MATRIXSYNTH: nervoussquirrel


Showing posts with label nervoussquirrel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nervoussquirrel. Show all posts

Sunday, January 07, 2024

nervoussquirrel's String Thing Eurorack Module w/ Three Metre Retractable String



Also see nervoussquirrel's uranium ore filled Ore-some Volts

via nervoussquirrel

"Three axis performance controller with three metre retractable string.

The joystick has CV outputs for up/down and left/right, and pulling the ring varies the third CV output.

This module works well as a pair - six axes of control for two hands!

Wednesday, June 28, 2023

nervoussquirrel's Ore-some Volts



via nervoussquirrel

"A Eurorack synthesiser module that generates truly random control voltages, gates and triggers.

Radioactive events from a jar filled with uranium ore can be used to control compositional parameters.

First batch now shipping as of Tuesday 25th April 2023.

A borosilicate glass jar filled with uranium ore is mounted in front of a Geiger counter, which detects ionising radiation emitted by the rocks.

The timings of the radioactive events are mapped to a control voltage output and a number of gate/trigger outputs.

These can be useful to create truly random unpredictable variations in your synth patches.

Features and controls

There is a trigger output that creates a pulse whenever an event is detected, and also a group of six outputs that can be set as either triggers or gates. The group of six outputs are activated again depending on the activity from the ore. A relatively long pause followed by two clicks in quick succession will activate output number 1, for example.

There are three knobs for adjusting the CV output:

RANGE: Sets the range of the voltage from 0 to 10Vpp. Adjust this to create subtle variations or dramatic jumps.

OFFSET: Sets the area in which the control voltage operates. For example, if range is set to max then the offset can be used to set the voltages to operate from -5V to +5V or from 0V to 10V.

GLIDE: Sets the amount of glide between the changes in voltage levels. Set to max and remove the jar to create slowly drifting voltages triggered by background radiation.

The jar is removable, but pushes into place with a fairly tight fit, to prevent it falling out of portable modular systems. The activity of the module changes when the jar is removed. Take care when removing or replacing the jar.

The lid of the jar has been glued shut. Please do not attemp to open the jar - handling/inhaling/swallowing dust or fragments of the ore must be avoided.

A switch has been provided to turn off the internal Geiger counter click.

How it works

The system initially waits for three clicks, and then uses the position of the middle click to set the proportional level of the CV output. For example, if the central click occurs relatively close to the first, the voltage will be lower.

The system then waits for the next click to replace click 3, and re-assigns the previous 2 and 3 to the new 1 and 2.

nervoussquirrel's Conway's Game



via nervoussquirrel

A cellular automaton pattern generator that also functions as a MIDI to trigger converter.

Legendary mathematician John Horton Conway's "Game of Life" algorithm is generated and displayed on the 8x8 LED matrix, with the activity of the cells mapped to the outputs below.

The MIDI input can also be used to control 64 separate trigger outputs.

If you're not familiar with Conway's Game of Life, a brief explanation:

Imagine a grid of cells, each of which can be in two states, either alive or dead. A set of simple rules determine what happens to each cell, depending on the state of neighbouring cells.

For each step in time:

(1) Any live cell with fewer than two live neighbours dies, as if caused by underpopulation.

(2) Any live cell with two or three live neighbours lives on to the next generation.

(3) Any live cell with more than three live neighbours dies, as if by overpopulation.

(4) Any dead cell with exactly three live neighbours becomes a live cell, as if by reproduction.

The module makes use of these rules, applying them to an 8x8 grid of cells.

The generated patterns can then be used as an interesting source of triggers, which may be used to sequence drums, envelope generators, or any other modules with trigger or gate inputs.

After selecting a pseudo-random set of starting conditions for the cells, the simulation will run until the cells either die out, or end in a stable loop. If the cells die out or end in a stationary configuration, the simulation will reset with a new set of starting conditions. Loops can end up as the classic "glider" or "blinker", or more elaborate patterns.

Features and controls

MIDI IN: The module responds to notes ranging from C2 / note 36 to E7 / note 100.

CLOCK IN: By default the internal clock runs at 10Hz, but the clock input allows other sources to set the speed up to about 270Hz. After 270Hz things start getting weird, which of course is not necessarily a bad thing! Run it from any source of gates or triggers - LFO, VCO, or even audio for timing strangeness.

RESET: Clears the current loop and starts with a new set of cells. Also clears stuck MIDI notes if necessary.

MIDI / LIFE: Selects MIDI or Game of Life mode.

Thursday, April 21, 2022

Incredible DIY Modular Synth


video upload by Sound On Sound magazine

"David Cranmer, aka Nervous Squirrel, builds amazing musical instruments, including alpaca sound systems, a Theremin in a badger and one of the biggest modular synthesizers in the world. In our exclusive video interview, David shows us how everything from Geiger counters to the Game Of Life can play a part — and explains how anyone can master the skills needed to build your own modules.

Find more information about Nervous Squirrel's creations see https://www.nervoussquirrel.com
Instagram @nervoussquirreldotcom"

Sunday, September 06, 2020

THE OWL ORGAN, A Musical Instrument Made From Owl Garden Ornaments


LOOK MUM NO COMPUTER

"A couple of weeks ago i went to the nervous squirrels workshop and saw a bunch of his creations and also to pick up His owl organ which has been in the loft for the past 7 years!"

Check it out some Christmas songs on the OWL Organ here.

Thursday, September 03, 2020

30 Minutes Of The Nervous Squirrel's DIY 5U Modular Synthesizer Just Talking To Itself


THE MUSEUM OF EVERYTHING ELSE

"last week I went to see the nervous squirrel to pick up an item for the museum of everything else. the video on that item is coming out this weekend! but we also messed with his synth quite a lot! this video is after we played around for the whole day and shot this video : [posted here]

Audio download of the 30 minute sounds above is available with many others on my Patreon link here :- https://www.patreon.com/posts/40778103

The support on Patreon will be funding the opening of the museum in a couple of months! aswell as the continued machines and videos. thanks very much for the support."

Sunday, August 30, 2020

Checking out a Massive Home Made Synthesizer and Other Mad Inventions


LOOK MUM NO COMPUTER

"So this weekend i went to pickup an item from the Nervous Squirrels Place For The Museum Of Everything Else (video to come!) But couldnt help checking out his other mad #inventions and his Huge #diy #synthesizer.

Check him out here :- https://www.nervoussquirrel.com/"

Wednesday, September 06, 2017

Musical poster with touch sensors and built in audio - quick test


Published on Sep 6, 2017 thenervoussquirrel

"Let me know if you want any musical posters: one-offs welcome, but they get cheaper the more you order.

Choose up to 12 sound files, and the interactive areas can be any shape you'd like. Poster mounted on 6mm plywood.

This type had a mini jack output, but built in speakers also an option.

More info: www.nervoussquirrel.com"

Thursday, June 01, 2017

Wireless / motion sensing audio electronics test - crows & amen jungle for Merge Festival 2017


Published on Jun 1, 2017

"First test of electronics for the Merge Festival 2017 dodgems installation - more info:

www.nervoussquirrel.com/merge_festival_dodgems_2017"

Friday, January 13, 2017

World 1st Radioactive Synth Module?

Geiger counter synth module with uranium ore

Published on Jan 13, 2017 thenervoussquirrel

Update: see the comments below for the answer.

You'll be twisting those knobs with stubs for fingers in no time!

"Produces random voltages by comparing the time between clicks. Initially counts three clicks, then takes the time between 1 and 3 as the overall range mapped to 5V, and click 2 as the voltage level. It then waits for the next click to replace click 3, and re-assigns the previous 2 and 3 to the new 1 and 2, if that makes sense.

The 5V is converted into a control voltage signal, with adjustable range and offset, adapted from Ken Stone's joystick schematic. Glide has also been borrowed from a CGS module. Also produces a trigger output every time the geiger counter is activated."

Monday, December 05, 2016

Conway's Game of Life synth module


Published on Dec 5, 2016 thenervoussquirrel

"Quick test of a trigger module for modular synth. 64 outputs controlled by a MIDI input, or 'game of life' mode using John Conway's cellular automaton rules.

The video shows a few percussion modules connected, but it can of course be used to trigger envelope generators, sequencer steps etc.

Synth page: www.nervoussquirrel.com/modular

Uses one of those lovely 8x8 LED matrices by Adafruit.

Based on Tyler Hyndman's code: https://github.com/tylo42/Arduino-Gam..."

Tuesday, January 06, 2015

A Triangle Wave Modular Synth Jam (w/ MicroBrute, Vermona DRM-1 mkIII, EHX SuperEgo) #TTNM


Published on Jan 6, 2015 The Tuesday Night Machines

"All VCO's in this jam are generating triangle waves, which are then processed a little bit further ... but really just a little bit. Also in this video: BAD HAIR DAY! O_o

Questions or comments? Go ahead and post them below! :) Thanks for watching! Check out my channel for more Synthesizer Music.

MORE INFO:

Audio gear used:
- Eurorack Modular Synthesizer (with Malekko Wiard Anti-Oscillator, Intellijel Dixie, Koma Kommander, Klangbau Köln Wavetable VCO, Erica Polivoks VCF, etc. see: http://www.modulargrid.net/e/racks/vi...)
- Arturia MicroBrute (analog synthesizer)
- Vermona DRM-1 mkIII (drum synth)
- Nervous Squirrel Passive Ring Modulator Pedal
- Electro Harmonix EHX Super Ego Synth Engine Pedal
- Klangbau Spring Reverb
- Zoom R16 (recording & mastering)

Filmed with a Canon EOS 550D (Rebel t2i)."

Sunday, October 19, 2014

Noise Rack Diary #03: One patch to noise them all #TTNM


Published on Oct 19, 2014

"One Patch and a whole lotta noise!

Here's the Eurorack Modular Synthesizer Case on ModularGrid:
http://www.modulargrid.net/e/racks/view/127484

Here's the patch from this video (it's just this one and a lot of knob tweaking):
http://tinyurl.com/noiserack03patch

Gear used in this video:
- Klangbau Köln CV-Prozessor Joystick
- Klangbau Köln XR-VCO
- Klangbau Köln State Variable qVCF Filter
- Doepfer A-180 Passive Multiple
- Klangbau Köln Low-Noise Spring Reverb
- Nervous Squirrel Passive Germanium Ring Modulator

Audio recorded on a Zoom R16. Filmed with a Canon EOS 550D (Rebel t2i) and GoPro HD Hero."

Sunday, October 12, 2014

Noise Rack Diary


Published on Oct 9, 2014 The Tuesday Night Machines

Playlist:

1. Noise Rack Diary #01: Sound FX through Spring Reverb #TTNM
"Gear used in this video:
- Klangbau Köln CV-Prozessor Joystick
- Klangbau Köln XR-VCO
- Klangbau Köln State Variable qVCF Filter
- Klangbau Köln Low-Noise Spring Reverb"

2. Noise Rack Diary #02: Nervous Ring Mod Sequence #TTNM
"I've added the Nervous Squirrel Ring Modulator and feed the XR-VCO a pitch CV sequence from the MicroBrute."

Friday, September 26, 2014

Nervous Squirrel - Ring Modulator


Published on Sep 26, 2014 DivKidMusic

"Not a module but works perfectly with modular, takes up no HP and no power! The Nervous Squirrel - Ring Modulator works great with line levels for soundcards/studio gear and also modular levels. It has a great gritty sound that adds a lot of character.

Some audio demos with 808s, 303s and some classic Dalek voice action at the website - http://www.nervoussquirrel.com/ringmo...

Hit subscribe / like for more videos every week!"

Saturday, April 19, 2014

The Musical Stepladders


Published on Apr 19, 2014 thenervoussquirrel·41 videos

"A project from some time ago, but finally made a video...

Each ladder contains four lo-fi sampler circuits, which are activated by spring-mounted steps.

www.nervoussquirrel.com"

Be sure to see the nervoussquirrel channel below for previous posts including the Owl theremin & Pyramid synthesizers.

Monday, December 16, 2013

Christmas songs on the Owl Organ

Published on Dec 16, 2013

"Great to see everyone on Saturday!

More details of the Owl Organ here:

www.nervoussquirrel.com"

Be sure to see the holiday channel for more holiday posts!

Saturday, May 18, 2013

Quick test of mini pyramid synth

Published on May 18, 2013 thenervoussquirrel·34 videos

"This was commissioned by Jay Gambit, after seeing the larger pyramid designed by Pete Fowler, commissioned by XL Recordings for The Horrors. This unit contains a MFOS phaser and WSG."

Thursday, January 10, 2013

The Pyramid Synthesisers


via nervoussquirrel.com where you'll find additional info and pics.

"Another collaboration with Pete Fowler - two pyramid-shaped analogue synthesisers with hand painted casings.

They began as part of an animated music video that Pete made for The Horrors, and then afterwards Richard Russell (XL Recordings) decided to commission a real life version. It was decided to make two synths in the end, one for Richard and one for The Horrors to use. They each have a catalog number, "XLRD001 001" and "XLRD001 002".

The whole project was massive fun from beginning to end - everyone involved was really nice, complete artistic freedom was given, lots of enthusiasm and encouragement from every direction! Once they were finished, Nathan Pask took these great photos

Each synth contains a Sound Lab mark II, built from a circuit board sold by Music From Outer Space."

Video below and at nervoussquirrel.com.

Sunday, January 08, 2012

Analogue Ring Mods from nervoussquirrel.com

"These are not digital - they are real analogue ring modulators, the same circuit design as used to create the original voice of the Daleks in 1963.

They have been made using carefully matched germanium diodes, housed in a rugged metal case. The units are 'passive', meaning they don't require batteries, but lower signal levels may require a preamp.

Connect a synth, drum machine, microphone or guitar to the input socket, a simple waveform (e.g. VCO or note held on a keyboard) into the 'carrier' input, and the ring modulator will produce interesting metallic/robotic sound effects. Sound files below."

http://www.nervoussquirrel.com/ringmodulators.html
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