Liminal Patch 010 : Dark Ambient Modular Exploration : 10 Minutes of Threshold Invocation

video upload by Botched Creative

"AETHERIS NEXUSis a 10-minute descent into modular tension, where structured performance collides with controlled unpredictability. A convergence of control and surrender. Droning analog oscillators stretch across a dark horizon. Sculpted noise writhes in the aether—each exhale a ghost of resonance. Randomized ostinatos emerge like faulty memories. Pulsing bass figures carve a path agnostic to meter—structured, but answerable only to their own internal logic.

Recorded live to multitrack, each voice was captured in real time—a fleeting convergence of structure and volatility. What emerged was part performance, part algorithmic drift: a mesh of voltages and reactive systems colliding in ways that can’t be precisely reentered.
An improvisation encoded in circuitry and instinct. Once aligned—now gone.

Liminal Patch 010 marks the end of Series One. Liminal Patches Series Two will return after a brief hiatus.

0:00 :: Intro
0:30 :: Synth layer 01 : Moog Subharmonicon
1:21 :: Synth drone 01 : Archae Loki
1:53 :: Texture drone 01 : Maneco Labs Grone 2 Dark Drone Machine
2:15 :: Bell Sequence : Black Corporation Deckard's Voice
2:35 :: Texture drone 02: Forge TME Vhikk X
3:21 :: Bass Synth : Moog Matriarch
3:52 :: Synth drone 02 : Winterbloom Castor & Pollux
04:20 :: The middle bit
09:08 :: The end logo
09:23 :: A subtle hint


Main Synths:
Moog Subharmonicon, Moog Matriarch, Archea Loki, Winterbloom Castor & Pollux. Black Corporation Deckard's Voice, Maneco Labs Grone 2 Dark Drone Machine, Forge TME Vhikk X.

Sequencer:
Qu-Bit Bloom

Processors:
Make Noise Maths, Happy Nerding 3x Mia, ALM Pam's Pro Workout, Xaoc Devices Zadar, Xoac Timiszoara, Expert Sleepers ES-9, Intellijel Quadratt, Thorn Audio VC LFO, Maneco Labs Clusterverb, After Later Audio Cloaks,

Post-Processing:
Abelton Live (tracking), Motu Digital Performer (mixing), Kush Audio, Slate Digital, Valhalla DSP, Waves plugins.

Become the infinite threshold."

Liminal Patch 008 : Ambient Eurorack Modular Exploration

video upload by Botched Creative

"Creaturae Imaginis is a slow-burning descent into tone, texture, and atmosphere—12 minutes of ambient analog synthesis, layered with subtle generative elements. Recorded live to multitrack, each voice was captured in isolation, allowing for extensive post-processing and detailed mixing. The result is a piece that blurs the line between raw performance and sculpted sound design—a meditation on presence, process, and the strange beauty of voltage in motion.

Main Synths:
Forge TME Vhikk X, Maneco Labs Grone 2 Dark Drone Machine, Moog Mother 32, Moog Matriarch, Archea Loki, Winterbloom Castor & Pollux.

Sequencer:
Arturia KeyStep Pro

Processors:
Make Noise Maths, Happy Nerding 3x Mia, ALM Pam's Pro Workout, Xaoc Devices Zadar, Xoac Timiszoara, Expert Sleepers ES-9, Intellijel Quadratt, Thorn Audio VC LFO, Maneco Labs Clusterverb, Maneco Labs Filter Eko, Animal Factory Vivisect, After Later Audio Cloaks,

Post-Processing:
Walrus Audio Fable, OBNE Darkstar, Meris Mercury X, Meris Mercury 7, Meris Polymoon, Meris LVX, Boss RE-20, Chase Bliss Mood, Chase Bliss Generation Loss, Strymon Timeline, Strymon Big Sky, Abelton Live (tracking), Motu Digital Performer (mixing), Kush Audio, Slate Digital, Valhalla DSP, Waves plugins.

Enjoy the in-between world."

Liminal Patch 005 : Semi-Generative Ambient Modular Synthesizer Exploration | Tempus Vacuus

video upload by Botched Creative

"7 Minutes of semi-generative ambient modular synthesizer exploration. Recorded live to multitrack.

Main Synths:
Archaea Loki, Winterbloom Castor & Pollux, Black Corp Deckard's Voice, Maneco Labs Grone 2 Dark Drone Machine, Forge TME Vhikk X.

Patching Notes:
0:00 :: Intro
0:14 :: Layer 01 : Forge TME Vhikk X
0:43 :: Layer 02 : Maneco Labs Grone 2
1:55 :: Layer 03 : Black Corp. Deckard's Voice
2:35 :: Layer 04 : Winterbloom Castor & Pollux
3:26 :: Layer 05 : Archaea Loki
3:45 :: The Rest of the Video

Sequencer:
QuBit Bloom Fractal Sequencer.

Processors:
Make Noise Maths, Happy Nerding 3x Mia, ALM Pam's Pro Workout, Xaoc Devices Zadar, Erica Synths Black Low-Pass VCF, Doepfer A-140-2V Envelope Generator, Expert Sleepers ES-9, Intellijel Quadratt, Thorn Audio VC LFO, Maneco Labs Clusterverb, Endorphines Ghost, Xaoc Timiszoara.

Post-Processing:
Abelton Live (tracking), Motu Digital Performer (mixing), Kush Audio, Slate Digital, Valhalla DSP, Waves plugins.

Full disclosure: The video portion was recorded after recording the audio (I don't have ten hands).

Enjoy the in-between world."

disting NT - New factory presets for firmware v1.7.0

video upload by Expert Sleepers

"Two new factory presets, focussing on the Step Sequencer Head, Tracker, and Pitch Shifter algorithms.

00:01 Fugue Moods (Step Sequencer Head)
01:49 Track and Harmonise (Tracker and Pitch Shifter)"

disting NT - C++ API and Faust

video upload by Expert Sleepers

"From firmware v1.7.0 the disting NT has a C++ API, allowing you to write your own algorithms as plug-ins. There is also support for converting DSP code written in Faust to the module.

00:01 Introduction
00:42 Using plug-ins
02:53 Faust 'greyhole' demo
04:24 VCO plug-in
05:06 Thoughts and motivation
06:07 Introduction to Faust & the Faust IDE"

small changes: pianola

video upload by Expert Sleepers

"We're delighted to announce 'pianola' by small changes.

small changes is the alter ego of Electrum Modular.

Their thoughtful and beautifully presented videos on modular synth composition have delighted us for some time, and their frequent use of the Expert Sleepers disting EX module made them an obvious choice for an Expert Sleepers label release.

'pianola' focusses specifically on Electrum Modular's interest in the work of minimalist composers, some well known and some less so.

Available in physical form as a limited edition cassette.

Each track on the album has its own video explaining the patch and compositional process in detail:

See Minimalism for Modular Electrum Modular for additional videos.

disting NT - Lua Script demos

video upload by Expert Sleepers

"Lua Script algorithms were added in firmware v1.6.0 and refined in v1.7.0. In this video, I demonstrate some scripts created by users since the feature was added.

The scripts can all be found in our GitHub:
https://github.com/expertsleepersltd/..."

expert sleepers disting NT v1.5.0

video uploads by Expert Sleepers

Playlist:
1. disting NT - Tuners & Microtuning
2. disting NT - the "Three Pot" algorithm
3. disting NT - Poly Resonator
4. disting NT - Algorithm bypass
5. disting NT - MIDI note entry for the Step Sequencer
6. disting NT - MIDI CC Soft Takeover options
7. disting NT - Navigation improvements in firmware v1.5.0

Minimalism for Modular #5: Hans Otte's Book of Sounds

video upload by Electrum Modular

"An introduction to the ethereal music of Hans Otte, via a modular interpretation of two parts (2 and 7) from his Book of Sounds (1979-82).

Also contains several ideas for generative/aleatory sequencing in a modular system: in particular, decoupling pitch and gate, combining a multi-channel sample player (Disting EX) with a sequencer that has per-step gate outputs (0-Ctrl), and using a series of probabilistic gates (Missed Opportunities) to distribute/alternate pitch variations.

0:00 Introduction
1:41 First patch (Book of Sounds, part 7)
6:28 Second patch (Book of Sounds, part 2)

For those new to Hans Otte’s music, I would recommend his own rendition of The Book of Sounds:



And this 1995 album, Aquarian Music: • Siebengesang (Seven-Song)

PSP Pianoverb free download: https://www.pspaudioware.com/products...



Alexander Holm's Salamander Grand Piano, downsized by j_e_f_f_g, and reformatted for the Disting: https://app.box.com/s/rxl1nz0zv5hl62c...

A special thank you to Silvia Otte, for generously providing the photographs of her late father.

'Le Sacrifice: Introduction' from Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring, played by the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Leopold Stokowski (78rpm record, His Master's Voice, 1939):
https://archive.org/details/78_first-...

Processed through a bandpass filter, with frequency boost around 3mHZ, and combined with filtered white noise, etc. to create the vintage radio effect

Images of Hans Otte’s “On Earth” (Edition Kölnischer Kunstverein II):
https://archive.org/details/cd_editio...

Sources:
Amy C. Beal, American Experimental Music in West Germany from the Zero Hour to Reunification (University of California Press, 2006) – in particular, for the reference to Otte’s wartime experience.
Ingo Ahmels, Hans Otte: Klang Der Klänge (Schott Musik International, 2006)

Modules used:
Expert Sleepers' Disting EX and Disting Mk4
QuBit Bloom
Dnipro's Metamorph
Cutelab’s Missed Opportunities
Tesseract’s Sweet Sixteen Faderbank
Tesseract’s Step Fader II
ALM's Pamela's New Workout
ALM’s MFX
Doepfer’s Sequential Switch (A-151)
Low Gain Electronic’s Shortbus
Intellijel’s Quad VCA
Behringer Neutron
Make Noise’s 0-Ctrl"

An introduction to the Looper in the disting NT, added in firmware v1.4.0.

video upload by Expert Sleepers

00:01 Introduction
01:56 Basic looping
04:37 Layers and undo/redo
06:46 Overdub fade
08:10 Reverse and octave down
09:22 Clocked/sync'd operation
12:24 The disting NT on a pedalboard
14:44 Performance

disting NT - New factory preset demo for firmware v1.4.0
video upload by Expert Sleepers

"A demonstration of the 'FM 101' and 'Filter Bank chords' presets.

00:01 FM 101 (2 operator FM patch)
01:44 Filter Bank chords (showing the new Filter Bank algorithm)

The presets and documentation are available here: https://github.com/expertsleepersltd/..."

minimalism for modular #4: sample + hold + phase

video upload by Electrum Modular

"Tiny changes over time are essential to minimalist (and ambient) pieces. This video demonstrates how to create gradually evolving sequences with a sequencer and a “sample and hold” that are NOT perfectly synchronized. Any sequencer and “sample and hold” will work! Detailed patch notes included.

The piano multisample is Alexander Holm's Salamander Grand Piano, downsized by j_e_f_f_g. I have reformatted the filenames so they work on a Disting - you can download them free from:
https://app.box.com/s/rxl1nz0zv5hl62c...

Modules used:
Expert Sleepers' Disting EX and Disting Mk4
QuBit Bloom
ALM's Pamela's New Workout
Dnipro's Metamorph
Alright Devices' Chronoblob
Intellijel's Scales"

♫ Jamming With a Bunch of Synths ♫ ----- (138)

video upload by Bata

Wait for 1:24

5U Modular (Synthesizers.com, STG Soundlabs, Synthetic Sound Labs)
Akai MPC X
Behringer 2600 (ARP 2600 clone)
Behringer Kobol Expander (RSF Kobol Expander clone)
Behringer Model D (Minimoog 2016 reissue clone)
Behringer Pro-1 (Sequential Circuits Pro One clone)
Behringer RD-6 (Roland TR-606 clone)
Behringer TD-3-MO (Devilfish modded Roland TB-303 clone)
Casio CSM-1
Clavia Nord Wave
cre8audio East Beast
cre8audio West Pest
Erica Synths Syntrx II
Elta PF-3 Stereo Multimode Filter (Formanta Polivoks chips)
Eurorack Modular (2HP, Behringer, Expert Sleepers, Intellijel)
Korg Delta
Korg Mono/Poly (x2)
Korg SQ-1 (analog style sequencer)
Ladyada Xoxbox (Roland TB-303 clone)
Landscape Noon
Make Noise 0-CTRL (analog sequencer/touch keyboard)
Moog Source
Roland CM-300 Sound Canvas
Roland P-330 Piano Module
Simmons SDS-V
Studio Electronics Boomstar 5089 mk1
Yamaha CS-15

Introducing Ocean Swift Wavetable Creator - Craft Custom Wavetables for Any Synth!

video upload by Ocean Swift / Faxi Nadu

Follow-up to this post. The editor is now available at https://oceanswift.net/product/wavetable-creator/

Ocean Swift - Wavetable Creator | Overview and Demonstration

video upload by Ocean Swift / Faxi Nadu

Press Release follows:

Create, Customize, and Export Wavetables Like Never Before!

Save 40% - just €25 (normal €40) , until January 10, 2025

Ocean Swift is excited to announce the launch of the Wavetable Creator, a powerful tool that empowers everyone to create custom wavetables for high-end synthesizers, modular environments, and audio production tools.

The Problem:
Today's wavetable synths, modules, and apps often require wavetables with specific frame sizes and cycle counts, making cross synth compatibility difficult. No existing app or wavetable pack guarantees seamless compatibility across all platforms.

The Solution:
Ocean Swift’s Wavetable Creator – a powerful tool to design morphing wavetables that work anywhere! From Serum to Eurorack, this tool lets you craft wavetables with innovative crossfade, morphing, and blending techniques, and robust compatibility export options. Whether you're producing music, designing game audio, or developing synth plugins, this app is built to unleash your creativity with an easy intuitive interface.

Pricing and Availability
The Ocean Swift Wavetable Creator is available now at a regular price of €40. As a special introductory offer, you can purchase it at €25, a limited-time price valid through the Black Friday, Christmas, and Winter Holiday season until January 10, 2025. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your sound design toolkit at an unbeatable price, with a unique product!


Grab the Wavetable Creator here: https://oceanswift.net/product/wavetable-creator/

CLICK FOR MORE »

disting NT - New factory preset demo for firmware v1.3.

video upload by Expert Sleepers

"A demonstration of the "Spectral Freeze auto" preset, showing the new Spectral Freeze and Delayed Function algorithms added in firmware v1.3.0.

The preset and an explanation of it is available here: https://github.com/expertsleepersltd/..."

disting NT - New factory preset demo for firmware v1.2.0

video upload by Expert Sleepers

"A demo of three new presets, with a focus on the Step Sequencer that was added in firmware v1.2.0.

The presets and documentation can be found here: https://github.com/expertsleepersltd/...

0:01 Wandering sequence
02:12 TEEBEE
06:03 Automatronic"

For fun play this one with Moog's Dream below.

Early Autumn Chill Ambient / Mimeophon Beads Flame Chord Machine Plaits Volca Ensemble Oscillator

video upload by Wac- Lounge

"Thank you for watching!
Here are the simple patch notes, a list of the gear, and more information.

https://wac-lounge.bandcamp.com

Instagram / wac_lounge

Percussive voice = Plaits processed by Mimeophon(clocked by Steppy) sequenced by Chord Machine program controlled & triggered by Steppy enveloped by System100-140ENV modulation from System100-140ENV & LFO(attenuated by MATHS) slew limiter A-184-1
Random lead voice = Mob of Emus CH1 processed by A-120VCF1 & Beads sequenced by Mob of Emus CH3 slew limiter MATHS modulation from Mob of Emus CH6
Synth lead voice = Mob of Emus CH1 processed by A-120VCF1 & Echoz sequenced by Mob of Emus CH3 slew limiter MATHS modulation from Mob of Emus CH6
Brass-like lead voice = Ensemble Oscillator with modulation from Mob of Emus CH5 & MATHS sequenced by Flame C-3mk2
Reverse piano voice = Disting triggered by Steppy
Piano loop voice = Volca sample
Master clock = Volca sample (divided by Steppy)

CLICK FOR MORE »

New SynthFest UK 2024 Videos by Sound on Sound

video uploads by Sound On Sound magazine

Playlist:
SYNTHFEST UK 2024: Analogue Solutions TC5000
SYNTHFEST UK 2024: Expert Sleepers Disting NT
SYNTHFEST UK 2024: Baloran The Pool
SYNTHFEST UK 2024: SSL 2 MkII & SSL 2+ MkII
SYNTHFEST UK 2024: Embodme Erae II
SYNTHFEST UK 2024: RYK Modular Algo
SYNTHFEST UK 2024: CB Electronics Eurorack Range

SynthfestUK 24 Synth Coverage

video uploads by sonicstate

Update: moving this post up once as new videos have been added. Bookmark this post for updates.

Use the player controls to skip around.

Playlist:

1.SynthfestUK 24: Knobula - Synth Modules and Toy Pianos

At SynthfestUK 2024, we met up again with Jason, who gaves us the updates in the world of Knobula. On display was the new 'dark mode' Poly Cinematic module, for more monochrome rigs ;-]

2. SynthFestUK 24: PWM - More Mantis News

At the show we made a beeline for the PWM stand, where Paul gave us the latest Mantis news.
And yes, it's out there in the world now!

3. SynthfestUK 24: Roland Unveils the Juno-D Series with Zen-Core Sound

We caught up with Andrew and Ludwig who showed us around the new updated Juno-D series: Juno-D6, D7, and D8. They have the same keyboard action as the Fantom-O series and a new colour screen, making it easier for performers to navigate on stage. And they can be powered by a USB-C mobile battery, perfect for buskers ;-) Running Roland's Zen-Core sound engine, they also incorporates features like a 64-step sequencer and a phrase pad for live sample triggering.
Prices range approximately from £949 to £1199.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Expert Sleepers disting NT

video uploads by Expert Sleepers

Playlist:

1. disting NT - Factory preset demo

A brief demo of some of the presets included on the disting NT's MicroSD card.

0:01 Aleatoric Piano
1:30 Granulated Piano
3:39 MIDI Song Player
4:20 "Rahoy" (Kirbinator demo)
06:14 Mixer

2. disting NT - Quickstart

An introduction to installing the module, understanding some basic concepts, navigating the UI, loading and editing a factory preset, and creating a basic preset from scratch.

00:08 Unboxing and installation
01:12 Power up
02:12 Loading a preset
03:45 Hiding (and showing) the help
04:38 Concepts and terminology
08:32 Navigation
12:08 Starting a fresh preset
12:49 Adding an algorithm
15:35 Saving the preset
16:14 Adding another algorithm and connecting them up
19:09 Adding an independent sub-patch
22:06 Removing an algorithm
23:12 Reordering algorithms
24:03 Modifying the Aleatoric Piano preset for external clock
26:55 Algorithm "specifications"
29:30 Navigation recap

3. disting NT - USB disk mode

A quick demo of the "USB disk mode" feature of the disting NT, which allows you to mount the module's MicroSD card as a removable drive on your computer.

4. disting NT - Introduction to Mappings

A demonstration of setting up CV, MIDI, and I2C control over the disting NT.

00:01 Introduction
01:42 CV Mappings
05:22 MIDI Mappings
07:48 I2C Mappings

5 disting NT - Connecting the breakout

The disting NT is supplied with a 'TMB' breakout module. This video shows one way this can be used, to provide TRS MIDI input and output, and to expose the two additional audio outputs.

via Expert Sleepers "The disting NT is the latest in the line of modules from Expert Sleepers that started with the original disting in 2014, which performed one of 16 very different functions at the turn of a knob. This concept has evolved through the disting mk3 (2015) - which added the possibility of firmware updates, and so a continually improving selection of functions - and the disting mk4 (2017) - which added a display, and brought the MicroSD card slot onto the front of the module, emphasising its increased importance for functions such as sample playback - to the disting NT’s predecessor, the disting EX (2020).

CLICK FOR MORE »

Making a modular synth with 10 Distings

video upload by Signal Sounds

"The Expert Sleepers Disting mk4 now contains over 100 algorithms and it's been said that you could theoretically build an entire system using only Distings. Challenge accepted!

Algorithms used:
G-6 Clock
H-5 Dual Euclidean Patterns
F-6 Shift Register Random Quantised CVs
I-7 Dual Audio Playback
B-8 VCO with waveshaping
H-1 Crossfade/Pan
D-5 LP/HP filter
E-2 AR Envelope & VCA
D-2 Tape Delay
L-2 Mono-to-Stereo Reverb

How do you like using your Disting? Let us know in the comments...

Disting mk4 is available here:
https://www.signalsounds.com/expert-s..."