WEBSITE UPDATED Nov. 26, 2024
SYNTHESIS TECHNOLOGY IS BACK IN BUSINESS
It appears my retirement was short-lived. I have been nudged by Shawn at Analogue Haven to get back into Eurorack modules design and LIMITED production. 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 module is very low power and only 10HP wide. It adds a DISTORTION gain boost for emualting the old Rick Wakeman 'headphone out to external in' trick on the MiniMoog. Check out the product page with specs and demos.
I know what you're thinking: this is not some ground-breaking E520 Hyperion-class module. It's not, because I only had 100 days from the request to production. All unplanned. But I'm grateful for the opportunity to get back in the game. Also note that I am using up the last of my original BI pots, which have tripled in price the last 16 months. Therefore, this production run is a LIMITED RUN of 220 modules. Future modules are switching over to another BI pot.
For the near future, Analogue Haven is the sole distributor/retailer of modules. This may change in the future. I'm going slow, I have no desire to get back to the level of production as before. I'm pushing 70yrs old, and I haven't even finished Fallout 4 on Survival Mode yet.
The MSRP of the module is $249. I expect Analogue Haven will begin receiving modules by Sept. 21st. The module is available in silver or black MetalPhoto panels, with the same Tyco knobs I've used since 1997. Yes, there are cheaper 'Moog clones' out there, but they aren't from Synthesis Technology.
I'll be in the Quiet Room outside the main floor next weekend at KnobCon. Stop by for a demo for this and a preview of the next module (in breadboard stage), the E430 Morphing State-Variable Filter, based on the Oberheim SEM. Warts and all.
Repair and Warranty Information
Synthesis Technology has authorized Field Services in Phoenix, AZ USA to be our repair service.
IMPORTANT: REPAIRS ARE NO LONGER COVERED UNDER A WARRANTY. PLEASE CONTACT FIELD SERVICES FOR ANY REPAIR NEEDS.
Field Servies is run by Matthew Averill, who at one time assembled modules for us when we were located in Arizona (2011-2015). His company repairs 100s of MI gear each year.
Here is an introduction:
"I started my audio electronics career at a music store in Massachusetts before moving to Phoenix, 24 years ago. I started to do repairs full time here at Field Services (founded 1989 by Jim Field) in 1999 and took ownership of the shop in 2018."
"We're authorized service for major brands (Harman Professional, Yamaha, Yamaha Guitar Group, Roland, Korg, Fender, and QSC, to name a few)."
"As far as modular synthesis goes, this is where the hobby/career are married. I've been working on the never-ending project that is my own modular since 2001."
"We're proud to be supporting Synthesis Technology users going forward into the future."
CONTACT MATTHEW VIA THEIR WEBSITE: fieldservicesaudio.com
Open Source Release - E951 Circuit Bent VCO Expander
We have released the source files (in C, targeted to a specific ST ARM chip), front panel drawings, schematics, and Gerber files.
This documentation is released under the following conditions
- NO TECHNICAL SUPPORT. This is NOT a DIY kit.
- The point of the exercise is to have people figure it out, and then SHARE your efforts.
- The original display used was some random OLED off eBay. Let's just say it is not what I would use today. HINT
There is NO REASON to 100% clone the mechanicals of this module. I used what was available at the time. Port it to Arduino? Sure! FPGA? FINE! Better display? PLEASE, I BEG YOU.
Get the files from Eric's GitHub: github.com/emeb/SynthTech-E951
E520 Hyperion V1.3 final production firmware released
Version 1.3 is the final production firmware release for the E520 Hyperion Stereo Effects Processor.
This version replaces prior V1.2 (production) and V1.3 RC (public beta) releases. No addional releases are planned.
There are new algorithms (yes, including reverbs), many new features and enhancements to the existing algorithms, and overall UI improvements. Details in the PDF files.
It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that you back up the E520 onto a uSD card before loading V1.3
The User Guide PDF is updated, and has the functions of every CV/button for every algorithm.
Get your copy here: synthtech.com/beta/E520_V13.zip
E352 V1.6b PRODUCTION CODE released
This is strictly a manufacturing parts update, that allows multiple SPI FLASH IC vendors (where your user patches are stored) to be used.
Note that new production E352s are shipped with V1.6b, which is only needed for modules build after Sept. 2021. If you have V1.6 already, there is NO NEED to get V1.6b
Get your E352 V1.6b (only if you have V1.5 or older, or need to reflash your existing version): synthtech.com/beta/E352_V16b.zip
E370 Quad VCO Firmware V1.6b Released
Version 1.6b of the E370 firmware adds many UI improvements, enhancements, and a new 4-note Chord Mode. Plus Moses, our QA Manager.
If you have Version 1.6 or V1.6a, please update to V1.6b as there is a bug fix for loading/saving patches.
Download the update here: synthtech.com/beta/E370_V16b.zip
Download WaveEdit, our free, open-source wavetable editor!
WaveEdit runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux. Using a simple interface and custom graphics, WaveEdit aloows easy editing, creating, and formatting wavetables for use in the E352 and E370 VCO. External wave samples can me imported (from Serum or other .WAV files) and scaled to fit into the E352/E370 format. Visit the WaveEdit page here for details.
NEW TUTORIAL VIDEOS
We've started a series of design videos, highlighting the CAD tools we use use here at SynthTech. You can subscribe to the SynthTech tutorials channel for the full series.
There are just a few now, in the months ahead we will add more and place them all on a single web page for quick browsing.
Please contact us if you have any feedback.