Synth Geekery 233

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In episode 233 we talked about Stylophone CPM DS-2, Dtronics DT-303, Bastl Neo Trinity, Akai MPC Stems separation, Korg Gadget 3, and Make Noise DXG !! Plus all the usual segments! Funny Side, News from the Geekery, Price Watch, …

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

Stylophone CPM DS-2

Drone synth featuring 2 voices, ultra LFO, mixer, FX with delay and reverb. Each voice uses 3340 analog oscillator and a 3320 filter with low and highpass with cutoff and resonance controls. The Ultra LFO has 14 analog waveforms and rate control which can be assigned via a 7-position switch matrix or with patch cables. The Delay FX uses the PT2399 vintage style with built in modulation controls. The reverb processor is an AL3201 with 8 vintage algorithms. Connections out with 2 stereo outputs and an AUX effects mixer. There are also 12 patchable points for eurorack compatibility. There is also a built-in speaker. The unit can run on 6 AA batteries.

Price: $259

Link: https://stylophone.com/ds2-pre-order/

Dtronics DT-303

FX box designed specifically for the Roland TB-303 (and clones). The FX consists of 3 types of distortions and there’s a filter to shape your sound. The 4 buttons enable you to choose between classic, turbo, o-drive or bypass. The 3 knobs give you control over distortion amount, filter and overall volume. One the back there is a 9V DC power, input and output via 3.5mm jacks.

Price: $TBA

Link: https://www.dtronics.nl/dt-303?

Bastl Neo Trinity

a 6-channel compact modulation hub with great musical complexity achievable with simple gestures. Each of the 6 channels can be either LFO, envelope generator, or a CV knob recorder, while their main parameter can be automated with the REC button.

Price: $320

Link: https://bastl-instruments.com/eurorack/modules/neo-trinity

Modular Grid: https://www.modulargrid.net/e/bastl-instruments-neo-trinity

Akai MPC Stems separation

The new stems feature enables you to import music and separate into 4 sample stems: vocals, bass, drums and music. You have complete control over all four stems like you would with any other sample.

Price: $9.99

Link: https://www.akaipro.com/stems

Korg Gadget 3

A major software update for the iOS, MacOS and Windows version. The iOS and MacOS have standalone apps – but not the Windows version. There are 2 new gadgets: Santa Ana – a rhythm guitar VA and Sydney – a loop sampler with time stretch. There are also 5 new FX: transient shaper, stereo image, auto pumper, pitch sifter and an 8 band EQ. Gadget 3 also includes support for AUv3.

Price: $249 or $99 with upgrade

Link: https://www.korg.com/us/products/software/korg_gadget/

Make Noise DXG

The Dual Stereo Gate (DXG) music synthesizer module is a Dual Stereo Low Pass Gate and Mixer. The DXG is specifically oriented around mixing stereo signals. It has a new low pass gate circuit that does not use vactrols, 100% analog and takes new approach which better implements the gentle single pole filtering of a low pass gate, while also emulating the slow decay and memory of the vactrol based low pass gate. This new circuit makes possible the consistency of response necessary for versatile stereo use, while also keeping the module small and affordable so that it can be a key part of just about any modular system.All the DXG’s inputs and outputs are stereo. Each set of inputs is normalled so that the left input can be used for a mono signal, sending a copy to both left and right outputs. The Auxiliary inputs are also a stereo pair with mono normalization. These normalizations allow for the DXG to be used as a simple three channel stereo mixer, with one or two of the channels additionally being used for dynamics control and note event generation. The Aux inputs can be used to chain together larger decentralized mixes using additional DXG modules or other connectivity.

Price: $215

Link: https://www.makenoisemusic.com/modules/dxg

Modular Grid: https://www.modulargrid.net/e/make-noise-dxg

Price Watch

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

Roland MC-909 Grooveboxhttps://reverb.com/au/item/78088845-roland-mc-909
Roland SH1000 Synthhttps://reverb.com/item/78101167-rare-1970s-roland-sh1000-analog-synthesizer?utm_source=aw
Roland SVC-350 Vocoderhttps://reverb.com/item/78084612-roland-svc-350-vocoder-plus-rackmount-analog-vocoder
Korg VC-10 Vocoderhttps://reverb.com/item/78081664-serviced-and-modded-korg-vc-10-vocoder
EMS Synthi AKShttps://reverb.com/item/78075804-ems-synthi-aks-1972-1974
Special Signature Yamahahttps://www.ebay.com/itm/193730966835

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 …..