Chris Meyer's Alias Zone: The Cave

video upload by Learning Modular

"This performance premiered on April 1 2022 as part of @SynthFest France. It’s a mythical, musical exploration of the Lod Cave in Thailand, with the various musical parts rushing off to explore its various chambers and celebrate its mystery and beauty, while others are more apprehensive and suggest caution.

More music by Alias Zone: https://aliaszone.bandcamp.com

In this piece, Chris Meyer plays:
Pandora’s Box (modular synthesizer)
Ableton Live
Korg Wavestation and Arturia Pigments virtual synthesizers
cave ambience by Marcel Gnauk of FreeToUseSounds
wordless vocals by Holly Drummond via Black Octopus
graphical treatments: Trish Meyer"

PERfourMER mkii sequenced by Sonicware Liven XFM

video upload by ChrisLody

"Here's a quick and dirty jam on a borrowed Vermona PERfourMER MK2. I've been working at a studio/synth cave recently that I'm hoping to share more information on soon. Long story but there is an enormous amount of gear there and it's my job to learn the technical ins and outs of all of it. There is some huge modular racks that won't be going anywhere but some of the smaller pieces of gear I can learn at home, like this.

The PERfourMER mk2 is pretty unique (apart from when comparing it to the mk1 of course!) in that it' can be used as 4 separate monosynths on 4 separate midi channels, through duophonic modes, up to a 4 voice polyphonic synth though with individual settings per voice as they cycle through.

In this jam I have it set to monophonic per voice that I have synths 3 & 4 set to the same midi channel. The Sonicware Liven XFM is a 4 part multitimbral synth but it can also sequence external gear on 4 tracks and 4 different midi channels so the two are a good match. I've kept one channel back on the XFM to play drum sounds, then I'm using a track to trigger synths 3 & 4 to make brassy pad sounds, a track for an arpeggio and a track for a lead. If I get time before I take his back I'll record something in polyphonic mode as it can get pretty lush sounding!"

Cave Giants

davidryle

"A live performance with the 5U large format modular synthesizer.

Starting with an Encore Electronics frequency shifter and Yusynth Arp 4072 filter. Modulations to the frequency shifter from a Sputnik WCRS, and an Ian Fritz DDVCO in harmonic sequence mode.

The bass sequence is driven by the STG Soundlabs suite with two VMS and one TMS, a pair of EG's, a Switch module and the Time Divider. Clock timing from Cubase via dinsync to the Time Buffer. Four synthesizers.com Q106's into a Q150 transistor ladder filter and an Oakley SVF.

The melodic sequence is a pair of Q960 sequencers to a pair of Q106's through an STG Sea Devils filter and Q107 SVF.

The percussive tick sound is a Sputnik voltage controlled slope.

Delays and reverbs include Behringer DD400's, Empress reverb, Strymon Blue Sky, Electro Harmonix Canyon, TipTop DSP with Valhalla Shimmer and Modcan 73B.'

Jamming "Safety" on the New Cave Live Setup With Analog Modular Synths And Criklon Sequencer

Published on Apr 2, 2020 LOOK MUM NO COMPUTER

"I've Been stuck in the cave at the back of my flat for the past week or so, its been a good time just to get down and constantly jam, write and practice for when shows are back on! on my #analog #modular #synthesizer"

Mirror of Venus - Modular in the cave 35 - eurorack modular ambient jam on in a volcanic lake

Published on Oct 7, 2019 Modular in the cave

"A little jam at Lake specchio di Venere (mirror of Venus) in Pantelleria. The lake is formed in a ancient collapsed volcanic crater, and takes its peculiar green color from termophilic algae living in the water. The water gushes at 50/60 c°, making it possible for the algae to live there and color the water.

until now this is the only jam i shoot twice, i had to come back the day after to get this exact mirror effect on the water, which only appears at dawn when sunlight doesn´t hit the water directly. I lost too much time setting up the cameras and composing the jam, and in the meantime the effect had vanished. Got it right the second time, by then it was just a routine"

Bury my words, burn my body, destroy all my belongings and leave no traces - modular in the cave 34

Published on Oct 1, 2019 Modular in the cave

"A little jam at Sese Grande (Big Sese), also known as Sese del Re (king´s Sese) in Pantelleria. The Sesi are megalithic buildings made with volcanic rocks cumulus, with dolmenic corridors (from 2 to 11) leading to internal circular chambers. Although they are believed to be burial chambers, human remains were only found in recent years in only 2 Sesi, among the hundred still intact. The sesi are only found in Pantelleria, all grouped in the same area and protected b an 8 meter tall 200 meters long wall, the biggest prehistorical wall found in the mediterranean area."

Chew well to reduce chocking hazard while lying - Modular In The Cave 27 eurorack modular jam lo fi

Published on Aug 12, 2019 Modular in the cave

"A little jam at San Bartolo church in Alicudi. The church is halfway from the top of the island and is its only monument built in1600 and then expanded in 1800.

The voice samples were added while editing the video. Also the birds are a field recording made there and added while editing the video"

Light never dies 2 - modular in the cave 21 eurorack outdoor jam at a lighthouse

Published on Jul 2, 2019 Modular in the cave

"A little jam at the lighthouse in Vulcano island at Gelso point"

Modular in the cave

Lanterns | Modular in the cave 12 -outdoor modular jam on the open sea in Levanzo with squarp hermod

Published on Apr 15, 2019 Modular in the cave

"A little jam in an abandoned limestone building at cala fredda (cold bay) in Levanzo. I couldn´t find any info about this buildings, but it´s one of the few landings on the island, so it was probably used as a warehouse for the fishermen there. Near this site there´s a shipreck probably dating back to 1st century b.c, with ancient vases (amphorae) which where probably use for wine transport or for garum storage, which was produced in this site at Punta Altarella ( little high point)"

A shadow that glows harder than the sun | Modular in the cave 11 ambient jam on a boat outdoor euro

Published on Apr 8, 2019 Modular in the cave

Modular on a boat.

"A little jam on the boat leaving Ustica. Many things have been said about this island. The greeks called it Osteodes, cause a lot of mercenaries bones, starved to death, are said to be found here. Some others, like storyograph L.G. Pocock and writer Marco Carlo Rognoni, believe this to be Eea, the island of circes ( but i don´t agree, just like with the theory of Samuel Butler about the odissey taking place in the aegadian islands). The only certain thing is that this island and his volcanoes are more ancient and wise than any man who put their foot on it. Yes, even wiser than Gramsci."

Ever since I became an inhumanoid - modular in the cave 9 (eurorack modular synthesizer jam outdoor)

Published on Mar 25, 2019 Modular in the cave

"A little jam on the Falconiera fortress in Ustica. The fortress stands on the walls of the remaining part of the Falconiera volcano. It´s composed by two part. Half of the fortress is a natural ancient 3rd century b.c. roman settlement, with many rain tanks and storage points carved in volcanic rock. The other half is an artificial building, created in 1763 by the Borboni as a watch point against the pirates attacks ,as it has full view in every direction around the island. Originally armed with 4 cannons in the year 1780, it served as a shelter for the population in case of pirates attacks. the only cannon remaining has been found at sea in 1956, in the now named Cala Cannone after it."

Modular in the cave

Overcoming hedonic treadmill: discipline and a bit of black magic - modular in the cave 8 - eurorack

Published on Mar 18, 2019 Modular in the cave

"a little ambient jam in the Rivellino of san Giuseppe in Ustica (blockhouse of Saint joseph). Built in 1804 by the Borboni as a watch position for the Falconiera fortress that stands after it. It has been inhabitated by Vincenzo di bartolo, first man from the kingdom of the two sicilies to pass cape horn and reach sumatra to break the spice monopoly of the uk and holland. it has also been occupied by germans in the ww2."

It has no hands, and yet its grip won´t ease up - modular in the cave 7(eurorack modular ambient jam

Published on Mar 11, 2019 sector

"A little ambient jam in Ustica, the black pearl of the mediterranean, in the crater of the Falconiera volcano. The falconiera, 730 thousand years old, is the 3rd known volcano of the island, and the last to end its eruption activity about 130 thousand years ago. The magma of this volcanic complex was, according to many geologist, fed directly from the earth´s deep mantle, setting it apart from the other mediterranean volcanic islands. After its activity has ceased, half of the volcanic structure has collapsed into the sea, creating a natural 600 meter wide amphiteater. The rock right behind my back is the volcanic neck, and further behind stands the massive volcano´s inner round walls. The complex goes 2 thousand meters deep into the sea. Farewell Osteodes."

Foreclosure of the ashes - modular in the cave 6 (eurorack modular synthesizer trance ambient jam)

Published on Mar 4, 2019 Modular in the cave

"A little jam in a secret location on the island, known only to a few people. It's an hidden limestone quarry facing the West coast of Sicily where you can see Marsala. To reach it you have to stray from the path and climb down a cliff. The quarry is referred to as "the temple", by it massive square columns. The rooms are huge, and once you exit the quarry, you have direct access to a beautiful sea that, just like Bue Marino, being on the same trait of coast, shines from the underwater limestone planes. A peculiar rock head had been carved by unknowns and guards the spot. Massive rocks has fallen apart from the quarry roof and settled on the rock slide use to load the brick on the ancient boats. I use Erica synths pico voice and a Pittsburgh sv1. 2 pico dsp, a black hole dsp, blue lantern sir mixalot, expert sleepers disting mk4 compression algorithm on the master"

An Aladdin's cave of rare synth gear // Patch Point (Berlin)

Published on Feb 27, 2019 DivKidVideo

"Earlier this year the Modular Podcast crew had the chance to visit Patch Point based in the Neukölln district of Berlin. Patch Point is a store, community hub and synth DIY centre ran by Dr. Darrin Weiner. Patch Point is the only place outside of Peter Blasser himself (the creator) to build Ciat Lonbarde equipment and they also stock various Serge panels, Bug Brand and Eurorack gear. With a heavy leaning to the rare, banana format and other more unique pieces of gear it's no doubt one of the only places in the world to try out, build and get hold of some of this equipment. A total Aladdin's cave of synth gear and a wealth of knowledge and experience with Darrin in driving seat, be sure to get to Patch Point if you happen to be in Berlin anytime."

Increscent gravity of the ages - modular in the cave 5 (eurorack modular synthesizer trance idm jam)

Published on Feb 25, 2019 Modular in the cave

"Little modular jam at Bue Marino Site in Favignana. This side of the island faces the west coast of Sicily, where you can see both Marsala and Trapani, "the scythe of the Mediterranean". The most beautiful, emerald sea in all of Favignana can be seen here, thanks to submarine limestone planes that makes the water shine, creating a strong contrast between the black rocks and the white parts. The spot take its name by the monk seal that inhabitated this part of the island(Bue Marino means sea ox, by the cry of the sea animal similar to the ox cry). The monk seal completely left this place cause of the degrading and disturbing caused by human presence. In the last years some monk seals have been spotted to take rest in submarine caves in the egad islands during the winter. A huge limestone quarry rise behind the shores and through the land, where for thousands of years the stones have been extracted, and then loaded on wooden boats(schifazzi) through the massive rock slide that still stands,making it one of the favourite places for diving. I used Erica synths pico voice and Pittsburgh sv1.2 pico dsp, a black hole dsp, blue lantern sir mixalot, expert sleepers disting mk4 compression algorithm on the master"

A cliff called time - Modular in the cave 2 (eurorack modular synthesizer idm trance ambient jam)

Published on Feb 4, 2019 Modular in the cave

"Little ambient jam using 3x Nintendo DS with electroplankton (hanebow, lumiloop and sun-animalcule) into my eurorack modular.2 pico dsp, a black hole dsp, blue lantern sir mixalot, expert sleepers disting mk4 compression algorithm on the master. Recorder live directly into a Canon 600d with magic lantern"

Foreclosure of the ashes - modular in the cave (eurorack modular trance idm ambient jam)

Published on Jan 25, 2019 sector

"A little jam in a secret location on the island, known only to a few people. It's an hidden limestone quarry facing the West coast of Sicily where you can see Marsala. To reach it you have to stray from the path and climb down a cliff. The quarry is referred to as "the temple", by it massive square columns. The rooms are huge, and once you exit the quarry, you have direct access to a beautiful sea that, just like Bue Marino, being on the same trait of coast, shines from the underwater limestone planes. A peculiar rock head had been carved by unknowns and guards the spot. Massive rocks has fallen apart from the quarry roof and settled on the rock slide use to load the brick on the ancient boats.

I use Erica synths pico voice and a Pittsburgh sv1. 2 pico dsp, a black hole dsp, blue lantern sir mixalot, expert sleepers disting mk4 compression algorithm on the master"

Skint, faint hearted and drowning-prone (dub tech eurorack modular jam)

Published on Jan 23, 2019 sector

"A little dub tech jam at Cala Rossa. this bay is undoubtfully one of the most peculiar spot of the island. let´s see 3 curiosity about this place:

1) In 241 b.c. the final battle of the first punic war is said to have taken place in front of this bay (the battle of the egad). The roman fleets stroke down with such fury on the carthaginian that the water turned red (hence the name Cala Rossa, which means the red bay). In this sea lies thousands of carthaginian and roman wreck, making it one of the most interesting archeological spots in the island

2) Around 1200-1500 a.d. turkish pirates where raging around sicily (and sicilian pirates where raging around turkey). One of the most vicious pirates was Turghud Alì, known as Drogot, or dragut. So vicious that was referred to as "the drawn sword of islam". His action was so scary and mercyless around the egad island, that the terror spread still remains to this days. His ghost is said to wander around here, with his sharp beard and his even sharper sword. The ghost of the Mammadrau

3)Petronilla was the long yearned descent of a limestone quarry owner living in Cala Rossa. But a woman could never be the head of a quarry. One day (some says at age 18, some says at age 23) Petronilla suddenly disappeared. Zu Nillu took her place, and steered the cave for the following years, living in a still standing house that guards the bay from above. Died at age 100, her documents has been discovered to be misteriously changed, she became a man by all means,and of petronilla not a trace was left. The movie "viola di mare" (purple sea) was based around this facts.

I used an Erica synths pico voice and Pittsburgh sv1sequenced by squarp hermod, and 2 Erica Synths pico drums sequenced by bastl knit rider. 2 pico dsp, a black hole dsp, blue lantern sir mixalot, expert sleepers disting mk4 compression algorithm on the master. Recorded live directly into a Canon 600d with magic lantern"

You can find more outdoor synth jams via the outdoors label directly below.

This is what an Antarctic Ice Shelf sounds like

Published on Oct 16, 2018 American Geophysical Union (AGU)

Synth sounds in nature. Dude/dudette with a modular in a cave under the ice sheets somewhere.

"Winds blowing across snow dunes on Antarctica’s Ross Ice Shelf cause the massive ice slab’s surface to vibrate, producing a near-constant drumroll of seismic “tones” scientists could potentially use to monitor changes in the ice shelf from afar, according to new research.

The ice shelf’s “song” is too low in frequency to be heard by human ears, but it has been made audible here by geophysicist and mathematician Julien Chaput, who sped up a 2015 recording of the ice shelf’s vibrations about 1,200 times."