Felix of The Tuesday Night Machines let us know that he’s started a new video series, ‘A Patch From Scratch’, that explores synthesis with a Eurorack modular synth.
“I improvise modular synth patches and provide live commentary on what I’m doing,” he explains. “It’s aimed at new modular synth user, but is probably interesting for advanced users too.”
The playlist is embedded in this post, and you can also check out all of his videos at his YouTube channel.
Modules used include:
- Doepfer A-138 Exponential Mixer
- Intellijel Dixie 1 VCO
- Music Thing Modular Thonk Turing Machine & Pulses Expander Sequencer
- Intellijel uScale 1 Quantizer
- Malekko Wiard Anti-Oscillator VCO
- Klangbau Wavetable VCDO
- Erika Polivoks VCF Filter
- Synthrotek EKO Delay
- Make Noise Function Generator
- Intellijel Quadra Quad Envelope Generator
“Brilliant!” I thought. “Maybe he’ll create a musically usable modular patch! Too many modular demos are just pointless noise jams…”
I’ll never get those 5 minutes back. Watched the 2nd video too, but skipped through it. He should’ve stopped about 12 1/2 mins in.
Modular synthesis is the freeform jazz of music creation. Immensely fun and immersive for those doing it, as much fun as a dog attack for those watching it.
I’m sorry you feel that way. Maybe some of my synth jam videos, in which my goal is to make “music”, are more to your taste (probably the older ones, before I started with modular synths): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5AAC61D0DF9D715D
The “Patch from Scratch” video series however, is supposed to show basic modular synth patching techniques and doesn’t necessarily want to show the creation of a “musical” patch in the classic sense. It’s more about the workflow here 🙂
buntybunbun – Part of the responsibility of being a critic is actually having something constructive to say!
I enjoyed the 2nd video. It’s interesting to see how he uses various modules, some of which I have and most of which I do not have. As someone who has only been into modular for about 1.5 years it is always good to see how others use modules. Sometimes seeing someone else create a patch makes a light bulb go off in your head and perhaps a solution to a problem you had presented or a function you thought was impossible before can be performed with clever patching.
It was also funny to see him troubleshoot why he had no sound at points. That happens to me all the time.
I like video like this because the reaffirm to me that I will never put my money or time into modular. Ten minutes to achieve damn near nothing. Awesome! Is plugging in patch chords really that fun? Are random blips really that interesting to listen too? Nope!
Fantastic series, I’m really enjoying the show and learning a lot of interesting techniques! Cheers