Make noise Rene V1 - Logic

 The logic functions of the Rene are accessed with these 9 pads:

To enter the logic settings you'll need to access the X-fun or Y-fun pages

 The 3 rows of the logic processing can be divided into

1. CLK by MOD, 

2. Gate by MOD

3. Gate by Opposing CLK.

WE need to send pulses & Clocks into the Clk & the MOD inputs

 (for the respective X & Y gate outputs).

The logic setting will influence the final gate outputs.

1. CLK by MOD

    With the Clock Logic Ops (locations 9, 10, 11) the MOD input is AND, OR, XOR against

    the CLocK and the result drives the counter for the associated Axis.

    For CLK by MOD logic operations the results apply to both the movement of the

    sequence and the associated gate outputs. 

                                               AND                           OR                         XOR

2. Gate by MOD

    With the Gate Logic Ops (locations 5, 6, 7) the MOD is AND, OR, XOR against the CLocK

     and the result drives the gate programming logic (X Gate or Y Gate pages).   

     For Gate by MOD logic operations the results apply only to the associated 

     gate outputs.    

                                            AND                              OR                          XOR

3. Gate by Opposing CLK.

     Here, the inputs are the X and Y clock inputs

     So it's impt that the clocks are running at different speeds

                                          AND                                OR                         XOR

--------------

Note:

One parameter that has a great deal of bearing on the outcome of these logic processes is 

Gate Width of the incoming CLocK and MOD signals.

Make noise Rene V1 - program pages

 

PGM 1: 

This Touch Plate is used to cycle through the different ProGraM Pages. 

Each of the 6 ProGraM pages has an associated LED which lights when selected. 

See blog post here: Make Noise Rene v1 - Initialization Procedure

PGM 2: 

This button has a few functions.

1.  press it to save any changes you make in the setup for René. 

     Touch and [HOLD] PGM2 for two seconds until all PGM LED’s blink.

      Now the current state of René (all programming) is saved as the start‐up state.

     See  Make Noise Rene v1 - Initialization Procedure

2. When in play mode, 

     PGM2 is used to Latch/Unlatch the steps held by the performer using the 4x4 Touch Grid.

     This will temporarily freeze a sequence

3. When in program mode,

    touching PGM2 exits the PGM Pages and returns to PLAY. 

----------------------------------------------

PLAY

While the sequencer in running (playing)

you can access various functions by pressing either of the program (PGM 1 or 2) buttons.

So if you press PGM 1

1.You can reach pages which turn on/off (Access) the CV outs, or X & Y-gates.

    This restricts access to certain steps.

     If you touch any plates while the sequencer is running, the access settings will be 

     temporarily overridden.

2. You can reach the quantizer (Q)  and 

3.  You can enter the function pages (Xfun, funY)

The X-fun & Fun-Y add extra controls to the sequencer

The top 4 squares control the direction of the sequence

The choices are:

1. Forward

2. Backward

3. Pendulum

    for every Clock Pulse, associated counter advances from 0, 1, 2, 3 and then recedes 2, 1, 0. 

    The motion is like that of the pendulum of a clock.

4. Snake

    Here, the X-clock (and/or X‐CV) provides the clock for both X & Y axis 

    in one of 8 stored patterns which René has memorized.

    (see Appendix C of the manual)

    These patterns can be selected with voltage pulses  at the Y‐CLK &/or the Y‐CV input

    They can also be selected manually by adjusting the Y‐CV attenuator.

    So each time we send the Y-clock a new gate, we select a new pattern.

    The next mode is all about clock settings 

CLK RST (the left most pad)

When selected, a pulse at the X-MOD input will reset the X Counter to 0, which is the lef

most column (coordinate 0, Y). A pulse at the Y-MOD input will reset the Y Counter to 0, which is the

botom most row (coordinate X, 0). 

The rest of the pads in this row are logic settings.

CLK . MOD  -- clock logic functions

CLK + MOD -- clock logic functions

CLK * MOD -- clock logic functions

Glide (left most pad)

Choose either X-fun or Y-fun.

The sequence will glide between each step in the X/Y

direction when a gate is present at the X-MOD/Y-MOD input. 

The Glide function is not Axis independent.

Only one of the two axis needs to be used for programming glides.

seek/sleep (left most pad)

This function comes into its own when you  have denied access to various locations.

In seek mode (LED is off)  Rene looks for the next available location 

and goes quickly to this location.

In sleep mode (LED is on) Rene looks for the next available location 

and goes slowly to this location. 

In reality it continues to count until it reaches coordinates that aren't blocked.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Note that the bottom right 9 pads are logic functions.

I'll cover in a separate post

Make Noise Rene v1 - Initialization Procedure

Make Noise Rene Initialization Procedure

version 1

This is useful if you wish to return to a primary forward motion setup

Press the A pad (access) to scroll through the different ProGram Pages .

The A-pad is officially called Program 1 (PGM 1)

The PGM 1 Touch Plate is used to cycle through the different ProGraM Pages. 

Each of the 6 ProGraM pages has an associated LED which lights when selected. 

The pages are;

Access

Xgate

GateY

XFun

FunY

Q (quantiser)

Page A looks like this.

This allows CV to be output on all stages.

Page Xgate

All gates are on

Page GateY

Page XFun

Just the top left encoder is lit - forward

ie left to right

Page FunY

Just the top left encoder is lit (forward motion)

ie from bottom to top.

Page Q (quantiser)

The bottom 9 are lit.

The top 4 are reserved for your own unique Quant settings

------------------------------------

to save the settings

Hold down Program 2 Buttons till all the lights flash.

ARP 2500 - sync with 0-c0ntrol & AE modular

 Some personal notes of syncing the ARP2500 with external gear.

I'm using the ARP2500 sequencer as the master clock.... the 1027 module

It's sending a clock into the 0-control clock input

The clock out from the 0-control goes into 

the AE modular

Its the orange cable ... into the 4 I/O.

The 4 I/O is a great & safe way to input/output external audio and Cv

Importantly, the sockets have overvoltage protection 

(as AE modular is limited to 5V).

They can be switched between audio and DC/CV signals.

The output from the 4 I/O is driving the trigger sequencer

TRIQ164

Finally, CV and gates/envelopes from the 0-control enter the AE modular via the Master I/O

https://wiki.aemodular.com/pmwiki.php/AeManual/MASTER

I'm not sure if the input/output is voltage protected.

Though seems to work without any probs ....but if you're worried 

the external voltages might be too high, its better to use the 4 I/O

and keep things below the 5V level.

 

Strega - Make noise - getting started

 I just got my hands on a Strega.

(thanks Jonathan).

Most of the videos I've watched show it to be a great drone synth, though I hope I can get more out of it. 

It should be good for processing external instruments and generating control voltages for use with other gear.

These are my personal notes to help me get acquainted. As I learn more about the Strega I'll adjust the notes.

Do let me know if I have made any mistakes.

 

 

The Strega was designed by MakeNoise & Alessandro Cortini.

Strega is Italian for "witch" .

 

At first glance its very confusing. I think that the designers intentionally wanted the synth to be obtuse and mysterious. Maybe this was to inspire experimentation.

 

The patch inputs and outs follow the same convention used in the 0-coast and 0-ctrl

 

There are in addition lots of touch points (11) which also encourage physical interaction.

 

The circles / squares are patch points for sources and destinations.

Instead of using cables, you use your body.

 

circle = source

square = destination

Maybe I can use these patch points with external gear ???

Experiment by connecting more than just two touchplates with your fingers. 

Try using your whole hand or two hands to make connections.

Basically there are 4 components:

1.an oscillator with a waveshaper.

2. Lo-Fi Delay 

3. Multi-mode Filter

4. Function Generator / LFO / EG

 

In addition , there is an external audio input & a suboctave generator output. 

(at the top of the pic below). 

I think the various touch points with the squiggly lines are related to this output ??

I think another way to look at this synth  is to divide it into two halves.

 

The left half is the sound source with a external audio input. This feeds into the right half which is a filter/ delay, feedback.

 

Turning the blend knob fully counter clockwise , you will hear the raw oscillator Tonic side only.

As you turn clockwise, the right (filter/delay/mayhem) comes into play. 

 So its basically a wet/dry effect knob.

The sound generation section (TONIC) on the left is brought to life with the activation section

 

ACTIVATION

It's a triggered, 4 quadrant, bipolar VCA.

It can be opened up by a control voltage.

It's also responsive to the TIME control. 

Use this activate some noise.

To start things off, just turn up the activation knob.till you see the 4 leds start to flash.

 

 Increasing Activation interference adds an element of  chaos to the oscillator.

 

 

 

 

TONE
The sound generation section in addition to Activation, 

also has TONIC & TONES pots.

 

You can think of TONE as an oscillator.

It has a variable waveform control.

 

Tonic controls the oscillator base frequency while

TONES controls harmonics using PWM and wavefolding

On top of this, Strega adds a sub-oscillator derived from 

the fundamental pitch (mentioned above).

The jack at the top is one way to access the sub-oscillator.

The other way is via some of the touchplates 

(The circles are outputs, the square are inputs)

The delay is really noisy ... in a good crunchy Lo-fi way.

 

 My understanding is that it uses lo-fi chips often used in karaoke machines. PT2399-based ???

There are 3 controls:

TIME, Decay, Absorb.

Adjusting TIME  takes you from super short repeats to long overlapping, evolving delays.

The Decay & Absorb knobs give more subtle control over the 

delay signal

 

I think the absorb knob controls the amount of the delay signal that enters the filter

 ..... ????

 

 

 

It seems that the only way to tame it a bit (though this would be a shame) is with the filter & absorb control.

The filter control is for cutoff.

I think that Absorb comes before the filter in the signal chain. ???

 

 The filter's cutoff can be modulated with the Function generator.

It's hardwired, though this connection can be broken with a patch cable . Turn the knob to "+"

to see the effect.

 

The white squared input jack is where you plug external CVs to modulate the filter

In some of the Makenoise videos they call the FG an agitator.

 The Agitation Function Generator can be an LFO, a triggered function G, or a voltage-controllable sound source.

 

 

 

Don't forget that this synth can also be used  as an effect module.

Try plugging in a drum machine. I read somewhere, that the preamp is inspired by the EMS synthi.

 Links

MakeNoise - 0-Coast/Control

+ 0-Coast - Basic Notes

+ 0 cONTROL - bASIC pATCHES

+ 0-coast/0-control - Patches 2  

+ 0-control / 0-coast Patches 3

+ ARP 2500 & Make Noise 0-control

 

ARP 2500 & Make Noise 0-control

 Patch notes using the MakeNoise 0-Ctrl.

The zero-control seems to be really good for controlling the ARP2500.

The +8V gates seem to be fine for triggering the 2500's EGs  

The Pitch CV is OK too.

The ARP 2500's sequencer is the master clock.

It's clocking the 0-control.

The 0-ctrl's pitch is controlling the pitch of the 1023 VCO

The 1033 EG is triggered from the 0-ctrl.(I've used its gate inputs).

EG left is triggered from CV (strength channel).

EG right is triggered from #6 gate out

 To trigger the gate, the strength knobs need to be fully clockwise.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 When the 0-control is receiving an external clock, the time knobs don't influence the step time anymore, but they are still outputting a CV. 

 

This can be used to control things ... like trigger the 1033 envelope.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Both the 1033 & 1046 EG modules work well with the 0-ctrl.

Possible combinations:

Use "strength" to control one EG and "time" to control the second.

If there are 4 EGs, then  use the individual gate outputs.

Of course the 1027 sequencer can also make more gates.

 

 

Links

+ 0 cONTROL - bASIC pATCHES
+ 0-Coast - Basic Notes 

+ Arp 2500 - 1003, 1033, 1046 envelope generators

+  ARP 2500 - 1046 envelope generator & eloquencer

DJs and modular Gear - SoundWave Live II - Carl Cox

 It was so cool to see Carl Cox perform with a modular rig last week.

He was part of Awesome SoundWave Live II in Melbourne Australia. 

(performing in his Garage)

He is one of my all time favorite DJs 

 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Carl Cox (@carlcoxofficial)

►Carl Cox
►@christophercoemusic
(+ in Alphabetical Order)
►@an_on_bast
►@digitalafrika
►@hannesbieger
►@_honeysmack_
►@theoolluu
►@saytek_live

 
Sadly I wasn't there is person to see the set as NSW and indeed most of Australia have been opening and closing the borders faster than two shakes of a lamb's tail. 

Looks like Carl is using a Eurorack.Makenoise Shared System ,

Moog DFAM & Subharmonicon, Pioneer V10 mixer, Korg Monologue, Pioneer Toraiz SP16 (sampler), Behringer TB 3

 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Carl Cox (@carlcoxofficial)

Hopefully we will see more DJs doing live modular synth performances

Other DJs worth checking out who also use modular synths include Carl Craig, Surgeon (Anthony Child), Jimmy Edgar, Aphex Twin, Nina Kraviz, Mumdance, Zombie Nation, and Lady Starlight.

ARP 2500 - 1026 Preset Voltage Module

The 1026 is a rare module. I think only a few were produced and Ive never seen a original

though there are a few reproductions around.

Probably the year of production of the originals was about 1970 ???  

 

There are 16 preset voltages : 2 rows of control voltages 

each holding 8 individual CV values.

You set their value with the pots.

You trigger the CVs by pushing the associated momentary button

or with a 10V gate. (at lines 1 to 8).

The output voltages appear at lines 9 & 10.

Pretty simple.

The manual suggests using this with the 1027 sequencer or 1050 Mix-sequencer.

There is a socket at the rear of the unit to connect to a 1027 or 1050.

 

Specs:

Output voltages: 0 to +10V

Output impedances: 1K ohms

Input impedances : 100 K ohms

Power requirements: +/- 15V @ 20ma , regulated to +/-0.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

It reminds me very much of the Serge programmer.

I have of course, rotated the pic to illustrate my idea.

I wonder which module came first?

The programmer has evolved into many forms today.

Think Makenoise pressure points & 0-control 

or Synthwerks 4x4

Make Noise - 0-control / 0-coast Patches 3

 This is a continuation from patches 1 & 2

+ 0-Coast - Basic Notes

+ 0 cONTROL - pATCHES 1

+ 0-coast/0-control - Patches 2  

10. 

Strength to control ratcheting.

Interupt is on. 

Start the sequencer.

Use the O-control's inverter .. this  inverts the voltage making it speed up

as we press harder.

The inverter's LED should glow red when you touch a plate.

The 0-ctrls main time knob sets the number of ratchets.

Thanks to MakeNoise for their great videos

https://youtu.be/Ovu6m0nqw7A

 

 

11. Overtones & envelop 1 control (of Time)

Strength is modulating overtones

Time is modulating MLTPL

Pressure is modulating Time ( of envelope1)

Set this envelope to self cycle

 

 

 

 

12. Subharmonics & analog quantizers

These are harmonics having frequencies below a fundamental frequency

You can think of them like suboscillators that play one or more octaves below the main oscillator.

This allows you to play notes in various frequency divisions

Connect the square output of the oscillator to the slope trigger.

Pitch modulates time.

(You can also modulate time with "strength" & "Time")

The EG 1 settings are impt. 

Rise (attack) @ 12 o'clock. 

Fall (decay) fully left. 

Exponential curve.

The big main pitch knob is @ 12 o'clock

Balance knob fully left

Thanks to loopop for this patch

He describes it as an analog quantizer.

Of course you can use both envelopes

for double the fun.

Make sure the settings are exponential, a fastish attack, and decay is zero.

You can transpose the sequence by plugging a keyboard into the 1v/oct input of the 0-coast.

Thanks again to loopop for this patch

Creating a subharmonic oscillator.

The idea is to clock the 0 ctrl at audio rates by plugging an external oscillator.

You can use any square wave oscillator.

 

 We are using the dynamic gate outputs. They are modulated with "strength"

Turning these strength knobs up and down will change harmonics

Experiment with the Gate out/reset

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is another patch which will work also.

 

+ 0-Coast - Basic Notes

+ 0 cONTROL - bASIC pATCHES 1

+ 0-coast/0-control - Patches 2