Saturday Synth Porn: This video is a quick demo of the very sexy Moon Modular M569 Step Sequencer.

The M569 is a Moog-style step sequencer, but offering up to 32 positions, arranged in four rows.

Each row can be controlled independent from each other, so that the user has practically up to four separate sequencers at his disposal, each with its own clock- and reset-input jacks, and – at the same time – different running directions (up, down, random and “ping-pong“).

via JohnLRice:

I just couldn’t resist playing around a bit with my new Moon M569 sequencer! It has so much great potential for doing interesting sequencing it’s really exciting!

Eric Satie’s Gnossienne No 1 for Modular Synthesizer

This is another of Satie’s beautiful melodies done using just analog sequencers.

It uses the Synthesizers.com Q119 and Q960 and the Analogue Solutions Oberkorn 3 as well as the MoonModular M563 trigger sequencer. It also uses MoonModulars M564 and Club of the Knobs C962B sequential switches.

The M564 is used to switch the gate busses and the COTK is used to play the three rows of the Oberkorn and then 16 steps of the Q119. The M563 is used to control the timing of the bass and chords. Trying to synchronise the three step sequencers, two sequential switches and the trigger sequencer with each row shifting at different rates proved to be very challenging.

The only effect used apart from the Modcan digital delay is a little reverb.

via justwaving

Variation on Bach’s Prelude No 1 for Modular Synthesizer.

via justwaving:

Another tune just using sequencers, a Q119, Q960 and an M563.

This is another one of my favourite Bach pieces (probably because its on of the few Bach pieces I can play!)

It also uses the Analogue Solutions TR-808 and TR-909 drum machine clones, driven by the Superb Moonmodular M563.

Just a quick performance demo of the Oakley Overdrive.

Krisp1 Modular Construction (Paul Darlow) is the official builder of the Oakley Modular Synthesizer synth modules, designed by Tony Allgood:

Each module is built to a very high specifications and with high quality parts, Modules are tested to a very high standard before shipping and comes with a 1 year guarantee.

All the sockets are Switchcraft 112 1/4″ sockets. The pots used are for the most part Spectrol 248 potentiometers some of the small boards will use Alpha 16mm pots, 

Modules are built to the RoHS standard

Assembled Oakley Synth Module Pricing:

• ADSR/VCA module ……………………125 GBP
• Control-3 module ………………………..135 GBP
• Comparator module ……………………..130 GBP
• Dizzy completed PCB ……………………32 GBP
• EFG standard 1U module ………………120 GBP
• Equinoxe module ………………………….127 GBP
• Journeyman Filter 1u………………………145 GBP
• Lag 2u Triple module …………………….135 GBP
• LFO Triple 2U module ………………….135 GBP
• MultiMix ‘Stooge’ module………………..87 GBP
• Noise/Dual Filter module ………………..145 GBP
• OMS-410 companion module 1U ……120 GBP
• Overdrive module……………………………85 GBP
• S/H module ………………………………….130 GBP
• Superladder 1U module …………………146 GBP
• SVF 1U module …………………………..130 GBP
• VCA module ……………………………….145 GBP
• VC-ADSR/VCA 2U module ………….190 GBP
• VCO module ……………………………….180 GBP
• VC-LFO module ………………………….125 GBP
• FRAC LAG …………………………………50 GBP
• FRAC OVERDRIVE …………………….75 GBP

The prices below are for stock modules from the online store; all prices are in “GBP” Great British Pounds.

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!

• Nine new modular synth panels, including designs for Oakley Triple LFO, Oakley VC-LFO, the Wogglebug and more
• PCBs – YuSynth CV Standards boards and kits.
• EMS-style knobs

Bride Chamber is turning into a great resource, offering supplies for building CatGirl, Music From Outer Space, Tellun Corp, Oakley Modular, YuSynth and Bride Chamber modules.

Electro-Acoustic Research (EAR)

EAR describes their modules as “bent” and “not plain vanilla”.

EAR features the work of two established modular synth designers, Mike Brown of Livewire and Peter Grenader of Plan B. EAR has also announced that it will be the exclusive manufacturer of Tony Allgood’s Oakley Sound Systems designs in MOTM and Deopfer formats.

Background

“Electro-Acoustic Research had been in the discussion stages for some time,” notes Grenader. “It wasn’t until a few months ago, however, that the principles started meeting, gathering plans and putting wheels into motion. It was formed as a means of combining manufacturing and marketing costs while sharing technologies and design efforts under a common sales umbrella.”

Initial plans centered around Plan B and Livewire products. However, when Tony Allgood announced that he was retiring his modular line, EAR contacted him to talk about keeping these instruments going. It turned out to be perfect timing.

“Oakley is a solid line and we feel strongly about ensuring their continued availability,” says Grenader. “We feel fortunate to be able to help make this happen.”

EAR Goals

“Our goals are simple,” says Grenader. “To develop unique and innovative musical instruments that meet the demands of the modern modular synthesist. Everyone involved with EAR is a musician or composer and we are all actively pursuing on our own musical projects. This synergy fuels our product development – we understand the needs of 21st century modular synthesis because we live it.”

In order to meet these goals, EAR is manufacturing a variety of unique modules. Grenader also notes that, in addition to the modules announced, EAR has more in the planning stages.

“There are a few interesting control voltage devices on the drawing table, some of which will utilize small microprocessors as their engines. On this list is an extremely interesting chaos generator, a DC pattern sampler and a touch plate control surface.”

These modules have been announced:

Livewire Designs:

• The Dual Cyclotron, right
• The FrequenSteiner Filter

Oakley Designs:

• Wavefolder
• ADSR/VCA
• Octal Resonantor
• State Variable Filter

Plan B

• Model 12 State Variable Vactrol Filter
• Model 13 Dual Timbral Gates
• Model 15 Complex VCO
• Model 17 Triple Event Timer
• Model 18 Stereo Output Mixer Sub System:
• Model 18 Stereo Mixer
• Model 18A Expander (VC level/pan)
• Model 18B Balanced Stereo Outputs
• Model 21 21A MIlton Controller Series

Orders will be accepted once the modules are ready to ship. More information on the modules is available via the EAR site.