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Solid State Logic debuts its latest recreation from the SL 4000B console, the 4000 B Dynamics (B-DYN) 500 Series module.

Released in 1976, the 4000 B (pictured above) was the first console ever manufactured by Solid State Logic and was famously used in ‘The Stone Room’ at Virgin’s Townhouse Studio (London), Le Studio (Montreal) and Record Plant (LA). It was responsible for countless iconic records, including Phil Collins’ ‘In the Air Tonight’ and Peter Gabriel’s ‘Intruder,’ both of which feature “characterful” compression on drums and vocals. The B-DYN module allows users to add this same sort of heavily colored, grabby, saturated compression to their production toolkit.

The B-DYN featuring Compressor/Limiter and Gate/Expander sections and dedicated De-Ess mode, the B-DYN module is faithfully modelled on the original circuit design found in the SL 4000 B channel strip, and brings all the tone, punch, and warmth from the SL 4000 B consoles dynamics section to the 500 series format.

The dynamics Section in the SL 4000 B console channel strip was unlike any other SSL channel dynamics module that followed, using the fader VCA as its gain element, rather than a dedicated VCA. It had a design similar to the topology of the SSL Bus Compressor. This VCA ‘feedback’ design has been inherited by the B-DYN module, offering characterful and coloured compression, with its own unique sonic signature – very different from the later E and 9000 Series. These similarities are also evident from B-DYN’s ‘Auto’ release setting, which offers a program-dependent release time as found on the Bus Compressor.

Compressor/Limiter, Gate/Expander and De-Ess (DS). B-DYN’s dynamics processing is divided into two sections, Compressor/Limiter and Gate/Expander. The compressor offers fixed compression ratios 2:1, 4:1, and limiting ratio 10:1. Release times are also fixed at .2, .4, .8, 1.6, and programme dependant ‘Auto’. Setting B-DYN’s Compressor Ratio and Release controls to ‘DS’ the module optimised for reducing sibilance or, De-Essing. The De-Ess ratio is 10:1 with filtered S/C input signal, delivering broadband compression triggered by sibilance typically in vocal sources. The ‘DS’ release is automatically varied in response to the program signal between release rates of 30 & 50 ms – much faster than you would normally expect from an SSL Dynamics section. When the ‘Out’ ratio is selected, the compressor is bypassed. Compressor Ratio & Release in ‘DS’ mode work independently, allowing B-DYN to be used in unique and creative ways. For example, the fast ‘DS’ release can be used without using the ‘DS’ ratio, for aggressive compression effects.

B-DYN’s Gate/Expander section is activated when ‘In’ is selected, acting as a 20:1 Gate or as a 2:1 Expander when ‘Exp’ is selected. B-DYN’s Gate/Expander can be used independently of its Compressor/Limiter.

SSL B-DYN 500 Module Features:

• Authentic recreation of SL 4000 B consoles dynamics processing
• Design based on the SSL Bus Compressor
• Feature Compressor/Limiter & Gate/Expander
• Feedback design with Peak sensing for aggressive ‘grabby’ character
• Fixed compression ratios, 2:1, 4:1 & 10:1 with an additional ‘DS’ mode
• Fixed release times, DS, .2, .4, .8, 1.6 & renowned ‘Auto’
• Auto make-up gain
• Sidechain high pass filter
• Stereo Link mode
• New (vintage) SSL flavor for your productions

Find out details on the Solid State Logic website.

Solid State Logic SSL B-DYN 500 Series module is available now at Solid State Logic’s network of authorized dealers and is priced at £499.00, $699.00 and €599.00 (excluding VAT).

Space Brain Circuits’ DarkSky-4 synth might be as good as its name suggests – 4-voice analog synth sounds a lot bigger than it looks.

The DarkSky-4 is a new stereophonic desktop analog poly Synthesizer with four voices, dual filter, and more.

Small US-based developer Space Brain Circuits hasn’t been around for long, having so far distributed its 4-voice MidiVolts MIDI-CV controller and Poly Sequencer.

For the last few months, he has been working on his first synthesizer, and DarkSky-4 is the company’s first foray into hardware synthesis and it looks like it might be a very decent debut.

The DarkSky-4 is a desktop semi-modular synth with up to four voices of polyphony. You can choose the number of voices (1, 2 or 4) via three play modes, and play chords with a Poly mode or fat mono sounds with Unison.

Each voice has a saw and square waveform – the latter with pulse width – and the levels of these are adjustable with two mix dials. The signal then gets duplicated to be sent to two low pass filters, A and B, which can then be combined back into a mono signal or kept split as a stereo out.

As a stereo synth, you can get some beautiful and wide effects via the synth’s extensive modulation options.

Watch this video for some examples:

The modulation comes by way of an LFO with a square or sine wave and adjustable rate dial. This LFO can be applied to the pulse width, frequency modulation and filter parameters via dedicated level dials. Envelope modulation can also be applied to the filter and FM parameters.

A patchbay allows DarkSky-4 to be connected to external modular gear or enables more in-depth modulation. It includes 6 CV ins for pitch and cutoff, oscillator 3+4 sync in and LFO and envelope outs.

A nice boutique analog poly synth. While DarkSky-4 has a fairly basic layout and signal chain, the stereo flexibility certainly gives it a distinctive and fat sound.

Space Brain Circuits DarkSky-4 is available now around $699/ €666/£491 (plus tax and postage) on the official Etsy website.

Make Noise has introduced the 4 Zone CV Bus Case, a powerful Eurorack case offering two 104 hp 3U rows for Eurorack modules, one 104hp 1U row fitted w/ CV Bus, premium build quality and more.

The powder coated metal construction is designed to offer excellent mechanical durability. The lid is removable and can be closed with the system fully patched.

The Make Noise 4 Zone Power Bus Board is like having 4 independent bus boards, in a convenient single bus board package. Each Zone features isolated +12 VDC and -12VDC supplies and a dedicated ground return path. The +5VDC supply is shared amongst all 4 zones.

The multiple section of the CV Bus was originally designed in 2013 for Alessandro Cortini‘s personal Make Noise system. It provides visual indication of level, rate and polarity for up to 4 control signals that will be shared throughout a patch. These 4 control signals are color coded and distributed across the center of the system. The color coding and visual indication makes navigating complex patches easier and more intuitive. Typically, the CV Bus would be used to share the most important control signals in a patch such as your Master Clock.

This new version of the CV Bus also includes useful modular utilities:

• The Voltage Math is found at the left end of the CV Bus. Like the similar circuit on the 0-Coast, it is a small collection of universally useful modular utilities. The two inputs are summed at the output, one at unity and one adjusted by the input attenu-verter. The attenuverted input is also normalled to a DC offset, for purposes of level shifting, voltage mirroring etc. The output strength and polarity is indicated by the Green and Red output LEDs.
• A high quality Stereo Line Driver converts powerful modular synthesizer signal levels to the commonly used Line Level. There are mini-jack inputs for Left or Mono, and Right for Stereo sound, a single master volume control, as well as a stereo line output pair, and finally a TRS line/headphone out on a single jack. This output is capable of driving a long cable out to a PA System or a set of Headphones. It is AC coupled with a built-in limiting circuit (with visual indication) that prevents damage to ears and PA system when the patching gets experimental.

Features:

• Two 104 hp 3U rows for Eurorack modules, One 104hp 1U row fitted w/ CV Bus
• Hybrid switched/linear power solution for low noise and excellent load regulation
• Multi-Zone, allowing isolation of noise-prone modules from noise-sensitive ones
• Black powder coated metal w/ embossed logo on lid
• Sealed to keep dust out during travel or storage
• Lid offers space to close w/ your system patched
• Recessed side mounted on/off switch and power inlet for safe travel
• Locking power connector helps prevent on-stage power loss accidents
• Solid carrying handle and rubber feet so the case travels w/ ease
• Meets carry-on luggage size requirements for most airlines
• Universal AC power adapter works world-wide (Need IEC Cable for non-US outlets)
• Blued Steel Stand sold separately

The Make Noise 4 Zone CV Bus Case is available for $949.