Synchronized low frequency modulation - with Erica Synths Black Octasource

[@oldschoolebm666]

You have become my go to for deep modular learning. Outstanding job explaining and with the diagrams!

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

Thank you so much! That's great to hear :) I know some people prefer more hands on things, but indeed I felt the diagrams and scripted insights where something I could add to the community. Always happy to hear people appreciate it! Cheers :)

[@saren6538]

These diagrams are becoming legendary and really compliments the videos and demonstration well for a far better snd clearer understanding. I don’t have any Erica modules but this video has made me want to get this 👌👌

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

So happy to hear many people are getting value out of the illustrations! Thanks for letting me know!

[@bradburnwilliams-synthstronaut]

This was one of the first modules I purchased when I got into modular. :) ... You've explained it better than I've seen before, and given me a lot of new ideas to try out. Thank you ! :D

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

Good to hear, and glad you got some value out of it, enjoy!

[@proxymerchant]

⚡⚡ With this video you have become far and away my favorite of the KZbin Synth channels! I love my Black Octasource and while I used it in almost every patch already, this wisdom you've generously shared now makes it a vital core unit of my setup and one I will never tire of. It's elegant in performance and beautiful in its function. Thank you for this kindness and keep up the great work! ⚡⚡

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

Thank you so much! This series is a pretty new project for me, but I'm really happy about starting it. Getting nice comments like these is really motivating! All the best, and enjoy your modular!

[@andreasoberg2021]

Fantastic demonstration. Thanks

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

Glad you enjoyed it! Cheers :)

[@Logotic]

Thank you for this. I've been attracted to the Octasource because it looks awesome and that's very important. But I never really was able to get my mind around what it actually, like, did. This video really helped with that.

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

Haha, yeah I have to admit i'm quite sensitive to looks to, wich can be a problem in eurorack ;) At the end though, it matters if you use it, so I'm glad I could help out explaining this one, it's really an inspiring module to work with :)

[@mymodularjourney]

Great introduction to the module. Loving these in depth reviews.

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

Gald to hear it, thanks!

[@dannyomerta]

Best video about Octasource, and thank you for examples!

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

Hey, glad to hear it! Thanks for watching!

[@wackenthaljef]

Thanks 4 all ur very smart vids,it really helps me a LOT!!!

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

Glad you like them! Hearing people get use and joy out of these makes it worth it! :)

[@Crucial_Realm]

I’ve been looking for a good video on this module - finally! Thank you!!!!

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

Glad it was helpful! All the best!

[@Banksyyt]

Thank you for doing this. Very well laid out and I love the graphics! Cheers.

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

Glad you enjoyed it! Happy to make these :)

[@brianreilly6545]

Top notch tutorials. Thx🙌🏻

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

Thanks for watching! All the best :)

[@City2x]

Awesome video. Thank you!

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

Glad you liked it, thanks for watching!

[@toumbas]

my man, you the best!

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

Thanks, glad you like it!

[@risro.O]

wow that's an awesome module I haven't seen before. also top notch video like always ♥️

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

Thank you! And glad to hear I added some there, It's been out for a while, but happy to work with it :)

[@risro.O]

@@MonotrailTechTalk so many cool modules that some always pass below radar 👍

[@temporoboto]

Good Stuff!!! Thanks for sharing.

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

Thanks, you're welcome!

[@EleniEliades_]

Excellent tutorial. I absolutely LOVE Erica Synths modules! They have such a unique quality of sound. I've got quite a few of them as well as 2 desktop effects boxes + PICO System 3. Didn't really understand this one when it came out. Now you've shown all the amazing things this module can do I am wanting to buy one! But I've enough LFO's already and no more rack space. Need to sell some modules...You always create easy to follow instructions on the selected Module along with a variety of ways to patch it into other modules within one's system. Great video and Sound examples. Ciao~💡🎵🔥🌌🐾

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

Thats a nice collection to enjoy! Sorry for causing some extra gear lust ;)

[@EleniEliades_]

@@Varjoc8 :These modules I speak of to sell are modules I never used. Bought them when first became involved with Modular Synthesis and didn't actually know what I was buying. Sell those I don't need so I can buy the Modules which I DO need.💡🦎🌌💥

[@jonaseggen2230]

At first I was thinking that this module is a bit big, but when seeing what you do with it, it is not that big at all. Would be interesting to see a high frequency sister module to this with a v/oct input, just to play around with several phase shifted waves at the same time. The base concept of this module is in any way not only good but also interesting to think about further development of it for other modules. Like one could for example have a mixed output and a euclidean pattern generator in it. It's one of the fascinating things about synths in general and eurorack in particular is the evolution where new concepts lead to further development that leads to new ideas and so on. Not for buying every new piece of gear but to watch and learn and find inspiration for new ways to use what you already got.

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

Hi there! And agree, but like the diveristy in eurorack. You can get a very compact dual LFO if you like, or something more creative like this if you have the real estate. I like it made look at the patches different, and instead of bringing more modulation sources in, see how I could use more and more outputs in a interesting way.

[@jonaseggen2230]

​@@MonotrailTechTalk I got the Øchd module with a CV input and 8 outputs that are tied together but pulse at different speeds in a somewhat musically meaningful way. It has only triangle wave but is also only 2 hp. Then I have the bigger Octocontroller that is more versatile than Øchd but no cv control except clock and reset. It's good but I got it cheap second hand and would not recommend it for full price. And finally I got Pamela's new workout with two CV inputs + clock and run, but it is slightly menu-divey, and the screen only works when it's dark... So it's not that live friendly but small and easy to love for all it can do. I like the Erica range though. The price and quality ratio seems to be among the best and their modules are really well thought out. Your video is a good advertisement for Octasource though and I thought Batumi would be my next lfo but this is an interesting contender. Again, thanks for the lecture and inspiration : )

[@tracyharms3548]

@@jonaseggen2230 I don’t think I’d give up my Batumi for this, but maybe. It’d depend on what one mostly prefers to do with LFOs. The big knobs on the Erica Black series sure feel good under the fingers, regardless.

[@jonaseggen2230]

@@tracyharms3548 No I wouldn't do that either if I had the Batumi I think. I haven't tried it so dont know. Just thinking about my next and last lfo and think this one from Erica would be great for what duties I have in mind. I can see that Batumi might be useful for more things but I like the idea of 8 lfo's that are out of phase with each other. I have other utilities higher up on my list though, and buy most of my modules second hand so when the time comes I might end up with something else anyway : )

[@inf0tr8r]

@@MonotrailTechTalk for sure, eowave Zone BF is a strong consideration if space an issue

[@averagepainter]

I may be totally wrong on this but i cannot make the thing work for me properly. let me explain: besides the normal sound mangling things an LFO can do, i occasionally want some mellow vibrato on a synth. of course without a VCA this would result in a bazillion octaves in pitch change. so i connect the output of the octasource to a VCA, limit the amplitude and send this signal to the V/oct on a synth voice.you'd expect the sine wave from the octasource to modulate the pitch up as well as down. but it doesn't. it just changes the pitch upwards of the note i press and then downwards until it reaches the note. so C->A->C. this behaviour becomes worse the more i attenuate the VCA towards a smaller vibrato to reach C->C#->C. now the tone rests 70% on the C, then goes up to the C# quickly and back to the C. but it never goes below a C. i'm in bipolar mode, so as far as i understand it should go below AND above???? i suspect that it is me, who is wrong about this. on the other hand if i use pamela instead of octasource, i can comfortably adjust it to create a vibrato - up and down of the pressed pitch. what am i doing wrong?

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

Hello! Always difficult to troubleshoot like this. 1: Make sure to patch the Octasource sine to something like a filter to test the signal coming out of the Octa is what you expect, and it's for example, not accidently creating a stepped voltage. 2: Patch it directly to the 1v/oct to confirm what you said above, it should go up and down a lot of octaves. 3: If that's all correct patch through a VCA and adjust the amplitude of the signal. Make sure to use a DC coupled VCA! A VCA that is designed for audio-only will filter out slow CV signals, and that might be the problem you have. For example on the Erica Synths Black Quad VCA 2 only the 4th channel is suitable for control voltages like LFOs, the first 3 are for audio only!

[@Ryannaut_g]

Impressive!

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

Glad you like it! :)

[@R1GAMBLER]

excellent content. always learn something from your videos. thx!

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

Glad to hear it, thanks!

[@xnflg3074]

I appreciate that you talked about how syncing to an external clock changes the function of the Rate knob, because the manual for this module says absolutely nothing about that. In fact, it actually says that when the module is externally clocked, the rate knob has no effect... so, when I first did this, I literally thought I broke the module but it turns out the whole phase shift direction thing stops operating that way when externally-clocked.

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

Hey indeed, that's weird. The rate knob becomes the divider, but I do think the FM input and phase shift dont work. I'd have to check that.

[@xnflg3074]

@@MonotrailTechTalk That is definitely a good point, I might check that out myself in a bit. Cheers sir, and keep up the good work. PS you should do a video for the new Erica Black Joystick 2 with these fancy diagrams and whatnot... I just got it yesterday and it’s mind-bendingly powerful!!

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

@@xnflg3074 Hi there, just wanted to say a quick thank you! I've been having very great contact with the friendly people at Erica Synths. They send me some other new modules to look at, and because they read your comment the Joystick 2 is one of them ;) Glad to hear you're enjoying it! Cheers :)

[@xnflg3074]

@@MonotrailTechTalk Great to hear! Don’t go too hard on them for the fact that the faceplate says Ch3 twice if you end up doing a video on the Joystick 😛 It’s a very cool module with so many possibilities

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

@@xnflg3074 They seem to have fixed that ;) An I will for sure make a video, might take a bit, indeed it has a lot to cover :)

[@massimopetrozzi1451]

Very cool video. I love that module in VCV Rack too

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

Thanks, and good to see its on there :)

[@tenrezende]

Parabéns!!

[@adroc9841]

Another great video. Can you do more live patch explanations in the future?

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

Thanks! You mean the live performace patches? I did two so far, one more ambient,. one more techno. But do plan to do more indeed :)

[@IanWaugh]

Lots of great ideas as usual. Excellent explanation of the module. I only have basic LFOs plus the Ladik Folding LFO. Lots of people highly rate the Batumi. Between that and the Erica, how would you decide?

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

Totaly depends on your needs. The Batumi can work as four independant LFOs. The Octasource is one, but has the 8 outputs, wavemorphing and CV over phase shifting,

[@IanWaugh]

@@MonotrailTechTalk I thought you'd say that :-) I think the solution is four Octasources :-)

hesitating between this one and the ochd with expander ! Thoughts anyone ?

[@brianreilly6545]

Hey im trying to fm the rate with octasoure’s own lfo (self patch) and getting very bizarre results. When I do this with an outside mod source it works just fine as expected. Any thoughts?

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

Hi there! Self-modulation can lead to really weird and unpredictable results in many situations. It's completely different from what happens when you modulate with an external source. Even different from cross modulation with an external source. So it's probably working as it should, if that's what you're asking ;) It can cause the module to 'freeze' in some settings, with other settings and shapes self modulation can lead to waveshaping or weird patterns.

[@paolopineschi7780]

Thanks for the video! Is It possibile to sync the rate using gate signal from an A190 or even audio gate from a multitrack audio interface? Thanks.

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

You're welcome! I should respond to any gate / rising voltage.

[@paolopineschi7780]

@@MonotrailTechTalk Thanks a lot

[@Brendalo1]

I see your illustrations, but I'm having a hard time, forever in the learning phase for example, when viewing minute 6:22 stopped, I see (untrained eye) four outputs leaving the Octasource (1,3,5,7) & four leaving osculators, eight outputs 8 patch cables? what is summing VCA? one Sum out (patch cable?") I own a quad VCA2 & the Octasource I'm using CV 1 & CV4 to input 2 oscillators (pulse 1 & pulse 2 output from my benjolin v2) illustrations on patch position it is difficult following your patch cables as they run off the screen or the same color cables, the illustrations being signals not patches can't tell the difference between a patch or a signal happening behind the module hope this makes since kzbin.info/www/bejne/gZ2pYp-mZZ2nkNk

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

Hello there! I tried to make clean illustrations, but indeed they have their limitations! A summing VCA, is a module with multiple VCAs (for example a dual, or quad VCA), that has a build in mixer, or in other words SUMs the result of the four VCAs to one output. You can also just use four regular VCAs, and send those to a simpel four channel mixer. In the example you mention, the signals comming from the oscillators are pink, meaning they are all carring audio signals that are responsible for the audible end result. They are mixed and passed on to the sum output of the summing VCA. So these four oscillator signals should go into the inputs of the VCAs, regularly called IN. The four signals comming from the Octasource are blue, meaning they modulate each of those VCAs, and thus determine the amount of oscillator signal (in this case different waveforms) that is passed on to the Sum output. So the signals from the octasource go into the modulation inputs of the VCAs, regualry called CV. Hope that helps!

[@decapitateallcops3214]

Can you make a Shepard’s Tone with this thing?

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

Hello there, it's really meant for modulation, and doesn't go high enough into audio for that.

[@asmr6773]

👍👍🏻👍🏼👍🏽👍🏾👍🏿

[@olastrandh2977]

jazzy jackhammer lol

[@Hennesg]

why am I watching this, Im way to poor for Eurorack

[@MonotrailTechTalk]

Always a good day for learning. And there are some impressive free modular vst's around if you want to experiment some! Thanks for watching anyway :)