Shaping timbre with semi-modular patching

Let’s alter timbre using Arturia’s MiniBrute 2S, a semi-modular monosynth. Time to head over to that 48-point patchbay…

1

We’re starting with a simple square wave oscillator. When we raise VCO 1’s FM knob, the synth uses VCO 2 to modulate VCO 1’s frequency. We can create a grittier FM effect by heading to the patchbay and plugging the Noise oscillator’s output into VCO 1’s FM input. Easy!

2

The triangle oscillator features the ‘Brute’s signature Metalizer effect, which is a wavefolder of sorts. By plugging VCO 2’s Out into the Metal Mod input, we’re telling the second osc (currently a saw) to quickly modulate the amount of Metalizer for a gnarly effect.

3

Let’s disconnect cables, zero all oscillators and crank Filter Resonance to max. We plug LFO 1’s Out into the filter Cutoff input – the LFO now sweeps the self-oscillating filter’s Cutoff. We spin LFO 1’s Rate and switch waves, creating laser zaps and buzzing tones.

4

Following on from our previous self-oscillating filter sweeps, we can experiment with different LFO settings. Flipping LFO 1 to Sample + Hold now creates a classic LFO-driven sci-fi ‘gurgling’ effect reminiscent of R2-D2.

5

Our filter experiments so far aren’t incredibly musical, so let’s remove our patching and instead plug the MIDI KBD output into the filter Cutoff input. We can now play our self-oscillating filter tone up and down the keyboard.

6

Finally, we’ll patch the ADSR Out into the AD’s Decay In. With the AD envelope set to Loop mode, our ADSR envelope is shaping the looping decay over the course of each note, resulting in weird ramping glitches and stuttering timbres.