5 Features I love in the Malekko Voltage Block w/Patching Examples

[@SPAZit101]

this man deserves 20 MILLION subs

[@OmriCohen-Music]

I appreciate it!

[@-ukiyo]

I’m in !

[@johnauthor]

Most demos of Voltage Block I've seen focuses on drums/noise stuff. This is a great demo on how you can use if for more tonal/musical applications. Thanks!

[@OmriCohen-Music]

I appreciate it, thank you!

[@jamessusbilla]

very true

[@lucagunther5405]

Love the morphagene flute reel section of this video. Particularly when you generated more random cv outputs from the voltage block. Great work.

[@OmriCohen-Music]

Thanks so much!

[@joeleidigkeit]

20.000 🥳 Congrats!

[@OmriCohen-Music]

Thanks so much!

[@TheSameDonkey]

Great vid as per usual. One use i have for mine is that I sometimes set a few channels to length 1 feed it in to my VCA (muton) and i have a quick and easy mixer with faders

[@OmriCohen-Music]

This is brilliant... wow... Thanks so much!

[@gilbertvidela7238]

i do that daily

[@poxipaul]

Great and fabulous working!! Amazing changes in the sound you can create with this module.

[@OmriCohen-Music]

I still have it and use it all the time!

[@GZHN27]

I can't believe I sold this module a while ago. It's on the top of my wishlist again. Brilliant module

[@OmriCohen-Music]

Oh yes, indeed! It's beautiful

[@vincentsky]

Voltage Block was one of those modules I looked at long ago but kept putting off. Looking at it with different ideas now. And, for whatever reason, I didn’t know you could Smooth/Slew the steps like that. What a great walkthrough...thanks Omri!

[@OmriCohen-Music]

Hey, thanks so much! Yeah, I use it all the time and I wish I had space for another one... It's very useful for generative patching as well with the clock divider per channel and CV input.

[@sea-saw2654]

I have absolutely no idea what’s this is all about but I’m transfixed and amazed....maybe I’m hypnotised...

[@prairie_bears]

Excellent video. I read the manual long ago and have forgotten most of this. Driving the Voltage Block with CV unlocks so much. Thanks for the video and the beautiful sounds (as usual). ♬♬♬

[@OmriCohen-Music]

Glad you liked it!

[@thamelmusic]

Fantastic ! I am sold ...

[@rdean150]

This is an inspiring and incredibly informative demonstration of this module. I learned something that I didn't even realize that I didn't know how to do on my VB. Thank you!

[@OmriCohen-Music]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@faremissound]

Brilliant module! Brilliant video - I’m totally stealing some of those ideas ❤. Thank you Omri!

[@OmriCohen-Music]

Glad you enjoyed it :)

[@mikegeary8056]

Very good demonstration of the VB. It’s exactly what I need. Not so much a pitch sequencer but a very flexible stepped voltage source. The 0-5v issue will be perfect for my Harvestman modules. Killer jam too man. Very Krauty .

[@OmriCohen-Music]

It's been almost 2 years now and I'm still using it all the time :) Cheers!

[@Quantumspace23]

The Levit8 from Erogenous Tones would give you 8 channels of dialing in precise voltages allowing you to ramp up from 5V to 10V, just verified this on my setup. Seriously wonderful video too!

[@OmriCohen-Music]

Oh, that's a good one! Thanks!

[@rdean150]

Is that just a fixed/manual offset or is it an amplifier that increases the range of the original modulation, so that when the Voltage Block's slider is at the bottom, the output is still 0v, but when the slider is at the top, the output is 10v?

[@Quantumspace23]

@@rdean150 Voltage Block slider at the bottom is 0V and at the top is 10V using the Levit8. I tried this with the O/A/x2, 3xMIA, Blinds, and a couple of VCAs, and none of those work. Only the VB paired with Levit8 has let me do this and with 1 Levit8 I can get 0V - 10V on all 8 outputs of the Voltage Block, so for me, this is a perfect solution!

[@rdean150]

@@Quantumspace23 that is awesome. I have a VC8 that I rarely use, and I figured the Levit8 was just a smaller/cheaper non-voltage controllable version of it. But it's a whole other story if it has gain. Very good to know, thanks!

[@piotr803]

@@OmriCohen-Music “Does it come in black?” -Batman, and also Omri

[@calderwood9641]

Incredibly helpful. Thank you for demystifying this module for me.

[@OmriCohen-Music]

Cheers!

[@user1756]

Beautiful stuff Omri

[@OmriCohen-Music]

Thanks so much 😊

[@junelopez9520]

You just killed the vibe with the block -hmmmm Happy I got to see your video. Hopefully, Melekko gets something popping since they've sold tons ;0/

[@tomb-X]

Best Video to explain that Module

[@OmriCohen-Music]

I appreciate it!

[@knobsstrings]

Thanks for sharing. There's always something to learn from your vids!

[@OmriCohen-Music]

Hey, thank you!

[@rossmotus669]

very nice tracks and demos, thank you! 👍

[@OmriCohen-Music]

Glad you enjoyed it :)

[@dwp2659]

wow great module and a great demo!

[@OmriCohen-Music]

Thanks so much!

[@garrygalkin2026]

Genius video! Enjoy each word! Thanks!

[@garrygalkin2026]

and every sound! Great! Thanks again Omri!

[@OmriCohen-Music]

Hey, thanks so much!

[@kmdaykin]

Cheers Omri. Really wish there was a vcv model of the magneto.

[@31pas0]

You mean, you wish it was free?:)

[@kmdaykin]

@@31pas0 that as well.

[@barnabascee1889]

Otherwise, great video! You convinced me to get the Voltage Block.

[@striderQED]

That is soo freaking cool. very very cool. Thanks

[@OmriCohen-Music]

Glad you liked it!

[@chemicalBR0]

very cool. lots of nice ideas here

[@OmriCohen-Music]

Hey, thanks!

[@pyerbass]

great video! I love the flute patch! incredible! for the 5V problem, you might need an amplifier such as Befaco ABC that goes x2 or x4 if combined

[@OmriCohen-Music]

Yeah, it was a fun one :) The thing is, I will need 8 of those because there are 8 channels. But someone mentioned the Levit8, which might be perfect for that.

[@DanielRiera]

This lack of standards is one thing that drives me crazy about Eurorack. Makes single brand systems seem really appealing

[@quantumcadillac4748]

such a good video. thank you! great channel.

[@OmriCohen-Music]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@sonicaddiction]

Thanks for a good video. Maybe I missed it in your video but I love creating different short odd length sequences and modulating different parameters of a patch. For instance a five note melodic sequence with a seven note sequence for wavefold. It adds a lot of repeatable complexity to something simple. Adding two different length channels and send them through a quantizer is also really fun. Similar to the sub sequences of the Five 12 Vector.

[@OmriCohen-Music]

Oh yes, that can add lots of movement to a simple sequence. I should really get me a mixer once... Cheers!

[@CinematicLaboratory]

Very impressive! I wish I did not see it in action :).

[@Vult-DSP]

Doepfer has an amplifier that can provide 2x of amplification (A-183-3 Amplifier). That one can help you with the range.

[@OmriCohen-Music]

Yeah, that can be a good solution for something like Morphagene or Arbhar.

[@stellar5326]

A Mutable Instruments Veils should work as well as an amplifier and gives you 4 channels on little space (but no black panel ;-)

[@mntbighker]

It occurs to me that if the required bits on Voltage Block are exposed on the expansion header for Varigate, it would be very little effort to create a 4HP or possibly even 2HP expansion that provides 5V bipolar, or 10V (switchable?) versions of the outputs. I think I could even figure that out with an Arduino. Making a cheap as possible version would be a little harder. I can think of two guys off the top of my head who could do it.

[@OmriCohen-Music]

I'm really clueless when it comes to this stuff... But yeah, having the possibility to switch the range would be amazing!

[@ScottofOakland]

I love the bigger knob on Morphagene. That was a huge reason I sold mine. The knob was so difficult to lock into the green state. Same thing with Telharmonic. The dang pitch knob was so fiddly, I could never tune it properly.

[@OmriCohen-Music]

Yeah, I wish the pitch control on Morphagene was a bit more stable. I mean, the big knob helps, but it's still not 100%...

[@faruambient]

very nice! looks like the voltage block is great for drones and pads. Need more space in my case ;-)

[@OmriCohen-Music]

Yes, totally, it can work great for drones as well! It's worth the space for sure

[@nikjewell]

Really useful video on an object of desire with some great little patches. The 0-5v is a shame but the A output on my Triplatt will double the voltage (for one of its outs only of course). Tempting. Cheers !

[@OmriCohen-Music]

Yeah, it's such a nice module... If there was a range selection, I would get 2...

[@gilbertvidela7238]

would love a black Voltage Block

[@mrparksy]

Great!!

[@OmriCohen-Music]

Cheers!

[@No.0.o.0]

Can you connect multiple Voltage Blocks? I wish there was a HUGE mega Voltage Block. standalone.

[@OmriCohen-Music]

It's such a great module! You can connect a VariGate to it, but I don't think you can connect VBs together.

[@nextg.5899]

You say you are not happy that the voltage block only works from 0 - 5 V but there are inverters and offset generators for that

[@OmriCohen-Music]

Yes, totally, but it means you need more modules which makes the VB more expensive and bigger. That said, it's still very much usable and I think it's an amazing module.

[@mntbighker]

Funny, I was just using Tides to modulate Morphagene the same way last night. I'd be interested in your thoughts comparing Voltage Block to Acid Rain Maestro. I have neither module yet. Love this video Omri. Small suggestion... for us newbs if you toss in a comment now and then like "for Rampage this could also be Maths" or always good to mention Supercell is a Clouds... etc. ... etc. Nothing too crazy, but these little remarks can really make a video more informative for us newbies. Love that you keep the comments coming on gain staging and the challenges with voltage. Is there an external module that can accept the 5V range and "expand" it to 10V? I know my Befaco A*B+C can offset the voltage, but I don't think I've seen anything that can convert 5V unipolar to 10V uni or bi. I'd be shocked if something can't. Maybe even Maths? Seems like the kind of thing it would have in it's capabilities. Of course the Voltage Block sliders would be SUPER sensitive if you did that to the output. I find that Muxlicer sliders are TOO sensitive in some cases.

[@OmriCohen-Music]

First of all, thank you so much for the feedback, it's super helpful. As you mentioned it's a small thing, but it can really help so thank you, I will do my best next time :) About using another module, the thing is, the Voltage Block has 8 channels so you will need 8 ways to convert the range or at least 4. That's a bit tricky when space is limited... I think having it directly within the module itself would be the perfect solution. I didn't really get the chance to check out the Acid Rain but I will have a look and see if it's similar. Thanks again!

[@mntbighker]

@@OmriCohen-Music I think the Maestro takes you from the short travel sliders on VB, to a button based envelope construction set. But I don't know if you can shove CV into the clock input. That is pretty mind blowing. Maestro is hopefully bipolar or 10V though.

[@mntbighker]

@@OmriCohen-Music FYI, I think I'm ordering a Maestro. And I just found out it has 5V uni or +-5 bipolar selectable. So with my Befaco A*B+C applying a bit of offset a channel could modulate the Plaits 8V input (for example). The thread on Wiggler has very little discussion on VB, but there is a little. And the maker hangs out there. I suggest you ask them to send you a unit to test and do a video on. I don't know your policy on that sort of thing, but I'm sure we would all love to hear your thoughts on this very innovative new device. And the makers seem like great guys too. One thing to note is it has a limit on how slow the clock can be. Something like 45 bpm at 4ppq.

[@OmriCohen-Music]

I will definitely check it out. From first look it's quite a big module, but I will dig deeper.

[@knobsstrings]

Was thinking about the same thing: an in depth comparison between VB and Maestro.

[@piotr803]

VB is nearly perfect. I’d like if it had a function to add subtle tiny randomizations to a given sequence, a bit like you can use jitter and smooth on Ableton CV LFO.

[@OmriCohen-Music]

Well, something you can do is use a switch to switch between 2 sequences. One is steady and the other is running randomly. If you switch between them at certain points, you can get really interesting results.

[@piotr803]

@@OmriCohen-Music oh yeah, also mixing two sequences, one running randomly would achieve this

[@LarsBjerregaard]

Looks like a very interesting module Omri, great demo! Wonder how hard it is to make a straight forward note sequence, with each note in mind.

[@OmriCohen-Music]

Well, you have 5 octaves and the fader doesn't have a large range so it's not the easiest but one thing that makes it easier is the fact that when you want to program a step, and you hold the button for this step, the sequence will stay on this step so you can listen to what you do and fine tune it.

[@LarsBjerregaard]

@@OmriCohen-Music Ah, good. Yeah, that should make it easier. Anyway, from your demo I can see that it's a really capable module and I'll definately have it in mind for the future. Thanks again for a great demo Omri.

[@LarsBjerregaard]

@@OmriCohen-Music Did I hear it correctly that a sequence (output) can also be set to output gates? And if yes: Can a step be set to Skip? Pause? Tie? Repeat (ratchet)? And can you copy one sequence to another? Thanks!

[@OmriCohen-Music]

@@LarsBjerregaard Well, if you think about it, the sequencer will output up to 5v so if you set for example step one to 5v and step 2 to 0v, you will get a gate that will start at step 1 and stop at step 2. If you set steps 1 and 2 to 5v and step 3 to 0v, you will get a gate that start at step 1 and stays open until step 3. So it's not your typical gate sequencer but you can program interesting rhythms by letting the sequence run randomly so sometimes the gates will be longer, sometimes shorter, and sometimes will not cross the threshold of the module you're using so they will not trigger anything. It would have been great to be able to copy a sequence to another channel, but it's not possible...

[@LarsBjerregaard]

@@OmriCohen-Music Right, yes, in that way you would only be able to get gates for half the steps though. I guess it's like you say: It's not really a gate sequencer. But I would imagine pairing it with e.g. my Pamela's I could get a lot of interesting sequences going, euclidian etc. I'm actually surprised you don't have a Pam's yet. I can kind of see that that concept of this module is using it for modulation at least as much as for pitch-cv and traditional sequencing.

[@chitlun]

Oh wow! Not only do I now need one of these, I’ve realised I need a Morphagene as well… Why, oh why did I give in and buy a case? I’m doomed! 🤣

[@OmriCohen-Music]

Slippery slope :)

[@agentbo1979]

Can you do a video about the Instruo Harmonaig? I’m very curious about the potential of that module and haven’t seen any videos utilize it thoroughly.

[@OmriCohen-Music]

Yeah, I'm working on it but it will be in VCV. Still, many of the ideas would work beautifully also in hardware.

[@nickcope]

Picked up a Voltage Block and having so much fun patching it into the Linneaus VCF, which has CV ins all over it. Omri: have you tried the TipTop Z8000? I believe it has a 10v range and, if I understand it right, does the same thing as the Block but with 10 channels but no quantizer?

[@OmriCohen-Music]

Oh yeah, that's a great sequencer for modulation, totally!

[@raskolnikov1242]

Hi Omri, are you sure the VB can sustain more the envelope? Is it not just the intensity that changes? I try to figure out real gate length changes with the VB but I think we can't...

[@OmriCohen-Music]

Hi, the thing is that if two steps that are high happen one after the other, the voltage will not go down and it will be like a longer gate and the envelope you're using will react to this. If you have 3 steps in a row, the gate will be even longer. Does this make sense?

[@raskolnikov1242]

@@OmriCohen-Music I think I got it. Will try that when I receive my VB. Thanks a lot!

[@OmriCohen-Music]

@@raskolnikov1242 let me know how it goes 🙂

[@dangayle]

Cool. I had no idea that it had a built in slew

[@OmriCohen-Music]

Yeah, that's a really nice feature, especially because you can set only a few steps to have slew so you can get really interesting envelope like modulation.

[@platon-m7n]

great work! how do you quantize every sample that they sounds so good?

[@OmriCohen-Music]

Thanks! Do you mean the samples on Morphagene and such? I make sure I record them tuned

[@xTheOxx]

Does this mean the Malekko modules are finally coming to VCV?

[@gracecore]

This is a great video, thank you for creating. I just picked up a VB and this video is by far the most inspiring. Has there been any new development or work around in the limited range issue? Is there anything thing that can be used inconjuction with the VB that will feel with range ? Or is simply like you said ... there needs to be a V 2

[@OmriCohen-Music]

I'm glad you enjoyed it! There are not updates as far as I know. I have to be honest, I try to avoid thinking about the range and I just patch and try to tweak the controls until I like what I hear. If I do need more range, I will mix a couple of sequences with Quadratt, for example. But I really hope that there will be a V2, there are more interesting features that can really enhance this module.

[@stolencoats63]

Levit8 or Frap Tools 321 can double the signal range as noted in some other comments on this video. Levit8 can pair with all 8 channels of Voltage Block. 321 only can do 3 channels but is half the price.

[@gracecore]

@@stolencoats63 thanks for the feedback, im a newbie and wanted to ask you a connection question. How would you connect the Levit8 with the voltage block. I assume all 8 outs from the VB to 8 ins in the Levit8 and then got out of the 8 outputs in the Levit8 to what you want to modulate ? How doe that help vary the range on the sliders, sorry just learning now , appreciate any feedback

[@stolencoats63]

@Wayne Cowan it will attenuate the signal or boost the signal up to 2x. So you would want to crank the boost if you are looking for a 10v signal.

[@gracecore]

@@stolencoats63 thanks , any feedback on how it is connected? All 8 outs to 8 ins in the levit8, then out of the levit8 to a modulation source correct? Then I would just use the VB sliders as normally and adjust my + setting in the levit8? Sorry just trying to see how it connects into the mix

[@striderQED]

What are some of the devices you are controlling with the Block?

[@OmriCohen-Music]

What do you mean?

[@smartassrecords]

I use inverters to get to the negative voltage , but yeah if this thing could do varying ranges , hot damn .

[@OmriCohen-Music]

Yeah, it would be so good...

[@bolekbecker]

Hi, great guide. Which gate signals do you use to trigger your synth voices when making melodic sequences? greetings

[@OmriCohen-Music]

Thanks! I have a few options. First of all, the trigger output from Harmonaig. I also have Muxlicer that can act as a gate sequencer. of course, I can also use other interesting triggers like the one from Morphagene or from Rampage and have different rhythms going on. And, I can also use the Voltage Block itself to generate a stream of gates, which I do quite a lot.

[@bolekbecker]

@@OmriCohen-Music ok, thanx a lot.

[@ronnykaplan9821]

תותח

[@Doc_Underkraut]

hi@Omri

[@Honeysmack]

עבודה יפה, נהדרת

[@OmriCohen-Music]

תודה רבה!

[@big_wiff]

oh yes!

[@OmriCohen-Music]

Cheers!

[@Sad-yz8ff]

Hi! Can I use gate signal as clock for voltage block?

[@OmriCohen-Music]

Well, yeah, the VB will advance as long as the gate closes and opens. If it's just an open gate, the VB will not move. I use the gate out of the Muxlicer sometimes and also the fall and rise gate outputs of Rampage.

[@junelopez9520]

What do you recommend?

[@OmriCohen-Music]

How do you mean?

[@TheSameDonkey]

Can't you just amp the signal x2 using the disting?

[@darcofication]

Was wondering this too..

[@OmriCohen-Music]

Well, yeah, but I will need 8 of those...

[@discothequesauvage4693]

Is it possible to mute steps on a sequence ?

[@OmriCohen-Music]

Yeah, you can either mute individual channels, or mute individual steps :)

[@darkblackdog]

@@OmriCohen-Music I understand how mute chanel but I don't understand how I can mute steps 😭

[@OmriCohen-Music]

@@darkblackdog This is from the manual "To MUTE individual steps of a channel, select MUTE and then one of the step buttons on the bottom row (9-16) to enter this mode. The LEDs will turn off for those steps you mute."

[@joseph.nicolaus]

💙

[@barnabascee1889]

I love your videos. I just hate the "oh yeahs"! Sorry! I said it! I can't take it back! They just make me cringe every single time.

[@OmriCohen-Music]

I appreciate the honest feedback and glad you enjoyed the video nevertheless 🙂