Synth Geekery 284

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In episode 284 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

Behringer VC16

The Behringer Vocoder VC16 is a 16-band vocoder Eurorack module designed to bring classic vocoding effects to your modular setup. It features six digital oscillators—triangle/ramp, square/pulse, multiple wave, noise, vox, and FM—across two carrier banks, allowing for a wide range of tonal possibilities. With three-voice polyphony, the VC16 enables rich harmonic textures. It also offers the flexibility to use an external carrier signal, expanding its creative potential. The module is designed to integrate seamlessly into any Eurorack system, providing both versatility and high-quality sound.

Features:

  • Line/mic modulator input featuring level control
  • MIDI input for effortless interfacing with other instruments
  • USB connector for seamless firmware updates
  • Eurorack specs: 16 HP, 100 mA +12 V, 20 mA -12 V

Price: $99

Link: https://www.behringer.com/product.html?modelCode=0720-ADC

ST Modular CV Pan

The ST Modular CV Pan is a Eurorack module designed for dynamic stereo panning of audio signals. It allows manual or voltage-controlled distribution of a mono or stereo input across left and right outputs, enabling spatial movement within a modular setup.

Features:

  • Protection: Equipped with reverse polarity protection to safeguard the module.
  • Stereo Input and Output: Handles both mono and stereo signals, automatically routing mono inputs to stereo outputs.
  • Manual Panning Control: Adjust the PAN knob to position the audio signal within the stereo field.
  • CV Panning Input: Accepts control voltage (CV) to automate panning, with full left-to-right sweep achievable with a +5V CV input.
  • CV Attenuator: Fine-tune the influence of incoming CV on the panning position.
  • LED Indicators: Visual representation of panning position and signal presence.
  • Compact Design: Occupies 6 HP in a Eurorack system, making it skiff-friendly.

Price: 122

Link: https://www.st-modular.de/modules/cv-pan

Jake’s Custom Shop JCS DE-8 – Beneath the Bush of Ghosts

The JCS DE-8 – Beneath the Bush of Ghosts is a versatile quad sampler Eurorack module inspired by the ISD1820 chip. It features four independent yet interconnected sampler channels, each designed for creative sound design and experimental patching. The module offers both mix and individual outputs, allowing for flexible routing and cross-modulation between channels. Its sleek black custom panel adds a stylish touch to any modular setup.

Originally featured in 2023 – the BtBoG module was shown 2 years ago on YouTube (see video below.

Features:

Sleek Design: Features a black custom panel that complements various Eurorack systems.

Four Independent Channels: Each channel operates individually but includes normalization between channels for enhanced cross-modulation and creative patching possibilities.

Mix & Individual Outputs: Provides a combined mix output for all dry and sampled signals, as well as individual outputs for each sampler channel, enabling complex routing options.

Generation Loss Patching: Engage the normalization chain (1→2→3→4→1) to create evolving loops and unique sonic textures.

Price: 325

Link: https://jakescustomshop.com/Modules/DE-8-Listing.html

Noise Engineering Batverb

The Noise Engineering Batverb is a stereo reverb pedal designed for experimental soundscapes and atmospheric textures. Departing from traditional room simulation, Batverb focuses on generating synthetic reverb tails, making it an instrument in its own right. Inspired by the Desmodus Versio module, Batverb offers extensive control over timbre, echoes, and dynamics, allowing users to morph effects from slapback delays to infinite reverb tails seamlessly. Its versatile design makes it suitable for guitars, synthesizers, and various other instruments.

Features:

  • Doom and Shimmer Controls: Add subharmonics and overtones to enrich the reverb texture.
  • Grit Switch: Introduces harmonic distortion to the reverb tail or the entire mix for added character.
  • Adjustable Filters: Onboard high-pass and low-pass filters allow precise shaping of the reverb’s tonal characteristics.
  • Dynamic Response: Features a unique Duck switch to control the reverb’s behavior, enabling it to duck out of the way of the input signal or match the dynamics of your playing, similar to a gated reverb.
  • Infinite Footswitch: Enables infinite reverb tails by muting the input to the reverb tank and maximizing feedback.
  • Expression Input: Assignable to any parameter on the pedal for real-time control.
  • Preset Storage: Store and recall up to 16 different presets, accessible via MIDI program-change messages.
  • Configurable Bypass: Options to cut the reverb tail immediately or allow it to ring out naturally when bypassed.

Price: $499

Link: https://noiseengineering.us/products/batverb/

Erica Synths Hexinverter – Mutant Drum Modules

Erica Synths has reissued four classic Hexinverter Mutant Drum modules: Mutant Bassdrum, Mutant Snare, Mutant Clap, and Mutant Hihats. These modules, inspired by iconic drum machines, offer expanded features and voltage control for modern Eurorack setups.

Mutant Hot Glue

The Mutant Hot Glue is a versatile analog bus mixer designed for creating complex effects chains within a Eurorack system. It integrates a high-quality analog compressor, voltage-controlled distortion, and a send/return path, making it particularly well-suited for drum processing and dynamic sound shaping.

Features:

  • Analog Compressor: Offers both series and parallel compression with a sidechain input, ideal for dynamic drum processing.
  • Voltage-Controlled Distortion: Based on enhanced guitar pedal designs, tailored for synthesizer and drum sounds.
  • Four-Channel Mixer: Includes two effects sends per channel for flexible routing.
  • Dedicated Effects Send/Return: Facilitates integration of external effects into your modular setup.
  • Comprehensive I/O: Features individual outputs for each channel, mix output, and compressor output for versatile patching options.

Price: $299 USD

Link: Mutant Hot Glue Product Page

Mutant Rimshot

The Mutant Rimshot is a fully analog percussion module inspired by classic drum machine sounds, specifically the TR-909 rimshot. It features a triple bridged-T oscillator design coupled with a state-variable filter, allowing for a wide range of percussive sounds beyond traditional rimshots, including claves and unique synthesized tones.

Features:

  • Analog Rimshot and Clave Generator: Emulates classic drum machine sounds with enhanced versatility.
  • Triple Oscillator Core: Utilizes a triple bridged-T oscillator configuration for rich tonal possibilities.
  • State-Variable Filter: Incorporates a multimode analog filter for dynamic sound shaping.
  • External Input: Allows processing of external audio signals through the filter and VCA for creative sound design.
  • Comprehensive CV Control: Offers voltage control over pitch, filter cutoff, resonance, and amplitude for expressive performance capabilities.

Price: $249 USD

Link: Mutant Rimshot Product Page

Mutant Clap

The Mutant Clap is inspired by the TR-909 clap, featuring an enhanced noise generator and reverb.

Features:

  • Analog circuitry inspired by the TR-909 clap
  • Voltage-controlled LFSR noise generator
  • Built-in reverb effect with CV-controllable decay
  • External input for noise section
  • Can function as a chiptune-style VCO

Price: $199 USD

Link: Mutant Clap Product Page

Mutant Hihats

The Mutant Hihats module delivers analog hi-hat sounds with expanded control options.

Features:

  • Analog hi-hat circuitry inspired by classic drum machines
  • Independent outputs for open and closed hi-hats
  • Voltage control over decay
  • External input for noise section
  • Enhanced sound-shaping capabilities

Price: $199 USD

Link: Mutant Hihats Product Page

Mutant Snare

The Mutant Snare offers analog snare drum synthesis with extensive sound-shaping capabilities.

Features:

  • Analog snare drum circuitry
  • Noise generator with pitch control
  • Voltage control over snappy decay and pitch
  • External input for noise section
  • Built-in reverb effect with CV-controllable decay

Price: $199 USD

Link: Mutant Snare Product Page

Mutant Bassdrum

The Mutant Bassdrum is an analog bass drum module based on the TR-808, enhanced with voltage-controlled distortion.

Features:

  • Analog bass drum circuitry inspired by the TR-808
  • Built-in voltage-controlled distortion (batteryACID)
  • External input for processing other signals through the distortion circuit
  • Voltage control over distortion amount, decay, and pitch

Price: $199 USD

Link: Mutant Bassdrum Product Page

The following video shows a summary of the modules in action:

Novation – Texturize by SoundGhost

Novation have teamed up with SoundGhost to offer TEXTURIZE to all registered hardware owners for free until 10th April 2025. To get your free plugin, simply log into your account, confirm your Novation hardware registration, and follow the instructions.

Price: Free for Novation hardware owners

Link: https://novationmusic.com/articles/download-your-free-soundghost-plugin/

Price Watch

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

RSF Kobolhttps://tidd.ly/4h9w5Ad
EMS Synthi Mk2https://tidd.ly/4k6JUBT
Moog Sonic Sixhttps://tidd.ly/4befytb
Korg PS-3100https://tidd.ly/4i1oapu
Prototype Roland Jupiter 6https://tidd.ly/3F2NzR2

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 …..