analog synthesizers

Blacet, a modular analog music synthesizer manufacturer, has introduced a new module, the BG 2520. The BG is not an audio module, but a module that can be used to monitor levels within a modular system.

The BG is a 20 element LED bar graph display module. It’s designed to take some of the mystery out of what is going on with control voltages and audio levels in your modular setup.

The BG 2520 covers -10V to +10V from DC to audio. A “multiple” of three jacks allows signals to be monitored at the same time that they are being used elswhere in the system.

Blacet expects to release the BG by 1-30-06, but you can save $10 on either kit or assembled versions by preordering (before 12-31-05).

Blacet makes compact voltage-controlled synthesizer modules in both kit and assembled form.

More information is available at the Blacet site.

Reboot Stereophonic is an outgrowth of Reboot, a network which engages some of the most talented young Jewish creatives in the music, film, television, technology, politics, literature and media realms. More importantly, they’ve released Gershon Kingsley’s God is a Moog.

God is a Moog is a double album featuring recordings from 1968 to 1974 in which Kingsley attempted to fuse the machine and the divine, using his creativity, the Moog, and a few Proverbs to record everything from meditations on identity and freedom, to a rock opera for the Sabbath (that once included a choir of African-American gospel singers). Kingsley is best known for his pop hit Popcorn.

“We warn you, the album is as infectious as it is intelligent,” notes the site. “After a few spins it’s clear why Gersh has gone on to influence everyone from Kraftwerk to the Beastie Boys.”

via Music Thing.

Ever wish you could had a Minimoog, but don’t want to shell out the extreme dollars that new Voyagers go for, or that classic Minimoogs go for on eBay?

If you’re into synth DIY, you might consider building your own Minimoog. This site has details on a Minimoog diy project.

“After playing on many different synths and copying several designs. I decided that I had to have a minimoog…

Unfortunately the cost of a second hand minimoog is anything between £1000-£2000 depending on age and condition. So the only choice I have is to look at doing my own copy with the aim of keeping the circuits and design as original as possible.”

Schematics are available at the Fantasy Jack Palance site, which has a wealth of MiniMoog info available. Read more…

Founder and President of PAiA Electronics John Stayton Simonton, Jr. died recently at his home in Arcadia, Oklahoma on Friday, Nov. 25 after a yearlong battle with esophageal cancer. He was 62 years old.

Simonton’s work at PAiA gave many musicians their first opportunity to work with synthesizers, guitar effects and recording equipment. Simonton created kits to build modular synthesizers, effects, microphones and more. Many of today’s gear designers and DIY enthusiasts credit PAiA with introducing them to the soldering iron, and several of PAiA’s designs are considered classics.

Many engineers, scientists and technicians were first exposed to their professions through his many trade journal articles. His work with starved tube circuitry produced the TubeHead series of preamplifiers and his most recent project was PAiA’s Theremax theremin. Read more…

Moog has announced the CV Input Expander: VX-352 for the Voyager Rack Mount synthesizer.

Similar in looks to the VX-351 Output Expander for the Voyager, the VX-352 gives you access to all 10 CV Inputs including 7 Control Inputs plus a Sample & Hold Input and Rate inputs for both the Envelope and LFO.

The VX-352 gives you programmable access to the three Touch Panel inputs and new active attenuators. The active attenuators provide a non-inverted or inverted output with an offset control.

Moog has announced a 1st Quarter 2006 release date.

More information is available at the Moog site.