Polyphonic Bliss: Oxi Coral, Grit Filter, Basil Delay, and uBurst Clouds
In this article, we explore the combination of four Eurorack modules to create a polyphonic bliss in your modular setup. We start with the Oxi Coral, a polyphonic multi-engine synth voice with sample playback, reverb, and chorus. Next, we have the British Noise Electronics Grit, a voltage-controlled analog filter with parallel saturation, adding extra harmonics and character to your sound. The Cwejman MMF-2, a stereo multi-mode filter, comes next, offering a variety of modifications and reshaping options for your sound material. Lastly, we have the Bastl Instruments Basil, a flexible stereo space delay module that offers clean and lo-fi flavors, as well as a variety of time-based effects. To complete the setup, we have the CalSynth uBurst, a variant on Mutable Instruments' Clouds granular module, offering the same sounds and functions in a reduced 8hp size. These modules together create a powerful and versatile polyphonic setup, perfect for creating pads, basslines, riffs, and drums.
The Oxi Coral is a stunning polyphonic multi-engine synth voice that offers eight full voice polyphonic, multipart, multi-engine synthesis with sample playback. With its built-in reverb and chorus effects, the Coral delivers lush and immersive sounds that are perfect for creating beautiful pads, rich basslines, catchy riffs, and dynamic drum patterns. Whether you're looking for smooth and dreamy textures or punchy and aggressive tones, the Coral has you covered.
Next up is the British Noise Electronics Grit, a voltage-controlled analog filter that adds character and extra harmonics to your sound. With its high pass and low pass switch, the Grit offers versatile filtering options, allowing you to shape your sound to perfection. The built-in "GRIT" button provides a unity gain distortion that adds grit and intensity to your signal, while the parallel saturation circuit allows you to dial in the perfect blend of saturation. Whether you want a subtle touch of warmth or full-on sonic mayhem, the Grit is your go-to filter.
Moving on, we have the Cwejman MMF-2, a stereo multi-mode filter that offers a wide range of modifications and reshaping options for your sound material. With its two four-pole multi-mode filters and six selectable outputs, the MMF-2 provides precise control over your sound, whether you're looking for smooth low-pass filtering, resonant band-pass sweeps, or aggressive high-pass cutoffs. The saturation stage of the MMF-2 adds even and odd harmonics, giving your sound a unique and characterful edge. With full CV control over all parameters, the MMF-2 is a versatile tool for sound shaping and experimentation.
Finally, we have the Bastl Instruments Basil, a flexible stereo space delay module that offers a world of possibilities. Built on the Bastl Pizza platform, the Basil features a clean delay section, as well as lo-fi flavors that add grit and character to your sound. The Space section of the Basil opens up new frontiers of exploration, with functions like blur, filter, and multi-taps. These allow you to create immersive reverbs, experimental textures, and dense delays. The assignable CTRL knob and CV inputs give you full control over the various parameters, allowing you to modulate and shape the delay to your liking.
To complete the polyphonic setup, we have the CalSynth uBurst, a variant on Mutable Instruments' Clouds granular module. Offering the same sounds and functions as the original in a reduced 8hp size, the uBurst is perfect for modular enthusiasts with limited rack space. With its granular synthesis capabilities, the uBurst allows you to manipulate and transform your audio into mesmerizing textures and evolving soundscapes. Whether you're looking to create atmospheric drones, glitchy sound design elements, or intricate percussive patterns, the uBurst has the tools to bring your ideas to life.
When combined together, the Oxi Coral, Grit Filter, Basil Delay, and uBurst Clouds create a powerful and versatile polyphonic setup. Whether you're a producer, performer, or sound designer, these modules offer endless possibilities for creativity and expression. From lush pads to dirty basslines, from evolving textures to rhythmic beats, this combination of modules has got you covered. So dive in, experiment, and let polyphonic bliss take over your modular setup.
Example Usage
Imagine having a four-part harmony in your Eurorack system! By combining the Oxi Coral, Grit Filter, Basil Delay, and uBurst Clouds modules, you can create a polyphonic bliss of sound. Let's see how a novice can use these modules together.
First, start by sending a sequence of notes to the Oxi Coral module. This module offers a versatile polyphonic synthesis engine, so you can create beautiful pads, basslines, riffs, and drums. Experiment with different sounds by utilizing the sample playback function and adding sweet reverb and chorus effects. This will give your polyphonic melody a rich and immersive texture.
Next, route the audio output from the Oxi Coral to the Grit Filter module. The Grit Filter is a voltage-controlled analog filter with parallel saturation. By adjusting the filter parameters and engaging the limiter, you can add distortion and character to your polyphonic sound. Play around with the grit button to introduce additional harmonics and find the perfect blend of saturation using the parallel saturation control.
To enhance the stereo imaging and add movement, connect the output of the Grit Filter to the Basil Delay module. This flexible stereo space delay offers various delay effects such as chorus, flanger, vibrato, reverb, and more. Use the V/Oct input to fine-tune the delay time and experiment with the filter in the feedback path to brighten or darken the sound. The assignable CTRL knob and CV will enable you to modulate parameters like delay time, stereo spread, and feedback to create dynamic and evolving polyphonic textures.
Finally, take your polyphonic sound to new dimensions with the uBurst Clouds module. This module is a variant of Mutable Instruments' Clouds granular processor, squeezed into an 8HP format. It offers a wide range of sound manipulation and creative possibilities. You can freeze and loop portions of your polyphonic sound, apply granular synthesis, and experiment with different modes and alternative firmware. The uBurst Clouds is the perfect tool to add textures, ambience, and unexpected sonic surprises to your polyphonic bliss.
With the combination of the Oxi Coral, Grit Filter, Basil Delay, and uBurst Clouds modules, even a novice can create mesmerizing polyphonic compositions. Don't be afraid to experiment and explore the vast sonic possibilities that these modules offer. Let your creativity flow and enjoy the journey of polyphonic bliss in your Eurorack system.
To create a polyphonic bliss with the Oxi Coral, Grit Filter, Basil Delay, and uBurst Clouds modules, you can follow this intermediate-level usage example:
- Start by sending a polyphonic sequence to the Oxi Coral module. With its multiple synth engines and sample playback capabilities, you can create rich pads, basslines, riffs, and even drum patterns for your composition.
- Take the output of the Oxi Coral and route it to the input of the Grit Filter module. The Grit Filter's voltage-controlled analog filter with parallel saturation will add some serious character and harmonics to your sound. Experiment with different filter types, cutoff frequencies, and saturation levels to shape the timbre to your liking.
- Connect the output of the Grit Filter to the input of the Basil Delay module. The Basil Delay is a flexible stereo space delay that offers clean delay as well as lo-fi flavors. Use it to create echoes, chorus, flanger, reverb, and other time-based effects. With its V/Oct input, fine delay tuning, and filter in the feedback path, you have precise control over the delayed sound.
- To add some granular texture to your composition, feed the output of the Basil Delay into the uBurst Clouds module. As a variant of Mutable Instruments' Clouds, the uBurst Clouds module provides granular synthesis capabilities, allowing you to transform and manipulate the sound even further. Explore the different granular modes and parameters to create evolving textures, glitches, and atmospheric soundscapes.
- Finally, take the output of the uBurst Clouds module and send it to your main audio output or to further processing modules in your Eurorack system.
By combining the polyphonic capabilities of the Oxi Coral, the sonic character of the Grit Filter, the spaciousness of the Basil Delay, and the granular textures of the uBurst Clouds, you can achieve a truly immersive and dynamic sound experience in your Eurorack system. Have fun exploring the endless creative possibilities this setup offers!
Further Thoughts
In this polyphonic bliss setup, we will explore the creative possibilities of combining the Oxi Coral, Grit Filter, Basil Delay, and uBurst Clouds modules. This ensemble of Eurorack modules offers a wide range of sonic capabilities, from lush pads and basslines to gritty textures and atmospheric effects.
Let's start by using the Oxi Coral as the polyphonic multi-engine synthesizer voice. With its eight full-voice polyphony and sample playback capabilities, we can create rich and evolving sounds that form the foundation of our composition. We can dial in mesmerizing pads, captivating basslines, intricate riffs, and even dynamic drum patterns.
To add character and texture to our sound, we will route the output of the Oxi Coral into the Grit Filter by British Noise Electronics. This voltage-controlled analog filter with parallel saturation allows us to shape our sound and add harmonics while maintaining its core qualities. By engaging the "GRIT" button, we can introduce a unity gain distortion that adds extra spice and intensity to our audio. The parallel saturation feature lets us blend the perfect amount of saturation into our signal, giving it a unique and gritty edge.
Next, we will connect the Grit Filter to the CWEJMAN MMF-2 Battleship Grey stereo multi-mode filter. This versatile module offers full control over shaping our sound material. With six selectable filter outputs, including low pass, band pass, high pass, and notch, we have ample options to further sculpt our sound. We can experiment with the pre/post saturation circuit and explore the modulation possibilities of the MMF-2. By adjusting the cutoff frequency, resonance, and saturation, we can create dynamic and expressive timbres.
Now, it's time to introduce the Basil Delay module by Bastl Instruments. This compact but flexible digital stereo delay offers a range of delay effects, from clean repeats to lo-fi textures. The Space section opens up new sonic dimensions, allowing us to explore reverb-like ambiances, chorus, flanger, vibrato, and more. With the assignable CTRL knob and CV inputs, we can modulate various parameters and infuse our delay with expressive movements. The Basil delay can be synchronized to an external clock via the Sync input, adding rhythmic precision to our compositions.
To expand the sonic possibilities even further, we will incorporate the uBurst Clouds module, a variant of Mutable Instruments' Clouds granular module. By default, it comes loaded with the Parasites firmware, providing access to a wide range of granular synthesis and sound manipulation techniques. With its ability to slice and dice audio into tiny grains, we can create ethereal textures, evolving soundscapes, and glitch-like effects. The uBurst Clouds module adds a touch of unpredictability and experimentation to our polyphonic setup.
In conclusion, the combination of the Oxi Coral, Grit Filter, Basil Delay, and uBurst Clouds modules offers an immersive and boundless world of polyphonic bliss. From lush pads and gritty textures to dynamic basslines and atmospheric effects, this ensemble empowers musicians and sound designers to explore new sonic territories. Whether you're composing ambient soundscapes, experimental music, or dancefloor-ready tracks, this versatile setup will inspire creativity and elevate your Eurorack builds to new heights of expression.