MATRIXSYNTH


Tuesday, January 31, 2006

Metasonix TM-6 Filter


Samples and thoughts via Michael Weeks. Thanks Michael!

"Overall impressions of the filter: I don't have any experience with the TM-2 Filter, so I can't make direct comparisons. This is the same filter basically as what is in the new S-1000 Wretch Machine synth, but in a standalone case and with an additional CV input for Resonance. The CV controls are ALOT of fun, and the filter responds very well to every source I've tried through it.

It's character is DEFINITELY different, there is a sort of "huh, never heard that before" quality to the sound and the resonance, and the filter types really do offer up a rediculously wide (and, dare I say, close to conventional?) amount of tone shaping.

Overall it's been a blast having it here to do audio demos with - I love me some filters, and have abused a sherman filterbank for a number of years now. Overall this thing is a fun fun fun box with a very unique sound, but not as alien as some other Metasonix boxes. Worth demoing for an hour or so :D

Here's some audio demos of the Metasonix TM-6 filter (also up on the product page http://metasonix.com/index.php?opti...id=31&Itemid=62

Run a Guitar through it
http://thewretch.com/tm6_demos/TM_6_GuitarDemo.mp3
Ibanez artcore, run through the TM-6 using the Moog CP251 to send an LFO to control the CV

Run Drumloops through it
http://thewretch.com/tm6_demos/TM_6_DrumDemo.mp3
Drumsamples overdriven and run through the TM-6, tweaking throughout

Run a Synth through it
http://thewretch.com/tm6_demos/TM_6_SequenceDemo.mp3
Mam MB33 sequenced by Future Retro Mobius, overdriven through the filter and tweaked throughout

Michael Weeks
www.endmusik.com"

Video Synthesis Pioneer Nam June Paik Passes Away at Age 74


Title link takes you to his official site. Also do an image search for his name to see more of his amazing work. Click here for an article in Synapse that mentions his influence on Steve Rutt.

Samplebase Looking for Sound Designers

I know some of you can do this without blinking. Title link takes you there. Via Analog Industries.

Doppelgangers of the Synth World

I kind of knew there was a huge organ fan base out there with the likes of Michael Leicher. As Mathew states below, they are indeed just as insanely obsessive as us. What's interesting is Wendy Carlos made the move to organs. Title link takes you to the transformation of her studio. As an aside, there recently was an auction on the Seattle Craiglist for a Minimoog for $350 by a guy that stated he was more into organs. The post has been pulled and I haven't heard back from my inquiry. Anywhoo... More organ links below. Thanks Mathew!



"You should check out what Theatre Organ hobbyists are doing.

They're insane, like us. :)

http://theatreorgans.com/
http://www.artisan-instruments.com/riac.html
http://www.virtualorgan.com/RunScript.asp?p=ASP%5CPg0.asp
http://www.otheroom.com/namm/techno.html

FWIW, the only reason I know anything about this theatre organ
business is because it is Wendy's current obsession.

http://www.wendycarlos.com/wurlynew/rhwing.JPG


details here:

http://www.wendycarlos.com/wurlynew/index.html#before"

Roland SH-5 - New Flickr Shots

Title link takes you to more.

Vintage Georges Jenny's ONDIOLIN

You don't see these every day. Title link takes you to shots pulled from this auction. Notes below in French and then translated to English via Google. More on the Ondioline on 120 Years. Via Music Thing.



"Tres rare Ondioline de Georges jenny, premier synthe analogique, conception de la fin des annees 30 Modele probablement apres guerre, complet et d' origine, a remettre en ordre et en etat: celui çi s'allume mais les sons sont difficilement cernables; de plus , il semble y avoir un probleme avec le commutateur de volume au genou A SAISIR. . ."

"Very rare Ondioline of George Jenny, first synthe analogical, design of the end of the Thirties Model probably after war, complete and of origin, has to give in order and state: that çi ignites but the sounds are difficult to identify; moreover, it seems y to have a problem with the switch of volume to the knee TO SEIZE. ."

Moog Sound 2000 - New Flickr Shot

Silver Shiny Things on GetLoFi

I haven't put up a post on GetLoFi in a while. Title link takes you to one which includes this interesting looking DIY Synth which utilizes an 8038 waveform generator and some OP-Amps for filtering.

Evollulaby MEK Sample by Stefan Trippler

Title link takes you to a 1.9M mp3 of the Dave Smith MEK by Stefan Trippler.

Hugging the Moog

Too funny. Title link takes you to the original post. Grabbing it here just in case this one dissapears. It's too goog to lose.



"Hugging the moog.

So here I am.

A Brand new Moog synthesizer. It is black with lights, and bob moogs signature. (you make music with it, and weird sounds)

I am about to enjoy myself, and have friends over for a chill out. I then make a bad choice of eating mushrooms. Ya know, it always seems like a fun thing thing to do. Then all of a sudden, it becomes too much to handle. You start to get paranoid, and do stupid shit.

Well I am in the habit of doing a lot of stupid shit on mushrooms. For some reason, the logic of locked doors did not exist, nor did I realize that you could keep things in your apartment locked, and away from someones reach. Even though my friends left and I was still alone, I felt that it was very necessary to keep the moog next to me while I went to sleep.

So I go up stairs, grab my moog from the studio, and carry it to my bedroom. Both hands hugged around it like I am carrying a girl to my bed. I place it next to the bed on the floor between the window, and myself. So there I am sleeping with one hand touching the moog.

I wake up the next day, looking at my moog thinking WTF was going on in my head.

Mushrooms have to be the most sadomasticistic drug in the universe. It's comparable to jumping out of an airplane. At first you are like Wow, this is great..... we are going up into the sky, in a plane.

Then you look out ready to jump, and you do jump! squirt your pants, dribble some wiz, or scream like a fairy princess.

Either way you fall fast. Very fast. You panic. Then the chute opens, and that feeling of relief fills your body. The same relief you get from coming down on mushrooms. Knowing that you are going to be ok, and that introspective mind fuck is over.

:)"

Moog Voyager Emulating Moog Taurus 1

Michael Caloroso recently posted the following on AH. I aksed him if it would be ok to post it here for people not on AH and he said go for it. Here it is. Enjoy.

"Moog Voyager get pretty damn close, better than Moog Source. I cloned the "Taurus" preset on my Taurus I pedals. Simple dual ramp waveforms with unequal mix levels for minimal phase cancellations, just like the original. No waveshaping. mp3 and Voyager patch provided. Watch the word wrap.

http://www.retrosynth.com/~analoguediehard/studio/keyboards/moog_voyager/taurus-pedal-voyager.mp3

http://www.retrosynth.com/~analoguediehard/studio/keyboards/moog_voyager/taurus-pedal.syx

If you wanna hear meaty waveshaping in action:

http://www.retrosynth.com/~analoguediehard/studio/keyboards/moog_voyager/isthereanybody.mp3

MC"

Prophet V Video on Sonic State

Title link takes you there. The guy giving the demo uses a CME keyboard controller.

PSP Sequencer

Via CDM.



File Description
Ethan has released his PSPSeq. PSPSeq is a port of the basic synthesis environment he wrote for the ADSP-218x, with a simple UI. Details from the readme:

usage of PSPSeq

when none of the action buttons (x, o, square, triangle) are pressed, the
directional keys are used to move either one step left/right, or up/down one
track. pushing the analog stick to the left or right moves the active
step to either step 0, 8, 16, or 24; whichever is closer in whatever direction
the stick is moved.

when x is pressed, this enables the trigger and volume functionality. moving
the analog stick up/down increases and decreases the likelyhood that this track
will retrigger. a trig of 100 means that this track will always retrigger when
the sequencer reaches that hit, while a trig of 50 means there is a 50% chance
of a retrigger and a 50% chance of the hit not occuring. moving the analog
stick left/right decreases or increases the volume of this particular hit.

when triangle is pressed, this enables configuration of a single parameter for
the hit and the left/right panning of the track. moving the analog stick to
the left/right controls the panning on the track. note that panning is a global
parameter; all hits on a track have the same pan value. moving the analog stick
up/down controls the unqiue parameter value for each track. these parameters
are customizable for each hit on a track. these values are as follows:

BD0:
SFREQ: starting frequency of the squarewave bass drum

BD1:
SFREQ: starting frequency of the trianglewave bass drum

HH0:
SAMPHOLD: number of samples to hold before a new sample is outputted

HH1:
SAMPHOLD: number of samples to hold before a new sample is outputted

HH2:
SAMPHOLD: number of samples to hold before a new sample is outputted

HH3:
SAMPHOLD: number of samples to hold before a new sample is outputted

HH4:
FILTFREQ: cutoff point for lowpass filter. 0-100 indicates maximum
frequency range, DC to nyquist

HH5:
FILTFREQ: cutoff point for lowpass filter. 0-100 indicates maximum
frequency range, DC to nyquist

SQ0:
FREQ: frequency of square wave

SQ1:
FREQ: frequency of square wave

if a track already has one trigger point in it and the current selected step has
never had any trigger/volume data written to it, it will assume the
characteristics of the previous initialization in this track.

pressing the o button controls the tempo of the loop. moving the analog stick
to the right slows the tempo while moving it to the left increases the tempo.

installation of PSPSeq

the zip file PSPSeq000.zip contains two main subdirectories; 1.0 and 1.5. if
you are using firmware 1.0 copy EBOOT.PBP from this directory onto your memory
stick and execute it like you would any other PBP file. for firmware revision
1.5, copy the PSPSEQ and PSPSEQ% directories to the /PSP/GAME/ directory on
your memory stick.

Aliens Project Toy of the Month - Macbeth M5

Title link takes you there. Via the awesome Moogulator.

Korg X50 Video and Impressions on One Blue Monkey

Title link takes you there. Video link is right under the date, under the title.

The Muse

Title link takes you to shots pulled from this auction. Notes from the auction below. Via David. Thanks David!



"14 trillion musical note combinations

It has been claimed that the Triadex Muse was the first digital device for making music. The original Muse was designed by Edward Fredkin, now at Carnegie-Mellon; and Marvin Minsky ( http://web.media.mit.edu/~minsky/ ), now at the M.I.T. Media Lab; in the late 1960's.

The Muse is a music composer machine or digital
synthesizer and melody composer, involving early
logic modules in a unique circuit that allows the
possibility of 14 trillion musical note combinations.

Manufacturer: Triadex Inc., Brookline, Massachusetts
Inventors: Edward Fredkin and Marvin Minsky
Original Price: $249

The Muse is an algorithmic music generator: it uses digital logic circuits to produce a sequence of notes based on the settings of various parameters. The four small sliders in the lower-left control Volume, Tempo, Pitch, and Fine Pitch. The switches to either side are used to start and stop the sequence, or to step through it note-by-note.

Of the eight larger sliders on the right, four control the musical intervals used (labeled A, B, C, and D), and four control the theme (labeled W, X, Y, and Z). A rest can be substituted for the lowest note by flipping a toggle switch. The exact logic behind the composition engine is rather technical, and not exactly intuitive. The tempo clock can be slaved to that of another Muse, allowing for multi-part compositions.

Their patent abstract of this electronic music composer reads as follows:

In the apparatus disclosed herein, a note generator is controlled by a long term, quasi-periodic function which is in turn generated by applying digital feedback in preselected combinations around a digital register. The register comprises means for holding a plurality of bits of digital information in a given order, e.g. a shift register or counter, the held information being changeable according to a predetermined pattern in response to input signals applied thereto. Digital feedback is provided by applying to the register at least one input signal which is obtained according to a preselectable or adjustable code from bits of information obtained from various points in the register itself. The apparatus thus, in effect, composes music as distinguished from merely synthesizing sound.

It is not known exactly how many Muses were made, but they are very rare, and were not available in stores."

Monday, January 30, 2006

PSP OS 2.6 Hack is Out

Looks like PSP OS 2.6 has been hacked by Fanjita. What does this mean to us? PSPRhythm of course!

Update: Via PSPRhythm: "It is good to go! I heard some people tested it and 3.0 works. The eLoader Fanjita wrote for the 2.01, 2.5 and 2.6 firware require the game grand theft auto to run, so if you have that check out pspupdates.com or fanjita.org and get the loader!"

Super Mario Brothers Flash Based Synth


Nice. Create Digital Music has a post up on a Flash based Super Mario Brothers synth. Title link takes you there.

More NAMM 2006 Videos on Sonic State

Title link takes you to the full list of Sonic State videos. The following just added:

NAMM06: Moogerfooger Launch Bass Version Of MuRF (video)
NAMM06: Alesis Fusion New Voices (video)
NAMM06: Korg Radias Full Video Demo (video)

Musechnologist: Synthesizer Patel


Ok, first of all this is not me. Second his favorite color is green, so we do have that in common. Third, check out the towel rack! All synths should have this! Fourth, I wonder if that "Mini-Trelm 'Green-key' 800" functional, because if it is, I want one. Title link takes you there.

Moog Taurus Shots

Title link takes you to shots pulled from this auction.

DMX Krew Studio

Update: Inteview Link on Gutterbreakz sent my way via Hans Visser. Thanks Hans!

Title link takes you to a new synth site by edmx. The design is intuitive in that you click on an image set to get to that gear page. Once on that page you can click on an instrument to get to that instrument's page. The instrument page has a load of info and samples. Cool design. Thanks edmx!

Korg MicroX Video on Blue Monkey

Title link takes you there. The video link is right under the title and date.

Faderfox

Interesting knob boxes for Live and Traktor. With Live I'm guessing you can engage its MIDI learn function and assign any knob, button or fader to any MIDI controllable parameter. Note that this image shows a number of controllers linked together. You actually purchase separate units with different interfaces and then hook them up as you like. Via Moogulator.

Roland System 100 M-181 Keyboard

1v/Oct unit designed for System-100 Analog Modular Synthesizer. Title link takes you to some nice shots pulled from this auction. Note the MOTM format breakout panel in the other shots.

Eric's New Song - Rocking out a Micron

I'm left with images of Eddie Van Halen for some reason. Title link takes you there. Enjoy. Via Shoontz.

Sneakers - Synth Pics

Title link takes you to a post on VSE with some nice synth pics from the film Sneakers. Another movie to add to my list. Guess the synth below. Answer after the hop.

Minimoog, CP-251 and Revolution - New Flickr Shot

Not a bad way to spend some time...

Sunday, January 29, 2006

Moog 15 Modular Shots

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

this auction.

"This model 15 comes with:

(1) 907a fixed filter bank
(1) 995 group of 3 attenuators
(1) 904=A Voltage control low pass filter
(2) 902 VCAs
(2) 911 envelope generators
(1) 921 VCO
(1) 923 Hi pass & low pass filter bank with pink and white noise source.
(2) 921B slave oscilators
(1) 921A oscillator driver
(1) bottom section includes mixer, mults, reversable attenuators, trigger outputs, control outs."

Orgon Modular

Title link takes you to shots pulled from this auction. Acution notes below.



"Orgon Systems Enigiser Modular Synthesizer

This is 1 of only 6 pre-production synthesizers hand built by Geoff Waterston. Also features modules that were never commercially released.

Consisting of 21 modules based around the amazing Orgon Systems Enigiser
3 X Voltage Controlled Oscillators

Rock stable design. No temperature drift. Excellent scaleaccuracy-upto 10 octaves.
Unique, rich and powerful sound quality.
Able to hold a true zero beat for hours.
Coarse and fine tune controls.
Sawtooth, sine, triangle and PWM waveform outputs.
Exceptionally accurate 1 volt per octave tracking. (0v to 10v).
Exponential modulation input.
Linear FM input
Pulsewidth modulation input (0% to 100% duty cycle).
PWM Shape control (0% to 100% duty cycle).
Oscillator sync (Absolutely awsome sounding!)

1 X Enigiser Filter
Variable multipole filter design unique to Orgon Systems.
Taken directly from the Orgon Systems Enigiser Synthesizer.
Voltage Controlled Resonance
2 X signal inputs
2 X control voltage inputs (filter frequency).
1 X resonance control voltage input.
25 switchable filter responses!!
6 dB oct lowpass
12 dB oct lowpass
18 dB oct lowpass
24 dB oct lowpass
Phase shifter 1
6 dB oct highpass
6 dB oct bandpass
12 dB oct bandpass
18 dB oct bandpass
Phase shifter and bandpass
6dB notch
6 dB lowpass scattered poles
12 dB lowpass scattered pole
18 dB lowpass scattered pole
Narrow phase shift

2 X Voltage Controlled Amplifier with Log & Lin Response
High spec VCA with logarithmic & linear switchable responses.
2 signal inputs with gain controls.
2 control voltage inputs with gain controls.
Initial gain control.
Will work with audio and control voltages (AC or DC).


1 X Multimode VCF
Orgon Systems take on the classic state variable filter.
Fully resonant to oscillation.
4 simultaneous outputs (lowpass, highpass, bandpass & notch).
2 signal inputs with gain controls.
2 control voltage inputs with gain control (cutoff frequency).
Cutoff and resonance controls.
Extremely Fat and energetic sounding filter.

6 X ADSR Envelope Generator
Ultra fast response <1ms
Full ADSR response
Gait input & gait through sockets
Manual trigger button
Attack state gate output with led (useful for gate delays or multi-stage envelopes)
Decay state gate output with led (useful for gate delays multi-stage envelopes)

Release state gate output (useful for gate delays multi-stage envelopes)

3 x Dual LFO
0.001 Hz to 300 Hz
2 rate controls
2 rate led's
2 shape controls (pulsewidth & ramp up triangle ramp down)
2 square / pulse outputs
2 triangle / ramp outputs

1 x Noise Generator
White, red, pink & blue outputs

1 x Mixer
4 signal or control voltage inputs
Works with AC or DC
Output level control

1 x Wave Animator
This design is unique to Orgon Systems and allows control of positive & negative waveshapes with clipping & offset manipulation. You can also subtract the output signal from the original input signal.
Drive control (controls the amount of clipping)
Positive & negative shape controls (controls the amount of waveform clipping & offset)
Offset CV (controls wave symmetry with a bi-polar control voltage)
Subtracts the output signal from the original input signal.
This unique module is very hard to sum up in words as it treads into sonic territory not discovered before! Hearing really is believing. Can actually make 1 oscillator sound like 3 or turn a sign wave into a square wave and pulsewidth modulate it at the same time or chop the top off triangle waves and subtract them from the original signal. You get the idea anything is possible.

1 x Multi Connection
3 rows of 5 multi connections

RC-1324 Bus Converter



"Converts 13-Pin Signals to 24-Pin Format and Expands Synthesizer Controls

  • Incorporates circuitry and design concepts by GR-300 authority Mark Smart!

  • Use any Modern Roland-Ready, GK-1, GK-2/GK-2A, GK-3, or RMC equipped guitar to play any Vintage, 24-pin Roland Guitar Synthesizer

  • Complete Vintage 24-Pin Synth Controls recreated on the front panel, including Pitch Bend, Mode Switch and More!

  • Tested for use with the Roland GR-100, GR-300, GR-700, GM-70, Ibanez MC1 and the Korg Z3

  • Unique Built-In Hex Fuzz adds G-303/G-808 Style Hex Fuzz with Separate Output

  • Front Panel Hex Fuzz Filter Switch for Normal or Bright Tone

  • Works with Roland US-20 Unit Selector for Multiple Synthesizer System

  • Foot Pedal Control over Vibrato/LFO depth replaces difficult-to-use LFO Touch Pads

  • Adapts standard 13-Pin Synth Volume Control for 24-Pin Synth Volume Control,
  • including Synthesizer/Guitar Balance Control
  • Electronically Buffered Outputs for Volume Controls and Modulation

  • 6 Front Panel Control Knobs for 24-Pin String Output Levels

  • Powered by 24-Pin Synthesizer so there is no need for External Power Supply

  • 2-space, Rack mountable Enclosure with Detachable Rack Ears for Rack mount or Table-Top Operation

  • Laser-Etched, CAD Designed Front Panel"

Roland GK-2a/GR-300 Interface


"One problem with the old Roland guitar synths is that you have to use a Roland synth guitar to play them. Here is a circuit which will allow you to play an old Roland guitar synth from your own guitar with a newer GK-2(a)-style pickup." Title link takes you there.

Prophet64

More tempation to hit some flea markets for an old Commodore 64.

"Prophet 64 is a series of synthesizer software for the Commodore 64. There are currently three editions, all MIDI compatible via DIN-sync (like the 303/606/808 etc) finally making it possible to use the C64 for contemporary music."

PROPHET 64 1.3 STANDARD EDITION

* Real 303 editing
* Joystick or potentiometer (game paddles) control
* Assigned keys for all sound parameters
* Prophet 5 layout
* Constant slide
* Shuffle ("swing")
* Advanced Random Composer (A.R.C.)
* DIN-Sync (SYNC 24) - to synchronize MIDI-sequencers
* Store sounds and patterns on disk or tape

PROPHET 64 TB-EDITION 1.1

* Same features as the standard edition
* Only TB-303 sound parameters
* Aimed at users that only want the TB-303 sound
* Accent

PROPHET 64 TR EDITION 1.0

* Drum machine software
* Classic Rob Hubbard "wave table" sounds right at your fingertips!
* 3 voice polyphony
* 909 style sequencer
* Shuffle
* Step or Tap write patterns
* Tone controls offer full control of the sounds
* 6 tracks, 96 patterns
* Play drum sounds polyphonically on C64 keyboard!
* DIN-Sync

Looks like a sequencer is coming as well.


Title link takes you there. Via C64Music!

NeuroSky

"NeuroSky, a fabless semiconductor/module company, has developed a non-invasive neural sensor and signal processing technology that converts brainwaves and eye movements into useful electronic signals to communicate with a wide range of electronic devices, consoles, and computers."

No mention of MIDI or CV, but if this catches on, I could see it happening. When I was in a band, I used to joke about sitting on a stage and just playing music from our heads. Looks like that day might be coming.

Update: Via Awakened_Yeti in the comments:

"there has already been a few options of brainwave-to-MIDI software available
http://tamw.atari-users.net/brainwav.htm
http://www.ibva.com/"

Torture-Mentale BOSS SYB-3 Sample


If you feel link torturing yourself, title link takes you to a post on VSE with a long sample of the BOSS SYB-3 bass synth pedel.

Synthesizers.com Ratcheting Sample

Yves Usson posted an example of "ratcheting" on the AH list. I asked him if I could put it up. Not only did he say yes, but he sent an image of the patch he created for the sample. Click the image below for the full size shot. Title link takes you to the 540KB sample. His notes below. Thanks Yves!



"This is a 8 note sequence and one note is "ratcheted" every 3 runs.
You will hear this typical TD effect of a note being "machine guned"
once in a while !

For technical detail this sequence was played on C960 DOTCOM
sequencer and the ratchet effect was obtained using a syncrhonized
LFO and a Voltage controlled Switch (Q128)."

Buchla - New Flickr Shots

Title link takes you to a couple more. Fantastic Flickr set in general.

MOTM NAMM 2006 via Synthtopia

Synthtopia has a post up on MOTM and the Analogue Haven booth. Title link takes you there. Also track back when you get there for the rest of their NAMM coverage.

Paul Schreiber of MOTM

Saturday, January 28, 2006

Haken Audio Continuum - Impressions

Paul Sop posted his impressions of the Haken Audio Continuum on the Analog Heaven mailing list. I asked him if it would be ok if I put up a post here for those not on AH. He said go right ahead. Very cool. Title link takes you to some more shots. His thoughts are below. Note that Paul currently has the only white Continuum. Thanks Paul!



"Here are some observations I have on the instrument:

1) Like Hakken says, it takes a long time to learn. I now have nice Sitar music comming out of it. I'd say if you were a keyboard player, it would be harder to learn than if you were a violin, or steel guitar player. It's more like a violin than a keyboard in my opinion.

2) It is >10 finger polyphonic. I think it might be up to 16 finger polyphonic. You can sit on one side of it, and a friend can sit on the other side, and you can both play at the same time. -- WILD

3) There is considerable difference between the Firewire output's capability and MIDI's capability. This is a bit involved, so I'll do this in subsections to this point:
3a) With MIDI, (and I may be a bit wrong about some of this, for I'm still figuring MIDI out on it), you might have, say 10 notes active at the same time. You can set up MIDI on the fingerboard to send out on a single channel, so all 10 notes would be on one channel. If you do that, it is easy to patch to soft synths, BUT any pitch-bend information sent by wiggling a finger back and forth affects ALL the notes.
3b) You can also set up MIDI so that each note is sent on its own channel. This is, of course, better, but I've had a lot of trouble getting softsynths to listen to all channels properly. If you put the softsynth in OMNI mode, it seems the pitchbend problem occurs again. I may have something wrong here, and will figure it out some day I'm sure
3c) If you use the Kyma, these restrictions are gone, as the instrument tracks each finger position (x and y axis) and pressure (z axis) perfectly, and with great finesse.

4) Lippold just released new firmware with a nice legato feature. It's like a fretless device, so if you put your finger down slightly to the left, your sound is slightly lower. That being said, you can also activate pitch rounding, so your initial touch is pitch perfect.

5) I've had great success playing analog gear with the Continuum. Just realize that there is some complexity due to the fact that each finger can have its own pitch-bend, and depending on your MIDI destination's capabilities, you can either have full awesomeness, or tell the fingerboard to make some MIDI compromises. This is all of course, just living with MIDI's issues.

6) Holy the thing rocks when used creatively. I now pretty much use only the fingerboard and a Marimba Lumina, and my music sounds A LOT more fun than it did before. It's hard to describe what you can do with the fingerboard in words. Here are some goofy things I've done with it:

- Map different samples to different pressures, with granulation based on the y axis. This sounds lame, until you realize it's not a keyboard, and you can do things like keep your finger in a single position, and strum up and down with great precision to a beat. So your finger becomes like an LFO. Then you can map the y-axis to a granulator, etc...

- Amazing for plucked guitars: listen to Ed Eagan's stuff on the http://www.hakenaudio.com/Continuum/ website. He shared a lot of his sounds, and it only took about 2 weeks for me to get about 1/2 as good as he is with all those Sitar style sounds.

- It's an awesome ambient sound generator. If you're doing soundtrack style music, you can sort of connect your soul to the fingerboard, and watch your movie, and really capture a lot of emotional gestures that are very workable."

Rhodes Chroma Shots

Title link takes you to shots pulled from this auction.

Check out the black cat in the shot

Michael Hoenig's Oberheim 4 Voice

Title link takes you to shots pulled from this auction. What's interesting is the action claims this to be Michael Hoenig's 4 Voice.



Via Yahoo! Music:
"Hoenig was one of many German composers to emerge from the innovative, electronic underground scene thriving in that country during the '60s and '70s. He first came to recognition in the progressive rock group Agitation Free in the '70s. After a short stint with Tangerine Dream, Hoenig went on to produce what is considered by many to be one of the most important albums to come out of the German electronic school. He has since moved to Los Angeles, where he currently pursues a career as a film composer. ~ Linda Kohanov, All Music Guide"

Via the auction:
"Here it is boys and girls, a one of a kind collector’s item. One of the holy grails of 80’s pop music, the classic Oberheim 4-voice synthesizer with the custom J.L. Cooper trigger mods used on the Tangerine Dream scores and records of the 80’s.
It is available now because Michael Hoenig has moved back to Europe and is liquidating his studio. A certificate of authenticity is available. We do not have the manual for the 4-voice but we do have all paperwork for the Cooper Mods. No Reserve. This is a heavy piece and we strongly suggest that you have this valuable item custom crated and shipped via freight carrier."

Buddies - New Flickr Shots

Make sure to click through for another shot of two Sherman Quad Filterbanks and more.

SYMPTOHM:MELOHMAN SYNTH

I was reading this review of the SYMPTOHM:MELOHMAN SYNTH and decided to check it out. It comes from Ohm Force, the development force behind GMedia's brilliant soft synths like the Minimonsta and Oddity. Title link takes you to the Ohm site with samples. Make sure to check out the review for a users take on the soft synth. And... Check out this skin.

Friday, January 27, 2006

Analog Industries Hardcore Gear P*rn Friday

Title link takes you there.

Boehm Soundlab

Synth Cake with Ondes Martenot

Title link takes you to the post on Music Thing.

AHMW 2006

Via the AH mailing list. Analog Heaven Midwest is coming. I asked Andrew if I could put up a post post and he said blog away! Here you go.

"Its... (cue Monty Python music)

The Analogue Heaven Midwest Getogether 2006 : Saturday March 25

http://www.ph.k12.in.us/~drew/ahmw/


If you're anywhere near Indiana and you like your synths in hardware form,
please join us for what is always a really fun day. Check out the picture
archives if you have any doubts!

Note: there is some *new* info on the page (in red). Please take a look at
it, even if you're an AHMW regular.

Please pass this along to DIY, MOTM, etc. lists!

Andrew, your host"

FORMANTA P-432 Shots

Click here for shots pulled from this auction. Via Alex Thorston. Thanks Alex!



From the auction:
"MANUFACTURED BY FAMOUS POLIVOKS MILITARY PLANT AT KACHKANAR!
BUILT-IN ANALOG CHORUS, VIBRATO AND INCLUDE MIDI (IN, OUT, THRU)
NICE REAL TIME CONTROL - X-Y JOYSTICK, PEDAL (SUSTAIN + VIBRATO)
FOUR VOICE POLYPHONY, 32 PATCHES, UNISON MODE, TUNING
FOR MORE MY DESCRIPTION CLICK HERE

AELITA Shots


Click here for shots and mp3s pulled from this auction.

Via Alex Thorston. Thanks Alex!

From the auction:
"AELITA is a monophonic synthesizer, it has 3 independent OSC's + 3 sub OSC's, 1 LFO, 1VCA with ADSR, VCF with ADSR, chorus and 6-voice unison mode, good modulation functions. Full description and my review here."

POLIVOKS Shots

Title link takes you to shots pulled from this auction. Sent my way via Alex Theakston. Thanks Alex!



Via the auction:
The Polyvox (Polivoks) is a duophonic analog synthesizer, with a 49-note (13F-E) keyboard. It features two VCOs, a noise generator, one LFO, a filter (low-pass and bandpass), and two ADSR envelope generators. VCO1 can be cross-modulated by VCO2. Each ADSR can be switched to auto-trigger, each with independent rates.The sound is quite rich and somewhat harsh and aggressive. This is more of a space-synth. You can be sure that you will have never heard the sounds this one can produce. It sounds like these old Yamaha CS-30's, but then fat filters like in Moogs. It is built like a rock, pure military technology, contacts will last forewer. The body is solid and the knobs feel nice. It runs on 220V AC. Polivoks (Polyvox) is the most popular vintage Russian synthesizer all over the world. It has inimitable peculiar sound and very powerful aggressive filters outperforming the famous Minimoog! A fat, lush and very analogue sound is achieved through instability and thanks to unique architecture of the Soviet-era components; in addition, highly reliable military technologies were applied in the process of production. The synthesizer may be used for hard electronic music, or for soft ambient/old school projects and for modelling various effects as well.

SPECIFICATIONS :
Mains voltage of alternating current, V 220
Power consumption, W max 10
A range of operating temperature, C -10 / +35
Relative generator drift over 4 hours continuous work is within, % max +/- 05
Total musical range overlaped by main generators, Hz 21,8 (F of subcontra octave), + 5274 Hz (E of fifth octave)
Tuning range of the main generators, % min +/- 12 (+/- 1 tone)
Detuning range of the second generator, % min +/- 25 (+/- 2 tone)
Frequency change range of the cutoff frequency of the filter, Hz min 100 + 10000
Dynamic range of the synthesizer, dB min 60
Inlet voltage of the synthesizer in a load 10 kOm
Low output voltage, V 0,025
High output voltage, V 0,25

Dimensions - 780x490x195
Weight - 20.00 kgs

The GypsiMIDI



Sonolog GypsiMIDI. Title link takes you there.
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