April Easter Jam

video upload by ranzee

"A whole bunch of hardware synthesizers!

The sequences you hear are from my modular system which includes VCZIII oscillator, filter from Feedback Modules, Behringer System 100m and 2500 modules. Also some Roland System 500 gear. The sequences are mainly from the Korg SQ64 - but I've also used Behringer 960 to do some things, as well as getting the SQ64 to trigger the 182 sequencer - see if you can spot it :)

Vocoder bit was done on the Roland E4. Other strings and sounds were from Streichfett, Pro 800 and Novation Peak. Effects are MXR Flanger or in the Modular system: Strymon Magneto, Intellijel Sealegs, Feedback Modules 106 Chorus."

► Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ranzee
► Blog: http://ranzee.com

Intellijel Multigrain

video upload by ranzee

"This is an excerpt from Synth Geekery ep 291. If you missed it, we showed the latest module from Intellijel - the Multigrain!!

The Intellijel Multigrain is a 20HP stereo morphing granular sampler designed for Eurorack systems. It offers eight simultaneous sound slots, each with dual scene morphing and extensive modulation capabilities. With high-fidelity audio processing, onboard resampling, and a unique Blur reverb effect, Multigrain provides a versatile platform for intricate granular synthesis. Users can load samples via microSD or record directly into the module, enabling dynamic and expressive sound manipulation.

Watch the full video here:"

Synthy Tests

video upload by ranzee

https://ranzee.com

https://www.patreon.com/ranzee

Adamsynths Warthog

video upload by ranzee

"The Synth Geekery crew discuss the Warthog by Adam Synths. It is an innovative Eurorack-compatible analog modular synthesizer that introduces groundbreaking features such as total recall and seamless DAW integration. This system allows users to save and recall all potentiometer positions, switch settings, and patch cable configurations, revolutionizing the modular synthesis experience."

https://ranzee.com

https://www.patreon.com/ranzee

See the Warthog announcment post here.

Mailbag 12 - Part 5 - CMS Lab +/- 18 dB

video upload by ranzee

"CMS Lab +/- 18 dB module helps amplify a signal by up to + or - 18 dB!
I can be used for audio or CV signals.
This edition of Mailbag - I check out the first look at the module. Putting it through a few audio and CV tests!

0:00 Intro
0:11 Unboxing
0:35 First Look
2:40 Triangle Wave to Trapezoid
4:05 Line level vs Eurorack level
5:08 Changing shapes of Envelopes
7:06 Sine wave modulation boosting"

► Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ranzee
► Blog: http://ranzee.com

Mailbag 12 - Part 4 - Slosines by CMS LAB

video upload by ranzee

"The Slosines by CMS Lab is a collaboration project with Feedback Modules. It's an LFO with 4 independent sine waves. Each offering a normal and inverted output with a rate control from 32 seconds up to 4 Hz.

This video is in the mailbag format - unboxing, and first look. Enjoy!"

► Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ranzee
► Blog: http://ranzee.com

Mailbag 12 - Part 3 - Feedback Modules JP8 VCF

video upload by ranzee

"Feedback Modules JP8 VCF - Mailbag style - quick unboxing and then plug it in and check it out for the first time :)"

► Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ranzee
► Blog: http://ranzee.com

Mailbag 12 - Part 2 - VCZIII VCF

video upload by ranzee

"Feedback Modules & CMS Labs VCZIII VCF !!!
Unboxing & First look!

Check out the other parts:
Part 1 - Lazer Phazer : link TBA
Part 2 - this video
Part 3 - JP8 VCF : link TBA
Part 4 - Slowsines : link TBA
Part 5 - +/- 18dB : link TBA
Part 6 - Touch & Touchable : link TBA\

Video contents:
00:00 Intro
00:08 Unboxing
02:56 Lasers!
03:37 Filter envelopes!
04:31 Audio rate goodies
05:18 Filter sweeps (white noise)"

► Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ranzee
► Blog: http://ranzee.com

Gate 16 (Stargate) Remix Live

video upload by ranzee

"During Synth Geekery ep 245 I performed a live remix of Gate 16 - Star Gate. This is a live remix.

You can find the album Gates on sinners music bandcamp:"

https://sinnersmusicuk.bandcamp.com

Impromptu Synthy Live Stream - Let's Patch!

video upload by ranzee

► Blog: http://ranzee.com
► Soft donations: (paypal) ranz@ranzee.com

Mailbag 10 - Feedback Modules VCZIII Oscillator

video upload by ranzee

"We are checking out the Feedback Modules VCZIII VCO Oscillator - both type A and B. The VCZIIIA and VCZIIIB are modelled after the EMS VCS3 synthesizer and have similar design and functionality as the original.

The mailbag series are videos where I receive parcels and open them for the first time. Plug the item in and test it out, showing you my first impressions of the items. These generally aren't reviews, nor are they a polished product demonstration. I'm more after the raw end user approach here."

Video Contents:
00:00 Intro
00:20 Parcel opening
01:20 VCZIIIA inspecting
02:30 VCZIIIB inspecting
05:00 Oscillator sound checks
05:15 VCS3 comparison
06:30 Tuning
08:00 VCZIIIA shape
11:20 LFO on shape
12:23 FM
12:50 VCZIIIB shape
16:00 Sync
17:35 Dual oscillators
18:44 Conclusion

► Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ranzee
► Blog: http://ranzee.com

NiftyKeyz Firmware Update

video upload by ranzee

"NiftyKeyz by Cre8Audio is a modular CV keyboard with a bunch of awesome features. This video shows how to perform a firmware update on the Apple Mac (m1) computer.

To find the NiftyKeyz firmware file - please check out my blog article and more here:

https://ranzee.com/niftykeyz/"

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ranzee

NiftyCase - Firmware Update

video upload by ranzee

"Step-by-step procedure in updating the Cre8Audio NiftyCase to the new USB firmware. Cre8Audio have developed a new boot loader that uses a different USB protocol (HID instead of libUSB). This new boot loader is used on our later products (Mr Phil Ter, and NiftyKEYZ) without any reported problems, and without the need for drivers on any OS. It will also be used for future NiftyCASE, Chipz and Cellz batches.

I found this update also fixed my CV Pitch 1v/Oct issue."

► Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ranzee
► Blog: http://ranzee.com

Arturia BeatStep Pro Repair

video upload by ranzee

"This video shows how to replace a broken encoder knob and fix the sticky rubberised paint issue."

https://ranzee.com

https://www.patreon.com/ranzee

Gates by Ranzee

video upload by ranzee

"A quick look over the latest album Gates. There's an excerpt from each of the 16 tracks. You can buy a copy via BandCamp here:

https://sinnersmusicuk.bandcamp.com/a...

Or alternatively add it to your favourites on your streaming provider."

"An album with a theme about gates - a double meaning. For those who are knowledgeable in synthesisers, especially the modular type, will be aware of gates. Gates are a control voltage (a pulse of electricity) which is used in synthesiser things - like: clocks, envelopes, sequencers etc. Gates are voltage high or low (a square wave) – hence having an open or closed state. Working with this each track has a themed gate, such as a farm gate or a boom gate. Some gates exist in our daily lives, others are a fantasy. The noon of a gate either stops things from getting in/out or protects the things within. It has a stop/go feature."

Behringer 960 Sequencer - Quick Setup

video upload by ranzee

"A quick setup guide to getting up and running with the Behringer 960 sequential controller.

Skip straight to the section you need:

00:00 Intro
00:44 Sequencer Overview
03:14 Tuning setup
04:04 Connecting your modules
04:52 3rd row timing control
05:33 962 Sequential switch
06:46 Using a track for modulation
07:23 Sending clock to a delay FX
08:00 Clocking externally
09:05 Transposing your sequence
10:13 Finishing up"

Behringer 960 Advanced Setup
video upload by ranzee

"Part 2 to the Behringer 960 Sequencer Setup series. I take a look at some more advanced setup and patching.

Video contents

00:00 Intro
00:53 Quantizer
03:44 Ratcheting
08:23 Gate Length
10:06 Graphic Oscillator Waveforms
18:40 Sequencer as an LFO
21:20 9th Stage controls
27:29 Wrapping up"

Sequencer Jam No. 1 2024

video upload by ranzee

"#jamuary2024 Sequencer Jam

Sequencer Jam: Gear list ... Behringer System 100m modules: 110 (x2), 182 Sequencer, Behringer 2500 modules: 1004 Oscillator (x2), 1006 FiltAmp, 1033 Dual EG, Feedback Modules: Mix BX, Mix CR, 106 Chorus, Intellijel: Metropolis, Planar2, Sealegs, ALM Pamela’s New Workout, Melekko Varigate 8+, Voltage Block, Noise Engineering Basimilus Iteritas, Strymon Magneto, Happy Nerding FX Aid, Erica Synths Black BBD, Roland System 500 modules: 521 Dual VCF, 530 Dual VCA, 540 Dual EG, Expert Sleepers ES-8, FH-2, 2HP Tune, Klavis Quadigy, Mordax Data, Roland SE-02, MX-1, TR-8, Ableton Live Suite 11 - including the following VSTs: Arturia Vocoder V, Cable Guys Shaper Box 2. Recorded audio through RME Digiface, Roland MX-1 and Presonus Studio 192. Oh, and there's also the Waldorf Streichfett going through the Orion from WMD, and the Novation Peak ... phew!"

https://ranzee.com
https://www.patreon.com/ranzee

February Filter Sweep YouTube Protest & a Call to any YouTube / Google Employees

Youtube claimed copyright on a synth filter sweep video by ranzee

"I can't believe we are now getting copyright claims just for performing tests on synths! Yep - all I did was a filter sweep - and BAM! Copyright Claim police came on in and took my video away (partially) from the world. This is ludicrous!"

This one was sent my way via supporting member, Synth Addict.

For those not aware, YouTube has algorithms that scan audio in videos for copyright infringement. If something is found in violation, the video is automatically unpublished. The problem? Apparently certain filter sweeps are triggering take downs. This is becoming a problem for synth demos (per ranzee above, and previously mentioned here for example). I am curious what sample is being used for the comparison. Rush's Tom Sawyer? :) Actually, Synth Addict mentioned it being a Chemical Brothers track, which does sound familiar. Anyway, if anyone out there reading this has any connections, maybe you can reach out to someone that can fix this?

For the rest of us, not sure how the following will help, but if anything it will bring some attention to the problem amongst the synth community.

via Synth Addict:

"What users can do:

Post a video on YouTube of yourself demonstrating a filter sweep on a synth or synths of your choice and tag it #FFS

Attached image created by Andrew Brooks on FB [the image directly above, in this post], as a joint effort with the chat community of Pro Synth Network, GEO Synths, and SonicState.

bogus YT claims received so far by:

Pro Synth Network
GEO Synths
ranzee
Andrew Brooks
Starsky Carr
…and growing"

Update: and the first #FFS video:

FFS - February Filter Sweep

video by Vague Robots

And a couple more:

CLICK FOR MORE »

Volca FM Firmware 1.09 Unofficial

Published on Feb 17, 2020 ranzee

"There's a new unofficial firmware update from Paten via Reddit - it's for the Volca FM and version 1.09! Let's check out the new features:

- Sending Sysex from DEXED using it as a front end to sound design
- Fixes for the program change feature

Download link is on my website:

https://ranzee.com/volca-fm-firmware-..."

Spotted on discchord.

Volca Mockups - the Volcas we wish Korg made

Published on Nov 2, 2019 ranzee

"A fun video showcasing some of the funniest Korg Volca mockups around. If you have one that I didn't show let us know in a comment below :)"

See this post for the Buchla LSD.

Unnofficial Volca FM firmware 1.08 Update

Published on Oct 19, 2019 ranzee

Disclaimer: this is an unofficial update. Install at your own risk. Posting this only to let you know it exists. This was sent in via @dashcammusic. You can find the download link and comments at this reddit thread. Also, not sure why the download link would expire tomorrow.

"Volca FM firmware 1.08 [UNOFFICIAL] - velocity on note in, LFO fix, patch transfer, more CCs etc.
TLDR; I hacked the Volca FM firmware, fixed a bunch of really old bugs, added some features.

I have received a lot of feedback from people requesting the "1.05" FW (that added velocity on MIDI in) that I posted this spring. In June, I made a 1.06 version that added a bunch of other stuff as well. Big THANKS to the small group of beta testers that helped me evaluate that :-)
Imagine my surprise when KORG did the september FW drop - I thought the older Volcas were orphaned. But they did release FW for the FM - and still ignored the bugs! It was a bit rich. Now I have grafted my tweaks onto the 1.07 FW - you guys like it super fresh I imagine.
Check the KORG official FW update instructions carefully. 2 files need to go through for this to work as intended. Make sure no other sounds are playing, and use 44.1kHz native sample rate.
I take no responability whatsoever if you manage to mess up your FM. THIS IS ON YOUR OWN RISK.
Get it here: https://we.tl/t-gADWuRk37k (expires on oct 24th)

Change log (from ORIGINAL KORG fw (1.03, 1.04, 1.07)):

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