#87

Hi guys, what would be a great modulation module not taking too much HP? I would like to modulate VCOs to create evolving pads and to trigger the bassimilus iteritas alter (in that case I would like to be able to have multiple modulations that can be easily muted and triggered to create evolving drum patterns)…I just bought a beatstep, but I am not sure if it would be enough to sequence the BIA…by the way, is Pamela’s new workout the best option here?

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#88

Many options, depending on hp available. MI Stages is huge bang for buck. For percussion sequencing Zularic Repetitor is amazing bang/buck/hp, but it requires an external clock.

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#89

Hi all. I am here for recs on where to go next with my rack too. :slight_smile:


(Preview pic is inaccurate; please click through. I also have a Field Kit in its box.)

I am stuck between a few modules:
QuBit Scanned
QuBit Nebulae
4ms Stereo Triggered Sampler
Abstract Data Octocontroller

The Octocontroller is what I am leaning towards most now because I need more modulation, but I’m open to other suggestions along a similar path (synced LFOs + extra fun). My style is ambient/drone with light beats.

External gear:
DrumBrute & Beatstep Pro
fx are TC D-Two delay & the mighty Quadraverb
Soundcraft Ui24r mixer
Patchulator for 1/8" / 1/4" conversion

Thanks!

#90

The Clep Diaz by Noise Engineering is a wonderful source of modulation in just 4 hp and for not much money.

3 Likes
#91

I do not know how Pamela’s New Workout works so cannot recommend it. Perhaps someone else will pipe up about that very popular module.

As for myself, I would say that the Beatstep is a fine tool for sequencing the BIA… enough, indeed, more than enough to cause an acceptable ruckus.

Returning to modulation… if you are into chaos, a Wogglebug may be in order. You can even use the burst out to “sequence” the BIA if you are into chaos. Your pads will evolve randomly with the modulations of the 'Bug.

Lastly, I have found the Intellijel Dixie II (I do not have the “+” or “plus” version) a great source of simple modulation which can then be subsequently altered through the use of frequency modulation or other tricks of the trade.

#92

I recently started a video series about Teletype. While it’s certainly not comprehensive (or finished), maybe episodes 2 and 3 might give you a sense of what it’s like to work with the tracker. Teletype has 100 triggers and 100 CVs to ER-301 without any front side patching.

No experience with NerdSeq here. It looks very sharp too. Keep in mind the i2c functionality for NerdSeq is still in development (not available yet but hopefully will be soon).

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#93

To me PNW was a little too centralized for my liking – as in, everything that it does runs off a single master clock, whether it’s internal or external sync. It can be a clock divider, Euclidean rhythm trigger sequencer, synced LFO, can do envelopes rather than pulses etc. but it can’t, for instance, generate envelopes from two independent gate streams, nor give you unsynchronized LFOs. I can see why it works well for a lot of people, but it really wasn’t what I wanted.

And the menu wasn’t enjoyable for me either. Not deep, but a lot of back-and-forth. To me, a tiresome amount of horizontal “menu swimming” is worse than “menu diving” :slight_smile:

You can create gate/trigger patterns with it but it’s not really a sequencer like a Beatstep or Korg SQ-1.

To me, for gate/trigger/clock manipulation and sequencing it’s hard to beat Teletype (though it does require a certain mindset), and for a variety of flexible modulation, Stages is excellent (though since its output range is 0-8V, it may require attenuverters/offsets for some applications).

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#94

As @Starthief mentioned for Pamela’s New Workout all functions are synced to the clock. If you want tempo/clock synced LFOs it’s perfect. If you don’t it’s not going to work for that purpose :slight_smile:

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#95

You have plenty of stuff already. Your Doepfer quad envelope can function as a synced lfo.

#96

I’m going to speak up as someone who finds PNW really useful (even if I wouldn’t describe it as “fun” exactly). I use it for clocks of all kinds, euclidian patterns, and (occasionally) stepped random. The probability skipping and swing per channel adds a lot of flexibility/groove.

I almost never use the LFO’s or envelopes because those are things I really want hands on control for (plus the resolution isn’t great). I do agree that it is pretty centralized which is why I keep a second clock divider in my set up for when I want to use totally unrelated clocks for different patterns.

The term “menu swimming” is pretty accurate though. :upside_down_face:

4 Likes
#97

i have to give respect to @ElectricaNada 's gall with that answer :joy: it reminds me of the meme with the kid asking to go to mcdonalds like:

seriously though, your 4 options of modules are so different from each other it’s hard to give advice here. For weird semi-synced lfos i’d recommend checking out uLoaf from noise reap - it seems cool, tho haven’t used it myself. based on the huge differences between those 4 modules it seems like you have a sense that you need a different flavor of sound and maybe you’re trying to achieve that through modulation or by getting a new sound source(?) I would recommend not getting anything and continue digging in the mines until you have a clearer sense of what it is you want. Also, if there’s a shop anywhere nearby the chance to try out a module has saved me from a few purchases, and I would think it’d be especially useful when considering new flavors of sound (less so with something like the octocontroller of course) :slight_smile:

4 Likes
#98

As someone with PNW, I’ve never been able to find out how to get swing per channel! Could you elaborate? I tried checking the manual and just diving in but everything seemed to affect the gate itself, not the rhythm

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#99

Thank you, I love this.

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#100

The Doepfer quad adsr is a terrific module that responds very well to self-patching. No need to buy another synced lfo until you’ve exhausted what the Doepfer can do. It’s actually more powerful than most synced lfo modules.

3 Likes
#101

You use the delay and delay divisor setting. Here’s what it says in the manual:

Delay
The % of total step time before waveform generation starts, before then, output level will be 0. The end of the waveform cycle will clipped.
Note the delay divisor must be set for this to take effect!

Dly / (delay divisor)
Sets which steps the delay parameter (if set) alters. For example a divisor of ‘1’ would delay every step - ‘2’ every other step, ‘3’ every third etc. Note a divisor of 2 will make a classic ‘swing’ type effect.

2 Likes
#102

Hi guys,

Anyone using the beatstep pro with modular?
I had my first go tonight but it did not go well, as the notes played with the beatstep where very shrill and with no gate at all (dunno why, I asked Arturia, I am sure they will help cause they are great).

I would like to know your techniques and tricks!

#103

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from http://downloads.arturia.net/products/beatstep-pro/manual/beatstep-pro_Manual_2_0_EN.pdf

#104

Yeah just started diving thru the manual…I was expecting the doepfer oscillator to take positive voltage but now I am not sure anymore and I will check

#105

I do Beatstep Pro & modular and it works very well. I do remember I had to get the configuration right using the laptop configuration software, but after that everything’s been fine.

#106

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I do for one of my 6U systems and I love it

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