The Quietus - A new rock music and pop culture website

News

Gristleizer Now Available In Eurorack Format
Christian Eede , October 3rd, 2017 09:35

Working with Chris Carter and Roy Gwinn, the original designer of The Gristleizer guitar effects unit, Future Sounds Systems have developed the Gristleizer into Eurorack format

Future Sound Systems have announced a new range of Eurorack modular synths, developed alongside Chris Carter and the original designer of the Gristleizer guitar effects unit Roy Gwinn.

Together, they've adapted the circuit and sound of the guitar effects unit into four Eurorack modules with a decision made to break down the original system into different components rather than try to cram it all into one system.

The TG2 Generator on the new system is designed to replicate the original functionality of the oscillator section, while the TG3 Filter offers a multi-feedback band-pass filter. Originally used mostly for adding wah-wah effects the module adds Resonance and Register controls to the original circuit.

The TG4 Modulator features a voltage-controlled amplifier to give the audio output some character, while the TG 5 Pre-Amplifier came at the suggestion of Chris Carter's belief that a pre-amp is a good thing to use in front of the other Gristleizer modules.

The new Gristleizer will be available from next month, and you can watch a video introduction above, as well as another video showing Carter using the synth just below. Pre-order one here.

The original Gristleizer was made by Carter in the 1970s to add more grit to Throbbing Gristle’s sound. It was based on a DIY electronics project by Roy Gwinn which could be found in Practical Electronics magazine. Carter has only made a small number of the synths, but has shared instructions for building one on his website in the past.