Artist Picks: Best Music Gear of 2024 (Part 1)

video upload by Perfect Circuit

Check out the accompanying article on our blog, Signal

"2024 is soon drawing to a close—so, we're taking a look back at the year, and taking account of all of the weird and wonderful instruments that gave us some inspiration this year. Synthesizers, drum machines, and Eurorack modules to samplers and effects, this year had no shortage of inspiring instruments.

So, we reached out to some of our friends and content creators to fill us in on their year, asking one simple question: what was the coolest piece of gear YOU got this year? For some, that meant brand-new releases, but for others, it meant sitting down and digging into classic instruments.

In this video, we hear from:
0:05 Andrew Huang on the Elektron Digitakt II
1:36 Starsky Carr on the Pittsburgh Voltage Lab 2
6:30 Molten Music Tech on the Gamechanger Plasma Voice
11:36 Cyberattack on the Vongon Replay
13:48 The Unperson on the Melbourne Delia
Mark Johnston on the UA Apollo x8p Gen 2

Check out the accompanying article on our blog, Signal"

Yamaha CS-15 Analog Duophonic Synthesizer SN 8509

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Ace Tone Rhythm Ace FR-3 Drum Machine

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Korg Minilogue Bass Polyphonic Analog Keyboard Synthesizer

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Vermona ’14 SN 215/222 Analog Keyboard Synthesizer w/ Dust Cover

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Electrosmith Daisy Field Programmable Digital Desktop Synthesizer

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You can find a demo and details in the announcement post here.

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[$18] DIY eurorack modular synth 山景DSP FX Pitch Shifter & Reverb | BP1032 based

video upload by HAGIWO

"My 84th original eurorack modular synth DIY projects.
BP1032 DSP Reverb module from China based FX module.
Effect types and parameters can be changed using PC software called APCWrokbench.

working documents (schematics)
https://note.com/solder_state/n/nba86...

Sound test videos for other effects and parameter changes (patreon)
https://www.patreon.com/posts/shan-ji...

-------------------------------------------------------------
Repository of HAGIWO's DIY Modular Synth
https://note.com/solder_state/n/n54e0..."

Module description, Google translated:

Background
The 84th work of my own modular synth.
There are many suspicious circuit modules on sale on Aliexpress whose purpose is unknown.
Depending on your idea, you can easily create original modules at low cost.
This time, I planned to create a Pitch Shifter using such a suspicious and attractive Chinese module.

Pitch shifter
A pitch shifter is a type of effect that raises or lowers the frequency of the input sound. By layering 5th or octave sounds, you can create a thick sound.
There are also several Pitch shifter modules on the market for modular synths.

Specifications of the work
Eurorack standard 3U 8HP size
Power supply: 50mA (+12V), 10mA (-12V)

Pitch shifter module using BP1032 DSP IC manufactured by Mountain View Silicon, a Chinese semiconductor manufacturer.
The amount of pitch shift is fixed. In my case, I use it at a perfect fifth (5th).

DRY POT: Adjusts the DRY volume
WET POT: Adjusts the WET volume
INPUT LEVEL: Adjusts the input signal. Adjusts the input level to accommodate ±5V of modular synth sound and general line level.
OUTPUT LEVEL: Adjusts the output volume
Signal IN: Audio input
L Out: Left output. Not used with Pitch shift, but valid when the Reverb effect is selected.
R Out: Right output. Not used with Pitch shift, but valid when the Reverb effect is selected.
The biggest drawback of this module is that it does not have an interface for the applied effects or effect parameters on the front panel.
You can adjust the effects and parameters by connecting it to a PC via USB C.
In addition to being a pitch shifter, it can also be used as a reverb or delay depending on the settings.
ACPWorkbench
To switch effects, use PC software called ACPWorkbench.
This software is made in China and is of questionable origin, so use at your own risk. My PC's antivirus software did not detect any viruses, but I don't know if it's safe.

Korg Electribe ER-1 Groove Box

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Korg MS-20 FS Semi-Modular Synthesizer (Green) SN 000404

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285t Tiptop Audio & Buchla

video upload by Stazma

"Today we dive into the last born of the 200t serie, the Frequency Shifter & Balanced Modulator Model 285t. I've never had a frequency shifter in hardware before (I use the Ableton one quite a bit tho) so it was a bit of challenge to get into it but I found a great article that helped me a bit on Signal / Perfect Circuit, go check it out: https://www.perfectcircuit.com/signal...

Many crazy weird stuff but also some very subbtle and nicce sounding stereo effect.

Have fun!!!"

Oberheim OB-8 Analog Synthesizer Meticulously Refurbished

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Xaoc Devices Lublin

video upload by Xaoc Devices

"Lublin [ˈlublin] is a dual, DC-coupled, high-quality VCA module with exponential control characteristics. It features a gain control circuit that prevents distortion from excessive amplification, which is common with traditional VCAs.

Besides audio and CV inputs, it features additional pinging inputs that use an elaborate analog circuit to model the dynamic behavior of vactrols, allowing you to trigger a carefully crafted gain response that mimics the natural decay of plucked and struck acoustic instruments.

Note that despite this emulation, Lublin is not a lowpass gate type module as it retains the full frequency bandwidth when reducing gain. Unlike many modules that use vactrols, Lublin's dynamic profile can be varied within a wide range.

Dual Voltage-Controlled Amplifier ∙ High quality, low noise and distortion, DC-coupled signal path ∙ Ping inputs for emulating vactrol response ∙ Three variants of ping response ∙ Exponential CV response with adjustable sensitivity ∙ Gain limiting circuit for protection against signal clipping

Timeline:
00:00 - Intro
00:29 - Ping response controls
00:43 - Bass!
00:54 - Combine CV & ping
01:37 - Generate envelopes"

Xaoc Devices Lublin | Dual VCA with vactrol-style envelopes

video upload by Tom Churchill

Chapters:
00:00 Intro & patch previews
01:24 Lublin overview
02:46 Twin VCA with pinged envelopes
07:56 Patching a low pass gate
12:07 Dialling in the perfect kick drum
16:34 Creating vintage hi-hats
19:08 Stereo plucked chords

Xaoc Devices Lublin: pinging for the new era, or strike your VCA!

They say you can never have too many VCAs. So we decided to make another one, actually two in one. After our modern classic that is Tallin, lauded for its inimitable saturation circuit, it's time for Lublin [ˈlublin]! Lublin is a high-quality dual VCA module with exponential CV inputs. On top of that, its two identical channels feature additional inputs for pinging. These inputs use an elaborate analog circuit to model the dynamic behavior of vactrols, allowing you to trigger a carefully crafted gain response that mimics the natural decay of plucked and struck acoustic instruments. Unlike lowpass gate modules though, Lublin reduces gain while retaining the full frequency bandwidth, so it is perfect for harmonically rich signals, like our Odessa additive VCO. The vactrol-like behavior is just a starting point as the envelope may be varied within a wide range using a switch (natural, shortened and prolonged response) and a potentiometer, so you are not stuck with one decay characteristic. Therefore, you can use it not only to create bongos, but also for fat compressed kicks! The built-in gain control circuit (saturating CV instead of the audio signal) prevents distortion from excessive amplification. Lublin is DC-coupled, so you can use it to process CV as well as audio signals.

Notable features:
- Dual Voltage-Controlled Amplifier
- High quality, low noise and distortion, DC-coupled signal path
- Ping inputs for emulating vactrol response
- Three variants of ping response
- Exponential CV response with adjustable sensitivity
- Gain limiting circuit for protection against signal clipping

- width 6HP
- depth 33mm (including cable bracket)
- +40mA/-20mA

PRICE: 170 EUR MSRP, available now!

Check with dealers on the right for details.

Waldorf Microwave XTk Wavetable Keyboard Synthesizer w/ Custom Knobs

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Boss DR-220A Dr. Rhythm Drum Machine w/ Case

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Arturia Minibrute 2 Noir Semi-Modular Analog Keyboard Synthesizer

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Gamechanger Audio Motor Synth MK II Electro-Mechanical Desktop Synthesizer

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Korg MS2000R Virtual Analog Rackmount Synthesizer SN 007950

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GliGli’s Overcycler, an affordable and ‘cycle-over-the-top’ synthesizer?

Supporting member Solidtrax wrote in to let us know he has a review up on GliGli’s Overcycler. You can find it on his site here: https://solidtrax.nl/gliglis-overcycler-review/. You can a couple of video in previous posts here.

From the review:

"The Overcycler is available as a DIY and pre-assembled kit. The DIY kit consists of parts and a pre-assembled circuit board, you only have to do some soldering for the panel, but it’s only through-hole (ie. all the surface mounted parts are soldered already), which isn’t that difficult even if you aren’t a solder-head.

At the moment of writing the price is around €264 for the DIY kit and €314 for the pre-assembled version (ex. shipping). Fabrice and I got in contact and after some discussion, I quickly decided to go for the pre-assembled version so I could help Fabrice with tasks like writing the manual and adding some new factory patches...

But what makes this synth so special and why did Fabrice wanted to create this synthesizer? Well, the manual gives a bit of history, as apparently this project has been a long time in the making:

Quote from the manual: 'This project started about 10 years ago, when I wanted to make use of spare SSM2044 voltage controlled low pass filters I had laying around. The goal was to make a synthesizer that had a very strong character, while staying focused on polyphonic sounds, and the SSM2044 was perfect for that because even when strongly over-driven, it never sounds aggressive. It went through 3 major revisions until it became the full-fledged retail synthesizer it is now. As new SSM2044 are becoming rare, the synthesizer uses SSI2144, which are modern surface-mounted clones, and also embarks LM13700-based voltage controlled amplifiers.'"

Check out the full review here.

Black Corporation Deckard's Dream MK1 Polyphonic Analog Synthesizer Module SN 066

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Oberheim Matrix 6R Rackmount Analog Synthesizer SN K641026

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