After showing basic approaches and setups to seamlessly integrate hardware musical instruments and effects with software instruments, DAWs and computers in general, it is time to learn how artists, musicians, performers, producers and composers use hybrid systems, how they setup their studio, how their workflow is, and how hybrid approaches enrich – and facilitate – their work and their creativity.

Bryan Noll aka Lightbath opens the series of articles, of guest contributions, in which artists write about their work, their studios and their live performances using hybrid systems.

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We dive deeper and deeper into the structure of Cherry Audio´s CA2600. Today´s patch analysis uncovers the last secrets, which haven´t been talked about so far. Enjoy an inspiring journey.

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An in-depth discussion of advanced and basic (but extremely useful) modules of Voltage Modular and VCV Rack is meant to enrich your modular toolbox, and ...

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… in part 4 of the beginner´s guide I start showing example patches and general approaches of generative music.

SPECIAL OFFER (only until 31 August 2025):

If you pay 12,-$ instead of 2,-$ you get the next 12 issues of SIGNAL PATH plus “Making Generative Music With Voltage Modular Volume 1”

or 

“A Systematic Introduction to Making Generative Music With Modular Synths Volume 1” (VCV Rack version)

Just mention the title of your choice in the comments with your payment.

And if you pay 12,$ + 15,-$ = 27,-$ you get even Volume 2 of either the VCV Rack e-book or the Voltage Modular e-book.

Let your brain, your soul, and your fingers really understand frequency modulation and how to apply it to your musical creativity!

Even if Issue 2/2025 is called “FM Special”, and even if 38 pages are devoted to FM, there´s a lot more to discover in this issue of SIGNAL PATH. But let´s talk about the FM chapters at first.

Yamaha´s DX synthesizers were not at all the first which introduced FM to the world of music making. Using FM techniques in musical experiments and production started right after World War II – without using the term FM, and without understanding a lot about the physical goings on though. “A Bit of FM History” gives a short overview of the development of FM.

Then the large practical guide starts in “The FM Universe: FM With Voltage Modular´s Zeroscillator”. Every function, every practical aspect, and every use case of this iconic module is shown and explained in-depth.

But there are capable FM modules in VCV Rack as well. The article “FM WITH VCV Rack: The Modules Pigeon Plink and Kitchen Sink” introduces them and shows some applications.

You are interested in a deeper understanding of the physical aspects of FM? You want to know and to understand what FM really is on the level of physics and of bits and bytes? The article “Quite a Bit of FM Theory” will make things clear for you.

But I promised more than a large FM section. In “Basic Hybrid Setups Part 2” the article shows examples to completely operate external hardware synths out of Voltage Modular and VCV Rack using MIDI CC messages. Having dealt with the basics in parts 1 and 2 the foundations are laid now for taking hybrid setups a step further and build larger and more complex setups that seamlessly combine modular, semi-modular and even non-modular musical instruments to unique and easyly workable productions systems. That´s what we are going to do from issue 3_2025 on.

Then there is the second part of “Beginner´s Guide” to modular synthesis, based on VCV Rack (freeware) as well as on Voltage Modular. The main topic in this article is sequencing.

This issue 2_2025 has got 53 pages (PDF) and contains quite “a few” patches and presets to be downloaded, as well as links to additional videos.

SIGNAL PATH – Tracking Sound from Source to Soul is a new monthly e-magazine about making music and working with sound. There are constant topics concerning the modular software synthesizer systems VCV Rack and Voltage Modular, VSTs and VSTis and Presets and Patches. And there are series of articles full of tips and examples concerning hybrid studio setups, recording & producing and more. Each issue includes presets and patches that can be downloaded and instantly used. The issues are published on each last Friday of a month (sometimes even a bit earlier).

A single issue comes 2,-$, a 12-issue subscription is 12,-$. Just click the link above to grab either only issue 1/2025 or a whole 12-issue package. With every subscription comes an in-depth video course about making dark ambient music for free.
 

SIGNAL PATH – Tracking Sound from Source to Soul is a new monthly e-magazine about making music and working with sound.

There are constant topics concerning the modular software synthesizer systems VCV Rack and Voltage Modular, VSTs and VSTis and Presets and Patches. And there are series of articles full of tips and examples concerning hybrid studio setups, recording & producing and more. Each issue includes presets and patches that can be downloaded and instantly used.

Issue 1/2025 introduces and explains the Voltage Modular module HRMNX, a powerhouse for designing sound and sound scapes.

Then there is the first part of “Beginner´s Guide” to modular synthesis, based on VCV Rack (freeware) as well as on Voltage Modular.

In another article the VCV Rack module Tides 2 is introduced and explained. Tides 2 is versatile tool to generate all kinds of envelopes, which can be used as one-shot envelopes or as running loops.

Cherry Audio´s software synth “Harmonia” is the topic of another article in issue 1/2025. Additive synthesis, partials moving across the spectrum, generating thrilling or calming sounds of all kinds, this and more is explained and shown.

The last topic in issue 1/2025 deals with hybrid studio systems. It´s the first article in this series, which is all about combining – better said “integrating into each other - software instruments with hardware ones.

This first issue has got 50 pages (PDF) and contains quite “a few” patches and presets to be downloaded, as well as links to additional videos.

A single issue comes 2,-$, a 12-issue subscription is 12,-$. Just click the link above to grab either only issue 1/2025 or a whole 12-issue package. With every subscription comes an in-depth video course about making dark ambient music for free.