Video: DUTCH MODULAR FESIVAL 2025 by DivKid

Yeah… I’m honestly a bit bummed that this year I had to miss what would have been my first Dutch Modular Fest.
But luckily, DivKid made the trip to the Netherlands and captured it all in his own unique way.

One of the people guiding him around the venue was Bart Wolff from Voltage Control Amsterdam. 

Bart is not only one of the hosts of Dutch Modular Fest, but he also organizes inspiring modular music events at Paradiso Amsterdam. In the video you can see how he leads DivKid through the WORM space, sharing the spirit of the festival.

DivKid’s report is a quick walkthrough of the festival location WORM in Rotterdam. It really gives you a feel of the atmosphere: the modular makers, the synth and soldering studios, and of course all the lovely people who make this community so inspiring.

Video:DUTCH MODULAR FESIVAL 2025 

// a wondrous collection of modular makers, synth studios + lovely people, by
DivKid

"Here's a video all about the Dutch Modular Festival for 2025 that's just happened with a huge collection of modular makers, synth studios, great people and plenty more. This is the first year the festival moves to Rotterdam into the venue WORM which is a cultural spot in the Netherlands with a whole range of related activity already going on before the festival moves in for the day. Check out some of the gear, people and stories in the video and links below to things mentioned in the video."

More DivKid videos at 

https://www.youtube.com/user/DivKidVideo
Insta: https://www.instagram.com/divkidvideo/
DivKid on X: https://x.com/DivKid

Portable Eurorack Case DIY Project, Part One

My old Doepfer G6 rack w. power supply 2

Sometimes new ideas don’t come from buying something shiny and new, but from simply looking around at what’s already there.

As I’ve been planning to create more content for the blog, I realized I needed a smaller, more portable setup to complement my ‘main’ Eurorack modular. Something I could easily pick up, move to the living room or outside, and experiment with whenever inspiration hits.

This weekend, I wasn’t able to go out much because of too much pain, so I decided to finally tackle a project that had been waiting in the corner for far too long: transforming my old, clunky Doepfer G6 rack (2 × 84HP) into a more portable case.

Yes, I know... there are already plenty of companies making beautiful cases ( Casefromthelake, 2egress, and so on). But this G6 had been lying around for ages, unsold, unused. And since I love recycling whenever I can... most of my art projects are made from reclaimed or leftover materials. It only felt natural to give it a second life.

From 84HP to 126 HP wide

I started dismantling the old rack, stripping it of its rails and panels.
My original plan was modest: one row, 126HP wide. 

But, like most of my projects, the idea grew while I was working on it. I cut one rail in half, connected it to another with a piece of threaded rod, and suddenly I had the width I wanted.

At first, I thought this would be enough for a small experimental rig. But then the big question came: where would I put the power supply? That’s when I noticed I could reuse a few more rails from the back. Why stop at one row when I could make it two?
So instead of downsizing, I ended up with a larger, more flexible case; two rows high, 1 x 126HP plus one 42HP wide = 168HP in total, while still recycling almost everything.

Connection of the rails,
side-view

The prototype front panel is now almost finished. The wooden top is in place, and I’m considering putting the whole thing at an angle for easy access. That part will probably be a story for another blogpost.

 
If I can find some nice wooden panels, the build should be finished in a few days. Maybe I’ll even paint this plywood case with a water-based color, but honestly, I already love the raw look it has now.

Sometimes staying home leads to unexpected creations, and I’m already looking forward to experimenting with this new recycled setup.

Almost finished front of the new portable case prototype

Soon after the last picture, I realized I’d made things harder for myself. Of course the power supply should go in the bottom row, so the top stays nice and deep for my modules.

...To be continued....

Check out my other modular case inspiration blogposts HERE

The Story of Inventing Eurorack: Dieter Doepfer by MylarMelodies

This blog would never have existed without one man: Dieter Doepfer, the mind behind the Eurorack format.

As we celebrate the 30th anniversary of Eurorack, I’m currently working on a deeper article about its fascinating history. But in the meantime, there’s already something special to share.

In 2024, Mylar Melodies sat down with Dieter Doepfer himself, alongside Holger Zapf, who is gradually taking the reins at Doepfer HQ. 

The interview dives into the origins of Doepfer, the evolution of synthesizers, and of course, the future of  Eurorack.

It’s a must-watch for anyone passionate about modular synthesis. You can find the video below— and don’t forget to follow Mylar Melodies on social media for more inspiring synth content.

Video: The story of INVENTING Eurorack: DIETER DOEPFER //                                                                                                                    Why We Bleep 55 by MylarMelodies

" A podcast about creating Eurorack modular synths in the 90s, collaborations with Kraftwerk, the 'red stripe' controversy (if you know you know) - in this episode we hear from Dieter Doepfer, in an interview at Machina Bristronica 2024, about how his Eurorack Modular format went from "Nobody
wants that sh*t" to a blossoming and diverse industry 30 years later.
 This was filmed at the mighty https://machinabristronica.uk/ "

LISTEN AND SUBSCRIBE TO WHY WE BLEEP ON: 

APPLE PODCASTS: ▶︎ https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast...
SPOTIFY: ▶︎ https://open.spotify.com/show/7geAIMt...

PATREON: ▶︎ https://www.patreon.com/mylarmelodies

Source: https://www.youtube.com/@mylarmelodies

Amsterdam Dance Event ADE Lab 2025

Amsterdam Dance Event is just around the corner.
Every year it transforms the city into a buzzing mix of conference, festival, and networking hub, where more than 2,500 international artists come together.
For me, the highlight will probably be the ADE Lab — four inspiring days at the cosy Westergas terrain in Amsterdam.

ADE 2025 takes place from October 22—26, 2025
This year, ADE Lab is expanding into its very own Lab Village, a creative playground dedicated entirely to sound. It’s a multi-day program where sound synthesis, audiovisual art, and innovative ways of making music are shared, demonstrated, and developed. Expect everything from artist and engineer talks, to immersive AV installations, live performances, DIY workshops, and the unveiling of new gear.

The program spreads across several spots at Westergas:
WestWeelde is the industrial heart of it all, where big ideas stick. Here you’ll catch plenary talks and masterclasses, then retreat into the cosy Lab Living area to recharge, meet peers, or simply take it all in.
Radio Radio, the iconic nightclub, will transform into a workshop playground. You can roll up your sleeves in the hands-on sessions or drift into the vinyl listening bar, where the turntable itself becomes the teacher.
Pacific Amsterdam is the place to dream big. This studio-like club will host intimate talks with some of the most influential names in the game. Plus, the Gear Test Lab and Workshop Room will let you try the newest tools yourself — brand reveals are still under wraps, but I can’t wait to see what’s coming.

Me on the Verbos system

The last time I visited ADE Lab was back in 2016, when it was still called ADE Sound Lab and took place at De Brakke Grond and the Compagnietheater. 

I went with my good friend (DJ) Guido, and had fun wandering through booths from brands like Ableton, Moog, Pioneer DJ, and Roland. 

That year, Roland had just introduced their Boutique series — the TB-03 Bass Line, VP-03 Vocoder, and TR-09 Drum Machine. 

The VP-03 really stuck with me... I even own one now...

With Daniel from
LiveStock Electronics

The European eurorack distributor Alex4 was also there, showcasing Doepfer, AQA, and BirdKids, among their other brands, while Elektron and Erica Synths brought their gear-heavy setups, including an impressive Eurorack system.

I played with the Verbos system and had a great chat with Daniel from LiveStock, a Dutch modular manufacturer that sadly closed its doors in 2022. 

To close the day, I headed back to the Compagnietheater for a showcase of Dutch modular artists — an unforgettable night of sound exploration.

And now, years later, ADE Lab is bigger than ever. I can’t wait to dive back in.

👉 Get your tickets and i hope to see you at Westergas!

Allert from SonarTraffic performed in the evening

PatchPierre's Early Explorations in 5/4

It feels good to say this: my studio is finally up-to-date again. With a new 4K webcam sitting on my desk, I’m ready to dive back into recording.

It’s been too long since I last shared any jams, tunes, or demos—but the spark is definitely back.

The funny thing is, that spark really lit up when I started digging through my own YouTube archives. 

I stumbled on these three live tracks I uploaded more than 12 years ago, and suddenly I was right back in that moment. I can remember the setup, the cables, the excitement of hitting record, and the thrill of trying something a little unusual.

Those tracks were built around a quintuple 5/4 rhythm, a deliberate experiment after being inspired by Dave Brubeck’s Take Five and Blue Rondo à la Turk. I wanted to see what would happen if I pushed that feel into my own analog world. 

The result was rough in places, sure, but it had this strange, hypnotic quality that still grabs me today.

Listening back now, I realize how much I loved the tension between deep analog sounds and these off-kilter time signatures. It wasn’t about perfection but about exploring, stretching, and seeing where the groove would take me.

In the playlist below, you’ll find all three recordings. The first one in the playlist is/was the “final” take, the other two are raw sketches that show the idea taking shape. 

I do recommend headphones for this one... it’s all in the details.

Video Playlist: PatchPierre's Early Explorations in 5/4

Rediscovering these tracks has reminded me why I started sharing music in the first place. And with the new studio setup, I’m ready to pick up that thread again. If you’re curious where this journey leads next, follow me on YouTube—there’s much more to come.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/@NetPierreTV

VOSTOK Instruments Hive Quad Stereo Automated Mixer Demos by RaafModular and DivKid

VOSTOK Hive

VOSTOK Instruments has just unveiled their brand-new Hive Eurorack module — and this one is buzzing with clever features! 🐝

At first glance, Hive might look like a straightforward four-channel stereo(!) mixer with CV-controlled panning, but as we’ve come to expect from VOSTOK, there are plenty of smart twists hiding inside.

Each channel can boost incoming signals, making it simple to balance different modules, or even bring your desktop synths and drum machines into the Eurorack world without extra gear.

Hive uses a custom panning law with a gentle -1.5 dB dip at center, ensuring that stereo movements feel natural and musical, whether you’re tweaking by hand or modulating with CV.

Hive modules can also be daisy-chained at the back, letting you build out larger mixers or submixers without taking up tons of rack space.

All of this is packed into a sleek 10HP design, making Hive just as at home as your end-of-chain stereo mixer, FX submixer, or even a creative stereo mangler.

It’s compact, it’s clever, and it’s ready to bring some serious buzz to your rack.

Check out the walkthroughs by RaafModular and DivKid below to really hear and see Hive in action!

Video: Vostok Instruments - by Raafmodular

" Discover the power of submixers in Eurorack with the new Hive module by Vostok Instruments. 

In this video I explore how submixers can transform and deepen your sound. 

Using Hive as the central tool, I’ll show you: 

🎛️ How to blend multiple waveforms — including stereo signals — from a single oscillator to create epic build-ups. 

🎹 How to build a polyphonic synth setup while keeping just one clean stereo signal for your mixer. 

🎚️  How to use Hive as an extra effect send for greater control and creative routing. 

🎶 How to manage a full four-voice synthesizer with only one stereo output. 

🌌 How to shape a wide, immersive stereo field with CV-controllable stereo panning. 

Whether you’re looking to streamline your setup or unlock new sonic possibilities, submixers can show just how powerful this approach is in a modular system. If you enjoy the video, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share — it helps me make more music-first Eurorack content."

More RaafModular on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@raafmodular/videos
give Raaf Modular a follow on your favorite social platforms. 

Support your local modular heroes!

Video: Eurorack Modular Mixing Tips with Hive from VOSTOK Instruments - by DivKid

" Here’s the new 10HP stereo Eurorack mixer ‘Hive’ from Vostok Instruments and with the opportunity to make a demo of it I ran with the idea of showing a series of patching making the most of basic features, how to patch them for more advanced exciting things and bringing larger, layered patches and mixes together in the modular format. It's packed full of tips, give them a go."

https://www.vostokinstruments.com 

Vostok Instruments modules are also now available in VCV Rack, so you can try them out in software included my collaboration modules Trace & Path - try them out!" https://vcvrack.com

More DivKid videos at https://www.youtube.com/user/DivKidVideo

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/divkidvideo/

DivKid on Twitte...eeeh X: https://x.com/DivKid

Bjooks Returns to Dutch Modular Fest with PATCH & TWEAK Club

Kim Bjørn and co-author Chris Meyer
at the launch of PATCH & TWEAK at
Dutch Modular Fest in 2018

Bjooks, the publisher of beautifully designed music technology books, returns to Dutch Modular Fest this Saturday at WORM in Rotterdam — the very event where the acclaimed PATCH & TWEAK book was originally launched in 2018. 

Now, Bjooks is back to celebrate the growing PATCH & TWEAK Club community.​

Festival attendees will have the chance to meet Bjooks founder and author Kim Bjørn, who will be on site for meet & greets and to personally sign copies of Bjooks titles, including PATCH & TWEAK, The Minimoog Book, and Synth Gems 1. 

This is a unique opportunity to speak with the mind behind the movement and collect signed editions in an inspiring, creative atmosphere.

When:
​Saturday, September 6, 2025
​Festival Hours: 12:30-22:00
​
To learn more about PATCH & TWEAK Club, visit
https://www.patchandtweak.com/join-the-club/

To learn more about Dutch Modular Fest, visit: https://www.dutchmodularfest.com/

Find other PatchPierre BookTips at https://patchpierre.blogspot.com/search/label/Booktip

Source: HummingbirdMedia

Dutch Modular Fest 2025

Get Ready for the Dutch Modular Fest!
The annual Dutch Modular Fest (DMF) is happening this Saturday September 6th, at WORM in Rotterdam.
This festival, a cornerstone for the modular synthesizer community in the Netherlands, is a celebration of sound, technology, and creativity.

What started in 2017 as Ginkofest, organized by Jan Willem Hagenbeek of Ginkosynthese, has grown into a vibrant event that brings together makers, musicians, and artists from the modular synth world.

He created a space where enthusiasts could connect and share their passion.

This year's festival is packed with activities for everyone, from beginners to seasoned pros.
You can attend talks and masterclasses, browse the Makers Market, or get hands-on with a DIY-workshop where you can build your own modules. And of course, there will be plenty of live performances to inspire you.

One of the most anticipated events at the festival is the Mutable Challenge, a special tribute to the groundbreaking Eurorack company Mutable Instruments, which closed its doors in 2022.
This unique competition honors their legacy by showcasing the enduring power of their modules.
Participants will start with a rack full of only Mutable Instruments modules and have just one hour to create whatever they want—a tune, a soundscape, or even pure noise.
The challenge is to demonstrate the unique and creative potential of these iconic modules.

The festival is excited to welcome Gaz Williams to host this special project and already announced the four artists who will take on the challenge: Jungle of Wires, Yonga Sun, Paul Tas and Oğuz Büyükberber.
Each of these artists will bring a unique perspective on sound, improvisation, and expression. 

Tickets are still available at https://www.dutchmodularfest.com/

The Makers Market will be filled with some already established brands like Erica Synths, This is Not Rocket Science and ErrorInstruments, but there's also place for lesser known brands that will showcase their latest inventions... 

You can find the full list of exhibitors after the break:

Polaxis Talko Is Back!

Speech synthesis has always intrigued me...  ever since i saw the possibilities of a SpeakJet chip... and these FreQTalk videos

Belgian company Polaxis has been pushing the boundaries of speech synthesis for over a decade, and now they’re bringing back a classic: the Talko.

The original Talko was their very first speech synthesizer, later followed by Emy, which added an OLED screen, SD card support, and a whole new level of control. 

Over the years, Polaxis gathered 10 years of user feedback, collected thousands of LPC files, and experimented with new chip emulations. 

The result? Talko returns — with onboard FX!

This new-generation Talko(2?) stays true to its raw, charming character, but now comes packed with fresh features. 

Based on a Speak & Spell emulation (probably running on an Arduino?), it can speak numbers, alphabets, phonemes, and phrase banks, all while running in real time through built-in effects.

It’s designed to be DIY-friendly and will be available both as a Eurorack module or in a quirky standalone “bricky” format (a nod to @errorinstruments).

🔊 Want to hear it live? Come check it out at Dutch Modular Fest, Saturday September 6th in Rotterdam!

Dit bericht op Instagram bekijken

Een bericht gedeeld door Jean-Luc Deladrière (@polaxis)

Raul's World Of Synths Returns

Synthesizer Content Creators Are Making a Comeback! 

It feels like a blast from the past....suddenly, the synthesizer content creators from the early 2000s and 2010s are roaring back to life! 

The nostalgic wave of synth enthusiasts who shaped the online music tech scene a decade ago seems to be rekindling their passion, and I’m here for it. 

Last month I shared that *Retro Synth Ads*, a beloved blog for synth nerds, started posting again after a nearly four-year hiatus. 

Their return has been a delight for fans of vintage gear and quirky ads from the golden age of synthesizers. If you haven’t checked it out yet, dive into their treasure trove of retro goodness at

https://www.retrosynthads.com/ . 

Now, there’s more exciting news: Raul Pena, the mastermind behind *Raul’s World of Synths*, is back in action! 

Raul recently uploaded a mix of new and archival videos, including a Q&A where he reflects on how his channel began, the reasons behind his break, and his ambitious plans for future content. 

You can catch his latest updates on his YouTube channels

https://www.youtube.com/@raulsworldofsynths

https://www.youtube.com/@modularwild

For those unfamiliar, Raul’s work is a goldmine for synth enthusiasts. Through Raul’s World of Synths (active for 14 years) and Modular Wild (running for 12 years), he combines on-site video recordings and photography from synthesizer events to promote awareness and education about music technology. His content dives deep into the innovations of the music and audio industry, making it a valuable resource for musicians, techies, and enthusiasts of all ages. 

Video:Raul's World Of Synths Q&A

Raul’s return is especially exciting because of his in-depth video series covering Doepfer and other Eurorack modules from various other manufacturers. 

His detailed explorations are perfect for anyone looking to geek out over modular synths. 

Want to support his work? 

Check out his Liberapay page [here]

You can also follow his updates on X [here] 

or explore his projects on GitHub [here]. 

It’s thrilling to see creators like Raul back in the game, sharing their passion for music technology and inspiring a new generation of synth lovers. 

Stay tuned for more updates from the synth world—it’s shaping up to be a vibrant comeback season!

Dtronics DT-303 Distortion/Overdrive

I've had a lot of fun playing with the new Dtronics DT-303 that I bought a few months ago.

The Dtronics DT-303 is a small analog distortion and overdrive desktop unit (non-eurorack) made by Dutch company Dtronics.

It’s not a synthesizer, it’s mainly designed to work with machines like the Roland TB-303 and other bassline synths and offers 3 types of distortion.

The DT-303 changes your sound by adding distortion and overdrive .You can make it sound a little rough, or very dirty and aggressive, depending on the settings. 

If you want your acid lines to sound more dirty, loud, or punchy, this box can help.

The unit itself is small and strong, with it's metal case and rubber feet it sits sturdy on flat surfaces. Mono In- and Output are on the backside. The unit comes with a  9V power supply.

It only has a few knobs and buttons that feel sturdier than the ones on my TB-303.

3 buttons to select types of distortion Classic / Turbo / Overdrive or Bypass. 

1 Bypass button allows you to switch back to the original sound quickly.

It also has 3 knobs for Distortion level, Filter cutoff and Volume 

...al in a very cool looking TB-303 aesthetic 

The sound is warm and full and doesn’t make the bass disappear like some cheaper distortion boxes do. 

My own TB-303/DT-303 Combo

Wifred Pover from DTronics got the idea for the DT-303 in 2023; 
"On a rainy Sunday in January 2023 we were brainstorming about new products.
Until then, we had mainly made programmers for synthesizers. examples of this are the DT7, DT-300 and DT-200.
We thought it would be nice to broaden it and see if we could create a distortion.
While we were talking, we came up with the idea of ​​a distortion that could adjust the nuances and that would fit well with the appearance of the 303.
We were also bothered by variants where the connections were not at the back, causing the wires to run over the instrument.

Step by step the project became clearer and took more shape. We have been busy fine-tuning the parameters so that it matches our expectations as closely as possible.
We also enlisted the help of several good friends who have a lot of knowledge and expertise in the field of distortions and of course experience with the Roland TB-303."

"We started designing the hardware and the casing. An important part was the recognizability and the connection to the Roland TB-303. We used custom buttons and pots for this.

This is how the first prototypes of the DT-303 were created."

Funding was realized within a month via Kickstarter. The first modules were shipped in early 2024

and there are still units available via: SynthCity.NL

Basically the Dtronics DT-303 is a simple but effective box.
If you like acid music or 303-style basslines, it’s a great way to get that extra drive and grit.
It only works in mono, but for what it’s made to do, it does an excellent job.

I didn't have the right state of mind to make an original short video of this FX module, but I will try to feature it in upcoming video's. The Dtronics website has enough interesting videos about it anyway....

There is/was still a free Aux send on my mixing desk, so now I can also send 909 Bassdrums and other synths through this box... I love it!

The Story Behind MIDI Amsterdam by Modulogue

This year, we're celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Eurorack format. It's a great time to reflect on its journey.

When I started with Eurorack in 1998, only a couple of synth shops sold the modules: The Music House in Utrecht and MIDI Amsterdam. The real hype began with a "MIDI and Recording" magazine article on the Doepfer A-100 system around that same time.
I recently spoke with Martijn at The Music House, who was the first official Doepfer dealer. He taught me so much back then, and I'm still a huge Doepfer fan. 

We're planning an interview for later this year.

The team at Modulogue sat down with Tim Nieuwenhuis from MIDI Amsterdam to discuss his store and the early days of Eurorack.
It's a fascinating look at the start of the Eurorack scene in the Netherlands and how it led to a whole new community centered around sound.

I'm definitely looking forward to the next part of this story—if it becomes a series!

Video: The Story Behind MIDI Amsterdam /by/ Modulogue
" We visited Tim Nieuwenhuis' music store: 'MIDI Amsterdam', a staple in the Dutch electronic music scene for almost 30 years. Tim talks about the origin of his store, his passion for electronic music, the famous artists he's encountered over the years, and more! 

MIDI Amsterdam 

https://midiamsterdam.nl/ 

Modulogue 

https://www.modulogue.com/ade25/

/ modulogue.events 

/ modulogue 

/ modulogue

Creating Lush Reverbs and More with Bopp and Steve Video by @RaafModular

The Bopp & Steve Deconstructed Reverb by This is Not Rocket Science (TiNRS) has been on my radar ever since it was first teased at Superbooth Berlin a few years ago. With its unique approach to reverb and its unconventional interface, it immediately stood out among the sea of more traditional effects modules.

Earlier this year, TiNRS finally unveiled the finished version, and it’s been making waves in the modular community ever since. You may have already come across excellent deep-dives by DivKid and SonicState, both highlighting its creative potential and playful sound design possibilities.

But today, a new perspective caught my attention — a fresh video by Dutch modular artist Raaf Modular just popped up in my feed. 

He’s relatively new to creating content, but his style feels personal, musical, and refreshingly unpolished in the best way. 

It’s always exciting to see these modules in the hands of musicians who approach them from a purely creative angle rather than just technical.

Definitely worth checking out — and while you’re at it, give Raaf Modular a follow on your favorite social platforms. Support your local modular heroes!

Video:
Creating lush reverbs and more with Bopp and Steve by TINRS

Source: Raaf Modular

"This is a new kind of video for me.

In this one, I’m focusing on a single module — BOPP and STEVE by This Is Not Rocket Science.
This is not a review. I’m not a reviewer — I’m a musician. (plus a teacher! (red))

So rather than diving into every technical detail, I’m giving you a musical demonstration: how I use this module to patch, play, and make music. 

It’s a new direction I’m exploring, and I’m really enjoying it.
I originally started this channel to share my music, but more and more people have been asking how I create it — how I patch, how I build my sounds, and how I work with modular gear.
So this is the first step in sharing more of that side of my process.
Let me know in the comments if this kind of video speaks to you — 

I’d love your feedback. Thanks for watching

Raaf "

* The date for next year's Superbooth has just been released: May 7- 9 2026

SOMA Laboratory Announces New Colors for LYRA-4 and Limited Edition 'Rusting Soma' Edition

Polish SOMA laboratory was founded by Vlad Kreimer in 2016 after success with the LYRA-8 synthesizer, an interesting concept that he called“Organismic”, meaning that LYRA uses some principles that lie in the base of living organisms.
"The way how LYRA’s modules interact between each other and the behavior of the instrument resembles a live digital conversation."

New colors added to the original white and black versions

While LYRA-8 was based on eight generators, Soma re-launched this as LYRA-4 as a 4-voice version and the latest news is that they added a bunch of flashy colors for the fans...
They now added green, pink, orange, and Zanzibar blue to its cast of colors.

Their design is not like any traditional subtractive synthesis VCO. 

Instead of having a linear or logarithmic dependency on control voltage, they resemble the tone generators in old electric organs. Hence the use of the term “voices” instead of “VCOs”. 

Lyra uses non-linearity a lot, and the voices are constructed in such a way that allows for non-linearity to express itself.

It even comes in pink now! <3

The voices are divided into two pairs (12, 34), creating tree-like structure.

The voices can function either in an electric organ mode or in an FM synthesis mode with each of the voices and its envelope acting as a separate FM operator. The voice’s impact on FM synthesis will decrease along with the decay of its envelope.

LYRA-4 also has the next blocks:

The HYPER LFO is a complex low-frequency generator, whose waveform is synthesized from two simple LFOs by summation or multiplication of their frequencies. It also has a sync mode. The LFO can modulate the selected pairs of voices and the MOD DELAY.

The MOD DELAY consists of delay with feedback. The delay has a unique possibility of self-modulation where the output signal modulates the delay sample rate, creating cool effects.

The DISTORTION is last in the chain, after the delay. It enables the delay to also influence the distortion.

For all its experimental character, LYRA is a professional instrument. Its output dynamics and frequency response are balanced and ready for a live performance or studio recording without any additional processing.

Video: The Power of 2 x LYRA-4 (SOMA labs demo)

Source: https://www.youtube.com/@somasynths

On the other side of the color spectrum, the company is offering a special “Rusting SOMA” limited-edition bundle containing the PULSAR-23, LYRA-8, and COSMOS.
Not just another color, the special bundle's housing utilizes the highest level of production by using a unique technology and not just an artificial aging of each product.

While each product is being offered individually, each order of a complete set of the Rusting SOMA bundle comes with matching serial numbers for each product.

Each new color variant, including Rusting SOMA, is already shipping.
LYRA-4 is priced at €360
The PULSAR-23, LYRA-8, COSMOS bundle is priced at €2,700 (add €300 for Turret version)

To learn more, visit https://somasynths.com/cosmos

Eurorack Modular Make-over

My old Doepfer tower
(click to enlarge)

The final thing that had to be done in the studio after moving to Hilversum was re-organizing and cleaning my modular system.

It's a dirty job... but someone's got to do it...

I recently sold my Doepfer MAQ 16/3 sequencer, that one has mainly been replaced by the BeatStepPro sequencer. 

My Doepfer vocoder modules also found a better home... they took up too much space, and i'm more than happy with the easier to use Roland Boutique VP-03 vocoder... and this one still gives my tracks that retro Electro-Funk vibes.
Some other modules that i hardly ever used were sold too... I still do still have a few Doepfer modules for sale (pm me for a list).

The old layout just didn't make any sense anymore. Some modules were so weirdly placed that patching them always resulted in a whole spaghetti of cables.

I love my knobs
nice and clean

The new tower is now a fully analog, independent 5-Oscillator synth with a plethora of different modulation, calculation and filter options.

The only digital modules in the Eurorack system are the Doepfer Midi-to-CV converter and the RT60 digital multi-effect from the kind people at QuBitElectronix.

The new Eurorack mini-tower, controlled by
the BeatStepPro

After re-organizing the modules I took all the plastic knobs off and soaked them overnight in a jar filled with warm water with a bit of (biologic and bio-degradable) household cleaner added... It seemed to do the job perfect... 

Never use alcohol or other synthetic products because it might damage (the text on) your front-panels.

The next day I rubbed them all clean with a microfiber cloth and let them dry in the sun.

I used a slightly dampt cloth with the same cleaner to clean the front-panels, wiping them dry directly after.

I placed my Novation Drumstation on top of the tower for some of the most authentic TR-808 and TR-909 clone-drumsounds... and all still controlled by the BeatStepPro that I mentioned earlier.

The Drumstation's DIN-SYNC out is going into my TB-303, so this one nicely follows along, while it feeds its CV and a Gate signal back into my Eurorack tower . I can re-use these signals to create a copied version of the loop playing on the TB...and mutate it in any way i want...

I'm soo happy now,

the new workflow has much improved, less of the old cable-spaghetti, and the first soundcheck sounded crisp and clear.

I can't wait to record new sounds soon.

I couldn't find many guidelines for arranging modules on the web, so I made a few notes during the process last time that I did this... 

you can find that full post HERE... 

or click for the tips after the break

SiteTip: RetroSynthAds is Back

Retro Synth Ads is Back!

Just a quick post to share something nice I noticed — the blog Retro Synth Ads has (also) started posting again after being quiet for almost four years!

If you grew up loving synthesizers, you might remember how exciting it was to see new gear in magazines like Future Music, SOS... MIDI Magazine, Interface and even before that Keyboard Magazine or Electronic Musician. 

Back then, those ads were one of the only ways to find out what was new. There were no YouTube videos or websites to check every day. Just printed pages, full of dream machines.

The person behind Retro Synth Ads, based in Canada, clearly loved those ads too. He started blogging at https://retrosynthads.blogspot.com/ in 2019, sharing a lot of cool old synth brochures, advertisements and background stories. His posts are always a fun mix of history and nostalgia.

If you like classic synths or just want to remember the good old days of music gear ads, his blog is definitely worth checking out.

I have spent many hours on this site in the past and will definitely keep an eye on this again.

The archive is impressive, and easy to search through... 

Once more: https://retrosynthads.blogspot.com/

Welcome back, Retro Synth Ads!

You can always find a link to the most recent post in the right sidebar of the web-version of my own blog.... together with my other favorite blogs

Patch into more interesting SiteTips from the PatchPierre ARCHIVE

Doepfer A-149-3 Fluctuating Random Voltages

I am slowly catching up with the Doepfer announcements that they did at SuperBooth earlier this year, but one of them, the long awaited Doepfer A-149-3 Fluctuating Random Voltages seems to be ready for shipping right now.

In an online poll in the old Doepfer Usergroep over ten years ago about 
the earlier A-149 1/2 combo was voted as Users' Favorite Doepfer Modules 

A-149-3 is a new third module of the A-149-x range, based on the "Fluctuating Random Voltages" by Buchla.
Buchla avoided calling it a “noise” or “random” module — he preferred the mystical, poetic “Source of Uncertainty"

Basically it is a random voltage generator that features Quantized Random Voltages (stepped, like a broken sequencer) and Fluctuating Random Voltages (smooth, like a stoned LFO), offering both jagged and fluid unpredictability.

Used by pioneers like Morton Subotnick, the Source of Uncertainty helped shape electronic pieces that felt alive and organic

Compared to the historic original a lot of functions have been added in this module.

The user has access to virtually all internal signals (e.g. Noisy Triangle or S&H) and there are a lot of adjustable parameters which were fixed in the original like the frequency and noisiness of the internal triangle oscillator, the correlation of the S&H and manual or automatic frequency control of the S&H clock oscillator.

A-149 Internal Structure Schematics

The fixed internal connections of the original are wired to sockets in the A-149-3 and can be used also individually as the connections of the original are realized as normalled sockets. 

That way e.g. the S&H or slew unit can be used independent from the other units.

The Source of Uncertainty continues to ripple through modular design today.

Already other options were available to get this typical west-coast-style module into Eurorack.

TipTop clones like 266t, 266e, or modules inspired by its concept like Mutable Instruments Marbles

While I do have other modules on my want-list that I have to get first, this will probably end up in my rack at some point... next to it's precursors A-149-1 and 2.

Those were a lot of fun to experiment with and I expect this will be a lot of fun too.

Source and more info:
https://www.doepfer.de/A1493.htm

About Last Weekend: Solar Vibes Festival @ SuperChill

As soon as i opened my cardoors at arrival and heard the bleeps and chirps from Estroe blown my way by a light breeze I knew it was going te be a good day..

Estroe Live

I had a fun afternoon at the Solar Vibes Festival @SuperChill last saturday. 

The synth-event, organized by Ricardo Verschut (Tectonia), was located in the middle of nowhere on a small and cozy farm just outside Leusden... 

On a small improvised stage under a roof of solarpanels Ricardo presented an interesting lineup, with a good mix of different styles.

There was plenty of room to sit and/or lie down in the dry grass for the small crowd of around 60 spectators/ synth enthousiasts. 

Ron Boots with Harold van der Heijden on drums

Sadly I missed Skoulaman's performance, but I was just in time to see a big part part of Estroe's experimental/ ambient set. 

Synth-legend Ron Boots played some new tracks in his well-known Berlin-inspired style, accompanied by Harold van der Heijden live on drums.

Spectators enjoying the sounds of MAHU's set

After his performance it was time for MaHu's original and inspiring sound-collages.

A crisp and clear solo set by Raaf (RaafModular) on his modular followed.
I found out afterwards that my niece is already a fan of him.

He has a pleasing style, melodic and technical, appealing to most people on the field, from purists to even the random visitors that also stopped by at the festival to have a listen.

The vibe was very picnic-like during the whole afternoon, the location even had decent festival-food for reasonable prices and the people seemed to enjoy themselves a lot.

The Soulmade System and Tectonia (who organized this event) both  delivered solid sets and soundscapes while some darker clouds were getting closer. The swallows even seemed to do a little dance above the captivated crowd but luckily most of the clouds drifted away without leaving much rain.

RobotPoolParty

The day ended surprisingly with an more uptempo and eclectic set from RobotPoolParty.

Some already know Jaïr Darnoud (1998) from his hip-hop act 'Rens, Jaïr & Ome Uncle' and under the name 'Groovegod Jaïr Darnoud'.
Robbert van Zuiden (1988) used to play in bands and has been actively working with modular synthesizers in recent years.
He told me he also designs modules under the name Lucid Modular and working on his first module release 'Hey Bro, help me out!' , a specialized sequencer controller for the Moog DFAM and other 8-step sequencers.

In the past year you could have seen them performing in and around Amsterdam, but it was my first time seeing them.
Jaïr en Robbert have great chemistry on stage and their style is a unique mix of punchy beats, distorted dub, their own alternative groove and influences of Surinamese Kaseko. 

It was good to see how their energy reflected to the audience and finally made quite a few get up and do a little dance...Animistic Beliefs... eat your heart out... this is going to get huge!

It was a perfect way to end the day while the sun was slowly fading away . 

It was a pleasure seeing and meeting some of these artists as well, although I didn't get to speak with everyone. I would like to thank Ricardo for giving some extra info this event at this special location.

There are more modular events like this coming up in the near future.
This next Saturday August the 3rd, for example is Modular On The Spot at an old Bunker/Fort in Maarsseveen

Please follow and support all artists on social media.

__________________

More RobotPoolParty:

Check out their set from last year at Paradiso 

and find them on https://soundcloud.com/robotpoolparty_com