Shared System Tutorials | Episode 33 | 2-Operator FM

video by Cinematic Laboratory

"I never really knew what an FM 'operator' was so when I found out I wanted to share it. An FM operator is a combo of s sinewave, a VCA and an envelope. We can then use these 'operators' to interact with eachother in different settings called algorithms. The Shared System can offer two mono operators with DPO, Maths and the Moddemix VCA (or Optomix LPG). So we're still a long way from organs and electric piano's. But you can't patch an organ :). Have fun!"

Cinematic Laboratory Shared System Tutorials

MidCoast | VPME Quad Drums in the Shared System

video by Cinematic Laboratory

"After making Starter Kits Episode 5 with the Quad Drums I wanted to do a jam with QD and the Shared System. I had no plans recording it, just jamming. But it went really well (you never know upfront) so I decided to film and share it. There are hardly any patch notes, because you start anywhere and suddenly come up with something cool. But it's basically gate patterns from Rene and one simple melodic element from Rene's X channel. Star of the patch is obviously the Quad Drums, but Mimeophon is awesome as always. Don't forget to experiment with that 'hold' button!"

Cinematic Laboratory Shared System posts

Fields of Grain | Monome Grid + Grainfields VST | Instruo Arbhar.

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"I've been experimenting with granular synthesis. I created a few files with notes in a minor scale, coming from different VST sources. The idea behind this is to create 'multisample' files that can be used to 'grain' to actual notes in the scale and to make more musical soundbeds and scapes. In the first part I am testing the files with the Monome Grid and the GrainFields Max for Live application (free). Pretty impressive! But this is a modular channel so in the second part I'll be importing the files into Arbhar, to see if a modular can 'compete' with the powerful PC environment. I personally feel the results were more than impressive. I hope this video will inspire you! I guess it will also work for other granular machines like Morphagene, Nebulae and the new ADDAC 112."

Shared System Tutorials | Part 36 | Melodic Splices (Morphagene)

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"In my previous video, I found a cool way to work with granular synths by creating granular buffers in a melodic scale. This makes it much easier to pick a segment and use it as a pitched voice without affecting playback speed. Obviously, people wanted to know if such a thing would also work with Morphagene. Unfortunately, the Morph is a looper and doesn't support buffers and reversible enveloped polyphonic grains. Fortunately, the Morph is not alone in the Shared System. So I've created a reel with splices (markers) for each note. You can then pick a splice with a 'Shift' trigger or 'Organize' CV. I've added to the illusion with two Maths envelope and FX from Erbe-Verb and Mimeophon. Finally, there's a cool X-PAN tip you may want to explore: mixing CV. I consider X-PAN a vital part to the Shared System, even though it's not in there by default. It turns your mono synth into glorious stereo."

Erbe-Verb B&G | Shared System 'X' | Episode 03 | Back in Black

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"Yeah. I made episode 03 before I was able to finish episode 02 so I decided to post them both. There's no need on this channel to manage posts to maximize views, I just want you to be able to find information when you need it and I just LOVE to make content like this. I made a lot of videos about the EV in the past and it's covered in the old Shared System tutorials (link in video). In this video, I am going to try something new.

In this episode, I'll only use Erbe-Verb and DXG in a feedback loop. So no fancy 7U case layout this time, I made this video to find out if it can still be relevant in 2024. Since I am totally biased, you'll need to decide for yourself. Honestly, if you need a regular reverb, maybe a stereo module would serve you better.

Erbe-Verb is going for a limited rerun in black and gold, so this also means it's getting old and possibly moving to retirement. Without speculating too much, it's possible that MakeNoise is working on a successor now they have this amazing new ARM DSP board. But again, I have no idea. What we DO know is, that Erbe-Verb is widely considered as one of the best reverbs in eurorack, even though it's not the best reverb as a reverb. Que? It excels in creative use and abuse. It will never get old and whatever comes next, it will pair well with the EV (it pairs really well with a Mimeophon, StarLab, Sealegs or Desmodus Versio).

Apart from the sound design fun, Erbe-Verb plays a big role in the Shared System signature sound. While it's partly overshadowed by the more recent Mimeophon, the Mime's 'halo' only adds a little space. It's nothing compared to the 'icy sheet metal in deep space' sound from the EV, which can easily double as a classic spring- or plate reverb when 'absorb' and 'tilt' are used to tame the high end. I've never been a fan of the predelay, but it can do amazing things with modulation and gates/triggers.

The Erbe-Verb is 'mono IN' so it needs to be used as a send/return with a stereo voice like XPO or Spectraphon. Here's where a ModDemix comes in handy. You can use CH1 and CH2 to pass on your stereo mix to let's say an X-PAN, and use the Sum out to EV. Then you can patch the EV's stereo out to X-PAN's aux inputs. It's a lot of patching and modules for a verb, but it provides a lot of freedom."

Shared System Tutorials | Part 27 | Taming the #Wogglebug

Cinematic Laboratory

"I did two video's last week called 'Exorcist' and 'Wogglebug Ambient'. I discovered so many cool stuff when I made those that I decided to take them down and create a Part 27 in my Shared System series. So I added some more background information (Part 05 is covering the basics) and tried the Wogglebug VCO's in a heavy metal production where the loud and ambient parts were mixed with a drum kit and some distortion from Native Instruments Driver VST. Wogglebug is definitely a module that needs time and discovery, but there are some really cool features in there to add spice and grit to your patches. Have fun and go annoy some critters!

Note: there's an overlay mentioning the Les Paul real guitar, but I took it out and forgot to remove the overlay text - so the metal part is only wogglebug and no real stuff.

Visit Cinematic on Soundcloud: http://www.soundcloud.com/cinematic"

Aurelia | Kaitlyn's Easel Patch on the MakeNoise Shared System

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"Nine years ago (time flies) Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith posted one of the most inspiring Buchla patches ever created [links below], puzzling and inspiring the Buchla community from all over the world. Maybe this is the fist video that brings the recipe to Eurorack and the Shared System is a great system to try and cook it. While Kaitlyn's patch is haute cuisine, this is a bit closer to fast food thanks to Rene V2. It's not exactly an Easel keyboard, but a patch like this makes you realize how powerful it really is once you get your head around it. It can turn any CV source into an arpeggio. I am using Brains to sequence good ol' Pressure Points, but since Rene is doing all the heavy lifting, you'll have plenty of time to add some personal expression."

Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith Buchla Music Easel

Kaitlyn's Elegant Patch by Todd Barton

Dual #XPO | Shared System 'X' | Episode 02 | 259 is here again

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"This series is about getting creative within the confinement of the 7U case with black and gold modules which are available in retail. The goal is to build something like the original Shared System B&G where the collection and order of modules deliver a logical and intuitive synthesizer ecosystem.

The heart and soul of the original Shared is the DPO, which is a dual complex VCO, inspired by the Buchla 259 from the '70's. There's 'two five nine was here' printed on the circuitboard. While the DPO is still available, it's only available in silver, and it may not be restocked in the EU because it has a vactrol to strike the wavefolder. Without speculating too much, DPO will either leave the stage, or return as a 'green' revision borrowing a DXG strike. Who knows.

Even though I love Spectraphon, which also has a '259 inspired' design, it doesn't sound like an analog DPO. It doesn't have the raw sound of fresh timber. I've been experimenting with dual XPO's for a while now (there's a link to my XPO vs DPO video) and I've 'discovered' that adding a moddemix as a bus really approximates it, but can also go beyond any complex VCO I've heard. The output count is outrageous, and having the 'FM/MOD bus' on the outside brings you very close to a Serge design. It takes a bit more patching, but it also delivers tons of fun.

I am aware this series is a bit like a buying guide mixed with a MakeNoise ad but I am not affiliated with MakeNoise except that I am a groupie. I make fan films. We all have our favorites and MN was my entry into modular. I am totally biased. But these layouts also work with other brands and they're shared for inspiration. It's not the brand, not the modules, it's the roles, order and interaction of modules that turn a patch blanket into an ecoystem."

MakeNoise MEGA Patch | Episode 01 | Introduction

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"Last week the idea popped in that I've never tried to patch all my MakeNoise gear in one big set. It took me a few days to set it up, because these cases aren't permanent (except for the Shared). Obviously it's impossible to learn/try everything in one video so I'll be working on a series for as long as it will lead to interesting results. If you have any ideas, let me know in the comments and maybe I'll give them a try! I have to admit having no limitations is much harder than patching up a Shared System. This was super fun to do and I hope you'll like it too!"

Cinematic Laboratory MakeNoise Mega Patch Episodes

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."

Shared System Tutorials | Part 31 | The Strega Patch

video by Cinematic Laboratory

"I was very impressed when I saw the new MakeNoise Strega tabletop synth with Alessandro Cortini on the SonicState channel. I used some footage without permission, but this is an educational video, I am not monetizing my stuff and it's not harming anyone's revenue. Not even posting on FB. I just wanted to dive in, recreate that awesome sound on the Shared System and share it in this series. It's really cool to figure out how an instrument like the Strega gets from an idea to a real instrument and I bet the Shared has been a source of inspiration for many of its parts. I can't help hearing a lot of makenoise modules combined in this great new tabletop and I was intrigued by the fact that it used a clear Echophon pitched delay many people seem to abandon and replace with Mimeophon. As for Strega, I think it sounds like a 'old, new, borrowed, blue' marriage thing. It has the amazing sound of an STO, 0-Coast and DPO but there's seems no technology involved that had to be developed from scratch. It's a cool way to clean out some old Echophon chips and give them a second life. Have fun and let's hope the Strega (Witch) will hit the stores soon!"

Welcome to the Machine | Shared System & Beads

video by Cinematic Laboratory

"In this episode of 'Shared Guests' I've added Beads to the Shared System to be modulated by WoggleBug and process some DPO grains. It's funny how the character of Beads changes depending on the ecosystem it's in. Westcoast Beads!"

Shared System Tutorials | Part 29 | Rene Quantizer

Cinematic Laboratory

"I created this video on january 3rd so it was first uploaded as a Jamuary video. But when I created it I realized it's also a cool episode in the Shared System series. So I decided to upload it again for the series with a matching title thumbnail."

Transition | MakeNoise XPO x XPO

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"The X typically marks the location of a treasure and often symbolizes a crossroad or transition, invoking many associations.
XPO is the latest addition to the MakeNoise stereo lineup and I unofficially name my case the Shared System X. It's roughly a Shared System, but with dual XPO's instead of the DPO, QPAS, Mimeophon and X-PAN."

Shared System Tutorials | Episode 39 | Patching a Drum Machine

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"I uploaded this one as episode 40 yesterday, but I am not there yet. It's episode 39. In this episode I'll revisit a few techniques from previous episodes to create drum sounds. You can use the double sinewaves from DPO and the Optomix LPG to create all kinds of kicks and toms, but you'd need noise & FM to create hats, bells and snares. You'd need to make your own noise (or add a Telharmonic). Since the Shared System is basically a two voice mono synth, you can use Morphagene to create layers and build an alien drum machine. A dedicated module is much easier, but synthesizing your own has its charms too!"

Shared System Tutorials | Episode 40 | Morphagene loops & splices | With Teenage Engineering PO-32

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"In this episode I am going to use a 'cheap' drum source (but good!!!) to mash and splice up a simple drum loop into a retro-futuristic jam of beats and glitch. I've been using the Teenage Engineering PO-32 as the only sound source. It's a shared system tutorial, but it's mainly about the #Morphagene so I've been using the Tape & Microsound Music Machine layout to revisit some old school clocking techniques. This series could also be of some help if you only own a Morphagene and haven't been able to figure it out. Have fun!"

Something old, new, borrowed and blue | MakeNoise Shared Museum | Strega

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"Somewhere in the dungeons of my channel was a video with my Shared Museum, a collection of discontinued MakeNoise modules. The Cinematic Laboratory did not exist yet and only a hand full of people may have seen it. And yet, it was a really cool performance with the System played by hand instead of controllers/sequencers/keys. I remastered the audio and video and added a second 'remix' layer with the Strega. It's really cool to time travel between two years, and share a bit about how it's made.

Old - The Shared Museum, featuring Phonogene, RxMx and Mysteron
New - Strega
Borrowed - Error Instruments Cloud Busting & Desmodus Versio
Blue - My IKEA Besta 'modular' closet with the inevitable blue lights that always gives me the same light conditions no matter what time of day it is.


This 2021 performance is available on Bandcamp as part of the Ever Growing Modular Album: https://cinematiclaboratory.bandcamp...."

UNEXPECTRAPHON | Advanced Patching and Sound Design with Maths and Erbe-Verb.

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"Spectraphon is a module with many faces and a big mustache. It can have a classic additive spectral processed sound, but it also offers sub oscillators and two basic sinewaves, one clean, and one a bit saturated. It's a big module with a big sonic spectrum (duh!). But an even bigger world unfolds when you patch it up with some old friends, in this case Maths and Erbe-Verb. It's a module that needs to be explored and discovered.
Like Strega, Telharmonic, Mysteron and Erbe-Verb I don't really like Spectraphon's raw raspy sound which can easily dominate a patch and makes it very recognizable. However, the many output options can suit your needs for more gentle sounds. You just need to know how, so hopefully my patch adventures can offer some new perspectives. Welcome to the Unexpectraphon!

Fun fact, this video includes Shared System Tutorials 44 with different captions, explaining half-rectification of a simple sine with Maths.
I always see the Shared as a reimagination of the classic Buchla 200 series with a twist so I always think of it as 'vintage' instead of 'advanced'. Sure, it's an expensive powerhouse flagship but if you ignore the black & gold panels, you may also see a collection of basic modular functionality like LFO, Envelope, Polarizer, dual VCO, VCA, tape echo, reverb, clock division, randomization, 16 step sequencing, human interaction and basic sampling/looping. It's a template for a complete modular setup, only missing a filter. Even if you don't own a Shared, my 44 episodes can still bring you plenty of inspiration for similar modules and functions. I would never say 'everyone should own a Shared', but it helps to look at what it does - and all the things you have to do yourself, like making white noise from scratch.

00:00 Introduction
00:10 Rectification with Maths
02:21 Charming snakes again
04:02 Odd and Even output normalization and sound
05:48 Unexpected bowed strings
06:48 Erbe-Verb reverb trail feedback patch
09:09 Explicit Noise"

Shared System Tutorials | Part 26 | Clocks, Patterns & Gates

Cinematic Laboratory

"In this episode we'll take a deeper dive into clocks, gates, triggers, divisions and patterns to turn your shared into a techno system (or whatever you prefer) where you can patch all night. First, there's a bit of theory, a quick tribal jam (please use headphones to hear the deep sinewave low end) and then I'd like to show you a cool example mixing gate patterns with X-PAN and Maths to create gate patterns with dynamic volumes. If you love making beats, you'll definitely love this!"

And the full playlist:

MakeNoise MMG x 2 | Dual Multi-Mode Gate

video by Cinematic Laboratory

Update: the Arturia labeled Beatstep Pro turns into Behringer label Beatstep Pro at 2:34. Screengrabs below. Thanks to anonymous in the comments!

"In this session I powered up my 'Shared Museum' for some mindless jamming. I am still missing a QMMG (who doesn't), but I recently got a second MMG which forms a DMMG (dual multimode gate) so I wanted to try and use some stereo filter sweeps and a percussive patch full of vactrol strikes. Optomix and Moddemix can handle the VCA/LPG modes and it's pretty obvious this combo has been a better choice compared to the four LPG's/VCA's of the QMMG (because they're standard issue in the Shared System). However, they can't do the self oscillating feedback that gives the QMMG that unique raw squelch. This is where the MMG comes in. MMG can be seen as one full QMMG channel but with lots of extra knobs, CV control and three vactrols for mode, frequency and resonance (Q), including two strike inputs for frequency and resonance."

Before

Click the pic to zoom in.

After

Sound & Vision (Walker & Tony)

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"I revisited the conversation between Walker and Tony from MakeNoise and really enjoyed Walker trying to recreate one of the album patches for their 'Tales of two Systems' endeavour [posted here and here]. Whatever they do, it never sounds the same to me. His patch involved two alternating sequences, but the Shared System doesn't have a sequential switch and a basic Rene sequence can have 16 notes. His vision has 2x16 x2 playing after each other. So he had to use clock divisions from Tempi, sequence Rene state changes and clock automated Morphagene dubbing. It's a super interesting concept, but Walker clearly showed it's not an easy patch to direct/orchestrate/arrange. I tried this concept on the Westlicht Performer with Noise Engineering VCO's and the Morphagene. And I had a great time with it."