PATCH #4:
Earlier this year, Doepfer announced its new Basic System 3 (BS3), the latest in its line of complete, pre-configured Eurorack systems aimed at beginners, experts, explorers and purists alike.
To accompany the system, Doepfer — in collaboration with Stromkult — has designed a comprehensive Patchbook with fourteen different patch ideas for the BS3. Every patch comes with custom-made patch diagrams and a step-by-step-patching manual, making it easy for anyone to recreate and play with these patches.
While the patches were specifically designed for the BS3 and its configuration, most of the patches revolve around basic "building block" modules such as VCOs, VCFs, VCAs, mixers, envelope and LFOs and thus should be able to be recreated on a variety of systems — above all, we hope these patches may inspire you!
You can download the full PDF of the patchbook with all of the patches here (link goes to Google Drive).
Every individual patch is divided into an introductory overview of the patch, a section for the audio path, a section for the control voltage path and a final "play the patch" section with ideas on how the patch could be further tweaked and iterated upon.
PATCH OVERVIEW
This is another sync patch that features additional frequency modulation (FM). It employs rhythmically re-triggered LFOs (via the A-160-2 clock divider) to add rhythm to the sound. The patch is stereo since it uses different filter outputs from the A-108 to filter the left and right side slightly differently.
AUDIO PATH
We send sine waves from our A-110-1 oscillators to the first two in- puts of the A-138 mixer. Its output goes straight to the A-131 VCA before hitting the filter.
The “6db LP” output of the A-108 filter is sent to the first input of the A-138s (panned left), and the “12db LP” filter output is sent to the second input (panned right). The stereo output of the mixer is connected to our headphones or speakers.
The patch features an additional audio path that produces frequency modulation. The pulse wave of the first A-110-1 goes to the A-132-3 DVCA. From the VCA’s output it goes to the A-138j Janus Mixer and from there to the “CV2” input of the second oscillator.
CONTROL VOLTAGE PATH
We send a saw wave from the first oscillator to the “sync” input of the second oscillator in order to sync it. As the first oscillator finishes a cycle, it resets the period of the second oscillator, forcing the latter to have the same base frequency.
The first A-110-1 tracks keyboard/sequencer CV via its “CV1” in- put. The second VCO doesn’t need tracking, since it is synced to the first one.
We send keyboard/sequencer CV to the A-138j Janus Mixer and from there to the “CV1” input of the A-108 to create filter key tracking.
The A-132-3 receives keyboard/sequencer CV into its bottom CV input. This makes the depth of the frequency modulation depen- dent on the pitch of the notes played.
The A-147-4’s first LFO’s sine wave output goes into the “PW CV2” input of the first oscillator. This modulates the synced signal, making the sync sound more dynamic. The second LFO’s triangle output goes to the “CV3” input of the A-108 for some additional filter modulation.
The A-160-2 clock divider receives the keyboard/sequencer gate into its clock input. We use the divided outputs to retrigger the LFOs and modulate the envelope to make them more rhythmic. The „2/2/2“ output goes to the first retrigger (“R”) input on the A-147-4 and the „8/5/4“ output to the second retrigger input. The „128/17/8“ output passes through the A-138j and is sent to the CV input of the A-140-2’s second ADSR.
PLAY THE PATCH
Adding some resonance (“Emph.”) on the A-108 can add extra spice to the patch. Note that this will also reduce the low end.
Playing with the panning on the A-138s can make the patch wider or narrower.
Adjusting the speed (“F”) of the LFOs coming from the A-147-4 changes the rhythm and feel of the patch.