Starsky Carr's Studio: Vintage & Modern Synth Setup Explained

video upload by Starsky Carr

"Welcome to a full synth studio tour — a look inside my hardware setup featuring vintage analog synths, modern wavetable instruments, modular gear and classic drum machines.

See how a mix of vintage synths, modern instruments, modular gear and drum machines all come together in one integrated setup. In this video I walk through the studio, explain how everything is connected, and show some of the instruments that regularly appear on the channel.

The studio is constantly evolving as new synths arrive, others get repaired, and different setups are tested for videos. In this walkthrough you'll see how classic gear like the Juno-60, Prophet series, Minimoog, TR-808, TR-909 and Jupiter synths sit alongside modern instruments such as the UDO Super 8, Groove Synthesis 3rd Wave, Waldorf M, Arturia PolyBrute and Roland System-8.

I also explain how everything is routed through the studio — from CV-controlled vintage synths integrated with MIDI, to the AudioFuse interface and Neve summing mixer that handle the audio side of things.

If you've ever wondered how to organise a hardware synth studio, integrate vintage CV instruments with modern DAWs, or just want to see a room full of iconic synths and drum machines, this video gives you a behind-the-scenes look at the setup behind the channel.

You’ll also hear a few stories along the way — including the slightly ridiculous “six degrees of separation” link from my studio gear to Charlize Theron and Kevin Bacon through the Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels soundtrack.

Whether you're into analog synthesis, wavetable synths, modular gear, or classic drum machines, this studio tour is packed with gear, ideas and inspiration.

Gear featured (selection)

• Roland Juno-60
• Roland Jupiter series
• Moog Minimoog, Voyager % Sub37
• Sequential Prophet synths
• Oberheim OBX8 and OB6
• UDO Super 8
• Groove Synthesis 3rd Wave
• Waldorf M
• Arturia PolyBrute
• Roland System-8
• TR-808 / TR-909 drum machines
• Analog Solutions Leipzig & Fusebox
• Modular & Eurorack gear"

Sherman Filterbank with MPC1000 (again)

video upload by Mikus Pilatus

"Doing that thing"

Sherman FilterBank with MPC1000 House / AfroHouse / Chunky

video upload by Mikus Pilatus

"Enveloped filter to the max"

The SCREAMING Filter: How Herman Gillis Created the Sherman Filterbank

video upload by Anthony Marinelli Music

"Meet Herman Gillis, the inventor of the Sherman Filterbank, one of the most aggressive and unique filters in electronic music history! In this exclusive interview, Herman reveals how he employed Switched-Capacitor Filter (SCF) technology to create an analog powerhouse that shaped the sound of artists like The Orb, David Bowie, Human League, Ziggy Marley, and more...

What makes the Sherman Filterbank so special? Herman takes us through the evolution of his designs, from his teenage years building guitar pedals and drum machines to his legendary Filterbank 1, Quad Modular Filter, Filterbank Compact, and the latest 500 series module, the Rodec/Sherman Minirestyler.

I’ll be performing on a Minimoog and laying down grooves with a TR-909 drum machine throughout the video—bringing Herman’s filter madness to life with some face-melting musical examples! You won’t just hear us talk about this screaming filter—you’ll experience it in all its glorious, growling, and gut-punching sound!

If you’re into synths, sound design, and legendary instruments, this deep dive into one of the most extreme filters ever built is a must-watch!"

1997 Sherman Quad Modular Filter SN 61

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via this listing

"These amazing units enjoyed an extremely limited production, with approximately 100 total synths being completed prior to being discontinued."

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Sherman Filterbank 2 - Akai MPC1000 - envelope filtering - House - MikeSynth

video upload by Mikus Pilatus

"Hear that dirt"

Sherman Filterbank vs. Skull & Circuits VCF-4 / a quick comparison (Standalone vs. Eurorack)

video upload by The Sound Convergence

Skull & Circuits VCF-4 was announced back in 2023.

"A quick comparison of the Skull & Circuits VCF-4 with the Sherman Filterbank - good times all around.

Thanks to Guillaume Dujat (and WEȽ∝KER) for the additional sound!
Check them out here! https://linktr.ee/gdujat

0:00 Intro
0:35 VCF-4 Sound Example - Piano Recording
1:15 VCF-4 Sound Example - Osc
1:41 Comparison setup
2:13 VCF-4 on Arbhar texture
3:10 Sherman Filterbank on Arbhar texture
4:04 VCF-4 on drum sample
4:40 Sherman Filterbank on drum sample
5:08 VCF-4 as oscillator
5:22 Final comparison VCF-4 vs. Sherman Filterbank
6:23 Filter sweeps - no commentary"

korg minilogue & sherman filterbank

video upload by HIROAKI IIZUKA

Sherman Filterbank

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via this listing

Additional Retro Gear Shop Listings

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Sherman Filterbank 2 - Analog Dual Filter Synth w/ Original Box & Docs SN 9369

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via this listing

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Sherman Filterbank - No Input, Wild Output Workout.

video upload by Signal Sounds

"Watch and listen as Michael Manning, highly experienced video game sound designer and composer, generates a wild palette of sounds and tones from the Sherman Filterbank using.....only the Filterbank with nothing plugged into it! It's magic.

Because we like so, there's also a free Soundpack of samples that Michael created during the video which is available right here, right now:

https://www.dropbox.com/t/6lbepw9yGz7..."

Original Sherman Filterbank

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via this auction

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Sherman Filterbank Dual Rack

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via this auction

Sherman Filterbank 2 SN 6061

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Sherman Filterbank vs sawtooth video upload by Rumble channel

via this auction

"The inclusion of an LFO makes all the difference on the rack vs non-version of the filterbank."

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SHERMAN FILTERBANK 2

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via this auction

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Sherman Filterbank 2 Rack

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via this auction

"An unhinged beast, not subtle in the slightest!"

Matrix 1000 + Cirklon - Sherman Filterbank for 3mins

video upload by Frequency Manipulator

"Oberheim Matrix 1000 Sequenced by Sequentix Cirklon, Tweaked in the Sherman Filterbank for 3mins"

SHERMAN FILTERBANK (PROTOTYPE) SN 31

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"These original units did not have MIDI.

According to the Sherman website just 40 of these Belgian beasts were made. No MIDI and the back “panel” is plastic plumbing pipe. No frills – all thrills.

Serial number: 31 – signed on the back by Herman!

In terms of functionality and sound it is obviously closer to the early Filterbank 1."

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Sherman Filterbank 2

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via this auction

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Our Friends' Favorite Filters Ft. Electronisounds Audio, Moffenzeef Modular's Ross, and Coma Tek

video upload by Perfect Circuit

"We love hearing about our friends favorite things, so we got a few of our pals to tell us all about their favorite filters in this weeks video !

Perfect Circuit is an independent electronic instrument shop with an online store at https://www.perfectcircuit.com/ and a Burbank showroom at 2405 Empire Ave. Open seven days a week, 12-8 PM, get your hands on the most excellent gear!"