New BugBrand Modular Frames

via the BugBrand mailing list:

"This is a compact yet powerful set of building blocks for synthesis - ideal as a basis for classic Subtractive approaches, but able to jump way outside such parameters.

One voice, two voice, chaos, burbles, drones and so much more - play it standalone or drive it from external modular/controller.

I'm not currently planning on offering any form of true-modular choice - these setups are purely pre-configured.
This not only works for me on a production basis (self-contained designs kept in semi-regular production with fixed parameters) but it is also something of a reaction to the vast array of choices musicians face today - take the instrument and its 'limitations' and work it rather than thinking instantly on what extra modules could be added.
(though, as I say, it thrives on external control - I've used Kenton Midi-to-CV, Roland 184 poly-controller, Korg SQ1, Arturia BeatstepPro plus, of course, other Bug-Bits)

These will certainly be in production through the rest of 2016 and hopefully beyond. The initial run is of 60 and these will be finished up in batches of 10 (likely roughly 1.5 months between batches).

And looking beyond - design ideas are already well underway for a companion 'Expander' frame (which can easily be joined to the existing frame) containing such niceties as S/H, Noise, RingMod and different Oscillator models. Yes, I do feel the need for Seq/Clock/Control/Effects modules too - but those should come in frames 3 or 4 (could be a couple of years before such things).

So, wishing you all Happy Spring times.
All best for now, Tom"

Module list via BugBrand:

"The SynthVoice combines the following modules:

Dual Envelope - two Voltage Controlled Attack-Decay/Release Envelopes which can be Gated, Triggered or set to loop (oscillate). Fast and Slow(/Slower) ranges cover audio or LFO territories (down to c.40Sec per cycle in Slower mode) - the independent Up/Down control gives very different sonic results from the regular VCOs.

3 x Compact VCO - small but powerful, stable and accurate Voltage Controlled Oscillators covering Audio and Sub-Audio ranges with four manually swept waveforms. Each Osc features precise Tune, Fine and Octave switching along with polarizing Exponential FM, 1V/Oct input and Sync input.

Dual Filter - a twin Filtering unit built around State-Variable Filters which offer Low/Band/High responses with variable resonance up to self-oscillation (which tracks 1V/Oct). The left-hand filter can be switched to sub-audio mode for glide, differentiation, or low-frequency sine-waves.

Dual Amplifier - these not only cover your standard VCA duties (DC-coupled, naturally, so fine controlling audio or sub-audio signals), but each integrates a switchable wave-shapping post stage - Wave-folding on the left, zener soft-clipping Saturation on the right.

Dual Mixing - two sections to mix your signals. The top two channel DC mixer allows polarized mixing, while the Main and Sub mix combines three inputs into two independent output audio buses with balanced 1/4" jacks.

Powered Frame - the system's exoskeleton not only provides a strong housing, but also holds the internal power conditioning and distribution - an external worldwide 12VDC supply is converted to internal bipolar +/-15V and distributed to each module. The DC input and 0V grounding point are mounted on the left-hand side of the back.

All modules follow the Frac-Rack standards (multiples of 1.5" width, 5.25" height, max 1.65" depth) and feature PCB material front panels for clear, eye-catching and durable appearance."