Adding test equipment to a synthesizer setup

In which I do the thing I had forbidden myself both for technical and artistic reasons: using test equipment to control synths and let synths process test equipment. With the oftentimes wildly varying out levels of measurement instruments this is risky, but if you know what you are doing, it is a fun way to add just a touch of scientific-industrial sound to your setup. In this example, I am using among others the HP8006A to control rhythms on the Metasonix D1000 and the ‪@EricaSynths‬ SYNTRX, as well as processing vintage lock-in amplifiers through the SYNTRX.
GET MOTOR at intro offer for 9 $/EUR: www.audiothing.net/effects/th...
MY MUSIC: hainbach.bandcamp.com
SUPPORT THE CHANNEL: / hainbach
FASHION: teespring.com/de/stores/hainbach
CONNECT: / hainbach
BUY THE GEAR I USE (EU):
redir.love/thocf/n2lm9oo2ym
BUY THE GEAR I USE (US):
imp.i114863.net/KejKxe
(affiliate links, I get a few % if you buy through them)
MY SIGNATURE SOFTWARE:
MORPHING ROTOR www.audiothing.net/effects/th...
WIRE RECORDER www.audiothing.net/effects/wires
TEST EQUIPMENT SYNTH www.sonic-lab.com/fundamental
TEST EQUIPMENT LIBRARY www.spitfireaudio.com/shop/a-...
LOOPER apps.apple.com/us/app/gauss-f...
Special Sound: oxford.universitypressscholar...

[@OctoberMusicIsLife]

Genius just pure genius I mean I don't like fawning over people but this guy I've been watching for a while now and there is nobody that can take you through these landscapes he should someday get a Emmy Award for best film track score

[@Funkywallot]

I Always come back for the audio/visual entertainment to watch your cold war equipment tortured and screaming in agony conducted by your soft touch , you have no mercy Hainbach LOL

[@whenthelightdies4820]

have you ever realized that your videos are a kind of ASMR? it's so relaxing to see you tinkering with all those devices... double interest to watch them!

[@SyncdAlien]

You're having way too much fun. How can you stand it? 😂😂😂

[@Hainbach]

Yeah, being able to do this and feed my family is the most amazing thing that happened to me. I often stop and think about that.

[@chrissearle23]

Nothing makes me want to rush off to my own humble studio more than watching a Hainbach video!

[@pdm67]

I've just started reading that book myself. I'm lucky enough to occasionally work at the old home of the Radiophonic Workshop and sit in one of those historic rooms. There's no equipment anymore but the decor, acoustic treatment and patchbays remain. Whilst I'm just going through emails and making calls I feel a real connection with what happened before and I always imagine the tape loops snaking up and down the long corridors as I walk.

[@alanc6752]

For me this is your best track from any of your videos. I have listened to it about eight times already.

[@Hainbach]

Thank you Alan! I recorded this track first and then built the video around it. I felt I had to tell its story.

[@22222Sandman22222]

Wow yeah. The track was so meditative I’m sure I ascended into some spiritual plane

[@JacobVBurg]

@@Hainbach The slow fade transitions on the video were spot on. Absolutely perfect.

[@Hainbach]

@@JacobVBurg thank you! I never really did slow Fades before - video is such a world to learn

[@inwex8350]

Same here!

[@thepjup4507]

theres quite a few people who create similar content, similar equipment. none of them do it justice in the way you do. id love to mess around in your studio, what a dream.

[@bonesetter]

I've been transported to a post apocalyptic empty city. Walking on the street but then something terrible happened with those last horns at the end of the track. Beautiful piece.

[@gerhardmehler4202]

I watch every video. It gives you the feeling of being able to look a little into the mystery. Yesterday I showed the video to my wife, she liked it, but she's not as experimental as I am.

[@gregoryscanlon3794]

Thank you for breaking your rules. Beautiful sounds. Pushing equipment and instruments to the edge can generate some of their most potent tones.

[@pooeyrooey]

Delia Derbyshire would be impressed by what you get up to Hainbach. Keep on pushing the boundaries!

[@jalen8r]

I’ll be honest, I think this would make an amazing follow up track to funktionsverlust. The landscapes I pictured in that song were dark and dim but I felt they were leading to something, at the end I imagined the drones sweeping in like a storm over a sprawling landscape and I think this song perfectly captures that. I’ve been waiting to hear what that test equipment can really do and this pushed it to the limit.

[@bazedjunkiii_tv]

those are deep vibes in that piece... there's a bit of a dubtechno vibe in there with all that hiss, crackle and reverb. nice one.

[@destroyerofcitysduck5937]

My favorite example of the Radiophonic workshop is the radio adaptation of Hitch hikers guide to the galaxy.

[@Hainbach]

That is an amazing piece, listened to it a hundred times

[@sambkingmusic]

Not an adaptation! The radio play came first before the book. Absolutely adore the sound design on that old show.

[@Hainbach]

@@sambkingmusic wow That explains why I preferred it to the books, which I also loved. Thanks for clearing that up

[@ChrisLodyMusic]

As fascinating as ever Hainbach 👌 Looks and sounds beautiful. I particularly like the idea that you're using this equipment in ways it was never designed to be used, true sonic exploration ♥️

[@nichttuntun3364]

Amazing creepy soundscapes. So raw, yet so lush. And the distortion. Like it a lot. And the real Wire. A great combo.

[@OctoberMusicIsLife]

Hainbach should be scoring films his music is so perfect for it. He has opened my mind to so much possibilities go get his collaboration with Spitfire plug-in it's awesome

[@thelaboratoryofspacerecord5239]

That was totally killer. Thanks for crafting it.

[@thebrisketbrothers8128]

Your videos have really helped me grow an interest into creating electronic music. Thank you

[@jangbi08]

This is just awe inspiring... Can’t believe it’s just you jamming!!

[@afreezaphorogiancossack2194]

LOL he pulls out the Dr. Who soundtrack, I should have guessed lol. When you watch those old eps, you may notice they use a lot of old rack gear in the show as props, as well as to make the sounds. I like to think that a great part of our heritage of electronic music comes from environments like that. I imagine the book is about that, specifically. Might have to read, but I've never finished Allen Strange yet.

[@SlowDescentToWild]

oh man, I love that sound - so gritty and earthy.

[@doctorc-ton1099]

Greetings. Agreed....enjoyed that musical trip, to which felt like you were indeed channeling the Radiophonic Workshop, and of course felt distinctly your auditory sculpting style. It is a form of communion to observe your thoughtful presentations and listen to your inventions. It inspires me to to figure in some audio sculptures of my own with my limited equipment, however, still, much to explore with what i have. thank you!

[@0cer0]

Now, THIS gave me tingles, like hell.

[@Almanacs]

Mr. Hainbach blowing up our brains one more time! 👍🏽🖤

[@MrScarabey]

Awesome track, very soothing and inspiring at the same time. Respect from Saint-Petersburg :)

[@AynenMakino]

I'll never grow tired of your softspoken voice saying "It's good to have you back". :) Welcoming like a warm blanket :D

[@LYFoulidis]

You really have unlocked the next level! It’s impressive how this track sounds so complete, so finished..in one take! Looking forward to more of this :)

[@joythief]

Even through my iPhone speakers this sounds amazing!

[@mikenoface]

Herr Hainbach, as I watched and listened...I thought of a great idea for another Hainbach software project. How about a collection of your favorite test equipment pieces optimized for use inside VCV rack (and miRack for iOS)? This would enable some of us to integrate test equipment with our studio gear as you’ve done in this video.

[@Hainbach]

I can only tell you I am working on concepts for plugins that will do things like that, but not VCV specific. It is a long process.

[@draggonhedd]

This is absolutely beautiful. All of this equipment is gorgeous and unique and has so much history and style. You always find such cool stuff and cool things to do with it.

[@OctoberMusicIsLife]

Doctor Who thats great I have his Spitfire plug in and it is so awesome using his test equipment sounds

[@iskandertime747]

I'm so impressed with how you took these retired lab workers and taught them to sing!

[@traitortotheliving]

Forbidden fruit! Wow sounds so good great video! Gave me some ideas for my growing wall of test equipment and my regular synths thanks Hainbach!!

[@cousinclub01]

Loved the piece! So well done

[@MetaHoudini]

The man is styling on us at this point

[@Hainbach]

Oh my I hope not!

[@paulmcmc4005]

I hope you release this as a track Hainbach, it has such a great vibe👍😎

[@vaspers]

Hi. I'm Str8 Sounds. Good to be back on Hainbach. THIS is your coolest music EVER!!! And all your works are gratifying and inspiring. I bought my first vintage test equipment yesterday. Atlantic Research Interview 40A Data Analyzer and a Mad Scientist 1970 Pulse Generator. Some test gear will be used musically, others will serve as retro futuristic decor for my electronic music studio. THANKS for your inspiration and sharing.

[@DJFonzi]

Hey, I've got an Exact 202, too! Cool to see it in a thumbnail. Can't wait to watch the vid.

[@Hainbach]

Oh cool! Does yours self-cycle? Does not work with mine.

[@DJFonzi]

@@Hainbach yes, it does. It's still very quirky. It has multi-turn pots/knobs on it, which are very sticky. Makes it hard to use with any precision (ironically). But yes, it will cycle, and I can set the sequence length. One of these days I'll get it cleaned up and maybe shoot a video.

[@Hainbach]

Yeah I think mine needs service. But good to hear it works in that fashion for you, so much more possibilities

[@plaintigergrrr8496]

That performance was mesmerizing. I’m inspired 😊

[@flaviowilner1288]

Another recreation of sounds from Nature, like the massive crowd noise from... a crowd of rooters on a stadium. Or a heart pounding. Interesting art form that music can become to.

[@kabood777]

Just beautiful, thank you Hainbach, man something about this track took me to a very strange place, I think the feeling of it (not the sounds or the technics) reminded me of the Jocelyn Pook masked ball, anyhow absolutely beautiful, thank you 😊👌👌👌

[@13opacus]

You've gone OMP (Original Mad Professor) on this one. BLOODY Awesome sounds! :)

[@PaulLawlerMusic]

Utterly fascinating as always 🙂

[@timthompson468]

Great video. This probably wouldn’t fit your work flow, but I use an oscilloscope in the signal path, looking at any input I’m concerned about, to make sure I don’t apply signals at too high a level. I check the signal in question before applying it to avoid damage. I come from an electronics background, so that’s trivial for me. It’s relatively easy to use an attenuator (something as simple as a potentiometer would work in a lot of cases) to reduce a signal to the proper level. That could potentially open up possibilities of using a signal source that might have too high a level for another devices input. Just a thought.

[@Hainbach]

I got a scope in the workshop, so I test before now. Everything goes on the bench now before the studio, learned my lessons :-)

[@ComparativeIrrelevance]

This track is amazing!

[@speakki]

You made a beautiful piece!

[@CuriousMarc]

That track was just brilliant! But you cheated a bit: your synthesizer looks like a test instrument ;-)

[@Hainbach]

Maybe that is why I love it so much!

[@ThePsychoCzech]

oh hell yeah I've been waiting for this

[@hvybones]

That jam was incredible.

[@rookmaster7502]

Great video. If I had a setup like that I don't think I would get very much any sleep - I would be up all night experimenting with new sounds!

[@cybermortal1983]

Nice work as usual

[@LowGainElectronics]

Thanks for the videos Stefan. Helped me get through Covid.

[@Hainbach]

Glad to hear you are better!

[@krystiankrewniak]

Wow... This was amazing. It sparked so much inspiration. I would love to work with you on a song one day ☺

[@freebeerecords]

Very cool - I like this a lot. Also - your spectrum analyzer reminds me of the new volcano in Iceland. -Fritz from DC

[@inwex8350]

OMG. This should be the 2020 anthem. This is so damn baller. That was simply amazing.

[@stacybigfoot4801]

Wild. Respect.

[@loomPEDAL]

incredible video

[@richardjones2189]

Wicked track!

[@ylanstockholm]

Spitze! :) Great stuff!

[@dialnfornick]

Great vid (as always 😁) can't wait to see what Hainbach vs Pulsar 23 sounds like

[@Hainbach]

Here is my first concert with it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gp7VY4ejpN-bgdE

[@23Gears]

The piece of music itself was fantastic. I think this is one of my favourite pieces so far. Wonderful! Any chance of putting it on Soundcloud or some other service?

[@Hainbach]

Thanks! It is on patreon.com/hainbach now and it will very likely appear on album at a later point.

[@AZ-zf1eu]

Amazing track! LOVE the drums/vocoder sound. I could listen to only that for awhile. Probably gonna look into vocoders now. I have two questions I’m putting here from your suggestion. 1. You have maybe touched on it and I missed the video but if not will you make a video focusing on more your mixer(I have seen your “how you make an album” series which was great) 2. Still want some kind of book or resource on the different types of test equipment, who has a source of info on that world?

[@whrikk]

brooding! Very nice.

[@milksheihk]

Delia Derbyshire was vocal in her hatred of the synthesiser, she had said it had no soul. She was a big fan of the Melotron.

[@Hainbach]

I read she "embraced" the Putney, but hated the Delaware.

[@milksheihk]

@@Hainbach It might have been a little later that she warmed to synths, she was apparently not a fan of Moogs, or any of those really early synths.

[@Paparumbo]

Amazing

[@kallemustonen]

That sure was step worth taking

[@MrSharps02]

your sonic palette definitely leans towards the apocalyptic. its funny, coming from such a genial sounding guy!

[@Hainbach]

Funny, that comments sticks with me. I don’t feel it’s apocalyptic, more like what I feel when I dream. But I tend to deal with my sorrows through my music, which alleviates them a bit in real life. Anyway going to think on this more.

[@ZaffinMusic]

★★★★★ ah, sorry I missed the premiere, Hainbach. Didn’t get a notification. Watched it after the fact though. Fascinating, as always. How did you start getting into using test equipment in the first place, btw?

[@temporoboto]

TIGHT AF! Thanks for sharing. I wish you would have mention what you actually did to control the levels, careful attenuation?

[@Hainbach]

Yes! Attenuation is key. But all test equipment has output levels written on it anyway.

[@temporoboto]

@@Hainbach Thank you so much🤗

[@incompetentlogistics]

That vocoder sounds like the band S U R V I V E's secret weapon. They have some tracks with that type of airy sound. Especially in Deserted Skies.

[@IanWaugh]

Blimey! Just awesome. Always wanted an EMS but, alas, Erica's is out of my range - ? although cheaper than the new ones :-) When I hear 'test equipment' I think of oscilloscopes. Do you have any

[@matthew-thomasplant3542]

We don’t deserve hainbach ❤️

[@blackmateriaofficial2383]

I can see the Oto Boum, is it being used? And what are you using for the reverb?

[@EllaPlaysSynths]

That was amazing!! I just wanna ask... if i wanted to integrate test equipment into my modular synthesiser setup where would you recommend me to start? thanks!

[@Hainbach]

Check out the "test equipment music" playlist and pick things you like. Anything goes!

[@reggiep75]

12:29 - I've always been a fan of vocoded drums, whether it's aggressively or subtly done, and I've done that since the vocoder appeared on Reason, all those years ago..... when I was young, happy and not troubled like today 😂🤣😅😐😪😫😭😭. Anyway back to those vocoded drums, when it's done aggressively it's a case of murder the carrier signal (usually 4-6 layers osc's) with saturation, distortion, grit & filth and EQ it and then plug that into the vocoder for the drums to try and make sense of. When done subtly, I keep the original signal to the front and only effect the wet signal to mix in after been compressed (hard or soft) to increase the feel of the effects and then had reverb (all speeds), delay (all speeds) or a modulated filter and often people are 'What is that on the drums? I can hear it, but I can't hear it and it's tickling my brain! TELL ME WHAT IT IS!!' Even changing the pitch of a few of the osc's or adding in noise has eyebrows furrow and eyes widen. Yep, I do love that 'other world' feel that vocoders offer and far beyond just bloody Cylons type voices, that are still great, but meddling in other ways is great.

[@zecroner579]

Great video as always!. Anyway, does anyone know what software is he using on the computer for seeing the sound spectrum?

[@Hainbach]

RME Digicheck

[@iqnill]

Hey, have you seen Berna, the 50s "sound studio"?

[@blindianajones]

Really enjoyed this track and sounds. I'm guessing an inspiration or sound happens and then a lot of time is spent creating / arranging sounds to see how or if they will fit together? How much total time would you say it took to create this track? I don't think I'm appreciating how much time the process may take to create a track. Also, I'm not sure how to develop the ability to arrange / compose the different sounds into a track and would love ideas how to do so. Thanks

[@Hainbach]

It took a day to make the track, but maybe two days laying out the setup and patching everything. That was here the biggest hurdle, once it was in place in flowed

[@thebkstank2095]

In that sweater looking like Fine-bach

[@adamarmfield1069]

hi, maybe a video would be fun where you try that twin peaks thing where you speak some reversed audio then reverse it so it plays forwards, it would involve practicing the reversed speech, might take too long, I don't know

[@DesertCow1000]

Heavy cyberpunk vibes from this track (and I mean that as a compliment!)

[@williamboyd2324]

Hey Hainbach, any suggestions on what I can do with a gated integrator/box car averager? It’s a rather large piece of test equipment that I’m sure could be useful, I just don’t know how. I’m a newbie to test equipment and the synth world.

[@Hainbach]

Hey ask that in the subreddit, great topic!

[@downhill2k013]

That vocoder sounds very MP3-like

[@williamboyd2324]

So I have recently purchased some test equipment... hp202a oscillator and wave tech function generator, as well as an Arturia key step. What would the setup need to be in order to either sequence and/or control the pitch of the test equipment with the keystep? I couldn’t get any response when plugging the keystep into the test equipment, but I did get a response from my o-coast when I plugged the keystep into my o-coast.

[@Hainbach]

You can't, unless you mod it.

[@williamboyd2324]

Thanks Hainbach

[@JiglePee98]

Hello mr Hainbach i have a question! Can you use test equipment to interact directly with the eurorack modular (audio and cv) or is it too dangerous? Like can i just output a sine or function generator into a passive attenuator and throw in a filter or vca or use it as modulation?

[@Hainbach]

You can dominate, but have either voltmeter or scope ready or get this module: www.metro-modular.com/index.php/system-3000/mm3203-test-eagle

[@illiqual]

Put this track outthere Pref on vinyl :)

[@johncuba1612]

Schönes Video ;) anbei: solch ähnliche variablen OSC Schmelz- Sounds ( different Pitch Phasing)wie in der ersten Hälfte des Videos, bekomme ich auch mit DARK MATTER & WAVER hin,leider kann ich sie nicht reproduzieren,weil bereits eine kleinste Bewegung der Fader beim DARK MATTER, unglaubliche Auswirkungen auf auf die Ausgewogenheit der Klangfarbe/timbre mit sich trägt. Wichtig ist auch dass Eingangssignal für die beiden Module von CASPER/BASTL !

[@iNerdier]

It shouldn't be too hard to make some hard limiters that you could run your test-equipment through to act as a buffer, if you ever accidentally send a voltage that would destroy things.

[@jimmy_jamesjams_a_lot4171]

I’ve become curator to some function generators as consequence of buying oscilloscopes. Of course, scavenging for facsimile pdf files of any user documentation is vital to learning to use this stuff, and often enough, we’ve discovered some real respect worthy examples of just what “user documentation” OUGHT to be! Particularly Hewlett-Packard Packard from the sixties, compared to their successor ‘multi language friendly’ instruction pamphlets of more recent years, we’ve got to fear these gaping holes that the lack of proper documentation are leaving behind for us to fall into. I mean, shouldn’t we have concerns for just what maybe indicated by inadequate documentation? Maybe lack of trials and cases, failsafes, and bench tests?! I think it’s worse than this, because it reminds me of our instant relief and hurried lifestyles, as we negate these user licenses and contracts that we sign our names to everyday. So fast to sign off on what we’ve neglected to read at all into. If we can’t take a thing starting from the beginning, and we want to play before we study and learn, we can burn ourselves and our nice gear too! Great to see you recommend a good book, and to learn from you about your patience in mindful efforts in learning about your gear before just letting the sparks fly! Thanks again, always good to be greeted, and feel wanted as a listener and fan!

[@jimpesh]

I sit here enraptured...careful, friend. Of which those, who ponder in.

[@seneric1727]

When is NIN gonna hire you ? I am sure they subscribed to your channel.

[@afreezaphorogiancossack2194]

Well I guess maybe fools go where angels fear to tread because I've been doing the same thing, running sine generators and similar directly into my mixer, or through effects pedals, for a little while now. And it has been working, but I've been keeping it to common sine and arbitrary function generators in combination with a regular drum machine and a couple modern synths. LOL I thought I was alone in doing all this, it's been lots of fun. I am, however, concerned about my gear, and whether any of the standard output from these gadgets can do any harm to music hardware. I need to learn about impedance matching, it looks like.

[@Hainbach]

Definitely not alone in this, too much fun 😃. You can check the voltages easy with a multimeter to be safe.

[@afreezaphorogiancossack2194]

Hey! Thanks for the reply. So much learning to do! Tomorrow I take receipt of my second Wavetek 164, so I will have a pair. I keep telling myself I should be saving my money for conventional instruments and then I go buying another one. You can sure see why people adopted the "Eurorack" format, these are just like modules in that you can benefit by using several together. Must be nice to have everything all squared away in a neat little rack. @@Hainbach

[@riechner]

Verbotene Klänge können so schön sein

[@martintaylor9205]

Every time I watch one of your streams I almost feel like giving up with Electronic music as so many Talented Genius’s out there like your good self I don’t know where to begin and that’s even if you reply to this comment 👍👋🌟🌟🎶🎶👁😎

[@TheUnperson]

keep going man! If you're having fun then it's all good :D

[@Hainbach]

That is literally how I feel once a month when I hear something beautiful and new.

[@martintaylor9205]

@@Hainbach thank you I’m not alone then, we are all up a creek without a paddle then 😄😂😎🎶🎶🎶🆒🙏🌟

[@Haku_records]

In music nothing is forbidden!!!

[@wildebeast]

To bad the syntrex is 3000 US dollars lol or I would buy one in a second!!

[@AstradTheCynic]

Wow im early

[@nanayawberko3212]

Hainbach making harsh noise We have awaited this day with bated breath