The Seventh of Four

video upload by davidryle

"A new project idea to use the synthesizers.com Q170 MIDI GATES module to affect broad changes to the composition within the modular system.

The Q170 has eight output jacks for sending 5V gate or trigger voltages to the modular system. I used my DAW (Cubase) to construct timings for various parts of the modular.

The first four outs were used as pulse gates for the Delptronics and TipTop drum modules. The Kick, Snare and Open and Closed HiHats.
The fifth out is to the Q169 vco's AMP input. That vco is used for the bass line so controlling the on-board vca will mute or enable the voice.
The sixth out was to enable the Dove D900 sequencer to run/stop. The sequencer is feeding pitch voltage to the Synthetic Sound Labs Woven Spirits (MI Plaits). This is the chord pad sound. I used the DAW to pulse the gate info when I wanted the sequencer to reset at certain parts.
The seventh out was to send a continuous gate to the STG Soundlabs Time Buffer. The Time Buffer is receiving a sync-bus 24 ppq clock and run signal. I have a panel access to these with jack inputs so I sent the 5V gate to the RUN input. This allowed me to use this to start and stop all sequencer motion from the DAW.
The eighth out is to a Lower West Side Studios triple switch. This switch is used to add an offset voltage to the Woven Spirits Harmonic control.
The other fun part was playing the LWSS triple attenuator. I had three parts run through the module. The pair of STG VMS sequences were percussive background parts switched in and out as needed. The third part was a pulse version of the pad sound.

The Matrix duet in the mid section was clocked from the STG Time Divider module. Both Matrix were set with very closely aligned slider settings but the "Z" sliders were offset for variety. They sent pitch voltage to the TZ-VCO's from SSL. The duet were sent through the STG Post Lawsuit Filter and an Empress reverb/delay pedal.

Other outboard effects were the Meris Hedra for the bass line and the EMX Grand Canyon for the steady pad sound."

4/22/25 Soundforce S-LD + SSL 1660 + GenRad 1564-A + BLM Gate Seq + DSP 808 + MIDIVERB II + PV 1300

video upload by Cfpp0

"4/22/25 ElectroComp EML 200 + Synthetic Sound Labs 1660 + Analog Craftsman acVOKs + STG muSonics Vanilla Envelope + General Radio 1564-A + Blue Lantern Gate Sequencer + Soundforce S-LD + DSP 808 + Alesis MIDIVERB II + Peavey 1300

Testing out a used Soundforce S-LD module we just got. You can hear the cowbell and the maraca (there’s a switch on the back to choose the Linn toms or percussion). The other percussion is from the DSP 808 module, which is a similar sampled sound module, but with pitch control and voltage controls. The synthy kick drum is the General Radio 1564-A processing the S-LD kick drum. Its VU meter looks like it’s out of sync, but it’s just slow and getting pinned hard. The two drones that build up are from two ElectroComp EML 200 synthesizers. The synth lines are Synthetic Sound Labs 1660 The Matrix Algorithmic Composer through the Analog Craftsman acVOKS filter into the STG muSonics Vanilla Envelope. The reverb is preset 10 on the Alesis MIDIVERB II."

muSonics Continuo - Chord Mode Demo

video upload by suitandtieguy

"I decided to record a short demo of chord mode on the Continuo development hardware. Controller is a Roland A-49 and the synthesiser is a Waldorf Iridium Core with one of my presets.

This is still in development but it's working well enough I can totally make music with it. I've never used an arpeggiator as fun as this and we don't even have external time control (stage advance from gate input and such) working yet.

If you wish to participate in the public beta program, check it out at musonics.com. If you've already bought in, I will be finishing your modules the first week of April."

Abandoned Prairie Town

video upload by davidryle

"A Vector Sequencer project running the large format modular.
The slow pace was the experiment basis and the Vector Sequencer really handles that perfectly. I also added the Jack Expander module to the Vector so I had four sequence lines this time to send to the modular.
The drone bass is a Mos-Lab clone of the Moog 901. No need for a sequencer there as it is a single pitch.
The opening sound is the pair of Matrix modules. This sound effect is heard again at the closing passage.
The opening slow pad note sequence is the STG vco's and G294A filter through a Strymon Blue Sky pedal.
The swell pattern is two Q206's to the Q150 filter. The stereo signal is routed through a Lexicon MX200 for pitch shift and chorus.
The distant ghostly piano sounding sequence is two lines from the Vector to a pair of TZ vco's and the Yusynth Arp 4072 filter. The final effect chain is the Stasis Leak delay module and the Z-DSP signal processor.
The flutter sounding noise is the Dove WTF to a Tau Pipe phaser and an Oakly SVF in high pass mode.
The wind effects were the West Coast Noise Source to the MOTM 440 filter and the Q110 noise module to the Dove D502 filter in band pass mode."

Switchback Descent

video upload by davidryle

"The great Vector Sequencer from Five12. I am using it for a pair of simple 16 step sequences to the 5U modular by way of CV and Gate.

The clock is derived from the Moon Modular 553 Midi to Clock module. I used the 1/96th division and a start gate to tap the sync24 feature in the Vector. I do have an STG bus but the sync bus cable wouldn't reach out of the cabinet to the Vector. The other clock pulses are from the STG Time Divider.

The first patch is run to a pair of Q206 VCO's and the Q150 filter and then on to the Echo Fix tape delay. Stereo panning was from the Q158 VCA++ and a Mega Ohm LFO. The Ian Fritz Hypster by Synthetic Sound Labs is a modulation source for the decay stage of the STG Envelop Generator.

The bass line patch is a pair of STG Oscillators to a pair of Mega Ohm MA20's in low and high pass series. The SSL Tube VCA is used to add some drive. The Frequency Central Stasis Leak stereo chorus finishes the patch chain.

The third patch is a drone pad line from the Dove D900 sequencer to the WTF Oscillator and the Oakley SVF in Notch mode. The slow center frequency modulation from a second Mega Ohm LFO does a nice job of combing through the upper mids of the complex waveforms out of the WTF. The last part of the patch is through the Empress Reverb in green ghost mode.

The Vector is the first edition mk1 but still has quite the feature set. I was using a modulation lane for transpose to the pair of pitch sequences. This same transpose sequence was replicated on the Q960 with a second Q960 as a divider. The pitch voltages for the WTF were combined in the unity mixer of the STG Active Multiples module. I did use the Q171 Quantixer Bank for precision stepping from the Q960.

All sounds captured at once in a single take to Cubase 12. Video edited in Final Cut Pro.

Special thanks to Ron Sunsinger for the loan of the Vector and Adam Fritsche for the Stasis Leak module."

Busy Bezaleel

video upload by davidryle

"5U modular synthesizer song. Using the LinnStrument 128 and synthesizers.com Q174 MIDI Interface to play into the modular. The main voice was a pair of Synthetic Sound Labs TZ-VC Oscillators and a Yusynth ARP 4072 Filter. Bass line was the Q960 step sequencer to DOve D100 and D110 VCO's on to the Drove G294A filter. A kick drum is from the SSL Woven Spirits.The FX fluttering sound is the Dove D900 sequencer to a pair of STG Oscillators. The noise chuff sounds are the WCRS module into a MOTM 440 filter and delay.

The mid-section is the LinnStrument in arpeggiator mode for the bass line (a pair of Q106's through the Q107 filter) and for the upper arpeggiation (the TZ-VC osc pair through an Oakley SVF. The offbeat sequence is the Dove D900 through the STG oscillators and the Dove D502 filter. The pad sound is generated by the STG Voltage Mini Store to a pair of Q206 vco's and the Q150 filter to a Canyon Delay pedal."

NAMM 2025: Musonics Vanilla Synth TVS

video upload by sonicstate

"We caught up with Mr. Suit-and-Tie-Guy from Musonics*, who revisited the hand-built *synthesizer they showcased last year. Due to positive feedback, they transitioned from hand-built components to surface-mount technology, making production more manageable. This synthesizer, now mature, features one of the most stable oscillators available, although admittedly, Musonics enjoys a bit of wobble traditionally.

Significant updates include a wire-free design, normalled on the inside, but allowing for patching if you wish, and offering connections for power, voltage, gate, balanced XLR, quarter-inch unbalanced, and MIDI interfaces. Innovations were packed into the synthesizer platform, evolving it into a development platform for Musonics' new standalone arpeggiator and sequencer, the *Continuo*. This sequencer is inspired by the classic Roland arpeggiators seen in models like the SH-101 and Jupiter-8, offering multiple time control options, pitch sorting, and octave staggering."

♫ Jamming With a Bunch of Synths ♫ ----- (138)

video upload by Bata

Wait for 1:24

5U Modular (Synthesizers.com, STG Soundlabs, Synthetic Sound Labs)
Akai MPC X
Behringer 2600 (ARP 2600 clone)
Behringer Kobol Expander (RSF Kobol Expander clone)
Behringer Model D (Minimoog 2016 reissue clone)
Behringer Pro-1 (Sequential Circuits Pro One clone)
Behringer RD-6 (Roland TR-606 clone)
Behringer TD-3-MO (Devilfish modded Roland TB-303 clone)
Casio CSM-1
Clavia Nord Wave
cre8audio East Beast
cre8audio West Pest
Erica Synths Syntrx II
Elta PF-3 Stereo Multimode Filter (Formanta Polivoks chips)
Eurorack Modular (2HP, Behringer, Expert Sleepers, Intellijel)
Korg Delta
Korg Mono/Poly (x2)
Korg SQ-1 (analog style sequencer)
Ladyada Xoxbox (Roland TB-303 clone)
Landscape Noon
Make Noise 0-CTRL (analog sequencer/touch keyboard)
Moog Source
Roland CM-300 Sound Canvas
Roland P-330 Piano Module
Simmons SDS-V
Studio Electronics Boomstar 5089 mk1
Yamaha CS-15

First 5U Modular Synth Patch ... from Scratch (MU Moog format)

video upload by DivKid

"Join me for my first patch with this new (to me) 5U / MU format modular synthesiser. It's big and sounds it and a pleasure to play and features modulars from DotCom (synthesisers.com), STG Soundlabs / muSonics, Frequency Central, Synthetic Sounds Labs (SSL), Corsynth, Moon Modular, M2 Synth and Noise Engineering.

Patch notes (as mentioned in the video) are here on Patreon (free/public post) // / 110901251"

A Sunday Morning Modular Synth Patch - May 19th 2014

video upload by John L Rice

"Featuring self transposing Moon Modular 569 sequencer with 569ES and 569EG expanders and two 564 switches to vary the pattern. All clocked by an Oakley Slim VCO through a Synthetic Sound Labs V-Gates divider. The voice is a single Marienberg Sine Phase VCO into two SSL Tube VCAs, one STG Soundlabs Envelope to modular both, and the VCA outputs go to a Modcan Dual Delay 73B. And a few notes played on the Mellotron M4000D Rack. Strymon BigSky and Lexicon MX400 for reverb."

Taking This Little 5U Modular Synth For A Spin

video upload by John L Rice

"While intended for processing external sounds this little synth can make great sounds all by itself! The modules are from left to right:

STG Soundlabs - Envelope
Modcan - Digital Delay 59B
Encore Electronics - Universal Event Generator (UEG)
Modcan - Envelope Follower 45B
Free State FX - Supra Resonator (Mutable Instruments - Rings)"

Another MSSA! (Modular Synth Service Announcement 🤓)

video upload by John L Rice

"I was surprised when the top switch on this STG Soundlabs Envelope module started sticking! A rare problem indeed for this type of switch, at least in my experience. Turns out that there apparently was some small variance in manufacturing that caused the switch button to bind against the panel? I made the video to document the issue and solution."

Time Corridors

video upload by John L Rice

"And another "modular Tetris" rearrangement session which led to some keyboard noodling which lead to a recording which lead to a video which lead to the need to add a lot more parts and video editing which lead to the reality that I have much more important things to be doing which caused me to stop where I was at which is why all you get is this unfinished thing! 😅

Modules used:
Oakley/Krisp1 - Slim VCO B, Diode Superladder VCF, Flanger/Chorus
STG - Envelope
Moon - 569 sequencer
Corsynth - C102 VC LFO
Grove Audio - PM Resonator
Modcan - Quantizer 55B
Marienberg - Sine Phase VCO
Club Of The Knobs - C1660 VC Phase Processor

Keyboard:
Expressive E - Osmose

Effects:
Strymon - BigSky, Timeline, Mobius
Lexicon - MX400"

The Never Ending Battle

video upload by John L Rice

"Another quick post reconfiguration doddle. ;-)

Modules used:
Oakley/Krisp1 - Slim VCO B, Diode Superladder VCF
STG - Envelope
Moon - 569 sequencer
Corsynth - C102 VC LFO
Grove Audio - PM Resonator
Modcan - Quantizer 55B
Marienberg - Sine Phase VCO

Keyboard:
Expressive E - Osmose

Effects:
Strymon - BigSky, Timeline
Lexicon - MX400"

2/6/24 SSL 1660 The Matrix (x2) + Free State FX 103 LPG + STG MooSonics Vanilla Envelope + CXM 1978

video upload by Cfpp0

"Recently found a used Free State FX (FSFX) 103 Lopass Gate, so this is a first try, using the STG MooSonics Vanilla Envelope module to fire the LPG. One SSL 1660 goes into the LPG (the left SSL 1660, playing the bass line) and the other goes into the VCA on the Vanilla Envelope (the right SSL 1660, playing the higher, pluckier layer). So the same envelope affects both the LPG and VCA, but pretty differently. Vactrol!"

The Eternal Now

video upload by davidryle

"American Format (5U) modular synthesizer performance in real time to a stereo track in Cubase.
For an atonal wash I used the Dove Audio Waveplane and WTF vco's through an Oakley Sound Systems Ring Modulator. I then sent it through A dotcom Q150 transistor ladder filter and a Lower West Side Studio Multimode Filter/Resonator and on to a fixed filter bank and a Frequency Central Stasis Leak digital delay. This drone wash comes in at the final section and ending.
The opening reed sound and accompanying organ sounds were derived from the Synthetic Sound Labs/Mutable Instruments (Braids) Woven Spirits module.
The initial reed sound is from the AUX output of the Woven Spirits through an SSL/Ian Fritz 5 Pulser and Oakley Sound Systems State Variable Filter. The filter is stepped with a random S&H from JNP Electronics.
The secondary organ chord sound is the Main direct output of the Woven Spirits in Chord mode. The combination of both elements are sent to an Electro-Harmonix Grand Canyon in DMM mode. Feedback is applied as needed for the drone sustain throughout the piece.
The bass line comes in next with a pair of STG Soundlabs Oscillators through a Dove Audio D502 Multimode filter in -24dB LP mode. The pitch voltage is from the upper Q960 step sequencer. It's timing is from a Catgirl Synth Master Divider, clocked from a custom Dual LFO/Analog Shift Register of Ken Stone (Catgirl Synth) design. An additional tap from the STG oscillator through a Corsynth C103 Frequency Divider/Multiplier module for a sub-octave feed.
The melodic line blended into the latter section is from a pair of Q106 dotcom vco's which are pitch controlled by the lower Q960 sequencer. Each vco pitch is from a separate row of the Q960. The Q960's shift timing is from the CGS Master Divider module. The output is routed through an Empress Reverb pedal in Blue Ghost mode. Panning is from the LWSS/Yusynth Panning Mixer.
All pitch quantitization is through a Moon Modular 565 series setup.
Additional voltage modulation to the Woven Spirits module are from the STG Soundlabs voltage mini stores, and vaious LFO's etc. Timing for the additional sequencers is also managed by the Moster Divider."

NAMM 2024 - MuSonics - Vanilla

video upload by sonicstate

"At NAMM 2024, we hooked up with Suit and Tie Guy, who introduced us to the Vanilla Synthesizer, a departure from the Eurorack modular format toward a more East Coast leaning complete instrument. Suit And Tie Guy describing it as a walnut-cabinet beauty packed with 70s goodness in American format, says the Vanilla Synthesizer promises a unique blend of vintage aesthetics and cutting-edge functionality. Boasting solid gold artwork, it features two LFOs, two VCOs, one filter, two envelope generators, two VCAs, and a mixer. Suit and Tie Guy showcased the control distributor, a device that minimizes patching by efficiently distributing CV and gate inputs to various components of the synthesizer with cable-free operation, though patching is available in the style of iconic synths like the ARP 2600. While not a limited edition, it has limited availability due to its meticulous construction process, and that each one is built to order.

Vanilla Synthesizer Available to order. Price 2,500 USD

https://www.musonics.com/"

MuSonics' The Vanilla Synthesizer Now Shipping

via MuSonics

"MuSonics is pleased to announce The Vanilla Synthesizer is now shipping and available to order.

The Vanilla Syntheisizer is a small-batch analogue synthesizer in American format which is chock-full of highly optimized 1970s circuitry and tone in a beautiful walnut cabinet. It now features a default patch routing which allows it to make music out of the box with no additional cables between modules.

Those interested in The Vanilla Synthesizer should visit musonics.com to read its origin story, view photos and videos of the instrument, and see ordering details.

If you are at the 2024 winter NAMM convention please visit us at booth 12100 to experience it in person!"

What is The Vanilla Synthesizer? It's Ready, That's What

via the STG Soundlabs/muSonics Electronic Newsletter:

Is it The Vanilla Synthesizer or the muSonics TVS?

I started working on this project a year and a half ago.

Originally my thought process was to make a new American format synthesiser that could be sold as modules, kits, and bare boards. I was concerned about the future of the format, and I felt a new line of basic modules and infrastructure at a variety of price points was important. I still do.

STG Soundlabs was a failure because I made things that ultimately the eurorack market simply did not want. Yes, I sold some, and will continue to maintain the line as best as I can, but it's very hard to find photos of eurorack installations with STG Soundlabs modules in them, but rare to find a nice big man-sized synthesiser without my modules in it.

Another thing I wanted to do was teach myself how to do my own engineering. It didn't start that way, but it became that way. I'd been a hardware product developer since 2005 but never actually laid out a circuit board. That is no longer true, and I've done things beyond this project that I haven't even talked about.

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A Different Day, A Different Modular Synth!

video upload by John L Rice

"Mostly Mos-Lab modules with one each from Synth-Werk, STG Soundlabs, Grove Audio, Club Of The Knobs, GRP Synthesizer, Tall Dog Audio, and Moon Modular."