Building a 'MARF' | Episode 02 | The Dual Playheads
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- Опубликовано: 28 сен 2024
- In episode 02, I was able to actually study the MARF concept by checking out some great videos on RUclips and figured out how all these knobs, switches, sliders and stages work together. I started with making an explanation video and learned that my first attempt in episode 01 didn't cut it. Three Mutable Stages may look like a MARF, but there's no way you can run 'two playheads over the same sequence'. This is why it's a 'multiple' ARF :). Please note I am not actually building a Buchla, I am trying to find inspiration and walk in its footsteps. Intellijel's Metropolix is a strong contender, because it actually has two tracks running over the same sequence. However, the time domain is Metropolix' own unique selling point and it's totally different. You can still 'abuse' CV to add variable timing, and this is what I'll do in this video.
I also used Rene V2 with two clocks and a shared time domain (the Cartesian channel) over two Maths cycles. This gave me two playheads, each with their own notes, and one shared time track. This was already more than I could imagine. In this case, the benefit of a Rene is that it always needs external clocks so you can use anything that ticks.
I came very close when I tried to use two Rene V2's. This gives me two completely separate playheads, each with its own note and time domain. So here I am missing the shared sequence, but I can still mimic this by setting both modules to the same CV values and link X and Y channels to the same clock. None of the sequencers support sequential switching like on the real MARF, so I added the awesome Vice Virga from Noise Engineering. A switch can also open up your patch in countless ways, like extending a sequence, or injecting modulation and audio rate CV. This all just confirms the true genius of mr. Don Buchla.
The important thing to learn from this video is using two similar (or totally different) sequencers. You probably have one lying around because something better came by. Or maybe a classic step sequencer and a stochastic one. Or analog voltage like 0-CTRL. Having two unrelated clocks my sound messy - and it is - but it will provide organic textures I am sure you'd love. I'll be using Plaits for reference sounds. I am aware many of you look for 'better VCO's', but notes and timing can do wonders.
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Buchla 248 images courtesy of Todd Barton!
This is awesome. Using Bach's cello suite as an example of interconnected systems is a genius move. What better way to explain the harmony of interconnectedness. Profound! Whatever it is, I wany one. Cheers
Bach actually inspired me to make the second episode because wow, that timing of the cello strokes. It melts your heart.
@@CinematicLaboratory You are so right. Bach's music has inspired many many things. Thanks for continuing the tradition! Cheers
Thank you for this study of the MARF. I actually didn't know it had two playheads! . . . By the way, I love Plaits. I view it as a patch dependent module. It's a lovely noise source, modulation oscillator, spare voice, my dedicated Wavetable VCO, or my favorite so far, the mallet section for rings; making my own "MI elements" with chaotic self patching on plaits, and it's lowpass-gate being controlled by the level input. And as you just demonstrated, it makes beautiful noises on its own! If you patch it creatively, as you do, it doesn't sound like "boring old plaits" at all. It tickles, scrapes, rings, growls, purrs, screams, and even percolates. ^^
I dare to say that people who don't like Plaits may need to invest more time in eurorack. If you see it as a preset machine it's limited, but as a source of both basic and complex waveforms it's extremely valuable.
Tiptop will probably release a MARF, I spoke with Gur at Superbooth and he said that they are working on it. In the meantime they are releasing a 259t and 285t
Interesting experiment, cheers.
Thanks for making this awesome content!
The pleasure is all mine!
Repeating my enthusiasm for this kind of patching .. I was able to snatch up one of the last MI Beads, (my 2nd) .. for purposes of "Counterpoint" .. which I believe you expounded on, .. awhile back.
I can't believe I hated Beads at first. I also found a 2nd brand new one some months ago.
👏👏👏
Getting closer :)
Great content! I do think it’s gonna be a challenge for Tiptop audio to translate the Marf to the 3U format, with it’s two rows of sliders…
Yes, they'll need to downsize AND upscale it 104 HP. I don't think it's going to happen. But I don't think I'd mind shorter sliders :). XAOC has the perfect size and precision feel for their sliders.
@@CinematicLaboratoryahh wait soo ….this isn’t foreshadowing as I imagined?
@@andrometer2382 That's a new word for me so I looked it up. Does your comment mean it did not satisfy your expectations?
@@CinematicLaboratory
absolutely not your awesome
Haven’t watched bad video yet
I’m just hoping tiptop releases all of these modules
So ..yes I would be disappointed
Who's been playing with Kaiber then?! Fascinating video as always Robert 👌
Good video! I’m finding this series very interesting.
I see Rene, I upvote!
Very very nice. I soooo hope Tiptop rises to the challenge and brings us a Euro MARF/248... I will be over the moon.
Same here!
Thank you for the push down the rabbit hole of multiple, independently clocked sequencers. I am exploring replicating your process in Reason with multiple Complex-1 modules stacked into a Combinator.
Happy to hear the old 248 gave you some new inspiration. I think giving each note/stage its own time is one of the coolest ways to humanize a performance. I didn't try using a 'reset' so two sequences can diverge and come together again on the down beat. I wonder how that would sound but I guess you can get an amazing push/pull on beats.
Great video, beautiful sounds, and enjoying watching you continue down this rabbit hole! I have 2 additional sequencer suggestions, if you're still looking... 1st, is the Befaco Muxlicer. It works well as a single 8 step sequencer, but also has all the functions of a sequential switch. This means you could have external CV on some steps, and then use other steps as a "normal" sequencer. Is it a MARF? No... but adds some of the functions, and has sliders ;)
2nd is the Frap Tools USTA. After Don moved on from the MARF, he ended up making the DARF (250e) sequencer, and the USTA is clearly inspired by that sequencer. It has the same oval shaped interface, and has time and pitch options (times 4 tracks). It is missing the external inputs, and the individual clocks are interesting (less of the micro-timed aspects, but interesting). Can't wait for episode 3!
I have an USTA, which is indeed heavily inspired by the 250e. I am not planning to buy a muxlicer any time soon :). Today I discovered the MARF has alternating gates (1,2) and presets. What I love about the 250 design is the looping segments. I am planning the USTA for a headliner episode :) but these forking manuals....
@@CinematicLaboratory The MARF was so far ahead of its time. It might be worth buying in 4U for any format. -- The 250's looping is definitely interesting, and does nested looping in ways that nothing else can do. Clearly Don understood sequencing in a way that inspires a lot of interesting designs! Looking forward to your USTA episode... I always need help with that module.