New Life | Westlicht Performer alt firmware, Rings, Streams, WMD TrshMstr

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"It's spring! It's probably my favorite season of the year. This video showcases a few new ideas with Rings & Streams, add some rock with the WMD TrashMaster while Westlicht runs an 'alternative' firmware.

I got a tip from a subscriber there's a new firmware for WestLicht Performer. I checked it out and noticed is a 'fork' by Mebitek. A fork is a sidestep from the original code, where developers can try things out, and merge good stuff back into the main firmware 'branch'. I am not sure if this is ever going to happen because there isn't much going on in Westlicht development. So you'll need to see it as an alternative firmware, it may not be supported and it could bring new bugs to your module.

However, this firmware adds stochastic tracks, gate length variation probability, scale overrides and note repeats. I also noticed a few small bug fixes. Transposing from another channel now works as expected.

You can find the firmware here if you're interested: https://github.com/mebitek/performer/...

You only need to download UPDATE.DAT, put it on an SD and press the encoder while booting the module. Then follow the instructions. You can always go back to the factory release, so make sure you have a backup somewhere, and make a backup of your original SD including presets.

I think the firmware is great and it brings 'new life' to the module, but it's not very interesting if you don't have a Westlicht.

Streams also needed attention after keeping it stored for six years. It's a unique take on a low pass gate, and it brings new life to anything that's supposed to sound organic. So I gave it a shot with Rings. Since you can push Streams into saturation and clipping, I wanted to run Rings through WMD Trash Master. 'New Life' also qualifies for WMD. This great brand is back in business after the Covid-19 electronic parts nightmare. So yes. Winter is over."

The 'Right' Sequencer | Modular Composing | Episode 02

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"Your possibilities to compose on a Modular Synth are directly related to the sequencer you're using. So picking the 'right' sequencer for your work is an important task. Your biggest challenge would be to compose or arrange a full song with beats, bass, lead and maybe even chords. I thought it would be fun to use Kraftwerk's 1976 Trans-Europe Express as a 'benchmark', but it turned out a big challenge. It has a simple rhythm (no problem), a super simple bass, a lead and the characteristic 'note ladder' that jumps 5 semitones each 1/2 note. This takes 128 regular steps and sequencers ususally stop at 16, 32 or 64 (if you're lucky). Clock divisions could take care of that. But the song transposes to a different key when the 'note stairs' plays and you'll need a powerful sequencer to transpose all voices to a new key and then turn back. Ground Control and Westlicht Performer couldn't pull it off. I had zero knowledge of NerdSeq at the beginning of this video, but it turned out to be the only sequencer I know of that can do a full song. It's an incredible sequencer/tracker, but it also has a 100+ page manual.

Sequencers roughly come in three flavors: linear, cartesian and arbitrary. The most useful sequencers can do drums, strict patterns and generative parts. I've included Five12 Vector and Eloquencer in my overview, but I have no experience with them. My 'findings' in this video are biased by my own music and workflow and I double-checked the manuals of modules I don't know. It's possible I overlooked some features. I am aware Vector can do drums, but I felt you'd need a dedicated drum pattern editor to qualify as a drum sequencer.

00:00 Song Structure
00:22 Trans-Europe Express (TEE) - Ground Control
01:45 TEE - Westlicht Performer
02:48 TEE - XOR NerdSEQ
04:54 Separation of rhythm and melody - Metron & Bloom
07:30 Linear, Cartesian and Arbitrary sequencing
08:22 Generative Sequencing - NerdSEQ
09:44 Generative Sequencing - Bloom
10:42 Generative Sequencing - Westlicht Performer
11:25 Generatice Sequencing - Rene MK2
13:17 Arbitrary Sequencing - Frap Tools USTA
14:54 Melodicer short
15:18 Metropolis Family short
16:31 Scorecards"

Eurorack jam featuring Metropolix, Manis Iteritas, Prok Drums, Zen Delay, and electric guitar

video upload by

"A live, semi-improvised modular performance performed entirely on hardware, with one guitar overdub.

This jam started with a simple exploration of the Intellijel Metropolix, a neat sequencer that helps you stumble into inspiration, along with two voices (the Noise Engineering Manis Iteritas and the Acid Rain Chainsaw). My ambitions were no more than "play guitar with eurorack". But as the song found itself, and more and more was added to the table, it became clear I'd have to add guitar after the the fact.

A big highlight here is the Prok Drum modules being sequenced by the Mutable Instruments Grids. Not only is Grids fast and inspiring, but its modulation allows you to add performability (like the snare rolls I add via a touch pad here) and variety (through its chaos and frequency controls). Special thanks to Michael, a good human and also a member of my Patreon community, for allowing me to commission him to build the Prok modules! You're the best, Michael.

And of course, the Erica Synths Zen Delay works its magic again. Here, it runs everywhere from flanger to filter to gonzo delay, and I just love what it adds to a jam.

The patches would take a very long time to explain, but here are the modules:

Voices:
- Noise Engineering Manis Iteritas
- Squarp Rample
- Acid Rain Chainsaw
- Qu-Bit Chord
- Frequency Central Product
- Prok drum modules

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Westlicht Performer + Novation Launchpad

video by Cinematic Laboratory

"The Westlicht Performer is a great sequencer on its own, but it's taken to the next level of accesibility when you hook up a Launchpad..."

Westlicht Performer Sequencer #7

Markt Modular Synth

"Another performer vid, this time using the pattern page to move between patterns on the fly."

9-SD2 Scale by Ornament and Crime ~ 9/8 even in the odd time

Published on Dec 23, 2019 Ebotronix

9-SD2 number of notes: 9
18-9-SD2 (9 step subharmonic series scale on the octave)
notes (in cents): 0, 99.2, 203.9, 315.6, 435.2, 563.3, 702.3, 852.3, 1018
~
Westlicht Performer (Drum Sequencer 9/8 even in the odd)
Ribbon upper to System 512 to Polaris ,Z3000 Sync
Ribbon lower to Sputnik Modular Dual Oscillator
bass by Make Noise STO to E 440 Filter
chords by ARC Serge TKB to Ornament and Crime to
4x μBraids, Flame Curves, & A 111-4, A105-4,XPan

Westlicht Performer Sequencer

Published on Mar 4, 2019 Markt Modular Synth

"An initial jam with the new open source Westlicht Performer Sequencer - this is a great module if you SDIY!"

Westlicht Performer Sequencer #2

Published on Mar 21, 2019 Markt Modular Synth

"Another play with the new Westlicht Performer Sequencer"

Westlicht Performer Eurorack Sequencer.

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"Recent build with black aluminum panel and acrylic screen cover. Includes 16 GB micro SD card. Latest OS already installed. 100% functional. Amazing Sequencer!"

See this post for demos with an ST Modular FLITZEM DEFÖR sequencer.

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Westlicht Performer Eurorack Modular Sequencer

via this auction

See this post for a demo.


via westlicht

"PER|FORMER is a eurorack sequencer module designed for both live performance and work in the studio. It is based on the concept of step sequencing and can generate a wide variety of rhythms, melodies and modulation signals. While offering a vast amount of programming options, strong focus is put on having performance critical features available as directly as possible. External MIDI controllers can be used for live recording and to control many parameters of the sequencing engine. Alternatively you can directly connect a Novation Launchpad™ to control many aspects of the sequencer. A highly configurable clock system allows the module to act both as a master clock or sync to many other modules or external gear. In the studio, the module can act as a precise MIDI to CV converter. And best of all, if you should ever get bored with music, you can play some asteroids on it too!

PER|FORMER was developed as a free time project and is currently not a commercial product. However, the design files are freely available and the software is open source, allowing experienced DIY enthusiasts to build their own.

Features
8 track sequencer
16 sequences per track
64 steps per sequence
Multiple track and sequence modes
Note and modulation sequencing
Snapshot system
Sequence generators
Routing system for CV inputs and external MIDI controllers
Novation Launchpad™ support
Generate MIDI output from multiple sequences
Flexible clock system
User Interface
Large and bright 256x64 pixel OLED display
Encoder with push button
32 buttons with bi-color LEDs
5 function buttons with labels on display
Inputs and Outputs
8 CV outputs (-5V to 5V)
8 gate outputs (5V)
4 CV inputs (-5V to 5V)
Clock and reset/run input
Clock and reset/run output
MIDI input and output (MIDI TRS 3.5mm jacks)
USB Host for MIDI over USB
microSD Card Slot
Specifications
Width: 34 HP
Depth: 25mm
Power: 100mA @ +12V, 15mA @ -12V (not including USB host power)"