Unleashing Eurorack Ecstasy: Crazy Chicken's Dance Meets ST Modular Slopes and More!
In this article, we explore the exciting combination of the Crazy Chicken's DANCE LFO, ST Modular Slopes, Steady State Fate Vortices, Blue Lantern Modules Subharmonic Generator, and TipTop Audio FSU Black modules in a Eurorack setup. The Crazy Chicken's Dance LFO offers a wide range of waveforms and amplitude control, while the ST Modular Slopes provides quad slope generators with integrated gate division. The Steady State Fate Vortices adds audio character mixing, emulating vintage analog consoles and tape machines. The Blue Lantern Modules Subharmonic Generator acts as a VCO add-on, allowing users to create fat mixtures of harmonics. Finally, the TipTop Audio FSU Black module offers various aggressive and destructive effects, including distortions, glitch-based time-based effects, and sound on sound looping. This combination of modules offers endless creative possibilities for Eurorack enthusiasts.
Let's start with the Crazy Chicken's DANCE LFO. This module brings a plethora of features to the table. It offers eight waveforms to choose from, including ramp up, ramp down, square, triangle, sine, u-shape, sample and hold style random levels, and random slopes. The tempo can be set using the knob or by tap-tempo button as well as an external clock signal. The amplitude control allows you to set the amplitude by knob or modulate it with an external CV. This means you no longer need additional attenuators or VCAs, as it is already built-in. Additionally, you can CV-modulate any parameter of the DANCE LFO, including waveform, frequency, and amplitude modulation. The module offers two outputs: unipolar and bipolar, which work simultaneously and have signal status LEDs. With a frequency range from 0.05Hz to audio-rate, the Crazy Chicken's DANCE LFO opens up a world of rhythmic possibilities.
Moving on to the ST Modular Slopes, this module is a quad slope generator with integrated gate division. It can simultaneously generate eight control voltages, which are mainly changed with the potentiometers RISE and FALL. The further you turn RISE clockwise, the longer it takes for the slope to reach its maximum voltage, while the further you move the FALL slider potentiometer up, the longer it takes for the slope to subsequently reach 0V. Each slope can be triggered with a trigger or gate signal and outputs a voltage from 0 to +10V (inverted outs respectively -10V). An attenuator is available for each slope if you need lower voltages. Outputs 1/2 and 3/4 provide a mix of slopes 1 & 2 and 3 & 4, but this mix can be changed by inserting an inverted signal of one slope with the provided switches and potentiometers. The rate of the mix can also be changed with the RATE knob. To synchronize the slopes to external modules, a clock or trigger signal can be inserted into the CLK input. This module is perfect for creating organic and moving changes that match the rhythmic pattern of your patches.
Now let's explore the Steady State Fate Vortices. This module is a 14-input/7-output character mixer designed to emulate and accentuate the saturation-compression effects and frequency response of vintage analog consoles and tape machines. With a total of 14 inputs and 7 outputs, this relatively compact module provides a smooth and pleasing sound with emphasis on low and mid-frequency saturation, distortion, and gain, while reducing the harshness of higher frequency components from the source material. The Vortices can be used for standard mixing but is more focused on
Example Usage
If you're just getting started with your Eurorack setup, combining the Crazy Chicken's Dance LFO with the ST Modular Slopes can lead to some exciting possibilities.
First, patch the Crazy Chicken's Dance LFO into one of the inputs of the ST Modular Slopes. Set the Crazy Chicken's Dance LFO to an interesting waveform, like a random slope or a triangle wave. Adjust the frequency and amplitude to your liking.
Next, trigger the ST Modular Slopes by sending a gate signal to one of its inputs. As the gate signal triggers the Slopes, you'll notice that it generates four separate slopes simultaneously. These slopes can be controlled using the RISE and FALL potentiometers, which determine the speed at which the slopes rise and fall.
To add even more complexity to the mix, you can patch the outputs of the ST Modular Slopes into other modules, such as filters or voltage-controlled amplifiers. This allows you to shape and manipulate the slopes generated by the module, creating unique and dynamic timbral changes in your sound.
Experiment with different combinations of waveforms and slopes to create intricate and evolving rhythms and textures. The Crazy Chicken's Dance LFO and ST Modular Slopes work together seamlessly to expand the sonic possibilities of your Eurorack system, allowing you to unleash your creativity and create mind-bending electronic music.
In this intermediate-level usage example, we will combine the Crazy Chicken's DANCE LFO, ST Modular Slopes, and Subharmonic Generator modules to create dynamic and textured rhythmic patterns.
- Connect the Crazy Chicken's DANCE LFO module to the ST Modular Slopes module. Patch the unipolar output of the DANCE LFO to the RISE CV input of the Slopes module. This will modulate the rise time of the slopes.
- Patch one of the outputs of the Slopes module to the frequency input of the Subharmonic Generator module. This will modulate the frequency of the subharmonic waves.
- Patch the output of the Subharmonic Generator module to a mixer module, such as the Blue Lantern modules Sir Mix Alot or Mix Em Up.
- Connect a clock or trigger signal to the CLK input of the Slopes module to synchronize the slopes to the rhythm.
- Adjust the parameters on the Crazy Chicken's DANCE LFO module to select different waveforms, set the tempo, and modulate the amplitude.
- Use the knobs on the Slopes module to control the RISE and FALL of the slopes, creating dynamic and evolving patterns.
- Experiment with the knobs on the Subharmonic Generator module to mix in different subharmonic waves and create a fat and harmonically rich sound.
- Patch the original wave from your VCO (optional) into the Subharmonic Generator module and use the knobs to mix it with the subharmonic waves for even more interesting textures.
- Experiment with different settings and combinations of the modules to achieve unique and exciting rhythmic patterns that will add depth and complexity to your eurorack system.
Remember to always experiment and have fun with your eurorack modules. There are no limits to the creative possibilities that can be achieved with these versatile tools.
Further Thoughts
In this epic eurorack build, we'll combine the Crazy Chicken's DANCE LFO, ST Modular Slopes, Steady State Fate Vortices, Blue Lantern Modules Subharmonic Generator, and Tiptop Audio FSU Black to create a mind-bending sonic adventure.
First, let's start with the Crazy Chicken's DANCE LFO. Its versatile waveform selection and tempo control make it perfect for adding rhythmic modulation to our patch. We'll connect the DANCE LFO's unipolar output to the CV input of the ST Modular Slopes' RISE parameter to control the speed of the slope generation.
Next, we'll use the ST Modular Slopes to generate four slopes that change the control voltages over time. We'll trigger the slopes with a gate signal from our sequencer, and the slopes' outputs will be connected to various parameters of our patch. For example, we can connect Slopes 1 and 2 to the frequency modulation inputs of two oscillators, creating evolving timbral shifts.
To add even more character and warmth to our patch, we'll route the audio signals through the Steady State Fate Vortices. This module emulates the saturation and frequency response of vintage analog consoles and tape machines, giving our sounds a pleasing and organic quality. We'll patch the output of our oscillators into the inputs of the Vortices and then mix the saturated signals with the Subharmonic Generator's fat sub harmonics. This will create a rich and complex sonic texture.
Finally, to add some experimental and extreme effects to our patch, we'll incorporate the Tiptop Audio FSU Black. This versatile module offers distortions, ring modulation, frequency shifting, glitch effects, and even a Sound On Sound looping function. We can patch the FSU Black into various parts of our signal chain to add unpredictable and chaotic elements to our sound.
By combining these eurorack modules, we'll unleash a sonic ecstasy that will take our music production to a whole new level. The Crazy Chicken's DANCE LFO, ST Modular Slopes, Steady State Fate Vortices, Blue Lantern Modules Subharmonic Generator, and Tiptop Audio FSU Black will inspire boundless creativity and push the boundaries of electronic music. Let your imagination soar and explore the infinite possibilities of your eurorack system.