MATRIXSYNTH: Wednesday, October 8, 2008


Wednesday, October 08, 2008

Serge Creature M-Panel - Pic and Demo

via REwire:
"I just got the Serge Creature M-Module from Sound Transform Systems. I always loved the Serge sound, particularly the filter, but couldn't find an easy way to incorporate it into my Eurorack system. The Creature is a half width M-Class panel that's practically a whole synth in one with many modules performing multiple functions. To fit it in, I used a Buchla box (doesn't everyone have one?) that it almost perfectly fit in save for 1/4" on one side. The power supply has a jack to ground to my Eurocase and the MakeNoise Format Jumbler is doing well connecting the bananas to my other stuff. This demo is all made with just the Creature, nothing else interfacing but CV and gate in. Thanks to Rex Probe for really hooking me up!!"
Demo: REwire_-_Serge_Creature_Demo.mp3

Korg DS-10 Amazon US release date pushed back?

via Clawjob:
"Thought the readers might like to know... I preordered Korg DS-10 and it seems the release date has been pushed back to 11/14 rather than mid-October."

fib_02 Hybrid Sequencer for Ableton Live


1. Overview: fib_02 Hybrid Sequencer for Ableton Live from !INCLUDE on Vimeo.
"fib Video #1. A quick overview of TrackTeam Audio's Fib 02 sequencer for Ableton Live 7. You can download this sequencer for free at. trackteamaudio.com/index.php#3"


2. Sequencing 1 : fib_02 Hybrid Sequencer for Ableton Live from !INCLUDE on Vimeo.


1. Overview: fib_02 Hybrid Sequencer for Ableton Live from !INCLUDE on Vimeo.

Mopho - Evolver

flickr shots by Computer Controlled
(click for more)

via the forum












Hmm... Where'd it go?!

Sensomusic Usine Touch Screen Edition


Click here for more videos on the Sensomusic Usine product page.
You might remember Usine from this post.
"Usine is a universal audio software especially designed for live or studio utilisation. Usine is made by musicians and audio engineers to respond to their specific problems in a lot of domains like live sampling, effect processing or sound design. Usine is a real musical instrument, flexible and powerful if you like to transform, resample the sound on stage (not only push the play button of your sequencer!), improvise and create unusual effect."
It's beginning to look like a Lemur for the laptop.

preparing for the hardcore

flickr by how2make

full size

Moog Prodigy

newscool software synthesizer


"newschool is a synthesizer from the Animated Circuits set of software synthesizers from Native Instruments. It's based on the Life cellular automation game developed by John Conway.
www.native-instruments.com/index.php?id=reaktoranimatedci..."

the squarewave parade - the MoleS20r

multimode analog resonant filter based on the MS20

"the MoleS20r ( Pronounced MOLESTER ) is a multimode voltage controlled resonant analog filter, the core of which is a clone of the OTA filter section of the KORG MS-20. i have made a couple slight changes to the original design to get more range of use out of it which i'll explain below, but the calibration that it ships with is nearly an exact reproduction. there have been some additions around the filter. first is a nice clean preamp with more then enough gain to allow you to plug a guitar level signal directly into it and to overdrive the input of the filter. the filter itself was modified to allow you to switch between highpass, bandpass and lowpass with the turn of a knob. the overall cutoff scale and max resonance peak ( far into self oscillation if you want ) are both adjustable via small screwdriver accessible holes in each side. after the filter section is a heavy overdrive distortion that at lower setting will act as a fairly clean makeup gain. there are both a control voltage input and an expressional pedal input and they work in parallel with the cutoff knob so they can all be used at once. the true bypass switch is setup with a toggle for use as a desktop device but i can replace it with a stomp switch if you want, no charge just give me a day or so to get to it. the power supply was intentionally overbuilt and the very small footprint AC wall supply is included"

more info including samples

the squarewave parade - POLLEN

variable analog noise generator

"the pollen is a compact variable analog noise generator with a few extras. the two main controls are "grain" which helps shape the static, and "pitch" which controls a self oscillating filter that helps to alter the pitch of the static and has a switchable range, high / low. there is also an external audio input with its own volume control and a switch to kill the internal noise source so it will allow the pollen to be used as a distortion box. the output is up to about 7 volts so that it can be used as a control voltage source. the output knob will allow you so turn it down to safe audio level as well.

::: CONTROLS :::
grain: gives you control over the static breakup and amount, this control is not very linear so certain setting ranges will change more drastic then others
pitch: this is a control for the self oscillating filter used to alter the pitch of the static, just so we're clear there is not way to use the filter alone or to cause it to not self oscillate
range switch: high / low range control for the pitch
input: this is the audio input volume control, its used to adjust the breakup threshold and lower / quieter settings usually yield more interesting results
output: the output volume
noise source kill switch: this will switch out the noise source inside so that you can use the pollen to process external sources only
power switch: um yeah the power switch
clipping led: shows you when the internal sounds are clipping, usually a good thing. not to be confused for a power led which does not exist.
input jack: mono audio input here
output jack: mono noise out here"
more info including samples

the squarewave parade - bleak mixer v.b

passive analog summing mixer

"this is a very compact four channel passive analog mono mixer with mutes and volume controls for each channel along with a master volume control. it can be used to process either audio or control voltages and it can be used backwards as a splitter. being a passive design means that it does not impart any "color" or filtering of any kind and yes you can use this as an analog summing buss with your computer. it is the same design used in devices costing 10 times as much. being passive also means that it doesn't require a power source but because of that it may require a slight amplification after the main output to bring it back to up the desired level, measuring it during audio use showed a nearly 20db drop in volume, this new version [ v.b ] has less of a drop then the first, and no the mutes do not pop when used. there are different colored TSP stencils used. they are a little slapdash, orange, red and green. the remaining two are just black. cases are powder coated black

::: CONTROLS :::
channel attenuators: reading from left to right are the 4 input volume controls
mutes: diagonal up and to the right is each channel's mute switch
main attenuator: far right knob is the main output volume
i/o jacks: each jack is in line with it's knob "
more info

the squarewave parade - SAFEPLACE - minm

passive shaker / noise box

"yet another limited run of shaker boxes but this time in ultra compact aluminum cases. only 21 made in this batch with some TSP grid stencils here and there. the paint is baked but they can still be scratched or chipped if you like

there is a piezo element used as a contact mic which i’ve attached to the inside wall using industrial epoxy, then i filled the case with marbles and bb's this time. i think its the best sounding version so far. as usual i've sealed the inside components in black rubber to keep them protected from wear or breakage. it will also work as a contact mic and when placed in front of an loud enough amp it will feedback. no extra controls on this one" more info

the squarewave parade - the TEASPOON

via this auction
"the TEASPOON by tsp

instant playback looping audio sampler

this teaspoon was originally sold in my store but it never reached its home, after a few months of being lost and after refunding the seller it was returned to me.

this is one of the audiobulb limited edition run. only 15 of these will ever exist

the teaspoon is a lo-fi instant playback looping audio sampler designed to achieve the classic glitching / stuttering / skipping effect by pushing a single button. there really isn't much more to say.

i have modded this to include a hold toggle switch (not shown in photo) in addition to the normal pushbutton to keep it looping even after you let go of the button.

SAMPLES and VIDEOS can be found here. forum talk"

Custom Creamware Odyssey

via AndyR1960 in this electro-music.com thread. See the thread for more images.
"I've recently been commissioned by Dave Formula of Magazine/Visage to build a controller for his Proddy ASB (Magazine have reformed for a couple of gigs here in the UK, and unfortunately Dave couldn't risk taking his Mk1 Oddy on the road). Lucky for me that a mutual friend of ours spotted one of my modulars, and suggested to him that I may be able to do the job...

The keyboard and midi PCB's were taken from a CME M-Key (nice semi-weighted keyboard, but comes with a terribly flimsy and almost, but not quite entirely, useless joystick!) The joystick was replaced with 3 Wheels - two of which, plus two foot pedals, are programmable. Although I have just found a bug which prevents normal control of one of the foot pedals - GRRRRR!!!!

Any problems... Well, quite a few along the way, the hinging mechanism was a bit of a pain, but ended up using a couple of "Side hanging Window friction hinges". Tolexing was fun - though being stuck in a room for 3 days sniffing glue is not advisable : )" via zamise

Wave tables


YouTube via Quiggers1981. sent my way via fishcek.
"using the waldorf blofeld and one oscillator, no filters and only one lfo, this is wavetable synthesis"

Waldorf Blofeld As Promised 1

CHD ELEKTROSERVIS JP4-KBD: Roland Jupiter-4 MIDI Interface


"JP4-KBD MIDI retrofit enables Roland Jupiter-4 to be controlled via MIDI. You can remotely control the keyboard and speed of the arpeggiator by MIDI commands. The instrument works like polyphonic MIDI sound expander.

Features:
* Instrument's keyboard can be controlled manually and by MIDI Note On/Off commands simultaneously.
* The keyboard can be transposed in whole range of MIDI notes.
* Four modes of key priority can be chosen: Last / Higher / Lower / None.
* Tone generators can be tuned by MIDI Pitch Wheel command. The bend range is from 0 to +-2 octaves.
* Arpeggiator can be synchronized with internal tempo generator or external MIDI clock.
* Number of MIDI channel for communication is user programmable. OMNI mode can be chosen, alternatively.
* Default values of all parameters are user programmable - they can be stored into internal memory.

MIDI implementation - reception only:
* Note On / Off
* CC 16 - "Key Shift" parameter setting
* CC 17 - "Key Priority" parameter setting
* CC 18 - "Pitch Wheel Range" parameter setting
* CC 19 - "Arpg Clock Rate" parameter setting
* CC 64 - Hold
* CC 120 - ASO
* CC 121 - RAC
* CC 123 - ANO
* Pitch Wheel
* System Clock
* System Exclusive - setting and programming of all parameters, selection of MIDI channel"

more info here

Vocal 'Ahhh' patch on a modular how to


YouTube via stretta. "How to construct a vocal patch using four modules."
Analog Systems French Connection and Cwejman modular.

The Wretch F*cker


YouTube via bigcitymusic

"Machinedrum-Wretch Machine-F*cking F*cker"

Dotcom can do Minimoog too


YouTube via invalidbuffalo
"Here is my attempt at "that sound" using a Synthesizers.com system. I think I got pretty good results!"

V2.fi testaa: Korg DS-10 Synthesizer


YouTube via v2fi. "Teknoa syntyy nappia painamalla!"

Desoldering an IC from a PCB


YouTube via MusicMiK
"If you ever wondered how you get an IC desoldered an easy way if you don't care about the IC but want to protect the board, just look here.
Not perfect, but maybe informative enough."

Analogue Solutions Red Square v2


YouTube via coldhandmurr. "Red Square doing its thing."


"Giving my Red Square's ringmod the finger... with an assist by Synthesizers.com Q106 VCO.

The cable I am handling feeds into the ringmod 'Y' socket. Reading up on typical ringmod x/y nomenclature will explain what is happening."

Analogue Solutions Red Square v2 Acid

"(Around 1:34 a note is dropped -- that's not the Red Square's doing -- my laptop went into sleep mode and skipped a note.)

Just a demo to see what Red Square sounds like with a patch o' acieeed.

Pretty much just using the top row of the synth, which is internally prepatched. Only patch cable is for allowing midi-to-cv pitch output to slightly mod the filter cutoff.

You'll note that I didn't tweak the resonance. The rez is what I would call "touchy" it goes from rezzy to screaming self-oscillation in just a few degree turn of the knob, so I tend to set it and leave it. Will probably do a mod someday to change that."

Vermona drm1 mk2 analog drum synth

images via this auction

"this is the mk2 version with heavy duty silverknobs. sounds are trigged by midi."


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

EDP Gnat


images via this auction

"Gnats are usually nothing but an annoyance, but in this case, we'll make an exception. The Gnat is a single-oscillator version of the Wasp. It has one digital oscillator and analog circuitry with a basic lowpass resonant filter, envelope with Attack and Decay controls, an LFO which can modulate the pitch or filter, and a built-in speaker. Like the Wasp, it has a very un-playable touch-sensitive flat keyboard with 25 keys. The Gnat also had EDP's propietary control that could be used to link the Gnat to a Wasp or other EDP gear. Like the Wasp, the Gnat also came in three versions. Besides the original, a Gnat Special (pictured above, released 1982) and Gnat Deluxe were released. They had wood panels and a few other changes and the Deluxe used a a standard 3 octave keyboard. The Gnat offers simple and traditional synthesis of analog bass, synth and other useful monophonic sounds. It's designer was Chris Hugget. Specifications: Polyphony - Monophonic Oscillators - 1 DCO (adjustable from 2' to 32'), switchable between ramp, square, enhance, and noise LFO - one LFO with sine, ramp, sawtooth, square, and random waveforms Filter - one low-pass 12dB/oct filter with resonance Arpeg/Seq - None Keyboard - 25 capacitive non-moving touch keys (or 37 standard keys on Deluxe model) Memory - None Control - EDP proprietary digital socket INPUT. MIDI retrofits and some MIDI-CV converters are able to provide control. Date Produced - 1980 - 1983"

Polyfusion Enclosure / Case

via this auction

KORG DW-8000

images via this auction

PAIA Model 9700S


via this auction

KORG EPS-1

images via this auction
"The EPS-1 Electronic Piano and Strings, offers six different LED pushbutton-selected piano voices. A front panel mounted variable key Dynamics control allows the performer to adjust keyboard response and a built-in 3-band Equalizer allows tailoring of sounds; A special Presence boost control produces a totally different sound by variably emphasizing me harmonics portion of me selected voice, depending on how hard notes are played. Also featured are LED pushbutton selected stereo Tremolo and Chorus effects with variable Speed and Intensity controls. The separately articulated Strings section features touch sensitive attack time, making the EPS-1 the first low cost instrument to offer dynamic articulation of strings.

Strings may be used separately or layered with piano sounds. Each string voice features individual note articulation plus overall Attack and Release Envelope controls, me touch sensitive feature may also be fumed off. Volume, Bass and Treble controls, plus LED push button on/off switch complete the Strings section. The EPS-1 also features a special Key Transpose switch, which allows transposing me entire keyboard up and down a fifth from middle "C", a new piano-type damper pedal, me DS-1, which provides effortless sustaining functions for both piano and string voicings. Rear panel: stereo, mono, separate strings and headphone output jacks and tuning control."

Moog 950B Scale Programmer


via this auction


"Very rare Moog 950-B Scale Programmer."

Anyone know more about these?

Update via elgauchoandres in the comments: "It was a very nice add-on for the modular.

From moogarchives.com:

950B SCALE PROGRAMMER:
Designed to be connected to the 950 Keyboard Controller, the 950B bypasses the 950's equal-tempered interval control, thus allowing for the individual tuning of each note on the keyboard. The 950B consists of sixty independent manual controls, each of which varies the magnitude of an interval between two successive voltage levels on the 950. Tuning is continuously variable from 0 to 2 semitones..
$460.00
From "Moog Catalog 1971", R.A. Moog Inc, March, 1971.
(http://moogarchives.com/m950b.htm) "

Da B Crew

A family portrait of the Plan B clan taken in the Noisebug analog compound yesterday, from left to right: Sam Hernandez (our go to guy), Sergio Trejo, Dylan Sang (sitting), Some fool inna hat, Kateri Lirio and Elias Angulo.

Gear Costs

Ivan posted the following on AH. I thought it was an interesting perspective many of us seem to forget over time, myself included. I asked Ivan if I could put it up here and he gave the ok.

"Just an observation here since gear prices always seem to bring gasps from the audience. It may sound snobbish, but we've all got our opinions.

I started thinking about another forum post regarding Richard Lainhart and his Buchla 200e and Haken Continuum Fingerboard controller. Back around 1978 I worked with a club band that played the local circuit. Their keyboardist had the typical mondo setup. Hammond B-3 with Leslie 122, Yamaha CP-80, Arp String Ensemble, Minimoog, and a Clavinet. I think he had another synth too but I can't remember (maybe an Arp Odyssey). Oh, and Anvil ATA cases for everything (including the B-3 and CP80). This was 1978 and he had, roughly, $20,000 worth of gear. A new Corvette the same year was $11,388. I seem to remember the local university purchasing a mid-size Emu modular synthesizer in 1978 for $18,000.

Fast forward 30 years. Richard Lainhart has a $20,000 Buchla and a $5000 Haken Continuum. This is extremely rare equipment that most of us will never touch. Yet compared to a rock and roll keyboard or synth setup of the 70's or 80's it is inexpensive, especially when considering inflation (a 2008 Corvette is about $60,000). Even a brand new MOTM modular synthesizer is less expensive than a Emu modular was back in 1978.

Anyway, I know for most of us electronic music is a hobby (and an obsession, but that's beside the point). But quality gear still costs a few dollars. Even if you're using soft synths you get what you pay for in terms of computer audio interfaces. It's pretty simple; a Metric Halo or RME box sounds better than an M-Audio box.

My point? I see posts about Tom Oberheim's new synth and people think it should cost less than the new one did 30 years ago! Look, it still costs a lot to produce a piece of quality hardware. I'm getting tired of the bushing-less pots, cheesy construction, and other cost cutting done to turn good circuit designs into inexpensive "mass market" products all in the name of saving a few bucks. What happened to the brick shithouses that people used to build? There is a reason all of these Moogs, Oberheims, and others are still around and working. They were built well using decent components. And guess what; it cost a lot do build them that way. Nothing magical happened between now and back then to drastically reduce quality component costs.

I worked for one of the big pro audio companies that forever changed the price point for mixers. Were they good for the price? Yes. Did a $600 mixer rival the performance of a world-class studio console? No f'ing way, regardless of what the marketing department told you. Not in terms of performance, and not in terms of build quality.

Speaking of which, if do happen to have many thousands of dollars in gear, you might consider spending more than $100 on the mixer that you route it through..."

PNW Synth Gathering New Room

"This year the meeting will be in the K-Quad, K203 and K204." Original post updated.

CGS Pulse Divider Destruction


YouTube via neandrewthal
"Rhythm courtesy of Pulse Divider/Logic
Melody courtesy of Gated Comparator
Sounds courtesy of Digital Noise/VCO's"

New Serge M-odule - 'Bi-filter'


via Bakis

"It includes (from left to right), the following modules:

Mixer (ac coupled audio mixer), Variable Slope VCF, Variable Bandwidth VCF, DUAL VCA (one AC coupled, one DC coupled), MIX PRO (for mixing, inverting and offsetting voltages, dc coupled of course).

the Bi-Filter price is 1700 USD."

Blacet Stock Update

"Assembled VCOs back in stock. Improbability Drives: no kits, 7 assembled units in stock, no restock until 2009!" http://blacet.com

KORG Electribe ER-1 MKII


images via this auction

Every now and then it's fun to look back on old product descriptions. What was once new compared to what is now available:

"With a more powerful groove than ever before, this advanced rhythm machine arms you with an analog beat that’s all your own.

The intuitively designed Korg Electribe R mkII is packed with fat, innovative sounds produced by DSP synthesis technology, a classic interface for creating beats and tweaking them in realtime, and the ultimate array of up-to-date dance styles.

* An amazing rhythm machine with a cool new look!
* Many new patterns representing the latest dance styles
* Powerful Cross Modulation adds a new dimension to your sounds
* Audio Input function can be used to rhythmically gate two incoming signals for cool effects
* Step Sequencer for easy input of patterns
* “Motion Sequence” function records knob movements
* Low Boost and Delay effects
* Tap Tempo and MIDI Clock for synchronizing with an external sequencer, etc.

An awesome analog beat box
The Korg Electribe R mkII is a new generation of rhythm machine that is enhanced by spontaneous knob-based editing of analog drums and sound effects. After you create your ultimate sounds, you can use the Electribe R mkII’s internal step-sequencer to create original rhythms. Sound editing is simple; just turn the knobs to adjust the various elements of the sound. You can use the onboard sounds in conjunction with the external audio input to create unconventional rhythms that have never been heard before.

Cross Mod creates aggressive new sounds
A new cross modulation function (replacing the previous Ring Mod) can be applied to percussion synthesizers 1 and 2 to take your DSP drum sounds into bold new timbral areas. Use it in combination with the motion sequence function to create unimaginably extreme sounds.

Use external audio with your grooves
You can also run two external sounds into the Korg ER-1mkII. They can each be rhythmically gated in tempo with your music using the same simple step key interface. By using the knobs to modify the level, duration and panning of these external sounds, you can create truly unique and experimental rhythms.

Step record with ease
The Electribe R mkII’s step sequencer lets you use the 16 pad keys to make rhythms from the sounds you create. Since you can hear the results as well as see them while you step-record, you can instinctively create cool patterns.

Add motion to your mix
Knob movements you make to edit the sound – such as changing the volume of parts, or opening/closing the filter – can be recorded directly into the sequencer. You can use these to add timbral change to your phrases, panning and other motion-inducing fun. These Motion Sequences are saved in each pattern along with your sounds and phrases.

Amazing new sounds and patterns
The mkII also boasts a significantly expanded list of new preset patterns that cover every type of dance music from techno, house, trance, two-step, electro, R&B, hip-hop, drum'n'bass, big beat, IDM, trip-hop, and lounge. This broad selection provides you with powerful grooves for your performances and productions.

Take control
You can control the Korg Electribe R mkII from an external MIDI sequencer, keyboard, sampler, or other device to integrate it into your current production and performance setup."

Untangling MIDI


YouTube via midnightsleazy. You might remember these from this post.
The set included the following nine videos:
Untangling MIDI Intro
Untangling MIDI Section 1: In the Beginning
Untangling MIDI Section 2: The Players
Untangling MIDI Section 3: A Closer Look
Untangling MIDI Section 4: Who's on First?
Untangling MIDI Section 5: The Ins and Outs of MIDI
Untangling MIDI Section 6A: Putting It All Together
Untangling MIDI Section 6B: Putting It All Together
Untangling MIDI Section 7: Trouble Shooting

Understanding MIDI

CASIO RZ1 with my modification, TR909, DMX, RY30


YouTube via electromods
"This mod add three sound kits, Oberheim DMX, Roland TR 909 and Yamaha RY30.

The Casio RZ-1 was a drum machine manufactured and released by Casio in the 1986. It was one of the first drum machines to have an on-board editable sampled drum beat.
More info: http://www.sonicstate.com/synth/CASIO..."

Buchla "292c Resonant" LPG PCB Project Documents

via djthomaswhite in this electro-music.com thread. Note Bridechamber might be making these.

"Gentlemen,
Here is the Revision 3.0 Document Packet for the Lopass Gate project. If you find errors, please let me know. I have never put anything like this together before and hope you find it useful and thorough. Included are:

Schematic
Parts List
PCB Component Overlay
PCB Board Layout
Copper (Top/Bottom) Images
Build Document
Front Panel Files

All are in PDF format where available.

Thomas

PS. There is a possibility that Bridechamber will be willing to make panels for this project. Please examine the 2 included files and post your thoughts on if you would buy panels in that MOTM format or not. My vote if for the 2U version with all the bells and whistles. Thanks!"
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