Sunday, November 02, 2025
LFO, Sequencer, Keyboard, Controller in a very small form factor: "Phantasmal Force"
video upload by Floyd Steinberg
"Distropolis Goods ( https://distropolisgoods.com/ ) sent me the Phantasmal Force MIDI controller and the Great Conjunction FM synthesizer/sequencer for review. In this video, I walk through the build process, explore the UI, and demo each mode in detail. Spoiler alert: the PF controller is worth a closer look.
Whether you're into modular MIDI setups, CC sequencing, or FM synthesis with a twist, this hands-on overview covers both devices in depth—without the hype.
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro – what's this?
00:19 Unboxing
01:01 Build instructions
05:48 UI overview
07:11 CC momentary mode
08:01 CC toggle mode
08:27 Note mode
09:00 Chord mode
09:44 Play/Stop mode
10:05 Program change ±# mode
10:24 Transpose mode
10:49 Pitch bend mode
11:37 LFO mode
12:12 Arpeggiator mode
13:03 CC sequencer
13:52 Real-world demo: playing chords over three arpeggiators while sweeping filters with CC LFOs
15:42 Phantasmal Force – conclusion
16:00 What is the Great Conjunction FM synth/sequencer?
16:30 The central idea
17:18 Building a sequence from scratch
20:57 Adding external effects and lush pads
22:15 Overall conclusion
22:47 Outro + bonus demo
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Moog Micromoog
Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
via this Vemia listing
Click the auction link on top when you get there for additional listings.
"Very nice classic Moog synth. New keybushings."
via this Vemia listing
Click the auction link on top when you get there for additional listings.
"Very nice classic Moog synth. New keybushings."
Lintronics Restored Moog Minimoog SN 12854
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via this Vemia listing
Click the auction link on top when you get there for additional listings.
"A very nice fresh restored from Lintronics vintage Minimoog Model D, serial 12854. Provide your own IEC lead for safer shipping."
via this Vemia listing
Click the auction link on top when you get there for additional listings.
"A very nice fresh restored from Lintronics vintage Minimoog Model D, serial 12854. Provide your own IEC lead for safer shipping."
Moog Liberation - Serviced
Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
via this Vemia listing
Click the auction link on top when you get there for additional listings.
"Here's our Moog Liberation - its in fully working condition and has been serviced recently. Work included cleaning the switches, lubing potentiometers, fitting a new set of front panel dust covers, replacing a couple of xlr connectors, cleaning the internal synth board connectors, tuning, recapping the power supply unit. It has some marks and wear from use but is still in nice condition. Included is the synth, the power supply unit (switchable between European and Continental voltages) and the essential power cable to connect the two."
via this Vemia listing
Click the auction link on top when you get there for additional listings.
"Here's our Moog Liberation - its in fully working condition and has been serviced recently. Work included cleaning the switches, lubing potentiometers, fitting a new set of front panel dust covers, replacing a couple of xlr connectors, cleaning the internal synth board connectors, tuning, recapping the power supply unit. It has some marks and wear from use but is still in nice condition. Included is the synth, the power supply unit (switchable between European and Continental voltages) and the essential power cable to connect the two."
Moog Source with Encore MIDI
Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
via this Vemia listing
Click the auction link on top when you get there for additional listings.
"A really nice Source. Their brushed aluminium finish is often a bit sad after all these years, but this is a good'un. Some marks here and there, but pretty pleasing throughout. It had a new membrane panel fitted in 2014. Serviced in the last few weeks by James Willis and working perfectly. With MIDI by Encore - which gives you an amazing 256 memory locations."
via this Vemia listing
Click the auction link on top when you get there for additional listings.
"A really nice Source. Their brushed aluminium finish is often a bit sad after all these years, but this is a good'un. Some marks here and there, but pretty pleasing throughout. It had a new membrane panel fitted in 2014. Serviced in the last few weeks by James Willis and working perfectly. With MIDI by Encore - which gives you an amazing 256 memory locations."
Roland SH-3
Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
via this Reverb listing
"A special early synth from Roland in overall great functional condition, with two exceptions note below. Cosmetically the control panel and keyboard area are in nice shape, but the case is pretty beat up, with bad latches, missing metal piping on one side, bent piping on the other side, and a missing power cord door. According to the previous owner, this unit actually went out on tour with a pop band in the 70's, and it shows. As you probably know, the SH-3 gave way to the more common SH-3A, with the most noticeable change being the switch from the SH-3's diode ladder filter to the the SH-3A's transistor ladder filter.
I've thoroughly tested all functions, pots, sliders, and jacks and here are the two functional issues I've observed:
The output and headphone jacks are scratchy and presumably need to be cleaned. It's easy to get an output cable or headphones seated and working, however you may have to twist the plugs in the jacks or reinsert them to get a good contact.
There is some bleed-through from the square/sine LFO that's present in the audio path, most noticeable at quieter volumes or at higher registers. It's not difficult to set up a sound where the bleed-through is either not noticeable or barely noticeable, particularly with everything running loud and with lower waveforms engaged. I have access to another SH-3 that has the same problem (but worse), so I suspect this may be a problem that Roland engineered out of later the SH-3A circuitry, but I can't be sure. Regardless, this is something you may want to attend to at some point should you find it bothersome.
In addition, the 8' "chorus" setting on this and the other SH-3 I've played is noticeably more intense than the SH-3A's I've played, so I suspect this is another feature that Roland tweaked when shifting to the SH-3A circuits.
I recently put $730 into having the synth partially serviced by a noted synth tech, which included:
Fixing an issue whereby the waveform sliders were interacting with each other and significant bleed-through of some waveforms was present.
Cleaning the keyboard and eliminating some squirrely notes and double triggering that had been present.
Replacing some capacitors.
Better securing base of the power cable.
Cleaning a scratchy sider.
So in selling this I'm mostly trying to break-even on those repairs, plus make a little to cover Reverb's fees."
via this Reverb listing
"A special early synth from Roland in overall great functional condition, with two exceptions note below. Cosmetically the control panel and keyboard area are in nice shape, but the case is pretty beat up, with bad latches, missing metal piping on one side, bent piping on the other side, and a missing power cord door. According to the previous owner, this unit actually went out on tour with a pop band in the 70's, and it shows. As you probably know, the SH-3 gave way to the more common SH-3A, with the most noticeable change being the switch from the SH-3's diode ladder filter to the the SH-3A's transistor ladder filter.I've thoroughly tested all functions, pots, sliders, and jacks and here are the two functional issues I've observed:
The output and headphone jacks are scratchy and presumably need to be cleaned. It's easy to get an output cable or headphones seated and working, however you may have to twist the plugs in the jacks or reinsert them to get a good contact.
There is some bleed-through from the square/sine LFO that's present in the audio path, most noticeable at quieter volumes or at higher registers. It's not difficult to set up a sound where the bleed-through is either not noticeable or barely noticeable, particularly with everything running loud and with lower waveforms engaged. I have access to another SH-3 that has the same problem (but worse), so I suspect this may be a problem that Roland engineered out of later the SH-3A circuitry, but I can't be sure. Regardless, this is something you may want to attend to at some point should you find it bothersome.
In addition, the 8' "chorus" setting on this and the other SH-3 I've played is noticeably more intense than the SH-3A's I've played, so I suspect this is another feature that Roland tweaked when shifting to the SH-3A circuits.
I recently put $730 into having the synth partially serviced by a noted synth tech, which included:
Fixing an issue whereby the waveform sliders were interacting with each other and significant bleed-through of some waveforms was present.
Cleaning the keyboard and eliminating some squirrely notes and double triggering that had been present.
Replacing some capacitors.
Better securing base of the power cable.
Cleaning a scratchy sider.
So in selling this I'm mostly trying to break-even on those repairs, plus make a little to cover Reverb's fees."
Blue Roland SH-101 SN 372513
Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
via this Reverb listing
"Rare blue Roland SH-101!! Comes with original Roland leather strap, original power chord, Protective soft leather case."
via this Reverb listing
"Rare blue Roland SH-101!! Comes with original Roland leather strap, original power chord, Protective soft leather case."
RED Anniversary Elektron Machinedrum SPS-1UW MKII w/ Original Box
Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
via this Reverb listing
"This is a collectors item - only 50 of these were ever made and this is no. 30
I have never seen one for sale.
Comes with all original packaging intact including the RED TM-1 and certificate as seen in the pics.
The condition is outstanding given its age and it works as it should with no issues.
The display is also free from scratches as depicted in the pictures.
If you love the Machinedrum and want to own a bit of history that's unique.. this is it!"
via this Reverb listing
"This is a collectors item - only 50 of these were ever made and this is no. 30
I have never seen one for sale.
Comes with all original packaging intact including the RED TM-1 and certificate as seen in the pics.
The condition is outstanding given its age and it works as it should with no issues.
The display is also free from scratches as depicted in the pictures.
If you love the Machinedrum and want to own a bit of history that's unique.. this is it!"
Casio RZ-1 Digital Sampling Rhythm Composer
Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
via this listing
Additional Perfect Circuit listings
via this listing
Additional Perfect Circuit listings
Roland MC-808 Sampling Groovebox SN ZU52037
Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
via this listing
Additional Perfect Circuit listings
via this listing
Additional Perfect Circuit listings
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MATRIXSYNTH - EVERYTHING SYNTH
© Matrixsynth - All posts are presented here for informative, historical and educative purposes as applicable within fair use.
MATRIXSYNTH is supported by affiliate links that use cookies to track clickthroughs and sales. See the privacy policy for details.
MATRIXSYNTH - EVERYTHING SYNTH
