Building the Ultimate Live Techno Rig Part 1: Erica Synths DB-01 Bassline 16 Patterns In 45 Minutes

After years of doing this live PA thing, I'm working putting together the ultimate live techno setup. I just received the Erica Synths DB-01 which I bought directly from ericasynths.lv last week. It arrived to Hawaii surprisingly fast.

For me, the highlight of this machine is the combination of random pattern generation and the raw sound the oscillator with the BBD detune, analog drive functions, and the Polivoks based filter. After a brief foray with the Erica Techno System, I missed the Bassline module a lot. It sounded so raw and industrial. Overall, it was a sound I wasn't hearing any other synth create. This is the Bassline module in groovebox format with both the drive from the DIY module and the detune from the factory module, plus an onboard sequencer. It's an amazingly cool box with some legacy behind it.

About the random pattern generation. After getting a BS in music and constantly thinking about music in such an analytical theory-driven way the random pattern generation is a welcomed relief from the typical composition process. I can just listen instead of thinking about theory so much. My thought process when generating a random pattern is "Does this sound cool?" that's it. I'm not bound by theory and thinking about key etc. I could hand sequence each note and every single parameter, but honestly, it probably wouldn't be as cool as the patterns the DB-01 comes up with on its own. After generating random patterns there is the ability to change individual parameters if needed.

I can define a range in which notes are generated and it will randomize within that range. Most importantly is being able to define the key like A minor, and the range from say A1 to A5. This is so powerful. I've already defined the parameters before shooting the vid. You can see I change the scale and the range a few times just to change it up a bit.

What you'll be watching and hearing is my current composition process for warehouse/minimal/industrial/noise/cosmic/acid or whatever kinda techno it is. Please let me know what this would fall under or other artists that do this kind of sound. I decided to get some concrete patterns down to try for a live set. In the future, we will see what happens because the pattern generation process goes so fast that I could see using the Octatrack to record a loop, and while that loop plays generate another pattern and audition it via the cue out. Or possibly even just make the new patterns and audition them live as part of the set like I did in the Techno System videos I made. We'll see.

About the sound. I find the sound of the oscillator, filter, detune, drive, and fm all together unique. It's really raw and perfect for noise and industrial style techno which is what I'm looking for (Shout out to Kodek who I first was inspired by back in the Nanoloop techno workout days 5+ years ago). Things can get out of hand pretty quickly so it's quite a beast to keep tame, but I like having the ability to go to 11. Most importantly it's analog. We don't have to go into the merits of analog vs digital, but my favorite thing about most analog gear is that it already sounds great as is and I don't have to work so hard to make it better. A little EQ is really all I ever do with analog sounds. This is no exception. In fact, I didn't EQ it at all. The only thing I did do was use aux send to send it to the Source Audio Collider for some reverb ambience. I think any decent reverb could do the trick so the Collider may or may not stick around.

Lastly, you'll see review videos talk about the lack of USB/computer connectivity/lack of parameter locks for all parameters talked about as a negative. Honestly though, I like to think of the DB-01 more as an instrument. It encourages you to really learn and tweak everything on the go which is way more fun than always having things exactly right all of the time like a computer.

More vids on the DB-01 to come. This is just a raw look into creating some patterns and tweaking sounds and it's unedited. There are other folks who do reviews and overviews much better/sleeker than I could so check out those if you are thinking about picking up this box. Ricky Tinez did a good one and of course Sonic State. I'm just happy that I found a cool sounding raw bassline/lead synth that can rip up some nasty techno.

The next part of building this setup is checking out the Jomox Mbase 11. I found that having an analog kick is essential and the Mbase is unique in that you can save presets which will come in handy for live performance.

I haven't decided if I need an ambient noise generator or if just sending the DB-01 to an effect unit will work. An option is a 2 track Tascam cassette playing back some industrial sounds. Open to suggestions.

As always hit me up in the comments with any questions, etc. If you're into or make this kind of music let me know I would be especially excited to check out your vids.

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