MATRIXSYNTH: Saturday, April 28, 2007

I just passed 2 million hits today. That's real people, not search bots. I hit 1 million on Nov 10, 2006. That's an additional 1 million hits in under 6 months. I started the blog under two years ago, on July 20, 2005 with a somber post. My anniversaries will always be bittersweet. This current post marks number 7,127 since I started the blog. Thanks for the ride so far.

BTW, if anyone visited this blog back when it started, I'd be curious to hear from you. Please feel free to comment. I'd also love to hear when everyone started visiting this blog and how you discovered it. If you have the time, please feel free to comment, and please feel free to use the anonymous account if you don't have time to sign up. Trust me, I am the same way. That's why I've left the anonymous comments open.

Thanks for visiting my site everyone.

cheers,
matrix

Exclusive Interviews on Matrixysynth

Before I move on to new posts, I just wanted to say that I added an Exclusive Interviews section on the right of the site, just above the synth books section. I never wanted to do interviews on Matrixsynth quite frankly because I only want to put up posts about synths on the site. I now realize that I can do interviews focused on synths and by focusing on synths, quite a bit about the artist is revealed. Currently there are only three on the list. Do take a look at them. I do plan to add to the list over time.

Interview with Hexfix93 of VAC

The following is an interview I just wrapped up with hexfix93 of Velvet Acid Christ. As you know, this site is about the gear, namely synths, and the gear that helps drive and enhance synths, but ultimately the focus is on synths.

I was chatting a bit with hexfix93 and asked him if he would be interested in a slightly different take on an interview, one focused on synths and their impact to his world. We all have our story regarding how our obsession with synths first started, how we see and approach synths and what they mean to us. I thought it would be interesting to hear his story. The following is the interview.

Before it begins, I want to thank hexfix93 for taking the time out for this. We all have a different approach and a different story when it comes to our synths. This is his. For more of his music check out VAC and don't miss Toxic Coma. Cheers, matrix.

1. What was your first synthesizer, how old were you when you picked it up, and why did you pick it up?

"It was some kind of old yamaha cheap thing. i got it for my atari st, so when i played games like leisure suit larry that the music wouldn't come from the wimpy fm built in sound, but a general midi synth instead. it really didn't sound all that great. i wasn’t really a keyboard player at this point.

The first synth i got as a keyboard player was a roland w30 sampler workstation. And we made like 3 records with that keyboard. i remember gary slaughter an x vac member, spilled orange vodka drink on it. and i had to take it apart and clean every part of it by hand slowly, it took weeks. it was a pure nightmare.

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AHNE 2007: An Analogue Cinco de Mayo

Just a reminder via alt-mode on AH:

"Analogue Heaven North East 2007 is next Saturday, May 5th from 11AM to
5PM in Bolton, MA! Yup, we're going to make Cinco de Mayo into Syntho
de Mayo!

Dean Stiglitz is also hosting a party and jam session afterwards.

Information can be found at:
http://www.stretta.com/ahne/2007/

Eric"

Volt Per Octaves 1

flickr by wlwarner.

"Santa Barbara, California, 2007
We heard this duo performing live on State Street one evening earlier this month. If you ever get a chance to hear them, don't miss it. Dude had the theremin wailing like a squadron of banshees, hypnotizing pedestrians as far away as Cota Street."

Spot the synths.

Keep Our Pets Safe Cybermarch and latest Recall News

This site is about everything synth and let's face it, our pets make everything synth better. Well... aside from fur, hairballs, pee, etc., making it's way into our gear. But... In general pets do make things better. If you have a pet be sure to click through the title link and read up. There's been a food recall. This is actually old news, but if you haven't heard it, check it out. Today is the nationwide march to keep pets safe day. The brown ribbon? It's in support of that. Title link takes you to more info on events today and the food recall, on catsynth.com.

Moog IIIc / 2VCO unison

YouTube via btpro. Sent my way via Yves of Yusynth.

"Moog IIIc demo. Two 901B VCOs set to unison. Play example with Mellotron."

Space - Ballad For Space Lovers (live)

MOOG Liberation. YouTube via MoonlitSwamp. Sent my way via Yves of yusynth.

"It is from 1977 year album "Magic Fly", live performance in Russia I think."

Also check out this great video by Space. Reminds me a bit of Daft Punk actually.

New May releases from Plan b

Via Peter Grenader of Plan b:

"There are a few suprises coming for the month of May which include the release of THREE NEW PRODUCTS above and beyond the Model 26, and a major re-design of another module that's been released for some time. Included in these will be the Model 15A, the Model 28 and 28A

Model 28?

That's not a typo! The M28 has been kept a secret, even at Namm and Musikmesse... but not for much longer.

Keep an eye on the EAR site where they'll all be announced and released over the next four or so weeks.

- P"

HExfix93's so called Studio.

YouTube via hexfix93 of VAC. Nice Matrixsynth plug. : )

"Showing off the space where i work. ahahahah kinda ghetto.."

orgon enigiser sherman qmf modular tr606 tb303 synapse

YouTube via LxukDorsett

"Ramon using the orgon enigiser,sherman qmf fliter,tr606, tb303, analogue solutions synapse. The Enigiser is a single-oscillator monosynth module whose sound can be beefed up somewhat by a sub-bass feature (more on this later) and treated via a very comprehensive Voltage Controlled Filter section, three envelope generators and an LFO. The oscillator has a selector switch for sine wave, triangle wave, square wave, variable square and variable sawtooth -- the last a nice touch, and a source of of some of the richest sounds available from the Enigiser, especially when the sawtooth width is modulated by the LFO. The selector switch is a little tight and I'm that sure the knobs on this review model are smaller than on others I've seen. They vary in response from smooth to rather stiff but do free up with use. Main pitch can be set over an 8-octave range, with fine-tuning the expected plus or minus a semitone. Slide (portamento) can be added and even switched on or off via the jack input.What is the Sherman QMF ?

4 Sherman Filterbanks in 1 box, numbered 1, 2, 3 and 4. The numbers also apply to the MIDI channel at which the 4 filterbanks are programmed. E.g. filterbank 1 has MIDI channel 1, filterbank 2 has MIDI channel 2 etc...

The TB-303 (named for "Transistor Bass") was originally marketed to guitarists for bass accompaniment while practicing alone. Production lasted approximately 18 months, resulting in only 10,000 units. The TB-303 is considered a collector's item today, often valued at US$800 to $1000. It was not until the mid- to late-1980s that DJs and electronic musicians in Chicago found a use for the machine in the context of the newly developing house music genre.

And so it is... the Revolution

A true analog monophonic synthesizer with an easy to use step-based digital sequencer, analog and DSP effects processing, and various interfacing for controlling MIDI, CV/Gate, and Din Sync devices.

Continuing in our tradition of building quality products, this unit is housed in a rugged aluminum chassis, with aluminum side panels, high contrast black on white finish for superior viewing of controls in dark environments, and topped off with bright blue LEDs all around.

Din Sync out is included for syncing up the playback of the early Roland TR and TB type devices to todays MIDI sequencers. Garfield Electronics Dr. Click, audio-cv-trigger-midi converter."

keybdwizrd - Korg Micro X Demos

keybdwizrd - Korg Micro X Demo #1 (Programs)

keybdwizrd - Korg Micro X Demo #2 (Combinations)

keybdwizrd - Korg Micro X Demo #3 (Combinations)

YouTubes via keybdwizrd.

"Some favorite programs on the Korg Micro X synthesizer"

CIRCUIT BENT TR-707

YouTube via weatherkop.

"TR-707 CTIRCUIT BENT BY ME, MY FIRST BEND. 48 BOLT PATCHBAY. REWIRED 4 FUCKING TIMES TO MAKE THE CONNECTIONS PERFECT. SORRY FOR SHITTY SOUND QUALITY RECORDING. WILL BE USING QUICK CAPTURE SOON WHEN I GET THE NECESSARY EQUIPMENT."