Ambient Noodlings

Happy Sunday afternoon! It’s a milestone day with episode #200 of these weekly (mostly) posts. This has been an incredible challenge for me to carve out the time to create and post something each Sunday. The idea to do this weekly in the beginning was to force myself to spend the time to learn something new, with some artificial pressure to motivate me to do the “work.” I hope you enjoy today’s recording, all done on my Digitakt 2.Having reached this nice big round number, I’ve decided to take a break from these weekly posts. I have no intention of walking away from my musical excursions. With a change in role at work a while back, the past few months have been difficult to commit to producing something weekly. I never wanted this to feel like another job and lately I’ve felt some pressure to get something recorded and posted for my self-imposed deadline.At least for a while, I’ll be noodling away in my free moments with no pressure to compose and record something. I want to get back to more mindful sessions that have no goal of an outcome to be shared online - less composing, more discovering. I want to…I need to spend what little free time I have getting lost in musical meandering with no destination required.I’m not sure if I’ll return to Substack for sharing music or not. It has worked out pretty well, although I’m not sure if it’s the best platform fit for something like this. I’ve got a lot of past recordings that I’d like to share on my YouTube channel with some sort of visualization. I’ve done a few postings out there, but I haven’t figured out exactly what I want to do for visuals long term. While I have used AI generated images in my posts here, I don’t want to contribute “AI slop” to a video platform. It’s something I need to ponder on. A big thank you to those who have supported this project with encouragement and kind words. I’ll be back sharing musical creations again soon, whether here or elsewhere on the ‘net. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit michaelconnell.substack.com

Happy Sunday evening! I’m posting a bit late this time because I’ve been in bed most of the day. I think the high pollen count here got to me. When I’m not having sneezing attacks and runny nose, I feel groggy and just want to sleep. Finally felt like getting up and tinkering on the Digitakt some this evening. Spring time in these parts can be brutal! Anyway, I put together something that I found relaxing to listen to and hope you enjoy as well. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit michaelconnell.substack.com

Happy Sunday evening! I found a few minutes to noodle on the Digitakt in the midst of another busy weekend. I just played with some patterns and textures that I ran through an Eric Synths Echolator and Eventide Space. I enjoyed playing the recording in the background while I got some work done. Have a good week ahead everyone! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit michaelconnell.substack.com

A good Sunday evening to everyone! I’m doing a late-ish post that I’ll blame on adjusting to the time change. I had trouble getting to sleep last night and then lost an hour on top of it. Really wish we’d stop that nonsense! Anyway, back to today’s jam. It’s a bit on the dark side. I think I’m reading and watching the news too much and there isn’t a lot of good news out there these days. I’m glad I still find time to get lost in a synth once in a while. This is Digitakt plus Minifreak doing some…ambient gloom? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit michaelconnell.substack.com

Happy Sunday evening! Hope y’alls weekend has been relaxing. Lots of crazy stuff going on in the world. Mass shooting in my city, more war overseas. I had to try and avoid the news today. Sometimes it is overwhelming. I’m thankful I’ve got my synth and ambient musings as a brief respite. Sounds by Minifreak, sequenced by Digitakt 2, along with a bit of added background texture. Grab some headphones. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit michaelconnell.substack.com

Happy Sunday evening! Today I have a laid back noodling with a pad on the Minifreak. I used the Digitakt for sequencing and some background sounds, including some vinyl-like noise. Grab some headphones and chill out for a few minutes. It beats doom scrolling. Enjoy! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit michaelconnell.substack.com

Happy Sunday evening! I was tinkering around with a pedal I’m auditioning and time got away from me. While I had some fun, I didn’t really put together anything recording worthy. Running out of free time for the weekend, I ended up just noodling around with a pad sound that I like in the Minifreak, running through the Space reverb. Hope you enjoy the chill, meandering sounds. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit michaelconnell.substack.com

Happy Sunday! Apparently there is some big sports ball game going on today that has everyone all excited. I’m content to spend some quiet time with the synths after a hectic work week. Today’s track is a kind of meandering noodle with a pad on the Minifreak, along with some background texture by a Soma Cosmos pedal I’m trying out. Neat how a handful of notes can become so expansive. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit michaelconnell.substack.com

Happy Sunday! I’ve got a darkish jam for today. I was playing around with the Minifreak, getting to know it. This track is based on a slow arpeggio with lots of manual tinkering with envelopes and filter, plus a bit of percussive sounds from Digitakt. Eventide Space and Zoom MS-70CDR+ pedals were used for layers of modulated reverb. Grab some headphones! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit michaelconnell.substack.com

Happy Sunday! It’s a cold day in many of the states after a surge of Arctic air descended all the way down through southern states. We were spared the predicted ice storm last night and got away with some light to moderate sleet coverage. It’s enough that I didn’t venture out of the house today, knowing that the streets will be a thin sheet of ice under the sleet. Today’s jam is something different. Not really ambient, not really techno, not electronic dance…I’m not sure what to call it. I started messing around with some percussion samples and Euclidean rhythms on my Digitakt, then played over them with the MiniFreak, which ran through a Zoom MS-70CDR+ with Particle Reverb, then the Eventide Space. This one needs some good headphones as it’s a bit bassy. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit michaelconnell.substack.com

Happy Sunday evening! Today’s track is a bit of noodling on an Arturia Minifreak. It has been a while since I’ve played an actual keyboard. I’m not much of a keyboardist, but I like the tactile and expressive nature of a keyboard synth. No sequencing in this track, just manual playing of keys and filter sweeps. Reverb by Eventide Space. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit michaelconnell.substack.com

Happy Sunday! I’ve got a lot going on this weekend with preparing for some home repairs to start tomorrow. It’s going to be a fairly big disruption in house for a week or so. I didn’t think I’d have time to jam today, but I managed to work in a quick session. Mostly, I just tinkered with some wave tables on the Digitakt. Sometimes I can find something inspirational with a minimal of effort by using the grid machine in the Digitakt to dance around an interesting wave table.Grab some headphones and enjoy! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit michaelconnell.substack.com

Happy Sunday evening, ambient music fans! I’m headed back to work tomorrow after taking a bit of time off for the holidays. I was feeling a dark drone today and noodled around on the Lyra-8 for a bit. What a strange device. I don’t claim to understand it yet. It’s kind of meditative to play, although it plays nothing like any standard instrument. Anyway, grab some headphones and drift along with the drone.All sounds by Lyra-8 with some help from a Vongon Paragraph pedal and Eventide Space reverb (Blackhole.) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit michaelconnell.substack.com

Happy Sunday evening! Hoping everyone is having a good holiday season. I’m enjoying a little time off from work myself. Today I put together this little tune on my Digitakt using just a couple of samples I made the King of FM app on my iPad. I was inspired by a video I was watching by Hans Zimmer the other day. He was talking about using just a note or two and tweaking it with things like filtering, EQ, modulation, envelopes, etc. to create something that tells a story with something very simple. I also tried an app called Grand Finale 2 for mastering the track on my iPad. I’m always looking for ways to streamline my workflow since the time I can devote to my ambient explorations is very limited. My usual workflow involves using Garage Band on my Mac to add compression and EQ. This time I went straight from my Zoom recorder through Grand Finale 2. I just picked a preset, tweaked a couple parameters quickly, and that was it. Just a couple of minutes spent before uploading the file. I’m sure a much better job could be done by someone with advanced studio tools and an ear for mastering tracks, but that’s not me. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit michaelconnell.substack.com

Happy Sunday evening! Last weekend before Christmas - wow! Doesn’t feel much like it with sunny and warm weather here. Today’s track isn’t very holiday fitting either, unless you’re like me and watched Krampus last night. Maybe that inspired today’s auditory meanderings. Grab some good headphones for this one. It’s got some deep bass rumble going on.The audio is all from the Lyra-8, manually played, no sequencing. Eventide Space is doing the reverb and there is some manual manipulation of a filter pedal, the Vongon Paragraph. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit michaelconnell.substack.com

Happy Sunday evening! It has been a cold-ish gray day here and I decided to put together a dark and brooding drone. I’m still getting to know the Lyra-8 I mentioned last week. All sounds are from the Lyra with some help from a Vongon Paragraph pedal and an Eventide Space reverb. No sequencing here, everything is manually manipulated. Grab those headphones and chill out in the dark for a while. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit michaelconnell.substack.com

Happy Sunday evening! I’m down to the wire getting a new jam kicked out today. I didn’t have time until late this evening and I decided to try and record something with a new synth. I traded off some modules I wasn’t using any longer for a Soma Lyra-8. What a weird little beast! Probably wasn’t the best idea to perform and record on something as odd as this thing, with no previous experience or much of an idea of what I was even doing.The Lyra-8 is a retro looking device with 8 oscillators that have to be tuned individually. I decided to tune by ear - basically twist the knobs until I liked what I heard. Trying to get perfect notes is kind of futile, since the tuning and timbre can change drastically depending on what other controls you tweak. It’s kind of maddening at first. I learned to let go and just see where the instrument took me. It became almost meditative after a while.Digitakt is doing the percussion. Everything else is the Lyra, running through an Eventide Space reverb. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit michaelconnell.substack.com

Happy Sunday evening! It’s the end of a few days of holiday for me. Back to reality in the morning. I’ve missed a few weeks of posts now and I’m happy to have finally found some time to do something I enjoy tonight. It has been a been a difficult past couple of weeks for a few reasons. The synths provide some needed joy now. Today’s track is primarily my Digitakt, with a backing drone by Piston Honda in my modular rack. Grab some headphones and check it out. My Black Friday find was some new Bose QC headphones for half off and they are way better than my old Sonys. I pushed the mix a little more than usual since the Bose deliver a much cleaner sound and better dynamic range. I’ll have to go back and listen to some of my old recordings through these things. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit michaelconnell.substack.com

Happy Sunday evening! I can’t believe October has come and gone. It has been a busy time for me. For the first time in over 3 years I missed posting a new tune last weekend. Too much going on with my work and getting a post in last weekend would have meant forcing myself to squeeze it in when I was physically and mentally exhausted. I do this to relax, not to add to my workload. I didn’t get as much time as I’d have liked today. It was enough to play with pressure and I managed to get a recording down. Hope you enjoy. The accompanying image is a little spookier than normal. Had to do something in the spirit of Halloween!This one is all on my Digitakt, just a couple of sequences of simple sounds. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit michaelconnell.substack.com

Happy Sunday! I’ve got a chill jam going today. It’s something I recorded last night while playing around with different timbres on a wavetable oscillator. This particular oscillator can really shred, but run through a good filter it mellows out nicely. I’m amazed out how many different sounds I can get with just filter frequency and resonance modulation. Grab some headphones and check it out.Patch Notes* Sequencing by Digitakt II* Voices are Piston Honda oscillator (sequenced and sampled by Digitakt)* Dual Dagger filter* Data Bender for some glitches * Delay by Mimeophon and reverb by FX Aid This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit michaelconnell.substack.com

Happy Sunday evening! It’s a late posting for me again this weekend. I found some time to play around on the synths this evening and ended up messing around with this not exactly ambient jam. Most of the timbre variations are filter manipulations through modulation and manual tweaking. I started out with a drone and ended up jamming over the top. Patch Notes* Digitakt II driving sequences and drum sounds* Piston Honda provides melodic voices* Pamela’s Pro Workout for clock distribution and modulation* Maths for envelopes* Dual Dagger for filtering* Data Bender for glitching* Mimeophone for delay* FX Aid for reverb This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit michaelconnell.substack.com

Happy Sunday, my ambient loving friends! I spent some time this afternoon exploring the wavetable Piston Honda oscillator and was pleased to find some string-ish and glassy timbres. I put together a sequence driven by the Digitakt and chilled out for a bit, playing with levels and filter manually.Patch Notes* All voices are the two oscillators in Piston Honda* Sequencing by Digitakt II* Pam’s Pro Workout doing some modulation and clock distribution* Filtering by Dual Dagger* Glitchiness by Data Bender* Delay by Mimeophon* Reverb by FX Aid This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit michaelconnell.substack.com

Happy Sunday evening! I’m getting in my jam time a little late today. I put together a laid-back tune that I had fun tweaking on my small modular system. There is a lot hands-on modulation going on. Grab some headphones and chill out for a bit. Enjoy!Patch Notes* Piston Honda wave table oscillator provides the melodic voices* Sequencing by Digitakt with a couple of MIDI tracks* Maths for envelopes* Dual Dagger for filter* Light glitching with Data Bender* Delay by Mimeophon and reverb by FX Aid* Digitakt is doing the percussion This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit michaelconnell.substack.com

Happy Sunday evening! I’ve got a little jam on my Digitakt for y’all today. I did some experimenting with creating a somewhat generative tune. I’m slowing learning how to do things on this interesting little box. My background with modular synthesis certainly helps with wrapping my head around all the options in the interface. Some things are easier to do on the ‘takt and others take some digging through YouTube to figure out.Patch Notes* All sounds are samples or single single cycle waveforms from the Digitakt* Digitakt is going through modular for reverb (FX Aid) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit michaelconnell.substack.com

Happy Sunday afternoon! I spent some time playing around on the Digitakt this weekend, still working on figuring it out. Creating a tune with only samples is interesting. It’s very different from how I’ve done things the past few years with modular synthesis. I wasn’t sure I’d like the Elektron workflow, but it’s not bad now that I’m getting accustomed to it. On a side note, it always cracks me up how comically bad AI is at including musical instruments in images. I have some fun each week quickly putting together an image for my posts. I don’t take it very seriously. Someday perhaps I’ll get back to photography and provide my own visuals. I’ve got too much going on in life now and the AI visuals are my lazy way of having something to decorate these posts. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit michaelconnell.substack.com

Happy Sunday! Hope your day is going well. Last week was rough at work was a rough one. I took some time today to chill out on the synths for a while - longer than usual. I felt like creating something fun and whimsical so I just kind of jammed around on my Digitakt with a bunch of different sounds. Patch Notes* Digitakt ran sequences with a few tracks of samples and a MIDI track to Typhon* Typhon ran through modular rack for some looping with Morphagene and effects* Keystep used to trigger envelope on Maths for Atlas filter modulation* Typhon delay by Mimeophon and reverb by FX Aid* Digitakt effects on its sample tracks This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit michaelconnell.substack.com

Happy Sunday evening! It’s Labor Day weekend and I’ve been doing my best to try and relax a little while I have an extra couple of days off. I had some time to play around with the synths today. I shuffled some things around, trying some different configurations for my rack and the Digitakt that I’ve been using a lot lately. I’m actually thinking of scaling back on the Eurorack stuff and I configured a small case with mainly effects modules. The idea of using the Digitakt for sequencing and sampling, my Typhon for a synth voice, and modular for sound shaping, mangling, and effects is interesting. In tonight’s track Digitakt is driving the sequences and suppling the percussive sounds, as well as a ghostly choral backdrop. Typhon plays the melodic parts. Mimeophon was used for delay and FX Aid for reverb. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit michaelconnell.substack.com

Happy Sunday evening y’all. I’ve got a little jam I put together on my Digitakt for you. It’s easy to get lost on that thing and I can’t even remember what I put on all the tracks now that I’ve recorded it. I am running the Digitakt through my modular rack, with Morphagene, Mimeophon, and FX Aid contributing to the mix. Lots of percussive bits going on, which is kind of what the Digitakt excels at. Grab some headphones and get lost in the sounds for a bit. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit michaelconnell.substack.com

Happy Sunday afternoon, y’all. Today’s track is a darkish piece that is inspired by Vangelis’ Blade Runner work. Lots of experimentation going on here. I played around with a few layers to create something deep with one simple sequence.Patch Notes* Digitakt sequencing Typhon mono synth* Typhon sequence was sampled into Mimeophon buffer and Morphagene* Mimeophon is held with original sequence and modulation is used to move about in a big delay space* Morphagene is modulated to move around in sampled areas of the original sequence* Typhon voice was changed to a lead synth and mixed in with original voice and sequence This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit michaelconnell.substack.com

Happy Sunday! I had some fun creating this little jam this afternoon. I picked up a used Dreadbox Typhon synth today in a trade and had my Digitakt controlling it over MIDI. Funny thing is I used to have a Typhon a couple years back or so and sold it when I started dabbling in modular. I missed its sounds - it’s a small box that can sound big and go from brutal to beautiful. Patch Notes* Digitakt sequencing the Typhon* Typhon was run through my modular case to use Mimeophon and FX Aid for delay and reverb.* Digitakt is playing all the percussive bits This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit michaelconnell.substack.com

Happy Sunday! It’s a nice day here and I’ve been enjoying a chill weekend - something that has been all too rare lately! I have something special for today’s ambient track. For quite some time, I’ve been intrigued by the Elektron’s Digitakt. I’ve been watching videos about the Digitakt II with a skeptical mind. One of the things I like so much about modular is the tactile experience. I’ve tried messing with some groove boxes before and thought they felt more like programming than playing an instrument. Still, I’ve been wanting something percussion oriented and I haven’t really vibed with things I’ve tried in modular for that.After watching lots of videos, I finally decided to give one a try. I had several Eurorack modules that I’d set off to the side to sell or trade. My favorite store, Perfect Circuit, had a deal recently where you get 15% a new item with trade-ins. I got a great offer that allowed me to get a Digitakt II and a MIDI module for my rack for a nearly even trade. I spent a few hours this afternoon following along with an instructional video and created my first ambient track. Getting used to the interface seemed daunting at first. The Elektron workflow makes a lot of sense though once you dive in. I had a few moments of frustration, but with patience a lot of lightbulb moments happened and I got the hang of it. I only scratched the surface of what this thing can do and I’m thoroughly impressed. The only kind-of disappointment are the built-in delay and reverb effects. I love the Blackhole-inspired reverb in my FX Aid module and for delay my Mimeophon module is one of modular’s best. I simply ran the Digitakt through my modular effects and got what I wanted. All voices are the Digitakt. Best of both worlds - Elektron and modular. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit michaelconnell.substack.com

Happy Sunday evening! I’ve been playing around with my Spectraphon today and came up with this little jam. There is a lot of manual manipulation in addition to the usual modulation on this one. I enjoyed the range of tones I was able to pull from this complex oscillator module. All sounds are from the Spectraphon’s various outputs.Patch Notes* Spectraphon sequenced by a pair of Moskwa II sequencers* Atlas for low pass filtering* Octasource and Chaos for modulation* Delay by Mimeophon* Reverb by FX Aid This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit michaelconnell.substack.com

Happy Sunday afternoon! Today’s ambient exploration is a journey of some noise through Morphagene for grain extraction and on into Spectraphon to find music in chaos. It’s a lot of fun creating things like this. I’m never sure what I’ll have in the end. Grab some headphones and check it out.Patch Notes* Noise Plethora recorded with Morphagene* Morphagene samples played into Spectraphon* Spectraphon harmonic outputs enveloped by Percall and sine output folded before using as a base drone* Filtering by Atlas* Delay by Mimeophon and reverb by FX Aid This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit michaelconnell.substack.com

Happy Sunday evening, ambient music fans! I tried to create something simple and relaxing this time because that’s what I need. Things are still busy for me and there is a lot of stress at the moment. Calming music helps. Grab some headphones and take a short break with me.Patch Notes* Spectraphon is sequenced by a pair of Moskwa II sequencers* Filtering by Atlas* Percall used for envelopes* Delay by Mimeophon* Reverb by FX Aid This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit michaelconnell.substack.com

Happy Sunday evening y’all. Down to wire for me to get a jam posted again! I needed to spend the holiday weekend working and didn’t get a chance to sit down at the synth until late in the day. Honestly, I just wanted to crash on the couch! The music must go on though. It provides a necessary respite from a long work week. Enjoy.Patch Notes* Spectraphon sequenced by a pair of Moskwa II sequencers* Fold 6 wave folder for one of Spectraphon’s sine waves* Atlas for filtering* Percall for envelopes* Sealegs for delay and reverb This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit michaelconnell.substack.com

Happy Sunday evening! Another busy weekend for me and I’m down to the wire to post my weekly ambient track. Feeling a bit dark again I guess, as I’ve got a bit of a brooding drone this time around. I like the atmosphere as I listen through my headphones. Enjoy the darkness. Patch Notes* Morphagene playing some synth samples into Spectraphon* Spectraphon v/oct and Morphagene playback speed sequenced by Moskwa II* Maths used for FM on Spectraphon with a periodic envelope* Atlas for filtering Spectaphon* Sealegs for delay and reverb This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit michaelconnell.substack.com

Happy Sunday, ambient music lovers. After another long, tough work week, today’s modular synth session ended up going kind of dark. I didn’t really have that intention when I sat down to noodle around. Yet, here we are. Maybe I’m reading the news too much. I should stop that. Grab some headphones and check out today’s recording. I’m messing around with more stereo movement and headphones will make the trip more interesting.Patch Notes* Voices are Spectraphon oscillators processed through Panharmonium* Sequencing by a pair of Moskwa II sequencers* Atlas for filtering* Lublin and Maths for envelopes* Chaos and Octasource modulate all the things* Sealegs for delay and reverb This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit michaelconnell.substack.com

Happy Sunday! Today’s recording had some obstacles to clear and I wasn’t sure I was going to have a post ready before end of day. I had to work a lot of the weekend and today we had a thunderstorm take out power and Internet connection for several hours. Things finally aligned this evening and I had a little time to squeeze in a bit of noodling on the modular synth.Patch Notes* Spectraphon sequenced by a pair of Moskwa II sequencers* Sequencers clocked independently by Pam’s New Workout* Main voices are harmonic outputs of Spectraphon* Droning sine wave from Spectraphon through Fold6 wavefolder* Filtering by Atlas* Delay and reverb by Sealegs* Chaos and Octasource doing modulation This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit michaelconnell.substack.com

Happy Sunday! Today I’ve got a little jam that came together quickly while I was experimenting with a different delay module. I’m trying out an Intellijel Sealegs that may replace both my Mimeophon and FX Aid. The Sealegs caught my attention with its nice tape delay emulation, organic modulation and character, and a lush built-in reverb. It was fun to experiment and explore with it for a while today. I’m liking what I hear so far.Patch Notes* Spectraphon sequenced by Moskwa II* One oscillator of Spectraphon FMing the other* Harmonic and sub outputs of Spectraphon mixed for tonal variety* Filtering by Atlas* Delay and reverb by Sealegs This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit michaelconnell.substack.com

Happy Sunday, ambient music lovers! Hope you’re enjoying your day. We’ve got sunshine where I’m at after a week of some pretty powerful thunderstorms. I’ve got a pretty chill tune for you that makes good use of the versatility of the Spectraphon. Grab some headphones and give a listen.Patch Notes* Spectraphon sequenced by a pair of Moskwa II sequencers.* Lublin and Maths used for envelopes.* Filtering by Atlas.* Modulation by Chaos and Octasource.* Delay by Mimeophon and reverb by FX Aid. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit michaelconnell.substack.com

Happy Sunday! Hope y’all are enjoying the holiday weekend, for those of us in the U.S. I’m having a busy weekend myself, getting caught up on a backlog of work. Still found time to jam on the synth a bit, as usual. This is a simple composition using Spectraphon to create a variety of tone. Lovely module! Hope you enjoy.Patch Notes* Spectraphon sequenced by Moskwa II* Lublin used for envelope/VCA* Filtering by Atlas * Delay by Mimeophon and reverb by FX Aid This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit michaelconnell.substack.com

Happy Sunday folks. Let’s get this ambient thing going! I spend some rearranging and reducing in my modular cases yesterday. Not that my rig is that big, relatively speaking, in the Eurorack world. Still, I’ve been looking and listening critically to what I gravitate to and I’m cutting out modules that may be fun or interesting, yet end up distracting me from my “artistic vision.” I’ve cut out enough things to remove an 84hp case I was using mainly for sequencing modules. My current favorite sequencers, a pair of Moskwa II by Xaoc were moved to my Doepfer LC9 case - 3 rows of 84hp each. I’m gonna play around with this for a while and see how it goes. Patch Notes* Spectraphon in SAO mode is the main voice, sequenced by a pair of Moskwa II* Percussive bits are by Noise Plethora through Percall, sequenced by Pam’s New Workout* Spectraphon harmonic outs run through Vostok Atlas filter* Lublin VCA used to envelop Spectraphon sub-bass out* Modulation by Chaos and Octasource* Delay by Mimeophon and reverb by FX Aid This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit michaelconnell.substack.com

Happy Sunday gang! It’s a nice, mild day where I’m at and it may be the last before the heat of summer starts creeping in later this week. I’ve been able to spend some time outside this weekend and I’m looking forward to an evening walk after posting this tune. Enjoy!Patch Notes* Morphagene playing mangled drum samples into Spectraphon* Spectraphon harmonic output into Panharmonium* Panharmonium through Lublin for envelope, then Popple filter* Spectraphon sine wave through Lublin for envelope* Sequencing by Moskwa II* Delay by Mimeophon and reverb by FX Aid This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit michaelconnell.substack.com

Happy not Sunday! I’m a day late posting my weekly ambient jam. I finished this recording yesterday and got distracted doing stuff around the house. Late today I realized I never uploaded the recording. Oops. Better late than never, right?Patch Notes* Interstellar Radio into Spectraphon* Spectraphon harmonic outputs through Popple filter* Spectraphon sine wave through wave folder and enveloped by Lublin VCA* Sequencing by Moskwa II* Delay by Mimeophon and reverb by FX Aid This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit michaelconnell.substack.com

Happy Sunday folks! I’ve got a little tune I put together over the weekend. I played around quite a bit to get this one patched and arranged. Honestly, I could have gone longer tweaking it. The weekend is almost over though and it’s back to the grind in the morning. Major scale this time, so happier than usual. Think those happy thoughts. Some days it’s all we have.Patch Notes* Interstellar Radio into Spectraphon, creating the melody from a wall of noise* Spectraphon sequenced by Moskwa II and enveloped by Lublin* Percussion provided by Kickall, Noise Plethora, and Percall* Percussion sequencing by Xaoc Leibniz modules* Popple filter used on Spectraphon * Lots of Modulation by Octasource* Delay by Mimeophon and reverb by FX Aid This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit michaelconnell.substack.com

Happy Sunday! It’s a beautiful day here after a stormy night, and I just got back from a nice walk around the neighborhood. Today’s jam is a simple little tune I pieced together from noise, which has become a theme for me as of late. I’m really enjoying how harsh sounds can be processed and refined into something pleasant. Patch Notes* Noise from Interstellar Radio recorded into Morphagene* Morphagene plays granulated noise into Spectraphon* Spectraphon through Popple filter and Lublin VCA for percussive sounds* Octasource doing lots lot modulation* Sequencing by Moskwa II* Delay by Mimeophon and Reverb by FX Aid This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit michaelconnell.substack.com

Happy Sunday, ambient music lovers! Here’s a jammy little tune I put together this afternoon after a short motorcycle ride. It felt good to get out of the house for a bit and got me in a jamming mood. More fun with music created from noise today. Grab those headphones and check it out. Patch Notes* Schlappi Engineering Interstellar Radio into Morphagene* Samples from Morphagene played into Spectraphon in SAM mode* Spectraphon enveloped by Xaoc Lublin for melodic line* Spectraphon audio also routed through Panharmonium for a kind of strings-ish accompaniment* Percussion by Befaco Kickall, Noise Plethora, and Percall* Delay by Mimeophon and reverb by FX Aid This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit michaelconnell.substack.com

Happy Sunday. Music is a source of solace from the stressors of life for me. It’s needed more than ever in our current time. I again worked with noise sources to produce something that I found calming. It’s kind of analogous to life lately. Lots of noise and it’s a challenge to find calm and peace. We do what we can.Patch Notes* Schlappi Engineering Interstellar Radio into Morphagene* Samples from Morphagene played into Spectraphon in SAM mode* Spectraphon enveloped by Maths for melodic line* Spectraphon audio also routed through Panharmonium for a kind of strings-ish accompaniment * Percussion by Befaco Kickall* Delay by Mimeophon and reverb by FX Aid This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit michaelconnell.substack.com

Happy Sunday y’all! I’m happy that I found more time to jam around on the synth rack today. Lots of experimentation again, with noise serving as the basis for all things in this track. I’d been dabbling with more conventional sequencing for a while and I’m back to using the Xaoc Leibniz modules for some binary pattern derived drum sequencing. In spite of how it may sound, I find I enjoy discovering patterns that way because it feels less like programming.Patch Notes* Schlappi Engineering Interstellar Radio into Spectraphon in SAM mode* Befall Kickall, Noise Plethora, and Percall on drums* Percussion sequencing by Xaoc Leibniz modules* Melodic sequence by Xaoc Moskwa II* Lots of modulation by Ochd and Octasource* Delay by Mimeophon and reverb by FX Aid This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit michaelconnell.substack.com

Happy Sunday evening. Time for a jam and I’ve got another upbeat tune to share. Not sure if this sort of thing is ambient, but it is a bunch of noodling around. As usual, I did some experimentation with new sounds. Last time I mentioned that I ran some noise through my Spectraphon to create the melody. There’s more of that going on in today’s jam. Additionally, the percussion sounds are all generated with noise, with the exception of a sine wave contributing to the kick sound. I really enjoyed sculpting the sounds from various noise sources. I think I’m on to something there.Patch Notes* Melodic voice is Spectraphon in SAM mode processing noise from Schlappi Engineering Interstellar Radio (what a cool name.) The Spectraphon then gets some grit from a EuroRat module.* Maths and a LPG used for sound shaping the Spectraphon.* Lots of modulation by Ochd and Octosource.* Eloquencer does the sequencing with some help from a Moskwa II.* Delay by Mimeophon and reverb by FX Aid. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit michaelconnell.substack.com