IO Labs — Flux Sequencer

• Manual PDF

FLUX Open Beta V1.07 Boolean Logic Update User Manual (PDF)

Creative Ways to Use FLUX in Your Modular Synth

The IOLabs FLUX module is an exceptionally flexible rhythmic generator and CV modulator, based on its manual. Below are creative approaches, specific module pairings, and combinations to get the most out of its features.

1. Polyrhythmic Percussion Engine

Concept: Use FLUX’s Temporal Modulation Synthesis® to drive multiple percussion voices with complex, evolving rhythms.

• How: Patch each of FLUX’s 4 rhythm outs to different drum modules (e.g., ALM Akemie's Taiko, Tiptop Audio One, or Mutable Instruments Peaks).
• Aux Out Tips: Assign Boolean logic AUX outs to trigger additional percussive events (e.g., rolling hi-hats only when rim and snare coincide).
• Result: Organic, shifting percussion that avoids boring loops.

2. Generative Melodic Triggering

Concept: Let FLUX’s complex rhythm generation, combined with CV output, drive melodic sequencers or quantizers.

• How:
• Use a FLUX rhythm output to clock a melodic sequencer like Make Noise René, Winter Modular Eloquencer, or a simple Doepfer A-155.
• Patch FLUX’s CV out into a quantizer module (Intellijel Scales, ADDAC207)
• Variation: Use the probability and mask parameters in FLUX to randomly thin or accentuate the melody.
• Result: Melodies and harmonies with non-repetitive timing and phrasing.

3. Boolean LOGIC Party!

Concept: Exploit FLUX’s on-board Boolean logic modes as a stand-alone rhythm logic computer or as an auxiliary to classic logic modules.

• How:
• Set one AUX output to AND/OR/EXOR (x||, & etc.) and feed main outputs to trigger other events.
• Pair with Doepfer A-166 Dual Logic Module or Intellijel Plog for cross-modulation.
• Trick: Hampered by another module’s simple logic? Route its outs through FLUX AUX outs with complex masks and phase shifts.
• Result: Insanely intricate rhythm logic, polyrhythms, and syncopated networks.

4. Triggered Modulation and Macro Control

Concept: Use FLUX’s CV outs to create complex, step-locked, or trigger-based modulation for effects and timbre.

• How:
• Patch CV outs to modulate VCA, filter cutoff, or wavefold amount (Mutable Instruments Ripples, Intellijel µFold, Make Noise Optomix).
• Utilize envelopes/LFO modes per step for dynamic expression.
• Bonus: Use Macro Pot modulation to manually or via CV morph multiple modulation destinations on the fly.

5. Syncopated, Humanized Clock Source

Concept: Replace or augment your master clock with FLUX for shuffled, swingy, or masked clock duties.

• How:
• Output a divider or delayed AUX clock (PPQ, /x, DEL) to clock other sequencers or effect units.
• Use Shuffle and Humanize for off-the-grid feel.
• Great for: Breakbeat, IDM, and evolving house/techno rhythms.

6. Micro-Looping and Burst Generation for IDM/Glitch

Concept: Use FLUX Burst Mode to send rapid-fire micro-rhythms to percussive synths or effect triggers.

• How:
• Patch rhythm out to a Qu-Bit Nebulae for granular freeze, Make Noise Morphagene for tape stop/stutter effects, or any sample-slicer.
• Sync bursts to momentary gestures (or randomize them for surprise attacks!).
• Result: Glitch, IDM, or DnB microedits and complex fills.

7. Evolving Automation and Scene Morphing

Concept: Use Evolve LFOs and ALL mode to create recallable, evolving scenes without external DAW automation.

• How:
• Set up presets with different modulation LFOs, CV curves, densities, lengths, then smoothly morph between them with Macro Pots, Evolve settings, or preset loading (syncing to clock).
• Pair with Expert Sleepers Disting EX for snapshot scene-save morphs.
• Result: Musically evolving compositions, dynamic "macro" tweaks for live sets.

8. Interactive Performance System

Concept: Take full advantage of hands-on controls, momentary/latching ALL and * modes for live performance.

• How:
• Use Macro Pots for live timbral or density manipulation.
• Switch ALL and * for rapid scene-wide edits mid-set.
• Route gate/CV inputs from touch pads (e.g., Make Noise Pressure Points) for gestural modulation.

9. Chance-Based Generative Textures

Concept: Lean into probability, masking, and logic to set up self-evolving, probabilistic patching.

• How:
• Connect FLUX’s multiple outs to several LPGs and random voltage sources (MI Marbles, WMD SCLPL, Noise Engineering Clep Diaz).
• Aux outs with probabilistic logics let events happen “only if” other rare events happen.
• Result: Eno-esque generative music and endless ambient evolutions.

10. MIDI Hardware Integration

Concept: Bridge modular rhythms to MIDI drum machines, samplers, or DAW.

• How:
• Use FLUX’s MIDI implementation for clock, note, or control out to synchronize Elektron, Roland, or other MIDI-capable gear.
• Configure velocity outputs to modulate MIDI note dynamics based on FLUX’s internal or external CV.
• Result: Complex, non-repetitive grooves in hybrid setups.

Generic Module Types to Combine With FLUX

• VCAs / LPGs: Essential for dynamic modulation and percussion.
• Filters: For CV-controlled morphing textures.
• Drum Modules: To exploit dense/rich rhythm features.
• Sequencer/Quantizer: For melodic phrasing and non-grid timing.
• Logic/Utility: For combining or mutating rhythmic events.
• Effect Processors: Freeze, glitch, stutter, delay, or reverb for CV/gate controlled textures.
• Random/Chaos Sources: Further unpredictability, even more generative capacity.

Further Study

• Experiment with patching FLUX’s main triggers into chainable logic modules for deep, evolving structures.
• Feed its CV outs into effect processor CV-ins for non-rhythmic, organic changes.
• Leverage ALL and * rapid editing features in a performance context for dynamic, dramatic changes.

Generated With Eurorack Processor

Feel free to reply for more patch ideas or module combo breakdowns for your system!