Joy of Synths #23 Patch Sheets

In Praise of Patch Sheets in this non-musicians guide to creating sounds for podcasts, videos, and sampling for music using analog synthesizers.

Jul 15, 2024

READ THE FORGOTTEN MANUAL

Some technical manuals are designed for experienced technicians. The better manuals are written, organized and designed for folks with a starter’s blank slate. For analog synthesizers, the best manuals come with patch sheets to show the range of sounds possible with the instrument.

Patch sheets are diagrams for you to fill in dial settings and patch point connections to recreate different sounds. It’s like a coloring book of sorts for sound creation.

This past week I worked through a few patch sheets of the Pittsburgh Modular SV-1b Blackbox synth manual (link).

Photo of analog synthesizer with a lot of cables connected. — Pittsburgh Modular SV-1b photo by Anthony Torres.

Of course I recorded the entire thing as you never know when a turn of a dial will surprise you. The SV-1b’s Sample and Hold setup showed me that I really had not unlocked the full potential of the instruments I own. Up to this point I’ve been spending more time buying and evaluating synths than committing to learning a single semi-modular instrument. I was playing them based on my existing knowledge and experience. Time to revisit the manuals to gain a fresh perspective on the instruments.

MODEL D

While I own three Behringer (B) Model Ds and I read through the B manual years ago, I’ve only started playing with the Model D thanks to connecting it to the Solina String Ensemble. For whatever reason, the Behringer Model D was the last on the list, well, until the Solina String Ensemble.

B MODEL D CONTEXT

In 2018 B released their knock off of the 1970 semi-modular Moog Minimoog Model D. You can read more about the original Minimoog Model D and its importance at Moog.com. Link here.

The B Model D edition features a similar layout minus the attached keyboard and wheels for modulation and pitch bending. B added patch points along the top, but the original Model D is so well designed that one can get amazing sounds from the B knock off using its rocker switches. The B’s patch points are there to enhance the sound’s shape and movement with additional synthesizers or Eurorack modules, though it can patch back into itself.

Of course it helps to have a MIDI keyboard controller when exploring the B Model D. Even more so if the keyboard has features like sequencer, arpeggiator, and hold, as well as CV outputs. That pretty much is the $129 Arturia KeyStep 32-key model or its $69 knockoff, the Behringer Swing. For good or bad both models use strips instead of wheels for pitch bend and modulation. Pitch bend snaps back once released but modulation can remain in an “up” position. Just be aware of that.

Photo of a Model D synthesizer and a keyboard. — Behringer Model D with Behringer Swing. Note the lack of patching. So much is possible with dials and switches!

BACK TO B THROUGH MOOG PATCHES

The B manual includes blank patch sheets. For patch sheets with sound suggestions, I turned to the Moog Model D manual from 2022, starting on page 55-76, with 2 sound patches per page. Link.

The Moog patch sheets somewhat translate to the B Model D. The rocker switches make it hard initially to tell which are on/off. Try both positions and see what sound emerges. However, these many Moog sound patches are a great starting point for exploring the B Model D.

Also be aware that sound will change as you press higher and lower keys on a MIDI keyboard. When you arrive at a cool sound, try pressing other keys to see how it responds. The changes can be vastly different or no change at all to the pitch.

IN CLOSING

For $299 for the B Model D synth and $69 for the B Swing MIDI controller, or $3999 for a demo model of a Moog Minimoog Model D, you have a great starter set up for analog synthesis. What surprises me is the range of sound WITHOUT connecting patch cables. This finally explains why B’s Model D box only comes with two patch cables. You don’t need them, but you definitely need a MIDI controller. And finally, aside from the Neutron, most Behringer synths are knock offs, so look to the original item for the source manual and possibly patch sheets. Google makes easy work of that now.

Wires that form the words "Joy of Synths"

END NOTE

Given the sheer amount of editing that needs doing, the August newsletter will come out on August 15. We’ll return to twice monthly in September. Keep enjoying and recording Summer 2024!