Showing posts sorted by relevance for query Modular Theory. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query Modular Theory. Sort by date Show all posts
Wednesday, July 24, 2024
The Memetune Annual 2024
video upload by Memetune Studio
"Available now from the Memetune Bandcamp merch page - a very limited run of BOTH Annuals (2023 and the new 2024 edition) at a special price!
https://zackdagoba.bandcamp.com/merch...
The new Annual is also released today:
https://zackdagoba.bandcamp.com/merch...
The second edition of the Memetune Programme Annual - for the year 2024
Hardback book (A4 size) with 74 full colour pages and download code for the accompanying music album
Based on the second season of Benge's unique 6 part TV series focussing on his passion for vintage synths, studio gear and video production equipment
The Memetune 2024 Annual follows the TV series format, broken down into the following categories:
LITTLE BLACK BOXES looks at some classic 80s and 90s rack mount synths, instruments that are often overlooked due to their utterly bland appearance. Their sounds, however, are anything but
SWITCHED ON CYBERSYNTHS features a brief history and description of abstract electronic music, in particular sounds created on modular synths, taking in randomness, chaos theory, feedback loops, nonlinear modifiers, plus stochastic and algorithmic ideas. It ends with perhaps the largest modular synth patch ever attempted, featuring 11 of the Memetune modulars containing over 430 modules
SYNTHESISER CLUB points a vintage video camera at various synthesisers and systems, and focuses on ‘families’ of synths, meaning a group of instruments made by one manufacturer in a particular time in synth history
PATCHING TODAY is a deep dive into patching on a selection of vintage modular systems, namely the Modcan A-Series (the most versatile modular ever made?), the Polyfusion 2000 (the simplest modular?), an EMS rig containing a VCS3, TKS sequencer, 8-octave filter bank and dual Synthi 100 HPF (the most English modular?), a Paia 4700 (the worst modular ever made?), the Buchla 100 (the first modular ever made?) and a hybrid Roland “green” modular system containing a modified System 100, SH5 with special modular panel and RE201 Space Echo (the ‘wonkiest’ system ever made?)
VIDEO LAB begins by presenting a short film called Proof of Hypertravel made entirely in the Lab, and then goes on to detail the lengthy process that went into making it, covering such things as Storyboarding, World-Building, Green Screening, Compositing, Special Effects, and types of vintage video cameras
There is also the Memetune Puzzle Page, the legendary Memetune Dictionary of Words, and a tour of the Memetune garden in a 1980 Lotus Esprit
The music on the download album that accompanies this annual has been selected from the second series and contains all the tracks made in the Synthesiser Club, Patching Today and Little Black Boxes sections respectively, approximately 60 minutes of original synthesiser compositions to enjoy whilst perusing the Annual
To watch the series search on YouTube for 'Memetune Programme by Benge'"
Thursday, August 25, 2016
Knobcon 2016 Details are In
"Knobcon, the world's only synthesizer convention, returns to the Hyatt Regency Schaumburg near Chicago IL USA for the fifth happening of this immersive event featuring over 60 exhibitors, live performances and workshops!
Knobcon:
Jack to the Future Part V
$35 Entry Fee for ALL 3 DAYS!
Optional Knobcon Banquet only $50
It all begins with an opening reception on Friday, September 9 with live performances by Allerian, Entanglement, Studio Dummies, and Suit & Tie Guy. Attendees of the reception will also enjoy specially priced drinks featuring whiskey from Balcones Distilling.
Multiple exhibit halls open to the public at 10AM Saturday and Sunday and are filled to capacity with large manufacturers such as Roland, Korg, Yamaha, and Moog, the finest boutique modular and pedal companies, and even some "classic cars" that collectors bring to display. Behringer’s new analog polysynth DeepMind12 will be making its North American debut at the event. Also appearing will be the new Minimoog Model D from Moog, and Arturia's Matrixbrute. See the latest releases and even purchase gear at special Knobcon pricing throughout the weekend!
Workshops scheduled on Saturday and Sunday, Sept 10-11. See the Knobcon website (www.knobcon.com) for complete descriptions and times.
• Syntheizer Basics and Synthesizer Myths presented by Marc Doty
• History and Theory of Additive Synthesis presented by Jon Sonnenberg
• Birth of the Prophet VS presented by Chris Meyer
• Tomita: A Voyage Through His Greatest Techniques presented by Nicholas D. Kent
• Experimental Music: Composition with an Arduino MIDI Controller presented by Elliott Inman
• MIDI: What’s it All About? presented by Amos Gaynes
• BeatPPL - Live Podcast Recording
• SynthSummitShow - Live Podcast Recording
• Learn to solder SMT with synthCube building a Buffered Mult and Cable Tester Module
• Build an AstroNoise Euro Module or Standalone Circuit with Synthrotek
• Build a Dual Passive Low Pass Gate Euro Module with Modular Addict
Saturday evening features multiple events including the annual Knobcon Banquet with a keynote address by guest of honor, Bill Hemsath. Enjoy cocktail music by the Knobcon Supper Club All-Stars, a classic organ, guitar, and drums trio.
Bill Hemsath, RA Moog's Chief Engineer from 1969 to 1971, gave us three fantastic things we all treasure to this day. He developed the first CV joystick, which then became pitch and mod wheels. He also had the bright idea to wire some modules together in a box with a keyboard, and the Minimoog was born.
The entertainment continues Saturday night with multiple live music events. The Knobcon Big Room - a house and techno party with projections by Lorenzo Vektor and Dennis Stein. Big Room performers include Glacial 23, Introvert, Low-Gain, Komprezzor and Oliver Dodd. If that's not your thing, head over to the International Players Club - a live music and jam session with The SynthFreq & Friends.
Knobcon ends on Sunday, September 11 at 5pm.
Full event details can be found at www.knobcon.com
EXHIBITORS
2hp, 4ms Company, Amplified Parts, Analogue Solutions, Antimatter Audio, Art For The Ears, Artisan Electronic Instruments, Arturia, Audient, Behringer, Believotron, Black Market Modular, Blue Lantern Modules, Casio, Detachment 3, Detroit Modular, Division 6, Dreadbox, EarthQuaker Devices, Elite Modular, Erogenous Tones, Evaton Technologies, EVE Audio, Future Retro, Foxtone Music, Grove Audio, Hexinverter Électronique, Industrial Music Electronics, Kilpatrick Audio, Korg, KVgear, Malekko Heavy Industry, Metalphoto of Cincinnati, Modal Electronics, Mode Machines, Moog Music, Moon Modular, Modular Addict, Nerd Audio, Noisebug, Novation, Old Crow, Percussa, Perfect Circuit Audio, Plastiq Musiq, Qu-Bit, Reverb, Roland, Sleepery Supply, STG Soundlabs, Syinsi, synthCube, Synth City, Synthrotek, Synthesis Technology, Tsyklon Labs, Verbos Electronics, WMD, Yamaha, Zetaohm, Żłob Modular, Z. Vex Effects"
Knobcon:
Jack to the Future Part V
$35 Entry Fee for ALL 3 DAYS!
Optional Knobcon Banquet only $50
It all begins with an opening reception on Friday, September 9 with live performances by Allerian, Entanglement, Studio Dummies, and Suit & Tie Guy. Attendees of the reception will also enjoy specially priced drinks featuring whiskey from Balcones Distilling.
Multiple exhibit halls open to the public at 10AM Saturday and Sunday and are filled to capacity with large manufacturers such as Roland, Korg, Yamaha, and Moog, the finest boutique modular and pedal companies, and even some "classic cars" that collectors bring to display. Behringer’s new analog polysynth DeepMind12 will be making its North American debut at the event. Also appearing will be the new Minimoog Model D from Moog, and Arturia's Matrixbrute. See the latest releases and even purchase gear at special Knobcon pricing throughout the weekend!
Workshops scheduled on Saturday and Sunday, Sept 10-11. See the Knobcon website (www.knobcon.com) for complete descriptions and times.
• Syntheizer Basics and Synthesizer Myths presented by Marc Doty
• History and Theory of Additive Synthesis presented by Jon Sonnenberg
• Birth of the Prophet VS presented by Chris Meyer
• Tomita: A Voyage Through His Greatest Techniques presented by Nicholas D. Kent
• Experimental Music: Composition with an Arduino MIDI Controller presented by Elliott Inman
• MIDI: What’s it All About? presented by Amos Gaynes
• BeatPPL - Live Podcast Recording
• SynthSummitShow - Live Podcast Recording
• Learn to solder SMT with synthCube building a Buffered Mult and Cable Tester Module
• Build an AstroNoise Euro Module or Standalone Circuit with Synthrotek
• Build a Dual Passive Low Pass Gate Euro Module with Modular Addict
Saturday evening features multiple events including the annual Knobcon Banquet with a keynote address by guest of honor, Bill Hemsath. Enjoy cocktail music by the Knobcon Supper Club All-Stars, a classic organ, guitar, and drums trio.
Bill Hemsath, RA Moog's Chief Engineer from 1969 to 1971, gave us three fantastic things we all treasure to this day. He developed the first CV joystick, which then became pitch and mod wheels. He also had the bright idea to wire some modules together in a box with a keyboard, and the Minimoog was born.
The entertainment continues Saturday night with multiple live music events. The Knobcon Big Room - a house and techno party with projections by Lorenzo Vektor and Dennis Stein. Big Room performers include Glacial 23, Introvert, Low-Gain, Komprezzor and Oliver Dodd. If that's not your thing, head over to the International Players Club - a live music and jam session with The SynthFreq & Friends.
Knobcon ends on Sunday, September 11 at 5pm.
Full event details can be found at www.knobcon.com
EXHIBITORS
2hp, 4ms Company, Amplified Parts, Analogue Solutions, Antimatter Audio, Art For The Ears, Artisan Electronic Instruments, Arturia, Audient, Behringer, Believotron, Black Market Modular, Blue Lantern Modules, Casio, Detachment 3, Detroit Modular, Division 6, Dreadbox, EarthQuaker Devices, Elite Modular, Erogenous Tones, Evaton Technologies, EVE Audio, Future Retro, Foxtone Music, Grove Audio, Hexinverter Électronique, Industrial Music Electronics, Kilpatrick Audio, Korg, KVgear, Malekko Heavy Industry, Metalphoto of Cincinnati, Modal Electronics, Mode Machines, Moog Music, Moon Modular, Modular Addict, Nerd Audio, Noisebug, Novation, Old Crow, Percussa, Perfect Circuit Audio, Plastiq Musiq, Qu-Bit, Reverb, Roland, Sleepery Supply, STG Soundlabs, Syinsi, synthCube, Synth City, Synthrotek, Synthesis Technology, Tsyklon Labs, Verbos Electronics, WMD, Yamaha, Zetaohm, Żłob Modular, Z. Vex Effects"
Monday, December 17, 2007
The Birth of MOTM
I just saw this on the My Synthesis Technology MOTM Analog Modular Synth blog. It's a letter from Paul Schreiber, the founder of MOTM, sent to the Analog Heaven mailing list back on Tuesday, April 22, 1997. Fascinating bit of modular history.
"Subject: My evil modular plans
Date: Tue, 22 Apr 1997 11:50:43 -0000
Here are my plans (well, to date at least) for my modular projects
1) The $35/module synth
This will presented 1 module at a time on the website. All documents will be in PDF format. I plan to author in Visio Technical for the schematics (or maybe OrCAD 4.3 DOS using Postscript output). The verbage will be MS Word 7.
(People who want these 'native' files can get them as well).
The modules are presented as a schematic, theory, parts list. No pcb. No front panel. All parts are either from Digikey/Mouser here in the States, or CEM chips (from me!).
I will avoid CEM when possible (saving them for item #2).
The schematics will be a merge of Electronotes, Moog, ARP, and stuff I plain make up. These are presented "as is": hey, they're only $35 in parts!! Some modules will have SPICE analysis charts as well.
This is to encourage a "jumping off" point for DIYers. I suggest a contest for:
a) nicest looking unit
b) best audio use . Make a big .WAV or something, let's all vote!
2) Re-Issue Digisound
These are updates/redesigns of the Digisound modules. Same "footprint". People with existing racks can shove these right in. Presented (from me, at least) as "semi-kit": all CEM chips + pcb + front panel. All other parts Mouser/Digikey again.
Guessing these will average about $85 each (from me) plus the R's & C's (not much!) I may go off and buy 1000 good pots and throw those in as well. Note that in my modules, ALL pots/jacks are SOLDERED to the pcb. NO WIRES!!
Since everybody likes sequencers, I'll do that one first!
3) Titan Modular
Makes the Serge and Moog stuff look like a SH101. The no-holds-barred design (for me. And anybody else who tags along!). This is a CD quality, (but FAAAAATTTTTTT) modular using DSPs, Xilinx gate arrays, $25 optical
shaft encoders, etc etc. Fully MIDI. patchable, and reload-able using any old computer with RS232. And the best part is, I expect a Moog 55 equivalent to fit in the size of a Moog 15 cabinet and cost around $4000. Last time I checked, Moog 55s were around $15,000.
As a teaser, the "low end" VCO has 16 independent outputs!
4) Moog 35 on a ISA card
I am pondering doing a full EXACT copy (part for part, slop and all) all on an IBM ISA card. Plugs into your PC. Can patch it, CakeWalk it, etc. Guessing this will run about $750. Any response? Have I lost all sense on this one???
Your kind comments and feedback welcome!
Paul Schreiber
Synthesis Technology"
"Subject: My evil modular plans
Date: Tue, 22 Apr 1997 11:50:43 -0000
Here are my plans (well, to date at least) for my modular projects
1) The $35/module synth
This will presented 1 module at a time on the website. All documents will be in PDF format. I plan to author in Visio Technical for the schematics (or maybe OrCAD 4.3 DOS using Postscript output). The verbage will be MS Word 7.
(People who want these 'native' files can get them as well).
The modules are presented as a schematic, theory, parts list. No pcb. No front panel. All parts are either from Digikey/Mouser here in the States, or CEM chips (from me!).
I will avoid CEM when possible (saving them for item #2).
The schematics will be a merge of Electronotes, Moog, ARP, and stuff I plain make up. These are presented "as is": hey, they're only $35 in parts!! Some modules will have SPICE analysis charts as well.
This is to encourage a "jumping off" point for DIYers. I suggest a contest for:
a) nicest looking unit
b) best audio use . Make a big .WAV or something, let's all vote!
2) Re-Issue Digisound
These are updates/redesigns of the Digisound modules. Same "footprint". People with existing racks can shove these right in. Presented (from me, at least) as "semi-kit": all CEM chips + pcb + front panel. All other parts Mouser/Digikey again.
Guessing these will average about $85 each (from me) plus the R's & C's (not much!) I may go off and buy 1000 good pots and throw those in as well. Note that in my modules, ALL pots/jacks are SOLDERED to the pcb. NO WIRES!!
Since everybody likes sequencers, I'll do that one first!
3) Titan Modular
Makes the Serge and Moog stuff look like a SH101. The no-holds-barred design (for me. And anybody else who tags along!). This is a CD quality, (but FAAAAATTTTTTT) modular using DSPs, Xilinx gate arrays, $25 optical
shaft encoders, etc etc. Fully MIDI. patchable, and reload-able using any old computer with RS232. And the best part is, I expect a Moog 55 equivalent to fit in the size of a Moog 15 cabinet and cost around $4000. Last time I checked, Moog 55s were around $15,000.
As a teaser, the "low end" VCO has 16 independent outputs!
4) Moog 35 on a ISA card
I am pondering doing a full EXACT copy (part for part, slop and all) all on an IBM ISA card. Plugs into your PC. Can patch it, CakeWalk it, etc. Guessing this will run about $750. Any response? Have I lost all sense on this one???
Your kind comments and feedback welcome!
Paul Schreiber
Synthesis Technology"
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
The Rob Hordijk Epoch Modular Benjolin Dual VCO Eurorack Module
benjolin eurorack production module
Published on May 7, 2013 Epoch Modular·1 video
Note this is the first Epoch Modular post on MATRIXSYNTH.
"A darling of the DIY synth community for several years now, Rob Hordijk's benjolin circuit is really like no other synth/noisemaker out there. The benjolin is the smaller sibling of Rob's now legendary Blippoo Box, the subject of his 2009 article in Leonardo Music Journal (Vol. 9). Both the Blippoo Box and the benjolin emerged from Rob's attempts to design a circuit that was, as he puts it, "bent by design". As such both modules function according to the basic principles of Chaos theory, where short to long sputtering patterns spontaneously alter themselves over time, at times gradually and at times quite suddenly, morphing into new pattern doublings and bifurcations. The result is two incredibly unique instruments that function in a sense autonomously or can "play themselves" if you like.
Both the Blippoo Box and the benjolin are based around similar "chaotic cores," which in the the case of the benjolin, is comprised of two vcos and a unique circuit designed by Rob, which he calls a rungler. The rungler is basically an 8 step shift register that takes its serial input from the squarewave of one oscillator and its clock input from the other. The digital outputs of the shift register are than put through a 3 bit digital to analogue converter to create stepped voltage patterns, which are then wired back into the oscillators. The effect of this arrangement is to create a complex interference pattern that gives the benjolin its unique, aleatoric character.
Along with this chaotic core, the benjolin also includes a 2-pole vcf with a unique topology that imparts an amount of all harmonic distortion to the filter outputs. The eurorack module I have designed has additional modifications not included in the original benjolin circuit, including HP and LP outs for the filter, as well as a rungler loop function that can be controlled either via control voltage, manually with an offset knob and also with a toggle switch that turns the offset on and off. These different controls may also be used in tandem, and all serve in someway to hold the rungler in a looping pattern, allowing one to cut pieces out of the chaos and create repetitive drones and beat-like patterns at whim.
As you can see from the video, there are 4 cvs in total (to the left side of the panel, top to bottom): one for oscillator A, one for oscillator B, one for the Filter cut off Frequency and of course the rungler loop function already mentioned. The CV inputs of the two oscillators they are normalized for cross modulation so when nothing is plugged in the triangle output of oscillator A goes into the input of B and vice versa. Similarly, the vcf cv input is normalized to the triangle output of triangle B. As you may be able to see from the attached photo, these three normalized cvs each have attenuator knobs as well.
Outputs include the Pulse and triangle wave outputs from oscillators A and B, the direct output from the rungler, an XOR (which is a logic output from the rungler) as well as a PWM output derived from the Triangle waves A and B. And of course there are also the three filter outputs mentioned above.
This video aims at showing the benjolin solely as "self playing" instrument, and as such no external control voltages are utilized. In addition, for the sake of simplicity, only the low pass output of the filter is used. I apologize for the terrible quality of the video (shot on my Iphone). I have just ordered a camcorder, so better quality video will be uploaded soon."

image via Richard Devine on Facebook
"Epoch Modular - Benjolin - dual VCO based on Chaos theory 'Chaotic Cores'."
Published on May 7, 2013 Epoch Modular·1 video
Note this is the first Epoch Modular post on MATRIXSYNTH.
"A darling of the DIY synth community for several years now, Rob Hordijk's benjolin circuit is really like no other synth/noisemaker out there. The benjolin is the smaller sibling of Rob's now legendary Blippoo Box, the subject of his 2009 article in Leonardo Music Journal (Vol. 9). Both the Blippoo Box and the benjolin emerged from Rob's attempts to design a circuit that was, as he puts it, "bent by design". As such both modules function according to the basic principles of Chaos theory, where short to long sputtering patterns spontaneously alter themselves over time, at times gradually and at times quite suddenly, morphing into new pattern doublings and bifurcations. The result is two incredibly unique instruments that function in a sense autonomously or can "play themselves" if you like.
Both the Blippoo Box and the benjolin are based around similar "chaotic cores," which in the the case of the benjolin, is comprised of two vcos and a unique circuit designed by Rob, which he calls a rungler. The rungler is basically an 8 step shift register that takes its serial input from the squarewave of one oscillator and its clock input from the other. The digital outputs of the shift register are than put through a 3 bit digital to analogue converter to create stepped voltage patterns, which are then wired back into the oscillators. The effect of this arrangement is to create a complex interference pattern that gives the benjolin its unique, aleatoric character.
Along with this chaotic core, the benjolin also includes a 2-pole vcf with a unique topology that imparts an amount of all harmonic distortion to the filter outputs. The eurorack module I have designed has additional modifications not included in the original benjolin circuit, including HP and LP outs for the filter, as well as a rungler loop function that can be controlled either via control voltage, manually with an offset knob and also with a toggle switch that turns the offset on and off. These different controls may also be used in tandem, and all serve in someway to hold the rungler in a looping pattern, allowing one to cut pieces out of the chaos and create repetitive drones and beat-like patterns at whim.
As you can see from the video, there are 4 cvs in total (to the left side of the panel, top to bottom): one for oscillator A, one for oscillator B, one for the Filter cut off Frequency and of course the rungler loop function already mentioned. The CV inputs of the two oscillators they are normalized for cross modulation so when nothing is plugged in the triangle output of oscillator A goes into the input of B and vice versa. Similarly, the vcf cv input is normalized to the triangle output of triangle B. As you may be able to see from the attached photo, these three normalized cvs each have attenuator knobs as well.
Outputs include the Pulse and triangle wave outputs from oscillators A and B, the direct output from the rungler, an XOR (which is a logic output from the rungler) as well as a PWM output derived from the Triangle waves A and B. And of course there are also the three filter outputs mentioned above.
This video aims at showing the benjolin solely as "self playing" instrument, and as such no external control voltages are utilized. In addition, for the sake of simplicity, only the low pass output of the filter is used. I apologize for the terrible quality of the video (shot on my Iphone). I have just ordered a camcorder, so better quality video will be uploaded soon."

image via Richard Devine on Facebook
"Epoch Modular - Benjolin - dual VCO based on Chaos theory 'Chaotic Cores'."
See dealers on the right for pricing and availability on gear.
LABELS/MORE: Blippoo, Epoch Modular, eurorack, Featured, Rob Hordijk, Video
LABELS/MORE: Blippoo, Epoch Modular, eurorack, Featured, Rob Hordijk, Video
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
The Development & Practice of Electronic Music
No title link. Just the shot and details pulled via this auction.Details
"The Development And Practice of Electronic Music by Jon H Appleton and Ronald C Perera. Hard cover with 384 pages of theory (analog and digital), history and pics of synthesizers. Pics of synths include Moog IIIC Modular, Buchla Modular, EMS Synthi 100 Modular, Complete Arp 2500 Modular, Moog Modular CEMS system, Arp 2600 and others."
See dealers on the right for pricing and availability on gear.
LABELS/MORE: ARP, Buchla, EMS, MOOG, Synth Books
LABELS/MORE: ARP, Buchla, EMS, MOOG, Synth Books
Monday, August 03, 2015
New Make Noise soundhack tELHARMONIC Tutorial Video
Published on Aug 3, 2015 MAKEN0ISE
"The tELHARMONIC is a Multi-Voice, Multi-Algorithm synthesizer module named for the music hall considered by some to be the location of the first electronic music concerts. It was coded by Tom Erbe with the goal of presenting three historically important pioneering electronic tone generation techniques less often implemented within the modular synthesizer.
The tELHARMONIC's roots go back further than the advent of electronic music, as it also takes a new approach to handling music theory in the modular context. TONIC, INTERVAL, DEGREE and D-GATE, allow for patch-programming of complex chord progressions, scales, melodies and playing styles. This Voltage Controlled Music Theory guides the Algorithms in a unified way, whereas CENTROID, FLUX and H-LOCK sculpt the timbre of each Algorithm uniquely, allowing for complex sounds to be created around a unified melodic structure and pattern.
3 Voice Additive Harmonic synthesis inspired by Thaddeus Cahill's Telharmonium, 1897 http://120years.net/the-telharmonium-...
Noise synthesis inspired by early computer music piece "Analog 1: Noise Study" by James Tenney, 1961
3 Voice Phase Modulation synthesis inspired by early commercial digital synthesis, 1980's
CENTROID, FLUX and H-LOCK animate each Algorithm uniquely
All Algorithms available simultaneously at their respective outputs
6 octaves of continuous 1V/ Octave pitch control
4 octaves of quantized pitch control
Voltage Controlled Music Theory
DEGREE Modulation able to be synchronized by clock or gate via D-Gate input
Gate Out completes the conversation between tELHARMONIC and rest of system!
Utilizes High performance DSP hardware with 24bit, 48kHz codec, 32 bit floating point processing
Reasonable power consumption
Pairs well with Optomix"
See dealers on the right for pricing and availability on gear.
LABELS/MORE: eurorack, Make Noise, synth tutorials, Video
LABELS/MORE: eurorack, Make Noise, synth tutorials, Video
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Max/MSP vs. PlanB Modular, Analog with Digital Control
YouTube via dkimcg
"I had read rumors of the MOTU 828MKII being able to send out low frequencies, low enough to be used as control voltages. So I had to try it to see if it works. Well, it does. The control signal is a little aliased, looks like a 8-16 bit signal. Not too steppy, fester than MIDI by far (but not precisxe for any real scale, need more tests to see how that is. But a very successful test to see if the MOTU 828MK2 could send out low frequency signals to control the modular synth without MIDI, a la VC. I patched together a simple little patch from the LFO tutorial on the Cycling 74 website (I'm a lazy ass programmer would would rather copy/paste). The 4 scopes on the left green side of the patch are the waveforms and clicks. The two waveforms on the scopes on the right are simple combinations of the 2 LFOs on the left. My camera sucks and the menus got overexposed. I'll cover what's going on in the annotations once again. I like watching videos for sound and music with no talking, so I make mine that way now that annotations are on youtube.
This is not meant to be a flex of my musical prowess or anything like that, just searching for interesting sounds, and testing out Max/MSP MOTU828MKII control of the PlanB modular.
Everyone who ever read those postings, but didn't want to shell out cash to test a theory, well, here's the proof it does, and now I have almost unlimited quick and dirty analog LFOs. At least good enough for almost unlimited 8 to 16 bit LFOs (that's about the resolution it looks, still better than an Arduino or other ATMEGA controller with a resister ladder DAC which is what I was going to try invstingating again next if this didn't work. It worked OK for teh theremin to Max before. Now on to integrating Max and the modular . Digital logic meets analog logic (Grenader & crew meets Zicarelli and crew). :)
I think one of my next MaxB tests will have to be making it stutter, afterall, isn't t a rule I have to make something stutter in real time as a Max user?"
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Synthesis by Herbert A. Deutsch
"'Synthesis: An Introduction to the History, Theory, & Practice of Electronic Music' book by Herbert A. Deutsch.
Printed in 1976. Softcover. 140 Pages.
This is an amazing book about analog synthesizers and early electronic music written by electronic music pioneer Herbert A. Deutsch, a close friend of Bob Moog, who even collaborated with Bob Moog on the first prototype of the Moog Modular Synthesizer.
This book is filled with tons of great information on analog synthesis, analog synthesizers, the amazing people that built them, and the musicians that first used them. A great book for anyone interested in the beginnings of electronic music.
There are a lot of awesome pictures of vintage synthesizers like the original Moog Synthesizer prototype, Moog Sonic VI, The MiniMoog, Moog Satellite, Moog Model 12 Modular Synthesizer, ARP Pro-Soloist, ARP Odyssey, ARP 2600, ARP Modular Synthesizer, EMS Synthi, EMS Synthi 100, and The Roland Series 100 Modular Synthesizer!
Also pictures of synthesizer pioneers Bob Moog, Herbert A. Deutsch, and Wendy Carlos!"
See dealers on the right for pricing and availability on gear.
LABELS/MORE: ARP, EMS, MOOG, Roland, Synth Books
LABELS/MORE: ARP, EMS, MOOG, Roland, Synth Books
Friday, August 23, 2019
The Rebirth of the Modular Synthesizer on TEDx Talks
The Rebirth of the Modular Synthesizer | Jarod Sommerfeldt & Bobby Rice | TEDxSUNYPotsdam
Published on Aug 23, 2019 TEDx Talks
"The modular synthesizer dominated the world of electronic music in the 1960s and 70s, yet fell out of favor as the digital revolution took hold. Today, modular synthesizers are receiving an overdue renaissance, thanks in large part to a strong community of dedicated builders, artists, and fans. Enjoy the live performance in conjunction with this talk, that aims to demonstrate how the past can influence the future of creativity in electronic music. Dr. Jerod Sommerfeldt teaches music theory, composition, and electronic music at the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam.
Bobby Rice is a student in the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam, This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community."
Published on Aug 23, 2019 TEDx Talks
"The modular synthesizer dominated the world of electronic music in the 1960s and 70s, yet fell out of favor as the digital revolution took hold. Today, modular synthesizers are receiving an overdue renaissance, thanks in large part to a strong community of dedicated builders, artists, and fans. Enjoy the live performance in conjunction with this talk, that aims to demonstrate how the past can influence the future of creativity in electronic music. Dr. Jerod Sommerfeldt teaches music theory, composition, and electronic music at the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam.
Bobby Rice is a student in the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam, This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community."
Wednesday, September 13, 2017
ROLAND SYSTEM 100 MODEL 101 TUTORIAL & OVERVIEW
Published on Sep 13, 2017 once upon a synth
"This is a tutorial and overview of the Roland System 100 Model 101. The Model 101 is the keyboard synth part of the system. The system also included speakers, a synth expander, a mixer and a sequencer. This was a system of synths made by Roland in the 70s. It sounds really smooth and fat and has that classic vintage Roland sound which can also be found on the bigger brothers SH-5 and SH-7. In this video I go over each component, knob, button and jack on the front panel of the synth.
This is a fairly simple and standard synth on spec. It has a single oscillator, a single ADSR envelope generator, a single LFO and a combo low pass and high pass filter. What sets it apart is that it's semi-modular so you get to patch in and out the different components. It also has a really nice basic tone. It's one of those synths that has a large sweet spot and sounds good in almost all settings.
Here's that synthesis 101 video I was referring to in the video (if you're new to synthesizers):"
SUBTRACTIVE SYNTHESIS AND MODULAR TUTORIAL FOR BEGINNERS ~ Featuring the Kilpatrick Audio Phenol
Published on Apr 5, 2017 once upon a synth
"In this video I explain the basics of subtractive synthesis with an emphasis on modular synths. This is intended for complete beginners to synthesizers. We cover concepts like timbre, synthesis, harmonic content, the fundamental, control voltage, gate, trigger, audio vs control signals. The video starts off with theory and we end the second half with a practical demo using the Kilpatrick Audio Phenol semi-modular synth. This tutorial is not gear specific and the concept should apply to any subtractive synth."
See dealers on the right for pricing and availability on gear.
LABELS/MORE: Kilpatrick Audio, Roland, synth tutorials
LABELS/MORE: Kilpatrick Audio, Roland, synth tutorials
Saturday, September 21, 2013
This Tuesday in Seattle: An Engineer's Perspective on Analog Modular Synthesis
For those of you in the Pacific Northwest, Daniel Casado will be giving a presentation on modular synths. It will be held at Shoreline Community College (map) in room 818 of the Music Building. The talk is open to the public.
via http://www.aes.org/sections/pnw/
"AES MEMBERSHIP IS NOT REQUIRED.
AES PNW Section
September Meeting Notice
The Circuit Is The Sound
An Engineer's Perspective on Analog Modular Synthesis
With
Daniel Casado
Tuesday, September 24th, 7:30pm
Shoreline Community College, Music Building, Room 818
Directions to Shoreline Community College
Modular synthesizers offer endless sonic potential, but they require a deeper level of understanding than most instruments. The intuition of the musician must be complemented by the insight of an engineer.
In this presentation Daniel will briefly review basic electronics (so we're on the same page) and then apply those concepts to the operating parameters of a synth module and how it interconnects to others in the system. He will also discuss important points to be aware of when mixing modules from different manufacturers. Joins us for an evening of sources & signals, modules & modulators, controllers, sequencers, and patch cords, lots and lots of patch cords.
About the Presenter
Daniel Casado was a PNW AES Committee member until his job got in the way. He recently retired, having just completed a stint as Director of Engineering Support for McCauley Loudspeakers and is now able to serve again. Previous to that, Daniel was the N. W. manufacturer's representative for a number of leading audio manufacturers. With over 30 years in the professional audio industry, his experience includes front of house for national acts, mixing live performances for radio & television broadcast, sound system design & installation, manufacturing, R & D, and teaching electronics & audio theory. Daniel has extensive studio experience, and is a musician as well, with a life-long interest in electronic music."
via http://www.aes.org/sections/pnw/
"AES MEMBERSHIP IS NOT REQUIRED.
AES PNW Section
September Meeting Notice
The Circuit Is The Sound
An Engineer's Perspective on Analog Modular Synthesis
With
Daniel Casado
Tuesday, September 24th, 7:30pm
Shoreline Community College, Music Building, Room 818
Directions to Shoreline Community College
Modular synthesizers offer endless sonic potential, but they require a deeper level of understanding than most instruments. The intuition of the musician must be complemented by the insight of an engineer.
In this presentation Daniel will briefly review basic electronics (so we're on the same page) and then apply those concepts to the operating parameters of a synth module and how it interconnects to others in the system. He will also discuss important points to be aware of when mixing modules from different manufacturers. Joins us for an evening of sources & signals, modules & modulators, controllers, sequencers, and patch cords, lots and lots of patch cords.
About the Presenter
Daniel Casado was a PNW AES Committee member until his job got in the way. He recently retired, having just completed a stint as Director of Engineering Support for McCauley Loudspeakers and is now able to serve again. Previous to that, Daniel was the N. W. manufacturer's representative for a number of leading audio manufacturers. With over 30 years in the professional audio industry, his experience includes front of house for national acts, mixing live performances for radio & television broadcast, sound system design & installation, manufacturing, R & D, and teaching electronics & audio theory. Daniel has extensive studio experience, and is a musician as well, with a life-long interest in electronic music."
Saturday, July 09, 2016
Serge Modular Synth - Ian Fritz 'Chaos Theory' & 'Timbre Tantrum' Panels - #2
Published on Jul 9, 2016 isvisible / isinvisible
"Playing with the two Serge format modular synth panels by Ian Fritz, 'The Timbre Tantrum' on the left and the 'Chaos Theory' on the right.
The only other things used apart from the two panels were:
Doepfer A-156 - for quantizing the S&H outputs of the Dual TGTSH.
Bandive Accessit Stereo Spring Reverb - for adding spring reverb to one of the Teezer TZFM VCO's. (the plinky plonky piano one).
Roland DEP-3 - for adding reverb to one of the Teezer TZFM VCO's.
Ibanez AD-202 - for adding delay to bank A of the DoubleDeka Ultrasonic VCO.
Cheers."
Wednesday, April 29, 2020
Sound Theory and Minimalist Modular Exploration (VCO+VCF+SEQ+KASTLE)for Modul@rnice
Published on Apr 29, 2020 Bastl Instruments
"We are going to focus on the fundamentals of sound theory and exploring minimal modular setup that participants built as part of this series before the lockdown (VCO - Tromso, VCF - Cinnamon and step sequencer - Popcorn and semimodular synth - Kastle).
Lecture by Václav Peloušek (Toyota Vangelis) https://band.link/carC7
Lecture for Modul@rnice workshop series is organised by Projekt Atol Institute, with financial support from the Slovenian Ministry of Culture and the Department of Culture of the City of Ljubljana."
See dealers on the right for pricing and availability on gear.
LABELS/MORE: Bastl Instruments, eurorack, synth tutorials
LABELS/MORE: Bastl Instruments, eurorack, synth tutorials
Friday, May 25, 2018
Make Noise tELHARMONIC 1/5: Overview; Setting Up (LMS EE)
Published on May 25, 2018 Learning Modular
"The Make Noise tELHARMONIC includes three different synthesis algorithms – additive, noise, and phase modulation – with a 'music theory' control section that can intelligently arrange the three internal voices into a variety of detunings and triads.
This movie provides an overview of the module, including advice on initializing it to give you a stable platform from which to explore it. The movie breaks down like this:
0:00 overview
0:45 blind exploration
1:24 initial set-up: sound generation section
2:13 initial set-up: Music Theory section
3:39 tuning to a reference
4:19 exploring the sound generation side
The remaining movies explore each of its three synthesis algorithms in detail, as well as the Music Theory section. It is available to my Patreon supporters as well as those who have access to my Eurorack Expansion course on LearningModular.com:
https://learningmodular.com/register/...
https://www.patreon.com/LearningModular"
See dealers on the right for pricing and availability on gear.
LABELS/MORE: eurorack, Make Noise, synth tutorials
LABELS/MORE: eurorack, Make Noise, synth tutorials
Tuesday, December 03, 2019
Pittsburgh Modular Analog Delay Unit Introduction
Published on Dec 3, 2019 Pittsburgh Modular Synthesizers
"Introducing the Pittsburgh Modular Analog Delay Unit. Michael discusses the history of analog delay."
Suggested Retail Price $199
"The Analog Delay Unit is based on the design created for the Voltage Lab synthesizer module. A finely tuned circuit designed to enhance the source material by adding depth and warmth.
Module Overview
The Analog Delay utilizes a pair of 4,096 stage BBD chips to produce a voltage controllable analog delay signal. Clean delay time can vary from 16ms to 340ms. The maximum delay time can be increased using the TIME CV INPUT delay time maxes out at 465ms but the increased time comes at the cost of fidelity and a bit of high frequency clock noise bleed. The name BBD stands for bucket brigade device in reference to a line of people passing buckets of water to quickly extinguish a fire. Each stage of a BBD chip contains a single capacitor. Pairing two chips together creates a chain of 8,192 capacitors. Like the water buckets, an audio signal is passed from capacitor to capacitor within the BBD chips once every clock step. A slower clock produces a longer delay and a faster clock produces a shorter delay.
Delay time
Delay time is set by adjusting the DELAY TIME SLIDER. Moving the slider up increases the delay time. Delay time can be voltage controlled by patching into the DELAY TIME CV INPUT JACK and adjusting the DELAY TIME CV TRIMMER. The DELAY TIME CV TRIMMER is an attenuverter. That means the incoming signal is off when the trimmer is set to the 12 o’clock position. Turning the attenuverter to the right passes the original signal through. Turning the attenuverter to the left passes an inverted version of the original signal through. Turning the DELAY TIME CV TRIMMER to the right will increase the amount of CV passed through to the delay time. Turning the DELAY TIME CV TRIMMER to the left will increase the amount of inverted CV passed through to the delay time. Locating the exact off position of an attenuverter can be difficult. The easiest wave to remove the CV signal from the signal path is to simply remove the patch cable patched into the DELAY TIME CV INPUT JACK.
Feedback
The DELAY REPEATS SLIDER sets the amount of repeats created by the delay. Moving the DELAY REPEATSSLIDER all the way down will produce 1 repeat. Adjusting the slider up increases the number of repeats until the delay begins to self-oscillate.
Output Mix
The DELAY MIX KNOB acts as a balance control between the dry incoming signal and the wet delayed signal. Turning the DELAY MIX KNOB to the left weighs the output toward the dry signal. Turning the DELAY MIX KNOB to the right weighs the output toward the wet signal. In theory, setting the DELAY MIX KNOB at 12 o’clock creates an even mix of the wet and dry signals. In reality, the tolerance of the potentiometer, waves shape, and dry signal level all influence the location of an even 50/50 mix.
Module Specifications
Panel size: 6hp
Depth: 35mm
Power Usage: +12v 44mA, -12v 19mA. Does not require +5v. Reversed power polarity protection."
See dealers on the right for pricing and availability on gear.
LABELS/MORE: eurorack, New, New in 2019, New Modules, New Modules in 2019, News, Pittsburgh Modular Confluence
LABELS/MORE: eurorack, New, New in 2019, New Modules, New Modules in 2019, News, Pittsburgh Modular Confluence
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
Sintetizando: Acid Bassline
Sintetizando: Acid Bassline from Icaro Ferre on Vimeo.
Googlish below.
"Este é meu primeiro de uma série de vídeos sobre sintetizadores modulares em português chamada Sintetizando. Em cada um dos vídeos, vamos começar com uma ideia do patch e durante o decorrer do vídeo irei fazendo alguns patches e explicando os passos e a teoria por trás das conexões. O objetivo desses vídeos é ensinar como sintetizadores analógicos funcionam e como são criados alguns timbres bastante utilizados em diversos tipos de gêneros musicais.
Neste primeiro vídeo, vamos criar um bassline tipo acid usando alguns módulos eurorack como o Mutable Instruments Braids, Intellijel Metropolis, MakeNoise Maths, TipTop Audio Z4000 e o Toppobrillo Multifilter. Também usaremos uma TR-606, bateria eletrônica analógica criada pela Roland, para criar um loop de bateria e sincronizar o sequenciador do modular (Intellijel Metropolis).
Ícaro Ferre
http://icaroferre.com
http://spektroaudio.com/"
Googlish:
"This is my first in a series of videos on modular synthesizers in Portuguese call Synthesizing. In each of the videos, let's start with an idea and the patch during the course of the video I will doing some patches and explaining the steps and the theory behind connections. The purpose of these videos is to teach as analog synthesizers work and how some voices are raised widely used in various types of musical genres.
In this first video we will create a bassline acid type using some modules like the XENYX Mutable Instruments Braids, Intellijel Metropolis, MakeNoise Maths, TipTop Audio Z4000 and Toppobrillo Multifilter. We will also use one TR-606 analog drum machine created by Roland, to create a drum loop and sync modular sequencer (Intellijel Metropolis).
Icaro Ferre
http://icaroferre.com
http://spektroaudio.com/"
See dealers on the right for pricing and availability on gear.
LABELS/MORE: eurorack, synth tutorials, Video
LABELS/MORE: eurorack, synth tutorials, Video
Monday, April 08, 2019
A shadow that glows harder than the sun | Modular in the cave 11 ambient jam on a boat outdoor euro
Published on Apr 8, 2019 Modular in the cave
Modular on a boat.
"A little jam on the boat leaving Ustica. Many things have been said about this island. The greeks called it Osteodes, cause a lot of mercenaries bones, starved to death, are said to be found here. Some others, like storyograph L.G. Pocock and writer Marco Carlo Rognoni, believe this to be Eea, the island of circes ( but i don´t agree, just like with the theory of Samuel Butler about the odissey taking place in the aegadian islands). The only certain thing is that this island and his volcanoes are more ancient and wise than any man who put their foot on it. Yes, even wiser than Gramsci."
Monday, May 18, 2026
Voltage Starved Compression Goodness with Hungry Thumb
video upload by Robots Are Red and Hive Mind Synthesis
"Hungry Thumb, by Modular 4 the Masses.
This is an 8-10hp Voltage Starved Compressor module with additional side chain and EQ.
Thank you to Modular 4 the Masses for providing the module for this video."
00:00 - Intro
00:45 - Demo with Kick only
06:58 - Full Drums
09:14 - Plucky Voice
12:00 - Full Mix
HungryThumb is a Eurorack adaptation of a compressor named Engineer's Thumb, typically built as a guitar effect pedal. Juanito built an Engineer's Thumb early in the tin can synth journey, naively replicating the 9V core of the circuit, and then didn't really know what to do with it.
Until they put an 808 kick drum through it. As a kick drum processor, this compressor shines brightly, especially when the Starve settings reduces the core circuitry voltage to 9V and lower. You can get even the purest 808-style kick drum signal, which will be mostly a sine wave, to crunch, clip, gate, fizz and fold. Do you need hardstyle kicks in your modular? This can get you there.
The Engineer's Thumb this circuit is based on uses an LM13700 OTA chip as the adjustable gain portion. These chips are a bit noisy, so an innovation of Engineer's Thumb was to put the gain section in an op amp inverting feedback loop, meaning while the compressor is set to its highest gain, the OTA is set to its lowest gain, and will theoretically be creating less noise. The theory checks out, but I'm not sure how much we Eurorack people care about noise floor.
See dealers on the right for pricing and availability on gear.
LABELS/MORE: eurorack, Modular for the Masses, New Modules, News
LABELS/MORE: eurorack, Modular for the Masses, New Modules, News
Thursday, November 21, 2024
dystopian audio landscape - #synth #novation #ambient #soundscaping #film #score
Monday, July 11, 2016
Modular Synth - Patch in Progress 34
Published on Jul 11, 2016 isvisible / isinvisible
"My Ian Fritz panels (Serge) playing very nicely with my Eurorack set-up.
The AFG is clocking the Pithoprakta, which in turn is triggering everything else.
Elements - Bass
Rings - Processing audio from the Radio Music
AFG - low clicky audio processed by the ADDAC Fixed Filter Bank, which has each frequency being modulated by various Ian Fritz designed modules (Chaotica, ChaQuo and Jerkster)
Serge Modular (Ian Fritz - Chaos Theory and Timbre Tantrum panels) - Plinky plonky piano sounds, warbles and atmosphere.
Cheers"
This one make me think of what John Carpenter might sound like exploring modular. Very Carpenter-esque. Love it.
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MATRIXSYNTH - EVERYTHING SYNTH
© Matrixsynth - All posts are presented here for informative, historical and educative purposes as applicable within fair use.
MATRIXSYNTH is supported by affiliate links that use cookies to track clickthroughs and sales. See the privacy policy for details.
MATRIXSYNTH - EVERYTHING SYNTH


























