Developer Geert Bevin (Director of Software Development at Moog Music, and creator of the original MPE specification) has released a collection of open-source designs for 3D-printed patch sheet overlays for the visually impaired.
The patch sheets work the same as the original printed patch sheets, below, but replace the printed indicators with tactile markings, as shown above:
“While going through the patch sheet transcription, I kept thinking that there had to be better ways to convey patch information without relying solely on vision,” he notes. Being a 3D printer enthusiast, Bevin went on to create tactile designs and test them with Tim Burgess of Raised Bar, a project to improve the accessibility of musical equipment and resources for visually-impaired musicians.
“Hopefully this is an inspiring starting point for other people and can spark further research and innovation in this domain. Everything in this work is open-sourced under the New BSD license.”
Bevin’s project includes a vocabulary of design elements for translating patch sheets into tactile versions, and a collection of the factory DFAM and Mavis patch sheets, ready to 3D print.
In the video, Julien “Stazma” Guillot demonstrates recreating a vintage monosynth, the Roland SH-5, using Eurorack modules and the Cre8audio NiftyKEYZ keyboard rack.
Guillot calls the project ‘a bit of fun’, but shows how you can use the NiftyKEYZ to recreate classic analog synth designs – or to create whatever custom design you can imagine…..
Topics covered:
00:00 Intro
01:36 The audio patch
02:42 Basic control
04:17 Lfos and Sample & Hold
05:19 Sync & noodling
08:35 A bit more on Sample & Hold
11:09 Using noise & more noodling
12:48 No Ringmod so let’s use “Amplitude Modulation” instead
X Audio Systems has introduced VCRadio, a voltage-controlled FM/AM/SW stereo radio receiver for Eurorack modular synthesizers.
The unit generates a continuous stream of audio content, noises, squelches and broadcasts, depending on where you are located in the world. The unit will easily pick-up any station or noises lurking at any frequency within the selected range.
You can modulate the CV input to create beats/patterns of mixed radio signals and noises.
Features:
1 radio receiver (FM – AM – 6 bands of Short Wave)
2 LEDs for indicating if the radio signal is strong (STATION) or stereo (STEREO)
1 CV Input (with gain) to modulate the TUNER knob with an external signal (-5V – +5V)
3 audio line outputs (LEFT, RIGHT, SUM)
2 antennas (telescopic for FM/SW and ferrite loop for AM)
Eurorack module 8HP
Radio Bands:
FM Radio (88 – 108 MHz)
AM Radio (520 – 1710 kHz)
SW Band 1 (2,3 – 2,5 MHz)
SW Band 2 (3,9 – 4,0 MHz)
SW Band 3 (5,6 – 6,4 MHz)
SW Band 4 (6,8 – 7,6 MHz)
SW Band 5 (9,2 – 10,0 MHz)
SW Band 6 (11,6 – 12,2 MHz)
The VCRadio is available to pre-order for € 149.00, with shipping planned for November 2023.
