Superbooth 2024: cool new gear and fun stuff I saw

[@2manysynths514]

Tnx Mark! Happy to see you again 😊 I was just catching up to see what I missed while being at the booth all days and then my cases came along 🤗

[@JorbLovesGear]

Got me really thinking about that oxi meta module, what a smart idea. Great to hang out again, can't wait for the next time

[@SynthDad]

Yeah I think it is a great idea. See you soon hopefully!

[@sinemountain]

Great round up. Always great to see you!

[@nntblst]

That little interface looks way too good!!!

[@mymodularjourney]

My main takeaway is that this year seemed to be the definitive breakthrough of stereo in Eurorack. First a mixer might have had a stereo input for the effects return, now there are stereo matrix mixers with stereo sends on every channel. More and more sound sources, like samplers and stuff like the Spectrafon being stereo these days.

[@SynthDad]

I agree - so many of my modules, both voices and effects, are stereo in nature. Having full stereo path mixers just makes sense

[@elektrenai219]

Thanks SynthDad.I dont feel bad now not going.

[@modularbias]

Meta is so Meta, great roundup 📸

[@SynthDad]

Thanks!

[@jonaseggen2230]

I see there are many new interesting sequencers coming out. Happy I managed to get hold on a Five12 last years as it took me a long time to do the research to decide what I wanted. I worry sometimes that great modules gets forgotten, or not the attention they deserve as they become overshadowed by other modules for different but not always better reasons

[@SynthDad]

The Five12 is an amazing sequencer, and not one I’ve had a chance to play with yet. You’re right in that there are so many great new sequencers out; something for everyone to use!

[@effiksmusic]

Was nice to meet you there again.

[@SynthDad]

Great to meet you too - hopefully we can catch each other at synth meet-ups soon!

[@doubleohdutch2108]

Nice round up, and nice to see you back with new vids. I was looking forward to OXI Instruments’ “Meta” having recently bought the Oxi One. I guess it is ok, but my gripe with it is that I HATE “knob performances” Jean-Michel Jarre was my favourite until he stopped playing synths and started twisting the LFO know. People think nowadays that a song or a performance is an arpeggio that you modify a bit by twisting some knobs. You didn’t see Vangelis do that…But then, I am very old school synth keyboard performer. Cheers!

[@SynthDad]

Thanks, and yes I took a few months off and am back now post-Superbooth making videos! I'd say the Oxi Meta module is not for every style of playing. It lends itself more towards techno/club tracks where builds and risers are part of the musical style to create and release tension. It's just a different form of performing vs. using a keyboard.

[@7177YT]

Ahhhh thanks, I overlooked the 4ms vcv in a Module thing, it was just too much stuff. (:

[@SynthDad]

That was one that was definitely on my list this year. I was impressed by what I saw so far

[@OhmForceSoftware]

Great recap! Sound bites in Superbooth tent not the best. Sorry for that, we'll try to improve that next time :P

[@SynthDad]

That was my fault for not bringing my recorder to the tent. Next time for sure!

[@OhmForceSoftware]

@@SynthDad Realistically that tent was often chaos. Next time next time next time :p

[@bill-sr1vd]

Thanks for doing this. I'm not sure what I think about VCV in a module. I use modular to get away from computers, and this puts a computer in a modular rig 🙂

[@SynthDad]

That was my initial thoughts too; but then if you think about it there's a role for a module like this in compact setup, or to build a fixed end-of-chain audio processor that you never change. It's not for everyone for sure.

[@axis_8]

It's ingenious. But there will be opposition from the purists... 🤣

[@SynthDad]

@@axis_8 oh no doubt!

[@cardboardmusic]

Very nice run through of SB, and easily the best one I've seen so far (which being a eurorack nerd, is a lot). Somehow, I find that the modular world is doing itself a disservice by constantly trying to produce slightly different takes on everything. Just looking at the new modules you show, you could build yourself another rack. But like on Modular Grid, you'd end up with another dream rack you probably don't need. It's a bit like candy in a sweet shop, one can easily find oneself being distracted from the job in hand, which is making music. Also, what's so funny is that all this started with people wanting to emulate Buchla and Moog, and reproducing their work. I came to modular from being a keen Suprecollider programmer, where you can do anything you want, there are no limits ... just your mind. But, did that really help me focus on the music (or sound design), not really, which is why I opted to head back to the hands on eurorack system. 😉

[@SynthDad]

Thank you for the kind words - appreciate it! As a Eurorack-nerd as well going to Superbooth is overwhelming; just so much to look at! I agree that you need to be disciplined because it’s easy to get distracted by the shiny new modules. Many of these are new takes or designs for older classic ones. But I’m always heartened to see the innovation and new ideas that get presented, even if in prototype form, every year. It shows that the Eurorack world is alive and kicking!

[@JB61264]

Thanks for the recap! I so wanted to like the Voltage Lab and on first view I was ready to throw down, but then I saw it being used and it looks like it would get really messy with patch cables interfering with the sequencer/pads? Just seemed like maybe having the patch points up top might have been a better design?

[@SynthDad]

Glad you liked the recap! The patch points are all in the centre of the device, so cables shouldn't be crossing over knobs or the sequencer

[@Ryannaut_g]

Modular synthesis motivates me to pray and read my Bible diligently!

[@SynthDad]

I guess that's a good thing?

[@Ryannaut_g]

@@SynthDad It’s a good thing.

[@MonkeyBeats-zl6tr]

Did you smoke a joint in Berlin ?

[@SynthDad]

Nah man, modules are my drug!

[@MonkeyBeats-zl6tr]

@@SynthDad I enjoyed your superbooth 2024 presentation, nice show.

[@JorbLovesGear]

Now that's on my list for next year 😭😭😭

[@HarmonicSonics.]

Wonder how the 4ms meta module compares to the percussa xmx module that was also at sb

[@SynthDad]

I never got to test the Percussa out unfortunately!

[@SURCOlive]

Great recap Mark. Love the more casual format!

[@SynthDad]

Thanks Eric - trying out something a little new. Super fun to hang out and good luck with the gigs!

[@SURCOlive]

@@SynthDad great to see you too. Looking forward to Knobcon already!

[@temporoboto]

good job!

[@joeymc5272]

Its going to be tough price point to compete with noise engineering xer mixa consider they offer everything with a screen and no pretty much same expander modules. I was kind of surprised at the price of the performance mixer 2 at $1500. Thats insane.

[@SynthDad]

I don't think the Xer Mixer has the same expandability as these mixers (or the After Later Bartender) and is fixed to 10 input channels. Having the multi-track output on it is great though. It's great to see we have such a choice in mixers now - there's something for everyone's price-point

[@joeymc5272]

You know what i have to recant my statement. When i was saying the xer mixa i meant xcelon mixer and its expanders. Thanks for correcting me.

[@mmmodular1878]

This is great video recap Mark. I hope you do more of these videos when you visit events like Superbooth in the future

[@SynthDad]

That's the plan - it was nice to do a recap while it was all fresh in my mind

[@kentinjivek]

Ohm force is a super company, great new to see they are into modular now

[@SynthDad]

Yes they've a few new modules to showcase