EMS 256 Sequencer repair Part 5 Finale

video upload by Really Nice Audio

All parts

"Join me in this final video restoring this EMS 256 sequencer.

Watch me fumble around until I finally get the I/O scaled correctly!

Thanks to PCBWay for making the extender boards https://www.pcbway.com

This sequencer is part of the Pete Townshend Studio ay the University of West London.

https://www.uwl.ac.uk/study/study-fac..."

Why He's at his happiest when making sad music - OP-XY Live Jam - Downbeat IDM

video upload by Dan Chippendale

"Currently in some melancholic music phase. And it feels good! Really loving delving into these warbly sounds. The Sidekick adding some subtle nice tape flutters. Love it!

Gear used:

Music:
Teenage Engineering OP-XY
Teenage Engineering Sidekick
Novation Launch Control 3

Video:
Fujifilm X-E5
Motu M2 Audio interface
Mac Studio with Logic Pro X"

Soviet RITM2 Repair

video upload by Really Nice Audio

"Join me on this nice repair of a RTM2 soviet era synthesiser.

The music in the video is from my ATMOS album 'Height Supremacy'.
This track has plenty of my own RITM2 on it.

When the power supply fails a great substitute is the Velleman project
https://whadda.uk/Item/velleman-k8042...

And if you experience the pitch gong flat no matter how you set the calibration, adding half a volt to the positive power rail can really help."

EMS 256 Sequencer Repair Part 4

video upload by Really Nice Audio

All parts

"In this episode we edge closer to getting this legend back in full working order. Now I have my extender cards I can probe the circuits and start debugging the rest of the faults.
After checking around the recirculation circuits and shift registers I decided to remove the 'Time Extender Board'. Now it plays back recordings!
I have to do some more research on this board in the next episode.

Thank you
https://www.pcbway.com
for making the extender boards. They were perfect!

This EMS 256 is part of Pete Townshend synth collection at
https://www.uwl.ac.uk/study/study-fac..."

EMS 256 Sequencer Repair Part 3

video upload by Really Nice Audio

"I socketed all the IC's and tested what I could. Found almost 20 faulty IC's through this process. Thanks to PCBWay for making my extender boards. If my design is correct I will share the design on PCBWay so all the thousands of people that need to fix their 256's can order their own.

This 256 is part of the Pete Townshend Synth collection housed at the University Of West London. https://www.uwl.ac.uk/study/study-fac..."

EMS 256 Sequencer Repair Part 2 Re-Cap circuit cards and devising a plan.

video upload by Really Nice Audio

Really Nice Audio EMS 256 Sequencer posts

"What is the likelihood due you think I will get this sequencer fully functional? I am now able to see the memory fill up when using a key input. The hardest thing for me to work out was a strategy for the repair. Considering how old this unit is will I find many broken logic IC's?

It is hoping to play some music in September, let me know your thoughts below.
https://paymentportal.uwl.ac.uk/confe...

This is part of the Pete Townshend Synth Collection at the University Of West London

https://www.uwl.ac.uk/study/study-fac..."

EMS 256 Sequencer Repair Part 1

video upload by Really Nice Audio

Really Nice Audio EMS 256 Sequencer posts

"Join me in a quest to get this incredible sequencer back up and running.

It is part of the Pete Townshend Synth Collection at the University of West London
https://www.uwl.ac.uk/study/study-fac..."

SN 6014

Introducing Plinky 12 Blocks, Chords and Toadstep

video upload by Making Sound Machines

Additional videos below.

"We are super excited to introduce 3 new instruments today! Plinky 12 is a family of expressive polyphonic touch synthesizers. The three instruments are built around a shared synth engine. Designed by mmalex, it evokes the unmistakable melancholic sounds of the original Plinky. https://plinky12.com

Each instrument is designed in collaboration with a different synth maker, lending each panel a distinct playability and unique character.

Plinky 12 Chords is a harmonic inspiration machine. It lets you improvise melodies and chords, with expressive control over voicings, progressions, and immediate musical play. Created by Making Sound Machines, Chords is the panel for finding beautiful harmonic movement quickly.

Plinky 12 Toadstep is a 4-track step sequencer built for super funky riffs, experimental self-generative melodies, and good ol' Acid. Created by Toadstool Tech, the designer behind the Ectocore Eurorack module, Toadstep is fun, immediate and easy to jam with!

Plinky 12 Blocks is an open panel built for experimentation, with monome-grid compatibility, Plinky style touch synthesis, and a browser-based coding environment just a click away. While it comes with a fully playable design out of the gate, creator mmalex invites you to build your own adventure with this panel. If you can imagine it, you can make it!

In this video, Enrica and Roland from Making Sound Machines explore the three new Plinky 12 instruments: Blocks, Chords and Toadstep from left to right.

The track builds on a repeating loop created with the built-in sequencer on Plinky 12 Toadstep. The short sequence uses rhythmic step repeats, track step length and animated synth parameters to create an ostinato that keeps sonically evolving over the length of the track.

As the piece continues, Roland plays a progression of harmonies from the rainbow chord palette on Plinky 12 Chords, before launching a sequence that reharmonizes the loop heard from Toadstep. Enrica joins in playing sparkling arpeggios with her fingertips on Plinky 12 Blocks, the surface with the sunset colour-fade print.

As the track progresses, Roland plays a melodic line on Chords, then Enrica takes over with a melody on blocks. The Plinky 12 polyphonic play surface reads both play position and pressure of the touch. It enables bends and glides on the horizontal axis, while allowing for discrete arps in the vertical direction.

They end the piece with a tempo transition showcasing the septuplet feature on the internal sequencer."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Arp Avatar Repair

video upload by Really Nice Audio

"You must check out Alex balls superb video demonstrating the true power of this Arp Avatar" [watch it here]

One of those jams where it all just feels really nice

video upload by DeeCee

"Made this on the sofa last night and finished up today. I love this duality. Messing on the sofa while relaxing is a great way to make music.

Hope you enjoy

Gear used:

Music:
Teenage Engineering OP-XY
Dreadbox Artemis
Hologram Chroma Console

Video:
Fujifilm X-M5
Motu M2 Audio interface
Mac Studio with Logic Pro X"

Quick jam with MicroRack and Beat Friend

video upload by Many Small Functions

"My Kickstarter MicroRack modular synthesizer arrived yesterday and I’m still learning how it works, but I got a nice little jam going with the ‪@audio.computer‬ Beat Friend and ‪@microrack-modular-synth‬ synth. The MicroRack filter is surprisingly gnarly! The MIDI sync stuff is reasonably flexible, the little 4-step sequencers are fun (and I need like 4 more to chain together...) and overall MicroRack stuff is cool and very powerful for how tiny it is. This is a REALLY basic synced groove with some filter and oscillator tweaking to show what it can do.

One drawback with trying to film something like this is that the devices are SUPER tiny and autofocus likes my hands. Hope you enjoy these lovely closeups of my wrists.

#microrack
#audiocomputer #beatfriend
#modular #synth"

See the Audio.Computer label below for more.

EMS Synthi 100 Reapir Part 3

video upload by Really Nice Audio

Really Nice Audio EMS Synthi 100 Repair

"Sorry I could not film too much as there were student rehearsals taking place and an interview about to take place in the Pete Townshend Studio at the University of West London
https://www.uwl.ac.uk/study/study-fac...

Music from my ATMOS album Height Supremacy, a track called 'Miles From Cornwell'
I thought a very apt track to play as EMS is based in Cornwell."

Dirtywave M8 and Torso S-4 Jam 260117

video upload by Indra Perkasa

"technical notes / self-reminder.

both M8 and S4 connected to mac desktop using usb.
then using Loopback, i route audio from M8 to S4 with details:
M8 Main Out to S4 Track 4
M8 Track 4 (Pads Hypersynth) to S4 Track 2
M8 Track 1 (FM Bass Synth) to S4 Track 3

S4 Track 1 is playing back sample that i also recorded from M8 via usb-Loopback.
more on this, at first i tried to connect directly using usb from M8 to S4. it worked, but there's audio crackles. i assumed this happen because of the different sample rate. M8 is 44Khz and S4 is 48KHz. so i found a workaround that is working nicely (no crackles) using Loopback as a bridge.

M8 also sending midi to S4 to send clock, control Start/Stop, and send midi cc to control Mix FIlter of S4 Track 1 and 2. i did this using Midi Patchbay app, its an open source app. very handy app with for this kind of situation, just want a simple routing without needing to use DAW.

then i use ableton just to record, set audio input to S4, audio out to my audio interface for monitoring.

its amazing nowadays how you can multitrack record music gear without using audio cables, only 2 usb! and just want to say Loopback is really really nice. simple, but very useful."

EMS Synthi 100 Repair Part 2 Belt and Braces Approach to bring back to life a beautiful linear PSU

video upload by Really Nice Audio

Part 1 here

"Join me in this second video to repair a classic EMS Synthi 100.

This synth is part of the Pete Townshend collection at the University of West London
https://www.uwl.ac.uk/study/study-fac..."

EMS Synthi 100 Diagnosis. What could be causing this poor synthesiser to sound poorly?

video upload by Really Nice Audio

Analogue Solutions Ample Desktop Monophonic Synthesizer

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

via this Reverb listing

"Mint condition...... And heck if a lot of fun and sounds awesome.

comes with all accessories (matrix pins/cables/power)

In perfect condition, everything works like it should. 2 to3 day shipping...

Ample combines the best elements of several of our recent products.

The sound elements of Fusebox
Jack patch points of Concussor Eurorack
Patch pin matrix of Vostok
Echo from Dr Strangelove
Sequencer and CV touch pads of Generator
It shares all this yet still has its own sound!"

Ample can be as complex or as simple as you want it to be

We have given this synth a large and diverse number of controls, that along side the patch sockets, will give even the best and experienced synthesist endless possibilities.

We have presented the controls in a user friendly and familiar synth layout that, together with this manual and other resources, enable even the new guy to get great sounds.

SYNTH – PERCUSSION – AUDIO PROCESSOR

Ample is a compact analogue synthesizer. Analogue - as in really analogue. Aside from the MIDI chip (which has to be digital), everything else is totally analogue using real transistors and op-amps. There are no CPU stabilised and quantised circuits, no DCOs, no digital LFOs and no digital EGs, as found on other so called analogue synths. The circuitry is based on designs dating back to the mid-1970s. So Ample has a genuine old sound.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Doepfer A-188-9 High Speed VCO - Audio Demo

video upload by Doepfer Musikelektronik GmbH

"Over the last month, we have been recording videos for our Instagram channel. Here is a compilation of some of the clips!

In the video, the A-121-S stereo filter is mainly used as an end-of-chain filter. In combination with the A-149-4 quad random voltage source, it is possible to add modulation to the stereo field.

The feedback path was often patched in the clips, for example with a bandpass filter that had high resonance. This can lead to some pretty crazy sounds, as you can hear!

Another interesting thing to try is playing really high or low notes. Some of these the BBD is unable to track, which results in some quite nice glitches.

The A-188-9 and A-188-1 BBD combo offers a wide range of sound possibilities and often produces happy accidents. It's totally worth trying!

Questions? Let us know!

Module A-188-9 is a so-called high speed VCO that tracks prefectly to the 1V/oct scale in the frequency range of about 15kHz ... 500 kHz. The main application is the exact drive of BBD modules (A-188-1/2) to generate sounds realized by means of the so-called Karplus-Strong synthesis. But even in cooperation with other modules featuring high speed inputs (e.g. digital noise, delay, frequency divider) the A-188-9 makes sense. In principle, the module is made of a precision audio VCO followed by a PLL (phase locked loop) unit that multiplies the frequency of the audio VCO by 32. Thus the module can be used also as an audio VCO as it features the standard waveforms sawtooth, triangle and rectangle with adjustable pulse width."

See the announcement post here.

100 Oberheim Matrix 12 URBANEK Patches BY Peter Urbanek

video upload by Really Nice Audio

"After the last set of whacky sounds [posted here] I wanted to document some more 'classic' Matrix 12 vibes. I found this great bank by Peter Urbanek.

From the .txt

PATCHES BY PETER URBANEK (free)
Reviewed by Mike Metlay

Peter's patches tend to be organized in sets, with several subtle variations on a theme, and named accordingly: VOICE 1.1, VOICE 1.2, etc. It seems that when a patch deviates enough from the basic form, he gives it a name of its own and groups it after the others of its ilk. For this reason, Peter's patch tape is organized quite neatly, making it easy to audition all of a particular type of patch. Heavy use is made of both Levers, both Pedals, Pressure, Velocity, and Release Velocity on many patches, for effects ranging from vibrato to ENV shape changes and resonant sweeps on note attacks. It should be noted by all that to Peter, "vibrato" means everything from triangle-wave warbles to deep noise-wave growls. His Multi Patch setups are meaningless: they're left over from the factory patch tape. Blanking them would've been nice.

In contrast to the previous set, the patches here bear little resemblance to the sounds after which they're named. Each sound group, like VOICE, STRIN, CHURCH, etc., appears to describe the general character of a sound rather than it's true intent. Peter seems to enjoy the "analog synthesis for its own sake" approach to programming; he eschews realism in favor of timbre.

And what timbres-thundering basses, blasting church organs that seem to belong to any church I've ever heard of, bizarre sound effects (though not on the level of the next tape reviewed) with random LFOS, rich filtered string pads ... all heavily overlaid with a grimy analog crunch that threatens to bury the listener. There are a few slightly altered factory patches as well, but these have also fallen to Peter's grim analog touch.

In fact, there aren't that many different kinds of sounds on this tape; it has a definite "one flavor" feel to it throughout, and that flavor doesn't lend itself to realism, so if you're looking for variety or realistic sounds, look elsewhere. But if you want to learn exactly why no digital synth can cross an Xpander and live, these sounds would be a fine place to start."

100 Oberheim Expander/Matrix12 single FX patches by Arthur Springer

video upload by Really Nice Audio

"So whilst on soak test I came across this crazy bank:
Notes from the .txt
ART SPRINGER STRIKES AGAIN (free)
Reviewed by Mike Metlay

All right, gang, I know what you're expecting in this space, so I'll oblige you and get it over with. Ready? Here goes: "WAHOOLAZUMA! Everybody's favorite twisted puppy is back from the audio torture chamber, and he's brewed up the most brain-slashing package of monstrous elektronoyze EVER! This stuff's great for warping your brain patterns, killing your cat, etc..."

Okay. Happy now? Good, now let's get serious. I heard from Art recently that he didn't get a terribly good response to his first mailing, and that few, if any, XUG members looked him up for his second set of patches

He seemed in a pretty good humor about it, but I couldn't help wondering if my presentation of his patch set didn't scare a lot of people away just by the wording. So, with a new patch set from Art (more diverse than the first two) in hand, I'd like to try again.

One of the most unhealthy trends I see in today's patch-editing software is the patch randomizer, that cute but overused utility that generates random patches at the click of a mouse. Literally thousands of these random patches are being sold by unscrupulous hackers as "original sounds," and a whole new generation of MIDI morons is springing up (pardon the pun) whose idea of "good programming chops" is the ability to tweak a randomly generated sound into something that (almost) works. No program of this type exists yet for the xpander, and I'm glad of it: the lack of computer-generated garbage on the market forces the user community to seek one another for new ideas, rather than some electronic I Ching. We come together in this Group to share ideas and learn from one another and I believe that studying another human being's work beats watching a computer coughing up random numbers. Which brings us to the music of Art Springer.

In my opinion, these patches are important. VERY important. I get so enthused about Art's work because I see in him a reflection of my college days, when I puttered about with ARP and Buchla modular monsters creating sounds for the sheer joy of it, putting together tonalities never before heard on Earth rather than trying to make a realistic shakuhachi. This was, and often still is, the meat and potatoes of electronic music to me. And when I hear Art telling me that people- Xpander users!-are returning his work because it's "too weird," I know something's wrong. The Xpander isn't a sampler or a digital piano. It's not an imitative instrument by nature. It's a powerful, multiply interfaceable modular synthesizer with a great deal of flexibility. Art Springer takes a stance on its use that no other Group member has had the courage to try: using its Power as a CV percussion device to enhance the sounds of his more traditionally oriented synths. (By the way, Lionel and I are big fans of his music ... it's not as inaccessible as you might think, and the odd tonalities make his dance pieces a lot of fun.) This is a new idea to a lot of you, and I don't blame you for being frightened. But it's better to learn from someone whose ideas differ from yours than to convince a computer to feed you something safe. I'd like to suggest something simple to start with: get one of Art's sound sets, trigger your Xpander with your drumbox, and try writing music with these sounds as part of the atmosphere rather than conventional drum noises. Or do something completely different. The important thing is to try to expand (hm) your horizons to something new. These sounds of Art's do take getting used to, but I think you'll learn a lot from them. Trust me."

Oberheim Matrix 12 Repair

video upload by Really Nice Audio

"I was lucky enough to be able to restore this amazing instrument.
Hampered at the end by a wrong logic chip installed. From factory? Or 'the last guy'?

Music from my new ATMOS album 'Height Supremacy' under my ATMOS artist name Galactic Horizon.

‪@Oberheim‬ #repair #oberheim #matrix12 #expander #restoration #synth #synthesizer"