First Units of the Vermona 14

via @vermonagear

"First units of the #vermona #14 #analogsynthesizer are being manufactured."

"The manual for the #14 #analogsynthesizer also is getting ready for print soon."

Vermona '14/Hildegard von Bingen: "O Quam Mirabilis Est"

Published on Sep 7, 2019 Kris Lennox

"Hildegard von Bingen's fantastic "O Quam Mirabilis Est", performed on the Vermona '14. Beautiful melody. And such a great tone from the '14: perfectly suited for this kind of music. I decided to put myself in this video; I don't usually do this, as I like the focus to be the music/instrument - but in this instance I'll go with music + face. I'm wearing all-black to minimize distraction.

At certain points the lighting/balance of the camera is altering itself; excuse this.

There really is a case to be made for Gregorian Chant on synth. I can't think of a better way of not only performing great pieces of music (I'm still considering doing a concert of Gregorian Chant on synth, or possibly recording an albums' worth) - but also demonstrating the pure, raw tone of an instrument. There's no hiding with music like this. Very exposed - which is possibly also its beauty.

PS the score is up on the wall (out of sight of the camera). Hence I'm looking up throughout this performance/recording.

Enjoy/all best
Kris"

Vermona Gesprächskonzert with Tomka Manu Modula @SUPERBOOTH17

Vermona Gesprächskonzert with Tomka Manu Modula @SUPERBOOTH17 from HerrSchneider on Vimeo.

"Vermona presented the most part of their product line at SUPERBOOTH17 with a Gesprächskonzert by Tomka Manu Modula. They played a slow jam session with lots of high quality sounds coming from the modular, equipped mostly with Vermona and Cwejman modules and an additional Vermona ‘14 Synthesizer Keyboard.

Vermona will be at SUPERBOOTH18 again - you can meet them and check out their products at Booth #O234 or watch the Vermona Gesprächskonzert on Friday at 5:20pm in the cinema."

Vermona Coming to NAMM 2018

via Vermona

"The new year has just begun and the NAMM Show casts its shadow before. Next week, from January 25th to 28th, the Anaheim Convention Center opens its doors for makers of pro-audio-equipment, instruments and sound machines. VERMONA again will share booth # 10706 with ALEX4, Doepfer and other friends of the branch. Read here about our new products and prototypes.

What is VERMONA showing?
You probably noticed that we worked with great attention on extending our range of eurorack products during the last months. In 2017 we released the twinVCFilter with its extension module, uniCYCLE and quadroPOL to cover the more basic functions of a modular synthesizer system. With these you now can build up a synthesis path using only VERMONA.

At NAMM 2018 we also focus on presenting eurorack-based equipment. Beside our already existing modules we will show some fancy functions for eurorack based systems.

Rhythm and Melody
The first highlight in our Modular Case is randomRHYTHM that we already showed at last year's NAMM. It generates rhythm sequences by combining randomness with a manual set parameters. randomRHYTHM will be available right after we left Anaheim.

It is not randomness that we will also show a first prototype of a sequencer we internally call the meloDICEr. It creates random-based melodies while you are setting the probability of individual notes, range as well as note- and rest-lengths to influence the results. Almost by chance we implemented a mode that makes the meloDICEr a flexible and easy-to-operate quantiser.

Plenty of shapes
At Superbooth 2017 we presented a quad-envelope-generator. Of course we will show that at NAMM as well. Each of its four channels can be triggered individually as Attack-, Hold- or Decay-envelope or be combined with the next channel to generate more complex shapes. Attack and Decay can run with linear or exponential characteristic and you can manually adjust them within a range of 500 microseconds up to 30 seconds. By using an external control-voltage the time can dramatically be shortened or increased. If you want you can get a shape that needs more than two hours (per channel) to reach its end!

The status of quad-envelope-generator is final but we still have no name for it. Do you have any ideas? You can share it with us by sending an email, using our contact form or send a tweet with hashtag #findanameforquadenvelope.

Noise and crosspoints
There are two more module prototypes in a very early development state:

A noise generator with five different colors as well as an additional morphable output.
A programmable crosspoint switch with 16 in- and outputs.
’14 Analogsynthesizer at NAMM 2018
Eurorack is only one part of VERMONA. That's why we present the flagship of our stand-alone-range, the ’14 Analogsynthesizer. You can play it at our booth and tell us about your impression.

Last year we manufactured about the half of the planned 222 instruments with skilled craftsmanship. So we still have a lot to do in 2018. This however, is what we love to do beside making eurorack-based products.

We reached the end of our little preview to NAMM 2018. If you are there, please stop by and say hello at booth # 10706. Swen and Thomas are looking forward to have interesting conversations, meet old friends and make new ones.

We now will have to pack our bags and hopefully don't forget anything. See you in sunny California.

Your VERMONA crew from the
Elektroakustischen Manufaktur, Erlbach"

Vermona '14/Hildegard von Bingen: "O Pastor Animarum"

Published on Feb 10, 2019 Kris Lennox

"Hildegard's fantastic 'O Pastor Animarum', here performed on the Vermona '14. Stunning tone. Information that may be of interest: 'Gregorian' refers to Pope Gregory: not a musician himself, but it was thanks to him that we now have written music. He was aware the problems created by trying to memorise numerous melodies, hence the want for the codification of music.

In its initial stages, Gregorian chant was monosyllabic (one note per syllable). All notes were also sung at the same volume. The reason being: no word was considered less/more important than any other - and the music was to reflect this.

To the modern ear, this can sound 'empty', given (culturally) we are used to very thick textures, and 'emotion' in music is normally equated with large dynamic variation (at least since the Romantic era).

Many contemporary performances of early Gregorian chant drift into the contemporary vein i.e dynamic variation etc. In the strictest sense, these performances are inauthentic. Nice to listen to, of course - but inauthentic to the performance practice of the time.

To my ears, plainsong + synth is a winner of a combination.

PS you may also notice that the synth is tuned below A440 (you'll see the 'master tune' dial is below 12 o' clock); A440 is a relatively recent adoption, hence abandoning this for a tuning more accurately representing the pitch of the era.

I'm thinking of giving a live performance of Gregorian chant on the Vermona in the near future; if it comes to fruition, I'll mention as/when.

All best
Kris"

(Vermona '14 & Arp Odyssey (MIDI)): "Playground Games"

Published on Jun 24, 2019 Kris Lennox

"MIDI sent to the Vermona '14 & Arp Odyssey. Vermona is playing the bass ostinato, with the Arp on melody duties. Three-voice in total i.e harnessing the duophonic nature of the Arp. Timbrally, no knob-twiddling on this one - just a straight-up tone. Melodically the Arp part should be florid when duophonic, but the sounding of one voice retriggers the envelope on the other voice. So, this piece was automatically converted from florid to first-species!

If anyone wants the MIDI files for this track to run through their own gear/play with, £15 seems fair. Just ping me an email (krislennoxpiano@gmail.com) and I'll get a paypal invoice off to you.

All best
Kris"

NAMM2015 Vermona Introducing The New Vermona 14 Analog Sythesizer

Published on Jan 24, 2015 Analogue Zone Showroom / Hangszer

"NAMM2015 Introducing the new Vermona 14 Analog Synthesizer at the NAMM2015 Show"

NOISEBUG | Store & Synth Studio Tour - Pomona, CA

Published on Apr 16, 2019 synth4ever

https://www.noisebug.net/

"An in-depth store & synth studio tour of Noisebug in Pomona, California -- including the Noisebug synthesizer showroom, modular synths, and synthesizer music event / performance space.

Join me on this journey into Noisebug's storefront location with Blake Griffith, General Manager & musician. Noisebug is owned by Chuck Oken, Jr. and the current space was the original Analogue Haven location, which was started in 2005.

Blake was kind enough to provide me with a Noisebug synthesizer studio and store tour, and gives great commentary and insight into the history of the store, various analog, digital and modular synthesizers, and the synth industry as a whole.

Noisebug stocks keyboards, synthesizers, drum machines, electronic percussion and desktop modules from all over the world. They specialize in Multi-Format Modular Synthesizers, including Moog Format (MU), Buchla Format, Eurorack, Serge, 5U and beyond.

For more details visit Noisebug in Pomona, CA or online at: https://www.noisebug.net

=========
Timecodes:
=========

0:00 - Intro
1:04 - History of Noisebug
2:16 - Record collection
3:22 - Grooveboxes, effects pedals, pocket operators
4:23 - Showroom floor - Arturia Drumbrute Impact, Lyra-8, Dreadbox Medusa
6:56 - Moog Mother 32, Elektron Digitakt & Digitone
7:50 - Dreadbox Erebus
8:18 - Passion for synthesizers & modular
10:57 - Exclusive modular partnerships - Moon Modular, Suit & Tie Guy Eurorack, Free State FX, Buchla
12:20 - Elby Designs Pixie
12:54 - Analogue Solutions Vostok (Deluxe)
13:55 - Jomox Alpha Base
14:10 - Vermona DRM1
14:22 - Nord Piano 3, Nord Lead A1
14:40 - Sequential Prophet X
14:51 - Yamaha MODX
16:10 - Kurzweil PC3K7
16:48 - Korg Arp Odyssey, Moog Sub 37, Moog Sub Phatty
17:14 - DSI Rev 2, Korg Prologue, Arturia Matrixbrute
17:32 - Studiologic Sledge, Roland System-8
18:35 - Modular loft
19:12 - Roland System 500, Elby Serge
19:30 - Analogue Systems Apprentice
20:14 - Eurorack
20:37 - GRP A2
21:11 - Doepfer A100 Eurorack system
21:22 - Waldorf KB37
21:36 - 5U large format modular - Free State FX, Analog Craftsman, Synthetic Sound Labs, Noise Engineering, STG,
22:07 - Moon Modular 10-year Anniversary "System X"
23:04 - Gert Jalass (Moon Modular founder/owner)
23:36 - Moon Modular 5U system
23:42 - Buchla 200e

24:14 - Intermission

25:03 - Performance space intro
25:27 - Noisebug synth performance space
25:47 - Moog One
26:00 - Chuck's personal synth collection - Theravox, Serge modular TTSH, Arp 2600 clone, GRP A4, Waldorf Q+, Waldorf XTK, Roland V-Synth
26:35 - 5U large format modular systems
26:44 - How artists can perform at Noisebug
28:07 - Blake's music
29:00 - NAMM 2019 - Haken ContinuuMini, Le Bois de Luthier
30:53 - Moog One
32:18 - Shipping/Warehouse area
32:26 - Online business
32:58 - Famous artists
34:18 - Synth industry trends & future outlook

40:52 - Wrap up & contact info"

Jean-Michel Jarre Laser Harp on a Vermona '14

Published on Jan 26, 2019 Mark Pigott

"In the style of Laser Harp by Jean-Michel Jarre.
Music by JM Jarre, this is only a fair comment demo
of Sine synch on a Vermona '14."

Vermona '14/Hildegard von Bingen: "O Quam Mirabilis Est"

Published on Feb 23, 2020 Kris Lennox

"Hildegard's wonderful 'O Quam Mirabilis Est', here performed on the Vermona '14. A while back I filmed the recording of this work, but the visual was, I felt, a distraction from the music. Hands-only and/or just an image, I feel, works better.

All Gregorian Chant works I've posted I've also scored. Medieval notation is very different from standard notation, and has to be studied as an independent subject. My plan is to release the sheet music in standard notation once the volume of works posted reaches an adequate number.

Best
Kris"

[NAMM] Vermona 14

Published on Jan 22, 2016 Audiofanzine in English

"Here's a demo of Vermona 14 at the NAMM Show 2016."

New Synth Gear and Makers in January 2015

After this year's massive New Years post, I thought it might be interesting to see how many new makers and new gear announcements we received in a single month.

This may or may not become a monthly theme on the site depending on interest.  If you think it's worth while, leave a comment.

At a high level we had 12 new makers, one new old maker previously never featured on the site, and a whopping 193 new synth related products. Check out the module list below.  The list is a combination of what was either announced or released this month.

The list in order of appearance:

CLICK FOR MORE »

(Vermona '14/Rucci Drone/MxB): "Da Day Dawn" (Traditional)

Kris Lennox

"The beauty of the Vermona - my synth of choice for lyrical, melodic work. Tone is ideal for lonesome-sounding melodies. The included patch took quite a while to set up - the aim was for a flute/vocal-like tone, with a bird-like quality. Something that always appealed to me RE the Vermona is the bird-like tone - ideal for traditional music.

Rucci Drone enters after the first playthrough, with a low octave added after the second playthrough. Very subtle - but great tone.

Matrixbrute is providing the moorland wind effect. In fact, the MxB's various noise options was one of the primary reasons for my purchasing it (especially the pink noise - which is ideal for wind-like effects). Being on the hill most days, I say in all humility that I'm quite familiar with the sound of the wind in nature: in terms of hardware synth, you won't go far wrong with pink noise on the Matrixbrute through a bandpass filter.

"Da Day Dawn" is a very old piece - possibly Celtic, or possibly a Viking piece. The work is traditionally associated with Shetland, with the island itself a marriage between Celtic and Viking. Stunning melody.

For historical/reference purposes, at the end of the video I've included an image of the score (or rather, a version of it), plus a typed story by one of the locals, which should be very useful for those looking for some historical context (especially given the mentioning of names/places within Shetland). If you pause the video, you'll be able to read/screen capture. This score/text should, for those in traditional music circles, prove very valuable.

Who we learn our tunes from determines how we play our tunes - hence there will always be 'local' variations RE interpretation. However, this variation certainly adds to the interest.

The moorland footage: after recording the Vermona part (4th Nov 2020), I went out on to the moor to get some footage to use for the video. Unfortunately the weather was a little too nice (moody sky would have been ideal), but I've used this footage as it was from the same day of the recording, thus feeling appropriate.

Enjoy/all best
Kris"

VERMONA PERFOURMER Mark 2 // STERO MONSTER // the WELL PANNED SYNTH // 1/3

Published on Jan 23, 2017 LESINDES

"Using th internal arpeggiator of PERFOURMER.
Interesting voicings in the stereo pan. The VERMONA PERFOURMER is the only modern analog synth that makes it possible.to play the game of alternating/rotating sounds in the same musical line. Each voice has it own sound (eg waveform, ADSR, LFO, filter and PAN)."

Update:

CLICK FOR MORE »

Ode to Vermona Synths (and friends)

Published on Oct 13, 2018 Mark Pigott

"Lead Synth is Vermona '14 midi'd to 4 Voice Vermona PerFourmer.
Backed up by organ patch (E045 Combo Organ MRP) on the Blokeys.
Drums supplied by 1 Korg Monotribe
Noise mono synth by same Korg Monotribe
midi'd Monotribe controlled by muted DSI Mopho SE

mistakes in notes and timing always free! (no charge) ROTFFL"

DnT (Drums and Tribes)

Published on Sep 27, 2018 Mark Pigott

"Just 2 sonic ingredients
2 Monotribes, low and high note with filter cutoff controlled via AT.
Built in envelropes (yes the PG-200 spelling...look it up!!) of the Tribes. Plus the Analog drums of the Akai Tom Cat.

Basically a demo of how nice, IMO, the Montribes sound.

Bog standard effects, Vermona Retroverb on the Akai Tom Cat, and HOF and Deco on the Monotribes."

Persephone by Carbon111

Persephone is the latest release from Carbon111. Long time readers of the site will know Carbon111 from his awesome synth (and more) resource site Carbon111.com. If you are not familiar with the site, do check it out. You will find in-depth resources on Serge, Mattson Mini Modular, Waldorf's Microwave series (including wavetable charts!), and much more.

But this post is about his latest release, Persephone. The official release date is tomorrow, however, the Bandcamp release is up now (embedded above). CD preorders are currently live and will ship by early December. The CDs will be a limited edition of 300, with custom handcrafted packaging, liner notes, and track list, all signed and numbered. They are professionally replicated CDs, not burned CDRs, and will come in a lovely handcrafted black case. The gorgeous cover painting is by Mike Dubisch.


"The music on this album was created with love and the following instruments:

John Bowen Solaris
Waldorf Microwave mk1
Waldorf Microwave XT
Vermona '14
Vermona Perfourmer
Vermona Mono Lancet
Serge Modular
Sequential Circuits Prophet 600
Sequential Circuits Six-Trak
Analogue Solutions Leipzig SK
Kawai K3 and K3m
Industrial Music Electronics "Azathoth"
Ensoniq VFX
Yamaha VL1 and VL1-m
Yamaha TG33
Nord Stage 76
Korg MS20
Korg Electribe ES-1
Korg Electribe ER-1
Acidlab Miami
Native Instruments Absynth
Native Instruments Kinetic Metal
Bowed Dulcimer
Critter & Guitari Kaleidoloop

All music written, produced and recorded by James Maier
Mastered by Hermetech Mastering

Copyright (c) 2017 James D. Maier

Public Domain animal sounds on 'Spring' courtesy of the US National Park Service

released November 9, 2017"

VERMONA and SchneidersBüro Coming to NAMM

via Vermona:

"Next week, from January 21–24, the NAMM Show in Anaheim, LA will open its doors. You will find us there on a shared booth no. 5014 in Hall B, organized by SchneidersBüro. Together with friends of the synthesizer- and modular scene, we will present our latest products as well as long-term classics.

Again we will show the ’14 Analogsynthesizer. Unfortunately we couldn’t fulfill our plan to release it in 2015 but this year we will! The first synthesizers will leave our Elektroakustische Manufaktur after SuperBooth2016 in Berlin.

Of course, we will also present the most classic VERMONA instrument: the DRM1 MKIII. You can play it on our booth in combination with the Action Filter 4 - analog stereo filter and convince yourself of the power and flexibility of analog circuits.

Our Modular Case 104 will be filled with VERMONA modules: Among others you can check out the VCDrive - distortion module - this time as final product, the latest version of the twinCussion prototype as well as a first impression of a multimode filter module.

We are looking forward to see new and familiar faces and having interesting conversations.

Your VERMONA crew of the
Elektroakustische Manufaktur, Erlbach"

Nova Musik - Vermona 14 Synthesizer NAMM 2015 Video Overview

Published on Jan 24, 2015 Nova Musik

"Check out great deals on Vermona gear more at Nova Musik:
http://www.novamusik.com/vermona/?dir..."

Hec Est Mater: Trope de Benedicamus (Vermona '14)

video by Kris Lennox

"From the Engelberg Codex. Wonderful piece - and a wonderful tone from the Vermona. OSC 2 on the Vermona is locked, hence the (distant) low drone. Very poignant piece when heard in the upper register; very Scottish with the addition of grace notes.

Best
Kris"

Musikmesse 2015 Vermona 14 Analog Synthesizer (deutsch)

Published on Apr 22, 2015 MusicStoreTV

Some audio demos throughout.

"Die Neuheiten der Musikmesse 2015: Der "14" ist ein echtes analoges Synthesizer-Schmuckstück von Vermona."