CRO-1 available to buy to order
CRO-2 so far has VCA, preamps, ringmod, filter, vc delay, 8 step seq see product section for more info
For news updates or to make an order use contact link...
Background info
This is an overview of what this Crowphonics thing is all about. For more details about actual product(s), ie a nice breakdown of functionality, see products section of this website.
The idea of the Crowphonics modular is to provide an accessible and affordable way into the world of modular synthesis. These boxes have their own sound and are ideally suited to what I geuss you'd call the left field side of music. Initially, each box will work as a standalone unit with its own power supply and sound making/processing capabilities. As a way of getting into the modular world, one box alone will give loads of capability, two boxes and the possibilites really expand etc etc..
Don't know if its unique, but an unusual feature is that the modular ins and outs are linked by bolts sticking up out of the box. These are designed to be interconnected by crocodile clips (I'll sell these cheap too). This means you can stack as many outs to ins etc as you like. It also means that my costs and construction time are reduced, which is crucial when trying to offer as much sound design capabiltiy for as little cost as possible.
Having standalone boxes which interconnect means you can start going modular without spending too much. If you bought a regular system from one of the modular companies out there you'd be £200+ down before you even had anything that made a sound. The Crowphonics modular boxes won't be rack mount modules that are polished and calibrated as per high end system, but will make up for that in their character and ability to make noises that those manufacturers might consider too unrefined. I used to own a modular system by a popular maker (sold to help me exist while I make my own boxes to sell) and I find I get a different kind of satisfaction from playing with these kind of homemade boxes. I wanted something that sounded more raw and untamed like these.
Compatibility with other modulars I geuss should be possible (with the right interface), but I don't have the facility to try these things out. I have however put protection resistors on the inputs and outputs as per the rules of the modular world.
BORING STUFF ABOUT ME & WHAT I HAVE BEEN DOING
I am Michael Dexter, but people call me Ted (a name from school after a bygone english cricketer of the same surname). If you find sometimes my name changes in correspondence with me, its because I can never decide which name to use when dealing with people.
Previously (since July 2008) I've been making sound devices, that have been developed individually and relatively quickly and housed in nice unique boxes (found at boot sales etc). These sound devices needed to go to the next stage for me to sustain something I can do for a living. It was taking too long to develop each in this bespoke way. As a result each synth will now be the same with standardised parts/box/circuit etc. It has taken me much longer to develop my first modular box than the individual boxes I used to make. The new box offers more features and future interface potential than anything I've done before. From here the whole modular, interconnectivity thing is what crowphonics will be about. The potential with two & more boxes is something I'm pretty excited about, and after making and selling (hopefully!)some "box ones" I can't wait to get onto box 2.
It's early days but the first product will be released on its own and then more boxes developed. I'd say approx 2-3 months for the next box to appear after box 1. For those wanting to build a modular system a little faith in my good fortune would be required, ie assuming I can keep this going and not have to get a job instead. If I don't manage to keep this going as a money making concern though, you will still have an excellent (in my opinion) sound making box and my full support for it.
The idea of the Crowphonics modular is to provide an accessible and affordable way into the world of modular synthesis. These boxes have their own sound and are ideally suited to what I geuss you'd call the left field side of music. Initially, each box will work as a standalone unit with its own power supply and sound making/processing capabilities. As a way of getting into the modular world, one box alone will give loads of capability, two boxes and the possibilites really expand etc etc..
Don't know if its unique, but an unusual feature is that the modular ins and outs are linked by bolts sticking up out of the box. These are designed to be interconnected by crocodile clips (I'll sell these cheap too). This means you can stack as many outs to ins etc as you like. It also means that my costs and construction time are reduced, which is crucial when trying to offer as much sound design capabiltiy for as little cost as possible.
Having standalone boxes which interconnect means you can start going modular without spending too much. If you bought a regular system from one of the modular companies out there you'd be £200+ down before you even had anything that made a sound. The Crowphonics modular boxes won't be rack mount modules that are polished and calibrated as per high end system, but will make up for that in their character and ability to make noises that those manufacturers might consider too unrefined. I used to own a modular system by a popular maker (sold to help me exist while I make my own boxes to sell) and I find I get a different kind of satisfaction from playing with these kind of homemade boxes. I wanted something that sounded more raw and untamed like these.
Compatibility with other modulars I geuss should be possible (with the right interface), but I don't have the facility to try these things out. I have however put protection resistors on the inputs and outputs as per the rules of the modular world.
BORING STUFF ABOUT ME & WHAT I HAVE BEEN DOING
I am Michael Dexter, but people call me Ted (a name from school after a bygone english cricketer of the same surname). If you find sometimes my name changes in correspondence with me, its because I can never decide which name to use when dealing with people.
Previously (since July 2008) I've been making sound devices, that have been developed individually and relatively quickly and housed in nice unique boxes (found at boot sales etc). These sound devices needed to go to the next stage for me to sustain something I can do for a living. It was taking too long to develop each in this bespoke way. As a result each synth will now be the same with standardised parts/box/circuit etc. It has taken me much longer to develop my first modular box than the individual boxes I used to make. The new box offers more features and future interface potential than anything I've done before. From here the whole modular, interconnectivity thing is what crowphonics will be about. The potential with two & more boxes is something I'm pretty excited about, and after making and selling (hopefully!)some "box ones" I can't wait to get onto box 2.
It's early days but the first product will be released on its own and then more boxes developed. I'd say approx 2-3 months for the next box to appear after box 1. For those wanting to build a modular system a little faith in my good fortune would be required, ie assuming I can keep this going and not have to get a job instead. If I don't manage to keep this going as a money making concern though, you will still have an excellent (in my opinion) sound making box and my full support for it.
