Audio Rate CC Waveforms

One of my main reasons for pursuing the Nord Modular G2 platform are some of the wonderful MIDI modules available. A user is able to route any signal from within the Nord and transform it into MIDI CC data. Conceptually, this is a brilliant idea as the possibilities for expanding pre-existing software and hardware MIDI oriented equipment are nearly limitless. For example, scaling an oscillator at audio rates into CC data and then using that information to modulate a MIDI based synthesizer that has CC control over the frequency of its oscillator to do a form of FM synthesis is quiet nice. And that was precisely my motivation for the file presented here.

What I did was build a basic patch in the Nord Modular G2 pictured above. I used three different oscillators: the basic OSC A from which I captured the sine and triangle waveforms, the MetallicNoise Oscillator, and a White Noise oscillator. I routed the signal into the Nord's MIDI Control Send Module, assigned the MIDI channel, and moved over into Ableton Live. I proceeded to record four bars of several settings and formed several MIDI clips. The MIDI CC data (or envelopes in live terminology) looked interesting.

After several takes, I started to experiment by routing the recorded data to various parameters in Live's Operator and Analog soft synths. The results were interesting. I prefaced this post with an important idea--conceptual interest--and the whole process I feel is probably more interesting on this level than in the final product. The sine and triangle waves oscillating several octaves about middle C generated interesting tremolo-like effects when applied to a filter's frequency. When used in moderation quiet aggressive sounds from a resonating filter were possible and I caution users to watch their volumes as Live's soft synths have tendency of very nasty audio spikes.

When applied to oscillator frequencies in Analog, a very pleasant and lively tuning-drift effect was possible. And Operator clanged nicely too under the same treatment.

I've included all of the different MIDI files in one Ableton Live Set. Feel free to experiment and apply the different CC data to various synths. It would be interesting to hear some feedback about how these files respond to analog synthesizers. If there is demand, I can also liberate the MIDI data from the Live Set and make each individual file available for download individually.

The Live Set can be downloaded here:
Audio Rate CC Waveforms Live Set