JJ Abrams Synthwood Sequential Circuits Pro-One

Yes, this JJ Abrams

THE JJ Abrams of Bad Robot that brought us Alias, Lost, Fringe and is about to bring us the new Star Trek film. If you were a fan of Music Thing you might remember that JJ Abrams is actually a synth aficionado from this post.

THIS IS his Pro-One redone by Synthwood. You can find more images of it here.

So... My question is... When are we going to see an obscure synth on Lost! Come on JJ, it would fit right in, you can do it! :)

Labeling this one as "Featured." If it's not worthy of the label, I don't know what is... Think about it, the guy behind Bad Robot is into synths! [Lost is my favorite show on TV BTW]

Note the inscription on the modwheel casing in the bottom shot.

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JJ Abrams with Roger Linn

via @roger_linn

"I and my wife Ingrid recently had the pleasure of visiting with film director JJ Abrams, who owns a #LinnStrument and a #LinnDrum."

You can find additional posts featuring JJ Abrams here.

Cool Guys Don't Look At Explosions

YouTube via thelonelyisland. sent my way via Dennis.

JJ Abrams on Yamaha Portasound? Before you pass judgment, realize JJ Abrams is into synths.
video description:
"Here's the song we made for the 2009 MTV Movie Awards. Featuring Will Ferrell and JJ Abrams. Originally Aired 5/31/09"
Update via GRONDO 2001: "this can't be a portasound as portasounds only have mid-keys or mini-keys and this obviously a full size keyboard."
Funny, I never realized that until now. Makes sense, "Porta" as in portable.

Synth Rorschach #42: JJ Abrams Synth Reference in Star Wars The Force Awakens

So did anyone else catch the synth reference in The Force Awakens? Hint: It has to do with that planet in the right of the image on the left. If so, leave a comment, and please do not reveal any other spoilers for those who haven't seen it yet, although anyone that hasn't might be due for some punishment. I've seen it twice already in 3D and 2D - a note on which was a better experience for me is below. That said, if you haven't seen the film yet do not look in the comments, but see my note directly below.

And for those that do not know, JJ Abrams is into synths.

A small tip for those that haven't seen the film yet: I saw it the first time in IMAX 3D and again today in IMAX 2D at the same theater. I'm not sure if it was the theater, but both the audio and video quality of the 3D version blew the 2D version away. The screen was sharper, brighter and the audio was significantly better in the IMAX 3D version. I almost think something was just wrong with the 2D theatre, the quality was that much worse. It was like going from stereo to mono.

Update: someone got the answer in the comments below, so don't look if you still want to guess.

Update2: related via skkatter in the comments: Cool Guys Don't Look At Explosions - JJ Abrams on Keys

JJ Abrams & Oscar Isaac at Black Corporation

This one was spotted and sent in via Soviet Space Child.


Rumor has it there will be a planet named Kijimi in Star Wars Episode IX.

And yes, JJ Abrams is definitely into synths.

Update: I heard there might be a synth reference in JJ Abrams Lost but it didn't make it in.

JJ Abrams On His Synthwood Pro-One

via http://synthwood.com/pro-one/

"I am suddenly the owner of MY FAVORITE SYNTH .. I am blown away .. THIS THING IS GORGEOUS." - JJ Abrams, Bad Robot

follow-up to this post.

Cool Guys Don't Look At Explosions - JJ Abrams on Keys

Uploaded on Jun 5, 2009 thelonelyisland

Told you he was into synths. This one in via skkatter in the comments of Synth Rorschach #44.

"Here's the song we made for the 2009 MTV Movie Awards. Featuring Will Ferrell and JJ Abrams.
Originally Aired 5/31/09"

A New World in Synthesis

YouTube via Pic2008Lex

Note the above video does not feature any synths. It is a concept video for a tablet UI. The hardware looks like the majority of artist renders for the upcoming Apple iPad/iSlate. If you haven't heard, tomorrow, Apple will announce their new tablet device. Rumor is it will essentially be an iTouch with a 10" screen, more power, memory and may have the ability to run multiple apps at the same time. [Update: it most likely will]

Why is this a new world in synthesis? In short this is a new hardware platform for synthesis. Yes it is an extension of the iTouch platform, but the obvious key difference and game changer in my opinion will be the size of the screen. For example, imagine controlling all of your synths running Numerology on the device in that video. Imagine interfacing with your modular with a UI optimized version of VOLTA or Expert Sleepers. Imagine running Way Out Ware's iSample, or how about an ARP2600 emulation with sliders. Imagine running Audio Damage's tattoo on one, etc. And don't forget the accelorometer. Processing power, additional memory, and potentially running multiple apps at once will only add to the advantage the slate will have over the iTouch.

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Sequential Circuits Pro-One SN 5131 w/ Prophet-5 Style Knobs

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"Sequential Circuits Pro One, no modifications. Serial 5131. Looks almost new and has been fully serviced and tuned.

New bushings, J-Wire cleaned, all pots and switches cleaned. All pots changed to Prophet knobs. White noise fixed, external audio input fixed so that it does not distort at normal levels.

Sounds VERY Pro-One!"

Love the look of the metal Prophet-5 knobs over the original plastic. It gives the synth a more robust look. Made me think of Synthwood's wooden case for the Pro-One. JJ Abrams had his done. :) You'll also find a white one in the archives.

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Custom Side Panels for The John Bowen Solaris & The Final Production Run?

Gorgeous side panels, custom made by Jean-Pascal. You can reach Jean-Pascal at jppouyet at hotmail.com if you have any questions.

If you have ever been interested in picking up a John Bowen Solaris, now might be the time. They are taking orders for 2018 and it's looking like this will be the final run.

via John Bowen Synth Design:

"Join In With These Owners

What do the following entertainment industry veterans all have in common?

•J.J. Abrams (Alias, Lost, Star Trek, Star Wars 7&9)
•Harry Gregson-Williams (The Martian, all Shrek films, Wolverine)
•Dave Porter (Breaking Bad, The Blacklist)
•Ty Unwin (UK composer for BBC, ITV, TLC and Discovery)
•Matt Johnson (The The)

They all purchased a Solaris! Don’t be left out - get yours ordered today before the last production round is sold out!"

SynthPlex 2019 Pics by John L Rice

"Photos taken at the SynthPlex convention held in Burbank CA March 28th - 31st 2019"

Mouse over and click on the arrows to the left and right to scroll through, or click on any pic to get to the set on Flickr.

---

Bryce still has his jacket! Along with familiar faces in the maker/synth world, you'll spot Depeche Mode's Martin Gore and his wife Kerrilee, Junkie XL, BT, Brian Kehew of the Moog Cookboog, & Mitchel Sigman of Berlin & more.
Update: JJ Abrams is in there as well. I thought I recognized him. Yes, he's into synths. Check out his custom Synthwood Pro-One. He's been mentioned on the site a few other times as well.
Update2: a few more you might recognize, aside from the makers of course: Michael Boddicker, Ellison Wolf of Waveform, Bill Brown, Drew Neumann, and Ed Buller – of Node etc.

If I missed anyone let me know!

Atomic Shadow's Command Center

I just started watching Lost again. An interesting side note is that JJ Abrams is into synths. It's too bad he didn't add any synth related easter eggs in the show.

via @AtomicShadow

"After two days of work, the Command Center is back in operation."

http://www.atomicshadow.com

BBC "Bonger" Analogue Sequencer Oscillator Synth Filter

via this auction

"Not something you're going to see every day - this custom modular rack unit was rescued from a BBC studio. In all honesty I know very little about it other than what I can tell from looking at it, and I have not tested it as I don't have the Neutrik mains connector required to power it up (these are available on eBay though). This custom-made box consists of 4 modules.

From left to right:
* The first, main module, appears to be a 4 step sequencer with variable rate, hold, and reset controls. If you remove the 4 black covers beneath are potentiometers for adjusting each of the 4 frequencies.
* Next: Envelope shaper with on-off control
* Third module is a low pass filter.
* Finally a very high quality BBC PS2/13D/599 dual rail power supply.

On the side of the machine is a Neutrik mains connector and two jack sockets (possibly GPO jack).

An internal sticker indicates that the unit was known as the "Bonger" - which may well be descriptive of the kind of sound it produces.

I have no idea what this unit was designed for but it could well be an interesting addition to the analogue synthesists arsenal."

The note and the design remind me of something out of J. J. Abrams' Lost.

Sold For: GBP 182.77

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"ARP2-D2" ARP2600 PATCH TUTORIAL BY KIP KUBIN

"ARP2-D2" ARP2600 PATCH TUTORIAL BY KIP KUBIN from Kip Kubin on Vimeo.

"With all the excitement around the announcement of JJ Abrams directing and his Bad Robot team helping out on the upcoming Star Wars episode 7 I decided to try do my best Ben Burtt impression and attempt an R2-D2 robot patch.

You will need Tiptop Audio stackable patch cables to make the patch. If you don't have any yet, go buy some, they are SO important to bring new dimensions to your patches.

PS: Sorry for the bad pun name."

Click here for previous posts in the series.

Red Bull Radio FIRESIDE CHAT Dave Smith

via Red Bull Radio

"The father of MIDI and inventor of the Prophet-5 synth has quietly shaped modern music — engineer and musician Dave Smith talks shop.

Dave Smith is an American engineer and musician whose innovations in synthesis have made him a key figure in the history of electronic music. He founded the synthesizer company Sequential, which was responsible for the first–ever commercial polyphonic and microprocessor-controlled synthesizer, the funky-sounding Prophet-5. He also played a central role in developing MIDI technology — he’s known as the father of MIDI. Starting out in the mid¬’70s as a fan of rock & roll, Smith got tuned on to electronics by Wendy Carlos’s Switched-On Bach, and became inspired to explore synthesis more deeply. His inventions can be heard across American popular music, from radical pop and rock acts like Bowie and Talking Heads to film-score composers and directors like John Carpenter and JJ Abrams. In this Fireside Chat, Smith tells stories of growing up in 1960s California, how the mood of the times fueled his imagination and the genesis of the machines that music fans worldwide have come to know and love."