A Monster Compact Setup For Modular Techno: Introducing LIL TECHNOBOX | Jamuary 2024

#modularsynth #techno #analogsynthesizer
I like to make modular grooveboxes. This is a Jr. version of the full size Technobox, an instrument I've been creating and recording with over the past year. Where’s Big Papa? A very good question to be answered in the coming weeks.
Lil Technobox does... more techno, but it's more compact and streamlined drum machine with some extras. Organized around the Acid Rain Constellation, a remarkable euclidean trigger sequencer, and a handful of analog drum and oscillator modules, Lil Technobox thumps pretty hard. I didn't think I'd participate in this thing called #Jamuary but putting this guy together really changed things. Questions about the setup? Fire away in the comments.
Sequencing:
Acid Rain Constellation, Clank Chaos
Voices:
WMD Crater, Addac 104 VC T-Networks, SSL Thundrum, Erica Synths Pico Drums, Prok Drums flashed as Music Thing Radio Music, Befaco Pony
Filter:
WMD C4rbn
VCA:
Bastl Aikido
Function generator:
Cosmotronic Delta V
FX:
Happy Nerding FX Aid
Mixing and EQ:
Worng Soundstage II, Nano CEQ, Make Noise XOH
Everything recorded 2 track direct.
To hear more of my work with modular techno, check out
soundcloud.com/bilijie
Or buy stuff at bilijie.bandcamp.com
Also Spotify if you must

[@michaeldulsky8492]

Sounds dope! 🔥

[@joystickcan]

nice over here !!!

[@YourModulesMayVary]

awesome! and that kick!!!!

[@peace_ramen]

This is a wonderfully executed video. It sounds amazing and I like the succinct yet informative and playful descriptions of what you're doing. Well done!

[@Zoyb3rg]

Dope jam and rig man

[@oscidigi7357]

"Now with captions!" Awesome vid, love that you flashed Prok to Radio Music 📈

[@Bilijie]

More to come 🤪

[@tatratrading]

great stuff

[@SalmoneTattico]

awesome work

[@goonfish]

Insta-subbed, just for the focused jams & useful tips & tricks notation! Great case layout, too.

[@Bilijie]

Thank you!!

[@SynthsandSounds]

Sounds good! Happy Jamuary!

[@EleniEliades_]

BANGER ~💡🎶🎛🥁🎙👏🏽🔥♥️🌌🌛❗️

[@spenzasequenza]

damn, such a big sound from such a small system. I am impressed, time and time again…

[@x0d-live]

Gotta love the spam voicemails!! 😂😂❤ Nice setup

[@DJWOOFERCOOKER]

Hmmm so goood ❤

[@chrisleeramsden2077]

That was awesome, especially when you gave the pony a cough! That's a really well thought-out case too. Kudos!

[@Bilijie]

Thanks! Pony is an odd one… gets weird when you vca or attenuate incoming voltages to the TZFM input, which you can either consider a bug or a feature. I’m in the latter camp

[@induktor]

So good. What case is this?

[@Bilijie]

It’s 2 tall dog simple skiffs connected together

[@induktor]

Thanks! I have a compact case as well and really enjoy it

[@bobafat1830]

what kinda vocal samples are those? Sounds ace

[@Bilijie]

Idk whether it’s bc I’m Asian or what but I get a lot of Chinese spam voicemails. I keep all of them. They’re lovely.

[@stefanhansen5882]

This is awesome! I'm getting back to music and trying decide between modular and Bitwig. I REALLY like the modular way. However, it seems highly expensive, especially since I don't want to limit myself to one genre. Your "Techno Machine" is awesome. I am very curious to know if it can also do ambient with evolving soundscapes, morphing in and out, out of sync with the clock. Thanks!

[@Bilijie]

It’s not cheap that’s for sure. You’d have to budget effectively and make a lot choices. And be willing to sell stuff you don’t click with. Bitwig and VCV rack would be more cost effective, and you can use VCV to figure out if and how you might want to expand into modular. You’ll probably want a DAW of some sort anyway for tracking a mixing. They are all time investments though.

[@stefanhansen5882]

@@Bilijie I've tried VCV Rack and I really don't like it. It's not pleasing aesthetically and moving cables and moving "cables" on a screen is just not the same. How much for your machine and could you make "drifting" ambient with it?

[@Bilijie]

It’s all a matter of taste. You may find an appealing system for under 1k but it might tough to make the component fit together to your exact liking. Generative music can be more demanding so may require more components. I’m not much into generative stuff myself so prob not the best person to ask!

[@stefanhansen5882]

@@Bilijie Thanks. Well, I'm not into generative music either, and I'm sure your system is a lot more than $1,000 brand new.

[@Bilijie]

I mean for ambient you could get an Arbhar and a 4ms pod and call it a day. That thing is a deep sampling granular voice with a built in microphone. Pretty much the whole package right there.

[@H_ologramic]

tidy rig! also clickless mutes are everything

[@Bilijie]

I’m muting the channels of constellation so wherever possible I mute at the gate, rather than audio path

[@FortheSoulFtS]

I miss some bass