MATRIXSYNTH: Friday, July 18, 2008


Friday, July 18, 2008

Synthorama - Emu Modular


Click here for images of the E-Mu modular at Synthorama. Be sure to click on the Synthorama label below for previous posts on my visit to the museum. More will follow so be sure to check back. The E-mu actually sits in somewhat of a hallway between rooms.

Update via Martin:
"The EMU Modulars are both working completely. In one of them I have to
replace a broken potentiometer. And I had to build a new VCO. I copied one
original VCO (1201 ?) and now it works fine. Also I have replaced the complete wiring with the DIL-plugs and remade them all new with high quality DIL-plugs."

Steam Powered Synthesizer


YouTube via wessouthern
"This, as its name so clearly suggests, is a synth that's powered by steam. There's no electricity involved -- the instrument can be run on coal, hexamine, ethanol or propane.

he pressure delivered to the engine is controlled by a ball valve seen between the boiler and the engine. The dynamo is much like a brushless, permanent magnet motor which is spun by a belt attached to the flywheel. This creates an alternating magnetic field which is turned into electricity by an inductive pickup.

The steam synthesizer does not use any electricity -- only steam power. In fact it generates electricity! It generates about 6 watts of AC at high pressure and speed." Very steam punk.

the TEASPOON

"The teaspoon is a lo-fi instant playback looping sampler designed to achieve the classic glitching / stuttering / skipping effect by pushing a single button. this version is a limited run of fifteen designed with the AUDIOBULB RECORDS logo and trademark orange and black."

more info on the squarewave parade.

FM synthesis with the PlanB Model 15


YouTube via dkimcg
"Apologies in advance for the out of focus camera. This was one of the cool things I learned about using the PlanB (or any capable) oscillators. I have the oscilloscope up so you can see the waveforms. Too bad I didn't keep an eye on the camera. But I do these for fun, and doing it again would be no fun for me. But you can see enough to get the idea. You can get some very fat sounds with harmonic overtones this way. Look up FM synthesis if you're curious. That's frequency modulation. There's also another video on youtube that goes through the explanations better, this is just to show an example, not inform."

The tiny YMO click module


YouTube via denha
"This makes a model of MOOG moduller sequencer."

ARP 2500 3 - Analog Sequence 2


YouTube via psprojectbrazil. Sequence 1 previously posted here.
"5 oscillators, white noise, 2 VCFs, 1 VCA, 3 envs., cv & audio sequencers and some work..."

Waldorf Microwave Mk1 Demos

Two demos via Rasmus



"All is done by multitracking a Microwave in Logic Express 7 with some cheap reverb as only thing added. On the second demo the drums are from an Elektron SPS-1 Machinedrum."
MP3s:
Microwave-demo1.mp3
mwdemo2.mp3

360 Systems Slavedriver Guitar / Synthesizer Interface


images via this auction

DIY CNC PCB Mill & Drill


YouTube via cnightwing
"This a small tabletop size CNC Mill for milling my PCB's and drilling them as well"

vintage keyboards improv gig


YouTube via massonix. Spot the synths.
"Graham Massey and Graham Clark set up at the Wheatsheaf in Stoke ,ready for an improv gig involving vintage keyboards and electric violin 1995"

Opcode Studio 5 LX

images via Mark via this electro-music.com thread (note this is for sale): "The OpcodeStudio 5LX is a Macintosh MIDI interface. Bitd, this was a monster. It has twice the computing power of a Mac Plus , 256KB of RAM for internal patch storage, 15 MIDI inputs and 15 MIDI outputs. It has two foot switch inputs, a foot pedal input that also accepts logarithmic CV, SMPTE in and out, and an input to sync to audio.

Apparently, some people have been able to get it to work as an interface with OS X. Please take a look on the web. It can also be configured as an extremely powerful stand-alone patchbay/filter with any Mac that can run OS 9, 8, or 7. It can filter, merge, re-channel, split by note and velocity, re-assign and modify control values, etc. It can route MIDI data from any combination of inputs and internal programs to any output. These patches can then be recalled via program change.

This unit has been upgraded to the latest ROM, and includes the original ROM chips, original box, software discs, and all the manuals. It is in excellent cosmetic condition. I'm the original owner, and it worked perfectly the last time I used it, but I have no way to test it now.

Questions and comments welcome.

Email: mark (at) primatesynthesis (dot) com"

November - John Bowen Solaris Demo

New track by Carbon111 on SYNTHWIRE.

Ableton Live - Uses for White Noise


Ableton Live - Uses for White Noise from Andreas Wetterberg on Vimeo.
"White noise is both annoying and useful. Here's why."

BeeBoop to the max


BeeBoop to the max from Tech on Vimeo.
"Here is my APC [Atari Punk Console] connected up to a delay unit and a spring reverb I built."

Vermona DRM1mkii - lazy loops


Vermona DRM1mkii - lazy loops from Cold Hand Murr on Vimeo.
"just messing around... "

Visual Space Music Introduction (HD)


Visual Space Music Introduction (HD) from Ian McKinlay on Vimeo.
"Introduction to my Visual Space Music project. Footage of the first prototype installation @ SCM, City University of Hong Kong, July 2008"

Ghetto Lab


flickr by juniorjj

full size

Below: Sound Lab Wiring

"Think of got all of the interconnections of the front panel. Next wiring the panel to the board."

full size

Lost tapes of the Dr Who composer

via the BBC
"A hidden hoard of recordings made by the electronic music pioneer behind the Doctor Who theme [Delia Debyshire] has been revealed - including a dance track 20 years ahead of its time...

Most unexpected of all, however, is a piece of music that sounds like a contemporary dance track which was recorded, it is believed, in the late sixties.

Paul Hartnoll, formerly of the dance group Orbital and a great admirer of Ms Derbyshire's work, said the track was, "quite amazing".

'That could be coming out next week on [left-field dance label] Warp Records,' he noted.

'It's incredible when you think when it comes from. Timeless, really. It could be now as much as then.'

Delia Derbyshire's voice can be heard introducing it. 'Forget about this,' she says, 'it's for interest only.'"

Click here for the track. Realize this is the 60s. Utterly amazing.

John Bowen Solaris Sound Samples

John Bowen has uploaded new audio samples of the Solaris, specifically the 'Weird Rotor' samples 5 and 6 in the player. The following is a description of what's in the player. Click here to check them out.

"Here's what I wanted to show:
1. AM example - Solaris_AM1.wav.
This is an extremely simple patch, made up of 2 oscillators, no filters, 2 envelopes, and 2 LFOs. Osc 1's amplitude is being modulated by Osc 2, whose output is shaped by an envelope. (The 2nd env is the Amp EG, of course). Since you can modulate each input of a mixer, I have a mixer with Osc 1 coming into 2 of the 4 inputs. The first input is getting modulated by Osc 2, and the second input is modulated by an LFO. Another LFO controls panning.

2. Lowpass filter with polymod - http://www.johnbowen.com/WavDemos/Solaris_LP11.wav.
This just because it's an old favorite of mine from my Prophet 5 days. 2 oscillators feeding the ladder-type Lowpass 24 dB filter, with medium resonance. The filter cutoff is modulated by 2 LFOs, one of which is tracking the keyboard, while the other a very slow sweep. A third input provides an envelope to the cutoff. Again a bit of Pan modulation by another LFO.
3. Panning Modulation at audio rates - http://www.johnbowen.com/WavDemos/Solaris_PanMod.wav.

Again, another very simple sound, using 2 oscs (sine waves), one with a slight bit of pitch EG (and no filter). The point here is to show how nicely audio rate modulation of the Pan position works - something you won't find on your typical synthesizer. As I hold down the F major chord a few bars in, I start to adjust the Coarse tuning of Osc 4, which is modulating the Pan. At first it's at -60 semitones (sub-audio range), and then I gradually (more or less!) raise it all the way up to +60 semitones. At the end, I again grab Osc 4's Coarse frequency and quickly drop it all the way back down while holding a higher chord.

4. Someone requested to hear something bright and buzzy, or lots of resonance.
Here's something using 2 filters in parallel - the MiniLP and the OB Notch filters: http://www.johnbowen.com/WavDemos/MiniLP+OBNotch2.wav.

5. Rotor FX - WeirdRotor1.wav.
This is a single note held, showing the Rotor module playing through the 4 oscillators. Each one is a bit different, with slow LFOs modulating the pitch of each. Osc 1 is set to the MultiMode osc, using the S&H waveshape. Changing the frequency of this oscillator varies the clock rate of the noise generator. Osc 2 is using the SuperSaw, Osc 3 the Morphing Saw, and Osc 4 is playing the (new) WAV Osc with a test sample. Everything is being fed through the (also new) Comb Filter.

6. Rotor FX polyphonic - WeirdRotor1Poly.wav.
Here's the same patch played polyphonically, at different ranges on the keyboard. I thought it might be interesting to have a 'non-traditional' example to hear.

The Solaris can produce very complicated things, but I wanted to start out with very basic, simple sounds. Now that I've got the basic recording process down, I'll get some more examples up within the next few weeks. (I'm also hoping to have some videos of basic operation available).

-John Bowen"

PAiA 6710 Vocoder Mod


via this auction

"The vocoder comes in a hand-made wooden case that I made several years ago. The vocoder's electronics kit costs $175 from Paia. The included metal face panel costs $26, but is no longer available. And the included regulated power supply, which the vocoder requires, costs about $15 from Paia. Also, this unit has been upgraded with Scott Lee's excellent Vocoder Clarifier mod! For much more info, including fantastic sound samples, click here."

Violin Sounds


YouTube via boobtube356
"Cwejman VCO-6 with FM input from Doepfer A-111. Both VCOs are fed a S&H LFO signal (no sequencer) via an A-156 Dual quantizer. The VCO-6 output is going to a Cwejman VCEQ-3, which handles a lot of the timbre adjustments. The output is passing through an MX-4S (with some panning from the quad ADSR), then on to a pair of reverbs."

Moog Little Phatty Synthesizer Demonstration


YouTube via mattcrispell
"Moog Little Phatty Synthesizer Demonstration - By Thee Unthuziast"

The Liquid Hihat demo Part 2 - October 2007


YouTube via dolphinicus
"This is the 2nd vid. that I had shot, to give an idea of some of the capabilities of my Liquid Hihat percussion module that I innovated / created, in October 2007."

COLOR CHANGING SYNTHESIZER


YouTube via synespro
"I pimped out my microkorg for maximum sound color duality"

Pixelh8 Micro Busking Chip Tune Music 2 "Chocolate Milk"


YouTube via Hiddenfortress
"Pixelh8 Micro Busking Chip Tune Music
'Chocolate Milk'
This video was originally part of a video shown at Nerdapalooza 2008."

Synthesizer Player's Stairway to Heaven:aka On The Run PlanB


YouTube via dkimcg
"The only song I knew how to play on my first guitar was Stairway to Heaven and Smoke on the Water. This lasted a few years as I played it and Pink Floyd ballads to try to impress the girls. I wasn't very impressive, not a great guitar player, but knew how to play Stairway to Heaven dammit. Me and millions (literally) of others. So when I was watching some videos on youtube and listening to Dark Side of the Moon at the same time, it all syncs up like the wizard of oz! I realized that the synth loop in On The Run was kinda like something you had to do if you play around with synths and sequencers. Well, at least in my head. So, today I spent some time figuring out the Model 17 Triple Event Timer. The trick is to use low frequencies, really low frequencies, like cycles that take seconds or maybe even a whole 16 bars or something. I could see using it with a few Model 10's, One to drive at a leisurely pace, maybe even over a whole song since it can generate an envelope that's minutes long. Chain some more Model 17s to trigger more 17s, on man...I should get back to max/msp or i'll go broke! Anyhow. I came up with this version of on the run. I used my phone video camera, so the video sucks, but I think the sound should be ok. You can definately hear the triple timer triggering 3 different events. Neat. I think I figured out the technical side of all the modules, now time to make music...

Enjoy this synth cliche! I had fun making the patch.

Revolution is the master sequencer, but it has it's CV modulated with a signal out of the modular. The modular also controls the feedback on the Moogerfooger delay. The slow envelope that the triple timer follows the LFO in the Moogerfooger CP-251, the envelopes on the Paia are used to modulate or VC something, I forget what exactly. I don't document my patches so far, I probably should."

Thighpaulsandra's Aeriel Studios Part 6!



Tara Busch

http://analogsuicide.com
http://thighpaulsandra.com
Let's take a deeper peek at the beautiful vinyage synths - The VCS 3 (The Putney) and the SYnthi Aks!

SonicStateTV by tarabusch. See the write-up on AnalogSuicide. "Part 6 in AnalogSuicide.com's series featuring Thighpaulsandra and Aeriel Studios!"

ARP Axxe

images via this acution

Akai VX600

via this auction

Hmm....
"AKAI VX600 ANALOG 12VCO POLY SYNTH VINTAGE! Rich Warm sound of matrix Analog Synthesiser made in Japan 1988 and it's a cool brother of OBERHEIM EXPANDER

AKAI VX600 is 12VCO(2VCO per 1VOICE) 6 voice polyphonic programmable analog synthesizer it was a last japanese pure analog synthesizer in '80s few quantities were built,so very hard to find even in Japan nowadays I changed LCD uint,backlight,backup battery before this auction so this is your first and last chance to get this monster synth in such a good condition!

this modular matrix analog synthesizer is very similar to OBERHEIM EXPANDER synthesizer AKAI adopted basic schematics made by OBERHEIM, so actually VX600 and OBERHEIM EXPANDER uses same voice chip so basically VX600's sound is same as OBERHEIM EXPANDER sound, very fat and warm! but my opinion,VX600 is more fatter than OBERHEIM EXPANDER especially brass, strings, and lead sounds are really great you can use 12VCO for 6 voice polyphonic or unison all 12VCO to monophonic lead sound(CAUTION!it's very FAT!) and also can use as multi timbre 6 different voices, it's very frexible.

VX600 has variety of modulation source and destination to program sound modulation source including MIDI control change, so you can use MIDI controller to tweak cut off etc.. and very cool feature is external audio in jack so you can synthesize external sounds using analog filter and other parameters

VX600's major problem is dead backlight of LCD screen(due to the ages) but I changed LCD unit and backlight before this acution,so no problem about it I also changed backup battery and restore the factory sounds(few sounds made by myself) so it's perfectly working condition!!

The VX600 is a 6 voice 37 key analog synthesizer featuring traditional concept of modular patching. Two VCOs/voice give you the thick rich sound of analog synthesis to create lush warm string sections,full round "FAT" bass lines, enhanced vocal and rhythm sections, powerful crisp brass sections, and eerie SFX sounds. patch programs are stored in memory program.Each programs can have a maximum of 6 key group splits with each key group having it's own library sound "patch", MIDI channel,and voice allocation. Up to 40 different program combinations can be stored in memory. A special code memory function allows you to play an entire 6 instruments stack from one key.And a dedicated connector jack allows direct connection to the EVI1000 and EWI1000 wind synthesizers.The VX600 combines rich warm analog sounds with the advanced performance control of digital technology to create a powerful new dimension in analog synthesis.(from catalog)"

Korg Polysix

images via this auction

Steiner analog synthesizer

images via this auction

Ensoniq Fizmo

images via this auction
"This is an insanely cool 48-voice vintage synth. Fewer than 500 were ever manufactured, so there aren't too many around these days. Do believe the hype - there's really nothing else like it. You can listen to audio samples by clicking here. Additional Fizmo info can be found here and you can download a copy of the user manual here."

Don't forget the regulator fix.
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