NerdSeq sequencing the modular and a few polys in one pass.
XOR Nerd sequencing the modular and a few polys. Live to multitrack with minimal post eq and compression.
About the only change I would make here would be to chuck the theremin controller in row #2, shift the whole row over into that space, then use the new 8 hp space at the left end of the row for the A-119 (to the right of the mult, natch). This would put it in better proximity to the voicing so that it's easier to use external audio for part of the voicing as well.
-- Lugia
This is a good idea, however the A-178 can induce noise into susceptible modules so it's up and out of the way. The A-119 is generally being used as an envelope follower while the Joranalogue Recieve is my primary input module. Directly to the right of this modular is the 40 space server rack with my mixer/interface and rack polys. I've found these very slick right angle D-Sub adapters that let me avoid having two D-Sub snakes sticking straight up out of the WMD Performance outputs.
That Joranalogue Receive is incredible sounding, crystal clear and no noise. Same can't be said for the A-119, while not being terrible does have more self-noise and high end roll off.
I'm sure you will hear the usual advice of moving the semi-modulars and mults outside the case to save space, but I'm of the opinion of "do what's best for you". Your rack looks very playable and designed to last a long time. Well done.
-- farkas
Thanks! And while I would agree generally about not pulling the semis out of their cases for smaller systems, this is a Doepfer Monster. The B's are in there essentially as a 440 source and because the Sequential Pro One was one of my very first monos (and favorite) years ago. They're both sequenced from a single Nerd MIDI track independently.
- I see 11 dual passive multiple modules between the two cases (if I'm counting correctly). That's 22 1-to-3 passive multiples! To me, that seems quite excessive, especially considering that Tiptop Audio stackable cables exist. Personally, I rarely split an output signal to more than two inputs, so I'm essentially replacing one of the 1-to-3 multiples and three normal cables with a single normal cable and one stackable cable. You may have specific plans or needs for your rack that I or others may not understand.
To be honest, some of these mults are just spacers to keep it less cramped. But I do often send one signal to 8 destinations for parallel processing, so they are used. Plus I distribute some clock signals or LFO's throughout the system.
- In my view, there is a shortage of sub-mixers and attenuators between the two cases. For example, where are you mixing the outputs of all of your oscillators and other sound sources? I see two Mixups and one Triplatt for sub-mixers. (The two VCA modules also mix, but I would think you'd mostly want to use those for other purposes?) In a smaller case, this would be plenty, but in a rack this size, and considering how many sound sources and filters you have, I would want more mixing power. Dedicated attenuators are also a really big deal to me. In your rack I only see the single Triplatt for this. How are you attenuating the signals going into the CV inputs of the 8-channel Doepfer VCA module and other inputs that don't have dedicated attenuators built in? Some of this may be solved by how you intend to use the Doepfer VCAs in conjunction with the Michigan Synth Works Fader Bank.
-- Chace
You missed the Mutamix, which gives me a swiss army mixer. 1x 6 to 1, 2x 3 to 1, or 3x 2 to 1. I often also use the L and R of the Mixups independently, so that's quite a bit of 2 or 3 oscillator mixing where needed. Also, don't count out the WMD Performance mixer. Each channel can unity mix the A and B inputs for a total of 24 ins (12x 2 to 1.) I generally am not submixing too much within the system and am running the WMD out to a 32 input interface. I've got quite a few DI boxes to bring any other signals out into the DAW. I hear what you’re saying, but have not yet had a moment where I ran out of summing.
As far as attenuators I generally do not need external ones. Most of my CV sources are from the NerdSeq (28 of them) where they are internally scalable. Random sources, envelopes, voltage offsets: all from the Nerd and all totally configurable per pattern or even per step. Here's my latest track for an example:
I think I read somewhere in the Modular Philosophy 101 class workbook...a rack is never really truly complete...lol
-- jb61264
When I had my gigantic Wiard + Frac system, there were a lot of things I wanted/needed that didn't exist and I didn't have time to design. After over a decade off, I approached this system with a clear end goal in mind. I did have to switch cases when two Intellijel 7U and a palette ended up being a little too constricting, but there was no buy, sell, repeat. Broad range of synthesis and sampling methods, proper sequencing and lot's of signal processing. Truly finished here, unless a proper time domain pitch shifter comes out, then a few mults can go to fit that in. Otherwise, I'll use something external.
It's probably because I'm at the end of my "journey" and have over a quarter century experience with modular synths rather than starting out and figuring out how it fits in with my music making. Yea, something like ER-301 might be cool but... I had a Capybara system and also have two kids now. I need immediate results!
Nice. Congrats!
-- farkas
Thanks. About a year and a half to build. Felt like a return to modular after many years off. They’re finally where I imagined them 20 years ago. Wondering if anyone has any thoughts on the build.
With my long backordered Intellijel Dual ADSR's finally shipping after over a year, rack will be complete this weekend. Monster and Monster base. To be honest, the Behrimoog is mainly in there for the 440 ref.
I would ditch Pamela’s and replace it with the NerdSeq More CV expander. I have both and find that the Nerd can do nearly everything Pamela’s can: smooth/stepped random, clock divisions, etc. I’ve been seriously thinking of offloading my Pam’s and I’m a great fan of it. Just feeling it’s a bit redundant.
Whoa! That's freaking cool. How the hell did you do that? In YT it says "generative" but it does sound more composed than most generative stuff I listen to. Some great sounds in there.
-- TumeniKnobs
The "generative" was a total joke. There's nothing random or generative at all in this. I posted a vid a few days prior of the intial few bars and put generative and IDM in quotes, saying it was neither generative nor "I." All sequenced by 7 tracks of the NerdSeq. Nerd has 8 tracks, but I ran out of patterns, lol. Assimil8or is doing the heavy lifting with two breaks (Amen and Apache, of course.) Kick is SSF Ultra Kick and snare is the Kraken. TX81Z through Intellijel uFold for bass. Second TX doing some other bits. Minilogue XD doing the sinewave type melody. Acid lines are a Rubicon through Ripples and Plaits through Doepfer 18db. Used the computer as a tape recorder with just a little post EQ and verb.
Happy to hear you all liked it. No feedback from the wigglers.
Nice one! It starts with a sound that I have also been using, but then changes into this bleepy-bloopy jungley thing that at once is quite typical for trackers, yet not cliche. Quite entertaining to listen to!
-- Arrandan
Glad you enjoyed it.
Thanks! The warbly stuff is a TX81Z and a Plaits-based voice. Formant stuff is another Plaits doing one voice, buried a little and doubling some notes up. Primary formant voice is random vocal samples run through the Mutable Warps vocoder with the carrier sequenced by the Nerd. Bass is BehriMoog through a Mutable Ripples. Kick is SSF Ultra Kick. Percussion is the TakTakTak Drumbo and some samples run through a Mutable Beads.
The Nerd is amazing. Immensely flexible. For this tune, chords and melodies were played and drums were programmed. Just doing whichever is quickest. I'll also go in and edit the recorded tracks adding FX, inverting a chord, adding some CC, program changes or whatever. This track was done in about three hours from scratch.
Indeed, it’s pretty amazing how versatile it is. Sequencing the mode CV is a great way to get a huge variety of percussion sounds on one track.
It’s all over my new tune, and I’ll definitely be picking up another.
Just moved everything into a Doepfer Monster. First track since I'm up and running.
https://dspkills.bandcamp.com/track/blanche-on-a-staircase
Yeah. Fiiking brilliante. Instant fan base. Hoo!
Chomp chomp, chomp, more hunger. Yow. Me.
KALAMITY MOOFUH!!!
Mr. Kane
-- Herkjk
Thanks mate! Just took a few weeks off moving everything to a Doepfer Monster + Base. Back at it in between day job and minecraft with the kids.
Just picked up a TakTakTak Drumbo Syncussion "clone" and made this quick demo as there are only a few videos online.
Thanks for posting the hi-fi version. Easier to really appreciate the production quality. The Amen break is classic for a reason and this makes excellent use of it. Cheers!
-- TumeniKnobs
Thanks!
Really dig it! Has a Danny Elfman feel to it.
-- Vow3ll
As soon as I read that, I was like totally. That sort of “kitchen sink” thing, if that’s what you mean. Glad you enjoyed it.
XOR NerdSeq sequencing modular+Juno-106+TX81Z+Minilogue XD. Live to multitrack, no overdubs. I have never done anything with the Amen break in my decades of making music. Always felt hackneyed. Finally felt I should perhaps give it a go, so I loaded up the Assimil80r. Bassline is 8 TX81Z "Lately Basses" stacked with the Humble Audio Quad Operator. So 36 oscillators by my count.
HiFi version:
https://dspkills.bandcamp.com/track/trwfutdite
or iPhone mic compressed audio:
Yes, Assimil80r is loaded with drum sounds. The kick and snare are being fattened with Plaits drums so they're both a mixture of sample and physical modelling.
This one is a simpler tune, but in some of my others I'm switching the kicks/snares/hats on the assimil8or with NerdSeq CV outs. Each bar (or even beat) has a different sample.
The Squid Salmple is something I am interested in for (possibly) a more immediate UI for some on the fly sampling. As it is, I'm still groking the assimil8or.
Thanks for the kind words. Rack is finalized, although I may move some things around later. Hastily mixed hi-fi version here:
Thanks Kent. I’ve swapped around some patch cables so there are now two mixes on bandcamp.
I have 2x Plaits, Warps and Beads. They are polished and professional. Excellently engineered and sound fantastic. A cut above nearly all other manufacturers. I don’t do ambient.
Thanks. This morning I did the FX automation and have uploaded a "final" version.
Really great. What is that 1U unit on top? It seemed to glitch out the running pattern, akin to the phonogene's gene shift knob/cv point.
-- FredFoxtrott
The sequencing is all through composed on the Nerd. The 1U is a Intellijel Quadatt used as a CV source to control a CV addressable switch. Some of the percussion is multed to various signal processing paths in parallel. The switch is letting me select between dry, various FX chains and muted. It will be eventually sequenced as well, but for now is under manual control. That’s why the bandcamp track sounds different, besides the better fidelity.
Yes, I'm using the HDMI/USB expander for the Nerd which gives the video output alongside a USB keyboard in.
A high fidelity preliminary version is up here: https://dspkills.bandcamp.com/track/thermilon
I was left with six blank patterns left out of the 175 available, partially because of my slightly inefficient programming.
I don't really have time to make any review videos or anything like that. I barely get any time to make music as it stands, with a day job and two young kids. And, honestly, I'm not really getting enough views to make it worth my time. I'd rather focus on making music when I can and sneaking a few lo-res phone videos onto YouTube for whomever might be interested.
M
