Testing an old VCO - Livewire Audio Frequency Generator & a simple melodic drone

video upload by DreamsOfWires

"I've been tinkering with some of my older, discontinued and obscure modules recently, so I decided to share some of my experiences. Not technical or user guides, just self-indulgeance. This time it's the Livewire Audio Frequency Generator that gets the perpetual noob treatment, an huge, flexible, and pretty damn good saounding VCO with wave-shaping, sub oscillator (both square and triangle), and a bunch of fixed or variable waveforms.

Key features of this are the 'Animated Pulses' and 'Alien Saws', which are both affected by the 'animation section'. Each consist of two waves overlapping eachother, and the 8 pots to the right control the pulse width and phase position of both, but on the higher and lower portions of the waveforms separately... which of couse can all then be modulated! Bonkers! It sounds great though, and you could lose yourself for some considerable time just listening to how these 8 controls affect the timbre of the two waveform outputs.

As always, running the module through my AJH Synth modules never dissappoints - totally vintage charcter and warmth, with no shortage of functionality and physical control. A great-sounding VCF based on the Musonics (pre-Moog) Sonic V, and a VCA based on the early Minimoog, complete with amp-like overdrive when driven hard. The Ring SM is also based on the Moog CP-3 mixer, with -1 & -2 sub-octave generator, and 3-axis ring modulator based on the EMS Synthi/VCS3.

Gear used:
Livewire Audio Frequency Generator V2
AJH Synth Sonic XV diode filter, Dual LFO, Sample Hold & Noise, Ring SM, Discreet Cascaded VCA.
Cosmotronic Cosmix Pro
Happy Nerding FX Aid (as reverb)
Expert Sleepers Disting Mk4 (as WAV recorder)
CASA Modular acrylic case powered by Konstant Lab StrongPWR.
No post-processing, just the audio straight from the modular."

Modulars have serious side effects | By RYK Modular.

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"Maybe it's just me, but modular effects are becoming serious competition for outboard gear and VST plugins. RYK Modular has released Side FX this week, and I think it's brilliant. They basically let you pick four roles (pitch, delay, texture and reverb) and place them in a four slot algorithm in any order. However, you can only use one role once, so no complex stack of delays. But that's OK, because instead of using four separate modules you can use one. And while it shouldn't be able to compete with four separate modules, I think it does.

When I made this video, I ran into some gainstaging issues, which is not an issue, but a common challenge in Eurorack. This affects using HOT modules which go full 10V on the output, like raw VCO's. It's easy to solve with a VCA before the input, but I wanted to show you what happens when you stack a hot source into a huge pile of delay and reverb. I am sure it happens to many of us one day, and it should better NOT happen when you're playing a live gig. On the other hand, going too HOT can also make monster sounds and I'll be making a few. If you do, why not add some more distortion :)!

In the final session I used #VHIKK X again, which allows you to set the output level. This kind of proves the 'problem' is in the chain, not in a module. I also used the MESSOR limiter from Cosmotronic to secure the final output before it goes to my DAW. Even then, using FX on high feedback settings can still tickle the digital brick wall INSIDE the module, your case or your AD converter.

Regardless, SIDE FX is a beauty and I am proud to highly recommend it."

See the announcement post here.

Moog Micromoog & Modular w/ AJH/MiniMod, Hermod+ analog synth jam

video upload by DreamsOfWires

"Testing my faulty Micromoog with some helpful modules from AJH Synth: My poor old Moog isn't scaling/tracking correctly, so the V-Scale module is being used to modify the 1V/Oct output of the sequencer to produce the correct notes. Video guide to how this was achieved: • Correcting Vintage Synths with V-SCALE - T... [below]

Normally the Micromoog follows a 0.95V/Oct voltage to pitch scale, but mine can no longer even be calibrated to this with it's internal trimmers, so until it can be serviced (probably with some new components), the V-Scale at least makes it useable with external controllers and sequencers.

Sequenced by the Squarp Hermod+, the synth's faulty tracking is then corrected using AJH Synth's V-Scale module, gates coverted by the AMSynths AM997 Gate to S-Trig converter.

Micromoog filter modulated by AJH Tap Tempo VC-LFO, random gate skip by AJH CHance Delay.

Drone is 3 AJH MiniMod VCOs into Matrix VCF.

Mixed in the Cosmotronic Cosmix Pro, reverb from FX Aid, delay from 2HP DLY, final mix recorded on the Disting Mk4."

Video guide to how it was achieved:

Correcting Vintage Synths with V-SCALE - Tackling Tracking & Tuning Problems #ajhsynth

video upload by AJH Synth Official

"Using V-SCALE to compensate for the tuning/tracking problems on one of my Vintage Synthesizers, this time a Moog Micromoog from the late 70's. Also, showing how PRECISION VOLTAGES can also be helpful, and bringing the TAP TEMPO VC-LFO, CHANCE DELAY, and the MATRIX VCF into a short performance demo - FULL performance video by ‪@DreamsOfWires‬ can be found here: • Moog Micromoog & Modular w/ AJH/MiniMod, H... [above]

V-SCALE at its simplest will function as a highly accurate buffered multiple, but four of its five outputs are adjustable by way of multi-turn trimmers. These allow for very gradual adjustments to outgoing CV signals, so that they can be made viable for synths or VCOs that are not scaling properly.

Here I'm adjusting/modifying a 1V/Oct signal from a sequencer so that it controls my old Micromoog correctly, but it could also be used with incoming signals other than 1V/Oct, or even to correct am incoming signal which itself isn't scaling correctly or as desired. Each trimmer has an adjustment range of +/- 5%.

My Micromoog's tracking is so far off that it cannot even be corrected using the internal trimmers on the synth, so I'm using the Keyboard Output (KBD) as the CV input, instead. of the intended OSC input. This method bypasses the keyboard, so the keyboard voltage isn't added to incoming control voltages, and so doesn't interfere with it. The only drawback is that the root key will have to be changed to match the notes on a keyboard. That's where the PRECISION VOLTAGES comes in - it can accurately offset an incoming control voltage by semitones and octaves, either up or down."

Liquid DnB Nostalgia - Dreadbox, Oxi One & MC 101

video upload by Stefan Torto

"Jamming with Oxi One mk2, Dreadbox Erebus, Nyx & Hades.
My music : https://stefantorto.bandcamp.com/
Get my sample packs : https://www.stefantorto.com/sample-packs
Website : https://www.stefantorto.com

Special thanks to https://www.synthesizer.gr/
Synths : Dreadbox Erebus, Nyx & Hades
Sequencer : Oxi One mk2
Eurorack : Arturia Rack Brute 6U
Mixer : Cosmotronic Cosmix Pro
Fx : FX Aid (x2)
Groovebox : Roland mc101"

Ambionttica - Dreadbox Erebus, Nyx, Hades, Oxi One & Roland MC101

video upload by Stefan Torto

My music : https://stefantorto.bandcamp.com/
Get my sample packs : https://www.stefantorto.com/sample-packs
Website : https://www.stefantorto.com

Synths : Dreadbox Erebus, Nyx & Hades
Sequencer : Oxi One mk2
Eurorack : Arturia Rack Brute 6U
Mixer : Cosmotronic Cosmix Pro
Fx : FX Aid (x2)
Groovebox : Roland mc101

Dreadbox Erebus, Nyx & Hades - Movements [IDM jam]

video upload by Stefan Torto

"Jamming with Dreadbox Erebus, Nyx, Hades & Roland mc101.
My music : https://stefantorto.bandcamp.com/
Get my sample packs : https://www.stefantorto.com/sample-packs
Website : https://www.stefantorto.com

Special thanks to https://www.synthesizer.gr/

Synths : Dreadbox Erebus, Nyx & Hades
Sequencer : Oxi One mk2
Eurorack : Arturia Rack Brute 6U
Mixer : Cosmotronic Cosmix Pro
Fx : FX Aid (x2)
Groovebox : Korg SQ64"

Paradox - Dreadbox Erebus, Nyx, Hades & Oxi One mk2

video upload by Stefan Torto

"Jamming with Oxi One mk2, Dreadbox Erebus, Nyx & Hades.
My music : https://stefantorto.bandcamp.com/
Get my sample packs : https://www.stefantorto.com/sample-packs
Website : https://www.stefantorto.com

Special thanks to https://www.synthesizer.gr/

Synths : Dreadbox Erebus, Nyx & Hades
Sequencer : Oxi One mk2
Eurorack : Arturia Rack Brute 6U
Mixer : Cosmotronic Cosmix Pro
Fx : FX Aid (x2)
Groovebox : Roland mc101"

Old Soul - Dreadbox Erebus, Nyx, Hades & Oxi One mk2 (DnB Nostalgia)

video upload by Stefan Torto

"Jamming with Oxi One mk2, Dreadbox Erebus, Nyx & Hades.
My music : https://stefantorto.bandcamp.com/
Get my sample packs : https://www.stefantorto.com/sample-packs
Website : https://www.stefantorto.com

Special thanks to https://www.synthesizer.gr/

Synths : Dreadbox Erebus, Nyx & Hades
Sequencer : Oxi One mk2
Eurorack : Arturia Rack Brute 6U
Mixer : Cosmotronic Cosmix Pro
Fx : FX Aid (x2)
Groovebox : Roland mc101"

Eternal Sequence - Oxi One mk2, Dreadbox Erebus, Nyx & Hades

video upload by Stefan Torto

"Jamming with Oxi One mk2, Dreadbox Erebus, Nyx & Hades.
My music : https://stefantorto.bandcamp.com/
Get my sample packs : https://www.stefantorto.com/sample-packs
Website : https://www.stefantorto.com

Special thanks to https://www.synthesizer.gr/

Synths : Dreadbox Erebus, Nyx & Hades
Sequencer : Oxi One mk2
Eurorack : Arturia Rack Brute 6U
Mixer : Cosmotronic Cosmix Pro
Fx : FX Aid (x2)
Groovebox : Roland mc101"

Dream Generator - Oxi One mk2, Dreadbox Erebus, Nyx & Hades

video upload by Stefan Torto

"Jamming with Oxi One mk2, Dreadbox Erebus, Nyx & Hades.
My music : https://stefantorto.bandcamp.com/
Get my sample packs : https://www.stefantorto.com/sample-packs
Website : https://www.stefantorto.com

Special thanks to https://www.synthesizer.gr/

Synths : Dreadbox Erebus, Nyx & Hades
Sequencer : Oxi One mk2
Eurorack : Arturia Rack Brute 6U
Mixer : Cosmotronic Cosmix Pro
Fx : FX Aid (x2)
Groovebox : Roland mc101"

Cosmotronic MESSOR PEDAL / a serious COMPRESSOR for the studio or the stage / extensive playthrough

video upload by BRiES

"In this video we discover what the reinvented MESSOR pedal by Cosmotronic can do to a variety of sound sources. We also have a look at all the controls.

Want to know more?
Cosmotronic Messor Pedal webpage: https://cosmotronic.nl/modules/messor...

0:00 intro
2:30 features explanation
17:07 drums and loops
34:47 sidechain example
41:53 full mix and stems
55:23 closing thoughts
57:09 thank you for watching!
57:22 outro"

A COMPACT ANALOG COMPRESSOR

Messor is a fully analog stereo feed-forward VCA compressor designed for studio, modular, and live systems. The architecture is derived from the original Cosmotronic eurorack module, with extended headroom, improved channel matching, and a revised sidechain topology optimized for wide dynamic ranges.

HIGH HEADROOM

The internal ±12 V regulated power rail provides substantial headroom and consistent operating conditions for both line-level and modular-level sources. It reliably handles high-transient material from synthesizers, drum machines, and percussion-heavy sources without premature clipping. High-impedance inputs and balanced outputs simplify interfacing with modular systems, samplers, and balanced studio equipment.

Signal flow begins with a low-noise stereo preamplifier offering up to 18 dB of gain, followed by a pair of matched VCA control blocks. The feed-forward topology provides predictable transient behavior, accurate envelope shaping, and stable stereo imaging. A post-VCA conditioning stage adds tube-like saturation, introducing controlled harmonic content when driven into overload.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Follow the sound: stereo motion in EDM

video upload by Electrum Modular

"An EDM track, featuring ADDAC System’s newish module, the 220 Stereo Envelope Follower+. Thanks to ADDAC for sending me this module.

More info and manual:
https://www.addacsystem.com/en/produc...

Latest Electrum Modular album:
https://smallchanges1.bandcamp.com/al...

Also starring:
Mutable Instruments’ Plaits
4MS Ensemble
Dnipro’s Metamorph
Disting EX
Pamela’s New Workout
ALM’s MFX
Cosmotronic’s Cosmix Pro

#eurorack #modularsynth #edm #electronicmusic"

Live Set Re-recorded - from Superbooth25, feat AJH SYNTH all-analogue modules

video upload by AJH Synth Official

"This is a re-recording of a 20-minute live set by @DreamsOfWires for Superbooth25, and consists of two old tracks from my video back-catalog. It's quite a minimal rig, configured as two all-analogue synth voices - one for melodic patterns, one for pitched drone parts.
The actual performance at the event suffered technical problems as a result of failing cables and a dodgy musician's inability to recover much from it. As a result said musician decided to record a version of it after returning home, demonstrating how it should have sounded.
In my defence, this rig had been on display for 3 days at the AJH Synth booth, demoing modules, being re-patched, fiddled with, then re-patched, etc... but then again, a bad workman always blames their tools :P
I hope this version is more audible.

Modules used:
(AJH SYNTH)
Matrix VCF
Transistor Ladder Filter
Sonic XV Diode Ladder Filter
Vintage Transistor Core VCO x4
Sample Hold & Slew
Contour Generators
Wave Swarm
Ring SM
Muting Mixer
Discrete Cascaded VCA
Glide + Noise MkII
Dual LFO VCA
(Other brands)
Squarp Hermod+ sequencer
XAOC Devices Sarajewo analog delay
ALM Busy Circuits MFX for reverb
Cosmotronic Cosmix
Happy Nerding Isolator
Homemade case powered by Konstant Lab BoardPWR

The AJH SYNTH Eurorack modular range consists of high-end modules, all hand-made in the UK, most of which are based on classic, vintage designs, authentically recreating the circuitry of much sought-after analogue instruments and technologies of the past, whilst greatly expanding them, and bringing them to modern Eurorack levels of convenience, limitless flexibility, and reliability.
Official website page: https://ajhsynth.com

Check out the AJH Synth playlists for module 'User Guides', and 'Patch of The Week' videos, which will be either performances or 'how to' guides, detailing functions/methods, and a range of sounds, some familiar, some less so, containing a patch sheet at the end to show you how to construct it for yourself.

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"

SUPERBOOTH 2024: Cosmotronic - Aphelion Distortion Module

video upload by sonicstate

"At Superbooth 2024, Matthijs from Cosmotronic showcased the latest offerings from the company, including the new module called Aphelion*. *Matthijs described Aphelion as a stereo distortion and DJ-style filter with three different distortion options: overdrive, wave folder, and one inspired by the ProCo Rat pedal. The module also features a character knob for morphing between the circuits, as well as a combined low pass and high pass filter after the distortion. With additional features like a bypass switch and low-cut option, *Aphelion *promises a dirty yet versatile sound. Another highlight from Cosmotronic is an expander for the *Cosmix Pro*, offering a three-band EQ, additional aux bus, and gain control for the four mono channels.

Available soon. Aphelion Price: around 250 Euro"

Moog Mavis, Prophet 5, AJH Synth large Eurorack modular synth Performance

video upload by DreamsOfWires

"Performance using Eurorack and Sequential Prophet 5. The modular consists mostly of AJH Synth modules (list below), a Doepfer Mini Synthesizer Voice and a Moog Mavis.
This is a slightly simplified section of something I've been recording for Bandcamp. A reflection of the present with an ear to the past. It'll be released on Bandcamp soon if I'm satisfied with it once it's finished, no promises.
I wanted to build a piece around a simple, analogue, un-quantised sequencer. The manual scaling and slowing of the sequence was inspired by Tangerine Dream's 'Phaedra', which begins rather chaotically, before the sequence morphs and slows to become more melodic. A fascinating piece of music and synth tweaking from the early 70's.
The ambient drone sounds and polyphonic Prophet presets (which I also created) are more inspired by the movie and television soundtracks of the past, if anything, or at least in my imagination of them.
This was entirely recorded within the Eurorack modular system - the mix isn't the best, but I like creating something in this way, set in stone, frozen in time, warts and all, perfectly imperfect.
My music: https://tomorrowthecure.bandcamp.com

Modules used:
Sounds - 2 full AJH Synth MiniMod voices (equivalent of a Minimoog), with 1 using a Sonic XV instead of a Transistor Ladder Filter. Additionally, a Fixed Filter Bank 914, Wave Swarm, Tone Science Triple Cross, Precision Voltages, Ring SM and CV Mix (for scaling the sequence), Dual LFO, 2x Muting Mxer. Doepfer A-111-5 (same voice as a Dark Energy), Moog Mavis, and Music Thing Modular Radio Music (Japanese funeral ceremony sample).
Sequencer - Erica Synths Sequential Switch with CV Expander.
Effects - Happy Nerding FX Aid (master reverb), ALM Busy Circuits MFX (Mavis drone reverb), XAOC Devices Sarajewo analog 'bucket brigade' delay.
Mixing - Cosmotronic Cosmix.
Audio recorder - Expert Sleepers Disting Mk4 (as WAV recorder)."

Verby Kicks and Plinky Clicks With Susie | LIL TECHNOBOX | WMD Crater, Addac T-Networks

video upload by Bilijie

"How you like your kicks? How you like your blips?
Big and boomy? Tight and snappy?
Clicky and poppy? Stiff and twangy?

This is the third in a short series of videos is all about making techno-ish dance music with a specifically-tailored eurorack case. This time we're comparing a short, brighter percussive kick to a darker, boomier kick using the same module WMD Crater. We're also adding some short plate reverb to the kick and toms so they start to ring out a bit. I find that makes the T-networks clicks and pops sound like Chinese New Year firecrackers.

Shout out to Susie

I'll be releasing completed mixes of these one-shot improvisations later this month.
To hear more of my work with modular techno, check out
https://soundcloud.com/bilijie
Or buy stuff at https://bilijie.bandcamp.com
Also Spotify if you must

Sequencing:
Acid Rain Constellation, Clank Chaos

Voices:
WMD Crater, Addac 104 VC T-Networks, SSL Thundrum, Erica Synths Pico Drums, Prok Drums flashed as Music Thing Radio Music, Befaco Pony

Filter:
WMD C4rbn

VCA:
Bastl Aikido

Function generator:
Cosmotronic Delta V

FX:
Happy Nerding FX Aid

Mixing and EQ:
Worng Soundstage II, Nano CEQ, Make Noise XOH"

'Dark Energy' Mini Synth, AJH Chance Delay, Penrose, Vox Digitalis, Radio Music sample/wav player

video upload by DreamsOfWires

"Melodic Eurorack performance with Doepfer A111-5 Mini Synthesizer Voice, the new AJH Synth Chance Delay probability/gate delay, Sonic Potions Penrose quantizer, Music Thing Modular Radio Music wav/sample player, Doepfer A118-2 Noise Random S&H, Noise Engineering Vox Digitalis sequencer, Happy Nerding FX Aid XL, Cosmotronic Cosmix, Expert Sleepers Disting Mk4 as wav/audio recorder, Happy Nerding Isolator headphone/audio output.

A small 84hp rig in a DIY case with 4MS power. I created the sample loops in Audacity from some choir music. FX Aid algorithm is delay into reverb. LFO2 from the Mini Synth triggers the sample & hold clock, this sends random voltages to the quantiser, which converts them into the chosen notes on it's keyboard.

LFO2 also triggers the Chance Delay, which is using the Length control to convert the incoming LFO pulses (square wave) to very long gates - each gate will be completed before it responds to another incoming pulse, meaning it can be used as a clock divider with continuous control, rather than simple preset divisions.

The Chance function determines the probability of the module outputting a gate signal - here I'm using it as a switch to trigger the Vox Digitalis, so with Chance at zero it won't advance the sequencer, whilst at full/100% it will trigger it on every gate it generates. Since those gates are a division of the incoming pulse rate, this means the sequencer will change samples on the Radio Music at a much slower speed than the notes produced by the Mini Synth, which is runs at the same rate as LFO2 and the sample & hold.

Mini Synthesizer Voice is the Eurorack version of the Dark Energy standalone synth.
More Dark Energy here: [posted here]
Performance using Chance Delay: [posted here]
My music can be found here: https://tomorrowthecure.bandcamp.com"

MAKING A MASSIVE BASS LINE WITH THE SEQUENTIAL TAKE 5 SYNTHESIZER

video upload by Lido Pigeon

"Equipment list:

Bass: Sequential Take 5
Pads: Korg Prologue
Lead: Roland SH101
Drums: Weston Audio AD110

FX: Strymon El Capistan and Blue Sky, Make Noise Mimeophon, Music Thing Twin Drive

Mixing: Cosmotronic Cosmix"

ADDAC 601 / 8 band voltage controlled fixed filterbank / processing some noise / quick overview

video upload by BRiES

"In this quick video I run a mix of noise through the ADDAC 601 to demonstrate how the bands sound and how they respond to modulation for the VCAs on the seperate bands. I use the EVEN and ODD outputs panned left and right, and the WET output as well.

The mute switches only effect the sound at the WET/MIX output. The knobs and built in VCAs control the level of the bands for every output.

Cosmotronic VORTEX sample pack: https://ko-fi.com/s/ac0e178035"