Can we talk about modular synths?

[kbit]

I'm constantly thinking about what direction I want to go in with sequencing in the short term: Rene or Turing Machine. Eventually I'd like to end up with both (as seen above) but with my size/budget constraints only one will be possible for a good while. Turing Machine would definitely fit the improv vibes a bit better, but Rene seems to have a huge potential for unlocking the unknown mysteries of geometric rhythms...

#firstworldproblems

I can't say enough good things about the Turing Machine. Rene has always been tempting, but the more I learn (and by 'learn' I mean generally staying the fuck out of this thread), the more I want simpler pieces. Some of this gear that's coming out makes zero sense to me. I appreciate that people want interesting modules, but when something is an all-in-one solution to a problem I don't know why you'd want that instead of a fixed architecture synth.

Anyway, the TM is the best for that stuff. Two knobs and an infinite amount of music. It's a great concept, and it's low key. Lets you focus on other things instead of always trying to craft a melody.

Yeah, the fun/simplicity factor is pretty much exactly why I'm interested in it. Thanks for the reminder

Although I wouldn't really consider Rene to be a "do it all" sequencer; it's seems more like a very elaborate and focused take on a well worn concept.

Interesting. I'd find the use of quantizers and various smart modules to be more like cheating. I don't necessarily think it's "deeper" synthesis though. A lot of the stuff I find on ig etc. seems fairly random, melody wise, and not very musical.

What's a keyboard if not a manual quantizer?

I can't remember the exact quote or the origin of the sentiment, but somewhere along the line I read someone's opinion (in the modular realm) that great art comes from superior judgement rather than superior skill. Following that logic, the various tools available in modular aside from the keyboard allow someone to think their way to an end result rather than use a physical talent. The modular headspace is also much different from the headspace of keyboardist, i.e. mathematics and signal flow vs traditional Western harmony. Also keyboards are generally more suited to polyphonic instruments (not to discount monophonic synths), which is not the easiest thing to do in modular land.


But honestly, it's probably because sequencers are cooler / more fun / easier to get tangible results out of. I do really want to get a Keystep at some point, more for moving basslines than playing licks though.

[Warpsmasher]

Interesting. I'd find the use of quantizers and various smart modules to be more like cheating. I don't necessarily think it's "deeper" synthesis though. A lot of the stuff I find on ig etc. seems fairly random, melody wise, and not very musical.

I like 'not possible for human hand skills' kind of stuff, so I'm pretty biased towards the machines and dissonant/unmusical stuff. I also think it takes a strong appreciation for the atmospheric ambient soundscapes that just take you to other galaxies and dimensions, to really love modular the right way. Sure it can be used for any and all styles of music now, but that oozing psychedelic ocean is where it came from, and where all the fun is.

[resincum]

How many modular dudes on here play theirs with a keyboard? I'm curious cause it doesn't seem like the norm at all. How come?

I do, mostly to get arpeggios going with the sv-1 tho

[raj007]

Here's some "musical" for you:

[actual]

Thanks for the insights guys. The reason I asked initially is cause the way I'd interface with a modular, should I ever take the plunge, would primarily be with a keyboard, but then again I wouldn't be making ambient or self-playing patches (no offence at all).

Here's some "musical" for you:

Right. I didn't say music made like that couldn't be "musical", just that I find a lot of stuff that isn't particularly so.

[behndy]

nicccccccccce.

[behndy]

Here's some "musical" for you:

[youtube][/youtube]

[youtube][/youtube]

gotcha gurrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrL.

pretty, PRETTY stuff.

Thanks for the insights guys. The reason I asked initially is cause the way I'd interface with a modular, should I ever take the plunge, would primarily be with a keyboard, but then again I wouldn't be making ambient or self-playing patches (no offence at all).

i mean, i didn't take any offense at all. it's a perfectly legitimate question.

i suck at keys, can plink out OKAY melodies on accident occasionally, then need to play it like a billion times to have a hope of remembering it. so sequencers and logic rules playing out is the fun part of modular for me.

[actual]

I guess that's kinda the fun for me though. Learning the skill of playing the keyboard, music theory etc. So in my world, using a module which for instance spits out major triads for you, is no different than having an APC or other pad controller, that lights up all the notes in a certain scale in a certain key etc. Which is fine, but not for me.

I apologize for my sloppy phrasing, I'm tired.

[behndy]

nurp. i getcha.

anymore i don't really care what goes into making the music, just the output? i got so burnt on more traditional approaches, so playing around with modular has made me...... enjoy doing musics again.

also, the Tasty Chips GR-1 looks so FUN. it really looks like a pimped out SamplR on steroids. which is the only app i miss from the hell of using iDevices.

[Ruiner]

I thought i'd be using a keyboard with my modular a lot more than i have... which is none come to think of it. The whole self contained generative aspect of modular really got me more than i thought it would. I want to sequence EVERYTHING.... i'm just not good at it yet..... but right now i really enjoy making a base track with eurorack and then playing guitar through my rig and pedals with it and then other instruments, field recordings, etc and layer the hell out of it and i think i'm getting really good results IMO. Did that on the first two tracks for the album i'm going to put out and I love those two tracks so far.

I really want to play stuff like this, so someone come over and teach me!

Here's some "musical" for you:

[behndy]

Here's some "musical" for you:

[youtube][/youtube]

[youtube][/youtube]

GOT. CHA. GURRRL.

[D.o.S.]

Like kbit pointed out (because now that kbit never posts all of his posts are good posts) polyphony is a pain in the ass on modular.

[Ruiner]

Like kbit pointed out (because now that kbit never posts all of his posts are good posts) polyphony is a pain in the ass on modular.

The Instruo Harmonaig makes it super easy and beautiful. Love it.

[actual]

Can you trigger the individual notes separately? Thinking paraphony vs polyphony and stuff

[Ruiner]

"Harmonaig

The four outputs are root, third, fifth and seventh for routeing to four tuned oscillators. There’s a handy unison mode you can enable to let you tune your oscillators to the same pitch. The top knob controls the chord inversion and reorders the voicing. The second knob is the voicing spread which he likens to dropping root notes on guitar. Both knobs are CV controllable. The transpose slider gives you two octaves up and down from the current CV level.

Around the big knob is the “chord quality” which is the type of chord being used. You can also use the little keyboard at the bottom to specify your chord notes. In quantize mode the notes are restricted to the knob settings. In performance mode then all notes are available. There are four places on the chord quality wheel that can be set by the user, so you can create and store your own chord clusters.

Harmonàig also has built-in musical modes, like Ionian, Dorian etc. This affects the chord quality selection. He says it acts like a tonal colour palette as each mode will have its own characteristic. It’s fascinatingly musical."