Model:Cycles 1 (Discussion & First Sounds)

Wishing everybody well. The Elektron Model:Cycles is a fun and interesting machine (6 Machines, in fact!). This is the first video of a series that I intend to make about this FM synthesis groovebox. I'm taking a pretty straightforward tutorial approach for this video (vs. my more specialized and topical videos for the Model:Samples [granular synthesis    • Model:Samples - Granular   and some lo-fi delay looping    • Model:Samples Lo-Fi Loops   ]).

NOTE: the first half of this video is just me talking about this particular area of the synth "gear space"; the last half is hands-on. The next videos will look at the Model:Cycles in more detail (I'm thinking I'll focus on how it can be used for ambient music and soundscapes, also using features for experimental music projects). Thanks for watching!

TIMELINE

00:00 STARTER - this is 6 Kick "machines" in concert, using the delay as a Karplus-Strong generator at first, then as a looper (note that the delay repeats are reverb-dry).

00:35 INTRO

00:47 PSA about washing your hands to slow the spread of COVID-19. I considered doing it for the full (recommended) 20 seconds, but I felt like this had more impact. As for the central idea, curve flattening graphs are everywhere online, and I wondered if an auditory effect would make it sort of more memorable? I used the FabFilter Volcano 2 plug-in for this. The graphic shows a bandpass filter getting derezzed, but the main sound effect comes from sweeping a lowpass (also in V2).

30 MINUTES OF ME TALKING. SEE BELOW FOR HANDS-ON

01:36 Elektron Quartet. The Model:Cycles fills out the Elektron product line nicely.

06:14 FM Synthesis. Not a lot of detail, mainly just in the context of the gear in question.

12:44 Model:Cycles and Digitone, how are they related

15:45 The "Model:Framework" - why an FM buddy for the Samples? It does make quite a bit of sense.

21:47 Model:Cycles vs. other gear (in the same price range). I kind of regret not including the Novation Circuit in this, but I haven't used it for so long I'm not confident that I could do it justice.

27:50 Model:Cycles vs. Model:Samples - How should you choose? I have no idea, but discuss some aspects of the question. I will say - I feel like the Model:Cycles in more innately "musical". That is, somebody with an interest in chord progressions with an ensemble of percussion, bass, and melody, well the Cycles gives you access to that. Not polyphonically like the Digitone, but certainly to a degree.

HANDS-ON STARTS HERE

30:02 Layout and Basics. I look at some fundamental features on the device, play a pattern that shipped with it, and look at evolving the "init" presets.

40:08 Making a Simple Sequence. I wasn't planning on doing this at this point in the video, but it turned out okay.

45:06 Exploring the Machines. I look at the 4 fundamental Machine parameters: Color, Shape, Sweep, Contour. I misspoke in this part when I was saying that these parameters are independent. I think they are in many cases quite dependent: some settings will have greater or less effects depending on the other settings.

55:55 OUTRO - Stay safe everybody.

57:37 ENDER - The radio is live, but then I dubbed in a Model:Cycles thing that I recorded. I used Audacity to lowpass filter the M:C sound, give it more of a radio sound. We are staying inside a lot, in accord with federal/state/local social distancing polity. One of the things I'm doing is playing some board games that I got recently: the first one is called Aerion by Shadi Torbey (author of another game I have liked for years, Onirim).

LINKS
https://www.elektron.se/
https://www.zmangames.com/en/games/on...