I have decided to make a few short tutorials for the blog with relatively basic tips for your modular synthesizer.
The first video in this series shows how you can use an LFO as alternative 'Swing Generator'
I used a Doepfer A-145 LFO to show the principle.
The A-145 can do a great job as a (continuous) envelope generator, especially when using the reversed saw-tooth wave.
In the video the TB-303 is playing, the A-100 is playing the same pattern via the TB-303's CV Output.
The Gate from the TB-303 is fed into the Reset In on the A-145 so each time this module receives a Gate signal, it starts a new cycle.
Slow LFO cycles (Low mode) will result in longer envelopes and faster LFO's will result in interesting (swinging) rhythmical discoveries.
Video: Using an A-145 LFO as Swing Generator by PatchPierre
" Short PatchPierre Tutorial
Equipment used: Doepfer A-100, Roland TB-303, Machinedrum "
In preparation for the next #ModularBattle round, i figured out i had to do something to get a little bit more out of my pretty basic set of Doepfer Modules.
I decided to add an extra Random Output to my A-118 Noise/Random Voltage module, which was quite an easy job.
After i removed the knobs and the sockets i could remove the frontpanel of the module.
I mounted it on a flat piece of (old)wood, and secured it with two nails to avoid the frontpanel slipping away.
With a nail and a hammer i punched a small guide-hole for my drill, and drilled an extra hole for the new mini-jack connector.
To protect the front-plate, you can use an adhesive foil or (painter's) masking tape to cover the front, but if you drill very carefully, and don't wipe but blow the aluminium-scrapes off the module you'll be fine.
A-118 extra random output wiring
The new mini-jack connector was one that i ordered from Doepfer earlier (i have a big collection of mini-jack connectors, knobs and switches - they sell them seperately as spare parts) and the connection with the other random output was made with 2 pieces of wire and my soldering-iron.
The connection was as easy as it looks, and it looks like my soldering-skills are (slightly) improving...
Finished module with
extra random output
Don'be afraid for any CV-loss now that the signal has to be distributed over the two Random busses.
Doepfer confirmed to me that "this just works as a mini multiple and doesn't lower the CV"
Now that the modification is done, the module sends 2 similar (controllable) random voltages to both outputs that i can use for all kinds of purposes throughout my modular synthesizer.
For a modification that was done in less than an hour, it is a nice improvement...
The mods described on this site will most likely void any warranty and, if not done carefully, can damage the circuit board, IC chips, and faceplates.
"The rules of fair play do not apply in love and war." John Lyly's 'Euphues' (1578) #ModularBattle
A video by Robotmakers was uploaded to YouTube this weekend, showing another alternative way of controlling your modular with gestures.
Finally someone found out how to use the Microsoft Kinect system to control a (modular) synthesizer.
Kinect is a motion sensing input device by Microsoft for the Xbox 360 game console and Windows PCs, based around a webcam-style add-on peripheral.
It enables users to control and interact with the PC or Xbox 360 without the need to touch a game controller or mouse, through a natural user interface using gestures.
Although this hack only converts the gestures to a MIDI signal, it can be easily converted into CV voltages with any simple MIDI-to-CV converter.
I predicted that this would be possible when the Kinect was announced in a post from January last year about Doepfer's Mogli glove.
I didn't expect it would take this long before a video showing this would appear on YouTube though...
(or did i miss earlier attempts?)
Video: Gestural Control of Modular Synthesizer via Kinect
" Custom software enables gestural control using Kinect and PC. Hand movements in the X and Y axes are translated into MIDI signals which generate control voltages, allowing 2 dimensional morphing of waveforms in a "Morphing Terrarium" module, processed through modular moog.
Recorded in the superterranian lair of the Robotmakers. "
You've probably heard and read about the ModularBattle challenge that was started by KlirrFaktor and Fi0cz a few weeks ago.
The rules are simple so far; Round one - one module only / Round 2 - two modules, and so on...
- no external CV, click or audio - tracks no longer than 2 minutes - no additional edits or effects - track as video or audio.
I made quite a few videos so far, although i failed to enter my first video in time.
Starting from now on I will post them here on my own blog too...
Video 1: Out of competition #ModularBattle Round 1 entry by PatchPierre
One module only - Doepfer A-127 Triple VC Resonance Filter
Video 2: PatchPierre Sells Seashells - #ModularBattle Round 2
Two modules only - Doepfer A-118 Noise/Random Voltage plus Doepfer A-106-1 Xtreme Filter
Video 3: Sonic Pointillism by PatchPierre - #ModularBattle Round 3
Three modules only - Doepfer A-118 Noise/Random Voltage plus Doepfer A-188-1 BBD plus Doepfer A-147 VCLFO modules
Video 4: Acid Ducks by PatchPierre - #ModularBattle Round 4
Four modules only - Doepfer A-118 Noise/RND + A-147 VCLFO + A-111 VCO2 + A-127 VCRF
My new entries will be added to this post later...
Next round - ModularBattle Round 5: The perfect drone Here are the rules: give us your perfect drone - modular only ^^ - track must be no longer than 3 minutes - no additional edits or effects - track as video or audio
Feel free enter next week's battle that has a deadline on the night of the 24th of March.
You may add your tracks with postings @ sequencer.de or muffwiggler.com, on Soundcloud or on Twitter with the hashtag #modularbattle
Okay, this seems like pretty basic Eurorack knowledge, but every now and then I see this question popping up on several forums and sites.
The standard Doepfer eurorack screws - M3x6
It seems a lot of people run out of Eurorack mounting screws very often.
A lot of them don't seem to know what types are used and/or where to get them.
In Doepfer Euroracks standardized lens head screw DIN7985 M3x6 are used. DIN is the German edition of ISO standards and
the ISO metric screw threads are the world-wide most commonly used type of general-purpose screw thread.
The 3 stands for the diameter of the wire, and 6 stands for the length of the screw... both in millimeters (mm).
For the Doepfer racks, don't use longer screws...
I got mine from a local hardware-store (GAMMA), and i guess you will be able to find some near you...
Of course there are many other types of mounting screws available that fit... in different shapes and colours, so the choice is yours.
Just Google "M3x6" and you will find plenty of options.
A tip from Oliver Chesler from wiretotheear.com in the comments is that you can also use 3mm Nylon Plastic Washers between your screws and the modules.
If you want to resell your modules scratch-less this might be a good idea.
Wouter van Veldhoven, a tape-addict and musician from the Netherlands, makes music using collected second hand materials including, cans, old tape recorders, cigarboxes, broken radios and toypianos.
He reworks them in experimental musical instruments and uses them as recording devices.
His music balances somewhere between dusty, lo-fi experimental ambient
and jangly instrumentals, but recently he has also been delving into the
realm of minimal techno.
His latest upload is made with a nice mix of Doepfer Eurorack and various tape-machines and sounds like it is influenced by the classic Dutch NatLab-engineers from the early 60s.
Video: Automated tape delay/reverse
" I adjusted a tape recorder in such a way its playing direction can be controlled from my Doepfer system, this combined with an extra tape recorder that both records and plays back enables delayed tape reversing in a live setting. Quite nice for doing some minimal techno thingies"
Last Friday i received a very interesting notification/invitation for a new initiative from The KlirrFaktor.
A challenge, with easy rules;
one module only
no external CV, click or audio
track must be no longer than 2 mins
track as video or audio
no additional edits or effects
It's too bad that i had other things planned this weekend, but the first modular battle took place without me and resulted in some really nice & crazy tracks.
Video: The 1 module // no cv battle .My round . by Fi0cz
Looking back at round one... i don't think i could have done a better job with my pretty basic set of Doepfer modules.
The only thing i can think of now (after the first round) would be an experiment with my A-127 Triple VCF, where the first filter is resonating, fed back into the module and filtered again by the two remaining LFO-controlled filters... #toolate
I might send in an entry for Round 2, same rules, but now with only 2 modules and a deadline on the night of the 24th of February.
A good way to get a bit more creative with the modules that i have...
Add tracks to the battle:
You may add your tracks with postings @ sequencer.de or muffwiggler.com (link later), on Soundcloud or on Twitter tweeting with the hashtag #modularbattle
Follow ModularBattle on Twitter for latest information
AND
Let’s go modular!
As most of you know, i bought a fully analog Korg Monotron -analogue ribbon synthesizer- a while ago.
I promised you to make a short demo of it as soon as i had the time, so here it is.
The Korg Monotron is a cheap (39 Euro) battery-powered synthesizer, but what a lot of fun i already had with this little thing.
It features one VCO, a real VCF (This true analog filter is taken from the classic MS-10 & MS-20 synthesizer) with Filter-Cutoff and Peak (resonance) Control.
An LFO with variable speed (and an LED that flashes in tandem) can be applied to the Pitch (VCO) or Filter(VCF)
*note: only the LFO>filter cutoff is shown in this video
Video: Korg Monotron -analogue ribbon synthesizer- demo by PatchPierre
" Created by PatchPierre
http://patchpierre.blogspot.nl/
Interesting noises from Glitzerstrahl this time... with video.
A work in progress with his eurorack modular synthesizer, find a full list of modules HERE
Video: Cumulus 1 [WIP] by Glitzerstrahl
" The starting point of a track made entirely with my modular rack.
No MIDI or external sequencing but reverb was added while recording through Ableton Live.
The track is still being worked on so this video only shows the first version.
I'll continuously post videos as parts are added, and that way you can see how the track builds up.
In essence what you hear is built up by an XAOC Moskwa sequencer modulating a Pittsburgh filter cutoff that filters a set of 3 separately tuned Bubblesound VCOb oscillators.
A Pittsburgh mixer is manually manipulated to change the mix of the three oscillators, and the resonance, QVC and cutoff of the filter is also manually tweaked during the course of the track.
The Attack and Release of the envelope (of which there is only 1 (TipTop Z4000)) is set randomly and gated by the Moskwa, and there is a slew limiter (Doepfer a-170) patched in between one of the oscillators, and in the path of the random voltage of the Release of the envelope.
Hope you like it!"
Okay, a bit of a weird BookTip this time... at first sight.
The For Dummies series is an extensive series of instructional/reference books which are intended to present non-intimidating guides for readers new to the various topics covered.
As of December 2012, over 1800 For Dummies titles have been published with editions in numerous languages.
This Electronica (electronics) edition (published in 2005 in multiple languages) is extremely useful for the beginning electronics DIY-ers (like me), and it has already been very helpful making thing more understandable.
The book (416 pages) covers a whole range of subjects, from the basics, preparation, tools and safety-measures to easy-to-build small projects on a breadboard or with self-made printed circuit boards (pcb's).
On your way through the book you'll learn everything about diodes, resistors, capacitors and reading schematics. It even has a robotics section...
I learned a lot from this book so far, although i haven't even read it all... i mainly use it for reference.
