Small Tube VCA/Distortion Modules

video upload by John Schussler

"There seem to be more and more folks making modules with small tubes these days. I have a few of them, and figured I'd do a comparison. These are all 'distortion' modules in one sense or another. Some are VCAs, some are filters, and some are just tube-y grimy-ness.

I've also thrown in an intro to the cDVCA, a new kind of VCA that is also a specialist at distortion. It doesn't have a tube, so it gets a solo spot at the end.

Source audio is the saw out of an Acid Rain Chainsaw. Envelope from Zadar.
Sequence from Stochastic IG

00:00 Intro
00:20 Atonal OD - sweeps
03:52 Karltron Tube
06:35 Thermo Nuclear
09:27 Gotharman
11:48 Atonal OD - sequence
15:50 Karltron Tube
18:52 Thermo Nuclear
21:49 Gotharman
25:32 Bonus - cDVCA"

Mutable Instruments Plaits Update Adds 6-Op FM Model, String Machine, Wave Terrain Synthesis + More

via Mutable Instruments

"I’m releasing this firmware update with a couple of things I kept under my hat throughout 2021 and 2022 just in case the clones/competition would start being a problem (as you can see, it wasn’t really necessary).

Fixed a spurious retriggering of the internal envelope when entering/leaving the speech synthesis model.

Reduced the amount of software filtering on the TIMBRE and MORPH knobs, to increase their responsiveness.

Reduced the amount of hysteresis in the quantizer responsible for converting a voltage into discrete settings (for example, for model selection with the MODEL CV input, or chord selection with the HARMONICS knob and CV input). This makes the relationship between a voltage and a specific setting more consistent when controlled by a sequencer.

The filters used for band-limited wavetable synthesis have been improved, eliminating the amplitude drop observed for the highest notes.

The frequency range selector has a new mode: octaves. In this mode, the right button and FREQUENCY knob combo adjusts the root note, then the FREQUENCY knob transposes this root note up or down. Pressing both buttons simultaneously for a short time enables or disables an alternative way of selecting a synthesis model: the first button selects the previous model, the second button the next one.

This new -/+ control scheme gives access to an orange bank of synthesis models for pitched sounds.

1 Classic waveshapes with filter (HARMO: resonance and filter character - gentle 24dB/octave CCW, harsh 12dB/octave CW, TIMBRE: filter cutoff, MORPH: waveform and sub level, OUT: LP output, AUX: 12dB/octave HP output)

2 Phase distortion and modulation (HARMO: distortion frequency, TIMBRE: distortion amount, MORPH: distortion asymmetry, OUT: carrier is sync’ed (phase distortion), AUX: carrier is free-running (phase modulation)).

3, 4, 5 2-voice, 6-operator FM synth with 32 presets (HARMO: preset selection, TIMBRE: modulator(s) level, MORPH: envelope and modulation stretching/time-travel). The two voices are alternatively triggered whenever a trigger is received on the TRIG input. When the TRIG input is not patched, a single voice plays as a drone, and the MORPH knob allows time-travel along the envelopes and modulations. The LEVEL input is repurposed as a velocity control - controlling loudness or timbre depending on how each preset is programmed. Each model corresponds to a different bank of 32 presets among basses/synths, keyboards/plucked strings/percussions, organs/pads/strings/brass.

6 Wave terrain synthesis with continuous interpolation between eight 2D terrains (HARMO: terrain, TIMBRE: path radius, MORPH: path offset, OUT: Direct terrain height (z), AUX: Terrain height interpreted as phase distortion (sin(y+z)).

7 String machine emulation with stereo filter and chorus (HARMO: chord, TIMBRE: chorus/filter amount, MORPH: waveform, OUT: voices 1&3 predominantly, AUX: voices 2&4 predominantly).

8 Four variable square voices for chords or arpeggios (HARMO: chord, TIMBRE: arpeggio type or chord inversion, MORPH: PW/Sync, OUT: square wave voices, AUX: NES triangle voice, TIMBRE attenuverter: envelope shape). Plug a trigger input to clock the arpeggiator.

The module can receive audio data on its TIMBRE input to load custom data into a synthesis model (only one synthesis model can be altered at a time). This new feature is available for the following models:

6-operator FM: transfer of 32 custom patches in DX7 SysEx format. They will replace one of the built-in banks.

Wave terrain synthesis: transfer of a custom wave terrain.

Wavetable synthesis: transfer of 15 custom waveforms and customization of bank 4’s wave map."

Buchla 200 Breathing Funk

video upload by Buchla 200 Breathing Funk

"A little experiment. Most of the sounds are created from white & blue noise processed through the Spectral Processor
. . .
My Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/synthtodd"

Starting a Sidecar MIDI Controller to expand the Ibanez IMG2010 MC1 Guitar to MIDI Converter system

video upload by Unrelated Activities

"The Ibanez IMG2010 electric guitar and MC1 MIDI Converter is an old (1986) but good MIDI guitar system. Apart from translating the audio signal frequency and amplitude from each guitar string to MIDI note number and velocity, it provides MIDI program change messages (via panel buttons and/or a IFC60 footcontroller), Hold pedal, a CTL rotary potentiometer and an Arm on the IMG2010 guitar with assignable MIDI control change messages (cc00 to cc32). When controlling modern MIDI rack synthesizer modules, these control change options are a bit limiting, so I decided to start designing an Arduino 'sidecar' expansion MIDI controller to be used in parallel to the IMG2010 & MC1. It can be fun."

Sound Design for chords!

video upload by Jörg Schaaf

"Sound Design with the Delta CEP A! I love the chord detune function, the built in reverb and the rich textures I can get out of this engine."

Sound Master SR-88 Memory Rhythm

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via this auction

You can find a handful of posts featuring the Sound Master SR-88 here including a demo, pics of the box & manual, a brochure, and a software emulation.

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Elka Synthex Pre-Series Version

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"In excellent shape and working order. Everything will be checked again just before shipping. This is an early version, without serial number. 220V mains."

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Farfisa Syntorchestra Metal Version

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"Farfisa Syntorchestra string machine + mono analog synthesizer, metal version with cover and keys for the locks. Excellent shape, with some marks in the metal as can be seen in the pictures."

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Low-Gain Electronics - Tri-Core VCO’s : Sync experiments w/ PWM.

video upload by LowGainElectronics

"Playing with two Tri-Core VCO’s to experiment with sync as well as some good old fashioned PWM modulation. Looking forward sequencing this type of patch."

Waldorf Music: Hans Zimmer Interview - Part 1

video upload by WaldorfMusicChannel

"Hans Zimmer has composed music for over 150 films in an illustrious career spanning more than 30 years, winning two Golden Globes, four Grammys and two Oscars. The composer, who made a name in the 1980s and 1990s with 'Rain Man', 'Thelma & Louise,' and 'Driving Miss Daisy,' continues to haunt viewers with recent soundtracks such as 'Pirates of the Caribbean', '12 years a slave' and 'Dune'. In an exclusive interview with us, he shares his inspiration and tells us why he is a Waldorf fan since so many years."