#StarDust by Qu-Bit | #Frippertronics revived

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"First of all, this is not a 'new gear review' videos. I don't do those. I don't get free modules from manufacturers to make a video and I already have tons of loopers in my collection (Morhpagene, Lubadh, etc), so why did I add StarDust? For me, the main reason is Frippertronics. It's an analog vintage tape technique developed by Brian Eno and Robert Fripp using one set of reels on two tape decks. So one records the second deck and the second is recorded by the first deck. Instead of a tape delay, you'd get a tape looper with endless overdubbing.

For me, personally, the sound of Robert Fripp's guitar immediately reminds me of Bowie's Heroes and Scary Monsters (listen to the 'Fashion' track if you don't know it). He's one of my Guitar Gods (Brian May, Fripp, The Edge, Manzanera, Eddie van Halen, and the list is not going on forever) but Fripp always gives me goosebumps because if his sustained sounds and textures. This video is definitely a tribute to Mr. Fripp so suit up!

StarDust is a great looper and it really fits my creative workflow (which is usually borrowed from the musicians I adore). I love to noodle on my Manzanera-inspired Firebird guitar, tuned to Fripp's New Standard Tuning of mostly fifths and one third on the high note to avoid snapping. I can't play, so for me it's a VCO with six strings.

How does it compare to the other major loopers? Well, Lubadh is dual mono which can be used for stereo too. It's great to have two reels that can run in opposite directions and it has an amazing tape emulation. Magneto is primarily a tape echo, but it can also loop as a tape machine and it has a spring reverb emulation (sure it's digital). If you're looking for a vintage tape echo with classic feedback, look no further. The Morphagene is a tape splicer where you have full control over splice points (cuts) and it can store many reels on SD card. It's also excellent for microsound explorations and fragment mangling. It can play three splices at once, with different note distributions (set on SD card). However, Morphagene is 'terrible' in retaining original pitch (green zone) and doesn't track V/OCT very well. You can set V/OCT support on the SD card, but you'd still need to dial in the correct varispeed and finetune. Most Morphagene users probably don't care about keeping in line. They just want to make noise.

BitBox MK2 is the T-REX of loopers which can loop 16 stereo loops at once, so you can use it as a true Loopstation. It can also detect or set splices, do granular stuff, time stretching, make multi-sample libraries and play samples polyphonically. There's simply nothing better, not even an ER-301. Did I miss one? Yes, the ADDAC 112 is also a great looper, but it's HUGE and the manual doesn't end.

If you're into live looping with built in FX, StarDust may be one of the best 'all in one solution' in Eurorack today. There are lots of shift-features, but you'll only need to remember a few of them. If you don't like the 'galaxy LED show', you may have lost the Child in your eyes."

ADDAC112A | Voltage Controlled Looper and Granular Processor

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"It took me a while before I felt ready to make this video. When I did the Grainmakers Playlist compare, I took a long break from granulars. When I made up my mind to do the 112 video, the big manual and deep menu was waiting for me. So it took me four days to make this one. I am aware this video will only appeal to a small audience, but my channel isn't about plays, it's more like a community service. The 112 is a deep, complex module and even with the manual nearby I messed up a few takes. So there's a lot to learn and I hope this video will help you out a bit."

00:00 Introduction
00:43 The Basics
09:47 Piezo Mics?
11:03 Triggered Grains
14:51 Clocked operations
18:04 'Cheap' Sequencing
21:25 Luxury Soundscapes

Additional ADDAC 112 posts

ADDAC 112 | Grainmakers Playlist

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"I may have unintentionally kept the best for last. The 112 combines a looper and granular engine in one big module. This is the last entry in the playlist.

The 112 will return soon for a dedicated video with some carefully selected samples to play with."

You can find the full Grainmakers Playlist here.

The Grainmakers Playlist

video uploads by Cinematic Laboratory

"This playlist features granular eurorack modules that all need to process the same reference sample. I hope this gives a good impression of what the modules can do for you. They're all different, they're all great."

Playlist:

1. Grainmakers Playlist Introduction

I've been working on a huge video over the last few days and when I reached 30 minutes I decided to break it up into a playlist. This is cool! I can make updates and add new modules as they emerge. It's not supposed to be the ultimate grain guide, but it's cool to hear all modules chew on the same sample and hear what comes out. It's easy to be impressed by a bad module with a great soundsource, or underwhelmed by an amazing module that need to process something unworthy of its grains. So it all comes down to what they have to offer. And there are no bad modules. It's great fun to hear how a standard concept can turn into completely different experiences. So this is just a short playlist introduction.

2. Mutable Instruments Beads | Grainmakers Playlist

In this episode, Beads needs to chew on a reference performance.
Beads is an effect, but it can process an internal wavetable synth on its own.

3. Qu-Bit Nebulae V2 | Grainmakers Playlist

Our next contender in the playlist is the Qu-Bit Nebulae. It may be a bit underappreciated, but wow. A unique feature is elastic audio for time stretching.

4. Qu-Bit Mojave | Grainmakers Playlist

Next, Mojave needs to chew on Sebastian Lexer's grand piano.

5. Loopers | Lubadh & Morphagene | Grainmakers Playlist

Loopers are often confused with granular synths, especially with the Morphagene. Loopers don't grain or spray, they're digital tape machines.
Sometimes, when you think you're into grains, you'd actually been looking for a looper. It's time to show the difference, so they're an important addition to the lineup.

6. 1010Music BitBox MK2 | Grainmakers Playlist

The BitBox may not seem an obvious choice for granular processing, but if this playlist were a competition, then BitBox MK2 would be the King of the Grainfields. Granular processing offers limited CV support in the current firmware, but the sheer processing power is almost an insult to the other modules. Fortunately, it can't offer the hands-on experience like dedicated modules.

7. Error Instruments x TINRS Brinta | Grainmakers Playlist

8. Melotus Versio | Grainmakers Playlist

It's a Versio. What can I say. Awkward, special, amazing and breathtaking. It's unique feature is no pitch control. While this sounds like a flaw, it's almost a musthave feature when you run notes, effects and chords through it. Don't touch the melody. Just make it grain. Top 3 module in my list. And if it doesn't fit your needs, install a different firmware! If you own a different Versio, give it a shot. Nothing creates techno atmospheres and backdrops like Melotus.

9. MISO Cornflakes | Grainmakers Playlist

This is the last one for today :). Still a few more modules to cover, but it's already a great list. Here's MISO Cornflakes chewing on the Lexer piano. Again, it's a totally different experience, because Cornflakes adds special harmonizing features and stacking of grains. No other module has it - as far as I know. It can make wonderful new sounds from something familiar.

10. Instruo Arbhar V2 | Grainmakers Playlist

I already made plenty of Arbhar videos, but this is the second V2 video. In this playlist, all granular modules in my collection need to process the same audio file so it's easy to figure out what they do. Now it's Arbhar's turn.

11. Clouds & Clones | Grainmaker Playlist

This playlist would not be complete without a tribute to Clouds, one of the first modules in Eurorack that brought grains to the case. Clouds was launched in 2015 and discontinued in 2017. But that wasn't the end of it. It's been revived and extended in many forms, making it one of the most successful modules in Eurorack even today. From a techical perspective, Clouds is no match for the modern grainmakers in this playlist. But from the perspective of production value it's still a super useful module, especially if you manage to install the Parasite firmware. It's easy to forget that granular synthesis doesn't need big buffers. Sometimes a small 1 sec buffer is exactly what you need to get that desirable classic granular stream.

12. Combinations | Grainmaker Playlist

I got a question if Lubadh and Mojave would make a good combo. I had no idea. I figured this whole playlist is still 1-dimensional. So I patched these two up and then and I just had to make this video! I am still using the reference track so you get a good idea of how big the sonic playground becomes when you combine any looper with any granular engine. Results may vary, but wow. The bottom of the Rabbit Hole simply has a doorway to the next one. And it always gets deeper than the one before.

13. ADDAC 112 | Grainmakers Playlist

I may have unintentionally kept the best for last. The 112 combines a looper and granular engine in one big module. This is the last entry in the playlist.
The 112 will return soon for a dedicated video with some carefully selected samples to play with.

14. I missed a few | Grainmakers Playlist

After finishing the 112 video I was confident I covered enough 'grainmakers' in this playlist. I doublechecked if Disting EX and Phonogene should be in it, but no. The third one definitely needs to be on it! It doesn't show up when you search for 'granular' on ModularGrid, but it immediately went to my personal top #2.

Buchla Chapter 1 - Music For Peace

video upload by SONICrider "Sound & Vision Lab"

"Chapter one in the Buchla story 'Music For Peace'.

While exploring the first 2 TipTop Audio Buchla Modules (Dual Oscillator Model 258t and Quad Function Generator 281t) in combination with the Soma Lyra FX and the ADDAC 112 3 kind of layers were created:
- The original Buchla sound,
- Granulated parts of that Buchla sound,
- Distored Buchla with some feedback (Lyra FX).

The approach/steps of the arrangement:
- Both Buchla VCO out via a mixer to control level.
- Lyra FX only (input Puchla VCO).
- Manual trigger channel 1 of the Function Generator
- Add 'light' 112 'Buchla sound.
- Drive volume both VCO's.
- Fade out Lyra FX
- Activate Function Generator
- Maximize VCO volume.
- Manual alter channel 2 of the Function Generator (controlling channel 1).
- Building up tension.
- Going back step by step.
- Add Lyra FX 'distortion' and feedback.
- 112 layer low sometimes into the twilight zones.

Enjoy 'Music For Peace'"

ADDAC System 112 VC Looper / Granular Processor

video upload by HAINBACH

"In which I demo the @ADDAC System 112 VC Looper / Granular Processor, a Eurorack module that brings a very pure approach to modular synthesis to Eurorack."

ADDAC System 112 looper posts

Floating Seeds - Modular Grainbient

video upload by Omri Cohen

"There's a walkthrough video of this performance on my Patreon page (all tiers) - https://www.patreon.com/posts/53802132

This is another modular grainbient composition I've been working on. The main voice is the new looper and granular processor from ADDAC, the ADDAC 112, and there are other layers of grains coming from Microcell, Beads, and Arbhar, with more loops and chopped tape like sounds coming from Morphagene and Lubadh. The bass is coming from the 4MS DLD, with a frozen Saich segment going through some distortion with the 1U Guillotine from Ritual Electronics. I also added my flute after the fact."

Introduction to looping & granular synthesis - With ADDAC112 VC looper & granular processor

video upload by Monotrail Tech Talk

"Today we are going to get started with looping and granular synthesis, using the ADDAC system 112 VC looper and granular processor. An extensive module with lots of hands on and CV control over it’s looper and granular section. The possibility to record and store loops, and using those to build granular textures make it a bit of a workstation for granular processing, with an interesting approach.

In this video I quickly explain the concept of recording loops and using those to create grains. But mainly we go over most of the functions and features of this brand new module. I’d like to make a video with more patch ideas and sound demos in the future, so let me know if you have specific wishes!

This video is sponsored by ADDAC system, but manufacturers have no saying over the content of my videos. All opinions and thought expressed are my own. https://www.addacsystem.com

Timetable:
01:13 – Looping & Granular
02:49 – ADDAC112 overview
03:31 – Mixer
04:41 – Looper
07:14 – Looper patches
09:10 – Granular
12:07 – Deviation
13:33 – Granular patches
17:44 – Menu & screen

If you want to support my project:
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/monotrail
Bandcamp: https://monotrail.bandcamp.com"

Additional ADDAC 112 posts

Fields of Grain | Monome Grid + Grainfields VST | Instruo Arbhar.

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"I've been experimenting with granular synthesis. I created a few files with notes in a minor scale, coming from different VST sources. The idea behind this is to create 'multisample' files that can be used to 'grain' to actual notes in the scale and to make more musical soundbeds and scapes. In the first part I am testing the files with the Monome Grid and the GrainFields Max for Live application (free). Pretty impressive! But this is a modular channel so in the second part I'll be importing the files into Arbhar, to see if a modular can 'compete' with the powerful PC environment. I personally feel the results were more than impressive. I hope this video will inspire you! I guess it will also work for other granular machines like Morphagene, Nebulae and the new ADDAC 112."

Shared System Tutorials | Part 36 | Melodic Splices (Morphagene)

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"In my previous video, I found a cool way to work with granular synths by creating granular buffers in a melodic scale. This makes it much easier to pick a segment and use it as a pitched voice without affecting playback speed. Obviously, people wanted to know if such a thing would also work with Morphagene. Unfortunately, the Morph is a looper and doesn't support buffers and reversible enveloped polyphonic grains. Fortunately, the Morph is not alone in the Shared System. So I've created a reel with splices (markers) for each note. You can then pick a splice with a 'Shift' trigger or 'Organize' CV. I've added to the illusion with two Maths envelope and FX from Erbe-Verb and Mimeophon. Finally, there's a cool X-PAN tip you may want to explore: mixing CV. I consider X-PAN a vital part to the Shared System, even though it's not in there by default. It turns your mono synth into glorious stereo."

Quick Overview of the ADDAC 112 Looper / Granular Processor

video upload by Omri Cohen

"This is a quick overview of some of the features and basic workflow of the new looper and granular processor module from ADDAC. The firmware I'm using in this video is an early one, and there are already some updates planned so there might be some changes to how the controls look on the screen.

00:00 - Introduction
00:22 - Looper
08:04 - Granular Processor"

Omri Links:

"If you just want to buy me a coffee :) - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/omricohen
Consider joining me on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/omricohen
Patching techniques and ideas that I continue updating - https://bit.ly/3o1Q3Sg

Modular Grainbient with Arbhar, ADDAC 112, Morphagene, Beads, and more

video upload by Omri Cohen

"If Grainbient will eventually become a thing, I would like to think that this piece was the beginning of it. I have multiple recordings of various instruments like kalimba, piano, and the Make Noise STO recorded onto Arbhar, the new ADDAC looper and granular processor, Morphagene, Beads, and Microcell. I also record two loops with the STO onto Lubadh and I play them live."

Omri Links:

"If you just want to buy me a coffee :) - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/omricohen
Consider joining me on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/omricohen
Patching techniques and ideas that I continue updating - https://bit.ly/3o1Q3Sg