DIY Project #42: Bastl Instruments Propust

Published on May 30, 2020 poorness studios

"For my next DIY project, I built one of the Bastl Propust kits. I wasn't really looking for a fixed filter but but its cheap and they're weren't any demos on YouTube, so I decided to build one. It's actually a pretty useful little module. For being 2HP and passive, it's a good addition to any rack."

poorness studios DIY Projects

Kaossilator Sketch #5: Synthtastic

video by poorness studios

"I think the KORG Kaossilator can be considered a music producer's sketch pad. I've been doing a series of sketches throughout January just for fun. This video is the fifth sketch, synthtastic."

Kaossilator Sketches by poorness studios

Overlooked Module #12: Pluton Modular Envade

video upload by Poorness Studios

"This is the next video in my Overlooked Modules series. Today, I'm taking a closer look at the Envade from Pulton Modular. This fun module outputs a gate and a envelope with every press of the button. It can be purchased a DIY kit or a completed module.

You can find Pluton's Etsy page here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/PlutonModular"

You can find Poorness Studios' overlooked module videos here.



Designed to have more utility than the usual Eurorack button module, Envade has a built in rise-fall slew output in addition to its gate out!

2022 UPDATE:
The panel is now 8HP, as opposed to 9 in the original design (The electronics are unchanged). We're learning more every day, so please stick with us as we improve!
If you bought Envade with the 9HP panel and would like us to send you an 8HP replacement panel, please get in touch through the contact seller option or via the e-mail address on our website.
--------------------------

So far we've found many fun ways to use it in patches:
+ Use the gate to step a sequencer while using the CV as the envelope
+ Control a filter with a slow envelope for beautiful, ambient input
+ Set the rise time to a low value to use it as a sensitive, expressive envelope that changes in intensity based on how long you press

But there are infinite other ways to use it!
It's especially great for use in live jamming, due to its expressive and tweakable nature.

This is the first module we've ever designed, but we're proud to present it to you all! It's spent about 4 months in careful development as I learned (and continue to learn) the best practices of analog design.

We've already begun work on more modules, and are excited to grow with you!

Build guide, power, and size information available at https://plutonmodular.com/modules/ENVade.html

CLICK FOR MORE »

Overlooked Module #3: Animodule Line_Amp

Published on Oct 29, 2019 poorness studios

"Here is another module many folks don't even think about. The Line_Amp is only 2hp and it functions as a buffered mult when its not amplifying signals. This simple module can easily boost a line level signal to modular level and so much more.

Module page: http://www.animodule.com/product/line..."

poorness studios Overlooked Module videos

Jamming with the Landscape HC-TT

video upload by Musical Miscellany (Poorness Studios)

"I posted a few videos about the HC-TT from Landscape and now I decided to do a jam with it. Instead of using glitchy synths and the like, I decided to try it with "traditional" instruments. I'm pretty happy with the way this came out."

Musical Miscellany (Poorness Studios) Landscape posts

Gregorian Glitch 2 (TX Wiggles 44)

Published on Jun 3, 2019 poorness studios

"I did another video where I put glitchy synth sounds under a Gregorian chant. The chant is coming off a record player so you can hear the static and clicks. It's really chaotic but somewhat relaxing at the same time. The first Gregorian Glitch video can be found here:" [posted here]

poorness studios TX Wiggles

Error Instruments Tele Blender: Unboxing & Demo

video by poorness studios

"This is my third product from Error Instruments in The Netherlands. They make some really cool stuff. The Tele Blender can be an audio source or a CV source. It can produce some familiar musical patterns but can also create audio mayhem.

Intro @ 0:00
Unboxing @1:14
Overview @ 2:15
The Basics @ 3:13
Audio Demo @ 4:14
CV Demo @ 6:22
CV & Audio Demo @ 9:20
Conclusion @ 11:27"

poorness studios Error Instruments posts

Overlooked Module #11: Synthrotek AstroNoise

video upload by Poorness Studios

"This is the next video in my Overlooked Modules series and I'm showcasing the AstroNoise module from Synthrotek. It's available as a DIY kit or a completed module and it contains a plethora of arcade-like sounds. It can be a glitch module, a drone module, a percussion module, or whatever else you want it to be."

Poorness Studios Overlooked Module posts

Overlooked Module #7: Erica Fusion (Tube) Ring Modulator

poorness studios

"It's been a while since I did an episode of Overlooked Modules. This time, I take a closer look at the Erica Fusion Ring Modulator. This tube module is capable of simple ring mod tones or complete sonic insanity. It's definitely a cool module and one that probably doesn't get the credit it deserves."

Overlooked Module posts by poorness studios

Overlooked Module #2: Erogenous Tones Levit8

Published on Oct 28, 2019 poorness studios

"Here is another module many folks overlook. The Levit8 from Erogenous Tones can attenuate, mix, invert, offset, sub-mix, and more.

Module page: http://erogenous-tones.com/modules/le..."

poorness studios Overlooked Module videos

Kaossilator Sketch #3: World Vibes & #4: Dancing Robots

video by poorness studios

"I think the KORG Kaossilator can be considered a music producer's sketch pad. I'm going to do a series of sketches throughout January just for fun. This video is the third sketch, world vibes. Stay tuned for more of these in the coming weeks."

Kaossilator Sketch #4: Dancing Robots
video by poorness studios

"I think the KORG Kaossilator can be considered a music producers sketch pad. I'm going to do a series of sketches throughout January just for fun. This video is the fourth sketch, dancing robots. Stay tuned for one more."

You can find additional sketches here.

Getting Started with Eurorack (Modular Synth 101 | Part 10)

video upload by Musical Miscellany (Poorness Studios)

"This is the final episode in this 101 series. This one focuses on getting started in Eurorack. If you want to start experimenting with modular, follow these 6 easy steps...

Intro - 0:00
1) Get a Semi-modular Synths - 0:24
2) Understand Cases & Power - 1:11
3) Use Modulargrid.net - 3:00
4) Build Your System - 3:57
5) Avoid 1U Modules - 4:55
6) Have Fun - 5:46"

Additional posts in the series: Musical Miscellany (Poorness Studios) Modular Synth 101

3 Eurorack Filter Clones Compared

Published on Feb 18, 2018 poorness studios

"I have 3 Eurorack filters and they all happen to be clones of vintage synths. I did a side-by-side comparison of the Doepfer A-124 (EDP Wasp clone), STG Soundlabs Sea Devils (EMS Synthi clone), and Harvestman Polivoks VCF (Polivoks clone).

Check out this video for more details on the A-124 self-oscilaltion mod:"

DIY Project 11: Doepfer A-124 WASP self oscillation mod

Published on Jan 29, 2018 poorness studios

"I really wanted to do the WASP self-oscilaltion mod. However, I didn't want to lose the filter's original character. Here's a way to do it cheap and easy. Of course, you lose one of the CV jacks, but I think it's worth it for the flexibility.

Patch Pierre article with the original mod: http://patchpierre.blogspot.nl/2011/0..."

What is a Basic Synth Voice? (Modular Synth 101 | Part 6)

video upload by Musical Miscellany (Poorness Studios)

"HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!!! To celebrate the holiday, I explain how to make a basic synth voice using just 4 modules (5 if you count the sequencer). Most of synthesizers on the market use this basic signal path to produce musical tones."

Additional posts in the series: Musical Miscellany (Poorness Studios) Modular Synth 101

What are Gate & Pitch Signals? (Modular Synth 101 | Part 8)

video upload by Musical Miscellany (Poorness Studios)

"This is episode 8 of the Modular Synth 101 series I've been posting on Mondays. This episode explores what gate and pitch signals do within the synthesizer. I demonstrate them with a keyboard and also with a sequencer."

Additional posts in the series: Musical Miscellany (Poorness Studios) Modular Synth 101

Shelter in Place (TX Wiggles 56)

Published on Mar 24, 2020 poorness studios

"Since we're all homebound, I started trying out combinations of different instruments. Here's a little jam using the Jarmaggeddon (glitch generator), Volca Beats, Volca Bass, Microbrute, and my trust ol' Les Paul. I like the way it came out. Oh... and not just one, but two cats managed to sneak into the video. Sheesh!"

poorness studios TX Wiggles

Cigar Box Guitar + Modular Synth: Part II (TX Wiggles 50)

Published on Nov 3, 2019 poorness studios

"I woke up this morning with this cigar box guitar riff in my head so I decided to build a piece around it. The audio comes straight out of the modular synth with no additional processing.

You can find Part I here:"

Cigar Box Guitar + Modular Synth: Part I (TX Wiggles 35)

Published on Sep 22, 2018 poorness studios

"This was kinda fun. I decided to plug my CBG into the modular synth. It goes thru a homemade fuzz pedal, into the Pittsburgh InOut, then thru a Harvestman Polivoks VCF, and finally into MI Clouds. It doesn't really sound like a CBG after all that... but the twang still comes thru.

Fuzz pedal build: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7DC3..."

The Big Feast (TX Wiggles 51)

Published on Nov 28, 2019 poorness studios

"Happy Thanksgiving all. I wanted to do a video for Thanksgiving so I came up with this. It's mainly just a morphing digital oscillator on top of a looping sequence with an Thanksgiving-themed audio track playing off my old iPod. It sounded pretty cool though."

poorness studios TX Wiggles

Overlooked Module #4: Erica MIDI to CLK

Published on Oct 30, 2019 poorness studios

"This is another gem in the Eurorack world. The MIDI to CLK module from Erica allows your Eurorack system to sync with the outside world. It can both send and receive clock signals via MIDI."

poorness studios Overlooked Module videos

What Does a LFO Do? (Modular Synth 101 | Part 7)

video upload by Musical Miscellany (Poorness Studios)

"This is episode 7 of the Modular Synth 101 series. Today, I take a closer look at Low Frequency Oscillators (LFOs). This is the component that is most often used to modulate other parameters in the synthesizer."

Additional posts in the series: Musical Miscellany (Poorness Studios) Modular Synth 101