manikin electronik SCHRITTMACHER

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via this auction

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Pacific Northwest Synth 2009 - photos via MATRIXSYNTH

flickr set by MATRIXSYNTH
Pictured here: MMM Cable Case with Ad Infinitum color cables. Ad Infinitum was kind enough to provide free cable handouts for the event. Division 6 skull (video here).

The Performance Music Systems (PMS :) Syntar - the first keytar ever. The Syntar predated the Moog Liberation. The Syntar was made by George Mattson of Mattson Mini Modular.

Syntar T-Shirt scanned from original Syntar promotional material. Scott from Division 6 scanned the artwork and made the T.

Flight of flight of harmony and Scott of The Harvestman.

Euro rack modular, acidlab miami, OLPC running Tam Tam. It was need to see and hear this in person. OLPC stands for one laptop per child. It is a program in which you buy one of these laptops and one goes to a third world country for a child to use. It comes with an actual synth engine including a software modular. Think about that. One of the few programs children get exposed to with their first computer experience is a software modular synthesizer. event comments

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Pacific Northwest Synth 2009 - photos via Computer Controlled

PNW Synth Meeting 2009 flickr set here or on Facebook here.

Pictured: Stephen of Synthwood and red martian on Syntar and MMM, and Scott of Division 6 maker of Midify. Bottom: Midified skull and MMM.

event comments in this post

click here for all PNW 2009 coverage.

Pacific Northwest Synth 2009 - photos via George Mattson

click here for the set.

Pictured here:
James Husted of SYNTHWERKS showing an ipod doc for a euro rac modular [more details and website to come], and our gracious host, John L Marshall taking a shot of a DSI MEK.

event comments in this post

click here for all PNW 2009 coverage.

Pacific Northwest Synth 2009 - photos via David Skinner

The first pics are in. This set via David Skinner. Too many great pics to post so be sure to see them. It was an awesome event this year.

Pictured:
fight going over his new modules
Harvestman is in that case as well

Randy Jones (Madrona Labs) showing his multitouch continuous controler. I have video of this talk that I will post. Impressive piece of gear that will be available to purchase.

A kid toy that plays music and lets you sample. I posted this once before but forget what it's called. If anyone knows, let me know. I want one. Frostwave Alienator next to it. Update: it's a Zizzle Zoundz (click for video). Thanks to PaulR in the comments.

The group listening to on of the talks. We typically go around the room and discuss what we have.

Lorne with the best Synth T in the world. :) Thanks Lorne!

Mattson Mini Modular - not so mini here. Midified skulls. I have some excellent video of that coming up as well.

DIY synth kit from the either the 70s or 80s. I forget what it's called. If you know comments.

Atomo Synth Mochika from Peru

Rare Sequential Circuits Pro-8 and MMM

Pink Thingamagoop, graciously given to me by Bleep Labs a couple of years ago. It was my first gift actually.

The retro, groovy and spooky Optigan. Great Halloween kit.

Computer Controlled skinned Elektron Machinedrum

John L Rice modular featuring Moonmodular, synthesizers.com, Club of the Knobs and more.

click here for all PNW 2009 coverage.

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The Tangent Project Live Rig

via Jeff of The Tangent Project. The image is from 2008, however they will be playing live with most of the gear pictured this December. Details further below.

"Here's a summary of the kit:
The Tangent Project LIVE at The Gatherings from May 17, 2008
Jeff Coulter's live gear rig:

on the keyboard stand:
M-Audio O2
Quasimidi Polymorph
Novation Remote 61LE
Dave Smith Intruments Evolver Desktop
Mutron Phasor II
[and a sustain pedal underneath the stand]

on top of left rack:
EMS Synthi-A

in left rack:
Juice Goose power/light module
Mackie LM-3204 Line Mixer
Digitech Studio Quad V2
Digitech TSR-12

on top of right rack, top to bottom:
Korg MS2000R
Roland JP-8080
Novation A-Station
JL Cooper Nexus Plus MIDI Merger/Patch Bay

in right rack, top to bottom:
Doepfer MAQ 16/3 MIDI/Analog Sequencer
Waldorf Micro Q
JL Cooper PPS-100 Synchronizer [MIDI clock source]
Lexicon LXP-1
Lexicon MPX-100
E-MU ESI-4000 Turbo Sampler
CDROM/Hard Disk for E-MU Sampler

FYI: I'll be using almost the same rig, minus the Digitech Studio Quad and with the addition of a Roland JV-2080 that has 7 expansion board in it, when we play live at WXPN on December 5th for a small donor concert, then we'll be doing a live set during Star's End later - around 2:00 am. The real key to the setup is the MAQ 16/3 and the ability to control each row's parameters from the Novation Remote 61LE and to switch between controlling all the different synths as a track develops. Too bad the Novation Remote does not do splits - that would be even better. The M-Audio O2 is for controlling subsequences, transpositions, and a few specific parameters on the Polymorph.

[Details on ther performances:]
At around 8:30 pm we play for a small audience of special donors to the Star's End radio programme on WXPN FM in Philadelphia - about 20-25 people in total will be there. see:
http://www.starsend.org/premiums100409.html

Then at about 2:00 am we will play a live on-air set that can be streamed from XPN.org or heard in the station's listening area - Philadelphia and a couple other areas - see:
http://www.starsend.org/broadcast.html

This rig fits in the back of a pretty small station wagon and is capable of a HUGE amount of sound, plus it's quite versatile to go from one track to the next without missing a beat - I need to add a new device for MIDI clock generation, as the PPS-100 is not able to shift tempo on the fly - it does have 2 MIDI outs so I can keep the Doepfer and the Polymorph synced together for the entire show - neither has the best clock sync inside them - just try syncing them from a computer DAW and starting someplace other than measure 1 beat 1 - it's awful.

At some point I'll find just the right device for keyboard splits and MIDI clock. The CME VX series look quite capable, but I hear the build quality and documentation is rather dodgy."

KORG MS-20

via this auction

Roland SH-5 Vintage Analog Synth circa 1976

via this auction

moog rogue synthesizer

via this auction

via this auction
"Features:
* Four oscillators in total: two analog, two digital
* Analog Oscillator waveshape are Sawtooth, Triangle, Saw-Triangle, and Pulse (with voltage-controlled analog Pulse-Width modulation)
* Digital Oscillators select from 96 wavetables from the Prophet-VS (128 x 12 bits), and 32 user-loadable (via MIDI) Wavetables (128 x 16 bits). The Digital Oscillators get trashy as the frequency gets higher, as with the original VS.
* Hard Sync on the analog oscillators
* FM and Ring Mod on the digital oscillators
* Separate Glide per oscillator, with two glide modes
* Real voltage-controlled analog lowpass filters - not digital recreations. 4-pole/2-pole switchable, fully resonant (in 4-pole mode). There are two separate filters, one for the left channel and one for the right.
* Analog Voltage Controlled Amplifiers (VCA), again one for each channel.
* Dual digital 4-pole Highpass filters (one per channel); place before or after analog electronics.
* Stereo audio inputs; Noise generator
* Envelope Follower and Peak Detect from External Input to use as modulation sources
* External Input can be used to gate envelopes and/or step the Sequencer
* Three snappy ADSR envelopes
* Four LFOs (sync with sequencer and MIDI)
* Dual (left and right channel) tunable feedback loops; modulate frequency and amount
* Delay with 3 taps; each with separate time and amount modulation. Syncs to sequencer/MIDI. Normal feedback and additional feedback path through analog filters
* Distortion! Digital, one for each channel, can be placed before or after analog electronics
* 3 Banks of 128 Programs for 384 total Programs - dump to/from MIDI
* 16 x 4 Analog-style sequencer - syncs with MIDI
* Extensive Modulation capabilities, including audio-range modulation. Bipolar (+/-) modulation."

Arduino Piano Squealer released under GPL V3

via mustakl

"Today I’m releasing the small monosynth, the “Arduino Piano Squealer”, I made for Critters & Guitari’s fantastic pocket piano. Examples and the code, released under GPL V3, are available from the APS’s own page."

Electro-Harmonix Vocoder, David Cockerell (EMS) 1979

via this VEMIA auction

"Rare and interesting vocoder, designed by EMS guru David Cockerell! Some sliders are a bit scratchy, but this is something you set up and leave, not tweak in real time - as the clever design with its recessed sliders and switches implies. Good cosmetic condition - a few superficial scratches, but generally nice, and, for EH product, VERY nice! Can be rack-mounted or is also free standing at a useful angle. Comes with a bad condition but readable copy manual. There is some insulating tape on the mains lead - a possible safety hazard that will need checking professionally. It is a long way down the cable, so there is easily enough to have that part of the lead cut off and the plug replaced. See a contemporary review at http://web.inter.nl.net/hcc/davies/vocbaeha.htm - and note that the price then was 428GBP - which equals about 1380GBP in today's money."

Synton Syrinx in purple (Titan) 1 of 8 !

via this VEMIA auction

"Extraordinarily rare version of this fantastic monosynth! Colour : Titan / purple only 8 were made of this colour. Voltage 230V. Virtually mint, so like new, no scratches or other marks except the tiniest marks at the edge of the panel above a keyboard B - see pic. Extras: clear hard plastic dustcover, and manual. Fully operational. Serial number is 01620OS. VEMIA note: one of the greatest-sounding monosynths ever, with filter sounds to die for - and in this ultra-rare finish!"

MXR 185 Drum Computer

via this VEMIA auction

"MXR's answer to the original Linn Drum. Twelve sounds: Kick, Snare, Rimshot, Clap, Block, CowBell, HiHat Closed, HiHat Open, Hi Tom, Mid Tom, Low Tom and Crash. Each sound has it's own slider (HiHats share one slider) with additional sliders for Click, Tempo and Pitch. Pitch allows you to change the replay clock speed for all the drums simultaneously, quite weird at the extremes. Individual outputs. Strange for a mid 80's machine is the omission of MIDI (there is an external clock / tape sync). Sounds are solid and very 1980's, Rimshot is different as it has a decent amount of snare. Buttons aren't velocity sensitive so there is an accent button used in combination with the drum buttons. Serviced, all buttons stripped and cleaned also with new backup battery, fully working. Condition is good, some nicks to the left hand wooden end cheek and a few marks on the front panel. Original manual included."

Analogue Systems TH48

via this VEMIA auction

"Analogue Systems TH48 Analogue Sequencer.Fabulous sequencer in mint condition. Hardly used. Has 3x16 step cv generators with optional triggering and individual outputs, random sequence function, internal clock with external CV input, external clock input, two chromatic quantisers with external cv transposition, slew generator for portamento and other effects, variable gate pulse duration with external CV input,conventional output + S-Trig for use with Moog synthesizers, the highest quality hardwware and design including copies of original ARP 2500 custom built knobs, Leds to indicate sequence position, clarity-simplicity and speed of use, 15 volt CV range. Comes with owner's manual, voltage can be switched between 220V-110V. Sequencer can be used worldwide without using a voltage converter. Sequencer is in mint condition."

Sequential Circuits Prophet VS Rack with extras

via this VEMIA auction

"If you want a VS Rack - and it's a fantastic synth, so you might well want one - you won't find a better example than this. Serial number 99, this one was restored by Wine Country in April 2002, and has been sparingly used since. It is in perfect working order, and has the latest operating system (1.2). It comes with the original manual in the classic Sequential folder; an unused RAM cartridge (originally an SCI RAM cartridge but adapted by Wine Country to RAM); a Wine Country Long Term Survival Kit (custom Voice Controller IC, front panel body & switch caps, front panel custom potentiometer, front panel knob*, data slider knob*, and footswitch jack); and a CEM3389 signal processor IC. Plus a certificate of restoration, with the embossed seal and Mr Sesnak's signature. (*Now no longer available at Wine Country!) This cost $2704 in 2002, which equates to about 1660GBP at the moment. Even if Wine Country haven't put their prices up in seven years (unlikely!), with shipping, insurance, and VAT / duty, it would be about 2150GBP."

Yamaha CS50

via this VEMIA auction

"The way to get that classic Yamaha CS80 sound without risking a hernia or having to take out a mortgage. Exactly the same sound generation boards, and in a way, the sound is so huge that four voices is pretty damn full enough anyway. Some people also prefer the lighter touch keys - which still feel excellent quality, like all the hardware on these monsters. This is in perfect working order, sounding superb. It has its legs and music stand, which fasten into the lid (luckily also provided.....). The only thing missing for a complete system is a foot pedal. Cosmetically it is nice but with some negatives. Worst of all, the college to whom it originally belonged had its name and postcode engraved to the right of the front panel - see the picture. There's some wear to the left of the panel, too, by the block diagram. The chrome of the legs and music stand is less than perfect, too - not very bright, with some superficial rust when you look closely. The rest of the case hardware is rather more pleasing. But you buy this range for its sound, and the sound and playability of this CS-50 are awesome. A superb instrument!"

Octave Cat SRM II

via this VEMIA auction

"Great-sounding Odyssey-beater, duophonic (sort-of), and a pleasure to play. If it had standard performance controls it would be almost the ultimate solo-ing synth - the mix of knobs and sliders is really a lot more user-friendly than the ARP sliders. Fantastic interfacing, too - this can be part of a modular set-up exactly as it stands. Fully serviced, 240V, and in nice but not near-mint cosmetic condition. One end cheek has had a repair where a previous owner had put a handle, and there are a few minor bits of surface rust: look on the photo by the CAT logo on the front, and by the VCO1 fine frequency control. But overall I think it's easily justified to call it 8/10 - all the knobs, switches, keys and even grommets are present and correct, and the overall look of the panel, and the whole instrument, is lovely. Plays great - a lovely old monosynth."

Teisco S100P

via this VEMIA auction

"Fabulous preset monophonic synthesizer with aftertouch, basically an ARP Soloist copy with a few extra bells and whistles like a built in flanger and spring reverb. Very playable and expressive instrument, one end cheek has a few cracks on the vinyl covering but apart from that in fantastic condition. **VEMIA note: Sounds nice, works pretty well, but could do with a little servicing: the touch sensitivity seems to be either on or off, very little in between. VCO scaling is close but not exact, and the octave switch is a bit temperamental. ** "

Yamaha CS80

via this VEMIA auction

" This is what the owner says, and I can't really argue with it:- 'Probably the best synth in the world? Well it would be hard to disagree. A rare opportunity to acquire one of the most enigmatic and sonically impressive electronic instruments of all time, the state of the art Yamaha CS80. This particular CS80 plays beautifully; it has the VCO stability upgrade and all the CMOS chips have been replaced and resocketed. The sounds this machine can produce simply cannot be matched by anything else in the synthesizer domain; it is that powerful and unique. A player’s dream machine, no other synth gives you so much feedback and can reward you as much as this one. Condition is excellent, there has been an extra slider fitted on the far right of the control panel but it is not wired up to anything, and could easily be removed and filled if desired. The synth has recently been recalibrated and can be shipped world wide. Power can be switched between 110v and 240v Comes with the original stand and a copy of the user manual.' We collected it, so that it could be at VEMIA for checking and then expert shipping. The first time we powered it up, it took a long long time to settle down into tune - maybe near an hour. These instruments really do not like being transported! But subsequently, it sounds superb only a couple of minutes after switch-on. We were planning to get Lucid Sound to come to check it in situ, but honestly there is nothing I can hear that needs calibrating or checking. It sounds wonderful and plays perfectly. Cosmetically it is very pleasing - some marks and scrapes on the outside of the case as usual, and some corrosion on the legs, but generally lovely. The lid and catches and hinges are good; the legs are really really useful - well-designed to get such a heavy instrument from the floor to upright in one swoop. If possible we will deliver at cost in the UK, northern / central France, Belgium and Netherlands - possibly further if timings worked out; otherwise you will need to pay for crating as well as shipping."

Roland System 700 Sequencer (Block 3)

via this VEMIA auction

"Magnificent hardware sequencer, the centre-piece of the System 700. This one is in lovely condition, probably near mint except that two of the catches have broken on the case. It comes with its lid, and six original Roland long jack-to-mini-jack leads. This example has been modified by Steve Gay of Analogue Systems so that it has an IEC lead to an internal 230V power supply; but the original power supply board (for re-installing into a complete System 700) has been saved and comes with the machine. When we went to collect it, it seemed to be working superbly; but to be sure it was taken to Lucid Sound in case it needed minor calibration. This is a classic, beautiful sequencer."

KORG Trident II

via this VEMIA auction

"The nicest Trident I've seen since there were new machines in the shops - and even nicer in one respect: this one has a beautiful new oak case, custom-made by Jeff Toman's CustomSynth company. The panel, hardware and keyboard are all beautiful enough to justify the 300GBP or whatever the case cost - this is a superb-looking machine. The photo shows a few missing screws, which have now been replaced. The other reason why it was worth buying a new case was that the Trident II is simply one of the best synths ever made! Despite having no velocity-sensitivity or aftertouch, and no MIDI, it has everything you need as a stage or studio instrument. Wonderfully expressive strings, lovely Polysix-like synth thanks to the SSM chips, great brass with the PS-3100-like ability to have it sound only when a predetermined number of keys are depressed, and a superb flanger. Plus great connectivity - see the pic of the back panel. Freshly serviced by Lucid Sound, this will get to you in as superb working order as it is cosmetic order. With a copy service manual. Totally recommended! (VEMIA note: would I rather have this or a PS-3100 or even 3200? This!)"

ARP Avatar

via this VEMIA auction

"A fantastic chance to get the Odyssey sound (and more - the amazing Avatar hex fuzz) without the Odyssey price. But you're going to have to lubricate and/or replace all the sliders, many of which are horribly stiff (and one is snapped off but usable); and also find out why it doesn't seem to be making any sound. The mains power switch lights up, but nothing else happens. It might be something simple like the Main Output switch not working - the LED doesn't light - but even if it is, there is bound to be some calibration and/or servicing needed on the electronics. Cosmetically it's not bad, apart from the missing slider tops. There is a 3cm scrape in the middle of the control panel, and the remains of some lettering - you can still see it around some controls, and there is still a letter D by the VCA ADSR/AR switch. It seems to have been owned / labelled by 'Light Touch'. The end cheeks are actually wood, not the thick leatherette you usually find. Nicely done, too - I would imagine it is some sort of hardwood. Oh, there's no guitar pickup included. But since the guitar synth side (apart from hex fuzz) was pretty impossible to play, that isn't a major loss. This would be great to renovate and add patch points too - and use the extra (guitar) inputs too, perhaps, for inputting extra sounds to process."

New England Digital Synclavier 3200 with MIDINet n/w

via this VEMIA auction

"Once again, the next auction has come around and we haven't found the time to get this amazing machine running properly. So the answer has to be: reduce the start price by another £500-plus, and let someone else sort it out! Synclavier Europe, based in the UK, will do it, for one - shipping £80 in England each way - and they believe, from my description, it sounds like it is simply that the boot routine isn't working properly. One owner (Ed Starink), and very nice cosmetic condition. We have set it up at VEMIA, and although everything seems to fire up correctly - monitor, main unit, hard drives, floppy, and the NED Synclavier software and MIDInet software - we can't get it to respond, and produce any sound. The chances are that we are doing something wrong (Ed says that the last time it was fired up in his studio, about three years ago, it was perfect). But sold as is, very beautiful, and potentially very powerful, but not tested. Includes: Synclavier 3200 with Processor, 16Mb RAM Hard disks: 80MB and 320MB. 5 1/4 disk drive. Eight output channels. 32 Sampling voices. Mac II, 40MB, with keyboard and trackball. Very hi-res Apple 20' monitor (superb picture!). MIDInet interface - eight MIDI ins, eight outs. Huge floppy library. OS 3.1. Massive amount of original literature. Dongle. Cables. Monstrously heavy-duty 110V converter for main unit, although one or two things will also run on 240V. Delivery by us or collection by you would be best - this is very heavy indeed, and shipping would be a challenge. Certainly not impossible, though, so please ask if you would like an estimate of packing charge and shipping cost."

the wall

YouTube via fretless. via d'autres cordes:
"here is a new video with the music of franck vigroux using : EMS VSC3, Roland 808 and Schippman ubber und flutte"

november

Analogue Solutions Vostok

flickr set by making_sound
(click for more)

Electrilian

Electrilian from Hans-Jörg Scheffler on Vimeo.

"This one shows the synthside of Trilian.
The cool filters and envelopes allow for some very electrifying patterns.
Very inspiring."
I'm guessing he is referring to this Trillian.

Update via Dr.Wu in the comments:
"Yes indeed. Spectrasonics Trilian is the instrument that i used for all the tonal elements in that clip. Drums were done with Stylus RMX."

LDAY SYNTHS BASSCRUNCHER

"Monophonic Bassline Synthesizer mit einem Quitschigem Lowpassfilter ähnlich dem tb-303.

Features:
Monophonic Synthesizer
1 OSC (saw/pulse waveform)
1 LP Filter mit 303 artiger Resonanz
Drivemode (Soft/Hard sience V1.1)
Filter Stepsequencer in 16 Stufen"

Get and listen to it here.

de la Mancha FMMF - Free

"FMMF is a 4 operator FM (Frequency Modulation) synthesizer with 2 primary aims
• Make FM synthesis as accessible and user-friendly as possible
• Use multi-stage envelopes and LFOs to make give lots of movement and modulation

features
• 4 Operator FM Synthesis instrument with 17 FM algorithms
• 11 different waveforms per operator, with note sync option
• 7 Multi-segment Envelopes (up to 32 stages) for amp, pitch and effects modulation
• 3 LFO’s for pitch and effects modulation
• All envelopes can be free or tempo-sync, each stage can have it’s own contour
• Envelopes can have user defined sustain and repeat points with flexible locking and zeroing options
• LFO’s can be free or tempo sync, with 20 waveforms and phase & note sync options
• Each LFO has it’s own ADSR envelope
• Arpeggiator with 6 modes and adjustable tempo-sync, note length and octave range
• Resonant low pass filter with key and velocity tracking, can be modulated by envelopes or LFOs
• Distortion effect with 18 flavours, can be modulated by envelopes or LFOs
• Delay with comb delay option, size, feedback and damping, modulated by envelope or LFO
• Harmonics can be adjusted from 1 to 256, with limit on frequency beyond Nyquist
• Polyphony adjustable from 1 to 16 voices
• Portamento time
• 64 presets by brian botkiller covering many styles"

Get it here

AVARUS battery system

YouTube via denha
"eneloop x 8 built-in suitcase synthesizer."

BOD09_Explicación_Public_Secuencer

BOD09_Public_Secuencer from ALD on Vimeo.

"Public Secuencer funcionando"

BOD09_Public_Secuencer2 from ALD on Vimeo.

BOD09_Explicación_Public_Secuencer from ALD on Vimeo.

"Abraham nos explica como funciona la creación en la que está trabajando, el Public Secuencer"

Mackie Control C4 Templates for JoMox SunSyn

via Michael on the AH list:

"Hello,
We just released the Mackie Control C4 templates for JoMox SunSyn (54 parameters on 3 Pages).


The SunSyn is a remarkable 100% discreet analog synth and wavetable synth in one box; capable of producing your classic 2 VCOs synth sounds but also some complex textures...


Now with this template you will have access to all SunSyn MIDI implemented parameters in a user-friendly and workflow-efficient way on the large LCDs the C4 offers and can unleash the synth potential or even discover new sonic possibilities with realtime recording of SunSyn parameters in your DAW....


Check the SunSyn template screenshots and the SunSyn sound samples we did using the C4!


http://mapage.noos.fr/michael.rosner/C4DESIGN/index.html


Enjoy the music...
Michael"