Moog Rogue MonoSynth Demo 01 (No Talking)

just-restored Moog Rogue is in the studio. And with some fat bass and analog goodness there was much rejoicing. Raw audio recorded direct via Roland GO:Mixer Pro-X, no post process eq or compression added. Listen w/ headphones or studio monitors to get the full experience! But watch your levels, some signals go into harsh territory.

Be sure to check out my cool Eurorack synth modules available in my Reverb store!

My SH5-VCF revision 2 is now here!

The SH5-VCF Eurorack filter is back baby! Revision 2 has all the phat, but none of the chaff. What's different than version 1? What's the same? How to use it, and oh - how does it sound? Let's go!

Full specs and details on Modular Grid Check my Reverb Store for module pricing and availability

Repairing a Siel DK 80 Synthesizer Weird Power Issue

Today I've got a Siel DK80 with an issue. Both 7-segment displays are very dim, and also the front panel LEDs are faint. Seems like a power supply problem. What I noticed is when I depress the power button fully to turn it off, the display and leds come back to full brightness. Seems that the power switch might be going out. Let's teardown the synth and replace the switch to see if it fixes the issue.

I make cool Eurorack modules available in my Reverb Store

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.

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

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

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.

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.

Behringer MS-5 Synthesizer User Review [Demo 01]

Today I am giving a user review of the new Behringer MS-5. My personal thoughts and opinions. I bought this synth with my own money. So nobody has input into what I'm posting here today. The MS-5 is touted as a faithful reproduction of the Roland SH-5 all-analog circuitry. With a touch of some modern feature additions. While I have tried a friend's original SH-5, this is not a comparison to the original. Nor is this an exhaustive how-to, nor covering all features. Is the MS-5 right for you? What makes the MS-5 stand out from other synths? Is the MS-5 a good value for the money? Can I recommend the MS-5 to others?

0:00 Introduction and Brief Overview
1:03 Build Quality
3:09 Demo
3:34 Features, Sound and Quirky Design Oddities
7:51 Demo
8:08 Computer and MIDI Interconnectivity
9:18 Final Thoughts

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

The Solina Comparison Nobody Asked For [ARP Behringer Synth Face Off]

These synths: one of them is a lightweight new kid straight out of a box with more sassy highs, the other is a disc crushing bohemoth piece of furniture with mellow disposition. The brand new Behringer Solina in the left channel, the crusty vintage ARP/Eminent in the right channel. I replaced the ARP mains capacitors, but left all the tropical fish alone. Some of those freshwater angels are janky and cracked but still representin'.

Nord Electro 6D Can Do Vintage & Lofi Synth [Sounds Only Demo] |No Talking|

The Nord Electro 6D. It's not just for organ/piano/EP sounds. There's a plethora of sick vintage + esoteric + obscure + lofi synth sounds in the Synthesizer Engine. Yes, it's not actually synthesis but rather samples. But IMHO very very nice samples very well done. A lot of these samples aren't even assigned in the factory presets! It's up to you to load them up and give them a whirl. And there's even more to download into the synth on the Nord website. Today my playing is not really up to par for me, but hopefuly you'll still enjoy auditioning these tasty sounds.

0:00 PPG Choir
0:25 Polychrome Choir
0:50 Yamaha CP80 + Ditial Air Pad
1:14 Massive Pad from the Nord Lead 2X
1:49 Polymoog Pad
2:24 Mellotron Guitar 2:39 Chamberlin Solo Violin
3:13 Polychrome Piano
3:42 Mellotron Guitar
4:09 ELKA Rhapsody
4:40 Hohner/Logan String Melody II
5:07 Optigan Strings
5:35 Chamberlin 3-Violins

Recorded direct to Tascam DR-05, no additional mastering or effects.

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.

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.

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.

Korg MS-20 Controlled By Eurorack

ime to kick back and let this play in the background.

Been wanting to try the MS-20 w/ Temps Utile and Ornament and Crime. Using the KVP to achieve that. Beats from Basimilus Iteritas Alter. Kick from FR Transient. Some delay and reverb used.

Recorded direct to Tascam DR-05.

Behringer VC340 Vocoder USER REVIEW Synthesizer

Today I am giving a user review of the new Behringer VC340.
The VC340 is billed as a complete reproduction of the Roland VP-330 all-analog circuitry.
I have some experience having owned an original VP-330 MK1.
And previously reviewed the Roland Boutique VP-03 which had an Achilles heel IMHO.
How does the VC340 measure up?

0:00 What is the Vocoder VC340
1:07 Build Quality
2:50 Sound & Features
9:10 Summary of Final Thoughts

Recorded direct to Tascam DR-05.
No other effects nor processing of any kind.

Introducing My 2xVCA 6HP Eurorack Dual VCA Module

Today I demonstrate my 2xVCA Eurorack module, an analog dual voltage controlled amplifier. Channel 1 is processing modulated noise coming from the E352. Channel 2 is handling an arpeggio from the CEM3340 VCO. My 2xADSR dual envelope is sending CVs to the VCA. I've added a kick from Future Retro Transient, and bass from DNA/101-VCF.

Recorded direct to a Tascam DR-05, some Timefactor delay used.

Specs and details are available at Modular Grid.
Be sure to check out the 2xVCA and my other cool modules available in my Reverb store.

Happy Holidays

Wanted to wish everyone happy holidays. And to thank you for your continued support. 2018 has been a great year, and kept me very busy. In fact, I've been hard at work through the holidays to bring you the best eurorack modules and more. Be sure to check them out in my Reverb Store. Fantastic new modules and content are planned for 2019, so be sure to check back often. Happy New Year!