Peter Grenader, Principal Designer for Plan B, sends word about a custom Electro-Acoustic Research (EAR) synth that they created for Ninch Inch Nails.

In May of 2006, Alessandro Cortini, keyboard player for Nine Inch Nails, contacted Electro-Acoustic Research to develop a custom mid-sized performance-based synthesizer. Housed within a 26 x 18 inch Zero Halliburton suitcase, this synth is completely portable and is fitted entirely with Livewire and Plan B modules, many of which were developed exclusively for this instrument.

Details:

Top Utility Strip:

• Multiples

Top Row:

• Plan B Model 15 Complex VCOs (3)
• Plan B Model 13 Dual Timbral Gates (2)
• Plan B Model 12 State Variable Vactrol FIlter (1)
• Livewire Sub Divider (1)
• Plan B (Model no. TBD) custom 4 in/stereo out mixer with VC pan*

Middle Row:

• Livewire Sub Divider (1)
• Livewire Dalek Modulator (1)*
• Livewire Vulcan Modulator (1)*
• Livewire Dual Bissell Generator (1)*
• Livewire Noise/Sample and Hold (1)*
• Livewire Dual Cyclotron (1)
• Livewire Frequensteiner Multimode filters (2)
• Plan B 4 in/ 1 out mixer

Bottom Row:

• Plan B Model 10 Polyphonic Envelope Generator (4)*
• Plan B Model 14 Dual Processor (1)*
• Plan B VCA/Inverter
• Plan B Model 21 Milton Grande (prototype) fitted with internal VC Clock and Envelope Follower (external click-track syncing)*
• Livewire Trigger Divider

Bottom Utility Strip:

• Plan B Dual Manual Trigger Source
• Multiples
• Livewire Headphone preamp w/level control

Right, NIN keyboard player Alessandro Cortini debuts the EAR Performance System, a custom modular synthesizer manufactured by Electro-Acoustic Research (EAR).

Consisting entirely of Plan B and Livewire modules, the instrument will remain part of the band’s live arsenal throughout their current summer tour.

Details and excessive gear porn are at www.ear-group.net.