Yonac Software Minisynth Pro Synth Cake

via Yonac Software

"Check out what our good friend Julie made for us... miniSynth PRO cake!!! I know there has been synth cake, but is this the first iPad synth cake???"

See the synth cake label below for more.

The only thing better than wonky synth cake...

"...is more synth cake!"

And a Roland Jupiter-8 synth cake at that.

via Alex

Synth Cake

flickr by Noise Transmissions
(click for more)

"My girlfriend's sister created this synth cake for my birthday. Modeled loosely off the Yamaha DX7 (which I have but she didn't know that I had), and using marble cake batter, Kit Kats for the black keys, Jolly Ranchers, and some licorice decorations here and there. Visit her site for more cake stuff (she does awesome work): bake-thoven.squarespace.com/notes/2010/1/23/just-sit-at-h..."

Best Wedding Cake EVER!!!

This one in via Jeff:
"can you belive the groom cake I got at my wedding? Don't think i've seen a better synth cake. Someone even tried to play it! feel free to share as long as Kasha's Sugar Art gets credit and Ian "Capital I" says it's ok to share. But i'm sure he doesn't mind at all. But the baker sure deserves credit: www.kashassugarart.com/"

What's funny about this one is I actually saw it in my flickr feed yesterday. I was going to put a post up on how the gnome jumped off and broke that key. The funny thing is I didn't realize it was a cake until Jeff wrote in!!! Glancing at the image I just thought it was a mini with a wonky keyboard. This is definitely one of the best synth cakes I have ever seen. Click on the cake label below for more.

PPG 38 Synth Cake

via Kenneth of thePPGs.com
(click for more)

"As today was my Birthday my wife decided to make me a cake. Man .. I got my first Synth Cake today :-)"

Happy Birthday Kenneth!

Lucky man. :)

@alicebell's synth cake

via @alicebell

licorice and kit kats

"Cake shaped like a synthesiser. Like to think my Dad (who owned at least 6 synths when he died) would have be prou[d]"

via @bengoldacre

See the synth cake label for more.

Torino Synth Clinic 2008 and a Synth Cake

via Francesco

"This [link] is a report of the first Turin Synth Clinic with some Foto. One of this are a Synth cake made by DanaeL (www.danael.name)"

In Googlish: link
"It ended a few days ago the first Torino Synth Clinic organized by Noisecollective. Si è trattato di un corso pilota per tastare il terreno, per capire quanta gente potesse essere interessata e per valutare se pensare per il futuro a qualcosa di più corposo... This was a pilot course to feel the ground, to understand how people could be involved and to assess whether thinking for the future to something more substantial ... beh, direi che i risultati ci sono stati e stiamo già pensando a nuovi corsi. Well, I would say that the results were there and we're already thinking about new courses. Per adesso eccovi un report della due giorni. For now here is a report of two days."

DSI Tempest Synth Cake

This one in via tj milian

"Brad's birthday cake"

See the Synth Cake label below for more.

manSEDANse Roland TB-303 Cake - Inside and Out

via Hanna Klén:
"We organize an electronic music festival, manSEDANse here in Finland and have gotten in to the habit of baking a cake each year for our guests, artist's and crew's enjoyment! This year we took up the TB-303, since our line-up featured some seriously awesome acid. I have wanted to make a 303 cake for a while but always thought it would be too challenging.

It wasn't easy, I can tell you that, but it turned out pretty great and it was delicious! We dyed the cake green inside, and filled it with mango curd, to get the circuit board feeling...

The cake measured 30cm x 60cm and was completely hand made, by Hanna and Wilhelmiina."

Be sure to see the synth cake below for more, and of course check out manSEDANse.

A Kraftwerkian Wedding, Complete with Synth Cake

via the Tampa Bay Times where you'll find more pics and the write-up. No mention of the synth case or synths though.

"David Sanborn reads his vows to Jennifer Huber during their Kraftwerk themed wedding on Wednesday January 4, 2016 at Ella’s Americana Folk Art Cafe in Seminole Heights. Kraftwerk is a German electronic music band that was formed in 1970 in Dusseldorf. MONICA HERNDON | Times"

How cool is that?!

As you can see below, the synth cake was a white ARP Oddyssey.

P.S., there have only been two previous synth related wedding posts. Unfortunately the video for one is missing.

Rosen Sound Synth Demos & Restorations

Published on Jul 28, 2018 Rosen Sound

This one in via Soviet Space Child.

www.rosensound.com/rentals

Playlist:
1. Oberheim OB-X - Rosen Sound Demo

The OBX was the first major "answer" to the Prophet 5 synthesizer, and at least in our opinion, was the best answer anyone could've given.

The OB-X is based on the basic design of the (S)ynthesizer (E)xpander (M)odule also from Oberheim. Like the SEM, it features two discreet VCO's with saw and pulse, two envelopes, and the low pass section of the SEM filter. It also added noise, a release control, and cross modulation (similar to the Prophet's cross mod). The prophet's cross mod was a bit more dynamic, though. A flexible LFO section is also featured.

None the less, the OBX is in a species all of it's own in many ways. It's one of the very few mostly discreet programmable polyphonic synthesizers, and more than that spec, it sounds unique and absolutely marvelous.

Our unit features encore midi

Book your rental package with Rosen Sound and see the rest of our synth catalog at www.rosensound.com/rentals

2. Moog Minimoog - Rosen Sound Demo

3.SCI Prophet 5 - Rosen Sound Demo

In a lot of ways this needs no introduction. One of the most iconic poly synths ever made, and the first synth to offer true programmability with polyphonic architecture.

The Prophet 5 offers your basic amenities in a poly synth with 5 voices each with 2 VCO's, a low pass VCF, a VCA, two EG's, one LFO with multiple wave shapes available, with POLY MOD as the icing on the cake. This lets you make FM type sounds and is part of what makes the prophet 5 unique.

Our unit features factory midi

4. Oberheim Four Voice - Rosen Sound Demo

This in our opinion is one of the finest synthesizers ever made in terms of overall sound. The features are of course many and the synth as a whole is very flexible and powerful, but the sound it outputs is nothing short of mesmerizing.

The FVS features 4 Synthesizer Expander Modules (SEM) each representing a polyphonic voice. This means for one patch, each SEM must be setup identically. This may seem like too much, but it's actually a very enjoyable process that causes you to think different about the patch your making, the polarity of your modulation per voice, and subtle differences you can set.

The synth can also be used in a powerful unison mode, allowing each SEM to be adjusted separately for a crazy 4x dual oscillator synthesizer each with a multi mode filter to be fired at once.

Each SEM is as or more powerful than your standard mono synth, featuring 2 oscillators with saw and pulse each, PWM, FM, 1 LFO, two EG's, a bi-polar filter modulation control, and the sweetest Oberheim filter ever made featuring a bandpass filter and a sweepable LP-HP filter. These filters are special in the way that when the resonance is turned up, there is no loss of volume or low end.

Additionally, our FVS is an early model with no programmer (a feature loathed by many anyway). Instead, it features 2 dual mini sequencers with a common clock available. This means you can do 8-step 4 note poly sequencing between the four SEM's, or split the keyboard with one sequencer playing 1 SEM and 3 note chords on the other side of the keyboard.

Functionally, our FVS is very much in tune and has been stabilized to survive travel and tuning consistency. It is in tune as soon as it's turned on, and we provide a quick start guide for our rental customers to learn how to easily program and tune the machine.

Our FVS also features MIDI in via a modified YARN's module installed inside. This allows through basic midi and if desired (more complicated) midi scripts to play it polyphonically (default on boot), sequence each SEM assigned to a separate channel (enabling MPE), or played in Unison. All of these features can be harnessed by utilizing SYSEX or the Yarns editor, all which is provided on a thumb drive for rentals.

5. Moog Memorymoog - Rosen Sound Demo

To start, let's forget the internet-lore or an "unreliable" and "impossible to tune" machine. Our service shop is known worldwide for our work on Memorymoogs and stabilizing them for real production use.

Now, let's introduce you to (what we consider) the pinnacle of Moog synthesizers. With 3 oscillators + ladder filter per voice, flexible and intuitive modulation, and a knob per function, the Memorymoog is not a force to be reckoned with, and is in what we consider to be the top 3 best sounding synthesizers ever made.

From lush pads, 18 oscillator unison leads, heavy bass, and even gentle timbres, the memorymoog is sure to be a staple piece for your session in any genre on music. Plus it has everyones favorite feature: an arpeggiator!

Our rental memorymoog will arrive with an expression pedal and 12 custom patches (87-99) made by our resident in house programmer, Eli Goss. These 12 patches are the juice that will fuel modern productions to achieve sounds unobtainable by any other synth, with plugins not even worth a mention.

6. Oberheim OB8 - Rosen Sound Demo

One of our staple synths in the collection. The lore of the OB8 is that it's a less-exciting OBXa, however, with some choice mod's which we've done to ours, they are sonically identical.

The OB8 is one of the most flexible synthesizers available, which includes deep LFO routing from the front panel, and a PAGE 2 function that transforms every knob and button on the synth to do even deeper modulation, including quantized LFO's, musical "OBXA" style detuning, envelope routing, and more.

Additionally, our OB8 has been fitted with a Pratt & Read keybed, which brings the true feel of American poly synths to the experience, while also having the amenities provided by the B5 EPROM including factory midi.

7. Sequential Circuits Prophet 10 - Rosen Sound Demo

The Prophet 10 is more than just 2 Prophet 5's in one box; featuring an active EQ per voice, deeper modulation, and more performance capabilities with it's dual manuals and CV pedal inputs. This prophet 10 also features midi in and out.

8. Oberheim Four Voice Sequence

You could do an entire score with this #oberheimfourvoice. With quad poly sequencing and split modes the sky is the limit. Available for rent through us! Contact us for rates and availability. And yes, it has midi!

9. Prophet 5 Rev 3 Restoration

10. Juno 106 Multiboard removal

11. Juno 106 80017A Chip Failure - What To Check

In this video I go over a couple things to check not only to see if your 80017A chips are failing, but also other potential failures of the juno, including failure of one of the MC5534A dual DCO chip.

This video also applies to other models, such as the MKS 30, HS 60, GR 700 and some others.

If you would like Rosen Sound to service your Juno, please contact us at contact@rosensound.com

Half Rack Synth Demos by Digithalis

Published on Sep 4, 2018 Digithalis

A few demos in via Digithalis. Yes, the Miditech Pianobox is not a half rack, consider it extra. :)

Playlist:

1. Korg 05R/W Synthesizer Sounds (Demo)
2. Kurzweil Micropiano Sounds (Demo)
3. Miditech Pianobox Mini Sounds

Additional details on each:

CLICK FOR MORE »

Minimoog Synth Cake

via Moog Music Inc. on Facebook

"Happy Minimoog Monday!

Love,
Your friends at Moog.

Click here to celebrate 10 years of the Minimoog Voyager"

See the Synth Cake label below for more.

Piston Honda Cake

via Gary Leder on Facebook

"i would feel bad eating this one....here's to a noisy birthday weekend."

Follow-up to this post.

Talk about having your synth and eating it too. If you like this one, check out the Maths cake here, and of course check out the Synth Cake label below for more.

Roland TR-808 Synth Cake

via @dyLABs

Be sure to see the Synth Cake label below for more.

Make Noise Maths Synth Cake

via mattech on Muff's

"all i can say is, "wow"!

made by my colleague John's wife, who used to work at a cake place called Slattery's in Manchester which made the Beckhams' wedding cake.

awesome!!"

Note it's MATTS for Matt on the cake.


This one in via Tom Whitwell.

Yamaha CS5 Synth Cake

flickr By Pil and Galia Kollectiv

"based on the Yamaha CS5"

Check out the Synth Cake label below for more.

Interview with Hexfix93 of VAC

The following is an interview I just wrapped up with hexfix93 of Velvet Acid Christ. As you know, this site is about the gear, namely synths, and the gear that helps drive and enhance synths, but ultimately the focus is on synths.

I was chatting a bit with hexfix93 and asked him if he would be interested in a slightly different take on an interview, one focused on synths and their impact to his world. We all have our story regarding how our obsession with synths first started, how we see and approach synths and what they mean to us. I thought it would be interesting to hear his story. The following is the interview.

Before it begins, I want to thank hexfix93 for taking the time out for this. We all have a different approach and a different story when it comes to our synths. This is his. For more of his music check out VAC and don't miss Toxic Coma. Cheers, matrix.


1. What was your first synthesizer, how old were you when you picked it up, and why did you pick it up?

"It was some kind of old yamaha cheap thing. i got it for my atari st, so when i played games like leisure suit larry that the music wouldn't come from the wimpy fm built in sound, but a general midi synth instead. it really didn't sound all that great. i wasn’t really a keyboard player at this point.

The first synth i got as a keyboard player was a roland w30 sampler workstation. And we made like 3 records with that keyboard. i remember gary slaughter an x vac member, spilled orange vodka drink on it. and i had to take it apart and clean every part of it by hand slowly, it took weeks. it was a pure nightmare.

CLICK FOR MORE »

MATRIXSYNTH Review and Overview of the Novation UltraNova

Hi everyone, you might remember, back in July I posted some pics of my newly acquired UltraNova, and mentioned that review posts would eventually follow. Well, I’m happy to tell you the first post is here. The UltraNova is one powerful synth, so to make the overall review a bit more consumable, it will be broken up over time. This first section includes an Overview, the Oscillators, and the Mixer sections. When new sections go up, I will be sure to let you know via a new post.

As with most of my reviews, I will say this one goes pretty deep into the synth engine and all editable parameters. If you are the type of person that likes to dissect and explore all of the available parameters on a synth, then this post is for you. I will touch on what each parameter does and will call out any interesting features and limitations as I do so. There are some pretty special parameters on the UltraNova that give you control beyond most other synths. Hopefully this review will give you some insight into what makes the UltraNova special.

Overview & Quick Comparison to Previous Nova Synths

The Novation UltraNova, released back in 2010, is a 20 voice virtual analog & wavetable synth with three oscillators, two ring modulators and one noise source per voice. The UltraNova also features two audio ins that can be assigned to the oscillator section and/or a 12-band vocoder. It’s worth noting that the Novation Nova from 1999 featured a 40-band vocoder, while the Supernova II from 2000 featured a 42-band vocoder. The UltraNova is a monotimbral synth while the 12 voice Nova was six part multitimbral and the Supernova II (24, 36, or 48 voice) was eight part multitimbral. The UltraNova supports up to 5 simultaneous effects per patch. The Nova supported 42 simultaneous effects, while the Supernova II supported up to 56. The Supernova II also supported FM synthesis while the Nova and UltraNova omit it.

The UltraNova, however, is the first Nova synth to feature wavetable synthesis. An interesting side note is that all of the oscillators on the UltraNova are actually stored as wavetables, including the standard waveforms. According to Novation, “The wavetables in the Supernova series are all calculated. The wavetables in the UltraNova, even the standard analogue waves are wavetable oscillators. This change in oscillator generation was first used on the A-Station and K-Station and subsequently in the KS series, X-Station and Xio.” This allows the UltraNova to have some advanced tricks when it comes to the oscillator section, which will be covered in detail below.

I asked Novation about the lack of FM synthesis and they told me, “FM would have been a lovely addition to the UltraNova, but it would have been asking too much of the DSP to be able to run everything the UltraNova can do and also add in FM. The wavetables were a really good way to introduce a new (to Novation) type of synthesis that is able to cater for some of the synth sounds that FM is known for and also to be able to create lush evolving pads.”

The UltraNova features two routable filters per voice with a total of 14 filter types to chose from including 6dB (no resonance), 12dB, 18dB, and 24dB with Lowpass, Bandpass and Hi-pass modes. The Nova and Supernova II lacked a 6dB mode.

As for hardware, although the UltraNova may have fewer knobs per function than its predecessors, it is extremely well laid out and super intuitive to use. Along with both keyboard velocity and aftertouch, the UltraNova has touch sensitive knobs. They literally respond to touch and can be assigned to various parameters. Worth noting, velocity is configurable, however, aftertouch is not. I found the aftertouch to be good, but it does require a little extra force than I prefer; it’s good for not accidentally triggering it, but not so good for subtle, natural performance.

Please note the above comparisons with the Nova and Supernova II were only for quick reference. The UltraNova of course is its own synth with a few tricks up its sleeves that are lacking in the original Nova line, including a level of control over the synth engine often only found in the modular realm. It sounds incredible, and for the price, currently only $599 new, it is an extremely flexible and powerful synth. You get the current top-of-the-line Novation Nova synth engine with new wavetables and more. The UltraNova is both a performance oriented synth as well as a synth programmers dream. It can be configured for easy access to specific parameters for a live situation, or you can dig as deep as you want with a clearly well thought out interface.

That said, let’s dig in.

The following review and overview will essentially go over the signal flow of the UltraNova followed by performance controls including the arpeggiator and the hardware interface. I’ll go into a little detail on what each feature can and cannot do in an attempt to give you a detailed idea of what the synth is capable of. Because my reviews tend to be a bit on the longer side, I will be posting the sections in chunks over time to make it easier on you to consume and for me to compose.

First we start with…

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Roland System 100 Synth Cake

via Haricots

Also posted on Muff's.

"In the tradition of synth geeks posting their birthday cakes I'd like to add my 40th bday cake that my wife got for me. Pretty cool mini System 100ish synth!"