What About The Forests? /// A @carbonbasedlifeforms Inspired Jam /// Cascadia, Pulsar-23, OB-6

video upload by Jon Gee

"CBL Heads in the house!!

Kept the Pulsar pulsing in the back of the mix for this one. Cascadia’s two oscillators and filters shining here. Love the way it sounds. Thank you @intellijel 🎚️🎚️🎚️🎛️🎛️🎛️

My fav Pad on the OB-6 with aftertouch opening the filter cutoff."

BAF 2024: Black Corporation - Jupiter 8 Desktop

video upload by sonicstate

"At Buchla and Friends 2024 we hooked up with Roman Filippov of Black Corporation who has produced a limited edition charity version of his synthesizer, based on the Jupiter-8, with all proceeds going to non-military charities in Ukraine. Filippov also announced his collaboration with Buchla, bringing back vintage modules that were released in the early to mid-70s. These modules have been recreated using modern technology, while still maintaining the core sound of the original Buchla models. They also include new features such as USB and MIDI out, polyphonic aftertouch, and extended tracking capabilities. The Buchla modules are now available for purchase through the Buchla website and the official sourceofuncertainty.com web store.

Jupiter 8 Desktop Price: 4,299 USD

https://black-corporation.com/"

See the Source of Uncertainty announcement post here.

BAF 2024: New Systems Instruments - New Modules

video upload by sonicstate

"At Buchla and Friends 2024, Sonic State caught up with Evan from New Systems Instruments to discuss their latest modular offerings. Evan showcased three main modules: the Triphase Oscillator, the Harmonic Shift Oscillator, and the Inertia function generator.

The Triphase Oscillator offers three phases of a sawtooth oscillator with a bipolar mixer, allowing for extensive control and the creation of unique super saw sounds. On the other hand, the Harmonic Shift Oscillator provides control over level and stride which controls the spacing between harmonics, enabling users to create a wide range of sounds with non-integer spacing between harmonics. This FM-inspired oscillator introduces a unique twist by omitting negative frequencies typically associated with inharmonic FM. The Inertia function generator, with its rise and fall momentum controls, allows users to shape snappy envelopes, add peaks, and even function as an LFO at extreme settings. Additionally, it can serve as a versatile filter, producing squelchy filter sounds.

All of these modules are currently available on the New Systems Instruments website and selected stores. The Triphase Oscillator is priced at $385, the Harmonic Shift Oscillator at $365, and the Inertia function generator at around $345.

https://nsinstruments.com/"

BAF 2024: Catalyst Audio - MIG Modules

video upload by sonicstate

"At Buchla and Friends 2024, Sonic State had the opportunity to speak with David from Catalyst Audio about their latest release, the MIG series vacuum tube modules. This series includes a VCO, mixer, VCF, VCA, and a noise source, all designed around new old stock tubes from Soviet fighter jets in the 80s. David explained that the collaboration between Buchla and Friends and ElectroSurf led to the development of these modules, with ElectroSurf handling the tube circuits and David working on the layout and production. The MIG series modules feature unique waveform shaping capabilities due to the use of two tubes, allowing for audio rate switching and balance adjustments. The VCO, mixer, filter, and VCA all offer distinct tonal changes and features that can be overdriven for added versatility. The noise module provides a wide range of sound possibilities, from pitched variations to white noise textures. Currently, they have about 1,500 tubes in stock, making these modules a limited edition item. However, the tubes are perfect for Eurorack systems as they consume low power, making them compatible with standard power supplies. The final price is yet to be determined, but it is expected to be around $400.

https://www.catalystaudio.com/"

BAF 2024: Dogbotic Labs - Synth Building Workshops

video upload by sonicstate

"At Buchla and Friends 2024, Sonic State had the opportunity to chat with Sean from Dogbotic Labs who offer online workshops for electronics, where participants receive a kit of materials and learn how to build their own circuitry over 10 weeks on Zoom. The workshops have attracted participants from all over the world, fostering a sense of community and collaborative learning. Sean, who is a composer and video artist performing under the name Isorhythmics, emphasizes the importance of experimentation and creativity in electronics, highlighting that it's not necessary to fully understand how things work as long as they can produce cool results.

One of the main workshops offered by Dogbotic Labs is the *DIY Synths* workshop, which teaches participants how to build their own basic synthesizer from scratch. Another popular workshop focuses on building a drum machine with a patchable interface. While the designs may seem complex, Sean encourages participants to customize their creations according to their own artistic visions.

Unfortunately, the kits are currently only available for purchase as part of the workshops, but Dogbotic Labs is planning to start selling the kits separately in the future. https://dogbotic.com/"

Sonicware ELZ_1 play // review and demo

video upload by Starsky Carr

"The Sonicware ELZ_1 play is finally here, but was it worth the wait? After a few delays following the kickstarter the updated ELZ_1 is now shipping. It's got the addition of a looper, velocity sensitivity, a shimmer effect, more connectivity and in-built speakers.

In this I go through the 17 voice modes, demo the effects, looper and sequencer. It's a little longer than anticipated, but that's because it's got so much in here it's hard to know what to skip over. I don't go into every detail but it'll give you a great overview of how it works and what it sounds like.

Check out my website for patches and samples: https://starskycarr.com

0:00 executive summary
2:44 Let’s GO!
5:22 The Interface
8:07 the 17 Osc Modes
9:54 A note on Modulation
11:12 Back to the Osc Modes
25:59 Enveloeps and Filters
29:03 Effects
32:51 Voice Modes
36:06 Looper
42:49 Pattern/Sequencer
48:11 Saving and Renaming
49:01 Round Up"

Euclids Wheel by Benge

video upload by Memetune Studio

"Benge Buchlaisms - 'Euclid’s Wheel'

https://modulisme.bandcamp.com
https://zackdagoba.bandcamp.com

Euclid pointed out 2300 years ago, a wheel is not round when viewed from an angle

This piece started life as an exploration of the Buchla MARF’s ability to play two concurrent sequences of different lengths. I set up two Euclidean Rhythmic patterns (E-7/12 and E-3/8) and then added further modulations using the Buchla 208 5-step sequencer. The overall effect is one of polyrhythmic complexity, aided by this instrument's plethora of interconnectable options, including panning, random voltages, frequency modulation and shifting, phasing, envelope following, and filtering

It would be impossible to list all the pathways that were involved in this patch, but the general idea is one of Euclidean Rhythms, and the perception of cycles, circles, ovals and wheels within wheels

Note that this patch makes use of the special yellow banana cable that Don himself gifted me when I was in his workshop many years ago. I treasure the yellow cable, I believe it holds some magic for me when patching his amazing system"

Easel Noise Sculpting

video upload by Todd Barton

"Exploring some different sonic gestures."

Katty jamming with her Fluorine

video upload by SPHERICAL SOUND SOCIETY

"Fluorine is portable synthesizer that is powered via USB C type cable and therefore can be powered via a Power Bank. It´s a high definition modern take on a classic 8 bit synthesis called Bytebeat and discovered in 2011 by the encomiable Viznut but brought to the future with a lot of new features.

It runs it in various selectable Bitdepths, not just the classic 8 bits. The higher the Bitdepth, the softer, rounder and higher definition the sound becomes it.

Fluorine also features 2 new ways to calculate the the classic mono Bytebeat synthesis in native stereo that sounds rich, wide and tridimensional.

The sound engine currently has 2 modes. LIQUID and SOLID. It affetcs the character of the output.

Another bit that it adds to the classic bytebeat synthesis is the addition of modular and stackable algorithms that process the mathematics under the hood and a recursive Mode that cycles between this algorithms and that turns it all into a new whole synthesis technique, now called "Recursive HD Bytebeats", that altogeher with the stereo modes and Bitdepth features turns this machine, the Fluorine, in probably most advanced way to explore Bytebeat synthesis as in november of 2023.

Fluorine comes in 3 flavors:

-As a fully assembled unit

-As a full kit that the user has to build

-As a PCB + Programmed microcontroller for advanced builders. The user has to source the rest of the components and build the synth.

There´s a user guide that explains every function, knob and button that you can download here. https://github.com/spherical-sound-so...

And there´s also a build guide for the builders here. https://github.com/spherical-sound-so...

You can order one here: https://www.tindie.com/products/jc204..."

#Jamuary 28th 2024 "lock"

video upload by Captain Credible

"love the synth engine in this little beast, but I still can't overcome the clumsy fumblings of forgetting where everything is that adds an unwanted level of stress to a jam like this. Still, fun times. #jamuary2024 #novationcircuit"