Friday, October 31, 2014

Modular Synth - An All Doepfer Orchestral(ish) Patch by IsVisible

IsVisible uploaded an interesting new video to YouTube... enjoy!

Video: Modular Synth - An All Doepfer Orchestral (ish) Patch

" Here's a patch I filmed about two years ago. Made with all Doepfer modules.
Some patch notes:
The A-143-4 Quad VCLFO/VCO is triggering the gate/envelopes of the A-143-2 Quad ADSR, clocking the random voltages from the A-149-1, providing cv for the two filters (A-106-1 Xtreme and A124 Wasp)
The A-143-4 is in turn being modulated by two LFO's, A-143-9 and A-146.
The two voices are then passed through a channel each of a Tapco 4400 Dual Spring Reverb.
www.isvisible.co.uk"
Uploaded by isvisible

Doepfer A-105 24dB SSM Low Pass Filter Video Tutorials by Raul Pena

Raul Pena just started a new series on the Doepfer A-105 24dB SSM Low Pass Filter.
Here's the first video.

Video 1: Doepfer A-105 24 dB SSM Low Pass Filter Basics

" A short overview of the Basic features and sound of the Doepfer A105 24dB SSM Low Pass Filter. Audio demonstration continued in next segment of series. Sound and Video by Raul Pena."

Video 2: Doepfer A-105 24 dB SSM Low Pass Filter Audio Demonstration

" A continued exploration of the Doepfer A105 24 dB SSM Low Pass Filter.
This time we hear the wide range of the filter using a sequenced passage.
We also explore the subtlety of the filter's resonance.
Second video of three.
Sound and Video by Raul Pena."

Video 3: Doepfer A-105 24 dB SSM Low Pass Filter Modulation Demonstration

" A continued exploration of the Doepfer A105 24 dB SSM Low Pass Filter.
This time we experiment with a few modulation sources.
A short demo of using the filter in self oscillation is included.
Sound and Video by Raul Pena."

Monday, October 27, 2014

Ginko Synthese Flightcases

Ginko Synthese portable flightcase frontside 
Ginko Synthese, known from their recent successfully funded SampleSlicer project and their TTLFO, has been making modular cases for quite a while...

Now this Dutch company is thinking about making a small batch of portable flightcases (the white one with aluminium corners), maybe 10 or 20 pcs.
The pictures are an indication of what it will look like (a case he made earlier).

The busboards are connected directly to the back of the case in this one, but if enough people are interested he will make internal mounting rails for them so there will be nothing visible on the outside.

Ginko Synthese portable flightcase backside
Specifications:
- 104 or 114HP width
- includes PSU and Doepfer busboards
- case depth will be around 11cm
- keeps your patches inside while lid is closed
- detachable lid
- 220V connection on side for standard eurostyle power cable

Updated November 3, 2014
You can still order for this batch.
They are available in two sizes:
104HPx6U = €320,-
114HPx9U = €500,-
They come including PSU and busboards.
The color is white/grey and have a subtile gynkosynthese logo engraved in the lid.
The power connection is on the side so you can use it laying flat or standing vertical.
Check the Ginko Synthese Portable Cases product-page for more info on how to order:
http://www.ginkosynthese.com/product/portable-cases/

Saturday, October 25, 2014

Doepfer A-105 SSM 24 dB Low Pass Filter Demo by LesIndes

LesIndes uploaded a long demonstration of the Doepfer A-105 SSM LowPass Filter.

The A-105 is very similar to the A-122 that is made with a CEM chip. But in contrast to the A-122 the A-105 is made with the legendary SSM filter chip SSM2044.
This chip was used e.g. in these synthesizers: Korg Polysix, Korg Mono/Poly, Fairlight II, PPG Wave 2.2 und 2.3, Emu SP-1200, Siel DK600, Siel Opera 6. 
The first Prophets used the SSM2040 - the precedessor of the 2044 - that generates a very similar sound. 

The special feature of the 4 pole low pass SSM2044 is the patented so-called "true open loop design that delivers a characteristic fat sound not available from other devices" (extract from SSM2044 data sheet). 

The module features voltage controlled resonance and a sensitive audio input to obtain distortion - if desired. 
Regarding to the functions, controls and in/outputs the module are identical to the 24dB low pass filter A-122 that is built around a CEM chip, but the sound, the resonance behavior and the distortion behavior are completely different for both modules.

As the special circuit SSM2044 used in this module is no longer available the module has to be discontinued. Sale while stocks last !

Video: DOEPFER A-105 SSM 24 dB Lo Pass Filter Module // Endorphines Furthrrrr Generator

" SSM filter chips were used in many great vintage synths in the synthesizers' hall of fame. such as the original SEQUENTIEL CIRCUITS PROPHET V, EMU E2, PPG WAVE 2 / 3. the filter chip is 2044.

Uploaded by LesIndes
LesIndes on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/les.indes.3

Friday, October 24, 2014

Analogue Solutions Telemark Multimode Filter

Analogue Solutions just released their Telemark Multimode Filter module, a eurorack module based on the Telemark multimode filter.

The Telemark multimode filter module is based on the filter of the legendary Telemark semi-modular synthesizer.
It's routes lie in the original 1970s Oberheim SEM, though it has developed a character of its own.
The filter is a 12db/Octave multimode type. Multimode means there are more than one type of filter output.
There are in fact four: low pass, band pass, high pass and notch filter.
Additionally, notch filter can be varied for an even wider range of sounds.
Use of Gain and Q allow for even wider possibilities.
No special knowledge is required to use this filter. Just plug your audio in the left, and your audio out on the right.
Optionally (and recommended!) patch a control voltage in to give the sound movement.

KEY FEATURES OF TMF
- Pure analogue circuitry.
- Telemark filter
- 4 filter types- Low, High, Band, Notch
- Resonance (Q) boost feature
- Slim design
- Spun metal knob caps

DivKid made another great video demonstrating the module;

Video: Analogue Solutions TMF - Telemark Multimode Filter eurorack module video overview

" New eurorack module - a multimode filter based on the stand alone synth Telemark, from Analogue Solutions.
Video by Ben Wilson / DivKid - www.youtube.com/divkidvideo"

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

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Doepfer A-110-4 Thru Zero Quadrature VCO Announced

Doepfer's latest module-announcement is the A-110-4 Thru Zero Quadrature VCO.
I do have to dig a bit deeper into this module before i completely understand it, but here is the text from the Doepfer website, where they will soon have audio examples and oscilloscope views available...

Doepfer A-110-4
Thru Zero Quadrature VCO
" The term "quadrature" means in this connection that the oscillator outputs sine and cosine waveforms simultaneously. 
The term "Thru-Zero" means that even "negative" frequencies are generated. 
This can be a bit of a misleading term as negative frequencies do not really exist. 
"Negative" means in this connection simply that the sine/cosine waves will stop when the linear control voltage reaches 0V and continue with the opposite direction as the linear control voltage becomes negative and vice versa.

The module has two control sections: linear and a exponential. 
The exponential section consists of the XTune control, the 1V/Oct input and the XFM input with the corresponding attenuator XFM. 
The exponential control voltage is the sum of these three voltages. 
The linear section consists of the LTune control and the LFM input with the corresponding attenuator LFM. 
The linear control voltage is the sum of these two voltages. 
A dual color LED is used to display the polarity of the linear control voltage (green = positive, red = negative). 
The resultion pitch of the sine/cosine outputs is determined by the resulting control voltages of both sections. The linear section is used to control the pitch in a linear manner. 

When the LTune control (LTune means Linear Tune) is fully CW the module works like a normal Quadrature VCO (e.g. like the A-143-9) and the LED lights green. 
The pitch is then controlled by the exponential section with the manual Tune control and the exponential frequency control inputs 1V/Oct and XFM. 1V/Oct is used to control the pitch by a 1V/Oct CV source (e.g. sequencer or Midi/USB-to-CV interface). 
XFM is used to apply an exponential frequency modulation with adjustable depth (e.g. from an LFO or another VCO). 
As the LTune control is turned counterclockwise starting from the fully CW position the frequency is lowered in a linear manner until the sine/cosine waves stop near the center position of LTune (provided that no LFM signal is present). 
As the LTune control is moved from the center towards the CCW position the waves start again but into reverse direction and the LED turns red. 
When the fully CCW position of LTune is reached the module works again like a normal Quadrature VCO. 

But much more exciting is the usage of the LFM input to modify the linear control voltage by an external control voltage (typically another VCO). 
Linear modulation by another oscillator using the thru zero feature generates audio spectra than cannot be obtained from an oscillator without the thru zero function. 
The reason is that a "normal" VCO will simply stop as the linear control voltage becomes zero or negative. 
But a thru zero VCO will start again with "negative" frequencies as the the linear control voltage becomes negative.

The main advantage of the A-110-4 compared to other Thru Zero VCOs is that the design used a sine/cosine core. The sine/cosine waves are not derived from other waveforms (e.g. sawtooth or triangle) by means of waveshaping. 
Rather the sine and cosine waves are the core of the VCO which results in very pure waves with a minimum of distortion and overtones." 

The A-110-4 is planned for early 2015, price ~ Euro 120.00