How We Remember | The Lightbath Zone - Eurorack Modular Synthesizer Masterclass

Published on Dec 20, 2018 Lightbath

"Watch the original modular piece 'How We Remember' →"

How We Remember (Friends cassette) | Ambient Eurorack Modular Synthesizer

Premiered Dec 6, 2018 Lightbath

"Available on cassette + digital download: http://bit.ly/seil-friends"

Patch from Scratch: "Eurorack Ambient"

Published on Nov 21, 2018 MAKEN0ISE

"Relax.

The patch for this video was inspired by classic ambient and furniture music, as well as by currently popular ambient modular composers here on YouTube.

Erik Satie first introduced the notion of “furniture music”, music specifically made not to be the center of attention.

He made some other musical innovations that are pertinent to ambient music, including;

1. The removal of bar lines from sheet music. (The experience of playing pieces in this style, such as the 6 Gnossienes, is that of finding the meter that arises between the note durations rather than having it dictated by the outward structure of the piece.)

2. The notion of exact temporal durations in minutes and seconds being prioritized as the main structural element of pieces.

In a letter, John Cage once wrote: “the importance due [Satie] [is], I believe, to have consistently structured his music on lengths of time rather than harmonic relations. I’m sure he was aware of doing this but I doubt whether he knew its real importance, which is real: liberation from the Beethoven yoke, far more real than that granted by S[choenberg] with the 12-tone row.”

The best known pioneer of “ambient music” *as such* is Brian Eno.

For Eno, Ambient music should function equally well in the background and the foreground. “It must be as ignorable as it is interesting.”

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Loom 4 (ft. Tides) | The Lightbath Zone - Modular Synthesizer Patch Walkthrough

Published on Sep 27, 2018 Lightbath

✶TABLE OF CONTENTS ✶

00:00 The Lightbath Zone
01:52 Part 1: The Patch
23:09 Part 2: The Performance
31:38 Loom music download

Detailed patch notes archive available through Patreon rewards: https://patreon.com/lightbath

Loom 4 (ft. Tides) | All Mutable Instruments Eurorack Modular Synthesizer

Published on Sep 23, 2018 Lightbath

"Download the music of the Loom series exclusively on Patreon → http://patreon.com/lightbath"

First Norns | OP-1 + Monome Grid + Norns

Published on Sep 6, 2018 Lightbath

"This is my first try at using Norns with mlr. I played OP-1 into it and created four loops that I then animated using the pattern record function. I play directly with the speed mod parameter of REC 4 (the sustained note) to pitch it up and down and waver it a bit."

Why We Bleep Podcast 005: Olivier Gillet - Mutable Instruments

Published on May 31, 2018 mylarmelodies

You can find a handful of posts featuring Olivier Gillet's chocopoolp for Palm OS here.

"Thanks to episode sponsors Signal Sounds: http://signalsounds.com ! This month I'm very excited to present a chat with perhaps one of the most mysterious and well-respected characters in the Eurorack world - Olivier Gillet of Mutable Instruments.

In it we discuss his route into music technology, his module development process, the importance of daydreaming, and some quite surprising facts regarding the size of his company, and much more besides.

More at: http://www.whywebleep.com

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Moogfest 2018 (live edit) - Modular on the Spot, Moogfest | Eurorack Modular Synthesizer

Published on May 26, 2018 Lightbath

Moogfest 2018 (live edit)
Modular on the Spot
Durham, NC
May 19, 2018

Patch notes archive available through Patreon rewards: https://patreon.com/lightbath

All hardware performance/improvisation recorded straight to 2-track and mastered Premiere with compression and eq. This performance is an edit of the full 36-minute set available exclusively on Patreon.

I'm so grateful to have been a part of Moogfest 2018. It was great to hang a bit with lightbeams Emily Sprague, Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith and Sean Hellfritsch and to see some cats—like Waajeed and Jamire Williams—from my 'past life' as a guitarist in NYC. Thank you to Yoga After Dark and Modular on the Spot for having me.

It was an honor to play another MotS event, this time alongside Rodent, Peter Speer, Sarah Belle Reid, Jake Pugh, Jerry Kaba, and Lee Coleman. As with my first MotS experience, the vibe was one of immense support. It was so much fun to lead the audience through some air guitar moves. Truthfully, I don't know how that happened, but I'm glad it did. Thanks to all who participated!

And lastly, it was great to meet some of you IRL after my set. I also finally got to meet Richard Devine and talk shop (thanks to his wife and family for giving us some time to do so). Many thanks to Iain Smith for helping to cart my gear up the hill to the car.

Modular On The Spot - Moogfest 2018

Published on May 20, 2018 poorness studios

"I went to Moogfest in 2018 and got some footage during the Modular on the Spot event. It was raining buckets, but that didn't stop the music. Enjoy this summary of 6 performances that took place on 5/19/18.

Jerry Kaba @ 0:12
Sarah Belle Reid @ 0:49
Jake Pugh @ 1:51
Eric Rodent Cheslak @ 3:02
Pete Speer @ 4:19
Lightbath @ 5:20"

Mutable Instruments Plaits, Marbles & Stages Self-Patched Modular Beta Testing Beats

Published on Apr 14, 2018 mylarmelodies

"This is a little weird sound experiment (light on melodies, high on mylar - skip to 6:10 for more melodicness) I recorded while beta-testing the new Mutable Instruments Plaits, Marbles and Stages, which I received all at once. When I put them all together in the case, I was struck by something: These three new modules, perhaps with the addition of a Clouds for effects and some utilities/VCAs like Blinds and Veils, are in effect like having a complete little Mutable 'Music Easel', in just three core modules.

This is especially because of the way that Plaits makes it so easy to switch modes, so that on a per-step basis it'll make a different sound - it can fill out the sound spectrum far more than it seems it has any right to. The ensemble is incredibly capable and flexible, and an amazing thing to have if you're interested in the whole 'generative' thing.

I was very struck by the elegance of what Olivier has achieved, especially with Stages, and look forward to getting to know these better. I'm going to be using them in my live system, but I wish in a way I had another set I could just put in a small system, something self-contained and fixed, to focus on and explore.

For more, I recommend Lightbath's Loom series which explores these (and the idea of building a system out of them!)"

Mutable Instruments Loom


Loom 3 (ft. Stages) | All Mutable Instruments Eurorack Modular Synthesizer
Loom 2 (ft. Marbles) | All Mutable Instruments Eurorack Modular Synthesizer
Loom 1 (ft. Plaits) | All Mutable Instruments Eurorack Modular Synthesizer

New Mutable Instruments Stages Modulation Construction Set Eurorack Module

Playlist:
Mutable Instruments - Stages *In Depth Demo / Tutorial* by DivKidVideo
Loom 3 (ft. Stages) | All Mutable Instruments Eurorack Modular Synthesizer by Lightbath
Mutable Instruments Stages Overview by Erstlaub

Cool animated gif and details via CONTROL, additional pics via Mutable Instruments.

"THE MODULATION CONSTRUCTION SET

ASR envelope, complex 6-stage envelope, LFO, 4-step sequence or switched LFO: Stages can be any kind of modulation. Not because all these behaviors have been pre-programmed in the module, but because it allows you to describe your own modulations in terms of basic operations: ramp from one voltage to another, hold a voltage at a set level, wait for a trigger and slew. With or without looping.

Whether you need one complex envelope, or several simpler modulations, Stages reconfigures itself according to which of its gate inputs are patched. There is always a role for it in your patch.

THAT’S IT

Really, there isn’t more to the story.

Self-generating chiptunes? Very weird LFO shapes? Random gate delay? Stages probably does strange and wonderful things when patched in a certain way.

Flexible input/output layout

The module detects the presence of jacks on its gate inputs to group its segments: whether it is configured as a complex 6-stage envelope, or 6 individual envelopes, or 3+3, 2+4... depends simply on how you patch it. Dummy patch cables might come handy!

When used as a multi-segment envelope, a segment activation signal is produced on all secondary outputs - for example to trigger an external event when an ADSR envelope enters its decay, sustain or release stages.

In case more than 6 segments are required, up to six modules can be chained together thanks to a connector at the back of the module.

Three segment types:

Ramp segments go from one voltage to another, in a CV-controlled amount of time, with an adjustable curve (accelerating, uniform, decelerating). They are the building block used for the attack, decay or release segments in envelopes... or for LFOs.

Hold segments stay at a constant (but CV-controllable) voltage for a programmable amount of time. They serve as the sustain or hold segments in envelopes.

Step segments glide to a target (CV-controllable) voltage, then stay at this voltage for a certain amount of time until a trigger is received. They are the main ingredient for step sequences, but also for building sequential switches or a sample-and hold.

Looping

A segment, or a group of segments, can loop on itself: if the last segment of the envelope is included in the loop, the loop lasts forever. Otherwise, the loop remains active while the gate is high, then continues past the last segment of the loop. These two behaviors allow the creation of self-looping envelopes
(LFOs), or the sustain stage of a good old ADSR envelope!

Single segment processing

Even when they aren’t part of any group and don’t receive any gate or trigger signals, individual segments can perform interesting functions: Ramp can loop on itself and turn into an LFO, Hold can delay a CV and Step can slew it.

Now patch a trigger signal: the self-looping Ramp turns into a tempo-synced LFO, the Hold segment becomes a pulse generator, the Step segment a sample-and-hold.

Width: 14HP
Max Depth: 25MM
Features
CV output: from 0V to +8V. A negative CV down to -8V can be generated by a Hold or Step segment if this segment is CV modulated.
Segment duration from 1ms to 16s.
All inputs: 100k impedance, DC to 2kHz.
31.25kHz refresh rate.
16-bit CV capture, 14-bit CV generation with accurate software calibration. Error below 2mV."

Patch: Controlling Voltage Documentary Series

"This documentary focuses on the rapidly growing Modular Synthesis movement and the diverse group of artists using these machines to create soundscapes of emotionally charged content, as well manufacturers who are pushing the boundaries of sonic platforms with their creations. Our story presents to the public the emergence of thriving brick and mortar stores, intimate and attentive live venue performances, and the modular-driven compositions that are rapidly transforming the soundtracks of modern film and network productions. Capturing the creative process from patch to pulse will be the foundation of the film."

PATCH.CV - redstripedown from Patch: Controlling Voltage on Vimeo.

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Loom 2 (ft. Marbles) | All Mutable Instruments Eurorack Modular Synthesizer

Published on Mar 30, 2018 Lightbath

"Download the music of the Loom series exclusively on Patreon → http://patreon.com/lightbath

Everything you hear in this video was performed live with the Mutable Instruments modules you see on screen, plus some other Mutable surprises to be revealed in upcoming Loom videos."

Loom 1 (ft. Plaits) | All Mutable Instruments Eurorack Modular Synthesizer

Published on Mar 19, 2018 Lightbath

"Download Loom 1 EP exclusively on Patreon → http://patreon.com/lightbath

Everything you hear in this video was performed live with the Mutable Instruments modules you see on screen, plus some other Mutable surprises to be revealed in upcoming Loom videos."

009//A Bath of Light - A melodic ambient Eurorack track

Published on Feb 18, 2018 Alastair Wilson

"A calming, repetitive, semi-self-generating modular patch using a small Eurorack setup sent through an Eventide Space hall reverb and an Eventide Timefactor on banddelay setting. No other processing has been applied.

This track is dedicated to Lightbath for his beautiful modular works. It's only semi-random, as I created 2 sequences which repeat with slight random variations (they sometimes reset, and sometimes repeat notes). I cut the video short after recording ~30 minutes of it since the bass melody is too repetitive, but it was a good experiment into having bass melodies instead of random notes or drone notes. The lower Mother 32 supplies the bass melody, the higher supplies the high melody, and the AJH VCO supplies the 2-note unfiltered bass part."

Holding a Feather | Ambient Eurorack Modular Synthesizer

Published on Dec 21, 2017 Lightbath

How to Eurorack - Holding a Feather | The Lightbath Zone - Modular Synthesizer Tutorial

Published on Dec 21, 2017 Lightbath

"Get exclusive bonus content, patch notes, album downloads, monthly hangouts, and one-on-one lessons → http://patreon.com/lightbath

Watch the original modular piece 'Holding a Feather' → https://youtu.be/ESb-pNDmJnM

✶TABLE OF CONTENTS ✶

00:00 The Lightbath Zone
00:17 Welcome/Overview
00:55 Voice 1: STOs
04:04 Panning
04:37 Voice 2: Rings
06:57 Voice 3: Plonk
07:04 Story of Inspiration (r beny + Emily Sprague)
09:04 Back to Plonk
09:54 Voice 4: ER-301
10:37 Modulation
13:15 Demonstration (Improvisation + Insight)
18:29 Quantum High Five

Detailed patch notes archive available through Patreon rewards: https://patreon.com/lightbath"

Arcology | Ambient Eurorack Modular Synthesizer

Published on Nov 20, 2017 Lightbath

"✶ PERFORMANCE NOTES ✶

Arcology
October 31, 2017
Arcosanti, AZ

I had the fortune of visiting Arcosanti for a few days and meeting some wonderful souls while learning about architect Paolo Soleri's vision of the city as an organism for the transformation of the individual and evolution of the species. It's an inspiring place, and while there, I took the opportunity to create a mandala piece (https://youtu.be/rFeHbZPXUd4) and this modular piece shot on top of The Vaults at sunset.

Learn more about Arcosanti → http://arcosanti.org

✶ PATCH NOTES ✶

Live performance multitracked on Zoom F8 and mixed in Logic with compression, eq, and effects.

This patch is my current performance patch, sans effects. After completing the mandala piece I had less than an hour before sunset and the light was already fading. So I packed up, grabbed my synth and camera gear and headed to the highest point at Arcosanti—the roof of The Vaults. To save time I decided to go Eurorack-only, no external effects. Compositionally, I had zero prep. I just turned the system on, quickly tuned, and went for it.

Voices:

1. STOs → Opto → Belgrad → Rainmaker → F8 Ch 1-2
2. Rings → T-Wrex → Sisters → Clouds → Morphagene → F8 Ch 3-4"

ll.ll.ll (live excerpt) | Lampeo + Lightbath - Eurorack Modular Synthesizer

Published on Nov 11, 2017 Lightbath

"ll.ll.ll
Lampeo + Lightbath
October 12, 2017 @ Clatter Coffee

All hardware performance/improvisation recorded straight to 2-track and mastered in Logic with compression and eq.

Lampeo and I go way back. Like middle school jazz band way back. In those days he played drums in a punk band and I played guitar in a jam band before people called those bands jam bands. Nowadays we make music with the knobs and the wires.

Lately, we've been playing monthly sets at Clatter in Frostburg, MD. No rehearsal, no preparation, just glorious improvisation."

Lightbath's Synth's in the Catskills Event

The following are live performances in order for Lightbath's "Synth's in the Catskills" event. Lightbath's performance is last.

Buchla Music Easel Live in the Catskills

August 26, 2017 Published on Oct 24, 2017 sean julian

"A short live set on the BEMI music easel using a looper and delay pedal."

Synths in the Catskills

Published on Oct 24, 2017 Chris Penalosa

"Full set at the Beehouse with heavy use of the Field Kit's electroacoustic sounds and Landscape FM's AllFlesh into Rings string modeling. Part of Lightbath's Synth's in the Catskills event."

Emily A. Sprague - Live at Synths in the Catskills ~ Eurorack Ambient

Published on Oct 24, 2017 Emily Sprague

"This is my live set from August 26, 2017 at Synths in the Catskills."


catskills summer twenty seventeen from tehn on Vimeo.

"tehn, live improvisation.

synths in the woods, hosted and filmed by https://lightbath.com"

Eternal Function @ Synths in the Catskills August 26, 2017

Published on Oct 26, 2017 egnekn

"Gen Ken Montgomery & David B. Greenberg

Thank you Bryan Doll"

Holy Fire (live excerpt) | Synths in the Catskills - Eurorack Modular Synthesizer

Published on Oct 24, 2017 Lightbath

ANDREW HUANG on Modular

The instrument I've secretly worked on for 13 years

Published on Oct 26, 2017 ANDREW HUANG

"Check out this collab I did with White Noises: [posted here]

More modular videos on my second channel: http://youtube.com/suturesound

★ SHOUTOUTS FROM THIS VIDEO ★

Enjoy their beautiful videos and tell them I sent you!

Ann Annie https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJWfc...
Datach'i https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pp-Gk...
DivKid https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loPv5...
Emily Sprague https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MC61G...
Intellijel https://youtu.be/oAWJ8LhDF-M
James Cigler https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTSbc...
Jogging House https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HASef...
Kenny Peagler / Pittsburgh Modular https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSHSa...
Learning Modular https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuEDD...
Lightbath https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9q_dg...
Mylar Melodies https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvRTk...
r beny https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIO8H...
Richard Devine https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74Z-V...
The Tuesday Night Machines https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9tMF...

Also not a synth friend YET BUT ONE DAY SOON: Rob Scallon http://youtube.com/robscallon"

A Handful Of Notes | Mbira, Ciat-Lonbarde, OP1, D1000

Published on Sep 20, 2017 HAINBACH

"New album out now on Opal Tapes: http://opaltapes.com/album/no-need-fo...

Trying out simpler patching and improvisation yielded this care-free piece of music. Cheers to Lightbath for making me finish this and upload it"

Forgiveness | Ambient Eurorack Modular Synthesizer | Chance, Plonk, Rainmaker, Rings, T-Wrex, Clouds

Published on Sep 20, 2017 Lightbath

"Forgiveness

September 20, 2017 • New Moon in Virgo • Lunar Occultation

As we approach the Autumnal Equinox let us harness the discerning energy of the Virgo New Moon to aid in refreshing old habits and making the needed change.

https://lightbath.com
https://soundcloud.com/lightbath/forg...

Patch Notes:

Live performance multitracked in Logic with compression, eq, and effects.

This is my first exploration of Chance, Plonk and Rainmaker. And wow, I got such a natural sounding percussion with those three, almost like a doumbek.

Voices:

1. LOW MELODY: Kria #1 plays ER-301 sines → Optomix (shaped by Just Friends) → Belgrad → ER-301
2. PERCUSSION: Plonk (played by Chance Rhythm) → Rainmaker
3. HIGH MELODY: Kria #2 plays Rings → T-Wrex → ER-301 → Clouds"