Aurora AR51 Synthesizer

Remember the Aurora AR1? The following is info and samples on the new AR51 via AH. No image yet, the image here is the previous AR1.

"Here are some of the synth's specifications [below demos]. Demo MP3s
aurora%20demo%201%20-%20.mp3
aurora%20demo%202.mp3
aurora%20demo%203.mp3
aurora%20demo%204.mp3
aurora%20demo%206.mp3

MODEL type: AURORA AR51 (previously AR1)
• August 2007 UPDATE - Anodized silver panel, with black engraved lettering.
• Hand crafted cabinet, choose from light oak or dark maranti hardwood.

Specifications updated July 2007
- VCO 1 : saw,pulse,triangle waveform, adjustable pulse width, octave shift.
- VCO 2: saw,square,triangle waveform, adjustable interval (pitch), octave shift, sub oscillator level.
- VCO 3: saw,square,triangle waveform, adjustable interval (pitch), octave shift, sub oscillator level. (Overall tuning from front panel control)
- LFO: (can be used as another vco at hi-frequencies, for ring mod type effects) routing to VCO's, Pulse width, VCF, VCO & VCF.
- Individual tri,sq,saw, random waveforms (any combination can be used) Manual depth, plus mod. wheel amount.
- VCF 24db type, with resonance. High or low pass type (switchable) cutoff, resonance, keyboard tracking, ADSR amount, modulation from vco 3 also.
- ENVELOPE GENERATOR. ADSR type (attack,decay,sustain,release) routed to VCF, and VCA. Auto trigger switch
- PERFORMANCE CONTROLS: VCA keyboard gate mode, portamento (glide), white noise level, main output volume.
-INTERFACE. Main output,headphones out, CV input, GATE input, VCF external control, external audio input.
-POWER: IEC (kettle-plug) power input (external power switch/fuse holder) 220-240 volts.
37 note keyboard.

Aluminium data plate, with serial/model number
UK price £799 (price includes VAT and shipping within UK)

All enquiries to Synthrestore. (01234) 343 343 email: info at synthrestore.co.uk website: www.synthrestore.co.uk"

KORG Window Blind

Check out this shop's window blind. via Tolaemon.

"It was taken in Barcelona two months ago."

Click on the image for the full size shot.

Ned Lagin and Seastones

"In April [ 1975 ] Phil Lesh and electronic music wizard Ned Lagin put out SEASTONES, an album of experimental "electronic cybernetic biomusic," in the words of a Dead Heads newsletter.

Lagin and Lesh made several appearances at Dead [Grateful Dead] shows before the "retirement," opening the second sets of their final week at Winterland with a section of apparently formless electronic cacophony- high tweedles, rumbling bass notes that vibrated the entire hall, waterfalls of swooshes, bleeps and assorted noises that defy onomatopoetic description.

The album is considerably more sophisticated than what the pair could manage live, however. On the LP, Lagin performs his compositions on a huge battery of synthesizers and keyboards, including such experimental instruments as a then-revolutionary digital-polyphonic keyboard developed by E-mu systems, a custom setup by electronic music pioneer Don Buchla, an Interdata 7/16 digital computer (used for processing the music), and scads of other high-tech machines. Lesh's bass during this era was a futuristic marvel to behold, as well a fully electronic bass developed by Alembic that allowed him to independently process the signals from each string of his instrument."

Title link takes you to more info on the album including a full download. Via Amos.

MUSIC FROM OUTER SPACE "16-STEP SEQUENCER "

Rotary Format Design by Thomas White. Title link takes you to more shots and info.

"This is an actual Front Panel Express Panel being fit with the parts to complete my layout of the Music From Outer Space Sequencer by Ray Wilson. I wanted to go for the rotary look in the MOTM-Basic format. Of course, you can see the knobs are no where near MOTM spacing, nor are the switches. But, they are switchcraft jacks and flatted bat switches. I am short a few knobs and control switches, but you get the idea of what I am going for. The sequencer features:

* 16 Step Operation With LED Indicator Per Step
* Gate Switches per Step
* Coarse and Fine CV Adjustment
* Built In Oscillator for Sequence Rate with LED Indicator
* Forward and Backward 1-Step Switches
* Reverse Mode
* Random 16-Step Mode
* Play Till End of Sequence Mode (Triggered by Gate or Start Button)
* Gate/Trigger Out Per Step
* Glide
* External Start"

Sequential Circuits DrumTraks

Title link takes you to shots via this auction.

The Sonica

Title link takes you to shots via this auction. Not mentioned in the auction, this features Serge components.
"This is definitely the first time 99% of you have ever seen this exceedingly rare instrument, and it is most likely that this will be the only opportunity to purchase one. No information is available online and only one other Sonica has ever been auctioned on eBay (approximately 4 years ago.) [Not Exactly]

This rare "portable self-contained synthesizer" as it is described within the original pamphlet (included), features "Sens-a-Touch, an electronic sensor that converts the pressure of your touch into creative musical tones and expressions."

For the lack of a better analogy, this instrument is most like a stylophone. However, the Sonica is more responsive, better sounding, more versatile, and seemingly effortless to manipulate. The Sonica features; volume control, key control, half-step pressure-pad function, tone pressure-pad function, and the slider pressure-pad function. The Soncia is powered by a 9v battery, has a built in speaker and features a mini-jack output ability.

The back of the headstock has a heart-shaped plate which typically has a serial number. This one has the plate without a number as I was told it is a prototype version. It is 1.5 octaves and still includes the original soft case and original booklet which is signed and dated 1979.

The Sonica works perfectly with the exception of the "key" control being temperamental, as such it is being sold "as is" with the belief that it is in need of repair. There are also several non-original screws which fasten the front brass plate to the lute-like body. Otherwise the Sonica is in great cosmetic condition with no breaks or significant originality issues.

The Sonica was designed by Frank Eventoff of Sound Instruments L.A., CA."

Yamaha RX-5

Title link takes you to shots via this auction. Note the sliders.