<object height="81" width="100%"> <param name="movie" value="http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F18406748"></param> <param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param> <embed allowscriptaccess="always" height="81" src="http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F18406748" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="100%"></embed> </object>  <span><a href="http://soundcloud.com/casperelectronics/hot-cement">Hot Pavement</a> by <a href="http://soundcloud.com/casperelectronics">casperelectronics</a></span> 

<object height="81" width="100%"> <param name="movie" value="http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F18529179"></param> <param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param> <embed allowscriptaccess="always" height="81" src="http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F18529179" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="100%"></embed> </object>  <span><a href="http://soundcloud.com/casperelectronics/beat-repeater">beat repeater</a> by <a href="http://soundcloud.com/casperelectronics">casperelectronics</a></span> 

This is a completely modular performance synthesizer. There's no midi or presets. All sounds and sequences are created on the fly by patching points together and building up complex musical systems. The synthesizer is similar to many modular synths of the past but incorporates a number of non standard modules like frequency controlled audio samplers and a voltage controlled light display. The basic layout is several analog oscillators and filters, 3 loop-able random sequence generators, a fleet of glitched out 80's era digital effects circuits, 3 <a href="http://www.electricdruid.net/index.php?page=projects.taplfo"> micro controller based tap tempo LFO/rhythm clocks</a> a whole bunch of mixers, a stereo compressor and a high power light synth. Some of it is custom designed circuitry, some is adapted from online schematics, some is circuit bent, some is off the shelf. 

<a href="http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/Benjolin/ModularPerformanceSynth/Rhizome2.jpg"><img src="http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/Benjolin/ModularPerformanceSynth/Rhizome2-300x225.jpg" alt="" title="Rhizome2" width="400" height="300" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-540" /></a>
<a href="http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/Benjolin/ModularPerformanceSynth/casperVSnonhorse.jpg"><img src="http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/Benjolin/ModularPerformanceSynth/casperVSnonhorse.jpg" alt="" title="casperVSnonhorse" width="400" height="570" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-610" /></a>
<a href="http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/Benjolin/ModularPerformanceSynth/fromAbove.jpg"><img src="http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/Benjolin/ModularPerformanceSynth/fromAbove-300x225.jpg" alt="" title="fromAbove" width="400" height="275" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-608" /></a>

<h2>Layout:</h2>
<hr>
Drum machine:
The drum machine uses a modified MegaPercussiveSynth module which you can read about <a href="http://www.birthofasynth.com/Thomas_Henry/Pages/MPS_project.html#Get_an_MPS_PCB_from_electro-music!">here</a>. You can buy the PCB <a href="http://electro-music.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/54/products_id/104">here</a>. The MPS is designed to generate a single drum tone made up of three voices. I made a small adjustment to the board to isolate the voices and allow for triggering of the individual voices. This makes up my whole drum sound bank. The sequencer section uses a bunch of CMOS chips and 2 obsolete rhythm sequence chips (LM8972). 
Here's a video of my first experiments with the LM8972 drum brain IC:
<iframe width="450" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/3jOW5beI5JA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<hr>
Modular Benjolin:
The core sound making element of this piece is three <a href="http://casperelectronics.com/finished-pieces/benjolin/modular-benjolin/">Modular Benjolins</a>.
early stages of prototyping:
<iframe width="450" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/uaFwLh4pHGw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Almost done:
<iframe width="450" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/29BifcJ0Q6A" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Its done!:
<iframe width="450" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/-WUEDNQ3Ip4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<hr>
<a href="http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/Benjolin/ModularPerformanceSynth/IMG_1451.jpg"><img src="http://casperelectronics.com/wp-content/uploads/Benjolin/ModularPerformanceSynth/IMG_1451-300x199.jpg" alt="" title="IMG_1451" width="400" height="275" /></a>


 I made this synth in an attempt to have a relatively portable unit that is a complete musical workstation. One of my main goals was to make something I could tour with and bring to europe. All of the power supplies are switching supplies which means they will work anywhere in the world. Ironically the piece ended being so awesome that it weighs 85 pounds which means it costs about $200 to check-in on most planes if they take it at all, which many airlines will not. I learned after finishing that many airlines set the limit at around 80 pounds. blarg. But at least I've got a great synth for an american tour! 