What Remains - 30 Minutes of Ambient Generative Modular Synthesis for Sleep/Meditation/Concentration

Welcome back, friends—

To me, this conjures a feeling of post-stress, the calm after the storm. Fog still present but perhaps beginning to clear as the way ahead becomes apparent. Maybe that’s how many of us are feeling right now, venturing into the post-vaccine world.

This video was inspired by Uncle Peter’s creation here -    • Ambient Generative Sounds using Rings, uPl...  
Doesn’t really sound the same but utilizes some of the same principles and signal paths on analogous tools. Thanks for the inspiration, Uncle Peter!

I worked on creating a similar (in some ways) patch using the modules in the rack I recently downsized (back) to from 3 rows which I felt had too many paths and left me with an uncertain direction too much of the time, which, counterintuitively, led me down my own well-traveled pathways. Odd that having more options may actually limit creativity sometimes. Is it better to go to a different restaurant every day or to find a restaurant you really like and then branch out to different menu items? Are you more likely to try something new on a large menu at your favorite restaurant or a small menu at your favorite spot?

The background (wind?) sound starts with noise generated by the Super Disting EX (in dual mode). Not having a Rings, I decided to send noise into the Disting EX’s Resonator algorithm, which is then modulated by a Quadrax-generated LFO via the Quad VCA. Next we have shifting chords from the Plaits, modulated by various LFOs on the øchd. Finally, we have some big drum hits on Surface periodically triggered by Pam’s. Everything is mixed in Mixup and then goes through Typhoon (a super-Clouds), for a satisfying undulating atmospheric creation.

Modules used:

Mutable Instruments Plaits (macro oscillator for chords)
Qu-Bit Surface (physical modeled percussion)
ALM/BusyCircuits Pamela’s New Workout (triggers)
Expert Sleepers Super Disting EX (Noise and Resonator)
Instruo øchd (LFOs)
Intellijel Quad VCA (VCA)
Intellijel Quadra (LFOs)
Intellijel Mixup (Stereo Mixer)
Calsynth Typhoon (Clouds Granular Synth / Reverb)
Dave Jones O’Tool (oscilloscope)
Befaco Out v3 (output)
Rack: Pittsburgh Modular Structure EP-208