Synth Geekery 305

Posted on July 19, 2025July 22, 2025 by admin

In episode 305 we talked about pro 1, 960 sequencer and GP-82 – plus 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 …

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

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

The K102E is a compact Eurorack digital compound oscillator module designed by Hügelton Instruments of Kobe, Japan. Rooted in their “Island Synthesis” philosophy, it features dense, animated harmonics achieved through combining multiple digital oscillators via phase modulation, cross-fading, or additive mixing. With retro-inspired panel design and modern DSP capabilities, it serves both as a creative sound source and modulation tool.

🛠️ Features

Triple Oscillator Architecture:
- Two main digital cores (A & B) for complex tone blending.
- A third auxiliary oscillator (C) usable as LFO or modulator.
Synthesis Modes:
- Phase Modulation (PM), Multiply (additive), and Cross‑Fade options.
Wave Sources & Controls:
- Eight waveforms inspired by 1980s wavetable synths.
- Adjustable wavetable position (“harmonic index”) via CV input.
Performance Enhancements:
- Hard sync and detune between A & B cores.
- CV inputs for pitch (1 V/oct), waveform index, and alpha (blend parameter).
Design & Construction:
- 20 HP Eurorack module, ~30 mm deep.
- Typical +12 V draw: 300 mA; −12 V draw: 20 mA; 5 V draw: 0 mA.
Aesthetic:
- Retro, instrument‑panel design with 1930s–40s Japanese typography.
- Released in blue and limited black-panel versions.

📅 Product Timeline & Release Date

March 10, 2025: Designer Leo Kuroshita shared design insights on Hügelton’s website.
July 14, 2025: Official unveiling on MatrixSynth, coinciding with sound demo release.
Summer 2025: Hardware ships shortly after—exact shipping date unspecified.

💰 Pricing (if available)

No official price is listed on Hügelton’s direct site at present—the module is already marked “sold out”. The exact retail price hasn’t been publicly shared.

Here’s a breakdown to assist with expectations:

Currency	Price	Notes
AUD	N/A	Distribution markups typically apply in Australia.
USD	N/A	Market data unavailable; watch for resale listings (e.g., Reverb).
EUR	N/A	No official EU pricing yet.
GBP	N/A	Similarly, no UK price listed.

Estimated Range: Based on boutique digital Eurorack oscillators, expect USD 300–500+, which converts approximately to AUD 450–750, EUR 280–480, GBP 240–420, before regional markups. (This is an estimate—not official.)

✅ In Summary

What it is: A 20 HP Eurorack digital compound oscillator with rich modulation and retro design flair.
Release: Officially launched mid‑July 2025.
Availability: Currently sold out; watch for restocks or resale.
Pricing: Not officially disclosed; expected to fall within typical boutique module pricing once released again.

Link: https://hugelton.com/k102e

GS Music Bree 6

Born from Argentina and launched in March 2025, the GS Music Bree6 is a true six‑voice polyphonic analog desktop synthesizer with an all‑analog signal path and expressive modern features. Priced at US $999 (plus shipping), it’s available now directly from GS Music and selected retailers.

We first talked about it back in Synth Geekery episode 263: https://ranzee.com/synth-geekery-263/

📅 Release & Availability

Release Date: Early March 1, 2025, globally available from the GS Music online store.
Price: US $999 (plus regional taxes/shipping).
Versions: Available in desktop module (as shown) and upcoming keyboard version (37-key with arpeggiator and sequencer) expected later in 2025.

🎹 Key Features At a Glance

6‑voice fully analog polyphony: each voice built around a single VCO plus sub-oscillator.
Waveforms: sawtooth, pulse (with PWM), plus a square-wave sub-oscillator one octave lower per voice.
Filter: classic 4‑pole 24 dB/oct ladder low‑pass with cutoff, resonance, vel/keyboard tracking, and modulation from EG, LFO, mod‑wheel, aftertouch.
Envelopes & LFO: two ADSR envelopes (filter & amp) and a single LFO offering triangle, ramp up/down, square, and sample‑and‑hold from 0.1 to 100 Hz.
Effects: stereo ensemble-style chorus and delay (up to 1 s) via onboard DSP—clean, warm, and analog-friendly.
Preset Memory: store up to 512 user presets.
MPE Ready: full MIDI Polyphonic Expression compatibility—works beautifully with Osmose, Linnstrument, Geoshred, and others.
Voice Modes: includes stereo voice-spread for wide pads or focused centre mix.
One-Knob-Per-Function: no menu diving—each parameter has a physical control for instant tweakability .

🔌 Connectivity & Specs

Specification	Details
MIDI	In / Out / Thru
USB	For MIDI + preset backup
Audio Outputs	Balanced L/Mono & R (¼″ TRS), headphone out
CV I/O	CV support via rear panel inputs
Power	12 V DC @ 3 A (global voltage range via PSU)
Dimensions	360 × 126 × 67 mm
Weight	~1.5 kg (3.3 lb)
Packaging	Ships in a 460 × 200 × 140 mm box, ~2.1 kg

🎯 Who It’s For

The Bree6 is ideal for players seeking pure analog tone with hands‑on control, without the complexity of complex menu systems. It delivers lush pads, classic basses, rich leads, and textured ensembles—all wrapped in a compact desktop-friendly form. Its onboard effects and MPE support make it fully ready for modern performance and sound design setups.

🔮 Coming Soon: Keyboard Version

The Bree6 Keyboard, showcased at Superbooth 2025, features the same analog engine with added tools: semi-weighted 37-key FATAR keybed, aftertouch, onboard arpeggiator, and step-sequencer. GS Music plans to deliver this version later in 2025.

✅ Bottom Line

The GS Music Bree6 is a remarkable entry into the boutique analog world: compact, expressive, and intuitive. Its balance of classic sound generation, modern performance features (512 patches, effects, MPE), and straightforward usability positions it as a compelling choice for both studio and live use—all at a competitive US $999 price point.

Links: https://www.gsmusic.com/synth-store/p/bree6-analog-synthetizer-black

Price Watch

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

Univox SR-95	https://ebay.us/4j3HgS
Ace Tone FR-15	https://ebay.us/uUkZsS
Roland TR-66	https://ebay.us/c8JlG0
Korg SQ-1	https://tidd.ly/40uR0bn
ARP 2500	https://tidd.ly/4lJ0XKW
Roland System 700	https://tidd.ly/3TRGYxf
Stormy Paniels	https://tidd.ly/44VSZqx
Analogue Solutions Colossus	https://tidd.ly/3IGJynj
Fenix IID	https://ebay.us/YkEPXx