FVS vs reSEMble Nov 2023

video upload by Randy Piscione

"Another demo of the PM Foundations reSEMble, four of them (https://www.tindie.com/stores/pmfound....) This time, I've duplicated a patch on the FVS and the reSEMbles. I was going to do a dry video but figured I'd do a little tune. At the beginning you can see my left hand playing the FVS while the right hand plays the reSEMbles, and since they alternate for a brief time, you can compare the two instruments. Together they sound amazing! I imagine this is what it's like to play a dual manual eight voice. There are also some ARPs, a Rhodes, a Kurzweil K2600XS, and an Alesis SR16 adding support."

Most of the Stuff Dec 2020

Randy Piscione

"My son is a fan of Mike Dean, who does videos in his studio demoing his impressive collection. I figured I’d try the same, on a smaller scale. A bit of 70s prog rock showing off. Recorded live, two parts to the video, each with a pad and a lead. Hit “Show More" for the equipment list.

Oberheim FVS – drone pad
ARP Odyssey – second lead
ARP Axxe – second lead
ARP Little Brother – second lead
Roland A90 – second pad
Mutable Instrument Shruthi (6 of them) – second pad
Animoog – second pad
Korg Microstation – second pad
Roland Alpha Juno 2 – second pad
Roland A37 – first pad
Full Bucket Tricent Mk III – first pad
Full Bucket qyooo – first pad
Analogue Solutions Oberkorn - bass
Division 6 Business Card Sequencer - noodle
D:Machinery Black Seq - noodle
Pamela’s Workout – main clock
Animodule Tik Tok – clock divider / multiplier
Mutable Instruments Anushri – first lead
PM Foundations SEM Tribute modules – first lead
PM Foundations resemble panels (2 of them) – bass and noodle
PM Foundations RingFolder - noodle
PM Foundations 3080 VCO - noodle
Bastl ABC - noodles
Kassutronics VCO3340 - noodle
Frequency Central WaveRunner - noodle
Manhattan Analog SVVCF - noodle
Doepfer A-143-2 - noodle
MFOS VCA – noodles
Barton Stereo Out Mixer – noodles and bass
Behringer X32
Dynaudio BM5 MkIII
A few other Eurorack Utility modules

I think that’s it."

PM Foundations SEM Modules

video upload by Randy Piscione

"Quick chat and demo of the PM Foundations modules that are based on the Oberheim SEM. Comparison to an Oberheim is here: [posted here]

Modules can be found here:
VCA - http://www.tindie.com/products/pmfoun...
Mixer - http://www.tindie.com/products/pmfoun...
VCF - http://www.tindie.com/products/pmfoun...
LFO - http://www.tindie.com/products/pmfoun...
VCO - http://www.tindie.com/products/pmfoun...
EG - http://www.tindie.com/products/pmfoun...

You may notice some of the modules moving a bit when I patch them. The rails I used for this case were more shallow than all of the other rails I have ever purchased, so my screws are a bit too long. I'm waiting for some washers to arrive to remedy this."

PM Foundations SEM Tribute Modules - Comparison with Vintage SEMs

Published on May 1, 2019 Randy Piscione

1. reSEMble 1 of 2

Quick comparison of an Oberheim SEM and the new SEM-tribute modules from PM Foundations. The SEM audio is on the left, PMF modules are on the right. This is live. I tried to play similar lines on both keyboards. It is tricky to get the patches exactly the same, especially when tweaking live like this. The "echo" you hear is actually the other keyboard and modules being played. Headphones are certainly helpful on this one.

These are not clones. I asked Tom Oberheim about doing an SEM clone for Eurorack, and he referred me to a friend of his who has been helping him since the 1970s. We had a long phone conversation and his take on Tom's take is that Tom would rather see us develop something new, even if it is based on his work. So, that was our goal.

2. reSEMble 2 of 2

This is a brief overview of the new “SEM Tribute” modules from PM Foundations. Featured are two VCOs, the VCF, one envelope generator and the first version prototype of the modulation module. The little musical excerpt at the start is the new modules playing bass, along with an Alesis SR-16 on drums and Casio CZ-101 doing the chords.

Toronto Sound Festival 2016

Published on Nov 22, 2016 Toronto Sound Festival TSF

This one in via Randy Piscione. Above is a playlist featuring performances at the of the Toronto Sound Festival 2016. The last video in the playlist features a collection of images from the event.

Playlist:

Paul HD
Joe
Jacob
Hexinverter Filter HD
Heidi
Eric Lunch
Canadian Electronic Ensemble
Android Dreams
Steve And Dave Sideways
Steve And Dave Right Way 'Round
Toronto Sound Festival 2016 slides YT

PM Foundations Chorus

Randy Piscione

"This is a demo of the PM Foundations Chorus Eurorack module. You can get it here:
http://www.tindie.com/products/pmfoun.... This module generates six copies of the input saw wave, each out of phase with the original and with each other. The phase differences are continually changing using six internal trapezoid oscillators. This effect replicates six VCOs tuned closely together to generate a rich, dynamic super saw wave. This module is a tribute to David Ward-Hunt who designed a waveform multiplier unit that was subsequently included in the Digisound-80 synthesizer"

YuSynth VCS3 Filter in Eurorack Format

Published on Dec 18, 2018 Randy Piscione

"This is a demo of a Eurorack version of the YuSynth VCS3 diode voltage controlled filter (VCF). It's a bit long, 6 minutes, but I tried to cover most of what it would do. There's no talking! I don't have a VCS3 to compare this too so I'm not sure if it really sounds like it's namesake filter, but it's still cool either way.

I start off with the usual frequency and resonance demo with one VCO input. At 2:00, another VCO is added. Around 3:00, some frequency modulation, 3:30, resonance modulation, at 4:30, both modulations and we see what it does with something closer to audio rates for modulation.

Other modules featured off-stage include a PM Foundations Synthola Sequencer and two Frequency Central Waverrunner LFOs."

---

YuSynth aka Yves Usson is the designer of the MiniBrute which led to the MicroBrute and MatrixBrute. He is know for his DIY work prior to Arturia, mainly in the 5U format.

PMF ER-808 Drums Times Two

video upload by Randy Piscione

"Two PM Foundations ER-808 drum modules (Roland TR-808 tribute), one doing drums and the other percussion. Recorded to a Zoom H1N (mixer is still toast), video used a GoPro and gimbal, not so sure that worked out. Go here for the stuff: https://www.tindie.com/stores/pmfound...
Details below.

Master Clock – Pamela’s Workout (original)
Sequencer 1 – PM Foundations Super Synthola (prototype)
Sequencer 2 – Analogue Solutions Oberkorn (Eurokorn)
Clock Divider – PM Foundations C DIV
Drums 1 – PM Foundations ER-808
Drums 2 – PM Foundations ER-808
Pad 1 – PM Foundations reSEMble
Pad 2 – PM Foundations reSEMble
Submixer – Bastl ABC
VCOs – PM Foundations 8080 SEM Tribute
VCFs – PM Foundations 3080 SEM Tribute
Folder – PM Foundations RingFolder
EGs – PM Foundations – ADSR-D Sem Tribute
LFOs – PM Foundations MOD+
Mixers – Barton Musical Circuits Stereo Outs
Lead - Kilpatrick Phenol"

I Feel Love (Donna Summer, Giorgio Moroder)

Published on Jan 1, 2017 Randy Piscione

"I suppose it's a rite of passage to do 'I Feel Love' on your synth setup, so I figured it was time. Music track is live, video is snippets I put together. Lots of modules involved. I usually like to do drums without drum modules but cheated here. Bass drum is a Tea Kick, snare is a combination of Tea Kick and noise. Pad is a bit over-the-top, a combination of 7 Shruthis, Preen FM, Roland Alpha Juno 2 and Roland A90-EX."

CGS735 Synthacon Filter Calibration v1

Published on May 25, 2014 Randy Piscione·18 videos

"First mistake in the video, the d:machinery Red LFO is providing a random source, not a sample and hold. I bought this filter used and found the resonance kinda crazy (which apparently is normal) so I decided to calibrate it. That didn't go too well so I started experimenting and here's the result. I have no idea if this is what the filter is supposed to sound like but it is so different from anything else I have, it should be fun."

Only one previous d:machinery post here. Plenty of CGS and Steiner Parker posts. The filter in this video is the filter in the Arturia MiniBrute and MicroBrute. The MiniBrute and MicroBrute were designed by Yves Usson who implemented the Steiner filter in his DIY designs.

Nonlinearcircuits VCO Demo

video upload by Randy Piscione

"This is a demo of an older Nonlinearcircuits VCO, based on a Mikulic/Electronotes core with phase sync and pan-pulse circuitry from the Aries AR-338.

The video starts with a sequence, and scope shots of four of the five waveforms the VCO puts out. I didn’t bother with the triangle, but there is a pulse, then saw, then pan pulse and processed saw. These are eventually blended together, and then the left side VCO is faded in. This one is hard synced to another VCO. The equipment list is at the bottom of the description.

The PCB is not designed for Eurorack so I built a dual version to fit them behind a double panel. I originally built it in 2015, made a new panel in 2018, and it stopped working shortly after that. Each VCO required 50 hookups, so 100 wires, 200 solder joints. Ouch!

When it failed, for no apparent reason, I removed all of the point-to-point wiring, couldn’t figure out what happened, and put it aside for quite a few years. If only I had known then what I know now, the failure was a simple IC problem. I had purchased TL074s from eBay that turned out to be pirate versions. It would’ve been a one minute fix. I decided to tackle it again recently, and re-soldered all of the wires. Unfortunately, I used crap wire, so off those came, and I did it again! Still had some issues but with substantial help from John at PM Foundations, we were able to bring it back to life.

Sequence – Pamela’s Workout, Analogue Solutions Oberkorn, NLC VCO, PM Foundations 3080 VCO, Doepfer A-143-2 Quad ADSR, Bastl A B C (X2), Frequency Central Waverunner (X2), ALM Pip Slope, d:Machinery Red LFO, PM Foundations Mod+

Drums – PM Foundations ER-808 (TB-808 tribute)

Bass – PM Foundations SEM tribute modules (8080 VCO, 3080 VCF, ADSR-D, etc.)

String-ish thing – PM Foundations resemble (X4), Full Bucket FB-3300 VST, Full Bucket Modul Air VST

Lead – Mutable Instruments Anushri

Cameo pad – Roland Juno 60

I think that’s it."

PT Audio DDO Test

Published on Dec 11, 2015 Randy Piscione

"Almost 7 minutes of fooling with a PT Audio Dual Digital VCO. I bought the PCB already built and then built a panel and wired it up. It's different for sure, capable of some cool sounds, from mellow and smooth to, uh, dare I say "gnarly!" Next I'll probably run it through the 'scope so I can see what's actually going on."

Vintage Dual Manual Sequential Prophet 10 Demo 2

video upload by Randy Piscione

"Another demo, this time a bit more involved. Patches are my own, playing is a little rough as usual, all sounds are from the Prophet except the drums. Actual tunes are not lifts, just for demo purposes. I also tried to duplicate a pair of famous bass sounds.

0:00 Chameleon
1:49 Bells jam
2:55 Birdland - I did this one for the FVS demo, figured I'd see how it turns out on the Prophet. This was interesting, I think the bass is better on the Prophet but the FVS certainly does nice chords.
3:48 Blues jam - two slightly different organ patches, using Double mode to combine them.
5:57 Nice to nuts - for the last 6 minutes, I played the controls live on both manuals, ending up with spaceships, machines, room tones and whatever else comes out of two Prophets."

Non VCO VCOs

Published on Jan 14, 2018 Randy Piscione

"Using a pair of function generators as VCOs, there are no standard VCOs in this video. Everything is driven from a Eurokorn sequencer, bass is one side of a Random*Source Smooth/Stepped Generator, 'percussion' is the other side. There are two noodles, from two sides of a Buchla/Toppobrillo Dual Function Generator.

A few filters are called in to add some randomness and the only other modules are utilities, such as VCAs, LFOs, EGs and mixers."

Two reSEMble Pad

Published on Mar 2, 2020 Randy Piscione

"Two reSEMbles droning while I move knobs around, just leave it on and listen while doing something else. One is tuned in 4ths and the other in octaves. Ring mod adds a bit of dissonance, Shaper adds some crunch. Sounds better live, and/or loud.

http://www.tindie.com/products/pmfoun..."

Vagabond Prototype First Wiggle

Published on Nov 25, 2015 Randy Piscione

"One of the people who attended the Toronto Sound Festival brought a prototype of a synth he had developed called the Vagabond. It is all analog, very small form factor and has some interesting features. He loaned it to me for a few days to see what I thought of it and I told him I would gladly buy the prototype. I hope he continues with its development."

Using VSTs - Minute by Minute

Randy Piscione

"I wanted to try to duplicate the sounds of some favourite keyboards using free VSTs. This time it's Michael McDonald's Rhodes from the Doobie Bros' Minute by Minute.

VSTs mostly from - http://www.kvraudio.com/
VST Host - Cantabile Lite - http://www.cantabilesoftware.com
Rhodes - DPiano - E - http://deadducksoftware.blogspot.com
Preamp - PTEq-1A - http://www.kvraudio.com/
Phase Shifter - HY-Phaser - http://hy-plugins.com"

reSEMble FVS Poly Demo

video upload by Randy Piscione

"Another demo of four reSEMble panels (https://www.tindie.com/products/pmfou..., this time polyphonic. Also included the Oberheim FVS in this one. I'd like to encourage everyone to listen to the entire video, in stereo, with headphones if possible.

Before anyone says anything silly like, 'it doesn't sound like the FVS,' you are correct. Why is that? Although this can sound very similar to an FVS, it takes time to get the patch exact, I wanted to demo the PM Foundations version of an FVS, and even an FVS doesn't sound like an FVS, meaning none of my four SEMs sound exactly the same. The VCOs, VCF and EGs are based on the SEM. If you want to hear how close reSEMble can get to an SEM, check out my other videos.

I have included the wavefolders and ring modulators in some of the patches as well."

PM Foundations 6080 VCF Demo

Published on Oct 22, 2019 Randy Piscione

"This is a demo of a new Eurorack voltage controlled filter (VCF) from PM Foundations called the '6080 VCF.' It is based on their 2Q12 VCF, and is available as a panel and PCB combination. You can find it here:

http://www.tindie.com/products/pmfoun..."

"Compact 6HP VCF for Eurorack Modular synthesizers

This is a state variable filter using the same core as our 2Q12 filter but substituting multiple unattenuated F and Q CV inputs with some on board attenutaors. Like the 2Q12, this filter has a nice fat sounding low pass output. The two pole filter has simultaneous -12dB per octave roll-off for high pass and low pass and a -12 db wide (-6dB either side) bandpass output. It has voltage control of cutoff frequency (F) and voltage control of resonance (Q). F and Q are adjustable with panel controls and from external sources using two F CV inputs and a Q CV input. One F CV and the Q CV have attenuators."

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Crazy YT

Published on Oct 10, 2016 Randy Piscione

"Eurorack going nuts, playing on its own. Love the lights."