#304

Hope this is sufficiently on topic.

I just discovered a lovely Morphage tutorial at https://youtu.be/aCzyMrEmYWk

The YouTube channel description says: “Introducing Baséput, a modular synthesizers music about the indigenous voices and instruments from around the world, especially Indonesia.”

He’s using Morphagene with a gorgeous Indonesian stringed instrument called a Sape, and talking about how he’s producing some wonderful sounds.

Very nice!

19 Likes
Latest tracks + videos
#305

After listening to the video you posted, youtube auto-played this one for me, which is also nice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0Yz5BJFr78

4 Likes
#306

Ay up,

Really interested to hear some creative ways of using the the Record gate input on the morphagene… I’m struggling to find a use for it yet and am sure there are some cool uses out there… cheers!

2 Likes
#307

Don’t have a morphagene, but assuming this functionality works similarly—on the phonogene I’ll sometimes rhythmically (like, from my sequencer) send a gate pattern to toggle record to sort of “punch in” to a delay line. I like to modulate gene size and slide (no morph on PG) because then it seems to sort of punch-in and record into individual “genes”? I’m not sure exactly what’s happening always but it adds some sort of glitchy grainy spice and sometimes if the grains are bigger I get sort of reorganized versions of the sequence which can be fun as a sort of counterpoint to the main sequence :slight_smile:

1 Like
#308

This is probably the main use case that I would get the morphagene for (currently don’t have it) and I’d really like to hear from someone who has one if this works well. By well, I’m happy if it glitches out and really struggles…
This is how I use my W/ but I recently fried it and I’m still working through the repair/replace/try new firmware/look at morphagene process

1 Like
#309

I got the morphagene for the same reason and I couldn’t be happier with it. I actually liked working with it so much that I got a nagra III a few weeks ago for 2x time lag accumulation which contrasts the very clean sound of the mg well.

it does counterpoint/patch screenshot and manipulation, the input gain makes it great for my line level synths, and something I’ve been getting into lately is putting reels of my own loops indexed by key into it + drum loops clocking my whole system with eosg and working that into new patch ideas. when things start to feel too predictable, it takes two minutes to change settings on the sd card and it feels like a whole new module.

I think the video @donrock posted a few days ago captures the workflow quite well.

2 Likes
#310

You could always use it as a delay trigger if you change the input mode in the settings to “1” instead of the default “0”. This turns the record functionality as more of a granular delay when recording and using the mix control.

1 Like
#311

Ace! Thanks… will give those ideas a whirl…

#312

I haven’t tried it yet, but you could connect a footswitch to punch in loops hands free if you’re playing a guitar or recording something where you need both hands to do something else

#313

This may be helpful to anyone with a Teletype, and definitely not to anyone without one.

I just spent some time figuring out Teletype CV values for the more “tonal” spots on the varispeed knob. This is with the varispeed knob fully CCW and the varispeed input attenuator fully CW. So sending these CV values from TT to the varispeed input will get you the following transpositions:

reverse 8va = vv 0
reverse 5th up = vv 41
reverse 4th up = vv 54
reverse x1 = vv 85
reverse 5th down = vv 118
reverse 4th down = vv 133
reverse 8vb = vv 164
stop = vv 330
8vb = vv 486
4th down = vv 518
5th down = vv 532
x1 = vv 564
4th up = vv 598
5th up = vv 612
8va = vv 800

You may have to play with the numbers +/- 3vv or so for fine tuning but these should hopefully get you in the ballpark!

22 Likes
#314

Oh shoot, very impressive and useful work with this! Thanks!

1 Like
#315

Hi there! Thank you all for the contributions to this thread I learnt a lot while reading your ideas.
Morphagene made me want to jump into modular and I designed a system around it.
I’m very interested in your thoughts about the system before pulling the trigger:

800×639

List of modules

  • mmMidi
  • Pamela’s NEW Workout
  • Make Noise Maths
  • Knit ( Plaits 6hp )
  • 2hp Pluck ( sound source karl plus strong )
  • Mult
  • Morphagene
  • uBurst ( clouds )
  • Hyrlo ( mixer )
  • Ooots ( master out )

Goals with this system:

Usage: I do “structured” electronic music with vocals on top, so I want to use this system to complement tracks that I build in Ableton ( it could be for generating like a main central pattern for the song, a background texture, transitions, weird samples to be chopped later… ), I occasionally do some ambient/instrumental tracks but that would be secondary.
So I would use the system for:

  • Generating textures or interesting rhythmic quirky patterns
  • live audio mangling ( vocals / piano / synths / guitars )
  • Very hands-on system while not breaking the bank
  • Do things that you couldn’t easily do with Ableton
  • Interface: I want to use it 1) standalone or 2) with an Arturia Keystep ( for sequencing or pitch related things… ) or 3) sending some midi sequences from Ableton

Some questions/concerns I have

  • I want the system to receive Midi start/stop signals so when launching a clip in Ableton, for example, it starts whatever I have on the system ( I hope the “run” input on PNW in conjunction with mmmMidi receiving midi from Ableton will help me with that )
  • I didn’t know if a VCA would help me a lot on this system
  • Sound sources: Even if Morphagene is the main thing here, I would like to have some interesting sound sources so they can be modulated by the system, or feed into morphagene, etc… I wanted some small form factor modules with character or very versatile, that’s why I choose Plaits ( versatilty ) and Pluck ( character, I like kps ). Are there other interesting/weird sound sources that you could suggest?

Modules I considered but didn’t make it

  • For modulation/seq purposes: o_c and Xaoc Batumi
  • For seq/randomness/generative purposes: Marbles
  • For noise, a noise generator like the 2hp one for example

Any thoughts, any limitations, anything that you absolutely miss about the system???

Thanks!

1 Like
#316

This might seem offtopic but have you considered
https://slateandash.com/collections/instruments/products/cycles ?
It might achieve what you described easier.
Though if it’s just a start of a bigger system that’s another story :slight_smile:

2 Likes
#317

Looks like a great start to me. I built an audio/mangling system around the Morphagene and I love it. I have a couple thoughts but if they don’t fit with what you’re going for, please ignore. :slight_smile:

I have found the Doepfer A-182-2 Quad Switch to be invaluable for directing signals live (I have 3). I’ve used it to:

  • switch between several input sources for the morphagene. this way I don’t have to repatch the inputs every time I want to try something else.
  • quickly switch between monitoring what is going into the morphagene and the end of the chain after the morphagene. a stereo switch for my headphones.
  • change modulation sources going into slide/gene-size/vari-speed.

I would recommend focusing this instrument specifically on audio mangling/sampling/resampling. And create a separate instrument with unique sound sources. I make this recommendation because I think modulation/effects and VCAs will make the sound mangling part of this much more fun and complete, no matter what you put into it.

Just a few thoughts and I hope it’s helpful. Morphagene is an amazing instrument.

2 Likes
#318

Looks fun, however in a system that size I would forgo the Maths to get something like this instead:

https://cosmotronic.nl/delta-v.html

People will tell you when you start out that “you need to get a Maths!” and while they’re absolutely a terrific module needing one in every system simply isn’t true. The Cosmotronic Delta-v has a lot of similar functions, though instead of having the 2nd and 3rd attenuverters and sum/logic/invert outs, you have two VCAs instead. You’ll then have an extra 10hp, which you could use on getting a Monsoon over the uBurst, which I highly recommend if you want it to be more hands on! And you’ll still have extra room. Instead of the pluck you could get a uRings (or better yet a Yaksha’s Fate).

4 Likes
#319

I was gonna say the same thing about Maths. It’s undoubtedly one of the most useful modules out there but not very efficient space-wise in a smaller system like this.

3 Likes
#320

Wow! @kveye Thanks for the suggestion! it looks amazing, i browsed through the website and examples and it really looks top notch.
But, one of the things I want with the system, is to get far from the computer. At least during the time i interact with the system, that’s one of the key things for me.

#321

Thank you so much for your careful feedback.

Regarding the Dopefr A-182-2 Quad Swith I didn’t know this module. I’ll definitely consider your suggestion, even if I plan to use it at my home studio in which I have a patchbay it’s true that some “dancing” cables would be involved…

Regarding “I would recommend focusing this instrument specifically on audio mangling/sampling/resampling. And create a separate instrument with unique sound sources. I make this recommendation because I think modulation/effects and VCAs will make the sound mangling part of this much more fun and complete, no matter what you put into it.”
Do you think that having Maths ( or the suggested below delta-v ) + PNW I could fall short in terms of modulation? ( I’m new to modular…and I thought this was enough modulation for my purposes… ) . Regarding effects for the moment i plan to use my pedalboard ( I’ve got plenty of pedals such as strymon el capistan, Bit quest, and others… true they are not CV control ready, but I’m ok for now )

Thanks!

1 Like
#322

I think maths + pnw is a golden combo for morphagene. the new pnw firmware updates featuring the stepped and smooth random/euclidian rhythms are great and i really learned a lot about modular from owning a maths. another choice I would look at is mutable instruments stages - there’s a beta firmware out that adds bipolar lfos, Turing machine, random, really fast/slow lfos and 6hp less than maths + all the great stuff stages already does

3 Likes
#323

hahahaaaaaa I must say that I read lots of the kind of comments you mention regarding Maths! ( “it’s perfect for learning”, “it’s the best module for learning”, etc…). I investigated a bit about Maths and liked what I saw, it appeals to me like a swiss army for modulation in conjunction with PNW, also thought that would be a module so easy to sell second hand if finally doesn’t fit my needs/style.
Regarding the attenuverters on maths, don’t you think that they would be interesting to have in a “small” system like this?
I’ll definitely take a closer look at delta-v, it looks promising and “space-wise” very interesting!
I didn’t know about monsoon or Yaksha’s Fate! thanks!