These 4MS Pod cases are evil. With the main rack space all filled up, I've stumbled into yet another expensive hobby of buying these small 4MS cases and stuffing them with small sets of logically grouped together modules. This time around it's the T-Rex Replicator tape delay module (that uses real tape, noisy motors and all) paired with a Centrevillage Sprout, which is an open-source multi-effects module. The latter is an easy way to spread the sound out into the stereo field. One of its delay algorithms has a max time of 10 seconds. Combine that with the T-Rex and you have some seriously legit Frippertronics in a small 48hp box. In this video I'm simply using a clean sounding ping-pong delay to spread the tape goodness out into stereo.
This jam is a result of the immediate inspiration that occurred when I turned on the T-Rex for the first time yesterday and ran a single oscillator through it. It progressed quickly into a mellow 2-oscillator synth lead sound that's the main star of the show, which sounds nice in duophonic mode as well. Everything else fell into place rather quickly, though I almost rage quit from a 3 hour battle with the SQ-64, trying to sequence the Nord Drum 3P. It just flat out sucks for sequencing MIDI, but I also am apparently too dumb to figure out how to switch patterns, or have a project be saved after turning the power off, despite saving it 5,000 times beforehand. I would have thrown it across the room but the little thing is a well-built solid piece of heavy metal, about the only good thing going for it. I would have saved a ton of time just using the Digitakt to sequence the 3P over MIDI and then feeding another MIDI track into the Disting EX for MIDI to CV conversion for that repeating 5-step rhythmic single-note drone that has a guitar-ish sound to it.
In case you're wondering why I'm rambling on in this description, it's so I can remember what the hell I did if I ever want to re-create it in the future. YT descriptions are my version of Eurorack presets!
Gear diary:
Main synth lead: Roland System-500
Distorted rhythmic guitar-ish sound: Wavefonix CEM3340 VCO paired with an Erica Synths Black VCO V2 into the Machine Room Filth (Ladder filter with distortion) then into an Expert Sleepers Persephone (VCA with even more distortion)
24-note plucky arp-ish sequence and primary clock: Dave Smith Pro-2
Drums: Nord Drum 3P with obligatory MIDIVerb II Bloom Reverb
All of the sounds in the rack are running into the T-Rex Replicator and out the Centrevillage Sprout. At one point you can see I use the T-Rex's tap tempo feature to get things sync'd up after starting the SQ-64 the first time.
If I wasn't so lazy I would have put the Replicator in kill dry mode and recorded the FX outputs and dry signals to separate tracks in the DAW, but what you hear instead is everything blended together, straight out of the NiftyKeyz left and right audio outputs.
There is a small amount of master reverb to glue everything together, courtesy of the Audiothingies Doctor A.