"Modcan and Cyndustries four panel Serge/Banana modular synth owned by Rich Costey, used on albums by Muse, Deathcab For Cutie, many others. contains the following modules:
"Now available as a double CD with an 8-page booklet & download
Tone Science sub-label, from DiN records, concludes it’s exploration of the world of modular synth music.
Since the first volume in the Tone Science series was released in 2018, seventy-two musicians in total have joined in with this celebration of the musical possibilities of modular synthesis. These artists have been from a huge range of backgrounds but have all shared the unifying purpose of showcasing the incredible variety of sonic possibilities these instruments can offer.
Tone Science sub-label, from DiN records, concludes its exploration of the world of modular synth music.
Since the first volume in the Tone Science series was released in 2018, seventy-two musicians in total have joined in with this celebration of the musical possibilities of modular synthesis. These artists have been from a huge range of backgrounds but have all shared the unifying purpose of showcasing the incredible variety of sonic possibilities these instruments can offer.
The intervening seven years have seen the modular synth world expanding at an exponential rate and whilst one wouldn’t go so far as to say these synths are mainstream, they are certainly far more prevalent than in the past. It’s especially gratifying to see so many musicians now either play solo sets with them or to include them in their onstage arsenal.
Thus we come to this, the final instalment in the Tone Science series. Nothing lasts forever and certainly stopping at this nice round number of ten seems like a good way to not only end the series but to release the Final Patch, a real celebration of what has gone before and perhaps to hint at what is possible for the future. A beautifully packaged double CD featuring twenty artists who have appeared on previous iterations of the series, it really is a who’s who of modular synth musicians. The release is accompanied by an eight-page booklet with an essay by Neil Mason and some final words from the guiding force behind the whole project, Ian Boddy, label boss at DiN. And as Boddy so succinctly puts it in his liner notes, “for me, despite the technological nature of the equipment, the emotional quality of the music is the single most important factor”. The Final Patch certainly delivers on that ethos.
Discover the raw power of Serge Modular with this exclusive sample pack. Featuring organic noise textures, complex rhythms, analog drones, and punchy one-shots, each sound embodies the unpredictable, evolving nature of modular synthesis. Currently in beta, this pack offers a limited selection of sounds at an early price, with free lifetime updates as new material is added.
Akihiko Matsumoto"
"New Schlappi Engineering module alert!!!!
Welcome the Boudary Layer, a triple cycling slew acting as a powerhouse of modulation, audio
mayhem, and obscure modular tricks in the tradition of Serge DUSG, the Make Noise
Maths, our own Boundary, and others while also bringing a few new things to the table.
I'll show you some of my favorite patches with it, most can apply to other similar modules so it might interesting to anyone.
"BOUNDARY LAYER by @SCHLAPPIENGINEERING is an apex triple function generator for eurorack. It has all the tricks up its sleeves and (as usual) is just a joy to work with due to it's well thought out interface and versatile feature set.
In this video I tried getting across how damn useful function generators are, how BOUNDARY LAYER works and how much fun it is to make patches with the module.
I hope you enjoy the video."
Boundary Layer is a triple cycling slew acting as a powerhouse of modulation, audio mayhem, and obscure modular tricks. Each of the channels can act individually as: -a modulation oscillator -voltage controlled slew (including portamento) -AR/AD envelope (decay or release determined by choice of input).
All three channels are tied together by three global inputs, as well as three outputs which select the MAX, MID, and MIN of all three voltages. Using different combinations at audio rate allows for patch programmable stereo drone synth capabilities.
Features
3 separate channels 3 global inputs 3 combined outputs MAX/MID/MIN Oscillates from low LFO rate (a minute?) to audio rate (>10kHz with exponential feedback) A CV input switchable between RISE/FALL/BOTH Bound input for simultaneous control over cycling rate and amplitude TRIG input for AD envelopes SLEW input for AR envelopes and portamento or filtering EOC ouput header switchable between EOR and EOF 16 HP Skiff friendly 32mm depth (including cable) current draw: +12V 170mA, -12V 100mA
Discover the raw power of Serge Modular with this exclusive sample pack. Featuring organic noise textures, complex rhythms, analog drones, and punchy one-shots, each sound embodies the unpredictable, evolving nature of modular synthesis. Currently in beta, this pack offers a limited selection of sounds at an early price, with free lifetime updates as new material is added."
"Don’t have a real Serge Modular Paperface to hand? No worries! Just put this video on in the background (in full-screen mode), and have the next best thing ð
Here is 10 minutes of self-playing modular synthesiser randomness. Why not put it on loop - then you can have it playing away in the background while you do other things
A note on the patch: I'm using the LW Gated Comparator and the 2 original Paperface Sequencers (from the mid-70s) to run things - as always with a big Serge patch its virtually impossible to keep track of all the connections - its a very complex system - but I use lots of delays here - the vintage Wilson, plus a brand new Prism Circuits Cascade Delay. There are the old Serge dual spring reverbs in here, and the VC stereo mixer to mix it all up and move it all around. This patch is more melodic, using a Serge format Voltage Quantizer to hold it all together. It's going through my Neve 88D along with some vintage FX units - an AMS RMX16, a Bel BD80S and a Lexicon Model 300"
"New Systems Instruments sent me their new module, Discrete Map. It’s a deep module, with lots of potential uses, so I’ll be dedicating the next few videos to it. This first, introductory video uses it as a generative sequencer, extracting an evolving melody from a Lorenz chaos trajectory."
"Novum! New Systems Instruments has created a unique and innovative approach to generating sequences with Discrete Map.
New Systems Instruments consistently surprises with innovative designs! Discrete Map fits right in, taking a simple concept and turning it on its head. At its core, it’s an 8-step sequencer that can output a traditional step-by-step sequence. The pitch values are set using the eight upper faders, but what makes it truly special are the eight lower faders, which determine which step is played at any given moment.
The sequencer’s X input accepts any signal, a clock, an LFO, or even another sequence. The lower faders set threshold values, and the switches below them define whether they react to a rising or falling edge. This means the sequence jumps to different steps based on the incoming signal, creating a highly controllable form of randomness! The results are striking! Complex rhythms and surprising melodies that become even more dynamic when paired with the expander for voltage-controlled step selection.
Discrete Map also includes an onboard oscillator. A switch toggles between a slow and fast frequency range. When slow, it functions as a standard step sequencer. Another switch changes from Position mode (explained above) to Length mode, where the lower faders control step duration. When switched to the fast mode tho, it becomes a graphic oscillator that tracks V/Oct.
To round out the package, Discrete Map includes additional utilities for better integration with other modules. The precision adder for example allows an external voltage to transpose the entire sequence.
The A/B/C Expander further enhances functionality, adding three assignable groups for the steps. Each group gains CV-controllable threshold values and dedicated gate outputs for active steps. And because that´s not enough there's also a sequential switch. Several discrete maps and A/B/C expanders can be linked together!
Overall, an incredibly well-thought-out and entirely fresh approach to sequence generation!
Features:
8-step sequencer for a single track Generates sequences based on any input signal 8 lower faders to position steps in time 8 upper faders to set step values One-shot mode Oscillator mode with V/Oct tracking Adjustable output voltage range (-5V to 5V / 0V to 5V / 0V to 2.5V) Precision adder for transposing sequences Gate output Ramp output for internal clock signal"
And an overview from DivKid:
Bend & Twist Time with Voltage Addressed Sequencing // Discrete Map from New Systems Instruments
video upload by DivKid
"Here’s the new Discrete Map and expander from New Systems Instruments. Deeply routed in influence from the Buchla MARF & a Serge Modular style approach to sequencing, coupled with a heady mix of physics and electronics (as New Systems Instruments do so well) the Discrete Map allows you to use voltages to bend and manipulate a time map across 8 stages of voltages. From basic to more advanced sequencing, unique time and rhythm creation to some bonkers graphic VCO applications there’s a lot we get into in the video."
"This time, I'm not testing the DivKid patch, but my own humble idea.
It's sure, you can improve my idea. I didn't have time to do a better video, because I have to launch a new module this week...
At first, I'll using my Random*Source / SERGE modules.
And then, with my Dual Undula Oscillator. Because the VCO can work like a VCF, and th frequency can go very low.
"Improvised modular synth performance using Serge Easel system, TKB touch keyboard sequencer, and the Crocodile module. Exploring generative patches, analog textures, ambient noise, and chaotic control voltages.
A short excerpt from a Serge Modular improvisation, where two independent voices are gently crossfaded to sculpt both rhythm and melody.
Through a minimal patch, a balance between structure and spontaneity is explored—organic textures emerge from subtle modulations and interplay.
Here is a list of the gear I used for this video :
Random*Source Serge
empress effects Zoia
"@DivKid 's releasing a very interesting video (as usual).
from an idea of Rob Hordijks.
I let you seeing all the explanations here:[below]
So, why not testing it by myself ?
At first, I'll using my Random*Source / SERGE modules.
And stupidly, I was forgetting that my DUAL UNDULA OSCILLATOR has all functions to test the idea ! So I'm testing the idea with it.
And after that, I'm digressing around the stereo possibilities of my module and the MS (mid/side) option.
Ok, I didn't have a lot of time (busy after SuperBooth...) so it's a bit "from scratch"...
Hope you will enjoy it :)"
How to FAKE Reverb with Ring Modulation // Rob Hordijks ‘Poor Mans Delays’ [BETTER BLEEPS]
"So here's a bit of story and the first BETTER BLEEPS video in a long time!
With Chris from Moog sharing Rob Hordijk's trick to emulate reverb wth Ring Modulation in the recent Superbooth video, that of course sparked questions. So strap in with a brew for a time travel trip back to 2017 where Rob Hordijk gave a tutorial with his "poor mans delay" technique and stay tuned for going through the technique and method with us in the video. Grab the free PDF and VCV Rack patch for further material on the technique. Links below.
This is applicable to many modules and bits of gear, to that point after the main demo with Manic (DivKid & Apollo View) I go through it with 4 more modules (Instruo VinCA, cLFO from AtoV, Ouija from Nekyia and A*B+C by Befaco)."
"Improvised modular synth performance using Serge Easel system, TKB touch keyboard sequencer, and the Crocodile module. Exploring generative patches, analog textures, ambient noise, and chaotic control voltages.
A 10-cable patch introducing instability to the envelope via pitch CV and comparator output. Layered through looping, the structure reveals Serge’s nuanced volatility—uncertainty and motion coexisting within minimal constraints.
Here is a list of the gear I used for this video :
Random*Source Serge
empress effects Zoia"
"The New Frequency Shifter (FRS) is a completely new design by Serge, much improved over the original 1979 version. Actually it is a combination of two new Quadrature (sine) Oscillators plus two (!) Frequency Shifters, offering 5 different modes from separate use to true Stereo Processing.
0:00 Intro / FM bleeps
0:19 On Drums
1:11 On Guitar*
2:46 Sand Rabbi
3:26 Modular Madness - Pulse sequence
4:33 Another Beat
5:23 back with the Gibson (FRS sequenced)*
"Discover the raw power of Serge Modular with this exclusive sample pack. Featuring organic noise textures, complex rhythms, analog drones, and punchy one-shots, each sound embodies the unpredictable, evolving nature of modular synthesis. Currently in beta, this pack offers a limited selection of sounds at an early price, with free lifetime updates as new material is added."
"50 years since the end of the war that showed the world how foolish wars are.
It's not a regional thing, it's not a sporadic thing: it's the core nature of war, that, finally, people were able to see towards the end of the Vietnam War.
When the plot gets so lost nobody even knows where they are going, who they are really fighting, what and why they are fighting, the blind brutality of the conflict becomes finally clear: the war for the war's sake.
This piece is an expressionist recording of the overstimulating nature of an armed conflict – there are helicopters, indistinctly passing by and falling, monkeys (who maybe were once humans?) screaming from the jungle, there is warfare, and it's relentless.
A quick note on the instrument: without my SERGE system, I would have never recorded this piece. It's hard to state if it came first the egg of wanting to record this genre of music or the chicken of my 4U modular, but the only unequivocal is that, to me, Serge means first and foremost an artistic legacy, and without even naming names, I always felt the pressure to make my time spent with the instrument worth a bit more than the quick enjoyment of some electronic strumming.
The freedom of the highest latitude of exploration possible with a SERGE instrument is what made it possible, having the confidence that my creativity, and my skills, were the only limiting factors in the equation, and I feel incredibly fortunate to be able to do this and share it with all of you."
