Susanne and Leander Seige Aim for Nostalgic Chiptunes with the Eurorack-Compatible modularSID

Digital art and music duo Susanne and Leander Seige have announced a new Eurorack-compatible module that aims to easily integrate an icon of chiptune history into your synth setup: the MOS 6581/8580 Sound Interface Device (SID), as found in the Commodore 64 and family.

"modularSID brings the legendary sound of the Commodore 64 into the Eurorack world," the Seiges explain of their latest any:frequency creation. "Gritty waveforms, unmistakable vintage tone, and the raw charm of classic digital sound generation meet CV, gate, and trigger control for the modular environment. A true SID voice for Eurorack — nostalgic, expressive, and ready to be patched."

The MOS 6581 Sound Interface Device was designed by Bob Yannes and shipped in the Commodore 64 in 1982. Despite a rushed development process meaning that it had more than its fair share of foibles, the chip offered far greater control over sound synthesis than its rivals — and despite the 8580, its fixed-up successor, having been discontinued in 1992 the chip still has its fans thanks to its unmistakable sound.

Not all musicians fancy having to get to grips with an old eight-bit microcomputer in order to use the SID chip, though, which is where the modularSID comes in. The 64 HP-format Eurorack module accepts original MOS SID chips — or the emulation-based modern replacements, if you'd prefer — and offers full control over the vast majority of its parameters via knob-twiddling, CV, gate, and trigger signals.

"At 64HP, modularSID is unapologetically large — but every millimeter earns its place," the Seiges say of the chunky module. "The generous panel gives direct access to a wide range of functions without hidden menus or tiny multi-use controls. A true flagship module for anyone who wants to not only hear the SID, but play it, patch it, and shape it."

This isn't the Seiges' first unusual Eurorack module: back in November last year the pair unveiled the "brain module," which offered a "living AI [Artificial Intelligence] neural network" — not to generate music itself, but to make its "thinking" process audible as it trains closer and closer to the input signal.

More information is available on the any:frequency website, with assembled units available on Etsy for $328.75 bring-your-own-SID or $389.86 with modern SID replacement.