Utility Modules and Waveshapers (Repost from MW)

Category: Forum · Tags: — · Posts: 10

#1 — Tundra_Tides · 2020-12-09

Posting here from MuffWigglers as seems more appropriate

What are everyones favourite ‘utility’ modules for their video flow?

At the moment i’m trying to build longer, generative pieces to music, and just ordered a Qu-Bit Synapse for some controlled switching/trying to make more use of the few video modules I have by switching between different pattern generators, LFOs, etc

Also wondering if many people have experience using Waveshapers with their video setups? If so, what Waveshapers have been used and what visual effect it has on different signals (any videos/screenshots/signal flow)?

I’ve seen both the Instruo Tanh [3] and Doepfer A116 WP as two lower priced units to try out but would be great if somebody’s already been there!

#2 — wednesdayayay · 2020-12-09

It would be great to know what experiences you have had using audio modules with your video gear. > For instance, I know that a typical audio splitter will split video signals as well as it does audio, so they are very useful in my rig. > Also, I was thinking about getting a comprehensive audio filter to use with video, but I was told that the different filter types don’t have very much effect on a video signal. This was useful as it saved trying it out for myself. > So please share any experiences…>

One of the most powerful, exciting aspects of modular video synthesis is the freedom to connect audio and video signals together in a fluid, direct manner. > In a modular system, signals are patched from outputs to inputs.  The inputs and outputs aren’t defined by a file type or signal protocol like a software environments — the standard is universal: voltage fluctuating over time.  This is true whether or not the signal is a square wave from an oscillator, a control voltage from a sequencer, or …>

Zadar is my favorite audio module to use with LZX! Especially when you get into audio rate looping, any of the envelope shapes immediately become video shapes > Here’s an example modulating the different shapes with an LFO, while Zadar FMs one of my Vidiot oscillators>

I use Maths, Moddemix, Brains, and Pressure Points. They work for slow CVs and even horizontal video patterns. Maths and Brains can use sync pulses from Visual Cortex!>

the first couple threads on the subject I found

a good passive quad slew is just about everything I want in a utility module.

bored brains splix

koma attenucables

passive 2:1/1:2 switches (doepfer A 182-2)

#3 — reverselandfill · 2020-12-09

I mainly use these:

Maths

uLFO / doepfer quad LFO

Doepfer / DIY Envelope followers

#4 — Agawell · 2020-12-09

i use both the a116 and A136 quite a bit

#5 — Dr_Rek · 2020-12-09

The Casper Electronics / Bastl WAVER is an excellent wave shaping mixer. I made this art piece with it, Vidiot, Staircase, and some LFOs.

and this very literal use of WAVER

Also been really into using low-rents mode of micro ornament and crime

#6 — Tundra_Tides · 2020-12-12

Thanks for the video examples here @Dr_Rek

#7 — Dr_Rek · 2021-01-07

Note that the WAVER worked best with vertical inputs on Vidiot in these examples. Horizontal input wasn’t great. I’m not sure if WAVER supports x/y content well, but seems to work well on vertical waves, also an amazing audio tool.

#8 — Marizu · 2021-01-07

Qu-Bit Synapse uses 2164 VCA’s. I don’t think that they are fast enough to pass full range video signals. Is anybody else successfully using one of these for video?

Although I’ve never tried them, Brownshoesonly looks to have some really cool modules that switch and fade between multiple inputs. His Hexadecimal Crossfader or Video Scanner look like they could do this.

#9 — Dr_Rek · 2021-01-08

Scanner is pretty darn cool.

I’ve used it to morph between ramp outputs of vidiot, staircase, and arch.

It always needs 4 inputs and the scan input needs an lfo to drive the rate that it changes between the 4 sources.

Used it in this visuals video

#10 — rempesm · 2021-01-08

Hex Crossfader takes a little bit more time to dial in, but both that and Scanner are excellent for creating interesting shapes/patterns out of simple ramps/oscillators.

While it might be underutilizing their functions, you can definitely leave parts of them unpatched and they’ll still work. If you patched into inputs 1 and 4 on Scanner, you’d just have black areas on 1/2 of your output, however you direct it to scan across those inputs. LFOs into the Scan input are a good choice for essentially sequencing your inputs but it works wonderfully with video rate sources for readily complex compositions. Feedback patching or multing your signal inputs into the Scan input is very much worth exploring.