Creating Unique Soundscapes with a Custom Eurorack Setup
If you're an electronic music producer looking to create unique soundscapes that are not possible with traditional synthesizers, you might want to consider building a custom Eurorack setup. Eurorack modular synthesizers offer endless possibilities for manipulating sound and experimenting with different configurations of modules to create unique sonic textures. In this article, we will explore how to combine five different Eurorack modules to create a custom setup for creating unique soundscapes.
Patching Panda Operat
The Patching Panda Operat is an analog complex oscillator that provides a single core and several modulation inputs that make a compact size complex oscillator when pairing it with the external gear. The core offers four different waveforms with through-zero frequency and phase modulation plus symmetry control over the modulation. It has an internal mixer with built-in VCA's for each waveform and Amplitude/Ring modulation after the mixer circuit. PWM and hard/soft sync input are also available. With all these modulation configurations, Operat can be transformed into a very wild FM little monster.
Noise Engineering Quantus Ampla
The Noise Engineering Quantus Ampla is a four-channel VCA with unique normalization, mixing, and CV options. Each channel has two modes: Amplify, which gives you normal VCA response, and Attenuate, which makes the VCAs close instead of open in response to positive CV. The CV inputs are circularly normalized, so you can easily create ducking effects over multiple voices, volume fades, and transitions, all with minimal patching. Plus, the outputs mix down, so it can be two two-channel mixers, a 3 channel mixer, a 4 channel mixer. The Quantus Ampla is also DC coupled, so it can process CV signals.
Endorphin.es Cockpit 1U
The Endorphin.es Cockpit 1U is a compact, performance-oriented four-channel stereo mixer with sidechain ducking. It has an increased headroom and improved sound quality. Channel 1 features a stereo jack, and channels 2/3/4 are now dual mono. An on-board compressor with external sidechain control voltage option adds dynamic sidechain compression to your mix. A stereo output is available for speakers or headphones with enough current to drive a wide range of headphones. It comes in a 3U / 6HP format.
Nonlinearcircuits Clump
The Nonlinearcircuits Clump is a 4x4 CV controlled matrix mixer that provides 16 VCAs on-board with four mixers. It can be used as a regular mixer if you prefer. The gain pots can boost a signal to approx. 2x. Each VCA has a 1k trimpot to remove any offset voltages, each input gets a switch to turn off or invert the incoming signal, and the pots act as gain pots with no CV patched in and as attenuators when CV is patched.
Guru Gara Synth 3340 VCO
The Guru Gara Synth 3340 VCO is a 3340-based analog voltage-controlled oscillator for a Eurorack modular synthesizer. Core circuitry can generate three different waveforms (square, triangle and ramp), and it has a triangle to sine converter. It has hard sync and soft sync inputs, linear frequency modulation input, and also 1 volt per octave input with solid tracking. Pulse width can also be adjusted for square wave, and it can be modulated with external CV (0-5V). When a jack is inserted in PWM CV input, the PW potentiometer works as CV amount. The front panel is also made out of PCB and screen printed by hand.
By combining the Patching Panda Operat, Noise Engineering Quantus Ampla, Endorphin.es Cockpit 1U, Nonlinearcircuits Clump, and Guru Gara Synth 3340 VCO modules, you can enhance modulation configurations, VCA response, mixing and CV control options, dynamic sidechain compression, and different waveforms with hard and soft sync inputs. The endless possibilities that a custom Eurorack setup can create for electronic music producers are impressive.
Example Usage
To create a unique soundscape with these modules, start by patching the Guru Gara Synth 3340 VCO to the Nonlinear Circuits Clump and use the 1V/Oct input to control the pitch. The Clump can be configured to create a complex modulation matrix between the Operat and the Quantus Ampla. The Quantus Ampla can then be used to attenuate the output of the Clump, creating smooth volume fades and transitions. Finally, the Ampla's outputs can be routed to the Cocktail 1U mixer, where the sidechain compression feature can be used to create a spacious and dynamic stereo mix.
To create a unique soundscape, start by using the patching panda operat analog complex oscillator as the main source for generating sound. Take advantage of its built-in VCA and amplitude/ring modulation to create new and wild FM sounds. Next, use the noise engineering quantus ampla to mix and control the levels of up to four different voices. The circular normalled CV inputs of the quantus ampla are ideal for creating volume fades and transitions with minimal patching. The nonlinearcircuits clump- 4x4 CV controlled matrix mixer can be used to further tweak and manipulate the mixed voices. Finally, use the guru gara synth 3340 VCO to add some unique waveforms, including triangle to sine conversion, hard and soft sync inputs, and linear frequency modulation. Together, this custom eurorack setup is primed for creating endless unique soundscapes.
Further Thoughts
For a truly unique soundscaping experience, consider using Patching Panda Operat as a complex oscillator to generate a multitude of waveforms and pulsating melodies. Pair it with Nonlinearcircuits Clump, a 4x4 CV-controlled matrix mixer, to achieve a wider range of sound modulation and manipulation. For added depth and dynamics, use Endorphin.es Cockpit 1U's on-board compressor with external sidechain control voltage to add dynamics and control the volumes of individual channels. Finally, utilize Noise Engineering Quantus Ampla's four channels of linear DC-coupled goodness to create ducking effects, volume fades, and transitions, all with minimal patching. With this custom Eurorack setup, you can create complex soundscapes that are truly one-of-a-kind.