The topic of this SSL is to explore the SY Dual VCO machine. As a general 2-VCO synth, the scene is wide open With some nice peculiaritites like a dedicated bend parameter (freeing up an LFO) and individual decay parameters, it’s obviously geared for percussion duties. But fully useable as a straight monosynth as well.
Also note that “config” and “bal” have interactions not explained in the manual. In ring mod mode, the left side is the “carrier” (osc1) and right side introduces the “modulator” (osc2) in to the osc mix. In FM mode, the “modulator” (osc2) is never heard, there the balance control becomes FM intensity instead. FM+Ring mode combines both behaviours.
While the manual says FM control is linear, it tracks very poorly. It is super easy to get inharmonic results from the FM because of this, often finetuning the BAL parameter on any given trig can help with offsetting the tuning(s)
Really looking forward to hearing the results of this one!!
Whether Dec2 affects FM amount needs to be investigated. I never thought the decay envelopes controlling level would also be controlling FM level, but I’m hoping that’s the case.
I guess it’s fully possible to route the VCO 2 output directly to the VCO1 for FM (bypassing the decay env). Difficult to know for sure without a flow chart. But I’m only thinking out loud here, not in front of my ST atm. If you know that it’s the case, then cool
IIUC, in FM mode, OSC2 is never audible by itself, only as a modulating signal for OSC1. So if you want OSC2 directly affecting OSC1, set OSC2 decay to INF? Its not all exactly 100% clear to me…
It’s a shame the control scheme is a bit wonky, otherwise you could always set OSC2 decay to INF and use BAL LFO control as an “FM envelope”. When I tried this with Rytm at least, the behaviour was not as expected…
Seems likes this one isn’t getting as much attention as this one Syntakt Science Lab #5: CP Vintage ,so far…
So thought I’ll give this one a go first.
3 tracks of SY Dual VCO.
2x the same pattern, 2nd one is altered for the break.
I started and then I was like, oh, it’s only three tracks… And I also don’t really enjoy the sound of this particular machine. I think it’s something about the Elektron filters…
I see these challenges as a possible start of something that can evolve into a full track and a motivation to experiment and coming up with new sounds. 3 tracks to start with(in this case), but it doesn’t have to end there you know
Wow. Another example how you just got the right amount of noise and melodie. Simple but deep (which is always one of the hardest things to achieve).
You got any releases yet?
Only 3 tracks, inspiring again. Thanks! That goes to all who are involved in these SSLs.
Agreed. These SSL’s inspire me to make tracks based on the foundations I come up with attempting them. Once you have something cool going, its trivial to flesh it out more with all the other machines ST has to offer.
I’m busy with another gig ATM, so all my time musicing is spent messing with the Rytm, but as soon as its over I’m digging deep into this SSL
This sounds like it’s not done as part of an experiment of limitations, but more like an intentional, well rounded piece. The melody reminds me of smth Paul Kalkbrenner would do. Great work!
Definitely cribbing from the info up-thread about FM and Ring Mod - splendid.
Also decided that randomising the FX Block Filter page for each trig was something I should have tried before now, so the second best time to do it is now.
Quite different than what I would normally do with this machine, which is one of the points of the lab.
With some nice peculiaritites like a dedicated bend parameter (freeing up an LFO) and individual decay parameters, it’s obviously geared for percussion duties. But fully useable as a straight monosynth as well.
