Tell me about video synths

[DRodriguez]

I really want to explore the world of video synth's but have no idea where to start. Something with audio in that could control modulation or something would be amazing, and not something like that teenage engineering op-z that has a limited amount of things you can actually do video-wise.

So what video synths do y'all use or want?

[MrNovember]

I don't actually have one but I'm very, very tempted.

I've been wanting to get either a Gieskes 3TrinsRGB+1c which is standalone or an LZX Visual Cortex which is euro standard and would open up (too much) expansion.

I've also been considering something cheap like the Critter and Guitari Video Scopes, but they seem very, very limiting. Or the LZX Bitvision which seems less limited, but still sort of limited

[kaeth]

I have a Gieskes 3TrinsRGB+1c (catchy name, right?) that I soldered together from a kit. Bleep Labs sells a pre-assembled version for a bit of a premium. It's probably the best feature-for-cost all-in-one video synth out there right now. There are some better ones, especially in modular territory, but the price goes up significantly. It's a lot of fun, and it does have audio in and out. It works great on its own, but I think adding some kind of mixer or fx box would open it up a lot more, so I think that will be my next addition. A mirror effect does wonders.

[Ugly Nora]

Been wanting to to buy one of these for awhile now but I am not ready for video yet since I can barely do music:

http://tachyonsplus.tumblr.com/

[JonnyAngle]

Have you tried maze tools?

[MrNovember]

I have a Gieskes 3TrinsRGB+1c (catchy name, right?) that I soldered together from a kit. Bleep Labs sells a pre-assembled version for a bit of a premium. It's probably the best feature-for-cost all-in-one video synth out there right now. There are some better ones, especially in modular territory, but the price goes up significantly. It's a lot of fun, and it does have audio in and out. It works great on its own, but I think adding some kind of mixer or fx box would open it up a lot more, so I think that will be my next addition. A mirror effect does wonders.

Bleep Labs no longer sells the pre-assembled versions. It's one of the only reasons I haven't gone for it yet because I'm not sure if my DIY skills are up for the build. It does seem like the best way to get into video synth to me though. The only thing I haven't seen in demos is distortion/glitching of the input signal, which is something that I'm really interested in

[MrNovember]

Been wanting to to buy one of these for awhile now but I am not ready for video yet since I can barely do music:

http://tachyonsplus.tumblr.com/

Whoa, this looks up my alley. I wish they had a better website

[resincum]

id love to get into modular video synthesis at some point..ridiculous shit out there now.

I use t+. there's no cv or audio interaction yet, but that's what your hands are for :P vortex decoder is a good place to start but you'll want to stack them like hell eventually. you'll need a time base corrector if you're using analog stuff like the t+ and most modular stuff that I see. as well as an analog to digital converter. the Danny Brown stuff has t+ all over


and yeah youll need to hit him up direct. it's a one man operation and is kind of all over the place sometimes. good guy tho

[MrNovember]

What t+ do you have?

I just sent him an email regarding the Opti-Glitch (it sounds like something I want based on the name alone )

[resincum]

I have the vortex decoder / wj ave5 with a camera for feedback and vhs source. I also use my friends opti glitch and that bent drawing thing he offers with a few other analog things.. I honestly would try something else besides the opti. I hated my friends for a long time. it's super finicky and you cant really turn the fx off; its always bent. forget about being able to use it without a TBC unless its through a tube tv. the vortex decoder can be ran without any bends // just as an enhancer or degrader for that lofi/vhs vibe. not to knock it completely, but I think it shines in conjuction with other units than stand alone or a starting point unless you have a mixer