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.

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.

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.

GYRINX VCF Eurorack Module Overview

GYRINX VCF is now available in my Reverb Store
My GYRINX VCF eurorack module is a topology of the mythical Synton Syrinx formant filter using AS3350 Alfa re-issue chips.
In this video I describe the features, demonstrate various kinds of audio input, and describe how to make a few patches.

Timestamps
0:00 Cold Open Sounds
0:33 Introduction
1:08 Front Panel Tour
2:48 Basic Filter Sounds
9:02 YII-YII and WOW-WOW Patch
10:35 Input: Using Samples
11:55 Input: DNA Symbiotic Waves - Rave Bass Patch
12:57 Female Solo Voice Patch

Signals/Modulation/FX:
Oscillators: GSE 101-VCO, Pittsburgh DNA Symbiotic Waves,
Sample Playback: Erica Sample Drum
VCA: GSE 2xVCA
Envelope: 2xADSR
LFO: Batumi
Control: Arturia Keystep Pro
Sub-mixer: GSE Infusor-X
Mixer: Mackie 802-VLZ3
Also: GSE Tonus VCF + 4027 VCO
Minor use of Eventide Timefactor Delay.
Recorded direct to Tascam DR-05
No mastering, eq, nor additional post-effects added.

The Keys To Huge Synthesizer Bass [Tonus VCF Demo #4]

Today in this demo I show some of the keys to getting huge bass sounds. I’m doing this on the Eurorack, but these ideas should work on most any synthesizer.
#1 Choose a quality low pass filter. I’m using my Tonus VCF module, a clone of the ARP 2600 filter. It’s a 4-pole low pass bass that uses a transistor ladder design similar to Moog.
#2 Cobble together as many oscillators as you can. Here, the Pittsburgh Synth Box wields a Tri, Saw, and Pulse along with a Sub-oscillato. Then I add another saw and square wave from the DNA Symbiotic Waves.
#3 For short basses use a punchy VCA/decay combo like the Bastl Skis. If you’re using a hardware synth, route a single envelope to affect the filter amount AND the amplitude at the same time.
#4 Modulate the filter with negative key tracking so that as you play higher on the keys, the higher notes will have reduced frequency cutoff. To do this I am sending the pitch CV to the signal inverter on my Pittsburgh Toolbox. Remember, a signal inverter just mirrors your signal across zero volts. For example, pitch CV goes from 0v to 5v. If you run that through an inverter, the output goes from 0v to -5v.
#5 Modulate the filter with a small amount of LFO to make your bass sound growl.
#6 Bass pads need a longer/slower Attack-Decay-Release envelope to evolve over time.
No effects used, audio recorded direct to Tascam DR-05

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 EASY Tutorial

Did you know the SH-01A has SHUFFLE? How do you change an Arpeggio to 2 Octaves? What about changing the Sequencer note scaling to something other than 16th? Like triplets! Or making the LFO speed go into audio rates?! Say whaaaaaat? Everything you wanted to know about the SH-01A, and maybe a little bit more, all in under 30 minutes.

In my previous video I gave a review/overview on the SH-01A. Today in this video I will be giving a more in-depth tutorial. This is a great synth for beginners. And this video was made just for users with little to no knowledge of synthesizers. More experienced users may want to skip ahead to topics of interest.

0:00 Introduction
0:15 Connecting a MIDI Controller or No Controller?
0:57 Factory Reset
1:40 LFO Modulation
2:14 VCO - The Sound Source
4:04 Changing the Noise Type - A Sneak Peak at the System Settings
4:51 The Filter - A Control for Brightness
6:05 VCA and Envelope - Loudness Control Over Time
7:34 Trigger Types
8:34 Ribbon Controllers
9:06 Portamento
9:34 Transpose Switch and Tune Knob
10:00 A Quick Note About the CV/GATE Out and External Clock Jacks
10:41 Saving A Patch (MENU, "1")
11:38 What In the World Is Manual Recall?
12:19 Sequencer, Setting the Note Scale, Programming Notes
13:50 Shuffle!
14:16 Saving and Recalling a Sequence Pattern (MENU, "2")
15:08 Arpeggio, Hold, Key Transpose, Setting 1 or 2 Octaves
16:12 Assignment Modes: Mono, Unison, Poly, Chord (MENU, "3")
16:51 Editing Chords In Chord Mode
System Settings (MENU, "4") use VALUE knob to scroll parameters
Press "1" to edit/exit a parameter
17:54 System - LFO Types, Tuning, MIDI Channel
19:51 System - Sync, Key Velocity, CC Output Mode
21:51 System - A Note About CV Out Settings
22:29 System - Auto-Off, LED Demo
23:19 System - Ribbon Control Scales
24:05 System - Mod Ribbon Hold
24:40 How To BACKUP Patch and Pattern Data To Computer
25:38 How To RESTORE Patch and Pattern Data To Computer

Intro to Creative Mid-Side Audio Processing in Eurorack Modular

What is Mid-Side Processing? How can you use Mid-Side in your Eurorack musical endeavors? In this video I'll show you how. Using the Worng LRMSMSLR module I provide some interesting patch examples of Mid-Side in action.

HEADPHONES OR A SET OF QUALITY AUDIO MONITORS ARE REQUIRED to hear the full effect of Mid-Side processing of stereo audio. My sound source today is a Roland Alpha Juno-1 w/ the chorus turned on. Remember, if the chorus is turned off, the synth only provides a monaural signal which is no bueno for Mid-Side processing. The Roland VP-03 Boutique Vocoder also provides an interesting ensemble choir sound that is useful.

Audio was recorded direct to Tascam DR-05 through a Mackie Mixer. No other effects were added to the sound other than the modules explained in this demo.

Other modules used in this video:
- Pittsburgh Synthesizer Box, MIDI3 module (clock)
- Pittsburgh Mix Mult (attenuators), Toolbox (S&H), Outs
- 4MS Rotating Clock Divider RCD
- Doepfer A-106-5 SEM Filter