Hi All,
Not really new here, but I do not post much. Im looking to create dark ambient, drone, and generative synth patches... I have had some false starts over the years, but looking for some fresh ideas on how to evolve my current rack.
I use a BeatStep PRO and an SQ-1 at times as well.
Thoughts and ideas are greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
There are a few ways to go. I'm thinking modulation, I'm thinking processing. Two AFG's should set you up nicely to create all sorts of lovely timbres.
I'm not sure what your budget is, but I think a nice start would be a used Mutable Instruments Clouds. It's great at adding all sorts of textures to a sound. For modulation, there are tons of options, from basic LFO's to more advanced stuff like Make Noise Multimod or the Mutable Instruments Marbles.
Hey Wiktorion,
Thanks for the reply. I am have quite a bit of gear that I am parting out and consolidating, these funds have been funding the synth over the last several years. I posted the current configuration as the last link looked to be from 2016 or so.
I love the MI Clouds/Monsoon. I find myself leaning on it quite a bit. Triple Sloths are alot of fun as well. I feel like I get stuck in a rut sometimes... I'm really just looking for some items for exploration moe than anything.
I am not familiar with the Multimod at all, I'll have to check it out.
If this were me...
I would look into more LFOs and/or function generators for sure, but I would also look into modules that kinda take one or two inputs and turn them into lots of related outputs. In addition to the Multimod mentioned above, examples include:
The latter two can be found for free on VCV Rack if you want to play with them. A related but slightly different approach is a joystick module, which is not only just fun in general, but is usually another really interesting way to engage with the modulation you have in a broader, stranger sense.
A quantizer might be good here as well. That way, you can kinda just throw whatever in there and see what melodies come out, and it also gives you more options in terms of creating unique sequences by having your pitch and gate information come from separate sources.
This is a little crazy. but you could always try a module like the ES-8, ES-9, or Boredbrain Optx v2 (if you already have an interface with lots of channels and ADAT) and experiment with a hybrid setup as well (hardware and software modules). Even if it isn't permanent, it may provide some new ideas and let you use some modules you weren't considering before. An interface with DC-coupled outputs will let you send modulation from the computer as well as audio, allowing for full integration of the two sides of your setup.
It seems like you have plenty to work with, but these are my suggestions for how to spice things up.
