The Magic World of Analog | Serge Modular | Episode 04

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"In this video, I'll dive into the magic world of analog synthesis with a focus on the Serge Wavemultiplier (folder) and Resonant EQ. They sound great, but many of the Serge modules have secret 'magic' worlds, or less dramatic, they can do things you would not expect.

I also took the opportunity to do a compare with the Ohmicide digital distortion, which is ported from a VST. I don't want to compare digital and analog sonically, because I believe digitally modelled analog sounds just as good as real analog. The differences are revealed when unexpected conditions take place. In real analog, mother nature will determine what happens (cause and effect). In digital, you'd encounter an exception. So let's see what happens when Ohmicide has to process its own output :).

Another difference is that digital modules don't have a secret world beyond the code."

Ohmicide | by Ohm Force | Overview Videos

video uploads by Cinematic Laboratory

Part 1

"It's the first time I had to cut a module video in two. This part is the overview and introduction, the second part is a dry algorithm reference. So part 2 can be a bit long and boring."

Part 2

"In this video I'll go through the 37 distortion algorithms one by one, so it's intended as a reference for potential, current and near future ohmers. Hopefully this video can help you find the one you've always been looking for.
I had to cut corners a little, so I made a reference patch so all algorithms would have the same source limitations. In real life, results will depend on your sources and settings. I also kept everything dry so you can hear all the little crisps and artefacts. Inevitably, it's a long and dirty video so check out Part 01 for an overview/impression."

Update:

Ohmicide | by Ohm Force | Algorithm Reference - part 2 of 2

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"In this video I'll go through the 37 distortion algorithms one by one, so it's intended as a reference for potential, current and near future ohmers. Hopefully this video can help you find the one you've always been looking for.

I had to cut corners a little, so I made a reference patch so all algorithms would have the same source limitations. In real life, results will depend on your sources and settings. I also kept everything dry so you can hear all the little crisps and artefacts. Inevitably, it's a long and dirty video so check out Part 01 for an overview/impression.

Sorry I had to upload, there was 5 minutes of nothing at the end."

We all love Alessandro Cortini - but Strega not so much?

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"I've always been in a 'love / hate' relationship with Strega, where 'hate' is a figure of speech because I am actively working on not hating anything or anybody. Regardless, Strega is in my top 10 of all time favorite modules. With the announcement of Bruxa I noticed a lof of comments about Bruxa being just as mono as the Witch, and a more interesting call for help where Strega users just don't come anywhere Cortini's work - and some blame Strega for it (don't).

In this short 'essay', I checked out all videos I could find where Cortini does a Strega demo and found only one at Reverb.com. It's fascinating to see he ALWAYS uses the external input on three application examples.

Using Mr. Spock's logic I can safely speculate it's primarily designed as an FX processor. Sure I knew this, but I didn't get it. Sure there's a VCO, but Alessandro is using it to support whatever's coming in to create low drones, textures and fat saturated atmospheres. So I tried to plug in my guitar and noodled a bit with this new workflow in mind. If you don't have a guitar, try to get a kalimba in. You'll notice there's an abundance of FM paths you can use to influence the VCO and the Time/Filter/Delay/Feedback.

This video is not intended to change your mind about Strega. If you don't like it, that's perfectly OK. But if Cortini's work is part of the music you love most, it's a very convenient and easy way to get you in his 'zone'. He is definitely in there somewhere. And the ugly witch can be a beauty.

3D animations by IceTray, an artist. Not AI. (licensed through Envato Elements)"

Pulsar Synthesis | A Microsound recipe by Curtis Roads

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"Before anything else I'd like to stress that this video was triggered by the Plume from Hieroglyphic, but doesn't feature it. It's NOT intended as click-bait, it's an educational video. If you took the bait, go watch DivKid [posted here] or Tom Churchill's walkthrough [posted here].

The concept is from Curtis Roads Microsound book. I read about the subject and tried to patch a few experiments with various results. Some good, some bad, and some turned out to be amazing. This video also fits my goals for 2024, where it's not always necessary to get yourself a new module when your existing modules still have plenty to offer. Happy patching!"

Oct Tone | by the Glasgow Synth Guild

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"I had a short moment of confusion when the Oct Tone was presented to a wide audience. I knew the Octone from Qu-Bit, but nobody shared a bit of how this came to be, except that it was a Jason Lim design. It's obvious the new Oct Tone also comes from the people behind Instruo and I learned that the Glasgow Synth Guild is an entity that manufactures modules/hardware. So Instruo is now a GSG client which makes a lot of sense in the volatile economy of the roaring 20's. I think it's excellent risk management, but I am also aware I am speculating. Anyway, the Oct Tone is a Jason Lim redesign of the module he designed when he still was a Qu-Bit co-founder. So it all makes perfect sense if you unravel the whole story. Still, I took the creative liberty to call it a 'shadow module'. It kind of sounds cool, no drama intended.

It also explains why it's not a regular Instruo module, considering it does not fit Instruo's company vision of making state-of-the-art originals. It's also rumoured Jason prefers all kind of CV running through quantizers while avoiding the use of sequencers. So my final speculation is that the Oct Tone may be the only sequencer you'd get with an Instruo look and feel. I love it.

The Oct Tone is exclusively available from the UK, so beware of shipping and Brexit tax. But if you're an Instruo fan, it's a must have module."

Stereofication | feat. Makenoise 'Bruxa', QPAS SmilePass and XAOC Minsk

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"After the release of Bruxa two days ago, I noticed a lot of comments about it being a mono delay in a world that quickly goes stereo. So in this video, I'll use the concept of a mono delay and check out two options to stereofy it (besides running it through a stereo delay, granulator or reverb). QPAS smilepass is an 'allpass' filter which can produce 'false' stereo effects. XAOC Minsk really perfected this 'art' and can turn Strega/Bruxa into a wonderful stereo swirl with absolutely no effort. Higly recommended."

GodSpeed NEW | A Tiny Case Adventure | by Endorphin.es

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"Obviously, this video is about the new Godspeed V2. However, it's a simple 6 HP mono VCO with a few nice tricks, and not that different from the V1.
It can be explained in a minute or two, but we'll be missing the smaller picture.

For this video I wanted to feature Godspeed in a 'tiny case adventure', where my tiny case would be 60 HP. I'd say anything smaller is microscopic.
The Endorphin.es 6 HP line offers great starting points for building a mini-synth, especially when you turn it into a tiny haunted house with the awesome Ghost. Sure, the Ghost takes a lot of valuable space, but it's an all-in-one powerhouse and it's impossible to make a tiny Shuttle with separate delay, reverb, distortion, compression, bitcrushing and filtering. It will not fit. Like it or not, the Ghost is a masterpiece and one of my top 10 modules (chech the latest firmware too).

This also made me realize I was still clueless about TZFM. Then I needed to find a way to explain it to you! It's way more simple than the hype suggests.

I have the luxury to use both my old and new Godspeeds and build a complex 12 HP VCO. If you get the urge to buy two, don't. They'll sum up to $600 which can get you furthrrrrr with a 259 style VCO. Instead, keep it tiny and add a cheap 4HP Airstreamer 4 (or expensive Instruo Cnoc) which can also do 1V/OCT and double as a modulating VCO. But most important, don't buy anything unless your absolutely sure it serves the (modular) music you love most. Don't end up with a tiny case and 101 modules.

Endorphin.es sneaked in a free 1U autopilot (even though I have the 3U and GodSpeed doesn't need it), so there's a small 'commercial break'. I consider Endorphin.es close modular friends so this video is inevitably a bit biased.
This was another reason to make a more general tiny case video that just 'happens' to contain a lot of Endorphin.es modules and sum up to a very powerful synth.

However, your personal journey starts at ModularGrid.
Have a safe and prosperous trip."

GTO | Serge Tutorials | Episode 03 (one of the coolest modules ever made)

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"The first two episodes where about the big Serge heritage in 4U panels, the translation to eurorack and the relationship between DUSG and Maths. Starting from episode 03, I'll downsize the cases and focus on individual modules in small setups.

The GTO is the 'V2' of the legendary SSG (Smooth/Stepped Generator). A few weeks ago, I wasn't even aware of these two. At first glance, it looks like a mix of a Cycle and a Sample/Hold. The 'challenge' with Serge is that you can't tell what a module can do when you look at it. But WOW. The GTO is a force of nature. If you have an interest in Serge, this module can keep you exploring for many, many months. If I had to confine myself to choosing one Serge module only, it would be the GTO.

I am making this series to teach myself the ins and outs of modular, sharing the journey as I progress. I invested in a big case, but only because I am planning to teach and do 'master' classes. I just can't teach modular without knowing about Serge. So this series isn't affiliated with Serge or Random*Source.

I fitted the Befaco Bananuts myself, they don't come with the modules. Also, there are no white ones, so I spray painted a few bags of silver ones. I still need to remove a bit of excess paint, but they look awesome. I guess it's something autistic, but I am proud of it.

I am not sponsored. R*S offered me to borrow modules I'd like to cover, but don't fit my budget. There's an SSG coming soon, together with the Paperface 50 4U reissue. I am not doing 4U videos, but it's cool to actually see and hear where the eurorack modules come from.

Finally, the appearance of Lego models is purely for fun and decoration. Everybody is using plants to decorate their modular videos and I wanted to do it a bit differently. They're models of carnivorous plants (Carnivor is also a Serge combo)."

The Road to Berlin | XAOC Leibniz Binary Subsystem | Episode 03

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"I got a bit stuck after doing the 2nd episode. Yeah, that episode sucked, but that also happens at the Lab. Dead ends are important if you want to learn to think more in u-turns. In this episode, we're back on track.

I knew the Leibniz Binary system would give me a hard time, but I underestimated that. I had a few weeks staring at my case wondering 'what's next?'. Sure, there's plenty to explore, but it's hard when you don't resonate well with the broken chiptune sounds - which are inevitable. Then, XAOC added 'Berlin' to the list of cities. It's labeled a 'numeric' VCO and it's designed especially for the Leibniz modules. It's basically a simple sawtooth with 1V/OCT, FM and Sync, but it's more like a quality D/A converter for generating waveforms. The Drezno II used to take care of that, but it would make jagged waveforms by summing lots of squares. It sounds very 8-bit. Berlin doesn't have that problem, it sounds great.

In this episode I am not doing a deepdive yet, because I just got the module. Instead I'll try to explain why it's relevant, and how a sawtooth gets all these odd/even harmonics and overtones. Why it's considered 'rich' compared to a sinewave. Then, it's easier to understand why Berlin only has a sawtooth (or scrambled saw) out. When you draw a graph of numbers 0 to 255, you'll get a nice ramp (reversed saw) that flips back to zero and counts up again. Berlin is basically counting up very fast and restarts at 0.

I'll leave the interaction between Berlin and other modules to episode 04, which will probably be posted next week. It's not going to take too long :)."

Serge Modular | Episode 02 | Voices and Utilities

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"I wish I could do this all day. Building a Serge system in eurorack is great fun, and the same applies to figuring it out. I've been running this channel for a while know and I assumed I knew a lot. In EP01 I knew nothing and I could hide behind fancy animations. In this episode I still don't know enough to dive deep but I've figured out there are 4U voice- and utility panels. Most of them can be directly translated to eurorack and in this episode I've 'built' a La Bestia II (with some missing parts).

A deep compare with Maths is unavoidable, so we're going to compare Maths with DUSG again. I shouldn't do this, but Serge modules have rise and falls all over the place and they sound totally different. Indeed, they're designed to double as full featured VCO's with varishape waveforms, AM and FM. They can filter, and work as VCA's or LPG's. This is called 'patch programmability'. So what's on the panel isn't necessarily what the module is for. Without direction, a dual slope means nothing.

00:00 Introduction
01:07 Maths V1 = Serge DUSG + (Buchla 281) + 257
02:38 Maths EOR/EOC vs DUSG END
03:29 DUSG as Complex VCO
04:33 Introducing GTS
05:10 Utilities sound like utilities
07:26 Winds of Wood
09:01 Quantized jam with Rene, Optomix & Mimeophon
13:01 A Krell patch with the La Bestia II panel layout (eurorack)."

Reverse Reverbs Revisited | ZAPS | Versio x 2, Maths | Erbe-Verb, Mimeophon

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"I am still dreaming of a Reversio, a module that can take an audio source, reverse it, add reverb and reverse it again. But no. It's 2024 and we still don't have a module that can do it, EXCEPT Lubadh, but it can only do it in mono. Anyway, I've been thinking about it a lot, and I wondered why I never used Desmodus BEFORE the Melotus. These are the true questions in life. Melotus offers reverse grains, so in theory I should be able snippets of reversed reverb. And it works, but there's so much going on you can barely hear it.

I've been using Winter/Plankton ZAPS for this experiment, which was lying around for about two years because it's so deep, and you can't figure it out without a manual. Sure there's one, but it's a reference manual so it's hard to figure out how it works as a whole. Regardless, it's one of the coolest modules I have. Using it with the Versio's has been an adventure, but my experiment failed.

Then I remembered that Mimeophon can reverse the long repeat. So I used Erbe-Verb fully wet in a send/return, only reversing the reverb tail and pre-delay. Yeah! This was very close. You can always rely on Tom Erbe. People often regret the Erbe-Verb has a mono in, which makes sense because it was designed for the mono Shared System. But reverb works fine with a mono send/stereo return, in fact it works better. I tried to explain how you can work in and out of a camera frame when you're close, but when you're in the back of a hall, that same distance looks very small. I had an amazing session and I hope you like it too."

Bring Back Vactrols! | Eugene F. Vactrolman was right

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"I am sure you haven't heard of Eugene F. Vactrolman because he's completely ignored and silenced. But his demands are clear. Vactrols must return because the future of the Buchla Bongo depends on it. I don't have an opinion, but I do agree the world needs a few more alternatives.

In this video I'll do a triple blind test with the DXG and the LXD.
For science. So I recorded six videos in the dark and edited on instinct.
Then I realized a blind test doesn't work for audio. Regardless, I think you can spot the vactrols with your eyes closed. Eugene F. is right. We need to bring back vactrols. But we can't. Period.

Sure, the DXG is nice, but it doesn't 'bonggg' like a real vactrol, it's more like a 'blip'. The DXG is acceptable as a vegan EU compliant alternative and it helps to save the world. Still, the mysterious Natural Gate proves the world can be saved AND ensure a bright future of the Buchla LPG. Personally, I think it's better than any vactrol LPG, so there's a reason why it's so hard to get.

There's probably a patent protecting the tech, otherwise it would be all over the place.

Even though DXG is a bit 'inferior' to its vintage optical predecessors, it's stereo and offers six audio inputs shared between two dynamic gates. It's an amazing module on its own. Maybe it deserves to be accepted as it is. But not today. Today we're going to honor Eugene, listen to his demands, firmly agree, and then forget about him."

V4CO+Glitch Expander by Liquid Sky D-Vices

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"Product names with deliberate spelling errors are hard to find, especially when they're in a modular eurorack niche. So let me help you discover a VCO that's so BIG it almost eats a full row of HP. Since it's made to be broken, you could also use two rows. I am talking about the V4CO dual wavetable oscillator, which is a large module, and the even bigger GLITHc expander which is designed as a 'circuit bending patch panel'. When you're working with 8-bit wavetables, this is a logical choice.

This exotic combo may be for a glitch-specialized audience due to size, style and price. And yet, it's really easy to evoke music from it as well as noise. It's not a typical 259 dual VCO layout where you'll need to rely on FM. I guess you could see the V4CO combo as a twisted waveform generator with a great overdrive and a hacking panel. It works really well for fat menacing drones, even raw. But it shines with a simple filter like Ripples (FM input).

Liquid Sky sent me these units for review, which for me is like 'is it cool enough to make a video about it'. It definitely is."

Serge Modular | Episode 01 | Introduction

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"I really thought I'd be immune to that modular virus by now. I was wondering what the fuzz is about with Serge Modular. And here we are.

In this series, I am not going to show off my extensive knowledge of Serge systems and patching techniques because I am a blank sheet of paper.

I know nothing. In episode 1, I'll start with celebrating 50 years of Serge with a Paperface 50 reissue walkthrough. The paper-panel kits Serge made for his students back in CalArt 1970's. Then I'll try to translate the sections to contemporary Eurorack Serge modules. I am trying to borrow a Paperface from Random*Source to dive deeper and make this adventure more tangible.

Eventually, this series will cover all Serge modules I own, and hopefully I'll be able to explain how they work, and how to get music out of them.

My knowledge comes from Maths, which was inspired by the Serge DUSG Dual Universal Slope Generator (signal ins), the Buchla 281 quad function generator (trigger ins) and the 257 voltage math (SUM, INV, OR, center attenuators). And while this knowledge is very useful, I had no idea the DUSG would be so different and SO powerful. Even with four years of near full-time patching experience, I still know nothing. Except one thing. Serge represents completely unexplored territory for me. Considering the low amount of Serge videos on YT, I may not be the only one.

Today I extended my case with the DUSG and the RES EQ from someone who sold his entire modular rig. These modules were the last to go. So many people either don't like them, don't know them, or don't know how they work. I am from category 2 and 3. Serge is often considered 'low level', like he's turning his modules inside out, exposing circuitry that's usually hidden behind the panel. He provides total freedom. Let's find out if we can handle that."

Plasma Voice | By GameChanger Audio

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"When I saw this module for the first time a few months ago, I knew I wanted one yesterday. Then GameChanger audio reached out to me if I would be interested in doing a 'second opinion'. A different angle, away from the trash and farts, and more into the cinematic realm. Sure! It's absolutely stunning for many, many genres, also including ambient.

Compared to the old Plasma Drive, the Voice is a joy to work with. The Drive is an all or nothing distortion with no mercy. The Voice is a sound design dream with 49 'engines' which can deliver tons of sounds. It can scream and buzz like a fan in a bathtub, but when you turn default trigger mode OFF the oscillator will be free and ready for your own sculpting. It's no secret I prefer using a LPG instead of the internal VCA (or any) to take off the rough edges and add a bit of organic life to it. I don't think I can warmly recommend a module I got free of charge, but I am doing it anyway.

00:00 Introduction
02:51 First Patch
03:36 Commercial break with DataBender
04:15 First Patch continued
06:09 Grime (an obscure genre)
09:27 Noise Studies
11:22 Ambient Lightning"

Xtensions | Shared System 'X' tutorials episode 05 | New Arrivals

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"In my Shared System X series, I am exploring custom layouts for the MakeNoise multiverse. Since most modules offer basic features (modulation, basic waveforms, ringmod) they can also be useful for learning modular techniques. I already made a 'first patch' video for the new Channel Saver and PrssPnt modules, but they can have a different purpose in every new patch, so I wanted to use the 'new arrivals' with various modules like Morphagene and Mimeophon. They are extensions to the collection you already have, and this collection will immediately extend its capabilities with millions of new options. But I'll also revisit the DXG because it has a kind of 'weird' signal path I did not fully understand.

Here are the topics for today's tutorial:

00:00 Introduction
00:10 Dynamic gates
01:52 Complex LFO's
04:06 Mimeophon meets PrsSPNT
07:38 DXG insert/return
09:03 Waveforging (making twisted waveforms)"

XAOC Koszalin | Using the Frequency Shiftor on vocals

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"Sorry for the distracting dialog, which kind of illustrates that I don't like to speak on my videos.
But this time, I had to use a voice to demo frequency shifting on vocals. I couldn't avoid it.
I could have used a professional voice-over artists, but that would make my free videos unsustainable. Regardless, Koszalin is an awesome module that can completely transform any sound you throw at it."

MakeNoise PrssPnt & Channel Saver | First Patch

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"When MakeNoise announced the two little utility modules I couldn't help wondering why.

Channel Saver is like the two center Maths channels which most of us already have in our case. But it's also remarkably close to a Buchla 257 voltage math because of the crossfader. Unfortunately it doesn't have a CV to crossfade, which X-PAN has. It's a nice utility on its own, and a welcome patch buddy for Maths when it's doing 22 more important things. It all sounds like no big deal, but the combo can do amazing things once you start patching. A new module will exponentially expand your options.

PrssPnt is a no-brainer imho. Pressure Points was the go-to module for adding human interaction, but it was also the module that always had to go in favor for more important utilities. The video claims it's discontinued, but it's not. It's still available and in stock. The Brains expander, however, is officially in the discontinued list. Regardless, there's always room for the 4HP PrssPnt and even a tiny bit of human touch can do wonders. You'll be the clock, the expression and the source of uncertainty. I should have used that line in the video. But I bet you'll see it in a next Shared System X episode.

In this first-patch video, I removed Maths and Tempi, so no clocks or envelopes. I had to move the case around by touch and creativity. Working with limitations isn't just a fun challenge, it also makes room to really listen what your VCO's are capable of. I thought I knew the DPO, but it seems I only scratched the surface."

ALGO Quad Complex VCO by RYK Modular

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"RYK modular did it again. ALGO is a quad complex stereo VCO that will serve both the beginner as the advanced sound explorer.
ALGO's four oscillators can be used to create complex FM or additive sound textures (chords, pads, organs). A unique Algorithm Display gives an idea of what affects what, and it looks great. In a typical 4-Operator scenario, you can use M1 to M4 CV to modulate the volume of each voice, but you can also switch to FM mode and unleash chaos.
The module uses the 'sum of sines' technique to sculpt new sounds, but you can also use Warp and Fold to do traditional waveshaping and folding.

The module offers detuning, chorus and a built in VCA."

Tiptop Buchla Performance

video upload by Todd Barton

"My performance for the Modular World Tiptop Buchla Spotlight this past Sunday. [video below]

One of many amazing performances featuring the range of Tiptop Buchla modules. This performance features all the currently available modules including the external preamp input of the 207t mixer with my shakuhachi. Enjoy!

My Patreon: / synthtodd"

Ep43 - Spotlight: TIPTOP/BUCHLA

video upload by Modular World

"BUCHLA FOR THE PEOPLE!
Gur Milstein (TipTop), is working with Buchla under the consultation of Todd Barton to reissue the legendary 200 system from the early 70's. The best part--the modules are affordable.
I know Don Buchla would be very proud to see the kind of legacy that he has left behind if it means that more people could afford to touch his creations.

Modular World will always stand with stories about people, and the passions that push them to stand out. Gur Milstein (TipTop) told me that working with Don's old schematics to recreate these designs has been the greatest honor of his professional life. Yes.

Grab your popcorn and have a seat. With 18 performances and two amazing interviews, this is going to be good."

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