Play it on: Windows (Steam Deck: your experience may vary)
Buy it at: steam
Current goal: Develop a better understanding of control voltage
I love video games, but I probably love making music even more. And over the last five years, I’ve only developed an increased appetite and interest in synthesis – particularly modular synthesis, since I’m not a keyboard player. But I’m not just not I am a keyboard player, but also a guitarist (the horror), so I approach synths with that perspective. This weekend I will spend some time with The signal state
Read more: This puzzle game is a fun and inexpensive way to learn electronic music
Although I have a nice collection of Eurorack-compatible synths, my ever-troubled guitar background means I approach them more musically and aesthetically, drawing on standard and avant-garde music theory to guide me in shaping tonality, harmony and melodies. This isn’t necessarily a problem, but I could use a better understanding of how tension flows, combines, splits, can be dampened and more. The signal state
Exciting stuff, eh? Sure, it’s dry. But dry is exactly what I need right now and The signal state seems like the perfect set of exercises for me to practice the basics of voltage flowing through a system. This is especially useful for me as I am reducing the number of individual Eurorack modules I own in order to prioritize the use of semi-modular gear. So as I figure out which modules I keep to incorporate into a smaller, more portable 42HP rack, I hope The signal state will make my brain think more about direct utility and voltage regulation than shiny, fancier stuff (but damn, I really want that Qu-Bit Nautilus delay module and maybe selling my Monsoon was a mistake…).
And although I use and love VCV Rackthis is real music software and doesn’t have the puzzles, challenges and limitations that are conducive to learning new skills (especially musical ones). – Claire Jackson