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.

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

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.

Feed External VCOs into the Korg MS-20 Synth using KVP [Quick Tip]

Quick Tip using the KVP to send external VCOs into the MS-20.
KVP stands for Korg Voltage Processor, and is derived from the vintage
MS-02 voltage processor no longer in production. As you're already aware, you can use KVP to convert eurorack pitch (v/oct) to the Korg standard (hz/v). And use your sequencer to control the MS-20....

But what about the other (Korg hz/v)-to-(Euro v/oct) pitch converter?
Sure! Use the MS-20 to control your eurorack VCOs.
Take it only one step further to send the external VCO output INTO the MS-20 external input.
To add more VCOs to the MS-20 oscillators for big fat sound.
I will show you how to patch it up.
It works for the vintage MS-20, the MS-20 Mini reissue as well as the Behringer K-2.
And any manufacturer synth using the Hz/v standard.

Some shaky cam footage, I threw this one together in haste...but don't hate :D Hit that LIKE, COMMENT & SUBSCRIBE now.

Some fx added
Delay: Timefactor
Reverb: Big Sky

KVP and many other cool eurorack modules are available in my Reverb Store
Recorded direct to Tascam DR-05.

Squeeze Audio Compressor by Feedback [USER REVIEW + Demo] DIY SMD Eurorack

User review of the DIY Squeeze Audio Compressor by Feedback electronics.
I'll demo some sounds, give some audio compression tips,
and make a Future Sound of London Big Breakbeat patch.
You don't want to miss that one!
Give some thoughts about building the DIY version.
And conclude with some brief remarks.
I am not affiliated w/ Feedback Modules.

Timestamps
0:00 Cold Open Sounds
0:34 Introduction
2:09 Assembly Notes
4:33 Audio: Drumbrute Impact + Reverb
5:28 Audio: Parallel Compression Trick
6:41 Audio: Arpeggio + Reverb
8:10 Audio: Gluing A Mix Together with Compression
9:48 Patch: Future Sound of London Big Breakbeat
11:43 Concluding Remarks

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

Cascading Two Filters Tips/Tricks Delta VCF Eurorack Synth [Demo #4]

Today we've got a good one.
I'm going to show you some fun to be had running two filters in series and parallel.
You can do these things with any filters w/ lowpass and bandpass.
This time using two of my Delta VCF modules.

0:00 Opening
0:38 Cascading Filters (2 Filters in Series)
4:20 Parallel Filters

The Delta VCF is an adaptation of the Korg Delta/Poly-61 filter.
Per usual, my sound source will be the Pittsburgh Synthesizer Box.
LFOs are coming from Batumi.

Audio recorded direct to Tascam DR-05.
Some normalization, otherwise no effects.

Be sure to check out the Delta VCF and my other cool modules available in my Reverb store.

2xVCA Dual VCA Eurorack Synth Tips/Tricks Demo #2

Today I'm looking at some tips/tricks using a dual VCA.
First I'll briefly go over what is a VCA,
then the features of my dual VCA module.
And lastly, show you some cool things you can do with VCAs.

0:00 Intro
0:16 What is a Voltage Controlled Amplifier?
N:48 A Quick Tour of the 2xVCA
2:21 Volume Knob
2:39 Envelope Amp
3:09 For Percussion Sounds
3:33 Amplitude Key Tracking
4:23 Ducking (sidechain style)
5:22 Audio Amplitude Modulation
6:07 Tremolo
7:02 Gated LFO
7:37 Wave-mixing

Be sure to check out the 2xVCA and my other cool modules available in my Reverb store.

Roland SH-01A Synthesizer EASY Tips + Tricks

Did you know the SH-01A has delay? How can you quickly restore your preferred system settings after booting? How can you sync LFO to your sequence? In just over 10 minutes I SHOW you the answers to these questions and more!

In my previous videos I gave a review and tutorial of the functions on the SH-01A. Today in this video I will show some interesting tips and tricks for getting even more from this little synth.

0:00 Opening Demo Performance
0:41 Introduction
1:06 The MiniMoog Trick?
1:38 Filter Self-Oscillation: Droids and Kicks
3:00 How to Save System Settings
4:12 Filter FM Using the Advanced LFO
4:50 Switching Poly/Mono On-The-Fly
5:17 Using LFO Trigger Mode
7:30 LFO Re-Trigger: Delay Effects
8:46 Interfacing w/ Eurorack: Patch Setup Explained
11:05 Interfacing w/ Eurorack: Demo Performance

Roland SH-01A Synthesizer User Review SH-101

The Roland SH-01A boutique synthesizer is a recreation of the coveted SH-101 monosynth. In this video I will be getting down to the bottom of some questions. What's the big deal with the SH-101? How does the SH-01A sound? Is it worth the money? Is this something I can recommend? Was this review helpful? Click the LIKE button.

0:00 Gesaffelstein 'Pursuit'
0:33 Intro
1:06 What's the big deal with the SH-101?
1:49 Orbital 'Halcyon' Bass
2:20 Royksopp 'Remind'
2:35 Design and Construction
3:27 Poly Mode - Desire 'Under Your Spell'
4:21 Features and Sound
6:38 Things you need to know about the Sequencer
7:21 A trick using External Clock for Shuffle
8:37 My only lament, as redeemed by the sequencer
9:28 Realtime Pattern Changes - Eurythmics 'Here Comes The Rain'
9:47 About Poly Mode
10:27 Poly Mode - G-storm 'Harp-y'
10:52 In Summary
11:43 Outro - 808 State 'Magical Dream'

Oberheim Matrix-12 Programming Tips + Tricks [#2 Kick Drum]

Quick how-to video making an electronic kick drum on the Oberheim Matrix-12 Synthesizer. You can use any programmable synthesizer that has filter self-oscillation, usually but not limited to a 4-pole (24 db/oct) filter slope. A couple of the tricks I employ here may surprise you, and can be used on other kinds of synth sounds. Be sure to stay for the end of the video, where I fatten my kick drum sound through a vintage audio compressor.

Oberheim Matrix-12 Programming Tips + Tricks [FM]

FM Synthesis is not just for DX7 and Yamaha synths. The Oberheim Matrix-12 can do primitive FM as well, albeit a single carrier and modulator pair. Here are some tips and tricks for exploring the FM possibilities. Some of the ideas come from my Getting Started Programming FM video, so you may want to check that out too.