DivKid Unleashes the Swell: Valve Mayhem and Modulation Madness

DivKid kicks things off with a literal first patch on the Swell, Bartola Instruments’ new filter and valve gain stage. Straight out of the box, this thing oozes character like a snag dripping on the barbie—thanks to its tube-driven distortion and unique filter topology. The Swell isn’t just about polite filtering; it’s about pushing those saw waves into a hot, saturated mess that’s as lively as a kangaroo on a caffeine binge.

The video wastes no time showing off the Swell’s ability to blend classic filtering with valve grit. With two sawtooth oscillators mixed and slammed into the Swell, then out to some stereo effects, DivKid demonstrates how this filter can go from clean to filthy with a twist of the gain. The tube sits after the filter, letting you drive resonance into glorious mayhem, or keep things cleaner if you prefer your sweeps less rowdy. It’s a filter for those who like their sound with a bit of bite and unpredictability.

Once the basic audio path is sorted, DivKid dives into the real fun—modulation. He strips back the patch to show how envelopes and step sequences can breathe life into Swell’s cutoff and resonance. It’s not just about static sweeps; it’s about making the filter dance like it’s dodging magpies in spring.

By patching a main envelope into the FM input and a step sequence into resonance, DivKid reveals how Swell responds to dynamic modulation. The result? Some notes leap out with resonant zing, while others lay back, giving the patch a living, breathing feel. If you want your filter to sound less like a robot and more like a wild animal, this is the way to do it.

Here’s where things get spicy—DivKid doesn’t just settle for one modulation source. He mixes an accent envelope, a main envelope, and a step sequence, all wrangled through a dual VCA acting as a mixer, and feeds them into Swell’s v/oct input. It’s like throwing three different hot sauces on your snags and seeing what happens.

This triple-threat approach lets you create complex, evolving filter movements that keep your ears guessing. The accent envelope adds punch, the main envelope brings flow, and the step sequence injects unpredictable jumps. The result is a filter response that’s dynamic, expressive, and perfect for anyone who wants their modular rig to feel alive and a bit unhinged.

DivKid wraps things up with a cheeky nudge to the future—this is just the first taste of what Swell can do. He invites viewers to drop their questions and patch requests, promising a deeper dive demo when the module officially drops. It’s the classic DivKid move: tease just enough to get you frothing for more.

If you’re keen to see how Swell handles different sources, wilder modulation, or even your own audio, DivKid’s got the door open. The best bits are yet to come, and if this first patch is anything to go by, the next round will be even more bonkers. Stay tuned, and maybe start saving for a new patch cable or two—this filter’s going to need them.