Doepfer A189-1 VBM Voltage Controlled Bit Modifier Basics

YouTube Uploaded by raulsworldofsynths on Oct 9, 2011

"Video outlining the basic features of the Doepfer A189-1 VBM, Voltage Controlled Bit Modifier.Sound and Video by Raul Pena. Next Video: Doepfer A189-1 VBM, Voltage Controlled Bit Modifier-Bit Crushing Demo."

Doepfer A189-1 VC Bit Modifier-Bit Crushing

YouTube Uploaded by raulsworldofsynths on Oct 9, 2011

"Demonstration of the bit crushing capabilities of the Doepfer A 189-1 VBM Voltage Controlled Bit Modifier.Next Video: Demonstrates of the sample rate modifications of the Doepfer A 189-1 VBM Voltage Controlled Bit Modifier on audio Music Track"Texas" by Merryman, used with permission from James Merryman. Available on iTunes.Sound and Video by Raul Pena."

Doepfer A189-1 VC Bit Modifier Demo -Sample Rate -

YouTube Uploaded by raulsworldofsynths on Oct 9, 2011

"Demonstration of the sample rate capabilities of the Doepfer A 189-1 VBM Voltage Controlled Bit Modifier.Next Video: Demonstrations of Voltage Controlled adjustment of Bitcrushing and Sample Rate with the A189-1 VBM.Music Track"Texas" by Merryman, used with permission from James Merryman. Available on iTunes. Sound and Video by Raul Pena."

Doepfer A189-1 VBM Voltage Controlled Bit Modifier Modulation Demo-Bit Crushing

YouTube Uploaded by raulsworldofsynths on Oct 10, 2011

"Demonstration of the Modulation Capabilities of the Bitcrushing parameter of the Doepfer A189-1 VBM Voltage Controlled Bit Modifier.Track "glimaxc" by Raul Pena III used with permission of Raul Pena III, available on iTunes.Sound and Video by Raul Pena.
Next Video in Series: Doepfer A189-1 VBM Voltage Controlled Bit Modifier Modulation Demo-Sample Rate."

Doepfer A189-1 VBM Modulation Demo-Sample Rate

YouTube Published on Apr 12, 2012 by raulsworldofsynths

"Demonstration of the Modulation Capabilities of the Sample Rate parameter of the Doepfer A189-1 VBM Voltage Controlled Bit Modifier.Track "glimaxc" by Raul Pena III used with permission of Raul Pena III, available on iTunes.Sound and Video by Raul Pena.
Next Video in Series: CV Processing with the Doepfer A189-1 VBM."

Processing CV with Doepfer A189-1 VBM-Voltage Controlled Bit Modifier

YouTube Published on Apr 19, 2012 by raulsworldofsynths

"Experimental use of the Doepfer A189-1 VBM Voltage controlled Bit Modifier to process control voltages."

Processing CV with Doepfer A189-1 VBM Part Two

YouTube Published on Apr 26, 2012 by raulsworldofsynths

"Experimental use of the Doepfer A189-1 VBM Voltage controlled Bit Modifier to process control voltages.Sound and Video by Raul Pena."

Also see:
Ring Modulation of Basic Waveforms with Doepfer A114 Ring Mod
Doepfer A131 VCA Intro
Doepfer A101-2- LPG Modes
Sample and Hold with Doepfer A148
Doepfer A118 Filtering with A120 VCF Low Pass Filter
Doepfer A110 Filtering with A101-2 and A120
Doepfer A110 VCO /A145 LFO-Pulse Width Modulation
Doepfer A110 VCO Features and Functions Tutorial
Doepfer A188-1 BBD Basics

Gershon Kingsley - Popcorn (cover, Syntaxis uModules demo)

Krzychu1995

"!!! available at syntaxis.com.pl !!!
Last time I showed some sounds from Syntaxis micromodules system. Now it's time for more musical demonstration. Very old and overused track, but it's great for presenting capabilities of our synth.

Every sound, except drums comes from synth in the same configuration as in the second demo from my channel."

"micromodular starter kit

This is a set of components for building a basic but complete analog synthesizer on a breadboard. Although it might not have professional look, you will be surprised with its professional sound.

The kit includes:

μPSU·112·A power supply unit
μVCO·3340·A micromodule
μVCF·3320·LP4·A micromodule
μVCA·3360·LIN·A micromodule
μADSR·3310·A micromodule
μLFO·3340·A micromodule
a breadboard, 3x3 units (3 x EIC-16020, 6 x EIC-16010), E.I.C, Taiwan
jumper wires 340 pcs, Wisher, Taiwan
20 potentiometers B10k(*), Alpha, Taiwan
rotary switch, 3 positions, Alpha, Taiwan (VCO wave selection)
rotary switch, 4 positions, Alpha, Taiwan (LFO wave selection)
3 breadboard connectable 3.5mm jack mono sockets
6 connection wires (power connection)
laptop charger, 20V, 3A with 2.5/5.5 plug
2.5/5.5 DC socket with spring contacts
connection diagram

CLICK FOR MORE »

NAMM: Pacarana—Supercomputer for Sound

The Symbolic Sound Pacarana is here.
"Most powerful sound design workstation on the planet
That’s what Electronic Musician magazine calls the Kyma sound design environment. Future Music calls it the Holy Grail of sound design. Kyma's strength arises from its unique set of algorithms, the ease with which you can create endless combinations of those algorithms, and the unprecedented degree of real-time responsive control over the sound parameters.

You’ve already heard the sounds of Kyma in films like WALL•E, The Dark Knight, Master and Commander, Finding Nemo. And you've heard the interactive musical sounds of Kyma both on albums and in live sets by legendary musicians and producers like John Paul Jones, A.R. Rahman, Rich Costey, BT, and many others.

In 1990, Symbolic Sound revolutionized the sound design and music software industry with the introduction of Kyma, a graphical modular software sound design environment accelerated by the software-reconfigurable Capybara multi-processor sound computation engine. Symbolic Sound is committed to bringing the most advanced and flexible sound design technology to sound designers, musicians, educators, researchers, and creative professionals through its innovative hardware and software offerings.

What comes next?

A supercomputer designed for sound"

The flagship model Pacarana is 150% the power of a fully-loaded Capybara-320 for less than half the price. The entry-level Paca costs less than a Basic Capybara-320, but the new entry-level model is 5 times more powerful.

Falling in love with Kyma
What is it that people love about Kyma? For some people it’s having an unbounded environment for creating sounds that have never been heard before. Others cite outstanding technical support and the super-stability and reliability of the Kyma software during live performances. Still others rave about the continuous stream of free software updates full of new features and synthesis/processing algorithms. And everyone loves the legendary Kyma sound.

What’s the secret behind the ‘Kyma sound’? The secret is in the software. When you have a supercomputer dedicated entirely to capturing, processing, and synthesizing sound, you have the luxury of being able to do things right. We don’t cut corners, and you can hear the difference."


"On the back of the Pacarana—all the high-speed connectivity you want and need for digital audio production: two FireWire 800 ports, 2 USB ports, 100-base T Ethernet jack, and more…

A DC power plug connects the Pacarana to an external power supply that auto-senses voltage and frequency of the AC power source no matter where in the world you travel.

The Pacarana communicates with the Kyma X software running under Mac OS or Windows via FireWire 800 (IEEE1394B) or an 800-to-400 adapter cable.

Audio and MIDI input and output is handled via an external FireWire or USB converter or, for current Kyma owners, through a Capybara-320 with Flame FireWire I/O. Connect additional USB MIDI controllers like keyboards or fader boxes via the second USB port."

The above is just an excerpt. You can find more on the Symbolic Sound Pacarana website.

Update: the official press release came in at 4:33 PM:
"New Supercomputer for Sound:
Pacarana for Kyma Sound Design Environment

Champaign IL, January 12, 2009:
Musicians and sound designers for film, games and live electronic music now have a new supercomputer designed specifically for interactive sound exploration and live performance. The Pacarana and Paca are two new multiprocessor computers optimized for capturing, processing and synthesizing sound for the award-winning Kyma Sound Design Environment. Designed by Symbolic Sound Corporation to serve as a smaller, more affordable and more powerful replacement for the Capybara*320 sound computation engine, the new entry-level system is 5 times more powerful and costs $500 less than the older entry-level configuration. The power of the higher-end model exceeds that of a fully-loaded Capybara*320 but costs far less than half as much.

http://ssc-media.com/Pictures/Pacarana/Front%20(full%20res).JPG

http://ssc-media.com/Pictures/Pacarana/Nick%20Paca%20trimmed.jpg

Kyma, the Paca(rana), and backwards compatibility
Favored by sound designers for its unique set of algorithms, the ease with which one can create endless combinations of sound processing and synthesis algorithms, its reliability during live performances, and the responsiveness of real-time control over sound parameters, the Kyma sound design environment benefits from the new Paca(rana) platforms in the form of more polyphony, denser textures, faster loading times, more memory for live sampling and playback, enhanced portability, refinements in sound quality and the potential for future developments.

According to composer/performer and early adopter Phil Curtis of SoNu (http://www.sonusound.com):
I'm loving the new Pacarana. [M]ost of my old sounds just barely register on the meter, even sounds that just barely worked on the Capybara....I can already see that this is going to be a big leap in what I can do and paves the way for years of further development.

Sound designers who have been using Kyma X on the Capybara*320 can open and continue working on their current projects using the new hardware. Switching back and forth between the Capybara and the new hardware is completely transparent, and Symbolic Sound will continue to support Kyma X on the Capybara-320. Kyma users also have the option of keeping their Capybara*320 computer running alongside a new Pacarana, augmenting, rather than replacing, their current hardware.

Smaller, lighter, easily portable
With more sound designers going freelance, more musicians going on tour, and the airlines charging for each checked bag, Symbolic Sound decided to make the Pacarana and Paca small and light enough to fit into a backpack, laptop case or in a small rolling rack. The Pacarana footprint is the same as that of a MacBook Pro 15" (the Paca is about 3 inches shorter) and is 1 rack unit in height: ideal for live performances, working on the road, transporting from home studio to sound stage or from work to home.

Connectivity
On the back of the Paca(rana) are 2 USB ports, 2 FireWire 800 ports, and a DC power plug that connects to an external power supply brick (about the same size as the Mac Mini's power brick).
http://www.ssc-media.com/Pictures/Pacarana/Back%20(full%20res).JPG

The Paca and Pacarana communicate with the Kyma X software running under Mac OS or Windows via FireWire 800 (IEEE 1394B) or FireWire 400 (IEEE 1394A) using an 800-to-400 adapter cable.

Audio and MIDI input and output is handled by an external FireWire or USB converter or, for current Kyma owners, through a Capybara-320 with Flame FireWire I/O.

Additional USB MIDI controllers like keyboards or fader boxes can be connected via the second USB port.

More Audio and MIDI Input/Output options
Symbolic Sound decided to decouple the sound conversion from the sound computation functions in order to give customers more options for customizing their studio and mobile setups. Customers can now select from among a full range of high-quality third-party 1394TA AMDTP-standard FireWire and class-compliant USB audio converter devices available in nearly every size and price range. The growing list of qualified third-party converters includes the TC Electronic Konnekt series, the MOTU UltraLite-mk3, the Apogee Duet, and, on the USB side, the M-Audio Fast Track Pro and Logitech and Sennheiser USB headsets.

The Kyma Sound
Early reports from alpha and beta testers confirm that the sound quality of the Pacarana matches and, in some cases, surpasses that of its predecessor.

"People tell me that Kyma has an excellent word-of-mouth reputation for audio quality, and they usually attribute the quality to the Capybara*320 converters," says company president Carla Scaletti. "While it's true that the Capybara converters are excellent, the real secret to high-quality audio is in the algorithms. When you have a computer entirely dedicated to computing sound, you don't have to cut corners; we don't have to share our sound computer with a CPU-hungry operating system or a graphics subsystem; all Paca and Pacarana cycles are dedicated to computing high quality sound."

Live Control
You can use any USB or FireWire MIDI device or software for controlling sound parameters on the Paca(rana). Symbolic Sound has been working closely with Haken Audio (http://www.hakenaudio.com) to create seamless plug-and-play operation with the new MIDI-based Continuum fingerboard. Additional controllers with a high degree of Kyma integration include the Wacom tablet, the MotorMix, and the controllers supported by Camille Troillard's OSCulator (http://www.osculator.net) software, including the Nintendo Wiimote, the Jazz Mutant Lemur, the Logitech Space Navigator, and others.

Backpacking
The Paca(rana) fits perfectly into the hard-shell laptop sleeves made by Tom Bihn (http://www.tombihn.com) and Symbolic Sound is making the Tom Bihn Brain Cell sleeve and Brain Bag backpack available with the purchase of a Paca or Pacarana for hands-free transport of your laptop, Pacarana and other mobile audio gear.

Price and availability
Symbolic Sound is now shipping both the Paca and the Pacarana. The entry-level Paca is available for US $2970 and the professional studio model Pacarana is available for US $4402. To place an order, please visit http://www.symbolicsound.com or send email to info-kyma@symbolicsound.com

Summary
A lower entry-level price, a smaller footprint, and a whole lot of extra horsepower make Kyma X + Paca(rana) a supercomputer for sound designers and musicians!

Background
Symbolic Sound first revolutionized the sound design and music software industry in 1990 with the introduction of Kyma, a graphical modular software sound design environment accelerated by the software-reconfigurable Capybara multi-processor sound computation engine. The Paca(rana) is the fifth in a series of increasingly powerful sound computation engines designed and produced by Symbolic Sound to work in conjunction with the Kyma sound design environment (now in its sixth major release, not counting the hundreds of free updates between each major release). Symbolic Sound is committed to bringing the most advanced and flexible sound design technology to sound designers, musicians, educators, researchers, game developers, and other creative professionals through its innovative hardware and software offerings.

Symbolic Sound, the Symbolic Sound logo, Kyma, Pacarana, Paca, and Capybara and their logos are trademarks of Symbolic Sound Corporation. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners."

CMS Cirocco Discrete Synthesizers MC-24 Modular System

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

via this auction

"For your consideration is a custom built CMS MC-24 modular discrete analog synthesizer, housed in a solid Honduran red mahogany cabinet.

Brief Description:

The MC-24 comes equipped with 8 ultra-linear discrete VCOs, 2 Phatron filters - 24Db lowpass/highpass, 2 discrete Super-Transistor filters -24Db lowpass, 4 discrete VCAs, a discrete 10 input stereo mixer, a voltage controlled 14 stage phaser, a 10 band fixed / comb filter, V.C. balanced modulator, V.C. harmonic multiplier, a fully decked out sample and hold section, a Gentle Elctric 101 Pitch to Voltage and Envelope follower, a voltage controlled clock, etc.

2 rows of twelve modules are mounted on custom, 36" extruded aluminum rails. These sturdy assemblies are then mounted in a furniture grade, hardwood finished, laminate slant cabinet. The MC-24 features a 3 amp, ultra fast, linear power supply. The MC-24 uses the military grade potentiometers, front panels, knobs and mil-spec components found on all CMS/DiscreteSynthesizers.com instruments.

This is the ultimate in studio synthesizers. This is the ultimate in sound."

You can find details on the individual modules at the bottom of this post.

CLICK FOR MORE »

MOOG MINIMOOG

via this auction

"The Minimoog Model D is a cornerstone of classic synthesizer culture. This wood panel monophonic synth is considered by many to be the ultimate Moog synthesizer. The Minimoog features: a simple and accessible control layout, an aesthetically simple and attractive construction, and a 44-note keyboard. A Minimoog console also displays a Controller section, 3 Oscillator Banks, Mixer section, Modifiers, and Output control. There are two control wheels next to the keyboard, one controls the pitch, and the other controls modulation.

The Moog Minimoog control panel can be broken up into 3 sections:
* The sound generator (the VCO or voltage-controlled oscillator)
* The filter (the VCF or voltage-controlled filter)
* The amplifier (the VCA or voltage-controlled amplifier)

To produce a sound, the musician would first choose a sound shape to be generated from the VCO. The VCO provides a choice of several switchable waveforms:
* Triangle Wave
* Sawtooth Wave
* Sawtooth/Triangle
* Square Wave
* Two different width pulse waves

The sound then travels from the VCO to the VCF (voltage-controlled filter) where it can be shaped and sculpted, adding resonance. Next, the sound travels to the voltage-controlled amplifer (VCA). The term "amplifier" can be a bit misleading to novices who might be thinking of a stereo amplifier with a single volume knob. In a modern synthesizer, a VCA actually has 4 separate volume knobs that control four different stages of the sound. For example, the first knob - the Attack volume - controls how loud a sound is when the key is first pressed: does it start immediately like a string being plucked? Or does it fade in gradually like a violin being softly bowed?

Part of the appeal of this instrument over the early modular Moogs was the fact that the Minimoog required no patch cables. While this imposed the signal flow limitation outlined above (VCO -> VCF -> VCA), there are ways to tweak the sound. For example, in reality, the Minimoog has six sound sources. Five of these sound sources pass to a mixer with independent level controls:

* Three voltage-controlled oscillators (see above)
* A noise generator
* An external line input

The Minimoog Model D is a cornerstone of classic synthesizer culture. This wood panel monophonic synth is considered by many to be the ultimate Moog synthesizer. The Minimoog features; a simple and accessible control layout, an aesthetically simple and attractive construction, a 44-note keyboard"

CLICK FOR MORE »

Foundations of Synthesis Series by The Bob Moog Foundation

Published on Feb 11, 2013 moogfoundation·82 videos

Featuring Marc Doty, aka AutomaticGainsay

http://moogfoundation.org

Playlist:

1. The Synthesis of Synthesis - "This is the introductory video for the Bob Moog Foundation/macProVideo series "The Foundation of Synthesis." In it, Marc Doty sets the stage for the intent of these videos, which is an integrative instruction which not only describes synthesizer function and operation, but also gives a historical foundation for the functionalities and their implementation."

2. The Synthesis of Synthesis- Sound - "No instruction in synthesis would be complete without some explanation of the physics of sound! This video is one of several videos which outline the physical principles upon which synthesis is based."

3. The Synthesis of Synthesis- The Hammond Novachord - "The progression of devices which led to the modern synthesizer is diverse and interesting. The Foundation of Synthesis covers a number of them which portray a progressive development. One of these synthesizer precursors was the Hammond Novachord, a tube- based keyboard device whose groundbreaking technology is still present in some synthesizers today. More than most, this proto-synthesizer resembled what we came to think of as the modern synthesizer."

4. Foundation of Synthesis- Oscillator Introduction - "The Foundation of Synthesis dives into synthesizer technology with the Oscillator— the origin of sound in synthesis! Marc leads us through the history of this device from its beginning— as a lightbulb!— to its implementation in electronic musical instruments."

5. Oscillators- Pulse Width Modulation - "Pulse Width Modulation is a pleasing aural effect generated by the voltage-controlled adjustment of the width of a square wave. In this Foundation of Synthesis video, Marc demonstrates this function on several classic synthesizers. The video includes an oscilloscope, which shows you exactly what is happening when the width of the square wave output of the oscillator is changed!"

6. Filter- Introduction - "In this part of the 3rd Tutorial of the Foundation of Synthesis, Marc outlines the history of the filter from its origin in the telephone to its application in electronic devices in order to give a firm understanding of how the filter came to be an important part of modern synthesizers. The filter is a function which removes harmonics from a sound. Since harmonics define the timbre of the sound, this is a fast and easy way to create new timbres."

7. Filter- Cutoff Control - "Adjustment of the cutoff point of the filter is such a popular process that it has spawned whole genres of music. In this video, Marc shows the sound and functionality of this particular aspect of the most popular module in the modern synthesizer."

8. Filter-Voyager Serial Resonance - "The Moog Voyager design of Bob Moog includes some unique and useful functionalities. In this video, Marc explores the dual-filter nature of the Moog Voyager by demonstrating some unique ways to apply its filter arrangement."

9. Control Voltage Explanation Part 1 - "For the average musician, control voltage is an abstract concept. Of all the aspects of synthesis, it seems to be the most confusing. In this video, Marc gives a straight-forward and easy-to-understand description of the functionality using concrete examples. With a firm grasp of control voltage, synthesis becomes considerably easier and fun!"

10. Control Voltage Explanation Part 2 - "Here is part two of a video where Marc gives a straight-forward and easy-to-understand description of the process and application of control voltage. With a firm grasp of control voltage, synthesis becomes considerably easier and fun!"

11. The Amp Introduction - "In this video, Marc gives us a basic history of what can be the least-exciting module in the modern synthesizer, but then goes on to show what can be done when this module includes a fair amount of functionality. The Amp is the last step in the synthesis process, and can give you a variety of power over the timbre you create!"

12. The ARP Envelope Follower - "The Envelope Follower is one of the most fun control functions to exist. It takes the amplitude of a given signal and converts it to a voltage. As the amplitude rises, the control voltage rises. This can be used to control any function in the synthesizer which can be controlled via control voltage... which, in an analog synth, is most of them! In this video, Marc gives a demonstration of this under-implemented synthesizer function using the ARP 2600."

13. Designing Timbres- Introduction - "This video introduces the "Designing Timbres" tutorial by explaining exactly what is going to happen within it. It features some of the music and synthesizers used in the rest of the tutorial."

14. Designing Timbres: Major/Minor Chord - "'It doesn't play chords!' -This is the complaint most heard in regard to monophonic analog synthesizers... but wait... if you have three oscillators and some awesome functionality like the Moog Voyager, there is an answer to this complaint. In this video, Marc shows you how you can generate a sort of controllable polyphony using the monophonic Moog Voyager!"

15. Designing Timbres: Duality - "In this video, Marc demonstrates the the functional benefit of a synthesizer like the Yamaha CS-15, which is essentially two different synthesizers stacked together. By altering settings in each division, interesting timbres can be created."

New Syntaxis Micromodular Starter Set

Krzychu1995

"!!! Available immediatelly at http://syntaxis.com.pl !!!
Today I have something very special to show. In this video you can see and hear synth made from Syntaxis Micromodular set. Instrument is assembled from basic set of micromodules (uVCO, uVCF, uVCA, uLFO and uADSR), but it sounds quite versatile. User is able to assemble synthesizer on it's own, in modular way, but much cheaper and without necessity of use dedicated multipliers - breadboard does it already! Usually building subassemblies of synths on breadboard makes circuit unreliable in longer term. But with Micromodules it works like it was soldered together - you can assemble you own synth, get plywood, drill holes for potentiometers, screw them in place and carry your own synth around for gigs."

"This is a set of components for building a basic but complete analog synthesizer on a breadboard. Although it might not have professional look, you will be surprised with its professional sound.

The set includes:

μPSU·112·A
μVCO·3340·A
μVCF·3320·LP4·A
μVCA·3360·LIN·A
μADSR·3310·A
μLFO·3340·A

CLICK FOR MORE »

Frequency Central Seismograf BD and SD

Frequency Central

"A short Seismograf BD and SD jam, just randomly auditioning some of the drum types, and tuning/distort effects. No real plan!"

"Seismograf is a PIC based drum module featuring coding by Jetroid. There is currently a choice of two PICs which may be used with Seismograf, ‘BD‘ and ‘SD‘. As you might expect, BD contains a range of 8 bass drums, while SD contains a range 8 of snare drums. The drum sounds are 10 bit encodings of some of our favourite electronic kits from yesteryear (see chart below). It is not possible for the user to load their own sounds onto Seismograf PICs, but there is a chance that we may release alternative drum sets as the years roll (!) by.

Select

This knob is used to select one of the 8 sounds to be triggered. It has a CV input associated with it, and when a jack is inserted into the CV input, the knob is used to attenuate the incoming control voltage. This CV input responds to 0V to 5V signals.

Tune

This knob may be used to detune the drum sound either upwards or downwards. It has a CV input associated with it, and when a jack is inserted into the CV input, the knob is used to attenuate the incoming control voltage. This CV input responds to 0V to 5V signals.

Distort

This knob may be used to introduce either one of two different types of distortion to your chosen drum sound. When set to the mid position (12 o’clock) no distortion is present. Turning the knob anti-clockwise will cause the sound to be progressively clipped harder, while turning the knob clockwise will cause the sound to be progressively more bitcrushed. This knob has a CV input associated with it, and when a jack is inserted into the CV input, the knob is used to attenuate the incoming control voltage. This CV input responds to 0V to 5V signals.

Secret Sauce

Try running the sawtooth output of an audio rate VCO into Seismograf’s trigger input, then wiggle the Tune knob manually, or apply a control voltage to the Tune input. Wow! What’s happening here then? When I first demo’ed this feature to Jetroid he buffered for a few minutes before performing a cold shutdown, unable to process what was happening to his code. Seismograf is acting kinda like a fliter, right? Well maybe! Probably more akin to oscillator sync really. As the incoming trigger is so fast, Seismograf only gets to play the initial part of it’s waveform, less on high notes, more on low notes. Additionally, there is naturally higher frequency content the higher the note and so forth. Whatever’s going on, we’re sure that you’ll agree that it sounds freaking awesome. More than just a drum module, right?"

"Seismograf is a PIC based drum module featuring coding by Jetroid. There is currently a choice of two PICs which may be used with Seismograf, ‘BD‘ and ‘SD‘. As you might expect, BD contains a range of 8 bass drums, while SD contains a range 8 of snare drums. The drum sounds are 10 bit encodings of some of our favourite electronic kits from yesteryear (see chart below). It is not possible for the user to load their own sounds onto Seismograf PICs, but there is a chance that we may release alternative drum sets as the years roll (!) by.

Select

This knob is used to select one of the 8 sounds to be triggered. It has a CV input associated with it, and when a jack is inserted into the CV input, the knob is used to attenuate the incoming control voltage. This CV input responds to 0V to 5V signals.

Tune

This knob may be used to detune the drum sound either upwards or downwards. It has a CV input associated with it, and when a jack is inserted into the CV input, the knob is used to attenuate the incoming control voltage. This CV input responds to 0V to 5V signals.

Distort

This knob may be used to introduce either one of two different types of distortion to your chosen drum sound. When set to the mid position (12 o’clock) no distortion is present. Turning the knob anti-clockwise will cause the sound to be progressively clipped harder, while turning the knob clockwise will cause the sound to be progressively more bitcrushed. This knob has a CV input associated with it, and when a jack is inserted into the CV input, the knob is used to attenuate the incoming control voltage. This CV input responds to 0V to 5V signals.

Secret Sauce

Try running the sawtooth output of an audio rate VCO into Seismograf’s trigger input, then wiggle the Tune knob manually, or apply a control voltage to the Tune input. Wow! What’s happening here then? When I first demo’ed this feature to Jetroid he buffered for a few minutes before performing a cold shutdown, unable to process what was happening to his code. Seismograf is acting kinda like a fliter, right? Well maybe! Probably more akin to oscillator sync really. As the incoming trigger is so fast, Seismograf only gets to play the initial part of it’s waveform, less on high notes, more on low notes. Additionally, there is naturally higher frequency content the higher the note and so forth. Whatever’s going on, we’re sure that you’ll agree that it sounds freaking awesome. More than just a drum module, right?"

Pittsburgh Modular Voltage Research Laboratory Introduction

Published on May 8, 2019 Pittsburgh Modular Synthesizers

via Kickstarter

"The Voltage Research Laboratory is a completely different analog synthesizer where every function of the instrument has been influenced by the behaviors and systems of the natural world. Wildly experimental and extremely deep, the Voltage Research Laboratory is a sonic playground created to explore the natural systems and lesser known fringes of analog synthesis.

The Voltage Research Laboratory is 100% eurorack modular format compatible and is comprised of 3 separate eurorack modules housed together in a purpose-built, handmade eurorack enclosure. More than a collection of tools and functions, it is a unique modular synthesizer designed to reward deep experimentation and encourage the creation of unique sonic systems."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Infinite Machinery Demo by Todd Barton

video upload by Todd Barton

"Just got turned onto these cool modules from Infinite Machinery which is located here in my little town. Really digging them. Enjoy these brief test drives."

Todd Barton's Patreon: / synthtodd

The Infinite Machinery Hexa VCA is a 6 channel VCA with DC coupling and a unique normalization function. All in 12 HP

Signal inputs are DC coupled.
CV input response, 0 to +5V

Maximum amplification is unity gain, or 1.

Channels with no CV input will have CV normalized
to the CV of the channel above. This cascading of CV
values is defined in two groups, channels 1 - 3 and 4 - 6.

For example: If CV is patched to channel 1 and no CV
patched into channels 2 & 3 - Channels 2 & 3 will
follow the CV of channel 1.

Patch CV into channel 2 and nothing into channel 3
then channel 3 will follow the CV of channel 2.
The same hold true for channels 4 - 6, with 4 being
the start of the CV cascade.

Module depth - 34mm

Current draw - 40mA +-

CLICK FOR MORE »

3 Modules #73: Dixie 2+, Marbles, Maths

Published on Sep 6, 2018 Comparative Irrelevance

"I call this one 'choking pulse waves'. Who knows, maybe Eurorack Generative Lo-Fi Video Game Boss Music will be the next big thing?

This patch consists of two voices, where both take advantage of pulse width modulation to "choke out" the sound between notes. I don't know if there's a technical term for this ("this" being pulses that are extremely wide or slim to the point of disappearing), but it reminds me of dying batteries. In the world of effect pedals – analog distortions in particular – a dying battery or underpowered PSU can sometimes be used deliberately to achieve a certain sound. This is called a sustained voltage sag, or voltage "starving". So starving or strangling is what comes to my mind when I hear the sound of disappearing pulse waves. Lovely.

Patch notes:

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Buchla 100

Via this auction.

Details:
"SYNTH WAS PURCHASED ABOUT 5 YEARS AGO, IT WAS PURCHASED USED. IT HAS BEEN MAINTAINED IN MY STUDIO ALL THE TIME, IT HAS SEEN LITTLE USE UNDER MY OWNERSHIP AND I THINK IT’S TIME SOMEBODY ELSE HAVE FUN WITH THIS ONE AND I NEED THE MONEY AS WELL. SYNTH COMES WITH A BUCHLA MANUAL, LOTS OF PATCH CORDS. SYNTH WORKS FINE BUT IT MIGHT NEED CALIBRATING BY NOW.

MACHINE WAS KEPT IN A DUST AND SMOKE FREE ENVIROMENT.

Buchla synthesizers are the classic creations of Don Buchla, a circuit designer who produced synthesizers when they truly were analog beasts. Buchla started making his first synthesizers on America's west coast for the purpose of simplifying the tedious process of creating "Musique Concrete". Musique Concrete can be thought of as the predecessor to Electronic Music. It was a form of music in which recordings of various sounds on tape were cut, spliced, distorted, and manipulated in various ways before being spliced back together into something that should sound like music...almost like super old-school sampling & sequencing! This concept was the driving force behind almost every Buchla synthesizer made - an electronic device that can create some basic sound, manipulate it, tune it freely, and sequence it into organized sound, hopefully something musical! With that in mind, Buchla synthesizers were among the first to use indivudally tuneable keys for limitless micro-tuning possibilities, analog sequencers, and complex waveforms other than basic sine, sawtooth, and square waves.

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Doepfer A127 VCRF Triple Voltage Controlled Resonant Filter Demo

Doepfer A127 VCRF Triple Voltage Controlled Resonant Filter Part One-Introduction

YouTube Published on May 24, 2012 by raulsworldofsynths

"Description and Demonstration of the Doepfer A127 VCRF Triple Voltage Controlled Resonant Filter.Focus on Basic Features.One of four videos.Next in series Modulation.Audio Loops by Raul Pena.Sound and Video by Raul Pena."

Doepfer A127 VCRF Triple Voltage Controlled Resonant Filter Part Two-Modulation

YouTube Published on May 31, 2012 by raulsworldofsynths

"Description and Demonstration of the Doepfer A127 VCRF Triple Voltage Controlled Resonant Filter.Focus on Modulation of Resonant Filters.Number Two of four videos.Next in series More Modulation.Audio Loops by Raul Pena.Sound and Video by Raul Pena."

Doepfer A127 Triple Voltage Controlled Resonant Filter Part Three-More Modulation

YouTube Published on Jun 7, 2012 by raulsworldofsynths

"Description and Demonstration of the Doepfer A127 VCRF Triple Voltage Controlled Resonant Filter.Focus on Modulation of Resonant Filters by Sample and Hold.Number Three of four videos.Next in series Audio Rate Modulation.Audio Loops by Raul Pena.Sound and Video by Raul Pena."

Doepfer A127 Triple Voltage Controlled Resonant Filter Part Four-Audio Rate Modulation

YouTube Published on Jun 14, 2012 by raulsworldofsynths

"Description and Demonstration of the Doepfer A127 VCRF Triple Voltage Controlled Resonant Filter.Focus on Audio Rate Modulation of Resonant Filters.Demonstration of audio distortion with the A127.Number four of four videos.Audio Loops by Raul Pena.Sound and Video by Raul Pena."

Also see:
Doepfer A140 ADSR Envelope Generator Tutorial Videos
Doepfer A149 RCV Quantized/Stored Random Voltages
Doepfer A189-1 VBM Voltage Controlled Bit Modifier Basics
Ring Modulation of Basic Waveforms with Doepfer A114 Ring Mod
Doepfer A131 VCA Intro
Doepfer A101-2- LPG Modes
Sample and Hold with Doepfer A148
Doepfer A118 Filtering with A120 VCF Low Pass Filter
Doepfer A110 Filtering with A101-2 and A120
Doepfer A110 VCO /A145 LFO-Pulse Width Modulation
Doepfer A110 VCO Features and Functions Tutorial
Doepfer A188-1 BBD Basics

Dave Smith Instruments Prophet -6 Desktop Module Site Now Live

Published on Oct 22, 2015 Dave Smith Instruments

"Vintage Analog Sound — Small Enough to Fit in a Backpack. Poly chain any two Prophet-6's for 12 voice polyphony!"

Update: video added above, and the official press release added further below.


Follow-up to this post. The site is now live. Details and pics captured here for the archives. Note the image to the left is in via VINCENT ASCOLI and not on the DSI page from what I can see.

"Vintage Analog Sound — Small Enough to Fit in a Backpack
The Prophet-6 desktop module is every bit as powerful and easy to use as its counterpart, the Prophet-6 Keyboard. The module has all of the same controls as the keyboard version and provides the same immediacy and easy of use — with absolutely no menu diving. As with the Prophet-6 Keyboard, all parameters are at your fingertips, with full-sized knobs and switches and a comfortable, intuitive layout.

How does it sound? Awesome — just like the keyboard, because on the inside, it’s exactly the same. The same analog signal path with discrete VCOs and VCFs. The same high-quality digital effects. The same classic sound that has been earning raves from customers and reviewers alike.

We’ve also added a poly chain feature so that any two Prophet-6s can be paired for twelve-voice polyphony!

Vintage with a Modern Twist
Both the Prophet-6 desktop module and keyboard are Dave Smith’s tribute to the poly synth that started it all—the Sequential Prophet-5. But it’s not simply a reissue of a classic. Rather, as Dave puts it, “It’s the result of our effort to build the most awesome-sounding, modern analog poly synth possible.” The Prophet-6 takes the best qualities of the original Prophet-5—true voltage-controlled oscillators, filters, and amplifiers—and adds enhancements such as studio-quality effects, a polyphonic step sequencer, an arpeggiator, and more. The result is pure, unadulterated analog tone with the stability and reliability of a state-of-the-art modern synth.

Classic Tone, Classic Vibe
Central to the warm, punchy sound of the Prophet-6 are its two newly-designed, discrete voltage-controlled oscillators (plus sub-oscillator) per voice. Continuously variable waveshapes provide the tonal palette with triangle, sawtooth, and variable-width pulse waves. There are two discrete filters per voice—a four-pole, resonant, low-pass inspired by the original Prophet-5 filter, and a two-pole, resonant, high-pass filter. Voltage-controlled amplifiers complete the all-analog signal path.

Dual Effects
The dual effects section provides studio-quality reverbs, delays (standard and BBD), chorus and phase shifter. While the effects themselves are digital, with 24-bit, 48 kHz resolution, a true bypass maintains a full analog signal path. There’s also an independent stereo distortion effect, which is 100% analog.

Poly Mod and Poly Step Sequencing
Also present from its classic predecessor is a Poly Mod section, with enhancements. True to the original, modulation sources are filter envelope and oscillator 2 (both with bi-polar control). Destinations include oscillator 1 frequency, oscillator 1 shape, oscillator 1 pulse width, low-pass filter cutoff, and high-pass filter cutoff. Another welcome reprise is Unison mode, which features configurable voice count (1-6 voices) and key modes. The polyphonic step sequencer allows up to 64 steps and up to 6 notes per step. You can create sequences polyphonically, with rests, and sync to an external MIDI clock. The full-featured arpeggiator can be synced to external MIDI clock as well.

Easy to Program
The knob-per-function front panel offers instant access to virtually all Prophet-6 functions. Included are 500 permanent factory programs in 10 banks of 100 programs. In addition to these, you can create and save up to 500 user programs of your own. Toggling off the Preset button enables live panel mode, in which the sound of the Prophet-6 switches to the current settings of its knobs and switches. In this state, what you see is what you hear.

Easy to Play
All of this awe-inspiring sound is packed into a desktop module that’s small enough to fit in a backpack. It’s an ideal combination of portability and power for the project studio or the gigging musician."




And the press release:

"Legendary Designer to Ship Desktop Version of Acclaimed Analog Poly Synth in November

San Francisco, CA—October 22, 2015—Dave Smith Instruments today announced that they will begin shipping a desktop module version of their acclaimed Sequential Prophet-6 six-voice analog synthesizer at the end of November. Like the keyboard version, it features an all-analog signal path and discrete VCOs, VCAs, and filters. The knob-per-function front panel is free of menu-diving and offers immediate access to virtually all parameters.

As Dave Smith explained: “The Prophet-6 has been our most successful product launch ever. In the four months since its release, a huge number of artists have already added it to their setups.” Added Smith: “Apart from its awesome sound, we feel that a big part of its appeal is the immediacy of its user interface, so we made sure that the desktop version retained all of the same controls as the keyboard version.”

Smith continued:
'As a bonus, we’ve added a poly chain feature so that any two Prophet-6s can be paired for 12-voice polyphony. The biggest sound in modern analog poly synths just got bigger.'

Key to the vintage sound of the Prophet-6 is its two newly-designed, discrete voltage-controlled oscillators (plus sub-oscillator) and two discrete filters: a four-pole, resonant, low-pass inspired by the original Prophet-5 filter, and a two-pole, resonant, high-pass filter. Voltage-controlled amplifiers complete the all-analog signal path. Said Smith: 'The desktop module sounds every bit as good as the keyboard because, on the inside, it’s exactly the same — the same VCOs, VCFs, and VCAs and the same classic, punchy, analog poly sound that’s been earning raves from customers and reviewers.'

The module weighs approximately 13 lbs (5.9 kg) and measures 21.25” L x 7.43” W x 4.4” H (54.0 cm x 18.9 cm x 11.2 cm). 'It’s an ideal mix of portability and power,' Smith said.

The Prophet-6 desktop module will be available at the end of November with a projected MAP of $2,199.

Download high resolution photos of the Prophet-6 desktop module at http://www.davesmithinstruments.com/product-photos/

View a video of Dave Smith introducing the Prophet-6 desktop module at: https://youtu.be/2bBXcJOKxC8

Price and specifications subject to change."

Music From Outer Space MFOS Ultimate & Expanded Synth

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

via this auction

"The MFOS Sound Lab ULTIMATE is the completely new single board mono-synth from MFOS with the sickest set of features you'll find on one PC board:

· Three Musically Accurate VCOs (sawtooth and variable width rectangular wave forms, pulse width modulation, hard-sync, log and linear CV inputs)
· White Noise Generator
· Active Mixer (for VCOs, noise and external input)
· Voltage Controlled LP Filter (12db/Oct doubles as a sine wave oscillator)
· Voltage Controlled Amplifier (log response)
· Attack Release Envelope Generator
· Two Low Frequency Oscillators (square, ramp, tri and sawtooth waveforms)
· Repeat Gate Generator (doubles as another square wave LFO)
· Sample & Hold (with variable sample rate and glide)
· Attenuator Bank (for an infinite variety of modulation patches)
· Patch Panel Design (provides infinitely variable combinations of sounds)
· Professionally machined panels and PC Boards available from MFOS
· Sound Lab ULTIMATE "Expander" also available for added flexibility.

The MFOS Sound Lab ULTIMATE EXPANDER in combination with an MFOS Sound Lab ULTIMATE is a completely full featured modular synthesizer. Although specifically designed to be a companion to the Sound Lab ULTIMATE the ULTIMATE EXPANDER has the features to stand on its own as a super "Swiss Army Knife" module. The MFOS Sound Lab ULTIMATE EXPANDER includes:

· A State Variable Voltage Controlled Filter (doubles as a 1V/oct sine wave oscillator over several octaves)
· A Voltage Controlled Amplifier (expo response)
· An ADSR Envelope Generator
· A Four Channel Active Mixer
· A One-In Three-Out Voltage Distributor
· A CV Inverter
· An Analog Multiplier (Ring Modulator)
· An External Signal Buffer
· An Envelope Follower
· Two Passive Voltage Attenuators
· A Headphone Amplifier
· Signal Routing and Buffering for The Sound Lab ULTIMATE"

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1968 RA Moog Modular IIIC

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

via this Reverb listing

"A 3-cabinet authentic, period correct all RA Moog modules system that dates from 1968.

This instrument forms a part of the RL Music Vintage Synthesizer Collection. We have managed to keep some of the very best examples of Vintage Synthesizers that have come through our business over the last 22 years which we kept for our pleasure and interest. Whilst having a privileged position as a specialist dealer in this genre of equipment, we managed to hang on to particular instruments that were interesting and inspiring. The RA Moog Modular IIIC is one of 40 instruments we have, but is the oldest and most historically important.

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The Foundation Of Synthesis 104: Control Voltage

Note the following are only three teaser videos from the full series.
You'll find the description and links to the rest further below.

The Foundation Of Synthesis 104: Control Voltage - 1. Control Voltage Introduction

Published on Oct 2, 2012 by macProVideoDotCom

The Foundation Of Synthesis 104: Control Voltage - 12. The CS-50 Modulation Matrix

Published on Oct 2, 2012 by macProVideoDotCom

The Foundation Of Synthesis 104: Control Voltage - 6. The LFO Applied to Filter - Part 1

Published on Oct 2, 2012 by macProVideoDotCom

"Additional videos for this title: http://j.mp/SZauJ3
The Foundation Of Synthesis 104: Control Voltage by The Bob Moog Foundation

Marc Dotylead educator for The Bob Moog Foundationis back with a series of tutorials in this course on Voltage Control.

But what is Voltage Control and how do you use it in the world of hardware synths? Well, here's the story: In the early days of sound synthesis, if you wanted your sounds to change or evolve in any way whatsoever, you had to do it manually. Need the pitch to go up? Grab the the oscillator knob and turn it! Want the volume to change? Again, grab the volume knob! What about sequencing a series of notes? Well, before voltage control, you had to record every pitch onto magnetic tape and cut them all together in the order and rhythm that you wanted. It was hard work to create electronic music way back when!

Voltage control forever changed all that! And in this course Marc Doty shows how different hardware synth designers harness the power of VCs to transform and supercharge electronic music composition. Taken one step further you'll see how Voltage Control was the mother of MIDI... and we all know how powerful MIDI is!

Bob Moog was an early pioneer and inventor of voltage-controlled analog synthesizers. He revolutionized the music industry and his ideas, inventions and musical instruments have dominated the sound of music for more than 30 years. Aside from being an innovator, Dr. Bob was an outspoken advocate of education. The Bob Moog Foundation, created by his daughter, Michelle Moog-Kousa, continues his legacy with Dr. Bob's SoundSchool, the preservation of his inventions and the development of the Moogseumthe only museum of its kind dedicated to the advancement of sonic education. We hope you will help support the BMF's efforts by watching these courses with the knowledge that a large portion of the proceeds go to support their awesome efforts!

So sit back, hit the play button, and proceed on your journey into the Foundation of Synthesis with Marc Doty, and the Bob Moog Foundation. Be sure to watch all 6 of the BMF's courses on filters, modulation, oscillators, sound design and more!
More info on this title: http://j.mp/SZauJ3"

Follow-up to this post.

Haken Audio Introduces EaganMatrix Eurorack Module

EaganMatrix Eurorack Module bagpipe-like demo video upload by HakenAudio

"Edmund Eagan patched together this bagpipe-like sound in our hut at Superbooth21. The sound is made by the EaganMatrix module, with notes coming from both the keyboard (via usb-midi connection) and the ContinuuMini (via Evaton micoCVC connection), and control input from MakeNoise Math module."

via Haken Audio

Integrate the power of EaganMatrix Sound Technology into your Eurorack! The EaganMatrix Module is a full-featured EaganMatrix Sound Engine for Eurorack, and can be controlled by control voltages and/or Midi. This versatile module can act as a sound source, a sound processor, a CV source (via connection to an external Control Voltage Converter), a Midi source, or a customizable combination of all these capabilities.

The EaganMatrix Module provides a truly versatile framework for both studio and live performance. Flexibility is key, due to its audio inputs and outputs, integrated CV inputs, external CV outputs (via Control Voltage Converter), and robust implementation of MPE and MPE+ Midi.

A single EaganMatrix Preset can give completely different sonic results, depending on how it is patched into a particular Eurorack ecosystem. Hundreds of System Presets are included with the EaganMatrix Module. In addition, an external cross-platform (Mac and PC) Haken Editor may be connected to modify and customize the supplied EaganMatrix System Presets, or create completely new presets from scratch.

The EaganMatrix Sound Technology, originally created for the gesturally highly sensitive Continuum, is now available to you in a Eurorack module. The EaganMatrix Module will quickly become a 'goto' component in your modular sound design and sonic composition.

EaganMatrix Eurorack Module — Now Available for Pre-Order — M2x $799.00

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Meet the Telmatronics Groovetube Tube Based Prototype Plasma Synthesizer

video uploads by Telmatronics

via Telmatronics Kickstarter

Make crazy sounds with fluorescent tubes, that you can control with a magnet

A project to create a plasma instrument About a year ago, we discovered a lot of fun could be had with a fluorescent tube and a magnet... Lit fluorescent tubes are filled with plasma - a low pressure electrified gas that can make oscillations at audible frequencies. With suitable control over the plasma in the tube, we found this instability could sound amazing... and could also be controlled with a magnet! (It is worth listening to the video with headphones, to hear details of the sound).

Playing with sound created in a glowing tube is tactile, surprising and absorbing, and we decided to develop a new kind of electronic instrument.

We are releasing this first-generation machine for people to try out a new way to make noise. It is a sort of proto-instrument - an experimental machine to be experimented with!

Having machines out in the world will help explore what is possible, as there is a lot of unexplored territory here - we don't have much audio equipment, and have tried a dozen or so tubes. By making these machines available now, we hope to not only fund further development but also let collective experimentation inform its direction.

There are pros and cons to using commercial tubes for this. The sound from different fluorescent tubes can vary considerably, so trying out a new tube is an inexpensive bit of fun. It is currently possible to find various types of suitable (T5, 9"/ 225 mm, 6 W) tubes potentially available, new and old stock. On the downside, these tubes are being phased out in the very near future (about 18 months in the UK), and they will become increasingly scarce as production declines - bad timing to find a new use for them! We will keep testing different tubes however, and secure adequate supplies of some good ones before they disappear. In the longer term our objective is to produce custom tubes, which will require further research and development.

We are offering this first on Kickstarter, as a good way to generate awareness of what we are doing and to generate funds to get the project going properly.

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Quanalog Instruments Intoduces Boubou Eurorack Drum Module

via Quanalog

"Quanalog Boubou its a combination of 5 voices filter based analog drum synth that cover the basics drum set from Kick, low and hi tom – rimshot, snare and hi hats that can become a base for Eurorack drums setup. Each voice has a lot of necessary control which can reach to a wide range of possibility. On the base every drum engine can become a signal processor with the core made by analog filter so it can process sound of each other and from other modules.

Each sound has been carefully made with specific analog filter structure to be able to create real percussion feel cover from low-end to hi-end frequency. We carefully tweak every single component to make a very classic sound quality with hi-end built with all metal pot, jack and switch to make sure its the last module that break on your setup.

5 voices Eurorack filter based analog drum synthesizer
Each voice has a wide range of sound that can reach to all drums
Pure sine resonance excited analog filter make warm thick and powerful sound that can cover very low-end frequency
Real independence analog noise engine for snare and hats pass thru analog decay vca and bandpass filter with cv control for decay amount and filter resonance point
Cv control for pitch, tune and decay make it more groovy
Hi-end sound quality
Minimal futuristic panel design in black and golden finish, still looks good when you got your grandkids!
Tank built quality – minimal futuristic panel design in black and golden finish with all metal pot, jack and switch. Can tweak it with passionate! Designed with love!
Complete your eurorack drums setup with 5 analog drum sound for just 28hp. Space saving!"

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