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Rob Hordijk Design

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Rob Hordijk Original Design are the West Coast style 5U (Moog Unit) modules designed and crafted by Rob Hordijk; based in The Hague, Netherlands. Except for the Benjolin, the designs are not available for DIY.

As Rob has never had a product website for his instruments, the source for much of the information about them comes from direct contact via email.

A Rob Hordijk Original Design modular synthesizer (left) with other instruments.
A Rob Hordijk Original Design modular synthesizer (left) with other instruments.

Biography

Self described as a "synthesizer designer and builder,[1]" Hordijk began learning electronics from around age 14[2]. Before working on his own instruments Rob studied as a sculptor and goldsmith with an interest in sound in for its application in art and environments:

"The idea of sound as a material to be sculpted has always intrigued me. I see equipment only as tools to sculpt the audio material, I am not really a gear freak. But I do believe in mastering synthesis techniques, in making synthesis a second nature, so to be able to fully concentrate on the creative processes."[3]

He has produced music for environments, buildings, film, and dance performances, but is yet to produce an official release on a label.[3]

Hordijk has been working with synths and computers since sequencing some analog stuff around 1982 with an RCA 1802 based SuperElf processor board.[3] Later switching to an Apple ][+ and the Mountain Hardware Music System, for which he developed a Forth language version that could do all sorts of stuff with the Mountain cards, like KarplusStrong-type plucked string sounds and pitch shifting.[3] His first introduction to a DSP was to the DMX1000 around 1984. In 1986 he switched to Atari ST and an Akai S900.[3] These days he is a Clavia Nord Modular G2 aficionado.[3]

As of 2022 Rob has announced his retirement and will no longer be taking orders.[4]

Workshops and Lectures

Rob has given a handful of workshops and lectures both demonstrating the functionality of his instruments, and explaining the design philosophy behind them. These include:

Performances

While self confessing, "I'm not a performing artist, I'm a synthesizer builder."[1] Rob has performed a number of times demonstrating his instruments in a more creative context as opposed to purely technical demonstration. These include:

Modular Systems

Rob offered his instruments as both single function modules, then later triple panels, housed inside portable cases complete with power. Some smaller functions may be combined, for example the PHASER and FREQ SHIFTER have appeared in both dual and combination formats.

All circuitry is original and follows Rob's own concepts based on over thirty years experience in sound synthesis and electronic design.[5] He has complete control over the whole module building process; Research &Development, prototyping, panel design, cutting, drilling, PCB etching and populating, final hardware assembly, calibration and testing. All components and every piece of hardware is carefully selected for reliability and comfort in use.[6] Panels with the signature Original Rob Hordijk Design are both designed and built by Rob Hordijk in his workshop in The Hague, The Netherlands.[5]

 
A Rob Hordijk Original Design modular system, showing four triple-panels in a complete case.

Modules

Other Instruments

References

This page uses Creative Commons Licensed content from Mod Wiggler Wiki:Rob Hordijk Designs (View authors).

  1. ^ a b Rob Hordijk Presentation & Synth Tutorial // Modular Meets Leeds 2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzW6pTzATG4
  2. ^ The Designer by Franz Schuier, 2008
  3. ^ a b c d e f Hello to you all, electro-music.com forum, 29 March 2004
  4. ^ Mod Wiggler forum: Hello Hordijk
  5. ^ a b Rob Hordijk
  6. ^ Mod Wiggler forum:The Hordijk project

External links

Pre-built Eurorack modules

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