What is a Plexus | feat. XAOC Samarkanda and WMD Sequential Switch Matrix

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"Yes, I want to make a PlexiPhon video too. It's always a joy when MakeNoise announces a new Tom Erbe collab, and always a drag to wait for it to cross the Atlantic. I have it on pre-order since I saw the first video. As far as I can tell, MakeNoise didn't explain what a 'plexus delay' is and how it differs from, let's say, a Mimeophon. At first listen they sound like very close family, maybe even too close. However, MakeNoise did a follow-up video where we could hear how the PP changes its delay line like a chameleon, depending on whatever goes into the module and I had a clear WOW moment.

But I still didn't know what a Plexus was, and since I am writing a Book that's supposed to last at least 50 years, I had to do some research. The term is mainly used in biology, describing complex junctions in our nervous system. The term is adopted by networking and represents a complex node to node network. Now it's a small step from a delay line to a delay network, and from a delay network to a reverb. The fun part about a closed plexus is that it can re-encounter elements from anywhere in the chain. Imagine taps that can select crossroads and take a long way home.

I explored the concept with XAOC Samarkanda Quad Delay, which allows me to 'patch program' any combination of four delays with four feedback paths. It's a plexus, but a very simple 'square'. I decided to use the WMD Sequential Switch Matrix so I could patch the I/O in a 4x4 grid. It still doesn't sound like much, but now a 'tap' can travel over 65.536 different routes (2 to the power of 16) which is more than enough to create a vast diffusion network.

I am aware it's a lot of patching and most of you won't be able to follow, but you can freely experiment in VCV too, and learn a LOT. And let's not forget the PlexiPhon can be on its way to the stores right now, which could downsize my experiment into one convenient little module. I can't wait to get my hands on one. But honestly, if you own a Samarkanda, experiment with it first, and only buy new stuff if you really have to. Remember this: It's not the module, it's the behavior!"