Matt LoweryToday we take the beautiful Replay by Vongon out for a spin and also have a conversation about synthesis basics in honor of my five year synth-a-versary. Vongon really hit it out of the park with this instrument and--whether it's your first synth or your 10th-- there's a lot here to love.
Vongon Replay: This synth rules!Matt Lowery2024-03-21 | Today we take the beautiful Replay by Vongon out for a spin and also have a conversation about synthesis basics in honor of my five year synth-a-versary. Vongon really hit it out of the park with this instrument and--whether it's your first synth or your 10th-- there's a lot here to love.Dobbo, by Butterfly Effects. Beautiful pedal #synth #electronicmusic #sounddesign #musicproductionMatt Lowery2025-08-29 | ...Bokeh, By Otaku SoundMatt Lowery2025-08-17 | Download Bokeh here: otakusound.gumroad.com/l/bokeh
Bokeh is an esoteric and highly musical collection of samples in major keys that I've been working on for a while now. The gist: familiar instruments processed in unfamiliar ways. Worked and reworked until they sound like liquid late-afternoon sunshine.
Recorded through an extensive collection of outboard preamps, compressors, and EQ- these samples are ready to drop into sessions of any kind.
Bokeh is a robust collection of 1-3 minute Long Play sound beds and 5-10 second Short Play samples. Equally at home in the DAW or hardware sampler environment, it provides a solid foundation against which composers and songwriters can craft sweeping, ethereal compositions.
00:00 Intro 03:30 Using Bokeh in a session 06:27 Mix tips 12:58 Using in Sampler 14:15 Arps 14:35 Use with modular 15:30 A tour of the sounds aloneLoooove the Moog Muse’s arpeggiator. #synth #modularsynth #synthesizerMatt Lowery2025-05-17 | ...Sampling the #buchla 208c into Intellijel Multigrain. #synth #synthesizer #eurorack #modularsynthMatt Lowery2025-05-12 | ...Intellijel Multigrain + Ciat Lonbarde Plumbutter 2. #eurorack #modularsynthMatt Lowery2025-05-11 | ...Blankfor.ms Tape drums on the Digitakt 2; Tape Haze 5 on the Intellijel Multigrain. #synthesizerMatt Lowery2025-05-10 | ...Future Sound Systems Cric Patch Journal: Two Voice ParaphonyMatt Lowery2025-03-22 | With freshly tie-dyed hands, I demonstrate and explain a Cric patch that has been on my desk for almost two weeks. We'll use Rene 2 to sequence two channels of Cric, send the resulting audio through the Vongon Polyphase, and create a big granular cloud to sit behind that whole situation. It'll be fun, you'll see.
00:00 Cheeseball Intro 00:17 Cric Settings 03:07 Sequencing Strategy 06:40 Granular Cloud 08:50 Skip Here If You Just Want Cric SoundsEndorphines Ground Control: My Favorite Features, And Firmware 3.0Matt Lowery2025-03-06 | Well well well What do we have here? The Endorphines Ground Control, that's what. This sequencer has stolen my heart, and I'd love to tell you why. Grab a beverage and let's do this thing.
00:00 oh hey 01:10 keyboard is good 02:40 polysomethings 03:43 so many outs 04:37 cv control 05:05 crafting a banger 14:00 so random 23:20 pattern chainingFuture Sounds Systems Cric Oscillators are Unhinged and WonderfulMatt Lowery2025-02-23 | A sleepy and untechnical exploration of the oscillators on the Future Sound Systems Cric.
00:00 Exploration 10:20 The SAUCE 15:00 A synth voice (skip here if you're busy)Vongon Paragraphs 2 DemoMatt Lowery2024-10-22 | The Vongon Paragraphs 2 is a stereo low-pass filter, envelope follower, and function generator. In this demo, we'll look at what a low-pass filter does, how Paragraphs 2 operates, and what it sound like in a variety of musical applications. Buckle up.
Intro: 00:01 What's a Low-Pass Filter: 01:38 Paragraphs 2 Overview: 5:00 Less Talking, More Music: 17:15A guitar + modular synth + tape loop performance and how it worksMatt Lowery2024-09-19 | This is a technique that Alessandro Cortini pioneered in which a different layer is recorded to four track tape. The performance, then, is an interaction with the tape deck's faders and some effects down the line.
Have questions about guitar or modular synth? Drop me a comment.
Here’s where I got the tape: etsy.com/uk/shop/BatteryOperatedModular Synths and Pedals- Two of My Favorites (Chase Bliss Blooper + OBNE BL-44)Matt Lowery2024-09-03 | This video’s premise is pretty simple: let’s use the Boredbrain UNIFX to send some modular beep boops out to two different pedals and see what happens. Both pedals are being used as reverse playback buffers. The Qubit Data Bender also features. Come learn a thing or two.Three Moog Muse Patches I Love (unsponsored thoughts)Matt Lowery2024-08-22 | Hi Everyone. I sold my soul (well, actually, just a bunch of gear) and bought a Moog Muse. I've been having a blast learning the ropes, and wanted to share my first three patches that felt like keepers. Check out how this thing sounds!
00:00 Intro 01:55 Kiasmos Pad 03:53 Reichous Arps 09:18 FlutterbyesThe Ohmforce Ohmicide Eurorack Module Is Not Playing AroundMatt Lowery2024-08-18 | Let's spend some time getting to know Ohmforce's exceptional port of the Ohmicide plugin to eurorack land. Ohmicide is a collection of perfectly curated distortion algorithms that sounds great and is easy to use.The Artium Swarm Is SuperMatt Lowery2024-08-16 | The Artium Swarm is a desktop supersaw polyphonic synth capable of some really massive classic sounds. But it's also got some modern tricks up its sleeve. Let's get to know this little blue box of wonders, shall we?
00:00 Intro/What Tea Is That? 03:15 Modes/Arpeggiator 06:00 Envelope Generator 07:00 Detune 08:39 Filter 10:00 FX 17:25 With Bitmap Pedal 18:45 With Mood Mk2 20:46 With Generation Loss Mk 2Two Pladask Elektrisk Dradds In StereoMatt Lowery2024-05-28 | Y'all, we've got a barn-burner today. This video could very well open up an Ambient Singularity: we've got potted plants, soft sounds, and a stereo pair of Pladask Electrisk DRADD modules.
The scientists said it couldn't be done. Said it was cosmologically and fiscally irresponsible. But I told them that Youtube had a right to know. So you're welcome, internet.
Ok but for reals: I didn't plan for this to be a YouTube video, but the jam was enjoyable and ran on for a bit and there are no other examples of two DRADDs running in stereo out there, so I figured why not publish this.
The sound source is Ableton's "collision" instrument, being sent out to the modular as an external effect. We start in mode 3 on Dradd, then switch to mode 1, and end on mode 2. Various clock speeds are used. POS1 and POS2 are being modulated by Just Friends. The whole thing is being glue together by Sealegs in ping pong mode, which takes some of the hard panning out of the equation.
I actually think this sounds really nice, and will probably leave these both in the case.My favorite monome norns looper is called OtisMatt Lowery2024-05-16 | What is it about Otis on monome norns that I love so much? Maybe it's the DNA that it shares with the ciat-lonbarde cocoquantus. Maybe it's the fact that it can function as a beautiful short delay, medium looper, or looooong buffer device with minimal effort on the user's part.
Maybe it's that it opens with a graphic of a cat? It's probably that.
This morning I had a cup-of-coffee length cleansing jam, and thought I'd record it just for fun. There are some nice moments, and some little hiccups here and there. But I'm hoping it can accompany you through a cup at your place as well.Boredbrain Xcelon: Analog Eurorack Mixer DemoMatt Lowery2024-01-20 | Today we're spending some time with the Boredbrain Xcelon, a six channel, stereo euro rack mixer. We'll do a quick tour and then a patch from scratch in order to get a feel for Xcelon's feature set and advantages.
00:00 Setup/Overview 07:00 Patch From ScratchMake Noise Tape & Microsound Music Machine Patch From ScratchMatt Lowery2024-01-01 | Hi.Over the past few months, I've gotten a lot of requests for a longform exploration of how I like to use the Tape and Microsound Music Machine for ambient music making.
This is less of a tutorial, more of a walkthrough.
A few folks have asked what my options.txt file looks like. Here are the exact contents:
vsop 0 ///Varispeed option: 0 bidirectional classic, 1 bidirectional 1 v/oct, 2 positive only - 1 v/oct. inop 1 //Input option: 0 record SOS mix, 1 record input only pmin 0 //Phase/position modulation: 0 no phase modulation, 1 phase playback modulation on right signal input when no signal on left input omod 0 //Organize option: 0 organize at end of gene, 1 organize immediately gnsm 0 //Gene smooth: 0 classic, 1 smooth gene window rsop 0 //Record option: 0 record + splice = record new splice, record = record current splice; 1 record + splice = record current splice, record = record new splice pmod 0 //Play option: 0 classic, 1 momentary, 2 trigger loop ckop 0 //Clock control option: 0 hybrid gene shift time stretch, 1 gene shift only, 2 time stretch only cvop 0 //CV out: 0 envelope follow, 1 ramp gene mcr1 2.00000 //Morph Chord Ratio: 0.06250 to 16.00000, negative is reverse mcr2 0.50000 //Morph Chord Ratio: 0.06250 to 16.00000, negative is reverse mcr3 -1.00000 //Morph Chord Ratio: 0.06250 to 16.00000, negative is reverseJamming with Cheat Codes 2 on norns. Love this script!Matt Lowery2023-12-03 | ...Ghost: Endorphines and Andrew Huang made a mighty fine pedal!Matt Lowery2023-10-17 | Today we explore Ghost, the pedal adaption of the excellent eurorack module. It's really great stuff. Make a beverage, get comfortable, and let's go for a ride.Endorphines Golden Master Pedal Is My New Best FriendMatt Lowery2023-10-17 | There's been this hole in my live setup-- namely, at the end of the chain. I guess Endorphines was acutely aware of this problem and thus made this pedal for me and only me. Fortunately, you can get one too. But before you do, spend a few minutes watching this video. Thanks!Sending, by Electronic Audio ExperimentsMatt Lowery2023-07-18 | This is Sending, by Electronic Audio Experiments. Sending is an incredible analog delay pedal with some very unique tricks up its sleeve. In this video, we'll take a look at my favorite features and listen to a bunch of instruments through Sending along the way. Hope you enjoy!I made my first teletype/just friends grid instrument, then played it through chase bliss mood mk2Matt Lowery2023-07-14 | Hi YouTube. I'm giddy with excitement today, because after studying the teletype grid ops for a couple of days, I was able to whip up my first playable instrument this morning before I'd finished my first cup of coffee. The ops are so powerful and accessible!
I've never played a melody on an instrument that I coded before, so I wanted to share this video as a kind of mile marker. It's nothing fancy- just a row of faders that send note data to Just Friends over i2c and a giant button that sends triggers. The cool thing to me is that I had this very simple idea and was able to bring it forth into existence in about 15 minutes. That's a new and special feeling.Matt Lowery at the Soma Pulsar 23 Spotlight ShowMatt Lowery2023-02-18 | Hi. I got to play a really special show curated by Modular World, centered around the Soma Pulsar 23. Here's my performance, hope you enjoy!
Check out the entire show here: youtu.be/X_hjne2DQqADRADD, by Pladask ElektriskMatt Lowery2023-01-28 | DRADD is a eurorack module by Pladask Elektrisk. Come and listen. It's wonderful.
You can pick up a DRADD (as well as other neat instruments) at pladaskelektrisk.com
00:00 Intro 00:38 Panel Tour 02:12 GRAIN Explanation 03:30 GRAIN Mini Jam 05:30 TDL Explanation 07:15 TDL Mini Jam 08:40 Tape Explanation 10:20 Tape Mini Jam 11:00 Big Jam Kickoff 11:44 Electric Guitar 15:39 Vocals (TDL) 19:45 Vocals (GRAIN) 26:17 Pulsar 33:02 Jasno 31:13 Deckard's Dream 35:42 PlumbutterSound Study: Frippertronics with Novation Peak, Vongon Polyphrase, Chase Bliss Generation Loss Mk2Matt Lowery2023-01-07 | An exploration of frippertronics style looping with the Vongon Polyphrase. Sound source is the Novation Peak, which is also being processed by the Chase Bliss Generation Loss Mk2.
This is one of those videos that started off as a short form idea and turned into a longer piece because, well--because I was having fun.Fairfield Circuitry Roger ThatMatt Lowery2023-01-05 | An exploration of Fairfield Circuitry's newest release: Roger That. Roger That is a crazy little modulator/demodulator pedal that can be subtle or can tear a hole in the fabric of the universe.
HEALTH DISCLAIMER: This demo gets pretty loud and will expose you to some intense upper-spectrum audio. Please listen at a safe and reasonable volume and take breaks if needed.
00:00 Intro/Warning/Caveats 04:46 With Guitar Loop 08:52 With Wrecked Guitar 11:20 In a Feedback Loop 15:00 Control Voltage 17:50 Modular JamPatch From Scratch! Mannequins Just Friends, Monome Teletype, Qubit Nautilus, and moreMatt Lowery2022-11-12 | In today's patch from scratch, we explore "Floom", which is one of Just Friends' run modes. We take that ball of wax, sequence it with teletype, and throw it all into a big mess of effects. Grab a cup and enjoy.
As always, if you buy stuff with this link, it helps me grab more gear to share with you: tinyurl.com/32k9aput
00:00 Into 28:30 The JamSound Sample: Loudest Warning Sing To Me (instrumental drone)Matt Lowery2022-11-07 | Hi friends! Today I’m here with a pretty simple, short video showcasing the Loudest Warning Sing to Me panel. It’s a beautiful instrument, and combines a pair of Buchla 258’s with a small selection of serge modules in a single panel. The truth is, this was a video I captured as an Instagram post, but I was having such a nice time that 1 minute turned into 8 minutes pretty quickly! I remember when I was researching this format, there wasn’t a ton of content or sound samples of Sing To Me, so I figured I’d toss this out for posterity. A touch of reverb and delay were added in post. Have a great day.The Less is More theory of sample rate reduction (patch from scratch!)Matt Lowery2022-10-27 | Whew. Let's go to some weird places together. Let's talk about my obsession with low fidelity delays, sample rate reduction, and how legendary film editor Walter Murch fits into the equation. It's all about making gaps, y'all.
00:00 Intro/Book Recommendation 02:27 Teletype/JF Patch Setup 08:28 Tyme Sefari Mk2 12:15 The theory explained (kind of) 18:52 Analog Bitcrushing 25:32 Using wacky envelope shapes 28:44 Bionic Lester (switched capacitor filter) 32:15 Where distortion fits in 37:12 Outro Jam 45:00 The jam really hits here. Oh yes.
Hey, if you want to support more fireside chats like this one, use the Perfect Circuit link below to do your instrument shopping. It kicks a small portion of your purchase back to me, and the irony is that I will more than likely use that money to also buy stuff from Perfect Circuit. It never ends.
The book is "In The Blink of An Eye" by Walter Murch. Please attempt to purchase it from a local bookseller before you buy it on Amazon.
Bye!Patch From Scratch! Qubit Nautilus, Mannequins Just Friends, Monome TeletypeMatt Lowery2022-10-13 | Hi, hello, good day. Here's a very chill video in which we create a fun generative sequencer with Teletype+Just Friends that is being clocked and processed by the Qubit Nautilus. It's awfully pleasant. I also drink tea, talk about Cormac McCarthy, and almost swallow the dynamic mic that I chose for this informal recording. What's not to love?
00:00 Intro 02:15 WTF Is Teletype? 10:14 Nautilus Overview 27:40 Cormac McCarthy Plug 30:42 Jam with no talkingLVX, by Meris (with Deckard’s Dream mk 2 and Oxi One)Matt Lowery2022-08-01 | Interested in the upcoming Meris LVX? Today we're exploring the factory presets on LVX (which are still very much subject to change- this is a preproduction unit) paired with a Deckard's Dream mk2. Enjoy!
If you want to support this channel, go buy some stuff here!
tinyurl.com/32k9aputFloat, by Old Blood Noise EndeavorsMatt Lowery2022-07-28 | Float is a stereo multimode filter by Old Blood Noise Endeavors. In this video, we briefly explore its features and controls, and then spend a fair amount of time running different instruments through the pedal.
Want to support this channel? Like, subscribe, and buy some gear with the affiliate link below.
00:00 Intro 01:00 What's a filter, anyway? 02:40 LFO control 03:15 LFO sync 03:40 LFO phase 05:20 with Lyra-8 06:10 Shoegazey Guitar (pt. 1) 06:54 with norns 08:53 with Plumbutter 2 10:20 with Soma Enner 12:18 Shoegazey Guitar (pt. 2) 14:30 with BrensoBoredbrain Music: Unifx, Xchangr, and Monitr overview and demoMatt Lowery2022-07-12 | Today we're taking a look at three stellar modules by boredbrain music. We'll talk about the feature set of each, and look at some use cases as well.
Thanks for taking the time to watch this video. If you'd like to support this channel, the best way to do so is by purchasing some music through Bandcamp, or some gear from the affiliate link below. Have fun!
Get some tunes: mattlowery.bandcamp.comWalrus Audio Lore Demo: Guitar and SynthMatt Lowery2022-06-02 | Today we're having a listen to Lore, a reverse soundscape generator by Walrus Audio. Lore is a collection of reverse reverbs, delays, pitch shifters, and more. We'll examine each of its five programs, using both guitar and synths as sound sources.
00:00 intro 01:06 Program 1/Guitar 02:31 Program 2/Guitar 05:02 Program 3/Guitar 06:38 Program 4/Guitar 09:09 Program 5/Guitar 11:05 Desperate Plea for Likes, etc 11:36 Program 1/Synth 12:11 Program 2/Synth 12:52 Program 3/Synth 13:37 Program 4/Synth 15:25 Program 5/Synth
As always, if you want to pick up some gear using the affiliate link below, it'll help keep this little train chugging along.Old Blood Noise Endeavors Screen Violence DemoMatt Lowery2022-05-26 | So, Old Blood Noise Endeavors and CHVRCHES made a pedal together. It's called Screen Violence, and it's a distortion/saturation married to a collection of time-based effects. It's really great.
In this demo, I briefly explain the pedal, and then spend some time sending various synths through it.
00:00 Overview 01:37 Violence 03:20 Screen 06:38 With Lyra-8 10:05 With Subharmonicon 12:10 With Pulsar-23 14:15 With Matriarch 16:03 With Serge
If you want to support this channel, you can subscribe, tell a friend, or buy some neat gear with the affiliate link below. Thanks!
Here is the thing: it's amazing on synths as a weird delay. Collect mode opens it up even farther.
If you want to support this channel, you can shop for these pedals (or just about anything else) with this affiliate link. It doesn't cost you anything.
link.perfectcircuit.com/t/v1/8-12626-261186-9759?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.perfectcircuit.com%2FSoma Enner Sound SamplesMatt Lowery2022-05-22 | A few minutes of performance on the Enner, by Soma. I'm using Enner's built in oscillators, as well as a field recording via its external input. Headphones recommended. Enjoy!Soma Synths Jam: Lyra-8, Pulsar 23, Enner, and Ornament-8Matt Lowery2022-05-02 | A low key jam performed on my collection of Soma equipment. Lyra-8 is sequenced by Ornament-8, and is on drone duty. Pulsar 23's filters are pinging away, and sent into its stereo delay. For the most part, I am performing on Enner using its built in oscillators, piezo, and auxiliary input.
If you'd like to support this channel by grabbing some awesome gear that will last a lifetime, you can do so by shopping through this link: tinyurl.com/2p8hydp7mlr on monome norns with Cooper FX generation lossMatt Lowery2022-04-07 | mlr is a live sampling script for monome norns. Here, I'm pairing it (a literal pair!) with Cooper FX's generation loss.
mlr is one of my favorite performance tools. It felt magical the first time I saw it used, and that feeling persists even today.
Want to support this channel? Buy your next synth with the link below: link.perfectcircuit.com/t/v1/8-12626-261186-9759?sid=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.perfectcircuit.com%2FCiat-Lonbarde Sidrax + Cocoquantus: Ambient Dream TeamMatt Lowery2021-12-05 | An ambient melody I noodled around with from an unpatched Sidrax (an instrument by Ciat-Lonbarde). The Sidrax is playing into a Cocoquantus, and I feel like this combo is the ambient dream team.
From there, the chain is Bitmap 2, Tensor, and Ultrasheer.
If you like this music and want to support this channel, the most direct way is through Patreon: patreon.com/mattlowery
Thanks for listening!Modular Synth For Guitar Players: A Beginners GuideMatt Lowery2021-11-12 | Modular Synth For Guitar Players- it's a topic that has been on my mind for a while now. So, I figured I'd grab my modular synth, throw some fresh strings on my guitar, and do my very best to help fellow guitar players navigate the tricky (and sometimes overwhelming) waters of modular synthesis.
This video focuses on getting started with modular rigs designed to process audio, and is very fx oriented. We don't spend any time talking about synthesizing sound with oscillators (just FYI). We'll talk about basic concepts, design a starter system (and jam on it!), do some Q&A, and build a big ole' monster patch in real time.
So, if you're interested in the intersection of guitar and modular but don't know where to start, grab a snack and buckle up. Comments and questions are welcome!
00:00 Intro 03:38 So...what is modular, exactly (asking for a friend) 08:42 Planning a system on Modular Grid 13:41 Jamming on our starter system 17:20 F.A.Q. 22:42 Patch From Scratch 40:58 Patch Complete, Let's Jam! 43:08 Closing ThoughtsCooper FX Exp Gen: Overview and DemoMatt Lowery2021-10-19 | Hey look! It's the new EXP GEN by Cooper FX! What is it? Do you need one? How does it work?
All will be revealed.Cooper FX Signal Path Selector: Overview and DemonstrationMatt Lowery2021-10-19 | The Cooper FX Signal Path Selector is here! In this overview, I give a demonstration of its major abilities, as well as some context for how I use it in my studio. It's a mixer, router, midi-capable performance tool, signal splitter-- the list goes on and on. Grab a tasty beverage and join me.
Here's the tutorial that I mention regarding sending midi with your phone: youtu.be/Jb7LFw0gK9c
00:00 Intro 00:19 Routing Multiple Signal Paths 02:52 Feedback Looping 04:16 Midi Control 05:09 Signal Splitting For Awesome Stereo Image 06:02 Performance Mixing 06:42 Three Loop Jam Session/Byeeqx5 by Boredbrain Music: Overview and DemoMatt Lowery2021-09-14 | This is eqx5, by Boredbrain music. Eqx5 is a five band equalizer, offering 12 decibels of boost or cut per frequency band, at a slope of 6 db/oct. It features stereo input and output, a handy summing output, as well as control over the master volume level and stereo image.
Eqx5 offers cv control over parameter on the module, and allows the artist to push into deeply creative territory by sending control rate or audio rate modulation into some or all of its cv inputs.
Thanks for stopping by. If you like this video, give it a thumbs up and subscribe to my channel.injectr by Boredbrain Music: Overview and DemoMatt Lowery2021-09-14 | This is Injectr, from Boredbrain Music.
Injectr makes it super simple to bring guitar (or any other ¼ inch instrument) into your modular system for processing, and also to derive useful control voltage from your signal via its envelope follower and gate generator.
In this video, I give a brief overview of the module, and then demonstrate its incredible musical value. I really love this thing. Great job, boredbrain.optx by Boredbrain Music: Overview and DemoMatt Lowery2021-09-14 | Come check out boredbrain optx- a new ADAT Eurorack module that connects your modular synth to your computer.
In this video I give a brief demonstration of optx, and a few use cases for how I use it in my studio. I'm a huge fan of what Boredbrain has put together here, and can wholeheartedly recommend the module for those who like working with Eurorack in the DAW.
00:00 Intro/Specs/Basics 01:48 Sending and Receiving CV 02:54 LFOs in Action 04:57 Sequencing Hardware with optx 07:05 optx Will Help You MangleCoffee and Drones: Soma Lyra-8 and Ornament-8Matt Lowery2021-08-21 | I drink a delicious Ethiopian Yirgacheffe while the Soma Lyra-8 rips a hole in the space-time continuum.
Lyra-8 is being sequenced by Ornament-8. What a hoot. Soma instruments are some of my absolute favorite devies.
I added a touch of space echo and Valhalla Vintage Verb in post for width.