AJHSynth Ring SM and Sonic XV

AJHSynth Ring SM and Sonic XV

I love modules that add to my sonic vocabulary – especially ones that just invite you to play with them, dialing in new sounds. Two modules that definitely fit that bill are the new AJHSynth Ring SM and Sonic XV Diode Ladder Wave Filter. Thinking “I rarely need a ring...
Matching Octaves in Your Modular

Matching Octaves in Your Modular

Different oscillators and MIDI to CV converters may have varying ideas of what voltage a given note produces, and what pitch should you hear as a result. If there is a difference, in most cases it can be dialed out with a pitch knob or transpose switch. However, there are occasions when you need the assistance of an additional module to settle these disagreements.

NAMM 2016: Day 2

NAMM 2016: Day 2

I got to a few more booths today at NAMM 2016 (Malekko, The Harvestman, Sputnik, Snazzy FX, and a return to Intellijel), and wanted to share some more conversations and observations about some of the current directions in modular synthesis – both my own, and from the Meet the Makers panel on modular synthesis.

Should you go Semi-Modular or Full?

Should you go Semi-Modular or Full?

One of the primary reasons to make the move from pre-configured synthesizers to patchable modular synthesis is the ability to create your own instrument – be it to pick and choose your favorite flavors of synth building blocks, to expand it in ways you prefer, or to explore new signal paths and configurations. A common question is: Where do you start? Keeping in mind there’s no single right answer (and very few wrong ones), here are a few different approaches and their potential trade-offs.