Modular Monthly: Exploring Mutable Instruments Clouds

We explore the capabilities of one of 2015's finest Eurorack units - Mutable Instruments' 'texture synthesizer' Clouds. Read our full rundown of the year's best modular units in issue 30 of Future Music, which is on sale now: bit.ly/FMU300
Modular Monthly continues in every issue of Future Music. See more from our modular collaborator at: / mylarmelodies

[@TheWorld_2099]

Excellent dramatic hand acting. Zero wasted movement, you really get right to the emotion of it.

[@dgmono]

I'm relatively new to Eurorack and I've been studying it pretty rigorously for a few weeks now, and I feel that the Mutable Instruments modules are all kind of cryptic on the surface regarding how they work and what they do. This video broke this module straight down to its fundamental functions in an incredibly understandable way. YT needs more tutorials like this that don't clutter things with lots of unexplained simultaneous patching.

[@mylarmelodies]

If ye check my channel you might enjoy the Suggested Systems videos which are that idea - trying to break down more complex ideas with smaller, focused systems.

[@ghostflask]

if u have any videos you’d recommend id be eternally grateful

[@vargabalazs2986]

This is the best, and most informative demonstration of Clouds i've seen! Thanks!

[@nigeltedbury5805]

Returned to this video after watching it a couple of years ago, as a prelude to a Clouds session this afternoon and realised how much I miss your module demos.

[@Sarahbuildsstepsequencers]

Beautiful atmospheric sound at the beginning. And all the other incredible, unreal sounds. So enveloping and enjoyable. Thank you.

[@setphaser]

You are really good at explaining complex modules. This is the first time I feel like I understand a mutable module!

[@DrakulaBambaataa]

Thank you so much for this review. Your review style is perfect for me. I’m a dumb guitarist and a little slow on the uptake but this review gave me the bravery to approach the module and reaffirmed that I needed this in my rack. Thanks man!

[@wackenthaljef]

You're the one to simply explain the things.Thank you Alex.

[@DivKid]

Some gorgeous tones in this! Great job as always Alex :)

[@shimky301]

What a brilliant review. Outstanding and massively fun. Thank you!

[@Runnie2006]

Great tutorial, please make this series weekly :3

[@ElMoShApPiNeSs]

Best hands in the game

[@mhamedouzahra5008]

It's curious I can't hear any Italian accent

[@soundpsychologist104]

So why male models?

[@happylittlesynth]

@@soundpsychologist104 mylar's so hot right now. mylar.

[@andrewradtke3245]

Awesome! The hands are back again. The best tutorial so far on Clouds, this has sold me on the module.

[@Rhapsodyinnoise]

It's the 3rd time I am watching this and the first description still gave me chills

[@Synthetrix]

Another thing I bought after watching one of your demos! Keep'm coming.

[@arjanschuijt9799]

Best explanation of clouds i've seen so far!!!!!! Thanks a million

[@Digiphex]

I love your passion for this.

[@memohech]

I finally got to know what this module does! Thank you for your hands on demonstration!

[@vicsol75]

The best explanation! After seeing this vidio I relized that I was using only 10% of my Clouds :)

[@mikeexits]

The granular stuff sounds incredible. I was considering getting Make Noise Morphagene since some people on a forum were saying it's more powerful/has the most potential, but after watching this video, Clouds really clicked with me. I LOVE granular freakiness.

[@robertsyrett1992]

modular monthly is my new favorite series!

[@heimat35piu1]

This tutorial is comprehensive and clear somehow art. thanks so much for sharing

[@sysexstudio]

Nice Job Alex. Exceptional module, on my to-get list this year.

[@fibranijevidra]

What a fine presentation of amazing module! Thank you.

[@ArguZ72]

...and best voice next to Dan Worrall ...only modular videos i can watch with my girlfriend also enjoying it ;) Thanks Alex

[@mylarmelodies]

+Sascha Haber Hah, thanks

[@ctffctff]

Incredibly helpful to really understand how to use this thing!

[@alternatingbitmusic]

Thank you for reminding me what an awesome module I have and what great potential it contains within. I have a 5U version and out of habit just would freeze a sound / add feedback or reverb and use that as a pad tone and that's about it. That's a complete insult to the device and you've reminded me that I need to spend more time exploring and playing it in different ways. Great demo!

[@cray56]

Another great tutorial. I hate reading manuals so now I am going back to play on my Clouds. Thanks

[@philtobin9510]

Thank you very much Alex...now look what you made me do...(Sarcastic voice) I've just bought one, why wouldn't you after watching this.... Always enjoy you videos.

[@thelanavishnuorchestra]

Clouds is one of my favorite modules in VCV Rack. All Audibles stuff is amazing and weird in the best way.

[@pantalalabs]

Hi ! I really love the FM videos. A lot of info. This is the the only one video that explain Clouds. All others are tweak fans. Thank you!!!! Man: your voice is very good. I like to hear it!

[@TheSynchronon]

Great vid for a great module. Thx!

[@znolive]

When I started with Modular I got a clouds. A year later I got rid of it. 2 years later I have got back my original clouds (and Braids) Point being, these are absolute classics.

[@CO5MA]

Amazing tutorial. Thank you Alex!

[@widy75]

best reviewer ever :) i love the voice and the expression how he deal with modules would really love to make once a session together :)

[@humansrants1694]

I've been messing with a Novation Peak through the Softube version of Mutable Clouds it's impressive.

[@seathru1232]

I love this explanation, I love your voice, great video!

[@brianobush]

damn, your reviews are simply amazing!

[@YannickRBon]

thank you for the fun moments!

[@trublurider]

What a beautiful review this is. Amazing.

[@mylarmelodies]

Thanks! 🙌

[@unkyherb6505]

Great demo using your voice to get me in to it!!

[@blave549]

Excellent video. Thanks!

[@musicartgeek]

Great video - you're an engaging storyteller!

[@ili626]

Brilliantly done demo and intro.

[@egrefin]

Excellent demo! Thanks!

[@co.agmusic]

Incredible piece of machinery!

[@yorktowne1216]

this module is a freak of nature

[@iamthefixr]

If you're a Reason user the Polar Rack Extension does a lot of this stuff - not everything but some of the cooler features + pitch shifting.

[@PercivalThe23]

do u get also stations onto the nomad or just all kind of noises, and how long is your antenna?

[@paulbanks2573]

entire hand emoji libraries should be based on this man

[@StonedRiderRecords]

What settings should be used to get reverb only with the sound not being delayed by the buffer?

[@jasoncaldwell0613]

What is the closest plug in that emulates clouds? Was thinking about making an instrument rack in live w a granulator/reverb and neatly coloring the knobs red white and blue...lol.

[@alexcasian9916]

wow. this is crazy, i love it!

[@steelwizard376]

I've always been thinking of something like that. I would love to hear it with the JX8P's "Soundtrack" Preset!

[@indiefilmcomposer]

Best review ....just got it and to come here to learn

[@MadayMaday]

Just saw this after watching a demo of Mystic Circuits Vert, and that would be wicked paired with this.

[@episnod]

Brilliant work!

[@futureaztec5109]

I tripped out at around 14:00. Kinda went out of my head for a while but then around 14:00 I realized it and came to.

[@angel00demon]

Does anyone know if we can switch the firmware as shown here at the end of this video, with the plug-in version of this module?

[@AbstractCatsMedia]

Granular is magical!

[@radpix]

Well just after some time I wanted to have fun with Clouds again and after lately try to check the parasite mode with 5 sec pressing the B and to get back again, the module modulates nothing anymore, is there a reset procedure or is it better to paly on the firmware again ?, I ll try that . ...

[@devmiles]

this module remains absolutely stunning and bizarre

[@whiterottenrabbit]

This is getting dangerously expensive for me...

[@Dmatic89]

SO SO SICK!

[@dingalarm]

Is that drum loop at 18:12 from Tainted Love by Soft Cell ? Great review. Thanks!

[@1vootman]

The thing is amazing nuff said!

[@pboosten]

The entire Clouds-thingemie didn't do anything for me, until I saw your latest video, in which you describe your live performace system where you use the output of a Radio Music as input for Clouds, and trigger it from your Circadian Rythm. I'm sold now :)

[@fukingvoodoomagicmani3606]

Peter Boosten do u have link please

[@lennartrauhe7194]

Those Textures are unbelievable!!! It would take hours to create that with other stuff...

[@KristerNielsen]

Bought a used one yesterday. Gonna have so much fun with it! ^^

[@bhriscmusic8880]

Can you use this on its own? So if I just bought that module do I need the rest to make it work? I know I'd need a powered rack but wanted just this to start out with and expand later on.

[@KristerNielsen]

@@bhriscmusic8880 sure but you need some kind of input signal like audio or voice. Clouds is more of an effects unit as i see it, but you can play it with pitch and all that

[@bhriscmusic8880]

@@KristerNielsen I have a deepmind 12 synth, could I take the audio out from that and input it into the clouds module and use it as an FX unit?

[@KristerNielsen]

@@bhriscmusic8880 You can send in any type of audio signal you like

[@metronic01]

Super helpful. thanks hero .

[@canecreek00]

Superb video, i love my clouds.

[@BIG_PASTA]

Great vid, thanks!

[@TerekkiTerekki]

Great demo - would be cool to see one on the Phonogene

[@DharmaTechster]

Easily one of the greatest eurorack modules of all time IMO. Insanely inspiring and musical. The Mutable guy is a genius.

[@aeropilot4419]

He’s a woman now

[@elyssapalmer2298]

@@aeropilot4419 she* is a woman

[@aeropilot4419]

@@elyssapalmer2298 yes, my mistake … Emile, please forgive

[@kellymerrill5294]

Can you sequence v/oct one of the grains

[@thomasvogt4481]

Hello mylarm, Love the review, as usual. I have a question though. How do you get clouds to sound so high-res/high-quality compared to mine? My audio quality of clouds sucks when I got it recorded in ableton. Dunno, perhaps it's my recording-setup, perhaps it's my output module (got left and right outputs of clouds to both inputs A and B of MN rosie and got the crossfader in-between those two, and then stereo out to my AI (focusrite USB). Basically, I'm just curious about how you recorded the sound of this great demo. cheers, Thomas

[@mylarmelodies]

+Thomas Vogt Cheers! When you say 'sucks', sucks exactly how? This is recorded with modular going into an Expert Sleepers ES6 (the Modular>ADAT module), then into a Universal Audio Apollo via optical. But you should still be able to get nice sounding recordings with what you've got? As long as it's reasonably cranked down so that it's coming into the interface at a level the interface is comfortable with, it should be OK? Is it sounding good in the headphones out of the Rosie but not in the monitored audio off the interface?

[@wolfgangmarkusgstrein8522]

You bloody freak ... fantastic explanation!

[@Basimilus]

This thing is so fucking cool. Love the granular synthesis aspect of it.

[@morismateljan6458]

Hey mate, could a pitch knob be controlled by 1V/oct?

[@tencentcat]

Three years later, but yes.

[@tusk1_]

wonderful video.

[@ghuinink]

mesmerized !!! does something like this exist as a VST plugin?

[@Quark.Lepton]

Which model of Clouds has the colorful knobs and jacks as this one does-I wanna buy it 😃

[@justanm]

Thank you for this! Question, how did you send your microphone to the clouds?

[@mylarmelodies]

Doepfer A119!

[@SeenfromSpace]

What a great tutorial. Why don't eurorack vendors do more comprehensive manuals?? The one for Clouds is minimal to the point it omits really basic stuff, never mind the more wacky examples. I'm new to eurorack and all the units I own have sketchy manuals or little more than a description on the website! This video is going to be incredibly helpful.

[@4dvideos]

this thing sounds wicked. would love to put some sounds through it

[@drorbazer7531]

Holy shit! I want this thing

[@steveapostolides2975]

So glad that there are other people in the World tbat use words like 'twizzle' 'mundge' and 'squonky' I thought it was just me and the missus!

[@SPAZit101]

this had me drooling out of lust

[@peamarte]

super explanation:))

[@kennybecker6421]

holy fuck i want one so bad! your videos are phenomenal. loved the quote at the end!!!

[@conorpriest9432]

Kenny Becker The DIY PCBs are quite cheap.

[@ScottLHines]

At 15:05, you clear the reverb and the other effect parameters. Thanks for showing that. How did you know to do that?I'm sure I missed it somewhere in the brief manual or did you learn that from Emilie?

[@MarcoLongoMusic]

You need to select the mode first (left button) and then turn down the blend knob

[@InnerReach]

Good demo

[@Gdfx1111]

What is the module you are running the mic into?

[@michelelysek1427]

Doepfer A-119

[@budfoon]

love the insane cackle!

[@xpump876]

good stuff!

[@eliasbagley]

What module did he plug the microphone in to in order to record the audio?

[@eliasbagley]

Dug it up in the comments - it's a Doepfer A-119

[@Variable1000]

cool vid !!

[@charliehale4960]

Total newb here. I just got Clouds with the ribbon but how do I power it on? What do I need to buy to connect the ribbon? Can someone point me to the right place? My only external sound card is the Akai EIE Pro

[@aeropilot4419]

Charlie Hale You’ll need a power supply and a laptop brick that you can plug into the wall outlet at the very minimum; also would be nice to have a case for it as well, check out the small cases by 4MS, also their power 30 and power 40 power modules are quite good as well, I believe the 4MS cases come with power supply but I cannot be sure, so check before you buy; cheers and good luck

[@mylarmelodies]

in which I invent the new word revoltage.

[@bhriscmusic8880]

Is there anyway I can use this module on its own without the rest of the of the modules? I only want this just wondering if I needed all the other modules to be able to use this? Thanks

[@mylarmelodies]

You can, and it actually has line level input but it sorely benefits from modulation - check out the new Mutable Beads instead as it has modulation built in!

[@aliasghar907]

Hi just wondering about your opinion on which one is way better to get than the others between the following: CLOUDS (this one), STREAMS WOGGLEBUG makenoize mk2 MAKE NOISE DUAL PRISMATIC OSCILLATOR - 450 INTELLIJEL UVCF - 140 MALEKKO VCA - 115 MAKE NOISE MATHS - 240

[@mylarmelodies]

+aliasghar907 Those are all very different things, what else have you got?

[@aliasghar907]

+mylarmelodies just wondering which one(s) i should get as they're so exp.

[@mylarmelodies]

+aliasghar907 What else do you have? What do you want to make?