Clouds Parasite | Still Going Strong (feat. Beads)

In my previous video I introduced Beads, the official sucessor of Clouds. I did not cover a compare with classic Clouds, because I use the 'parasite' firmware written by Matthias Buech. So does Clouds still have a future in your rack? i think so. I mentioned that the two can't be compared. Well, that's not true. They're different, but they share the same roots, technology and creative mind. Beads is clearly the better granular synth. However, if you dare to install Clouds Parasite firmware, you may extend good ol' Clouds' livespan with many, many years of sound exploration. Clouds, Beads and Rings make an excellent team.

[@ericglickrieman939]

I like it that you make videos for older modules that appear to be obsolete - newer is not necessarily better! I like your dual Phonogene video, too. Often, older gear is overlooked in this fast-paced consumerist modular world.

[@LeonoraTindall]

Hey, thank you so much for making this video! Parasites is an amazing effort from Matthias but he unfortunately doesn't have the time to maintain it anymore. Anyone who has the coding skill and effort, please let me know as I got in touch with him recently and despite not being able to work on the project himself he is accepting community contributions still!

[@richarquis]

I might just be the last person to get Clouds, but hey, I did!I just arranged a purchase for an original MI Clouds in my local forum, I will have it at the beginning of May 2024. I have a stack of genuine MI modules already (Clouds will be #18) so it will be a very welcome addition. First thing I'm going to do with it is to flip the cliche on its head and try Clouds into Rings. So, Plaits or Elements or Tides into Warps, then Warps into Clouds, then Clouds into Rings, and maybe finish off with Rings into Beads. Basically, anything but the Rings-Clouds thing. Not that it's bad, but there are so many other paths to walk down, why follow that same one? Really looking forward to hearing what it sounds like by my hands and ears, instead of the same old predictable combo.

[@dustop3r]

Excellent video as always. I'm a late "clouds bloomer", just got it to my rack, and must admit, there is some magic going that I can't really get out of beads. Your video confirms this, much obliged :D.

[@Kupka2408]

Awesome video as always! Sold my clouds many times - Now I am building a tiny 40HP case around a Monsoon module again. Clouds is just too good to not have one. What's your favourite way to modulate Clouds? I am currently deciding between a Marbles or a Peaks clone + Dual Attenuverter. Besides that I will just add a stereo filter module with integrated VCA and an output module. Would be grateful for a tip regarding a good modulation module with max. 12HP.

[@chemicalBR0]

it's interesting that you mention that some people hate rings ,the thing with rings is that most people use it as the sound generator (and not a resonator) and it's usually always in sympathetic strings mode (it does sound bloody awesome tho so I guess thats why) it's inevitable that the majority of rings patches start to sound similar because they are all using rings internal noise generator to excite the resonator and mostly always stuck in sympathetic strings and feeding gates into the strum. its just over used and like an 80's dx7 preset it gets old fast :) once you start feeding it some different sounds there's an infinite soundscape to be had from rings. even feeding it a looped sample of a beat can produce amazing results. it works really great with practically an sampled material especially vocals (morphagene into rings into clouds for me (I use monsoon running parasite) feed it samples into the input , ping the strum with burst generators (ping the strum with samples), throw audio rate modulation into the strum. it's not an oscillator it's an effect module to add to other sounds already in your rig today I had some humpback whale song going through that chain and it sounded so alien and nothing like "rings" its not primarily designed to be a sound source its designed to resonate other sound sources but barely anybody uses it for that and I think thats where the "hate" stems from because a lot of people don't experiment with it enough to realize it's potential rings is awesome for me beads didn't change enough to make me want to ditch monsoon , having all of the modulation options broken out into their own slider that you can modulate instead of cycling through them with a button and modulating one parameter is a gamechanger for clouds so for me beads isn't enough of a change from monsoon to do the upgrade. it's interesting but not enough of an upgrade to clouds IMO I was expecting more from it tbh

[@CinematicLaboratory]

Thanks for sharing your experience! I totally agree with you on all observations. I have a video somewhere that runs through many of Emilie's Rings examples she felt were missing as a demo. As for Clouds vs Beads, it's better to have both (if possible) instead of having to choose and the 'clones' offer so much more than good ol' Clouds did.

[@chemicalBR0]

@@CinematicLaboratory yeah if it wasn't for space constraints I probably would get beads but do I really NEED another similar effect to clouds, I could use that space for other things. I also have the granular stuff more than covered with morphagene

[@walrtbstudios5430]

Some good advice there- profuse thanks!

[@kenswanson1093]

Hey thanks .. Rings & Beads (coupled with a Strymon AA.1 & a CV.OCD to do the interfacing from & to outside this system) are what I have, so far .. they both seem to have been good investments. Love the flexibility, that they both have, .. and in stereo, too. Then, it's onto either my instrument tracks, or a Roland PMA-5 (or MidiEditor, in the long run?). Lots to learn .. :)

[@TheNimasan]

what an amazing video!!!! enjoyed every sec!

[@avmbet]

Great video! Just got Monsoon, very influeced by this video. What mode are you using about minute 2:40? In the comb filter part

[@rum_bongo]

Just got my beads and originally thought i'd part with Clouds. Not a chance! Great video as usual!

[@CinematicLaboratory]

Thank you!

[@nokulture]

Yeah! Thanks for the video. I'm trying to convincing me to keep it and avoid falling to GAS :) I understand parasites is so handful, but I don't like the grains generation from parasites, just I prefer the grains generation on original firmware.

[@joncharnis4679]

the comparison video I've been waiting for! I bought Beads right away and sold Clouds immediately. Then cancelled the sale on a hunch that maybe Beads doesn't replace it. Seems I was right in my intuition!

[@CinematicLaboratory]

Never sell your old stuff unless you hate it or have to :).

[@SOUNTH11composingdesign]

Great video

[@BobbyLachapelle]

Still so much to do with the Clouds. Beads seems interesting but it's not going to be my number one choice for my next purchase. Another great video, thanks.

[@glnnk_art]

Damn. I bought Beads right after release, and I’m now going to buy a Clouds with the Parasite fw. They’re two quite different beasts.

[@CinematicLaboratory]

Both are a great investment, especially if you can find an original Clouds. As for clones I'd recommend the Typhoon.

[@glnnk_art]

@@CinematicLaboratory interesting. I had my eyes on the monsoon, because o could get one for pretty cheap, but this looks great. I’ll definitely get a fader version

[@joanofworms]

All cool on the arm ! Looks like the arm of the Clouds God ;) Cool - Thank you for sharing - can't wait to receive mine - all booked out :)

[@CinematicLaboratory]

Always cool to use stock footage when something goes wrong on video. And indeed, it looks like reaching out in the clouds.

[@kalubandali2241]

Lovely video!

[@jonaseggen2230]

Many where at some point dreaming of having two Clouds, I bet we will see several Clouds and maybe even clones sold rather cheap second hand now : ). Btw, Braids also has something that Plait's don't have to.

[@BenGeorge77]

I wonder if it would be possible to hack Cloud's reverb into Beads. EDIT: Went on Mutable's forums, author says that it's the same reverb algorithm on Beads as on Clouds, though the precise parameter response is somewhat different as Beads has one control knob for reverb.

[@ModLifeCrisis]

Triffic video. Thanks.

[@studio48nl]

Hang on... Is there a new Parasites Firmware? Or did just the name changed from Oliberv to Miverb? edit: no... It's 'still' from 2016, so just a new name for the same 🤔

[@CinematicLaboratory]

I am not sure if its new or only the name has changed. It's now Version 2.0 but I have no idea what version I've been using before...

[@studio48nl]

@@CinematicLaboratory I have a v2 cheat sheet from the Parasites site from 1-8-2019 where it's still called Oliverb. The same PDF now says Miverb. Also I have the 2.01 firmware downloaded that date, so it's not new. I think it's just a cosmetic name change.

[@jaredpreston3815]

I’m sure it’s meant to respect the changes the owner of Mutable made.

[@CinematicLaboratory]

@@jaredpreston3815 I agree and it's a great gesture.

[@jaredpreston3815]

@@CinematicLaboratory absolutely. Great video btw!

[@TheMachinesWon]

Can typhoon/supercell compete with beads or is beads a big step up?

[@CinematicLaboratory]

This is very subject to personal taste. Technically Beads is a big step up when compared with classic Clouds mode. Musically I still prefer old Clouds because of the reverb and comb filter. Typhoon adds a lot of ergonomics, CV controls and extra modes. So yes, I'd say Typhoon and Supercell can compete with Beads, but they're also completely different.

[@instantknut]

Is there a reason to use the original Clouds firmware instead of Parasite?

[@CinematicLaboratory]

Personally I'd say no. Parasite is the original firmware + extra's. However, the basic granulator application has a few tweaks like more envelope shapes and a reverb that can be used when no grains are generated. So it's not completely orginal.

[@kd4pba]

Came here for the arm.......

[@symbiat0]

Have you played with Grayscale Supercell ?

[@CinematicLaboratory]

No I haven't. All the extra CV and knobs are very useful!

[@symbiat0]

Also the multiple firmwares on it have extended the life of Clouds. I don’t see Beads as a successor, it’s different. I ended up going the other way though because I’m strapped for space, and bought the microcell.

[@CodyDeMatteis]

beads feels so rigid and almost normal compared to clouds

[@CapriciousBlackBox]

Re-up?

[@CinematicLaboratory]

Yes, I did not cover the firmware reverse grains and ramps and I did not cover the resonestor so I decided to take it down and add some more footage. You must have been one of the first to view it because it only had 8 views when I took it down.

[@CapriciousBlackBox]

Cinematic Laboratory yes....I thought I was losing my mind....one moment it was there and I went to grab a coffee...and then it was gone lol. Thanks as always for your great content!

[@niilo2852]

Haha "sorry for the arm". Your trans humanism is showing! Great video man

[@CinematicLaboratory]

My arm was in the way for at least 10 seconds. I was filming from a low angle and the camera gets terribly in the way when you have to patch and tweak. Nothing a bit of stock footage can't solve :)