After building my first few proper commissioned visual devices like the 100PFB & The I.F.D., I realized that I wanted to do a more fully formed video-centric build for myself. I went back and forth on layout designs, enclosures, what to include, how to include it, and ultimately realized that the project was continuously expanding in scope as I learned more and more. I was removing features based on the enclosures and struggling with design, and I was also limiting the functionality as a result.

After realizing that I don’t want to limit myself, and I wanted to be able to expand my build as I learned new things, I decided to go the modular route. I put together a basic plan in between August and September of 2020 and finished the first twelve modules, GVM001 through GVM012, between then and December of 2020 amidst other projects.

As of now there is still 30hp of space left - I have a few ideas but haven't been able to decide on how to fill that space.

For now this is my playground for video synthesis and glitchy FX, a tool for learning about the interaction of different signals, and a way to easily prototype new machines.

9/23/2021: Check out this recent performance that heavily utilizes this build! [Link]

Current Modules

Physical controls

• 1x Power button

• 3x Mix controls for RGB

• 3x Pulse buttons for RGB

• 4x Image shift buttons (up, down, left, right)

• 1x Image size adjust button

• 1x "grounding" switch (Allows mix knobs to connect to ground, alters behavior)

• 2x Image freeze controls (1x momentary button, 1x switch). Also doubles as a mode select if feature is on while turning on the module (standard vs pixelated/blocky image).

• 6x Additional menu controls for saved color settings, resolution, etc...

CV/Gate

• 6x Mix control CV input jacks (2x per color)

• 4x Image Shift CV/gate inputs

• 1x Image size CV/gate input (with on/off)

• 1x Image freeze CV input

I/O

• 6x color input jacks (2x per color, correspond to either end of the mix). These double as audio output jacks for correlating color.

• 3x Composite output (2x RCA, 1x TS)

• 1x VGA Output

• 1x VGA Input

Physical controls

• 1x Power switch

• 3x Mix controls for RGB

• 4x Image shift buttons (up, down, left, right)

• 1x Image size adjust button

• 2x Image freeze controls (1x momentary button, 1x switch). Also doubles as a mode select if feature is on while turning on the module (standard vs pixelated/blocky image). Great for creating a mosaic-effect on the incoming image.

CV/Gate

• 3x Mix control CV input jacks

• 1x Image freeze CV input (Acts as a slitscan with high speed signals)

I/O

• 24x patch points associated with video RAM, video buffer, H-sync, V-sync.

• 6x color input jacks (2x per color, correspond to either end of the mix). These double as audio output jacks for correlating color.

• 2x Composite output (1x RCA, 1x TS)

• 1x VGA Output

• 1x VGA Input

2x LFOs each with:

• 1x Frequency Knob

• 1x Frequency LED

• 1x Shape adjustment knob

• 1x Depth knob

• 1x Squarewave output

• 1x Triangle output

• 1x Frequency range select (low/high). LFO 1 uses 4.7nf and 47nf (higher speeds), and LFO 2 uses .1uf and 1uf (lower speeds). Both of these can reach scanline rates depending on the depth. At higher depths LFO 1 is preferred for scanlines.

Composite to VGA

• 3x Mix knobs for RGB

• 3x CV inputs for RGB

• 5x Menu buttons for saved color settings, resolution, etc...

• 2x Composite input (1x RCA, 1x TS)

• 1x VGA output

Filter

• 1x Resonance knob

• 1x Cutoff frequency knob

• 1x Cutoff frequency CV input

• 1x CV input attenuator knob

• 1x audio input

• 1x audio output

This is a sort of mini version of the control panel I made for the MB-37. It's a fairly simple passive module for routing patch points to switches, potentiometers, buttons, and converting between connection types.

• 4x Two patch points to a switch

• 2x Two patch points to a momentary button

• 2x Three patch points to a 10k potentiometer

• 5x 3.5mm TS jack <> RCA jack

Physical controls

• 1x Rotary Encoder

• 1x Offset knob

• 1x Amplitude knob

• 4x Navigation buttons

CV/Gate

• 1x Amplitude

• 1x Offset

• 1x "OK" button (encoder)

I/O

• 1x TTL output

• 1x Primary signal output

This module was made using two little 3.5" composite video monitors that are sold as backup-camera-screens to mount in your car. Super cheap and easy to find online from most big retailers, and they look decent! Added an A/B select for two inputs per screen and a passthrough for the selected source.

This module was made from clear acrylic with the top and bottom sanded a little bit, and the little screens were mounted with double-sided tape.

Very simple LM386 based audio amplifier for integrating external audio signals as video modulation sources. Initially had a diy circuit but ended up replacing it with a prebuilt one for stability and size. Gave this one a little marbling.

• 1x On/Off switch

• 1x Gain knob

• 1x CV in

• 2x Audio output

Self explanatory. One dirty composite video signal mixer, and one A/B selector, both with CV which will turn the A/B switch into a pretty glitchy mess as well.

Super simple passive mults. The black one has 2x 4pt mults, and the white one has a 3pt and 4pt that can be combined with a switch for a 7pt mult.