2hp — Swarm
2hp Swarm Manual PDF
Generating Hyper-Complex Percussion with 2hp Swarm
The 2hp Swarm is a hyper oscillator module, ideal as a richly-dimensional sound source for percussive experimentation in eurorack modular setups. Here’s how you can leverage Swarm’s capabilities for complex, dense, and polyrhythmic percussion:
1. Multioscillator Percussive Synthesis
- Dense Voicing for Claps/Snares/Hats:
With Swarm, you can dial up multiple oscillators (up to 88 saws or 55 pulses) to form thick, noise-like, or metallic textures by maxing out the VOICES knob.
- Percussive Technique: Use envelope generators (EG) with fast attack and decay to sculpt “clap,” “snare,” and “hat” sounds. Patch the Swarm through a VCA controlled by a snappy envelope.
2. Detune for Metallic/Chaotic Percussion
- Unique Timbres via Detune:
Manipulate the DETUNE knob for subtle or chaotic detuning per oscillator.
- Soft to Harsh Transients: For metallic clangs, turn the Detune beyond 12-o'clock. For marimba or vibraphone-like attacks, keep detune subtle.
- Animate with CV: Use a stepped or random clocked modulation source into the Detune CV input (-5V to +5V). Sequence or randomize the amount of detune in sync with your rhythms for unpredictable, stuttering cymbals or digital clap sounds.
3. Rhythmic Complexity via Triggered Pitch Shifts
- Pitch as Percussion:
Use polyrhythmic or euclidean sequencers to send voltage to the 1V/OCT (Freq) input.
- With irregular, clock-divided, or probability/skipping patterns, the pitch of Swarm can be modulated in syncopated or complex cycles.
- Example Pattern: Assign each subdivision (e.g., 5/8, 7/16) a pitch voltage. The oscillators shift in complex patterns, resulting in tuned “bongos” or “tom” voices cycling through odd rhythms.
4. CV-Controlled Waveform Changes
- Saw/Pulse Morphing:
Manually or via trigger/modulation, switch between pulse (clicky, more percussive) and saw (richer, denser) waveforms.
- Performance Tip: Patch a rhythmic gate or clock into a voltage-controlled switch or sequential switch to change Swarm’s waveform at different steps in your polyrhythms.
5. Patch Processing for Rhythmic Emphasis
- Filter Animation (with MMF):
Route Swarm’s output into the 2hp MMF filter, modulate cutoff/resonance with rhythmic LFOs/envelopes based on your polyrhythmic clocks.
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Create filter “punch” by routing fast, per-step envelopes to the filter frequency for pseudo-acoustic drum articulation.
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Lo-Fi and Saturation:
Send Swarm through the 2hp Lo-Fi to degrade, bitcrush, or add digital artifacts, accentuating attack transients.
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Dual VCA Dynamics:
Use a dual VCA for envelope shaping and amplitude modulation. Sidechain or crossfade two Swarm voices with opposing percussive envelopes for moving, ducking rhythms.
6. Tips for Polyrhythmic/Complex Use
7. Make It Punchy
- Accent Envelopes:
Use accent envelopes—longer, higher peaks on certain steps—to punch specific oscillators or filtrations harder for groove accents.
- Transient Shaping:
Patch Swarm’s output into a transient shaper or wavefolder for sharp attack blips.
Generated With Eurorack Processor