Eurorack Phasers

volume 3 video upload by John Schussler

"I got a Pittsburgh Modular Toad not long ago, and realized I'd not compared the WMD Orion to anything either. Figured I'd put them both together, and throw in the G-Storm Polychrome to help join this video with earlier comparisons of eurorack phasers.

The Orion is now discontinued, and the Toad is a limited edition that will sell out. Only the Polychrome is in continued production. Not that there aren't other phasers, mind you, just saying if you like these....

VCO is a Befaco Pony. Little bit of reverb to make it not so harsh, but not too much. That's about it. Enjoy.

00:00 Intro
00:20 Drone
11:32 Sequence"

Eurorack Phasers - Take 2

video upload by John Schussler

"(This is a 'headphones required' video. You won't hear half of what's going on if you don't listen in headphones.)

This is my second attempt at a video on eurorack Phasers. The first (linked here but not otherwise listed in my channel: Eurorack Phasers) contained a number of mistakes. I'm keeping it around because I actually find those mistakes interesting, and want to be able to remind myself.

In particular, I didn't understand a couple things:

1) The SynthTech E560 input isn't set up for Eurorack levels, it's set up for line levels. If you don't attenuate the input, it distorts rather badly.
2) You have to use BOTH outputs of any module (that has them) if you want to hear stereo phasing. It's the contrast between the source audio and the phased audio that makes the effect, and you need two outputs to make that happen.

So. Once again into the breach, I attempt to compare some eurorack phasers. I think somewhat more successfully this time.

00:00 Intro
00:20 Next Phase
08:19 E560
17:15 Kamieniec"

Previously posted: Eurorack phasers - two new additions

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"

Abyss Devices - Tube distortions compared

video upload by John Schussler

"Abyss Devices makes a couple different tube-based distortions. The Saevitum is bigger, with a resonant LP/HP filter attached, and Saevicus is smaller with no (resonant) filter. Both use 12AX7 tubes and similar amp circuitry, so I was interested to see where their sounds differed or were the same.

Since the Saevicus doesn't have a resonant filter (it has as filter, but it serves mostly as a simple tone control), I focused on the distortion sounds from each module, with my main question being whether the smaller Saevicus was missing anything in that department, or whether it was just as growly as its big brother.

Input audio was a basic saw wave from a Doepfer A-111. Sequenced by Stochastic IG. Envelope by Zadar.

00:00 Intro
00:20 Basics
03:00 Feedback
04:41 Saevitum filter
08:40 Saevitus gain
11:56 Saevitum filter"

Small rhythm generators - instant gratification test

video upload by John Schussler

"There are a metric ton of rhythm generating modules in Eurorack. I have a few of them. My goal in this video is to look at the instant gratification level the modules in this group provide. Some of them are significantly more complicated than others, but all are 10hp or less.

It's not a feature-to-feature comparison, since some are Euclidian and several are not. It's really a 'how hard is it to hear something good come out' kinda deal, without having to study and elaborate manual. Yes, one should RTFM, but on the other hand it's a sign of good design when the interface is so intuitive you don't need the manual.

The drums are an MSW SY0.5, a WMD Kraken, and a WMD Chimera.

00:00 Intro
00:20 Kompas
04:30 Beat Freqs
10:16 Little Nerd
16:55 Euclidean
21:56 Dot
28:02 Grids
34:51 Launch Codes"

Complex oscillator comparison - Cosmotronic vs. Hexinverter

video upload by John Schussler

"Unlike the Verbos and Sputnik complex oscillators I looked at last time [posted here], which are fairly straightforward, the Cosmotronic and Hexinverter complex oscillators are...definitely more complex.

They both add phase modulation to the wavefolder, and include more elaborate modulation buss control. Plus more intermodulation capabilities.

They're set up sufficiently differently that a direct feature-by-feature comparison would be hard to do in a sensible way. Or in under 3 hours. So this is really a long, meandering, very skip-around-able video to sample both flavors.

And when you're done, go listen to the Verbos and Sputnik. It's an interesting comparison.

Sequence: Stochastic IG. Envelope: Zadar

00:00 Intro
00:20 Vortex sequence
21:38 Vortex drone
28:28 Mindphaser sequence
47:22 Mindphaser drone"

Serge Random*Source Resonant EQ - SMD vs Thru hole

video upload by John Schussler

"I've had an SMD version of the Random*Source Serge Resonant EQ for some time, and have been curious to know whether the older thru-hole version had a significantly different sound. I recently ran across one for sale, so here we are.

This is basically me trying to figure out how they're different, and whether I have a preference. Ideally I'd only keep one, but....

Source oscillator is an Acid Rain Chainsaw in single saw mode.
Sequence from Stochastic IG. Envelope from Zadar.

00:00 Intro
00:20 SMD Self-oscillation
04:03 TH self-oscillation
07:27 Sequence
13:55 Faster sequence"

Cre8Audio - Chipz dual VCO

video upload by John Schussler

"This is a general overview of the Cre8Audio Chipz.

It's a lo-fi VCO inspired by early video game sound generators. But that sortof undersells it...it's got lots of character baked in.

Each voice is independent. The first has a filter, the second a "duty cycle" control (aka PWM for a square wave, but in this case for more than just that).

The LFO can be reset, which is great for synching modulation to a clock (sadly I didn't get around to demoing that here).

Nothing else here but the Chipz and a little reverb at the end. Envelope by Zadar. Sequence by Stochastic IG.

00:00 Intro
00:20 VCO 1
02:43 VCO 2
04:14 LFO
07:00 Sequence
08:42 Envelope to filter
09:33 Envelope to VCA
11:00 Wiggle wiggle
14:40 Both VCOs, a fifth apart
17:18 Both VCOs, octaves"

Eurorack Ring Modulators

video upload by John Schussler

"Ring modulation, according to the interwebs, is basically AM modulation (amplitude modulation) that goes through the full cycle. In AM modulation, any frequency below zero simply stops the oscillator. With ring modulation, you're still modulating the amplitude, but when the signal goes below zero volts it inverts the oscillator signal rather than stopping it. This creates a variety of new harmonics.

But those aren't necessarily 'ringing' harmonics. The ring in the name comes from the fact that most ring modulators use a "ring" of 4 diodes one into the other to create the effect.

Here's a sampling of the modules I have at the moment, doing a basic comparison of how their timbres differ. And a few have extra features that I'll try to resist playing with for sake of a fair comparison, but will probably fail in the attempt.

Sequence: Stochastic IG. VCO: Dixie II+ square (carrier) and saw (modulator). Envelope: Zadar

00:00 Intro
00:20 Blokan
03:56 RK3
09:35 Erica Synths
15:14 Serge
19:24 Gated sequence
27:28 Ring SM
35:47 E560"

Two New Waveshapers - August 2023

video upload by John Schussler

"New month, new modules.

I built the Wave Animator from the kit: it's very straightforward with a small part count and easy assembly.

I most certainly did not build the Foldiplier. It's got lots of parts and does not look to me like an easy project. (Zlob's web page rates its difficulty at 3.5/5)

They're both waveshapers, but with very different approaches. The Wave Animator is based on an Ian Fritz design that produces two pulses whenever it sees an input wave. The Foldiplier is a more "standard" wavefolder/harmonics generator, with the caveat that it has a feedback mode best described as 'pissed off.'

Both are quite fun.

00:00 Intro
00:20 Wave Animator
07:02 WA growly bits
12:45 Foldiplier
19:45 Foldiplier feedback"

Future Sound Systems: FIL3 and FIL4 dirty filters compared

video upload by John Schussler

"Future Sound Systems isn't known for making polite modules. Their original claim to fame was a Eurorack version of the Gristelizer, and surely the name alone is enough to tell you what it sounded like.

These two modules are both filters (though not part of the Gristleizer line). The FIL3 Spectral Devastator is two filters in series (unless you decide otherwise), whereas the FIL4 Timbral Sculptor is a single filter with a couple wave folders and a rectifier in the signal chain (again, unless you decide otherwise).

I suppose you can maybe make things sound 'nice' with these, but mostly I'm trying to decide which one creates a more visceral rip, tear, and shred for the hp it takes up.

Input audio was a basic sine wave from a Dixie II+. Sequenced by Stochastic IG. Envelope by Zadar.

00:00 Intro
00:20 FIL3 HP
01:56 FIL3 LP
03:19 FIL3 Both
05:26 FIL3 Sequence
11:56 FIL4
14:58 FIL4 Sequence"

Formants - Noise Lab Formantic and Mannequins Mangrove

video upload by John Schussler

"Noise Lab has recently released their latest module, the Formantic [see this post]. It's a "formant filter," which in this case means it's really three filters in one: a low pass filter plus two band pass filters. The cutoffs and resonances of all three can be set independently, as well as be controlled through a common cutoff knob.

I was curious both about its sound when driven by a standard VCO (e.g. Dixie) and how it would sound with the Mangrove, an oscillator designed to produce formants on its own. If one formant module is good, surely two is better, yes?

You be the judge.

00:00 Intro
00:20 Mangrove
07:20 Formantic w/sawtooth
12:20 Formantic w/distorted saw
22:09 Formantic w/Mangrove
26:46 Now with reverb and delay!"

Vice Virga - Great fill maker for drums

video upload by John Schussler

"In an earlier Beat Mangler video I tried out the Jam Jam from Noise Engineering, and had a hard time getting what I wanted out of it. Turns out what I really needed was a Vice Verga. That's arrived, and is clearly the answer to the question: 'What if you want some interesting drum fills on a regular basis, but don't want to do it manually?'

I used a 2hp Burst in this patch, but I'm guessing if I read more of the Pam's manual there's probably a way to do it entirely within Pam's.

Either way, Vice Verga is a great fill maker for drums."

Noise Engineering Versio - Praetereo firmware

video upload by John Schussler

"There's a new firmware available for the Noise Engineering Versio modules
called 'Praetereo.' It's a drifting loop maker, in the same vein as the Soma
Cosmos or Hologram Microcosm.

There's a thread for it on ModWiggler with links and detailed info: https://www.modwiggler.com/forum/view...

No commentary from me in this one, just listening. VCO is a Cwejman VCO-2RM, with one side going to the left channel and one to the right. Seqencer is the OK200 Degree. Envelope: Zadar.

Last in the chain is a Yester Versio module. If you hear a regular delay, it's that, not the Praetereo. And occasionally I bring in the Yester wavefolder. If you hear effects happening but don't see my hand making them, it's the Yester.

00:00 Intro
00:20 Part 1
08:30 Part 2
18:00 Part 3"

Ginko Synthese - Seeds VCO

video upload by John Schussler

"There don't seem to be many videos on the Ginko Synthese Seeds VCO, so
I figured I'd do a general overview.

It's not fancy. With an underpowered CPU (8 bit, 16 MHz Arduino Nano), it's not high fidelity. But what it lacks in crystal clear sound it makes up for in character.

There are 9 modes. In theory it can run as either a free-running VCO with an
external gate/VCA, or as a voice with its own internal gate/VCA. I built this one, and apparently screwed something up because it doesn't do the free-running mode. I'll have to ask about that.

Nothing else here but the Seeds and a little reverb at the end. Except for the last part where I add some chorus and filtering to try and tame the noise….

00:00 Intro
00:20 0: The original "Grains" formant peaks
02:14 1: Tri wave w/ asymmetrical wave-wrapping
03:42 2: Super-saw with PWM
05:10 3: Classic FM
07:20 4: Saw-wave with hard sync
08:30 5: Phase-distortion
09:56 6: Tuned noise
11:11 7: Square wave with PWM
12:30 8: Ring mod
14:00 With chorus and some filtering"

Setonix Synth and Bastl Dual Filters

video upload by John Schussler

"I've already looked at the Setonix Synth Marsupial. Really liked it, and was accordingly quick to order the Macropod when it became available. At about the same time I got ahold of an Ikarie from Bastl.

Between the three of them, I have a hard time choosing a favorite, and all are definitely keepers.

This is a short comparison to get a feel for their respective sounds. I'm not spending a lot of time on the Marsupial since I already covered it (see link in description/above), but do want it here so I can have a clear ear on how it differs from Macropod.

Source VCO is a Dannysound Cali Osc. Envelope from Zadar. Sequence from Stochastic IG. And a touch of Valhalla reverb at the end.

00:00 Intro
00:20 Marsupial
03:44 Macropod
11:28 Ikarie"

8hp Eurorack Filters

video upload by

"So you have 8hp available, and want to fill it with a filter. Here are some options. They aren't all the options, there are many, many more. But a few new 8hp filters have arrived recently (the XAOC, CCTV, and SetonixSynth), so it seemed like a good time to compare them with some other 8hp filters I have close at hand. For the most part I'll be listening to low pass outputs only.

Source audio is an Intellijel Dixie II+, with a mix of several waves. Envelope is from Zadar. Sequence from Stochastic SIG. A touch of Halls of Vallhalla reverb at the end.

00:00 Intro
00:20 Zagrzeb
09:52 Filther
17:14 Marsupial
24:30 Vorg
32:02 Coiler
40:42 Ripples"

Clank Thererec 2-channel eurorack cv motion recorder

video upload by John Schussler

Announcement post with pic here.

"There are quite a few cv recorders available in eurorack, including a few that use motion or pressure to indicate gestures. Clank has now released Thererec, which uses proximity sensors to sense your finger motions, and coupled that with recording functionality to loop your gestures.

The name is derived from its inspiration, the theremin, bonded to a recorder.

Where it gets more interesting is in the ability to change the range and speed of the looped gestures, plus a reset jack for syncing to a clock.

Source audio is a Befaco Pony VCO.

00:00 Intro
00:20 Manual
01:35 Recording
03:19 Reset"

Knobcon 2: Hungry Rat DIY workshop!

video upload by Synth Diy Guy

Hungry Rat 2hp distortion - opamp comparison

video upload by John Schussler

"Welcome to the niche-y-est of all niche-y eurorack videos. The focus of this video is on tiny differences (or not so tiny) between opamps (operational amplifiers) in the Hungry Rat distortion, a 2hp module made by Modular for the Masses and inspired by the ProCo Rat.

To be fair, you'll still get a good intro to the Hungry Rat, which is a very nice use of 2hp. So if you're not opamp obsessed, skip around and just get the flavor.

If you are interested in opamp contributions to the sound, in this video you'll get to hear 4 different options. The 'bog standard' TL072, which everybody uses for everything; the TLC2262, which I gather is 'special'; the NE5532P; and the B072A.

VCO is a Doepfer A-111 sequenced by Intellijel Metropolix.

00:00 Intro
00:20 TL072
03:42 NE5532P
06:30 TLC2262CP
10:29 B072A"

SSF Steady State Gate vs Erica Synths Black LPG: Listening to resonance

video upload by John Schussler

"A recent thread on ModWiggler brought up the question of resonance on low pass gate modules, and it occurred to me I hadn't really compared the Steady State Gate
from SSF (which has resonance) to the Erica Synths Black LPG (which also has resonance). Resonance isn't wildly common in LPGs, so it seemed worthwhile to listen to both and see what differences I heard.

Yes, there are more LPGs out there that include resonance. I don't have them, I just have these. Yes, they're very different modules with different feature sets, but I figure the resonant part can be examined somewhat separately from the rest.

Maybe not. We'll see.

VCO is a Befaco Pony. Sequencer is a Clank Chaos.

00:00 Intro
00:20 Steady State Gate
08:10 Black LPG"

Moog Mavis vs. Mother 32

video upload by John Schussler

"Do you need both a Mother 32 and a Mavis? How do they complement or contrast one another? Inquiring minds want to know.

I'm not going to go over all the features and specs, I'm just interested in how they sound. How much overlap is there?

Note that the LFO on Mother doesn't go nearly as far into audio rate as the Mavis does, and doesn't track as well, so I gave up on doing a "two oscillator mode" comparison. Didn't seem fair.

Sequence is just me banging keys on an Arturia Keystep 37.

00:00 Intro
00:20 Saw wave, VCA
02:26 Square wave
05:30 Envelope to VCF
09:28 Faster sequence
17:14 2nd VCO, folding"

End of chain drum effects

video upload by John Schussler

"I recently got the ADDAC Vintage Clip, and have been playing with it as an end of chain drum mix treatment. I have a few other simple stereo distortions and filters and figured I'd listen to them as a group and see which I liked best in the role of 'final drum effect.'

It's not so much a fair comparison as...just a comparison. There are lots of other modules that could probably serve this purpose just as well, but these are what I have and wanted to listen to. So there you go.

YMMV.

Drums are an SSF Ultra Kick, Prok SN, Prok HH, and WMD Chimera. Sequencer is an Iron Ether Pithoprakta.

00:00 Intro
00:20 Vintage Clip
04:05 Twin Drive
09:24 Stereo Mix
16:34 Roucha Legio
21:34 nw2s D0"