Superbooth 20HE: UDO Audio Remote Workshop Tour

Premieres Apr 25, 2020 sonicstate

"UDO Super 6 is coming near to its release date; we were happy to hook up with designer George Hearn remotely as part of our Superbooth Home Edition coverage. As UDO are obviously still stuck back in the UK as well they were kind enough to give us a remote walkthrough or their offices and workshop.

The Super 6 is almost shipping now, so we’re excited to see them start going out into the wild. If you’re interested in getting hold of one then you can still pre order them!"

Superbooth 20HE: Bitwig Studio 3.2 Beta

Published on Apr 25, 2020 sonicstate

"Dave at Bitwig who was on hand to take us through the latest features to be added in Bitwig Studio 3.2 Beta.

Firstly that interface colours and GUI interaction is now colour coded for different parts of the frequency spectrum; red being for low end information and blues for highs etc...

Bitwig 3.2 Beta also adds a new saturation device which gives you dynamic control of the inner workings of the saturator and how it colours the sound. We also took a look at some of the new features that have been added to MIDI note manipulation devices such as the Arpeggiator."

Superbooth 20HE: Empress Effects EuroBuro - Modular Within Your Modular!

Published on Apr 25, 2020 sonicstate

"When we first saw the Empress FX Zoia at NAMM a couple of years ago we were very impressed by the complexity and wildness of something so open ended. Euro Buro is a eurorack conversion of the original Zoia. It adds a number of different features including 4 cv inputs and 4 cv outs.

Within the module itself is 80 different sub modules that can be combined to create your own unique functions, fx, utilities and much more.

In this demo we take a look at building an LFO CV mixer and a stereo panner and also adding some reverb. Nick also asks some pertinent questions about DSP usage…."

Empress Effects EuroBuro

Superbooth 20HE: Tiptop Audio - Z5000, ZVERB and ECHOZ

Published on Apr 25, 2020 sonicstate

"At Superbooth this year Tiptop Audio would have been presenting their latest line of effects modules. Z5000 Multi-Effects, ZVerb and EchoZ. All of these modules are 8HP in size and offer a mono input to stereo output. Each module also contains 24 different effects algorithms that cover a range of different effects. We missed them last year at Superbooth so we are happy to showcase them here in our SB at home edition…

Z5000 - The original Z5000 was released all the way back in 2008, oh how things have changed in the last 12 years… Eurorack is currently awash with different effects module, but with Tiptop Audio’s heritage developing algorithms for their ZDSP platform the new Z5000 has some good legs to stand on; giving you a bunch of TTA’s favourite reverbs, delays, modulation, harmonization and pitch modulated effects.

ZVERB - is a collection of all new algorithms developed by Tiptop, these range from typical reverbs to more complex effects combining delay and pitch shifting too. All the effects are grouped by decades, so if you’re into gated reverbs you’ll find them in the 80s bank…

ECHOZ - covers a whole range of different delay effects, from dirty tape saturated delays to pristine digital delays and modulated delay madness….

All of the effects have CV control over 3 of the parameters."

Superbooth 20HE: Patching Panda - Moon Phase and Ephemere

Published on Apr 25, 2020 sonicstate

"Patching Panda were kind enough to hook up with Nick over the interwebs to show off their new stereo multimode filter Moon Phase. With 8 different combinations of filter types you can use the filter to enhance the stereo width of your modular patches.

As well as the Moon Phase We also got a look at their new dual channel CV looper Ephemere. This is a high resolution recording interface for your CV signals. You can record up to 4 seconds of CV and then loop this back, change the playback speed and scan through the recorded CV. When nothing is patched to the input the you can use the input knob as an offset/cv generator and record pot movements into the module."

Superbooth 20HE: This Is Not Rocket Science Fenix 4

Published on Apr 25, 2020 sonicstate

"We first took a look at the This is Not Rocket Science Fenix 4 at Superbooth last year. The Fenix 4 is a development of the original Fenix synthesizer made by the employees of Synton, a Dutch synthesizer manufacturer that went out of business in the early 80s. After crossing paths with some of the original designers and getting hold of the design files for the Fenix 1 and 2, This is Not Rocket Science decided to take on the mantle of developing the Fenix 4!

The Fenix is a bit of a swiss army of modular techniques, if you want a taste of what the original can sound like then go check out Aphex Twin’s classic Fenix Funk 5….

More information of the Fenix 4 at This is Not Rocket Science."

Superbooth 20HE: Elektron Overbridge 2.0 With Cenk

Published on Apr 25, 2020 sonicstate

"No show would be complete without talking to Cenk at Elektron, and as Elektron have just announced Overbridge 2.0 we thought it would be only right and proper to get a full run down of Overbridge with Cenk.

Overbridge is a very ambitious endeavour from Elektron. It gives you the full screen editing ability of a plugin for all the compatible Elektron devices but it also aggregates all the audio i/o of each device as well.

In this video Cenk had the Digitakt, Digitone and Analog Heat all set up to demonstrate the capabilities of Overbridge."

Superbooth 20HE: Verbos Electronics Shows off Their Latest Modules

Published on Apr 25, 2020 sonicstate

"With Mark Verbos just about to have a child, Verbos Electronics still found the time to hook up with us and show off 3 modules for Superbooth Home Edition. Owing to the system we set up with Mark to shoot this piece, Nick had a quick chat with him and then Mark showed off the modules.

The three modules we took a look at were the updated Amp & Tone, Foundation oscillator and a fixed filter bank and noise generator. Amp & Tone is an updated Filter and VCA design. Foundation Oscillator takes its cues from some of their larger VCO modules and packs it into a smaller footprint and the Noise & Filter is a simple 4 stage fixed filter bank and noise generator.

If you’re interested in picking up some of Verbos Electronics modules then visit their site to find out some more information."

Superbooth 20HE: Erica Synths Fusion System 2

Published on Apr 25, 2020 sonicstate

"Erica Synths are well known for their Fusion modules which give you vacuum tube designs in the Eurorack world. The Erica Synths Fusion System 2 is a full vacuum tube eurorack system that has been redesigned from the ground up.

The Fusion System 2 is a 104HP Eurorack system that encompases three new Fusion series modules – Fusion VCF3, Fusion Modulator (already available) and Fusion VCA/Waveshaper/Ringmodulator (available from June 5th). With an all analogue CV path and 63 patch points the system gives you everything you need to start designing your own sounds.

We spoke to Girts to get an idea of the system but also some wider questions about how Erica Synths are able to release and manufacture so many different instruments!"

Superbooth 20HE: Bastl Instruments MIDI Looper and Stereo Filter Prototype

Published on Apr 25, 2020 sonicstate

"Bastl Instruments are always working hard to bring something new to their booths at trade shows. However obviously this year we weren’t able to visit their booth so we caught up with them in a virtual booth to check out two new products, the tiny little MIDI Looper and a new stereo filter module.

The MIDI Looper has 3 channels A, B and C that can take MIDI information in and loop this, this can be note data, and also CCs etc. Notes can be quantized, manipulated to be played back slower, or quicker using an in built time-stretch function. You can also transpose entire loops and use an analog clock to sync the MIDI Looper to your eurorack system. Although the system is not meant to be a sequencer you can store some loops on the device itself.

We also took a look at a new prototype stereo filter module built in close collaboration with Casper electronics."

Superbooth 20HE: Retrokits RK006 - A Tiny Little MIDI Hub!

Published on Apr 25, 2020 sonicstate

"The Retrokits RK006 is a tiny little multi functional MIDI interface. It has USB, 2x MIDI inputs and 10x MIDI Outputs. However as all the MIDI Outputs are on 3.5mm jacks these can also perform as analog trigger/gate/clock or they can do DIN Sync/Sync 24.

The RK-006 is about 7x5x1cm in size (3x2x0.4″) which is very small indeed. You can order it with either just a USB dongle option or with all the MIDI cables to make full use of the MIDI i/o straight away. You can use it as a MIDI Merge and THRU box, per port MIDI filtering and multiclock processing, a USB host: HUB support, SMF playback and a USB device with Individually addressable OUT & IN ports. The small size however does mean that all your 5 pin MIDI DIN cables will need 3.5mm adapters…"

See previous posts here for more.

Introducing the 1010music bitbox micro - small + mighty + creative = ??

Published on Apr 24, 2020 1010music

Superbooth20 Home Edition Videos Parts 1 - 4 and The New MacBeth X-Series MKII Dual Oscillator

Published on Apr 24, 2020 Superbooth Official

Superbooth20 Home Edition - PART 1 - Featuring Ken MacBeth after 54:23 - X-Series MKII Dual Oscillator
Superbooth20 Home Edition - PART 2 - learn and study
Superbooth20 Home Edition - PART 2 - learn and study
Superbooth20 Home Edition - PART 4 - aftershow events

See the Superbooth20 label below for more coverage of this years' Home Edition event.


X-Series MKII Dual Oscillator Module

Priced at $1499

Fully analog double oscillator with integrated ring modulator based on the MC1496 chip which appears in many vintage synth designs from the 1970's. Cross modulation, linear FM, are all on board. A lot of VCO and a lot of knob on 42HP. Together with the Macbeth backend filter, the combination provides a full and high-quality complex voice.

Fully analog double oscillator with integrated ring modulator based on the MC1496 chip which appears in many vintage synth designs from the 1970's. Cross modulation, linear FM, are all on board. A lot of VCO and a lot of knob on 42HP. Together with the Macbeth backend filter, the combination provides a full and high-quality complex voice.

New features to the predecessor:

-transistor pairs are more closely matched in this version. This provides increased tuning stability and allows better tracking.

-Precise multi-turn potentiometers provide additional signal stability and simplify the calibration of the oscillators

-use of very high quality parts in the entire signal path. Significant improvement in the choice of capacitors.

-The output section of the oscillators has changed significantly and now each oscillator is joined by two sub-oscillator outputs. The change is as follows:
MKI: SAW / RAMP / SQU / RECT / TRI / SINE
MKII: SAW / RECT / TRI / SINE and now also SUB-OCTAVE ONE / SUB-OCTAVE TWO (you can expect a massive sound here)

-The 10-turn potentiometers have been retained and make fine-tune controls obsolete

-The noise generator now contains a double potentiometer and a summing amplifier/mixer circuit for the white and pink output.

-The ring modulator remains the same and is based on the balanced modulator IC MC1496.
-In addition to the 16-pin Doepfer standard bus connector for the power supply, the rarely used CV bus is now also used

-The jack sockets have been revised. On the original X-Series, Ken Macbeth had used the same type of 'box jack' that many others use. Ken began to question the reliability of this type of plug - and now with the MK2 versions about to be launched, he felt it was important to upgrade the jacks to a higher quality type. As far as plugging is concerned, they will have a much longer life, which in turn will increase reliability".

Superbooth 20HE - Novations User Wavetable Editor For Peak and Summit

Published on Apr 24, 2020 sonicstate

"Novation's Chris Calcutt gives us a tour of the brand new Wavetable editor for Peak and Summit.
Its part of the Components software and allows creation and editing of user wavetables (up to 10 in memory) by drawing or loading your own samples.

Its a free download and requires a firmware update for the synth - Components can deal with that."

See this post for additional details and demos.

#SUPERBOOTH20 Special Reserve Livestream 3

Published on Apr 24, 2020 HAINBACH

"In which Single Malt Synthesis and our friend DivKid welcome boutique manufactures from the world of synthesis to show their wares live on stream. It's like Superbooth, but no one has to wear hard pants. Join in the stream and ask your questions, we will try to answer as many as possible.

16:00 Meng Qi
16:30 Sound Force
17:00 DPW
17:30 Chair Audio
18:00 Befaco
18:30 Joranalogue
19:00 Retrokits
19:30 SonicLab
20:00 Threetommodular
20:30 ADDAC System
21:00 Single Malt Synthesis Hangout with special guests"

Superbooth 20HE: Arturia Keystep Pro with Sébastien

Published on Apr 24, 2020 sonicstate

"One person we always enjoy catching up with at the tradeshows is Sebastien from Arturia. So we were happy when he agreed to talk to us from isolation and show off the Keystep Pro. We do actually have one in for review but Nick just hasn’t had the time to look at it yet considering everything that has been going on…

In this video Sebastien takes us through the Keystep Pro and gives a run down of one set up using the Micro Freak, Drum Brute Impact and a vast array of Eurorack modules. He starts by building up a beat in record mode then adding everything else in real time to build a composition in a couple of minutes."

Superbooth 20HE Expert Sleepers New Module

Published on Apr 24, 2020 sonicstate

Super Disting EX Plus alpha.

The disting EX is a multifunction Eurorack module, building on the rich legacy of the previous disting incarnations, which can operate as two souped-up disting mk4s, or as a single powerful module in its own right.

Fully DC-coupled, all inputs and outputs can be CVs or audio, depending on the selected function. The functions on offer include audio processing (filters, delays etc.), CV processing and generation (quantizers, pattern generators etc.), oscillators (VCOs, LFOs etc.), and sample playback.

Brand new features for the disting EX include an eight voice polyphonic sample (WAV) player, a powerful stereo tape delay (based on our own Augustus Loop), and a dedicated WAV recorder mode.

When acting as two disting mk4s, the disting EX offers these advantages:
Higher sample rate (96kHz)
Much more RAM (so all delays, reverbs etc. can be much longer)
Lower latency when triggering samples (now 700µs)
And of course, an OLED display.

We are delighted to provide with the disting EX a 32GB MicroSD card pre-loaded with sample content from Spitfire Audio, Goldbaby and Adventure Kid.

Published on Apr 24, 2020 Expert Sleepers

Update: Expert Sleepers' videos added above.

Superbooth 20HE: Joranalogue - Synthesis Agnostic Eurorack Modules

Published on Apr 24, 2020 sonicstate

"Joranalogue started some years ago repairing vintage synthesizers, after some time they decided to start developing their own eurorack modules. They call their modules modern analogue, that are synthesis agnostic… Meaning they’re able to produce all sorts of different synthesis types without adhering to one form of synthesis or another.

In this video we took a look at the range of different modules they have on offer. If you’re into precision modules that give you everything they’ve got then Joranalogue is probably a manufacturer you should be getting to know."

Superbooth 20HE: Lab4Music Sipario EXP

Published on Apr 24, 2020 sonicstate

"We first caught wind of Lab4Music a number of years ago back at MusikMesse, they were then showing off the first version of the Sipario MIDI Router. At NAMM this year we saw the Sipario Expanded which builds on the original Sipario with updated hardware which gives you more MIDI Inputs and Outputs, a built in pitch wheel and USB host functionality.

Christian was on hand to show off the new Sipario Expanded. It should be available in summer 2020 and will be priced at around the €450."

Superbooth 20HE: Sixty Four Pixels Noodlebox - 4 Part Sequencer

Published on Apr 24, 2020 sonicstate

"Sixty Four Pixels have been making useful MIDI and CV gear for the last 8 years. Noodlebox is the culmination of the past 8 years and is designed to be a fun and easy to use multi-part sequencer. The idea for Noodlebox came about from experience playing with simple knob-based step sequencers such as the Korg SQ-1. When one sequencer is modulating another then things can start to get exciting and Noodlebox is designed with this sort of workflow in mind.

Noodlebox is currently on Indiegogo and has almost reached its goal. In fact by the time this video goes out we would hope that it has smashed it!

The sequencer is divided into 4 layers, each layer has their own respective CV and Gate output. Each layer can have its own step count, clock division and four pages of up to 32 steps per pattern. These can be chained to enable song structures and you can cue lists of pages to create automatic cycling and create new arrangements on the fly.

The CV outputs can be Chromatic or quantized to scales and can be V/Oct or Hz/V standard, they can also be used for modulation CV outputs. The gate outputs manually set or by Euclidean rhythms, probability, retriggering, accent, and microtiming can all be programmed per step.

In terms of MIDI Noodlbox can perform in many different ways too. Each of the four layers can output MIDI notes or controller change (CC) messages, on shared or different MIDI channels. MIDI notes from an external keyboard can also be recorded and quantized into the grid while the sequence plays. This means that Noodlebox can be used as a MIDI looper.

Watch the video for a full remote run down of features with designer Jason Hotchkiss."