July Q&A

Hi Omri! Lately i watched Andrew Huang video about tips for generative/ambient patching (link below) and i came up with an idea that I don’t know how to realise. Let’s say we have chord progression and based on this harmony we have a burst of notes (which might also have decay length based on the tempo of the burst(the faster the shorter and the slower the longer)). And now comes the part which is not that simple for me. Let’s say that the bursts start in even distances (for example 16/32 clicks) and the burst must start with the bass/lowest note given by the chord progression but rest of the notes are in random order. Thanks in advance! And congrats on releasing modules with Pathset and Flag, i really love them and use them in almost every patch! Link: https://youtu.be/uNz1XfVfJak

Wanted to ask a quick question about sample clearing. Seeing as Distrokid doesn't provide any support with sample clearing, my solution has just been to only sample from my own recordings or to sample from something like freesound.org where you can find a plethora of Public Domain and Creative Commons Attribution sounds. Are there any other specific resources you frequently use for finding useful samples to work with for free, and for any samples you have gotten permission to use, what was the process like to get the samples cleared as an independent artist? Thanks a bunch as always!

Hi Omri, I've seen loads of interesting videos about the new physical modelling plugin 'Objekt' by Reason Studios. It has a load of options to customise the exciter, mimicking things like felt hammers and bows and things, and then also up to three resonating bodies whose resonant frequencies you can tune. I guess they have a load of complex preset algorithms, but I'd be really interested to see what tools we have in VCV to do this kind of complex physical modelling. Thanks!

Hi Omri, I have a question - is there any similar modules or a combination of modules that I can use on VCV Rack to recreate the experience of the Qu-Bit Data Bender? I'm not looking for the exact experience but more the concepts that behind it e.g "a sonic canvas capable of infinite surprises and discovery that is inspired by the ways in which audio equipment can fail" . Thank you for everything.

Hey Omri, thanks so much for doing these Q&A every month, they're always an amazing source of knowledge. I recently watched John Wick 4 and now I'm obsessed with Le Castle Vania's music, especially "A Long Way Down" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Q_d-SE1Z14), do you have advice on how to make similar huge and powerful sounds? Especially the bass, everything I make sounds so boring in comparison. Thanks.

Hi Omri, it would be great to know how to make some deep groaning synth voices that are gritty AF but also fairly clean like that of Kangding Ray in 'Amber Decay' and or Gum Takes Tooth in their lead track 'Armistice' off their new album. Mine always end up so muddy. Also I'm curious as to whether you use the beatstep pro anymore? I'm looking for a hardware sequencer to control vcv rack quickly and easily - would be curious to know your thoughts! Thanks for everything you do!

I'm looking for a way to randomize the length of a sequence. I have tried to set a timed pulse to reset the sequencer with a 50% probability, but that only results in one of two different lengths: full length or the duration of the random reset pulse. What I would like is for the reset pulse to be triggered at some random interval between 1 and 16. I know this should be easy, but I think because I need the probability in the time domain it is evading me. Thanks!

You just answered my questions in this article "Featured Artist: Omri Cohen" ... have a great day.

Hey Omri, One thing I’ve noticed is that you like distortion effects quite a bit, and I’d like to make more effective use of them. However, a lot of the time I have considerable trouble identifying exactly what these effects do to the sound and I’m therefore having trouble determining what the cases are when I should use distortion and when it is either unwelcome or redundant. I know about the whole clipping/saturation thing but it seems like every time I try using these I end up replacing them with a wavefolder. Any wisdom is welcome. Thanks!

Hi Omri. Sorry, my question may seem a bit confusing. but I often wonder where do you get ideas for your projects in VCV Rack? I'm not talking about materials posted on Patreon here. What's your modus operandi? Personally, I love watching your videos on YT. And over the years I've had the opportunity to learn a lot from you and I use your tricks quite often in my patches myself. Cheers

Hi Omri. I have a question that I'm sure you have already answered before, but I can't find it on YouTube. I want to find a way to have my Seq 3 sequence start playing from the first note,, but it always starts playing from the second note. Can you explain it again, or direct me to the video you already made? Thanks for all of your expertise and it's been a great journey learning from you.

Hi Omri! Thanks for all your excellent videos! Lately I have been more and more interested in FM synthesis and FM sounds. Any suggestions for modules and patches to make cool FM sounds?

Hi Omri, how do you see the future of sound designing with AI? Do you see it as a bless or a curse? For examples: Bless -> more creativity? Curse -> less originality? Thanks Kris.

Hi Omri, would it be possible to create a list of your favorite, most used and best sounding modules you use to create your fantastic patches? Such as Sequencers, best sounding VCO´s, VCF´s, effects ect. VCV Rack offers sooooo many modules, and I am totally overwhelmed by this amount of choices. Selecting the best sounding, the best functionality and most user friendly modules is a nightmare for a beginner. Such a list from the "MASTER of VCV Rack" would be enormously helpful for beginners... maybe even sorted by genre. I personally focus mostly on warm, sooting Ambient sounds ;-) Thank you very much for all the work you put into your teaching and sharing your knowledges with us.

What would be some fun things to do with clock dividers?