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muSonics has introduced Transistor Logic, a new module for MU format modular systems.

Transistor Logic has three sections:

• “Soft” pure transistor logic – The soft logic section offers three functions. The output voltages depend on the input voltages, so they can be used to process control voltages and even audio-rate waveforms. The OR and AND outputs operate roughly the way you would expect them to, but the XNOR output provides predictable XNOR functions with hard-edged 0-5V input. When given signals other than that, though, it outputs unpredictable and bipolar results, despite the module only being powered by the 5V rail.
• “Hard” OR/NOR functions – The hard OR section acts as a comparator and produces predictable OR and NOR functions. Like the soft logic section, this is done only with NPN transistors and resistors on the 5V rail.
• A CMOS flip-flop, with full input-output transistor conditioning.

When coupled with the normaling of the Q-Bar output (aka negative output) of the primary flip-flop to its data input, the flip flop can operate as a divide-by-two and divide-by-four clock divider. If you send audio rate signals into it, you can think of it as a two octave frequency divider from the Q÷2 output.

In addition, the clock input of the flip flop is normaled to the output of the hard OR, and the top input of the hard OR is normaled to the soft XNOR, so if you just patch a signal into one of the inputs of the soft logic section you’ll get a bunch of useful signals from most outputs of the module.

This module begins shipping in February 2025, priced at $225. Visit the muSonics site for full details.

Synthesist Marius Leicht shared this live performance of Windhauch, featuring the sound of a vintage Oberheim Eight Voice synthesizer:

What Leicht shared about Windhauch:

“I was invited to GForce Software’s incredible synthesizer studio in England and gratefully recorded a whole album with this synthesizer of my and many other’s dreams.

This piece was one of the first things I played with the beauty. A free improvisation inspired by being kissed by the sun while having a marvellous British Teatime.”

The music comes from Leicht’s new album, KLANG | Oberheim Eight Voice, which is a ‘one synth challenge’ style project. You can find more information about it at Leicht’s site.

This video captures a performance, by Colin Powell, for iPad, running Iconica Sketch, Fugue Machine and GeoShred:

What Powell shared about the performance:

“Following the release of Steinberg’s Iconic Sketch for iPad, and watching ?@TheSoundTestRoom’s video using Fugue Machine to control several instances of Iconica, I decided to do something similar, but added GeoShred, so I could play a melody over the top.”

Iconica Sketch is a new virtual orchestra instrument that can run on iOS devices. Fugue Machine is a sequencing app for iOS that works like a ‘piano roll’ style sequencer, but with four playback heads, with independent control over each playback head’s speed, direction, and pitch. GeoShred turns your iPad into a synthesizer that offers polyphonic expressive control.

Watch the video and share your thoughts on it in the comments!