Mutable Instruments Clouds
Eurorack Starter Kits | Episode 01 | Greatness in Small Steps
2025
Eurorack Starter Kits – Episode 01
I think it’s time to offer some help to people who are thinking about eurorack but don’t know where to start. Well, there’s a ‘no brainer starterkit’ containing the top 3 of most ‘racked’ modules in modulargrid, which also happens to be an insanely powerful combo: Maths, Plaits & Clouds (clone). In this episode, I’ll just use the three modules with no help from external stuff. In the next episodes, I’ll add some more ‘no brainers’ from the top 10 and explore other cool, small, and relatively affordable kits. I hope this helps you find your way!
The ‘Out-Of-Control’ mode
While trying to figure out Beads ‘feedback’ knob, I remembered always having problems with Clouds’ feedback setting. It often went totally crazy so I learned to stay away from it over the years. So I was wondering how sending some ‘delicate’ CV to it would work. I started experimenting with sending gentle LFO modulation to the feedback knob on Beads and was pleasantly surprised by the results. It added a subtle, evolving texture to the sound without going completely off the rails like Clouds often did. It was like transforming wedding rings into wearable art pieces, taking something familiar and giving it a new, exciting twist. I found myself spending hours playing around with different CV settings, discovering the new nuances and possibilities that Beads had to offer.
I tried Maths with a subtle attenuated LFO cycle and got some cool growls and rumbles without letting it get out of hand. It sounded so well, that I couldn’t resist recording and sharing it.
Ambient Electric Guitar Improvisation
In a case like this, you can let the machine to all the work (but as a composer, you’ll still have to conduct it). In this patch, Tides is driving Marbles’ tempo. Marbles is sending notes to Rings which is intercepted by Blades to add some warm saturation. This basically creates the electric guitar. Finally we go into the Clouds.
Still Going Strong & feat. Beads
In my previous video I introduced Beads, the official successor of Clouds. I did not cover a comparison with classic Clouds, because I use the ‘parasite’ firmware written by Matthias Buech. So does Clouds still have a future in your rack? I think so. I mentioned that the two can’t be compared. Well, that’s not true.
They’re different, but they share the same roots, technology, and creative mind. Beads is clearly the better granular synth. However, if you dare to install Clouds Parasite firmware, you may extend good ol’ Clouds’ lifespan with many years of sound exploration. Clouds, Beads, and Rings make an excellent team. If you’re looking for some inspiration, check out the ultraviolence liquid glitcher review. It’s a great resource for exploring new ways to manipulate and shape your sound. With the combination of Beads, Clouds, and Rings, the possibilities for sonic experimentation are endless. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just getting started, these tools will take your music to the next level.
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