Generative #ambient #synth patch: Juno 6 and DX 7 sounds mangled and driven by Shoal on DistingNT

video upload by voltryx

"A walkthrough of a slow-evolving generative ambient patch built around the Expert Sleepers Disting NT and the Shoal plug-in (https://github.com/ormermodular/shoal).

Shoal generates eight channels of notes and gates, which I route internally through CV-to-MIDI and send to an AMYboard running a mixture of Juno-6 and DX7-inspired synth voices. The audio then returns to the Disting NT for bitcrushing and Kirbinator-based mangling before passing through the Delay Magneto algorithm on the FX Aid.

This is only my first exploration of Shoal or perhaps just dipping my toes in. I look at its global scale and tempo settings, per-channel sequence lengths and evolution controls, plus the mute, density and note-range controls available from the main page.

I’m also using a small Python app I vibe-coded to assign built-in and custom AMYboard presets to different MIDI channels. Let me know in the comments if you’d like me to put it on GitHub.

Patch:
Disting NT → Shoal → CV-to-MIDI → AMYboard
AMYboard → Disting NT Bitcrusher/Kirbinator → FX Aid Delay Magneto → Mixer

#eurorack #ambientmusic #distingnt #generativemusic #modularsynth

0:00 Welcome
0:26 What are we going to do?
0:48 Patch walkthrough
1:10 FX Aid
1:30 Disting NT preset
2:00 What is Shoal?
3:15 AMYboard setup and preset manager
3:56 Outro jam"

Two classic 1980's #synthesizer recreations for less than $30? And Eurorack compatible. How...?

video upload by voltryx

"A Juno-6 and DX7?"

"In this video I take a look at the AMY board: a tiny, affordable ($29) Arduino-based DIY synth module built around the open-source AMY synth library. It packs USB, an SD card slot, digital and analog audio, MIDI, and CV I/O into a board small enough to fit straight into a Eurorack case.

I go over what the board actually is and what's in the box, then jump into a MicroPython REPL to show how the AMY library's synth, voice, oscillator model works, patching up a simple sine voice, triggering notes, and using the built-in PCM/sample engine and tag-based sequencer to create a basic drum pattern. From there I install it in my Eurorack rack, run through the signal chain (MIDI in from the Hermod+, CV/audio out, self-modulation via CV), and share some closing thoughts on where it's strong, where it's limited compared to something like the Disting NT, and what I want to try next (serum-style bass patches with compression/distortion).

If you've got one of these boards — or you're thinking about picking one up — let me know what you're building with it in the comments.

Timestamps:
0:00 Intro & preview
0:31 What is the AMY board?
1:43 Using AMY standalone (MIDI / SysEx / REPL)
2:01 MicroPython REPL walkthrough — synths, voices, oscillators
3:01 PCM sample oscillator & built-in sequencer (drum pattern)
4:22 AMY in the Eurorack rack — signal chain & modulation
6:04 Final thoughts — value, limitations, what's next
7:01 Outro"