SiteTip: Equipboard

These last few weeks i have been trying out a 'new' music start-up called Equipboard.
The site mainly focuses on the question: What gear do my favorite music artists use?

" Equipboard is a community-built database of artists and the gear they use.
Launched in late 2013, this growing community of gear-obsessed music fans have already made the connection between 13,147 products and 4,480 artists – everything from Jimi Hendrix’s guitars and amps to Aphex Twin’s arsenal of electronics.
In addition to contributing, users can create their own equipment boards to share the gear they have or want, and participate in authentic conversations about their favorite artists and brands.

Artists and brands can claim or create a profile to add additional content and participate in conversations with fans.
Some of the brands already using Equipboard include: AIAIAI, Intellijel, Fab Filter, Lennar Digital, Bohemian Guitars."

I have tried it out now for almost a month and i like the idea of it.
The site certainly looks great, you can find a lot of info on the kits of known (and unknown) producers/artists but the list of instruments is still far from complete...
Luckily it is easy to add your own instruments, so i have put my full studio-setup up at http://equipboard.com/patchpierre.

I did not spend any time on uploading all my Eurorack modules, because i did that already on  ModularGrid, which does almost the same (but only modular synthesizers), but also mainly with user-generated data.
There's a nice (but still small) community that can interact/like/follow together, but there's not a lot activity (with me) yet... it could use some more contributors/members.

Check it out for yourself at:  http://equipboard.com

SiteTip: The Distillery Podcast by Sam Botstein

Samuel Botstein is a composer, performer, sound and instrument designer based in Los Angeles, California.

Botstein is known for his experimental and electronic music and performances on trumpets,

turntables, and synthesizers.

Botstein is also the host of The Distillery, a very interesting interview podcast series focused on figures in the world of  music technology. 

Look at the impressive episode-list with the people he already interviewed, and have a listen...

Episode #0: Road Trip with "MUFFWIGGLER" MIKE MCGRATH (Part I)
Episode #1: Road Trip with "MUFFWIGGLER" MIKE MCGRATH (Part II)
Episode #2: Klayton (Celldweller)
Episode #3: Tom Erbe (Soundhack, Make Noise)
Episode #4: Rich (Thud Rumble)
Episode #5: Ivo Ivanov (Glitchmachines)
Episode #6: Andrew Ikenberry and Jason Lim (Qu-Bit Electronix)
Episode #7: Tony Rolando (Make Noise)

New episodes seem to appear very frequent lately (weekly?), so keep an eye on The Distillery's website and don't miss another episode...

Check it out at http://sambotstein.com/distillery/
Or via Stitcher: http://app.stitcher.com/browse/feed/51779/episodes or iTunes...

RSS-feed: http://sambotstein.com/distillery?format=RSS

Find out more about Sam Botstein via
soundcloud.com/botstein
twitter.com/botstein
facebook.com/botstein
blend.io/botstein
youtube.com/botstein
keithmcmillen.com/company/reps/

SiteTip: PatchPierre's Feedfest

PatchPierre's RSS Feedfest webpage

Last weekend i started a new side-project that has all the analog modular synthesizer news you ever wanted in the form of RSS-feeds.
This is currently still a work in progress, new links will be added during the coming weeks/months.

This will probably eventually replace the sidebar on the right side of my PatchPierre.Net blog, and that will hopefully make loading my page a lot faster in the near future...
Enjoy!

Find it at http://www.protopage.com/patchpierre 
...and don't forget to bookmark it!

Find other SiteTips via http://patchpierre.blogspot.nl/search/label/SiteTip

SiteTip: Modular Sub-Reddit

In case you didn't know already:

The Modular Sub-Reddit is an extremely valuable source of all kinds of (Eurorack and other) modular news, videos, tips and tricks...
Besides that it is also a nice discussion platform that can always use more participants.

Find it at http://www.reddit.com/r/modular/

The community doesn't seem very talkative so far (which is strange for modular lovers), so please subscribe, vote articles up or down, join the discussions and add your own links...

Thank you in advance for your help and input!

Find more PatchPierre SiteTips HERE

Quick SiteTip: CatSynth.Com

Funny how most of the modular synth-lovers that i know seem to be serious cat-lovers as well.

Penelope trapped in a Eurorack
Picture by @Grillobeats

Because of this, you might also have heard of CatSynth.com before...

The CatSynth blog started in July 2006 and covers Cats, Synthesizers, Music, Art, Opinion and more...
Besides that, CatSynth regularly features reviews of music and art.

The focus is on modern, contemporary or experimental work in a variety of media. 

Catsynth primarily covers the San Francisco Bay Area, but occasionally find themselves in New York or such far away locales as an electronic music show in Tokyo or an underground club in Shanghai.

Want to see how it all started in 2006?
Find their inaugural post with the photo of the cat (Luna) that started it all… HERE

http://www.catsynth.com
http://twitter.com/catsynth
https://www.facebook.com/catsynth

SiteTip: TrueGrid by ModularGrid

To celebrate the first anniversary of ModularGrid, they introduced the beta of TrueGrid a few days ago.

TrueGrid is a fully functional true modular web synthesizer which let's you create, listen and share modular synth patches.
It consists of 10 Eurorack modules and some patch-cables, that you can rewire, turn knobs and move around the same way as a real modular synth... plus there's a way to save your patches (and load other people's creations)
Basically they added audio engines behind some of the modules from ModularGrid's huge ("1300 to go") database.
It is really fun to play with, although not all functions are working (yet).

Update 19/10: The new Tape Recorder lets you record your patch and export it to .wav file
It also replaces the Outs module as endpoint.
Update 24/10: TrueGrid now supports MIDI, more info at http://modulargrid.net/e/pages/truegrid_enable_midi …

You can find TrueGrid at http://modulargrid.net/racks/synth/

At this time TrueGrid will satisfactorily run in Google Chrome only.

Support for other browsers will follow... (also iOS)

https://twitter.com/modulargridNET

https://www.facebook.com/ModularGrid

SiteTip: Mheontube YouTube Channel

It looks like another Eurorack fan has hit YouTube...
Mheontube started to upload interesting short Eurorack snippets since yesterday, basic patches made with a small setup of only 4 Doepfer modules (so far)...

Check the full playlist (the last 7 videos were uploaded in one day) HERE

Video 1: Chirp Chirp Analogue by mheontube

-no description available

Video 2: Android's Talk by mheontube

-no description available

Video 3: Grumpy Android by mheontube

-no description available

Uploaded by mheontube (subscribe!)

SiteTip: A Patch A Day by Hamilton Ulmer

I have been following Hamilton Ulmer's 'A Patch a Day' project from the very beginning, and he completed the first full month of his eurorack/video-project this week.

On his YouTube page, he writes:
" I am not new to music, but I am new to modular synthesis. So I am creating one simple patch a day in order to get used to my small system.

I will do approximately 365 patches over the next year. Over that course of time I will likely add modules, change my setup, and explore various rabbit holes.

A few questions arise from these constraints. First, can I manage to create compelling sounds on a small system without investing a hell of a lot more money? Second, can I consistently produce something even moderately worthwhile every day?"

Videos: A Patch A Day by Hamilton Ulmer (Full Playlist)


Very interesting sounds and a great idea for a project, I'm looking forward to the next 11 months... ;-)

Site: http://hamiltonulmer.com/patch/
You can also find him on Twitter, Facebook, and Bandcamp

SiteTip: ModularGrid.Net

ModularGrid is a community driven database for modular synthesizers with an intuitive drag and drop rack planner.
Their extensive database supports all common modular formats like Eurorack, Buchla, Dotcom, 5U, Frac and Serge.

The ModularGrid has many features and here are just a few:
- Combined Planner and Module Database
- Unlimited Racks
- Works on iPad
- Rate your favorite modules and find the most popular modules based on user ratings
- Access your Modular Sketches from any computer
- Show off and link to your Modular Sketches from websites or forums

I did write about saving patches and modular planners in previous posts (find them HERE and HERE), and this is a nice alternative. Even if your module is not in their database, you can simply add them yourself.

Sketch a Patch is a nifty paintbox feature inside ModularGrid.
With this feature you can draw cables on your screenshots and show the world your awesome patches.
It is also possible to share your whole rack with others on forums and/or for discussion elsewhere. (find mine at http://www.modulargrid.net/e/racks/view/4120 / work in progress)

Overall this is a very nice site, and although i hadn't visited it in quite some time, I will check it out more often now i've seen the improvements they went through...

Check it out at http://www.modulargrid.net/

https://www.facebook.com/ModularGrid on Facebook

SiteTip: Waveform City

Another interesting site that i only recently discovered is WaveForm City.

Waveform City produces and publishes interviews with synth-manufacturers and influential people in the field of analog synthesizers.
Pretty interesting stuff... so far they published 14 episodes since the beginning of this year.
They have already posted interviews with Harvestman, WMD, Make Noise, Mark Verbos, Richard Devine, Tom Erbe and many others, i hope they will interview Dieter soon...

You can find all interviews at: http://waveformcity.blogspot.com



You can also follow Waveform City on SoundCloud via
https://soundcloud.com/blz

SiteTip VI : Vintage Synth Explorer

Okay, many of you already know this site, and i linked to it many times.
If you want to know everything about classic synthesizers, you should really check out http://www.vintagesynth.com/ before you look any further.

For over 15 years (since 1996) the Vintage Synth Explorer has been providing a fast and easy way to learn about vintage synthesizers.

Their library contains over 750 synths, samplers and drum machines, and is updated regularly.
They claim to be the world's leading synthesizer resource and have grown to include modern digital synthesizers, analog emulators, soft-synths, plug-ins, and other forms of electronic musical instruments.

On this site you will find detailed descriptions and reviews, pictures, audio and video samples, technical specifications, lists of famous users, links and more!

Very nice are also the site's Interactive Timeline of Synthesizer history, that shows a timeline together with synths ordered by production-date and their Glossary of synthesizer terms.

Like i said before, the site is updated very regularly, with both classic and hard-to-find synthesizer-gems; Check out the list with their latest additions for example:
EKO EKOsynth P15, Casio HT-3000, Waldorf Microwave - Revisited, Alesis Fusion, EMS Synthi Sequencer 256, Casio CT-401 and the MAM ADX1

Don't forget to follow them on Twitter (@vintage_synth) to keep track of the site's latest updates, and/or like them on Facebook

SiteTip VI : MIT Open Courseware Music and Technology: Algorithmic and Generative Music

It's kinda weird that, if you search well, there are 2 Music and Technology Courses on the site of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) with the same course number (21M.380).

I blogged about one earlier (Contemporary History and Aesthetics, find the blogpost with an interesting 80-minute video HERE) and i am still very enthusiastic about it, but the other one is also very informative.

This course, Algorithmic and Generative Music, as taught in spring 2010 by Christopher Ariza examined " ...the history, techniques, and aesthetics of mechanical and computer-aided approaches to algorithmic music composition and generative music systems. Through creative hands-on projects, readings, listening assignments, and lectures, students will explore a variety of historical and contemporary approaches. "

Surfing through the pages of this course you will find a lot of interesting information on (analog) sound, music history and much more, again accompanied by many links to other interesting reads and audio-examples.

Find the course homepage HERE
Download the lecture notes HERE ( 11.8 Mb PDF )
Full course Materials can be downloaded from HERE

Licence info:
Ariza, Christopher. 21M.380 Music and Technology: Algorithmic and Generative Music, Spring 2010. (Massachusetts Institute of Technology: MIT OpenCourseWare), http://ocw.mit.edu (Accessed 16 Oct, 2011). License: Creative Commons BY-NC-SA

SiteTip V : PatchPierre Facebook Page

Time for a shameless self-promotion post;

In case you didn't know already, the PatchPierre Facebook Page is live since the end of august.
Feel free to follow me there too for the latest blog updates, extra video's, links and (perhaps) more in-depth information and discussions.

You will also find my modification pictures, neatly organized in a special Module Modification Folder. More pictures will be posted soon...

If you have questions, suggestions or other remarks you may also post them on my Facebook page.
( Your comments on the blogposts below are still welcome too )

Find it HERE

SiteTip IV : Doepfer Convergence Group on Soundcloud

If you are interested what kinds of sounds other Doepfer users make, or just want to be inspired, you can always go to the Doepfer Convergence Group on Soundcloud.

This site contains very interesting creative compositions made mainly on a Doepfer A-100 Analog Modular System.

The group is moderated by James Bragg (AKA HyperDust), a synthesizer player and producer from Bristol UK who has played in various bands since the early 1980's and who's musical styles have varied over the years from New Romantic, Rock, Rock/Dance, Trance and various electronica.

" I've been building up 2 suitcases of modules over the last 5 years. I love their immediacy but also their temporary nature.
There is a type of Japanese painting where you paint with water on a special stone. It can look beautiful but after a short time it dries and is gone forever. A Doepfer modular is a bit like that. I'll never get that sound again - you just have to live in the moment. Celebrate the now. We spend too much time worrying about the future, and regretting aspects of the past."

The group has 49 members, and 18 tracks already have been contributed by 10 different musicians.
Some of these are complete songs but it also includes long live-improvisations and weird soundscapes.

Definitely worth a listen, if you have some spare time... Here's a quick preview, just to give you an impression;

 biofeedback no.9 by cubistic microsonic 

SiteTip IV : MIT OpenCourseware Music and Technology: Contemporary History and Aesthetics

A great resource for beginners and all other synthesizer-enthusiasts is the OpenCourseWare site from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

This course, as given by professor Christopher Ariza in the fall of 1997 is highly informative and perhaps a must-read to all of you new to analog sound or music in general.

'This course is an investigation into the history and aesthetics of music and technology as deployed in experimental and popular musics from the 19th century to the present. Through original research, creative hands-on projects, readings, and lectures, the following topics will be explored. The history of radio, audio recording, and the recording studio, as well as the development of musique concrète and early electronic instruments. The creation and extension of musical interfaces by composers such as Harry Partch, John Cage, Conlon Nancarrow, and others. The exploration of electromagnetic technologies in pickups, and the development of dub, hip-hop, and turntablism. The history and application of the analog synthesizer, from the Moog modular to the Roland TR-808. The history of computer music, including music synthesis and representation languages. Contemporary practices in circuit bending, live electronics, and electro-acoustic music, as well as issues in copyright and intellectual property, will also be examined'

Surfing through these pages you will find a lot of interesting information on (analog) sound, music history and much more, accompanied by many links to other interesting reads and audio-examples.

Video: Lecture 13 | MIT 21M.380 Music and Technology (Contemporary History and Aesthetics)


Preview Lecture 13 / Modular synthesizers
See the complete course HERE

Check the massive PDF (37 Mb / right-click and save as) for the complete set of notes and all other information on this course and enjoy!

Licence info:
Ariza, Christopher. 21M.380 Music and Technology (Contemporary History and Aesthetics), Fall 2009. (Massachusetts Institute of Technology: MIT OpenCourseWare), http://ocw.mit.edu (Accessed 16 Oct, 2011). License: Creative Commons BY-NC-SA

SiteTip III : Tim Stinchcombe's A-100/Modular Webpage

Another useful resource for A-100 and other DIY-projects is Tim Stinchcomb's personal A-100/Modular webpage.

Very interesting for starting DIY-ers, this site is a very interesting read. Don't let the design of the pages mislead you ;)

Most of the projects and instructions on this site can be found via the Doepfer Yahoo Usergroup, but this is a neat collection of some of the A-100 modifications that are not too difficult.

You can also find some Plan B modification instructions on this site, together with other nice DIY-projects like for example this cool stereo LED VU-meter built in a blind-panel to fit a Eurorack system.

Great site... very inspiring.

SiteTip II : Doepfer A-100 series modifications by Nick Keller.

Another nice site i stumbled upon in the last weeks in my search of Doepfer DIY info is the Doepfer A-100 series modifications site by Nick Keller at http://www.analoguehaven.com/usercomm/diy/

This site offers some great (and easy-looking) Doepfer-modifications, complete with step by step explanations and pictures. Most of the modifications are simple but very usefull and consist of adding more switches, inputs and outputs to the frontpanel. Very interesting stuff... I'm looking forward to try some of the examples and hope that the parts i ordered from Doepfer will arrive soon, so i can start experimenting on my first Doepfer-projects.

The mods described will most likely void any warranty and, if not done carefully, can damage the circuit board, IC chips, and faceplates.

SiteTip I : Tone's Analog Synthesizer Projects and Products

I stumbled upon this interesting site last week; Tone's Analog Synthesizer Projects and Products. You can find it at http://synovatron.blogspot.com/
The overall site looks like a good start for everyone who is busy with, or starting on eurorack synthesizer DIY-ing and is operated by Tony Steventon, a UK electronics design engineer with a long interest in synths.
"Like most ideas it came out of trying to solve problems..." he wrote to me "... I could not fit either the jack sockets or bracketed pots on to standard 0.1" perfboard and came up with this idea over a year ago".

He continues "...several people have expressed an interest in learning how to take an idea through to a design and onto a prototyped module which I am quite tempted to do as a future 'learning' page on my blog..." "...I am working on my CV Tools module at the moment, which I have prototyped using my kits, but when that is ready for manufacture I am happy to consider some more ideas, I already have four promising ideas which may get developed either on my own or in collaboration with the idea originators."

Along with selling different DIY sets and prototyping kits, you can also order additional components for reasonable prices here. Listed are various Control pots (50k linear supplied as standard but 10k linear, 100k linear, 1M logarithmic or a mixture are available upon request), Pot mounting brackets, Decoupling capacitors, 16-pin headers, 3.5mm jack sockets, Red/green 3mm 2mA LEDs, TL084 quad op-amps (DIL), 14-pin IC sockets, 16mm soft-touch knobs (red, grey, orange, green, white, blue, yellow pointers), 10uF 16V electrolytic capacitors, 100nF ceramic capacitors, Headers - single, double, straight, right-angle, DPDT toggle switches to fit DIY2,  ...and more on request.

The site has an interesting (and growing) support page with all the datasheets and other practical tips on synovatron products. More info and discussion is possible at his dedicated Forum.


For sales, support and combined shipping enquiries you can contact synovatron@btinternet.com
CAUTION: These kits are intended only for experienced experimenters and constructors to prototype their designs. It is possible for you to destroy components or damage your synth if you are not careful. It is recommended that you use a separate regulated ±12V power supply for experimentation.