WORLD OF MUSIC ; PORTABLE KEYBOARD - Latest Portable Music Keyboards, Synthesizers and Music News

Pittsburgh Modular has introduced The Toad, a 12-stage analog phase shifter for Eurorack modular systems.

What they say about it:

“The Toad phase shifter is a creamy, 12 stage, all analog effect module, designed to expand on the classic swirls, rich swooshes, and Doppler effects associated with the phaser.

The Toad has a single 12 stage audio signal path to create a very rich, full sound. Dual phased audio outputs are tapped from stages 7 and 12 and can be used together for wide, flowing, stereo effect. Each output has a switch that allows the phased signal to be mixed with a positive or inverted dry signal resulting in even more sonic flavors to melt with. An attenuverting CV input and onboard triangle LFO allows for maximum flexibility for custom modulation options. Feedback can be positive or negative and The Toad is more than happy to self oscillate in either direction.”

The Toad is available now for $299. Production is limited to 200 modules.

The Sequential Circuits Pro-One may be one of the best-sounding classic monosynths, but they’re also old enough that the pots and switches will be scratchy, unless they’ve been cleaned or replaced.

The issue of what to do with scratchy pots and faders is a recurring topic of debate in synth forums, with some advocating for the quick fix of spraying a little Caig’s Deoxit D5 into the problematic part and others arguing that the only real solution is to take the component apart and give it a thorough cleaning.

In this video, Mindburner demonstrates how he disassembled the worst offenders on his Pro-One to get them working as expected.

The Alan R. Pearlman Foundation – a non-profit, dedicated to preserving the legacy of ARP’s founder – has launched an Indiegogo campaign to help fund a project to restore a vintage ARP 2500 modular system and make it available to the public.

The 2508 cabinet was assembled as a complete self-contained 2500 synthesizer, featuring original oscillator, filter, sequencer, envelope and mix-sequencer modules, all linked by the flexible 2500 patch matrix system. It also contains a new oscillator module designed and built for the Foundation by Phil Cirocco of CMS (Discrete Music Systems.)

The goal is to make it the first publicly-accessible ARP 2500 synthesizer in the USA, as part of the foundation’s ARPs For All Program.

What they say about it:

“Thanks to a generous donation by former ARP employee Bruce McLendon, the Foundation recently welcomed a 2508 Wing Cabinet into its collection of legendary ARP synthesizers.

A very small percentage of people have ever had an in-person ‘close encounter’ with a 2500, and through our ARPs For All program, we plan to change that.

The restoration process has been very laborious and time-consuming, and this is where we need your help! If we reach our goal with your donations, this will become the only ARP 2500 available for public use in the USA.

Filling a missing module, sourcing a keyboard, and adding a protective case will cost upwards of $6000.

We are asking for donations of any amount… BUT we have some GREAT perks for those who help us – including actual hands-on time with the wonderful and rare ARP 2500 in Boston!

All funds will go towards the Foundation’s 2500’s restoration effort and the ARPs for All project.”

Perks for backing the campaign include a reprint of a vintage ARP poster (below), studio time with the vintage ARP 2500 and more.

View the campaign website for details.