I got a couple of hardware synths because I want to explore using Sonic Pi to drive hardware in a live settings. I’ve already mentioned the Volca fm, this is about the Behringer Crave. I fancied tried a bit of CV for real without spending lots of money.
I started with sending MIDI notes scheduled by SPi, and that works fine. While that happens, you can twiddle the knobs and patches on the fly an that’s satisfying. The Crave makes nice analog wub-wub and hissy noises and things like that. But there are more interesting sound sources.
Then I tried making more use of the Crave’s sequencer. Not so such to plan/write/save complicated patterns of melodies and chord changes as that seems like hard work. More to use it as sync’d modulation. For this I used the midi_clock_beat function and I’m pleased to say that works a treat. And by playing round with how the clock is sent I reckon there’s rich pickings to be had. Including stopping the sync momentarily and letting it run free.
Current thinking is that this Crave isn’t going to add much to recording whereas the Volca FM can create some really new sounds. But I plan to play it live as an instrument in itself. I’ve got a feeling it might turn into ‘oh it’s that again’ - then again I don’t say that about a violin or trumpet.
