This is awesome! So glad this popped up in my feed. I recently got a DFAM and was a bit frustrated with unlocking its potential. This tutorial was incredibly helpful. Thanks
I've had my DFAM a few years now. I occasionally walk away from it, only to 'rediscover' many weeks or maybe months later. What I've noticed is that when I rediscover it, I pick up on a different aspect that I had not developed before. Also, I have learned not to try too hard. Ya gotta feel your way through creating a new patch. Also, I paired it with a MAFD unit that has really opened the possibilities. In general, my Moogs (m32, DFAM & SubH) are still very prominent in 'my sound' after like 3 years. Thanks for the great video!
@@JamesonNathanJones lot's of new ideas but i have no modular just elektron rytm, four digitakt. semi-modular neutron, dfam, and eowave quadrantid swarm (great for techno) `my dfam is connected with the analog four for sequencing. give some more possibility's!
The Subsequent’s CV inputs are 0 to +5 for foot pedals. They can be reassigned but they are inputs only. I would not run CV into those without first making certain the voltage is above zero and attenuated, so it falls between 0 and +5. It’s probably best to use a midi to cv converter. The Subsequent 37 CV is another matter.
Actually I’ve created similar flow with my Octatrack sending signal to DFAM via Keystep as a midi-cv converter. Mostly I just trigger DFAM without running its sequencer tho
You can also send OT LFOs through the mod cv and play with many DFAM’s parameters like you did it with the sequencer . BTW you have built a great modular there!
Interesting information on how to integrate DFAM into modular setup. Too bad most of the sounds and sequences are not very interesting or inspiring. But I do appreciate the concepts for sure.
Thanks for this, this is a great video. I've not seen much about using external modules either Dfam. I'm still trying to understand mine and this is really inspiring. The envelopes still confuse me, I can't picture how they're working. I'm definitely going to try using some external gear with mine now though. Thanks again, you've got a new subscriber 👍
Ah thanks man! The envelopes are a bit weird in the way they’re laid out, but pretty simple once you get your head around them. For the vca, you only have the fast/slow switch for the attack, and then control over the decay. For the pitch and filter EGs, you have control over the rate of attack and amount both positive and negative. Hope that helps!
I just got a Eurorack case and I'm in a pickle. All that I have is a DFAM and a Quadrantid Swarm. I don't want to incorporate effects. Basically what I want is modules that will get me the most mileage out of those 2 devices as well as anything else that might complement them. I know that I will probably want a Metropolix and a Pam's new workout but aside from that I really have no idea which 'utility' modules I should get, or another cool voice, etc. HELP! :)
One mistake I made early on was focusing too much on voices and effects, and not so much on modulators and attenuators. Things that can push cv around in interesting ways are what makes modular so appealing to me now. Pam’s is a great choice for clocked modulation and triggers. You could also look into something like an Ornament and Crime that does several useful utility functions like lfos, sequencers, randomizers, and quantizers.
Very interesting. I’ve been modulating mine from VCV Rack, my faves being Befaco Rampage and Turing Machine, via the Keystep Pro. It’s a bit limiting because you only have uni-polar modulation (Mod Wheel, Aftertouch, Velocity) out of the CVs on the Keystep but still a lot of fun and of course I can control the pitch… I’m preparing to dip my toe into Eurorack but currently researching the minefield! I basically want a rack full of cool utilities as I have enough sound sources with my various pieces of semi modular gear. I’m aching to get a quantiser involved with the DFAM… I must say, I was surprised you didn’t use the quantiser on VCO 2 with Osc Sync on. I find I get the most pleasing results from having VCO 1 droning but sending pitch to VCO 2, with a smidge of FM (about 9 o’clock). Anyway, very enjoyable video man, cheers 👍
Appreciate the video but the case, pun intended, for dfam is not available (again). I think I have bought and sold the dfam 3 times. I so want it to work and I just cannot work with the interface. As is the case with the Subharmonicon, those damn tiiny non detented knbos are totally worthless.
Is there any way to apply swing on this thing? I'm thinking of getting on and clocking it via the trigger out on my tr 09 but I haven't seen any videos of people using it with swing
If you’re using an external sequencer with swing to trigger it, it will. Off the top of my head I can’t think of a way to do it without the help of another sequencer though.
@@JamesonNathanJones cool thanks for the reply! Thing is with the tr09 it's only good for clocking since it gets a pulse from the rimshot, so I don't think I'd be able to change any individual notes if I used it as a sequencer. But if I use the tr09 as a clock source and swing the pulses will that work?
I watched a loopop video where he puts the velocity out into pitch control(I think?) then Turns up the pitch on the final steps all the way up which basically speeds thru those steps thereby shortening the sequence to anything less than eight steps. Then by turning down the pitch knobs it creates a swing effect by slowing down the time it takes to reach step one.
This is awesome! So glad this popped up in my feed. I recently got a DFAM and was a bit frustrated with unlocking its potential. This tutorial was incredibly helpful. Thanks
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching 🙏
Thank you for this. The semi modular portion of the DFAM really makes it shine with eurorack. Lots of great ideas here!
Thanks a lot !
Check out The MAFD: Midi Adapter For DFAM (by Sonoclast)
I've had my DFAM a few years now. I occasionally walk away from it, only to 'rediscover' many weeks or maybe months later. What I've noticed is that when I rediscover it, I pick up on a different aspect that I had not developed before. Also, I have learned not to try too hard. Ya gotta feel your way through creating a new patch. Also, I paired it with a MAFD unit that has really opened the possibilities. In general, my Moogs (m32, DFAM & SubH) are still very prominent in 'my sound' after like 3 years. Thanks for the great video!
Thanks for helping to clarify this weird instrument.
I fell out of love with it fast, but have been wanting to get back to it lately
Nice tutorial learnt to see this beautiful machine in other way! thank you for making this video!
Thank you for watching, and happy you got some new ideas out of it!
@@JamesonNathanJones lot's of new ideas but i have no modular just elektron rytm, four digitakt.
semi-modular neutron, dfam, and eowave quadrantid swarm (great for techno)
`my dfam is connected with the analog four for sequencing. give some more possibility's!
Lots of fun. So cool to see how the other components can broaden the use of another piece of equipment. Nice name, too, btw.
great video. this gives me idea of potentially combining the metron and the dfam (i own neither haha, just doing research)
Your walkthrough just game me some new ideas :) Thanks for sharing > SUBSCRIBED
Thanks Olivier!
Great synth in combo with Subsequent 37 and Behringer VP340.
How do you connect the dfam to the sub 37 - just midi to both from a daw - or do you use the cv in of the sub 37?
The Subsequent’s CV inputs are 0 to +5 for foot pedals. They can be reassigned but they are inputs only. I would not run CV into those without first making certain the voltage is above zero and attenuated, so it falls between 0 and +5.
It’s probably best to use a midi to cv converter.
The Subsequent 37 CV is another matter.
Actually I’ve created similar flow with my Octatrack sending signal to DFAM via Keystep as a midi-cv converter. Mostly I just trigger DFAM without running its sequencer tho
Great idea. Going to have to try that one myself :)
You can also send OT LFOs through the mod cv and play with many DFAM’s parameters like you did it with the sequencer . BTW you have built a great modular there!
Thank you! And thanks for some great ideas there 👍
Interesting information on how to integrate DFAM into modular setup. Too bad most of the sounds and sequences are not very interesting or inspiring. But I do appreciate the concepts for sure.
Demonstrations aren’t always masterpieces, but if it sparked some new ideas, it must have inspired in the way it was intended to :)
Thanks for this, this is a great video. I've not seen much about using external modules either Dfam. I'm still trying to understand mine and this is really inspiring. The envelopes still confuse me, I can't picture how they're working.
I'm definitely going to try using some external gear with mine now though.
Thanks again, you've got a new subscriber 👍
Ah thanks man! The envelopes are a bit weird in the way they’re laid out, but pretty simple once you get your head around them. For the vca, you only have the fast/slow switch for the attack, and then control over the decay. For the pitch and filter EGs, you have control over the rate of attack and amount both positive and negative. Hope that helps!
For the pitch and filter EGs you say control over the rate of attack? Surely you mean the rate of decay.
Correct. Misspoke there 👍
I just got a Eurorack case and I'm in a pickle. All that I have is a DFAM and a Quadrantid Swarm. I don't want to incorporate effects. Basically what I want is modules that will get me the most mileage out of those 2 devices as well as anything else that might complement them. I know that I will probably want a Metropolix and a Pam's new workout but aside from that I really have no idea which 'utility' modules I should get, or another cool voice, etc. HELP! :)
One mistake I made early on was focusing too much on voices and effects, and not so much on modulators and attenuators. Things that can push cv around in interesting ways are what makes modular so appealing to me now. Pam’s is a great choice for clocked modulation and triggers. You could also look into something like an Ornament and Crime that does several useful utility functions like lfos, sequencers, randomizers, and quantizers.
Very interesting. I’ve been modulating mine from VCV Rack, my faves being Befaco Rampage and Turing Machine, via the Keystep Pro. It’s a bit limiting because you only have uni-polar modulation (Mod Wheel, Aftertouch, Velocity) out of the CVs on the Keystep but still a lot of fun and of course I can control the pitch… I’m preparing to dip my toe into Eurorack but currently researching the minefield! I basically want a rack full of cool utilities as I have enough sound sources with my various pieces of semi modular gear. I’m aching to get a quantiser involved with the DFAM… I must say, I was surprised you didn’t use the quantiser on VCO 2 with Osc Sync on. I find I get the most pleasing results from having VCO 1 droning but sending pitch to VCO 2, with a smidge of FM (about 9 o’clock). Anyway, very enjoyable video man, cheers 👍
Appreciate the video but the case, pun intended, for dfam is not available (again). I think I have bought and sold the dfam 3 times. I so want it to work and I just cannot work with the interface. As is the case with the Subharmonicon, those damn tiiny non detented knbos are totally worthless.
"I thought it was a drum machine"
Yeah, that happens a lot.
I'm still waiting to hear a groove from this"kind of a groove machine"
Is there any way to apply swing on this thing? I'm thinking of getting on and clocking it via the trigger out on my tr 09 but I haven't seen any videos of people using it with swing
If you’re using an external sequencer with swing to trigger it, it will. Off the top of my head I can’t think of a way to do it without the help of another sequencer though.
@@JamesonNathanJones cool thanks for the reply! Thing is with the tr09 it's only good for clocking since it gets a pulse from the rimshot, so I don't think I'd be able to change any individual notes if I used it as a sequencer. But if I use the tr09 as a clock source and swing the pulses will that work?
No problem! You could use the tr09 just to trigger the dfam’s sequencer, that way you could still use the dfam for pitch cv.
@@JamesonNathanJones sweet thanks man
I watched a loopop video where he puts the velocity out into pitch control(I think?) then Turns up the pitch on the final steps all the way up which basically speeds thru those steps thereby shortening the sequence to anything less than eight steps. Then by turning down the pitch knobs it creates a swing effect by slowing down the time it takes to reach step one.
It’s at its best when it’s not a drum machine I think
A lot of blips and bleeps going on here. Wouldve been nice to hear it in a musical context. After all, it's for making music right.