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Omri Cohen - Lichen: The fungi grow

Writer's picture: Johno WellsJohno Wells

Updated: Oct 1, 2024


Omri Cohen logo

Omri Cohen

Release date: July 22, 2024


I’d like to think, “Well, everyone’s heard of Omri!” but it’s a big world, and there are just too many talented people around this scene. If you’ve been in the VCV rack scene, you already know that Omri is a god. Same with the eurorack scene. He’s the king of reverb, and has a love for mushrooms (all fungi?) woven throughout nearly everything he does. I’ve collaborated with him (2020 Resonant Editions) multiple times, and he’s always up for my crazy ideas (2020, Dotwave podcast, pre Modular World).


Not just stuff on rocks.

Given the propensity for mushrooms, the fungi grow, and it’s not insane that Omri Cohen's latest release is called ‘Lichen.’ It was inspired by a sequencer, but we know there’s so much more.

Here are a few words from the master about some techniques and processes.

Omri Cohen - Lichen cover art
Omri Cohen - Lichen

“When I'm working on an album, I like to have some sort of idea behind it, a common thread that connects the tracks and that I can explore more deeply. For this album, I decided to concentrate on the Oct Tone sequencer module from the Glasgow Synth Guild. 

I love experimenting with ways of creating unique sequences, so I sat down and explored many techniques with the sequencer while building additional voices and textures around it.


I also consciously decided to explore more rhythmic territories for this release. For example, I experimented with low pass gates, creating percussive plucky voices by sending oscillators through processing like delays and reverb, and only then to the low pass gate. This gave the sound more “meat” in a way before turning it into something snappy.


Omri Cohen Music on YouTube
Channel no. 1: Omri's Music

Something I find important is performing the music live, so all the tracks are performed and recorded in one take, capturing the moment.


For recording, I used the Expert Sleepers ES9 module, that allowed me to send the individual tracks to my computer, and multitrack record everything. I used Reaper for recording, and added also “end of chain” effects like reverb in Reaper. This allowed me to have access to the signal before the reverb, which made it easier for me to get rid of any unwanted noise and redundant frequencies.”


 
Omri Cohen Tutorials on YouTube
Channel no. 2: Modular Tutorials

So fresh. So clean.

Lichen is another lovely expression from an artist I followed before I became interested in modular hardware.  With VCV rack, Omri was my gateway drug.

Lichen has eight tracks with a total runtime of 36:38, with tracks ranging from 4 to 5 minutes. 

This is remarkable in an art form that typically involves long-form performances, and it also shows the constraint and patience of a true master.

The tracks oscillate and pulse…with sequences firing and relaxing…textures spinning and cracking.It’s classic Omri, and it’s also (of course) a progression—dare I say “advancement?” Fresh. Clean.


Your life is better now.

If you’re new to Omri Cohen, first, you’re welcome. 


Omri Cohen BandCamp page
21 releases on BandCamp

Third, check out Omri's Tutorial channel on YouTube if you’re new to modular synthesis or just like software. There’s a lot of VCV Rack and positive vibes.


Fourth. (We’re on a roll here). If you’re serious about getting into modular synthesis, Omri’s courses on Gumroad are top-notch.


Thank you, Omri, for another gorgeous release. PS. Supporting Omri is easy on Patreon.

:)


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