Self Playing Patches by BENGE

video upload by Memetune Studio

"This series of studies explores an idea that Benge has been working on over the past year or so, namely that of Cybersynthesis. This involves programming self-contained patches on various modular systems which, once set in motion, will produce dynamic, evolving soundscapes, sometimes purely abstract in nature, at other times veering towards the more melodious

Many different methods were deployed in the patches, depending on the system being used, but normally multiple sequencer and switching devices were combined to give varying degrees of control over long time periods, often without repetition

Other things like random control signals and semi-random events were combined with the sequencers and switching units to bring variation to the performances the machines were making

The key idea at the heart of Cybernetics is the concept of bringing control to chaotic processes. To do this, some kind of feedback loop would ideally be established that can monitor and limit events that might otherwise spin out of control. The Serge and Modcan systems featured here each have various comparator circuits that can, to a certain extent, achieve this highly advanced synthesis feature

In the absence of such sensor paths, it is sometimes possible to use audio or voltage mixers and feedback chains to set various parameters to be on the very edge of chaotic behaviour, an approach used in many of the patches on display here

Other techniques such as the quantisation of voltages and the forcing of notes to play within certain predetermined musical scales were also employed in some of the pieces, which is another way of taming chaotic elements into into a more musical realm

Overall, a wholly experimental approach was applied to the various setups, with the intention of providing an insight into how these machines can behave. Of course, each system has an almost limitless depth to the complexity of patches available, and each track on the album provides just a single snapshot of each instrument used. But hopefully it provides an interesting glimpse into the wonders that these self-playing systems can achieve

Tracklist:

01 - Buchla 100 and EMS VCS3
02 - Serge Paperface
03 - Modcan A-Series
04 - ARP 2500
05 - Buchla 200 and DK Synergy
06 - Serge and LW Comparator
07 - Moog Modular 3C
08 - Roland Discrete System
09 - Buchla 200

MORE INFO HERE:
https://modular-station.com/modulisme...



Synthesiser programming and recording, design and concept: Benge (B D Edwards)

Made at Memetune Studios, England

(c)+(p) 2025 Memetune Recordings

Special thanks to Philippe Petit at Modulisme (modular-station.com/modulisme) for his continued support"