In this article, we explore how combining the Strymon StarLab, Five12 Vector Sequencer, Sovage mElEe, Unknown Devices Sawari, and Abyss Devices LPG can transform your modular rack.
The Strymon StarLab is a time-warped reverberator and modular transformation machine. It offers lush reverbs, stunning chorus, flanging, and modulated delays. Additionally, it features Karplus-Strong string synthesis, allowing for expressive and unique synth voices. The intuitive interface makes it easy to navigate and explore its powerful features.
The Five12 Vector Sequencer is a digital sequencer that provides a flexible sequencing engine with 8 independent parts and 16 sub-sequencers for modulation. It supports extensive chance-based operations and presets, allowing for creative sequencing possibilities. The sequencer offers various CV and MIDI connections, including analog outputs, MIDI outputs, trigger I/O connections, and CV inputs for external modulation.
The Sovage mElEe is a classic 3-channel audio and CV mixer with a master volume control. It adds a twist by offering different mixing modes - safe, hostile, and violent - which affect how signals are mixed together. It can add unique character and distortion to your sound, making it interesting for both audio and CV signals.
The Unknown Devices Sawari is an instrument preamp with a 3-band EQ. It was initially designed as a custom build for A Shamisen Orchestra and allows for shaping acoustic instrument sounds on the go. Each EQ band can be isolated and routed to different effects, offering creative possibilities. It also features a diode clipping limiter, allowing for hard clipping tones.
The Abyss Devices LPG is a dual passive low-pass gate (LPG) module with handmade vactrols. Vactrols are installed in sockets, making it easy to experiment with different types. The module offers control over vactrol response curve and volume, allowing for a range of decay times. It works best with short triggers and can be used as a VCA by inserting CV from other sources.
By combining these modules, you can create a unique and versatile modular setup with lush reverbs, expressive sequencing capabilities, creative mixing options, and innovative sound shaping.
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Combining the Strymon StarLab, Five12 Vector Sequencer, Sovage mElEe, Unknown Devices Sawari, and Abyss Devices LPG can truly transform your modular rack into a powerhouse of creativity. Let's explore each module in detail and see how they can enhance your modular setup.
First up is the Strymon StarLab, a time-warped reverberator and modular transformation machine. This module offers a wide range of effects, including lush reverbs, stunning chorus, flanging, and modulated delays. It also features Karplus-Strong string synthesis, which allows for expressive and unique synth voices. The intuitive interface makes it easy to navigate and explore its powerful features. With the Strymon StarLab, you can add depth, modulation, and character to your sound.
The Five12 Vector Sequencer is a digital sequencer that provides a flexible sequencing engine with 8 independent parts and 16 sub-sequencers for modulation. This module supports extensive chance-based operations and presets, allowing for creative sequencing possibilities. It offers various CV and MIDI connections, including analog outputs, MIDI outputs, trigger I/O connections, and CV inputs for external modulation. The Five12 Vector Sequencer is a powerful tool for creating intricate and evolving sequences.
Next, we have the Sovage mElEe, a classic 3-channel audio and CV mixer with a master volume control. But what sets this module apart is its unique mixing modes - safe, hostile, and violent. In safe mode, it functions as a classic mixer, blending signals together. In hostile mode, the signals gently fight each other, resulting in additional mud and unpredictable textures. Finally, in violent mode, the signals slice each other in unpredictable ways with added distortion. The Sovage mElEe adds character and creative possibilities to your mixing process.
The Unknown Devices Sawari is an instrument preamp with a 3-band EQ. Originally designed for A Shamisen Orchestra, this module allows for shaping acoustic instrument sounds on the go. Each EQ band can be isolated and routed to different effects, giving you creative control over your sound. With a diode clipping limiter, you can also achieve hard clipping tones. The Sawari module is a versatile tool for adding color and shaping the characteristics of your instruments.
Last but not least, we have the Abyss Devices LPG, a dual passive low-pass gate module with handmade vactrols. Vactrols are installed in sockets, making it easy to experiment with different types. This module offers control over the vactrol response curve and volume, allowing for a range of decay times. It works best with short triggers and can even be used as a VCA by inserting CV from other sources. The Abyss Devices LPG adds a unique and organic sound to your modular rack.
By combining these modules, you can truly transform your modular rack into a versatile and expressive system. With lush reverbs, expressive sequencing capabilities, creative mixing options, and innovative sound shaping, your modular setup will reach new heights of sonic exploration. Experiment, create, and enjoy the endless possibilities that these modules offer.
Example Usage
In this Eurorack build, we will combine the Strymon StarLab, Five12 Vector Sequencer, Sovage mElEe, Unknown Devices Sawari, and Abyss Devices LPG to create a unique and versatile setup.
Let's start by using the Strymon StarLab as the centerpiece of our rack. The StarLab is a time-warped reverberator and modular transformation machine. We can use it to expand the sound of our rack with lush reverbs, chorus, flanging, and modulated delays. Additionally, the StarLab features Karplus-Strong string synthesis, allowing us to create expressive and lifelike synth voices.
Next, we'll incorporate the Five12 Vector Sequencer. This digital sequencer offers eight parts with 16 sub-sequencers for modulation, chance operations, and presets. With its extensive set of features, we can create complex and evolving sequences to control various parameters of our modular setup.
To add some character and distortion to our signal, we'll use the Sovage mElEe. This classic three-channel audio and CV mixer includes a master volume control and a switch that changes how the signals are mixed together. We can select between safe, hostile, or violent mixing modes for different sonic outcomes. The mElEe is not only great for audio mixing but can also add interesting modulation effects to CV signals.
For further shaping and processing of our signals, we'll incorporate the Unknown Devices Sawari. This module is an instrument preamp with a built-in contact microphone and a three-band EQ. The EQ allows us to shape the frequency response of our acoustic instruments or modular signals. With the ability to boost each band, we can add emphasis and character to specific frequencies. The Sawari also features a diode clipping limiter for adding distortion and overdrive effects.
Finally, we'll include the Abyss Devices LPG. This dual passive low-pass gate (LPG) utilizes vactrols for controlling the volume and response curve of the signals. With its handmade vactrols, we can experiment with different response times and decay characteristics. The LPG can work as both a low-pass filter and a voltage-controlled amplifier (VCA) when receiving CV signals, making it a versatile tool for shaping our sounds.
By combining the Strymon StarLab, Five12 Vector Sequencer, Sovage mElEe, Unknown Devices Sawari, and Abyss Devices LPG, we can create a modular rack that offers a wide range of sound possibilities, from ethereal reverbs to distorted textures, all controlled through the expressive sequencing capabilities of the Vector Sequencer. This setup provides endless opportunities for creative exploration and sonic experimentation.
In this intermediate-level usage example, we will explore how to combine the Strymon StarLab, Five12 Vector Sequencer, Sovage mElEe, Unknown Devices Sawari, and Abyss Devices LPG modules in your Eurorack setup for a unique and transformative sound.
- Start by connecting the output of your oscillators or sound sources to the input of the Sovage mElEe mixer/distortion module. The mElEe module offers three mixing modes: Safe, Hostile, and Violent. Experiment with different mixing modes to add character and distortion to your signals. You can also use the mElEe module for CV mixing.
- Take the output of the mElEe module and route it to the input of the Strymon StarLab. The StarLab is a time-warped reverberator and modular transformation machine. Use this module to add lush, ethereal reverbs, and enhance your signals with chorus, flanging, and modulated delays. The Karplus-Strong string synthesis feature of the StarLab can create unique and expressive synth voices.
- Connect the output of the StarLab to one of the inputs on the Abyss Devices LPG module. The LPG module is a dual passive Low Pass Gate with vactrols. Experiment with different vactrol types to shape the response of the LPG. Use short triggers to make the LPG sound snappy and control it with CV signals from LFOs, ADSRs, sequencers, etc. You can also use the LPG module as a VCA.
- Take the output of the LPG module and route it to the input of the Unknown Devices Sawari module. The Sawari module is an instrument preamp with a built-in contact microphone and a 3-band EQ. Use the EQ to shape your sound and experiment with different EQ ranges by activating the boost button for each band. The diode clipping limiter on the output can add nasty hard clipping tones to your instrument or Eurorack level sources.
- Finally, connect the output of the Sawari module to the Five12 Vector Sequencer. The Vector Sequencer is a versatile digital sequencer with support for 8 independent parts and 16 sub-sequencers for modulation. Use the Vector Sequencer to create evolving sequences and patterns, and explore the extensive set of chance-based operations it offers. The OLED display panels and encoders on the Vector Sequencer provide an intuitive interface for sequencing and editing parameters.
By combining these modules and exploring their unique features, you can transform your modular rack into a diverse and expressive sonic powerhouse. Experiment with different patch configurations, parameter settings, and modulation sources to unlock new musical possibilities. Happy patching!
Further Thoughts
One of the most exciting and unique Eurorack builds you can create is by combining the Strymon StarLab, Five12 Vector Sequencer, Sovage mElEe, Unknown Devices Sawari, and Abyss Devices LPG. This powerful combination of modules will allow you to create an expansive and immersive sonic landscape, taking your modular rack to new heights.
Let's start with the Strymon StarLab, a time-warped reverberator and modular transformation machine. This module offers lush, ethereal reverbs, gorgeous chorus and flanging effects, and modulated delays. But it doesn't stop there - the StarLab also features Karplus-Strong string synthesis, allowing you to create expressive and lifelike instrument sounds. With the ability to control the size/pitch of the reverb process and bus the pre-delay signal to the output, the StarLab offers endless possibilities for sonic exploration.
Next, we have the Five12 Vector Sequencer, a digital sequencer with 8 parts and 16 sub-sequencers for modulation. This powerful sequencing engine allows you to create complex and evolving patterns, with support for chance-based operations and presets. With multiple outputs for CV and MIDI connections, as well as bi-directional trigger I/O connections, the Vector Sequencer offers seamless integration with other modules in your rack.
Adding to the mix is the Sovage mElEe, a classic 3-channel audio and CV mixer with a twist. The central switch on this module allows you to change how your signals are mixed together, from a classic mixer to a hostile and violent mix, with additional distortion and unpredictable slicing effects. The mElEe is not only great for audio mixing but also for shaping CV signals, adding a unique and creative touch to your patches.
The Unknown Devices Sawari is an instrument preamp that takes inspiration from Music Thing Modular's Microphonie and Mutable's Ears modules. With a built-in contact microphone and a 3-band EQ with selectable boosting options, this module allows you to connect acoustic instruments to your rack and shape their sound on the go. The diode clipping limiter adds a touch of grit and distortion, perfect for adding character to your recordings.
Finally, we have the Abyss Devices LPG, a dual passive low pass gate with vactrols. This module features handmade vactrols that can be easily swapped out or even DIYed. The fall trimmer controls the vactrol response curve and volume, allowing you to achieve natural long decay or short snappy sounds. With the ability to function as a VCA and a muted output when no CV signal is present, the LPG offers versatility and creative possibilities.
By combining these modules, you can create complex and evolving sequences with the Vector Sequencer, process them through lush reverbs and modulation effects with the StarLab, mix and shape the signals with the mElEe, add unique textures and EQ to instruments with the Sawari, and control the dynamics and timbre with the LPG. The possibilities are truly endless, and your modular rack will be transformed into a powerhouse of sonic exploration.