Intellijel — Unity

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Using the Intellijel Unity Mixer for Hyper-Complex Rhythmic Percussion

The Intellijel Unity Mixer is a utility module, not a voice or effect module. While it does not generate sound on its own, it is incredibly powerful as a summing utility for CV (control voltage) and audio signals, making it an essential tool for dense, polyrhythmic, and complex percussion synthesis. Below you'll find creative strategies for leveraging the Unity Mixer in this context:

1. Complex Gate/Trigger Summing for Polyrhythms

Patch multiple rhythmic gate/trigger sources (e.g. clock dividers/multipliers, sequencers like Pamela’s NEW Workout, Euclidean ratchets, or step sequencers set to different time signatures) into the input channels of the Unity Mixer.
The summed mix at the output can feed an envelope, percussive voice, or drum module. This creates layered gate streams: e.g. sum a 5-step pattern and a 7-step pattern for a repeating 35-step cycle (polyrhythm), resulting in intricate rhythmic triggers.
Since the Unity Mixer is phase correct and doesn’t invert or attenuate signals (unless you set the jumper), your complex grooves will come through cleanly.

2. Percussion Layering via Audio Summing

Combine the audio outputs of multiple percussion voices (e.g. kick + snare + clicky percussion) as a summed bus to a single channel. This lets you build composite drum sounds that snap, punch, and evolve.
For maximal punch, layer raw VCO outputs or noise bursts alongside your main hits. Use fast envelopes or vactrol/decay modules beforehand for percussive shapes.

Tips: - Beware of clipping (max output 10.5V). If building aggressive, dense stacks, use the -6dB attenuation jumper to avoid distortion unless that's what you want. - The dual 3:1 or single 6:1 functionality makes it possible to group sub-mixes (hats & clicks in one, kicks & toms in the other) and then re-combine or re-route them live.

3. Creating Evolving Percussive Patterns (Mixing CV Sources)

Feed uneven, evolving LFOs or random stepped modulators (like S&H circuits) into a Unity Mixer, then route the sum as modulation to drum decay, pitch, or filter cutoff.
This can automate subtle (or extreme) shifts in your percussion timbre, rhythm, or even panning — especially when the summed CV traverses different modular destinations per section.

4. Driving Complex Modulation for Percussive Voices

Combine clocked/envelope CVs, LFOs, and noise as a control source for a synth voice’s VCA, making every hit have unpredictable dynamics but remain “locked” to a polyrhythmic cycle.
Use the mixed output to control LPGs, VCAs, or other percussive sound shapers.

5. Percussive FX Chaining and Parallel Processing

Split your percussion audio through various effects (distortion, reverb, comb filters) and mix them back together with the Unity Mixer for parallel FX processing.
With careful gain staging (using the attenuation jumpers if needed), you can achieve anything from subtly enhanced grooves to wild, glitchy, multi-layered percussion bursts.

6. Dynamic Re-Patching for Performance

Use the Unity Mixer’s simple, straightforward normalization to quickly re-route sub-mixes during live performance, evolving your polyrhythmic arrangement on the fly without repatching multiple cables.

Advanced Pro Tips

Combine sequencer accumulators or burst generators for layered fills and complicated pattern changes at specific points in your sequence.
Use with manual switches or mutes before the mixer to selectively enable/disable rhythmic parts mid-performance, maximizing live playability.

While the Unity Mixer doesn’t process voices directly, it is a secret weapon for constructing, layering, and routing complex percussion. Its role as a CV & audio summing matrix is foundational for hyper-complex modular rhythms!

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