Distortion
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Even though wavefolding is more of a west coast synthesis concept, it’s a great addition to the otherwise very east coast mki x es.edu DIY system. Why? Because it can provide a ton of unusual timbres for your patches: from a slight dash of brightness to harsh metallic drones. That’s why we came up with this super simple BJT-based double wavefolder.We – Erica Synths and Moritz Klein – have developed a series of educational DIY kits under the brand name mki x es.EDU with one specific goal in mind: to teach people with little-to-no prior experience how to design analog synthesizer circuits from scratch. What you’ll find in the box is not simply meant to be soldered together and then disappear in your rack. Instead, we want to take you through the circuit design process step by step, explaining every choice we’ve made and how it impacts the finished module.In total, we have developed 9 kits to build a fully-featured modular monosynth: a sequencer, a VCO, a wavefolder, a noise/S&H module, a mixer, a VCF, an Envelope generator, a dual VCA, and an output stereo mixer with a headphone amplifier. Additionally, an affordable eurorack case with a DIY PSU will also be available. While these kits are easy to build, we did not compromise on design and functionality. We will launch one kit every 4-6 weeks. For each kit, there is an extensive user manual (40+ pages; can be downloaded separately) that will dive deep into not only the electronics behind each circuit but also the fundamental principles of sound synthesis. We hope that the mki x es.EDU project will inspire future engineers and will contribute to the ever-growing diversity of electronic music technology.DIY-Kit-Type:THT-Kit-1. This is a Do-It-Yourself kit, not an assembled module. The kit includes all parts to build the module. Only trough-hole parts to solder. Make sure to check the build guide before you buy. For build guide, more info, videos etc. please check the buttons below.
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Sound Design channel strip based on a famous late eighties small mixer used mostly for the well known TB303 distortion sound.Features:• 1 audio input• 1 input gain potentiometer• 2 EQ potentiometers: low and hi• 1 output level potentiometer• 1 audio output• Standard 10 pin euro power (+12V / -12V) (works also at +15V / -15V)DIY-Kit-Type:THT-Kit-1. This is a Do-It-Yourself kit, not an assembled module. The kit includes all parts to build the module. Only trough-hole parts to solder. Make sure to check the build guide before you buy. For build guide, more info, videos etc. please check the buttons below.
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Sound design channel strip based on a famous late seventies small mixer used by many electronic music bands.Features:• 1 Audio input• 1 Gain pot• 2 EQ pots - Low & Hi• 1 Output level pot• 1 Audio outputDIY-Kit-Type:THT-Kit-1. This is a Do-It-Yourself kit, not an assembled module. The kit includes all parts to build the module. Only trough-hole parts to solder. Make sure to check the build guide before you buy. For build guide, more info, videos etc. please check the buttons below.
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This module is the result of almost a year of brainstorming to make a multipurpose sound destruction module.After checking several classic distortion/fuzz/overdrive/clipping circuits, we decided to blend several ideas in one module and give you enough options, so you can mangle your sound to your taste.The circuit blends direct clean sound with two different type of distortions.One circuit is a FET preamp based on a classic circuit of a mini portable cassette recorder & mixer combo from the eighties. It has variable gain and level control.The other circuit is based on classic guitar pedal distortion/fuzz with switchable diode or MOSFET distortion. This circuit also has variable gain and level control.The two distortion circuits are followed by a Baxandall two band equaliser (the one from our PRE-KM module) to shape the distorted sound to your pleasure.Finally the mangled (double distorted/clipped equalised) sound is blended with the clean sound for the right balance.This module sounds great on drums, bass synth or even acoustic sources. Enjoy your new sound shaping toy.On the technical side we took great care for the PCB design and although this is an SMD circuit board we decided to use through hole parts where we considered it matters (some capacitors and the FETs).DIY-Kit-Type:SMD-Kit-2. This is a Do-It-Yourself kit, not an assembled module. The kit includes all parts to build the module. It includes SMD and through-hole parts! For build guide, more info, videos etc. please check the buttons below.
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Meth Amp is based around the fuzz core of the EH Big Muff pedal. Lovely fuzz and distortion based on the classic Big Muff pedal! It’ll do wooly warm fuzz, subtle tone shaping with a soft saturation/colour, feedback madness and work as a great output VCA (LPG style tones possibly too). The clipping diodes have been replaced by red LEDs to take account of the change in power supply from 9V in the original Big Muff to +/-12V in Meth Amp.To the fuzz core has been added a bunch of OTAs, each controlling a different aspect of audio processing: gain, regen (a new feature - not present in Big Muff), tone and volume. Thereby, each feature is fully voltage controllable.Additionally, there is a separate x100 preamp which can be used to boost external audio for further processing by Meth Amp. Here is a Video about it.DIY-Kit-Type:THT-Kit-1. This is a Do-It-Yourself kit, not an assembled module. The kit includes all parts to build the module. Only trough-hole parts to solder. Make sure to check the build guide before you buy. For build guide, more info, videos etc. please check the buttons below.
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ThermoNuclear is a sub-miniature vacuum tube based overdrive. The first stage is a MOSFET with switchable mu-amp. The second stage is a self biased sub-miniature pentode with switchable triode/pentode. Then there’s a tonestack based on the EH Big Muff. Finally, there’s a blend control and another MOSFET stage for some gain recovery after the tonestack. ThermoNuclear will crush and destroy your tone with a pleasing warm tubey goodness.Although the filament of the tube will glow, it’s not a lightbulb, and the level of glow may vary between different tubes.DIY-Kit-Type:THT-Kit-1. This is a Do-It-Yourself kit, not an assembled module. The kit includes all parts to build the module. Only trough-hole parts to solder. Make sure to check the build guide before you buy. For build guide, more info, videos etc. please check the buttons below.
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This is the DIY version of this unit.Pathways is a modular matrix mixer designed for feedback manipulation, creative routing, weird synthesis… and many other things.Based around sixteen analog VCAs it can be the central hub of many different setups and a bridge between desktop gear and eurorack systems.Features:• 4x 1/4″ inputs with gain / drive control, 4x 1/4″ outputs• Each of the 16 matrix intersections can be controlled manually or via CV, a dedicated LED gives visual feedback of the channel volume• An envelope follower is normalled to input four, the signal then gets fed through a clock divider with three cascaded outputs. Willingly, an external signal can be inserted into the divider• Two voltage controlled LFOs can modulate any parameter and create dynamic feedbacks, asymmetrical panning, tempo-related fx send/returns• If patched into itself, each channel can self oscillate so it can be used as a polyphonic cv-controllable drone synthesizer• full eurorack compatibility, each parameter has its own 1/8″ input jackDIY-Kit-Type:SMD-Kit-1. This is a Do-It-Yourself kit, not an assembled unit. The kit includes all parts to build the unit. All SMD parts are pre-soldered, only trough-hole parts to solder. For build guide, more info, videos etc. please check the buttons below.
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This is the DIY version of this unit.Solid Felt is a stereo multimode analog filter in desktop format.Its name comes from the etymology of the words “stereo” and “filter”.From subtle timbral variation to an all-encompassing sonic treatment, Solid Felt can be used in multiple ways to embellish or vandalize your sound bouquet:As two independent mono filtersto give a stereo treatment to a mono signalto filter a stereo signal at the same cutoff frequency on the L and R channelsAs a mono 24dB/oct filter (placing the two filters in series)To synthesize sounds, via external feedback patchingTo extrapolate a CV signal from your audio input and use it to control any of its parameter or external gearAs a stereo overdrive effectTo bring line level signals to Eurorack levelFeatures:• 2x Analog multimode analog filters• 2x 1/4″ jack high impedance inputs• 2x 1/4″ jack low impedance outputs• 8x 1/8″ jack eurorack compatible CV inputs• 8x 1/8″ jack eurorack compatible CV outputs• Input gain control to amplify incoming signals up to fuzzy territory• mode control to select between lowpass, bandpass and highpass filter response (CV controllable)• an envelope follower (normalled to input A) which is fed into a three stage clock divider• a voltage controlled LFO with waveform blend control and two outputs 180° out of phase• a voltage controlled LFO with rising and falling sawtooth outputsDIY-Kit-Type:SMD-Kit-1. This is a Do-It-Yourself kit, not an assembled unit. The kit includes all parts to build the unit. All SMD parts are pre-soldered, only trough-hole parts to solder. For build guide, more info, videos etc. please check the buttons below.
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GETREKT is a full analogue waveshaper - an aggressive one. Disrupt and Pieces are analog touch controls; they act like potentiometers and they keep the value once the finger is lifted from the surface.DISRUPT: controls how much the output is affected by the waveshaper circuit. At maximum it will fold and create a total harmonic distortion.PIECES: the pulse width of the resulting transformed wave.Both parameters have a dedicated reactive CV input. If connected, the touch potentiometer act as an offset of the incoming signal.The circuit is designed to invert the polarity of any given input.Features:• Clipping and folding analog waveshaper circuit.• Touch Controls on the amount of effect and PWM.• Reactive CV inputs on both parameters.• Inverts the polarity of any given input.• Works with audio and CV sources.• Single board design - extremely skiff friendly.• “Whatever” power connector a.k.a. don’t mind the polarity.DIY-Kit-Type:SMD-Kit-1. This is a Do-It-Yourself kit, not an assembled module. The kit includes all parts to build the module. All SMD parts are pre-soldered, only trough-hole parts to solder. For build guide, more info, videos etc. please check the buttons below.
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Analog optocoupler filther.GOBLET is an analog filter and distortion unit with some added quirks and extra controls. Start with both faders - frequency and resonance - at maximum, turn the trimmers fully clockwise and set the feedback pot at 0. Now insert an input and take the output either from the lowpass out or the notch out. Start to turn the frequency trimmer until the resonance kicks in. Now adjust the resonance trimmer to your taste. The faders now have full range of responsiveness. Adjust the feedback and start the filthering. For extra distortion interact with the two touch plates and the central momentary button.Features:• Unique analog two pole circuit with custom optocouplers fed directly in the feedback path.• Two step controls and individual CV inputs on frequency and resonance for precise sound sculpting.• Dedicated potentiometer for the total amount of feedback.• A performance-oriented momentary switch for extra distortion.• Two expressive touch points to make your body interact with the circuit.• Rhythmically oriented accent CV input.• Two outputs - a smoother LP and an aggressive notch.• Works with audio and CV sources.• Single board design - extremely skiff friendly.• “Whatever” power connector a.k.a. don’t mind the polarity.DIY-Kit-Type:SMD-Kit-1. This is a Do-It-Yourself kit, not an assembled module. The kit includes all parts to build the module. All SMD parts are pre-soldered, only trough-hole parts to solder. For build guide, more info, videos etc. please check the buttons below.
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Farbfolder is an analog wavefolder for Eurorack, designed to add harmonically related overtones to an audio signal.We have always been fascinated with analogue effects circuits, and we love the way their quirks and nonlinearities inspire us to find new sounds.Farbfolder does this weird and wonderful trick of folding up the wave at the zero points, "squaring" a sine off with more and more sinusoid edges, thus adding odd harmonics.This module is excellent at adding rich harmonics to a basic waveform. Its circuit can produce characteristic timbres similar to pulse-width and frequency modulation.It is part of our Farbfilter (colour filter) range of sound colouring modules, offering a wide sonic palette from lending subtle colour to rich timbre bending tones in 4 HP.Farbfolder is designed to be an easy, beginner-friendly DIY build you can solder yourself.Features:• Classic analog West Coast circuit: odd harmonics Wavefolder.• Offset and Attenuation for Fold CV for flexible modulation.• Bias Folding: Offset Audio input with CV.• Push Bias into dead zone for VCA-like use.• Backlit panel offers instant visual feedback over CV.• Flip panel: with or without number.DIY-Kit-Type:Semi-DIY-Kit. Most of the components are completely ready, you only have to assemble panel, knobs and some screws/washers.
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Farbshaper is a classic West Coast analog waveshaper for Eurorack, designed to shape the overtones of an audio signal with two voltage controlled stages.We have always been fascinated with analogue effects circuits, and we love the way their quirks and nonlinearities inspire us to find new sounds.Farbshaper is based on a classic circuit that turns a ramp into a sine, and was historically used in function generators and oscillators. On any other signal it will add one or multiple wave folds.The circuit produces opposite offsets internally, so the knob settings interact strongly and are fun to automate with CV.This module is excellent to use as a non-linear shaper for acoustic and electronic sounds, ranging from gentle timbral transformation to colourful wavefolding.It is part of our Farbfilter (colour filter) range of sound colouring modules, offering a wide sonic palette from lending subtle colour to rich timbre bending tones in 4 HP.Farbshaper is designed to be an easy, beginner-friendly DIY build you can solder yourself.Features:• Classic analog West Coast circuit: multi stage Waveshaper / -folder.• CV and Attenuation to control first single Fold stage.• CV and Attenuation to control Pleat, a second dual Fold stage.• Internal CV offset creates dead zones for VCA-like use.• Backlit panel offers instant visual feedback over CV.• Flip panel: with or without number.DIY-Kit-Type:Semi-DIY-Kit. Most of the components are completely ready, you only have to assemble panel, knobs and some screws/washers.
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Tausend dB is a four channel amplifier module for Eurorack in 6HP, allowing you to boost Audio and CV.Tausend dB works great for bringing line signals to Eurorack levels, and saturating Eurorack levels into overdrive. We love feeding piezo signals into Eurorack with it.The module has pin headers in the back so you can break out from prototyping platforms like Arduino, Teensy, Daisy and Bela to Tausend dB's inputs with jumper wires.DIY-Kit-Type:SMD-Kit-1. This is a Do-It-Yourself kit, not an assembled module. The kit includes all parts to build the module. All SMD parts are pre-soldered, only trough-hole parts to solder. For build guide, more info, videos etc. please check the buttons below.
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The London Drive is a 4 HP Drive/Distortion module inspired by the prestigious EMS VCS3/Synthi input gain. London Drive has two inputs and two outputs. Output 2 is a reverse phase version of Output 1, with a slightly different sonic character as well. Unlike its sibling Mini Drive, the London Drive gain knob never goes completely silent, but instead ranges from a clean signal to warmly overdriven. The module works as a gritty drive for modular level signals and works well with line level inputs as well – like a drum machine. It’s not suited as an external input for guitar.Using this module is a great way to make a polite sound source into something less polite, but always experiment with the levels! – the output can sound completely different depending on the settings and it can also be used to just add a nice bit of warmth to your input. London Drive also works very well with feedback loops – the dual inputs and differently phased outputs are designed to encourage experimentation with feedback patching.While this module doesn’t have CV in, you can either put a VCA or a filter before to modify the amount of grime, or get more experimental and try blasting an LFO or a sequence into one input to see what it does to audio in the other input.DIY-Kit-Type:SMD-Kit-1. This is a Do-It-Yourself kit, not an assembled module. The kit includes all parts to build the module. All SMD parts are pre-soldered, only trough-hole parts to solder. For build guide, more info, videos etc. please check the buttons below.
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The Mini Drive is a 4 HP Drive/Distortion module inspired by the classic Minimoog input gain. Mini Drive has two inputs which are higher and lower gain - but if you use both they’re the same level mixed. The Drive knob goes from zero/silent to lots of gain. It’s a dirty gain for modular level and works well with line level inputs – like a drum machine. It’s not suited as an external input for guitar.Using this module is a great way to make a polite sound source into something less polite, but always experiment with the levels! - the output can sound completely different depending on the settings and it can also be used to just add a nice bit of warmth to your input.Mini Drive also works very well in feedback loops. The classic minimoog trick is taking the audio output and adding it back after the oscillators, before the filter through this circuit. So the filter is in a feedback loop which will add resonance and fuzz. If you patch one output directly to an input then you can achieve feedback tones. Another idea is to patch sound (radio music, or a Osc/env/filt voice) into ‘low’ and one output to the main out. Then patch the second out to a filter, or a delay or reverb, and the output from that back into ‘high’ then turn up and add what happens. If the feedback isn’t wild, invert it with an attenuverter before going back into high.While it doesn’t have CV in you can either put a VCA or a filter before to modify the amount of grime, or get more experimental and try blasting an LFO or a sequence into one input to see what it does to audio in the other input. the outputs are passive multed together.DIY-Kit-Type:SMD-Kit-1. This is a Do-It-Yourself kit, not an assembled module. The kit includes all parts to build the module. All SMD parts are pre-soldered, only trough-hole parts to solder. For build guide, more info, videos etc. please check the buttons below.
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The Twin Drive is a 4 HP Drive/Distortion module inspired by the classic Minimoog input gain. Twin Drive is a stereo version of the Mini Drive, with left and right inputs – the left input is normalled to both outputs so the module can be used with mono signals as well. The Drive knob goes from zero/silent to lots of gain. It’s a dirty gain for modular level and works well with line level inputs – like a drum machine. It’s not suited as an external input for guitar.Using this module is a great way to make a polite sound source into something less polite, but always experiment with the levels! – the output can sound completely different depending on the settings and it can also be used to just add a nice bit of warmth to your input.While it doesn’t have CV in you can either put a VCA or a filter before to modify the amount of grime, or get more experimental and try blasting an LFO or a sequence into one input to see what it does to audio in the other input.DIY-Kit-Type:SMD-Kit-1. This is a Do-It-Yourself kit, not an assembled module. The kit includes all parts to build the module. All SMD parts are pre-soldered, only trough-hole parts to solder. For build guide, more info, videos etc. please check the buttons below.
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Elmyra 2 is a 4-voice digital/analog hybrid platform for microtonal sonic exploration, capable of creating anything from lush ambient soundscapes to gritty droning textures and shrieking noises, available as a 42 HP Eurorack module or semi-modular desktop synth. With 31 modulation targets, 4 polymetric sequencers, delay, additional per-voice effects, a choice of various filters, as well as onboard LFOs and utilities, it is essentially a purpose-built small modular system in itself. A set of preset cards (included) or electronic components like capacitors or diodes can be plugged into the front panel in order to change the sound character.Features:• 4 independent voices activated by touch or CV• wavetable-based complex oscillator engine, up to 12 oscillators in total, 1V/octave compatible• chromatic mode makes chords and harmonic sounds possible, microtonal scales supported• 41 patch points• 31 modulation targets• touchpads with analog envelopes that can be used as modulation sources• resonant filter switchable between:• boomy and aggressive multimode 2-pole state variable filter (low-pass, band-pass, high-pass)• creamy 4-pole low-pass ladder filter• delay with unhealthy amounts of feedback• lo-fi reverb• analog OUCH circuit: a unique combination of destructive distortion, waveshaping and filtering• sonic character can be customised by using special preset cards (set of 4 included) or components like diodes that can be plugged into the front panel• preset cards can be used with other Neutral Labs modules• external audio can be processed via audio input• 9 per-voice modulations and effects:• unison detune• dual sub-oscillators• saturation• bitmangler• sample rate reduction• noise• high-pass filter• low-pass filter• 2 LFOs: 1 sine, 1 complex morphable• 4 sequencers with arbitrary step length per voice (up to 128), allows polymetric structures• delay time and LFOs can be clock-synced or unsynced (tap tempo is also possible)• utilities• dual attenuator/buffered multiple/voltage generator• CV summing circuit• solid bamboo wood case• boutique synth handmade in GermanyDIY-Kit-Type:SMD-Kit-1. This is a Do-It-Yourself kit, not an assembled module. The kit includes all parts to build the module. All SMD parts are pre-soldered, only trough-hole parts to solder. For build guide, more info, videos etc. please check the buttons below.
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Elmyra 2 is a 4-voice digital/analog hybrid platform for microtonal sonic exploration, capable of creating anything from lush ambient soundscapes to gritty droning textures and shrieking noises, available as a 42 HP Eurorack module or semi-modular desktop synth. With 31 modulation targets, 4 polymetric sequencers, delay, additional per-voice effects, a choice of various filters, as well as onboard LFOs and utilities, it is essentially a purpose-built small modular system in itself. A set of preset cards (included) or electronic components like capacitors or diodes can be plugged into the front panel in order to change the sound character.Features:• 4 independent voices activated by touch or CV• wavetable-based complex oscillator engine, up to 12 oscillators in total, 1V/octave compatible• chromatic mode makes chords and harmonic sounds possible, microtonal scales supported• 41 patch points• 31 modulation targets• touchpads with analog envelopes that can be used as modulation sources• resonant filter switchable between:• boomy and aggressive multimode 2-pole state variable filter (low-pass, band-pass, high-pass)• creamy 4-pole low-pass ladder filter• delay with unhealthy amounts of feedback• lo-fi reverb• analog OUCH circuit: a unique combination of destructive distortion, waveshaping and filtering• sonic character can be customised by using special preset cards (set of 4 included) or components like diodes that can be plugged into the front panel• preset cards can be used with other Neutral Labs modules• external audio can be processed via audio input• 9 per-voice modulations and effects:• unison detune• dual sub-oscillators• saturation• bitmangler• sample rate reduction• noise• high-pass filter• low-pass filter• 2 LFOs: 1 sine, 1 complex morphable• 4 sequencers with arbitrary step length per voice (up to 128), allows polymetric structures• delay time and LFOs can be clock-synced or unsynced (tap tempo is also possible)• utilities• dual attenuator/buffered multiple/voltage generator• CV summing circuit• case made of plant-based bioplastic and native German oakwood• boutique synth handmade in GermanyDIY-Kit-Type:SMD-Kit-1. This is a Do-It-Yourself kit, not an assembled module. The kit includes all parts to build the module. All SMD parts are pre-soldered, only trough-hole parts to solder. For build guide, more info, videos etc. please check the buttons below.
sold out at the moment
Meg is a unique kind of waveshaper. Instead of folding the wave back in on itself like a common wavefolder, it shifts parts of the wave up or down, with the shifting threshold being adjustable. The resulting 2 half-waves can be flattened one by one, essentially morphing into a half square wave and eventually a full square wave. Essentially, it will add pulse-width modulation (and more) to any kind of wave. Both knobs can be fully CV controlled.DIY-Kit-Type:THT-Kit-1. This is a Do-It-Yourself kit, not an assembled module. The kit includes all parts to build the module. Only trough-hole parts to solder. Make sure to check the build guide before you buy. For build guide, more info, videos etc. please check the buttons below.
sold out at the moment
Nermal is discontinued for now - sorry. Nermal is a destructive distortion Eurorack module that has some unique sonic qualities. There are 3 levels of distortion ranging from subtle saturation to utter destruction. An integrated modulator can switch or even blend between these modes, with the modulation frequency going well into the audio range, in which case, interesting harmonics and artefacts can be created on top of the incoming audio. Nermal rewards experimentation and unexpected sweetspots can often be discovered along the way. In addition to the onboard modulator, there are external modulation options via control voltages (CV) for the most commonly used parameters. LFOs and envelopes work great, but audio signals are accepted as well and make for the most interesting patches.DIY-Kit-Type:THT-Kit-1. This is a Do-It-Yourself kit, not an assembled module. The kit includes all parts to build the module. Only trough-hole parts to solder. Make sure to check the build guide before you buy. For build guide, more info, videos etc. please check the buttons below.