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If the patch cables on your modular synth or in your studio are getting out of control, you might want to drop Aldi and pick up some of their $3.99 color-coded Cable Ties and Cable Labels.

We happened upon these in Aldi’s Aisle Of Shame – the aisle in the center of the store where they have limited-time deals. The stuff is this aisle is priced so low that you find yourself walking out with a cast iron dutch oven and a dog sofa, when you just came for some groceries.

Both the ties and labels are made of ‘self-gripping fabric’, aka knockoff Velcro:

• The Cable Ties are 6 inches long and come in a variety of colors. They have an integrated loop, so you can attach the tie to power cords, so it’s always there when you need it.
• The Cable Labels, below, are about 2 inches long, folded, and are designed so that you can write on them.

The ties look like the ones that are carried at Guitar Center, but at about half the price.

Aldi’s Aisle Of Shame items change regularly, so we picked up several packages of both, while we there. If you miss the deal, though, you can get similar cable ties by the gross at Amazon for about $8.

Got a studio hack of your own to share? Let us know in the comments!

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German gear site Amazona.de reports that a new project, by developer Markus Malik, promises to bring back the powerful Oberheim Xpander synthesizer.

The Oberheim Xpander, originally introduced in 1984, is a sought-after analog synthesizer, known for its great sound and powerful digitally-controlled analog voice architecture. The synth features very flexible multimode filters and deep modulation capabilities.

The ACME XP60 is designed to be a replica of the Xpander. Synth replicas, like the modern Moog Model D and the Din Sync RE-303, are designed replicate the original boards and build of their vintage counterparts accurately enough that you can use the modern boards to repair the original synths.

It’s not clear yet if this will be the case for the ACME XP60, but Malik has previously offered modifications, replacement boards and repairs for the original Xpander.

Here are details on the project, translated from the German article:

“Like its role model, the XP60 is also a six-voice analog synthesizer. However, the design is smaller, because the device, which actually has a desktop format, also fits in a 19” rack.

Not only the structure of the sound generation was adopted, but also the operating concept with the three displays. One improvement, however, are the controls with LED rings, whose colors can be customized.

For the sound generation, modern counterparts (clone chips) of the CEM3374 (Dual VCO) and CEM3372 (VC Mix-VCF-VCA) circuits used at the time are used. As a reference, developer Markus Malik was able to build the voice cards for the prototype with original oscillator ICs. In blind tests with mixed operation, no differences could be found between the original and clone chips.

Initially, no new firmware was written, but the original OS was used during development. The firmware is very complex, as envelopes, LFOs and other modulation options are also implemented using software. Tom Oberheim‘s consent was requested for the use of the firmware.

If the original firmware is retained, this will also entail certain restrictions, as it does not include parameter control with MIDI CCs, for example, but only Sysex. The developer may not be able to avoid creating his own OS sooner or later.”

Details on pricing and availability are still to come at the Acme Synthworks site, but a small series of 50 units is planned, with the possibility of more, based on demand.

via Amazona.de, Matrixsynth

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German synthesizer brand PPG is making an official comeback, in the form of a collaboration between Cornel Hecht (Hell Modular) and the Liquid Sky Artist collective.

The first release in this revival is the W2.2×4 Eurorack module, a 3U dual wavetable oscillator, featuring all the original wavetables from the classic PPG Wave 2.2 from 1982. Each oscillator is equipped with a sub-bass generator, overdrive, and a built-in VCA, which they say deliver “the classic PPG sound in a modern modular format.”

They add that the PPG W2.2×4 can sound extremely true to the original, or introduce new sonic nuances through its VCA/overdrive section.

The PPG W2.2×4 module will be available in two editions, both priced at $737.00:

• Limited Edition: Black front panel, strictly limited to 127 units. Shipping begins this month.
• Standard Edition: Blue front panel, unlimited production. Shipping starts before Superbooth.

*Note: PPG is a trademark of the Native Instruments Group, and the new module is branded as PPG through a licensed agreement with them.

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