Whimsical-Raps Mangrove - INSTRUMENTAL SPECTRUM SHAPING

Published on Jan 5, 2015 kuxaan sum

"Just plugged in the Whimsical-Raps Mangrove Formant Oscillator. Drums courtesy of Drum Dokta via Mutable Instruments Grids with some CV over Map X & Y & Chaos.

I didn't realize my ER-101 was not updated so I didn't get the ER-102 working in this patch tonight...soon...soon."

This is the first Whimsical-Raps post. Just spotted it via kuxaan sum's video above. Below are details and a couple of videos from Whimsical-Raps. The first video was from Dec 15, 2014, so technically they are new to 2014.

"Mangrove holds the essence of an instrument in the form of an oscillator. Sounds are defined not only by pitch but by spectra. As the earth shakes under foot, a whistle blows on the wind.

FORMANT represents the timbral structure of the instrument, defined independent of its pitch. Waves shift across the range, bringing to life a series of undertones. There is quicksand between these divisions – tiny moments of uncertainty – where multiphonics reside. These underbranches fold melodies onto themselves far down into microtones.

Frequency modulation feels altogether different, with a pair making the most corporeal of complex oscillators. With integral FM indexing, a cross-modulated duo will unleash a snarling Bunyip. With SYNChronicity they will sing the same tongue through their own voice. Self-patched tones open another box of uncertainty. Divided FORMANTS to control frequency; shapeless SQUARES modulating AIR pressure."

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Silhouette by Whimsical Raps

video upload by Whimsical Raps

"~Braided signal combiner illuminated in two planes~

Sounds and shapes outlined in SILHOUETTE. Animated foregrounds of analogue delay, set among a backdrop in texturized stereo. At once mixer, scanner, bus compression and reverb.

The new Mannequins module from Whimsical Raps. December 2024"

SILHOUETTE

BRAIDED SIGNAL COMBINER ILLUMINATED IN TWO PLANES

Sounds and shapes outlined in SILHOUETTE. Animated foregrounds of analogue delay, set among a backdrop in texturized stereo. At once mixer, scanner, bus compression and reverb.

Built around a focal system defined by SPOT, lighting signals from a ring of 6 inputs. Here we find LIGHT and SHADOW, the latter pushed out in time through a dynamically filtered BBD delay. Together defining a foreground; a point of interest; focused; sharp.

The remaining assortment collected; a background; context and shape. A second stereo pair, LEFT and RIGHT, dynamically peering through a LENS. Control dynamics in simple VCA style, side-chained to the SPOTlit signal, or expanded to shorten transients and make space. Fill in the gaps with BLUR, smearing the background in time for rich ambient trails leaning into lush sweeping strings.

At its heart patch-programmable -- internally for dramatic feedback & oscillations -- cross-patched for extra drama. Very capable in a large system to fold complexity, but shining in tiny cases with feedback. A joyful micro-modular with Just Friends and crow, shaping sounds, or sounding shapes.

Beyond mere combination, SILHOUETTE pulls signals into relationship. Whether in full quadraphonic space, cohesive stereo sets, or dynamic & nimble singularities. See your sounds; hear great sights.

Whimsical Raps JUST FRIENDS: An Introduction

Published on May 2, 2016

"'JUST FRIENDS' a Mannequins module by Whimsical Raps.

Envelopes / Cycles / Oscillations / Impulses"

via Whimsical Raps

"JUST FRIENDS
MANIFOLD GENERATORS FOR NAVIGATING SOCIAL CONTOURS

Just Friends discussing the many facets of their empathic geometry. In generating manifold envelopes, projecting impulses, cycling on parallel gradients. Together navigate the sixth nexus into your own personal patch communion.

Six vectors in similar shapes, asymmetrically skewed by RAMP. Once linear trajectories soften to sines with CURVE, or bend through exponentials, trapezoids, to variably widthed pulses. All members are temporally based by TIME as they slow from taut snaps to oceanic undulations, with tempic relationships constructed from INTONEs integer fractions. MODE employs the west-coast archetypes to all, while separate TRIGGERS and outs promote rhythmic independence. The complex MIX output twists on tradition for rippling semi-cyclic topographies.

Shifting into Sound, accelerates to a fleet of oscillators or Mangrove-styled impulse generators. TIME becomes pitch, while INTONE defines a harmonic argument, pivoting utone through otone. TRIGGER normalization allows for collective sets, with unjust chords combined in a final MIX. Through-zero FM embodies collective contortions in two timbres of depth or discernment.

Explore interpersonal dynamics with RUN. Define retrigger sensitivity for variable tempo and frequency division of shapes and sounds. A level of sustenance adds an additional stage of decay, or cook up pseudosequences with self-modifying burst generation. Discover attunement for and within harmonic pings of variable timebase, then engage complete polysyntheticism with Just Type."

First Patch // Whimsical Raps - Atrium | Dark Ambient

video upload by Luukke

"This is the first preset/patch I have made on the Whimsical Raps - Atrium, and it was made in the first hour or so of getting it home.

I wanted to show it here, as I feel like a lot of the stuff I've heard online so far is in the pretty/beautiful category. But the Form engine in particular is wonderfully chaotic and capable of getting into much gnarlier territory. The patch itself tonally reminds me of some of the feedback patches i've done with the Serge.

Many many thank yous to Trent + Dani and everyone at Whimsical Raps. Atrium is incredibly inspiring, immediate and interactive. A true musical instrument.

Lightly processed in Ableton with delay from Echoboy."

Whimsical Patching

video uploads by Whimsical Raps

Playlist:

1. Whimsical Patching // 1. Audio-Rate Modulation

from Dani:
"One of my favorite aspects of modular synthesis is that signals we can hear are made of the same basic building block as signals which provide control and modulation -- they're all just voltage moving at different rates!

When we use an audio signal in the place of control voltage, we're touching into a technique broadly known as audio-rate modulation. Using audio-rate modulation in the Whimsical Raps ecosystem is incredibly rewarding, as it can unlock unexpected behaviors in familiar and new modules alike.

Here, Mangrove (our formant oscillator) modulates Silhouette's (our new 'signal combiner') SPOT, which is mixing six audio channels from Just Friends (our six-voice digital oscillator). I noticed that sending Mangrove into SPOT bleeds Mangrove's audio signal into the mix, so I tuned Mangrove to harmonize with Just Friends. This endowed FORMANT changes with new power, adding harmonic depth to the chaotic modulation -- notice the sizzle around 0:30 as FORMANT is cranked up.

Once INTONE adds distance between the ratios of Just Friends' oscillations, I reduce FORMANT to a low-frequency grumble -- I particularly enjoyed Silhouette's delayed vocalizations of these changes across the stereo field. Manually scanning SPOT offsets the input channels we're highlighting, which reveals the new INTONE-spread pitches. Increasing FORMANT introduces audible discontinuities as Mangrove regains its pitch, which are unique in the left and right channels. A final INTONE adjustment is added for performative spice, which is caught by the bucket-brigade device for a muted splash of stereo color."

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Patching W/ Confidence: W/Del

video upload by Whimsical Raps

"W/ is a 2hp module from Whimsical Raps which provides three different engines for traversing the present moment. 'Patching W/ Confidence' is a video series which offers educational walkthroughs of W/ 2.0's various functionalities. This video focuses on W/Del, which provides a varispeed delay and looper with modulation."

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Timeless Garden Horizon: An enigmatic instrument for sonic exploration

video upload by CatSynth TV

"Trent of Whimsical Raps gives us a tour of the Horizon, a collaboration between Whimsical Raps and Meng Qi. It has an intriguing interface and contains a wide variety of features including arpeggiators, pinged filters, resonant filter banks, and delays."

Additional posts here.

Whimsical Raps Atrium 1

video upload by Cray

"Whimsical Raps Atrium with Chase Bliss Lost & Found"

Whimsical Raps Atrium's Polyphonic LFO

video upload by Matt Lowery

"The Whimsical Raps Atrium is equipped with a five voice polyphonic LFO, and it's so much fun that it felt worth documenting with a short video.

Like what you hear? Come explore my sample packs: https://otakusound.gumroad.com/l/Boke...

Initial Patch Setup Notes:

LFO Mapped to Notes
LFO Mapped to Chord
Change Mapped to Sustain
Change Mapped to Lens

After that, all adjustments are made on camera."

Just friends, Monome ansible kria, beads, STO | exercise caution

video upload by patchesinblue

"exercise caution

an afternoon exercise with kria sequencing whimsical raps justfriends and the makenoise sto with sparks from mutable instruments beads.

at one point during the performance, my entire arm covered the frame while i was adjusting the filter cut-off on the whimsical raps three sisters, so i included some amazing clips of the sky that felt right for the music for that section.

@patchesinblue on instagram, twitter, bandcamp and soundcloud"

Worth the Hype? The Mannequins by Whimsical Raps Mangrove Formant Oscillator

video upload by pitch patch

"This is a demo of the Mannequins by Whimsical Raps Mangrove formant oscillator. I go through all knobs and show you three patch ideas.

Mangrove is an analog formant oscillator that contains a triangle-core with a dedicated square wave output and a shaped impulse-train generator output through an internal VCA and waveshaper.

Many of the brands in the world of Eurorack modular are small businesses that produce in small numbers. To me, it is deliberating that not everything is immediately available all the time and every once in a while there are modules that are on backorder, out of stock, or out of production. With its unconventional and inspiring design, the Mangrove formant oscillator is highly regarded even years after its release. I think it is well worth the hype."

THIS IS CRAZY! Whimsical Raps ATRIUM | Superbooth 2026

video upload by Milk Audio Store

"Atrium by Whimsical Raps is a five voices of analogue synthesis, controlled and modulated polytimbrally. we’ve taken ideas from our decade of modular exploration, and rethought how we reach into polyphony.

Each voice is shaped by its harmonic energy while three core timbre modes push into richer territory. from simple suboctave and noise waves, through frequency modulation, and landing in formant synthesis reimagined. all squeezed through a lowpass/gate combination, providing balance and occasionally emphasis."

Whimsical Raps Atrium

video upload by Nightlife Electronics

https://nightlife-electronics.com/

"Jamming on a lovely little interlude on the otherworldly @whimsicalraps Atrium at the shop today.

The Atrium has a unique quality in that it is simultaneously inviting to play while remaining completely novel and unlike anything you’ve played before. It encourages exploration and experimentation and before you know it hours have slipped by in a hazy dream state. A truly special machine!

Visual accompaniment by the amazing @htp.syntonie modular video synthesizer system!

Both Whimsical Raps/Mannequins & Syntonie modules are in stock and ready to ship at Nightlife Electronics here in Vancouver!

#whimsicalraps #atrium #synthesizer #syntonie #nightlifeelectronics"

Social Contours

Social Contours from Bryan Noll on Vimeo.

"'Mannequins making friends with Mutable Instruments'

Performed on a modular synthesizer.

http://soundcloud.com/fourhexagons/social-contours

PATCH NOTES

Just Friends and Three Sisters arrived this week and brought life to the melody voice in this patch. Whimsical Raps makes some seriously amazing modules: http://whimsicalraps.com.

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Whimsical Raps Atrium -CALC- Brass Bahnd in the Lobby - Atrium as desktop module with Launchkey

video upload by -CALC-

"Today's etude d'Atrium. Using it a a 5 voice analogue desktop synth controlled by a Novation Launchkey in Chord Map.

Atrium is a wonderful, complete and comprehensive instrument that sits very well on it's own terms.
But it can also be an incredible desktop module with functions, features and most importantly timbres that are totally unique.
Here it is simply using the FM synthesis mode to provide 5 voices of lovely analogue sawtooth sweetness FM only comes in later. Halfway through the looping envelopes activate to bring natural articulations to each of the 5 voices. As a (lapsed) trombone player it gives me great joy to hear how close to a trombone ensemble this comes. The chords are being fed from a Novation Launchkey Mini 37 with pads set to the superb Chord map with adventure and exploration set high. So much work went into developing and curating the chord map and its a joy to use, even for one fingered musicians.

I would say that 2026 has easily been the year of the Atrium in my world, and its only been the first year of Atrium in my world. It won't stop there either.

What an instrument Whimsical Raps have managed to bring into the world.

......It has my heart"

Whimsical Raps: Atrium

video upload by Whimsical Raps

"Atrium is a new instrument, where playful gestures meet dynamic systems.

new ways to compose
 new ways to express
  new ways to play

https://atrium.whimsicalraps.com/

five voices of analogue synthesis, controlled and modulated polytimbrally. we’ve taken ideas from our decade of modular exploration, and rethought how we reach into polyphony.

each voice is shaped by its harmonic energy while three core timbre modes push into richer territory. from simple suboctave and noise waves, through frequency modulation, and landing in formant synthesis reimagined. all squeezed through a lowpass/gate combination, providing balance and occasionally emphasis.

no digital multi-effects here, just spectres in the machine. a novel configuration of three filters, two delays, and feedback. front and almost centre — this resonant body is meant to be played. sequenceable, modulatable, while feeding back not just sound, but shape for unfolding cybernetics.

and to modulate! everything mappable to everything else, tactile input extended on the fly, mapping as a performance in itself. sources are dynamically phased across voices, and stretched in relative duration. gestures captured into five recorders, extending play rather than overriding it, all twisted in time at your whim.

Atrium is deeply learnable, and for those moments of quick change, instantly recallable. extensible with usb and midi and cv input.

//

a series of improvisations, exploring but a few edges of this new instrument.

performed by Trent Gill
recorded by Dani Derks
projections from Sean Hellfritsch"

Whimsical Raps Atrium // No Talking // 3 Early Explorations

video upload by Lesjamusic

"My first hour or two with the Whimsical Raps Atrium. What a beauty.

My Norns script Nexus provides the sequencing over a nifty USB cable.

00:00 Patch 1
02:16 Patch 2
04:19 Patch 3

#ambientcuration #whimsicalrapsatrium #ambientmusic"

cambria sessions pt1 • cambria [ambient modular synth + OP-1]

Published on Feb 23, 2019 Hark Madley

Part 2 below.

"'cambria' for modular synth + OP-1

from the cambria sessions, a tidal meditation

patch notes:

// MODULAR SYNTH

Inspired by the waves and tides, a breathing filter modulation
Make Noise MORPHAGENE playing ambient guitar recorded to cassette
Whimsical Raps THREE SISTERS processing the morphagene in stereo, LOW to one channel and CENTRE to another
Mutable instruments TIDES modulating the cutoff with an LFO

Squarp HERMOD sequencing PLAITS, MANGROVE, STO
uO_c on PIQUED for envelopes
TIDES modulating: MORPHAGENE Phase modulation, MORPHAGENE Slide, VCA of STO, SISTERS Span (filter modulation)
All voices processed by MAGNETO and MERIS Mercury 7

// TEENAGE ENGINEERING OP-1
Tape loop of ambient FM bell synth melody played back at half speed (and thus octave down)"

cambria sessions pt2 • terrace [modular synthesizer composition]

Published on Feb 28, 2019 Hark Madley

"'terrace' for modular synth

from the cambria sessions, a tidal meditation

this modular patch is inspired by a walk along the coast.

patch notes:

// MODULAR SYNTH
Squarp HERMOD sequencing Intellijel PLONK, Mutable Instruments PLAITS, Make Noise STO
MARBLES sequencing Whimsical Raps MANGROVE
SISTERS for filter
Strymon MAGNETO for delay
TIDES modulating MANGROVE Air
1U QUADRATT (upper left) assignments:
1: STO VCA Amplitude
2: MANGROVE VCA level
3: SISTERS Cutoff
4: TIDES Frequency (for tremolo effect"

Whimsical Raps ATRIUM: sound engine exploration (no talking)

video upload by Pete Midi

"Clearly beyond a normal analog synth but I like the extravagant concept and the unique design of Whimsical Raps ATRIUM. Still a few things are missing that hopefully will be implemented in a future firmware update. But, in principle, the ATRIUM has the features that make it a perfect drone and lead synthesizer for me. In this video I just checked the basic possibilities of the sound engine in combination with the user interface elements. I will try out the sequencer options at a later date …

00:00 unboxing
00:20 timbral mode: wave
02:13 timbral mode: fm
03:12 Ramp modulation I
04:34 Ramp modulation II
05:19 Ramp mod. & chord spread
06:22 spectre/delay I
07:10 spectre/delay II
08:16 lfo modulation I
09:20 lfo modulation II
10:54 midi host port
12:39 timbral mode: form"

New Synth Gear and Makers in January 2015

After this year's massive New Years post, I thought it might be interesting to see how many new makers and new gear announcements we received in a single month.

This may or may not become a monthly theme on the site depending on interest.  If you think it's worth while, leave a comment.

At a high level we had 12 new makers, one new old maker previously never featured on the site, and a whopping 193 new synth related products. Check out the module list below.  The list is a combination of what was either announced or released this month.

The list in order of appearance:

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