Tuesday, March 12, 2024

Studio/Lab Update - Ushering in a New Era with In-House Production Autom...


Really excited to share this big change in the way I'm producing Eurorack modules. Last week I took delivery of a desktop SMT Pick-and-Place machine. It's an assembly robot that will help me greatly, in lieu of stuffing hundreds of boards a year all by hand using tweezers. Having spent almost a week getting up to speed I'm happy to share my thoughts about my foray with in-house production automation.

Full disclosure | This video was not sponsored by any equipment manufacturers. This machine was bought and paid for out-of-pocket for business use. All observations and opinions are my own.

Check my sweet Reverb store for module availability.

Tuesday, February 20, 2024

Wednesday, February 7, 2024

Roland Juno-106 Synthesizer Troubleshooting/Repair Quiet Voice


Today I'm investigating an issue with a Roland Juno-106. Voice #4 is a lot quieter than the others. And it's not a calibration issue. 99% certain it is NOT the brand new voice chips I put in as seen in a previous video. Troubleshooting will confirm that statement. So what else could it be? Maybe something EVERY 106 owner will want to be pro-active about mitigating?

This video is posted for general information about my experiences. Always observe safety working on electronics, and never tinker around inside power supplies without first unplugging the power cord. De-soldering components on the Juno-106 must be done VERY CAUTIOUSLY to avoid lifting very tiny delicate traces. If you're not sure about anything, there's no shame in taking your instrument to a qualified service technician.

Timestamps
0:00 Intro + Symptoms
0:35 Voice Chip Swap Test
1:06 Looking at the Wave Chip output
1:56 Waveform Chip replacement
2:23 Testing
2:51 Voice Board inspection and Remedy
3:19 Re-testing, did it work?

Be sure to check out my cool eurorack modules in my Reverb Store :D

Tuesday, January 30, 2024

Behringer System 100 Demo


Got around to patching the Behringer System 100 today. Plays well with Arturia Keystep Pro. Give the 172 module phaser and chorus effects a spin. And that 182 sequencer, I love how it is not pitch quantized and gives a weird Stranger Things vibe. Let's do this! No additional mastering or post-effects. This video was not sponsored.

Be sure to check out my own cool eurorack modules in my Reverb Store

Tuesday, January 16, 2024

G-Storm Electro Spring Tank Shootout Reverb Driver Version 2-1


Quick Comparison of 3 Spring Tank Reverbs using my Reverb Driver version 2-1. I saw that many users were wanting to experiment with a variety of tank sizes, myself included. Now in my driver module version 2-1 I have added a jumper setting which makes it fast and easy to change the driver optimization for short tanks, medium tanks, or long tanks. Audio has been recorded direct, no other mastering or posts effects. 0:00 Quick Intro 0:12 Ruby Tube 2EB2C1B Short size tank 0:55 Vintage Folded Line, Medium size tank like those in a Roland Space Echo 1:53 Accutronics 4AB3C1B Long size 16" tank Check my Reverb store for Spring Tank Reverb Driver availability.

Tuesday, December 19, 2023

Towering Bass Patches | Gyrinx VCF Filter [Demo 5]


Today I'm auditioning a few humongous bass patches featuring the Gyrinx VCF, no effects. Feeding only a couple of 101-VCOs and Pittsburgh DNA Symbiotic Waves. Modulation by 2xADSR and Feedback Modules LFO, Sequenced by Keystep Pro. Headphones or good monitors recommended. Recorded direct to Tascam DR-05, no other mastering just a little normalization.

Gyrinx-VCF is a eurorack filter inspired by the vintage Synton Syrinx filter section using Alfa AS3350 chips. Check my Reverb store for Gyrinx-VCF availability

Thursday, November 30, 2023

Korg SDD-1200 Dual Delay Rack FX w/ a Synthesizer Demo


This is the Korg SDD-1200 vintage effects unit. Featuring two completely independent digital delay lines. You can patch up the delays any way you like: In series, parallel, internal or external feedback loops. Today I'll be auditioning a few selected patches with some sounds with my Korg Poly-61 Synthesizer.

0:00 | Intro
0:54 | Stereo Flange
2:20 | Stereo Chorus
3:01 | Rhythmic Stereo Delay
4:09 | Feedback Loop
5:25 | Stereo Chorus + FX Feedback Loop

Tuesday, November 14, 2023

G-Storm Electro - A Demo, Nothing Special on Eurorack Modular


I performed this little demo patch at the DFW Synth Headz Synth Meet over a week ago joined by MOTS.DFW at The Creatives Factory. We didn't get direct audio afaik, so I'm redoing a little session of it here now just for you. Recorded direct with no addititional mastering. Patch details are on the video page description.

Tuesday, October 31, 2023

Sequential Drumtraks Drum Machine Repair


Today I'm investigating issues with a Sequential Drumtraks. While it is making sounds, the display is glitching out and the control functions are not working. In the end it was only incidental I was able to get it working again, for reasons I don't fully understand. The same phenomenon happens with my Drumulator, that's how I knew what to check for. It's my hope posting this video, that someone more knowledgable will be able to comment about this phenomenon.

This video is posted for general information about my experiences. Always observe safety working on electronics, and never tinker around inside power supplies without first unplugging the power cord. If you're not sure about anything, there's no shame in taking your instrument to a qualified service technician.

Since filming the video, I've discovered the batteries are still made in Japan. Also, the numbers on the battery may or may not necessarily be a date code. My new battery says 2132, so maybe it was made in 2021? Since the manufacture date and date installed may differ by a couple of years, I now write a date on the battery with a sharpie when I install it.

Timestamps
0:00 Intro + Symptoms
0:28 Power Supply investigation
2:10 Battery
2:28 Data Bus Check
4:08 About Cleaning IC pins
4:28 Last ditch effort and suddenly it's working???
5:38 Short demo

I design analog Eurorack modules, check my Reverb store for availability.

Tuesday, September 19, 2023

SEMSVF Eurorack SEM Filter Walkthrough of Basic Features [Demo 2]


SEMSVF is my Eurorack Tribute adaptation to the Oberheim SEM State Variable Filter. All hand made in limited quantities. Today I am talking through some basic features and patching some sounds via my 101-VCO feeding in. No mastering or effects. Recorded direct via my Feedback CP- Mixer to Pittsburgh Modular Outs to Mackie mixer to Tascam DR-05.

Check my Reverb store for SEMSVF, 101-VCO availability