So I'm interested in the MI Clouds, but I don't have a modular system, nor do I really have interest in anything else.
So what's the minimum setup that I need to use just Clouds?
Could e.g. this power the Clouds:
https://www.rawvoltage.wien/eurorack-gehause/doepfer-a-100mc-mini-case-schwarz
Could e.g. this power the Clouds:
https://www.rawvoltage.wien/eurorack-gehause/doepfer-a-100mc-mini-case-schwarz
-- soundmodel
Yes it can and does.
What are you going to feed into it?
Could e.g. this power the Clouds:
https://www.rawvoltage.wien/eurorack-gehause/doepfer-a-100mc-mini-case-schwarz
-- soundmodelYes it can and does.
What are you going to feed into it?-- wiggler55550
I'm going to connect it to my sound card and run stuff from my computer through it.
How will you handle the difference of voltage levels between your soundcard and your modular?
How will you handle the difference of voltage levels between your soundcard and your modular?
-- wiggler55550
I don't know.
Perhaps I need to buy some module to do this.
I found:
https://www.modulargrid.net/e/xaoc-devices-sewastopol
But I wonder if there are other modules that would do what I need.
It seems that Intellijel has Audio Interface II, but ladik has even more affordable modules:
http://ladik.ladik.eu/?page_id=1148
and
Right, Ladik has excellent value for the money. Rather than investing in a specialized interface module (ALM S.B.G for example) you could get away with getting a pre-amp (A-510, A-520 , A-525 ) for input from computer to modular and a mixer (M-110, M-120, A-530) for attenuating from modular to computer level. BTW, no affiliation with Ladik here, I'm just a satisfied user. There are many alternatives. Note that this will be useful for most any external input, hi-fi, walkman, phone, whatever. And you will need a set of matching cables.
By know you are suspecting that just making Clouds work costs as much as the module itself. And oc you're right. On the other hand nothing of that is lost once you decide to expand ;-)
I was wondering, do I really need to purchase some "boutique" eurorack module to do the 5v to line conversion.
And could I perhaps get some normal audio mixer and use some adapters on it?
There's also pretty affordable solution from Doepfer:
The A-119 Ext. In. as input (note the input there is stereo):
and A-139-2 as the output (this is also stereo):
A-119 is mono: "The pre-amp has two inputs: an unbalanced input for line level signals, with a gain factor of from 0 to 20, and a balanced input with a gain factor of from 0 to 500, for insertion of low level signals, for instance from a microphone or electric guitar"
A-139-2 is a headphone amplifier. You need to bring down the level going into the computer.
A-119 is mono: "The pre-amp has two inputs: an unbalanced input for line level signals, with a gain factor of from 0 to 20, and a balanced input with a gain factor of from 0 to 500, for insertion of low level signals, for instance from a microphone or electric guitar"
On p. 4 in the manual it says that:
Symm. In
The 6.3 mm stereo full-size jack socket " is the
A-119’s balanced input, for low level signals such as
from a microphone, electric guitar, and so on.
A-139-2 is a headphone amplifier. You need to bring down the level going into the computer.
-- wiggler55550
I thought one needed to amplify the output signal. I wonder if there's some other Doepfer module that can handle the output.
Of course one could get something else for the output module:
e.g.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1198520-REG/pittsburgh_pms2017_outs_stereo_headphone.html
I was wondering, do I really need to purchase some "boutique" eurorack module to do the 5v to line conversion.
And could I perhaps get some normal audio mixer and use some adapters on it?
-- soundmodel
Neither Ladik nor Doepfer are "boutique"; they are at the lower end as far as pricing.
I guess you could use a mixer with a -20 db pad on the input.
Know someone with some electronics knowledge?
Forget about headphone amps. Your modular level is already way too high; it will clip the input on your sound card. There is no point in making it even louder, right?
I was wondering, do I really need to purchase some "boutique" eurorack module to do the 5v to line conversion.
And could I perhaps get some normal audio mixer and use some adapters on it?
-- soundmodelNeither Ladik nor Doepfer are "boutique"; they are at the lower end as far as pricing.
I guess you could use a mixer with a -20 db pad on the input.Know someone with some electronics knowledge?
-- wiggler55550
They are "boutique" in the sense that I don't see them as useful in other than eurorack modulars.
Using a general mixer would be more "generic". Allowing one to use "general purpose" hardware, rather than specialized.
I don't think the eurorack modules really do anything special, they just do the attenuating accurately, precisely to the needs of the hardware.
Here are some suggestions:
https://www.muffwiggler.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=51415&highlight=output
They note that one can use some of the Doepfer modules such as the A-134 Pan for creating the output.
They also say that A119 is low-quality.
Well. If anything modular seems too much trouble, why bother at all.
Go for software.
For better input they suggest:
http://www.circuitabbey.com/Gozinta.html
I still think it would be easiest to buy the Intellijel Audio Interface, but
it's rather expensive at 249€.
Well. If anything modular seems too much trouble, why bother at all.
Go for software.
-- wiggler55550
Do you think Crusher has similarities with Clouds?
I've used Crusher, but I haven't used Clouds.
Crusher is rather difficult to use though.
I've used Crusher, but I haven't used Clouds.
Crusher is rather difficult to use though.
-- soundmodel
I suggest trying your hand on a Clouds before you do anything else.
Wonder if something like this could be used for the I/O:
https://www.modulargrid.net/e/sputnik-modular-valve-multiplier
It would be useful if one could use some other module for either the input or the output.
Like some other effect such as compressor or distortion.
Then it would serve multiple purposes, rather than just input/output.
I 'm sorry, I m definitely new to modular but from the page of MI of clouds
"Stereo pre-amp with a gain range covering modular and line levels."
And then on the specification
"Specifications
Input impedances: 100k.
Audio input gain range: line level to modular level."
Doesn't it means that I can run ex. my drum machine outs to clouds ins and then from clouds' outs directly to the mixer?
I excuse in advance for the ignorance
yes clouds should have enough gain to deal with line level - not tried it to be honest but if that's what the spec says then that's what the module does (it's mutable instruments!!!)
the big question though is not what audio are you going to feed into it, but what are you going to modulate it with???
clouds loves modulation - and attenuated modulation at that!!!
"some of the best base-level info to remember can be found in Jim's sigfile" @Lugia
Utility modules are the dull polish that makes the shiny modules actually shine!!!
sound sources < sound modifiers < modulation sources < utilities
Someone needs a full modular I think...
Someone needs a full modular I think...
-- norde
Modular synths are designed to work exactly like the drug pusher in a dark alley that says "Hey kid, first one is free" and then once you are hooked, it's near impossible to break the habit. While the first module usually isn't free, thinking you can get "just one module" is the same trap since the more you think about it the more you will realize you'll "just need one or two more modules" and "oh, a slightly bigger case" and "oh, I've got empty space now, I'll get a couple mores to fill it in" and "OH, I HAVE to have that new amazing module that was just released but I'm out of room so I'd better get another case too and . . "
Hooked! They re never enough
So what's the minimum setup that I need to use just Clouds?
-- soundmodel
Have you tried the free "virtual" version of Clouds in VCV rack (a free Eurorack simulator)?
https://vcvrack.com/
The "Audible Instruments -> Texture Synth" module is an implementation of Clouds (legit, since a lot of the MI stuff is open-source).
You can then use the "VCV Bridge" virtual effect VST/AU plug-in to route the output of your DAW through your virtual Eurorack. Or, if your sound source doesn't support AU/VST use a virtual audio device like Soundflower or Loopback (on Mac - I'm sure there are PC & Linux equivalents) to route your audio via your virtual rack.
NB: remember, the first hit is always free... you'll soon succumb to that creeping feeling that using virtual modular gear doesn't quite hit the spot and craving real knobs and patch cables...
