New Korg LFO Module for littleBits

Uploaded on Feb 19, 2015 littleBits Electronics

littleBits is asking people to vote for the new Korg LFO.  I'm guessing we will see it happen, but if you want to make sure and perhaps bump it to the front of their list for new modules, you might want to vote.

"Hey there! I’m Tatsuya Takahashi, chief analog engineer at Korg. The LFO or Low Frequency Oscillator module was designed alongside the littleBits Synth Kit but didn’t make it into the final kit configuration. We thought we would see if people would be interested in it, and thus have submitted it here to the bitLab!

The LFO is an oscillator module that allows you to make slow sweeping changes to sound parameters in the synth kit or with other littleBits modules. You can control the following parameters directly on the module:

-Rate/Frequency knob (speed of oscillation)
-Waveshape control knob (change the duty cycle of a pulse wave or morph a sawtooth to triangle to ramp waveform)
-Waveform selection switch (select triangle/saw or pulse waveform)

The input of the module controls the amplitude of the LFO. We’ve also included an LED on board to help show the rate of oscillation.

Need some circuit ideas? Watch the video to see the LFO in action!!"

littleBits on eBay

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KORG SQ 1 Sequencer & TWO LittleBits Synth kits SPACE JAM

Published on Apr 8, 2015 Ritchie DeCarlo

"Two Synth kits are definitely Better than ONE!!"

littleBits on eBay | Korg SQ-1s on eBay

Sequencing the Synth Kit with the KORG SQ-1

Published on Apr 7, 2015 littleBits Electronics

littleBits on eBay | Korg SQ-1s on eBay

"To connect the SQ-1's littleBits OUT jack with the littleBits Synth Kit without the CV module, you'll need the littleBits Proto module and a mini-monaural cable.

1) Strip some insulation from the mini-monaural cable.

2) As shown in the illustration to the right, fasten the core and shield of the cable to the terminal screw of the Proto module.

3) Of the Proto module's three jumpers, remove the middle jumper.

4) Set up the littleBits circuit (one example is shown to the right), and connect the Proto module's mini-monaural cable to the SQ-1's littleBits OUT jack.

5) Press the SQ-1's START/STOP button to make the littleBits Synth Kit start playing."

KORG SQ 1 Sequencing LittleBits SYNTH KIT

Published on Mar 31, 2015 Ritchie DeCarlo

"Modified the LittleBits PROTO bit with a mono cable.
Now the Korg SQ-1 Sequencer can control the LittleBits System"

Korg SQ-1s on eBay | littleBits on eBay

Korg littleBits CV I/O & Make Noise System 0 modular synth

Published on Mar 31, 2015 MAKEN0ISE

"Showing how the new CV I/O bit from littleBits and KORG allows for conversations between littleBits and the modular synthesizer."

See the littleBits & KORG Synth Modules CV, MIDI, and USB I/O intro videos posted earlier today here.

littleBits on eBay

littleBits + Korg and Cycling '74 Project 1 - Video Theremin

Published on Mar 31, 2015

littleBits on eBay

"More information: https://cycling74.com/littlebits"

littleBits + Korg and Cycling '74 Project 2 - Modular Interface

Published on Mar 31, 2015 Cycling '74

littleBits & KORG Synth Modules CV, MIDI, and USB I/O

Published on Mar 31, 2015 littleBits Electronics

littleBits on eBay

"The CV module developed in partnership with Korg, a pioneer of electronic musical equipment, enables amateur and professional musicians to easily explore the iconic synthesizer instrument, allowing you to make exciting new sounds and build their own infinitely customizable and expandable analog modular instrument and put on your own performances - all with little to no engineering or musical knowledge.

More about the latest Synth Kit Modules at
http://littlebits.cc/new-synth-modules"

Playlist:
Introducing: littleBits New Synth Modules - MIDI, CV and USB I/O
Getting started with littleBits & Korg MIDI module Pt. 1 MIDI IN
Getting started with the littleBits & Korg MIDI Moldule Pt. 2 MIDI IN (USB Controller)
Getting started with the littleBits & Korg USB I/O Module
Getting started with the littleBits & Korg MIDI Module Pt. 3 MIDI Out
Getting started with the littleBits & Korg CV Module
littleBits + Korg and Cycling '74 Max Introduction
Sequencing the littleBits Synth Kit with the Korg Volca Keys

KORG LittleBits Modular Synthesizer part 2

Published on Mar 23, 2015 Ritchie DeCarlo

"Another Journey with this LittleBits Synth kit"

littleBits synth kits on eBay

KORG LittlBits Modular synthesizer exploration with delay

Published on Mar 17, 2015 Ritchie DeCarlo

"Getting some amazing sounds from this toy!!"

littleBits synth kits on eBay

Massive modular synth made from littleBits Korg Synth Kit

Published on Dec 3, 2014

littleBits synth kits on eBay

10x littleBits Korg Synth kits
1x DC Motor
1x Vibration Motor
1x Bend Sensor
1x Light Sensor
1x Microphone
1x Toggle Switch
1x LED

www.laurensarahhayes.com

via Palm Sounds

New KORG SQ-1 2x 8 Step Sequencer Details

Details are in. The new sequencer runs on batteries and supports both Hz/V & V/Oct.  Connections can be made via CV, USB and MIDI out via littleBits OUT jack (mini monaural phone jack).

Overview and specs via KORG:

"When the classic MS-20 analog synthesizer appeared in 1978, it had a trusted partner in the SQ-10 step sequencer. Now, after thirty years, the MS-20 has been reborn as the MS-20 mini, and the SQ-10 has evolved into the more modern SQ-1.

The SQ-1 is a compact step sequencer with 2 x 8 steps. It's wealth of connection jacks allows it to be connected to the MS-20 and a variety of other synthesizers. Vintage analog synths or the latest compact synths can be controlled from this single unit. You can also switch between a variety of synthesizer modes and use the step buttons to create performances overflowing with spontaneity, just as when using a volca unit.

Liberate yourself from the numerically-bound parameter editing that's typical on a DAW; you'll enjoy truly musical inspiration as you train your ears and concentrate on what your fingertips are doing. Don't miss the experience of music that's driven by your instinct."

Sequencer Mode
ALTERNATE, ORDER, PARALLEL TURN, PARALLEL ORDER, CV/DUTY, CV/SLIDE, CV/DUTY RADOM, RANDOM

Step Mode
GATE ON/OFF, ACTIVE STEP, SLIDE, STEP JUMP

Sequence Step Resolution
quarter notes, eighth notes, sixteenth notes

CV OUT Pitch
Linear, Minor, Major, Chromatic

CV OUT Voltage
1V, 2V, 5V (Oct) 8V (Hz/V)

GATE OUT Polarity
+ (positive polarity), - (negative polarity)

SYNC IN/OUT Polarity
+ (rise), - (fall)

Connectors
- littleBits OUT jack (mini monaural phone jack)
- OUT (MIDI OUT) jack (mini stereo phone jack)
- CV - A OUT - GATE jack (mini monaural phone jack, CV OUT : Output Level 1V, 2V, 5V, 8[Hz/V], GATE OUT: output level 10V)
- CV - BOUT - GATE jack (mini monaural phone jack, CV OUT : Output Level 1V, 2V, 5V, 8[Hz/V], GATE OUT: Output Level 10V)
- IN – SYNC – OUT jack (mini monaural phone jack, SYNC IN: Max Input Level 20V, SYNC OUT: Output Level 5V)
- USB jack (type B, USB MIDI)

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Happy New Year From MATRIXSYNTH! - A Look Back at 2014

Happy New Year everyone!

I want to start by thanking everyone that comes to MATRIXSYNTH and helps make it what it is - the readers, the supporters, and of course all the sponsors on the right.

THANK YOU and have a GREAT 2015!!!

This site is a labor of love and a ton of work. This site is ultimately meant to be an testament to everything synth in the making. We have over nine years of daily synth history captured here, 119,983 published posts. I can't wait to see what the future brings us in 2015!

That said, here are a few interesting bits from 2014 in the longest post of the year. ;)

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OK Go + littleBits = Toaster Synth

Published on Dec 11, 2014 littleBits TV

littleBits synth kits on eBay

"In preparation for their most recent album release, “Hungry Ghosts,” OK Go put together a Pledge Music campaign to share their process and raise money by providing unique experiences for fans. This ranged from personal art critiques to disposable cameras filled with tour photos to a customized synthesizer.

littleBits + OK Go came up with an instrument comprised of bits from the Synth Kit [made in partnership with Korg] and the littleBits library at large. The concept was originally a remixable music box. Essentially a song from the new album that could be played back from our Arduino module. Different song sections could be played in various orders and the timbre and shape of the sounds could be manipulated by the user.

Make your own rad synthstrument with the Synth Kit at http://littlebits.cc/kits/synth-kit. Learn more about this collaboration at http://littlebits.cc/ok-go"

Brooklyn Synth Expo Coming December 6-7 from 12pm to 8pm at Main Drag Music

via delicious audio

"On the heels of the 4th Brooklyn Stompbox Exhibit, which on the weekend of October 25-26 brought about a thousand musicians to Williamsburg’s instrument store Main Drag Music , The Deli Magazine is proud to announce the 1st Brooklyn Synth Expo, scheduled in that same location on December 06-07 from 12pm to 8pm.

You’ll be able to play with large format synths, gadget synths, eruorack modules and effects by: Arturia, Korg, Roland, Moog, Teenage Engineering, Critter and Guitari, LittleBits, Novation, Electro Faustus, Malekko, QU-Bit, Synthetic Sound Labs, Skychord, Dwarfcraft Devices, Vermona and many more…

More info coming soon, for now, mark your calendars!"

LittleBits Broomstick Guitar

Published on Oct 18, 2014 Peter Churchyard

littleBits synth kits on eBay

"By taking an Arduino microcontroller and adding two RC filters the cpu can control the LittleBits Korg Synth (http://littlebits.cc/) components. Add a PS/2 compatible mouse and you have a fun instrument. More at http://moddersandrockers.com/littlebi....

The mouse with its two axis of control and three buttons allows for a fun interface. This version is the first that has the note bending feature. I will be adding an opto isolator so the controller can read MIDI data. This will allow me to play the LittleBits Synth kit using MIDI.

At the moment I have not trimmed the CV scaling to give correct note spacing but it is close enough for this demo."

littleBits Synth Kit - Keytar (KORG ver.)

Published on Sep 19, 2014 KORGINC

littleBits synth kits on eBay

"more details:
http://littlebits.cc/projects/keytar-...
http://www.pangra.net/blog/?p=1935

played by Maika Leboutet
http://www.maikaleboutet.com/"

KORG littleBits Synth Kit + extras

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

via this auction

"SALE INCLUDES - KORG SYNTH KIT + '10' EXTRA BITS WORTH AROUND £100"

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Korg littleBits x2

Published on Jul 11, 2014 GenshiMediaGroup

"Ok, I know this sounds like crap, but I just wanted to show a quick example of using two instances of the Korg littleBits Synth Kit... that's 4 Analog Oscillators, 2 Sequencers, 2 MS-20 style Filters all running off a single 9 Volt battery! Pretty fun if you ask me..."

littleBits synth kits on eBay

Korg littleBits Test (Poor Man's Buchla Bounce)

Published on Jun 21, 2014 GenshiMediaGroup

"Another quick test of the littleBits Korg Synth Kit. This is a simple attempt at getting that "Buchla Bounce" sound out of the littleBits Korg Synth Kit.

I was able to accomplish this "poor man's Buchla" by glitching the littleBits through the way I had the signal chain structured; with the balance of the Mix of the two Oscillators (Mix/Osc 1 needs to be half the volume of Mix/Osc 2) and the Envelope's short Decay, as well as the relationship of the Filter's Cutoff and Peak knobs (both at about half way) as they are modulated by the Sequenced Random bit.

I also discovered that if you touch the "Trigger In" of the Envelope with your finger, you can modulate the sound further (as long as there is also a cable in the Speaker's Output jack) by opening up the Decay each time you touch the connector.

Diagram of the signal chain is shown at the end of the video."

littleBits synth kits on eBay

New KORG Synth Modules for littleBits

via littleBits:

"Coming in time for Holiday 2014, we have 3 new additions to the synth family. We recommend these modules with the Synth Kit for the ultimate rockstar experience.

MIDI module - allows you to control the Synth Kit from a DAW (Ableton Live, Pro Tools, etc) and other MIDI-enabled instruments. Additionally, it will allow you to create your own MIDI controller with littleBits modules by converting littleBits control voltages to MIDI messages.

CV module - allows you to Integrate your Synth Kit with other analog synthesizers (for example, modular synths or analog keyboards).

USB I/O module - this is a USB audio interface that will enable you to record directly into your DAW from the Synth Kit or send audio from your DAW to the Synth Kit for processing. Integrate your Synth Kit with common audio work stations (Ableton, ProTools, or other software like Traktor or Max/MSP)."

littleBits synth kits on eBay

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