If you want to listen to music purely made from analog synthesizers and drum machine Solvent is a good place to start. Jason Amm has some nice stuff in his studio no? I like his honesty when he does into details how even though he’s a veteran at this point he is still largely unknown and gets ripped off my distributors and promoters. He will also be featured in the upcoming I Dream of Wires movie.

“Veteran Canadian producer and hardware lover, Solvent, gave StudioFeed an inside look at his Bloor-West home studio set-up, as well as discussed everything from why he makes music to the story behind his recent RDJ-CS5 EP.” – studiofeed

For more info: solventcity.com

Here’s an upcoming box from Mode Machines called SID. Apparently there’s some controversy over it’s design (link). Chris Randall took the photo above at NAMM. It should go for about $600 USD.

“SID is an 8-Bit desktop synthesizer with a double personality. It’s simplistic layout and ease of use delivers pleasure at the first touch and it’s familiar step sequencer will have you programming patterns and beats in no time. 3 expression knobs control the key features of each Patch for instant results. But don’t let it’s simplicity fool you: The supplied SID STUDIO SOFTWARE enables you to tweak every parameter under the hood! Draw and design your patches with instant feedback from the SID. Also check out the NERD-PANEL, a powerful interactive blueprint which enables you to address the chip one pin at a time – also a great educational tool.” – modemachines.com

For more info: modemachines.com

So yes there are a lot of new table top analog synths such as the new Arturia MiniBrute and Moog Minitaur. But what if have three times the cash in your pocket and 10 times the need to impress the hell out of your friends? Clearly the new Pittsburgh Modular Foundation should be on your short wish list. It’s a selection of Eurorack modular Modules in a Monorocket case. This selection gives you a solid synth at about a 10% discount. Pretty isn’t it?

“The Foundation is a fully modular, eurorack, analog synthesizer. A patchable system styled after the great monosynths of the past with no hardwired signal path or fixed voice architecture to restrict creativity. Driven by two wide range analog oscillators the Foundation produces a huge, warm sound that can’t be matched by digital or VST synths. All of the elements of a classic voltage controlled synthesizer are available as an open, patchable, modern synth.

The Foundation is a “complete voice”. It contains all the modules needed to produce a wide variety of complex sounds such as monster analog bass, cutting leads, evolving pads, and short percussive hits. All of which can be controlled directly using the Foundations’ 42 knobs and switches then played with any standard Midi controller. The Foundation is also fully compatable with Expert Sleepers Silent Way software plug-ins.” – Pittsburgh Modular

For more info: pittsburghmodular.com/foundation

It’s now hard to imagine that not too long ago you couldn’t buy a new small inexpensive analog synth from a major manufacturer. Today you have many options. I use to have a Waldorf Pulse+. I used it on many of my releases in the late 90s including the song Can You Hear the Sound?. I always regretted selling it. Well here’s my chance to fix that error. Waldorf is about to release the Pulse 2. Like the the original number 2 has 3 oscillators and a cascading filter. Now Waldorf have added Highpass and Bandpass modes, analog Filter FM and Ring Modulation.

“Sometimes they do come back, and this time, it’s with even more brute-strength power onboard. You are looking at a completely analog synthesizer that accurately delivers what synthesizer enthusiasts around the world truly crave. Pulse 2 is the reincarnation of it’s legendary ancestor, the Waldorf Pulse, that dominated the electronic music of the 90s.” – Waldorfmusic.de

For more info: waldorfmusic.de/pulse-2-overview

Well how about that? An all analog hardware synth from Arturia. The MiniBrute has some unique features including a Steiner Parker filter, supersaw ocillator, “metal” triangle oscillator, Brute factor (re-input staging) and an arpeggiator with tap tempo and 6 swing settings. CV, Midi… 499 Euro, $549 USD!

“MiniBrute is Arturia’s new analog synthesizer. With a pure analog signal path and several innovative features, it sets a new standard for what a hardware synthesizer should be. The pure analog, multi-wave oscillator combined with a huge sounding classic multi-mode filter, and wide range of modulation capabilities will bring new life into your recordings and stage performances. Add to that outstanding features like the Ultrasaw, Metalizer, Brute Factor™, Arpeggiator, LFO with sample & hold, full USB/MIDI/CV connectivity; all of which are housed in a rugged metal enclosure and it is almost too brutal to think about!” – Arturia

For more info: arturia.com

Let’s get this Christmas weekend started in 1982. The PPG Wave is such a pretty blue Wavetable joy. Imagine finding one under your tree? Thanks to Retrosound for posting so many wonderful old synth videos!

“merry christmas and a happy 2012 ! all sounds: PPG wave 2.2 Synthesizer from the year 1982.recording: multi-track (internal sequencer/arpeggiator & software)” – Retrosound

For more info: vintagesynth.com/misc/wave

photo credit: Nigel Bates

When I was living in Berlin I made some suggestions to Ableton. I said they should add a physics engine to Live. Things like bouncing balls that triggered samples, flowing virtual rivers that you could drop sounds into. It’s good to see those concepts in the Lemur and this new Physynth app. I haven’t tried this one out yet. If you do let me know if it’s worth a download! Maybe in Ableton Live 9?

“Powered by next-generation 3D graphics technologies, it is a stunning, beautiful device that will enable you to weave beautiful, fluid ‘Soundscapes’. PHYSYNTH uses a state-of-the-art physics engine to trigger sounds using four real simulators, you charge physical objects with sound and collide them with other objects to trigger them. It is an entirely new way of creating music, a natural and fluid way to express yourself with a wide range of beautiful, realistic instruments.” – physynth.com

For more info: physynth.com

Wave Alchemy has created a Kontakt sampled version of the classic Sequential Circuits Pro One synthesizer called the Pro-II. The Pro One is best known as the synth heavily used on every Yaz record. It has a very clear sharp sound with very fast envelopes. In addition to the sample library there is a sequencer and “fully editable effects as well as specially created reverb IR’s (Impulse Responses) recorded from our Eventide DSP-7000 Harmonizer.”. As usual I recommend getting the real thing. However, with the Wave Alchemy you can save your presets, work on an airplane, have polyphony and skip the vintage synth repair bills. 3.9GB sound library including 6587 multi-sampled 24-bit WAV samples. £39.95

“Inspired by one of the most popular synths of its time, Pro II combines classic sounds with modern sound shaping tools to achieve a versatile and fully programmable hybrid synthesizer!” – wavealchemy.co.uk

For more info: wavealchemy.co.uk/pro_ii_synthesizer

In my quest to find a place in the NYC area to buy Modular synth modules I came across MeMe Antenna. It seems they recently started carrying an interesting collection in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Sometime next week I will head over there and check it out! They are located 218 Bedford Ave (Corner of N5 inside Mini Mall) Brooklyn, New York 11249.

“MeMe Antenna, annex of Concent Productions Inc. , is a gift & music store, located in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY. We carry vintage jewelry & furniture, idea stationary, vinyl record & CD, rare synthesizer, local brands merchandise, and more….” – memeantenna.com

For more info: memeantenna.com

$99 and a shipment from Brasil and you can Midi your Monotribe. No soldering.

“the monotribe retains all of it’s original functionality. drums = ch 10. synth = ch 1. responds to midi tempo sync /stop/start” – FSK1138

For more info: amazingmachines.com.br

via palmsounds.net