Part 7 - Rhythm Generators, Logic, and Clock Dividers - Subharmonicon Complete Tutorial

Today we’re going to look at the Rhythm Generators. I’m going to explain these in detail. There’s going to be Math. There’s going to be diagrams. Towards the end I’ll also show you some ways we can use the patch bay and the Rhythm Generators as well as an external module that I think is really useful. I’ll touch on three weaknesses or missed opportunities that I really wish Moog had integrated.
In this video tutorial series, I'll explain basic concepts of the Subharmonicon Sequencer and Rhythm Generator. In the end, we'll build a basic Chord Progression to provide harmonic structure to a Sequence from the Mother-32.
This video series is designed to give a basic and thorough overview of the Moog Subharmonicon. The Subharmonicon can be very difficult to get the hang of. This series breaks down the complexities of the Subharmonicon into small and manageable chunks. By the end of the series, you'll have a strong understanding of each part and how it contributes to the overall sound as well as how it interacts with the other parts. Additionally, the videos will cover how to use the patchbay and give helpful pairing tips so you can build your own Subharmonicon patches.
There are more resources on my Patreon Page including a full color eBook of DFAM patches with links to tutorial videos as well as other sound studio patches and notes. The eBook will be updated regularly with new patches and tips.
Patreon - / braintree56
Instagram - / braintree56music
Please visit the following affiliate links to support my page at no additional cost to you:
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Moog Sound Studio: Mother-32 & DFAM & Subharmonicon are semi-modular synthesizers and accessories created to provide users with all the equipment, cables, accessories, and educational tools needed to enter the world of analog synthesis for the first time or to continue to explore sound in an immersive new way. All you need is your own headphones or personal speaker and you’re ready to get started!
The development of this complete sonic exploration station that is Moog Sound Studio is a direct response to years of feedback from the growing synthesizer community. The all-in-one solution for beginning or continuing a journey in professional sound design includes everything the creator needs for an immersive, self-guided experience from any home or studio.
This powerful trio of semi-modular synths are perfect for your first foray into modular or your next steps into professional sound design and production. Moog Sound Studio offers the ultimate experience of sonic power and versatility via all three Mother ecosystem semi-modular analog synthesizers. Along with the included Mother-32, DFAM, and Subharmonicon synthesizers, this Moog Sound Studio bundle includes an audio mixer and power distribution hub, a three-tier rack mount kit with matching protective cover, patch cables, a patch cable organizer, guided exercises and patches, a unique card game for generating novel patches, custom artwork designed exclusively for Moog Sound Studio owners, and plenty of creative inspiration.
Mother-32 Analog Synthesizer
Mother-32 is an intuitive and expandable semi-modular synthesizer that adds raw analog sound, powerful sequencing, and extensive interconnectivity to any creative, electronic, or modular ecosystem. Excels at: Classic analog bass and leads and powerful step-sequencing with pattern memory.
Subharmonicon Analog Synthesizer
Subharmonicon is a semi-modular polyrhythmic analog synthesizer that employs a 6-tone sound engine and multi-layered clock generator to explore the world of subharmonics, polyrhythms, and the unique relationships they create. Excels at: Unique subharmonic chord shapes and intricate polyrhythmic sequencing.
DFAM Analog Synthesizer
DFAM (Drummer From Another Mother) is a semi-modular analog percussion synthesizer that empowers an expressive hands-on approach to percussive pattern creation. Excels at: Rich electronic drum patches and organic analog sequencing that breathes.
#moog
#moogdfam
#modularsynth #subharmonicon

[@ModuSpaSm]

Thank you for sharing your passion! I'm watching your series, after applying the principle of "RTFM" ;) Your videos are a nice addition, and I applaud your efforts, time and wisdom!

[@djtorule]

Maybe they didn't add detent positions on the knobs to give it that smooth analog signal feel , vs the discrete digital feel. Why not on the rhythm knobs? No clue, maybe they just used the same rheostat on everything, no clue. Love the content, very informative. It's something I'd love to have seen on TV in the yesteryears, where you keep watching that channel to catch the program.

[@draconianrhythms]

Seeing your use of the c/d and reset is hugely valuable 🙏

[@seazenbones6945]

Fantastic. Just so happens, I have the same Doepfer utility.

[@HaineZeeTV]

Loving this series! Really great explanations and examples, thank you:)

[@braintree56]

Great to hear! Thanks!

[@defjeff2907]

Rad clock divider idea! Glad to see the subs growing

[@braintree56]

Thanks so much! And thanks for signing up to the Patreon page! Let me know if there's anything you want to see. I'm working on the graphics for some Sound Studio patches - trying to figure out the best way to present the information to make it easy to reproduce the patches. I should have some up on Patreon by next weekend. Thanks again!

[@Dr.TeaseMedia]

Very clear and useful explanation.

[@braintree56]

Glad it was helpful!

[@InvertedPopesMusic]

Awesome series, mind blown on this one. Think I will have to rewind and go through again. Keep them coming as learnt so much from the series.

[@braintree56]

Thanks! If you don't mind - Let me know if you have any feedback on how to make the videos better or if there is anything I could explain in more detail. I'd appreciate it.

[@InvertedPopesMusic]

@@braintree56 to be honest your presentation is spot. Just the right pace with plenty of helpful graphics. Just keep doing what you're doing.

[@NiamorH]

2:45 as a synth DIY hobbyist, I know that smooth knobs like these are the most readily available and the 'cheapest' (reliable knobs aren't cheap!). Then you have knobs with a center detent. And then rotary switches with fixed steps are much costlier and often comes in larger package meaning that you can't cram many of them next to each other. Maybe that's not the reasoning behind this choice, but there is good chance. If you look at Doepfer A-110-2 Basic VCO web page, they say that they replaced the octave rotary switch for a toggle switch for this reason.

[@braintree56]

Thanks for the reply - that's the most reasonable explanation I've got - so I'm going to run with it! :)

[@mrblablablabla]

Thanks, those diagrams were great!

[@braintree56]

Glad you like them! Thanks for the comment.

[@chitlun]

Tremendous vid man and cheers for the nod on my BSP suggestion 👍 If I may offer up another, try feeding the Seq1 & 2 pitch outputs from the patch bay into a sequential switch (I use the Doepfer one) and feeding back into Osc 1 input. I had a sequence going that was switching between the 2 SubH sequences and a couple of Turing Machines from Ornament & Crime doing their thing. I really need to get a clock divider to expand on that further… I have a Pam’s but I think a Doepfer one is imminent! Cheers dude ✌️

[@braintree56]

It was a great suggestion. I have the Doepfer Seq. Switch - I'll give this a try! I don't have Pam's but I thought it was kind of the best of the best in terms of clock stuff... Are there deeper ones?! The Doepfer one is great and especially for the price. Rock on! :)

[@chitlun]

@@braintree56 That should’ve read Doepfer one imminent 🤣 I’ll correct it. There is a Pam’s Pro now which is a considerable upgrade in an already excellent module.

[@TheJrwalker77]

How do I program my BSP to do this? Any resources for how I might figure this out?

[@chitlun]

@@TheJrwalker77 Can you be more specific Justin?

[@DayflightTrok]

Raster Knob Position are more expensive, I think.

[@Qwiv]

The reason why the knobs are not locked in 16 steps, is size/cost. Locked values would require a rotary switch (much bigger) or a larger knob with detents.

[@braintree56]

That makes sense. Too bad though.

[@johngstyle1]

Great, thanks. From your very explanation, I still can’t figure out why the SH takes some steps faster than others. In other words, how having more than one of the rhythm buttons in the same line affects the rhythm. I can hear it, and it’s cool, but I’d love a clear explanation of that. Maybe that’s on your to do list. Thanks a lot.

[@braintree56]

Thanks for letting me know. I did kind of touch on that in this, but I obviously didn't explain it well enough. This video was tough because I wasn't sure how in depth to go, it could get kind of boring quick with too much math. I'll put out a quick video explaining this! Thanks for letting me know what you want to see. The explanation is buried at around 8:37. If you have two rhythms and 1/2 and 1/3 - try playing it. It will feel out of time with nothing playing. Then play a metronome or steady beat on the Mother. It matches the "OR" pattern in the diagram. There's a name for this phenomenon. Where we perceive things as being out of time even when they aren't because of the bears relation to another beat... I can't remember what it is though... I'll have to look into this! :)

[@johngstyle1]

@@braintree56 thanks so much for your answer. I’ll check again. I found the explanations very clear, (even if I didn’t pick up this point!!) as a non-mathematician I found it really interesting. I don’t think you should be afraid of going in that direction. With humour, and funny alerts, you keep it light hearted; and time stamps could help those that have a proper allergy to maths to avoid those parts completely. But I think this type of info gives your video a special dimension. Something different. All the best, and thanks again.

[@LuisTorres-qz5kr]

Thank you very much for this series. Quick question, @ the 9:40 mark (or so) when demonstrating the Xor & Or functions, how are you controlling the MIDI CC 113? Is it with the Mother (via patch), or, you did such manually via external message?

[@braintree56]

I'm doing it using an SQ-64. I don't believe that there's a way to do it without using some type of external Midi controller or computer...

[@LuisTorres-qz5kr]

@@braintree56 Thank you!

[@AndrewHoeveler]

@@braintree56 Thanks, but I don't really even know how to do that! I've got MIDI in connected correctly, but what next? I guess I'll look up another tutorial to teach me that part!

[@antoinevella9180]

what exactly you mean by feeding from a beatstep pro ? can you explain what is being fed through midi cable as I got lost in the Or Vs XOr

[@braintree56]

In order to switch between the two logic functions - 'or' and 'xor' - you need to send it a midi signal. The midi cc# is 113. If you send that CC channel a value of 63 or less, it will operate on the 'Or' function. If you send it a value of 64 or more, then it will operate on 'XOR'. I don't have a beat step pro, but I've heard you can set it up so that one pad, when activated, will send a signal of 127. When deactivated it will go to 0. So that way you can switch between the two. I've used my SQ-64 to do this. You can also do it from a DAW. Depending on your midi controller - you'll have to set it up differently... Hope that helps.

[@antoinevella9180]

@@braintree56 Thank you I will try this up and keep you posted 🤗🙏❤️

[@mcgrealtube]

These are such great tutorials. I am a bit stuck on something you talk about in this one though. I have no idea how to achieve the midi cc 113, I have found on my sl mkIII (CV mod1 CC and CV Mod 2 CC) where I can change cc value. I have set both to 113 but the sequencers play the same as they did before in default Or mode. I don't know if I'm in the right place or if I'm connecting the right cables etc. Any help would be much appreciated.

[@braintree56]

Hmm... I'm not entirely sure. Just to make sure, this is Midi not CV. I don't know the SL Mkii, but let's start by making sure you're sending the messages through midi. Are you doing that? It might still be the Mod1 section, but just make sure you're sending through midi. Make sure the little light next to the midi input on the patchbay lights up when it gets the signal. That's my first thought. Let me know if that doesn't work.

[@mrblablablabla]

make sure you're on the right channel (1 by default)

[@LuisTorres-qz5kr]

Coming back with another question.... For those not into Eurorack, can one use something like the Keystep Pro to enable the polyrhythms (ex. 16-3-7 = 336) on your example, instead of the Doepfer A-160-2 Clock Divider? If not, w/o Eurorack, it would require the clock divider plus case w/power supply at the minimum! I did find a standalone clock divider, yet, with very few divisions available. Any insights would be welcomed. Thanks!

[@braintree56]

Hmmm... You know, I bet you could set up a 16 step sequence in the Keystep (or any sequencer) and turn the gate off on all but the first steps. If you plug that into the Reset - it should have the same effect! I have an SQ-64 and can try this out a little later... The SQ-64 is a great sequencer and only $130 on Reverb.

[@LuisTorres-qz5kr]

@@braintree56 Thanks! Will certainly be trying that out.

[@chetplease]

really, great videos are you in the Boston area? (asking because of your name)

[@braintree56]

No. Although I did live in that area for awhile. A bunch of people have asked me if I live in a Braintree city/neighborhood in the UK too... I live in Maine now. :)

[@pedrotous2191]

Very interesting video. Can i use the Oxi One as a clock divider?

[@braintree56]

I'm sure you probably could. I guess it depends on which clock you are dividing... :)

[@pedrotous2191]

@@braintree56 Could you explain this please?😊

[@braintree56]

@@pedrotous2191 You could set the tempo of the Oxi to a certain tempo - say 120 bpm. Then you could set up one of the channels as a Multitrack. On one track set it to trigger every other step - so that would essentially be dividing the clock by 2. You could do another track every third step so it would be dividing it by 3. Etc. Then just use the CV outs to put it into the clock you are trying to divide. Does that make sense?

[@pedrotous2191]

@@braintree56 yes, now i understand it, thank you!

[@patrickdixon8904]

the intro music would have been great 16 bit RPG tune, your damn right we just killed the dragonlord

[@braintree56]

I remember when my Older brother got Ultima III for our DOS based PC. I don't remember how old I was but must have been in the 5-8 range... Man, when that title screen opened - I can vividly remember the sounds and watching him play in total awe. I youtubed it after reading your comment and that sound immediately brought me back! Ha! Check it out. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jneroaiZad6ksM0

[@WithTheGrain]

The bells in that song sound great