#41

been playing around with using batumi as a modulation source for slide and organize controls. using self-patching on the batumi provides some nice semi-random feedback in the parameter modulation.

also, kinda obvious, but clouds after morphagene is a beautiful thing. these three modules are capable of producing hours of variations on a few simple splices.

30 Likes
Max/msp & max4live (the thread)
#42

Wonderful work as always @josephbranciforte!

I have to say I’ve got the morphagene bug. I am super wary about investing in eurorack–seems like a minimum investment of 1.5k or so, even for a little lunchbox.

Question along those lines–putting aside the physical form factor, working with constraints, getting out of the box, and all that (important) stuff–is there significant different between what morphagene does and what an m4l granular looping device such as Samsara does? https://isotonikstudios.com/product/samsara-customized-granular-looping/. Provided that I can use other m4l modulation sources? Am I missing something that morphagene does that software doesn’t really do, sound wise?

Obviously $20 vs. $500 + PSU + Case + Complementary modules is a consideration :wink:

#43

… + a $2000 laptop. that m4l device looks great, and if you’re going to have a laptop onstage, then I’d absolutely give that a shot before taking the plunge on a system. this is more or less the case with many dsp-based modules, since the argument is inevitably “why couldn’t I just run a similar piece of software on a laptop?” - you absolutely could, go for it! this isn’t really the thread to have that debate.

I’d also direct you to @zebra’s episode of sound and process, where that idea (using pd or similar instead of dsp modules) is discussed at length.

7 Likes
#44

Thanks @madeofoak! Not trying to stir the debate writ large, I get it–just wondering in particular about what I understand of what morphagene can do specifically. So I hope to keep this thread about morphagene, really :wink:

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#45

I just upgraded my Morphagene to mg155 and I put the upgrade file in dropbox to then load up on my phone, connected the left input to my phone out (good thing I have a phone with a headphone jack!), initiated the upgrade sequence with the various upgrade button combinations, waited the 2+ minutes for the audio upgrade file to play, then ran the boot and install sequence with the other button combinations to finalize it. I even printed out the instructions on a piece of paper (I had to reduce the font size to make it fit on one page).

The entire time I was going through the process I was staring at the SD card slot thinking “Why couldn’t I just load the firmware upgrade onto this perfectly viable memory card and then on boot the MG sees the new firmware, handles the upgrade automatically, flashes it’s light to tell me it’s done, and then I power down and power back on and go on my way.”

As a software engineer I’m always thinking what could be easier for the user vs the craziness of playing an audio file into the audio input to handle the upgrade when a perfectly good memory card slot is present.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

3 Likes
#46

I was also surprised that they don’t offer upgrade via SD card, simply for the sheer volume of support calls they’d probably avoid.

1 Like
#47

yes, morphagene and samsara are pretty different algorithms and feature sets.

literally: no, morphagene is a computer running software.

in practice: if you are talking about m4l specifically then i think it would be very challenging to implement a perfect morphagene clone in that environment. (or in general - it’s a very carefully engineered device.)

2 Likes
#48

I’ve been around the block on this question a few times…with Morphagene and just about any digital module I own. Really, what’s the point if I can recreate it in software? I guess I like the knobs and CV control. The choice of blinking lights is also very nice.

I chalked it up to something to do with the amount of software necessary to read from the SD card in some sort of boot loader situation, but it seems weird to me too. My guess is they’re using the Mutable Instruments bootloader sound file thingee. :man_shrugging: no idea (wish MN was into open source the way MI and monome are so that we could see why they chose to do it this way), but it’s not the only module that updates firmware this way.

#49

Seems to me that implementing MG in software form for pc would require lots of work in order to get the same versatility/control over the module as with the “physical version” (in the sense of the size it would take in your pc, the cost, the manipulation of multiple parameters at the same time, precision, etc).

And I guess that’s also the reason for other digital modules to be released in eurorack form instead of straight software. It looks like it would be so costly to make… why not give it a body if it represents an extra of accessibility for your instrument?

1 Like
#50

IMG_1905
IMG_1905.JPG3464×3024 1.86 MB

here’s a little Morphagene system I put together last night. Will probably take out the joystick as the arc is plenty of manual control already. Cycles and Levels both pair excellently with Morphagene. A Cycles ramp into the Slide input is a great way to scrub through a splice!

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#51

God I forgot how badly I want an arc…

#52

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bi6P2sula2m/

morphagene and arc

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#53

as soon as i get a second power module i’m planning this
https://www.modulargrid.net/e/racks/view/668422
plus arc

#54

tried to make a video condensing the process of sampling a note from OP-1 into Morphagene and then sequencing it using Levels within instagram’s one minute video limit :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BjEmMvVFObw/

9 Likes
#55

posted another vid with my morphagene system, using Levels/Arc

https://instagram.com/p/BjXmrvLlxg0/

2 Likes
#56

Morphagene is my first module, along with ES-8 for modulation and audio from VCV rack.

I like using it as an delay-like effect, or a pitch-shifter, with a setting to record the input regardless of SOS knob, and with recording on, but unfortunately it produces clicks.

4 Likes
#57

Been having fun recording different two note melodies to different splices, upping morph (between two and four) and manipulating all parameters with jf in shape/cycle, organizing by hand (bonus points routing it back through 3s)

Makes for a nice ‘environment’ built on a chord that I can then shift into different chords (organize or varispeed).

Structurally, feels like a substitute for pads – just indicating broad chord changes / progression in a timbrely consistent fashion.

Curious how y’all fit mg into larger compositions / what roles you trust our little friend with given their idiosyncracies. :wind_face:

5 Likes
#58

I’ve been working with a 42hp case that contains a morphagene, uburst, peaks, delay, and a lpg. It also has has the 1u tile with clock and slew. Peaks is either providing percussion or modulation. There are a lot of opts to sample the samples with uburst in play. I also had fun just extending a krill patch from my 0-'coast into this case seen here:

1 Like
#59

I’ve been toying with the idea of picking up a Morphagene, but was wondering if anyone has any recommendations for a bitcrusher (pedals probably preferred) to pair with the MG to get somewhere close to the griminess of the Phonogene or, ideally, the Coco part of the Cocoquantus? I know I couldn’t expect an exact 1:1 of either those, just something close.

#60

I guess you need stereo. I’ve been thinking of getting one of the last Roland Bitrazer units left in the shops. Could be the answer for you too…?

2 Likes