Toppobrillo Sport Modulator 2 – how to use?

[Del]

I was reading about feedback control using an envelope follower. How would this work with the Sport Mod? Could I mult whatever output I'm using, sending one copy to a vca and one to a sport mod in, set the sport mod rate quite high, and use the output, inverted, to control the vca? That can't be right.

[SoundMahn]

It’s annoying that Toppobrillo is avoiding giving us even a basic manual, but then again, Cwejman and Buchla didn’t really provide manuals, either.

Surely you'll be temp banned for these negative vibes like I was, right?

[mdoudoroff]

It’s annoying that Toppobrillo is avoiding giving us even a basic manual, but then again, Cwejman and Buchla didn’t really provide manuals, either.

Surely you'll be temp banned for these negative vibes like I was, right?

On the plus side, Toppobrillo just surfaced yesterday with a manual and videos for the Multifilter, and stated that SM2 will be next.

[MoS-squared]

I was reading about feedback control using an envelope follower. How would this work with the Sport Mod? Could I mult whatever output I'm using, sending one copy to a vca and one to a sport mod in, set the sport mod rate quite high, and use the output, inverted, to control the vca? That can't be right.

What is the Sport Mod controlling? Or are you using it as a sound source? If it’s controlling something, you can mult the output of that thing, send it to a vca and env. follower, invert the env. from the follower and use that to close the vca.
So if what’s coming out of the vca gets too loud, the inverted env will close the vca an appropriate amount

[mdoudoroff]

I was reading about feedback control using an envelope follower. How would this work with the Sport Mod? Could I mult whatever output I'm using, sending one copy to a vca and one to a sport mod in, set the sport mod rate quite high, and use the output, inverted, to control the vca? That can't be right.

What is the Sport Mod controlling? Or are you using it as a sound source? If it’s controlling something, you can mult the output of that thing, send it to a vca and env. follower, invert the env. from the follower and use that to close the vca.
So if what’s coming out of the vca gets too loud, the inverted env will close the vca an appropriate amount

Seems like it should be possible to use the SM or SM2 as an envelope follower for ultimately regulating a feedback circuit with an inverter and VCA, but might you not have to rectify (half or full) your audio source before patching it to the sport mod? Something like Maths has the advantage of already being unipolar-oriented, as well as providing separate control over rise and fall.

[BaloErets]

Not sure if this has been noted, but you can generate a morphing Sawtooth, to Triangle to Ramp wave by patching the end output of channel 1 to the CV1 output of channel 1 (Or of course do the same with Channel 2).

The CV1 attenuverter will morph from a saw to a triangle to a ramp, but it will have a heavy impact the rate, so you always have CV2 available to supply offset on stored voltages to keep it in range and melodic.

Cycling switch set in the upper position and Mode switch down. Good times

[mdoudoroff]

Since it’s now buried halfway back the thread and we’ve got a bunch of new SM2 users, a reminder that we’ve got a draft patch book. The morphing sawtooth/triangle/ramp trick is documented on the two VCLFO pages:

Here’s a PDF compilation of the sixteen (so far!) illustrated patches.


sport-modulator-2 patch book draft 28-03-22.pdf

Warning: rough draft! Please report errors! Thanks! Enjoy!

[SMSHFFLD]

Been enjoying this module for about a week now and decided to tinker with unipolar outputs this afternoon for a bit. Was able to create a nice ASR envelope generator that only uses one half:

Trigger/gate to IN
END to CV1
Both switches down
RATE and CV1 attenuator control response of attack & release

[toppobrillo]

I was reading about feedback control using an envelope follower. How would this work with the Sport Mod? Could I mult whatever output I'm using, sending one copy to a vca and one to a sport mod in, set the sport mod rate quite high, and use the output, inverted, to control the vca? That can't be right.

sure, just as well as any other lag processor does the job. Typically , rectification is involved, but beyond that, all you're doing is charging a cap and allowing it to discharge at some rate. You can get usable results. A tip: mult the END outback into CV1 and crank CW to get sharper attacks, longer decays- this way it will also tend to stay positive, as envelope followers do.

[Del]

Seems like it should be possible to use the SM or SM2 as an envelope follower for ultimately regulating a feedback circuit with an inverter and VCA, but might you not have to rectify (half or full) your audio source before patching it to the sport mod? Something like Maths has the advantage of already being unipolar-oriented, as well as providing separate control over rise and fall.

sure, just as well as any other lag processor does the job. Typically , rectification is involved, but beyond that, all you're doing is charging a cap and allowing it to discharge at some rate. You can get usable results. A tip: mult the END outback into CV1 and crank CW to get sharper attacks, longer decays- this way it will also tend to stay positive, as envelope followers do.

Thanks, both of you.

[BaloErets]

Since it’s now buried halfway back the thread and we’ve got a bunch of new SM2 users, a reminder that we’ve got a draft patch book. The morphing sawtooth/triangle/ramp trick is documented on the two VCLFO pages:

Here’s a PDF compilation of the sixteen (so far!) illustrated patches.


sport-modulator-2 patch book draft 28-03-22.pdf

Warning: rough draft! Please report errors! Thanks! Enjoy!

Cheers. I went through the patch book quickly and while I did overlook that the functionality was there, I feel a message of that immediate access in the heart of the patch-programming the SM is capable of is lacking. Perhaps better covered in a comprehensible manual.

I had an OG SM since 2016. It's a functionality that while I knew was there since the early days, lately I tend to approach it from crazy 2 channel cross-modulation and forgot the most simple an appreciated functions it can provide when you break it down into it's basic functions.

All to say that having an updated SM has led me to approach it again from a beginners standpoint and I'm being more and more reminded of the benefits of it's basic functionality.

Always nice to revisit an old friend

[SMSHFFLD]

Nice module. Envelope follower is quite simple in Unipolar mode using just one side

Audio into IN
Both switches down
END into CV1
CV attenuverter fully CW

RATE to adjust response as posted above. Around noon has been tightest for me, but seems to vary depending on what audio I feed it.

OUT provides envelope

[toppobrillo]

Nice module. Envelope follower is quite simple in Unipolar mode using just one side

Audio into IN
Both switches down
END into CV1
CV attenuverter fully CW

RATE to adjust response as posted above. Around noon has been tightest for me, but seems to vary depending on what audio I feed it.

OUT provides envelope

Unipolar jumper *only* affects cycling behaviour when using the cycle switch- infact- if you leave the jumpers set to BIPOLAR and you want a unipolar cycle once in a while- you can just patch the END output back into the INPUT. This is will also give you a bit more range in the top-end since it's only going to cycle from ~0 to +5.6V.

[SMSHFFLD]

This is great info! I've been approaching the module from the perspective of, what pieces do I need to get whatever desired result and it's been super satisfying

[Mixcatonic]

Nice module. Envelope follower is quite simple in Unipolar mode using just one side

Audio into IN
Both switches down
END into CV1
CV attenuverter fully CW

RATE to adjust response as posted above. Around noon has been tightest for me, but seems to vary depending on what audio I feed it.

OUT provides envelope

Unipolar jumper *only* affects cycling behaviour when using the cycle switch- infact- if you leave the jumpers set to BIPOLAR and you want a unipolar cycle once in a while- you can just patch the END output back into the INPUT. This is will also give you a bit more range in the top-end since it's only going to cycle from ~0 to +5.6V.

Oh this is perfect! I was worrying that I might still GAS for a SSG to cycle 0-5v ‘properly’ with my euroSerge stuff without using attenuators. Happy to get identical behavior by patching the cycle.

[toppobrillo]

Nice module. Envelope follower is quite simple in Unipolar mode using just one side

Audio into IN
Both switches down
END into CV1
CV attenuverter fully CW

RATE to adjust response as posted above. Around noon has been tightest for me, but seems to vary depending on what audio I feed it.

OUT provides envelope

Unipolar jumper *only* affects cycling behaviour when using the cycle switch- infact- if you leave the jumpers set to BIPOLAR and you want a unipolar cycle once in a while- you can just patch the END output back into the INPUT. This is will also give you a bit more range in the top-end since it's only going to cycle from ~0 to +5.6V.

Oh this is perfect! I was worrying that I might still GAS for a SSG to cycle 0-5v ‘properly’ with my euroSerge stuff without using attenuators. Happy to get identical behavior by patching the cycle.

[Naive Teen Idol]

Wondering if @Navs has any insights into the SM2. His page seems to be filled with highly regarded examples of the OG SM – but the videos/animations are broken.

[Naive Teen Idol]

SM2 drum and bass!

The below clip is based on the Triple Rhythm Generator patch. The idea here is that you send a mult-ed clock into the top and bottom S&H, send the End of each back into the In and then three gates out (End top and bottom and Cupl to the Disting EX SD 6 Triggers mode). The result is an interesting series of rhythms that sound a little like Euclidean rhythms ... but not.

There's a couple of tweaks here: I'm actually having the Tempi vary the clock out so that one of the SM2 S&H inputs gets a double-time clock every 1/3 of a measure. I'm also using an random gate generator from Marbles' T section to trigger an open hi-hat. Since Marbles is clocked by SM2 it's random but in sync w the beat.

Also, the melody is generated by SM2 (and quantized by Marbles) from its top output.

[toppobrillo]

SM2 drum and bass!

The below clip is based on the Triple Rhythm Generator patch. The idea here is that you send a mult-ed clock into the top and bottom S&H, send the End of each back into the In and then three gates out (End top and bottom and Cupl to the Disting EX SD 6 Triggers mode). The result is an interesting series of rhythms that sound a little like Euclidean rhythms ... but not.

There's a couple of tweaks here: I'm actually having the Tempi vary the clock out so that one of the SM2 S&H inputs gets a double-time clock every 1/3 of a measure. I'm also using an random gate generator from Marbles' T section to trigger an open hi-hat. Since Marbles is clocked by SM2 it's random but in sync w the beat.

Also, the melody is generated by SM2 (and quantized by Marbles) from its top output.

nice!! thanks for sharing.

[Paranormal Patroler]

I'm unsure at what level we want to keep the examples, but it's rather obvious that it can also be used as a kind of dual window comparator: just multi the same signal to both inputs, define your points by firing the S&H input at the appropriate levels based on incoming voltage, and you get your pulses out of the two END outputs.

I just bought one earlier today. I'm sure there are some hidden jems while crosspatching.

[greyscales]

I made a video about the SM2 showing some basic, yet fun, patches. Wanted to put this out there for anyone struggling to understand how it works or to see different patch ideas.

Not sure if I've seen anybody talking about using the SM2 as a synced oscillator but I love the way it sounds. It sounds and functions a little bit like a Mannequins Mangrove, although it uses a different approach. It's around 5:12 in the video. Using the comparator out at audio rates is wicked too.

[mdoudoroff]

I made a video about the SM2 showing some basic, yet fun, patches. Wanted to put this out there for anyone struggling to understand how it works or to see different patch ideas.

Bravo! Nicely done.

[oliverkollar]

I made a video about the SM2 showing some basic, yet fun, patches. Wanted to put this out there for anyone struggling to understand how it works or to see different patch ideas.

GREAT job!
The SM2 is one of my favorites.

[sellanraa]

I'm sure it's been said somewhere buried in this thread, but the Cigler vid on the v1 is still incredibly useful for anyone new to the Sport Modulator, regardless of version.

[informationsource]

I made a video about the SM2 showing some basic, yet fun, patches. Wanted to put this out there for anyone struggling to understand how it works or to see different patch ideas.

Bravo! Nicely done.

This is terrific! Not just a solid walkthrough of the basic functions, but a great concrete demo of the audio rate brilliance. Kudos!

I've scribbled up some patch notes for thread completeness:

---

Sport Mangrove

Panel settings:

• Both channels CYCLE switch up/on, CUPL and MODE switches down/off
• Patch CH 2 OUT into CH 1 GATE
• Patch pitch sequence into CH 2 CV2 to emulate Mangrove's CONSTANT FORMANT mode.
• Mult that same pitch sequence into CH 1 CV2 to emulate Mangrove's CONSTANT WAVE mode.
• Monitor CH 1 OUT for a hard-synced triangle wave, similar in this patch to the FORMANT output of Mangrove.
• Monitor END for a square wave.
• Adjust CH 2 RATE to set the main/reference/overall pitch of the oscillator.
• Adjust CH 1 RATE to set the timbre and/or frequency division of the outputs

Notes

• CONSTANT FORMANT = formant frequency not connected to pitch CV. CONSTANT WAVE = formant frequency connected to pitch CV. Mangrove handles this with a panel switch that connects the v/8 pitch CV to ; you could patch a multed copy of pitch CV via a switch (e.g. a channel of Joranalogue's Switch 4, or Tesseract 8x8/12x12 Matrix) to gain the ability to enable/disable this without patching.
• The architecture here is different to Mangrove - there's no independent slope control, and there's no VCA/overdrive on board. This means there's a lot of unexplored territory. Experiment!
• Some things I'd like to try: mult Out 1 and/or Out 2 to their respective CV 1 inputs for exp/log waveshaping; monitor and/or self-patch CUPL OUT + CH 2 END into various inputs.

---

I'm in awe of this. One of those discoveries that, now it's pointed out, seems so obvious. "Basic" is relative!