Prismatic Spray II - incantation #11 test

video upload by Arman Bohn

"My devices (including the Prismatic Spray II) can be found here:
https://distropolisgoods.com/

I'm working on the first firmware update for the Prismatic Spray II. There a some fixes, a few changes (new incantations 11, 13 and 39) and a new feature (described below).

Early in the video, you can see me hold RESET (yellow button) and press one of the ENGINE buttons (gray). You can now reset the RUNES (A, B, C) of any incantation to the DEFAULT settings intended by the original creator of the incantation. This helps pull your wanderings back to some kind of center (maybe).

The color bar visualization is simple, but can be pleasing with certain incantations. I'm really liking how it vibes with incantation 11!

I'm hoping to release this update this week!"

Prismatic Spray II available now!

video upload by Arman Bohn



"You can find it here:
https://distropolisgoods.com/products..

The Prismatic Spray II has been released!

Prismatic Spray II is a deeply explorable, stereo bytebeat synth that implements many novel features. It includes a multitude of physical controls, mesmerizing visuals and full MIDI implementation. The Prismatic Spray II is an evolution of the original in the following ways:

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Prismatci Spray II

video upload by Arman Bohn

"My devices can be purchased here:
https://distropolisgoods.com/

Prismatic Spray II should be out in a few days!

Let's take a look at some more of the new features in the Prismatic Spray II.

I have the new web serial visualization feature running on a Mac this time. I did a screen recording and comped it into this video to demonstrate the possibilities of web serial display & visualizations.

I start by showing how the DETUNE knob works and can create a "chorus" type effect between the two bytebeat engines.

I move on to the SLOW DOWN knob and show how you can slow the bytebeats down and even freeze time - allowing for wavetable-ish type control over the sound. (You can also accomplish this by creating very small loops with the looping feature).

MIDI PITCH BEND is shown with the help the Phantasmal Force micro MIDI controller.

GLIDE allows for some portamento action between notes.

The analog FILTER runs in stereo and is also MIDI controllable.

I finish up with an explanation of the PITCH SCALING feature, which can stretch bytebeat playback determined by a user-specified root note.

Whew!"

Prismatic Spray II - exploring the stereo engines

video upload by Arman Bohn

"You can find my devices here:
https://distropolisgoods.com/

Prismatic Spray II should be released VERY soon.

In this video, I take a look at the stereo bytebeat engines of the Prismatic Spray II and some features such as the filter and various visualizations.

I'm using a little mini PC to view the visualizations via Web Serial from the Prismatic Spray II via USB. There is NO video output from the synth - it is sending serial data that a compatible browser is interpreting and displaying.

I'm also using an OMX-27 MIDI keyboard from ‪@nevetsokyeron‬ to show that the synth can be played chromatically from an external MIDI keyboard."

Prismatic Spray II demo video 1

video upload by Arman Bohn

"You can get on the waitlist for the Prismatic Spray II and check out my other things here:

https://distropolisgoods.com/

Hey -

It's been a while. Life is a bit crazy.

Prismatic Spray II is almost ready. Found a few more little bugs today and fixed them. Almost ready to order the printed manual!

I'm just noodling around here. I stumbled on to this rhythmic pattern that I really liked so I start with it running on both the left and right engines. I start to change the right side while leaving the left side plodding along.

Eventually, you can see me switch up the bytebeat incantation for the right side and things start to get wacky. You get a little look at one of the visualizations towards the end.

I'll post the manual before too long - but feel free to ask me about the PSII in the comments."

Shibasaki MOD - Tokyo set song #8 - K.K. Cruisin' Synthchill Cover Animal Crossing

video upload by Arman Bohn

"My synths and device can be found here:
https://distropolisgoods.com/

Song #8 from my set at Shibasaki MOD in Tokyo, April, 2025.

I ended my set with a cover of the K.K. Slider song "K.K. Cruisin'" which is a family favorite. My first experience with K.K. was in Animal Crossing - New Leaf back when it was released for the Nintendo 3DS.

I didn't have a vocoder with me in Japan, so I just sang out into the room with no mic.

---------

The M8 is doing most of the heavy lifting here: bass, drums and sending MIDI notes to the Prismatic Spray MKii.

I'm using the Phantasmal Force (tiny white MIDI controller) to send chords to GREAT CONJUNCTION (purple box). Channel 1 of GREAT CONJUNCTION is in 'keys' mode, while the other two channels playback a some randomized sequences which cause some CONJUNCTIONS and offset modulation to the FM key sound.

The Prismatic Spray MKii comes in to mimic the 'vocals'. M8 is handling the note playback via MIDI and I'm just playing the A and B runes/knobs.

For this recording - I sang through a BOSS VE-500 to get that K.K. robo-dog sound.

It was a great way to end the set with a upbeat feel!"

Shibasaki MOD - Tokyo set song #7

video upload by Arman Bohn

"Song #7 from my set at Shibasaki MOD in Tokyo, April, 2025.

The MT32-pi starts it off by playing some noise samples I collected with my SOMA Ether. Those samples are being sequenced and panned (via CC LFO) by the Phantasmal Force - which is sending clock to everything.

Next, I bring in a percussive pattern in 7/8 on GREAT CONJUNCTION. I randomize some of the instruments throught creating some nice robotic textures.

After I get going, I use the Phantasmal Force to unmute different instruments (drums/synths/bass) on the Dirtywave M8.

The Prismatic Spray MKii is is layered in with some hi-hat sounding bytebeat noise, retriggered in tempo by the Phantasmal Force."

Check with dealers on the right for availability.

Shibasaki MOD - Tokyo set song #6

video upload by Arman Bohn

"My synths and device can be found here:
https://distropolisgoods.com/

Song #6 from my set at Shibasaki MOD in Tokyo, April, 2025.

Droning ...

The Dirtywave M8 is playing randomized, droning chords.

The Prismatic Spray MKii is providing some heavily filtered, low end chaos via two bytebeat algorithms (one left/one right).

I'm using the Phantasmal Force Micro MIDI controller as a "keyboard" to play and hold single notes on the MT32-pi (which is running a soundfont set to a electric piano instrument).

All of this is routed through the NTS-3 for some reverb."

Shibasaki MOD - Tokyo set song #5

video upload by Arman Bohn

"My synths and device can be found here:
https://distropolisgoods.com/

Song #5 from my set at Shibasaki MOD in Tokyo, April, 2025.

A short interlude.

The Phantasmal Force is sending four generative sequences to the MT-32 pi, triggering some sound fonts. It is also sending multiple CC LFOs to the NTS-3 to modulate the delay settings - creating a warbly "underwater" feel.

The Prismatic Spray MKii is droning on a nice spiral visual.

I'm playing GREAT CONJUNCTION with the Phantasmal Force as well - using a button in NOTE MODE and turning the knob to play notes within Mixolydian/C."

Distropolis Goods Prismatic Spray Desktop Synthesizer

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this listing

Additional Perfect Circuit listings

You can find demos featuring the Prismatic Spray in additional posts here.

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Shibasaki MOD - Tokyo set song #4

video upload by Arman Bohn

"My synths and device can be found here:
www.distropolisgoods.com

Song #4 from my set at Shibasaki MOD in Tokyo, April, 2025.

This one starts up with GREAT CONJUNCTION playing a repeating bass line. I bring in the Prismatic Spray MKii for some washed out textures. The GC also provides a slowly evolving melody and some percussive elements.

I dig into the PSMKii for a bit ... exploring some bytebeats.

The GC percussion ends up becoming some generative FM chords and then it is pared down to a simple randomized outro."

Shibasaki MOD - Tokyo set song #3

video upload by Arman Bohn

"My synths and device can be found here:
www.distropolisgoods.com

Song #3 from my set at Shibasaki MOD in Tokyo, April, 2025.

I start with the Prismatic Spray MKii searching around for something showing some fireworks on a new visualization I've been working on...

Then I use the Phantasmal Force to start a sequence on the M8 (which is also MIDI clocked by the PF). I use the PF to unmute various tracks on the M8.

The M8 is also send CC messages to the Prismatic Spray to slowly modulate parameters A, B & C.

It starts in A# - and then moves up a half step to B. The meter gets an extra beat som now we are in 5/4.

Again ...
My guiding principle was - start at A# in 4/4. For each following song, add a beat and move up a half-step chromatically."

Shibasaki MOD - Tokyo set song #2

video upload by Arman Bohn

"My synths and device can be found here:
www.distropolisgoods.com

A version of song #2 from my set at Shibasaki MOD in Tokyo, April, 2025.

The Phantasmal Force is sending MIDI clock to the RK-006, which syncs everything.

It starts with GREAT CONJUNCTION playing the motif from the end of song #1, and then I bring in two more sequences (all of which are playing the internal YM2413 FM synth).

The M8 provides some basic percussion, and a bass drone.

The PF is also sending CC LFO messages to GREAT CONJUNCTION to modulate some of the FM parameters for the first sequence.

The Prismatic Spray MKii protoype held together for the show. I use the second half of the song to explore a bytebeat algorithm in stereo.

This song continues the same meter, root and scale as song #1 ... it is basically song 1A.

My guiding principle was - start at A# in 4/4. For each following song, add a beat and move up a half-step chromatically."

Prismatic Spray MKii updates!

video upload by Arman Bohn

"Sign up for the waiting list at www.distropolusgoods.com

Prismatic Spray MKii should be available this summer!"

Phantasmal Force - firmware tinkering 🛠️

video upload by Arman Bohn

"Phantasmal Force and Prismatic Spray are available here:

https://distropolisgoods.com

I’ve been working on a firmware update for the Phantasmal Force that includes MIDI CC LFO.

I’m hoping to release firmware 1.3 sometime during 6/2024."

Chompi sampler - first play w/ Prismatic Spray

video upload by Arman Bohn

"I backed the Chompi and received mine few weeks ago. I haven’t had a chance to test it out until now.

A quick perusal of the manual, online and off I go!

I’m using the Phantasmal Force to trigger that initial note.

The prismatic spray feeds some sound into the Chompi and then I start turning some knobs.

I have no idea what I’m doing.

My Prismatic Spray bytebeat synth can be found here:

https://www.tindie.com/products/distr..."

Prismatic Spray bytebeat synth - looping tutorial

video upload by Arman Bohn

"Let's talk about some features of the Prismatic Spray bytebeat synth including playing notes via a MIDI source, MIDI equation reset, and looping bytebeats."

Prismatic Spray + Hologram Microcosm jam #1

video upload by Arman Bohn

"Prismatic Spray on sale now for 20% off!

Through 11/27/23!

https://www.tindie.com/products/distr...

Finally took a minute to just run my Prismatic Spray through my microcosm. They’re not tempo synced, but it is such chaos it doesn’t really matter.  the Prismatic Spray provides the core of the sound and the microcosm adds a layer of magic."

MIDI out test Great Conjunction prototype into the Prismatic Spray through Hologram Microcom

video upload by Arman Bohn

"It’s been a while. I’m back. Here is yet another in the seemingly endless prototypes of the Great Conjunction. I’m testing the out from the sequencers of the GC, feeding the output of the first sequencer via MIDI into the Prismatic Spray. All of this is getting beautified by the Hologram Microcosm."

Crushing it with the HEX LAG + pikocore + Prismatic Spray + Great Conjunction prototype

video upload by Arman Bohn

"Here is some noise.

The triangle thingie is the hex lag. A live input bit crusher mangler delay thing that I just received.

What does it sound like?

#noise #electronicmusic #lofimusic #bytebeat"

Harmonic halls of noise - Prismatic Spray, norns “pixels”, 1010music lemondrop and TX-6

video upload by Arman Bohn

"The Prismatic Spray provides most of the sonic textures here. The notes it plays are controlled by a single pixel grooving along on the screen on the norns. The sound is then chopped up by the lemondrop and played back at various octaves. The Norns also provides five channels of sine wave drones. Everything is mixed in the TX-6.

You can pick up the Prismatic spray on my tindie shop:

https://www.tindie.com/products/distr..."