Meditation and modular synthesis might seem worlds apart, but for me, they’re deeply interconnected. Modular synths offer a way to not only explore sound but also to mirror and support the inner journey of meditation. Specifically, I’ve been working on crafting patches that resonate with the Golden Flower practice – a meditation technique focused on circulating and transforming energy within the body. Here’s how I’ve been using each module in my rack to embody different aspects of this meditative process, aiming to create an immersive sonic landscape that mirrors the energetic experience.

Ritual Electronics Modules: Structuring the Flow

1.Pointeuse – Time is essential in meditation. Pointeuse helps me structure each phase of the practice, acting as a timekeeper to signal shifts in energy flow, from rising to descending.

2.Krach – This module represents unexpected surges of energy or “chaos” within, simulating thoughts or impulses that emerge and need transforming. Its bursts of noise act as reminders of internal turbulence to be softened and integrated.

3.Réseaux – Serving as the “energy distributor,” Réseaux splits and balances signals, similar to how I imagine the energy moving through different parts of the body. It allows me to channel and control the flow, creating harmony from complexity.

Shakmat Module: Tracking Cycles

4.Time Apprentice – In meditation, breath and energy flow in natural cycles. Time Apprentice handles the timing of those cycles, allowing for structured breathing or energy shifts that align with the meditation’s rhythm.

Noise Engineering Modules: Dynamic Energies

5.Sinc Iter – This oscillator serves as the central energy source, producing a foundational tone that corresponds to the inner core of energy rising and falling during practice. By morphing between waveforms, it reflects the changing qualities of the Qi.

6.Viol Ruina – This filter and distortion module embodies purification. Just as meditation purifies the spirit, Viol Ruina filters and intensifies the sound, refining it into something more focused and harmonious.

7. Clep Diaz – Acting as a source of evolving modulation, Clep Diaz mirrors the natural variations in the energy flow. It helps simulate the gentle undulations and sometimes unpredictable rhythms of internal energy.

Instruō Modules: Core and Control

8. Tš-L V2 – The Tš-L serves as the core “energy center,” with FM and shape modulation capabilities that transform its sound. In meditation, the energy doesn’t stay static; it’s dynamic and responsive, just like the Tš-L’s shifting tones.

9.[1]f – This module controls the intensity and balance of energy, working to fine-tune the sound. It’s a way to manage the depth and subtlety of the flow, moderating the energy with careful adjustments.

10.Cuïr – The final output of this meditation-inspired patch, Cuir, is where the processed energy is expressed. It allows the entire patch to be experienced as a cohesive soundscape that represents the culmination of the meditative journey.

Endorphin.es Module: Guiding the Breathing Rhythm

11. Airstreamer V4– With its envelope-shaping abilities, Airstreamer represents the breathing cycle, adjusting the rise and fall of the sound. It reflects the inhalation and exhalation rhythm, connecting breath with sound for a seamless meditative experience.

Befaco Module: Transmuting Energy

12. A*B+C – In meditation, we aim to transform or “multiply” the quality of our internal energy. This module combines and multiplies signals, simulating the transformation of Qi as it circulates and evolves.

Meng Qi Module: Rhythmic Flow Control

13. Meng Qi DPLPG (Dual Low Pass Gate) – The DPLPG acts as a natural VCA that opens and closes in response to the flow, representing the pulse of energy through the system. It adds rhythm and dynamics that mirror the heartbeat of the meditation.

Happy Nerding Module: Atmosphere and Space

14.FX Aid – The FX Aid module brings the final atmospheric touches. Its reverb, delay, and modulation effects add an ethereal layer, simulating the mental “space” and the different realms of energy within the meditative state. It deepens the experience, creating an immersive and almost tangible sonic atmosphere.

Final Thoughts

Each of these modules plays a unique role in creating a meditation-focused soundscape. The beauty of modular synthesis lies in its flexibility – I can keep a stable foundational patch and still introduce live variations through connections and adjustments. This setup allows me to capture the essence of the Golden Flower practice in real time, offering a deeply immersive and transformative experience.

Whether you’re a synth enthusiast or a meditator, I hope this inspires you to explore new ways of connecting with sound and inner energy. Modular synthesis can be a profound tool for introspection, allowing us to explore the mind, body, and spirit through sound.

Feel free to personalize this by adding your own insights, experiences, or explanations for readers who might not be familiar with modular synthesis. Adding your voice will make it resonate even more!

Zi