AndreasKrebsBlog

Quite a retro one. I’ve used the A-100, an Arturia Jupiter 8V, and a GForce M-Tron.

We start with some cheesy M-Tron strings together with Jupiter-8V string synth. 

At 1:00, there is a very deep A-100 bass: An A-111 saw put through an A-137-2 Wave Multiplier II (modulated by an A-143-9 Quadrature LFO) and then into an A-108 Ladder VCF (24 dB). A second A-111 (1 oct down) with PWMed pulse is put into a second A-108 (6 dB, high resonance). Both finally go into an A-131 VCA, modulated by an A-140 ADSR (which modulates both VCFs as well). 

Then (1:13) the main sequence starts. It consists of three A-110 (pulse and triangle waves) put through an A-106-5 SEM Filter. The sequence is driven by an A-155/A-154/A-156 combination. The SEM lowpass output goes into an A-127 Triple VC Resonance Filter, into an A-143-1 Panner and finally in two VCAs of an A-132-3. VCAs and filter are controlled by another A-140, the A-147 LFO which controlls the panner is synced (via reset) with the A-155. The Sequencer itself is synced to Ableton Live.

Around 2:55, the “hihat” sound starts: this is an A-117 Digital Noise put through an A-124 Wasp Filter and an A-132-3 VCA. VCA and Filter were also controlled by an A-140 ADSR, driven by a second A-155 (also synced to Ableton Live, but with a different frequency divider).

At ca. 4:00, the second sequence starts. This is not driven by another A-155, but by the Ableton Live arpeggiator (and controlled during the performance by keyboard). It is built with another three A-110: one (triangle) is sent through a modulated A-137-1 Wave Multiplier I and then mixed the other two (square waves) VCOs. Then we go into an A-105 SSM VCF and an A-131 VCA (both controlled by an A-140).

Finally, at 4:08 the “bassdrum” is added: a colored noise (A-118) sent through a self oscilating A-106-6 XP VCF (2 pole LP output used) and an A-132-3 VCA. VCF and VCA are controlled by an A-143 Decay, controlled by the second A-155.

Keyboard action: the keyboard is split into two zones. The lower one controls the Jupiter-8V and (lowest note) the A-100 bass above. The upper part controls the M-Tron strings and the arpeggiator for the second sequence. Everything is played during performance, no overdubs (just some effects & mastering).

Here we go:

http://www.andreaskrebs.de/assets/media/improvisation-20100718a.mp3

Track length is 13:20, 

Have fun,

Andreas

This has a lot to do with being relaxed and was done in the mood of having some cool - hot summer days (and enjoying a great german “multikulti” soccer team).

We start with a kind of bass drum sound. This is coloured noise (from an A-118) put through an A-106-6 (12 db LB output used). Seems to become my “standard BD”.

Then there’s some “hihat”: 6 oscilators output of an A-117 Digital Noise put through an A-124 Wasp Filter. Both BD and HH are controlled by A-140 ADSRs, triggered by an A-155.

The main sequence sound is somewhat complicated - but quite versatile - this time: we have three different sound sources at the beginning of this sound:

1. An A-110 square wave put through an A-115 Audio Divider.  The A-110 square wave is pulse modulated by an A-146 LFO (triangle).
2. A second A-110 (sine wave) put through an A-136 Distortion/Waveshaper, which is modulated by an A-143-9 (sine and 180° sine).
3. Random clock output of an A-117 Digital Noise Generator. The DNG is modulated by the same sequencer as the two A-110s - plus an A-183-2 (used just as a manual voltage source).

All three sources are mixed in an A-138 and then put ino an A-127 VC Resonance Filter (modulated by its internal LFOs). Then we go into an A-132-3 VCA, being modulated by an A-142 VC Decay. The VCD is triggered and modulated (decay length) by the same A-155 that controls the pitch of the VCOs and the DNG. After this, the signal is put into an A-101-3 Modular Vactrol Phaser, being modulated by two independent LFOs from an A-143-3. Only the 12 stage output of the phaser is used here. Now we go into the third of Doepfer’s “Big Three”: the A-188-2 Tapped BBD. Delay frequency (for Karplus Strong sounds) is controlled by the same A-155 Sequencer that controls the VCO pitch. The two outputs (different taps / polarizations of the BBD are used for the two outputs)  are sent into two A-108 Ladder Filters. For both filters, the 48 dB output is used and there’s an A-140 that controlls both filters.

That’s it, basically. Some GForce M-Tron choir is used, an Arturia Jupiter 8V (both played via Doepfer LMK-2+ in split mode, bass controlls the Arturia as well as the transposition of the A-155), some effects in Ableton, some mastering in Cubase. No overdubs.

Here we go:

http://www.andreaskrebs.de/assets/media/improvisation-20100704a.mp3

UPDATE! Here’s an alternative version with the M-Tron choir being replaced by some lush Arturia CS80V Strings:

http://www.andreaskrebs.de/assets/media/improvisation-2010074b.mp3

Track length is 18:35. 

Have Fun!

Andreas