Glasgow Synth Guild Oct Tone Sequencer Review

Oct Tone is 8 steps of Eurorack cyclic sequencing. Who would ever need more? It's a delightfully musical module with a great front end, some snazzy features and can cook up a storm in more ways than you'd think.
GSG did not send me the module; I bought it myself, and they have no idea I'm making a video review.
www.glasgowsynthguild.com/
Index:
Intro - 0:00
Overview - 9:08
Quantization - 14:09
Steps - 17:31
Direction - 19:16
Rate - 24:07
Tune Mode - 25:57
Pulse Mode - 28:30
Step Gate Outputs - 37:22
Extended Jam - 38:49
Conclusion - 47:49
No one pays me to make videos, but you could support my video-making with a dollar or two via Patreon or by shopping via the affiliate links below:
► / robinvincent - now featuring advert-free videos
Check out everything I do on synths, modular, DIY, Surface Pro, music tech software and hardware
► authory.com/RobinVincent
► MoltenMusicTechnology.com
► linktr.ee/MoltenModular
► / @moltenmusictech
Affiliate links where I can get a few pennies for the things you buy:
► Thomann Music Store (UK/EU): www.thomann.de/de/index.html?...
► Perfect Circuit (US): tinyurl.com/molten-PerfectCir...
► Rhodes Plugins: www.rhodesmusic.com/#a_aid=Molten
► Sweetwater Sound (US): imp.i114863.net/molten-sweetw...
► Clockface Modular (Japan/Int): clockfacemodular.com?sca_ref=2404548.CriESQgSrE
DistroKid 7% discount off your first year's membership super special Molten VIP link:
► distrokid.com/vip/Molten

[@benasaro1043]

This channel is costing me a lot of money lately! :D First the SIG+ (which I caught for the first time a few months ago) and now the Oct Tone! I think this will compliment the SIG very well, adding an intentional bed to SIG's gorgeous generative exploration.

[@EleniEliades_]

Very "hands-on" type of Sequencer. I prefer that rather than others. Plus it's circular which for some reason makes more sense to my Brain and it has quite a few built-in scales 😅! Great video and thank you for explaining all about the Oct Tone Module. 🎉

[@MattRozema]

Absolutely brilliant module.

[@fabianobe]

love it! very straightforward and somehow performatic! thanks the demonstration

[@FileTransferProtocol]

This looks like fun. Very musical.

[@stephenspackman5573]

Very grandmotherly-I stop by, and you're making jam. Perhaps you've put your finger in why it's not Instruō-because it's still something that we can even begin to comprehend. The fact that short cycles can be presented as physical circles on the panel is an interesting thing, and it shows up not just in sequencers. It's interesting.

[@sean0o0808]

Will you be reviewing the latest Surface Pro 11 for music production like your other surface videos? Looking at it for a portable Ableton device personally

[@MoltenMusicTech]

It’s ARM based so it will need special versions of software or it will have to run in emulation mode. I did a video on the previous version, the pro X and it was a bit of a nightmare. If someone could send me one then I can.

[@sean0o0808]

@@MoltenMusicTech Ah yes I see. I've been reading up on it and ARM. I may go for the Surface 9 then as the Ableton device. I guess I'll see over the coming weeks what the reviews are like!

[@MoltenMusicTech]

No one is going to review it in terms of music production - and the thing is that we need software and hardware peripherals working in perfect sync and at low latency. Bench marks, app demos and productivity software reviews doesn't tell us anything. Hopefully I can get hold of one at some point.

[@DrDeemz80]

I have the original octone and absolutely love that thing, seen a few videos on this version but not seeing too many differences outside the fact this one looks way cooler, been hoping someone does a side by side comparison

[@MoltenMusicTech]

I imagine the differences are to do with the two module interaction?

[@alexmeeres5072]

How is it nobody seems to be comparing this to Xaoc Moskwa II? They seem to be so similar.

[@dfglojkg]

How do you route those eight digital voices? In good-old '80s terminology for the MIDI-centric as well as the keyboard-centric? A pair of BASTYL 1983s? Two Doepfer 4 channels? What's the simplest solution for a bloke lookin' to do harmony in a rock-n'-roll band?

[@MoltenMusicTech]

I’m not sure what you mean. What 8 digital voices? Are you sure you have the right video?

[@dfglojkg]

​@@MoltenMusicTech Sorry. Put my foot in it. I'll retract the statement if it is in poor taste. That said, I would like to see more demonstrations of modular used polyphonically, with MIDI, and with a keyboard.

[@MoltenMusicTech]

I think the answer to your question is to buy a synth - that’s exactly what they do. But poly modular is possible in fact I have a telepathy system from dreadbox in for review which will do exactly that.

[@dfglojkg]

@@MoltenMusicTech And the Plasma drone synth feeding (presumably) the Oct sequencer is also polyphonic, albeit non-pitched. As far as I know, so-called drones these days are digitally driven (though not all of them) because of the advantage digital gives over analog in terms of cost as well as spacial effectiveness. Are you aware of a Milanese firm called Jolene? They have just launched a 1000+ oscillator drone! Its in a desktop (maybe 60 - 80 hp or so wide). They, like Doepfer, now feature "polyphonic" modules with oodles of "bang for the buck". Most impressive is an 8 hp wide LPG bank with, dig this, 8 'f'n' gates! Instant Buchla! And they've got a slightly wider LFO bank with 9! Jolene have shirked pots and opted instead to maximize patchpoints, but with a wild innovation - the LFO bank features tiny, touchplate controls that directly control each of the nine LFOs. They are complex LFOs in the sense that you can chain them together in a sequence, then play 'em chaos pad style in realtime. I'm very impressed with Dreadbox. They really get it regarding poly-chaining. Aint it cool that 70 hp case with 6 voices and a friekin' mixer for like $1100 US dollars. 'Only caveat I see is that the signal path is a little bit corrupted by digital. And there are precious few patch-points on it. Whats your opinion on polyphony via MIDI interfaces? Maybe feature a session comparing the narrow BASTYL 1983 with the ultra-wide (16 hp) Doepfer interface. They both give 4 voice channels, but the BASTYL also gives microtuning, a sequencer (I think) and some other goodies. The Doepfer is also 4 channel, with velocity and aftertouch, but in a nearly prohibitively wide enclosure. Like - try to stack 8 voices and fit 'em in a Behringer Go case with 140 hp limits width X 2 levels. Believe me, I've tried to visualize it. And forget 8 or even six complex voices. Forget (practically) even simple voice features like LFOs. Thanks for returning my correspondence. Looking forward to upcoming shows.

[@MoltenMusicTech]

I've done some videos on polyphony in modular. It's not that difficult, just cumbersome and involves a lot of gear to achieve something that doesn't really lend itself to modular. But if you have the gear and the time then you can do some really weird stuff with it.

[@jimivandebeek]

I love my Erica Synths Black Sequencer but I dont like "programming" that much. I thing a sequencer like this is more for me!

[@isoldeisobelle552]

Don Buchla got it right when he settled on five steps. Eight always seemed a little excessively even to me. EMBRACE THE ODD!

[@IHaveSynthed]

omg is that Ginger Baker?