The way things evolved, we found that 12HP was the way to go as a base size, as it is also the minimum size for a module that has Sync IO in the rear (which all of these do, except for SMX-3).
So yes, ART is the first “verb”. It is designed to be chained so that you have transformations you can modulate in steps. It is the AFFINE TRANSFORM verb, and covers MOVE (X & Y knobs), SCALE (XX & YY knobs), SHEAR (XY & YX knobs).
The next verb would be MOTION based, and cover SCROLL & ROTATE/SPIN.
Another big thing that changed is that ART (and future verbs) have auto calibrating HV ramp generators integrated into them. So that means each verb is also a standalone shape/figure generator. When you patch into the HV inputs (the ones with the little icons) you are overriding the internal ramps.
DSG (Dual Shape Generator) is then an output function bank for the vectors created or modified by ART (or DWO). A typical patch could have a pair of ARTs patched into the HV inputs of a DSG to generate 2 shapes that are then “movable, shearable, and scaleable.”
Hope this isn’t too much of a tangent: how do the standalone instruments (I’m thinking of Solarium, Covidiot, and the (scrapped?) texture instrument) fit into gen 3? I’ve been fascinated by the whole Automata/Chrono series idea.
Different levels of abstraction is the main difference. Think of it like zooming in.
If we zoom all the way out in LZX land, we have instruments. Memory Palace, Chromagnon, and future Automata instruments. The instruments are like very complex patches with a performance interface, and cover some functional territory that would be prohibitive to try to patch on a modular system. And may include functions that just aren’t practical in a single module.
So think of the instruments like an Oberheim SEM voice or a monosynth. They encapsulate a complex but usable workflow, in a way that allows them to expanded like a polyphonic instrument (these comparisons only work if you are a music synth user too – so forgive me if I’m being obtuse.)
Now, we zoom one step further into LZX land, and we find that the functions in the instruments are composed of modules. Once we are done with Gen3 modular you should be able to patch up most of what Chromagnon and other instruments do. Modules have a different design priority – a system user can create a modular system that is more like building their own instrument with modules. So things like function density and a more straightforward approach to “1 primary function = 1 module”, and small modules you can use as building blocks is key here, as those goals empower the user to create whatever they want. With modular we are presuming you are buying several modules so you can design your own system. And there will be plenty of recipes and bundles we will offer for that, too.
Expedition series often combined multiple functions in one module. This was great within the scope of what we were trying to do – explore a world of new experimental ideas for video synth functions – but eventually a module gets so big that it makes more sense to include the holistic workflow (video input, video output, compositing) along with whatever primary function is involved.
For example, Visual Cortex – we did something right there, but it’s not really a “module” in the building block sense – it’s the first prototype for an instrument. Visual Cortex ultimately limits modular expansion in the sense that you cannot have multiple fader/compositor sections or multiple output encoders, or multiple ramps, without taking up a lot of space. War of the Ants, Fortress – also great examples of mini instruments.
So the idea in this gen3 era for us is to eliminate some redundancy and reorganize. It is a spring cleaning and update of all the circuitry. Things that were previously hybrid mini voices (like Fortress and War of the Ants and Cortex) will get expanded and made into full instruments. Things that were previously hybrid functions will get put on 12HP modules that encapsulate a functional step (like generating 2D waveforms, keying/compositing two RGB layers, etc).
We are trying to not be concerned with any market trends and just do what we feel like empowers the user best.
So with “LZX video synthesis” you really have a few options:
- Stick to the instruments like Chromagnon, and expand/patch between “voices.” Like a studio full of monosynths you are mixing.
- Use an instrument like Chromagnon as a “base station” and add modules to it as expander functions. For example, adding a DWO to Chromagnon is very useful!
- Go “pure modular” and roll your own instrument/studio/88 band colorizer, etc. In this case you’d want to start with ESG-3.
Please let me know if anyone has questions on this. This is a description of our core philosophy/approach right now – one which is ultimately hoped to benefit/empower the community!
