"We have added one mod to this unit, which is a +5v 10ms analogue trigger output that is driven by any sound routed to assignable output A. Route a sound through this individual output, and every time the sound is played in a sequence, you get a 5v pulse capable of driving a SH101 sequencer, external percussion module or similar, at the trigger output. It works best with a short sharp sound, with a very fast attack. If you use the Rimshot, the 5v trigger is produced less than 1ms after the sound starts! Thats probably tighter than midi!
Plug a jack into assignable output A and the trigger output is disabled, and the assignable output works as normal. The trigger output can be turned on and off in use, simply by taking the output volume fader of the chosen sound down to zero.
The only very minor issue is that at absolutely insane shuffle settings, percussion sounds on alternate 16ths are almost on top of each other, and the audio to trigger circuit can't defferentiate between them. At this point the trigger output will start to miss the shuffled 16th's and only output 8th notes. This only happens at very high BPM's or with shuffle so extreme that nobody would ever use it, i.e. the last 5-10%% of the shuffle knobs rotation in either direction. Unless you're in the habit of writing tracks at 250BPM with shuffle so extreme it becomes meaningless, you'll probably never even notice."
"Mods include an LFO with pulse and continuously variable saw up/triangle/saw down outputs, with a LFO range switch that takes its speed well into audio frequencies.
On each of 4 channels theres a percussion decay long/short/constant tone switch, VCO frequency modulation source switch (audio or LFO), LFO waveform switch (pulse or saw/tri), VCO FM amount knob, and a VCO pitch range hi/low switch.
The VCO frequency of each channel can be modulated either using the LFO or the output of the overall audio source selection switch. This rotary switch chooses between sourcing the audio modulation signal from the output of any of the six channels, including the channel being modulated for FM feedback loops, or an external audio input."
"On this demo the four modded channels are all set to produce a constant tone, and are then their VCO frequencies are modulated with each other and the LFO"
Update: some details on the mods via Circuitbenders where you'll find more pics & info.
"The new version of these mods is based on the previous version, but expands on version one to give more in depth control and a lot more possibilities for modulated analogue percussion weirdness.
The LFO retains the same basic design, but also provides a new range switch that selects between the normal speed settings provided by the previous mods, and a super fast speed range that takes the LFO rate well into audio frequencies for all kind of insane 1950's sci-fi frequency modulation effects. The LFO still outputs pulse and saw/triangle waveforms, but on the new mods you get a separate LFO waveform selection switch on each modded channel, instead of a single overall waveform switch that is applied to all channels simultaneously.
Each modified channel now includes:
Decay range switch: As before, this sets the range of the decay knob, but it now has three positions instead of two. With the switch set upwards the decay knob range of the percussion tones is set to normal. With it switched downwards the range of the knob is extended to take over where the normal range left off at its lowest setting, and give a lot longer decay times at maximum. With the switch in its central position the channel will output a constant VCO tone with the pitch set by the channels tune knob. Any channel with its decay switch set to the tone position can either be kicked into life with a trigger input, or if its left to its own devices the tone volume will eventually rise on its own.
LFO Shape switch: As explained above, this switch selects the VCO LFO waveform independently for each channel. The choices are pulse or saw / triangle
VCO FM Source switch: The VCO frequency of each channel can be modulated either using the LFO, or with an audio source provided by the audio source rotary switch (see below). This switch selects between the two options.
Moded Tama Techstar TS305
VCF FM Amount: This is a new knob on each channel that independently sets the amount of frequency modulation that is applied to that channels VCO. Anything from subtle vibrato or warbling Theremin like tones, to extreme cross modulation effects that wouldn't be out of place on the Forbidden Planet sound track, can be achieved using the VCO FM mod.
Tune Range switch: As before, this sets the range of the VCO tuning knob, but with some minor adjustments to give a better range and response curve than before.
modified Tama Techstar v2
The new audio source rotary switch determines where the input for the audio setting of the channel VCO FM switches is sourced from. The audio modulation signal can be sourced from the output of any channel, or an external audio input. The output of a channel can be used to modulate its own VCO frequency for some bizarre frequency modulation feedback sounds.
The audio output of each channel is sourced before the channels output volume knob, so its entirely possible to do things like setting up one channel to output a constant VCO tone, then turn down the volume on that channel, but still use the that tone to modulate the VCO frequency of other channels. Alternatively you could produce an audible percussion sound on one channel and then use a muted sound on another channel to mutate the first channels sound on accented beats, kind of like you might use a side chain input on a compressor. Use the LFO to slightly modulate the muted sound and you've got an infinite variety of evolving hits and accents."
via Circuitbenders "The Akai XE8 is an excellent sounding rackmount midi drum module with a grand total of 16 onboard sounds, slots for 2 extra sound cards each featuring another 16 sounds, 8 individual outputs plus a mix out, some excellent percussion shaping parameters including a pitch envelope, and a baffling operating system thats almost impossible to use without a manual!..
As you can see, our main modification on this machine is the addition of a single unit rackmounted patchbay which is connected to the main unit via a 25 way D-sub cable. More details of our patchbay mods can be found HERE
The patchbay has a total of 22 sockets in the main patching area and also includes 2 X Patchable switches, 2 X 3 way Patching multiples and a patchable momentary pushbutton for quick drum fills and spot effects. These extra features offer huge range of extra percussion grinding possibilities.
There is also the addition of a pitch knob that controls all of the onboard sounds simultaneously. This can take the pitch of the sounds way beyond what is possible using the tuning parameters. At its lowest setting the sounds disintegrate into a wall of digital aliasing noise and are barely even recognisable as percussion samples..."
"Clone of the E&MM Harmony Generator kit from 1981.
The board generates a squarewave at harmonic intervals related to the frequency of the input signal. Its quite tedious and predictable with a monophonic basic waveform as an input, but when you start using more complex sounds and percussion things start getting very strange and nasty. This is processing a bass and percussion loop that fades in at the end."
This one is popular to mount in Eurorack. I started off trying to make a 28 HP module, but i didn't see the needs for all the modifications/pots I planned, and I thought the module was too large, so I started over and made a narrow (16 HP) MIDI enabled module. Based on the Circuitbenders CB55 analog drum machine PCB Cut off the entire trigger conditioning circuit and drilled new mounting holes to allow the PCB to be placed vertically behind a Eurorack panel. Designed a MIDI and sequencer addon with a PIC18, with a switch on the front panel to start/select predefined sequences, and a DIN-5 for MIDI in. This PCB also has the voltage regulators and power connector, as that was chopped off together with the trigger conditioning circuit. In addition to the standard volume, tone and accent pots, there are individual volume pots and jack outputs for each of the voices. Panel was milled from the rear side because I needed to machine some pockets for some protuding tabs on the potmeters, and then flipped over to do the engraving."
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Published on Mar 21, 2017 circuitbenders.co.uk
"MAM MB33 Retro with Acid FM mods: This video shows the filter FM mod modulating the filter cutoff at audio frequencies using the internal square and sawtooth VCO waveforms as FM sources. It also demonstrates the Filter Lock mod that holds the filter and VCA open with no envelope, the resonance boost, and the overdrive mod.
The MB33 retro seems to be designed to slightly distort the output stage at full volume, much like the TB303 did. The Drive mod boosts this distortion savagely for some grungy acid techno sounds."
Details on the bends on Circuitbenders.co.uk. Interesting bit on the history of the TR-77:
"Why both names you might ask? Well, before Roland came into existence there was a company in the 70's called Acetone who distributed several drum machines of the 'sit on top of your home organ' variety. These machines were mostly firmly in the Rhumba and Bossanova camps, but in the UK they were marketed under the name Bentley Rhythm Ace, which is as good a name as any i guess. Eventually all these distributors morphed into the mighty beast that was Roland in the late 70's and early 80's, but many of their product ranges seem to have been redesigned and sold as Roland machines, often at the same time as appearing under other names. One of these is the Bentley Rhythm Ace FR8L which is to all intents and purposes a Roland TR77 drum machine, the first product ever to bear the Roland name."
"If you own a Jomox XBase09 drum machine, then you've probably noticed that by now some of the red LED pushbuttons / tactile switches, are starting to become a little unresponsive or prone to double triggering. This can make programming the machine extremely frustrating and unreliable. There is also a distinct danger of damage to the PCB under the buttons, as you inevitably pound away on certain commonly used steps pleading with it to 'just f*@king work you bastard thing!'"
This video mainly demonstrates using external audio inputs as sources for the new VCF FM mods, but also features a x0xb0x controlling the filter cutoff via a CV sequence plugged into the new VCF CV input."
Update: unfortunately this one appears to have been pulled. Hopefully it will be published again soon.
"Quick demo of this extremely rare modular analogue synth from Synthetic Music Systems.
The kick drum is produced by the top MARS unit, and the offbeat bass and noise are coming from the lower MARS unit. Both units are being driven by the LFO on the top unit."
"The KAWAI R-100 with the ROM-B and ROM-C installed. The Roms with sounds from the KAWAI drum machines, R-50 and R-50e.
The Roland Boutique SH-01a synced via MIDI from the R-100. And audio from the R-100 into the SH-01a.
Recorded with Roland Go:Mixer to an iPhone.
No effects or audio processing.
with loads of mods making an extreme uber synth with full MIDI spec and loads of new parameters:
The knobby hardware mods were professional installed by Circuitbenders.co.uk:
The "Moog slayer" mod which allows extreme filter resonance and manual control: Cutoff knob, Resonance knob, 12/24db switch.
The "FM800" mod : Source switch, FM Modulation depth knob
Audio Input: Level Knob, Path switch, Filter CV socket.
Hawk800 and Atomahawk boards both installed with all these extra features:
full MIDI spec whereas the original Poly800 had none.
Loads of new parameters: 4 LFOs, many LFO shapes, masses of modulation routings possible, free running or not.
Flash memory so no internal battery required.
7 sequencer memories (originally 1).
MIDI velocity sensitivity.
Moog Slayer and FM800 mods also included so they can be MIDI controlled.
Portamento Mono mode.
4 patch banks
and much much more.
All these mods turn the friendly Poly800 into an extremely versatile and deep synthesizer.
The synth itself is in good condition with the usual minor scratches of something this age. Supplied also is a printed Poly800 manual (not original) and Hawk800 manual, plus PSU."
"A quick demo of sequencing analog gear using Novation Circuit and a compact MIDI-CV box I am working on. The gear used is a CB55 drum voice board (DR55 clone from circuitbenders.co.uk), Moog Minitaur, Pittsburgh Modular System 10.
The PCB shown here is a prototype, but I hope to have them on sale soon. It has a 3.5mm MIDI input jack so a simple stereo 3.5mm cable can connect it to Circuit's MIDI output. I've been working on bus powering it, but an external supply is used for this clip.
Support two mono channels with Note CV, Gate, Velocity CV (one for each Circuit synth track), and four drum gates (one for each Circuit drum track). Also an additional drum accent gate (when any
drum triggered at max MIDI velocity) which can double as a clock out.
Built around PIC16F1825 microcontroller with MCP4728 Quad 12-bit I2C DAC with on-board charge pump used to get full CV range.
Continuing my plans for 2020 and 2021 and the writing my new album, with this i will be posting template jam sessions to YouTube from which I will base and recreate the final tracks. These jam sessions are in no way finalised tracks, but you will be able to hear the main ideas before i start fine tuning the details.
If you join my patreon there will be behind the scenes materials, bonus tracks, stems, sound packs from these sessions and also a possibility to remix the future shortlist single for my release. You will be able to follow the creation of the entire album from idea to final product.
108 bpm downbeat with light shuffle, focus on a longer buildup for a possible intro section. I might split this into two separate track for the future final recording to make things a bit simpler.
AKAI force is handling drums and sequencing the peak chords, monologue, erebus III and also the main low end bass from the volca. Additional percussion from the TR707, digitakt and the digitone.
First intro melody is on the ms-20, sub37 and ASM in combo does the second one.
Modular does the main intro sequence, 3x doepfer uPVCOs in a triad chord with the help from O_C hemisphere app, also some randomised melodies in the intro to build atmosphere sequenced by the eloquencer, using the classic rings into clouds combo. :)
Enjoy!
Gear Used on Session Template 02:
- Akai Force
- Novation Peak
- Elektron Digitakt
- Erebus Dreadbox
- Modular, Rings, 2x uPVCO A-111-3
- KORG grandstage
- ASM Hydrasynth
- Sub 37
- KORG monologue, ms-20
- KORG volca bass and keys
- TR-707, modded by https://www.circuitbenders.co.uk/
- Avalon Bassline
"If you like my music you can find it here http://bit.ly/BurgMusic and also please consider supporting me at patreon for as little as 1 USD http://bit.ly/BurgPatreon
---
Hey there everyone!
Continuing my plans for 2020 and 2021 and the writing my new album, with this i will be posting template jam sessions to YouTube from which I will base and recreate the final tracks. These jam sessions are in no way finalised tracks, but you will be able to hear the main ideas before i start fine tuning the details.
If you join my patreon there will be behind the scenes materials, bonus tracks, stems, sound packs from these sessions and also a possibility to remix the future shortlist single for my release. You will be able to follow the creation of the entire album from idea to final product.
95 bpm slow and dreamy, this one took a while to put together.. most probably due to struggling with similar melodies and vibes from the other two previous sessions. Big thanks to my patrons for pointing that out so i know what to fix. I think that this will have some significant changes for the final version of the track.. and when multitracking it I will most probably change the intro section a bit plus also ensure it builds up in a more cohesive way.
AKAI force, as usual is handling the main drums, sequencing the sub37, monologue, ASM hydrasynth and the volca bass. TR 707 adds some simpler hihats, digitakt adds some extra percussion. Digitone, Peak, Analog Four are not in use.
The ms-20 starts the track off, paired with a long wobbly delay in the el Capistan. At the 3.30 mark i play the dreadbox erebus from the force pads.. a bit tricky but it worked ok. I think the melody will change a bit too, esp phrasing.
Modular does some nice percussion with the BIA, sort of a bass style sound + a pretty weird sequence with the Braids. :)
Enjoy!
Gear Used on Session Template 03:
- Akai Force
- Elektron Digitakt
- Erebus Dreadbox
- Modular, Braids + BIA
- ASM Hydrasynth
- Sub 37
- KORG monologue, ms-20
- KORG volca bass and keys
- TR-707, modded by https://www.circuitbenders.co.uk/
- Avalon Bassline"
"The mods we have installed on this synth consist of 3 main sections, Filter mods, FM mods and Audio mods.
FILTER MODS:
Cutoff & Resonance Knobs: The new resonance knob can take the resonance well into self oscillation and far beyond what is normally programmable from the front panel. This can produce the kind of screaming tweeter eating top end and subsonic bass that gives these machines a whole new range of sonic possibilities. The filter cutoff knob allows you to perform long filter sweeps for those squidgy burbling analogue lines that you could never actually perform on a Poly800 before now. Both parameters are still also controlled by the normal programming methods which can set the range of the knobs control.
12dB / 24dB Filter Response Switch: Somewhat mysteriously the filter chip used in these machines has both 12dB/Oct and 24dB/Oct outputs but only the 24dB one is actually used. This mod adds a switch to select either a 24dB or less drastic 12dB filter response
VCF CV input: This socket round the back of the machine adds an external 0 to 5v control voltage input that controls the filter cutoff. The new filter cutoff control knob is disabled when a jack is plugged into the socket.
FM MOD'S:
These consist of a source selection knob and an FM (frequency modulation) amount knob. Essentially VCF FM allows you to modulate the filter cutoff at audio frequencies to create all kinds of clanging cross modulation and bizarre alien splatters & sweeps. This effect works best with the resonance cranked up into self oscillation which is where the new resonance knob mod comes into its own. The source selection knob allows you to select one of four sources for the FM signal. These are DCO1, DCO2, Noise and audio input. The audio input takes its signal from before the input level knob so you can use the audio to modulate the filter cutoff but remove the actual audio signal from the mix. The source knob also has an off setting.
This Poly800 still produces all the normal sounds possible with this unit when the new controls are not in use. It runs from either 6 x C size batteries or an external 9v power supply.
Listen to the soundcloud demos below to hear the kind of extra sounds that can be produced using the new mods."
