Roland Juno-106 Synthesizer - That Juno Sound (no talking)

Today I'm auditioning some of my original patches the Roland Juno-106. I just love the 106 for those plucky arps, sweepy portamento pads, classic chorus circuit, weird resonance chops, and not forgetting those basses. The range of sounds inside the simple architecture is littered with sweet spots. I've lovingly crafted a bank of patches to harness these attributes, now these patches are available at Gumroad. Audio recorded direct to iPhone via Roland GO:Mixer Pro-X via Soundcraft EPM6 Mixer. No additional effects or processing were used.

Be sure to check out my cool pre-owned gear and hand-made eurorack modules in my Reverb Store.

Behringer 2-XM Four Voice Poly Action Using CV.OCD [Demo 01]

Today I'm employing a Sixty Four Pixels CV.OCD to distribute CV/gate amongst two Behringer 2-XM synths for proper Four Voice allocation. As of today the 2-XM firmware on its own does not support individual voice allocation this way. And THIS is very much what I signed up for: stereo panning each voice however I want, pulling out notes of a sequence/chord using filter and envelope controls per voice, and slight variations in the voicings giving rise to an analog sound that is very much alive. Even when the sequence is just arpeggiating a single note value, the variations suggest movement as you will hear.

All audio recorded direct to iPhone via Roland GO:MIXER Pro-X. No sound effects are applied, some normalization in post processing. Signals were sub-mixed on a Soundcraft EPM6 mixer, no added EQ. Sequencing by Arturia Keystep Pro.

0:00 Chords and Bass Sequence I
2:32 Chords and Bass Sequence II
4:14 Single Note Arpeggiation

I make Eurorack Modules with Mojo. Check out my Reverb Store for module availability and gently pre-owned gear.

Sayonara Bandcamp and Upcoming EP

Quick update from the music side of my endeavors. Like many other artists unhappy with the obigatory move to Stripe payment systems, I have deleted my Bandcamp account. In the meantime will be shopping around for another host for my music work. The timing is fortuitous as I plan to release an EP sometime in the near future, tenatively titled Refabrication. It will have the previously released track Double Eagle on there. All will be similarly tangential/derivative works from selected tracks of Superior Mirage.

My Quintessential OB-6 Synthesizer Sound Set Now Available on Gumroad

Today I introduce my Quintessential OB-6 Synthesizer Sound Set. This audio demo is a selection from my original Sequential/Oberheim OB6 patches. The bank download includes 100 patches can be purchased at Gumroad. The patches come from a variety of influences: Arena Rock, Pop, Trance, Darkwave, Freestyle, Dub, Classic Hits, New Wave, Electro. As well as some funky weird stuff the OB-6 has coaxed from my imagination. Hope you'll enjoy these awe-inspiring sonics coming from the OB-6 as much as I do. All audio recorded direct to iPhone via Roland GO:MIXER Pro-X. Only on-board synth fx used, no additional effects. Some normalization in post processing.

PATCH TIMESTAMPS
0:00 | 000 Sawyer Stab
0:17 | 001 Cosmic Interval
0:26 | 002 X-Mod Pad I
0:33 | 003 Reso Arp I
0:39 | 004 Ominous Pad Sweep
0:54 | 006 Cosmic Trance Stab
1:15 | 009 Dub Stab I
1:20 | 010 Thrilla Bass
1:24 | 011 Daylight Pad
1:31 | 014 Staccato Arp w/ Delay
1:46 | 018 Falling Star
1:56 | 020 Breakdown Stab
2:06 | 021 Timeless I
2:18 | 022 Timeless II
2:31 | 023 Shock Value
2:43 | 024 Choir Pad
2:51 | 026 Detroit
2:59 | 027 Soft Power
3:09 | 030 Bionic Break
3:18 | 031 Memorymoog Bass
3:24 | 032 String Artifacts
3:39 | 033 Float Away
3:49 | 035 X-Mod Lead
3:58 | 036 Big Obie Pad
4:07 | 038 Freestyle Bass I
4:14 | 039 Pulsing Chord Sweep
4:27 | 040 4th Dimension
4:36 | 041 Notch Sweep
4:47 | 042 Notch Dream Pad
5:01 | 044 Freestyle Bass II
5:07 | 045 Dub House Bass
5:16 | 046 Dream Stab
5:31 | 047 Good Life
5:39 | 048 Fanfare
5:44 | 049 Soft Brass
5:50 | 050 80s Poly
6:01 | 051 Strange World
6:27 | 053 Dream Chops
6:41 | 054 Eminent Strings
6:50 | 055 October Love
7:04 | 056 Burning House
7:18 | 057 Strange Lead
7:30 | 059 Soft Stab
7:39 | 060 Beauty Arp
7:41 | 061 Stringer Phase
7:57 | 062 Stringer Phase Full
8:04 | 063 Tuned TR Cowbell
8:17 | 065 Eden Arp
8:30 | 066 Delta Organ Cheese
8:42 | 067 The Drop
8:51 | 068 Fantasy World
9:04 | 069 Big Yay
9:13 | 070 X-Mod Stab
9:22 | 071 Encore
9:31 | 072 D-Fifths
9:38 | 073 Weird Strings
9:47 | 075 VHS Theme
9:59 | 077 2099
10:07 | 079 Dessert Pie Arp
10:23 | 080 Jetlag
10:35 | 081 Liguids
10:45 | 082 X-Mod Pad II
11:01 | 083 Glamour Pad
11:09 | 084 Bionic Arp
11:20 | 085 Seq Groove
11:33 | 086 Cosmic Texture
11:44 | 087 Stereo Gallop
11:57 | 089 Death Bed
12:18 | 091 Angry Arco
12:31 | 092 Squeegee Groove
12:43 | 096 Broken Toy
12:53 | 097 EDM Bass Pad
13:06 | 098 Full String Section
13:18 | 099 Outro Glide

Update from the Studio Lab 8/27/2025

Hello there. Module Availability Re-stocks: Gyrinx-VCF, Influx Mixer, Pro ADSR.

A Sequential/Oberheim OB-6 has landed in the studio. Had to trade my Juno-60 for it, but it was absolutely the right fit for me and the other party as well. This synth is definitely made for me, can't remember ever getting on so well with any synth as the OB-6 holy moly! I have quickly shaken 60 thrilling patches out of my sleeve - and when I have a full set of 100 soon I will issue my Quintessential Synth Soundset on Gumroad. Expect it will be $20, I say without ego worth every red cent when you experience some demos of what's going on here. I am also working on other sound sets like Juno-106 bank 1, and JX-3P. Thank you so much for your continued orders and support.

Roland SH-101 VS My 101-VCF Noise Floor (and What to Do About It)

Today a quick noise floor comparison of the Roland SH-101 versus my 101-VCF under no-input conditions. I've boosted the no-input signal condition by +6dB to emphasize what is happening. And what you can do silence the noise when you don't want it there. I'm hoping that in making this video that it will help discern what is normal behavior to be expected for the modules, and what is not.

JHS Colour Box v2 Lovely Saturation [FX w/ Synthesizers #19] Demo

Today I am exploring various synth and percussion elements through the JHS Colour Box v2 for that lovely vintage console saturation. A/B comparison effect on/bypass except the last section, got lost in the moment on that one. Tried my best to mind the levels, but now and then the volume is a bit inconsistent. Some normalization applied to remedy some of that, you understand. The EQ applied some nice touches, really helps pick out some sweet spots here and there. Recorded direct on iPhone via EPM6 mixer via Go:Mixer:Pro-X.

0:00 Novation Bass Station II
0:44 Bass Station II
1:22 Bass Station II
2:01 Oberheim DX
3:10 Behringer 2600
3:45 Eurorack 208HP Percussion System
5:15 Pittsburgh Modular Taiga
6:06 Roland JX-3P via Big Sky on Hall reverb

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

Auditioning Akai Samples on the Vintage 12-Bit X7000

Today I am exploring selected standard library samples on Akai X7000. The sounds came w/ my Gotek USB floppy emulator. Recorded direct on iPhone via EPM6 mixer via Go:Mixer:Pro-X. Industrial basses, strings, synths, plucky things, a couple of weird sound fx. This sampler, other gently pre-owned gear, and my hand-made eurorack modules are all currently available for sale in my Reverb store.

AKAI SOUND LIBRARY
0:00 Electric Bass
0:08 Hi String
0:23 Haunting Fifths
0:37 EMS
AKAI VARIOS
0:47 BBrass
0:54 Big Anna (+Eutopic glitched loading)
1:15 CMI Atmosphere
1:29 CMI Choir
1:37 CMI Sararr
1:42 D50 Fantasia
1:56 Depeche
2:05 DX7 Funk Bass
2:13 Eminent
2:23 Eutopic
2:35 Juno Max
2:45 Mega Bass
2:54 PPG Bass
LA STUDIO
3:03 Classical Guitar I
3:15 Double Bass
3:23 Armageddon

Akai VX600 Synthesizer Demo [no talking]

This is a six voice analog Akai VX600 synthesizer. Two oscillators per voice, and it takes minimum 30 minutes to stabilize tuning enough to play. Even so, it also wants 3 or 4 autotune sessions. Basses, pads, leads, arpeggios. Please enjoy. While this demo features my original patches, alas - there's no way to backup patches to computer or share them w/ others in that way. It only accepts Roland style Memory Cards. Be sure to check out my patches for other synths available at Gumroad. I also make Eurorack modules with mojo, available in my Reverb Store.

Recorded direct via EPM6 mixer to GO-Mixer Pro-X interface to iPhone, no added effects. The synth output is very hot, so any clipping you hear was overloading the input at the mixer.

I'm Moving Synth Patch Downloads to Gumroad

I'm in the process of migrating my synthesizer patch downloads to Gumroad. As before, the sound sets that were originally offered for nothing is still available for no contribution. If you like and enjoy the patches a small contribution is definitely encouraged. The new sound sets however will be around a meager $5USD, buy me a cuppa for my efforts :D But feel free to contribute more if moved to do so!

The first new release is GSE Sound Set 01 for Kawai K1/K1m
...coming on the horizon soon: Roland JX-8P Patch Set 02, Akai AX-80 so be on the lookout.

Decadent Atmospheric Pads & Soundscapes on Roland XP-30

The Roland XP-30. Loaded w/ tons of decadent atmospheric pads and soundscape presets. Still relevant after all this time. Yes, yes, I hear using presets = bad. But sometimes you just want to kick back and let the imagination ride and give the left brain much needed rest. Headphones, dim lighting and candles recommended.

0:00 | XP-A-015 | Silky Filter
0:30 | XP-A-070 | Nylon + Str
0:52 | XP-A-017 | Slow Str Sect
1:34 | XP-A-050 | Legato Flute
2:03 | XP-C-147 | Dense Floor
2:41 | XP-C-146 | Liquid Sky
3:18 | PR-E-097 | Analog Drama
3:48 | PR-E-099 | Silky Way
4:12 | PR-C-091 | Dawn to Dusk
4:51 | XP-A-058 | Cosmic Flute

I make some sweet Eurorack Synth Modules! Check out my inventory in my Reverb Store.

Roland RS-09 Synthesizer Repair

Today I am going to service a Roland RS-09 having some issues. I'm going to
- address the tactile button actuator assembly
- troubleshooting the dead button panel circuit
- address some metal panel rust
- replace some felt dust filters for fader pots
- deal with the rickety plastic rivet fasteners for the front panel.
Lots of fun stuff.

0:00 Introduction and Symptoms
0:57 Teardown
2:40 Dead Button Diagnosis
4:31 Tests
5:12 Button Actuator Assembly
6:23 New Felt Dust Filters for Slide Pots
7:33 Rivets, Chassis Rust, Final Test

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

Behringer Wave Digital Synthesizer User Review [Demo 01]

Today I am giving a user review of the new Behringer Wave. My personal thoughts and opinions. I bought this synth with my own tax refund money. So nobody has input into what I'm posting here today. The Wave is promoted as a faithful reproduction of the PPG Wave 2.3 digital synthesizer in all its lo-fi glory. With a touch of some modern feature additions. While I have tried a friend's original PPG, this is not a comparison to the original. Nor is this an exhaustive how-to, nor covering all features.
Is the Behringer Wave right for you?
What makes the Wave stand out from other synths?
Is the Wave a good value for the money?
Can I recommend the Wave to others?

0:00 Introduction and Brief Overview
1:01 Build Quality
2:23 Features, Sound
4:39 User Interface and the Synthtribe App
6:10 Final Thoughts
7:59 One more thing

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

G-Storm Electro Announces ProADSR 3310 Dual Envelope Eurorack Module

Today I am introducing my ProADSR eurorack module, a 3310-based dual envelope generator. It has that special je ne sais quoi you didn't know your sound was missing.

Check out my Reverb Store for ProADSR availability and other cool eurorack modules I make.

Alfa AS3109 VS IR3109N Quick Comparison

Many have commented about my last video why I fool around w/ reclaiming the old chips when Alfa has some remakes on the market. So here's a quick comparison of the Alfa AS3109 remakes vs. IR3109N OTA chips in my 101-VCF tester module. For me the Alfa behaves quite differently with regard to signal clipping and output magnitude. Enough as to not recommend them as a 1-to-1 replacement in vintage synths and the reason I don't use them in my own modules. It's too bad, I enjoy using other kinds of Alfa chips 3320/3340/3350 in other filters and my 101-VCO.

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

Time-Saving Methods of Rescuing IR3109N OTAs from 80017A Wafers

Today I am sharing spilling the beans on my 80017A wafer-stripping and chip reclamation methods. Over time I have developed my own system for improving the speed and success of reclaiming coveted IR3109N SMD OTAs in decent quantities. These OTAs are used in my 101-VCF, JP6-VCF, and JU60-VCF eurorack modules. Even with time-saving measures, I easily spend way more time reclaiming the chips than actually building these modules. And the main reason I call my endeavors a labor of love, it's all for you my friend.

0:00 | Intro
0:31 | The 80017A Wafer Encapsulation
1:52 | My Method for Removing the Black Resin
4:21 | Extracting Chips from the Wafer
6:26 | Mounting the Chip to a DIP ADAPTER

To purchase a 101-VCF, JP6-VCF or JU60-VCF and other cool eurorack modules visit my Reverb Store to check availability.

Introduction into Modular Synthesis 101 | Part 5 | Modulators

Continuing my introductory series of videos on Modular Synthesis 101. Today we'll look at some classic modulator utility modules in Modular synthesis with some simple examples. You already know about 2 modulators: Envelopes and LFOs. Along the way we'll be changing any Lowpass filter to a Highpass. From the last video we also know that a VCA can be used as a Modulator. So it probably won't surprise you there is a special Modulator can behave similar a VCA.

0:00 | Intro
0:20 | Modulator Recap - Mind Your Ins and Outs
0:54 | Glide
1:21 | Sample + Hold
3:14 | Inverter Circuit
3:51 | Inverting Filter Types + Multiples
5:33 | Ring Mod - somewhere between Modulator and Effect
6:32 | The Function Generator

Be sure to to check out my Reverb Store for cool Eurorack module availability.

So I Tried the Akai MPC 3.4 OS Update

The Akai MPC 3.4 software operating system. A simplification of the MPC workflow with a few new features. Why did I upgrade? Am I digging it? What still needs improvement? Am I going back to version 2? Just my honest opinions and experiences with my MPC One+.

0:00 | Intro
0:49 | Going into the MPC world from Cubase
1:52 | Why I upgraded to MPC 3
2:50 | Main Page
3:44 | Arranger and Grid Windows
6:20 | In Summary, and Will I Use MPC 3?

Be sure to check out my cool eurorack modules I make in my Reverb Store!