LeafAudio Noisefoc Samples

A free library of sounds for Ableton's Simpler made with LeafAudio's Noisefoc synth.



From Manu: "We created a free library for Ableton 8 based on sounds of the NOISEFOC Synth - a 3-oscillator synth that can be built in our workshops as a diy-machine. The library includes 16 Simpler-Instruments that show the possibilities of combining diy-machines and professional production. It doesn't sound like that but yes, you can do electro pop with the sounds ;-) All sounds in this song except the drums are made with the Noisefoc library."

Noisefoc Ableton-Library Demosong by LeafAudio

The library is available here. Look out for LeafAudio workshops in Spring 2012 where you can build your own Noisefoc, Fuzz-O-Mat or Bumsss.

4ms PEG Demo

Audio examples of the 4ms Pingable Envelope Generator. An update to this post.



Perfect for synced modulations, the PEG generates LFOs and envelopes which can be locked to a master clock. Once 'pinged', its variable slopes run at either the base time or are stretched/ shrunk to a divided/ multiplied rate. Here it is in action:

4ms PEG demo by navs

The PEG offers voltage control over most of its parameters, various trigger outputs, an analogue OR and a variety of triggering options. The toggle function can be a creative source of surprise, as it flips the activity of the two envelope generators. The curves can be extreme, especially when the skew is maxed in one or the other direction, so you might want to use a linear VCA. That said, a 'whiplash' setting is great with low pass gates.

I've only scratched the surface with this demo: you could try the PEG on drones, slow pans or feeding it to a quantizer for synced, stepped CVs. QNT trig mode allows gated repeats or trills like the Plan B Model 10 or Cwejman CTG-VC. When used with a sequencer, you could set different length envelopes per note, or use the toggle jack to combine the two.

The PEG is rich in possibilities, so make sure you read the extensive manual. Once you've grasped the concept, it's easy to use. If you've ever wanted to keep your wobbles in time, the PEG might be what you've been looking for.

PT #20 - Hutchins' Anti-Glide Patch

How to compensate for frequency shift in exponential FM. Bernie Hutchins' Electronotes patch quoted in and cribbed from Allen Strange.



Exponential audio-rate FM is great for klangorous tones. Unlike linear FM, however, it's hard to patch dynamically. Changing the index results in a churning sound. The more you modulate the carrier, the greater the pitch shift.

Bernie Hutchins' patch counteracts this detuning by simultaneously pulling the frequency of the carrier down with an inverse envelope:

The modulator is patched to the carrier via a VCA. An envelope opens the VCA. The envelope is multed to a second VCA or ring modulator and multiplied by itself. The result is inverted and patched to the carrier.

Here's how it sounds:



With and without the compensation CV:



I'd tried this previously, as a work-around for my VCOs which don't have linear FM capability, but didn't get it to work satisfactorily. My mistake was to send the full inverted envelope to the carrier - it needs tweaking to find the right level. Don't expect to be able to set high indices. I found I couldn't push the envelope much above 2-3 volts, before the compensation CV itself became apparent. Similarly, short envelopes seem to work better than e.g. joystick sweeps.

Despite its limitations, this patch offers a method for dynamic timbal control of VCOs that aren't capable of linear FM. It's a bit fiddly, but as Allen Strange writes, it's certainly worth a try.

Mystery Beatbox

Spotted at Schneidersladen. One of five, custom-built, apparently based on a Hohner drum machine, master clock operation only, price unknown. Sadly, couldn't hear it in action.







Full-size pictures are here. Thanks to Moondust for the loan of the camera and the delicious Swiss chocolate!