Synth Journal: Erica Synths KONSTRUKT-8 is a Modular Drum Machine you can Build Yourself!
Eurorack News from Erica Synths, Make Noise, ALM, and Shakmat
Synth Journal: Eurorack News from Erica Synths, Make Noise, ALM, and Shakmat · Source: Erica Synths, ALM, Make Noise
Superbooth is still a few weeks away, but this week’s Synth Journal is already packed with Eurorack news. Check out Erica Synths’ awesome KONSTRUKT-8 DIY drum machine and the latest from Make Noise, ALM, and Shakmat Modular!
Synth Journal
Erica Synths KONSTRUKT-8: Build Your Own Modular Drum Machine
Over the past couple of years, Erica Synths teamed up with the developer and DIY educator Moritz Klein to release a series of drum modules in the fantastic EDU DIY series, as well as a drum sequencer, mixer, compressor, and BBD delay. Now, you can get the whole system as a complete bundle! If you’ve always wanted to build your own analog drum machine (and one that sounds great to boot!), this set is a great place to start: all modules come with detailed instructions that not only tell you which components go where, but also teach you how each circuit works.
The KONSTRUKT-8 kit includes the following modules:
- Kick Drum (analog bass drum based on a resonant bridget-T network)
- Snare Drum (analog snare drum with a tuned resonator and a burst of filtered transistor noise)
- Hi-Hat (metallic percussion module based on six dissonant square wave oscillators)
- FM Drum (versatile percussion voice with two interacting oscillators)
- 4-channel Drum Sequencer based on shift registers
- 4-channel Mixer with FX sends and a master insert
- BBD Delay with flanger and delay modes
- Compressor
You can get the KONSTRUKT-8 DIY bundle in two versions. €480 plus tax gets you the set of DIY modules without a case. For €615 plus tax, they throw in a case and a set of patch cables.
- Product page
- Erica Synths mki x es.EDU DIY System: An entire DIY modular synth
- Erica Synths at Thomann*
- More from Erica Synths
Make Noise GTE: Analog Pulse Extractor for the N.U.S.S.
Up next is Make Noise with the latest addition to the New Universal Synthesizer System. And like the whole system, the Gestural Time Extractor (GTE) is all about deriving multiple signals (in this case, pulses) from a single input. If I’m making sense of the properly nerdy module description, that is.
You can use the GTE to extract rhythms, clocks, and pulse streams from any control voltage. For example, it can be paired with the PrssPnt module to generate pulses controlled by the movement of your finger. Make Noise says that it also pairs well with Maths, Polimaths, and Jumbler.
How pulses are extracted is controllable using the Span and Space knobs, and pulses can also be synchronized to an external clock. Moreover, the GTE also operates as a Channel Index Translator for Polimaths and other NUSS modules.
Make Noise GTE is now available from Thomann* for $183 /£165 / €189.
2 New Modules from ALM: FMco and Quaid Gigaslope
ALM has introduced two new Eurorack modules: a compact FM synth voice and a massive four-channel multi-mode modulator.
FMco (£239) is a 2-operator FM synth inspired by the Akemie modules. However, ALM says that it’s been tuned “for more immediate use and a more modern sound”. Judging by the demo video, FMco is capable of a wide range of digital sounds, ranging from leads to basses, percussive sounds, and even chords.
The FM Index and Ratio are CV-controllable, as is the operator waveform. In addition, FMco includes a decay envelope that affects both FM depth and the output level, so the module can function as a complete synth voice. CV-controlled four-voice chords are the icing on the cake.
The impressive Quaid Gigaslope (£699) builds on ALM’s earlier Megaslope module released back in 2018. It’s a four-channel multi-mode modulator with no less than 13 stages per slope, giving you complete freedom to run it as four multi-stage envelopes, quantized sequencers, complex LFOs, or any combination thereof.
Slopes can be triggered or run freely, and each stage’s level, duration, and curve are CV-controllable via the four assignable CV inputs. If you need more inputs, you can pair the module with one of ALM’s AXON-series CV expanders. The per-slope Quantizer offers a choice of 19 scales. In addition, Quaid Gigaslope provides assignable EOC (end of cycle) and EOS (end of stage) trigger outputs. If you’ve got 52 HP to spare, this looks like one of the most versatile modulation sources you can add to your system.
Shakmat Ballista Blast: Hard-Hitting Multi-Engine Synth Voice
A long time in the making, Shakmat Modular has announced that the Ballista Blast module first unveiled at Superbooth 24 is now ready to ship. Built for hard-hitting sounds, Ballista Blast is a hybrid synth voice that pairs three digital synth engines with an analog processing chain consisting of a multi-mode filter and VCA/LPG with distortion.
In addition to classic subtractive synthesis, Ballista Blast does wavetable synthesis (including the option to import user wavetables) and FM. The filter section offers a choice of four analog filter types. In addition, the module includes an assignable envelope and a gate-triggered randomizer that can act on any parameter with per-parameter depth. Exciting stuff!
If you need even more modulation, you can add up to two Ballista Blast Expanders. The 4 HP expansion module is a flexible, clock-syncable modulation source whose settings are stored with the main module’s presets.
Shakmat Ballista Blast will be available soon for €420. The Ballista Blast Expander is €130.
Shakmat Modules are available at Thomann*.
*This post about Erica Synths KONSTRUKT-8 and other Eurorack news contains affiliate links and/or widgets. When you buy a product via our affiliate partner, we receive a small commission that helps support what we do. Don’t worry, you pay the same price. Thanks for your support!
