Ziggurat Sequencing

video upload by John Schussler

"The Ziggurat from Acid Rain is sold as a quantizer, but it has a sequencer built into it that actually is pretty nice to have around. You can't edit the sequence, so once it's in it's in, but you can make really long sequences, and you can do it for 4 voices at a time.

Plus you can transpose the root of individual channels or all channels at once, which gets fun. And if you want to give up one of the channels you can use channel 4 (or whichever) as your harmony sequence and move the others around.

This is just a short demo to show it doing its thing as a sequencer.

VCOs: Beehive/Plaits, Pony VCO, MiG VCO. Envelope: Zadar

0:00 Intro
0:20 Basic demo
5:30 Zadar as root"

Reticulum Versio vs Soma Cosmos

video upload by John Schussler

"The Soma Cosmos 'Drifting Memory Station' is unfortunately only available as a very large pedal unit. I've been on the lookout for a Eurorack module that could do the same thing, and found a firmware called 'Reticulum Versio' (created independently of Noise Engineering) that replicates much of the Cosmos functionality.

Now that I have both, I figured I'd try them out next to each other and see how they compare. The Cosmos has a few more features and control, which is to be expected since it's got more real estate to work with, but the Reticulum captures the core of Cosmos.

Many thanks to Ohnoabear (from ModWiggler) for his Reticulum firmware, and for sharing it with the community.

VCOs: Beehive/Plaits and Pony VCO. Sequencer: Acid Rain Ziggurat. Envelope: Zadar"

Catalyst Audio MiG VCA

video upload by John Schussler

"This is a followup to the last video on the Catalyst Audio MiG modules. [posted here]

I didn't have the VCA when I did the first one. Then I heard them, and immediately bought the VCA.

So here's just the VCA by itself, and then at the end all three (VCO, VCF, VCA).

Clearly you can't have too many tubes.

0:00 Intro
0:20 Just knobs
3:17 Resonance
4:52 Wavefolder
6:27 Envelope
10:05 Pony VCO controls
13:53 All MiG modules"

Catalyst MiG VCO and VCF

video upload by John Schussler

"These things are...just awesome.

There aren't a lot of new an interesting VCO designs out there, so when I saw this one pop up and heard it was going to be a limited run (due to the limited availability of NOS mini-tubes) I immediately grabbed one.

The name comes from the MiG fighters that these tubes were originally designed for. I'm going to assume that means they'll last a while.

You almost don't need the filter. The VCO has so much control and character that the filter seems like gilding the lily. But then you add it to the VCO and BOOM! your head explodes with all the great sound.

Skip to 14:35 if you just want the punchline.

Envelope from Zadar, and a touch of reverb, that's it.

00:00 Intro
0:20 VCO only
5:57 Sequence
9:35 Filter
11:12 Envelope to Cutoff
14:35 Faster sequence"

System Lizard - Iguanamente

video upload by John Schussler

"I'm a sucker for anything with lots of cross modulation. The Iguanamente has that in spades, plus it's got a unique delay built into the audio path that makes for even more craziness.

They say: 'Iguanamente is a chaotic oscillator designed to provide a Eurorack modular synthesizer with a unique and creative sound source that is suitable for percussion, noise, leads, basses, drones, and everything in between.'

Sounds about right.

This is pretty much all just the module. There is some reverb there for space, but that's it.

00:00 Intro
00:20 Main out
06:00 Main + Aux
19:43 Sequence"

This is the first post to feature the Iguanamente!

via Perfect Circuit

The Iguanamente from System Lizard is a chaotic dual oscillator built around a cross modulating oscillator and delay network. Thanks to a keen and comprehensive array of timbre and modulation controls, Iguanamente readily stretches across musical terrain, wagging its reptilian tail between percussion, texture, and melodic applications alike. At the top of the panel, Coarse frequency control sets the fundamental frequency of the system, with dedicated 1V/octave and FM inputs for adjusting frequency via CV. The Radius control manipulates the spread of auxiliary oscillators, allowing for a wide range of inharmonic and harmonic timbral expansion. Shape controls the waveshape of all oscillators, hard clipping into a square wave to the left of center and wavefolding to the right.

These oscillators are then processed through a delay network, with controls for Feedback, delay time or Frequency, and a Mix control. At the bottom of the module, cross modulation controls and CV inputs for oscillator frequency modulation, oscillator amplitude modulation, and delay time allow you to introduce nonlinear modulations into Iguanamente, sparking unique and chaotic changes in timbre. At the top right corner of the module, independent outputs for the Main and Auxiliary oscillators offer independent post processing potential or serve as a pseudo-stereo output. If you're looking for a flexible oscillator with unique character and a taste for chaos, Iguanamente from System Lizard is a righteously fun reptile for any rack.

IGUANAMENTE FEATURES

Chaotic oscillator
Dual oscillator design with integrated delays
Coarse frequency control
FM input and attenuverter control, knob acts as fine pitch control when no FM source connected
Radius control adjusts auxiliary oscillator frequency spread
Shape control clips oscillators into square wave to left, wavefolds to right
Delay for main and aux oscillators with combined Feedback, Frequency, and Mix controls
Cross modulation controls for FM, Delay time, and AM introduces chaotic modulation
Main and Auxiliary outputs

Eurorack SEM filter comparisons

video upload by John Schussler

"Looking at several eurorack clones of the Oberheim SEM filter, including:

Doepfer A-106-5 SEM type VCF
God's Box Humpback
Studio Electronics SEM
Plankton Electronics Spice VCF
Bubblesound Dual SEM20"

Eurorack SEM Filter comparison - session 2

video upload by John Schussler

"This comparison is low pass only. It would take far too long to compare (in what I view as a useful way) every output and mode, so this is it for now.

In theory they're all based on the SEM circuitry, but some do have alterations.
I'm less concerned with "purity" or adherence to the "original" sound as I am with how good they sound period.

Source VCO is an Acid Rain chainsaw. Envelope is Zadar. Sequencer is Pittsburgh Modular microSequence.

00:00 Intro
00:20 Dry
02:57 Resonance
07:43 Input gain
15:57 Knobbage"

Also see SEM vs SEM - November 2023 edition

Eurorack formant modules - part 2

video upload by John Schussler

"I did a comparison of some formant filters a while back ( • Eurorack Formant Filter comparison [posted here] ), and since then have acquired a few more, so time for another comparison.

This one includes the 2hp vowel, which isn't actually a filter, and the Noise Engineering Fala Versio, which isn't trying to be a talk box.

So it's all formant-y, but not strictly filters

Source audio is (for the filters) an Acid Rain Chainsaw VCO. Modulation courtesy of Zadar.

00:00 Intro
00:20 2hp Vowel
04:08 MotoMouth
08:12 Fala Versio"

Noise Engineering - New Oscillators

video upload by John Schussler

"Noise Engineering makes killer modules, so it's always a good day when new stuff comes out. Over the past several months they've released a bunch of new modules, including 4 new oscillators (not to mention a bunch of other stuff).

I was interested to see how the voices compared to each other, to see if each had a specific character that would clearly stand out as unique to that module. I was also interested to see how the Sinc Legio, which is a smaller form factor than the others, stacked up.

Sequencer: Pittsburgh Modular Micro Sequence. Reverb: TipTop Valhalla
Envelope: Zadar

00:00 Intro
00:20 Debel Iteritas Alia
07:17 Incus Iteritas Alia
10:37 Acid!
18:54 Sinc Legio
26:21 Toros Iteritas Alia
42:45 Toros drone"

Make Noise Bruxa delay "experiment"

video upload by John Schussler

"After a long wait, Bruxa has arrived (apparently it's pronounced 'broosha').
In theory it's a mostly a delay, but the way the feedback and filtering has been implemented, it's really a texturizer. No bouncy-bounce here.

The first couple sections of this vid use a combo of VCOs through a Fourcaster to shift between them, and some different sequence speeds. But frankly the most interesting bit is the third section, where it's just one note coming out of a Befaco Octaves VCO that's the real winner.

So if you want to go straight for the money, skip to the 19 minute mark or so.

The only additional effect is a bunch of reverb, mostly here to spread out the stereo field.

00:00 Intro
00:20 Slow notes
13:20 Fast notes
19:13 Just one note"

Erica Synths Bassline - V1 (DIY) vs. V2 (factory)

video upload by John Schussler

"I've been trying to find a good TB-303 clone for eurorack for...about as long as I've been in eurorack.

There are a variety of modules that claim 303 character, but few that actually have it. In this case I'm having a listen to the Erica Synths Bassline modules, of which there are two: one DIY with thru-hole components (big knobs, says Drive in the upper right corner), and one factory version with surface mount (smaller knobs, says Detune in the upper right). I was curious to hear how they sounded against each other.

And then also curious to see how they sounded against the x0x Heart module, which near as I can tell is the closest 303 clone in eurorack (though I've not heard them all, so take that with a grain of salt).

There's a bit of reverb just to make space. Gets a bit grating otherwise.

00:00 Intro
00:20 V1 vs. V2
13:35 x0x Heart"

Helical Autoregressive Synthesizer - first look

video upload by John Schussler

"This module really spoke to me when I saw the first demo. Very ambient, but
also with lots of potential since you can swap out the wave tables.

I don't have the expander yet, but will definitely be adding it since some of the
filter behavior possible with it isn't possible simply by adding a filter after
the module in your chain.

This is just the first look, so I've not tried swapping out the wavetables.
That will probably be an endless quest to find the "perfect" one, which
may or may not be fruitful.

Lots of reverb here. That's about it. And later in the vid some delay.

00:00 Intro
00:20 Drone
07:55 Short envelope
12:58 Sequence and modulation"

OAM Time Machine - First Look

video upload by John Schussler

"I have an addiction to delays. I have many, many delays.

But the OAM Time Machine is different, and very, very good. It's big, but
that's what happens when you add a lot of sliders to something. I'd actually
be ok with it being even bigger, if they'd add cv control over each slider/time division.

But even without that it's pretty much the bee's knees.

The basic input is a very sparse random pattern (quantized) from a Clank Chaos.
Source VCO is a Noise Engineering Sinc Legio. Wee bit of reverb on the
final output, but not much.

So very, very nice."

00:00 Intro
00:20 Drone
02:57 Spread
04:17 Sliders
06:38 w/kick

You can find additional OAM time Machine posts here.

Forge TME VHIKK X - First look

video upload by John Schussler

"I have a VHIKK v1, and it's a fantastic drone/texture module. When Forge TME announced the VHIKK X I immediately joined the wait list.

Here's my vid on the original: [posted here]

The wait is over, and it has just arrived. Here's my first play with it.

Like the original, it has so much interactivity that you don't really have to modulate it with anything externally. But of course it gets even more lively when you do.

Here's a general overview of the sounds you get with minimal effort.

Other than a bit of reverb, this is all VHIKK X."

Eurorack Phasers

volume 3 video upload by John Schussler

"I got a Pittsburgh Modular Toad not long ago, and realized I'd not compared the WMD Orion to anything either. Figured I'd put them both together, and throw in the G-Storm Polychrome to help join this video with earlier comparisons of eurorack phasers.

The Orion is now discontinued, and the Toad is a limited edition that will sell out. Only the Polychrome is in continued production. Not that there aren't other phasers, mind you, just saying if you like these....

VCO is a Befaco Pony. Little bit of reverb to make it not so harsh, but not too much. That's about it. Enjoy.

00:00 Intro
00:20 Drone
11:32 Sequence"

Eurorack Phasers - Take 2

video upload by John Schussler

"(This is a 'headphones required' video. You won't hear half of what's going on if you don't listen in headphones.)

This is my second attempt at a video on eurorack Phasers. The first (linked here but not otherwise listed in my channel: Eurorack Phasers) contained a number of mistakes. I'm keeping it around because I actually find those mistakes interesting, and want to be able to remind myself.

In particular, I didn't understand a couple things:

1) The SynthTech E560 input isn't set up for Eurorack levels, it's set up for line levels. If you don't attenuate the input, it distorts rather badly.
2) You have to use BOTH outputs of any module (that has them) if you want to hear stereo phasing. It's the contrast between the source audio and the phased audio that makes the effect, and you need two outputs to make that happen.

So. Once again into the breach, I attempt to compare some eurorack phasers. I think somewhat more successfully this time.

00:00 Intro
00:20 Next Phase
08:19 E560
17:15 Kamieniec"

Previously posted: Eurorack phasers - two new additions

Eurorack TB-303: Three all-in-one modules compared

video upload by John Schussler

"More 303 comparisons. I've looked at the Hydronium and the Bassline before, but have only recently acquired an x0x Heart. Up to this point my favorite 303 emulation has been the Hydronium, but it's much larger than it needs to be, and I'm always on the lookout for something that sounds just as good but is smaller.

No, I don't have an Acidlab M303. I should probably get one. It seems to be the only other module that's an entire 303 behind one small panel.

Sequencer is Next Tuesday, which has slide and accent outs, a critical component when evaluating a 303 style module.

00:00 Intro
00:20 Hydronium
06:47 x0x Heart
12:35 Bassline"

Sovage Engineering - Le Brasier and L'Ecorcheur compared

video upload by John Schussler

"I've had L'Ecorcheur for a while and been very happy with it, so figured I should get a Brasier as well to keep L'Ecorcheur company.

They're similar, but different enough that I understand why they both exist. They have distinctive sounds, and different controls, so it seemed worthwhile to record them back to back.

And apparently their distortion is so meaty they manage to take the camera off angle (without me noticing). That takes some serious gronk.

00:00 Intro
00:20 Le Brasier
10:12 L'Ecorcheur"

New Eurorack Distortion - December 2023 edition

video upload by John Schussler

"New month, new modules.

This month, distortion!

Some are tube, some aren't. It's a mixed bag. But it's interesting to hear tube up against diode to remember how the vibe changes. There are some here that are warm and fuzzy, and others that clearly just want to rip off your ears and throw them in a blender.

So don't crank your volume right away...you'll find out the hard way that I've put no limiting on the audio here....

00:00 Intro
00:20 WGD Modular Tequila
04:27 Sovage Engineering Le Brasier
13:46 Stoel Music Systems Tube Distortion
18:27 Colossus Audio Corruptelam
24:32 Drums"

Roland Juno Chorus eurorack comparison

video upload by John Schussler

"I'm a big chorus fan, and am continually surprised there aren't more of them as stand alone modules in Eurorack. The most famous chorus was originally shipped in the Roland Juno line (6, 60, and 106), and is what's replicated in these two modules I'm looking at today.

The Feedback Chorus 106 has been out for a while, and is now discontinued because they can no longer get some of the NOS (new old stock) parts they use.

The SoundForce uChorus is brand new, and has substituted an STM and some other new bits to make up for the MN3101 driver IC that's no longer available.

Both are following the original circuit behavior as closely as possible.

I compare them here to see if one is better than the other.
Spoiler: I can't hear the difference. Can you? Let me know in the comments.

00:00 Intro
00:20 The basics
01:40 uChorus I+II mode
03:03 106 Chorus overdrive"

The G-Storm electro Feedback Chorus made it's first appearance here in 2019, and the SoundForce uChorus in May, 2023 this year.

SEM vs SEM - November 2023 edition

video upload by John Schussler

"The G-Storm Electro SEM VCF arrived the other day, and I figured I'd give it a listen in comparison to what, up to this point, I think is the best SEM eurorack module: the Studio Electronics SEM VCF.

(Spoiler alert: The G-Storm gives the SE a serious run for its money)

I've also thrown in the Bubblesound SEM20 and an AMSynths Obie XA. The Bubblesound is mostly SEM, but with some MS-10 bits grafted on that makes it more aggro. The Obie XA isn't a SEM at all, different chip, but is also modeled after an Oberheim filter so I figured I'd toss it in for contrast.

VCO is a Befaco Pony, first on saw then on square. Sequencer is a Clank Chaos. Envelope is Zadar.

Be forewarned: a lot of this video is me going back, and forth, and back, and forth, and back and forth between modules. Don't get seasick.

00:00 Intro
00:20 Standard gain
03:43 Gain up
06:46 Resonance up
08:56 Tight envelope
16:00 Square wave"

Eurorack granular synthesis module comparison

video upload by John Schussler

"I've had Beads for a long time but have never really gelled with it. More recently I've acquired Brinta and Mojave, so it seemed like time to come to grips with granular in general, and these modules in particular.

This is a *very* basic comparison based on me reading through the manuals and spending time wiggling knobs. Each module gets a first pass using a simple Pianophonic sequence, then some time with a more complex audio source using some acoustic material from my last CD, 'The Willow Ladder.'

(Available on Bandcamp at schusslermusic.com, I will note. Nudge nudge.)

I'm really just interested in seeing which one gives me more interesting results with less RTFM'ing. I'm not sufficiently impressed by granular synthesis in general to really grind through any opaque interface designs.

00:00 Intro
00:20 Brinta
13:30 Beads
26:04 Mojave"