Time to sunset this ol' blog. I've enjoyed putting this out, but I'm going to collapse my blogging into my Patreon site: https://www.patreon.com/darwingrosse You don't have to give me money (although I'd be honored if you did...), but it's just convenient to have all of my writing sit in one place. So both my modular and Max-based writing will end up landing there. But, because it's also where I talk about my podcast, there will probably be some interesting crossover among subject areas. Maybe that's what I'd really like, too. G'night ..read more

Dang, Martin Russ really came through on this one. After being inspired by a Ricky Tinez modular jam on YouTube, Martin decided to find a way to do something within Ableton Live - and without having to resort to MFL coding. This takes advantage of a seldom-used feature of Live (clip envelope length variation) to create the kind of evolving, variant kind or track that I always enjoy. Check it out to see if this doesn't give you a reason to explore those clip envelopes! [ddg ..read more

Thanks to industry insider Mike Metley for pointing out this Kickstarter: an inexpensive way to pull together those necessary, but only occasionally needed, accessories without eating up HP in your Eurorack system. Frankly, that gate-combiner will be worth its weight in gold, and who couldn't use a little more touch action in their rig! Only good for the next few hours, but I'm sure there'll be some available after-the-fact. Check it out! [ddg ..read more

OK, this is a new one for me... I wanted to set up my studio modular system to be more convenient for me, and I also wanted to integrate my 'living room' modular easily for studio use. So I had an idea - and I wanted it to fit in the small amount of space available on the left-side of my Platform desk. It's taken several months to get this right, but I'm loving it so far. Super simple, but working well - because I gave it time to become 'right'. I started with a basic end table I bought off of Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01G54JL3Q It was a little short for my needs, but th ..read more

Reverb did the thing: https://reverb.com/news/video-korg-reissues-the-arp-2600-in-exacting-detail It's a great look back at the Arp 2600, which Korg is reissuing. And yes, I put my order in! [ddg ..read more

At the left side of my "living room" modular, I'm having a Battle Royale between two great modules. On the one hand is the ALM/Busy Circuits Pamela's New Workout, which is a powerhouse of time-sync'd outputs - including LFOs, Euclidian rhythms, random selections and time divisions. On the other hand is the Xaoc Zadar (#2 of 2, since I have one in permanent installation in my studio case...), which gives me a quad set of envelopes/LFOs - and that have satisfyingly long times - exceeding 30 minutes in some cases. I go back and forth... The PNW is great as a master clock, and does a great jo ..read more

Making module decisions can be difficult - and often are informed by talking with other modular users. In last week's podcast chat with Eric Schlappi (http://artmusictech.libsyn.com/podcast-307-eric-schlappi), he talked about his performance rig, and the fact that he was more than willing to dedicate 20HP on the 4ms Dual Looping Delay as part of that setup. Which got me to remembering - I did a lot with the DLD, and bailed only to dive deep into the Clouds. But now I find myself with two Clouds and no dedicated delay, and am kinda wishing for A Better Way. I found an inexpensive DLD on Reve ..read more

https://www.amazon.com/Modular-Synthesizer-Mastery-Book-Oscillators-ebook/dp/B0826T4K5Z Well, it's been in the hopper for quite a while, but I finally released ol' Book One, which is my take on Oscillators and LFOs. It continues my 'experiential' way of working with modulars - one that focuses on getting the feel of the system as well as a knowledge of what it does. It's cheap, readable on pretty much any electronic device you have access to, and might crack open an idea or two. I'm still finishing up the online content to support this, but I should have it available in the next day or two ..read more

Just saw this on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2598187750277730&set=gm.785284721911569&type=3&theater That seems like such a powerful porta-combo: the MPC Live, a Microfreak and a decent effects processor. If only it would all fit on my lap... [ddg ..read more

While I feel like a Timex watch (takes a lickin'...), I have decided to retire from one of my gigs: this month's edition of Recording Magazine has my last article in it: the finale of my Studio 101 series. It was such a pleasure to work with the Recording team over the years - I'd written over 200 articles, and had a chance to quash my G.A.S. in so many awesome ways. But I need to focus on some personal work, and that meant that something had to go. So thanks to Tom, Mike, Lorenz, Brent, Tiffany and everyone for all of their support over the years, the opportunity to share my ideas and opin ..read more