Make Noise XPO Stereo Prismatic Oscillator: Overview + Explorations

A walkthrough of Make Noise’s newest Eurorack module, XPO, the Stereo Prismatic Oscillator. This video contains a module overview, demo and patch tutorials. We’ll start with a panel tour of the XPO, look at a bunch of different patching ideas for creating interesting stereo imaging effects, explore some patch examples that use XPO in combination with some of Make Noise’s other stereo modules, and finally discuss self-patching and feedback as a means of creating unstable, chaotic, & unpredictable stereo motion.

Buy an XPO Stereo Prismatic Oscillator (affiliate links help out my channel—thank you!):

Learn more about the XPO from Make Noise:

TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Intro + Video Overview
1:41 What is XPO?
5:44 XPO FM + Sync
9:59 Exploring the Stereo Field
19:48 XPO + Friends
25:27 Destabilizing the Stereo Image

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Sarah Belle Reid is a Canadian performer-composer, active in the fields of electroacoustic trumpet performance, intermedia arts, music technology, and improvisation.

[sarahbellereid]

Curious about modular synthesis, electronic music, and sound design, but unsure how to get started?
PS: You don't need any special gear to do this—just a computer with VCV Rack (which is free to download).

[fancylad]

Wow. Such a thorough review. I would love to see a similar one covering the DPO now 😎

[andrewnancarrow]

Great review as always! Only one thing I think was overlooked is patching examples with the two V/oct inputs. That seems pretty unique for a single to have two of them, so seems like that would have been interesting ground to cover patching them simultaneously. I can’t even really imagine how that would sound or how that could be used in an interesting way.

[javiertorrealba]

Very clear explanation with a bunch of fantastic textural and rhythmic examples, well done Sara! this module can go far and deep!

[zauwee]

Great demo, Sarah. Professionally done. Thanks. Interesting patches at 18:50 and 23:25. Subscribed.

[robertsyrett]

24:45 that sounds so familiar and relaxing. I could swear I have hear that type of patch before but can't put my finger on it.

[AndyVonal]

Amazing demonstration of this fascinating oscillator... another to add to the ever-growing "to get" list... Thank you for your hard work!

[faremissound]

What a truly fantastic module and of course Sarah is absolutely on FIRE making killer sounds on it!!! Preordered!

[zackcolbourne]

The patch that starts at 1:28 is insane.

[richarquis]

"I'm running everything through Qpas just to take a little bit of harshness out of the high end."

Proceeds to play a sequence with 100% harshness...

I have O-Ctrl, Maths, Qpas, and Xpan. I just scored an XPO from a seller I know and trust, so I will have it next week. So much to look forward to!

[AGalgonzo]

Just got to see your video, excellent as ever with some great example patches. I so like the stereo nature of this module and multitude of mono and stereo outputs, I got my order in for one in the UK this evening!

[ThomasKobrick]

You're so good at sharing your expertise and doing it with compelling and musical examples, meanwhile making it all very approachable. Love your videos.

[chinmitten]

Subbed. This is the first video that showed me an interesting tone from this thing. Was waiting for Sofia but this video made this a double take for me

[TRANCEFARMERS]

GREAT TUTORIAL ❤
I just got MATHS, XPO, DXG and couldn't FOCUS on the other VIDEO
Being not familiar USING 'MAKE NOISE YET' BEST BASIC TUTORIAL for both MATHS & XPO
Amazing 🎶 ❤
Other TUTORIALS; during MORNING COFFEE (still high sensitivity hearing high frequencies that early; I cannot FOCUS drinking coffee ☕ watching other TUTORIALS;
SARAH'S TUTORIAL is PERFECT 'DRONE, AMBIENT, TECHNO SOUND 🎶 ❤️

[Larry]

Sarah, awesome video as usual. Great tutorial. XPO sounds great. Purchased one via your link. Many thanks.

[streamtracker]

Very clear and well-paced demo. Thanks!

[magnopere]

So jealous you got your hands on one already haha. Awesome video!

[fo]

Thanks! Very good & clear overview... and some pretty cool patches...

[surrogatemarker]

Absolutely the best walk through of the Make Noise XPO!! The explanations and demonstrations are very clear and easy to follow.. (Probably because your voice is calming, and has no evidence of the typical Synth demonstrators and influencers who all seem to have mild attention deficit disorder). Your “Expert Hand Model” use of your hands to show the surface controls of the XPO without obscuring what you are doing are exemplary. If you are the talent and the producer, you are to be congratulated. Last, congratulations on your engagement! They better be a musician or loves music! ;-) subscribed!!

[michaelkonomos]

Is it just me or does the XPO sound a lot like a Buchla when the wavefolder is on? I have been looking for that sound and this has me really intrigued.