Ensemble 1 with Grackler, Double Knot, Sidrax & Mute Synth

Published on Apr 23, 2019 Robin Rimbaud-Scanner

"A little improvisation in the studio using four inspiring little instruments. Beginning with the Mroztronium Grackler and Dirty Electronics Mute Synth creating abstract noises and textures, followed by a deep pulse from the Lorre Mill Double Knot and playing live on top with the Chat Lonbarde Sidrax. The film is out of synch and I apologise for that but it hopefully captures the mood. A tiny moment in a creative day."

Buchla 200e

Published on Apr 4, 2019 Robin Rimbaud-Scanner

"A little bit of cinematic experimentation with the Buchla 200e synthesiser, one of my personal favourite instruments. A moment of downtime in a busy schedule :-D"

Ciat-Lonbarde Tetrax

Published on Nov 19, 2018 Robin Rimbaud-Scanner

"First experiments with the beautiful Ciat-Lonbarde Tetrax, using only an Eventide H9 pedal for effects and playing it live, no editing. Such a beautiful instrument, intuitive, unusual and rich sounding and this is without even patching it within itself to produce even wilder results."

The Unocist

Published on Oct 26, 2018 Robin Rimbaud-Scanner

"Described by the press as one of the most traumatising experiences modern media could deliver, The Unocist comes to your screens very soon. Terrifying, shocking and surreal in equal measure, The Unocist stars Uno from IK Multimedia in a battle to the death with synth eating zombies. Who can say which shall conquer? We can only say that your nights will be stirred by visions as yet unimagined, your days fraught with a compulsion to check around every corner, under every desk and bed. Ultimately, The Unocist is a story about the perils (psychological and physical!) of our own obsessive minds and the subcultures in which we dwell.

With many thanks to IK Multimedia for the generous gift of the Uno Synth. All sounds were produced entirely with the synth, and only the occasional Ableton Zombie plugin."

DFAM Drifting into ambience

Published on Jun 25, 2018 Robin Rimbaud-Scanner

"First play with the new Moog DFAM, a wonderfully inspiring musical tool. So far removed from being a simple 'drum machine.' Here I layered three live recordings of the DFAM processed through the Strymon El Capistan. Please try and listen on headphones if possible to capture the slowing ebbing away of the sound for the closing passage as it'll be lost on a computer speaker :-D"

Microbe Plaiting

Published on Jun 17, 2018 Robin Rimbaud-Scanner

"A little live Eurorack experimentation utilising Microbe Modular Equation Composer, Mutable Instruments Plaits, Qu-Bit Electronix Wave and Erica Synths PICO Voice, performed live with Intellijel Tetrapad, Malekko Voltage Block and Mutable Instruments Marbles creating changes and shifts and lots of other nice modular machines to make them sound even finer :-)"

A Little Bit of Everything

Published on May 14, 2018 Robin Rimbaud-Scanner

"A little preview teaser for the forthcoming world premiere of A Little Bit of Everything (Scanner Scans Bedford), which will be performed live on 12 June 2018 at the Queen Elizabeth Hall London on the South Bank Centre. The show will feature live electronics on Scanner on Moog synths and laptop in collaboration with the BBC Concert Orchestra. More details below:

David Bedford’s work transcends genre and style, reaching audiences in dynamic and refreshing ways. In what would have been his 80th birthday, the orchestra dives into a concert of his music including Tubular Bells and Symphony No.1.

The orchestra also performs a world premiere by electronic musician Scanner, drawing out the majestic and exploratory nature of Bedford’s composition.

https://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/wha...

Performers
BBC Concert Orchestra
Michael Seal conductor
Steve Hillage guitar
Scanner electronics

Repertoire
David Bedford: Alleluia Timpanis for orchestra
Scanner: A Little Bit of Everything (World premiere)
David Bedford: Symphony No.1
Interval
Mike Oldfield: Tubular Bells arr. David Bedford for orchestra"

PATCH & TWEAK - Exploring Modular Synthesis Book on Kickstarter

via Kickstarter:

"The new book about modular synths, their makers, and masters. Patching secrets, performance tips, history, modules, and techniques.

'Hello!

My name is Kim Bjørn – welcome to the PATCH & TWEAK Kickstarter campaign! Following our book PUSH TURN MOVE about electronic music instruments - we are now creating a book on modular synthesis.

We want PATCH & TWEAK to provide an opportunity for new and experienced users to become true masters of their modular systems. In the style of its predecessor, PATCH & TWEAK contains inspirational interviews with significant creators and major artists who all share their passion for modular. Explore their systems, philosophies, patching secrets, and performance tips.

Besides a comprehensive introduction to synthesis and its history, the book covers systematic sections on concepts, purpose and creative possibilities of specific modules. Enjoy colorful diagrams, presentations of both popular and rare modules, semi-modular and software, as well as techniques for patching and how to get started.

PATCH & TWEAK has a foreword by Suzanne Ciani, is written by Kim Bjørn and Chris Meyer, and edited by Paul Nagle.

So what exactly is PATCH & TWEAK? Watch the video, take the tour below, and please support the book by selecting a reward if you like the idea.'

Kim Bjørn, Copenhagen, May 2018

About the book

Meet the makers, and artists

Apart from systematic sections and general subjects PATCH & TWEAK features interviews with the passionate makers of modules and systems, and the artists who use them, and influence them. We have already started interviewing - and when more artists are confirmed, we will keep you updated!

CLICK FOR MORE »

Scanner & Ross Lamond - Bells N Whistles Crackles N Pops 2016

Published on Jul 18, 2017 DivKidVideo

"Here's Robin Rimbaud aka Scanner live at Ross Lamond's Bells N Whistles Crackles N Pops event back in November 2016. Towards the end Ross Lamond joins Scanner for a techno jam to finish off the night.

I'd like to thank Zarina (as mentioned in the video) for the audience perspective footage that helped me put this video together as my camera battery died :( "

All parts here.

When all else fails...

Published on Jul 16, 2017 Robin Rimbaud-Scanner

"A little musical exploration in the studio on a gloomy Sunday afternoon, with the Eurorack modular system keeping me happily distracted :-)

Tech notes if you are curious - Intellijel Metropolis is the engine driving the melodies, with the Verbos Complex Oscillator and Endorophins.es Furthrrr Generator Oscillator creating the melodies. These are filtered through a Cwejman DMF-2 Filter, a Doepfer A-124 Wasp Filter, and Schippmann VCF-02. The Furthrrr Generator runs through the 2hp Freez to offer up these tricky little melodic runs. The percussion comes from the TipTop Audio ONE sampler. A Rebel Technology Χρόνος modulates the Verbos timbre. The random radio samples appear live from the Befaker ARRadio, and everything is mixed into the Intellijel Linix and Mutamix. The reverb is in the DAW itself, Ableton Live, a combination of AudioDamage EOS and Soundtoys Echoboy."

Klee Didge

Published on Jun 26, 2017 Robin Rimbaud-Scanner

"A little experiment in the studio with the Klee sequencer but using it only to send gate CVs, with no traditional melodic content. The sounds come from the Harvestman Hertz Donut, Endorphin es Furthrrr Generator and Intellijel Dixie II, whilst some additional percussion follows from ALM/Busy Circuits Dinky’s Taiko ever changing from Qu-Bit Electronix Chance."

ASR Freez

Published on Jun 16, 2017 Robin Rimbaud-Scanner

"A little experiment using the Elby Designs CGS734 Analog Shift Register running three oscillators, the Verbos Electronics Complex Oscillator, Endorphin es Furthrrr Generator Oscillator and Harvestman Hertz Donut Oscillator, the latter of which runs through the 2hp Freez, triggered by a Modcon Quad LFO. Intellijel Metropolis is making the melodies. Meanwhile two separate melodies lines flutter and appear from Hex Inverter Orbitals, also clocked by Metropolis - using Make Noise STO and Intellijel Dixie 2. Add a little reverb and a terrible iPhone film and you have it :-D"

See this post for details on the Elby Designs CGS734 Analog Shift Register.

Circuit Bent DD-10

Published on Oct 26, 2016 Robin Rimbaud-Scanner

"A circuit bent modified Yamaha DD-10 Drum Machine, built by Shane Williams of X1L3. Although a DD-10 won't yield to rom glitching, a number of features have been added to it to bring it up to spec with some of the more unruly machines listed in the shop. It takes on it's own unique character and is now unlike any of the others. Two oscillators which can be set up as drones or set to follow the amplitude envelope of the drum machine output, an external input with bufferd/none buffered input selection which allows you to feed line level equipment and passives such as guitars, mics and contact mics into the effects chain. The effects chain consists of a resonant filter with high pass and low pass bands, a digital delay which is open to abuse and is the heart of the machines ability to create ambient, harsh and noise wall sound scapes as well as data crash type glitching and strange effect. It has a dual mode distortion with diode clipping and direct modes. All of these can be used to manipulate the internal sounds as well as anything fed into the external input. The external input can be used while the machine is active and the machine, oscillators and external source can be mixed up as desired in the mixer section. The pitch control features a coarse and fine dial. When the pitch is dropped via the coarse control it dives into dirt and sludge which plays well with the filter and distortion.

More information here:
http://www.x1l3.bigcartel.com/product..."

Rhythm

Published on Oct 23, 2016 Robin Rimbaud-Scanner

"An hour after the new Rhythm module from Qu-Bit Electronix arrived in the post, I patched it up and explored an alternative idea, triggering musical samples from Wave instead of percussion to set what it might offer. This dark pulsing beauty appeared immediately, and again I love the element of surprise that appears through such connections. As always, it's merely a sketch of an idea, a playful moment in the studio."

New Mutable Music Things – Ears Eurorack Module

Wait a sec. Mutable as in Mutable Instruments, Music Things as in Music Thing? That is correct.

via Thonk

"Ears is Mutable’s take on the Music Thing Modular Mikrophonie module, Ears is a perfect match for physical synthesis modules like Rings or Elements, but it can also be the gateway between external audio sources and your modular system.

We don’t normally stock non DIY products at Thonk, but when Olivier offered us a worldwide exclusive on the first batch of his new Ears module… how could we refuse?!

This module brings together two of the most (if not the most..) prolific and creative designers in the open source Eurorack scene, Mutable Instruments and Music Thing Modular.

Ears is Mutable’s take on Tom Whitwell’s Mikrophonie module, Ears is a perfect match for physical synthesis modules like Rings or Elements, but it can also be the gateway between external audio sources and your modular system.

4hp
5mA draw on both the +12v and +12V supply rails
25mm deep"


Published on Sep 15, 2016 Robin Rimbaud-Scanner

And a couple of user videos:

"First play today with Ears, Mutable Instruments take on Tom Whitwell’s Mikrophonie module. Literally only the first patch set up wto test it out today. Qu-Bit Electronix provides a constant drone, taking a loop of my voice humming away, as Elements is played by Ears, with the various changes affected by my touch. Arturia BeatStep Pro offers up the melodic content. Simple but fun. This looks likely to live in my performance case for some time now!"

Experimenting with Mutable Instruments Ears Contact Mic Module

Published on Sep 15, 2016 Leafcutter John

"Ears is released on Friday 16th September 2016 and is available through Thonk. https://www.thonk.co.uk

In order of appearance:
1. Tapping the inbuilt pickup through clouds.
2. Ears triggering a René sequence into Rings...
.....Then plugging the audio output of Ears into the in of Rings.
3. Pinging an ossilating Wasp filer.
4. Running contact mic from fan into Ears - Wasp - Clouds.
5. Contact sound of Clouds button through Ears - Wasp - Clouds...
.....Then controlling Clouds hold using inverted Ears gate.
6. Music box Contact Mic - Ears - Wasp - Clouds.
7. Feedback through Ears builtin pickup - Wasp - Clouds.
8. Spring box - Contact Mic - Ears - Wasp - Clouds.
9. Bowed Cymbal - Contact Mic - Ears - Wasp - Clouds.
10. Percussed Cymbal - Contact Mic - Ears - Wasp - Clouds.
11. Stick-rub Cymbal - Contact Mic - Ears - Wasp - Clouds.
12. Stick-rub Cymbal - Contact Mic - Ears - Wasp LFO on cutoff - Clouds.

Enjoy!"

Chord

Published on Sep 2, 2016 Robin Rimbaud-Scanner

"The constant joy of finding new sounds and shapes in technology continued today with the arrival of CHORD from Qu-Bit Electronix. A beautifully accessible Eurorack synth module that allows one to create chords in the most immediate manner possible. Just a few hours after receiving it in the mail I connected up some cables and let the machines do all the talking. It's nothing fancy again but a sketch for a couple of hours of playing with rewarding tech toys :-D"

Unboxing Wave

Published on Aug 12, 2016 Robin Rimbaud-Scanner

"Unboxing Wave by Qu-Bit Electronix, a voltage controlled, polyphonic sample player for Eurorack format. The soundtrack itself was created using the on board demo samples within 15 minutes of unpacking the box, just to give an idea of how immediate and fun this module is! An amazingly intuitive, simple but powerful module.

http://www.qubitelectronix.com"

The Phonogene Sisters

Published on Jun 22, 2016 Robin Rimbaud-Scanner

"In anticipation of a special release of a radical remix album of the Scanni album (http://scanni.co.uk) I let the machines have their evil way again. This time I extensively used the Make Noise Phonogene in a very simple patch, alongside the Endorphin es Furthrrr Generator biting and easing its way into the soundscape. Despite the scale of the visual set up what you are hearing is remarkably simple, with the Cwejman DMF-2 and Three Sisters filters gently massaging the sounds. The Xoac Batumi is moving the sliced audio in the Phonogene and it's all happily mixed into the Intellijel Linix and Mutamix."

The Pulse that Simply Arrived

Published on Apr 6, 2016 Robin Rimbaud-Scanner

"The magic of working with a modular synth set up is the utterly unexpected. The pulse simply 'appeared' when setting up the system today and within minutes this live recording was born. It's dark, cinematic and exploratory and hope you might enjoy it. Notes on the patch below.

The pulse is from the Harvestman Piston Honda through a Mannequins Three Sisters filter pinged from a Modcon Quad LFO. The textures come from the Harvestman Hertz Donut through the Verbos Electronics Amplitude & Tone, and the Endorphin.es Furthrrr Generator and Verbos Complex Oscillator passing through the TipTopAudio Z-DSP Halls of Valhalla card and Synthesis Technology E560 Deflector Shield. Everything is mixed live through the Intellijel Mutamix Mixer and Intellijel Linix Mixer/VCA and recorded direct to digital input."

Modular101

Published on Dec 13, 2015 Robin Rimbaud-Scanner

"A recording of my live set for Modular 101, set up by London Modular, and presented on 13 December 2015. A fun day of all things modular, and a great opportunity to introduce newcomers to the possiblities of modular thinking, with guest speakers Ansome, MUMDANCE, DMX Krew and myself.

This set was completely improvised to show what's possible with a modest set up and combining sampler modules with other Eurorack goodies :-)"