ARP Omni-2 with Aftertouch + S&H Mod

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video upload by New England Analog Archives

Note this demo is from 7 years ago.

"This video features an ARP Omni 2 synthesizer that has been modified with a custom LFO expander daughterboard. The PCB comes assembled and measures 2.7 x 3.2 cm.
This upgrade is simple to install, and it provides the LFO with 2 additional waveforms. A 3-position toggle switch controls the waveform selection. An adhesive-backed overlay decal is provided with the kit. The switch will allow sine, square, and random LFO waveforms to be selected. Kit includes instructions for expanding the range of Omni 2 VCF so that it can self-oscillate. This modification greatly expands the sonic possibilities of the ARP Omni. This kit will work on ARP Omni 1 as well. It can also be used to add an auxiliary sample and hold waveform to ARP Axxe, Odyssey, and Quadra LFOs."

via this listing

"The unit has been well maintained and has had the following work/mods done:

Replaced the noisy ARP power supply with a Power One linear supply

Unit was completely recapped in 2015.

All analog ICs and digital ICs were replaced

All sliders removed and restored. All now move smoothly.

Slider caps replaced with new ones.

Pratt Read keyboard bushings replaced in 2015.

Aftertouch added to the keyboard.

Aftertouch amount is routed to the ACC/PEDAL slider. The aftertouch affects the VCF cutoff. Additional waveforms added to the LFO. Originally only had sine LFO. Added square and sample & hold LFO. Sample & hold is the same circuit as ARP Odyssey MK1 S&H. Sounds great. 4075 VCF module recapped and had the cutoff frequency design error corrected. (Originally there was a design error, keeping the cutoff from fully opening up)

The finish on this Omni is not pristine. When I got it, it had been neglected for years after being in storage. Cosmetically, this is a 6/10 as there is evidence of lots of use on the powder coating.

I've attached a video deomonstrating the LFO mod I did to this Omni. The unit in the video is actually this Omni, but I have since removed the LED sliders, since I thought they were annoying."

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Retroaktiv HLFO - Using HLFO as a Vibrato Source

Published on Nov 3, 2017 New England Analog Archives

"The HLFO can be used as a vibrato source. The vibrato can be triggered by using the on-board FSR sensor pad, or you can use another source, such as a mod wheel, aftertouch, or any other CV source. This is just one of countless applications of this useful module!"

Retroaktiv HLFO Eurorack Module - Sample & Hold Patches 1

Published on Oct 27, 2017 New England Analog Archives

Pyxis Modulation Controller for ARP Odyssey & Other Analog Synths

New England Analog Archives
Published on Aug 31, 2017

"The Pyxis was originally designed to be an aftertouch controller for the ARP Odyssey. It can modulate pitch, filter cutoff, and volume using a linear CV or the internal Pyxis LFO. The unit can also be used with any MIDI to CV converter that generates an aftertouch CV, mod wheel CV, or other MIDI CC CV. This allows for modulation data to be sequenced with MIDI, which is a useful feature when sequencing any analog synth.
The unit shown in this video ha a MIDI jack in the rear, which is how the MIDI controller keyboard is playing notes. The mod wheel on the MIDI keyboard is generating a 0-10V CV by means of a MIDI to CV converter. This signal is fed to the odyssey via an 1/8th inch jack on the rear of the unit. This Odyssey also has aftertouch built into the keyboard, which is not demonstrated in this video."

You can find previous posts featuring the Pyxis including the Oberheim OB-8 here.

Retroaktiv PG-800 Mini - Random Tone Generator & Scratch Patch Buttons

Published on Aug 29, 2017 New England Analog Archives

See this post for one built into the JX-10.

"The PG-800 Mini is a miniature knob controller that mounts inside of the Roland JX-8P or Super JX. This video demonstrates the PG-800 Mini's random tone generator function, as well as the scratch patch function.

Tapping the WRITE button on the PG-800 Mini will generate a generic "scratch patch", which consists of two sawtooth waves, not detuned, through an open filter and a gated VCA. It serves as a great starting point when creating a new program.

Holding the WRITE button will generate a random program.

The unit used in this demo is running Vecoven 4.x firmware, and has the Vecoven PWM PCBs installed."

Retroaktiv HLFO - Module Overview & Function Demo

New England Analog Archives
Published on Aug 9, 2017

"This video demonstrates some of the functionality of the Retroaktiv HLFO (Haptic LFO) for Eurorack. The module is 10HP wide. (Note, the unit shown in this video is a prototype with a lasercut plastic panel. Production units are metal panels with black silkscreen.) It features a voltage-controlled LFO, a sample & hold, a noise source, and a force sensor controller. This module packs a lot of utility into a small space. For more information on this module, please check out www.RetroaktivSynthesizers.com."

Note: I created a new Retroaktiv label for these moving forward. I was previously using the New England Audio label.

New England Audio Retroaktiv HLFO Eurorack Module

New England Analog Archives
Published on Aug 8, 2017

This is the first post to feature the New England Audio Retroaktiv HLFO eurorack module.

"The Retroaktiv HLFO (Haptic LFO) is a 10HP module for Eurorack systems. It is a voltage controlled LFO with a touch sensor, noise source, and sample & hold unit. It features a suite of useful functions, packed into a small module. Features include: LFO with voltage controlled rate and amplitude. LFO can be controlled by force sensor on panel, or by external CVs. Force sensor output = 0-5V. Built in sample & hold with noise generator. When no external source is connected to the S&H, HLFO noise source is normalized to the S&H input. S&H rate and amplitude can be controlled by external CVs or the onboard touch sensor.

In this video, I am running a VCO through a 2-pole Oberheim-style VCF. I'm generally running the main LFO out (the output with amplitude attenuation) to the VCO, and am running the sample & hold output to the filter cutoff. Sometimes I have the touch sensor routed to the filter or the VCO. Even if something is plugged into the touch sensor output, the touch sensor still gets normalized to the rate and amplitude inputs of the LFO unless something is connected to those jacks.

The oscilloscope in the video is connected to the main LFO output. Despite all of the wacky waveforms I'm making in this video, the HLFO can function like a standard tri/squ/S&H LFO. Any keyboard aftertouch sensor can also be connected to the HLFO, which makes it a great module to interface with a mod wheel or aftertouch."

Fixing Roland SH-2000, JP-4, Mars, SH-5 style Keyboard Contact Issues

New England Analog Archives
Published on Aug 3, 2017

"This video is an excerpt from a repair of a Roland SH-2000. The keyboard was having contact issues on many notes. The issue was that the 2 bus bars were very dirty. I cleaned them, and this solved the issue.
This portion of the repair took a little over two hours, due to the amount of disassembly and reassembly required. I had to cut out most of the footage to cut this down to a 10 minute segment."

I hear a synth cat.

Building Retroaktiv LED slider adapter boards for ARP synths

Published on Jul 26, 2017 New England Analog Archives

"This video gives a quick overview of how to construct an LED slider for ARP synthesizers using Retroaktiv LED slider adapter PCBs. We offer full assembled slider sets for Odyssey, Avatar, Axxe, Solus, Quadra, Omni 1, Omni 2, Pro Soloist & Pro DGX. We also offer full slider adapter PCB kits at RetroaktivSynthesizers.com."

ARP Quadra Functions Demo

Published on Jul 25, 2017 New England Analog Archives

"This is a video of a Quadra I restored for a client. I send this sort of video to my customers so that they can give me their approval. I also want to show the customer that each function is working properly. This video may be useful to a prospective Quadra buyer or one who is curious about this instrument. Nothing else sounds like a Quadra."

Roland Super JX with PG-800 Mini Programmer Built In

Published on May 31, 2017 New England Analog Archives

Note the original PG-800 programmer for the JX-10 mainly has sliders with a few knobs. This is a custom controller with all knobs as you can see. It's reminiscent of the PG-300 controller for the JX-3P.

PG-800 Mini (Internal Installation) in JX-10---Turning knobs

Published on May 31, 2017 New England Analog Archives

"It's available in a few different formats. I am offering bare PCBs & graphic overlays (with BOM), fully assembled & tested boards with graphic overlays, and a fully assembled unit in an external enclosure & DIN cable. The programmer fits into the chassis of the JX8P and JX-10P if you want to install it into the synth itself. (Drill template is included with kit) The parameter being controlled is shown on the screen of the synth when you move a knob. I have provisions on the PCB for MIDI in/out/thru, though there is currently no firmware support for those. If you're an adventurous DIY-er, you can play around with that. Firmware is based on the project http://www.poesboes.com/index.html?./... and is being used with permission of the author. (firmware on Poesboes will not work on this unit. There are a bunch of modifications) Firmware is available from me for the cost of the Atmel and shipping, if anyone wants it.

I am taking orders for these now, and will be mailing out the first production run in about 4 weeks. I have 25 units available. The pricing scheme is as follows:

Bare PCB, schematic, programmed processor chip, graphic overlay, BOM, and drill template - $99. (Requires SMD soldering)

Assembled & tested board with drill template and graphic overlay $250
Fully assembled and tested external unit with 5' DIN cable - $350
If you're interested in getting one, please PM me [send message via YouTube]. Thanks!"

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MOOGFEST REVEALS MUSIC LINEUP AND PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

Details are in. Via MOOGFEST:

"Over 150 participating artists including Flying Lotus, Animal Collective, Gotye, Suzanne Ciani, Derrick May, 808 State, Jessy Lanza, Simian Mobile Disco, Moor Mother, Syrinx, Visible Cloaks, Princess Nokia, and Function added to growing list of Moogfest 2017 participants

Gotye Presenting a Tribute to Jean-Jacques Perrey, The Center for Deep Listening Honoring Pauline Oliveros, and Peanut Butter Wolf Honoring Bernie Worrell and Other Musicians We’ve Lost

Over forty performing artists also leading workshops and sessions in four-day conference program

The independent, annual, four-day festival will take place in
Durham, North Carolina from May 18-21, 2017. This year marks its 11th iteration honoring the spirit of inventor Bob Moog.

$249 for 3-Day General Admission and $499 for 3-Day VIP

All prices exclusive of applicable fees.

Durham, NC (March 7, 2017): Today, Moogfest reveals its lineup of musical performers, led by Flying Lotus, Animal Collective, Gotye, Suzanne Ciani, Derrick May, 808 State, Simian Mobile Disco, Syrinx, Jessy Lanza, and Function. Building on the experimental format of previous years, Moogfest continues to integrate Future Sound (performances) and Future Thought (conference) programming, with many of these artists also leading sessions during the daytime conference program.

Moogfest’s trademark mix of intimate venues and masterful collaborations creates an unforgettable experience festival-goers will not find anywhere else. Experimental electronic and avant-garde dance music is complemented by thematic programming like Black Quantum Futurism, Protest, and Techno-Shamanism that span day-into-night. This year returns with adventurous formats such as live film scores, an overnight live music sleep concert, prelude to sleep listening parties, long-form durational performances, and presentations by leading Instrument Designers.

Moogfest has also invited artists including Gotye and Peanut Butter Wolf to help honor some of the innovative musicians we lost in 2016, including Jean-Jacques Perrey, Pauline Oliveros, Bernie Worrell and Keith Emerson. This 2017 lineup reinforces Moogfest’s commitment to bold experimentation, with some of the most important musicians and thinkers of our day helping to blur the lines between audience and artist, conversation and collaboration, technology and creativity.

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Happy New Year! The Year in Synths 2013

Happy New Year Everyone!

What a busy year it has been in the world of synths.

This is going to be one doozy of a post, so bear with me. This post is a review of the year in synths for 2013. We begin with Tributes to Those We Lost This Year, followed by New Manufacturers & Makers, Older Manufacturers Added to the Site, New Gear Announcements, Top 10 Posts by Traffic,  My Standout Posts for the Year, and finally This Years' Synth Events. I did my best to keep things as short and concise as possible.

Let's begin with the hardest part of the post.

Tributes to Those We Lost This Year

RIP Bernard Parmegiani - Electronic & Acoustic Composer
Lou Reed RIP
RIP Dick Raaymakers aka Kid Baltan
RIP George Duke - DreamWeaver
RIP Ralph Dyck, Sept 28, 1941 – May 20, 2013
RIP Ray Manzarek

All missed and never to be forgotten. Take a moment to remember them.

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New Manufacturers & Makers

Starting last January, I decided to keep a running list of every new manufacturer and maker introduced to the site during the year.  This is something I haven't done before and I thought it would be interesting to see how many there were in the year.   It's easy to focus on the big synth announcements throughout the year, but what about all the new makers and brands? I shouln't have to go considerably into the significance of new designers on the scene, so I'll just say two things regarding them.  One, the number of new makers is a direct reflection on the interest in our scene, and two, these are the creators of new gear which directly translate into new designs not previously available to us.  Think about that for a moment.  These are makers and designs that did not exist before.  They are part of our synth history.  So what is the total count of new synth designers for the year? A whopping 113. Think about that a bit. One hundred and thirteen new synth designers and brands this year alone.

Here they are (note a handful date back to 2012, but 2013 marked their momentum and availability):

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