Versio, Legio and/or Alia? - All Of Them 2023

This is a bit of a tribute to Noise Engineering, the discontinued Iteritas family, the birth of the Alia platform and a trip down memory lane. This video features most of the Versio firmwares, the alternative Multiversio firmware, Cursus Iteritas, Manis Iteritas, Basimilus, Debel Alia and the Loquelic as well as the Mimetic Digitalis sequencer. The Rabbit Hole is not a fairy tale and sometimes I feel I went way to deep for the sake of this channel. This video is not sponsored, endorsed or affiliated with Noise Engineering in any way. It's more like an independent fan film. Expressions used in this video are my own. As always, what works for me, may not work for you so always think twice before you buy, and then think again. I want to inspire, which is hopefully a positive way of 'influencing'. I hate that word.
There's a bit of a dark undertone in this video, maybe you don't even notice it. But it hurts when a whole line of gear gets discontinued for whatever reason. It feels like I made a bad decision on those modules even though this is bullshit. Suddenly, they feel old, especially when they're ported to something way more clever like the new Alia platform. I also had this feeling when I started with a discontinued old Shared System in 2018. It's now one of my most cherished gear. I had the same feeling when Mutable Instruments retired. I now have that same feeling when MakeNoise announced the last run of the Black & Gold, and maybe the concept of 'systems' all together. It feels a bit like all your favorite bands are breaking up. Whatever. It will pass. Regardless, there's some great music coming from these modules and I had a wonderful time with the Iteritas and Versio line. This turned out to be a true dream machine and everything I patch just works (for me).
I've finished my Noise Engineering case after four years and I may be drawing the line here because there's no more room for new modules. 'All of Them' refers to a video I made in 2020, featuring a compare of the Iteritas family (CIP excluded). And suddenly, they're all history except the LI, CIP and my personal favorite LIP which is - imho - still at the top of the food chain. I'll focus on new firmwares for Alia, Legio and Versio, and probably make a few videos about small NE setups with the stuff I have. Today, 2023, it's both cool and shocking to see how the landscape has changed. Now let's hope the Daisy chip will stay around for a long time.
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[@djgocatgo]

This video just watched like a great scifi-film with added suspense by the haunting score… mooi!!

[@eristoy]

I absolutely love NE's modules. It did take me a little bit to warm up to Manis, as it gets out of control so fast. It's now my go to bass voice.

[@CinematicLaboratory]

Same here. My first impression was 'wtf did I buy this', because it sounds really ugly. But when I use it as a bass or lead (with external ADSR/VCA) it's just amazing. It's a bit like a true top 10 spicy pepper. You should not eat them raw.

[@5kMagic]

In a sea of eurorack videos, your channel stands out.

[@reheller]

What a great showcase. Love for NE technology persists ❤

[@jonaseggen2230]

The text you wrote under the video is also very good.Also in the beginning of this video's music in particular imo is so beautiful.

[@CinematicLaboratory]

Thanks! It's all coming from the case except the Batman Hans Zimmer theme.

[@dmcgee7571]

Beautiful work. Totally enthralled here. Makes me wish I had added more NE gear from the beginning.

[@CinematicLaboratory]

Thanks for watching! And the beginning is not the end :)

[@st3hp3n]

great tribute !

[@CinematicLaboratory]

Thanks! It's been great fun to make it.

[@Probbie]

I still love my Cursus. NE are definitely one of a kind. Great video mate 👍

[@CinematicLaboratory]

Thank you, maestro!

[@Probbie]

@@CinematicLaboratory 😉

[@Ariakiri_]

I'm beyond thrilled the Basimilus and Manis got a second life. I'm lucky to have gotten a BIA, but lost my job before I could ever get around to purchasing a Manis. I'm loving Noise Engineering's entire ethos to modular synthesis, and hope I can get my hands on one soon. I have a Loquelic, but not the Percido. I sometimes find myself feeling really limited with it, but I am aware that a number of limitations are purely with myself and how I patch things. Also that Sinc Iter seems really fascinating! Would love to hear some more sounds from it, especially how that noise engine works. I'm really curious how that's been approached by NE.

[@CinematicLaboratory]

I used to own Loquelic Iteritas 10 HP but sold it in favor of the Percido. At first I regretted it, because the LIP is much, much more difficult to handle. The LI needs a clever ADSR like Mutable Stages, a true low pass gate (e.g. MakeNoise Optomix) and something like the WMD Arpitecht - and a bit of space (e.g. FxAID). This combo is a winner. I think I'll do another video with this combo soon. Thanks for the inspiration! I've been looking for a cool combo to make the Intellijel SeaLegs video. As for the Sinc Iter, I don't do videos about modules you can't buy anymore. It's a great helper oscillator to do FM, but NE modules don't have FM inputs. The Virt Iter Legio has Phase Modulation, so maybe it's cool to team them up in another NE 'story'. I'll sneak it in somewhere, some day.

[@Ariakiri_]

@@CinematicLaboratory I'd love to see you try this combo out! I have a Stages, and have just been struggling to really feel inspired by it. I've considered downloading alternate firmware for it, but don't know where to find it

[@VBlack-xc9mu]

LIP Tutorial would be interesting for discover new inspiration from yours point of view. Do you really plan to make one?

[@CinematicLaboratory]

Yes, it will be fun to do. I made a video a long time ago called 'Private Investigations in the Jungle' and I got a lot of questions about how I did it. I don't remember :). So it's time to recreate that patch with the LIP and make it part of a Starter Kit episode. It's one of the coolest starter kits you can imagine.

[@richarquis]

Over the next several months, I plan to get the Polydactyl Versio, Tymp Legio, and BI Alia. A solid round of modules to add to the drum case (oh, plus Jam Jam) and access to all 3 platforms. I vote for all 3. Re: The MN system, I have only really built my MN case in the last year, one module at a time, so the only way to get the full B&G is to buy 3rd party alt panels, which is acceptable to me, they look almost identical to the genuine ones. I watch a lot of your videos for the MN demos and patches (just got Spectraphon a few days ago) and since I'm about to start building with NE, I will continue to. Your content is great. Thanks.

[@CinematicLaboratory]

I will not be surprised if the missing modules will return as limited black & gold batches before they stop. There's a B&G function on the way. The original components will be more rare when production stops. The biggest challenge would be to find a black optomix. it took me 3 years to complete my B&G with used modules.

[@richarquis]

I'm not even 3 years into the hobby yet, let alone 3 years looking for one particular colored panel! Still just a baby here in my corner. @@CinematicLaboratory

[@electricdawn2258]

I blame you for hooking me on Make Noise and now Noise Engineering. May you forever burn... eh... make noise... no... shine the light on cool hardware that costs way too much for me to being able to afford. :P Or something like that. I'm not good with words. Live long and prosper. I stole that. ;)

[@CinematicLaboratory]

Let's agree I'll keep the fire burning. As for gear aquisition, imagine you already have all you need, and enjoy it as much as you possibly can. Even one module a year eventually makes a full case. Modular may help you to stay clear of stress, stay healthy, recover better and live longer. Prosperity lives between the ears. Live long and prosper too!

[@electricdawn2258]

@@CinematicLaboratory You are, again, right, of course. I'm eyeing a BIA right now, but would also love to get one of the Versio modules. I have to make a decision here, because it will be a long time until I can afford the next module. The BIA would help me with drums and percussion and would go lovely with my DFAM, but the ambient lover in me wants the Versio. Most likely the Electus Versio. We'll see. Thank you for your time and your videos.

[@CinematicLaboratory]

@@electricdawn2258 Don't take my word for it, but I'd go for any Versio to spice up the DFAM. You have tons of firmwares to try (Electus is a good choice because you can clock it) and it will be great fun to run it through Ruina Versio firmware once in a while. I think Melotus will give you many hours of play when you check out my 'melotus unleashed' video. Basimilus needs tons of CV otherwise it's just a kick, hat or snare. So you'd be needing something else soon. With Versio, you can easily have a year of fun and you can make completely new atmospheric drum tracks which are very hard to produce in a DAW. You can always drop me a note if you need some help.