Not Aphex Twin
Attempting to patch up some heavily modulated drums!
Like most folks in this neck of the music woods I’m a long-time fan of Aphex Twin. The music of Richard D James is unique, inventive and endlessly inspiring. Drukqs is probably still my favourite Aphex Twin album! :)
When I was making Imposter Techno I was using the 4ms Dual Looping Delay to get some nice hat/snare feedback and I was reminded of Aphex Twin.
So today I thought I’d take that inspiration further and see if I could get anywhere near Aphex Twin style drum programming on my modular learning path!
There are lots of videos on YouTube about how to exactly copy the Aphex Twin style, I am not trying to do that, that would be both madness and impossible! I’m just learning how to patch up some crazy heavily modulated drums!
It was a lot of fun with some success. Also getting better with patching oscillators and filters. The patch ended up quite complex and I used pretty much everything so I won’t bother with patch notes!
Using just the 2hp Kick and Hat along with Elements(Atom) for metallic sounds.
Here are a few notes…
Completely ran out of modulation sources! I used all the envelopes and LFOs I have with as many stacked cables as I could muster. Could probably do with a few more envelopes, LFOs and attenuators!
Ran out of patch cables!
Haven’t got enough effects in the case, particularly distortion and chorus. I have to add a lot of effects in Ableton in post so I may set up permanent chorus and distortion on all channels with control via the Novation Launch Control XL.
It’s hard to dial in those simple changing melodies with Marbles that Richard James does so well, didn’t do too well there!
It’s also hard to dial in enough modulation of enough things without it getting out of hand or losing control!
I had the “SPACE” setting on the Microcosm turned up too high so there’s too much reverb baked in!
Must listen to more Aphex Twin!
Here are a few short sound snippets…
Sorry Richard! :)
#ModularMay
Yeah, sounds amazing!
Wicked 🖤