AMSynths at SuperBooth 2021

video upload by AMSynths

"AMSynths launch re-imagined AM8012 VCF at SuperBooth 2021"

"Celeroid" (AM8012 ARP 2600 filter vs Juno106)

Published on Feb 20, 2016 Peter Maas

"Celeroid, atmospheric intermezzo to get used to the AmSynth AM8012 Filter.

VCOb and Rubicon go into the Filter, Filter goes into Oakley ARP2600 VCA. Maths used for envelope duties. Sequenced by the Future Retro Mobius.

Pads from the Juno 106 with some Shimmer reverb from valhalla."

AMSynths Newsletter - AM8019 Athena VCA & AM8328 Mirage VCF

"Newsletter March 2014
Latest News: Spring has at last arrived in the UK with the first few days of sunshine after many months of rain and floods. Over the last few weeks we have been developing new exciting modules, as well as refining some of the existing range, and shipping modules to customers! The new AM8105 Super JX VCF & VCA will be available in April, providing a really nice sounding 4-pole VCF with smooth oscillation and a VCA, all in one EuroRack module. It uses the IR3R05 Roland chip that appeared in the legendary MKS80 and MKS70.

Updated AM8012 and AM8075 filters will be shipping in April, with new vertical jacks and revised electronics, along with the new AM8125 Analog VCO which has 3 waveforms and sync.This month we are shipping AM8019 VCA's, AM8109 VCF's and a final run of AM8319 Diode Array Filters. The AM8019 is in stock now, the others will appear over the next 2 weeks, along with some AM8140 Dual ADSR's.

In the workshop we are continuing to develop the amazing Athena synthesizer, a PCB and panel project for Synthesizer DIY, as well as testing dual VCO EuroRack modules and a new LFO module based on the Jupiter 8 with variable delay and five waveforms.

This year we plan to continue to bring new modules to market and to increase the production volumes from the 115 we shipped in 2013.

Best Wishes and thanks to all our customers.

Rob Keeble
Owner and Designer, AMSynths"

http://www.amsynths.co.uk

"The AM8019 is a replica of the ARP 2600 Voltage Controlled Amplifier, which is a transistor VCA dating back to the ARP2500 and 1970. This EuroRack module makes use of matched transistor arrays and a high quality buffer Op Amp at the output stage. The VCA is designed to be used with the Athena VCO and VCF's, enabling a replica of the 2600P or Odyssey in a rack format to be achieved.

This 16HP wide module has have enhanced from the original 1970 ARP design with high quality components and additional control inputs, the circuit has been adjusted to provide a better HF response than the original design. The VCA is based on a Wilson Current mirror, and the AMSynths version uses matched transistor arrays to replace the discrete transistors. There are two signal inputs with level controls, one inverted and both pass through a 470nF capacitor which acts as a high pass filter at 10 Hz, thereby blocking any DC offsets.
The ARP 2600 VCO's have a DC offset which is effectively removed via this input (post VCF mixer) and thereby eliminates ADSR thumps. This means the AM8019 is not designed to be used as a ring modulator - see the AM1005 for this application. There are 2x linear control inputs and 2x exponential control inputs, all adjustable by front panel slider potentiometers. There is also a GAIN slider pot on the upper right hand panel, with an amber LED output signal level indicator. The slide potentiometers have been especially manufactured for AMSynths and we have used coloured plastic caps to give the VCA that vintage look and feel.

The discrete transistor VCA is a product of the 1960's before integrated circuits were affordable and the use of the CA3080 OTA chip. This modern and updated version takes the design into the modern era and provides a versatile and clean VCA. The Wilson current mirror and discrete VCA is used in a number of other AMSynths modules such as the AM8047 Multi-Mode Filter."

AMSynths Newsletter January 2014

"Latest News: Many thanks to all our customers in 2013 and we had a successful year shipping over 100 modules and bringing new modules to the market. In 2014 we aim to manufacture and ship a much larger quantity of modules, with some assembly helpers and a new panel manufacturer, so that there is no waiting list or empty shop. AMSynths will also introduce complete analog synthesizers for SDIY and as completed units.

This will start with the Athena dual VCO synth, and then be followed by an analog 16-step sequencer and the Aura 3 VCO synthesizer. The module release plan for 1Q2014 is; AM8140 Dual ADSR, AM8319 Diode Array VCF, AM8012 and AM8075 VCF's, along with AM8109 JP VCF and AM8125 VCO."

"AM8140 Dual ADSR
Overview: This module contains two traditional ADSR envelope generators that use transistors to switch between phases. This type of ADSR was widely available in the 1970's in analog modular and mono synths. Each envelope outputs both a positive and negative control voltage, with the maximum output level being +/-10V.

Click Here to purchase from our webstore."

"AM8071 SnowFall Filter
Overview: This module is a replica of the EMS diode ladder filter, and we have one AM8071 Mark 1 module still available. This has a mix of slide and rotary potentiometers and both Lag and Slope switches. The module is only 45m deep and therefore fits into Skiff Cases.

This module is 125 GBP, please email sales@amsynths.co.uk, if you wish to purchase this module. Only one left until the Mark 3 AM8071 modules arrive later in 2014."

AMSynths May 2013 Newsletter - AM8044 Cascade VCF &VCA & More

"Newsletter May 2013
Latest News
Spring has arrived at last in the UK with at least one sunny day! At AMSynths we have been busy launching new modules and catching up on the backlog of reservations. Here is the latest news, check our web site here:

Module Plans
The popular AM8012, AM8075, AM8071 and AM8109 filter modules are in production and shipping to customers, along with the AM8328 Miarge Filter which we launched in January. The AM8044 VCF and VCA has now been launched with stock in the webstore. This module uses the SSM2044 chip to produce a very smooth filter and a simple VCA has been added after the VCF, which can either be used as a final level control or a 10V positive going envelope generator can be patched in.

The Dual ADSR AM8140 is the next module to go into production during May, along with the AM8060SE Dual State Variable Filter - with plenty of back orders to fill. The testing of the AM8027 Dual VCO has completed and the next stage is to build some production versions in June before we officially release the module for customer shipments.

PCB's and Panels
We launched PCB's and panels for customers that wish to build their own modules back in March, and they are proving very popular. We have a growing inventory in the web store, covering most of the Eurorack range. We have online Project Notes with BOM's and guidance on building and setting up.

E-mu Modular
One of the AMSynths projects for this year is to build an E-mu Systems Analog Modular synthesizer using panels from Exclusively Analogue, with some original E-mu PCB's and some re-designs that I have completed. You can read more about the project as it progresses over the next few months on our Blog."

AMSynths March News Letter

"Newsletter March 2013
Latest News: At last a new AMSynths newsletter after nearly 6 months! We can only say we have been really busy....here is the latest news and plans for 2013.

Xmas was a busy time and we shipped over 25 modules to customers and completed the design of the AM8328 Mirage Filter - which has been shipping since early January. Customer demand has increased in 2013 , so we are we have restarted our sales to the SDIY market with panels, and blank PCB's now in stock and on sale in the online store. We have also added a free online reservation system here from the web store, so customers can be sure they will get a module. Production volumes have slipped back in February due to various holidays and a busy day job, but March and April will see more modules shipping and new products arriving.

Module Plans
The popular AM8012, AM8075, AM8071 and AM8109 filter modules are in production but there is a queue of reservations to satisfy before they will appear in the online store in large volumes. The new AM8328 Miarge Filter will see another 10 modules built in March, along with the arrival of the AM8044 VCF & VCA which has cleared testing and is going into production. It is the first module we have implemented with both a filter and final stage VCA, so all it needs is a dual ADSR and dual VCO to create some fantastic sounds. A special Dave Rossum tribute VCF, the AM8040 will be launched as a PCB sets for the SDIY market initially. It will have both 2 and 4 pole modes, and can use either a rare SSM2040 chip or the HM2040 replica. If there is sufficient customer demand it will be introduced as a completed EuroRack module based on the HM2040 chip, it will have the same panel design as an AM8109 JP8 VCF and provides the sounds of the SCI Prophet 5 early models as well as the original E-mu Systems Audity 16 voice synthesizer.

The versatile dual SVF filter, the AM8060SE, is completing it's first production PCB build this weekend and if this goes ok we can start manufacturing modules for a 24 March 2013 launch. I have put some photos of the prototype on the web store, and I will add some new demos soon. The Dual ADSR AM8140 is the other product launch for late March, with a first production build to check everything is ok. Then there is the AM8005 Diode VCF to finalise on 12V and get into production, I know alot of customers are waiting on this module, so it is top of the list!

The dual VCO's remain in development with the ARP version (AM8027) about to go into a final production stage, the reason for the delay is we had to find some switched vertical jack sockets that fit the design, which we now have. The JP8 Dual VCO is at design stagee with a few more months work to get all the extra features loaded, such as the quantiszed picth knob (using a PIC) and the in-built analog LFO. The VCO designs have been switched to dual rather than single to reduce the overall costs of 2 VCO's, which everyone needs.

A set of new modules planned for 2H2013 are waiting on the arrival of the right log response vertical pots from Small Bear. This includes a dual linear and expo response VCA (AM8164) and the AM83272 Ambient VCF (using the CEM3372). The AM8706 LFO can now more forward with the right vertical jack sockets, so expect this module and the AM8019 ARP style VCA to appear by mid 2013.

Customer Feedback
AMSynths really appreciates customer feedback and ideas. Just send an email to me at sales@amsynths.co.uk. The recently launched AM8328 Mirage Filter was all down to one of our customers, Adam, asking us to make this module using CEM3328 chips. This had led onto the idea of a Key Track pot on some new modules (AM8040) which enables filter cutoff to be varied up or down by the note played on the keyboard. So do let me know of the features and modules you would like to see. For example we have new ideas floating around at AMSynths HQ, for an audio mixer, ring modulator and noise source module, which kinda replicates the middle of an Roland SH-5 (AM8002) and a programmable ADSR with 64 patches which can be voltage controlled (AM8056). And if anybody on the list writes coolt DSP code, we would love to launch a Z-plane digital filter.

Future Plans
Our biggest problem is manufacturing enough modules to meet the increasing customer demand, and that is before we do any press marketing or shows! So we are completeing reaseach into larger scale assembly and manufacturing for some modules, to see what it does to the margins and retail prices. AMSynths have launched a partnership with SynthCube, where you buy my designs in MOTM, FracRac and other non-Euro formats. The AM4023 2 pole OTA filter is the first SynthCube module to hit production, but many more will follow in 2013. The web store will move to a new platform in late 2013 to provide a better presentation and more features. We will continue to operate 2 web sites, one as a secure store and one as a blog and information portal. And Finally, many thanks to all our customer for purchasing AMSynths products and your patience in trying to buy more. I will get more newsletters out this year, timed with product launches."

Left: "AM8328 VCF PCB Set

This is a PCB kit for the AM8328 Mirage VCF which enables you to build a EuroRack Module with a 16-pin 12V Doepfer Bus power connector. It may also work on 15V but I have not tried it out.

The AM8328 is a 4 pole Low Pass Filter that uses the CEM3328 filter chip to produce a amazing sounding VCF.

Project Notes:

Kit Components
The AM8328 PCB kit contains:
AM8328 POT PCB (ROHS compliant, blue solder mask).
AM8328 VCF PCB (ROHS compliant, blue solder mask).
You can also purchase Pot Brackets (x7), Jack PCB and an AMSynths factory AM8328 EuroRack panel.
Kits EXCLUDE the CEM3328 chip. You will need to locate one on eBay. An Ensoniq Mirage has 8x inside."

Above: "AM8328 The Mirage Filter

This module is based around the CEM3328 4-pole Low Pass Filter chip that was released in 1984, as one of the last filter chips and with some great features. It has differential signal inputs, an accurate exponential scale over 14 octaves and voltage controlled resonance. It has a unqiue feature, the signal level is automatically increased as the resonance goes up, thereby avoiding the usual signal level dropping off as resonance comes in. The CEM3328 was late onto the analog stage, just before digital filters appeared, so it only made it into the BIT01 and Ensoniq Mirage (and a few drum machines). So this chip has never really seen action, and was never under analog pot control, just lonely digital parameter access! In the Mirage it was not even allowed to oscillate…..We just love giving it a new lease of life in a new analog module!"

AMSynths AM8012 ARP 2600P & AM8005 Mult-mode Diode Filters & More

"Latest News: Over the last few weeks we have been been bringing new modules into production ready for launch in September. The first new module is the AM8012 Low Pass Filter with a traditional transisitor ladder design, customer shipments commence on 17th September. The second new module is the AM8005 Mult-mode Diode Filter [render below], which in complete contrast is a diode ladder and has 3 modes, low, high and band pass. Sound demos are now online on our web store. http://www.amsynthstore.co.uk/

Alongside these launches work continues on developing new modules, including the AM8027 VCO which has an improved sync feature and the addition of a sine waveform output. This module will be in production by the end of 2012, along with the 15 filter mode AM8372 Ambient Filter, and the AM8044 module which will now include a VCA as well as the SSM based VCF. The AM8075SE Athena filter sold out very quicky and another batch will be available soon. In the web store we have for sale the AM8109 JP8 VCF and AM8705 Dual ADSR, and a growing range of bare PCB's and component packs for SDIYers."

AMSynths Update & AM108 Jupiter-8 / Jupiter-4 Filter

I just received the AMSynths newsletter. The latest news is that the AM8319 Ring Wraith will be in production in early January, and the AM8005 Filter Cube, AM8047 UAF and AM8027 VCO will follow. The newsletter also mentioned their current modules which you can find on their website.

The one module I realized I haven't posted yet is their AM108 Jupiter-8 and Jupiter-4 filter pictured here.

"This module is replication of the Low Pass Filter from the legendary Roland Jupiter 8 and 4. This is a 2 and 4 pole OTA design that Roland first used in the Jupiter 4 in 1980, replacing a discrete version of the filter which took up more PCB space.

This is a warm sounding filter with smooth frequency control and a resonance that gradually increases up to full self oscillation, a sound very reminiscent of the early 1980's.

The difference between 2 and 4-pole modes is not dramatic, with the 2-pole mode providing a more gradual cutoff slope and silky sound."

Other modules in development include:

AM8012 ARP2600P transistor VCF
AM8027 ARP2600P VCO
AM8044 Cascade LPF and HPF
AM8047 ARP2500 Universal Active Filter
AM8475 Odyssey VCF and HPF
AM8706 Titan Modulation Source
AM8280 CS80 Dual SVF
AM8104 Roland JP VCF + HPF"