Psycho / Psychoacoustic Sub Bass Synthesizer is a touch responsive semi-modular synthesizer that can be used for producing heavy sub basses, effecting external sound sources, and experimenting with psychoacoustic phenomena. 2 self resonating twin-t filters work by themselves or with the input of auxiliary audio to make an array of percussive hits, drones, and gliding basses. Additionally, there are 2 optical gates which can be used to gate audio or cv signals. The gates are controlled by 2 slope generators which can be looped/cycled, and can modulate one another to create rhythmic phrases and effects. A piezo contact microphone mounted inside of Psycho amplifies any surface vibrations in the synth's immediate vicinity which can then be routed into any section of the synth including both the twin-t filters for creating hybrid electro-acoustic sounds. The summing mixer mixes any combination of the various sound sections in mono or hard panned stereo to the master outputs and also has an additional 2 mono inputs and 1 stereo input. The 6 touch sensors, located at the bottom of the instrument, send looped or 1-shot trigger pulses to the twin-t filters and the gates. And the 30 1/8" jack connections, at the top of the front panel, give access to all sound and control signal inputs and outputs for a myriad of routing combinations both within the synth itself and with other instruments and effects.
Pictured above to the right is Psycho by itself, and to the left the synth is paired with the resonating plate appendage. The appendage is an aluminum resonating plate with pre-drilled holes for easily attaching strings, springs, wood, or any other resonant materials to further expand the sound palette.
Central to the Psycho's design is the twin other. Because there are 2 of everything, the twin pairs can feedback into one another and operate in stereo. In combination with the touch sensors, this allows fluid and intuitive morphing between symmetric and assymetric geometries for rhythmic, spatial, and overall sound shaping wierdness. At the same time, this also opens the door to experimentation with psychoacoustic phenomena such as ABS (Auditory Beat Stimulaton), ASSR (Auditory Steady State Responses), or brainwave entrainment through monaural and binaural beat generation and sound spatialization.
Specifications
- 2 Twin T Filters with control over bend amount, pitch, and decay (feedback) and cv inputs for pitch and feedback
- 2 Optical Gates (Voltage Controlled, can pass audio or CV)
- 2 Slopes (Voltage Controlled, each slope selectable between rising or falling)
- Stereo Summing Mixer with 1 stereo and 2 mono inputs
- Built in piezo contact mic for picking up acoustic sounds
- Touch Interface
- 30 patch points
- All analog discrete transistor circuitry
- All parts and solder used in the construction are lead-free and ROHS compliant
- Center positive 12v supply (very low power consumption)
- Dimensions 170mm x 177mm x 15mm (without knobs)
- Weight approx 500g
