2019 happenings (Summer NAMM p.90)

[Dandolin]

Why is the purple one a delay?

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_i-wGM_edPM[/youtube]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_i-wGM_edPM

maybe it can get short enough delays to flange?

[oscillofuzz]

gotta say that Boss DD8 has lotsa potential in the GLT mode, and the other modes don't sound bad either (especially Reverse)

[codetocontra]

Glou-Glou's got a looper in the works. It was teased on IG, but I forgot to post it. From what they've said, it's likely several months away from being completed.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B61-kx1mXKQ[/youtube]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B61-kx1mXKQ

Terms like SUS REP are specifically things I have only seen in the likes of the EDP. With the Blooper coming soon I would love to see more of the Glou Glou looper now. Two different things for sure, but I wanted a looper that did new/more capabilities for a number of years.

[echorec]

https://www.ericasynths.lv/news/syntrx/

audio teaser: https://www.instagram.com/p/B26ZTMBoj4G/

First comes the bad news...

..this is €2,500. Also, it has some rather unfortunate onboard speakers which I think really diminishes the look of such an expensive unit.

It's not a Synthi clone, but rather an original design---inspired by the layout of the famed EMS units. (that really could go either way ) I find it odd to borrow the skin of a vintage unit, only to do something unrelated.

The good news...

..The unit boasts 256 recallable presets. Someone besides me is finally realizing that the grid matrix of the EMS units should be brought into a modern context. I've been waiting to see someone do a pushbutton matrix for years. It reduces space, cost, and allows people to patch without the mess.

When it comes to standalone instruments, we think, one of most encouraging instruments in experimental music was Synthi AKS, so we teamed up with engineers from Riga Technical University to develop a synthesizer with a user interface inspired by Synthi AKS.

SYNTRX [sintrex] is developed from scratch all analogue synthesizer (no part of schematics is cloned from Synthi AKS) with digitally controlled patch matrix. Unlike most of patch matrixes around, that mechanically connect signals, our 16x16 matrix utilizes 32 (!!!) 16 channel analogue switch ICs AS16M1 (made in Latvia, Alfa RPAR) and is a mixer/buffered multiple with 3 level attenuation (gain 1, 0,6 and 0,3) in connection points. It has 256 patch memory, automatic patch switching in performance mode or via MIDI messages.

SYNTRX has 3 highly accurate VCOs that track great over 8 octaves, noise generator with “colour” filter, resonant VCF, ring modulator, spring reverb, looping envelope generator, joystick controller, input amplifier with adjustable gain for microphone to line level signals, 3 VCAs, output signal filter, analogue CV/audio signal level indicator and built in speakers. Extra features, not found on Synthi AKS, are Sample & Hold circuit with individual clock, octave switch for VCO1, synchronization of VCO2, AD mode on the envelope generator, as well as MIDI that accepts CV, Gate, Modulation wheel messages and program change messages for the matrix control. The SYNTRX comes in aluminium enclosure with ash tree side panels.

[$harkToootth]

Marking NSFW cause at this point, I'm just talking shit with Echorec. Everything is 90% safe for work.

NSFW: show

OH MMM GEE I am such a sucker for old school EMS aesthetics and designs (matrix pins in general). This is exciting. I mean... I'm not getting it but... I'm excited for it!

First comes the bad news...

..this is €2,500. Also, it has some rather unfortunate onboard speakers which I think really diminishes the look of such an expensive unit.

I know you know the other things "inspired" by Synthi's on the market. 2500 is sort of the going rate. The Vostok I guess "can be" about a grand cheaper (you really have to look though).

I'm laughing cause... I actually really like the incorporation of the onboard speaker I see what you mean though, that in conjunction with the price, I see how some would find it unfortunate. Not rationalizing the price by the way. It's just not as OUTRAGEOUS as some of the other units (Looking at you Hornet).

It's not a Synthi clone, but rather an original design---inspired by the layout of the famed EMS units. (that really could go either way ) I find it odd to borrow the skin of a vintage unit, only to do something unrelated.

I don't see this as a bad thing either. I kind of like how MacBeth uses aesthetics form some synths... but then is like "Oh no, it's actually voiced like a Juno". Again, I see your point in this case, as the EMS sound is so iconic... why not give the masses... the fukin EMS sound

The good news...

..The unit boasts 256 recallable presets. Someone besides me is finally realizing that the grid matrix of the EMS units should be brought into a modern context. I've been waiting to see someone do a pushbutton matrix for years. It reduces space, cost, and allows people to patch without the mess.

The presets is great news. I am a sucker for the OG push pins but, you are right... pushbuttons are where it's at.

Look... my brother and I liked playing battleship as kids... some days I want physical push pins

For those that don't know... there are a couple of compelling threads on Muffs dedicated synthi clones. My favorite ones are the ones that are not massed produced but made by people who have no idea how talented they are. They're like "What I just made it in my spare time... wasn't that hard. You can't wire an eccentric 60s synth together? What are you stupid or something? I have tried to commission one of those people to build me one but... not matter what, with the synthi designs, they're expensive just from a parts perspective... then factor in someone's labor.

[echorec]

Marking NSFW cause at this point, I'm just talking shit with Echorec. Everything is 90% safe for work.

NSFW: show

OH MMM GEE I am such a sucker for old school EMS aesthetics and designs (matrix pins in general). This is exciting. I mean... I'm not getting it but... I'm excited for it!

First comes the bad news...

..this is €2,500. Also, it has some rather unfortunate onboard speakers which I think really diminishes the look of such an expensive unit.

I know you know the other things "inspired" by Synthi's on the market. 2500 is sort of the going rate. The Vostok I guess "can be" about a grand cheaper (you really have to look though).

I'm laughing cause... I actually really like the incorporation of the onboard speaker I see what you mean though, that in conjunction with the price, I see how some would find it unfortunate. Not rationalizing the price by the way. It's just not as OUTRAGEOUS as some of the other units (Looking at you Hornet).

It's not a Synthi clone, but rather an original design---inspired by the layout of the famed EMS units. (that really could go either way ) I find it odd to borrow the skin of a vintage unit, only to do something unrelated.

I don't see this as a bad thing either. I kind of like how MacBeth uses aesthetics form some synths... but then is like "Oh no, it's actually voiced like a Juno". Again, I see your point in this case, as the EMS sound is so iconic... why not give the masses... the fukin EMS sound

The good news...

..The unit boasts 256 recallable presets. Someone besides me is finally realizing that the grid matrix of the EMS units should be brought into a modern context. I've been waiting to see someone do a pushbutton matrix for years. It reduces space, cost, and allows people to patch without the mess.

The presets is great news. I am a sucker for the OG push pins but, you are right... pushbuttons are where it's at.

Look... my brother and I liked playing battleship as kids... some days I want physical push pins

For those that don't know... there are a couple of compelling threads on Muffs dedicated synthi clones. My favorite ones are the ones that are not massed produced but made by people who have no idea how talented they are. They're like "What I just made it in my spare time... wasn't that hard. You can't wire an eccentric 60s synth together? What are you stupid or something? I have tried to commission one of those people to build me one but... not matter what, with the synthi designs, they're expensive just from a parts perspective... then factor in someone's labor.

It's a mixed bag for me. On one hand, I applaud them for not doing a clone. On the other hand, I would've tweaked the layout and the colors to more thoroughly convey that this was a departure sonically.

Although the onboard speakers may be convenient for some...what is wrong with a headphone jack? Just seeing them makes it look like a Fisher-Price to me---a slightly fugly $2,800 Fisher-Price.

Do you realize those colored pins actually have different values? Until the last year, I didn't realize that varying colors mattered. If the Arturia model is accurate, they go from 100% to 25% depth (white, red, yellow, green in descending order). Most of the included presets are all-white, but my presets look more like this--



At $2500-2800 US, it's certainly not expensive compared to other tributes, but it's a bit impractical for me. I've already got extremely fun emulators for the desktop & the iPad (with 4 voices), so dropping almost $3,000 for a hardware, mono (?) version (that isn't actually an EMS) is not particularly enticing. Also with Arturia's Synthi V, I can go deeper with FX and other variables.



Many people say there's a learning curve with the EMS units, but I think it took me 30 minutes (on an iPad), before I was starting to get really satisfactory results. Starting with a good template certainly helps.

Since the EMS units are fairly compact, I would also contend that they're about as much fun as you can have with soft synths. Nothing else behaves or sounds quite like them---retro-future drones & feral sequences are never far away.

[aen]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_i-wGM_edPM[/youtube]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_i-wGM_edPM

OK, so I love that there is some color going on here, and they sound cool, but the majority of the modular crowd seems SO anti-color or decoration, or you know, like ANYTHING visually engaging I do not see good things in the future for this concept.

I HOPE I AM WRONG AS FUCK
because I would really love to use some color and or graphics in the future.

[$harkToootth]

Everything you wrote about the soft synths is why I never pulled the plug too, echorec. I love hardware but that 'sound' to 'cost' ratio for anything EMS related is like when it dawns on you how small Earth actually is compared to universe. People willing to pay $15K for an OG is beyond me.

[Chankgeez]

OK, so I love that there is some color going on here, and they sound cool, but the majority of the modular crowd seems SO anti-color or decoration, or you know, like ANYTHING visually engaging I do not see good things in the future for this concept.

I HOPE I AM WRONG AS FUCK
because I would really love to use some color and or graphics in the future.

If I were into modular, all my panels be purple.

[Dandolin]

I personally prefer the crazy quilt look - it better reflects the patchwork nature of my modular designs fumblings....

Also, Chank, that's gonna be a lotta Dreadbox Nostalgi - that thing's gonna wash on you some....

[echorec]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6NSRA7MJfs[/youtube]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6NSRA7MJfs

[Chankgeez]

Also, Chank, that's gonna be a lotta Dreadbox Nostalgi - that thing's gonna wash on you some....

Not really. I just plan on spillin' a lot of drank on my modular.

[Dandolin]

Sizzurp!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6NSRA7MJfs[/youtube]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6NSRA7MJfs

How did we ever get by without clock knobs? Clock knob errathang! Will JHS be offerin' retroactive clock-knobization for sundry classicks?

Also--lurved that Stay-Puft sfx knowledge drop

[Dandolin]

Surveyor pre-order day is here, and I like ittttt....
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54cAaWKYK9w[/youtube]

[Paul_C]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6NSRA7MJfs[/youtube]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6NSRA7MJfs

I'll have to watch that to grab some settings - I'm really pleased with mine