SynthBooth: STEM Modular – connecting modular with science, math and engineering
Stem Modular System · Source: Stem Modular
Stem Modular · Source: Stem Modular
Stem Modular Modules · Source: Stem Modular
Never mind the educational constructs STEM Modular is developing a range of earthy and creative Eurorack modules to experiment with the fundamental components of sound and electricity and make music.
STEM Modular
It’s a great attempt at putting modular concepts of sound and technology into the hands of musicians, educators and non-profit organizations. Building simple circuits behind bamboo front panels the whole system has a wonderfully earthy vibe that blooms into a really nice collection of modules.
The system consists of all the usual components you’d expect to find in a modular synth voice. There’s a VCO with multiple wave outputs, a nice long-throw ADSR, VCA, VCF, multi-wave LFO, utilities and mixer. Everything you need to start patching and tweaking. It’s early days and so the website only has the LFO and some bamboo blanks up for sale at the moment with the VCF and Sum & Slew modules available to preorder and the VCO should appear by the end of the year. The LFO is only $69 dollars which is really reasonable making this an achievable system of modules.
The LP-VCF is a 4-pole low pass filter with CV control over cut-off and resonance and it will self-oscillate when pushed. The Sum & Slew is a 4-channel DC coupled mixer than can provide glide between output voltage levels. They suggest plugging in multiple outputs from their LFO for some really interesting waveshapes.
Stem Modular Modules · Source: Stem Modular
They did a live stream at SynthBooth and the system, displayed in what looked like a pumpkin patch, sounded pretty neat and full of character as was the presenter Wesley Marcarelli.
STEM Modular has a worthy mission, they run workshops in New York and you’ll even find a guide to building your own case to house the modules on the website. I look forward to seeing more modules emerge.
More information
- STEM Modular website.
Video
Live stream from SynthBooth. See if you can spot me in the comments.
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