Why Am I Keeping My Old Clouds? (In defence of a misunderstood masterpiece)

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In defence of the misunderstood masterpiece that is the Mutable Instuments Clouds, I've made a short video explaining why I will never part with it, and showing a little example of how you can use it to transform your sounds in an unconventional way.
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[@Hessencemusic]

I love this kind of videos where someone explains with so passion its setup or modules. Tons of new ideas from it. thank you

[@MisterNiles]

I struggled with Clouds until I accepted it for what it is. I'm still not sure exactly what it is, but once in awhile it comes to life and does wonderful things. I think Clouds is like a psychedelic drug. What you get out of it is directly related to how much you surrender to the machine. I will buy a Beads eventually, but I'll keep Clouds too. Just like I'm keeping my Phonogene right next to my Morphagene and whatever the next incarnation is. Thanks for the video.

[@ethermod307]

It took me years to get it Clouds. The most important is to feel what kind of sound I need to send through Clouds and what kind of modulations.

[@patchesinblue]

Such a lovely, enthusiastic take on clouds and excellent patch too. Really well done. Especially when you ask important questions like “why?” that helps drive a choice

[@ethermod307]

Glad you noticed my enthusiasm!

[@MrRoskoPeko]

Yes!!! I couldn’t agree more. Clouds is still relevant and isn’t superseded by beads. Clouds won’t be leaving my rack. 👏🏻

[@makeshiftsavant]

I wasn't convinced. I switched to parasites and will stick with it. In looking for a module to remove from my build, I was ready to gut anything that wasn't a utility, and parasites firmware, to me, turns clouds into a utility. It saves me money, it allows me to skip finding a dedicated delay/reverb module, and it lets me get back to using my synths. Great video though. One of my favorite uses for stock clouds is passing an audio source into it, freezing it, and scrubbing it with an LFO while I sequence it externally. My initial impression of Clouds was that it let me turn anything I wanted into an oscillator. Long live mutable instruments, and long live clouds.

[@CinematicLaboratory]

Very cool video. I am really happy Emilie called the new version Beads, because it's not Clouds. It has some familiar labels on the panel, but it's completely different and nothing will be familiar. But it's also a masterpiece and I am sure you'll love it.

[@ethermod307]

Thnx man! I also thought it was smart to name it something else. I'll take my time and buy a little later though.

[@mz2250]

Well I wouldn't call it completely different, it is different but they share a lot

[@CinematicLaboratory]

@@mz2250 Just wait when you try both.

[@WIsammy123]

Clouds isn’t leaving my case. I love it. Beads will go right next to it.

[@ethermod307]

They can make a good couple!

[@DBPawlan]

I totally agree that if you get to know how each part of a module affects the sound with some subtle modulation, you should keep it if that sound appeals to you. It's taken a long time for me to fully appreciate Clouds, but I will never part with it now. Beads has enough differences that it is a very different module and I'll use it for different sounds than what I get out of Clouds.

[@ethermod307]

Yes I'll probably do the same. But I have a certain limit for fx modules so it's a hard choice sometimes.

[@jonaseggen2230]

Also the old Tides and Braids have something that their new counterparts do not have. Another plus is that they can sometimes be found cheap second hand. I'm waiting for Clouds into Rings into Beads videos.

[@cloeten93]

wooow this is epic man !

[@richarquis]

There was a used Clouds in my local forum, but I went with a new Beads instead. However, in future, I'll still grab a used original next time one pops up. I have a full RB6U of MI originals, and more spilling into another case, so I'd prefer to stick with originals. From what I understand, despite the Beads cold digital mode being the closest to the Clouds sound, they are essentially very different modules, and so far, I like the scorched cassette mode best anyway, so it would be nice to have access to the OG sound while I use Beads in SC mode. I don't really sell modules, I just buy extra cases and keep everything. There was a reason I bought it, so for that same reason, I keep it.

[@JxhnNichxlls]

I really wish I kept my monsoon. Beads is good, but goddamn clouds/monsoon (with parasites) is just so flexible and fun.

[@walrtbstudios5430]

I would love a proper MI Clouds, but I’ve just ordered the ALA Cumulus because it’s the same form factor, just a lot cheaper. And it does play really nicely with the Make Noise gear…

[@brhodes0]

Inspiring vid 👍🏻

[@ge0rgeharris218]

You don't have to defend your use of clouds. You are your own composer and can use any module you desire! If others don't like it that's tough for them! Their wants and needs have no place in your work or work flow. You sir, are your own captain!

[@gradymartin8615]

Thanks for the demo, that's really nice sounds that you get out of it. Can you give more details on the modulation source actually?

[@ethermod307]

Thnx! It's random voltages probably from Wogglebug. Another famous trick is sending noise into the V/Oct input of Clouds.

[@gradymartin8615]

@@ethermod307 got it, thanks!

[@888cromartie]

Is it still in your rack?

[@ethermod307]

Definitely. It's part of my MI system nowadays. Everything goes through it no matter what.

[@888cromartie]

@@ethermod307 That's great to hear. I have a Beads but I was also curious about Clouds and got a Microcell to try out.