The Man Behind Knobcon and STG muSonics

video upload by Ian Dixon

"Suit & Tie Guy joins me for a TDL Synth Chat covering STG muSonics, Knobcon, modular synth history, why he moved away from software-based music making, and the stories behind his hardware design work.

Suit & Tie Guy is the founder of Knobcon and the person behind STG Soundlabs / STG muSonics. In this long-form synth podcast we talk about early computer music, Numerology, hardware sequencing, the move from software to dedicated instruments, module design, the muSonics story, and why in-person synth events still matter.

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
00:49 Suit & Tie Guy joins the show
02:07 Early music work and Mac game scoring
06:31 Numerology and analogue sequencing ideas
08:46 Live rigs, Hammond-style controllers and Manchester
11:35 Moving from software to hardware
14:07 KiCad, modular design and prototyping
17:35 Why dedicated hardware matters
20:40 Building a video studio for music technology
23:20 The Lyall four-voice synth and rare hardware
26:43 STG Soundlabs, mythology and muSonics
30:55 What muSonics is and why the name matters
33:37 Finishing the Moog 900-series idea
36:34 Knobcon and planning a part two
39:32 Synth communities and real-world connections
42:01 Sound design plans for the next chat

Knobcon:
https://www.knobcon.com/

muSonics / STG muSonics store:
https://musonics.square.site/

Suit & Tie Guy’s site also links the muSonics newsletter:
https://suitandtieguy.com/

#SuitAndTieGuy #STGmuSonics #Knobcon #SynthPodcast #ModularSynth #Synthesizer #SoundDesign #TDLSynthChat"

432 vs 440Hz concert pitch | Love never dies, but Math never lies.

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"I am aware this is a controversial subject, but I've been intrigued by it for a long time. First, I was open for it, then I became doubtful and ended up in 'it makes no difference' camp. It's just a frequency like any other.
Honestly, this was supposed to be a 'fun' video where I'd investigate the subject like a mad scientist would, without jumping to conclusions.

From a numerologic perspective, 432 is a fun number. When you add all digits, you'd end up with 4+3+2 = 9. If you tune A to 432, the next A would be 864. Again, 8+6+4 = 1+8 = 9. If you'd use equal temperament, all notes in your scale would be integer (whole) numbers with no decimals, and the digits of all frequencies would add up to 9. A440 would have eight 'broken' frequencies in the scale. But that's numerology, it doesn't make music any better or worse. A VCO runs perfectly stable on 345.6701 Hz and it will probably drift all over the place when it's analog. Does 432 make any sense from the perspective of the Universe? Quite. The number constantly turns up in time and space. Ofcourse it also returns in the Great Pyramid and the lightspeed constant.

Again, that's just numerology and it has nothing to do with frequency. That's like apples, oranges or cows. Or is it? Frequency is cycles per second. Cycles are circles moving in time and phase is expressed in numbers like 45, 90, 180 and 360. There's that number 9 again. How about time? There are 4320 seconds in 12 hours. So maybe, just maybe, 432 Hz is not like 432 cows. The number 9 is a funny number.

Mr Spock would say 'fascinating' and raise an eyebrow.

I've set my Mordax Data to 432 and 440 Hz on 'wave generator' so I could play both with a sequence. Sure it sounds different, because it's tuned a tiny bit lower (98,18 of 100%). By itself this would have a psychological effect of relief, of closure. When you start A440 and play A432, it's relaxing.
But this also happens when you move a semitone or note down.

I ran my Mordax raw sinewaves through Joranalogue's Collide 4 and used it as a resonating body (with the filter and the quadrature ring mod).
I ran a sequence spanning a wide range of notes, with plenty of reverb to make the notes interact, blur and sustain. Then, suddenly the differences between A440 and A432 wasn't subtle anymore. It was huge.

Better? I think so, but that's personal taste. Healing? Nah. More natural? I think so too. But there's nothing magical about it, it's math. I figured that a frequency doubles for each octave, so the range of A0 to A9 would sound completely different for 432 and 440. In fact, the high notes in 440 end up 256 Hz higher than in 432. It doesn't sound like a big deal, but A3 (220 Hz) is already one octave below A4 (440).

So my 'conclusion' is that A432 sounds much lower over the full range of 88 piano keys and the highs are less high. Pitch quality is different, it sounds different, and interaction with other complex frequencies will be different. Resonance and FM will be different. It's up to you to determine what sounds best. Please share your experience in the comments, and please note I am just having fun. I don't believe in the 440 conspiracy and I don't think it's bad for your health. I believe ALL music can support a healing process, but always listen to your doctor first."

ASM Introduces Limited Edition Hydrasynth Explorer 888 in Orange

Press release follows:

ASM proudly presents production-limited orange ‘Hydrasynth Explorer 888 Units’

LOS ANGELES, CA, USA/HONG KONG, CHINA: Ashun Sound Machines (ASM) is proud to present ‘Hydrasynth Explorer 888 Units’ — ultimately available as a special edition of Hydrasynth Explorer dressed up in an eye-catching orange colour scheme synonymous with the music hardware brand itself and limited to a production run of 888 units worldwide, which will surely appeal to both numerology enthusiasts and synth collectors alike — at The Brooklyn Synth & Pedal Expo, October 5-6, Brooklyn, NY, USA and Machina Bristronica, October 12-13, Bristol, UK…

It is fair to say that the eye-catching orange colour scheme applied to ‘Hydrasynth Explorer 888 Units’ has been synonymous with ASM since day one. Such synonymity is being celebrated by ASM, applying that same colour scheme to the appropriately-named ‘Hydrasynth Explorer 888 Units’ as a special edition of Hydrasynth Explorer — effectively a compact-sized Hydrasynth featuring a 37-note mid-sized key-bed with proprietary ASM Polytouch® technology to provide responsive velocity and expressive polyphonic aftertouch features that are not found in other smaller-sized keyboards in a perfectly portable package (optionally) powered by eight (not included) AA batteries — limited to a production run of 888 units worldwide. Why 888 units? Ultimately answering that supposedly simple question yields some interesting information — in keeping with ‘Hydrasynth Explorer 888 Units’ yielding some interesting sounds — for not only is 888 a strobogrammatic number, meaning that the numerals used are rotationally symmetric so appear the same when read upside down, the number itself represents triple fortune in numerology! Needless to say, ‘Hydrasynth Explorer 888 Units’ will surely appeal to both numerology enthusiasts and synth collectors alike. And who knows? Owners of those production-limited ‘Hydrasynth Explorer 888 Units’ may one day be sitting on a small fortune!

Anyone attending The Brooklyn Synth & Pedal Expo, October 5-6, Brooklyn, NY, USA — a free-to-the- public pop-up event of synths and guitar effect pedals — and/or Machina Bristronica, October 12-13, Bristol, UK — a festival of knobs, buttons, and discussions — could have the good fortune of experiencing ASM showcasing ‘Hydrasynth Explorer 888 Units’ there for all to see and hear. However, anyone wishing to buy ‘Hydrasynth Explorer 888 Units’ — packaged with a limited-edition sticker sheet featuring related themes — will have to practice a little patience... rest assured, though, that they will be well worth waiting for.

Available at participating authorised ASM dealers in November 2024, ‘Hydrasynth Explorer 888 Units’ is priced at an MSRP of $799.00 USD ($649 USD MAP)/€859.00 EUR/£715.00 GBP.

Check with dealers on the right for availability.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Knobcon 2023 DivKid Vids

video upload by DivKid

"All DivKid videos from my trip to Chicago, USA for Knobcon 2023"

Playlist:

1. 73-75 era Serge in the black panel 'Quasar' system // Prism Circuits at Knobcon 2023

Here we meet Sky from Prism Circuits who takes us through what he offers in the 4U Serge format, specifically taking us through his black panelled QUASAR system which uses classic 1973 - 1975 era Serge circuits.

2. Uncontrollable Rhythms from Moon Cycles and beyond // Pet Rock at Knobcon 2023

Here's Jonah from Pet Rock taking us through his sell out, sold at cost, first Eurorack module 'Pet Rock'. The module uses moon cycle data and random number generations to create two complimentary or drifting rhythms of varying step lengths and pattern densities. It's a fascinating concept that could lead to "good days and bad days" for your rhythms.

3. QV-L a POWERHOUSE of a Eurorack modulation source // Five12 at Knobcon 2023

Here's Jim Coker of Five12, of numerology and Vector fame, taking us through his new QV-L 'quad variable LFO'. It's a real powerhouse of a modulation module with 4 outputs, multiple clocking and frequency options, internal modulation, random generators, customisable control/performance options, syncing to the Vector sequencer for additional program changes and lots more.

4. NEW way to WAVETABLE! with Alias Zone & Osiris // Chris Meyer & ModBap at Knobcon 2023

Chris Meyer of Learning Modular & Alias Zone has A NEW WAY TO WAVETABLE!

Chris has been working on a new X and Y based wavetable systems that does two fascinating things, firstly it "samples" his whole large studio system while keeping that performable and responsive in the ModBap Modular Osiris and secondly he's using harmonics and interval sets to create morphing tunings within those sounds too.

This wavetable pack will be released for free through the ModBap site in the near future.

5. A Modular Approach to Eurorack Mixing with BARTENDER & BARBACK // After Later Audio at Knobcon 2023

Here we have several new modules from After Later Audio from Knobcon 2023. Lenny takes us through Bartender, Barback and Cast Iron which make up a new expandable, modular approach to Eurorack format mixing.

6. Simple solid clock sync! The Missing Link & ML:2 (Ableton Link) // Circuit Happy at Knobcon 2023

Giving the demo without any audio to listen to is a big move. A bold move made possible by rock solid behaviour from the devices from Circuit Happy. We have The Missing Link Junior and ML:2 Eurorack modules that are both Ableton Link enable devices for not just clock sync and reset but bar position aware behaviours for triggering and syncing to the patterns too. Impressive all round.

7. Better Spring Reverb! (with more filter features than your filter?) // Bubblesound at Knobcon 2023

It was great to meet David from Bubblesound at Knobcon 2023. I've been a long time user of his modules and he's consistently made quality modules over the years. The upcoming Spring Reverb module looks at Spring Reverb options in existence and aims to make them better, a fully featured SEM style multimode filter is on the module so you can really shape what's going into the physical spring, changing it's behaviour and sound. There's on board feedback which David is leaning into in this video too for more experimental patching.

Five 12 Numerology Pro 4 4 DrumSeq 8 Auto Evolve Demo

video upload by Ross Totino

"Using 'Auto Evolve' feature in Numerology drum sequencer controlling Jomox Alpha Base."

More info on Numerology: http://www.five12.com/hq/N4

Ross Totino Yamaha fs1r presets and Formant Sequences

video upload by Ross Totino

"Video demo of some presets I created with the Yamaha fs1r synthesizer. Some of these presets feature 'Formant Sequences' which were a huge selling point for this instrument enabling the creation of human vocal timbres as well as other more experimental sounds. All of the examples here feature MIDI CC of parameters. Most of the sequencing was done with Five12 Numerology. Some of the drum sounds were just factory presets. All effects are from the fs1r built in effects. Recorded into Logic. Enjoy!

00:00 - Intro
00:04 - Vocal Formant Sequences
03:57 - FM Bass
05:49 - Marimba
07:48 - Drums
08:09 - Gamelan
09:07 - Log Drums
10:08 - Glitch Sequence
11:02 - Drum Kit multitrack
11:55 - Frequency Sweeps
13:27 - Chrome Rain
13:56 - Brief Communication
14:54 - Modem
15:58 - Probe 1
16:45 - Probe 2
17:23 - Careerer
18:21 - Enchanted Pad
19:22 - Sync or Not
20:00 - Twinkle Piano
21:06 - Submersive"

Jim Coker of Numerology - Live Rig/Compositional Process

video upload by Under the Big Tree

"Jim Coker, founder of Five12 and the inventor of the Numerology and Vector sequencers, is also a performing electronic musician. We catch up with Jim at Knobcon 22, and talk about his latest work, "Meridian Alpha From the Distant Shores of Cygnus X1". We gain insight into both his compositional process and his elaborate live rig, which uses both Numerology and Vector.

This video is best seen after seeing Jim's piece [video below]

• Meridian Alpha --...

And for more information about Jim's fine products, please go to: http://five12.net

Under the Big Tree is Nicolas Peck's YouTube channel, focused on esoteric electronic music, modular and vintage synthesizers, sound design equipment and techniques, and the composition, production and performance of music.

http://www.underthebigtree.com"

Meridian Alpha -- From The Distant Shores of Cygnus X-1

video upload by Five12 Inc.

In memory of Dave Smith / THANK YOU for the PROPHET-5 / One of the greatest synths of all time!

video upload by CGMAGIK

"Sad to hear the news of the loss of the great synth pioneer, Dave Smith. As a tribute, I wanted to record a short improvisation featuring his amazing creation - The Prophet-5! Such a beautiful instrument. Here are both the REV3 and REV4 together.

REV3 is going through the TC Electronic FlashbackX4
REV4 is using the Roland RE-301 Chorus Echo (sequence is provided by Five12 Numerology Software)

RIP Dave Smith"

Five12 Vector Sequencer (It's Like Having Numerology in Eurorack)

Published on Dec 13, 2019 Perfect Circuit

"Based on the popular plugin Numerology, the Five12 Vector Sequencer is a unique take on Eurorack sequencing—balancing easy access to specific rhythms and melodies with complex generative behavior.

In this video, we use a small Eurorack system comprised of only an Erica Synths Bassline, Mutable Instrument Plaits, and Make Noise Mimeophon. By controlling these with the Vector Sequencer, we create everything from minimalistic grooves to interlocking melodic patterns and ratcheting rhythms.

Vector Sequencer available here: https://www.perfectcircuit.com/five12..."

https://www.perfectcircuit.com/ for the rest.

Podcast 275: Jim Coker

Published on May 5, 2019 20Objects

"Back in Podcast 38 [below], we talked to Jim Coker - the developer behind Numerology and the company Five12. Well, it's been five years, and a lot has happened since then. I met up with Jim at Synthplex, and got a quick catch-up; I also realized that we needed to have another interview, because things have gotten very real for him since we last talked!

It's all about hardware, baby. In this case, that would be the Vector Sequencer: a no-holds-barred sequencer for Eurorack systems that brings much of the sequencing power of Numerology into the Eurorack world. This device provides many of my favorite features into its 3u height, so you can expect that I wanted to know how that could happen.

As always, Jim was willing to share - and to be patient as I marveled at what he pulled off. This sequencer is significant enough to occupy the center of a decent studio (much like Numerology itself), and bring the step sequencing game to a new level of awesome.

You can learn more about both Numerology and the Vector Sequencer at five12.com

Enjoy!"

And from 2017:

Podcast 038: Jim Coker

Published on Dec 6, 2017 20Objects

"As an electronic music-head, I've been using computers, DAW's, synths and other tech crap for decades now. However, one of my favorite software packages is a program that doesn't try to do everything - in fact, its creator steadfastly refuses to take one certain tasks that he doesn't feel belong in his bit of code.


That creator is Jim Coker, and the software is Numerology (found at five12.com). I started using this at version 1, and it is now up to version 3 (with 4 right around the corner). In this podcast, I take the opportunity to corner Jim, talk to him about his background, his vision of the software/hardware combo, and his view of the future.


This is another case where I've known someone for a long time, but this is the longest conversation we've ever had. What's wrong with me? I need to spend more time with these people!!!


Enjoy!"

Five12 Vector - A Deep Sequencer For Eurorack Modular Synthesizers

Published on May 15, 2018 Synthtopia

"At Superbooth, we talked with Jim Coker of Five12 (makers of Numerology) and he gave us an in-depth look at his upcoming Vector Eurorack sequencer."

---
See the Five12 label below for more.

Superbooth 2018 Day Two - Five12

Published on May 14, 2018 Animato Audio

"Jim shows us his first eurorack module Vector Sequencer which is based on the sequencing engine from his Mac software called Numerology. Can definitely see myself being lost for hours with this module :)"

Superbooth 2018 - Five12 Vector Sequencer

Published on May 9, 2018 DivKidVideo

"From the makers of Numerology here is the new Vector Sequencer for eurorack. Five12 have built upon a shared code base and are bringing what looks to be a fantastic sequencer to the format. I look forward to seeing more as it develops.

We're proud to have our Superbooth 2018 content sponsored by www.thonk.co.uk"

Superbooth 2018 Five12 Numerology In Eurorack

Published on May 5, 2018 sonicstate

"A hardware incarnation of the highly regarded Numerology sequencer, many people told us to get this so we did!"

See the Five12 label below for more.

Blue Ambient Featuring Numerology 4 Pro

Published on Dec 15, 2017 Five12 Inc.

"Video by Jim Coker, Music from Ben Marsh by way of Numerology 4 Pro.

"This video was created for a video art project I made for Currents New Media back in 2014 (Santa Fe, NM). For that installation, I only used a portion of this video and wanted to (eventually) get the full edit posted. The music is by Numerology Pro user Ben Marsh, who contacted me recently to share some of his lovely creations, and offered to provide a much-needed soundtrack for this little movie.

Numerology SE, Numerology Pro and all upgrades are 25% off through Dec 29!"

http://www.five12.com

Five12 Vector Sequencer (Sneak Preview)

Published on Sep 19, 2017 Synthtopia

"At Knobcon 2017, we talked with Jim Coker of Five12 (makers of numerology) and he gave us an in-depth overview of his new Vector Eurorack sequencer."

http://www.five12.com

Eurorack, Roli Rise/Equator, Diva - Accomplice to the Dark

Published on Jun 3, 2017 mark williamson

"Driving the eurorack via Numerology and the FH-1, both of the traditional keyboards are playing instances of Diva"

New Five12 Eurorack Vector Sequencer - Teaser Video

Published on Jan 17, 2017 Five12 Inc.

Now this is interesting. Five12 makes Numerology, considered by many as the best software sequencer out there. I do not know if this is a full port to hardware, but coming from Five12, this is likely going to be very good. Possibly even bigger news, is that Five12 is entering the hardware market with their first eurorack module.

Jim from @Five12Inc with Atomic Shadow

via @AtomicShadow

"Jim from @Five12Inc in the Command Center yesterday. Check out his Numerology 4 sequencer! http://www.five12.com/hq/N4"

http://www.atomicshadow.com

Flotsam

Published on Sep 3, 2016 Matt Hill

"I recorded this nearly a year ago and it's taken me till now to find the will to edit the video. In the end I decided, rather than trying to cut or transition between 6 concurrent video streams, to go with a simple split screen. I actually think this approach works better, and it's a lot simpler to achieve, so future videos will probably be in this kind of format.

Gear list:
Moog Voyager
Moog Minitaur
Arturia Minibrute
Doepfer Dark Energy & Dark Time
Roland System 1M
Novation Launchpad with Five 12 Numerology software
Squier Strat and Ebow"