On:
In: Modular, Reviews

The Quad Peak Animation System – or QPAS from Make Noise – is an interesting new look at stereo filtering, what can be done with four filters, and how to manage them. The idea isn’t to give you individual control of every parameter of each filter, but rather it’s a take on how four filters can work together as a whole, whether in mono, or preferably in stereo, to form a playable instrument.  Aside from having “regular” state variable low pass, band pass and high pass outputs, it introduces what Make Noise call a “smile pass” filter” – designed to enable resonant peaks without filteringRead More →

On:
In: Modular, Tips and tricks

In this clip I’ll look at a few ideas to take your semi-modular synth to the next level with Eurorack modules. In particular, I focus on a few that might make a big difference in what you can do with your semi-modular synth. Most semi-modulars come with “synth basics” such as oscillators, envelopes, lfos, filters and a sequencer. This clip looks at ways to extend these basic capabilities by patching internally and using external modular gear. There are plenty of great semi-modular synths – Mother-32, MiniBrute 2 and 2S and many others. I’ll be using the MatrixBrute in this video, though most of the tipsRead More →

On:
In: Eurorack, Modular, Sequencer, Synthesizer

The Subharmonicon is a lovely, interesting and different synth from Moog. Only around 100 were hand soldered and built at Moogfest’s 2018 Engineering Workshop, and there’s no information currently about whether it will be released commercially. Even though availability is scarce, I decided to put together a review of this instrument, because the way it works is such a breath of fresh air when it comes to sound generation and sequencing. Also, one would hope that Moog will eventually mass produce the Subharmonicon, as they did for most, but not all past Engineer Workshop projects, like the DFAM and Werkstatt. This review includes an interviewRead More →

On:
In: Modular, Synthesizer

In this video we get to know the people and process behind building Moog’s new Grandmother synth, as well as get a taste of what it sounds like. Like Moog’s Mother-32, Grandmother is a semimodular analog synthesizer. But Grandmother has a few new tricks up her sleeve: a classic spring reverb (we get to see the spring in this video!), two oscillators, faithful reproductions of Moog’s vintage modular components, hard sync, a keyboard and more. In this video I test the sounds of a few of these new components, as well as get a factory tour for an inside look on how Grandmother is built.Read More →

On:
In: Eurorack, Modular, Synthesizer, Tips and tricks

The Behringer Model D is a great analog synth – and by design it’s monophonic. However, if you’ve seen my channel before, you know I’m not going to let that stop me from trying to play more than one note at a time with it, something that has a unique characteristic in synthesizers that are intended to be monophonic. You can’t control any of its 3 oscillators separately, but there’s a fourth oscillator that can be controlled independently, and that’s the filter – via a dedicated CV input – and when you crank up emphasis all the way, it resonates and creates its own tone.Read More →

On:
In: Eurorack, Modular, Synthesizer, Tips and tricks, Tutorials

I recently received for review the VariFO, a new and relatively cheap quad LFO module from VoicAs – a new eurorack company. With so many LFOs on tap, it inspired me to put together a clip with beginner as well as more advanced and creative LFO uses. In this clip I explain what an LFO is, demonstrate how its basic parameters work (depth, rate, shape), and show ten different things you can do with LFOs: 1. Tremolo 2. Vibrato 3. FM synthesis 4. A Wobble effect with two LFOs 5. How an LFO can also be used as a clock or trigger in a modular setupRead More →

On:
In: Eurorack, Modular, Synthesizer, Tutorials

In my review of DFAM and the comparison to Mother-32, I mentioned a few features that Mother-32 had and DFAM didn’t. The ability to have different length sequences – either less or more than 8 steps, the ability to sequence notes, not just continuous pitches, an LFO, glide and ratchets. And as you know me, if a feature is on my wishlist, I’m going to do my best to make it happen. This video focuses on the beauty of eurorack and semi-modular synths – where either through internal patching or with the help of a handful of modules, you can get almost everything you want.Read More →

On:
In: Eurorack, Modular, Reviews, Synthesizer

​DFAM (Drummer From Another Mother) is the second semi-modular Moog are releasing in a compact, either standalone or 60hp eurorack form factor, following the Mother-32, and while they may look very similar, they’re actually very different animals. I already did an in-depth review of the Mother-32 (here’s a link to it: https://youtu.be/F0ro6w5QFAo) – so in this clip I focus more on a review of DFAM, but along the way comparing it to Mother-32, so that by the time it’s over, you’ll have a pretty good idea of how both synths work, and why even though they look the same, the end result gives each itsRead More →

On:
In: Eurorack, Modular, Reviews

The Disting has an ever expanding library of onboard modules or algorithms that can do very different things – currently about 80 but probably more by the time you watch this, all embodied in a 4HP module. ​ If you like modules that are clearly labelled knob per function, the Disting is not for you, but if you’re in a pinch for a module that’s missing from your setup, it’s more than likely that the multifunction Disting from Expert Sleepers has a version of it – ​ranging from oscillators, envelope generators and LFO’s all to way to audio recording, sample playback, physical modeling and effects.Read More →

On:
In: Effects, Eurorack, Modular, Reverb, Reviews

The Z-DSP a cartridge based open-source variable clock digital signal processor from tip-top audio. Let’s break that down: cartridge-based means that it needs one a cartridges with an algorithm that determines how it works. Variable clock means that you can actually modulate the processor speed for some pretty crazy effects – more on that in a bit. And open-source means that potentially anyone can write code for the DSP and create these cartridges. In this clip I’ll be showing you how the various algorithms and DSP cartridges work on my voice, on a piano – the Una Corda from Native Instruments, on a guitar – I’llRead More →