Tribute to synthesizers.com modular systems

Reaktor ensemble by Chet Singer
"I’ve always admired classically-styled modular instruments, particularly the ones sold by synthesizers.com. But my aversion to having to tear apart a cool-sounding patch to create the next one ensures that I’m unlikely to ever buy a true patchable analog modular.

So, here’s a modular synthesizer for Reaktor, based on modules available from synthesizer.com. It’s designed to fit in a 44-module walnut cabinet. A few of the modules are modified or enhanced to suit my whims. The modules included are:

1 MIDI Interface
1 Slew Limiter
1 Noise Source
6 Voltage-Controlled Oscillators
3 Voltage-Controlled Filters
2 8-Input Mixers
1 Sample/Hold
2 Control Voltage Processors
3 Voltage-Controlled Amplifiers
3 ADSR Envelope Generators
1 Fixed Filter Bank
1 Voltage-Controlled Pan/Xfade
1 Ring Modulator
1 Shaper
1 Voltage-Controlled Delay
1 Oscilloscope/Voltmeter
1 Stereo Output Mixer
1 Stereo Output Chorus

Module inputs are visualized as drop-down menus which display the available module outputs. Modules don’t consume CPU cycles unless actually used.

The operating voltages mimic synthesizers.com modules. For example, oscillator outputs swing between +5 and -5 volts, and envelope generator peak voltages are +5 volts.

There are no LFOs. In the style of synthesizers.com instruments, oscillators double as LFOs.

Playing modes include polyphonic, monophonic legato, and monophonic retrigger. Monophonic and polyphonic portamento are built into the pitch controller.

Four assignable MIDI busses are included.

Two extra mod matrix outputs are available (labeled Extra1 and Extra2) so that two additional modules can be added to the system without having to modify the mod matrix."

You can find it here. via Pighood in the comments of this post.

Lost Terrain - Carbon111

"Lost Terrain contains three aural journeys powered by the mighty Serge Modular Synthesizer. These pieces are composed from self-generating modular synthesizer patches with a little manually-played synth added for good measure. These are organic, synthesized soundscapes designed to evoke lost landscapes, either "passing or past", nevermore to be seen again by the human eye."

You can download the tracks on Carbon111.

Also see Shadow

Update: note on Lost Terrain: "One interesting thing to note for people curious about the Creature/Gator M-odule pairing, the song Artic-11/25 was made entirely with only these two M-odules."

Admin: Blog Archives

I moved the archives down just above the Labels section.

Vintage Roland VP-330

via this auction

ARTURIA ORIGIN DESKTOP SYNTHESIZER

via this auction
"Main features
* Create your own synthesis patch by connecting independent modules. These modules are either innovative modules we introduced (such as Galaxy) or taken from the best synthesizers ever made (such as the Moog Modular, the Yamaha CS-80, the Roland Jupiter-8, the Minimoog, the ARP 2600, the Sequential Circuits Prophet 5 and Prophet VS).
* Alternatively, use an existing synthesizer recreation: the Minimoog, the ARP 2600*, the Jupiter-8* or the Prophet 5*
* Superb audio quality with TAE® engine in a hardware chassis. 24 bits/44.1 kHz supported.
* High-Quality Real time Effects: Phaser, Chorus, Delay, Reverb, Distortion, Parametric EQ*, Bit Crusher*.
* 500 presets created by a selection of international sound designers
* 16/32 step advanced sequencer allowing you to program three sub-sequences at a time and to perform live.
* Multi mode allowing you to play 4 instruments at a time, for example a Minimoog, a Jupiter-8*, a modular patch and an ARP 2600*.
* Creative Macros, advanced LFO’s, innovative modulation sources, different Joystick modes.
* Advanced Preset browser.
* Analog Audio Connectivity: 2 audio ins, 10 audio outs.
* Digital Audio: SPDIF out, USB 2.0
* Built-in expression pedal and footswitch control inputs
* MIDI : In, Out, Thru or USB 2
* Up to 32 voices of polyphony
* Also a MIDI controller offering 33 encoders, 21 potentiometers and 1 joystick
* Ergonomic hardware design and quality manufacturing in France and Germany.
* Origin lets you open dedicated software on your Mac and PC in the form of Origin Connection an ergonomic application allowing to archive preset, exchange data, upgrade firmware."

Yamaha SK15

via this auction

according to the auction, this is the one in this video.

Lassus: Ave Regina

YouTube via AaronAndrewHunt

"This excerpt by Lassus presents a puzzle for tuning with pure intervals, where the closing chord should be the same as the opening chord, but if strict theoretical rules are followed the closing chord will fall about a quartertone lower than the opening chord. The passage is played twice here on a 2 octave Tonal Plexus keyboard, showing how this pitch shifting occurs. In the first performance, only pure intervals are used, which lead to the quartertone lower closing chord. The drop in pitch at 2 junctures should be clearly audible. The second time the quartertone distance between the opening and closing chord is distributed throughout the passage at almost every change in harmony, so that the final chord ends up being the same as the opening chord instead of lower. This means that common tones and pitches normally held as suspensions (which should not change) actually do change in the second example, shifting up by 1 JND at almost every change of harmony. This is usually called 'adaptive' tuning. I limited the adaptive shifts to 1 JND, which is the distance between 1 key vertically and the next in the default tuning of 205ET which is used here. The adapting could be done in slightly different ways to end up with the desired outcome. I personally like the small lift in pitch which is felt with every change in harmony in the adaptive version. This lifting of pitch gives a feeling that the piece is constantly rising when in fact it is just compensating for the naturally falling pitch. I like the subtle changes. A different example could show the opposite, where small lowing of pitch over time could compensate for rising pitch, and a longer passage could mix both things. Just a note here - I have changed some registers of pitches in this example because the bass notes would not all fit on a 2 octave keyboard. Also, I admit that I did not consult a score for this; I only listened to a tuning example made by Kalle Aho and figured out the passage by ear at the keyboard. The basic voice leading should be correct. Thanks to Kalle for posting the example which gave me the idea to do this. And, thank you for watching and listening (and reading). Check out the Tonal Plexus at http://www.h-pi.com"

Gorf Step Sequencer: Hello, World Ambient Slice

YouTube via statikfire. "Gorf says Hello World" Quasimidi 309

Gorf Step Sequencer: Hello, World

"GORF sequencer, Hello World. First time powered on, and it worked. Notice my crazy custom mod: Power switch, oh yeah."

ratchet groove

YouTube via angelometz
"ARP 2600, synthesizers.com and Minimoog D driven by a Q960 ratchet sequence. Oberheim OB8 plays the chords."

Analogue Systems rs430 Distortion Module Redux

YouTube via bigcitymusic
"First dry, then wet...This cool little module is based on the classic Univox Super-Fuzz pedal. The Super-Fuzz is considered by many to be the holy grail of fuzz pedals.

We're using the Cwejman VCO-2RM oscillator, the ADSR-VC2, the INS-2MX and the MMF-1 multimode filter. The rs430 has CV input for distortion amount and dry/wet mix.

The rs430 uses two germanium diodes to produce the unique squarewave clipping and -- it -- sounds -- sweet!"