How to create a self generating patch - Behringer Crave Tutorial

In this video, I share my approach to creating self-generating patches on the Behringer Crave, inspired by a question I received recently. This isn’t a technical deep dive but rather a practical walkthrough based on my own experimentation. I’ll guide you through the process of setting up a patch, exploring randomness, and crafting evolving soundscapes.

This patch relies on simple techniques, like routing the Assign Output to Random and using multiples to modulate various parameters like the filter cutoff and oscillator pitch. I also share how to use LFOs to add unpredictability to your sequences and sound.

Effects used:
Reverb: Valhalla Supermassive, Valhalla VintageVerb
Compression: Ableton Limiter
EQ: Soundtoys Sie-Q

Let me know in the comments if this inspired your own self-generating patches. I’d love to hear what you create!

socials:

Written and produce by Tim Roy

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:54 Global settings
1:43 Setting Up the Initial Patch
2:30 Audio effects
3:08 Patchbay connections
4:35 Sequencer pattern
5:24 Increasing randomness
6:17 Final touches
7:36 Just listen...

[dennismosercreativearts]

I hope you will do more along this line... it's nice to see the Crave used in a non-EDM/Beats context and the more ambient and generative way. Thanks!

[cuntbakwerdz]

Yean man this is great. Some really inventive patching. Bring em!

[vandermore]

I really appreciate the tutorial. Im definitely interested in seeing any more you make.

[maikvanrossum]

Not an ‘expert’ you say…? Well, from my pov you’re a great and maybe very experienced instructor by nature. Thanks for sharing the details on how you created the patch, looking forward to the integration with Spice (Moog Subharmonicon), too. So, subscribed 👍🏻

[jonmaddison]

Nice! Love a bit of Valhalla Supermassive. The level of randomisation you’ve achieved here is really excellent. I don’t have any stackable cables here so that’s something to think about. Thanks for the detailed walkthrough.

[stephenellis]

Dude ..this is freaking amazing !!! ...thanks for posting !!! 🙂

[jasonmartin]

This was freaking sweet! Love to see more. One question I have is- Have you tried going out of the Crave into a guitar effect/s and back into the crave? Thanks for the video and keep em coming.

[iosmusicman]

Great stuff. I need to re-watch to get the cabling and understand the connection relationships. It might have been nice to have heard it “raw” without the effects to fully follow it (?) and then a play through with effects. Thank you.

[robertflowers]

OMG! That's some mighty nice patching indeed!!!! Very, very cool 😎!!!

[koosfockens]

Thanks that was fun! I note you did employ one stackable patch cable, which I currently don't have. Good idea, I've ordered a few (found that they are quite expensive compared to normal... wow! )

[djfishnz]

Appreciate this! ive got a edge arriving and crave/spice are next for the collection :) this is precisely what im trying to learn and go down this path :)

[hellf.o]

JUST
PERFECT!!!
Thank you so much for this Tim!👍

[autoauto]

genius, plz more mayb with edge or so

[andrewwoods]

I have been using my crave for about 6 months now and I had no idea it could do anything like this. I thought this was only possible in the realms of a wall sized modular.

[JackSmile]

very nice patching! will try that at home 🙃

[carlcortez]

I would love to hear the whole live act based on this

[meiogordo]

Are those little squeaking sounds we start to hear in the transition from 'setting inital patch' to 'sound effects' from the valhalla? They seem the most interesting part but i cant believe its just that oscilator-filyer sound! (complete noob here)

[rgrant]

Thank you, would love to see more patch ideas from you, really like those encoder knobs too - where did you get those from?

[ReeceGrigg]

Do something with the behringer grind please

[jackblues]

Genialnie hipnotyzujące! Jak nazywa się ten kabel patch z dodatkowym portem jack?