KSR Workshop and Studio Featuring The Dark Knight & Inception Modular

KSR Workshop and Studio, Surrey, U.K flickr set By manof2worlds
Click through for the full set and be sure to see them full size. These are some incredible photos. via Neil Fellowes Geigertek on The MATRIXSYNTH Lounge. Neil won week #26 of the I Dream of Wires Modular of the Week contest.

"I received an invite from world-renowned synthesizer technician and restorer, Kent Spong [posted here], to visit his workshop and studio as part of my Synth Studio Photo Project. I duly accepted naturally. The highlight of the visit was to meet and photograph the Moog/PPG modular synthesiser system, owned by Mel Wesson, that was used to on such block-buster movies as 'The Dark Knight' and 'Inception'. I also had access to Kent's celebrated modified Yamaha CS-80 synthesizer, dubbed the 'KSR80', which it's re-imagined facia and modified circuitry that gives it even more expression and sonic capabilities than it's original set up. It was a delight to meet Kent, a very unassuming man, who is something of a living legend in the music business with clients who top the A-list including film-score composer Hans Zimmer. he's also known as 'Mr. CS80' because of his specilalist expertise with that particular synthesizer. Please do enjoy my take on the KSR Workshop and Studio."

Related:
Posts featuring Kent Spong
Kent Spong and Richard Lawson of RL Music are the men behind Touch Digital Controllers who produced the incredible hardware ImpOSCar controllers. They were featured in this Bob Moog Foundation Raffle and announced here.
Posts featuring Mel Wesson

Node Live at the Royal College of Music Now Available on CD and Download

You can find a teaser video of the performance previously posted here. Node features supporting MATRIXSYNTH member, Dave Bessell.

Click the images for the larger shots. This is an amazing setup.

"The Node Live album is now available as CD and Download on DiN records. The CD features a six page booklet and wrap around sleeve showing the full stage set up which features an alarmingly large list of classic and modern analogue equipment. Shock and Awe just about covers it!

This is the real deal, all sounds where created on the spot for the gig. Even the analogue sequencers where tuned by hand - no pitch quantisers! The tuning, sequence programming and patching alone took six hours. For the live situation we featured a little more percussion than we usually do which adds a new dimension. It was recorded at the Royal College of Music as four stereo feeds, one from each band member plus an ambience track of the room sound. It was then mixed by Alan Meyerson who is more normally found mixing Hollywood blockbuster soundtracks for Hans Zimmer."

CLICK FOR MORE »

PPG 314 Clocked Sequential Control

via Mel Wesson's Photos

HANS ZIMMER's EMS VCS3 & DK2 Up For Auction

EMS VCS3 & DK2 KEYBOARD FOR SALE ON EBAY : LAST OWNED HANS ZIMMER

See the red Update just below.
via this auction
YouTube via cores303 | June 25, 2010 | 0:26

"i sell my EMS VCS3 & DK2 KEYBOARD in mint condition
The VCS3 was previously owned by Hans Zimmer as was used in the making of the soundtrack to the "Batman Returns" film.
The system is in excellent cosmetic condition and fully servicing both units"

Update via Hans Zimmer on Facebook:

"I actually sold my Ems VCS 3 1980ish... Mel Wesson used his a tiny bit on "Batman Begins", so I think this is utter b.s.!
Actually, I've learned the hard way to never sell your synth! As soon as it's gone you realize that the only thing that'll do the sound that the track you're working on needs is the thing you just sold..."







via this auction
"The VCS3 was previously owned by Hans Zimmer as was used in the making of the soundtrack to the "Batman Returns" film.

info Hans Zimmer :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hans_Zimmer
http://www.myspace.com/hanszimmermusic
[Also see Hans Zimmer's profile on IMDB]

The system is in excellent cosmetic condition and fully servicing both units. VCS3 has a GATE ouput : see foto"

Update: Hans Zimmer actually worked on "Batman: The Dark Night" and Batman Begins according to IMDB. Danny Elfman worked on Batman Returns. Thanks to Howie in the comments for catching this.

PPG on PPG

via Wolfgang Palm on Facebook via Mel Wesson

"PPG's old and new... the Wave Generator is in the studio!"

And some RA Moog modular to boot!

Node Live at the Royal College of Music (Blu-ray)

A new release from supporting member, Node.

"Synth supergroup Node featuring Dave Bessell, Ed Buller, Flood and Mel Wesson have released a live bluray of their performance at London's Royal College of Music. Appearances of Node live are incredibly rare but when they happen they unleash their full 'shock and awe' arsenal of vintage analogue synths in a stage performance that is played entirely in real time. Featuring probably the largest collection of such synthesizers ever gathered on a single stage this is a rare opportunity to hear these vintage machines in full flight handled by masters of the art. Released as a limited edition of 500 - when they are gone they are gone.

If you don't have the means to play Bluray then no worries you can also get this live performance in audio cd or download from DiN records here - https://din.org.uk/album/node-live-din55"

Node Returns to the Studio

Node - Trailer

YouTube Uploaded by 140dBManagement on Feb 13, 2012

"Analogue Synth masters Node are set to return in 2012 after a 15 year break with brand new material. The group are made up of world famous producers Flood and Ed Buller, who between them have worked with the likes of Nine Inch Nails, Depeche Mode, Pulp, U2 and Suede. Alongside them is acclaimed musician, composer and professor of music Dave Bessell and film score extraordinaire Mel Wesson.

The group will release their first album in 17 years, following up from their self titled debut album in 1995. Alongside this they will run a Pledge Music campaign where fans will be given the unique opportunity to be part of the creative process as well as having the chance to purchase exclusive merchandise and content and receive the album before anyone else.

Click on the link below to visit the Node website where you can keep up to date with all the latest news, listen to music and be the first to hear about the launch of the pledge campaign.

www.nodesynth.com
www.facebook.com/nodesynth"

Node in the studio. Node 2, vintage modular, Flood, Mel Wesson, Ed Buller, Dave Bessell

video upload by David Bessell

"Just a short tease of Node recording Node 2 at Assault and Battery studios in London.
You can find the album here
https://din.org.uk/album/node-2-din44 Also Node live at the Royal College of Music here
https://din.org.uk/album/node-live-din5"