Thanks for doing this. With so many modules overlapping in functionality it's great to see them compared in a single video/review. It makes for a more informed bying decision. The way you show the strength of all the modules lets the viewer decide what product is best for them - which is the perfect way of reviewing products in my opinion. Thanks again!
Ahh thanks for that, that's very kind! I often find it difficult to see real practical use in modular demos so I tried to focus on that. And to give a clear overview of what the actual thing does as clear and concise as I can.
"XAOC" is Cyrillic for Chaos. In Russian, X= "Ch", A= "Ay", O= "Oh" and C = "Ess". There is no "S" in Russian. XAOC is an easy way to Slav your synth. It just needs Adidas stripes.
all true, but just to make it clear, Xaoc Devices are a Polish company, and despite the (unfortunate) Cyrillic name, they have no relation to russia, and were one of those few music companies who openly condemned the russian war against Ukraine too, and proceed part of their profits to the AFU. which matters all the more while russian-owned companies like SOMA try to fake themselves as a Polish company, while being silent on the issue. so hail the Xaoc, glory to Ukraine!
Stages can do sample and hold on every channel, sequencing, harmonic oscillation, random voltage source, bipolar/unipolar lfo’s and envelopes shaped any way you’d need. Cv and trigger/gate control over every parameter. The firmware updates are incredible.
Have you tried the unofficial firmware for stages, it really opens up stages,,, a lot, being constantly developed, luv it. Bipolar if u want, slow lfo’s, Turing machine, etc github.com/qiemem/eurorack/releases/tag/v1.0.2 Forum www.muffwiggler.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=235787&start=350
For those not into things with a fancy microcontroller under the hood, the A-132-2 can do a lot of fun and unusual things (or just four bread-and-butter ADSRs), too.
Why did it take so long for YT to recommend this video? I'm an envelope addict, definitely enjoyed this! Zadar is a very useful modulator, but because of the way it works its more of a set & forget complex modulator in my rig. I like to "play" my envelopes more. Quadigy is similarly great in terms of bang for the buck, but a couple of things about it kept it not quite as ideal as it sounded on paper, like not updating the times when using global scaling, and the way the clocks are synced when looping. Ornament & crime is another solid choice for quad envelopes, but the controls make it less playable than Quadigy. I have a Stages but havent used it enough to form an opinion on its enveloping prowess yet. My favorite envelopes generators are, in no particular order: Intellijel Dual ADSR, Mini Slew, Function, WMD MME, Javelin, Contour-1and honorable mention to System X and the A-140 for being nicely snappy meat & potatoes ADSRs. The WMD/SSF ADSRVCA was my go to for simple compact voices, but Javelin has become a pretty superior replacement. Thanks for the vid! Sweet looking studio
I'm not familiar with all the modules you mentioned, but it seems you prefer a more hands-on approach when it comes to envelopes. I guess everyone has a perfect 'Goldilox' point when it comes to amount of menu diving ;) Thanks for the kind words!
That is typically one of those modules I sometimes see in racks, but never really hear anyone about. Pretty much a thousand-functions-in-one type deal right?
Anyone being turned off by only being able to create one ADSR envelope in a Stages, remember you can chain multiple Stages! Add another and you can have three!
Edit: see below about alternative firmware... Pre-edit: If you often want multiple ADSR envelopes, i don't think Stages it's the right tool for you. It's strength is more in flexibility and interface. Of course, if you like that interface and you have the cash, multiple chained stages are awesome.
Stages now has alternate firmware. I use the version from Joe Seggiola, which has a mode in which all six outputs are independent DAHDSR envelope generators, all sharing the same six CV-able segment time/level settings. And there's more. github.com/joeSeggiola/eurorack/tree/stages-multi/stages
@@pugix thanks for this reply. I got my stages recently, and I discovered that the qiemem firmware also has a hex dahdsr mode. So my comment wasn't quite right, was it?
There is an easter egg in the firmware to make Stages in to a harmonic oscillator and I think there is an alternative firmware which gives some or another oscillator firmwares.
Batumi does LFOs. LFOs go positive and negative, unlike envelopes which are only positive. Zadar can make an LFO (or VCO-audio rate). Though you can also run Batumi LFOs through a rectifier to get only the positive part of the waveform-which is basically an envelope (but since Batumi does only simple waveforms, I dont think that’s too hot). My favorite modes on Batumi are clock-divide and phase; you get 4 channels of LFO that are related (multiple or division) to the master clock, or phased; this leads to boku awesome motion. I use Batumi to get some motion, and Zadar to modulate filters and Loudness (through a VCA). Both Xaoc Batumi & Zadar are fantastic, and I’ve had everything. My 2c - Stages is awesome, but I patch it through an oscilloscope to understand whats going on-buzzkill . Quadigy Im not familiar with, but looks too “menu divey”/complex, and for me, it’s ugly. Quadrax by Intellijel does simpler envelopes( than Zadar), but also LFOs at the click of a button (and back to envelope). This module is also really great for envelopes, both used in a simple way (4-ch envelopes), or complex (CV matrix allows a zillion internal CV routing capabilities, probably a lot like Quadigy).
@@YTNUKLR Awesome. I appreciate your input and knowledge on these. I recently rebought Tides v1 and its great for doing ambient, with 4 outputs also, its a bargain now too. Didnt understand it first when I bought it 4 years ago. Rossum Control Forge was a heavy module and took way too much time to program for me at least, thats not what I am in Eurorack for.
@@weepwow tides is brilliant. I would be on the lookout for the v2 when you can snag a good deal. I love the phase-shifted envelope setting. I use zadar and quadrax, but only tides v2 is so easy to shift phase, and zadar and quadrax dont really have fine adjustment of this. Tides only has one trigger for 4 channels, which changes its use case for me, but it makes it perfect for evolving drones and modulations that are related. Cheers!
Thanks for doing this. With so many modules overlapping in functionality it's great to see them compared in a single video/review. It makes for a more informed bying decision. The way you show the strength of all the modules lets the viewer decide what product is best for them - which is the perfect way of reviewing products in my opinion. Thanks again!
Ahh thanks for that, that's very kind! I often find it difficult to see real practical use in modular demos so I tried to focus on that. And to give a clear overview of what the actual thing does as clear and concise as I can.
"XAOC" is Cyrillic for Chaos. In Russian, X= "Ch", A= "Ay", O= "Oh" and C = "Ess". There is no "S" in Russian. XAOC is an easy way to Slav your synth. It just needs Adidas stripes.
Ah is that it? That makes a lot more sense!
all true, but just to make it clear, Xaoc Devices are a Polish company, and despite the (unfortunate) Cyrillic name, they have no relation to russia, and were one of those few music companies who openly condemned the russian war against Ukraine too, and proceed part of their profits to the AFU. which matters all the more while russian-owned companies like SOMA try to fake themselves as a Polish company, while being silent on the issue. so hail the Xaoc, glory to Ukraine!
Mordor will lose
Stages can do sample and hold on every channel, sequencing, harmonic oscillation, random voltage source, bipolar/unipolar lfo’s and envelopes shaped any way you’d need. Cv and trigger/gate control over every parameter. The firmware updates are incredible.
You totally omitted the fact that Zadar has an expander (Nin) that gives you an extra CV per channel controlling any parameter.
I love Stages, and Maths, and my favorite EG is Quadrax--but I use AR envelopes instead of ADSR. Excellent video! Thank you.
Have you tried the unofficial firmware for stages, it really opens up stages,,, a lot, being constantly developed, luv it. Bipolar if u want, slow lfo’s, Turing machine, etc
github.com/qiemem/eurorack/releases/tag/v1.0.2
Forum
www.muffwiggler.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=235787&start=350
Walker Michael Young James Johnson Mary
As cool as Stages is, it's way too much hp for just one envelope. I'm going to go with the Quadigy 👍
Well, in a way it's up to 6 envelopes in one module. Matter of fact, with the alternative firmware you get 6x DAHDSR at the same time (:
the strand of hair on the maths module is my favorite feature
Thanks you for this very useful comparison. Stages for sure is a definitively amazing module, essential:)
For those not into things with a fancy microcontroller under the hood, the A-132-2 can do a lot of fun and unusual things (or just four bread-and-butter ADSRs), too.
I should try that one! Somehow Doepfer stays under the radar for me a lot, which is weird as they're the originals haha.
Why did it take so long for YT to recommend this video? I'm an envelope addict, definitely enjoyed this! Zadar is a very useful modulator, but because of the way it works its more of a set & forget complex modulator in my rig. I like to "play" my envelopes more. Quadigy is similarly great in terms of bang for the buck, but a couple of things about it kept it not quite as ideal as it sounded on paper, like not updating the times when using global scaling, and the way the clocks are synced when looping. Ornament & crime is another solid choice for quad envelopes, but the controls make it less playable than Quadigy. I have a Stages but havent used it enough to form an opinion on its enveloping prowess yet.
My favorite envelopes generators are, in no particular order: Intellijel Dual ADSR, Mini Slew, Function, WMD MME, Javelin, Contour-1and honorable mention to System X and the A-140 for being nicely snappy meat & potatoes ADSRs. The WMD/SSF ADSRVCA was my go to for simple compact voices, but Javelin has become a pretty superior replacement.
Thanks for the vid! Sweet looking studio
I'm not familiar with all the modules you mentioned, but it seems you prefer a more hands-on approach when it comes to envelopes. I guess everyone has a perfect 'Goldilox' point when it comes to amount of menu diving ;) Thanks for the kind words!
just starting my first rack, and I desperately needed this EXACT video. Thanks!!!
My pleasure!
Would love to see this done for quadrax as well
Control Forge
Ornament and crime is pretty nifty as well
That is typically one of those modules I sometimes see in racks, but never really hear anyone about. Pretty much a thousand-functions-in-one type deal right?
@@angeloboltini yes, but very neat and intuitive UI, surprised me too.
With alternate firmware you can change stages to an additive oscillator with one touch
Although you're talking about dedicated env generators, I'm surprised you don't show an Ornament and Crime .... just saying!
You hand was in the way of Zadar screen most of the time.
Good comparison, thanks!
Anyone being turned off by only being able to create one ADSR envelope in a Stages, remember you can chain multiple Stages! Add another and you can have three!
Definitely! I kept both Quadigy and Stages since it was the most cost-effective middle ground solution to me.
Edit: see below about alternative firmware...
Pre-edit: If you often want multiple ADSR envelopes, i don't think Stages it's the right tool for you. It's strength is more in flexibility and interface. Of course, if you like that interface and you have the cash, multiple chained stages are awesome.
Stages now has alternate firmware. I use the version from Joe Seggiola, which has a mode in which all six outputs are independent DAHDSR envelope generators, all sharing the same six CV-able segment time/level settings. And there's more.
github.com/joeSeggiola/eurorack/tree/stages-multi/stages
@@pugix thanks for this reply. I got my stages recently, and I discovered that the qiemem firmware also has a hex dahdsr mode. So my comment wasn't quite right, was it?
zadar isnt editable adsr, and wheres quadrax
Verbos Multi Envelopes
Nice vid. How high into the Hz audio rate range does Stages track? I'd love to use it as an oscillator ... .
There is an easter egg in the firmware to make Stages in to a harmonic oscillator and I think there is an alternative firmware which gives some or another oscillator firmwares.
Thx
Welcome!
ZADAR
Very well done module comparison video, how does Batumi compare to these three? thanks
Batumi does LFOs. LFOs go positive and negative, unlike envelopes which are only positive.
Zadar can make an LFO (or VCO-audio rate). Though you can also run Batumi LFOs through a rectifier to get only the positive part of the waveform-which is basically an envelope (but since Batumi does only simple waveforms, I dont think that’s too hot).
My favorite modes on Batumi are clock-divide and phase; you get 4 channels of LFO that are related (multiple or division) to the master clock, or phased; this leads to boku awesome motion.
I use Batumi to get some motion, and Zadar to modulate filters and Loudness (through a VCA).
Both Xaoc Batumi & Zadar are fantastic, and I’ve had everything.
My 2c - Stages is awesome, but I patch it through an oscilloscope to understand whats going on-buzzkill . Quadigy Im not familiar with, but looks too “menu divey”/complex, and for me, it’s ugly. Quadrax by Intellijel does simpler envelopes( than Zadar), but also LFOs at the click of a button (and back to envelope). This module is also really great for envelopes, both used in a simple way (4-ch envelopes), or complex (CV matrix allows a zillion internal CV routing capabilities, probably a lot like Quadigy).
@@YTNUKLR Awesome. I appreciate your input and knowledge on these. I recently rebought Tides v1 and its great for doing ambient, with 4 outputs also, its a bargain now too. Didnt understand it first when I bought it 4 years ago. Rossum Control Forge was a heavy module and took way too much time to program for me at least, thats not what I am in Eurorack for.
@@weepwow tides is brilliant. I would be on the lookout for the v2 when you can snag a good deal. I love the phase-shifted envelope setting. I use zadar and quadrax, but only tides v2 is so easy to shift phase, and zadar and quadrax dont really have fine adjustment of this. Tides only has one trigger for 4 channels, which changes its use case for me, but it makes it perfect for evolving drones and modulations that are related. Cheers!
Wow, realy good video
tombX live synth thanks :)
Couldn't stand 2 minutes, that freaking nail ughh
Guitar player bud. Built in picks. ;)
Frequency central system X dual adsr
Plucky stuff!
Gotta love it!