# Schlappi Engineering — Three Body - [Manual PDF](../../manuals/three_body_manual_01302023a.pdf) --- [Download the Three Body Manual PDF (Schlappi Engineering)](https://schlappiengineering.com/manuals/ThreeBodyManual.pdf) --- # Three Body Module: Creative Modulation Tips As a fellow Eurorack musician, let's dive into how to wield the **Schlappi Engineering Three Body** for wild sound design—ranging from *wrecked percussion* to *dubstep/drum and bass basslines* to *eerie atmospheric pads*. Here are focused patch ideas and modulation strategies leveraging the module's unique features like through-zero FM/PM, phase relationships, and ratio tracking. --- ## 1. Distorted Percussive Sounds ### Principles - **Deep linear FM** and **phase cross-modulation** can create rich, noisy transient-laden tones. - Using SYNC and RATIO modes enables metallic and evolving percussive qualities. - Leverage the overdriven index/phase/fm VCAs, especially at audio rates. ### Patching Tips **A. Snappy Metallic Hits** - Put the **center oscillator** in FREE, HIGH mode (*acts as voice*). - **Left and right oscillators** in RATIO mode, both track center, with div/mult settings to place them at non-integer ratios (e.g., 7:3 for clangorous partials). - Feed a short envelope into FM INDEX or PHASE INDEX on the center oscillator. - Try sending envelopes or triggers to outer oscillators' FM or PHASE inputs. - Cross-modulate (patch left phase out to right phase in and vice versa) and push PHASE CV up just to the edge of noise. - Use the outer oscillators’ sine/triangle outputs for additional ringy percussion layers. **B. Fuzzy Toms or Kicks** - Center in FREE, LOW for LFO or low-audio range. - Short decay envelope into FM (lin) or PHASE to get warbly, laser-like decays. - Increase linear FM index for "wub" or "boom" artifacts. - Feed a noise burst or fast LFO into SYNC for pseudo-acoustic scrapes. --- ## 2. Crazy Basslines (Dubstep/Drum & Bass) ### Principles - Exploit **through-zero linear FM for wild harmonic sweep**, **phase modulation for timbral animation**, and harsh ratio-locking for "tearing" sounds. - Modulate the RATIO controls with sequenced CVs for stepwise or gliding pitch. ### Patching Tips **A. Ripping Dubstep Basses** - Center oscillator as modulator (FREE, HIGH), left or right as carrier (RATIO, HIGH/MULT). - Use a clock or gate from a sequencer into SYNC to hard-sync the carrier for sharp, digital edges. - LFO or envelope into FM INDEX or PHASE INDEX for movement—try modulating the modulation index itself with an envelope for evolving grit. - Turn FM index up high—it will phase-reverse and melt the carrier into unpredictable digital chaos (classic "FM mayhem"). - Patch CV into VOCT/RATIO input on the carrier, use a random sequencer or stepped voltage to create octave jumps and "neuro" scale leaps. - Try cross modulation between the outer oscillators for thick growl; back off if it gets too noisy. **B. Reese Bass / Jungle Neuro Swerves** - Set both outer oscillators in RATIO mode, center as modulator (FM or PHASE). - Stereo patch: Take both outer sine (or triangle) outs for instant wide, moving sound. - Use slow LFO on FM INDEX or PHASE to sweep harmonic content. - For additional stereo movement, use the center cosine and sine outs panned hard left/right. --- ## 3. Haunting Atmospheric Pads ### Principles - Gentle **audio-rate phase modulation** and using the stereo outputs (center sine/cosine or saw/cosaw) yield lush, moving textures. - Modulate ratios with slow LFOs or random stepped voltages for nonrepeating, evolving harmonics. ### Patching Tips **A. Floating Pads with Shifting Harmonics** - Center oscillator: FREE, LOW/HIGH depending on desired register. - Outer oscillators: RATIO modes, set ratios to non-integer or overtone intervals (e.g., 5:3, 8:5). - Modulate PHASE INDEX on the center with slow LFOs, envelopes, or aftertouch (if using a controller). - Use both the sine and cosine outs from center oscillator; pan them for a natural stereo shimmer. - Bring up some PHASE cross-modulation between outer oscillators for “swirling mist” effects. - Feed slow random or LFOs to the outer oscillators’ VOCT/RATIO inputs for scale drift. - If you want less harmonic richness, reduce FM/PHASE indexes and rely more on subtle ratio modulations. **B. Binaural/Motion Effects** - Exploit the *phase direction* header for true quadrature relationships and wide stereo. - Use two LFOs with different frequencies modulating left and right phase indexes, while listening to center saw/cosaw outs. --- ## General Modulation Notes - **Linear FM (lin):** Go deep for intense metallic and digital sounds, but rebounds into noisy regions quickly. - **Phase modulation:** More harmonically “stable” than exponential FM—good for thick distortion or wavefold-like timbres. - **Index modulation:** Automate the amount of modulation with external envelopes, for morphing, accent, or decay. - **SYNC input in RATIO mode:** Hard sync for “brassy” resets; patch in external clocks, triggers, or even audio for quasi-ringmod and sample/hold effects. --- ## Bonus Tweaks - Adjust **rear headers** (external filter, phase direction, square phase modulation) for advanced behaviors—e.g., thick sub fundamentals via unmodulated square, or true stereo phase operation. - Experiment with self-patching: use outs from one oscillator to modulate itself via FM or PHASE, using VCAs/external attenuation for feedback control. --- ### Further Exploration For more advanced signal processing or integrating Three Body in digital/hybrid workflows, check out [Eurorack Processor on Github](https://github.com/nstarke/eurorack-processor). --- **Generated With Eurorack Processor**