A first encounter with OXI Instruments Coral might leave both the uninitiated and seasoned Eurorack aficionado in awe of its intricate design and multi-layered potential. Its title as a polyphonic multi-engine synth voice isn't just a fancy label, but a testament to its sonic versatility. Its visual aesthetic is as captivating as its sound-creating possibilities, presenting a sleek front panel flocked with over two dozen knobs, switches, and connection points that promise a multi-dimensional synthesis experience.
At the core of Coral's functionality is its impressive voice polyphony. Not one, two, or four, but eight full voice polyphony. This allows for the independent play and sequencing of eight voices - a feature that widens the horizon of possibilities. You can sculpt eight completely unique sound profiles simultaneously, leading to complex, multi-faced patterns and progressions. Not to mention that Coral is multipart, meaning the module itself hosts many component parts. From oscillator sections, filters, and envelope generators, Coral offers a powerful palette of sound sculpting tools.
But hold on! OXI Instruments didn’t stop there. They pushed the envelope further. The Coral is not only a multi-engine synthesizer but also hosts remarkable sample playback capabilities. This means that aside from the array of synthetic tones that can be created with the oscillator sections and filters, Coral can also pull in and manipulate digital audio samples allowing for the creation of more organic, acoustically sourced sounds.
Yet another intriguing feature of Coral is its built-in reverb and chorus. These onboard effects represent a significant added value to an already stuffed Eurorack module, saving space in your set-up that would otherwise be occupied by additional effects units. Its lush reverb and rich chorus will surely add depth and breadth to your sonic creations.
The exciting thing about it is that while delving into its polychromatic sound world, this module is not sacrificing any underlying principles of Eurorack synthesis as we know it. Instead, it enriches it, blurs its borders and pulls its definition towards future horizons.
Never has the term multi-engine been more justified – serving pads, basslines, riffs, drums, or virtually anything your imagination summons. From solid sequenced lines, evolving textural landscapes, to granular sonic experiments, the Coral is a true playground for sonic explorers.
So, if you are in search of a module that brings a new depth to your sonic creation, OXI Instruments Coral could well be the discovery that reshapes your whole approach to modular synthesis. This novel piece of hardware blends the classic allure of Eurorack synthesis with the avant-garde, creating a unique bridge between these two worlds. Unveil the depth and creative potential of Coral - the gamechanger in the dynamic landscape of multi-engine Eurorack synths.
Example Usage
In this hands-on example, we will explore crafting a pulsating ambient soundscape by using the OXI Instruments Coral Eurorack Module.
First, we'll start with creating lush pads. Jumping into the poly section, we'll dial in a warm, enveloping eight-voice chord. Try customizing the timbre of each voice to give your chord some textural depth.
Next, we can move on to our bassline. Tap into one of OXI Coral's multiple engines to create a pulsating sine wave bassline. With the Coral's polyphonic capabilities, we can play this bassline concurrently with our pad.
Reserve the third voice to design our riff. Delving into the multi-engine synthesizer you can tweak the waveform to get that hypnotizing sawtooth riff that will add an irresistible groove to the mix.
To spice things up, let's throw in some percussion by using the sample playback feature. Make use of the spatial texture gained from the separate outputs for every drum sound and the endless modulation possibilities to create a rhythic backbone.
Finally, let's dive into the ambient arena. The OXI Instruments Coral comes packed with a sweet reverb and chorus. Smear the whole scenario with a touch of this reverb to create a sense of space. Then, slap on some chorus to widen up that soundscape and add a sense of depth and dimension.
Remember to play around with every parameter on the OXI Instruments Coral. The array of sonic possibilities is endless and this example just scratches the surface.
To truly unlock the polyphonic potential of OXI Instruments Coral and appreciate its multi-engine architecture, here's an intermediate-level usage example you can unfold. Start by designing a lush, evolving pad sound. Set your patch with four voices detuned slightly against one another to create a rich, textural starting point. Utilize the synth engine's waveforms like sawtooth and square, and tweak the harmonics to bring some organic, almost vocal-like, textures into your sound.
Next, play with Coral's timbre and wave shaping controls to explore the oscillator's harmonic content dynamically. Use the in-built LFOs to modulate these parameters and create a sense of movement and sonic evolution within your pad. The fact that you have eight voices to work with means the modulation possibilities are almost endless.
Then, create a driving bassline using one of the remaining four voices. The Coral’s multi-part functionality allows you to run multiple voices independently or together, which means you can have your pad and bassline running simultaneously. This opens the door to performing live sets with multiple layers of sound all from this single module.
Further bolster your performance by utilizing the sample playback engine and loading up a kick drum or snappy snare. You could even load up a percussive loop and use the pitch control to match the tempo of your song. The sample engine provides excellent options for rhythmic textures.
Finally, don't forget to take full advantage of the Coral’s sweet reverb and chorus to bring your composition to life. Apply the reverb to your pad for depth and the chorus for richness. Try sending your bassline to the reverb too, but be careful not to muddy your mix. Play with the wet/dry balance to get the perfect blend.
Through this application, you'll start to uncover the true depth and power of the OXI Instruments Coral module. This exercise gives you the opportunity to explore its polyphonic, multi-engine capabilities that make it an exceptionally versatile and potent asset in the heart of any Eurorack system.
Further Thoughts
As a deep-dive into the polyphonic power of the OXI Instruments Coral, let's transverse the boundaries of sensory perception by crafting a mesmerizing synth pad with an undercurrent of spectral ambience.
- Start by giving every voice in this 8-piece polysynth their unique character. Dial in the multi-engine configurations to lay your foundational soundscape. Perhaps you'd like a rich square wave for voices 1 and 2, pure sine tones for voices 3 and 4, grungy samples for voices 5 and 6, and a fiery pulse width modulation for the remaining two engines. The diversity in the engines' sonic profile pays homage to the flexibility Coral provides.
- The fun really starts when you tweak the polyphonic articulation per voice. Put voice 1 to a short decay for a wispy, transient touch. Set voice 2 to a leveled sustain for that necessary droning clip. Play with the parameters until you achieve a harmonious blend of character and convolution.
- Now, it’s time to introduce a haunting atmosphere with Coral's integrated reverb. A lavishly deep hall reverb could be used with these eight voices, synergizing them into a choir of arcane melody or a symphony of eerie dissonance. The organic dynamics brought by the rich reverb strategically veils the voices, engendering a labyrinthine soundscape.
- Let's not forget the chorus! Use it to thicken the voices for an otherworldly sonic fabric, or subtly to add a touch of movement and richness. You can adjust parameters to taste, aiming to evoke the feeling of swirling galaxies or haunting fogs, the choice is yours.
- The final touch lies in developing a rhythmic motif using the sample playback engine. Load up a crisp 808 kick and sculpt a slow, prancing heartbeat that lurks beneath your quivering pad masterpiece. Apply some mild high-pass filtering to prevent any fore-frontal clashes, ensuring it sublimely integrates into your ambience.
- By maneuvering through the performance modules, go from the measured arpeggio to amorphous chord changes, unearthing the diversity of Coral's polyphonic potential. Allow the collective atmosphere of the sounds you've forged to transform into an immersive environment, invigorating a surreal sonic space where melodious pads coexist with the pulsating beat of electronic drums.
From this example, you can see how the OXI Instruments Coral truly embodies the spirit of experimental synthesis, offering a broad range of sonic possibilities in a concise eurorack format. The pad rooted in a multi-engine labyrinth, nurtured by the integrated effects and sustained on a semi-rhythmic, spectral pulse, is just one demonstration of the Coral's immersive multi-dimensional allure.