Modular Utilities
Audio Mixing
Audio
Control Voltage
TECH TALK
Trigger / Gate
SNARE
OSCILLATOR PERCUSSION MIXER DELAY
(b)
OSCILLATOR MIXER FILTER VCA
NOISE SAMPLE
SAMPLE MIXER VCA
(a) (c)
a - The most common function for a mixer in a synth-voice is to mix b - Besides using a mixer in a main synth-voice you can use them to
different oscillators and noise sources together before they go to a combine other audio signals within a larger patch. For example, mix
filter for further sound shaping. two percussive elements before they go to an effects module.
c - Or mix two background samples like field recordings with
different lengths, before they go to a VCA to shape the volume.
Monotrail Tech Talk #7 - How to use modular utilities 1/5
Modular Utilities
CV Mixing
Audio
Control Voltage
TECH TALK
Trigger / Gate
LFO
Tempo synced
OSCILLATOR FILTER VCA LFO MIXER
Free running
(b)
MIXER
ENVELOPE LFO ADSR
Regular
ADSR MIXER
Slow / inverted
(a) (c)
a - Instead of using a mixer to combine audio signals, you can b - Mixing two modulation sources together can create lovely
use them to combine control voltages. Take a filter for example. results as well. Take a tempo synced and a slow free running LFO
A common thing to do is feed it an envelope, but you can make it for example.
more interesting by mixing an envelope with a slow LFO for some
dynamics over time. I even like adding a third modulation by c - Or try creating new envelope shapes by mixing two ADSR
mixing-in a separate waveform output of the main oscillator. envelopes with different settings and polarity together.
This can really add nice textures to your sound.
Monotrail Tech Talk #7 - How to use modular utilities 2/5
Modular Utilities
CV Mixing
Audio
Control Voltage
TECH TALK
Trigger / Gate
OSCILLATOR FILTER SEQUENCER FILTER
MELODIC SEQ. ADSR MIXER LFO MIXER SAMPLER
Regular Random
TRIGGER SEQ. ENVELOPE QUANTIZER OSCILLATOR
Fast / Plucky
(a) (b)
a - You can mix a regular envelope to the filter of your synth voice, b - Combining the output of a sequencer with a subtle signal from an
with a quick one, triggered by a sequencer for example, to add clicky LFO or smooth random voltage can also lead to great results. Send
percussive elements to your basic synth patch. them to something like a filter, a sample player, or even a quantizer,
in order to generate melodies.
Monotrail Tech Talk #7 - How to use modular utilities 3/5
Modular Utilities
Mixing / Inverting
Audio
Control Voltage
TECH TALK
Trigger / Gate
TRIGGER KICK MIXER
CLOCK
Division
ENVELOPE INVERTER VCA
TRIGGER SEQ. MIXER DRUM VOICE
Random
OSCILLATOR FILTER
(a) (b)
a - You can also use a mixer as a trigger combiner. For example, to b - Inverting signals can be powerful. For example, to create a
combine a steady trigger from a clock divider or sequencer, with a sidechain effect. In this example we have a sequencer triggering a
sporadic random trigger, before sending it to a drum module. kick drum. That kick is mixed with a baseline created with a simple
oscillator, filter, and VCA setup. When we have the sequencer trigger
a short attack decay envelope as well, and we invert that signal
before going to the VCA of the baseline, the volume of the baseline
gets pushed down by the envelope, every time the kick hits.
Monotrail Tech Talk #7 - How to use modular utilities 4/5
Modular Utilities
Inverting
Audio
Control Voltage
TECH TALK
Trigger / Gate
LFO VCA LFO VCA FILTER
L
OSCILLATOR FILTER LFO
INVERTER VCA INVERTER VCA WAVEFOLDER
R
(a) (b)
a - Another trick is to create stereo panning by multiplying a signal b - This trick is also a great way to have something like an LFO
like a synth-voice, to two half-opened VCAs. To create some motion crossfade one modulation source between two destinations.
in the stereo field we multiply a modulation source, like an envelope
or LFO, and send the original to one of the VCAs, and an inverted
one to the other. This way if one signal opens, the other closes, and
the other way around.
Monotrail Tech Talk #7 - How to use modular utilities 5/5
