DFAM & Mother-32 Sound Studio
Patch 1: Saw Thru It
This is a woozy-sounding patch that utilizes the Mother-32's stepped saw output,
while running the DFAM as the clock.
Notes: Advance to Step 8 before hitting Run/Stop. Set Assign out to Stepped Saw
(6). Set filter to taste.
Patch 2: Bring Tha Noise
This uses random hits of noise to liven up a step parameter.
Notes: Set Assign output to Stepped Random (8). Turn VC Mix clockwise to
randomly bring in noise hits. Set filter to taste.
Patch 3: Let Ya Trunk Rattle
"This next patch reminds me of my teenage years, riding around town with my
friends. Some of my friends actually had some like souped-up '92 foreign sedans
with the body kits and the subs in, and they'd let the bass rattles, so the trunk
just rattles," Fess says.
Notes: Increase VCA Decay for longer kick decay. Adjust LFO slower for more
rattle.
Patch 4: Tight Riddim
This patch takes advantage of the Mother-32's sine output. The Mother-32's clock
is multed and patched into the DFAM's to create noise, while the DFAM's envelope
generator is patched into the filter cutoff of the Mother-32.
Notes: Adjust Pitch and Velocity steps to taste. Set Mother-32's Assign output to
Clock (2).
Patch 5: Kix & Hatz
This uses noise from the DFAM to create hi-hat-like sounds that pair well with the
Mother-32's filtered kick. Flip the DFAM's filter from low-pass to high-pass to let
the hats really chirp.
Notes: Before patching Clock, advance to Step 8 and hit Run/Stop. Adjust Velocity
steps for varied hi-har rhythms. Close VCA Decay for tighter hats. Hold shift and
adjust tempo for swing. Close Decay for tighter kicks.
Patch 6: Kix & Popz
This next patch is similar in principle, but "instead of the DFAM creating a hi-hat
sound, it's actually just creating electronic pop-like percussion," Fess says.
Notes: Consider an additional delay effect. Adjust Decay for tighter kick. Adjust
swing to taste.
Patch 7: Mother the Drummer
Even though DFAM is the drummer by name, this patch has the Mother-32
provide both kicks and snares, while the DFAM provides the clock and some
shaker-like noises.
Notes: Flip VCA Envelope Generator to slow and adjust VCA Decay to change hi-
hats into a shaker. At the lowest octave (C1 and C2 or KB-1 and KB-8) are your
kick and snare. Adjust frequency to taste.
Patch 8: Micro Dose
Bringing just a taste of acid-house, this patch uses Moog's filter cutoff to create a
squelchy bassline.
Notes: Adjust Pitch to bring in snare. Set Velocity steps to taste. Set Assign
Output to Stepped Random (8). Adjust Cutoff and Resonance to taste.
Patch 9: Sample & Hold My Soul
With a few twists of knobs, you can take this patch one of two ways. "You've got
your little bleep-and-blap thing going. You can use the [Mother-32's] LFO rate
knob to control the speed," Fess says. "Or you can use the DFAM to have a
rhythm going behind all that," with the DFAM's trigger output controlling the
speed of the sample-and-hold synthesis.
Notes: Set Assign to Random Stepped (8). Set Mother-32 to VCA on to bypass
trigger from DFAM for unsync'd sample and hold. (Control the speed with LFO.). If
you don't want the kick, remove it by killing DFAM's volume. Use tempo on DFAM.
Patch 10: Drone Dome
Especially with the addition of reverb (thanks to an Eventide H9), this patch
sounds like a Vince Staples beat.
Notes: Adjust Pitch and VCF Decay to taste. Consider reverb and delay on Mother-
32. Adjust Frequency and Root Note to taste. Adjust filter to taste. DFAM steps
adds rhythm and timbre by modulating Mother's filter. Adjust VCF cutoff intensity
with VC Mix knob.
DFAM & Subharmonicon Sound Studio
Patch 1: Plush Leather
What does plush leather sound like? Well, now you know. (This patch too utilizes
the Eventide H9 for added reverb.)
Notes: Adjust Cutoff to preferred comfort level. Shorten note length by decreasing
VCA Decay.
Patch2: Lime & Agave
Included in the Moog Sound Studio's own DFAM & Subharmonicon Exploration
Patchbook is a patch called "Grapefruit and Honey." Fess puts his own twist on it
to create "Lime & Agave" instead.
Notes: Advance to Step 8. Hit play on Subharmonicon. (VCF Envelope Generator
effects Subharmonicon VCA as well.) DFAM pitch knobs control DFAM's filter
cutoff. Toggle sequencer Octave to transpose.
Patch 3: Ali's Bubblin'
This patches' namesake is Fess' friend and fellow producer Ali the Architect.
Notes: Sweep Pitch Knob 5 to 3 'o' clock to bring in snare. Advance Step 8 to start
4/4. Adjust Cutoff to taste.
Patch 4: For My Alien Homies
Meanwhile, this next patch shouts out some extraterrestrial friends.
Notes: Adjust Pitch and Velocity to taste. Adjust VCA Decay to taste. Close Cutoff
for transient shaping.
Patch 5: Arcade Blasts
"Arcade Blasts" gives you the type of chimy, sing-songy chirps you could expect
from a classic video game, with some added delay via the Eventide H9.
Notes: This patch uses DFAM for additional harmonies and filter cutoff
modulation. Velocity knobs adjust sub cutoff. Toggle sequence Octave.
Patch 6: Stack 'Em Up
This patch uses a TipTop Audio Stackcable stack cable to add extra moodiness.
Notes: Pitch out to VCF Mod and Noise Level. Use Velocity from Step 5 to add or
remove snare. To sync, advance DFAM to Step 8. Hit Play on Subharmonicon and
hit Run/Stop on DFAM.
Patch 7: Subfunkicon
Get funky with this bouncy, rhythmic patch.
Notes: DFAM hi-hat groove to taste (it's just for keeping a sense of time). Adjust
VCF Decay to taste.
Patch 8: Fresh Slices
Slices of pizza? Slices of synths? Whatever's on your mind, this is a fresh spin on
it.
Notes: For longer notes, adjust VCA Decay.
Patch 9: Space Junk
Once this patch is in place, you can turn the Subharmonicon's polyrhythm knobs
to adjust the tempo.
Notes: Play with Cutoff to taste.
Patch 10: Chill Mode
Finally, this patch promises an easy come-down.
Notes: Adjust Cutoff and Resonance to taste. Shortening VCF Decay adds slew.
