Modular synthesizers are the perfect creative tool for every electronic music producer who desires to craft unique sounds, experiment, and take the sound design to a whole new level. And one of the most powerful modules that can help create unique and dynamic modular synth sounds is the envelope generator. In this article, we will explore the combination of five Eurorack modules that includes the Jomox ModBase 09 MK II, the Guru Gara Synth 3340 VCO, the Fruku AXB 4:2 switch, the Endorphin.es Airstreamer 4, and the ALM Busy Circuits Pip Slope MK II.
The Jomox ModBase 09 MK II is an exceptional module for generating powerful and dynamic sounds. It is a programmable bass drum synthesizer with the capability of enriching harmonics and creating the hardest kick drums. It also features two LFOs that work on the pitch of the bass drum, with various waveforms such as saw up, saw down, sine+/-, triangle+/-, rectangle+/-, and portions of it.
The Guru Gara Synth 3340 VCO is another powerful module that generates three different waveforms with incredible precision. Users can adjust the pulse width for square waves and modulate it with external CV. When a jack is inserted in PWM CV input, the PW potentiometer works as CV amount.
The Fruku AXB 4:2 switch is an ideal module for routing different audio sources into output A and output B or muting them completely. This capability adds to the possibilities for creating unique sounds and routing different instruments.
The Endorphin.es Airstreamer 4 is an ultra-slim envelope generator with looping, ASR, and AD modes. With the CV control over fall, the module provides continuously variable shape over both slopes. It also features low aliasing CV generation, a bipolar and unipolar output, and the end of the cycle output.
The ALM Busy Circuits Pip Slope MK II is a compact envelope and function generator that offers voltage and direct control of attack and release times. It supports both Attack/Decay and Attack/Sustain/Decay type envelopes with both direct and voltage control of Attack.
In conclusion, using envelope generators with modular synthesizers can be an excellent way to create unique and dynamic sounds. The combination of the five Eurorack modules mentioned above offers users multiple options and capabilities for experimenting and coming up with unique sounds that set them apart in the world of electronic music production.
Example Usage
As a novice, you can use the Jomox ModBase 09 Mk II module to create a heavy kick drum sound. Start by sending a gate trigger to the module, either manually or via a sequencer. Adjust the Decay knob to set the length of the kick drum sound. Use the Pulse and Noise knobs to shape the attack portion of the sound, and adjust the Pitch knob to set the pitch envelope of the VCO. Optionally, use the LFO to modulate the pitch of the kick drum sound, or use the ACC input to trigger the kick drum dynamically. Finally, route the output of the Jomox ModBase 09 Mk II module to a mixer or filter to further shape the sound.
An intermediate-level usage example for crafting unique sounds with modular synths envelope generators would be to combine the Jomox ModBase 09 MK II, the Guru Gara Synth 3340 VCO, the Fruku AXB, the Endorphin.es Airstreamer 4 Black, and the ALM Busy Circuits ALM028 Pip Slope MK II modules.
Firstly, the Guru Gara Synth 3340 VCO would be the sound source. Its 1 volt per octave input with solid tracking would be connected to the Jomox ModBase 09 MK II's LIN.FM input, which allows for true analog dedicated CV FM modulation. The Jomox ModBase 09 MK II's hard sync and soft sync inputs would also be connected to the Guru Gara Synth 3340 VCO for added control over the sound source.
Next, the Endorphin.es Airstreamer 4 Black would be used for envelope generation. Its continuously variable shape over both slopes without stretching the slope's duration in time would allow for precise shaping of the envelope. The ALM Busy Circuits ALM028 Pip Slope MK II would also be used for envelope generation, supporting both Attack/Decay and Attack/Sustain/Decay type envelopes with both direct and voltage control of Attack and Decay times. The envelopes could be morphed between exponential, linear, and logarithmic type slopes, and could be made to loop, repeating infinitely or decreasing with time or amplitude for interesting effects.
The Fruku AXB would be used as a switch to route the envelope signals from either the Endorphin.es Airstreamer 4 Black or the ALM Busy Circuits ALM028 Pip Slope MK II to the desired destination, such as the Jomox ModBase 09 MK II's Gate T input for controlling the gate time from 0.1ms to 16ms.
Overall, by combining these various Eurorack modules, the possibilities for crafting unique sounds with modular synths envelope generators are endless.
Further Thoughts
To craft a unique and dynamic bass drum sound, start by using the Jomox ModBase 09 MK II to generate a hard-hitting kick drum with a rich tonality. Use its harmonic enrichment feature to make sure the kick is one of the hardest on the planet. Next, add the Guru Gara Synth 3340 VCO to the mix to bring in additional waveforms, including square, triangle, and ramp, and then modulate the square wave's pulse width using external CV. Use the Fruku AXB switch to route your audio signals to either output A or output B or to mute them. Then, apply the Endorphin.es Airstreamer 4 Black's ultra-slim envelope generator to give your bass drum extra definition and character. Finally, use the ALM Busy Circuits Pip Slope MK II to add looping and function generation to the mix, and customize your envelope's shape and timing to create a truly unique sound.