Eurorack: discussion, advice, learning, questions (archive)

mateo · 2018-06-21T01:48:08.102Z

There’s this http://circuitabbey.com/Axis.html, which is specificially designed for guitars, with a 3 band eq.

eggnof · 2018-06-21T02:07:35.731Z

I just picked up an o-tool today for tuning my oscillators. It’s working great on my standard oscillator but when I patch rings into it (playing a repeating note) the tuning jumps around like crazy. I’m guessing this is because rings is putting out such a harmonically rich signal. I tried putting rings into monophonic bell mode, but it’s still struggling to tell me the tuning. Does anyone have any tips for using tuners with rings, or tuning rings to their other oscillators? Does it just need to be done by ear, or am I doing something wrong?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

ParliamentLite · 2018-06-21T02:14:45.120Z

xenus_dad:

It’s very flexible and could be just want you want… It’s just not a sequencer on its own. But it can produce pleasing melodies that you can have a fair amount of influence over.

That’s exactly what I needed to hear/read!

I’ll watch those videos of the René and keep it in mind! I wouldn’t mind springing for a Mantis and René when my work bonus rolls in. It would be nice to have a little more control over the sequences.

Starthief · 2018-06-21T02:50:34.501Z

Rings is a challenge to tune using a tuner. It’s harmonically rich in ways that are concentrated in specific bands, which the tuner and/or your ears might pick up on instead of the fundamental; Karplus mode (red) seems to operate at a slightly different fundamental frequency than the other modes; changing Structure changes the apparent frequency or even makes it inharmonic. Even in FM mode, you can never cancel the FM depth fully so you have to tune the modulator to unison by ear before tuning the carrier.

Your best bet is to tune Rings by ear.

vhall · 2018-06-21T06:46:38.258Z

I’ve been considering this module but it looks quite deep at 49mm- too deep for the Make Noise skiff?

mutedial · 2018-06-21T07:13:52.377Z

I use this technique I got from @papernoise

Mutable Instruments Rings Equipment

I’m using a Korg tuner (this one) I think it’s mostly a guitar tuner, so it works well with karpluss-strong sounds. I put STRUCTURE at DAMPING past and/or use some noise to get a steady tone. Then I tune it to whatever I need. If later it feels like it’s out of tune (as others have said, it’s easy for it to sound out of tune due to the harmonic content) I just retune by ear.

Placebo92 · 2018-06-21T07:56:22.564Z

The Morphagene will boost the signal by using its auto-levelling function (hold record then shift).

I have never tried this with guitar but it should be no problem I’d think.

eblomquist · 2018-06-21T10:04:57.402Z

Thanks! I’ll give it a try and post the results

mateo · 2018-06-21T11:14:53.362Z

Should fit but perhaps not directly over the bus board

eggnof · 2018-06-21T14:02:23.033Z

Awesome, thank you! I’ll give this a try.

alphacactus · 2018-06-22T00:43:54.192Z

Hello all just wanted to see if I could get some input from the collective brain lattice. Trying to figure out where to go from what I’ve put together so far. Here are some of the modules I’ve been looking at, but I’m completely open to other suggestions as well.

Drums
This is where I could use the most advice/input. I’m strongly considering just getting a second Pico Drums, but I wanted to see if anyone had suggestions for other Drum modules that might fit a similar role but offer more diversity & modulation.

Clocks/Logic

Doepfer 160-2 Clock Divider
Shakmat Time Wizard(Clock Divider)
Erica Synths Pico Logic
Optionally just wait for TXo to be back in stock

Modulation

Mannequins Just Friends

modulargrid_633615.jpg1115×683 137 KB

alanza · 2018-06-22T00:52:07.575Z

drums: don’t! external drum machines and samplers are more fun, is my provocation

Starthief · 2018-06-22T01:04:22.587Z

I find Teletype and Marbles take care of most of my clocking needs, but also Circuit Abbey G8 is a pretty nice divider.

With drums it depends on what kind of sound you’re looking for. Basimilus Iteritas Alter is pretty fantastic. I find it fun to synthesize drum-ish sounds from things not specifically meant for it. (With FM, noise, filters etc.) But yeah, drum machines and samplers are kind of hard to argue with

mateo · 2018-06-22T01:15:26.084Z

Haven’t tried it yet, but the futureretro transient could be interesting for you

dansimco · 2018-06-22T01:35:29.313Z

I love getting FM-ey blippy percussion sounds out of just friends. That will lose you a mod source though haha

alphacactus · 2018-06-22T03:08:24.302Z

Thanks all, very good suggestions! Look like I’ll have to do some exploration into the void of drum machines. Although a very good point was made that you can get percussion out of most modules with the right modulation.

Placebo92 · 2018-06-22T03:47:06.211Z

Check out the Pulsar-23 (not yet released) if you’re looking into drum machines

blacklodgeal · 2018-06-22T04:00:58.675Z

I’m a huge fan of the SSF Entity series. Both the bass drum and percussion modules sound incredible, the UI feels unusually intuitive and well thought out, and the cv possibilities make them particularly special as far as analog drum modules go. Those two paired with a Quantum Rainbow will take you very far. I also quite like the WMD Chimera and Fracture modules. Both are modules where their limitations are their strengths, and make them really feel like instruments. I’m glad they defined the sonic possibilities the way they did. Both are definitely on my future purchase list after playing with them at my local modular-carrying store outside of DC.

Ithacus · 2018-06-22T11:30:55.900Z

For Clocks and Modulation I’d add the Abtract Data Octocontroller to the list.

It’ll give you plenty of clock and gate outputs, and it would also cover LFO modulation duties.

JF is a beautiful module. Problem is deciding whether to use it as a sound source, or for modulation (it excels at both).

I’ve got an Octocontroller and Just Friends and I’d highly recommend both.

For Drum Machines the Electribes are good fun and also good value.

infovore · 2018-06-22T11:42:46.372Z

alanza:

drums: don’t! external drum machines and samplers are more fun, is my provocation

I’m going to co-sign this a little. Or rather: trying to recreate a drum machine in Euro will fill a row with single-purpose modules and sequencers, and as @alanza points out, there is perhaps more fun to be had with simple, cheaper, single-purpose machines.

If you are interested in percussion, finding alternate routes to it is perhaps more viable - like, people like taking a BIA and filling it with modulation and triggers and this gives you a useful percussive tool, without being a bottomless pit of drum modules. Are you specifically interested in drums or percussive sounds and patterns? The latter is achievable in lots of ways. (I’ve actually, naughtily, just used the raw output of an envelope as a kind of kick drum. Probably unkind to large speakers, though). Or, you know, using something like your Pico Drums as a source of always having a kick or similar around, just for texture, makes sense.

I am often bewildered by people theorycrafting cases that end up being half-full of Mutant Drums modules.