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

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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

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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

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LINKS:

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

Memetune Studio Instagram: @memetunestudio

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

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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

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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"

Emutions

video upload by Memetune Studio

"its a sketch on my emu modular"

The Memetune Annual 2024

video upload by Memetune Studio

"Available now from the Memetune Bandcamp merch page - a very limited run of BOTH Annuals (2023 and the new 2024 edition) at a special price!

https://zackdagoba.bandcamp.com/merch...

The new Annual is also released today:

https://zackdagoba.bandcamp.com/merch...

The second edition of the Memetune Programme Annual - for the year 2024

Hardback book (A4 size) with 74 full colour pages and download code for the accompanying music album

Based on the second season of Benge's unique 6 part TV series focussing on his passion for vintage synths, studio gear and video production equipment

The Memetune 2024 Annual follows the TV series format, broken down into the following categories:

LITTLE BLACK BOXES looks at some classic 80s and 90s rack mount synths, instruments that are often overlooked due to their utterly bland appearance. Their sounds, however, are anything but

SWITCHED ON CYBERSYNTHS features a brief history and description of abstract electronic music, in particular sounds created on modular synths, taking in randomness, chaos theory, feedback loops, nonlinear modifiers, plus stochastic and algorithmic ideas. It ends with perhaps the largest modular synth patch ever attempted, featuring 11 of the Memetune modulars containing over 430 modules

SYNTHESISER CLUB points a vintage video camera at various synthesisers and systems, and focuses on ‘families’ of synths, meaning a group of instruments made by one manufacturer in a particular time in synth history

PATCHING TODAY is a deep dive into patching on a selection of vintage modular systems, namely the Modcan A-Series (the most versatile modular ever made?), the Polyfusion 2000 (the simplest modular?), an EMS rig containing a VCS3, TKS sequencer, 8-octave filter bank and dual Synthi 100 HPF (the most English modular?), a Paia 4700 (the worst modular ever made?), the Buchla 100 (the first modular ever made?) and a hybrid Roland “green” modular system containing a modified System 100, SH5 with special modular panel and RE201 Space Echo (the ‘wonkiest’ system ever made?)

VIDEO LAB begins by presenting a short film called Proof of Hypertravel made entirely in the Lab, and then goes on to detail the lengthy process that went into making it, covering such things as Storyboarding, World-Building, Green Screening, Compositing, Special Effects, and types of vintage video cameras

There is also the Memetune Puzzle Page, the legendary Memetune Dictionary of Words, and a tour of the Memetune garden in a 1980 Lotus Esprit

The music on the download album that accompanies this annual has been selected from the second series and contains all the tracks made in the Synthesiser Club, Patching Today and Little Black Boxes sections respectively, approximately 60 minutes of original synthesiser compositions to enjoy whilst perusing the Annual

To watch the series search on YouTube for 'Memetune Programme by Benge'"

Background Modulars No.5 - Buchla 200 & DK Synergy

video upload by Memetune Studio

"Don’t have a Buchla 200 and Digital Keyboards Synergy 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: The Buchla (cloned) MARF is sending note and velocity (ie CV) data to the Synergy via a Kenton CV to MIDI converter - a very handy unit if you have a lot of analogue sequencers!

The Synergy is extremely flexible and you can set virtually any parameter to respond to velocity - and using the Kenton you can send any CV to modify the velocity over MIDI - something I am exploring at the moment

The Buchla 200 chimes really well with the Synergy. Don spent most of the late 70s and 80s exploring digital synthesis - starting out with hybrid systems (the 500 and 300 Series) and later fully digital systems (the Touche, 400 and 700 Series). The Synergy was developed at exactly the same time taking fully digital ideas to their logical extreme. It is a very capable system and the pairing with the 200 Series is sublime"

Sequenced Formants

video upload by Memetune Studio

"Did you know someone is still making Formant synthesiser modules? Nor did I!

I just got the sequencer and its great - I've always wanted one for my system, but didn't want to put something 'inauthentic' in the cab. Well I finally found someone who is making the real thing - Jos Van Ras http://www.josvanras.com/ [P.S. See the JVS label for more].

Its quite an interesting module - for a start it is circular - and I don't have any other circular sequencers. Secondly it has 10 steps which is always a good thing, as long as you can set it to less if you want - and this one has switches to set it to 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8. I wish it could do 7 and 9 as well - maybe I can mod it for that at some point. And you can skip steps, slew, and change the gate outputs in various ways. Pretty cool! I might get a second one so I can do polyrhythmic stuff one day

Here is a little sketch I made with it..."

Background Modulars No.5 - Buchla 100 and EMS VCS3

video upload by Memetune Studio

"Don’t have a Buchla 100 and EMS VCS3 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 whole thing is being run by the EMS Random Voltage Generator, but that is being modulated by a divided down set of voltages from the Buchla 8-step sequencer, so it changes the randomness very slowly, which makes it seem like its evolving as it goes along. There are ring modulated VCOs, cross mod VCOs and pitch shifted VCOs, from both systems all being mixed on the 205 matrix mixer, which also has feedback paths set up to go to the WEM valve copycat and also the Buchla dual reverbs and dual compressors. So the whole patch is intermingling and feeding back on itself via the matrix mixer. Its a highly complex patch and is pretty much impossible to describe fully because I just kept patching it until I liked the result enough to let it run and film it for 10 minutes"