MATRIXSYNTH: Wednesday, August 5, 2009


Wednesday, August 05, 2009

Waldorf Blofeld Keyboard


YouTube via MusikSchmidt. sent my way via fischek. He starts playing it at 1:59.

Custom Keytar Finished

see this post

DIY Synth Panel

This CGS synth panel, featured in the video below (previously posted), is for sale here. You'll find a few more images and details there.

Modules:
4 buchla 281 function generators (far left) b. an electro-music MPS (mega percussion synth with a few issues)c. 4 x CV mega mixers (comes with the pcb's....not yet populated or wired up) d. and finally the 1/4" to banana adapter with led indicator.


"Testing the topp buchla 281 circuits in combo with the EM MPS (mega percussive synth).....The output of the MPS is going to the CGS led driver which is connected to a 1/4" standard jack. This is the first time i plugged this unit in (actually i plugged it in, did this quick patch and then turned on the camera). Now i have to finish panel 2 and panel 1 to complete the suitcase synth."

Mopho Keyboard

flickr by Gtechture

Admin: Some Reminders

Just a few reminders:

1. YouTube subscriptions still appear to be broken. If I'm not posting your synth gear vids and you are wondering why not, this is probably why. Send them to me directly and they will go here or MATRIXSYNTH-C. MATRIXSYNTH is about the gear and MATRIXYSNTH-C is about the music.

2. There have been quite a few updates to prior posts in the last couple of days. I usually have at least one update a day. Be sure to look for the red update in posts. They should be easy to spot as all other text is green or "link blue." You can also use the search box on the top left of the site to search for update. With that...

3. Remember to use the search box on the top left of the site. Search for youtube aliases to find prior posts. Search on gear models, manufacturers, etc. Also think about repeat words or phrases in posts, for example YouTube for videos, auction for auctions, flickr for images, and so on. If you want to find videos of Buchla, search for YouTube Buchla, or Vimeo Buchla. I should have added video somewhere in the body of each post, but I didn't and Blogger doesn't include labels in their search for some bizarre reason.

4. Click on the labels at the bottom of posts for more. I try to keep labels restricted to manufacturers and huge categories like soft synths for all software. But if you see an item that interests you, click on the label for more. Use the search box for other terms like HS-60, Symphonizer, and the like.

5. Be sure to click on the FEATURED link on the top menu strip under the MATRIXSYNTH title above at least once a day. I post like crazy, and I post things when they come in, otherwise I drown in it later. The obvious problem with this is big news items like the DSI Tetra might get buried. If you click on the FEATURED link you will find these posts.

6. You can find me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/matrixsynth. What goes up there depends on what I feel like putting up at the time. I sometimes note the more interesting posts and I sometimes note interesting but non-synth things I come accross that do not go up here. I'll sometimes link to an old post I came across and updated to Featured status but didn't think it warranted a new post here. I don't tweet to much as I can barely keep up with my email, RSS feeds, and posting here, so Twitter and Facebook for get less attention. Facebook gets the least because I just don't have the time to keep up. I do have a day job and family and friends and synths I want to play with now and then, so... If you have something about a synth that I have not posted and you think it should go up, be sure to either email me, leave a comment here in one of the posts, or DM me on Twitter. Otherwise I will not see it.

7. Finally, remember, MATRIXSYNTH is about the gear. MATRIXSYNTH-C is about the music and MATRIXSYNTH-B is about the auctions that don't quite make it here. BTW, all auctions are welcome. If you want me to put something up, send it in and I will put it up on either MATRIXSYNTH-B or here depending on the quality of the shots, the rarity of the item and any interesting facts captured in the auction description, images or video.

cheers,
matrix

JEN SX1000

via this auction

Like this one, the Jen SX1000 comes up more often in the UK.

Video below.





YouTube via alphacode909

Roland SynthPlus HS-60 Programmable Polyphonic Synthesizer

via this auction
"Simply this synth is a consumer level Juno 106 with built in speakers and amplifier. Marketed for the home user hobbyist. It even has a sheet music stand option.It's cool if you can find one because it's like a portable Juno 106 that you can play anywhere with those built in speakers! Another feature of this synth is its stereo MIX IN, a stereo input for jamming with other sources of music through the internal speakers. If you're going to use the HS-60 in the studio, you'll need to insert a 1/4 inch plug into the headphone output to bypass the internal speakers since they will continue to output sound when a plug is inserted into only the main audio outs."






FREEMAN STRING SYMPHONIZER SYNTHESIZER


via this auction

"'70'S ERA STRING SYNTHESIZER WITH 2 OSILLATORS PER VOICE, FULL POLYPHONY, A REAL ONBOARD SPRING REVERB UNIT, MONOPHONIC AFTERTOUCH, ENSEMBLE AND CHORUS GENERATORS, AND THE BEST SOUNDING STRINGS OF THE ERA, SO DAMN GOOD THAT A MAJOR SAMPLE DISC WITH THE SOUNDS OF THIS RARE BIRD HAS RECENTLY BEEN RELEASED, SO THAT YOU CAN PLAY THOSE LUSH SOUNDS ON YOUR LITTLE GENERIC- EVERY BODY HAS ONE -CORPORATE MUSIC STORE KEYBOARD!!"

Hammer & Keytar and Hell Seems Pretty Dope

flickr by darklorddisco

Jan Hammer

Breakdown Filter Module

flickr set by fonitronik
(click for more)
"8-Step Multimode Filter Module (Testpanel)
the audio steps through the 8 Multimode Filters.

features VCFs:
CV amount, cutoff, resonance, pan, LP/BP/HP

features controller:
ext. CV in
clock in
step sw
right out"
reset in
manual reset
audio in
left out

KRISP1 Update

"A Small update from Oakley Sound / Krisp1

3U News
For the good folks who are interested the Frac and Euro Oakley Classic VCA module is now on sale for 85 GBP in my online store

There will be a shipment making its way to Shawn at www.analoguehaven.com for the people of North America

For more details go to
http://www.krisp1.com/3u/vca.htm

For documentation and DIY details if you want to build yourself
http://www.oakleysound.com/vinvca.htm
This is the second in a long line of Oakley Euro and Frac modules to come
The first being the very successful Ring Modulator

5U News
The 5U version of the Ring Modulator is now available

We have ordered the PCB's for the New Discontinuity module which will be with us in the next 4 weeks the DIY PCB sets will be on sale ASAP, the 5U module will follow shortly after

Thank you for your bandwidth

Cheers
Paul Darlow
http://www.krisp1.com/index.htm"


Malekko: NoiseRing Light Show!

flickr by Analogue Haven

"Shown here is Malekko's Eurorack version of the Wiard NoiseRing. The module is now in production and we expect delivery on or before August 13th. We're now accepting pre-orders via our website. LINK: www.analoguehaven.com/malekko/noisering/."

Gotharman's deMoon

flickr by Analogue Haven
"If you look at the front page news section of www.analoguehaven.com you will see that there are a lot of new products arriving in the next few weeks. One of them is Gotharman's deMoon. This is a very powerful yet compact 4-voice synthesizer. Some of the included features are granulator and distortion effects, step sequencer and note randomizer functions as well as 128-memory locations for saving your favorite patches. These should ship to us this upcoming week. For more info see the following website. LINK: www.gotharman.dk/demoon.htm."

Toppobrillo: Triple WaveFolder

flickr by Analogue Haven

"A clearer photo of the Toppobrillo Triple WaveFolder. The first batch of these are finished and they're shipping to us today, 7/23. We should have stock within 2 days so they'll begin shipping to customers after the weekend. We are now taking pre-orders via our website. LINK: www.analoguehaven.com/toppobrillo/triplewavefolder."

http://toppobrillo.com/

Synthesis Technology: E340 Cloud Generator

flickr by Analogue Haven

"For years Synthesis Technology has made some of the finest large-format modular synth modules with their MOTM line. After a brief venture into the Frac Rack format ( www.analoguehaven.com/motm/ ) they now have plans to begin making Eurorack modules. We are very excited for their first one, the E340 Cloud Generator. We're looking at a price around $299 with a projected release date sometime in September. LINK: www.synthtech.com/."

The Harvestman: Hertz Donut patch

flickr by Analogue Haven

"An embroidered patch will come in each box of the first 100 Hertz Donut modules. This is the patch. Scott Jaeger of The Harvestman received the patches this week and forwarded us this photo. The Hertz Donut is getting closer and closer to production. It now tracks 1 volt per octave. More updates from Scott via Twitter. LINK: twitter.com/harvestman"

http://analoguehaven.com

Another ARP 2500 Brochure from Tim Stinchcombe

You can find it here. Scroll down until you see a thumbnail with this image and then click on it for the PDF.

Polyphonic Serge + Monome + Polygome Max/MSP + Volta in Ableton Live 8 + 100W all tube guitar amp


YouTube via JargMarbin
"This is an interesting setup; hours and hours of fun. I had just received the Monome a few hours before creating this vid; the potential of this controller is absolutely huge. I'm excited to figure out how to control more then one thing with it so I can add percussion to something like this. There is polyphony from the Serge and bizarre effects. The polyphony is from 4 oscillators; they are 3 Variable 'Q' filters and the right side of VC Timegen OSC; additional timbre added by routing a couple VarQ's feedback signals for the oscilation through other sections of VC Timegen's set to oscilate. Volta calibrates about 5 octaves for two of the VarQ's and 6 octaves for the other VarQ and Timegen section, even though they are also piped through other oscillators! You can hear bizzare effects also; the mixed oscillator audio was sent thru a 100W all tube amp, it's the tube amp's preamp stage creating the harmonic distortion (first dialed-in effect) into the Resonant EQ to pluck certain harmonic bands. The second crazy effect dialed in seconds later is from piping the stepped output from the N Comparator (the input is the distorted tube amp audio) into all the oscillators' VC frequencies. The Monome is sending OSC (the protocol) to Polygome by Stretta, and Max/MSP is sending MIDI to Volta in Ableton Live 8."

Dave Smith Instruments Tetra

via Dave Smith Instruments
"•Affordable, fully programmable poly synth with a 100% analog signal path.
•Classic, real analog sound—including legendary Curtis analog low-pass filter.
•Four-part multitimbral capability with four separate outputs.
•Combo Mode for huge unison patches, stacked sequences, and "modular-style" poly sounds.
•Expandable: poly chain with other Tetras, Prophet '08, and Mopho for expanded polyphony
•Just 7.9" x 5" (20.07 cm x 12.7 cm).
•Free editor for Mac OS and Windows.
Overview
Tetra is our next-generation analog poly synth. Tetra takes the award-winning sound and features of Mopho, multiplies them by four, and packs them in a box less than half an inch larger!

Tetra has multiple personalities. It is a four-voice, analog poly synth, a sort of “mini Prophet.” It's a four-part, multitimbral synth with separate outputs, essentially four Mophos in one very compact box. And it’s a voice expander for other Tetras or the Prophet ’08.

Outside the Box
Physically, Tetra is similar to Mopho, with four assignable parameter controls per program and a row of controls dedicated to the most commonly used performance parameters. All of the parameters can be accessed from the front panel and Tetra is fully programmable. A free, downloadable editor is available for Mac OS and Windows to facilitate more comprehensive tweaking.

Most of the rotary controls are detented encoders, but Cutoff and Resonance are potentiometers, allowing full sweeps with a single turn. The Push It button is a manual trigger to play notes and latch sequences on without the need for a MIDI controller.

Audio is output in mono, stereo, or per voice, via the four audio output jacks. There is also a headphone out. MIDI communication is by standard MIDI in and out jacks or USB. Poly Chain Out is a special, dedicated MIDI output to chain multiple instruments for increased polyphony.

Under the Hood
The voice architecture is based on the Prophet '08, but with the addition of a sub-octave generator for each oscillator and a fully programmable feedback loop for each voice. That breaks down to two DCOs, a resonant low-pass filter, three DADSR envelope generators, four LFOS, deep modulation routing, an arpeggiator, and a 16 x 4 analog-style step sequencer per voice. Feedback is capable of producing effects ranging from mild distortion to fairly extreme harmonic instability. (That's a good thing.) The possibilities are nearly endless. And the audio signal path is 100% analog.

Tetra a la Mode
In Program Mode, Tetra is a four-voice, polyphonic synthesizer with four banks of 128 programs. As with the Prophet '08, each program contains two layers—each layer is essentially a separate patch—that can be used to create keyboard splits or stacked sounds. Banks 1 and 2 are the Prophet '08 factory programs; banks 3 and 4 are a combination of Mopho and new programs.

In Combo Mode, a different program can be assigned to each of the four voices. Combos can be used for mammoth unison patches or for triggering up to four different 16 x 4 sequences—each with its own program—simultaneously. Combos can also be used to create "modular-style" polyphonic patches, where each voice plays a different program, with a slight variation on the same sound or even a drastically different sound.

In Multi Mode, Tetra becomes a multitimbral sound module capable of playing four monophonic parts on four MIDI channels, with separate outputs for each voice. Coupled with a MIDI sequencer and DAW, Tetra can play complex arrangements or analog drum parts with each part individually processed and recorded to its own track.

This One Goes to 12...and 16
Up to four Tetras can be poly chained for eight, twelve, or sixteen voices total. When used with a Prophet '08, up to two Tetras can be poly chained for a maximum of sixteen voices. In addition, the Prophet's front panel controls map directly to almost all of Tetra's parameters, so the Prophet acts as a programmer and control surface. And a Mopho can be connected to Tetra's Poly Chain Out for five-voice operation."

Star6 Introduction

Star6 Introduction from Star6 on Vimeo.


"Get Star6 now from iTunes:
Star6
Star6 is a highly-addictive sound remix instrument that allows you to create an infinite variety of amazing sounds from your own samples or by using our free presets. Chop up beats with a flick of the wrist! Pitch any sample up and down like a Theremin! Use the iPhone's accelerometer to control Star6's powerful granular synthesis engine to change the Pitch, Speed, Gate, Sample Order, Sample Size and Randomness of the samples. Record it all with the press of a button and download recordings to your computer in a flash.

Star6 is the first fully-featured, performance-grade sample instrument for the iPhone & iPod Touch. We've worked to make it a fun yet practical tool for musicians of every skill level, play around with it and explore for yourself!

Star6 is a collaboration between musician Jason Forrest and Agile Partners, makers of GuitarToolkit. Follow us on Twitter (@star6app) to get all the release news and check our website (www.star6app.com) to see Star6 in action!

Fully compatible with iPhone & iPod Touch OS 3.0."

Star6 Premiere in Tokyo

Star6 Premiere in Tokyo from Star6 on Vimeo.


"May 22nd, 2009 @ Star Pines Cafe

Jason Forrest aka "Dj Donna Summer" Performs with Star6 for the first time in public at "Murder Channel 22". Special Thanks to Ume. Shot by "Cuyimaria" and edited by Martin Sulzer."

Sugar Bytes Eloquence

"Eloquence is an extremely powerful and intuitive MIDI stepsequencer plugin, giving you control over just about all aspects of your favorite MIDI devices. Use Eloquence to create varied and organic bass lines, screaming leads, pulsating chords, and organic pad sounds in the studio or on stage.
For live musicians, Eloquence provides an extremely versatile palette of performance options which can be triggered right from your MIDI keyboard: you can transpose, manipulate, twist up, mutate, and mangle your patterns without even getting near your computer.
Eloquence is a plugin which can be used with any major Windows or Mac VST or AU host. This includes Cubase, Logic, Kore, and Ableton Live, among others. No other MIDI sequencer plugin offers you the ease and power of Eloquence. It is 100% MIDI compliant and therefore provides the ultimate MIDI sequencing solution.

Eloquence will be released on August 15 and will cost 99€ / 129 USD.

Registered ERA users will receive a crossgrade offer for 69€ / 89 USD.

Sequencer Tracks
Pitch
The pitch sequencer works in relation to the root key and transposes it by +/- 12 semitones.
It can work in chromatic mode or in scaled mode which expands the tonal capabilities a lot.
In addition, the pitch sequencer has a flexible recording function.
Lock
Lock is part of the pitch sequencer. An active step deactivates the midi transposing. This is useful for keeping important notes and chords in key while transposing the sequence.
Gate
The Gate Sequencer creates notes and determines their velocity.
Mute
The Mute Sequencer is part of the Gate Sequencer and mutes the selected step.
Gate Time
The Gate Time Sequencer determines how long a note is held. Notes can be held up to four times the duration of a step.
Octave
This sequencer moves the pitch the pitch by +/- 2 octaves.
Pitchbend
Here you can select from 12 pitch bend figures to be engaged..
Chord
A Chord is generated using the current note in the pitch sequencer as the root note. Six Variations and four wrap-arounds for major and minor plus six special chords like diminished and augmented are available.
Break
This sequencer lets you set a multi-trigger at 2, 3, or 4 times the normal sequencer speed, playing the current scale up or downwards or just repeating the current note. 18 breaks are available.
Random
Each sequencer step can be replaced by a random value. Minor and major chords can be individually randomized to maintain the harmonic structure.

Action Section
Gatetime
The Gate Time can be increased or decreased, depending on how long you press the button.
Velo Gate
The note will only play if it is above the selected velocity threshold.
Looper
The selected part of the sequence will be looped.
Slowdown
The sequence slows down until it come to a dead stop.
Retrigger
Re-trigger the sequence by re-triggerpressing the button; upon release, the sequencer continues at its normal position..
Halftime
The sequence will play at half speed.
Octave Up
The sequence will play one octave higher as long as you press the button.
Mute
Mutes all data output.

Specials
Internal synthesizer to create patterns on the fly
Special workaround for sending MIDI with the AU plugin
Instant keyboard control for Transpose, Pattern Select, Action Section
Pattern Sequencer
Sample-accurate timing
Individual trigger and sync options, swing function"

Sound Scope Space wave shaping

Sound Scope Space wave shaping from strange agency on Vimeo.


"demo of the new wave shaping features of Sound Scope Space 1.1, including morphing, default waves, a temporary memory slot, and bit reduction!" follow-up to this post.

Catanya VST MIDI Arpeggiator Plugin


YouTube via 7AliensPromo
"Catanya VST MIDI Arpeggiator works with Cubase, Ableton Live, FL Studio (Fruity Loops), Mackie Tracktion, Energy XT, NI Kore and other http://www.7aliens.com"

Catanya in Ableton Live - First Start Tutorial


Catanya in Cubase - First Start Tutorial

Sneak Peek from 'Totally Wired' - Ken Macbeth

Sneak Peek from 'Totally Wired' - Ken Macbeth from niamhahern on Vimeo.


"This is an excerpt from the documentary 'Totally Wired', featuring the analogue genius that is Ken Macbeth, of Macbeth Studio Systems. Ken talks about what inspires him, his vision for the M5 synthesiser, and making noise. Set in Edinburgh, Scotland.
More sneak peeks to come to celebrate the DVD release of 'Totally Wired', now available on amazon.com"

Description from Amazon:
"Inside a crumbling socialist office block in former East Berlin, synthesiser store owner Andreas Schneider preaches the way of analogue to a loyal following of infamous electronic musicians, who flock to his store, 'Schneiders Buero', for unique boutique instruments. His business has prospered against the odds throughout the digital revolution in music, and in parallel, through a period of huge change in East Berlin. His is a haven for maverick instrument builders and passionate collectors alike. But as the twin forces of capitalism and digital technology seep through the last bricks of the Wall, how much longer can this analogue asylum survive?

This film about the 'Schneiders Buero' music store in Berlin, Germany, is a must-see for fans of analogue instruments and electronic music. Featuring exclusive material with Daniel Miller, Ricardo Villalobos, Dieter Doepfer, Junior Boys, Magda, Marc Houle, John Tejada, Anthony Rother, Ken Macbeth, Wowa Cwejman, Jessica Rylan and many more.

This product is manufactured on demand using DVD-R recordable media. Amazon.com's standard return policy will apply."

click here and scroll for some prior posts including more video.

Welcome to My Modular Insane Asylum!

Welcome to My Modular Insane Asylum! from Richard Devine on Vimeo.

Richard Devine's stuido.

"Just thought I would record a patch I made this afternoon on my modular system. Bits and pieces running through the H-3000 DS/E Eventide Harmonizer."

3xChua


YouTube via cirtcele
"3 Chua chaos circuits summed into two mixers. The X mixer drives a SN-Voice, Y mixer CVs a Mankato filter. http://www.sdiy.org/pinky/3..."

star trek communicator replica (circuit bent)


YouTube via puffhandy.
"ha ha ha ha ha ha i love this thing! haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah! and my neighbors hate it! heyyyyy check it out whoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo doggy this thing is awesome. i built stuff to trigger the thing and found bends wow! i am awesome (not really) i thought i broke it after about eight hours of work and then almost seriously cried (maybe a little) but then it came back on and i rejoiced. ahh, the cycle begins anew."

puffhandy on eBay

vactrol bass drone synth


YouTube via puffhandy.


via this auction

"this is a drone synth almost identical to the ikea tupperware synth [vid below] that i made that seemed to be mildly popular. i made a few changes: the oscillator has an overall lower range than before and i added a depth control to the vactrol filter lfo."

"hand made synth that has a deep bass oscillator and two LFOs. it was hand built by the seller in a vintage test equipment box. the analog meter corresponds to the pulse of the output and it has a really bright power light. the circuit inside looks as good as the outside, it runs on a nine volt battery that is held securely by heavy duty harware and the circuit board itself is bolted down . the filter LFO has a depth control and between the two you can make all kinds of droning, talkey-type noises. the output is 1/4 inch so it can easily hook up to your PA, recorder, mixer, or an amplifier."

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