#36

I picked up a FXDf for this exact purpose. I’ve been using it with a crossfader - fading between different bands - along with switches, mixers etc. I find that certain bands in the 12db slope can cause feedback get out of control, which is why the crossfader comes in handy; fading into another band will dampen the feedback oscillation.

2 Likes
#37

I use the MXR ‘six band eq’ pedal for feedback loops with my matrix mixer, and a MixPre as the limiter for ear protection.

1 Like
#38

I went ahead and ordered the EMW Fixed Filter Bank. Seems like a good combination of features and a relatively reasonable price.

1 Like
#39

Another feedback instrument:

8 Likes
#40

Looks like a fun, easy diy project.

2 Likes
#41

Bumping an oldish thread to share my latest eurorack experiment, sequenced feedback. I used one channel of the matrix mixer to create a feedback loop via a handful of distortion/fuzz/waveshapers, then a VCA, back into the matrix. Promising stuff, tho like a lot of feedback-centric setups it’s wildly variable depending on different settings at every stage of the chain, and easily drops off into silence or clicks if you are not careful with what knobs you twiddle

2 Likes
#42

I have one and love trying to figure out what to set it on. It has a tiny bit of learning curve in terms of keeping the squeal-y feedback under control and how to touch it to guide the vibrations along, but it’s intuitive enough, I think. I sort of wish I had bought two of them so they could play off of each other, but maybe at some point…

1 Like
#43

I don’t think the Lyra 8 FX will ever leave my rack now that I know it’s a feedback machine.

The following is a four-section subset of sounds from a 40-minuteish recording. There’s no input signal at all, it all starts with the Lyra 8 in full feedback which is then sent to a Twinpeak and then a Mimeophon, which is also feeding back at times. Modulation from a Benjolin and Sloths:

4 Likes
#44

How are you liking it? I’ve been wanting an FFB for ages, but have choice paralysis (and budget concerns when I look at something like a Fumana).

#45

I didn’t really get along with the EMW FFB at all, I’m afraid, and it didn’t take me long to sell it. I liked Make Noise FXDf better, but then I went for a Mutable Shelves instead.

I find Shelves more flexible, but I think I might just be too spoiled by software EQs. Since getting Blades recently, I have an abundance of filters (I have VCFQ and Angle Grinder too), so I might not keep Shades in the long run. I’m going to wait a few months to let things settle before changing anything else at all in my modular, though.

2 Likes
#46

I suppose I should investigate my software EQ more — I always think of it as a static set and forget type of thing. I can easily automate it and use it like an FFB, hadn’t really even considered that. I have thought a lot about the MN FXDf, but it appears to be sold out completely. I wish they’d offer up a DIY version.

1 Like
#47

Maybe take a look at Bastl Propust for a compact (and diy) ffb. It’s more basic than the make noise but might get you places (not sure how they implement the different slopes on the inputs of the fxdf). You could experiment with different cap values too if you’re wanna get your hands dirty.

There are some old moog schematics around of low and high pass ffbs (passive, so non-resonant) and they are surprisingly simple.

I just started exploring this with my serge reseq but it’s fun to set the upper and lower settings (which are different bands) and treat them like left/right outs for various feedback stuff (or mid/side wackiness though this is still a bit of a black box to me in practice). I imagine it might be fun to make two side by side passive ffbs with slightly different component values for a somewhat similar effect (though the resonance in the reseq seems to do a lot of the heavy lifting regarding that feedback magic)

Also if you’re handy with a soldering iron consider L-1’s quad resonant EQ. It’s not a cheap build (but MUCH cheaper to diy than buy the “factory” version) but also a pretty easy one (most components are presoldered if I remember). It’s also an hp hog- I kinda wish it was only dual.

Also wanna give a shout of to the humble music thing simple eq. I was having some fun the other night putting the tilt half in a runway feedback patch and using that to tame it, let it run wild, tame it again, and so on… :sweat_smile:

2 Likes
#48

this is very inspiring to me. mind blowing sounds. i will get a serge system one of these days for this specific purpose

@addamm i would really like a desktop (preferably diy) version of something like this. some sort of creative eq/filter. i was looking as the graphic eq’s like the boss eq-200, ge-7 or the mxr 10 band eq and wondering if those were really useful for creative and precise filtering or more like a set and forget guitar pedal. the waldorf 2 pole or maybe something like the analog heat might be better i imagine? i dont know. any ideas?

5 Likes
#49

If you want to step into a truck sized rabbit hole on diy ffbs/eqs click over here :wink:

The big slider CGS version of the serge reseq is a rewarding diy project and combined with a line in to modular level amp module I’d say that’s worthy of its own box as a standalone unit! I must say I don’t find myself using the individual outs as much as I’d hoped, though. They are fun to run into an FM input of a filter in a feedback path though.

As for other uses of outboard eqs I’m afraid I’m not the person to ask - maybe @Starthief can weigh in? :innocent: I’m partial to my doepfer 106-5 on everything including feedback patches but I also don’t have a very discerning ear. I have an old two channel Rane rackmount eq I’ve been wanting to try but it has a broken bypass button so it’s sadly just been sitting there until that day I open it up. Maybe this will give me the kick to get it running!

1 Like
#50

I can’t speak to outboard hardware EQ really. I have some favorites in software though.

CraveEQ: great for cleanup/surgery/minor tweaks, but also for peaking bands that can be automated.

SurferEQ: can track the pitch of the input and have bands follow along, which is great. Also one of the bands has some harmonic series shapes, including highly resonant ones – I really need to work with feedback with this one more than I have so far :slight_smile:

Peel: it has a different method of visualization, showing harmonic content in the stereo field quite clearly. You can draw a box around an area to mute, isolate, or feed it to a separate output to process separately from the rest.

Uhbik-Q: the one I use when I don’t want a graphical EQ or precise numbers, just going by ear and feel.

2 Likes
#51

That fxdx shows up used pretty often. Highly recommend trying one out. If you already have a bunch of vcas it’s a really inexpensive way of checking out ffb’s.

2 Likes
#52

@namon I’ll definitely keep an eye out for it, thank you!

@starthief I’ll look into those EQs. I’ve got Fabfilter Q3, but am not terribly adept at it, I kind of just use it at a very base level. I also found an FFB M4L last night, so I’ll try that out soon.

@addam That’s actually the thread that created the desire to get an FFB. Thank you for reminding me of that, I need to re-read the whole thread.

1 Like
#53

how have i missed this thread for so long?

2 Likes
#54

Glad I tagged you. I very recently gave in and decided to start using ableton as more than a multitrack recorder and started using plugins a bit. Been enjoying the visualizations in the cheapie version of izotope ozone but that Peel plugin looks like a lot of fun!

@Whinger if you do end up DIYing or acquiring something please update us (me :wink: )

2 Likes
#55

tested out the Analog Four feedback routing this morning with some conditional trigs then into the Octatrack thru machine with digital filter, a little modulated dark reverb, some phaser, and bit reduction

fb a4 diagram 2
fb a4 diagram 2404×616 57.8 KB
feedback routing a4 diagram
feedback routing a4 diagram382×602 31.7 KB

probably should try some of the A4 chorus and delay next time

5 Likes