Beyond the basics with the GMSN! system

We explore the sonic capabilities on offer from this open-source, do-it-yourself modular system

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We’ll start with a standard audio path, patching both oscillators (VCO) into the filter (VCF), before taking the filter’s output into the VCA. This takes us from raw sound source to tonal shaping, and ends with amplitude control.

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Let’s get musical! Patch the sequencer into the Quantiser, and patch that into the 1V/oct inputs on the oscillators. Take the Quantiser’s trigger output into the envelope to trigger it for each new note, and also use the envelope to open up the VCA.

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With a basic audio path patched up, let’s push things sonically. Patch one oscillator’s triangle output into the CV input of the other. This will frequency modulate (ie, FM) the oscillator, creating new overtones. Play around the Coarse and Fine tuning of each oscillator to create new timbres.

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We can ‘FM’ more than just the oscillator – try patching the second oscillator into the filter’s CV input. This will move the filter’s cutoff at audio rates giving us a croaking and vocal-like overtone as we sweep the filter’s manual Cutoff knob.

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The classic VCS 3 from EMS had a trapezoid generator as its modulation section. The Pure Modular ADSR has a trapezoid, too, so let’s explore that. Patch it into filter Cutoff and experiment with various rise, hold, fall and off envelope shapes for moving modulated drones.

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The Pure Modular system has a ‘multi-coloured’ noise module, including White, Blue, Pink and Brown noise. They’re great as modulation or audio sources. Try patching Blue noise into the VCA for cymbal sounds, or Brown noise as modulation for oscillators to add grit to your sounds.