Folktek Alter X & Y meets the Korg Monotribe - Techno Jam

video upload by While We Were Sleeping

"Recorded some videos covering all the alter X and Y algorithms and than had a couple of quick jams with both This was a quick post. Will edit one soon covering all the effects soon but initial impressions are that this are amazing sounding and creative boxes although the Folktek Alters build feels a little cheap.l but hopefully not an issue for a desktop effect"

FolkTek Alter X & Alter Y first go with FolkTek Mescaline

video upload by While We Were Sleeping

"I backed the Folktek Alter Guitar pedals & desktop effects XY Indiegogo campaign more than two years ago and just received it. It was a long wait but I did not mind. I had this picture in my head of pairing it with the FolkTek Mescaline for the two years I have waited but as soon as I started playing I realised this is probably not the best approach as the Mescaline has a full and rich sound that lives less room for the Alters to express themselves. I can do with something more basic to get to experience the Alters's capabilities. I had fun just messing about it and will soon have more sensible paring that will allow me to explore it better. In this video, the Folktek Mescaline goes into the Folktek Alter Y in mono and the Y goes into the Alter X in stereo. No additional processing.

For more details on the pedals checkout the original campaign https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/fo... and the https://folktek.com site."

WWWS live with Folktek Mescaline & LepLoop Multicassa SPLITTING THE ATOM LXI

video upload by While We Were Sleeping

"I have taken two of my favourite experimental instruments the Folktek Mescaline & LepLoop Multicassa to play at the long-running event Splitting the Atom a Lost Property and Club Zygotic’s bi-monthly showcase of aural oddities, held in the strange gloom of The Green Door Store in Brighton UK.

Setup Detail
===========
Sound sources:
* Folktek Mescaline V1 - Used for otherworldly sound textures, noise ,cosmic growls & glitchy vibes
* LepLoop Multicassa - Hartbeat and hypnotic organic rhythms
* DIY Soup tin microphone - Don’t trust any words that go through it.

Audio processing:
* Strymon Volante Magnetic Echo Machine - In looper mode. I love this pedal
* Empress Reverb - The world's greatest reverb (at least in my opinion the best I ever played)
* Chase Bliss Generation Loss MKII VHS Duplicator - a small task for a mighty pedal. It set before the reverb to create movement in the sound. Each time a kick from the Multicassa hit the reverb it caused a different reaction of the reverb.

I did not have much video footage of my set so used other acts that played on the day and from the previous event as those were both a pleasure to the ears and the eyes."

Preview: While We Were Sleeping @ SPLITTING THE ATOM LXI - Brighton UK experimental/free/noise event

video upload by While We Were Sleeping

"A a preview of my next live set at the Green Door Store Brighton.
Its a experimental/free/noise alldayer and I am supper exited.

Going to bring two of my favourite experimental instruments:
The Multicassa from LepLoop and the Folktek Mescaline + pedals, fun boxes and a recycled can of soap.

If you are in Brighton hope you can make it.
SUNDAY 4TH DECEMBER 3pm - 11pm"

Empress Reverb & Korg Monotribe - part 2

video upload by While We Were Sleeping

Snow 0:00
Fire 1:26
Red Skies 2:47
Touch me 4:10
Black and White 5:50
The End 6:15

"The second part of a jam I had with the Empress Reverb and the Korg Monotribe. [part 1 here]

I got one more that will form part 3 its a longer take 9-10min and will be both the last in the "Empress Reverb & Korg Monotribe" trilogy and the first part of a new series that will keep you all lovely people on the edge of your seats.

About the Empress Reverb
If I could only have one reverb it would be the Empress Reverb. If I could have two that it would be, two Empress Reverbs. I am just saying this because I am in love with it :)

About the Korg Monotribe
I previously stated the The Korg Monotribe is probably my favourite little synth". That is not true, I was dishonest with you and with myself. My favourite little box is the TB-303 and I have two of them and only one Monotribe. If you would like me to play my TBs for you (and red down to this point and are not shy) then please let me know in the comments.

About the video:
Edited using Davinci Resolve. Most of the colour background videos are from the wonderful contributors on pixabay.com."

Empress Reverb & Korg Monotribe - part 1

video upload by While We Were Sleeping

Speaking Alien 0:00
Shimmering Waves 3:00
Space 3:58
Black and White 5:20
The End 8:23

"The first part of a jam I had with the Empress Reverb and the Korg Monotribe. [part 2 here]
Chopping this one into 2 or 3 parts so I can edit in smaller chunks.
I am extremely pleased with the Empress Reverb, it will reliably take everything I throw at it with no unwanted artificial artefacts or clipping. It is early days and I am sure I will have plenty to learn and discover.

The Korg Monotribe is probably my favourite little synth. the analog mono synth sounds great and it is surprisingly versatile for the few controls it has. The touch keyboard and sequencer encourage creativity and improvisation and it got drums.

About the video:
Edited using Davinci Resolve. Most of the background videos are from the wonderful contributors on pixabay.com."

Fresh Coffee with Oberheim OB-6, Strymon Volante & Six4Pix NoodleBox

video by While We Were Sleeping

"I recently got a Sequential Oberheim OB-6. The OB-6 just sounds wonderful and puts me in a euphoric and relaxation state of mind.
On our first weekend together I thought Ill introduce The OB-6 to my other two current favourites the Strymon Volante tape delay and the Six4Pix NoodleBox Serendipity Sequencer.
So I Noodled a few sequences made a fresh cope of coffee using hand-ground Beans and let that sweet Oberheim sound float through the Volante.
So here it is mixed with the sound of the Brighton sea and a pinch of seagulls.

Background Video and sounds are shout next to Brighton pier and just in time for that day starling murmuration.

Hope you enjoy
xxxxx"

Strymon Volante with synth - Chapter 5: Plants vs. Strymon Volante

Published on May 28, 2020 While We Were Sleeping

00:00 : Plants vs. Strymon
01:04 : Patch 2: Tap taping on flowers is addictive
05:31 : I just watered the flowers for extra cosmic resonance

Weapons:
Flowers - A cheap distortion pedal that is extremely sensitive especially especially to flowers.
Strymon Volante - It will always delay the inevitable. Will take you on a sonic journey in small wobbly footsteps.

Chapter 4: Vermona PERfourMER MKii - 4 Voices 7 patches

Published on May 6, 2020 While We Were Sleeping

0:00 Le Strum it all night long
2:00 Walking through the waves
4:11 Crocodile
5:38 Smooth like velvet, sweet like chocolate
7:55 Pebbles & Drones
10:22 Distorted reflections
11:46 Quack Quack

"The 5th chapter of my Strymon Volante with mostly synth series and the second featuring the wonderful Vermona PERfourMER mkii.

The PERfourMER is a four part/oscillators analog synth that is flexible and creative and I have deep love for it. I have had several ideas for patches but to be honest between the PERfourMER and the Volante it is easy to get lost in creativity and I could have easily kept on for days. Maybe ill have a PERfourMER part 3 at some point.

I have used a number of sequencers and MIDI devices on these patches. I again used the Arturia Microfreak for MIDI on a couple of them.
I also used the internal sequencer of the PERfourMER. I always thought of them as Vermona standards that need to be reinterpreted in different ways.
I also used the six4pix noodlebox again for CV control and some glitchy MIDI on the Pebbles & Drones. My noodlebox is an early prototype and the MIDI implementation is not complete on it but that created some interesting semy randomness that was fun.
I also used another six4pix device, the Le Strum. A MIDI guitar style strummer, that helps me to overcome my deep desire to play an electric guitar. Would love to know what you think? I love playing it with the Vermona as the 4 voices act like 4 strings. In the opening patch, the Le Strum is competing with the PERfourMER sequence for the voices creating an interesting and less predictable effect.

I am also using a couple of cheap pedals. Including a £12 including delivery one from China that I am totally into as it is super sensitive and can turn its noise input into drones (Like in the Pebbles & Drones patch). Don't know much about it and maybe my one is faulty but I like it.

I would love to know what patches work for you? and if you have a Strymon Vermona and use it with synthesizers or other interesting gear would like to know how you are getting on with it

Audio and video recorded live into iPhone 11 using Zoom U-24 audio interface
Audio from strymon into Mackie 1202-VLZ3 mixer and then into into the U-24. any other pedals will be shown in the patch description.
No other processing except level normalisation
Video effects using iPhone.
Edited in iMovie
All video (except crocodiles), photography & music by While We Were Sleeping"

Strymon Volante with synth - Chapter 3: Vermona PERfourMER mkii - A 4 notes weekend

Published on Apr 23, 2020 While We Were Sleeping

0:00 - Intro: Does it sound better with or without the Volante?
0:55 - Jam 1: Loving this patch
8:11- Jam 2: can't stop playing this patch
15:16 Jam 3: Going abstract

This is the 3rd chapter of my Strymon Volante with mostly synth series and like the Microfreak before it, this one will be covered in two consecutive videos.

In this two part I have pared the Volante with my Vermona PERfourMER mkii. The PERfourMER is a four part/oscillators analog synth that is flexible and creative and I have deep love for it.

I have kept the Microfreak for this video as a MIDI controller as I really enjoy playing on it. the Microfreak is controlling the PERfourMER Oscillator 4.

I am also using noodlebox prototype by six4pix for CV control of Oscillators 1 to 3. The noodlebox is currently on indiegogo and will have about a day left until the end of the campaign when this video comes out. In my opinion the noodlebox is an inspiring sequencer and looks super cool. if you want to know more search for "Noodlebox - A Serendipity Sequencer" on indiegogo.com or go to six4pix.net

The backroud to this video is:
I was planning on coming up with a complex patch on the noodlebox but made the mistake of turning the Volante on after entering only 4 notes and I thought it sounded so good that I couldn't stop jamming over it all weekend long.
So the first of this two parter will be a selection of 2 long jams and a short one at the end. For the second part I have a large number of shorter patches/jams to go through that are more diverse.
I also have chapter 5 recorded and it is a special one and uses the loophole introduced by the "mostly synth" part of the series name.

Would love to get some feedback and would love to know what you like in this and other strymon Volante videos and if you use the Volante with mostly synth let me know how you are getting on with the pedal.

Some tech stuff:
Audio and video recorded live into iPhone 11 using Zoom U-24 audio interface

Audio from strymon into Mackie 1202-VLZ3 mixer and then into the U-24. any other pedals will be shown in the patch description.

No other processing except level normalisation

Video effects using iPhone.
Edited in iMovie

All video, photography & music by While We Were Sleeping"

The PERfourMER Jam - All sounds from Vermoan PERfourMER MKII

Published on Feb 5, 2020 While We Were Sleeping

00:00 Vermona PERfourMER MKII - Jam
04:22 Vermona PERfourMER MKII - On its own
05:05 Sampling the drums

"I was working on a new track using only the Vermona PERfourMER MKII as a sound source. This is all sounds including drums. I used my Akai MPC Live to sample the drums and record the bass and synth tracks. I just started using an AKAI LPK25 Wireless MIDI keyboard and the sense of freedom from wires overwhelmed me with joy. It was so much fun and it was Jamuary after all so I recorded this on the morning of New Years Day.
The Vermona PERfourMER MKII is a four voice analog synth with Mono, Poly and Duo mods. It has varies wave shapes including noise so I could use it to generate drums. The main melody uses the PERfourMER in Poly mod (you can hear it on its own after the jam) and the live lead is using it in duo mode, so two oscillators per note."

Vermona PERfourMER MKII - Sample & Hold Drone

Published on Jan 15, 2020 While We Were Sleeping

"The Vermona PERfourMER MKII is probably my favourite synthesizer and was neglected for a while now resulting from my eurorack edition. I have got my PERfourMER out as part of my new year resolution to record a new song with all sounds coming from the Vermona PERfourMER but had a bit of drone fun before I got going. This was an Instagram live video and was not planned as a release and video quality is not very good (no good lighting & bad focus) but the sound was ok so I added some trippy psychedelic effects. No processing except the Digitech Timebender Delay (of screen)."

noodlebox serendipity sequencer prototype by six4pix

Published on Oct 24, 2019 While We Were Sleeping

00:00 - noodlebox on
00:05 - Fist noodle - My first go on the noodlebox. part of an Instagram live video.
02:39 - Two Layers - An example of one layer modifying another (details below)
03:12 - In the six4pix studio - Jason showing me around the noodlebox. You will be joining us mid-conversation and It's just to give an idea, not a tutorial.

noodlebox Details:
-----------------------------
My good friend Jason gave me a noodlebox prototype so I can help test it :)

In the video, I have the noodlebox MIDI synced to my MPC Live and sends CV and Gate to control a bassline on my eurorack.

The software for the noodlebox is at an early stage and features and functionality can change.

noodlebox Layers:
The noodlebox is a 4 layers sequencer where layers can be though of as tracks. each has an individual midi channel and CV/Gate. Layers can be used to modify each other (Like transpose example at 2:39). Layers can have their own signatures and length. You can drag the start to end points in both directions to create a loop of varies length and directions.

noodlebox pages:
Each layer can also have 4 pages (versions) that can be stringed together at any order and number of repeats (like a song mode)

All this and other features can be used to noodle together vary complex and long patterns.

More Videos details
---------------------------------
in the two layers examples 02:39 we use 2 layers each with a 4 note pattern.
The first playing a simple 4 note pattern.
The second also 4 notes long but at a slow clock division, transposing the first layer.
We are using the trigger of the first layer to trigger the VCA envelope and the transposed CV from the second layer to control the pitch.

Six4Pix Arpie + CVTab Firmware V6 Standalone tutorial with Modded TB-303

Published on Sep 26, 2019 While We Were Sleeping

Sixty Four Pixels - note Arpie made it's first appearance back in 2015.

00:00 - 01:07 Intro
01:07 - 05:28 Part 1 - Basic Arpeggiator
05:28 - 08:20 Part 2 - Patterns
08:20 - 09:25 Part 3 - Random patterns
09:25 - 10:30 Part 4 - Clock out
10:30 - 11:26 Part 5.1 - other features - Skip over notes
11:26 - 11:50 Part 5.2 - Other Features - Hz/V scaling
11:50 - 13:02 Part 5.3 - Other Features - Force to scale
Bonus Material:
11:26 - 14:15 - 1 Note Acid bass-line
14:15 - 15:48 - Eurorack synced Jam

"In this video, I am showing the features of the Arpie by six4pix with it's latest firmware Version 6. This is a significant update to the Arpie and turns it into a powerful Arpeggiator / Sequencer hybrid with a unique workflow and feature set.

The Arpie can be used standalone or with a MIDI keyboard. I love the standalone nature of the Arpie and chose to show it that way in this video.

I am also using the CVtab expansion to control my TB-303 with its Borg mod from Analogue Solutions.
The CVTab gives the Arpie a CV out, a gate out and a third out that can act as a trigger for accents, slides ... or as a clock out. The CVTab also provides storing of 16 patterns.

All the technics used in this video will also work using MIDI except for pattern saving and restoring. MIDI provides a number of features not available as CV and are not covered in this video.

I am covering most of the Arpie features but not all so do read the manual for more details

I did my best to make things clear but if you have any questions do ask in the comments and ill do my best to answer.

A few notes on using the Arpie:

The main function aria has a 4x3 button greed each button in the greed has 2 functions: Press and Long Press. the instructions in the video make this clear however I made a mistake 1:30 in and made a long press before correcting it to a normal short press. I think I got it correct in all other places, but the instructions should be all correct.

Once selecting a function you configure the function using the 16 LEDs/push buttons at the top of the Arpie.

Bonus Material:

1 Note Acid bass-line - This was recorded an earlier test version of the Firmware, but I thought it is interesting to see how the firmware evolved and I liked it and did not want to shoot it again.
(In this version where access to the [PATN] additional layers is on the [Mode button])
Can you work out how to play this using the latest version?

Eurorack synced Jam - While working on the tutorial I was to focused on what I was showing to get a good sync going to my Eurorack so I added a jam that shows better results. I also want to add that it is not difficult to get a sync going and you can create interesting grooves by choosing the start point.

Final thoughts, I love the organic nature of the Arpie and mixing the various technics to create surprising and unexpected results. I have many ideas for patches using the Arpie that I hope to share in the future.
If you have an Arpie would love to hear how you use it?"

Folktek Mescaline Eurorack sidechain jam

Published on Aug 28, 2019 While We Were Sleeping

"A jam in two parts recorded a few weeks back.

I had my Folktek Mescaline in my second Eurorack case, that is yet to be filled and had plenty of free space, this was never meant as a permanent solution and ended up a very short one as my case has 2 rows and the Mescaline really needs 3 for the dupont patch cables to get from one Mescaline module to another. I also love the small rack provided by Folktek for the Mescaline.
I ended up only using Channel and Motion as they were above each other.
I also recently finished building the God's box Lollipop compressor so thought it would be fun to add Sidechain compression to Channel.
Motion is clocked by Malekko Varigate 8+ (I mistakenly put Channel in the video captions, sorry for the confusion)
Malekko Varigate 8+ is sequencing the rest of the modules (list below).
The second video has some pops/clicks, this is because I recorded directly to my iPhone using a USB Camera Adapter & zoom USB interface, shame.
In both videos, I am using the Varigate mute function to bring parts in and out but this is especially obvious in the second part where I am funckying up the bass line.

Eurorack Modules:
Folktek Mescaline (Channel and Motion)
God's box Lollipop compressor
Malekko Varigate 8+
Hexinverter Mutant Drums (Bassdrum, Clap, Snare)
Audio damage Mad Hatter + bastl skis
Noise Engineering Basimilus Iteritas Alter
DinSync VCF303
DinSync OSC303"

Eurorack Ableton Drum Rack - Ambient exploration

Published on Jun 19, 2019 While We Were Sleeping

"About the patch:
Every Christmas I celebrate not working by investing my free time in a music project. Last year it was the recording of an unrealised album.
This year I was going to top that by actually finishing and realising something.
So I had this plan for the Malekko voltage block for a while and this year I planned to sequence the sequencer.
The patch is a single Oscillator (TH 555) going through varies filters and wave folding and ending in two VCA's.

CLICK FOR MORE »

9 Live Eurorack Jams - 1 patch, 1 VCO, 3 Filters, 1 WaveFolder, Drums and a touch of Juno 60

Published on Apr 30, 2019 While We Were Sleeping

0. 00:00 Intro
1. 01:00 Its Friday again - 113bpm 8:30s
2. 09:20 To much delay - 98bpm 5:50s
3. 15:04 Juno Arp - 124bpm 5:30s
4. 20:36 Juno Lucina - 100bpm 8:30s
5. 28:14 Groovy Saturday - 113bpm 7:30s
6. 34:57 Up - 103bpm 4:30s
7. 36:41 Minimal - 124bpm 2:30s
8. 39:09 Psychedelic - 104bpm 1:25s
9. 40:30 Ambient - 60bpm 3:05s

🎧 or 🔊 🔊 for Bass and stereo image

CLICK FOR MORE »

Eurorack ambient groove

Published on Mar 13, 2019 While We Were Sleeping

"🎧 or 🔊 🔊 for stereo image
I was not sure how to title this one, so will just give the long story:
I have been playing the same patch now since Christmas. I just can't stop myself. I have been mostly playing Techno and other fastest paced stuff so needed to slow down to stop myself going crazy and this jam is the result. The patch started as an Ambient piece. The original patch had the Malekko voltage block sequenced from Ableton and I will sone put out that video. After recording the Ableton peace, I changed over to using the Malekko Varigate 8+ to sequence the voltage block and I have not stopped playing the patch since then. Simply changing the attenuation and offset on the Clock/CV in of the voltage block gives me so many parmutation of the pattern. I got about 8 more faster-paced jams recorded so thinking of sticking them on in one long video when I get the time.
The other thing that happened to me is that by some miracle I looked down and noticed my Roland Juno 60 seating under my eurorack and decided it would be nice to actually switch it on.

Would love to know what you think of this track and the patch?

The patch:
The synth lead/bass part of the patch is using a single oscillator (Thomas Henry 555) that is processed by 3 filters and one triple wave folder. It then ends up in two VCAs + envelopes (Hexinverter Galilean Moons) . The Voltage block has each of its steps tuned with pitch and varies other filter and wave folding parameters. The Varigate 8+ is used for sequencing the steps of the Voltage block and trigger the drums. the drums are barely noticeable just to give the patch some movement and a some groove.

The recording:
This was recorded live on Instagram. I had tried to do a YouTube live but unfortunately, that did not work with my iPhone 6 so still looking for a workable solution for YT.

Modules used (synth parts)
--------------------------------------------
Malekko voltage block
Malekko Varigate 8+
Fonitronik Thomas Henry 555 VCO
Toppobrillo Triple WaveFolder
God’s Box ‘Humpback’ Filter
DinSync VCF303 (VCF303)
Serge 1973 VCF, PCB & panel by mCop
Hexinverter Galilean Moons (L Moon and R moon for left and right sides of the module)
mCop eurorack mixer (MXR)

Modules used (Drums)

---------------------------------------
Hexinverter Mutant Bassdrum & Snare
Audio Damage ADM07 Mad Hatter + Bastl Instruments Skis - for the clicky high hat sounds"

Eurorack Live 3 note Techno Jam - Malekko voltage block / varigate, TH 555 VCO, VCF303, TWF, BIA ..

Published on Jan 23, 2019 While We Were Sleeping

Cool case! Looks like polymer clay.

"Recorded on Load speakers so if you can play it !!!!LOAD!!!!!
0:00 - Start
5:25 - The Genie is out of the bottle

This is the third evolution of this erurorack patch. I will post the first two soon. It's a vary rich patch but not so easy to tell from this jam as it only uses 3 notes and is more aggressive.
This patch uses the voltage block to provide 16 notes each with pitch cv, filter cutoffs, wave folding and VCA envelop decay. In this version of the patch I am using the varigate 8+ to control the step on the voltage block.

Eurorack Audio signal is fully analog and consists of:
1 VCO (Fonitronik thomas henry 555) ending in two VCO.
The first:
555 - Triple WaveFolder - ‘Humpback’ Filter - DinSync VCF303 - Left moon
The second:
555 - 1973 vcf - Right Moon -

This was just for fun. will soon post 2 more videos better demonstrating the patch at a later date.

The serge vcf uses the band pass that I think sounds glories. The DinSync VCF303 is amazing and changed my understanding of the 303. Again will post more obvious videos soon.


The patch is also my first youtube video staring the wonderful Noise Engineering Basimilus Iteritas Alter. You can hear my first recording of it on https://soundcloud.com/whileweweresle..."

Shortwave eurorack techno drone with RF Nomad

Published on Dec 6, 2018 While We Were Sleeping

"Using the eurorack RF Nomad by Evaton Technologies a Shortwave Eurorack Receiver, to spice up a techno/drone Jam,
This was recorded a while back (facebook live) and was one of my first jams with the Malekko Heavy Industry voltage block. I got stuck on a single channel single step because that was as much fun as I could handle at the time :) The voltage block is controlling the Fonitronik Thomas Henry 555 VCO with no filter or vca, just raw oscillator goodness.
Both the RF Nomad and the TH 555 are DIY builds from Thonk
voltage block pared with the varigate 8+ by Malekko Heavy Industry
video editing using iMovie"