first synthesizer was Japan's first synthesizer, predating the Korg 700 by a handful of weeks. It was a strange instrument, offering 10 preset tones to which you could add vibrato, growl and portamento. Alternatively, you could select any combination of eight waveform/footage options ranging from a 32' sawtooth to a 2' square wave, plus noise, and shape sounds using the envelope generator, some preset envelope shapes, a self-oscillating resonant filter, and modulation. yet it produced decent bass and lead sounds that many professional musicians sought after. Although it has limited capabilities, with 10 simple preset voices, the SH-1000 can be manually tweaked around to create new interesting sounds."

KORG ER-1

flickr by katokia
(click for more)

full size

Metasonix TM-7 Scrotum Smasher Pre-amp

images via this auction

"Here it is: the notorious scrotum-smashing TM-7 Scrotum Smasher by Metasonix. It is extremely nasty sounding. This one is in excellent condition, with some scratches in the cartoon face decal which I wasn't able to capture in photos. If that gives you the idea that they are almost invisible, it should.

What is the scrotum smasher? Details, of course, can be found at http://metasonix.com, but briefly it is an abusive distortion/pre-amp box that is unstable and angry. It may turn on you and bite you where it hurts. It consists of an indestructible yellow box enclosing some vacuum and/or gas tubes which aren't usually used for musical amplification (with good reason?)

This one is packed in the original box, with what I believe is a description of the contents scrawled on it by someone at the Metasonix "factory" using a fat permanent marker. Comes with the AC adapter. No manual was enclosed when I got it, so I can't offer one to you."

Bob Moog Foundation Receives GRAMMY™ Grant

via The Bob Moog Foundation:
"We are proud to announce that the Bob Moog Foundation has been awarded an “Archiving and Preservation Planning Grant” from the GRAMMY™ Foundation to assess the preservation needs of the over 300 reel-to-reel tapes in Bob’s archives. These tapes include seminal works in synthesis from the mid-60s to the late 70s, such as works from Herb Deutsch, Wendy Carlos, Larry Fast, Isao Tomita, Keith Emerson, Roger Powell, Chris Swansen, John Weiss, David Borden, Joel Chadabe, John Eaton and many, many more. The $8,000.00 grant provides for the assessment of the tape’s condition by a team of experts including an archivist, a preservationist (responsible for digital transfer), a historian and a copyright expert. Our assessment team includes archivist Steve Weiss, Sound and Image Librarian for UNC-CH, preservationist Seva David Ball, recording engineer/mastering engineer, Soundcurrent Mastering, historian Douglas Babb, Curator for the Bob Moog Foundation, and intellectual property attorney Steven Schnedler. Michelle Moog-Koussa will be coordinating the project.

Once the assessment is completed, the foundation will have the opportunity to apply for a $20,000-$40,000 preservation grant to set about preserving the tapes in a digital format, so that they can be shared through our website, traveling exhibits and our eventual Bob Moog Museum. We are VERY grateful to the GRAMMY™ Foundation for their support and belief in our project!"

See The Bob MOOG Foundation for more.

yikes, more blue knobs

via Reed

"To celebrate the Verbos modification of my Buchla Control Voltage Processor Model 255, I re-knobbed it in classic blue."

Yazoo-Don't Go-Jonathan Ross Show,16.5.08

YouTube via chrisf242. sent my way via Jez.
Jez spotted the Fairlight. Sequential Circuits Prophet-5. Vocals steal the show.