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This excellent documentary looks at how a radical generation of musicians created a new German musical identity out of the cultural ruins of war.

Featured musicians include Tangerine Dream, Kraftwerk, Klaus Schulze and Faust.

You can view the first part above. See the rest on YouTube – while you can. Read more…

Sonic State’s Nick Batt has put together another great review and demo, this time for the Dave Smith Instruments Tetra synthesizer, a new four-voice polyphonic analog synthesizer.

DSI Tetra Features:

• 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)

Batt calls the Dave Smith Tetra synthesizer ” another cracking little synth from DSI.”

See his full review at the Sonic State site.

Here’s the first version of the laser cut and engraved Casper Electronics Drone Lab housing:

Some of the details may change, but the general design is set. An alternate design may be offered which features an extended faceplate with blank space for adding extra control hardware.

The Drone Lab is a 4 voice analog drone synth, rhythm generator and FX processor. It is capable of generating rich, textured soundscapes, hypnotic drones and complex rhythmic sequences.

A complete parts kit & PCB are available for $200.

Atelic

Music by Guy Connelly

This is a motion control test film by DuckEye developed from ‘Iatrogenesis’ created for Rambert Dance Company’s ‘Season of New Choreography’. Read more…

Logidy has introduced the $49.95 UMI3 USB MIDI foot controller.

Description:

The UMI3 features 3 configurable footswitches and an input for an expression pedal, encased in a rugged steel stomp box.

It connects to a Mac or a PC through USB and shows up as a class compliant MIDI device. No driver is required. It is powered through USB. Read more…

If you’ve been intrigued by the Tenori On or the monome, but put off by their prices, you’ll want to check out the Novation Launchpad – which can be used like a monome controller.

The above video demos the Novation Launchpad with MLR. Read more…

OT: Some days, you get Dave Smith Instruments’ Prophet ‘08.

Some days, you get Ableton Live 8.

And some days, you get Two You Tube Videos And A Motherfucking Crossfader, a site that turns your web browser and your favorite YouTube dance tracks a rudimentary DJ setup.

Use the twin search fields to help cue up your next tracks, press play and then start crossfading.

via PranksterDice

Last week, Bleep Labs introduced the Thingamagoop 2 with a teaser at their site.

Now they’ve put together this video showing the Thingamagoop 2 in squelchy action.

The Thingamagoop 2 is a DIY kit that sells for $100. Read more…

This video, via synthjunk, is a celebration of all that is good – with an emphasis on the pure analog electronica power, using classic synths, sequencers and drum machines. Read more…

The MoMA Store is carrying a droolworthy deluxe edition of British musician, producer and visual artist Brian Eno’s Oblique Strategies cards.

This is extra-rare fourth edition of Oblique Strategies.

Thr fourth edition of the Oblique Strategies was produced in 1996. Unlike the 1975, 1978, and 1979 editions of the decks, this version was not commercially available; it was a project undertaken by Peter Norton and his family in conjunction with Brian Eno and published in a limited edition of 4,000 distributed to Peter Norton’s close friends and colleagues.

MoMA is selling the set for $200, which means it’s a pretty special deck of cards.

Yes, I want them and no, I can’t afford them. I’m thinking about saving up for MirlitronOne’s $6 music sequencer, instead.

Details below. Read more…