Podcast 366: Paula Maddox

video upload by 20Objects

"Paula Maddox is a wonder. She’s got an amazing history of synth design, and the work continues; her current company (Dove Audio - https://dove-audio.com/) produces modules in Euro and 5U format, featuring her unique take on wavetables-as-oscillators. We share a passion for wavetables and single-cycle waveshapes, so it was a natural that we talk.

In our discussion, we cover everything from her history in electronics, the path to synth design, and a review of many of the synths that she has had her hand into. From the infamous Monowave, through the Modal 008, 002 and 001, and into the work developing the Dove Audio products (including some exciting new designs), we get a chance to hear how it comes together and where it is going in the future.

Enjoy!

Transcription available at http://www.darwingrosse.com/AMT/trans...

Exclusive extra content on the Patron page: https://www.patreon.com/darwingrosse"

1280 favorite waveforms of the Richter MegaWave

1280 favorite waveforms of the Richter MegaWave from Richard Devine on Vimeo.

1280 favorite waveforms of the Richter MegaWave from Richard Devine on Vimeo.

"I wanted to show a simple patch showcasing my favorite 5 banks of the Richter Megawave. Each bank has 256 waveforms that I slowly cycle through. The Megawave features 2,560 waveforms in all arranged as 10 ROMs of 16 Banks per ROM, with 16 Waves per Bank
The 5 banks featured in this video are the Miniwaven (MI), Socket Rocket (SR), PPPGVS (PV), Darwin's House DH), and Monowave (MO). The external Wave select input is being CV controlled by a intellijel Dixie sine output slow rate (LFO). No other processing or filtering has been applied.

Really helpful info on all the wave-shapes and ROMS here in the MegaWave guide:

http://malekkoheavyindustry.com/wp-content/uploads/megawave_waveguide_rev1.2.pdf

http://malekkoheavyindustry.com/product/richter-mega-wave-voltage-controlled-wavetable-device/"

via Richard Devine on The MATRIXSYNTH Lounge

Modal Electronics Introduces New Mini Three Octave 001 Synth, 002R Rack & 008 Black Analog Synth

Update: pics of the 002R rack & 008 added below.
Update2: 002 press release added below. 008 should follow soon. These are literally just coming in.
Update3: 008 specs added below.
Update4: additional preliminary US pricing from the distributor:
002R 12 voice retail $2995. shipping in 2 - 4 weeks
002R 8 voice retail $2595. shipping in 2 - 4 weeks
001 retail $1995. shipping in 30 - 60 days
008 retail $5495. shipping summer 2015
Update5: 008 press release added below.
Update6: more pics added.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Hermann Seibs Hauptseite

click here for Herman Seibs Huptseite Synthesizer sub-site. You will find the following listed along with images and information on each:

Emax
Emulator III
Fairlight CMI IIx
Wavestation
PS-3100 [pictured here]
PPG System
Microwave
Microwave XTk
Waldorf Wave
SH-101
MonoWave
Verweise

Can't read German? Here it is in Googlish.

ELBY-DESIGNS MONOWAVE (X) WAVE-TABLE 2-OSCILLATOR SYNTHESIZER PPG STYLE RACK

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

via this auction

See the archives for demos & more info.

CLICK FOR MORE »

VACO LOCO ZIRA

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

via this auction

Vaco Loco was Paul Maddox of Modal Electronics prior endeavor. Videos at the auction previously posted here.

"The Vaco Loco Zira came out of an idea to see how small a fully equipped and versatile synth could be built.

The Zira features Two oscillators, each with 48 waveforms that were favourites from the Monowave. A sub oscillator, linked to oscillator one. The Sub oscillator has a level control, oscillators one and two can be switched on or off. Note offset for Patch +/- two octaves, second oscillator has note detune of +/- two octaves and fine tune. Hard Sync of oscillator two to oscillator one's pitch.

The Zira is based on the Korg NJM2069AD Filter/VCA chip. This 4-pole low pass filter is the same filter chip used in the Poly800, DW8000, DW6000 and DSS-1

Zira comes fully assembled in a clear acrylic housing, and is a very limited edition release, never to be seen again once stocks are sold out.

Made by the same people as the new Modulus synth."

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. ;)

CLICK FOR MORE »

SDIY UK 2008 via Vocano Ramblings aka Paul Maddox

post and images here. 

 Paul Maddox is the man behind the MonoWave.

First Look at the New Modulus Synthesizer Keyboard - Video, Press Release & Price

video upload by sonicstate

And the press release:

"Breakthrough modulus.002 takes British synth power polyphonically to world stage

BRISTOL, UK: breakthrough British electronic musical instruments manufacturer Modulus is proud to announce availability of modulus.002 — the first analogue/digital hybrid polysynth to have been designed, developed, and manufactured in the UK for four decades — as of July 10...

Even though the technology for mass-market synthesisers was patently pioneered in the UK in the leafy London suburb of Putney at the tail end of the Swinging Sixties, the last time that a polyphonic/multitimbral analogue synthesiser was designed, developed, and manufactured in the UK — actually within Wales — was way back in the late Eighties. It is with utmost pride, therefore, that Bristol-based Modulus has not only succeeded in bringing back that pioneering spirit to Blighty with the mighty modulus.002 but has admirably succeeded in doing so by creating an amazing modern-day musical instrument that truly represents one giant leap for ‘synthkind’ with a sizeable number of notable new features to its innovative name. No easy task in climatically cynical conditions during an era of increasingly shortened attention spans, synth-wise or otherwise. Been there, done that, bought the (Moog) T-shirt, some might cynically say!

Yet surely soothsaying is a better bet in this case? Why? Well, modulus.002 even sports some world firsts! So what makes modulus.002 tick, then, and what, exactly, is it that makes it so special in comparison to today’s commercial and ‘boutique’ offerings from other manufacturers, both bigger and smaller? Let’s look at some straightforward facts for starters...

As an analogue/digital hybrid keyboard synthesiser (using an aftertouch-enabled premium Fatar semi-weighted, five-octave key mechanism), modulus.002 provides 12 discrete voices of polyphony with full multitimbrality if so desired. As such, it features two NCOs (Numerically-Controlled Oscillators) per voice for exceedingly high resolution and stability with wide-reaching waveform selections, together with two sub-oscillators, individually (and uniquely) switchable from a traditional square wave to having the same waveform as the main NCO to effectively produce four oscillators per voice; a Modulus-designed 24dB/octave four- pole transistor ladder filter featuring some very unusual morphing or ‘polesweeping’ effects, enabling ear-opening transitions from 24dB/octave four-pole to 6dB/ octave one-pole filtering and anywhere in between; one LFO per voice as well as a global LFO; wide-ranging modulation options, all accessible directly via the front panel — no navigating convoluted and confusing menus; a pure analogue signal path from the oscillators right the way through to the combined XLR/TRS balanced/unbalanced outputs (with all 12 voices individually available for external processing via a dedicated D-Sub connector); two audio inputs enabling internal audio processing from the VCF onwards... and that’s only scratching the surface. Not literally, of course!

While all voice control parameters are accessible via a well-thought-through front panel that is both attractive and intuitive in use thanks to sticking to traditional synthesiser workflow, what lies beneath is really remarkable. Radically departing from the norm, modulus.002 is blessed with an unrivalled user interface based around a high-quality 4.3-inch screen with wide viewing angle. It is context sensitive, whereby the control parameter of any control knob touched by the user is immediately displayed onscreen. Synthesiser savants and audio aficionados will surely unite in their appreciation of the sonic depths that this well-specified speedy dream machine can deeply dive into!

Forget about an analogue renaissance here, however; let’s talk truly revolutionary design features for a moment. modulus.002 represents a unique approach to synthesiser design, taking traditional analogue circuitry combined with modern, reliable digital developments and marrying it all to a completely new control platform. Phenomenally, modulus.002 brings cloud functionality to a synthesiser for the first time! The Ethernet port means modulus.002 can be connected to a network to enable updates via the Internet — no more MIDI SysEx dumps to get you down in the dumps — and access to the modulus.cloud means user profile settings, sound patches, sequences, and other content can be easily replicated to a cloud-based server platform to enable rapid resynchronisation to another modulus.002, regardless of whether it is owned by the same user or a collaborator at a remote location. Let’s be honest here. We’re well into the 21st Century now, so why not provide modulus.002 users with data management features that are expected as the ‘norm’ in modern consumer technology devices, yet have hitherto eluded the electronic musician? Makes sound sense to the Modulus team, that’s for sure! And we’re sure it will make sound sense to modulus.002 users, too.

So what other notable modulus.002 features are worth making a song and dance about? An inbuilt MIDI-sync-able 16-track, 12-row, 32-step sequencer with 16 front panel-positioned step-time editing controls can give any hardware rivals already out there a serious run for their money. For sequences can not only be transposed dynamically while running but sophisticated so-called ‘mini arpeggiator sequences’ created using the arpeggiator’s Hold mode can be speedily saved as sequences for latter recall and editing using the sequencer. Moreover, modulus.002’s Animator allows any control to be sequenced, enabling complex filter transitions, waveform changes, and modulation matrix changes to be sequenced. Lest we forget, 12 ‘quick recall banks’ are accessible directly from dedicated front panel buttons. Build up set lists of presets, sequences, and animations, making modulus.002 a live performance partner par excellence.

Plain and simple? Far from it, it seems! So who better qualified, then, to explain the whys and wherefores of taking a truly thrilling synthesiser design from the drawing board to an equally enthralling production-ready product launch like this in under a year than company co-founder and principal designer Paul Maddox, a top-tier talent with proven production pedigree, best known within the synthesiser industry for his well-received MonoWave, a limited-run, 19-inch rack-mountable, MIDI- controllable monosynth inspired by Germany’s legendary PPG Wave series — arguably amongst the most coveted high-end synthesisers of the early Eighties — featuring two digital oscillators with 256 samples per waveshape and an analogue 24dB transistor ladder filter, as well as his more recently-released VacoLoco range of ‘pocket synth’ designs. Do tell. Why now? Why the big step up to the brave new world of modulus.002? Muses Maddox: “This came about because I’ve had a long-held dream to build a polysynth since I was knee high. I’ve nearly got there several times, but it was a golden opportunity in July last year when my business partner, Philip Taysom, and myself sat together and said, ‘Now is a good time to do it.’ Both Philip and myself are passionate about synthesisers, and we feel that the synthesiser market has been neglected for a long time in terms of high-end, pro — in quality and feel — instruments. I quite often equate this to a PRS guitar. There is nowhere in the synthesiser industry that I’m aware of where you can go and buy the equivalent of a PRS. That’s what we’re aiming at — top quality, top to bottom.”

So there you have it, folks. With top-quality components sourced and designed throughout its robust, road-ready construction coupled with upmarket design flourishes like leather-bound end cheeks — quite possibly another world first, modulus.002 is a fighting force to be musically reckoned with. British synth power is alive and kicking, and Modulus has just fired its impressive opening synth salvo that more than lives up to its Machines for Musicians tagline. It’s aim is true, so watch this space...

modulus.002 is available to purchase for £2,995.00 GBP (plus VAT). EU pricing — correct at time of writing — is €3,795.00 EUR (plus VAT). US pricing — correct at time of writing — is $5,200.00 USD (plus local sales tax). Contact California-based agent Geoff Farr (geoff@modulusmusic.co.uk) for all United States sales enquiries. All other enquiries relating to the rest of the world should contact info@modulusmusic.co.uk.
Feel free to visit www.modulus.me for more detailed modulus.002 information"

Update: Full specs & press pics:

modulus.002 provides twelve discrete voices of polyphony with full multi-timbrality if desired
Two oscillators per voice with two sub oscillators, which can be switched from being either traditional square wave to having the same waveform as the main oscillator – in effect making four oscillators per voice

Analogue / digital hybrid architecture uses NCOs for very high resolution, and very stable oscillators. Over 50 different waveforms, ranging from classic analogue sounds to more unique digital shapes
modulus designed 24db per octave four pole transistor ladder filter, with some very unusual morphing characteristics or ‘polesweeping’, enabling transition from four pole through bandpass to one pole 6db per octave, or anywhere in between

Two LFO’s, one per voice and one global

Extensive modulation options, all accessed directly from the front panel – no menu options!
modulus.002 features a range of sequencing options – a built in 16 Track, 12 row, 32 step sequencer with 16 dedicated step time editing knobs on the front panel and MIDI sync capabilities. Sequences can also be transposed dynamically while running

A very highly featured arpeggiator with a wide range of different modes, including modulus ‘hold’ mode, enabling arpeggiator-based sequences to be created

The modulus Animator, which enables any control parameter on the modulus.002 to be sequenced, enabling very complex filter transisitions, wave form changes and modulation matrix changes to be sequenced

Superb UI, a great departure from the norm of synthesisers, featuring a very high quality 4.3″ screen with wide viewing angle, display is context sensitive where the control parameters of any control knob that is touched by the user, is immediately displayed

Twelve ‘quick recall banks’ are accessible directly from the front panel, enabling performing musicians to get rid of their set sheets and build set lists of presets, sequences and animations, all quickly accessible from dedicated front panel buttons. Up to ten banks of quick recalls can be created, making live performance a doddle
VCF and VCA envelope generators

Four Key Modes – Poyphonic, Monophonic, Unison and Stack

Very high quality construction, uses a premium FATAR semi-weighted five octave key mechanism with aftertouch
All voice control parameters are accessible from a well designed and intuitive front panel, that follows a traditional synthesiser work flow

Pure analogue signal path with combined XLR/TRS sockets for balance / unbalanced outputs. Further, each of the twelve outputs can be brought out individually via a dedicated dsub socket

Two audio inputs enabling audio processing from the VCF onwards plus external MIDI in and out

XY joystick and Sustain and Expression pedal inputs for performance controls – any control parameter can be assigned to any joystick axis (X+, X-, Y+, Y-) by pressing the dedicated front panel selector button

Ethernet port to connect your modulus.002 to your network and enable updates via the internet (no more midi sysex dumps) and access to the Modulus cloud features

CLICK FOR MORE »

Loved by Ghosts - Sonic Hysteria - Mass DIY

YouTube Uploaded by lovedbyghosts on Jun 7, 2011

"Crazy animation made by the band in an attic with almost no money."

via Loved by Ghosts

SoundCloud
YouTube
Facebook

"We are a new band called "Loved by Ghosts" which uses almost entirely DIY synthesizers that we built ourselves.

In "Sonic Hysteria", you would certainly recognize the midibox SID while the bass is Monomachine.

In “Girl Go” the bass line is Avr-X Synthesizer, various FX is midibox FM and the lead Oberheim OB-12.

In the other songs - that we will be posting soon - we use: ASM-2, Mutable Instruments Shruthi-1, Pixie (Wasp clone), Monowave(X), MFOS Soundlab, SUB-COMMANDER Guitar Synth, Weird Sound Generator, Drone Lab V2, AVR synth, Gorf Sequencer.
For guitar and voice we use various filters from the web (wasp filter clone, steiner, lm13700 filter, ssm2044, polivoks), fx's built with boards from Jürgen Haible (Frequency Shifter FS-1A, Triple Chorus, Krautrock Phaser and 20-pole Phaser), many vintage Russian fx units, and many electro-Harmonix stompboxes.
All of them are sequenced from an Elektron Monomachine (we love it !!!) and an Electribe sampler is used for drums, created with the same synths.
You will recognize some of them in the pictures. More to come on our Facebook page.

We want to thank you… Thorsten Klose, Laurie Biddulph, Paul Maddox, Ray Wilson, Jürgen Haible, Johan Severinsson and Jonas Karlsson, Olivier Gillet, Peter Edwards, Jarek Ziembicki and to MATRIXSYNTH. Without your projects,our music would be empty.
And special thanks to our pet Speakjet, Wof, Wof.
If you enjoyed our music, follow us on Facebook, YouTube and SoundCloud, there's a lot more to come."

GorF and Defender

via Vaco Loco where you will find more info.

"Gorf is a simple 8 step sequencer. It isn't as clever or complex as the Sequentix P3 nor as expensive as certain other sequencers.

I was bored one sunday, and wanted to build a simple sequencer I could use to test Defender and other synths I was building."

snip on Defender: "Defender is my current project, and as such, is a work in progress, so please, don't ask for schematics, code or if you can buy it.

The synth is broken down into three parts,

1. The Voice Card, which holds the filter, oscillators, EGs and LFOs
2. Controller Card, which handles midi, voice assignment and patch storage
3. Front Panel card, which handles the rotary encoders, pitch wheels, etc, etc"


Update via Lord Avon in the comments:

Video demo of GorF (playing Monowave II skin on the SoundArt Chameleon)

YouTube via VacolocoSynth

sounds for Defender ;- http://www.vacoloco.net/synths/defender/sounds.shtml

I'll add more soon, using GorF to control it.

Paul"

Video details:
"GorF is a minimal step sequencer.
I built it to help testing my synth designs.

It sends MIDI notes and velocity on a user selectable Midi channel along with two MIDI CC's (user selectable) and of course has variable sequence length.

You can turn steps on and off using the buttons, but I forgot to show this feature. When I do the next video I'll be sure to show this feature.

It's still in the early stages of development, and has one or two little bugs in it.

The sound is coming from the MonowaveII sound skin.

www.VacoLoco.net"

GorF (Ver 0.15)

First look at the Malekko/Richter Megawave

First look at the Malekko/Richter Megawave Voltage Controlled Wave Table Device from Richard Devine on Vimeo.

First look at the Malekko/Richter Megawave Voltage Controlled Wave Table Device from Richard Devine on Vimeo.

"First patch using the Malekko/Richter Megawave. Using multiple synced Intellijel Dixie LFO's CV modulating the wave, bank, and Rom inputs. Cycling glitching through banks (MiniWave, Socket Rocket, PPPGVS, Darwin's House, and Monowave). CV control zigzag LFO patterns from the E355 Morphing Dual LFO set to control the Rom select. The output was then ran into the Synthesis Technology e560 Deflector Shield in phase mode. Drums courtesy of the Mungo g0 with rippling sound effects recorded from the Cwejman S1. Everything clocked and mangled from one single MakeNoise Woggle bug.

http://malekkoheavyindustry.com/product/richter-mega-wave-voltage-controlled-wavetable-device/"

3rd Wave Demo by Paula Maddox

video upload by Groove Synthesis

"Our friend Paula Maddox, founder of Dove Auto and former lead designer/engineer at Modal Electronics, shows off some of her favorite sounds on the 3rd Wave. Paula is the first 3rd Wave owner in the UK and is an amazing instrument designer and visionary — as well as a great sound designer.

Contact us: info@groovesynthesis.com for questions or sales@grovesynthesis.com to order.

Follow Paula Maddox:
https://dove-audio.com"

Paula also produced the MonoWave - a one voice PPG rackmount synth.

Aurora at SDIY 2005

Looks like the Aurora made an appearance at SDIY 2005. That's Paul Maddox of Modulus Electronics and the Monowave playing it. Some notes on sound according to two that have actually played it: according to Chris Strellis "It was OK - a bit confusing routing some of the modulation sources to destinations. Definately Moogy sounding and probably worth the money. It was for sale then at something like £400. I passed on it." According to dmxkrew, "just saw your post on the aurora, it's hand built by adrian who runs SRS in bedford, UK, which is where my mum lives so I usually go there when i need something fixing. adrian is a nice guy and good at fixing stuff, he let me have a play on the synth when it wasn't quite finished, sounded great, the design owes a lot to the SCI pro one in my opinion." At the price under 600 Euro, I'm thinking this might actually be a great little monosynth. More on the Aurora here.

Update via the comments of this post: " have had the AR1 for quite a while now and have used the synth on many recordings for solo projects under Brendan Pollard and Rogue Element.
She is extremely versatile, moog sounding but with careful manipulation even ARP. Fantastic for sound effects, leads, basses, etc.
Our studio is 90% analogue and she was definitely a worthy addition to our collection,
Cheers
Brendan www.rogue-element.uk.com"

SynthSpins! on SynthSights

I'm happy to announce that the SynthSights audio blog, SynthSpins! is here.

SynthSights is a mailing list for people that use synthesizers to make music. The interesting spin on the list is that "it's not about the gear." It's a great list with a myriad of discussions on technique, style and well, just about anything as long as it's not about gear.

Not too long ago Jim Aikin, former senior editor of Keyboard magazine, joined the list and asked people what they did to get their music heard. The usual range of replies came back from playing shows to hosting websites with their music. I thought, hmm... This is all great but what will keep people coming back and... what do we all have in common? Then it clicked. Why not have a Synth Sights audio blog or podcast. Members could submit their music with links to their websites and people could subscribe and hear what people on the list are doing. I threw out the idea, people discussed the idea and ultimately we decided to do it. Four of us got together to work on it.

The moderator and owner of the list Cikira directed us, Doug Wyatt of Sonosphere developed the interface and feed for the audio blog, and Paul Maddox of Modulus Electronics, home of the MonoWave, and host of the SynthSights website, revamped the look and feel of the site. Me? I just kind of sat around and said, "uh-huh, yeah, cool... gotta go post something on Matrixsynth!" : ) Well, in truth I did some of the verbiage.

Title link takes you there. When you get there, click on the "Listen to us" link on the left to get to the SynthSpins! audio blog. I've also added it to my blog roll on the right. BTW, don't forget to check out the member pages for some mass gear p*rn.