This piece was inspired by the "phasing" early tape compositions of Steve Reich, the nighttime sounds of late summer, and most importantly the amplified sound of my unborn son's heartbeat.

Having heard baby's heartbeat amplified at a prenatal visit, I was immediately struck by the energy, rhythm and cuteness, and also immediately thought of recreating it with my synthesizer. I created the sound with the DPO, Pressure Points, MATHS and modDemix, then recorded and spliced it with the Phonogene and used the EOS as master clock for the piece.

The melodic portion of the patch is based on a 4-step René sequence with several different rhythms bringing the timbres in and out. The modDemix, DPO Ext Src, and Pressure Points were the main nodes of expression. The Pressure Points in particular intensifies the echos, reverb and synced VCOA, and the tuned voltages change the overall rhythm for each section via the Erbe-Verb predelay control. This made it easy to intensify the patch periodically before brining it into a new section.

Toward the end I also played the René pads manually for higher notes before the coda. Ultimately this may have been unnecessary to the piece but this recording was my favorite take otherwise.

I made four versions of this patch before I found one that recorded to my satisfaction. Earlier versions used multiplied master clock via Echophon for unusual rhythmic juxtapositions (5 on 4 etc.), and/or feedback networks based on the CV output of the Erbe-Verb fed by the "heartbeat". These versions were interesting, but in both cases the upbeat rhythm of the "heartbeat" was compromised, or at least no longer seemed like the centerpiece of the patch, so I kept searching.

www.modulargrid.net/e/patches/view/8117

https://soundcloud.com/walkerfarrell
http://walkerfarrell.bandcamp.com

"harpbeep" by Walker Farrell

Hello all!  This page will serve as a creative forum for users to showcase their compositions with the instrument in order to create a dialog of knowledge and inspiration amongst Shared System users and the world at large.

We started the Shared System Series back in 2012 in order for us to showcase the works of several artists using the same musical instrument, composed live with no multitracking, midi sequencing, or external effects. In this way, the series hopes to capture an artist’s raw compositional and emotional intent, while working outside the confines and comforts of digital automation and modern editing techniques.

If you would like to participate, please create a piece of your own that adheres to the same guidelines of the original series (please see full submission framework below). If you don’t have access to the Make Noise Shared System, that’s ok too, so long as your work is composed only using the modules within a single Shared System. When we released the first five records, the Erbe-Verb didn’t exist, so we allowed the artist to use the reverb of their choosing. Of course we hope you’ll choose an Erbe-Verb!

By submitting, you’d be allowing us to host your work; however, you would still maintain all creative rights. We also ask that your piece be unreleased and exclusive for a period of 90 days. After that, you may use and distribute your composition as you like. Should any issues come up after your content has been posted, please contact us and we’ll work to correct the situation in order to meet your needs.

As the Shared System Series is equally about sharing knowledge, inspiration, and system familiarity, we would also like to ask for either a photo of a patch diagram or a Modular Grid link in order to illustrate your unique approach to synthesis. Please feel free to continue the conversation with any other information you’d like to share!

Shared System Framework:

1. You must have access to the Make Noise Shared System or restrict your composition to using only the modules within a single Shared System.

2. Your recordings must be solely composed on the Shared System (no other modules, FX*, instruments, programs, etc may be used to compose your music. The point of the Series is to emphasize the gamut of capabilities within a single instrument as used across a wide variety of artists and musicians)
*external reverb is acceptable.

3. Your piece must be recorded live to stereo 2-track (no multi-tracking or post-production).

4. You piece mustn't exceed 10 minutes (if you have a piece that is longer and would still like to use it, please select your favorite 10 minutes).

5. Submissions should be made through SoundCloud via a private link with downloading enabled and we'll take care of the uploading. We only wish to serve as a host for these pieces and relinquish all creative rights to the artist. We ask that any submissions made be material that is otherwise unreleased and exclusive, and that it remains so for 90 days after it is posted. Beyond that point you are free to use it however you wish and change the track to public. If there is any complication with having your material online after a submission is posted, please contact us and we will act promptly to meet your needs.

6. Please include either a patch sheet diagram or a Modular Grid link.

7. Please include links back to your artist webpage, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, SoundCloud, Bandcamp and/or anything else relevant to your art.

The more info the better! This is an opportunity to express your personal compositional style and process through a shared medium! Help us paint a unique and diverse sonic mural that highlights the endlessly versatile nature of the Shared System.

-Shared System Series Team