4.0 KiB
Looptober 2024
This year for Looptober I decided to use my Arduino (in combination with my modular synth rack) for every track. The source code for each day's track is here and the tracks are on my Funkwhale server
Track notes
1 Logistic
Using the logistic map at an almost-chaotic point to control pitch
2 300 Baudrillard
The noise is the output from the logistic map as an audio-rate signal, sequencer is also the Arduino
3 Spoopy
Using my basic sequencer to drive three tracks. It goes out of sync because the basic sequencer has bad timing.
4 Strong Fish's Fight Theme
I implemented the Karplus-Strong algorithm early this year, this is two tracks of that with different filters applied in the modular.
5 Bad Wavetable
Using some very dodgy wavetable synthesis I did earlier this year
6 Cyber Jubilee
More of the wavetables but this time the aliasing adds to the effect
7 Mutations
Modifying a sequence as it's being played
8 Cellophane
First experiment with generating clouds of randomised gate signals
9 Stomp 7
More sequencing and a 7-TET tuning system. The timing errors really show up at the end of this
10 Too Many LFOs
Using all four of the DAC's outputs as LFOs to drive a bunch of settings on two tracks of synths
11 Scratchpad
A beat made with Karplus-Strong through a waveshaper module and filter and echo
12 Interrupt
I relearned what I'd forgotten about Arduino interrupts and got a sequencer which can count time properly
13 Accidental FM
Accidentally made an FM synthesiser by plugging the Karplus-Strong rhythm into a VCO's pitch control
14 Mondayitis
Trying to make something moody with the sequencer
15 Stretch
Trying to make something a bit funky with Karplus-Strong but that accidental FM synth is crawling around in the background
16 Eggmeat for Rooroo
The accidental FM synthesiser being tweaked in two channels
17 Superheterodyne
Fiddling with sliders on one of my synth modules resulted in this scratchy stuff
18 At Anchor
A better (I think) attempt at making something moody with the sequencer
19 Craquelure
Using the random-note-clouds technique from the 8th but this time picking pitches from a hexany tuning, running it four times and drenching it in reverb
20 Fibomod
Using the Fibonacci series modulo n, also known as the (Pisano period)[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pisano_period], as a wavetable, and incrementing n for each note in the sequence
21 Jacob's Ladder
Deliberate FM synthesis by using a wavetable as the control voltage of a VCO
22 Onomatopoeia
Triggering LFO patterns from the sequencer
23 Ha Ha
Using the triggering stuff from 22 to build a track with more structure
24 Wander
Another 7TET piece using the sequencer
25 Ribosome
Using the sequencer to trigger envelopes and LFOs at two scales - notes and bars
26 Slew
Basic slew / portamento
27 Stasis Field
A single track I recorded when trying to make Ribosome and left for later because I liked it
28 Spores
One thing I wanted to get working this year was triggering clouds of small events which I could layer up into richer textures. I didn't really succeed, this is as close as I got.
29 Nickel Itch
Controlling the AR logistic function with the sequencer and distorting and filtering with the modular. This is probably my favourite track. Nickel itch is a skin irritation caused by that metal which afflicts manual workers in electroplating shops.
30 Processor
More sequenced/timed control of the AR logistic noise
31 Two Against One
Trying to drive the Fibonacci algorithm with the sequencer ended up with one really good track and a bunch of failed attempts to make a bassline to go with it. Then I decided to use the attempts by themselves. Then I came back to do the mixdown and thought of adding the original track over the top. This is my second favourite after Nickel Itch.