Eric Schlappi, Schlappi Engineering: Ein Leben für Module, FM und Distortion

video upload by AMAZONA Music Mag

"Heiner Kruse interviews Eric Schlappi, who is famous for his distortion and FM synthesis modules. He also talks a little bit about his polyphonic prototype and his new album.

00:00-01:34 Introduction
02:30-07:45 Three Body, FM & Ratios
07:45-09:17 100 Grit
09:17-12:52 Subtle Differences regarding Distortion, also in Three Body, plus Crossmodulation, The „magic“ Feedback path
12:52-13:50 Prototype: Standalone digital polysynth based in Three Body
13:50-15:15 Running into John Chowning
15:15-15:45 Micromoog audio rate filter frequency modulation
15:45-16.15 John Chowning 2018 on FM synthesis
16:15-17:00 Eric Schlappi’s album
17:05-17:39 Outro

https://ericschlappi.bandcamp.com/alb..."

Whimsical Raps - Atrium - First Experiment - Completely Wild!

video upload by Richard Devine

"five voices of analog synthesis, controlled and modulated polytimbrally. We’ve taken ideas from our decade of modular exploration and rethought how we reach into polyphony.

Each voice is shaped by its harmonic energy while three core timbre modes push into richer territory. from simple suboctave and noise waves, through frequency modulation, to formant synthesis reimagined. all squeezed through a lowpass/gate combination, providing balance and occasionally emphasis.

no digital multi-effects here, just spectres in the machine. a novel configuration of three filters, two delays, and feedback. front and almost center — this resonant body is meant to be played. sequenceable, modulatable, while feeding back not just sound, but shape for unfolding cybernetics.

and to modulate! everything mappable to everything else, tactile input extended on the fly, mapping as a performance in itself. Sources are dynamically phased across voices and stretched in relative duration. gestures captured into five recorders, extending play rather than overriding it, all twisted in time at your whim.

Atrium is deeply learnable, and for those moments of quick change, instantly recallable. extensible with usb and midi and cv input."

https://atrium.whimsicalraps.com/

Introducing the Body Synths Laboratory

video upload by Body Synths



"The Body Synths Laboratory is a dual-channel effects processor and feedback synthesizer.

Four feedback paths sit at the core of the Laboratory. Route signals, control delay repeats, or add gritty textures. Push them far enough, and the system enters self-oscillation—even with no input. From there, every control reshapes the feedback into anything from subtle drones to harsh noise madness.

Each channel features three voltage-controlled effects: gain, delay, and filter. Run the channels in series or in parallel. Push signals from silence to amplification with the Gain control. Drive the Delay into dirty territory at longer times—we’ve used that famous karaoke machine delay chip. Combine both channels to create multi-tap or ping-pong echoes.

The Resonant Filter provides Low-Pass and High-Pass modes. Chain the two channels in series to create Band-Pass responses. A final clipping stage at the end of each channel adds compression and distortion when driven to extremes.

We’ve also included a global Modulator that can operate as either an Envelope or an LFO, with two positive and two negative CV outputs. Patch them to build effects like tremolo, vibrato, chorus, moving stereo filter sweeps, modulated delays—it can get pretty wild.

The Body Synths Laboratory is being developed in collaboration with Andrey from the Berlin-based pedal company akkusativ.

Body Synths Laboratory

Release: 2026. Price: TBA."

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Poly Schlappi with Eddy

video upload by SCHLAPPI ENGINEERING and Stazma

"Hey there!
Today I'll show you how to use to turn the Three Body into a weird three voices polyphonic oscillator with help from the Boundary Layer and Eddy.
Have fun!!!"

Ocean Swift Releases Oscillarys - Flagship NKS Synthesizer

video uploads by Ocean Swift / Faxi Nadu

Press release follows:

Ocean Swift releases Oscillarys - a flagship atmospheric synthesis engine for Kontakt Player

Ocean Swift announces the release of Oscillarys, a new flagship NKS instrument developed in collaboration with Native Instruments. Crafted for cinematic scoring and deep ambience, Oscillarys is a three-layered synthesis engine designed to bridge the gap between raw texture and ethereal musicality

The developer quotes:

"Oscillarys blurs the border between the organic and the spectral with an atmospheric synthesis engine built for motion. By layering deeply detailed textures with sweeping filters and shifting modulations, this instrument conjures tones that breathe, dissolve, and reform - shifting seamlessly from crystalline harmonics to distant electric choirs. It offers a sonic body that is darker, smoother, and undeniably alive with motion, bridging the gap between raw texture and ethereal musicality."

Oscillarys is available exclusively via the Native Instruments online shop starting February 12, 2026, for an introductory price of €47.40 (Regular MSRP €79.99), reflecting a 40% discount.

Purchase at Native Instruments

Learn more at Ocean Swift

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How to patch evolving textures

video upload by SCHLAPPI ENGINEERING and Stazma

"Schlappy Patching 2026 EP.3

Hey there!
Today I'll show you how to create evolving textures using the three oscilators of the Three Body and modulate their phase or FM indew with a Boundary Layer.
We will explore very slow modulation as well as more rhythmic behaviours during the video.
Have fun!!!"

Schlappi Engineering - Three Body (sound.report english) - Play'n explain

video upload by Heiner Kruse - The Green Man(TGM) - sound.report

Timestamps:
00:00-00:10 Intro + strong bass demo short
00:10-04:20 mainly simple phase and frequency modulations
04:25-06:55 nasty crazy stuff
06:55-10:55 evil Basswerk bass

Schlappy Minutes - 2025 Compilation

video upload by SCHLAPPI ENGINEERING and Stazma

"As advertised...
All the Schlappy Minutes of the year, for you here in one place.
Have fun!!

More infos on all modules at:
https://schlappiengineering.com

Time stamps to all the patches:
00:00 Intro
00:35 Nibbler Chiptune Arp
01:38 Angle Grinder Pings
02:37 BTFLD Noise Generator
03:37 BTFLD Burst Generator
04:37 Angle Grinder 808 Style Kick+
05:38 Three Body Chords
06:34 Drume Machine Destruction
07:34 Stereo Sine & Co-Sine
08:35 Stereo Saw & Co-Saw
09:32 BTFLD CV to Gates
10:30 Boundary Layer Triple Envelope Follower
11:35 Boundary Layer Multi Modulation
12:41 Boundary Layer Transient Generator
13:45 Boundary Layer Cascading Envelopes
14:50 Three Body DX7 Style Algo FM
17:49 Nibbler Reset & Sub
18:42 Drone Part.1
19:41 Drone Part.2
20:43 Bound as Velocity
21:43 BTFLD Parallel Fuzz
22:39 Nibbler Chiptune Scratch
23:42 Boundary Layer Gate Delay
24:58 Band Reject Filter
26:27 Three Body Hard Sync
28:08 No Sine Phase Mod (stay till the end)

#eurorack #modularsynth #modularsynthesizer"

Error Instruments Introduces Das Ritual Candle Flame Synth Noise Generator

video upload by errorinstruments paul tas



"✨ The Ritual — Let the Flame Speak ✨ The Ritual is not just an instrument. It is a presence — a small, mysterious machine that invites sound, light, and spirit to merge into one living moment. At its core, The Ritual offers two elemental voices: a warm, crackling texture like burning wood, and a deep, sub-harmonic bass that vibrates through the body. Two outputs, two energies, both ready to shape the atmosphere of your space. But the true magic lies in the heart of the machine. In the center burns a candle. Three light-sensitive sensors observe the living flame — every flicker, every breath of air, every tiny movement of light. The flame becomes the conductor, shaping rhythm, modulation, and tone. It decides the pulse. It guides the sound. It becomes an oracle of vibration. With control voltage input, three intuitive potentiometers, and full compatibility with stand-alone setups, pedal chains, and Eurorack systems, The Ritual integrates effortlessly into any sonic temple you create. Add a touch of delay, let the harmonics bloom, and suddenly the sound becomes something else — psychedelic, hypnotic, deeply alive. A soundscape where chaos becomes beauty, and the smallest movement of fire transforms the entire universe of tone. Hand-crafted by Error Instruments, built in rugged Bricky format, The Ritual invites you to surrender your control and let the flame speak. Light the candle. Start The Ritual. Let the fire shape your sound"

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Aggression Therapy | Looking for mean and vicious sounds in Eurorack

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"The word 'aggression' is used in this video to express a certain quality of sound and music. It's not indended and should not be associated with any form of violence. In music, it can emphasize the emotion or reveal what's happening in an actor's mind. It's an element of storytelling. Use it wisely.

For some reason, people love aggressive sounds and we wouldn't be having heavy metal, noise muisic and industrial grunge without it. Some brands, not calling names, specialize in it. So I've been thinking. Does an 'aggressive' VCO exist? Modules like Three-Body, Plasma Voice, Loquelic Iteritas Percido and WaveRazor came to mind, but the level of rudeness completely depends on who's patching it. Not calling any names again. I think 'aggression' - it's a bad word, I know - is a recipe where you'd drive your gear into distortion, self oscillation and cross modulation. However, it's often about grit, dirt, filth and grunge. You don't need violence to enjoy it, it's just 'colors' and many of these colors are all over mother nature.

The ultimate showcase would be Noise Music, but I think that noise doesn't tell a story and emotions need to develop. So it needs some kind of storytelling. In this video, I'll explore some VCO's and combos that will balance the edge of noise, and then try to manage it. Even the most brutal noise becomes percussion when you sculpt it, and even the most civilized module can reap havoc and bring chaos."

KORG Collection 6 - TRINITY: The 1995 Icon Reborn

video upload by Korg

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Whimsical Raps: Atrium

video upload by Whimsical Raps

"Atrium is a new instrument, where playful gestures meet dynamic systems.

new ways to compose
 new ways to express
  new ways to play

https://atrium.whimsicalraps.com/

five voices of analogue synthesis, controlled and modulated polytimbrally. we’ve taken ideas from our decade of modular exploration, and rethought how we reach into polyphony.

each voice is shaped by its harmonic energy while three core timbre modes push into richer territory. from simple suboctave and noise waves, through frequency modulation, and landing in formant synthesis reimagined. all squeezed through a lowpass/gate combination, providing balance and occasionally emphasis.

no digital multi-effects here, just spectres in the machine. a novel configuration of three filters, two delays, and feedback. front and almost centre — this resonant body is meant to be played. sequenceable, modulatable, while feeding back not just sound, but shape for unfolding cybernetics.

and to modulate! everything mappable to everything else, tactile input extended on the fly, mapping as a performance in itself. sources are dynamically phased across voices, and stretched in relative duration. gestures captured into five recorders, extending play rather than overriding it, all twisted in time at your whim.

Atrium is deeply learnable, and for those moments of quick change, instantly recallable. extensible with usb and midi and cv input.

//

a series of improvisations, exploring but a few edges of this new instrument.

performed by Trent Gill
recorded by Dani Derks
projections from Sean Hellfritsch"

The Florian Schneider Collection to Be Auctioned at JULIEN*S November 19

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

via JULIEN*S

"THE FLORIAN SCHNEIDER COLLECTION

Auction to be held at Musician's Hall of Fame & Museum, Nashville, on November 19

An incredible collection of more than 450 artifacts from the life and career of Florian Schneider, co-founder of the pioneer electronic band Kraftwerk."

Pics and videos featuring some of the gear below, and his Lederhosen for good measure (thanks greg!).

Update: the post has been fully updated with all the synth related gear. This may just well be the longest post to be featured on the site. I wanted to capture all the pics for all of the details including notes, scuffs, and of course serial numbers. It's an interesting look into what he used, the condition he keped his gear, in some cases, how he actually used his gear. Note the phonetics on the keys of the Casio CZ-101 and DX-100. Note the Midi Switch Box with a built-in speaker? What's that about? Note the camouflage key strap on the Korg RK-100 Remote Keyboard. Did he pick it out himself or did the keytar just come with it? Note the repeat midi controllers and the MIDI saxaphones. Wind was his primary instrument. You'll find a ton of the acoustic gear he used in the other listings. This is a fascinating insight into both what and how he used his gear.

Side note: there is no affiliate compensation for this post. The note at the top automatically shows for all posts with the Auction label.


Rack Mount Sennheiser VSM-201 Vocoder

Starting Bid $5,000

Estimate $20,000 - $40,000 USD

A late 1970s Sennheiser VSM 201 Vocoder with no serial number from the personal studio and collection of Florian Schneider of Kraftwerk (see images). While it’s said that only a few dozen of these Vocoders were produced, a few examples made it into the hands of forward-thinking musical artists including Herbie Hancock, Daft Punk, and of course, Kraftwerk, who used a VSM-201 like this on their albums Man Machine (1978) and Computerworld (1981). The VSM-201 has an intelligible sound that has not yet been bested by modern gear. Includes power cable. This VSM-201 has been removed from its wooden enclosure (which bears the serial number plate) and modified with a metal rack mount casing, presumably for live use. Requires 240v, IEC power cable not included.

Dimensions: 19 x 9 x 9 inches

Category: Kraftwerk, Equipment

Provenance: PROVENANCE From the Estate of Florian Schneider

CLICK FOR MORE »

Spectravox and DFAM | Advanced Physical Modeling

video upload by Moog Music

"In this video we explore the principles of physical modeling synthesis using DFAM and Spectravox.

We begin with a summary of physical modeling synthesis. Physical modeling models an excitation signal (the isolated sound of a finger hitting a drum head, a pick plucking a guitar sting, a bow bowing a cello string) and a resonating body (a drum, a wooden block, a string coupled with a wooden body, etc.). Excitation signals are usually very short sounds full of harmonics and noise – we use DFAM to sculpt a broadband signal with lots of internal dynamics using DFAM’s three envelopes. Spectravox’s ten resonant filters with individual level control are then used to model a resonating body. DFAM’s velocity sequencer further allows us to create a sequence with harder or softer drum hits, while its pitch sequencer can move Spectravox’s filters via the SHIFT input for fascinating tonal changes."

Labyrinth and Subharmonicon | Tangled Transpositions

video upload by Moog Music

"In this video we tie Labyrinth and Subharmonicon’s sequencers together for tangled transpositional movement.

We begin by mixing the VCA outputs of each instrument using Labyrinth’s utility mixer. We then show how to quantize Subharmonicon’s two sequencers to generate sequences of octaves and then add those sequences to Labyrinth’s two sequencers to generate polyrhythmic octave transpositions. Labyrinth’s voice is sequenced by Labyrinth SEQ 1 and transposed by Subharmonicon SEQ 2 while Subharmonicon’s voice is sequenced by Labyrinth SEQ 2 and transposed by Subharmoncon SEQ 1. With Labyrinth’s quantizer set to Hirajoshi pentatonic scaling octave transpositions from Subharmonicon work well regardless of western tonality. Using more traditional western scales from Labyrinth we can set the steps of Subharmonicon to values other than octaves (e.g. perfect fourths/fifths) provided we stay in key."

Drone | The Schlappy Minute

video upload by SCHLAPPI ENGINEERING

"This is the Schlappy Minute.

Today I quickly show you how to use the Three Body and 100 Grit together to create some big sounding drone."

Three Body & FM Algorithms | The Schlappy Minute

video upload by SCHLAPPI ENGINEERING

"This is the Schlappy Minute.

Today I get into how to use the Three Body as a kind of typical FM (Frequency Modulation) tone generator and how to think the three different VCO as operators and 'algorithms'."

The Crow Hill Company Introduces POCKET STRING no-barrier-to-entry-styled string library plug-in

video upload by CROW HILL XTRAS

Press release follows:

"The Crow Hill Company creates POCKET STRINGS as no-barrier-to-entry-styled string library plug-in produced without compromise… with added ‘synthy spice’

EDINBURGH, UK: having recently rebranded itself with an aesthetic that truly realises company co-founder and composer Christian Henson’s heartfelt dream of encouraging people to make music and help them on their journey, regardless of whatever point they were at and wherever their journey began, The Crow Hill Company continues its journeying into ‘Season Two’ as a producer of resources and tools to protect, inspire, support, and provide opportunities for music-makers the world over, believing that music is, and should remain, a wholly human experience, one that is by far one of the most powerful forms of expression, escape, comfort, and remembrance, of which its newly-created POCKET STRINGS — styled as a definitive string library plug-in that opens the doors to collaboration between anyone anywhere, creatively combining live cinematic orchestral recordings with some rarefied vintage synth classics made to measure for added body, depth, and character — readily represents the cornerstone of this ethos, as of July 10…

“A string library that’s accessible to all without compromise — a distillation of the last 25, nearly 30, years that I’ve been working as a media composer, which means that I write music for film, TV, and computer games, giving you the very basic necessities to write pro-end string arrangements. Whether that be adding to productions, songs, collaborating with others, or, indeed, creating professional film scores — whether that be to demo for an orchestra to play, or, indeed, to go to broadcast, there’s been no compromises here. But accessibility is the key — not just with the price point, but with usability.” So says Christian Henson himself, perfectly positioned — as The Crow Hill Company’s original founder, forging forward by building upon his extensive experience gained from founding Spitfire Audio to originally offer a palette of sounds he had created for his own use as a professional composer to his film world colleagues by invitation only, though the rest, as they say, is history — to proudly introduce POCKET STRINGS as a never-tried-before strings library plug-in that aims to bring broadcast-grade string possibilities to everyone.

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Stereo Sine | The Schlappy Minute

video upload by SCHLAPPI ENGINEERING

"This is the Schlappy Minute.

Today I show you how to make big stereo sounds using the sine and co-sine output of the Three Body, alongside some phase modulation."

Introducing Pipo Interfaces

A Sneak Peak into Pipo modules video upload by Pipo Interfaces

"Video produced by Tom Bouchet

Music: "Transition" by Alex-Productions (CC BY 3.0)"

Press release follows:


Pipo Interfaces brings a new versatile toolkit for creative sensing and audiovisual interactions in real-time.

Developed by creative technologist Rupert Renevier, Pipo is a range of electronics modules that connect sensors to computers, and are meant to simplify creative interactivity between people, real-world objects, and digital creation.

Whether you're performing, designing experimental MIDI instruments, or interested in making installations, Pipo builds the foundations of an accessible and adaptable open source toolkit.

When digital experiences become sensible and tangible, they allow for greater engagement and connection. The idea of using sensors for audiovisual applications and arts is far from being new, but still requires building custom solutions on Arduino or Raspberry Pi, which tends to be complex, time-consuming, and therefore not easily accessible to most.

Pipo wants to unlock the creative potential of real-time sensing, and lower the technical barrier to it, by proposing tools that connect the physical world to the digital in a straightforward fashion.

The Pipo recipe is simple: small affordable modules, wireless capabilities, and an intuitive yet powerful user interface. All Pipo modules can be used alone or in combination, fixed, worn on the body, embedded in objects, etc... All Pipo modules have mounting holes to augment all kind of projects and casing will be made available.

The first 3 modules of the family are Pipo Motion, Pipo Range and Pipo Analog.

Pipo Motion is dedicated to sensing movement: orientation, acceleration and magnetic field, thanks to an advanced 9 axis IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit). It allows for relative and absolute orientation.

Pipo Range is an accurate distance sensing unit which can be used to detect hands, obstacles, objects, or people (up to 3m). It can be used the same way as a theremin, or as a people proximity sensor for eg.

Finally, Pipo Analog, a versatile Input/Output device. On one side it has 8 capacitive touch inputs to create original touch buttons (for eg: with wires, metallic tape, vegetables, conductive paint, etc...)

On the other side it has multiple analog voltage inputs/outputs (up to 8). With these you can acquire and use any external buttons, specialized analog sensors modules, knobs or control servo motors, drivers, etc...

Beyond these three first sensing modules, Pipo Interfaces carries a vision for a whole creative ecosystem for many more input and also output modules. It has a strong anchor towards open source development and wants to create a strong user community connection.

Pipo modules can all send standard MIDI and/or OSC data wirelessly for maximum compatibility.

The connectivity is made through WiFi, Bluetooth Low Energy, or USB and every module has an onboard battery charger, so that whatever idea you have, you can test it quickly and have it communicate to your audiovisual software in a matter of seconds (no matter your operating system).

All the settings can be tuned in the field through a web interface hosted on every module.
No need for an app or software, just open any web browser on your mobile. This interface allows you to set various settings like sensing parameters, ranges, and to adapt the incoming and outgoing data streams to your needs, quickly and easily.

You can for example eg fine tune the midi output, choose a note scale, channel, etc...

On a technical level, the project is developed with PlatformIO and the Arduino framework to make it easy for people to hack, modify, upgrade their pipos, or build their own custom Pipos. The software is open source, and the project runs on the Esp32-s3, one of the most versatile and powerful IoT chips around.

Pipo will launch as a pre-order campaign to fund the first production run. If you like Pipo, you can support it by entering your email address on the campaign page, it means a lot ! By doing so, you will also be notified of the launch date, so that you can be among the first people to get yours.

The launch date is pending on gathering a critical mass of people who want to see the project going live, so subscribing helps the project move forward.

All this happens on CrowdSupply, a platform dedicated to launching open source projects:

https://www.crowdsupply.com/pipo-interfaces/pipo

Schober Organ Corporation Tunesmith

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

via this VEMIA listing

Click the auction link on top when you get there for additional listings.

VEMIA is Peter Forrest's auction house. He is the author of The A-Z of Analogue Synthesizer Books.

"SCHOBER TUNESMITH (new start price to allow bids from outside the seller's tax region) Very rare monophonic transistor synth, single oscillator, circa 1968, sold as a kit or pre-assembled. The voice switch activates different static filters, providing 6 markedly different tones from bright sawtooth to mellow triangle. This short video [posted here] of the same model clearly shows the sounds ---- I read that the keyboard is a Pratt-Reed that uses series resistance rather than a matrix. This model for auction has clear strong sound with almost no hum whatsoever. The main problem is the tuning is way off, and some notes glitch a little. Not difficult to repair, I would think. Also the vibrato is not working, probably just a bad resistor, should be easy to fix. Body is solid and in good condition for a 57-year old instrument, so it hasn't been knocked about. Keyboard and control panel are very clean, almost no scratches. Mainly home or studio use, probably. The three tools contained inside the lid are a complete mystery, which may be solved once you look inside the unit! While this is offered as a 'project' the encouraging thing is how bright and clear it sounds, and once tuning and vibrato are fixed, you have a very playable instrument similar to a Clavioline. It's a worthwhile project, I would say. Power is 105-120V 50/60 cycles, with a 2-pin US-style mains plug. I've given it a very low start price. SHIPPING: This Tunesmith is located in Japan, and weighs (packed) approximately 7kg. Discounted shipping to UK/Europe/USA will be £30 surface, £80 air. For other countries, please enquire."

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