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

At Knobcon 2024 – held in Chicagoland September 6-8, 2024 – Texas Euro maker Synthesis Technology announced that it is back in business and shipping their first new module.

Founder Paul Schreiber had announced in 2023 that, after 27 years, he was retiring from the modular synth business and shutting down Synthesis Technology.

We also talked to Schreiber at Knobcon, and he told us that Analogue Haven basically gave him an offer he couldn’t refuse. He plans to release a series of limited edition modules, with AH handling sales and distribution.

“I have been nudged by Shawn at Analogue Haven to get back into Eurorack modules design and limited production,” he explains. “Today, we are announcing the E490 Ladder VCF, a design I first did on the MOTM-490, then the Frac 1490, and now for Euro. This new implementation is based on new dual and quad matched transistors and WIMA polypropylene capacitors. Even though new, careful attention was given to matching all the quirks of the original Moog 904A.”

The Synthesis Technology E490 Ladder VCF is a 10hp, Moog 904a inspired 4-pole lowpass filter using modern transistors, but exactly matching the characteristics of the original. Using new, matched dual and quad transistors allows the E490 to have lower noise and better tracking than the 904a, without changing the ‘quirks’ in the sound.

Audio Demo:

Schreiber already has plans that go beyond E490. He told us that he’s working on the E430 Morphing State-Variable Filter, an evolution of his SEM-inspired filter for the MOTM platform.

He is also considering creating a new version of the Synth Tech E520 Hyperion Effects Processor that would essentially pack all of the original’s effects into a module that’s half the size and cost of the original.

The Synthesis Technology E490 Ladder VCF is available now, via Analogue Haven, for $249. Find out more info on the SynthTech website.

At Knobcon 2024, being held in the Chicago area Sept 6-8, developer Andrew Belt has announced VCV+, a new subscription option for VCV Rack users that gives you instant access to VCV Rack Pro and a massive library of premium modules.

VCV Rack is a free and open source modular synthesis platform that’s essentially a virtual Eurorack synth that can scale to any size. The base offering is a free download, and commercial modules are available to purchase from a wide variety of developers.

The new VCV+ option doesn’t replace existing purchase options, but it gives you an all-you-can-eat buffet of modular synthesis for $29/month or $19/month if billed annually. It lets also lets you try out a huge range of modules, risk-free, and creates a platform for simple patch sharing with other VCV+ subscribers.VCV+ includes:

• VCV Rack Pro: DAW plugin and standalone application.
• All VCV-branded modules: VCV Pluck, VCV Drums, VCV Pro, and more.
• Official virtual Eurorack modules: Synthesis Technology, ALM Busy Circuits, and more.
• Hundreds of premium third-party modules by participating developers.

VCV+ is available now for $29/month, or $19/month billed annually.

*Note: All products and modules remain available for individual sale of lifetime licenses. VCV also now offers a 7-day refund guarantee on purchases.

Knobcon – the original synth convention – returns to Chicagoland September 6-8, 2024 for its 12th incarnation.

Knobcon 12 will feature live performances, workshops, informative sessions, vendor booths and more. The event will be held at its usual location – just outside Chicago, Ill., at the Hyatt Regency Schaumburg.

Workshops and informative sessions include:

• The Basics of Synthesis with Marc Doty
• Novation Launchkey performance workshop with Novation product specialist Evan Weiss.
• Oscillator Sync – Jon Sonnenberg will explain the concepts of oscillator synchronization (hard sync, soft sync, phase sync, etc), along with 8 important sync uses for sound synthesis and sequencing.
• Tomita: Synthesis Techniques – On the 50th anniversary of Isao Tomita’s album “Snowflakes Are Dancing”, Nicholas D. Kent will look at how Tomita achieved a number of patches on his Modular Moog, as well as how those techniques can applied on more recent equipment.
• Improvised Live Performance Techniques – Eric Turner (Surco) will lead a demonstration and discussion on setting up and playing 100% improvised live performances.
• Analogue Audio? In my Ethernet? – In this talk, Michael Ashton (Ashton Research) will introduce AES72, a new standard for using Ethernet cable as four-channel analog snake.

In addition, there will be three DIY workshops, where you can learn to solder, or take your DIY skills to the next level. Workshops have varying levels of difficulty and you are guaranteed to leave with a working module with the helping guidance of the workshop hosts.

*Note: Some kits may be available for purchase on-site, however, you can secure your place in the workshop by pre-ordering your kit.

Knobcon Number Twelve is being held September 6 – 8. Admission to the three-day event is $75, and tickets are available now at the Knobcon website. View the event website for a full schedule of events and vendor list.