New Yamaha CS80 Rackmount Clone In the Works

DECKARD'S DREAM - 8-VOICE ANALOGUE SYNTHESIZER

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New Buchla Programmable Octal Signal Source Model 360 Coming from Roman Filippov

"Soon. Can’t tell much more details yet"

Roman Filippov as you know is the man behind Sputnik Modular, Black Corporation, and various Buchla DIY projects. Black Corporation is focused on full blown desktop synths including Deckard’s Dream, Kijimi, Xerses, as well as some erurorack adaptations of various components of these synths. Sputnik focuses on Roman's line of primarly west coast inspired eurorack modules. Roman has also offered one-off creations of classic designs for the DIY market.

This one was spotted and sent in via Soviet Space Child.

Update: "It has stereo, quad outputs as well. Will be 8 voices, 3osc per voice with built in enveloppe and VCAs - fully 24osc synth (shouldn't the VCA be LPG on the OG?). Inputs wil be via digital buss from 221r. You'll have to have both modules to make 360 funtcionnal. Also coming this summer. 300 computer open source module is also in the works."

An update from Roman sent my way via Soviet Space Child.

"The 360r will have 15 programmable outputs with full control from the 221r (standard midi messages), it uses a 16-core mcu/dsp by XMOS and 24b/216KHz 16ch codec by Cirrus Logic.

The 221r will have midi and usb i/o and 4x digital ports for communication with the other modules. It also uses a combination of accelerometer and gyroscope for the bend function. also i hope to decode 200e I2C buss, it already has it connected."

SOURCE OF UNCERTAINTY - New Collaboration Between Buchla & Black Corporation's Roman Filippov

Soviet Space Child wrote in to let us know Buchla has teamed up with Black Corporation's Roman Filippov to release reissues of classic Buchla modules though a new venture called SOURCE OF UNCERTAINTY. From their new website https://sourceofuncertainty.com:

"AUTHENTIC REISSUES OF CLASSIC BUCHLA MODULAR. Source of Uncertainty is the official store for Buchla Classic Reissues, created by Roman Filippov of Black Corporation.

BUCHLA CLASSIC REISSUES SIGNIFY A RETURN TO PRODUCTION OF THE ICONIC COMPOSITIONAL AND PERFORMANCE TOOLS, using original parts wherever possible, plus minor adaptations for greater low-noise performance and reliability and component availability. We ship worldwide, direct from the engineer."


Roman actually got started cloning Buchla modules prior to forming Black Corporation. See the labels below or do a search for him if you want to go down the rabbit hole.

The following are the current modules listed:

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Ambling & Exploration Roman Filippov's 277 Buchla Demos by Todd Barton

"a simple exploration beginning with a repeated pulse then slowly adding in multiple delays on the Buchla Style 227 Delay unit by Roman Filippov. The exploration ends with the original pulse, i.e. everything is derived in real time from the original pulse."



"another brief and simple exploration of Roman Filippov's 277 Buchla style delay."

SPUTNIK DUAL DEFECT PROCESSOR MODEL 289

Published on Sep 4, 2013 romanfilippov·10 videos

This one in via Roman Filippov.

Playlist (use the controls on the bottom of the player to forward through videos - 4th video on shows module):
SPUTNIK DUAL DEFECT PROCESSOR MODEL 289 - SAW CORE OSCILLATOR
SPUTNIK DUAL DEFECT PROCESSOR MODEL 289 - SINE CORE OSCILLATOR
SPUTNIK DUAL DEFECT PROCESSOR MODEL 289 - DUAL FM OSCILLATOR SCOPE
SPUTNIK DUAL DEFECT PROCESSOR MODEL 289 - DUAL FM OSCILLATOR DEMO
SPUTNIK DUAL DEFECT PROCESSOR MODEL 289 - HARMONIZER / PITCH SHIFTER
SPUTNIK DUAL DEFECT PROCESSOR MODEL 289 - BITCRUSHER / SONIC DECIMATOR
SPUTNIK DUAL DEFECT PROCESSOR MODEL 289 - KARMINUS-WEAK SYNTHESIZER
SPUTNIK DUAL DEFECT PROCESSOR MODEL 289 - PLATE REVERBERATOR
SPUTNIK DUAL DEFECT PROCESSOR MODEL 289 - HALL REVERBERATOR
SPUTNIK DUAL DEFECT PROCESSOR MODEL 289 - TALKER

Some details via Roman on Muff's:

"we (Roman Filippov and Alex Pleninger) are glad to introduce the result of almost a year of development, coding, electronic tests and just complex work in general - Sputnik Defect Processor Model 289.

this device is crafted to precisely comply the modular standards of Buchla Electric Music Box better known as Buchla 200 and Buchla 200e.

the core of the 289 is a Digital Signal Processor which takes all the computations in sound transforming and generating. around it one may observe some controllable analogue parameters such as Balance and Regeneration, they are independent for each audio channel. both DSP cores have 8 independent Programs or Algorithms per core and each such algorithm has three voltage controllable parameters, varying from program to program. each core can be expanded via another 8 programs on external EEPROM chip. one of the most exciting feature is the variable Timebase which affects a lot of nuances in every algorithm's behavior.

apart from conventional stuff like reverbs, delays and various modulations the Model 289 offers quite unique solutions such as fm-synthesis, wide sonic range generators, human throat modelling, simple spectrum transfer facility, pitch-to-cv conversion, pitch shifting, audio looping, several sound destructors, pitch class generator, karplus-strong synthesis and many others, including some auxiliary programs. and the program list is ever-growing, new programs are always on the way.

we hope this module will take its place in every Buchla system whether it is a baby 4U boat or two 18U cabinets mighty electronic workbench.

ALGORITHMS

OSCILLATORS

we offer two oscillator programs, both of them work in audio range from 25 to approximately 3000 hz.

the controls are the following:
x - pitch.
y - wavemorphing.
z - wavefolding.

audio inputs 1 and 2 support amplitude and frequency modulations respectively.
on the output 1 you'll get final waveform morphed and folded, if any.
the second output provides the sub-oscillator one octave below the main one.
as for y and z controls, the first one continuously morphs the osc core (saw or triangle, depending on chosen program) from saw through triangle to half-inverted saw or from triangle through sine to square. in the case the wavemorphing is set to square, the wavefolding performs as pwm controller. in any other situations z-pot folds the wave in a manner of mathematical reflection at the given threshold. all these are pretty straight-forward, even if sounds a bit messy. you may observe the oscillators behavior in the attached [above] video footages.

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BAF 2025: Black Corporation Expander MK2

video upload by sonicstate

"At NAMM 2025, we caught up with Roman from Black Corporation who walked us through their latest innovations. First up was the Monolith*, a signal generator not created by *Black Corporation*, but developed by *Black Corporation team members. Roman explained that the Monolith allows you to generate presets, LFOs, arpeggiators, and MIDI CC. This versatile device outputs via USB host, TRS MIDI, or USB-C to computer, providing an easy way to enhance your hardware synths with additional oscillators, LFOs, and envelopes.

Then we got a look at the *Expander MK2*, which represents Roman's dream multi-effect processor. Featuring classic delay models including the Lexicon PCM42 and a BBD delay, the Expander MK2 incorporates two types of reverbs - including one developed in collaboration with Maris - as well as a spring reverb with digital pre-delay and a Tilt EQ. With a rich array of modulation options, including a ring modulator and OTA-based phasers, the Expander MK2 is a comprehensive solution for integrating multiple effects. It boasts extensive connectivity options and total recall via MIDI CC. The Expander MK2 is set to ship at the end of spring 2025 at a starting price of $5,000, with pre-orders available for this reduced price before an anticipated increase."

See the announcement post with demos here.

The Soviet Union's Only EMS Synthi 100 and Ukrainian Composer Vadim Khrapatchev

This one in via Alex Mylnikov.

Baran Records has a story about the one and only Soviet Union's EMS SYNTHI 100, and Ukrainian composer Vadim Khrapatchev. You can find two of his compositions featuring the EMS SYNTHI 100 at the bottom of this post.

For the full story, head over to Baran Records. The following is just the introduction.

"Nearly a decade ago some serious Russian synth music communities on the web rediscovered a couple of electronic themes from the music score to the soviet drama «Flights in dreams and reality», which appeared on the screens back in 1983. One of them, often named as "dance at the sculptor's party" after a corresponding movie scene, was of particular interest due to its rather simple but memorable space tune with a pulsating disco beat.

Since the soundtrack was too diverse, including different genres like jazz, orchestral pieces, electronic music and pop songs, there were doubts that it could be written entirely by a single person. This led to various theories, e.g. some listeners said that it could be an unknown performer covering certain unidentified themes by Edouard Artemiev or Vangelis, while others stated that one should just look into the movie's titles for the composer's name — Vadim Khrapatchev. Besides, there were thoughts that these compositions could be recorded using the legendary EMS Synthi 100 synthesizer, the one and only existing unit in Soviet Union at that time.

This last assumption was pretty close to the truth but any other information still remained unconfirmed and up to now all attempts of contacting the author for any clarification failed. However this summer we were lucky enough to get in touch with the composer in Kiev, Ukraine and we are incredibly happy to reveal some details about these two electronic gems as well as present them on this lovely 7" record."

Вадим Храпачёв — Танец (1982)

Published on Dec 28, 2016 Maxim Løy

"«Танец» (The Dance) — an epic Synthi 100 disco action by Ukraine's most notable film composer. Music for the soviet drama «Полёты во сне и наяву» (Flights In Dreams And Reality), directed by Roman Balayan. Both tracks were recorded and performed on the legendary EMS Synthi 100 synthesizer in Moscow on 15-16th of April, 1982. Written and composed by Vadim Khrapatchev. Guitar by Yuriy Bogdanov. More information on this release available at http://www.baranrecords.com"

Вадим Храпачёв — Финал (1982)

Published on Jan 9, 2017 Maxim Løy

"«Финал» (The Finale) — an opening and ending titles soundtrack for the soviet drama «Полёты во сне и наяву» (Flights In Dreams And Reality) directed by Roman Balayan and released in 1983. Both tracks were recorded and performed on the legendary EMS Synthi 100 synthesizer in Moscow on 15-16th of April, 1982. Written and composed by Vadim Khrapatchev. Features samples from the state symphonic orchestra of Ukraine conducted by Fedor Gluschenko. More information on this release available at http://www.baranrecords.com"

Carolina Eyck - Theremin plays Sting

YouTube via GREB4Bass | March 30, 2008

Carolina Eyck - Theremin plays Sting "Fragile" http://www.carolina-eyck.de - The musicians: Frank Müller-Brys (guitar), Roman Eyck (bass), Jan Bilk (synthesizer, leader) http://www.jan-bilk.de

An amazing new CD with classical pieces for theremin is available her: http://www.servi.de/EShop/index.html
INTERPRETERS of the CD:
Carolina Eyck - Theremin, Giulietta Koch - Piano, Rebekka Markowski - Violoncello, Magdalena Meitzner - Vibraphon /Percussion, Wiebke Lichtwark - Harp, Roman Eyck - Double Bass (title 8)

If you want to learn the theremin please check in the same shop the practically method "The Art of Playing the Theremin" by Carolina Eyck.

Contact: info[at]servi.de

The theremin is one of the most fascinating musical instruments of our times. It was invented in 1919 by the Russian Lew Sergejewitsch Termen (later known as Leon Theremin), a trained physicist and ambitious cello player. For many inventors, Lew Termen's creation was a starting point for experiments with the unlimited possibilities of electronic sound generation. His theremin, also known in popular language as the etherwave violin, nevertheless represents even today something unique among musical instruments: it is played without touching it. Electric fields radiated by the instrument are influenced through movements of both arms and hands. In this way, the pitch and volume of the instrument can be controlled. Through every gesture, through the smallest movements of the body, the musician has the possibility of creating melodies and of shaping music in the air with his or her hands. The young Leon Theremin himself was able to enchant a large concert-going audience both in Europe and the USA with these magical sounds. But despite such enthusiasm, the number of theremin virtuosi has always remained small. This is not least because of the fact that the instrument demands of the performer an extraordinarily sensitive control of the body.
More videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/GREB4Bass"

Carolina Eyck plays Gabriel Fauré

YouTube via GREB4Bass | July 15, 2009

Thomas White Moog/Synthesizers.com Format Buchla Dual Lopass Gate

Model 292

This one in via Roman who shared his Verbos Buchla 258 with us (video here and here).

Panel by Roman, PCB by Thomas White.

Black Panel Buchla Music Easel

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

via this auction

"Beautiful Music Easel that I’m only parting with due to the pandemic situation. This Easel is a professionally built Roman clone consisting of a 208r and 218r in very limited black PCBs and an era-appropriate (70s) Halliburton “almost zero” style case in powder coated matte black. The knobs, sliders, and jacks all follow a greyscale color scheme that looks very cool and is (in my opinion) just as easy to navigate as the stock color system.

This Easel has had several upgrades from the original Roman specifications including an infinite sustain mod, boops new card 12 which improves the spring reverb and headphone output, and rewiring the second output directly to the Complex Oscillator for a separate dry out. It is calibrated and tracks over 5 octaves.

Sale includes the Easel, power supply, gooseneck lamp, one blank program card, 10 shorting bars, and several banana cables.

Keep in mind this is a handmade unit and, while in excellent condition, is not cosmetically pristine. The case is nearly 50 years old and has a couple of minor dents, although the powder coating is relatively fresh. It is functionally perfect and one of the best sounding Easels I’ve ever heard. I wish I could hold onto this one, because it really is something special. I’m simply breaking even at this price, so it is relatively firm. Don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions. Thanks for looking!"

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ULT-SOUND DS-4M ProMuzer: New Features

video upload by Korablove Roman

"In this video, I explain the modern updates added to the ULT-SOUND DS-4M ProMuzer."

00:00 Intro (Sound Demo)
00:22 Overview
00:41 Attack Knob
02:19 MIDI Velocity Support
03:41 Connectivity
03:52 MIDI In
04:18 Trigger Inputs
04:29 CV/Gate Inputs
05:38 Individual Outputs
05:53 Balanced Output
06:04 Base MIDI Ch Select
07:28 Polyphonic MIDI Mode
08:47 Common Mode
10:04 MIDI CC Pitch Mode
12:06 Outro

Ult-Sound DS-4M ProMuzer. User manual. Part 2. New features and connections
video upload by Korablove Roman

New 8 Voice Poly Analog from Black Corporation Spotted at NAMM (Not Deckard's Dream)

It looks like a buffed up Virus C. Analog though.

Two LFOs, toe VCOs, two ENVs, and Modulation section.

Update via Silver Seraph in the comments:

"That's for sure a new PolyKobol"

That would be correct. You can see some in the archives here.

Note this is from Black Corporation. If you click on the image and look on the lower right you will see Black Corporation. The man behind Black Corporation is Roman Filippov, who brought us the highly regarded Buchla 208r Easel clone. Deckard's Dream of course is based on the CS80. All indications that this will be a faithful reproduction.


Update2: and via Ryan in the comments: "No,it is not,its a polyphonic Kobol replica.

The Polykobol uses the more weak sounding SSM2044.

On top you get Prophet Style FM modulation of the filter from VCO 2 and FM between vco's!

Massive sounding synth that will blow away vintage and new synths."

See the comments below for more.

Update3 via Autonomik Circuits: It will be shown at Superbooth 18 and Roman confirms it will be available as a DIY kit.

An Update on Deckard’s Dream

via Roman Filippov / Deckard’s Dream / Black Corporation

"First of all, we would like to thank you for your patience and bearing with us as we have been working hard to set up operations in Tokyo. It has been quite a wonderful experience working with new manufacturing partners in Japan, but there have been some challenges as well. The PCB factory, for example, had to redo the run because the first boards failed the flying probe test, which took some time. We now have the process better streamlined so things will go more smoothly moving forward.

That said, here are some updates about Deckard’s Dream!

DIY Kits:
We are almost ready with the DIY kits. The PCBs are being populated with SMT parts at the moment and should be ready to ship in about 2 weeks. The final revision of the Bill of Materials (BOM) will be posted on the Deckard’s Dream website within a week (There is a preliminary BOM posted on the Muff Wiggler website, however this is for reference only, it is not the final
revision, so please do not rely on it).

We are also currently working on and shooting photos for the detailed build manual.

Good News! We have omitted all of the trimmers, so there will be no calibration required.

There are still DIY kits available for sale.

Prebuilt Units:
The fully built units are also under production. We are currently waiting on the motherboards and voice cards from an SMT pick-and-place factory. Hardware part already done. We are looking to start shipping the first fully built units in about 3 weeks and aiming to have the whole batch out no later than mid-October.

We will email each customer a week before their order is ready to ship with a link to pay the balance and complete the order.

The next pre-sale of fully built units will go on sale once we get the first run shipped out.

If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact us at support@black-corporation.com.

Again, thank you for all of your patience!
Roman Filippov / Deckard’s Dream / Black Corporation"

Buchla 208r Clone Demo by Laurentide Synthwerks

"Demo of the Buchla 208 module clone. This is rev 2 by Roman Roman Filippov. He came into possession of an original Music Easel and painstakingly traced out every single circuit board to make an exact replica. All of the parts used are the exact same as in the original 208, even the crazy expensive UA726 matched transistors.

This demo is a self-playing patch with some minor tweaking. Effects used: Moogerfooger MF-104M."

http://laurentidesynthworks.net

Buchla 208r - Easel Sound Engine Clone by Roman Filippov

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

via this auction

"Buchla 208r in excellent condition. Built by Roman. Works perfectly and sounds incredible. This is the sound making part of a buchla easel minus the keyboard. Just like any other synth module it can be played from triggers and voltage..this one is calibrated to standard 1v/ octave to play with 'normal' gear, but can easlily be set back to buchla standard. If you want buchla sounds but don't want to go all the way down the rabbit hole this is a great way to do it."

Word is this is closer to the original Buchla Music Easel, compared to the BEMI Easel, as it is a direct clone of the original.

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Minijam Studio by Roman Groschen

Published on Nov 12, 2017 Roman Groschen

"Patchblocks Minijam Studio
Sunday afternoon Jam"

Buchla Format 212r Overview

Published on Nov 29, 2016 Todd Barton

"part 1 of three short tutorials on Roman Filippov's Buchla 212r Dodeca module."

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Black Corporation's Roman Filippov Introduces Buchla format 288r Time Domain Processor

This one is in via Black Corporation's Roman Filippov:

"I'm starting a preorder for a limited run of 288r - my approach on the Time Domain Processor, the digital version of it.

- 24bit/196KHz sound quality (switchable to 12bit "vintage" mode)

- up to 40 seconds of looping buffer (switchable to original short loop timings)

- both timing and phase/mixing presets are set up by trimmers and dip-switches on a back of a module, no need to wire or change resistors

- preorder is $299, total price is $1099 shipped

- a usb-programmer for firmware updates will be included with each order

- source code will become public shortly after the release of a module

- shipping is scheduled for mid-march 2021

- this is one-time run and i'm not offering kits atm unfortunately

- couple more cool modules to be released later this year.


reservations are via PayPal only, please PM or email to in@btwn.us if you want one"

According to fluxmonkey, the original Buchla 288 8-stage voltage controlled looping digital delay never went into production. Only 2 prototypes exist. Mark Verbos of Verbos Electronics created a version using different circuitry.

Nord Drum 2 vs Nord Beat 2 step sequencer

Published on Jul 1, 2013 NordKeyboards·31 videos

"Improvised live performance by Jon-Eirik Boska.

The Nord Drum 2 is sequenced from the Nord Beat 2 MIDI step sequencer for iPad (connected via an iRig MIDI interface).

Thanks to Petra, Roman and Jon-Eirik for making this video!

Direction, camera and editing: Petra Hermanová and Roman Přikryl
Music and performance: Jon-Eirik Boska

Read more about the new Nord Drum 2 modeling percussion synthesizer here:
http://www.nordkeyboards.com/main.asp...

Get the free Nord Beat app for iPad here:
http://www.nordkeyboards.com/main.asp...

The Nord Pad is available as an optional accessory for the Nord Drum 2."

Prophet Rev2 Pad & Lead Test

DSI Prophet Rev2 Pad & Lead Test video by Roman Wollenhaupt

"Made a pad & lead sound on the Rev2, you can download the pad here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/o29lvd8lomh..."

And one with the Sequential Circuits Six-Trak:

Bass, Pad & Lead on Sequential Six-Trak
video by Roman Wollenhaupt

"I made a Bass, Pad & Lead sound on the Sequential Circuits six-trak. Drums & looping with Ableton Live. I'm using a Morningstar MC3 MIDI footpedal to control the session record function of Live."