Laurentide SynthWorks Closing Up Shop

This is unfortunate news. It appears Laurentide SynthWorks is closing shop. They provided a number of DIY services and finished products for those that might not have the time or skills to DIY themselves. Their most recent product list included eurorack DIY, the Mutable Instruments Shruthi and Ambika, and a highly modified Moog Werkstatt.

via Laurentide SynthWorks:

"​Hi all,

I have been thinking on this for quite some time and have finally come to the decision to hang up Laurentide SynthWorks.

The batch of Shruthi/Ambika that was just shipped to Modular Addict is the last batch that I will be doing. I will be putting together one more run of VG2 kits together that will also be available at Modular Addict, after that I will be discontinuing it as well as the PRM2.

I also have an unreleased module with full kits already assembled. Those will be for sale at Knobcon in September.

I did not come to decision easily and it took me about 6 months to finally say I'm done. It wasn't easy to come to terms with, but the reality of it is that it was getting way to difficult juggling family and a demanding day job. Plus, the passion was fading and it was feeling more like a regular job, which is not at all why I started it in the 1st place.

I want to thank everyone for being supportive and totally awesome. I have met a lot of great people over the years and made a ton of new friends. I'll still remain active in the scene, just no longer as a manufacturer.

Thanks again and I hope to see you at Knobcon one last time.

Adam Armstrong
Laurentide Syntworks
2013-2016"

Laurentide SynthWorks 15 Knobcon Edition

Laurentide SynthWorks 15 Knobcon Edition from Laurentide SynthWorks on Vimeo.

"Last patch on the last day at Knobcon. What an amazing and inspiring weekend. I am humbled by all of the positive responses I received. It was good to finally put faces to a lot of the social media friends and acquaintances. Looking forward to next year for sure!"

Check out a pic of the man behind Laurentide SynthWorks with Herb Deutsch here!

Mutable Instruments Shruthi-1 SMR-4 MKII Blue Thunder - Highly Modded by Laurentide Synthworks

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
video upload by Laurentide SynthWorks

via this auction

"Shruthi MKII Blue Thunder edition made by Laurentide Synthworks in 2014. Mods include an FM input variable filter switch, a volume knob, audio pass-through. All mods and original functions work as expected. Power supply will be included."

Note the video above is from Laurentide SynthWorks back in 2012 and for demo purposes only.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Laurentide SynthWorks Builds - Turing Machine & Ambika

A couple of wallpaper worth shots via Laurentide SynthWorks.  Top pic is Tom Whitwell's Music Thing Modular "Turing Machine" Random Sequencer with Expander.  Below is a Mutable Instruments Ambika. If you don't have time for DIY yourself, Laurentide SynthWorks will build gear for you.

Laurentide SynthWorks 13 (ft. moog werkstatt)

Laurentide SynthWorks 13 (ft. moog werkstatt) from Laurentide SynthWorks on Vimeo.

"Finally took the werkstatt for a proper test drive with the eurorack so I could get a decent demo of it in action utilizing some of the mod's. It starts the video out. The LFO is being modulated by Mutable Instruments Tides (slope is being modulated by a Make Noise DPO in LFO mode. The V/Oct is controlled by a sequence). The combined modulation of the Werkstatt LFO with it's own rate and Tides creates interesting variations of the rate. The Werkstatt LFO is controlling the PWM. The sequence is from Make Noise Rene. The VCF Out on the Werkstatt is going into a passive diode clipper (this is a prototype and part of a small line of devices that I am working on getting manufactured). Drums are handled by Mutable Instruments Peaks. The clicky hi-hat-y part is a Mutable Instruments Braids. The other sequence is a Make Noise STO controlled by a clocked set of Pressure Points.. Some Concertmate MG-1 'Bell Tone' for filler added. Then just some reverb and delay."

http://laurentidesynthworks.blogspot.com

Laurentide SynthWorks #6

Published on Apr 25, 2014 Laurentide SynthWorks·43 videos

via Laurentide SynthWorks

"Ok, firstly. This is not meant to sound 'good'. Just a quick demo of using 2 MIDIpals chained for multi effects.

I have the 1st MIDIpal set to the sequencer with a simple sequence playing. It is then feeding into the 2nd MIDIpal which is set to the delay app. That's a fun app to play with on a poly synth. I have the Ambika broken up into 2 parts. Part 1 is 4 voices and controlled by the MIDIpals. Part 2 is 2 voices and controlled by the QuNexus."

Laurentide SynthWorks #4

Published on Sep 4, 2013 Laurentide SynthWorks·42 videos

http://laurentidesynthworks.blogspot....

"Completed a Mutable Instruments 'Yellow Magic' (LP2 + Delay) build. First time I've gotten to play with this filter. It is designed around the MS-20 LP filter with a Lo-Fi PT2399 Filter Chip added. Aside from the Polivoks filter board, this is the dirtiest of the analog boards MI offers. Lots of clipping and dirtiness.

The demo is accompanied by an MFOS Soundlab Mini-Synth MKII ran through a Moogerfooger 104M."

Laurentide Synthworks offers build services. If you need a DIY synth built for you check them out.

Laurentide SynthWorks #2

Published on Aug 27, 2013 Laurentide SynthWorks·40 videos

"Little jam with the following:

Music From Outerspace Soundlab Minisynth MKII
Sonic-Potions LXR Drum Synth
Hex Inverter Sympleseq Module (MU)
Roland Juno-106
Minimoog Voyager Old School"

via Laurentide SynthWorks

"Oddly enough, the Sonic-Potions LXR is the first hardware drum synth I've owned. I've got a bunch of stuff on the computer, but that kind of music creation has always been creatively constricting for me.

Anyway, I recorded a new demo with some devices we build (MFOS Soundlab MKII, Hex Inverter Sympleseq & Sonic-Potions LXR). It's accompanied with a Minimoog Voyager OS and a Juno-106. The LXR is generating the clock which is being sent to a Kenton Pro-Solo II MIDI 2 CV, which is then sending the clock to the Sympleseq.

Enjoy and thanks for watching!"

Laurentide SynthWorks 16

Laurentide SynthWorks 16 from Laurentide SynthWorks on Vimeo.

"Had a bunch of drum modules laying around waiting to be cased up. Finally made some time to get it done. Of course, Braids steals the show as usual."

http://www.laurentidesynthworks.blogspot.com/

laurentide SynthWorks 10 (ft. moog prodigy)

Published on Aug 6, 2014 Laurentide SynthWorks

"all the info you need is in the video."

via Laurentide Synthwerks

"For the most part, the Prodigy is extremely simplistic in design. It doesn't have the ability to adjust or modulate pulse-width. The LFO only has 2 shapes and 2 destinations (pitch & cutoff). The envelopes don't have a dedicated release. It doesn't have noise or S&H. Then, to top it off, I have an early model, so it doesn't have any CV IN/OUT. I could mod it, but I'm just not into drilling holes into this thing. But, despite all of it's shortcomings, it is, without a doubt, one of the best mono synth's I have ever owned. The filter is amazing and the VCO's sound incredible. I've had a lot of mono synths come and go, but this one is a mainstay for sure."

Laurentide SynthWorks 14 - Werkstatt Mod Walkthrough

Published on Sep 9, 2014 Laurentide SynthWorks

"Demo of the VCO/Ext. Mixer and Glide circuits added. The VCO of the Werkstatt and the External IN at the rear panel jack are fed into a mixer with volume control. The EXP VCO IN jack is fed into a glide circuit. The Werkstatt glide is part of the keyboard which scales 3V/Oct, so it's useless for 1V/Oct tracking."

http://www.laurentidesynthworks.blogspot.com/

Laurentide SynthWorks #3

Published on Sep 3, 2013 Laurentide SynthWorks·41 videos

"Another modular playday. Got some euro modules finally. Using the Doepfer A-115 Audio Divider on one of the VCO's. Lots of S&H clocking and modulating with some Sympleseq sequencing. messy and clipped to hell (VCO wave is going through the dotcom Q130 Clipper/Rectifier before hitting the A115)."

http://www.laurentidesynthworks.blogspot.com/

Laurentide SynthWorks #8

Published on Jun 27, 2014 Laurentide SynthWorks·48 videos

"Received the Moog Werkstatt-01 today. Seriously, this thing is awesome! It doesn't do much, but what it does is huge. The drums and sequence are all from the Eurorack. Around 1:30 the Werkstatt comes in."

Moog Werkstatts on eBay
http://www.laurentidesynthworks.blogspot.com/

Werkstatt der Pfähler (Werkstatt the Impaler) by Laurentide SynthWorks

via Laurentide SynthWorks

"The Werkstatt der Pfähler (Werkstatt the Impaler) is a Moog Werkstatt-Ø1 that has been cut up and extensively modified. There is a huge beast inside these little synths that can only be accessed through modifying.

There are 2 versions available: Standard and Full. The Standard version is perfect for incorporating into an existing Eurorack modular system. Most of the header patch points have been brought to the rear of the unit to 3.5mm Jacks. Most importantly, the EG can be triggered by an external gate. This is not possible without modification.

The Full version takes the standard and brings it to a stand-alone powerhouse! In addition to the CV In’s and Out’s at the rear, buffers are added to all CV Out’s (these are circuits that keep critical voltages, like the raw VCO waveforms from sagging when used to drive external gear). The CV Out’s are wired to TRS jacks, giving a total of 8 individual outputs. A MIDI 2 CV (MINICV) converter is added to drive the VCO and EG. Additionally, the CV & Gate generated by the MIDI 2 CV is brought to 2 jacks, so when the Werkstatt is not in use, it can be used to drive other analog gear that does not have MIDI, but does have CV & Gate In’s. A mixer is added to give volume control over the Werkstatt VCO and External Audio. Additionally, the VCF is wired to the Audio In jack, so when nothing is plugged into the jack, the Audio In volume knob will send the VCF back into itself for some intense filter overdrive! A 2nd glide circuit is added in line with the VCO CV In. The Werkstatt Glide potentiometer is removed and replaced with a dual gang potentiometer. This way one knob can control both the Werkstatt glide and the external pitch glide. The VCO Wave selector switch is removed and a mixer circuit is added so the 2 waveforms can be continuously blended from one to the other. Lastly, there is a Fine Tune knob added.

Both mods come with high quality Lexan Overlays by SynthGraphics (similar to the ones used on production Moogs), and all mods are backed by a 1 year warranty.*"

Moog Werkstatts on eBay

Mutable Instruments Shruthi-1 Resurrected by Laurentide SynthWorks

via Laurentide SynthWorks

"This is a resurrection of the classic and highly loved Mutable Instruments Shruthi-1. Initially I will be offering the Control PCB, preprogrammed chips and the 4PM (4 Pole Mission) filter board. Eventually I will begin putting kits together for each of the boards as well as the other discontinued filter's.

When the Shruthi line was discontinued (with the exception of the SMR-4 kit & case, which is still available from Mutable Instruments) I began discussions with Olivier (mad code scientist behind Shruthi and all things Mutable) on continuing it's legacy. Along with TubeOhm in Europe, we will be supplying Shruthi PCB's back to the DIY community under our company names respectively.

On 3/11/2015 I will begin selling the Shruthi Control PCB, pre-programmed chips, 4PM filter and custom dark grey translucent plexi-case. The PCB's are manufactured by the same company Mutable Instruments used and the cases are manufactured by MI forum member fcd72, who also makes the official clear plexi-cases."

Update: date corrected from 3/15/2015 to 3/11/2015 above.

Laurentide Synthworks MFOS Soundlab Mini-Synth MKII 2-Voice Poly Synth

via Laurentide Synthworks:

"The past couple of months I have slowly been designing a 2-Voice Poly Synth. At it's core, it is 2 MFOS Soundlab Mini-Synth MKII's. I've spent a lot of time tweaking ideas on how to implement everything. Pretty much all of the parts are there, I just need to put it together. Easier said than done.

It starts at a Mutable Instruments MIDIpal. Eventually I will try to tweak the MIDIpal code so it only has some of the apps, like Dispatcher (of course), arp, seq and maybe some others. Keep it simple. The MIDIpal will be connected internally to 2 chained midimplant's (MIDI to CV) which will be wired to each Soundlab. This is how the polyphony will be achieved. I will have MIDI IN & THRU jacks mounted on the rear of the case.

The front panel will have both Soundlabs mounted side by side. There will be a 3rd panel to the left of the 1st Soundlab that will be home to the MIDIpal as well as some other cool stuff..."

Click through above for additional details.

Moog Werkstatt-Ø1 Mods via Laurentide SynthWorks

via Laurentide SynthWorks

"I finally found some time to start poking around inside the Werkstatt. First on the list is adding a Gate IN to trigger the envelope. I followed peff's idea of using a voltage follower for the Gate IN. I did a breadboard test and had it running in minutes..."

Laurentide SynthWorks 11 (modded Roland MC-202 demo-ish)

Published on Aug 9, 2014 Laurentide SynthWorks

"I just acquired a 202 and right away started to mod it. So many possibilities with this little thing.

If you have a 202 and want it modded, drop me a line: http://laurentidesynthworks.blogspot...."

Laurentide Synthworks PolyLAB Update

via Laurentide Synthworks

"The main globals PCB arrived and has been populated. Just missing 1 capacitor. So far the Portamento and gate led drivers have been tested.

Next PCB, which should arrive this week is for the 2 MIDImplants (although I probably could have used only one. It pays to read the manual fully first, kids). It's also got a 5v power supply for the MIDI thru.

Other than that, I should have a working prototype within the next month or 2. The case is going to take a while as I probably won't be able to bend the metal or paint until the weather warms up. Oh wells..."

Laurentide SynthWorks 9 - moog werkstatt-01 Mod Video

Published on Jul 10, 2014 Laurentide SynthWorks

"1st modification of my werkstatt: adding an ext gate IN jack. All info on it is here: http://laurentidesynthworks.blogspot....

effects used: moogerfooger MF-104M Delay & Electro Harmonix Cathedral Reverb"

Follow-up to this post.