Infiltration - dark ambient / space music by Richard Dehove

Richard DeHove

"A dark ambient / space music track. The track features mainly in-the-box production with the Pro-One, Pro-5 and ArcSyn VSTi synths. Sampled words include (in order): 'Your planet is about to be attacked. Some of their secret agents have infiltrated your most restricted areas; your governments, your scientific laboratories. You and the others have no choice but to submit. Your mind is becoming quite blank. You feel that don't you?'

Track was written by Richard Dehove at DubDub studios and mastered by Scott Craggs at Old Colony Mastering

If you like this track please consider downloading it from one of the usual music providers, Spotify, Apple and Deezer being some of many:

https://open.spotify.com/album/6Rhx91...
https://music.apple.com/us/album/infi...
https://www.deezer.com/en/album/16707...

Finally, if you read this far you might even consider visiting my lonely Patreon page!
https://www.patreon.com/richarddehove"

LXR-02 tutorial - Part 3: Snare, clap and hats

video upload by Richard DeHove

"Part three of a getting started guide for the Erica Synths LXR-02 drum machine. This is with firmware version 1.1. This tutorial covers the Snare, Cymbal/Clap and Hats voices. We look at all the parameters and some basic programming techniques - especially in order to create continuous variation.

0:00 Intro
0:20 Snare, Clap & hats overview
1:46 The two hat tracks
4:00 Initialize kit
4:28 Hats in detail
6:30 Chromatic playing
6:47 Step edit notes
7:27 LFO modulation
10:30 Assigning LFOs
12:33 Example hat sounds
14:35 Continuous variation
15:26 Cym/Clap voice
16:00 Flam controls
22:08 Clap example sounds
23:00 LFO as an envelope
24:28 LFO retrigger fun
27:02 Snare voice in detail
31:08 Example snare sounds
33:28 All together & next time
34:03 Outro sounds

My site: https://richarddehove.com/
Lots of downloads for supporters on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/richarddehove"

LXR-02 tutorials by Richard DeHove

Erica Synths DB-01 quick tip: Long steps

Richard DeHove

"The DB-01, good as it is, doesn't have sustain. But there are ways to achieve long sustained notes, as well as mixtures of long and short envelopes in a single pattern.

0:00 Quick overview
0:13 Gate length
0:35 Using gates for sustain
0:55 The LFO as an envelope
2:06 Modulation for sustain
3:00 Combinations"

You can find additional Erica Synths DB-01 quick tips by Richard DeHove here.

LXR-02 tutorial - Part 6: Useful shortcuts

video upload by Richard DeHove

"Part six of a getting started guide for the Erica Synths LXR-02 drum machine. This is with firmware 1.2. This tutorial covers a selection of shortcuts which are sometimes not even indictated on the machine - they're just things you have to know. Some things here, like the Pattern generator, I've covered in detail in other videos, but I thought it worth grouping the best shortcuts together as a reference. And with the Automation shortcut here, this is the "quick and easy" method rather than going into the options in detail. Hope you find it useful.

0:00 intro
0:14 Pattern Generator
1:30 Deleting steps
1:55 Rolling steps
2:53 Last Step All
4:45 Copy & extend
5:50 Global sample rate
7:04 Easy automation
9:30 Deleting automation
11:14 Revert pattern

My site: https://richarddehove.com/
Lots of downloads for supporters on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/richarddehove"

LXR-02 tutorials by Richard DeHove

LXR-02 tutorial - Part 5: Automation

video upload by Richard DeHove

"Part five of a getting started guide for the Erica Synths LXR-02 drum machine. This is with firmware 1.2. This tutorial looks just at automation. How to automate steps and tracks isn't obvious at first glance and maybe doesn't sound all that exciting but it can add a huge amount of interesting variation to your patterns. It's also very fast and easy to create the automation tracks, change them, erase them and redo them. I think it's one of the LXR's best features.

0:00 intro
0:43 Creating a track
1:04 Choose an automation track
1:36 Real-time automation
2:17 Second track of automation
3:40 Erasing automation
4:18 Reloading your kit
5:11 Realtime example two
5:53 Panning automation
6:51 Realtime example three
9:25 Step-by-step automation
12:20 Trying different kits

My site: https://richarddehove.com
Lots of downloads for supporters on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/richarddehove"

LXR-02 tutorials by Richard DeHove

Norand Mono Tutorial 2: X-mod and X-env

video by Richard DeHove

"A detailed look at the Mono's modulators and envelopes; how to apply them generally to a parameter, and also varying the amount per step. The tutorial also looks at real-time automation recording and 'playing' the pitch of each oscillator separately. Many more tutorials to come on this amazing machine.

0:00​ Intro and Live Mode
0:14​ X-mod and X-env overview
0:58​ Starting to make a bass drum
1:20​ Selecting a parameter
1:47​ Turn on Visualization
2:14​ Tweaking the Osc envelope
3:02​ Adding a click
3:51​ The X-mod section
5:10​ Modulator shapes
6:20​ Modulator "Types"
8:10​ Per step variations
10:14​ White noise snare
11:36​ Adding a transient click
12:40​ Modulating filter color
14:10​ Changing the overall sound
15:32​ Recording knob automation
16:08​ Multi-step undo
16:42​ More knob automation
18:12​ Choosing a scale
18:34​ Recording quantized pitch automation

This is not a sponsored video!
My site: https://richarddehove.com/
Lots of downloads for supporters on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/richarddehove"

Richard DeHove Norand Mono Tutorials

Using CV to create generative ambient with the DB-01

video by Richard DeHove

"The Erica Synths DB-01 plus a single Eurorack LFO module (the Erica Synths Drum Modulator) can achieve generative dark ambient. Seems unlikely but is really very straightforward. In this example it even sounds a bit like a thunderstorm. An Eventide Blackhole provides the obligatory big dark reverb and there's also some limiting in the DAW from a Fabfilter Pro-L.

0:00 Creating a pattern
1:00 Into drone mode
1:18 Clock out to LFO
1:48 CV input
2:30 Internal LFO
3:20 Gate in
3:58 Add reverb
4:40 Pitch CV in
6:00 Creating the storm

My site: https://richarddehove.com/
Lots of downloads for supporters on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/richarddehove"

Richard DeHove DB-01 posts

Erica Synths DB-01 Quick Tip: Filter Tracking

video by Richard DeHove

"The DB-01 doesn't have tracking by default, but it's easy to activate by CV. There's some other internal CV patching that can give interesting results as well!

0:00​ Setting up filter tracking
0:45​ Tracking with noise
1:14​ LFO in noise mode
1:40​ Useful resonance
2:36​ Clock to Gate In
3:12​ Clock to CV In
3:55​ Odd 'delay' effect
4:30​ Adding white noise"

https://richarddehove.com/​
Lots of downloads for supporters on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/richarddehove​

Richard DeHove DB-01 posts

LXR-02 tutorial - Part 4: Patterns

video upload by Richard DeHove

"Part four of a getting started guide for the Erica Synths LXR-02 drum machine. This is with a beta version of firmware 1.2. This tutorial covers the fundamentals of patterns with a focus on the pattern generator. The generator is a Euclidean pattern generator but is so fast and versatile it's useful as a starter in just about any situation. The tutorial also looks at pattern and track lengths and clearing tracks.
This was also going to cover song mode but (and please test this for yourself) I believe there's a bug in song mode where the song plays backs patterns one-higher than the saved pattern number. So if your song says play back patterns 1, 2 and 3 it will actually play patterns 2, 3 and 4. As soon as this is fixed I'll do a video on song mode!
Note also in the pattern generator page that "mrp" is a morph control and will also be covered in a separate video.

0:00 The pattern generator
3:00 Saving and copying patterns
3:30 Clearing tracks
4:50 Copying tracks
6:42 Generator example 2
7:50 Track length - various methods

My site: https://richarddehove.com/

Lots of downloads for supporters on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/richarddehove"

LXR-02 tutorials by Richard DeHove

Getting the most out of FM with the DB-01

video upload by Richard DeHove

"With a little simple tuning, FM on the DB-01 can become extremely useful. You can create multiple pattern variations by moving the FM tuning from note to note. And instead of "losing" the LFO it's now available to create interesting filter modulations that start sounding like bit crushers and distortion. Changing the LFO shape adds even more flavors. If you haven't used much FM before, it's worth choosing one of your favorite patterns and experimenting with variations.



In the video I use a Fabfilter L2 limiter on the output for consistency. More importantly, if you're trying to recreate the sound, I also have the CV out hooked directly to the VCF/CV in to give filter tracking.



0:00 Why no love for FM

0:36 Setting up for FM

1:15 Choose a note and tune

2:04 Filter modulation

3:30 Re-tuning to a new note

4:00 New pattern

4:52 The joys of the sub

5:24 Changing the LFO shape

7:40 Square wave FM



My site: https://richarddehove.com/

Lots of downloads for supporters on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/richarddehove" Richard DeHove DB-01 posts

Erica Synths DB-01: Using it as a drum machine

Richard DeHove

"The DB-01 makes an interesting and unusual drum machine, keeping sync beautifully while being manually played. It also uses features which tend not to get as much love in the usual bass-duties mode, such as the triangle wave, drone mode and FM.

0:00 Creating a simple starter pattern
0:25 Adding pitch envelope
0:42 Copying and adding steps
1:38 Adding accents
1:46 Modifying the pitch envelope
2:22 Changing octaves
2:57 Filter modulation
3:29 VCA on drone mode & tweaking
4:17 LFO on the filter
4:40 Square wave nmode
5:08 Adding noise
5:27 LFO for basic beat
6:24 Step Roll mode
6:58 Fun noodlings
9:00 Changing the Arp pattern style
9:20 Arp in latch mode

https://www.patreon.com/richarddehove
On Patreon you'll also find some DB-01 loops in wav format"

Richard DeHove DB-01 posts

Two Erica Synths DB-01s attempt Subharmonicon ambience

video by Richard DeHove

"Can two Erica Synths DB-01 Bassline machines achieve Subharmonicon-style ambience? They are wildly different in design and capabilities but the DB-01s can do a surprisingly good impression of "meandering ambience". Here I run through the entire setup and tweaks with less talking as the video goes on. What I did find is that the wonderful Polivoks filter won't be denied and the machines seemed to naturally gravitate to grit and filth and finally ended up in dark ambient territory. For contrast listen at 4:35 and then jump to 20:20. Both machines are running through the same Fabfilter Pro-R reverb setting at a 25% mix.

PS: The focus becomes steadily softer through the video. Why? Who knows, but it's the last time that camera will fail me. Next time, a new camera.

0:00 Intro blather
0:24 Adding steps and setting the scale
0:39 Step cycling
1:00 Setting the LFO
1:36 Polymeters
2:03 Percentage probabilities
2:39 Second LFO adjusted
3:08 Polymeter and LFO settings overview
3:23 Music finally starts!
3:37 Drone mode added
3:53 Setting the random pitch range
4:35 Subharmoniconicky yet?
6:45 Restricting pitch to one octave
8:15 One high; one low
8:55 LFOs to sample and hold
9:28 A few extra steps
11:06 Slowest possible synced LFO
12:40 Both set to two octave range
13:26 Thinning out the patterns
14:00 Grit appears
14:56 Both to triangle waveform
15:08 Getting dark and dirty
17:40 The Polivoks Revenge
20:20 Outro jam: the DB-01s back in character

My site: https://richarddehove.com/
Lots of downloads for supporters on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/richarddehove"

Richard DeHove Erica Synths DB-01 posts

Erica Synths DB-01: Advanced randomization

video by Richard DeHove

"The DB-01 has some excellent randomization features. Go into play mode, press and hold a step and select either a percentage chance for that step to play; or select a ratio of plays to pattern cycles. With a little planning you can get some very long and complex patterns. Added to that is the pattern randomization page with all sorts of options that can be great starters:

0:00​ Intro and Play Mode
1:00​ Percentages in Play Mode
1:52​ Step cycles in Play Mode
3:11​ Randomize Pattern Mode
3:30​ Deleting modulations
4:20​ Accents
4:37​ Slides
4:44​ Filter modulation
5:12​ Pitch envelope
7:17​ Gate distribution
8:28​ Cycles and percentages
9:37​ Gate length
9:58​ Scales and note ranges
11:32​ Creating a user scale
13:50​ One-note scale
14:36​ Fixing the start point
17:08​ Saving settings per bank
18:42​ Scale bug on save settings

My site: https://richarddehove.com/​
Lots of downloads for supporters on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/richarddehove"

Erica Synths DB-01 demos by Richard DeHove

LXR-02 tutorial - Part 7: Fun with LFOs

video upload by Richard DeHove

"Part seven of a getting started guide for the Erica Synths LXR-02 drum machine. This is with firmware 1.2. This tutorial looks at applying multiple synchronized LFOs to a sound. You'd think a 17-minute tutorial could cover a big chunk of this topic, but instead it really only covers the more obvious options of modulating the pitch, filter, resonance and decay. There are dozens of other targets that can produce some extremely interesting and unusual sounds. At least this will get you started. Be warned though, it's a deep tunnel to explore! With six LFOs the LXR-02 can get very intricate very quickly.

As an aside: A non-synth friend who discovered me working on this video asked what it was about. When I tried to give a quick overview they thought it was hilarious. In the nicest way possible they dismissed it as 'incredibly niche'.

Some people just don't appreciate how much fun you can have with low frequency oscillators - but I know you understand.

0:00 LFO basics blather
1:20 Hats LFO one
2:40 Offset
3:30 Destination
4:00 Hats LFO two
5:40 Tom with an LFO
8:30 Noise with an LFO
10:15 Noise with a second LFO
11:30 Noise with a third LFO
13:50 LFO on noise tuning
14:15 Noise with a fourth LFO
14:40 Lost in too many LFOs :D
15:30 Order restored
15:55 Saving the SyncKit
16:20 SyncKit on a new pattern

My site: https://richarddehove.com/
Lots of downloads for supporters on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/richarddehove"

LXR-02 tutorials by Richard DeHove

LXR-02 tutorial - Part 1: Essentials

video upload by Richard DeHove

"Part one of a getting started guide for the Erica Synths LXR-02 drum machine. This is with firmware version 1.1 and everything as you'll find it fresh from the box. The machine itself is tiny, sturdy, beautiful and absolutely packed full of features. With part one here I could only cover the absolute essentials. The guide is designed to make your first few hours and days with this machine as smooth as possible.

0:00 Introduction and all-round view
0:53 Firmware version
1:03 The micro-SD card
1:41 Everything's on the card
1:56 Data structure
2:25 What is a Project?
3:10 On boot
3:40 The two modes
4:15 Performance Mode
4:30 Global shuffle amount
4:45 Global sample rate
5:06 Roll rate
5:48 Setting the BPM
6:14 External sync
7:10 Loading kits
8:05 Triggering sounds
9:41 External trigger
10:27 Mute and select
10:53 "Escape" buttons
11:30 Editing buttons
11:48 Menu navigation
12:14 The Data knob
13:37 Adding steps
14:05 The voices
15:12 Voice editing overview
16:30 Mix menu
17:30 Selecting the outputs
19:51 An output trap!
21:15 Consider your outs
21:45 Track length and polymeters
22:28 MIDI note assign
23:10 Config menu
24:00 Screensaver on/off
24:45 MIDI options
25:17 Bar follow
25:42 Pattern-kit link
26:54 Clock PPQ settings
27:22 Saving the configuration
27:50 Creating a pattern
28:15 Saving a project
31:45 Copying patterns
32:38 Next time!

My site: https://richarddehove.com/
Lots of downloads for supporters on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/richarddehove"

LXR-02 tutorials by Richard DeHove

Erica Synths DB-01: 12 patching ideas

video by Richard DeHove

"A look at some of the obvious and not so obvious things you can do to get a variety of sounds. Especially important is the use of LFO phase shifting, something which was introduced in firmware 1.07. It has a dramatic effect on the sound in both note reset mode and pattern sync. At the end of the video I get in some random noodlings just for fun.

0:00​ Filter tracking
0:53​ Filter envelope click
1:26​ Random filter modulation
2:14​ Vibrato
3:10​ LFO filter phase
6:33​ Drone mode
7:03​ Sync mode filter phase
11:17​ Bandpass filter
12:30​ Gated chop
14:14​ Clocking the gate
14:50​ Pitch envelope drums
15:41​ FM percussion
17:38​ LFO noise drums
21:28​ Random noodling

My site: https://richarddehove.com/
Lots of downloads for supporters on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/richarddehove"

Richard DeHove DB-01 posts

DB-01 firmware update 1.08: Rotate sequence

video upload by Richard DeHove

"Firmware update 1.08 has suddenly made the DB-01 random pattern generator a whole lot better. It's now possible to 'rotate sequence' - in other words, change the start point. It's a little thing but makes a huge difference. In this video I take a quick look at the new feature, try it out on a 32-step random pattern, and finish with a guitar solo.

0:00 Intro blather
0:20 Check firmware version
1:12 Random pattern generator
2:24 Select scale
2:58 The rotate function
3:24 32-step random
4:47 Rotate across 2 bars
6:15 Noddling
7:10 Guitar solo

My site: https://richarddehove.com/
Lots of downloads for supporters on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/richarddehove"

Richard DeHove DB-01 posts

LXR-02 tutorial - Part 2: Projects & Kits

video upload by Richard DeHove

"Part two of a getting started guide for the Erica Synths LXR-02 drum machine. This is with firmware version 1.1. This tutorial covers initializing a new project, adjusting basic configuration settings, using an external MIDI controller, and a run through of the voice editing parameters. Here we look at just the main drum synth voice that is used in the first three voices. Toward the end we create some basic drum sounds from scratch including some clean kicks, a few awful FM things and various flavors of snare. The remaining three voices: snare, clap and hats (and some better FM) - will be in the next tutorial.

If you want to skip all the config stuff start at 8:15 minutes in.

0:00 Intro
0:30 Initializing a project
1:32 Config options
4:08 MIDI note assign
5:00 Default content **
5:42 Tuned chromatic playing
7:09 Edit project name
8:00 Voice editing begins! (finally)
8:15 MIX section
8:32 OSC section
10:04 FILTER section
11:38 CLICK section
15:23 LFO section
21:32 AEG section
24:07 MOD section
25:46 Making some kick drums
29:53 MOD veocity controls
33:54 FM section
37:53 Making some snare drums

My site: https://richarddehove.com/
Lots of downloads for supporters on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/richarddehove

** A couple of minor points: At 5:00 minutes I delete some content on Pattern 1. On very rare ocassions when initializing a project I get random (but coherant!) content on Pattern 1. Of course it happened while videoing. Also, a few people would have seen an earlier "tutorial 2". This was based on the operation of the LXR-02 with an earlier SD card image which didn't allow for simple project initialization. The improved software made that video largely irrelevant so I deleted it. That's the danger with early version tutorials!"

LXR-02 tutorials by Richard DeHove

Erica Synths DB-01: How to make a "Super-16"

video by Richard DeHove

"How can you make a 16-step pattern into a 32 or even a 128-step pattern without creating multiple bars? Just use the "cycling steps" feature. There are various "cycling step" options available such as 1/2 2/3 3/4 or 7/8. By adding just a few you can make a very simple 16-step pattern into a much more complex and varied "Super-16".

0:00​ What is a "super 16" ?
1:20​ Display and/or erase cycling steps
1:50​ Analysing a super-16 pattern
2:33​ Slight issue
4:10​ Make a super-16
6:25​ Add modulation"

My site: https://richarddehove.com/​
Lots of downloads for supporters on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/richarddehove​

Richard DeHove DB-01 posts

LXR-02 tutorial - Part 8: Euclidean triggers

video upload by Richard DeHove

"Part eight of a guide for the Erica Synths LXR-02 drum machine. This is with firmware 1.2. In some ways this is less of a tutorial and more of a fun exploration with the LXR-02 paired with a DB-01 Bassline and then a Vermona PerFourMer MkII with a Zen delay. The Euclidean triigers come from the LXR-02's pattern generator. In the first example one channel is dedicated to running the DB-01. The interesting sude effect of the triggering is that it adds sustain to the DB-01 sound. This means switching it on and off gives a very different quality to the sound. In the second example four channels of the LXR-02 trigger four different sounds on the Vermona PerFourMer. The fun comes from switching between channels on the LXR-02 to create rythmic variations. The Zen delay gives some extra complexity and dirt on top.
0:00 Technical setup
1:12 DB-01 pattern
1:44 DB-01 triggered
2:37 Changing the pitch
3:37 Euclidean jam
5:44 PerFourMer MkII setup
6:39 PerFourMer sounds
7:20 Fiddling with triggers
9:10 Zen delay
10:08 Overdrive
12:00 Kick fiddlings
13:00 More drive!

My site: https://richarddehove.com/
Lots of downloads for supporters on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/richarddehove"

LXR-02 tutorials by Richard DeHove