Sequenced Formants

video upload by Memetune Studio

"Did you know someone is still making Formant synthesiser modules? Nor did I!

I just got the sequencer and its great - I've always wanted one for my system, but didn't want to put something 'inauthentic' in the cab. Well I finally found someone who is making the real thing - Jos Van Ras http://www.josvanras.com/ [P.S. See the JVS label for more].

Its quite an interesting module - for a start it is circular - and I don't have any other circular sequencers. Secondly it has 10 steps which is always a good thing, as long as you can set it to less if you want - and this one has switches to set it to 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8. I wish it could do 7 and 9 as well - maybe I can mod it for that at some point. And you can skip steps, slew, and change the gate outputs in various ways. Pretty cool! I might get a second one so I can do polyrhythmic stuff one day

Here is a little sketch I made with it..."

Het Concreet Scanner 2023

video upload by

"In November 2023, I joined the team at Het Concreet in Tilburg, The Netherlands for a week long residency.

Het Concreet is a Dutch sound collective dedicated to finding new sounds by experimenting with analog electronic devices, magnetic tape and acoustics. Their analogue ambitions are rooted in their studio space, where they seek to find new meanings of sound by working with techniques that have become largely obsolete in today’s world. Their main instrument is magnetic tape, so I collaborated with my own analogue gear.

Radio Concrète was a a 12-hour broadcasting marathon that explored radio as a compositional tool and included contributions from Margherita Brillada, Veerle Pennock, Clara Byom, Bas van Druten, Nele Möller, Marieke van de Ven, Sharon Stewart, and was hosted by Steph Byrne.

During my stay, I fell in love with the Elektor Formant, a vintage Dutch synth handmade by Jos van Ras. In addition I used my SOMA Ether, Lore Mill Keyed Mosstone and Make Noise Strega synth. At the end of the broadcast, I made an intimate performance for a live and dedicated audience in collaboration with Het Concreet. This is an excerpt from that show."

Elektor Formant POLY (4 Voices) Semi Modular

video upload by Jos van Ras

"This new Elektor Formant POLY (4 Voices) built by me with the same specifications as from the 70s-80s. This Synthesizer is also to use as Mono. You have four Mono circuits to patch.The modules are designed in a flat design so no wiring to the Pots, Switches and Jacks !! See for more info on http://www.josvanras.com/"

JvR Elektor Formant Modular Systems

JvR Formant 909 Drum Synthesizer video upload by Jos van Ras

JvR Elektor Formant SEMI Modular Synthesizer. (NEW)


JvR Elektor Formant SEMI Modular Synthesizer with VCF 12dB and ARP4072. (NEW)

"This new Elektor Formant built by me with the same specifications as from the 70s-80s.
The modules are designed in a flat design so no wiring to the Pots, Switches and Jacks !!
See for more info on http://www.josvanras.com/"

Also see the JVR SYNTHESIZER SYSTEM demo by Jason Basson. Curious if it's the same Jos van Ras.

THE JVR SYNTHESIZER SYSTEM

Published on Feb 29, 2020 Jason Basson

"In December I patched my JVR system but I hat not yet come to listen to it. When I fired it up today I only had one sound out of one closet.After adjusting the levels I came to nice soundscapes as you can see in the video."

CLICK FOR MORE »

JVR system in action

Published on Dec 2, 2018 Luc Debeck

Kicks in at :48.

"Both systems are conected to the Kenton Pro 2000 via cv and gate in both channels. From there via midi to Maschine MK3"

Update: some info on the system:

"It's a DIY project from Jos Van Ras (JVR system). Someone who builts lots of synths in the Netherlands. case1: 2 VCO, 3 LFO's, 12 step sequencer, ARP 4072 filter, 2 ADSR 's, 2 VCA
Case 2: S & H, 2 VCO's, 3 LFO's, Formant 12 db filter, Minimoog VCF, 2 ADSR's, 2 VCA, PHS (phaser)"