Roland Juno-106 VS Juno-106 Gravitational Slingshot Synthesizer Comparison

On the bottom tier is the wonderful Roland Juno-106 in all its original glory. No mods, no apologies. Going against the upper tier Juno, not only are the Gravitational Slingshot chips installed but also having the Analogue Renaissance waveform chips as well. I'm auditioning the same patches as loaded on both. Are you ready for a showdown? Which one comes out on top?

These patches are available for download at GUMROAD Audio recorded direct to iPhone via Roland GO:Mixer Pro-X via Soundcraft EPM6 Mixer. Aside from some normalization, no additional effects or processing were used.

Be sure to check out my REVERB STORE for gently owned gear and cool Eurorack modules for sale

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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?

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

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.

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

Sketchy Labs Freak Shift Eurorack Module [Demo #1]

Today I am auditioning the Sketchy Labs Freak Shift module.
The design is specially derived from the Bode Frequency Shifter.
There are literally sweet spots at every turn of the pots on this one.
In this video I'll briefly discuss this module and patch up some wierd sounds.
The focus is on demonstrating a range of evolving sounds of the frequency shifter.
I'll endeavor to make something more musical using the Freak Shift in a future video.
This video is not sponsored or endorsed by the Doc Sketchy.

0:00 Intro and brief discussion of patching
0:54 LFO as Mod input for phaser type sounds
1:24 Using 2 LFOs for Sine/Cosine modulation
2:55 VCO as Mod input for Frequency Shift sounds
4:48 Sum/Diff outputs for Stereo Spread
8:48 LFO modulating the AUX

Audio VCO | Pittsburgh Primary Oscillator
Modulation VCO | Cre8audio Capt'n Big-O
LFO Modulation | XAOC Batumi

Recorded direct to Tascam DR-05.
No additional effects or processing used.

GSE Patches for ASM Hydrasynth Set 01 is NOW AVAILABLE

You've waited long enough young grasshoppa. My original Hydrasynth patches/presets Set #01 is finally here! 50 glorious sounds, and I decided to make them free to download. Dark atmosphere, fat basses, lush pads, 80s synth. And some really bent sounds coming from a place of pure imagination. Zip file containing 50 original presets in *.hydra file format. Use Hydrasynth Manager to upload the presets to your Hydrasynth.

Download the patches HERE.

The above video auditions the last ten sounds.
You do not want to miss that last patch, it's bonkers.

Timestamps
0:00 041 Strings JX | Super JX Strings
0:13 042 Lo-Fi Mutes | Guitar Mutes
0:28 043 Event Horizon | Lush Pad w/ Sequenced Progression
1:01 044 OK Hydra | Lead w/ Weird Delay Modulation
1:33 045 No Dancing | Cheesy Percussion Thing
1:56 046 TRS Horizons | Bright and Shiny Arpeggio
2:16 047 BrassSynChorus | Brass Lead the way you like it
2:40 048 106 Bass | For all your 80s needs
3:12 049 Breaking Saws | Saws w/ Release that breaks in the low range
3:36 050 Max Altitude | Vocal Pad w/ Saturation

Sorry about the ceiling fan in that video, it's another hot one today :D
Be sure to check out my Eurorack modules available in my Reverb Store.

SH5-VCF Dual Filter Patches + Sounds [Demo #2]

In this video I will show some cool patches with SH5-VCF Dual Filter.
As per usual, listening w/ headphones or quality monitors is the best audio experience.
Watch your levels, this is a filter demo w/ some resonance ahead.

Check my Reverb store for SH5-VCF, 101-VCO, 2xVCA, 2xADSR availability

Timestamps
0:00 Sounds and Intro
0:16 Patch 1 | Fat Liquid Bass
2:44 Patch 2 | Series Cascading the Dual Filters
3:01 Patch 3 | Evolving Sequence
3:47 Patch 4 | Analog Percussion
5:20 Patch 5 | Supersaw! Unison Stack
6:33 Patch 6 | Complex Analog Thing

Oscillator | 101-VCO
Modulations | Batumi, 2xADSR
Control + Sequencing | Keystep Pro
No added effects, EQ, Compression, nor other post-processing.

Introducing SH5-VCF Dual Filter Eurorack Adaption (Roland SH-5) [Demo #1]

Introducing the SH5-VCF.
An all-analog eurorack adaptation of the Roland SH-5 Synthesizer Filter and Mixer.
The Lowpass filter is a diode ladder configuration using open-collector matched transistor pairs.
No filter-on-a-chip here :D
Similar Lowpass configuration was used in the Roland SH-1000 and the earlier System 100 (not 100m).
The dedicated Bandpass section introduces voltage control modulation not found on the original.
While the two filter sections are routed in parallel, that doesn't stop you from being able to re-route them in series configuration.
What you can expect from the SH5-VCF is the quintessential Roland modular filter experience.
These are all reasons I say it is time to get a little more serious.

Check my Reverb store for SH5-VCF, 101-VCO, 2xVCA, 2xADSR availability
As per usual, listening w/ headphones or quality monitors is the best audio experience.
Watch your levels, this is a filter demo w/ some resonance ahead.
Be sure to check out SH5-VCF Demo 02 to see how I made the patches in this video!

Oscillator | 101-VCO
Modulations | Batumi, 2xADSR
Control + Sequencing | Keystep Pro
No added effects, EQ, Compression, nor other post-processing.

GSE Patches for ASM Hydrasynth [Demo04:Patches031-040]

Auditioning more of my original ASM Hydrasynth patches available soon.
Stay tuned.

Timestamps
0:00 031 Futurescape | Sci-Fi Atmosphere
0:31 032 Wave Bass | 90s Digital Bass Synth
0:52 033 Strat of Mind | 80s Retro Strat
1:25 034 Undercurrent | Growling, Moody Pad
1:55 035 Think Tank | Slightly Pulsing Pad
2:26 036 Requiem | Dark Choir
3:00 037 Datastream Pad | Percolating Modulated Pad
3:41 038 Hydrastation | Wavestation Steam Pad
4:11 039 Next Gen | Stabby Pad w/ Movement
4:45 040 Mellotronix | Mellotron Strings + Ahhs

GSE Six 8HP Filter Modules Shoot-Out [comparison] [vs]

Today it's the battle of the 8HP filter modules!
Six of 'em, says the squinty-eyed man with no name.
101-VCF, SH2-VCF, JP6-VCF, Delta VCF, Pro VCF, and 4023 VCF.
You know them, but what are some of the sonic differences?
Watch out, some skreechy resonance ahead. They're filters after all :D

0:00 Intro
0:40 Bassline sequenced
3:24 Arpeggio sequenced + Reverb + Delay
6:09 Bass Sweeps, various res settings

Details
Osc | 101-VCO square + saw + sub
Buffered Multiple | My one-off Buffy Bot is used in 1-into-6 config.
The buffered osc signal is going to each of the 6 filters.
Envelope | 2xADSR is stack-cabled to the various CV inputs.
The CVs are zero'd out until each filter gets dialed up.
Delay | Timefactor
Reverb | Big Sky

Check my Reverb store for module availability

G-Storm Electro Patches for Roland Jupiter-6 [Demo #4]

Auditioning some original Roland Jupiter-6 patches available for download. I had the good fortune of getting another Jupe in the studio. The previous one that had Europa was sold. This one is an earlier model, and was purchased dead. After bringing it back to life and calibration... Soon I had quickly re-programmed all my favorite sounds.

This video is un-rehearsed, so lots of noodling. Not dwelling too long on any one sound, to save your time. So if you skip around, you might miss something. Just sayin' :D Chord stabs, sweeps, bass, apreggio, sound fx, leads. Patch F7 is my template (default, or blank) patch. Patch F8 is my scratch patch, for when I can't remember what location I wanted to over-write.

The Roland Jupiter-6 has only rudimentary midi capability: simple note on/off and patch change midi message only. So, these patches can only be dumped all at once using the cassette interface. BE SURE TO BACK UP YOUR OWN PATCHES BEFORE OVER-WRITING THEM!

Download the patches as an mp3 audio file on my DOWNLOAD PAGE. I have used the JP-6 VERIFY function and confirm the audio file is good.

No additional effects or processing was used, aside from some normalization. Video was made in great haste - so it's un-edited, some audio levels are clipping. And sometimes scratchy volume pot.