i know. there are website bugs to fix.
but i gave myself permission to fiddle around with my modular synth tonight instead to kick my FAWM off with the #10x10 challenge (which i've never done before).
this is a "generative" synth patch — meaning i put together a "system" to generate music, but i didn't actually "write" the music per se. the system did!! the synth is making up its own rhythms, melodies, tempo, and even effects levels. then it "resets" and comes up with something new every 3-4 bars...
even though the video cuts among cameras between "songs," it's actually just a single take! (i did 3 takes, but this one had the most variety.)
if you're a gearhead or synth geek, i put complete patch notes in the description over on the youtube page, so you can see an explanation of how everything works. if you have questions, feel free to ask over there! i'll do my best to answer them: https://youtu.be/lnd_05yoArw
it cops some tame impala vibes from time to time, i think...
more about generative music (coined by brian eno): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generative_music
more on euclidean rhythms (building block of bass line):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euclidean_rhythm
@ofishell Feb 2022
I love the way this plays with rhythm. Also, the video of all those wires gives me absolute anxiety. LOL
@cairobraga Feb 2022
amazing and whimsical, a lot of great drum patterns and sounds like it came outta a 70s sci-fi soundtrack. kudos!
@nancyrost Feb 2022
Listening first without trying to analyze what's going on yet, I'm liking the tones, and finding the different loops amusing. Getting pretty modal there -- I look forward to learning about how that came about.
In the meantime, the Christmas tree-meets-spaghetti visuals are a bonus.
@darcistrutt Feb 2022
Not only fun for the ears but a delight for the eye with all those blinking lights.
@isaacq Feb 2022
oh my, so you're deep in the Eurorack rabbit hole too, are ya?! we gotta compare notes soon, i love sharing module recommendations with friends. this inspires me, Burr. any time i do anything generative, i tend to either go beatless or stick to 4-on-the-floor drums. it's cool to hear something generative with more complex rhythms. very nicely patched and curated!
@sorby69 Feb 2022
This is just wonderful Burr! I *so* want to get into generative music with my own builds etc. Thanks for the useful links (oh, and the stellar work on the website & FAWM generally)
@jmadison Feb 2022
Okay, that is some pretty interesting stuff. I'm genuinely curious: Is there a way (there's always a way, right?) to map the outputs to midi instruments, or samples that would make it sound like a live band was playing instead of the computer? It's super cool, I'm just trying to imagine a band trying to play that music on traditional instruments. Fun stuff.
@juhol Feb 2022
I think what is missing here is a infomercial narrator between the tracks:
"Where were you when you heard this hit the first time?"
*bleep-bloop-screetch*
"Or do you remember this classic?"
*blip-bonk-blip-bonk*
Nice rats nest patches!
@johncrossman Feb 2022
beep boop pew pew bzzz byow byew bip
@samplebandit Feb 2022
wow! amazing apparatus
@ductapeguy Feb 2022
Hello Burr: This is Mr. McGaughey. I listened with a grade 3 music class. Here are their responses to your song.
S: I like the song the rhythm and beat went well on the second one. It sounded like a high pitched video game from the 80s.
H: I like the song because of all the sound and the lights flickering.
A: I like the song because you made it yourself and it was nice to hear. I liked the lights too.
N: I also liked the lights flickering and changing colors.
R: It made me feel good.
M: I really like how the lights were flickering and the beats were going.
A: I like how the beats and the rhythm mixed together into one song. That was really cool.
Mr. McG: The Funky bass starting at 1:03 was amazing. I'd love to have a sample of it.
@gubna Feb 2022
HOLY CRAP THIS IS FUNKY!! I've never heard a modular make funk. Very inspiring!
@bassman10 Feb 2022
10x10 Fugue by CSS RoBach.
@debrandio Feb 2022
Beedo boop bop beeda beep boop lop bleeda bee bop bleeda booop bopp beedlaboop boooopppppp!!!!!!
Mmmm c i r c u i t s!!
@cts Feb 2022
Not a gear-head in the slightest, but it's fascinating to see you work out ideas in this way. You've got that left/right brain balance...an ambidextrous brain! Incredible!
@katestantonsings Feb 2022
Creative yet analytical at the same time. I don't know much at all about modular synths, but my ears liked the fact that I couldn't follow where it would go. Some say dopamine hits from music are caused by anticipating where it will go; I think there is also listening pleasure in realizing it is not going where you thought it would go! Exciting to learn new things...thoroughly enjoyed this piece.
@nahlej381 Feb 2022
Yes. I love the wires. Modular synths are so cool. Nice to hear you again, solid 10x10
@dreamscuba Feb 2022
The wiring would have a network engineer in a cataclysmic seaside. This is fantastic system generated music. The music truly is alive. Nice.
@karlsburg25 Feb 2022
Ha ha my mate just got himself a modudlar synth of some sort. Its a whole other planet to me. He sent me a vid of something he did and it was like watching someone working with a different art form. Blows my mind and this is so inventive and creative, am having a couple of listens to see how my mind responds, and one thing i notice is the uniqueness of the melodies and harmonies is exciting my brain! inspirational indeed
@aaronnathans Feb 2022
How wild and innovative! I've spent the better part of the year at work building a podcast about the original computer musicians at Princeton, and their serialist predecessors using the Mark 2 RCA synthesizer. So I have some (very vague) idea of what you built here.
@elesimo Feb 2022
I love this, specially how the camera cuts coincide with the big changes in the song -- it's hard to believe this is a single take! A really clever take on the 10x10 challenge.
And, man, generative music is mind boggling. Making music without writing music, with that layer of indirection, is really interesting. I wonder if this is how Bach's mom felt like! :)
@seanbrennan Feb 2022
This is really neat! I get distinct 80s vibes, but also distinct 30s vibes - 2030s, that is! I'm actually curious about the tuning. Is this well-tempered? It sounds neither equal nor just, but clearly still based in a 12-tone scale (maybe)...
@kenmattsson Feb 2022
Very cool and so outside of my experience. Glad you're getting a little break from the website stuff!