Tag Archives: digital

4MS Ensemble Oscillator is ready to ship May 18th

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A new Oscillator from 4ms seems ready to hit the streets with a ship date of May 18th.

The oscillator is the latest in a string of powerful oscillators from the Modular synth company that brought us the spectral wavetable navigator.

here is what their site has to say about it.

“The Ensemble Oscillator is a unified polyphonic voice of sixteen complex oscillators combining additive, FM, phase-distortion and wavefolding synthesis techniques in new unorthodox ways. By quantizing the oscillators to scales or series of harmonics, the Ensemble Oscillator allows you to explore the sonic boundary between musical chords and rich evolving textures. Easily create a wide variety of sounds ranging from aggregates of pure sine waves to pulsar synthesis or pristine harmonic tones and lush wide chords to rich dirty drones and rumbling glitches. Custom scales can quickly be “learned” and saved using a CV keyboard or by manually entering notes with the controls.

Features

  • 16 sine-based oscillators bound to intervals of a selected Scale
  • 30 factory-programmed, user-writeable scales organized in three groups:
    • 12TET: all notes quantized to equal temperament, repeating over octaves
    • Octave: unquantized notes, repeating over octaves
    • Free: unquantized notes, repeating over the interval between the lowest and highest note
  • A simple method to program (“Learn”) your own scales manually or with a CV/Gate keyboard
  • Three Twist phase distortion effects
  • Three Warp wave distortion effects
  • Three algorithms of Cross FM for modulating the oscillators with each other
  • Mono or stereo output with selectable panning algorithm
  • Freeze button and jack to freeze the frequency of some of the oscillators, with selectable algorithm
  • Two 1V/oct inputs: Pitch (non-quantized), and Root (quantized)
  • High-accuracy, temperature-stable, eight octave range (-2V to +6V), can be calibrated to any keyboard
  • Six bi-polar CV inputs (-5V to +5V)
  • Two gate inputs for automated Learning and Freezing
ensemble oscillator designed by Matthias Puech

The Ensemble Oscillator is designed by Matthias Puech and 4ms Company”

Always nice to get a quality shot of the back of these modules right!

The price point is $299

Electrical and Mechanical Specifications

  • 16HP Eurorack format module
  • 0.98” (25mm) maximum depth (including power cable)
  • 10-pin to 16-pin Eurorack power header
  • Power consumption
    • +12V: 114mA maximum
    • -12V: 45mA maximum
    • +5V: 0mA (not used)
  • Audio outputs
    • Frequency range: 0Hz (DC) – 20kHz
    • Typical amplitude: 10Vpp
    • Maximum amplitude: 18.5Vpp
  • 1V/oct inputs (Root and Pitch)
    • Voltage range: -2V to +6V (8 octave range)
    • Factory calibrated to 1.00V/oct
    • Per-jack user-calibration allows from 0.7V/oct to 1.3V/oct
  • CV inputs (other than 1V/oct)
    • Voltage range: -5V to +5V
  • Gate inputs
    • Trigger threshold: 2.5V
  • User memory (non-volatile)
    • Scale slots: 30
    • Shift feature settings
    • 1V/oct calibration settings

New 96khz mixer from Allen & Heath: Avantis

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Allen & Heath Announces
Third Installment in 96kHz Mixer Trilogy: Avantis

Allen & Heath has revealed its new 96kHz digital mixer, Avantis, the third to be based on the company’s XCVI FPGA engine. Avantis puts Allen & Heath’s next-generation technology in a 64 channel/42 configurable bus console, with twin Full HD touchscreens, extensive I/O options and processing from the company’s flagship dLive mixing system.

“Joining dLive and SQ, Avantis completes our trilogy of next-gen 96kHz consoles,” says Rob Clark, Allen & Heath’s Managing Director.  “Avantis takes many of the features that have made SQ and dLive so popular, putting them in a standalone 64-channel mixer that offers a new UI experience, connectivity with our Everything I/O ecosystem, and the dPack option which gives you access to our advanced dLive processing options if and when you need them.

“On top of that,” adds Rob, “we’ve taken a new approach with the industrial design, coming up with a full metal chassis that’s super-strong, lightweight and looks fantastic.”

Encased in its alloy shell and tubular frame, the Avantis control surface is centered on the two Full HD touchscreens and their corresponding rotary controls. “Having two touchscreens isn’t a new concept, but we realized we could use it to unlock exciting new possibilities, which led us to develop Continuity UI,” says Andy Bell, Allen & Heath’s R&D Director.

“Within seconds of getting hands-on with Avantis, engineers are going to appreciate the seamless flow between the physical controls and the on-screen software. You can work gains and pans on the rotaries, then at the touch of a soft key switch to EQ or dynamics across the whole strip. The console also provides a highly configurable FastGrab tab on the right-hand side of each screen, offering another way to quickly and easily access control of aux sends, EQ, compressor and FX on the currently selected channel or spot channel. “Ultimately, with Continuity UI, the engineer decides how they’d like to work, not the mixer.”

While many users will choose to pair Avantis with the 48 in / 16 out GX4816 audio expander, Avantis is part of Allen & Heath’s Everything I/O ecosystem, which means whether you’re an owner/operator looking to build a compact system, or a rental company with existing Allen & Heath stock, Avantis allows true flexibility by connecting to a huge range of audio expander hardware. Avantis is also compatible with Allen & Heath’s range of ME Personal Mixers and IP hardware remote controllers.

For local I/O, Avantis is well equipped with 12 XLR analog inputs, 12 XLR analog outputs, plus AES (Stereo in, 2x Stereo Out). Two additional I/O Ports allow Avantis to benefit from the full range of current dLive option cards, including Dante (64×64 and 128×128), Waves, gigaACE, MADI and more, expanding the scope for system integration, FoH/monitor splits and multitrack recording. Right out of the box, Avantis is loaded with processing tools designed to meet the demands of most users and applications, including compressors, EQs and Allen & Heath’s acclaimed RackExtra FX units (12 slots). Upgrading to dPack expands Avantis further with additional dLive processing including the Dyn8 dynamics engine (up to 16 instances), DEEP Compressors, and the Dual-Stage Valve preamp. dPack purchasers will automatically receive all future DEEP and FX updates free of charge, future-proofing their investment.

“In the gap between SQ and dLive, the mixer market is littered with 48kHz DSP-based ‘old-school’ consoles,” says Nic Beretta, Allen & Heath’s Head of Product. “Avantis brings next-generation performance across the board. Customers in venues, houses of worship, touring and the rental market are going to be seriously impressed by how well this ticks the boxes. It’s a really exciting mixer at a compelling price.”

Full details and spec at allen-heath.com/avantis

Avantis pricing as follows:

Mixer only: USD $9,999 MSRP
dPack add-on: USD $1,399 MAP
GX4816 Remote Expander: USD $3,999 MSRP

END

www.allen-heath.com

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Who is making the SP-2400 and is it real? It’s not who you thought exclusive pictures!

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What if I told you the SP 2400 is real… its not Behringer and Its NOT E-MU/Rossum. It is going to be built as a proper spiritual successor to the classic sampler many of us have grown to love so dearly. This is no clone, this is something more…

Obviously it’s a render, but it’s coming

Recently I came across a post showing what appears to be a circuit board for a “sp-2400” this name has long been tossed about in forums and back Alley dives as to what the successor to the famed sp-1200 could be. Over the years there have been many rumors, requests and out right denials from those involved in the classic sampler.

Oh hello , nice to meet you SP 2400

So what is speculation and what is fact?

FACTS…..24bit AND 12 bit, Aluminum construction, Classic sound with the Classic workflow. Filters per output, ability to sample with filter input or direct to dac. Features both usb host and client, Each pad will play cowbells (if you sample a cowbell to it) its not behringer… it is real, and it IS COMING SOON

How do I know all of this? well I was given the info directly from the manufacturer. I have basically been given a slow stream of info… I myself still do not know the release date, the price point, what info is on the screen and how the screen functions… I will give info as I can.

I can tell you… I have heard it (audio comparisons sent to me of an early build)… it sounds fantastic. It is going to make many of us very happy… and the corksniffers… so mad. I will be dropping random tid bits about this as they fall out the back of the secret laboratory this is being built in.

The SynthSummitShow episode 18: John Bowen synth designs

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This episode I was fortunate to have John Bowen on the show. A staple in the synthesizer community for roughly 40 years, John has been instrumental in many of the legendary synths of our time. Join us as we walk through a piece of synth history and cap it off with a discussion of his amazing Solaris synthesizer.

for more info check out Johnbowen.com 

Soulsby Oscitron Eurorack VCO Demo part 1

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Soulsby Oscitron is listed as a 8 bit oscillator, but I think that is underselling what this thing really is.

The truth is this is a Vocoder, oscillator, wave shaper, phaser, bit crusher, and much more all in one module that can be freely hacked and updated. The wood ends are the first sign that this is a module unlike any other. you can use those wood end checks to hold new faceplate cover templates in place as they are released essentially updating the whole faceplate as you go. This is a truly novel approach to the idea of a multi function eurorack module. The menu system is easy to navigate while having quite an impressive depth of features. For that reason I have decided to handle demo videos of this module in parts. enjoy the first part in this series below! for more info check out Soulsby Synths. price is roughly $299 at USA dealers

Play

  • 8-bit wavetable module
  • Unique wavetable PWM Synthesis audio engine.
  • Quick and intuitive controls, no complex menu systems
  • White aluminium faceplate with walnut side panels
  • Nearly all parameters controllable by CV
  • 16 preset sounds that can be overwritten with your own patches

Continue reading →

Siglent SDS1202X Oscilloscope review for the Synth user

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Siglent is a leader in the oscilloscope market. Both win affordability and features Siglent scopes continue to impress. This review I decided to show how these wonderful scopes can be used by audio professionals to better understand our gear and sounds. This particular scope is in their upper mid range segment with a absolutely stunning display. check out the video below for more details!. Head to Siglent to order one of these or their other scopes today! 

Audio Damage Shapes Eurorack Module wave shaping demo

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Audio Damage Shapes

This is a digital effect module that can take a sine wave and turn it into a wavetable, it can also be used as a complex distortion module. available now from most Eurorack Module dealers it retails around $289, get it direct from Audio Damage . shapes

Shapes includes 16 smoothly interpolated wavetables as well as 9 lookup table algorithms 

It is a true stereo module as well. 

Features 

 » The WAVE/ALGO knob and CV input control which wave or algorithm is active. In LOOKUP mode, the knob controls which of sixteen tables the input will scan. In ALGO mode, the knob controls which of nine algorithms will affect the input. 

» The PARAM 1 knob is a variable function knob. In LOOKUP mode, it controls the width of the table scan, from about 15% of the table (at full anti-clockwise) to the entire table (at full clockwise.) In ALGO mode, its function varies, but it is usually Drive or Amount. (Basically “more.”) 

» The PARAM 2 knob, in LOOKUP mode, controls the start position of the table. It can effectively be thought of as a phase control. In ALGO mode, its function varies, and it is not used in every algorithm. 

» The MIX knob controls an equal power wet/dry mix. At full anti-clockwise, you only hear the input, and at full clockwise you only hear the effect. 

» The MODE switch controls whether the module acts as a wavetable scanner or a waveshaper. In LOOKUP mode, the wavetables are active, while in ALGO mode, the algorithms are active. 

» Shapes is true stereo; the left and right signals do not intermingle internally; thus you can, for instance, run a kick in the left channel and a snare in the right, and vary the effect by attenuating either channel before it enters the module. 

» 48kHz 24 bit audio path with a high-quality Cirrus-Logic AD/DA convertor. 10Vpp CV control over all parameters. 

» USB port (on the PCB board) for easy firmware updates. 

» High-quality 100% Made In The USA construction, including panel-bolted 100,000-cycle BI potentiometers and custom stamped Rogan knobs. 

» Power draw is 40ma from the +12V rail and 9ma from the -12V rail. This module has an on-board regulator and does not require +5V. Module depth is 25mm.

» Shapes, like all Audio Damage hardware products, includes our lifetime unconditional warranty.

Audio damage Kompressor Eurorack effect module

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The Audio Damage Kompressor is a digital true stereo compressor that can also work as a Mono with side chain input compressor. occupying only 6 hp, this compressor packs a big punch for its small size. RATIO is a scaled control. The first half of the rotation goes from 1:1 to 1:10, and from 12 o’clock to fully clockwise, it goes from 1:10 to 1:1000 (infinite). Gain can give you up to 30+db of additional gain along with a soft internal saturation emulating an analog circuit.

The Build quality feels very solid and the compression is really quite well controlled. I’ve been using it both as an final mix compressor and as a drum squashing beast as well.

Screen Shot 2017-01-24 at 8.34.16 AM

Available now for only $289