Darwin Grosse Interviews AudioCubes Inventor

via the Percussa newsletter

"Hi everyone, this is Celine from Percussa. I'm the other half of the Percussa AudioCubes Team :-)

I'm very happy to annouce that Darwin Grosse interviewed Bert Schiettecatte last week about the upcoming MIDIBridge 3 release for AudioCubes!

As you know Bert is the inventor and designer of AudioCubes and the main person working on the AudioCubes software and hardware and has been working very hard on this release, which introduces the exciting Topology mode.

In this interview, Bert talks about how he got involved in music technology, his background, what it takes to build music technology products and how he started Percussa and developed AudioCubes.

Listen to the interview (podcast) here.

He also goes over how the AudioCubes technology works and what is inside each of the AudioCubes and some of the challenges he had to tackle in developing AudioCubes.

Bert has been at it almost a decade, listening carefully to what AudioCubes users need and want. Here is what Darwin says about the interview:

"Bert's story is a somewhat common one - a guy with a vision of a product that works hard to make it happen. But when you start talking about all the different things that he had to learn - and master - for this implementation to succeed, it seems like an impossible task. So how does one person make the impossible happen? That's what we talk about. I hope you enjoy this one - it is very revealing, but also points to one of the most innovative products out there."

About Darwin Grosse

Darwin Grosse is the Chief Learning Officer at Cycling '74, which makes the audiovisual programming language Max/MSP. Darwin is also an adjunct faculty member at University of Denver, Colorado, and is a well known magazine writer, recording and mastering engineer and modular synth enthousiast. Previously, Darwin was also the Director of Engineering at Cycling '74 for almost a decade and has taught numerous Max/MSP workshops. Learn more about Darwin's work at http://darwingrosse.blogspot.be and http://darwingrosse.com and listen to more of his podcasts at http://artmusictech.libsyn.com"

Darwin Grosse of Cycling 74, 20 Objects and the Art + Music + Technology Podcast Has Passed Away

Some sad news sent my way via Joshua Shroyer, also feauted on Synthopia, where you'll find additional info on the impact Darwin Grosse has had in the synth community.

You should be familiar with his 20Objects Art + Music + Technology podcasts posted here on MATRIXSYNTH, as well as numerous other posts. His website is hosted at 20objects.com. He also worked with Cycling 74 and participated in LEAF (Lafayette Electronic Arts Festival). The image to the left is from the LEAF website which has the following bio on him:

"Darwin Grosse works in a modular world, combining modular synthesizers, video tools and compositing software to combine minimalist visuals with generative soundscapes. Based out of Northfield, Minnesota, Darwin uses natural movement as source material for geometric visual pieces, and writes custom audio-reactive software for his multimedia work."


His final podcast from May 15, 2022:
video upload by 20Objects

"Unfortunately, today is the last day of podcasting for the Art + Music + Technology podcast. Health issues have gotten in the way, and it would be impossible to continue.

You can read the transcription of this article, as well as finding some interesting writing on my Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/posts/66445163

Thank you for being such a great group of friends and supporters during this long series of music"

And the full run of Art + Music + Technology Podcast


And a playlist of tutorial videos hosted on his YouTube channel:

Marooned by Mark Mosher

"Instrumentation: 90% Nord Lead 4 Synthesizer (performance instrument with all original signature sounds), 5% Octatrack (performance sampler for original field recordings/samples and on-the-fly sequencing), and 5% Tenori-On (performance instrument and on-the-fly sequencing)

Music inspired by Louis and Bebe Barron

Artistic process inspired by Joan Miro, Clyfford Still, and Darwin Grosse

(c)(p) 2015 Mark J. Mosher (BMI) - CC-BY-NC"

"Marooned is an original cinematic electronic soundscape. I think of it as a score for a film yet to be made. An Earth ship crashes on a massive moon and the only hope for the crew's survival is making it across a harsh landscape to an alien outpost for a first, and uninvited, encounter.

This soundscape is in the same universe and is a prequel to my alien invasion concept album series Reboot, I Hear Your Signals, and Fear Cannot Save Us. Unlike the first three albums which contained shorter composed and often groove-based songs, this album contains a single long-form recording combining electronic tonalities and abstract expressionist music.

This work is an example of live sonic storytelling and was recorded in one pass (with no prerecorded sequences, overdubs, or edits) after weeks of improvising and rehearsal.

1 DESCENT
0:00 Approach
0:59 System Failure
1:30 Crash, Ejection, Blackout

2 ON THE SURFACE
2:08 Regaining Consciousness
4:14 Being Scanned

3 OUTPOST IN SIGHT
5:06 The Traverse


4 ENTER THE OUTPOST
7:10 Point of No Return
8:04 Solving the Airlock Puzzle
8:53 Moving Through the Darkness
9:30 The Trap

5 CAPTURED
10:47 March to Chamber

6 INSIDE OUR HEADS
15:00 Extracting Secrets of Man and Machines

7 DREAMING OF HOME
18:22 Extracting our Dreams
credits
released 28 April 2015

Written, performed, programmed, and produced by Mark Mosher

Cover photo and design, liner notes, and graphical score by Mark Mosher

Instrumentation: 90% Nord Lead 4 Synthesizer (performance instrument with all original signature sounds), 5% Octatrack (performance sampler for original field recordings/samples and on-the-fly sequencing), and 5% Tenori-On (performance instrument and on-the-fly sequencing)

Music inspired by Louis and Bebe Barron

Artistic process inspired by Joan Miro, Clyfford Still, and Darwin Grosse

(c)(p) 2015 Mark J. Mosher (BMI) - CC-BY-NC

www.markmoshermusic.com"

Update:

Excerpts from Mark Mosher "Marooned" Live Textures Ambient Showcase

Published on Apr 28, 2015

https://markmosher.bandcamp.com/album...

"I performed 'Marooned', a my 20-minute cinematic electronic soundscape in 7 movements, on April 26th, 2015 at the Textures Ambient Showcase at the Mutiny Information Cafe in Denver. This is 3m30so video of excerpts from that show shot with a GoPro I had on a bookcase behind me.

Marooned is an original cinematic electronic soundscape. I think of it as a score for a film yet to be made. An Earth ship crashes on a massive moon and the only hope for the crew's survival is making it across a harsh landscape to an alien outpost for a first, and uninvited, encounter.

This soundscape is in the same universe and is a prequel to my alien invasion concept album series Reboot, I Hear Your Signals, and Fear Cannot Save Us. Unlike the first three albums which contained shorter composed and often groove-based songs, this album contains a single long-form recording combining electronic tonalities and abstract expressionist music.

This work is an example of live sonic storytelling and was recorded in one pass (with no prerecorded sequences, overdubs, or edits) after weeks of improvising and rehearsal.

B&W photo in video by Chris Sessions chrissessions.com/"

Darwin Grosse's "Official" K2000 Tutorial

"Each tutorial features three sections:
* The tutorial text.
* The .KRZ file.
* A .ZIP file containing both text and .KRZ"

You can find it on mememiner.com.

Snyderphonics Manta - Northwoods Wildlife Pyrography Manta Released

http://www.snyderphonics.com/

SNYDERPHONICS MANTA GETS EVEN MORE FUTURISTIC

Now the most expressive touch controller available has a special edition case to match its futuristic feel.

Snyderphonics, a new company founded by inventor and instrument designer Jeff Snyder, announced the release of the Manta touch controller in June. The Manta - a slim, compact, touch-sensitive controller for audio and video - is popular with musicians around the world for its expressive capabilities. There's no better tool for your electronic Hardanger Fiddle transcriptions and country-western synth sounds than the Manta. Flat has never been this sexy.

Now, in celebration of the success of their first commercial product, Snyderphonics is releasing an unusual special edition "Northwoods Wildlife Pyrography" style Manta. Only two of these attractive laser-engraved white-tail deer designs are available ($950USD). Don't miss your chance to match the amber fireplace glow of the Manta's LEDs with an appropriate log cabin visual flair. Nothing says "the future of music" like traditional wood-burning techniques.

Snyderphonics was established for the express purpose of providing distinctive and innovative interfaces for the creation of expressive electronic music. The Manta is the first in an unusual line of groundbreaking instruments designed by Jeff Snyder. All Snyderphonics products are completely fabricated and hand assembled in the U.S.A.

"There's no question that Snyderphonics' pretty box makes a great synth front-end; this is one of the most responsive and generally awesome synth controllers we've used." -Future Music

“It provided some of the nicest music I've done in ages - mainly because it provides a different feel from any electronic instrument I've used…outrageously inspiring.”
– Darwin Grosse (director of engineering for Cycling 74)"

http://www.snyderphonics.com/

CLICK FOR MORE »

Simple Step Sequencer for Livid Code

Published on Nov 29, 2012 by lividTV

"This is a quick demo of a simple step sequencer for the Livid Code.
more info http://blog.lividinstruments.com/2012/11/30/darwins-code-step-sequencer-an-ev...

An update to Darwin Grosse's step sequencer as outlined in Part One of "Working with Hardware" http://cycling74.com/2012/01/04/working-with-hardware-livid-instruments'-...

This is the sort of 'most obvious' approach to making a step sequencer on the Code: thirty-two steps, with the knobs changing pitch on a pentatonic scale. Because it's so simple, it's ultra-fun, and similar to classic analog step sequencers.

In that analog spirit, this video uses Reason's SubTractor synth, with its Echo delay to make some really great sounds with the simple stepper."

via Peter Nyboer on The MATRIXSYNTH Lounge

Mixing with Propellerheads Reason and Livid Code Step Sequencers

Published on Nov 30, 2012 by lividTV
Further explorations of using a simple step sequencer build in Cycling74's Max with Reason's amazing sound toys. More information and downloads (including free step sequencer app) is available at http://blog.lividinstruments.com/2012/11/30/the-evolution-continues-code-and-...
All of the effects, synths and sequences are controlled with the Livid Code MIDI controller. An over the shoulder camera view lets you see that everything is done in realtime, and in the screen capture of Reason lets you see the parameters as they change. There's a better take of the music mix here http://bit.ly/SAc2fd"

Ninstrument Modified Pittsburgh Modular Oscillator

via Ninstrument:

"Take a good Eurorack Oscillator and with a couple of key modifications make it a great performance Oscillator! First remove the single turn potentiometer that controls frequency and replace it with a high precision ten turn potentiometer. This gives you much finer control than even the existing fine tune knob. Speaking of which, since the primary potentiometer is now much finer than the ‘fine’ tune knob, replace it with a +/- Octave switch. This makes it easier to move up or down an octave depending how you have set the frequency knob.

You can set the amount you want to move up or down by adjusting these added trimpots for the +/- octave switch.

This original idea was from Darwin Grosse (20 Objects) who likes to perform as often as he can and uses his Eurorack modular primarily when he does perform. He told me ‘I think there is enough room to fit a ten turn pot in this Pittsburgh Oscillator.’ After carefully taking one and cutting out the front PCB I realized there was. I quickly made a couple for him and one for myself and now I must say I am spoiled and wished more Eurorack modules had these ten turn pots!"

ArdCore, 20Objects & Snazzy FX

YouTube Uploaded by 20Objects http://www.20objects.com

Playlist:
1) ArdCore Sketch 18: Variation Generator
Uploaded by 20Objects on Mar 24, 2011
This is a simple example video showing the ArdCore sketch #18 running on a hacked-together version of the ArdCore module. It produces output variations that can be used for clocking other modules, or for creating rhythmic drum tracks.


2) ArdCore Sketch 04: Drunken Note
Uploaded by 20Objects on Apr 4, 2011
This is a demo video of the various functions of sketch 04 for the ArdCore modular synthesizer. For more information, check out www.20objects.com


3) ArdCore Sketch 16: Clock Multiplier
Uploaded by 20Objects on Apr 6, 2011
This is an example video for sketch 16 - the clock multiplier. It's useful for creating polyrhythms or for using ratcheting effects.


4) ArdCore Sketch 23: Voltage Recorder
Uploaded by 20Objects on Apr 8, 2011
This sketch provides some interesting options for recording voltage streams within a modular synthesizer.


5) ArdCore Sketch 02: Quantizer
Uploaded by 20Objects on Apr 10, 2011
An example of how to use the ArdCore quantizer within a your modular


6) ArdCore Sketch 06: Trigger-to-Gate
Uploaded by 20Objects on Apr 12, 2011
This sketch shows the use of the ArdCore to transform trigger events into gate voltages, under both manual and modular control.

---

Via Dan Snazelle of Snazzy FX on the SDIY list:

"In Eurorack and 5u there is the forthcoming ARDCORE module.

It has ins and outs, CLock in, trigger and gate outs, a usb port, etc and is based around Arduino and Darwin Grosse's custom library of programs focused on Modular Synthesis. (25 programs and counting)

voltage recorders, quantizers, drunken walk generators, lfos, shift register, trigger multipliers, etc

My company (snazzy fx) is releasing the Eurorack version and Darwins company 20Objects is releasing the 5u."

Meet And maX Virtual Meetup - Modular Synthesizer Graphical Programming Discussion Livestream

Published on Apr 21, 2020 Perfect Circuit

"Join our first ever virtual Meet And maX—a community gathering dedicated to Cycling 74 Max, a powerful graphic programming environment that works with a variety of media, from sound to video, to 3D graphics, to physical computing, and more.

Max lets you connect anything to anything, and we put together Meet and maX to connect all of you. In our inaugural livestream we will host a pretty diverse group of Max folks, including Darwin Grosse and Dan Derks from Cycling 74, independent developer and artist Dillon Bastan, MIDI whiz and current meetup host Aaron Levitz, as well as Perfect Circuit maxers Ryan Gaston, and Eldar Tagi.

We will be talking about building plugins in max for live, using Max for interactive livestreams, hardware integration, and a bunch of other things. Tune in to the stream and bring questions."