Midweek Modular: Chain routing, matrix mixing and Roland filters
4,3 / 5,0 | 
This week we saw more routing and matrix mixing, a new DSP platform, a Roland filter clone, spikey knobs and Goldsmiths hosts the EMS VCS4.
Noise Engineering has pushed its DSP format onto a smaller 6HP module with simpler controls and is calling it Legio. It kicks off with a dynamics module and oscillator with more firmware to come. Read about it here.
Frequency Central moves sideways from the 8×8 Wonderland matrix mixer into the smaller but feature-rich 5×5 Looking Glass matrix mixer. Read about it here.
ADDAC give us an interesting routing module that can act like a pair of effect or modulation chains. Check out the thrillingly named ADDAC809 here.
Talking of matrix mixers Herbs & Stones is taking orders on their Pathways desktop 4×4 matrix mixer that has all manner of tricks up its sleeve. Check that out here.
Midweek Modular Bits and pieces
Here are a few more bits and pieces of modular coolness that I’m pleased to shine a light on for this week’s Midweek Modular.
AMSynths SH02
From the masters of making modules out of classic synth parts comes a take on the Roland SH-2 filter section. The SH02 uses the AS662 chips to accurately replicate the raw sound of the super-matched OTAs of the original. Apparently, it sounds fantastic.
AMSynths has gone for sliders for the filter Cutoff and modulation controls but swapped to knobs for the Input Mix and Resonance. It keeps the module more compact than going all out on the sliders to mirror the original. It’s interesting how the Resonance is favoured here more than the Cutoff. Maybe because of the way the module likes to self-oscillate like a complete riot.
AMSynths SH02 · Source: AMSynths
The SH02 is available to order from the AMSynths webstore for £125.
Jolin Lab Getrekt
The quirkily designed Getrekt is a 4HP “touch squarifier” which is a cool way of describing a waveshaper with touch plate controls rather than knobs. It follows the same idea as its other modules where the PCB is also the front panel which gives it an interestingly naked and protruding quality.
The touch controls disrupt the wavefolding, push it towards a squared shape and then pulse width modulate. Sounds nuts. It works with both audio and CV and will be available at the end of July.
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More knobs at Knob Knobs
Custom knob designers Knob Knobs has released a new series of knobs. These are deliciously spikey and go by the name of Mass. They look fantastic and wonderfully grippy.
Mass is available in four colours with a choice of trace pointer colour. Apparently, the neon red and yellow colour traces will light up nicely under UV. You will need to specify the shaft size that they are destined for. Perfect for jazzing up a few modules.
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The Godfather is coming
We saw The Godfather multichannel Eurorack audio processor at Superbooth 2021. Now EnjoyElectronics is teasing its arrival with a rendered fly-by. Apparently the Indiegogo campaign with start tomorrow, 23rd of June, where we will finally get to know the price.
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EMS presents the VCS4
Goldsmiths University in London is hosting a day of talks, discussion and live performances with the EMS VCS4 Live Performance Module. The event features the VCS4 built for Harrison Birtwistle’s performance of Medusa at South Bank in 1970. It spent some time after EMS closed down at the Royal College of Music and after being forgotten for a long time it was restored to functional order in 2006 by Robin Wood. Goldsmiths acquired it in 2019 and it forms part of their modular synthesizer suite at the Electronic Music Studios in the Department of Music.
EMS VCS4 · Source: Goldsmiths
It’s an extraordinary-looking machine, based on two VCS3 synthesizers, squeezed into a single cabinet with a keyboard, audio mixer and signal processing.
It all takes place on the 23rd of June from 2pm to 8pm. Tickets are very limited but the whole event which includes talks, discussion and performances will be live-streamed on Youtube. Not to be missed!
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- Goldsmith event page.
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