4/16/26 Roland (& RYK) System 100m + Peavey 1300 + Alesis MIDIVERB II

video upload by Cfpp0

7/12/26 Korg SQ-10 sequences Metasonix S-1000 + Paia 6740

video upload by Cfpp0

"7/12/26 Korg SQ-10 sequences Metasonix S-1000 + Paia 6740

The studio is undergoing a few changes this summer. The ElectroComp EML 400 is now above the 401, next to two stacked EML 200s. The Metasonix S-1000 Wretch Machine has been moved to a rack right to the left of the EMLs, where the S-1000 is easier to reach. And it’s above several racked Metasonix TM boxes, the Zerosum Inertia Cenotaph, and the Korg SQ-10 sequencer. This was a test of the SQ-10 and the S-1000 together, with some filter and waveshaper wigging. At 1:47, the waveshaper is switched from flat to flat+pulse and it all gets slightly didgeridoo. The spring reverb used in this video is the Paia 6740."

4th of July/26 Metasonix & Zerosum Inertia process the National Anthem

video upload by Cfpp0

"Happy Independence Day! It’s the 4th of July in the 250th year of the country that birthed Metasonix and Zerosum Inertia! And this year, the Star Bangled Banner is being whistled.

The audio is split three ways:
—running through the left side of the Zerosum Inertia 5654 into the TVM23 VCA into the Metasonix R-54 MKII into the TVM23 feedback section into the Zerosum Inertia Horripilation.
—running through the Metasonix R-53 into the Zerosum Inertia ZI61, with another copy of the original audio, amplified by the right side of the 5654.
—running through the right side of the 5654 into another R-54 MKII into the Zerosum Inertia Voltage Controlled Annihilation into the Metasonix R-51.

Some reverb was blended on the CXM 1978."

7/1/26 Roland TR-909 & RE-201 + ElectroComp EML 400/401 + SDS1 + Dukane 2a76 + MIDIVERB 2 + CXM 1978

video upload by Cfpp0

"This video is shot at a more revealing angle than usual, to document the setup before we change it. When we added an EML 400/401 to our EML 200, we made custom shelves to line the three panels up on a table. But we got a great deal on a second EML 200 during the pandemic, so that got installed on a metal shelf over the first EML 200. The studio kept growing over the years, with lots of revisions on how it is all arranged, but the EML 400/401 hasn’t moved an inch. I never liked this hockey stick configuration and have always felt the EML 400/401 is a bit underutilized. This summer we’ve decided to move the 400 above the 401, creating a big EML block, so that the 400 is closer to the 200s, to the Buchla system, and so it’s easier to reach everything at once.

Anyways, the point of this patch was to use V1 on the right set of stages to reset the left set of stages. It’s a fun trick because you can control when and how often you want to reset the sequence using the sliders. The TR-909 is externally clocked by ALM Pamela’s New Workout at 130bpm. The kick and rim shot are saturated by the Dukane 2a76. The snare sound is the Simmons SDS1, triggered by the rim shot trigger output on the 909. The EML 401 filter is in high pass mode. At 0:43 I drop the kick, unmute the clap and hats, and turn off the voltage control of the envelope, which makes it sound like a goose. At 1:13 I change the TR-909 pattern and switch the routing of the lower voltages on the 400, from V4 to V3 and from V3 to V4."

6/6-12/26 (130bpm) Roland TR-606 + Narco Biofeedback System + 1613 + 2a76 + HD 1000 + 1564-A + (…)

video upload by Cfpp0

"6/6-12/26 (130bpm) Roland TR-606 + Narco Biofeedback System + Brüel & Kjaer 1613 + Ibanez HD 1000 + Peavey 1300 & DDL-3 + Dukane 2a76 + General Radio 1654-A + DSP 808 + Simmons SDS-1 + Roland System 100m + Zerosum Inertia 5654 + MFB dual ADSR + Alesis MIDIVERB II + Waveform LPG + CXM 1978

I tend to leave ALM Pamela’s New Workout (the clock) at the same bpm for long periods of time. And since the videos all have the same tempo, I’ll sometimes drop them on top of each other to hear if they work together. Depending on the top layer video, this can result in ugly videos, but iMovie only allows two videos with audio and three audio-only files in the timeline. This video is a composite of several recent unrelated videos, plus a bass drum synthesized for this video to tie it all together. The Roland TR-606 toms are distorted by the Dukane 2a76, and bandpass filtered by the Brüel & Kjaer 1613. The quarter note hat and shaker sound are from the DSP 808 through the Peavey 1300 delay. The snare is distorted by the General Radio 1564-A, and the additional snare sound is the Simmons SDS-1. The hats are from the TR-606. The bass drum is the Roland System 100m 121 VCF, with the resonance maxed, modulated by an envelope from the 140 module, externally triggered by ALM Pamela’s New Workout, then it runs through the Zerosum Inertia 5654 left channel into the right channel, modulated by the MFB dual ADSR, and a reversed reverb from the Alesis MIDIVERB II. The melodic gated element is the Narco Biofeedback System through the Ibanez HD 1000 through the Waveform LPG, gated by the MFB dual ADSR, and then delayed by the Peavey DDL-3. The drone towards the end is also the Narco Biofeedback System through the Ibanez HD 1000, through the DDL-3, and with significant amount of reverb blended on the CXM 1978. Two Alesis MIDIVERB II units are used for the reverbs."

6/11/26 Pasco Scientific 9301 + Heathkit ID-4101 + Rucci 16-step CV seq + Yamaha EM-100

video upload by Cfpp0

"6/11/26 Pasco Scientific 9301 dual function generator + Heathkit ID-4101 switch + Rucci 16-step CV sequencer + Yamaha EM-100

One Heathkit ID-4101 switch and two Pasco Scientific 9301 dual function generators are being used as oscillators, modulated by the pulse output and CV output on the Rucci 16-step CV sequencer. The banana-jack audio outputs are converted to TS 1/4” by the Low-gain Electronics format jumbler, then mixed on the Yamaha EM-100, with its internal spring reverb."

606/26 Happy 606 Day! Roland TR-606 & RE-301 & System 100m + Brüel & Kjaer 1613 + (…)

video upload by Cfpp0

"606/26 Roland TR-606 & RE-301 + Brüel & Kjaer 1613 + Simmons SDS1 & Clap Trap + MFB OSC-2 + Waveform LPG + Soundforce S-LD + General Radio 1564-A + DSP 808 + Metasonix R-55 + Alesis MIDIVERB II + CXM 1978

For 606 day in 2026, the TR-606 is being used as a drum machine and to trigger several other things. This particular 606 was modified with individual outputs. The toms are running through the Peavey 1300 in flanger mode, the Ace Tone MP-4 mixer with feedback and spring reverb, the Metasonix R-55, and through the Brüel & Kjaer 1613 Bandpass filter. The snare is processed by the Roland RE-301. The bass drum is running through the General Radio 1564-A waveform analyzer. The tom pattern trigger output is triggering the DSP 808. It’s also triggering the Soundforce S-LD tambourine, and the Ladik S-143 sequencer, which is modulating the pitch on the MFB OSC-2 (ring mod output), which runs through the Waveform LPG, gated by ALM Pamela’s New Workout. The clap is the Simmons Clap Trap and there is an additional snare sound from the Simmons SDS1, triggered by the 606 high tom. There are reverbs from the Alesis MIDIVERB II and the CXM 1978."

6/4/26 Narco Biofeedback System + Peavey DDL-3 + CXM 1978

video upload by Cfpp0

"This intriguing piece of scientific equipment from Narco Bio-Systems Inc. was intended for Electroencephalography (EEG), not for music, but it was available on eBay and seemed promising so we made an offer. The fraying power cable needs to be replaced, there’s a hum and it’s hissy, but it turned on. If we find the right electrodes I might hook it up to my brain, but for now, it’s running through the Peavey DDL-3 digital delay pedal, with reverb blended on the CXM 1978. At around 3:00 the manual fade-ins start turning into a drone and then, by around 4:45, the feedback is turned up higher on the DDL-3 to loop the drone."

5/29/26 (goofy samba) EML 400/401 & 200 + Roland CR-78 + DSP 808 + Metasonix R-57 + ADE Panscan (…)

video upload by Cfpp0

"5/29/26 (goofy samba) EML 400/401 & 200 + Roland CR-78 & SPH-323 + DSP 808 + Metasonix R-57 + ADR Pan Scan + Alesis MIDIVERB II

Whatever this is, it came about when I hooked up the Roland CR-78 drum machine trigger output (Disco 2/Samba) to the ElectroComp EML 400/401 external clock input. And it sounded so goofy I had to record it. A kick from the DSP 808 was added on the 1. The EML 400/401 is auto-panning through the ADR Pan Scan. Then I did an overdub, alternating octaves on the EML 400/401, with the CR-78 beat running through the Metasonix R-57, and a clave on the DSP 808. There is an additional clave sound towards the end, from the EML 200, using the envelope output from the EML 401. Reverb from the Alesis MIDIVERB II."

5/24/26 EML 200 + Metasonix TM-3 & TM-1 & TM-7 + Lower West Side Studios CGS01 + Alesis MIDIVERB II

video upload by Cfpp0

"The ElectroComp EML 200 master triangle is feeding the Lower West Side Studios CGS01 Sub Oscillator module, which is producing a sequence. The positive output of that sequence is modulating the Metasonix TM-3 gas-tube dual VCO, which runs through the Metasonix TM-1 SE waveshaper. The positive sequence from the CGS01 is also modulating the VCA input on the TM-1 SE. The negative output of the sequence from the CGS01 is sequencing the two VCOs on the EML 200, through its VCA, and with its internal spring reverb. The TM-1 SE audio output runs through the Metasonix TM-7 ultra-distortion scrotum smasher, which is being modulated by the EML 200 envelope output. From 1:49, the TM-3 suboctave and oscillator sync are creating some cool percussive spasms. Some reversed reverb is applied from the Alesis MIDIVERB II."

5/26/26 MFB SEQ-1 + Metasonix D2000 & RK5 + Zerosum Inertia 5823 Noise Sorcerer + Alesis MIDIVERB II

video upload by Cfpp0

"The D-2000 is being triggered by the MFB SEQ-1. The D-2000 mono output runs through the RK5 lowpass gate. The Zerosum Inertia 5823 Noise Sorcerer is running through the left half of the RK5, with the gate being controlled by the SEQ-1 (and panned a little left on the Mackie Onyx 1640 mixer). Both the D-2000 and the 5823 signals are getting reverbs from two different Alesis MIDIVERB II units, with one set to preset 12 and the other to 44."

5/20/26 (shin splints) Roland CR-78 & SPH-323 & System 100m + Soundforce S-LD + MIDIVERB II

video upload by Cfpp0

"Something to do the dishes to. The CR-78 is set to Disco 1 and I occasionally switch Bossa Nova on and off. The variation switches from A to B every 2 measures. The CR-78 audio runs through the SPH-323 phase shifter. The CR-78 trigger output is driving the RYK Modular 185 sequencer in System 100m format, which is driving a 140 envelope for the 110 VCA and controlling the pitch of the 110 VCO. Two LFOs from the 140 and 150 modulate the 110 VCF. The CR-78 trigger output also triggers the Soundforce S-LD cabasa, which is running through the ADR Panscan, panning wildly through the stereo field. There are two Alesis MIDIVERB II, with one providing a small room reverb 01, and the other a reversed reverb 44. There is an overdub, running the System 100m through the MIDIVERB II preset 45, mono, 100% wet."

A Potted History of Drum Synthesizers

video upload by Alex Ball and Nathan Curran Tugg the Drummer (Tugg)

"A look at a niche within a niche, the drum synthesizer; a story that begins in the late 60s and continues to this very day."

0:00 Intro
0:25 Definition of a "Drum Synthesizer"
2:24 Precursors, DIY and Impakt
4:03 Star Instruments Synare
5:09 How these Instruments Worked
6:13 Syndrum: The First Famous Drum Synth
8:45 Ult-Sound: Japan's First Drum Synth
10:10 Pearl & Tama: Here Come The Drum Companies
13:20 Simmons: The Zeitgeist
19:21 The Flood Gates & Mega-Montage
24:48 Soviet Offerings
25:17 Decline and the Splitting Point
27:05 Vermona: A New Era
29:28 Elektron: Blurred Lines
30:58 A Plethora of Machines
32:24 Clavia/Nord: Simply Red
33:39 Modern Day: The Culmination
34:44 Summary & Thanks
35:23 Patron Outro Jam

Update:

1/14/26 Simmons SDS6 + TAMA DS200 + Alesis MIDIVERB II + CXM 1978

video upload by Cfpp0

"This is one of two videos I recorded for the great Alex Ball (‪@AlexBallMusic‬) to use in his video about the history of drum synthesizers. I’m using the Simmons SDS7 to trigger the two halves of the TAMA DS200, with reverbs from the Alesis MIDIVERB II and the CXM 1978. The DS200 is running hot through the MIDIVERB II, overloading the preamp. The CXM 1978 has a long predelay in lo-fi mode to create a grainy pitchy echo."

5/19/26 (beat) Roland CR-78 & SPH 323 + DSP 808 + MIDIVERB II + CXM 1978

video upload by Cfpp0

"Today I clocked the Roland CR-78 with the ALM Pamela’s New Workout. The pattern is a combination of ROCK 3 and BEGUINE RHUMBA on auto A/B. The CR-78 is running through the Roland SPH-323 phase shifter, then through the Moog MKE parametric equalizer, with additional EQ from the Mackie Onyx 1640 mixer. The percussion that drops in at 0:13 is the DSP 808, triggered by the CR-78 trigger output. Everything has delays and reversed reverbs from the Alesis MIDIVERB II and CXM 1978."

4/23-26/26 Metasonix S-1000 + Ladik S-143 + DSP 808 + Roland TR-606 + Simmons SDS1 + (…)

video upload by Cfpp0

4/17/26 SSL 1660 + Zerosum Inertia 6550-99 & Scorpion Tail & Erebus Orifice + acVOKS VCF + (…)

video upload by Cfpp0

"4/17/26 Synthetic Sound Labs 1660 + Zerosum Inertia 6550-99 & Scorpion Tail & Erebus Orifice + Analog Craftsman acVOKS VCF + Møffenzeef Simplify + Oakley ADSR/VCA + Paia 6740 + Alesis MIDIVERB II

The SSL 1660 is clocked by ALM Pamela’s New Workout, but with the triggers interrupted by the Møffenzeef Simplify. The SSL 1660 controls the pitch of the Zerosum Inertia 6550-99 oscillator, which runs through the Analog Craftsman acVOKS VCF. The acVOKS low pass output runs through the Oakley ADSR/VCA and the bandpass output runs through the Blue Lantern mixer, gated by triggers from Pamela’s and with the wavefolder on (panned left on the Mackie Onyx 1640). Spring reverb from the Paia 6740 and stereo reverb from the Alesis MIDIVERB II."

4/18/26 SSL 1660 + Zerosum Inertia 6550-99 & Scorpion Tail & Erebus Orifice + acVOKS VCF + (…)

video upload by Cfpp0

"4/17/26 Synthetic Sound Labs 1660 The Matrix Algorithmic Composer + Zerosum Inertia 6550-99 & The Scorpion Tail & Erebus Orifice + Analog Craftsman acVOKS VCF + Møffenzeef Simplify + ALM Pamela’s New Workout + Oakley ADSR/VCA + Paia 6740 + Alesis MIDIVERB II (40) + CXM 1978

The right Synthetic Sound Labs 1660 is clocked by ALM Pamela’s New Workout, but with the triggers interrupted by the Møffenzeef Simplify module. The right SSL 1660 clocks the left 1660 and both of them control the pitch of the Zerosum Inertia 6550-99 oscillator, with the left 1650 serving to transpose the right 1660 notes. The 6550-99 thyratron oscillator runs through the Analog Craftsman acVOKS VCF. That acVOKS Polivoks filter clone is by far the best filter module we have. Anyways, the acVOKS low pass output runs through the left Oakley ADSR/VCA and the bandpass output runs through the Blue Lantern mixer, gated by triggers from Pamela’s and with the wavefolder on (panned left on the Mackie Onyx 1640). The right ADSR/VCA is triggered by Pamela’s and is modulating the amazing acVOKS filter. Spring reverb from the Paia 6740, reversed reverb 40 from the Alesis MIDIVERB II, and stereo reverb blended on the CXM 1978."

4/16/26 (Oofos) Roland & RYK System 100m + Peavey 1300 + CXM 1978 + Alesis MIDIVERB II

video upload by Cfpp0

"Resistance starch
Shin splints"

4/9/26 Metasonix RK7 RK2 RK8 + Beers Melakarta & DAC + ALM Pamela’s New Workout + Alesis MIDIVERB II

video upload by Cfpp0

This is the first post to feature the Beers Melakarta.

"Feeding the Beers DAC and Beers Melakarta several triggers from ALM Pamela’s New Workout, and then modulating the pitches of the two Metasonix RK7 VCOs and the CV on the Metasonix RK8 Filterwall. Gated reverb from the Alesis MIDIVERB II."

"The idea for this module came from my friend Rodrigo Kendrick. He was a bit burned out on western tonal structures, and had recently missed out on an electronic lehra machine in a facebook marketplace deal which fell through. These machines are a kind of practice tool for carnatic musicians that plays a wide variety of different raga. Think that 'casio auto-chord' function on old casio keyboards, but for carnatic music.

Unwilling to wait for another one to come up on the used market, he did some cursory research, and sent me an early-morning design document, expanding the functionality of DAC with a scheme of two rotary switches and one toggle switch to select the pitch sets for all 72 Melakarta ragas and specified a clock input that would run up and down the selected raga in ascending then descending order, with the ability to turn around or reset on command. In theory this would allow the complex rhythmic and sequence rules of the raga to be implemented with external logic and sequencers, but still give the module enough sequencing functionality to explore the pitch sets of these raga on it's own.

I got excited and went a bit silly 'helping' until we had shoehorned in a pile of other features like binary addressability of the selected swara (interval), gate outputs for each swara, an 'inhibit' input that mutes the transposition voltage while the clock continues in the background, CV controlled halving of the clock frequency, extra +1oct input, and the logic-inverting toggle switches from the DAC on several inputs.

This design is all analogue using discrete MOSFETs and 0.1% tolerance resistors in a weighted DAC driven by a 4000-series CMOS based sequencer.

Yes, it might have been simpler to use a microcontroller."

4/3/26 ElectroComp EML 200 + Peavey DDL-3 + CXM 1978

video upload by Cfpp0