Uploaded November 2021 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
This is a live cinematic synthwave electronic music performance inspired by later Tangerine Dream music, where I wanted to setup a more meditative environment and create a slow musical progression by interweaving layers with the Eurorack, Buchla 208c Easel Command, and Moog DFAM while providing bass from the Moog Grandmother, pads from the Sequential Circuits OB-6, and melody from the ARP-2600. This is a live improvisation starting with a guitar tape loop from the Morphagene and adding in arpeggio and percussive layers. Since I'm a film composer by trade, this came out relatively cinematic and would work in certain movie score settings. I hope this is educational for you as well, in terms of how I put these performances together. I have patch notes below!
If you enjoyed this, please consider supporting my Patreon: patreon.com/ethanjamesmusic
My shorts channel: youtube.com/channel/UC_BcJob-VaouHlwAKm7mxkA
My long form channel: youtube.com/channel/UCggb6vbFk8aWDY8zqlgK47Q
Patch Notes:
Eurorack:
Frap Tools Sapèl is driving the master clock using two sequencers: a Make Noise René and an Industrial Music Electronics Stillson Hammer.
Stillson Hammer is sending CV to a 4ms Ensemble Oscillator, where the CV is changing the Scale parameter instead of pitch. Gate from the Stillson Hammer is going to an AJH Contour Generator. Audio to a Tangle Quartet VCA.
Make Noise René sequencer is sending CV from X and Y to an Instruo CS-L complex oscillator. Final wave outputs to a Make Noise Optomix. The Gate from the René is going to the strike inputs of the Optomix, and I am attenuating frequencies with both the waveshaper and the control knob on the Optomix. Frap Tools Sapèl n+1 outputs to both wavefolders on the CS-L to generator random timbre changes. Zlob Modular Diode Chaos CV to symmetry bias of both oscillators to further randomize timbre.
One output of the Optomix is going to a Make Noise Erbeverb, the other output to a Make Noise Echophon.
Make Noise René C gate output to trigger of Random Source Serge VQVCF tuned to the root of the song. This is making the tom or bongo type of percussion sound.
Morphagene is running a guitar loop manually controlled going through a Monsoon.
All Audio from the Eurorack goes through a Make Noise X-Pan with an Intellijel Mixup submixer.
Moog DFAM:
Pitch to noise oscillator volume. Pretty long VCA decay is being used.
Moog Grandmother:
Sample and Hold synced to master clock and assigned to filter frequency via modulation wheel.
ARP-2600:
Using sawtooth waves from all three oscillators. Oscillator 2 is tuned up a fifth.
Buchla 208c Easel Command:
Envelope generator to low pass 1 and 2.
Random voltage to timbre, modulation, and number of sequencer steps.
Sequential voltage to pitch of complex oscillator.
Sequential Circuits OB-6:
Polysaw pad sound with lots of chorus and delay.
This is a live cinematic synthwave electronic music performance inspired by later Tangerine Dream music, where I wanted to setup a more meditative environment and create a slow musical progression by interweaving layers with the Eurorack, Buchla 208c Easel Command, and Moog DFAM while providing bass from the Moog Grandmother, pads from the Sequential Circuits OB-6, and melody from the ARP-2600. This is a live improvisation starting with a guitar tape loop from the Morphagene and adding in arpeggio and percussive layers. Since I'm a film composer by trade, this came out relatively cinematic and would work in certain movie score settings. I hope this is educational for you as well, in terms of how I put these performances together. I have patch notes below!
If you enjoyed this, please consider supporting my Patreon: patreon.com/ethanjamesmusic
My shorts channel: youtube.com/channel/UC_BcJob-VaouHlwAKm7mxkA
My long form channel: youtube.com/channel/UCggb6vbFk8aWDY8zqlgK47Q
Patch Notes:
Eurorack:
Frap Tools Sapèl is driving the master clock using two sequencers: a Make Noise René and an Industrial Music Electronics Stillson Hammer.
Stillson Hammer is sending CV to a 4ms Ensemble Oscillator, where the CV is changing the Scale parameter instead of pitch. Gate from the Stillson Hammer is going to an AJH Contour Generator. Audio to a Tangle Quartet VCA.
Make Noise René sequencer is sending CV from X and Y to an Instruo CS-L complex oscillator. Final wave outputs to a Make Noise Optomix. The Gate from the René is going to the strike inputs of the Optomix, and I am attenuating frequencies with both the waveshaper and the control knob on the Optomix. Frap Tools Sapèl n+1 outputs to both wavefolders on the CS-L to generator random timbre changes. Zlob Modular Diode Chaos CV to symmetry bias of both oscillators to further randomize timbre.
One output of the Optomix is going to a Make Noise Erbeverb, the other output to a Make Noise Echophon.
Make Noise René C gate output to trigger of Random Source Serge VQVCF tuned to the root of the song. This is making the tom or bongo type of percussion sound.
Morphagene is running a guitar loop manually controlled going through a Monsoon.
All Audio from the Eurorack goes through a Make Noise X-Pan with an Intellijel Mixup submixer.
Moog DFAM:
Pitch to noise oscillator volume. Pretty long VCA decay is being used.
Moog Grandmother:
Sample and Hold synced to master clock and assigned to filter frequency via modulation wheel.
ARP-2600:
Using sawtooth waves from all three oscillators. Oscillator 2 is tuned up a fifth.
Buchla 208c Easel Command:
Envelope generator to low pass 1 and 2.
Random voltage to timbre, modulation, and number of sequencer steps.
Sequential voltage to pitch of complex oscillator.
Sequential Circuits OB-6:
Polysaw pad sound with lots of chorus and delay.
