Electronic Music Works (EMW) shared this sneak preview of the VPOLY-6X, a new virtual analog synthesizer module that they say is “designed to deliver inspiring sound with an intuitive workflow.”
Details are still to come at their site, but they say that the VPOLY-6X offers a clean and practical interface and powerful analog-style sound.
The Bob Moog Foundation is expanding its archives with the addition of one of the very first R.A. Moog theremins, the Model 351, built in 1954. Bob Moog was only 20 years old when the company made this model available.
Supporters Tammy and Phil Niemeyer donated the instrument, appraised with a value of $25,000.
Tammy’s grandfather, James Gray Everhart, purchased the theremin in Sherman, Texas, around 1955. He regularly played it for his family members and friends.
“We are thrilled to have this extremely rare R.A. Moog Model 351 theremin as part of the Bob Moog Foundation Archives,” said Michelle Moog-Koussa, Executive Director of the Bob Moog Foundation. “This stunning historical instrument helps us trace the evolution of Bob’s design ethic, while sharing the growth of his fledgling company.”
The Model 351 theremin is a five-octave, vacuum tube-based instrument, hand-assembled by Bob Moog. His father, George, assisted him with his own woodworking and engineering skills while they worked together in their basement workshop.
The 351 has a small mahogany cabinet with the standard theremin volume control plate and pitch-control antenna attached. Its silk-screened front panel features a generous number of tone-control knobs, including three separate volume knobs.
In the middle of the panel, there are two four-position switches, affecting what Moog called “Synthetic Format”. Mixing and matching the switch positions created a modest palette of tone possibilities.
The first switch could be set at “Principal,” which was the same default tone of the Model 305, or to “Woodwind,” “Horn,” or “String.” The second switch was essentially a pitch-transposing selector, with settings for “Fundamental,” “Octave,” “Quint,” and “Superoctave.” The far-right “Pitch Adjustment” knob enabled more refined pitch control.
The Model 351 is the latest in a long line of rare Moog instruments added to the Bob Moog Foundation Archives, including Bob’s very first electronic instrument, The Rensitron, an original R.A. Moog Model 201 theremin, two Moog modular synthesizers from 1967, Herb Deutsch’s Melodia theremin from 1961 and his R.A. Moog Co. Minimoog from 1971 (serial #1094), a Musonics Minimoog, Gary Wright’s Moog Liberation keytar, the Moog Apollo Polymoog prototype, the first Minimoog Voyager ever sold and more.
The Bob Moog Foundation is an independent non-profit organization, dedicated to the preservation of Bob Moog’s legacy. Key projects include the Moogseum, a STEAM program for kids focusing on the science of sound, and preserving Moog’s archives.
Developer Marcus Dunn has introduced Acid Drip, a DIY bassline synth and drum machine.
Here’s what Dunn has to say about it:
“Have you ever heard a Roland TB-303 Bassline synth being played? Well if you’re listened or danced to house, trance or techno music, then there is a good chance you have heard one before.
I decided I wanted to make my own (you can actually by a Behringer TD3-303 clone for relatively cheap – but why buy when you can make!) using a Raspberry Pi and a handful of components.
The original 303 uses a lot of passive and components like Op amps and matched pairs of transistors to build the classic filters and sound effects you hear. However, I’m a little too lazy these days to have to work with all those components and built the synth on a Raspberry Pi.
Unlike the original, Acid Drip is very easy to play – you can turn it on and start busting out grooves straight away.”
Acid Drip is available now as a DIY project via Github.
