Random Exercises

video upload by Todd Barton

"Try this at home!"

GND Compact Osc Network

video upload by Todd Barton

"Here are just a couple of minutes with the Gaston Nonlinear Dynamics Compact Oscillator Network and all the diverse sonic universes it traverses just with these few slider moves . . . and this is definitely not even the tip of the iceberg. https://ryangastonmusic.com/"

GND Compendium

video upload by Todd Barton

"I've had the Gaston [Nonlinear] Dynamics system for just a week. Here is a little compendium of some of my explorations and experiments. This is truly "next level" modular synthesis design and vision. A cohesive and deep system which encourages experimentation, curiosity and discovery!
https://ryangastonmusic.com/hardware
My Patreon: / synthtodd"

GeneMorphing with the MakeNoise Morphagene

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"The Morph is 2-channel stereo, but this also means we can use it in dual mono and dub two sources at once. When we flip inputs, we can make amazing new textures. We can even loop the morph's output back in with a clever device like a matrix mixer. Let's bring some new life to the modules we already have!

I used Todd Barton's Waterphone video to harvest some sounds, used with permission. The best sounds are on YouTube! • Waterphone Demo: Waters-Hubbert [posted here]

Sidenote: I've been writing my own visual FX code over the last two weeks, trying to create nightvision filters and AI shape detection for shapes, hands, faces, etc. I needed to test them, so this video is a bit of a test case.I will use them sparsely, but not today. I know they're not top notch yet, but it feels different when you designed them yourself. Also, I want to bring a bit of the Cinematic Laboratory to a live show, allowing me to also visualize what I play when there's a big screen nearby.

Also, my efforts of exploring AI assisted coding may have brought me the opportunity to speak at a big ICT conference. I am sure some of you hate all of this, but the future is here and we can't stop it. Modular is my retirement hobby, but ICT made it possible. This is a time where I actually have to excuse myself for using AI. It's FAQ'ed up."

Discrete Map first explorations

video upload by Todd Barton

"Just scratching the surface of this versatile module. More to come. . . For a complete unfolding see Divkid’s deep dive • Bend & Twist Time with Voltage Addressed S..." [2nd video here]

The Places You'll Go

video upload by Todd Barton

"Exploring the different oscillator mode combinations of a single algorithm. Amazing all the different sonic scapes that emerge!

The 700 FM Voice: https://gmxe.org/700fm-voice
My Patreon: / synthtodd"

Buchla Electronic Music Festival: Thomas Dimuzio, Todd Barton, Bruce Bayard

video upload by CatSynth TV

"We present highlights from the final evening of the 2025 Buchla Electronic Music Festival at Wyldflowr Arts in Oakland, California. This concert featured a solo performance by Thomas Dimuzio on Buchla modular and sundry pedals, followed by a duo of Todd Barton and Bruce Bayard on Buchla Music Easels.

00:00 Introduction
00:13 Thomas Dimuzio
05:14 Todd Barton and Bruce Bayard
10:58 Conclusion

Please visit the artists' websites to find out more about their music and work.

Thomas Dimuzio: http://www.thomasdimuzio.com/
Todd Barton: https://www.toddbarton.com/
Bruce Bayard: https://brucebayard.com/

Learn more about Wyldflowr Arts, including events and other programs at https://wyldflowrarts.com/

Check out our in-depth interview with Todd Barton" [posted here]

EF Fun

video upload by Todd Barton

"Fun asymmetrical rhythms from noisy patches to the Envelope Follower.
My Patreon: / synthtodd" Programmable 700 FM Voice Processor

Poly Pressure Sound Objects

video upload by Todd Barton

"Buchla 219 Controller. Today's 'what if' -- exploring three different sound objects or textures with three individual pressure outputs to three LPGs."

Buchla 219 excerpts

video upload by Todd Barton

"A little compilation of demos I've been posting on my Instagram of this amazing and deeply versatile and inspiring Buchla controller:
219 Compound Touch Controlled Voltage Source.
From: https://sourceofuncertainty.com/"

219 More features

video upload by Todd Barton

"Looking at some more features of the 219: CV input section, Modulation pads, X-Y Joystick assignment . . . "

219 First Poly Test

video upload by Todd Barton

"I'm just begging to grok this awesome controller. Stay tuned for me brief explorations and eventually some in depth videos.

https://black-corporation.com/
https://sourceofuncertainty.com/

Buchla 219 first touch

video upload by Todd Barton

"Wow! This is a game changer for sure: The Buchla 219 Compound Touch Controlled Voltage Source. Now my big Buchla system can spin on a dime.
This is a super simple patch -- can't wait to take the deep dive!"

Buchla & Tiptop Audio 248t and 230t Incoming

via Tiptop Audio

Multiple Arbitrary Function Generator Model 248t

Status: TBA
Price: TBA

Update:

248 Boommm!

Yes yes, the MARF is here and alive! At Superbooth, we’re showing the first prototype, and it’s already 80% functional. What a monster. The range of possibilities here is truly outstanding. This thing can literally mutate based on how it’s programmed. It’s wild and often unpredictable. Is it a sequencer? A curve generator? For notes or modulation?

Well, it’s a function generator, an arbitrary one at that, and in practice, it’s more complex than we could’ve imagined.

We were unsure about this module. There’s no fully functional original unit we could test, and all the data comes from Don’s 22-page user manual from 1977, along with insights from Kyle Swisher and Todd Barton, who’ve been investigating this for years. Exciting times!

Where and how much?

Wish us luck—we hope to release it this winter. Pricing is expected to be in the $650–$950 range. As always, we’ll do our best to keep it affordable and give you plenty of time to save up.

Triple Envelope Follower Model 230t

Status: TBA
Price: TBA

Update:

Triple Envelope Follower Model 230t

Here’s another wonderful vintage design: three AC amplitude followers with excellent sensitivity and highly accurate CV reproduction of the incoming signal. Both sensitivity and decay time are adjustable across a wide range. The circuit is so sensitive, it can even produce output from the noise generated by rotating the sensitivity knob—pretty cool.

The pulse output can generate either a transient (trigger) or a sustained gate signal, depending on the switch setting. We’ve been using it extensively in our systems and discovering tons of creative patch ideas. Where and how much?

It’s heading into production, with the first batch expected in July 2025. Pricing will be in the $200+ range.

Infinite Machinery Demo by Todd Barton

video upload by Todd Barton

"Just got turned onto these cool modules from Infinite Machinery which is located here in my little town. Really digging them. Enjoy these brief test drives."

Todd Barton's Patreon: / synthtodd

The Infinite Machinery Hexa VCA is a 6 channel VCA with DC coupling and a unique normalization function. All in 12 HP

Signal inputs are DC coupled.
CV input response, 0 to +5V

Maximum amplification is unity gain, or 1.

Channels with no CV input will have CV normalized
to the CV of the channel above. This cascading of CV
values is defined in two groups, channels 1 - 3 and 4 - 6.

For example: If CV is patched to channel 1 and no CV
patched into channels 2 & 3 - Channels 2 & 3 will
follow the CV of channel 1.

Patch CV into channel 2 and nothing into channel 3
then channel 3 will follow the CV of channel 2.
The same hold true for channels 4 - 6, with 4 being
the start of the CV cascade.

Module depth - 34mm

Current draw - 40mA +-

CLICK FOR MORE »

Birding with the Easel

video upload by Todd Barton

"A fun little bird menagerie patch. Enjoy!
My Patreon: / synthtodd"

Easel Improv 42225

video upload by Todd Barton

"afternoon exploration . . ."

Transposing Arpeggios

video upload by Todd Barton

"Today's "what if" using Pulse out of the PVS to Pulse in on the Aux Card: Transposing Arpeggios.

My Patreon: / synthtodd"

Mangling a Square Wave

video upload by Todd Barton

Strange Fig 6 62

video upload by Todd Barton

My periodic look at patches from Allen Strange’s book, Electronic Music.
My Patreon: / synthtodd