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Interface Magazine Column August/September 2023 Youtube Tutorials

 


Video Tutorials:

During my adventures with modular modules, I sometimes become somewhat uncertain about the following: I enjoy searching forums, watching tutorials, and conducting research just as much as actually getting hands-on experience with my modules. Sometimes, I wonder if I should spend more time on practical experimentation instead of losing myself in the world of information.


Hoyte van Hoytema, a respected cinematographer who collaborated with director Christopher Nolan on films like Interstellar and Oppenheimer, shed light on this during a Zomergasten broadcast. He shared a retro video clip from 1970 featuring Wendy Carlos explaining the world of modular sound synthesis in a structured manner. Hoyte's appreciation for tutorials that combine creativity and technology made me realize that my fascination with research alongside practical experimentation isn't all that strange.


An engaging discussion on the Modular Reddit forum revolved around the various elements that make YouTube tutorials appealing. Speed of speech, language usage, the presence or absence of (covert) advertising, building patches from scratch, or explaining technical specifications of a module – various preferences were shared. It made me realize that there is no universal tutorial to acquire knowledge of modular sound synthesis. Just as you can choose between different modules, you can also draw from tutorials with different approaches - from calm and structured to lively and expressive. Just as there is an endless variety of sounds you can create with Eurorack, there are also endless ways to learn and find inspiration through tutorials.


I often approach it this way: I watch a tutorial about a module, apply the knowledge, and along the way, I get inspired to experiment further, something I enjoy. Perhaps the guilt isn't entirely gone, but I now realize that my unique blend of curiosity and a desire to experiment is leading me exactly where I want to be: right in the enchanting world of modular possibilities. Technique and inspiration go hand in hand, and my journey of discovery is just beginning.


This is the mentioned video: Link to the video


Dutch version: 


Tijdens mijn avonturen met modulaire modules word ik soms enigszins onzeker over het volgende; ik geniet minstens zo veel van het doorzoeken van fora, het bekijken van tutorials en het doen van onderzoek als van het daadwerkelijke hands-on experimenteren met mijn modules. Soms vraag ik me af of ik niet méér tijd zou moeten besteden aan daadwerkelijk praktisch bezig zijn, in plaats van mezelf te verliezen in de wereld van informatie.


Hoyte van Hoytema, die als gewaardeerd cinematograaf samenwerkte met regisseur Christopher Nolan aan films als Interstellar en Oppenheimer, bracht verlichting tijdens een Zomergasten-uitzending. Hij deelde een retro videofragment uit 1970 van Wendy Carlos die op gestructureerde wijze de wereld van modulaire geluidssynthese uitlegde. Hoytes waardering voor tutorials waarin creativiteit en techniek samenkomen, laat me realiseren dat mijn fascinatie voor onderzoek doen naast praktisch experimenteren helemaal niet zo vreemd is.


Een boeiende discussie op het Modular Reddit forum ging over de diverse elementen die YouTube-tutorials aantrekkelijk maken. Snelheid van spreken, taalgebruik, het al dan niet voorkomen van (sluik)reclame, het opbouwen van patches from scratch of juist technische specificaties van een module uitleggen – allerlei voorkeuren werden gedeeld. Het deed me beseffen dat er geen universele tutorial is om kennis van modulaire geluidssynthese te vergaren. Zoals je kunt kiezen tussen verschillende modules, kun je ook putten uit tutorials met verschillende insteek - van rustig en gestructureerd tot levendig en expressief. Net zoals er een eindeloze variatie aan geluiden is die je kunt creëren met Eurorack, zijn er dus ook eindeloze manieren om te leren en inspiratie te krijgen door tutorials.


Vaak pak ik het zo aan; ik kijk een tutorial over een module, pas de kennis toe en raak gaandeweg dat proces geïnspireerd om verder te experimenteren, iets waar ik van geniet. Misschien is het schuldgevoel niet helemaal verdwenen, maar ik besef nu dat mijn eigen unieke mix van nieuwsgierigheid en experimenteerdrang me precies daar brengt waar ik wil zijn: midden in de betoverende wereld van modulaire mogelijkheden. Techniek en inspiratie gaan prima samen, en mijn ontdekkingstocht is nog maar net begonnen. 


Link to the video


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