Update on the Acxel Resynthesizer

I just made a major update to this Acxel Resynthesizer post. You will find details on the use of this unique synthesizer as well as comparisons to the Kyma system. At the very end of the post you will find some links to more info as well as a soundtrack done mostly with the Acxel.

Micro Performance Poly-MIDI.1 Update

via Florian:

"I am the one who bought the Poly-MIDI from Bernd. It took me some time to understand how it works, but in fact it works fine - though I did not get everything. There are five sequences, which must be recorded from an external MIDI-keyboard in realtime. I did not find any relation between the keyboard like coloured buttons and the input modes. There is no mode, where you could use the buttons as a keyboard.

For playback there is a non-quantized mode and several quantized modes from 16th to quarter notes and several triplet modes.

Very nice feature is a chord trigger mode: it records a chord from MIDI and in playmode this chord will be transposed by the incoming MIDI notes.

There is also a step input mode, but each step it seems to be related to an step of the clock. The internal clock is 192 ppm - so this step mode is not very useful - at least until I understand it better. ;-)

Regarding clock: It reads and provides MIDI Clock, DIN-Sync and a TTL-clock (which is identically with the clock signal from the DIN-Sync), and finally it outputs a 16th trigger. Unfortunately it does not sync to an external 16th trigger. Syncing as slave works only for MIDI and DIN-Sync, the external Clock in seems to require TTL-level and so it is very "timid" (sorry, funny word, but describes it the best).

Finally I am still seeking for more information. There is no brand description neither at the outside nor inside the case. This one has the serial number "00387", but I cannot tell whether there really were that much of these sequencers. My suspicion is, it means: third made in 1987...

Anyone who has more info please get in touch with me via http://fa.utfs.org/contact, or of course, post it at matrixsynth.

All the best, Florian Anwander"

Baldwin Microcomputer Orchestra (Organ)

via this cl post.

"1970's Baldwin Organ from smoke free house. Includes over 30 music books as well as the original owner's guide."

Anyone know what this is capable of? Any synth inside?

via David.

no. 15: equivalent dosage (500 Röntgens)

YouTube via youshriek
"the caesium fallout series: 2 of 3
symptoms indicate acute radiation poisoning.
convalescence period: january - november, 1995"

devi ever : fx - BIT MANGLER, SPECTACULAR AENIMA, noise jam

YouTube via wwwEFFECTOR13com. http://www.deviever.com/fx/

Yamaha MM6 Synthesizer Music

YouTube via synthplay
"This music was produced on a Yamaha MM6 Synthesizer. The video is audio only, with a few graphics and title overlays. I've had the Synth about 6 months. And enjoy using the inbuilt patterns and sequencer. Yamaha are also due to release the new MM8 - which looks even better!"

PINK FLOYD "One of These Days" Cover

YouTube via gattobus
"I'm a big fan of David Gilmour but I can't play the guitar very well so... I did it with my Moog! I know, It's not like the original but... what the helll... It was fun! "

Akai at Messe 2008: Mike Hosker on MPC5000

YouTube via AkaiProVideo
"Mike Hosker performs on the new MPC5000 at Music Messe in Frankfurt Germany."

ELKA WILGAMAT III

images via this auction
"RARE ELKA WILGAMAT III SYNTH ORGAN DRUM MACHINE"

Update via Chris Jenkins in the comments:
"I have one of these; it seems to be in working order, but you need an Elka organ with a compatible KEYBOARDS output socket to make the Wilgamat play. Mike Walters came up with an ingenious solution; he built his Wilgamat III into a cabinet with its own keyboard. See [link]"

Nyle Steiner's Korg M1R EX?

via this auction

"originally owned by Nyle Steiner the inventor of The Electronic Wind Instrument or EWI for short. Here's a link to his home page! The unit is in great shape and has Nyle's drivers license and name ecthed into the front panel...."

PAiA OZ Vintage Analog Synth

via this auction

Looks like it's the OZ from this video.
"The OZ is a fantastic and flexible little keyboard with full polyphony. It sends a gate or trigger out (switchable from the front panel) to fire envelopes on modular analog synthesizers. Its one-and-a-half octave keyboard is augmented with a switch that cover 5 octaves and there is even a simple filter/tone control on board to tailor the sound. Included in this auction are the assembly instructions, schematics, and manual.

PAiA Steam Whistle Kit

via this auction

"Interesting and obscure Paia kit meant to emulate engine and whistle sounds for model railroad.

From the Paia catalog:
If model railroading is one of your hobbies you probably have at least one problem in common with every other railroad buff in the world--finding a steam whistle sound for your layout. If you're not inclined to invest the dough necessary to install boiler and pipes for a real whistle this design for an electronic substitute may be for you. You couldn't get any closer to the sound of a real locomotive even if you bought ol' 99 and rolled her into your living room."

Just out of curiousity, how many of you are into model train railroading as well? This is a serious question. I'll explain why later in the comments, and/or if you are, feel free to comment as well.

PAiA Wind Synthesizer

images via this auction

"Have you ever wanted electronic wind in a box? Here it is! The board is housed in Paia's 3711 case and uses a single 1/8 inch jack for output.

From the Paia catalog:
Don't be surprised if you feel like running for your coat when you hear the wind, it's so realistic that people who have heard it report they actually feel cooler. Trimmer adjustments provide a range of effects from moderate breeze to full gale. Great for background sound, special effect accessory for organs or other musical instruments, or just as a party starter."

Modded PAiA Gnome

images via this auction

"This unit has an audio input modification so you can run things through its filter. It uses the Paia pin jack (in addition to the trigger button) to trigger the envelope, so it can be patched with other Paia gear."

JoMoX MBase 01

via this auction. Yes this is a dealer auction. I like the shot.

"Welcome to the House of Jomox!

The new Jomox MBase01 V2 is a MIDI bass drum module with storable presets. It does basically one thing, but it does that one thing in a most excellent way, create killer kick drums!

The MBase01's presets feature analog bass drums, from extremely powerful to soft and tender and covers the entire range from 808 to 909. The MBase01 was designed to sound different than the XBase09, making it a true expansion if you already own the XBase09.

The MBase01 can also be used as a bass module since the decay can be lengthened and the pitch can be played on the keyboard in semitones over three octaves.

Jomox includes a very useful feature in the MBase01, the kick drum can be triggered by an external analog trigger input. This can be any audio signal, for example a club vinyl or the electronic pads of a live drummer. For only $349 you get a tool that helps you to create great kick sounds, without the time consuming searching associated with most inferior-sounding sample libraries. If ever there was an argument against using sample libraries, here it is! You save time & energy while getting better sound quality than you could have ever imagined.

* Bass Drum All bass drum parameters and the sound production are 100% identical to the XBase09 and the AirBase99. But the value ranges and the sound are different. The decay can be turned to 2 seconds and makes it possible, in combination with split mode 2, to play real semitone basses. The pulse sounds sharper and has a noticeable click in the beginning, and the eq also has a wider range for obtaining smoother 808 bass drums. The decay envelope isn't compressed as in the XB/AB/JB, so that the decaying sound has a true exponential curve.

MIDI
* The MIDI controllers of the MBase01 are 100% identical to the XB/AB/JB. All parameters can be remote-controlled by midi. The MBase01 is also compatible with our midi editors and templates in the bass drum department.

LFO
* The MBase01 has an LFO which works on the pitch of the bass drum. The LFO speed can be edited in BPM or be synchronized by midi clock. As with the XBase09, the LFO can be synced on a note trigger or can run free. The wave forms are saw up, saw down, triangle and rectangle.
* Check out a demo video. [this one]

Features
* Technical specifications Presets: 10 User RAM, 64 ROM
* Pure analog sound with storable parameters
* Analog Envelopes: Externally trigger the env amount and threshold
* LFO: modulates the pitch, midi synchronizable
* Display: LED 7-segment 3 digit
* MIDI: Midi In, Midi Out
* User Interface: 1 data wheel, 5 buttons, 16 LEDs for parameter and functions
* Outputs: 1 mono out 1/4" RCA jack
* Output Level: about 0dBu
* Input: External analog trigger
* Supply: External wall wart 9V DC
* Weight: approximately 1.2 lbs."

Musikmesse 12.3 Pics on Sequencer.de

click here for more.

Nintendo DS10
and
Roland Fantom G

MESSE08:Melodyne Blows Our Minds

More Melodyne. This time via Sonic State's Musikmesse coverage. If you haven't already, be sure to see this previous post on Melodyne.

Close Encounters ARP 2500 for Sale

more images here
via Brian Carrigan:
"I have had it for over a decade and after much thought, hesitation, and swearing I never would... I think it's time to sell.

ARP 2500 (main cabinet and both wings) + keyboard.

Modules included:
(3) 1023 dual osc, (3) 1004t osc, (1) 1004p osc, (1) 1045 voice, (2)
1027 10X3 seq, (1) 1050 mix seq,
(3) 1006 filter / amps, (2) 1047 multimode filters, (1) 1036 dual S&H/ random voltage, (1) 1016 dual noise & slow random voltage, (1) 1005 Mod / amp, (1) 1003 dual ADSR, (2)
1046 quad ADSR, (1) 1002 pwr
supply, and keyboard with (1) SP-2 mono keyboard module, and (1) SP-4 duophonic KB module.

The skinny...
As far as I can tell, this was the last one built by ARP in 76' so even though it's 32 years old, it could be the newest remaining 2500. I am the 4th owner and the history as told to me by the seller was that this was the visual prop used in the filming of Close Encounters in 76' It was then purchased by Lucasfilm / Skywalker sound in Palo Alto and used for 8-10 years as a sound design machine. That was the Star Wars trilogy era so who knows, it could have designed the blaster doors or imperial droids for all I know. It was then sold off to make room for the hot new mirage samplers & DX7s. Ah, the 80's...

It is in excellent condition. Uber-ARP tech, Phil Cirocco repaired & calibrated all of the bad modules when I bought it and they are all still running strong. I haven't had any issues since and have no doubts it will still be running in another 32 years.

I have restored it to the best of my ability including finding every single colored slider cap (matching original color code of course) The original dual keyboard was destroyed in the making of the movie but was lucky enough to find another single manual one which contains an SP-2 and SP-4 module. Basically it's 2 octaves of reverse black keys in the bass range to control 1 voice and a duophonic 3-octave on top. Add 2 sequencers playing up to 3 note chords each plus a couple of S&H modules firing more voices and you've got a sound like Jerry Goldsmith's score to Logan's Run. Original owner's manual included as well as any extra slider caps & parts, calibration procedures, slider color code, etc.

You don't see these pop up very often, especially with both wing cabinets. Also, typical ones that I have seen for sale don't have nearly this module selection. Due to it's history, full module compliment, being restored, and in turn-key working condition, i'm obviously not going to part with it cheap.

If anyone is seriously interested... repeat... SERIOUSLY, please shoot me an email and make an offer. A local Los Angeles buyer would be greatly preferred as this is large, heavy, and fragile but if someone out of town or country really wants it and can line up a shipping company to professionally pack it and take responsibility, then i'm open.

pic of young speilberg and Dodds who recently passed away can be found in the special edition dvd of CE3k."

Update: this item has been sold.

Audiosurf - Featuring Ishtar

YouTube via CosmicD.
"I'd think it was as goofy as the song itself, to try this in audiosurf, however you can't score many points with this as it's a light accoustic song. It's a song by Ishtar and they won the preselections for eurovision 2008 here in Belgium. The addition of some beats help by boosting audiosurf points :)"

Nord Modular USB Board Installation

YouTube via daswesen. See this post for more info.
"How to install my nord modular USB board inside..."

Siel MDP 40

images via this auction

"Siel MDP 40 Midi Digital Percussion Machine. This rare vintage Italian drum machine features a midi in,out, and pedal. Also included is the manual and generic adapter. Its measurements are 13&1/2 inches by 6&5/8 inches by 2 inches. Its shipping weight is four pounds."

Siel Orchestra 2 part 1

Siel Orchestra 2 part 2

YouTube via derrytift2. via Nusonica.

Chris Carter's Musicaid Clap Trap

flickr by Chris_Carter_. Yes, this Chris Carter.

This item is actually up for auction here along with a number of other instruments from Chris.

full size

"This is my original (rare) 1970s' Clap Trap, which differs slightly from the later Simmons version of the same name.

It uses 100% analogue circuitry to create handclaps, which in all honesty are not realistic... but are quite unique sounding nevertheless. Stored in various cupboards for nearly 30 years, I'm now selling it on eBay.

Note:
It was used on a number a early Throbbing Gristle recordings (notably: Twenty Jazz Funk Greats)."

Moog

flickr by abkeating2000

"Horniman Museum moog - Dulwich"

full size

Blade Runner Synth Jam

YouTube via EnvelopeGenerator. via Nusonica.
"The opening titles from 'Blade Runner' by Vangelis on a microKORG and an ARP Axxe. I can't make an Axxe sound like a CS-80, of course... but then again, who does? :P"

Ensoniq Mirage how to make wavesamples that fit

YouTube via totaltwit

"A crash introduction into making wavesamples for the Mirage. This demo is quite intensive and explains some crucial detail. This is not a fully comprehensive presentation, there are a number of ways to make wavesamples, this is just a starting point. This vid will only interest these who own an Mirage and find pressing those buttons a chore."

Musikmesse: Emulator X3 Launched

via Sonic State

"E-MU has announced its new Emulator X3 Streaming Sampling Synthesizer, offering both 32-bit and native 64-bit applications, multi-processor and multi-threading support. E-MU say that xciting new features have been added to the extraordinary capabilities of this instrument. In addition, the E-MU hardware lock has been removed so that E-MU hardware is no longer required as a dongle.

Emulator X3 features E-MU’s Xstream™ streaming sound engine with up to 192kHz sampling and playback, an arsenal of automated sampling/beat analysis/editing tools and almost unlimited sound manipulation that builds on E-MU’s 35 years of synthesis experience.

Emulator X3 ships with:

* 32-bit Emulator X2 Application (Windows® XP/Vista)
* 64-bit Emulator X2 Application (Windows® x64/Vista)

New Features in Emulator X3:

* Xstream™
New improved and Vista compatible Xstream 24-bit/192kHz Streaming Engine—32-bit and native 64-bit applications optimized for Multi-core and Multi-threaded processors. Xstream intelligently balances the processing load across all available resources for exceptional performance.

* Region Xplode Beat Slicer
This great new feature translates recorded drum parts into MIDI files. The Xplode function generates new voices from the selected Region, then creates a MIDI file that maps the new regions to MIDI notes. Just import the Standard MIDI File into your favorite MIDI sequencer and have authentic drum grooves under your control.

* Tempo Map Export
TwistaLoop can now analyze and export the Tempo Map of a song. This indispensable tool allows you to synchronize a rhythm track to a performance that was recorded without a metronome. You sequencer will “groove” with you instead of marching to its own beat.

* Xtractor™
The Xtractor is a new audio manipulation tool that can cut or boost audio levels based on stereo position and frequency. If a song was mixed using stereo panning, this tool allows specific instruments or vocals to be removed, isolated, or pitch shifted. You can remove or isolate vocals, basses, or other instruments, process them and then return them to the mix if you like. The Xtractor is also a powerful analysis tool, since it visually displays the location of each instrument in a stereo mix.

* Translator Convertor
The Translator Emulator X Convertor, by Chicken Systems, enables you to convert many popular sampler formats into the Emulator X’s .exb file format. The bundled Translator Emulator X Convertor application can convert the following types of files:
o Akai S-1000/3000
o Akai MPC
o Emu EIII/ESi/Emax
o Tascam GigaStudio 1 + 2
o SoundFont
o Native Instruments Kontakt 1 + 2
o Steinberg HALion I and I

* Over 3.3 GB of sounds (over 2500 Presets) from E-MU’s premier sound library are included:

o X Producer : Four classic Emulator banks: Proteus X Composer, Hip Hop Producer, E-MU General MIDI, Saint Thomas Strings
o Studio Grand : A stunning 1.4 GB grand piano bank
o Beat Shop 1: Contains nine great drum kits with beats and grooves
o Xperience: Examples of TwistaLoop, morphing filters and more
o Xtreme Lead-1: An inspiring Techno/Industrial with clock-synchronization
o LoopMasters: Top quality, copyright-free samples from the masters of loops

Pricing and Availability:
Emulator X3 will ship in late March 2008 at an estimated street price of £349.99/ €499.99 (including VAT). US estimated street price is $499.99."
http://www.emu.com/

Musikmesse: New Yamaha MM8

"Power and control. Two elements that can make all the difference in your music, whether you compose, create or perform.

The MM8 and MM6 Music Synthesizers deliver all the musical power and creative control you need - and a whole lot more. Taking their sounds from the highly popular pro-level MOTIF series instruments, the MM8 and MM6 have an enormous variety of dynamic, authentic Voices to help you create and perform in virtually any style of music.

These powerful instruments also give you total control over your sound, letting you dynamically change sonic textures as you play with real-time tweakable knobs. Also built-in are special Patterns that provide full instrumental backing - drums, bass and chords - to accompany your live performance and song creation.

With its exceptional light weight and portability, the MM6 is the perfect choice for musicians on the go, while the full length 88-key keyboard of the MM8 delivers natural touch and expressive control over the complete piano range.

The MM8 feature:
• Super-high-quality sounds
• Tons of real-time control
• Dynamic music creation tools—including automatic Pattern and Arpeggiator generators
• Performance Memory for instantfull-panel setting changes
• Versatile song recording features —with eight normal tracks and one Pattern track
• Convenient, easy-to-use data storage solutions"

Link

Musikmesse: New Yamaha Motif Rack XS

"Inspiration can strike at any time, but there's no need to wait for it. The new MOTIF-RACK XS is packed full of inspiring sounds, exciting rhythms and expressive control that spur your creativity to new heights - any time, any place.

The compact MOTIF-RACK XS gives you an enormous selection of Voices based on the popular,professional-level MOTIF XS, studio-level effect processing,five real-time Control Knobs for tweaking 20 different parameters as you play,a wide-ranging library of convenient Multi-part presets,thousands of automatic Arpeggios at your fingertips, and seamless hardware/software integration.

Never before has such comprehensive control, music-making versatility andsheer sonic power been combined in such a small, easy-to-use package.This little powerhouse has all you need - effectively doing the workof several tone generators and processors.Simply hook it up to a laptop or a keyboard workstation and you've got an entire studio's worth ofsounds and effects at your fingertips - plus a whole world of inspiration you can tap into.

The MOTIF-RACK XS features:
• Wide range of dynamic and authentic Voices - total of 1,152 Voices and 65 Drum Kits
• Powerful Arpeggio function - simultaneous playback of four types, total 6,633 available
• Five real-time Control Knobs, for adjusting the sound as you perform or record
• Convenient, intuitive editing of all settings from computer with MOTIF-RACK XS Editor
• Full integration with the popular Cubase series audio/MIDI recording software"

Link

Musikmesse: Free Your VSTs with SM Pro Audio

"SM Pro Audio have three new products at the show – the V-Box, V-Rack, and V-Pedal are stand-alone VST plug-in compatible hardware units which the company describe as three of the funkiest standalone VST compatible products ever seen and designed to provide musicians, engineers, producers, and guitarists performance products they can rely on.

Based around the recently developed 'Powered by VFX'™ hardware platform, VST and VSTi plug-ins can be loaded directly into the V-Box, V-Pedal, or V-Rack which all offer VST/VSTi plug-in compatibility in stand-alone hardware units without the need for a standard PC/Mac computer.

Here’s how SM Pro Audio describe the three new V-products...

V-Box
The V-Box is a compact VST/VSTi hardware playback module built for performance keyboard players and DJ's. It is one little beast that can't be underestimated once loaded up with your favorite VST instrument and effect plugins. Take your plug-ins on the road or into the studio and access them live without a computer. Multiple plug-ins can be pre-loaded into bank/preset memories for immediate access. Combine VST and VSTi plug-ins into chains, splits, and layers to create extremely rich and unique sounds. Full external MIDI controller support allows users access to available loaded plug-in parameter controls such as virtual dials, switches, and faders. Infinitely adaptable and powerful, the V-Box is set to become a truly indispensable tool."

Full press release on Sonic State. You can find some other press releases on the SM Pro Audio website.

KORG DS-10 #001 - MS10 for the Nintendo DS

YouTube via aqi. This one via a number of readers: Julien, Stefan, Andrew and J.

More info including samples on the official Korg DS10 website.
"KORG DS-10

The KORG DS-10 is a music-creation software for the Nintendo DS that combines the superior interface of the Nintendo DS and the design concept of the famous MS-10 synthesizer.

The sound sources in the KORG DS-10 come from KORG - one of the world's top musical instrument producers - and no effort was spared in creating these ultra-high-quality sounds. The Nintendo DS's dual-screen touch panel is used to the fullest to provide a feel and operability that is unsurpassed, and combined with the sensory input mode at the touch-control screen, this unit can be appreciated by the complete novice as well as the seasoned professional.

In addition to the two analog synth simulators and drum module, a 6-track/16-step sequencer enables precise control and provides a wide range of musical possibilities. Several units can be connected and played together through a wireless link, and this and other features make the Nintendo DS and KORG DS-10 almost limitless in their application - they can take you places that no single synthesizer can.

The KORG DS-10 will introduce “stylus music” to the world at the International Musikmesse Frankfurt (Germany).

Sound sample
demo song01 (02:08) MP3 4.9MB
Description
- World's first music tool software created for the Nintendo DS
- Two patchable dual-oscillator analog synth simulators:
- Four-part drum machine that uses sounds created with the analog synth simulator
- Six-track (analog synth x 2, drum machine x 4) /16-step sequencer
- Delay, chorus, and flanger sound effects available from the mixing board
- Three note-entry modes: touch-control screen, keyboard screen, matrix screen
- Real-time sound control mode via touch-control screen
- Exchange sounds and songs and play multiple units simultaneously through a wireless communications link
Specifications
Specifications KORG　DS-10
Release date July 2008
Price 4,800 YEN (tax included)
Distributor AQ Interactive, Inc.
*FOR JAPAN ONLY"

KOOP-BABY

YouTube via milena222. via fischek