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Ten years ago this month, AJH Synth introduced its MiniMod Eurorack system, consisting of the Vintage Transistor Core VCO, Transistor Ladder Filter, Contour Generators, Discrete Cascaded VCA, and Glide + Noise modules.
Up until this time, such a complete system capable of delivering the same fatness and legendary sound of the Model D synthesizer had never been available in 3U Eurorack format. It was a first for the Eurorack industry, and the launchpad for AJH Synth – which has since gone on to develop dozens of innovative modules renowned for their meticulous circuit design, unmatched build quality and sonic flexibility.
The following demo video, created recently by Dreams of Wires, features the AJH MiniMod system.
Ten years later, the very same MiniMod system – albeit with an upgrade to the Glide + Noise module – is still being manufactured, and of course all of the modules are available independently. For synthesists and other musicians around the world, such a system enables access to classic and authentic analogue sounds, but in a much smaller framework and within open architecture.
As the AJH Synth product line has grown organically, these special instruments have reached a diversity of artists around the world – and across multiple musical genres. Some of these artists include Hans Zimmer, JJ Abrams, Lloyd Cole, Colin Benders and many others. Following is a summary of each of the essential ‘building blocks’ of the core MiniMod system, launched a decade ago:
- Glide + Noise
This 6hp wide module features both the Glide and the Noise generator circuitry from the Model D synthesiser, with improved the performance and added extra features in the new Mk 2 version. It uses a discrete circuit which includes a track and hold function, and emulates the exact behaviour of the original Model D synthesiser. The Noise Generator is completely separate from the Glide circuitry, and there are three outputs offering White Noise, Pink Noise and Red Noise. - Transistor Ladder Filter
The stuff of legends, the Model D transistor ladder filter changed the face of the musical landscape forever. The MiniMod VCF is a faithful replica of the 24db/octave low pass filter used in the early Model D synthesiser. There is a three channel input mixer and a nice large filter cutoff control, along with “1/3” and “2/3” CV inputs to emulate the action of the original VCF keyboard switches. Also, there is a variable Exponential CV input allowing even more modulation effects. - Vintage Transistor Core VCO
The discrete transistor core of this Voltage Controlled Oscillator is based on the original and most desirable RA Moog oscillator design, which appeared in very early Model D production units. The front panel features a switchable octave selection and four independent waveform outputs including the famous “Sharktooth” wave, Sawtooth wave, Square wave and Triangle wave. The Square wave output has fully adjustable Pulse Width Modulation, with manual and CV control. Added features include exponential and linear modulation inputs and oscillator sync. - Contour Generators
This module features two independent Contour Envelope Generators in a single 12hp wide Eurorack module. These are very accurate replicas of the Model D contour generators, with identical circuitry and component values running on the same voltages of the original so they replicate the original envelope response. Extra features include manual trigger buttons and envelope status LED’s. - Cascaded VCA
The MiniMod Discrete Cascaded VCA is a 10hp wide Eurorack format module, featuring two fully discrete transistor VCA cores which are hardwired in series. There are two audio inputs, each with their own level controls, along with two CV inputs – which control the gain of VCA 1 and a Master CV input and level control which controls the gain of VCA 2. There is also an offset control so a preset gain can be added to VCA 1. Internally, this module operates at the same voltage and signal levels as the early Model D voltage controlled amplifier, and the output of VCA 1 is hardwired to the input of VCA 2. A high gain (overdrive) mode can be selected for VCA 1 with an onboard jumper, and this overdrives it into soft clipping making for a pleasing grit and distortion.
All AJH Synth modules are designed, engineered and manufactured in England. They are available exclusively through the company’s international network of authorized dealers.
More information: AJH Synth
