Ornament and Crime Piqued deep tutorial. Complex envelope, LFO and euclidean rhythm generator.

Piqued is a complex envelope generator app on Ornament and Crime Eurorack module. Piqued can generate very complex envelope shapes, can be a LFO for patch modulation, and can even be an oscillator too. With some creative self-patching you can even eliminate a few VCAs from your setup.
The simplest use for Piqued is to generate ADSR envelopes which you can use with a voltage controlled amplifier (VCA) or to modulate movement in your modular patches. By sending it a trigger Piqued can generate up to 4 separate envelopes which you can sculpt to be exactly the length and shape you want.
But Piqued can do so much more than that. Envelopes can be set to loop - which means that the envelope keeps repeating over and over. Looping envelopes are great for modulating movement in a patch, like a filter or oscillator for example. Another way to think of looping envelopes is as a low-frequency oscillator (LFO). Typically an LFO has a simple waveform like a sine wave or triangle wave. With Piqued you can create very complex LFO shapes which would be difficult to achieve using standard modules.
If you clock an LFO fast enough it becomes an oscillator! Piqued’s envelopes can be set to loop so fast that they generate audio-rate tones. With some creative patching you can turn Piqued into a full synth voice, complete with its own VCA.
In this detailed tutorial I explain what Piqued is, how it works, and give you tips and tricks for using it in your patches.
Here are links to my other Ornament and Crime tutorials:
- Sequins dual 16 step sequencer: • Ornament and Crime Seq...
- Copiermaschine cascading sample and hold generator: • Ornament and Crime Cop...
- Harrington 1200 chord generator: • Harrington 1200 Orname...
- Acid Curds dual 8 step chord sequencer: • Acid Curds chord seque...
- Quantermain quad quantiser: • Quantise all the Thing...
Detailed Timeline:
00:00 Introduction to Ornament and Crime Piqued
00:21 User interface tour - what do the knobs and buttons do
02:30 How to set the envelope segment shapes
02:55 Creating complex envelope shapes
03:41 Wiring a basic patch
04:42 Sending an envelope into VCA
05:23 Editing envelope shapes while playing
06:21 Delaying envelope triggers on filter
07:35 Put it all together - envelopes in a VCA and VCF
08:20 Manually triggering envelopes as a performance tool
11:26 Envelope re-triggering and reset modes, what happens when a gate arrives during envelope
14:34 Creating very long envelopes (minutes long)
16:49 Looping envelopes and using envelopes as LFOs
1816: Practical looping envelope example applied to a filter
19:13 Looping envelopes with complex shapes
19:44 Controlling envelope amplitude, how loud is your envelope?
20:23 Modulating an envelope with another envelope - save on VCAs!
22:14 Modulating envelope loop timing to vary how the envelope plays
23:01 Crazy example of envelopes modulating each other
23:45 Turning an envelope into an oscillator
25:41 How to ‘tune’ the oscillator
26:50 Playing the envelope as an oscillator through a VCA
28:08 Euclidean trigger patterns on envelopes for complex rhythms
30:39 Practical example of euclidean pattern on filter envelope
32:58 CV control of euclidean parameters for even more dynamic rhythms
33:55 Euclidean trigger rhythms with drums
36:22 Thanks for watching and one last jam!
Gear used in this video:
- Ornament and Crime multi-function modules
- ALM Pamelas New Workout
- ALM MCO oscillator
- Mutable Instruments Ripples filter
- Expert Sleepers Disting Mk4
- Modulaire Maritime Decca
- Noise Engineering Mimetic Digitalis
- ST Modular PUSH
- Befaco Out
- Manhattan Analog Mix
- Arturia Keystep
Presented in my 60hp ‘Accra’ case from Modulaire Maritime
#modulartutorial #tutorialvideo #uO_C #ornamentandcrime #mxmxmx #eurorack #eurorackmodular #modularsynth #modularsynthesiser #sequencer #synthtutorial #busycircuits #almbusycircuits #almmco #befacoout #smallmodularsystem #modulairemaritime #tutorial #youtubetutorial #mimeticdigitalis #noiseengineering #stmodular #expertsleepers
Detailed posts and tutorials: www.synthdadmusic.com/
Enjoy more Videos I’ve made:
* Tutorials on using your music gear: bit.ly/tutorialsimake
* Korg Wavestate: bit.ly/wavestateplaylist
* Synthstrom Deluge demos and tricks: bit.ly/delugevideos
* Getting the most from the Empress Zoia pedal: bit.ly/zoiaplaylist
* Exploring FM synthesis on the Electron Digitone: bit.ly/digitoneplaylist
* Using guitar pedals with your synths: bit.ly/guitarpedalsandsynths
Listen to my Music
* SPOTIFY: I have an EP out : open.spotify.com/artist/4Z0We...
* BANDCAMP to listen to my music: synthdadmusic.bandcamp.com/
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[@martintaylor9205]

I’m 67 yrs old and new to modular, I received 0_C only a week ago so your tutorial is spot on time for me, also you explain the patching which to me is most confusing but your advice will really help, thank you and I look forward to more lessons🆒👍👌

[@SynthDad]

Great to hear! Modular is such a huge space to explore it can be very intimidating at first. I have more tutorials on my channel for other modes in O_C so take a look at them too. And more videos are coming soon!

[@im-bb4fn]

Another great tutorial by you, SynthDad. Thanks for your contribution to the modular community. Keep em coming!

[@SynthDad]

Thanks, will do! Lots more planned and also posted on my channel here

[@Felbify]

This is so helpful! I love the ornament and crime and thanks to your videos I finally understand it. Thank you.

[@SynthDad]

Thanks!

[@mcshafty1]

Thanks man, with O_C or Hemisphere it can be easy to get lazy, confused and repetitive. Thanks for your tutes.

[@SynthDad]

Glad you like them!

[@doverbeachxyz]

One of the greatest tutorial about ornament and crime. Thank you. Subbed.

[@SynthDad]

Thank you so much!

[@thesesmallboxes]

Really appreciate such an in-depth climb of “all the piques”! Well done!!

[@SynthDad]

Glad you enjoyed it! It was quite an expedition!

[@kirillevstratenko]

As always, brilliant tutorial. Thank you.

[@SynthDad]

Many thanks!

[@geocache66today]

Man alive, what a beautiful video. Set at a good pace and well explained, learning by example and great to be shown how one module is patched to another. Thank you so much bud. Now subscribed. 👍🏼

[@SynthDad]

Thank you for the kind words! Really appreciate it :)

[@jahmontee74]

Thank you for the great tutorial!

[@SynthDad]

You’re welcome - thanks for watching and stay tuned for more

[@IhorMedia]

What a wonderful module! I really like your reviews, man! You give so many use cases and examples! That inspires! Thank you! ✌️

[@SynthDad]

Thanks for watching! I’m really enjoying your videos too - picked up lots of great tips!

[@IhorMedia]

@@SynthDad thank you! It means a lot to me! ✌️

[@endless_arps]

Great content and you bring it so clear and well explained 🖤🙏 thanks for this!

[@SynthDad]

Thanks!

[@rainerd9890]

thanks a bunch, a lot to take in but clear explanations for the o_c are much appreciated. can't wait for you to discuss quantermain so i can hopefully finally get a handle on the turing machine functions.

[@SynthDad]

Thank you - looks like Quantermain is next on the list

[@BlueSB017]

Just discovered your channel. Super tutorials!

[@SynthDad]

Awesome, thank you!

[@pavlos4961]

Top stuff! By far the best explanation out there.

[@SynthDad]

Thank you for watching!

[@joehigham3377]

Great tutorial on Piqued, I think this is really one of the most interesting apps in O&C. I also spent a lot of time going into the fine details inside this brilliant LFO and found it really powerful. Furthermore, it's great to watch your tutorial, as you did plenty of bits that I read about, but have to admit I was too lazy to try out, so it's brilliant to see everything in action. Great video as always, very inspiring.

[@SynthDad]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Larry30102]

Another example of your great teaching. O_C while logical, is deep. And you've made it so understandable. I took a couple of hours to stop and go through this to follow your examples. Great video for a great module. It's going to take a while to digest Piqued. Big Thank you!

[@SynthDad]

Glad it was helpful! Best of luck in your explorations of Piqued!

[@Limbic1000]

Really good tutorial, thx alot!! 👌🙏

[@seanspartan2023]

Thank you for all the great info!

[@SynthDad]

Thanks for watching!

[@johnmadere]

Very informative! I’ve never looked into that app on my O_c. Time to change that!

[@SynthDad]

I was the same way until I sat down to study it for this video. Thanks!

[@AtlasCastleDk]

Modular is a real world that I’m still far from understanding. You really got the voice for KZbin videos man 🙂 I really enjoyed listening to you and learning something new today! Gotta have to watch the video in it’s entirety soon 👏

[@SynthDad]

Thank you! Modular is definitely a big and deep rabbit hole, and it’s easy to get intimidated. But taking it step-by-step and learning as you go is key

[@halilizran1052]

Watching your video feels like going back to school. But learning synth module instead of trigonometry.

[@SynthDad]

And that’s a good thing, right?!

[@li21nljasndvkljhnakshedbxxc]

after being scared of o_c for ages because it looked hard and has menus I finally looked into what it is and what it does... And immediately bought one. Great tutorial. In smaller, space-limited racks this thing is so damn good.

[@SynthDad]

I agree, the 8hp version is perfect in a smaller setup

[@chridmeister]

I've owned an O_C for months now and had no idea that Piqued mode was so powerful. I'm only just starting to get to grips with the module in general. Thanks for this incredibly helpful video!

[@SynthDad]

Glad you found it helpful!

[@HenricWallmark]

Awesome!! Keep them Coming!

[@SynthDad]

Thank you - I’ve lots more videos planned

[@ruscada.cosmic]

Another great video. Thanks!!

[@SynthDad]

Thanks for watching!

[@thehowlingterror]

Really useful info thanks. Hoping one day to see you do the CVlization model too.

[@Jaquarius303]

very cool! many thanks :)

[@CarlsbadSGP2007]

Thanks for making this SynthDad!

[@SynthDad]

Thanks for watching!

[@off711]

i would like to see the low rents mode next. thanks for the tutorial. very helpful!

[@SynthDad]

It's on the list!

[@effiksmusic]

Nice color scheme, silber, black, silver …

[@mrparksy]

Great videos!

[@SynthDad]

Glad you like them!

[@_XoGuSi_]

Nice overview :)

[@kostantinosmag2986]

Thank you.....Great .....

[@xTheOxx]

O_c is the first module that makes me want to dive into submenus, and I generally have no patience for that stuff. Good tutorial.

[@SynthDad]

Thankfully the menu is only two levels deep at most. Thanks for watching

[@mannmusica]

Thanks!

[@SynthDad]

Thank you so much - I really appreciate your support!

[@ujtb]

Nice one!

[@SynthDad]

Thanks!

[@ujtb]

@@SynthDad honestly piqued was the only app that I didn't understand fully. This made huge clarity.

[@MichaelMai]

Thanks for explaining it. How's the Piqued comparing to Xaoc Zadar?

[@SynthDad]

I like both and have both in my setup. Zadar is great if you want to select from a library of pre-defined envelope shapes (which you can CV modulate). Piqued gives you more control over each envelope stage.

[@stevehyperdriver]

It would be nice to have multiple setups (even 2 would be good) for this app for live use.

[@SynthDad]

For sure, it’s a very useful app throughout a patch setup

[@mannmusica]

Brilliant video. I can't seem to get the re trigger to work. When i'm playing legato on my Keyboard it doesn't work as the gate is too fast. Only when playing separate notes.

[@SynthDad]

I'd need to know more about your keyboard and how you are hooking it up to the O_C to dig into this. It's not a problem unique to O_C though; every envelope generator will need a minimum trigger length. Also, have you checked that your keyboard is sending new triggers each time you play notes even while holding other ones? This could cause the issue. I'll ask the devs about the minimum trigger length and voltage level.

[@mannmusica]

@@SynthDad i found the solution. On the FH-2 app, I need to have "Interrupt gate" on in order to send a new gate when playing legato

[@martintaylor9205]

Hi again S/D I’m watching lots of your tutorials and like the A/B mixer you use but can’t find it anyway on modular sites can you help with any details Thanks Martin

[@SynthDad]

Of course, it’s from a new builder in Russia: www.modulargrid.net/e/other-unknown-a-b-mixer

[@andrewnancarrow]

Hey Synth Dad, as always i appreciate your clear and informative tutorials. I am wondering with O_C is it possible to having looping envelopes that don't require a trigger? In other words, just continuously looping LFOs that play indefinitely without having to have a high gate to start them?

[@SynthDad]

I don’t think so in Piqued, but there are other apps like Ebb&LFO which are free running (or clock syncable)

[@andrewnancarrow]

Actually it can, I just discovered it in my own. You go to “Gate High” setting and select “Yes” then it always gives it a gate high signal. Then I can select any of the looping options and it will continuously loop since the gate will always be high.

[@SynthDad]

@@andrewnancarrow Great find - something I didn't know. Nice!

[@andrewnancarrow]

Sometimes I think I have to ask the question out loud in order to inevitably find the answer for myself😊

[@SynthDad]

@@andrewnancarrow I know that feeling well myself :)

[@mr.apartment]

can you save waveforms and then cycle thru them with cv?

[@SynthDad]

Unfortunately no you can’t do that.

[@doralfasi90]

Can it possible to save your configuration? like a "preset" for envelopes

[@SynthDad]

Yes - long press the right knob to return to the main menu, and long-press it again. This saves the state of the device. But you can only save once unfortunately

[@doralfasi90]

@@SynthDad thank you very much