Newer subscriber here and I just wanted to pass on my appreciation of these modular videos. I really enjoy your honesty when talking about this world of synthesis, I am currently in the same boat...brand spanking new to it, and at times my head swims with a little bit of confusion but an over all sense of pure enjoyment. You are a few steps ahead of me, I currently have the 0 Coast from Make Noise as my gateway. My next step is buying the soldering iron and picking up a module or 3 to start putting pieces together. Thanks very much for taking the time to do these videos, a lot of us out here watching really enjoy it!
Please do continue to bring your perspective! Let others speak to their knowledge and experience. I'm earnestly enjoying it, and I'm in a similar position. Spent many months researching...but to see it come together is a lot of fun and rewarding. Cheers.
You should really get a cheap oscilloscope to look at the output of maths. It makes it really easy to understand what it is doing visually. I struggled in the mystery of maths until I plugged it into an oscilloscope.
@Devon F If you call that cheap, I envy you...a lot...$349 is not really cheap?! Ornament and crimes is relatively cheap. But sure as hell a lot cheaper then an O'tool and a lot more useful then an O'tool, It does more then an o'tool of course that is subjective as well.If you venture to go out and buy an o'tool you might as well go the extra mile and spend a bit more and get the mordax data, that is not only a useful tool but has a lot of added value plus can be used as a signal generator, clock source/divider and wave generator. O'tool is just that a tool, no more no less.
Really enjoying this series. Stumbled across your channel doing 'research'. Really informative and I think I would have chosen similar modules for the same reasons you gave. Now just need to pull the trigger on my first purchases... Keep up the great work.
I love these vids. I've just started a Eurorack kitty fund. Pretty refreshing to listen to someone who doesn't 100 percent always know exactly what they're doing talk about this stuff! As it does seem quite intimidating, knowledge-wise, sometimes, to get involved with modular.
The Z4000 is actually a fantastic ADSR, it has two particularly useful controls that aren't found on normal ADSRs which is probably the cause for confusion. "Shoot" its just a manual trigger button. "Slope" is either Log or Exponential curve (like the Response knob on Maths). "Deviator" is a bipolar control (zero = 12 o'clock) which adds an positive (clockwise) or negative (CCW) voltage offset to the envelope output. This would be like taking the SUM out of Maths and turn up/down ch2 (or 3) along with Ch1 (or 4) envelope's output. Lastly, the "Attenuveter" attenuates and/or inverts the envelope signal. So turned all the way clockwise would be full envelope volume. At 12 o'clock it's fully attenutated. As you turn CCW from 12 o'clock, it increases the output but *inverted*. It's kind of like a "Mini Maths" ADSR. ;D
That all sounds really cool and everything - but i was just after an envelope in an old regular synthesizer styli. Sometimes i feel modular tries too hard :) I'm sure i'll appreciate it more in time and thanks for the tips!
Yeah give it a shot, because it is that too. Set the Attenuverter fully clockwise and the Deviator at 12 oclock and it will behave like the ADSR you expect - even if you never touch them again, that's ok. Curve switch would be set to taste (I personally would prefer the exponential setting, iirc that's most ADSRs). Shoot button is great for auditioning quick changes, otherwise ignoring it and never using it is totally fine. Once you get used to that, I guarantee if you start to experiment with the additional controls, you'll see their benefit(s).
I'm glad to hear that Batumi and Maths worked for you as an intuitive explorer of modular gear. I approach things in much the same way, preferring to dive in and fumble around rather than learn how I'm supposed to use a thing. I looked at Batumi and thought maybe it seemed too menu intensive.
I keep forgetting to use the menu system on the Batumi - well it's less of a menu and really just a couple of buttons that change modes. I just use the outputs into things to modulate stuff :)
Full ADSR is only really useful when you are triggering it with a touch control/keyboard. The point being the "Sustain" will hold as long as you are pressing down, so this module will give you functionality like most standard keyboard synths. It's for expressiveness. Never used the TipTop one but I would immediately guess that the button will just let the envelope fire without having to patch in a gate trigger from a keyboard and such. If you wanted an ADSR easier to understand, most people use the Doepfer A-140 (what I use).
Riveting video. Enjoyed the in-process comments. Also found the music to be very relaxing. I could run that rig in the background for working, reading, etc...
Love your honesty Robin. I've got quite a vast modular and still don't know what I'm doing. I understand the basics of synthesis but with modular the possibilities are endless, And like you I haven't got the time to sit in front of it for days. The Turing is a wise investment, also invest in a few volts modules. You'll see why. In addition, your BSP is an interface.
What's a "volts module"? And what do you mean the BSP is an interface? I didn't notice any ASIO drivers - do you mean MIDI-to-CV? I'm finding the BSP a bit frustrating actually.
Pulled from their website: "With BeatStep Pro you can connect to virtually any musical device within reach: computers, virtual instruments, modular synths, drum machines; anything with USB, MIDI in and out, CV/Gate outputs, Clock in and out, or DIN sync. From the oldest music technology to the newest and beyond, BeatStep Pro is bound to become the centerpiece of your setup and the heart of your creative efforts for many years to come" Of course that depends on what you have already, In my case I have the ER-101, Erica Pico SEQ, Tiptop Circadian Rhythms and the Metropolis as sequencers. The VOLTS module is essentially another output with 5 knobs. www.thonk.co.uk/shop/music-thing-modular-turing-machine-expander-volts-kit-copy/ Cheap enough to just have and a simple kit to build. You can put both outputs through a Quantiser or use the second output for modulation, say cutoff. Personally Robin, and looking at what people are using the BSP for, I think it's worth spending a bit of time with. It's clearly quite a powerful bit of kit or if you go on to use another sequencer, shelve it don't sell it on. As for ASIO, iOS and Win7-10 have had a generic ASIO which makes it plug and play. So you could use it with Softube. In addition I found this: www.arturia.com/beatstep-pro/details Look about 2/3rds of the way down.
Oh i see, for the Turin, right. BSP - comprehensive bit of kit - and a MIDI interface not an audio one which is what i was getting at. It has a lot of functionality it's just poorly designed in my view. Simply having the sockets on the back makes the workflow uber frustrating and it looks trashy to me - there has to be something that's as powerful but better suited to a modular environment - which probably means getting a proper HP stealing sequencer module :)
Damn you, I started watching this series to convince myself I wouldn't be interested in a eurorack setup. Unfortunantly after hearing your maths noodling on this vid, I now have a $1200 modulargrid setup specced :). Keep up this series!
Great video! You should be a tester of modules for all module creating companies :P! You sound like my thoughts now and than, "the maths image" , "the batumi works together" etc etc, that's actually just what it, does isn't it? No matter whether it's the right technical term :). You also got the same problem as every addict, always looking for next new module! You've got 2 full racks and plenty to play with, but you're spending your time on searching for the next *) *), that sounds like the regular modular addict, like me:). Note that there is no way back, welcome to the rabbit hole!
I totally get why the Disting can be confusing at first. My recommendation is to print out the manual or cheat sheet and have it on hand when playing with it- that, or just find one specific algorithm that aligns with a module you WANT but don't HAVE and just set it to that semi-permanently. I really like the quantizer and the sample&hold options.
Great series, I've been following along this series building up my own modular with education driven more by experimentation initially rather than manuals. Like you, I find myself also wondering if I have enough of 'the basics'. Rather than going the disting route to try things out though, I committed heresy and picked up audulus 3 for the ipad, a software modular synth. I got a headphone / mic jack adapter, and now have 2 inputs and outputs to interface between the real and virtual synths 'in real time'. It's really helping me fill short term gaps like my lack of modulation and experimenting with integrating longer chains of modules than my modular currently supports on its own. Anyways, keep the great videos coming! I just built a Turing machine myself and am keen to see your results.
It's all about having the time! I don't think software is heresy - it can be very useful. For me i've needed to break out from software in order to jolt me into exploration - i need to stand up and move about and patch things in a way i can't do in software - it never feels the same to me. But it's all very useful. I'm currently working on DC and AC coupling and CV connections to Bitwig - then I have some Surface Pro videos to do - then it's the Turin machine, promise.
Just a note to other Beatstep owners: I'm not sure about the new one, but I have an original Beatstep and the gate voltage is around 8 volts instead of 5 volts. I wanted to try connecting it to my Behringer Neutron but I've been afraid to try it as the gate in is supposed to be 5 volts for the Neutron. I ordered an attenuator cable and am looking forward to trying it when it comes.
What you are talking about, is your desire of always wanting to tryout sth new - so buy (probably after recommendation), mount, patch, being happy or disappointed with your sound results ? - well then starts learning and investigating
Really enjoying this series. Even though it's a couple of years old, it's been incredibly helpful. I went ahead and got a beatstep pro after seeing you demonstrate how intuitive it is. I'm still waiting on a few modules, and I'm curious about how well they interact with the envelopes in my minibrute 2. Also curious if you got further into the DIY side of the modular world. Thanks again
Hope I don’t offend you by saying that I see a lot of me when watching you. In a way it’s comforting, yet at the same time I feel your frustrations on a much higher level, when you have them. I do know, though... that you have it all in hand... and will work it out. As I would... and will. Of course.. the point in time of this considered.
Thank you for all this noob material. Here is exactly the stage in which this sort of documentation needs to be. By the time someone is an expert they have forgotten all the little hurdles. I just received an 0-Coast to add to the Mother-32 stable. I'm so glad that that the KB out (M-32) > 1V/Oct (0-Coast) seems to be tracking well enough that it doesn't necessitate a buff mult, not that one won't be in the first row of my Eurorack. I'm staring at the M-32 in your rack and it looks a little lonely;) One thing that I have noticed in my journey is that I enjoy tinkering with FM synthesis. That buttery, Moog out of the box, sound is fantastic, but i'm likely to enjoy the self triggering madness of MATHS...not that I didn't have a _Forbidden Planet_, Id crushing, LFO > filter triggering, drone on the M-32 last night. (Sample at "Forbidden Id" in M-32 area at synthlib.com) Oh, way off topic I kicked the Teency Audio hornets nest...homemade synth modules, anything you can imagine, anyone???
It isn't just you regarding the polyvoks. not that it is a bad filter. It has a world of character. The issue is the small usable cutoff range which seems to open too readily .
That's interesting. Actually during the prep for this video i found that the inputs to my audio interface were just a little hot which seems to be the source of some distortion i was getting. The filter is sounding much better now, but i do know what you mean :)
Great stuff! That symbol on Maths is an integral sign. The second mode in Batumi is quadrature mode: each succeeding channel is 90 degrees out of phase of the previous one (the manual has a nice picture of this), slider (or CV 1) controls the frequency and sliders (or CV) 2, 3, and 4 control the amplitudes of their respective channels.
You MUST use the manual to know the endless functions of Disting, or at least a "cheat sheet". If you use it for nothing else, you can set it for different functions that ARE NOT YET in your system, and decide if you need that function in your system. Kind of a test-run for potential future modules.
My 1st comment on your YT channel - maybe someone else said the same thing. I guess it makes the suggestion doubly insightful! >80) (love your vids BTW, very engaging)
My impression with "Maths" is that it can be used for portamento, I'm curious on how it compares to Befaco's Rampage, which has been my go-to for that in VCV Rack
Love your candor and walk through on this complex expensive hobby! I recommend one or two of the Bitbox sampler/sequencer and synth modules. These have touch screen and work awesome!
gotcha I understand why you want a more pure traditional setup. I was leaning toward these Bitbox items but think rather stay old school like what you have minus the Mother 32 synth. Probably would get the Doepfer Dark Energy III synth that just came out or maybe the Make Noise 0-coast synth since I already have a Moog Sub 37 and would be fun to try a new sound.
For your drum modules, you should look into Hexinverter's Mutant drum modules! It is totally living up to what you said: crafting your drum sound. It is awesome to follow you into your journey btw!
the Maths is a function generator. The Log/Exp is gonna change the slope of the rise & fall either following log or exp shape. You should try to play around with the OR/SUM/INV . The real power is to be unleashed in the manual. Cheers
Thank you for this series. As a complete, non modular owning, novice, Its great to follow someone from the very beginning of their journey. Can I ask which modules were actually being used for the live sounds being created. I'm thinking about putting together a kid of basic bare bones system based around the Maths module.
I should have this written down somewhere :) Make Noise ST0, Erica Wavetable, Batumi, Maths, Mutable Veils VCA, Erica Pico DSP for a bit of reverb. You can see all my choices in my other videos.
First, I love and want your shirt. Also, this is a genius way of asking for help in the modular world. You make a video demonstrating your confusion over a number of things and the community fills in the gaps in the comments. Strangely compelling to watch. *shrug* :)
LOL at your Disting comments. So true, yet it's an incredibly useful little devil. And you have the "easy" one. But even for this you definitely need the manual, or at least the cheat sheet. It has a Turing Machine in there. You could get a preview of the wonderfulness of ASR sequencing (the Disting quantizes itself) while building your TM. The TM is much more fun to use, though.
On the Z4000 - I have two (bought at the same time). They certainly look like the best ADSR, but frankly I dislike the shape they make and I've never had a result from them that's satisfied me. I've recently bought a WMD ADSRVCA - which sounds very musical, is only 6hp, and the build in VCA is super handy. On drum sounds.... having gone down the route of the drum sound modules and the associated sequencing, I've kind of retreated back - bought an Electron Digitakt, and I'm using that for percussion and sequencing with melodic stuff in the rack.
Hahaha, this is gold! Only half way through, but I (being a n00b wiggler myself) can relate to so many things already... brilliant! xD Curious, what will be in my shopping bag next, definitely the Batumi, maybe Touring Machine and/or Disting, a Quantizer, the Twin Waves, hmm... Please give us an update on the Disting when you get around it, am quite interested in that one, looks really powerful...
Didn't you used to have a tangled quartet? edit: Thoughts on ADSR modules-- They are still really handy for performative voicing. Like if you want to play an improvisation over your generative piece, an adsr will really be a boon. Maybe the one you have isn't your cup of tea, maybe you would like a mutable instrument peaks, which (if you watch the DivKid Video) is super easy to use. Also, because it is a Mutable Instruments module, it also has a Kick and Snare, Complex shape LFO, tempo-synced LFO, FM Drums, 4-step sequencer, trigger delay, and a super hidden easter egg that's like a coded spy transmission from the 1930's. But don't let that bother you, it has an easy to use adsr as it's main function.
Holy Suzanne Ciani. Wake the Neighbors and phone the kids. I made the ocean with Mother-32 and 0-Coast Krell Patch++. Long story short, NOISE(M-32) > Mix2(M-32), VC MIX(M-32) > LINFM(0-Coast).
I like your bumbling approach. I'm really identify with it when I place my order. I'm not a fan of manuals. I want to get complex unusual sounds that I can't get any other way but modular but with modules that are intuitive and user friendly. I saw you're eyeing up more HP as soon as you bought the moog case. How much have you spent so far? I'm starting to think a Waldorf Quantum is going to seem cheap after starting with this. Have you figured out what's up with the beatstep yet? I thought the mother 32s sequencer would be able to sequence your other modules.
Thanks! I don’t tend to sequence very deliberately. I’m more likely to use a Varigate thru a quantizer. I haven’t touched the BSP in months. The m33 sequencer is just a bit annoying to use, so I don’t tend to.
Annoying in what way - in that it's more of a 303 style so it's not very fluid? I do quite like the idea of the intellijel metropolis - it seems really inspiring and i'm sure there are plenty of happy accidents to be found. It also costs the same as a mother 32 though. I'm not sure about the maths too although I'd be concerned for my own safety if I didn't get one. The maths mafia is pretty powerful. I get that it can do envelope and LFO things and clocking if you can work it out but then so can many modules if you buy them separately. I'm in a contradictory place where I want unique special sounds that I can't get from anything but modular but I also want to know what's going on and why it's happening. I think I like the idea of simple modules that have a unique twist like the E355 morphing lfo because it's got the controls of a standard LFO yet it uses wavetables. I don't want to confuse myself too much but I also want something much more interesting and inspiring than your standard subtractive synth. I also want something musicially useful rather than just unintelligable random noise though so I'm conflicted about that too.
No, I don't think it's like the 303... maybe it is but i dont remember the 303 being this annoying. Never ask why - that's my advice or you'll be forever chasing some solution you can never quite find. I've always headed towards musically useful - that's where things like clock dividers and sequential switches start making sense. There's only so much randomness and S&h a system can handle. So yeah i know where you're coming from. I feel my rack is missing a magic something.... but then when i play with it something always seems to emerge :)
+Molten Music Technology Yes I agree. Music does need to have some kind of repetition to be meaningful or some central theme for a piece. I'm getting frightened off by the crazy prices. I seem to have a preference for a plethora of high end exotic VCOs at £300-400 a pop. What I'm going to do it's get a mantis case and just put a plaits and rings to start with and run them into my semi modular future retro XS. I can get LFO modulation, Audio rate, Envelope and Amp modulation from the XS. It will also convert cv to midi. I think I'll probably want a delay/reverb module too. Are you happy with your maths or do you think I'd be better with a dual LFO module and dual envelope module for around the same price? Anyway I think I'll start with the new oscillator or two first and see how I get on. I might as well use what I have to start with to keep costs reasonable. These are the oscillators I'm most interested in....£5000 later... www.modulargrid.net/e/racks/view/738642
Maths continues to earn its place i think. If i had an LFO i'd use it as an LFO, same with an envelope. With Maths there's all this end-of-cycle stuff and CV generation and mixing that finds itself useful in all sorts of things that i would not have thought to do otherwise. It's just a useful module.
@Molten Music Technology Look at Malekko Manther (for a new drum Machine/Synth, has Probability(like functions found on old-style Chiptune-trackers: NerdSeq, and Elequencer) and two tweekable parameters per step(like the Roland SE-02)) I saw an interview last week, of the Sequentix Cirklon(Best Sequencer on the market, and w/ it you don't need to buy an envelope or deal w/ patching ADSR.*+++)
Hey there! Love your videos! i was wondering what you use when you connect the Moog Mother to the eurorack and another Oscillator like the Erica Synths you have, In order to keep it tuned together and convert to the same voltage. A Buff Mult? something like a tuner or Mscale from Pico? I'm extremely new to this so im sorry if thats a silly question. Just trying to make sure i have all the right utilities. Cheers!
Thanks! I generally tune by ear. Everything responds to 1 volt per octave so they all stay together in sequences, you've just got to get them close enough to sound ok. I've no idea what notes they are playing most of the time.
Very nice, funny & interesting ! If I was you, I would read ... Just a bit ! ... Some of your modules manual ... The ADRS module, for instance ! Going into modular is not intuitive as expected like in a synth : you've got to wire modules together ! In a synth, that's already done. And if you don't know exactly what outputs an output, same for intputs, you will need decades to produce what you wish ! With manual, you can go much deeply in what your devices can do as well.
hi robin, love your videos, they ave help me on my modular window shopping journey for some time, i was wondering if you could recommend a good cheap place to buy some rails and a power board. i plan to build my own case, was just wondering if you came across a particurally good one? cheers.
I seriously appreciate your videos so much. As I am looking to invest in modular system, these videos have been essential to my research. Thanks for doing this! I was just wondering though, what do you use for an amplifier for your rack, ie - what are you plugging in to, and, I have read that because racks run so hot, you need to make some kind of voltage adjustments? Can you expand on any of that? I intend for lots of live usage, so connecting between the eurorack and an amp is essential. Again, thanks!!!
You’re welcome! Get yourself an output module. I use the Make Noise Rosie, it has line and headphone outputs. I then run the line out to two channels on my Audiofuse audio interface for monitoring and recording.
Now making my first jump into euro too, its true everyone suggests maths. Its amazing the variety of systems you can build, my first rack for instance is going to be more sample based for granular stuff. If you are interested www.modulargrid.net/e/racks/view/460981
You either need one supply for each row if they are separate or one supply that powers both if you can cable it up right. A decent power supply should be able to power a good couple of rows.
many thanks! I am doing some test sketches on Modulargrid.net per your great tips in the videos. So far have some VCAs, VCOs, VCF and few other modules. I really just want a simple basic setup for learning purposes. Building from scratch is better than buying a prepackaged deal to really master this complex area of music.
Yes, that's exactly right. The BSP has 8 trigger outputs so you can run a whole drum kit. I'll probably get a second Pico Drums just to cover the basics of kick/snare and hats until i want to start using big percussive modules for individual sounds - don't have the room for that sort of thing :)
well you know the M25 goes all the way round that big shopping centre to the North? You just need to get through the checkpoints heading for east anglia and, assuming you have clearance, you cant miss it.
BTW - Norwich is also the home of Future Radio 107.8 and if you listen in on Thursday nights you may hear Flatland Frequencies, a very nice show of electronic music, historical & contemporary futureradio.co.uk/radio-show/flatland-frequencies
Great video Robert, nice to see how this is progressing for you. Shame we didn't get chance to speak at Superbooth. Here's a Batumi overview for what each of those four LED modes are :) ua-cam.com/video/0I3jo8bpfU8/v-deo.html
even after digesting "the manuals, you still start as a noob.... no one starts "modular synthesis" at an advanced level, even the folks that came up playing Rolands/Moogs/Yamahas/Korgs of the 70s and 80(there SHOULD be some Familiar Concepts for that crowd, which helps)...... and the old RTFM does help..... i DO like the informative posters, rather than the posts of idle complainers and non-mentoring types......
take it too leeds and let someone experienced help you find your way!!! please;-) that was a bit painful to watch, but still entertaining ;-) manuals first! else you might get a shock;-(
Thanks for this but as i said before this arena needs a manufacturer who wants users to understand this tons of various gadgets that use terms that frustrate more than delivering any kind of useful info. This is why a full voice modular is more my taste. But good luck. And thanks for doing more than "make noise" does for their fans thats for sure who love to create useless terms that explain nothing. And machines that insult the user into submission. (Yeah that came out of the mouth of a sales man for make noise at a demo) peace christo
Newer subscriber here and I just wanted to pass on my appreciation of these modular videos. I really enjoy your honesty when talking about this world of synthesis, I am currently in the same boat...brand spanking new to it, and at times my head swims with a little bit of confusion but an over all sense of pure enjoyment. You are a few steps ahead of me, I currently have the 0 Coast from Make Noise as my gateway. My next step is buying the soldering iron and picking up a module or 3 to start putting pieces together. Thanks very much for taking the time to do these videos, a lot of us out here watching really enjoy it!
‘As you can see, I’ve already started my second row’. Four years later!!! 🤪
Please do continue to bring your perspective! Let others speak to their knowledge and experience. I'm earnestly enjoying it, and I'm in a similar position. Spent many months researching...but to see it come together is a lot of fun and rewarding. Cheers.
I love your honest take and humble attitude on this subject.
You should really get a cheap oscilloscope to look at the output of maths. It makes it really easy to understand what it is doing visually. I struggled in the mystery of maths until I plugged it into an oscilloscope.
Brian Silvas yes so I did ! ... but not just for the math
Ornament & Crime Harrington, has an oscilloscope and loads of other functionality, you get like 5 modules in one.
@Devon F If you call that cheap, I envy you...a lot...$349 is not really cheap?! Ornament and crimes is relatively cheap. But sure as hell a lot cheaper then an O'tool and a lot more useful then an O'tool, It does more then an o'tool of course that is subjective as well.If you venture to go out and buy an o'tool you might as well go the extra mile and spend a bit more and get the mordax data, that is not only a useful tool but has a lot of added value plus can be used as a signal generator, clock source/divider and wave generator. O'tool is just that a tool, no more no less.
This is our favourite vid... love the patch, can’t wait to experiment with thr batumi and maths - you convinced us that these were a must have!
Really enjoying this series. Stumbled across your channel doing 'research'. Really informative and I think I would have chosen similar modules for the same reasons you gave. Now just need to pull the trigger on my first purchases... Keep up the great work.
I love these vids. I've just started a Eurorack kitty fund. Pretty refreshing to listen to someone who doesn't 100 percent always know exactly what they're doing talk about this stuff! As it does seem quite intimidating, knowledge-wise, sometimes, to get involved with modular.
The Z4000 is actually a fantastic ADSR, it has two particularly useful controls that aren't found on normal ADSRs which is probably the cause for confusion. "Shoot" its just a manual trigger button. "Slope" is either Log or Exponential curve (like the Response knob on Maths). "Deviator" is a bipolar control (zero = 12 o'clock) which adds an positive (clockwise) or negative (CCW) voltage offset to the envelope output. This would be like taking the SUM out of Maths and turn up/down ch2 (or 3) along with Ch1 (or 4) envelope's output. Lastly, the "Attenuveter" attenuates and/or inverts the envelope signal. So turned all the way clockwise would be full envelope volume. At 12 o'clock it's fully attenutated. As you turn CCW from 12 o'clock, it increases the output but *inverted*. It's kind of like a "Mini Maths" ADSR. ;D
That all sounds really cool and everything - but i was just after an envelope in an old regular synthesizer styli. Sometimes i feel modular tries too hard :)
I'm sure i'll appreciate it more in time and thanks for the tips!
Yeah give it a shot, because it is that too. Set the Attenuverter fully clockwise and the Deviator at 12 oclock and it will behave like the ADSR you expect - even if you never touch them again, that's ok. Curve switch would be set to taste (I personally would prefer the exponential setting, iirc that's most ADSRs). Shoot button is great for auditioning quick changes, otherwise ignoring it and never using it is totally fine. Once you get used to that, I guarantee if you start to experiment with the additional controls, you'll see their benefit(s).
just wanted to say i love the videos youre making, im new to this stuff too and these have really helped me out!
I'm glad to hear that Batumi and Maths worked for you as an intuitive explorer of modular gear. I approach things in much the same way, preferring to dive in and fumble around rather than learn how I'm supposed to use a thing. I looked at Batumi and thought maybe it seemed too menu intensive.
I keep forgetting to use the menu system on the Batumi - well it's less of a menu and really just a couple of buttons that change modes. I just use the outputs into things to modulate stuff :)
9:20 - man that is so lush! I haven't a clue what it is you're doing either but I am headed in this direction after watching your channel mate !!!
excellent series! I'm learning a lot and getting ready for a Eurorack so thanks!
Full ADSR is only really useful when you are triggering it with a touch control/keyboard. The point being the "Sustain" will hold as long as you are pressing down, so this module will give you functionality like most standard keyboard synths. It's for expressiveness. Never used the TipTop one but I would immediately guess that the button will just let the envelope fire without having to patch in a gate trigger from a keyboard and such. If you wanted an ADSR easier to understand, most people use the Doepfer A-140 (what I use).
Funnily enough i had planned to buy the A-140 but I was advised that the Z4000 was much more interesting :)
"Intuit through it". Brilliant! Glad to see you back.
Riveting video. Enjoyed the in-process comments. Also found the music to be very relaxing. I could run that rig in the background for working, reading, etc...
I recommend reading some manuals!! especially for Disting
Er yes, thank you, i will :)
The Disting module can solve Fermat's Last Theorem
Also don't forget the App "Modes" for this and many other modules.
i am just loving your journey, learning so much!
Love your honesty Robin. I've got quite a vast modular and still don't know what I'm doing. I understand the basics of synthesis but with modular the possibilities are endless, And like you I haven't got the time to sit in front of it for days.
The Turing is a wise investment, also invest in a few volts modules. You'll see why.
In addition, your BSP is an interface.
What's a "volts module"? And what do you mean the BSP is an interface? I didn't notice any ASIO drivers - do you mean MIDI-to-CV? I'm finding the BSP a bit frustrating actually.
Pulled from their website:
"With BeatStep Pro you can connect to virtually any musical device within reach: computers, virtual instruments, modular synths, drum machines; anything with USB, MIDI in and out, CV/Gate outputs, Clock in and out, or DIN sync. From the oldest music technology to the newest and beyond, BeatStep Pro is bound to become the centerpiece of your setup and the heart of your creative efforts for many years to come"
Of course that depends on what you have already, In my case I have the ER-101, Erica Pico SEQ, Tiptop Circadian Rhythms and the Metropolis as sequencers.
The VOLTS module is essentially another output with 5 knobs.
www.thonk.co.uk/shop/music-thing-modular-turing-machine-expander-volts-kit-copy/
Cheap enough to just have and a simple kit to build. You can put both outputs through a Quantiser or use the second output for modulation, say cutoff.
Personally Robin, and looking at what people are using the BSP for, I think it's worth spending a bit of time with. It's clearly quite a powerful bit of kit or if you go on to use another sequencer, shelve it don't sell it on.
As for ASIO, iOS and Win7-10 have had a generic ASIO which makes it plug and play. So you could use it with Softube.
In addition I found this: www.arturia.com/beatstep-pro/details
Look about 2/3rds of the way down.
Oh i see, for the Turin, right.
BSP - comprehensive bit of kit - and a MIDI interface not an audio one which is what i was getting at. It has a lot of functionality it's just poorly designed in my view. Simply having the sockets on the back makes the workflow uber frustrating and it looks trashy to me - there has to be something that's as powerful but better suited to a modular environment - which probably means getting a proper HP stealing sequencer module :)
Damn you, I started watching this series to convince myself I wouldn't be interested in a eurorack setup. Unfortunantly after hearing your maths noodling on this vid, I now have a $1200 modulargrid setup specced :). Keep up this series!
Thank You. This video has great value to me.
Great video! You should be a tester of modules for all module creating companies :P! You sound like my thoughts now and than, "the maths image" , "the batumi works together" etc etc, that's actually just what it, does isn't it? No matter whether it's the right technical term :). You also got the same problem as every addict, always looking for next new module! You've got 2 full racks and plenty to play with, but you're spending your time on searching for the next *) *), that sounds like the regular modular addict, like me:). Note that there is no way back, welcome to the rabbit hole!
I love your videos so much. And I keep thinking that Howard Moon is teaching me about modular. Which is also awesome :)
I totally get why the Disting can be confusing at first. My recommendation is to print out the manual or cheat sheet and have it on hand when playing with it- that, or just find one specific algorithm that aligns with a module you WANT but don't HAVE and just set it to that semi-permanently. I really like the quantizer and the sample&hold options.
Great series, I've been following along this series building up my own modular with education driven more by experimentation initially rather than manuals. Like you, I find myself also wondering if I have enough of 'the basics'. Rather than going the disting route to try things out though, I committed heresy and picked up audulus 3 for the ipad, a software modular synth. I got a headphone / mic jack adapter, and now have 2 inputs and outputs to interface between the real and virtual synths 'in real time'. It's really helping me fill short term gaps like my lack of modulation and experimenting with integrating longer chains of modules than my modular currently supports on its own. Anyways, keep the great videos coming! I just built a Turing machine myself and am keen to see your results.
It's all about having the time! I don't think software is heresy - it can be very useful. For me i've needed to break out from software in order to jolt me into exploration - i need to stand up and move about and patch things in a way i can't do in software - it never feels the same to me. But it's all very useful.
I'm currently working on DC and AC coupling and CV connections to Bitwig - then I have some Surface Pro videos to do - then it's the Turin machine, promise.
Finally... A human fumbling and having fun in the process! Thanks.
Just a note to other Beatstep owners: I'm not sure about the new one, but I have an original Beatstep and the gate voltage is around 8 volts instead of 5 volts. I wanted to try connecting it to my Behringer Neutron but I've been afraid to try it as the gate in is supposed to be 5 volts for the Neutron. I ordered an attenuator cable and am looking forward to trying it when it comes.
Did it work?
What you are talking about, is your desire of always wanting to tryout sth new - so buy (probably after recommendation), mount, patch, being happy or disappointed with your sound results ? - well then starts learning and investigating
Really enjoying this series. Even though it's a couple of years old, it's been incredibly helpful. I went ahead and got a beatstep pro after seeing you demonstrate how intuitive it is. I'm still waiting on a few modules, and I'm curious about how well they interact with the envelopes in my minibrute 2. Also curious if you got further into the DIY side of the modular world. Thanks again
Oh yes, many more videos and the journey continues
Hope I don’t offend you by saying that I see a lot of me when watching you. In a way it’s comforting, yet at the same time I feel your frustrations on a much higher level, when you have them. I do know, though... that you have it all in hand... and will work it out. As I would... and will.
Of course.. the point in time of this considered.
Thanks mate
Thank you for all this noob material. Here is exactly the stage in which this sort of documentation needs to be. By the time someone is an expert they have forgotten all the little hurdles. I just received an 0-Coast to add to the Mother-32 stable. I'm so glad that that the KB out (M-32) > 1V/Oct (0-Coast) seems to be tracking well enough that it doesn't necessitate a buff mult, not that one won't be in the first row of my Eurorack. I'm staring at the M-32 in your rack and it looks a little lonely;) One thing that I have noticed in my journey is that I enjoy tinkering with FM synthesis. That buttery, Moog out of the box, sound is fantastic, but i'm likely to enjoy the self triggering madness of MATHS...not that I didn't have a _Forbidden Planet_, Id crushing, LFO > filter triggering, drone on the M-32 last night. (Sample at "Forbidden Id" in M-32 area at synthlib.com)
Oh, way off topic I kicked the Teency Audio hornets nest...homemade synth modules, anything you can imagine, anyone???
It isn't just you regarding the polyvoks. not that it is a bad filter. It has a world of character. The issue is the small usable cutoff range which seems to open too readily .
That's interesting. Actually during the prep for this video i found that the inputs to my audio interface were just a little hot which seems to be the source of some distortion i was getting. The filter is sounding much better now, but i do know what you mean :)
Great stuff! That symbol on Maths is an integral sign. The second mode in Batumi is quadrature mode: each succeeding channel is 90 degrees out of phase of the previous one (the manual has a nice picture of this), slider (or CV 1) controls the frequency and sliders (or CV) 2, 3, and 4 control the amplitudes of their respective channels.
Integral - right. 90 degrees of phase - got it :)
I think Robin's description was more fun.
Analog Fridays Ha, I agree.
Well, this video made me giggle. Enjoying your honest fumbling.
You MUST use the manual to know the endless functions of Disting, or at least a "cheat sheet". If you use it for nothing else, you can set it for different functions that ARE NOT YET in your system, and decide if you need that function in your system. Kind of a test-run for potential future modules.
That's weird - didn't you say that before? I'm having some sort of deja-vu. Yes manuals are helpful and that's exactly why I got the Disting 4.
My 1st comment on your YT channel - maybe someone else said the same thing.
I guess it makes the suggestion doubly insightful! >80)
(love your vids BTW, very engaging)
My impression with "Maths" is that it can be used for portamento, I'm curious on how it compares to Befaco's Rampage, which has been my go-to for that in VCV Rack
Love your candor and walk through on this complex expensive hobby! I recommend one or two of the Bitbox sampler/sequencer and synth modules. These have touch screen and work awesome!
Yeah, but in Modular screens are really not what I’m after
gotcha I understand why you want a more pure traditional setup. I was leaning toward these Bitbox items but think rather stay old school like what you have minus the Mother 32 synth. Probably would get the Doepfer Dark Energy III synth that just came out or maybe the Make Noise 0-coast synth since I already have a Moog Sub 37 and would be fun to try a new sound.
Don't forget to add this one to the playlist. :)
Mr Matrixsynth! Love your work, it's an honour to be visited by your eyeballs. And yes, let me do that.
Thanks! :) I popped up the playlist here: www.matrixsynth.com/2017/06/molten-modular-getting-into-eurorack.html
"I don't use manuals." A few minutes later, "I don't understand how my Tiptop envelope works..." This is me.
For your drum modules, you should look into Hexinverter's Mutant drum modules! It is totally living up to what you said: crafting your drum sound. It is awesome to follow you into your journey btw!
Thanks for the shout out about Leeds! ... I should watch a full video before commenting about various things haha. Cheers
Ha! We had the first synth meet in Norwich earlier in the week - it was unexpectedly good :)
moltenmodular.com/norwich-synth-meet
Awesome :) will try to get to the next one as I'm only an hour away from Norwich
Wooo! thanks for the videos!
the Maths is a function generator. The Log/Exp is gonna change the slope of the rise & fall either following log or exp shape. You should try to play around with the OR/SUM/INV . The real power is to be unleashed in the manual. Cheers
Thank you for this series. As a complete, non modular owning, novice, Its great to follow someone from the very beginning of their journey. Can I ask which modules were actually being used for the live sounds being created.
I'm thinking about putting together a kid of basic bare bones system based around the Maths module.
I should have this written down somewhere :)
Make Noise ST0, Erica Wavetable, Batumi, Maths, Mutable Veils VCA, Erica Pico DSP for a bit of reverb. You can see all my choices in my other videos.
First, I love and want your shirt. Also, this is a genius way of asking for help in the modular world. You make a video demonstrating your confusion over a number of things and the community fills in the gaps in the comments. Strangely compelling to watch. *shrug* :)
LOL at your Disting comments. So true, yet it's an incredibly useful little devil. And you have the "easy" one. But even for this you definitely need the manual, or at least the cheat sheet. It has a Turing Machine in there. You could get a preview of the wonderfulness of ASR sequencing (the Disting quantizes itself) while building your TM. The TM is much more fun to use, though.
I'll get to it soon enough :)
On the Z4000 - I have two (bought at the same time). They certainly look like the best ADSR, but frankly I dislike the shape they make and I've never had a result from them that's satisfied me. I've recently bought a WMD ADSRVCA - which sounds very musical, is only 6hp, and the build in VCA is super handy.
On drum sounds.... having gone down the route of the drum sound modules and the associated sequencing, I've kind of retreated back - bought an Electron Digitakt, and I'm using that for percussion and sequencing with melodic stuff in the rack.
cool - thanks for that. I'm probably getting another Pico Drum :)
It could be fun to have a Modular Grid link (or at least a picture) so that we can clearly see the modules being used!
Yeah, maybe, but it keeps evolving so it wouldn't be relevant to the video for very long. You can find me under robinv00 on modular grid if you wish.
Hahaha, this is gold! Only half way through, but I (being a n00b wiggler myself) can relate to so many things already... brilliant! xD Curious, what will be in my shopping bag next, definitely the Batumi, maybe Touring Machine and/or Disting, a Quantizer, the Twin Waves, hmm...
Please give us an update on the Disting when you get around it, am quite interested in that one, looks really powerful...
Didn't you used to have a tangled quartet?
edit: Thoughts on ADSR modules-- They are still really handy for performative voicing. Like if you want to play an improvisation over your generative piece, an adsr will really be a boon. Maybe the one you have isn't your cup of tea, maybe you would like a mutable instrument peaks, which (if you watch the DivKid Video) is super easy to use. Also, because it is a Mutable Instruments module, it also has a Kick and Snare, Complex shape LFO, tempo-synced LFO, FM Drums, 4-step sequencer, trigger delay, and a super hidden easter egg that's like a coded spy transmission from the 1930's. But don't let that bother you, it has an easy to use adsr as it's main function.
nope, i have a Veils. Envelopes are indeed handy.
Holy Suzanne Ciani. Wake the Neighbors and phone the kids. I made the ocean with Mother-32 and 0-Coast Krell Patch++. Long story short, NOISE(M-32) > Mix2(M-32), VC MIX(M-32) > LINFM(0-Coast).
Okay so after getting a Mother 32 and a rack... what modules would you guys say is a must have? That Batumi looks absolutely sublime.
Some modulation is a good start.... then another sound source, then a VCA, a filter, envelope - all the usual stuff and then snowball from there.
I like your bumbling approach. I'm really identify with it when I place my order. I'm not a fan of manuals. I want to get complex unusual sounds that I can't get any other way but modular but with modules that are intuitive and user friendly. I saw you're eyeing up more HP as soon as you bought the moog case. How much have you spent so far? I'm starting to think a Waldorf Quantum is going to seem cheap after starting with this. Have you figured out what's up with the beatstep yet? I thought the mother 32s sequencer would be able to sequence your other modules.
Thanks! I don’t tend to sequence very deliberately. I’m more likely to use a Varigate thru a quantizer. I haven’t touched the BSP in months. The m33 sequencer is just a bit annoying to use, so I don’t tend to.
Annoying in what way - in that it's more of a 303 style so it's not very fluid? I do quite like the idea of the intellijel metropolis - it seems really inspiring and i'm sure there are plenty of happy accidents to be found. It also costs the same as a mother 32 though. I'm not sure about the maths too although I'd be concerned for my own safety if I didn't get one. The maths mafia is pretty powerful. I get that it can do envelope and LFO things and clocking if you can work it out but then so can many modules if you buy them separately. I'm in a contradictory place where I want unique special sounds that I can't get from anything but modular but I also want to know what's going on and why it's happening. I think I like the idea of simple modules that have a unique twist like the E355 morphing lfo because it's got the controls of a standard LFO yet it uses wavetables. I don't want to confuse myself too much but I also want something much more interesting and inspiring than your standard subtractive synth. I also want something musicially useful rather than just unintelligable random noise though so I'm conflicted about that too.
No, I don't think it's like the 303... maybe it is but i dont remember the 303 being this annoying.
Never ask why - that's my advice or you'll be forever chasing some solution you can never quite find. I've always headed towards musically useful - that's where things like clock dividers and sequential switches start making sense. There's only so much randomness and S&h a system can handle. So yeah i know where you're coming from. I feel my rack is missing a magic something.... but then when i play with it something always seems to emerge :)
+Molten Music Technology Yes I agree. Music does need to have some kind of repetition to be meaningful or some central theme for a piece. I'm getting frightened off by the crazy prices. I seem to have a preference for a plethora of high end exotic VCOs at £300-400 a pop. What I'm going to do it's get a mantis case and just put a plaits and rings to start with and run them into my semi modular future retro XS. I can get LFO modulation, Audio rate, Envelope and Amp modulation from the XS. It will also convert cv to midi. I think I'll probably want a delay/reverb module too. Are you happy with your maths or do you think I'd be better with a dual LFO module and dual envelope module for around the same price? Anyway I think I'll start with the new oscillator or two first and see how I get on. I might as well use what I have to start with to keep costs reasonable. These are the oscillators I'm most interested in....£5000 later... www.modulargrid.net/e/racks/view/738642
Maths continues to earn its place i think. If i had an LFO i'd use it as an LFO, same with an envelope. With Maths there's all this end-of-cycle stuff and CV generation and mixing that finds itself useful in all sorts of things that i would not have thought to do otherwise. It's just a useful module.
I have a maths, and its amazingly handy.
Love the shirt!
@Molten Music Technology
Look at Malekko Manther (for a new drum Machine/Synth, has Probability(like functions found on old-style Chiptune-trackers: NerdSeq, and Elequencer) and two tweekable parameters per step(like the Roland SE-02))
I saw an interview last week, of the
Sequentix Cirklon(Best Sequencer on the market, and w/ it you don't need to buy an envelope or deal w/ patching ADSR.*+++)
maths also does attenuating of cv signals while giving you envelopes right? multitasking!
Hey there! Love your videos! i was wondering what you use when you connect the Moog Mother to the eurorack and another Oscillator like the Erica Synths you have, In order to keep it tuned together and convert to the same voltage. A Buff Mult? something like a tuner or Mscale from Pico? I'm extremely new to this so im sorry if thats a silly question. Just trying to make sure i have all the right utilities. Cheers!
Thanks! I generally tune by ear. Everything responds to 1 volt per octave so they all stay together in sequences, you've just got to get them close enough to sound ok. I've no idea what notes they are playing most of the time.
I see the Disting sitting there on "1A" and unpatched. Poor neglected thing :-)
Very nice, funny & interesting ! If I was you, I would read ... Just a bit ! ... Some of your modules manual ... The ADRS module, for instance ! Going into modular is not intuitive as expected like in a synth : you've got to wire modules together ! In a synth, that's already done.
And if you don't know exactly what outputs an output, same for intputs, you will need decades to produce what you wish ! With manual, you can go much deeply in what your devices can do as well.
Loving the videos! Any chance you can get into how you brought the Arturia into the mix?
I really haven’t. I thought the Beststep Pro would be really important but I’ve not used it for anything much at all.
hi robin, love your videos, they ave help me on my modular window shopping journey for some time, i was wondering if you could recommend a good cheap place to buy some rails and a power board. i plan to build my own case, was just wondering if you came across a particurally good one? cheers.
I’m in the UK and the best diy place here is Thonk.co.uk
I seriously appreciate your videos so much. As I am looking to invest in modular system, these videos have been essential to my research. Thanks for doing this! I was just wondering though, what do you use for an amplifier for your rack, ie - what are you plugging in to, and, I have read that because racks run so hot, you need to make some kind of voltage adjustments? Can you expand on any of that? I intend for lots of live usage, so connecting between the eurorack and an amp is essential. Again, thanks!!!
You’re welcome! Get yourself an output module. I use the Make Noise Rosie, it has line and headphone outputs. I then run the line out to two channels on my Audiofuse audio interface for monitoring and recording.
Got it. Thanks. Do you run through any amps for any live stuff?
Well you ultimately need to amplify the sound so you can listen to it. I have powered speakers - is that what you mean?
Sort of, but not really. Like I mean more of plugging into a keyboard, or bass amp - which is what I do now for my keyboard synth.
Whatever allows you to hear the sound mate.
Norwich meetup sounds good! Can I come even if I haven’t bought anything yet? :-)
of course - sign up to the facebook page facebook.com/groups/1943547559207780/
Now making my first jump into euro too, its true everyone suggests maths. Its amazing the variety of systems you can build, my first rack for instance is going to be more sample based for granular stuff. If you are interested www.modulargrid.net/e/racks/view/460981
So for a 2 row 80-100HP Eurorack, how many power supplies do you need?
You either need one supply for each row if they are separate or one supply that powers both if you can cable it up right. A decent power supply should be able to power a good couple of rows.
many thanks! I am doing some test sketches on Modulargrid.net per your great tips in the videos. So far have some VCAs, VCOs, VCF and few other modules. I really just want a simple basic setup for learning purposes. Building from scratch is better than buying a prepackaged deal to really master this complex area of music.
nice video
More videos please!
ok, on it :)
Also, how did you connect the Pico Drums to the Beatstep Pro? Did you take the two triggers and connect to the BSP gates?
Yes, that's exactly right. The BSP has 8 trigger outputs so you can run a whole drum kit. I'll probably get a second Pico Drums just to cover the basics of kick/snare and hats until i want to start using big percussive modules for individual sounds - don't have the room for that sort of thing :)
By the way, where's Norwich? Do I need a passport or inoculations if traveling from Dorset?
well you know the M25 goes all the way round that big shopping centre to the North? You just need to get through the checkpoints heading for east anglia and, assuming you have clearance, you cant miss it.
BTW - Norwich is also the home of Future Radio 107.8 and if you listen in on Thursday nights you may hear Flatland Frequencies, a very nice show of electronic music, historical & contemporary
futureradio.co.uk/radio-show/flatland-frequencies
I hear Vangelis, one of the blade runner drones?
Great video Robert, nice to see how this is progressing for you. Shame we didn't get chance to speak at Superbooth. Here's a Batumi overview for what each of those four LED modes are :) ua-cam.com/video/0I3jo8bpfU8/v-deo.html
Well bloody hell, it had never occurred to me to use an LFO as a drum trigger - mind, blown.
Too late I am sure - but I would join an East Anglian meet up at a future date
Search Facebook for the Norwich synthesizer group
How do you get the audio into your pc?
I record it through an audio interface.
to any noobs on here.. always read the manual!
.... and to all the manual heads - stop reading and start playing with stuff :D
yup, that too.. haha
even after digesting "the manuals, you still start as a noob....
no one starts "modular synthesis" at an advanced level, even the folks that came up playing Rolands/Moogs/Yamahas/Korgs of the 70s and 80(there SHOULD be some Familiar Concepts for that crowd, which helps)...... and the old RTFM does help.....
i DO like the informative posters, rather than the posts of idle complainers and non-mentoring types......
Hehe.. I love some of the comments on this channel... I'm subbing!
take it too leeds and let someone experienced help you find your way!!! please;-) that was a bit painful to watch, but still entertaining ;-) manuals first! else you might get a shock;-(
Geez, i'm happy finding my own way thanks.
I gazed at my comment again and feel it was a little harsh. I do enjoy your vid's so don't hate me(toooo... much red wine) ;-)
Thanks for this but as i said before this arena needs a manufacturer who wants users to understand this tons of various gadgets that use terms that frustrate more than delivering any kind of useful info. This is why a full voice modular is more my taste. But good luck. And thanks for doing more than "make noise" does for their fans thats for sure who love to create useless terms that explain nothing. And machines that insult the user into submission. (Yeah that came out of the mouth of a sales man for make noise at a demo) peace christo
The Make Noise videos are terrific, IMO, as are the manuals. Excellent explanations and examples.
Great to fall asleep too.especially listening to the head guy.of their charming company. Peace christo