The 2hp Bell is a polyphonic melodic percussion generator, making it a flexible voice for a wide range of sounds beyond traditional bell tones. Based on modal synthesis, Bell is capable of everything from clean tuned percussion to gnarly, distorted chaos and lush, otherworldly textures—when modulated creatively in a Eurorack system.
Below are strategies for using external modulation and creative patching to achieve three specific sonic goals: distorted percussive sounds, intense basslines, and atmospheric pads.
To move Bell into aggressive, distorted territory: - Model Selection: Use the Hard Marimba, Wine Glass, Redwood Plate, or Tibetan Bowl models for less traditional, more tonally complex starting points. - Damp Control: Modulate the DAMP CV with a fast random or stepped voltage source (e.g., Sample & Hold or fast LFO). Extreme values create snappy, clipped decays and metallic resonance. - Pitch Modulation: Mult a fast envelope, sequencer, or synced LFO into the PITCH input while a note is ringing—this exploits the “live pitch control” for the most recent trigger, adding pitch bends, rolls, or vibrato every hit. - Trigger Madness: Use probabilistic, shuffled, or logic-combined trigger sources to create bursts, rolls, or ratcheting effects into the TRIG input. - Audio Rate Modulation: Run a loud, fast audio oscillator (square/saw) into the MODEL or DAMP CVs for brutal, unpredictable timbre distortion. - External Distortion/Folding: Run the output of Bell into a wavefolder, saturator, or in-feedback with ring mod/fuzz to emphasize nonlinearity and aggressiveness.
You can use Bell for bass by exploiting: - V/Oct Tracking: Sequence notes via the 1V/OCT input, using a pitch CV/gate sequencer or pattern generator. Stay low (below C3). - Pitch Voltage: Add an LFO, function generator, or envelope to PITCH for wobbles, slides, and growls—try slow triangle/sine for “dubstep wub” style. - Model Mutation: Sweep MODEL with a CV LFO for moving harmonic content—use bipolar modulation for full model spread. - Damping for Impact: Use the DAMP control in conjunction with triggers/gates to adjust note length dynamically (short for plucky, long for sustained growl). - Resonator Feedback: Feed Bell’s output into a bandpass/lowpass filter and resonance circuit, then mult that signal back into Bell's MODEL or DAMP (if you're using a mixer/attenuator for safety)—for physical modeling "feedback squelch." - Layering: Layer Bell with a sub-oscillator below, to reinforce sub-bass presence.
For lush, eerie, or evolving soundscapes: - Polyphonic Texture: Use multiple TRIGs in relatively quick succession to layer voices (Bell can do 6-voice polyphony). Use random, Euclidean, or manually-timed triggers. - Slow Damping: Set DAMP high, or modulate slowly with an LFO/envelope for evolving reverb-like decays. - MODEL Scanning: Use a slow, bipolar LFO, or a pressure/joystick controller to sweep through different MODEL positions for changing harmonic profiles. - Pitch Glides/Vibrato: Route a slow, gentle LFO or random smooth voltage to PITCH for chorus-like drift or whale-song undulation. - Harmonic Layering: Mult Bell output through different reverb, shimmer, or granular effects and blend; stereoize with subtle detune on PITCH live fiddling. - Atmospheric Effects: Patch drone triggers at regular, slow intervals, and use a looping envelope for ongoing mild pitch modulation.
Have fun ringing Bell far beyond its classical roots!