Ambient/space music artist Craig Padilla shared this live performance of Surface Ascent, an extended electronic instrumental piece, in four parts.
Here’s what Padilla shared about the technical details of his performance:
This song features heavy use of many synthesizers and effects:
Akai MPC ONE
Yamaha MODX M7
Synthrotek MST & Division 6 Modular with Source Audio Collider
Mattson Mini Modular with Source Audio Nemesis
ARP 2500 Sequencer
Arturia MatrixBrute
Hologram Microcosm
TC Electronics Ditto X4
The Mattson Mini Modular and ARP 2500 Sequencer modules create an underwater sonar-like vibe before the first rhythmic sequence begins.
This song will be available on Padilla’s upcoming live album, First Light Over Aurora. You can find Padilla’s music at his Bandcamp site.
WMD Modbox MKII combines two specialized LFOs, three sample-and-hold modes, a looping random-pattern generator, and analog white noise in an 8HP Eurorack module.
WMD shared this intro to the Modbox MKII, a multifunction modulation module designed to generate related control-voltage signals, synchronized rhythmic movement, and evolving random patterns.
Building on the original WMD/SSF Modbox concept, the MKII combines a Three Phase LFO, a variable-shape Skew LFO, a digital sample-and-hold circuit, and an analog noise generator.
Both oscillators support clock synchronization and 1V/octave tracking, and can operate at audio rates. The module’s additional sample-and-hold modes and probabilistic looping function provide further options for generating changing modulation without requiring a separate sequencer.
Features:
The Three Phase LFO generates three related outputs and offers three operating modes. Phase Offset shifts the phase relationships between outputs, Phase Modulation introduces cascading phase distortion, and Frequency Spread changes the relative frequencies of the second and third outputs. The spread control can raise the second output to eight times the base frequency while lowering the third to one-eighth of that frequency.
A waveform control continuously morphs the Three Phase LFO’s outputs through sawtooth, sine, triangle, and ramp shapes. Independent frequency ratios are available for the second and third outputs, and the oscillator supports 1V/octave tracking and audio-rate operation.
The Skew LFO morphs between sawtooth, triangle, and ramp waveforms. Its slope control adjusts the waveform transition, while a separate shape function changes the curve from exponential through linear to logarithmic. Clock synchronization and adjustable phase behavior provide control over how the modulation aligns with incoming clock and reset signals.
The Skew LFO also tracks 1V/octave and can operate at audio rates, allowing it to serve as either a modulation source or a source of oscillator-rate signals. When synchronized to an external clock, its rate control adjusts the relationship between the LFO and the incoming timing signal.
The digital sample-and-hold section offers Sample & Hold, Track & Hold, and Turing Machine modes. Sample & Hold captures an input voltage at a trigger event, while Track & Hold follows the input while its gate is active and holds the voltage when the gate closes.
In Turing Machine mode, the module stores a loop of sampled voltages and uses a probability control to determine whether new values enter the sequence or existing values repeat. The loop can be adjusted from one to 32 samples, producing patterns that range from changing random values to repeating or reversing sequences.
An analog white-noise generator provides a noise source for the sample-and-hold circuit or other destinations in a patch. The noise output is also internally connected to the sample-and-hold input, allowing the module to generate random voltage patterns without an external noise source or additional patch cable.
The Skew LFO’s pulse output is internally connected to the sample-and-hold trigger input. This normalled connection lets the oscillator clock the sampling process, creating synchronized random or looping patterns without requiring a separate trigger source.
Clock and reset inputs support synchronized operation of the LFOs. The available clock ratios range from divisions as slow as 1:512 to multiplications up to 4:1, allowing modulation rates to follow a broader rhythmic structure. The clock and reset controls also provide selectable synchronization and reset behaviors.
The Modbox MKII occupies 8HP of Eurorack space and has a listed depth of 38mm, including cables. Settings are saved after one minute of inactivity involving the Shift and Mode controls, and the module’s firmware can be updated in the field.
The WMD Modbox MKII is available now for $279 USD.
Music Tribe has updated its Github site with a new repo for the Behringer IGNITE – a 64-channel multitrack sequencer.
IGNITE combines a touchscreen interface, step-entry controls, extensive MIDI connectivity, eight CV outputs, eight Gate outputs, and an internal General MIDI sound engine.
The release gives developers access to substantial parts of the system, including the application, audio engine, and communication protocol used to interact with the hardware. Its documentation notes that some third-party components were removed and must be replaced before the project can be built.
Features:
IGNITE is designed around 64 channels of multitrack sequencing, organized through songs, scenes, tracks, and patterns. Patterns can extend to 16 bars, while scenes can contain up to 200 bars.
Recording and performance functions include real-time recording, undo, fill, solo and skip controls, as well as gang and sculpt functions. Transposition and support for up to 10 user-defined scales provide additional options for arranging and editing sequences.
An internal General MIDI sound engine allows the system to generate sounds without relying entirely on external instruments.
MIDI connectivity includes five five-pin DIN MIDI input/output pairs, USB MIDI, and USB host MIDI support for up to five additional devices. The system also supports MIDI clock synchronization, MIDI Machine Control, and remote control.
For modular synthesizers and other CV-equipped instruments, IGNITE provides eight CV outputs and eight Gate outputs, with calibration options. Dedicated sync input and output connections provide additional synchronization possibilities.
Wireless connectivity is provided through Wi-Fi. The documented rear-panel connections also include USB-C, a line/headphone output, and a 12V DC power input.
The front panel features a touchscreen, 16 RGB step pads with individual encoders, eight assignable knobs, a jog wheel, row and bar encoders, and dedicated transport and sequencing controls. The 16 physical step pads serve as an interface for entering and manipulating sequences across the larger 64-channel architecture.
The public repository includes the main application, the AudIO audio engine library, the ComProtocol hardware communication layer, and a Buildroot tree for the device’s Linux image. Music Tribe’s own application, audio engine, and communication-protocol code are published under the GNU Affero General Public License, version 3 or later. The Linux build tree uses Buildroot components under their applicable licenses, and third-party components retain their respective licensing terms.
The release is intended to support community experimentation and development, but it is not yet a ready-to-install custom-firmware package. The repository notes that some third-party material could not be redistributed and that replacements are needed to build certain parts of the project.
The Behringer IGNITE source code is publicly available through Music Tribe Open Source on GitHub. The repository does not currently provide an official firmware release, and details on pricing and availability are still to be announced.
