Did I forget what modular synthesis is all about???
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- Опубліковано 14 чер 2024
- Having used the modular for quite some time now, it’s very clear there are lots of different ideas and goals you can pursue with a modular setup. Over time, the first things that got me interested in modular slowly shifted to more efficient and specific systems. This video is just a bit of a personal reflection on a setup, and some ideas I like to dive deeper into in the near future!
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Timetable:
00:00 - Introduction
06:58 - Patches
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#euroack #backtobasic #synthesis
Hello everyone! I took some time off to work on a graphic design project, but finished this video before I dive into new topics soon! It’s a bit more of a personal thought process on my modular and it’s evolution. Think it might be interesting thoughts right after Superbooth floods the scene again with the latest and fanciest modules :)
it's always great to see how you put a patch together but i love these "why i'm doing it this way" kind of vids
Glad you like them, and thanks for watching! Cheers!
It’s always a good idea to stop and take a look around during your journey and make sure you’re still going in the right direction. Thanks for the reminder!
Agree! In Superbooth (and other) times, it's easy to look at the latest and newest stuff. But it's also easy to get sede-tracked and forget a bit what your initial goals where, or if they are still met. Glad you like it, and cheers!
Yes, I agree. But I can see the appeal of digital modules, except if your whole system starts to become 'digital'. As MTT says, an expensive Elektron box.
In my humble opinion, the digital market is 'clouding' people minds. I also have some digital modules which I love, but they serve their own purposes - ex: Ornament and Crime, or Klavis Twin Waves. However, when I see the Droid, I just wonder why not use your computer (which you can now do in Eurorack) and run Max/MSP or Supercollider, it does the same thing, if not more.
I moved away from a computer like many to have a more hands on experience. Otherwise it's a like deciding to move away from a synthesizer to play an acoustic piano. And then, looking for the best digital piano. To me it makes little sense.
These kinds of patches are why you're number 1
Hey, thanks! Glad to hear it :) Will keep my topics mixed, but will dive deeper with this system in the next months!
This is the video series I've been waiting for. After putting together a utilities skiff that I've been using for years, I'm finally getting around to building my first decent-sized case, 3u x 84 hp. I've never been terribly interested in highly specialized modules and electronic music devices, so when it came to time to consider what I would consider important in a modular case, my strong inclination was to go this route. I've been sketching the layout on Modulargrid over the last few months and it bears a resemblance to the basic setup that you depict here in this video. I'm very much looking forward to following along with all of your explorations over the course of this series.
Tank you so much for all of the useful, thoroughly professional, and engaging educational material.
Hey, thanks a lot! Glad to hear it :) I will still mix in some other topics as well, but already have a short list of ideas for this setup as well! Enjoy your journey :)
if i had the money and space, i’d go for a big setup. glad you are able to show your awesome setup and make great videos!
Thank you! Glad to hear you like the work. All the best!
Thank you. Love this. For me sequencing " by committee" is still an Integral part of my process. Lately doing a " hybrid" setup: driving a stew of mixed/patch- looped- attenuated gates into " Marbles". Then Marbles partly looping back to certain sources for " Krell- ish" fun .
Thanks! And that sounds good! I really enjoyed feeding a mixed of synced and unsyned LFOs and envelopes into a quantizer, and happy to dive deeper into sequencer building soon. Cheers!
This is my favorite video yet! So many great ideas, and I can immediately apply them to my case. Thank you for the "back to basics" approach, and I can't wait to see more of this case!
You are so welcome! I will also use my other cases for things, but very happy to come back to this approach! cheers :)
I C lol
Doepfer is a encyclopedia of Synthesis such a treasure and a must for any synthesist
Plus they have such killer modules like
Dual Rotary Switches
and
Dual Voltage Controlled Polarizer
for example...
Those are part the ultimate basics for me
I find as much excitement using the doepfer VCS and sequential switch then i do messing with my lubadh. The simple things make you think more, and really compliment the expensive ‘boutique’ modules.
Agree! I really used the Doepfer manuals as my explanation of a lot of concepts like polarizers and switches. And buying those modules and exploring them was a lot of fun. Happy to see them back in my system, and explore them more :) Cheers!
Next level launched - love it!
Hey, glad you like it! All the best :)
This is a great video, and something I've been thinking about a lot recently. A lot of the fancy modules are very specialised! I think if you only have one case, it's good to have a mix of the more complex modules and the basic building blocks. Sometimes I get fed up with patching the same subtractive synthesizer patch over and over when all I'm really experimenting with is sequencing or effects. But then other times I want to mess with the signal path and try something crazy and an all in one synth voice would be really limiting.
I like how you have built several smaller systems to explore each of these ways of doing things. This seems like a good way to go, but my wallet might not be so happy!
Thanks! Think a mix is great as well! I have a very luxury position because of this channel, to focus on and isolate some thoughts. But the best of both worlds is probably the most exiting route for most! Specialized modules can really inspire and make a system yours, but a healthy set of basic tools will still add a lot of synthesis and exploration fun. Enjoy the journey!
The world of audio is magic
Truly is! All the best :)
I liked that. I see all those newer modules getting packed with basic utilities so that some modules become seemingly obsolete. I prefer my basic buildingblocks to be patchable in a freely manner, so my personal cabinet is build in a flow where these "basic-synthesis"-blocks start on top and flow down into progressively more digital/multifunctional modules. - Since I'm not a performance-case-guy, I don't need that compact formfactor anyways and enjoy the broadness of specialized tools.
Thanks for sharing! I think one of the fun things of modular is the customizable concept. Indeed if compact and performance is no issue, there is more space for other ideas :)
Oh I have done the same exact thing... I have my "groovebox" 6U case for playing live, but that is more of shortcut and preprogrammed setup, whilst I recently started building a 9U only Doepfer case with almost all single purpose modules and no menus, just basic and proper analog modular synthesis
Nice! Completely get it. A live setup with custom wishes can really be different from a fun synthesis exploration space. Interesting to hear you did the same! Cheers :)
I missed this kind of videos.
Then I'm happy I am picking it up! I'm very excited about this year, leaving specific module reviews behind. All the best!
I started from the opposite point, with complex specialized modules. Now I find myself wanting those basic building blocks instead...
Nothing wrong with that! But indeed, I think it's very valuable to look for basic ingredients as well. Take your time to explore the modules you have, and imagine what you think could add to those. In lot's of cases the complex modules really open up and shine more with some tools around them :) Cheers!
I really like that you're going back to basics! Something I feel like is missing in Eurorack is a consistent way to fine-tune the modulation for each voice. I wish there was a module that was a combination of matrix mixer & VCAs that was small enough that I could park one next to every voice in my system. As it is I find I lose out on performance possibilities when every voice is using a different set of modules to fine-tune the modulation.
Glad to hear it! The balance between performance power and modulation freedom is a tricky one :) It's what I noticed as well. Performance power pushed my case to more and more specialized modules and signal flow, losing the options to tweak each voice to the max. Great solutions imo are compact quad VCAs that are also summing VCA, Meaning you can VCA, mix, attenuate etc. I won a Doepfer A135-2, and NANO quart for those purposes. Cheers!
the patch picture at 10:05. now we're talking!
Nice! I feel like the visual looks more complicated than it is, but that's the thing with using basic ingredients, rather than a single module that does a lot of hidden stuff :)
Haha... I remember your first videos and that wooden Doepfer case 😂 Wie die Zeit verfliegt! Man hat damals schon gemerkt, das du Potenzial hast und interessante Sounds bastelst.
Haha, danke! I am glad I didn't sell it along the way, and even had to do some repairs, but it's still going strong :)
Nice to go back to basics and remember why you did it like that. Plus fancy modules get you into a rut…
Glad you like it! Some fancy stuff is fun for sure! But indeed I think it's valuable to re-check goals and wishes with some frequency. It's very easy with modular to always keep looking at the next new thing, and think about what would be possible if I bought the next and the next, etc. Cheers!
What I found during my relatively short modular journey is that you can imitate many of the unique/advanced modules with simple ones, you just need enough rows of them and a boatload of patch cables :D
Ha! To an extend, I think there's a lot of truth in that. A lot of complexity can be made with just having a bunch of basics, and good utilities! Cheers :)
@@MonotrailTechTalk Recently, inspired by Klavis Grainity I patched this granular-kind-thingy using only basic elements. I literally run out of patch cables on this one! [link from my dedicated channel] ua-cam.com/video/fI5Dc93mHiA/v-deo.html
Awesome! Thanks for sharing :)
great idea, at the start of my journey into modular it would have been so helpful to have simple video like: "the sequencer goes before the vco, the quantizer after the sequencer but before the vco..." i did send back a quantizer to the shop because i thought it was broken or couldnt work with my other modules. but i figured it out in the end... probably bought and sold 3 times the amount of modules that fit in my case. you clearly know a lot, i loved your video on the mixers... but.. is it an idea to start a series for absolut beginners?? it would've been so helpful 6 years ago :). great stuff!
Hi there! Thanks for the thoughts :) I have been playing with this for a long time. To be honest I think I would enjoy making it, but I am very convinced it will be 'bad' for the channel in current UA-cam climate. Maybe sounds weird, but key points are: My videos are often fun to watch for both beginners, even though some things are a bit hard, but also more experienced users, even though they already know a lot. Also, I noticed doing a progressive series of videos on a similar topic generally performs bad, videos that round up a topic in one go do better. And so on. I got me to believe making a large ultimate beginner series will costs me a lot of time, and possibly kill the channel. I am playing with some other ideas thought, because I would like to offer that to the community! Cheers :)
Your microkorg is still together. Albeit missing a key. Mine is not much more then a PCB and a keyboard on a ribbon cable. Lets just say I had attempted to make it into a big Eurorack module. The fact you have not done that yet? Shows your not as dumb as I am. LOL Cool video and Keep at it man!
Haha, maybe just lazier! Have to admit that with the key gone, and several weak attempts to fix it, I did very often thought of cutting the whole bed off and turning it into a module, just didn't got to it yet :)
Very nice to go back to basic modules but still I need to buy moar LFO's I see hahaha great stuff keep going!
Thank you, and will do!
Awesome video! I love the discussion about modules that sound great, but are so unique and digital that you can't really make those sounds without that exact module - and how that makes for repetitive patching, limited exploration, and nothing to talk about.
I see more and more people moving into complex digital setups with MIDI (and the completely baffling ART from TipTop... Do we need a proprietary alternative to MIDI?) and the segregation of signals removes so much magic for me. In the combined digital signals, you don't use your pitch information for filter cutoff, and you don't invert note triggers to control other VCAs. You're kind of stuck using things "as intended", which defeats the whole reason I love modular synths.
Glad you like it! Have to admit I should dive deeper into ART, but my first impression is the same. I really like modular for the simple reason ALL communication within it is with the same type of signal. It's a lot of fun to sue gates from a clock divider to make sequences, tap of an audio signal to modulate a filter, and so on.
Sweet.
Thanks!
💙
Haha, thanks! :)
🙏🏼
Thank you!
There seem to be two schools in regard to doing modular. A lot of people are into the more complex modules with digital processors these days, but some people are still doing a more minimal approach like your old case.
Looking at Modular Grid builds I am seeing a lot more complex module use. Racks full of large multi function devices. The lowly LFO or dual VCA module is now replaced by other things.
That is all fine, yet, beginning users might get a more rewarding learning experience if they use the more basic building blocks. I can't tell you how many times I see someone proposing a 1st rack build that is missing essential utilities, but is full of massive complex modules.
I am more within the low income Eurorack user group. I just can't justify spending money on huge modules and stick to less expensive things. :D
Hi there! Think indeed there are pros and cons to different approaches. But personally really excited about having access to this 'basics' case again! Gives me a chance to give ideas of multiple approaches a place on the channel :) All the best, and no need to get expansive to fast!
The mostly analog approach is pretty much where all the magic is to me. Pretty much these days, now with 17U, the only fully digital module I have is my sequencer, because it can do things that are almost impossible/would be impractical with analog methods (Five12 Vector). Everything else..well, the pure analog methods, if you choose the right companies and modules, to me sound way better than almost all the digital options, having one knob per function in most cases feels like..how an actual instrument should be, and so on. I see a lot of people get into modular who seem to not actually play any "real" instruments beforehand and talk about how great it is it let them do stuff because they "don't use keyboard" or know how to barely play a melody or something like that..but that's not my perspective at all; I had already been playing classical, flamenco, and jazz guitar, for 15 years before I bought a single synth (also a microkorg), so things like "you have to tune your oscillators, that's crazy!" always come off as really strange and lacking perspective to me, because let me tell you, physical instruments are way more complex in terms of what can go wrong, all these things you have to do, and the basic learning curve..so I really just see modular as an extension of real, acoustic instruments, and that's why most of my rack is analog, as well--it feels like an instrument.
so many of these first build racks don’t even have mults. It’s like tying one hand behind your back and not even realising it.
many fellow modular artists limit themselves (after getting wiser) to the size of their case for their live performances f.x. Same as in the synth-, guitar- and guitar pedal world, their is a fair amount of GAS and enough gear to satisfy that syndrome :) the raw, fat sound from analog vco's is a pleasure to hear and an ambient piece with a digital harmonic oscillator is a treat too! a musician would choose the tools that wil get her/him to the sound intended. digital or analog both serve their purpose and shouldn't be (and isn't for a performing musician) a principal question.. for me it's important that each function has it's own knob.. and that i can make the sounds i want to make (and still be able to carry my case). the "basic" case in this video was a lot like my starting point , although mine was half the size... good stuff!
@@gyzzgyzz8353 agreed. In my case, the good analog (mainly discrete builds) modules just sound so much better than the generic analog chips and most of the digital stuff out there, I’d personally usually spend a bit more and have a bigger case to accommodate it because it’s the difference in having a high quality Spanish guitar to me vs one more mass produced in a factory in China. I love: AJH, L-1, Vermona, G-Storm Electro, and my Furthrrrr, among others. ACL also very good though pricey, too bad they went out of business.
Also my first synth was the microkorg 😅
Nice! Hope yours is still in one piece :)
Do you have a modular grid for that system so we can follow the patch?
Yes, you can find my systems here: modulargrid.net/e/racks/command_center/46250
A stupid question: at 13:27 what signals is the sequential switch exactly switching? if its only the clock isnt it just acting as a clock divider? i dont get this. please eloborate me, i want to learn what is going on there, the rest of the patch(es) is logical for me and easy understandable.
Not a stupid question, I made a stupid mistake! Forgot to show you need to send a constant high offset voltage to the input of the switch. Then that high steady voltage will be cycled through the outputs of the switch, and used to mix a sequence. I almost finished my video on custom sequencing, so will do a better job next week. Sorry for the confusion :)
@@MonotrailTechTalk Danke fürs antworten! Ich lerne bei dir wirklich sehr viel bzw kriege Ideen, um eigene zu erweitern. Top Videos und bitte weiter so! Zurück zum Thema meiner Frage:
But isnt it then the case, that always just the same offset voltage gets to the mixer so that the switch doesnt do anything? Or do you mean in the inputs of the switch are different offset voltages and it cycles trough them, always at the moment when it gets the clocksignal?
Gerne! And that's correct. The switch distributes the same high voltage. But that's where the mixer comes in. If you feed the (for example 4) outputs of a switch to a 4 input mixer, you can use the channel input level controls of the mixer to attenuate the voltage coming in at each step. Then, when the high voltage cycles through the inputs of the mixer with different level controls for each input, you create a 4 step sequence.
@@MonotrailTechTalk Ah i now get it. Thanks a lot! Dir ein schönes Wochenende und fleissiges patchen! :-)