Behind The Drums Ep 13 - Berlin "Take My Breath Away" Linndrum with Yamaha DX7

video upload by Controlled Voltage Sound Labs

Additional Behind The Drums episodes

"An in depth look at the making of Berlin's international number one hit, 'Take My Breath Away.' Video includes a re-creation of the drum beat using a Linndrum and bass line using a Yamaha DX7."

Drum Processing...
Kick - Teletronix LA-2A + AMS Reverb
Snare - Teletronix LA-2A + AMS Reverb
Hat - Teletronix LA-2A + Lexicon 224
Conga - Teletronix LA-2A + Lexicon 224
Tambourine - Teletronix LA-2A + Lexicon 224

Behind The Drums Ep 12 - Pat Benatar "Love Is A Battlefield" Linndrum

video upload by Controlled Voltage Sound Labs

Additional Behind The Drums episodes

"An in depth look at the making of Pat Benatar's highest charting hit 'Love Is A Battlefield.' Episode includes a remake of the beat using a Linndrum."

Drum Processing
Hat - Teletronix LA-2A + Lexicon 224
Cabasa - Teletronix LA-2A + Lexicon 224
Kick - Teletronix LA-2A (No Reverb)
Snare - Teletronix LA-2A + AMS RMX Verb
Toms - Teletronix LA-2A + Lexicon 224

Behind The Drums Ep 11 - New Order "Blue Monday" Oberheim DMX

video upload by Controlled Voltage Sound Labs

"An in depth look at the making of New Order's best selling single of all time 'Blue Monday.' Episode includes a remake of the drum beat using an Oberheim DMX drum machine."

Drum Processing
Hat - Teletronix LA-2A + Lexicon 224 Hall Setting
Snare - Teletronix LA-2A + Lexicon 224
Clap - Teletronix LA-2A + Lexicon 224 Plate Setting
Kick - Teletronix LA-2A + Lexicon Hall Setting

The Seventh of Four

video upload by davidryle

"A new project idea to use the synthesizers.com Q170 MIDI GATES module to affect broad changes to the composition within the modular system.

The Q170 has eight output jacks for sending 5V gate or trigger voltages to the modular system. I used my DAW (Cubase) to construct timings for various parts of the modular.

The first four outs were used as pulse gates for the Delptronics and TipTop drum modules. The Kick, Snare and Open and Closed HiHats.
The fifth out is to the Q169 vco's AMP input. That vco is used for the bass line so controlling the on-board vca will mute or enable the voice.
The sixth out was to enable the Dove D900 sequencer to run/stop. The sequencer is feeding pitch voltage to the Synthetic Sound Labs Woven Spirits (MI Plaits). This is the chord pad sound. I used the DAW to pulse the gate info when I wanted the sequencer to reset at certain parts.
The seventh out was to send a continuous gate to the STG Soundlabs Time Buffer. The Time Buffer is receiving a sync-bus 24 ppq clock and run signal. I have a panel access to these with jack inputs so I sent the 5V gate to the RUN input. This allowed me to use this to start and stop all sequencer motion from the DAW.
The eighth out is to a Lower West Side Studios triple switch. This switch is used to add an offset voltage to the Woven Spirits Harmonic control.
The other fun part was playing the LWSS triple attenuator. I had three parts run through the module. The pair of STG VMS sequences were percussive background parts switched in and out as needed. The third part was a pulse version of the pad sound.

The Matrix duet in the mid section was clocked from the STG Time Divider module. Both Matrix were set with very closely aligned slider settings but the "Z" sliders were offset for variety. They sent pitch voltage to the TZ-VCO's from SSL. The duet were sent through the STG Post Lawsuit Filter and an Empress reverb/delay pedal.

Other outboard effects were the Meris Hedra for the bass line and the EMX Grand Canyon for the steady pad sound."

Liminal Patch 008 : Ambient Eurorack Modular Exploration

video upload by Botched Creative

"Creaturae Imaginis is a slow-burning descent into tone, texture, and atmosphere—12 minutes of ambient analog synthesis, layered with subtle generative elements. Recorded live to multitrack, each voice was captured in isolation, allowing for extensive post-processing and detailed mixing. The result is a piece that blurs the line between raw performance and sculpted sound design—a meditation on presence, process, and the strange beauty of voltage in motion.

Main Synths:
Forge TME Vhikk X, Maneco Labs Grone 2 Dark Drone Machine, Moog Mother 32, Moog Matriarch, Archea Loki, Winterbloom Castor & Pollux.

Sequencer:
Arturia KeyStep Pro

Processors:
Make Noise Maths, Happy Nerding 3x Mia, ALM Pam's Pro Workout, Xaoc Devices Zadar, Xoac Timiszoara, Expert Sleepers ES-9, Intellijel Quadratt, Thorn Audio VC LFO, Maneco Labs Clusterverb, Maneco Labs Filter Eko, Animal Factory Vivisect, After Later Audio Cloaks,

Post-Processing:
Walrus Audio Fable, OBNE Darkstar, Meris Mercury X, Meris Mercury 7, Meris Polymoon, Meris LVX, Boss RE-20, Chase Bliss Mood, Chase Bliss Generation Loss, Strymon Timeline, Strymon Big Sky, Abelton Live (tracking), Motu Digital Performer (mixing), Kush Audio, Slate Digital, Valhalla DSP, Waves plugins.

Enjoy the in-between world."

4/22/25 Soundforce S-LD + SSL 1660 + GenRad 1564-A + BLM Gate Seq + DSP 808 + MIDIVERB II + PV 1300

video upload by Cfpp0

"4/22/25 ElectroComp EML 200 + Synthetic Sound Labs 1660 + Analog Craftsman acVOKs + STG muSonics Vanilla Envelope + General Radio 1564-A + Blue Lantern Gate Sequencer + Soundforce S-LD + DSP 808 + Alesis MIDIVERB II + Peavey 1300

Testing out a used Soundforce S-LD module we just got. You can hear the cowbell and the maraca (there’s a switch on the back to choose the Linn toms or percussion). The other percussion is from the DSP 808 module, which is a similar sampled sound module, but with pitch control and voltage controls. The synthy kick drum is the General Radio 1564-A processing the S-LD kick drum. Its VU meter looks like it’s out of sync, but it’s just slow and getting pinned hard. The two drones that build up are from two ElectroComp EML 200 synthesizers. The synth lines are Synthetic Sound Labs 1660 The Matrix Algorithmic Composer through the Analog Craftsman acVOKS filter into the STG muSonics Vanilla Envelope. The reverb is preset 10 on the Alesis MIDIVERB II."

Behind The Drums Ep 10 - Madonna "Into The Groove" Oberheim DMX

video upload by Controlled Voltage Sound Labs

Additional Behind The Drums episodes

"An in depth look at the making of Madonna's best selling song of all time 'Into the Groove.' Episode includes a remake of the beat using an Oberheim DMX along with a Roland TR 727 to incorporate percussion elements heard in the Shep Pettibone remix.

Drum Processing...
Hat - Teletronix LA-2A + Lexicon 224
Kick - Teletronix LA-2A
Snare - Teletronix LA-2A + AMS non linear
Clap - Teletronix LA-2A + AMS non linear

Roland TR 626
All percussion - Teletronix LA-2A +Lexicon 224 Hall Setting
Timbale - AMS DMX 1/8 delay

INSTAGRAM - @CVsoundlabs"

Busy Bezaleel

video upload by davidryle

"5U modular synthesizer song. Using the LinnStrument 128 and synthesizers.com Q174 MIDI Interface to play into the modular. The main voice was a pair of Synthetic Sound Labs TZ-VC Oscillators and a Yusynth ARP 4072 Filter. Bass line was the Q960 step sequencer to DOve D100 and D110 VCO's on to the Drove G294A filter. A kick drum is from the SSL Woven Spirits.The FX fluttering sound is the Dove D900 sequencer to a pair of STG Oscillators. The noise chuff sounds are the WCRS module into a MOTM 440 filter and delay.

The mid-section is the LinnStrument in arpeggiator mode for the bass line (a pair of Q106's through the Q107 filter) and for the upper arpeggiation (the TZ-VC osc pair through an Oakley SVF. The offbeat sequence is the Dove D900 through the STG oscillators and the Dove D502 filter. The pad sound is generated by the STG Voltage Mini Store to a pair of Q206 vco's and the Q150 filter to a Canyon Delay pedal."

Behind The Drums Ep 09 - Paula Abdul "Straight Up" Linn 9000

video upload by Controlled Voltage Sound Labs

Additional Behind The Drums episodes

"An in depth look at the making of Paula Abdul's hit single 'Straight Up.' Video includes a re-creation of the drum beat using a Linn 9000 with alternate sounds from an authentic 1980's era floppy disc collection.

Drum Processing...
Hat, Cabasa, Cowbell - Teletronix LA-2A + Lexicon 224 Room setting
Snare - Teletronix LA-2A + AMS short gate
Kick - Dry
Crash - Lexicon 224 Hall setting"

Behind The Drums Ep 08 - Tears For Fears "Everybody Wants To Rule The World" Linndrum with Fairlight

video upload by Controlled Voltage Sound Labs

Additional Behind The Drums episodes

"A deep dive into how the drums were made on Tears For Fears' hit single 'Everybody Wants To Rule The World.' Video includes a re-creation of the drum beat using a Linndrum with sounds from the Fairlight CMI.

Processing
Hi Hat + Cabasa - Teletronix LA-2A + Lexicon 224 Hall Setting
Kick - Teletronix LA-2A
Snare - Teletronix LA-2A + AMS Reverb Short Gate"

Behind The Drums Ep 07 - Dead Or Alive "You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)" Linn 9000

video upload by Controlled Voltage Sound Labs

Additional Behind The Drums episodes

"An in depth look at the making of Dead Or Alive's international hit "You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)." Episode includes a remake of the beat using the Linn 9000 drum machine, and takes a look at the creative process of legendary hitmakers Stock, Aitken, and Waterman."

Five Famous Oberheim DMX Patterns (Hip Hop Edition)

video upload by Controlled Voltage Sound Labs

"Programming 5 famous patterns on the Oberheim DMX drum machine. An homage to the early pioneers of hip hop.

Grandmaster Flash - 'The Message'
Davy DMX - 'One For The Treble (Fresh)'
Slick Rick - 'Children's Story'
Kurtis Blow - 'AJ Meets Davy DMX'
Slick Rick - 'Mona Lisa'

Processing
Teletronix LA-2A + Lexicon 224

INSTAGRAM - ​@CVsoundlabs"

Behind The Drums Ep 06 - A-ha "Take On Me" Linndrum with Yamaha DX7

video upload by Controlled Voltage Sound Labs

Additional Behind The Drums episodes

"An in depth look at the making of A-ha's international hit 'Take On Me.' Video includes a re-creation of the drum beat using a Linndrum and Yamaha DX7."

Behind The Drums Ep 05 - Cameo "Word Up" Linn 9000 with special guest Sammy Merendino

video upload by Controlled Voltage Sound Labs

Additional Behind The Drums episodes

"An in depth look at the making of Cameo's 'Word Up.' Video includes an interview with drum programmer Sammy Merendino and a recreation of the drum beat using a Linn 9000.

Follow Sammy on Instagram - @ Sammymerendino

Drum Processing...
Teletronix LA-2A compression on everything
No Reverb
Ping Pong delay on tambourine"

You can find episodes 1 through 4 here.

Behind The Drums

video uploads by Controlled Voltage Sound Labs

Additional Behind The Drums episodes

Playlist:

1. Behind The Drums - Tears For Fears "Shout" Linndrum with Drumulator Digirock Eproms

A deep dive into how the drums were made on Tears For Fears' hit single "Shout." Video includes a recreation of the beat using a Linndrum with the Digidrums "Digi Rock Drums" and 3 alternate eproms made by Linn Electronics. Drums are processed through Teletronix LA-2A compressor + AMS Reverb.

2. Behind The Drums Ep 02 - Billy Idol "Eyes Without A Face" Linndrum

An in depth look at the making of Billy Idol's "Eyes Without A Face." Video includes a recreation of the drum beat using a Linndrum with all stock sounds. Drums are processed through Teletronix LA-2A compressor + AMS Reverb.

3. Behind The Drums Ep 03 - Madonna "Holiday" Oberheim DMX

An in depth look at the making of Madonna's "Holiday." Video includes a recreation of the drum beat using an Oberheim DMX and live cowbell.

Drum Processing...
Hat, Cowbell, Tamborine - Teletronix LA-2A + Lexicon 224 Hall Setting
Snare and Clap - Teletronix LA-2A + Lexicon 224 Short Gate Setting
Kick - Teletronix LA-2A (No Reverb)

4. Behind The Drums Ep 04 - Wham! "Everything She Wants" Linndrum

An in depth look at the making of Wham's "Everything She Wants." Video includes a recreation of the drum beat using a Linndrum.

Drum processing...
Kick, Snare, Clap - Teletronix LA-2A + Lexicon 224 Plate
Congas, Toms, Cowbell - Teletronix LA-2A + Lexicon 224 Plate
Hat, Cabasa, Tamborine - Teletronix LA-2A + Lexicon 224 Hall

Machina Bristronica 2024

video uploads by sonicstate

Playlist:

1. Bristronica 24: MyVolts The Silent Alchemist Nears Shipping

We caught up with Caroline who gave us the latest update to the *Silent Alchemist*, a versatile power hub designed for musicians. Featuring five isolated USB-C outputs and a high-wattage sixth output capable of delivering 100 watts, the device can power a Mac with the remaining outputs providing 20 watts each. Its independent circuits ensure noise-free operation, catering to a variety of devices including the Dreadbox module and Sysmo slope generator.

The Silent Alchemist uses innovative step-up power tips to convert USB-C input to the correct voltage for various devices. There's also new feature: an uninterruptible power supply allowing seamless transition between wall and power bank sources. Also introduced were updated cables, such as silver candy cords and floating ring TRS to TS cables, expanding connection flexibility. The Silent Alchemist is expected to be available in December with a competitive pricing strategy.

More Info:
https://myvolts.com/

2. Bristronica 24: Circuit Happy ML2M Clock Sync module updates

At Bristronica 2024, we caught up with the creator of the *ML2M*, who introduced us to the latest version. The ML2M is a compact Eurorack module with Wi-Fi capabilities, allowing seamless synchronization with Ableton Live, Bitwig Studio, and iOS music apps using Ableton Link without the need for cables. It either connects to an existing network or creates its own, ensuring robust sync even in environments with unreliable Wi-Fi. The module, which retains its 2HP size, now features MIDI integration through TRS jacks. Users can access a web interface to configure each output for different clock divisions and reset triggers, making setup straightforward and flexible.

Alongside the ML2M, there's also the Missing Link Junior. This desktop version offers the same functionality but in a box format, complete with MIDI and CV clock outputs. Both products are now accessible, with a starting price of $250.

3. Bristronica 24: Archaea Exchange Patching Module

At Machina Bristronica 2024, we caught up with Arran from ‪@archaea_modular_synthesis‬ who presented the *Exchange Module*. This programmable patcher, a year in the making, evolved from its early prototype stage to a fully functional module. Arran explained how the Exchange can route synth voices via a beam controller and three exchange modules installed within the skiff, allowing for versatile patching. Operating like a matrix patchbay, it enables users to select inputs and outputs with the push of a button, create presets, and chain multiple modules for synchronized patching.

Communication between the modules occurs over the Eurorack power bus as well as over MIDI via the USB-C connection. The Exchange maintains analog integrity, ensuring there’s no conversion latency. The forthcoming release expected in late November 2024, includes a USB-driven editor for enhanced control capabilities.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Musical Chaos with the Synthetic Sound Labs - Hypster

video upload by NOISEBUG

"The Hypster from Synthetic Sound Labs strikes the perfect balance of chaos and playability.. it's full of surprises. The Hypster can be used as an oscillator in addition to chaotic CV generator. These are in stock and ready to ship.
#mumodular #synth #synthesizer #5umodular

https://www.noisebug.net/products/syn...

Want to add a little more CHAOS into your life? Here’s just the thing!

Introducing the Hypster – Model 1720 —It takes orderly, mundane circuits and transforms them into a wild ride of unpredictable mayhem! Why settle for boring, consistent signals when you can have a chaos generator that truly lives on the edge? Designed for those who find comfort in confusion and thrive on uncertainty, this gadget will have your synth screaming for mercy.

Designed in close collaboration with the Chief Chaos Crafter and Elite Entropy Engineer himself, Ian Fritz.

Features include:

Unruly Squiggles: Square waves? Sinusoidal? Yah! How about “It does what it wants”? The Hypster generates signals that even it doesn’t fully understand. Good luck figuring them out.
Whacky Waveforms: Comes with it’s own limited 2 channel Lissajous oscilloscope that will have your eyes crossed and your head spinning. Touch screen control of trace length & thickness.
Random Frequency Hopping: Is it 1Hz? Is it 10KHz? Who knows? The Hypster can help you slog through your synth frequencies like a snail on acid, or skip like a caffeinated rabbit on a pogo stick.
Amplitude Anarchy: Say goodbye to predictable voltage. Every signal is a surprise—a rollercoaster ride of peaks and troughs that’ll keep you on your toes.
Pseudorandom Personality: Switch between “Mild” or “Wild”, and “Curly” or “Squirrelly”. Turn up the “Rate”, “Gain” and “Damp” controls, and you’ll summon a signal so erratic, it might start communicating with the cosmos (no promises on what it’ll say).
Perfect for:

Mad Scientists: Because who doesn’t want to create something that could inadvertently open a portal to another dimension?
Frustrating Your Colleagues: Plug it into your synth setup, sit back, and watch the confusion unfold.
Breaking the Laws of Physics (Probably): We haven’t verified it, but we’re pretty sure the Hypster bends reality itself.
Important Notices:

The Hypster does its best to keep the chaos under control, but some settings can overload the circuits, requiring a restart (power-down). Expect abnormality!
The Lissajous LCD display tries to keep up, but is only a CRT simulation using software. At faster rates the CPU can’t keep up and smooth curves turn to spider webs. Sorry.
'U' & '-U' Outputs have larger P-P voltage swings by design.
Order now because your synth —and your brain—need it!"

Hypster CHAOS module from Synthetic Sound Labs

See this previous post for a demo.

Press release follows:

"CHAOS GENERATOR (MU FORMAT) ANNOUNCED

Want to add a little more CHAOS into your life? Here's just the thing.

Introducing the Hypster - Model 1720 —It takes orderly, mundane circuits and transforms them into a wild ride of unpredictable mayhem! Why settle for boring, consistent signals when you can have a chaos generator that truly lives on the edge?

Designed for those who find comfort in confusion and thrive on uncertainty, this gadget will have your synth screaming for mercy.

The Hypster produces signal waveforms varying from simple periodic to complicated multiperiodic to extremely dense and complex, both in the low frequency control range as well as up into audio frequencies. With an eight-signal output it can simultaneously control multiple synthesizer parameters or generate several audio waveforms for individual processing.

Designed in close collaboration with the Chief Chaos Crafter and Elite Entropy Engineer himself, Ian Fritz.

Features include:

• Unruly Squiggles: Square waves? Sinusoidal? Yah! How about “It does what it wants”? The Hypster generates signals that even it doesn't fully understand. Good luck figuring them out.

• Whacky Waveforms: Comes with its own limited 2 channel Lissajous oscilloscope that will have your eyes crossed and your head spinning. Touch screen control of trace length & thickness.

• Random Frequency Hopping: Is it 1Hz? Is it 10KHz? Who knows? The Hypster can help you slog through your synth frequencies like a snail on acid, or skip like a caffeinated rabbit on a pogo stick.

• Amplitude Anarchy: Say goodbye to predictable voltage. Every signal is a surprise—a rollercoaster ride of peaks and troughs that’ll keep you on your toes.

CLICK FOR MORE »

the Power of 2 x LYRA-4 (SOMA labs demo)

video upload by SOMA Laboratory

"Reissue of the legendary synth!"

"We present to your attention the revived version of LYRA-4, organismic synthesizer, the younger sister of the famous LYRA-8. “Organismic” means that LYRA uses some principles that lie in the base of living organisms. The way how LYRA’s modules interacting between each other and the behaviour of the instrument resembles a live conversation. It’s smaller and weighs less but is equally rugged in design, and still packs a lot of punch. This makes it easy to fit in a backpack and perfect for taking the LYRA sound on the road. And playing two LYRA-4s can actually sound very different than just one LYRA-8.

LYRA-4 is based on four generators, which will be referred to as voices. Their design is not like a traditional subtractive synthesis VCO. Instead of having a linear or logarithmic dependency on control voltage, they resemble the tone generators in old electric organs. Hence the use of the term “voices” instead of “VCOs”. Lyra uses non-linearity a lot, and the voices are constructed in such a way that allows for non-linearity to express itself.

The voices are divided into two pairs (12, 34), creating tree-like structure.

The voices can function either in an electric organ mode or in an FM synthesis mode with each of the voices and its envelope acting as a separate FM operator. The voice’s impact on FM synthesis will decrease along with the decay of its envelope.

LYRA-4 also has the next blocks:

The HYPER LFO is a complex low-frequency generator, whose waveform is synthesized from two simple LFOs by summation or multiplication of their frequencies. It also has a sync mode. The LFO can modulate the selected pairs of voices and the MOD DELAY.

The MOD DELAY consists of delay with feedback. The delay has a unique possibility of self-modulation where the output signal modulates the delay sample rate, creating cool effects.

The DISTORTION is last in the chain, after the delay. It enables the delay to also influence the distortion.

For all its experimental character, LYRA is a professional instrument. Its output dynamics and frequency response are balanced and ready for a live performance or studio recording without any additional processing.

Colors: Black and White. Yin and Yang 🙂"

♫ Jamming With a Bunch of Synths ♫ ----- (79)

video upload by Bata

"This jam is a little weird. My phone was on low battery which made the video slightly glitchy. I was a bit distracted during this recording so it's maybe a bit more boring than usual. There is also a couple mysterious audio drop outs near the end of the video. I didn't notice these prior to uploading so it's possible something went wrong when combining the audio and video files or something.

5U Modular (Synthesizers.com, STG Soundlabs, Synthetic Sound Labs)
Akai MPC X
Behringer Pro-1 (Sequential Circuits Pro One clone)
Clavia Nord Wave
Cherry Audio Voltage Modular (software modular)
cre8audio East Beast
Elta Music PF-3 Stereo Multimode Filter (Formanta Polivoks chips)
Erica Synths Syntrx II
Landscape Noon
Korg Delta
Korg Mono/Poly (x2)
Make Noise 0-ctrl (analog sequencer/touch keyboard)
Moog Source
Roland TR-55
Simmons SDS-V
Studio Electronics Boomstar 5089 mk11
Yamaha CS-15 (with UAD Bermuda Triangle distortion plugin)"