Sloths 201: NLC Triple Sloths Explained!

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

Lovely thorough explanation, and love the "I wrote a bit of software" to make the animation part :) Great work!

[@made.online2149]

Only vaguely knew what my sloths did & just plugged 'em into places. Thanks for this!

[@edgardvera3132]

Absolutely amazing video / tutorial / explanation. The amount of time and work to put this together is much acknowledged and appreciated. If this is your favorite module it immediately gets my attention. I’ll have to get one and I subscribed of course. Thank you !

[@drd8974]

Great vid, @mcpm!!! If you have more NLC, please do more NLC! Especially Hyperchaos Deluxe, Delay No More, or Let's Splosh! Hilariously, the closed captioning interprets some of the higher-range frequencies of your end jam as [applause]. Indeed!

[@SoundVoltage]

Hah! That's hilarious -- obviously the algorithm recognizes quality content. :) I actually did do a Let's Splosh video back a year or two ago. My production values weren't where they are today, but it still explains things pretty well I think. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hqXFmmZrprVjq80

[@drd8974]

@@SoundVoltage heck yes I watched that video! I just got a Launchpad mini which makes programming sequences / drum patterns SOOOOooo easy on the Westlicht Performer. So now I'm thinking of ditching my somewhat redundant Knit Rider to get a Boredbrains OPTX (which would provide another source of sequences) and a Splosh.

[@JamesFirth-v]

@@SoundVoltage I'd just like to second the opinion of NLC videos, I really like your way of explaining things and excellent visuals. This is the video that made me appreciate what's going on behind the scenes!

[@LEdHeadW]

I finally finished building mine just now, it's been in my to-do pile for a while. I've watched this fantastic video a handful of times before, and here I am again refreshing my memory on how Sloths works after ensuring no magic smoke came out and finally putting the knobs on. I'm going to attempt something inspired by your patch, maybe include Cellular automata as well. Your videos are such a gift. It's so clear you put a lot of effort into them. I revisit frequently. Thank you so much - I look forward to more!

[@SoundVoltage]

I'm really very happy that you find them so helpful. Definitely there is a lot of work that goes into each one -- there's a reason I can only do one every month or two -- but I try to make them worth the wait. :)

[@rhampton1914]

5:39. I agree... attenuator seems to be a big key in modules like this lately. Thanks for sharing this wonderful education video. I actually learned a lot from this.

[@jakykong]

I bought a Sloth because of the explanation here, and absolutely love it. It's made its way into so many patches already, not even necessarily slow sounds, but just anywhere that a dash of slow change would improve a performance.

[@stuartbennett4301]

I'm considering this module but Im usually hovering around the 120-130bpm range. In my mind it'll be really nice for animating loops over time in an interesting way. Would it work or is it too slothful?

[@jakykong]

@@stuartbennett4301 It's pretty, uh, slothful. You could still use it for longer phrasing within your patches, but the fastest one is around 30-45 seconds per cycle so don't figure on it keeping pace with any bpm. An example of how I've used it with faster patches is controlling a VCA or as input to a logic gate to bring parts in and out over time. But you might find Cellular Automata a better module for some randomness at higher bpm.

[@jthek2000]

So random! I can’t believe you made this yesterday. Bravo 👏🏻

[@williamthazard]

love that distinction between randomness and chaos! Thanks for demystifying a pretty mysterious module

[@stevengrice8328]

I just finished building two of these. Thank you for explaining what I've gotten myself into.

[@mymodularjourney]

Excellent explanation. Reminds me to spend more time with my sloths.

[@PaulWalker-lk3gi]

Just built Hyperchaos Deluxe and this thing is next (two of them actually!) I love NLC. Thanks for the deep dive.

been using this thing for 3 years, it's nice to finally have an idea of what the hell is going on, more or less...

[@davegesell5470]

I use it in pretty much every patch and I never had any idea that the X outputs had half the range of Y and Z.

[@jammystraub488]

Best explanation I've seen! Thank You!

[@johnmilotrain7217]

Awesome, thanks for this. I've been on the fence about a Sloth and I need to get building one.

[@SoundVoltage]

Absolutely worth the effort. I kind of think of it like a light saber - you're not a jedi until you've built your own. :)

[@herzaincarmona4810]

Just got one and can’t wait to run it through my system

[@23Gears]

Fantastic! I will be building one of these very soon I guess. And the patch at the end is almost exactly the sort of music that I imagine myself making on Eurorack. I will need to study what is going on and see what I can reproduce with the modules that I have. Sounds rather like Spaceman 3 or Sonic Boom. Lovely stuff!

[@Elfaki19]

You may also like Robert Aiki Aubry Lowe~

[@dr.strangevelo6031]

That was awesome. Thank you. Also: subscribed. Just discovered NLC today, was immediately attracted to the sloths, which I’m now definitely buying, having seen your video. Probably also a mordax. Been very seriously looking at the Starlab. I’m into long form ambient, and just starting my eurorack journey. Had that ‘holy -- I get it!’ breakthrough moment a few weeks back (using VCVRack), and presently waiting for my first round of base modules to arrive. Anyhow, this was great.

[@SoundVoltage]

Sloths was my first module from them (him) as well, and 5 years on it still has a small part to play in basically every patch. NLC's stuff is incredibly inspiring I find. Welcome to the slippery slope! :)

[@studio48nl]

The CV ins are summed with the Z outputs. So if you want 'a faster sloth', input a faster LFO. Also the LEDs show the Z output and do show the summed output of Z and CV (blue negative, red positive). So I'm not sure what the 'CV control of nudge' at @3:47 means. The knobs do 'steer' the preferable output value (CCW negative, CW positive), but it only after x seconds, like it slews. The inputs do not control this, or at least, they have an immediate effect in Z out, not after a while.

[@Natemasterflex]

Thanks for this one! It was very revealing! Love the channel and I hope to see much more content from you in the future. 🤘😼🤘

[@atticuspomerantz65]

Love this video, thanks for putting it together! I would love some more about the NLC stuff -- it's so cool but I usually can't make heads or tails of the descriptions on the site (or imagine a way to use it in my rig). Lovin the Factory Records blank panel too!

[@guysmiley7289]

Subscribed. Your videos are fantastic and geared for more technical thinking.

[@PnPModular]

Really enjoyed this video, really clear explanation , great videos and loved the performance at the end! please can you do this for more NLC stuff!!

[@JohnoWells]

Brilliant - top notch video. Now I love my Sloths even more. THANK YOU. :)

[@LeoPerantoni]

This is so fascinating! And you have such a great narration voice. Amazing content!

[@Fluidstructure]

Great video explaining things... i was about to list mine for sale.... Im gonna give it another go, & get some Attenuators involved!

[@subjectivize]

Such a crucial tutorial! Thank you.

[@LeoPerantoni]

My triple sloths just arrived today, can't wait to experiment with it!

[@SoundVoltage]

Let us know how you like it!

[@LeoPerantoni]

@@SoundVoltage Totally forgot about this comment but was nicely reminded by it because I every now and then come back to this video because I absolutely love to hear you talking about sloths haha. The module is amazing and it is already a staple in my patches. Making evolving drones with it is extremely fun! I love to pair it with an ochd for some very flowy modulations!

[@danielmcanulty1562]

Oh cool, just watched to the end and saw you're using a Skipmin. Awesome sounding patch!

[@SoundVoltage]

I love that thing! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@derekdoessound]

Had one at one point. Only time I've ever had seller's regret in eurorack.

[@SoundVoltage]

Aww man, that sucks. Hope one finds its way back to you.

[@aevai]

Such a high quality video!

[@R3V1ZION]

Great video!

[@MrMarcLaflamme]

Awesome video! Loved the animations. When are you releasing the mcpm custom panels? :-)

[@SoundVoltage]

Hah! You make an...annoyingly good suggestion. Hmm...

[@MrMarcLaflamme]

@@SoundVoltage Seriously the few you've done for your explaining videos the simplistic panel design is really great. Greyscale does a few but they still just copy the original label. You rename them to make sense!

[@dreamdealer]

Excellent video, one of my favorite modules too. Still I don't understand the knobs, does it make the strange attractors stronger?

[@SoundVoltage]

I'm not sure it's really even that obvious. There is this series of 3 differential equations that something like this has to satisfy, and I think the CV just gives a little boost to one of the three. It isn't necessarily as simple as "making it stronger". Or maybe I don't understand it at all. It is a mystery. :)

[@dreamdealer]

@@SoundVoltage and that's why we love it. Thanks for the reply. Keep up the great content.

[@omnidivergence9846]

Amazing visuals! This looks like so much fun. You make what seems like a difficult subject much easier to grasp.

[@neodym1337]

Inspired me to build it! Thank you so much

[@SoundVoltage]

That's great! You'll really enjoy it :)

[@LikeMinds_]

GREAT explanation. This module has always been forever to be several deeep in my rack.. How do you like Genie aka Neuron? I think your way of explaining helps me to understand.. I suggest a video on that module if you got a spare slot. MAD RESPECT. Love these vids!

[@mariorobles87]

nice, more nonlinear circuits!

[@tsope1]

Hi, it seems that Joranalogue has made a better sloth with the Orbit 3. what do you think? the mordax animation looks the same on both

[@SoundVoltage]

That's pretty interesting, I haven't had a chance to play with one. The big differences would seem to be a) more control, b) very different speeds. I kind of like the lack of control of Sloths...it's just there and you plug into it and it does whatever it's going to do. The speed difference is pretty stark however - Orbit 3 goes from audio rate to 7 mins per cycle, and Sloths goes from 40 seconds to 40 minutes (or longer if you build your own). I'll have to pick up an Orbit 3 though. I think of Sloths as "seasoning for the patch", but Orbit 3 seems like a whole new ingredient for the recipe. :). Thanks for letting me know!

[@tsope1]

@@SoundVoltage yep, that what I was thinking, they are extremely alike but so different. Both have their strengths, and the sloth has 3 channels... And I agree that sometimes it's better to have less control, but sometimes more control is needed. Guess that the best option is to have both of them 😜

[@el_dani]

great video! maybe you get your hands on a Joranalogue Orbit 3 one day, for the 3 to 1 (or other way arround) comparison..

[@SoundVoltage]

I actually picked one up a couple of months ago! I haven't had a chance to make a video comparing them -- they're as different as they are similar, and I use them both all the time. :)

[@TerekkiTerekki]

Useful TY!

[@doverbeachxyz]

Great content. Subbed

[@CatFish107]

Ooooh, I'm getting the feeling this module is very similar to the planets mode on the caudal module from vult.

[@negativeenergy4375]

Beautiful ty ty

[@ObKling]

Functionally, is Triple Sloth very different from having some other source of slow LFOs in your rack? I'm an NLC fan, but I struggle to see what the fuss is about.

[@kostantinosmag2986]

Great thank yes !!!!!!!’🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉💫✨💫

[@johntbd]

Are these available built?

[@SoundVoltage]

Nonlinearcircuits sells them built as well. I don't know that anyone else does though.

[@johntbd]

@@SoundVoltage Thanks

[@danvandal4127]

This module gets used in every patch!

[@ZaaZoJo]

What if you link multiple sloths together? What happens than.

[@SoundVoltage]

You get slightly more chaotic chaos :) The only way to link them together is to take an output from one and put it into the CV input of another, and all that does is nudge the equation a little bit. This is what I am demonstrating at 00:06:54

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

Cool on my wishlist just like how Maths is another essential module

[@SoundVoltage]

I 100% agree with that. Both are essential. They're completely different, but Maths can really help when you've got a Sloths in the rack.

[@rahuldwivedi132]

🔥🔥🔥🔥bht achi movie lghi mujhe 😘😘❤️❤️

[@HeavyDutyModularSynths]

you know, id have to add a correction to your video. even though i dont own a sloth module, the thing about the CV you are adding to the sloth, is that the CV is too fast. if you add a sloths output CV , to the sloth module, then itll change the shape of the waveform much better. it would make them go longer, spiral out more, or inward more, and so forth, or , make it go longer. instead of wobble and warp like on your video. its just food for thought because, i realised this as you are speaking , i did not know what a sloth module is even though i been into eurorack a bit and modular synth and, just would be interested in a sloth module but when you were talking about CV into them it had me thinking this. that is all

[@joshk2181]

love a skipmin

[@Bartyron]

interesting

[@inf0tr8r]

starlab is cheating, you could run a crinkle or a fart through it and it would sound amazing

[@SoundVoltage]

You're not wrong.

[@7177YT]

Subscriiibed!

[@walrtbstudios5430]

Slightly hard to watch as, in English, ‘sloth’ rhymes with ‘both’, not ‘cloth’. However, I made it through. Barely. Interesting module; it goes on my list.