Author Archives: flux302

ZetaOhm Flxs1 sequencer (pre Knobcon info)

Posted on by
Today I met Tenkai Karina, The mind behind Zetaohm. A new Eurorack company out of the bay area who looks to turn some heads.  we had a good long chat about the new FLXS1sequencer (nice name right 😉 ). This module looks to be a seriously impressive piece of art. Yeah not just a module… a piece of art. stay tuned as I will be getting an exclusive on this module!
be sure to sign up for his newsletter for upcoming news  https://www.zetaohm.com/about 
screen-shot-2016-09-09-at-3-33-29-pm
FLXS1 SEQUENCER
description
The FLXS1 Sequencer is an upcoming device for the Eurorack format. It has the most control of any sequencer on the market at its size. The goal of this device was to get Cirklon functionality in a compact Eurorack format. 
analog inputs
4x Bidirectional Gate inputs capable of receiving clock siganls
4x 0-5 volt Control Voltage inputs (1 audio rate input)
analog outputs
4 channels of output control
each channel provides 1 Gate output and two Control Voltage outputs
midi
full midi input and output capabilities to sequence non modular synthesizers, as well as sync to other devices using MIDI clock

Fluxwithit live Knobcon 2016 coverage and more

Posted on by

What the hell is Knobcon?knobcon-overlay16

I heard its a cat owner convention

      Knobcon is an annual event now in its fifth year dedicated to synthesizers. A heavily modular skewed show, this inherently means there will be cat pictures shared and discussed. I will not be covering any pets during this show. I will however be covering all that is synthesizers and the people who make them. Live from the convention floor I will be checking out all the latest gear from the top synth manufacturers around.

     Each year Knobcon seems to grow exponentially. This year looks to be no different as it will be over 72 companies displaying through 2 and a half days. Boutique manufacturers tend to have the run of the lot but this year we are expecting to see some larger name brands in attendance as well. Every thing from Eurorack Modular synths to guitar effect pedals to full sized keyboard synthesizers will be on show.

      So what is Fluxwithit doing at knobcon aside from just gawking at synthesizers?  Well I will be in attendance live streaming much of the event as well as speaking to the convention goers in a number of capacities. In addition to the on the floor antics I will be apart of a live broadcast of the BeatPPL podcast direct from the convention on Saturday, as well as a very special SynthSummitShow on Sunday from 4-5pm (chicagoland timezone so get your mind right people that means 3-4pm eastern).

In addition to these shows and coverage of knobcon I will be giving out coupon codes to the New Fluxwithit.com shop! so make sure you are on point and click the link above for the shop!

Elysia Character Discrete Class A saturation and distortion

Posted on by

The Elysia Karacter is a really interesting rack unit and not just because it’s a high quality distortion or saturation.  The Karacter gives you a ton of tone shape characteristics and control in one simple 1u rack space. Control Voltage seems to be a buzz these days and for good reason. Control voltages give you extremely fast precise control over parameters and allow for easy interaction not just with modular gear but with various studio pieces. Karacter Gives you CV control which isn’t very common in units of this style. Lets talk more about the sound. There are a few modes of color to grab from this unit, the first of which is saturation. Continue reading →

ZAOR Studio desk “Yesk” Review

Posted on by

ZAOR Studio Furniture YESK Production desk

review by Fluxyesk1    The Yesk is the latest production desk from boutique studio desk manufacturer ZAOR. The Yesk is a three tier desk with a slide out keyboard tray perfect for 49-61 keys. the center console features two bays of 4U of rack space at a nice working angle. The construction is of solid wood and feels extremely sturdy. One of my personal concerns about this review was that I know I will be moving in semi near future, will this desk hold up after a tear down and rebuild. I can say that after putting the desk together and seeing the smart anchor system that it uses to assemble the individual pieces (it comes flat packed), I have no doubts it will fair well in the move. Build time was pretty short (under two hours with me basically half paying attention to the build and half paying attention to another project I was working on. I’d bet with some focus I could have pulled it off in about 45 minutes.  The instructions are very well layed out and it is really only about 11 parts or so you need to join together. The only gripes I had during the build was that the adapters for the rack screws could have come preinstalled and that the bottom row of them are a very tight fit to the desk. Nothing really upsetting just nitpicking for the sake of this article really.  Continue reading →

Threeler VCF from Ian Fritz and Synthcube.com

Posted on by

The Threeler VCF created by Ian Fritz is an interesting filter design. Utilizing a 3rd order design with 3 single pole filters in various combinations the Threeler is able to give a large variety of filter types. A mode select switch gives us 4 options of slopes. the first row consisting of Low pass configurations, the second row consisting of band pass , the third is a reversed order bandpass  and the bottom row consisting of high pass filters. we are give 3 simultaneous outputs at a time (giving us access to different stages of the filter.) CV is available to control filter cut off, frequency modulation and resonance. The Filter also tracks volt per octave nicely over quite a few octaves which gives us access to a nice sine oscillator.

Available now as a PCB, Panel PCB, full Kit and as a completed module from Synthcube.com or on their Synth release club ( a module renting/leasing program. 

Pricing for completed module starts at $285

MUTEK 2016 Hexinverter.net Mutant BD9 Eurorack Modular Bass Drum

Posted on by

expected out mid summer 2016 with a retail of $249 USD.

Loosely Based on the TR-909 with some hefty modifications such as added sub VCO and CV inputs, this looks to be another winner from Hexinverter.net

The SynthSummitShow episode 10: Glen Darcey of Arturia

Posted on by

This is the full spliced together episode!
The SynthSummitShow is a live web show dedicated to synthesizers and the audio geeks that make it all happen. find out more at Fluxwithit.com

Hosted by Flux of Fluxwithi.com – Flux is a sound designer, Music technologist, consultant, and music producer.

Guest hosts today include : Corry of Bboytechreport.com – Corry is a hip hop producer and music tech blogger
Bryce aka Upright – Bryce is a hip hop producer, modular synth enthusiast and blogger.

Our Guest: Glen Darcey is VP of Product Management at Arturia. his career spans 4 decades in the music industry. Responsible for iconic products like the MPK and APC-40 controllers as well as the MiniBrute, beatstep series and much more.