Meng Qi Wing Pinger & Chase Bliss Mood mk2 // Meditation through pings, an intimate process

video upload by Dexba

"Playing with the Wing Pinger by @MengQiMusic is a meditative practice. 🪷
While it looks simple (and beautiful) on the outside, the balance required to achieve something to be proud of is considerable.
That’s the reason why, even though I play frequently with this instrument, I rarely record with it, because it feels like being naked and vulnerable.
The right output (the lower note) is going back into the left input, in order to get a mono output that can go into the Mood mk2, since the pedal didn't handle well the double mono nature of the Wing Pinger.
I hope you'll enjoy the meditative nature of this video with me!"

Neutral Labs Elmyra 2 - Drone Synthesizer // Demo, Tutorial and Opinions

video upload by Dexba

"SUBTITLES AVAILABLE (in many languages!) I've had the lucky chance to be able to check out the Elmyra 2, by Neutral Labs. It has a very interesting approach to performance and sound building: it looks easy, but it can get way deeper than you think. After playing with it for a long while, I decided to offer you a tour of its functions, plus my (unrequested) opinions, all in this desktop configuration. Since the video was getting pretty long already, even by just covering the basic functions, I decided to keep the eurorack approach for a later time, also because that would have prompted me to give even more (unrequested) opinions, and the possible combinations of modules would have been endless (except for the mandatory huge reverb!). In this video, I used the very good reverb on the Dirtywave M8 Tracker, which was very handy because of its 3.5mm jack and the capability of isolating just the active channel on the cable. I hope you'll find the video useful, in its "overview" part, and I hope the "opinion" part could spark some constructive debate."

0:00 Jam Excerpt
0:29 Intro
1:10 What is an Elmyra?
4:07 Voice Controls
6:20 Delay
7:12 Advanced Settings Intro
7:57 AS - Onboard Reverb
8:56 AS - Mix Saturation
11:13 AS - Miscellaneous
12:21 AS - Filter Type
14:41 AS - Octave Switch
15:28 AS - Miscellaneous
16:04 MODP - Red
16:51 MODP - Green
17:59 MODP - Mint
18:56 MODP - Purple
19:23 MODP - Blue
20:05 MODP - Cyan
21:58 MODP - Yellow
23:16 MODP - White
24:23 MODP - Pink
25:25 MODP - Lime
26:03 Utilities
28:15 OUCH
30:15 Existential Crisis
31:55 Personal Considerations
38:37 Full Jam

Additional posts featuring the Neutral Labs Elmyra 2

Korg Monologue & Chase Bliss Mood Mk2 // End of the year!

video upload by Dexba

"I got a bit emotional, with my internal (and external) Monologue, both the instrument and the thoughts.
Plus, since 2023 has been very frustrating in all of its parts, even this video has been compromised by everything that could go wrong: dead batteries, bugs in the Mood (first time ever), the camera shut itself off in some other recordings, and so on.
Two years ago I was playing with a $2000 Moog Matriarch going into a $1.100 CXM1978, now I am running a $200 Korg Monologue through a $400 Mood Mk2, and I am ultimately sad that everything around me seems to be turning into dust, but I am still here, and music is still by my side, and judging from the result, seems like once again music is still the most empathetic and sympathetic friend I have.
I hope you'll enjoy it! And spend some time with your loved ones 🧡"

Instruo Arbhar & Lubadh // Everything started with a resonant filter!

video upload by Dexba

"All did indeed start with a single ping from the Instruo I-o47, and then through the magic of recording many of them at different Lubadh's speeds... we got to this chirping forest of layers upon layers of magic!
Arbhar came last, providing some substance under Lubadh (and the reverb too!), so I could easily tweak the two decks without having moments of silence.
I left this going for hours, then I decided it was time to add some voice too, since I had been kinda singing along the whole afternoon, and here we go!
I am very proud of this, I know it will perform pretty poorly on YouTube, but I honestly care very little, since this is what I want from a performance, and I am happy to present it to you.
I hope you'll enjoy it!"

Buchla TipTop + Strymon Starlab // More than just blipblops

video upload by Dexba

"I wanted to be more regular with the uploads, but it turned out life always gets in the middle. But here we are: the most analog waves coming from the Buchla by TipTop Audio lineup crashing against the digital Strymon Starlab shore.
The setup is comprised of a double 258t (oscillator), one of which is producing the chords you've heard at the beginning, while the other is on modulation duty.
The main interest of the patch was going into the Starlab already in stereo, so the two channels of the 257t are used as mixers between Left Osc + Sum and the other Right Osc + Sum, in order to have stereo bouncing around more as an accent, rather than being too abrupt, all of this controlled by the S/H coming from the other oscillator going into the 266t. The infamous 292t gets to work both as a summing mixer and a normal VCA.
The extra two voices you hear (the higher one and the very low one) are from the oscillators used for the S/H process, which I tuned to be useful twice too!
Hope you'll enjoy it! 🧡"

video upload by Dexba

"I mean... it was on sale, how could I resist?
First day with the Polyend Tracker: this jam came out spontaneously while browsing the manual and familiarizing with the instrument (and the manual was mostly to double check before clicking something that could have destroyed the whole project!).
I've never used a tracker before, but everything came natural to me, with the modifiers, the lovely Fill modes (that on modular would have cost something around five million bucks), and let's be honest: the amazing design, both of the instrument and the interface.
Love it.
And probably the most 'track-like' recording I've ever put on this channel.
I hope you'll enjoy it 🧡"

Meng Qi Wing Pinger & OP1 Field // Welcome to my synthetic dojo

video upload by Dexba

"I finally managed to bring the Wing Pinger to the new house, and as soon as I plugged it in, I remembered why I got it in the first place: its range from mellow, realistic birds, to harsh and complex territories, in a single twist of a knob.
This time it can also make friends with the OP1 Field, acting as a recorder and FX for the Wing Pinger, in a somewhat small and portable experimental setup (there would be so much to sample!).
After I recorded this, I laid down for a while, simply enjoying the ever-changing soundscapes, and it was a very much-needed moment of bliss."

How to recreate the Hologram Microcosm in Eurorack (for just 10x the price)

video upload by Dexba

"Do less with more! Wasn't that the saying?
With this patch I wanted to recreate a simple two-voice setup, using two different sequencers but the same oscillator (the Instruo Cs-L), and then run them through a sort of Hologram Microcosm remade in eurorack.
As for the PROs, a little tune at the beginning, then the patch demonstration/tutorial/patch breakdown/something else I don't remember, and the final complete jam at the end of the video.
Enjoy! 🧡"

0:00 Initial Demo
1:11 Patch Breakdown
6:19 S/H little tutorial
9:46 Full Jam

Instruō Lúbadh & Cš-L // Tape Looper as a Glitch Ambient Machine

video upload by Dexba

"This video follows the live stream from two days ago!
A single voice from the Instruo Cs-L is being fed four different sequences coming from the TipTop Buchla 245t, passing through the two mixers of the 257t, being once again mixed into the Instruo [1]f before entering the Instruo Harmonàig. A touch of reverb coming from the Strymon Starlab, and the recording stereo into the Lubadh, using both the decks.
Tape emulation is cranked up, as the input volume, to get all the tape flavour even while passing through, and after a good amount of recording, you will hear the modulations ready to mangle the tape, overlaying some glitchy madness to the otherwise relatively calm background.
I hope you'll enjoy it! 🧡"

Teenage Engineering OP1 Field // Sound Quality You Can Finally Trust?

video upload by Dexba

"Yes, no, overpriced toy, saviour of all the portable jams, we will probably never know (and to each their own opinion). I got one, I was sceptical, because I already had four original OP1 in the past, and I was always tempted more by the idea, rather than any particular characteristic other than the portability.

The sound quality on the previous iteration was risible, the output used to hiss like a cat, it lacked dimension, character (other than being toyish) and practicality.

OP1 Field changes almost everything: it now features control over the quality of the tape and some other parameters, different projects we can save and recall, and sound quality is now at least up to par the job of not sounding like the Casio common ancestor, the new Mother Reverb sounds like a reverb and the Spring has become useful! WOW, and I am not sarcastic.

I would have never imagined a jam on my huge speakers with the previous OP1, and now here I am, with one track of the new Dimension analogue-ish synth through the cow (yes!) and the other three tracks coming from Strings, with an increasing number of overdubbing, always through the Grid effect.

Yes, it still lacks some features (I am not talking about the Undo, but for example the possibility of recording on tape while recording the master: it would have been handy to push the overdubbing even further), and the maximum sample length is a bit... old school, but I am so happy I can finally welcome an instrument I won't sell out of frustration in a matter of weeks 🧡"

Elektron Digitone and Meng Qi Wingie 2 // Starbucks Challenge @Betehatve

video upload by Dexba

"This is what I had to do to earn me some drinks as a struggling psychologist, I mean, musician!
My friend over at @Betehatve challenged me and other people to get creative with a chord progression in order to win some drinks, and I obviously couldn't resist.
Must be noted that I converted that prize into a TocoToco order because that granted me 12 drinks instead of 2 from the already [too many times] mentioned Starbucks.
I think I am also kinda legally obligated to state that Starbucks is not affiliated in any way with this, even though that would have been rad.
Anyway, here it is. Some silly content, with my trusty (now gone 😥) Elektron Digitone and my even more trusty (now I have two, thank you @MengQiMusic ) Wingie 2, used as a surprisingly good microphone!
Enjoy the silliness 🧡"

Instruō Arbhar and Säich // Granular Hulusi 葫芦丝

video upload by Dexba

"Here it is: I am coming out with my modular setup, constantly evolving, and heavily biased on the Instruo (or better: Instruō) side.
Very few modulation sources, since they're kinda hard to come by, and let's admit it: it is more fun buying stuff like Arbhar, Lubadh or even the Strymon Starlab, rather than splurging one thousand euros on some VCA. Or not?
Anyway, here I am back in the eurorack, and this time I am here to stay.
There will be a lot of educational videos too, especially focusing on the Buchla - Tip Top module series, and obviously Instruo too :)
Hope you'll enjoy, and be excited like I am!"

Strymon Starlab & Magneto #eurorack #ambient #strymon

video upload by Dexba

Make Noise 0-Coast // First Ambient Approach

video upload by Dexba

"Almost 5 years after my first Make Noise 0-Coast, I got one again.

I don't even know why: I am slowly moving back to eurorack, but the 0-Coast is only marginally modular or rackable, so yeah, I got just struck by a lightning of GAS.

Anyway, this is my little welcome jam.

I only had three cables, the bare minimum for sequencing, and I decided to expand the sound with the help of the Hologram Microcosm.

I've heard a lot of experimental, noise, and harsh-sounding demos on YouTube, so let's see how it will work with something more gentle."

Meng Qi Wingie 2 // Unattended Under the Rain 🌧️

video upload by Dexba

"PLEASE - DO IT AT YOUR OWN RISK
[it is specifically recommended to keep the instrument away from moisture, let alone leaving it under the rain]

You'll probably have noticed that already: I really like the Wingie 2.
The microphone especially was a new spark for creativity and curiosity, the sheer joy of messing around with gear.
Combine that with my fascination for rainy days, and I couldn't waste the opportunity to try it under some watery plic ploc.
This was just a first attempt: I will try again, implementing midi, for a broader variation, but the "ambient-feeling" from the ambience sounds turned out to be lovely, and I've listened to this literally for hours, hidden behind the camera, peeping the world through my new resonator.
Hope you'll enjoy it! 🧡"

Meng Qi Wingie 2 // Blippoo Box New Firmware Demo

video upload by Dexba

"What a fantastic addition!
As a beautiful homage to Rob Hordijk's legacy, Meng Qi has just released a new firmware, featuring a recreation of the Blippoo Box.
It sounds incredible, it will provide hours of sonic exploration in the ultra-compact, battery-powered Wingie form factor, what could we ask for more?
Can't wait to see what other firmware will come for the Wingie platform!!!
In this video, you will find a bit of a demo and a rough tutorial.
Hope you'll find it useful! 🧡"

Wing Pinger, Wingie2 and Digitone // Living on a Cloud

video upload by Dexba

"I am super happy about this setup, and this video is actually coming from a bit of practice for some live events (both online and offline).
Everything is chained, starting from the Elektron Digitone, an incredibly versatile and compact digital synth, going into the Wing Pinger, used here as a quirky and mysterious stereo filter;
The Wing Pinger is going into the Wingie2, used also as a bit of a mixer, being sequenced by the Digitone, but with the flip of the Line/Microphone switch, I can quickly jump to vocal interaction.
Glueing everything together, the Hologram Microcosm.
I am currently loving the Microcosm not only for the dreamy sounds but also for the versatility of being a looper (like here, reversing and pitching a snippet from the Digitone), reverb, delay, filter and granulator at the same time.
Obviously, it's not as good as dedicated pedals for each task would be, but it helps me keep everything compact. The next step would be to provide MIDI for the Wing Pinger and Microcosm too, but I currently don't own any midi splitter.
I am also eyeing the 1010Music Lemondrop to go even more compact, any insight about that?
In the meantime, I hope you enjoyed it, maybe with your eyes closed or as background, dreamy, noise ✨"

Meng Qi WINGIE 2 Resonator // Demo Tutorial Walkthrough

video upload by Dexba

"It's here, I love, and I hope I can spread some extra love with this video about the @Meng Qi Wingie 2, or Wing 2, as YouTube keeps suggesting.
It is a lovely, tiny, portable, stereo resonator, that is giving me more joy and exploration than a lot of many, 20 times more expensive, other instruments.
I am demoing it both with the onboard microphones and some samples coming from the Digitakt.
All the demo is the dry sound of the Wingie, except for the last part, where it is also stated I have added a reverb to the demos you've heard at the beginning.
I hope you will find something useful here, and as always I am more than ready to answer your question, if I can 🧡

TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Demo of the 4 algorithms
0:46 What is this?
2:01 Noise
2:44 Proper notes
3:40 3rd and 5th are your friends
4:18 Sinewaves?
4:49 MIDI sequencing
6:12 Instrument Overview
7:18 Poly mode
8:42 Strings and Note Cycling Threshold
10:25 Bar mode
10:49 Cave mode
12:44 Microphone Gain
13:56 Line Input Gain
15:09 Connectivity
15:24 Careful, always careful
15:57 Demo with Valhalla reverb"

SOMA Pulsar-23 + Meng Qi Wing Pinger // Synthetic Forest

video upload by Dexba

"I can feel it: it's the sensation of moving in the right direction with my setup and my musical scope.
I'm no producer, I think you already grasped that from my channel's general vibe, so what I really like to do is as little planning as possible and just follow the stream, the dialogue between me and the instruments.
And this is like... the goal! I can finally see the end of the tunnel, now I only have to work on the relationship with my gear, learn, practice, and improve.
This idea was born after stumbling upon some recordings of birds in a song from Pere Ubu, and I was pretty sure they were doable with a synthesizer too!
The Pulsar-23 by SOMA was the closest thing to a modular I had, so I went for that, but it wasn't without challenges, since there is only one LFO and the polarity/wave shape has no modulation control, so a simple task like alternating rhythmically up and down pitch synchronized with the gates got way more challenging than it sounds :) Wing Pinger is my new crush, no need to hide it, and even though (surprisingly enough) it doesn't pair well with the Hologram Microcosm, I really wanted to give more ambiance, a more washed feeling to the lonely upper filter playing. I think you'll see this setup again and again, so I hope you enjoy ✨"

Meng Qi Wing Pinger // Pingless Lullaby

video upload by Dexba

"IT'S HERE! I GOT IT!

I've probably never wanted an instrument so much like the Meng Qi's Wing Pinger (and I can't wait to get the Wingie2 and expand everything with some modular gear in the future)

I am both a sine guy and a ping guy, I love sines, sweet curves, blipblops, perforating my ears with awesomeness!

So, I had to start somewhere, and I started from a... pingless little tune, on an instrument called PINGER: life's strange.

Recordings don't make justice to the experience; for a distracted listener it would probably sound like some strange phone tone moving around, but there is something magical about the approach, the experience of touching and subtle movements required to create delicate balances, both for the pinging and the FM interaction. But we start here today! Only a very minimal drop of Chase Bliss' CXM1978 for the reverb, conveniently cutting the booming basses, but I wanted to keep it clean!"