Added some photos to the Sync Eater page of a style I’m trying out. Planning on making a few like this.
devices
Device release: Sync Eater // An analog video glitch FX processor
A fully revised video synth is here! Model no. GVS010 - 'Vimana' (videos, photos, info)
GVS010 (link)
‘Vimana’
It’s been a bit of a journey getting here - but for the time being I’m finished with revisions.
This device is model no. GVS010 and is the first in the series to feature a fully revised internal design & silkscreen printed front panels. All additional circuits have been consolidated into a single PCB (excluding the additional patch-panel PCB up top), and all controls are now PCB mounted as well. This is, moving forward, the standard build style that the GVS series will take as far as the feature selection on the front panel goes.
Check out the page linked above for more information, a full demo video, an additional demo utilizing GVS010 as a loopback with a video mixer, and more photos than were really necessary :P
If you’re on the waiting list I’ll be reaching out soon - thank you for patience. Things may be a bit slower moving forward as my pre-pandemic work location has reopened, but I still plan to work through commissions for those who have made requests.
Development update on the Sync Eater
Just a little progress update on where things are at with the Sync Eater -
These are some photos of my personal pre-production builds using what I believe will be the final panels & PCBs. I made one in black, one in white, and experimented a little bit with some blue on black. Going by public opinion I’ll most likely offer this device in all black but may do a limited run in all white and some other colors and panel styles. Nothing for sure yet, though. If you’d like to weigh in I’ve put a poll at the bottom of this post (link to the poll) - My Instagram poll came back with 35% for white, 65% for black.
So here’s the roadmap (with most completed tasks excluded):
Complete
Finalize PCBs & panel design
Make 2x personal builds with final PCBs & panels, tested working properly
Next steps
Waiting on a quote for custom enclosures (Personal models were painted, but I’m looking to have these enclosures in black and/or white from the manufacturer for a myriad of reasons.)
Create a demo video with personal pre-production models to show off capabilities & different capture methods
Open up pre-orders for a couple weeks
Close pre-orders and do first production run
Open store for regular purchases after first production run
The timeline for all of this is pretty loose and depends on when/what I hear back from the enclosure manufacturer, which will hopefully be soon. Also depends on when I’m able to get a video demo together. Pricing is still undetermined until cost of enclosures can be nailed down. Things are beginning to open back up here in Brooklyn so I’ll also be getting back to work at Avant Gardner, so my schedule may start filling up but I’ll be pushing to start proper production ASAP!
Hope you’re all doing well out there!
If the poll below doesn’t show up for you click > this link <
Sync Eater // An analog glitch effects processor
The Sync Eater is an analog video effects processor with a focus on glitches and visual experimentation. This personal prototype, built into an abomination of an enclosure, was made using the first round of prototype boards. The finished version will feature PCB mounted controls, a standardized front panel, CV implementation, and maybe a few other features. Will be released sometime soon-ish.
More info on this devices page. More to come!
Livestream // Synth foolin', gear spotlight on the circuit bent TR-626
Hadn’t done anything like this in awhile - did a little livestream on 4/3 just playing with a minimal hardware set up.
Music video released: "Dividing Space" by Murcof
Very excited about the release of this project today, a music video produced for Murcof.
Visual system sequenced and composited from a collection of brief moments in the choreographic work Contre-Mondes by Guilherme Botelho's Alias dance company. The final video was processed using a custom built piece of analog visual effects gear, the Sync Eater. More info on that soon.
Big thank you to Murcof for involving me in this project.
Gleix Video Synth #9 // Ｖａｐｏｒ Ｄｒｅａｍ ビデオシンセ
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So excited about this release - I really couldn’t be happier with how this one came out. Check out this build over at it’s dedicated page in the visual devices section!
Via the Vapor Dream page:
This device, dubbed “Ｖａｐｏｒ Ｄｒｅａｍ,” is model no. GVS009 and is a sort of spiritual successor to the 100PFB in terms of aesthetics. With a dual mode oscillator, RGB assignable noise generator, audio input, and CV integration for color and image shift controls, it resembles The I.F.D. as far as functionality goes, but trades out the glitch patch-bay for an attachable mini LCD monitor. The monitor has its own hook-ups for power and video and it attaches to the top of the device via a magnetic base which hold it safely in place. This model, unlike all previous, runs on 12v.
The I/O includes 2x composite video output (primary & monitor), VGA output, an external audio input (1/8” and 1/4”), a 12v 2.1mm barrel jack for power, and another barrel jack for powering the monitor.
Feature set
On/Off latching pushbutton
NTSC/PAL select switch
Button & switch for freezing the currently displayed image
Allows for starting the device in low-res mode with pixelated feedback
RGB Mix knobs
RGB CV inputs
RGB pulse buttons
Oscillator
On/Off
Rate, Shape, Depth knobs
Mode select (LFO vs standard oscillator for scanlines)
Send switches for RGB channels
Image shift up, down, left, right, zoom adjustment buttons
Image shift up, down, left, right, zoom adjustment CV/Gate inputs
1x bypass switch for directional CV, 1x bypass switch for zoom adjustment CV
Audio input (Doubles as noise generator)
1x 1/8” input, 1x 1/4” input
Audio amplifier on/off
Audio input gain knob
Send knobs for RGB
CNC’d Rear I/O panel
Menu buttons for adjusting settings
Companion mini composite LCD monitor with customized hookups
ａｅｓｔｈｅｔｉｃｓ
Commissioned by and custom built for Perte de Signal in Montreal.
March, 2021.
Circuit bent Casio SA-8 // Model No. GSA8-04
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Check it out over on my page for circuit bent keyboards in the Casio SA-X family!
Functionally identical to GSA8-03 [on the SA-X page], just has some aesthetic differences. Because it’s almost identical I haven’t made a new video, but you can check out the GSA8-03 one here!
Hard on/off switch
1/8” switching audio output jack
Squealing feedback/distortion knob with on/off
Glitch trigger button with depth knob
Power indicator LED, lightly flashes to audio output
Five additional tone select buttons allowing access to an additional 75 voices
A switch for dropping the clock speed of the SA-8 allowing it to run in a much slower, pitched down mode
LED backlights that respond to audio
Anatomical heart
Commissioned by…my sister! Christina Gleixner of the band Yeni Nostalji.
March, 2021.
In other news, I’ve been slow with the update blog and social media the past month or so, mostly due to current projects being future releases or commissioned works I can’t share, or things that aren’t ready to be released just yet, but it’s not for a lack of projects for sure. Also been on a bit of a break from social media which I’ve needed. Really excited about a few things I’ve got in the works though!
New machine: GVS008 "Glitch Hornet", An Audiovisual synthesizer and glitchy visual FX processor
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Check it out here - and see the video demo below.
Via the device page:
This device is model no. GVS008 and is the first in the series to feature an external video input, and custom CNC’d front & rear panels. This machine is similar to The I.F.D. in terms of feature set, minus CV implementation and + the video input. The input allows this model not only to function as a synthesizer and internal feedback generator, but as a loopback for use with video mixers, and as a standalone glitchy video FX processor similar to the VGS35 & GVM002.
The I/O includes a composite video output, composite video input, a VGA output, an external audio input (1/8” and 1/4”), and a standard 2.1mm barrel jack for a 5v power supply.
On/Off button
Button & switch for freezing/holding the currently displayed image (new on this model)
RGB Mix knobs
RGB pulse buttons
Oscillator
On/Off
Rate, Shape, Depth knobs
Mode select (LFO vs standard oscillator for scanlines)
Send switches for RGB channels
Image shift up, down, left, right, zoom adjustment buttons
Audio input, sends for RGB color channels
Doubles as RGB assignable noise generator
24 point patchbay for experimental glitches, routing audio in and out of the device, routing external signals into the device
* Switch for selecting internal feedback loop vs. external composite video source
* Switch for selecting between NTSC & PAL output
* CNC’d front panel & Rear I/O panel
* = New on this model
February, 2021.
Gleix Video Synth #7 // Winter Freeze
Gleix Video Synth #7 // Winter Freeze
Feedback-centric video synthesizer & continuation of the series. Somewhere between the 100PFB & IFD in terms of feature set. Check it out over at this device’s page in the visual devices section.
Making a more colorful oscilloscope // Modified CRT Television, DIY X-Y scope with video input
New device page with a full video here!
Via the crt scope page:
This is a variation on a fairly common build where audio is piped directly into the horizontal and vertical portions of the deflection yoke inside of a CRT Television. The additional features this one has are two internal audio amplifiers (very basic LM386 circuits), the ability to run audio to the TVs internal speaker (with adjustable volume), and the ability to send color video signals to the TV to “color” the waveform which I go over in the video here on this page.
This build can be replicated extremely easily - without the internal amplification circuit - and also made to run in different modes for a more standard horizontal wave display. Plenty of information on that can be found online with a little searching, but I’ve included the schematics for this particular build here.
If you do plan on recreating this thing for yourself BE CAREFUL. There are elements inside of CRT Televisions that hold enough charge to KILL YOU. Do not attempt if you are unfamiliar with electronics, and do your research beforehand on how to properly discharge the device and how to safety deal with this sort of device.
November, 2020.
Drip // A sketch with the in-progress Gleix Video Modular
Via youtube description -
I've been quietly working on a DIY Modular Video Synthesizer. Here's a little sketch using the current working modules, a circuit bent Casio SK-1, and the Modbox 37. Lots to document on the modular! A lot has been done but I've not documented it just yet, hoping to get to that soon - more to come.
Casio SK-1 & MB37: http://gleix.net/modbox-37
Initial blogpost re: modular: http://gleix.net/updates/2020/9/25/beginning-the-gleix-video-modular
Full overview videos: Circuit Bent Hing Hon EK-001, Casio SA-2
Excited to have these done. The EK-001 below is one of the more advanced versions of this build I’ve ever done. I’ve been aiming to do proper VO overviews of things recently, despite the time it takes, and I’m pretty happy with how these came out.
And a very brief one for the SA-9:
For Sale: Circuit bent Hing Hon EK-001, Casio SA-2, Casio SA-9
in devices
I’ve got a few things for sale which you can check out here!
I’m in the process of making videos for each device, but I’ve linked to previous builds that are very similar to the ones for sale. Feel free to get in touch with any questions you might have!
Variable speed Gameboy Clock Mod
in devices
Via the ‘Other Instruments & Toys’ page:
I stuck an LTC1799 oscillator module in a lil box which can be connected up to the gameboy via 1/8" stereo cable for variable speed under/overclocking. I really didn’t want to add any ugly controls to the Gameboy itself, so this worked out well. It runs like normal without it plugged in, but with it plugged in you're able to use coarse and fine control knobs to drop it to a near-stop at 100Khz, or speed it up to 7.12Mhz (original gameboys run at 4.19Mhz). It crashes any higher than that, so I capped the speed there (though the 1799 does go up to 33Mhz). Also added a switch to set the max speed at either 1x or 1.7x, so in a performance setting there's no need to fumble around for the proper speed after dropping it down. Fun for music, also a quality of life improvement for the Pokemon grind. This gameboy has been a nice restoration project, and has a few other mods as well (Backlight, bivert chip, internal pro-sound mod, internal speaker amplifier, glass screen cover).
Check the photo gallery for a wiring diagram! The 1799 module I used came from Amazon, though any will work.
August, 2020.
Full video overview for the VGS-FB & VGS-35 as a video synthesizer / feedback generator
New Device: The VGS-FB, a feedback generator/video synth add-on for the VGS-35
A new page has been made for a recent build, the VGS-FB. Like the post-title says, this new device is meant to expand the abilities of a previous build of mine. In conjunction with the VGS-35 this functions as an analog video feedback generator and a lofi video synthesizer. Check it out here!
Working on getting a video together.
Video Glitch Box 35 added to 'Devices' section
I recently built out a device for circuit bending and glitching out analog video signals. This page contains photos, reference images, and information on the build.