#11

Thanks, that’s very valuable info. It’s my main concern for using something like Pamela’s New Workout as the main sequencer, that it’ll take quiet a bit (because of the menu diving) to setup a decent melody.
Out of interest, what sequencing module(s) did you use before?

Thanks, this kind of feedback was one of the reasons I created this topic, so please do be absolutely honest! :slight_smile:

I guess I’m just starting from something I know, there are already so many things to choose and figure out when starting this. Starting from a thing you know might or might not be a good thing though.

What type(s) of workflow(s) would you suggest instead? Do you have some examples/video’s maybe?

#12

I’m picking up the Pexp-1 - will definitely let you know how this goes.

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#13

I know what you mean regarding the DAW way of thinking. You could always set up some kind of midi to CV type of thing. I’ve been using one of @danielrdehaan M4L-patches to set up voice control with my Push, which then lets you compose endless midi arrangements/sequences that you can easily route to your modular. You will have to aquire a DC coupled interface of some sort. Can be quite fun! Still the Monome stuff really changed everything for me. I’m a fan of the bridge between modular and the computer, and a big part of my system is the ES-8 both for mixing and to send CV and audio from Ableton to my modular. But I find that for me to feel like I can really play and control the music and to be in the presence of it, I need that intuitive, tactile hands-on experience that Grid/Ansible provide. One of the great aspects of the modular for me is the balance between you controlling the technology and the technology controlling you (if that makes any sense). And I like to feel a little bit «superior» in that relationship. It has to be a good and fair fight.

3 Likes
#14

It’s kind of hard to explain:

  • You can sequence stuff
  • You can use combinations of function generators and gates to create self playing patches
  • You can take a sound source and simply explore the textures of that in combination with others
  • You can bring external audio into the modular and derive something from that
  • You can create drones
  • You can use external inputs - midi keyboards, any other stuff - to create live improvisations

That’s the point really, there are kind of infinite different starting off points and if your perspective is: I’ll start with a sequence, that’s great. It’s perfectly valid. But it’s not the only thing you can do.

I started off with the Doepfer basic 2 System, and deliberate got a midi module because I assumed I’d be sequencing the Modular from my computer. I rarely use it.

2 Likes
#15

What you’re describing is one of the big challenges, but also interesting/tempting aspects, of modular for me.

There are so many options and since I have no experience with the majority of them I’m leaning towards starting with something I know (sequencing) in hopes to be able to create something that sounds good/musical to me not purely by accident. And then go from there and experience/grow into other ways of creating sounds/music.
Maybe this approach will limit my learning experience?

#16

@simonvanderveldt have you tried playing with VCV Rack? Whenever I get tempted to go back into modular, I play with it to scratch the itch…

#17

Yeah, I have, and it’s been very nice to be able to get some feel for how it all works, especially with some of the monome modules now also being available, I could even use it with my grid, super nice!

I do have the feeling the use of a mouse vs vs physical knobs makes it difficult to experience the differences slight changes/nuances can make.

Also, one kind of surprising thing to me, when I first saw/used some modules in real life they were quiet a bit smaller than I expected them to be from how I experienced them in VCV/from photos/videos :smiley:

1 Like
#18

Most likely not, I just felt it worthwhile to point out that a sequencer would be one possible tool in your toolbox, as opposed to the starting point for everything…

2 Likes
#19

re: starting with a sequencer vs. other approaches - I think it comes down to what sort of music/work you want to make. If you want to make music with a strong sequenced melody element, then starting with a sequencer (and something that makes sound, of course) does make sense to me, and using a modular to do it still allows as much (or as little) chance/unpredictability to be added in, and in a hands on/tangible way. I don’t have a grid, but if I did, I’d definitely start with Ansible. The various CV/gate outputs could act as modulation sources to use in many other ways besides melodies, too.

On the topic of 16-step limitations, this is a cool example of how one can mix up a simple melody with some basic modular elements (in this case, a CV sequence, track (sample) & hold, something to trigger the S&H, and two VCOs. It’s all based on a linear 16-step sequence, but is a lot more interesting. You could do the same thing with any two VCOs, any sequencer, something that spits out gates at different timings than the main sequence (both of those could come from Ansible), and any track & hold or sample & hold (would give a slightly different result, but same idea) module.

Hopefully this isn’t to situation-specific, just meant as an idea of how a simple sequence can be changed dramatically with some simple additional elements. Add in some way to transpose the sequence, such as using a precision adder to combine two or more sequences (both from Kria, say), and you could have a crazy amount of variation still within a 16-step maximum, and potentially still with a compact setup.

Do you already have any sort of drum machine with some sort of analog sync? Since your examples include some drum elements, I’ve had a lot of fun with a Volca Beats synced to my modular (via Pamela’s Workout in my case, either Pam’s or Volca can be master).

2 Likes
#20

This sounds encouraging, judging by the responses so far I think it makes sense to start with an Ansible and see/experience how well I’ll get on with it :slight_smile:

These are super-interesting and helpful suggestions! Thank you very much. I’ll be honest, without any real experience with modular synths it’s somewhat hard to get my head around it, but I think I understand :slight_smile: Basically the two VCO’s play the same pattern, but one of them has a randomized pitch.
Where in this case the pitch isn’t really random, but sampled from the pattern that the other VCO’s pitch is following. Is that correct?

These ways of thinking about possibilities for variations it totally new to me and I find it really interesting/tempting :slight_smile: Will have to figure out what kind of modules I’d need for these kinds of CV/trigger variations.
The video from mylar melodies about logic modules also touches upon different ways to randomize CV/triggers.

No, I don’t have any hardware synths at the moment, was all computer based with MIDI controllers so far.

Whilst I’d like to synthesize drums at some point for now I’m considering starting with something like the pico drums (http://ericasynths.lv/en/shop/eurorack-modules/by-series/pico-series/pico-drums/). I tried that in the shop and it way quiet easy to work with, has some randomization features of itself and sounded pretty ok to me.

#21

Exactly! It can feel somewhat random by using an irregular/oddly timed trigger, which is musical but can be unpredictable (or at least feel unpredictable). Adding logic (or random triggers) like you mentioned could expand on that and make it more complex, but still based on a single CV sequence.

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#22

I guess I’ll add a sample/track and hold module to the list of modules to get then :slight_smile:

#23

You can definitely do worse than a Function for that. The “Hang” input is super fun for stalling envelope/LFO use, too, and it can do a lot of other things. I had a Function and sold it awhile back, but I think I might end up with one again since it is somewhat unique, even compared to Maths due to “Hang” which is critical to this use.

Disting also has t&h/s&h (and a ton of other things) if you don’t mind multifunctional modules. Track and hold is a lot less common than I would expect, but I think it is definitely useful.

1 Like
#24

Thanks for the track and hold patch from Make Noise, I need to explore mine more.

OP - there’s a really basic Doepfer module that has two S&H’s that are jump-able to track and hold.

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#25

http://www.doepfer.de/a148.htm

Found it, nice! Pretty cheap as well, thanks for the pointer!

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#26

Thinking about this question a bit more, another option that has crossed my mind would be a Novation Circuit, which would give me drums and a synth and when combined with Expert Sleepers FH-1 it can sequence the modular as well.
Not sure if that would be a better choice than going with an Ansible though.

#27

Fwiw I started with circuit and cvocd. This kept getting better with each circuit update. But I have ended up with grid and ansible (when it arrives). Playing with the meadowphysics max4live port really got me excited to have that option in conjunction with the modular. As well as the awesome kria.

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#28

Thanks for the info. If you don’t mind me asking, what was the main thing/feature that made you decide to switch?

#29

I’ve had grids previously so was familiar with mlr, pages, 64fingers, polygome etc when using my PC as part of my setup. Got rid several years ago and always regretted it. In the last few months I’ve sold a lot of unused gear to be able to fund grid/ansible. I love the ansible take on sequencing that I’d seen in videos. Before I’d used Meadowphysics max4live port it looked way too complex to me. But having a play with it after I’d bought the grid let me really gel with the interface.

Circuit is still a part of my workflow for Ableton live based work and I use it mainly for sketching ideas to import into live or a a controller. It’s still a brilliant device and I will not be getting rid of it anytime soon!

With the right interface, if circuit suits you it can create some amazing stuff on the modular. Several channels of CV plus drum tracks that could be repurposed as gates (I believe, I never got round to trying that).

Andy Pidcock has some good videos on Circuit and modular, with a big emphasis on the sequencing/playing.

And Enrique Martinez has some solid review/tip videos about circuit integration.

Hope that helps a wee bit!

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#30

I think I would personally still be inclined towards using the grid/Ansible, but the Circuit Monostation looks like a good match for modular if the Circuit concept is interesting to you.