Background Modulars No.11 Serge Paperface Again

video upload by Memetune Studio

"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 😁

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"

Complex System

video upload by Memetune Studio

"I was wanting a way of setting up an interactive environment to record sounds from some modular systems which could be the basis for some improvised performance based sound explorations

I figured that if I set up some cybersynth patches (ie patches that are evolving by themselves in some way, or are at least dynamically varied over time) and could record some long stereo samples (loops) that could be manipulated live, this might be an interesting thing to do

It occurred to me that the Octatrack, which I got a few years ago and use as a granulating sample mangler, might be perfect to pair with the modulars in this way

The thing about the Octatrack is that it is so unbelievably deep and sophisticated that it can be very difficult to set things up on. I see it as a truly Complex System (AI Overview definition: Complex systems are characterized by numerous interacting parts and emergent behaviors that are not readily predictable from the individual components) and the user manual is utterly hopeless beyond a very basic overview

With the Octatrack you have to basically tell it what you want to do for any given situation. You create a personalised environment inside it and then work within the limitations you set yourself. You have to think of a setup that you want to create, then you build it for yourself using all the different components. In other words, it's not a preset environment that does a few specific things, you have to decide what you want then make it yourself

So I thought it would be useful to have 4 stereo 'Tape Machines' that can be manipulated in real time, with control over the following in each: Pitch, Playback Speed (Timestretch), Direction (forward / reverse) basic Filtering (bandpass) and Delay with feedback. All the things you might find in a Musique Concrete studio in the 1950s (with the addition of granular timetretching)

I might do a more detailed breakdown of the Octatrack patch in the future, but I wanted to live with this setup for a while and make sure it does everything I want it to do in the most efficient way first

This is my first experiment with it, using the Buchla 200. There are two stereo outs from the Buchla - two independent patches running concurrently - going into the Octatrack's dual stereo inputs. These are then fed into the four "tape machines" I created in the Octatrack, which mixes them into one stereo output along with the two live feeds from the Buchla (so what you are hearing is a live mix of the Buchla's 2 voices plus 4 tape loops (30 seconds each) recorded as we go along from the Buchla. As I said, its a complex system 😁"

CS40M (long version)

video upload by Memetune Studio

"A longer version of the previous video 😁"

Follow-up to this post.

CS40M by Benge

video upload by Memetune Studio

"The Yamaha CS40M is one of my favourite mono synths (actually its duo phonic)

When evaluating a synth, I like to do the Minimoog Test (maybe the first and actual best mono?) which goes like this:

1 - is it a big analogue vintage mono synth with wooden bits

2 - does it sound as good as a Minimoog

3 - does it do anything a Minimoog can't do

if the answer to any of the above is 'yes' then I want one, quite badly

(BTW, the CS40M ticks two of the above, can you guess which ones?)"

Rotto

video upload by Memetune Studio

"I managed to set up the Melbourne Instruments Roto-Control with the Buchla. No mean feat! With the addition of an Endorphines Shuttle and a Goma voltage processor, plus a few jack to banana jumblers made by CGP, I can get up to 16 channels of cv control of Buchla parameters and other things like the ALM MFX here. These can then be recorded into the Roto Control (see the moving knobs!) or into the computer. Whatever, its cool to see them playing nicely together"

https://www.melbourneinstruments.com/

TMP-3-03 Vintage Synth TV Series from Benge

video upload by Memetune Studio

00:00 Opening Titles
00:17 Introduction
01:27 Switched On 80s
16:14 Synthesiser Club
19:48 Commercial Break
23:57 Patching Today
35:04 Little Black Boxes
38:53 Video Lab
44:22 Outro

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Episode three of the third series of the TV program from Benge, made at his Memetune Electronic Music Studio

The series explores his passion for vintage synthesiser instruments and studio gear and how he uses them in his productions and collaborations

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

It is divided into the following sections:

SWITCHED ON 80s - This third series takes an in-depth look into six classic 80s synthesisers, selected because of their interesting and unique attributes

SYNTHESISER CLUB - A short musical demonstration of a synthesiser classic or three, concentrating on 'families' of synths

COMMERCIAL BREAK - Some shameless Memetune shilling

PATCHING TODAY - A deep-dive into vintage modular systems and how to set up a patch on them, starting from scratch, this time using Cybersynthesis techniques to bring an element of surprise to the patches

LITTLE BLACK BOXES - A further look at some classic rack mount studio gear of the 80s and 90s

VIDEO LAB - A look at old video equipment and how to create experimental visuals, concentrating on a specific device in each episode

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

In THIS episode:

SWITCHED ON 80s - A detailed presentation on FM synthesis and its history, looking at the DK Synergy (as used on the Tron soundtrack), but mainly the Yamaha DX series of synths

CLICK FOR MORE »

Background Modulars No.10 Buchla200 & DX5

video upload by Memetune Studio

"Don’t have a real Buchla 200 (cloned) and Yamaha DX5 to hand? No worries! Just put this video on in the background (in full-screen mode), and have the next best thing 😁

Here is 10 minutes of self-playing modular synthesiser randomness. Why not put it on loop - then you can have it bubbling away in the background while you do other things

A note on the patch: The DX5 is being triggered and pitched from the Buchla 200 modules (mostly a 280 in cycle mode and 262 Source of Uncertainty, plus some MARF) using a Kenton CV to MIDI Converter. The DX5 is programmed to make a percussive drum-like sound using six operators. The DX5 audio signal then goes back into Buchla modules - mainly the 277 and 288 Delays, which are being fed back on themselves to create the bowed-string-like sounds. The Dodeca module provides mixing, random panning and reverb. The SOU sends random voltages to the 280 so it cycles irregularly. The whole patch has a cybersynthetic nature because it is always on the edge of going chaotic with the feedback to the delays, but it keeps itself under control by injecting new DX5 sounds into the path just in time to settle it back down before it happens again"

Background Modulars No.9 Roland 'System'

video upload by Memetune Studio

"Don’t have a real Roland System 100 plus SH5 to hand? No worries! Just put this video on in the background (in full-screen mode), and have the next best thing 😁

Here is 10 minutes of self-playing modular synthesiser randomness. Why not put it on loop - then you can have it bubbling away in the background while you do other things

A note on the patch: My Roland 'System' is made up from a full compliment of the System 100 units (101 main synth with the keyboard removed - NOT MODIFIED BY ME! - 102 expander synth, 103 mixer / reverb, and 104 sequencer, which have been removed from their original boxes - NOT BY ME!! - in other words this is a totally unique System 100 and uses up a lot less space than a stock one 😁), the SH5 dual VCO mono synth with specially designed modular breakout panel, the 201 tape delay, Boss delay unit, ALM ASQ1 sequencer based on the Roland SH101, and some Behringer 100M cloney modules - 2 x 180 sequencers, the dual mixer and 4 x analog switches

The patch uses 3 distinct 'voices' - the 101, 102 and SH5, all being sequenced by a combination of all the sequencers mentioned above. The switches are being used to split the voltages going to the 101 and SH5 so that they alternate and don't play together, which kind of keeps some space in the patch

Lastly I use the 103 mixer to pan the 3 voices, and add the 2 delay units in various amounts - including the amazing sounding spring reverb built in to the mixer - this really does sound special for some reason and when I first got the system 100 it made me really happy. There are no other effect in this recording - just some compression from the Neve desk"

TMP-3-02 Vintage Synth TV Series from Benge

video upload by Memetune Studio

00:00 Opening Titles
00:17 Introduction
01:26 Switched On 80s
13:36 Little Black Boxes
16:07 Commercial Break
18:42 Synthesiser Club
21:40 Patching Today
33:44 Video Lab
40:06 Outro

"Episode two of the third series of the TV program from Benge, made at his Memetune Electronic Music Studio

The series explores his passion for vintage synthesiser instruments and studio gear and how he uses them in his productions and collaborations"

"In THIS episode:

SWITCHED ON 80s - A detailed presentation on the Arp / Rhodes Chroma, the mega-poly-synth that nearly took over the world

LITTLE BLACK BOXES - A look at the Korg M3R, a slimmed down version of the biggest selling synth of all time

SYNTHESISER CLUB - a picturesque study made on the Sequential Six-track, the Drumtracks, the Prophet VS and the mighty T8

COMMERCIAL BREAK - Some adverts for Memetune-related goodies, including the new Memetune Annual 2024, the range of Memetune merchandise and Benge's seminal 13 Systems album

PATCHING TODAY - on the vintage Emu Modular, with some help from a big Modcan A-Series

VIDEO LAB - In this episode we try and use the video mixers without any external inputs - its all about self-generating feedback imagery - with a soundtrack made on classic vintage modular synths

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

LINKS:

Benge's Studio Blog: http://myblogitsfullofstars.blogspot.com

Memetune Studio Instagram: @memetunestudio

Benge & Memetune Merch on Bandcamp: https://zackdagoba.bandcamp.com

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

The MemeTune Programme Credits:
Everything in this video was created by B D Edwards (Benge)
All music, design, writing, filming and production completed at Memetune Studios, UK, 2025"

You can find additional episodes in previous posts here.

Background Modulars No.8 Serge Paperface

video upload by Memetune Studio

"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 😁

Here is 10 minutes of self-playing modular synthesiser randomness. Why not put it on loop - then you can have it bubbling 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 like a giant living creature - 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. I like the distortions the lo-fi delays bring to the party. It's going through my Neve 88D which has the most astonishing compressors and EQs. I am in love with my mixing desk - not a good sign"

Netcon

video upload by Memetune Studio

"A short vintage video of some vintage modular synths, networked together in the old-style way

Emu 2000 Series
Modcan A-Series
Serge Paperface
ARP Tonus 2500"

Background Modulars No.7 - Buchla 200

video upload by Memetune Studio

"Don’t have a Buchla 200 to hand? No worries! Just put this video on in the background (in full-screen mode), and have the next best thing 😁

Here is 10 minutes of self-playing modular synthesiser randomness. Why not put it on loop - then you can have it bubbling away in the background while you do other things. Or maybe check out the playlist I have made with all the Background Modular Series videos: [playlist below]

A note on the patch. A 281 provides the clock for the whole thing, firstly making the percussion noises which sound a bit like fireworks going off. Then the clock runs the MARF which is providing the slow notes underneath. These are in stereo, all being moved about with random generators. There's two delays in there (288 and 277), and the Spectral Processor too. Its a bit hard to remember what I did because I kind of just kept patching until I ran out of Bananas ( I've got more, but they are being used on the Serge for something else)

Enjoy!"

A Brief History of 80s Synths - SynthForceAlpha!

video upload by Memetune Studio

"Some prep for the next episode of The Memetune Programme.."

TMP-3-01 Vintage Synth TV Series from Benge

video upload by Memetune Studio

00:00 Opening Titles
00:17 Introduction
01:27 Switched On 80s
15:30 Little Black Boxes
20:13 Commercial Break
23:19 Synthesiser Club
27:08 Patching Today
40:16 Video Lab
46:25 Outro

"Episode one of the third series of the TV program from Benge, made at his Memetune Electronic Music Studio

The series explores his passion for vintage synthesiser instruments and studio gear and how he uses them in his productions and collaborations

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

It is divided into the following sections:

SWITCHED ON 80s - This third series takes an in-depth look into six classic 80s synthesisers, selected because of their interesting and unique attributes

LITTLE BLACK BOXES - A further look at some classic rack mount studio gear of the 80s and 90s

SYNTHESISER CLUB - A short musical demonstration of a synthesiser classic or three, concentrating on 'families' of synths

COMMERCIAL BREAK - Some shameless Memetune shilling

PATCHING TODAY - A deep-dive into vintage modular systems and how to set up a patch on them, starting from scratch, this time using Cybersynthesis techniques to bring an element of surprise to the patches

VIDEO LAB - A look at old video equipment and how to create experimental visuals, concentrating on a specific device in each episode

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

In THIS episode:

SWITCHED ON 80s - A detailed look at the Korg Monopoly from 1981, and Benge unveils his virtual 80s studio environment

LITTLE BLACK BOXES - A look at four of the first true Little Black Boxes - not synths, but early digital reverberation units: the AMS RMX16, Quantec Room Simulator, Yamaha REV1 and the Lexicon Model 200

SYNTHESISER CLUB - Today, it's the Kawai Klub - the K4 synth, R-50 drum machine, Q-80 sequencer and K1m desktop synth. The drum machine and sequencer were very kindly donated to Memetune by a generous viewer called Alex 💕

COMMERCIAL BREAK - Some adverts for Memetune-related goodies, including the new Memetune Annual 2024, a Benge album on vinyl, and the range of Memetune merchandise

PATCHING TODAY - on the Serge Paperface system, and a modern recreation of the CGS Gated Comparator in Serge format made by Loudest Warning

VIDEO LAB - In this episode we take a deep dive into the legendary Panasonic MJ-MX50 Production Mixer from the mid-1980s

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

LINKS:

Benge's Studio Blog: http://myblogitsfullofstars.blogspot.com

Memetune Studio Instagram: @memetunestudio

Benge & Memetune Merch on Bandcamp: https://zackdagoba.bandcamp.com

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

The MemeTune Programme Credits:
Everything in this video was created by B D Edwards (Benge)
All music, design, writing, filming and production completed at Memetune Studios, UK, 2024"

ps i love you

video upload by Memetune Studio

"Keith fitted a Kenton MIDI kit into the Korg PS3100. I love it!

It means you can play polyphonic sequences on it - even a monophonic sequencer like this makes it play polyphonically - its so cool"

mono poloy

video upload by Memetune Studio

"I like vintage synths and vintage video. So I made this"

ARP 2500 vs AMS RMX16

video upload by Memetune Studio

"Testing out my new (old) reverb with the ARP2500. A good combo?"

Sir Serge-2

video upload by Memetune Studio

"Another live Serge patch

I'm using the Gated Comparator to select slightly varying notes

Nice!"

Sir Serge

video upload by Memetune Studio

"A self-generating Cybersysnthesis patch on the mighty Serge Modular

The patch is: 2 cross-modulating VCOs being sequenced by a combination of 2 sequencers set at 8 steps and 27 steps, which feed an 8-step Gated Comparator. This goes into a Quantizer. The clocks are being modded by sequencer outputs and random signals. There's VC delay and reverb too. It all goes into the VC stereo mixer which is being modded by the sequencers to give panning variation. Arise, SIR SERGE!"

Moodle by Benge

video upload by Memetune Studio

"A noodle on the Moog = Moodle"