odessa – peaks and nulls

It had been a while since I used my Xaoc Devices case for anything beyond reaching for a couple modulators like Zadar and Batumi II. I’ve always loved the Odessa, even with its faults, and I had an itch to use it.

I’m not going to detail this patch too much.

A square wave from Batumi II acts as a clock for Erfurt’s forward counting. A second square wave output hits Erfurt’s reverse counting input. Four gate outputs from Erfurt (Gates 1-4) are patched to Samara II, with each gate being attenuated to a particular note.
As these gates go high, they sent pitch to the five v/oct inputs on Hel, Odessa’s expander, creating a mix of full and arpeggiated chords (no idea what Odessa is tuned to). The Fundamental, Even, and Odd outputs are mixed down to stereo, and sent to Zagzreb. Zagzreb’s Bandpass L/R outputs go to the mixer, while the L High Pass output is patched to Sarajewo for some analog delay, with Taps one and three output to the mixer.

In a mood to try something new, I ran the dry signal to the the Optotronics Stereo Lockhart Wavefolder. I wish I had sent that signal to the delay as well. It’s a pretty cool module, though I’m not really sure what everything but the fold knobs are doing. Looks like it’s time to dg into that one.

All three signals, Odessa/Zagzreb, Sarajewo, and the Wavefolder go to the Vongon Ultrasheer for some reverb.

Uncharacteristically, I also did a smidge of post processing, running the recording through some compression and EQ. I’m new to using both, but I am very happy with the sonic results.

Modules Used:
Xaoc Devices Batumi II and Poti II
Xaoc Devices Lipsk
Xaoc Devices Erfurt
Xaoc Devices Samara II
Xaoc Devices Odessa
Xaoc Devices Zagzreb
Xaoc Devices Sarajewo
Xaoc Devices Zadar
Xaoc Devices Tallin
Xaoc Devices Warna II
Intellijel Amps
AI Synthesis 018 Stereo Matrix Mixer
Optotronics Stereo Lockhart Wavefolder
Knob Farm Ferry

Outboard Gear Used:
Vongon Ultrasheer

Plugins Used:
ToneBoosters TB Equalizer
Audio Damage Rough Rider

Performed and recorded in 1 take in AUM on iPad via the Expert Sleepers ES-9.

I’m not going to go in depth on this patch as there’s a lot of modulation happening and I can’t possibly document it without rambling in circles. I’m also using several techniques I’ve already written about, like using chaos at a clock, running a delay into the Panharmonium, using tape delays, and panning using VCAs.

A couple things of note:

The Echofix EF-X2 tape delays have incredibly good overdrive. The clipping is all analog and is both warm and musical. I would absolutely use the preamp alone to add anything from subtle saturation to thick overdrive. All of the distortion in this track is from the pair of EF-X2 tape echoes.

The Pianist by NOH-Modular is a highly capable chord sequencer. Building progressions is easy and the interface is intuitive. It certainly has faults (that I’ll discuss later in a more comprehensive review), but overall it does an absolutely fantastic job.

Odessa is Odessa and I will make no apologies for it.

This is the first patch during which I’ve used both the go-to AI Synthesis 018 Stereo Matrix Mixer alongside my new mono (voltage controlled) matrix mixer, the Transmon by Atomosynth. I used the latter to mix the Sofia Mix output with the Odessa partials outputs, while panning the Odessa fundamental slowly from left to right (although I can’t really hear the panning in the mix if I’m honest). Having a voltage controlled matrix mixer with individual outs for 12 of the 16 channels, along with 8 channels that can attenuvert makes for a compelling piece of kit. The possibilities are endless.

Modules Used:
NOH-Modular Pianist
Xaoc Devices Odessa (+ Hel)
Xaoc Devices Zadar
Xaoc Devices Lipsk
Xaoc Devices Erfurt
Xaoc Devices Samara II
Xaoc Devices Batumi II (+ Poti II)
Rossum Electro-Music Panharmonium
Holocene Electronics Non-Linear Memory Machine
Atomosynth Transmon
AI Synthesis 018 Stereo Matrix Mixer
Nonlinearcircuits The Hypster
Nonlinearcircuits Divide & Conquer
Nonlinearcircuits Triple Sloth
Auza Wave Packets

Improvised and recorded in 1 take on iPad in AUM via the Expert Sleepers ES-9.

Tag: odessa

A Xaoc Devices Exploration

A Chordal Soundscape With The Pianist, Odessa, Panharmonium, And A Couple Of Tape Delays