A set of short demos of the P.O.C.A. VAC1 Eurorack synthesizer module from Future Sound Systems.

The P.O.C.A. features four vactrol-based gates, each one passive, with jumpable LPG or VCA modes. Each mode of four example gates is demonstrated here. Note the differences in character between the four gates, as well as vactrol "quirks" such as signal bleed-through and CV slewing/"ringing".

Mutable Instruments Braids (set to Sync Square mode) was input to each gate.
Radio Music Trigger Pack was input to each CV of the gate.
Each output was buffered via TipTop ZDSP, set fully dry.

FSS P.O.C.A. VAC1 VCA4 test

FSS P.O.C.A. VAC1 VCA3 test

FSS P.O.C.A. VAC1 VCA1 test

FSS P.O.C.A. VAC1 LPG1 test

Sawtooth wave from Mutable Instruments Braids is fed into The Gristleizer Filter.
The TG3 Filter's frequency is swept by the Ramp output of the TG2 Generator.
The demo begins with the dry sound from Braids.
Throughout the demo, the Filter's Register initially is increased sweep by sweep. Once the highest Register is reached, the Resonance is then gradually increased, and the Register then decreased. The Filter's Drive is then also increased. The Resonance is then decreased before Braids' Octave setting is dropped and various settings are explored between the Generator and the Filter modules.

The Gristleizer

TG3 Filter Sweeping Demo

WARNING: This demo gets -very- loud.

This is a demo of The Gristleizer Modulator, a VCA with a plethora of distortion options. Here, a sine wave from Mutable Instruments Braids is fed into the TG4 Modulator. The Bias of the TG4 is voltage controlled by the TG2 Generator's Ramp output.
The demo begins with the dry output from Braids.
Then, the sine wave from Braids is input to the TG4. Upon each sweep, the Dirt control is initially increased. Once the Dirt is at maximum, the Drive control is increased. Once the Drive is at maximum, the Dirt controls is decreased. Once these parameters have been explored, the controls of both the TG4 and the TG2 are tweaked to demonstrate various amplitude modulation options.

TG4 Modulator Sweeping Demo

Fender Squire Stratocaster is input via the Guitar Input to the Gristleizer TG5 Pre-Amplifier. Audio output from the TG5's Master Output (post-tone-stack). Gain is kept static and Boost is turned off, but Tone controls are altered throughout. Lastly, the Bite control is taken from 0 to 10.
Please excuse the rather poor noodly guitar playing.

TG5 Pre-Amplifier Tone Stack Guitar Demo

Using the TG2 Generator, TG3 Filter and TG4 Modulator as a VCO->VCF->VCA synth voice. Enveloping courtesy of Frequency Central System X Envelope, and sequencing courtesy of Korg SQ1. Doepfer A-145 LFO sometimes used for extra modulation.

The Gristlezier

The Gristleizer as a Synth Voice

-LEVEL INCREASES THROUGHOUT DEMO, WATCH YOUR LEVELS-
Sequenced square wave from Mutable Instruments Braids is fed into the TG3 Filter. The Frequency of the Filter is stepped using a random waveform.
Frequency and Register are set to 5 initially, whilst firstly, the Resonance is swept from 0 to 10. The Drive is then increased to maximum, then the Resonance backed off a little. The Register is then swept downwards to 0, and then upwards to 10.

TG3 Filter, stepped Frequency, square input

The Novation Peak polysynth plays sine waves into the TG4 Modulator. The Bias of the TG4 is modulated by the Ramp output of the TG2 Generator. The TG4's Bias and Dirt are set to 5 (12 o'clock), whilst the Drive is set to 1 o'clock. Demo begins with dry sound from Peak, then cuts to output of TG4 Modulator.

TG4 Modulator dirty tremolo

Brunswick VCA Sweeps

Brunswick PWM Sweeps

Brunswick Phase Locked Loop + HPF Demo

Brunswick Phase Comparator + BPF Demo

Brunswick LPF Sweeps

Brunswick FX With No Patching

Brunswick Bassline Demo

Brunswick FX With Patching

Reverb and delay from SoundToys Little Plate + Primal Tap.

7 Brunswicks

Dual Brunswick Fun

Delay from Recovery Cutting Room Floor.
Keyboard/arpeggiator control from Arturia KeyStep.

Brunswick Choking Arp

Demonstration recordings of the Future Sound Systems Portland percussion synthesizer.

Portland + Brunswick Demo 01

Portland Kit Demo 02

Portland Kit Demo 01

OSC1 Cyclical Engine in LF mode modulates TG2 Gristleizer Generator with the frequency turned up. Feedback patch created between both, with the OSC1 modulating the TG2's wavefolder, and the TG2 modulating the OSC1's shape control. Keyboard controls frequency of TG2.

OSC1 Meets TG2

Four FSS Cyclical Engines controlled by Doepfer A-143-2 envelopes, sequenced by Ableton Live via Mutable Instruments CVpal. Four OSC1s summed through a FSS MX1. Modulation of triangle waveshape comes from cross modulation of some OSC1s, and from amplitude envelope of others. Reverb comes from SoundToys Little Plate.

Quad OSC1 Triangle Tangle

Outputs taken from Positive and Negative DNA Mix Outputs - hard left and hard right. Scissor oscillator's Ramp wave input into Glue VCA and panned centrally.
All sounds generated by FSS Recombination Engine.
Only other equipment used is a Frequency Central System X Envelope and Arturia KeyStep.
Arpeggiated by KeyStep and recorded into Ableton Live.
Only effects used are a multiband compressor and limiter on master bus.

Triple Ramp Stereo Arp

All sounds generated by FSS Recombination Engine.
Only other equipment used is a Frequency Central System X Envelope and Arturia KeyStep.
Sequenced by and recorded into Ableton Live.
Only effects used are a multiband compressor and limiter on master bus.

Recombination Pardee

Positive and Negative DNA Mixed Outputs panned hard left and hard right. Switching is carried out by the Scissor VCO.
All sounds generated by FSS Recombination Engine.
Only other equipment used is an Arturia KeyStep.
Recorded into Ableton Live.
Only effects used are a multiband compressor and limiter on master bus.

OSC2 Melody in LF Mode

All sounds generated by FSS Recombination Engine.
Only other equipment used is a Frequency Central System X Envelope and Arturia KeyStep.
Sequenced by and recorded into Ableton Live.

Glue Bass

Recombination Engine modulating Mutable Instruments Braids in various modes. Modulation going into pitch, timbre and color CV inputs.
All modulation generated by FSS Recombination Engine.
Only other equipment used is a Mutable Instruments Braids.
Sequenced by and recorded into Ableton Live.
Only effects used are a multiband compressor and limiter on master bus.

Braids Modulated By OSC2

All synthetic sounds generated by FSS Recombination Engine.
Only other equipment used is a Frequency Central System X Envelope and Arturia KeyStep.
Sequenced by and recorded into Ableton Live.

PW Skew Formant Bass

All sounds generated by FSS Recombination Engine. Positive and Negative DNA Mix Outputs panned hard left and hard right respectively.
Recorded into Ableton Live.

Recombination Noise Freak Out

All sound generated by FSS Recombination Engine. Positive and Negative DNA Mix Outputs panned hard left and hard right respectively. Glue output with mixed-in Scissor Triangle panned centrally.
Recorded into Ableton Live via Focusrite Saffire Pro 14.

Sync-Free Drone

FSS is a small independent musical device manufacturer based in Bristol, England.
Unique designs and ideas in sound since 2005.
Award winning engineering since 2014.

Future Sound Systems

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