Been having a lot of fun with the Sputnik modules. Here’s something I filmed a while back when I first got the Sputnik Modular Quad VCA/VCF (full overview here – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MG9QZf6TcIA ). Mainly playing around with drum patterns with a few bass swells and odd FX here and there. Full patch details below.

Kick
This is the Erica Synths Polivoks VCF set to self oscillate and then the output is taken into the Erica Synths Black VCA module before going into Mutable Instruments Frames used as a basic 4 channel mixer. The Polivoks VCF is modulated by the Erica Synths Polivoks Modulator’s noise output and also the WMD Multimode Envelope to create the rapid pitch drop for the kick sound.

Noise Clap
The sound source is the new Malekko 3HP noise module and I’m taking the digital noise output into the Erica Synths Dtech Filter in band pass mode. The filter’s output goes into the WMD Geiger Counter for some distortion and wavetable processing before going into the Intellijel uVCA II. The Erica Synths Polivoks Envelope Generator modulates the digital noise, Dtech Filter and uVCA.

Percussion
STG Soundlabs Mankato VCF self oscillating is the sound source which is modulated by Mutable Instruments Braids in FM mode. The sound then went into the Happy Nerding FM Aid taking modulation from a Frequency Central System X Sample & Hold module. The four different outputs from the FM Aid go into the Sputnik VCF/VCA module in the combo/LPG mode and the ‘all’ output is taken into my main mixer.

Bass
The sound source for the bass hits and swells is the Erica Synths Black Varishape VCO going into a Make Noise Optomix. The smooth Opto out from the SSF Ultra Random Analog modulates the opening of the Optomix and the main strike of the Optomix comes from Branches and Grids. The Ultra Wave from Frequency Central modulates the dampening of the Optomix low pass gate.

FX
Really simple just the final output of the mixer into the Doepfer A-199 spring reverb for some space and depth around the mix.

Sequencing and Modulation
Mutable Instruments Grids is taking control of triggers for the different parts with both the main trigger and the accent outputs. Mutable Instruments Branches adds some ‘coin toss’ based logic for further variation in the triggers. Each of the 3 trigger patterns on Grids is modulated from the Erica Synths Black LFO in sample and hold mode, the Frequency Central Ultra Wave in sample and hold mode and XAOC Devices Batumi module.