Ambient Garden Jam on Battery Powered Mini Semi Modular

video by ChrisLody

"The incredibly cold and wet spring season we've had here in the UK seems to have finally given way to summer, so what a better way to make the most of the weather than a battery powered jam in the garden.

I've been building the rig in the video specifically to have something battery powered to jam and record on away from the studio but I was mostly thinking of writing on the sofa. But a few days ago we moved a sofa bed out of our cabin in the garden and it seems to have become garden furniture now, so this was a perfect place for a quick test of this setup.

It's perhaps not the best bit of music I've written but I had a few unexpected problems with my mini mixer being extremely quiet to begin which put me off my stride a bit. I ended up using the mixers mic inputs instead of line in which shouldn't have been necessary, but it works at least.

I'll make a vlog about the modular/semi modular 'Synth Tray' in a bit, but just quickly everything here is running on various rechargeable batteries and I'm using a Volca Modular, Bastl Kastle, Volca Beats (which I might replace with my Bastl Kastle Drum if it ever arrives....) Korg NTS1, Korg SQ1, Radio Shack Mixer, Korg SR1 'Sound on Sound' and a Suboos latern which has USB power to run the NTS1. There is a prototype board on there too but it wasn't used here. The reverb is provided by the Korg SR1 and the ambient sound is direct from my Sony HDR-CX240E and is played back dry. Molly the cat is on cable monitoring duties."

Battery Powered Synths Better Than Studio Gear? Pocket Operator, Boss RV-6, Bastl Dude + Kastle Drum

video by Perfect Circuit

"In this video we explore playing battery powered synths and samplers in the great outdoors and why sometimes they are better than bigger pieces of studio gear for practicing your live performance and trying out new ideas.

Wes used the @teenage engineering​ PO-133 Street Fighter KO Sampler and PO-12 Rhythm for drums and samples. Te PO-128 Mega Man chip tune synth and @Bastl Instruments​ Kastle Drum add some weird synth sounds in and everything is mixed with the Bastl Dude and the Boss RV-6 adds some reverb.

Timeline:

00:00​ - Intro
01:26​ - Jam
03:44​ - Battery Powered Over Studio Gear
04:04​ - Set Up Explanation
05:18​ - Battery Powered Gear Advantages
06:22​ - Umm…Jam..?
07:46​ - That Beautiful Sunset

#PerfectCircuit​ #BatteryPowered​ #Synth​"

https://www.perfectcircuit.com/

A TINY MODULAR DRUM SYNTH // Bastl Kastle Drum mini review

BoBeats

00:00 intro & sound demos
02:14 how to use it
04:38 how to connect it to external gear
05:10 jam with Moog Subharmonicon
06:13 my opinion
07:54 bonus jam

Bastl Instruments Introduces the Kastle Drum tiny modular groovebox

Kastle Drum – Discover rhythm on a tiny modular groovebox
Bastl Instruments

Kastle Drum - every feature explained - modular glitch-drummachine
Bastl Instruments

"Kastle Drum is a special edition of Bastl’s classic mini modular synth focusing on algorithmic industrial glitchy drums. A mini modular synthesizer with a headphone output, 2 in/out ports for interfacing other gear, and it runs on just 3 AA batteries. It is ideal for beginners in modular synthesis, but it will add some quite unique functionality to any modular synthesizer system. It delivers the fun of modular synthesis at a low price and fits into your pocket so you can play it anywhere!"

"Kastle was originally released in Fall 2016 and gained instant popularity as an affordable, pocket-sized modular synth. We processed a lot of feedback and introduced a much improved version v1.5 a year later. Now we’re revisiting the concept once again with an alternative way to operate the same hardware.

The design process gave birth to a seemingly limited, but in fact an innovative and quite playful take on a rhythm box that is using some novel concepts, like the dynamic acceleration envelope to build “a lot of dynamic rhythm” out of very little modulation.

The Kastle Drum is a special edition of Bastl’s classic mini modular synth focusing on algorithmic industrial glitchy drums.

Drum sound synthesis with a unique dynamic acceleration charged envelope makes this rhythm box surprisingly versatile and extremely fun to play. The built-in VC clock generator with a stepped pattern sequencer can either run on its own or it can be synchronized to analog clock, while retaining the triangle LFO for parameter modulation.

The Kastle Drum is a mini modular synthesizer with a headphone output, 2 in/out ports for interfacing other gear, and it runs on just 3 AA batteries. It is ideal for beginners in modular synthesis, but it will add some quite unique functionality to any modular synthesizer system. It delivers the fun of modular synthesis at a low price and fits into your pocket so you can play it anywhere!"

Time Stamps for overview video
00:00 Introduction
00:40 Interface
00:55 Patchbay
01:15 Knobs
01:30 Power
02:00 First Patch Connection
02:45 TRIG IN
05:25 Sound parameters
05:40 DRUM

CLICK FOR MORE »

“KASTLE V1.5”and“volca drum” DEMO Patching by Falcon-106

Published on Sep 20, 2019 K0MABA

“KASTLE V1.5”と“volca drum” をシンク接続し、パッチングして音を作ってみました。

Pocket Electro/Techno Jam 136BPM: Bastl Kastle, Teenage Engineering PO-12, Doomsday Sound Generator

Published on Jan 13, 2019 O.S.cillator @ Kalkartronic

If only this is what they were actually dancing to...

"Mini Electro Jam by O.S.cillator.
The PO-12 drum machine is controlled by the LFO of the Bastl Kastle (I/O output of the Kastle to input of the PO-12, and left channel of the I/O socket on the top of the Kastle patched to LFO socket). The Doomsday Sound Generator is a DIY kit from getlofi.com which I built into a tupperware box a few years ago. Its chaotic sounds can be manipulated by touching the steel buttons (body resistance contacts) on the front.
Hope you like it!

Audio recorded with Yamaha Pocketrak 2G.
Video recorded with Ricoh WG-M1.
Background footage was found somewhere..."

Soundium: Enabled - Synth Event This Weekend in Vilnius, Lithuania

This one is in via Pierre-Henri Pache.

https://soundium.lt/enabled

"About and around music technology

Soundium: Enabled fuse theory, practice and experiences in the field of music technology. Main goal of the event is to demonstrate and educate. For the first time in the Baltics a space under one roof will be dedicated to DJ/studio gear testings, lectures with brand ambassadors and performances of local geeks.

However, we think the most important part of Soundium: Enabled is its participant (YOU), coming with his/her own approach to the creative process – so the door is open to anyone, and networking is strongly encouraged. See you on October 20th.
Program

Demo Space
Demo space a designated getting-your-hands-on-gear area. You can expect various equipment here, part of which will be hot & new: starting from DJ turntables, ending with modular synths, drum machines and DAW controllers. Some brand representatives will also be around, so do not hesitate to get tips straight from these professionals.

Demo:
Korg: Prologue 16 / Prologue 8 / Minilogue / Monologue / MS-20 Mini / Volca Beats - Bass - Keys - FM - Sample - Mix / Microkorg / Microkorg XL+ / ARP Oddysey / Electribe / Electribe Sampler / SQ-1

CLICK FOR MORE »

ST Modular

Published on May 19, 2018 Stefan Tretau

New maker on the site. This is the first post to feature ST Modular.

Playlist:
1. ST Modular - Cyllene VCO #2
2. ST Modular - Cyllene VCO #1

Prototype Analog VCO with integrated frequency divider. Using a second Cyllene as LFO.

3. ST Modular - Prototype Noises
4. ST Modular - Triple Tom´s Melody
5. ST Modular - Stomping Beat
6. ST Modular - Triple Tom Techno
7. ST Modular - A case full of Prototypes
8. ST Modular - EURO KASTLE 1.5

This is a DIY Eurorack Version of the BASTL Instruments KASTLE 1.5

9. ST Modular - DIY PT2399 Delay
10. ST Modular - Feed as EFX send
11. ST Modular - VCO GIVE Sound Snipplets
12. ST Modular - Filter "FRANZ" & Delay
13. ST Modular - LFOT

LFOT(ouch) is a self designed Low Frequency Oscillator with optional High Range Frequency and Touch Control Function.

LFOT as Clock Source (0:00 - 1:36)
LFOT into VCO FM (1:37 - 3:04)
LFOT Audio Rate (3:05 - 4:36)
LFOT into Filter CV (4:37 - end)

14. ST Modular - KNEAD MIXER with KNEAD EXPANDER
15. ST Modular - "CATCH" Stepped Random Generator and Sample and Hold
16. ST Modular - Feed

Feed is a self designed module which would be best descripted as a voltage controlled aux send module with an integrated EQ.

17. ST Modular - Clanches & Triple Tom

Both are self-designes modules. Triple Tom is a three voice tom/kick generator and Clanches is...well...a clocked Branches.

18. ST Modular - TripleTom and Switched Multiple

This is a self designed Drum Module prototype offering three Tom/Kick voices including a Tilt Eq and a summing Mixer. Additionally each voice has a single out and its presence may controlled by control voltage.
The Switched Multiple is also a self designed module. It combines and mutes CV signals in many ways.

19. ST Modular - Fay & Clanches

Fay is a self designed Fader, VCA and Decay Envelope combined in one module. Its es being triggered by Clanches. The CEM VCO and DixieII are both mixed through the fader and then being controlled by the VCA and interal Decay.

20. ST Modular - FRANZ OTA Filter

This is a self designed Eurorack filter module with an internal LFO and 3 channel mixer

21. ST Modular - "GIVE" Analog VCO - Self-Made analog VCO with waveshaping option.
22. ST Modular - Avail LFO and Mixer 1U Tile

This is a self designed Module prototype. It is an LFO with Sine, Square and Pulse Out. Pulse width my be adjusted via trimmer. It also offers a 3 channel mixer.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Patchblocks minijam tek.drum & Bastl Kastle synced

Published on Nov 10, 2017 Kalkartronic

"My first sound check of the minijam studio tek.drum by Patchblocks. Great sounds and fun! Well, I thought then, maybe it's possible to somehow sync the Bastl Kastle with the tek.drum, so I began connecting cables back and forth for about 20 minutes until I ended up with the kastle controlling the tempo of the tek.drum with the LFO knob. :-o
Classical "try and error"
Hey, but it works! :-D
It's just these two machines creating tbe sound in this video, only a little room effect was added by the mixer.
Thanks a lot for watching!"

Happy New Year From MATRIXSYNTH! - A Quick Look Back at 2016

Happy New Year Everyone!

This post is a little late going up, but better late than never! :)

I'm going to keep this one a little shorter than usual as I am aware I have a tendency to get a little too wordy at times.

First of all, I want to thank you all for taking a little bit of your day out to visit the site. I want to thank those that contribute to the synthesizer scene and actually give me something to post! Finally, I want to give a HUGE THANK YOU to all the individual supporters of the site, and the sponsors you see on the right and above! Your support literally makes the site as it is possible!

---

And a look back at 2016...

Update: I forgot to mention, we had a total of 13,679 posts in 2016!
Update2: also, as always take a look back at the exclusive label for the most interesting bits of synth history.

First a look back at some of the people (and companions) we lost last in 2016.

2016 was rough. On the maker front we lost Don Buchla, who along with Bob Moog, was undoubtably the creator of the synthesizer as we know it today. We lost Ray Wilson of Music From Outer Space, arguably one of the greatest, if not the greatest, influencers in synth DIY. Many makers out there started with his projects.

On the musician front we lost some of synths' greats including Keith Emerson, Isao Tomita, Bernie Worrell and Jean-Jacques Perrey. We lost a couple of pioneers of electronic music as well, namely Jean-Claude Risset and Pauline Oliveros.

The following is the list:

David Bowie - January 10, 2016
Else Marie Pade - January 18, 2016
Stanley Lunetta - March 3, 2016
Keith Emerson - March 11, 2016
Isao Tomita - May 5, 2016
Bernie Worrell - June 24, 2016
Ray Wilson - July 21, 2016
Don Buchla - September 14, 2016
DJ Spank-Spank - September 21, 2016
Jean-Jacques Perrey - November 4, 2016
Jean-Claude Risset - November 21, 2016
Pauline Oliveros - November 24, 2016

And never to be excluded, a couple of the companions we lost:

nonlinear circuit's Bill - March, 2016
CatSynth's Luna - October 31, 2016

Note the above are only those I could tie in with synths. Two artists you might notice missing are Prince and George Michael. Both deserve a mention. Prince I could have tied in with an Oberheim connection. I still remember lusting after an OB-8 after seeing his videos in the 80s.

RIP posts are the hardest to write. Not only because you are mourning the loss of someone great, but because you know your post will never be good enough.


As for new gear in 2016, you might have noticed all of the "New in 2016" labels that have gone up in posts throughout the year. I created the labels back in 2015 as a means to keep track of all the new gear coming in. I also thought it would be a quick, easy, and interesting way to get total counts of everything at the end of the year. Here are the numbers (links will take you to posts for each):

New in 2016 (753)
New Cases in 2016 (18)
New Controllers in 2016 (38)
New DIY in 2016 (108)
New Makers in 2016 (101)
New Mobile Apps in 2016 (65)
New Modules in 2016 (299)
New Old in 2016 (21)
New Soft Synths in 2016 (55)
New Sound Machines in 2016 (34)
New Sound Packs in 2016 (24)
New Synth Effects in 2016 (9)
New Synths in 2016 (112)
New Tools in 2016 (51)

Note, as with anything, labels can be a little tricky. Sometimes there will be overlap, sometimes items will be announced one year, but released in another if at all, and of course, if I'm not made aware of an item it gets missed. You'll likely see a few items from 2015 in the 2016 list for that reason. I also found it can be difficult to categorize certain items. Drum machines for example get bucketed under synths, but I think for 2017 I will create a new label for them and just use both.

All that said, if you look at the numbers above we had 753 new products/items appear on the site last year. Always of notable interest were the items from vintage synth history that were never featured on the site before. Last year there were 21. An interesting side note is that matches the 21 we had the year prior in 2015. I won't go into any in detail as you can take a look at the label yourself and as I mentioned above I'm going to try and keep this post short. You can check out any of the categories above.  Also worth noting is there were 101 new makers to the site in 2016!  Check them out via the link above.

I was never one for top 10 lists, as although they can be fun, I'm a firm believer that all gear has something to offer. It's up to us to use the gear and find out. That said I do think it's worth mentioning some of the major synth releases this year. Not only does it gives us a quick look at what the major players released but it also lets us see when they were released in the year.  The following is a quick list:

1. Korg Minilogue - January 8
2. Yamaha Montage AWM2 & FM-X - January 11
3. Clavia Nord Piano 3 - January 18 & January 21
4. Roland A-01 - January 19
5. Korg Limited Edition Kronos Platinum
6. Make Noise 0-Coast - January 20
7. Artuia MatrixBrute - January 21
8. Dave Smith Instruments OB-6 - January 21
9. Teenage Engineering Pocket Operators - January 21
10. MFB Tanzamus & Tanzbar Lite - January 22
11. Mellotron Micro - January 22
12. Modal 008 Rack - January 25
13. Anyware Instruments Modulator - March 23
14. Nord Drum 3/3P - April 4
15. New Minimoog Model D - May 18
16. Moog Brother From Another Mother - May 18
17. Audiothingies Micromonster - May 27
18. Mini GRP A2 - May 28
19. DSI OB-6 Desktop - June 22 & June 23
20. Mode Machines ADX1 - June 28
21. New Black Oberheim TVS - June 28
22. Ninstrument SynthBoy+ July 2
23. Behringer Deepmind 12 - July 7
24. New Red & Blue Korg Electribes v2 - July 20
25. Yamaha FM Synth for iOS - July 21
26. Jomox Alpha Base - July 23
27. Korg Desktop Odysseys - August 28
28. Percussa Remote - August 29
29. KORG MicroKORG-S - August 31
30. Korg Volca Kick - August 31
31. KORG Odyssey Desktop Modules - August 31
32. Roland System-8 - September 3 and September 9
33. Roland TR-09 & TB-03 - September 3
34. Roland VP-03 - September 3
35. Synthstrom Audio Deluge - September 8
36. CMS 2607 - September 23
37. Dreadbox Murmox V2 - September 25
38. Arturia Drumbrute - October 7
39. Bastl Instruments Kastle - October 7
40. Korg Monologue - November 1
41. Full Size Korg Arp Odyssey Keboards - November 4
42. Cyclone Analogic TR-606 Clone - November 16
43. Tangible Waves AE Modular - November 16
44. Modal Electronics CRAFTSynth - November 18
45. Cyclone Analogic TT-78 - November 23
46. The White Schmidt Synthesizer - November 25
47. Plankton Electronics Ants! - December 9
48. Dreadbox NYX - December 15
49. Cyclone Analogic TT-303 MK2 - December 15

Note this is only 49 of the 112 items in the new synths in 2016 category. I'd recommend checking them all out.

What stood out for you in 2016? What are you looking forward to in 2017? Leave a comment or two below.

I want to end this with a humble thank you to everyone that makes this site what it is!

Thank you and Happy New Year!!!  On to 2017!