Modular Synth + Improvisation: Live Performance Prep

Sharing my process as I prepare for a series of improvised electroacoustic performances at the High Zero Festival for Experimental Improvised Music. In this video, I’ll walk through the four steps I take as I get ready for live performances, including putting together a hybrid setup with modular synth & MaxMSP, how I think about building Eurorack patches for improvisation, strategies for adding interaction and control into your workflow, and what my rehearsal process looks like.
Links to Eurorack gear used in this video (affiliate links help out my channel-thank you!):
4MS Pod 64HP Case: link.perfectcircuit.com/t/v1/...
Make Noise XPO Stereo Prismatic Oscillator: link.perfectcircuit.com/t/v1/...
Bastl Instruments Ikarie Stereo Filter: link.perfectcircuit.com/t/v1/...
Make Noise Morphagene: link.perfectcircuit.com/t/v1/...
Make Noise Optomix: link.perfectcircuit.com/t/v1/...
Joranalogue Stereo Output: link.perfectcircuit.com/t/v1/...
Make Noise 0-Ctrl Touch Sequencer: link.perfectcircuit.com/t/v1/...
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Intro + Overview
2:24 Choosing Your Instrument(s)
4:00 Building Your Sound World (Patch Walkthrough)
6:35 Designing Your Interactions
14:13 Rehearsing
Join my Patreon community:
www.patreon.com/sarahbellereid
Get my Free Intro to Modular Synthesis Mini Course:
www.soundandsynthesis.com/fir...
Sarah Belle Reid is a Canadian performer-composer, active in the fields of electroacoustic trumpet performance, intermedia arts, music technology, and improvisation.
www.sarahbellereid.com

[@sarahbellereid]

Curious about modular synthesis, electronic music, and sound design, but unsure how to get started? I have something for you! Join my FREE "Intro to Synthesis" mini course here: www.soundandsynthesis.com/firstpatch2022 PS: You don't need any special gear to do this-just a computer with VCV Rack (which is free to download).

[@stephenjames4937]

Your music in this video reminds me of Luciano Berio's mid-20th century recordings. This is a good thing!

[@JimmyLem]

Love the Max patch and the small mod setup. Thank you for sharing!

[@kenb7540]

What a great set-up Sarah. I hope the Festival performances went well !

[@michaelmoore4359]

Thanks for sharing this, and performing at High Zero. I was there, and speculated about your setup, and turns out I was mostly right. Really enjoyed it, there’s just nothing quite like the energy and expression that comes out of these kinds of sets, and I liked what you brought to them.

[@95laxman]

You're amazing and such an inspiration......thank you for everything🙏

[@domek.]

Love those glitchy sounds.

[@ohwell2963]

So, so, helpful! Hearing you talk about how you rehearse was especially eye opening. Having agility/flexibility/adaptability and being able to switch roles (foreground/support) is such a struggle for me when doing improv with electronics instead of acoustic instruments. Excited to try practicing in the way you describe.

[@jerrysolomon]

Impressive diversity! ❤

[@eriktexter2039]

Perfect timing. Performing live modular synth for the first time tomorrow.

[@sarahbellereid]

awesome!! have a fantastic performance! :)

[@sean8190]

Its been a couple months now, how was the show?

[@decapitateallcops3214]

@@sean8190 it was so bad that he got banned from the barber shop and stopped going online.

[@eriktexter2039]

@@sean8190 It went super well. Very stressful setting up, but a fun performance!

[@medenine4828]

You are a true synth Jedi!

[@Stazma]

Another awesome video !

[@TheStuF]

Brilliant video!

[@sarahbellereid]

thank you! glad you enjoyed it

[@benbauer1065]

Realy helpful video from a talented ( beautiful ) professional. Thank you.

[@in_10z]

The multitap Max patch live voice stabs sounded so dam spacious and lovely on my Adams!

[@marekrybakiewicz370]

Awesome inspiration

[@sarahbellereid]

happy to hear you found it inspiring!

[@loganperry]

I miss high zero; this video will do!

[@GeirOpdal]

Very interesting to watch your process. With one exception, this is pretty much the same preparation process I also have. The difference being that I dont want to know my chosen instrument too deep. I want those random "accidents" to happen. The accidents that happen because I dont know the instrument fully. I just want enough knowledge so that I know what to do if I want to interact with or "fix" the accident.

[@benoftroy]

awesome!

[@temporoboto]

very cool🙃💙thanks for sharing. Have you ever considered do a studio tour?

[@banalytic]

thx a lot for another interesting insights… cool performances and also great that you wear a mask!

[@daneguitarist1]

wow that concert sounds incredible! how do i get involved next year

[@dr.eville]

How are signals being sent into max to trigger things from modular? Are you sending cv control and triggers into max or just audio?

[@Solersoler]

Loved that Max patch! Quick question, what are you using as an audio interface?

[@emptycoast420]

Did you design those max patches, or building off something that's already out there?

[@martinbladelvan1949]

Inspiring, thank you for sharing! Looking at you performing from 18:55 onwards I wonder if you have any thoughts on the ergonomics of performing modular synthesis in live situations. Was it physically demanding?

[@alexanderkeys1038]

Yes, it doesn't look very comfortable bending over the table like that, it would be better to have something to sit on at an appropriate height, also to enable the performer to look forward and 'read the audience '.

[@PrimitiveInTheExtreme]

✨🔝✨

[@latejuly432]

Stunning! Love your work! Feedback patching is a joy! Curious about your opinion on two modules. Have you ever tried 100 Grit for feedback patching? And do you think planar 2 is good controller for controlling/exploring patches like these?

[@daneguitarist1]

man i have that exact same conversation with artists i produce for at 16:00 where like..... you gotta have like.... change and shit haha

[@DrMuse-on2dx]

Ken Vandermark knock off.