Synth Geekery 291

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In episode 291 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

Baloran 3B aka BumBleBee

The Baloran 3B, also known as The BumBleBee, is an innovative synthesizer, sequencer, and MIDI controller that translates hand movements into musical expression. Utilizing a 3D Laser/IR sensor, it precisely captures the position and distance of your hand, allowing for theremin-like control with enhanced accuracy and repeatability. The 3B is available in both desktop and Eurorack formats.

Feature List

  • 3D Laser/IR Sensor: Captures X, Y, and Z positions of hand movements for expressive control.
  • Modes: The 3B offers a range of modes (or height functions). The height of the user’s hand or other parts of the body relative to the sensor can be adjusted by the available modes. These include: “Like Theremin”, Selected Semitone, Range Note, Microtonal, Multi SEQ, Expression Envelope, and Morph LFO.
  • Digital Audio Generator: Each sensor has a built-in 16-bit, 96kHz audio generator. The generators are 4-voices of polyphony, receive monophonic information from the sensor – but this helps avoid note cuts between transitions when changing pitch. For example with release and last note played.
    • Oscillators: include classic fixed, variable waves and even wavetables.
    • Multimode Filter: Resonant types offers Moog 24dB or OTA 12dB per octave options, including low-pass, band-pass, and high-pass filters. ​ The filter can be controlled by sensors, knobs or via the CV input.
    • Envelopes: ADSR Envelope for each generator.
    • Integrated Sequencer: Each sensor features its own sequencer for creating transposable patterns. More on this later …
  • MIDI & MPE Compatibility: Capable of controlling both vintage and modern synths with support for notes, CC, MPE, bends, etc.
  • Standalone or Modular: Desktop with external power or 8HP eurorack version available
Desktop version

Sequencer

Each sensor has its own sequencer. You can select from the following modes: SELECTED SEMINOTE, RANGE NOTE and MICROTONAL. You can create patterns that can be transposed by pitch of the note generated defined by the mode. You can modify the steps, time division and playback mode. Complex rhythms can be created by inserting silent steps. You can save sequencer models as text files on the microSD card.

Release Date: Orders open on April 10, 2025, with deliveries expected to start in May 2025

Price: 588.00€ for the desktop version and 432.00€ for the Eurorack version.

Link: https://baloran.com/store/index.php?route=product%2Fcategory&path=62

Likaon Instruments Mandala Mk2

The Likaon Instruments Mandala Mk2 is a versatile 8-track Eurorack sequencer that blends Euclidean rhythm generation with melodic sequencing capabilities. Building upon its predecessor, the Mk2 introduces advanced features tailored for live performance and generative music creation. With comprehensive CV and trigger outputs, MIDI integration, and a suite of modulation options, it serves as a powerful tool for both structured compositions and exploratory soundscapes.​

Feature List

  • Trigger Sequencing:
    • Euclidean pattern generation per track​
    • Manual step toggling​
    • 1 to 128 steps per track, with 4 substeps per step​
    • Individual track mute switches​
  • CV Sequencing:
    • Per-step CV values ranging from -5V to +5V​
    • AD envelope generator with linear and exponential curves​
    • CV glide options (linear or exponential)​
    • Quantization (internal or external, sample & hold or continuous)​
    • Transposition capabilities for chordal sequences​
  • Modulation & Performance Tools:
    • 8 assignable CV inputs for modulation​
    • Trigger and CV shuffle with adjustable probability​
    • Per-track and per-step trigger probability settings​
    • Option to toggle gates instead of triggers​
    • 4 quick-save slots for live performance​
    • Preset save/load functionality via microSD card
    • MIDI In/Out and master clock output
  • Physical Specifications:
    • Power consumption: +12V @ 14 mA, -12V @ 18 mA, +5V @ 180 mA​
    • 30 HP width​
    • 42 mm depth​

Mandala Mk1 vs Mk2 – Feature Comparison

FeatureMandala Mk1Mandala Mk2
Tracks8 trigger tracks8 trigger tracks with added CV sequencing
SequencingEuclidean trigger sequencingEuclidean trigger sequencing with manual step toggling and per-step control
CV OutputsNot available8 CV outputs with per-step voltage control, glide, and AD envelopes
QuantizationNot availableInternal/external quantization with sample & hold or continuous modes
Modulation InputsNot available8 assignable CV inputs for modulation
Probability & RandomizationBasic or not specifiedPer-track and per-step trigger probability, CV shuffle with adjustable probability
Performance FeaturesBasic mute functionalityIndividual track mutes, 4 quick-save slots, preset save/load via microSD
MIDI IntegrationMIDI In/OutEnhanced MIDI In/Out with master clock output

Price: €400.00

Link: https://likaoninstruments.com/product/mandala-mk2/

Cre8audio Assembler

The Cre8Audio Assembler is a 10-channel analog audio mixer designed in collaboration with Pittsburgh Modular Synthesizers. It combines the warmth of vintage mixing consoles with modern features tailored for electronic musicians. Assembler can function as a standalone unit or be integrated into a Eurorack setup, offering flexibility for various studio and live performance configurations. ​

Feature List

  • Audio Channels: 10​
    • 6 mono inputs with dedicated pan controls​
    • 2 stereo inputs​
  • Gain: Up to 20x gain boost for line-level signals​
  • Equalization: Vintage-inspired high and low EQ with ±15 dB boost or cut on channels 1 and 2​
  • Auxiliary Sends: Three assignable aux sends for external effects and sub-mixing
  • Monitoring: Three-segment LED meters, independent headphone cue, and channel mutes​
  • Compatibility: Suitable for both Eurorack and line-level instruments​
  • Additional Features:
    • Vintage tape saturation-style contouring and soft compression on all channels and auxes​
    • Independent main and cue output levels

Price: $400.00

Link: https://www.cre8audio.com/assembler

Cre8audio Boom Chick

The Cre8Audio Boom Chick is a compact, fully analog drum machine developed in collaboration with Pittsburgh Modular Synthesizers. It features five handcrafted analog drum voices and an intuitive knob-per-function interface, allowing for immediate hands-on control. The advanced sequencer offers both step and live play modes, enabling deep rhythmic exploration and real-time performance. Designed for versatility, the Boom Chick can function as a standalone unit or integrate into a Eurorack system, making it suitable for both studio production and live performances.​

Feature List

  • Five Analog Drum Voices: Kick, Snare, Drum 1, Drum 2, and Hats, each with dedicated controls for detailed sound shaping.​
  • Advanced Sequencer: 6-channel, 64-step sequencer with features like Step Shift, Roll, Chance, Humanize, Swing, and Euclidean pattern generation.​
  • Knob-Per-Function Interface: Immediate access to all parameters without menu diving.​
  • Connectivity:
    • Individual drum trigger inputs and outputs.​
    • 3.5mm TRS MIDI In/Out (Type A).​
    • Analog Clock In/Out and Reset In/Out.​
    • Dedicated line and headphone outputs.​
  • Eurorack Compatibility: Can be mounted as a 40HP Eurorack module (30mm depth), with power requirements of +12V/250mA and -12V/200mA.​
  • Memory: Stores up to 64 sequences and 16 songs.​
  • Physical Specs:
    • Weight: 1.82 lbs.​
    • Dimensions: 8.15″ x 5.43″ x 2.4″.​

Price: $400.00

Link: https://www.cre8audio.com/boomchick

Tokyo Tape Music Center – VC 4 Comb Filter

Voltage Controlled 4 Channel Comb Filter MODEL 294 is a 14HP 4 channel comb filter inspired by Buchla 294. It has 4 slider controls: <250, 250-1K, 1K-4K, and >4K. Each channel has a CV control with attenuation knob. Across the top has the input and individual outputs for each channel plus a sum output.

Specs:

  • Voltages: 26 mA +12V, 32 mA -12V, 0 mA 5V
  • Width: 14HP
  • Depth: 28mm

Price: $300.00

Link: https://tokyo-tape-music-center.com/product/vc-4-channel-comb-filter-model-294/

Intellijel Multigrain

The Intellijel Multigrain is a 20HP stereo morphing granular sampler designed for Eurorack systems. It offers eight simultaneous sound slots, each with dual scene morphing and extensive modulation capabilities. With high-fidelity audio processing, onboard resampling, and a unique Blur reverb effect, Multigrain provides a versatile platform for intricate granular synthesis. Users can load samples via microSD or record directly into the module, enabling dynamic and expressive sound manipulation.

Feature List

  • 8 simultaneous sound slots, each with dual scene morphing​, each assignable from the micro SD card or by sampling directly into the module
  • 13 dedicated granular parameters including grain size, position, and envelope shape​
  • Manual and CV-controlled morphing between scenes​
  • Built-in resampling to create new samples from processed audio​
  • Blur reverb effect for spatial enhancement​
  • Assignable X/Y/Z CV inputs and internal random modulation sources​
  • MOD A/B outputs for modulating external modules
  • 48kHz 24-bit stereo I/O with 32-bit floating-point internal processing​
  • Supports 48 projects with 48 presets each​
  • Includes preloaded sound packs from artists like Richard Devine and Speedy J​
  • Plus many more features!!

Price: 479

Link: https://intellijel.com/shop/eurorack/multigrain/

Price Watch

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

Martin Guitar D-300 Thomannhttps://www.thomannmusic.ch/martin_guitar_d_300.htm
Kawai SX-210https://tidd.ly/4ihfsDd
Columbia Rhythm Boxhttps://tidd.ly/3Ev2jZ4
Synton Fenix II PPhttps://tidd.ly/4lmYE05

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 …..