Bastl Instruments — Dark Matter

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Manual PDF – Bastl Dark Matter

Bastl Dark Matter: Creative Eurorack Patch Ideas

The Bastl Dark Matter is a feedback-focused preamp/distortion/modification module that excels at internal and external audio feedback, saturation, and driving experimental sounds. Here are some advanced and creative patch ideas for deep integration in your modular rig:

1. Self-Feedback Drum Smasher

Patch:
- Connect the output of a drum module (e.g., Erica Synths Pico Drums, Tiptop Audio One) to the Dark Matter INPUT. - Route X-FADE OUT back into the FBK IN for internal feedback, and use the DYNAMICS and DRIVE to mash and gate the drum audio. - Modulate FBK CV and DRIVE CV with a stepped random voltage source (e.g., Wogglebug, SSSR Labs SM042) for chaotic, evolving distortions.

Result:
Overdriven, feedback-smashed drum textures with glitchy gating and harmonic complexity.

2. Chaotic Synth Voice Mangler

Patch:
- Patch a traditional subtractive mono synth voice (e.g., Doepfer A-111-5 Mini Synth, or your favorite VCO > VCF > VCA chain) into INPUT. - Insert a random or sequenced modulation source (e.g., Make Noise Maths, Intellijel Quadrax) to TONE CV and DRIVE CV. - Feed the X-FADE OUT back into your synth voice’s filter input or use another external processing module.

Result:
Animate simple melodies or drones with aggressive, VCA-controllable feedback artifacts and wide-ranging harmonic overtones—perfect for industrial timbres.

3. Envelope-Followed Feedback Delays

Patch:
- Patch the X-FADE OUT to an audio delay module’s input (e.g., 4ms Dual Looping Delay, Make Noise Mimeophon). - Send delay output back to EXT FBK IN on Dark Matter. - Use the DYNAMICS OUT envelope to shape the feedback amount on the delay (e.g., into delay’s feedback CV input).

Result:
Delay repeats morph from clean to aggressive based on audio dynamics, producing density and movement as the input signal changes.

4. No-Input Mixer Sound Sculptor

Patch:
- Leave INPUT unpatched. - Patch X-FADE OUT back into EXT FBK IN. - Modulate X-FADE CV with a slow LFO (e.g., Mutable Instruments Tides, Batumi), and tweak DRIVE/TONE/DYNAMICS manually or with additional CV.

Result:
Pure feedback textures and squelchy, screeching “no-input mixer” explorations with hands-on or animated tonal shifting.

5. Voltage-Controlled Harmonic FX

Patch:
- Use a sequencer or random voltage generator (Intellijel Metropolix, Random Source Serge TKB) to modulate TONE CV and FBK CV. - Route a full mix or bus of multiple modules (through a mixer module) to INPUT. - Use DRIVE and DYNAMICS to set the saturation and responsiveness.

Result:
Voltage-controlled distortion/frequency shaping FX on anything—great for mixing a whole patch through for bus coloration or live “DJ EQ” wildness.

6. External FX-Feedback Toolbox

Patch:
- Patch X-FADE OUT to an external pedal or rack FX (e.g., reverb, phaser, or delay). - Return the FX output back into EXT FBK IN. - Use the POLARITY switch and FBK CV to dynamically shape external feedback character.

Result:
Continuous, hands-on-control over external device feedback loops with modular modulation possibilities.

Recommended Complementary Modules

• Random/Chaos Modules: Make Noise Wogglebug, Mutable Instruments Marbles
  → Animate unpredictable changes in feedback or tone.
• Delays/Reverbs: 4ms Dual Looping Delay, Strymon Magneto, Mutable Instruments Clouds
  → Combine atmospheric textures with hyperactive feedback.
• VCAs/Envelopes: Intellijel Quad VCA, ALM Tangle Quartet
  → Dynamic control over feedback, especially with Dark Matter’s CV inputs/outputs.
• LFOs/Sequencers: Xaoc Batumi, Intellijel Metropolix
  → Rhythmic movement in distortion/tone.
• Mixers/Matrix Mixers: Doepfer A-138, Rebel Technology Mix 4
  → Route multiple feedback and modulation sources for complex feedback networks.

These creative applications let Dark Matter mutate from a rowdy drive/fuzz box into a modular performance instrument—especially when paired with clever CV and external signal routing.

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