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Showing posts sorted by relevance for query Sentience Studio. Sort by date Show all posts

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

David Kronemyer's Sentience Studio


Two shots of David Kronemyer's Sentience Studio.

This is a follow up to this post on a critique of Eurorack format modulars. See the post and comments for context and further discussion.

Too many synths to label. Love it when that happens. Have fun synth spotting. :)

Monday, May 10, 2010

A Critique on Eurorack Format Modulars

The following is from David Kronemyer (Sentience Studio). Note this pertains to Doepfer rack enclosures and not cases like those provided by Monorocket which support both Doepfer and ASys style power connectors. Feel free to comment.

"There’s a semi-not-obvious issue with the now-popular Eurorack format, which is that while the modules may be economically-priced, the racks are expensive. And while they are amazing, many of the newer modules no longer are so economically priced. Doepfer’s dealer in the U.S. is Analogue Haven/Shawn Cleary. Shawn sells Doepfer Euroracks for $530 + shipping (approximately $35) + California’s confiscatory 9.75% sales tax (if you live in California, at least). This pushes to $620 per rack. If one has 10 modules in a rack (which seems to be about the average width), this adds an extra $62 to the cost of each module. Compare: a set of MOTM rails, which will accommodate 10 single-width modules, is $54 + shipping; a set of synthesizers.com rails, which will accommodate eight single-width modules, is $65 + shipping; and a set of Blacet (frac rack) rails, which will accommodate five double-width modules, is $79 + shipping. Even if you double these to reach the same average module density as a Eurorack, you’re still at about 25% of the cost.

Please understand I’m not bagging on Shawn or saying the Eurorack isn’t worth it. In fact we have about a dozen of them! It’s a highly specialized business and I’m sure Shawn’s margins are really thin. I’m just making an observation about relative cost. Also, there are less expensive alternatives. For example, Monorocket (also available through Analogue Haven) makes a portable case for $350 (though it’s not a rack mount).

There’s another problem with Euroracks, which is the power supply. While the buss board offers +5 VDC, all Doepfer power supplies now are +12/–12 VDC. If you want +5 VDC – a necessity for many modules from Analogue Solutions, for example – you’re out of luck. Doepfer makes a little thingy that converts +12VDC to +5VDC. While we’ve never tried it, the picture on Doepfer’s site makes it look not all that sturdy, capable of handling one or two modules at most. On top of that the Doepfer power supply is 1200 mA, which leaves little head-room. Doepfer used to make a power supply with only half that much! As a general principle, the more head-room, the better the sound.

We are very careful with module count, correct polarity, etc. However, mysteriously, the –12 VDC on one of our Doepfer power supplies recently disappeared. The +12 VDC was just fine, as were the buss boards. We realized we were exhausted by this tomfoolery and decided to install our own power supply, which also would provide +5 VDC. Power One makes a high-quality linear power supply, sold by DigiKey (Part No. 179-2317-ND). It gives +12 VDC, –12 VDC and +5 VDC, all in one convenient unit. So we removed the now-deceased Doepfer power supply and installed this one instead.

This power supply is way overkill for the rack. As you can see the Alcatel connectors also are ludicrously huge for this application. The only reason why we used them, and the heavy-gauge wire, is because we had them lying around from a previous project. It was a happy moment to see all of the LEDs on the Doepfer buss rail light up. We are eyeing our other Doepfer racks guardedly.

WARNING – do not try this at home unless you know what you’re doing!"

Update: two shots of David Kronemyer's Sentience Studio.

Be sure to see the comments of this post for further discussion.

Monday, January 04, 2016

Repurposing Guitar FX for Modular Synthesis


Thought this was pretty cool. Via David Kronemyer:

"I've recently noticed that there are a lot of interesting new FX for guitars, and wondered if they could be repurposed for modular synthesis. I got busy over the holidays racking some of them up, and here's the result. The answer is "yes" and they add considerable tonal variety and coloration. Mainly they can be inserted at the end of the signal chain, however, I discovered that you could provoke interesting outcomes elsewhere, e.g. modulating filters and LFOs. There is an impedance mismatch between the guitar FX and the modular synthesizer, but it turned out to be not a big deal - it can be accommodated simply by adjusting gain at strategic points in the circuit. In one or two cases I used a 10/4 box to optimize levels. My intention is to continue onwards with this project. I posted some more pix on Pinterest under Sentience Studio - Modular Synthesizers."

Friday, April 27, 2012

Korgasmatron - Row of KORGs


KORG SQ10 x 3
KORG MS50

via:
David Kronemyer/Sentience Studio


Sunday, April 02, 2017

FX Racks for Modular Synth Use in David Kronemyer's Sentience Studio


via David Kronemyer:

"We fully support repurposing guitar FX pedals for use with synths. For example, it now is common to find Eventides next to Moog 32's, and manufacturers like ZVex are transplanting their devices to Eurorack format. This makes sense, because there are a lot of additional colors and features they introduce, versus regular Eurorack FX modules. Impedance matching typically isn't a problem, and if it is, there are a lot of boxes to resolve it. Some time ago we took an assortment of ZVex, LGAL and other pedals we had that basically just were sitting around, and converted them for synth use. All of the inputs and outputs come up on the 1/4" patch bay at the bottom of each rack. Batteries have been removed, and all of the power connectors wired together for consistent, hum-free operation. We use combinations of these all the time in our various projects."

Wednesday, October 13, 2021

Terratec Sine MB33 II SN 06560017134452300008

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


via this auction, also on Reverb

Sentience Studio SN 04929

"TerraTec Sine MB33 MK 2 analog bass synthesizer. Midi controlled with and in, out and thru ports. Can accept your midi control changes for some cool midi dynamics. It's a Roland TB-303 clone. Get's nice and bubbly. Comes with built in distortion to create some cool acid tracks. It's a super cool little synth. This is branded under TerraTec but it's actually a MAM (Music and More) product. They were a German synth company that produced many cool synths and effects under various names (TerraTec, MAM and NEXT come to mind) back in the late 90s early 2000s."

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Analog Sequencing

via Sentience Studio
"Say what you will but mastering the art of analog synthesis requires fluency with the sequencer, in particular, the Moog 960 sequential controller and related components (Roger Arrick and synthesizers.com make a spot-on replica). Part of the performance ethic of analog synthesis is to be able to execute operations in real time, so the sequencer is essential. I venture to say though that only a few synthesists can claim this expertise. The most important components associated with any sequencer are a tuner and a quantizer. Without these it is not possible to intonate the synthesizer properly so it plays with other instruments. I am amazed how many people try to run sequencers without them, surely with unsatisfactory results.

For reasons unknown quantizers are in short supply. Moon Modular makes an M565 quad quantizer. Bruce Duncan and Modcan make a 55B dual quantizer (which locks perfectly) and Doepfer makes an A-156 dual quantizer.

Tuning the synthesizer is a two-step process. First one must tune the oscillator to A=440. Then one must tune the sequencer so each step plays the desired note. I prefer a precision tuner such as the Peterson 490.

There are of course dozens of sequencers. The “first generation” ones (e.g. the Roland 104, the Sequential Circuits 800) are an assortment of knobs regulating control voltage. The “second generation” ones (e.g. the Roland CSQ-100, CSQ-600, MC-8) store notes in memory and in principle don't require tuning, although frequently they do. In such event only the oscillator needs to be tuned.

Recently I experimented with a new sequencer, the FutureRetro ORB. Once one masters the procedure for entering notes and looping patterns one can create a variety of interesting outcomes. Linking several together makes it possible to sequence harmonies. Although I am dubious about using MIDI in this configuration the Synapse router makes it possible to cycle through different filter combinations using predesignated addresses. The Peterson StroboStomp makes a good companion for tuning (although my advice is not to «stomp» on it). Here is a picture of how this concept was implemented using an intermediate-sized Blacet/Wiard system. To illustrate the basic signal path clearly not all modules are in use and some patch cords have been removed (e.g. CV processors and filters to mixer). Thanks to the manufacturers of this fine equipment for their creativity and ingenuity."

Monday, April 23, 2018

MULTIMAN UNIVOX SN 316

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

via this auction

Sentience Studio 04188 badge on back.

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