#1236

i have been using a shared system for a couple of years and adding an x-pan to crossfade DPO‘s different outputs and to allow snappy and clean amplitude modulation from Maths has taken its character somewhere new for me, also having x-pan as a vca allows you to use Optomix as a envelope follower / slow cv source since v2 has voltage offsets normalled to each channel which you can strike or let through with an audio signal at the control input

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#1238

Thank you all!

@rnordac Hmmm…I hadn’t thought about it. Will consider.

@renegog @hermbot Ok so you both seem to be suggesting a random source. The microvolt has an interesting random generator that can be mixed with an lfo and clocked by tap tempo. I enjoy it immensely and plan to use it a lot (hence the mult and thought I might as well go buff). Now I know it doesn’t hold a candle to the ones you suggested but I’m not entirely sure I want more randomness as opposed to trying some other kind of mixing/ modulation. But again this is new so I’m not sure. I’ll take a good look at the Wobblebug (Sloth looks great too)

@jano Wouldn’t the modDemix with the optomix be a little redundant in such a small system?

#1239

@rnordac inspired followup: cold mac is great for a small system, will give you a crossfader (not as much or as deep as x-pan obviously), some logic circuits, an envelope follower, some weird related CVs, and mixing not to mention its other weird tricks! love the big knob as a controller, sorta like your planar idea :stuck_out_tongue: There’s some overlap with maths as I understand it, but the addition of that would free up both maths and cold mac to do different things. Could be worth checking out (technical map). Also, would not be giving you additional CV, just manipulating it for you.

3 Likes
#1240

Yeeesss. This is good. When I thought utility I should have immediately considered it.

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#1241

I think you shouldn’t necessarily default to a random module, though they’re fun, unless you’re certain you want that element. If you’re planning for more careful composition or performance - a random wouldn’t make sense. I think I’d agree to remove the mult and maybe get in some utilities like Cold Mac or Samara. Then it’s a matter of what you plan to use it for dictating how to fill the rest of the space.

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#1242

I don’t think so. Ring modulation would add a new timbre sculpting option. In addition it can be used as a VCA pair with a mixer, which may come in handy for many patches. But I mostly suggested it to keep the aesthetic of the skiff :wink:

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#1243

Oh wow I had no idea. Thank you for pushing it. As I do know one main focus will be sound design, this will come in very handy.

I’ve been trying to avoid the “poor man’s shared” look but might as well face up to reality :smile:

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#1244

The benefit of sticking with one manufacturer is the standardized voltage you’d be working with. I feel like a lot of the MN stuff likes hotter signals than other stuff sometimes. That’s why I was trying to steer you clear of the Batumi/Samara for potential EG with the Optomix on the Elektron forum. It CAN work, it just isn’t as efficient and I think in a limited footprint, that should be a consideration.

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#1245

The Wogglebug offers a lot: you can add controlled random to existing CV. It offers a clock that can be voltage controlled. The audio outs shine when being used in percussive sounds or also make a great source of modulation for FM. Add some of the audio outs to the DPO FM input and then modulate the index amount, that’s tasty. Sample and hold, slew, self-patching… I’ve bought and sold plenty of modules, the WB will never leave my system.

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#1246

You could do that or perhaps have a high-passed version of the ribbon out control the crossfade (the more motion there is, the more likely it is to be inaccurate).

I tend to lean on the side of just trying to learn it though. Free pitch instruments seem unapproachable but you don’t have to deal with a lot of the things a string player has to deal with, such as the spacing between notes being narrower across the neck, having to also learn using the bow, etc.
If I feel like I really need to nail something and I’m not confident, I’ll just look at a tuner as I’m playing it.

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#1247

Something I’ve been wondering about for a while now is the “outs-to-outs” architecture of the Studio Electronics Tonestar voices. What exactly is going on in that scenario? And how can you tell if it’s safe to try patching outs to outs on other modules? I know it will damage some, but many seem to be protected against it. Will other modules change their behavior with various signals patched to their outputs, or do they have to be designed with that behavior in mind?

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#1248

I’ve taken a quick look at their documentation: I think in their case these behaviours are quirks of their circuit designs rather than intentional. Otherwise, most modern modules are protected against this, but would not try it unless the manufacturer specifically states you can.

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#1249

As I know there is only FM index on DPO and external input and index for Mod bus.
How can I feed external signal into FM bus to control modulation amount with FM index? What am I missing?

#1250

Good question! I could be misremembering, it’s been a while since I’ve patched that up. I will have to look.

#1253

I’m building up my system to ensure I’ve got all my foundations covered (and then I’ll grow it organically from there based on need). At the moment, I’ve got a Teletype, Just Friends, 2 x Mangroves, a Cold Mac, Maths, uO_c and an ALM HPO.

I feel like I’m definitely missing attenuversion, maybe VCAs and LFOs (I know Maths can cover most of these but I’d ultimately like to be able to use it for Maths-y things).

What I’m looking at are:
Stages or Batumi for LFO duties
Tangle Quartet for VCA duties
Triplatt or O/A/x2 for attenuversion

Any advice on order of acquisition to plug capability gaps in the most efficient way, advice on modules if there’s something that would work better, or even “You’re way off base, think about X instead!” - everything is welcome!

1 Like
#1254

How might I connect an EG to Cold Mac? Let’s say I just want to control the envelope of a sine wave.

#1255

I’m a bit surprised you’ve got Just Friends, Maths and uO_c which can all do envelopes/LFOs/modulation… I think I would certainly be looking for more VCA/mixing/attenuversion in that system, perhaps a matrix mixer? That can really make CV go farther and can pull at your brain in good, productive ways. The Doepfer one can give you offsets and attenuversion, the NLC one gives you CV control and mutes, the AI synthesis one is very compact — there’s quite a few good options out there depending on your needs :slight_smile: That being said, I would want a filter, wavefolder or effects of some sort in this case — I think soundshaping could be something to consider going forward, but of course if it’s working for you in that regard then please ignore!

@tyleretters If I understand your question correctly: you would send the envelope into “Survey”, the audio into any of the inputs on the left, and monitor “Mac”. If you want to modulate the amplitude of an LFO sine wave you can do it by using “Left”, dummy cable in “Right”, envelope in “Fade”, monitor at “Right” output. This can be done with audio or CV, whereas the “Mac” will only pass audio. Does that answer your question? (detailed images, technical explanations, etc in the technical map)

3 Likes
#1256

YES! That answer’s my question. Thank you so much. And thank you for this link, I haven’t seen this yet. I read and re-read the user manual several times and was left scratching my head.

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#1257

I would also highly suggest @mdoudoroff’s excellent document/videos. Obviously a lot of overlap with the technical map but IMO easier to start with and absorb.

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#1258

This document is an attempt to understand the Cold Mac utility…

I’m screaming. Thank you so much.

3 Likes