PPG Wave 2.2 / 2.3 / EVU Simulator

"Together with Paul Maddox, I [Hermann Seib] developed a hardware/software combination to drag the PPG Waveterm into modern times - Waveterm C. I haven't found the time yet to finish it - other projects, like VSTHost, consume too much of my time. Besides, the capabilities of today's average computers have grown to a point where it's relatively easy to simulate a complete synthesizer, with only minute differences, inside the PC. So... that's what I did. "

Title link takes you to more info including demos.

via SoNiCbRaT

Synth DIY UK 2013 This Saturday, July 27th

via Paul Maddox of Vaco Loco on The MATRIXSYNTH Lounge:

"Don't forget this weekend (27th) is the Synth DIY UK event!
It's free to attend, so why not pop along!
https://www.facebook.com/events/160198740805131/
http://diy.synth.net/uk
‪#‎sdiyuk‬"

Synth DIY UK 2008 via Strellis

You can find videos and images of the event by Chris Strellis here.

I think this shot wins, hands down, as the best one of the event.

The videos include: "Paul Maddox running his excellent "Phoenix" polysynth skin on the Chameleon" "Scott Gravenhorst's Gateman poly played by Mark Smith" "Peter Swarbrick demonstrates Juergen Haible's Tau Pipe Phaser" "A P3 driving a modular" "George shows his all analogue sound generation synth including ADSRs and with BBD effects - one voice at the moment" Update via Chris: check out this image for a striking resemblance. I thought the shot looked familiar!

[Musikmesse] Modal 008, 002R & 001 Messe Floor Videos with Creator Paul Maddox

Published on Apr 15, 2015 Audiofanzine

Shruthi Polivoks & Gorf

YouTube Uploaded by kidtronic on Mar 10, 2012

"A walk through the different filter styles of Olivier's Parisian designed line of Shruthi synthesizers. Two contrasting designs (in German designed cnc cases) include a clean digital clone of an analog IC filter & one based on the Polivoks Russian take on a Japanese Korg filter, and all driven by a British designed cheap and useful midi sequencer by Paul Maddox with a case designed by a friend of his. All of these were made by me with a soldering iron from kits. Make yer own and get out and perform! Oh and good bass, missed by the camera microphones."

Vacoloco GorF-XL Beta test Unit

via Vacoloco

"Want to beta test GorF-XL? I have one GorF-XL beta unit left, if you’re interested contact me, you’ll need a Doepfer power bus with +12v, +5v and -12v power rails. You’ll also be expected to help write the user guide and contribute to finding bugs. There is a cost, but it’s basically the cost of the parts and postage."

via Paul Maddox on The MATRIXSYNTH Lounge

VACO LOCO ZIRA

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

Vaco Loco was Paul Maddox of Modal Electronics prior endeavor. Videos at the auction previously posted here.

"The Vaco Loco Zira came out of an idea to see how small a fully equipped and versatile synth could be built.

The Zira features Two oscillators, each with 48 waveforms that were favourites from the Monowave. A sub oscillator, linked to oscillator one. The Sub oscillator has a level control, oscillators one and two can be switched on or off. Note offset for Patch +/- two octaves, second oscillator has note detune of +/- two octaves and fine tune. Hard Sync of oscillator two to oscillator one's pitch.

The Zira is based on the Korg NJM2069AD Filter/VCA chip. This 4-pole low pass filter is the same filter chip used in the Poly800, DW8000, DW6000 and DSS-1

Zira comes fully assembled in a clear acrylic housing, and is a very limited edition release, never to be seen again once stocks are sold out.

Made by the same people as the new Modulus synth."

New VacoLoco Aurora Hardware Polysynth Filter Test Demos

VacoLoco Aurora Filter Tests 20121204
"Various tests for the VCF in Aurora (my poly synth project), the whine is from the oscilloscope and my phone that was sat next to it whilst recording

0:00 - 4 Pole filter sweep
0:30 - a little resonance
1:00 - more resonance
1:30 - full resonance (not quite enough yet)
1:44 - Bandpass mode
2:13 - 1 Pole mode
2:44 - 4 pole mode again, with a little over drive
3:14 - a bit more over drive
3:43 - Full over drive"

via Paul Maddox on The MATRIXSYNTH Lounge.  Some details on the synth captured here.

Synth DIY weekend 2010 9th-11th July, Cambridge UK

via the SDIY list:

the page for this year's UK Synth DIY weekend in Cambridge is now online.

The weekend is the 9th to 11th July.

Photos from past years on Paul Maddox's website"

Vacoloco Coming to Synth DIY UK 2013 & Drake Music Raffle

via Vacoloco:

"VacoLoco will be at Synth DIY UK 2013 on Saturday the 27th of July. This’ll give you a chance to have some hands on time with Zira, GorF and maybe a sneak preview of things in the making.

The event is free so why not come along and meet some of the UK Synth makers!

More details on the facebook events page https://www.facebook.com/events/160198740805131/ and the diy.synth.net page – http://diy.synth.net/uk/"

And via Paul Maddox of Vacolo on The MATRIXSYNTH Lounge:

"Quick reminder about Synth DIY UK 2013, we're still after some raffle prizes so if you feel like helping raise money for our charity (Drake Music - https://www.facebook.com/drakemusicorg/) then donate something and/or come along and buy a raffle ticket or 10 :)  https://www.facebook.com/events/160198740805131/"

Synth DIY UK 2014 Set for August 2

via Paul Maddox on The MATRIXSYNTH Lounge

"Synth DIY UK 2014 is coming -

Facebook Event Page

Room bookings for this year's Synth DIY UK event are now open: [link]

The main event takes place on Saturday the 2nd of August, but you can book a room for the Friday before and the Sunday after should you wish to spend a weekend in lovely cambridge."

Zombie Nation - Left Rack (studio session)

Published on May 24, 2016 Zombie Nation official

"having fun with some classic gear from my studio. - unreleased

Ursa Major Space Station SST-282 / Delay
SND FB-14 Stereo / Filterbank
Vertigo VSC-2 / Quad Discrete VCA Compressor
Doepfer MS-404 / synth
Modulus Monowave / synth"

The Monowave was a Paul Maddox creation before Vaco Loco & Modal Electronics. It was a monophonic rack synthesizer featuring PPG waveforms (not full wavetables) and a Moog style filter. See this post (note there was an all digital Monowave II) followed by the Monowave label for more.

VacoLoco Gorf V3 Taster

Published on Dec 28, 2012 VacolocoSynth·17 videos

"A very quick taste of some of the new features in GorF.
Including note skip, gate length and the improved user interface.
Here GorF is in my modular and is providing CV and Gate outputs, with the velocity routed to filter cutoff."

via Paul Maddox on The MATRIXSYNTH Lounge

Happy New Year From MATRIXSYNTH! - A Look Back at 2014

Happy New Year everyone!

I want to start by thanking everyone that comes to MATRIXSYNTH and helps make it what it is - the readers, the supporters, and of course all the sponsors on the right.

THANK YOU and have a GREAT 2015!!!

This site is a labor of love and a ton of work. This site is ultimately meant to be an testament to everything synth in the making. We have over nine years of daily synth history captured here, 119,983 published posts. I can't wait to see what the future brings us in 2015!

That said, here are a few interesting bits from 2014 in the longest post of the year. ;)

CLICK FOR MORE »

Win an Assembled GorF sequencer!

"The competition is simple, compose a single pattern, using a sequence that is 8 notes long, each note can be any length you wish (you can have a different length for each note should the desire grab you).

The winner will receive an assembled and cased GorF MkII and their pattern will be used as the "default" for future GorFs.

Entries to be received by July 31st, the winner will be chosen by myself and announced on the 6th of August!

To post an entry, simply post a link on the Vacoloco Facebook page. What could be simpler?"

via Paul Maddox on The MATRIXSYNTH Lounge

NAMM 2016: Modal's New Eurorack Modules Demo

Published on Jan 24, 2016 AskAudio Mag

"Paul Maddox shows us round the new Eurorack modules at NAMM 2016."

Modal 008 and 002 together with their designers

Published on Oct 2, 2015 sonicstate

"We had a visit from the Modal Electronics team - Paul Maddox, the chief architect of the 002 and core OS at Modal, and George Hearn, the designer of the analog architecture of the 008, to talk differences and similarities. Product specialist Luca Mucci handled the playing duties."

New SDIY UK 2013 Pics

New pics have been added to the gallery here. Starting with the last page so you can move through the new pics in reverse order. You can click on any page once you get there.

via Paul Maddox on The MATRIXSYNTH Lounge

Vaco Loco Gorf Now Available Fully Assembled

Prior to now, the Vaco Loco Gorf was available as a DIY kit. For those pressed for time, you can now pick one up fully assembled at Vaco Loco here.

via Paul Maddox on
The MATRIXSYNTH Lounge:

"I’m pleased to announce that GorF is now available as a fully assembled and cased version.

GorF has had a bit of a facelift too, it has a new case which now completely encloses all the parts. This includes the rear which was previously exposed.

I have a few of these to sell, which can be purchased from my web page by clicking on the buy link. I also have two without cases to sell for a reduced price.

My intention is now to move away from selling kits and begin selling fully assembled, ready to use, products so you no longer need to risk burning your fingers to get one of the best sequencers on the market. http://vacoloco.net/synths/gorf/"

Synth DIY UK 2009 by Future Image

flickr set by Future Image
"Synth DIY UK meeting 2009 (10th anniversary) at Robinson College, Cambridge.

Many thanks to Neil Johnson and Paul Maddox who have maintained the event for the last decade!!!"
Note Future Image also posted these videos of the event.