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Review: With roots that date back to 1967, when Weekly Manga Action magazine decided to take a punt on a new character, master thief Lupin III, grandson of gentleman robber Arsene Lupin, and his criminal gang, Takeo Yamashita and Otomo Yoshihide's collaborative soundtrack has cult status written all over it. While not made to accompany the core Lupin III series, the music here featured on the critically acclaimed Lupin Zero, a saga that takes us back to the early years of the protagonist - a young boy opening the door on a life of crime in mid-1960s Japan. On record, that sounds like a flamboyant and intoxicatingly heady brew of jazz, psychedelic rock, electronic experimentation and pure groove. As vivid as both the original printed cartoons and the subsequent screen adaptations that continued the legacy.

Review: Some 30 years later, Flashback, the legendary game by Paul Cuisset, is back with a new addition to the franchise. A classic game for the players, the newly reissued version of Flaschback 2 gets a facelift on its 30th Anniversary, in "2.5D" - following his victory over the Master Brain in the first episode, Conrad and his allies are once again confronted with Morphs, whose modus operandi is to crush all civilization. The new OST was produced by Raphael Gesqua; with about one hundred original soundtracks created for video games or cinema since the beginning of the 90s, Gesqua reunites here with the one who got him started in the world of video games: Paul Cuisset, on Flashback: The Quest For Identity. Cuts from both versions of the game (Commodore and Amiga) appear as part of a rich soundtrack, swerving between cinematic music, electronics and synthwave ambiances. A must have for all science fiction fans.

Notes: TRS Split - CV/Audio signal distributor

TRS Split is a multipurpose CV and audio signal distribution module. It has three 3.5 mm TRS (tip/ring/sleeve - stereo) jacks and six ordinary 3.5 mm mono jacks.

It contains 3 identical sections set up as following:

Upper jack carries the tip signal
Middle jack carries the stereo/dual signal
Lower jack carries the ring signal

Each section can either split a stereo signal into two mono signals or join two mono signals into one stereo signal. The module does not have any active components and does not need a power supply.

Use cases:

When you plug a stereo signal carried by a stereo (TRS) cable into the middle jack, you receive two separate mono signals by plugging in a mono (TS) cable in the upper jack to carry the left signal and a mono (TS) cable in the lower jack to carry the right signal. That way you can attack an "AUX" cable such as from your smartphone to your modular.

Or the other way around: Send two separate mono signals by plugging in a mono (TS) cable in the upper jack to carry the left signal and a mono (TS) cable in the lower jack to carry the right signal. Receive a stereo signal at the middle jack to be used with a stereo (TRS) cable.

Converting from stereo to dual mono and back allows you to alter the two sides of a stereo signal with different effects/filters.

Some tuners such as the Korg NTS-2 accept inputs to tune two oscillators combined in one 3.5 mm stereo jack. With one splitter you can easily feed two VCO signals into such a tuner.

Switching sides

Two splitters can be used to switch tip and ring (left and right): Plug in a stereo cable in the middle jack of the first section. Connect mono cables to the upper and lower jack of the first section. Then connect the upper mono cable of the first section to the lower mono jack of the second section and the lower mono cable of the first section to the upper mono jack of the second section. The signals are switched. Plug a stereo cable in the middle of the second splitter and you're good to go.

Hint: This also works for MIDI signals. If you use MIDI over minijack, there are two standards A and B - some manufacturers use A some B - thus not all connections are working. Now you can easily switch between the standards using the TRS Split.

Note: The MIDI input of the DROID X7 automatically detects A and B, so there is no switching necessary. The MIDI output of the X7 can be set to A or B with a switch on the back of the module.

Stereo multiple setup

If you have a separate multiple in your modular, you can use the TRS-SPLIT to create a 1:2 stereo multiple as follows:

Plug a stereo cable in the middle jack of section 1, patch the mono cable from the upper jack into section 1 of your multiple (e.g. a 3/3/3 multiple) and feed two of the outputs back into the upper jacks of section 2 and 3. Do the same with the mono cable coming from the lower jack of section 1 going into the second section of a 3/3/3 multiple and patch two cables back into the lower jacks of section 2 and 3 of the TRS Split. Now the middle jacks of section 2 and 3 both carry the stereo signal.

Dimensions
2 HP
22 mm deep

Current Draw
Module does not draw current

Notes: TRS Tool - Stereo/Dual CV/Audio/MIDI signal multipurpose module

TRS Tool is a multipurpose CV and audio signal distribution module for working with 3.5 mm stereo jacks (tip/ring/sleeve). These jacks are common for stereo audio but also for MIDI.

The TRS TOOL has no active components and does not need a power supply. It contains 3 different sections set up as following from top to bottom:

TRS Split
The upper jack carries the tip signal
The middle jack carries the stereo/dual signal
The Lower jack carries the ring signal

Use cases:

When you plug a stereo signal carried by a stereo (TRS) cable into the middle jack, you receive two separate mono signals by plugging in a mono (TS) cable in the upper jack to carry the left signal and a mono (TS) cable in the lower jack to carry the right signal. That way you can attack an "AUX" cable such as from your smartphone to your modular.

Or the other way around: Send two separate mono signals by plugging in a mono (TS) cable in the upper jack to carry the left signal and a mono (TS) cable in the lower jack to carry the right signal. Receive a stereo signal at the middle jack to be used with a stereo (TRS) cable.

Converting from stereo to dual mono and back allows you to alter the two sides of a stereo signal with different effects/filters.

Some tuners such as the Korg NTS-2 accept inputs to tune two oscillators combined in one 3.5 mm stereo jack. With one splitter you can easily feed two VCO signals into such a tuner.

TRS Quad Multiple

Multiply a stereo signal. Four TRS jacks to be used with stereo minijack cables.

Use cases:

You could use this to multiply the signal for headphones - listen to patches together.

Or create sends - route one (or two) stereo signals to effects and use the third one as dry signal going to the mixer.

Experimental: multiply a MIDI signal to two or three receivers: NOTE: depending on the output power of the MIDI sender and the power draw of the MIDI receivers this might or might not work. MIDI uses a current of typically 5 mA instead of voltage levels for data transmission. So when you attach too many devices to one output the current might not be enough to drive all of them. So this is strictly spoken not covered by the MIDI standard, but might work anyway.

A/B Swapper
The bottom section of the module consists of two connected TRS jacks.
Whatever signal applies to the tip in jack A will be routed to the ring in jack B.
Whatever signal applies to the ring in jack A will be routed to the tip in jack B.

Use cases:

Switch the left and right side of a stereo audio signal.

Switch between MIDI standard A and B: If you use MIDI over minijack, there's two standards A and B - some manufacturers use A some B - thus not all connections are working. Now you can easily switch between the standards using the TRS Split.

Note: The MIDI input of the DROID X7 automatically detects A and B, so there is no switching necessary. The MIDI output of the X7 can be set to A or B with a switch on the back of the module.

Dimensions
2 HP
22 mm deep

Current Draw
Module does not draw current

Review: Waajeed is a top tier talent - a producer, DJ, expert beat maker and label head at Dirt Tech Rack who moved away from his deep house sounds to cook up this masterful hip hop record back in 2006. It now arrives on vinyl almost 20 years later but time has not diminished its quality. It finds the Detroit native, who thrives on breaking conventional boundaries, telling the story of the kidnapping of Patricia Hearst as an emblematic American tale that he pairs with a raw beat framework that taps into the vibes of artists like J Dilla and Slum Village. It is a serious work from a serious artist.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***


By 1997 Photek had already marked himself out as a wild card in the rapidly evolving d&b scene. He'd had three years to carve out some frankly dizzying displays of break editing wizardry and such was the innovation on display there just had to be an album coming. Modus Operandi smartly stepped to one side of the dancefloor, offering a smoky reflection on where jungle and d&b had got to, highlighting the compatibility between half-speed downtempo and breakneck drums and bringing inherent jazziness to the forefront of the beats, which avoided all the usual cliches. It's a masterpiece which hasn't dulled with time and here it's getting a heavyweight reissue across three slabs to ensure the loudest cut. All the better to blow your mind with, all over again.

Notes: The Allen & Heath CQ-18T has become a highly coveted device to protect, owing to its versatile features in managing mixing, recording, live performance, and digital audio workstation (DAW) integration. Its multifunctional nature distinguishes it as a preferred option for audio professionals.

Decksaver's range of professional mixer covers is designed to provide audio engineers with the confidence and peace of mind necessary in any environment.

Specifically conceived and crafted in the UK for the Allen & Heath CQ-18T, this Decksaver cover is manufactured from polycarbonate-a robust and transparent material precisely tailored to the exact specifications, achieving the perfect level of smoked clarity.

Each design is subject to rigorous testing to confirm it meets Decksaver's stringent standards, assuring you of its quality and dependability. The cover efficiently protects faders, buttons, knobs, and indicators from dust, spills, and unintended impacts, whilst preserving the integrity of your cables and settings.

Endorsed by industry experts and utilised by professionals, the Decksaver cover for the CQ-18T is the preferred selection for safeguarding your equipment, ensuring no compromise on functionality or aesthetics.

Dimensions

Weight: 0.194 kg
Length: 32.9 cm
Width: 23.8 cm
Height: 4.9 cm

Material: Smoked clear polycarbonate

WARNING: When your Decksaver cover is in place, please ensure that your equipment is kept away from direct and high heat sources, such as radiators, fires and sunlight.

Notes: Compact Tuner-metronome combo

The Korg TM-70T is a compact tuner-metronome combo. Offers precise tuning, clear metronome sound, and a user-friendly display. Features a transpose function, long battery life, and is ideal for a range of instruments. Made in Japan for quality assurance.

The TM-70T combo metronome and tuner is the latest evolution in our TM series, expertly blending a tuner and metronome in one practical unit. Designed for the modern musician, it delivers a suite of features in a surprisingly compact design, ensuring you stay in tune and on beat, whatever your instrument.

The TM-70T is designed to be portable and user-friendly. It's small enough to fit in your pocket, yet features an improved display for easy visibility, making it an ideal companion for musicians of all levels.

Korg have fine-tuned the TM-70T for precision and clarity. The tuning is quicker and more accurate, essential for every performance, and the metronome sound is loud and clear, cutting through even in noisy environments.

Notes: Compact Tuner-metronome combo

The Korg TM-70T is a compact tuner-metronome combo. Offers precise tuning, clear metronome sound, and a user-friendly display. Features a transpose function, long battery life, and is ideal for a range of instruments. Made in Japan for quality assurance.

The TM-70T combo metronome and tuner is the latest evolution in our TM series, expertly blending a tuner and metronome in one practical unit. Designed for the modern musician, it delivers a suite of features in a surprisingly compact design, ensuring you stay in tune and on beat, whatever your instrument.

The TM-70T is designed to be portable and user-friendly. It's small enough to fit in your pocket, yet features an improved display for easy visibility, making it an ideal companion for musicians of all levels.

Korg have fine-tuned the TM-70T for precision and clarity. The tuning is quicker and more accurate, essential for every performance, and the metronome sound is loud and clear, cutting through even in noisy environments.

Review: This massive anthology box set compiles all five volumes of the Stereolab Switched On series: 94 non-album tracks and sought after deep cuts by the group. Beginning with the original Switched On compilation LP from 1992, the series that ensued - though entirely comprised of deep cuts - still makes for a comprehensive jaunt through the Anglo-French auteurs' oeuvre, which never once lets up on quality. Every track here could've appeared on a full-length, so it's a testament to the band's work ethic that they simply had this much material to follow up with. Warp's comprehensive new 8xCD includes experimental highlights such as the original weirdo-chanson 'Plastic Mile', an Autechre remix of 'Refractions In The Plastic Pulse' and the stripped back 'XXXOOO', among many other gemstones.

Review: Shadowed Tales From Mulhouse by iconic punk group The Damned is a haunting journey into the depths of musical darkness. The album captivates throughout with its eerie melodies, ethereal vocals, and brooding atmosphere. Each track exudes a sense of mystery and intrigue, drawing the audience into a world of shadows and secrets. The band's masterful instrumentation and haunting lyrics create a spine-chilling experience that lingers long after the final note fades away. All of this makes Shadowed Tales From Mulhouse is a testament to The Damned's prowess as musical storytellers, leaving listeners enthralled and eager for more from this enigmatic ensemble.

Review: The Virgin Prunes were masters of the uncanny, juxtaposing nightmares with lullabies, beauty with cruelty; combining gentle vocals and the spoken word with anguished wailing from purgatory itself. Their first album, A New Form Of Beauty (1981), powerfully laid out this terrain. Its themes ranged from mournful tales of unrequited love, frustrated sexuality, morbid eroticism and wasted youth, to yearnings for distant dreamlands, all of which were juxtaposed with macabre visions of dystopian societies, overpowered by dark forces and where demons run amok. Guggi's art work for A New Form of Beauty, which intimates a heartless transaction within a domestic setting, is in keeping with this sensibility. Now reissued by BMG, this 2024 deluxe edition features all four parts of the album remastered from the original tape, plus a trifold reverse board sleeve and a 16-page, 11-inch artbook with brand new sleevenotes.

Notes: The AlphaTheta Omnis Duo, a state-of-the-art DJ controller developed by AlphaTheta, has swiftly garnered praise for its groundbreaking features and unmatched performance qualities. Acknowledging its crucial contribution to the evolution of contemporary DJing, and in answer to the passionate call for dependable protection, Decksaver are delighted to unveil the Decksaver cover, custom-made for the Omnis Duo. Precision-engineered from superior polycarbonate, this cover is carefully crafted to provide the utmost protection for your Omnis Duo, safeguarding it against dust, spills, and unexpected impacts, thus ensuring its durability and peak performance.

With an eye for detail, this Decksaver cover perfectly matches the distinct contours of the AlphaTheta Omnis Duo, offering a tight fit that covers all essential components, such as knobs, buttons, and screens. Despite its strong protection, the cover allows easy access to vital connections, facilitating straightforward setup and disassembly for both live performances and studio use. Whether you're in the heat of a lively DJ set, a busy studio setting, or during storage, this cover acts as a steadfast protector, maintaining the immaculate condition and operational capabilities of your Omnis Duo.

Opting for this Decksaver cover for your AlphaTheta Omnis Duo is more than just about safeguarding; it symbolises a dedication to the care and upkeep of a key element of your DJ equipment. Held in high esteem and trusted by professionals in the industry, this cover is an essential addition for anyone committed to preserving the integrity and longevity of their AlphaTheta Omnis Duo, ensuring it stays ready for every DJing venture and creative pursuit.

Dimensions

Weight: 0.56 kg
Length: 50.5 cm
Width: 31.2 cm
Height: 3.1 cm

Material: Smoked clear polycarbonate.

WARNING: When your Decksaver cover is in place, please ensure that your equipment is kept away from direct and high heat sources, such as radiators, fires and sunlight.

Review: This album emerged as a live show experience only back in 2022 but now finally it arrives on vinyl. It's a cracking coming together of legendary Boston MC, Edo. G and New York City MC and producer Fokis and it draws on the classic era of boom bap but brings it right up to date. Importantly, the mic work is right on point - it is packed with thought-provoking lyrics that take in a wide array of subjects such as social justice, private struggles, inequality and more. Add in crips drums and smooth samples and you have a real doozy that has been rather slept on if you ask us.

Review: New York punks Love Child first burst onto the early 90s scene in the same aeonic breath as Pavement, Sebadoh and Beat Happening. But despite the ignition and hype, their debut seven-inch and subsequent releases have remained long out of print until now. Never Meant to Be: 1988-1993 pulls from these releases and some unreleased radio sessions, unearthing a trove of lost gems by the quadrangle of Will Baum, Alan Licht, Rebecca Odes and Brendad O'Malley. The former obscurity is undeserved and the reissue deserved, as the climaxes on this record - from the garbly top-reg guitar solo on 'Know Its Alright' to the tape-warblings of 'Sofa' (through and despite which we can still make out its humourous lyrics) - are full of forceful punk rapace.

Review: Amaro Freitas, hails from Recife, Brazil, and is propelled through life through by searching out different experiences. Venturing to Manaus in the Amazon basin in 2020 before starting work on this album, pianist Freitas immersed himself in a transformative journey that influenced his musical creation profoundly. Collaborating with the Satere Mawe indigenous community, his album Y'Y pays homage to nature and ancestral wisdom. Through tracks like 'Mapinguari (Encantado da Mata)' and 'Uiara (Encantada da Agua) - Life and Cure,' Freitas weaves tales of powerful spirits and mystical encounters. Incorporating elements from Afro-Brazilian and Indigenous cultures, the record is a significant exploration of connection, tradition, and the incandescent power of enchanted spirits.