BAMMsynth: (Thumlert, Nolan, Eric Neil Johnson): The DSF/RELab created BAMMsynth (Building Access in Music Making) is a semi-modular fully-analog synthesizer instrument designed to support learning with sound in an open-ended manner.
Our research will explore community-developed learning activities and creative work using our instruments, oscilloscopes and other instruments.
CMST Toronto will receive custom BAMMsynths in Fall 2025 for use with the CMST SynthClub and other CMST programs.
The BAMMsynth will be made available to the public with all proceeds going toward supporting community music schools across Canada and beyond.
The BAMMsynth (Building Access in Music Making) was developed to provide a dynamic, responsive environment for making and designing sound – and music – from the ground up. The BAMMsynth integrates core functions and features of a modular environment in an analog semi-modular synth that includes:
- Two oscillators (A and B) that allows learners to tune pitches and dial through waveshapes (sine, triangle, sawtooth, and square waves, including a white noise output on Osc B).
- Filter with Resonance (with input/attenuator to control filter cut off modulation).
- Three 1V/octave pitch inputs: Main pitch input controls voices A and B; voice A and B can be controlled independently with separate inputs and attenuators. .
- Mixer knob (to mix the two voices).
- Frequency Modulation (FM) routing (top knob controls FM from Osc B to Osc A).
- Two LFOs (with patchable outputs) can be used to control gate rate, trigger note rise and fall, adjust the sample and hold output rate, or patch to any pitch inputs, etc).
- Sample and Hold (with switch for white noise or an LFO as internal pitch source).
- Independent trigger input for Sample and Hold rate (S&H defaults to gate/trigger input).
- Open VCA or closed VCA (with gate input and gate button). With an open VCA, BAMMsynth makes noise from the get go with no required patching!
- Rise and Fall (Attach / Delay) curves – triggered by gate input or button press. An LFO can be patch to the gate to trigger notes, and.or you can press the gate button.
- Internal pitch and frequency modulation with attenuators and bi-polar inversion switch (that correspond with Rise and Fall circuit curves).
Above (L-R): Kurt Thumlert, Ofield Williams, and CMST director Richard Marsella presenting on the CMST Synth Club – and demoing the BAMMsynth – at MHRI Conference in Ottawa, May 2025 (with demo video).
The BAMMsynth will be made available to the public with all proceeds going toward supporting community music schools across Canada and beyond.
