Sequencer as Oscillator - Beringher System 55 (Moog Clone) & Pittsburgh Voltage Lab 2 #modularsynth

I documented my discovery that I could use the Behringer 960 Sequencer (Moog Clone) from the System 55 Eurorack Synth as a quality-sounding oscillator. Clocking it at high rates, either internally with its built-in oscillator (which by default is used as a rate control for the sequencer), or clocked externally, gives nice audio-rate tones/waveforms. More interestingly though, when choosing to put the sequencer in the mode that allows you to determine the timing of each step (which gives you irregular gate outputs), results in the module behaving as a waveshaper which is very useful for creating deep and unique bass tones, especially when run through the Moog-style filter (904a). I then took things even further though, which led to very exciting kick & bass hybrid results. Because the sequencer has a gate output jack for each of the 8 steps, I decided to send the last step's gate output to another module outside of the System 55 case. I sent the gate to a function generator module, which for those of you new to modular synthesis terminology, is basically an envelope generator (among other functions) with an attack & decay stage - known as rise & fall in modular lingo. So every time the 8th step of the sequencer happens, a gate is sent to the function generator's input which triggers the envelope. Then the output control voltage (cv) of the envelope aka function generator was patched back into the sequencer's control input jack, which is a cv input that allows an external voltage source to determine the rate of the sequencer instead of relying solely on its internal oscillator to drive it. The cool thing about that is that the function generator, due to it having variable-shaped curves for the attack and decay (exponential, through linear and logarithmic) and independent timing of the attack and decay stages, can directly determine the timing, rate and shape of how the sequencer travels from stage 1 through 8. That allows for some very interesting results which are very useful for creating unique tones when the sequencer is running at audio rates. The function generator that I am using is one of the two built into the modular synth on the right-hand side of the screen - The Voltage Lab 2 designed by Pittsburgh Modular. I use the function generators to also control the frequency cutoff of the system 55 low-pass filter, (904a) which the audio from the sequencer is running through. That allows me to use the same function generator's CV output to control the shape and timing of the filter cutoff frequency, resulting in filtering that is related to the timing, waveshape and frequency of the sequencer. Towards the end of the video, I got more experimental and started using the 2nd Function generator from the Voltage Lab 2 to also control the filter. Then I later use the 2nd FG to influence the timing 1st, followed by the 1st also influencing the 2nd FG, creating a modulation feedback loop that gives some very nice fluid basslines suitable for techno. Also, I discovered throughout this process that it was possible to create a kick drum and a bassline from one oscillator (sequencer)! This makes it very exciting because due to the kick and bass essentially being part of the same waveform, eliminates the concern for phase alignment when designing kick and bass parts in dance music. That's a very useful application for genres like Hard Techno, Psycore, Hightech, Dark Psy, PsyTrance, Bush Techno, PsyTechno, Minimal, Forest Trance, Techno, Dark Prog, Zenonesque etc. This video was not planned, so apologies for the non-professional handheld camera style video and for any moments where what I said was not explained clearly. I usually work with a script and produce professional tutorials on my Patreon page - Patreon.com/pspiralifeI couldn't contain my excitement so I just had to share this video that captures the moment in real-time. Let me know if you would like a better presentation of this patch and if there is enough interest, I will plan something much more professional, clear and easier to follow. I have used the audio recordings of this adventure to create a sample pack, which you can find available on patreon.com/pspiralife or by contacting me on social media or via email (links below) You can see more of my eurorack and modular synthesis experiments and adventures on instagram.com/aaralku_ - my forest psy trance side project, and...if you want to learn about psychedelic synthesis techniques, or how to produce professional trance & techno, I recommend following my main project at instagram.com/pspiralife where you will find examples of my educational tutorials available on my Patreon. (Some are free) Get in touch via any of the following routes. Patreon.com/pspiralifeFacebook.com/pspiralifeInstagram.com/pspiralifeInstagram.com/[email protected] Or book a free mastering, mixing, mentoring consultation https://calendly.com/pspiralifeappointments #modularsynth #eurorack #Techno