Using melda to make interesting CV signals for hardware synths

[vectorwarrior]

I have had great success creating CV signals using melda, so I thought I'd share my process.

The result is that I can make interesting rhythmic patterns of CV signals in different tempos that can then be played by DC-coupled samplers. I'm using a 1010 bitbox micro and it works great. The CV signal can drive things like filter cut offs or anything else that's fun to modulate in eurorack.

Here's how I made it:

- In MXXX, add a Math module
- this process has the potential to destroy your speakers, so add a utility module after the math, set it to 'silence when realtime'. This means it'll only be 'audible' when rendering out, not when playing back.
- Set up a modulator to control the math 'parameter', with min=-1 and max=+1
- leave the math module set to 'set constant', which will then spit out a DC signal based on the modulator
- set the modulator to 100% step
- open the Step editor with the step button
- set the number of steps as appropriate and hit 'random shapes' to generate a series of interesting curves
- if you want to hear what it's doing, add a noise generator on another lane of MXXX, then a utility after it and set to 'silence when rendering' so it's only audible when NOT rendering, you can also set it to 'silence when playback off' if you only want to hear it when playing your DAW, then ensure the modulator is controlling the noise 'wet' parameter. You'll now hear the pattern through the volume of the noise
- Set the modulator to SYNC, then ensure the Phase is set to 0% so it starts at the beginning each time
- render out a bar (or whatever loop you want) of the audio. You will get a DC signal that matches the rhythmic pattern you set up in the modulator
- load the rendered files on to your hardware sampler and play them back in sync with your track, obviously at the right tempo


With reaper, I'm able to really easily render out a ton of these in different tempos. You can also pitch the playback in your sampler to match whatever BPM you're using, i believe there are tools online to figure out what the pitch should be.

I got the idea from this excellent Loopop video if you want more info, I wanted to see if I could use MXXX to recreate it, and it works great!


Hope this helps someone