The Rob Hordijk Epoch Modular Benjolin Dual VCO Eurorack Module

benjolin eurorack production module

Published on May 7, 2013 Epoch Modular·1 video
Note this is the first Epoch Modular post on MATRIXSYNTH.

"A darling of the DIY synth community for several years now, Rob Hordijk's benjolin circuit is really like no other synth/noisemaker out there. The benjolin is the smaller sibling of Rob's now legendary Blippoo Box, the subject of his 2009 article in Leonardo Music Journal (Vol. 9). Both the Blippoo Box and the benjolin emerged from Rob's attempts to design a circuit that was, as he puts it, "bent by design". As such both modules function according to the basic principles of Chaos theory, where short to long sputtering patterns spontaneously alter themselves over time, at times gradually and at times quite suddenly, morphing into new pattern doublings and bifurcations. The result is two incredibly unique instruments that function in a sense autonomously or can "play themselves" if you like.

Both the Blippoo Box and the benjolin are based around similar "chaotic cores," which in the the case of the benjolin, is comprised of two vcos and a unique circuit designed by Rob, which he calls a rungler. The rungler is basically an 8 step shift register that takes its serial input from the squarewave of one oscillator and its clock input from the other. The digital outputs of the shift register are than put through a 3 bit digital to analogue converter to create stepped voltage patterns, which are then wired back into the oscillators. The effect of this arrangement is to create a complex interference pattern that gives the benjolin its unique, aleatoric character.

Along with this chaotic core, the benjolin also includes a 2-pole vcf with a unique topology that imparts an amount of all harmonic distortion to the filter outputs. The eurorack module I have designed has additional modifications not included in the original benjolin circuit, including HP and LP outs for the filter, as well as a rungler loop function that can be controlled either via control voltage, manually with an offset knob and also with a toggle switch that turns the offset on and off. These different controls may also be used in tandem, and all serve in someway to hold the rungler in a looping pattern, allowing one to cut pieces out of the chaos and create repetitive drones and beat-like patterns at whim.

As you can see from the video, there are 4 cvs in total (to the left side of the panel, top to bottom): one for oscillator A, one for oscillator B, one for the Filter cut off Frequency and of course the rungler loop function already mentioned. The CV inputs of the two oscillators they are normalized for cross modulation so when nothing is plugged in the triangle output of oscillator A goes into the input of B and vice versa. Similarly, the vcf cv input is normalized to the triangle output of triangle B. As you may be able to see from the attached photo, these three normalized cvs each have attenuator knobs as well.

Outputs include the Pulse and triangle wave outputs from oscillators A and B, the direct output from the rungler, an XOR (which is a logic output from the rungler) as well as a PWM output derived from the Triangle waves A and B. And of course there are also the three filter outputs mentioned above.

This video aims at showing the benjolin solely as "self playing" instrument, and as such no external control voltages are utilized. In addition, for the sake of simplicity, only the low pass output of the filter is used. I apologize for the terrible quality of the video (shot on my Iphone). I have just ordered a camcorder, so better quality video will be uploaded soon."


image via Richard Devine on Facebook

"Epoch Modular - Benjolin - dual VCO based on Chaos theory 'Chaotic Cores'."

The BENJOLIN Explained (w/ sound demo) #TTNM

Published on Nov 12, 2014

2nd video below.

"Wanna know more about this BENJOLIN instrument thing? Then watch this video demo!

Chaos, noise, drones and sweet music, all from one device!

The Benjolin is an instrument designed by Rob Hordijk and built and modified by a lot of DIYers, as well as some synth manufacturers. I explain the Benjolin's basics with a Klangbau Köln Benjolin Eurorack module. Don't worry though, you will easily understand all other versions as well, after watching this video.

The cool thing about the Benjolin is, that it has some amazing feedback loops built in, which can be used to modulate the sound to the Moon and back ... well, some people say "to Hell and back" ... you decide. There is also the famous Rungler circuit of Rob Hordijk, which generates random, looping or evolving CV sequences via a shift register design (similar to the Turing Machine Eurorack module).

It's tons of fun!

Some links:
https://www.facebook.com/rob.hordijk (Rob Hordijk on Facebook)

http://www.klangbauköln.de (Klangbau website)

http://nightmachines.tv/noiserack (Noise Rack video diary series with the Benjolin and others)

Got questions or comments? Go ahead and post them below! I try to reply to all of them :)

Thanks for watching! Check out my channel for more Synthesizer Music and Tutorials:

http://nightmachines.tv/youtube

Filmed with a Canon EOS 550D (Rebel t2i)."

Noise Rack Diary #06: Benjolicious! - #TTNM

Published on Nov 12, 2014

"Installed a Klangbau Köln Benjolin Eurorack module. It's crazy! Crazy good!

The Benjolin plays a locked sequence at first. It is sent through the Tube VCA for some nice distortion and mixed with the XR-VCO's sine wave output. The XR is modulated by the qVCF's self-oscillating low pass output. The XR's 1V/oct input receives the Benjolin's Rungler CV. There are also two LFOs and the joystick, modulating the XR, qVCF and tube VCA.

Here's the Eurorack Modular Synthesizer Case on ModularGrid:
http://www.modulargrid.net/e/racks/view/127484

Here's the patch from this video:
http://tinyurl.com/noiserack06patch

Gear used in this video:
- Klangbau Köln / Rob Hordijk Benjolin
- Klangbau Köln CV-Prozessor Joystick
- Klangbau Köln XR-VCO
- Klangbau Köln State Variable qVCF Filter
- Klangbau Köln Röhren VCA (Tube Amplifier)
- Klangbau Köln Low-Noise Spring Reverb
- Eowave Zone B.F. LFO
- Manhattan Analog mix
- Doepfer A-138 Exp Mixer

Audio recorded on a Zoom R16. Filmed with a Canon EOS 550D (Rebel t2i) and GoPro HD Hero."

Macumbista Benjolin Butterfly V2 Desktop Synth

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

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Macumbista Rob Hodijk Benjolin Update

via macumbista.net where orders are open. You'll find additional pics and a filter input demo there as well.

"The Benjolin is a standalone synthesizer designed by Rob Hordijk from the Netherlands. It contains two oscillators (one LFO and one VCO), a low pass filter and a circuit called a “Rungler”, which allows chaotic cross-modulation possibilities between the different parts of the circuit. Hordijk refers to the Benjolin as a circuit which has been “bent by design.”

These hand-made Macumbista Benjolins have been further customized with a patchbay, which can be used to interface with other modular synthesizers, or to setup further feedback systems within the Benjolin itself, a switchable external line input to the Benjolin filter and LEDs displaying the internal state of the Rungler..."


"Quick and dirty demo of Benjolin 2013v1, the first of several Benjolins to be built for sale in 2013. The Benjolin is a standalone synthesizer designed by Rob Hordijk from the Netherlands. It contains two oscillators (one LFO and one VCO), a pair of band-pass filters and a circuit Hordijk calls a “Rungler”, which allows chaotic cross-modulation possibilities between the different parts of the circuit. This hand-made Benjolin has been further customized with a patchbay, which can be used to interface with other modular synthesizers, or to setup further feedback systems within the Benjolin itself, as well as LEDs displaying the internal state of the Rungler."

Benjolin vs Make Noise Pressure Points

Published on Jul 13, 2013 DJjondent·206 videos

"Eurorack Benjolin vs Pressure Points.
Both modules are Eurorack format.

Benjolin's Rungler provides the clock.
I found the clock rate a bit too fast for my purpose
so it wentt through a Doepfer A 147 (VCLFO) ---- 4MS RCD
(Rotating Clock Divider) - -- into the Brains/pressurePoint & rene.

Rene provides CV/gate to a Doepfer A-111-5
(eurorack format Dark Energy).

Make Noise PP:
1st row : Benjolin's Mod A (VCOA) CV
2nd row: Benjolin's Mod B (VCOB) CV
3rd row: Benjolin's Mod F (filter) CV

The 4MS VCA is mixing the output from 4 sources:
Top: Benjolin Band pass filter output
2nd:Benjolin high pass filter output
3rd:Benjolin low pass filter output
4th: Doepfer A111-5

Here is a link to my unedited "B-side" setup video:
http://youtu.be/SYGaortxMzE"

“IOLabs Flux 33 - Benjolin meets Arcane” by Friendly Noise

video by Friendly Noise

"IOLabs Flux, Spherical Sound Society Arcane, After Later Audio Benjolin V2, Steady State Fate Vortices, Befaco Rampage, Befaco Percall, Xaoc Tallin

Please make sure to listen in stereo!!

Video sections: 00:06 01
04:17 02
13:50 03
24:02 04

All sounds were recorded live with two strictly monophonic modules: Benjolin V2 and Arcane, but the use of panning and both Befaco modules results in very interesting textures, which sometimes sound like there is more than two voices at the same time.

Flux is just triggering a steady note as clock source. Density and Length are controlled in real time with the encoders and macro pots. There is only one single pattern in the whole video.

Arcane is clocked by the first channel of Flux. The output of Arcane goes into Tallin to raise the level and to add some warmth with Tallin’s internal saturation. The output of Tallin goes to the first monophonic channel of Vortices.

The voltage of Flux’ channel one is set to S/H mode and goes to the second channel of Tallin. From there it goes to Vortices in order to modulate the panning of Arcane. Since the voltage follows the triggers, every sound generated by Arcane has a different panning position, which greatly enhances the feeling of listening to a drum synthesizer.

Benjolin is a voice module, but it doesn’t have VCAs, so you need some external help to control the length of Benjolin’s sounds. This can be achieved sending the output of Benjolin to the first input of Percall. The decay length is manually controlled and the output goes to the second monophonic channel of Vortices.
The output of Flux goes also to Rampage, where the first envelope is used to generate “bit-crusher”-like sounds. The envelope output goes to the third monophonic channel of Vortices.

Finally, Benjolin’s direct output goes to the fourth monophonic channel of Vortices. The panning is also controlled by the voltages of Flux, as described above.

Some compression and reverb were added in the DAW after recording."

Macumbista Benjolin Circuit-Bent Noise Synthesizer Rob Hordijk Design

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"The Benjolin is a standalone synthesizer designed by Rob Hordijk from the Netherlands. It contains two oscillators (one LFO and one VCO), a voltage controlled filter and a circuit called a “Rungler”, which allows chaotic cross-modulation possibilities between the different parts of the circuit. Hordijk refers to the Benjolin as a circuit which has been “bent by design.”

These hand-made Macumbista Benjolins have been further customized with a patchbay, which can be used to interface with other modular synthesizers or to setup further control voltage feedback systems within the Benjolin itself, attenuators on the three control voltage input and LEDs displaying the internal state of the Rungler. This particular Benjolin has BLUE CV/audio output banana jacks and YELLOW CV input banana jacks. The BLACK banana jack is wired through the volume knob to a 6.33mm (1/4") Neutrik output jack on the back.

You can watch a short demo of two of these Benjolins in action here: http://vimeo.com/70111383 [posted here]

The patchbay of these Benjolins has banana jack connections for the square and triangle waveforms of each of the two oscillators, the Pulse Width Modulation output of the two oscillators, the Rungler output, the XOR (exclusive/or) logic operation of the two oscillators and the output of the filter.

There are also banana jack control voltage inputs with attenuators for the frequency of each of the two oscillators and the filter cutoff frequency. The layout of the panel is designed to be both intuitive and playable (unlike many EuroRack modules, for example…). And finally, the three output bits of the Rungler have been visualized with red, green and blue LEDs.

All Benjolins use a Neutrik 6.3mm (1/4″) output jack, an additional GROUND banana jack to interface with other modular systems and a 12 VAC “wall wart” power supply (mainland European and North American versions available).

I have been personally producing these hand-crafted Benjolins for the last two years under licensed agreement with Rob Hordijk. You can see more about them on my website.

You can find more detailed information about the Benjolin, and about the Rungler function in particular, here."

CLICK FOR MORE »

severence // benjolin drone

Published on Oct 19, 2014 severence

"// experimenting with epoch modular eurorack version of rob hordijk's benjolin

// patch notes

epoch modular benjolin pulse b : mod b cv

steady state fate quantum rainbow 2 purple noise : benjolin mod f cv

modcan quad lfo4 : quantimator cv in

quantimator 1 : benjolin mod a cv

maths channel 1 unity out : quantimator trig

benjolin low pass to mixer effects (moog ring modulator + eventide space)"

severence // mind lock patch

Published on Dec 10, 2016 severence

"// patch notes

antimatter brain seed seed out - schippmann omega-phi 1v/oct
antimatter brain seed trig out - steady state fate propagate in4

antimatter sub ring mix out - verbos electronics dual four polelowpass in

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The Benjolin Workshop (Manchester UK – 30th March 2014)

"Open-Circuit is pleased to announce a day of Circuit Bending & DIY Analog Electronics…

In a one-day workshop conducted by legendary synth builder Rob Hordijk and circuit bender Joker Nies, participants will build the Benjolin, an analog sound-device that is different from what you usually find with other DIY-kits. This kit will ONLY be available through the workshop, it is not for sale separately. You will take home an analog synth, and you can tell everyone that you`ve built it yourself!

The Benjolin is a ‘noise box’ that is ‘bent by design’, meaning that it always has a definite amount of unpredictability while it is still intuitive to play. The Benjolin features two eighteen-octave range voltage controlled oscillators that drive a ‘rungler’ circuit, circuitry that in essence uses a special interference technique feeding back into the oscillators to force them into wild chaotic behavior. A special slightly chaotic filter with a unique topology that imparts a layer of all harmonic distortion to the filter outputs is both excited and modulated by the signals from the rungler circuitry, producing sounds between fat drones to grungy noise havoc. The kit is somewhat challenging to build, but with a little patience and accuracy a beginner in DIY can definitely do it successfully.

Rob Hordijk’s benjolin circuit is really like no other synth/noisemaker out there.

Spaces are limited so we are asking for a £50 deposit to ensure a place with the remaining £80 to be paid on the day…. Please follow the link for more info and to reserve a space.

http://opencircuit-network.tumblr.com"

Macumbista Benjolin V3 2014

via Macumbista

"I am currently taking orders for the next run of the Macumbista Benjolin V3 2014.

The Benjolin is a standalone synthesizer designed by Rob Hordijk from the Netherlands. It contains two oscillators (one LFO and one VCO), a voltage controlled filter and a circuit called a “Rungler”, which allows chaotic cross-modulation possibilities between the different parts of the circuit. Hordijk refers to the Benjolin as a circuit which has been “bent by design.”

These hand-made Macumbista Benjolins have been further customized with a patchbay, which can be used to interface with other modular synthesizers or to setup further control voltage feedback systems within the Benjolin itself, attenuators on the three control voltage input and LEDs displaying the internal state of the Rungler."


See the link above for price, additional details and demos.

Epoch Modular - Rob Hordijk's Benjolin with Doepfer A-143-9 & A-135-1

Published on Sep 16, 2014 isvisible

"I set out to do a full review of all the features of the Epoch Modular 'Benjolin' designed by Rob Hordijk. But I got caught up in what it was doing with the Doepfer A-143-9 and A-135-1 combination and didn't get any further.
Anyway, this video is just scratching the surface of what the Benjolin is capable of, I didn't even get close to showing all the possibilities, including cv control etc.

Here's the patch notes:
XOR, PWM, Low Pass & Highpass out from the Benjolin into each input of the A-135-1 Quad VCA.
Rungler out of the Benjolin into CV in on the A-143-9 Quadrature LFO
Each output of the A-143-9 to the CV each CV in on the A-135-1 Quad VCA

www.isvisible.co.uk"

Macumbista Butterfly Benjolin analog modular synth

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"The Benjolin is a synthesizer designed by Rob Hordijk. It featrues two oscillators, a low pass filter and a random circuit of Rob's own design called a Rungler that outputs voltages, somewhat similar to a sample and hold circuit.

The Macumbista Benjolin is hand-built by Derek Holzer from Rob's circuit design. The Butterfly Benjolin you see here is actually TWO Benjolins together in one box. They are patchable via banana jacks. The cross modulation possibilities are endless.

This one is from 2014. Has the (discontinued) hand-stamped faceplate. Mine also has a mix output that uses the volume controls to blend both of the Benjolins and send out via a single 1/4 output. Very handy for showing up and plugging into an amp. Still has the standard single outs for each Benjolin as well. Comes with 6 banana cables.

I've taken very good care of it. No issues. Being a handmade instrument, it isn't perfect, but that's part of the charm."

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benjolin + Phonogene = Sweet Love (short version)

Published on Jul 13, 2013 Epoch Modular·7 videos

"This is a little piece I put together using an epoch modular benjolin (Rob Hordijk) and a Make Noise Phonogene. I am also using using a synthwerks force sensing resistor module to trigger the rungler loop function periodically. Aside from that, all of the control voltages are from the benjolin: Triangle A to organize, triangle B to gene shift, Rungler to Gene size, PWM to slide. Oh, and I am also running the phonogene trigger output into the benjolin's filter cutoff cv to add some extra warps and bleeps. The sample is from Stephen Scott's album Vikings of the Sunrise. Oh yeah! I almost forgot. I'm also running the filter output from the benjolin into the phonogene and using the mix knob to bring some of it in here and there."

The Worlds First Benjolin - Sample Pack - Obsolete Soundlab

video upload by THIS MUSEUM IS (NOT) OBSOLETE

Also see THE First Surviving BENJOLIN Synthesizer. And the story is quite interesting!

"Purchase here: https://this-museum-is-not-obsolete.c...

The Obsolete Soundlab Presents -The Worlds First Benjolin Sample Pack

We picked up the worlds first(?) Benjolin in The Hague whilst on tour last month. It’s massive, obnoxious and absolutely brilliant. We’ve recorded a range of sounds from the machine for your sonic pleasure.

An in depth video on the story of this marvellous machine will be up on the look mum no computer channel.

All sounds featured in the video are included in the pack.

#benjolin #samplepack #diysynth #sounddesign

Sample Pack Includes:

100+ Short & Long Sounds.

All Samples are 48Khz 24bit

All proceeds go towards maintaining and improving the museum.
-------
All TMINO Sample Packs Available here :- https://this-museum-is-not-obsolete.c...
--------"

Beyond The Rungler - An experimental Eurorack module based on the heart of the Benjolin

Published on Dec 28, 2014 elohess2

"For more description look here: http://journeytounknownsoundscapes.bl..."

"During my search to find a cool generative (and simple) pattern generator I found the schematic of the Benjolin and here. I will not build a full Benjolin. But what is the heart of the Benjolin? After looking some videos and studies of the schematics, I would say:

The Rungler

It's a sort of CV pattern generator. It works a little bit like a 1 bit random sampler (With a Sample&Hold feature). Samples are taken from an audio source, e.g. the audio output of the voices of the Benjolin or from a noise source (this is what I will describe here) is "sampled" and synchronized by a clock source (or an other trigger).

A serial stream of bits is shifted into a shift register one step per clock cycle.

This serial bit stream is used to feed a parallel digital analog converter in 3 bit resolution. At the end of the circuit a control voltage comes out and can be feeded into synth voices. And there is a feedback loop to replay the samples. The incomming audio confuses the feedback and so new patterns are generated.

Simple."

severence // heliotail patch

Published on Dec 11, 2015 severence

"// ambient soundscapes using the epoch modular benjolin + twinpeak, mutable instruments clouds, make noise dpo & steady state fate quantum rainbow 2 as sound sources

// patch notes

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Haferflocken Lullaby // Little deFormer 3 + Klangbau Benjolin #TTNM​

video by THE TUESDAY NIGHT MACHINES

"Using my Klangbau Köln/Rob Hordijk Eurorack Modular Synth Benjolin to trigger and modulate Gotharman's Little deFormer 3. MORE INFO BELOW :)

♥ SUPPORT: http://bit.ly/ttnm-support​ ♥

The Benjolin's slow second VCO is the master clock, triggering the Little deFormer 3. The Benjolin's audio (mostly filter pings from the two slow VCOs) is also sent through the LD3, as well as the microphone's Haferflocken Shaker signal. In the LD3 both signals are mixed with three internal sine wave VCOs playing semi-random melodies in D Minor, which change their "pulse widths" during the performance, creating sounds similar to a music box. The Klangbau Joystick CV Processor modulates analog filters and granular effects inside the Little deFormer, as does the Benjolin's Rungler. The clock is affected by the Rungler too, giving the piece non-static rhythms.

deFormer 3 Videos and Tutorials by THE TUESDAY NIGHT MACHINES

Klangbau Köln Videos by THE TUESDAY NIGHT MACHINES

The Benjolin - First Sound

YouTube via e7ektro | February 05, 2011 | 0 likes, 0 dislikes

"Info about the Benjolin can be found at http://web.me.com/klangbureau/DIY/Ben...

I ordered the SSM2164 (Low Cost Quad Voltage Controlled Amplifier) in Hong Kong. You can see the mail envelope in the video. I built two Benjolins. I plan to build a double Benjolin light synth like the one of Pete Edwards from Casperelectronics. But that may take some time."

"The Benjolin is a ‘noise box’ that is ‘bent by design’, meaning that it always has a definite amount of unpredictability while it is still intuitive to play. The Benjolin features two eighteen-octave range voltage controlled oscillators that drive a ‘rungler’ circuit, circuitry that in essence uses a special interference technique feeding back into the oscillators to force them into wild chaotic behaviour.


A special slightly chaotic filter is both excited and modulated by the signals from the rungler circuitry processes, producing sounds between fat drones to grungy noise havoc. The kit is somewhat more challenging to build compared to the Zeitgeist, but with a little patience and accuracy a beginner in DIY can definitely build it successfully."

Benjolin 2016 Pre-Orders Now Open

via macumbista: "The Benjolin is a standalone synthesizer designed by Rob Hordijk from the Netherlands. It contains two oscillators (one LFO and one VCO), a voltage controlled filter and a circuit called a 'Rungler', which allows chaotic cross-modulation possibilities between the different parts of the circuit. Hordijk refers to the Benjolin as a circuit which has been 'bent by design.'

These hand-made Macumbista Benjolins are officially licensed by Hordijk, and have been further customized with a patchbay, which can be used to interface with other modular synthesizers or to setup further control voltage feedback systems within the Benjolin itself, attenuators on the three control voltage input and LEDs displaying the internal state of the Rungler. The double version, which I have named the Butterfly Benjolin, allows incredible amounts of chaotic cross-modulation between the two halves of the instrument."