New Isn'tses noise synth CHERNOBYLIZER out now!

[Cementimental]

We have released a new noise synth circuit, the Chernobyizer! Been a lot of work getting it finished. Super excited about the noise, still discovering new possibilities. Working on full demos and documentation, more soon, but we do have the first few Chernobylizers on sale at now https://isntses.etsy.com either built or as a kit.

Impromptu demos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJmQmc_NITM

https://soundcloud.com/cementimental/isntses-chernobylizer

https://www.instagram.com/p/CIjFedIBYJn/

The Chernobylizer is a synthesiser designed by Isn'tses (Lisa McKendrick & Tim Drage). This psychogeographic and esoteric custom-built synth contains a world of unique aggressive sounds, including throbbing multi-oscillator pulsewaves, crunchy glitches, bass rumble, harsh noise, 8-bit-esque bleeps, geiger-counter clicks, birdlike tweets and a unique motor-like power-draining effect. Detailed PCB art covers both sides of the board.

The synth is controlled by five knobs and 9 touch-pads. Multiple oscillators interact in deep and mysterious ways, and can be manipulated by an unorthodox resonant pseudo filter and a versatile power-starving section.

A Brief Synopsis:
The Chernobylizer attempts to add to the conversation surrounding the Chernobyl disaster and is an experiment in horror noise. This comes from our own personal interest in Chernobyl and research into the radiation disaster. The silver outline on the front of the PCB represents the decontamination zone and the white outline on the back is the exclusion zone. The four large capacitors represent the four reactors of the Chernobyl plant. The touch pads are mutated forms, mutations caused by radiation. The power starve switch represents the draining of power to reactor 4. If the switch is turned downwards power will slowly drain from the four large capacitors causing the synth to create a sound similar to the reactor losing power followed by a Geiger counter crackle, then to little or no sound as it is fully drained. (note: this is not an on/off switch but if the synth is making no sound it may have fully drained and needs to be turned up). Turning the switch back up will restore power to the circuit in a full-on explosion of sound. This is a rough reenactment of how Reactor 4 exploded. The middle knob controls the wet and dry signal of the filter. All the 5 knobs can be experimented with to create various explosive, loud, crackling noises.

OUTPUTS
The synth has two outputs:
1. The output on the left is an audio output and includes all sounds coming from the synth.
2. The output on the right does not include sounds coming from the filter but includes all other sounds from the oscillators. It is an unfiltered, DC-coupled output which could also act as a gate/trigger signal when connected to other synths or modules. In this way it is compatible with various Eurorack modules and other synths which have CV or input.

NOTE
The Chernobylizer does not have an input.

LED
The LED on the right lights up when the synth is on and the one on the left flickers with the oscillators! We call them the bat eyes.

POWER SUPPLY FOR THE SYNTH - IMPORTANT
The Chernobylizer is powered by any standard BOSS-style 9v centre-negative power supply (not included). Or it can become portable with a centre-negative DC-jack-to-battery-clip adaptor (not included). Using any other power supply may cause the synth to short circuit so please be careful. If you are unsure which power supply to use we have links on our blog to the appropriate one to buy, it can be better to go with a good brand rather than a cheap one which may burn your house down :p. A standard 9v Boss GUITAR pedal power supply should be fine.

IMPORTANT
As this is an open circuitboard synth, take care to avoid placing on a metal/conductive surface while playing or you will short something out! If this does happen don't stress too much as often it only requires a chip replaced.

The Chernobylizer can be played with the Fort Processor which is another synth we have built. The output of the Chernobylizer can go directly into the input of the Fort Processor to get some really explosive or drone sounding noises.

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/877645403/fort-processor-black-gold-custom-built?

One of the reasons we love designing stand alone synths is that we really like the portability and versatility of them. Use it as part of your desk set-up with other gear, Eurorack and synths. Also great for outdoor stuff, just plug it into a small speaker and freak out the nature walkers in the forest. The option of having a battery clip and 9v battery makes it very easy to play outdoors, no carrying lots of heavy gear around. Please Note: headphones are not suitable with either of our synths as they require amplification which most headphones don't have.

More making-of documentation and stuff about the ideas behind it is at http://isntses.co.uk/blog

[Eigen Bast]

you outdid yourself with this one - great sounds in that forest demo and even the PCB is gorgeous.

[Cementimental]

Thanks!!!

[pentd]

haha i wish there were more forest sessions!! :D

[Cementimental]

Forest noise is the way forward

https://youtu.be/n8_JtRKZmn0

[tiny_tove]

wow it looks beautiful. I loved your previous effort!

[Cementimental]

Thanks!!

Recent news: we are now selling laser-cut clear acrylic base add-ons for both our synths on isntses.etsy.com

Also we just released a sample pack of Chernobylizer sounds: https://isntses.bandcamp.com/album/chernobylizer-sample-pack

[Cementimental]

Fully-built Chernobylizer synths are back in stock! - https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/915009651/chernobylizer-synth-fully-built-black

DIY version still available too in our store at isntses.etsy.com

[tiny_tove]

I simply can say everyone should have one of these.
endless hours of fun, crude yet warm sound, you can both use for improvisation as well as to recreate the same sounds in different occasion.

the touch control part is reliable and really makes the difference, unlike others who seems to have the same things only as a gimmick and then sound like fart

super speedy delivery. I want more from you guys

[Cementimental]

Thanks for the kind words, glad you are enjoying it!!


We have been developing a eurorack module somewhat based on the same circuit, got the prototype working and will be selling some hopefully soon :)

[tiny_tove]

"you've got my number"

[Cementimental]

Module is out now :) https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1701650353/chernobyletta-eurorack-module-noise-and

These first few we are selling now are somehwat prototypes, black and silver panels and a few kludges on the PCB (couple of extra wires and alterations) so they will be cheaper than the forthcoming black and gold production model. But they will work and sound basically the same, there's just going to be a couple of minor tweaks to the circuitboard. :)