The Noise Engineering Seca Ruina is a compact (6HP) and versatile multiband distortion/VCA offering per-band and global drive control, with CV over both. Here are creative ways to integrate it with other Eurorack modules, leveraging both its multiband architecture and modulation possibilities.
Modules Needed: - Percussion source (e.g. Erica Synths Drum Modules, Tiptop Audio BD909) - Envelope generator (e.g. Maths, Zadar) - Seca Ruina
Patch: - Route drums or percussion loops into Seca Ruina’s input. - Patch separate envelopes to the individual band CV inputs (High, Mid, Low). - Use the envelopes to dynamically modulate distortion per band, making kicks boomier, snares crunchier, and hats fizzier—independently. - Take the Sum out to your mixer.
Result: Rhythmic, dynamically shifting multiband drum textures. Great for glitch, breakcore, experimental techno.
Modules Needed: - Seca Ruina - Three different effects modules (e.g. delay, phaser, reverb: Mimeophon, Warped Circuits Bend, FX Aid) - Mixer (e.g. Intellijel Mixup, Befaco STMix)
Patch: - Patch an instrument or field recording into Seca Ruina. - Route each Seca Ruina individual band out to a different FX module. - Mix processed bands back together.
Result: Drastically different FX chains sculpted tightly to frequency content—think low-end going through a phaser, mids through heavy delay, and highs washed in reverb. This creates a rich, spatially complex signal.
Modules Needed: - Modulation sources (LFOs: Batumi, Pam’s New Workout. Sequencers: René, Metropolix) - Seca Ruina
Patch: - Patch LFOs or stepped CV from sequencers into any or all band CV inputs (or the All CV input for global chaos). - Slowly modulate drive settings, or use sequencer triggers for rhythmically pulsed distortion.
Result: Animated, evolving timbres. Hook up a random voltage source (Wogglebug, Marbles) for wild, pseudo-generative distortion movement.
Modules Needed: - Seca Ruina - Vocoder or bandpass filter bank (Doepfer A-128, Mutable Instruments Vocoder) - Voice signal and carrier (two audio sources)
Patch: - Patch voice signal into Seca Ruina, split bands out, send to vocoder’s modulator band inputs. - Send a synth sound to the carrier input. - Use the Sum out for processed, intelligible distortion-vocode hybrid timbres.
Result: Choppy, hyper-articulated “vocal synth” textures, ideal for industrial and experimental pop.
Modules Needed: - Seca Ruina - Envelope followers (Doepfer A-119, Mutable Ears) - Modulation destinations (VCA, filter cutoff, etc.)
Patch: - Process a complex signal (drums, field recordings) through Seca Ruina. - Patch individual outs to envelope followers. - Use generated envelopes to control parameters elsewhere in your system—e.g. send the envelope from the High band to modulate reverb mix or pan, Mid band to bass synth cutoff.
Result: Eco-systemic, frequency-reactive modulation throughout your rack. Great for live sets and generative patches.
Modules Needed: - Wavetable oscillator (Plaits, E352, Piston Honda) - Seca Ruina - Spectral or granular processor (MIMEOPHON, Morphagene)
Patch: - Morph oscillator through Seca Ruina; patch the band outs to spectral processor inputs. - CV sweep distortion per band (with LFOs or sequencer). - Record or granularize the results.
Result: Animated spectra, with distortion “filling in” different parts of the frequency spectrum as you sweep. Great for music concrete or cinematic sound design.
Modules Needed: - Seca Ruina - Envelope/VCA module - Sequencer - Drum and bass synth voices
Patch: - Use Seca Ruina as a final bus for your stereo mix. - Patch sequencer gates/envelopes to the All Drive CV input, “pumping” the entire mix’s harmonic content in time with your groove.
Result: Punchy, dynamically driven multiband bus distortion for entire groovebox/live techno setups.
These patch ideas should get you started; Seca Ruina’s multiband, CV-able architecture encourages experimentation—especially with modulation and routing. Pair it with stereo/frequency processors, complex modulators, or effects for endless sound design possibilities.