Acid Rain — Chainsaw

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Download the Chainsaw Stereo Super-Oscillator Manual (PDF)

Chainsaw Stereo Super-Oscillator: Creative Patch Ideas & Module Pairings

The Acid Rain Technology Chainsaw is a flexible, polyphonic “super-oscillator” Eurorack module designed for rich stereo sounds, morphable waveforms (saw → square), and multiple simultaneous voices. Here are some creative ways to integrate the Chainsaw into a Eurorack setup:

1. Stereo Layered Pads and Textures

• Patch: Sequence each of the three V/Oct inputs from different sequencers or random sources (e.g. Hermod, Rene, or Turing Machine for generative polyphony).
• Process outputs L/R through a stereo reverb (e.g., Strymon Magneto, Mutable Instruments Clouds, or FX Aid XL) to create massive, evolving pad sounds.
• Tip: Morph the waveform knob with slow LFOs (Befaco Rampage, Make Noise Maths) for drifting, cinematic textures.

2. Morphing Polyphonic Lead/Bass

• Run Chainsaw through a filter with character, such as the Mutable Instruments Ripples or the Rossum Morpheus, then into a VCA—for expressive synth basses/leads.
• Patch velocity or aftertouch from a MIDI-to-CV converter (e.g., Expert Sleepers FH-2 or Endorphin.es Shuttle Control) to the waveform CV or detune CV for expressive playability.

3. Super-Saw Chords with Unique Chord Progressions

• Mult the same V/Oct source to all three inputs, but send additional CV offsets to each for voicing triads/sevenths (via precision adder like Doepfer A-185-2).
• Add an arpeggiator or quantizer (Tiptop Z8000, or Ornament & Crime in Harrington 1200 mode) in the CV path for evolving polyphonic arps/chord progressions.

4. Big Mono Bass or Leads

• Use only one output (L or R) for a fat mono super-saw/“super-square” sound, then follow with drive/saturation such as Erica Synths Fusion VCA Waveshaper or WMD Geiger Counter.
• FM input: Add audio-rate FM from another analog or digital oscillator for highly complex, metallic, or aggressive timbres. Try cross-patching with classic VCOs like Dreadbox Oscillators or Make Noise STO.

5. Dynamic Stereo Soundscapes

• Animate the detune and waveform morph CVs with two different, unsynced LFOs (Batumi, Modcan Quad LFO) or random voltage generators for unpredictable stereo movement.
• Far Stereo FX: Split L/R outputs to separate effects chains (different reverbs/delays, or tape machines) for true wide, psychedelic stereo images.

6. FM Patching for Harmonic Mayhem

• Use the FM input for audio-rate or sub-audio modulation. Patch a drum loop or a bassline into the FM CV to create pseudo-filtered, sync-like effects synced to your groove.
• Try classic analog FM from another VCO/LFO (Dixie II+, Batumi in audio range) — Chainsaw’s FM tracks up to 2kHz and responds musically!

7. Self-Contained Polyphonic Synth Voice

• Pair Chainsaw with an envelope generator (Quadrax, Zadar) and a high-quality stereo VCA (Intellijel Stereo VCA, Happy Nerding PanMix) for a compact, all-in-one poly voice.
• Add ADSR/LFO modulation to detune and wave morph for evolving pads.

8. Generative and Algorithmic Patching

• Utilize random or generative sources: Feed the pitch, detune, or wave morph with stepped random voltages (Wogglebug, Marbles, Sloth) for self-playing, endlessly morphing timbres.
• Great for ambient installations or drone-style setups.

9. Integration in Hybrid Studios

• Send Chainsaw output into an audio interface (ES-8, ES-9, or MOTU Ultralite) for DAW recording and further processing in software.
• Control Chainsaw directly from modular sequencers or via MIDI/CV from your computer.

10. Building "Ensemble" FX Racks

• Pair Chainsaw’s dense stereo out with a BBD chorus (Joranalogue Delay 1, Doepfer BBD) or granular texture (Mutable Instruments Clouds, Qu-Bit Nebulae) for lush, Juno-style ensemble and endless textures.

Module Recommendations at a Glance

• Sequencers/Arpeggiators: Hermod, Rene, Ornament & Crime
• Filters: Ripples, Belgrad, Morpheus
• Envelopes/LFOs: Quadrax, Maths, Batumi
• VCA/Mixer (Stereo): Intellijel Stereo VCA, Happy Nerding PanMix
• Delays/Verbs: Clouds, Magneto, FX Aid XL
• Modulators/random: Marbles, Wogglebug, Turing Machine
• FM Sources: Dixie II+, STO, Batumi (audio rate)

Generated With Eurorack Processor