Analog Gear News

[mosc]

Analog Gear News - Jan 2006

By Per Wikström

Analogue Solutions http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/%7Econcuss/ are now delivering their new sequenser, the Oberkorn mkii. I have used it for some days now, and it is a really nice experience. It has 3 x 16 CV steps and 5 x 16 gate steps. One of them can deliver gate signals that can go on for more than one step. By combining them with the trig out, different rhythm patterns are possible. It can also be obtained if a LFO with variable pulse is width is used as an extern clock source. It is possible to reset to step one or step 16 for correct timing with other gear.

Oberkorn mkii

But one thing that really makes it fun is the four inputs that give access to the mux controlling the steps of the sequencer Using them, it is possible to create new patterns, that don’t run from 1 to 16. The jacks can be fed from the gate of the sequencer, or a random pulse generator or any other source. I have not explored the possibilities yet, just played around with the cables, but it is easy to see many applications.

There are two things on the down side: The highest possible operating frequency is not so high, so the use of it as a graphic VCO is limited to the bass register. And it does not sound so good either.

The second is the mechanical hardware: The electronics is housed in Analogue Solutions generic stand alone case. The front plate is aluminium, but the rest is made out of plastic, and it doesn’t give the strongest impression. There are no rack ears, even not pre drilled holes for mounting such things. So, for mounting it in a rack, some additional hardware is needed.

S-1000 Wretch Machine

But besides that, I think it is a good piece of gear.

Metasonix http://metasonix.com/ has developed a new filter for their tube mono synth S-1000 Wretch Machine. It can work as low pass, band pass or a resonant bass only filter. It is possible to warp continuously between the different filter types manually.

The multimode filter is now available also as a single module, the TM-6, and the sound samples on their website sounds very promising.

I have just added their wave shaper TM-1 to my rig. It is not new, but I must say it is really a great sound shaping module. The sound samples that Metasonix present on their site is rather rude and harsh. But the TM-1 can also create a lot of nice fat and meaty bubbling, more or less as if it was a tube VCO itself, just fed by an external signal. And the ring modulator is not like any other; in low levels it gives sounds that are associated with audio dividers and chorus effects.

Cyndustries Sub Mux Deluxe

Cyndustries are now selling a new module under the name Sub Mux Deluxe. It is a four step audio divider with some extra features, like four ring modulators, and possibility to work in both audio and DC area. Cyndustries new ZeroOcillator is produced in various formats, but the Sub Mux Deluxe is only in their normal standard with banana jacks. More on http://www.cyndustries.com/modules_submuxdelux.cfm

[sergeaudenaert]

All these knobs - i like it, maybe I should go back to analog again...... think of it, the only analog tool I have is my mouth

serge