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"

Erica Synths Bassline - V1 (DIY) vs. V2 (factory)

video upload by John Schussler

"I've been trying to find a good TB-303 clone for eurorack for...about as long as I've been in eurorack.

There are a variety of modules that claim 303 character, but few that actually have it. In this case I'm having a listen to the Erica Synths Bassline modules, of which there are two: one DIY with thru-hole components (big knobs, says Drive in the upper right corner), and one factory version with surface mount (smaller knobs, says Detune in the upper right). I was curious to hear how they sounded against each other.

And then also curious to see how they sounded against the x0x Heart module, which near as I can tell is the closest 303 clone in eurorack (though I've not heard them all, so take that with a grain of salt).

There's a bit of reverb just to make space. Gets a bit grating otherwise.

00:00 Intro
00:20 V1 vs. V2
13:35 x0x Heart"

Jroo Loop - Pitch shifting tape looper

video uploads by jroo


video upload by John Schussler

"Here's a fairly simple tape loop module from Jroo called Loop. When you
change the speed of the loop it actually pitch shifts, which makes for some
really interesting opportunities for new harmonies.

This whole video is the same very simple sequence from a Pittsburgh Micro
Sequence b driving an Acid Rain Chainsaw VCO. On top is a bucketload
of reverb from Valhalla to let things ring out into space.

Fun.

00:00 Intro
00:20 Clean
11:53 Distorted"

loop is a frippertronics-style dual mono digital tape loop, echo and delay utility with adjustable tape speed, play head position, feedback and levels. It has a customizable loop length of up to 2.5 minutes.

loop is modelled after tape loop systems where audio is recorded to and played back from a tape that’s continually looping. Several interesting effects can be accomplished in this system when the position of the play head, tape speed, direction, and audio and feedback levels are modified. loop gives you manual and CV control over each.

WMD Legion vs Intellijel Dixie II+

video upload by John Schussler

"As is so often the case with these videos, I'm trying to make a 'keep or sell' decision. In this case between the WMD Legion, which has just arrived, or the Intellijel Dixie II+, both of which are 8hp VCOs.

They have different feature sets, and that's not really what interests me here. In this video I'm just doing a comparison of the basic sounds, getting a feel for whether there's a big difference in sound quality that would indicate keeping one or the other makes sense, or if they're so similar it's just a feature competition.

Sequencer: Stochastic IG. Envelope: Zadar

00:00 Intro
00:20 Saw
01:15 Triangle
01:59 Pulse
02:49 Pulse+sub
03:41 Pulse width
04:34 Saw+sub
05:01 Triangle+sub
06:01 FM
11:15 Legion features"

Phase modulation - 4 examples

video upload by John Schussler

Update: new video with 4 examples.

"Here are four VCOs that all offer phase modulation in one form or another:

Weston Precision Audio: PAO Phase Animated Oscillator
Patching Panda: Operat
WMD: Phase Displacement Oscillator
Joranalogue: Generate 3

I'm trying to get my head around how their implementations differ, and what the ultimate effects of those implementations are on the sound.

There's one more phase modulation VCO I have that I didn't include: the Mindphaser. It's a complex oscillator with a very different architecture, so didn't seem like a good fit. I did a couple videos on that a while back, if you want to hear some of its phasing.

Sequencer: Stochastic SIG. Modulating VCO: Intellijel Dixie II+

00:00 Intro
00:20 Weston Audio PAO
07:40 Patching Panda Operat
13:22 WMD PDO
22:48 Joranalogue Generate 3"

Pittsburgh Modular - Bat Dynamics LPG, A Filter of Crows VCF

video upload by John Schussler

"Pittsburgh Modular is in the process of designing some new synths, and are releasing individual experiments as stand-alone modules. They say these aren't long term catalog items, so if you like the sound you'll want to grab one before they're gone.

The Bat is a low pass gate (LPG), but without vactrols. Most LPGs use vactrols to control the response, but with the disadvantage of being non-adjustable...the vactrol responds how it responds, end of story. The Bat adds an adjustability to the sound that makes it extra flexible, while still maintaining that vactrol-like ring.

The Filter of Crows is a relatively "normal" VCF, but with a unique character that comes from its drive and "stability" controls. Stability in particular gives the circuit the ability to come up with some really interesting distortions and responses you don't hear elsewhere.

Envelope is Zadar, sequence is from Stochastic IG, and VCO is a Dixie II+.

00:00 Intro
00:20 Bat Dynamics
06:45 A Filter of Crows
12:42 Filter stability off"

Schlappi Engineering Three Body VCO - Just Drones

video upload by John Schussler

"Three Body has just arrived, and I'm in the throes of figuring it out.

Here's 25 minutes of me working through a bunch of different drone sounds,
first with outputs from all three VCOs, then from just Center VCO outputs (but modulated by the other two VCOs).

No external modulation sources, no envelopes, just the Three Body by itself.

00:00 Intro
00:20 Individual knobs
02:50 Type: Free
12:16 Type: Ratio
19:38 Only center osc outs"

Noise Engineering Versio delays comparison

video upload by John Schussler

"Noise Engineering has several modules out on their 'Versio' platform. Three in particular make use of delay as the core of the effect, and manipulate it in different ways.

I found myself wanting to hear them back to back, and thus this comparison was born.

This isn't a 'demo every feature' video, just an attempt at general comparison. Patrick O'Brien's videos on each module do a much better job of being thorough, and I recommend those for more detail on each module.

Envelope is Zadar, sequence is from Stochastic IG, and VCO is a Dixie II+.

00:00 Intro
00:20 Desmodus Versio
09:08 Imitor Versio
18:00 Melotus Versio"

Forge TME VHIKK X - First look

video upload by John Schussler

"I have a VHIKK v1, and it's a fantastic drone/texture module. When Forge TME announced the VHIKK X I immediately joined the wait list.

Here's my vid on the original: [posted here]

The wait is over, and it has just arrived. Here's my first play with it.

Like the original, it has so much interactivity that you don't really have to modulate it with anything externally. But of course it gets even more lively when you do.

Here's a general overview of the sounds you get with minimal effort.

Other than a bit of reverb, this is all VHIKK X."

TB-303 redux: GeoSync TB Super-O vs. Acid Rain Chainsaw

video upload by John Schussler

"I got ahold of a couple modules from GeoSync recently, the TB Super-O triple VCO and the TB-EFA filter/VCA. I also have an Acid Rain Chainsaw, and it occurred to me to wonder how the Chainsaw would do as a 303 source for the TB-EFA. How different might they be?

Of course they're different, but y'know, how exactly?

As with so many of my videos, this is just me trying to answer a random question of comparison between two modules.

Sequence from Stochastic IG. Envelope from Zadar.

00:00 Intro
00:20 Super-O saw
03:32 Chainsaw saw
05:06 Square waves
06:57 Drive control
10:00 With Godeater"

SEM vs SEM - November 2023 edition

video upload by John Schussler

"The G-Storm Electro SEM VCF arrived the other day, and I figured I'd give it a listen in comparison to what, up to this point, I think is the best SEM eurorack module: the Studio Electronics SEM VCF.

(Spoiler alert: The G-Storm gives the SE a serious run for its money)

I've also thrown in the Bubblesound SEM20 and an AMSynths Obie XA. The Bubblesound is mostly SEM, but with some MS-10 bits grafted on that makes it more aggro. The Obie XA isn't a SEM at all, different chip, but is also modeled after an Oberheim filter so I figured I'd toss it in for contrast.

VCO is a Befaco Pony, first on saw then on square. Sequencer is a Clank Chaos. Envelope is Zadar.

Be forewarned: a lot of this video is me going back, and forth, and back, and forth, and back and forth between modules. Don't get seasick.

00:00 Intro
00:20 Standard gain
03:43 Gain up
06:46 Resonance up
08:56 Tight envelope
16:00 Square wave"

Eurorack acid - TB 303 style modules

video upload by John Schussler

"If you listen to techno, you listen to the Roland TB-303. It's the sound of acid, and is such a unique sound that everybody wants and uses it.

Although several makers are selling clones in the original 303 design (with the sequencer and original layout), you may just want to get one in Eurorack without all the fuss of learning the 303 sequencer interface (it's not intuitive).

Here are a bunch of 303 modules that either include all the parts (VCF, VCA, envelope, accent, glide...the works) or just one part (the VCF, which is the most critical bit).

There are others as well, these are just the ones I happen to have...."

00:00 Intro
00:20 Hydronium
07:28 TB-EFA
13:56 Acid Source
24:14 Pico Acid
30:00 Doepfer A-103/120
46:16 Vult Freak

Helical Autoregressive Synthesizer - first look

video upload by John Schussler

"This module really spoke to me when I saw the first demo. Very ambient, but
also with lots of potential since you can swap out the wave tables.

I don't have the expander yet, but will definitely be adding it since some of the
filter behavior possible with it isn't possible simply by adding a filter after
the module in your chain.

This is just the first look, so I've not tried swapping out the wavetables.
That will probably be an endless quest to find the "perfect" one, which
may or may not be fruitful.

Lots of reverb here. That's about it. And later in the vid some delay.

00:00 Intro
00:20 Drone
07:55 Short envelope
12:58 Sequence and modulation"

OAM Time Machine - First Look

video upload by John Schussler

"I have an addiction to delays. I have many, many delays.

But the OAM Time Machine is different, and very, very good. It's big, but
that's what happens when you add a lot of sliders to something. I'd actually
be ok with it being even bigger, if they'd add cv control over each slider/time division.

But even without that it's pretty much the bee's knees.

The basic input is a very sparse random pattern (quantized) from a Clank Chaos.
Source VCO is a Noise Engineering Sinc Legio. Wee bit of reverb on the
final output, but not much.

So very, very nice."

00:00 Intro
00:20 Drone
02:57 Spread
04:17 Sliders
06:38 w/kick

You can find additional OAM time Machine posts here.

Sovage Engineering - Le Brasier and L'Ecorcheur compared

video upload by John Schussler

"I've had L'Ecorcheur for a while and been very happy with it, so figured I should get a Brasier as well to keep L'Ecorcheur company.

They're similar, but different enough that I understand why they both exist. They have distinctive sounds, and different controls, so it seemed worthwhile to record them back to back.

And apparently their distortion is so meaty they manage to take the camera off angle (without me noticing). That takes some serious gronk.

00:00 Intro
00:20 Le Brasier
10:12 L'Ecorcheur"

Patching Panda Punch MG - first patch

video upload by John Schussler

"I'm not entirely sure what to call the Punch MG. It's a mixer, it's a VCA, it's an envelope, but also it's none of those things. It's its own thing.

Try this: you put some sounds into it, plus some triggers. It has a decay envelope for each channel that you can adjust so that you can make those sounds percussive. That's part one.

Then you add each channel to the Mute group (or don't). This doesn't really mute the channels in any sense, it ducks them. The signal on one channel affects the envelope of the signal on another, and vice versa.

At least I think that's what's happening. In any case, it makes a group of sounds work really well together.

00:00 Intro
00:20 Source audio
00:45 Basic mixing
04:30 Add sequence
05:17 Mix sequence"

Eurorack Formant Filter Comparison

video upload by John Schussler

"I now find myself with 3 separate filters that do "formant" filtering, so clearly it's time for a comparison. I'm literally getting my ya-yas out. And my yi-yis, and sometimes my wa-was. Just depends on where you turn the knob....

There are other formant filters out there, this isn't all of them, but it's all the ones I have, so don't assume this is the exhaustive comparison.

Formants are fun. And though I don't get into it much in this video, using formant filters for "regular" duties with only mild formant effects can be quite interesting.

Actually, using formants sparingly should probably be the rule. There's definitely too much of a good thing possible here....

00:00 Intro
00:20 Gyrinx VCF
08:00 Morphing Filter Bank
18:10 Formantic"

Part 2 here

Eurorack granular synthesis module comparison

video upload by John Schussler

"I've had Beads for a long time but have never really gelled with it. More recently I've acquired Brinta and Mojave, so it seemed like time to come to grips with granular in general, and these modules in particular.

This is a *very* basic comparison based on me reading through the manuals and spending time wiggling knobs. Each module gets a first pass using a simple Pianophonic sequence, then some time with a more complex audio source using some acoustic material from my last CD, 'The Willow Ladder.'

(Available on Bandcamp at schusslermusic.com, I will note. Nudge nudge.)

I'm really just interested in seeing which one gives me more interesting results with less RTFM'ing. I'm not sufficiently impressed by granular synthesis in general to really grind through any opaque interface designs.

00:00 Intro
00:20 Brinta
13:30 Beads
26:04 Mojave"

Make Noise Bruxa delay "experiment"

video upload by John Schussler

"After a long wait, Bruxa has arrived (apparently it's pronounced 'broosha').
In theory it's a mostly a delay, but the way the feedback and filtering has been implemented, it's really a texturizer. No bouncy-bounce here.

The first couple sections of this vid use a combo of VCOs through a Fourcaster to shift between them, and some different sequence speeds. But frankly the most interesting bit is the third section, where it's just one note coming out of a Befaco Octaves VCO that's the real winner.

So if you want to go straight for the money, skip to the 19 minute mark or so.

The only additional effect is a bunch of reverb, mostly here to spread out the stereo field.

00:00 Intro
00:20 Slow notes
13:20 Fast notes
19:13 Just one note"