"This item was purchased directly from Black Corp in Summer 2024. This is a through hole DIY version of the ISE-NIN and was assembled by the circuit board designer at Black Corp, Aleksandr Kholenko.
This unit has just returned from being serviced/recalibrated and is fully functional."
"The SH-2 has some kind of power over me. I can't get away from it. Not that I want to!
This is the first time I've tried adding a 3rd oscillator to the SH-2 by running a single Roland System-500 512 square with PWM into the external audio input. I thought this would naturally lead to making a massive 3 detuned osc + sub monosynth sound, but instead I gravitated to something much more melodic, by setting up each oscillator at a different pitch, making chords with nice intervals. With the ability to set the bender to VCO 2 only, I can change the interval of one of the notes easily, either up or down, without disrupting the vibe at all. The T-Rex Replicator tape delay adds some echo and gritty texture, and then the Make Noise Mimeophon delay fans it out into the stereo field. The sequence of notes is a simple 4 note arp that I transpose with the NiftyKeyz. The mod wheel is assigned to tape delay time, and the arp clock output is fed into a 2HP clock divider, which drives the kick, though half a beat behind because that's how clock dividers work I guess. The kick is a simple decay envelope routed to the G-Storm Electro SH-2 VCF with a moderate amount of resonance and saturation. There's an additional percussive element with some noise going to the G-Storm SH-5 VCF, through the LP first and then the dedicated bandpass which is being swept by an LFO.
The Blade Runner-ish lead sound is of course the Black Corporation Deckard's Voice, paired with the Rachael ring modulator, though it's not being used as a ring-mod, but rather a second sawtooth oscillator. 2 saws are essential to the BR sound, and therefore the Rachael is a required addition to Deckard's Voice. The output runs into the Happy Nerding FX Aid Pro set to the Black Cloud reverb algorithm, which completes the sound.
There's just a tiny dash of master reverb in post that serves as the final glue to hold it all together."
"Spaghetti (February 2025) by Mr Firechild.
The following synthesizers were used:
¤ Minimoog
¤ Black Corporation Xerxes
¤ ARP Solina with Sovtek Small Stone Phaser
¤ Moog One
¤ Behringer System 55
¤ TTSH
¤ Various Euro rack modules
¤ xils lab THE EIGHTY software synth
¤ Behringer VC340
"A short introduction into the theory behind musical textures in contemporary electroacoustic music.
Feel free to share your own texture making techniques, as well!
0:00 Intro
0:49 What is a texture?
2:35 Definitions, features, usage, motion
3:08 Functions of textures
4:50 Patch 1 - Creating a moving texture from scratch
6:40 Patch 2 - From texture to track
7:39 Patch 3 - A note on layering
8:35 Thanks for watching!"
"At NAMM 2025, we caught up with Roman from Black Corporation who walked us through their latest innovations. First up was the Monolith*, a signal generator not created by *Black Corporation*, but developed by *Black Corporation team members. Roman explained that the Monolith allows you to generate presets, LFOs, arpeggiators, and MIDI CC. This versatile device outputs via USB host, TRS MIDI, or USB-C to computer, providing an easy way to enhance your hardware synths with additional oscillators, LFOs, and envelopes.
Then we got a look at the *Expander MK2*, which represents Roman's dream multi-effect processor. Featuring classic delay models including the Lexicon PCM42 and a BBD delay, the Expander MK2 incorporates two types of reverbs - including one developed in collaboration with Maris - as well as a spring reverb with digital pre-delay and a Tilt EQ. With a rich array of modulation options, including a ring modulator and OTA-based phasers, the Expander MK2 is a comprehensive solution for integrating multiple effects. It boasts extensive connectivity options and total recall via MIDI CC. The Expander MK2 is set to ship at the end of spring 2025 at a starting price of $5,000, with pre-orders available for this reduced price before an anticipated increase."
"Here is my deeper Review about the Black Corporation ISE-NIN 8 Voice Polyphopnic Analog Synthesizer. Together with the Original famous Roland Jupiter-8 and a bunch of other gear. The Intro Song was only made by the ISE-NIN."
Click the auction link on top when you get there for additional listings.
"Black Corporation ISE-NIN Polyphonic Analog Synthesizer, expertly crafted and inspired by the iconic Roland Jupiter-8. This 8-voice synthesizer offers the same lush, warm analog tones that made the Jupiter-8 legendary, with advanced modern features to take your sound even further. It boasts polyphonic aftertouch for expressive, nuanced performances, MPE (MIDI Polyphonic Expression) for cutting-edge articulation, and microtuning capabilities that allow you to explore non-traditional scales and harmonies. This unit, the 38th ever produced by Black Corporation, was professionally assembled from a DIY kit by a technician. It remains in brand-new, mint condition, having never been used. If you’re looking for a synthesizer that delivers the best of analog warmth with the flexibility and control of modern technology, this is the instrument for you. With its rare production number, it’s not only a powerful creative tool but also a valuable collector’s piece. Don't miss the chance to own this stunning combination of classic and modern synthesis."
Click the auction link on top when you get there for additional listings.
"Eight-voice polysynth from the wonderful Black Corporation, inspired by the Elka Synthex, but going on its own journey from that start point. Boxed, virtually mint, with it looks like all the paraphernalia that came in the box (no manual - available online of course). UK and other power adaptors. We missed out photo-ing the box, but it is in excellent shape. We'll cover it with card to keep it that way: 3GBP."
Click the auction link on top when you get there for additional listings.
"Powerful polysynth by the Black Corporation, loosely based on the famous, ultra-rare Polykobol. At the moment we are waiting to get the 24V power supply to test this. Packing 6GBP."
"First of all, I put 'masterclass' between quotes because I am not a master. I can call myself an 'expert' after +10.000 hours of patching but that's no guarantee for good information. However, you wouldn't be interested in watching modulation basics either. So my 'masterclasses' are more like sitting around the campfire, telling ghost stories, and we're all equal.
I've been inspired by a subscriber, who pointed to his beloved Rossum Trident/Triton as his/her/their favorite VCO. I looked it up, decided there's too much overlap with my THREE-BODY VCO, but noticed something interesting called 'Zing modulation'. It's a recipe based on ring modulation, with the simple trick of syncing the carrier and modulator. Dave wrote he may have been the first person who ever used the term 'hard-sync', but credited the technology to Serge Tcherepnin. Suddenly I was lost and inspired in a new world of modulation I did not know about. Since it's a recipe instead of a circuit, we can all use it as long as your VCO has a Sync input, and you have a ringmod in your case. If you don't, get one. It's an essential piece and it costs nothing.
I can't explain Zing modulation (ZM) without Ring modulation (RM) without thru-zero amplitude modulation (AM) and when the bloody TZ comes along I am aways reminded that I am still clueless about thru-zero FM. I've seen good, bad and no explanations about TZFM. I know it preserves pitch, it's been restricted to digital - but now it's also possible with analog - and it needs to be supported by the VCO. You can't seem to patch it up, the VCO should do it. I have a problem with things that can't be done. It's not that I am stubborn, an important aspect of creativitiy is to never give up. And to be confident you'll figure it out eventually. Thanks to Dave Rossum's recipe, I wondered if I could ringmod my modulator VCO before it goes to my principal VCO's LIN-FM. It can't possibly be amplitude modulation anymore. I experimented with ring-modulating the modulator with an inverted version of itself, so it would flip polarity and go thru-zero. I don't know if this qualifies as true thru-zero so I call it WTFM.
Anyway, this video can keep you busy for weeks. Happy Patching! Robert.
00:00 Intro 00:52 Amplitude Modulation 01:44 Frequency Modulation 02:47 Ring Modulation 04:12 Zing modulation by Dave Rossum 04:52 Thru-Zero Linear Frequency Modulation 05:59 Thru-Zero Linear WTF Modulation by Cinematic Laboratory 08:17 A few Ring Mod alternatives 09:32 Zing along with Serge and Dave"
"A live synthesizer jam performed entirely on hardware.
It had been a while since I had a bunch of synths on the table all at once. This one took a few different approaches before I got it. In particular, I spent a lot of time trying to find the right sequencer. I thought this would be a semi-generative piece, and tried a couple of hardware sequencers to that effect, but ultimately I found myself wanting more control. With much more time spent playing piano these days, maybe my days of generative sequencers are slowing down?
So in the end, with only a day before I was heading out of town, I decided to compose a piece in my DAW instead. And you know what? It was the right choice. Sometimes working in the box is the better way to go.
The other obstacle was my arpeggio synth. At first I had the MSW810, which is a sort-of SH-101 clone. But ultimately it was either too bright or too dull, and I couldn't get the envelopes right. I put the Mother 32 on the table and was immediately struck with how beautiful and perfect the sound of this synth is. It's such a beauty for arpeggios, and struck that perfect balance for filter and envelope, brightness and darkness. I just love the Mother 32.
Ultimately this came out sounding like a remix of the theme song for an 8-bit video game, which makes sense since that music fostered my love of synths.
Thanks for listening.
Sequential Prophet Rev2 module into Kinotone Ribbons - Pad
Moog Minitaur into Strymon BigSky - Bass
Black Corporation Deckard's Dream into Walrus Slöer - Melody
Moog Mother 32 into Meris Polymoon - Arpeggio
Performed and recorded live, with EQ, compression, and limiting on the master.
"Black Corporation ISE-NIN Polyphonic Analog Synthesizer, expertly crafted and inspired by the iconic Roland Jupiter-8. This 8-voice synthesizer offers the same lush, warm analog tones that made the Jupiter-8 legendary, with advanced modern features to take your sound even further. It boasts polyphonic aftertouch for expressive, nuanced performances, MPE (MIDI Polyphonic Expression) for cutting-edge articulation, and microtuning capabilities that allow you to explore non-traditional scales and harmonies. This unit, the 38th ever produced by Black Corporation, was professionally assembled from a DIY kit by a technician. It remains in brand-new, mint condition, having never been used. If you’re looking for a synthesizer that delivers the best of analog warmth with the flexibility and control of modern technology, this is the instrument for you. With its rare production number, it’s not only a powerful creative tool but also a valuable collector’s piece. Don't miss the chance to own this stunning combination of classic and modern synthesis."
