Clep Diaz - why I love this "simple" LFO

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Clep Diaz - why I love this "simple" LFO
Modules used:
Noise Engineering Clep Diaz - CV stepped random LFO
Noise Engineering Basimilus Iteritas Alter (BIA) - Main voice
WMD C4RBN Filter - Low Pass Filter with wave folding
Endorphines Ghost - Multi Effects module
Intellijel Steppy 1U - Main gate sequencer
Lapsus OS - 4 x attenuator
Pamela's New Workout - clock
Expert Sleepers ES9 - Eurorack 14 channel Audio Interface (off screen)
0:00 Intro
1:17 Clep Diaz overview
5:09 Clock setep
7:02 BIA Setup
9:19 Clep Diaz patching
22:05 Outro

[@markbooth]

Clep Diaz adds that little extra something to every patch without any menu diving to slow you down. If you have any suggestions or video requests, let me know in the comments. For anything else, you can reach me at - [e-mail]

[@martintaylor9205]

Hi Mark I meant to ask you if EX sleepers Phaser how it might compare with WMD ORION there being £50 difference in price, each compares with each other’s processing Thanks if you can help👍

[@markbooth]

@@martintaylor9205 hi Martin, I’ve not tried either but would definitely go with the Expert Sleepers module if only for the ongoing support

[@stevensenger]

This was super fun! I really liked seeing you run through more complex uses of Clip Diaz iteratively, from the absolute basics up through more chaotic applications. Keep up the good work! Also, I always love small cases, and I just ADORE Steppy.

[@Jin-Hu]

Answers on a postcard lol haven’t heard that in a while :)

[@gugenet]

I have used the Clep together with a Doepfer S&H/Noise with BOC patched to the Sample trigger and the sample output to the Clep CV. That way I get Clep cycles of random lengths. That BOC can be multed to something else, such as random on a Memetic Digitalis.

[@markbooth]

That’s a great idea and I’ll definitely be trying that, thanks. I don’t use my S+H enough and that sounds a great trigger source!

[@kentinjivek]

Nice patch and performance thanks for sharing this !

[@markbooth]

I try and make all videos interesting whether demoing a specific module or just a general performance walkthrough. Thanks for checking it out.

[@JohnGraemeMorrisVIDEO]

Just bought the Clep (Cameron) Diaz a couple of weeks ago after seeing it in one of you previous videos. Really loving it - thanks for posting this.

[@markbooth]

No problem and always happy to help people get a feel for modules before buying. They only thing I wish it had was a built in attenuator but you could say that about every module! Lol

[@digital_crickets]

Excellent demo!

[@markbooth]

Easy to demo great modules

[@Audiorial]

inspiring video, merci Mark

[@markbooth]

Hope it inspires some creativity!

[@bodoelsel]

Awesome video

[@markbooth]

Thank you. I’ve been meaning to do a dedicated video on it for ages as there’s not a lot out there for people.

[@quantumcadillac4748]

Nice one. Inspiring.

[@markbooth]

Thanks, that’s the aim. So many techniques to discover with different modules.

[@Gruftgrabbler]

Oh yeah I will definitely get one of these beasts!

[@markbooth]

With an attenuator they are great!

[@treesonthemoon7969]

Awesome Clep spotlight. I love that the clock input is essentially just a trigger input. My favorite patch in my palette case goes as follows: Keystep pro gate CV (multed either from my kick or melody) > Clep clock input, Unipolar output > Batumi LFO freq input in Quad mode, then I get a hybrid of clocked-free running LFOS with attenuation . And of course the Clep outputs are multed so I get the same stepped modulation everywhere. I especially love it on the release of my javelin

[@markbooth]

Clep on the mults is a winner if clocks are handled elsewhere. I’d love a Batumi and would go well with my workflow I think. What are your go to sound sources?

[@treesonthemoon7969]

​@@markbooth The 4ms EO! Rhythmic modulation is my key to that beast. Truth be told, I've probably got too many LFOs for such a small case: Clep, Batumi, and Pams all in one. If I ever decide to downside, the Clep will always stay lol

[@debbie09090]

Nice!

[@markbooth]

Thanks Debbie!

[@zebmars8944]

Thanks

[@markbooth]

No problem, love putting stuff out there for the community

[@rodnee2340]

Hi Mark just found your channel come up on my feed. Great tutorial, gets my sub.

[@markbooth]

Hi Rob and thanks for the nice feedback, I really appreciate it. My channel is still quite poor on the KZbin algorithm but slowly starting to get more impressions the past few weeks so I’m glad you’ve found it. It’s quite a niche hobby but I really enjoy giving something back to the community since I started my modular journey

[@freddiefranklin1]

Awesome demo and patch. I've seen a few examples with Clep and never really been that compelled by it but this one has definitely turned my head a bit. I've currently got Mimetic Sequence for pitch and CV modulation but can see Clep pairing with this quite nicely

[@markbooth]

Perfect combo! It works well combined with a mimetic cv additive like through Lapsus OS

[@freddiefranklin1]

@@markbooth Trying to visualise how this would work. So Pitch sequence through Mimetic Sequence being tranposed by Clep using the offset input on Lapsus??

[@markbooth]

@@freddiefranklin1 for pitch I always send Mimetic through a quantiser as it’s too much like hard work otherwise. I then sometimes modify that with Clep (heavily attenuated of course) but mostly use Clep for non pitch work. If you put Clep into the + input of Lapsus OS, it modifies the input signal. You could merge the two with any CV mixer though.

[@freddiefranklin1]

@@markbooth Yes sorry I think I understand you now. So modulating the CV coming from Mimetic with Clep via Lapsus

[@earanwe]

I use the BOC on a LPG, so every now and then It gives som extra notes as a bassline, or ornaments or so. If Its well synced it sounds awesome Its a superb LFO, btw

[@markbooth]

That’s a great idea. I’ve tried pinging filters but think sending to an LPG would be much more useful.

[@martintaylor9205]

Hi Mark love these Pallette case, small module demos as I have 5 of same modules in my Pallette but missing Ghost, C4bn which next on list,, I have MD as well and YES a more detailed Tutorial on STEPPY which is in 1U with UMidi, so enjoy your patch explanations , Excellenti 👍🆒🎶🎶🎶🌟🌟🌟

[@markbooth]

Hi Martin, if you have a great filter already I would go with a Ghost if you a light on effects modules. Some people prefer dedicated delays, reverbs, distortions, and compressors, but ghost is great as a one module for all as long as you don’t mind a bit of noise. You barely notice it I’m real world usage though

[@lgproductionsintechno]

Hello Mark , 📱plus this video and I managed to convince myself to try a BIA, attention to the camera image (resolution was not good, as a magnificent tutorial as almost always. tanks 😉

[@markbooth]

The video took a lot longer to upload than expected so you’ve probably watch the standard definition version before the 4K version has finished processing. Sorry about that.

[@Hessencemusic]

it's really hard to beat what clep offers in such a tiny size!

[@markbooth]

You’re dead right there. I love the fact there’s no menu diving or programming either. Just patch and twist!

[@earanwe]

@@markbooth I have just the clep Diaz from Noise Engineering, but is seems to me its part of their modules and brand philosophy. Saving for the BIA and the Viol Ruina...

[@markbooth]

@@earanwe the BIA is a great example of one of their best sound sources and I’ve done a fair few videos on it too. Module it with Clep Diaz and Mimetic Digitalis and it creates amazing percussive bass lines.

[@roastysprouts8705]

That's some Daniel Avary stuff there, noice

[@markbooth]

Not sure I’d put myself at his level but thanks for the compliment!

[@brentwadden_]

Have you tried divkid ochd yet? I'm also a big fan of clep Diaz and almost picked up a second one but recently picked up ochd which is also really wonderful. Lapsus Os is next on my list :)

[@markbooth]

The Ochd is great for a quick free running LFO whatever speed you want, but sometimes I want clocked output. I have an Ochd but it’s not a performable module so kinda just sits there doing it’s thing.

[@boydw1]

Nice demo Mark. Before you run out and buy another Clep Diaz, I've an idea for you to try. For a while I've been wondering if you could replicate something resembling the Clep using a cycling LFO out of Pams, into a sample & hold. As I understand (not yet owning one) Pams can do tempo synced ramps etc over a wide variety of clock divisions, and the S&H would convert that to a "stepped" output. In some ways there might even be more flexibility? Something to experiment with anyway.

[@AmbientMusicStudio]

I have been thinking about using Pams in the same way.

[@MChristian]

This is terrific! When you're making music for yourself, how often do you use Clep to modulate (1) BIA or (2) C4RBN? I'm so used to seeing you use Mimetic as a mod source for those that I assume Mimetic is your go-to mod source. Do you often use Clep in addition to Mimetic?

[@markbooth]

Thanks, it’s always fun making these back to basics video. I usually use Mimetic as the main cv source into Lapsus OS and then put Clep into the ‘+’ input.

[@GeorgeLocke]

Aside from lapsus, literally every other module in that case responds to triggers. Steppy. BIA. Carbon (ping, as you mention). Ghost (sidechain). Pam's doesn't really like an irregular clock, but you could probably get some weird clock feedback if you were so inclined. :P

[@GeorgeLocke]

Now that I think of it, given that carbon has a wave folder, varying the trigger height with lapsus would vary the timbre.

[@markbooth]

@@GeorgeLocke I wish the wavefolder could also be triggered with CV like the saturation can

[@markbooth]

I was found to sidechain the Ghost with a duplicate kick channel from Steppy but didn’t get around to it in the demo. It works really well, just not quite as well as a real compressor code chain

[@GeorgeLocke]

@@markbooth my thought was that a different strength of trigger would ping the filter with a different amplitude, thus folding differently. (I assume the folder is after the filter? )

[@markbooth]

@@GeorgeLocke interesting idea and I hadn’t thought about trigger strength. I might try that! I’ve recently leant BIA responds went to AM as well

[@ivangonekrazy]

How have you configured PNW to send a pulse only at the press of the Start button?

[@markbooth]

It’s a rising gate that stays high I think. I explained how it works in another video but can’t remember which one now. So many people have asked me this question I might do a dedicated short video to how I run clock and reset on my system.

[@rdean150]

Yeah I am not a fan of the KickAll either. Too loose and flabby of a kick tone, imo. Tip top Audio's BD909 is a solid 909 kick sound in 8hp. Thanks for the inspiring video! Time to pull out the ol' Clep and BIA! How are you liking the Ghost? Is it worth the cost and HP? I am generally hesitant about digital compressors in eurorack, since most fx modules are only 16 bit, and only 48 or 44 khz.

[@markbooth]

Hi RD, glad you’ve found it inspiring and thanks for watching. I’ve really enjoyed making the series of videos on BIA and promised a Clep walkthrough I’m loads of older videos too. The Ghost is a funny one. People say it’s noisy and I agree, and it’s not going to set your world on fire compared to dedicated delays, reverbs, compressors, and distortions, but it just kinda works well as an all in one end of chain unit, especially in a small set up. You don’t really notice the noise in the type of music I create and the compressor and distortion help a voice in the mix. I can’t stand the sidechain though and just can’t make it sound good which is my biggest disappointment so I’m still doing that in Ableton which suits my KZbin workflow anyway.

[@MrMarcLaflamme]

Have you looked at Fractio Solum? It has a BOC output and it's 4hp. Also NE so fits with the other modules 🙂 edit - actually I don't know if BOC would work. Haven't checked the manual to see how it's implemented. Oh! Shakmat Modular Clock O'Pawn. Check it out. 6hp though, not 4.

[@markbooth]

Hi Marc, the Clock O’Pawn looks interesting especially with its Midi in so might look into that some more. Nice and simple. The Fractio is also one I’m considering for percussive variation and it looks quite similar to Clep Diaz but from a triggers perspective.

[@h.r.terror9421]

Can someone point me to what setting he has for Pams channel one to do the resetting? I’m not 100% familiar how to get that reset to happen on pressing start. Thanks!

[@markbooth]

You need a gate that goes from low to high

[@h.r.terror9421]

@@markbooth is there a repeat setting that is set to zero or something like that?

[@markbooth]

@@h.r.terror9421not sure what you mean. I do t think that’s possible though.

[@h.r.terror9421]

@@markbooth hmm ok. It looked like your channel 1 was only sending a signal when you hit the start button and wasn’t sending any signal after that.

[@markbooth]

@@h.r.terror9421 that’s correct. The signal goes from low to high and technically stays high I think even though the light goes out. I must have replied to this question at least 5-10 times so probably worth a video in itself

[@PsychicFusionReactor]

If you have an O+C one of the hemisphere branches has a 'clep diaz' mode, could try that and have 2 more just like that!

[@markbooth]

Ah nice I’ll try that some time. Honestly I never use my O+C as I hate menu diving. I bought one and a Disting mark 4 for those times when I need something but guess my creative flow doesn’t work that way. Will definitely try it some time though thanks

[@PsychicFusionReactor]

@@markbooth I don't use mine much either for the same reason, but it stays in the rack on the strength of potential alone :) The firmware branch is called 'Benishpere' and also has modes that emulate memetic digitalis and mutable's grids.

[@markbooth]

@@PsychicFusionReactor thanks I’ll take a look. Not tried that firmware yet and emulation of other modules sounds good, especially grids which I don’t have. Thanks

[@debbie09090]

I thought the FM input on C4rbon was for an audio input.

[@markbooth]

Interesting, will have to try that! It probably sounds utterly mad! FM can take any CV modulation rate and it just alters the filter cut off and I love that the C4rbn also has an attenuvertor to control the input too. I’m super excited to try sending it audio rate though now, thanks for the idea!

[@debbie09090]

@@markbooth hehehe I might be completely wrong of course, I don’t remember where I heard that.

[@cardboardmusic]

Interesting that you put "...why I love this 'simple' LFO", and then right at the beginning say you rarely use this as an LFO? I'd be interested what you use (prefer) for your LFO sources. I'm really looking for some LFO modules that can be self modulated, so any suggestions are very welcome.

[@markbooth]

Ah well spotted! I should have said what seems like a small simple single LFO but is actually a tardis of possibilities! For straight forward LFO duties of varying rates I have a Divkid Ochd but really want something clockable like a Batumi or something

[@cardboardmusic]

@@markbooth Interesting. I also have the Ochd which is in nearly every patch, so useful. As for Batumi, I'm also looking at this as it seems the most modulatable LFO out there, which is quite odd really. I've been spending a lot of time with Rolf Kasten's "Systematic approach to making generative music ...", and once you get into it you realise that LFOs sort of rule the roost (when it comes to modular)! BTW, does anyone use an ALA Rainier? Although it only has two LFO possibilities, it can probably self modulate itself, which could be another solution.

[@walrtbstudios5430]

@@cardboardmusic Thorn’s VC LFO does a pretty good job of modulating itself, and has sixteen(?) waveforms to choose from. Mine is a fixture in the rack. There’s a decent Cinematic Laboratory video on some of what it can do.

[@cardboardmusic]

@@walrtbstudios5430 Interesting, shame it's just one LFO. I'd suggest looking at Soundforces Dual LFO. It looks like it does much the same, and it's two LFOs for a very reasonable price!

[@GeorgeLocke]

I feel like clep is cool, but, like, if space is the concern, I'd rather have a 2hp TM. Otherwise, clocked LFO plus S&H is just better in every way.

[@markbooth]

If only I had a clocked LFO…

[@GeorgeLocke]

@@markbooth Aside from Pam's? I'm just saying Clep is not my style. I see I wrote a sort of twerpy comment below. I'm not trying to harsh the mellow here...

[@markbooth]

@@GeorgeLocke no offence taken don’t worry, words often come across more terse than meant. I get your point about PAMs but I much prefer to use deducted modules as I’m thinking things through. I have an O+C and Disting IV but never use them as they involve too much thought and lack of playability. I’d like a Batumi but trying to not over GAS lol. I like Clep for its simplicity,playability, and stepped random mode. I really do want to explore more creative low level stuff though like you’ve suggested

[@GeorgeLocke]

​@@markbooth Disting can work if you just stick to one mode. I have the Ex and tend to avoid patching it except as a quantizer or when I'm finishing a patch and want a certain effect (clocked delay or s/t). I do like the DJ filter as a stereo highpass for droning reverb feedback. Sometimes you just need _this thing_. That said, the Ex has a proper screen - I need a web browser to find the mode I want (still do that with qiemem Stages), but it has text to tell you what you're doing. I tend not to be bothered by menu diving as much as many. Obscure button combos, on the other hand...

[@markbooth]

@@GeorgeLocke lol yeah i need a web browser to look everything up on the Mark IV and generally just use it as a delay or quantiser. An EX would be nice with the extra Horse Power