3-Channel Macro Madness: Total Recall meets Airstreamer and Rangoon

The combination of Eurorack modules can lead to endless possibilities for creating unique and expressive electronic music. In this article, we will explore the exciting possibilities of combining three modules: the Endorphin.es Total Recall, the Endorphin.es Airstreamer, and the Big T Music Rangoon.

Let's start by looking at the Endorphin.es Total Recall. This 3-channel preset manager, multistage, and macro controller offer precise control over CV values. With a compact size of 6 HP width, this module packs a lot of functionality. It features a 3-channel control voltage generator/attenuator/attenuverter and an 8 preset CV manager with bipolar and unipolar banks. What sets the Total Recall apart is its ability to instantly switch between stored CV values or smoothly transition between them using trigger or manual controls. The module also includes a 3-channel macro CV generator, allowing you to create complex and dynamic modulations. The Total Recall is a powerful tool for sculpting your sounds and adding intricate details to your compositions.

Next up is the Endorphin.es Airstreamer, an ultra-slim envelope generator. This module continues the tradition of Endorphin.es with its sleek and compact design. The Airstreamer offers CV control over the fall (decay/release) of the envelope, allowing for precise shaping of your sounds. What makes the Airstreamer stand out is its continuously variable shape over both slopes without stretching the slope's duration in time. This means you can create smooth and natural-sounding envelopes without sacrificing control. With low aliasing CV generation and a sample rate of 224 kHz, the Airstreamer ensures high-quality sound generation. It also doubles as an audio-rate oscillator in cycle mode, adding even more versatility to your Eurorack setup.

Lastly, let's talk about the Big T Music Rangoon. This limited edition module is a reworking of the popular Rings module by Mutable Instruments, featuring a Blade Runner-inspired panel design. The Rangoon is a collaboration between Big T Music and Jonathan Barnbrook, resulting in a beautiful black and gold FR4 panel with translucent windows for sub-panel illumination. Designed to mirror Monsoon's layout, the Rangoon is the perfect 12hp companion module. Just like its predecessor, the Rangoon excels in creating rich and evocative soundscapes. It offers an array of synthesis modes, including modal resonators, sympathetic strings, and physical modeling. The Rangoon adds a touch of elegance and sonic depth to your Eurorack system.

By combining the Endorphin.es Total Recall, the Endorphin.es Airstreamer, and the Big T Music Rangoon, you can unlock a world of possibilities for your music production. These modules work seamlessly together, allowing you to create intricate and dynamic soundscapes. The Total Recall provides precise control over CV values, while the Airstreamer adds complex envelope shaping capabilities. The Rangoon enhances your sonic capabilities with its unique sound generation modes. The combination of these modules opens up a new dimension of creativity and expression.

In addition to these three modules, we briefly mention two other options for adding distortion and creative effects to your mix. The WMD Geiger Counter is an 8-bit preamp/FX/noise module that creates a wide range of face-melting sounds. With its high-gain modern preamp and 8-bit computer, it turns digital fundamentals into extreme distortion. The Noise Engineering Ruina Versio is a stereo distortion module with wavefolding, octavizing, phase shifting, multiband saturation, notch filtering, and even a DOOM parameter. It offers a wide range of distortion types and is a unique stereo DSP platform.

In conclusion, the combination of the Endorphin.es Total Recall, the Endorphin.es Airstreamer, and the Big T Music Rangoon opens up a world of possibilities for creating unique and expressive electronic music. These modules complement each other, allowing for precise control, complex envelope shaping, and rich sound generation. Whether you're a seasoned modular synthesist or a beginner exploring the world of Eurorack, these modules will inspire your creativity and take your music to new heights.

Example Usage

Imagine creating a novice-level eurorack build using the Endorphin.es Total Recall, Endorphin.es Airstreamer 4, Big T Music Rangoon, WMD Geiger Counter, and Noise Engineering Ruina Versio modules.

Here's an example of how these modules can be combined in a basic setup:

  1. Start by connecting the output of an audio source, such as a synthesizer or drum machine, to the input of the WMD Geiger Counter. Adjust the gain and other parameters on the Geiger Counter to add distortion and unique digital effects to the audio signal.
  2. Take the output of the Geiger Counter and route it to the input of the Noise Engineering Ruina Versio module. Experiment with the various distortion types, wavefolding, and octavizing functions to further shape and manipulate the audio.
  3. Connect the output of the Ruina Versio to one of the channels on the Endorphin.es Total Recall module. The Total Recall module allows you to store and recall presets for the combination of CV settings across all connected modules.
  4. Use the Airstreamer 4 module to create dynamic envelopes for controlling parameters of the other modules. Patch the gate output of the Airstreamer to the trigger input of the Total Recall channel you connected the Ruina Versio to. This will allow the envelopes generated by the Airstreamer to trigger changes in the Ruina Versio's distortion characteristics as recalled by the Total Recall module.
  5. Finally, connect the output of the Big T Music Rangoon module to a mixer or output module. The Rangoon module, inspired by the Rings module from Mutable Instruments, will add lush resonator and reverb effects to your audio signal.

With this setup, you'll have a basic eurorack system that lets you explore distortion, dynamic control, and atmospheric effects. Experiment with different combinations of settings and parameters to create unique and expressive electronic music. Enjoy the endless possibilities of eurorack modular synthesis!

Imagine a scenario where you have the Endorphin.es Total Recall, Endorphin.es Airstreamer, Big T Music Rangoon, WMD Geiger Counter, and Noise Engineering Ruina Versio modules in your Eurorack system. You can create an intermediate-level patch that combines these modules to produce atmospheric and evolving soundscapes.

Start by using the Total Recall's three-channel control voltage generator to create three different CV sequences. You can set the CV values and their smooth minimum and maximum levels using the macro control capabilities. Use triggers or manual control to change between the stored CV values.

Take one of the CV sequences and connect it to the Airstreamer. Use the Airstreamer's envelope generator to shape the CV with adjustable slopes and looping capabilities. Experiment with different shapes and durations to create evolving and modulated CV patterns.

Send the envelope CV output from the Airstreamer to the Rangoon module. The Rangoon is a reworked version of Mutable Instruments Rings, known for its resonator and modal synthesis capabilities. Utilize the Rangoon's advanced algorithms to transform the envelope CV into lush and textured sounds. Play with the parameters and resonator modes to sculpt the timbre to your liking.

To add some grit and distortion to the sound, pass the audio output from the Rangoon through the Geiger Counter module. The Geiger Counter can generate extreme distortion effects, from tubey overdrive to harsh digital glitches. Experiment with different settings to add character and dynamics to the evolving sound created by the Rangoon.

Lastly, route the distorted audio output to the Ruina Versio for further stereo processing. The Ruina Versio offers a multitude of distortion types, including wavefolding, multiband saturation, phase shifting, and even a DOOM parameter for maximum intensity. Customize the distortion characteristics using the various parameters available.

By combining the Total Recall, Airstreamer, Rangoon, Geiger Counter, and Ruina Versio, you can create complex and evolving soundscapes with layered modulation, atmospheric textures, and extreme distortion effects. Let your creativity flow and explore the endless possibilities of this intermediate-level patch configuration.

Further Thoughts

In this expert-level usage example, we will explore how the Endorphin.es Total Recall, Endorphin.es Airstreamer, and Big T Music Rangoon modules can be combined to create a complex and immersive sound composition.

First, let's use the Endorphin.es Total Recall as a control voltage generator/attenuator/attenuverter and preset manager. We can set up different CV values and presets to control parameters on other modules, including the Airstreamer and Rangoon.

Next, we'll incorporate the Endorphin.es Airstreamer, which is an ultra-slim envelope generator with looping, ASR, and AD modes. By using CV control over the fall (decay/release) and continuously variable shape over both slopes, we can create dynamic and evolving envelope shapes for modulating parameters on the Rangoon.

Now, let's dive into the Big T Music Rangoon module, a limited edition reworking of Mutable Instruments Rings. With its beautiful Blade Runner-inspired panel design, Rangoon is perfect for creating lush and atmospheric sounds. We can use the Total Recall and Airstreamer to modulate various parameters on the Rangoon, such as excitation, pitch, and damping. This combination will give us an incredible range of tonal possibilities, from subtle and organic textures to rich and evolving soundscapes.

To add an extra layer of grit and distortion, we can introduce the WMD Geiger Counter module. Its high-gain preamp and 8-bit computer create unique and extreme distortion effects. By patching the Rangoon's audio output through the Geiger Counter, we can further shape and manipulate the timbre of our sounds, adding glitchy textures and digital artifacts to the mix.

Finally, let's incorporate the Noise Engineering Ruina Versio module for stereo distortion processing. With its wavefolding, multiband saturation, phase shifting, and DOOM parameter, we can add even more character and intensity to our sounds. By sending the audio output from the Geiger Counter into the Ruina Versio, we can experiment with different distortion algorithms and create a wide range of gritty, distorted textures. The Ruina Versio's Smoosh parameter will allow us to push the distortion to extreme levels and create massive, wall-of-sound effects.

By combining the Total Recall, Airstreamer, Rangoon, Geiger Counter, and Ruina Versio modules, we can create complex, evolving, and highly expressive electronic music compositions. This combination of modules offers unparalleled control, modulation possibilities, and sonic richness, allowing us to push the boundaries of sound design in the Eurorack world.

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