JLR's Modular Synthesizers - System Breakdown #15

video upload by John L Rice

"This is my fifteenth video breakdown/rundown, this time for my largest system, the mighty 5U "wall"! 🥳 This is likely the last installment of this series.

Index:
0:00 Beginning
2:23 Preface
4:30 Introduction
5:28 Section 1

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Arturia Pure LoFi Custom Patches [Bank 1] by synth_nyc

via synth_nyc:

"You can listen to them in high resolution (24bit 96kHz PCM WAV masters, FLAC encoded) on my site (optimized for Chrome on MacOS and Windows).

All recorded at 24bit 96kHz PCM on UAD Apollo X hardware with builtin FX and UAD FX.

Fantastic synth. Kudos to Arturia. I love the sound, the synth engines and the limited modulation options that forces you to be creative and efficient in your sound design choices."

Introducing Timepod by Modern Midi

video upload by Modern MIDI

"Timepod is an innovative MIDI controller with 16 high-resolution endless knobs, built around an advanced integrated snapshot system."

Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction
00:52 - Recall Modes
01:48 - Mixing Demo
03:00 - Sequencing Demo
03:56 - Outro

Timepod - Full Reveal

video upload by Modern MIDI

"After a year of design, testing, and feedback from our amazing Kickstarter backers — Timepod is finally real.

In this video, we’re giving you the first full look at the finished product — the design, the features, and the journey that brought us here.

Limited Time $100 Off Preorder Sale 👇
https://www.modernmidi.io/products/timepod

0:00 Intro
0:25 Next-Gen Knobs
0:55 Modern LED rings
1:06 Innovative Snapshot System
1:51 Auto Morph
2:10 Manual Morph
2:43 Random Morph
3:21 Desktop App
3:30 Outro"



Next-Gen Resolution
16 ultra-high resolution (1024 steps per revolution—8x the resolution of standard encoders) endless knobs with touch-sensitivity for unmatched precision and control.*

Perfected Feel
Custom-tuned knobs for optimal torque, uniform resistance, and silky-smooth response for a truly premium feel.

Sleek Visual Feedback
Seamless LED rings powered by high-quality LEDs for rich colors, crisp feedback, and outdoor-visible brightness.

Deep Control
8 banks of 16 mappable knobs give you complete tactile control over your projects.

Innovative Snapshot System
Save, recall, and morph between sound sets creatively and effortlessly, with up to 8 snapshots per bank and 3 different morph modes.

Frictionless Workflow
Play Timepod like an instrument with its streamlined interface, intuitive controls, and creative features.

Customize Everything
Use the companion desktop app to configure colors, mappings, brightness, and more.

Connect Anywhere
USB-C and TRS-A In & Out ports unlock new creative possibilities in any setup.

Engineered with Passion
Timepod is the product of years of community-driven development, refined through countless iterations and meticulous attention to detail.

Each Timepod is hand-assembled in the United States.

*14-bit MIDI CC communication is natively supported by Timepod and most DAWs, allowing you to take advantage of the higher resolution with minimal setup.

Music is such a strange language | synth jam

video upload by No Lake

"'One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.' (Bob Marley)

Whatever the style, whatever the reason, music unites us under the same banner, the same freedom, the same language. A unique, universal and strange language.

Headphones 🎧 recommended

My Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/artist/3MAeb...
My Bandcamp : https://nolake.bandcamp.com/"

Off on a roadtrip to Pick up this Amazingly Quirky Vintage DIY Analog/Wavetable synth! The Mini Digi

video upload by LOOK MUM NO COMPUTER

"ANOTHER PIECE OF DIY SYNTHESIZER HISTORY By Bill!
Download the VST sample instruments of this instrument! And much more! And Support ‪@THISMUSEUMISNOTOBSOLETE‬ here :- / mini-digi-sounds-143564117"

Curtis based DIY synth. Also mentioned: Volage Controlled Analog Sequencers from February 1984 Electronics & Music Maker magazine.

Groovetube - sequencer testing with input/output signals

video upload by Telmatronics

"The programming is now catching up with the hardware...

In this clip: chaos-testing the transport and octave control switches, with note envelope code running. The scope traces show input and output signals, you can see the effect of the plasma

High-quality audio version at www.telmatronics.co.uk"

The Elmyra2 has never sounded like THIS before (version 2.4 update!)

video upload by Oscillator Sink

See the announcement post from earlier today here.

"The Elmyra2 continues to be one of my favourite, weird little drone synths, and over the last two and half years it has got better and better with each new update. Version 2.4 is arguably the best and most important update yet, not only for the huge number of sonic, creative and quality of life improvements, but it opens up an entirely new sound-world for the Elmyra for you to explore.

Transparency notice: the Elmyra 2 was kindly provided to me by Neutral Labs (back in 2023) for free for the purposes of making videos on it. No editorial oversight has been provided to Neutral Labs and no other payment has been received. As always I'm only interested in featuring instruments that I'm genuinely excited about on the channel.

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:16 UX Improvements
02:50 General Sound Improvements
03:20 New Improved Default Filter Model
06:11 Improved Shortcuts
07:46 New "CHRM" Shortcuts
08:58 Voice Stacking
10:38 LFO Motion Recording
12:46 Short Envelopes
15:56 New Mod Mode: Oscillator Sync
18:03 New Reverb
22:29 Comb Filter Mode (physical modelling vibes!)
27:01 A little moment of sonic chaos
28:21 Voice Following Comb Filter
31:04 Final Thoughts"

New Oddment ODD-1 Demos

Just a heads up, new demos have been added to this post for those interested.

Black Friday Sales

Just a reminder, Black Friday is coming Nov 28. Be sure to check with dealers and manufacturers on the right as well as Reverb for any offers. Perfect Circuit's sale are currently up.

Links to shops that support the site (be sure to check with manufacturers as well):

CONTROL

Perfect Circuit

Signal Sounds

Nightlife

KRAFT MUSIC

SYNTHCUBE

SYNTH CITY

Tone Tweakers

Noisebug

Analog U.S.

Three Wave Music

And of course Amazon

If you want to support the site please support the shops and manufacturers that sponsor the site. They, as well as supporting members, help keep the site running.

4ms Employee Interviews: Meet Ross Fish!

video upload by 4ms Company

"Ross works on design, software development and videos at 4ms."

4ms Employee Interviews

Interviews with Dan Green

the GERMAN SYNTH that took over industrial music

video upload by Tonepusher

"🔊Sounds, Presets & Templates🔊
Presets & Samples ► https://www.tonepusher.com/
Patreon(synth presets,templates,store discounts)► / tonepusher

the GERMAN SYNTH that took over industrial music

Discover how the Access Virus synthesizer revolutionized industrial, EBM, and dark electro music. From the original Virus A to the legendary Virus TI, this German synth became a staple for artists like Rammstein, Nine Inch Nails, Front Line Assembly, Skinny Puppy, and Wumpscut. Dive into its history, evolution, and influence on modern producers. If you love industrial synths, dark electronic music, and music production, this deep dive into the Access Virus is for you!

cEvin Key's Patreon ► / cevinkey

Chapters:
0:00 - intro
0:14 - Origins of Access Music
1:26 - Virus A (1997)
6:50 - Virus B (1999)
11:05 - Virus C (2002)
14:22 - Virus TI (2005)"

Waldorf Microwave ~ The German Sound Cooking Studio ~

video upload by RetroSound

"(c)2007-25 by RetroSound
supported by UVI: http://bit.ly/retrosound-uvi

When I started making music about 30 years ago, I didn't have any space in my old apartment, so I only bought space-saving rack synthesizers. One of the first devices I bought back then was the Waldorf Microwave. Here's a little demo track with self programmed sounds I made back then. I've never released it before."

Shop: https://retrosound.creator-spring.com/
Bandcamp: https://retrosound.bandcamp.com/

Korg Wavestate – "KAV Bundle" 120 Performances

video upload by LFOstore

"New sound pack for Korg Wavestate / mkII / Se /Module/ Native

Finally available the bundle 3lAtlas + Weather Station + "Classic Synth Waves" for your Korg Wavestate!

BUY: https://kav-sound-explorer.sellfy.sto...

Sound Bundle for Korg Wavestate / mkII / Se /Module/ Native

1) Korg Wavestate "3IAtlas" sound pack

This year, we will be visited by a rare visitor – the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS! Finding such an object is extremely rare: 3I/ATLAS is only the third interstellar object known to humans.

However, not everyone agrees that 3I/ATLAS is just a comet: could an alien spacecraft have entered our solar system?

'3IAtlas' sound pack contents: 40 performances, 87 programs, multisamples

What’s Inside: •40 performances •87 programs •51 MB of custom multisamples •Designed for cinematic, ambient, and electronic use •Includes analog, digital, evolving, and hybrid tones •Works seamlessly in professional and experimental contexts

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Yamaha DX200 Desktop Control Synthesizer SN HJ01445

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this Reverb listing

"Manual, CD, floppy and power adapter included."

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Roland JD-800 61-Key Programmable Synthesizer

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this Reverb listing

"This is a great JD800!

It has a replacement keybed so you'll never have to worry about the red glue problem that these all eventually fall victim to.

It's got a few scuffs and scratch on the display but overall it's in great functional condition."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Waldorf Blofeld 49-Keyboard w/ Flight Case

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this Reverb listing

CLICK FOR MORE »

1977 Korg M-500 Micro-Preset Synthesizer SN 810139 w/ Cards & Manual

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this eBay listing

"This is vintage 1977 synthesizer by Korg. With manual and cards (15). The button for Synth 2 does not work. Or at least I don’t know how to use it. It turns on and synth 1 works. One little button on the slide pad is missing the top piece and the wire upright music rack is gone."

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Bad Gear - NO ONE understands this! & It's UGLY

video upload by AudioPilz

"Today, however, we are going to talk about K2000. This range of Synth/ROMpler/Sampler hybrids was originally brought to the market in 1991 by Ray Kurzweil, a completely overpowered mega brain who went from being Stevie Wonder ’s custom shop to looking forward to merging with AI by 2045. No one understands this.


Chapters:
00:00 Intro tune
01:04 Overview Kurzweil K-2000
01:19 Different Models, Sampling
01:41 What the Actual...?!? (The Samples)
02:17 Keygroups
02:31 Layers, Algorithms, Synth Architecture
02:59 Sync, FM, Complex Signal Chains
03:13 Filters
03:23 Modulators, FUN, Midi Control
03:48 Problems with the Aging Hardware
03:56 Programs, Presets (No, we're still not finished)
04:31 FX Section
04:48 Patches
05:08 What else? (Outputs, Sequencer, Thanks, Pricing)
05:48 H*te Screen
06:12 Jam 1 ( Techno Preset Surfing )
07:13 Jam 2 ( Tracker Drum'n'Bass )
08:13 Finale ( 90s Adventure Game OST )
08:46 VERDICT"

Bad Gear - It's UGLY!!!

video upload by AudioPilz

Chapters:
00:00 Intro tune
00:26 Overview Akai MPC Live III
00:37 The new fancy Pads
01:17 The Catch, Articulations
01:38 Built-in Mic, Speakers
01:45 Step Sequencer
02:22 Tech Specs
02:34 Arrangement, Clip Matrix
03:01 Ribbon Controller, Q-Link Knobs, Touch Screen
03:37 Instruments (Drums, Keygroups, Plugins,...)
04:11 More DAW-like Stuff, Time Stretch, Mixer
04:43 Pro Pack, Compatibility to other MPCs, Stems
05:07 What else? (Content, Hardware, Pricing, Thanks)
06:12 H*te Screen
06:40 Jam 1 ( EDM )
07:36 Jam 2 (Epic Lo-fi Type Beat )
08:42 Finale ( 90s FPS Style DnB )
09:14 VERDICT

And the Halloween episode:

CLICK FOR MORE »

Play+ / Dirt Synth Functionality and Sound Design

video upload by Polyend

"Let's get into how you make some patches with Dirt.

Dirt is the latest Synth engine for the Polyend Play+ available on Firmware 1.3 - https://polyend.com/downloads/play-pl..."

MOOG Messenger Sequencer, Arppegiator, & Spectravox Feedback

video uploads by Moog Music

Playlist:

1. Messenger | Sequencer Functionality

Messenger features a deep generative sequencer with functionality inspired by Muse. With features like Note Pool paired with Note Probability, Gate probability, and the ability to store a unique sequence per-patch, Messenger’s sequencer provides an intuitive way to build up complex melodic sequences that can spin off into new permutations at the touch of a button.

2. Messenger | Arppegiator Functionality

Messenger features an extremely flexible arpeggiator with functionality inspired by the arp found in Muse. With the ability to chose both traditional or newer advanced note movement patterns, program rhythms, and the option to store a unique arp style per-patch, Messenger’s arpeggiator is a powerful tool for music composition and developing new song ideas.

3. Messenger | Spectravox Feedback

In this video we look at how to use Spectravox and Messenger together to create feedback tones verging on the edge of destruction.

Spectravox is a flexible signal processor which adds lots of sonic character to any signal we patch into it. Using a basic sound from Messenger we can add distortion and saturation using Spectravox's pre-amp section as well as deep modulated phaser tones with its ten filters. Messenger's control voltage output allows us to control parameters of Spectravox (in this case the Spectral Shift LFO rate) using Messenger's keyboard. Later, we look at tying Spectravox and Messenger together in a feedback loop - patching the headphone output of Messenger to the Program input of Spectravox, the Program output of Spectravox to its Carrier Input, and then the output of Spectravox to the External Input of Messenger. With careful balance of the EXT IN/FB control and various parameters on both Spectravox and Messenger, a whole new world of gnarly and nonlinear feedback tones opens up.

How to Mutate | KeyStep mk2

video upload by Arturia

"Join Matt Paull for a focused look at KeyStep Mk2’s Mutate feature - a creative tool for transforming sequences and arpeggios into evolving musical ideas. Learn how to shape variations, lock everything to scale, record automation, and push your patterns into new directions for fast, inspired compositions.

_CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
00:26 Mutating the sequence
01:51 Recording automation
02:16 Scale Mode
02:50 Mutating the arpeggiator
03:41 Turning an arp into a sequence
03:58 Extra Tips
04:41 Chaining patterns"

Turismo - Environment Sound Design

video upload by ALM TV

"Our Eurorack modular workstation the 'Turismo' is well suited for sequencing beats and groove box style patching but the versatile system can fit equally well into less structured environments. In this patch we explored using the Turismo for realistic environmental sound design, making use of it's plethora of utilites and interesting sound shaping capabilities to create a custom environment with realistic rain and thunder sounds entirely synthesized by the system.

For a more detailed description of this patch, please see our full writeup on the Busy Circuits blog: https://busycircuits.com/blogs/latest..."

Antonus Step Brother with Elektor Formant by Erica Synths improvisation

video upload by Antonus

"Testing the finished Elektor Formant DIY KIT from Erica Synths.
Improvising using the Antonus Step Brother for play the Formant. Very special and particular sound and behaviour in the Formant, but the Step Brother connects in a very powerful way. I love how also they match in dimensions, Step Brother fits perfect on bottom of the Formant. Very fun and powerful combo!"

Elmyra 2 firmware v2.4 – new features walkthrough

video upload by nyppy

"Get the update file here: https://neutral-labs.com/elmyra2

00:00 Intro
00:13 Improved sound quality
00:30 New delay
00:58 New and controllable reverb
01:43 Comb filter
02:18 Action confirmation
02:23 New multimode ladder filter
02:45 Oscillator hard sync
03:16 Voice stacking/tune follow
03:50 Diatonic and pentatonic scales
04:01 Quick octave switching
04:15 Knob motion recording
04:40 Super short envelopes
04:59 Quick mute
05:21 Outro jam"

The Queen of Industrial Grunge Got an Upgrade — Sophisticated Dirt!

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"#Elmyra2 v2.4 — What’s New and Improved Sound Engine

Higher sample rate and improved wavetable resolution → noticeably cleaner top end. New wavetables added. Overall mix saturation refined, with “soft” (122) now default. Knob value stability and tuning precision improved.

Filters
New comb filter (codes 3321/3322). RESO = damping, CUTOFF = delay time, with optional pitch tracking. Ladder filter reworked — now true multimode (LP/BP/HP) with higher quality. Ladder LP (331) is the new default filter. State-variable filter retains LP/BP/HP modes (341–343) but with improved gain staging, resonance, and cutoff ranges.

Delay & Reverb
Delay fully re-implemented → cleaner feedback, no lock-ups.
Added proper reverb engine controllable with delay knobs.
Code 441 = delay (default), 442 = new reverb, 4411 = legacy lo-fi reverb.
TIME = decay, FDBK = color, MIX = blend.
Dry/wet crossfade curve improved for smoother transitions.

Modulation
New MODP: oscillator hard-sync (orange LED, position 5).
MOD controls the synced oscillator pitch.
LFO1 knob-motion recording (code 2413) — record live movement of LFO rate. Sequencer output to LFO1 possible (243v).
Per-voice sequencer clock divider (11sv).
Digitally controlled envelopes in multiple short modes (221v → very short … 224v → disable). Detune MODP range expanded.

Scales & Chromatic Mode
New musical scales for chromatic mode: major, minor, major pentatonic, minor pentatonic (CHRM + 11–14). Scale selection now unified under the CHRM button. Knob-to-pitch mapping in chromatic mode is now linear and exact.

User Interface & Workflow

LED feedback overhaul — REC and PLAY flash to confirm code entry, sequence record, mute, and drone states. Quick mute/unmute voice (MODP + PG long press). Quick octave switch (MODP + double-tap PG).
Pink MODP LED at startup identifies firmware 2.4.
Touchpad LEDs more reliable during operation.
Drone and mute response feels snappier.

Under-the-hood Fixes
State-variable filter crash fixed (previously triggered by fast cutoff modulation).
Improved detune, filter, and delay behaviors under modulation load.
Sequencer timing more consistent with internal clock."

ODD-1 Overview 05: LFOs, Macros, Patching

video upload by Oddment

"This is the fifth in a series of videos to show all of the ODD-1's functions in more detail. In this one we show off the LFOs, Macros and how to create modulation connections. There are 4 LFOs, 3 Envelopes, 4 Macros (assignable knobs), 4 Control inputs and MIDI information that can all act as modulation sources. Any parameter on the device is a parameter destination. Unlimited connections are made by holding down a destination parameter and then pressing or twisting a modulation source."

All parts here