MORE ARTICLE WITH Frap Tools Sapèl

19. November 2025

MILES

Frap Tools: Wiring a Grand Piano into the Modular Matrix

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Frap Tools: Wiring a Grand Piano into the Modular Matrix

Frap Tools takes us on a meticulous journey into the world of electroacoustic composition, where the elegant resonance of a Yamaha C3 grand piano is woven into the fabric of a modular synth patch. In this detailed walkthrough, Francesco Gennari demonstrates how acoustic and electronic elements can be made to converse, not merely coexist, using a host of Frap Tools modules and some carefully chosen extras. The video is a masterclass in routing, modulation, and sonic layering, offering a rare glimpse into the mechanics of integrating traditional instruments with the modular ecosystem. For those who think patch cables and piano

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13. August 2025

MILES

Frap Tools: Counterpoint and Cross-FM – A Modular Dialogue in Studio No. 5

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Frap Tools: Counterpoint and Cross-FM – A Modular Dialogue in Studio No. 5

Frap Tools delivers a masterclass in modular counterpoint with Francesco Gennari’s performance of ‘Studio No. 5’, where analog and digital timbres collide in a carefully orchestrated patch. This video isn’t just a performance—it’s a deep dive into the mechanics of cross-FM, voice layering, and the subtle art of modular composition. With a rig built around Brenso, Hertz Donut MK1, and a host of supporting modules, Gennari demonstrates how to weave three independent voices into a coherent, evolving narrative. Expect a blend of technical insight, patching tricks, and a clear-eyed look at how different synthesis techniques interact within a Eurorack ecosystem.

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9. July 2025

MILES

Frap Tools: Tape Loops Meet Modular – Sync, Sequence, and Sonic Alchemy in Studio No.4

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Frap Tools: Tape Loops Meet Modular – Sync, Sequence, and Sonic Alchemy in Studio No.4

In this deep-dive from Frap Tools, composer Francesco Gennari demonstrates the artful collision of tape and modular synthesis, crafting a meditative étude that blurs the lines between analog warmth and modular precision. The video showcases how a humble four-track tape loop can become the rhythmic heart of a Eurorack system, with the Frap Tools Usta sequencer and a host of modules dancing to its pulse. Expect a methodical walkthrough of patching, clock extraction, and creative routing, all delivered with the Italian brand’s signature attention to sonic detail. For those who care about signal flow, modulation strategies, and the tactile joy

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9. April 2025

MILES

Frap Tools: Dissecting Stereo Dyads and Modular Choreography in Studio No. 2

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Frap Tools: Dissecting Stereo Dyads and Modular Choreography in Studio No. 2

Frap Tools returns with a deep-dive into modular composition, as Francesco Gennari unpacks his latest étude, “Studio No. 2.” This video is a rare treat for anyone obsessed with stereo imaging, as Gennari demonstrates the art of crafting two-note dyads that dance across the stereo field. From piano sketches to a fully realised Eurorack patch, the walkthrough covers everything from using filters as oscillators to sequencing evolving patterns with the USTA. Expect a meticulous breakdown of patching, modulation, and the integration of external effects, all delivered with Frap Tools’ signature attention to sonic detail and workflow.

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26. February 2025

MILES

Frap Tools: Ben Carey on Feedback Patching, Tactile Design and Resonant Modular Workflows

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Frap Tools: Ben Carey on Feedback Patching, Tactile Design and Resonant Modular Workflows

In this episode from Frap Tools, Australian composer and educator Ben Carey takes us through his journey from classical saxophone to the unpredictable world of modular synthesis. The conversation dives deep into the tactile joys of patching, the creative divide between building custom instruments and using ready-made synths, and the unique character of feedback and resonance in modular patches. With a dry wit and a patch-oriented perspective, the discussion unpacks not just the technical details of Carey’s latest patch, but also the philosophical and practical reasons why hands-on control and generative processes remain at the heart of inspiring electronic music.

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19. February 2025

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Frap Tools: Cross-FM, Fake Polyphony and Modular Mute Sorcery – A Performance Dissected

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Frap Tools: Cross-FM, Fake Polyphony and Modular Mute Sorcery – A Performance Dissected

Frap Tools delivers another deep-dive into the modular trenches, this time with Francesco Gennari at the helm, dissecting a performance that’s equal parts technical showcase and creative experiment. The video unpacks the art of cross-FM using the Brenso oscillator, conjuring fake polyphony with the Verbos Multi Delay Processor, and wrangling mutes for maximum musical impact via the QSC mixer and Usta sequencer. Expect a patch breakdown that’s as much about clever modulation and routing as it is about raw sonic character—classic Frap Tools, with a focus on how each module shapes the performance. For those who like their modular with

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30. October 2024

MILES

Frap Tools: Mat Watson, Modular Systems and the Art of Distorting Time

© Picture: Frap Tools (YouTube)

Frap Tools: Mat Watson, Modular Systems and the Art of Distorting Time

Australian multi-instrumentalist Mat Watson sits down with Frap Tools for a deep dive into his modular synthesis philosophy, blending the wilds of the EMS Synthi with the precision of Eurorack. This episode of “Let’s Talk Music” is less a product demo and more a journey through Watson’s patching mindset—where voltage, rhythm, and sound design collide. Expect thoughtful musings on the evolution of musical discovery, hands-on patch breakdowns using Frap Tools modules, and a candid discussion about challenging the defaults in both music and modular workflows. If you’re after patch inspiration or just want to hear how a seasoned artist bends

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13. August 2024

MILES

Frap Tools: Modal Counterpoint Meets Modular – Trevor Tunnacliffe’s Oceanic Patchwork

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Frap Tools: Modal Counterpoint Meets Modular – Trevor Tunnacliffe’s Oceanic Patchwork

What happens when Renaissance counterpoint collides with the voltage-driven world of Eurorack? In this episode from Frap Tools’ podcast, composer and multi-instrumentalist Trevor Tunnacliffe takes us through his journey from viola da gamba to modular synths, weaving early music sensibilities into the fabric of contemporary sound design. The discussion dives deep into modal counterpoint, the compositional quirks of the Unthunk collective, and the technical artistry behind a modular patch that channels the ebb and flow of ocean swells. As always with Frap Tools, the focus is on thoughtful design, sonic detail, and the creative possibilities that emerge when historical technique

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8. August 2024

MILES

Frap Tools: Modal Counterpoint Meets Modular—Trevor Tunnacliffe’s Oceanic Patchwork

© Picture: Frap Tools (YouTube)

Frap Tools: Modal Counterpoint Meets Modular—Trevor Tunnacliffe’s Oceanic Patchwork

Frap Tools brings us a deep dive into the musical world of Trevor Tunnacliffe, a Vancouver-based composer whose roots in early Renaissance counterpoint intertwine with a modern modular synth ethos. In this episode of “Let’s Talk Music,” Trevor unpacks his journey from viola da gamba to Eurorack, revealing how modal counterpoint and oceanic inspiration shape his collective project, Unthunk. The discussion weaves together patch design, environmental themes, and collaborative composition, all filtered through Frap Tools’ signature lens for detail and sonic nuance. Expect a blend of historical rigor and patch-based experimentation, with plenty of voltage, timelines, and a dash of

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24. July 2024

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Frap Tools CUNSA: Unconventional Filter Patching Explored

© Picture: Frap Tools (YouTube)

Frap Tools CUNSA: Unconventional Filter Patching Explored

Frap Tools, the Italian maestros of modular design, take their CUNSA filter for a spin off the beaten path in this video. Instead of sticking to classic filtering, they dive into stereo manipulation, triggers as audio, and gates as modulators, showing just how versatile a filter module can be in a Eurorack setup. The patching is hands-on and exploratory, with a strong emphasis on modulation, semi-normalled connections, and creative routing. If you’re the sort who wonders what happens when you patch a gate into a resonance input, this demonstration is right up your alley. The video’s spirit is all about

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