New England Synth Fest
on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at Northeastern University
in Ryder Hall
(11 Leon St, Boston, MA 02115).
Right next to the Ruggles T Station.
DIY workshop starts at 11am. Performances, lectures, exhibits, and petting zoo are happening 12pm to 6pm.
"The GND-1T is available directly from https://richardvanhoesel.com/gnd1t
This video shows how to use two powerful tools on the Speak and Glitch GND-1T: manual patch morphing, and drift-buffer scaling. Combined they offer a powerful way to navigate the GND-1T's vast sonic landscape, and make creating unique new textures and patches very simple. There's a lot more that you can adjust in this process than I don't have time to show here, so see the manual for more information. But if you haven't used this combination so far with your GND-1T, I think you will be very happy to start doing so after watching this.
As usual, everything you hear in these demos is a direct stereo stream recorded from the GND-1T, without any external effects."
"Hello lovely peeps, thank you for subscribing to our newsletter!
This issue brings news of an incredible The NDLR deal (and sweet new color scheme), availability and instructions for accessing the special edition The NDLR Rev1 to Rev2 upgrade kit, and a little bit of rehash of previous news.
Black Friday? Cyber Monday? The NDLR is On Sale Now!
The NDLR is currently on sale for the lowest price we've ever offered, at conductivelabs.com/shop and at Amazon.com, and Amazon.ca (colors vary by location and availability).
And is available at select retailers worldwide. See The NDLR product page at conductivelabs.com for a list of retailers, including Perfect Circuit, Thomann, Juno UK, Control Voltage, Moog Audio and more. [check dealers on the right]
If you have a The NDLR Rev2 with the red base, be sure to check out the Release 3 firmware at conductivelabs.com/download if you don't already have it. There's a fresh manual for it too.
The NDLR Rev1 to Rev2 Upgrade Kit
We did an upgrade kit crowd funding to enable NDLR Rev1 to have all of the great new features we've added to the Rev2 hardware with Version 3 firmware. We've fulfilled most of the crowd funded kits and have some left to offer to those who missed it.
This is a limited edition, 1 per person/NDLR/household offer. Proof of ownership by providing your NDLR Rev1 serial number is required.
"When you purchase from a seller who processes payments through PayPal: your order is protected by PayPal Protection rather than Reverb Buyer Protection. If there’s a problem with your order, we’re happy to walk you through the PayPal dispute process. Learn more in our Help Center."
"Fooling around with the Ellitone groov-e generative groove cloth(?!).
Happy accidents only please.
The groov-e does not allow for much in the way of traditional "controls".
Just imagine yourself to be a DJ from a world where music devices are created from scraps of burlap and preloaded with a jumble of random samples accompanied by the rhythm section of a 1980s Casio keyboard that has been circuit bent beyond recognition.
Nothing to sync, save, "dial in", or even plan for. An exercise in chaos!
The Microcosm is the glue that holds it together."
"I have been very privileged to test, advise, and consult with Paul at Bad Dog Designs on this brilliant drum synthesizer. Taking circuit designs that were over 40 years old, published in E&MM magazine, Paul has recreated and refined these three drum synth designs to create OSPRAY-8, a "vintage" 21st century drum synthesizer.
Four drum modules, three cymbal modules and a clap module, triggerable via MIDI or CV and with a stereo audio output or individual mono outputs per drum, this is the sound of the nascent analog drum synth of the 1980s in a beautiful handmade case.
For more information and details on how to get your hands on one, contact Bad Dog Designs to register your interest.
"After about 4 months on and off, I've got my percussion Synthesizer in a state where I'm happy with the look and sounds :)
All original 1980's circuit designs with just a few component changes for later IC's, and of course Midi In and through as well as individual trigger inputs.
The OSPRAY-8 ( Old School Percussion Right At Ya! ) comprises 8 individual modules, arranged as 4 X Drum modules / 3 X Cymbal modules / 1 X Handclap module. There is then a final control module that handles midi, midi channel selection and Stereo output.
The Drum Module can generate a multitude of sounds from Bass drums to Snares, Toms, Rimshots, bleeps and other weird and wonderful sounds.
The Cymbal Module can generate Open and Closed Hi-Hats, Gongs, Cowbells as well as other metallic oddness.
The Handclap does as it says, but will generate multiple claps with full control of frequency / resonance / ambience etc.
As each module has it's own line out and trigger in, you can join two together, so you can combine a handclap with a drum and get a really sharp and punchy snare for example.
The front panel is machined from a single piece of aluminium, the lettering engraved into the surface for a well engineered finish. The Casing is still in development, but you can see a mock up in the clip. All the audio is straight out of the OSPRAY-8 with no processing."
"The Ospray-8 is a fully Analogue percussion synthesizer, housed in a free standing desktop format. The sounds are produced by entirely analogue electronic modules, tailored for different percussive sound types. The Ospray-8 contains 8 modules connected together, comprising of 4 X Drum Modules, 3 X Cymbal Modules and 1 X Handclap module. There is then a housekeeping module that handles midi control, and stereo outputs."
"The Mutant Drum Line lives on! When Hexinverter shut its doors in 2022, the future of those gloriously twisted Mutant modules looked bleak — but Erica Synths swooped in, reverse‑engineered every circuit, and gave the whole lineup a second life with modern muscle. 🥁 Mutant Bassdrum — pure 808 thump or fuzzed‑out speaker‑ripper thanks to batteryACID distortion. CV everything, stay clean or filthy. 🎯 Mutant Snare — twin bridged‑T oscillators + snappy noise + switchable HP/BP filter = crack, glitch, or full‑roar chaos. External audio input turns it into its own percussion synth. 💥 Mutant Rimshot — three oscillators, multimode VCF, and HI/LO/CLV voicing. Flip the range switch for deep FM clangs or classic 909 clicks. 👏 Mutant Clap — LFSR‑driven 909 clap that mutates into bleeps, broken textures, or lush analogue‑reverb tails. Dedicated NOISE out and Drive for extra crunch. ✨ Mutant Hihats — true analogue open/closed hats with per‑voice Drive, choke switch, resonant BPF, and external noise input. Classic shimmer to future grit. 🎚️ Drum Mixer Lite — six channels, LED metering, switchable AUX send, plus a vactrol compressor that glues (or crushes) your kit into one punchy monster. Hexinverter’s DNA, Erica Synths’ engineering — same mutant attitude, new‑school reliability. Ready to patch, perform, and terrify your neighbours. 🔊⚡️ #MutantDrums #EricaSynths #Hexinverter #Eurorack #ModularSynth #808 #909 #DrumMachine #SynthCommunity #GearHeads #BeatMaker #SoundDesign #ElectronicMusic #HardwareSynthesis #SynthLife #ModularMadness #StudioGear #AnalogDrums #VoltageControlled #AussieMusician #HappyMag #EngineeringTheSound #ETS
Try as I might I still haven’t perfected this, but I thought it would be fun to do a ‘proper’ version using the Novation Circuit Rhythm. I’ve chopped and loaded as many phrases from the accappella version of the track as I could fit in the sample memory of the Rhythm. I think the Liz Fraser vocal is what makes 'Teardrop' so special. You can find the vocal track here (not sure how ‘official’ as it claims to be though)… • Massive Attack - Teardrop Official Acapell...
Everything you hear was programmed into the Circuit Rhythm and played live without any extra effects or synths.
I hope you enjoy my recreation (and on a Circuit Rhythm for a change). Check back soon for more tunes.
"I'm travelling so I hope you enjoy some of the slightly different videos I'm posting. This weeks video is a reworking of a track I put out last month following a suggestion by @DerrynGrierson
I wasn't happy with audio/video on the original (see below) so this is a reworking of the same.
Kris Menace & Lifelike have released multiple versions of the track so I feel pretty justified in putting out another mix of the track! I thought however I had to come up with something new so this was re-programmed and then played live on the beach! The line out went straight into a Zoom LiveTrak L6 so everything you hear is just as it was played on the Circuit Tracks 'on the beach'.
It's harder than it looks playing live on a beach (the tide was coming in....). I missed the filter sweep in the track completely! Stay tuned to the end, if you can, to see what a beautiful place this was played at.
Till next time, stay tuned."
Discopolis/Kris Menace & Lifelike (Novation Circuit Tracks Version)
video upload by Guinan
"This week’s track is the 2005 cult club-classic, ‘Discopolis’ by Kris Menace (an alias of DJ Christoph Hoeffel) and Lifelike. Recreating this was suggested by subscriber @DerrynGrierson. Thanks for the excellent suggestion Derryn!
It’s very likely I’ve heard this but it hadn’t been something I’d really noticed. I absolutely LOVE it and it has been a pleasure listening to the (very) numerous mixes and remixes to get an idea as to how to recreate this onto the Novation Circuit Tracks.
It features a very prominent sample from the start of the Italo-disco song 'Another Life' by Kano. Incidentally this sample is also used elsewhere (e.g. by Nero) so you might recognise it. I was able to find and use the same sample and build the song around it.
Everything you hear was programmed and played on the Novation Circuit Tracks. No extra synths/effects were used in the playback and the stereo track has not been remastered or otherwise altered.
I’m trying out a different way of filming/recording these direct to camera so apologies if the video is a bit dark. Almost knocked over the mirrorball too!
I hope you enjoy this track and come back again for other future recreations. Thanks for watching."
"You know I love the Circuit Happy Missing Link - I use it all the time. Well... I landed some ideas with Ed at the company suggesting ways to make clock a little more interesting and creative. He listened, he did it and now we have Rhythm Explorer! A brand new firmware update that brings together some of those ideas to both the Missing Link Junior and ML:2m."
New England Synth Fest
on Saturday, May 3 at Northeastern University
in Ryder Hall
11 Leon St, Boston, MA 02115).
Right next to the Ruggles T Station.
DIY workshop starts at 11am. Performances, lectures, exhibits, and petting zoo are happening 12pm to 6pm.
"New Time Machine experimental algorithmic synthesizer Complex noises full of happy accidents in a small run of only made 50 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Only. @errorinstruments #errorinstruments #eurorack #noisemusic #soundart #experimentalmusic #producer #eurorackmodular #euroracksynthesizer #korg #noiseartist"
"Time Machine: The Happy Accident Synthesis Introducing the Time Machine, a revolutionary data synthesis device designed to transport you through different times and dimensions. This isn’t just any ordinary machine; it's a 100% happy accident machine, crafted to produce an array of unique sounds inspired by data glitches. Experience the captivating sound of circuit bending, where hardware meets software in a delightful fusion. Check out our demonstration videos to immerse yourself in the extraordinary sounds the Time Machine has to offer. Please note that the output is mono, so it’s recommended to connect directly to a mixer rather than using headphones, as the sound can be quite loud! Designed for versatility, the Time Machine is fully compatible with the Eurorack system. Additionally, what sets it apart is the ability to use its output as a control voltage source for your Eurorack setup, expanding your creative possibilities even further. Dive into the world of sound with the Time Machine, where every glitch leads to a new auditory adventure!"
Click the auction link on top when you get there for additional listings.
VEMIA is Peter Forrest's auction house. He is the author of The A-Z of Analogue Synthesizer Books.
"This interesting E-mu modular started out life at an American university, at a time when E-mu were happy to sell circuit boards and sub-modules to individuals as well as manufacturing the systems themselves. Because this was built by two people, they were completely familiar with the layout (even though they decided in a few respects to make changes to the design to improve the layout of, for instance, the Universal Active Filter). That meant that they had no lettering on the panels (as well as none of the distinctive blue edging that E-mu themselves use on modules).
Further research: according to a post for an auction in 2014, it was actually built by Pat Gleeson and a PhD student, and there were some pencil markings on the panel which have since worn off. Search the wonderful matrixsynth for Early Vintage E-mu Modular for Sale . Here's the link: https://www.matrixsynth.com/2014/05/early-vintage-e-mu-modular-for-sale.html. The most likely supposition is that this was built for Cal State East Bay (then known as Cal State Hayward), but we're trying to find out more.
In the interests of intelligibility by someone not intimately involved in its creation, we decided that it needed labelling. We did this with cheap tape, and a Brother printer. The results are more useful than beautiful. (If it was partly Pat Gleeson's work, the lettering and blue tape could easily be removed if you wanted.) Cosmetically it is generally good - the knobs have started to discolour a bit after nearly 50 years, but are still nice to use. One silver top is missing.
Working order: every module has been checked out as 100%. Three of them needed some expertise from Tony Wride, who used E-mu parts where possible and Pioneer Tribute parts where not. Altogether this modular is probably about 97% E-mu and 3% Pioneer. As this process has taken a year or two to complete, and the modular hasn't received the regular playing it deserves, some pots may be scratchy when first used.
Check the pics for what you will get. The UAF needed a replacement wooden piece in the cabinet to screw into, so hadn't been connected when we took the pics. Packing 30GBP."
"Data synthesis MK2 is something between noise rhythms melodies experimental, happy accidents, glitches drowning chiptune Lofi game sounds Check out full demonstration @errorinstruments also check out @beatsville.store 🙏 thank you for the great video, my friend @errorinstruments #errorinstruments #noisemusic #eurorack #experimentalmusic #producer #korg "
"mk 2 b the bar code
70 algoritmes
That is inspired by game sounds and noises .
It has some Circuit bending Influence.
And there is a lot of different sounds in there. You can use this manipulation of chaos and Disorder .works on mini USB .5vis inc 🙂 see demo
Are you can use it standalone tabletop or like a game console"
"We’re gathering over 70 boutique synth makers in one awesome Silverlake spot so you can learn, listen, and live the latest in electronic music sound production. This hands-on, headphones-only gathering gives you a chance to hear the best sounds science has ever created. From additive to subtractive, analog to digital, keyboards to breath, audio to visual (yes- some video synths will be here too!), modular to full-size polyphonic, eurorack to Serge to Buchla, you’ll meet synth makers and synth enthusiasts alike. This will be January’s biggest two-day collection of hands-on synths on the West Coast! If you love creative sound, you need to be here."
Delicious food (including vegan) from Moby Rick’s fish tacos, incredible carbonated beverages from United Wild Brew.
Exhibitors: 1010music • 4ms • After Later Audio • AIAIAI • AJH • ALM Busy Circuits • Animal Factory • Ashton Research • ASM • Bastl Instruments • Bitwig • Black Corporation • Bored Brain • Buchla • Catalyst • Circuit Happy • Crosspatch • Days of Yore • Rain City Modular • Doepfer • Dogbotic Labs • Dreadbox • Drift DJ • Elektron • Endorphines • eowave • Eternal Research • Five12 • Flame • Frap Tools • Future Retro • Genki Instruments • Groove Synthesis • Jomox • LA Synth Club • Mega Modular Corp • Melbourne instruments • MEMS project • Meris • Modbap • Moog Foundation • Mystic Circuits • Netherblade • New Systems Instruments • Noise Engineering • Noisebug • Novation • Null Modular • OXI Instruments • Polyend • Prism Circuits • Roger Linn • Schlappi Engineering • Sleepy Circuits • SoCal Synth Society • SOMA • Soundwork Shop • Studio Electronics • Supercritical • SynthRISE • TipTop • Tobinski • Touellskouarn • U.D.O. • Vermona • Wavea • Waveform Magazine • Wavesequencer • Weston Precision Audio • WMD ... & more!
Buchla organizes this event to make a stronger synthesizer community. We make it free to attend and affordable for exhibitors. This makes the vibes great - after all, we are all making our own waves!"
A synthesizer, a choir of six oscillators joyfully singing along or against each other, producing an output spanning from harmony to cacophony, all by the touch of your skin.
'Hex' is the greek word for "six" and close to the Danish word "heks", which means "witch". It is about time we throw some witchcraft in our electronics and honour the wise women of the past and the present.
Electronic engineering is in many ways rather conservative, but fortunately there are cracks in the surface - like sticking your fingers inside a circuit or "starving" a circuit to intentionally prevent it from operating predictably. HEX is such a circuit - you play it by extending the circuit with your fingertips (or other conductive matter), and force it into chaos by cranking the "starve-control". Let the circuits starve and spare the abundance for the Humans in need.
Like human beings HEX is a mood swinger of sorts; it's mood changes rapidly from harmony to chaos - blindly obeying the orders of the starve control. If the electrodes are the limbs of HEX, the starve-control is the brain - or maybe rather a parasite of sorts, taking control of an otherwise well-behaving instrument. Luckily it seems that HEX is perfectly happy with returning back to a normal state again after a trip into chaotic territory; thereby reducing the starve-control to a humble way of controlling the timbre - it's not a filter, nor a wave-folder, but it surely does alter the timbre in a non-linear and most importantly pleasing manner.
Starving circuits is not a new thing; it has been exploited in fields of circuit bending for ages, and interestingly it is also a well-known trick among guitarists to emulate the sound of a fuzz pedal with a dying battery - by limiting the current flowing from the battery. However it is not something you see on the front panel on the average Behringer synthesizer (yet?!).
Please note that 'PCB only' means that you are buying a bare circuit board and have to source the components for yourself."
"Hello! Happy end of 2024 :) I hope you've had a good year.
I would like to thank everyone that has supported Instruō this past year and previous years. The company has grown a lot since I was pottering about in my spare room. I have the pleasure of working along side an incredible team. A lot of the work these past few years has been very much behind the scenes. 2025 is going to be exciting! I'll leave it at that!
This is a video I've been meaning to do for a while. Since we launched the øchd expander. The expander module itself was a really fun challenge. I wanted to utilise what the øchd generates in as efficient a way as possible to expand its utility. Much of the theory behind it I prototyped in VCV rack. Especially the DAC section. This is a full real time step by step of how to DIY the signal processes and outputs of the øchd expander. There may be more efficient ways of achieving these and many modules out there provide the same utilities, but this is a collection of patches that I reach for then I need such things.
It's a bit technical, but I hope the video introduces some ideas for patches. Thanks for watching! ~Jason
"This is a simple trick, or hack, or technique, whatever you want to call it, that helps me overcome beat block when I'm jamming or just beginning to Jam. It's also a great way to start working on a beat really quickly when you don't have much time and like a little challenge!"
00:00 Some backstory
00:40 How to do it on Circuit Tracks
02:21 Another way to do it on Circuit Tracks
03:37 Why I Like This technique
04:31 Digitakt Takes It Up A Notch
05:30 Tips on Fine Tuning the sound
07:14 You wouldn’t expect this to work.. but it does
"Join myself and guests as we open the doors to their studios and share ideas and processes about music production as part of this series of livestreams.
I'm joined in this episode by: Ed Guild
Ed is the owner and main man behind Circuit Happy - the producers of the Missing Link Junior and the ML:2m eurorack clock generator that features wireless sync, MIDI clock and CV/Gate clock all in a 2HP factor. Join us as we talk about the future of the company, the technology and wizardry behind the technology and indeed the new ML:2m which is central to both my studio and live sync needs.
"Hello! Jason here. Thank you for watching this video :)
This Signature Edition limited re-release of the tràigh low-pass filter module is available for purchase direct from Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/18233...
I am producing a limited batch which will be available for purchase while stock lasts.
This revised module was developed as a creative side project over the past month or two as a means of dealing with the unfortunate situation of having a very large pet greyhound with a relatively large diagnosis of cancer. Winston was confirmed to have a stage 2 soft cell sarcoma earlier this year. He underwent a surgery on September 24th during which the tumour was successfully removed. (He has recovered very well and quickly!) Due to the location of the sarcoma there is a high likelihood of cancer cells remaining at a microscopic level. If left unchecked they will likely return as a tumour with a chance of metastasising. Winston began a 4 week treatment of radiotherapy on November 4th. As of writing this we are now past the half way point and he is responding very well with no significant side effects presenting. Each treatment requires full general anaesthetic, so I have a very dopey boy every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for the entire month of November. The vets do provide him with some roast chicken each session when he wakes up. So he seems quite happy with his current unusual routine.
