The Cheerful Cheby
Channel: Dave Phillips
Date: 2020-08-20

Another quasi-self-generative patch made with VCV Rack.

Three sets of modal harmonies are rotated through a series sequences randomly created with the Fundamental Seq3 module. Harmonies and sequences are stored as presets by the 8Face modules. Sequences are played in random order but the harmonies proceed in a strict progression. The sequences alternate their reset status, i.e. every other sequence is played with the sequencer's reset enabled.

Regarding the non-percussion sound sources: The Chebyshev oscillator harmonics are defined by the output from a bank of shift register modules, a rather unusual source for the harmonics values. The effect is subtle but noticeable. The Cheby module is further modulated at a variety of input points. By comparison the EV3 oscillator is more simply treated, with only a little internal FM added to spice up the sine waves. The Resonator module takes its input from Cheby, with only a little modulation of two parameters. 

The simple percussion is simply treated, but some tricky work is done with the sequential switches to create greater variety in the parts. A delay line adds a nice echo effect to the claves, the kick is processed only by the global reverb.

The patch was designed to make a light-hearted ambience, easy to hear and listen to but with some inherent musical interest. As usual with this kind of patch/piece the intention is similar to Satie's notion of a musique ameublement.

The line-up :

AS - Flow, DelayPlusFX
Audible Instruments - Resonator
Autodafe - 1x8 Mult
Autodafe Drums - Kick, Rim/Claves
Bogaudio - DADSR(H), S&H, ADSR
Frozen Wasteland - BPM LFO
HetrickCV - Random Gates
Impromptu Modular - Clocked, Tact-1
JW-Modules - Quantizer
ML_Modules - Sequential Switch 8 to 1, Shift Register
NYSTHI - Mverb, 4DCB
Skrylar - SkJack
Squinky Labs - Chebyshev, EV3, Form, ExFor
Stoermelder - uMap, 8Face
SV Modular - M
SynthKit - Clock Divider
VCV - Seq-3, Octave, VCA-2, VCA-1
Wiqid Anomalies - Dual Attenuverter

Profound gratitude to the developers of these and all other plugins for VCV Rack. Equally profound thanks to the wonderful community of VCV Rack users. You are all deeply appreciated.

Dave Phillips
August 2020