Daft Punk "Da Funk" on modular synth & Bass Station II

Extralife

"The eurorack sequencer used in this video is now on Kickstarter! Click below for more info:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...

After many years of listening and contemplating it, I finally decided to dive in recreate Daft Punk's classic acid house burner with my modular synth setup. Every sound you hear was created on the gear you see! The drums are hexinverter 909 modules (the sub bass comes from the kick), and some samples on the Squarp Rample (hi hats, drum break, horn stab). The first bassline is on the Novation Bass Station II using some external feedback looping for more growl. The classic 303 line is recreated using my open-source Super Sixteen sequencer, MFOS VCO as an oscillator, Yusynth Moog Ladder Filter, and a SansAmp Para Driver. Some EQ and buss compression was added to the recording.

Sorry that 25% of the video ended up being the top of my head! Still working on a proper overhead camera setup. Will fix that for the next jam."

Super Sixteen: How to Program a Sequence (Tutorial Part 1)

Extralife

"By popular request - a quick tutorial on basic sequencing workflow and fundamentals. Early backers get 15% off on Kickstarter:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...

In this video I dive into the sequencing UI including rhythm programming, pitch and octave selection, adjusting gate duration, and velocity CV. We also take a look at motion recording, multi-bar sequencing, copy/paste, and patch memory.

While this doesn't cover everything the sequencer does, it's all you need to get started making great melodies, basslines, and rhythm patterns on the Super Sixteen. In the next video we'll get deeper into advanced sequence settings and real-time mutations.

Become a supporter on Patreon to get bonus content and early access to new videos!
https://patreon.com/extralife"

Extralife Instruments Super Sixteen Eurorack Sequencer Module Kickstarter Launches Today

A Kickstarter campaign for the Super Sixteen Eurorack Sequencer launched today, Wednesday, June 17. Click here for full details.

"The Super Sixteen is a 64-step control voltage sequencer with dual CV, gate, and clock outputs, and a unique 2-handed programming interface.

Some of the features that set the Super Sixteen apart from other great eurorack modules rest include:
- compact 22hp footprint
- patch memory for 99 sequences
- up to 64 step sequence length
- selectable scales and swing timing
- motion recording
- per-step glide/portamento
- real-time rhythm and pitch effects like beat repeat and stutter roll

Super Sixteen is priced at $325+shipping, and the first 25 backers will receive a 15% discount. It's also available as PCB and panel set for DIY enthusiasts for just $40. The source code and hardware files are available here." You can find the Kickstarter campaign here.

Switched Multiple - Easy DIY Eurorack Module

Published on May 27, 2020 Extralife

"This week I built a really simple diy eurorack project, the switched multiple. Simply, a signal can be routed to one of two destinations or neither via a toggle switch. It can also be used in reverse to send one of two inputs to a single output. It's a very simple project to build, requiring only a switch and a few jacks and some wire, with no circuit board needed.

I got the idea from watching Mylar Melodies' video, THE MODULAR MAGIC OF SWITCHED MULTIPLES: [posted here]

This is a 100% passive design, and active/buffered multiples may perform better with CV signals sent to multiple destinations."

Building Analog 909 Drums in eurorack! (Hexinverter NeinohNein)

Published on Apr 21, 2020 Extralife

"(Skip to 10:54 to hear the sound demo!) I've been toying around with drum machines and samplers for a while now, but I haven't found anything that I really like as far as sounds and sequencing and interface, so I decided to build my own. I'm starting with the Hexinverter NeinohNein kick, clap and snare, which are my favorite drum machine sounds of all time. They sound nice and punchy and crisp, especially mixed properly. Next I plan to make a proper trigger sequencer and then add a sampler module to round out the kit."

Extralife - "Vanity Plates" (Korg DW8000 studio jam)

Published on Mar 30, 2020 Extralife

"Some driving synthpop highway music inspired by Lenno's 'isolation beats' series on instagram (and featuring some of his loops and FX sounds!). Some Alan Brake/Fred Falke type sounds for a summer spin with the windows down."

Building Mutable Instruments Braids / Learning Hot Air Soldering

Published on Mar 11, 2020 Extralife

"I need to learn SMD soldering so I picked up a PCB and parts for the classic eurorack digital oscillator, mutable instruments' Braids by Emilie Gillet. This version has been superseded in some ways by Plaits but I quite like the look of this one regardless.

I tried out a couple different soldering techniques including classic tack-and-place with the iron and lead-free solder paste with a hot air station. The paste wasn't super easy but maybe leaded paste is better for DIY work. Along the way I fried a couple components and had to troubleshoot so I tried to give some insight into how I track that stuff down and fix it.

The module sounds great! I needed to upgrade my case power supply after this build but that's massively improved with a separate digital power rail.

Music used in this video: [active links on YouTube]
South London Hifi - Sunrise Drive - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZ97i...
Silent Partner - Blue Break - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82WS2...
Birocratic - Memory Card Full - https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=A56YTM7...
Mylar Melodies - Musik Von Melodies - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmZgy..."

Korg DW8000 - A Classic 1985 Hybrid Digital+Analog Synth - Demo and Review

Published on Jan 11, 2020 Extralife

"A demo and review of the Korg DW8000, a hybrid polysynth from 1987. It combines sampled-wave DCOs with analog filters and unique six-stage envelopes for a stunningly capable and versatile keyboard synth that remains highly usable today. Its somewhat clunky interface is improved a great deal by the addition of a Stereoping controller. In this video I share some of my favorite patches and features as well as my thoughts on how this synth compares to the others today."

Designing A Eurorack Sequencer Part 8: New panel, Patch memory, Performance effects

Published on Nov 18, 2019 Extralife

"In this installment we fabricate a new front panel for the Super Sixteen using the toner transfer process, and then take a spin with some of the new advanced features it sports, like patch memory, scale selection, swing timing, and a gang of performance rhythm effects."

You can find previous videos in the series here.

Building the Super Sixteen Eurorack Sequencer

Published on May 30, 2018 Extralife

Links:
You can find the code, schematic and KiCad files here.
You can find Extralife on Patreon here if you would like to support his projects.
You cab download KiCad EDA 5.0 for free here: http://kicad-pcb.org.
For a detailed look at how to multiplex a grid of LEDs, check out this tutorial (a shift register is used instead of an i/o expander).

Playlist:
1. Designing a Eurorack Sequencer - Pt. 1: Digital to Analog

In this new series I'll be designing, prototyping and building a sequencer module for my eurorack sythesizer using the Arduino platform. In this episode, we connect the arduino to our 12v power supply and add a digital-to-analog converter output so our sequencer can output proper 0-8v CV signals.

2. Designing a Eurorack Sequencer - Part 2: Seven Segment Displays

Continuing to design and prototype the Super Sixteen sequencer module for my eurorack sythesizer using the Arduino platform. In this episode, we wire up a seven segment display to show some visual feedback using another serial chip, the I/O expander. Then we take a crack at making our sequencer play a scale!

3. Designing a Eurorack Sequencer - Part 3: Enter the Matrix

Continuing with the Super Sixteen, we build the sequencer's namesake sixteen-button grid, explore matrix wiring and multiplexing in combination, and construct our first working prototype that actually plays a sequence!

4. Designing Eurorack Sequencer Part 4: Making a PCB with KiCad 5.0

In this episode we get into some proper electronics design with KiCad and develop a new layout for a printed circuit board. Then we get to do the fun part and fabricate it at home using a toner transfer and ferric chloride etching.

5. Designing a Eurorack Sequencer - Part 5: Assembly

In this episode we assemble the first PCB prototype of the Super Sixteen with our trusty soldering iron and a spool of mod wire. After a few fried chips and more than a few repairs, it's time to wire it up to our synth and try out some actual sequencing!

6. Designing a Eurorack Sequencer - Part 6: Front Panel and External Sync

Or, "How to Make a Eurorack Front Panel: The Cheap Way"
In this episode we upgrade our module with a faceplate, and add some advanced features like external sync, pitch calibration, and glide/portamento.

7. Designing a Eurorack Sequencer part 7 - New PCBs, Motion Recording, Beat Repeat

In this episode, we assemble, inspect, debug, and reprogram our new dual-PCB stackup for the Super Sixteen eurorack CV sequencer. Not everything goes according to plan!

8. Designing A Eurorack Sequencer Part 8: New panel, Patch memory, Performance effects

In this installment we fabricate a new front panel for the Super Sixteen using the toner transfer process, and then take a spin with some of the new advanced features it sports, like patch memory, scale selection, swing timing, and a gang of performance rhythm effects.

Korg Monotron CV Input Mod (Eurorack Control Voltage hack)

Published on Sep 21, 2019 Extralife

"Hello friends! I'm back in California and back in action. First off the hop is a travel kit project to convert CV (control voltage) signals to Monotron-compatible pitch/gate signals. If you have a Monotron (the cheapest analog synth on then market) you can use it to add a complete synth voice to your eurorack system!

The schematics and PCB layout for this project are up on my github page:
https://github.com/matthewcieplak/mon...

This work is partially based on DINSync's 2010 monotron CV mod:
http://www.dinsync.info/2010/06/how-t..."