Deckard's Dream DIY Build 12 - Voice card transistors and film capacitors

video upload by Molten Music Technology

"Oh yes, another go at the voice cards. This time we're putting in the 2N3906 and 2N3904 transistors, followed by the blocky film capacitors. Just the electrolytics to go!"

Dreadbox Hades DIY Kit Build and demo

video upload by Molten Music Technology

"The Hades is an awesome analog bass synth that, for a limited time, you can get as a kit. It's a simple assembly job with no soldering involved and results in a phenomenal little beast of a machine. I'll take you through the build, the tuning and calibration and spend some time giving you an idea of what it can sound like.

I understand that the kits are sold out, but maybe Dreadbox will make some more and if not, then there will be fully assembled versions available soon.

https://www.dreadbox-fx.com/

Index
Intro - 0:00
What's in the box - 1:55
Preparation - 5:26
Assembly - Step 1 - 8:19
Step 2 - 9:25
Step 3 - 10:59
Step 4 - 14:21
Step 5 - 15:02
Step 6 - 16:02
Step 7 - 16:23
Tuning - 20:35
VCA Clicking adjustment - 31:44
Final assembly into case - 33:46
Conclusions - 37:02
Hades demo - 40:14"

Synth East - Introducing Norwich's first synth festival

video upload by Molten Music Technology

"Synth East is a synthesizer exhibition and performance event taking place at the Norwich Arts Centre on the 4th of March 2023. In this video I'd like to introduce to the idea, the concepts and the venue.

Tickets aim to be on sale from Friday the 9th December

https://syntheast.com/"

New Motion MTR Eurorack Module From Befaco & Molten Modular

Molten Motion Meter Overview video upload by Molten Music Technology

"A quick overview of the Molten Motion Meter designed by myself and Befaco Modular. It's a visualiser of voltage and a seer of signals. It's a VU meter and CV attenuator, it can mix and offset and looks lovely in a rack.

https://www.befaco.org/motion_mtr/"

Molten Modular - My first Eurorack module launch show!

video upload by Molten Music Technology

"Join me to explore my first Eurorack module - it's a beautiful and exciting thing! Designed in collaboration with Befaco, and Manu will be joining me to talk about the process and how it all works. It's not complicated; it's a simple and useful module that I hope will bring joy to every modular user.

The module will become available to buy during the live stream in assembled and kit form. An overview video and DIY build video will appear after the live stream.

Divkid also has a video:"

Audio & CV VISUALISED I love a Eurorack utility! // Motion Meter (MTR) from Molten Modular & Befaco
video upload by DivKid

"Here we have the new Motion MTR Eurorack module from Molten Modular (Molten Music Technology, Robin Vincent) and Befaco. The Motion MTR is your classic modular synth utility provided attenuation, inversion, offset voltages and mixing with the addition of lots of blinking lights!

More than a pretty light show the LED rings work as a VU meter (audio mode) or CV monitor and show your input voltages so you can better trace a patch, track down that feedback getting out of hand, or simply stared at blinky lights because secretly we all want out modulars to look like Christmas tree. They look great and perform well as you’ll see in the video.

Motion MTR MMT site // https://bit.ly/MotionMTR-molten
Motion MTR Befaco site // https://bit.ly/MotionMTR-Befaco

To gain access to the exclusive full patch breakdown for the audio visualiser patch as well as accessing more exclusive videos, PDF patchbooks, joining the DivKid community adn more. Consider supporting on Patreon // https://bit.ly/DK-patreon"

MOTION MTR

CV AND AUDIO UTILITY / REALTIME VISUALIZER

Motion MTR allow you to mix, attenuate and invert signals while having clear visual feedback of their levels. Each channel can function as:
Audio level control with VU meter
CV attenuator with voltage meter
CV inverter with voltage meter
Each input is normalled to 10v, so you can
use each of them to generate fixed voltages.
Also, the outputs of channels 1 and 2 are summed into Out 3 to be used as a mixer.
Patch it wildly to make it work as an attenuverter with offset, as a mixer, a VU meter or a combination of them all!

This module is our first collaboration with Robin Vincent from Molten modular.

PWM Malevolent semi-modular synthesizer review

video upload by Molten Music Technology

"Malevolent is a synth with an unhealthy dose of attitude. Let me take you through the hot spots and weak spots of this gnarly beast of dual-oscillator loveliness."

PWM Malevolent synthesizer - just the sounds please

"Here are some longer examples of the sounds I was making with Malevolent during my review. It's a pretty darn awesome little fidget bunny of a synthesizer."

MOOG'S Moogerfoogers Back in VST Form

video uploads by Moog Music Inc

Playlist:
Ty Segall | Frog Meets Fly | Moogerfooger Effects Plug-ins

Ty Segall invites you inside Harmonizer Studio, home to his wonderland of custom and vintage instruments. Witness the musician and producer’s creative process as he builds an original composition piece by piece using guitar, bass, electric piano, synthesizer, a mix of percussion, and Moog’s new software effects plug-ins. ​

In the making of 'Frog Meets Fly,' Ty demonstrates the sonic range and transformative potential of Moogerfooger Effects Plug-ins. Using the MF-107S FreqBox to morph metallic percussion into synth voices and imitate 60s-style fuzz tones on the track’s bass line, adding depth to his Rhodes with multiple instances of the MF-108S Cluster Flux, transforming clean electric guitar into alien lead lines via the MF-102S Ring Modulator, and adding vintage-toned delay to his Minimoog Model D with the MF-104S Delay, Ty puts the processing power of these effects on full display over the 15 separate tracks in this arrangement.

More about Ty Segall: https://ty-segall.com

Moogerfooger Effects Plug-ins | Installation & Activation
Moogerfooger Effects Plug-ins | CV Interconnectivity
Moogerfooger Effects Plug-ins | DAW Automation
Moogerfooger Effects Plug-ins | Sidechain Capabilities

MiniFreak meets Moogerfooger VST effect plugins

video upload by Molten Music Technology

"Moog has released a bundle of seven Moogerfooger pedals as VST plugins. They are faithful recreations with some cool digital spin for inter-plug interactions and automation. In this video, I'm using the Arturia MiniFreak as the sound source to step through all the effects to give you an idea about how good they sound.

The Moogerfooger VST plugins run on macOS and Windows - the computer I'm using is a Microsoft Surface Pro - it's not an iPad."

And the press release w/ pics:

CLICK FOR MORE »

Befaco PONY VCO Review

video upload by Molten Music Technology

"Pony VCO is a compact analogue oscillator with wave folding, through zero FM and a built-in VCA. Let's put it through its paces.

http://www.befaco.org

Index - 0:00
Sound example - 0:33
Intro - 4:06
Overview - 4:33
Tuning knob - 5:16
Waveforms - 7:21
Timbre - Wave Folding - 8:30
VCA - 12:07
Modulating Timbre - 14:17
Add a filter - 19:36
Thoughts so far - 26:38
Thru-Zero FM - 28:17
More sound examples with filter and effects - 31:33
Conclusions - 38:45"

Update: pic and info via Befaco:

Analog Thru-Zero Wavefolding VCO/LFO

Pony VCO is a fully analog Thru-Zero oscillator with wavefolder and dedicated VCA in only 4HP. The module offers great stability and tuning capabilities thanks to its powerful core, based on Sound Semiconductors IC. It comes with range selector, that allows it to go down to LFO range, as well as octave and waveform selectors.

Pony VCO is also available in 1U format keeping the same functionality and control layout.

Bastl Instruments Pizza - Review

video upload by Molten Music Technology

"This is the fascinating wavefolding and FM-modulating Pizza oscillator from Bastl Instruments. If, like me, you don't get on with FM in your rack, then this could be for you."

Bastl Instruments Pizza - sound demo

video upload by Molten Music Technology

"A journey through the Pizza with reverb, delay and some modulation. Played from an Arturia KeyStep. Check out my full review in another video."

Moog Mavis review and comparison to other synths

video upload by Molten Music Technology

"The Moog Mavis is nice but expensive for its feature set. Is it worth the money considering what else is available for similar or less? In this video I give the Mavis a good going over and then compare it to some other synths - are there better choices out there?

Index / Intro - 0:00
Assembly - 2:20
Overview - 7:49
Oscillator - 9:23
Filter - 11:15
Wot no sequencer - 23:59
Wave folding - 30:58
Thoughts so far - 33:27
Some comparisons - 34:47
Final thoughts - 39:17
Outro - 48:30"

Modular Jam from EMOM 4-8-22

video upload by Molten Music Technology

"This is an attempt to capture my performance from the Electronic Music Open Mic (EMOM) at The Rumsey Wells in Norwich last night. Recorded live direct to Reel-to-Reel and then recorded to computer, lined up with the video and posted.

It's interesting to me how the drums in the track are both on the money and off somehow at the same time. It's like it hooks in and then loses its grip. Weird, but fascinating. It was probably a heartbeat out of sync or something."

LMNC #1222 Performance VCO Eurorack - Some Sounds!

video upload by Molten Music Technology

"Messing around on the #1222 Performance VCO from Look Mum No Computer and Funque Mod."

Dreadbox Dysmetria DIY Groove Synth - the complete build

video upload by Molten Music Technology

"In this video I'm building the Dysmetria from Dreadbox and showing you every step in more detail than you can possibly imagine. In a companion video I'll show you the testing, tuning and calibration procedure."

Index - 0:00
In the box - 2:35
Preparation - 4:15
Measuring Resistors - 7:46
Resistor soldering - 15:29
Diodes - 29:25
Crystal and regulators - 34:23
Trimmers - 35:31
IC Holders - 37:16
Power USB board - 45:25
Capacitors - 47:32
Electrolytic Capacitors - 53:37
Transistors - 58:16
Headers - 59:40
Power Header - 1:02:03
Patch Sockets - 1:04:35
Push Buttons - 1:07:20
Sliders - 1:11:33
Switches - 1:17:46
Knobs - 1:20:15
Spacers - 1:23:07
Mounting the power board - 1:24:05
Power testing - 1:25:37
Place the ICs - 1:27:53
Header socket - 1:31:23
Knobs, front panel and screws - 1:36:55
Initial testing - 1:40:58

Dreadbox Dysmetria Testing, Calibration and Tuning

video upload by Molten Music Technology

After an epic build of the Dysmetria you need to test it and then calibrate and tune the oscillators. That's what this video is about."

Index - 0:00 Testing the synth works first - 4:04
1V/Oct Calibration - 14:21
Oscillator tuning - 24:15
Noise level - 34:41
Rare scale fix - 36:42
Finishing up - 38:07

Dreadbox Dysmetria mess about

video upload by Molten Music Technology

"My first play on my freshly built Dysmetria from Dreadbox. Check out my full build and testing videos which should be online in the next day or two."

New West Pest Synthesizer from Cre8audio in Partnership with Pittsburgh Modular

The Dimension of the West Pest - Cre8audio West Pest Film video upload by Cre8audio

On the heels of the East Beast based on East Coast Moog style synthesis, Cre8audio and Pittsburgh Modular introduce the West Pest based on West Coast Buchla style synthesis.

cre8audio West Pest Sound Demo (no talking)

video upload by Bonedo Synthesizers

Cre8audio West Pest synthesizer review

video upload by Molten Music Technology

"Cre8audio's second little synth is the West Pest. Inspired by West coast synths it has a big fat wavefolder and a fabulous Dynamics Controller that gives it a very different feel to the East Beast."

Index - 0:00
Intro - 1:17
Overview - 6:22
Wavefolding - 9:21
Oscillator waveforms - 15:26
Dynamics Controller - 17:54
LFO - 25:20
Multi-wave noodle with delay and reverb - 29:25
Sequencer and Arpeggiator - 31:23
Multi Engine - 34:50
Couple more sound demos - 39:37
Conclusions - 42:01
Dueling synths - 47:36

"Designed and developed in partnership with Pittsburgh Modular Synthesizers, West Pest is a powerful monophonic full voice, integrating imaginative sound-shaping tools with traditionally “west coast” concepts.
Test the pest!

West Pest’s unique sound has been influenced by Pittsburgh’s acclaimed Voltage Research Lab synthesizer.

The Pittsburgh-designed core oscillator technology has matured through the development of their SV-1 and later with Voltage Research Laboratory. This iteration’s waveforms have been optimized to be run through West Pest’s wavefolder.

Wave folding/shaping is integral to West Pest’s foundation. Wavefolding amplifies incoming waveforms. Rather than clipping or distorting, the wavefolder circuit folds the waveforms back onto themselves, creating upwards of six folds to add vast harmonic complexity and depth.

West Pest’s snappy, responsive articulation is accomplished by the “Dynamics Controller,” Pittsburgh Modular’s original invention. This unique concept is designed to behave like a traditional filter, a VCA, and an envelope generator, all at once. Upon note trigger, the filter opens fully and rapidly, producing a sharp, percussive attack. At release, the Dynamics Controller adds a ringing, resonant decay, resulting in a rounder, more musical sound. The Dynamics Controller is the product of years of research by Pittsburgh’s founder Richard Nicol, and Chief of R&D Michael Johnsen. Inspired by the developments of West Coast synthesis pioneer Don Buchla, Pittsburgh Modular has modernized and evolved these concepts, taking them into new realms, adding wider range, consistency, stability, and resonance control, as well as an infinitely variable, ringing decay.

Going beyond these analog sound-sculpting tools, West Pest also includes a deep new digital multi-mod /multi-function tool concept to add more flavor to the Pest’s production. The multi-mod lets users select between additional clock synced LFO, decay envelope, MIDI-controlled modulation, and random voltage generator modes.

West Pest’s compositional and performance capabilities are as robust as its ferocious sonic engine. West Pest can be controlled via MIDI, control voltage (CV/Gate), and its function keys, which double as a keyboard controller. Also included is an integrated sequencer & arpeggiator that can also be controlled via MIDI and is externally clockable.

A semi-modular synthesizer, West Pest has basically 8 different patchable modules (Oscillator, wave contour, dynamics controller, LFO, multi-mod tool, MIDI to CV converter, step sequencer, and button keyboard) with a whopping 18 Eurorack compatible patch points to plug into itself and your other gear. As a starting point, West Pest comes intuitively patched internally to create a bold and flexible full synth voice. Using the patch points enables users to reroute internal signal flow, as well as use with external eurorack format modules and synthesizers. To promote experimentation, Cre8audio has included a set of premium Nazca Noodles patch cables.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Cre8audio East Beast Synthesizer Review

video upload by Molten Music Technology

"East Beast is a new monophonic semi-modular synthesizer from Cre8audio and Pittsburgh Modular that's cute, friendly and utterly adorable."

Additional Cre8audio East Beast posts

Knobula Kickain - Kick drum and sidechain first impressions

video upload by Molten Music Technology

"Knobula sent me a Kickain - it's changed my life. Apologies for my terrible techno."

Kick Drum & Sidechain Redefined

Introducing Kickain, the world's first integrated kick drum and stereo sidechain compressor.
We've taken the best sounding kick drum circuit, added an enveloped 24bit reverb, and merged it with the ultimate sidechain compressor to give you one simple, easy to manage, mastering quality beat engine.

Stereo Spectral Compression
Linked Controls between kick, side chain and reverb.
909 inspired virtual analogue signal path
24 bit Stereo Reverb
FX Send/Return option
CV pitch control, play like a bass
40Hz/60Hz bass cut protection
12 hp

New Divkid Stereo Strip - A Channel Strip For Eurorack

STEREO STRIP // Stereo processing for Eurorack with EQ, CV pan, VCA and more

NEW DIVKID MODULE!!! video upload by DivKidVideo

"I’m proud to present to you STEREO STRIP. My next module made in collaboration with Befaco. Stereo Strip is a stereo EQ, VCA, panner, distortion, mute & line level input and/or output interface for external gear.

Stereo Strip builds upon the well trodden paths of studio channel strips expanding them for musical and creative modular use with voltage control. Simply try swapping out simple VCAs for Stereo Strip to enhance your patches with EQ and voltage controlled panning. Or get creative and check out the patches below for highly shapeable distortion hacks, mind bending stereo ring modulation, CV routing, feedback waveshaping and more."

Divkid Stereo Strip - A Channel Strip For Eurorack
video upload by Patchwerks

"In this video Matthew (aka EZBOT) shares an overview and demo of the Divkid and Befaco collaboration, Stereo Strip.

Stereo Strip takes the idea of a channel strip and makes it modular. We hope that by bringing this long-established component of the audio engineering world into the Eurorack environment and by adding CV control over its key parameters that you will find new, creative ways to use it in your patches!

It features stereo inputs and outputs for audio or CV with EQ, voltage controlled panning, stereo VCA, performable mute and input/output level switching for Eurorack or line level uses. Abusing the input level switching allows for some musical, modulate-able and highly shapeable distortion sounds too.

Stereo Strip was designed to be a creative part of a modular patch. Creating
stereo images from mono sources, shaping and modulating existing stereo
images, synthesising stereo pseudo ring modulation, sweetening FX with EQ or drastically wave shaping your oscillators, creating send FX routings with benefits or it can simply be used as a channel strip at the end of chain in a patch.

Learn more about the Stereo Strip here: https://bit.ly/stereo_strip

https://patchwerks.com/
Demo by : Matthew Piecora
Video by: Matthew Piecora ( EZBOT) and Steven Ly (Project 32)
https://www.ezbot.live"

DivKid Stereo Strip - fun with panning, EQ and distortion

video upload by Molten Music Technology

"Stereo Strip takes the idea of a channel strip and makes it modular. We hope that by bringing this long-established component of the audio engineering world into the Eurorack environment and by adding CV control over its key parameters that you will find new, creative ways to use it in your patches!

It features stereo inputs and outputs for audio or CV with EQ, voltage controlled panning, stereo VCA, performable mute and input/output level switching for Eurorack or line level uses. Abusing the input level switching allows for some musical, modulate-able and highly shapeable distortion sounds too.

Stereo Strip was designed to be a creative part of a modular patch. Creating stereo images from mono sources, shaping and modulating existing stereo images, synthesising stereo pseudo ring modulation, sweetening FX with EQ or drastically wave shaping your oscillators, creating send FX routings with benefits or it can simply be used as a channel strip at the end of chain in a patch.

The addition of line level gain boosting (for the input) or reduction (for the output) allow it to work as a stereo input or output interface for external gear with the advantage of the VCA, panning and the EQ to shape the sound. Experiment with bringing external gear into the Eurorack format and then shape and modulate those sounds them on the way in!

Try patching Stereo Strip anywhere you would place a VCA in a system and/or explore its EQ and voltage controlled panning, which are rarer additions to the sound sculpting options for the Eurorack format.

Specifications
- 6HP
- 33mm deep including power connector
- 63mA +12V and 63mA -12V current draw."

Korg Volca FM2 review

video upload by Molten Music Technology

"Is the new Volca FM2 the DX7 in a little box we've all been waiting for or is it a silly machine with a ridiculously complex and inaccessible synthesizer engine? I think it's a bit of both and in this video I'll show why it's a work of flawed genius.

Index - 0:00
Intro - 0:09
Having a play - 6:20
Adding a MIDI keyboard - 23:58
Loading DX7 sounds - 25:37
Conclusions - 31:38"

Hydrasynth Explorer Road Test

video upload by Molten Music Technology

"The Hydrasynth Explorer takes batteries, so I thought I'd take it as an opportunity to get out into the countryside and explore the environment with my Explorer. Little did I know that this would turn into a bit of a battery nightmare because I got the absolutely wrong type. It's the first time I've gone out in the field like this and it has its challenges but I hope to get better at it and do it a lot more... provided I use the right batteries.

This video has been updated with solid battery information so that no one is confused about the sort of batteries you should and should not be using. And I'm sorry for giving Ashun Sound Machines a heart attack."