Keyboard Synthesizers

This is a deep interview with a deep guy – Ray Kurzweil – about some deep ideas.

In the early 80’s, Kurzweil developed the Kurzweil K250 digital synthesizer, which developed into one of the most influential digital synthesis platforms.

Kurzweil sold his music business in 1990 and in recent years has focused his attention on artificial intelligence, transhumanism and the technological singularity.

Some of his ideas for the future seem far out. But if you watch this video, you’ll hear Kurweil’s thoughts on exponential technological development and how it creates change that is difficult for our linear minds to predict. Read more…

Jeez Louise shows you how to combine your digital synths with analog guitar effects – so you can create face-melting prog keytar solos.

via JeezLouise666

Dave Smith Instruments has released an updated version of its flagship synthesizer keyboard, the Poly Evolver.

The new version boasts 60 potentiometers among its complement of 78 rotary controls.

“The response to the pot edition of the Prophet ’08 has been overwhelmingly positive,” said company founder Dave Smith, “so we decided to extend that functionality to the Poly Evolver, as well.”

Unlike endless rotary encoders, potentiometers allow the full range of a knob’s values to be accessed in a single turn of about 300 degrees. That simplifies filter sweeps and other more performance-oriented gestures. A kit with potentiometer-equipped panel boards is available to convert older Poly Evolvers.

There have also been some cosmetic changes. “We needed both lined and unlined knobs to distinguish between the pots and encoders, so we’re using Prophet-style knobs,” said DSI’s Andrew McGowan. “And we’ve updated the panel graphics a bit without changing them significantly.” The wood end panels are now made from bubinga. Read more…

Dream Theater’s Jordan Rudess offers his take on the Korg OASYS. Read more…

This is a demo of a vintage Maplin 5600s analog synthesizer.

In the early 70’s, the Australian magazine Electronics Today International published Tervor Marshall’s designs for two partly digital, mostly analog, Electronic Music Synthesisers. the ETI 3600 and ETI 4600.

Both were made available as kits of components. Barry Wilkinson at ETI was responsible for the final packaging and kitting coordination. Maplin Electronics Ltd.(in the UK) subsequently picked up the designs, which they marketed as as the Maplin models 3800 and 5600s Electronic Music Synthesizers. Read more…