Cassettone 2, Big Updates for Sonicware’s LoFi 12XT and TubeOhm’s Jeannie Plus Synth Event Updates: Synth Journal
3,4 / 5,0 | 
Molten Bypass · Source: Molten Modular
TubeOhm Jeannie · Source: TubeOhm
SynthFest U.K. · Source: SynthFest U.K.
Cassettone 2 · Source: The Sound of Machines
Roma Modulare · Source: Roma Modulare
This week we look at the ingenious update to Cassettone, the Cassettone 2, plus updates to some cool synths and updates on synth gatherings around Europe and the U.K.
In This Week’s Synth Journal…
Cassettone 2
Kicking off this week’s Synth Journal is Cassettone 2. As the name suggests, this is the second iteration of a unique attempt at creating something like a Mellotron but with very much a homebrew feel to it. The Sound of Machines have expanded on the concept even more than just two tape decks.
Cassettone 2 will feature individual pitch controls, and the ability to cross-fade between your cassettes. The XL model will add even more features, including reverse play functionality, a “drone” mode, speakers, and stereo output.
Their first version spawned a gazillion clones and there’s every reason why version 2 will generate the same buzz as the first. You can support the development of Cassettone 2 by visiting their Patreon page here.
Molten Bypass
You may remember Robin Vincent from such publications as this very one! So it is good to see that he has been busy, up to no good, developing new Eurorack modules such as this, the Molten Bypass! Sounding suspiciously like a long overdue ring road around a remote Norfolk village, the Molten Bypass is a fairly simple module that delivers great benefits.
Robin noticed that the ability to bypass FX from Eurorack modules was all but absent, something us “normal” synth players are blissfully unaware of, what with all of our bypassing abilities built right into our keyboards! Joking aside, this is a seriously useful tool for all you cable-mangling knob twiddlers.
It creates a bypassable effects loop with manual or CV control in stereo or two mono channels. In “Hard” mode the FX loop is completely cut out of the signal chain, whereas in “Soft” mode the output of the loop is still connected allowing for trails and delay taps to mix into the signal while it fades.
Check out Robin’s video above for all the details. The module is available to buy as a kit for €100 or fully built for just €125 from Befaco. You can also purchase it from Perfect Circuit and Thonk.
Sonicware LoFi-12 XT 1.2 Firmware Update
The Sonicware LoFi-12 XT only came out in May after a hugely successful Kickstarter campaign and has already drummed up a pretty enthusiastic following. And now, after listening intently to their customer base, Sonicware have released version 1.2 of the firmware with a ton of new features and improvements.
Highlights include the ability to set swing values for individual tracks, three new filter typesincluding LSF, HSF, and PEQ. EVEN slice mode has been introduced, allowing samples to be divided evenly. The pitch adjustment in SND has been changed to semitone steps, allowing you to adjust while playing the pad. It is now possible to switch notes using the D-pad while holding down the PAD to perform a roll and a PTN MUTE function has been added, allowing sequence muting while keeping PAD performance active.
There’s lots more in this release so head on over to the Sonicware page to read the release notes and grab this free update for your LoFi-12 XT!
TubeOhm Jeannie Firmware Update
In another interesting update to a small but mighty synth, the Jeannie from TubeOhm has a new firmware out for testing that delivers wavetable synthesis to this polyphonic pocket rocket! Don’t expect 3rd Wave or PPG levels of wavetabling though. This unit does have some limitations, but the fact they’ve managed to shoehorn this in is remarkable anyway!
The firmware isn’t an official release but can be downloaded for beta testing at the sequencer.de forum. Check out the demo video below for an idea of what this new update adds to what is an already very capable synthesizer.
Synth Show Updates
Rounding off this week’s journal, I bring you updates of not one but two live synthesizer gatherings. First up, we’re off to the capital city of the country of my father’s birth. Ah, Roma, que bella citta! Well, Torino has SynthMit and Roma has Roma Modulare!
This year’s event will be held in Rome’s Trionfale district within Forte Trionfale, one of 15 forts surrounding the eternal city.
“Our greatest desire is that Roma Modulare provides the best opportunity possible for musicians, producers, technicians, manufacturers, and even amateurs to come into contact with each other to strengthen the Italian music market and make it international,” announces Alberto Rossetto, Founder & CEO of Rome’s Milk Audio Store which has partnered with K-ARRAY Audio Solutions and Doc Servizi to organise Roma Modulare 2024.
Boasting 80-plus exhibitor booths, part of the venue will be dedicated to creating a Workshop Area, where, over two days, 20 speakers will take turns in presenting new products or exploring topics relating to the entertainment industry (with the full program listed here: https://www.romamodulare.it/program/).
A Live Area will be opened up in the garden outside the venue between 1:00 pm to 11.30 pm each day, where electronic music artists will effectively play a non-stop live performance with their modular synthesizers.
Tickets to Roma Modulare 2024 are available to purchase as a two-day pass, priced at €22.00 EUR, or as one-day tickets for either September 27 or September 28 entry, each priced at €13.50 EUR, directly from here: https://www.romamodulare.it/tickets/ (All tickets include entry to the expo itself and an evening party, while entry is free for under 16s.)
And whilst we’re on the subject of synth events, the U.K.’s premier synth gathering will be taking place in just a few weeks time. SynthFest U.K. will be in its regular venue at Sheffield’s Octagon Centre and promises a day filled with all your favourite synths, synth manufacturers and synth geeks like me!
In fact, I will be there under the banner of my YouTube Channel, Pro Synth Network, displaying one of every E-MU Emulator ever released, along with some cool bonus items, all to celebrate 40 years of the E-MU Emulator II! So come along and say hi!
Tickets are still available via the SynthFest U.K. website and there’s a full schedule of exhibitors and seminars listed over there too. See you there!
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