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

ADDAC System 320 Servo w. demo by Electrum Modular

ADDAC, the Portugese company is known for it's wide range of alternative ways to control synths...

I am a big fan of the concept of their 210 Open Heart Surgery module that they released already over a decade ago.

This one is inspired by Neil Young’s Whizzer (a box with servos that sat on top of his fender amp and allowed him to control the pots from his pedal board. ), 
Using a Servo motor-controlled method they created a 4HP Eurorack module to control any knob that doesn’t have a CV input, while also possible to use for other gear as well (within certain distance constraints).

This motor is controlled by a microcontroller that also receives an incoming CV voltage from 0 to +5v and lineary converts this voltage range to the 270 degree Servo motor range.

Using a spring wire and metal couplers the motor shaft is then attached to the target knob to be controlled which will turn as the Servo turns.

Ranges can be set with 2 knobs [MAXIMUM ANGLE] & [MINIMUM ANGLE] further allow to control the “sweet spot” of the target knob, setting a smaller Servo range. 

Raising the [MIN ANGLE] knob above the [MAX ANGLE] knob inverts the Servo range.

The module is compatible with most common potentiometers used in Eurorack: 6mm shaft’s potentiometers and tall trimmer potentiometers.

For pots using knobs they will need to be removed in order to attach the connection wire coupler. 

Do not use this system with rotary switches, they will cause too much stress on the small motor! 

Video: When modules grow limbs: ADDAC's Servo - by Electrum Modular

Uploaded by Electrum Modular
"Checking out Servo, a unique new module from ADDAC Systems. 

It can turn knobs or trim pots on a modular, synth, pedal, mixer, or anything else that’s small and cylindrical and that lacks a cv input. 

Perfect for when your hands are busy doing other things, or for when you want slow LFO-style modulation, or for when you want super precise stepped adjustments."

Latest Electrum Modular album: https://smallchanges1.bandcamp.com/al...

More info and manual HERE

ErrorInstruments Kharper EuroRack Electronic Harp

Two weeks ago, Paul Tas from ErrorInstruments released the Kharper Eurorack Module, built in collaboration with This Is Not Rocket Science (TiNRS)

The "Kharper -emuharphonica- Eurorack" is a kind of electronic harp, with 4 touch - and position- sensitive 'strings' on the frontplate of the module.

Every string is a voice. The strings are built out of two touch strips with an LED bar in the middle, showing you what kHarper is doing. 

Each string has a knob on top to set the tone and a CV -in below. You can also patch in a gate to pluck the string

Inside is a microprocessor that uses Virtual Modelling models to recreate different versions of the Karplus-Strong algorithm.

The Karplus-Strong algorithm, also called Karplus-Strong string synthesis, is a way to make sounds that are like plucked or hit strings, and even drum sounds too. It was created in 1983 by Kevin Karplus and Alex Strong. The method uses a short sound loop with a filter to repeat a small sound wave, which helps create a string sound that feels real.

Video: Kharper eurorack explained

Source: errorinstruments paul tas

I was already intrigued by the first demo's I saw earlier this year, and so far I love the sounds that i've heard of it from several sources that were lucky to get one from the first batch...

A wide range of sounds and soundscapes can be created, from spacey piano-like and harpy sounds.

It can also make percussive African drum-like sounds and even much more extremer noises...  ultimately you can push this module even leading to clipping, with cut-offs and distorted noises that even don't seem to belong there... the interesting area where even the calculations become unpredictable... lol

The Kharper is a 18HP wide skiff-friendly Eurorack module, but it can work as a stand-alone version too, powered by the USB connector on the back.

Via this connector you will also be able to download new sounds, algorithms, or even full alternative firmware. " In the future, there could be: • Traditional octave tracking • Different quantization schemes • Ambient or generative patches Or more experimental warm or noisy • New forms of sound design — all possible through open-source updates"

The Kharper comes with 9 (3x3), already impressive sounding models but in the future certainly different models will be downloadable.

INPUTS:

- MIDI in
- STRUM is a gate in that will strum all four strings
- Pond/River/Ocean - choice of sound engine
- Herring/Koikarp/Dolphin - choice of sound engine

The Tone and Decay of the selected sound engine can be tweaked with a knob or via CV.
All strings have a knob and CV in for tone and a trigger gate input to pluck the string see demo

OUTPUTS:  

- Control output Gate and CV

- Left/Right audio output

The first batch is already sold out
The kHarper will be available again in September. 

If you’d like to reserve one, email studiopaultas@hotmail.com

and/or check out  @rocket_not and @errorinstruments for updates

Modular On The Spot, 3rd of August, Maarssen NL

Another modular synth-event that is taking place soon is the Summer edition of Modular on The Spot NL.

Modular on The Spot-NL is the Dutch version of the much acclaimed (open air) event for all modular music performers and their audiences.

Originally Modular On The Spot was an outdoor modular synth performance event that was started in Los Angeles by modular artist and skateboard photographer Eric “Rodent” Cheslak with bass player and modular musician Bana Haffar.

The idea came about on a camping trip to Arizona in 2014 where they set up a generator, speakers, and a modular synth at an off grid location in the middle of the desert. 

Since then, that version has grown into a free, monthly, picnic-style gathering that has been adopted by modular aficionados across the US (...and beyond (red.))

It's open to the public and offers a laid back and expansive listening environment... 

Modular on The Spot events are now taking place all over the world and the community keeps on growing. 

I believe this is already the third edition of MoTS on this location, an old Fortress/ Bunker near Utrecht. A beautiful spot... I hope the weather will be nice.

The line-up will be announced later.

Keep an eye on their social media for more: https://www.instagram.com/mots.nl/

August 3, 2025
Fort Maarsseveen
Herenweg 3, Maarssen

Free Entrance

The aim is at playing in the open air but can move inside if there’s a chance it might rain.

Wanna play? Send an email to (tectonia@live.nl) 

Solar Vibes Festival NL, 26th of July, Leusden NL

There are a lot of interesting Modular events coming up in the Netherlands this summer, and since I recently moved to Hilversum, this event near me caught my attention.

I might go and have a look if I have the time and the right autistic moodset. the line-up looks promising and it's a cool looking location. Well they even name it 'SuperChill'...

Line-up: (Times are subject to changes)

13:00 - Skoulaman
13:45 - Estroe
14:15 - Ron Boots
15:30 - MAHU
16:00 - Raaf
16:45 - Tectonia
17:45 - The Soulmade System
18:45 - Robotpoolparty


Saturday, July 26, 2025 at 1:00PM CEST 

Langesteeg 2, 3831 RZ Leusden, Nederland

Admission is Free! 

More info at:
www.facebook.com/people/Solar-Vibes-festival-NL

and on their Instagram