Erica Synths — Bassline

Manual PDF

Erica Synths Bassline Manual PDF

Creative Ways to Utilize the Erica Synths Bassline in Your Eurorack Setup

The Erica Synths Bassline is a versatile analog synth voice designed for acid, techno, and experimental basslines. Here's an analysis of its features and creative patching ideas combining it with other modules.

Key Features Recap

Analog VCO (with SAW, PULSE, SUB oscillator)
VCF (Polivoks-inspired, resonance, CV control)
Envelope (ADSR, CV controllable)
Accent In/Out (for classic acid lines)
Gate, CV, Modulation & External Input/Output
Compact 14HP format

Creative Combinations & Patching Ideas

1. Acid Techno Basslines with Sequencers

Recommended module: [Mutable Instruments – Yarns / Arturia Beatstep Pro / Intellijel Metropolis]
How: Sequence pitch CV & gate, use accent CV from the sequencer or even Pam's New Workout. Add slide with external slew limiter (e.g., Doepfer A-171-2 or Mutable Stages in slew mode) patched before VCO CV in.
Result: Classic squelchy acid, 303-style lines—Slide and accent made easy!

2. Audio Rate Modulation

Recommended module: Any extra oscillator (e.g., Dixie II+, STO)
How: Patch a fast LFO or VCO into the Modulation CV input or VCF Cutoff CV.
Result: FM (Frequency Modulation) basses, complex metallic timbres, or formant-like growls.

3. Waveshaping & Distortion Chains

Recommended module: Wavefolder (e.g., Serge Wave Multiplier, Intellijel uFold) or distortion (e.g., Erica Synths Fusion VCA/Waveshaper).
How: Route the Bassline module’s output through a waveshaper and/or distortion.
Result: Industrial, hard techno-bass or acid with a twist.

4. Dual Basslines & Cross-Modulation

Recommended module: Another Bassline or a simple analog voice (Doepfer A-111-5 Mini Synth, Dreadbox Hysteria or Make Noise STO)
How: Patch each to their own sequencer line, cross-modulate their VCF cutoff or use the output of one as modulation source for the other.
Result: Poly-rhythmic acid lines, evolving bass textures.

5. External Input Processing

Recommended module: Drum machine, other synth, or sampler
How: Patch external audio to the Ext In of Bassline, use the filter and envelope to process drums, samples, or other synths.
Result: Acidic breakbeats, filtered percussion, or animated sample mangling.

6. Generative Patches with Random CV

Recommended module: Random module (e.g., Wogglebug, Turing Machine, or Marbles)
How: Send random voltages to Cutoff CV, VCA Env CV, or Tune CV.
Result: Evolving, unpredictable acid bass or weird techno sequences.

7. Clocked Rhythmical Filtering

Recommended module: Pamela’s New Workout, Malekko Varigate, or Euclidean sequencer.
How: Use a rhythmic clock or gate pattern to modulate accent in or VCF cutoff.
Result: Synchronized filter movements, “bouncing” bass patches, synced to your master clock.

8. Stereo Tricks & Paraphony

Recommended module: Stereo panner (e.g., Make Noise PanMix), two Bassline modules
How: Run two detuned Basslines, pan hard left/right, sequence each slightly differently.
Result: Huge stereo bass sound, paraphonic effect.

9. Ring Modulation & Amplitude Modulation

Recommended module: Ring modulator (Doepfer A-114, Intellijel uMod)
How: Sum Bassline output and another VCO output in a ring modulator or use VCA for AM with external CV.
Result: Bell-like, clangorous bass and metallic timbres.

10. Bass Chaining and Signal Routing

Recommended module: Sequential switch (Doepfer A-151), matrix mixer (Doepfer A-138m)
How: Route the Bassline through switchable effects, or blend various signal-mult combinations.
Result: Live performance possibilities, morphing basslines.

Summary Table of Inputs/Outputs & Creative Patch Ideas

Bassline Input/Output	Patch Suggestion	Example Module
Tune CV / VCO FM	Pitch slides, FM	Slew Limiter, Dixie II+
VCF Cutoff CV	Rhythmic filter, random mod	Envelope Generator, Marbles, PNW
Ext In	Filter drums/other synths	Anything!
Gate In	Generative rhythm, accent triggering	Trigger sequencer, Marbles
Accent In	Dynamic acid lines	Sequencer with accent/gate out (Metropolis)
Audio Out	Chain with effects/distortion	uFold, Fusion VCA/Waveshaper, Pico DSP

Tips

Patch Accent Out into Accent In for auto-accented lines.
Self-patch VCA Env or VCF Env outs to mod inputs for feedback madness.
Experiment with very slow modulation for evolving drones.
Combine with add-on CV utilities (attenuators, offset, logic modules) for complex performance control.

Manual: Erica Synths Bassline Manual (PDF)
Generated With Eurorack Processor: https://github.com/nstarke/eurorack-processor