Generative CLOSE ENCOUNTERS road trip with norns “pixels”, Wingie MKii, Bastl Kastle Drum & TX-6

video upload by Arman Bohn

"Devils Tower is on the horizon. Pixel static notes and MIDI data. The Kastle excites the Wingie.

Alien welcome melodies played backwards and forwards, but probably never in the right order. Only 1970s practical effects here. Or is it all just CG?"

Prismatic Spray - algorithm #24 test

video upload by Arman Bohn

"Batch #3 of the Prismatic Spray is going up tonight 12/11/2022:

https://www.tindie.com/products/distr...

Prismatic Spray - algorithm #24 test.

Glitching Gifts
Dizzying Displays
Infinite Incantations"

Chill synthetic synthwave Great Conjunction, Bluebox and OMX27

video upload by Arman Bohn

"Starting to get MIDI sorted out on the Great Conjunction. The OMX27 is sending notes and each of the three sequencers is set to receive them on the same channel, essentially coordinating key changes in the generative pattern. 

The bluebox is doing some heavy lifting here, with a very thick reverb and slight delay.

Two of the sequencers are set to instrument 77, while one of them has a more dramatic flute like tone going on.

I have almost all of the parameters of the Great Conjunction connected to MIDI CC. Next, I’m going to work out some kind of mode where you can actually play the synth directly via a keyboard."

Smooth flowing rivers of beats w/ Great Conjunction FM fragment synth & M8 tracker

video upload by Arman Bohn

"M8 Tracker on the left is playing some soft pads underneath the constantly evolving Great Conjunction.

This is an early prototype of the YM2413 based synth which runs three sequencers concurrently (one pseudo random & 2 Euclidean).

There is no programming of specific notes. What control you have over specific sounds quickly yields to the motifs of interactions and conjunctions between the sequencers."

GREAT CONJUNCTION Tutorial: Sequencer

video upload by Arman Bohn

"Purchase GREAT CONJUNCTION here (very soon):
https://www.tindie.com/products/34315/

This is not a demo of the overall sound quality or capabilities of GREAT CONJUNCTION. It is a sonically mundane walkthrough of how to use the three onboard sequencers.

Each parameter and sub parameter of the SEQUENCER page of GREAT CONJUNCTION is described in detail."

Prismatic Spray - algorithm #5 test

video upload by Arman Bohn

See this post for additional details and demos.

GREAT CONJUNCTION firmware 1.09 is out now!

video upload by Arman Bohn

"Firmware updates for GREAT CONJUNCTION are available here:
https://armanbohn.com/blog/support/

Just posted 1.09! Full release history in the readme file."

Prismatic Spray - bytebeat adventure synth!

video upload by Arman Bohn

"Tabletop bytebeat synth w/ 9 knobs, 6 buttons, code looper, analog filter, time skip, slomo, visuals & full USB/TRS MIDI implementation.

I’m making small batches of these in various colors available here:

https://www.tindie.com/products/distr...

The manual can be downloaded here

Prismatic Spray can be purchased here"

Additional demos followed by pics and details form the Tindie page:

"Prismatic Spray is a deeply explorable bytebeat synth that implements many novel features. It includes a multitude of physical controls, mesmerizing visuals and full MIDI implementation. Highlights include but are not limited to:

A Full User's Manual

Yup. You won't just get a link to a github repository and some hex. Prismatic Spray comes with a multi-page instruction manual to guide you in your explorations (it is approximately 8.5" x 5.5" if you are searching for frames). This manual is written in the tongue of old and should be incomprehensible to anyone not familiar with first edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons.

Chromatic Tuning

Prismatic Spray is tuned to a western 12 tone chromatic scale. You can play it like any other synth. No horsing around with cycles and Hertz. Prismatic Spray is adjustable through about 6 octaves from the dark blue knob on the front panel. The full range of MIDI notes is available when using MIDI via USB or TRS-A.

Looping

Prismatic Spray can be set to loop over any region of a bytebeat equation. The start and end points are adjustable after the loop has been set. At the tightest settings, Prismatic Spray becomes almost granular sounding. Irritatingly granular.

Visualizations

Prismatic Spray can display a visual representation of the current bytebeat audio output in real time on the 1.5" color display. Alterations to the bytebeat equation using the knobs will effect the patterns and colors of the visualization. There is also a regular menu with actual useful data to look at if you hate cool graphics.

Analog Filter

Are things sounding too wonderful? Can't take any more bristling fizzles? Prismatic Spray has an analog filter to roll out as much high end as you'd like. Like pretty much all of it.

40 Bytebeat equations

Prismatic Spray has 40 bytebeat equations to explore. Each equation has three variable to adjust (along with pitch, time skip and a kind of 'time stretch-ish' effect). You can get lost. I heard a voice talking in there once. It was saying "YaaaaYaaaaYaaaaYaaaa".

Over 30 presets

Okay ... that's not a lot to brag about, but the non-volatile memory inside the Prismatic Spray is limited. You get ~30 preset slots for saving your favorite crusty, ear splitting zapazoids.

A Case

Yay! You don't have to worry about shorting anything out, snapping the PCB in half or breaking off a protruding component! Prismatic Spray comes fully enclosed in a 3D printed case (available in various colors). The glowing innards of the Prismatic Spray are clearly visible (mostly with the clear case) while the unit is in operation.

Prismatic Spray has the following controls:

CLICK FOR MORE »

Meditative infinite reflection pool - 1010music Lemondrop, TX-6, Monome norns “pixels”

video upload by Arman Bohn

"Floating in the ether. My script 'pixels' sends out some vibes in G Phrygian. The notes being determined by the graphics. The 1010music Lemondrop granulates the live input from the norns. The TX-6 mixes it all.

I’ve really enjoyed the lemondrop more lately. That’s great it turning things into swirly soundscapes."

Pseudo random chill FM beats Great Conjunction, Dirtywave M8, TX-6, Phantasmal Force

video upload by Arman Bohn

"Every week the wonderfully purple Great Conjunction, gets a little tiny bit closer to being completed. No major breakthroughs on the software front but I did squash a few bugs and probably created a few more. I spent a good deal of time reworking the PCB to incorporate a new audio output circuit. I’ve ordered up most of the parts that I’ll need for the next batch of five prototypes, and I hope to order of the prototypes within a week.

The GC provides most of the melodic and chordal work here, with key changes coming from the M8. The Phantasmal Force is simply controlling the volume levels on the M8, which is itself providing the bass and drums."

Simple rhythmic variations w/ Hologram Microcosm, Dirtywave M8, MT-32 pi, TX-6 & RK-006

video upload by Arman Bohn

"Generative patterns from the M8 are producing the rhythms and bass. M8 is also sending random chord information to the MT32 pi. The MT32 is playing back an E piano soundfont that is sent through the microcosm.

The microcosm is kind of like my therapy right now. I can feed it generative random stuff and play with the knobs and occasionally make some really magical sounds."

Drone vibes w/ monome norns (pixels), Prismatic Spray, Phantasmal Force

video upload by Arman Bohn

"Crushin’ drone vibes with the Phantasmal Force MIDI controller guiding the norns running my script 'pixels' which in turn is blasting sine waves and sending MIDI notes to the Prismatic Spray. The Bluebox provides epic reverb walls."

Phantasmal Force - micro MIDI controller - Now Available!

video upload by Arman Bohn

"Available here:
https://www.tindie.com/products/distr...

Phantasmal Force is a 16 button, 1 knob, micro (reeeaaally small) MIDI controller that sends messages via USB-C and TRS-A. It can be completely customized from the device itself (no external editor required).

Want to send 16 different CC messages with random values? Fine.

Want to send different chords with the top eight buttons and single notes with the bottom eight? Okay!

Need a little DAW controller to throw in your bag that send PLAY/STOP and some Program Change messages? Why not?

The CLICKY tactile buttons are NOT velocity sensitive, but can be configured to send random values between specific ranges. For example you can send a MIDI note randomized between a velocity of 70-90 to give the notes a more human feel. Or maybe send some random CC values to your synth's filter and then reach up and turn the knob to dial it back to a specific value.

FEATURES INCLUDE

- 16 programmable, clicky, tactile switches
- 1 programmable knob (functions based on the last button pressed)
- OLED display
- Note, Chord, CC, Transport, Program Change via MIDI
- MIDI out over USB C and TRS-A
- 26 save slots
- Configurable default settings
- RGB LED status indicator
- A complete, printed Users Manual"

See the Phantasmal Force label below for more.

Shores ambient generative soundscape w/ monome norns “pixels” and Bastl Kastle drum

video upload by Arman Bohn

"Sine waves splashing over a 'pixels' beach with the @bastlinstruments Kastle drum providing pseudo random percussion.

Tried to create a more easy to listen to vibe for work."

Clockwork Infinite Deep-space Rhythms - Great Conjunction, Wingie MKii & Dirtywave M8

video upload by Arman Bohn

"Development of the Great Conjunction hit a rough spot about a week ago when I changed microcontrollers from Promicro to Teensy 4.0. I had to rewire many pins on the board, but I think I’ve sorted most of it out, and I actually got MIDI running earlier this evening.

The M8 is primarily a mixer here, adding reverb and random delay. It’s also controlling the Wingie with a couple of LFO‘s set to vary the mix and decay rate of the resonators.

The Great Conjunction is the primary sound source. It’s producing FM sounds with three sequencers running.

This is my second M8 + Wingie jam with the Great Conjunction. This one’s a little more straightforward(?).

I’m still having some trouble locking the eight parameter knobs down when changing screens, so that’s on my to do list this week, along with sorting out a huge number of MIDI controls."

Chill generative synthwave beats w/ Roland J-6 and M8 tracker

video upload by Arman Bohn

"This week’s generative jumble has more of a beat than the last few weeks. Trying to pick up a little energy for the approaching spring.

The M8 is in charge here … sending MIDI note data to the J-6 which is supplying the backup chords."

Phantasmal Force micro MIDI controller + kasser arcade + bastl kastle drum + 1010 Bluebox

video upload by Arman Bohn

"Phantasmal Force micro MIDI controller triggering chords on the kasser arcade FM synth with the little kastle spitting out drum noise. The Phantasmal Force sent the MIDI program change message to load a custom sound off of the SD card in the arcade before I started the video. Pretty helpful and simple way to send PC messages.


Program changes light up red on the Phantasmal Force. Notes are blue, CCs yellow and transport messages are green.

#diy #synth #arduino #electronicmusic #noise #jamuary2023 #midicontroller #tinystudio #tinysynth"

Crushing it with the HEX LAG + pikocore + Prismatic Spray + Great Conjunction prototype

video upload by Arman Bohn

"Here is some noise.

The triangle thingie is the hex lag. A live input bit crusher mangler delay thing that I just received.

What does it sound like?

#noise #electronicmusic #lofimusic #bytebeat"

Great Conjunction - random musings about Euclidean sequencing and other stuff

video upload by Arman Bohn

"Just talking about some of the features of the Great Conjunction FM synth I’ve been working on for about six months. I end up talking about the Euclidean sequencer and touching on how the descent can evolve parameters. #fmsynthesis #synth #electronicmusic #generativemusic #tinystudio #diy #walkthrough"

A spot on the beach at night - Phantasmal Force, Dirtywave M8, Great Conjunction, TX-6

video upload by Arman Bohn

"Almost summer. Microscopic particles of pollen. Aliased waves hit an 8-bit shore.

 Sometimes things come together.

Phantasmal Force controls, mute on the M8. The Great Conjunction produces generative rhythms, and bleeps."