Synth Geekery 313
In episode 313 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
- Guests
- Video replay
- Funny Side
- News from The Geekery
- Price Watch
- Name that Synth
- Saturday Sonority
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
Warm Audio Ringer Bringer
The RingerBringer is a fully analogue ring modulation pedal, faithfully recreating the functionality and tone of the MoogerFooger MF-102 ring modulator. It includes controls for LFO, MOD (modulator), FREQ (carrier frequency), RATE, DRIVE, etc. The rear panel I/O: CV/expression inputs, audio in/out, carrier in/out, LFO output.
Key Specifications
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Carrier frequency range | Lo/Hi switch, ~0.6 Hz to ~80 kHz |
| LFO range | ~0.1 Hz to 25 Hz, sine/square waveform options |
| Drive control | Universal Drive always active; can add overdrive/harmonic distortion |
| Switches/waveforms | Lo/Hi on carrier, sine/square for LFO |
| Power | 9 V DC adapter (centre negative) or 9 V battery, ~100 mA |
| Size / weight | ~ 6.5″ × 5.25″ × 3″; ~862 g |
| Output / bypass | Buffered bypass; output impedance ~600 ohms |
Comparison between Moog Moogerfooger MF-102 and Behringer BM-12
Moog MF-102 & Behringer BM-12 — Key Facts
| Pedal | Released / Original | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Moog MoogerFooger MF-102 Ring Modulator | 1998 | Ring modulator + internal carrier oscillator; Lo/Hi carrier frequency range; LFO with sine & square/triangle waveforms; Mix, Frequency, LFO Rate, LFO Amount controls; Carrier In & Out; CV/Expression options. |
| Behringer BM-12 Ring Modulator | Announced 2023, shipping 2025 | Clone of Moog MF-102; analogue; similar control set: Drive, Mix, Frequency, Rate, Amount; Lo/Hi carrier ranges; LFO waveforms; CV/Expression inputs; Carrier In/Out, LFO Out. |
Comparison Table: RingerBringer vs MF-102 vs BM-12
| Feature / Spec | Moog MF-102 | Warm Audio RingerBringer | Behringer BM-12 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Analogue / Digital | Fully analogue | Fully analogue | Fully analogue |
| Carrier oscillator range | ~0.6 Hz → ~80 kHz (Lo/Hi) | Same: 0.6 Hz → ~80 kHz (Lo/Hi) | Similar, Lo/Hi switch, close to original |
| LFO Rate & Waveforms | ~0.1–25 Hz; sine or square/triangle | ~0.1–25 Hz; sine/square | ~0.1–25 Hz; sine/square |
| Controls (Drive, Mix, etc.) | Mix, Frequency, LFO Rate, Amount, Drive | Drive, Mix, Mod Freq, Rate, Amount | Drive, Mix, Frequency, Rate, Amount |
| Power | External PSU ~9 V | 9 V DC or 9 V battery; ~100 mA | 9 V DC, similar |
| I/O | Carrier In/Out, LFO Out, CV/Expression | Carrier In/Out, LFO Out, CV/Expression | Carrier In/Out, LFO Out, CV/Expression |
| Dimensions / Weight | Approx. 9″ × 6″ × 2.5″; ~1.6 kg | 6.5″ × 5.25″ × 3″; ~0.86 kg | Approx. 9″ × 6″ × 2.5″; ~1.6 kg (very close to Moog’s form factor) |
| Release | 1998, now discontinued | Feb 2024, in production | 2023 announcement, available 2025 |
| MSRP (at launch) | US $349 (street ~$329) | US $219 / €249 / £229 / ~A$330–350 | ~US $129 / €99–120 |
Summary comparisons
- The Warm Audio RingerBringer is a faithful recreation of the Moog MF-102, with nearly identical features and specs.
- The Behringer BM-12 also mirrors the MF-102 at a lower price point, targeting affordability.
- The Moog original is now a collector’s piece, often commanding much higher prices second-hand.
Over to the Memes
In Synth Geekery ep 240 – we showed this meme – were they the authors?
Pricing of the RingerBringer
| Currency | MSRP / List Price |
|---|---|
| USD | $219 |
| Euro | €249 |
| GBP | £229 |
| AUD | ~A$330–350 (estimate, conversion-based) |
Where to buy: retailers by region
| Region | Retailers that stock RingerBringer |
|---|---|
| USA | Warm Audio (direct) Warm Audio • Sweetwater Sweetwater • Coast Sonic • Thunder Road Guitars • Angel City Guitars Angel City Guitars • Rhythm & Harmony Rhythm and Harmony |
| UK | Thomann UK Musikhaus Thomann • Bax Music Bax Music • Andertons Andertons Music Co. • Scan UK Scan UK • Juno Records Juno Records • MusicStore.com UK Music Store |
| EU (continental) | MusicStore.com (Germany) Music Store+1 • Thomann (Germany) Musikhaus Thomann • Bax Music / Scan etc. Bax Music |
| Australia | Guitar Factory (Parramatta) • Found Sound |
| Canada | Long & McQuade Long & McQuade • Canadian branches of Sweetwater / Reverb etc. (depending on seller) reverb.com+1 |
Link: https://warmaudio.com/ringerbringer
BIO Power Cerebellum
The Cerebellum is a logic matrix module for Eurorack modular synth, designed for sequential Boolean logic operations. It creates complex polyrhythms, works in generative structures, and can process audio-rate signals.
It has a structure of 3 input “rows” and 4 “columns” that operate on those rows via switchable AND / XOR logic at each node in the matrix. Each column includes: a clock divider, static +5V “on” switch, a NOT invert switch. Dividers alternate between a binary counter (/×2^n) and a decade counter (/×2–8), paired with a latch flip-flop. A global “IN ALL” input addresses all columns, plus individual resets and a global reset (“RST ALL”). Columns 1–3 are normalled to Rows A, B, C so that with one input you can generate up to 7 inter-related signals.
Physical Specs:
- Width: 30 HP
- Depth: 38 mm
Customisable Features:
- LED latching switches (15 mm) at each node
- LED colour options: red, blue, amber/orange; custom combinations available at extra charge
- Swappable CMOS logic ICs on the rear to allow different logic behaviours
Companion Module: DM
Size: 4 HP wide, 38 mm deep
Provides extra functions: converts gate patterns to triggers, includes sample & hold for external CV, and extends Cerebellum’s sequencing influence.
Summary Table
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Module Type | Logic matrix / Boolean operations module (Eurorack) |
| Inputs | 3 rows + global “IN ALL” input |
| Columns | 4, each with AND/XOR logic options |
| Dividers | Binary (/×2^n) or decade (/×2–8) + latch flip-flop |
| Switches | Static +5V “on”, NOT invert, AND/XOR operator |
| Reset | Individual per column + global reset (RST ALL) |
| Normalled Inputs | Columns 1–3 normalled to Rows A–C |
| Size | 30 HP wide, 38 mm deep |
| LED Switches | 15 mm latching, customizable colour |
| Logic ICs | CMOS, swappable for alternative logic |
| Companion Module DM | 4 HP, provides gate-to-trigger + sample & hold |
| Status | Final prototype, pricing not yet released |
Price: TBA
Link: https://www.biopoweraudio.com/cerebellum
AudCalc by Jonathan Brodsky
Audcalc is a pocket synthesizer and sequencer. It has 8 voices which can switch between synthesis (using mutable instruments braids cores) and sampling. The sequencer supports parameter locks, conditional triggers, and various time signatures and loop lengths. There are also two built in effects sends for building a full track. Its fun to jam with by itself, and can link into your larger portable music setup via midi or cv clock.
Features:
- 8 simultaneous synth or sampler voices, 16 midi outs
- 16 sequencer channels
- 16 patterns, supports pattern chaining for songs
- channels can send to synthesizer, sampler or midi out
- each voice has 2 assignable envelopes, LFO & filter
- reverb & delay sends
- sequencer supports midi clock sync or CV sync, both in and out
- assembled by me & open source (open firmware, hardware, and enclosure)
Price: $150 USD
Link: https://ko-fi.com/s/e4b28fd09f
Teenage Engineering product leaks
Is there some new Teenage Engineering products due out soon? It seems that this leak (posted via Reddit) which picked up on some X (formerly Twitter) posts from a Japanese DJ shop RockOnCompany showing a DJ rig setup may indicate there is! The X posts have since been removed.
RIDDIM Supertone
The RIDDIM shows a similar form factor to the other TE products K.O. II and Medieval (pictured below). Under the product name we can see the text “Original Layering Machine”. The DJ picture shows two of the RIDDIM devices sporting different graphics next to the in-built speaker, one with boxing gloves, the other a circle with images in a pie graph.
There seems to be 4 instrument buttons to the left of the number pad with icons representing a drum, bass or guitar, keys and sample. The sample button could indicate a record and possibly be linked to FX.
The display shows an array of icons which light up based on selection. Some are not so obvious what they represent. Of special interest are these circular icons which look somewhat like a snowflake?
Connections on the top show Output, Input, Sync, MIDI, USB and power.
The term “Riddim” has origins to the Jamaican Patois, where it is the pronunciation of “rhythm”. Traditionally Riddim in Sweden is pronounced “Rytm” and is used in context with electronic music.
TING FX
Next to the RIDDIM we can see what looks to be an FX module named TING FX. This shows a built-in speaker and 3 knob controls. On the bottom looks to be the I/O audio connections.
Underneath there looks to be a gray stand or clip perhaps? To the left there seems to be a triangular push button – which may act the same ways as a foot switch on guitar pedals.
Compact Mixer
The gray device looks to be a compact mixer of some sort. It has an interesting layout which shows rechargeable batteries in the top. The mixer seems to support 2 channels with controls of gain, EQ low|mid|high, a CUE button, level slider and an FX button. To the right we see a small OLED display showing levels, underneath is a master volume. Also there seems to be a red switch with “- MOD +” labelled above and an arrow/line pointing to a button above the volume control. Underneath the phones knob is a “SELECT” button which might have some menu functionality and control indicated via the OLED display.
Above the batteries are these raised labels showing OUTPUT, AUX, INPUT and USB. These would indicate connections on the top. To the right we see a red switch which could be for power ON/OFF.
Link: https://teenage.engineering/
Price Watch
Find below images and links to the items we showed for the price watch segment.
| Fairlight CMI Series 3 | https://tidd.ly/3VtgGSN |
| Bleep Labs Thingamagoop 2 | https://ebay.us/hAkaIa |
| Elka Rhapsody 610 | https://ebay.us/LdaRF8 |
| Analogue Systems French Connection | https://tidd.ly/3Ib1N4C |
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 …..
