Modular Synthesis 101 | Part 4 | VCAs

Continuing my introductory series of videos on Modular Synthesis 101. It's time to discover the sheer power of VCAs with some simple examples. In the end you'll learn THE BIG SECRET about VCAs and why you can never have too many VCAs in your system. Along the way you'll also get a proper introduction to a dynamics modulation called Envelopes, a perfect companion to VCAs.

0:00 | Intro and VCA Quick Recap
0:47 | Simple Gate
1:30 | Audio Dynamics: Envelopes
3:42 | Tremolo Using an LFO
4:26 | Linear and Exponential Response
5:28 | Using VCAs on Not Audio

Check out my cool Eurorack modules currently available in my Reverb Store

Modular Synthesis 101 | Part 3 | Filters

Continuing my introductory series of videos on Modular Synthesis 101. We enter the realm of Filters, what they do, how to patch them, and a few tips and tricks.

0:00 | Intro and VCF Quick Recap
0:34 | Frequency Analysis and Harmonic Content
1:13 | Lowpass Filter Mode, Frequency Cutoff, and Slope
2:33 | Highpass and Bandpass (Peak) Filter Modes
3:27 | Resonance (Q)
4:08 | Resonant Self-Oscillation
5:18 | Modulation: VCF FREQUENCY
7:12 | Modulation: VCF RESONANCE
Be sure to check out my Reverb Store for Pro VCF, XaVCF, JP6-VCF and other module availability.

Modular Synthesis 101 | Part 2 | Oscillators

Continuing my introductory series of videos on Modular Synthesis 101. Let's dive into the world of Oscillators, what they do, how to patch them, and a few tips and tricks.

Check my Reverb Store for 101-VCO and other cool modules I make :D

0:00 | Intro and VCO Quick Recap
0:30 | Analog VCO - Typical Waveforms
1:36 | Pulse Wave and Pulse Width
2:35 | VCO Warm-up, Pitch CV and Oscillator Tuning
3:46 | Sub Octave Generator and V/Oct
5:04 | PWM - Pulse Width Modulation
6:52 | FM - Frequency Modulation
7:56 | Digital Oscillator

Modular Synthesis 101: Introduction

Today I give you an introductory series of videos covering Modular Synthesis 101. This course is for anyone who's been mildly curious about modular synthesizers. Maybe you've seen your favorite musician like Johnny Greenwood using a modular synthesizer at a show. And always wondered what does all this stuff do? I'm here to demystify it for you. Today we'll start with some basic terminology and a typical synth patch. What is a typical synthesis setup? What are the kinds of modules in that setup? What will we learn moving forward?

Be sure to check out my sweet Eurorack modules in my Reverb Store.

Sketchy Labs Freak Shift Eurorack Module [Demo #1]

Today I am auditioning the Sketchy Labs Freak Shift module.
The design is specially derived from the Bode Frequency Shifter.
There are literally sweet spots at every turn of the pots on this one.
In this video I'll briefly discuss this module and patch up some wierd sounds.
The focus is on demonstrating a range of evolving sounds of the frequency shifter.
I'll endeavor to make something more musical using the Freak Shift in a future video.
This video is not sponsored or endorsed by the Doc Sketchy.

0:00 Intro and brief discussion of patching
0:54 LFO as Mod input for phaser type sounds
1:24 Using 2 LFOs for Sine/Cosine modulation
2:55 VCO as Mod input for Frequency Shift sounds
4:48 Sum/Diff outputs for Stereo Spread
8:48 LFO modulating the AUX

Audio VCO | Pittsburgh Primary Oscillator
Modulation VCO | Cre8audio Capt'n Big-O
LFO Modulation | XAOC Batumi

Recorded direct to Tascam DR-05.
No additional effects or processing used.

Pittsburgh Modular Flamingo [Safari] Patching [Demo #1]

Just got the new Pittsburgh Modular Safari Flamingo module in.
It's a harmonic interpolation device using a previously unrealized method known as center clipping.
Flamingo can deform and undulate your audio sources in new and interesting ways.
In this video I'll discuss Flamingo and make some patches.
The last section will show how well Flamingo processes control voltages.

0:00 Cold Open Sounds
0:20 Introduction
1:14 Patch Explorations
11:15 Using Flamingo for Control Voltages

Flamingo is a limited edition module
Check the Pittsburgh Modular store for availability while supplies last.

Cascading Two Filters Tips/Tricks Delta VCF Eurorack Synth [Demo #4]

Today we've got a good one.
I'm going to show you some fun to be had running two filters in series and parallel.
You can do these things with any filters w/ lowpass and bandpass.
This time using two of my Delta VCF modules.

0:00 Opening
0:38 Cascading Filters (2 Filters in Series)
4:20 Parallel Filters

The Delta VCF is an adaptation of the Korg Delta/Poly-61 filter.
Per usual, my sound source will be the Pittsburgh Synthesizer Box.
LFOs are coming from Batumi.

Audio recorded direct to Tascam DR-05.
Some normalization, otherwise no effects.

Be sure to check out the Delta VCF and my other cool modules available in my Reverb store.

2xVCA Dual VCA Eurorack Synth Tips/Tricks Demo #2

Today I'm looking at some tips/tricks using a dual VCA.
First I'll briefly go over what is a VCA,
then the features of my dual VCA module.
And lastly, show you some cool things you can do with VCAs.

0:00 Intro
0:16 What is a Voltage Controlled Amplifier?
N:48 A Quick Tour of the 2xVCA
2:21 Volume Knob
2:39 Envelope Amp
3:09 For Percussion Sounds
3:33 Amplitude Key Tracking
4:23 Ducking (sidechain style)
5:22 Audio Amplitude Modulation
6:07 Tremolo
7:02 Gated LFO
7:37 Wave-mixing

Be sure to check out the 2xVCA and my other cool modules available in my Reverb store.

The Keys To Huge Synthesizer Bass [Tonus VCF Demo #4]

Today in this demo I show some of the keys to getting huge bass sounds. I’m doing this on the Eurorack, but these ideas should work on most any synthesizer.
#1 Choose a quality low pass filter. I’m using my Tonus VCF module, a clone of the ARP 2600 filter. It’s a 4-pole low pass bass that uses a transistor ladder design similar to Moog.
#2 Cobble together as many oscillators as you can. Here, the Pittsburgh Synth Box wields a Tri, Saw, and Pulse along with a Sub-oscillato. Then I add another saw and square wave from the DNA Symbiotic Waves.
#3 For short basses use a punchy VCA/decay combo like the Bastl Skis. If you’re using a hardware synth, route a single envelope to affect the filter amount AND the amplitude at the same time.
#4 Modulate the filter with negative key tracking so that as you play higher on the keys, the higher notes will have reduced frequency cutoff. To do this I am sending the pitch CV to the signal inverter on my Pittsburgh Toolbox. Remember, a signal inverter just mirrors your signal across zero volts. For example, pitch CV goes from 0v to 5v. If you run that through an inverter, the output goes from 0v to -5v.
#5 Modulate the filter with a small amount of LFO to make your bass sound growl.
#6 Bass pads need a longer/slower Attack-Decay-Release envelope to evolve over time.
No effects used, audio recorded direct to Tascam DR-05

Audio Damage Proton ADM17 Eurorack Module Demo

Here it is, the new Proton Eurorack Module ADM17 from Audio Damage. There's already some good videos on what it is and how to use it. In this demo I get right to making noise, patching, and scratching the surface of this Karplus Strong synth voice and/or delay effects module. There is a wide range of sounds from fat basses, plucked banjo, delay feedback madness, and more.

Gate and sequences come from Arturia Beatstep. Some of the patching sources I use here: LFO and oscillator at slow rate, Sample/Hold, Glide. I also run the sound through a Doepfer SEM module, there's no rules here. Audio recorded direct to Tascam DR-05.