Meet the Maker - Modular Synths panel with 6 Eurorack Manufacturers

At this year's Winter NAMM show, Vintage King Audio presented the TEC Tracks panel: "Meet the Maker -- Modular Synths".
This short (35 minutes) panel discussion, distributed by Sound On Sound, brought together 5 well-known modular synth makers to talk about the booming Eurorack format.

Panelists included: Dieter Doepfer (Doepfer), Dan Green (4MS), William Matthewson (WMD), Ryan McGuire (Vintage King moderator), Tony Rolando (Make Noise), Brandon Ryan (Roland) and Gene Stopp (Moog Music)

They talked a bit about the history of the Eurorack standard (with it's US-based Inch-metrics... lol), and the influence of live-Eurorack performers on new modules.
William Matthewson from WMD offered an interesting insight of what to expect in the future with new controls, like tactile things, body movement, gloves, the integration of virtual reality and other new futuristic techniques that can convert all kinds of signals into control voltages.

Interesting to hear was also the process behind the whole module-design and where Dieter shared his point of view about the pros and cons of the community-input, mentioning the importance of the Yahoo A-100 Usergroup (and his annoyance about it sometimes) and the creative input from live musicians like the icelandic band GusGus when it comes to developing new modules.
It reminded me of his work with the guys from Kraftwerk in the past, with the development of the Schaltwerk, the vocoder and other projects...

AQA ElektriX at Dancefair 2016

At Dancefair/Musicfair, I had the chance to talk with an engineer from AQA Elektrix, one of the more recent new brands in Eurorack, about their range of Eurorack modules.

Me and the AQA ElektriX engineer 

AQA Elektrix is a Eurorack Modular Synthesizer manufacturer that works closely with musicians. The modules by AQA Elektrix are inspired by classic circuits that get modified and developed further. They are also working on complete new designs with new functionality.

The modules are manufactured in Berlin, look very nice and the knobs feel solid as a rock.

AQA only released a few modules so far;

the TEG-1 / Triple Envelope Generator,
M/S-Matrix, a module that converts a Left/Right-Stereo-Signal into its Mid and Side Components
the QLFO / Quadrature Low Frequency Oscillator and the DUAL SVF / Dual 12 dB State Variable Voltage Controlled Filter

AQA ElektroniX modules

He also showed me their new 21 HP wide Dual VC Delay that produces some very cool and interesting 'dubby' soundeffects.
Used in parallel/stereo-mode it generates voltage controlled modulated spatial effects with it´s own special character.

Features:
- Delays can be routed in parallel or serial configuration (A => B or A II B)internal feedback with a 6dB HP and LP filter in series for each delay, feedback signals are attenuverted
using normalized feedback in and out jacks, the feedback loops can be opened to insert other stuff
feedback can be switched between parallel and cross routing between A and B
- Audio input attenuators for each Delay
each delay time can be independently controlled by knob
each delay time can be independently modulated by an attenuverted external control voltage
each delay time can be independently modulated by an attenuverted external control voltage
- Normalized audio signal Inputs
- Outputs for the delayed signals
- Outputs for the delayed signal and HP+LP filtered delayed signal (for feedback use)
- Normalized feedback-signal Inputs

Check out the video below for soundexamples.

AQA ElektriX new Modular Euro Rack Synthesizer Modules Dual DELAY AQA at Dancefair 2016

Website: www.aqaelektrix.com/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/AQAElektriX
AQA ElektriX on YouTube

AQA Elektrix is distributed by Alex4

DanceFair/Musicfair Pro Audio Summit Impression

Victor Coral
School of House

This weekend I attended the annual DanceFair/Musicfair Pro Audio Summit, the biggest in the Netherlands at the Jaarbeurs in Utrecht.
A gathering of more than 6000 music makers, industry professionals, 80 record labels and manufacturers of musical instruments, producer and dj gear.
It was the 5th time that Dancefair was held, and the first time that Musicfair joined in.
All together a great event for DJ's, producers and other fanatics for networking, learning and exploring, with inspiring workshops in different rooms and a nice Expo-floor.

We started off our Saturday quite relaxed with an interesting talk about the History of House, presented by Victor Coral from the Dutch School of House.
After that we learned a little more about audio-compression with some interesting views on side-chaining at a Pro Audio session.

DJ Magazine talk at the expo-floor

There was plenty of room for the younger audience and new talents with various production-sessions and workshops for the different styles of dancemusic by Hardwell and Chocolate Puma (amongst others) and a large demo-dropoff zone hosted by national and international record-labels.

The expo floor wasn't huge but filled with a wide variety of exhibitors.

It wasn't too busy on the Saturday, the people in the booths were very accessable for info and plenty of headphones were available for the public to listen to all the new synths and stuff...

Roland Eurorack Modules
Aira Modular, System 500
and Effectors

I had a lot of fun with (finally) playing around with the Moog Mother32, Korg Minilogue, the Novation MiniNova and BassStation 2, plus the modules from the Roland Boutique range JP-03, JX-08, and A-01.
Besides that, Roland showed the whole AIRA-range and a big rack with all their Eurorack modules including the  Aira Modular, System 500 and Effectors...

Arturia showed their Maxibrute for the first time in Europe.
The MatrixBrute is a programmable monophonic / duophonic analog synthesizer, outfitted with three ‘Brute’ oscillators, Steiner-Parker and ladder filters, three envelope generators, analogue effects and a matrix-style modulation matrix.

A short talk with Andy Mac from Akai learned me that they will shoot new MPC-Touch tutorials next week... I hope they will be online soon, as the last 4 Basic Workflow Tutorials that they released (a few weeks ago) were pretty useful for an MPC-noob like me, someone who is totally unfamiliar with the whole MPC-workflow.

One of the 2 Doepfer cases at the Alex4 booth

The most interesting booth (for me) was the one from European Eurorackdistibutor Alex4 that showed a diverse range of Eurorack modules from brands like Doepfer (with most of their new modules), AJH Synth, Verbos, Endorphin.es and Vermona
That last one als showed the prototype Vermona TwinCussion, a percussion module that is capable of very nice 'syncussion' sounds.

DJ/Producer Lucien Foort

The modules from the Austrian Birdkids brand were also on display at the Alex4 booth and the engineer from AQAElektrix showed me their full range of Eurorack modules. More on this in my next blogpost.

Allert from SonarTraffic, who also helped out at the booth  took the time to explain the interesting concept of their studio at Kytopia.

We spent the last hours of the day back at the workshop area from the Herman Brood Academy, where Lucien Foort (from Quadrophonia and more) presented a workshop. He first went through a short history about modular synths, up to the recent Eurorack-boom before he gave an intuitive tutorial on how to integrate modulars in your curent DAW setup.

Overall it was a great atmosphere at the whole event with almost everything you'd expect, including overexpensive drinks and food... and yesssss.... BoothBabes! :)

You can find the rest of my pictures from the Dancefair Saturday at https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1103743713004246.1073741844.143124692399491 …

Doepfer A-106-5 12dB SEM Filter Special Edition

Temporarily a special edition of the Doepfer A-106-5 12dB SEM Filter is available. It is equipped with a stylish Oberheim-style cream-coloured anodized front panel and black knobs.

A-106-5 SEM
Filter
Special Edition

Module A-106-5 is a 12dB multimode filter that is based on the filter circuit of the Oberheim SEM
module.

The filter is equipped with a band pass output and a combined low/notch/high pass output. 

For this output a control knob defines the relation between low and high pass signal. 

If both signals appear at the same level (i.e. middle position of the Mix knob) one obtains a notch filter. Otherwise the low or high pass signal predominates. 

The module does not feature self oscillation in contrast to most of the other filters of the A-100 system. 

The module generates a distorted audio signal if the level control is set to about 50% (i.e. center position) or more with A-100 standard signals like VCOs.

Inputs: Audio In, CV1 In without attenuator, CV2 In with Polarizer
Outputs: Bandpass Out, Low/Highpass Mix-Out
Controls: Audio Attenuator, CV2 Polarizer, Frequency, Resonance, LP/HP Mix

You can find my review of the original A-106-5 module HERE, 

and find all additional info/demos/etc on the A-106-5 on PatchPierre.Net via http://patchpierre.blogspot.nl/search/label/A-106-5

Doepfer A-106-5 Filter Demo (August 2012, by PatchPierre)

" Short Doepfer A-106-5 Demo by NetPierre
Starts with a sequenced bassline, generated by my Doepfer MAQ16/3 and Doepfer VCO A-110 (saw wave)
Bandpass Mode first,  LP/HP later
A-118 Random voltages added to VC2 input somewhere in the middle.
Drums provided by an Elektron Machinedrum" 

The module will be available in spring 2016

Source: Doepfer.com

Doepfer A-184-1 Ring Modulator / S&H/T&H / Slew Limiter Combo

Another unexpected release from Doepfer

A-184-1

A-184-1 is the combination of 3 functions which are actually already available in other modules (e.g. A-114, A-148, A-170). In many systems it's not necessary to have two ring modulators (A-114) or two S&H units (A-148) or two slew limiters (A-170) available. That's why we have compiled these function in one small 4 HP module.
The upper section is nothing but half of an A-114, i.e. a ring modulator with the usual X/Y inputs and the X*Y output.

A-184-1V

The lower section is a Sample & Hold (S&H) / Track & Hold (T&H) unit followed by a slew limiter.
An internal jumper is used to set the mode to S&H or T&H. In S&H mode the unit picks out a sample from the voltage at the SH input at the rising edge of the trigger signal input. In T&H mode the output follows the input voltage as long as the level of the trigger signal is high.
As soon as the trigger signal turns low, the last voltage is stored.
The trigger input is internally normalled to high, i.e. the unit works as a slew limiter in T&H mode when no trigger signal is applied.

The module will be available in the new Vintage Black colour-scheme too :)

Price: ~ Euro 90.00
Date of delivery:  spring 2016

Source: Doepfer.com

Downloadable Frontplate Templates for Doepfer Modules Announced

Doepfer A-168-1, A-110-6, A-110-3, A-121-2 and A-184-1
with custom frontpanel designs

You might have noticed the colorful new frontplates on the Doepfer website recently.
I had almost mistaken them for new Special Editions, but Doepfer clearly writes:

"The custom versions of a few modules featured on the Doepfer website are only a design study made with a self adhesive foil, printed by a color laser printer.

That way the customer will be able to design "his" personal module by printing his design on an self adhesive foil and stick the foil to the module (for this the module has to be dismantled).

There are no plans to offer these versions of the module, but they do plan to offer suitable templates for download."

Knobs in different colors are also still available so your only limit will be your imagination.

I wonder how Doepfer will further develop this idea... i.e. if there could be such a thing as an online Doepfer Template designer tool or such... Hmmm... Nice.

The first examples look very impressive IMO...

Doepfer A-110-6 Trapezoid Thru Zero Quadrature VCO Announced

The Doepfer A-110-6 Trapezoid Thru-Zero VCO is the third of Doepfer's Thru-Zero oscillator-range.

The module is based on an idea by Donald Tillman from 2003 but has been revised for the use of modern electronic circuits (no OTAs/CA3280). 

Because of it's unique trapezoid core it's totally different compared to other VCOs but the trapezoid core is not the only specialty: it is also a quadrature VCO and features linear thru zero frequency modulation.

The term "quadrature" means in this connection that the oscillator outputs two trapezoid waves with 90 degrees phase shift. The same as sine and cosine of a standard quadrature oscillator. These waveforms are called TRASIN (trapezoid sine) and TRACOS (trapezoid cosine).

The term "Thru-Zero" means that even "negative" frequencies are generated. But this a bit a misleading term as negative frequencies do not really exist. "Negative" means in this connection simply that the TRASIN/TRACOS waves will stop when the linear control voltage reaches 0V and continue with the opposite directions 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 LFrq 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. The pitch of all outputs is determined by the control voltages of both sections. 

The linear section is used to control the pitch in a linear manner. When the LFrq control (LFrq means Linear Frequency Control) is fully CW the module works like a normal VCO and the LED lights blue. The pitch is then controlled by the exponential section with the manual Tune control XTune 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 LFrq control is turned counterclockwise starting from the fully CW position the frequency is lowered in a linear manner until the TRASIN/TRACOS waves (nearly) stop at the center position of LFrq (provided that no LFM signal is present). 

As the LFrq control is moved from the center towards the CCW position the waves start again but into reverse direction and the LED turns white. When the fully CCW position of LFrq is reached the module works again like a normal 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 in combination with the trapezoid waveforms generates audio spectra than cannot be obtained from any other 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.

A-110-6 Waveforms

Other waveforms like triangle, sawtooth, rectangle and sine can be obtained very easily from the TRASIN/TRACOS signals (triangle e.g. simply by subtracting TRISIN and TRICOS) ,and all waveforms will be available as quadrature pairs (i.e. with 90 degrees phase shift).

That's why Doepfer thinks about adding all these waveform outputs to the module in the final version - or alternatively a about a breakout module which makes all 10 waveforms available (trapezoid, triangle, sine, sawtooth, rectangle - all as quadrature pairs).
They also think about an LFO version of the module (same features but low frequency range with LED displays of the outputs).

Price: around Euro 150.00 (module as shown, without additional waveform outputs, without the above mentioned breakout module)

Releasedate: Spring 2016

Source: Doepfer.com