MACROFREAK

I don't know if many people use the Cycling Envelope as a constant function, allowing the Amount knob to basically become a macro control within the ModMatrix, but I think it's a pretty powerful sound design tool. It makes the MicroFreak seem like even more of a modular synth, in its own way. I use the Volca Beats at the beginning and the end, just wanting something to be there, not really distract from the MF. I also use the Slo reverb from Walrus Audio a lot on this.
TIMELINE
00:00 STARTER
using Volca Beats and a preset called 'M5' (see below)
00:23 INTRO
another Arturia MicroFreak video. i think this is maybe the 9th?
00:46 MORE INTRO
a discussion of the "Macro" knob concept for the MicroFreak. it's a straightforward thing that a lot of people probably do without really giving it a name. i assume, like "Fetch", that the term might not catch on.
03:14 MACRO KNOB CONCEPT
simple theramin preset (WALKTHROUGH)
06:24 PRESET - THERA
MONO, oct +1; CE: env, 0ms, 10s, 100%; ENV: 25ms, 25ms, 100%
2-OP FM: 50, 8, 28
CE-PITCH(+50) [vary Cycling Envelope Amount knob to change pitch]
11:11 A FEW EXAMPLES
a few (kind of redundant) presets, but each uses a pitch change and LFO rate change to get a pretty nice effect. the last one is different, more generally useful.
NOTE: IN ALMOST ALL OF THE PRESETS BELOW, THE TERM "CE: MACRO MODE" MEANS THE FOLLOWING - rise = 0ms, fall = 0ms, hold = 10s, and the amount knob is meant to be changed from 0% to 100% for various effects.
12:07 PRESET - GSUS4
PARA, oct 0; CE: macro mode; ENV: 0ms, 2s, 100%
2 OP FM: 0, 58, 75
LFO: TRI, 1.5 Hz, retrig ON
LFO-TIMBRE['amount'](+50)
CE-PITCH(+25) [similar to the Theramin]
CE-LFO_RATE(+50)
13:23 PRESET - ASUS4
PARA, oct -1; CE: macro mode; ENV: 0ms, 2s, 100%
BASS: 50, 50, 0
LFO: TRI, 0.2 Hz, retrig ON
LFO-TIMBRE['fold'](+100)
CE-PITCH(+25)
CE-LFO_RATE(75)
13:46 PRESET - UNI12D
UNISON 12, oct -1; CE: macro mode; ENV: 0ms, 2s, 100%
BASS: 50, 50, 0
LFO: TRI, 0.2 Hz, retrig ON
LFO-TIMBRE['fold'](+100)
CE-PITCH(+25)
CE-LFO_RATE(75)
14:24 PRESET - REV1
PARA, oct 0; CE: macro mode; ENV: 0ms, 5s, 100%
SAWX: 0, 0, 0
LFO: TRI, 74 Hz, retrig ON
LFO-TIMBRE['shape'](+100)
CE-PITCH(+25)
CE-LFO_RATE(-66.0)
15:02 TWO MUSICAL APPLICATIONS
the second of these (M5) is the first example of hijacking the Cycling Envelope Amount knob to specifically control a ModMatrix node (for which there is no actual knob).
15:34 PRESET - GILD
MONO, oct 0, arp on; CE: macro mode; ENV: 0ms, 2s, 0%(!)
HARMONIC: 0, 0, 0
GLIDE: 0
CE-PITCH(+25)
CE-GLIDE(12)
17:19 PRESET - M5
This is named after the Memory 5 slot on the as-shipped Volca Keys. I have always liked that preset sound/sequence a lot.
PARA, oct -1; CE: macro mode; ENV: 0ms, 2s, 100%
SUPERWAVE: saw, 50, 50
LFO: SQUARE, 1/4 notes (synced, 120 bpm), retrig ON
LFO-PITCH(7.2)
CE-[LFO-PITCH](17.0)
18:33 SHIFTING THE SOUND
These are a couple of more realistic examples for this method. The first switches between two different oscillator types using the Macro Knob. This sort of morphing is basically a continuum of presets. I don't even get into things like changing the attack or decay/release as a part of this. very possible. the only real limitation is the size of the ModMatrix.
22:01 PRESET - SWAPPER
MONO, oct 0; CE: macro mode, run instead of loop?; ENV: 0ms, 1.5s, 100%
KARPLUS-STRONG: 75, 29, 72
FILTER: lowpass, 600 Hz [vary during play for wah effect], 80%
CE-PITCH(-54.2) [this was an accident but sounded right]
CE-TYPE(54.5) [100% CE AMOUNT makes TYPE = SAWX, parameter values are maintained.]
23:33 PRESET - ALKALI
PARA, oct 0; CE: macro mode; ENV: 0ms, 2.5s, 100%
HARM: 39, 0, 0
CE-PITCH(-25)
CE-WAVE['spread'](-24)
CE-TIMBRE['rectify'](36)
CE-SHAPE['noise'](93)
25:13 BUILDING AN EFFECT
vibrato / tremolo module WALKTHROUGH
29:31 PRESET- MORPHOLO
MONO, oct +1; CE: macro mode; ENV: 0, 1s, 50%(!)
BasicWaves: 0, 0, 70 ['sub']
LFO: TRI, 6 Hz (unsynced), retrig ON
LFO-PITCH(1.0) [alpha]
LFO-SUSTAIN(0.1) [beta] note: this just activates the node.
CE-alpha(-1.0)
CD-beta(40)
[note: alpha and beta are just names for the two ModMatrix nodes]
31:26 BONUS EFFECT
faking a delay on the MicroFreak
31:45 PRESET - SAXDELAY
MONO, oct 0?; ENV: 0ms, 5s, 0% (!)
BASS: 24, 28, 4.5
FILTER: lowpass, 6.2 kHz, 50% (and higher)
LFO: SINE, 1.7 Hz ('delay' rate), retrig ON
LFO-CUTOFF(42)
33:06 OUTRO
35:45 ENDER
Volca Beats and MicroFreak (preset is MIAMI from the previous video). The clouds are running at 2x speed.
LINKS
www.arturia.com/
www.walrusaudio.com/

[@scarabeobop]

Great tutorial. Thanks. If you can find one, there is a little midi macro controller called a Gibbon Goliath. I have one but I don't know if they are still made. They have one encoder that can control up to 16 cc parameters simultaneously. This video reminded me of it and I dug it out and it seems like it works well with Microfreak. Haven't done much with it yet.

[@undulations]

That controller looks really cool! I've got a Midi Fighter Twister (16 knobs, switches, banks, etc.), also a Korg NanoControl - but those are really a different thing compared to the Goliath. Macro control is really fascinating - such a useful way to customize a sound / instrument. I did some other macro stuff on the Organelle from Critter & Guitari for controlling various Korg Volcas. Makes sounds that are hard to get any other way. I bet the Goliath is great with the MicroFreak😀.

[@derektiller]

This man is a legend on the microfreak. Thank you for everything you've taught me about this synth.

[@undulations]

Ah, too kind🙏🏼! It means a lot that you've enjoyed the series. A lot of sound and music down in that thing 🎹!

[@alban6101]

💓🎂 I HAVE NO WORDS.... I MEAN, EACH DAY I'M WATCHING UR POSTS, AGAIN AND AGAIN, "WORKING" MY MACHINES, TWEAKING AS I'M UNDERSTANDING, LEARNING TOO, .... EACH DAYS IT'S LIKE IT COULD BE MY BIRTHDAY !!!!! 😊👌🏄...... IT'S MAKING SOME WORDS FINALLY.... THANKS SO MUCH. MERCI. ALBAN.

[@undulations]

Hey, I'm very glad to hear that! Thanks very much for checking out the channel🙏🏼!

[@foxholeartist]

I usually combine this lfo mod with lfo modded by pitch, to get extra fm for my sounds. It often falls into noisy territory, but I'm ok with noisy sounds. Your exploration of mod matrix is of higher level, as always. You really test most unexpected and interesting things I'd never imagine to try

[@undulations]

Thank you very much🙏! I need to try that - the MicroFreak has a lot of FM potential beyond the 2-Op oscillator type. Perfect for sampling.

[@groovelove3361]

Such a well thought out and explained and transparent tutorial video!! Thank you !!

[@jramosmusic]

That final jam was just epic sounds powerful drums. Thanks for the awesome content.

[@undulations]

Thanks very much🙏🏼! I really appreciate the feedback!

[@claudedaigneault1693]

Thank you so much for taking the time to write everything down ... Awsome. Peace from Canada.

[@undulations]

You are very welcome! Thanks a lot for checking out the video🙏! ps In this particular case I wanted to work from a pretty detailed script to set the patches up on-camera - so with a little editing that became the patch notes👍

[@jolieuke]

You're amazing ! Thanks !

[@undulations]

Thanks for checking out the video🙏🏼!

[@ChrisLodyMusic]

Loving what you're doing with this, I'm really looking forward to getting mine. I've already read the manual through and looked at the matrix sources and targets, it looks very well thought out 😁

[@undulations]

Thanks Chris🙏🏼! Very exciting - I look forward to seeing that👍🏻 Yes, I feel like it's a really flexible synth, so many great features and the updates have been really substantial!

[@ChrisLodyMusic]

@@undulations Yeah I'm impressed what they've added to it since it launched, that's definitely helped me make up my mind to buy one. Interesting that they added a vocoder though I've never used the one on my microKorg tbh which I really should get round to experimenting with

[@undulations]

@@ChrisLodyMusic I posted the 0coast going through the vocoder on IG (10/10), thought it turned out nice. I mainly think of it for synths or other audio (old cassettes) as the source. I was pleased how easy they made it - built in gain options, no worrying about attenuators or such.

[@joeblow593]

Love that old school sci-fi sound. They used that sound in many space movies.😁😁

[@undulations]

Thanks🙏🏼! i always think of "Forbidden Planet" for some reason, also the original Star Trek series👽.

[@Cameronwatt]

Good stuff. Thanks

[@undulations]

Thanks for checking it out🙏🏼!

[@randommcranderson5155]

I was playing with the lfo on the cutoff effect and I really enjoyed changing the lfo signal to some of the noise and stretching out the sound until it became a sort of drone. Then the arpegiator got involved and I think it lost something. Great video.

[@undulations]

Hey, that sounds great! I need to use those random LFO waves more often, especially the smooth one (I mainly use them at max frequency for FM). Thanks for the feedback!

[@randommcranderson5155]

@@undulations I really enjoy how clear your videos are - you're very good at explaining and showing at a great pace. Effects are what this unit is missing so using the matrix to simulate some effects is brilliant. I also love playing with the keyboard although I didn't think I would when I first got it. You can get it really responsive and make some interesting modulations based on on velocity or time. I was sequencing the microfreak through something else and ended up recording the midi expression into my daw instead. It's got a lot of expression in the funny little keys.

[@undulations]

@@randommcranderson5155 Thank you very much🙏🏼! I completely agree about the keyboard - I felt like it was a quick transition from "wow, no travel on the keys" to "this is an amazing setup - keyboard, touchplate, and everything in between". I need to learn more about the velocity and pressure curve settings. I've changed them for a couple of presets but still. Anyway, thanks again for checking out the video!

[@chickenbath]

Nice video! Makes me want to drop everything and play mine. I wish there was a way to modulate the sequencers beat divisions with a mod source. I would have so much fun with that

[@undulations]

Thank you - no higher praise than that it makes you want to play🙏🏼! Wow, I've spent like 20 minutes fiddling around with your idea. I synced the LFO and have it modulating the tempo while running a sequence. Something like a mod strength of 30, 70 bpm, and LFO rate of 1/8T or slower seems to give some really different grooves🧐. Or with a low arp, the MIAMI patch from last video (or any bass preset), and glide - those settings give some 303 vibes - really cool👍🏻!

[@undulations]

Sort of a can of worms. Now with the LFO unsynced, not so fast as to give an averaged beat, not so slow as to just be like 2 tempos trading back and forth (square LFO, btw). Some filter amount on the envelope to give more of an acid bass sound. Arp notes spanning a couple of octaves. It's actually oddly listenable😀 It's kind of a complex swing.

[@groovelove3361]

If you are looking for a particular theme for a future video, one would be how to fake more than 4 notes on a chord on the MF.paraphoinc setting. I use it as my main synth for my jazz band as my chording poly voice keys ( only 4 :(. ). But with your innovative ways of using the cycling knob as a macro, there must be a few ways to faux add a voice or 2 without shooting with an arpeggio. I also look forward to your thoughts on the version 5 firmware release. Kindest regards! Keep up these amazing videos.

[@helmski]

YOU REALLY GET YOUR FREAK ON! THANK YOU! You have some amazing patches that you step through in detail. This is exactly what I have been looking for. I have trouble wrapping my head around the signal routine, so I could not reproduce this organically. Do you share your patches?

[@undulations]

Hey, thanks for checking it out🙏🏼! I haven't posted MF presets anywhere before but certainly not against it. I'll see about doing it on PatchStorage.com (I've put some Organelle code on there before)👍🏻

[@helmski]

@@undulations I have created some very fun patches to share. Your Macro technique is what some are missing to take them to another dimension. I’m better with modifying patches to customize them, then starting from scratch. My ears lead me!

[@Pluppo]

Amazing video! What's up with the tape bits on the MicroFreak? Is it to stop the light? Looks like the light is coming through anyway.

[@undulations]

Thank you very much🙏🏼! Yeah, first video, way back, had the full lights and it was kind of rough to watch - especially on a bigger screen. The led's seemed to phase with the camera framerate and sort of... throb. Anyway, i used the tape to dim them way down, but still left enough light for folks to see the synth's state easily. I guess it's been easier to leave it than try to solve it from the camera/editing side. Thanks for checking it out!

[@Pluppo]

@@undulations Ah, makes perfect sense. Thanks for taking the time to reply. I just got a MicroFreak, and your videos are extremely useful.

[@d3tuned378]

Hey now, i don't remember you doing music in this channel 😉😊

[@undulations]

It has been known to happen on occasion😀!

[@telegraph_hill]

May just be my KZbin app, but the description field is empty.

[@undulations]

Wow, thanks so much for letting me know! There was some sort of metadata problem with the new uploader (which I wisely ignored 😑). It should show up now (do let me know if it doesn't). Thanks again!

[@marquisdesade8659]

Hello. I don't know who to ask, so I decided to ask people on KZbin who i watch, trust and find their opinion valuable. I hope you don't mind and I dont act too much importunately. I began my journey to electronic music year and half ago. At the first time i just listen to it, but after some time really started to want make it by myself. So year ago, after some research I decided to buy a synth that my favourite musicians used, it was MS-20. But then i realized that it is really out of my budget. So after a little bit more research I've decided to buy Korg Volca Modular not knowing anything about synthesis and never saw any synth in my life, even a VST. So now, year after I stand at a crossroad. Im selling my good old volca (wich I now hate with all my heart and soul) and want to go further. I want to learn more and reach new height. And for it buy a new synth. And this is the reason why I telling you all this, even if KZbin is not kind of place for it. I want to go further in modular but can't decide what should I buy. I now have enough money to buy new Korg MS-20 FS, my first love and dream synth, but afraid that now I will a little bit bored with a standard subtractive synth. Then Im thinkng about to without further interruption dive into modular synthesis in its core and starting to build my own Euroreck, by collecting all Mutable Instruments modules to one instrument, kind of like Buchla style. But then I realize that for that I must cut off all my other needs and spend money only in that way. And because of that i look at standalone products by Make Noise, such as 0-Coast 0-Ctrl and Strega, to quench my thirst for modular synthesis in a more simple, budget and friendly way. But then I remember that its just a half measures and I must avoid that unnecessary spending and invest money to mutable instruments. So after all that said, I will really appreciate if you help me with some little advice. Thank You.

[@undulations]

Hey, I guess one of the biggest factors in all of this is where you see it all going - beats, ambient, or such. And not really knowing is a perfectly valid answer to that. A lot of times I feel like I make the music and sounds that my gear encourages; other times I get gear that will help me make what I like. Anyway, I understand about the Volca Modular - I like mine a lot, but the sound is not always appealing, takes extra work to get a richer sound. The 0-Coast on the other hand, I feel like it makes beautiful complex sounds straight out of the box. I love that synth. I don't know enough about the Strega, do not have one at this point. I have an 0-CTRL but really don't see it as a priority device. I'd probably rather have 1 (or 2) Korg SQ-1's. So, on the one hand, I'd say 0-Coast+SQ-1+some sort of reverb becomes a highly _playable_ setup with a lot of diverse sounds. My Instagram (dr_nim2014) has quite a few posts that are just 0-Coast, SQ-1, and effects (part of this is because the step-jump feature of the SQ-1 makes it play somewhat more like an instrument than a typical sequencer). I think I did 4 videos on patching the 0--Coast with a single patch cable - I like it that much. BUT, your talk of going down the path of Eurorack in general, Mutable Instruments in particular - that's something that I would never try to talk somebody out of. I have Plaits, also Branches - they are certainly 2 of my favorite modules. I have adaptations of Mutable algorithms on the MicroFreak, also on the Polyphonic Whale. Again, it seems like top of the line sound and functionality (and they have the best packaging...). You would need a powered case of some sort, maybe a skiff or pod that would fit the modules you have in mind. One compelling thing about modular is that you don't have to do it all at once. There are plenty of people that start with a 0-Coast and a eurorack pod - that way your synth voice, lfo, utility, output, etc. is all off to a good start with semimodular, but you can start adding various types of modular functionality that support (and maybe ultimately replace) the 0-coast. So, something like sequencer module, a simple synth voice module, maybe a filter module, a mixer module, and a multi-effect module (Erica Synths has some nice narrow modules that are very friendly for these sorts of things) - I realize that this can get complex (and potentially expensive) pretty quickly. I hope this helps a little. It can be a struggle. I have a skiff and a pod, so much time spent deciding what to get for them - I'm not even close to discovering the depths of what those two small setups can do.

[@marquisdesade8659]

@@undulations Im so glad that you answered! Thank you a lot. That helped me to clarify some things that was not so obvious for me. I understand that in electronic music im not looking for fat basses or cool lead's. Neither so arpeggios or sequences. At this moment im really interested in a real physics of sound. When I watched your videos about 0-Coast and other Eurorack videos I was so fascinating in how voltage that you change has a straight impact on sound. This looks so... kind of transcendental I could say. In a way that you just see and interract with a true nature of things. Seeing true Being in itself. That's truly like magic or alchemy. That's what interest me in electronic music. Acoustic and physics. Like experiments that academic musicians has in XX century. I also thought about Field Kit, you mentioned it in one of your video. But im not sure about it. So with all that said, thank you again for your answer and advise. I really appreciate it.

[@undulations]

@@marquisdesade8659 Well, knowing your own interest is a huge step in all of this. I like the Field Kit and Field Kit FX a lot - they are particularly useful for electroacoustic mixing, control, audio processing, etc. (but I do feel like they need some additional bits and pieces like contact mics, reverb spring, etc. to get the most out of them). Also, if you go the Koma route, do watch your ears/speakers - I find that the signals can be quite hot (maybe no headphones until you have gotten very familiar with the levels). Best of luck in it all👍🏻.