In this video, via Signal Sounds, Music Thing Modular’s Tom Whitwell offers a full overview of his Workshop System – a compact, self-contained modular synthesizer in a portable case.
Whitwell is a writer, synth designer and one of leading developers of the Open Source Synthesis movement. He has created many influential designs, including the Turing Machine, Radio Music and Mikrophonie modules.
He recently introduced the Workshop System, a compact analog modular synth and a powerful audio computer. It comes in a foam-lined hard case to make a compact ‘lunchbox modular’, but can also be mounted in Eurorack modular systems.
More information is available at the Music Thing site.
In the video, synthesist and sound designer Julian “J3PO” Pollack talks about his new album, A Brief Odyssey, an ambient synth album created using one synth, the Sequential FOURM, stock plugins and the free Valhalla Supermassive.
Pollack says that the project started as an experiment in creative limitation. He notes that it can be easy to get overwhelmed with options:
“By removing almost every option from my studio and focusing on one instrument, I found myself working faster, trusting my instincts more, and spending less time chasing ideas and more time actually making music.”
Along the way, Pollack talks about he finds that limiting options can sometimes be helpful to in getting you into a ‘flow state’ for music making. He also discusses sound design, poly aftertouch and more.
You can preview A Brief Odyssey below. It’s available via Bandcamp.
The J3PO Sequential FOURM presets are available at Pollack’s site.
biyiblip shared this audio demo of the Blippoo Box Legacy – making the synth design available in Eurorack format for the first time.
Here’s what they have to say about it:
“Originally designed by Rob Hordijk, the Blippoo Box is a living instrument of interaction, instability, resonance and discovery.
The Blippoo Box Legacy Eurorack is not an imitation, not a replica and not a copy.
It is the continuation of Rob Hordijk’s official legacy through Biyiblip.
A musical language carried forward with respect, care and deep connection to its origin.
A circuit that reacts.
A sound that keeps changing.
A living form of musical chaos inside your modular system.
Each unit is handmade one by one in Mallorca by Biyiblip.
No mass production.
No generic module.
Just a living instrument with a soul.”
The Blippoo Box Legacy synthesizer is available in three versions:
1/4” Jack
Banana
Eurorack
Rob Hordijk (1958-2022) is best known to synthesists as the developer of the Blippoo Box, Benjolin & the Hordijk Modular System.
The Blippoo Box Legacy is a boutique synth, handmade in Mallorca by Biyiblip. It’s available in limited quantities via Noisebug, priced around $2,000 USD.
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