#146

Sorry, but I don’t see how “directionless experimentation” and “musical” are a dichotomy in any way. Define “musical” please.
This said, my experience is that the field kit is actually best put to use inside a modular environment, since as @jasonw22 already said, it’s not that field-proof as the name would suggest anyway. My experience is that it has several missing blocks that you need to add yourself, most prominently:

  • buffered multiple, if you want to send stuff to both the output and the envelope follower, without wasting the AUX bus
  • something to get more control over the solenoid or the DC-motors (like a sequencer or a MIDI-CV interface)
  • some fx/signal processing to process the sounds (which of course can also be non-modular)

The weird thing is that the Field kit is not 100% compatible with modular levels, since it will distors with levels above 7Vpp (modular levels are usually around 10Vpp), so you need to attenuate anything that goes into the Filed kit.
This said, it’s a great contact mic amp and a very decent mixer. It does offer quite a lot in a small package.

3 Likes
#147

Bad phrasing by me. What I’m trying to get at is if the kit has worked as a integral part during a live session or recording of something that expresses your intent. I can clearly see that the device + exp kit has many uses in exploring and experimentation with scenarios of prepared instruments/objects etc (the description directionless maybe sounds a bit judging here, english isn’t my first language) but few on social media seems to use it as a companion with other sound sources for personal expression - even if there are exceptions, of course.

I don’t use a eurorack setup myself but I view my setup as modular, with effects and mostly devices that can interconnect with each other through banana jacks as well as other outputs/inputs.

#148

Oh now I get it. I did initially get the Field kit to replace the 2 Mikrophonie + Ears I have in the modular, thinking it would be a more flexible and powerful solution, which it actually is, for how I use it. The project I have mainly intended it to be used with is a long ambient set, where I use both field recordings and concrete sounds produced live (which is where the field kit comes in). Unfortunately this project went on standby when I finally got the thing… so I don’t have anything to show.
The other project I am using it is an new one where I do drum machine + some live percussion using found objects. I have some empty oil cans I bang on, and I use the radio on the FK to create percussive sounds. For this use the device works great, and is actually pretty powerful and flexible. The only thing I regret is not having bought the euro panel version right away. I’m considering making a small 6U skiff just for the FK, with the additions I mentioned above.

3 Likes
#149

Ive got one, and Ive not used it much …

I think the reason your seeing them for sale now is, if you just get the experimenter kit, and mess about for awhile you’ll get a certain set of sounds which are interesting… but to go further you really have to start looking for things to pair it up with, perhaps attach it to things … and soon you realise the experimenter kit didn’t really come with everything needed to do this… so you’ll have to go get a few extra things, be it things to attach mics with, or other springs, or build a box.

nothing thats expensive, but stuff you might not have to hand… so you put it to one side, and perhaps never get around to it… (and then some sell it)

I think really the experimenter kit, perhaps should have come with a few more things e.g. something to clamp the contact mics and springs, sensors… perhaps a way to use the lid as a better ‘field’ for it… a way to make it more immediate.
(there was a kickstarter recently, forgot its name which did something like this)

but for me, Ive realised its my own disorganisation/laziness thats prevented experimentation, and using it much , so Im keeping it, one Sunday afternoon, Im sure I’ll dig it out, and I think once you ‘get going’ its as exciting as when we first saw it.

one small thing, Im really disappointed but the power supply… if you use it in a quiet studio, then its noisy…
which others on the Facebook page have also confirmed. this stopped me using it as a general mixer.
(also, annoyingly its a -VE centre input unlike everything else I have)
I guess if/when I start using it more, I’ll go buy a better power supply for it.

anyway, overall it is a great product, but one that you need to put effort in, to get anything out :slight_smile:

2 Likes
#150

Probably this one? http://dadamachines.com/en/

#151

actually i was thinking of the Leaf Audio Microphonic Soundbox

sorry KS, was a red-herring… and its not very similar…

my points was, this was ready to go - if the experimenter kit, had basically been this box plus bits… with the mixer separate, it would have been more a immediate experience.

of course, I understand the FK, was more aimed at DIY, and as I say, I blame no-one other than myself for its limited use so far… so this is just what I think Koma could have done (and still could) to make it more ‘accessible’ initially.

#152

Good and honest answer, appreciate it!

I decided on buying the used kit. I have access to a metal/woodworking shop + some ideas (a few of them similar to @papernoise’s) on implementing it into my existing setup(s). For me, the crippling laziness/apathy is real, I see where you are coming from, hopefully I will be able to make some use of the device before it sets in… and on the other hand, a device that demands effort can sometimes be very rewarding.

Curious, what kind of power supply would you switch it out for?

2 Likes
#153

@TheTechnobear good point on the PSU. Not happy with mine either. And same question as above: which one would you suggest? Btw. this does not fill me with hope for their recently announced eurorack PSU (apart from 30Vpp ripple noise seeming quite a lot to me), but that’s another topic.

@slopstream : maybe some ideas to get you started. Some stuff I have and use:

  • an old computer CPU heatsink, you can play it with a violin bow or strike it, it makes fun sounds.
  • An Mbira (often called Kalimba) with built in contact mic, you can find them for cheap and adding a contact mic should be feasible depending on how they are made
  • The above mentioned olive oil can, it can sound almost like a Timpani with a bit of FX
  • an old broken tape recorder. I have built the contact mic into the cassette, so you can get all the nice rattling and squeeking noises it makes
  • a standard kazoo, with a contact mic attached
9 Likes
#154

Thanks for the ideas! I’ll try some of them out.

I’ve been banging a prepared tin can all day. Running the racket through the benjo filter>CT5. This is really fun.

Edit:

IMG_20170928_205128_959 copy
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7 Likes
#155

Woutr just posted this in the field kit fb-group:

11

Any thoughts on what will be revealed tomorrow?

3 Likes
#156

Portable power to put the field part back in the field kit and to other portable but only mains-powered devices?

#157

More portability would be ace, yes!

https://scontent-arn2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/22310150_949458085192104_5694461188514064910_n.jpg?oh=e7850c27f2b0bdbe846da9fd22ed6ac0&oe=5A441437

When examining this picture - from what I can tell - there’s an expanded cv interface-section as well as a new section called ‘spring reverb’. Hard to see what the lower sections might be… loop-something?

1 Like
#158

Might be an additional expander unit for those who have rack-mounted the field kit in their modular. Or an additional box with fx and modulations?

#159

01CBBF31-0FBE-4083-AB85-27CE49A4782B
01CBBF31-0FBE-4083-AB85-27CE49A4782B.jpeg720×720 134 KB

Enhance
Enhance
Enhance

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#160

Looks like a 4 channel vca mixer, spring reverb, CV interface and a whole lower section that I can’t see the labels of

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#161

Great job!
I think I can read “control” in the lower left part

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#162

Details are available now. Looks pretty cool, but I think I’ll stick with ER-301 for that type of functionality.

3 Likes
#163

a handy link :slight_smile:

hmm, cant decide…
digital effects got a ton of, trying to avoid eurorack, but CV is everywhere…
I do like the idea of a spring reverb and a cv controllable vca…

#164

I’m guessing that it’s a digital frequency shifter. Otherwise that is the bargain of the century.

1 Like
#165

For the price it’s really a good deal! If you already have a modular that does all of that you might not need it though :slight_smile: