Month: January 2017

Namm 17 – qubit

qub 5 Qubi

Qu-Bit Electronics prepared four fresh products for the NAMM show. Tone is composed of four -24 dB multimode filters, each comes with low pass and band pass outputs. High resonance values make the circuits self-oscillate. By feeding a pitch CV signal to the control voltage inputs of the filters, they can be played tonally correct over a range of about four octaves.

The second new module, called Contour, features four AD envelopes with linear or logarithmic shaped curves. Two or more of the modulators can be chained together. Loop functions make it possible to use the circuits as LFOs with cycle times between five milliseconds and 20 seconds. CV inputs allow to modulate attack and decay lengths.

qub chance tone contour Qubi contourChance is a random module with smooth, discrete (stepped), wavetable and blend outputs. The ladder combine sine, saw and triangle waves to generate signals. Furthermore, there are connectors for tapping off clock, gate and rhythm signals as well as white and digital noise. By employing the Chance’s buttons, potentiometers and control voltage inputs, the user can quickly edit, sync and randomly vary the results of the module.

qub mixLast but not least, Qu-Bit showed the Mixology at NAMM, a four channel mixing module with send (post fader), pan, solo, mute and level controls plus stereo master section.

Namm – 17 delphtronics

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Delptronics presented some hot, new modules at the NAMM show. PitchMan is a small, yet powerful sequencer and arpeggiator. It features configurable jacks, knobs with variable range, editable sequence order and length as well as quantization and transposition options. Thanks to the PitchMan’s plain layout with lots of LEDs and no menus, creating melodies is easy as pie.

The second new module is called WheelMan. It is a dual sequential voltage processor with two 8-step outputs and a 16-step output. Utilizing the module’s knobs, signals can be amplified, attenuated and inverted. Input A is normalized to 5 V, input B is normalized to instance A. WheelMan can be chained (and slaved) to the PitchMan.

delphAlso a little spring module – a co-operation with elctrofaustus the Blackfly EF110m to create springsounds or use it as a voltage generator for levels or envelopes etc – very enjoyable.

Namm 17 – Synthrotek & Divison 6

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Synthrotek (Steve) & Division 6 (Scott) had a joint stand at the NAMM show.

Optical highlight was a case with integrated speakers and a screen made of an old piece of medical equipment. Unfortunately, it won’t go into batch production. But don’t be sad, there’s lots of other cool stuff that will become available in a few months.

 STK div sequenzer Stk div filterThe Division 6Dual Business Card Sequencer, for instance, combines two composition tools with up to 16 steps. It emits CV, gate and accent signals, clock and XP connectors make it possible to synchronize the two units with each other as well as other equipment.Filtare SEIII is a multimode filter with low pass, band pass and high pass outputs. Additionally, there is a notch output with variable low and high pass portions.

Stk robotstk pedalSynthrotek showed the Roboto, a sound manipulation tool based on old voice transformer chips. It is not only meant for vocals, but other audio material as well. The results range from metallic to extremely scruffy. Another new module is the Verb, an effects processor based on several PT2199 chips. It offers thick, atmospheric reverbs with a touch of digital vintage feeling. With the Space Drum Synthesizer, Model DS-C-II, Synthrotek is also preparing a new, standalone drone generator.

NAMM 17 .. OVER ..

975_1325so .. lets make europe even greater then, ..
or what was it all about?

NAMM 2017 is over now, there is still plenty of news to be released here so stay tuned, please.

We all will hopefully meet again on the upcoming SUPERBOOTH17 in april at FEZ-Berlin to see how great the USA became in between. I wish us all the best not just for this but first of all lets try even harder to keep some peace in the world here and there.

NAMM 17 – Doepfer

IMG_4757The inventor and most classical eurorack brand Doepfer now released their version of a mixing desk inside the system in a definitely modular form. Plenty of their modules are also available now as a so called vintage version in black so they are getting back to the classical shine of a (moog-style) modular taking it to the complex possibilities of nowadays modulars. The existing Doepfer products in silver aluminium are classical themselves in between, still built in a very high quality for mostly very affordable prices.

The earlier combination of A-138-O/A-138-P as a simple four- to sixteen-channel Mixer can very soon be expanded by the A-135-4-A/B/C to have the 4 to 16 channels added with CV-controlled AUX, PAN, LEVEL and MUTE parameters. The modular component 135-4C is a four channel envelope follower opening a new horizont of level control in eurorack systems. Apart from this, Doepfer was presenting the comeback of their high end VCO that had to be discontinued once their curtis chips was no longer available (as far as I know). Now the “new” A-111-2 is available in a wide and a very small version, see all details shown by Patrick Detampel in this Video:

Namm 17 – 4ms

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4ms  – presented two promising new modules at the NAMM show.

 

4ms new1The Stereo Triggered Sampler records audio material with a resolution of up to 32 Bit and 192 kHz. Data is stored on a Micro SD card, the file system with its banks and slots is colour coded. For playing back samples, the module offers two players with potentiometers for pitch, start position, length and playback direction. Using its CV inputs, lots of functions can be controlled via external circuits.

 

4ms2The second module is called Tapographic Delay, an echo effect with up to 32 taps. Thanks to its innovative, digital design featuring storage banks, sequence functions and so forth, this Eurorack component is capable of astonishing, more or less experimental results. We can’t wait to give it a test drive at Schneidersladen.

Namm 17 – Impressions 2

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Some more little impressions from the Namm boothes and welcoming our new colleque Herr Henning Schonvogel – no Herr isn’t a firstname .

Namm 17 – Intellijel

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Intellijel are here at Namm with Danjel and Kamil and they brought a whole bouquet of new products to the NAMM show.

Intel1Plonk is a duophonic percussion generator using Physical Modeling to create sound. It was developed in collaboration with Applied Acoustic Systems. The user can choose between several exciters and resonators. Further parameters allow detailed sound design, two of them can be assigned to the X and Y controls. Finalized programs can be saved in one of 128 preset slots. It is even possible to import and export them via USB. Plonk will be available in the second quarter of 2017.

 

intel4intel3Another promising release is the Tetrapad, a control unit with four force sensitive touch faders. Thanks to several modes, it is possible to use the operating elements as faders, drum or chord triggers and more. Furthermore, a new version of the Springray will be available soon. It comes equipped with a filter instead of an equalizer and an improved drive circuit. Tetrapad and the new Springray will hit the stores within the next weeks.

 

intel8But wait, there is more: The Shifty ! It is kind of an automatic switch, which transforms a monophonic sequence into a polyphonic one. Signals can be split in up to four voices with variable order.

 

 

intel6intel7The 1 HP department was expanded with new circuits like a digital reverb and a headphone amp. Details regarding pricing and availability are yet to come.

Namm 17 – Radikal Technologies

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Jörg Schaaf aka Mr. Radikal Technologies came to the NAMM show with his brand-new RT-1701 Effexx Multi-FX Proc. It is composed of a gain stage with saturation, an equalizer / filter section and two DSP effects. The ladder feature reverb, delay, chorus, phaser, flanger, tremolo, vibrato and filter algorithms. The module’s storage system can hold eight effect combinations per program. They can be blended manually, via the internal LFO or control voltages. The result: Extraordinarily smooth transitions between effects and settings. Sound-wise, the RT-1701 shines with high-resolution and a wide stereo image.

Namm 17 – WMD

wmd standwmda1wmd4WMD shows five new modules and a geiger counter pro pedal at NAMM 2017:

Arpitecht is a well equipped quantizer and arpeggiator, which allows the user to quickly select and edit scales, add slides, configure rhythms and a good deal more. Up to seven octaves (-1 to +5) can be employed to create intoxicating melodies. Thanks to a multitude of CV inputs it is possible to create continuously varying results in no time. For playing chords, WMD invented the Triad. This module generates three note values out of one incoming pitch signal. Users can not only choose the triad used, but also the inversion. Modulations of both parameters are possible as well.

The Overseer is a stereo VCF based on the designs of DJ filters. Compared to the circuits of well-known mixer manufacturers, WMD’s module sounds a lot more beefy while retaining the basic character. On top of that, the functional range was broadened to make the Overseer a flexible tool for sound design. Another stereo tool from WMD is the MSCL, a punchy compressor / limiter with editable ratio, threshold, attack, release and gain parameters as well as a side chain input.

Last but not least, WMD built a dual LFO module called Modbox with phase and skew options plus noise as well as sample & hold outputs.

wmd pedalThe new Geiger Counter Pro Pedal has now over 700 wavetables to bitcrush you into the elysium – this time with 12 instead of 8 bit -now you can morph now between the wavetables  and it comes with wet / dry poti / Midi  / 2x expression pedial inputs /Noise Gate / Lowpassfilter & 16 User presets.

It should be available around  april and cost ca 449$.

Namm 17 – kenton electronics

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Kenton1kenton2The smart gentleman from wimbleton, well known for his early midi inventions, John Price alias Kenton Electronics brought two new Boxes on his Namm stand:

The  Merge 8 is a bigger midi merger to combine 8 diffrent midi sources into one output. the Merge 8 will extend the merge family being the big brother of the merge 4.

Pro CV to Midi – is a high Resoultion advanced CV to Midi converter – with lots of additional functions and the typical easy to use Parameter editing.

Both Units should be out this Spring and will be shown at superbooth 2017 as well.

Namm 17 – 1010 Music

1010m4herr1010m2Aaron Higgins from 1010 Music showed up with two new module prototypes at Namm and also announced that there will be a new update for their BITBOX sampler coming soon – which comes up with a very usefull splicing function.

The first Module  will be the FXBOX 1010m1like the name says it contains up to 16 Effects , like reverb / chorus / distortion andandand  – which can be modulated  and sequenced with a stepseguencer up to 32 steps long , and really nice …. the fx can be played simultansimultaneiously. The Module should come out in march 2017 and the price will be probaply around 600$.

1010m32nd Module will be the SYNTHBOX – a digitale polyphone Synthesizer – which will have on boards effects like Chorus / Reverb & Delay and of course modulation possibilties. The synthbox should come out in sommer – price wise it should be like the bitbox.

Namm 17 – Vermona

Vermona 1_ProThomas Haller from Vermona presents a multitude of new modules at the NAMM show. First of all, there is the Twin CV Filter, a combination of two multimode circuits with switches for high pass, band pass and low pass operation. They can be used in serial, parallel or individually. Other features include adjustable gain sections with overdrive capabilities, CV inputs with attenuators and more.

Additionally, Vermona developed an expander, which adds separate outputs for all filter characteristics plus a normally not usable notch mode to the Twin CV Filter. Furthermore, the extension module contains polarizers.

AVermona 2nother new release is the Unicycle oscillator. It features three fixed waveforms (sine, triangle, saw) plus three alterable waves (pulse, odd / even, mutable sawtooth.) Besides tuning capabilities the VCO offers features like hard and soft sync or linear and exponential inputs.

Random vermWith the Random Rhythm, Vermona also designed a module that generates gate signals by chance. – Well, not exactly, as it is possible to adjust the probability with which its four channels (1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/3) emit voltages. Offbeat and dice functions allow further variations. Using its clock input, the Random Rhythm can be synchronized to external equipment.

Vermona 1Vermonas fourth module is the Quadropol, a four channel polarizer with CV inputs and mixing functions. All mentioned products will become available this year at Schneidersladen. As if that weren’t enough, the lads from Vermona also showed concepts of some other modules, in detail a transposer and a CV controllable mixer with step mode. The ladder makes it possible to switch between channels using a clock signal.

 

NAMM 17 – AJH Synths

AJH 2AJH 1AJH 3Allan J. Hall added some new modules to his well received MiniMod product line. The Dual LFO + VCA is composed of two low frequency oscillators with two outputs each. In detail, one of those connectors emits a triangle waveform, which can be morphed into saw or ramp waves. The other jack sends out pulse signals with variable width. Both LFOs are equipped with rate potentiometers. Additionally, the first one has a slow switch to adjust the control range. Furthermore, it can be synchronized to external modules using a clock signal. The second LFO is normalized to the CV controllable VCA, meaning it is possible to influence the modulation strength with components like the modulation wheel of a keyboard. Of course, the amplifier can be used standalone as well.

AJHs second new module is the DH-ADSR Envelope, a modulator featuring a design similar to the EMS Trapezoid Generator. It offers delay, attack, decay, sustain value plus hold time and release parameters. Therefore, by combining it with a normal ADSR envelope, users are able to create complex modulation curves. A retrigger switch makes the circuit oscillate. The range of the time values can be altered. There are normal and inverted outputs.

The third module in the bunch of fresh products is called CV Mix – Offset – VCA. As the name states already, this circuit is specialized in mixing up to four control voltages. Its level potentiometers are bipolar. If no cable is plugged in, the first three inputs are normalized to fixed voltages. Their values vary from channel to channel. The fourth input comes equipped with an offset generator. Furthermore, there is a CV controllable VCA built-in.

Namm 17 – Tom Oberheim

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Tom Oberheim showed an Eurorack version of his iconic synthesizer SEM at the NAMM show. The SEM-X is composed of two modules. One contains the synthesis circuits and control elements, the other provides the user with plenty of patch points. This dual-style layout eases the housing in already crowded modular systems. Both components are connected via a cable on the back. In terms of sound, the “X” is a full blown SEM. – And more! By comparison to the patch panel desktop version, VCOs and modulation capabilities of the SEM-X were updated. First of all, the oscillators not only feature saw and pulse waves, but a triangle as well. Additionally, there is a noise generator. The LFO offers four waves (sine, saw, square, sample and hold), the envelopes have ADSR parameters. On top of that, there is an XMod section, allowing the first VCO to influence the pitch and pulse width of the second oscillator as well as the filter.
In other news, Tom Oberheim also announced two effect modules,

Oberheim 3 the PS-1A Phase Shifter and the RM-1B Ring Modulator. Both are based on vintage circuit designs, but offer more parameters and connectors. Tom told us, that the idea to create this modules formed after talking to a music composer, who was working successfully in the movie industry for many years. After retiring, the man got a big Eurorack system for his home, but wasn’t happy with the quality of phase shifter and ring modulator modules available. This is why he still uses the old, extremely smooth sounding effect boxes the new releases are based on.
According to Tom Oberheim, SEM-X, PS-1A and RM-1B will be available this summer! – We’ll make sure you can preorder them at Schneidersladen a.s.a.p!

Namm 17 – Make Noise

mn3mn2mn5While Sebastian Baumann saying hello to Tony Rolando from  Make Noise, Walker introduced their new module – the  Morphagene.

mn4The Morphagene is a Stereo Sampler  to process in & outside your modular but also manipultes and mangles the sounds like a freaky Tapemachine – its made again by the well known Tom Erbe from Soundhack.

It features a SD card slot and Stereo I/O and operates with Reels /Splices & Genes – while a Reel can have 87 seconds of sound it can store up to 99 Splices which can be  87 seconds long too. Genes uses microseconds to do a granular processing – a real powerhorse. Estimated delivery will be in March and the price should be 529$ !

Namm 17 – Endorphines

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Moritz Scharf from our friends Endophines – presents their new superslick Modular Desktop endshSynth the powerful Shuttle Complete System

..which includes the new Cockpit / new Grand terminal / Gateway / Furtherrr Generator & Shuttle Control and of course a really beautiful powered slim Case / Ttrs connector & and a bag for it.
It should come within the next weeks – and will be around 2300 € – and there will be optional smaller faceplates available for the future.
Of course their two new modules will be available alone as well.

endorphines_cockpit_faceplate_frontThe Cockpit is a 6 HP / 4 stereo channels performance mixer – the missing link to the full 84 HP full shuttle system wich can be connected to ipad / drum machines etc. It has although 2 send /returns to use an iOS device as an FX processor & an on board sidechainable compressor – not to forget a stereo out. – It should be available end of the month.

gt_frontThe Grand terminal is already available and is a digital multipurpose module for ambitious sound designers. It contains two function generators, which can be used as envelopes, LFOs or VCOs, two filter channels with eight modes of operation, mixing and routing options as well as a multi effects unit.

If you re at Namm visit them at hall B booth #4911.

NAMM2017 started today

IMG_4738.. and there are plenty of modular manufacturers getting together again. Elektron released an update on their drummachine in a new casing, Pittsburgh shows his passion for slotmachines and Harvestman is offering a huge synth together with Malekko? This is just the little impression that I got from yesterdays look down thru the links on twitter. The biggest news today will be the funny new president (sorry, not funny) but still there will be other news n stuff to be shown over here in pictures and links… btw we learned to make pictures available in big again, so please feel free to just clic on the small ones..
lets make truth big again?
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IMG_0468Running around on NAMM there are Carlo Krug, Sebastian Baumann and Henning Schonvogel for SchneidersLaden with the job to buy. For the Alex4 distribution company there are Rene Margraff and Jan Mueller with the job to sell, there are plenty of manufacturers themselves around them with the passion to play and finally there is Patrick Detampel with the passion to explain.
So if you have questions regarding the upcoming SUPERBOOTH17 end of april probably Patrick could help you best.

Please have a good time all together, be a peaceful and constructive community to get together again very soon here in berlin, europe for a warm welcome of our spring. I am very much looking forward to welcome YOU on board making the wonderful ride on the river again. And there is plenty of other reasons to participate again.
With warmest regards, HerrSchneider, Berlin

getting started namm 2017

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First little impressions from Sunny California –

NAMM 2017 will start on Thursday – and we are here say hello – checking out  the latest gear  & meeting old and new friends over the big teich –

And big thx upfront to Vermona/ Hdb for their nice nos caps from 1987 – and like thomas from vermona said: from a country which doesn’t exist anymore – GDR at Namm – Die Zonengurke strikes back.

DOEPFER FAEHRT AB

Anzeige_Vintage_LokomotiveNot just their best VCOs ever but also a complete Mixer system with smart black frontplates and nicer knobs are now available by our most classic european eurorack brand DOEPFER. All their lastest news and products can be seen and tested on the NAMM show in Anaheim (CA) now, visit booth #4911 (Alex4).

Nightlife at NAMM?

LA_modularmekka_2017With the upcoming NAMM show this week theres not just makers and inventors of modulars and other synthesis products meeting each other in the LA area, plenty of mostly american artists and musicians will be around. Some of the most experimental users of modern modulars – Alessandro Cortini, Richard Devine and Surachai – are doing an evening on Sunday together with seemingly well choosen visual artists to make this trade show probably an outstanding get together of the scenery.

.. if I understood everything right,  it will be a commercial event on sunday night in Lot 613, LA downtown. Please find further informations here.

 

ALEX4 has Moved

ALEX4You mostly dont have to take care about this, but the doepfer and others-general distributor ALEX4 moved to a new adress in the north of berlin where they have a bigger stock room and a nicer office to let our musical instrument shops over europe get the stuff they need from. But even there .. you can not find them next week because they will all be on NAMM showing the modular world to those freaks in the Los Angeles area who are not moving to washington to celebrate their new president at the same time. So if you are one of those living in the US and meet us in Anaheim near Disneyland to check for the latest news of AJH Synth, Audio Damage, Birdkids, Doepfer, E-RM, Endorphines, Frap Tools, Haken, Kenton, Sherman, Verbos, Vermona and others .. see you.

Us Prices slightly adjusted

street-bull-0Due to a booming US Stock Market  – and a stronger Dollar $ over the last two months we had to slightly adjust the prices for  US Manufacturer

We hope thats understandble and still fair for all.

your Schneidersladen Crew

 

ABOUT STROMKULT


STROMKULT is our platform for updates and news on SCHNEIDERSLADEN and SUPERBOOTH, selected electronic musical instruments and events related to modular synthesizers, sequencers, competent drum machines, analog modular systems, midi tools, controllers, converters and related products of all kinds. You can find all kinds of events related to these topic in our EVENT CALENDAR. Also on this site you will find lots of videos from SUPERBOOTH – the world’s largest trade fair for electronic musical instruments, news about events and workshops at SCHNEIDERSLADEN.

Herr Schneider started in 1999 with SCHNEIDERSBUERO as a sales and marketing platform for the smallest manufacturers and inventors of electronic musical instruments. Products were shown online, in our showrooms and at the original SUPERBOOTH – workshops and countless reviews have been featured in magazines all over Europe.

These very special instruments and tools are now often available from specialist dealers all over Europe and can be purchased directly from our webshop SCHNEIDERSLADEN worldwide.