Fonitronik PS3100 / a triple bandpass vactrol resonator for eurorack / just a few experiments

video upload by BRiES

"I had the pleasure of being able to borrow this module from a friendly patcher and DIY builder. Let's explore a little bit of how it sounds together. I want to try sending some field recordings of trains and other vehicles through this module next, I'm sure that would sound really cool (maybe that's something for another video). What would you send through this?

Sound On Sound article on the Korg PS3100: https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/..."

Fonitronik PS3100 / Triple Resonant Patch / ODESSA / GRIFFIN'S CLAWS

video upload by BRiES

"I used Griffin's Claws to patch the output of the Fonitronik PS3100 back into itself - the result isn't drastic but rather there's a subtle added resonance because of the feedback.

Edited in early 90s fashion for my pleasure."

Nekyia Circuits MUZZLE / quick playthrough / active LPG & FILTER / no talking / sounds awesome

video upload by BRiES

"This is a really nice sounding little module. It's a LPG with resonance control, ping input and CV input. It reacts dynamically to incoming pings. The resonance can add a nice distortion to the sound. In this video I just run a few VCOs through it, but you can use MUZZLE standalone as a source for percussion, lasersweeps or bongo kicks."

BRINGS / does it hold up to ELEMENTS / BRAIDS into RINGS / amazing depth

video upload by BRiES

"I'm still figuring out whether ELEMENTS is something I should gas for or nah. I have an ELEMENTS on loan, so I can compare.

I like this combo a lot but it's not as straightforward as ELEMENTS which has a tremendous amount of controls as well as 3 exciters at the same time, ... .

Soundwise I think they are definitely in the same ballpark. I also think they are dissimilar enough to justify having both (if you really like to explore these types of sounds).

In any case: if you have a RINGS and a BRAIDS/PLAITS you should try this experiment."

BLEND / PHONOGENE piano sample / NIBBLER rhythms and modulation

video upload by BRiES

"The patch is being driven by a pair of NIBBLERS, one as a shift register the other one just as a counter. They trigger drums, create modulation for the 'gene-size' on PHONOGENE, as well as creating the melody for the bassline."

BUTTERS (pre-lit version) / a subtractive synth jam / having a go at Berlin School sequencing

video upload by BRiES

"I had a go at what I think is the 'Berlin School' of sequencing a patch. Did I miss the point entirely or is this considered canon in the Berlin School lore?"

Joranalogue Audio Design x Hainbach / COLLIDE 4 / lock-in amp eurorack power / PLAYTHROUGH

video upload by BRiES

"In this video I demonstrate and try to explain the functionality of the powerhouse module that is COLLIDE 4. I split up the video into three chapters providing you with plenty of examples on how to use the different sections of the module seperately and together.

COLLIDE 4 is a collab between the Belgian electronical hi-tech wizardry team at Joranalogue Audio Design and German contemporary artist and mad audiolab scientist Hainbach. They teamed up to make a miniature version of a lock-in amplifier, a versatile test device that can be either used to hunt for subatomic particles or to make earth-shattering kickdrums and eery melody lines straight from a Kindergarten Horror flick. Joran decided that this wasn't enough of a flex so he added frequency shift functionality to the unit and don't ask me how he did it but he made the cleanest frequency shifter ever. COLLIDE 4 being all analog ciruitry that's one hell of a thing to do."

0:00 intro
2:03 input section
36:27 oscillator section
50:35 confusing section
1:16:31 closing statements

COLLIDE 4 Just Sound Series

BLAZEE / rings, bass and lots of reverb / eurorack

video upload by BRiES

Mutable Instrument ELEMENTS / very first moments / kind of a jamuary tribute jam

video upload by BRiES

"I literally turned ELEMENTS on for the first time on camera. Watch and listen as I explore what I can do with it straight out of the box.

This video is a tribute to Cinematic Orchestra and the awe inspiring cinematic style they adopt for their videos. I wanted to give it another shot (I know I did something similar last year for jamuary)."

Nekyia Circuits / OBSIDIAN ROOT LOCUS / 4 more patches with explanation (2/2)

video upload by BRiES

Part 1 here

"A 'part 2' of the first '4 patches' video about the modules Nekyia Circuits sent me a while back. In this video we look at OBSIDIAN & ROOT LOCUS in context, complete with a step by step explanation of what's happening."

0:00 intro
0:48 patch 5 (notch filter movement processing)
5:18 patch 6 (Root Locus LFO rate quadrature)
13:32 patch 7 (Root Locus morphing filter)
17:18 patch 8 (Root Locus pings and feedback)

The Best Eurorack Modules of 2024 - DivKid & BRiES

video upload by DivKid

"I hope you lists, as we've got lots of them! Here's the "BEST" Eurorack Synthesizer Modules from 2024. But this isn't just a personal favourites video, instead we've looked at this from a few angles, looking at the best performing DivKid videos, community voted favourite modules, sales data from multiple stores around the world and popularity and usage in virtual racks on Modular Grid."

00:00 Hello & intro
00:55 Best performing videos
03:03 Community favourites
03:55 Best selling modules
06:56 Modular Grid Popularity

FAVOURITE 2024 MODULES / spoiler: C4, NIBBLER, SOLIST, VENO-ECHO / + friend suggestions

video upload by BRiES

"Watch the video if you want to find out what my (and friends) favourite modules of 2024 are.

Massive thanks to BlastPast & The Monotonist for their effort in providing a video about their favourite module."

"Also: happy christmas & new year"

0:00 intro
0:30 COLLIDE 4
5:05 NIBBLER
8:27 SOLIST
11:23 VENO-ECHO
17:03 DISCORD contributions intro
17:45 BlastPast: LEVIT8
20:40 The Monotonist: ARANEA
23:34 outro

Jolin Introduces ROSA Multi-Mode Crossfader, Scanner, and Switcher Module for Eurorack

JOLIN + VESIA - ROSA video upload by mz_2250

Press release follows. Additional demos below.


Jolin announces availability of ROSA, realised as a multi-mode crossfader, scanner, and switcher module for Eurorack

MILAN, ITALY: modular synthesizers- and sound sculptures-specialising music technology brand Jolin is proud to announce availability of ROSA — realised as a multi-mode crossfader, scanner, and switcher module for Eurorack designed to morph between up to four inputs and outputs, offering seamless signal routing with endless creative potential — as of December 20…

ROSA represents the ultimate tool for sound designers and performers seeking fluid transitions and dynamic control. Creatively, it can be used to morph smoothly between multiple inputs, route a single input across multiple outputs, modulate signals dynamically with flexible scanning and control, and switch between signals or outputs for performance variations.

Indeed, it can be used with LFOs (Low Frequency Oscillators) and envelopes — to morph modulation sources across various destinations; audio sources — to transition between different oscillators, filters, or effects; quadraphonic systems — to distribute signals across multiple speakers for immersive sound; and rhythmic triggers — to switch between trigger patterns or effects to create evolving sequences.

So how, exactly, does ROSA do what it does? It includes three distinct modes that allow users to shape and route signals in various ways. When working in Scan Mode, users can seamlessly morph between up to four inputs — the scanning circuit moves progressively from I1 (input one) to I4 (input four), with the option to loop back to I1 for continuous transitions; by adjusting the KNEE control, users can choose whether the transitions are smooth and gradual or sharp and instantaneous, making it perfect for creating evolving textures or switching between sounds on the fly. When working in Wave Mode, the four VCAs (Voltage-Controlled Amplifiers) operate independently — although each still follows the same control from the scanning circuit, they are kept separate, so users can independently modulate four different channels, creating complex dynamic changes in a patch. When working in Pass Mode, a single input is distributed across up to four outputs — if more than one input is plugged, they will all be mixed together, which is ideal for sending the same signal to multiple destinations, like quadraphonic speaker setups or different effects chains; the transition between outputs can be smooth or sharp, providing users with full control over how the signal moves between outputs.

Digging deeper still, the KNEE control shapes how the transitions behave in all modes, letting users switch from soft fades to abrupt jumps, while the SHUT input mutes all the VCAs simultaneously, so is ideal for performance control or rhythmic muting; since the VCAs are linear, amplitude control can be gradual or instantaneous, depending on the nature of the CV (Control Voltage) input. It is worth noting that the CV input is scanned with an attenuvertor — an attenuator that can also invert the signal — and a mechanical toggle switch (set to POT) permits users to select the Infinite Analogue Potentiometer — itself featuring an LED (Light Emitting Diode) ring to indicate which quadrant users are interacting with — that enables seamless circular and continuous morphing between inputs, or CV modulation (when set to CV).

It is fair to say, then, that whether users are creating evolving textures, routing a single input to multiple outputs, or exploring rhythmic variations, ROSA readily adapts to their needs. Needless to say, the fact that it transforms sounds in real time — thanks to those three powerful modes — makes it a must-have module for anyone looking to push the boundaries of modular synthesis.

The first batch of ROSA modules are limited in number — after all, Jolin’s products are all individually hand-built and tested carefully, but additional units will be being built in the coming weeks, all available directly from the modular synthesizers- and sound sculptures-specialising music technology brand’s online Shop (https://jolin.tech/shop/p/rosa), priced at €269.00 EUR.

Check with dealers on the right for availability.

Jolin lab + Vesia ROSA / 4 ins 4 outs & the endless rotary fun in between / extensive playthrough

video upload by BRiES

"ROSA by Jolin Lab + Vesa is hard to describe in just a few words, yet it's operation is very much straightforward. There's 4 inputs and 4 outputs and depending on the mode you have it it, you can send one of the inputs to all 4 outputs, all of the inputs to one output, or just the inputs to the outputs. To control all of it there's this wonderful endless rotary potentiometer (and a CV input with attenuverter). With this alone the module let's you scan, descan, crossfade, mix, pan, quadraphonic-pan, etc. There's a CV input for the hardness of the crossfade curve and an additional VCA that goed 'on top' of everything else. Very clever, very useful, very inspiring."

0:00 intro
0:55 scan mode
5:41 pass mode
12:44 wave mode
16:28 scan vco patch
20:13 scan lfo patch
21:50 scan triggers patch
24:12 wave feedback patch
27:30 pass fx send patch
32:37 closing thoughts
35:20 90 seconds of unboxing ASMR

Scan, crossfade, switch & more - Jolin & Vesia Rosa Demo

video upload by Stazma

00:00 Intro
01:26 Module Overview
03:24 Scanning sounds & sequences
07:39 Wave mode for quad VCA
09:54 Pass mode
14:35 Breakbeat Torture
19:59 Parallel Processing
21:34 Shut CV input
22:36 Knee CV input
23:38 Scanning & switching CV
25:56 Fun with triggers
29:00 Cartesian VCO Patch extended
17:42 End talk

CADENT / ratcheted filter pings / Nekyia Circuits / CADENCE

video upload by BRiES

"There's quite a few layers to this piece, but I want to point your attention to the filter pings that I triggered with the outputs of CADENCE by ‪@NekyiaCircuits‬
The first trigger (offscreen) pings a first filter but is also chained through to the trigger input of the first stage of CADENCE, which consecutively creates 3 more triggers for pinging other filters (tuned in an arp kinda pattern). I love the fact that I can do this with one module instead of having to use 4 seperate envelope modules."

Nekyia Circuits / OBSIDIAN ROOT LOCUS CADENCE MUZZLE / 4 patches with in depth explanations

video upload by BRiES

"I recently received a package straight from Greece with 4 modules by the brand Nekyia Circuits. The module selection is somewhat eclectic with for example a general purpose (but very versatile) multimode filter but also a leftfield take on the dual lfo trope and vactrol based (but active) modules.

We decided not to go for a regular demo, instead I'm just demonstrating a few patches where I used OBSIDIAN, ROOT LOCUS, CADENCE and MUZZLE in context, complete with a step by step explanation of what's happening.

If you'd like to know more about the brand and their modules check their webpage: https://nekyiacircuits.com/

Thanks for watching!

0:00 intro
1:25 patch 1 (throaty Root Locus)
10:38 patch 2 (Obsidian audio rate fm/Cadence ratchets)
20:55 patch 3 (subtractive patch/Cadence dynamics)
29:16 patch 4 (modulate Obsidian/Muzzle gnarl)"

ORBITAL RECON STATION DELTA / large spaceship ambience & distant voices / binaural delta wave

video upload by BRiES

"The ORS Delta has been orbiting this moon for weeks now. The ship's bending and twisting due to the tidal pull of the nearby gas giant. It's designed to withstand these conditions but still... the constant creaking sends shivers down my spine. Micro-meteorites are hitting the hull relentlessly. It's weird to find so many of them close to a moon. I guess there's rings around this planet? With the outdoor sensors being offline it's hard to tell really. Air-conditioning and heating systems seem to be fully operational. There's people on board somewhere but I can't seem to locate them. Where's this music coming from?

Headphones are required for the full experience.

There's a bit of information about this patch in this video (somewhere):"

DMP04/18112024

video upload by BRiES

"There's some information about the tracks O.R.S. DELTA and Triangle Forrest Choir in this dump."

Herzlich Labs & BRiES / SOLIST / 4 channel performance module & mixer with soft MUTE and SOLO

video upload by BRiES

"SOLIST by Herzlich Labs is a 4 channel mixer that can be used as an 'in between' module with your regular mixing setup as well. The main feature and the stars of the show are definitely the soft mutes and solo switches. These controls offer so much flexibility when it comes to creating a dynamic performance (buildups, drops, ...). You can use SOLIST for mixing, muting and soloing audio as well as CV, you can use the direct outs and the mix out at the same time making it possible to use the mix out as a send effect or for parallel processing.

SOLIST was inspired by a suggestion I made to LB of Herzlich Labs. I know he's really passionate about any kind of performance module and since vactrols are something he has extensive experience with I was convinced he would create something wonderful... and that's exactly what he did."

0:00 intro
0:05 meet SOLIST
2:45 direct outs
8:14 mix out as a send
10:46 mixing cv and gates
16:39 jam with direct outs
19:18 acid jam with mix out
21:51 closing thoughts
22:22 thank you for watching!

via Herzlich Labs:

"Solist is not your average performance mixer and mute combination - far from it. Designed in collaboration with Bries, Solist contains four channels of soft vactrol muting, controlled by tactile and pleasantly clicky mechanical switches. Solist will help make your performances shine - but most importantly, the red solo switches allow you to override the current state of the mute switches, allowing for creative transitions between solo and mute states during your performance.

While the audio circuit is fully analog, it is also entirely isolated from the digital circuit that controls the mutes. Running on a fast and reliable Raspberry Pi RP2040, you get all the benefits of digital control without the downsides of digital audio processing. Best of all, the mechanical state of the switches determine the state of the module, so even if you power cycle, you will return to your previous state.

The analog mixer section can be used simultaneously with the individual outputs of the Solist, so for those who already have a mixer solution, the buffered individual outputs will bypass the mixer entirely. You may of course also use both simultaneously for exciting parallel processing opportunities.

Solist brings a whole new aspect of muting and soloing to your Eurorack performances, and with soft opening and closing vactrols, you'll never have to worry about clicks, truncated transients or actuation noise."

"A small Eurorack oscillator that packs a punch" // Cycle 5 from Joranalogue

video upload by DivKid

"Here we have the new Cycle 5 Eurorack oscillator from Joranalogue. It's relatively small at 6HP but as Joranalogue say "it packs a punch." It's a highly stable and precise device for tuning with the mid fine tune position giving the note C (this has been bang on my testing in a couple of cases) and has octave and fifth tuning switches, 2x v/oct inputs (so you don't need external precision adders) and on board variable waveform morphing."

*TIMING INDEX // CHAPTERS*
00:00 Hello & patch previews
01:20 Feature run down
02:30 The beauty of dual v/oct inputs
04:53 Morphing variable waveshapes
06:59 Audio rate morphing - like FM/AM … but better!?
09:12 Reset - hard sync!
12:07 Self patching new waveshapes
14:13 Rich PWM & classic bass sounds
17:01 Audiorate PWM - one of my favourite techniques
20:56 LFO mode - complex drone modulation
23:31 Where’s the FM?

Check with dealers on the right for availability.

Joranalogue Audio Design CYCLE 5 / a playthrough of this very useful VCO and LFO

video upload by BRiES

"It can be your standard basic go to VCO both to use in your patches and as a reference to tune everything else to. It has an octave switch that is both a performance tool as well as just damn useful in the studio.

The video is a bit longwinded, which usually seems to be the case with my videos lately, but I think I covered all the basics (and a bit more). Should I cut out the live patching next time?"

Cosmotronic Aphelion - Stereo distortion and filter - demo

video upload by Cosmotronic

"Demo of the Aphelion stereo distortion
Samples by Samplesound, Bries, Cosmotronic
Second demo by Wiilx

About Aphelion ( 8HP)
Aphelion packs a stereo distortion and low/high pass filter into a compact 8HP design.
It features three unique stereo distortions in parallel with a continuous crossfade between them, controlled with the character knob or a cv input.

The first circuit is an overdrive that adds a lot of warmth and fattens up the sound without becoming too harsh. The second one is a saturating wavefolder, that can add interesting extra harmonics depending on the waveform of the material. The last distortion is inspired by the classic RAT guitar pedal. It adds an aggressive feel and grit to the sound..

A mix knob lets you blend the dry input signal with the distorted signal, before it hits the filter. Setting it fully dry bypasses the distortion effect.

If you need even more dirt, there's a handy +12dB gain switch, to really overdrive the circuits. If you want to keep your low-end undistorted, you can switch on the Low-cut filter.
The non resonant stereo filter combines a low pass and high pass stage, and uses an IC based on the classic SSM2040.

This filter is also overdriven, adding some warm distortion and extra harmonics to the original signal, and limiting the output level.
The cutoff knob becomes a a low pass filter when turned counter clockwise, and a high pass filter when turned clockwise. It's possible to control the low and high pass filter cores independently as well using CV.

The filter bypass switch can be used for instant reintroduction of all frequencies into the mix upon release—a great tool for live performers. Lastly the level knob attenuates the output volume.

Power:
+12v - 90mA
-12v 80mA
MSRP 270 euro"

Schlappi Engineering BTFLD / trying to explain the folding / modulation

video upload by BRiES

"BTFLD by Schlappi Engineering is a unique take on the wavefolding concept, as it uses binary conversion (and clever engineering) to create breaks in the waves without really changing the shape of the slopes. You have to see it otherwise it won't make a lot of sense. That's what this video is about.

At this point I'm really still getting to know BTFLD by ‪@SCHLAPPIENGINEERING‬ but I wanted to share a few insights. Everything was already patched up as I was figuring things out so it made sense to just set up my camera and do a quick video."

HAINBACH & JORANALOGUE Introduce COLLIDE 4 - The Sonic Power Of Nuclear Test Equipment

video upload by HAINBACH

"I teamed up with Belgian Eurorack module manufacturer Joranalogue to solve one of the biggest problem I had with my wall of test equipment: I could use it in the studio, but not play it live. It is just too heavy and fragile, being about 50 years. So that part of my music remained unperformed. With our new module Collide 4 I and everyone else can now take the wonderful textures and sonic possibilities of nuclear research equipment on the road.

It is based on a lock-in amplifier, a tool made to sniff out tiny fluctuations of a frequency in vast amount of noise. But Joran took the concept further and added a frequency shifter. It is module with vast possibilities, and I can only give you a small overview and intro in this video. Check out Collide 4 at your trusted modular dealer in person now."

User videos:



Playlist:
1. FANTASTIC FILTH from COLLIDE 4 (Joranalogue & Hainbach) // my first patch + your questions! - DivKid
2. Joranalogue Audio Design X HAINBACH / COLLIDE 4 / first experiments / a lot of 'aha' moments - BRiES
3. Joranalogue Audio Design x Hainbach / COLLIDE 4 / dissonance and drones / JUST SOUND SERIES (1/4)
4. Joranalogue Audio Design x Hainbach / COLLIDE 4 / music and melodies / JUST SOUND SERIES (2/4)
5. Joranalogue Audio Design x Hainbach / COLLIDE 4 / slew, ringmod, cv / JUST SOUND SERIES (3/4)
6. Joranalogue Audio Design x Hainbach / COLLIDE 4 / audio processing / JUST SOUND SERIES (4/4)



The origins of electronic music are found within the early works of a small group of forward-thinking mid-century composers, harnessing electronic test gear to create strange new sounds. Building upon this heritage, today everything comes full circle again through Collide 4.

The first hardware release to be co-developed by acclaimed musician and YouTube sensation Hainbach, Collide 4 builds upon the lock-in amplifier concept, and brings it into the Eurorack world. These atomic age physics research instruments are known for their raw power when used in musical applications. Now, any synthesist can experience this for themselves, at a fraction of the size and weight of a vintage unit, and with full voltage control.

The result is a wholly new kind of analogue synth voice and audio processor, with capabilities far beyond what the avant-garde pioneers could have imagined. Collide 4 is an expression of Hainbach's extensive experience in exploring the deepest musical realms contained within vintage test equipment, and the Joranalogue philosophy of electronic instrument design.

Honouring its innovative dual-phase architecture, this new kind of musical generator and processor has been christened the ‘quadrature spectral computer’. The sound? Quite simply: it's smashing!

Modern, fully analogue Eurorack format re-imagining of the lock-in amplifier concept, expanded to new heights.
Pingable variable bandwidth filter with self-oscillation capability.
Pre- and post-filter gain stages, for a total of up to 130 dB of amplification!
Through-zero sine/cosine quadrature oscillator.
Hilbert transform network for frequency shifter use.
Dual ring modulators with output lowpass filters.
Extensive output section, including magnitude and phase analogue computing outputs.
Unique X/Y quadrature topology, ideal for stereo use.
Handsome (and useful) signal level/overload LED indicator.
CV control over everything, with temperature compensation and excellent volt/octave pitch tracking.
20 HP, 30 mm deep. Over 600 components, yet a fraction of the weight and size of a vintage Model 124A lock-in amplifier unit.
Impedance-compensated outputs with dual-colour LEDs.
Trim potentiometers accessible from the front panel.
Precision-milled 2 mm anodised aluminium front panel with high-resolution, non-erasable graphics.
Bullet-proof design: polarised power header and MOSFET protection circuit.
Includes 16-to-10-pin Eurorack power ribbon cable.
Premium mounting hardware: black screws, black nylon washers and matching hex key.
Supplied with fold-out signal flow and front panel diagram.
High-quality components and assembly; designed and made in Belgium.

Check with dealers on the right for availability.