Marsynth Updates for July 2013

via Damon of www.marsynth.com

"Greetings all! It has been quite a while once again since my last enewsletter... I've come to grips with the fact that life and marsynth have to be tended to in an unbalance nature with more focus needed on the prior. Nonetheless, I have been plugging away with things as I have found time and I finally have a few new and exciting things to share.

First up, I'm excited to report that the next generation of the morris box is ready to go: the MSMB2! The design saw a major revamp including a totally new (and original) vactrol filter (with a real vtl vactrol) and a new double-pulser lfo. The MSMB2 is also done in the form of the WSB series as a stand-alone PCB, so it will be available as both an assembled unit and as a kit. Some of you may have notice a few pictures and audio demos that I posted on the marsynth facebook page a week back: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Marsynth/271596576199986?bookmark_t=page Special thanks to Matrixsynth for posting the info too here: http://www.matrixsynth.com/2013/07/marsynth-in-windy-city.html I'm hoping to post a video of the unit soon. The info sheet for the unit will also be posted soon (along with prices and ordering info), but this brings up a nice segue to my next bit of news...

The marsynth website is getting an overhaul! I've been slowly putting together pages that are greatly simplified which I think result in a much cleaner layout. Part of my reasoning for this update is to reflect a change in focus on my product line. I will be focusing primarily on self contained, PCB based designs for the time being and will be moving away from the custom, one-off builds that I did in the past. The main reason for this shift is time; I simply don't have enough time anymore to do all of the hand wiring and enclosure preparation that is involved with custom builds for all products. I'm also constantly looking for ways to improve and "clean up" my designs both in terms of functionality and aesthetics, and I've found self-contained PCB route to meet these desires. PCB-based designs also allows me to offer any product as a kit which is very important to me as it is how I ended up doing all of this in the first place. With all of this said, I will still take on custom orders as I have time, but they will be at higher costs and will take longer.

And for one final bit of news, I will be attending the http://www.electro-music.com/ Kansas City regional gathering this weekend with a MSMB2 in tow (along with my modular rig and other goodies). A "marsynth jam" has become an annual tradition at this event to showcase just how much of a racket can be made when dozens of marsynth creations all try to talk over each other! Good times =) If you are in the KC area this weekend, come out and say hi! Info for the event can be found here: http://kevinkissinger.com/kcregionalem2013.shtml

All for now,

Damon
www.marsynth.com"

Marsynth Morris Box Demo 1

YouTube via marsynth | December 13, 2010

Update: video description added:
"Just finished a new batch of units last week!

This is just a simple demo of a morris box with no effects. This particular unit is in a slightly different configuration from other morris boxes, and its fun!

This unit, along with two others, will be on sale at Transistor in Chicago soon. Check out their website here: http://www.transistorchicago.com/

Also, be sure to check out marsynth on flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/marsynth

A proper marsynth website is now under construction and should be up soon!

As always, thanks for watching!"

Marsynth Morris Box Demo 2

marsynth | December 14, 2010 | 0 likes, 0 dislikes

"Here's a video of another morris box that was finished last week.

This time, I'm running the morris box through an empress super delay. I've always loved this combo, so I figured it was about time I shot some footage of them together.

This unit, along with two others, will be on sale at Transistor in Chicago soon. Check out their website here: http://www.transistorchicago.com/

Also, be sure to check out marsynth on flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/marsynth

A proper marsynth website is now under construction and should be up soon!

As always, thanks for watching!"

Marsynth Holiday Synth Unit 3

YouTube via marsynth

"Here's a few shots and sounds from the newest Marsynth Holiday Synth. The last marsynth demo was a totally dry mix (aside from some milk...), so I decided to throw in some reverb on this one for a change.

All sounds are from the Holiday Synth. Other equipment used: mixing board with dsp reverb and an led bike light.

Currently, Marsynth products are only being sold locally here in Lawrence KS, although I hope to have some up on ebay soon!

For more info, please check out the following:
Marsynth on flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/marsynth
Contact Marsynth: marsynth@gmail.com

Thanks for watching!"

Marsynth eNews 7-12-11

"Greetings all, its been a while since I've sent out a news update! Things have been very busy here the past couple of months for both Marsynth and for me personally. I'm in the process of moving the studio/workshop to a new, larger location that should really improve my workflow and allow for some expansion. I apologize to those individuals that are currently waiting on units; the move will take a few days out of my time for building. I will resume working on units once things are back in order. The rest of this newsletter will focus on the current status of the Nomad, a new product, some product updates,and some info on Marsynth demos and related performances coming up.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Marsynth e-newsletter 2011-03-13

"Greetings all, and welcome to another installment of the Marsynth e-newsletter. I have been keeping busy the past few weeks with several things, so I thought it was about time to provide a little update.

A majority of the things I will present here have already been posted on the website: www.marsynth.com so I will keep things short here, and leave you to check out the site for more info.

First and foremost, I've announced the newest Marsynth device, the Nomad (note there is a demo video on the site now for one of the beta units). This was designed with the guitarist in mind, and it can really take the guitar to new, unexplored territories. Lots of distortion, lots of self-oscillation, and lots of fun! As I mention on the site, beta units are testing now, and I plan on having production units ready in a few months. I will be providing updates on availability once I start getting close to having the first production batch done.

In other product development news, I updated the Candela design to accept external inputs (thanks to the suggestions from the local shop here!). I plan on having a demo video up soon so everyone can finally hear what the Candela is like; its quite a ride!

I've updated the format of the info sheets that I include with all units to a nicer looking and more descriptive layout. They are now available as downloadable pdf's on the individual product pages on the site.

Finally, I've created a Marsynth soundcloud page to start putting up audio demos of all current products: www.soundcloud.com/marsynth So far there are three tracks for the Heart Breaker, and one track I did with two Nomad prototypes chained together (really fun!).

Again, thanks for all the support, and stay tuned as there will be more updates to come soon!

Thanks,

Damon Mar
www.marsynth.com"

Marsynth Nomad Beta Demo 1

YouTube via Uploaded by marsynth on Mar 10, 2011

"This is the first demo of the new Marsynth Nomad: a high quality tremolo paired with a unique and complex feedback system.

In this video, I am simply running a guitar through the Nomad with not other effects. You can hear a bit of a hum in parts of the demo which is a result of me using a single coil pickup guitar (not an artifact of the Nomad!). The Nomad equally handles other inputs like vocals, synthesizers, and other sound sources, some of which I will include in another demo. Of course, the Nomad is just as fun with no input at all, wandering off into self-oscillating bliss.

Beta units are being tested now, and production units will be available within a few months.

Keep up to date on Nomad updates as well as other Marsynth news here: http://www.marsynth.com/

Thanks for watching!"

Update: new URL for Marsynth above.

Marsynth WSB-A Now Available

You might rember the Wasabi from this previous post.  It is now available.

via Marsynth

"The WSB-A is now officially available!

The first run is available only in assembled form due to a few issues with small through-hole pads on the boards. The next run will include both assembled and kit formats.

Current pricing for the board is $60 assembled and $40 for the kit plus shipping. Orders will be handled via email (marsynth at gmail dot come) for the time being.

The WSB-A product page went up a little while ago which now has the official info sheet and some audio demos: http://marsynth.com/products_mswsba.html

WSB-B is coming along nicely and will hopefully be available in time for the holidays.

Several other *big* things are in the works but likely won't be announced for some time.

As always, thanks for your interest and support!

Damon
www.marsynth.com"

"Work Shop Board A" aka "wasab-a"

Marsynth Morris Box Testing

YouTube via marsynth | September 14, 2010

"Just another quick video shot from my phone. This time I'm testing out a new unit: the Marsynth Morris Box. This synth is made of two oscillators, a filter, and an lfo with pwm, all housed in a cigar box. The synth is being run through a healthy dose of reverb, and then picked up by the shitty microphone in my phone (good enough for youtube I guess...).

Currently, all Marsynth products are still being sold locally here in Lawrence KS ( http://www.richardsmusicstore.com/ ), although I hope to be setting up a website soon . I try to keep up with posting pictures of every unit made here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/marsynth although I've been slacking recently.

Thanks for watching!"

Introducing Wasabi - The Marsynth Workshop Board

via Marsynth

"Announcing the Marsynth Workshop Board!

I've wanted to do a DIY-style product ever since I first started selling my instruments, and I'm proud to finally announce the marsynth workshop board (tentatively named the Wasabi, or WSB)!

[Pictured: Marsynth Workshop Board Prototype]

The workshop board contains four oscillators which are synchronized and ring modded in a fairly complex network which results in a great array of radio-tuner-like sounds. I'll be adding a product page soon with audio and video demos.

This unit has already seen great interest and the first two prototype runs sold out almost immediately after they were made available at a few of the live shows that I attended and played at this year. The first production batch should be available sometime in March."

Marsynth Video Candela 1_0

YouTube Uploaded by marsynth on Nov 19, 2011

"This is a rather blurry demo of the Marsynth Candela. I shot this a few months back, but never managed to get it online, but here it is; better late than never, right?!

This video just shows some sounds that the unit can produce on its own, as well as some while it plays with others. External sound sources include my stratocaster and my trusty pico paso by Bleep Labs.

More information on the Candela can be found here: http://marsynth.com/products_msc.html

Thanks for watching!
http://www.marsynth.com"

Marsynth prototype testing

YouTube via marsynth | November 08, 2010

"Finally some new stuff to share!

Running a recently completed Morris Box through a new prototype. This will be the first Marsynth device with an external input for running whatever you want through it: guitar, vocals, other Marsynth stuff... anything!

This video highlights the more chaotic capabilities of the device. Footage of smoother and more subtle capabilities coming soon.

As always, thanks for watching!"

Custom Marsynth Heart Breaker

YouTube Uploaded by marsynth on Mar 11, 2012

"This is a demo of a recently completed custom Heart Breaker. The unit was built into an aluminum panel that a customer will be fitting into a pre-chosen enclosure. In addition, the photocells that are normally mounted directly on the panel are embedded into the main board as vactrols which will be driven by a microcontroller. The addition of a new "chaos" switch (which was developed after I made a freak discovery while troubleshooting) rounds out this unit and takes it well into uncharted, chaotic, non-linear noise territory. More info on this unit can be found here: http://marsynth.com/products_custom.html

The unit was run straight into a mixer with no additional effects.

Thanks for watching!
http://marsynth.com/index.html"

Marsynth modular

YouTube via marsynth | August 16, 2010

"I recently got a new phone that shoots decent video, so I figured I'd try to post something while testing it out.

This is where the ideas for new marsynth products come from: my modular system. This system is entirely hand made by myself, and a majority of the module designs are originals as well. Most marsynth products are simply derived from various patches.

In this video, I'm testing out an adaptation of the classic buchla 292 low pass gate."

Marsynth Modular 12-31-12

Published on Jan 2, 2013 marsynth·13 videos

"Last patch of 2012 on my modular system. First video I've shot with the new phone... audio level is a little low but oh well!

I had been neglecting my system for the past month as I've been (slowly) working on revising my oscillators ( http://electro-music.com/forum/phpbb-files/052820121570_504.jpg ). I started tinkering with the self-oscillation on a lowpass filter and ended up with this patch.

The primary sound generation is from the self-oscillating vactrol filter being fed into a wave folder and then back into itself. The folded output is mixed with the original output of the filter via a cross fader to allow for a sort of wet/dry mix (which really just changes the nature of the feedback into the filter's audio input). The audio is then fed through a vca and then a highpass filter. There is modulation across the board (folder, filters, vca) via lfo's and a sequencer. Timing and direction of the sequencer is derived from a complex little network of binary counters and an analog switch module.

In the video I just start with the end patch and just turn different portions of it on and off to show whats happening (which may or may be very clear in the video anyways...). Lots of great buchla-esque percussion! =)

Thanks for watching, and here's to another great year of synth noodling!"

www.marsynth.com

Marsynth

Marsynth has been added to the manufacturers page. Remember to check it out now and then. These are the manufacturers that visit the site. If you are manufacturer and would like be on that page, send in a 250px x 100px banner and you will be added. Contact info is matrixsynth at gmail.com. Be sure to check out http://www.marsynth.com/ for what they have to offer!

Marsynth Morris Box Videos by Shane Morris

YouTube Published on Jul 5, 2012 by marimbahead

http://www.shanemorrismusic.com
http://www.marsynth.com

"Drone1 using Marsynth Morris Box / Line6 DL4/ Akai Headrush by Shane Morris 07/05/12

The Morris Box was built for me by Damon Mar after I requested a simple 2 oscillator box specifically for making drones. It is housed in a cigar box. The box can make sounds that range from an Indian Tampura to an Australian Didgeridoo, as well as lots of electronic and pulse oriented tones and rhythms."

Marsynth Modular 12-15-12

Published on Feb 24, 2013

"This is the second to last patch of 2012 on the modular (that I almost forgot about...). This was my first go at finally doing a video of the modular with a proper audio recording.

There are essentially two main 'parts' in this patch that are distinctly different in sound but share some interconnected modulation sources. It was fun playing with the balance of the two.

Some empress super delay and ehx catherdral were added to open it up a little.

Thanks for watching!

www.marsynth.com"

Marsynth in the Windy City!

via Damon Mar on The MATRIXSYNTH Lounge

Update: Demos below!

Marsynth MSMB2 Demos

Marsynth MSMB2 Preview Demo 1

"Demo of the upcoming MSMB2 board/kit from Marsynth."

via Damon Mar on The MATRIXSYNTH Lounge

"MSMB2 design is done; boards hopefully in a week!"

Marsynth modular buchla test 2

YouTube via marsynth | September 24, 2010

"Another video of the buchla LPG getting taken through its paces (still on the breadboard... I need to actually finish this thing sometime...).

This video also features some new(ish) modules for my system that I finished over the summer: my eight-step circle sequencer (providing the main melody/groove line), and my 4x4 grid sequencer (providing randomness to the poppy/clicky part) (there you go electro-music diy folks, better late than never right?).

Effects include delay via an empress super delay, reverb via my mixing board, and overall audio shittyness via my cell phone's mic.

Thanks again for watching!"