Chimerasynthesis BC8 times three #1

YouTube via opsysbug
"Chimerasynthesis BC8 battery powered synth x 3 on some simple sequence.
These small synths are very powerful and very complicated. Amazing sound...sometimes reminds me of a VCS3. www.chimerasynthesis.com"

Chimerasynthesis BC8 times 3 #2

"Triple Chimerasynthesis BC8 tiny synths. Very small but very powerful and complicated. www.chimerasynthesis.com. Be prepared to wait if you order!"

Chimerasynthesis BC8 times three #3

"The wonderful Chimerasynthesis BC 8 synth times 3 triple threat. Very powerful and able to do quite complicated sounds and sequences. You'll never put it down.
Long waits are common. www.chimerasynthesis.com"

Update:
Chimerasynthesis BC8 times three # 4

"Triple Chimerasynthesis BC8 mini synth sequencer. Here you can hear some low end."

Chimera bc8 Patchable Synthesizer

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"bC8 contains a stereo headphone amplifier connected to a 24bit / 48KHz digital to analog converter (same unit as used in the bC16). A powerful DSP generates a VCO and LFO (similar to the bC16), also the DSP performs VCF and VCA functions as well controlling the patching of functions to each other and running a simple but powerful ‘ one button’ pattern sequencer. bC8 is controlled by eight rotary knobs and one push-button. Four LED’s indicate battery status, LFO and EG level and other mode elements. bC8 pattern sequencer records the timing/duration of the button presses and all the knob settings for each action, these can be altered live for acid loops etc…

Packed into the bC8's tiny round body is a hand-assembled gold plated circuit board, eight high-quality potentiometers, a stereo jack socket, push-button, no less than four LED's, battery holder (3xAAA cells) with a robust stainless steel base.

Sophisticated digitally based oscillators are housed on the DSP as well as an innovative recording system and internal control voltage patching. Choose between single-shot and repetitive envelope generator modes; use the separate ATTACK and RELEASE knobs to create long and soulful drones; select the recording system to record and playback complex patterns of control knob movement, speed up or slow down the pattern playback to add extra glide detail or confusion, override any of the controls during playback to adapt, complicate or simplify your composition.

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Chimera Synthesis BC8 SN 1X4B1A

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"For auction is a Chimera Synthesis bC8 synthesizer. It's very compact (about the diameter of a Coke can) yet it features a wealth of modules. Astonishingly flexible.

Unfortunately the one man company went belly up and ceased to exist quite some time ago. There are only very few of these synthesizers, rarely being offered for sale.

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musique concrete: chimera bC8 synth

musique concrete: chimera bC8 synth from todd barton on Vimeo.

"A very short musique concrete piece made entirely from sounds from the Chimera bC8 micro synth/sequencer.
Only a little virtual spring reverb added accompanied by a slideshow of photos of the bC8. enjoy!

For more on the Chimera bC8 go to:
chimerasynthesis.com/"

Chimera BC-8 Synthesizer with Sequencer SN 7H2S7K

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"This is a fully working unit. The knobs are original factory, though later knob style changed. Later units had colored knobs...

Manufacturer Description:
The bC8 is probably the smallest production synthesizer in the world and certainly the cutest.

Packed into the bC8's tiny round body is a hand-assembled gold plated circuit board, eight high-quality potentiometers, a stereo jack socket, push-button, no less than four LED's, battery holder (3xAAA cells) with a robust stainless steel base.

Sophisticated digitally based oscillators are housed on the DSP as well as an innovative recording system and internal control voltage patching. Choose between single-shot and repetitive envelope generator modes; use the separate ATTACK and RELEASE knobs to create long and soulful drones; select the recording system to record and playback complex patterns of control knob movement, speed up or slow down the pattern playback to add extra glide detail or confusion, override any of the controls during playback to adapt, complicate or simplify your composition.

The bC8's VCO goes from the subsonic to the upper end of human hearing, introduce subtle amounts of modulation from the LFO or envelope generator to create gentle vibratos or progressively wind in more than 700% modulation for almost impossible-to-predict and perhaps never-heard-before sounds. VCO is capable of 'thru-zero' modulation (frequencies run backwards).

To sum up: Eight LFO and four VCO morphing waveshapes, 128 different patchings, deep modulation options, wide ranging ATTACK/DECAY envelope generator and recording sequencer in a hand-built-by-one-man-in-a-tiny-factory-in-England - pocket sized - self powered - round package carefully machined from high-quality plastic.

The bC8 recorder records each knob position when the button is pressed and released, as well as the duration of the button press and the time between presses, when playing back each of the recorded positions is replayed with a smooth glide between values.

bC8 technical details:
70mm (2.75") diameter - coke can size
52mm (2") tall
8 knobs
4 LED's (2 green, 2 red)
128 patch types (VCO/LFO/VCA/EG patching, including inverted EG types, and chaining EG>LFO>VCO, etc...), Modulation depth control
0 to 700%+ thru. zero VCO
VCO frequency from ~20Hz to 8KHz+
FM (linear) & LOG modulation
LFO rate from ~30mHZ to ultrasonic (24+ octaves)
8 LFO waveshapes (incl. random/noise and staircases)
500+ event sequencer with variable speed playback, overide ability and control knob intelligent gliding.
Morphable VCO waveshapes
3 AAA cells (NiMh or Alkaline), Stereo headphone amplifier
Envelope Generator (Attack/Decay knobs) ranging from 1ms-20secs, Single shot, Repeat or Record/Playback modes."

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BC8 Chimerasynthesis SM7

YouTube via opsysbug
"BC8 synth thru SM7 Ibanez compression pedal. Mean noise from a little baby."

Chimera BC8 meets SquarewaveParade Pollen

"BC8 vs. Pollen woof"

bC8 Mini Chimera

"Development & production engineering of the bC8 sub-miniature synthesizer (with simple internal sequencer) has now been completed; full product launch will take place on-line this Friday 18th July 2008 at around 1800hrs (GMT) with the first production units leaving the UK factory on Wednesday 23rd July 2008.

The initial 'numbered' batch is limited to 100 pieces worldwide and orders will be on a first-come first-served basis.

The bC8 will sell for £75 ($150) + delivery.

bC8 specs here (.PDF)"

BC8 Chimerasynthesis

YouTube via opsysbug
"First few minutes with BC8 synth.
Its on auto-repeat doing its thing
so I just let her sing!"

BC8 Chimerasynthesis birdsong

watch your ears - high resonance on this one.
"Another from the BC8-this was good birdies and they all came up to the window to see what was going on... "

Chimera BC8 Synthesizer

via this auction
"The bC8 is probably the smallest production synthesizer in the world and certainly the cutest.

Packed into the bC8's tiny round body is a hand-assembled gold plated circuit board, eight high-quality potentiometers, a stereo jack socket, push-button, no less than four LED's, battery holder (3xAAA cells) with a robust stainless steel base.

Sophisticated digitally based oscillators are housed on the DSP as well as an innovative recording system and internal control voltage patching. Choose between single-shot and repetive envelope generator modes; use the seperate ATTACK and RELEASE knobs to create long and soulful drones; select the recording system to record and playback complex patterns of control knob movement, speed up or slow down the pattern playback to add > extra glide detail or confusion, override any of the controls during playback to adapt, complicate or simplifiy your composistion.

The bC8's VCO goes from the subsonic to the upper end of human hearing, introduce suble amounts of modulation from the LFO or envelope generator to create gentle vibratos or progressively wind in more than 700% modulation for almost impossible-to-predict and perhaps never-heard-before sounds. VCO is capable of 'thru-zero' modulation (frequencies run backwards).

To sum up: Eight LFO and four VCO morphing waveshapes, 128 different patchings, deep modulation options, wide ranging ATTACK/DECAY envelope generator and recording sequencer in a hand-built-by-one-man-in-a-tiny-factory-in-England - pocket sized - self powered - round package carefully machined from high-quality acrylic plastic (Perspex)."

Chimera Synthesis bc8 micro-synthesizer

via this auction
"The maker describes the bC8 as "probably the smallest production synthesizer in the world and certainly the cutest." That's probably about right. This thing is only 2.75 inches in diameter and 2 inches tall, but they packed in a hand-assembled gold-plated circuit board, eight potentiometers, a stereo mini-plug, a push-button control, four LED's, and a battery holder (it takes three AAAs).

The maker says: "Sophisticated digitally based oscillators are housed on the DSP as well as an innovative recording system and internal control voltage patching. Choose between single-shot and repetive envelope generator modes; use the separate ATTACK and RELEASE knobs to create long and soulful drones; select the recording system to record and play back complex patterns of control knob movement, speed up or slow down the pattern playback to add extra glide detail or confusion, override any of the controls during playback to adapt, complicate or simplifiy your composition."

More description is here.

This was one of the last batch of bc8s made, and Chimera Synthesis says they have no plans to make more. If you followed the saga, you'll know that it was almost impossible to get one even when they were being made. I waited about six months for this one, then realized I really need more definite pitch control (read: keys, and polyphony) for what I want to do.

You can hear the bc8 in action played by my friend Opsysbug on YouTube"
Here, here and here. Click on the Chimera link below for more.

chimera bC8 synth

chimera bC8 synth from todd barton on Vimeo.

"Sort of a graphic score of a little test drive of a Chimera bC8 micro synth."

Chimera BC-8 Synthesizer

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"Chimera BC-8 in excellent working condition, and excellent cosmetic condition. Comes with 3xAAA batteries installed.

'bC8 contains a stereo headphone amplifier connected to a 24bit / 48KHz digital to analog converter (same unit as used in the bC16). A powerful DSP generates a VCO and LFO (similar to the bC16), also the DSP performs VCF and VCA functions as well controlling the patching of functions to each other and running a simple but powerful ‘ one button’ pattern sequencer. bC8 is controlled by eight rotary knobs and one push-button. Four LED’s indicate battery status, LFO and EG level and other mode elements. bC8 pattern sequencer records the timing/duration of the button presses and all the knob settings for each action, these can be altered live for acid loops etc…'"

Chimera BC6, BC8, & BC9

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

BC9 SN 7K5Z4V via this auction

"By far the most capable of the Chimera digital synths, has CV/trigger control and some sequencing, plus a similarly extraordinary digital VCO as the BC8. A collector's piece at this point."

BC8 SN 2Y6G1M via this auction

"The brilliant little digital synthesizer with a quite remarkable sequencer. Shame the company folded - the owner was a brilliant designer but a bloody idiot. But that makes this quite a rarity"

BC6 SN 557100 via this auction

"A brilliant little digital synthesizer with a step sequencer. Shame the company folded - the owner was a brilliant designer, but a bloody idiot. But that makes this quite a rarity"

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Chimera BC8 Mk II Mini Synth Rare

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"Rare chance to buy a Chimera BC8. This is the Mark II version made in UK in 2011. "

Chimera bc8 via kuyanov

Sonomute-sonoscape.1 by kuyanov
"nano step micro digital electronic minimal live
live session performed with Chimera bc8 and ipod touch."

Sonomute-sonoscape.2 by kuyanov
"nano step micro digital electronic minimal live
recording of live performance."

via Timur in the comments of this post.

Chimera Synthesis bc8 micro-synthesizer

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"The maker describes the bC8 as "probably the smallest production synthesizer in the world and certainly the cutest." That's probably about right. This thing is only 2.75 inches in diameter and 2 inches tall, but they packed in a hand-assembled gold-plated circuit board, eight potentiometers, a stereo mini-plug, a push-button control, four LED's, and a battery holder (it takes three AAAs). The maker says: "Sophisticated digitally based oscillators are housed on the DSP as well as an innovative recording system and internal control voltage patching. Choose between single-shot and repetive envelope generator modes; use the separate ATTACK and RELEASE knobs to create long and soulful drones; select the recording system to record and play back complex patterns of control knob movement, speed up or slow down the pattern playback to add extra glide detail or confusion, override any of the controls during playback to adapt, complicate or simplifiy your composition." More description is here. This was one of the last batch of bc8s made, and Chimera Synthesis says they have no plans to make more. If you followed the saga, you'll know that it was almost impossible to get one even when they were being made. I waited about six months for this one, then realized I really need more definite pitch control (read: keys, and polyphony) for what I want to do."

CLICK FOR MORE »

VCOnet vs the Drone Racks: A Dirge for BC

YouTube via OculoRapido
"A doombient salute to BC, as we approach the first year of unfilled bc16 orders. Is that Buzzy the bc8 lying silent and dead under the marble skull before the Borg Disk? Tune in next time to find out what new disaster awaits our long-suffering, backlogged gear cult as the fabled bcX and XWIND eat all available time and components. Perpetrated on Blacet/Metalbox/Wiard/Cynthia modular synths, VCOnet proto, KAOSS Pad 3. Xacti HD1010 video. Produced by Doktor Bob at Rapid Eye Soundlabs. Copyright 2009 Robert B. Trelease, Ph.D."

En Attendant BC - bc16 Slightly Delayed Mix

" Analog and digital ambient dronefest ode to the theoretical existence of the bc16 synthesizer, though its realization has oft been deferred since 2008. Sonics perpetrated with Blacet/Metalbox/Wiard/Cynthia modules, KAOSS Pad 3, and Chimera Synthesis bc8 ("normal" noisy mode). Tsk Tsk, Visual effects by Borg Disk and Pyramid Prism light organ. Produced by Doktor Bob at Rapid Eye Soundlab. Copyright 2009 Robert B. Trelease, Ph.D. Dedicated to the Disembodied Hand school of knob-twiddling EM videos."

bC8 random knob twiddling

YouTube via thegroovecriminals | June 28, 2009

"Quick video of our Chimera bC8 and some random knob twiddling - fab little machine."

Chimera Synthesis bC8 SN *5U3E3Y*

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"RARE Chimera Synthesis bC8 synthesizer in good (at least) condition.

Fun, small toy synth with 1/8 inch headphone socket and/or very useful sound source!

The synth has little rubber feet which have migrated across the plastic from their original position (probably glue getting warm when the synth is operating). In fact I can see a famous musician who sold one had the same issue. You can see this in the photos. It doesn't affect operation in any way, of course.

Included is a small Allen key / hex key to open the battery compartment. Plus some batteries (AAA) that are still working well."

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BC8

flickr by Chris_Carter_

full size

"My new BC8 sub-miniature Synth/Sequencer. Bloody amazing for something so small ! More details at: www.chimerasynthesis.com"

Note: that would be this Chris Carter from Throbbing Gristle, Carter Tutti and Chris & Cosey.