Formant
Formants have this strangely pleasing effect that is somewhat intangible. We know it is not a voice, but the hint of vocal sounds pique our interest. There are many ways to go about this, you might decide to use a wavetable oscillator loaded up with some vowel waveforms. Or maybe you want to run your drum mix through a vocoder to add some formant timbres. Wavefolding, modulated at audio rates, can yield interesting vocal results. Multi-peak filters, like fixed filter banks or many other options out there can also supply you with some rich vocal-like sounds. One of the most tried and true methods is an audio rate modulated resonant filter. Here is a patch example for how to achieve this effect
THE CHALLENGE
This month we challenge you all to explore various vocal synthesis techniques. Create a patch exploiting at least one formant or vocal synthesis technique. You are, however, free to use as many techniques as you like. You are free to write an entire song or simply create a single sound. Your submission can be structured or unstructured. You can you any equipment as long as you also use a modular synth in your submission.
HOW TO PLAY
THIS PATCHABLE RUNS FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER – DEADLINE DECEMBER 31ST
- Create an original piece of music. It does not have to be a complete track. Ideas are welcome.
- Include the suffix PATCHABLE-0021 in the track title and the number of the patchable you chose. A completed track title would look like this: Spiral Vortex PATCHABLE-0021
- Upload your track to soundcloud by end of day, December 31st.
- Include a link to your track and patch notes in the comments below.
PLAY YOUR PATCH LIVE
Saturday, Dec 30th is the next Patchable Performers live show. If you would like to play that show please do not post your patchable until after the event. Instead contact @saddleuptherobots or @vcloki on Discord to apply for a time slot.
https://soundcloud.com/brain-basement/hell-talk-patchable-0021
I begin the piece using the 0-ctrl for pitches, and there are some hi hats and percussion coming from the Moog DFAM, even though it didn’t make it into the video shot. This one is called “Hell Talk”, because it’s rather ominous and noisy. Enjoy!
Patch notes:
Clock: Frap Tools Sapèl controlling Make Noise Tempi.
0-ctrl controlling CV pitch later changed to Stillson Hammer sequence.
Instruo CS-L with 1V/oct linked. Saw wave to input of QPAS, square wave to frequency modulation of QPAS. Maths LFO to frequency modulation 2 of QPAS. Sapèl fluctuating random to right radiate of QPAS.
Left QPAS audio to Optomix to Echophon to Monsoon to X-Pan.
Right QPAS audio to Optomix to Erbeverb to X-Pan.
Moog DFAM providing hi hats and percussion.
Basimilus Iteritas Alter drums from Stillson Hammer gates.
New York Modular Society Live Performance New Year’s Eve Eve | C.K. Sample (bandcamp.com) I don’t do soundcloud anymore. The main formant at the beginning was Piston Honda MK3 3 outs into the high, center, and low filters of 3 Sisters and the all out from that into @modbapmodular Per4mer, where it got another filter built into the reverb. This was all modulated by Maestro + knob turning. then added in @birdkidsofficial Bateleur in chirp mode, then dropped the beat with @endorphin.es Queen of Pentacles feeding through @schlappi_engineering 100 Grit, then Bateleur & E300 into @ajhsynth transistor ladder filter and Ring SM, then switch over to Deckard’s Voice for some more formant playing around with the highpass filter & the built in random and S&H modulation in that unit, then finished with MiniMod VCO into ER-301 acting as a fixed bandpass filter controlled by Sweet Sixteen. Magneto and z5000 sprinkled throughout. @ericasynths Black Sequencer and @divkidvideo ‘s RND STEP and @acidraintech Maestro through @addacsystem Intuitive Quantizer providing a bunch of the sequencing. also @intellijel Steppy + @endorphin.es Running Order on the beat sequencing.
https://soundcloud.com/crewcalledself/silver-lining-release-party-patchable-0021/s-fCZDEmWWrTb
Pams is master clock
Intro is BIA sequences by Metropolis and modulated by Voltage Block
Drums sequenced by Metron
Bass is Dixie 2+ into Forbidden planet which gets modulated by Pams random wave and creates a bit of a nice formant itself.
Main formant sounds are M32 saw wave into QPAS with M32 square wave into QPAS FM1 and its FM2 gets CV from Pams random wave
QPAS rote L&R are modulated by Diode Chaos
The Main formant sound is triggered with a crossfade thru Cold Mac L&R that gets gates from Klee and also a straight 16th clock.
Odessa and Mimeophon are doing the springy percussive spacey panning bits
Odessa is getting thru zero MF from Dixie and exponential FM from a STEM LFO
Pura Ruina is distorting the snare drum
Harmonaig is doing the chords thru Chainsaw, envelope by Maths which gates’ come thru a switch from Metron
DFAM is doing something.
Zularic repititor and Integra Funkitis are sequencing percussion from ADDAC 103 and that gets run thru Clouds on resonant mode (this is what everyone called the eukele)
There was some vinyl scratching during the set which didn’t get recorded.
Kick, snare, hi hats, and clap are processed in Ableton with Valhalla reverb
Everything else goes through and out SSF Vortices as the main mixer.