Knobcon cinematic techno modular synth performance by POB

video upload by Patrick POB OBrien

"This was my 76th live performance and the best one yet!

Knobcon performance in the Big Room with a metallic and cinematic all-modular techno set, and I loved every second of it.

Big ups to Mike Cameron for the invite to play this year, to Damon / OSC1Nation and Skyler / KittySpit for being so supportive since the beginning of my modular journey, to Nick / Dub Station Zero for being my hype man, to Brandy / Space Racer for mega support, to the Noise Engineering team for getting me to this con to feature the new Xer Mixa and hang with so many great people at the booth, and to Patrick Leonard for being a constant mentor and inspiration.

Modules in two cases, 2 row 104 HP and 2 row 60 HP.
Left to right:

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Live Modular Synth Performance "The Canyon" by POB

Published on Jan 21, 2018 Patrick OBrien

"This live modular synth performance is the final patch based on the one I created for Qu-Bit Electronix's Instagram Story Takeover.

The patch features several Qu-Bit modules: Pulsar, Contour, Octone, Tone, and Nebulae.

When I took over Qu-Bit's Instagram Stories, I built a patch in 24 hours (link here to that patch BTW: https://youtu.be/x3CzYb2IZLE) but then expanded on that quite a bit more, adding in lush melodies (with the Sputnik Modular keyboard and Mangrove oscillator) and more intense percussion (with Noise Engineering's Manis Iteritas and Mutable Instruments Warps for some effects)

The two samples in this patch (violins and choir) were created in Kontakt then exported to .wav files and added to the Nebulae.

IN STEREO

Various sections in this patch:
0:00 Melodies
3:20 Discovery
5:03 Intense
6:48 The Jam
10:04 Calling
11:48 Reprise
13:49 Fade

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Third Eye Insight (Ambient Sub Phatty) - by POB

Published on Dec 31, 2017 Patrick OBrien

"This track is a one-take live performance with the Moog Sub Phatty (and the Eventide H9).

...along with some trippy visuals."

Stare at the red dot in the center, relax and let yourself space out on the visuals. Then look around the room. :)

All Make Noise ambient modular synth performance: Places - POB

Published on Dec 12, 2017 Patrick OBrien

"Ever since I picked up modular in the fall of 2014, the dream was to one day build a patch on an all Make Noise system and perform it live. I have to admit I was intimidated in the beginning, but that didn’t stop me from slowly building my case over the years, learning the modules, and one day making it happen. Now, I can say I took the big leap.

Over the weekend I performed live with my Make Noise system in front of an intimate crowd in the back room of a cocktail bar here in Los Angeles. The outcome was something unexpected— something magical I can’t explain. The joy of having accomplished such a feat leaves me lost for words. And, playing an ambient piece was way out of my comfort zone, but I let my mind work intricately with the machine, and the result was truly my best modular synth performance to date.

This video is the culmination of all I’ve ever put into music my entire life, and I hope you can grab some headphones, close your eyes, open your mind, and give it a listen today. Thank you.

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IN STEREO

This is a live modular synth ambient performance using only Make Noise Music modules. This set was performed at Triptronics held at Little Joy in Los Angeles, CA on December 10, 2017.

Titled, "Places" because you're going there.

I played this set with other great performers that night: Izapa, Pablo Perez, Andorkappen, and the2vvo.

Make Noise eurorack modules (12 total):
Top row: DPO, Mysteron, Maths, Optomix (2016), Rene
Bottom row: Pressure Points, Tempi, tELHARMONIC, moddemix, MMG, Morphagene, Erbe-Verb

The 6U case is from Dark Modular Cases. The layout of Make Noise modules in the case can be found on ModularGrid: https://www.modulargrid.net/e/racks/view/288832

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No computers or outboard gear were used in this performance -- just modular synths recorded live in a single take.

Video was recorded with an iPhone 6+ then synced using iMovie."

Live Modular Synth Performance for QU-Bit Electronix - POB

Published on Nov 28, 2017 Patrick OBrien

"This is a live performance of the patch I put together for QU-Bit Electronix when I took over their Instagram Stories for 24 hours at http://instagram.com/qubitelectronix

The patch stayed true to the format and was built and performed in a 24-hour period.

IN STEREO

The Qu-BIT Electronix modules used:
Chance - unique modulation source
Contour - quad envelope generator
Tone - quad voltage controlled filter
Octone - 8 step sequencer
Pulsar - burst generator
RT-60 - stereo multi-effects processor
Nebulae - granular sampler

The two samples in the Nebulae were sounds from Native Instruments: String Ensemble (violin), Kontakt (choir)."

Ambient Modular Synth Performance - Baily's Beads by POB

Published on Aug 20, 2017 Patrick OBrien

"Inspired by all the energy around the solar eclipse, I performed this ambient modular synth meditative piece + some mid song jammin' to help celebrate the totality. The total solar eclipse will pass over the U.S. on August 21, 2017.

Starts off ambient, jams a bit in the middle, then ends ambient.

All part of a live Eurorack modular synthesizer performance that I originally streamed live on my Instagram channel, but I wanted to preserve it for more than 24 hours and also present it in STEREO, so it's now here on YouTube.

The Baily's beads effect is a feature of total solar eclipses. As the moon "grazes" by the sun during a solar eclipse, the rugged lunar limb topography allows beads of sunlight to shine through some of the high moon mountains.

Instagram: @obrienmedia
http://instagram.com/obrienmedia

Modules used:

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Scream baby scream! It's the Moog Sub Phatty

Published on Jan 2, 2017 Patrick OBrien

"Short but sweet! Loving the Moog Sub Phatty!

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I am Patrick O'Brien aka P.O.B. living in Los Angeles.
You can also find me as obrienmedia on social media."

Ambient generative music on a modular synth: 'Dizzy Dreams' by POB

Published on Nov 2, 2016 Patrick OBrien

"This ambient modular synthesizer patch is an attempt at creating generative music - music that is ever-different & changing, as created by a system. The patch could go on and on with very little or no repetition or interaction. As you see in this video, I powered up the case and walked away, letting it run by itself.

Generative Music revolves around the idea that music, or sounds may be "generated" by a musician selecting parameters within an ecology, such that the ecology will perpetually produce different variations based on the parameters and algorithms used.

I chose to record a long video for those who want background music, music to fall asleep to, or to find the best music to listen to while studying, or for those wanting to hear dreamy yet spooky cinematic analog sound progressions.

My original thought on this piece: imagining someone who's in a deep dream state but experiences subtle interruptions, as if they are getting knocked in and out of consciousness because they are dizzy or hungover.

Only using 2 oscillators (Make Noise's STO and Pittsburgh Modular's Oscillator) and a lot of effects, this one even surprised me! Some of the deep tones sound like brass instruments blaring, while others formed melodies that sound like French Horns.

While some reverb is coming from the Mutable Instruments Clouds, the entire mix is sent through an Eventide H9 Harmonizer Effects Processor.

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Live Modular Synth performance: "Drowning" by POB (@obrienmedia)

Published on Sep 25, 2016 Patrick OBrien

"This modular synth live performance is the set I played for Modular On The Spot at Red Car River Park in Los Angeles on September 22, 2016.

I played this jam on a lineup of other modular synthesizer performers: DJ and electronic music producer Matt Lange, sound healing artist Heare LA, Junk Rhythm, and Courdek. Many many thanks to Bana Haffar and Eric Cheslak "Rodent" for giving me the opportunity to perform this set in front of a great crowd!

Portions of this modular synth music was performed at a private modular pool party, then I beefed it up and extended it for the performance at the park."

CONTROL T-shirt.

Modular Synth "Drumbox" by POB feat. Hexinverter Mutant drum modules

Published on May 15, 2016 Patrick OBrien

"I created a modular synthesizer drumbox containing all my drum modules inside a single 3U case skiff from Make Noise."

"Mighty" by POB feat Moog Sub Phatty, Mother-32, and Korg MS-10, SQ1

Published on Apr 18, 2016 Patrick OBrien

"Throwing some analog synthesizers together to come up with this lush song, dedicated to my dear friend who is nearing the end with her battle with cancer. Her name is Melissa Whipp but she is mostly known by her friends and family as 'Mighty Mouse.'

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The 2 Moog Mother-32's talk to each other to set the mood, followed by tones from the MS-10 sequenced and CV'ed by the Korg SQ1. After bringing in the thick driving Sub Phatty bass, the choirs from Kontact are mixed in via AxiomPro69's MIDI controller, giving the song a rise, with angelic choirs taking over the journey that was left behind.

Synths and gear used:
Korg MS-10
Korg SQ-1
Moog Sub Phatty
Moog Mother-32
AxiomPro 69
Native Instruments Kontakt (for the choir sounds)

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I recorded video with an iPhone 6+ then optimized the audio and video using iMovie.

No computers were used in the performance of this piece. All synths recorded live in a single take."

Modular Synth Live Performance (multi-song) "Eternal" by POB

Published on Apr 4, 2016 Patrick OBrien

"This live modular synth performance is the set I played for 'So Modular Synth Night' at The Whistle Stop in San Diego on March 29, 2016.

I played this set with other experimental modular synthesizer performers Bana Haffar, Ted James Butler, Mike Dobler, and John Noble. Many many thanks to Rodent516 for giving me the opportunity to perform this set live.

The songs in this video:

0:00 "Arp", featuring the Sputnik Modular Multitouch Keyboard/Controller

2:00 "Sailing", featuring the Make Noise telHARMONIC & ALM's Dinky's Taiko

5:40 "Dash", featuring the Make Noise Mysteron & the Audio Damage Kompressor

10:15 "Eternal", featuring the Mutable Instruments Elements & Bastl Instruments GrandPA (with The KLF's "3 a.m. Eternal" sample)

15:45 "Furious", featuring the Noise Engineering Loquelic Iteritas & Mutable Instruments Grids

18:20 "Fuuuuuuu" featuring the The Harvestman's Malgorithm & Intellijel uFold II

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All sounds mixed out through Sputnik Modular’s 6-Channel Stereo Mixer, send to Ableton Live for master file creation for YouTube, SoundCloud, Facebook and Instagram.

I recorded video with an iPhone 6+ then manually synced the video with the audio using iMovie.

All modules were inside a 12U Gemini 0104 case from Monorocket and a 6U case from Dark Modular.

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No computers were used in the performance of this piece. All modular synths, recorded live in a single take."

"Dirty Machine" - Live modular synthesizer performance by POB (@obrienmedia)

Published on Feb 14, 2016 Patrick OBrien

"Here's a dirty jam I came up with over the weekend, limiting the performance to just a 6U case with nothing else running outside the box. This was performed live with no edits.

Patch highlights:
This short set was inspired after purchasing the Sound Machines LS1 lightstrip from Perfect Circuit Audio here in Los Angeles, CA. That module is featured front and center, using it to sweep the Ripples filter, which is running the overall mix.

I used every module in the case.

The clock is set by Mutable Instruments' Yarns, then divided out to various modules via the Delptronics Triggerman.

There are two kicks: one is from Mutable Instruments' Peaks, and the other is also from Peaks, but split off and sent through the Intellijel uFold II then through The Harvestman's Malgorithm and spit back out as a distorted WTF.

Snare sound is a sampled piano from the default sounds on the Bastl Instruments GrandPA -- of course it's all crushed from the effects from the module.

Some percussive effects are also coming from Noise Engineering's Basimilus Iteritas.

I use the Synthrotek MST CV/Mixer to turn off and on the kicks.

The two basslines from from The Harvestman's Hertz Donut and HARM on Braids, going through Audio Damage's Kompressor and LFOs from Intellijel's Quadra

The 6U case is from Dark Modular Cases.

No computers were used in this piece. All modular synths."

Live Modular Synth Performance: "Free Ride" by P.O.B. (@obrienmedia)

Published on Aug 9, 2015 Patrick OBrien

"My latest modular synthesizer song, performed live, showcasing all the sick lights and sounds that make modular synths the best musical instruments ever.

- The beginning "horn" is a sample sound from QuBit's Nebulae

- Added the Mutant drums (Bassdrum, HiHats, Cymbals), with the bass line from The Harvestman's Hertz Donut.

- Flute melody comes from Mutable Instruments' Braids, morphed by Expert Sleepers' Disting, then crazy distorted by the Malgorithm, pulling the patch cord out from Metrolpolis and touching the pitch jack for the heavy metal guitar breakdown.

- Bells at the end from Mutable's Elements with DPO and tELHARMONIC both being filtered with high resonance by DSI's Curtis Filter.

- Rhythms created by both the Delptronics Trigger Man and 4ms' SCM/SCM Breakout.

No computers were used in this piece. All modular synths.

I am P.O.B. living in Los Angeles.

You can also find me as obrienmedia on social media.

Follow me on SoundCloud: http://soundcloud.com/obrienmedia
Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/obrienmedia
Follow me on Instagram: http://instagram.com/obrienmedia (search hashtag #modularsynth)
Follow me on Facebook: http://facebook.com/patrick.obrien

Recorded August 9, 2015 in Los Angeles, California."

Live Modular Synth Performance: "Lifepod" by P.O.B.

Published on Jun 29, 2015 Patrick OBrien

"This is the live set I put together for my modular synthesizer performance at the Analogue Haven event in Santa Monica, CA on June 26, 2015. The conditions weren't ideal to record there, so I recorded a version from my studio.

The visuals of the performance: Imagine launching a lifepod into space followed by the crew knocking back some suds, partying it up in orbit -- then suddenly aliens attack, leaving the crew unconscious. When they awaken, they're helpless -- as the lifepod floats out into the abyss where they eventually die. TADA!

Specs:
- The atmospheric sound in the beginning is the Make Noise DPO sent to Dave Smith Instruments' Curtis Filter, leading to QuBit Electonix's RT60 reverb, coming out stereo. I used Intellijel's Planar to slowly warp between 4 different low tones as well.

- The melody in the first dance song is from the Pittsburgh OSC sent through the Korgasmatron, Grainshift, Errorbox and Freqshift and is played on the QuNexus Midi/CV controller

- The drum sounds are all from Mutable Instruments Peaks. I used two of them.

- Sequencing is done by Intellijel's Metropolis, Kilpatrick Audio's K4815, and the Make Noise Rene.

- The siren in the middle is Malekko's Noisering being CV'ed via 4ms's Quad Pingable LFO then going through Intellijel's uFold.

- The bells come from Mutable Instruments' Elements.

- The orange and red cases are from Monorocket.

No computers were used in this piece. All modular synths.

I am P.O.B. & have also established myself as obrienmedia on social media.

Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/obrienmedia
Follow me on Instagram: http://instagram.com/obrienmedia (search hashtag #modularsynth)"