Live sequencing meets polymetric synthesis in Steevio’s intricate Orb Jam Series session.
“I use a very mathematical approach to tune construction and record everything I release as live improvisations. Often I will use polymetric combinations of sequences, like 5, 6, and 7 step patterns, and play with the interactions between them, however, for this jam I used 4 x 8 step sequences that were morphed into different lengths and directions by ADSR envelopes.
My Eurorack rig is 80% a giant complex sequencer consisting of sequencers, sequential switches, switched multiples, octal switches, matrix mixers, precision adders, clock dividers, logic modules, ADSRs, and numerous quantizers. I have no patch memories for saving sequences, all the sequencers are analogue.
The main sequencers are 4 x Doepfer A155/154 combos and before I start improvising I program very simple Euclidian patterns of triggers and note CVs, often only 2 or 3 triggers and CVs per row, which are then made more complex by modulating the direction, first and last step, individually from different combinations of the ADSRs by matrix mixing them in a Hinton Instruments Switchmix module and mixing the CV patterns in precision adders and another Switchmix before sending to the various VCOs. I then use sequential switches to create interactions between the main sequencers in real-time.
My overall philosophy is ‘a knob or switch for every job’ so that I can go with the flow of the jam and do everything in real-time.
I have very few dedicated instrument modules, namely a Jomox Modbase09 kickdrum module, a WMD Chimera high percussion module, an Analogue Solutions HH88 hi-hat module coupled to a Doepfer wave folder, and an Analogue Solutions SD99 snare drum module. Everything else is created from subtractive analogue synthesis, with various VCOs, VCFs, envelopes and VCAs, and so it is flexible and can morph between percussive, synth and effects sounds.
The only digital synthesis modules apart from the Chimera are two Big T Beehive Plaits clones which I modulate with the same ADSRs which morph the sequencers around. The synth chords are courtesy of 3 AJH Synth Minimod VCOs and a VCF. These are a fantastic and compact replacement for my Moog Voyager for live performances. Apart from my outboard Lexicon reverbs, and TC Electronic Delay, effects are handled by a Makenoise Erbverb in the rig itself.
For this jam, I kept things fairly minimal, simple, dubby and danceable, and less experimental than some of my other jams.” — Steevio
