2hp — Bell
2hp Bell Manual PDF
Creative Uses for 2hp Bell in a Modular Synth Setup
The 2hp Bell is a compact yet powerful melodic percussion generator with six-voice polyphony, using modal synthesis for highly realistic and otherworldly metallic sounds. Here are some ways to creatively use it in your Eurorack system:
1. Melodic Percussion Voice in an Acid Techno Patch
- Sequencer (e.g., Make Noise Rene, Arturia Keystep, or any CV/Gate Sequencer): Use the sequencer’s gate output to trigger the Bell’s TRIG input, and CV out to V/OCT for melodic lines.
- Filter/VCF (e.g., Mutable Ripples, Doepfer A-124): Route Bell’s output through a filter for shaping the metallic sounds, adding sweepy movement with modulation.
- VCAs/Envelope Generators (e.g., Intellijel Quad VCA, Make Noise Maths): Further control decay or add envelope shaping using VCA and envelope modulation, especially to the output or to control parameters like DAMP.
2. Atmospheric Soundscapes / Ambient Textures
- Reverb (e.g., Mutable Instruments Clouds, Make Noise Mimeophon, or module reverb pedals): Send Bell’s OUT signal into a granular or long-tail reverb for beautiful, lush metallic atmospheres.
- LFO/Random Source (e.g., ALM Pamela’s New Workout, Mutable Tides): Modulate MODEL, DAMP, or PITCH for evolving bell and chime sounds. Try slow LFOs or sample & hold to give natural/random movement.
- Stereo Field Effects: Bell is mono, but running several instances through stereo multi-effects or panning VCAs can position different “hits” across the stereo field for immersive results.
3. Experimental/Algorithmic Bell Sound Mutations
- Random CV Generators (e.g., Wogglebug, Turing Machine): Send random voltages to the MODEL or DAMP for rapidly changing timbres and decay responses, ideal for algorithmic or generative music.
- Logic & Switch Modules (e.g., Doepfer A-150, Intellijel Plog): Programmatically switch between different trigger/gate sources or manipulate the bell models on the fly for unpredictable performances.
4. Physical Modeling Layering
- Layer with Other Physical Modeling Modules (e.g., Mutable Instruments Rings, Plonk): Use Bell’s unique timbres as a layer with other physical modeling modules, thickening textures or creating composite percussive instruments.
- FM/AM Techniques: Use a VCA or Ring Modulator to amplitude modulate Bell’s output with other audio rate signals for clangorous, metallic FM textures.
5. Polyrhythmic/Burst Percussion
- Burst Generator or Clock Divider (e.g., Befaco Burst, 4ms Rotating Clock Divider): Use multiple rapid triggers to create glitchy, rolling bell cascades, or use different divisions/triggers to fire polyphonic voices metronomically or polyrhythmically.
- Envelope Followers (e.g., Doepfer A-119): Use an envelope follower on an external drum loop to generate triggers or CVs for activating the Bell in rhythmic unison with another groove.
6. CV Mutated Performance
- Manual CV Controllers (e.g., Make Noise Pressure Points, Befaco Joystick): Real-time performative control of MODEL, DAMP, and PITCH for dynamic, expressive bell playing, almost like a mallet player with electronic reach.
7. Sound Design/Foley
- Send to Sampler/Looper (e.g., 1010 Music Bitbox): Sample various bell and metallic hits, especially with parameter modulation, for later use in sound design or video game/film Foley work.
Notable Module Pairings
- Mutable Instruments Marbles: Ideal for generative triggers and semi-random CV for melodic bell lines.
- ALM Pamela’s PRO Workout: Many flexible clock divisions, randomization, and modulation for deep rhythm and parameter changes.
- Happy Nerding FX Aid: Compact yet vast multi-FX for reverb, delay, chorus, shimmer, etc.
For more modular synthesis resources:
Generated With Eurorack Processor