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

Superbooth 2019: Frapp Tools USTA 4 Track Sequencer

Published on May 10, 2019 sonicstate

Certain eurorack modules would look great as mini desktop modules. This would be one of them. Add MIDI and 16 track multitrack sequencing for each MIDI channel.

"usta / ˈusta / s.f. [probably from an ancient Germanic form, cfr. German Nüster, English nostril] – the trail left by the pray. Idiom., more common: ‘good sense’, ‘wisdom’. Idiom. a usta ‘by heart’. The ‘Usta’ sequencer follows both of those meaning: literally, it gives your patch a trail to follow; more broadly, it offers you a way to approach your composition ‘by heart’, without too much planning.
USTA is a 4×4 tracks sequencer for voltages and gates with variable stage duration, designed to quickly see and edit multiple voltage relationships in real time.

“Variable stage duration” means that every single stage duration can be individually set in relation to the clock, instead of being constrained to a one-to-one ratio (i.e. one stage per every clock impulse).

“4×4 tracks” means that every stage can store and generate up to four separate voltages (two CVs and two gates), and that up to four independent stage sequences can be arranged into as many different tracks.

Its architecture is based on an array of 16 ‘Stages’ which form a ‘Pattern’; 16 patterns form a ‘Track’, and four tracks form a ‘Project’. Within each track, each stage can provide two gates and two CVs, and a wide set of options is available to define and modify the value of each output (‘Layers’) and the way it is played (‘Colors’).

Every Stage is related to a dedicated stepped encoder for quick and intuitive editing, and all the 16 encoders are arranged in an oval layout with a circular playhead. Every encoder is surrounded by a ring of 16 LEDs and a RGB led, to provide a visual feedback of the current setting of that step basing on the layer you are working on (like raw CV, quantized CV, length, gate…) and the way it should play depending on the RGB color.

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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"

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"

„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"

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"

Caterina Barbieri presenting Frap Tools USTA @SUPERBOOTH19

Published on May 10, 2019 Superbooth Official

"Frap Tools presented their new sequencer USTA. First Simone explains the concept and design of the Sequencer and then Caterina Barbieri plays a short performance."

USTA

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 (Part 2) Eurorack Modular Synthesizer | Patch From Scratch

Baséput

Part 1 below, previously posted here.

0:00 Intro
1:45 Open new Project
2:32 Set the clock source
3:20 Set the CV mode
4:31 Set the scale
4:54 Start the composition
6:50 Randomise the pitch
8:13 Continue the composition
10:13 Tweak the ratio
10:46 Still continuing the composition
11:40 Stage shift CV
12:36 Pitch shift CV
13:36 Conclusion

This is the second part of the Frap Tools USTA, a powerful sequencer and really suits my needs. I talk about how I build my patch from scratch, stage shift, pitch shift, and others. I hope you enjoy and let me know what you think. Cheers!

Frap Tools USTA (Part 1) Eurorack Modular Synthesizer | General Information


Here is the index:

0:00 Opening
1:11 Topics for part 1
2:47 General information about CVs & gates
3:40 Mute / unmute
3:54 Playing the channel 1: CV and gate
4:49 Set button
6:05 Changing scale
7:28 Shift button
8:08 Set other channels
9:00 Set the ratio
9:45 Rachet
10:57 Unmute other channels and play along
12:57 Astungkara song
14:24 Conclusion

16 output CV & gate sequencer 'USTA' from Frap Tools // Superbooth 2019

Published on May 22, 2019 DivKidVideo

"USTA is the new sequencer from Frap Tools that offers 4 channels and 4 outputs per channel. Those 4 outputs are 2 CVs (definable pitch or unquantised voltage) and 2 gates (triggers, gates, ratchets etc). It looks like a simple interface for potential complex and musical patterns, chain patterns, variations, musical random with probability and variance control ... it looks great! Frap Tools call it the "voltage score" and with musical notation examples on the site I'm excited to see this unit out in the wild."

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"

Frap Tools Usta, Rossum Assimil8or, Instruo & Divkid ØCHD | Eurorack Modular Synthesizer

video by Baséput

"Here is a live performance in the deep rainforest of Central Kalimantan (Borneo), Indonesia, featured two songs called "Astungkara" and "Topolaui" where you can buy them on my Bandcamp.

Here are the modules:
- 4MS Row Power 45
- Instruo & Divkid ØCHD
- Frap Tools Usta
- Rossum Electro-Music Assimil8or
- Endorphin.es Milky Way
- Knob Farm Ooots
Housed in VVOLTT skiff and Tendrils cable connects everything.
Recorded to Zoom H4N Pro. I hope you enjoy it."

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"

Jamuary #28 - Together we rock (ft. VCVRack, Eurorack,Soundplane)

video by TheTechnobear

"Today was all about trying to bring everything together....

The idea is simple, using the power of the computer (my little mac mini m1) to use the wonderful vcvrack, yet have it behave like an instrument with full hands on control.

Ive used vcvrack a bit in the past, but never really tried to integrate it fully..
the basics of the patch are simple.
- a couple of voices using instruo and vult oscillators and filters
- pianoteq (vst host) using a vult filter
- aalto (vst host)
- a mixer with a couple of sends to 2 vahalla vst reverbs (vst host)
- audio recorder to record the output
- midi to cv, to connect to hardware

the the bit thats Ive not done before... using midi mapping to map a controller.

on the hardware side.
the aim here was about hands on control...

the pyramid is used as the main sequencer and clock

the hermod is really the brains.
its sending the cv to the eurorack, midi to vcvrack, and its also taking cv/gate from the USTA to sequence vcvrack voices.

usta is a nice hands-on sequencer, quite different from the pyramid, more like an analog sequencer.

electra one [additional posts], lovely controller with encoders and is touch screen too - its easy to customise, so here I created a quick patch that controls vcvrack, things like levels, fx, and filters. once setup, I use midi map in vcvrack to assign controls.

the soiundplane again comes into play as the main playing surface :)

its was quite a lot of setup, but really just because it was the first time... so I had to decide how it was best to connect things, what role they would play.

its the first time my little mac mini struggle a little bit.
in fairness, it was fine whilst I was playing...no audio glitches at all.

but of course, as soon as I turned on the camera issues started appearing :)
the issue is I also had to run OBS to record the webcam, and quicktime to do a screen capture of vcvrack... that seem to just take it a bit over the top.

... which was. a bit frustrating, as I was getting tired by this point, and just wanted to finish... but I got there.

I might give it another go tommorow, now its all setup - so I can focus more on the music side , rather than cables and midi ;)


hope you enjoy

tech note: I should say VCVRack, plugins , OBS are all Rosetta , so I think we can expect them to improve. also honestly, Id have not even tried this on my old mac - its also possible the issue was related to usb traffic, given I have audio interface, webcam, monitor, soundplane, hermod, electra one ... alll sending a lot of data over usb ;)"

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

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."

Frap Tools USTA: Review, tutorial and setup walkthrough

Published on Oct 20, 2019 loopop

TIMELINE:
0:00 Intro
0:50 Overview
3:40 Setup walkthru
5:00 Project structure
6:10 Stage params
7:30 CV channels
8:40 CV stage types
9:05 Gate stage types
10:10 Variations
10:35 Gate layers
11:10 CV layers
12:10 Short cuts
13:10 Main screen
14:05 Stage loops
15:20 Song mode
16:45 Composition
18:05 Misc features
20:10 Pros & cons

Frap Tools USTA

Jamuary #1 - Hopeful Beginnings

TheTechnobear

"Jamuary is an initiative encouraging everyone to create and share each day, with the hope that by repetition we can improve and grow.
So this year, Im going to see how many short pieces I can create during January.

The emphasis for me is going to be exploring what I have available, and finding new ways to use these instruments, with a short jam as a result of issue 'exploration'.
I'm also hoping more frequent recording/publishing will help me optimise this process a little bit.

Jam #1 - I've just got a Frap Tools USTA sequencer, so here I was exploring its features - lots to learn, but Im really enjoying it so far."