E-MU ESI-32 for Pure Lofi Sampler Bliss [Demo]

Today I'm exploiting the ESI-32 rack sampler for lofi/crunchy/funky sound in multi-timbral mode. Drums were sampled at mono 22K then downsampled to 12K bandwidth, everything else down to 8K. All you're hearing is the ESI-32 sampler including built-in chorus, and internal LFO applied to autopan/vibrato. The audio was recorded direct to Tascam DR-05, no additional effects or mastering.

ESI-32: bit of an underdog, in that early 90s era when samplers started to overcome their limitations of memory, bandwidth, storage media, and processing capabilities. At a fraction of the current selling price for other vintage samplers of the late 80s that preceded it.

Introducing Influx 8-Channel Eurorack Audio Sub-mixer

Introducing Influx, an audio sub-mixer for eurorack. A streamlined design taking 16HP. Six channels having LED mutes, level, and pan. A stereo input pair having level control. Stereo mix output.

In this video I'm putting the Influx mixer though it's paces.
I put together an elegant live performance patch using all 3 of my cases.
Be sure to listen on headphones or quality monitors to hear all the sub-bass frequencies.
Drum Modules | Pittsburgh (PGH) modular Safari
Snare | PGH Polar Bear | PGH Local Florist | PGH Analog Delay Unit | Feedback Squeez compressor
Bass | Cre8audio Capt'n Big-O | G-Storm 101-VCF
Lead | PGH Primary Oscillator | G-Storm SH5-VCF | Happy Nerding FX Aid - Clouds Reverb Algo
Sample | Erica Sample Drum | G-Storm Pro-VCF | Mutable Clouds | Shakmat Gemini Path
Percussion Gates | Malekko Varigate 4
Bass/Lead Sequencing | Keystep Pro
Recorded direct, no other mastering or effects.

Check my Reverb store for availability Influx and other cool modules I build by hand. For full details on Influx Mixer on Modular Grid

Champion Leccy Swan Hunter [Demo w/ Synthesizers #13]

The Swan Hunter by Champion Leccy.
Beautiful lo-fi, reverb-y (Belton brick) + delay (PT2399) goodess.
Today I'm running some synths through it.
Roland Juno-60
Korg MS-20
Casio CZ-1000
Formanta Maestro
and JV-2080 'Nice Piano' patch going thru my Pro-VCF eurorack filter.

And be sure to check out the Pro-VCF and my other cool eurorack modules available in my Reverb store.

Roland JX-08 Synth Demo | 3 Vignettes in 3 Minutes

Ah the Roland JX-08 Boutique Synth module.
Sold my JX-8P some time ago and was pining for some of that vibe.
The JX-08 does very well, and a fraction of the studio space :D
Making use of the on-board sequencer and/or Keystep Pro.
Patches are derivations of factory presets.
Recorded direct, only the onboard effects are used.
No other mastering or effects have been added.

Be sure to check out my JX-8P synth videos
Demo #1
Demo #2
Demo #3

2xVCA Exploration of Audio Rates Amplitude Modulation

Want to spice up your ordinary analog VCOs?
In my previous VCA Tips and Tricks video I showed you how to do audio rate modulation using a VCA. It's basically a tremolo, only the control signal is another audio signal.
The result ends up sounding similar to ring mod or FM.
Today I'll show you exactly how to patch it up. And explore the cornucopia of interesting AM sounds using various input and control signals possible using a VCA.

Check my Reverb store for 2xVCA version 3 availability

0:00 Intro
0:26 Patching It Up
1:26 Exploring Various Source and Modulation Waveforms
5:47 Adding a Filter and Envelope

104HP Eurorack Case Build From Cigar Boxes Timelapse

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Today a timelapse build: a 104HP Eurorack case from cigar boxes. These are nice Spanish cedar cabinets, not cardboard. First I build a suitable box, install rack rails. Then solder together a bus board and install power supply. Last, putting all the modules inside.

Power Supply | Tiptop uZeus
Bus Board | Synthrotek Noise Filtering Distro
Rails + Nut Strip | Synthrotek 3mm
Screws | After Later 3mm

This video was made for general entertainment purposes only. Activities in this video are not recommended without proper training and safety. If you are using woodworking power tools: always observe safety precautions, wear protective eyewear, and read user manuals to prevent accidental bodily injury.

The audio in this video used these modules:
G-Storm Electro: 101-VCO, 101-VCF, 4027 VCO, T2K-VCF, diy buffered multiple, 2xADSR, 2xVCA, Polychrome Phaser
4ms Rotating Clock Divider
Synthrotek DLY
Qu-Bit Data Bender
Feedback Modules CP3- Mixer
Pittsburgh Modular Outs
along w/ Behringer RD-8, snare has Empress Reverb
Recorded direct, no other mastering or effects.

T2K-VCF Transcendent 2000 Eurorack Filter Adaptation Demo No Talking

T2K-VCF is a Eurorack modular adaptation of the Powertran Transcendent 2000 analog filter. Wavefolded material sounds phenomenal on this, coming from Capt'n Big-O. Op Amp gain compensation means no loss of bass frequencies even at extreme resonance settings. Resonance will self-oscillate and produces a nice aggressive sinewave alone. With some coaxing you can track the self-osc w/ v/oct. At the end you'll hear the filter output going into a phaser and delay.

Sound sources | Capt'n Big-O + GSE 101-VCO
Envelope | GSE 2xADSR
Phaser | GSE Polychrome Phaser
Delay | FX Aid
Recorded direct, no other mastering or effects.

Check my Reverb store for T2K-VCF availability and other cool modules

T2K-VCF Eurorack Filter Adaptation Now Available [Powertran Transcendent 2000]

Introducing the T2K-VCF: an 8HP analog circuit adaptation of the lowpass/bandpass filter from an obscure 70s monosynth – Powertran Transcendent 2000. T2K-VCF is a 2-pole CA3080 OTA design w/ CA3140 op amp compensation at each stage. Translation = no loss of bass frequencies even at extreme resonance settings. Resonance will self-oscillate and produces a nice sinewave alone. T2K-VCF will fatten up routine oscillators - transform boring square/pulse and straight ramps into curvy vixens dressed to kill. Wavefolded material sounds phenomenal on this.

FREQUENCY | the initial Cutoff Frequency of the filter
RESONANCE | the depth of the peak frequency resonant feedback
IN1 & IN2 | Mix together 2 different audio signals, each w/ their own mix pot.
KB | Modulate the Cutoff Frequency w/ a V/oct signal or any other polar/bi-polar mod. Self-oscillation resonance will track v/oct loosely, but you will need to tweak the Initial Cutoff Frequency (Tune) and the KB amount knob (width tracking) to get there.
CV | Another Frequency mod can go here, range is greater than the KB input.
SHAPE | Select between LP lowpass or BP bandpass filter output w/ this mode switch.
OUT | the audio output jack of the filter

Specs 8HP Module width
24 mm Module depth
14 mA on +12V
25 mA on -12V
0ma on 5V (not used)

Check my Reverb Store for availability and pricing.

Can I Revive Kenwood DX-7030 DAT Machine Recorder?

Today I'm investigating issues with a Kenwood DX-7030 DAT Recorder.
The door opens and closes, but doesn't play the tape.
There's not a lot of mech service video content on this model.
And I have no service manual.
Can I get this thing working?

This is just a summary of about 10 hours of inspection, fiddling, proding, and poking.
Not including watching a load of DAT mech cleaning content.
Big shout out to 12voltvids
There you can see more detailed tips for cleaning DAT mechanisms.

Timestamps
0:00 Intro and Symptoms
0:37 Tape Mech Breakdown
2:25 Take-up Rollers
3:10 Switch cleaning
4:14 Results?

Be sure to check out my cool eurorack synthesizer modules in my Reverb store.

Granular Synthesis - Pulse Synthesizers Load Runner Module Demo

Today I am checking out the Load Runner Granular Synthesizer Module by Pulse Synthesizers.
Back in 2018, Youtube user John Crombie was uploading these prototype videos of a sampler in development.
It started out life as a 4-channel sampler
And evolved into the granular processor we now know
How does it differ from Mutable Clouds, Akai S612, and Erica Sample Drum?
Let's take it for a spin and see how it sounds.

Recorded direct, no other mastering or effects.

0:00 | Intro
1:41 | Audio demos

My demos of the Erica Synths Sample Drum
Part 1
Part 2

Akai S612 FPA Front Panel Animator upgrade
Demo Contact hideaway studio, see About page
I make the JP6-VCF and other cool analog eurorack modules...
Check my Reverb store for availability

TWO Polychrome Phasers! Stereo FTW Eurorack Effect Demo #2

Continuing phaser adventures, this time with TWO Polychrome Phasers.
Having two phasers opens a new world of stereo possibilities.
Using 2 phasers is not unlike a Mutron Bi-phase dual phaser.
A 4HP analog circuit adaptation of the 6-stage phaser section from the Italian stallion - Farfisa Polychrome.
Recorded direct, no other mastering or effects.

0:00 | Intro and patch explanation
0:53 | VCO: Pittsburgh Primary Oscillator
1:28 | VCO: DNA Symbiotic Waves
2:37 | Yamaha SK20
3:44 | Juno-60

Check my Reverb store for availability and other cool modules

Polychrome Phaser Eurorack Effect Demo [Farfisa]

Introducing the Polychrome Phaser.
A 4HP analog circuit adaptation of the 6-stage phaser section from the Italian stallion - Farfisa Polychrome.
Recorded direct, no other mastering or effects.

0:00 | Intro
0:27 | G-Storm 101-VCO and Functions
2:22 | Erica Sample Drum
2:57 | Pittsburgh DNA Symbiotic Waves
4:00 | Juno-106

Check my Reverb store for availability and other cool modules

Re-introducing Tonus VCF r3 Eurorack Filter Demo ARP 2600 4012

Tonus VCF is back by popular demand.
Still that faithful Eurorack filter adaptation of the early MKI ARP 2600 synthesizers that you know and love w/ some minor improvements.
Sound sources | Capt'n Big-O + Pittsburgh Primary Oscillator B
Recorded direct, no other mastering or effects.

Tonus VCF is a eurorack modular adapation of the ARP 2600 mk1 filter (4012).
Check my Reverb store for availability and other cool modules

GSE 2xVCA Comparison of versions 1, 2, and 3 Eurorack

Introducing 2xVCA version 3.
This time using BA662F chips.
Version 1 used BA6110.
Version 2 used openlabs BA662 clones.
Is there any difference in sound between these versions?
This is a simple comparison showing all 3.
Recorded direct, no other mastering or effects.

Check my Reverb store for 2xVCA version 3 availability

Boss RE-202 Space Echo [Pedals w/ Synthesizers #12] Demo + Observations

Today I'll demo some synthesizer sounds w/ the Boss RE-202 Space Echo.
And give some honest user opinions at the end.
Is this pedal worth it? Let's see.

Recorded direct, no other mastering or effects.
Just the RE-202 and various synth type devices one at a time.

This video was not sponsored by Boss.
The RE-202 was purchased out of pocket for my own fun.
All opinions are my honest impressions.

Timestamps
0:00 Opening Sounds + Intro
Audio Demos
1:33 w/ Eurorack
2:56 Univox Minikorg
4:11 Behringer RD-8
5:06 SH-101
6:49 Korg Poly-61
Closing
7:21 Observations

JP6-VCF Eurorack Filter Panel Laser Etch Time Lapse [Demo 04]

Time lapse video laser etching an aluminum panel for my JP6-VCF.
Footage is 2x speed.
Audio is from the JP6-VCF.
Sound sources | Capt'n Big-O + Pittsburgh Primary Oscillator B
VCA | GSE 2xVCA
Delay | FX Aid
Recorded direct, no other mastering or effects.
JP6-VCF is a eurorack adaptation of the Roland Jupiter-6 filter section.
Check my Reverb store for JP6-VCF availability