Casio CZ-1000 Synthesizer Demo

Today the Casio CZ-1000 is giving me the feels with an Eventide Timefactor. Original patches, recorded direct via Roland GO:Mixer Pro-X. Be sure to check out my Reverb Store for gently pre-owned gear and the cool Eurorack modules I offer.

Mangling Audio w/ Akai S612 Audio Demo

Taking an Akai S612 lofi sampler for a spin, various audio sources. Manipulating sample start/end splice points in real time, very few instruments have this ability. Recorded direct via Roland GO:MIXER Pro-X to iPhone.

Be sure to check my cool Eurorack Modules in my Reverb Store.

Kawai K1m Retro Digital Synth Euphoria Desktop Module

Today I'm auditioning my original patches made for the Kawai K1m. A very limited digital synth from the 90s. And yet after digging into the architecture was able to harness some very powerful and unique features that are really, I mean, REALLY surprising. You'll hear some cheesy things, some pads, basses. And then there's fat poly action, swirling digital synth soundscapes. And alive motion things that are frankly astounding for such an unassuming little black box. Try to keep in mind when you hear the Mesmerized patch - the K1m has no sequencer nor arpeggiator. No freely assignable LFOs, just a fixed vibrato and that's it. And NO filter ha! Be sure to watch the whole video, lots of my favorites are on the 2nd half starting @3:19. My favorites are Head East, LA Sunset, Liquide and Mesmerized...which ones did you like?

0:00 Steamy
0:22 StringSyn
0:32 MicroMacro
0:45 Meekly
1:04 Spokes
1:18 Bedtime
1:39 SynViolin
1:49 Deep State
1:58 ChordLock
2:08 Sunrays
2:21 StringPad2
2:40 Sine Tones
2:51 ReedyBass
2:57 LectroKeys
3:18 TreeOfLife
3:45 Worn Tape
4:09 Ramp Me!
4:27 Italio
4:42 Hunter Bass
4:52 FlrscntBass
5:02 LA Sunset
5:43 Liquide
6:27 FuturChopz
6:42 Big Chill
7:10 Digipad
7:22 Fat Poly
7:43 Fat Punch
7:50 Head East
8:21 Night Sky
8:37 Artifakt
9:10 Mesmerized

Recorded direct, only the onboard effects are used. No other mastering or effects have been added.
Be sure to check out my Reverb Store for cool eurorack modules and gently owned gear for sale.

Behringer MS-5 Synthesizer User Review [Demo 01]

Today I am giving a user review of the new Behringer MS-5. My personal thoughts and opinions. I bought this synth with my own money. So nobody has input into what I'm posting here today. The MS-5 is touted as a faithful reproduction of the Roland SH-5 all-analog circuitry. With a touch of some modern feature additions. While I have tried a friend's original SH-5, this is not a comparison to the original. Nor is this an exhaustive how-to, nor covering all features. Is the MS-5 right for you? What makes the MS-5 stand out from other synths? Is the MS-5 a good value for the money? Can I recommend the MS-5 to others?

0:00 Introduction and Brief Overview
1:03 Build Quality
3:09 Demo
3:34 Features, Sound and Quirky Design Oddities
7:51 Demo
8:08 Computer and MIDI Interconnectivity
9:18 Final Thoughts

Be sure to check out my Reverb Store for my cool Eurorack modules and gently pre-owned music gear.

GODSPEar OSCar Filter Translation | British Tribute Riffs [Demo #3]

GODSPEar is my homage to the Oxford OSCar filter in Eurorack format. Time to enjoy a dual voice setup w/ musical contexts featuring a few riffs inspired by British synth royalty.

GODSPEar Full Specs on Modular Grid
Check my Reverb store for GODSPEar and other module availability

G-Storm Electro | Modules With Mojo

GODSPEar | Detailed Overview | Oxford OSCar Eurorack Filter Translation ...

GODSPEar is my homage to the Oxford OSCar filter in Eurorack format. In this video I present a walkthrough detailed explanation what all the features do while auditioning the audio. And make a few weird sound patches along the way. Recorded direct to Pittsburgh Modular Outs to iPhone via Roland Go Mixer Pro-X. Some gain normalization used. While this demo isn't very musical, let me know in the comments if you would be interested in something more of musical exemplar.

0:00 Intro - Inputs and Output
0:47 Two Filters, One Frequency
1:41 Filter CV
2:37 Q (Res) and Filter Tracking
4:19 Q (Res) CV
5:01 Filter Modes
6:38 Separation
9:04 Separation CV and the Full-Wave Rectifier
11:04 Audio Rate Modulation

Full Specs on Modular Grid
Check my Reverb store for GODSPEar and other module availability

G-Storm Electro | Modules With Mojo

GODSPEar | Oxford OSCar Eurorack Filter Translation [Demo #1]

Today I am introducing GODSPEar, my homage to the Oxford OSCar filter in Eurorack format. GODSPEar is the only filter used in these audio recordings. Detailed explanation of the module and patch examples will be in a forthcoming Demo #2. Audio recorded direct to Tascam DR-05, some additional compression and normalization used in the making of this audio.

Full Specs on Modular Grid
Check my Reverb store for GODSPEar and other module availability
The audio demos can be heard on their entirety on my Soundcloud page.

G-Storm Electro | Modules With Mojo

Source Audio Artifakt [FX w/ Synthesizers #18] No Talk Audio Demo

Artifakt by Source Audio. Lo-fi, low grade reverb, bit-reduction, tape hissy, AM Radio goodess. Today I'm running some synths and electro gear through the Artifakt pedal, see what modes I've been vibing with. Pedal was edited all manually - on computer. No presets were used - So you'll see a pic of pedal starting point settings w/ each audition. Dry audio preceeds FX auditions...well usually. Recorded direct to Tascam DR-05, no other effects or mastering beyond routine normalization.

*Time* *Equipment* *Artifakt Mode*
0:00 | Sequential Multitrak | uVerb
0:45 | E-Mu Drumulator | Glitch
1:29 | Sequential Multitrak | Tape
2:07 | Behringer Poly800 | uVerb
3:42 | E-Mu Drumulator | uVerb
4:27 | Sequential Multitrak | Radio
5:03 | Tascam Porta One Ministudio | Radio
6:05 | Nord Electro 6D | Crush

Be sure to check out the cool Eurorack Modules I make in my Reverb Store

Modular Synthesis 101 | Part 4 | VCAs

Continuing my introductory series of videos on Modular Synthesis 101. It's time to discover the sheer power of VCAs with some simple examples. In the end you'll learn THE BIG SECRET about VCAs and why you can never have too many VCAs in your system. Along the way you'll also get a proper introduction to a dynamics modulation called Envelopes, a perfect companion to VCAs.

0:00 | Intro and VCA Quick Recap
0:47 | Simple Gate
1:30 | Audio Dynamics: Envelopes
3:42 | Tremolo Using an LFO
4:26 | Linear and Exponential Response
5:28 | Using VCAs on Not Audio

Check out my cool Eurorack modules currently available in my Reverb Store

Modular Synthesis 101 | Part 3 | Filters

Continuing my introductory series of videos on Modular Synthesis 101. We enter the realm of Filters, what they do, how to patch them, and a few tips and tricks.

0:00 | Intro and VCF Quick Recap
0:34 | Frequency Analysis and Harmonic Content
1:13 | Lowpass Filter Mode, Frequency Cutoff, and Slope
2:33 | Highpass and Bandpass (Peak) Filter Modes
3:27 | Resonance (Q)
4:08 | Resonant Self-Oscillation
5:18 | Modulation: VCF FREQUENCY
7:12 | Modulation: VCF RESONANCE
Be sure to check out my Reverb Store for Pro VCF, XaVCF, JP6-VCF and other module availability.

Modular Synthesis 101 | Part 2 | Oscillators

Continuing my introductory series of videos on Modular Synthesis 101. Let's dive into the world of Oscillators, what they do, how to patch them, and a few tips and tricks.

Check my Reverb Store for 101-VCO and other cool modules I make :D

0:00 | Intro and VCO Quick Recap
0:30 | Analog VCO - Typical Waveforms
1:36 | Pulse Wave and Pulse Width
2:35 | VCO Warm-up, Pitch CV and Oscillator Tuning
3:46 | Sub Octave Generator and V/Oct
5:04 | PWM - Pulse Width Modulation
6:52 | FM - Frequency Modulation
7:56 | Digital Oscillator

Modular Synthesis 101: Introduction

Today I give you an introductory series of videos covering Modular Synthesis 101. This course is for anyone who's been mildly curious about modular synthesizers. Maybe you've seen your favorite musician like Johnny Greenwood using a modular synthesizer at a show. And always wondered what does all this stuff do? I'm here to demystify it for you. Today we'll start with some basic terminology and a typical synth patch. What is a typical synthesis setup? What are the kinds of modules in that setup? What will we learn moving forward?

Be sure to check out my sweet Eurorack modules in my Reverb Store.

ELI SL-5050 Tape Delay [FX w/ Synthesizers #17] Demo

This is the ELI SL-5050 New Space Echo. Single delay line and playback head that uses a dictaphone endless tape cartridge. Very similar to Unicord EC-100, or the Univox EC80A Echo Chamber, or any various clones and incarnations. Playing my Roland SH-101 through it. Recorded direct, no other mastering or effects. Be sure to check out my Spring Tank Reverb Driver Eurorack module available in my Reverb Store.

Studio/Lab Update - Ushering in a New Era with In-House Production Autom...

Really excited to share this big change in the way I'm producing Eurorack modules. Last week I took delivery of a desktop SMT Pick-and-Place machine. It's an assembly robot that will help me greatly, in lieu of stuffing hundreds of boards a year all by hand using tweezers. Having spent almost a week getting up to speed I'm happy to share my thoughts about my foray with in-house production automation.

Full disclosure | This video was not sponsored by any equipment manufacturers. This machine was bought and paid for out-of-pocket for business use. All observations and opinions are my own.

Check my sweet Reverb store for module availability.

Chillin' to Blank Slate on Akai MPC One + Roland JX-08

Freestyle chill vibes in the studio lab. Akai MPC One + Roland JX-08. Blank Slate comes from my album Superior Mirage out now on Bandcamp

Roland Juno-106 Synthesizer Troubleshooting/Repair Quiet Voice

Today I'm investigating an issue with a Roland Juno-106. Voice #4 is a lot quieter than the others. And it's not a calibration issue. 99% certain it is NOT the brand new voice chips I put in as seen in a previous video. Troubleshooting will confirm that statement. So what else could it be? Maybe something EVERY 106 owner will want to be pro-active about mitigating?

This video is posted for general information about my experiences. Always observe safety working on electronics, and never tinker around inside power supplies without first unplugging the power cord. De-soldering components on the Juno-106 must be done VERY CAUTIOUSLY to avoid lifting very tiny delicate traces. If you're not sure about anything, there's no shame in taking your instrument to a qualified service technician.

Timestamps
0:00 Intro + Symptoms
0:35 Voice Chip Swap Test
1:06 Looking at the Wave Chip output
1:56 Waveform Chip replacement
2:23 Testing
2:51 Voice Board inspection and Remedy
3:19 Re-testing, did it work?

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Behringer System 100 Demo

Got around to patching the Behringer System 100 today. Plays well with Arturia Keystep Pro. Give the 172 module phaser and chorus effects a spin. And that 182 sequencer, I love how it is not pitch quantized and gives a weird Stranger Things vibe. Let's do this! No additional mastering or post-effects. This video was not sponsored.

Be sure to check out my own cool eurorack modules in my Reverb Store

G-Storm Electro Spring Tank Shootout Reverb Driver Version 2-1

Quick Comparison of 3 Spring Tank Reverbs using my Reverb Driver version 2-1. I saw that many users were wanting to experiment with a variety of tank sizes, myself included. Now in my driver module version 2-1 I have added a jumper setting which makes it fast and easy to change the driver optimization for short tanks, medium tanks, or long tanks. Audio has been recorded direct, no other mastering or posts effects. 0:00 Quick Intro 0:12 Ruby Tube 2EB2C1B Short size tank 0:55 Vintage Folded Line, Medium size tank like those in a Roland Space Echo 1:53 Accutronics 4AB3C1B Long size 16" tank Check my Reverb store for Spring Tank Reverb Driver availability.