Building a Buchla 248 MARF with Stages, Stages, Stages and Marbles

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"Sorry about that title. The MARF is short for the Multiple ARbitrary Function generator, a huge Buchla design carrying the model number 248, and is part of the 200 series. It's not easy to compare it with anything, but you could see it as a 16 step 0-CTRL, a Rossum Control Forge and maybe even the 250e circular Dual Arbitrary Function generator (DARF) like Frap Tools USTA. I contacted Todd Barton (thanks so much!) to be able to study a few MARF images. The sliders made me think of Mutable Stages, and the control section reminded me of Marbles. While getting lost on the way, I finally got a patch that sounded similar: 'music that sounds like dancing butterflies'.
The recipe involves variable timing, notes, a quantizer, and a transpose. You may also need a trigger or gate when a segment runs or finishes. There's a lot to explore here, and I don't think you can find a MARF in a single eurorack solution. I tried to approximate it, but I also needed Maths to do envelopes and gate extraction. It took a while to make this video and I wasn't sure about the results until the very end. Then suddenly, it worked.

You'll need a lot of stuff to do it, but there may be smaller solutions. I'll revisit this idea when my Control Forge arrives and I'll be able to combine USTA with the CF.

This is a complex video so I hope it will make a bit of sense. It would have been better to figure all this out and then make a video. But you'd be missing the fun of exploration. There are plenty of useful examples of how 'factory' Stages can be used, but I installed the Qiemem firmware for max flexibility. In the end I only used its 'random segment' feature in this video, but it doesn't play a role in the MARF patch. You can do this with factory Stages but it still requires a chain of 2 or 3. You can use any sequencer with a clock input for this. A DFAM will also help you to cover the time/level sequence.

Installation requires playing a .WAV into the module which can be bit of a drag. I recommend using a eurorack sample player like the BitBox for a high success ratio. Using a phone, PC or pad can be a nightmare. Also, I am not sure if the firmware works on a clone, please comment if you tried it.
https://github.com/qiemem/eurorack/re...

I am still trying to wrap my head around it. Even though Stages and Marbles are now discontinued, they're easy to find as fully functional clones. With Eurorack, we have the 'power' to build our own synths, or get inspired by designs which are still amazing and modern after +50 years. I hope it inspires you too."

Buchla & Tiptop Audio Long sequence with a sequential switch feat. Model 207t and doppfer A151

video upload by Flat Round Modular Music

"How to extend a short sequence up to twenty steps with a sequential switch and how to randomize it with Source of uncertainty.

Patch notes and a surprise sample from 1010 Music. Bitbox Mk II

Have a look."

Morpheus | A tribute to Dave Rossum and E-mu Systems

video upload by Cinematic Laborat

"Back in the 80's, I used to own an E-mu Proteus 2 and the legendary Emulator IV sampler. I noticed the Morpheus, but I did not pay much attention to it, because I felt the Emulator could record samples AND do Z-plane synthesis. No idea what it was, never used it. But the Morpheus became an ambient legend because of those Z-Planes. The specs didn't make much sense. It offered three AHDSR envelopes and two complex 8-stage function generators per voice, where each stage could do something different and you could jump to a stage based on conditions (like key velocity) With the knowledge I have today I'd immediately say WOW.

E-mu Systems is gone (due to the PC/Mac), but Dave Rossum's creations live on in Eurorack. The Assimil8or could be compared to the Emulator sampler. Control Forge is the multi-segment conditional function generator and the Morpheus now only provides the Z-Plane filter. To get an idea, it's like a 3D wavetable for filters you can traverse with X, Y and Z coordinates mapped to frequency, morph and amplitude (not 100% sure).

So yes, I was thrilled to give it a try. I hooked up Plaits and a bunch of LFO's, only to discover it sounded like crap. Que? Yes. Plaits came in too hot so I had to use a VCA. Uncontrolled CV can make the Morpheus explode in extreme clipping which the module - and your 24 bit audio interface - can't possibly handle. So It needs a limiter too if you just throw CV at it. After one day of shooting video I was very disappointed and almost decided to put it back in the box and do something else. I checked videos from collegue YouTubers and it all sounded 'more is less' with the frantic filter changes, clicks, pops and digital harshness. Terrible. Was this it? It can't be. Not from Dave Rossum.

It's impossble to cut a long story short now, but I studied the old Morpheus brochure and listened to some orginal sounds. Then all the pieces fell together. It sounds best when used like the old E-mu. It needs a polyphonic source, a big pad or a collection of moody samples. It needs a clever function generator, like two chained Maths or a Buchla 281 quad function generator. Or a ZADAR! I tried a little proof of concept with Knobula Poly Cinematic and one Maths, and yes. This is the way. In the final patch I used BitBox with a bed of three layered samples (Emulator!) and three complex functions from Zadar, triggered by Maths. And there it was. A eurorack Morpheus doing true Z-Plane Synthesis."

Radiant Tech 137 Bpm with #ts1 #eurorack #sequencer.

video upload by bvr-instruments

"This video is a #dawlessjam in one take, minimal setup composed with the following:
#bassdrum and #ts1 sequencer from #bvrinstruments.
#bitbox Micro from #1010music.
#mc303 from #roland .
Composed with the aim to make #fastpaced #technomusic and added some #nineinchnails musical tend."

#melodictechno with #ts1 #eurorackmodular.

video upload by bvr-instruments

"This video is in #benböhmer style presents Ts1 sequencer capabilities to control 6 samples via 6 triggers via the bitbox micro and 2 sequences (bass + lead) one with midi output to bass station and one with CV/gate to the Moog werkstatt-01."moo

You were not supposed to see this | Multi Sample DPO (from 2034)

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"When I made the Deckard's Dreams video yesterday [below], I tried to multi-sample a Shared System patch. I thought it would be cool to sample a big duophonic patch with movement an effects - and sample a range of C2 to C6 into bitbox so I could play it like this huge machine of countless Shared Systems.

I am going to try Strega too one day. It felt like magic, almost like patching on 'forbidden ground'. Then I tought it would be cool to use a bit of click-bait and imagine myself in 2034 when I'd have 1M likers and 1.1M haters while collecting forbidden MakeNoise gear on the Black market. I realize it may be too farfetched for some of you, but this is real. It's a private video and you are not supposed to see it anyway."

Deckard's Dreams | BitBox Multi-Sampling & Deckard's Voice

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"BitBox MK2 (and the Micro) offer support for 'multi-sampling'. It's an easy automated process where BitBox will send pitch CV and a gate to sample a range of notes and lay them out on the keyboard. So with this simple trick, you could turn any VCO into a polyphonic velocity sensitive patch. In this case, it helps me to turn Deckard's Voice (mono) into a (static) CS-80 patch which still can be filtered, enveloped, etc. But it's also possible to play the VCO while sampling, so you'd get a rich pad with lots of movement. It's the first time I used this technique and it will not be the last."

„rhein“ | minimal music | disting ex | ttmc 258 | supercell

video upload by Elinch

„I wish you a Merry Christmas and relaxing days.“

a piece for the dark, legendary river "rhine"

00:00 disting ex (mellotron voice sample) / supercell
01:40 tokyo tape music osc 158 / bitbox micro (loop)
02:02 tokyo tape music osc 158 / 4ms dld loop / bitbox micro (loop)
02:32 tokyo tape music osc 158 / 4ms dd.loop / bitbox micro (loop)
02:56 2x disting ex (mellotron voice sample) / supercell / bitbox micro (loops)
03:58 2x disting ex (mellotron voice sample) / supercell / bitbox micro (loops)
04:23 disting ex (mellotron voice sample) / 4ms dld loop
05:45 disting ex (mellotron voice sample) / supercell / make noise morphagene

recorded live with tascam dr 100
for the best listening experience listen to the video with headphones or good speakers.

if you want to support me:
https://elinch.bandcamp.com

#synthesizer #minimalmusic #art

„duisburg“ | minimal music | buchla tiptop 258t/292t | intellijel sealegs | bitbox micro

video upload by Elinch

"most sounds buchla tiptop 258t / 292t into sealegs. lopped with bitbox micro.

recorded live with tascam dr 100
for the best listening experience listen to the video with headphones or good speakers.

if you want to support me:
https://elinch.bandcamp.com"

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.

7/31/23 Metasonix RK8 Filterwall + SSL 1660 + MooSonics Vanilla VCA/Envelope + PCM 70 (gated plate)

video upload by Cfpp0

"A maiden voyage into the latest glory hole from Metasonix."

via Metasonix

"The RK8 contains six bandpass filters, which use vacuum tubes. They are simple 'twin T' designs. Each filter is about one octave lower in range than the one to the left—treble on the left, bass on the right.

Each filter may be manually swept with its own separate tuning knob, over approximately one and one-half octaves. Or ALL the filters may be swept together, using either the 'MANUAL TUNE' knob, or the CV input, which overrides the knob when a patch cable is inserted. Although it is capable of some conventional swept-filter effects, the RK8 is more useful as a complex equalization system or for unique special effects.

Resonance is separately adjustable for each filter. Usually the treble filters will resonate strongly and oscillate under some settings. The bass filters might not. It’s a strange monster.

Inputs and outputs are compatible with all Eurorack and other modular synthesizer equipment. The output peak voltage is limited to the supply rails and can’t damage other modules.

Don’t assume you know what you are getting here—the RK8 is unlike anything else ever marketed. Also don’t expect it to track VCOs. Its voltage-to-frequency curve is 'more or less' hertz-per-volt but can’t really be guaranteed. The six vactrols in each RK8 were hand-matched, but can’t be expected to remain matched, or to track together perfectly.

Again, everything about the RK8 is abnormal. It is not perfectly 'clean' and perfectly 'distortionless', and it cannot be made so. Because it uses vacuum tubes.

It is something you have NEVER seen before. It can NOT be compared to any other product, ever made, PERIOD. Do not walk into this with 'preconceptions'.

Specs: 32HP width Eurorack module, with circuits protruding about 1.5″ or 38mm behind panel. The RK8 uses six 5702 subminiature pentodes, all Raytheon US military surplus from the 1980s. Power supply required is about 600 mA after warmup and 1.4 amps when started cold from +12v, and 10 mA from -12v. Low-cost power supplies are NOT recommended. A spare tube is included, although soldering equipment is needed to replace any of the tubes. They are run very conservatively and will last many, many years."

Metasonix RK8 Filterwall Demonstration 1 SD 480p

video upload by Endmusik Records

"Metasonix RK8 Filterwall prototype demo - video 1.

Modules used: Hexinverter Mutant BD9, Mutant Snare, WMD Crater and Kraken, Moog DFAM, and some live percussion samples from the 1010 music Bitbox.

This is an un-edited 13 minute session of experimentation with direct audio recording to showcase the tonality of the prototype as it processes these sounds. When audio stops and comes back in that is me bringing up a separate mixer channel of the raw audio unfiltered as a comparison, which is then muted out and the RK8 direct channel is brought back in."

Metasonix RK8

video upload by The Mephitif

"Some examples of the Metasonix RK8 Filterwall. First clip is of the Industrial Music Electronics Hertz Donut MK3 running through the Filterwall. Second clip is the Filterwall acting as a sine bank. Third clip is some bad drumbeat being processed through the Filterwall."

Access Virus Classic (Virus B) 2004 - Red

video upload by modus obscura

"Live set testing out new streaming rig. All sounds by Access Virus Classic, 1010music Bitbox mk2. Sequencing by Sequentix Cirklon."

via this auction

CLICK FOR MORE »

1010music Bitbox MK2 VS Endorphin.es Running Order

video upload by DANIELE

"Just a quick video using 1010music Bitbox MK2 in slicer mode, triggered by Endorphin.es Running Order!"

stille #9 | ambient | mellotron m4000d | soma cosmos

video upload by Elinch

"„... because easter is. a 10 minute slowly developing music piece“

all sounds from the m4000d / t-rex tape delay / soma cosmsos / bitbox micro

recorded live with tascam dr 100
for the best listening experience listen to the video with headphones or good speakers.

if you want to support me:
https://elinch.bandcamp.com

#synthesizer #minimalmusic #art"

Massive Eurorack Setup for Sale

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

CLICK FOR MORE »

WHEN / eurorack jam / 1010music BITBOX Micro / Nerdseq MIDI

video upload by BRiES

"Having to use the midi output on the Nerdseq expander to get those poly multisamples to work on Bitbox is something I didn't plan on doing, but it does work really well."

Eventide Micha | Tone Row Sequencer

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"* Reupload due to a major melodic minor error.
A quick patch for a lazy sunday. I recently got the Eventide Micha and it looks way more complicated than it is, so it's just a matter of applying power, patch gate/CV and off you go. For best results (chords) you may want to get yourself a VCO with polyphonic midi capabilities (Poly Cinematic, BitBox, Vector Wave) but these are rare. So for equally best results is also cool to use the chord outputs to modulate the timbre (or any CV input) of a clever VCO like the Loquelic Iteritas Percido.

Micha is a sequencer, but a weird one. Instead of playing notes, you'll play intervals. Now it may not be obvious how cool that is, but it will exponentially expand your musical vocabulary. For me, storytelling is very important and with Misha you simply press a 'plus' when you want to raise some tension, and a [minus] when you want people to relax. Misha works with tone rows, which basically comes down to moving through notes and chords in a scale. So you simply pick a scale and start improvising.
#jamuary2023 | Day 22 | Sunday"

Hardware Jams Weekend Challenge: Beads Pack Jam

video upload by SynthAddict

"Modular impromptu jam with some provided Beads samples
loaded into my BitBox Micro and used for percussuion.

Camera has a focus issue... oh well. :-P

Too many other modules to mention... sequenced with the Keystep Pro and Modcan Touch Seq.
Some live keys."

Experimental Glitchy Eurorack Performance (BIA, Plaits, Bitbox Micro etc.)

video upload by Piotr Garbaczonek

Thanks for watching!
The goal for this patch was to essentially try to sound like Richard Devine's style of modular performance but with far less gear, so only 2 cases worth of modules. There are quite a bit of voices in this patch, including:
- Noise Engineering Basimilus Iteritas Alter
- Mutable Instruments Plaits
- Mutable Instruments Rings
- Instruō Cruïnn
- Instruō Arbhar
- Instruō Lúbadh
- 1010music Bitbox Micro
- Moog Subharmonicon
#modular #eurorack #idm #glitch

Here are some links of mine:
https://linktr.ee/pgarbaczonek
Go follow my Patreon here:
https://www.patreon.com/pgarbaczonek?...

Perks of being a member include Patch from scratch videos, behind-the-scenes, HD pictures of gear and such, unreleased music, sample packs, and many more :)"

Cruisin' with the Instruo Cruinn

video upload by Red Means Recording

"Are you ready for BZZZ? Are you ready for 5 BZZZZ, moving very fast from left to right? Well then, come aboard the good ship Cruinn. This is a demo of the new Instruo stereo oscillator through the XOAC Zagrzeb filter and Mutable Instruments Beads. We'll be joined by Bastl Pizza doing some FM duties, and the Bitbox Micro doing drums. Ahoy.

Modules used in this video (via Perfect Circuit and Patchwerks)

00:00 intro
01:52 basic sound demo
03:54 rhythmic fm modulation
07:41 spread cv modulation
09:23 dune fm drones
12:12 outro jam"

Experimental Eurorack Modular Patch || Instruo Arbhar, lìon, Plum Audio OCP, Bitbox, Cwejman, more..

video upload by Piotr Garbaczonek

"Thanks for watching!
Made this wacky patch, while testing out stuff to take with me to New York, and wanted to document it here, at least for future reference on what was possible at the time;)

Here are some links of mine:
https://linktr.ee/pgarbaczonek
Go follow my Patreon here:
https://www.patreon.com/pgarbaczonek?...

Perks of being a member include Patch from scratch videos, behind-the-scenes, HD pictures of gear and such, unreleased music, sample packs, and many more :)"