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Review: Looking at Usher it seems as though he is somehow defying the ageing process. He looks as boyish and innocent now as he did some 20-odd years ago during his initial pomp. The American has legions of adoring fans who continue to swoon over his every super smooth verse and hooky vocal. Coming Home is the star's ninth full-length album and another irresistible blend of new soul and r&b that lands just ahead of his appearance at the legendary Super Bowl halftime show. What's more, this one comes on lovely limited peachy sky vinyl to make it all the more irresistible.

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: Nathan Coles and Nils Hess dropped a couple of LPs and a tidy run of 12"s as Get Fucked in the late 90s and early 00s, and now Repeat are taking us back to one of their finest moments. Their debut LP Dot To Dot is a quintessential demonstration of tech house at the turn of the millennium, shot through with a wonky humour which pointed to the impending minimal boom, but still rough and ready like the UK sound which had proliferated around parties like Wiggle. There's also a dash of the Viennese jazz twist you'd associate with labels like Cheap, and more heads down grooves than you can shake a nose bag at.

Review: Repeater's latest reissue takes us back to 2001 and the formative years of the UK tech-house scene. Get F***ed was a (sweary) alias of pioneering producers Nils Hess and the late Nathan Coles, utilised by the pair between 1998 and 2005. Wet Dreams, their sophomore album, first appeared in stores in 2000 and has become hard to find on vinyl in recent years. This edition not only boasts remastered tracks but has also been expanded to three slabs of wax in guarantee a louder pressing. Largely funky and spacey, utilising a mixture of far-sighted synth sounds, deep chords, boisterous house beats, chunky basslines, futurist intent and subtle nods to early UK garage, the album's ten tracks arguably sound as fresh now as they did when they were first unleashed on dancefloors at the dawn of the century.

Notes: LOCI Crate 30 is a 30hp case for small Eurorack configurations. Supplied with strong 3D printed LOCI Rails (inspired by vector rails) and stainless steel threaded strips. At just L49.99 RRP inc VAT it's an incredibly affordable route into the modular synth world.

Great for small Eurorack Modular setups.
Assembled in seconds.
Super strong.
Precision laser cut from ethically sourced and renewable 6mm Oak veneer.
Beautifully detailed with laser etched logo.
Non-slip pads.

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.

Review: Light In The Attic continue to shine a light on the musical legacy of Nancy Sinatra. They have already put out a slew of great reissues and given them all the full treatment they deserve. Now they offer up this collection in several different coleus with this being nice yellow version of Keep Walkin': Singles Demos & Rarities 1965-1978. It also arrives as a CD, eight-track cartridge and comes with a booklet and plenty of the great vocalist's finest tunes from her most celebrated period.

Review: A quarter of a century young and still a masterful slice of 90s dub, Fear Of A Green Planet gets an expanded reissue treatment courtesy of Echo Beach. Dub Syndicate could be considered On-U Sound's centrifugal force, comprised of the players which powered so many of Adrian Sherwood's projects from Style Scott on drums to Errol Holt on bass, Skip McDonald on lead guitar and many more besides. On this particular album Bill Laswell also popped up to lend some low end, and overall the assembled crew laid down one of their strongest statements in a catalogue fit to burst with dubwise perfection. Loaded with unreleased extras, this is the definitive edition for those who want to lose themselves in a deep well of riddims.

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.