MATRIXSYNTH: Wednesday, September 24, 2008

homebrew SDIY

flickr set by synthmonger
(click for more)

SCI Sequential Circuits PROPHET-VS

images via this auction

"Serial # 2400-0315
Latest OS version 1.2 installed"

Roland Super Jupiter MKS-80

images via this auction

"MKS-80 Super Jupiter Revision 5"

keybdwizrd - DSI Mopho Demo #1

YouTube via keybdwizrd
A demonstration of the Mopho analog synthesizer from Dave Smith Instruments. Lexicon MX200 used for delay and reverb effects."

keybdwizrd - DSI Mopho Demo #2

For full size shots of the Mopho including one of the prototype, see this post.

buchla 200e chickens

YouTube via emssynthi100
"this clip is dedicated to the buchla yahoo group. if anybody knows any other forum or group for buchla users please email me.thanks guys...."

YouTube via maxqubit
"Booting ...

Some more fiddling with my computer/music setup. Using a Yamaha digital piano connected to a computer running softsynths with Vstack.

The softsynths you hear are from the Korg Legacy Collection, called the Legacy Cell with two virtual Polysix synths layered for some massive sounds and the Pro53 by Native Instruments.

Back in the eighties a good friend had a real Korg Polysix while i bought a Roland Juno6. Good times. Anyway, back then i was fond of the massive synth pads, and i still like them now.
...
So i programmed a massive string sweeping pad, layered the Pro53's screaming Super Synth Lead on top of that and fired away.

Enjoy:)"

Analog Synth & Sound Effects Generator

YouTube via abstractjuz. via this auction
"Analog synth and sound effects generator. Dual oscillator, Hard Sync and FM input, Touch pads, knobs and switches galore!"
"What are the specs?
* Two square-wave oscillators, each with independent tuning.
* Each oscillator can be hard-synced to an external sound source - or the other oscillator.
* Each oscillator can also use the external sound source, or the other oscillator, as a linear FM input.
* A pan-pot allows real-time modulation between the volume/balance of the two oscillators.
* Each oscillator has five dedicated switches (ten switches in total), giving complete control over the many sounds available.
* Five dedicated touch-pads per oscillator (ten in total) for live jamming and sonic manipulation.
* Heavy-duty switches and 1/4" jack sockets (Audio Out, Oscillator Hard Sync/FM In).
* Runs off a standard 9 Volt DC adapter - Tip = Negative (not included).
* Built into a heavy-duty ABS case."

EDP Wasp with Schematics and Patch Sheets

images via this auction
Note this is the WASP in this video.
"The Wasp is a one-of-a-kind synthesizer that may look like a toy, but it is capable of fat, full analog sounds. The unique design of the Wasp features a flat, touch-sensitive keyboard that is built right into the circuit board. It was produced by the British company (hence the prominent Union Jack on the face) Electronic Dream Plant (EDP) and designed by Chris Hugget, who also designed the Oxford Synthesizer Company's OSCar Synthesizer.
The Wasp is actually a very early digital synth that also happens to sound great! It has analog filters, envelopes and controls, and offers flexible and traditional synthesis of cool bass, synth, and other useful monophonic sounds. Although it is monophonic, the 2nd oscillator can be tuned to an interval relative to the first oscillator, providing two tones at once (a constant interval moving in parallel with the triggered note).

This is a single-owner Wasp. I bought it in 1980 and have owned it ever since. It still contains the serial number, 1722, affixed to the back as a piece of blue Dymo label tape (this always gives me a little chuckle). It has always functioned perfectly and has been stored in its case (a nylon zipper bag) for most of its life.

This Wasp has its own claim to fame as well. As you can see in the pictures, I used this Wasp on The John Davidson Show -- John's daytime variety/talk show which aired from 1980-1982. This picture (though faded) is an actual promotional photo taken during the taping of one of the production numbers, showing me playing the Wasp. (A sharp observer may correctly guess that we were merely playing along with our pre-record and that in this case the Wasp was a prop, however our normal function was to back John live).

As if the Wasp isn't unique enough by itself, my Wasp is truly one-of-a-kind because it contains my own custom modifications and I guarantee you will never find another one like it. The pictures show these modifications:

• In the upper left is a slider control (unfortunately not spring-loaded) which provides a more convenient alternative to the clumsy built-in pitch bend knob. This slider provides an upward bend of a minor third.

• Above the Pitch Mod. knob is a switch which widens the range of the modulation -- from a minor third to a minor sixth.

• Above the Envelope Generator Attack rate knob is a hold switch, which provides a constant tone as long as the switch is turned on.

• On the back, I've made three holes which have nuts attached inside. I used these with thumbscrews (provided) and conduit clamps (not provided) to attach the Wasp to a microphone boom stand, allowing you to position it wherever it may be handy in your setup.

Included in this auction are a nylon zipper bag with padding (my own makeshift case), the original user manual, a pad of Wasp worksheets with several of my favorite custom settings, and an original schematic drawing which I obtained from EDP decades ago, allowing me to make the modification listed above.

Specifications:
• Monophonic
• Oscillators - 2 DCOs, switchable between ramp, pulse width (osc 1), square (osc 2), and one white noise generator
• LFO - 1 LFO with sine, ramp, sawtooth, square waveforms + noise to modulate the VCO or VCF; sample-and-hold
• Filter - 24dB/oct Hi-pass, low-pass, band-pass, plus dedicated envelope controls switchable between 12 dB/oct lowpass, highpass, and 6 dB/oct bandpass
• Keyboard - 25 capacitive non-moving touch keys
• Output - Internal speaker, 1/4" line out jack, 1/4" headphone jack
• Proprietary link connectors for linking with other Wasps or EDP gear
• Power: 9 volt DC power from external adapter, or 6 C cells from internal battery compartment

Roll Up Synthesizer Piano

via this auction

Umm... That does not look comfortable to me.

Note this one has MIDI OUT.

Moog Little Phatty Stage Edition

via this auction

Anyone know if that little section description sheet comes with the Little Phatty? How does it stick on there without damaging or marking the synth?

Moog Voyager Signature Edition

images via this auction

"It is number 161 out of 600 total produced. It was ordered by me with custom Cherry wood and the optional BLUE LED Pitch and Mod Wheels."

I See Beats

I See Beats from Kyle McDonald on Vimeo.
"Cell phone-based beat sequencer, a small-crowd improvisation interface. Developed in an afternoon with a webcam, projector, and Open Frameworks. Squares of the video are thresholded for average brightness, and when the line reaches them MIDI notes are sent to Reason.

This was mostly inspired by "I Eat Beats" vimeo.com/625464 which could only support two or three hands simultaneously -- I wanted to allow for more people simultaneously.

This first performance/demo is from a local open mic. Next time I'd like to get some more musicians involved -- maybe a bassist and kit drummer improvising with the crowd...?

Message me if you'd like the source. Huge thanks to Blair for recording some video!"

Malekko E600M update

via Melekko:
"I thought i'd give everyone an update on the E600M module. Of course, were experiencing the saga of backordered parts, electronics component companies can take months to get you parts... Anyway, for those that missed the first post, this is the new 600mS analog delay we're offering. It has CV for every function,delay time, mix, and regen..and feedback loop too! the feedback loop has a level knob to adjust the amount of feeding back it will do...also the pot is a pull out type (because we ran out of room) so if it's pulled out you can modulate the feedback loop via CV and adjust the amount..
The last post was the prototype, this is what the production run will look like (sorry about the crappy pic)...just some module pron to get everyone through until they are released.
My guess now for availability is late Oct. and at 285.00. http://malekkoheavyindustry.com/"

DIY UV lamp for PCB exposure

YouTube via MusicMiK. Posting this one for the DIY aspect of it all. You might remember MusicMiK form these videos.
"No directly synthesizer related stuff today, as i'm currently building a new tool - an ultraviolet lamp for creating PCBs by exposing the photosensitive coating to this UV light later.

See more about the construction here:

http://www.mik-music.org/tiki/gallery53

This unit is not yet completed, i need to build a powerful Step-Up converter for about 80V and 0.6A to feed the LEDs, which are chained in 30 chains of 22 LEDs each. Besides this, some more mechanical work is needed and a timer will also be built in. And of course - safety. You don't want to look into a 40 watts 400nm UV light source accidentally :)"

Sequential Circuits Prophet VS (1,6 GB DVD)

YouTube via Cokabit
"www.agent-one.de
Legendary Sounds of Prophet VS (1,6 GB DVD)
www.agent-one.de
WAV, SF2 & Reason SXT NN-XT
Sampling-CD
(WAV)
sf012
Beschreibung/Tracks:
100 Sounds des legendären PROPHET VS von Sequential Circuits in Studioqualität und über Keyboard spielbar!
1693 Wav Files
1,6GB DVD
+100 SF2 Soundfont Files
(spielbar mit Ableton LIVE Sampler, FL Studio Fruity Soundfont Player und jedes andere Program, welches SF2 Files unterstützt!)
+100 SXT NN-XT Reason Files
www.agent-one.de "

Binary Beat

Binary Beat from Niklas Roy on Vimeo.
"This is an experiment, where I count one byte up - from 00000000 to 11111111. Decimal spoken, this is from 0 to 255. I have assigned a sound to each bit and when it switches from 0 to 1, the sound is played.

'Music is a hidden arithmetic exercise of the soul, which does not know that it is counting.'
Leibniz "

3^n Beat

3^n Beat from Niklas Roy on Vimeo.
"This is an experiment, where I'm counting in the numeral system on the basis 3. The count goes from 000000 to 222222. In the decimal world, this is from 0 to 728. I have assigned a sound to each digit and when it switches from 1 to 2, the sound is played.

This video is part of an investigation of the correlation between numeral systems and music. While the beat in this video sounds a bit awkward, it is interresting to compare it with the binary beat."

via Califaudio.