Welcome to our video tutorial on D16’s Phoscyon 2 Acid Line software instrument plugin, brought to you by the expert music producer and synthesizer enthusiast, Walter Hunnicutt. In this tutorial, we delve into the captivating world of the TB-303, a legendary analog bass synthesizer that shaped the sound of electronic music.

Join us as we explore the powerful features of the Phoscyon 2 plugin, meticulously designed to recreate the magic of the TB-303. Walter takes us on a journey through the plugin’s synthesizer and sequencer, uncovering its vast sonic possibilities and intuitive workflow.

Chapter 1: Introduction – We’ll kick things off with a brief overview of the course, its objectives, and what you can expect. Get ready to dive into the world of Phoscyon 2!

Chapter 2: History – In this chapter, we’ll take a few minutes to rewind and explore the quirky, almost bizarre history of the Roland TB303, which serves as the inspiration for Phoscyon 2. From its initial commercial failure to its unexpected resurgence as a Dance music icon, we’ll uncover how its flaws became its iconic sonic signature. Then, we’ll establish a direct line to the features and options packed in the Phoscyon 2 plugin.

Chapter 3: GUI Tour – Time to familiarize yourself with the plugin’s interface! We’ll take you on a guided tour through its geography, highlighting some of the counterintuitive conventions you might encounter. We’ll touch on file management, customizing its appearance, accessing the vast array of factory content, and even operating the original, old-school sequencer view (for those who want to make their day longer and more tedious).

Chapter 4: Synthesis – Let’s dive into the heart of Phoscyon 2’s sound generation. We’ll follow the flow from the saw or square wave oscillators to the traditional TB303 controls. Then, we’ll introduce you to six additional controls that provide greater command over the filter, filter impact, and accent functions. We’ll also explore the onboard effects, show you how to expand their control panels, reorder them by drag and drop, and even bypass their functionality.

Chapter 5: Devil Fish – Get ready to unpack the included upgrades that are roughly equivalent to the famous Devil Fish modifications made to some hardware units. These upgrades give you direct access to under-the-hood parameters that were originally intended for tuning and calibration. But with this newfound access to potentiometers and diodes, you can unlock a whole new level of capability.

Chapter 6: Sequencer Functions – This chapter is all about sequencing. We’ll start with a quick review of the historically accurate “keyboard view” that faithfully mimics the original Roland hardware, pointing out key stumbling blocks to avoid. Then, we’ll transition to the modern “piano roll” display and show you how to integrate various options to build or edit patterns.

Chapter 7: Live Functions – Unpacking some cryptic terms! We’ll explore concepts like “Host Link” vs. “Host Note” modes, dive into the powerful (yet quirky) randomizer, and demonstrate how to trigger Phoscyon 2 externally for live performances. Additionally, we’ll show you how to record its patterns using simple MIDI notes to trigger changes.