Bugs (so called new live name?) supporting BassClef in London

Bass Clef

Raime (DJ)

Bugs

Ralph LTF (DJ)

Friday 18 May 2012 - at: Power Lunches - 446 Kingsland Rd, Hackney, London, E8 4AE

8.00pm - 2.00am | £6 adv

Read the full event blurb here (via QuJunktions). In support of Ralf Cumbers' new Bass Clef album.

I'm *meant* to be getting dancefloor rhythmic. Gotta hook some beat-machines up to the modular for wonky-clocks.

BEAM Night @ Cafe OTO - 4th April 2012

For this night I'll be premiering a new installation/demonstration approach -> five sets of headphones hooked up to the Modular, with me giving 10-minute mini-performances to people throughout the night.

I see this as an interesting and direct method for demonstration -> the stereo sounds go straight into the listener, coupled with a close-up view of what is being patched (even if what is actually going on remains somewhat mystical).

I'll also be doing a 'regular' 20-minute Modular performance on stage.

Instructo-videos x 3

Here we have three instructional videos, focused on using the BugModular for rhythmics and hooking up with a Roland TR-606 and a Korg Mono/Poly. Step by step to show some techniques.

2 x 1Frame Setups

::Link to BIG version JPEG::

Here are two complete 1Frame setups - made up with similar modules, but with slight differences.

System One (Top) -

PWR - Mini-Power // CTL2 - Joystick/Touch // ENV1 - Attack Decay // 2 x SYN2A - Utility VCO // DD2 - LFO/DC-Mix // PRC3A - SV Filter // PRC2 - BugCrusher // DD1 - Modulator/LoPassGate // UTL2 - Output Mix

System Two (Bottom) -

PWR - Mini-Power // CTL2 - Joystick/Touch // ENV1 - Attack Decay // SYN1 - Weevil // SYN2A Utility VCO // DD2 - LFO/DC-Mix // PRC3A - SV Filter // DD1 - Modulator / LoPassGate // UTL2 - Output Mix

Both systems come housed in the regular Frame enclosure with the choice of 19" Rack Ends or 1Frame Desktop Ends. Supplied with a Starter Pack of Cables.

These systems are to be offered to the BugModularMailingList.

Update for Berlin Show - Saturday 8th @ Kamine und Wein

Ok - here are the details for the Saturday night show at Kamine und Wein, 58 Prinzenallee (nr. Pankstrasse) - from 20:30 - with Jayrope and Olaf Hilgenfeld. + DJ Samtbody

Linkages -

Digital Berlin

Miracle Research #3

Facebook (I don't know if this works 'cos I don't do such things..)

GoogleMaps Directions

Here's the flyer (click for big):

Berlin Preparations (100th post!)

Bumper excitements for post #100!

Three things to share as I prepare for a week in Berlin.

1) A recording of a practice:

How things roll Oct11 by BugBrand

2) Custom bags for the 2Frame Shallow setups:

Tomorrow I will be finding out whether Easyjet really do let you take on musical instruments like this. Fingers crossed!

The cases are soft and well padded, with a big pocket on the front for PSU / cables / panties.

Carry handles + a shoulder strap.

Dark blue - not quite BugBlue, but hey..

3) Not one, but TWO shows (in Berlin):

- Friday 7th Oct at K77 - http://auxxx.blogspot.com/2011/09/bugs-im-berlin.html

- Saturday 8th Oct at .... (name to follow!) ... - the show will be in Wedding, I think on Prinzenallee - nearest subway is Pankstrasse.

This will be another relatively low-key affair with demo, talking and playing with my friend Jayrope - http://www.kliklak.net/

I think it is also being billed as "Miracle Research Association #3"

I'll update details once I hear more.

I'll be treating both of these shows as fun explorations and demonstrations - hopefully a great chance to meet some new people and have a good play. Do come along if you are around.

Four Years Progress

Four years ago I'd been DIYing modular stuff for a year or two at least and was having a lot of fun - but then I was faced with the challenge of how to take a system to Europe (on Easyjet). I ended up building this (built to the Easyjet musical instrument carry-on dimensions - of course, flying from the UK they totally DIDN'T let me carry it on...) and performed a 4am wobbly-techno set by a lake near Berlin for the Goldmund Festival - it was great.

Original BlogPost: http://bugbrand.blogspot.com/2007/07/solar-power-modular.html

The Modular has always been driven by what I desire from a live system and portability has always been a major concern for me. Since I started producing 'regular' systems, the size has come down a long way from the old DIY days, but my 4" deep Frames still felt a little cumbersome - and they actually held a lot of wasted space since I changed all module designs to the new Rev.2 status (using SMD parts).

So, when I was asked to return again to the same festival (now called Am Ende Der Wald - it really is the most magical event and location) I got the idea to produce a new system frame - the Shallow Frame. Not only does it cut down the depth by almost 50% (now only 2.3" deep) but I also spread out to the sides to produce a 16-width frame (2 foot wide) - why should I stay constrained by the original sizes dictated by 19" Racks when 95% of my frames DON'T get used in 19" Racks?! I really do see these new frames as the future! (Yes, they will be regular production cases, along with the current 11-width ones)

Here are the results - a 2FrameShallow setup, crammed to the gills with sonic & rhythmic power! Believe me, this system is seriously fun to play and constantly surprises with variety. And it is pretty portable too. If you want to catch the results, then I'll be playing around Midnight on the first night at the Space Opera Saloon. [Click the pics for larger versions]

Top Row:

SYN1 Weevil // 3 x SYN2A Utility VCO // 2 x DD2 LFO/DC-Mix // PRC5 Wavefolder // 2x PRC3A SV Filter // PRC4 Dual LPG // DD3 VCA/Drive // 2x PRC1 PT Delay // UTL1 Dual Preamp // PRC2 BugCrusher

Bottom Row:

SEQ1 Sequence Hub // CTL3A Prototype 8 Stage Preset // CLK2A Divisions // CLK2B Binary Divisions // CLK3A Triple Logic // UTL6C Diode Director // 3x ENV1 Attack/Decay // UTL2B Outputs

[Yes, as always, virtually no public availability due to ongoing work with current system users - but I *AM* working towards 'proper' production - oh yes! Sign up for the ModularMailingList via the main BugSite]

Daren Ager's Radiophonic Set - help Japan! (and links to other BugMod Radiophonics)

At the start of April there will be a great event at the Cube Cinema in Bristol over two evenings - A Radiophonic Weekend - Sat 2nd and Sun 3rd April 2011.

Recently I asked the users of my BugModular systems to come up with short tracks inspired by the works of the Radiophonic Workshop to be played in between parts of the Cube weekend. You can listen to all the tracks via the MuffWiggler Forum Thread Here. The results are, though I say so myself, freaking amazing and highly varied.

Daren Ager has gone one step further and has compiled his tracks into an album which he is now offering at a super price of only £1.25 with ALL proceeds being donated to the Red Cross for the Japan Disaster Relief Fund. (You can also easily donate MORE if you'd like!)

http://darenager.bandcamp.com/album/bug-phonic

And to whet the appetite, here's one of his new videos:

Release

These are the pics that relate to the latest ModularMailOut.

(what, you're not subscribed to the mailing list?!)

Click the images for large versions.

5 x 1Frame Systems - shown without EndCheeks

Overview of the two System types

They're identical other than Type1 has 3xSYN2A Utility VCO while Type2 has one SYN2A replaced by a PRC5 Wavefolder

With Desktop EndCheeks

With 19" Rack EndCheeks

Costings: All prices are exclusive of shipping and VAT (@ 20% - applicable to all UK & EU sales)

Frame - £70

Desktop EndCheeks (Pair) - £20

MiniPower (inc UK or EU PSU) - £75

ENV1 Attack Decay - £100

SYN2A Utility VCO x 3 - £270

DD2 LFO / DC Mixer - £80

DD1 Modulator / LPG - £90

DD3 VCA / Drive - £90

PRC3A SV Filter - £90

PRC1 PT Delay - £95

UTL2 Output Mix - £60

Starter Cable Pack (24 Cables) - £40

TOTAL = £1080

For System Type 2 (PRC5 replaces one SYN2A) - add £5

For 19" Rack EndCheeks - subtract £5

For worldwide sales (120V operation) MiniPower is discounted due to self-sourcing PSU - subtract £7.50

Typical Shipping Costs -

UK - Special Delivery - £22.50

EU - DHL - £40

Worldwide - DHL - £50

BugBrand SoundCloud

My beginning to use Virb last year coincided with the service turning poop.. I've finally set up a SoundCloud username to replace this and serve as an easy upload space for sound demos.

Here's the new destination: http://soundcloud.com/bugbrand

Starting off with some rough recordings from my new playing setup - making use of XBase09, Mono/Poly, Fat Controller, Time Factor and, of course, BugBrand Modular.

AllTogetherNow2SND by BugBrand

BattleMix by BugBrand

AWMix by BugBrand

AW2 by BugBrand

New Modular Bits - an early Christmas!

I posted some images of new EndCheek designs on the MW forum last month (here)

The parts have now come back from the metal work shop and look fantastic!
(great thanks to Steve Bell at PEM Sheetmetal - they do all my metal work and are great to work with)

My new personal 4FrameBomber setup (click any image for HiRes):

There are a few new & prototype modules hidden within there.

The modules are (from top left):

2 x SYN2A rev1 XR09VCO // 3 x SYN2A rev2 Utility VCO // E350 Morphing Terrarium // DD1 rev2 Modulator / LPG // 2 x PRC3A rev1 SV Filter // UTL1 Dual Preamp (rev2 which doesn't work properly! to be replaced!)

SYN1 Weevil beta (really early one) // 2 x ENV1 rev1 Attack Decay // ENV1 rev2 Attack Decay // 2 x DD2 rev2 LFO/DCMixer // PRC2 BugCrusher // UTL3 Dual VCA // PRC4 Dual LPG // DD3 VCA/Drive Beta

SYN3 Digital Shift Prototype //. CLK2A Divisions // CLK2B Binary Division // CLK3A Triple Logic // CTL3 8 Stage Preset Proto // 2 x PRC1 PT Delay // UTL5 Fade/Pan Beta

CTL2 rev2 Joystick/Touch // CTL1 rev2 Touch Panel // UTL4 Dual DC Mixer // UTL2C Matrix Mixer // UTL2 Output Mix // UTL2B Outputs

At the same time I received some 'Boot' style EndCheeks too in 3 and 4 Frame sizes:

Some of the EndCheeks were powdercoated in Blue Leatherette finish:

And to finish up here's a pic. of a BugModular user's update setup newly updated:

SynthTech E350 in BugBrand Banana Frac

Making use of the E350 Morphing Terrarium kits from Synthesis Technology, I've made my own BugModular version with a few additions to the standard Euro module - inclusion of Mod-depth controls for X/Y/Z inputs and switches for the two option jumpers on the module rear (for Interpolation and Phase Mode).

It is great to have the wonderful power & sonics of the E350 in my system!

BugTester - Audio from RAdams

One of the new 1Frame users just sent me a link to a collage of sounds he'd made since receiving the initial setup of 8 modules - I'm pretty amazed at how he's coaxed such a varied range of sounds out of such a small setup.

Here's the SoundCloud player for it::::

BugTester 1 by radams

EDIT: & here's another one but more rhythmic! Really great again:::

Bugbrand Rhythm Patches by radams

Check my repository of BugModularNoodles

A place to store that which I play::::

http://virb.com/bugbrand

Since I never get the chance to 'record properly' any more, but I quite often record my playings with the BugModular, I wanted a place to store recordings that was super easy to use. So I chose Virb and have been uploading bits over the last month.

Have a listen!

What you'll hear is almost entirely:
- just BugModular
- recorded in one take, no preparation, in Mono and with minimal edits

There are a few bits that creep in with some quantizers and I've recently been hooking up a keyboard for Midi to CV -- but the vast majority of the tuning and rhythm is simply created with the modules and fine tweaking.

Granted, they're rough'n'ready, warts'n'all, but I hope this gives some idea of the sounds and flows of the BugModular and how I play the system.

BugModular - Standard Racks

Newly updated::: Rack Frames and Endcheeks.

Details are now given on the BugBrand Modular Accessories page for four standard setups - 19" RackMount and three desktop setups. No, they're not 'generally' available yet... (more info soon via the Modular Mailing List)

The racks have been redesigned from last year's work - now they're fabricated in 1.5mm aluminium so that they're not as heavy (good for shipping). The new EndCheek options allow very easy assembly and give really stable results - EndCheeks are plain 3mm alu for the RackMount and 4mm alu for the desktop setups.

As an initial proof-of-concept, racks can also be joined together to form larger units with a single EndCheek in a mid position:

Here are a couple of pics of my new personal setup in 3Rack-Desktop::

Some Modular MP3s

Has it been a while since I posted some audio?

Jan2010 - CLK2A plus PRC3
A couple of VCOs with rhtyhmics generated by the CLK2A Division.
After a while I turned up the resonance on the PRC3 VCFilters and it went all swirly.

Feb2010 - SYN2A Wobble
Demoing a pair of the new SYN2A VCOs -- but does it give a clear picture? Not particularly...!

Feb2010 - SYN2A Straight Sounds
This gives a better idea of the pure SYN2A sounds -- pure outputs with FM modulation from another VCO.

Feb2010 - More SYN2A and the wrong-proto CTL3
Something tuneful (quite) again using the new SYN2As but also with pitching from a proto CTL3 8-stage-preset module which needs some more TLC before proper announcement. This is driven by divisions from CLK2A modules. I let the recording run on into .......... plinks etc. from PRC3 VCFs.

And a couple which I can't remember much about - they must have been recorded Nov2009 and Jan2010 or there-abouts.. Kind of elongated, warts and all.. Some FM sounds in the Nov one for sure::
Sometime November
Sometime January

[[all are in mp3 format - downloadable if you wish // recorded with mic near pretty basic speaker setups driven straight from the 2rack porta-case // minimal or no edits!]]

BugModular - rev2 Updates

As shown in the recent CLK2A Divisions post, I've been taking on some new techniques for Modular production. Along with the move towards Surface Mount I've also sourced special potentiometers for the new designs. I'd been wanting a vertically mounted type, but nothing quite fitted my requirements, so....



The module designs from last year will gradually be updated to incorporate these changes - and there may be some alterations along the way..

For example, the update of the SYN2A changes name to the Utility VCO and replaces the sine wave with a new ramp(ish) wave with waveshaping (same control as for PWM). See below for scope shots of the ramp wave shaping - note that the waves at either end are 'squished' to maintain the standard 10v p-to-p waveforms - still sounds great!

Waveshape dial anti-clockwise

Waveshape dial middle - gives double-freq ramp

Waveshape dial fully clockwise - gives out of phase ramp

The UTL4 Dual DC Mixer has also undergone an update (no real changes to the previous version):

These modules aren't available for sale just yet, but it won't be too long - and there's more updates coming. Stay tuned!

CLK2A - Divisions

Introducing the new CLK2A Division module. This is the first of a range of CLK Clocking modules - yes, it does seem strange to start with CLK2A but that's because CLK1 will be some form of 'Master' VC-Clock and there should be a CLK2B with binary divisions.

This show-cases two new setups:

1. The Clocking 'Bus' - internal connections are made between CLK Clocking modules allowing 'Master' controls of Clock and Reset (eg. with CLK1 VC-Clock as Master)
2. SMD (Surface Mount) construction - in a bid to make designs easier to fabricate many parts are being moved to surface mount and thus eliminating hand-wiring. New banana sockets now securely fix the front-panel to the two parallel-mounted PCBs and the result is an incredibly compact module. (this also, for now at least, rules out the possibility of mini-jack modules -- a whole new PCB footprint would be required)
   

[Not shown in the images above: - one IC has vanished from the 2nd picture (?!!) and mounting pillars are not fitted to join the PCBs together -- these are initial Proto pics!]