Digging deeper into CV control for Guitarists, and I am not finding too much. So I decided on a custom CV controlled Avid Eleven would make a great Christmas gift this year. CV input with added attenuator for each of the six parameter knobs. If you know much about the Eleven, you know the front six knobs allow you to change the onscreen parameters. Now you can control them with voltages from your modular synth. I also added a CV input for the tap tempo control, so you can control the tempo with a voltage clock. This also means you could setup six pedals and control all six knobs with pedals too, if you wanted! DEMO VIDEO COMING SOON!
Author Archives: DSC
‘SUPER’ Eurorack Modules
Continuing in the same thread of combining eurorack modules together, here are a couple more examples. First is the QCDG8. I took a 4MS QCD and expander and smashed a Circuit Abbey G8 right in between. I also added much needed bufferred mults to the outputs of the QCD and expander. This has a nice flow with all of the jacks down the middle of the panel.
Next is the UTILITA. Where do all of those clock outputs from the above QCDG8 go? This module(s) combines a Doepfer A-150, a Blue Lantern CMOS Party, 3 NE Sinclastic Empulatrix and a MI Branches. By combining them into one panel I can ‘normal’ some of the inputs making it much easier and quicker to patch. I also solidify my workflow. The more you get used to something the more it will seem like second nature.
And last but not least is the COMPRESSWITCH. Here I take two Compressors from WMD and a Pittsburgh Switch and make them into one bad ass switchable compressor. This gets used in every patch I make.
As you gain experience with your modular synthesizer, you will start to see you will regularly patch your modules the same way most of the time. Once you establish the workflow you use most often, it makes sense to combine modules together into ‘SUPER’ modules if you will. You will obviously have your own ideas what you would make into a SUPER module, but that is the point. You are starting to think of your modular as your custom instrument and less like test equipment. Don’t be afraid of learning about what is behind the panel. It can be just as much fun as what is in front of the panel!
Complete custom voice for eurorack
I mentioned the TRISPECTRUM in the last video I published below. The start of that voyage was getting and using just one Spectrum OSC from WMD & SSF. Once I had a chance to really put that OSC thru its paces, I have to admit I really fell in love with it. Those guys nailed it as far as I was concerned. The more I used it, I thought, “this would be even better if I could stack three of them together”. Having the ability to sync all three and individually pull each one in and out of sync would be cool. Waveform switching like on the Mini Moog and mutes and attenuators made sense from a performance aspect as well.
The Ideas came hard and fast. Before you knew it I had my first prototype. Pictured here.
Then it started to get a little crazy. I thought, how about CV control over octaves? Why not have some nice Vactrol VCA’s and have plenty of mults pre and post those Vactrol VCA’s? I spent a little time with Bill from WMD and I was on my way. Pic of the back.
Please excuse the usual Gameboy parts all over. I was also finishing up the last of the Synthboy+ while working on this too 🙂 Pic of the final so far.
Overall I am very pleased how this came out. I am realizing how much more performance power you can gain by just combining several modules together. Even if it is just normaling the obvious jacks together, like 1 V/Oct and Pulse width. That just saves me extra cables and a mult and time to do this otherwise. Once you start gaining experience using your eurorack modules you should start to see how they could be even better configured to your individual liking. If you want more info check out the link below. I will post more info if I make more updates. Never rest!
The Power of 1U!
I recently looked back over last year and realized I found the 1U format even more valuable as time went on. I did so not just by acquiring 1U tiles from Erthenvar and Pulplogic, but also by creating some of my own and modding others. From the first drum machine in 1U to the first Oscilliscope in 1U, I found ways to maximize this small format. Repanels and ganging them together. I am excited to move forward with promoting and inventing in this format!
Custom Sequencer 1 with added inputs.
This is one of the best Sequencers in euro today. I really love the repeats and ratchets, but I sometimes screw up the timing when pressing the buttons manually to activate them. I decided to add the feature to the hardware and also give it a new look in black face. Almost looks a little Elektron like don’t you think? If you are interested in finding out more info on this sequencer, please check out the manufacturer’s product page here: http://www.audiodamage.com/hardware/product.php?pid=ADM06
Custom Black panel for Z-DSP & Z-Card holders now back in stock.
Seems more cards are getting released these days so I thought since they seem to be all black and I am seeing more demand for black panels that it would only make sense to make a dedicated black panel with a double card holder. I have the kits available now.
More info here: http://www.millionmachinemarch.com/?page_id=1626
Also updated quantities on the regular card holders. These are slightly redesigned with a bigger opening for easier access. 2HP holds 5 cards. 4HP holds 10.
THIS WILL BE THE LAST RUN, so get em’ while there still here.
I will not be making anymore.
SW Tractor Beam 12 eurorack module, May the Force be with you!
It’s not every year we get a new Star Wars movie and considering how much the first ones influenced me I had to do something to show my appreciation. I borrowed the electronics from the ‘Sounds of Star Wars’ book and added a backlight to the LCD screen and CV controls for the buttons. So, every time I want to feel like a kid I can patch away!
Includes 256 sounds from the first six movies. Plenty for me to get the FORCE on:)
Korg Kaossilator 2s eurorack module
If you know how much I like the Korg MKP2s then you would think it just would be a matter of time before I would get around to euromodding a Kaossilator! I honestly do not know what took me soooo long. I guess I thought I would not need a dedicated phrase synth in my eurorack. But after playing with it for only a few minutes I found the acoustic instruments very pleasing and flexible to use. I thought having CV control over the play function would be great and keeping it fairly small at 20HP would work too.
Dr.Rhythm DR-55 1U tile drum machine
Might just be one of the smallest drum machines on the planet! Continuing along in our early drum machines theme is the Dr.Rhythm DR-55. This is based on the D-4 chip from Jan Ostman.
If you are a eurorack modular enthusiast and have run out of 3U room, this tile makes it easier than ever to add some old school percussion to your rack.
HDP used by Video Dub Poobah
Ty Humphrey aka ‘Video Dub Poobah’ had a chance to test out a HDP video prototype at a live show put on by AnalogueHaven. Here is a shot of his setup at the show. Ty told me he ran it for 7 straight hours with no problem. I took a standard video player you can get from eBay and then converted it for eurorack use. Many people are not aware there is a video synthesis side to eurorack. One of the places you can find more info is HERE which is the video forum section at Muffwiggler.com
