Mutable (ST)RINGS | Modular Composing | Open Sequencing

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"I guess it's much cheaper to find new use to existing modules instead of getting more modules that don't really add anything new. We all know Mutable Rings, it's our modular guitar. So how about trying to play it like a guitar? In this video, I'll use a static arp, like the strings on a guitar, tuned to whatever you like (like Fripp's New Standard Tuning) and then move the individual notes around like a fretboard. It's like a note-by-note transpose. Do you know any sequencer that can do this? Sure! Five12 Vector has chance operations and subsequencers. Westlicht has note ranges and you can use Track B to transpose track A. But you can't transpose the indivual notes in an ARP with their own subsequences. I've been working on this idea because it's a cool addition to our stochastic generative dice controlled compositions. I'd like to all it 'open sequencing' as a tribute to 'open composers' from the 50's and 60's. People like John Cage and Hans Otte, but also people like Robert Fripp (tuning of fifths) and Hans Zimmer (double harmonic dune scale).

It's even cooler to use a module that allows you to build what doesn't exist yet, lke Monome Teletype. I wrote a script you can load in your module, but Teletype is also part of the VCV free module collection. I bet you'd never use it without some help. So here's a script you can cut, paste in a .TXT and load it into the 'active script' of Teletype."
--COPY AFTER THIS

CLICK FOR MORE »

Dark Easel | Buchla LEM 218e, 0-Coast & Strega

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"This is a freeform improvisation with 0-Coast and Strega in three takes. The first take is 0-Coast doing plonks and textures, the second take is Strega doing a pad and the third take is a solo over the pad. Nothing fancy, and quite linear. More like parts - or movements - instead of overdubs. I am trying to show you that a DAW can turn a small set of modules into a huge wall of sound too. Doing everything in one go is really hard and only necessary if you need to perform live. I am happy I don't have to.

The Dark Easel is the nickname for the 0-Coast, Strega and 0-Ctrl trinity. As you may have seen in previous videos, I've been on a quest to recreate something close to the Buchla Easel in Eurorack. My quest came to an end when I took a leap of faith and got the Buchla 218e, which is the 'simple' 50% of the Easel case. However, I did not expect these capacitive touch keys to be such a big component of the authentic Buchla Easel sound.

It's a very big investment for a little keyboard, but I can't emphasize how happy I am with it. I am not a good keyboard player, but sliding over the surface finally allows my fingers to keep up with my brain. But it also feels like I am playing a bit of synth history. As I describe in the video, this combo is like a classic Corvette towing a skateboard. It's not intended as a disrespect to the 0-coast, but there are a lot of skateboards at the MN office in Ashville. Besides, 0-coast definitely qualifies as a great entrypoint into modular westcoast synthesis and honestly, I learned a LOT from this little machine. Like 'everything is voltage'. This time it's not racked and used as intended. With keys.
I am sure you'll get similar results with your Keystep or a more fancy controller.

I know there are a few Spartans out there who want it raw, with nothing but the bare machine. But it has a contour and sustain tightly related with holding down a key. And then, ofcourse, there's midi. In this video, I completely overlooked using the 0-coast with the midi output from the 218, but I don't feel like going through those PGM A | B pages. I will check it out later, because I wonder what would happen if I enable the Coast's internal sequencer AND an external one (e.g. BeatStep Pro). If it's any good, I'll post it. For today, I just wanted to cruise the Ease Coast."

Introducing the Pittsburgh Modular Voltage Lab 2

video upload by Pittsburgh Modular Synthesizers

"Standalone Modern Analog Synthesis Laboratory
Pittsburgh Modular Synthesizers’ long-anticipated successor to the Voltage Research Laboratory is filled to the brim with interesting new inventions, such as several new wave-shaping technologies, an addictive tactile performance controller, and more…"

The New, Experimental Synthesis of the Voltage Lab 2

video upload by Jorb

0:00 Intro
2:27 Hands on Begins
4:58 Oscillator One
11:01 Oscillator Two
16:29 Quick Look at Function Generators
18:26 Quick Look at Dynamics Controllers
19:04 FX
21:02 Chance Sequencer
22:37 Touch Controller Begins
26:56 Step Conditions
28:10 Step Jump Explained

Geek Chic // Sonic Experiments from the Voltage Lab2

video upload by Starsky Carr

"Dusting the cobwebs from my vintage 1950's lab coat - it was all the rage once honest.

Going into lab rat research mode and seeing where the maze takes me..

... and here's the results.

Just a little taster while I open the lab book to record apparatus, method, results, discussion and conclusion.

0:00 Bunsen Burner Big Beats
2:15 Plucking Pipettes (no pipettes were harmed)
3:06 Test Tube Techno (it's not techno)
5:59 She's Alive
7:44 Naked Flame
10:00 Medical Skeleton (its the Bare Bones)"

Pittsburgh Modular Voltage Lab 2 - Just Jammin'

video upload by Molten Music Technology

"Fascinating new modular system from Pittsburgh with a decidedly West Coast bent. Too soon for a review, but here's half an hour of playing with the rather remarkable sequencer, the timbre of the oscillators and other bits and pieces. I added some reverb via the Chroma Console but otherwise it's all the VL2."

The Sweet Spot: Voltage Lab 2 Semi-Modular Synthesizer
video upload by HAINBACH

"As anyone who has ever tried to assemble a modular synthesizer, it is not easy to create a cohesive instrument, especially if you try to narrow it down to a portable case. In comes The Voltage Lab 2 that Pittsburgh Modular send me to play with (thanks for that!) - it is a semi-modular self contained synthesizer, and to me it hits the sweet spot between functionality and musicality."

Also see The Lab Report Episodes for audio demos.



Press release follows:

May 14th, 2024 - Pittsburgh, PA Pittsburgh Modular Synthesizers today announced Voltage Lab 2, a standalone dual oscillator analog synthesizer synthesis laboratory with a unique integrated touch-sensitive performance controller.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Analog Memories | 0-Coast + 0-Ctrl + Doepfer A151 sequential switch

Cinematic Laboratory

"Someone was wondering if it would be useful to have two 0-Ctrl units, looking for an excuse to get another one. He was wondering if it would be possible to extend the 8 step sequence to 16. Since I do not have two 0-ctrl's lying around, I used my Brains/PressurePoints combo (the 0-Pressure) to do this experiment. Unfortunately I could not find a way to make one stop and the other one continue. I am not sure it can be done.

However, if you're looking to extend your sequence, getting a 'sequential switch' would be a lot more helpful. The Doepfer A151 can switch between four input signals when it receives a gate, which makes it a perfect companion for your 0-ctrl. I used it to extend the sequence from 8 to 16. Adding the 0-Pressure extended it to 32 and ultimately to 128. But with so many untuned notes, you should make a Krell patch or use a quantizer..."

Melbourne Instruments Nina | First Patches

video upload by Laboratory 0

"First few patches with the Nina - No external effects."

Melbourne Instruments Nina Round-Robin Experiment #1

video upload by Laboratory 0

"How close can the Nina get to the Vermona Perfourmer? Distributing MIDI notes evenly across three layers on the Nina, each with slight variations in filter and envelope settings. The track, originally made with the Perfourmer (ID: Samuel Yang - Skyward Bound), is now played on the Nina, and I’m amazed by how closely it replicates the original, with its round-robin arps.

Arps coming from Nina, everything else was pre-recorded / taken from the original track."

Tiny Powerhouse | 0-Coast & 0-Ctrl

Cinematic Laboratory

"0-Coast & 0-Ctrl may be small, but they're huge tiny powerhouses when it comes to driving other gear. Every CV output can be used to modulate, move, push and kick something else so they can easily become the heart and brain of a more complex system, with the Tape & Microsound Music Machine as a clear example. Also I'd like to show that the simple 'one voice' sound of the 0-coast can lead to great new sounds when you 'balance' it with other sources like STO, Telharmonic or your own favorite. And finally, some FX can make a lot of difference. Have fun and happy patching!
MakeNoise's Lewis Dahm did the pixel art on their Office Hours series and I just had to borrow and animate his square 0-coast."

Monome Teletype | Episode 2 | Metronome Demons

video by Cinematic Laboratory

"I've created my first script for the Teletype, called 'Metronome Demons'. It samples the IN cv input once a second with the M (Metronome) script. CV outputs A & B are initialized (I script) with a slew of 1 sec.
In the Metronome script, the incoming CV is stored in Pattern Zero (the first pattern), simply referenced as P.
Patterns are 'arrays' with room for 64 numbers. An array is a table you can PUSH items in, POP items out or INS(ert) at a specific position. I chose to insert them on position (index) 0, which is the first item. This helps to see the numbers come in (tracker view). On specific intervals I'll send these numbers to CV outputs A, B and C.
So this patch can respond to sequencers, LFO's and pressure in mysterious ways, where the slew (portamento) will make weird transitions. The CV values are picked from the pattern P with random readers so it will always use the values you've gathered before and keep a relationship with what you've been harvesting. I don't think there's a module that can do this :).

The 'Metronome Demons' Script:
I
M 1000
CV.SLEW A 1000
CV.SLEW B 1000

M
P INS 0 0
P 0 IN
CV A P RRND 0 5
EVERY 3: TR.PULSE 1
CV B P RRND 5 10
CV C P RRND 10 20"

Monome Teletype | Episodes

FarCoast | 0-Coast, 0-Ctrl, Strega

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"I did a drum patch yesterday and right after posting I recorded a jam I liked very much. So even though I am using the same modules as the day before, this patch is completely different, mainly because 0-coast is the main voice. It's a simple patch, designed to stack itself up by using delay and short loops. Using a scale creates the illusion of polyphony even though 0-coast is mono. Using Strega as a support voice doesn't create polyphony or duophony, but a multi-timbral mono patch. Telharmonic is making creative noise effects. Using a quantiser like the O_C is crucial for offering the freedom to tweak 0-Ctrl's pitch lanes so whatever you tweak will come out as a 'proper' note. While it may be interesting to go 'unquantized because it's designed that way', I don't believe a module dictates how you should use it. The only rules that apply are your own.
#jamuary2024 Day 04."

Zero | Producing a track with 0-Coast & Ableton Live

video by Cinematic Laboratory

"0-Coast is a powerful mono synth, but on it's own you won't be able to make a 'song'. However, if you have a DAW and you can dub some tracks it's possible to synthesize kicks, snares, percussion, bass, leads, etc. I've included some patch notes that may help you to invent your own sounds. The biggest challenge with 0-coast is that you have to create all sounds from scratch, but that's also part of the fun. After the recording is done, you can cut and move instruments, add effects and create a pretty unique sound. I used Strega on a final lead to show you that you can use 0-Coast to send midi information to Strega with the midi B outputs. The final result is a one minute 'sketch' you can find at the end of the video."

Junkyard Strega | feat. 0-Ctrl + Echophon + Erbe-Verb

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"It's always fun to use Strega in a bigger patch, but this time I am staying close to 'home' with 0-ctrl (without the extra quantizer) and effects from the MakeNoise Echophon delay & Erbe-Verb reverb. Modulating Stega's pitch and internal time can create some great metallic 'junkyard' effects, and 'striking' the Absorb CV with 0-ctrl's dynamic gate output is just amazing. At the end of the video I got inspired, wondering how a stereo conversion would sound with two Echophon's and two Erbe-Verbs. You can also try this with any two effect units/pedals and patch them as left/right FX chains."

Cyma Forma ALT Rhythmic Experiment

video upload by Laboratory 0

"Some additional pads & synths were added in post"

Quick Sketch with Dreadbox Artemis | Ambient Arps

video upload by Laboratory 0

Little Drummers | Basimilus Iteritas Alter + 0-Ctrl

Cinematic Laboratory

"Today I wanted to revisit the BIA, zero-controlled by the MakeNoise 0-Ctrl. It's a great module for creating individual high quality percussion sounds. You can also turn it into an Arcade machine when you throw a lot of CV at it (especially with a 0-ctrl center), but that will make it extremely digital. Adding a LPG will do wonders, especially the old ones from Doepfer and MakeNoise because they have that magical vactrol sound. The trick is to mult the trigger to an AD(SR) envelope/LPG and sculpt the BIA with it. A VCFA will also work very well, even a low pass filter.

In the end I added another little drummer, the mighty DFAM. However, I did not use it as a percussion voice but as a Robert #Fripp (Velvet Underground, Bowie, David Sylvian) guitar. Wow, this brings back good memories. DFAM is a complex oscillator with a great filter and sequencer, with probably many millions of different sounds, blips, hits and voices hiding it it."

Cyma Forma ALT Soundscape Synthesizer - First Contact

video upload by Laboratory 0

Studio Live Ambient Sessions | Vermona Perfourmer MKII

video uploads by Laboratory 0

Playlist:

1. “Echoes” - Studio Live Ambient Session | Vermona Perfourmer MKII, Chase Bliss Thermae
2. Vermona Perfourmer MKII + Hologram Chroma Console + Piano
3. Vermona Perfourmer MKII + Intellijel Sealegs Generative Ambient Sequence

A Tale of Two Coasts | MakeNoise 0-Coast + 'A Coast'

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"Taking a close look at 0-Coast components can inspire you to make your own coast, which is remarkably easy with older, discontinued and replaced modules. 0-coast is a relatively simple tabletop, but it's one of the best synths to expore and learn modular. My 'coast' is no exception.

I used a classic Wogglebug, STO, Function, Contour and Dynamix which all are still easy to find. Looking at an older exhibition project from Mr. Rolando (Synth of Two Coasts) inspired me to focus on timbre, expression and articulation instead of notes, melody and music. 'Search for sounds unfound'. Let's do that!"

MakeNoise Mega Patch | Episode 02 | Cause & Effect

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"Walkthough of a slow patch on the MakeNoise Collective and maybe a great soundtrack for a lazy sunday morning. For this patch I wanted to serialize my four Maths (and the 0-Coast) into a chain of events. The first half of the video is just about patching it up, hoping to inspire you to have fun with all your triggered LFO's, Envelopes and Function Generators. If they don't have 'end of whatever' triggers, you can use a gate sequencer and a weird clock (LFO, S&H) to push it forward in irregular patterns. I also wanted to share a bit of the fun of patching itself. Even without making any sound it can be a joy to just see the machine 'breathe' like a living organism. Then, sitting back, watching it move and thinking about which sounds to trigger."

Cinematic Laboratory MakeNoise Mega Patch Episodes

EML ElectroComp 101 EML-101 w/ Seq Mod

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

via this auction

CLICK FOR MORE »

The Road to Berlin | XAOC Leibniz Binary Subsystem | Episode 03

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"I got a bit stuck after doing the 2nd episode. Yeah, that episode sucked, but that also happens at the Lab. Dead ends are important if you want to learn to think more in u-turns. In this episode, we're back on track.

I knew the Leibniz Binary system would give me a hard time, but I underestimated that. I had a few weeks staring at my case wondering 'what's next?'. Sure, there's plenty to explore, but it's hard when you don't resonate well with the broken chiptune sounds - which are inevitable. Then, XAOC added 'Berlin' to the list of cities. It's labeled a 'numeric' VCO and it's designed especially for the Leibniz modules. It's basically a simple sawtooth with 1V/OCT, FM and Sync, but it's more like a quality D/A converter for generating waveforms. The Drezno II used to take care of that, but it would make jagged waveforms by summing lots of squares. It sounds very 8-bit. Berlin doesn't have that problem, it sounds great.

In this episode I am not doing a deepdive yet, because I just got the module. Instead I'll try to explain why it's relevant, and how a sawtooth gets all these odd/even harmonics and overtones. Why it's considered 'rich' compared to a sinewave. Then, it's easier to understand why Berlin only has a sawtooth (or scrambled saw) out. When you draw a graph of numbers 0 to 255, you'll get a nice ramp (reversed saw) that flips back to zero and counts up again. Berlin is basically counting up very fast and restarts at 0.

I'll leave the interaction between Berlin and other modules to episode 04, which will probably be posted next week. It's not going to take too long :)."

Slim Phatty/ Little Phatty Interaction

YouTube via experimentalsynth | January 26, 2011 | 0 likes, 0 dislikes

"experimentalsynth.com data sample #387 - explores the use of the Pitch CV output of a Little Phatty (with CV Output Mod) to control the Filter Cutoff Frequency of a Slim Phatty.

Data capture method: Android phone

www.experimentalsynth.com is the laboratory of Chris Stack. His musical and technological endeavors have involved activities as varied as Marketing Manager for Moog Music, Belly Dance Musician, Printed Circuit Designer for Bob Moog and industrial computer applications (including a Space Shuttle experiment) and ambient piano creations."