CD-Tip I : Secrets of Synthesis by Wendy Carlos

This CD ( a 2003 enhancedCD re-issue by East Side Digital ) is a nice introduction into analog synthesis by the American synth pioneer Wendy Carlos

Secrets of Synthesis ( originally from 1987 ) is a lecture by Carlos with her own audio examples. The main topic is 'Electronic Orchestration' - the use of analog ( and digital ) synthesizers in ways that orchestral instruments sound.

Some of the audiotracks are an introduction to synthesis, and some of it is aimed at the more experienced musicians.
A great tutorial CD in my opinion, with some very good information and great and usefull insights.

One short soundexample: Secret of Synthesis, discussion with musical examples ~ Introduction
01 Secret of Synthesis, discussion with musical examples~Introduction by NetPierre
Wikipedia: Wendy Carlos
Ordernr: East Side Digital ESD 81702 or ESD 81692

Booktip I - Analog Synthesizers by Mark Jenkins

Analog Synthesizers - Understanding, Performing, Buying - by Mark Jenkins

One of the most interesting books about synthesizers and synthesis is probably this one by Mark Jenkins, has 336 pages, and was published in 2007

The book starts with basics like 'what is analog' and goes through the aspects of analog sound by the hand of the different components of a synthesizer.

A large part of the book is about the history of synthesizers, and there are also a lot of interviews; with Robert (Bob) Moog, Keith Emerson, Hans Zimmer, Rick Wakeman, Jean-Michel Jarre and many more.

The book is complimented with a lot of nice black/white pictures and also includes a tuition and sound-sampling CD with over 30 different analog synthesizers, spread over 79 tracks

ISBN: 978-0-240-52072-8

Happy Knobbing II - Colored Switches

I finally found what i was looking for for a long time.

A year ago ( or so ) i saw an A-100 system with colored switches on it.
For a long time i have been looking for them too, and now finally i found them and ordered them. ( pretty easy after all, via Conrad )

They are just small plastic mini-sleeves, and they fit perfect on the A-100's switches.
They also provide a little bit more grip and make the switches easier to handle.
I ordered them in all the four available colors ( green, black, yellow and red ), so i can sort of 'color-code' the system as much as possible. Not sound-improving, but just nice eye-candy... again.

Distortion I ( Picture )

Happy Knobbing I

I replaced some of the standard grey knobs on my A-100 system with black ones.
You can order these at Doepfer, and they look (and feel) exactly the same as the standard ones, but these are black, with a white line.
( diameter of 15 mm, height of 15 mm, for 6 mm axis with 18 teeth )

Originally this is a spare part for the d3c drawbar controller , but it can also be used on the A-100, MAQ16/3, Pocket Control, Drehbank and MS-404

Not really a modification, but nice eye-candy!

Update Sept 16, 2011: http://patchpierre.blogspot.com/2011/09/100-knobs-change.html

Happy Modding I

One of the easiest, and perhaps the most usefull DIY modifications you can do to your A-100 system is modifying the A-180 module.

Originally the module has 8 interconnected sockets that act as all identical multiples, but like the manual says you can split this into 2 groups of four by removing the soldering bridge in the middle or cutting the board.

The manual doesn't say anything about the warranty if you do this, but just be very carefull.

An easy job, done in a few minutes and like i said very usefull, especially for the smaller systems IMO

Best Friends Forever I

Van PatchPierre

A few times a year i unwire my whole A-100 system, it's like putting up a fresh canvas. New inspiration, new sounds in this case.

There are a few thing i never unwire, because i use them that much.

My first example is this one; The A-174 Joystick and the A-175 Dual Voltage Inverter.
They both sit neatly next to each-other in my rack, and i always keep the two yellow cables between them connected. What a dynamic duo...

I use my A-174 the most for controlling the cutoff of filters or for controlling the speed of the A-147 Voltage Controlled LFO module

The A-175 is such a simple but effective module, and its inputs are internally linked, so you can use the other socket as a mini-multiple

This allowes you to have both control voltages and its identical inverted voltages available at the same time.