Freeform Techno / Machine Jazz demo - Steevio
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- Опубліковано 7 лют 2025
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Recently I did a video recording of a live modular synthesizer improvisation called Primes for XLR8R magazine, and afterwards I produced this video of how I built the tune from a blank canvas, explaining my system of live analogue sequencing....
The idea was to show just one of the many ways a modular synthesizer can be configured and used as an improvisational instrument.
I held the camera in my right hand while tweaking the modular with my left, so its a bit shaky and amateur stylee. I'm no public speaker and my explanation of the techniques and routings are a bit clumsy in places, but it gives an idea of how i make my music.
I hope it may be of interest to some of the modular geeks out there.
The original XLR8R video ; • Steevio - "Primes" (Mo...
The XLR8R article ; www.xlr8r.com/...
free download of Primes here;
www.xlr8r.com/...
www.mindtours.c...
www.freerotatio...
Thank you for all the kind words and positive comments guys, its much appreciated! ...Peace Steevio
Mastery is to create something complex and the same time engaging out of simple elements - and to make it look really easy, hahha! You’re still the best man! i watched this video 3 years ago when I started out and it takes me back to why I love this instrument so much.
Still watching this. At least my 1000th time. My girlfriend thinks I’ve lost it
Stevvio is the Miles Davis of eurorack
Steevio I love your workflow laid out in this video! am taking notes, this is very inspiring!
thanks so much for the props Colin, coming from you that's a real honour, love your work too. Thats made my day... S
@@suzybeeMINDTOURSThis is amazing to see. My two improvisational heroes collide! It was cool to see the curtain being pulled back a bit too, Steevio, your shuffles/polyrhythms make me wanna dance out of my skin. 💛✨
there aren't enough "aces" in the world to cover this. have spoken to steevio about this system and even still don't fully understand, but I'm working on it. so damn funky. so so good.
I couldn't agree more - have you worked out what the A151s are doing / triggering?!
hi Rob, there's a mixture of things, closed hi-hats, open hi-hats, snare drums, and the same rim-shot/clave and tom-tom type sounds that i originally sent the triggers too. Those original sounds were created with FM'd VCOs, VCFs, Makenoise Maths env gen, and VCAs. FM is the key, usually a TIPTop audio Z3000, FM'd by a perfect 4th or 5th from another VCO. You can create almost any percussive sound with that set-up....Steevio
Thank you mylarmelodies !!
No worries!! Quick Q: Are you quantising the output of the A155's _BEFORE_ going into the precision adders, or do you just quantise the summed output of the adders themselves? I had in in my head you mentioned you actually precision-add the pre-quantised outputs.
Yes Before, that gives you much flexibilty especially with several quantisers., but it can also been done the other way round
thanks everyone for all the kind words !! peace Steevio
This is the deep knowledge. Everything from mechanics like summing cv with switched mults, to things ethnomusicological and mathematical like Euclidean Polyrhythms. This is like a graduate course! :D
He so casual while dropping absolute filth lmao.
One of the most unique minds in our scene. I hope I get to see him live one day
Man - that is absolutely incredible. One of the most musically valid and un-pretentious demonstrations I've ever seen. Love & Respect.
Keep coming back to this one. So easy to get lost down the wormhole of modular. Steevio uses (many) basic blocks to create complex structures. Beautiful educational vid this.
Cheers Ben !
I feel this is the absolute wonder of modular. Knowledge of the many different building blocks to realize the machine that complements YOUR perfect workflow.
Nothing wrong with rings into clouds but it's really great to see people put a lot of thought into their systems.
Agreed! basic blocks, complex outcomes. Steevio just blurting out trade secrets for all of us
I just revisited this video. This is sooo awesome. Steevio is a musical genre in its own. 🙌🏻
💚
6:48 i love how the toms toms sync exactly with you saying "tom toms"
Steevio gives me the exact feeling of finding something truly unique as I did when I discovered Tetrameth and Kalya Scintilla. I’d kill to groove with him playing in the audience of a festival. Bless you Steevio you absolute God of Electronic Jazz + everything else in your unique corner of this music genre, which is most of it, because you inspired most of us.. May you live on forever as a pioneer and founder of this new alien language 👽✨💛
aww thanks man, thats so appreciated, have a fun and creative festive season...
@ Thank you for taking the time to read and reply, it’s an honour man! Long live Steevio! 💛✨
thanks for all the kind words guys ! ..Steevio
over the years I have watched this video probably at least a hundred times. my dream is to one day re-create this sequence in VCV, but still so much to learn :D legs are still twitching to the rhythm every time I watch
maybe this helps you: ua-cam.com/video/lALdtFNC2ZM/v-deo.html&ab_channel=OmriCohen Have fun :)
Lost count of the amount of times I've watched this video. Super inspiring stuff especially as I cam up in the MPC Drum machine world from back in the day. Never ever was comfortable with the move into computers and DAWS despite making many tunes in that way. Had been toying with investigating modular world and this video and your tunes sealed the deal. Thank you for the good vibes and for the explanation. Really refreshing to find someone who is willing to share and give insights into what is without doubt a complicated process. So for that I big you up. Charlie Dark from Attica Blues Mo Wax days.
thanks Charlie, I'm honoured that you like it mate and that its been a help !
I've never learned so much from a modular video...
Thanks everyone for the kind words ! - Steevio
Thanks for this Steevio. You've always been a huge inspiration to me. Now also source of huge GAS.
+Samuli Kemppi aww you're too kind mate !!
for the GAS, i suggest eating less beans and pulses ;)
Really great tutorial, Steevio. Not just for people with large systems either. I'd recommend this to people without modulars as well. Interesting to apply the same concept of constructing rhythms and musical sequences to other bits of gear or even software. You'd make a lot of people happy if you did more of these.
Altered dominants in techno! Absolutely fantastic. A perfect synthesis. And inspirational. I’ve been thinking about exactly this in my own music recently so this really helps. First time I’ve heard your music Steevio, I will definitely be searching out some more. Thanks
Thanks so much Michael, and gives me hope that I'm on the right track .. Peace S
I love how the humble and gentle Geordie accent gives way to savage and bonkers brilliance. Just genius.
Great vid Steevio. I think it's left us all wanting more! As a result of your demo I have taken the plunge and bought myself a brace of A155/154s and running them at different sequence lengths is a revelation - the most enjoyment I've had with my modular! More please!!!
Probably one of those videos Im gonna watch lot of times in moments of creative block... and lot of this knowledge can be applied onto any hardware/software instruments. In the meantime Im gonna rob few shops or a bank to afford my first modular. big thumb up for sharing knowladge !
THAT is the best demonstration and modular patch that i have heard on the web. Bloody hell. I'm impressed. Thanks for that. It shows what is is possible. Feeling inspired :-)
This is to me the ultimate music. I would love to one day attend a Freerotation and / or otherwise see you perform with the full setup.
Mate this is spectacular, and the fact that you explained what you were doing really taught me a lot. Wish this was half an hour long at least.
that groove was an absolute delight. diving in the modular world for sure
Wow, V1, rotate. A modular flight simulator. Captain Steevio as guide. I watch, I learn. Thank you.
thanks!
Great! The sequences with different number of steps is what subotnik did on his Buchla!
Thanks so much for your demonstration, explanation, and encouragement!
It is as if you have command of a Detroit warehouse party, right there at your fingertips! What a wonderful way this would be to spend one's time! :)
I am inspired to learn more about the subject of modular analog synthesizers! :D
All the Best,
:)
INSANELY GOOD. WTF. Cannot believe my eyes and ears
steevio.. you're such an inspiration to me! I am watching this video probably for the 20th time now. To me, your approach to modular synthesis having basically a blank sheet with all routes tracing back to simple and "pure" sequencers like the a-155s, is just beautiful..
Everything hands-on ready, no distracting menus, no redundant module functionality just an insanely groovy dialog between you and the synth.
keep up your great work - many are listening.
hey Vapili, thank you for these kind words... I'm so happy that you found inspiration from the video..
Yes I really do not like menus, they are counter productive for improvisation, its why i got into analogue synthesis in the first place and why my rig is fairly old school with very few boutique and digital modules. Ive tried them and then sold them on. If you have to stop to think or search a menu for even a few seconds, you've lost the flow ... peace Steevio
Mind blowing
thanks... that was awesome.... and you showed me in 16 minutes how far i haven't come in 2 years of using my modular. sigh.
This is very very good. Lot of times I watch these videos and the modular synth setup is impressive but the sounds and music not so much. This is some seriously funky jazzy groove!
thank you Andre !
Wicked and a real treat for all Wigglers!
So refreshing to hear something musical coming from a modular system.
Think a lot of people get lost in making sounds sometimes and forget to make music.
Wow, just wow. Thank you for giving me something to wrap my head around in the way I write. Very inspiring, sir. And I also have to say, your cable management is so completely on point. I love how clean your layout is even with all that "spaghetti" potential.
thank you man ! yeah its essential in a live situation to have your cables velcroed, it would be almost impossible to tweak anything with the amount of cables ive got in that rig.
you kept on saying, you probably recognize it... but I didn't recognize anything but pure originality.
*cries into my soft-synth*
Phenomenal Steevio! Just brilliant! :D
Wow!! I found this really interesting and a nice groove too. Thank you very much. Went to many a techno party with Jimmy and Colin back in the day in Aberystwyth circa '98 to '01. Peace.
08:50 Love the swingy rhythm feel to this track! I love it! :)
one of the best eurorack videos
one of the best eurorack videos
yep, really cool. I'm crazy for analog synths 🎹🎧
Utterly amazing - my lord. Where would one even begin?
I'll answer it myself, got a Moog DFAM - now I just need a sequencer. Just that and I'll be fine. Sure. And maybe a reverb. Or a delay. Some distortion would be nice, and a couple more oscillators.....🤔
What you have done here is simply amazing! Thanks for the tour of your rig!
finally!! someone who can make a modular system actually listenable!! Most of the time modular stuff is just crazy noodling. This is actually something I can listen to - thanks!!
I love your sense of rhythmic funk, man. Nice.
Awesome stuff Steve! I'll be watching this a few times over.
Amazing, thank you for a peak into your world!
Sadly don't have money for a modular... But this groove you put on the track is my new dream
amazing! very inspiring, Looking forward to see you perform in Berlin Sept 29.
Incredible.
Sir, this is the first video of yours I’ve seen. And you’ve already become one of my musical hero’s. So. Much Yes. Peace and Blessings.
haha you're too kind man ...
Just saw this on MW. Excellent vid!
💚
great stuff Steevio! Looking forward to more jamming videos.
me @ 4:30: this sounds awesome
steevio: now those rhythms are pretty obvious...
Thanks so much for the detailed explanations... More vids please!
You are my favourite modular composer! ABSOLUTELY LOVE WHAT YOU’RE DOING!
thanks for the kind words man!
Wow. Thanks very much for sharing this. Your music is amazing.
+TechtronicMountain thank you man !
Excellent, very well explained.
So glad I found this! I watched it a couple of years ago but couldn't find it again until recently. Thanks so much for the description of your rig and your process. You're an inspiration
😘😜
man ...this is the best music what i heard since a long time...
endless fun, well done
That was just bliss to listen to - Superbly executed
Really enjoyed the tutorial! Very inspirational
thank you so much for the props!! ..peace Steevio
thanks for the walkthru mate, inspiring stuff
thanks man !!
sequencers triggering sequences that trigger adders that trigger patterns that, etc. fuck. so good.
Amazing , thank you very much.
Stunning demo! Amazing music!
thank you !!
Love this, masterpiece modular set :)
rocking mate
Amazing! Makes me dance cheers for the explanation.
fantastic! thanks for sharing Steevio!
no problem, thank you !!!
Yup. Mind blown.
That was insanely fascinating to watch! Great little sneak peak into your world Steevio, thanks. Looks like you need a degree in rocket science though to put that all together! Would be great to see some more. See you Freero! :)
Great composition, totally fun. You're rhythm patterns are insane, insanely great. It so impressive how you make complexity work for you in creating these grooves. Inspiring, way nice, please share more!
Thank you man! I will be doing more very soon
Sounds fantastic! Great videos. I just found your channel and your music and I'm really really really digging it!
Thanks Juuso !
Damn, what a setup, and a cool demo. Cheers.
Incredible man. New to modular and so many things are clicking into place in my mind watching this. Thanks for making it. New follower. I've not looked yet but I'm hoping to find more videos like this on your channel :)
thanks man !! more coming soon.
cool steevio u got some talent love your tunes :)
Great work!
Great stuff! I've watched a lot of your videos and read your posts on muffwiggler, and you've given me lots of tips on how to get away from the linear way of sequencing that you often get stuck with using software. I'm very much a beginner with hardware synths in general, and modulars in particular, and you've been a great guide through the jungle of modules out there.
Also, your music is really funky!
HOLY SHIT! You're in stockholm in two days! Haha, jst saw that. See you there, i'll try to say hi!
thanks man, nice to meet you in Stockholm
This is so rad!! I didn’t realize it was you until the groove really got going. Then I looked at your name and confirmed what I knew: I have several of your records. So cool to see you at work!! I’m new in the modular game and this was a delightful little lesson. Gratitude and respect.
great! thx for sharing! you are the king of eurorack house! ;-)
haha not so sure about that, but thanks mate
mind blown
Amazing
thanks !
Yeah!!! Way to go!!
Very nice
Pretty groovy stuff
I appreciate these demos a lot. One thing is to understand that there is a logic to the way you sequence and to imagine a possible musical outcome. Another thing is to hear the music as you explain the logic. I don't intend to have a massive eurorack system anytime soon, but there's a lot here to apply to smaller systems with the aid of some digital modules. I guess the complexity of some digital modules results in a not-so-immediate interaction with the instrument... maybe. But anyway... Thanks a lot Steevio!
Thank you Guido !!
Thanks so much for sharing!
awesome mate cheers
Thank you Pete, much appreciated ...peace Steevio
This is incredible man! Really digging it!
Thanks man !
My first exposure: WOW, sounds really great, man. Loving the feel, the chords, groove, all of it!
Happy you're into it man !
thanks for this, i learnt a lot,
Seriously reminded me to checkup on my VCV rack installation, nice work.
Wow when those rhythms come in at 5 min! Hypnotic
really informative video love the way this is all thought out, brilliant work mate :)
thank you mate
suzybeeMINDTOURS thank you! my journey with the modular stuff has only just begun over the last year so it's inspiring to see stuff like this and I do love the funk and melody in the work, cheers :)
this is so good. love that swing on the drums
you're my hero
Lovely