Hi Tim, I didn't even know you did a video about out humble Rachael. Thank you! We've just updated out site with a lot better information about all our stuff now, so have a look and let me know what you think.
Ahhhh, thank you for making this video - I think the fact that this goes so much further than the original ring mod was throwing me off. Going to spend some quality time with mine to see what subtleties I can find.
Ring modulation is my favorite effect, I hate how it's viewed as a useless niche effect by most people. Adding some subtle ring mod on pads really adds a unique otherworldly texture to everything. My current favs are Mutable Warps and the Pigtronix Ringmaster.
RingMod (Mod./de-Mod.) is a fundamental communication circuit. Telephones and radio wouldn't be what they are without them! RM is also one of THE most dramatic audio effects in contrast to the simplicity of the circuit design in all audio fx, next to maybe a transistor fuzz. RM was also key to the other half of the Star Wars 2600 thing: Half of it's in realizing R2D2, the other half was Burt's 2600 processing almost every intercom and radio voice in the entire movie. I've fed a TV news channel into my 2600 and it sounded (instantly and uncannily) as though it's coming from a Death Star intercom.
Ring Mod is a wild beast that needs to be tamed. In the wrong hands it's a mess. When used tastefully it is some of the prettiest FM like timbres you'll hear. Albeit multiplication rather than mod/carrier interaction.
I remember that feeling of realizing how to make the star wars voices with ring mod too. Endless fun! "You're a feisty little one, but you'll soon learn some respect!"
I would like to add one more reason to buy Rachael. It's the sound! I think the CS series had the best sounding ring modulator ever, followed by the ARP 2600. I enjoyed watching this video as always and I suggest another video showing the connections needed to integrate Rachael with Deckard's Dream. This is how I am going to do that. I will split DD's audio signal. One will be fed into Rachael. I will connect DD's midi thru with my Kenton Modular Solo, whose cv and gate will be connected with Rachael. When using Rachael controlled by DD I will send Rachael's audio out to my mixer. I expect this setup will work. Happy Easter!
Nice - I set mine up by sending my control surface (a linnstrument) to the Deckard's Dream, then sent the midi thru on to a MMMidi to grab the gate signal. Then I could also grab the 1v/oct if I wanted to mess with that. Then I ran the DD into a hexmix and used one of the sends on a hexpander to feed the Rachael. So many ways to put it together in modular! I only wish I could also find a way to use MPE with this method because that really opens up the Deckard's Dream expression-wise.
What's interesting about the depth control is that it actually has an effect on the frequency. Using a bipolar LFO to ring modulate a sound source will yield a tremolo effect at twice the rate of the LFO (listen at 12:50). This is because one cycle of the LFO peaks one time at its maximum positive voltage and one time at its maximum negative voltage. If we crossfade between the bipolar LFO and a positive signal (that sits at the LFO's amplitude) the output of the crossfader will (at a certain point) never be negative. Thus, we got rid of the second peak - yielding a tremolo which has the LFO's frequency. Very nice introduction to Rachael - thanks!
Tim, thanks again for making this very informative video. I really like your approach to music and the technology connected to it's creation. I am the proud owner of a DDRM2 and shortly after ordering it I also began assembly of the DDRM2 expander unit which is the other way to get the ring modulator. I am very thankful to Black Corporation for making these units and it must have been quite the undertaking to reverse engineer the CS80. No other synthesizer sounds the same and the DDRM2 is very close in overall character. Please keep up the great work since your videos are very inspiring.
Excellent...informative! Wish I'd tried a Rachel before I'd sold my DD 😂. I used a Chase Bliss 1978 reverb and Eventide H9 but could never get the proper ring mod and control you got with the Rachel. It's a must have. Thanks.
Very nice! So, basically one chunk of the 1U expander, but with added CV controls. Not bad! One thing that would have been really cool would be a sync input for the modulation oscillator. I tend to use sync a lot when patching up ring mod sounds. I could almost see having a bank of these :D
“Back in the day”, a Ring Modulator was just a diode bridge, with some “matching transformers”, input and output pots. They came out of the radio labs and tape music era. My problem has always been using “too much”, getting bored and trying something else. You demonstrated that Rachel can make the “ugly radio sound”, but (like the pro-gear it is) be much more nuanced. And, with it’s many other features, would be handy in anybody’s EuroRack. [This module, I can understand; Maths, not so much.]
I'm new to the connectivity. I have 2 Gamechanger Light Pedals and all I know is audio out of the synth goes into the pedal and out to the amp. I have no clue how to audio into this device from my stereo OBX8 and output to the amp. It appears it's not that simple or is it? I see signal input must be mono. So I need two units for stereo? Same for the pedal each mono so I use one for each channel. It's fantastic. I'm also looking for a DD so I need to know how it connects but don't really want to buy more modules. I have the 2 osmose units for the MPE functionality but not sure how MPE and this work together.
Would a device such as the MIDI Meris LVX do enough to work in a all-in-one box verses a whole Eurorack setup? I just don't want to go into Eurorack on top of everything else just for this effect. The BC Expander MKII is going to be $5K. Too many impractical solutions just for this effect.
I need a in depth video of all the necessary other components to hook up cabling for my Osmose, Rachael & DD like in this video. Most regular synths have effects or you get a guitar pedal so I have no idea how this works.
Sounds amazing, better not let those SPAMS hear it (Stupid People Against Modular Synthesis). Looking forwards to hearing future music with Rachael incorporated in your setup.
Hi Tim. Thanks for another great video. I am interested in buying this module myself, but it looks quite deep, so I'm worried it won't fit in my case. I've looked online but can't seem to find any information, I was wondering if you would be able to measure the minimum clearance?
@@TimShoebridge Thanks for taking the time to reply, very much appreciated. Don't know if it's on your radar, but one synth I'd love to see you do a review of is the Majella Implexus. It's a beautifully built synth, knob per function, sounds really different, and has a really nice delay effect.
Wouldn't an attenuverter (with gain varying from -1 to 1) followed by an offset 'generator' (output = some voltage between the negative and positive power supply voltage) do the same as the crossfade mixer? Send the LFO through the attenuverter with offset and use that for the 2nd input of the ring modulator. 2 opamps will do the trick. Note: every ADSR and envelope follower would benefit from this combo too.
Didn't Black Corporation already sell Eurorack modules which basically were one voice of the CS-80? So, you could in theory (and given enough kidneys to sell) build a whole CS-80 in Eurorack, even with more than the usual eight voices. Since I have neither the kidneys nor the desire to dive into Eurorack, I've bought the Cherry Audio GX-80 to fill the CS-80-shaped void in my life. Next item on the docket: MPE controller to take full advantage. *eyes Tim's Osmose with deep longing* :)
I got a Karen instead. That's what I call my ring mod fx pedal. It's a fun fx, and does have cv i/o EDIT and a great LFO. (MF-102). Each flavor is a little different, it seems.
But I'm telling Rachel that y'all named a ring mod after her. You're an Aussie, and Black Corp is in Japan, right? You guys should be safe from her wrath, then. Barely.
I noticed that you have the Osmose in polyphonic aftertouch mode. Any thoughts on how to get it to work with MPE? I’m using the same set up because my midi to CV interface won’t send a gate from multiple midi channels.
@@JoshLucan Hi, I'm not sure exactly what you're trying to do, you are looking for a MPE compliant midi to cv converter? Now that's something I've not investigated before. Found a discussion here but it's not something I've looked into myself www.reddit.com/r/modular/comments/12jr49b/mpe_and_eurorack_what_options_are_there/
Thanks Tim! I might try the FH-2. I’m using the same setup as you, Osmose to Deckard’s Dream to Rachael. I have a Doepfer A-190-3 Midi to Gate converter though. When I put the Osmose into MPE mode the Doepfer doesn’t catch the gate signal anymore because of notes going out over multiple midi channels in MPE. It’s disappointing because I lose some of the CS80 functionality I get with MPE, note independent pitch bends for example. Are you able to get those in Polyphonic Aftertouch mode on the Osmose?
Incidentally, I got the Expert Sleepers FH-2 and it works perfectly! It’s a MIDI to CV converter in eurorack format that can handle MPE so now I can use my Osmose + Deckard’s Dream combo in full MPE mode AND the Rachael catches the gate signal for every note press even though MPE sends each note on a separate midi channel.
EHX ring thing is polyphonic and does more than just Ring mod + it has presets... To be honest I don't like the "roomy" sound of the polyphony. But it is still a GREAT FX pedal!
It can be used with any audio sound source. But if you want to trigger it's envelope then you'll need a midi to CV converter module or else a gate out from your keyboard of choice....
I always wonder: your "logo" says "photography & video", but your videos always look very dull and grey, as if you used the RAW video without any color grading to get some actual contrast and vivid colors out of it. Why?
Hi Tim, I didn't even know you did a video about out humble Rachael. Thank you! We've just updated out site with a lot better information about all our stuff now, so have a look and let me know what you think.
Ahhhh, thank you for making this video - I think the fact that this goes so much further than the original ring mod was throwing me off. Going to spend some quality time with mine to see what subtleties I can find.
Nice call out to Blade Runner in the name.. hope it has a longer than 4 year lifespan!
Ring modulation is my favorite effect, I hate how it's viewed as a useless niche effect by most people. Adding some subtle ring mod on pads really adds a unique otherworldly texture to everything. My current favs are Mutable Warps and the Pigtronix Ringmaster.
This was me. I definitely need to reinvestigate the Ring Mod.
RingMod (Mod./de-Mod.) is a fundamental communication circuit. Telephones and radio wouldn't be what they are without them!
RM is also one of THE most dramatic audio effects in contrast to the simplicity of the circuit design in all audio fx, next to maybe a transistor fuzz.
RM was also key to the other half of the Star Wars 2600 thing:
Half of it's in realizing R2D2, the other half was Burt's 2600 processing almost every intercom and radio voice in the entire movie. I've fed a TV news channel into my 2600 and it sounded (instantly and uncannily) as though it's coming from a Death Star intercom.
Ring Mod is a wild beast that needs to be tamed. In the wrong hands it's a mess. When used tastefully it is some of the prettiest FM like timbres you'll hear. Albeit multiplication rather than mod/carrier interaction.
I remember that feeling of realizing how to make the star wars voices with ring mod too. Endless fun! "You're a feisty little one, but you'll soon learn some respect!"
I would like to add one more reason to buy Rachael. It's the sound! I think the CS series had the best sounding ring modulator ever, followed by the ARP 2600. I enjoyed watching this video as always and I suggest another video showing the connections needed to integrate Rachael with Deckard's Dream. This is how I am going to do that. I will split DD's audio signal. One will be fed into Rachael. I will connect DD's midi thru with my Kenton Modular Solo, whose cv and gate will be connected with Rachael. When using Rachael controlled by DD I will send Rachael's audio out to my mixer. I expect this setup will work. Happy Easter!
Nice - I set mine up by sending my control surface (a linnstrument) to the Deckard's Dream, then sent the midi thru on to a MMMidi to grab the gate signal. Then I could also grab the 1v/oct if I wanted to mess with that. Then I ran the DD into a hexmix and used one of the sends on a hexpander to feed the Rachael. So many ways to put it together in modular! I only wish I could also find a way to use MPE with this method because that really opens up the Deckard's Dream expression-wise.
Superb Tim. Who wouldn’t want a Rachael? 😀
What's interesting about the depth control is that it actually has an effect on the frequency. Using a bipolar LFO to ring modulate a sound source will yield a tremolo effect at twice the rate of the LFO (listen at 12:50). This is because one cycle of the LFO peaks one time at its maximum positive voltage and one time at its maximum negative voltage. If we crossfade between the bipolar LFO and a positive signal (that sits at the LFO's amplitude) the output of the crossfader will (at a certain point) never be negative. Thus, we got rid of the second peak - yielding a tremolo which has the LFO's frequency. Very nice introduction to Rachael - thanks!
You explained it far better than I ever could 🙏
Tim, thanks again for making this very informative video. I really like your approach to music and the technology connected to it's creation. I am the proud owner of a DDRM2 and shortly after ordering it I also began assembly of the DDRM2 expander unit which is the other way to get the ring modulator. I am very thankful to Black Corporation for making these units and it must have been quite the undertaking to reverse engineer the CS80. No other synthesizer sounds the same and the DDRM2 is very close in overall character.
Please keep up the great work since your videos are very inspiring.
The only ring mod I’ve used is my R*S Serge module and the ones built into the Rossum Trident. Nice to see and hear other applications
Excellent...informative! Wish I'd tried a Rachel before I'd sold my DD 😂. I used a Chase Bliss 1978 reverb and Eventide H9 but could never get the proper ring mod and control you got with the Rachel. It's a must have.
Thanks.
But how long will she live?
Very nice! So, basically one chunk of the 1U expander, but with added CV controls. Not bad! One thing that would have been really cool would be a sync input for the modulation oscillator. I tend to use sync a lot when patching up ring mod sounds. I could almost see having a bank of these :D
Thank you, very helpful to understand that this is complementary to the Deckard's Dream - it is often positioned as a single voice DD.
“Back in the day”, a Ring Modulator was just a diode bridge, with some “matching transformers”, input and output pots. They came out of the radio labs and tape music era. My problem has always been using “too much”, getting bored and trying something else. You demonstrated that Rachel can make the “ugly radio sound”, but (like the pro-gear it is) be much more nuanced. And, with it’s many other features, would be handy in anybody’s EuroRack. [This module, I can understand; Maths, not so much.]
"Her eyes were green."
I thought Rachael was meant to accompany the Deckards Voice Eurorack module.
oh wow id like to see a krell using the Rachel as an oscillator
Delightful! Thank you, Tim!
I'm new to the connectivity. I have 2 Gamechanger Light Pedals and all I know is audio out of the synth goes into the pedal and out to the amp. I have no clue how to audio into this device from my stereo OBX8 and output to the amp. It appears it's not that simple or is it? I see signal input must be mono. So I need two units for stereo? Same for the pedal each mono so I use one for each channel. It's fantastic. I'm also looking for a DD so I need to know how it connects but don't really want to buy more modules. I have the 2 osmose units for the MPE functionality but not sure how MPE and this work together.
majestic sound!!!
You’ve just teached me one more essential thing that I didn’t know that I had to know :)
Going to recreate Rachael with other modules first. Almost more nice than having it in one 😄 (will probably sound different).
Wow Tim, I didn’t know you own a Matrix 6, nice.
Thanks for this video, been looking for the expander for the DD just for the ring mod, but with no luck. this seems to be what I'm looking for.
Would a device such as the MIDI Meris LVX do enough to work in a all-in-one box verses a whole Eurorack setup? I just don't want to go into Eurorack on top of everything else just for this effect. The BC Expander MKII is going to be $5K. Too many impractical solutions just for this effect.
That 5v offset trick didn't work on my Ring Mod module as it is DC coupled 😅
I need a in depth video of all the necessary other components to hook up cabling for my Osmose, Rachael & DD like in this video. Most regular synths have effects or you get a guitar pedal so I have no idea how this works.
Sounds amazing, better not let those SPAMS hear it (Stupid People Against Modular Synthesis).
Looking forwards to hearing future music with Rachael incorporated in your setup.
Hi Tim. Thanks for another great video. I am interested in buying this module myself, but it looks quite deep, so I'm worried it won't fit in my case. I've looked online but can't seem to find any information, I was wondering if you would be able to measure the minimum clearance?
With the cable connected I'd suggest 42-45mm
@@TimShoebridge Thanks for taking the time to reply, very much appreciated. Don't know if it's on your radar, but one synth I'd love to see you do a review of is the Majella Implexus. It's a beautifully built synth, knob per function, sounds really different, and has a really nice delay effect.
Wouldn't an attenuverter (with gain varying from -1 to 1) followed by an offset 'generator' (output = some voltage between the negative and positive power supply voltage) do the same as the crossfade mixer? Send the LFO through the attenuverter with offset and use that for the 2nd input of the ring modulator. 2 opamps will do the trick. Note: every ADSR and envelope follower would benefit from this combo too.
Just an FYI, Moon Jock ADSR from L.A. circuits has CV for each :)
Great module ,well explained ,thank you
In your video how did you attenuate because I don't see that module in the rack?
It’s a great module.
I wonder if this can be done with Bastls Pizza oscillator.
Tim love to disvover Matrix 6r in your setup.
Thanks for being honest. You don't really need Rachael. I am using AJH Synth Ring SM
Very informative. Very nice!
Didn't Black Corporation already sell Eurorack modules which basically were one voice of the CS-80? So, you could in theory (and given enough kidneys to sell) build a whole CS-80 in Eurorack, even with more than the usual eight voices.
Since I have neither the kidneys nor the desire to dive into Eurorack, I've bought the Cherry Audio GX-80 to fill the CS-80-shaped void in my life. Next item on the docket: MPE controller to take full advantage. *eyes Tim's Osmose with deep longing* :)
I got a Karen instead. That's what I call my ring mod fx pedal. It's a fun fx, and does have cv i/o EDIT and a great LFO. (MF-102). Each flavor is a little different, it seems.
But I'm telling Rachel that y'all named a ring mod after her. You're an Aussie, and Black Corp is in Japan, right? You guys should be safe from her wrath, then. Barely.
Rachel does more than Karen, clearly, but maybe Karen sounds more unruly, less subtle? I'm still only 2/3 of the way thru this vid...
The clanging chimes of doom
I noticed that you have the Osmose in polyphonic aftertouch mode. Any thoughts on how to get it to work with MPE? I’m using the same set up because my midi to CV interface won’t send a gate from multiple midi channels.
@@JoshLucan Hi, I'm not sure exactly what you're trying to do, you are looking for a MPE compliant midi to cv converter? Now that's something I've not investigated before. Found a discussion here but it's not something I've looked into myself www.reddit.com/r/modular/comments/12jr49b/mpe_and_eurorack_what_options_are_there/
Thanks Tim! I might try the FH-2. I’m using the same setup as you, Osmose to Deckard’s Dream to Rachael. I have a Doepfer A-190-3 Midi to Gate converter though. When I put the Osmose into MPE mode the Doepfer doesn’t catch the gate signal anymore because of notes going out over multiple midi channels in MPE. It’s disappointing because I lose some of the CS80 functionality I get with MPE, note independent pitch bends for example. Are you able to get those in Polyphonic Aftertouch mode on the Osmose?
Incidentally, I got the Expert Sleepers FH-2 and it works perfectly! It’s a MIDI to CV converter in eurorack format that can handle MPE so now I can use my Osmose + Deckard’s Dream combo in full MPE mode AND the Rachael catches the gate signal for every note press even though MPE sends each note on a separate midi channel.
EHX ring thing is polyphonic and does more than just Ring mod + it has presets... To be honest I don't like the "roomy" sound of the polyphony. But it is still a GREAT FX pedal!
Sounds nice👍
Can this be used with any keyboard?
It can be used with any audio sound source. But if you want to trigger it's envelope then you'll need a midi to CV converter module or else a gate out from your keyboard of choice....
Is that a Slim Patty on the desk there ? 😏
It is. Took two attempts before I finally got one that was fully functional 😒
well🙃💙done.
I always wonder: your "logo" says "photography & video", but your videos always look very dull and grey, as if you used the RAW video without any color grading to get some actual contrast and vivid colors out of it. Why?
I carefully grade all my videos with the sole intention of annoying you.
Living in a hedonistic world makes one easily desensitized and one's impression fade to grey
@@TimShoebridge 🤣😂👌