How to Synth DIY part 3 The Passive Ring Modulator

Posted on January 8, 2015 by flux302

The Passive Ring Modulator

This circuit is a very basic one which is why I have chosen it to be our starting point. It is also quite inexpensive with very easy soldering so it should make a great first time soldering project!

A ring Modulator basically takes two incoming signals and combines them spitting out what results in a modulated version of the original signal. This technique was used to create the famous Dalek voices in DR. Who television series.

It can also be used to beef up synth signals, Warp Drum tones, and distort strings etc. overall just a very useful circuit to have handy.

The Passive Ring Mod doesn’t require a power source so no worries there.

Take a look at the video and Have FUN!!!

Here is the Link for Synthrotek’s Passive Ring Mod https://www.synthrotek.com/kit-assembly-instructions/other/passive-ring-modulator-assembly-instructions/

This series is supported by

and from sales of My Sound libraries at

HOW to Synth DIY Series Part 2 (Kit list and soldering info)

Posted on January 3, 2015 by flux302

How to synth DIY part 2

Now that we have established some basics it is time to take a look at what we are actually going to be doing in this series. I want to start off by giving a list of the Synthrotek Kits we will need in order to complete this series. You can purchase these kits as we go along or all of them upfront (getting them upfront is not a bad idea as we will likely have some live Q&A sessions and it will be nice for you to have the kits ready).

Here are the planned kits that will be involved.

1) Passive Ring Mod Kit (think Dalek voice)

2) 4093 Chaoss Nand kit (drone oscillator)

3) 555 Timer kit (this will be used as an LFO to control delay etc)

4) Dirt Filter 9v kit (distortion and filtering)

5) PT2399 Dev Board kit (this is a digital delay that emulates analog delay chips)

6 Vac Pack (adds CV control to any variable resistance controlled circuit)

7) Plastic Enclosure (this will be what we place all our items into) you are not limited to use just this case, feel free to use more than one case or a larger case if you like.

Continue reading →

Synth DIY Project series Part 1 (getting into Synth DIY)

Posted on December 29, 2014 by flux302

How to Synth DIY

Here at FluxWithIt.com there is a mind set… If you are not thinking beyond intended operation, then you are limiting yourself. To better illustrate this philosophy as it pertains to the studio. I have decided to take you all with me on down the rabbit whole and into a land where an old guitar pedal is a synth, a simple 555 timer chip is a modulation source, a plain plastic box can become a sample manglers wet dream. Luckily with Sponsor Synthrotek I will be able to help you on your journey to Nerd heaven.

Before we take the blue pill and get to tripped out on bending and circuit melding, Lets gather our thoughts.

First we need to assess just what it is we SHOULD know before attempting any of this.

here are some bullet points of what I feel you should know… and I will help assist you in learning. Continue reading →

Animodule GATE_MOD Eurorack Modular trigger delay

Posted on December 13, 2014 by flux302

Let’s face it, couldn’t we ALL use a little more length?

This Tiny (yet powerful) Module allows you to manipulate your gate length and delay your event triggers with ease and minimal impact on your HP.

Take an incoming Signal above ~1.1V (OpAmp Comparators on the Inputs make very forgiving Clock Inputs)
and shrink it down to 5MS or lengthen it up to 5 Seconds.
That Gate will appear at the Gate Out. Continue reading →

Synthrotek DS-M Drum Synthesizer Module for Eurorack

Posted on December 7, 2014 by flux302

the Synthrotek DS-M is an awesome new Drum synth Module for Eurorack.
The DS-M is a full featured drum synth that can emulate virtually any drum sound!

The DS-M (Drum Synth Module) is a complex, modifiable, 100% analog drum synth loosely based on the Coron DS-8 and neatly packaged into an 8hp module.

Continue reading →

How to Mod the Arturia Minibrute and Microbrute! (add LFO out and Waveform Out!)

Posted on November 26, 2014 by flux302

Modding the Minibrute

For some time now I have really loved the Brute series from Arturia. I also tend to be the type of person to just never be satisfied even when things are going great. So today I decided to modify my brutes. The one feature I always wished the Minibrute had was LFO output so that it could be used to control my modular. Well today I rectified that problem with a simple mod that you can do with very basic tools.

All that is needed is a few mono 1/8″ jacks, some wire, some solder, a soldering iron, a screw driver and a drill.

Here is a list of the solder points and what they are. The video below details not only how to perform this mod, but how to actually find these types of modifications yourself!

Minibrute waveform output list

—- LFO OUTS :

PT34 = SAW LFO , PT32 = TRIANGLE LFO, PT35 = SINE LFO, PT33 SQUARE LFO, PT130 = RANDOM LFO,

PT176 SELECTED LFO

——- VCO OUTS :

PT180 = SQUARE SUB VCO, PT7 = SQUARE VCO, PT119 = TRIANGLE VCO, PT120 = SAW VCO

—————-

MICROBRUTE

TP93= SQUARE VCO, TP94 = SAW VCO, TP102 = SUB VCO, TP124 = TRIANGLE VCO

Arturia Microbrute SE Unboxing and Overview/ Review video

Posted on November 20, 2014 by flux302

Main Features
Monophonic synthesizer
100% Analog Audio Signal Path
Steiner-Parker 2 pole Multimode Filter (Low Pass, Band Pass, High Pass)
Analog Voltage Controlled Oscillator
Oscillator Mixer (Overtone, Sawtooth, Square, Triangle, audio in (on rear panel))
‘Overtone’ sub oscillator/5th generator
Signal Enhancers :
Pulse Width Modulation
Ultrasaw generating fat sawtooth waveforms
Metalizer bringing extreme harmonics
Brute Factor™ delivering saturation and rich harmonics
LFO with 3 waveforms (Sine, Sawtooth, Square)
LFO clock syncable to Arpeggiator (Arpeg, or free).
ADSR Envelope Generator
Keyboard Tracking on the VCF Cutoff
25 note minikey keyboard
Mod Wheel (assignable to Cutoff, or LFO amount)
Pitch Wheel (with selectable bend range via software)
Octave selector from -2 to +2 octaves
External Analog Audio Input
CV In jacks: Pitch, Filter, sub-harmonics, pulse width, metalizer, saw animator
CV Out jacks: pitch, envelope, LFO
MIDI Inwith 5 pin DIN connector
USB MIDI In/Out
1/4” Audio Output and 1/8” Headphone Output
Full Function step sequencer :
8 memories
up to 64 steps per memory
tap tempo
rate control
step divisions (via software)
trigger modes (via software)
MIDI Sync
Steel bottom panel
12V DC 1A power supply

Synthrotek VCA triple response Dual VCA

Posted on November 17, 2014 by flux302

The Synthrotek Triple Response Dual VCA uses high quality op amps to give you the sound quality you are looking for in affordable kits and completed units. This VCA has three different response curves per channel: 2 Exponential and 1 Linear. The amplitude of EX2 (switch at right position) can be slightly attenuated via 1 trimmer pot per channel on the PCB. This allows for 3 different curves per channel. EX2 has a slightly more exponential curve than EX1. This VCA operates at 0-5V; a 5V CV input will give you 5V point to point audio output. Use over 5V if you want a super ballsy, loud VCA!
Intended for AC and audio use only (DC coupling will not function properly).
Features include:

– ~5V peak to peak output with a +5 DC CV input

– 2 exponential and 1 linear response per channel

– Channel 2 is normalled to channel 1

– Compact 4HP sized module

– Kits, complete and PCB/panel combos

– High Quality Op Amps

– Module depth: 1 7/8 inches (4.7 cm)

– Max current draw: 1mA on -12V rail, 9mA on +12V rail

Buy it HERE

Here is the live build event where I build the resistor section of the VCA and hold a Q&A during it. It is a quite long video as it was held off the cuff, very laid back.