Introducing the MacBeth 3U size X-Series Modular Synthesizer! These are basically the same circuits as the 5U modules that I am working on... They retain the same bold sound of the 5U modules but come in a more compact size which is preferable to some users. The design philosophy is the the same throughout all my products- to provide the vintage analogue soundusing as many parts still available now from that golden age. From an engineering point of view, this is not neccesarily the cheapest way to manufacture these days- but sonically, I think that it is worth it. I am using thru-hole components- half watt carbon resistors, ceramic and mylar capacitors and where ever possible I'm using all transistor circuit equivalents to the opamp or opamp/transistor based circuits. So there is no surface mount parts used within these designs... ...they certainly give a fat sound like this: ...the bass end Currently- there are two modules in production. Both modules occupy a 42hp 3U rackspace - so they are large for 3U! Effectively, I see them almost as a hybrid between the 3U size (for compactness) and the 5U size (for ergonomics). I still feel that it is important to offer the user good finger room and decent sized controls to work with. Click on the links below to find out more... MacBeth 3U X-Series Dual Oscillator Module MacBeth 3U X-Series 'Backend' Filter Module As an ongoing project, I have further modules in the same format and style planned and coming up soon. Next in production will be some utility modules- notably a mixer module with some ancilliliaries- with all the waveforms that the Dual Oscillators are capable of outputing- a mixer is a must. This module will be a Dual 4 Input Mixer - I feel that it will be important to have CV attenuators and CV splitters too. I'm also playing with the idea of having two Ring Modulators going into a third Ring Modulator on this module... The Dual LFO/ Sample and Hold arrangement as used in the M5/N was great fun to use and I'd expect that one to become modular too. I also plan to produce a serious output stage- this will include mixing, panning, voltage controlled panning, dual spring reverberation for each channel with crossfading and active tone controls. To round off- look out for the sequencer in this series too...! Why X-Series? The X-Series modules are a direct offshoot from the X-Factor Analogue Synthesizer. The M3X was a popular synth- some said that its sound was top notch analogue. The X-Factor is being designed to have all the qualities of the M3X and more- including a built in keyboard. Along the way in the design process came the modules- they were the prototype circuits for the X-Factor. This has been good for me as time spent in development has produced some seriously superior gear!
'Involved in the X-Series Modules has been over a year and a half of research and development. Seeking that 'Fat' sound has been as usual, the priority. I have spent some time analysing ancient circuits, schematics, parts etc. and have really come to the conclusion that to synthesize the old sounds, you are going to ultimately use old part types. Luckily- these are still currently, freely available. I'm talking half watt 5% and 10% Carbon Resistors. I'm also to talking about basic ceramic plate capacitors, mylar and polypropelene capacitors. Tech heads will shake their heads and raise questions about the use of such out-moded parts. Surely these days- we have to use Surface Mount Devices (SMD) no? No. It's surprising- but some of the worlds' best loved analogue synths feature circuitry using what was cheap and available- with a few exceptions- the latterday synths feature what could now be considered poor quality parts. But none the less- these old instruments are the bench mark for todays' products.'
