Ebb ensemble

UncertainMusicCorps

"First melodic runout for the 4ms Ensemble Oscillator which is providing an ebb and flow texture, following a grainy lead voice from Plaits. 4ms SWN provides the backdrop. Wotja 20 from http://www.intermorphic.com drives via Shuttle Control"

Betterlate

Published on Mar 24, 2020 UncertainMusicCorps

"Like many other people, I'm using lock-in time to explore things I've overlooked before. In my case, its Patterning 2. I don't know why I've passed it by until now but I feel a bit stupid about that because its wonderful. Particularly when paired with the Nord Drum 2

Here, as well as providing a really nice shifting pulse, its clocking everything else in the rack. The Nord Drum pattern is being dirtied up by a Plague Bearer (topical). There's also a Drone Commander and QMMG providing bass pulses and an E 350 giving a clocked top line. Plus some joystick driven interruptions just because."

Onde and Easel - first audio test

Published on Dec 22, 2019 UncertainMusicCorps

"First audio test for the Onde and the Music Easel.

Using the Easel to generate a wide range of timbres and frequencies and comparing the sound of the Onde with that of the Easel recorded direct to camera.

The Onde is recorded using an AT 2050. No EQ is applied other than a 20Hz shelf. The Easel is also recorded flat with no external fx.

Note this is a first test. More experimentation with mic placement may give a different feel although the recording sounds like a fair representation of what I can hear live. More important is the need for me to experiment with other mounting systems. The supplied tripods are quite vulnerable to sympathetic resonance as is the flimsy table top it is standing on.

For purists, the soundtrack for this video is available for download as a 48Khz, 24bit wav file here"

The Onde is by La Voix du Luthier.

Ratcheting the Easel Sequencer

Published on Nov 11, 2019 UncertainMusicCorps

"A short explanation of how to ratchet the Easel sequencer with the help of the 208 Toolbox. (It *should* also work with the VSTi version using the Left Hand modulation source to replace the Envelope generator if you add an appropriate cycle delay value but as I don't have the VSTi that's just a guess).

Using the pulser to trigger an envelope that is looping at a different rate to that of the pulser gives an envelope with a kind of phase shifted trigger as the frequencies of the pulser and the looping envelope beat against each other. I then use that to control the gate of the complex oscillator.

I can then riff over the sequence using the modulation oscillator by controlling its gate with the pressure out from the 218.

It's kind of possible to do something similar on an unexpanded Easel using the 218 preset pads to double the pulser rate but its hard to set up, doesn't sync properly and is limited in scope to the point of not really being worth the effort. There's a bad proof of concept video here if you have 40 seconds to waste.":

Bad pulser ratchet

Uploaded on Nov 7, 2019 UncertainMusicCorps

4ms SWN Custom Wavetables Demo

Published on Oct 18, 2019 UncertainMusicCorps

"A demo run through of some custom wavetables on the SWN. The wavetables have been designed specifically for drone use. Mostly the range of their spectral content is intentionally limited. Aiming for subtlety here (with one obvious exception). All of them were made using the module itself. No editing software involved. They were sourced by live sampling other synths and some orchestral recordings.

SWN is set up for a simple drone, with channels A & B dropped an octave and detuned against each other. The other channels also have some detuning applied. Internal LFOs are used to modulate the WT Depth and Latitude parameters throughout. Longitude and Sphere are modulated manually.

First run through is flat - all channels to 100% no LFO modulation of the VCAs. Then going back down the same wavetables with LFOs on and some chordal spread applied
Everything recorded dry, without EQ, direct to camera apart from the final 2 mins when some reverb is applied just for comparison."

O-R-A

Published on Sep 19, 2019 UncertainMusicCorps

"Deep, dark, jumpy drone with ContinuuMini overlay.

SWN with randomised wavetable selection via Marbles, supplemented by TS-L and a lot of spring verb.
Looping delay courtesy of Disting Mk4. Sporadic bells from Plaits.
Two voices from the ContinuuMini, one sampled on the fly to make a vocal-like pad, the other to give the lead.

There is a lot of low end texture to the SWN component so use headphones or good speakers if you want to hear it."

Miniuum

Published on Jun 4, 2019 UncertainMusicCorps

"Bedding in with a new instrument.
The ContinuuMini is probably the most expressive, responsive electronic instrument I've encountered. It's also very precise in terms of pitching.

This is a little meditation on a wet afternoon for ContinuuMini with drones provided by the 4ms SWN and Instruo Ts_L

Now I need to lock myself in a dark room and get to grips fully with the Egan Matrix. I may be some time."

Toolbox

Published on Dec 17, 2018 UncertainMusicCorps

"Workout for the 208 Toolbox.
Using random voltages to change sequence length adds interest and animation to a simple sequence playing on the complex oscillator. Waveshape and timbre is being modulated by a slow, self-cycling envelope.
Lead is from the Mod oscillator being modulated by an external Eurorack oscillator. The shape of the external wave and the modulation depth is controlled by the same envelope as the sequence.
Keyboard touch voltage is slewed to act as the envelope source for the lead voice, freeing up the envelope for its LFO like functions.

CVGT1 provides communication between the easel and the Euro module. There is also a clocked delay in the mix. Otherwise, recorded live and loud."

A Short Walk

Published on Nov 12, 2018 UncertainMusicCorps

"A little stroll for a self-playing, Easel feedback patch with added ring mod goodness.

Recorded direct to camera with no external FX, EQ or post-processing."

Last day (Decay Study III)

Published on Sep 27, 2018 UncertainMusicCorps

"A rather minimalist exploration of the variable rate delay in the Parasites firmware for MI Warps.
The delay is (deliberately) lo-fi and, with long, slow 'tape speeds' settings distresses the incoming audio in a very lovely way.
Just 2 voices in play. A simple FM voice is fed into the delay via the touchpad on the ribbon controller. And Drone Commander provides some low level textural background.

If you want to hear all the colouration of the delay line, you'll probably need headphones.

An alternative take in uncompressed format is available from my Soundcloud page here https://soundcloud.com/umcorps/last-d..."

Grayce (Decay Study II)

Published on Aug 19, 2018 UncertainMusicCorps

"Dual Looping Delay combines with Wotja to generate continuously evolving melodic ambience.

The DLD is clocked via midi despite the manual advising against external clocking (as the internal one is far more accurate). But, in this case, the occasional clock glitch generates some lovely random grace notes on the delay tails. The rewards of uncertainty...

Lead voice is from Shapeshifter. Bass voice is Warps and Braids layered.

Recorded live direct to the camera.

Info about Wotja here https://intermorphic.com/wotja/

A more extended, audio only take of the same system is here

https://soundcloud.com/umcorps/grayce-ii"

Decay Study

Published on Aug 8, 2018 UncertainMusicCorps

"Using the analogue style delay in MI Warps/Parasites firmware to create a distressed kind of time lag accumulator. Drone Commander provides percussive effects. A simple wave fold lead from MI Braids feeds the delay. Shapeshifter provides a secondary reinforcing voice.
Clock, notes and modulation source provided by Intermorphic Wotja on iOS running directly into Shuttle Control

Headphones recommended"

Hesita

Published on May 1, 2018 UncertainMusicCorps

"Exploring ways to create slow evolving melodic patterns. Using a comparator to thin out rhythmic clocks into something more hesitant. to drive a Turing Machine style shift register. Also exploiting the newly arrived Stages to get more interesting envelope shapes. Main melodic voices are from Shapeshifter and Plonk. Drone from DC and Warps in tape delay mode (Parasites firmware)

This one really does need headphones."

Trishift

Published on Mar 10, 2018 UncertainMusicCorps

"Self-contained generative system.

Disting 4(1) is in quantised ASR mode providing the shifting sequence. Disting 4(2) in dual random trigger mode providing clocks for 4(1) and the drumming.
Shuttle Control provides master clock with divisions.
Warps picks out a top line. Drone Commander does what it does. I try not to intervene."

Ceem three

Published on Jul 31, 2017 UncertainMusicCorps

"Short study in generative polyphony. Shapeshifter provides duophonic pad, augmented by chord mode on osc 1. Braids plus processing gives a lead voice. DC adds some subtle sonic distress. Wotja is the glue that holds it all together."

Wotja 2017 Generative Music for iOS

The original version of Wotja was first featured with the Apple Watch back in 2015. It was again featured in 2016 in this modular video by UncertainMusicCorps.

Details on Wotja 2017 via iTunes:

"Looking to create beautiful royalty-free "ambient" music and/or new melody ideas? Need an aid to relaxation & sleep? Get Wotja 2017! Users say: "Best generative music app", "best MIDI composition tool in my toolkit", "hands down the best generative software that I have ever used", "Love Wotja!".

Wotja 2017 is the paid for version of Wotja and has the same capabilities as Wotja (Unlocked). It has no In-App Store, no In-App Subscriptions and will be updated in tandem with the subscription version up until the end of 2017. If you want *further updates* after this time you would need to purchase the *next* paid for version.

Alternatively, get the FREE version of Wotja and purchase one of the In-App Subscription tiers. These are: Wotja (Unlocked) or, for extended Music Play Times, a range of specialist "Wotja XT" tiers.

GENERATIVE MUSIC:
Mixing, composing & designing YOUR OWN custom generative music can be creatively rewarding on so many levels. It's like enjoying freshly brewed coffee; there's nothing quite like it.

You don't need to be a musician to enjoy Wotja and anyone can learn to master its power - see our helpful video tutorials!

USE WOTJA TO:
• Create & record high quality, royalty-free totally custom generative music such as ambient, drone, relaxation, mindfulness, sleep, soundscape, experimental, EDM
• Create melodies using "Text-to-Music"; use text in ANY language and/or emoji
• Help break writer's block with new ideas for lyrics, songs, poems, haiku, stories, copy writing etc.
• Experiment with generative (MIDI) music composition & sound design
• Drive other MIDI synths via MIDI Out
• Just relax!

KEY FEATURES (SMALL SELECTION):
• Up to 48 independent content cells in 12 tracks for mixing/generative cell sequencing
• Hundreds of customisable "generative music" templates & associated sound designs
• "IME" Generative MIDI Music Engine with over 130 user-editable parameters including "Text-to-Music"
• "ISE" Sound Engine with powerful multi-unit modular synth, FX, General MIDI set + high quality SF2 files (use your own, too)
• "ITE" Cut-up Text Engine with support for word locking, syllables, word alternatives, 5 source fields, user editable word library & word bank
• ISE Network Editor for designing custom synth networks
• 1 hour Music Play Time (actually 8 hr 53 min for Wotja *2017*)
• Make + export/share mixdown recordings (48Khz Stereo WAV, MIDI)
• Create shareable play lists of mixes
• Adjust mix tempo, root, randomisation settings etc.
• Use add on content Paks that include WAV/Ogg loops & SF2
• Multi-channel MIDI out via CoreMIDI & Virtual MIDI
• Support for Inter-App Audio & Audiobus 2/3
• Support for iCloud & iCloud Drive
• Open Noatikl & Mixtikl files
• So much more… see our website!"

CLICK FOR MORE »

Inauguration (Non measurement)

Published on Jul 16, 2017 UncertainMusicCorps

"First in what is planned to be a series of works using a very compact and self-contained modular system (known here as Tiny Dynamite v2) primarily under generative control via Wotja (by Intermorphic) on iOS.

In the spirit of the project, it seemed only right that a cut-up John Cage should act as MC.

As ever the recording is direct to camera and unedited. Headphones are recommended.

The layout of Tiny Dynamite can be seen in detail here https://www.modulargrid.net/e/racks/view/461188

Information about Wotja is here http://intermorphic.com"

First look: Ladik M 218

Published on May 3, 2017 UncertainMusicCorps

"Fresh out of the box for its first test. 8 hp of goodness to for getting the Nord Drum to behave itself with modular triggers.

The level of incoming triggers/gates are interpreted as velocity when converted to midi. There are 3 selectable scaling curves for this process. You can also increase the sensitivity of the trigger inputs via a jumper on the back. Button on the front panel to mute all channels is a nice performance feature.

Out of the box it has presets for the Nord Drum default midi setup and another for GM style drum synths. These are fully editable. Last setting is remembered on power up.

Little demo uses the original Pamela's Workout to deliver fixed level triggers. These are then passed through a VCA modulated with clocked random voltages to vary their levels to get timbral variations from the ND. The ND comes into the modular via the 4MS dual delay. Modular output is recorded dry.

(The new Pams Workout would probably work even better and need less patching)"

theseathesea

Published on Nov 21, 2016 UncertainMusicCorps

"Short excerpt of a self-playing system that has been evolving here over several days. Chordal structures from OSC-02+ Quantimator, side processed through Elements. Other random elements also appear from time to time thanks to some very fuzzy logic processing. Audio taken direct to camera with no overdubs or post-processing."

The Optimist

Published on Jun 8, 2016 UncertainMusicCorps

"A short game of chance with Disting in ASR mode and Clouds (Parasites) as resonator.

Look into my eyes..."