Synth Geekery 331

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In episode 331 we talked about synths, eurorack, sequencers, drum machines, samplers, effects and software! Plus all the usual segments! Funny Side, News from the Geekery, Price Watch, Name that Synth …

Show contents:

About the Synth Geekery Show

Synth Geekery is a weekly podcast/live stream (YouTube) show about everything synthesizers, drum machines, samplers, sequencers, eurorack and music technology. We take the “one of the masses” viewpoint, where we are also users of gear just like you (read: we’re not influenced by commercial product placement).

The show relies on the generous contributions of the synth community. You can contribute in many ways including supporting us via our YouTube Channel Membership or Patreon. We also have regular and special video guests: if you would like to take part in future shows – please contact me via email on the about page here.

Your Host

Ranzee (Ranz Adamson) is your show host. He’s based in Perth, Western Australia and has been a hobbyist musician and technologist for most of his life. More information can be found about him here.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ranzee

BandCamp: https://ranzee.bandcamp.com

Guests

This week’s video guests are:

Daren T. Housse

Bandcamp Link: https://darenthousse.bandcamp.com/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLPHxpZgFKKE1wkG9ndto3A

Daren resides in the UK and is one of the first video guests on the show since 2019. He has a large amount of tracks on his youtube channel plus a great album collection over on BandCamp.

SynthAddict

Andy is a musician and technologist from the bay area in California. He has an amazing collection of music tech gadgets and a large knowledge of synthesizers.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUtABvP7q29uvLKi73zIjFQ

Ian J. Cole

Ian is a musician, composer, sound designer and producer currently producing solo ambient electronic music. He also runs Sinners Music which is a Record Company and Online Music Retailer in East Yorkshire, England

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/IanJCole

Chris – Maikshifter

Chris is a musician and technologist from Perth, Western Australia. He’s always had a love for creating and tinkering with music electronics and has recently embarked on a new journey creating eurorack modules.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Maikshifter

Video replay

Funny Side

The funny side segment is a collection of memes that are somewhat relevant to the synth geekery community. Some of these images are taken from Facebook, Instagram and other social media sources. Please respect the creators. Hope you enjoy this week’s selection:

News

Ezeptocore

Product Summary

The EZEPTOCORE is an algorithmic breakbeat-focused sampler and sample mangler for Eurorack modular systems. Based on the handheld zeptocore by Infinite Digits, the EZEPTOCORE was brought to Eurorack through hardware design and manufacturing by Maneco Labs. It streams audio directly from SD storage, allowing performers and producers to slice, chop, transform, and rhythmically re-sequence samples in real time.

At its core, EZEPTOCORE combines sample playback with a Turing machine–inspired random sequencer (rungler) that generates evolving slice patterns and rhythmic variation. This enables dynamic breakbeats, glitch textures, and constantly shifting grooves without repetitive programming.

Internally, EZEPTOCORE features a powerful real-time DSP engine with multiple creative effects including delay, comb filtering, time-stretching, tape stop, reverse playback, saturation, fuzz distortion, bitcrush, beat repeat, resonant filtering, vinyl scratch, auto-pan, transient tightening, and sample expansion processing.

Short Description

An algorithmic Eurorack sampler and breakbeat mangler for slicing, sequencing, and transforming rhythms in real time.

Core Features

  • Real-time SD streaming sampler — streams and manipulates audio directly from removable storage with no sample preloading delays
  • Algorithmic breakbeat slicing engine — automatically slices audio into rhythmic segments and rearranges patterns in real time
  • Turing-style random sequencer (Rungler) — generates evolving loop patterns with controllable randomness and repeatability
  • Tempo-locked playback engine — keeps sliced audio aligned with external clock signals and tap tempo input
  • 16 sample banks — instantly switch between organized sample sets during performance

DSP Effects Engine

  • Delay — tempo-synced rhythmic echo processing
  • Comb filter — resonant tonal shaping and metallic textures
  • Time-stretch — preserves rhythm timing while altering playback speed
  • Tape stop — dramatic slowdown and pitch-drop transitions
  • Reverse playback — reverse sample slicing and playback
  • Saturation — analog-style harmonic enhancement
  • Fuzz distortion — aggressive overdrive textures
  • Bitcrush — sample rate and bit depth reduction for lo-fi textures
  • Beat repeat / stutter — real-time loop and stutter effects on audio slices
  • Resonant filter — lowpass, highpass, bandpass, and notch filtering
  • Vinyl scratch — scratch simulation with LFO-modulated speed and direction
  • Auto-pan — LFO-controlled stereo panning for spatial movement
  • Transient tightening — punch enhancement and rhythmic clarity
  • Sample expansion — dynamic spatial and envelope shaping

Trigger & Rhythm Tools

  • Kick / Snare / Hi-Hat trigger extraction — derive rhythmic gate signals from internal sample analysis via AI-powered drum separation, or manually tag per-slice
  • Random trigger generation — generate probabilistic trigger patterns for generative patches
  • Clock division logic — generate rhythmic variations through selectable clock subdivisions

Browser-Based Sample Tool

  • Drag-and-drop audio file upload (WAV, AIF, OGG, Renoise XRNI)
  • Automatic BPM detection and tempo analysis
  • Automatic transient/onset detection for intelligent slicing
  • AI-powered drum separation to identify kicks, snares, and hi-hats
  • Visual slice editing with adjustable start and stop points
  • Manual tagging of slices as kicks, snares, or other drum types
  • Per-sample settings for tempo matching, one-shot mode, and playback behavior
  • Workspace save/load for managing multiple sample collections
  • Direct SD card export with proper formatting
  • Firmware update support via USB connection

Specifications

  • Module Type: Digital sampler / sample mangler
  • Format: 8 HP Eurorack
  • Depth: ~27 mm
  • Power: 135 mA @ +12V / 11 mA @ −12V
  • Audio: Stereo 16-bit 44.1 kHz
  • Storage: 16 banks × 16 samples
  • Clock: Input/output with divider and multiplier
  • Price: $429 USD

Video

Price: $429 USD

Link:

Hinton modules

Hinton Instruments have been busy creating a new range of MIDI-enabled analog modules. They are a UK-based company that provides audio engineering services for the professional recording, film, broadcast and entertainment industries

Generator 2155E

Generator is an advanced VCO/LFO with several new features and MIDI control. It has six waveform outputs: Sine, Triangle, Sawtooth, Pulse, Ramp and Aux. The Shape control and CV affects the Sine, Pulse and Ramp outputs similar to the EMS VCS3 Oscillators. The Aux output may be either a sub-harmonic stepped waveform, a MIDI Continuous Controller, White Noise, Clocked Noise or a Random CV.

The major innovative features are the Gated and Triggered Modes which allow the waveforms to be stopped at the Breakpoint control and CV voltage and then released by certain conditions. In Gated modes the waveforms run when either an analogue or MIDI gate occurs. In Triggered modes the waveforms complete a number of Breakpoint crossings set by a MIDI Program Change and then stop. A Clocked mode allows the waveforms to run for a duration divided from a MIDI Clock for synchronisation with MIDI sequences.

Pitch is controlled by analogue CVs and MIDI with every MIDI note being individually tuneable. Tuning tables may be loaded or dumped via System Exclusive.

Envelope Shaper 2301E

2301E Envelope Shaper is an advanced ADSR type generator with several novel features and a built in VCA. Every parameter may be MIDI controlled including extra ones not on the front panel like Delay, Hold and Peak. The envelope may be triggered by analogue Gate+Trigger or MIDI.

Several operating modes allow a wide variety of envelopes to be made beyond conventional ADSRs. The attack/decay phase may be set to repeat a number of times by MIDI Program Changes.

Envelope settings may be saved and recalled from 32 memories by MIDI Program Changes.

MIDI Control 2250E

MIDI Control is a comprehensive MIDI to CV converter with ten outputs appropriate to a monophonic voice. Volume, Aftertouch, Velocity, Mod Wheel, Pitchbend, Pitch and Gate are available on the front panel. The Pitch CV may have the modulation and pitchbend summed to it. The modulation source is input on a jack. Expansion headers are available for the modulation output, a MIDI CC and a MIDI switch.

Note priority may be highest, lowest or last note or an arpeggiator with the velocities following as played.

Pedals Interface 2220E

2220E Pedals interfaces two footpedals and two footswitches to both MIDI and analogue CVs. The pedals may be Yamaha, Roland or Korg types and the switches may be NO, NC or C/O types. MIDI Local Control On/Off is implemented for recording to a DAW and the CV outputs may be inverted, shifted and multiplied.

A separate panel with 1/4″ TRS jacks may be positioned in the case according to preference.

MIDI implemented

These modules now use MIDI, they may be directly connected with internal cables or brought out to panel connectors. Maximum flexibility for connector types, position in case, and routing is provided by Molex KK 0.1″ headers on the PCBs.

Price: These are all in an advanced development stage and the order of release will be according to interest and demand.

Link: https://www.hinton-instruments.co.uk/news/2026-02-01-midimodules.htm

Behringer release 3 new pedals

Ring Stinger

Based on the 90s pedal from Lovestone, the Ring Stinger is a fuzzy ring mod pedal featuring a ring mod, pitch shifter, oscillator, and LFO.

BM-17 Frequency Box

The BM-17 Frequency Box is an authentic clone/replica of the Moog Moogerfooger MF-107 FreqBox from 2007. I loved the MF-107 – one of my favourite Moogerfooger pedals!

Flange With No Name

A flanger pedal – with a stack of controls from Manual, Depth, Rate, Gain, Reaction (Yin/Yang) and Action – plus an LFO. There’s also a loopage switch and a space control switch.

Price Watch

Find below images and links to the items we showed for the price watch segment.

Prophet 6https://ebay.us/TphUO2
Kawai XD-5 Drum modulehttps://ebay.us/YcREse

Name That Synth

No name that synth this week – send one in!

If you are after more information about Name that Synth – please check out this page here.

Saturday Sonority

This week’s Saturday Sonority we might talking about …..