Category Archives: music & the arts

DIY 5-button Octatrack MIDI Controller

This is a DIY 5-button MIDI pedal box you can use to control the Octatrack in looper mode. It’s made with a Teensy-LC and readily available parts.

Introducing elettronica sperimentale

I’ve created a new home (and name) for my electronic music. If you check in at elettronicasperimentale.com you’ll find links to all of the electronic music that I have available online, all in one place. Plus you can read info about new releases and shows when it becomes available.

TTSH synth with patch cables

TTSH ring modulator as VCA

The ring modulator in the 2600/TTSH can be DC coupled, so you can use it as a VCA for control voltages with the switch in the DC position. You probably won’t be using the ring modulator in every patch, and that means you often have a spare VCA for other interesting and useful duties.

TTSH synth with patch cables

The TTHS Project: epilogue

After having immersed myself in manuals, online threads, vintage synth books, patchbooks, and music collections, I thought a good (and long overdue) wrap-up to the series here would be a random brain dump of what I learned.

Testing, cabinetry and mods

If you’re following me on Instagram you may have already seen some video evidence of my TTSH making noise. All components are in place, preliminary calibration has been done and we’re really pretty darned close to having a working TTSH on our hands.

TTSH mainboard ready for stuffing

Stuffing the TTSH mainboard

The mainboard of the TTSH seems pretty imposing when it’s empty, but if you go really, really slowly… it will seem like it takes forever. When it’s done, you’ll find yourself wondering how close you really are to being done.

TTSH 4012 filter detail

TTSH sub modules

The first step in the actual TTSH assembly is the submodules – oscillators, filter and power supply. Things are getting a bit exciting, with the risk of physical injury (to me) and the threat of a lawsuit (from Moog). You’ll also learn how the ladder filter got its name.

Transistor matching

This is the second in a series of articles on my TTSH Arp 2600 clone project, in which I demystify, for myself at least, the process and principles of transistor matching.

TTSH panels in box

The TTSH Project

I’m about to start building a clone of the ARP 2600, a semi-modular analogue synth from the 1970s. Here’s an introduction to the project for people who aren’t already completely mental for vintage analogue synths.

my current eurorack rig

Now on BandCamp!

At the urging of some friends I have launched a BandCamp page to showcase my modular compositions and make them available for purchase in both MP3 and lossless formats.