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"

Kokiri Forest - Zelda Ocarina of Time - Modular Synth - Stephen Black

video upload by Stephen Black Music

"I programmed my synths to play The Kokiri Forest 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"

Water, Chord Pilot & Pianophonic

video upload by knobula

"Generative Arpeggios From Chord Pilot & Pianophonic with quasi-random voltage sequences generated by Jasmine & Olives Trees's Water sequencer"

Pianophonic Quick Start Tutorial

video upload by knobula

"Jason from Knobula introduces you to the Pianophonic with a Quick Start 10 minute tutorial in which he explains what each control does and how to get the most out of the module."

Circadia - Live - Octatrack & Eurorack Modular, LXR, Kickain, Ghost

video upload by Abre Ojos

"Live hardware jam with Eurorack modular synth & Octatrack.

Circadian Rhythms - from sleep/dream to wake to the waking day back to sleep/dream

138bpm synth tech-noise industrial doom house

Eurorack: Knobula Kickain, Endorphins Ghost & SQWRK Dirty, 4MS Spherical Wavetable, Qu-Bit Scanned, Erica Synths LXR, 2hp Verb & Noise Engineering Basimilas Iteritas Alter & Terci Ruina

Elektron Octatrack as performance mixer (thanks EZBOT)

Video processed live through Resolume

Shot with GH5 MKII

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

Machina Bristronica 2023

videos uploads by sonicstate

Playlist:
Bristronica 2023: DPW Design - Mix
Bristronica 2023: Bela - GLISS
Bristronica 2023: U-He - Civilisation - Wiretap - Sloopy
Bristronica 2023: Node Audio - Entonal Studio
Bristronica 2023: Enjoy Electronics - The Godfather
Bristronica 2023: Knobula - Pianophonic Sample and Wavetable module
Bristronica 2023: Vaski Embedded - VU and Oscilloscope Modules
Bristronica 2023: Sonocurrent - MT2D Dual Triode Distortion
Bristronica 2023: Kiviak Instruments - Wofi - SK1 Inspired
Bristronica 2023: Per-Sonal - Polynator - play TR8-S and Digitakt in Poly
Bristronica 2023: Georgie Ward Back From Dua Lipa World Tour
Bristronica 2023: Erica Synths - Bullfrog 1st Look
Bristronica 2023: Modular Perfection - Eurorack Cases
Bristronica 2023: Isotonik - Arpex Worlds 1st MPE Arpeggiator on Push 3
Bristronica 2023: Erica Synths - Hexinverter Mindphaser
Bristronica 2023 Bastl - tiny ARP
Bristronica 2023: OXI Instruments - OXI One - Coral
Bristronica 2023: Play All Day - Playfader
Bristronica 2023: Midicake - 4 Way ARP And Some
Bristronica 2023: Archaea - Exchange Motion Controller
Bristronica 2023: TipTop Audio - 1 Cable Art System
Bristronica 2023: UDO - Super Gemini News and Sounds
Bristronica 23: TINRS Brinta - Granular Sampler With a mesmerising display

Michael Jackson - Smooth Criminal - Modular Synth - Stephen Black

video upload by Stephen Black Music

"I programmed my synths to play Michael Jacksons Smooth Criminal. Most of the work is done with the Erica Synths tube VCO, Korg MS-20, Moog DFAM and mother 32, Knobula Poly Ciinematic and a Doepfer VCA. If you like my work and wish to collaborate or contact me, the best place to do so is through my instagram @supertramp162."

Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody - Modular Synth - Stephen Black

video upload by Stephen Black Music

"I programmed my synths to play Bohemian Rhapsody. Most of the work is done with the Erica Synths tube VCO, Korg MS-20, Moog mother 32, Knobula Poly Cinematic. 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"

NightRider by Ryk Modular

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"Night Rider is a quad resonant filter with a built in sequencer. It has four bandpass filters that can be used in parallel and serial configurations, a mono allpass filter in two flavors and an amazing karplus strong mode.
It works in many configurations, but it has a strong preference for more complex sources and abolutely shines with something big and polyphonic like Vector Wave or Knobula's Poly Cinematic. While this may seem as a 'too many options' module, you can easy find your way after getting lost in a patch or two. Absolutely stunning module."

Knobula Pianophonic Sound Demo (no talking)

video upload by Bonedo Synthesizers

Superbooth 2023 Rundown - Eurorack Modules and More

video upload by MATTHS

"MATTHS takes us through this years Superbooth 23 discussing the modules, the highlights and the event as a whole.

Thanks to @sonicstate [also see Sonicstate's Show Walkabout With MATTHS] for letting me use video footage throughout.

What was his favourite module?
What was your favourite module? Leave an answer in the comments.

00:42 : Live Set
02:01 : Make Noise
02:53 : Industrial Music
03:47 : Waldorf
04:00 : Korg
04:50 : Mayer
05:59 : Pittsburgh Modular
06:15 : Teenage Engineering
07:03 : Tip Top Audio
08:09 : Befaco
08:37 : Erica Synths
09:15 : Oberheim
09:30 : Udo
10:05 : Voicas
11:06 : Endorphines
11:55 : Knobula
12:28 : Doepfer
13:14 : TINRS
13:15 : OK200
15:23 : Raw Yaw Media
16:37 : Weston Audio
17:38 : Venus Instruments
18:45 : Between Machines
19:58 : Flame
22:20 : XAOS
22:30 : Shakmat"