{"id":250,"date":"2020-04-19T11:22:29","date_gmt":"2020-04-19T11:22:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/maffez.com\/?page_id=250"},"modified":"2021-07-28T19:52:40","modified_gmt":"2021-07-28T19:52:40","slug":"pharmasonic-sy-core-sy-core-plus-and-sy-core-mk2","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/maffez.com\/?page_id=250","title":{"rendered":"Pharmasonic Sy-Core, Sy-Core Plus, and Sy-Core MK2"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Although I already had an original Pearl I was keen on having more modular expandability of its sound, so I was thrilled to see Pharmasonic<\/a> offering kits for a syncussion Eurorack module. I ordered the Sy-Core kit (first version) without the Env\/LFO-submodule and got it working immediately (except for Mode F). The build thread <\/a>on Muff’s was also very helpful, with Moudlart_JP (who runs Pharmasonic) being quite active there. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sy-Core kit including rare parts and all<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sonic differences between the Pearl SY-1 and the Pharmasonic are marginal in my opinion, which is one reason why I later passed on the Pearl. Here is a blind test<\/a> between both on Mode A. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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CV Extensions and MK2<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Not long after, Pharmasonic offered a little CV extension module, called Sy-Plus, but giving up 4hp in my case was not much of an option back then, so I analysed the PCB pics and used the lower half of an unbuffered mulltiple for adding VCF and VCA CV and decay CV. While being at it I also exchanged some capacitors with styroflex versions (as in the original), but if anything, the difference was only in my head. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sy Plus PCB<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Sy-Core PCB with filter, env and VCA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Eventually I became so hyped about that CV-extended Syncussion sound that I went for the revised Sy-Core MK2<\/a> (which has also a hotter output and more), but the “old” Sy-Core is still on my shelf. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sy-Core MK1<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As regards other offerings, I can’t say much about how the Pharmasonic compares, yet I take it that my interest in the THC and Psycox versions as an indicator that im pretty happy as is. The Sy-Core is one of my go-to modules when making tracks and the first port of call when I’m after non-808ish kicks. The ability to play it chromatically over the whole range and also using external CV for filter cutoff and VCA level, however, make it so much more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here’s a demo of the SY-Core acting as a bassline in different contexts:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sy-core basssss<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Here’s a soundcloud playlist containing demos of Modes A-E<\/a> on my Sy-Core Mk1. And, as also posted on the SY-1 page, this track here<\/a> is made entirely of Sy-Core sounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sy-Core MK2<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Now (summer 2021) I just became curious about some more potential modifications and started mapping some schematic for them. Toying around, I was most delighted to find that a crude form of VCO sync is possible and sounds awesome!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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sy-1 mods<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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vco sync mod (can be done for vco 2 too, of course)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n