[$9] DIY eurorack modular synth opto compressor | vactrol type optical compressor

video upload by HAGIWO

"My 78th original eurorack modular synth DIY projects.
LCD-0203 based opto compressor.

working documents (schematics)
https://note.com/solder_state/n/n60c2...

Gerber data download (Envelope follower PCB module)
https://www.patreon.com/posts/1036574...

Please support me to continue projects.
In patreon you will find content about my background , technical information. / hagiwo"

Google translated:

background
The 78th work of my own modular synth.
One of Eurorack's standard modules is MATHS. One of the uses of MATHS is Envelope follower, but this Envelope follower is difficult to use properly.
I have created an Envelope follower in the past. This time, I decided to create a compressor as one of the application examples of Envelope follower.

Opto compressor
Compressors include VCA and FET as means of compressing audio, but there is also a type called opto compressor that uses Vactrol (analog photocoupler).
Although the responsiveness is poor, we decided to create an opto compressor this time because it can be created inexpensively with few parts.

Product specifications
Eurorack standard 3U 6HP size
Power supply: 20mA (+12V), 20mA (-12V)

opto compressor using Vactrol LCR-0203.
The idea is to use it to increase the sound pressure by compressing the entire MIXed audio, or to change the impression of the sound by compressing a single percussion sound such as KICK.

THRESHOLD: Adjustment of the level at which compression starts.
RATIO: Attenuation rate adjustment. By increasing RATIO, it is possible to compress at a magnification of 1x or less. In other words, the louder the input audio, the lower the output can be.
RELEASE: Adjust the RELEASE TIME of the built-in Envelope follower.
VOLUME: Audio out amplification. Lowering the THRESHOLD lowers the overall volume, so the VOLUME POT compensates for the volume drop.
LED: The more compresson is applied, the brighter the light will light up.
Also used for calibration.
IN: Audio input. It is assumed to be used at Vpp=10V (-5V~+5V).
OUT: Audio out

Production cost
Total about $9
---------------------------------
LCR-0203 $1
Front panel $1
Envelope follower module $2
Variable resistance $0.3*4pcs
Others (see link below for general purpose parts)

SynthScope (Visuals) - Novation Peak synthesizer, Moog Mother 32

video upload by Michele Cataneo

"Michele Cataneo live performance with a Novation Peak synthesizer, a Moog Mother 32.
Sequencer: Ableton Live
Music by: Michele Cataneo
Special thanks to Stefano Lini for access to his oscilloscope"

Bock 🆚 Super Gemini

video upload by GSF AGENCY

@bennybock 🎹
@udo_audio 🪐

Elektron Digitakt II and Twisted Electrons MEGAfm jam

video upload by Bobo Meijer

"Elektron Digitakt II and Twisted Electrins MEGAfm working together ❤️

Really had fun jaming with these two… MEGAfm is my favourite synth and the Digitakt 2 is really growing on me and probably the sample drum machine I love the most."

The Strymon BigSky MX is already pedal of the year? (initial thoughts) [w/ the Sequential Trigon 6]

video upload by Yuki The Synth Dragon

"I use the brand new @strymon BigSky MX along with my trigon 6 ! How does it sound on synths ?"

Batchas - Energy

video upload by batchas

"The VCF4 on the Fenix 2 acts as a low pass gate. It's a 12db/oct low pass VCF with an additional sweep envelope generator.

I find the sound of the VCF4 sent to the Waveshaper quite interesting and unique."

„grau #07“ | verbos co & delay | fraptools usta | minimal music | eurorack

video upload by Elinch

"Verbos Complex Osc | Amp & Tone | Multi Delay Processor | Happy Nerding FX Aid
All sounds mixed in the Orthagonal Devices ER-301.

From the new album 'Grau' on Seil Records. Available as limited cassette or as download on Bandcamp.
https://elinch.bandcamp.com/album/grau"

Drum Machine History by Oli Freke

"The drum machine has progressed massively since the days of the home organ player. Here Oli Freke takes us through a brief history with lots of audio examples, highlighting the most iconic models to have been released during the last 60 years and the part they have played in shaping musical trends."

You might remember Oli Freke from his Synthesizer Evolution book, synth posters, and demos previously posted here.

Check out the full article on Sound on Sound here.

Timeline for the above podcast:

00:00 - Introduction
00:51 - Early Rhythm Machines
02:57 - The First Korg Rhythm Machine
04:03 - The Invention Of The Transistor
08:02 - Solid State Rhythm Machines
13:48 - Using Drum Machines In Mainstream Hits
17:05 - The First Programmable Drum Machines
21:59 - The Introduction Of Drum Pads And Brains
25:27 - The Arrival Of Digital Samples And The Linn Drum
30:59 - The Era Of Sampling Drum Machines
37:11 - The Impact Of The Roland TR-808 and TR-909
42:54 - Other Notable 80s Drum Machines
44:41 - The Introduction Of MIDI
46:51 - Standardised Layouts And Spec
50:12 - Analogue Circuit Modelling And Software
53:45 - Back To Hardware With Eurorack Modular
54:52 - Drum Pattern Generation With AI

"Oli Freke is a London-based musician, artist and author who has had a life-long passion for electronic instruments, synthesizers and electronic music. Currently working for the BBC, he has previously enjoyed success with electro band Cassette Electrik supporting the Human League on tour, written music for television and produced dance music since the 1990s.

His Synth Evolution range of posters, celebrating the synthesizer and electronic music culture, launched in 2017 and led to the definitive, hand-illustrated book, Synth Evolution: From Analogue to Digital (and Back), featuring every commercial synth of the 20th century.

www.synthevolution.net www.linktr.ee/olifreke"

Hans Zimmer presents THE LEGEND HZ Synthesizer

video upload by SynapseAudio

The Legend HZ Preset Demo

video upload by SynapseAudio

"Demonstration of select factory presets by Kevin Schroeder."


via Synapse Audio

"Developed in collaboration with iconic and multiple-award-winning film composer Hans Zimmer, The Legend HZ builds on the legacy of its predecessor, The Legend.

The result of this collaborative effort is an analog modeled software synth which is uniquely positioned for use in modern film scoring and music production applications. Most importantly, it retains this position while faithfully recreating the sonic characteristics of the original hardware.

The Legend HZ has been designed with great care and attention to detail, so that no opportunities were missed to create a software synth which is both highly usable and insanely versatile. It is at heart the product of the combined knowledge of a genre-defining composer and Synapse Audio’s experience emulating an industry-defining synthesizer.

Building on the success of The Legend, we’ve teamed up with Hans Zimmer to mark new ground in analog modeling synthesis. Multiple features have been added to The Legend HZ that were previously unavailable with The Legend. These include an additional three oscillators (and with them an added polyphony setting), a modulation matrix, a 32-step sequencer, an MSEG for added modulation controls, and an expanded effects section.

The Legend HZ even contains a fixed filter bank that was modeled after Hans Zimmer's personal Vintage 914 Fixed Filter Bank, an exceptional and rare piece of hardware.

Moreover, 200 factory presets developed jointly by expert sound designer Kevin Schroeder and Hans Zimmer have been added. The factory soundbank gives anyone access to a wide range of cinematic-style sounds, while The Legend HZ itself provides access to some of the very tools used by them.

The Legend HZ is available in VST®, AAX and Audio Unit formats, and supports MIDI Polyphonic Expression (MPE), as well as the Native Kontrol Standard (NKS).

The Legend HZ features summary
Accurate circuit simulation
6 high-quality VA oscillators
8x oversampled engine
Comprehensive effects section
Unison, Mono, 4-,8- and 12-voice Polyphony modes
Support for MPE (MIDI Polyphonic Expression)
Advanced Arpeggiator/Sequencer
Available as VST, Audio Unit and AAX

Creature from the ID teaser 2

video upload by Giorgio Sancristoforo

"For your Krell dreams
Coming soon at giorgiosancristoforo.net"