<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 instrument does so many different things that I'm at a loss on what to call it so I'm going with the Super Synth. 
I give a more detailed run down below, but the basic layout is a bunch of analog oscillators, filters, drum voices and random sequence generators, a fleet of 80's era digital effects circuits and some super cool<a href="http://www.electricdruid.net/index.php?page=projects.taplfo"> micro controller based LFO/rhythm clocks</a> and a high power light synth. Some of it is custom designed circuitry, 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/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>
<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 Modular Benjolins
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>


 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! 