MicroFreak: Episode 2 (Krells and Grains)

Рет қаралды 19,821

Күн бұрын

This is the second video in my series about the Arturia MicroFreak. It's all about using the LFO and the Cyclinc Envelope modules. I've really become a fan of so-called Krell patches, also granular synthesis - so let's take a look at doing (approximating?) those things on the MicroFreak. At the end of the video I break out the Zoom MultiStomp pedal to send it all through some nice reverb. I am giving some detailed patches below - but only one or two of the Krell and granular patches. Leave a comment if there is a specific patch you want to know more about. See the links below for more info.
TIMELINE
00:00 Starter. a look at what's in store.
00:20 Intro.
01:24 LFO Fundamentals.
08:14 LFO Arp Patch
TwoOp(30,50,0), Para on, oct/mod=2, ENV(70ms,1.5s,0,0),
LFO(tri, sync off, 0.08hz, reset off!) LFO|pitch(1)
LFO|Ass1[arp range](75)
11:42 Kastle-ish Patch
a patch akin to the Kastle 1.5 from Bastl Instruments
Super(saw,50,50) ENV(0, 1s, 100, 0) LFO(saw, sync off, 4hz, reset?)
LFO|pitch(22), LFO|Ass1[LFO shape](100)
LFO|Ass2[LFO rate](1)
13:48 Tremelo Patch
Super(saw,50,50) LFO(sin,sync off, 2hz, reset on!)
ENV(280ms,0,60,0) LFO|Ass1[env sust](10)
Press|Ass2[LFO rate](26) Press|Ass3[LFO|Ass1](20)
21:05 Krell Info
22:16 Krell Patching
Krell_2
K-S(65,0,54) filt(LP,27k,0) CE(loop,0 lin, 35 lin, 0, vary)
LFO(SnH, sync off, 14.5hz, reset off) ENV(0,0,100,38)
LFO|pitch(85) LFO|Ass1[LFO rate](30)
28:21 Cycling Envelope
35:23 Homemade FM Sounds
38:51 Double Envelope
DE-1
TwoOp(93,57,0) filt(LP,22,0) CE(env, 1 sec, 20ms,0,100)
ENV(150ms, 3s, 40, 0) ENV|timbre(-36) CE|Ass1[env sust](-28)
DE-2
Super(saw,50,50) filt(LP,100,70) CE(env,5s,30ms,0,100)
ENV(400ms,3.4s,50,70) CE|timbre(54) CE|cutoff(54)
42:21 Granular Info
45:09 Granular Patching
QS-1
WaveTable(13,0,0) filt(LP,20k,50) CE(loop, 0, 4ms, 0,50)
LFO(SnH, sync off, 100Hz, reset off) ENV(5s,10s,30,33)
CE|pitch(100) LFO|Ass1[fall](7.5) ENV|timbre(53)
Pressure|Ass2[VCO3_shape](90)
QS-2
WaveTable(1,46,0) filt(LP,200hz,82)
CE(loop, 4.2s log, 9ms log, 7 ms, 100) LFO(SnH, sync off,100, off)
ENV(9ms,22s,100,35) CE|wave(100), CE|timbre(32)
LFO|timbre(27) LFO|Ass1[fall](26) Press|Ass2[VCO3_shape](100)
54:37 Outro
55:11 Ender
LINKS
www.arturia.com
(Krell patch on the 0-Coast)
• 0-Coast Patch of the W...
(my video about granular on the Model:Samples)
• Model:Samples - Granular
(makers of the SpaceCraft granular app)
www.deltavaudio.com

Пікірлер: 88

@ryansmith8782 8 ай бұрын

Got some goose bumps from some of those listening on headphones.

@undulations 8 ай бұрын

That is great to hear! Thanks for checking it out🙏🏼!

@mathmanmrt 3 жыл бұрын

i watched your microfreak series of videos back in january when i was considering buying one. i had acquired a moog grandmother for christmas and i decided i wanted something paraphonic and smaller. i eventually got one in march and i have not regretted it. the microfreak, as you have demonstrated in your explorations here, is a sophisticated and very powerful musical instrument despite its small size. at some point i want to run it through my grandmother for the spring reverb effect or through my most recent acquisition, a moog matriarch for its delay effect. i've been more involved in learning how to make use of my matriarch lately but i am going to have to put it away soon to make room for our christmas tree so i've been revisiting your videos because i can always make room for the microfreak. as i watch through these for the third time, i felt compelled to mention to you how much i appreciate both the great level of detail and depth to which you go in describing the capabilities of the instruments you teach from as well as the manner in which you present. i found your series on the model:cycles absolutely fascinating despite having no real use for the instrument for my own musical explorations. and as regards the microfreak, an instrument i have come to treasure for its special charms these videos have so much that i feel like i could return to it again next month and discover new things to try i missed on my first, second, or third viewing. your delivery, as well, is perfect for me because i like hearing someone who can go off on what seems a digression and yet the the labyrinth of forking paths join up as you see it through. speaking as a veteran of 27 years teaching in public schools in grades ranging from 4th through 12th i offer the highest praise i can think of: you, sir, are a teacher. thank you.

@undulations 3 жыл бұрын

Well, this is the sort of comment that I share with my kids, also my dad. Thank you much for the kind words. I'm glad to hear that the MicroFreak videos stand up to rewatching - I feel like it's such a powerful and unique instrument. I did the vocoder video for it recently, and it really struck me how intuitive the whole thing is. Sounds like you enjoy the Moog synths - one of our best family outings at christmas has been going to the Moog store while we're in Asheville. Not this year, but maybe I will order a Werkstatt or something. Again, thanks so much for taking the time to write! - Nim

@mathmanmrt 3 жыл бұрын

@@undulations you're quite welcome. between your series and automaticgainsay's series on the microfreak i was able to really dig into that remarkable little synth from the moment i got it. and, yes i have really enjoyed the two moogs. they have a quite different style of patchability compared to the modulation matrix on the microfreak but with the huge number of patch points they are flexible in the extreme. i haven't quite come up with a krell patch for the matriarch yet but i've hit upon a couple of sounds that come close. the deep utility sections of the matriarch with three attenuverters and two 4-point mults allow for some very sophisticated connections. thanks again for your informative and very intriguing explorations of the instruments you work with. i know each time i'm going to learn something even if the immediate subject is not an instrument i own or use.

@neonblack211 2 жыл бұрын

Wow this is the best lesson ive seen on youtube with the microfreak, alot to dijest here thankyou

@undulations 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks very much🙏🏼! I appreciate the feedback!

@ubustudio Жыл бұрын

So, I’m watching this again after first viewing over a year ago and I’m seeing so much here. Previously I was focused on your “krell”-generative patch (which btw is one of the best short definitions of Krell out there) but as I’m getting back into my Microfreak, I see that in the first section of this video you walk us through at least ten different aspects of using the Microfreak that are real key items in how to get control of sound designing on this unassuming beast. As always, much appreciative of what you share here. Cheers.

@undulations Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much🙏🏼! It's great to hear that you are getting some things out of the video! I really need to update my MicroFreak and do a video about the changes🤔! Thanks again!

@davidl8094 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you, for putting the time and effort in to make these excellent tutorials. This is a great little synth and your videos are invaluable.

@undulations 4 жыл бұрын

David Ledbetter You’re welcome🙏🏼! I really appreciate the feedback!

@parsa.mostaghim 2 жыл бұрын

excellent tutorial👌

@undulations 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much🙏🏼!

@dimosbatris Жыл бұрын

😮 I’ma bit ‘late to the party’, but this is an Amazing presentation as always. It's the only Microfreak video/sound I've found online with a convincing 'heavy guitar-ish' sound (Kastle-ish patch)! Although I followed the patch settings on the description, couldn't reproduce the sound 😔 It would be great if you had the time to share these patch in Microfreak format 🤟🏽 Thank you for your inspiring work and personality, that is a rare and precious gift for all of us!

@undulations Жыл бұрын

Hey, thank you _so_ much for this feedback🙏🏼! It really means a lot to hear. Understood about the patch settings. I need to update mine, make sure I have the output format right. Will get back in touch with you on this thread, share through Google Drive or such. Thanks again!

@mattkaz9604 4 жыл бұрын

Great stuff. Your sounds are very distinct and interesting.

@undulations 4 жыл бұрын

Matt Kaz Thanks! I appreciate the feedback!

@smd1uk 3 жыл бұрын

What an excellent and informative video. I thought I knew the Microfreak but I've learnt a lot more from this.

@undulations 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you🙏🏼 glad to hear that. I appreciate the feedback!

@scarabeobop 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks, excellent. This video has kept me from returning MF. What you've done is very impressive. Great playing at the end!!

@undulations 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks very much! It means a lot to hear something like this. I really appreciate the feedback🙏🏼!

@Eaonsound 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the Deep Information . Very helpful !

@undulations 4 жыл бұрын

Really glad to hear! I want to come back to the MicroFreak sometime soon!

@johnnyvandeclit259 4 жыл бұрын

Excellent video. I didn't knew you could modulate switches and modulation depth of other matrix connections. This adds another layer of depth to the matrix itself.

@undulations 4 жыл бұрын

Johnny Vandeclit Thank you! Yes, I am still kind of figuring out ways to take advantage of modulating the modulations. I keep forgetting to go back and look for usage in the factory patches (if any). Will report here if I find any.

@exitritual 4 жыл бұрын

Tons of great info and these are the coolest sounds I've heard out of the MF. Makes me wanty for one because it's so unique. Great vid!

@undulations 4 жыл бұрын

scott sturgis Thanks a ton for the feedback! It was one of those things that kept growing as I did it. I’ve been kind of skeptical in the past about the mod matrix concept for some reason, I guess I want wires, but the MF is breaking me of that🎹!

@fincorrigan7139 4 жыл бұрын

@@undulations Just remember that there's no losing patch cables either ;)

@undulations 4 жыл бұрын

@@fincorrigan7139 So true!

@FA-Q 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks doc. Microfreak was my first synth. Two months later I have modular and eurorack. Your videos helped a lot to clarify sound design

@undulations 3 жыл бұрын

Hey, thanks🙏🏼! Glad to hear that the videos have been useful👍🏻. I feel like a MicroFreak is a great way to get into so many different aspects of synths and sounds!

@FA-Q 3 жыл бұрын

Absolutely! What your recommendation for a good eurorack module.

@roym1444 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this insight. Your really demystifying the process. Just got a micro today so I'll definitely put a twist on some of these patches. Please keep sharing knowledge..

@undulations 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks a lot for the feedback! I really appreciate it! - Nim

@roym1444 4 жыл бұрын

Can I ask if have any information about making atmospheric drones. I researched a bit through your channel and it led me on a wild goose chase. I recently started using granite but would love to go deeper into it. Any guidance would be appreciated

@johnoffinland 3 жыл бұрын

I love the MicroFreak enough to where I just bought a second one - to extend / expand the keyboard and double the power. The new oscillators - whoa. I have enjoyed your videos on Bastl and mixing/cross-controlling synths but this particular video really hit the sound out of this world. Keep up the great work!

@undulations 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks very much🙏🏼! Glad you like the sounds in this one. Agreed that the new oscillators really add a lot - and two MF in tandem must be amazing (never really thought about that as a way to double the keyboard!). Thanks for watching👍🏻!

@sclr 4 жыл бұрын

Man your vids are awesome. No hype, all info.

@undulations 4 жыл бұрын

sclr Thanks! Glad you like them👍🏻!

@lambadalabor 4 жыл бұрын

Love the Granulat presentation, thanx....

@undulations 4 жыл бұрын

lambadalabor Thanks for checking it out🙏🏼!

@adavidalex212 4 жыл бұрын

Excellent content mate! :)

@undulations 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much!

@Dolores5000 3 жыл бұрын

Really cool

@undulations 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you🙏!

@markolijus 4 жыл бұрын

Bravo sir!

@undulations 4 жыл бұрын

markolijus Thank you🙏🏼!

@rainerd9890 4 жыл бұрын

fascinating stuff - thanks for the info and coherent presentation. i was just looking for further info on the cycling env and randomization in a krell environment.

@undulations 4 жыл бұрын

Rainer D Glad to hear it! I’m sure there are a lot of different ways to do this sort of thing, and the update also gives some new sounds for these sorts of patches (end of my recent video about the update is an example). Thanks for the feedback🙏🏼!

@tobywalsh3266 4 жыл бұрын

Great! Thank you.

@RevTheAcid 2 жыл бұрын

wow impressive tutorial，really

@undulations 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Thanks very much for checking it out🙏🏼!

@RevTheAcid 2 жыл бұрын

@@undulations btw, can you please tell me your MF midi/sync setup? As a owner of Digitakt and MF, i would like to send clock from digitakt, and let MF recieve midi signal and clock as slave. But it doesnt work some how, and the clock from external devices always goes up and down, super odd situation. Could you please give me some advice~ Thanks alot!

@ckbarlow 4 жыл бұрын

I just sent this link to the developer of SpaceCraft so he could see your nice plug of his brilliant app! (I *think* that's what I'm seeing on your drawing pad...) You know, the ability to modulate the intensity of another matrix point is in the Freak's manual on pp. 32-33, but IMO they kinda gloss over it. I bet this video conveys it better for a lot of people. Thanks for the effort and thought you obviously put into this!

@undulations 4 жыл бұрын

CK Barlow Absolutely! I love that feature of the modmatrix - must be many complex things that can be done with it! As for SpaceCraft - I am a huge fan - sad that I ended up using a video take where I forgot to mention it. But, I did put a link to their website down at the bottom of the description. Thanks a lot for the feedback👍🏻!

@marcbrasse747 4 жыл бұрын

Fly carpet, fly! :-)

@undulations 4 жыл бұрын

Marc Brassé 😂

@silkyglimpses7686 Жыл бұрын

Nice video great FM sounds 😁👍 What are those plastic creatures called and the lava thing in the middle of them they look great 🪐😁👍

@undulations Жыл бұрын

Hey, thanks very much for checking out the video! The lava thing is actually Lava Light brand, called something like Volcano, it is some sort of battery-powered pump that circulates the beads (rather than the traditional molten wax). Turns out to have some really nice electromagnetic sounds too, as seen in the EMF sounds video of last fall. The plastic aliens - I think - are from the Moluk brand, their Oogi line of toys (lmk if this seems wrong because i might be misremembering about what is in the video). I appreciate this comment - I went to check the brand and was reminded of how nice they are. You know a toy is cool when you can pick it up a few years later and see new things about it🧐!

@tobywalsh3266 4 жыл бұрын

Very informative, thank you. Some new ideas forming here for me. What do you use to record audio?

@undulations 4 жыл бұрын

You're welcome! Thanks for the feedback! I almost always record instruments with a field recorder (either a Tascam DR-05 or a Zoom H4N). Sometimes I use an audio interface when I'm doing DAW things.

@waveland58 Жыл бұрын

I like your Krell patches. Would you post the details of Krell_3 (at 26:50 in the video)? Thanks.

@undulations Жыл бұрын

I hope I stll have that! I'll take a look and get back to you👍🏻.

@DP-hw9uq 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your video. Do you think it’s possible to connect two Microfreaks together in order to have a multilayer synth? ‘Cause a second layer is just the one thing missing for this little monster to be close to perfection!

@undulations 4 жыл бұрын

Wow, that's a cool thought! I don't see anything in principle against it working well; it would be a lot of potential! Do you have a drum machine? I paired the MicroFreak with the Volca Drum (over in a Volca Drum video) and I felt like they worked well together. Anyway, thank you for checking out the video!

@DP-hw9uq 4 жыл бұрын

@@undulations I pair my Microfreak with my Drumbrute Impact, although Microfreak has no clock in, the go together well via MIDI.

@The_Invisible_Man 4 жыл бұрын

You are awesome 👏 maybe you can also link your MF presets files?

@undulations 4 жыл бұрын

theinvisibleman Hey, thanks so much! I will look into putting the presets online. Meanwhile, the parameter settings for a lot of the presets are down in the description/timeline. Thanks for watching😀!

@technodrone313 2 жыл бұрын

nice gaffers tape lol

@undulations 2 жыл бұрын

Yeah, the MF's panel lights in video 1 drove me nuts on displays bigger than a phone. Bad phase with my camera's framerate. The tape helped quite a bit👍🏻.

@ernestomercado9181 3 жыл бұрын

Question: On the Lfo arp patch I have all the settings that you wrote on your notes but it doesn’t sound the same as yours. The arp timing is really slow. Also I noticed that your Oct/Mod button is blinking. Mine is not blinking. And it seems that it’s blinking at a pretty fast rate, which makes me assume that it has something to do with the tempo. Do you have an idea about why this is happening?

@undulations 3 жыл бұрын

So, this is just a guess, but it might have to do with where you set the _synced_ rate? I think the default is 1/16, and if you change that - then go back to unsynced - it still has an impact on the overall rate. Hope this helps. ps have been offline a little, will answer your other comments asap!

@technodrone313 2 жыл бұрын

so if you had the choice between one of these and the jd-08 what would you get?

@undulations 2 жыл бұрын

Well, kind of tough to say. I really like the Roland boutique synth that I have and assume the JD-08 sound quality would be great, also a lot of polyphony/sequencing capabilities. So, maybe if you are a keyboardist, used to standard-ish key action, own a nice midi keyboard, or like sequencing a lot - the Roland might fit your musical style or existing gear? But if you have none of that, or are perhaps a guitar player with fx pedals to run the MF through? I find the MF to be a lot of fun with many interesting synthesis and sound design options. I personally like the capacitive keyboard, but some people don't. The MF has gotten nice updates since it came out (but maybe there will be a limit to that). I guess none of this is a clear-cut answer. Maybe check out some of the later videos in this series: I really liked the Noise Engineering update👍🏻.

@technodrone313 2 жыл бұрын

@@undulations I have a keystep and half the time sequence with fl studio. sometimes i do cover tunes(drag and drop .mid lol) and i want something with polyphony and depth to keep it interesting :) i think either synth looks like they could do it. im so torn lol

@tomvandermaesen3806 Жыл бұрын

why is the interface taped off at various places ?

@undulations Жыл бұрын

I just needed to mute the LEDs. At full strength, on that particular camera (Canon G7Xii), they phased with the framerate and gave some problematic light effects. Bright, stobe-ish, and kind of unsettling, especially on a large TV. Never a problem IRL though, a beautiful top panel👍🏻!

@wicky4473 2 жыл бұрын

Granular…the quantum field of sound?

@undulations 2 жыл бұрын

Interesting question🤔. I guess in a sense all sound is underpinned by quantum fields, but maybe granular synthesis has a closer resemblence to the that quantum environment (than other forms of synthesis and music in general)? I wonder if anybody has tried to apply actual quantum theory to sound, in some shape or form? Anyway, I probably discuss more granular theory in my video about granular on the Model:Samples, if that's of interest - and thanks a lot for checking this one out🙏🏼!

@wicky4473 2 жыл бұрын

@@undulations oh that’s great, I will check that out, thanks very much! Learning such a lot from your channel. Recently retired and finally exploring synths, something I’ve been wanting to do for such a long time.

@baldbollocks 4 жыл бұрын

So far all I hear are countless variations of a horrible row. Do these things have any nice sounds?

@undulations 4 жыл бұрын

Understood. Sure, it can go very sweet as well. Take a look at the first video in the series.

@groovelove3361 2 жыл бұрын

@undulations 2 жыл бұрын

🙏🏼

@flourfree2K 4 жыл бұрын

Fantastic... but! WHAT THE HELL did happen to that poor MicroFreak?! It looks horribly defaced!! Like it has been covered with asphalt here and there... Did you find it in the trash?

@undulations 4 жыл бұрын

Luca Crisi 😂 nah, it’s just masking tape that I used to cover the lighting. Not there in the first video where some of the bigger lights are distracting and phase with the camera framerate. I think I used a layer of blue tape followed by a layer of black tape with a pinhole - so that the light would still be visible.

@flourfree2K 4 жыл бұрын

@@undulations Oh I see. I was going to call the 911... ;)