The 'Dual Versatile Analogue Processor and Signal Generator' by Raw Analogue Sound Bonkers breathes indomitable spirit and unbridled creativity into your Eurorack setup. This module thrives in unleashing sonic chaos that may sound catastrophic, yet harmoniously yields an enigmatic musical piece.
Generating bountiful variations of the original unprocessed sound, it allows your creativity to revisit, refashion and reanimate the noise to venture beyond the conventional boundaries. If you desire to transition any clean sound into a distorted beast, the dual drive stages per channel offer plentiful distortion flavors that range from the subtle and sophisticated to the downright wild.
This module's awe resides in its ability to simultaneously process two channels and deliver transitions that are either refined and smooth or raw and chaotic. It can bring both stability and thrill into a composition that demands juxtaposition.
The luxury of sidechain and envelope follower escalates the potential to craft signature soundscapes, allowing the booming bass and kick drum to coexist without conflicting in their low-frequency ranges. The three-band adaptive EQ is another commendable feature that contributes immensely to meticulous sound-shaping, tailoring your audio capaciously.
A twist in the tale that surpasses a typical processor lies in its signal generator capabilities. With this module, you can encourage self-oscillation at any frequency, even in the absence of an input. It empowers you to add intriguing sub-octave tones to melodies and bass lines that enhance their depth and texture, making the soundscape more engaging.
Preserving the dynamic range and clarity of the sound through parallel processing is another exemplary capability that the module posses. Regardless of heavy distortion, the original characteristics of your audio are propelled to the farthest extent.
For electronic music enthusiasts who enjoy stereo applications, the module enables balanced or contrasting transitions through its crossfader function. The recommended method is to affiliate the same or two different dry kick drums or drum loops to each channel. Process them with varying settings, and then employ the crossfader to blend them into cohesive or alternatively fragmented visions.
The module boasts intuitive controls for gain, EQ, feedback, and side-chaining, combined with comprehensive visual monitoring through LED meters. This synergy triggers an ocean of possibilities and injects a unique versatility into your setup. It welcomes you to the realm of experimental chaos and propels its users to unleash their dynamic creativity.
The exceptionally built 'Dual Versatile Analogue Processor and Signal Generator' by Raw Analogue Sound Bonkers holds the prospects to redefine and reconstruct your sound design endeavors. It's a raw, flexible, and imaginative tool that can transform your Eurorack environment into a wonderland brimming with sonic chaos and harmonious insanity. Extending the boundaries of everyday sound manipulation, this module empowers you to create, explore, and most importantly, to audaciously innovate.
Example Usage
To dive into the sonic capabilities of the Dual Versatile Analogue Processor and Signal Generator at a novice level, begin by patching your kick drum sample into one channel of the module and a bassline into the second. This setup allows you to explore its sidechain and envelope follower features quickly. First, connect the kick drum to Channel A's audio input and the VCA input for additional control over the incoming signal. Do the same for the bassline on Channel B. Activate both channels' DRIVE stages; for beginners, start with moderate GAIN I and II settings to familiarize yourself with the subtle saturation possibilities before pushing the limits into more aggressive distortion.
With these basic connections, adjust the clipping modes and the high-pass filter on the DRIVE I stage to control how much low-end is affected. Use the EQ stage to further sculpt the sound—boost or cut frequencies in each channel to taste. As a novice, experiment with different EQ settings while listening to how they interact with the overdriven sound.
Engage the sidechain feature by connecting a sidechain CV from your drum loop to the SIDECHAIN input. Adjust the manual CV level to allow your bassline to duck rhythmically with the kick, adding punch to your overall mix by keeping the low frequencies clear. The ENV.FOLWR can be used to create evolving textures, connecting its output to further modulate parameters elsewhere within your setup.
Use the crossfader to test various transition styles between the processed drum and bass loops on channels A and B. This will familiarize you with the benefits of smooth versus harsh fades, an essential skill for effective live performance transitions.
Finally, explore the blend control, transitioning between the dry/clean signal and your processed output. Observe the LED meter to ensure your signals aren't peaking, thereby maintaining a healthy dynamic range as you experiment with the heavy effects that characterize this module's potential.
Through these initial explorations, begin to grasp how the module can add both subtle and extreme character to any patch, perfect for crafting complex, reactive textures using minimal techno elements or as a centerpiece in noisier experimental setups. Keep playing around to see how these features can extend into a variety of complex creative applications.
To truly exploit the versatility of the Dual Versatile Analogue Processor and Signal Generator, let’s delve into an intermediate-level patch that explores its potential in creating dynamic, distorted textures and complex soundscapes. Start by patching a rhythmic element like a dry kick drum into the audio input jack of Channel A. Adjust the VCA input jack to control the level of incoming signals and use the manual signal & CV level adjustment to fine-tune the input sensitivity. Engage the first stage of drive with the GAIN I control and set the GAIN FACTOR switch to x35 for intense saturation. Experiment with the HPF switch to cut low frequencies at 34Hz if the kick feels too boomy.
For Channel B, insert a different rhythmic element, perhaps a snares or hats loop, and repeat the setup process. Set the DRIVE I STAGE to a subtler clipping mode, using the rotary switch to choose between different distortion textures that complement the kick’s aggression. Balance both channels by using the crossfader to navigate seamlessly between the kick and snares, either blending them smoothly or emphasizing one for a raw, punchy transition.
Switch to the DRIVE II STAGE on both channels, engaging different distortion flavors via the MODE switch to explore extreme fuzz sounds. Utilize the PRE EQ/POST MIX switch to decide if you want EQ adjustments to occur before or after mixing, offering flexibility in sound shaping. Engage the 3 BAND EQ STAGE, tweaking the LOW/MID/HIGH controls, to contour harmonic elements and allow the kick and snares to shine without frequency clashes. Use [F1/F2], [F3/F4], and [F5/F6] switches to select extensions, modifying response characteristics further.
Employ the FBK VCA STAGE to introduce feedback into the signal, creating rich, evolving textures. Control feedback levels using the CV FEEDBACK input jack, adding a touch of unpredictability to your patch. The FEEDBACK MODE switch will let you choose between feedback behaviors, ensuring it suits your desired aggression level.
Enable the ENVELOPE FOLLOWER to sculpt dynamics intricately. Patch its envelope output jack to modulate another parameter, pulling real-time modulation from the signal itself. Adjust its MODE switch to 'Smooth' if you wish to maintain more predictable modulations.
Integrate sidechain compression by routing a bassline into the SIDECHAIN STAGE. Use the sidechain CV input jack to duck the bass in sync with the rhythmic dynamics, helping clear space for other essential frequencies. Manipulate the manual CV level adjustment to achieve the perfect balance, allowing kick and bass to co-exist without muddling.
For output, use the LED METER for visual feedback of levels while using the VOLUME control to manage the output takeoff to your mixing desk or further processing units. The MIX OUT independent audio output jack will provide a summed version of both channels, ready for additional musical integration or performance setups.
Push the boundaries further by engaging the module’s signal generator capabilities. Create tonalities independent of external input by driving it into self-oscillation. Explore sub-octave addition, crafting thick, rumbling bass layers beneath your percussive mix. Enjoy merging these elements during live sets, embracing the expansive sonic potential tightly packed in this ingenious module.
Further Thoughts
Let's dive deep into the chaotic potential of the Dual Versatile Analogue Processor and Signal Generator, famously dubbed the 'Raw Analogue Sound Bonkers'. The key to unlocking its sonic capabilities begins with exploring its dual-channel processing power. Connect two separate audio sources—perhaps a crisp snare against a gritty bass line—into the module. Using the crossfader, you can seamlessly transition between the channels, moving from velvety smoothness to jarring roughness with a mere nudge of the control.
At the core of the module's prowess lies its dual drive stages per channel. Each stage can be independently manipulated; start with a subtle saturation using the GAIN I control and experiment with the GAIN FACTOR switch for radical changes in aggression. Then, engage the HPF switch to fine-tune the cutting of low-end muddiness, ensuring your sound remains punchy and articulate.
Explore the myriad distortion flavors by toggling through the Clipping Modes rotary switch. Whether aiming for a vintage analog warmth or embracing an aggressive digital fuzz, each setting opens a new avenue for sonic exploration. Follow this with the Drive II stage, where further layers of grit can be applied. Utilize the MODE switch to introduce variegated textures and, if desired, engage the PRE EQ/POST MIX switch to dictate whether the EQ shapes the raw or processed signal.
The three-band EQ stage offers further tonal sculpting abilities. Calibrate the LOW, MID, and HIGH controls to carve out specific frequency spaces in your mix. This not only enhances individual elements but also prevents frequency overcrowding when layering complex sounds.
Furthermore, the module boasts an intuitive feedback mechanism. The feedback VCA stage, with its CV feedback input jack, allows you to dial in varying degrees of wildness, adding untamed, dynamic energy to any sound. This stage is particularly potent in performance settings, where rapidly adjusting the feedback level can introduce fresh chaos and sonic textures.
For those looking to synchronize dynamics across their mix, the ENV.FOLWR and SIDECHAIN stages are indispensable. Use the envelope follower to create rhythmic variations synchronized to your incoming audio signals. The sidechain CV input offers precision control, allowing producers to deftly manage space within the mix by ducking elements in response to dominant kick or bass signals.
Finally, employ the XFADE stage at the exit, mastering internal elements through independent blending of the A & B channels, harnessing the LED meter for visual feedback. The blend and mix and the exit stage controls culminate in a unified, powerful performance tool, adjusting overall levels for preparation of delivery to external devices or PA systems in live scenarios.
Delving into this module's capacities guarantees a transformation of standard audio into spectacularly mad creations. Each feature is not just a tool but a pathway to a unique, pulsating sonic palette awaiting your exploration.