MATRIXSYNTH: Friday, December 19, 2008


Friday, December 19, 2008

Alphabet Soup #1: The Dual Universal Slope Generator

via Carbon111 on SYNTHWIRE

"This is first in a series of introductory articles, each focusing on a specific Function Block of the Serge Modular synthesizer."

"The Page can be reached directly:

http://www.carbon111.com/alphabet1.html

...or through my Index of Serge Pages:

http://www.carbon111.com/serge_index.html"

Moog Memorymoog

via this auction
"The six-voice MemoryMoog was, in my opinion, potentially the finest analogue polysynth ever made.

It was the last synth ever made by Moog but was very late in coming to a market that had been dominated by the Prophet 5, the Oberheim OB series and the Roland Jupiter 8 for several years, a market that was soon to be turned on its head with the arrival of MIDI, FM synthesis and sampling.

Tthe MemoryMoog had an exemplary spec: per voice, it had three audio oscillators each with simultaneous (i.e. not switched) waveforms, it had the famous Moog filter and two ADSR envelopes (one for filter and other duties, one for amplitude). It also had a versatile, multi-waveform LFO, a comprehensive modulation (and cross modulation) matrix, memories and more...

It had PWM, oscillator sync, a super-fat Unison mode where all 18 oscillators were played from one key, various monophonic and polyphonic playing and triggering options - a later model even had a sequencer! On paper it was like six super-charged MiniMoogs in one polyphonic box

Wonderful - big, fat and brash but also capable of subtlety. It could do everything from truly fat basses, cutting leadlines, warm pads, lush strings, punchy brass, spiky clavs and more. Its versatile cross-modulation facilities also allowed sounds that would normally only be possible on a modular system as Oscillator 3 modulated Oscillators 1 and/or 2 and/or the filter in a variety of different ways."


shot x shot


flickr set by alex tyson
(click for more)

"live at the historic Powell House | December 5 2008
with guest Charles Cohen"

Buchla Music Easel

Be sure to see this video.

The MMM Arrives

See the full post on Box of Textures

"My Mattson Mini Modular arrived today. An entire year since I ordered it, taking a lot on faith, trading emails with George and getting pretty regular updates. And now it’s sitting in my living room with blinkenlights and a spaghetti of patch cords. It’s hard to even think of it as finished. It’s been a process for so long that it’s hard to think of it as a product. I’m not criticizing or anything, far from it. Some things simply take time to design, build and test."


Korg Poly 800 II Analog Synthesizer synth mod

via this auction
"Korg Poly-800 II. This model includes a wonderful, warm digital delay (with modulation!), a true analog Voltage Controlled Filter, three envelopes (one for each of the two oscillators, and one for the noise source/VCF), and an LFO to modulate filter cutoff or pitch.

I've also added a several well-designed modifications on this unit:

1- VCF CV Input.
This allows you to modulate the filter cutoff from a modular synth, CV pedal, or other signal generator. The input is designed to receive the standard 0-5 Volts, though the circuit ensures that voltages outside of that range will not hurt the Poly800.
2- External Audio Input w/Level Control.

This input is for processing other synthesizers, guitar, vocals, or any other sound source. It will work perfectly for guitarists, because the added circuitry provides just enough gain (and just the right impedence match) to boost the guitar's low level signal.
3- Filter FM Control.
This potentiometer controls the depth of Filter Cutoff Modulation from DCO1's audio. This modification allows for an extreme range of sounds- from growling synth bass to Ring Modulator-type noises.
4- Cutoff and Resonance Controls.
These potetiometers allow you to control the cutoff point and amount of resonance in the VCF!
5- Noise / External Audio Switch.
This switch disables the white noise source, so that the External Signal can run through the Poly800 alone. The switch also holds Envelope 3 at the maximum level (regardless of the settings on parameters 61-65).

Here are a few sound samples that I improvised to demonstrate some of the more unique features of this unit:
FMsyn
SHgtr
spacegtr
SHsyn
wackygtr"

via Robert

DSI still Sequential Circuits - Updates

See the updates of this post. Some fascinating stuff.

Alchemy Tutorial 1 - Part 1


YouTube via CamelAudio
"This is part 1 of the 1st tutorial on the features of Alchemy - the new ultimate sample manipulation synthesizer from Camel Audio.
http://www.camelaudio.com"

Alchemy Tutorial 1 - Part 2


Alchemy Tutorial 1 - Part 3

my new MaxMSP 5 synth


YouTube via jamesvla
"this is my new MaxMSP aditive synthesizer.. it works with seven oscilators, an adsr, a stutter patch (courtesy of a friend of mine) and a reverb patch from the legacy examples"

doepfer a-100 1 december 2008 patches


YouTube via jamesvla
"this is one of the first patches that I have been sucessful in making on my college's doepfer a-100"

doepfer a-100 patch 2 december 2008


doepfer a-100 patch 3 december 2008


doepfer a-100 patch 4 december 2008

KORG Z1

via this auction

SEQUENTIAL CIRCUITS PROPHET 5 REV. 3

via this auction

"Sequential Circuits Prophet 5 VER 3
Model 1000
Serial # 1000-4242
Warrany Expiration Date 5-18-83"


KORG Prophecy

via this auction

Cwejman S1 MkII Semi Modular Analog Synthesizer

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
via this auction via bigcitymusic

click the image for the full size shot

Sequentix P3

via userwave on the forum

note this is for sale

TV I circuit bent.


YouTube via benttronicsdotcom. via this auction.
"9" color TV I modified to have audio input modulate the picture tube. Audio in is a 1/4" jack.
Best if audio in is amplified a little, I used a headphone amp, but any amp should do."

arduiNoise


arduiNoise from Collin Cunningham on Vimeo.
"code from Loud Objects 'stereo' Noise Toy program - ported (and futzed with a bit) for Arduino.
- and what, no sensors?!?
no, i'll leave that up to you.
blog.makezine.com/archive/2008/08/arduinoise_beats.html
loudobjects.com/kit/"

Scratching with the XR-2206


Scratching with the XR-2206 from Collin Cunningham on Vimeo.
"XR-2206 function generator chip
+
resistive pressure sensors
=
good times"

SX-150 button mod


SX-150 button mod from Collin Cunningham on Vimeo.
"This right here be a Gakken SX-150 analog synthesizer kit - but ya see, I de-installed that resistive control strip deal … added me some good old-fashioned surplus pickbuttons and a bitty trimpot.

Now all me and the dog ever do is play with this thing … well occasionally he runs off to dig up a bone er somethin'.
speakin' a which - where is that dog?"

Ken Stone Interview via VICMOD

VICMOD: Ken Stone interview
(click for the full interview)

"Ken Stone is highly regarded in the Modular Synth business. He is also "the guru" of the DIY synth community.
Ken has been involved with many companies throughout the years from Bananalog, Cyndustries, Elby Design and Metalbox to name a few. He runs his own company Cat Girl Synth (CGS) were you can buy Printed Circuit Boards (PCB)and build up your own system. If you are into modular synths you are sure to have at least one of Ken’s designs in your system.

I caught up with Ken recently at his home, in the outskirts of Melbourne, Australia, a place that resembles only what I can only describe as "The Tardis". I went in and time disappeared. You will see modular synths all around the walls at strange angles, vintage oscilloscopes and wires everywhere. I was convinced when I left his home I had indeed been to another galaxy."

Eric Archer ABoT - Another Box o’ Techno

"ABoT: Another Box o’ Techno (2008)

A collection of experimental synth circuitry, linked together and mounted in a suitcase:

* Dual VCO w/ digital sub-bass sinewave
* 12dB/oct VCF
* SyncLFO
* LFO-Sequencer
* WaveFucker (1-bit pitch shifter)
* Analog-controlled speech synthesizer
* Generative CV sequencer for melody control

The ABot synchronizes with the BBoT. Continuing with the BBoT ethos, there is no computer interface, storage, MIDI, etc. Improvisation is the only approach.

The ABoT can be heard in the music of Operation Playmate… check out the bass drop at 0:40 in this clip. The Bird Box generative sequencer is creating the tom-tom pattern. Ragsdale is playing live keyboards (CS-15, MS20). The Drone Commander appears at the end."

more info including samples at eric archer . net

The Bard

flickr by ecsuecsu

"Night on the sun."

Don Buchla

image sent my way via Reed.

"It's the homepage image from the Buchla Yahoo users' group, but I think it may have first been in the Keyboard magazine interview in 1982."

Reed also noted the buchla on the left is the same one pictured in this post.


Update via keld in the comments: "The synth under the TV is Don's own Buchla."
Update via Rick: "the synth under the TV is a 300 series instrument and most likely is the same one that now belongs to the Audities Foundation - it was purchased from a European collector several years ago..

Dons system is much different...

it could be said that ANY buchla instrument was Dons at some point."

BoardWeevil09

via the BugBrand Blog

"Here's the initial build of the new Weevil for 2009 ----> the BoardWeevil

Its like a souped-up Postcard and takes in some new design ideas I've been playing with through 2008. My aim has been to create something with the power of previous big Weevils, but which is more easily replicated (to try to meet demand...)


Some notes:
* Three Oscs with Lo/Hi Ranges with the usual Quasi-ringmod
* Oscs 2 & 3 can Sync to Osc1
* Osc1 also has a Light Sensor for pitching (switchable)
* Power starve for the Weevil-heart - this also has a switchable Light Sensor
* Balance Control fades between Ring1 (oscs1 & 2) and Ring2 (oscs 1 & 2 & 3)
* Simple Tone Control
* Output Level dial feeding a standard 1/4" jack
* Onboard Mini-Amp
* 14 body contacts (gold plated!)
* All Dials are 9mm Alps -- still compact, but much sturdier than the orig. Postcard ones.

Due for release in Jan09."

The Boss Merry Christmas 2-All Guitar Effects Pedal

via MusicGearCompany.com. via Cikira via Keith on the SynthSights list.

► Input Love
► Output Peace on Earth
► Santa Detector
► Grinch Meter
► Naughty and Nice Mode
► Give and Receive Selector
► Control to Turn Up the Holiday Spirit

STAGEA ELS-01C Demonstration Movie - Horizontal Touch


YouTube via yamahacorporation

"Yuki Wada presenting the STAGEA ELS-01C."
via Kenneth Elhardt on the AH list:
"A lot of people would like polyphonic aftertouch on their synths. I've
always wanted horizontal touch for doing manual vibrato as that seems
potentially more useful. I thought that was gone with the old Yamaha organs
and the GX-1, but noticed in the Yamaha Stagea demo video at the link below,
they still have that feature. Go to the 1:58 mark to see how that works.
Now I have to wonder why they're not putting that on any of their synths!
Wish the Vax77 Keyboard people were doing this, or some other MIDI keyboard
manufacturer."

Update: Yuki Wada live:

Yuki Wada Lupin 3rd

YouTube via kyanhpham. "Ms. Yuki Wada's concert in Vietnam"

EWI USB 練習中の巻


YouTube via PXE02321. "ChineeErHu DEMO"

scribbler, tube zipper, and t res


YouTube via spunkytoofers
"spunkytoofers scribbler
electro harmonix tube zipper
jomox t resonator

another video with this instrumentation. the scribbler is used to drive the tube zippers self oscillated tube driven sound following the envelope from the scribbler. the scribbler has two different bass responses and they both break up rhythmically and sonically in two different controllable but evolving rhythmic glitches or pitch soundscapes selectable by a switch . jomox compliments the interplay between the scribbler and the tube zipper playing together. the jomox is used as a first filter routed into a tube zipper forming a feedback path in the jomox. the jomox can be cross modulated between both filters available internally with a delay line available in each filter."

Synthesize a Deep Kick Drum in Ableton Live


YouTube via LoveCapacitor
"Another Tool for the Box: Playing power cords in a kick drum:

A simple method to play a perfect 5th or power cord in a kick drum demonstrated with Operator in Ableton Live 7."

Alesis Andromeda A6: Sixteen-Voice Analog Synth Overview, Part Four


YouTube via gearwire
"The sweet, creamy middle of Bill Holland's look at the Alesis Andromeda
A6 is all in the filters. Just because it's the middle of the series doesn't mean these filters won't take you to the ends of the universe!

See more on Gearwire.com."

Roland JX8p | demo (2 of 2) by syntezatory.prv.pl


YouTube via Jexus. Part 1 here (updated with hi quality audio).

"1985 Roland JX-8p. All sounds programmed by WC Olo Garb. All melodies by WC Olo Garb. Video editing by WC Olo Garb. ||| Syntezatory.prv.pl Videos: showing you not what a synthesizer can do, but what a man can do with a synthesizer. [].[].[] Deep apologies to all the people disappointed by the lack of the attempt to recreate The Final Cuntdown patch."

Korg nanoPAD Review - Sonicstate.com


YouTube via sonicstate
"The first of the three - this teenie li'l fella promises, but does it deliver?
More stuff at Sonicstate.com"

HumBox VM1 Scat Synth

"HumBox VM1 is a VSTi synth with advanced structure for manipulating sounds that allows a quick creation of quality backing vocals and solo lines, realistic scat melodies and original sound effects. It sounds unique as a melodic line, scat or backing vocal simulation as well as an effect for a Movie & Game soundtrack. VM1 is very sensitive to what you’re playing. Press a few MIDI keys and you’ll feel it! Listen to demo examples and have a blast using the HumBox!

It comes with 10 Voice Banks and 50 Styles, so each virtual vocalist has a few variations, in which he or she can perform. These Banks and Styles are named to help identify specify vocal character.
All Styles can be used in Solo, Dual or Poly mode, which increases possibilities for the user.
Another great VM1 feature is automatic “phrasing” and “breathing”. VM1 has phrase Volume and Pitch envelopes and inserts noises in pauses, which animates the voices considerably.

VM1 has an advanced system of patch parameters: every VM1 Style is a set of 7 patches, and their parameters are used for calculating the current patch on the base of musical context: Velocities, Note Numbers and music Intervals. Due to the “morphing of patch parameters” the sound very sensitive to musician’s play or to a MIDI score. “Phrasing” and insertion of noises add sufficient liveliness of the sampled synthesis. We call this approach ”Context Dependent Expressive Synthesis”.

The interface is very simple, so musicians are freed from technical details, and have wide possibilities for manipulating the sound.

Most control elements are intuitive and don’t require setting specific values. They are used to increase or reduce any given parameter of sound. So, after loading Bank and Style you can easily set the sound according to your needs.
In addition to that, all sections have QuickHelp - brief comments that can be shown on top of the program window.

So, listen to demo songs, take a look at the very detailed help file, watch the tutorials and have a blast using the HumBox VM1!
Price: 49 USD"

link to more info

Tom Gambles EFM 1900er series PCBs on fonitronik

old EFM forum topics
"olf EFM forum topics
I built several of Tom Gambles EFM 1900er series PCBs. He made a close out and sold his remaining stock in april 2007. there are a lot of these PCBs spread all around the world, many unbuild yet, i guess.
BAD NEWS: When these PCBs where actually released there was a forum at the EFM site. This forum is gone.
GOOD NEWS: Many thanks to Dave Kendall who filed many of the topics of the old EFM forum, and now i am glad to publish them. Thanks to Tim Stinchcombe who provided me with additional files to complete the list. Any helpful information is appreciated so don't hesitate to contact me if you have some files available that you might want to share here. The topics discuss errors, tweaks and modifications - VERY usefull:" [link]
Be sure to check out the rest of fonitronik modular synth diy.

Korg Minipops 120P

flickr by markku i
(click for more)

"Industar-61 2.8/50 M42. Analogue beat box from mid 1970s."

full size

Hohner Symphonic 30N



flickr set by transanalog

"Let's just say the Germans are very methodical. The build quality is top notch and it doesn't sound all that bad - kind of like a tamed down early 70's Japanese organ. To accomplish separate footings it uses glass neon tubes instead of transistors. Because of that there is a distinct high pitch whine emanating from the unit separate from the audio signal. Also since it uses neon tubes it can shock the living piss out of you if you're used to working with solid state circuitry."

HK2007

Happy Knobbing 2007 flickr set by fonitronik
(click for more)

"all bananas"

KORG PS-3100

"Happy Knobbing 2007 in Fishbach/Germany - where the modular geeks meet..."

Anyone ID the modulars?
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