Demonstrating some sounds you can get with the Grendel DC-2e Eurorack voice modules, and the Grendel RA-9 Grenadier. And a third, mystery synth!
Grendel synthesizers are available from I/O Music Technology, Detroit Modular, Switched On, NoiseBug, Perfect Circuit Audio, Analogue Haven, Noise Kitchen, SchneidersLaden.
Demoing the Grendel RA-9 Grenadier and DC-2e Drone Commander 2. A sequenced LFO effect is obtained by patching the Grenadier’s sequencer output to the LFO CV input of DC-2e. The track was composed with MIDI in Reaper DAW software, using a 4-channel MIDI-to-CV converter to interface the analog intruments. The analog snare drum and bass drum are new prototype designs in development here at Rare Waves…
This video walks through getting started with the Grendel DC-2e Drone Commander 2, beginning with using the Main Module by itself (0:30). Next, see how to control it from a MIDI keyboard, using the Expander module and a MIDI-CV converter (3:40).
A self-patch that gives additional filter modulation is demonstrated (5:35). After that, one of the MIDI-CV converter’s auxiliary CV outputs is patched in to control DC-2e’s LFO rate with the MIDI mod wheel (7:00).
The next section demonstrates VCF 1’s self-oscillation (8:35), including how to cancel the filter’s self-oscillation so only the dry tone of the VCOs is heard (9:50). Then, VCF 1 is set up as a third oscillator, creating a constant-pitched drone note to accompany melody played on the VCOs (10:50).
Last, some examples of pitch modulation using the MOD knob are shown (11:40), leading to full-on crazy town.
Rare Waves LLC demonstrates a Grendel Drone Commander 2 prototype in Eurorack format.
Drone Commander 2 is a true analog synthesizer with discrete transistor technology. It has 12 knobs for lots of hands on control, and every knob is a push-pull switch for lots of tone modification options.
It retains the original Drone Commander filter, and adds a second independently controlled filter for contrast. The second filter is a smooth and clean 4-pole lowpass filter (-24dB/oct VC-LPF). It has an attack-release envelope generator and serves as a lowpass gate, to control the volume and tone.
The LFO section has been completely revised.. its kind of hard to describe, listen instead (please pardon the noodling)
The optional Expander module can be connected for extensive voltage control. It has 18 patch points including CV/Gate input, Clock in/out, and external audio input. Connecting a MIDI controller and MIDI-CV converter to the Expander gives the Drone Commander 2 its full potential for melodic control, sequencing, and synchronization.
A stand-alone version may be in the works also. More audio at soundcloud.com/rare-waves