Metasonix is an audio equipment manufacturer based in Lakeport, California. Founded by Eric Barbour in 1998, it specializes in vacuum tube equipment.Grosse, Darwin (2004) Interview: Eric Barbour of Metasonix Creative Synth (via archive.org)
Eli Crews, writing in Electronic Musician in 2008, commented that "Eric Barbour of Metasonix has a colorful approach to design, employing an all-tube audio path in his quest for unusual and sonically extreme products."Eli Crews for Electronic Musician. August 1, 2008 Quick Pick: Metasonix TM-7 Scrotum Smasher
Background Barbour worked as an applications engineer for the Russian vacuum tube manufacturer Svetlana Electron Devices.Associated Press (Mar 1, 1998). Sound of vacuum tubes gets audiophiles glowing. 'Eugene Register-Guard He was a staff editor and co-founder of Vacuum Tube Valley magazine and contributed to Glass Audio magazine.Barbour, Eric (January 4, 1999). The Cool Sound of Tubes. IEEE SpectrumWheeler, Tom; Richards, Keith (2007). The Soul of Tone: Celebrating 60 Years of Fender Amps, p. 53. Hal Leonard Corporation,
Products
Metasonix produces audio effects and synthesizers using atypical vintage vacuum tubes. Metasonix modules are considered high-end in pricing and consume large amounts of power to create highly distorted sounds. Its products include the TM-7 "Scrotum Smasher",Crews, Eli (August 1, 2008). Quick Pick: Metasonix TM-7 Scrotum Smasher. Electronic Musician, Volume 24, Issues 7-12 the TM-3 voltage-controlled oscillator,Robair, Gino (January 1, 2004). Metasonix TM-3. Electronic Musician the TM-6 filter,Robair, Gino (October 1, 2006). Metasonix (TM-6 review). Electronic Musician the TX-1 "Agonizer",Robair, Gino (October 1, 2006). Metasonix (TX-1 Agonizer review) Electronic MusicianAnderton, Craig (May 2005). Metasonix TX-1 Agonizer. Keyboard Magazine the TX-2 "Butt Probe",Robair, Gino (September 1, 2007). Metasonix TX-2 Butt Probe (review). Electronic Musician the TS-21 waveshaper,Robair, Gino (November 1, 2000). Metasonix TS-21 Hellfire Modulator (review). Electronic Musician the S-1000 Wretch Machine,Robair, Gino (September 1, 2007) Bizarre Hardware. Electronic Musician and the G-1000 Fucking Fucker guitar amplifier. Metasonix also sells a drum machine based on vacuum tubes, the D-2000.Peter Kirn for Created Digital Music. April 28, 2015 Metasonix Have Made an Immoral Drum Machine from Vacuum Tubes
The Metasonix TM-7 Ultra-Distortion Scrotum Smasher features control options based on distortion and power with intentionally vulgar names: Smash, Scrotum, Double Scrotum, Mega Scrotum, and Scrotum Up Ya Ass. Audio Geek said of it, "The TM-7 is basically a mean, angry guitar preamp made of three vacuum tubes. Plus a feedback loop which makes the preamp unstable. There is nothing else like it."
References
External links
Audio Synthesis via Vacuum Tubes via CGS