Introducing reSEMble

Published on Aug 25, 2019 Randy Piscione

"This is the maiden voyage of reSEMble, a single-panel, single-voice synth inspired by the Oberheim SEM, for Eurorack. More info below.

This is a prototype panel, home made (obvious I know) but the building blocks are available from PM Foundations. The panel is currently in Front Panel Designer, but I have not ordered one yet. The 'modules' can be built as standalone Eurorack modules or built behind the reSEMble panel. There is no point-to-point wiring. All connections are made with ribbon cables that run from the back of each module to a single busboard.

We haven’t decided how to market / sell it yet, or even if there is enough demand to bother, but I’m definitely making another one for myself. The 3 VCOs, VCF and two EGs are based on the SEM, but, in addition to a 3rd VCO, there are a few other enhancements, including an expanded LFO, Noise, sample and hold, a wavefolder and more modulation and routing options.

This is not a clone of an SEM. Unlike someone who shall remain nameless but whose initials are UB, we actually sent a note to Tom Oberheim, who forwarded our note to a friend of his, who spent some time on the phone with me. He encouraged us to take Tom’s work and build on it, which we did. The combination of toggles and expanded module functionality replace approximately 80 patchcords."

PMF Ringfolder Demo

Published on Jun 9, 2019 Randy Piscione

"Quick demo of the new RingFolder, from PM Foundations. This is a combination wave folder and ring modulator, with inputs for the folder, X and Y for the ring mod and an attenuated input for folder modulation. There is an onboard "mixer", providing the ability to fold an input wave, the output of the ring mod or a combination of the two.

Get it here (soon): http://www.tindie.com/stores/pmfounda...

VCOs used are all PMF, and all sending out only sines. Sequence CV and drums are provided by a Mutable Instruments Anushri. All other sound is coming from the RingFolder."

PM Foundations SEM Tribute Modules - Comparison with Vintage SEMs

Published on May 1, 2019 Randy Piscione

1. reSEMble 1 of 2

Quick comparison of an Oberheim SEM and the new SEM-tribute modules from PM Foundations. The SEM audio is on the left, PMF modules are on the right. This is live. I tried to play similar lines on both keyboards. It is tricky to get the patches exactly the same, especially when tweaking live like this. The "echo" you hear is actually the other keyboard and modules being played. Headphones are certainly helpful on this one.

These are not clones. I asked Tom Oberheim about doing an SEM clone for Eurorack, and he referred me to a friend of his who has been helping him since the 1970s. We had a long phone conversation and his take on Tom's take is that Tom would rather see us develop something new, even if it is based on his work. So, that was our goal.

2. reSEMble 2 of 2

This is a brief overview of the new “SEM Tribute” modules from PM Foundations. Featured are two VCOs, the VCF, one envelope generator and the first version prototype of the modulation module. The little musical excerpt at the start is the new modules playing bass, along with an Alesis SR-16 on drums and Casio CZ-101 doing the chords.

Wavefolder plus 3 sines plus 2 VCAs

Published on Dec 20, 2018 Randy Piscione

"Experimenting with different ways of generating timbres for a custom Eurorack panel I'm working on with PM Foundations. I took a sine into a mixer, and two more sines into two VCAs, and then those two also went to the mixer. The output of the mixer went to an nlc Timbre. I also ran an LFO into each of the VCAs.

The Timbre is the first version, so I turned the Fold pot all the way up, and used the mixer and the VCAs/LFOs to control the actual folding of the 3 sines in various combinations."

Randy Piscione's TSF 2018 Demo (Toronto Sound Festival Nov 24 - 25)

Published on Nov 8, 2018 Randy Piscione

"Here's a quick demo of a small Eurorack thing I'm bringing to the 2018 Toronto Sound Festival. Very cool event if you're into interesting music, interesting equipment and, if you don't mind me saying, interesting people. http://www.torontosoundfestival.com/

Lots of PM Foundations stuff, here's the rack, more or less: http://www.modulargrid.net/e/racks/vi..."

New PM Foundations State Machine Demo

Published on Oct 22, 2018 Randy Piscione

"This is a demo of an upcoming Eurorack module from PM Foundations, a function/envelope generator called 'State Machine.' It will be available here: http://www.tindie.com/stores/pmfounda.... The video starts with scope stuff, then at 2:56 a demo of the module and at 6:49, percussion pattern generator.

As with all PM Foundations modules, this is sold as a panel and PCB. The demo uses, at various times, the State Machine, a clock, 4 VCFs, 2 LFOs, 4 VCOs, 3 other EGs and 4 VCAs. The percussion in the last section is all resonating filters, there are no actual drum modules used."

PMF Toggle 2

Published on Aug 17, 2018 Randy Piscione

"Quick "demo" of the PM Foundations Toggle Eurorack Module. Not really a demo, just playing around and thought I would use the pattern for a brief bit of improv. Get the Toggle here: http://www.tindie.com/stores/pmfounda....

Rather than switch the toggle with a gate or LFO, I used a pair of function generators driven by a common clock for the Toggle CV inputs. The LEDs on the Toggle show the rhythm. Four VCOs go into four filters, which go into the four Toggle inputs, and the two outputs go to the VCAs and then the final mixer. EGs are driven from the function generators as well. The rhythm is just the filter audio outs timed by the function generators."

PMF QuantOct

Published on Jun 22, 2018 Randy Piscione

"This is a demo of a new quantizer from PM Foundations, the QuantOct. http://www.tindie.com/stores/pmfounda...

It's a four input, four output module with 14 resident scales. Mine has the following: chromatic, whole tone, major, major pentatonic, harmonic minor, aeolian minor, minor pentatonic, dorian, lydian, plus four 4-note chords. Other scales are available.

Here's another quick video with some harmony-related fooling around:"

PM Foundations Prototype Quad Quantizer test

Published on May 21, 2018 Randy Piscione

"Since I've been doing so many videos for PM Foundations, I am now part of a list of testers for new stuff. This is a prototype quantizer with an octave pot, four inputs and four outputs. It has access to 14 different scales. This video was really just a test for PMF but I thought it was interesting so PMF gave me permission to make it public."

PM Foundations Dual Ring Mod

Published on May 19, 2018 Randy Piscione

"Demo of the Dual Ring Mod from PM Foundations, which you can find here: https://www.tindie.com/stores/pmfoundations/ Hopefully this video goes a bit beyond the usual ring mod stuff."

PM Foundations FK24 VCF YT

Published on Dec 18, 2017 Randy Piscione

"Here's a demo of the FK24 voltage controlled filter from PM Foundations. Gets more odd as things progress. Around 2:30 it started making some interesting vowel-ish noises. This stuff is nice, check it out. http://www.tindie.com/stores/pmfounda..."

LPZW.SCHLEUßIG and new Akemie’s Taiko

Published on Oct 12, 2017 k101011 k

"Received the ALM Busy Circuits Akemie’s Taiko yesterday. Connected it right away and this happened. Love it already.
SCHLEUßIG mutes the drums: Hexinverter Mutant Clap, TIptop HH909 and a Kick made with a PMF microVCO"

Pmfoundations 2Q12 VCF Demos

Published on Sep 5, 2017 Randy Piscione

Playlist:
1. PMF Filter Demo
2. PMF Filter Quick Improv
3. PMF Filter Minimoog Filter Compare

PM Foundations Synthola Demo

Randy Piscione
Published on Aug 16, 2017

"This is a demo of the PM Foundations Synthola Eurorack sequencer module.

Get it here: http://www.tindie.com/stores/pmfounda...

Here is an additional vid showing how the sequencer sounds as a function generator:"

PM Foundations Synthola Demo - Modulation

Randy Piscione
Published on Aug 16, 2017

"In the first video of the Synthola, I demo'd the various features of the sequencer. In this video, I hooked it up to a 'scope to look at the waveforms generated when using it as a function generator.

I only use the Win 10 Movie Maker app so the video only shows the 'scope. Someday I really need to get a better video app."

Pmfoundations 3080 VCO

Published on Apr 26, 2017 Randy Piscione

"This is a demo of the 3080 VCO from Pmfoundations. Find out more at https://www.tindie.com/stores/pmfound.... Near the start I mentioned 'VCA' instead of 'VCO.' Oops."

via Pmfoundations:

"Compact 6HP VCO for Eurorack Modular synthesizers

DIY - PCB AND PANEL ONLY

This is a compact Triangle Core VCO. You can install your classic CA3080 OTA chips or use a modern LM13700 instead. The PCB has the option to use either chip.

This VCO has been shrunk to the minimum size possible so you can maximize the remaining space in your rack, while packing in a wealth of functionality:

Triangle, pulse and sine wave forms
1/V octave input + variable Linear FM CV and variable Exponential FM CV
Adjustable pulse width and variable PWM CV input
6HP Eurorack with our panel
This is a low component count project so you can have high quality VCOs in your rack with minimum expense.

Build it yourself - This is a set of one high quality PCB and front panel ONLY for users who want to purchase their own components and build their own module. Some product photos above show COMPLETED build.

This module will fit perfectly into a 6HP Eurorack space.

Comprehensive manuals, parts lists and component shopping carts are provided in the documentation link for building, testing and using the module."

Pmfoundations VCA

Published on Mar 25, 2017 Randy Piscione

"This is a quick demo of the Dual VCA from PM Foundations. Find out more at https://www.tindie.com/stores/pmfound...."

Pmfoundations MIDI-SEQ-8 - 8 Gate 8 CV Android Controlled Eurorack MIDI Player

Note this is the first Pmfoundations post on MATRIXSYNTH. We have a new maker in town! Their first offering is a DIY MIDI-SEQ-8 eurorack module.

"The MIDI-SEQ-8 is a step sequencer that uses our AndroidTM app to directly play MIDI files through your analog synthesizer over USB.

The convenience of a smartphone or tablet driven sequencer instead of a traditional and expensive hardware sequencer.

Our hardware module is Eurorack size and only 8HP wide, leaving room in your rack for other modules.

If you are a composer, create your own MIDI sequences, backing tracks or songs on your synthesizer, and play back from your phone."

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