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The Red Synthesizer

3 June 2023

Red Synthesizer Roger Arrick Click images for larger view

Here's my special custom red modular synthesizer that I built from 2015 to 2020. All of the modules are Synthesizers.com.


History of the Red Modular Synthesizer

Starting around 2015 I decided to build a custom modular synth for my home studio. The prototype synth cabinets were full and this one would give me space for the newer ++ series modules.

So I began pulling module panels from production and spraying them with a Rust-Oleum #7768 Burgandy paint before having them screen printed along with the regular panels.

Then I pulled a pair of 22-space portable cabinets with black vinyl and eventually a pair of 11-space portable cabinets to stack on top when they were introduced. I always thought this type of setup with the small cabinets on top looked cool, sorta like a Roland 700 system.

Then we made some angled portable base cabinets for Dallas Acid and I decided to go ahead and make a batch and offer them as a standard product.

As each new module came out from 2015 forward I pulled panels out of the first production batch and painted them red for this system. So each of the new modules got into this system. The last module I designed for James was the Q169 Oscillator++ in 2020 along with Q168 aid module(s) for it.

I consider this system finished and one of the coolest things I've ever built.

Red Synthesizer

Cabinets

These cabinets were regular products (as of 2018) made with 5/8 MDF and covered in our standard black vinyl. They aren't bolted together since they are very stable just stacked.

2) 22-space portable cabinets
2) 11-space portable cabinets
2) 11-space angled portable base cabinets

Cabinet

Power System

There are 2 QPS1 power supplies in this system. One is in a 22-space cabinet and one is in an angled base cabinet. The other cabinets share power using QIC cables and there's a custom power patch panel on the base cabinets. This isn't the only way to configure power in a system of this size, it's just what I happened to pick during the initial build.

power supply

Modules

This system has a huge variety of modules - some from the basic product line introduced in 2000 and some of the very newest modules of the ++ series. Everything is there - VCOs, filters, envelopes, mixers, LFOs, sequencers, utilities, etc.

Unlike the prototype synth, these modules are (with possibly some very minor exceptions) made on the production line using standard components and processes.

modules

Controllers

This system has a 5-octave keyboard with a Fatar keybed. It was used by Michelle Moog-Koussa of the Bob Moog Foundation at the 2014 NAMM show along with a Moog modular. On the left is a Box4 cabinet housing a wheel controller, a block controller and a ribbon controller panel. On the top is a Box1 cabinet with a whammy bar controller. These are the latest and greatest controllers. All of the panels are standard black, not red.

controllers

Lighting

Behind this system is a red LED strip mounted on the wall. It has a separate power supply that's plugged into the system's power strip.

red led

Logo Sign

This logo was cut out of 1/8" MDF with a laser cutter.

Logo Sign

Gallery

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