machin is a random, probability-based, step-sequenced multi-fx device created in partnership with sink
- the step sequencer defines the probability that any single random effect will be triggered on that step
- the weighting defines the probability for each effect that it will be the one that is triggered
features
- 6 effects (gate, crusher, filter, flanger, delay, reverb)
- 2-32 step probability sequencer over a cycle of 2-32 beats
- seeded randomisation with loop repeat over cycle of 2-100 beats
- swing control for step sequencer
- any effects can be turned off to save CPU
- each effect has an attack/decay on triggering and pulse length to determine duration effect is on
- master wet/dry mix control
- all controls have MIDI learn
Download zip file (1.8 MB)
Controls
step sequencer - define for each step in the sequence the probability of an effect being triggered from 0% to 100%
steps - set the number of steps in the sequence using the slider/direct input
beats - set the number of beats you want the steps to cover
(eg 16 steps over 4 beats, giving 4 steps per beat)
seed - all the randomising in machin is seeded, which means for any given seed, the random sequence is repeated each time you play your track. set to zero to switch off
loop - select if you want the seeded randomisation to repeat on a loop, and define the number of beats in the loop using the slider
(eg 4 beats means the randomised sequence will repeat every 4 beats)
effect weighting (0-10)
use the slider/direct input to determine the weighting of each effect. The weighting of each effect will define the probability % that this effect will be triggered by the step sequencer.
A weighting of zero means that effect will never be triggered. The weighting is relative (if all effects have weighting of 1, the probability is the same as if all effects have a weighting of 10. If one effect is weighted 1 and another is 10, then it is 10 times more likey to be triggered, but the overall probability % is relative to the weighting of all 6 effects combined)
mute - the 'm' button will mute that effect (and save some CPU)
note: if an effect is muted, the weighting of that effect still contributes to the probability calculation of the other effects (eg if all 6 effects are weighted 10 (prob = 16.7%) but delay is muted, the delay will never come on, but the other 5 effects will have prob 16.7% If delay weighting is now set to zero, the other effects will each have a probability of 20%). If you are not using an effect, reduce the weighting to zero and mute.
swing - amount of random swing per step
master mix - controls the master wet/dry level. 10 = 100% wet. Can be useful to make the machin effect more subtle
effects - common controls
pulse - the duration (in steps) that the effect will remain on when triggered (0-10)
1 = each step triggers an effect for the duration of that step. Regardless of pulse length, the effect will be stopped if another effect is triggered
attack/decay - duration (in ms) for the effect to come on and off when triggered. Shorter settings may induce clicks, use longer decays to continue effect even when another effect is triggered
effects
gate - reduces volume of audio when triggered
level - how effective the gate is at reaching zero volume (10 = gate goes to silence, 5 = gate goes to 50% volume)
crusher - has both bit crush and distortion options, select by pressing the small button next to each effect
bits - set bit rate (0-16bits), reduce for lofi
sample rate - 0-44.1 kHz
distort - level of distortion (0-10)
vol - distortion will increase volume, so you may want to turn it down here
filter - variable state with tempo sync LFO
type - Low pass, High pass, Band Pass or Notch
cut off - set filter cut-off in kHz
res - set resonance of filter
LFO - switch on using small button next to controls
select waveform from sine, saw, ramp, triangle or square
steps - the LFO cycle length in steps 0.01 - 100 (to sync with the sequencer). higher numbers will give filter sweeps, less than 1 to get choppy, stuttering filtering
depth - the LFO range in kHz
offset - move the LFO centre point from the filter cut-off setting (-1 to +1)
0 = no change, LFO oscillates about the cut-off value as centre point
-1 = LFO oscillates always below the filter cutoff, with filter cutoff value the peak value
+1 = LFO oscillates always above the filter cutoff, with filter cutoff value the lowest value
flanger
rate - flanger rate
feedback - amount of feedback
mix - amount of wet signal
delay - tempo-sync delay with LP filter in feedback chain
delay beats - the delay setting in beats
f'back - amount of feedback
LP cutoff - set at maximum to allow full spectrum to pass, reduce to cutoff high frequencies in the feedback path
reverb - simple reverb with damping and HP filter
decay - depth of the reverb space
width - width of the reverb space
damp - damping of the high frequencies
HP cutoff - set at zero to allow full spectrum to pass, increase to cutoff low frequencies
MIDI learn
Press 'learn'
LED will light
tweak control on machin
tweak control on your MIDI controller
LED will go out
Press 'reset' to go back to default values
credits
Initial idea, co-development and testing by sink
additional presets by runagate
Thanks for the 3rd party modules from Dave Haupt, Lance Putnam, SoundFonts.it, Kelly Lynch and Unkargherth
