Aphex Twin - aisatsana | Modular Synth Cover

video upload by Mars Machine

"One of my favorite Aphex Twin Songs.

Patch Notes:
I sequenced all voices from Ableton using Univer Inter by @NoiseEngineering.
The lower octave voice is Acid Rain Chainsaw through Xaoc Zagrzeb and Mimeophon.
The lower lead voice is Basimilus Iteritas Alter through Ritual Electronics Guillotine and the Intellijel LPG. There is also a layer of this voice with a piano sample on the Disting.
The right hand melody are Plaits and 2hp Pluck through Forbidden Planet and Clouds.
The filters and some other characteristics of the voices are slightly modulated via PNW and Stages to keep it moving a little bit."

Fermi Paradoxon I — We’re alone — Modular Synth Performance

video upload by Mars Machine

"I just got a ‪@NoiseEngineering‬ Univer Iter, because I wanted to sequence from a DAW for a long time. It works perfectly for this purpose and can be customized easily.
Univer Iter is sequencing all voices from Ableton.
The main arp ist Plaits through Forbidden Planet and Clouds.
Bass is Basimilus Iteritas Alter through Peradam.
Chainsaw plays 3 voices, a lower octave and 2 leads. Filtered with Belgrad, Delay by Mimeophon.

Sequencing with Univer Iter also allowed me to do some additional production in Ableton for the first time."

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"

Behringer Model 15: 50 Experimental Patches. No Talking Demo

video upload by Anton Anru

"Welcome to the soundset for the semi-modular synthesizer Behringer Model 15. "Explorer" is a collection of 50 experimental yet usable patches: 12 Leads, 10 Basses, 9 Plucks, 10 Arps, 6 Drones, and 3 Chords.
💾 This soundset offers aggressive, bright, detuned, freaky, noisy, atonal, metallic, generative, evolving, and rhythmic timbres. It stands in contrast to my previous release, "Analog Classics," where I focused on more regular, basic, and classical timbres.
In the "Explorer" bank of presets, I aimed to dive deeper into the modular nature of the Model 15, pushing its boundaries to achieve the most interesting and exciting results.

📦 Get this soundset: https://antonanru.sellfy.store/p/behr...

🎨 Some timbres are designed to take the lead in a track or jam session, while others work perfectly as complementary elements. While the patches are ready to use as they are, I highly recommend tweaking the knobs during your performance to further develop the sound and enhance your creative experience.

🥁 These presets are versatile and suitable for a wide range of genres, including ambient, electronica, IDM, deep techno, house, progressive, trance, lounge, downtempo, pop, chill out, new age, cinematic, breaks, synthwave, retrowave, dub, and more.

📚 The soundset is provided as a PDF document, with each page containing detailed notes that explain how each patch works, which parameters are worth tweaking during playback, and how to evolve the timbre during a performance. By following these notes and making adjustments consciously, you’ll not only get the most out of the patches but also gain a deeper understanding of the synth itself, uncovering its full potential and creative depth.

🎧 Each patch comes with an audio example to help you understand how the timbre is intended to sound, making it easier to integrate into your productions.
To recreate these patches, you will need up to 8 patch cables.

💡 I added pads and drum loops for the video demo to place the presets in a musical context.
These drums and pads are not included in the soundset. I added third-party delay and reverb to the video demo."

CLICK FOR MORE »

PV44 playing chords on the Acid Rain Technology Chainsaw (patched sequencer out of logic modules)

video upload by XODES

"After discussing how to use PV44 to create chords lately, it felt like showing it actually can be done may be more efficient than long messages.

It all started with some cheesy Wham Christmas song programmed on a Beatstep Pro for which PV44 made chords out of a monophonic CV signal.

Instead, and even if it may not make much sense to most, it looked more interesting to demonstrate a sequencer patched from scratch on the same occasion!

In this short example a sequencer is patched from existing and forthcoming logic/switch based modules that create control signals for PV44 and triggers for the drums sounds.

A single clock passes through a shift register and trigger skippers to create multiple trigger sequences.

A switch alternates between 2 voltages and goes to the PV44 modulation input. The A/B/C outputs control the Acid Rain Technology chainsaw's 3 CV inputs through some quantizer to play different chords."

Fly semi generative modular ambient

video upload by murratti 127

modular synth
eurorack

In this setting I only used the following modules:
black sequencer • erica synths
M185, vector wave, night rider • ryk
alan, morcom, enigma • after later audio
øchd • instruo
melotus versio, tymp legio • noise engineering
DPLPG • mengqimusic
boundary • schlappi engineering
258t, 281t • buchla tiptop audio
mimeophone, maths, XPO, QPAS, 0-ctrl • make noise
alter 2 • folktek
chainsaw • acid rain
T43 • vpme
crave • behringer

Rainy day with Loopman

video upload by murratti 127

"Black Sequencer from erica synths controls the bass drum from mosaic, the pique from after later audio, the kermit from industrial music and chainsaw from acid rain. 0-CTRL from make noise controls the resonate from after later audio, this signal is filtered with night rider from ryk and the mimeophone is used as an effect. Other effects and voices from the Benjolin v2 from after later audio. Roucha legio and yester versio from noise engineering.

My voice from the Loopman controlled with math and soundhack with morphagene from make noise. Hope you like this video! Comments welcome!"

MACHINE

video upload by murratti 127

"Alan from After Later Audio plays the bass drum from mosaic and resonate from after later audio as a touring machine, this signal is filtered with night rider from ryk and the mimeophone is used as an effect. Pique from after later is used as a drum voice and is controlled by 0-ctrl from make noise. disting mk4 by expert sleepers runs with shift register quantized CVs and plays acid rain's chainsaw. this signal runs through the roucha legio and yester version from noise engineering. maths and wogglebug play a little too.
Hope you like this video! Comments welcome!"

flower field

video upload by murratti 127

"A piece with flower field by error instruments, amplified with listen i/o then runs through pitch from 2 hp and as a filter the night rider from ryk.
Alan from after later audio controls the bass drum of mosaic. Pique from after later audio runs as a touring machine and plays the chainsaw from acid rain, a low pass gate from disting mk4, then through the filter from noise engineering roucha legio the yester versio is used as an effect."

You can find details on Error Instruments Flower Fields previously posted here.

New from Bard Synthesizers - LPG and Ring Modulator

video upload by John Schussler

"I recently got a couple new modules from Bard Synthesizers. The VTG low pass gate is available as part of his normal product lineup, but the ring modulator is a custom build. I'm guessing if you like it you could talk him into building you one as well, but note that it takes a bit longer, what with it being a custom build and all.

Here's a little sampler to get an idea how they sound. Plus some extra from the Erica Synths Fusion Ring Modulator at the end for comparison.

Source VCOs are an Acid Rain Chainsaw and a Befaco Pony VCO.
Envelope from Zadar.

00:00 Intro
00:20 LPG
06:00 Gilbert Ringmod
11:27 Erica Ringmod"

Melodicer vs. Black Sequencer - one or both?

video upload by John Schussler

"I haven't spent much time with the Erica Synths Black Sequencer, and I noticed in a thread the other day somebody mentioning it serving as a substitute for the Vermona Melodicer.

Say what? I have a Melodicer, and it's the cat's meow. Can it really be supplanted by the Erica Synths offering?

They're big modules, so it's worth asking the question. Which is what you have here...me asking the question of whether I keep both or just one.

Source VCO is an Acid Rain Chainsaw. No envelope, just the output gates from the sequencer’s going to a Bard tube LPG.

00:00 Intro
00:20 Vermona
02:21 Black Sequencer
10:29 Tiebreaker"

Jroo Loop - Pitch shifting tape looper

video uploads by jroo


video upload by John Schussler

"Here's a fairly simple tape loop module from Jroo called Loop. When you
change the speed of the loop it actually pitch shifts, which makes for some
really interesting opportunities for new harmonies.

This whole video is the same very simple sequence from a Pittsburgh Micro
Sequence b driving an Acid Rain Chainsaw VCO. On top is a bucketload
of reverb from Valhalla to let things ring out into space.

Fun.

00:00 Intro
00:20 Clean
11:53 Distorted"

loop is a frippertronics-style dual mono digital tape loop, echo and delay utility with adjustable tape speed, play head position, feedback and levels. It has a customizable loop length of up to 2.5 minutes.

loop is modelled after tape loop systems where audio is recorded to and played back from a tape that’s continually looping. Several interesting effects can be accomplished in this system when the position of the play head, tape speed, direction, and audio and feedback levels are modified. loop gives you manual and CV control over each.

Three Versio Delays - Melotus, Yester, Imitor

video upload by John Schussler

"The Yester Versio arrived the other day, so I wanted to compare it to the other Noise Engineering delay lines I have handy: Melotus Versio (which is actually a granular sampler, but is easily used as a delay), and Imitor Versio, which is a delay with an unusual dose of attitude.

No commentary, just listening.

VCO: Acid Rain Chainsaw. LPG: Natural Gate. Sequencer: Pittsburgh Modular
Lifeforms Micro b + VPME.de T43 transposer

00:00 Intro
00:20 Melotus Versio
06:04 Yester Versio
15:26 Imitor Versio"

Three Generative Sequencers - And one that isn't

video upload by John Schussler

"I have a few generative sequencers I've not had time to play with, and figured I'd compare how they...play. Three are generative in one form or another, and one, the Berlin School, is not. I leave you to suffer with that incongruity in silence.

This is my first exploration with each of them, so I'm just getting a feel for how they work. You're along for the ride, but don't expect too much.

VCO is Acid Rain Chainsaw. LPG is Rabid Elephant Natural Gate. No envelope. Delay here and there is Make Noise Mimeophon. Quantizer is 2hp Tune.

00:00 Intro
00:20 Feigen
12:00 Anima
23:29 Odds
31:34 Berlin School"

This appears to be the first post to feature Subsongs Modular.

Metasonix - RK2 XS-VCA

video upload by SchneidersLaden

"Here is a quick look at the Metasonix RK2 XS-VCA module - a tube-based VCA module with that Metasonix DNA. At gentle, soft settings the module is able to behave like a pretty normal VCA with some tube distortion but with rising gain the clipping distortion gets more and more. Turn up the Feedback and all hell is breaking loose. Sounds great right!"

"The ultimate vacuum tube VCA which can be more, for instance a pre-amp with 30dB gain, an amplifier for stereo and signal-cancelling effects and/or an extreme distortion effect. It can be gentle with a moderate bit of tube distortion but on the other hand it can tenderize a piece of meat with its raw power.

At gentle, soft settings the module is able to behave like a pretty normal VCA with some tube distortion but with rising gain the clipping distortion gets more and more. Turn up the Feedback and all hell is breaking loose.

In Metasonix' own words: 'What does it sound like? Imagine a slightly tubby tube amplifier, suddenly turning into a screaming chainsaw. And flying around the room to break your sappy bleeps and bloops. A bulldozer on fire crushing your nads. Strange tentacles of doom rise up from the bottom of the ocean and slap your sister's asscrack.'
Nothing to add."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Eurorack distortion comparison - January 2023

video upload by John Schussler

"I used to number my distortion comparisons, but there are so many now, and in different forms, that I've decided it'll be easier to just go by date.

Here's the January 2023 batch. All have been released fairly recently AFAIK.

The comparison is a little tilted in that some are just drive circuits, while others are full on distortion/clippers. But I prefer to think of it as comparing along a range vs. a head-to-head evaluation.

Note that the video goes from soft to loud at times, because, y'know, distortion, so I recommend not blasting it too loud until you've skipped around a bit to get a feel for the dynamic range.

VCO is an Acid Rain Chainsaw saw wave. Envelope: Zadar. Sequencer: Stochastic IG.

00:00 Intro
Sweeps
00:20 Atonal OD
02:44 London Drive
03:49 Twin Drive
04:33 Nijel
05:42 cDVCA
08:08 L'Ecorcheur
Sequence
11:07 Atonal OD
14:18 London Drive
16:25 Twin Drive
18:00 Nijel
19:40 cDVCA
22:34 L'Ecorcheur"

Neutral Labs: Pip clocked cv generator

video upload by John Schussler

"Along with Nijel (see previous vid), Martin at Neutral Labs sent along a kit for Pip, his new clocked CV generator. Its main selling point is the synchronization between the two channels: channel A can run at a multiple or fraction of channel B, and both are clocked so they'll stay in sync with the beat.

You can get some interesting rhythmic sounds out of your modules that have two cv inputs by using contrasting waves and different ratios (there are 16 'pages' of waves, each with two waves that can be morphed to make new waves).

The most interesting part, however, is when you self-modulate it. You get the benefit of the synchronized channels, clocked, plus interesting little additions that bring the whole thing to life (Spoiler alert! Skip to 23m22s for my favorite bit).

VCO: Chainsaw. Sequencer: Stochastic IG

00:00 Intro
00:20 Encephalo Adjuster
05:35 Nijel
07:08 Scrat
11:13 Pizza
13:09 Siren
16:10 Self-modulation"

Jamuary 2023 Mars Machine

video uploads by Mars Machine

First 10:
1. Fireflies | Modular Eurorack Beat | Erica Synths LXR, Basimilus Iteritas Alter #Jamuary2023 01

First Video this Year! I started this Patch trying to use my new Erica Synths LXR Eurorack Module for a melodic voice which I think turned out pretty nice. Bloom and Pamelas New Workout are responsible for the sequencing. Main Melody 1: LXR receiving v/oct from Bloom, sent through Mimeophon. Main Melody 2: 2hp Pluck sequenced by Bloom, mixed with Noise and filtered by Forbidden Planet through Disting Delay. Bass is Plaits, distorted and filtered by Peradam and XAOC Zagrzeb. Kick: Basimilus Iteritas Alter Drums: Erica Synths LXR

2. Karmesin | Modular Eurorack Beat || #jamuary2023 02 ||| Queen of Pentacles, Acid Rain Chainsaw

Drums: Queen of Pentacles & some additional Hi-hats made with white and pink noise Main Melody: Acid Rain Chainsaw Bass: Basimilus Iteritas Alter Background Texture is Plaits with the model Input modulated.

3. SHORES | UK GARAGE on MODULAR || #jamuary2023 03

I've been wanting to make some kind of UK garage, burial inspired piece on the modular. I think it turned out pretty neat!

4. EMBERS | Drum and Bass on MODULAR || #jamuary2023 04

Here we go again, 4th day of #jamuary2023! I try to keep it as musically diverse as possible, so I tried to make some Drum and Bass this time. I think it's quite alright for the first try!

5. Below 0 | #jamuary2023 05 || Eurorack ||| Patch Notes on Screen

It's been a long time since I wanted to use the Forbidden Planet as an Oscillator and I never found the place in a patch since it is always almost on regular filter duties. But I managed this time and it sounds very cool!

6. Erica Synths LXR Eurorack Live Techno Jam | #jamuary2023 07

#jamuary2023 lets go! Part 6! I filmed this video when I just got the Erica Synths LXR, wanting to showcase some of its sounds! I think it sounds absolutely massive!

7. Leaving | Eurorack Drum and Bass || #jamuary2023 07

More Drum and Bass! I'm really happy with the drums in this. I stumbled across the melody by accident just fiddling with Bloom.

8. Happy Accidents | Chill Eurorack Beat | #jamuary2023 08 | Patch Notes

This was a happy accident by slowing down one of my other #jamuary patches. I then changed the drums and the main melody so it fit the tempo better.

9. Magic | Cinematic Modular Synth & Patch Breakdown | #jamuary2023 10

Neutral Labs Nijel Distortion

video upload by John Schussler

"I really liked Neutral Labs' first module: Scrat. It's a filter plus distortion in 8hp. But y'know, maybe you have lots of filters and only want the distortion bit, so to the rescue comes Nijel: just 4hp, but using the same sound cards as Scrat (the cards are called "Nuts"), and with plenty of attitude.

So as soon as I heard of Nijel's existence I jumped at the chance to build one (it's a super easy build...all the SMD components are already on the PCB, you just do pots and jacks for the most part). Many thanks to Martin at Neutral Labs for getting me in early.

Sound source: Acid Rain Chainsaw (3 VCO). Envelope: Zadar. Sequencer: Stochastic IG.

00:00 Intro
00:20 Sweeps
01:22 Nuts
03:12 Sequence
08:33 Scrat
12:02 LFO Drive"