00:00 Introduction
00:42 The Doppler Effect
03:30 The Astronauts
04:45 History and Pauline Oliveros
07:02 The Radio Telescope
09:43 Moon Bouncing
14:33 Making The Plugin
"I discovered the technique of 'Moon Bouncing', using the moon as an echo, when I was researching composer Pauline Oliveros. Her experiences with 'Echoes from the moon' sounded fascinating. Like with all experimental music techniques of old I wanted to try the process for myself. This started a two year long journey.
With the support of Martine-Nicole Rojina (who also helped out on camera on location) I got in contact with the radio telescope in Dwingeloo, a huge dish designed for space exploration. They helped me send signals to the moon: a sopranist (Johanna Vargas), a double bassist (Paul Cannon) as well as sounds from my patrons Sventothem, Michael Féaux, Andrew Stone, harper2k, Filip Ferngren, Dave Seidel, Gary Walker, Michael Peters, the void inclusive, Brendan Ford, David Williams, Joey Pop, Jeremiah Turner, Richy486, Joshua Philgarlic, Tim Moore, Grant Basma Horsnell, Arson Bright, Dan Kibke, Antonio T, Chris Sherman, Sergey, Charlie, Bartek Trame and Dixit.
This fascinating experience yielded an extensive set of samples that @audiothing and me analyzed and used to create the free plugin 'Moon Echo'. This way you can experience some of the magic of moon bouncing yourself. Download here (its free): https://www.audiothing.net/effects/mo...
Music, Soundpack and thanks:
https://www.patreon.com/hainbach"
"In our seventh collaboration with Berlin-based musician Hainbach we listen to the stars: Moon Echo is a free to download delay based on a communications technique that uses our closest cosmic neighbor, the moon, as a reflector for radio waves. This results in some rather crunchy and lively echoes, modulated by the movement of Earth and moon. The moon’s surface is an imperfect mirror and creates artifacts, unlike any other echo technique. Moon Echo is both a musical lo-fi effect and a playful tool for teaching about space.
Moon Echo is available for MAC, PC, and LINUX (VST, VST3, AU, AAX, CLAP, 64-bit only), and also as AUv3 and Standalone on the App Store."
"Franklin Eventoff, an American tinkerer and musician invented the force sensing resistor in 1977. This allowed for touch control of voltage, which he used to create instruments. It found first commercial musical use in the Mattel Musical Thing, a cheap toy synth. Frustrated with the experience, Eventoff went on to create the much more refined Sonica. The Sonica is a lovingly crafted boutique instrument with an oscillator by famed Serge Tcherepnin, the creator of the Serge synthesizer. Only about 650 where made, and they are collector's items. The technology of the force sensing resistor proved hugely successful and lives on in cars, robotics and instruments like the AKAI MPC and the Otamatone.
"In this video, I explore the strange toy that is the Magical Musical Thing (Mattel 1979). I speak to Franklin Eventoff, the toy's inventor, and learn about the other instruments he created as well. I also learn the secret to tuning these darn things.
You can download the sample library of the Magical Musical Thing here: https://www.decentsamples.com/product...
This sample is meant to be used in conjunction with Decent Sampler, a plugin which can be downloaded here: https://www.decentsamples.com/product...
"A NEW Optigan compatible disc, GIALLO is a genre of B-movies that was popular in 1970s Italy and found a cult following among cineastes. These cheap horror and thriller flicks featured soundtracks that were as raw as they were fantastic. This disc pays homage to their shocking and ghostly sound. A fan of the sound, Hainbach recorded two rare Italian synthesizers, the Farfisa Polychrome and the Elgam Carousel. Made with varispeed in mind, this disc adds a dark shimmer to your own scores."
"When optical sound sample players came around in the form of the Mattel Optigan, Vako Orchestron and Chilton Talentmaker in the 70s, the reaction was luke-warm. The devices were not a commercial success and quickly disappeared. But one enterprising band from Germany took their lofi sound to heart. Kraftwerk employed the Orchestron in many songs, from Das Model to Uranium. Even today its finds fans - such as Kyle Dixon of Survive, who used the iconic "choir" in their Stranger Things soundtrack. He employed the modern adaption of this arcane technology, the Quilter Labs Panoptigon. I talk with Kyle in the video, show a bit what you can do with the Panoptigon, demo classic Kraftwerk patches and introduce my own disc for this fantastic instrument.
""Forbidden Planet in a box" - the Blippoo Box by the late Rob Hordijk is a wonderfully out there electronic instrument. Based on chaos theory and a love for vintage Sci-Fi it creates organic and liquid tones that keep inspiring even after a long time. Originally made in small batches and sold for about 650EUR, it became very desired among hardcore synthesizer freaks and experimental musicians. This drove prices up to the thousands even during Rob's lifetime, and even higher after. I never thought I would own one, but a lucky trade happened. In this video I tell the tale of the Third Monk (as written by Uncle Meatball), demo the Blippoo's sound and features, as well as showing modern alternatives.
Sources listed below.
"Elevate your sound design and improve your synthesizer patching with these 24 patch tips from Superbooth 2024. Grab the free (or pay what you want to support) PDF document of tips too. You can try these ideas on anything you already have, they're non gear specific and apply to hardware, software, analogue, digital, modular etc.
While at Superbooth 2024 in Berlin I asked people for their best patch tips and these are the tips they gave me. Timing index below to skip around, give them a go and let us know how you get on in the comments.
THANK YOU TO THIS VIDEOS SPONSORS //
a great bunch of guys, a lovely bunch of fellows, buy your gear from them! :)
Signal Sounds // https://signalsounds.com
Thonk // https://thonk.co.uk
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE IN THE VIDEO //
@tombola2004 @atovproject @StarskyCarr U.D.O @ModbapModular @TomChurchill @WMDevices @mylarmelodies @ExpertSleepersLtd @danwahlbeck2621 @jamielidell @instruo @Stazma @Five12 Anti Kulture @RedMeansRecording @SCHLAPPIENGINEERING @FrapTools @Hainbach Konstantine @TheUnperson @westonprecisionaudio @Chevytravelleruk @noiselabsweden9102
SUPPORT //
If you'd like to support work like this and the wider range of what I do, considering heading over to Patreon at https://bit.ly/DK-patreon and supporting for as little as $1 a month to gain access to the DivKid Discord community, plus lots of exclusives such as PDF patchbooks, videos and more. https://bit.ly/DK-patreon"
"Standalone Modern Analog Synthesis Laboratory Pittsburgh Modular Synthesizers’ long-anticipated successor to the Voltage Research Laboratory is filled to the brim with interesting new inventions, such as several new wave-shaping technologies, an addictive tactile performance controller, and more…"
The New, Experimental Synthesis of the Voltage Lab 2
"Dusting the cobwebs from my vintage 1950's lab coat - it was all the rage once honest.
Going into lab rat research mode and seeing where the maze takes me..
... and here's the results.
Just a little taster while I open the lab book to record apparatus, method, results, discussion and conclusion.
0:00 Bunsen Burner Big Beats 2:15 Plucking Pipettes (no pipettes were harmed) 3:06 Test Tube Techno (it's not techno) 5:59 She's Alive 7:44 Naked Flame 10:00 Medical Skeleton (its the Bare Bones)"
Pittsburgh Modular Voltage Lab 2 - Just Jammin'
video upload by
"Fascinating new modular system from Pittsburgh with a decidedly West Coast bent. Too soon for a review, but here's half an hour of playing with the rather remarkable sequencer, the timbre of the oscillators and other bits and pieces. I added some reverb via the Chroma Console but otherwise it's all the VL2."
The Sweet Spot: Voltage Lab 2 Semi-Modular Synthesizer
video upload by HAINBACH
"As anyone who has ever tried to assemble a modular synthesizer, it is not easy to create a cohesive instrument, especially if you try to narrow it down to a portable case. In comes The Voltage Lab 2 that Pittsburgh Modular send me to play with (thanks for that!) - it is a semi-modular self contained synthesizer, and to me it hits the sweet spot between functionality and musicality."
May 14th, 2024 - Pittsburgh, PA Pittsburgh Modular Synthesizers today announced Voltage Lab 2, a standalone dual oscillator analog synthesizer synthesis laboratory with a unique integrated touch-sensitive performance controller.
"German HiFi Manufacturer Teufel was getting rid of the analog system they used to design crossovers for their loudspeakers. I could not pass up the opportunity to get this piano-sized analog filterbank in my studio. Together with @LOOKMUMNOCOMPUTER I explored the musical use of this gigantic piece of obsolete technology.
"The Tilde Elektriske Fjærlett is a new take on turning feedback into an instrument. This instrument / effect is made in very small numbers in Norway, mine is number 74 and it took 3 and half years on the waiting list to get it. Here I am playing with it and showing what I came up with this rather pretty little feedback monster."
"The Orgon Systems Enigiser was not much of hit when it came out, with only 50 to 150 units being known to exist. But over time it became a cult-classic, thanks to its excellent filter that fits perfectly into underground dance music. After decades of it being a collector's item, we are now spoiled for choice as two companies offer clones and the original creator is re-releasing the Enigiser again. I am working with the Analog Sweden Swenigiser in this video, a much enhanced version of this rave classic.
Music, Soundpack and thanks:
https://www.patreon.com/hainbach"
"The Elka Drummer One is no Klaus Dinger or Jaki Liebzeit, but it deserves its place in the history of Krautrock drumming. It was used by a bunch of German bands at the time, most prominently the wonderful Harmonia, a supergroup consisting of members of Neu! and Cluster (some of which where involved in a short-lived iteration of Karftwerk, too). In this video I show its functions (including a big surprise at the very end) and how @LOOKMUMNOCOMPUTER and me used it on our EP 'Pipe Dreams', out now on https://hainbach.bandcamp.com/album/p..."
"Credits:
Michael Rother: guitar, el. percussion, piano & organ
Hans-Joachim Roedelius: electronic organ & piano
Dieter Moebius: synthesizer, electronic percussion
All music written, performed by Michael Rother, Hans-Joachim Roedelius, Dieter Moebius
Recording, editing and artwork by Harmonia
Recorded live in concert on 23rd March 1974 at Penny Station in Griessem Germay"
"One of only 100 Crumar Spirits created this year by Crumar in Italy. Identical to the original 1980s Crumar Spirit (codesigned by Bob Moog), in every way – except this one includes MIDI.
Very rare synth. Sounds amazing. A chance to own a future-perfect Crumar Spirit. Will ship internationally at the buyer's expense if needed. I am in Continental Europe."
"The Ciat-Lonbarde Quatrax is the latest in the series of organ-style instruments created by Peter Blasser. It is the biggest and most varied sounding of them, and I got to explore a loaned instrument (thanks to Patch Point https://patch-point.com/products/ciat...) when I performed with @ensemblerecherche last February."
"For three years now I had the HP3581A Wave Analyzer in my studio, and I only told selected nerds about it. Now its time to show what this beautiful piece of test equipment can do when used for music. This and the UBM are the only pieces I got four of, simply because both are wonderful instruments.
Music, Soundpack and thanks:
https://www.patreon.com/hainbach"
"Form changes function - the Elgam Carousel first appeared as part of a big organ. Elgam quickly realized that they could a make a standalone product out of this, for the more mobile musicians entertaining crowds at business and family functions. They set a trend - CRB and Elka followed with the Computerband 2000 and Wilgamat. These standalone keyboards can be called the first groove boxes. In this video I demo this cosmic sounding wonder and show real world applications in scoring.
"This video is a historical, technical, and musical deep dive into the Buchla 100 Series Modular System at the Mills College Center for Contemporary Music. This instrument was the first voltage controllable modular synthesizer built by Don Buchla—it was delivered to the San Francisco Tape Music Center in the mid-1960s.
In this video we’ll start with a brief historical overview of the Buchla 100 Series Modular System and the San Francisco Tape Music Center. Then, we’ll unpack everything that’s inside the instrument module by module. Finally, I’ll share some of the quirks of this particular instrument, and lots of patch examples to illustrate its unique voice and character.
As I was getting to know this instrument, I tried to keep in mind the circumstances surrounding its development—the people who contributed to it, the time in which it emerged, and the state of electronic music at the time of its invention. These thoughts greatly inspired my approach to working with the instrument and are present throughout this video.
It’s a rare opportunity to be able to work with a historical instrument like this one. I have always been super inspired by Buchla’s work in general, but like many people have had few opportunities to work with his original instruments. Instead, much of my experience has been through newer instruments inspired by his designs. Being able to work closely with this instrument was an incredibly inspiring and clarifying experience that allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of Buchla’s own creative and technical development, as well as the multitude of music, modern modules, and instruments that have been inspired by his work.
Special thank you to Mills College for letting us spend a week in the electronic music studio working with the Buchla 100; to The Buchla Archives and Ryan Gaston for helping to put this video together; and also to all of the amazing folks in my Patreon community for your support in helping to bring educational projects like this one to life!
Learn more / join the waitlist for Learning Sound and Synthesis, my online modular synthesis and sound design class: https://www.soundandsynthesis.com
Join my Patreon community for behind-the-scenes content, unreleased music, and extended tutorials: sarahbellereid
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Historical Overview: Buchla 100 + the San Francisco Tape Music Center
7:38 Mills Buchla 100 System Overview
14:27 Timbre in the Mills Buchla 100
18:29 Chaos in the Mills Buchla 100
21:52 Voltage Control Quirks
25:00 Sequencing Tactics: Triggered Segments
30:40 Sequencing Tactics: Extended Sequences
32:06 More Patches + Sounds
32:36 Ring Modulated Reverb Patch
34:40 Keyboard Chaos Patch
36:55 Gated Voice Patch
38:29 Wonky Drum Machine Patch
38:57 Triggered Gestures Patch
39:14 Transposed FM Sequence Patch
39:48 Bell Tones Patch
40:27 Touch Controlled Ratchet Patch
41:00 Sequenced Melodic Patch
Sarah Belle Reid is a performer-composer, active in the fields of electroacoustic trumpet performance, intermedia arts, music technology, and improvisation.
"In the Spring of 2024, Reid spent a week at the Center for Contemporary Music at Mills College, where she worked closely with their original Buchla 100 modular synthesizer system. This specific instrument’s historical significance can’t be overstated. It was the very first voltage controllable modular synthesizer that the now-famous artist, inventor, and electronic musical instrument designer Donald Buchla built in the mid 1960s—indeed, one of the very first modular synthesizers altogether. In its time, this specific system has been used by countless inspiring and influential musicians, such as Pauline Oliveros, Morton Subotnick, Suzanne Ciani, Warner Jepson, and others.
The video begins with a brief historical overview of the Buchla 100 Series Modular System and the San Francisco Tape Music Center. Then, Reid unpacks everything that’s inside the instrument module by module, with sound demos and examples. Finally, she shares some of the unique quirks of the Mills Buchla 100 instrument, and patch examples of how the instrument can be used to create a wide range of music and sounds."
"Test Equipment was for me always an experiment: using unmusical science, medical and engineering tools for music is Dark Souls level of synthesis difficulty. Coaxing tones out of them requires dedication and patience, but is very rewarding, both in developing new skills and musical results. I tried to stay to true to the tiny test equipment music world, shunning easy solutions to make it music, like using it with regular sequencers, sampling the wall or excessive editing in post. But after a few crucial pieces died off and repair costs sky-rocketed and I decided to combine it with Eurorack modular. I was very surprised by the result.
"The Museum Is now going to offer sample packs of its machines,
a couple of sample packs a month to help fund improvement of the running of the museum to be open more often and offer more this coming year after the refurbishment we are doing over the next few months.
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Sample Pack Available here :- https://this-museum-is-not-obsolete.c...
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We sampled Hainbach’s favourite Krautrock drum machine - The Elka Rhythm Machine - We ran it through our Rotating Speaker of Doom as well as some other choice effects.
"I had to support the Kickstarter of Chompi - a tape-like looping SK-1 style sampler? I need this! Problem is: will I be able to play it myself? It looks so cute my youngest already called dibs. I had to make this video quickly, so she could experiment with it herself. I was surprised into what dark experimental depths it drew me, despite its utterly charming design."
"What is this Strange #lesie #speaker. Featuring @Hainbach
If you'd like to see ful videos of us recording these songs real time! and also get loads of other things whilst supporting the project check out here! :- https://www.patreon.com/posts/starre-...
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DOWNLOAD THE EP HERE :-
https://hainbach.bandcamp.com/album/r..."
