Herzlich Labs & BRiES / SOLIST / 4 channel performance module & mixer with soft MUTE and SOLO

video upload by BRiES

"SOLIST by Herzlich Labs is a 4 channel mixer that can be used as an 'in between' module with your regular mixing setup as well. The main feature and the stars of the show are definitely the soft mutes and solo switches. These controls offer so much flexibility when it comes to creating a dynamic performance (buildups, drops, ...). You can use SOLIST for mixing, muting and soloing audio as well as CV, you can use the direct outs and the mix out at the same time making it possible to use the mix out as a send effect or for parallel processing.

SOLIST was inspired by a suggestion I made to LB of Herzlich Labs. I know he's really passionate about any kind of performance module and since vactrols are something he has extensive experience with I was convinced he would create something wonderful... and that's exactly what he did."

0:00 intro
0:05 meet SOLIST
2:45 direct outs
8:14 mix out as a send
10:46 mixing cv and gates
16:39 jam with direct outs
19:18 acid jam with mix out
21:51 closing thoughts
22:22 thank you for watching!

via Herzlich Labs:

"Solist is not your average performance mixer and mute combination - far from it. Designed in collaboration with Bries, Solist contains four channels of soft vactrol muting, controlled by tactile and pleasantly clicky mechanical switches. Solist will help make your performances shine - but most importantly, the red solo switches allow you to override the current state of the mute switches, allowing for creative transitions between solo and mute states during your performance.

While the audio circuit is fully analog, it is also entirely isolated from the digital circuit that controls the mutes. Running on a fast and reliable Raspberry Pi RP2040, you get all the benefits of digital control without the downsides of digital audio processing. Best of all, the mechanical state of the switches determine the state of the module, so even if you power cycle, you will return to your previous state.

The analog mixer section can be used simultaneously with the individual outputs of the Solist, so for those who already have a mixer solution, the buffered individual outputs will bypass the mixer entirely. You may of course also use both simultaneously for exciting parallel processing opportunities.

Solist brings a whole new aspect of muting and soloing to your Eurorack performances, and with soft opening and closing vactrols, you'll never have to worry about clicks, truncated transients or actuation noise."

GLISS / 4MS ENSEMBLE OSCILLATOR / COSMIX PRO / eurorack generative jam

video upload by BRiES

"I started off this patch with some chords coming from the 4MS EnsOsc. Everything is sequenced and clocked by a couple of looping envelopes from Maths. I added a random (in scale) bassline, an arp (sequenced with Moskwa 2) and some vocal sounds (processed through an ADDAC 601). I'm using Orbit 3 and Filter 8 for modulation. Step 8, Soundforce DUAL LFO and Mimetic Digitalis are used for additional randomness. Herzlich Labs OMEN is 'pinging' LFOs used to modulate the sound of the chords. I used a lot of filters to shape the sounds so they don't clash too much. Cosmix Pro is handling most of the mix and I'm using the CV inputs on the stereo channels to create some extra stereo movement."

Herzlich Labs OMEN / dual passive resonant LPG / extensive playthrough

video upload by BRiES

"In this video I try to demonstrate all the features of OMEN by Herzlich Labs. OMEN is a dual passive resonant low pass gate, with the ability to chain/link/stack the channels, with three different flavours of LPG goodness for every channel. The resonance of this module sounds great to my ears, and the natural decay of low pass gates in general is something that I really enjoy as well. Its output is pretty loud, especially considering that OMEN does not draw any power (which is also great when you are running out of juice in your system).

Also see Herzlich Labs OMEN / DUAL PASSIVE RESONANT LPG with BITE / quick playthrough

Eurorack low pass gates - session 5 (ish)

video upload by John Schussler

Note this is the first post to feature BeepBoop.

"I can't stop collecting low pass gates. There's GAS, and then there's LPG GAS. Don't know what the deal is there.

Here's the latest batch. Most of them are small and passive, but some are bigger and powered and covered in knobs and sliders and stuff. So it's really a sound comparison, not a full module comparison.

Sound source: Befaco Pony square wave. Sequencer: Stochastic IG.
No envelopes, just gates out of the SIG.

00:00 Intro
00:20 Agogo
00:48 BeepBoop v1
02:32 BeepBoop v2
04:05 kNoB
05:18 Abyss
06:49 Herzlich
09:29 EAR
12:38 SSF
16:16 Rabid Elephant
19:11 EAR plus attenuator
20:57 Fast gates w/atten"

Herzlich Labs OMEN / DUAL PASSIVE RESONANT LPG with BITE / quick playthrough

video upload by BRiES

"This is a short video demonstrating the basic sound and functionality of OMEN. There's two channels of LPG goodness which both sound really different, and you can further shape the sound with the on board switches and knobs. It's possible to use the channels seperately (for different sound sources) or to use the two channels of OMEN linked with just one signal going into the first input. You'll hear that this sounds really wonderful!

You can download the user guide poster I made for OMEN here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/11Opq...

Herzlich Labs hand-builds a variety of modules, but one of the things that they're extra proud of is the MMI. This module is a MAN-MACHINE-INTERFACE that lets you modulate parameters around your rack by touching the different capacative plates on the frontpanel. If you're interested in something like that you should definitely check out their Etsy or Reverb webshops (links below). If you have any questions about the Herzlich Lab modules, send LB a direct message, he's usually really quick to respond.

Herzlich Labs on Reverb: https://reverb.com/shop/herzlichlabs
Herzlich Labs on Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/HerzlichLabs

DISCLAIMER: LB from Herzlich Labs sent me this unit to explore and demonstrate. I think it's interesting to shine a light on some makers that are not as well known as the big names in the field, as sometimes they make really great designs and usually these modules are relatively affordable. I hope that by watching the video you can figure out if OMEN is right for you or not."

"The Omen is a dual LPG with a bit more than you might be used to. Like you, I once was lost in the world of low pass gates, seeking something more, something bigger and somehow juicier. The inspiration came to me as I was reading a particularly heavy book on passive filters, and I realized it was possible to make far more interesting LPG designs than the standard we've become so accustomed to.

In a convergence of old-school LPG design and more modern components, the Omen boasts two -6dB resonant filters, custom built vactrols, built in CV attenuation and no less than three cutoff modes per filter. Filter 1 is soft and light, imparting a gentle, naturally gated touch of filtering on your sound, while Filter 2 is darker and more resonant, and can turn downright growly and distorted when left wide open.

Designed to give you as many creative options as possible, the Omen has the unique ability to function as either two discrete LPG, or as one 4-pole resonant LPG. When plugging a signal in to Input 1, and with no signal plugged into Input 2, the output will be present at both Output 1 and Output 2, with Output 2 producing the signal as it passes through both filters. Tweaking both filters independently will generate a wide array of soft and sometimes harsh tones, ranging from Buchla bongos to early synthesis brass and organ sounds. There is much to love here.

CV is similarly handled, by plugging in only one CV source, it will act on both channels - this is useful for creating musically similar outputs as well as when using the dual filter operation. However, the dual filter mode greatly benefits from having two CV inputs: use an envelope in CV1 to act as a VCA, and an LFO in CV2 to create tremolo, for instance.

Using custom designed, hand built vactrols, care has been taken to mitigate the less desirable aspects of passive LPGs - in most modules, the user can expect zero bleed through on the LPG channels, and signal attenuation is minimal even with the 4-pole filter settings engaged. Of course, many of the natural features of vactrols remain, such as subtle memory effect when engaging the vactrol for long periods.

Finally, you receive maximum blinkenlights as LED's on the front panel simulate the action of the vactrols, so you'll always know what's going on under the hood. No collection of fancy LPG's is complete without the Omen."

Herzlich Labs MAXIMA Touch Controller

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
video upload by Esoteric Music Machines

"Super fun first play with the Herzlich Labs https://www.etsy.com/shop/HerzlichLab... MAXIMA touch controller, interfacing with Ieaskul F Mobenthey modules (Fourses, Denum, Denum, Sprott).

It's a really fun controller that works particularly well with the BOUNDS inputs on many IFM modules. It's housed in a custom (3D printed?) case, it's very fun to use, and I don't understand how an unpowered controller can even do what this one does, but there you are."

via this auction

"The MMI Maxima is the final word in MMI technology. Beautiful gold patterns form gradients of touch sensitive surface areas, each connected to an input/output. Drag, rub, pinch or tap your fingers across to form connections, and create evocative and unique performances. Utilize the various pattern densities and shapes in your performance, or create installations with whatever conductive material is to hand.

Operation is easy: simply plug any audio, LFO, CV, trigger, gate, offset or clock into any of the inputs on the front panel, and connect one or several outputs to destinations in your system. The symbols near the sockets correspond to the shapes on the panel, and all that remains is for you to form the connection between the desired symbols with your hand, or any other conductive object you may have. Connect multiple at the same time to achieve liquid, gradual mixing, evolving rhythmic patterns, mixed LFOs and more. Furthermore, touch the pressure plates more firmly or in more dense areas to form stronger connections - in practice, this means a signal will pass with more or less intensity, based on the pressure you apply."

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