Livestock Electronics at ADE SoundLab

Daniel from LiveStock Electronics showing me their range of modules

It's always fun to meet new Modular manufacturers, especially when they're from the Netherlands
and/or Belgium.
Last Saturday i had the chance to talk with Daniel Mulder, one of the co-founders of LiveStock Electronics at a special Amsterdam Dance Event SoundLab showcase event.

Livestock Electornics was founded in early 2016 and is about to release their fist modules at the end of this year. Their modules are heavily inspired by the chiptune and DIY-scene, and Daniel showed off a few interesting sounding new modules... you can find all info on their website.

LiveStock Shepard

The SHEPARD is a 4-channel step sequencer specifically designed for live settings.
This module is great for polyphonic and polyrhythmic sequences. And has a lot more to offer than just triggering notes and gates!
The interface is divided into two modes, play and edit mode. In play mode loops of several channels can be selected at the same time, and easily duplicated. While edit mode gives you the possibility to create dynamic sequences for each channel. Gatescan be delayed or held, notes can be pitched, and sequences can be of different lengths, speeds and directions. Each step can also send two control voltages with a optional glide while triggered, this gives you the option to control other modules during a sequence.

The memory has room for 8 tracks with each 16 loops of 64 steps for each of the 4 channels. The loops and tracks can be selected during play mode, or controlled through cv input.
Note: This module is moddable with the Arduino IDE and modding manual (available after release).
LoveStock also supports users in modifying their modules...

LiveStock Bang

BANG is a digital wavetable oscillator in which you can create and share your own wave libraries using the Bang Application, or simply download user wave libraries from our website. Once uploaded to the Bang Module you can use the waveshaping algorithm built into Bang to create new waves using the waves in the library.
LiveStock Electronics Bang Demo video by Paul Tas: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlIF1jsUHz0

LiveStock Maze

MAZE is a routing and mixing module. Route audio, cv’s or gates to several outputs, determine their intensity and mix them together. Routings can be saved and selected by a knob or by using the cv input.

Felix

FELIX is a two 1:3 buffered multiple with attenuators.
Use this module to copy CV’s, Gates or Audio and change the amplitude or intensitywith the attenuators.

MIR and MIR Expander

MIR is a mixer, inverter and VCA. It has four 2:1 mixing VCA's with uninverted and inverted output.
MIR comes along with an expansion module, which gives you the option to change the amount of cv input and whether the VCA responds linear or exponentionally. Place the expansion board anywhere you like, you can also set the parameters on the pcband leave the expansion board out if you need to save some hp.

LiveStock Kepler

KEPLER is a unique low-pass filter with four poles that are individually
controllable with knobs and cv.
The sound can range from soft and clean sounding sweeps to highly resonating self-oscillating sweeps. The cutoff is even controllable with v/oct which means that you could use the filter as an oscillator.

​The LiveStock Electronics crew will tour some more through the Netherlands in the next few weeks with these new modules, so try to check them out at:
28/10 @ Bizarre Sound Creatures (Dutch Design Week) Eindhoven
02/11 @ Nerds on Stage Rotterdam

The Bang and Felix will probably be released in December or January. As for the other modules, the release depends on the next batch of prototype pcbs. If it goes as planned, you can expect them from January to August 2017!
Website: www.LiveStockElectronics.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/LiveStockElectronics

GearSlutz demo video from ADE : https://youtu.be/9nYzxFV0CqE

Doepfer A-184-2 Voltage Controlled Crossfader / Triangle-to-Sine Waveshaper

More News fom the Superbooth event in Berlin (March 31st - April 2nd, 2016)

The A-184-2 Voltage Controlled Crossfader / Triangle-to-Sine Waveshaper is the combination of two functions and planned primarily as an expansion module for VCOs or LFOs (e.g. A-110-1, A-110-2, A-145, A-147-2).

A-184-2

The upper section is a very precise triangle-to-sine converter (thank's to Tim Stinchcombe who recommended this circuit).

It can be used to convert any triangle waveform into a (nearly) perfect sine. 

The converter is much better than the simple diode converter used in the A-110-1, A-111-1, A-145 and A-147-2. 

Two trimming potentiometers are used to optimize the sine shape. 

The converter should be assigned to one VCO or LFO because the trimming potentiometers have to be re-adjusted if the input level or DC offset of the input signal changes. 

If the trimming potentiometers are deliberately mis-adjusted it can be used also as a waveshaper for non-sine waveforms (e.g. sine-shaped at the top of the signal and a peak at the bottom, even voltage controlled by applying an additional voltage to the waveshaping circuit, "circuit-bending" notes will be available).

The lower section is a Voltage Vontrolled Crossfader. 

It has two inputs A and B. The two signals are mixed together with variable percentage. When the manual control CF is fully CCW only signal A appears at the CF Out socket. When the manual control CF is fully CW only signal B appears at the CF Out socket. In the center position of the manual control both signal appear with the same level.

In addition a control voltage input CV with attenuator is available to enable voltage control of the crossfade.
Two LEDs display the crossfading shares of input A and B.
The crossfader uses two high quality VCAs (SSM2164). Inputs and outputs are DC coupled. Consequently it can be used for audio signals and slowly varying control voltages as well.

The sockets of the upper section (triangle and sine) are normalled to the inputs A and B of the crossfader section. That way the crossfader is used to fade between triangle and sine of the VCO or LFO connected to the waveshaper.

If other signals are plugged into the input sockets A and B these signals are used for crossfading.

The main application is to fade between two different waveforms of a VCO or LFO, but the module can be used for any other signals too as the waveshaper and crossfader sections are independent apart from the normalled sockets.

4 HP wide, Price: about Euro 80.00
Available around spring/early summer 2016 

This is a preliminary information about the planned module. The features are still subject to change and all specifications are still preliminary without any obligation !

Source: http://www.doepfer.de/home_e.htm

New Doepfer High End VCOs A-111-2, A-111-3 and A-111-4 Thru-Zero Announced

Doepfer has announced two new High End VCO's at the Superbooth event in Berlin (March 31st - April 2nd, 2016)

The A-111-2 is based on the CEM3340 Rev G chip
There was a close cooperation between Doepfer and OnChip since 2015 regarding to the new re-issue of the CEM3340 and they received the first samples in January during NAMM for development.
The first production batch of the CEM3340 Rev G arrived 2 weeks ago and the production of the A-111-2 has started during the next few days (they are still waiting for the latest front panel and pcb samples). 
Doepfer expects the first modules to be finished around the end of July/August. 
The A-111-3 is also based on the CEM3340 Rev G ,and Doepfer is working on a Thru-Zero VCO based on the CEM3340 Rev G too (module A-111-4).

The Doepfer A-111-2High End Voltage Controlled Oscillator II is the successor of the obsolete High End VCO I A-111-1 and here are the most important features of the planned module:

Triangle core, min. 15 octaves pitch range (typ. 0.5Hz - 20kHz)
perfect 1V/octave tracking over min. 12 octaves (typ. 5Hz - 20kHz)

Exponential frequency controls and inputs:

Tune (~ 1 octave range)
Fine (~ 1 semitone range)

A-111-2 Prototype June 2016

Octave (range switch with 6 positions)
1V/octave CV input
XFM input with attenuator
access to bus CV (via jumper, optional)

Linear frequency controls:
LF (manual linear frequency control: fully CW = standard setting for usual VCO applications, fully CCW: close to 0Hz frequency)
LFM input with attenuator, DC coupled

Pulsewidth controls for rectangle output:
PW (manual pulsewidth control from 0%/output = fixed at "low" state up to 100% / output fixed at "high" state)
PWM input with attenuator
Hard Sync input
Soft Sync input
Waveform outputs:
Sawtooth
Rectangle (with PWM)
Triangle
Sine
Nearly "perfect" waveforms (no glitches)
High end triangle to sine converter with excellent sine waveshape (thanks to Tim Stinchcombe who recommended this circuit)

14 HP Width

Price: about Euro 250.00
Available: spring/early summer 2016

The other new High End VCO  is the A-111-3 High End Precision VCO with a panelwidth of just 4HP.
Essentially it's the same basic circuit as the A-111-2 but with reduced features:

A-111-3 High
End Precision
VCO

Triangle core, min. 15 octaves pitch range (typ. 0.5Hz - 20kHz with appropriate external CV)
Perfect 1V/octave tracking over min. 12 octaves (typ. 5Hz - 20kHz)
Exponential frequency controls and inputs:
Tune (~ 1 or ~ 10 octaves range, selectable via internal jumper, maybe different ranges in the final version)
1V/octave CV input
XM input with attenuator
access to bus CV (via jumper, optional)

Linear frequency controls:
LM input with attenuator, DC coupled

Pulsewidth controls for rectangle output:
PW (manual pulsewidth control from 0%/output = fixed at "low" state up to 100% / output fixed at "high" state)
PW input (without attenuator)
Sync input (selectable hard or soft sync via internal jumper)

Waveform outputs:
Sawtooth
Rectangle (with PWM)
Triangle
Nearly "perfect" waveforms (no glitches)
Only 4HP wide panel

Price: about Euro 150.00
Available: spring/early summer 2016

All features, specifications, prices, date of delivery are still without obligation
Source: http://www.doepfer.de/home_e.htm

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