thingstruments

You have to see this. The Hammond Novachord restoration project

Very cool - the sequencer controlling the robot band is a metal cylinder with adjustable protrusions. Super sleek build!!!

The Otamatone is something like the monotron, but with less control for the sound, a much longer ribbon controller and a peculiar casing.

If you haven't seen it yet, you should definitely check out Hans Fjellestads documentary film on Robert Moog, for free on Youtube!

This joystick is not just any joystick: it has an APC ( Atari Punk Console ) inside, and instead of controlling flight simulators it makes sounds. And there's more: with these instructables , you can make your own at home!

Here's some more from littleBits: a keytar and a synth spin table project. littleBits are a product family of little electronics modules that can be connected together like legos. If you don't already know, they just started collaboration with Korg for a new synthesizer module product line...

Dentaku have created a mini-synthesizer the size of a cassette tape: Ototo. Looks fun!

Korg just keeps bringing out some excellent toys for synth geeks. Now they have started collaboration with littleBits , a company making open-source modular circuit boards that can be connected like legos. That's right, Korg is now making open-source synth modules. They've released the monotron schematics already a while back and seems like it worked out just fine for them. It's great to see a big company like Korg embracing the DIY synth community like this! Read this great article on create digital music for more info on the littleBits + Korg collab.

This punch-card operated drum synth / sequencer is too cool to be true. Be sure not to miss the part where he programs in a new sequence!

This guy built his own modular and filmed it all with a time-lapse app for the iPhone. The synthesizer can be also heard on the soundtrack. Amazing work!

Here's a great, in-detail introduction to the Oberheim polyphonic 8 voice synthesizer . It's just... beautiful...

  The ANS synthesizer , imagined in 1938 and built in 1958 by Evgeny Murzin . It is controlled by glass discs that have the arrangement printed on them. It was used most notably on the soundtrack to Andrei Tarkovsky 's film Solyaris . A curious fact is also that this thing is 720-note (or should I say pitch) polyphonic! Also worth checking is this interesting article on the ANS. Update: now a virtual version of the ANS is available for everyone to play with!

In this video, 12 Korg monotribes have a conversation.

Very nice patch! I could listen to this all day.

Not sure if it's the coolest, but it sure is one of the nicest modulars I've come across.

Here's a quick look into the history of the Minimoog . Totally worth the 8-minute watch.

Here's a clip from the documentary Magic Music From The Telharmonium . The Telharmonium was the first electronic synthesizer complete with a touch sensitive keyboard. Three different versions were built, weighing from 7 tons to almost 200 tons! For those wanting more spoilers, you can read this great synthmuseum.com article about the instrument .

Here's David Gilmour and showing how they did the the synth line for On the Run on an EMS Synthi A . And here's a Synthi advert from days gone by.

The Electronium is a huge electronic synthesizer built in 1960s by Raymond Scott . Here's a talk from the restorator of the thing. Keep up the good work in restoring this awesome piece of history! EDIT: I had to include this MIND-BOGGLING composition of his using the Electronium.

If you've never heard of Bruce Haack , you should check this out. Bruce Haack was a real pioneer of electronic music, making electronic albums starting in the late sixties. The audio not the best but works.