Uploaded June 2023 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
My submission for the Hardware Jams “Two Box” Weekend Challenge.
An interesting challenge for me as I usually use my modular synth for the HWJ challenges. So I decided for this one to not use it at all and to revisit no input mixing. This involves patching various feedback loops to a mixer and using that as your sound source. I had tried this technique a few years ago after watching a tutorial from Sarah Belle Reid (youtu.be/oUhfkaVUPY8) and really enjoy getting lost in a good feedback patch, spending time finding sweet spots in what will normally be a very sensitive system. It’s great fun trying to find those musical moments in the chaos.
I realise technically this is a one box jam, but I hope you enjoy it anyway.
Let the controlled chaos commence!
This week’s challenge prompt:
Hello and Happy Friday folks!
We’ve been very busy jammers over the past few weeks, what with the birthday festival, and favourite streams last week. We’ve also had a load of new members join in the past few days. So let’s get back to basics, and I’ve chosen to set a challenge with minimal barriers to entry.
As a result, it’s TWO BOX week!
You have from now until Monday lunchtime to create a jam of no more than 5 minutes in length, using 2 synths, or a drum machine and a synth, or 2 ‘boxes’ that make sounds. You can use external FX on your boxes, but try to limit yourselves to 2 types of sound making devices, e.g. drums and bass, drums and pads. (Modularistas can bend these rules to a certain extent, but one ‘box’ is not your entire case, try and limit your sound-producing modules if possible, cos that’s what makes it more difficult (and also more inspiring).)
Any tempo/genre/style is acceptable. And try not to overthink your set up. Just get that jam up and running, and enjoy seeing what you can do with only 2 boxes (+fx).
Always Learning
════════════
I'm a strong believer in continuous improvement and always trying to learn something new. While creating this video I revisited no input mixer techniques and was able to get a fairly stable patch together.
My DIY Synth Rules
════════════
I aim to meet the following criteria when adding modules to my synth:
◦ I must have constructed it.
This can be a kit or from scratch but I must have soldered it
◦ The audio signal path should be analog.
I'm trying to avoid digital modules so I can learn more about analog electronics
◦ Learn something new
Try to learn something while constructing the module. Learn about the circuits, experiment with different signal processing options. Be creative.
◦ Have fun
My submission for the Hardware Jams “Two Box” Weekend Challenge.
An interesting challenge for me as I usually use my modular synth for the HWJ challenges. So I decided for this one to not use it at all and to revisit no input mixing. This involves patching various feedback loops to a mixer and using that as your sound source. I had tried this technique a few years ago after watching a tutorial from Sarah Belle Reid (youtu.be/oUhfkaVUPY8) and really enjoy getting lost in a good feedback patch, spending time finding sweet spots in what will normally be a very sensitive system. It’s great fun trying to find those musical moments in the chaos.
I realise technically this is a one box jam, but I hope you enjoy it anyway.
Let the controlled chaos commence!
This week’s challenge prompt:
Hello and Happy Friday folks!
We’ve been very busy jammers over the past few weeks, what with the birthday festival, and favourite streams last week. We’ve also had a load of new members join in the past few days. So let’s get back to basics, and I’ve chosen to set a challenge with minimal barriers to entry.
As a result, it’s TWO BOX week!
You have from now until Monday lunchtime to create a jam of no more than 5 minutes in length, using 2 synths, or a drum machine and a synth, or 2 ‘boxes’ that make sounds. You can use external FX on your boxes, but try to limit yourselves to 2 types of sound making devices, e.g. drums and bass, drums and pads. (Modularistas can bend these rules to a certain extent, but one ‘box’ is not your entire case, try and limit your sound-producing modules if possible, cos that’s what makes it more difficult (and also more inspiring).)
Any tempo/genre/style is acceptable. And try not to overthink your set up. Just get that jam up and running, and enjoy seeing what you can do with only 2 boxes (+fx).
Always Learning
════════════
I'm a strong believer in continuous improvement and always trying to learn something new. While creating this video I revisited no input mixer techniques and was able to get a fairly stable patch together.
My DIY Synth Rules
════════════
I aim to meet the following criteria when adding modules to my synth:
◦ I must have constructed it.
This can be a kit or from scratch but I must have soldered it
◦ The audio signal path should be analog.
I'm trying to avoid digital modules so I can learn more about analog electronics
◦ Learn something new
Try to learn something while constructing the module. Learn about the circuits, experiment with different signal processing options. Be creative.
◦ Have fun
