Patching the West Pest with Commentary

I did a bunch of these commentated patches for the Behringer 2600 and thought I would try one for this little semi modular from cre8audio. I'm still learning the synth so there are a few nasty sounds in this I should have maybe mixed a few of them down so apologies if I hurt your ears. I went over my phones 10 minutes time limit so the video abruptly ends. Not sure if I will do more of these but there are quite a few interesting things this synth can do on it's own or with a bit of help from external CV.

[@justinhuffman2430]

Excellent ambiance 6:27

[@PhilBusby]

I like the off-the-cuff description. Very informative. Thank you.

[@Bata9999]

Glad you like it! Thanks for commenting!

[@chitlun]

It's annoying how few videos there are with folk actually using the patchbay on this wee beast so I doff my cap to thee squire!

[@carstenaltena]

Same here. This is literally the only KZbinr I've found so far that showcases the patch bay. Well done Bata!

[@monodux]

Your West Pest videos have been great! I’m thinking about getting one myself now.

[@Bata9999]

I think it sounds really good for the price. If you don't have a patchable wavefolder you might as well add one. A wavefolder like an intellijel Bifold would maybe be better in your setup but the pest can be used by itself which is handy. If you happen to have a ton of money to burn I would recommend one of the Buchla Music Easel clones by a reputable builder. I think the BEMI ones cut a lot of corners and are overpriced. If I was in your position with the Moog and Arp modules I would start adding some Random Source Serge modules like triple waveshaper, res EQ, Variable Q VCF, and GTO. I'm a bit of a Serge fan though.

[@monodux]

Very cool recommendations. On the long term wish list is an 0-coast and 0 cntrl, but it has been a slow summer for gigs and I’ve got life expenses to take care of before getting any new gear. One more west pest question- have you used it with midi? I had an east beast briefly and when played via midi keyboard it was like 3 octaves higher or something similar.

[@Bata9999]

@@monodux You can change the octave for midi on the beast/pest with a button combo.

[@alistairrosie]

This sounds great, more subtle uses than other videos I’ve seen. Could you share what reverb and delay you are using as they really complement the synth. Thanks.

[@Bata9999]

Most likely UAD Lexicon 224 for reverb and brainworx bx_delay2500.

[@wallacebarnes2391]

Very nice video exploring what the west pest can do (I'm getting mine today)

[@Bata9999]

Cool!

[@wallacebarnes2391]

@@Bata9999 Question: Do you know of a way that I can make the West Pest play drums? Like have the West Pest use a drum sequence to play it's notes? (if that makes sense). I've figured out a way to clock external BPM, but i can't get the west pest to play a sequence from my external device (Sonicware Liven Lofi-12) and not be locked to just the BPM

[@Bata9999]

@@wallacebarnes2391I haven't tried using a drum sequence with the pest and not sure what you are trying to do exactly. If the lofi-12 can send multiple drum voices to 1 midi channel you should be able to set the pest to that midi channel and get something going. Sorry I can't be more helpful!

[@carstenaltena]

Nice video, Bata! The patch bay look fun but quite limited, or is that just my inexperience with (semi) modular synths? I can imagine there's only a handful interesting and useful patching possibilities.

[@Bata9999]

Limited compared to what? The synth is $250. It gives you feedback potential, audio-rate modulation, random voltage with random clock, sequencer with random mode, and a patchable wavefolder. With a few stackables and some attentuator cables there are probably around 100 "interesting" patches or more. The thing is definitely meant to be used with other gear though. Although now you have have me thinking of how to use the sync input without an external oscillator. Thanks for commenting!

[@carstenaltena]

@@Bata9999good points! I should mention I am quite new to modular synths. Compared to the Moog Mavis (same price) this has less patch points, but then again the Mavis lacks a cool sequencer/arp. Still on the fence on what to buy as a first semi modular.

[@Bata9999]

@@carstenaltena Well here in Canada the Moog Mavis is $450 and the Pest is only $320. The Mavis oscillator lacks sine and triangle which are the waveforms you generally want for folding. The Pest oscillator can do some interesting combo waveforms as well as waveform switching. The pest does noise as well which the mavis lacks even though it has a sample and hold. So you aren't going to do any truly random patches on the mavis without clever feedback use. Where the pest can have the sequencer running in random mode as well as the random voltage from the multi out. On the mavis though you do get a proper lowpass filter and envelope which are going to be must haves for most beginners. I would say the Mavis is more generally versatile and better for expanding but the Pest is better at West Coast synthesis specifically (watch some Buchla videos if you are unfamiliar with west coast synthesis). An East Beast/West Pest combo would be significantly more flexible than the Mavis though. If you can stretch your budget a bit I'd recommend a Behringer 2600. It has a steep learning curve but there are lots of resources available online including many videos on my channel. I would also add that modular synthesis shouldn't be entered lightly. It's expensive and addictive as well as very time consuming and more difficult to get musical results than using software and prepatched synths. It can be very fun and rewarding though so it depends on what you want out of music and sound design.

[@carstenaltena]

Thanks for the reply, Bata! Very helpful. I’ve considered just getting the West Pest and East Beast. I am aware of the “Eurocrack” effect. I think the West Pest/East Beast(or maybe Mavis?) paired with a nice drum machine and some guitar fx (which I have lying around here) should be able to quench my modular thirst for a long while, without breaking the bank.

[@PhilanderingBastard]

A Gütezeichen beer coaster? Subbed.

[@ryanstevens283]

Ever thought of doing a full on tutorial for the thing?

[@Bata9999]

Not really. It's a pretty simple synth so there isn't a lot to say. Might be a good idea though I'll consider it.