Knobcon 22: Buchla Music Easel - Nearly Ready!

video upload by sonicstate

"The new Buchla Easel has taken a while to come to fruition but its now in production and will be available to purchase real soon, says Marc Doty.

Extra functions have been added while keeping with the Buchla tradition. The case is now more suitcase shaped, but includes the Music Box Input Output module and made it more accessible. They added mixer, slew generator, voltage control, CV and gate and USB connections too.

We also looked at the Program Manager which allows for some recall of presets with a screen for preset names.

The 218 keyboard is also updated, better grounding, clean power for better control, a new strip with CV output for additional control, pulse output, reset button to set the capacitance.

All in all its a more powerful instrument, without a significant change in price.

Release date and price TBC. (around $4k)"

RIP Rob Hordijk - Creator of the Blippoo Box, Benjolin, and Hordijk Modular Systems

video uploads by Pedro Trotz

"Rob Hordijk explains his modular designs at the European Electro Music Event 2012 that took place at Mallorca - Spain."

Sad news in via an anonymous reader today, who spotted the following from Pedro Trotz on Mod Wiggler. Those of you that have been following the site should be familiar with Rob Hordijk's work through numerous posts on the site. Two of his most famous creations were the Benjolin and Blippoo Box.

"I am deeply saddened to announce that my friend and mentor, Robert Ernst Hordjik, passed away earlier today. He was an important part of my life and I am sure also of many others here. He will be greatly missed.

I first met him in the Chateau Sonore event he organized in Belgium, in July 2007. There, lots of similar souls shared our passion for electronic music and electronic instruments. There was a lot of G2 and modular talk, but also performances, instrument demos, concerts, rehearsals... That's when I first heard of the Blippoo, one of his first creations that made him famous.

A few years later he started his work on the modular system that has his name. I felt so grateful for his initiative in Belgium that I couldn't help but planning a follow-up, this time in Mallorca. This time, our meeting had a lot less participants but it was an even better opportunity to make friendships that will last for a lifetime. I believe that in this meeting, in a trip we made to the north coast of the island, between the mountains of the Serra de Tramontana and the Mediterranean Sea, is when Rob decided that he wanted to retire to Mallorca. I can't blame him. It was the middle of January and we were having a pic-nic on the side of a curvy road facing the sea and enjoying what we natives call "the little summer" which is something that happens from time to time in mid-winter when the sea suddenly calms and temperatures rise up to 20 degrees Celsius.

We had a Benjolin workshop, we talked a lot about his design philosophy, and I was happy to record the first series of videos about his modular System. The ones you can find in my Youtube channel. After that series of videos I asked him to build a modular for me and soon enough he came back to Mallorca to deliver it in person.

During this visits I introduced him to Biyi and they automatically made a great connection. Biyi went a few times to The Hague to assist him in the building of Blippoos and modular systems. He even built his own under Rob's supervision. We all three had the idea to start a company in Mallorca where Rob would make the designs, Biyi build the stuff and I would take care of the business side of things. It was all set-up. As soon as his obligations in the Netherlands were fulfilled he would come to Mallorca. The moment arrived but almost at the same time his illness and COVID made things extra difficult.

In one of our talks he said to me that the Benjolin, the Blippoo and the Modular System were his dearest creations and that he was honored to have made so many people happy with them. Let's honor his memory by using them and making the most beautiful sound imaginable.

Farewell, my friend. I love you." - trotz

The following is from the Synth DIY wiki page on Hordijk.

Born in 1958, self described "synthesizer designer and builder,[3]" Rob Hordijk began learning electronics from around age 12 after developing a fascination with the glowing tubes in stereo amplifiers.[1][4] When he was 14 his father who had noticed young Rob's interest gave him a subscription to an electronics course, which lead to an examination for a ham radio license.

Trained as a designer and not a musician, Rob came from an arts background, studying as a sculptor and jeweler in the 1970s. He approached electronic music in a similar spirit to abstract painting, inspired by the ambient works of Brian Eno, and Luigi Russolo's Intonarumori instruments; where attempts were made to blur the boundaries between music and art:[1]

"In those days I was quite interested in the idea of sound as a material to be sculpted, in the same way you can sculpt wood and metal. [...] You can make mechanical objects that make all sorts of sounds, or you can make electronic objects that make all sorts of sounds. but what I like about the electronic objects is that you don't see what makes the sound. [...] It opens the way to sort of make it a bit mysterious."[1]

In the early 1980s as various integrated circuits, micro-controllers, and processors became available to hobbyists, Rob began buying things such as the early Curtis chips and RCA 1802 based SuperElf processor board out of curiosity more than professional ambition.[1][5] Later switching to an Apple ][+ and the Mountain Hardware Music System, for which he developed a Forth language version that could do all sorts of stuff with the Mountain cards, like KarplusStrong-type plucked string sounds and pitch shifting.[5] His first introduction to a DSP was to the DMX1000 around 1984. In 1986 he switched to Atari ST and an Akai S900.[5] These days he is a Clavia Nord Modular G2 aficionado.[5]

"I am not really a gear freak. But I do believe in mastering synthesis techniques, in making synthesis a second nature, so to be able to fully concentrate on the creative processes."[5]

After finishing art school, Rob also completed 11 years of study in Information Technology, learning about design methods and inventory control.[1] As well as his own instruments Rob worked on the Nord Modular G2 including contributing many patches to the Nord Modular online community, and wrote a comprehensive unofficial manual of the instrument. He has produced music for environments, buildings, film, and dance performances, but is yet to produce an official release on a label.[5] As of 2022 Rob has announced his retirement and will no longer be taking orders.[6]

Design Philosophy
Rob's personal definition of a modular synthesizer is more to do with modulation than modularity; referring to functional modules as 'sections'. Everything is supposed to be able to modulate or effect everything else. All levels within the system are optomised for comparability with one another.[1]

See https://sdiy.info/wiki/Rob_Hordijk_Design for more.

Update via brian comnes: Hordijk info on synthesis: https://rhordijk.home.xs4all.nl/G2Pages/ - quite in depth.

Three new WMD Eurorack Modules - Legion, Orion, Subway

video upload by WMDevices

"A relatively quick demo and jam featuring our newest (and last) modules [see this post]. I say I'm not going to go in-depth, but I couldn't help myself. These modules are rad, and I like showing them off. More focused vids to come soon.

These modules are all being made in limited runs of 600. Once they're gone, they're gone.

Legion - Analog oscillator with TONS of outputs
Orion - Analog Phaser with wavefolder, variable stage amounts, and bypass
Subway - 8 input, 1 output signal scanner


BUY THE NEW MODULES HERE: https://wmdevices.com/collections/new...

WMD Winding Down Production and Closing Shop w/ Announcement of Three New Modules

via WMD

3 new modules are available for preorder now! More info, and videos to come soon! Each of these products will be a limited run. Once they’re gone, they’re gone! Preorder today at wmdevices.com.
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We also have some important and not so exciting news. Due to the state of the world, WMD is planning to wind down production and close by the end of the year. We have these new modules and a bit more stuff coming, but that’s all we can do. Please read the post linked in our bio before flooding the comments with questions.
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Huge thanks to everyone that’s ever supported us, we appreciate it so, so much. We will be conducting biz as usual for the next few months, supporting products, firmware for Metron, attending Velocity, and Knobcon showing the new products and hanging with friends.
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Freq Boutique and Patched Out will continue to happen as well. Come party with us tomorrow at Freq if you can!
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Get your orders in, lots of stuff is discounted right now, please help us push through the next few months so we can land as smoothly as possible.
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We love y’all.
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WMD.
#eurorack #modularsynth #modularsynthesizer

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Note: I created a Global Chip Shortage label for businesses and products/projects impacted by the global supply chain issue. For companies going under I've added the RIP label for now as well. You can click on either to see other companies and products impacted.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Tiptop Audio & Buchla Eurorack 200 Series Set to Ship by September

via Tiptop Audio

We have been busy searching the planet for components and parts and have some updates on the release schedule for the Buchla project.

We plan to start shipping the 245t Sequencer and 257t Voltage Processor around the end of August or early September. There can always be surprises along the way that might add some delays but August/September looks realistic. Almost all Eurorack shops we work with have some of these on order with us and we hope this batch will cover the demand. We will inform the shops of the final price and when they can open up for Pre-Orders as soon as we have enough of these modules tested and ready to go.

The shipping announcement will come through this newsletter and our social media channels

The new batch of Model 281t Quad Function Generator should also be ready around mid September. Some of you have waited a long time for these and hopefully soon you will finally get it.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Noise Engineering Announces New Oscillator/DSP Modules and Platform

Virt Iter Legio and Librae Legio: A new module platform from Noise Engineering

video upload by Noise Engineering

"Legio is a 6HP platform module similar in concept to the Versio modules. Each release is fully compatible with all other Legio firmware and swappable for free through the Noise Engineering Customer Portal.

Open-source support through libDaisy is coming soon.

The first two modules on the Legio platform are available on June 23rd, with more coming soon!

0:08 Virt Iter Legio
By popular demand! First announced in 2020, Virt Iter Legio is a three-algorithm stereo oscillator with stereo phase modulation inputs and a vintage-inspired chorus. Love the NE oscillators on the Arturia MicroFreak or the Virt Vereor plugin? Just need it in Eurorack? Virt Iter Legio is the module for you.

Its simple interface and unique, immersive sound make it a staple for any style of sound design. Use the hard sync input to add an aggressive edge to sounds when synced to another oscillator, or try patching VIL’s left and right phase modulation inputs independently for even further sonic exploration in the stereo field: trust us, stereo PM is something you’ll want to hear. Turn on the beautiful, wide chorus and you’ll have an endless supply of beautiful sounds.

1:00 Librae Legio
Librae Legio is a dynamics processor designed to take a whole patch to the next level. Compression, expansion, limiting, noise gating, and two styles of gentle distortion: Librae is the perfect tool to bring your mix together. And while it can do extreme limiting and really squash your sounds together, we developed it with transparency in mind – whether you want to hard-limit a techno mix or gently bring the sounds in an ambient patch together, Librae is the end-of-chain dynamics processor you’ve been looking for."

Virt Iter Legio - stereo oscillator in 6HP from Noise Engineering

video upload by Noise Engineering

"0:05 Overview
0:51 Panels and controls
4:30 Patching example
6:00 Jam


Virt Iter Legio is a stereo Eurorack oscillator with a vintage-inspired chorus and phase modulation. Its three oscillator algorithms – Bass, SawX, and Harm – will be familiar to users of our free Virt Vereor plugin and of the Arturia MicroFreak, both of which have the same oscillator modes. Virt Iter Legio features independent left and right phase-modulation inputs, opening up opportunities for unique, gnarly sound design that takes over the stereo field, as well as a sync input for ripping hard-sync tones. Whether you want to create beautiful pads or hard-hitting bass, Virt Iter Legio’s massive sonic range will fit into any patch.

The Legio platform is our new 6HP platform. Any module in the Legio series can be swapped to any other in the series, completely free, at the Noise Engineering Customer Portal. Look for more additions to the platform, as well as open-source support. Learn more about the platform at the World of Legio: https://bit.ly/3Nf61nW"

Librae Legio - dynamics processor in 6HP from Noise Engineering
video upload by Noise Engineering

"0:05 Overview
0:55 Panel and controls
2:18 FSU!!!
2:48 A/B tests
4:35 Jam

Librae Legio is a stereo Eurorack dynamics processor designed for the master bus with compression, limiting, expansion, and optional saturation. Whether you want to cleanly limit the full mix of your patch, add a little bit of color and dynamics with the expander and saturator, or completely crush a sound, Librae can do it all, and more – plus, it’s CV controllable. Librae Legio can process mono or stereo signals, and was designed to work with everything from drum breaks and bass loops to generative ambient soundscapes. Concerned that heavy compression will bring out noise in your mix? Librae Legio’s adjustable noise gate will keep your patch clean. It also features an adjustable sidechain filter that changes how the dynamics processor reacts to incoming sounds.

The Legio platform is our new 6HP platform. Any module in the Legio series can be swapped to any other in the series, completely free, at the Noise Engineering Customer Portal. Look for more additions to the platform, as well as open-source support. Learn more about the platform at the World of Legio: https://bit.ly/3Nf61nW"

And the press release:


Noise Engineering announces new Legio platform including Virt Iter Legio oscillator and Librae Legio dynamics processor

Los Angeles, CA — Noise Engineering is back with two modules for a new 6HP Eurorack platform: Virt Iter Legio and Librae Legio.

Virt Iter Legio is a stereo oscillator with a distinct and versatile sound. Its three modes – Bass, SawX, and Harm – will be familiar to users of Noise Engineering’s free Virt Vereor plugin or those who have the Arturia Microfreak, both of which are based on the same algorithms.

Virt Iter Legio features independent left and right phase-modulation inputs, a sync input, and a lush vintage-inspired chorus. This small oscillator puts unique sounds right at your fingertips and makes them easy to manipulate within the stereo field. Virt Iter Legio works well for beautiful pads, hard-hitting basses, and leads that can be simple or otherworldly.

Librae Legio is a stereo dynamics processor designed for the master bus with compression, limiting, expansion, and optional saturation.

Librae Legio was designed to work with any type of patch. It’s great for limiting, compression, and expansion. Noise Engineering says they created it to be able to be applied as transparently as possible, but also so that you can crank the settings to really squish your sounds for maximal crunch. And of course they added a saturation stage that you can engage if you wish for some slight harmonic distortion: it adds a touch of color and some tape-like effects to louder elements. It’s also CV controllable and works great with mono or stereo signals.

The team had a great time testing this one on drum breaks, bass loops, hard techno, generative ambient soundscapes, and more. They also added an adjustable noise gate so that users could choose a setting to minimize noise accentuated by heavy compression in their patch. Librae Legio also has a sidechain filter that the user can set to change the behavior of the dynamics processing.

A platform a long time in the making
The Legio platform was first announced at NAMM 2020 with Virt Iter. The team mentioned that they’d heard from a lot of customers who were eager to get the module in their systems but parts shortages, supply-chain woes, and other problems meant multiple delays and redesigns of the product to make it work with available parts. The result was something even they were amazed with. In fact, while product testing is a job everyone on the team is excited about, they all agreed that they were unanimously over the moon with how these modules came out.

"The Legio platform brings the power of a reprogrammable and multifunctional module down to a 6 HP size, perfect for any system. It's an exciting development and we're thrilled to be able to share it with the world!" said Chief of Destruction Markus Cancilla.

World of Legio
Similar to the popular Versio platform, Legio is also an oscillator and DSP platform. By making a free account at the Noise Engineering Customer Portal (https://portal.noiseengineering.us/), users can change the functionality of the module, absolutely free. In essence, buy one module, get both of these, with more to come, according to the Noise Engineering team. For those who are interested in writing their own firmwares, open-source support will be released later this year. Learn more at the World of Legio page at Noise Engineering.

In just 6 HP, the Legio platform is a powerful and worthy addition to any system, small or large.
Notable features: Virt Iter Legio

● 6 HP and US$279, available and in stock
● 3 stereo oscillator algorithms: Bass, SawX, and Harm
● Independent left and right phase-modulation inputs
● Vintage-inspired chorus spreads sounds across the stereo field
● Incredibly accurate pitch tracking from -2v to +5v using an automatic self-
calibration process
● Oscillator/DSP platform: change the firmware on your module to a different
module on the Librae platform

Notable features: Librae Legio
● 6 HP and US$279, available and in stock
● Works in both mono and stereo
● Incredibly clean compression, expansion, and limiting
● Adjustable noise gate avoids unwanted noise when heavily processing sounds
● Configurable sidechain filtering changes how the processing reacts to your
sounds
● Optional saturation adds flavor to your mix
● Oscillator/DSP platform: change the firmware on your module to a different
module on the Librae platform

Availability/Pricing: In stock and shipping direct and globally to retailers June 23, 2022;
MSRP US$279

Soma Labs "Enner" NAMM 2022 live audio demo

video upload by SynthAddict

0:48 basic mods
1:40 noisy bits
3:35 drone bits
4:15 stereo drone FX
6:37 video/audio demo


"Enner is currently unreleased but coming out soon.
Projected price: about $700 :-)

Soma Labs 'Terra' will come out later"

New Patch Presets for the Roland JX-3P Synthesizer!

video upload by SynthaTone

Note seeing a link for the patches. Check with SynthaTone on YouTube if interested.

"Roland JX-3P Organ, Pan Flute, Saxophone and Brass Section preset patch demo. These patches are examples from a soon-to-be-released sound set that will be available at an affordable price.

These patches can be loaded into a stock JX-3P from a cell phone headphone jack to the input jack of the Tape Memory interface on the back of the synthesizer. An old phone that you have but no longer use makes a great dedicated storage device that you can always have hooked up for easy access. This is a good workaround if your JX-3P has a dead battery and you want to load sounds until you get the battery replaced.

These patches can be programmed manually into a Kiwi-3p KiwiTechnics or River Creative Technology (Organix) modified unit or a Roland Sound Cloud ACB VST instrument using the included data chart decoded from the tape memory audio file.

The JX-3P has a 3rd memory bank with 16 additional presets in the Service Mode. This memory is shared with the Sequencer and is overwritten when a sequence is written. However, if you write a short sequence of no more than 32 steps, it will still be there after you write patches into the 3rd memory bank.

Service Mode is accessed by pressing and releasing the Tape Memory button, then while pressing and holding patch button 4, pressing and releasing the Tape Memory button again. An alternative method is to press and hold patch button 4 when the JX-3P is switched off and then switching it on.

The JX-3P factory presets only hint at the sonic possibilities of this instrument. With the same basic sound as the Jupiter 8, I have found that the JX-3P's only real limitations are the shared envelope generator, and lack of a 2' pitch for the oscillators even though there is a button available for it, something that is found on the Jupiter 6 and Jx-8P. There are workarounds to these limitations that can still enable the creation of fun-to-play sounds reminiscent of the Yamaha DX7 and the Roland D-50. I have come to believe that the JX-3P really should have been named the JX-6, with the JX-8P designated JX-6A or JX-8 if it were upgraded to 8 note polyphony.

The soundtrack for this video was produced in Reaper with the plugins MT Power Drum Kit 2 for percussion and Sanford Sound Design Reverb for ambience. The JX-3P was recorded live in monophonic audio. The music is an original composition."

Update:

"Springtime Swing"

video upload by SynthaTone

"Roland JX-3P Saxophone, Brass Section, Pan Flute and Organ custom preset patch demo.

The soundtrack for this video was produced in Reaper with the plugins MT Power Drum Kit 2 for percussion and Sanford Sound Design Reverb for ambience. The JX-3P was recorded live in monophonic audio. The music is an original composition."

New Joranalogue Eurorack Modules for SUPERBOOTH22

via Joranalogue Audio Design

Springtime has arrived, and that can only mean one thing: SUPERBOOTH is upon us!

We've been hard at work in the lab, developing, testing, soldering and listening... Now, it's finally time to present our latest additions to the Eurorack series.

Read on below, and if you're in Berlin, come and meet the new modules in our cosy tent at booth Z430!

Delay 1

Delay 1 is a fully analogue BBD-based delay module with a multitude of features geared towards modern musical use. An integrated temperature-compensated, high-frequency voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) provides the ‘clock’ signal necessary to drive the delay line within 1 to 50 ms.

By increasing the drive frequency to over 20 kHz, the classic ‘BBD clock whine’ problem is solved, while still providing a wide range in delay time. Classic chorus, flanger and echo effects are easily achieved using the dry/wet blend, feedback and damping parameters.

Delay 1 also allows you to experiment with Karplus-Strong synthesis, an exciting technique to create string and percussion type sounds. This is made easy by an integrated noise transient generator, driven by the ‘pluck’ input, and by the clock VCO’s 1 volt per octave response.


PVT2

While the patch programmability of a modular system is its greatest strength, it can also be a weakness: quick experimentation is often hampered by the need to repatch the synthesiser to change the signal flow.

Pivot 2 offers a unique solution: a compact, fully voltage controlled variable signal router. At the turn of a single knob, any signal can be routed through two external modules in series, parallel or reverse series, as well as any combination in between.

Experiment with patching wavefolders before, after or alongside filters, shuffle multiple delay lines, precisely dial in two-stage audio compression or easily control intricate feedback patches.

Looking beyond the basic signal routing application, Pivot 2 will also function as a complementary pair of counter-acting linear voltage controlled amplifiers (VCAs), a voltage controlled crossfader or a voltage controlled panner.


Step 8

What about Step 8? Our sequential tracking/sampling register received a lot of attention at last year's SUPERBOOTH. However, it quickly became clear that the design needed a bit more development time. We've since added some exciting improvements and are planning to commence production soon.

Step 8 represents a new type of modular building block: a sequential tracking/sampling register, which can be configured to provide a variety of functions. These include sequencers, sequential switches, counters, analogue shift registers...

At its heart lies an analogue 1-to-8 signal switch feeding an octet of high-stability track/sample-and-hold stages. Each of these has its own analogue output with an attenuation slider, in addition to a gate output. LEDs visualise the status of each stage in real time. The switch can be controlled sequentially using the built-in 8-step counter, or addressed directly by an analogue control voltage (CV).

For those who are feeling adventurous, there are always more applications to try: configurable voltage mapper, hocketing controller, clock divider, graphic waveshaper, multi-output analogue downsampler...

THE OBERHEIM OB-X8 HAS ARRIVED

video upload by Oberheim Official

"For the first time in over 40 years, a legendary analog synth sound returns.

The OB-X8 combines the three different voice architectures of the classic OB-X, OB-Xa, and OB-8 synths into a single incredible instrument. The individual filter types and other unique characteristics of each model have been faithfully reproduced, along with an uncompromising 100% analog signal path, giving you the most authentic and satisfying OB experience possible.

Oberheim is BACK!"

Oberheim OB-X8 INHALT Sound Design Demo No Talking

video upload by INHALTVIDEO

https://inhalt.bigcartel.com

"My history with Oberheim runs deep. Probably the most important synthesizer for me was the Oberheim OB-8. I connected deeply with its melancholic and midnight music sounding tone which matched very well what I was doing with INHALT at the time. But never to be beguiled by softer emotions, the flick of the unison switch instantly took the OB-8 into an aggressive "body" music. It was the perfect writing tool due to the even tone across all octaves and the fact that its intrinsic musicality was unavoidable. Around the time I got the OB-8 I also got a vintage 2 Voice (thanks for restoring that one Chok) and both were heavily used on many records that I made. Those were my MVP's for many years.

When I received the call from my colleagues at Sequential that not only was a new Oberheim in the works, but that it was to be THE Oberheim, I couldn't wait for the beta testing and sound design to start. And when the prepro unit arrived, I knew that the newly reborn and official Oberheim company, in tandem with the team at Sequential, created something incredible. Something so comprehensive, deep, detailed, featured and yet immediate and simple, with no possibility of making a bad sound. Every sound I made sounded exactly as it should, and they ALL embodied that unmistakable Oberheim sound. That magic that is often imitated but never accomplished. Until now.

I'm not going to get into specs, those have been already covered everywhere, but I will say this: as someone that has used all of the "big" Oberheims, and that has made many records in commercial studios with the OB-8 and a vintage 2 Voice, I can definitively say that this Oberheim does all of those sounds and more. Its charisma changes from filter to filter and it seamlessly traverses from X, Xa to 8 with the Page 2 voice offset and vintage knob, but it ALWAYS sounds like the genuine Oberheim that it is. This incredible team, that I've had the pleasure of working with, has created something that might possibly be the ultimate polyphonic analog synthesizer. And I can't wait to use it on the many upcoming projects at Infinite Power Studios.

This is a recording I made of many of the patches I created for Oberheim and the shipping factory library that will come with the synth.

Please note, the OB-X8 in the video is a prototype unit and I recorded this with a beta firmware. As such, while the synth was largely done there were some changes both to the panel and to the OS that are in the final shipping version (obviously). The OB-X8 was recorded straight into Pro Tools HD and no post processing or fx were added. What you're hearing is the raw synth."

The Sound of the Oberheim OB-X8 - Julian "J3PO" Pollack [custom knobs on this one]

video upload by J3PO

"Oberheim has released a new synthesizer--the first in many decades--the OB-X8. It is a faithful recreation of all three of the classic OB-series synthesizers in one: the OB-X, the OB-Xa, and OB-8. It is an incredible synth.

In this video, you will hear a bunch of presets I created for the OB-X8. Some of my sounds will be included factory with the OB-X8 while most of these presets will appear in a presets pack I will release soon (check www.j3po.net for the release of my official sound bank). This particular unit is an early prototype with non-production knobs. The final production units will look slightly different.

It is important to note that the OB-X8, like the original OB's from back in the day, does NOT contain any onboard effects. In this video, I used some external reverbs and delays to give certain presets the ambience and resonance they deserve. Light compression and limiting was applied for the purpose of uploading to YouTube and balancing the sounds."

Update: Oberheim OB-X8 Preset Demos

video upload by james terris

"I'm always reluctant to post something in prototype form. When I had this unit it was sonically pretty close. Obvious at a glance are the knobs and 3D printed bender box levers. The synth itself sounds great and such a dream to play with a nice modern key bed."

And the press release:

Oberheim Returns to Operations and Releases Its First New Synth in 35 Years

San Francisco, CA – May 9, 2022 – In a momentous industry development, Oberheim Electronics, one of the most venerated names in synthesizer design, has announced its return to operation to meet the rising global demand for its instruments.

Today, the company is launching its first new product, the OB-X8: an eight-voice polyphonic analog synth that combines all of the key features of the legendary OB-X, OB-Xa, and OB-8 products from the 1980s – including all the original presets that gave them their signature sounds.

“I wanted to come back strong with a new design that brings together the sounds of the greatest instruments from across the OB range, together with the distinctive sound and styling of those synths,” said Tom Oberheim. “But we took it even further. You can now combine the various OB voice architectures in ways that produce unique and interesting new sounds and capabilities.”

Originally founded by Tom Oberheim in 1969, Oberheim Electronics created ground-breaking products that fueled the electronic music revolution throughout the 1970’s and early 1980’s. After ceasing operations in 1985, these instruments attained near-mythical status, with highly prized vintage models selling for many times their original price on the secondhand market.

Since that time, Tom Oberheim had created a handful of limited-production instruments and co-designs with various partners under other names. But in a recent significant development, he regained control of the Oberheim trademarks and IP, and now, in partnership with Focusrite PLC, has decided to once again introduce new products under the Oberheim brand name for first time in more than 35 years.

“I’ve always had a very optimistic outlook on our industry and the future in general. I felt that one day, when the time was right, Oberheim would return. A big part of this was the fact that so many musicians have contacted me over the years to ask how to get hold of an original Oberheim. So when I finally reacquired the Oberheim name, it was clear that the time was finally here,” said Oberheim.

The catalog of artists associated with the original products is long, and includes innovators like Prince, Van Halen, and Herbie Hancock. For many, it was much more than just an instrument. A handful of A-list artists such as Trent Reznor, creative force behind Nine Inch Nails, and Golden Globe, Academy Award, and Primetime Emmy-winning composer got pre-release previews. “When I was shown the new OB-X8, I was immediately impressed with the forensic level of detail that went into its design and the respect for its lineage,” remarked Trent. I will be making room in my studio for one and I’m excited more people will be able to experience this classic instrument.”

Creating a new company out of thin air was no small feat. “I’m excited to work with my old friend and audio industry innovator Marcus Ryle, along with some other members of the original Oberheim team again,” said Tom. “And thanks to an exclusive partnership with Focusrite group company Sequential LLC, we have the ability to design, manufacture, distribute, and support new instruments on a global scale.”

For Marcus Ryle, one of the inventors behind the ADAT, the QuadraSynth, and Line 6 guitar amps and effects, this represents closure of sorts: “Synths were my first love and the reason I entered this industry. Tom hired me when I was 19, and I feel lucky to have been a part of the Oberheim design team during its glory days. Now, a whole new chapter in the story of analog synthesizer-based music is about to get written.” Dave Smith, founder of Sequential and himself a legendary figure in synth history, also collaborated with Marcus (an Oberheim team member from the 1980s) and Tom to create the new product. “We’ve already developed other interesting design ideas with Tom for follow-up products that will allow us to take Oberheim into the future as a synth brand,” commented Smith. “It’s a very exciting time to be a musician.”

The OB-X8 eight-voice analog synthesizer will be available at the end of June with a US MAP of $4,995.

For more details visit www.oberheim.com.

About Oberheim
Oberheim is the 21st century return of the legendary company that helped fuel the electronic music revolution. Now, just as then, Oberheim is guided by the vision of engineer and inventor, Tom Oberheim. Tom’s genius for innovation introduced the world to the first commercially available poly synth and other groundbreaking electronic instruments that literally changed the sound of music. Today, Oberheim reawakens this legacy by bringing the famed Oberheim sound to a new generation of instruments and artists. The company’s passion remains unchanged by time or technology — to once again provide the world with the finest-sounding analog synthesizers ever made. Oberheim brings its products to market with the help of the Focusrite organization and renowned synth maker, Sequential."

OBERHEIM OB-X8 SPECIFICATIONS

• 8-voice, pure-analog polyphony with saw, square/pulse, triangle, and noise
• Two discrete SEM/OB-X-lineage VCOs per voice deliver classic punchy Oberheim tone
• Discrete SEM-lineage VCFs deliver authentic OB-X-style tone and presence
• Genuine Curtis filters add bold OB-Xa/OB-8 character
• Meticulously modeled envelope responses match each OB model: OB-X, OB-Xa, and OB-8
• The 61-key FATAR velocity- and touch-sensitive keyboard allows unparalleled expression and responsiveness
• Bi-timbral capability allows two presets simultaneously for splits and doubles
• 400-plus factory programs, including the full set of factory sounds for the OB-X, OB-SX, OB-Xa, and OB-8
• Integral, fanless, heatsink-free power supply
• Real walnut end cheeks
• High-resolution OLED display enables patch management and easy access to advanced features
• Classic Oberheim Pitch and Mod levers allow expressive note bending, vibrato, and access to arpeggiator functions

ENHANCEMENTS
• Additional SEM filter modes add high-pass, band-pass, and notch functions to the classic OB-X filter
• Vintage knob allows variable amounts of voice-to-voice variability to emulate the behavior of vintage instruments 
• Velocity sensitivity adds expressiveness to volume and filter 
• Channel Aftertouch adds real-time performance-based modulation
• Enhanced unison allows variable voice stacking from 1-8 voices
• Variable triangle wave cross-modulation
• Over 600 user-programmable preset locations
• Programmable per-program pan allows wider stereo presence
• Variable oscillator and noise levels

INS & OUTS
• Stereo and Mono outputs
• Volume, Sustain, and Filter inputs
• Arpeggiator clock input
• MIDI In, Out, Thru
• USB
• Dimensions:
• Weight: 32.5 lbs
• Dimensions: 40.5” L x 16.67” W x 5.87” H

CLICK FOR MORE »

Oberheim is Back!

video upload by Oberheim Official

"You heard that right: Oberheim is back. And a new chapter is about to begin.

Brought to you by Tom Oberheim, former Oberheim engineers Marcus Ryle (co-founder of Line 6/co-creator of the ADAT) and Tony Karavidas, with Sequential’s Dave Smith and his team.

Visit oberheim.com to sign up for updates on what’s in the works.

And get ready to party like it’s 2099.

----------------------------------------------

Video Cast: Tom Oberheim, Marcus Ryle, Dave Smith, and Tony Karavidas.
Music by Julian (J3PO) Pollack"

Why this matters: in case it's not obvious, the Oberheim brand and lineage is back with the rightful owner. Moog was first, followed by Sequential, and now Oberheim. Bob Moog did business as Big Briar until he managed to secure the Moog name back. Dave Smith did business as Dave Smith Instruments until acquiring the Sequential name back. And Tom Oberheim did business as Tom Oberheim.com, until now. He now has the rights to the Oberheim brand and has the support of others to build new Oberheim products. We now have the original Moog, Sequential, and Oberheim brands back with the original legacy.

P.S. Nice coasters!

P.P.S. Curious what synth we are hearing in the trailer... :)

Update: Looks like it is indeed a new Oberheim. via @iamj3po:

"If you know me, you know how much I love synths. I could not be happier than to help announce that OBERHEIM HAS OFFICIALLY COME BACK!!! I’ve had the great pleasure and honor to work with them on the new secret sauce that will be coming out 😉 and if you want to hear it…well I composed the music for this little video, and I did the whole thing with the new instrument (except for the kick and snare, which are Oberheim DMX samples). If you like synths, and especially if you like Oberheim…this should make your day! Be sure to follow the new Oberheim IG page @oberheim_electronics … more soon ❤️"

This one was spotted and sent in via Soviet Space Child.

Donny Benét - Le Piano (Official Music Video)

video upload by Donny Benét

This one was spotted and sent in via Soviet Space Child.

Roland TR-808 intro, followed by an ARP 2600. I'm guessing the 2600 is layered over a Yamaha CP70 mentioned below for the piano sounds? The 2600 does appear to come in for the synth solo at 3:04. The bass almost sounds synthetic. Soviet Space Child mentioned it sounds an awful lot like a MiniMoog. Whatever it is, it's fun stuff.

Video description:

From the EP Le Piano, out April 1 on Dot Dash Records
Pre order here: donnybenet.com and from bandcamp
****************************************************
Directed, filmed and edited by Alex Smith
Assistance: Riley McCullagh
2022
****************************************************
"It gives me great pleasure to present the first single Le Piano from my upcoming EP also titled Le Piano, coming out April 1 on Dot Dash records
After a crazy period of touring, being stuck at home for the past 2 years allowed life to slow down and gift me an extended period in my home studio.
After writing and releasing Mr Experience at the beginning of the coronavirus, I’d turned back to listening to a lot of instrumental music - Sakamoto, Hiroshi Yoshimura, Goblin, Kraftwerk, Vangelis, Yanni…to name a few.
I indulged myself and bought a vintage Yamaha CP70 electric grand piano, as well as finally setting up my studio to record live drums - something that’s been on my mind for quite some time. It seemed too soon to be writing a new album straight after Mr Experience (an album which I can’t wait to perform for you in 2022) so I spent most of the time in my little room experimenting, skilling up, and enjoying the musical process once again without the pressures of deadlines and touring.
This EP is a small taste of my world from this crazy moment in time - I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as I enjoyed creating it.
XXX

Arduino based MIDI Drum Sequencer

video upload by akestromer

"This sequencer started as a Big Button Sequencer. When I looked into building a drum sequencer without internal sounds his was the only one that made sense. So I owe a great deal of gratitude to Look mum no computer. I've since learned a great deal and added and removed a lot of code, out of the about 800 lines of code there are still a few in there that come from him.

I used an atmega328p, some 74HC595s, a 74HC14 and some other stuff.
In this program the sequence currently running is in a 2d array of booleans. But to save space they're saved in the dynamic(?) memory (and the eeprom) as bytes. 2 per sequence. The 16 sequences are 16 steps long and each have 12 tracks.
I'll try to post a simple version of the code soon. It's kind of a mess.

"Sketch uses 8174 bytes (25%) of program storage space. Maximum is 32256 bytes. Global variables use 1125 bytes (54%) of dynamic memory, leaving 923 bytes for local variables. Maximum is 2048 bytes."

Anyway, I hope this helps someone."

https://reverb.com/shop/stromer-mutroniks

Korg Opsix - "Cosmos" 50 Presets & Sequences

video upload by LFOstore

"'Cosmos' is the third soundset from the Korg Opsix series made by
Nick Chronos - creator of Cinematica, Ambika, Wavestate sounds

Buy: https://lfo.sellfy.store/p/korg-opsix...

Firstly soundset was focused on cosmic & atmospheric sounds: strings, pads & drones.
But soon Nick discovered & developed long melodic sequences (using hacks with 16-step seqs)

This soundset dedicated to motion picture sounds, moving sequences,
atmospheres for your Original Sound Tracks and opens boundries for Korg OpSix as Soundtrack Synthesizer.

And soundset became much wider in categories of sounds:

Deep Drones & Cosmic Sounds
Beatiful & Silk Pads & Swells
Rich & Massive Strings
Organic Melodic Sequences
Drums & GrooveBoxes

Genres: Electronic, ambient, retro or cinematic, no limits, let your imagination run wild.

Soundset will load thorugh official OpSix Editor with single presets and overall library file.
You will need OS 2.0 for our sounds,

Every patch of our soundset is musical & can be immediately used in your tracks & production.
Enjoy and may the music come with you!"

Moog Discontinues Dark Series Grandmother and Matriarch

via Moog Synthesizers

"All good things must come to an end…

Production of Dark Series for Grandmother and Matriarch will be winding down soon here at the Moog factory. To order yours, find a Moog dealer near you."

See the dealers on the right for availability.

I will Come for You by Audio Illustrator

New track by supporting member, James Newman aka Audio Illustrator of New Man Studios featuring his modular and a few other synths.

I will come for you
I will come soon
I will come for you
one day

I will come for you
I will come soon
I will come for you
one day

Oh Heaven
and Earth
Sing His name
credits
released January 13, 2022
Thank You God for all that You have done.

Synthmas '21 w/ Synthfluencer

Door #6: Lasst uns froh und munter sein (Let us be happy and cheerful) - Synthmas '21
video upload by Synthfluencer

"The gear:
This song is played on the Casio CZ-5000 digital synthesizer. With the CZ series Casio stepped into the professional music market after getting famous with the VL-1, PT-1 and other casual instruments. All CZ synths used a synthesis technology called phase distortion. Some preferred PD before FM synthesis, since it can create bell-like sounds as well as warm analog sounding pads. Even though missing velocity and aftertouch as built in the CZ-1, the CZ-5000 was the second best equipped synth of the family. The two DCOs are capable of playing 8 different wave forms, can be ring modulated and formed by 3 envelopes for each DCO (DCA = VCA, DCW = VCF, DCO = VCO). The envelopes can have up to 8 stages what gives huge possibilities for sound design. Key split, layer sounds, a sequencer - not really easy to operate but unique in the price range at the time - and a really good sounding chorus made the CZ-5000 a dream synth for many electronic music enthusiasts.

Because operating the internal sequencer is a fiddly job I used a Korg-SQD1 for sequencing the song. The simple multi track sequencer was very popular in the 80s Detroit techno scene.

Trailer material: Pexels.com (image @seurafrancis99, video @cottonbro)"

Door #5: Morgen, Kinder, wird’s was geben (Tomorrow, Children, Something Will Be) - Synthmas '21
video upload by

The song:
Originally named "Die Weihnachtsfreude" (The Joy of Christmas) the song occured first in the 18th century. It describes the childrens thrill of anticipation awaiting Christmas Eve.

The gear:
For this song I used the Yamaha MODX. The modern digital synth is basically using two synthesis engines: AWM2 is a sample based engine while the FM part is an enhanced version of legendary DX-7 engine that shaped 80s pop fundamentally. As the AWM2 synthesis allows an instrumentation in any thinkable fashion, the song's version presented here makes use of original DX-7 factory patches only. That gives the desired retro touch.

FM synthesis was a giant leap in synth architecture. Not only that digital synthesis was available for a broad customer base; the DX-7 put cutting edge expression technologys into play like breath control and MIDI and made upper class features like after touch available for the ordinary synthesist. The (then) unique e-piano patch defined a new standard and became a mandatory element of 80s synth ballads. The possibility of adding a (digital) filter and effects to the FM engine's sounds makes the MODX kind of a 'super DX7'. Hence the name MOreDX?

Trailer material: Pexels.com (image @seurafrancis99, video @cottonbro)"

Door #4: Es ist für uns eine Zeit angekommen (Unto us a time has come) - Synthmas '21


"The song:
The melody came up in the 19th century as a traditional Swiss star boys' singers Christmas carol. From it's origin, the Wiggertal in the Canton of Lucerne it found it's way to Germany. While first sung with the original lyrics, under the reign of the Nazis a secular version was created. Like years later the communist GDR regime, the Nazis tried to remove the christian aspects from Christmas - our celebration of commerce we all love so much today. Nevertheless, this version is the most common used for the song today.

The gear:
The song is played by a Roland JV-1010. Sometimes derided as a "ROMpler", this multi-timbral digital synth is equipped - like it's bigger brother the JV-1080 - with many legendary sounds of Roland's 80s flagship D-series (10/20/50). Like Roland D-synths the JV-1010 creates it's sounds using LA-Synthesis. Therefore calling it "ROMpler" is simply wrong. LA-Synthesis was Roland's bold move to finally break the success of Yamaha's FM-Synthesis intruduced in early 80s with the legendary DX-7. The idea behind LA-Synthesis is that real instrument sounds (back then synths aimed most notably to imitate real instruments) are recognized by the very first parts of a sound. So LA or linear arythmethic synthesis using very short samples at the beginning of a sound continued with subtractive synthesis.

For this song I only used factory presets. I think the JV-1010/1080 has a wonderful warm sound. A Roland D-10 was my very first synth that broke a few years ago and I always thought about replacing it by another one or a D-50. But the JV-1010 turned out to be much more than a makeshift. Love it!

Trailer material: Pexels.com (image @seurafrancis99, video @cottonbro)"

CLICK FOR MORE »

Noise Engineering Releases Three Free Plugins

You can find demos in previous posts here.

via Noise Engineering

The beta is over! Noise Engineering moves to full release of three free powerful plugins

Los Angeles, CA — Noise Engineering is happy to announce the end of the public beta and move to full release of three free plugins: synths Sinc Vereor and Virt Vereor and distortion Ruina.

Asked why the move from Eurorack to software, the Noise Engineering team said that it was inspired by several things: first, they’d been bombarded with requests for plugins from modular synth users who love the sound but needed portability or repeatability. They were also extremely aware of the barrier to entry to a modular system and really wanted to make their products more widely accessible (which is partly why this release is free, and will remain free). Finally, they have no plans to stop making modules, but a core value for this small team of six self-described nerds is to keep challenging themselves to learn new things, and making plugins fit the bill. They anticipate further plugin releases based on Eurorack favorites (including a VST3/AU release of their currently AAX-only bundle) coming soon.

Sinc Vereor is an intuitive and powerful synthesizer loosely based on Noise Engineering’s beloved Eurorack module Sinc Iter. Sinc Vereor’s wavemorphing/wavefolding Tone control makes sound design a breeze. Blend between familiar waveforms like saw, triangle, and square. Super mode adds 6 phase-offset oscillators. Use Noise mode to generate self-similar noise for percussion, effects, and more.

Virt Vereor is a powerful synthesizer based on a unique set of synthesis algorithms. Bass is a quadrature algorithm described in Bernie Hutchins’ seminal series Electronotes. Sawx is a supersaw-inspired beast. Harm is an additive algorithm with spectral control and distortion of partials. Virt Vereor makes a tremendous amount of unique sounds with an immediate and usable interface.

Some readers will recognize the names of these algorithms, and indeed they come from Noise Engineering’s contribution to Arturia’s Microfreak V3 firmware and the upcoming Virt Iter module.

Both the Sinc and Virt oscillators are paired with Vereor, Noise Engineering’s easily manipulated dynamics section using an ADSR envelope controlling a variable slope and analog-inspired multimode gate/filter. Add to that a vintage-inspired chorus and a over 1000 presets each, and these synths have something for everyone: bridge the gap between traditional subtractive sounds and modern synthesis techniques, or design innovative basses, leads, or whatever your project calls for.

Ruina is a creative stereo distortion plugin built on digital distortion algorithms: no emulations here. Intuitive and fully automatable controls make it easy to get a gentle, nuanced color, to obliviate a signal, or to dial in anything in between. Don’t feel like tweaking the parameters? Ruina comes with over 500 presets to fit any need, a Random button to generate new sounds, and a Nudge option to just give the parameters the tiniest bump.
Ruina has a wavefolder, a multiband saturator, a chaotic suboctave generator, octavizer, and phase shifter. It also features a notch or bandpass filter with adjustable tracking, and a control to set the order of the distortions in the signal flow to further customize your sound. Last but not least, Overdrive adds up to 128x gain for maximal destruction.

Run any sound through Ruina for warm, lush distortion, or crank the sliders to unleash complete ruin. With seven distortion types, it’s easy to turn your sounds into something singular with Ruina.

All three plugins are free to download: just make an account at the Noise Engineering Customer Portal (https://portal.noiseengineering.us/) and download the installer from the Plugins tab. And while they will remain free, the NE team has big plans to keep developing these. They have a substantial roadmap for future features, some of which were suggestions from the beta users, including introducing extensive internal modulation, more advanced randomization, MIDI learn, MPE support, and more.

Notable features:
• AAX, AU, VST3
• 64-bit Intel + M1
• Mac and Windows
• Intuitive interfaces to easily and quickly manipulate sound
• Use the Random button to generate new patches in one click
• Easy to automate, user-friendly controls. No prior synthesis experience needed, but
synth enthusiasts will also be inspired by the simple-yet-powerful interface
• Fully MIDI-mappable
• Tons of presets included
• Three unique synthesis algorithms inspired by little-known synthesis techniques
(quadrature, supersaw beast, and additive)
• Huge number of distortion possibilities with wavefolding, octavizing, multiband
saturation, suboctave generation, phase shifting, and overdrive

Links:
https://noiseengineering.us/products/ruina
https://noiseengineering.us/products/sinc-vereor
https://noiseengineering.us/products/virt-vereor

Availability: Download or update installer at the Noise Engineering Customer Portal Price: Free"

Pittsburg Modular Introduces Flamingo Harmonic Interpolation Eurorack Module

via Pittsburg Modular

"Modular Synthesis Safari
Limited Production Experiments

A glimpse into our design process, the Safari modules give Richard and Michael an opportunity to highlight interesting concepts, test ideas for future instruments, and scratch their creative itch. We have built a small number of each of the Safari modules and because these designs are meant to be a proof of concept or work in progress, we do not plan on making more.

Series 2

Flamingo (available soon)
Expanding on a concept discussed but never implemented by Don Buchla, the Flamingo introduces Center Clipping and Harmonic Interpolation to analog synthesis.

Center Clipping is a method of shaping a waveform from the inside out. Independently pulling the top half or bottom half of a waveform toward the middle. Fun.

Taking it a step further, Overtone adds another dimension to the analog waveform gymnastics by sliding and inverting the top and/or bottom of the waveform back on itself creating new types of wave shapes and shifting the fundamental in and out of the waveform.

The complex wave shaping capabilities of Center Clipping come at a cost. Center Clipping is a destructive process that can dramatically reduce the amplitude of waveforms. Harmonic Interpolation is the process of attempting to restore the center clipped waveform by allowing the analog circuitry to guess what the waveform should look like. Results will vary."

Also see New Pittsburgh Modular Module Safari Patch Lab with Richard Nicol for previous modules. You can find all Pittsburgh Safari posts here.

Synth Library Portland Lending Program Starts 8/27

This one is in via Brian Comnes.

You might recall Synth Library Portland sought funding back in 2017. It looks like their lending program starts this month.

via Synth Library Portland:

"We're excited to announce that our Lending Program will be starting on 8/27! Want to check out a synth and live in the Portland, OR area? Follow these steps:

Become a member on WithFriends

Sign up for an orientation

Create a MyTurn account and reserve that synth!

We're offering the first two online orientations on Fri 8/27 at 7PM and Sat 8/28 at 2PM. We’ll be offering these on a regular basis so don't worry if you can’t make either of these first ones.

Members who have attended an orientation will have their MyTurn accounts enabled and can take up to two synths home for two weeks at a time.

We'll explain the nuts and bolts of the program at the orientation but here's an idea of when everything happens for our first lending cycle:

Reservation window opens at midnight on 8/29 for QTBIPOC only, then is open-to-all on 8/31 & closes at midnight on 9/2.

In-person pick-up is in N Portland on Fri 9/3 from 4-8PM and Sat 9/4 from 2-6PM. Once you reserve a synth, you'll receive an email with the exact address and instructions for pick-up. Synths are due back on Fri 9/17 from 4-8PM or Sat 9/18 from 2-6PM at the same N Portland location you picked them up from.

We're excited to get synths into the hands of the Portland community and stay tuned for more to come from us soon!

With love,

Synth Library Portland"