The Seventh of Four

video upload by davidryle

"A new project idea to use the synthesizers.com Q170 MIDI GATES module to affect broad changes to the composition within the modular system.

The Q170 has eight output jacks for sending 5V gate or trigger voltages to the modular system. I used my DAW (Cubase) to construct timings for various parts of the modular.

The first four outs were used as pulse gates for the Delptronics and TipTop drum modules. The Kick, Snare and Open and Closed HiHats.
The fifth out is to the Q169 vco's AMP input. That vco is used for the bass line so controlling the on-board vca will mute or enable the voice.
The sixth out was to enable the Dove D900 sequencer to run/stop. The sequencer is feeding pitch voltage to the Synthetic Sound Labs Woven Spirits (MI Plaits). This is the chord pad sound. I used the DAW to pulse the gate info when I wanted the sequencer to reset at certain parts.
The seventh out was to send a continuous gate to the STG Soundlabs Time Buffer. The Time Buffer is receiving a sync-bus 24 ppq clock and run signal. I have a panel access to these with jack inputs so I sent the 5V gate to the RUN input. This allowed me to use this to start and stop all sequencer motion from the DAW.
The eighth out is to a Lower West Side Studios triple switch. This switch is used to add an offset voltage to the Woven Spirits Harmonic control.
The other fun part was playing the LWSS triple attenuator. I had three parts run through the module. The pair of STG VMS sequences were percussive background parts switched in and out as needed. The third part was a pulse version of the pad sound.

The Matrix duet in the mid section was clocked from the STG Time Divider module. Both Matrix were set with very closely aligned slider settings but the "Z" sliders were offset for variety. They sent pitch voltage to the TZ-VCO's from SSL. The duet were sent through the STG Post Lawsuit Filter and an Empress reverb/delay pedal.

Other outboard effects were the Meris Hedra for the bass line and the EMX Grand Canyon for the steady pad sound."

Abandoned Prairie Town

video upload by davidryle

"A Vector Sequencer project running the large format modular.
The slow pace was the experiment basis and the Vector Sequencer really handles that perfectly. I also added the Jack Expander module to the Vector so I had four sequence lines this time to send to the modular.
The drone bass is a Mos-Lab clone of the Moog 901. No need for a sequencer there as it is a single pitch.
The opening sound is the pair of Matrix modules. This sound effect is heard again at the closing passage.
The opening slow pad note sequence is the STG vco's and G294A filter through a Strymon Blue Sky pedal.
The swell pattern is two Q206's to the Q150 filter. The stereo signal is routed through a Lexicon MX200 for pitch shift and chorus.
The distant ghostly piano sounding sequence is two lines from the Vector to a pair of TZ vco's and the Yusynth Arp 4072 filter. The final effect chain is the Stasis Leak delay module and the Z-DSP signal processor.
The flutter sounding noise is the Dove WTF to a Tau Pipe phaser and an Oakly SVF in high pass mode.
The wind effects were the West Coast Noise Source to the MOTM 440 filter and the Q110 noise module to the Dove D502 filter in band pass mode."

Switchback Descent

video upload by davidryle

"The great Vector Sequencer from Five12. I am using it for a pair of simple 16 step sequences to the 5U modular by way of CV and Gate.

The clock is derived from the Moon Modular 553 Midi to Clock module. I used the 1/96th division and a start gate to tap the sync24 feature in the Vector. I do have an STG bus but the sync bus cable wouldn't reach out of the cabinet to the Vector. The other clock pulses are from the STG Time Divider.

The first patch is run to a pair of Q206 VCO's and the Q150 filter and then on to the Echo Fix tape delay. Stereo panning was from the Q158 VCA++ and a Mega Ohm LFO. The Ian Fritz Hypster by Synthetic Sound Labs is a modulation source for the decay stage of the STG Envelop Generator.

The bass line patch is a pair of STG Oscillators to a pair of Mega Ohm MA20's in low and high pass series. The SSL Tube VCA is used to add some drive. The Frequency Central Stasis Leak stereo chorus finishes the patch chain.

The third patch is a drone pad line from the Dove D900 sequencer to the WTF Oscillator and the Oakley SVF in Notch mode. The slow center frequency modulation from a second Mega Ohm LFO does a nice job of combing through the upper mids of the complex waveforms out of the WTF. The last part of the patch is through the Empress Reverb in green ghost mode.

The Vector is the first edition mk1 but still has quite the feature set. I was using a modulation lane for transpose to the pair of pitch sequences. This same transpose sequence was replicated on the Q960 with a second Q960 as a divider. The pitch voltages for the WTF were combined in the unity mixer of the STG Active Multiples module. I did use the Q171 Quantixer Bank for precision stepping from the Q960.

All sounds captured at once in a single take to Cubase 12. Video edited in Final Cut Pro.

Special thanks to Ron Sunsinger for the loan of the Vector and Adam Fritsche for the Stasis Leak module."

Busy Bezaleel

video upload by davidryle

"5U modular synthesizer song. Using the LinnStrument 128 and synthesizers.com Q174 MIDI Interface to play into the modular. The main voice was a pair of Synthetic Sound Labs TZ-VC Oscillators and a Yusynth ARP 4072 Filter. Bass line was the Q960 step sequencer to DOve D100 and D110 VCO's on to the Drove G294A filter. A kick drum is from the SSL Woven Spirits.The FX fluttering sound is the Dove D900 sequencer to a pair of STG Oscillators. The noise chuff sounds are the WCRS module into a MOTM 440 filter and delay.

The mid-section is the LinnStrument in arpeggiator mode for the bass line (a pair of Q106's through the Q107 filter) and for the upper arpeggiation (the TZ-VC osc pair through an Oakley SVF. The offbeat sequence is the Dove D900 through the STG oscillators and the Dove D502 filter. The pad sound is generated by the STG Voltage Mini Store to a pair of Q206 vco's and the Q150 filter to a Canyon Delay pedal."

Chill Synth Beats | One Hour of Focus Music

video upload by synthesizersdotcom

"Welcome to an hour of chill synth performances designed to create the perfect study atmosphere. Whether you're hitting the books, working on a project, or just need some relaxing background music, these synth beats will help you stay focused and inspired. 🎹✨

In this video, you'll find a seamless blend of soothing synthwave and ambient electronic music, crafted to enhance concentration and calm the mind. Let the smooth rhythms and mellow vibes guide you through your study session or any activity that requires a peaceful yet engaging soundtrack.

TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Snowflakes are Dancing
00:51 Lost City of G
04:28 Gate Math
05:14 Opening Sequences
08:45 Cycle of Life
13:20 DotCom Drone
24:53 Duophony
26:23 Pattern
27:32 Centerpiece
29:29 Journey from Wahfried
33:06 East Eats West
38:28 Panning
38:51 Tizita Masinqo
41:22 Mors Systemis Organici
44:42 Gate Math

A huge thank you to our creators:
@venushum: Snowflakes are Dancing
@giuliocarmassi: Lost City of G, Opening Sequences, Cycle of Life, Duophony
@geoelectro: Gate Math, Pattern, Panning
@ScottAmpleford: DotCom Drone, Centerpiece
Trevor McBride: Journey from Wahfried
@pacathomas: East Eats West
@KibromBirhane: Tizita Masinqo
@davidryle: Mors Systemis Organici

Most videos were submitted to our 2023 DotCompetition in exchange for store credit or a coupon. Others were part of a collaboration between Synthesizers.com and various musicians."

The Eternal Now

video upload by davidryle

"American Format (5U) modular synthesizer performance in real time to a stereo track in Cubase.
For an atonal wash I used the Dove Audio Waveplane and WTF vco's through an Oakley Sound Systems Ring Modulator. I then sent it through A dotcom Q150 transistor ladder filter and a Lower West Side Studio Multimode Filter/Resonator and on to a fixed filter bank and a Frequency Central Stasis Leak digital delay. This drone wash comes in at the final section and ending.
The opening reed sound and accompanying organ sounds were derived from the Synthetic Sound Labs/Mutable Instruments (Braids) Woven Spirits module.
The initial reed sound is from the AUX output of the Woven Spirits through an SSL/Ian Fritz 5 Pulser and Oakley Sound Systems State Variable Filter. The filter is stepped with a random S&H from JNP Electronics.
The secondary organ chord sound is the Main direct output of the Woven Spirits in Chord mode. The combination of both elements are sent to an Electro-Harmonix Grand Canyon in DMM mode. Feedback is applied as needed for the drone sustain throughout the piece.
The bass line comes in next with a pair of STG Soundlabs Oscillators through a Dove Audio D502 Multimode filter in -24dB LP mode. The pitch voltage is from the upper Q960 step sequencer. It's timing is from a Catgirl Synth Master Divider, clocked from a custom Dual LFO/Analog Shift Register of Ken Stone (Catgirl Synth) design. An additional tap from the STG oscillator through a Corsynth C103 Frequency Divider/Multiplier module for a sub-octave feed.
The melodic line blended into the latter section is from a pair of Q106 dotcom vco's which are pitch controlled by the lower Q960 sequencer. Each vco pitch is from a separate row of the Q960. The Q960's shift timing is from the CGS Master Divider module. The output is routed through an Empress Reverb pedal in Blue Ghost mode. Panning is from the LWSS/Yusynth Panning Mixer.
All pitch quantitization is through a Moon Modular 565 series setup.
Additional voltage modulation to the Woven Spirits module are from the STG Soundlabs voltage mini stores, and vaious LFO's etc. Timing for the additional sequencers is also managed by the Moster Divider."

Mercury

video upload by davidryle

"Racing around the Sun.
This modular synth project is a single take to Cubase. Every sound is from the 5U modular with the exception of the pad effects by the use of a Strymon Blue Sky and Empress Reverb.
The Noise sweep sound is a Joyo Classic Flanger pedal."

The Vanishing Night

video upload by davidryle

"Good things happen in pairs sometimes...

Two new Synthetic Sound Labs 1201 TZ-VC Oscillators are the main project center. I sent the lower tuned sine wave (modulator) to the higher tuned (carrier) phase modulation input. I routed the modifier through a vca with a random S&H amount to give it a little life.The modulator was pitch tracked from one of a pair of Matrix Algorithmic Composer modules from SSL. The carrier was pitch stable. The wave of the carrier is a triangle wave through the Grove Audio G294A LPF. It is the final tuned percussive sound trailing at the end with the drone.
The other paired oscillators were the drone duet played by the STG Soundlabs vco's through a Q107 SVF in low pass. The pair of STG VMS sequencers are the pitch source.
The bass part is a trio of Mos-Lab 901's and an SSL 1200 vco. They are low pass filtered with the LWSS M401 Multimode Filter/Resonator. The upper Q960 step sequencer is the pitch source.
The opening synthetic pan drum sound is a Q106 saw wave and the square wave output of the second Matrix module run through the Oakley Ring Modulator and a Q150 LPF. The Q106 is pitch controlled by taking the Matrix cv through a quantizer and then a S&H to limit the cv range.
The second percussive voice was the PWM output of the modulator 1201 through a Mega Ohm Audio MA20 vcf in high pass then a EHX Grand Canyon reverb and finally stereo phase shifters from the Lexicon MX200.
Snare sound is the SSL Woven Spirits (MI Plaits) and the Kick is the Delptronics LDB-2e. Percussive timings are handled by the Moon Modular 563 Trigger Sequencer.
The drone loop arpeggio is the Dove Audio D900 Mu-Seq into a Q106 saw wave to an EHX Canyon pedal in multi-tapped delay mode."

Lunartube Habitat w/ New Synthetic Sound Labs 1201 TZ Oscillator

video upload by davidryle

"Digging in the regolith...

The new Synthetic Sound Labs 1201 TZ Oscillator in 5U format.

https://steamsynth.com/shop/moog-unit...

This production is centered around the new VCO with other modules from SSL as well as a version of the TZVCO from The Bridechamber and Ian Fritz, who is the original gangster.

The theme is the idea of a human habitat on the moon within the lunar pits formed from lava tubes. Personally I would rather stay on Earth than live in a cave, but that's just me."

"Our newest 1201 VCO is based on the superb new SSI2130 chip. The 1201 offers all the features of our original Model 1200 with massively improved range, tracking and stability. We’ve added continuous control of pulse width modulation, and separate linear and exponential FM inputs with convenient input attenuators.

Most importantly – the 1201 offers linear Thru-Zero FM (Frequency Modulation) and PM (Phase Modulation). When paired with a secondary oscillator, these modulation types provide extremely rich harmonic textures. Thru-Zero (or TZ) has proven to be difficult to produce in the analog realm prior to the availability of the SSI2130 chip."

Something Wicked...

video upload by davidryle

"A new vco from Synthetic Sound Labs is coming soon. Something wicked and new."

First Frost

davidryle

"A generative melodic project on the 5U modular synth.
A pair of synthesizers.com Q960 step sequencers in 3rd row control of timing provide staggered phrases. Each phrase is independent clock though closely timed. The drift is important to the interaction. One phrase is eight steps and the other is five steps. A pair of LFO's set some switch modules to introduce a new loop point at random times, further diversifying the patterns.
A random gate module from Yusynth (Yves Usson design) is employed to pick when auxiliary voices will sample from the step sequencers.
The first sound is a single Q106 triangle wave to the Synthetic Sound Labs digital delay, STG Soundlabs Sea Devils filter and Oakley Sound Systems SV filter in high pass. It then is run through the SSL Tube VCA/Timbral Gate. The random gates module sets when a pitch is sampled from the Q960's.
The second sound is the bass voice from the Dove Audio WTF vco into a Q150 Ladder Filter from Synthesizers.com. The same random gates module again selects when a voltage is picked from the Q960's.
The third pair of melodic lines are a pair of STG oscillators through the tube vca again. This pair are following the Q960's exactly.
A final voice is a Q106A vco with a PWM and triangle waves selected by the SSL Segwencer module before sending them to the Empress Reverb pedal. This time a pair of sequential switch outputs from the STG Switch determine which of the four outputs from the Q960's will send a voltage to a dotcom S&H then on to a Slew Generator.
Final effects were a Behringer 3rd Dimension BBD-320, a chorus delay from the TC Electronic s D-Two and a Lexicon MX200 in hall reverb state."

Canon de Coulomb

davidryle

"Two Q960 step sequencers running independent, free tempos and using the 3RD ROW CONTROL OF TIMING setting. Both are duplicating the same timing voltages and the first row pitch voltages. The second row is a little different on two steps. Of course the drift between them is obvious and I am changing the reset and skip switches as they play. The oscillators are STG and they are run into a Synthetic Sound Labs 1530 Tube VCA/Timbral Gate module for tube saturation. Then run through a Sea Devils filter and tape delay.
The bass notes are from the Dove Audio WTF vco through a Synthesizers.com Q150 transistor ladder filter in 24dB slope. The "siren call" upper sound is a pair of Q106 vco's sequenced by STG Soundlabs voltage mini stores and run through a Post Lawsuit LPF. The final signal chain is a Meris Hedra and Empress Reverb."

Night Horse

davidryle

"Slow melodic ambient piece using 2-Q960's, Q119, 2-STG sequencers, and an Instruo Harmonaig. Oscillators include a Q106, MI Braids, and four STG oscillators. Filters include Sea Devils, Oakley SVF, Q150 and Yusynth Arp 4072. Delays include EchoFix tape delay, Modcan Dual Delay, Behringer DD400, Empress Reverb, TC Electronics D-Two, and 2-Lexicon MX200.

The main looping line from a Q960 into the Harmonaig is steady until midway when I disconnect the gate pulse from a quantizer and insert a random gate source from a Yusynth Random Gate module.

An additional faster sequence from a second Q960 through an STG Switch module is playing a Dove Audio WTF vco and a Q106 through the Q107 bandpass filter. It comes in around midway and fades out again."

Light Bender

davidryle

"STG Soundlabs Oscillators (two in Eurorack and one 5U) for the main pad line and one along with a Q106 for the bass line. An additional pair of VCO's (Dove WTF and Q106) for the faster upper sequence. Filters used for the bass line are Sea Devils and Oakley SVF. Filter used for the pad line is Q150. Filter for upper sequence is the Q107 in band pass mode. EG for bass line is STG and another for the pad sound. Q109's for the upper sequence envelopes. Main clock from the Q960. Sequencers include two Q960's and a pair of STG VMS.The Moon 563 trigger sequencer, two Q962 sequential switches and an STG switch for the shift timings. Delays included a Modcan 73B Dual Delay, Empress Reverb, Lexicon MX200, TCE D-Two and EchoFix tape delay."

Voice of the Mountain/ STG Oscillator drone

davidryle

"A little more detail about the modulation feature of the new STG Soundlabs Oscillator. Actually two of them in 5U large format.
This a longer drone so you can hear the slow and subtle pitch modulation. They are capable of very stable tuning as wee as outrageously wide modulation. All this right on the front panel with a unique type of drift algorithm.
The drone is controlled by a pair of Q960 sequencers and a pair of STG Voltage sequencers for octave and semitone transpose. The video demo is in two parts. The first part is a display of the modulation amount and drift speed, as well as the semitone and octave switching. They are also capable of LFO functions and a smooth sweeping 'WIDE' setting.
The second portion is a long (10 minute) ambient chill drone with various delays and reverbs. The slowly drifting pitch modulation reminded me of distant horns so I had to visualize some mountain voices. I also added a drifty, noisy filtered background for atmosphere."

Follow-up to this post.

A Tincture As Needed

davidryle

"A 5U modular patch with the new STG Soundlabs Oscillators. Using a pair of synthesizers.com Q960 step sequencers and a pair of STG Envelope Generators as well as a Post Lawsuit LPF and Yusynth Arp 4072 filter. Other processors include EchoFix tape delay, Maestro phase shifter, Klark Teknik 3rd Dimension and Hedra pitch shifter. The modulation aspect of the STG VCO's is very useful for detuning right on the front panel. These are very alive sounding and have plenty of character."

Tycoon Lagoon

davidryle

Audio gets going at :27.

"New STG Soundlabs Oscillators in 5U. These are excellent sounding vco's with a few unique tricks up their sleeves. So happy to have them in the large format modular synthesizer realm. This was a hurried first patch to give me a quick listen to the sound of them.
I'm using a pair of STG Voltage Mini Stores for the pitch cv to them. Both are mixed then sent to an STG PostLawsuit LPF. The lower pitched VCO is unmodulated with a sawtooth out and the upper pitched VCO is a square pulse wave out. The upper pitch VCO is also sending a sawtooth out to an Oakley VCADSR and STG Sea Devils filter which is pulsed by the STG Trigger Mini Store. Both VCO's are amplitude shaped by a pair of STG Envelope Generators with their decay (T3 stage) voltage controlled by LFO's.
Additional sounds are from the Dove Audio WTF and FM from the lower STG VCO triangle wave, and a kick drum sound from the FSFX Macro Oscillator (MI Braids). A tape delay rounds out the final mix without the kick drum.
Recorded straight from the 5U to Cubase. No post processing."

Hammer Blow

davidryle

"Echo Fix EF-X2 tape delay experiment with a more rhythmic sequencer parts.
All of it generated from the 5U large format modular. What I find especially appealing from the delay is the way it blends in without stomping all over the source signal. Also the steady nature of the new high quality drive motor and tape shuttle is evident when turning off the motor and starting it up again. No glitching from the mode knob when changing through head taps. All in all I think the Echo Fix is the best tape delay ever built. The reverb is a mix of true spring and the digital delay. Besides the Echo Fix the only other gear outside the 5U is the Canyon delay in Octave mode for the rapid slap kick coming from the Sputnik Voltage Controlled Slope module."

Radio Morning

davidryle

"A real time recording of the Moog Subharmonicon, EH Canyon Looper, Empress Reverb, Encore Frequency Shifter, a custom RADIO module for the 5U large format modular, Dove Audio WTF VCO, synthesizers.com Q150 filter and Echo Fix EF-X2 tape delay.
The radio module is voltage controlled by a Q119 step sequencer from synthesizers.com. It is run into the frequency shifter and a mix of several noise and stored random voltages from the Sputnik West Coast Random Source (a Buchla Source of Uncertainty clone) is modulating the frequency center. This is then run to an STG Post Lawsuit Low Pass Filter and on to an Oakley Audio state variable filter in band pass resonant mode. I am playing the center frequency of this filter and sending the signal on to the Echo Fix tape delay. The delay is voltage controlled from a Mega Ohm Audio LFO2 module from the 5U modular with a very slow rising ramp wave. As the voltage drops off the tape delay motor sweeps back down with a wonderful gliding effect.
The Subharmonicon is clocked from another Mega Ohm Audio LFO2. The output of Sequencer 2 is sent to a Dove Audio Window Transform Function VCO and gated to a Q109 Envelope Generator as well as run through the Q150 Transistor Ladder filter by synthesizers.com.
A separate instance of the Subharmonicon was previously recorded to the Electro Harmonix Canyon pedal looper. It is faded up at the last portion to add momentum to the piece. The Empress Reverb pedal is adding some nice modulated reverb to the SubH and Canyon.
What I really enjoyed was the glorious runaway feedback of the tape echo. It was fun to balance out the moving swells at the same time as playing the sub oscillators on the SubH and Oakley filter. As I moved about the antenna of the radio varied in how strong the signal picked up the AM radio stations. This lended another modulation and random aspect to the waveforms injected into the piece. A fun exercise."

Down to the Sky

davidryle

"Moog Subharmonicon, Meris Hedra, Strymon Blue Sky, Tip Top Z-DSP with Valhalla Shimmer and the large format modular 5U. All levels were automated by the Q119 and two Q960 step sequencers from synthesizers.com. An additional pair of oscillators (Dove Audio WTF and Mutable Instruments Braids) are following the timing of Seq1 and Seq2 clocks of the Subharmonicon and indexing the STG Voltage Mini Stores for pitch data. Finally a rumbling and squelchy effects patch is from a frequency shifter, random voltage sources and an Arp 4072 filter."