Michael Una looks at using the $44.95 Highly Liquid MD24 MIDI decoder kit to control a handmade analog bass line sequencer and drum machine via Ableton Live.

Expert Sleepers has released version 1.5.0 of Silent Way, their modular synth control plugins for Mac and Windows, adding Silent Way Step LFO.

Silent Way Step LFO is a combination step sequencer and LFO generator. It shares many of the features of the LFO plug-in, but rather than generating waveforms based on simple sine, triangle etc. waves it generates a waveform that the user draws in the GUI.

When the waveform is interpreted as a series of discrete values, rather than as a continuous wave-form, then the output is that of a traditional analogue step sequencer.

Other changes in Silent Way v1.5.0

• The Smooth control on all plug-ins is now calibrated in milliseconds, and has a much larger range.
• All Mac OS X versions now require Mac OS X 10.4.11 or higher.

Silent Way retails for $49.

Dr Bleep is trickling out more info on the new Thingamagoop 2 synth robot.

The video above demonstrates using a Thingamagoop 2 to control a Moog Prodigy.

Dr Bleep says:

The Thingamagoop has a stereo 1/8? jack on the side to facilitate control voltage in and out. You can make your own cable very simply or order a nice, shielded one from us. It’s simply a stereo 1/8? to two, mono female 1/4? jacks. Here’s Dr. Bleep and his band, The Hearts and the Minds, using the Thingamagoop 2 to control a Moog Prodigy.

Note that the CV input is not 1volt/Octave but you can use it to make some ridiculous sound!

Arduino Support

The Thingamagoop 2 uses Arduino to control the analog VCO as well as the LEDacle. You don’t need an Arduino board to use the Thingamagoop 2; you only need on if you want to reprogram it.

The Thingamagoop 2 circuit incorporates an AVR chip that has been programed without the Arduino bootloader. This allows the device to start up immediately but you’ll have to switch out the chip for one with the bootloader if you want to reprogram it.

The programmer cable is a stereo 1/8? cable with a ferrite noise suppressor and 3 pins on the other end that go into the Arduino headers. Not only can you directly program the Thingamgoop 2, you can communicate with it.

“Who will be the first to get processing to use the photocell as a variable!? Or build a MIDI i/o!?” asks Dr Bleep.

This is a demo of the Synthesis Technologies MOTM-650, a 2U wide, full-featured 4-channel MIDI-CV converter.

Features include:

• Voice allocations settable as four 1 voice, two 2 voice, or one 4 voice group – each voice group separately addressable via MIDI
• Voice assignment modes on a per voice configuration: Poly 1, Poly 1 steal, Poly 2, Poly 2 steal, Unison, Solo Unison, Solo, Solo Rotate.
• Dual arpeggiators, each arpeggiator assignable to any active voice group – one arpeggiator per voice group
• Arpeggiator clock sources – MIDI IN Clock, internal clock (60-238BPM weighted), or external
• Arpeggiator clock divisors /4, /3, /2, /1.5, 1X, 1.5X, 2X and 4X the clock rate
• Arpeggiator note order as up, down, up/down, and down/up
• Arpeggiator modes are normal, ordered, ping pong, and random
• Portamento – per voice group configurable as constant rate or constant time
• Each voice group is independently configurable
• Firmware updateable via MIDI (Windows and Mac OS 9 update utilities provided)
• All MOTM-650 options settable via MIDI CCs or MIDI System Exclusive commands as well as the front panel user interface
• MOTM-650 Settings and state are remembered across power cycles
• Patch storage for MOTM-650 settings (up to 32) – recallable via MIDI patch change command
• Microtuning per MIDI spec
• Pitch bend adjustable from +/- 0 to 24 to be added to note CV on all voices
• Each of 4 AUX outputs assignable to pitch bend, channel aftertouch, or any MIDI CC.
• Velocity jack on each voice can be configured to be velocity or a trigger – providing a 5ms pulse when the voice is retriggered
• LEDs to monitor MIDI IN activity, internal/external/MIDI clock, and voice gate operation
• 8X2 LCD with variable backlight and 4 buttons for the user interface
• External clock in jack
• Transmits MIDI clock if set to external or internal clock

The MOTM-650 retails for $499.

Sunday Synth Jam: Voltage Controlled Passacaglia, Pages 1 & 2, by Paul Hembree (Premiere)

Performed on the CRuNCh lab 1972 Moog Modular synthesizer, with video projection of an attached oscilloscope.

Executed from a score with parametric envelopes assigned to different performers. Rough synchronization is achieved with stop-watches, and four short sections in the piece (each about a minute long) allow for some controlled improvisation.

Paul Hembree, Chris Rippey, Steve Snowden, and Curtis Peel, performers.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Voltage Controlled Passacaglia, Pages 3 & 4, by Paul Hembree

via PHIntermedia:

Can anyone figure out what the ground-bass theme is?

Also thanks to Brandon Vaccaro and Sean Brady for help with the MAX panning patch (the only digital aspect of the work… sadly we didn’t have enough voltage controlled amplifiers, nor enough mixer channels on the Moog to produce 4 channel spatizalization).

This has been on MySpace video for a while because they do not have a ten minute time limit. However, I figured I should expose this work to YouTube, so I cut the piece in half and I’m posting both chunks.

From the department of “just because we can” comes Expert Sleepers’ demo of using a modular synth to control an iPhone.

If you start getting prank calls from modular synthesizers, you can blame these guys.

Patch details below.

via expertsleepers:

Demo of Expert Sleepers Silent Way CV To OSC allowing a modular synth to control TouchOSC on an iPhone.

Expert Sleepers has released version 1.4.3 of Silent Way, adding Silent Way CV Input to the $49 suite of plug-ins, designed for use as part of a modular analogue synthesiser system.

According to Expert Sleepers:

Silent Way CV Input is something of a breakthrough in audio interface-based computer/CV interaction, since it lets you get your CVs back into the computer (most other CV-generation software focusses entirely on generating CVs).

Moreover this plug-in has no special requirements on the audio interface, and so is not just usable by those with DC-coupled interfaces.

This release also fixes an issue with the AU Generator versions of Silent Way DC & LFO (added in v1.4.1) when loaded as mono plug-ins.

This is a sneak preview of MacBeth Studio Systems‘ upcoming all-analog keyboard synth controller.

via macbethsynthesizers:

As you can see- this prototype is not housed yet so it moves around a bit- but none the less- it gives you some idea of what is going on!

The unit features two LFOs- inspired by the Sonic Six!

I hope that you enjoy

Ken M

shot using a Nikon D90- Tamron 80-210 of old.

Moog Music has announced a new $199 option for the Little Phatty keyboard synthesizer, the Control Voltage Output Mod, which lets you use the Little Phatty to control other analog synths and effects.

The Little Phatty Control Voltage Out Mod adds five 1/4″ analog CV outputs:

• Gate (O to +5V)
• Pitch (1 volt per octave)
• Volume Envelope (0 to 5 Volts)
• Filter Envelope (O to 5 Volts)
• Mod Bus (Variable)

The Little Phatty CV Output Modification is available as factory upgrade only.

via MoogMusicInc:

Make your Little Phatty the center of a modular universe. This exciting modification gives you the power to control Moogerfoogers and other analog gear with Control Voltages generated by your Little Phatty.The list of possible applications is as endless as your imagination.The LP CV Out Mod gives your LP five 1/4″ analog CV outputs.- Gate (O to +5V)- Pitch (1 volt per octave)- Volume Envelope (0 to 5 Volts)- Filter Envelope (O to 5 Volts)- Mod Bus (Variable)The CV output jacks are located on the right side panel.The Pitch/Volume envelopes can be sculpted on the front panel by tweaking attack, decay, sustain and release.The Mod Bus sources include Square, Triangle, Sawtooth, Ramp, sample & hold LFOs and Oscillator 2.

Kenton Electronics has introduced the USB Solo – a MIDI to CV converter for analog synthesizers. The USB SOLO replaces their 14 year old MIDI to CV converter, the Pro Solo.

The Kenton USB Solo is available now for £130. Details below.

Features for USB SOLO

• Designed to control all types of mono-synth
• Super-fast response time
• Famous Kenton build quality
• Rugged brushed aluminium case
• CV and Aux1 outputs use high specification 16 bit D/A converters for rock-steady pitches
• Gate / S-trig output configurable output to match virtually any synth
• Aux2 & Aux3 outputs are on-off only (zero or 5V)
• Dedicated DIN socket output for Sync24
• CV/Gate/Aux1,2,3 outputs on 3.5mm jack sockets (3.5mm to 1/4″ cables are available in our cables section)
• Any MIDI channel can be selected
• Switchable for V/oct & Hz/V & 1.2V/oct scaling systems
• Fine tune & scale are software controllable
• Transpose (coarse tune) – up & down 12 semitones
• Adjustable pitchbend range
• Programmable Gate V-trig (up to 15v) or S-trig (with or without pull-up)
• Multiple and single trigger modes – adjustable re-trigger time
• Note priority selection – newest / lowest / highest
• Old notes are remembered to facilitate trill effects and increase playability
• Portamento – fixed rate or fixed time modes
• Auto Portamento mode selectable (where legato playing turns on Portamento)
• Portamento Controller is selectable
• Programmable Auxilary outputs controllable by any MIDI controller
• Programmable LFO – 9 wave shapes inc. random
• LFO can modulate pitch &/or AUX output
• Separate Controllers for LFO to CV and LFO to AUX
• LFO can be synchronised to MIDI clock
• LFO sync point can be selected
• Key-on can reset LFO
• Aux3 output can output clock – Aux2 can output stop-start
• Clock output can select from 1 to 12, 24, or 48 clocks per quarter note
• All parameters are controllable in real-time by SysEx
• Set-ups are stored in non-volatile memory for easy recall
• 40 memory locations for store / load
• MIDI monitor mode – for easy MIDI troubleshooting
• USB powered
• Size 130mm x 97mm x 40mm
• Suitable for use with XP / Vista / MAC OS-X v10.2 onwards / Linux

Improvements over Pro-Solo mkII

• USB connection – faster data transfer
• Has 40 memories which can be stored and recalled
• Setups pre-loaded for popular synths
• Dedicated DIN Sync-24 output
• Aux 2 & 3 on 3.5mm jacks
• Variable gate-off time for re-trigger (multiple trigger)
• LFO start point can now be selected for Sample & Hold too
• Aux 2 & 3 have adjustable threshold
• Program changes can be used to recall memories

Expert Sleepers Silent Way is a suite of plug-ins designed to let you control a modular analog synthesizer system from your computer, using control voltages.

Like MOTU Volta, released earlier in the year, Silent Way works within your sequencer, sending signals to your audio interface to output control voltages compatible with modular synthesizer and classic analog gear.

The plug-ins produce no sound themselves, nor do they process sound – rather, they generate signals to be used as control voltages (CVs), which can be patched into the control inputs of oscillators, filters, VCAs etc. of an analogue system.

There are currently two plug-ins in the Silent Way suite – Silent Way DC and Silent Way Voice Controller. These are described in more detail below. It is anticipated that more plug-ins will be added to the suite in the future – watch the website for product announcements.

Silent Way plug-ins also feature

• full MIDI and OSC control.
• MIDI/OSC scriptability.
• sample-accurate handling of MIDI note messages.

Expert Sleepers is also offering a bounty for early users that are willing to help test the plugin with untried audio interfaces:

Since there are far more audio interfaces and synth modules in the world than any one person or even company is ever likely to own, it seems unlikely that Expert Sleepers will personally be able to test every combination.

Therefore we’re offering a bounty for people who buy and use Silent Way with their setup and document the results. To qualify, you need to do the following:

• buy Silent Way (you don’t qualify if you use the demo version to do the below).
• send us the details of your system (computer, host application, audio interface, synth modules).
• put up a video on YouTube demonstrating that Silent Way works with your stuff.

The offer is:

• a coupon for $25, good for one purchase from the Expert Sleepers store, if you do the above, or
• a coupon for $50, good for one purchase from the Expert Sleepers store, if you do the above and you’re the first to document the successful use of Silent Way with a particular audio interface or synth module.

More info on Silent Way below.

If you’ve used Expert Sleepers’ Silent Way, leave a comment with your thoughts!

Silent Way DC

Silent Way DC is a simple plug-in that generates constant output signals. It is intended to be used in conjunction with parameter automation (via MIDI or directly by the host application) to generate varying signals. For example, you could use it as an LFO where you draw out the LFO waveform in your host’s parameter automation GUI.

Silent Way Voice Controller

Silent Way Voice Controller is a virtual instrument plug-in designed to directly control an analogue synthesiser by generating the appropriate CV and gate signals via an appropriate audio interface.

By listening to the synthesiser’s output signal, the plug-in is able to calibrate itself to generate the appropriate pitch CV for the incoming MIDI notes.

As well as the basic pitch and gate signals, the plug-in can generate three multi-stage envelope CVs which you can feed to VCAs, VCFs etc. in your synth.

Pricing and availability

Silent Way is available immediately in Mac OS X Audio Unit format, priced at $49. Mac and Windows VST formats to follow.

Before we get into the meat and potatoes of this post, it’s worth noting that:

• Controlled By Reason sounds like an unauthorized biography of Leonord Nimoy; and
• Mark Of The Unicorn is a great name for a music technology company, if it’s the 1980’s and you play a lot of D&D; and
• Behind every classic Sequential Circuits synth, there’s a guy in a wizard cap.

All that being neither here nor there – this video captures Peff using the Reason/Thor MIDI to CV conversion process with a couple of bad Moogerfoogers:

The MF-107 FreqBox oscillator output is connected directly into the MF-101 Low pass filter. Thor’s key note value, mod wheel, pitch bend, aftertouch, LFO, and envelope generators all modulate the two pedals to create a functional monophonic synthesizer.

See Peff.com for details.

via PeffTV:

http://www.peff.com/journal/2009/06/17/moogerfooger-synth-via-reason-40/ moogerfooger MF-107 FreqBox and MF-101 LP Filter controlled by Reason to create a monophonic moogerfooger synthesizer. The Thor Polysonic synthesizer converts MIDI and Reason CV signals into DC signals like MOTU Volta, and using a MOTU 896HD interface, the control signals are routed to the moogerfoogers. The Thor programming matrix allows the signals to be scaled so that the oscillator responds to a musical scale. Also used is a MF-104Z Analog Delay.

This is a demo of Peff using Reason 4.0 to control an Oberheim S.E.M. with CV and gate signals:

I had Reason sending Note CV and Gate CV signals out through the MOTU 896 into an old Oberheim CPS-1 / S.E.M. module. A bit of tweaking was required to get the note cv scaling set, but after finding the right settings, I had Thor acting as a MIDI to CV converter.

With this Thor patch, it’s possible to control analog synthesizer systems (in this case the Oberheim S.E.M.) from the Reason MIDI Sequencer, Thor Pattern Sequencer, Matrix Pattern Sequencer, any LFO source in Reason, and the RPG-8 Monophonic Arpeggiator. It should also be noted that because the Reason 4.0 sequencer is sample accurate, theoretically, the synchronization should be very solid when sending CV signals through the MOTU audio interface.

via PeffTV:

http://www.peff.com/journal/2009/06/12/reason-cvgate-to-analog-synths/ Reason CV signals converted to audio signals via the THOR Polysonic Synthesizer, will send a DC voltage through the Mark of the Unicorn 896 HD audio interface.

In this manner Reason 4.0 can be used to control a variety of analog synthesizers that comply to the traditional CV/Gate voltage protocols. I tested this configuration with the ARP2600, which also works very well.

MFB has announced that their Schlagzwerg analog drum and percussion modular synth is now available.

Schlagzwerg combines CV-controllable percussion modules and a six-track CV/Gate-sequencer into a small drum-machine for live and studio applications.

The Schlagzwerg is semi-modular, so it is ready to play without requiring patch-connections. The CV-inputs, though, let the Schlagzwerg be modulated by external control sources.

Features:

• semi-modular drum-machine
• true analog sound sources
• kick, snare and tom (DRUM-04/-05/-06)
• cymbal and hihat (DRUM-07)
• step-sequencer with 16 steps and 16 A/B-patterns
• 6 gate- and 6 CV-tracks
• separate CV/Gate-tracks, e.g. for use with Kraftzwerg
• integrated MIDI/CV-interface
• integrated stereo-mixer with panning

MFB’s Schlagzwerg costs €680 and is available now.

Details:

The internal sequencer can store sixteen patterns, each holding A- and B-parts. Patterns can be advanced using gate-signals as well as thru start/stop and reset remote inputs. The sequencer can be externally synchronized. Start/Stop and clock-sync can also be remote controlled from the units MIDI-input without any further patch connections.

Schlagzwerg will double as a sixfold MIDI-CV/gate-converter. Two modes cover drum-sound control and a basic CV/gate-output of the sequences. Two additional modes allow conversion of incoming MIDI-data into CV/gate with the internal sequencer being inactive. Here, every drum sound is controlled by an individual MIDI-channel with a pitch range of two octaves. A separate channel with five-octave-range is used for synthesizer control.

The individual drum-sounds derive from our MFB’s drum modules. Trigger inputs are level-sensitive and allow dynamic performance via drum-pads, piezo-pickups or microphones. All drums offer CV-inputs for different parameters. The different drum-sounds do not require attenuators because the sequencer allows for scalable CV-output.

The bass-drum is the powerful sound from the MFB-503 drum-machine and offers a wide variety of possible kick sounds due to its attack, tune, decay, pitch and drive attributes. All sounds are routed into the internal mixer with adjustable panning and stereo outputs. Alternatively, the sound modules also offer individual outputs.

If you’ve used the MFB Schlagzwerg, leave a comment with your thoughts.

This is an overview of the features of the Flame Clockwork Eurorack synthesizer module.

The Flame Clockwork is a shift clock/CV pulse generator for Moogerfoogers, Modular systems, Analog filters, Analog step sequencers etc.

Features/Uses:

• Individual generator for experimental grooves
• Easy sound machine on your analog filter
• Create new patterns with analog steps equencer
• Tool for modular systems and analog synth

More info on the Flame Clockwork can be found at the Flame site.

If you’ve used the Flame Clockwork, leave a comment with your thoughts!

Click here to view the embedded video.

via jamescigler

If you’re into theremins, you probably already know that the new Moog Etherwave Plus theremin has control voltage outputs, so it can be used to control analog synths.

This is a demonstration of the Etherwave Plus controlling the MiniMoog Voyager Analog Synthesizer.

Part 2 and details below.

Click here to view the embedded video.

via Rhythmicons:

In the second part I demonstrate a spur of the moment Theremin Excercise in which the Gate CV activates a Sample and Hold, sent to the Freqbox for random note matching/harmonization.Just in case any of you out there were wondering what it would sound like for a Voyager to be a slave to the Theremin, here it is a new Etherwave Plus demonstration. Not very melodic, this demo is just to give you an idea of the way the Theremin and the Voyager respond and react to this new area of control.I had a Standard Theremin upgraded at the factory.Thanks for watching!Rhythmicons

If you’re like me, you’ve probably noticed an extreme paucity of the banjo in modern electronic music.

Banjos in trance music?

Zilch.

Banjos in IDM?

Zilch.

Banjos in avant garde erotic electroactoustic music?

Again, Zilch.

Banjos in the work of Richard D. James?

The world may never know.

Number of dance music divas that make the banjo their instrument of choice?

Zilch.

Why no banjos in electronic music?

Maybe it’s because it’s hard to sound edgy and dangerous when your axe is a banjo.

Or maybe it’s just because nobody had the cajones to try it.

Until now.

Gaze on the DIY glory of Electronic Peasant’s Banjo Processor Pitch-to-Voltage Convertor.

We call it the Banjo Synthesizer, cause it just sounds that much more awesome.

Here’s what the creator of the Banjo synth, Electronic Peasant, has to say about this beast:

The Peasant is a banjo player, and so thought that it would be very interesting to use a banjo to control the analogue synthesizer.

A number of years ago a pitch-to-voltage convertor circuit board, designed for guitar use, was purchased from fellow DIY enthusiast Harry Bissell. This pcb only used the bottom three guitar strings to extract the CV output, and so it was decided to expand the board to work with all five strings on the banjo. The board was designed to output CV, envelope, and triggers, and also included a built-in bass synthesizer. A special hex pickup was required to deliver individual string outputs to the circuitry.

During the design phase, “feature creep” reared it’s ugly head, and the final project ended up including a preamp/mixer section, using the hex pickup and an input for a regular banjo pickup. Some extra functions were added to the bass synth, and some quasi sawtooth outputs were added courtesy of another small pcb from Mr. Bissell.

Full story and extreme banjo gear porn at the Electronic Peasant site.

Think electronic music needs more banjos? Leave a comment with your thoughts!

via DeviantSynth

Eowave

Description:

The Persephone markII is a fingerboard synthesizer in the tradition of the first non-keyboard electronic instruments from the 1920s, preserving the incomparable warmth of analogue sound generators whilst featuring digital controls, routing presets and a unique duophonic ribbon.

The major improvement with the Persephone markII is the ribbon duophony. With this new Eowave ribbon and a new synthesis architecture, this is possible to play different sounds simulteaneously, to modulate one sound source with another while playing…

With its two analogue oscillators and LFO, the Persephone markII can generate notes with a variable range up to ten octaves to create deep and resonant cello tones on the lowest notes to ultrasonic frequencies on the highest pitches. An optical modulation key will transmit the slightests vibration to create expressive modulations. The two analogue oscillators sine to saw waveforms and a 12 dB resonant lowpass filter will give a more or less brilliant sound.

The ribbon enables to play glissando like on a Theremin, les Ondes Martenots or a Trautonium. The addition of one oscillator takes all its dimension with the new duophonic ribbon which extends the instrument sonorities spectral to play simple chords, but also enables numberless modulations, e.g. FM of one oscillator on the second one with two fingers. Routing presets have been increased to 16, including 8 freely editable presets. This section significantly increases the instrument control and modulation possibilities.

With a complete outputs section with 4 CV out, 2 pedals in, MIDI in & out, audio out, USB (MIDI), the Persephone markII can be turned into a powerful and unique controller to control most of your analogue or digital synths.

If you’ve used the Eowave Persephone Mark II, leave a comment with your thoughts.

Specifications:

Synthesis section
-2 analogue oscillators with tune, fine tune, space
- 12dB lowpass filter with adjustable resonance and frequency
- LFO and adjustable LFO speed and depth

Ribbon features
- duophonic pressure and position sensitive ribbon
- variable ribbon scale from 1 to 10 octave
- halftone mode

Controllers
- 16 routing presets (8 fixed, 8 assignable)
- modulation key
- 2 pedals in
- pressure on the ribbon
- positions 1&2 on the ribbon

I/O
- CVout 1/2/3/4
- MIDI in/out
- 2 pedal in
- audio out
- USB
- external power supply

Major upgrades
- duophonic ribbon
- 2 oscillators
- usb
- 4 CV
- 16 routing presets
- variable scale

This demo shows how to use Ableton Live to output control voltages through a MOTU audio interface to control analog gear, in this case a Frostwave Resonator.

via tremorcore:

more geeky CV crap using ableton live and a handful of LFO type wav files to modulate external analog gear.(if you’re not interested in the “how” and just want to see the frostwave spaz out, jump to 3:30 or so.) this stuff *only* works with MOTU audio interfaces (see: volta). this is an easy and free way to send beat-synced LFOs to your outboard modular gear; moogerfoogers, sherman filterbank, little phatty… anything with a CV input.the LFO wav files used in the vid can be downloaded here:http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?yhljroqzy1ti recommend setting the warp method to “Re-Pitch” to keep LFOs smooth at extreme BPMs. or don’t… and get cool glitches.

Here is a brief run down of how a CV Quantizer can change your sound with analog synthesis.

Presented is a simple patch with no quantizing, and then quantizing is added with a run through of the scales presented in Bank 16 of the Wiard Miniwave, used as a quantizer.

via djthomaswhite: