A Valentine Greeting

Varied and charming textures from a generative patch.

I began with an exercise translating an example patch from Patch And Tweak, a book about modular synthesis. The original patch is a neat way to considerably extend the output of a simple 4-step sequencer. It remains one of the core designs in my own patch, providing the melodic material for the prominent “reed” instrument created with the Basic Oscillator from the Squinky Labs plugin.

The rest of my patch consists of two more sequencing configurations built around the NoteSeqFu module by Jeremy Wentworth and the Progress module from the Amalgamated Harmonics plugin. NoteSeqFu creates a 4-part texture played by the ZLPF synthesis method of a Macro Oscillator. The Progress module creates the chord progression played by a wave sequencing synthesis method on a second Macro Oscillator.

The patch is otherwise uncomplicated. Modulation is extensive, using control voltages from LFOs and sequencers. Signal processing includes a delay line, a chorus, and a plate reverb.

The players:

Amalgamated Harmonics – Progress
Aria Salvatrice – Splirge
AS – DelayPlusFX
Autodafe – 1×8 Mult
DHE Modules – Blossom
Frozen Wasteland – BPM LFO
Fundamental – VCA, ADSR, 8vert
HetrickCV – Random Gates
Impromptu Modular – Clocked, Tact-1
JW-Modules – NoteSeqFu, Quantizer
NYSTHI – 4DCB
Rackwindows – Chorus
RJModules – Button
Skrylar – Jack 4×4
Squinky Labs – Basic Oscillator, Form
Stoermelder – 8Face, uMap
SynthKit – Clock Divider, Seq-4
Valley Audio – Plateau
Xenakios – Macro Oscillator

A bow from the waist to them all. Deep gratitude to the great VCV Rack community, and vast thanks to Robin Rimbaud for sharing his inspiring patch.

Dave Phillips
14 February 2021

7 comments on “A Valentine Greeting
  • shikawkee on said:

    Can I ask, what is patched finally to the monitor? I don’t see that anywhere and haven’t figured it out (I had to rebuild the patch a little because a few modules didn’t initialize at start up for some reason). Thanks.

  • Dave_Phillips on said:

    I’m on Linux and using the Skrylar Jack 4×4 module. The regular audio output module(s) with VCV Rack should work as well. Btw, the 4DCB module is probably not required, I leave it there when recording.

  • shikawkee on said:

    Thanks, so the the last module in the chain is? Forgive me if I missed it.

  • Dave_Phillips on said:

    The mixer is the final destination. :) In my original patch the outputs from the mixer are connected to the inputs of the 4DCB DC blocker module which is then connected to the correct ports on the audio output module. As mentioned, you can skip the DC blocker and connect directly from the mixer to the output module if you prefer. I hope that’s clear, please let me know if you need any other assistance building the patch.

  • shikawkee on said:

    Ah, the Squinky Labs? I’ve never used that one but I get nothing from the outs on that even with everything running. I must be doing something wrong. No worries. Thanks for the help.

  • shikawkee on said:

    Update: Check this out: I messed with it some more and couldn’t figure it out but then I hit the solo buttons (which were off) on the mixer for both tracks and suddenly it started working even though it returned them to their natural state. I dunno’ but as long as it works. Been tweaking it heavily but it’s a really cool patch and idea. Thanks for the help.

  • Dave_Phillips on said:

    You’re welcome, I’m happy to hear you got it going. I do use a few un-typical modules that occasionally cause problems for others trying out my patches. Alas, it seems that it’ll be a while before we see a polyphonic version of Braids in the Rack library. :( Anyway, have fun !

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    • Platform:
    • Category: Composition Sequencer Sound Synthesizer
    • Revision: 1.0
    • License: Custom License
      public domain
    • Modified: 3 years ago
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      Downloads: 86
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