Instruō - tágh Overview

[@mntbighker]

I'm re-posting this answer to a question I asked on the quick peak, because it's probably worth having in this overview. If I watched this first of course my question would have already been answered. The relationship between noise amplitude and random step amplitude distribution derived from a S&H is not so simple. Sampling white noise will result (curiously) in a slightly positive weighted distribution that follows a vague bell curve. Nature of the beast... It’s why analogue S&Hs that sample noise are generally lower in amplitude than the typical peak to peak of an oscillator. On my previous limited edition tagh module I was able to saturate the source noise so as to increase the over all rms which results in a much wider depth of random steps. The S&H on that design was an optimised integrated circuit. Again it positive weights. But is very usable. This new tagh is a more traditional discrete circuit design. The specs in the 4HP tagh manual stipulate “full scale” for the analogue S&H I/O. This more typically relates to practical sampling of a curated signal. LFO, waveform, envelope etc. In this case the source signals amplitude defines the possible sampled amplitudes levels. This I assume is due to a more limited bandwidth of source amplitudes. In the full video I demonstrate this comparison when using the tain to randomly toggle repeating steps on algorithm 2’s ring buffer. The algorithmic output, as I mentioned, is 10V peak to peak. 10 octaves with offset and scaling capabilities on board. Digital pseudo random actually produces a more practical random distribution steppes voltage strangely! Hope this clarifies :)

[@captainlovett4724]

The SRR from Csl blows my mind. Thinking about trying eurorack for the second time and this time with Instruo, all of your modules are wonderfully designed and I’m seeing how many uses each can have.

[@instruo]

Thanks!! ☺️ The new tagh and aradh will be added eventually, but almost every other module in the range is included in the VCV Rack collection. library.vcvrack.com/Instruo Definitely not the same as being hands on with cables and knobs! But it serves as a basic “try-before-you-buy”resource. Welcome back to Eurorack!

[@captainlovett4724]

I was going to try VCV Rack soon and test the actual modules out in a local store! Thanks! Looking forward to what more you guys will do!

[@Jaimison]

This this is so amazing! and what blows my mind is how small it is with so many functions!!! Thanks for the in-depth video!

[@TMeier]

For those looking to use tágh to follow a live drummer, Ben from Instruō kindly did some tests for me. The tágh does follow the tempo well but it wasn't able to keep the downbeat in time with the kick drum. It's probably most useful as an in-tempo random generator (including pulses) rather than as a clock for the rest of a system. The test used a low-pass filter on a drum loop to isolate the kick drum: kick drum > envelope follower > comparator > gate out clocking the tágh.

[@instruo]

A first fundamental approach is exactly as you describe: with filtering and envelope following a particular impulse (kick). The tagh looks for a modular clock signal. So deriving that steady BPM clock signal is ultimately the missing piece of the puzzle here. I designed the tempo follower pretty much with the use case you describe in mind. The primary factor will be regularity. The tap tempo following algorithm doesn't account for missed beats. Meaning that if in 4 bars of 4/4, missing a beat would cause the follower to try to adapt to half time, 2/4 over the duration of 1 beat, which will cause it to fluctuate and lag. How dramatically this will occur will depend on the overall tempo. Precise tempo following from a variable complex audio source (live drums) was never my intent for the tagh on its own, as this is already much better done natively within ableton and other software applications. Adapting to a tempo-variable, consistent clock is what the tagh does very well :) I actively patch and play with a modular system in conjunction with acoustic drums. (I have some videos in the works showing some of the methods I've been exploring) There are always limitations with tempo following. Ableton is by far the best consumer implementation :) Please do keep us updated on any solutions you find moving forward!

[@TMeier]

@@instruo MI Marbles has so far been the best friend for following a live drummer. I sent a file with Marbles following a loop to Ben, so you can check it out if you want to compare. Marbles was generally more consistent than tágh, and much better at landing on the beat, but unlike tágh it stops when the incoming clock stops. Marbles also tends to do wild clock multiplications when the incoming pattern changes (though it does usually manage to land back on the beat). Marbles will remember the sequence of incoming pulses, so as long as the pattern stays consistent it will follow really well. Marbles will also anticipate tempo changes if the gate length is a function of tempo. Ben did the tágh test for me so I can't be sure of all of the variables. I'm in Brazil so it's near impossible to get my hands on a tágh to do the comparison myself. Thanks for sharing your thinking! I'd love to see some videos with your thoughts and experiments working with live drums.

[@ant_fugue]

Beautifully designed product, as always. Already ordered.

[@theplasticlens]

Wonderful work Jason & crew! ❤

[@CinematicLaboratory]

Two new amazing modules for my wishlist. I always found Limited Edition Tagh very limited for its size, but now it all makes sense (to me, your work always makes sense). The only 'issue' (not really) I have now is that I'd love to have more than one Tagh. You made the Rabbit Hole much deeper again (thanks for that).

[@instruo]

3 tágh covers a lot of bases 😉

[@mntbighker]

@@instruo Some mercy please, my G.A.S. is reaching Falcon Heavy propellant level proportions already. 🤑

[@mcanterel]

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[@mcanterel]

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[@spad_electronics]

really great, and all in 4hp. awesome!

[@vampiresforesl]

This is awesome!

[@dominicbutler7311]

what is the music in the background, especially the drums. it sounds lovely

[@instruo]

It’s the patch example I build up from 00:28:48 :) The drum samples are from the Lubadh sample library.

[@Trentabyte]

Prob one of the deepest 4hp modulation sources every created! It truly is like the modular Swiss Army knife! Can't wait to get my hands on one. 🫶🏻

[@blindianajones]

This is exactly what I needed. Going to let lubadh be the master clock. If I want to sub divide the clock from tagh, are there any issues doing that? I understand tagh might be a little latent when I do time changes on the lubadh, but would a clock divider somehow struggle with the tagh output or be too instable? I want to clock divide so I can trigger other side of lubadh and other sound sources. Thanks

[@andrewnancarrow]

Please correct me if I’m wrong, as I’m fairly new to modular, but definitely immersed in it… would two of these effectively be able to create synced but cyclically changing probabilistic polyrhythms in a manner similar to the Moog subharmonicon?

[@heimlichvonbladderburst8348]

Please can I ask you consider turning the music down whilst you talk or duck it more. Your voice and the loop are competing too much in the same sonic space and once it gets processed by youtube and appears out of my monitor tinny speakers, my head is close to explosion trying to separate words from music. When I clicked on pause, the relief was immense - but I want to hear the module.

[@instruo]

Sorry Heimlich! I'll keep it in mind for future videos. I mix to my own preference and we screen my edits in house on various sound systems so I can get feedback from other ears. But mixing is always a subjective matter! I haven't checked them myself but the closed captions could help decipher my ramblings! I know from past experience that voice recognition often struggles with Scottish accents though 😆

[@TimBob-hq1nh]

Nah dude, it's fine to my ears 👍

[@Trentabyte]

I think it's just the cymbals. They're a high frequency and your voice is a low frequency. The mixing is on point and the side chaining is perfect with your voice being louder when you talk. I think it sounds great imo. I love your videos and patch walk throughs. Soo much thought put into such a small module! 🔥

[@mntbighker]

It's clearly time for another Instruo care package order. Why does my rack keep getting more and more black and gold? 🤷‍♂

[@vincmentaria]

do you think we can have that module in vcv rack?

[@instruo]

We've maintained addition of new stuff to the VCV range as best we can over the years. I hope for this to continue :) But it's low priority so won't be soon.

[@vincmentaria]

@@instruo i tottaly understand is low priority your modules are amasing^^

[@TMeier]

@@instruo Hello! Coming back a year later to renew the request for a VCV version. I'd like to test how this module follows different incoming clock sources (sequenced LFOs, sample loops with envelope follower, live drummer etc.) Being in Brazil means it will be a long time before I can have the real module in my hands, but with VCV I can learn how to best use it before I buy the module. I've ended up purchasing many modules (e.g. @befacosynths ) because I could learn them first in VCV. Thanks again! Amazing designs, as always.

[@instruo]

@@TMeier hoping to get to it at some point. I use VCV rack when I teach synthesis/sound design. But, Instruō is a hardware company and that’s where the development focus is. I intend to maintain the VCV suite and hope to continue expanding it, but the priority of focus is on hardware :)