DivKid Unleashes the Four Seas – A Eurorack Hurricane

DivKid jumps headfirst into the digital whirlpool with the Four Seas, the first module from Ferry Island Modular. Fresh out of Finland, this four-dimensional wavetable oscillator offers sonic navigations through a 3D cube with an additional ‘intelligent spread.’ The lack of menus or presets is a godsend for those who want immediate control without faffing about. DivKid, ever the enthusiast, begins to unravel its features, setting the stage for a deep dive into sonic exploration. As he introduces the module, the promise of four outputs with independent spread controls hints at a world of untapped potential. It’s a heady blend of through-zero phase modulation, phase distortion waveshaping, and more geekiness than a sci-fi convention.

DivKid takes us on an excursion through the sea of features that the Four Seas offers. Starting with tuning controls, which offer both coarse and fine adjustments, and the ability to lock in your settings to avoid any mid-performance mishaps. He moves onto linear FM and pitch spread, noting how these spread the pitches across outputs 2, 3, and 4, creating harmonious chaos. Then there’s the wavetable section with 12 banks ready to unleash all possible sonic mayhem. This section includes global control over X, Y, and Z positions, allowing for continuous interpolation, making for smoother transitions. The unconventional spread control acts like a mad scientist’s tuning fork, distorting wavetables across multiple dimensions. DivKid is quick to point out the intriguing sync features and modulation inputs, opening pathways to self-patching without additional modules – bliss for the patch-crazy. As Four Seas teeters on the edge of sonic insanity, it promises both pure, untamed noise and beautifully crafted sound.

Building on his earlier explorations, DivKid jumps into the phase modulation features. With extensive external sine waves, he shows how to phase modulate internal tones, creating harmonically rich sounds. The Four Seas’ unique output architecture allows for intricate self-patching, unlike anything you’d find in traditional setups. This is where the Four Seas truly shines for those with a penchant for unpredictability. DivKid demonstrates how combining phase modulation with hard sync has the potential to create an otherworldly selection of tones, transitioning from piercing digital FM to the mellower vibes of the modular realm. Here we see the Four Seas not just as another sound source, but a multi-faceted entity in modular synthesis. With its complex features, it reimagines the boundaries of what’s possible in sonic modulation.

Sync is the name of the game as DivKid delves into the synchronisation features of the Four Seas. With options for hard sync, soft sync with phase shifts, and the intriguing flip sync, it’s clear this module is loaded with possibilities. The sync features are visually mirrored in on-screen displays, enhancing understanding with practical examples. These show how each mode affects waveforms and their resultant harmonic properties. Particularly fascinating is the flip sync, which offers an unusual waveform reversal. DivKid utilises the harmonic properties of syncing to create pulses and rhythms that are organic yet mechanically precise. The results are sync sweeps that pulse through speakers like energy waves. He elaborates on using envelopes and LFOs for sync modulation, demonstrating how playing with these elements can lead to musically rich patterns. This portion of the module lets those who revel in creating dynamic, ever-shifting tones take full advantage of its abilities.