Pelog

A generative patch for VCV Rack.

Pitch material is based on the pelog pentatonic scale as shown on page 50 in Vincent Persichetti’s 20th Century Harmony. A simple generative system is at the core of the entire patch. The system is built with a sample & hold module, an attenuverter, and a quantizer. Rhythm is provided by random gate generators that drive the sample & hold module and the ADSR envelope generators. In this patch the output from the quantizer is further treated by a shift-register module.

The performance ensemble includes a percussion module, a bass player, and four instruments that provide the remaining textures. All performers are modulated to various degrees by various sources. The bass line is also used by a resonator module in a “reverb strings” mode.

Extensive use of shift-register modules creates a maximum texture of 16 voices. Groups of four voices are distributed to the four texture generators, resulting in a rich orchestral sound. The percussion module is also triggered by the same 16 gates used by the pitch generators.

Audio processing is limited to global reverb, but many unique sounds are created by the resonator module and the Ball Of Confusion wavetable oscillator. Unfortunately I can’t post the particular bank of wavetables used here, but I will try to provide to anyone who requests it.

The patch design is fairly complex. I take particular advantage of VCV Rack’s polyphonic capabilities (especially via the Splirge module), and I rely greatly on the Stoermelder 8Face module. The connectivity is also complex, as the screenshot displays.

Easy performance notes: Start with only the ExFor channels active, gradually bring in the other channels as desired. After a few cycles of the 8Face modules end with a long fade.

The rhythmic uncertainty at the beginning is intentional. I like how the steady rhythm asserts itself only gradually. YMMV.

All in all, a fun little exercise.

The ensemble :

Aria Salvatrice – Splirge
Atelier – Palette
Autodafe – 1×8 Mult
Bogaudio – S&H
Count Modula – Clocked Random Gates
Frequency Domain – Ball Of Confusion
Frozen Wasteland – BPM LFO
HetrickCV – Random Gates
Impromptu Modular – Clocked, Tact-1
ML_Modules – Quantum, Shift-Register
NYSTHI – 4DCB
RJModules – Button
Skrylar – Jack 4×4
Southpole – Annuli
Squinky Labs – Basic VCO, Form, ExFor
Stoermelder – 8Face, uMap
SynthKit – Clock Divider
VCV – VCA-1, ADSR, 8vert
Wiqid Anomalies – Dual Attenuverter
Xenakios – Macro Oscillator
Valley Audio – Plateau

Fine folks all, my thanks to them all.

Dave Phillips
1 September 2021

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  • Platform:
  • Category: Composition Sound Synthesizer
  • Revision: 1.0
  • License: Custom License
    Public domain
  • Modified: 3 years ago
  • Views: 120
    Likes: 6
    Downloads: 110
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