Building a Buchla 248 MARF with Stages, Stages, Stages and Marbles

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"Sorry about that title. The MARF is short for the Multiple ARbitrary Function generator, a huge Buchla design carrying the model number 248, and is part of the 200 series. It's not easy to compare it with anything, but you could see it as a 16 step 0-CTRL, a Rossum Control Forge and maybe even the 250e circular Dual Arbitrary Function generator (DARF) like Frap Tools USTA. I contacted Todd Barton (thanks so much!) to be able to study a few MARF images. The sliders made me think of Mutable Stages, and the control section reminded me of Marbles. While getting lost on the way, I finally got a patch that sounded similar: 'music that sounds like dancing butterflies'.
The recipe involves variable timing, notes, a quantizer, and a transpose. You may also need a trigger or gate when a segment runs or finishes. There's a lot to explore here, and I don't think you can find a MARF in a single eurorack solution. I tried to approximate it, but I also needed Maths to do envelopes and gate extraction. It took a while to make this video and I wasn't sure about the results until the very end. Then suddenly, it worked.

You'll need a lot of stuff to do it, but there may be smaller solutions. I'll revisit this idea when my Control Forge arrives and I'll be able to combine USTA with the CF.

This is a complex video so I hope it will make a bit of sense. It would have been better to figure all this out and then make a video. But you'd be missing the fun of exploration. There are plenty of useful examples of how 'factory' Stages can be used, but I installed the Qiemem firmware for max flexibility. In the end I only used its 'random segment' feature in this video, but it doesn't play a role in the MARF patch. You can do this with factory Stages but it still requires a chain of 2 or 3. You can use any sequencer with a clock input for this. A DFAM will also help you to cover the time/level sequence.

Installation requires playing a .WAV into the module which can be bit of a drag. I recommend using a eurorack sample player like the BitBox for a high success ratio. Using a phone, PC or pad can be a nightmare. Also, I am not sure if the firmware works on a clone, please comment if you tried it.
https://github.com/qiemem/eurorack/re...

I am still trying to wrap my head around it. Even though Stages and Marbles are now discontinued, they're easy to find as fully functional clones. With Eurorack, we have the 'power' to build our own synths, or get inspired by designs which are still amazing and modern after +50 years. I hope it inspires you too."

„duisburg #2“ | minimal music | verbos ho & co | od er-301 | fraptools usta

video upload by Elinch

""minimal piece with the ho, co, amp & tone and delay from verbos and 2 grains, 3 loops, one sinus bass from the orthogonal devices er-301. enjoy listening."

00:00 grains 02 / er-301 granular mashine (source verbos ho sequence)
00:21 grains 02 / er-301 granular mashine (source verbos ho sequence)
00:42 bass / er-301 / sinus vco (sequenced by usta)
01:05 sequence / verbos harmonic osc. / verbos amp & tone / verbos delay (sequenced by usta)
01:30 strings 01 / er-301 sample player (sample source ipad dc sampler)
01:52 strings 02 / er-301 sample player (sample source ipad dc sampler)
02:14 strings 03 / er-301 sample player (sample source ipad dc sampler)
03:06 sequence / verbos complex osc. / verbos amp & tone / verbos delay (sequenced by usta)

recorded live with tascam dr 100
for the best listening experience listen to the video with headphones or good speakers.

if you want to support me:
https://elinch.bandcamp.com"

Antonio's hidden random clock trick for SAPÈL!

video upload by Frap Tools

"Let's extract a secret random clock output that plays only when the actual random clock is silent. The trick is simple but insanely effective!

https://frap.tools/sapel/

00:00 Introduction and technique overview
00:56 Patch 1: Ringing Cunsa
05:40 Patch 2: Double sequence with Usta and Sapèl
10:48 Patch 2,5: The Krell trick"

At last: the Krell Patch on a Frap Tools modular system!

video upload by Frap Tools

"It's time to confront ourselves with a pinnacle of modular synth techniques: Todd Barton's Krell Patch.

Inspired by Bebe and Louis Barron's soundtrack for the 1956 sci-fi film "Forbidden Planet", this patch revolves around a 'modulation feedback': a single LFO drives the whole patch and triggers many S&H circuits that generate random voltages, which, in turn, constantly modulate the LFO speed and shape.

Original track from the film score: [below - also see this post]
Original Todd Barton's Tutorial: [posted here back in 2012]

00:00 Introduction
01:03 The krell patch as per Todd Barton's instructions
14:25 An extra tip with the USTA sequencer"

Ancient Krell Music

video upload by Louis & Bebe Barron - Topic

"Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises

Ancient Krell Music · Louis And Bebe Barron

Forbidden Planet

℗ 1956 Planet Records

Released on: 1999-01-06

Auto-generated by YouTube."

How to make vowel-like formant filtering with the CUNSA

video upload by Frap Tools

"Time for some serious formant filtering with the CUNSA and USTA dream combo!

USTA https://frap.tools/usta
CUNSA https://frap.tools/cunsa

Sources and references:

Image 1
Title: frequencies of formants
https://www.britannica.com/science/ph...
Retrieved on October 27th, 2023

Image 2
Title: tongue position for vowel sounds
https://www.britannica.com/science/ph...
Retrieved on October 27th, 2023

The formant chart comes from Peterson, G. E., & Barney, H. L. (1952). Control methods used in a study of the vowels. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 24, 175–184. https://doi.org/10.1121/1.1906875

Time stamps:

00:00 Introduction on vowel formants
01:20 Programming an ɑ sound (as in 'hot')
03:34 Programming an ɔ sound (as in 'bought') and morphing between them
08:54 Refining the morphing with the USTA sequencer"

Programming the bass sound of West End Girls on a Frap setup was a tough challenge (but we did it)

video upload by Frap Tools

"So we were asked to remake the bass sound of West End Girls by @officialpetshopboys with only Frap modules, and here's how we did it! It's not completely there but still seems like a fair approximation. Got other ideas? Let us know in the comments!

Interview with Stephen Hague:
http://www.muzines.co.uk/articles/tra...

Modules used (all of them...)
BRENSO: https://frap.tools/brenso/
CUNSA: https://frap.tools/cunsa/
USTA: https://frap.tools/usta/
FALISTRI: https://frap.tools/falistri/
CGM: https://frap.tools/cgm/
321: https://frap.tools/321/
333: https://frap.tools/333/

00:00 Introduction and original patch breakdown by Stephen Hague
01:21 The FM 'thump' on the BRENSO
03:31 The Jupiter 6 sound on the CUNSA
05:37 The Emulator II kick drum on the CUNSA
07:59 Adding variation through the Ping input and decluttering the patch
09:23 Changing the envelope fall through the USTA sequencer
10:34 Balancing the resonance with USTA's COMBO mode
11:06 Adding an extra sawtooth to the Jupiter 6 sound through FALISTRI
15:14 Final result and closing remarks"

Bird-like sequences with bizarre clocks thanks to USTA and FALISTRI

video upload by Frap Tools

"Time to explore more quirky interactions between USTA and FALISTRI!"

Check the other video here.

00:00 Introduction and patch overview
01:23 Using gates to switch the clock on and off
04:42 Changing the gate patterns
05:55 Using preprogrammed patterns instead of random events
07:10 Using an envelope to add ornaments

Programming sequences with Nicolas Slonimsky's Thesaurus of Scales and Melodic Patterns

video upload by Frap Tools

"Slonimsky's Thesaurus is quite a strange music book, but its impact on Jazz and experimental musicians has been enormous. Today we tiptoe into this extravagant world to see if there's anything interesting for our USTA sequencer!

https://frap.tools/usta/

00:00 Introduction: Slonimsky's Thesaurus
2:45 Pattern no. 1
04:02 Adding the bass
04:29 Rhythmic variation over pattern no. 1
04:47 Adding a tonal bass line
05:10 Cross-patching a CV for pitch-shifting the pattern
05:31 Quantizing the chromatic pattern
06:30 Integrating the notes and closing the filter
07:03 Pattern no. 141
08:09 Quantizing pattern no. 141
09:28 Pitch-shifting pattern no. 141"

What are modes and why they're all over the USTA sequencer

video upload by Frap Tools

Click the Frap Tools link directly above for addtional demos and tutorials.

"We started from the overtone series and we arrived at Western tonal harmony. However, we left something behind: the modes. In today's video, we'll see what they are, and why they seem such a vague concept."

Recreating Prodigy's "Smack My Bitch Up" lead sounds with a Frap Tools system.

video upload by Frap Tools

"The idea for this video comes from this excellent tutorial by @AlexBallMusic , thanks a lot!

Full video by Alex Ball here: [posted here]

00:00 Introduction and patch overview: BRENSO and CUNSA
03:25 Adding envelopes and modulation through FALISTRI
06:18 Adding a wild distortion with the CGM creative mixer
08:22 Automating the filter sweep with the USTA sequencer
11:47 The final Smack My Bitch Up patch and closing remarks"

How to shift gates to spice up a boring sequence on the USTA | Frap Ideas

video upload by Frap Tools

"This patch came up during a past live workshop on the USTA sequencer. It was an advanced session and one of the main questions was: 'how can I get enough variation on a repetitive loop?'

While talking with the attendees, especially Cameron and Rayhan, we found that the gate shift function combined with a mild cross-patching could have been an excellent starting point, and so here it is for all of you to check out.

https://frap.tools/usta

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction and patch overview
01:50 Using the gate shift function to add groove
04:33 Using a second pattern to shift the gate length
06:16 Ratcheting shift
08:04 Using the gate variation to add groove
09:42 Applying the gate variation to the ratcheting effect"

What is tonal harmony and why it is relevant to the USTA sequencer

video upload by Frap Tools

"Tonal harmony might sound super old and boring but it's never going to die, whether we like it or not! In this video, we will see what it is and why it might be worth a chance with the USTA sequencer.

Time stamps:
00:00 Introduction: intervals, harmony, melody, modes.
01:13 Harmony in Europe from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance
02:03 The third: an imperfect consonance
03:05 What are chords?
03:38 Tonal harmony (briefly) explained: degrees, chords, stability, and keys
10:04 Tonal harmony and the USTA sequencer: quantization styles
15:17 Outro"

Notes, intervals, tuning, temperament: the basics of music and their impact on the USTA sequencer

video upload by Frap Tools

In the previous video [posted here], we got a glimpse of how notes and overtones are related. Today, we'll see how we came to 12 notes in the West.

00:00 Introduction
00:48 Intervals and scales
01:13 Important disclaimer
01:49 Why seven notes? From the Greek tetrachord to Guido D'Arezzo
04:12 Where do 12 notes come from and what is the Pythagorean comma?
06:05 What is the difference between tuning and temperament?
08:32 Demoing the difference between temperament and tuning with the USTA sequencer"


Previously:

Why notes exist | Frap Talks

video upload by Frap Tools

"Let's talk about notes and why sometimes it's not clear how we're supposed to tune our instruments. What is A4? What is middle C? Why is there a C-1?

Timestamps:
00:00 The western musical notation
01:31 Why A4=440 Hz?
02:12 Playing together
03:12 Instrument ranges and note names
04:43 The scientific pitch notation
05:53 The MIDI note system
06:55 Absolute and relative note names
07:11 Notes on a modular synthesizer: USTA and BRENSO
09:41 Unipolar VS bipolar control voltages
10:59 Why do note names don't match sometimes
12:10 The difference between a note and a control signal
13:10 Final thoughts"

Frap Tools USTA Tutorials

video uploads by Frap Tools

Playlist:
USTA Tutorial Part 1: Overview and Basic Editing
USTA Tutorial Part 2: Expanding a Sequence Through Pattern Loop, Tracks, Performance Mode, Cloning
USTA Tutorial pt. 3: Stage Colors and Variation (or: Slide, Ratcheting and Pseudo-Randomization)
USTA Tutorial pt. 4: Scales, Temperaments, Microtones and Dynamic Quantization
USTA Tutorial pt. 5: Menus
USTA Tutorial pt. 6: Song Mode

Flip Sync+tons of CV=groove!

video upload by Frap Tools

"In this patch, we set the green oscillator to Flip Sync, then we used the USTA sequencer to control the integration time, creating a varying glide effect. Then, we used FALISTRI to change its pitch as well, creating these snappy sync sweeps. Thanks to Oliver for suggesting this patch in our workshops!"

Clock processing with USTA and FALISTRI | Frap Ideas

video upload by Frap Tools

"Today we'll see how to use FALISTRI as a clock divid... Dela... Multipl... Well let's say clock PROCESSOR. Check out this cross-patching technique with the USTA sequencer!

USTA: https://frap.tools/usta/
FALISTRI: https://frap.tools/falistri/

00:00 Introduction and patch description
01:07 Using FALISTRI as a clock
02:20 Clock delay / clock divider / wacky clock multiplier
04:52 Modulating the clock with the USTA"

More glass sound with BRENSO

video upload by Frap Tools

"The bright TZFM of our BRENSO allows us to get these bright and cheerful glass sounds! We patched an envelope to control the FM deviation, then a slow LFO to control SAPÈLs main clock. The sequence is random, of course, thanks to USTA’s variation capabilities!"

Wiggly LFOs on the BRENSO (credit: Make Noise)

video upload by Frap Tools

"When we saw this video on Make Noise's channel, we thought it was a great patch! [posted here]

So we wanted to recreate it on the BRENSO oscillator and use this technique in a different context. Basically, we're using an offset to throw the yellow oscillator at sub-audio rate and use the timbre modulation section to create some weird-shaped LFOs. We further expanded it through FUMANA, USTA, and FALISTRI.

Thanks again Walker and @MAKEN0ISEMUSIC for the inspiring patch!

00:00 Introduction
00:57 BRENSO yellow LFO
04:56 Adding a FUMANA Feedback
06:47 Clocking the USTA sequencer
10:00 Introducing a clock divider
12:20 Adding a second melody"

The 'Right' Sequencer | Modular Composing | Episode 02

video upload by Cinematic Laboratory

"Your possibilities to compose on a Modular Synth are directly related to the sequencer you're using. So picking the 'right' sequencer for your work is an important task. Your biggest challenge would be to compose or arrange a full song with beats, bass, lead and maybe even chords. I thought it would be fun to use Kraftwerk's 1976 Trans-Europe Express as a 'benchmark', but it turned out a big challenge. It has a simple rhythm (no problem), a super simple bass, a lead and the characteristic 'note ladder' that jumps 5 semitones each 1/2 note. This takes 128 regular steps and sequencers ususally stop at 16, 32 or 64 (if you're lucky). Clock divisions could take care of that. But the song transposes to a different key when the 'note stairs' plays and you'll need a powerful sequencer to transpose all voices to a new key and then turn back. Ground Control and Westlicht Performer couldn't pull it off. I had zero knowledge of NerdSeq at the beginning of this video, but it turned out to be the only sequencer I know of that can do a full song. It's an incredible sequencer/tracker, but it also has a 100+ page manual.

Sequencers roughly come in three flavors: linear, cartesian and arbitrary. The most useful sequencers can do drums, strict patterns and generative parts. I've included Five12 Vector and Eloquencer in my overview, but I have no experience with them. My 'findings' in this video are biased by my own music and workflow and I double-checked the manuals of modules I don't know. It's possible I overlooked some features. I am aware Vector can do drums, but I felt you'd need a dedicated drum pattern editor to qualify as a drum sequencer.

00:00 Song Structure
00:22 Trans-Europe Express (TEE) - Ground Control
01:45 TEE - Westlicht Performer
02:48 TEE - XOR NerdSEQ
04:54 Separation of rhythm and melody - Metron & Bloom
07:30 Linear, Cartesian and Arbitrary sequencing
08:22 Generative Sequencing - NerdSEQ
09:44 Generative Sequencing - Bloom
10:42 Generative Sequencing - Westlicht Performer
11:25 Generatice Sequencing - Rene MK2
13:17 Arbitrary Sequencing - Frap Tools USTA
14:54 Melodicer short
15:18 Metropolis Family short
16:31 Scorecards"

"Mare lunaris" a modular composition by GATTOBUS

video upload by gattobus

"Headphones or a good pair of speakers recommended.
This is a live recording of me playing withy my modular.
I'm playing over two overlapping sequences, each with different measures.
This patch is quite simple, just a DPO drone, Bresnso going into a stereo filter (Popple) with Falistri used as double-envelope. Everything was driven by Fraptools Usta sequencer. Some randomness here and there using Fraptools Sapèl."