Crazy to think this is the end of an era. Before eurorack ever took off, we had Wiard and Blacet (Frac Rack format) format modules. The Mini Wave was one of the top modules. It's hard to see them go.
"Over the years, we have sold 100's of Grant Richter's [of Wiard] innovative MiniWave wave table module but now it's time to say goodbye to this fantastic device.
Unfortunately, some of the parts are getting hard to source.
It features 256 wave lookups with a sawtooth input or get a huge variety of distortion effects with other inputs. Plus, it's a quantizer.
Order now and get an extra 256 wave "Socket Rocket" free.
"Yamaha DX100 patch editing with Patch Base on iPad. Patch Base is a full-featured patch editor and librarian for new and vintage synthesizers. More information at https://coffeeshopped.com/patch-base"
"A true analog modular synthesizer - small in size, small in price, big in sound
For sure, you want to know first "how does this thing sound?", so here are some Demo-Videos that give you a first impression (the first one together with a Groovebox):
AE modular Demo MIDI Sync with Novation CIRCUIT
Published on Nov 9, 2016 tangible waves
How did it all started?
It started with the idea to build a Lunetta style synth (a synth based on digital logic chips (mis)using them for creating sound, a creation of Stanley Lunetta, therefore the name). For me it is also appealing to have the devices very compact (the KORG Volca series gave me lots of inspiration here), so I defined a small module format (about 10 x 2.5 cm). I liked the concept of abusing electronic parts, which gave the project it's name (AE: abused electronics).
Over the time I felt the wish to add this or that 'conventional' module, like Filter, Envelope, VCA, and one by one I ended up building a "standard" modular synthesizer!
What's special?
Compared to the usual Eurorack Modular Synths, we have some differences here, mainly to get a small form factor and cutting the price:
Modules are not Eurorack compatible
The Oscillators module is not working in 1V/octave standard (due to the roots in the Lunetta approach); but a 1V/octave VCO will be added soon to the modules palette
Patching is done via simple patch-wires and small pin-sockets (not minijack-cables as in the eurorack-world); this cuts the cost drastically and also saves a lot of space on the module. Another advantage: Module outputs are mostly dual or triple, which makes "Multiples" modules obsolete
Generally, AE modular follows the "not-so-perfect" approach; circuits are sometimes simplified and show their own character in some points - it's intentionally a contrast to the high-polished stuff we get from digital synths / DAWs / plugins. But always the usage as an artistic tool is considered!
The design style is also a little special: The frontpanels are not (expensively) printed, but rubber-stamped; I like this somehow "unperfect" look - I hope you too! (Don't worry: a special, durable color is used.)
What's not different is, that you get a real modular synthesizer: The selection and arrangement of the modules is absolutely free! You can add new modules later (simply remove 2 screws, plug in the module, fix the screws again) or rearrange them according to your needs.
What do you get?
In this Kickstarter project, two different preinstalled module racks are offered:
with one row of modules
double size with two rows and some more modules (for contained modules see the pledge description)
In the package is also
A power supply
please note which kind of plug you need (EU, UK, US)
A bunch of patch wires
MIDI breakout cable
A user guide / short introduction
The modules in detail:
MASTER, I/O: The master module with power supply, Input/output jacks (1/8" mono minijack) for audio and control voltages and MIDI-Input (via a breakout cable). MIDI works either omni or on channel 1. MIDI Clock/Start/Stop are provided via the bus to the modules; same with CV/Gate for Notes and one Controller.
2OSC: 2 Oscillators with Squarewave, Triangle and Sync outputs, Sync and CV input
NOISE: A noise generator (white noise, digitally based with variable frequency)
FILTER: A filter with lowpass/bandpass/highpass output, adjustable frequency and resonance (Wasp type)
ENV: An AD type envelope (Attack/Decay) with switchable Sustain and two time ranges
2VCA: A dual voltage-controlled amplifier for controlling signal levels or modulating control voltages
LFO: modulation oscillator with squarewave (adjustable pulsewidth), triangle or falling sawtooth output, two time ranges
2S&H: A dual Sample&Hold module, for creating random or stepped control voltages
2ATT/CV: For attenuating control voltages or as voltage source
MIXER4-4: A mixer for signals or control voltages with four adjustable inputs and additional four "full-level" inputs.
DELAY: A delay with a lo-fi, analog character
LOGIC: Combines two inputs by different logic rules (AND, NAND, XOR); for rhythmic patterns and also interesting for audio signals (gives ringmodulator-like sounds)
STEP10: A trigger sequencer with up to 10 steps, for creating gate patterns
The future of AE modular:
If you know a little bit about modular synthesizers, you will see that we have the basic modules in the box; but the fun get's much bigger with additional other modules. If this project succeeds, there will be a lot of other modules available that are planned or already under development like:
VCO with 1V/octave characteristic
Oscillator banks (for sound clusters, drones...)
Sampler (play samples from a microSD-card, eventually with granulation)
MakerLab Murnau / J.-U. Bittlinger (the availabilty of the Lab pushed the development a lot!)
Luna Sonnemann for the wonderful photos
Roman Feldmeier and Marco Asam for their support in the video session and giving me ideas.
Furthermore thanks to Marco for getting the word out and helping me to find distribution, as well giving me the ability to present an Alpha version at the Bavaria Ableton Usergroup. The Feedback helped and gave me a lot of motivation.
my wife Sabine for her strong support of my ideas
...and finally YOU for your interest and (hopefully) your support!"
"The ARP 2600 is one of the most incredible analog synthesizers ever created. During the 2016 Red Bull Music Academy, we asked studio team member M. Salaciak to shows us how the semi-modular monophonic synthesizer works.
1. Aftertouch set to OFF.
2. Improved Arp timing, start and stop.
3. MIDI Glide/ PORTAMENTO has been implemented.
CC 65 - 0-off 1-127 on
CC 5 - 0-127 time for portamento is in 64ths of the main clock, so a setting of halfway makes the 0-COAST take a whole clock pulse to arrive. If the clock or CC5 changes during portamento it adjusts, so you can automate if you want.
Zero is same as OFF for either CC 5 or CC 65.
4. Programming of the 0-COAST PGM Pages using MIDI CC messages. Please note we have created a Max 4 Live Object called “Make Noise 0-Coast Page Programmer.amxd” which makes programming the 0-COAST from Ableton via MIDI very simple. If you use Max 4 Live have a look at it please.
"Big moon, small view - Despite awful weather, I managed to catch a glimpse of the 'Supermoon'.
Music: 2 VCO's were tuned to a set pitch, whilst the pitch of the third was controlled by a keyboard. All three were then combined using the Ring SM, and sent to the ladder filter, along with varying amounts of the 3rd VCO and the two sub octaves from the Ring SM. The 'pad' sound in the background was made using the 3 VCO's in the same fashion, but sent directly to the filter.
It was recorded in Cubasis on an iPad, using Virsyn's Audio Reverb.
This was improvised and recorded/filmed on the fly, so the results are far from ideal.
For better audio, see here: https://soundcloud.com/tomorrowthecur..."
"The Cyclone Analogic TT-606 Drum Drone is an inspired clone of the TR-606 Drumatix, from Roland. It is an analog drum machine with the classic TR sequencer interface. It contains individual outputs per drum sound, a useful expansion upon the original TR-606 for patching with other modern gear. MIDI In/Out, a headphone jack, and an amplifier send are also available.
The TT-606 contains all the classic drum sounds from the TR, including Kick, Snare, Low and High toms, Cymbal, open and closed Hihat, Rimshot and Clap, with an adjustable parameter for each sound. Each sound has selectable Accent, Flam, and Roll tracks, for ultimate pattern sequencing.
The sequencer includes multiple choices for subdivisions of the Tempo, including 1/16, 1/32, 8th note triplets, and 16th note triplets. It also has options for shuffle, all of which can be programmed in real time.
TT-606 Drum Drone Features
TR-606 Cloned Drum Machine
MIDI In/Out & Thru
Headphone Output
Amplifier Output
9x Instruments with Individual Outputs
Adjustable Tone Parameter
Accent, Flam & Roll Tracks
4x Sequencer Speeds"
Here's an interesting bit from the past. I believe this is the first time this software has been featured here on MATRIXSYNTH. This one is in via Joel Braverman who has actually worked with it: "here is something I think is worth linking to - took me quite a while to find it because I forgot the name, its been more than a few years since I last experimented with it probably in the late 1990s or early 2000s - this a MIDI programming system **created by AT&T**, perhaps in the vein of Max MSP/ PureData/ OpenSoundWorld toolkits."
If you are familiar with this software, please leave a comment.
"KeyKit used to be called Keynote. It is a programming language and graphical user interface for MIDI, useful for both algorithmic and realtime musical experimentation. A screenshot showing a collection of its graphical tools is shown here. Here is more information about the features of KeyKit, and here is a FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions. For examples of music created with KeyKit, visit the home page of Tim Thompson, or Stephane Rollandin's GeoMaestro. KeyKit is being made freely available by AT&T for non-commercial use."
Update via Tim in the comments: "KeyKit has been recently ported to 64-bit as well as to the Raspberry Pi. You can find the latest source code and some binaries here: https://github.com/nosuchtim/keykit"
