Sync Eater

Analog video glitch FX processor // release model

view prototype

A message from Gleix // April 1, 2023:

The Sync Eater is still in very high demand, and I’m incredibly grateful for that. I appreciate all of the interest there is in this machine. At the moment I am unfortunately without the resources to build and sell these, but hope to return to manufacturing them sometime in 2023 when I have re-established a proper workspace. If you are interested in a unit, please sign up for the mailing list on this page to receive any major updates about public availability, and feel free to keep tabs on my Instagram. I do not have any pre-built units that are publicly available, and I am not currently building a wait-list for orders, as there is no guarantee I will be able to fulfill these orders on a reasonable timeline. See notes in the “availability” section below for more information, and thank you again.

The Sync Eater is an analog video effects processor which boasts a series of knobs, switches, buttons, and CV inputs making it suitable for both studio & live use. With a focus on glitch visuals achieved through experimentation, it easily slots into any composite video workflow where a classic distorted analog style is desired. This release model utilizes custom PCBs, PCB mounted controls, and a silkscreen printed front panel. The Sync Eater uses ready-available parts which shouldn’t become scarce any time soon.

Not reinventing the wheel - there’s other gear out there that does similar stuff, this is just my own spin. This started as a personal side project since I hadn’t done proper analog glitch devices before, and I ended up with a design that I thought it warranted some proper development.

Works great with CRTs, no TBC needed. Will also work with video mixers, composite capture cards, etc… but as is the case with other glitch devices, some devices will benefit from the addition of a time base corrector to avoid signal dropouts (though your mileage may vary). Generally speaking, a TBC should be used where stability is paramount (ie. when doing a CRT re-scan isn’t an option). Check the tips n’ tricks below.

Dubbed the ‘Sync Eater’ due to its primary method of operation which strips the sync signal from the composite video signal and force-feeds it back into the circuit with a number of tweaks along the way.

Completed in early 2021, but been on the back-burner due to a busy post-lockdown schedule.

Feature set

  • Power jack (9v), latching power button

  • 2x Composite video input (A/B) with input select switch

  • 1x Composite video output

  • 7x Primary FX

    • 1 - Fade

    • 2 - Brightness/Solarize

    • 3 - Primary modulation

      • On/off

      • 3x ‘mode’ switches

    • 4 - Secondary modulation/color

    • 5 - Blur/luma shift

      • Switches for low, medium, high luma shift

      • Polarity switch

    • 6 - Dry/wet

    • 7 - Sync adjust

  • Pulse buttons for effects 1 through 6

  • CV input & attenuation for Fade, Primary Modulation & Secondary Modulation (unipolar, respond to 0-5v)

  • 3x Primary mod “mode” switches, modes can be combined

  • 3x blur/luma shift level switches (low, medium, high), can be combined (additive)

  • 1x blur/luma shift polarity switch (essentially a blur ‘mode’ switch)

January 2022

Tips n’ tricks

• When going directly into a device that isn’t a CRT TV, dropouts are more common. Dialing blur all the way up & switching it into ‘positive’ polarity can help mitigate the issue quite a bit; as well as operating in modulation mode 2. It seems to handle direct capture well in this configuration. Dialing out the dry/wet can also help mitigate dropouts a bit. For a full range of operation though, a CRT TV is your best friend. A TBC in line will certainly help mitigate dropouts when using non-CRT methods of capture, but it can kill some of the charm. The Panasonic MX family of mixers have built in TBCs and will work, but the TBC changes the behavior a bit. Video mixers with weak (or no) TBC may have more dropouts than others, such as the V4 or V8, whereas the beefy V-4ex shouldn’t have any issues. Check out Tachyons+ and Yovozol for some general tips!

•The blur amount (low/med/high) switches are additive! You can engage all three, though the ‘high’ mode is pretty hefty and you might lose control depending on how everything else is configured.

• The modulation modes (1, 2 and 3) can be combined. Mode 2 works best with blur engaged.

• Dial up the CV inputs to multiples of 60Hz to create scan-lines in the desired effect

• Experiment! Small tweaks make big differences. Figure out what combinations of knob placements create what effect, how certain knobs affect the behavior of others. Become expert knob twiddler. Eat the sync signal. Disintegrate into photons and climb inside the television. Live inside a hollowed out capacitor on the deflection PCB and become best friends with the trim-pots.

The first video below demos how easy The Sync Eater makes it to build unique feedback loops between a camera and a CRT TV. This demo uses only an old CCTV cam, the sync eater, and the TV.

Approximate ‘zero’ position:

Availability

For the time being my plan is to build these as my schedule allows, here and there between work and other projects/responsibilities, but not on any regular schedule. If you’d like to acquire a Sync Eater keep an eye out on my Instagram (@gleix), as this is where I may announce occasional drops, and sign up for the mailing list on this page below. I may also try to work out a raffle of some sort using this mailing list to give people an equal shot, and may sell them via auction.

Things may change in the future, and if that happens the mailing list will be notified. Please understand that I’m not able to develop & build these projects at the rate I was able to during the pandemic shut-down, so availability will be limited and they will not be on sale with any regularity - just as my schedule permits.

The fact that you’re down here means you took the time to look into this thing I built. Interest and appreciation for these projects of mine means a lot, so thank you for checking this out :)

F.A.Q.

Q: When are you making more?

A: There is no production schedule.

Q: Do you have any lying around I can buy?

A: No.

Q: Can you build one custom for me?

A: Not at the moment, no.

Q: Are you in the middle of a build I can snag before anybody else?

A: No.

Q: Are you offering kits?

A: Not at the moment, no.

Q: How much?

A: Cost may vary depending on the build. I plan on experimenting with different styles. You are welcome to inquire via the contact page.

*4/1/2023