Audio WeEvil explorations by Prometheus Burning.

via telladictorian:

Making noise in the Prometheus Burning Studio as Nikki improvises a song with the Audio WeEvil during a Four Pi Movement warm up session.

Hardware signal path: BugBrand AudioWeevil08, Boss FZ-2, Digilog Delay, Alesis mixer, M-Audio Delta.Special guest appearance by Diesel the cat.

This is an video demo of the new BugBrand CTL1 – Touch Panel v2, a modular synth touch controller.

via BugBrand:

Here’s an overview of the newly updated CTL1 Touch Panel – one of the most unique and fun parts of the BugBrand Modular system.

The initial idea came from an article published in Synapse Magazine in the 70s, but that is now a distant relative of this module. The 1st version was fun – with two ‘Preset’ rows, ‘Pressure’ CV outputs etc – but before production I wanted to update things a bit.

The little update turned into a full rebuild!

It is now based on a kind of Sequencing core (uses the 4516 chip – tech geeks) – the Touch & Preset part still behaves the same (though has different circuitry) but this now has the great addition of four step sequencing – play it forwards or backwards, at seq. rates or at audio rates. This thing is versatile and FUN.

Behold! The Bugbrand Modular!

Paul has zipped up a handful of about 80 little loops, hits and whistles of the bleepy, R2 variety in his initial explorations into this new synth of his to share with everyone.

Cut em up, cut em loose, show em to your mom. It doesn’t matter what you do with them, but if it sounds fun send it in for everyone to hear!

The samples are shared with a Creative Commons license.

Here’s a sneak preview of some Throbbing Gristle 2009 action, via Chris Carter in the Synthtopia Flickr Pool.

Carter explains:

Trying out different synth & effects combinations for TG 2009 shows.

Korg Kaossilator, Bugbrand Postcard Weevils, Korg Kaoss Pad 2, Korg Kaoss Pad 3, Zoom PFX9003, Chimera Synthesis bc8 & bc16.

Slightly weedy mono sound.

You can find out more about Throbbing Gristle, and their 2009 tour, at their site.

BugModular Demo – Two VCO FM

This is an official demo of the BugModular modular synthesizer. 

via BugBrand:

 This shows the sounds that two of the SYN2A VCOs can make when cross-modulating one another, first using Triangle waves and then Square waves.

Each oscillator’s output feeds both the Output mixer plus the other osc’s CV input – changing the modulation depth results in varying sound, with total chaos ensuing when both oscs have their FM depths set to maximum.

For further BugModular details, please check the main Bug site.

Here are a series of demos of the new BugBrand modular synthesizer.

The Bugbrand modular synthesizer is a late entry to a crowded field – but there’s still a lot of room for innovation in modular synthesizers, and the Bugbrand modular synthesizer increases the options available for modular synth fans.

Take a look at the demo videos and let me know what you think!

Above, a demo of the two-rack BugModular system:

• begins with a sync’d osc with modulation from the BugCrusher s/h unit (including some gliding)
• the Syn1 Weevil then brings in some rhythmic control
• introduction of a voice using Touch Panel control for pitching and envelopes

Click here to view the embedded video.

A simple patch to show some Touch control along with the ENV1 Attack/Decay env.gen.

It starts with a simple sin-wave passing through an LPG – pitching is from Touch Row1 and the touch gate controls the ENV1

• Row2 is then used to control decay
• Pressure is used to control attack
• ENV1 switched into loop mode for fun and variation

Click here to view the embedded video.

A complex patch on the new BugBrand Modular 2 rack desktop setup.

Touch Panels are used for diverse control and the SYN1 Weevil produces a load of timing pulses to control the ENV1 Attack/Decay.

Tom Bugs of BugBrand has shared this sneak preview of the new Weevil synth for 2009. 

“It’s like a souped-up Postcard and takes in some new design ideas I’ve been playing with through 2008,” explains Bugs. “My aim has been to create something with the power of previous big Weevils, but which is more easily replicated (to try to meet demand.”

It’s not available until Jan 2009, but here are the detail we know now.

• Three Oscs with Lo/Hi Ranges with the usual Quasi-ringmod
• Oscs 2 & 3 can Sync to Osc1
• Osc1 also has a Light Sensor for pitching (switchable)
• Power starve for the Weevil-heart – this also has a switchable Light Sensor
• Balance Control fades between Ring1 (oscs1 & 2) and Ring2 (oscs 1 & 2 & 3)
• Simple Tone Control
• Output Level dial feeding a standard 1/4″ jack
• Onboard Mini-Amp
• 14 body contacts (gold plated!)
• All Dials are 9mm Alps — still compact, but much sturdier than the orig. Postcard ones.

BugBrand has intreoduced the AudioWeevil08 – both a synth-sound generator and an audio processor – with a load of chaos possibilities chucked in too.

Features:

• Audio Input through a CMOS Overdrive/Distortion – a powerful input (1/4″ mono jack) suitable for guitar or line levels. There are two levels of drive offering clean or distorted sounds. The distortion crunches really nicely!
• Variable Response Wasp-style Filter – the filtering on the AudioWeevil is now full of character! Based on the famous old-school Wasp synth and offering variable Resonance / Q, Cutoff + LFO Modulation and Low/Band/Highpass outputs. There’s a mixer going into it for balancing the Thru (Audio Input) and Ring (Weevil Sonics). There’s also an output level control before 1/4″ mono output jack.
• Twin Oscillator Weevil Heart – this is the screechy ringmod centre of synthesis with many features. There are two lofi squarewave oscillators (one with LFO modulation) with Hi / Lo rate ranges which feed into a quasi-ringmod. The 2nd osc can be switched over to accept the squared audio input for wierd-assed ringmod processing. Added onto this are controls for: Power Starvation (with Stable or Instable modes), Ringmod Feedback (with three way routing switch) and an output Comparator to give stable levels even when starved.
• Modulation LFO – Osc1 and the Filter can be modulated by the wide-range tri/saw LFO. The two rate ranges offer modulation from superslow to audiorate and the waveform is switchable from Saw to Triangle to Ramp. There are independent modulation depth controls for the Osc and Filter
• Screen printed Frontpanel with Contact Points – the professional frontpanel labels all functions clearly (13 dials, 10 switches) and presents a total of 16 body contact points allowing touchy chaos control of the machine – lick your fingers!

The AudioWeevil08 is cased in a sprayed slope-fronted enclosure (c.22×14x9cm). It is battery power only (due to the touch controls) running off 6 AA batteries in the panel compartment mounted underside. Battery life should be at least forty hours with decent batteries including rechargeables.

Audio demo below.

Note: this is not in production yet.

“All designs mix experimental audio circuitry with ideas taken from the techniques of circuit bending, and bring together many different controls and playing methods to give intuitive and inspiring instruments,” explains Bugs.

Here’s a video of his drone machine in action:

There are more videos at the BugBrand YouTube channel.

Designs currently in production include:

• Drone Machine
• BugCrusher
• BabyBugCrusher
• Weevil06
• PostcardWeevil
• Modular
• Fly Contact Mics

Note: The synthmaster general warns that smoking can be dangerous to your gear.

via the awesomely powerful guys at Sonic State