Why the bleep do we bleep?

Eurorack enthousiasts should check out this new podcast.

The Tubbutec µTune microtonal quantizer

Jan Caron of Gearslutz and Tony Dubshot discuss the awesome Tubbutec µTune microtonal quantizer. And let's not forget the Ornament and Crime module, a versatile module which can also do xenharmonic quantizing and is a good enough choice for beginners. And here's a mix of some xenharmonic tunes by Tony Dubshot.

Workshop ~ Modular microtonal techniques

Noodlefest 2017 will be a great opportunity for modular enthousiasts to check out a large number of seasoned modular artists, all passing through Rotterdam (NL) during one long weekend from september 29th to october 1st. At the Noodlefest, Tony Dubshot will do a workshop about some of the new modular options and techniques that are available to make microtonal music. Breaking news: expect a demo of the brand new Tubbutec µTune microtonal quantizer.

Modular Microtones #1

Why would anybody want to make microtonal music with a modular synth? Somehow, using a computer seems more logical. Especially if you want perfection, which is a common syndrome among microtonalists. But if you’re ok with an oscillator drift of about +/- 1 cent, making microtonal music on a modular system can be big fun. 

Revenge of the Modular Monsters

Let's take it to the stage. Modular maddness with the mighty Mono-Poly featuring Aminah Raysor, and the funky beats of OSC 1899. The Vrijplaats Leiden is perfect for this, it was a great night..

Is Deep Learning the new 42?

Microphone technique vs. a debate about the future of high tech. Hilarious. If you're interested in the musical side of Deep Learning, try Sirajology on DopeLearning. If you're a dubb scientist, read Wavenet: a generative model for raw audio, a new paper from the Go-champions of Deepmind. Eurorack lovers could try The Oracle.

The Music House in Utrecht

The Music House in Utrecht is the place to be for Dutch A-100 users. You don't just go there to buy stuff. You get coffee, lots of bla bla, photoshoots with random female shoppers posing with vintage gear, more coffee and more bla. When this is done, you get your new gear. Martijn doesn't mind selling the odd ukelele, but Doepfer is still #1.

Surviving the Modular Hype #3 ~ Infinity

Retro synth ads are a goldmine for students of the history of gearlust. Carefully worded vintage ads praise the quality, playability, versatility, desirability and sexuality of music gear. Some ads even sell dreams of total control, like this Casio CZ-3000 brochure, which also has a weird take on the famous infinite possibilities cliché.  

Surviving the modular hype #2 ~ Design trends

Eurorack modular systems are hot. The amount of modules available on the market has grown exponentially in recent years. In part 2 of Surviving the modular hype we look at some of the design trends that have shaped the Eurorack boom.

Surviving the Modular Hype #1 ~ Pass the test

The current Eurorack Modular hype is going to do a lot of damage. Mindless synthgear-consumers don't know what they're buying, or why they are buying it. As a result, the small companies that produce wonderful modules spend too much time answering stupid questions.

Peter Blasser on JI, integers and saving energy

Here's an entertaining video featuring Peter Blasser of Ciat-Lonbarde and some of his electronic instruments.The Justints software (with the 8-bit style visuals) has some just intonation-properties.

Dutch Modular Design ~ Falafular

This is the 3rd time we investigate new eurorack modules developed by Dutch designers. Previously we checked out Das Ding's Baby 8 and we had a quick look at Jan Willem's Ginko Synthese (an in-depth review of his Sampleslicer coming soon on Dubbhism). But right now we have Falafular on the brain. And yes, there's a falafel-connection.

Return of the Modular Monsters

Oh no.. it's The Return of the Modular Monsters. On december 13th you can visit the Ginko Synthese modular workshop, eat ital food, hear live modular music and dance the night away at  Vrijplaats Middelstegracht in Leiden.

Dutch modular design ~ Das Ding's Baby 8

Dutch electro legend Das Ding aka Danny Bosten has recently begun to build his own Eurorack-compatible mini-sequencer. It's called the Baby 8 and if you're interested you can buy a hand built version (stand-alone or rack) directly from Danny. Just contact him via Facebook. Also, check out this Juno Plus interview about the Baby 8.

Night of the Modular Monsters

On September 19th you can catch a few seasoned modular synth-based acts in The Generator at Vrijplaats Middelstegracht in Leiden (NL). Check out the event on Facebook. Show starts at 20:30.

FRAKnoise the nymphslayer @ Noodlebar

On May 15th FRAKnoise, the self-confessed nymphslayer from Eindhoven (NL), did a Noodlebar set at Roodkapje. A tasty mix of synth drones, bleeps and a funky Fender Rhodes, but the theremin melodies really made the audience drool. Photo's by Hilde Speet.

Dutch modular design ~ Ginko Synthese

Last week's edition of the Noodlebar was a classic. Sierra Romeo (a.k.a. Terrace) did a stunning set, and he was closely followed by Gein, Falafel Biels and Colloid a.k.a. Jan Willem (photo), who is also the man behind eurorack modular start-up Ginko Synthese.

Modular showdown at the Noodlebar

In recent years, modular synths have become quite popular. If you want to meet the musicians, the gearsluts and the diy-synth builders who laid the foundation for this revival, check out the Noodlebar: a monthly electronic music event hosted by Roodkapje in Rotterdam.

MODULO

A short documentary about modular synths and Hugh Le Caine.

8-bit chiptune Eurorack modules

Here's a roundup of eurorack modules for chiptune sounds. SID GUTS by ALM is built for original Commodore 64 chips. The Analog Bytes POKEY.synth has the Atari POKEY chip on board. Other eurorack modules like the Atari Punk Console by Synthrotek, the Ataraxic Translatron by Noise Engineering and Edges by Mutable Instruments produce the lo-fi digital shift register sound using similar circuitry.