1 Hour Improvisation with Eurorack Modular Synths & Midicake

video upload by midicake

"An hour long, unplanned improv session with Midicake ARP and a very limited Eurorack setup.

Consisting of just 4 synths: 2hp Kick, 2hp Pluck, Knobula Pianophonic, Knobula Polycinematic. The Specular Tempus is providing reverb.

It's surprising just what variation you can get with this small setup. The sound is recorded as is with no post editing. I hope you enjoy!"

Rave Jam with Echo Cinematic and Poly Cinematic and friends

video upload by knobula

"Poly Cinematic sequenced through an Echo Cinematic. The eq on the echo cinematic means there no muddy bass frequencies being repeated and only the brighter notes catch the echo, then there’s a few builds where I’m turning up the band pass frequency on the echo and adding a bit of the reverb in as well. Finished off with some Kickain side chain pump action and percussion provided by @rocket_not wobbler, @endorphin.es Queen of Pentacles and dark pew pews from @busycircuits Taiko Daiko."

Kickain Presets

video upload by knobula

"Introducing new V2 firmware for Kickain featuring Presets and extended parameters."

KNOBULA - POLY CINEMATIC

video upload by The Unperson

"In today's video I explore the Poly Cinematic from Knobula which effortlessly brings polyphony to the euroack realm. The Poly Cinematic is an all-in-one synth voice with a wide sonic palette, built-in filter, envelope and reverb. It also has some tricks up it's sleeves such as chord mode and trigger inputs. Join me as I explore the wonderful world of polyphony!

CONTENT
0:00 - Intro
1:26 - Overview
5:59 - Trigger Jam
8:45 - Saw Tooth Pad
11:27 - Chord Mode
15:25 - Ambient Chords
17:20 - Outro"

Maintain The Refrain With a Kickain

video upload by knobula

"More improvised Balearic Tech House on the Knobula modular test case"

Poly Cinematic Portamento Demo

video upload by knobula

"A quick demo of the Poly Cinematic portamento feature found in the latest firmware version 3.6 released today. Accessible via midi cc control 65, notes will glide to their destination note at a rate set by the midi cc value."

Bring back Rings! PlayFader Ambient Exploration

video upload by MATTHS

"Bring back rings! Yes, you know 'those ambient rings jams'! This is something new for me, moving away from my hard techno background, I wanted to explore the more ambient world once again. Armed with the Play All Day PlayFader (which is awesome) and has been so much fun to play with, I decided to build and dedicate a small case for more ambient noodles.

Here the PlayFader is sequencing everything.
MIDI is going to the Knobula Pianophonic while CV and Gate is going to Mutable Instrument Rings. Im playing with the Fun ability of the PlayFader to make more interesting loops within loops and there is lashing of reverb of course.

Enjoy!"

/// Connect With MATTHS ///
🕸 WEBSITE w/ links - www.matthsmatthsmatths.com

Signal Sounds and friends at Superbooth 2024

video upload by Signal Sounds

"We caught up with a few pals old and new for a quick chat to find out what they were showing and what they liked best about Superbooth 2024. They include ALM Busy Circuits, DivKid, Instruo, Making Sound Machines, Expert Sleepers, Modbap Modular, Xaoc Devices, Worng Electronics, WMD, RYK Modular, Animal Factory Amps, Dannysound/Tobinski, Knobula, Toadstool Tech, Thonk... and watch out for a brief appearance from none other than Steve Davis!

Apologies to anyone we spoke to but didn’t include here (we had a few technical gremlins) and everyone else we missed! And big thanks to Herr Schneider and everyone else involved in organising the show - it was a belter.

Some of the featured products & brands:
ALM Busy Circuits MFX Pedal: https://www.signalsounds.com/ALM-Busy...
Apollo View & DivKid Manic: https://www.signalsounds.com/apollo-v...
Instruo Dail: https://www.signalsounds.com/instruo-...
Xaoc Devices Berlin: https://www.signalsounds.com/Xaoc-Dev...
WORNG Electronics Sidecar: https://www.signalsounds.com/Worng-El...
RYK Modular Algo: https://www.signalsounds.com/RYK-Modu...

Making Sound Machines: https://www.signalsounds.com/making-s...
Expert Sleepers: https://www.signalsounds.com/expert-s...
Modbap Modular: https://www.signalsounds.com/modbap-m...
WMD: https://www.signalsounds.com/wmd
Animal Factory Amps: https://www.signalsounds.com/animal-f...
Dannysound: https://www.signalsounds.com/dannysound
Knobula: https://www.signalsounds.com/knobula

Music: Nano Kraft by Macleod Electronics / macleodelectronic
(Thanks Rob!)"

SUPERBOOTH 2024: Knobula - Echo Cinematic FX Module

video upload by sonicstate

"At Superbooth 2024, Jason from Nobula introduced us to their latest module, the Echo Cinematic*. This module, which has been in development for about three years, combines EQ, delay, reverb, and a knob recorder in a compact 12 HP unit. Inspired by the dub Echo machines of old, *Jason aimed to replicate the unique sound he experienced in studios by bringing the Echo back through the desk and EQing it to create a feedback loop that adds character and depth to the sound.

The Echo Cinematic features a range of filter options including low pass, high pass, peak, notch, and comb filters, providing users with a versatile array of sonic possibilities. With fully syncable delay times, a built-in reverb, and a knob recorder for capturing performances, this module offers is ideal for creating those classic, almost out of control dub delays.

Echo Cinematic Available: June 2024. Price: 320-390 USD"

Knobula Introduces Echo Cinematic - Eq + Delay + Reverb Stereo Effects Eurorack Module

video upload by knobula

"Introducing Knobula's new stereo effects module, taking dub style performance echo to the next level with multiple modulation sources including a 30" knob recorder."

Press release follows:

"Knobula selects SUPERBOOTH24 to introduce Echo Cinematic as fully-featured, practical stereo effects Eurorack module inspired by influential dub culture

LONDON, UK: electronic music innovator Knobula is proud to introduce Echo Cinematic as the latest Eurorack module to embody its no-screen, no-preset philosophy — presented as a fully-featured, practical stereo effects unit that draws its inspiration from the influential dub music culture that emerged from Jamaica and made its mark on the London music scene in the early Eighties — at SUPERBOOTH24, May 16-18, FEZ-Berlin, Germany…

Actively appreciating Echo Cinematic as a fully-featured, practical stereo effects Eurorack module — as alluded to by its front panel- positioned descriptive (Eq + Delay + Reverb) wording — that draws its inspiration from the influential dub music culture that emerged from Jamaica and made its mark on the London music scene in the early Eighties surely benefits from fleetingly digging deeper into what, technically, made that scene sound so unique. Ultimately, then, analogue tape delays were routinely connected to mixing consoles via a spare channel strip in those iconic recording setups, so engineers were able to manipulate the resultant sound using EQ and effects send controls to create ever-evolving rhythm textures from feedback loops delicately balanced on the brink of self-oscillation. On the face of it, Echo Cinematic clearly eliminates the need for a complex mixing console; instead, it expands on those early- Eighties-developed dub music principals by beautifully integrating a versatile resonant filter with five distinct sources of automation. As such, Echo Cinematic consists of two independent LFOs (Low Frequency Oscillators) for both Eq and Delay modulation; looping 30-second Knob Record functionality, capable of simultaneously controlling every knob on the module’s clear-cut front panel; and two external CV (Control Voltage) inputs — CV A and CV B — for instant assignment to any control upon insertion of a patch cable.

Creatively, Echo Cinematic’s Eq section boasts three selectable filter types — namely, Shelf (high-/low-pass), Peak (peak/notch), and classic Comb; each can be patched into the Fback (feedback) loop (in so-called Dub Mode), Delay (output), or All (entire signal path), including the self-explanatory Dry or Effect signal. Simultaneous to that, the Delay section offers up to two seconds of stereo delay time, complete with Tap delay and grid Snapping functionality to ensure precise synchronisation with the beat or clock signal, while Reverb duties are handled by the same, lush-sounding 24-bit stereo processing found in Knobula’s other cinematic- sounding Eurorack modules — think: no screens, just big-screen sounds!

Says Knobula Technical Director Jason Mayo: “Before Knobula was founded, even, Echo Cinematic was intended to be our Eurorack debut. Duly envisioned as the ultimate dub-style echo module, its development was paused due to Poly Cinematic’s unexpected success; Echo Cinematic nonetheless now represents the culmination of a meticulous three-year developmental journey, the result of which has turned out to be even better than my original concept, so I’m immensely proud to finally introduce it to the Eurorack community.”

Anyone attending SUPERBOOTH24, May 16-18, FEZ-Berlin, Germany is invited to swing by Booth Z365 where Knobula is introducing Echo Cinematic as the latest Eurorack module to embody its no-screen, no-preset philosophy, proudly exhibiting and demonstrating it alongside its Poly Cinematic (8 Voice Polyphonic Synthesiser), Kickain (Kick Drum + Sidechain), Chord Pilot (Midi Chord Expander + Arpeggiator), and Pianophonic (Polyphonic Wavetable Synthesiser) siblings.

Set to ship in June 2024, Echo Cinematic will be available to purchase — priced at £320.00 GBP (including VAT)/€350.00 EUR (Net)/ $399.00 USD (MRP) — through Knobula’s growing global network of dealers"

Check with the dealers on the right for availability.

Morpheus | A tribute to Dave Rossum and E-mu Systems

video upload by Cinematic Laborat

"Back in the 80's, I used to own an E-mu Proteus 2 and the legendary Emulator IV sampler. I noticed the Morpheus, but I did not pay much attention to it, because I felt the Emulator could record samples AND do Z-plane synthesis. No idea what it was, never used it. But the Morpheus became an ambient legend because of those Z-Planes. The specs didn't make much sense. It offered three AHDSR envelopes and two complex 8-stage function generators per voice, where each stage could do something different and you could jump to a stage based on conditions (like key velocity) With the knowledge I have today I'd immediately say WOW.

E-mu Systems is gone (due to the PC/Mac), but Dave Rossum's creations live on in Eurorack. The Assimil8or could be compared to the Emulator sampler. Control Forge is the multi-segment conditional function generator and the Morpheus now only provides the Z-Plane filter. To get an idea, it's like a 3D wavetable for filters you can traverse with X, Y and Z coordinates mapped to frequency, morph and amplitude (not 100% sure).

So yes, I was thrilled to give it a try. I hooked up Plaits and a bunch of LFO's, only to discover it sounded like crap. Que? Yes. Plaits came in too hot so I had to use a VCA. Uncontrolled CV can make the Morpheus explode in extreme clipping which the module - and your 24 bit audio interface - can't possibly handle. So It needs a limiter too if you just throw CV at it. After one day of shooting video I was very disappointed and almost decided to put it back in the box and do something else. I checked videos from collegue YouTubers and it all sounded 'more is less' with the frantic filter changes, clicks, pops and digital harshness. Terrible. Was this it? It can't be. Not from Dave Rossum.

It's impossble to cut a long story short now, but I studied the old Morpheus brochure and listened to some orginal sounds. Then all the pieces fell together. It sounds best when used like the old E-mu. It needs a polyphonic source, a big pad or a collection of moody samples. It needs a clever function generator, like two chained Maths or a Buchla 281 quad function generator. Or a ZADAR! I tried a little proof of concept with Knobula Poly Cinematic and one Maths, and yes. This is the way. In the final patch I used BitBox with a bed of three layered samples (Emulator!) and three complex functions from Zadar, triggered by Maths. And there it was. A eurorack Morpheus doing true Z-Plane Synthesis."

Asking synth manufacturers to say the F word...at London Synth & Pedal Expo

video upload by mylarmelodies

"Being a collection of interviews I shot at the London Synth & Pedal Expo '24, after they hired me to cover the event. The format was up to me. So I put the SAME two questions to industry folks at the show: 1️⃣ What is your favourite thing you sell? 2️⃣ What your favourite thing you DON'T sell?"

CHAPTERS
00:00 The Journey Begins
00:41 Divkid
02:44 Endorphines
03:53 Knobula
06:07 Lord Morts Thoughts
08:29 Nick Batt - Sonic State
11:29 Signal Sounds
14:35 ASM/Arturia
16:52 Scanner & Daniel Troberg
18:12 KMR Audio
19:51 ALM Busycircuits
24:05 RYK Modular
26:14 Enjoy Electronics
27:41 Erica Synths
29:04 PWM Synths
31:08 Journey's End

Good people make for good events and good gear, so lets meet them // London Synth & Pedal Expo 2024

video upload by DivKid

"What an amazing weekend we've just had! Here's a video with some of the people at the London Synth & Pedal Expo 2024. Held over this past weekend (Saturday and Sunday the 16th+17th of March 2024) in Studio 9294 in Hackney Wick, the London Synth & Pedal Expo is a free to attend show with plenty of synths, modular and pedal FX on show for people to come and play with.

As it takes good people to make good events (and the good gear we love) I wanted to focus on the people, asking who they are and what they do, more specifically how would they explain what they do to someone with no idea about synths, pedals and music tech. That led to some funny answers, all spread around various bits of b roll and footage from the event."

LondonSXPO-24

video uploads by sonicstate

Playlist:

LondonSXPO-24 Manifold Research Centre : TMINTT

Well this looks pretty interesting - you can patch 'The Map Is Not The Territoire' matrix mixer using magnets

LondonSXPO-24 Knobula: Pianophonic updates

Jason from Knobula had some firmware updates to the rather impressive 'Pianophonic' module, plus a shiny new mirrored faceplate for 'Kickain'

LondonSXPO-24 Enjoy Electronics GODFATHER rides again

Martin from Enjoy Electronics, makers of The GODFATHER demonstrated the latest updates to Nick

LondonSXPO-24 Rides In The Storm: BOC module

Uwe George from Rides In The Storm runs us through the new BOC module

LondonSXPO-24 Gamechanger Plasma Voice Modules

Last time we caught up with Ilya from Gamechanger Audio he was in our studio showing us the MotorSynth - the Plasma Voice Modules were almost ready, but not quite finished.
At the show we were able to see - and hear them for the first time, and get another quick peek at the new pedal too.

LondonSXPO-24 Erica Synths: BullFrog Accessories

It's always a pleasure to see Ģirts at a show, and here he was showing some updates and accessories for the education oriented Bull Frog synth

LondonSXPO-24 PWM: Latest on MANTIS Quad Mode

Always interesing hearing what Paul has been up to with his Malevolent and Mantis models - news is that Mantis is about to ship, and has some interesting new updates to the 'Quad' mode

LondonSXPO-24 Z-RAY: Wireless Lights in a briefcase

This is right up our street - cool portable battery powered wireless stage lights - oh yeah! Dominik had a briefcase full of prototypes for his latest project - to find out more, head to his website at thinkrad.io

LondonSXPO-24 Joranalogue Dim 2 is quite bright actually

In a slightly confusing naming incident, Joranalogue decided to call the latest module 'Dim 2'' - and it is definitely not dim at all. Quite the opposite ;-]

LondonSXPO-24 Apollo View: Rabbit Hole +more

Can't recall coming across Apollo View before, but Jon-Mark was showing some lovely looking modules including the Rabbit Hole - we took a look

LondonSXPO-24 Bastl Intruments channel The Matrix with Neo-Trinity?

Okay, tell me someone hasn't been watching re-runs of The Matrix
... Neo...Trinity..
come on, surely? ;-]

LondonSXPO-24 Vertice Analogue Filterbank from Euterpe

Stefano reckons you should spend a month with his rather splendid 'Vertice' filterbank - a beautiful if brutal instrument. And if his smiles are anything to go by, it should be a fun time :-]

TraumaMutation - Live deep techno journey - Ableton Push 3 & Eurorack modular

video upload by Abre Ojos

"Live hardware jam with Eurorack modular synth & Push 3 standalone

139bpm deep industrial techno journey with a dash of dark ambient doom.

Made for RHYTHM MACHINE MEETZ GROUNDZERO TEKNOCAMP # 16
https://psychomantix.mixlr.com/events...

Ableton Push 3 Standalone
Sequencing via MIDI out to HexInverter Mutant Brain
2 X CV + Pitch
6 X Gates
2 X Clock
Audio in via MOTU Ultralite Mk5 connected via optical to Push 3 for 8 ins.

Novation LaunchControl XL for MIDI control on Push 3

Endorphin.es Ghost Pedal

Eurorack Modular
https://cdn.modulargrid.net/img/racks...

Erica Synths LXR Percussion - snares, hi hats, weirdness
Knobula Kickain - the Kick
Endorphins Ghost & SQWRK Dirty
4MS Spherical Wavetable
4ms Ensemble Oscillator
Forge TME VHIKK-X
2hp Verb
Noise Engineering Manis Iteritas, Electus Versio, Basimilas Iteritas Alter & Terci Ruina

Video processed live through Resolume

Shot with GH5 MKII

Dark ambient audiovisual stuff: https://abreojos.net
Noisy layered drone techno: https://dronskot.net"

Making Modular Breaks and Builds With Some Special New Additions

video upload by knobula

"Its November, it's freezing outside and I'm getting my case ready for some performances next week. New additions to the case are Jasmine and Olives's Water, and a Knobrecorder from Flame. Both providing much needed CV polyrhythms and twisted CV loops for the cause."

Lost Woods - Zelda Ocarina of Time - Modular Synth - Stephen Black

video upload by Stephen Black Music

"I programmed my synths to play The Lost Woods theme from Zelda. Most of the work is done with the , Korg MS-20, Moog mother 32, Knobula Poly Ciinematic.. If you like my work and wish to collaborate or contact me, the best place to do so is through my instagram @supertramp162.
https://linktr.ee/supertramp162"

Alessandro Cortini + MATTHS Rig Tour

video upload by sonicstate

"Alessandro Cortini played a rare UK gig last weekend, and regular Sonic TALK panelist Matt Hodson AKA MATTHS was booked in the support slot.

We figured it was a great opportunity to have them talk about their gear selection and approach to the performance.

Alessandro opted for something minimal to support his completely improvised approach, with two Make Noise Strega (these were designed in conjunction with Alessandro) and two 0-CTRL - sequencer/CV controllers, Strymon Blue Sky and Volante all into an Allen and Heath Zone 96 DJ mixer, the laptop runs Resolume visuals for the show.

http://cortini.bandcamp.com

Matths has a different approach basing his set around pre writtern material and re-voicing larger modular rig, with the Knobula Poly Cinematic for chords, 1010music Bit Box for triggering CV and gates, the Expert Sleepers ES-9 running from the laptop for triggers from Bitwig, the Soma Pulsar-23, Beatstep

Matt uses an analogue parallel compression path to give the stereo feed to front of house a more consistent polished sound.

https://matths.bandcamp.com/

We have a full 360 Video of MATTHS set available on our Patreon
and also on MATTHS Bandcamp
http://patreon.com/sonicstate

|--------|
00:00 Alessandro Cortini interview
13:55 MATTHS interview"

Pianophonic Piano Presets Only

video upload by knobula

"Demoing just the piano sounds on the Pianophonic module, with the controls set to neutral for a natural tone. Going from Preset 1 to Preset 7 we explore the core sounds behind the module that are based on various types of Piano: Grand Piano, Upright Piano, Bright Piano, Felt Piano, Toy Piano, Wurlitzer EP200a Electric Piano, and DX7 Electric Piano."

Pianophonic Piano Presets

video upload by knobula

"Demoing just the piano sounds on the Pianophonic module, with the controls set to neutral for a natural tone. Going from Preset 1 to Preset 7 we explore the core sounds behind the module that are based on various types of Piano: Grand Piano, Upright Piano, Bright Piano, Felt Piano, Toy Piano, Wurlitzer EP200a Electric Piano, and DX7 Electric Piano."

Knobula Pianophonic - Poly Wavetable Synth review by MATTHS for Sonic LAB

video upload by sonicstate

"Another polyphonic module from Knobula, who are making a habit of this sort of thing. Pianophonic is an 8 voice Wavetable multi-sample player with a unique mix of multisample front end (Hammer portion) and a wavetable sustain/release portion (Sides). These can be blended and controlled and mixed and matched from the 24bit/48kHz samples stored on the front panel mounted microSD card.

And yes you can created your own samples using their own Waveslicer utility.
There's also Unison and detune with three oscillators cloned per voice, compress/overdrive and a delightful Reverb.

@matthsmatthsmatths gives us his take on the unit.

Available now priced at £420/$449

http://knobula.com

00:00 Start
00:43 Intro and Overview
08:56 Sound Components
15:24 Sounds
18:42 Connections
19:54 Examples
26:20 CV modulation
28:15 Conclusion"