Herbs and Stones Liquid Foam: What is it?
We initial reviewed the Liquid Foam back again when it was a standalone instrument, cased in a wood box and connecting to other devices through banana plugs. We loved it back then and it has remained a frequent resource of inspiration, churning out somewhat unpredictable sequences and gorgeous tones. The only true draw back we could see to it was that it was not the best to use as part of a studio workflow.
Herbs and Stones has now released the Eurorack version of Liquid Foam and we’re so pleased they have, as obtaining the great output in an simple to integrate module helps make this even far more of a seem financial investment.
Herbs and Stones Liquid Foam: Functionality and verdict
Liquid Foam is a solitary VCO module that can output PWM, variable noticed and triangle, all of which can be output singularly or together. There is a flexible two-pole 12db filter, which is buttery smooth in the two reduced pass and significant move, moreover a cmos-dependent generate circuit for added grit. Tones assortment from delicate and sensitive to thick and squelchy.
Churns out unpredictable sequences and stunning tones
The envelope generator is a bit quirky, in basic terms, but its decay-only (invertible) output performs nicely, especially when paired with the sequencer, which is perhaps the quirkiest aspect in this article. There are two of them, each individual with 4 patch details and right here is where the pleasurable begins.
As we’ve stated of Liquid Foam just before, it isn’t the type of module that you programme for repeatable final results, that adhere to a grid, but is an complete hoot to enjoy with. It can produce all fashion of tones and patterns, by mixing voltages from the LFO, envelopes, clock (which it has in and out jacks for) and pitch controls.
The selections for interoperability listed here make for surprises and after a few hours have been invested experimenting, it all falls into position and patching results in being extra natural as the mental muscle-memory connects the dots. Pairing this with the relaxation of a rack turns the total thing into a far more experimental journey, which we give significant praise for.
Bodily the Liquid Foam is pretty very similar to the standalone edition, as you’d be expecting, just on a lesser scale. It is a shallow module so will fit in any skiff. Roadworthiness is higher too, as every thing feels protected, well manufactured and should endure the rigours of gigging. Labeling is obviously printed and although some functions are mysterious, navigating is uncomplicated.
All in all, Liquid Foam is unchanged, other than to congratulate its builders on generating a Eurorack edition, which means considerably less electrical power cable muddle and desk room wanted and nearer interaction with other modular equipment. Liquid Foam stays a person of the most oddly gratifying modules out there. It proceeds to inspire and that is a hallmark of a excellent groovebox.
MusicRadar verdict: Liquid Foam continues to be a worthwhile and musical module. Investing time to find out its characteristics is a ought to and, as soon as finished, will pay back you again in spades.
Herbs and Stones Liquid Foam: The world-wide-web claims
“The strength of the Liquid Foam lies in the truth that you can patch pretty sophisticated, wild patterns without the need of a designed-in sequencer. All of this is now available in Eurorack and I think the choices are even wider.”
Synth Anatomy
