Casio DH-280 Digital Horn Customized White

flickr set by kb_cheapmods

"These are pics of my modified Casio DH-280 digital horn. The DH-280 is rare enough in the US, but even the white ones are rare in Japan (which is where I ordered mine from). The stock DH-280 has the basic DH sound generation circuitry for it's horn voice, plus the circuitry from what's essentially a Casio MT-18, which is driven by Casio's proprietary ROM packs. Unlike all the other DH series horns, the DH-280 does NOT have a MIDI out.

Well, I never did like the MT-18 blip sound technology and I think the DH controllers are the 2nd simplest way to get breath-controlled MIDI, so the DH-280 was lacking. The final "issue" with this horn was that it had teal colored keys/buttons, which made it look a little ugly, dated, and cheesy, in my opinion.

So I modified it:
1. I recast new keys out of white resin by making silicone molds from the old keys
2. I removed the sound boards and ROM connections from this DH-280 and replaced it with the sound circuitry from another DH-100 I got cheap, which DOES have MIDI.
3. In an effort not to molest the space age design of this horn, I installed an M-audio MidAir wireless MIDI board so I wouldn't have to graft on an ungainly MIDI jack.

In my opinion, this is the coolest design of all the DH-horn series, because it doesn't really try to look like a toy sax. It's inspired by a soprano sax, but is clearly an electronic instrument in it's own right. And with the almost-all-white look, it now reminds me of the early 70's plastic designs from Panasonic."

Mono's Modular Space Funk Vapenes

Two modular tracks via mono-poly featuring Serge, Wiard, the Klee and Synton Fenix.

Monos Modular Space Funk Vapenes by mono-poly

Monos Modular Space Funk Vapenes Take3 by mono-poly

Circuit Boards for Klee Sequencer In Stock

Currently available for $30 at electro-music.com

Excerpt from the Klee page:
"The electro-music Klee Sequencer is a performance and compositional tool that perhaps could be thought of as an almagm of the concept behind (but not the implementation of) the Triadex Muse coupled to a step sequencer. Klee Sequencing relies upon the composer's innate ability to discern patterns of musical worth from a variety of rhythms and pitches produced through a method that is often impossible to predict through interaction with the controls. Often, through manipulation of a single control or switch, the Klee Sequencer can reveal a new direction or approach to an already established Klee Sequence.

At the core of the electro-music Klee Sequencer is a shift register based rhythmic pattern generator capable of producing three simultaneous and unique control voltage signals along with three corresponding, unique gate/trigger signals from its integral gate bus system.

The electro-music Klee Sequencer derives these signals from bit patterns that are programmed into its two eight bit shift registers either through direct or random means. The voltage outputs are programmed using a row of 16 potentiometers. The patterns are programmed through a row of 16 switches, and the gate bus is programmed through an additional row of sixteen switches.

The electro-music Klee Sequencer is capable of acting as either a 16X1 or 8X2 "standard" step sequencer using "one bit" patterns. With multiple bit patterns, it can produce voltage/gate bus sequences of up to 32 steps. The voltage and gate patterns can be produced in a variety of modes, including full random, random/8X1, 8X2,8/16 step, and 32X1 using various combinations of external signals and mode control settings."

DSI Mopho Presets Bank 3 in Stereo Part 1

YouTube via bigcitymusic
"Here are all the presets from bank 3, the first half anyway, of the fantastic new Dave Smith Instruments MoPho. The MoPho is synced up with an Elektron Machinedrum via MIDI and a drumbeat is being fed into the MoPho's external audio in. Depending on the patch, the external input level is turned up or down. There are some really great patches and starting points in there. It's got great chiptune stuff, fatty basses and leads and some really fun percussion potential."

DSI MoPho Presets Bank 3 in Stereo Part 2

Sherman Filterbank versus Elektron Machinedrum

YouTube via lasercicalone. "Machinedrum become analog"

Rs7000 TunnelTrance 160bpm

YouTube via NachoMargahayu
"Some tunneltrance 'like music @ 160bpm. Rs7000 & Cs6x"

back to the crap

YouTube via dkimcg

Roland Juno-60

images via this auction

inside a Roland Juno-60

Moog Prodigy

flickr set by iceninetynine
(click for more)

full size

Oberheim Matrix-6 Service Manual and Schematics

Service Manual and Schematics via here.

Making of a drum synth

Just in case you missed the links in the prior two videos by linsoft23, Making of a drum synth is a blog on... the making of a drumsynth. Well worth checking out. I'm subbed and will bring you updates.

The following is an excerpt from the first post.

"Basic Concept
Before starting the first sketch of a schematic i put up a list of general features the drum synth should have. The basic concept is a step sequencer based drum computer with analog sound generator circuitry. The pattern control and programming is done with atmega8 microcontrollers. These are chosen because they are relatively cheap and they can be programmed with very little extra hardware required. The following sound modules will be built:
->Bass Drum
->Snare Drum
->Open and Closed Hi-Hat
->Tom
->Crash
The sequencer should have 16 steps, it should support 4 running modes:
->forward (the standard one)
->backward
-> forward followed by backward
-> random
Beside a clock is supports also a manual advance mode. A 'swing'-mode which enlarges every second note period is not planned currently. The sequencer will be able to control eight instruments whereof six are integrated in the drum synth. The sequencer will have a trigger output to control external equipment. One instrument control line is reserved for a digital sample player which might be added later on. Each trigger pulse will have a normal and an accentuated mode, the amount of accent will be tunable for each sound module separately.
There will be the possibility to store 4 patterns in the internal eeprom of the atmega8's. It won't feature a 'song-mode', i.e. the ability to store a sequence of patterns since it is designed as simple instrument which will be played as 'life' as possible. But we'll see, maybe i add that later on. However it supports playing one pattern while programming another one, as many things else this is shamelessly copied from the tr-808. Thats it so far. Next i will some sound clips of the prototypes of the snare and bass drum modules since i already built as well as some information on my finished synth projects, schematics etc. Beside electronics i play music solo and in a band."

GAKKEN SX-150 by S-CAT

YouTube via PHONICPOTION
"CIRCUIT BENT WITH 6 MODIFICATIONS - INC. AUDIO TRIGGER INPUT."

Bass Drum Module Demo

YouTube via linsoft23
"Showing the bass drum module of my drum synth project, for additional info see makingofadrumsynth.blogspot.com"

Sequencer Demo Video

YouTube via linsoft23
"Video Demostrating the sequencer of my diy drum synthesizer project more info on makingofadrumsynth.blogspot.com"

Korg M1 Demo

YouTube via alphacode909
"Hi There Here's a demo of the great Korg M1 ,just a couple of patches i put together that shows the capabilities."

Blacet Products Fall Update

Note this image wasn't in the newsletter, I just found it on the Blacet site.

"Our MD2600 and MD2650 Scanner and Sequential Switch have been bundled as a dual kit or assembled package. This proved to be a popular and money saving feature of our Splitter/Buffer Kit so here it is once more.



Only $130 for the two module combo kit or $174 for the assembled version.

Order today as these are introductory prices.

Please note also that the extremely popular Splitter/Buffer is also on introductory special and will very soon cost a bit more!

Order both today and save!

http://www.blacet.com/store2.html

Check the "New" page in the upcoming days for a video link showing some of the uses of the Scanner and Switch.

Regards,
John Blacet"

KAOSSILATOR KORG

YouTube via XRING79324. via Shepitology.
"korg kaossilator promotion movie コルグ　カオシレータ"

New setup - Night

flickr by pierlooqup

full size

XioSynth 25
Yamaha DX200
Korg ESX-1
Akai MPC1000
Korg Kaoss Pad 3

FAME Digital KX 61 HC

Details in Googlish via Music Store:
"FAME Digital KX 61 HC

The KX 61 HC Fame is the extensive master Midicontroller keyboard equipped for the price musician.

It offers an incredibly good price / performance ratio and sensational controller with endless possibilities knobs and faders. Equipment such as The Breath controller port looking else in this price class usually in vain. 5 einstallbare velocity curves allow the KX 61 to the best feeling personally set.

A split-function and remote control buttons for the sequencer make the KX 61 class thanks to the easy compatibility in a software DAW specify a hardware controller. So it requires no driver. `Genuine Plug'n Play - USB cable plug in - run! And Win XP 32 on Mac OS X to Vista 64!

Features:
* 61 leichtgewichtete keys with aftertouch
* 8 freely assignable infinite knob
* 8 freely assignable faders
* Master volume
* 5 velocity curves
* Keyboard split
* Remote control buttons for sequencer
* USB to MIDI and MIDI Out
* 2 inputs for sustain / damper pedal
* Input for Breath Controller
* GM / XG / GS mode for optimal control of a General MIDI-compatible device
* 10 function keys
* 10 presets
* Operating via USB or AC adapter (optional) possible
* Treiberlose installation under Windows XP and Mac OSX, Vista 32/64
* Dimensions (WxDxH): 1,000 x 340 x 100 mm
* Weight: 12 kg"

via Shepitology
Update via Bill C in the comments: "The english version of the Music Store's page is at [link]. It claims to be a hammer-action keyboard with velocity and aftertouch. Rather unusual for a 61-key synth?"

Modular synthesis: the Moog to reacTable

In Spanish
In Googlish

excerpt:
"The sound of generators
The synthesizer requires a module that is capable of generating some sort of initial sound on which amendments will be introduced later with other modules. The sound of generators, therefore, constitute the fundamental basis from which will synthesize a sound more complex. We could differentiate 4 basic types of sound generators:

* Oscillators: These are modules that allow generate a wave periodic simple. These were the essential element in the early analog electronic synthesizers, since there are electronic circuits capable of generating these waves simple (oscillators). In the world of electronics, these oscillators are called Voltage Controlled Oscilators (VCO), or voltage controlled oscillator, which let you control the pitch of the wave generated depending on the voltage of an external signal. I list below some examples of simple waves generated by the module oscillator Audio Architect.

* Table-wave oscillators (digital synthesis): The electronic analog only allows certain types of simple wave (sine waves, square, the sawtooth or triangular). In software synthesizers, however, it is possible to generate waves somewhat more complex simply "drawing" it with the mouse. The computer stores that drawing in what is called a "wave table" and then the module oscillator is capable of generating a wave of real agreement on how stored at that table. In the examples shown a subsequent wave of this kind.

* Schedule of waves or Samples: In electronic music, a "sample" is a piece of music or sound previously recorded, and also to be stored as a wavetable. Thus, we can record the sound of a drum battery or a musical note of a saxophone and incorporate them into our synthesizer, so that we can then use as a source of sound in our synthesizer, and apply changes of tone, phase, and so on. This is not unique to computers. The famous Mellotron (1960) and its precursor, the Chamberlin (1946) had a keyboard and a set of samples recorded on tape that was played by touching the keys of the instrument. These instruments were the parents of current samplers.

* Generators noise: Well, that generate noise, noise as it appeared acompañanado the "snow" in the old tels when it had not been tuned a program."

close up der Woche #41/08 -Moog EQ

Moog 3-Band Equalizer

via Aliens Project.

You can see previous close ups here.