Natural Gate by Rabid Elephant | It's REALLY good. But why?
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- Опубліковано 12 бер 2024
- The NG is often considered as the best sounding LPG you can get - if your fortunate, lucky and patient. It's analog, but it doesn't use a natural vactrol decay because it can ring much longer thanks to the Decay slider. I guess the term 'natural' applies more to the physical properties of hitting something soft, hard, slow or fast, where the materials and pitch also matter. A classic LPG has a static hit, but DXG is advertised as dynamic. To get the most out of our not-so-natural LPG's, it's cool to demystify these physical properties and try to patch them up so we'll understand them better. They can make a lot of difference. So this is not going to be a 'look what I got' video because it doesn't help anybody. There's a big section about advanced envelope patching with Maths and Optomix to add physical properties like pitch dependent decay and strike intensity. But it's not easy, and it doesn't sound as natural as the NG.
When I was hooked on Optomix, I 'protected' myself from non-vactrol LPGs like the NG and the SSF SSG. I often said, if it doesn't have vactrols, it's not an LPG. I've been biased and prejudiced and it happens to all of us from time to time, considering the endless analog vs digital discussion. Technology serves a result, and when the result is excellent, it's great technology. I've been expecting wonders from the NG and in the confined realm of classic LPG's it really delivers. But I am not sure if it can compete with the fun that comes with a module like the SSG. The NG is one of the very best. But the best one is the one that helps you make the music you love most. Honestly, I think the SSG will serve more genres and styles.
The African track is composed and performed by me when I was still in the box and used NI Maschine a lot. It's named after the expansion pack 'Global Shake'.
Steady State Gate remains my fav LPG so far.
love this video. love LPGs. love the attention you're giving them and how good it all sounds.
the ONE thing I'll say is that I preferred your old font.
which is obviously a matter of personal taste.
thank you for the work you do. so inspiring.
+1 on the old font, it was rather cinematic
I have to admit I miss it too, even though the new font is much easier and relaxed to read.. It wasn't a matter of personal taste. With almost 13K subscribers there are people who can't read very well. Some needed more time, some are dyslectic and using all capitals makes reading much harder because there's no contrast. Even though I have a 'not my problem' attitude, it IS my problem and it may be an issue on the rise because people are constantly on their smartphones while some elemetary school teachers can't spell either. If they can't enjoy my vids, I will not grow my audience. I will never use a voiceover, so they're 'forced' to practise reading and get better at it. I think I can get away with making my caption headers the old font and bring back the channel's identity. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
@@CinematicLaboratory thanks for the response, and that makes total sense. because I've almost never heard you speak, the text really was your "voice". but I totally hear what you're coming from and I will absolutely accept this outcome in the interest of more people being able to enjoy your spectacular work.
This video is for connaisseur ! i didn't expect such a test during the first half of if ! ho ho ! Having two (yes 2) natural gate, i hear that the SSG is for sharp on the attack. it is really interesting hearing that comparaison. Love to hear more basic waves like the first orange bank of plaits ! thanks for your video !
The NG will definitely return :). I want to do a serious compare with Streams.
Nice! I've been waiting very long to get me a NG, but for me and my setup it's the best I've ever used.
SSG might be a very nice alternative to add more spice (if you'd need that coming from the LPG itself).
Been out of scene Robert for a while due to Chemo treatments, always wanted Rabid NG but may not have time to wait on lists so is SSG a life saving stop cap, keep up the innovative route you follow in your Quest, I salute your resolve
I missed you being around on my channel, and I was wondering what happened. I remember you being in a tough spot, but VERY happy to see you're still around. SSG is an amazing alternative and you don't have to wait for it. The only 'downside' is that a Bongo is two drums so at some point you'll miss the dual channels for panned, complex or stereo sources. You can't make a Buchla bongo without two channels :).
They are currently in stock. I ordered 4 days ago and it's on the way already :)
love my NG. It just sounds so natural.
I understand why Rabies is so contagious, it does indeed produces pleasing bongo fury. Think I can more than make do with SSG as I fancy it’s variable voicing. Thanks for another very informative demo.
You're very welcome!
I've been finding the DXG a bit limiting and underwhelming so far, in terms of dynamic control at least, only have the lpg's on my Pittsburgh VRL to compare it to. I guess the stereo thing is it's advantage and I don't have many stereo sources to use with it (only Morphagene at present). Although I've had the idea to plug the Octratrack into it (once I get it repaired) before I sell it off, that combination might create some magic.
Same here, until I patched four DPO outputs in it and a send/return from Erbe-Verb. It's supposed to be dynamics sensitive, so a strike with different velocities should work. Haven't tested it yet. But it can't set the decay on the strike input like NG and SSG, you'd need to switch back to CTRL and play with a snappy envelope. I am super happy with the DXG in the makenoise universe, but I can really imagine people would go for something else. I guess I have many options now.
I had a little trouble following along with the Maths/Opto patch.
So the inverted Ochd signal (thru channel 2) goes in to the CRTL input of the Optos second input?
No, the inverted signal is used to make a long decay for low notes. The LFO would make decay longer as it goes up, and you'd want the opposite. The inverted LFO goes to envelope decay. Envelope goes to Opto CH1. Sorry for the confusion. The regular LFO affects the loop speed (Maths CH4 decay) , pitch and CTRL of Opto CH2.
I think you did a pretty good job of explaining it.
I'm just slowly learning and taking my sweet time.
A lot of the time it works well for me if there is a zoom out on the patch so I can trace the cables visually and build an understanding like that.
Very inspiring video though! Had me getting explorative.@@CinematicLaboratory
Were you multing the same lfo to all those destinations for a cohesive sound?
With your explanation here I think I can quickly patch it and work out what I need to :)
I think the only spot I am confused is where the LFO versus the Inverted LFO go.
The inverted LFO goes to the Fall parameter for channel 4 and the Regular LFO is routed to pitch, Opto CH2 ctrl and Maths Ch4 Decay (which is labelled?)
@@Navaho23I Almost. Maths CH1 does the envelope for strike shape. CH4 does the increasing stabs. Decay of the strikeshape would normally go longer as the pitch/LFO goes higher, so CH1 decay needs the invert. CH2 is used to do this. CH1 goes to Opto CH1 to sculpt the noise from Spectraphon. Ch4 goes faster as the LFO goes higher which is what I want. Regular LFO comes from Ochd and is multed to pitch, CH4 decay and Opto CH2. I agree it was a mindf*ck. Hard to figure out, patch and explain on video. I should have done a step by step, but I was afraid to lose the patch and ruin video consistency.
Hey cinematic its so weird you did this video because i have narrowed down between the 2. Which one do you like better NG or SSG?
Beyond any doubt, the NG. But I am very bad in making choices when they're so different.
@@CinematicLaboratory lol true i am going to preorder one hate to wait but the sound of it is so good snappy and clear
Nice demo! Regarding the comparison between a 292 and the NG, owning both (the 292e version) I would say they are both fantastic but different enough. The 292 is more oomphy while the NG is more delicate and versatile, better suited for melodic music. I wouldn't part with either but if I had to choose, I'd keep the 292e. I like it a bit rough ;)
But I consider the NG a classic on its own, not just a 292 derivative.
Since the 292 started this whole LPG concept, I use it as a reference benchmark. Incredible that it's 50 or 60 years old. Having quad gates is no small thing and you (292e) also has the luxury of velocity inputs. Where would we be without Don Buchla?
I console myself with the facts that a) I am already on the NG waitlist, and b) if for some reason I don’t get on with it I can pass it on without financial loss. Meanwhile, I have a 292.
Btw, here in the UK a new NG, plus shipping, costs just £90 more than the SSG. Absent shipping and there’s very little difference.
The 292 is a reference and simply adds the most authentic Buchla sound. And then it's Quad, so it can do things a NG or SSG can never do. To get closer to an SSG you can always put a filter before the LPG (like Blades with drive and resonance) which works extremely well. As for the NG, I am sure you can add dynamics with the 281, 257 and the quad 292. I'll definitely give it a try with the knowledge I gained from this video. If it's cool I'll post a video.
You made a rabid elephant sound 🤣 Ok, how much time did you blow figuring out that sound? (worth it) This is one of your best my friend. The NG BTW has my absolute favorite type of jacks. I wish more things used them.
I still think they're very different. Optomix sounds a bit like a playing card pinched to a bicycle like kids do and NG has this 'texture' I can't describe but I'd say 'mahogany'. First I read all the information I could find and the official Rabid video while my NG was in transit. When I learned about intensity and pitch dynamics, I tried to recreate it and shot the video parts with Maths and Optomix before NG arrived. I had no idea if it would be comparable but I expected I needed something dynamic as a CV source. When I patched up the NG, results were better with a simple trigger but less 'fabricated' compared to my Pitch-Decay link. Regardless of NG, I learned a lot about patching with more dynamics and making something simple sound alive. I really enjoyed just listening to those drum rolls for many hours :).
@@CinematicLaboratory Mahogany is a great descriptor
Brilliant, as usual. I love my NG..absolutely love it. Sold my Optomix over it.
Another one I love and would never let go is the Sinc Bucina (from NE). in 4HP, it's got a fantastic sound, price, and a few great tricks up its sleeve.
Thanks for sharing Johno. I did not know you have an NG!
Natural gate is on my wishlist. Waiting time is too long.
Three months to the day after I placed the pre-order I got the pre-shipping email from RE. It’s still got to ship- and make its way to the UK- but total wait time will likely be less than four months. I’ve waited a lot longer for out-of-stock modules in the UK (five months for a replacement for a faulty v2 Nebulae!).
@@walrtbstudios5430 Good to now. Thank you for the information.
7:00 some carburetor cleaner ought to fix that!
LOL
Thank you for great lecture. Now NG will get even longer waiting lists everywhere suche lists might existe, sigh, but then you show the SSG for half the price! Hurray! But only one channel, oh no. But do I need two? No : )
This video = + 10
it's only a few months of wait for the NG right now. I have both the NG and the SSG, and I do prefer the NG (if at the original price)
Already nobel price winner Feynman knew that a Bongo consists of 2 drums, that‘s why SSG is out of the game.
You could buy 4 SSG for the cost of one Natural Gate
@@zacharyreutlinger7623it‘s 1.8x the price if you take Schneidersladen as a reference and hp are not free either in my world
@@zacharyreutlinger7623 Incorrect. NG is dual channel. Price of the single channel SSG is around 66% of the NG. If you'd want two channels, SSG is more expensive.