Post by flx » Fri Dec 22, 2017 3:21 pm

I started to build a Snazzy FX rack, as I have always been intrigued by their modules and finally got an opportunity to take the plunge.It's quite a different approach to patching than I'm used to, which feels great, as it seems like I'm learning something new. At first I was worried that it would all just be chaotic or random, but it turned out that if you get your head into the whole "start with a basic wave and crush it ten times" concept, a Snazzy FX system can stand really well on its own and the modules complement each other nicely. Of course you can just put one or two Snazzy modules into your mixed Eurorack system and incorporate them into your music without any issue. I really wanted to understand the philosophy behind the brand however, like I did with Bastl Instruments and Klangbau Köln, so my goal is to get a more or less Snazzy-only system with all/most of their modules. So stay tuned for more videos ;-)Put on your headphones, clear 20 minutes of your time and join me on a trip from Seattle to Los Angeles, in an experimental travelogue with noise music from my Snazzy FX system[video][/video]Dronebank Demo:[video][/video]Kick Me Demo:[video][/video]Hi Gain VCA Demo:[video][/video]Kitty Eyes vs. Dreamboat vs. Chaos Brother[video][/video]Eternal Spring Filter Demo[video][/video]A Patch from Scratch with the Snazzy FX system[video][/video]"Dirty Mirror" Ardcore Sketch Demo[video][/video]Generative patch with patch notes[video][/video]... another one. Click the link for the patch notes in the video description.[video][/video]Jam sessions:[video][/video][video][/video][video][/video][video][/video][video][/video][video][/video][video][/video][video][/video]More to comeStart with the Eternal Spring Filter . It's a low-pass filter with lots of character. It is never clean and offers fun waveshaping, FM and CV possibilities. It's easy to understand, not very wide, doesn't draw much power and you can never have enough filters in your rack.The Kick Me is also a very straight-forward Bassdrum module with a wide array of fat sounds.Get the Hi Gain . Three different, super dirty waveshaping VCAs with individual outputs, useful input-normalling and a mix output, so it can act as a three-input mixer too. It's never clean. Very easy to use and understand, even though the third VCA behaves differently than other VCAs you might have worked with.Get the Ardcore , even if you can't program yourself. There are a lot of "sketches" (programs) for it online to download for free and loading one to the module is quick and easy via USB. Find my Ardcore Sketches here Kitty Eyes : Two chaotic signals at audio rate with useful CV control of the chaos/speed. There's a fast trigger output as well. Very easy to learn and use. Available as a DIY kit too! Dreamboat : The top provides two fast chaotic audio rate signals and the bottom two slower signals (think fast LFO speeds). CV modulation is available for both sections and there is also a chaotic trigger output. The Dreamboat has a bit of a life of its own, whereas the Kitty Eyes offers more predictable and stable results. Both can be useful and the modules complement each other. Chaos Brother : Two medium to fast LFO rate chaos signals, a slewed output for smoother CV, a CV/trigger input to "sync" it to an external clock and a chaotic gate output (really cool to add synced but off-beat drum triggers to a sequence for example). Needs a bit of practice to figure out.Generally, you want to control the chaos modules with external CV as this makes them become more rhythmical and CV allows you to move the signals between the various, more or less stable, states. Without CV, their signal is chaotic but without too much movement.Check out my video above comparing the three chaos modules' outputs.Also read this great blog post by fellow wigglerabout chaotic oscillators with examples from the Chaos Brother:Yes, the Dual Multiplier ! It features two DC-coupled VCAs, which can process audio and CV. Easy to understand and nice for ring modulation sounds or clean VCA duties. Available as a DIY kit too!Also, the Dronebank ! Five(!) triangle wave oscillators with individual outs and a sum out. No, that's not dull and stupid, because triangle waves are great waveforms for further waveshaping by the other Snazzy FX modules! FM also works super cool with them. Patch the Dronebank into everything!Get the Tidal Wave ! It's a complex audio processor and synth voice with a low-pass filter and waveshaper, lots of modulation and signal routing options and a CV-controllable wet/dry mixer (although it doesn't necessarily have to be wet/dry as you can route the signal in different ways). Check out the manual and geremyf's awesome cheat sheet Build two Kitty Eyes kits! One regular, which is very fast chaos, and another one with the slow mod (the parts for the mod should be included in the kit).They're Davies 1900 style knobs, available here for example.What are your experiences with Snazzy FX?I'm also still looking to buy some Snazzy FX modules: