Synthtopia regular, blogger, remixer and synth geek chanteuse Tara Busch sends word about a very cool limited edition box set of her debut album, Pilfershire Lane:

Maf (Lewis) & I were given the freedom to fill the box with whatever our hearts could dream up.

As the album was complete, Maf let rip his exquisite design sensibilities to come up with 3 more luscious gems with which to fill the box:

• a one off Polaroid 600 photo
• a beautiful 16mm film and, last but not least
• a stainless steel pop- up model of my stage set-up with interchangeable face plates for the synths. This also includes a recordable mini sampler circuit for the model, complete with a microphone and speaker..

The pop up model is presented in the box as a kit that you get to assemble (And of course we encourage all the circuit bending & hot rodding & modding to your hearts content!)!

This thing looks like $50 of cool.

Busch has put together some great music on Pilfershire Lane and, with Lewis, has come up with fun artifacts for the box set. Putting a Polaroid and the film segment in the box makes each set unique. And the pop-up model lets you complete a process that Lewis and Busch started.

Details on the box set below. And, if you’re not familiar with Busch’s music , check out her video for This Is Love.

Here’s what’s in Busch’s box set:

• CD Copy of Tara Busch’s debut solo album, Pilfershire Lane, with deluxe digipack cover.
• A 7″ × 7″ stainless steel mini popup stage set. This includes working microphone, speaker and circuit with record and play feature. The set comes with popup Korg MS-20 and Minimoog, but also included are interchangeable stainless steel face plates for the Buchla 200e, MacBeth M5, Analogue Solutions Vostok, ARP Odyssey, Micromoog and Moog Etherwave Theremin.
• A 100th cut strip of a 16MM B&W film created specifically for the box set. This 16mm movie is the only copy that will ever exist and is cut equally between the 100 boxes.
• An original one-off Polaroid 600 picture of Tara taken at her studio in Los Angeles.
• Certificate Of Authenticity signed and numbered by the artist
• All in a beautifully made 7″ × 7″ × 2″ rigid cardboard box.

The box set is limited to 100, and is available at Tummy Touch records for £29.99, which includes shipping any where in the world.

Tracks:

• Over The Radio
• Pilfershire Lane
• Third Speed
• Imaginary Audience
• Superfriends
• Get Drunk & Fuck
• Pour The Bottle
• Tag
• This is Love
• We Can See Mars

Stefan Breitenfeld has updated his online modular synthesizer planner:

The all-new Modular Planner v1.1, which is a complete redesign of the (ancient?) original version, is now finally available. The most important changes are:

• new design & improved usability (at least I hope so)
• forum included
• mostly MSIE-compatible
• Google maps with dealer and manufacturer locations (to be extended, make suggestions!)
• first multi-manifacturer version (thanks to all of you for your support)
• exchange rates loaded directly from ECB
• atch drawing engine (beta).

The planner should make it easier than ever to make your plans for world synth domination.

Breitenfeld adds, “Enjoy it and feel free to link to it, report bugs and module updates, contribute images, patches & experience and make suggestions for further improvements!”

via MatrixSynth

Dave at Attack Sustain has published a fun post looking at the secret “easter eggs” that are hidden on his Analogue Solutions synth modules.

If you look closely at the PCB above, you’ll see “my precious”. Leave your thoughts on what this means below.

I remember seeing some secret drawing on a Sequential Circuits Pro-One circuit board when I opened it up; you can see photos taken from another Pro-One here.

Do you know of any other secret “easter eggs” hidden on other synths? If so, or if you know the stories behind any of these synthesizer secrets, leave a comment or a link!

Shade is scheduled for release on March 23rd, 2009, and looks like it will be a treat for fans of synth music.

Sirros notes:

This album is full of analogue modular synths, including the Serge modular music system, Analogue Systems RS-Integrator modular, Doepfer A100 modular, Arp 2600, EMS VCS3, Technosaurus Selector system D, Livewire/Plan B/Harvestman modular, Metalbox/CGS modular, Analogue Solutions Concussor modular, Korg MS50, Oberheim 4 Voice modular, etc…

Shade is the studio album follow-up to Obsessive Surrealism (DiN26 – 2007) and is the fifth CD release by Parallel Worlds (the main musical project of Greek electronic musician Bakis Sirros).

via Bakis Sirros in the synth forum

Eurorack modular synthesizers have been growing in popularity over the last few years. Eurorack modular synths are relatively inexpensive, compared to larger formats, and pack a lot of functionality into a small space.

There are now over fifteen companies making Eurorack synth modules, giving Eurorack owners more options than just about any other modular synth platform. If you’re planning a Eurorack synth, there’s an online modular synth planner you should check out – the Mega Modular Planner.

Here’s a list of active Eurorack modular synthesizer manufacturers, along with links to recent coverage of their synths at Synthtopia:

Eurorack Synth Modular Manufacturers

1. Analogue Systems (UK) – makes the RS line of synth modules, and unique keyboard controllers like the French Connection. Analogue Systems on Synthtopia
2. Analogue Solutions (UK) – creators of the Concussor synth modules, along with a variety of synths and sequencers, including the Red Square, the Leipzig, the SEMblance, the TBX-303 and the Oberkorn.  Analogue Solutions on Synthtopia
3. Bananalogue (USA) – makes several synth modules, including a couple of Serge-influenced modules. Their site is currently missing in action. If you’ve got additional information, leave a comment. Bananalogue on Synthtopia
4. Bubblesound (US) – makes Eurorack synth modules with original components to more accurately capture the sound of vintage gear. Their site is currently missing in action. If you’ve got additional information, leave a comment. Bubblesound on Synthtopia
5. Cwejman (Sweden) – Cwejman makes semi-modular synthesizers and also a large variety of Eurorack synth modules. Cweman on Synthtopia
6. Cyndustries (USA) – Cyndustries makes synth modules in Blacet, DotCom, ModCan, MOTM & Eurorack formats. Their best known modular is the Zeroscillator, a high end modular oscillator. Cyndustries on Synthtopia.
7. Doepfer (Germany) – manufacturer of electronic music instruments, ranging from keyboards and MIDI controllers to complete analog modular synthesizer systems. Doepfer on Synthtopia
8. Elby Designs (Australia) – makes the Panther series of Eurorack analog synthesizer modules and kits, based on Cat Girl Synth designs. Elby Designs on Synthtopia
9. Flight of Harmony (USA) – currently has a small line of synth modules, including the Plague Bearer quad voltage-controlled resonant bandpass filter. Flight of Harmony on Synthtopia
10. Future Sound Systems (UK) – Future Sound Systems makes synth modules in MOTM/Modcan/Dotcom and Eurorack formats. You can customize your modules with special panels and LED colors. Future Sound Systems on Synthtopia
11. Harvestman (USA) – makes a very original line of voltage-controlled digital signal processing modules, including the Malgorithm, Zorlon Cannon, Tyme Safari and a Polivoks filter. Harvestman on Synthtopia
12. Livewire (USA) – Livewire makes a small collection of very interesting synth modules, including the Dalek Modulator, Dual Cyclotron & the Vulcan Modulator. Livewire on Synthtopia
13. Makenoise (USA) – makes a small collection of synth modules, including a Quad Multi-Mode Gate, modDemod and the Format Jumbler. Makenoise on Synthtopia
14. Metasonix (USA) – specializes in vacuum tube based synth modules. Metasonix on Synthtopia
15. MFB (Germany) – makes a variety of drum synth modules in addition to standard modular synth components (VCO, VCF, sequencers). MFB also makes semi-modular and mini-synths. MFB on Synthtopia
16. Plan B (USA) – Peter Grenader’s line of synthesizer modules features a wide variety of modules, many of which are influenced by classic Buchla designs. Plan B on Synthtopia
17. Tiptop (USA) – makes a small, but cool line of synth modules, including the Z3000 Smart Voltage Controlled Oscillator and the Z5000 Voltage Controlled Digital Signal Processor. Tiptop Audio on Synthtopia

If you’ve got additions, corrections or comments about any of the manufacturers, please leave a comment below!

via MusicOfSound, MuffWriggler; image: thumbuki

The EuroRack Monster Planner is an online application that lets you make your plans to rule the world with synth power!

It’s the crack cocaine of synth fantasies, because you can use the Regular 12U Planner to design a relatively reserved modular synthesizer or you can choose the Monster Planner and plan your TyrannoSynth.

Bwa-ha-ha-ha!

There are some great examples of what you can do with the EuroRack Monster Planner at MusicOfSound.

And if you use the EuroRack modular planner to create an awesome modular synth of your own, put a link to it in the comments!

This is sure to be controversial, but I can’t argue with their thoroughness. 

Acid Voice has compared a collection of the top clones of the Roland TB-303 and ranked them, based on how well they clone the sound of the original acid synth. 

They’ve got audio demos and in depth comparisons of the various bassline synths, including the x0xb0x, the Future Retro Revolution, the TeeBee and the FR 777. 

Here’s how they stack up, in Acid Voice’s opinion:

1. Adafruit x0xb0x
2. Future Retro Revolution
3. Syntecno TeeBee MKIII
4. Oakley TM3030
5. Analogue Solutions TB-X
6. Acidcode ML303
7. Acidlab Bassline 
8. MAM MB33 MKII
9. Future Retro 777

I would rank the 777 much higher. The Future Retro 777 will do just about everything you’d want to do with a TB303, plus it’s a fairly full-featured analog synthesizer, too.

The bottom line, though, is that there’s never been a better time for people interested in great-sounding acid bassline synths. 

Let me know what you think of the results!

Radiophonica provides a library of sounds that recall the BBC Radiophonic Workshops early work on seminal TV programmes like Doctor Who; as such, they embrace those appealing analogue, organic, retro scifi sounding characteristics of early synthesiser soundtracks.

All 200 samples 24-bit/44.1kHz mono WAV, crossfade looped where appropriate were created using Boddy’s personal collection of old(er) and new(er) analogue synthesisers (Roland System 100-M, Analogue Systems RS Integrator, Doepfer A-100, Analogue Solutions Concussor, EMS VCS3, Moog Minimoog, Metasonix TM-2) and recorded directly into an Apple Mac running Logic Studio via an RME Fireface 400 FireWire audio interface with additional EQ or compression processing provided where appropriate using Audio Ease PeriScope, Waves Renaissance Compressor, and Waves L1 Ultramaximizer. All audible flanging, phasing, reverb, or echo effects are from the various analogue components of the modular systems themselves for absolute audio authenticity.

Native Instruments KONTAKT 2 patches with a basic envelope, low-pass filter, and modulation wheel assigned to filter cutoff are also provided for convenience for each program, allowing users to add effects and modulations to the finished sounds, as well as audition programs for all the sounds in a single category.

Ian Boddy Waveforms products are available from the following download stores, priced at £24.95 (including VAT):

• www.soundstosample.com
• www.timespace.com
• www.zero-g.co.uk

In May, we featured Analogue Solutions‘ prototype for a new monosynth keyboard.

Now it’s more than just a prototype; Analogue Solutions has introduced the Leipzig-k, a keyboard version of their Leipzig monosynth.

Here’s a demo of the Leipzig-K in action:

Features :

• Pure analogue voice circuitry
• Fat Moog style filter
• Velocity sensitive keyboard
• CV/Gate outputs, so can be used as a 1V/octave CV controller keyboard for your modular system
• CV/Gate inputs to voice circuit so can be controlled by an analogue sequencer or similar
• All jack sockets are 6.35mm (1/4″ ‘big’ jacks)
• Mod Wheel
• Pitch Bend Wheel
• Pure vintage style inspired design
• Lots of blue LEDs
• 2 VCOs with Glide/Portamento and Sub-VCOs.
• Plenty of modulation routing possibilities.
• Extra tone controls and circuits for more sound variety e.g. LFO, CrossMod.
• Rugged steel construction
• ‘vintage’ wood design.
• Spun aluminium topped knobs
• LCD for MIDI set-up editing
• MIDI In for software sequencer control of CV/Gate
• MIDI Thru
• MIDI Out: pitchbend, mod wheel, velocity and note data is transmitted. Local on/off feature

The Leipzig-k is priced at £899 exc. tax and delivery.

bigcitymusic demos the Analogue Solutions Trans Bass Xpress TB-303 Clone, a faithful clone of the synth engine of the Roland TB-303. 

The Trans Bass Xpress does not have a sequencer built in, so you have to use a MIDI sequencer with it. But this offers possibilities for more interesting patterns and greater performance capabilities.

Analogue Solutions has announced a new keyboard synthesizer, prototype photo above, the Leipzig-K:

LEIPZIG-k … coming soon. Keyboard Leipzig with extra functions, like 2nd LFO, LCD editing (of MIDI setup), CV/Gate/CV2 inputs & outputs on rear panel, and more! (Above) is first prototype metalwork, the wooden side panels are missing!

Production model will be BLACK, but if you prepay you I might give you a choice of limited edition coloured editions!

Expect the price to be around £799 exc. VAT and delivery.

I’ve got a classic Sequential Circuits Pro-One monophonic synth, but it’s got its share of quirks.  It’s great to see another nice new analog synth; a lot of vintage synths are getting creaky and there’s a lot to say for new electronics.

via Oliver Chesler

Analogue Solutions‘ new Leipzig monosynth is new old-school style analog synthesiser, with a fairly classic layout and sound.

You can preview the Leipzig sound below.

Features:

• Pure analogue voice circuitry.
• Fat Moog style filter.
• 2 VCOs with Glide and Sub-VCOs.
• Plenty of modulation routing possibilities.
• Extra tone controls and circuits for more sound variety e.g. LFO, CrossMod.
• Rugged steel construction and ‘vintage’ wood design.
• MIDI In for software sequencer control.

The Leipzig is priced at 549 Pounds (Euro 700) excl. VAT and Delivery.

A long demo of a Roland TB-303, with the Borg modifications by Analogue Solutions. Also in the mix is a TR-808, acting as the master, with a little reverb; the 303 is 100% dry.

via Matrix