Currently I've been finding myself using mostly the mix output and leaving the individual voices unpatched. I agree splitting the waves would open this up immensely as you could add nuanced texture just by adding it into the mix. I'm thinking of getting a frequency divider, i think that would open up some cool possibilities. Nice work, cheers man!
A frequency divider is a good idea! Then you could create sub tones beneath the root note to create bass lines. A simple clock divider can at least create a square wave. I've even done this with Steppy.
Nice demo - 6:30 to the end has a real Boards of Canada sound to it. BTW, I have a couple of 4MS SMR modules (love them!) - what is that alternative faceplate you have on yours?
Thanks! The SMR panel is from Magpie. They make a variety of beautiful alternative faceplates in white and black. magpie-modular.myshopify.com/collections/all-panels/products/copy-of-magpie-custom-4ms-specral-multiband-resonator-panels
I almost never patch mine- while it’s a great-sounding module and clearly capable of much melodic output, I’ve never got to grips with the modes. Yet I’ve never sold it, as I have modules I used much more… Perhaps one day I’ll understand it!
I played with one of these today but I was confused that it didn't have a trigger or gate input..? I am trying to understand you send CV pitch to 1v/per Octave then it just says open sustain the whole time..? why would you want that..?
That's actually pretty common with analog oscillators. The idea is that you would use a VCA and an envelope to control the volume. Self contained full voices are definitely more space efficient, but they don't give you the same flexibility of control.
@@ScottMFR ..right it's very common on analog oscillators but this is digital correct..? ..I have a bunch of both.. I guess I am spoiled with my mutable instruments clones like plaits and elements.. the only digital oscillator I have that stays open is my Dual Atari Punk Console.. but that is more of a experimental sound generator..
Hi Scott, or anyone else. I got the E352 but consider getting the much smaller Chords either as a replacement in my main case, but might keep the E352 for the two operator FM that I use it mostly for atm. From what I've heard of demos on both of these modules Chords sounds better imo, but that might just be about how people use these modules, because according to what I read they should not sound that different, or? Maybe I use the E352 wrong, as everyone seems so happy about it, but I find it hard to get pleasing sounds from it in the lower ranges. I have a few questions though: -Can you tune all the outputs on Chords individually? I'm thinking about tuning them all in the same key, but with octave difference and maybe slightly out of tune with each other. -I also got the Instruo quantizer that generates chords from four outputs and wonder if it makes sense to use it on this module or if this is just silly. -I'm not that into making my own wavetables and wonder if there is a better community for finding new readymade waves for Chords as the library for the E352 is just a mess.
Hi Jonas, I've never used the E352 so I can't comment on that module, but I can answer your questions on Qu-Bit Chord. - Yes you can tune all outputs individually in Free Poly (green) Mode. - I imagine Harmonaig (I think that's the 4-channel quantizer) should work great with Chord in Free Poly Mode. I used Intellijel Tetrapad this way. - Look up the Adventure Kid single cycle waveforms. They're not full ready made wavetables, but single cycle waveforms that you could use to make a wavetable. Synthesis Technology has a free wavetable generator program that you can use to convert them into wavetables too. I've used the version for the 4MS SWN and it was pretty quick and easy to use. You can even audition them before you export them. Actually you might want to check out that module too, or the 4MS Ensemble. Hope that helps!
@@ScottMFR Thanks for fast reply and the tip on Adventure Kid : ) Yes the Harmonaigh is a quantizer with four outputs for chords so it makes sense to have four of a kind oscillators, or as Chords, one with four outputs.. I know about the generator, watched a tutorial on it and will try it but at the same time I spend to much time on the computer and a bit afraid of getting stuck in there as much of my point with eurorack is to avoid the big screen if you see what I mean, but as long as I don't end up fiddling around making my own waves I think I will be fine. I have been a bit tempted by the 4ms SWN for sure but it is rather big and I try to make my travel case self sufficient and travelable by making space for more modulation and another mixer. But I was lucky as I found a guy who had a Chords for sale for a really friendly price, and now see that I can afford to keep the E352 but transfer it over to my other case, a low cost doepfer one, so now I got space for a bit more utility, whatever that will be. Btw the E352 in low frequency mode is a surprisingly fun and good source as input to the quantizer. Thanks again for input and take care.
@@jonaseggen2230Nice! That's a good find. For compact polyphony the Chord is pretty hard to beat! Intellijel's Quadrax is actually pretty nice as 4 VCOs too...
@@ScottMFR Yes some envelopes work as really nice oscillators and with two or more of the same on slightly different settings and tuning, and even with a tiny bit of modulation they can sound amazing. But no surprise really as triangle waves are a bit underrated imo. Have you heard the Haible Living vco? Comes as an advanced diy project only unfortunately. Based on early moog oscillators among others, something to do with linear detuning, noise etc. To much to explain here but it sounds amazing. Here is a link to what it's all about: jhaible.com/legacy/living_vcos/jh_living_vcos.html There are some old videos on it but I put no link to any of those as I don't think they do the module any justice. A friend of mine had it but sold all of his eurorack to focus on guitar unfortunately.
@@jonaseggen2230 Quadrax actually has a bipolar LFO mode so you can get way more than just triangle waves. Plus you can modulate the shape and level via CV! No I hadn't heard of the Haible VCO. Sounds interesting, I'll have to check it out.
Huge question that I hope you can answer for me, really kinda determines whether I buy it. Can you control this enough to make actual progressions with it? Like based on Western music systems? For instance, a ii-V-I or similar? Just curious if I'm working on a song that uses other instruments how hard it will be to just type in exactly what chords I want and have it play those. Thanks for any help you can give!
It's definitely possible, but it will depend on the voltage sources you send to it, and the selected mode. It might take some experimenting to get the exact chords you're looking for. To get something like a ii-V-I in the regular mode you would need to send a voltage to the 1v/oct input and the quality input to transpose the root note and also shift between major and minor chords. The LEDs at least tell you what type of chord you are playing, but not the root note. I just got a Tetrapad and Tete, and that pair lets you select specific 4-note chords for the pads, and displays the chord on the screen. It pairs really nicely with Chord in Unison Poly mode!
You could send gates (or of course CV's from a sequencer) that have been tuned with a passive attenuator to just the right voltage to enable the chords that you want to happen. I don't have one but this video makes me want one. I have done similar things with Mutable Plaits and got good results with the chord progressions
@@ScottMFR So I reached out to Qu-Bit for some clarification on this, and thought I would share their suggestion for chord progressions. Supposedly (I still haven't bought the module) if you tune the chord to the key of your song then send it the chord progression (root note) to the 1v/oct, it should automatically change the quality to match a Major or Minor scale, depending on your auto-harmonize setting. Am I understanding this correctly?
@@m.abrill.7407 Polaris was also one of the first videos I made for them! Such a flexible filter. I only recently discovered how fun it is to mult the output and route a bit back into the input. A little bit of feedback can give it a bit more growl and bite!
By far the best demo on the Chord that I have seen. You have a great talent for explaining things clearly and I hope you keep it up.
Thanks Jeff! Lately I've been more focused on my modular by nature stuff and jams, but I'll try to get to some more tutorial style videos.
@@ScottMFR Eurorack audio should be direct, please, for future videos. The voice is too in your face and Chord is at a distance.
Excellent rundown! Looks pretty cool.
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!
Very helpful! Thank you for making this !
Thanks! Glad you found it helpful!
Currently I've been finding myself using mostly the mix output and leaving the individual voices unpatched. I agree splitting the waves would open this up immensely as you could add nuanced texture just by adding it into the mix. I'm thinking of getting a frequency divider, i think that would open up some cool possibilities. Nice work, cheers man!
A frequency divider is a good idea! Then you could create sub tones beneath the root note to create bass lines. A simple clock divider can at least create a square wave. I've even done this with Steppy.
immediate follow fer explainin' that there good-to-bad chord knob woooooo!
Stay away from those bad quality chords. Stick with the good ones!
6:38 🥺 need more
Sorry I cut it short! I'll make a point of giving a bit more outro noodlage. This reminds me that I should revisit the audio from this video...
Nice demo - 6:30 to the end has a real Boards of Canada sound to it. BTW, I have a couple of 4MS SMR modules (love them!) - what is that alternative faceplate you have on yours?
Thanks! The SMR panel is from Magpie. They make a variety of beautiful alternative faceplates in white and black. magpie-modular.myshopify.com/collections/all-panels/products/copy-of-magpie-custom-4ms-specral-multiband-resonator-panels
I almost never patch mine- while it’s a great-sounding module and clearly capable of much melodic output, I’ve never got to grips with the modes. Yet I’ve never sold it, as I have modules I used much more… Perhaps one day I’ll understand it!
I played with one of these today but I was confused that it didn't have a trigger or gate input..?
I am trying to understand you send CV pitch to 1v/per Octave then it just says open sustain the whole time..?
why would you want that..?
That's actually pretty common with analog oscillators. The idea is that you would use a VCA and an envelope to control the volume. Self contained full voices are definitely more space efficient, but they don't give you the same flexibility of control.
@@ScottMFR ..right it's very common on analog oscillators but this is digital correct..? ..I have a bunch of both.. I guess I am spoiled with my mutable instruments clones like plaits and elements.. the only digital oscillator I have that stays open is my Dual Atari Punk Console.. but that is more of a experimental sound generator..
Hi Scott, or anyone else. I got the E352 but consider getting the much smaller Chords either as a replacement in my main case, but might keep the E352 for the two operator FM that I use it mostly for atm. From what I've heard of demos on both of these modules Chords sounds better imo, but that might just be about how people use these modules, because according to what I read they should not sound that different, or? Maybe I use the E352 wrong, as everyone seems so happy about it, but I find it hard to get pleasing sounds from it in the lower ranges.
I have a few questions though:
-Can you tune all the outputs on Chords individually? I'm thinking about tuning them all in the same key, but with octave difference and maybe slightly out of tune with each other.
-I also got the Instruo quantizer that generates chords from four outputs and wonder if it makes sense to use it on this module or if this is just silly.
-I'm not that into making my own wavetables and wonder if there is a better community for finding new readymade waves for Chords as the library for the E352 is just a mess.
Hi Jonas, I've never used the E352 so I can't comment on that module, but I can answer your questions on Qu-Bit Chord.
- Yes you can tune all outputs individually in Free Poly (green) Mode.
- I imagine Harmonaig (I think that's the 4-channel quantizer) should work great with Chord in Free Poly Mode. I used Intellijel Tetrapad this way.
- Look up the Adventure Kid single cycle waveforms. They're not full ready made wavetables, but single cycle waveforms that you could use to make a wavetable. Synthesis Technology has a free wavetable generator program that you can use to convert them into wavetables too. I've used the version for the 4MS SWN and it was pretty quick and easy to use. You can even audition them before you export them. Actually you might want to check out that module too, or the 4MS Ensemble.
Hope that helps!
@@ScottMFR Thanks for fast reply and the tip on Adventure Kid : )
Yes the Harmonaigh is a quantizer with four outputs for chords so it makes sense to have four of a kind oscillators, or as Chords, one with four outputs..
I know about the generator, watched a tutorial on it and will try it but at the same time I spend to much time on the computer and a bit afraid of getting stuck in there as much of my point with eurorack is to avoid the big screen if you see what I mean, but as long as I don't end up fiddling around making my own waves I think I will be fine.
I have been a bit tempted by the 4ms SWN for sure but it is rather big and I try to make my travel case self sufficient and travelable by making space for more modulation and another mixer. But I was lucky as I found a guy who had a Chords for sale for a really friendly price, and now see that I can afford to keep the E352 but transfer it over to my other case, a low cost doepfer one, so now I got space for a bit more utility, whatever that will be.
Btw the E352 in low frequency mode is a surprisingly fun and good source as input to the quantizer.
Thanks again for input and take care.
@@jonaseggen2230Nice! That's a good find. For compact polyphony the Chord is pretty hard to beat! Intellijel's Quadrax is actually pretty nice as 4 VCOs too...
@@ScottMFR Yes some envelopes work as really nice oscillators and with two or more of the same on slightly different settings and tuning, and even with a tiny bit of modulation they can sound amazing. But no surprise really as triangle waves are a bit underrated imo.
Have you heard the Haible Living vco? Comes as an advanced diy project only unfortunately. Based on early moog oscillators among others, something to do with linear detuning, noise etc. To much to explain here but it sounds amazing. Here is a link to what it's all about: jhaible.com/legacy/living_vcos/jh_living_vcos.html
There are some old videos on it but I put no link to any of those as I don't think they do the module any justice. A friend of mine had it but sold all of his eurorack to focus on guitar unfortunately.
@@jonaseggen2230 Quadrax actually has a bipolar LFO mode so you can get way more than just triangle waves. Plus you can modulate the shape and level via CV!
No I hadn't heard of the Haible VCO. Sounds interesting, I'll have to check it out.
Huge question that I hope you can answer for me, really kinda determines whether I buy it. Can you control this enough to make actual progressions with it? Like based on Western music systems? For instance, a ii-V-I or similar? Just curious if I'm working on a song that uses other instruments how hard it will be to just type in exactly what chords I want and have it play those. Thanks for any help you can give!
It's definitely possible, but it will depend on the voltage sources you send to it, and the selected mode. It might take some experimenting to get the exact chords you're looking for. To get something like a ii-V-I in the regular mode you would need to send a voltage to the 1v/oct input and the quality input to transpose the root note and also shift between major and minor chords. The LEDs at least tell you what type of chord you are playing, but not the root note.
I just got a Tetrapad and Tete, and that pair lets you select specific 4-note chords for the pads, and displays the chord on the screen. It pairs really nicely with Chord in Unison Poly mode!
You could send gates (or of course CV's from a sequencer) that have been tuned with a passive attenuator to just the right voltage to enable the chords that you want to happen. I don't have one but this video makes me want one. I have done similar things with Mutable Plaits and got good results with the chord progressions
Good idea@@MichaelDowComposer ! You could use the gates to toggle between major and minor, then transpose the root with 1v/oct.
Michael Dow - a bit more elaboration for a noob please?
@@ScottMFR So I reached out to Qu-Bit for some clarification on this, and thought I would share their suggestion for chord progressions. Supposedly (I still haven't bought the module) if you tune the chord to the key of your song then send it the chord progression (root note) to the 1v/oct, it should automatically change the quality to match a Major or Minor scale, depending on your auto-harmonize setting. Am I understanding this correctly?
Every time you put your hand in front of the machine I couldn't see what you were pointing at :)
Well... not much I can do about that now. Hopefully you still found the video useful!
Man, your voice ressembles thé Guy from Intellijel videos which I have Seen so Much times. Nice video BTW.
Oh interesting! Maybe we're related somehow, or maybe I just have one of those generic voices you hear everywhere...
@@ScottMFR Haha I Made some research, you work at Intellijel. Nice surprise :). Polaris was my first filter, Intellijel is very special to me
Haha that joke was good 😄 great module!
@@m.abrill.7407 Polaris was also one of the first videos I made for them! Such a flexible filter. I only recently discovered how fun it is to mult the output and route a bit back into the input. A little bit of feedback can give it a bit more growl and bite!
for real kicks you should have run it through the RX3, then you will get bad chords like you alluded to