Gearrrrrr

The 'Safety PIN' - Adds modulation Straight to the Synthi matrix

This was an idea running in my head for a while ... why not to add some CV into the Synthi matrix using a pin with an Optocoupler inside ? This way the Synthi can be integrated with a modular synth for example and get more modulations options to each and every section you chose straight through the matrix. the Optocoupler makes it very safe and the Synthi circuits will never get exposed to high voltages Or spikes. The special pin can be placed in one of the joysticks rows, this way the modulation anount can be controlled. i made the pin today and placed everything inside a small tube which i took from a panel bulb and wrapped everything with a shrink. i also added a 2.7K resistor to the input in order to protect the LED inside the coupler. The CV  into the pin shouldn't exceed 5V.
 The results are just fantastic!!!  now i need to make some more pins ...

Sierra 1914C Data Tsansmission Test Set

looks like a close relative of the Synthi Aks or maybe more like the Synthi 100 with this big matrix and the
Nixie tubes display. it weights a lot (portable??) and has this brown aluminum case -reminds me the Buchla music easel case . this is a beautiful piece of equipment. there are some switches that makes the display run from 00 to 99 in different speeds. i flipped few more switches and actually got some kind of sound out of  the built in speaker (some kind of fax machine sound). i don't have a clue what this machine was originally for but i'm pretty sure that it probably cost a fortune back in the days (70's?) . i'm really holding myself right now not to modify it into a patch-able modular synthesizer/sequencer . i think that i'll keep it for a while and think what i'm actually going to do with it. also, it would be nice to connect some of the digital outputs to some of the CV inputs in my modular ...

Great Electronic Records finds from the past year

some gems from the past year most of them are from the obscure /unknown side .
its fun to find 'new electronic music just as you thought you know almost everything....

1. Johan timman- trip into the body (1981)

I got this AMAZING LP on MP3 for too long but recently i decided to buy it on vinyl, just to have a hard copy - like im trying to do with most of the MP3 i have.
This almost unknown dutch composer is making juicy and melodic cosmic/electronic music with modular moogs and vocoders. yummy!
This album is a must have masterpiece IMO.


2.Telex - Sex  (1982)

Another great album from this Belgian synth pop/Electro group. a nice mint condition find for 8$.


3.Robert Marlow - No heart 12" (Bside )

A big hit from 1983 by robert marlow, the song in the video is the 7" version but i even like the 12" better. vince clarke was working with marlow and you can hear it right away...



4.Mort garson - Plantasia

Such a great concept to but an album for your plants, it also comes with a booklet which tells 
you what you should play to each plant :)
Well, this album wasn't cheap , it also wasn't in such a great shape . but i HAD to Buy it!
This music is fat and melodic, and mort garson is a brilliant composer. i can understand why plants likes it so much . i never saw this on a CD or in a Vinyl reissue. such a shame! 



5.The plastic cow goes moog- by Mike Melvoin

Another  moog-covers LP, beautifuly made and a great stereo quality .

for some reason i cant share the youtube vids here but check them out :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtOUdSgBrrU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ts0kyyCqMc

* i bought so many records in the past year so TBC.

A Flanger+ Ring modulator + MIC Amp In one pannel

My new effort to combine as much modules as possible in one panel.
This panel contains the MN3207 Flanger from here and a passive ring modulator
from the same type that you can find here, and a simple MIC Amp which you can find everywhere ...
The 3 modules only can be hours of fun when connecting an oscillator output to the flanger to the ring mod
with the addition of your voice to the other ring mod input ...and this is only one option.
Everything works with only one 9V battery so it also can be built in a small box if you like.
The ring mod is absolutely the best I've heard , and its only takes 2 transformers and 4 germanium diodes.
very simple and effective! this kind of technology has been used in the 50's and 60's for some sound effects for movies and commercials.
The flanger is a great addition to a modular synth, i also added a mod which makes it more "airplanish" motor kind of sound with the addition of 6 positions switch and 6 different caps for different colors - from
a mild buzz to a total crashing motor sounds. of course you can have the normal flanger sound as well.
I've also added a LED to the flanger LFO circuit in order to 'see' the actual flanging phase.

Vertical Horizons

A looping Soundtrack recorded directly from my brain.

RLS X2 Action

2 random sequencers controls 2 vco's in different rates.