It's 30 years since I released my first album. This is a a kind of follow up
In 1995, I decided to set up a small home studio and record an album, using a combination of acoustic and electronic instruments. The result was my debut solo record Electro-Orgoustic Music, which was also the first release on my label Expanding Records
It was the beginning of a lifelong journey, a sonic adventure in which I explored my musical passions, combining old and new equipment, trying to discover my own unique voice with these fascinating instruments. I have followed my instincts and expanded my toolbox, but kept true to my original vision: to surround myself with inspirational tools and live amongst them, using them daily in my work and play
Here, I present to you an album made 30 years on from that debut recording, using a similar cast of instrumental characters, in fact many of the same ones which appeared on the first album
This album was made on the following equipment (asterisk denotes an appearance on the 1995 album):
"Experience a complex web of audio feedback with three powerful modular systems: the Serge Paperface 50 Helios, Paris Flash, and Tempo di Roma. This video showcases their unpredictable, nonlinear behavior, producing textures and sounds that evolve in surprising ways.
All sounds featured in this video are included in the latest release of my Serge Modular Synth Sample Pack, giving you full access to these unique modular tones for your own productions.
Get the sample pack here: Serge Modular Synth (Sample Pack) https://akihikomatsumoto.sellfy.store..."
"A tour of a small selection of the 250 presets included with Polarity | Modular. These were created by Ian Boddy, Nigel Mullaney, James Thompson & Dan Powell.
What you hear in the video is the direct output of a single preset, with no additional effects or processing."
"Polarity | Modular is a dual-layer granular engine loaded with 250 custom waveforms crafted by Ian Boddy,
utilising his extensive collection of modular gear - including a Roland System 100M, Serge Modular, Buchla Sound Easel and much, much more.
Featuring a sound design library of 250 presets, NKS2 compatibility and the ability to load your own samples,
Polarity | Modular redefines the sound of analogue synthesis."
00:00 Opening Titles
00:17 Introduction
01:27 Switched On 80s
12:54 Little Black Boxes
17:29 Commercial Break
19:58 Patching Today
29:19 Synthesiser Club
31:59 Video Lab
36:07 Outro
SWITCHED ON 80s - This third series takes an in-depth look into six classic 80s synthesisers, selected because of their interesting and unique attributes
LITTLE BLACK BOXES - A further look at some classic rack mount studio gear of the 80s and 90s
COMMERCIAL BREAK - Some shameless Memetune shilling
PATCHING TODAY - A deep-dive into vintage modular systems and how to set up a patch on them, starting from scratch, this time using Cybersynthesis techniques to bring an element of surprise to the patches
SYNTHESISER CLUB - A short musical demonstration of a synthesiser classic or three, concentrating on 'families' of synths
VIDEO LAB - A look at old video equipment and how to create experimental visuals, concentrating on a specific device in each episode
The MemeTune Programme Credits:
Everything in this video was created by B D Edwards (Benge)
All music, design, writing, filming and production completed at Memetune Studios, UK, 2025"
"Following up on Part 1 - • From DIY to Cult Legend: The Serge Synthes... [posted here] - here's a closer look at two of the R*S Serge 50th Anniversary Paperface panels. If you've not seen the first part yet, please do since it gives a decent background on where these came from. Any corrections or questions, please comment below: I've tried my best but there's always going to be an omission or mistake.
All the background music was made on the Serge - if I get the chance I'll upload it somewhere. It's genuinely the most productive six weeks I've ever had with one synth.
These new versions are a re-work in collaboration with Serge himself, to update and improve his original Paperface circuits. As such the oscillators track nicely over the full range, everything is stable, and overall it's better suited to life in a modern studio.
As before, an enormous thanks to @serge-modular for the loan of this beast.
"Most people know the sound of a Moog or a Roland, but the Serge is a different beast entirely.
In this video (Part 1 of 2), I’m diving into the history of the 'West Coast' synthesis revolution. California, hippies, tape loops, Buchla, Moog and how Serge Tcherepnin created a synthesizer legend.
Huge thanks to @serge-modular for the loan of this glorious beast, and keep and eye out for Part 2!
"Spooky Serge! An Evil Pet! BugBrand Brutality! WARNING: STROBE EFFECTS!!
This piece was originally intended to be a halloween themed video but I couldn't get it done in time. lol
Using the @BugBrand Chirper for the main voice, controlled by the @prismcircuits1974 Hymenium and processed by @Endorphines Evil Pet. The undulating background is comprised of some classic Serge feedback patches, running through a Bastl Thyme+.
"I bought the #Serge #NCOM in the blind because a) it's the work of a living legend, b) I had no idea what it did, and c) after reading the manual and looking on YouTube I still had no idea how to use it in real life music.
The ÷NCOM is short for pulse divider (by N steps), a comparator (gate goes high where +IN is higher than -IN) and last but not least, a staircase CV is raised one semitone when the compare goes high and the max steps N is not reached. So now you know, and just like me, it still remains a mystery how it can play a role in modular music.
÷NCOM is from 1979, and quantized CV was rare, especially when it's derived from any two compared voltages. It's using two CMOS chips, but only 5 of 8 bits were used (step 0 to 31 = 32 values). So is it early digital? Yes, but without a CPU or code and state of the art precision - for 1979. Is it still relevant in 2025? I am not sure how many voltage comparators are around in eurorack, and you probably never needed one. A staircase CV waveform is simply a matter of running a ramp through a quantizer, and you may be able to use an END of RAMP event on a Maths clone. The ÷NCOM circuit is often used for rhythmic patches, and the staircase is super useful to make synchronized ramps you can use to open a filter or wavefolder. Not to mention arpeggios. It's the opposite of high-tech, it's low tech. A circuit you need to learn, discover and find use for. It was special in 1979, and today it's part of the joy of owning a true Serge module that can always do more than you think."
"Tri-Core sine out into wave multiplier into q filter.
Tri-Core 2 Square out to Tri-Core oscillator Sync input.
Dual Rise/Falls both cycling for modulation of Wave folding, and Q filter cutoff frequency."
Router/Toggle first life - Low-gain Electronics | 4U Serge Modular
"Firing up the first Router/Toggle module! The module consists of two different function blocks. On top, a dual bidirectional switch with manual or external CV control. On the bottom, a set of toggling flip-flops. With external CV control or manual push button.
"In this episode of Helium Vision, we invite you into a world that hums with the strange and the beautiful—the Vintage Synthesizer Museum (VSM). Founded in 2013 by the avid synthesizer historian Lance Hill, this “living museum” exists in a space where the past and present come together to offer an immersive experience into the magical world of sound. It’s not just a museum—it’s a place where visitors and artists can disappear into their work, perform in a unique atmosphere, or learn the art of synthesis.
Initially opening its doors in Oakland the VSM is now nestled in the heart of Los Angeles, this space has since witnessed the presence of many modern visionaries—Damon Albarn, Egyptian Lover and Neurosis, to name a few—each leaving behind their own distinctive imprints.
Come with us, as we step into the otherworldly corners of the Vintage Synthesizer Museum and uncover the tales of the instruments that dwell within.
Featuring: Lance Hill @vintagesynthmuseum Kareem Karam @k.joseph.karam
Directed & Edited by Vice Cooler @vicecooler Producer: Sapi Chhabra @sapisonic Director of Photography: Dalton Blanco @daltoncamera Camera Op: Adam Franklin @adamscottfranklin Camera Op: Vice Cooler @vicecooler Audio Engineer: Scott Cornish @actuallyadog Story by Vice Cooler & Sapi Chhabra Music by: Lance Hill, Kareem Karam Original Score by Vice Cooler
"In this episode we'll be exploring the vast possibilities when using modular synthesizers with Bitwig Studio. I'll demonstrate practical applications for MIDI and CV interfaces, modulation routing and using synth modules as insert effects.
"A new album of experimental modular synthesiser music by Benge
'This series of studies explores an idea that Benge has been working on over the past year or so, namely that of Cybersynthesis. This involves programming self-contained patches on various modular systems which, once set in motion, will produce dynamic, evolving soundscapes, sometimes purely abstract in nature, at other times veering towards the more melodious
Many different methods were deployed in the patches, depending on the system being used, but normally multiple sequencer and switching devices were combined to give varying degrees of control over long time periods, often without repetition
Other things like random control signals and semi-random events were combined with the sequencers and switching units to bring variation to the performances the machines were making'
