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

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.

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.

G-Storm Electro releases album Superior Mirage

These works were lovingly curated around mostly candid, found cassette recordings of total strangers. To find these sounds I scoured secondhand tape recordings in thrift stores using a walkman. Then turned to an arsenal of vintage and modern synths, including my own hand-crafted eurorack modules you know and love. The result is expansive, melodic, and dreamy lo-fi. Downtempo indie electro: pure ear-candy bliss for your listening pleasure. Textural layers, loose and free. Stream-of-consciousness, freestyle improvisation with ambient liquid flow. Tape hiss wow and flutter, down-sampling, clicks + pops, and little happy accidents. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

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.

Makeshift VHS Tape Ribbon Controller In 3-Minutes

Haven't had any synth repairs or DIY hacks in a while.
A buddy sent a FB video link and asked what's up with this.
Somebody was using a videotape as a makeshift ribbon controller.
Using the tape to send a control voltage to their modular gear.
You may have seen something like this, but wondered about the details required.

Does it actually work?
If so what are the necessary steps?
Let's find out.

Roland Space Echo RE-201 Tape Effect Demo w/ Synthesizers #10

Today I present the Roland RE-201 Space Echo audio demo w/ synthesizers and a TR-8 drum machine. The RE-201 is a vintage delay effect from the 70s using a tape loop and Spring tank reverb. It's been used on lots of psychedelic rock, trip hop, alternative, dub, progressive house music and more. The Space Echo is the only effect used in this demo. This machine has a new 4 meter loop. It also has some wow and flutter, I love that lo-fi quality of this machine. All audio recorded direct to a Tascam DR-05 thru a Mackie mixer. Gear used here: Roland Juno-1/JV-2080/SH-01A/TR-8, Korg MS-20 mk1, E-mu ES-32 (Yamaha CP-70 sample), Arturia Beatstep Pro, M-Audio Axiom49.

0:00 Radiohead - Lotus Flower, spring tank reverb on snare only
1:00 Introduction
1:43 Portishead - Cowboys, delay on electric piano
2:30 M83 - Skin of the Night, delay on CP-70 piano sample
2:59 Quick explanation of inputs
3:15 Steve Miller Band - Fly Like an Eagle, delay on synth glissando
3:41 A look inside and beautiful ladies?
4:15 Tycho - Dive, delay on opening synth
5:18 How I'm using the RE-201 on these examples
5:53 Underworld - Born Slippy, delay on everything
7:13 About this particular machine
7:49 Tangerine Dream - Love On a Real Train, delay on arpeggio