MATRIXSYNTH: Friday, March 14, 2008


Friday, March 14, 2008

Livewire AFG

One more shot of the AFG. I just really like this shot. BTW, if you haven't checked out the Livewire site yet, do it. The AFG sounds amazing. Be sure to check out the feature set in full. This is an oscillator on steroids.

The following is a short excerpt:
"Harmonic Animation
The Harmonic Animation section of the AFG controls the harmonic content of the Animated Pulses & Alien Saws waveforms.

The Animated Pulses waveform is synthesized by four control parameters, each having a manual adjustment knob and CV input with dedicated attenuator:

* Positive Pulse Width Modulation (+PWM) –
controls the width of the two pulses on the top (or positive) side of the waveform
* Negative Pulse Width Modulation (-PWM) –
controls the width of the two pulses on the bottom (or negative) side of the waveform
* Positive Phase Position Modulation (+PPM) –
controls the relative phase position of the two positive pulses (in relation to each other)
* Negative Phase Position Modulation (-PPM) –
controls the relative phase position of the two negative pulses (in relation to each other)

The Alien Saws output is a bizarre, multi-toothed saw waveform that is derived from the Animated Pulses waveform. It’s harmonic content is also synthesized by the four control parameters of the Harmonic Animation section, but in different and more enigmatic ways. "

follow-up to this post.

Sam Hoshuyama's Unusual Synthesizer Circuits

Unusual Synthesizer Circuits

via Scott S in the comments of this post

New Serge Demos via Cebec

click here for the new ones, and don't miss this for the rest.

follow-up to this post.

synthi-e

click here for a flickr set sent my way via jan.

I asked jan if the EMS Synthi-E was more yellow or orange color in person. He said, "more orangeish. but extremely good quality (except the slider keybaord, but i'll try to get replacement) "

Pondular demo


YouTube via ofrecordings. You might remember Pondular from this post last year.
"A demo of Pondular, a soft synth with an interactive, physics-based animated interface. You can download Pondular for free at http://www.pondular.com/"

Synth fun


YouTube via raulin. Kind of makes you wonder what things would be like if the Guitar turned out to be the de facto synth controller instead of the keyboard.
"Me, playing whatever came to my mind on my Fernandes Strat and a Roland GR-09 Synth"

ARP ODYSSEY - Vintage Analog Synthesizer by RetroSound


YouTube via retrosound72

"ARP Odyssey Mark III, triggered by the SCI Pro-One internal sequencer and sync with the Roland TR-606 drum machine

demo of various VCF and ADSR-envelope settings, Ringmodulation, Sync, FM, PWM and more"

MESSE08: A Quick Sherman


See the write-up on Sonic State.

MESSE08: A Korg Synth In Your Pocket


See the write-up on Sonic State.

Acxel II Preliminary PDF


Richard Lainhart was interested in the new Acxel Resynthesizer after reading this post. If you go to the new Acxel website, iDarca Audio, you will see a link to get more info where you can request a brochure. Richard did so and sent it my way. I wasn't going to put it up because I thought maybe Pierre Guilmette, the man behind the project would like to gage interest by having the requests come in, however what's out of site can become out of mind. I was interested myself but I was swamped so I was going to hold off until later, which probably meant indefinitely or until some news came in on the project. I was very happy when Richard sent me the PDF, because I was able to look at it in more detail. I thought I'd do the same for you. here it is

This really does look to be an amazing synthesizer. Some notes on the original from Richard:
"The original Acxel I saw demoed 20 years ago was an amazing machine, with a unique interface I've never seen equaled. It was much too expensive then for someone like me, but these prices seem pretty reasonable now - comparable to a Kyma system. If they can get the functionality of the original system and its interface at these prices (looks like around $5-6K, perhaps, and they're talking about a touchscreen interface for the rack system version too), it could be a hit, and a genuinely new paradigm in the synth world."

Schneiders Buero's Stecken Schrauben Spilen

via Jan:
"i just got off the Musikmesse in Frankfurt (nice evening) with Herrn Schneider from Schneidersbuero / Schneidersladen and he handed me over one book he recently produced:

Look for yourself: [link]

He released a book ( price is around 7 EUR ) covering the history of schneidersbuero with respect to analog synthesizers. Nice photos, dual language footage. Another classic ! You'll get inside information about the analog "makers" of the synths including Cwejmen, MacBeth, Technosaurus, Metasonix and much more.

Lots of pictures, nice to read. Has multiple sections. It's really a - must-have- for the music fan. I think it is buyable at his shop after the fair. Just drop him a visit"

Excellent! I will add this to the Synth Books section on the right of the sight. Update: It's added along with a couple of other books/publications on their site. Remember, Stecken Schrauben Spilen will probably be listed at his shop after the fair. You can reach him via the contact info on the bottom left of the literature shop here.

Latronic Notron Mk1 version 2.0 (upgraded firmware)

This Notron is now up for auction.

"This is the original, ultra-rare version 1. There are only about 100 of these in existence, many in the hands of famous musicians. If you are looking at this auction you probably already know what this is!

Despite being produced int he late 90's there are still unique features on this sequencer not found anywhere else (not even on the Genoqs Octopus). My favorites are the cumulative transpose and supersteps.

from Sound on Sound:

"Its moulded plastic case has no fewer than 87 tri-colour LEDs, 10 stylish knobs, four equally stylish control wheels and 103 switches that rattle like marbles on a solitaire board. The Notron is a step-time MIDI sequencer with four rows of up to 16 steps. Each of these is capable of sending note information, MIDI controllers, chords and arpeggios on separate (or, indeed, the same) MIDI channels. Unlike older analogue sequencers, it doesn't have a separate pitch knob for each step; instead a switch toggles notes on or off.

Designed for lap-top operation, the Notron feels comfortable and is light enough (at 2.2kg) to leave propped against a convenient wall when not in use. Or to wear as an impressive codpiece, come to think of it. (Dimensions are approximately 14 inches by 18 inches by 2.5 inches high.) Let's complete the obligatory tour quickly so we can get to the interesting stuff: the Notron has a MIDI In and Out, two auxiliary inputs (for future developments such as controller devices) and an input for the external power supply. Construction is to a high standard, so there's no doubt that you're dealing with a serious piece of kit."
I bought this a few months ago from a guy in England (who was friends with David Spowage one of the creators) for research purposes only (I am an engineer and I am designing a sequencer). It has served it's function so now it is time to pass it on to someone who will get some use out of it! The original owner had this unit upgraded to the much improved version 2.0 software. Unfortunately to do this with the Mk1 (the enclosure is made from sealed plastic) they had to cut the edges of the Notron to open it up. This is the same way all Mk1's have been upgraded. The result is that there was a rubber edging glued on afterwards. It looks totally pro from the top but in the underside you can see he was a bit sloppy with the rubber cement. The upside is that the glue is easily scraped away (rubber) if you are neat freak. There is also a tiny 1" long hairline crack in the bottom right side (underneath), it is almost invisible but I feel it is important to disclose all details! Those are the downsides to the upgrade, the upside is that they replaced many switches and pots and the new firmware functions fantastically and includes many improved features detailed in the V 2.0 manual.

It is well used but everything functions perfectly. Included is the the old firmware rare, extra memory chip and extra switches. I also have a UK and US power supply and all the manuals.

See why Bjork, Howie B, Richie Hawtin, The Orb, Jeff Mills, The Advent, Claude Young, Girogio Moroder and many others love theirs."

ADACHI Tomomi Tupperware Synths

"ADACHI's self-made instruments are consists of simple electronic circuit, almost case built in tupperware. They never can make precise pitch, but have good sound and noise, easy to operate and carry and worked by battery. Of course the funny and pretty looks are important aspects. In this page, you can see the images from them (more sound files come soon...)"

More info here.
via Mark

LIVEWIRE AUDIO FREQUENCY GENERATOR

"Livewire Electronics announces the release of the Audio Frequency Generator, a true vintage-style analogue VCO capable of producing unique, harmonically complex waveforms.

The first production run of the AFG will be in a special numbered limited edition with black and gold circuit boards. Pre-orders are now being accepted. See below for full details."

More info and samples on the Livewire site.

via Shawn of Analogue Haven. Update: some pricing and pre-ordering info on Shawn's blog.

Rush - La Villa Strangiato at Pinkpop 1979


YouTube via workingman. Oberheim 8 Voice in the background.
Video description: "I was 19 at that time and saw that performance, it was my first Rush concert.

This was the last performance of the European tour in 1979.
Alex Lefeson hurt his finger because he had a very wild night with his wife,
his finger came between the mattress and the bed.

Info came from: Tjerk Lammers, he was there press manager from WEA record company at that time."

Jazzmutant Lemur & Traktor


YouTube via citrusonic
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