Knobcon 2024

video upload by Jeremy Parker

"Here's my rundown of what this year's Knobcon was like, with some highlights of new gear, performances and just the vibe of being there. Thanks to Cowboy Ben Alman a.k.a @TheEntireRobot for joining me, as well as the whole crew from The Golden Shrimp Guild for their efforts and just being there to make it that much more fun. Here are some handy links:

Ben Alman: / theentirerobot
The Golden Shrimp Guild: https://gsg.live/
https://pointandclicksystems.com/
https://swampflux.square.site/
/ @thebreathalyzer
https://www.circuithappy.com/
https://www.gsmusic.com/
https://hivemindsynthesis.com/

00:00 Intro
02:55 Welcome Reception
04:04 Point & Click Systems
06:00 Infrasonic Audio
08:27 Swamp Flux
10:29 Performance: The Breathalyzer
12:27 Circuit Happy
15:25 GS Music Bree6
16:14 Golden Shrimp Guild
16:42 Hive Mind Synthesis
18:49 Saturday Night Performances
23:59 Alan Intelligent Instruments
24:43 Prophet 10
25:56 Outro"

GS Music at Knobcon 2024: Showcasing the e7 and Bree6 Synthesizers

video upload by GS Music

https://www.gsmusic.com/

"We had an amazing time at Knobcon 2024! The feedback on our synthesizers was overwhelmingly positive, and we're excited to share a glimpse of the event with you. In this video, you'll see highlights from our booth where we showcased the GS Music e7 and Bree6 synthesizers, including hands-on demos and reactions from attendees. A big thanks to everyone who stopped by to check out our gear!"

Knobcon 2024: GS Music Showcases E7 and Bree6 Synthesizers

video upload by sonicstate

Pulled this one out of this playlist as GS Music supports the site (thank you GS Music!), and their new compact Bree6 keyboard synthesizer shouldn't be missed. The Bree6 made its first appearance in Jorb's best of Knobcon video posted here.

"We caught up with Guido from GS Music to discuss his flagship synthesizer, the E7, and a new entry, the bree6. The E7 is a seven-voice analog polyphonic synthesizer featuring two oscillators with sub-oscillators, a four-pole ladder filter, VCA, and built-in chorus and delay. It supports four-part multi-timbrality and MPE (MIDI Polyphonic Expression).

The E7's oscillators include a new temperature compensation circuit ensuring consistent tuning.

Guido also showed us the new bree6, a six-voice analog polyphonic synth equipped with a single oscillator per voice, pulse width modulation, the same ladder filter as the E7, and additional features like an arpeggiator and sequencer. The distinctive "polystereo" panning mode was highlighted, providing a wider stereo spread for the voices. Both models will be available through GS Music's website and various dealers worldwide - the bree 6 should be released around November.

https://www.gsmusic.com/

00:00:00 start
00:00:30 Introduction
00:01:12 Features of the E7 Synthesizer
00:03:01 Demonstration of Sounds
00:06:05 Explanation of Modulation Capabilities"

Knobcon 24: GS Music e-7 [sounds only]

video upload by sonicstate

"Jim Heywood gives us a quick spin round some of the sounds of the GS Music E7 synth - enjoy!"

This was Knobcon 2024 // A Walking Talking Tour of a Synthesizer Convention

video upload by DivKid

"Hello & welcome to a walking talking tour of Knobcon 2024. Filmed on a quieter moment on Sunday afternoon (the even runs Friday evening through Sunday afternoon) here's a look at the event space, exhibit, people and gear that were at the show. I hope it gives a flavour of the event for those that couldn't make it and maybe highlights some things people may have missed if they did make it.

It was my second time at the annual event, thanks to everyone that made it a great time!"

Knobcon 2024

video uploads by sonicstate

Playlist:
1. Knobcon 24: Circuit Happy - clock over Wi-Fi
2. Knobcon 24: Erogenous Tones Unveils HD Version of Structure
3. Knobcon 24: Wild custom Art Eurorack & Elektron cases from Hite Studios
4. Knobcon 2024: Hive Mind Synthesis: SODApressed, Protomato & Duck
5. Knobcon 24: Audio over Ethernet Cables with Ashton Research
6. Knobcon 2024: Chadra Phonic - 2 New Pedals
7. Knobcon 2024: Entropy & Sons Video Synthesizer
8. Knobcon 2024: GS Music Showcases E7 and bree6 Synthesizers
9. Knobcon 24: Melbourne Instruments Delia
10. Knobcon 24: Dreadbox Murmux [sounds only]
11. Knobcon 24: Melbourne Instruments Delia [sounds only]
12. Knobcon 24: GS Music e-7 [sounds only]
13. Knobcon 24: Analogue Solutions Maximus synth jam [sounds only]
14. Knobcon 24: Rain City Modular
15. Knobcon 24: Sleepy Circuits - Hypno and Mezzz
16. Knobcon 24: Swamp Flux's Biggest Foot Euro Rack Module
17. Knobcon 24: Wildwood Soundworks: Wildwood Express and Wildwood Lightning
18. Knobcon 24: Circuit Happy - clock over Wi-Fi
19. Knobcon 24: Erogenous Tones Unveils HD Version of Structure
20. Knobcon 24: Wild custom Art Eurorack & Elektron cases from Hite Studios
21. Knobcon 2024: Hive Mind Synthesis: SODApressed, Protomato & Duck
22. Knobcon 24: Audio over Ethernet Cables with Ashton Research
23. Knobcon 2024: Entropy & Sons Video Synthesizer
24. Knobcon 24: Audio over Ethernet Cables with Ashton Research
25. Knobcon 24: Erogenous Tones Unveils HD Version of Structure
26. Knobcon 2024: Chadra Phonic - 2 New Pedals
27. Knobcon 2024: GS Music Showcases E7 and bree6 Synthesizers
28. Knobcon 24: Melbourne Instruments Delia
29. Knobcon 24: Dreadbox Murmux [sounds only]
30. Knobcon 24: Rain City Modular
31. Knobcon 24: Sleepy Circuits - Hypno and Mezzz
32. Knobcon 24: Swamp Flux's Biggest Foot Euro Rack Module
33. Knobcon 24: Wildwood Soundworks: Wildwood Express and Wildwood Lightning

Knobcon 2024's Most Impressive Gear

video upload by Jorb

Update: moving this one up for the new gear.

0:00 Intro
1:06 Michigan Synth Works 830
3:24 Infrasonic Warp Core
5:44 GS Music Bree6
7:37 Demon Box
10:13 The Vanilla Synthesizer
11:46 Conclusions (watch out hes getting emotional)

Knobcon 2024 Videos by Musical Miscellany

video uploads by Musical Miscellany

Playlist:

1. My Favorite Products at Knobcon 12 (2024)

Knobcon concluded this past Sunday but I wanted to make this video while it was all still fresh in my mind. I talk about my 5 favorite products that I saw there. It was a great time.

0:00 - Introduction
0:43 - 1. Biggest Foot | https://swampflux.com
1:34 - 2. Terra | https://somasynths.com
2:31 - 3. Vanilla Synth | https://www.musonics.com
3:26 - 4. Zen Harp | https://museelectronicinstruments.com
4:14 - 5. Demon Box | https://www.eternalresearch.com
5:31 - First Contact (honorable mention) | https://tidbitaudio.com
6:37 - Conclusion

2. Knobcon 12: Sunday DIY Workshop (2024)

Zlob Modular hosted a DIY workshop at Knobcon 12 in Chicago. We built a Diode Chaos module and tested it. It was a lot of fun.

3. Players Club at Knobcon 12 (2024)

There are 3 live music stages at Knobcon on Saturday night. Here is a quick excerpt from the Players Club stage.

4. Big Room at Knobcon 12 (2024)

Knobcon has 3 stages for live music on Saturday night. Here are a couple performance excerpts from the Big Room.

5. Chill Out Room at Knobcon 12 (2024)

Knobcon has live performances on 3 different stages Saturday evening. Here are a couple performance excerpts from the Chill Out Room.

6. Knobcon 12 in 1 Minute (2024)

Here are a few of the many things going on at Knobcon 12 in Chicago this weekend. There’s so much to see and do. It’s downright overwhelming but a heckuva lotta fun!

7. Knobcon 12: Saturday Show Floor (2024)

Here’s a quick walkthrough of the show floor at Knobcon 12. Needless to say, this isn’t everything, but it will give you an idea of how much stuff is there.

8. Knobcon 12: Friday Opening Reception (2024)

The Knobcon opening reception signals the start of the annual 3-day event. This means Knobcon 12 is officially underway. Here’s a few quick snippets of the live performances.

9. Arriving at Knobcon 12 (2024)

I made it to Knobcon 12 in Chicago! Stay tuned to my channel. I plan to post more vids all weekend long.

Knobcon 2024 Videos by Under the Big Tree

video uploads by Under the Big Tree

Playlist:

1. Knobcon 2024 Walkthrough

For those who didn't make the journey to Schaumberg, Illinois, but wanted a bit of the flavor, I shot a walkthrough video. The show was full of energy, interesting products, great performances and lectures and, most of all, great people. If you've never been, it's truly the best synthesizer convention in the United States.

2. Bjooks - The Minimoog Book | Knobcon 2024

Bjooks, the world's finest publisher of synthesizer books, has released an in-depth book on the world's most famous synthesizer. We talk to Kim Bjorne at Knobcon 2024 to find out about it. https://bjooks.com/

3. Hite Studios - Amazing Synth Cases | Knobcon 2024

At Knobcon I came across a very special Eurorack case. Terrible and beautiful at the same time, it would have looked right at home in an H.R. Giger painting. We talk to Jason Hite, the artist who created this amazing work. https://www.hitestudios.com/

4. Sleepy Circuits - Video Synth | Knobcon 2024

We talk to Ron Sardarian of Sleepy Circuits, about their innovative devices to aid in audiovisual performance. Ron is a visionary engineer, a performer, and a friend. His stuff is great. https://sleepycircuits.com/

5. 1010 Music - Nanobox Tangerine | Knobcon 2024

1010 Music has done it again, releasing a sampler in their small Nanobox format. Steve Joslin tells us about it, as well as their new Nanobox storage case/charger.

"Under the Big Tree is Nicolas Peck's YouTube channel, focused on esoteric electronic music, modular and vintage synthesizers, sound design equipment and techniques, and the composition, production and performance of music. http://www.underthebigtree.com"

Knobcon Number Twelve Set for September 6 - 8 in Chicagoland

"Knobcon is a one-of-a-kind synthesizer convention now in its twelfth year. Complete with performances, workshops and vendors, Knobcon allows for a fully immersive experience. Attendees can get their hands on an incredible amount of equipment, learn from industry professionals and talk directly with designers of some of today's most innovative synthesizer products.

Held just outside Chicago, Ill., at the Hyatt Regency Schaumburg, the entire event takes place under one roof. Enthusiasts travel from all parts of the world to attend this yearly event. Direct access to all major forms of transportation make this an easy destination for those traveling.

Who should attend?
If you are interested in electronic-based or experimental music and the tools used to create it, this is the place for you. The diversity and passion of those at knobcon make it enjoyable for all experience levels."

You can find tix and full details at https://www.knobcon.com.

When Mathematics & Physics Influence Eurorack Modular // New Systems Instruments at Knobcon 2023

video upload by DivKid

"It was great to see New Systems Instruments at Knobcon 2023 and learn about some of their modules. They caught my eye around their release and their "a bit like Serge but from a mathematical" approach certainly fascinates me. We look at Inertia, a function generator that has inertia, an resonance like overshoot of voltage travelling as well as the oscillators."

NSI are here // https://nsinstruments.com

4 New Featured Packed Eurorack Modules from SSF // Steady State Fate at Knobcon 2023

video upload by DivKid

"As always Andrew never ceases to amaze by the range of creativity in his circuit designs and musical approach to making more complex feature packed modules compelling and easy to use. In this video back from Knobcon, Andrew takes us through 4 new Eurorack modules. Including the Metalloid Percussion synthesiser, Prime Modulator, Ultra Random Analog Redux and the Impulse Dynamics."

Dual Layer Hi Hats, Samples in Eurorack & Performance Mixer Updates // AMMT & WMD at Knobcon 2023

video upload by DivKid

"It's always an utter pleasure to see and speak to Alex (ALX-106*) and it was great to get an update on the new AMMT Synthesis dual layer hi hat module and some updates on the WMD Performance Mixer v2 which has had a massive load of new features added!"

ARPs For All! // The ARP Foundation at Knobcon 2023 with Dina Pearlman & Chris Meyer

video upload by DivKid

"Here I talk with Dina Pearlman (Alan R Pearlman's daughter) and Chris Meyer (a new board member) from the ARP Foundation. We find out about what the ARP Foundation is as well as a new venture with arps for all, which through a partnership with TRC (The Record Co) they're amassing a collection of historic ARP instruments to make them accessible to everyone, based out of Boston, Massachusetts, USA."

ARP Foundation // https://bit.ly/ARPfoundation
The Record co (partner in Boston) // https://bit.ly/RecordCo

Between Distortion and Strange Recursive Routing Schemes // Sonocurrent at Knobcon 2023

video upload by DivKid

"I've had the pleasure of talking to Graham from Sonocurrent at a few events now but we've never actually made video together. So I wanted to highlight his products but also his approach as a designer and musician interactive with his creations and methods. Graham mentioned how his patches are typically not generative, but are self regulating. It's a term I really like, along with his ideas about recursive routings and of course I'm a fan of distortion!"

NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE - An Oscillator Controlled Oscillator // AI Synthesis at Knobcon 2023

video upload by DivKid

"It's always great to see Abe from AI Synthesis, he likes to hide in tomato plants (see below*) but he was out of the garden and into the arms of the wider Chicago area here at Knobcon 2023. Abe had with him an OCO, oscillator controlled oscillator, something I've never seen before and something he believes is unique. It's sort of a VCO expander that creates secondary pulses within the waveform that can be modulation in phase and bipolar amplitude relationship to the input sound. Different input waves gave different wave shapes ... and I really want to try this and get to know more."

Alessandro Cortini + MATTHS Rig Tour

video upload by sonicstate

"Alessandro Cortini played a rare UK gig last weekend, and regular Sonic TALK panelist Matt Hodson AKA MATTHS was booked in the support slot.

We figured it was a great opportunity to have them talk about their gear selection and approach to the performance.

Alessandro opted for something minimal to support his completely improvised approach, with two Make Noise Strega (these were designed in conjunction with Alessandro) and two 0-CTRL - sequencer/CV controllers, Strymon Blue Sky and Volante all into an Allen and Heath Zone 96 DJ mixer, the laptop runs Resolume visuals for the show.

http://cortini.bandcamp.com

Matths has a different approach basing his set around pre writtern material and re-voicing larger modular rig, with the Knobula Poly Cinematic for chords, 1010music Bit Box for triggering CV and gates, the Expert Sleepers ES-9 running from the laptop for triggers from Bitwig, the Soma Pulsar-23, Beatstep

Matt uses an analogue parallel compression path to give the stereo feed to front of house a more consistent polished sound.

https://matths.bandcamp.com/

We have a full 360 Video of MATTHS set available on our Patreon
and also on MATTHS Bandcamp
http://patreon.com/sonicstate

|--------|
00:00 Alessandro Cortini interview
13:55 MATTHS interview"

Knobcon 23: JoMox Moonwind MKII Audio Demo

video upload by sonicstate

"Michael from Voltage Audio gave us a demo of the JoMox at Knobcon 2023, the Moonwind Mark II is a stereo filter with a sequencer and some improvements from the first version, including a touchpad where users can edit the cutoff steps and an inbuilt effects processor.

The Moonwind Mark II will be available fall 2023.

Moonwind Price: around 850 Euros

Mod FM Price: 1,000 Euros"

Knobcon 23:Infrasonic Warp Core Dual Oscillator

video upload by sonicstate

"At Knobcon 2023, we had the pleasure of speaking with Nick from Infrasonic Audio as he unveiled his debut Eurorack module, the Warp Core. This innovative stereo phase distortion oscillator presents a range of compelling features for the modular synth community. Warp Core boasts eight distinct phase distortion algorithms and two slots for customization, offering up to 64 different combinations. With intuitive controls and CV inputs, users can fine-tune the timbral qualities of their soundscapes. This unique digital synthesis module is non-linear in nature, with the order of algorithms impacting the resulting sonic textures. Its stereo capabilities with zero and 90-degree outputs allow for spatial and timbral exploration. Additionally, onboard phase modulation and an external phase modulation input expand the creative possibilities, with the latter capable of pushing sounds into uncharted territory. Furthermore, Warp Core's precise tuning system ensures accurate pitch calibration and tuning convenience for live performances. With a range of features and a price point of $375, Warp Core is now available for purchase on the Infrasonic Audio website.

Intriguingly, Nick also mentioned an upcoming expander for Warp Core that will transform it into a complete voice, adding an envelope and VCA. While the price for the expander hasn't been finalized, it's expected to be an affordable addition to enhance the module's capabilities further. With its unique synthesis possibilities and precision tuning, the Warp Core module brings a fresh and creative dimension to the world of Eurorack synthesis. If you're interested in exploring this innovative module, you can find it on Infrasonic Audio's website at infrasonicaudio.com."

Knobcon 23: MIDI Blaster and Noise Machine

video upload by sonicstate

"At Knobcon 2023, we caught up with Zach from this.is.noise inc to check out their latest offerings, the Noise Machine and the MIDI Blaster. The Noise Machine is a compact Bluetooth MIDI controller that boasts 12 buttons, each assigned to send different MIDI notes, making it a versatile tool for music production. Alongside the buttons, an effects knob lets you manipulate your assigned effects, while a bank slider offers access to various button configurations, including drum and sample chopping banks. The Noise Machine is designed to be compatible with a range of platforms, including iOS, iPadOS, Mac, Windows, and any system that accepts Bluetooth MIDI. Its low latency, under 10 milliseconds, ensures that it performs almost as quickly as USB MIDI, making it a valuable addition to the arsenal of music creators seeking a portable and responsive MIDI controller. The Noise Machine is available for $99, and you can find it on the this.is.noise inc website.

In addition to the Noise Machine, Zach also showcased the MIDI Blaster, a unique MIDI controller that operates like an infrared theremin, translating hand movements into MIDI CC or MPE notes. While you won't hear the sounds directly from the MIDI Blaster, it offers a fascinating way to control MIDI parameters with hand gestures, adding an innovative dimension to music creation. The MIDI Blaster, priced at $200, is another intriguing option for musicians and producers looking to explore creative MIDI control possibilities. To purchase these products and learn more about this.is.noise inc, visit their website at thisisnoiseinc.com, where you can explore these unique controllers and find additional details and purchase options."

Knobcon 23: NDLR 2 Updates

video upload by sonicstate

"At Knobcon 2023, we had the pleasure of chatting with Steve from Conductive Labs, who introduced us to the NDLR 2. This innovative sequencer has recently been re-released, addressing previous chip supply challenges that had temporarily halted its production. The NDLR 2 is a multi-track sequencer with an innate understanding of music theory. What sets it apart is its chord-changing capabilities, which occur seamlessly when you modify the chord structure, making it a valuable tool for musicians seeking an intuitive and chord-aware sequencer. Furthermore, Steve unveiled an exciting new feature – the Rotator algorithm, contributed by Robbie Kilgore, which transforms monophonic notes into triads, opening up exciting possibilities, particularly for jazz enthusiasts. The NDLR 2 is currently available for $379, and with its fresh feature and ample stock of 1,000 units, it's poised to be a valuable addition for musicians and producers looking to streamline their sequencing and composition process.

For more details on the NDLR 2 and to stay updated on its availability and features, visit the Conductive Labs website at ConductiveLabs.com. The NDLR 2's unique chord-aware sequencing and the newly introduced Rotator algorithm make it a compelling choice for musicians who seek creative control and expressiveness in their music production."