Synthesizer Logic Functions

The following 21-minute video is by YouTuber and Synthesizer Performer, Mylar Melodies.

I realize I Posted a “Logic Function” entry a few days ago but, although it’s a good article, it was all text, images and a 1-minute video. Some of us learn better with “videos”. So in the following video, Mylar Melodies does a good job of explaining Logic Modules while actually “showing” you how he accomplishes each task… and, this video provides a different perspective on this sometimes-confusing subject.

Here’s the link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DulDZSsMUpY​

Some History Of The ARP 2600 Synthesizer

The following 28-minute video shows a brief history of the iconic, ARP 2600 synthesizer.

In the early 70s, I bought a used ARP 2600 (with the black & white Panel). (I had a Minimoog for over a year but sold it because I wanted more out of it than it was capable of producing.)

At one point, I was asked to be the original Drummer for the band “Lite As A Feather” (LAAF), around 1976. After a few months of performances, I started to bring the 2600 with me. I’d set it up just within reach of my Drums. I could then program, wind, birds, helicopter or whatever a song called for.

One day, I began thinking about how I could trigger (activate) the ARP 2600 while I was playing my Drums. I then invented a very crude “Switch”. It consisted of Lever Switches, which I attached to my High Tom and Floor Tom. I mounted them close enough to each drumhead so they wouldn’t make contact unless that drum was struck. I connected an 1/8-inch cable from that switch to an electronic breadboard, which sat inside an aluminum box that I had created and mounted to the top of my Hi-Hat Stand. I also created an ON/OFF metal “arm” (lever) covered in clear caulking. This was connected to another switch which was inside the “box”. Now I could play my Drums as normal but when I hit that “arm” with a drumstick, it would turn ON the “box” and every time I hit one of the Toms, the ARP 2600 would “fire” (activate) and a sound could be heard. Striking that “arm” again, would simply turn that circuit OFF.

A few years later, I quit the band (big mistake) to get married and sold everything… my drums AND the ARP.

Years later, Sylvia and I met. She was the Music Director in a church, has a Music Degree, writes music and plays keyboards. Several months after our meeting, we heard that the ARP company was closing. We immediately called them and placed an order for one of the very last ARP 2600 models ever sold by them. (It’s the black panel with the orange squares.) That was the first synthesizer Sylvia and I bought together (1981).

During our live performances, the 2600 was placed beside my Drumset, so I could program it for Sylvia. She had her hands full with those performances, as she played:

• ARP 2600,
• Alpha Syntauri keyboard (Apple ][ based synthesizer with “Mountain” brand Sound Cards), and
• Moog Taurus II pedals (a synthesizer with a keyboard for her feet)
• In later performances, Sylvia added the Emu Proteus keyboard. (So, yes, she played all 4 keyboards at the same time.)

Here’s the link to the video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaiMjwF0a64

Factory Tour Of Tama Drums

Although I typically present Synthesizer information on this Blog, besides being a “Synthesist”, my main Instrument is “Drums”. So I’m including some of that information here…

The following 36-minute video is by Drumeo, a musical-instrument instruction company. The Host is Jared Falk, one of Drumeo’s Drum Instructors. He even explains Taiko drumming.

Here’s the link to the video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1cbkDBg0os

Here’s the direct link to the Drumeo website:
https://www.drumeo.com/

A Close Look At The Vintage Yamaha CS80 Synthesizer

The following link will take you to the Sonic State web page. There, you’ll find a 55-minute video of GForce Software founder, Dave Spiers explaining the many features and sounds of Yamaha’s CS80 synthesizer. It’s almost a “How-To” and shows off some of the unique ways this interesting synthesizer produces sound.

Here’s the link:
https://sonicstate.com/news/2020/02/18/take-a-long-look-at-the-cs80-with-dave-spiers/

A Tour Of Old Synths

The following link will take you to the Sonic State website. On this particular page, you’ll find a 36-minute video where legendary music-gear Reviewer, Nick Batt, interviews a synth hobbiest who has collected a few, very old, and interesting, Synthesizers.

• The hobbiest was recommended to Nick by Dave Spiers — owner of G-Force Software and frequent guest on Nick’s weekly, SonicTalk podcast.

​Even if you’re not into 20 or 40-year old Synths, this Tour might help you recognize some of the sounds presented in today’s modern Synths.

Here’s the link:
https://sonicstate.com/news/2019/10/21/studio-tour-ham-plazas-synth-collection/

Music Copyrights

The following web page contains a short article and an 18-minute TedTalk. The information presented claims that 2 people have created computer software which has determined and written every possible combination of melodic notes that can be used in a Song. A MIDI file (digital notes) has also been created and released, online, for free.

The 2 people say, because of this, any melody which has not yet been Copyrighted, is free to use and that this will help reduce the possible, future court cases of Copyright infringement.

Some of the Comments, however, state that this is simply a Publicity Stunt and this effort will not hold up in court.

Look over the following information and decide for yourself. I’m simply sharing this story because, being a Musician, I find it interesting and because it may help open a Music Community dialog where a fair outcome for every Composer, Performing Artist and Listener.

Here’s the link:
https://www.gearnews.com/music-copyright-revolution-every-melody-ever-has-been-given-away-for-free/

Modular Synthesizers 101

This is for those who would like to know the basic details of how sound is made in a Synthesizer and how Voltages control the many processes of that music-creation method.

The following web page contains a 47-minute video by Synthesist and Synthesizer Designer Zoe Blade.

• Her and her partner started a company called Transistor Sounds Labs where they created a Eurorack Modular Sequencer called “Stepper Acid”.

​In the video, Zoe explains how sound is created and processed, using a Eurorack Modular Synthesizer. She uses Patch Cables to interconnect the Modules during her talk. So you can see the progression of sound and voltages as she’s explaining them.

Here’s the link to the video:
https://www.gearnews.com/watch-this-unmissable-introduction-to-modular-synthesizers-by-zoe-blade/

Here’s the link to her Eurorack Modular company:
https://www.transistorsoundslabs.com/

Early Electronic Music

The following web page contains a video interview with Electronic Music pioneer, Milton Babbit. He explains, and shows examples of:

• Reel-to-Reel tape music (and explains briefly how it was done),
• Computer music and that it was created by punching holes in the computer’s Paper Tape (the actual “program” or “software” for the computer),
• Synthesizers

​Mr. Babbit presents several examples of various types of Electronic Music.

Here’s the link:
https://www.synthtopia.com/content/2020/03/31/milton-babbitt-on-electronic-music-1966/

Learning Logic Functions In Synthesizers

I discovered the following article on the Perfect Circuit website.

• Perfect Circuit is one of the largest synthesizer Resellers in the U.S.

The article is fairly detailed and provides good explanations and illustrations on how Functions, such as AND, OR, XOR, etc. behave. Not all synthesizers offer these Functions. In Eurorack synthesizers, for instance, you have to purposely purchase a Logic Module, in order to have those capabilities.

So why would you even consider buying a Module which only deals with Math Functions?… because you may want a sound to be heard or a sequence to begin when something else “starts” or “stops”. That’s just one, basic example of the many things which Logic Functions can handle. Check out the article below for some interesting information.

Here’s the link:

https://www.perfectcircuit.com/signal/learning-synthesis-logic

Make Noise Interview

This 49-minute video, which was Posted on July 23, 2021, is an Interview with Tony Rolando of Make Noise — Eurorack and stand-alone electronic musical Instruments. The Interviewer is Roey Tsemah, from Synthux Academy — learn to make your own Synths.

In this Interview, Tony mostly talks about the Make Noise “Strega” and part of the collaboration with Alessandro Cortini of the band Nine Inch Nails.

Tony also talks about product development in general as well as the User Interface of the Make Noise Instruments and their graphics.

Here’s the link to the Interview. (The video is almost halfway down this page.):
​www.synthux.academy/blog/make-noise

Here’s the direct link to the Synthux Academy website:
www.synthux.academy

Here’s the link to the Synthux Academy YouTube page:
m.youtube.com/c/synthuxacademy/featured

Here’s a direct link to the Make Noise website:
www.makenoisemusic.com

This is where I first learned about this Interview:
www.synthtopia.com/content/2021/07/25/synth-design-with-tony-rolando-of-make-noise/