Disquiet Junto Project 0381: Shared System

samarobryn · 2019-04-21T10:30:21.126Z

First time trying out anything modular [of sorts] - via VCV Rack. Was really interesting and fun, although I have to admit I still don’t quite know what I’m doing

robinrimbaud · 2019-04-21T19:40:22.914Z

samarobryn:

I have to admit I still don’t quite know what I’m doing

Now that’s exactly what I like to hear! What a marvellous feeling that can be, and so liberating in terms of thinking and creativity. Thanks for participating!

mglp · 2019-04-21T23:15:58.942Z

Hello.
Although I’ve been on the disquiet mailing list for quite a while, this is the first time I’ve submitted anything. For me, limitations spark creativity, and making a piece with just 8 modules was just too good to pass up. We need more less in the world!

I started this patch the same way I usually start a new patch on my Buchla 200e system, with the random voltage generator, which, in this case, is the sample & hold module clocked by the LFO. The S&H triggers the OSC pitch, the VCA envelope, and SVF freq. These last two run parallel into the mixer so their levels can be controlled independently. The S&H and the LFO control various aspects of the 4Mod, and the 4Mod modulates the various timbre settings of the OSC & SVF, and modulates the shape of the LFO wave. The S&H also modulates the step direction on the 4Mod which creates an ever changing yet somewhat controllable mod sequence. A hardware knob midi controller is assigned to the most vital controls to make this patch more performative. All the events in this piece (triggers and timbre changes) are generated by the patch itself. Tweaking the knobs in real time create the different sections.

This recording is an edited down version of a longer performance. Three main chunks were left pretty much as is. Only the 8 Reaktor Bento Box modules are used, although the main outs are piped through an analog compressor (Bugbrand Stereo Compess) before hitting the recording software.

yobink · 2019-04-21T23:57:23.612Z

This weekly challenge was indeed a challenge, and let’s leave it at that. As Daniel Plainview said at the end of There Will Be Blood, “I’m finished!”.

robinrimbaud · 2019-04-22T07:49:46.583Z

Thanks really great MGLP I’m delighted to see how the limitations worked out here and led to again something quite unexpected!

haebbmaster · 2019-04-22T14:03:31.401Z

Hello, this is my first contribution to this great project.

I use a Linux PC. Reaktor Blocks didn’t install for me, neither in wine nor in a virtual Windows machine.

So I did the patch in my diy modular sythesizer. Slightly edited in Tracktion 7 for equalizing and stereo panorama.

These are the modules I use instead of the suggested ones:
Bento Box Osc - Thomas Henry 4046 VCO
Bento Box SVF - CGS77 Serge 1973 VCF
Bento Box VCA - L-1 Tube VCA
Bento Box Mix - simple output mixer
Bento Box Env - CGS76 Serge Envelope (in cycle mode)
Bento Box LFO - 1/2 CGS114 Serge Dual Universal Slope Generator
Bento Box S&H - yusynth S&H and noise
Bento Box 4 Mods - two Baby 10 Sequencers and a Turing Machine (Arduino based)

Module.png794×1123 118 KB

Have fun!

ntrier · 2019-04-22T20:20:40.234Z

Due to tech difficulties, I ended up using VCVRack for the first time. So I can scratch that off my list AND I made music in a totally new way!

I ended up using just the “core” modules in VCVRack. I tried to use one of the VCVRack templates that some Junto participants kindly made, but I was totally overwhelmed, so I opted for the basics.

At first I just tried to make weird noises. Eventually I figured out how the Seq sequencer worked and made a slow melody. I made a second instance and mapped the clock control to an LFO so we would hear the same melody speeding up and slowing down (because I love mensuration/tempo canons).

The next step was to output all of my scattered patches and put them together into a composition. I ran VCVRack through a PA speaker and recorded the output into a Zoom H4. (I recorded them all in my classroom, which has a lovely natural reverb.) Then I put everything together in Ableton.

In terms of mixing, everything was in mono, so I used Klevgrand’s Gaffel to split the frequency spectrum into four bands (low, sorta low, middle, and high) and put each one in a different place in the stereo field. I ran the recorded outputs of various patches through all sorts of tape/pre-amp emulations to get a warmer sound.

On the whole, this was a great experience. I am totally new to modular synthesis, and it’s crazy to me that so many people work this way. Things I take for granted in a DAW (like adding rhythms) or effects (a little reverb!) required thoughtful planning and patching. (Of course, these things would be easier if I was using more advanced modules). I definitely rewired my own brain’s patch cables a bit: at one point, I had a dream I was watching Game of Thrones, and VCVRack’s Seq sequencer was floating over each character’s head (like the Sims), controlling their actions.

howthenightcame · 2019-04-22T21:13:23.301Z

@ntrier That was a lovely soundtrack, with a great balance between flow and unpredictability.

ntrier:

I definitely rewired my own brain’s patch cables a bit: at one point, I had a dream I was watching Game of Thrones, and VCVRack’s Seq sequencer was floating over each character’s head (like the Sims), controlling their actions.

And I really liked this anecdote!!

howthenightcame · 2019-04-22T21:25:48.963Z

@robinrimbaud I’ve never used VCV Rack before. I found it very counterintuitive, which is - I think - a good thing in small doses. I was very happy when some sounds started emerging from the (rather lengthy) preceding silence!! Although I don’t think I’ll ever become a big VCV Rack user, this week’s prompt has already given me a couple of ideas for my next project. (e.g. recording delay pedals self-oscillating, and using those samples as introductions to, or textural backgrounds for, songs). So thank you for opening up my own thinking about music and different processes of composition.

vgmrmojo · 2019-04-22T23:44:23.284Z

Disquiet0381
System 6
• Key: F melodic minor BPM: 124 Time signature: 12/8 DAW: Reaper
• Instruments: Blocks
• Plug-ins: Reaktor 6
• The Assignment: make music using a free software synth assembled by Scanner.
• First time using Blocks to create a whole project
• Set the blocks, patching and routing
• Used midi learn to control some or the parameters

UntilledSound · 2019-04-22T23:53:27.017Z

Disquiet tempted me, and lured me away from the blessed hilltops of analogue signal flow, down into the unholy valley of virtual modular instrumentation. This exercise in wretched debauchery began with almost an hour of confusion and frustration, untilled I finally discovered how these cursed devices operate.

Joking aside. I do like what some digital modular can do, but good gravy is it unintuitive. I am planning on finding a way to add some virtual tools to my tangible rack someday, but this won’t be it. I found the setup strange and restrictive.

Oh well. I can’t say I didn’t try.

Pineyb · 2019-04-23T01:32:54.860Z

I’m out on the road, and didn’t get to put something together for this time around. But I did have to drive for several hours today and listened to the SoundCloud playlist as my entertainment. Nice work from all of you!

huron · 2019-04-23T02:42:46.868Z

Ok this one was hard.

ymeynard · 2019-04-23T04:23:30.066Z

I’m late, dang it! Still, here it is: https://soundcloud.com/ymeynard/exceprts-disquiet0381

xenus_dad · 2019-04-23T04:30:28.141Z

Whenever I do a Disquiet, I spend the weekend doing a lot of complicated ideas, and then Monday evening I make it simpler. This is very simple, just the 8 suggested modules and the clock. Dressed up with effects in Ableton.

Most of the time the LFO is clocking the sequencer. Occasionally I patched it to the clock pulse.

dnealelo · 2019-04-23T13:39:46.108Z

Bummed not to make the deadline for this one. Got a few takes done and learned more about performative patching (which was the approach I took to this, vs more being sound-design-y in the past). Definitely makes me want to spend more time with my virtual modulars.

Looking forward to listening to everyone’s contributions today!

joemcmahon · 2019-04-23T17:37:41.619Z

Do what I’ve done several times - finish it up and tag it! Marc will be happy to put it in the list. It’s about “hey, this gave me an idea to make a thing and I want to show it off” instead of “YOU DID NOT MEET THE TIME CONSTRAINTS AND MUST GO AWAY”.

disquiet · 2019-04-23T17:42:40.027Z

^ What @joemcmahon said.

dnealelo · 2019-04-23T18:01:42.641Z

Thanks (and @disquiet)! I might be able to do this. Family matters (central to my missing the time frame already) continue apace and at new-normal-very-high levels, but if I can steal an hour or so this evening, it’s conceivable I could get this posted. As always, I’m very grateful for this community and the marvelous noises that are made here!

dnealelo · 2019-04-25T13:32:38.294Z

Posted under the category, “better late than never.” I configured my Aurturia Mood Modular V softsynth to match as closely as possible the Bento Box shared system; you may note that the sequencer is 8-step rather than four, but I accounted for this by replicating a 4-step sequence twice. The patch is pretty simple, as you can see. I aimed to build one that allowed for good variation with the manipulation of a relatively few parameters (which, in my limited experience, is often a good goal for a patch?).

What I was able to generate with this patch, musically, is outside my usual approach and guidelines of taste (part of why I wanted the challenge), so I’m not terribly satisfied with it musically. However, the exercise intrigued me and I intend to spend some more time noodling about with this more West-Coast approach to the quintessential East-Coast modular.