Introducing TAZM-O - Analog Thru Zero Oscillator - ALM036

[@RollrightKnights]

So good. Best patching videos of any company out there ✊

[@Techno_logist]

Except Make Noise

[@OscillatorSink]

You folks never disappoint when it comes to that perfect balance of utility and creativity. Another very well thought out module.

[@jankrook9180]

You had me at ”sub-2 kicks in”. Wow! This sure is a must have!

[@clopz9701]

These complex sounds showcased at the end are blowing my mind!!

[@modmodell8897]

brillant oscillator, congratulations! so good that it contains a VCA.

[@VacancyOfDisco]

this is perfect! amazing feature set! ...but why is green negative and red positive????

[@PocketUnv]

You guys really know how to edit your modules' feature sets. Well done, yet again.

[@mylarmelodies]

Lovely!! 🙌

[@BappinProductions]

Very nice module, looking forward to giving it a spin at the pop-up next weekend :) I definitely have a thing for TZ VCOs, I already own a Weston 2V2, an NLC Plague of Demons (with parts to build a second one) and an LA67 T-Zed and I'm excited to hear what TAZM-O sounds in the flesh, as it were.

[@Dogboy73]

Smashing it. I need some ALM in my life ;-)

[@FursAndMasksMusic]

Phenomenal demo. So educational too! This is on the wishlist for sure. But you've inspired me to try some things out with my basic set-up. Thanks.🙏

[@SLRPS]

Those demos at the end are so damn good🎉

[@cooksoni.a]

that font looks so dope

[@ArkaHtun]

greta demo vid , love the patches .. nice module

[@stopinterview]

sounds absolutely amazing

[@jonathanyoung6397]

Sigh. You know I have an MCO, and you know I’ll want to partner it with one of these now dammit! One thing though - I think the octave cv control is awesome, haven’t seen that before, but having an octave switch as well would have been even better IMHO.

[@RMMChicagoOfficial]

Gasm-o for the Tazm-o!

[@thejibsplice]

Dear alm, please consider making the bigger knob the fine tune with a smaller range (+/- 3 semitones?). So much hassle tuning akiemes castle precisely with that tiny useless fine tune. Who needs a 7 octave coarse tune knob when there's an octave CV input!?!? Would prefer my patch to be quickly in tune with external gear

[@kidko]

Dear all VCO makers! y'all got it backwards

[@objectpdfmov]

@@kidko kind of prefer having coarse on the big knob tbh, but then again i gave up on staying in tune with euro

[@FreeThink1984]

Pretty kewl

[@robertsyrett1992]

How is through zero modulation achieved in the circuit?

[@M_orcan]

Almost definitely through the SSI2130 IC

[@BappinProductions]

@@M_orcan yeah the feature-set looks very SSI2130; TZFM (or PM with a capacitor installed) with VCA, built-in waveshaper, mixer, sub outs and level VCA. Very similar to the LA67 T-Zed, which uses the SSI2130, with the cap installed for PM instead of FM.

[@BappinProductions]

My knowledge of electronics is amateur at best, but here goes. TZ is generally achieved by taking a copy of the modulating signal, sending it through a phase inversion circuit and then feeding this signal to the carrier, via an analog switch e.g. DG-series CMOS, whenever the modulating signal goes below zero. Why this results a more stable pitch, is beyond my current level of knowledge, I just know this from reading the build docs of the excellent 2V2 VCO by Weston Precision and from reading the original Electro Notes paper/design, that TZ VCOS like 2V2, Dannysound EN129 (i.e. Electro Notes 129) and NLC Plague of Demons, are based on. A lot of the newer TZ VCOs that have been released, like the ALM Tazm-O (just speculating at this point), Befaco Pony, Patching Panda Operat and LA67 T-Zed, are using VCO chip, the SSI2130, designed/manufactured by Sound Semiconductor (the guys behind classic synth ICs like the SSM2164 VCA, used in many classic analog filter designs). I don't know for certain, but my guess is that the same phase duplication/reversal/switching trick is being used, albeit, with most/all of the requisite functions being handled on the chip itself. If you search for "Sound Semiconductor SSI2130" and take a look at the datasheet, the first page has a nice summary of all of the features that are possible to implement A very powerful IC for synth design, hence why so many manufacturers are making use of it. IIRC The Sequential Circuits Take 5 uses the SSI2131 and SS2144, also from Sound Semiconductor, as the VCO and VCF chips, respectively. The Setonix Rottnest VCO Eurorack module also uses the SSI2131 and Mutable Ripples v2020 (and its clones) use the SSI2164 VCA IC. I believe the Weston Precision SF1 also uses the SSI2164, but that's only a guess based on them using the IC on their 2V2 VCO (i.e. they are comfortable working with it) and that it has a similar, liquid-like tone to Ripples (according to YT and shop demos) Thank you for coming to my TED talk xD Edit: fix typos and improve formatting for clarity.

[@robertsyrett1992]

@@BappinProductions Oh that makes sense actually! Thanks for the detailed explanation.

[@skeen0076]

will this be available at the London popup?

[@busycircuits]

Yes! exclusively for next week - then available at all stockists.

[@Treesarechill]

I wish I hadn’t spent money on modules from random companies and just invested in alm gear! My rack is full but my wallet is empty 😢

[@digicat247]

So I have nothing witty to put here, this is just f'ing good. I would pay more money for an ALM designed module that's just a huge knob with controls on it.

[@objectpdfmov]

remember when TZ modules were like 40 hp?

[@theIMMUNICORN]

w00t..!

[@mikedurden]

Is it just me or does that octave switch at 1:53 sound very out of tune?

[@noisevector]

I think that's you :)

[@mikedurden]

Idk, sounds really off …

[@JapanoiseBreakfast]

@@mikedurden yeah it made my ears perk up too

[@NamelessSmile]

Yep

[@MrJemabaris]

It is extremely out of tune!

[@rocl420]

b i g k n o b

[@sub-jec-tiv]

Don’t touch my big knob

[@stereopsis]

Give me one for free, or else....I will probably end up buying it!

[@JSlackArt]

I know you all say tazm o but I like to pronounce it Taz Moe because that's what I call my dog tazzy it's a mixture of her name and my first cat's name Gizmo so forever I will call it the tazmo

[@jedgould5531]

Please tell me you don’t think this oscillator is unique. 5:05