Why can I never have enough VCAs? Part 1 - Types and basic usage.

This is the first part of this video tutorial series. In the series we explore the VCAs many uses and the many different types of VCAs you can find.
In this first episode we look at the Intellijel uVCA and talk about BIAS settings, linear vs exponential VCAs and explore a few basic uses for the VCA.

[@lensilver2393]

One of the best videos I have seen on this topic. Explained in clear and simple terms, while also sharing some useful production techniques. A+

[@hassanruben1019]

I dont mean to be so off topic but does anybody know a trick to get back into an Instagram account?? I stupidly forgot the login password. I would love any assistance you can offer me!

[@Emily_Entropy]

This is a great idea for a series! Thanks for doing these. I'm anxiously awaiting the next episode!

[@stefan7665]

Really important video for people new to synthesis thanks

[@verstaerker]

very good video! i think i knew everything about VCAs before... but still it was interesting to see all summed up so nicely

[@andygrichting]

wow, that was cool. I've got that vca quite for a while, but to be honest, I never touched the bias or shape knob. it was always on 0 bias and linear. I've just realised what I missed and how powerful that vca actually is. thanks man

[@matrixmodulator]

This is really great videos! Good job explaning this! Looking forward for control voltages uses with vca's!

[@dan_dorjay]

Great tutorial, one of the best I've watched.

[@jeanse27]

Looking forward to part 2!!!

[@DjRafiV]

Thank you saw part 1 and 2, now to part 3 :)

[@CO5MA]

Excellent tutorial. Thanks!

[@blacklightning7227]

curious as to why your high Z o-scope is attenuating so much...great vid!

[@JubileeGiggles]

This is a great, great video

[@blackcat4589]

Nice video! Even better at 1.5x speed

[@Jaysusitsme]

Hey Frank, when will you be releasing more of these videos? It’s really informative - thanks for uploading 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻😀

[@girlinagale]

Ahhh, so a VCA effects the tone similarly to an envelope generator. I have always thought of the VCA as like the volume knob but now I understand it is an important part of the cv chain.

[@modularmusictv]

Just added to www.modularmusic.tv - stay tuned in the week!

[@vinylwrap5571]

Im torn between the Moddemix and the uVCA. Im looking for a VCA and I like what the moddemix has to offer because it has a couple features.

[@OliverChesler]

Great video thanks.

[@strazamusik]

I like

[@Natemasterflex]

So great!

[@batchas]

A suggestion: @1:14 you say you send a triangle wave into the VCA. Though it's a sine. Maybe you could add a note to correct, so there's no confusion.

[@frankmurder6761]

+batchas Thank you for pointing that out. You are right. I felt it was pretty obvious, so I let it slide. But now it is here :D

[@desktorp]

Is louder better? (points at camera) _Let's find out._

[@jfklmk13447]

Sorry about the dumb question but I don't really seem to get the point of polarizing the ENV Negative in order to duck the other sound When wouldn't a Positive charged ENV affect it the same way? Like what's exactly the purpose in polarizing sounds in modular Kind of confused here :/

[@jefdamen2977]

12:20 Dat bass!!

[@contumancia]

thanks for the vid man! in the second vca input you are putting your inverted env 2. but that is not your kickdrum sound right? so you are not putting the sound of your kickdrum into the bass no? is just a simulation.. or? thanks again : )

[@frankmurder6761]

Sorry for the late reply... What is happening is that the same trigger that triggers the kick drum triggers the inverted envelople... so each timme the kick hits the volume of the bass goes down, it is a techniqe known as "ducking" as the bass kind of ducks out of the kicks way :D

[@contumancia]

rocking it! thanks mate!

[@tColorsinspacerecordings]

thanks for this i always ignore my vca's!

[@TRaddcliff]

hey man....trying out your demo on my uvcii....mine sounds like shit. WAY blown out and distorted. using shapeshifter for a sine wav and atlantis for the ENV. ive also noticed that my layout is different from yours. the BIAS and CV kbobs are swapped and the CV LEDs are above the large knob [your CV knob on your vcaii] wondering if i got a knock-off version. cuz it REALLY does not sound good. the output is SO loud vs the Pitts DUALVCAs that i have. oh also...as i turn it towards exponential it gets quieter :/ if you have any input....please lemme know.

[@frankmurder6761]

hmm can you shoot a video of it? I know some of the new ones have a different layout but they should sound the same.

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

Question: if I have 3xoscillators, 2xLFO and 8 synth voices, how many VCAs and EG would I need and what type of VCAs and EG would I need and why?

[@Colgatelicious]

just like get a multiple module and put VCa in into it and bam

[@frankmurder6761]

I dont realy get what you are saying

[@maedaeburning]

This is a year old so I'm not sure why I'm replying, but the problem with that is that say you mix all of your audio into one signal and then send it through a vca- sure that's great for basic stuff, but to really get at the heart of complicated textures a) you may need different audio sources to have different volumes at different times b) VCAs on control voltages play a huge role in more complicated patches as well. VCAs are love, VCAs are life.

[@maedaeburning]

Not to mention different VCAs can have different tones and harmonic saturation.

[@aliasghar907]

Hi there, i'm new to these things.. any thoughts about the roland system1m and 4 aira efx modules (particularly the SCOOPER 10 sec. looper/scatter effect, too limited?)..? Should i keep or ditch for something else in your opinion.. thx.

[@frankmurder6761]

Sorry, no idea. It all depends on what you are trying to do. I actualy have no experience with the modules you are talking about.

[@Kupka2408]

Don't go Roland, especially not when it comes to modular.... You will definitley find better stuff than that.

[@flannsixtyseven7489]

I have already spent 5 K and don't have a single VCA (in some semimodular)

[@Nachtdwaler]

Kind of curious which those are then!

[@mikebass8881]

which brand/model of this vca?

[@frankmurder6761]

Intellijel uVCA or (microVCA)

[@mikebass8881]

and what VCO?

[@dorincroitoru5913]

almost got me confused here.... seems that on newer editions of UVCA II the bias and CV knobs are inverted! I wonder why they decided to do this

[@frankmurder6761]

+Dorin Croitoru So the idea is that some people use VCAs for mixing purposes and use the bias knob more then the cv attenuator, So Intellijel are offering a version with the big knob for BIAS and not CV attenuation. I will look at the Linix in a later video and will show you what that is about there.

[@dorincroitoru5913]

+Frank Murder thanks, all clear now

[@contumancia]

if you have an older version you can just change the position of the knob : )

[@CablesForClouds]

I'm really low on vca's and my channel is suffering because of it lol

[@UnderGreyPreassure]

Where are you from if you please?

[@ivanliptak19]

my girlfriend's wondering where you are from ?