Image: rolandmks7

Saturday Synth Porn: This 1982 ad featured a clear plexiglass Sequential Circuits Pro One analog synthesizer.

Anyone know if there are any clear plex Pro-Ones around anymore?

via the Synthtopia Flickr Group

Here’s a video review of Dave Smith Instruments Tetra synthesizer, via djthomaswhite:

Here is my two part review of the new Tetra Synthesizer by Dave Smith Instruments.

This is intended as an overview of the sounds and features of the synthesizer, with a small narrative about the over complex expectations of today’s synthesizer enthusiasts that sometimes push the fringe of synthesizer elitists. Treat it like an editorial, take it or leave it.

I love this powerful little synthesizer and have had more time to play with it since making this video footage last week. I hope you enjoy the sounds, and at $800 for a 4 voice true analog synth, you can’t go wrong.

Want more knobs? Use the editor and one of your multiple MIDI controllers.

Part 2 of the Dave Smith Instruments Tetra synthesizer review below.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Image: Gtechture

Just “a Mopho keyboard speculation”…….but we can dream, can’t we?

via the Synthtopia Flickr Group

Dave Smith Instruments has introduced a new multitimbral synthesizer, the DSI Tetra.

Tetra’s four voices feature a 100% analog signal path and four-part multitimbral operation with individual outputs per voice.

Tetra takes the sound and features of the DSI Mopho, multiplies them by four, and packs them in a box less than half an inch larger.

“We’ve been getting the message loud and clear from our customers that ‘smaller is better,’” said company founder Dave Smith. “All our recent products pack a lot of power and functionality into a small package—even the Prophet ’08, which is relatively small for a full-sized keyboard. We’d also gotten a lot of requests for a poly version of Mopho, our analog mono synth, which has been very successful. By following Mopho’s lead and paring the interface down to the essentials, we can keep the price low and provide excellent value. Everybody wins.”

The DSI Tetra retails for $799.

If you’ve used the Dave Smith Instruments Tetra, leave a comment with your thoughts!

Dave Smith Tetra Synthesizer Details

Tetra is fully programmable via the front panel or with a free downloadable editor for Mac OS and Windows.

Tetra is basically four Mophos in a very compact (7.9″ L x 5″ W) enclosure, a sort of mini Prophet with a couple of extra tricks up its sleeve: specifically, a sub-octave generator for each oscillator and feedback. With a street price of approximately $799, that’s like four Mophos for the price of two. And it’s expandable. Tetra can be poly chained with additional Tetras or a Prophet ’08 for up to sixteen-voice polyphony.

Other features include Combo Mode, used to combine four programs into unison or poly “super patches.” Combos can also play four 16 x 4 step sequences—one per voice/program—
simultaneously. In Multi Mode, each of Tetra’s voices responds to a different MIDI channel, making it ideal for complex arrangements and sequencing analog drum sounds. Tetra is the first DSI product to feature USB.

USB is one of the most requested features across our entire product line,” said DSI’s Tracy Wadley, “so it’s great to be able to offer it.”

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).
• Free editor for Mac OS and Windows.

Specifications:

• Multitimbral four-voice analog synthesizer
• 100% analog signal path
• Two oscillators per voice (sawtooth, triangle, saw/triangle, square with variable pulse width) with hard sync
• White noise generator
• One classic Curtis low-pass filter (switchable 2- or 4-pole) per voice, self-oscillating in 4-pole mode
• Analog VCAs
• Three envelope generators (ADSR plus delay) per voice
• Four LFOs per voice
• Two sub-octave generators (one octave down and two octaves down) per voice
• Feedback loop per voice with programmable level and gain
• Four assignable performance controls per program
• Gated 16 x 4 step sequencer (one sequence per program)
• Arpeggiator
• Fully programmable (free downloadable software editor for Mac OS and Windows)
• 512 programs organized into four banks of 128; 128 combos
• I/O: USB 2.0 (type B receptacle), MIDI In, MIDI Out/Thru, Poly Chain Out, Audio Outs 1/Left, 2/Right, 3, and 4 (1/4″ unbalanced), 1/4″ Headphone Out
• 7.9” L x 5” W x 2.7” H (20.07 cm x 12.7 cm x 6.86 cm)
• 1.8 lb. (0.81 kg)

The Roger Linn & Dave Smith LinnDrum II, formerly the BoomChick, appears to be officially on hold.

Here the official statement from Roger Linn:

We’re still hard at work but regrettably won’t be able to meet our earlier estimate of a 3rd-quarter 2009 ship date. The recent changes in the economy have caused us to rethink our design, which had become too expensive. One problem is that Dave’s customers and my customers had different views of what the product should be, so we had been working on a more elaborate design that we thought would please them both. Then the economy tanked. Oops. The other issue is that Dave and his team have been having such success with their analog synths that they’ve been spreading themselves pretty thin trying to work on both projects.

So given these circumstances, we’d prefer not to state another release date estimate at this time, but when we do we promise to post it here along with any other information we’re able to release. Also, given that Dave and his team have their hands pretty full and that a beat-oriented product is more of a Roger product anyway, we’ll probably be selling it through Roger Linn Design instead of from both companies as we had previously considered.

I’d personally love to tell everybody all the details of the product design, features and price as we did with our initial designs of the product, but there’s that pesky problem of keeping the information from our competitors. So we need to keep tight-lipped for now and regrettably can’t answer any questions. Thanks also to those who have kindly asked to place advance orders. However, we don’t feel it’s right to accept orders until we are able to release the price or more information about the product.

And now I must get back to work.

- Roger

This is sad to see.

The LinnDrum, especially in its early BoomChick incarnation, which we called the 2007 NAMM Show’s sexiest vaporware, looked like it was going to follow the example of Dave Smith’s current gear, combining the best of vintage instruments with modern technology.

It’s the weekend, so it’s time for a bit of Saturday Synth Porn, right?

This is a bit of unofficial, underground synth goodness, the first shot of Dave Smith Instruments’ #Tetr4 synthesizer.

There’s no announcement for the #Tetr4 at the DSI site yet, so we can’t vouch for the accuracy for this info, but the #Tetr4 is rumored to be like a 4-voice Mopho, and to be priced at $800.

Hot or Not? Leave a comment with your thoughts!

via Oliver Chesler, Sequencer.de, Keyboard Editor

Are they true or are they false?

Here’s a short excerpt:

Story: Prior to the creation of MIDI, Sequential Circuits had designed a serial bus for musical instruments which was much faster than MIDI.

Verdict: True. The interface was implemented on the Rev3 Prophet-5; it allowed a sequencer to play the synth, command program changes, send and receive program data, and receive key presses from the P5’s keyboard. The obvious question to ask, then, is: why didn’t Sequential propose this as the MIDI standard?

Get the full story at the Sequence 15 site.

This is a synth jam on the Giorgio Moroder/Donna Summer disco classic I Feel Love.

It’s a nice demo of what the Pro-One can do – but it also highlights how different the filter on the Pro-One sounds compared to the Moog synthesizer of the original.

via retrosound72:

I feel love……with this synth.

Sequential Circuits Pro-One Analog Synthesizer with different settings (OSC-Sync, PWM, VCF, Envelope…); internal sequencer is triggered by the Roland TR-808: drums: Roland TR-808

For me one of the best monophonic analog synths ever.

This is a vintage synth demo by retrosound of Sequential Circuits Prophet-600 “Prophet Strings”:

Some say the Prophet 600 is crap at making pad sounds… I think the problem is not the synth.

The Prophet 600 does not sound like a Prophet 5, but the Prophet 5 cannot sound also like a Prophet 600.

Sequential Circuits Multi-iTrak Sequencer Demo

via menticideebay:

Here is a short demonstration of the Multi-Trak’s sequencer.

Dave Smith – the father of MIDI – introduces his latest synth: the Dave Smith Instruments Mopho.

The Mopho is like a monophonic Prophet,with some unique additional features, for $400!

I had the chance to check this out at NAMM, and it’s a Mopho alright!

Here’s a demo video that features the Mopho presets:

Click here to view the embedded video.

If you’ve had a chance to play with the Mopho, let me know what you think!

via GearWire

Sequential Circuits Prophet-600 Analog Synthesizer

Description:

The Sequential Circuits Prophet 600 analog synthesizer is a 6-voice polyphonic synth that offers rich two-oscillator-per-voice analog sound and extensive modulation options. It was also the first synth that supported MIDI. 

Features:

• 6 voice polyphony, with two oscillators/voice
• Oscillators – VCO A saw / pulse / triangle; VCO B saw / pulse / triangle / PW
• LFO – pulse / triangle
• Curtis analog filter, with cutoff, res, env, kybd modulation
• VCA – ADSR
• 61 key keyboard
• Lots of knobs for immediate control
• 2-track, real-time sequencer
• Arpeggiator: up, down, up/down

Resources:

• Retrosound’s Prophet 600 page
• Archive Sound has parts for vintage analog synths
• Sequential Circuits Yahoo Group
• Sequential Circuits Prophet 600 Owner’s Manual
• Wine Country – offers parts for vintage Sequential gear

Sequential Circuits Pro-One Analog Synthesizer

Description:

Vintage synth demo by RetroSound of the Sequential Circuits Pro-One Analog Synthesizer (demo of various filter and envelope settings, Sync, FM, Polymodulation and more); triggered by the Roland TR-606 “Drumatix”drums: Roland TR-606. No external effects or EQ used.

The Pro-One, released in 1981, was one of the last of the classic analog monosynths. It features two VCOs, a 4-pole low-pass filter, two ADSR envelopes, a three octave keyboard, a sequencer and arpeggiator and tons of modulation options. 

Features: 

• 2 VCOs – VCO A saw/pulse, VCO B saw/tri/pulse, Noise (CEM-3340 chips)
• LFO saw, tri, pulse
• 4-pole lowpass with Cutoff, Resonance, ADSR Envelope, Keyboard Tracking (CEM-3320 Filter chip)
• Two ADSR envelope generators
• Arpeg/Seq – Arepg: UP, UP/DOWN patterns, Latch mode;
• 40 sequencer
• CV/GATE inputs

Those of you who are paying attention (and we know there are at least a few of you…) may have noticed a relationship between how often the site gets updated and how busy we are. In fact, you might even be able to speculate when we’re getting ready to release a new product by the general lack of activity here. The absence of recent updates can mainly be attributed to the annual distraction of preparation for the NAMM show. We won’t be showing or announcing any new products this year (unless you count Mopho, which continues to fly out the door and is still backordered), but it takes a lot of work to get ready anyway. If you’re coming to the show, please stop by booth 6948 and say hello.

And, since we’re talking about NAMM and new products, you might ask, “What’s happening with the LinnDrum II?” Dave and Roger have been hard at work on the new design of LinnDrum II and now have a better idea of the ship date, which we currently estimate to be during the third quarter of 2009. We wish we could ship sooner but there’s still a lot of work to do and it’s important to us that we get it right. As a result, we don’t anticipate showing it—in any form—at the NAMM show. Thanks so much for your patience. We think it will be worth the wait.

In Mopho news, there is a new version of the OS that squashes a few annoying bugs. Go to the Current OS page for details. Also, the Mopho Pro editor is now available. Additional features include patch librarian functionality, program genetics, phantom banks, and automation for the sequencer section. We are also pleased to announce that Soundtower is working on VST and AU support with a projected release sometime in Q1 of 2009.

2008 has been action-packed, but fun. The Prophet ’08 received numerous honors and that is extremely gratifying. Mopho has already racked up a couple, as well (though only one we can talk about right now…). And Future Music has had the Prophet as the #1 recommended hardware synth on their gear chart for several months running. (Mopho just appeared in the latest issue at #4!)

Last, but not least, the ranks of DSI employees have swelled by an astonishing 33% in 2008. That’s right: there are four of us now. Chris Hector (AKA “the new guy” and “the young guy”) has joined us as Audio Engineer. Chris has already proved his worth by filling some significant “knowledge gaps” at DSI. Welcome, Chris!

Thanks to all the faithful for your continued support and to all of you who have more recently taken the DSI plunge. We literally couldn’t do it without you. We hope you have as much fun with our instruments as we have making them. All of us at Dave Smith Instruments wish you a happy, healthy, and peaceful 2009.

Congratulations to Dave Smith Instruments for a fantastic 2008! We’re looking forward to seeing what they have up their sleeve for next year.

Eighth in an ongoing series of live sound & visual improvisations by Abre Ojos, using a modular synthesizer, Dave Smith Evolver, Nord Micro Modular and Quartz Composer on a MacBook Pro.

You can preview satrae sant chugre below; check out the Abre Ojos site for more free music and experimental electronic music videos.

A demonstration of the Mopho analog synthesizer from Dave Smith Instruments. Lexicon MX200 used for delay and reverb effects.

Mopho is a compact but powerful—monophonic analog synthesizer. The voice architecture is identical to a single voice of the Prophet ‘08, but with a couple of unique twists to distinguish it from its award-winning sibling. DSI has added two sub-octave generators—one per oscillator—for additional girth and crushing basses. It also has an audio input that lets you process external audio and mix Mopho’s own audio output back in pre-filter for feedback effects that can range from subtle distortion to extreme skronk.

The Push It button is a manual trigger that lets you play a specific note or latch notes and sequences on. It can also step through a sequence to play short melodic lines without a keyboard. Mopho can also be used with a MIDI controller or external sequencer.

Mopho is fully programmable and all the parameters can be tweaked from the front panel. The four Assignable Parameters controls are assignable per program for optimum performance control. A free editor is available for Mac OS and Windows to facilitate programming. (If you already have a Prophet ‘08, most of Mopho’s parameters can be controlled from the Prophet’s front panel via MIDI!)

Mopho is perfect for people who want to learn the ins and outs of real analog synthesis without spending a bundle, DJs looking to add some old school sonic spice to their setups, and musicians who will appreciate a great-sounding, very portable mono synth.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Roger Linn shared some renderings over the weekend of the LinnDrum II - the much-hyped new drum machine from Linn and synth guru Dave Smith.

Here’s what Linn & Smith have to say about the LinnDrum II status:

I’m sorry to report that we won’t be shipping in 2008 and I can’t yet offer a new estimated ship date. The good news is that it’s turned into a significantly more powerful and creative product.

The bad news is that we’d prefer not to release details of the new design because it’s so cool that I don’t want to show our cards to the competition. However, I do want to thank all those who wrote in with suggestions because this interactive design process has very much helped to change what we thought the product originally should be into what we now know you really want. 

For those of you who are new to LinnDrum II, its new subtitle is “Beat-Centric Digital Audio Workstation with Integrated Analog Synthesis”. Inspired by how the MPC product line that I (Roger) originally created for Akai has evolved a new genre of musical instrument, LinnDrum II aspires to raise the bar beyond the current crop of high-end pad-oriented music production station products in order to enable musicians around the world to better realize the next wave of beat-oriented music.

By now, you’re probably drooling uncontrollably, so here are a few more gear porn shots of LinnDrum II designs that got dumped:


LinnDrum II, 2nd Design

LinnDrum II, 1st Design – aka BoomChik

via Chip Collection: You can now place advance orders for Dave Smith & Roger Linn’s LinnDrum II drum machine.

There are two models: the all-digital “LinnDrum II”, available from Roger Linn Design and the “LinnDrum II Analog”, which adds four analog synth voices and 32 dual-function voicing knobs, available from Dave Smith Instruments.

Pricing is $1400 for LinnDrum II and $1800 for LinnDrum II Analog.

Features common to both products:

• Operating system is optimized for realtime live performance, with the ability to switch between beats, drop in and out of record on different beats, switch in and out of song mode and much more, all without stopping play.
• Digital voices have nearly the same signal and modulation path–including modulated filters and resonators–as shown on the LinnDrum II Analog panel. Total number of voices is not yet determined.
• 16 standard 1.1 inch square velocity- and pressure-sensitive drum pads, used for sounds, sound mutes, tunings, sequences, track mutes, sequence stutter or step recording.
• Both MPC-style real time and 808-style step recording are provided, and the 16 pads are backlit for visual animation.
• Real-time stereo digital effects on output mix–modulated multi-mode filtering, guitar amp model and bit/sample rate reduction distortion, modulated resonator, compressor, delay, reverb and EQ–with 6 dedicated on/off keys to switch them individually in or out in real time.
• Compact flash slot for data save/load/backup, or for expansion of internal sound storage.
• Internal RAM and flash size is yet to be decided.
• 128 x 64 dot graphic LCD.
• USB port for transferring samples and other files, MIDI messages and audio I/O to and from computer.
• 4 pushbutton soft knobs below the LCD, acting either as soft knobs or soft keys.
• 48 lit buttons for extensive real-time performance control.
• 2 sliders assignable to a large variety of real-time functions.
• HELP key gives descriptive text for any screen, data field, function key or knob.
• Pressing DETAILS key followed by any panel key presents a screen of settings related to the key pressed.
• 4 pairs of stereo outputs (8 digitally-generated audio outputs), with phones output fed from either main stereo out or Aux A Stereo Out.
• Stereo inputs for sampling, audio processing or triggering sounds.
• One MIDI in and two MIDI outs.
• 2 inputs for either foot switches or expression pedals, assignable to a wide variety of functions.

Additional features on Dave’s LinnDrum II Analog:

• Four complex analog voices based on the same Curtis-chip synth voices used in the highly-aclaimed Prophet ‘08 and Evolver keyboards.
• Four direct ouputs for the four analog voices.
• 32 dedicated dual-function rotary encoders for voicing the analog and digital voices. Also used for mixer, step sequencing and other functions.

Details here.

We’ve already mentioned tons of great new gear that we saw at NAMM in the last couple of weeks, but, following in the footsteps of last year’s modular analog synthgasm, here are our picks for 2008’s most synthgasmic gear:

Future Retro XS Semi-modular Analog Synthesizer

We saw the XS in a sort of beta state last year, but this year the Future Retro XS is ready to play.

The XS is a semi-modular synth, with internally normalized routing. Plug it into a MIDI controller and it’s ready to play. Put in a patch cord, though, and you can do some mad science.

Designer Jered Flickinger (interview link) says the XS is designed to be used as either a rackmount or desktop instrument, and its compact size makes it an ideal modular synth for musicians on the go.

Arturia Analog Factory Experience Hybrid Synthesizer

Based on Analog Factory 2.0, a software instrument offering 3500 classic synthesizer sounds, Arturia’s Analog Factory Experience includes a 32-key MIDI keyboard that’s designed to make virtual analog synth-tweaking a no-brainer.

Spectrasonics Omnisphere Virtual Instrument

Spectrasonics previewed their new flagship virtual instrument Omnisphere, and kicked off what looks like it will be a massive hype campaign for a synth that’s not due until September.

While it is the most vaporous of the synths that made the list, it looks like it will definitely be synthgasmic.

Omnisphere combines a wide variety of hybrid realtime synthesis techniques, an epic library of ‘Psychoacoustic’ sounds, and some innovative features. The new instrument is the first to be based on Spectrasonics’ STEAM Engine, the company’s newly developed core technology.

And it sounds pretty wicked.

Roger Linn & Dave Smith’s LinnDrum II

Speaking of vaporous, Dave Smith was showing the LinnDrum II.

Last year, he was showing the Boomchik, a new drum machine that we called NAMM’s sexiest vaporware.

Well, the new drum machine is still a bit vaporous, the Boomchik is now the LinnDrum II, and Smith had a full scale model of it on hand.

And while it may be vaporware now, Smith has delivered some of the most exciting analog synths ever designed over the last few years, and we’ve got no doubt that when he and Roger Linn are done with it, the LinnDrum will be one of the coolest drum machines ever created.

Two models are planned: the all-digital LinnDrum II and the LinnDrum II Analog, which adds a 4-voice analog synth and 27 dual-function voicing knobs.

Prophet 8 Monster Synth

The most drool-worthy new synth at the show was probably Dave Smith’s Prophet ‘08 – an eight-voice synthesizer with a 100% analog signal path.

While the Prophet ’08’s overall sonic character will be familiar to anyone who knows Dave’s work from the ’70s and ’80s, its got massively improved modulation possibilities, starting with 4 LFO’s per voice.

MicroKorg Bizarro Edition

Nothing too innovative here, but the reversed-color keyboard is a funky throwback to old synths.

The Limited Edition microKORG is a portable synthesizer offering modeling synthesis, vocoding, real-time control, onboard effects and external audio processing.

Quantum Leap Forbidden Planet

EASTWEST previewed Quantum Leap Forbidden Planet, a virtual sample-based synth collection focusing on edgy sound design and controls that let you easily combine, morph, process and modulate the sounds.

Yeah – it’s another big sound library – but it’s got over 1000 presets and offers parallel programs using the unprocessed analog waves and all of the digital filters, modulators and FX.

If you like abstronica – this could be up your alley.

Livewire Modular Synthesizer

Nothing can beat a large format modular synth, but they were hard to find at this year’s NAMM show. In fact, most of the modular synth action seems to be happening in the smaller formats.

One of the most interesting new modular synths is Mike Brown’s Livewire line of Eurorack synth modules. I had a chance to talk with Mike in depth about his modules, and he’s doing some really interesting things.

He’s got some great new modules in the works, including an amazingly non-boring VCO. You can’t build a complete Livewire synth at this point – Mike is more interested in creating new modules designs that no one has ever though of before than in making a Livewire envelope generator.

Roland FR-2 Series V-Accordions

Finally – something out of left field.

While the most interesting gear seemed to come out of smaller manufacturers, Roland introduced the slightly out there FR-2 series V-Accordion.

The virtual accordion offers physical behavior modeling technology, providing the tone and characteristics of the world’s best accordions, plus MIDI so you can lay on so funky-ass bass while you play Lady of Spain.

We’re looking forward to checking out Roger Linn & Dave Smith’s LinnDrum II (formerly the BoomChik) at the upcoming 2007 NAMM Show.

Here’s what Dave Smith has said about it:

Many of you have been anxiously awaiting news of BoomChik, the collaboration between Dave and Roger Linn announced at Winter NAMM 2007. As information becomes available, we’ll be posting it to this page. The most obvious development over the last year is that it is no longer called BoomChik: it is now the LinnDrum II. There will be two models: the all-digital LinnDrum II and the LinnDrum II Analog, which adds a 4-voice analog synth and 27 dual-function voicing knobs. The LinnDrum II will be available from Roger Linn Design and the LinnDrum II Analog will be available from Dave Smith Instruments.The operating system emphasizes real-time performance with the ability to drop in and out of record on different beats, play multiple beats simultaneously, switch in and out of song mode, and much more, all without stopping play. Both MPC-style real time and XOX-style step recording are provided, and the 16 velocity- and pressure-sensitive pads—backlit for visual sequence animation—can be assigned to sounds, tunings, beats, pad mutes, or sequence steps. Dedicated buttons exist for touch sensitivity, sound restart, real-time erase and pressure-sensitive note repeat or rolls. 16 megabytes of internal flash memory exist for sound storage, but because sound data is read directly from flash, expanding sound memory is accomplished merely by plugging a compact flash card into the rear panel slot. Inputs and outputs include four audio outs, two sampling/audio processing/drum trigger inputs, phones, USB, MIDI in/out, two expression pedal/foot switch inputs, and four additional direct voice outputs for the Analog model.Sample playback is enhanced with 8-level velocity switching, dynamic filters and resonators, distortion and lo-fi algorithms, two complex modulation matrices and the ability to use sequence events as modulation sources. The Analog model enables significantly richer voice timbres with its four Curtis chip-based analog voices, analog feedback resonator paths, and dedicated voicing knobs. Performance enhancements include two programmable sliders and dedicated on/off buttons for filter, resonator, amp sim/compressor, EQ, delay and reverb effects.

They expect to be shipping by mid-2008.