All Posts

Thank you @troux and thank you, @franq

Hi Broken-Form,

That's great! :-) However... you leave us here at a high-level of excitement wanting to know...

What caused the issue? :-) Thank you very much in advance and kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Nickgreenberg,

Oh that's great, then the most important element you have it already ;-)

Well... what you could consider then isn't really a pure sequencer (well... a chord sequencer) but might add some serious added value, which is the Sinfonion from ACL. If you think the Vector is a beast (which indeed it is if you just look at the point of being a sequencer) than the Sinfonion is a beast-cube (beast to the power of three) or something like that ;-)

That might be a real addition to it. Another interesting idea might be, as "simple" as it sounds, to add more drum variation, the Erica Synths - Drum Sequencer. Or yet another alternative the Erica Synths - Black Sequencer.

If you don't mind to think outside of the box (your Eurorack) then you might want to consider the Erica Synths' new drum synthesizer Perkons HD-01, brand new, not available yet :-)

Ha, ha, I have no idea why I come up with so many Erica Synths devices. Well there are tons of other good sequencers, you mentioned already yourself that list of sequencers made by Martin Doudoroff, it's rather a matter of money and HP space then lack of sequencers ;-)

Though please have a look at the Sinfonion, that really might be a good "add-on" for your already existing Vector. Good luck and kind regards, Garfield.

yes but the issue of which is which only comes up out of context, within context, I think it's a bit pedantic, don't you, really?
-- JimHowell1970

There's nothing pedantic about using the correct words to describe things.

Is this an original? if so send an email to mutable support - Emilie will sort you out pretty quickly
-- JimHowell1970

its the newest version,bought it some months ago,but havent had time to test it untill this week,have tried with different cables(all connected as one should)

this is my "classic" live setup pre-pandemic. arranged as id have them (tho the big muff was usually on the floor not the board)

i used this setup for several years. a few things came and went (and the attack-decay was really only added around 2018, the T2 around 2016) but this basic setup (multiple reverse delays and multiple reverbs) goes back to about 2010 - the signal chain splits at the DD6 - the signal splits again at the RV3 and i use three amps. the tremster was only used when i couldnt use my Gretsch amp with built-in tremolo.

before the big muff, i used the distortion in my Marschall (and line-out'd to a bass amp) - that was (1) signal. signal (2) and (3) went to the fender (its a 2x12). but when i switched to my gretsch (also a 2x12), i started using the big muff. i kept the big muff last since that's what i was used to using the Marschall's amp distortion.

once using the gretsch, i ran signals (1)-DD6-A/RV3-A/BMuff and (2)-DD6-A/RV3-B to the fender (pre out to the bass amp) and the gretsch got signal (3) - DD6-B/DD5/trem)

i dont use effects loops in the amps

both the DD5 and DD6 live on reverse delay - the DD6 ping pongs the delays from L-R - i generally had the RV3 on settings 3 or 4 which is a kind of pulse delay/reverb; mostly kept it on a short echo with a longish decay. The DD5 can adjust the delay time similar to an analog delay (doesnt make the zipper rip). i constantly changed the T2 settings based on the song etc...

i mean no settings stayed the same once i got going.

the boing is my "always on" but i didnt realize how insane it sucks volume (!) until i got it in the studio. my live setup is so loud anyway it didn't make a difference.

i use a tuned down gretsch jet solid body guitar and perform by myself. ambient solo doom. i had a cellist for a few months a few years ago, which was amazing

the whole things is very trippy and loud af

EDITED Sep 28th 2021, 12:11

Anyone knows if the stepper acid will be back in stock? TSL does not reply to emails, wondering if they will build it again

Thanks
Ciao

Any sound examples from other artists that represent what you mean by "dark drones"? Maybe we can help you reverse engineer a similar sound to what you are aiming for.
Edit* I think I know what you are going for, and the E352 will probably be a great tool, but it would help to hear some examples.

EDITED Sep 27th 2021, 19:32

A normalled jack is different from normalizing, people should be careful not to interchange the two terms. Normalizing involves altering the gain of audio, normalling involves behind-the-panel connections between circuits.
-- snowtires

Very true. That's why I attempted to use the correct terminology in my first response. I actually thought about making this distinction in my response as well, but figured it was an honest mistake.

this is my rack im building atm

i dont have the tetrapad-tete s yet,and the veils seems to be broke.

anyone have any starter tips to patch up dark drones/ambient drones

yes but the issue of which is which only comes up out of context, within context, I think it's a bit pedantic, don't you, really?

A normalled jack is different from normalizing, people should be careful not to interchange the two terms. Normalizing involves altering the gain of audio, normalling involves behind-the-panel connections between circuits.

@sacguy71, thanks for your ideas, I'll put VPME Euclidean back in the "maybe" list : )

@GarfieldModular, thanks for the ideas above. BTW I already have Vector + Expander... yes it is a beast. Lately I've been considering "what else might I add and why?" This thread plus some additional web viewing have convinced me multiple sequencers are in fact a great idea. Of course Vector has so many lanes you could already consider that multiple sequencers, and do some interesting things like combining or switching lanes with downstream units.

@greenfly, thanks for your response. I'm curious, how are you using those various units you mentioned? What are a couple normal use cases / patches you'd run on that rig? That's a pretty significant set of sequencing / clocking power!

yeah stereo is a newish thing in modular - as is polyphony

nb a lot of the fx aid xl algorithms are mono to stereo so you can take a mono signal and stereo-ize them!

can you not pan the samples in the disting ex multisampler??? if so, it might be interesting to pan them like a real drum kit...

basically to re-iterate normalisation is basically chaining things together in a way that is breakable by inserting a patch cable in the path of normalization - which is why veils is a good example (the original is easier to understand for this in lots of ways as the jacks are next to the channel controls

put simply normally channel 1 output is added to channel 2 output is added to channel 3 output is added to channel 4 output

but if you plug into the output of say channel 3 you get:
channel 1 output is added to channel 2 output is added to channel 3 output
& chennel 4 is separate

but if you plug into the output of say channel 2 you get:
channel 1 output is added to channel 2 output
& channel 3 & channel 4 are added - unless you also plug into channel 3 output in which case they are separate

for example :
disting ex L out into veils input 1
a.n. other stereo module L out into veils input 2
disting ex R out into veils input 3
a.n. other stereo module R out into veils input 4

veils out 2 -> a L input on the cosmix
veils out 4 -> corresponding R input on the cosmix

mult envelopes as appropriate

or if you just want to use 2 channels for disting

disting ex L out into veils input 1
disting ex R out into veils input 2

veils out 1 -> a L input on the cosmix
veils out 2 -> corresponding R input on the cosmix

this leaves you with 2 channels of veils which can be used for more interesting things - like modulation!

if you are using up all your channels of veils for vcaing audio - I'd strongly consider a 2nd one that you can use for modulation!!!

-- JimHowell1970

Thanks, that makes sense...technically, I don't know that I "need" to have the stereo out from Disting EX..there is a seperate mono output as well...I have been "playing around" with the stereo output going through Veils and then to Cosmix..but then taking the mono output through FX Aid XL and into a mono input on Cosmix just to play around with adding some 'textured' effects from FX Aid XL to the stereo signal...again just for fun/learning purposes. I also have a Happy Nerding 3X VCA that I could use for that if I really wanted to I suppose. Currently I'm just using the multisample function of Disting EX to play around with drums so I don't really need to use that for stereo at all, but I imagine if I wanted to use some sort of strings or piano or something, that I might want to use stereo at some point

Thank you!!

Hey baltergeist,

This is fantastic, I liked both tracks a lot. Really interesting and experimental.

Keep up the good work and don't forget to share it with us :)

I've been listening some binaural recordings for the last couple of weeks and it got me interested. Browsing the internet for information on mics I landed on the Sennheiser Ambeo Smart Headset which seem to be discounted at 50€ at the moment.

It seems like it works with iOS devices only, but since Bietfriek mentioned the iOS apps I guess this could also be an option, and for that price I'm considering getting a pair myself. I'm not sure what are the advantages of using a recording device instead of a smartphone with this kind of mics, maybe I'm missing something but this seems like a good place to start experimenting with field recording.

for example :
disting ex L out into veils input 1
a.n. other stereo module L out into veils input 2
disting ex R out into veils input 3
a.n. other stereo module R out into veils input 4

veils out 2 -> a L input on the cosmix
veils out 4 -> corresponding R input on the cosmix

mult envelopes as appropriate

or if you just want to use 2 channels for disting

disting ex L out into veils input 1
disting ex R out into veils input 2

veils out 1 -> a L input on the cosmix
veils out 2 -> corresponding R input on the cosmix

this leaves you with 2 channels of veils which can be used for more interesting things - like modulation!

if you are using up all your channels of veils for vcaing audio - I'd strongly consider a 2nd one that you can use for modulation!!!

@farkas is correct...
if you want stereo use 1&2 for L and 3&4 for R
-- JimHowell1970
Wait, now I'm confused...if i run my stereo out (1&2) from Disting EX into Veils 1&2 Input and Veils 1&2 output to stereo 1&2 input on my Cosmix, that would be stereo all the way to that Cosmix channel, right?

I guess I don't understand what you mean by 1&2 for L and 3&4 for R...are you saying I should go Disting EX stereo out L into Veils 1 and Disting EX stereo out R into Veils 3?...then Veils 1 & 3 into my Cosmix stereo inputs?

Hi,

Did you check the power cable?
Not reversed?
Cheers

@farkas is correct...
if you want stereo use 1&2 for L and 3&4 for R

Is this an original? if so send an email to mutable support - Emilie will sort you out pretty quickly

i can hear some when i run audio trough veils,but no lights and nothing happens when i move the sliders or turn the knobs:(((((

I don’t have Veils, but I believe that would be summed to a mono mix of inputs 1 and 2 on output 2.

i managed to get it working now:)

Thanks @farkas and @Lugia, definitely helps me understand that...

Another question, using the example of Veils (since I have it)..if I go into inputs 1 and 2 with stereo outputs from, say my Disting EX, and then out from just output 2...is that signal stereo or summed to mono, or maybe its just the R channel of stereo signal?

Excellent, thank you !

@garfieldmodular - thank you! Yes, that’s the René mk1 in the bottom row :)

@jb61264 - the Disting Ex is starting to be capable of too many things so I’m thinking of getting another one or maybe two more..at some point :) But seriously, I’d want one for drums alone, another one for everything poly, and a third one for utilities. One day :)
As for the new Poly Exciter algo., in this patch I used one of the built-in tables (sqr wave) as the base and patched the Alizon Devices APC Theremini’s audio out to input 5 on the Ex which I set in the algo’s menu to ‘external exciter’ - when the clean sound is getting distorted, the external exciting is happening. This is where the whole thing gets experimental and I like that a lot. The other three mod inputs (I used the default settings like tone, pressure..) were fed with Rungler output signals from the Benjolin. Modding Poly Exciter, as far as I can hear, can get you to interesing territories.
In this patch the Ex’s L-R stereo outs were patched into the Mimeophon and the Erbe-Verb. Pitch CV and gate to the Ex were arriving from the OP-1, via MI Yarns. In order to be able to fully use the Poly Exciter, you need to copy the exciter table(s) to the SD card - one is available through the Expert Sleepers website, in case you haven’t yet gotten that. There’s a way to create exciter tables/folders but that’s too complicated for me so I work with what’a been available by Expert Sleepers.

Cheers,
Gabor

Good stuff, thanks for turning that dial :) I'm definitely not a sound engineer, Mechanical Engineer actually.

Hi, gang! Now that XODES has come up with these really excellent tile frames, and there's also some other similar devices...could we get a way to add tiles/modules to these, sort of in the same way that the half-height Buchla modules work over in that part of the site. It seems relatively simple (just alter the image/grid layouts so that you can drop tiles in) to implement, which of course is probably totally wrong on my part.

Here's a good example: https://www.modulargrid.net/e/mutable-instruments-veils-2020

If you look at the bottom row of jacks (in the gray box), you'll also see a set of little arrows pointing from one jack to the next. By plugging into the #4 output, you'll get the signals from all four VCAs at that patchpoint. But if you wanted to "split" that module, you can. Let's say you have two different voices that you want to send to a Veils for amplitude control, but you also want to keep the different outputs separate. With "breakable" normalizations like this, you can pull one voice through the first two VCAs by jacking into output #2, as that will break the normalization between #2 and #3 and effectively split the Veil in half so that your other signal's output is on #4, even though you're using just ONE module.

And yes, this appears on other points besides outputs. Have a look at Intellijel's Mixup. On that, you can use inputs 3 and 4 as either stereo (by patching L-R signals into those inputs) OR mono...because there's those same arrows again, and those mean that you CAN use mono signals on 3 and 4 simply by connecting those to the "left" inputs alone. The input normalization does the rest.

DAMN useful! More manufacturers really should jump on this...

I don't have the history you do...not even close...but I'm curious about your comment about E-mu and mostly because I bought one of the XK-6 keyboards twenty years ago, acquired a couple nice ROMs to go with it over time (Techno Synth Construction Yard and Proteus 2000). I've thought about selling the keyboard (too big for the space I have) and getting one of the E-mu modules that has 4 SIMM sockets to use the two extra ROMs but people are asking crazy $ for the ROMs which I can easily use to support my newfound modular addiction :) It would be cool if there was a way to use the ROMs I have as a sample source for my modular setup...plug the ROM into a module and boom, tons of nice sounds
-- jb61264

No can do. E-Mu's modular days began in the early 1970s and went up to the point when the original Audity (not the Proteus variation, but a much more complex device) was being designed c. 1979...when they realized that there's only a few customers for those huge systems. So they started to retool slightly, which is when they dove into digital devices such as the Emulators, the Drumulator, etc. Those have more in common with the XK-6...which, in truth, is a synth that was a product of E-Mu and Ensoniq together after both brands were acquired by a third party in Singapore that was much more interested in computer audio. That's also why you don't see any new E-Mu or Ensoniq stuff anymore, and haven't for many years. Damn shame, really...

In the case of your VCA, you could run a single audio signal into your VCA but use two different envelope shapes to each VCA and then send the outputs to separate effects/filters/etc for stereo treatment, maybe?

It just means that the input is connected to both outputs unless something else is connected to the second input, breaking the “normaling”. For instance, I have the NE Quant Gemi where the first input is normaled to all four outputs allowing me to run the same pitch cv to four oscillators, or I could run the first pitch cv to two oscillators and plug a second pitch cv into the third input and connect outputs 3 and 4 to two more oscillators.

I’m sure it’s been requested before, but would really be a nice addition.

Can someone help me understand what it means when a specification for a module states something like "The right VCA is normalized to the left VCA" both from a technical perspective but also from a 'use-case' perspective?

I send clock from hermod chan 8 to pams. Then I take the first output from pams to a passive mult. fFrom the multiple I distribute clock to the following sequencers:

• metropolis
• mimetic digitalis
• clep diaz
• zularic repetitor
• 4ms rcd
• ll8
• temps utile
• varigate 4+ x 2

Also just bought an analogue solutions generator too so will be integrating that too. I usually have all this stuff prepatched. I love sequencers :)

Resets come from the hermod too

Hi Nickgreenberg,

Sorry, I must have overlooked your post :-( Some feedback and input from my side.

I am very happy with the Vector (with expander module) from Five12, this is a serious sequencer to be considered. If you want to hear just an example of what kind of "crazy" things you can do with it, check my demo about this one out:

https://www.modulargrid.net/e/forum/posts/index/10041

Generally, if you are going to look seriously into a sequencer, and from the look of your posts, you are :-) Then take your sweet time and try to be honest and clearly as possible with yourself. What do I expect from a sequencer? What are my (minimum) requirements? To give you some food for thought (but not exclusive because for sequencers there is so much to check):

• Number of voices?
• Drum/percussion only? Synth leading voices? Both?
• Number of steps, patterns, songs, presets, scenes, etcetera? Which of those are important to you? (confusing is that many manufacturers are using different terminology which doesn't make it easier for you to choose and to recognise when comparing them with each other)
• Should it be able to do: ratcheting? glide? repeat? groove? velocity? mute? etcetera, again check what's important for you
• Check if you are happy with the length (of the sequence) setting for the global sequencer or do you want that to be possible per voice/track?
• Direction of the sequence, only forward? Or also backwards? Random? Ping-pong? There are a few very good sequencers but (some of them) they are very limited in their directions, some only forward :-( So please check for yourself what do you want the sequencer to be able to do?
• Can you set the probability of each step (per track if possible)? Meaning that the sequencer puts a kind of chance to each note if it will be played or how many times or does it change the direction or does it do more or less ratcheting, etcetera
• Are you okay with menu diving or rather not? I believe I read you don't want menu diving, so quite a few sequencers are not applicable for you then (by the way, for a sequencer I also don't want real menu diving, you want it to be playable and kind of logically to use and there should be no need for a manual laying next to it how to use it)
• Do you want some modulation influence possibilities? Not all sequencers can do that

I most probably still forgot tons of parameters that one could/should check when trying to decide: "Which sequencer is the right one?" I felt it was a kind of nightmare to choose. My conclusion is: there is no real perfect sequencer... you have to make some compromises to come to that kind of "perfect sequencer that suites you best" :-)

It took me about one-and-a-half years and though I don't have the perfect sequencer, I am pretty happy with the Vector (together with the Jack Expander); it comes close to the perfect sequencer.

By the way, all the points for consideration I gave you here above, most of those can be handled/done by the Vector. Not many sequencers that can do all of that.

Good luck with the search for the sequencer and once you made your choice, I hope you will let us know, if possible with a demo of it :-) Kind regards, Garfield.

Thanks for sharing this...I just got a Disting EX last week and very interested to try the poly exciter...can you explain more about how you are using that in this piece?

Also love that you have a Ts-L because I just ordered one which will be here next week :)

Hi Wishbonebrewery,

I put the gain up yet another lot and indeed I can hear it now :-) I love the bird sounds you managed here, really realistic and beautiful! Kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Gabor,

Nice to see and hear a video from you again with your OP-1, it will be for me always a kind of nice little miracle-device :-)

He, he, those sounds in the last half minute or so, are cool, especially when it get distorted :-)

The device in the right bottom corner of your rack, is that the Make Noise René? Thanks a lot for sharing this with us and kind regards, Garfield.

Hi Ryanthegecko,

Nice to hear from you again and to see you at work here in your video! Good stuff, though I wouldn't mind to hear a bit more of dub in your work that you had in your previous work :-)

Why less than 5 minutes? I don't mind if you make it (much) longer. Thank you very much for sharing this with us and kind regards, Garfield.

I'm surprised with the popularity of modular these days, that more companies like Focusrite haven't made their audio interfaces to be DC coupled...thanks to you, I was able to find a very inexpensive MOTU 828 and it has been doing what I need (or as much as I know how to exploit at this time...which I'm sure is very little) with my desire to interface my modular setup with Ableton CV tools.

I don't have the history you do...not even close...but I'm curious about your comment about E-mu and mostly because I bought one of the XK-6 keyboards twenty years ago, acquired a couple nice ROMs to go with it over time (Techno Synth Construction Yard and Proteus 2000). I've thought about selling the keyboard (too big for the space I have) and getting one of the E-mu modules that has 4 SIMM sockets to use the two extra ROMs but people are asking crazy $ for the ROMs which I can easily use to support my newfound modular addiction :) It would be cool if there was a way to use the ROMs I have as a sample source for my modular setup...plug the ROM into a module and boom, tons of nice sounds

Cheers Jim, will have another look

I'm actually a little shocked that the modular/computer USB interface thing hasn't taken off more. Expert Sleepers makes great stuff, of course, but I thought some of the other manufacturers might come up with some innovative designs in that realm.

I'm trying to find a way to search for Jim's posts and in particular the one about his formula for modules and rack space but I can't find a way to do it. It will take forever scrolling through all the old posts to find it that way. Must be an easy way, any advice welcome please.

-- david23

at the top of the main forum page there is a search field - type my name JimHowell1970 into it and press search - looks like it displays all of the threads I have posted in - to find Lugia's type his name instead of mine

or google - "modulargrid: JimHowell1970"

the relevant part that @greenfly was talking about earlier is:

"sound sources < sound modifiers < modulation (20%+ of the rack) < utilities (at least 30% of the rack)

because you can get much more variation that way

utilities are the inexpensive, dull polish that stop the expensive, shiny modules from tarnishing and makes them shine"

if you want to find other posts etc from me - I'm also Agawell on some forums

also instagram.com/JimHowell1970 if you want to see my video synthesis posts

EDITED Sep 26th 2021, 16:43

I'm trying to find a way to search for Jim's posts and in particular the one about his formula for modules and rack space but I can't find a way to do it. It will take forever scrolling through all the old posts to find it that way. Must be an easy way, any advice welcome please.