How to use this pack!

I know I've included a tutorial video for this, but for those who like to read... this one's for you.

If you're already a modular wizard, you won't need this. But, for everybody else... welcome!

Maybe you're wondering why you'd even want external modulation signals in your DAW -- maybe you're not even quite sure what modulation signals even are; but I will try to demystify them as swiftly as possible so you can figure out if this pack is right for you or not.

First and foremost, your DAW (or synth) likely already has modulation signals built-in; if you've ever used an LFO (low-frequency oscillator), an EG (envelope generator) EF (envelope follower), MSEG (multi-stage envelope generator), or a S&H module (sample and hold), then congratulations! You're already a modulation master (and for those who are still confused, there are plenty of examples of how to use LFOs and EGs everywhere online, which is the best place to start!). Even a macro or an X/Y pad is just another type of modulation involving user input, pulling the strings of your synth like a marionette. That's kind of how you design stuff, but I digress.

A less-commonly-known fact is that, to a computer at least, modulation signals are simply audio and can easily be recorded and sampled.

What I've done with this pack is used a wide variety of modules to make really quirky curves, triggers, gates, noise, and other things that can go a long way toward shaping your own sounds, especially if you're not used to doing really quirky tricks with your DAW.

How to do the thing

So by now, we know what modulation signals are and we've at least used a macro or X/Y control to do some stuff. Awesome -- we're ready!

Take one of the modulation signals and loop it in your DAW -- you can use a sampler, a looped segment of your DAW's timeline , or like I do, loop it in session view (some DAWs have this, and it's a great feature) so that it just keeps on running no matter what you do elsewhere. Once you have that going, you're going to have to work with your DAW a little bit, but there's undoubtedly a way to route that audio to a specified track, either through the use of an envelope follower itself or simple routing mechanisms.

Once you get that signal piped into your track, your DAW should have an envelope follower modulator (or you can just use VCV/Cardinal for this if you know a little bit about modulation), which will output the amplitude of the audio I recorded (remember, audio is modulation on computers!) and turn it into something that can twist and turn whatever parameter inside the DAW you choose.

That's about it -- you'll have attenuators and ways of skewing that signal galore once you start looking for them and thinking outside of the usual, linear box of modulations (built-in, standard LFOs and EGs).

Part of the fun of this pack is to learn your tools, figure out your workflow, and start thinking about things in a totally new way. If you're that type of person, I think you're going to dig the pack and enjoy finding new ways to modulate signals, and I hope you enjoy this pack!