Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Signal Arts Tetra MAPS Sequencer -Polyphonic Modular Patch

Yes. It's true. Not only can you create insane sequences with the MAPS but you can also use it as a four-voice polyphonic MIDI to CV converter! It works! We've patched four separate Analogue Systems mono voices, osc, adsr, vca and the outputs are mixed together. The Tetra's four sets of CV/Gate are routed to the mono voices to control oscillator pitches and trigger the envelope generators. The Tetra is great at allocating the voices. Holy cow! Polyphonic modular. The possibilities! Just make sure you have plenty of patch cords ;) In this video we
're actually using the tabetop version of the MAPS but the Euro module does it too! Please excuse the boring patch and keyboard playing. Thanks for watching!

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

4ms Atoner Modules


Woohoo! More info soon...

Monday, September 28, 2009

Signal Art Tetra MAPS Sequencer in Eurorack Format


The MAPS sequencer, short for MIDI Analog Performance Sequencer, is now in Eurorack modular synth format! The Tetra MAPS is an incredibly versatile sequencer, capable of producing beautifully complex multi-channel sequences or your simple everyday sequences. The MAPS has four(!) MIDI-CV converters as well as up to 32 midi channel outputs. This short demo shows multiple sequences "chasing" each other. You can set the gate time per step, which can give you some wonderful rhythmic variation as well as some nice random melodies. By pushing the corresponding encoder, you start a particular sequence. You can start and retrigger all of the sequences multiple times too. Awesome!

We're sending our control voltages to three Analogue Systems voices, each patched a bit differently. All are using the rs95 oscillator with fine tuner. One has an rs100 Low Pass filter, one a Comb Filter, and all three mixed are running into the amazing Reverb/Chorus module.

Friday, September 25, 2009

Diabolical Devices Alesis HR-16 Modified Drum Machine


Here's Stephi playing with the a super-fun modified HR-16. There's a master pitch control knob (sample rate for drum samples). There's also an awesome looking and inspiring new patch grid system. These patches connect various bends including pitch modulation, sample rate modifiers and delay-like effects. The little patchers have different color LED's that light up differently depending where you patch it and what else is patched.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Noise Swash Module Available Now!


We just received the newest batch of 4ms Noise Swash modules!
Find them here.

Repost of video from first batch, multiple Noise Swashes!

Malekko / Wiard Noisering -As An Oscillator


We just got in these super cool new modules from Malekko! Designed by Grant Richter of Wiard and built by Malekko Heavy Industry, the Noisering rocks! Use it as a clock, noise source, oscillator, cv source and more. This is a really fun module with lots of potential and tons of features packed in.

Here were using the Noisering as an oscillator. It doesn't track one volt per octave exactly but that doesn't really matter for this type of patch. We're using the Analogue Systems rs200 sequencer to control the "Ext Rate" input. The first sound is output one of the Noisering running into the Borg Filter in low-pass gate mode, triggered by the Analogue Systems rs60 EG module. The second sound is output number 2, and yes they are very different sounding outputs! More coming soon!

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Make Room!


We just received a new Analogue Systems System 8500 with a double sequencer cabinet and and extra top cabinet yesterday. This beast is truly awe-inspiring to stand in front of.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Datarock does BigCityMusic!


Datarock came to visit us at Big City Music in June. Here is their video showing their visit. Thanks guys!

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Plan B Drummers

Plan B offers some alternative modules to your everyday "East Coast" style modules. In this patch we're using a multitude of different modules, including some Cwejman and Analogue Systems. The heart of this patch is the incredible sounding Model 13 Dual Timbral Gate. The M13 is in fact a low pass gate which is basically a cross between a low pass filter and a VCA. This is what gives us the beautiful, drum-like decay to the random pulses. The actual envelope is super short but the vactrols in the circuit ring longer. We're also using some random voltages in here. The Model 24 Heisenberg Generator is basically a sample and hold module, well, two of them really. The bottom section of the M24 allows you to move to the next random voltage when it receives a trigger or gate pulse. The Plan B Model 15 oscillator and the Cwejman VCO-6 are our sounds sources, each having it's frequency modulated at a high rate. This is what gives you the hand slapping sound that a typical hand drum would have. The Plan B Model 17 is also being used to great effect. The Triple Event Timer senses how hight the voltages coming in are. There are three pots to set the threshold, deciding when a pulse is allowed through. We're get more into that later.

Looking for some different sounds? Check out some Plan B stuff.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Signal Arts Tetra MAPS Sequencer in Eurorack


They're on their way and we can't wait!
"...a sequencer that is more robust, versatile, flexible, intuitive and user-friendly than any other comparable sequencer. Which other sequencer allows you infinite virtual tracks, modulations or multiple, REAL-TIME versions of one sequence? Which other step sequencer allows polyphony with only one sequence?"

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Dirty Boy Pedals -BCM Exclusive Rude Boy Fuzz


Here's the incredible Blues Saraceno demonstrating the newest Dirty Boy pedal, the Rude Boy. The Rude Boy is a butt-kicking fuzz based on the Univox / Unicord Super-Fuzz. The components are mostly rare new-old stock parts, making a great new version of this timeless fuzz pedal. The best thing is it's got some great features that a modern guitarist would want. The Rude Boy features two LED indicators, power supply input, and a dedicated footswitch for the Notch setting. The Rude Boy is available exclusively at bigcitymusic.com and the quantities are extremely limited. Once they're gone they're gone! Don't wait.

Friday, September 4, 2009

New Run of 4ms Noise Swash Modules


Blue=Noise Swash Modules
Red= The Atoner circuit in a module coming soon, (Awesome!)
Reserve one now.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Keith Emerson and his Moog Modular



What could be cooler than meeting the man who introduced me to the incredible sound of a Moog modular synthesizer? I was just a kid when I first heard Keith Emerson's Lucky Man solo on a pair of Klipschorn speakers. That huge, otherworldly synth sound changed the way I thought about keyboard players forever.

The monster Moog modular pictured below is Keith's and it is the same one he used back in the early days with ELP. It sounded amazing when he played it at the Waves of Inspiration / Legacy of Moog event in Carlsbad last weekend.