S&E
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Posts: 116
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Post by S&E on Sept 23, 2021 3:02:39 GMT
I have noticed a lot of the filter and effect modules have more outs than ins. So it feels like I don't have enough ins or I am wasting outs depending on how you look at it. Mixers don't really seem to help with the full scale of outs available. Do u guys know what I am talking about? Any advice for me? If I had envelope follower modules I could convert the extra audio out to cv--is there a way to do that yet?
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Post by admin on Sept 23, 2021 3:11:51 GMT
I don't quite understand the problem. It's nice to have more than one output on some modules so you don't have to use a multiple if you want to route an LFO to more than one place or send the output of a filter to different effects. But you don't "need" to use all of them. Just use them when you have to or want to.
So, having more ins doesn't really make sense because that's what the mixer modules are for.
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S&E
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Posts: 116
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Post by S&E on Sept 24, 2021 1:43:34 GMT
Ok that's good. It is a fact that most of the modules have more outs than in. That is what I have noticed as I have put my orders together. But I am new to modular and so long as I know those outs will be useful for me I am cool with it. In euro land I'd just bring in extra splitters and Dude mixers but AE requires more thinking because it isn't as open that way.
I am pleased I was able to build a 6-tier standard size system that is utterly awesome, at a price that I can afford. Other than an envelope follower kind of thing it has it all and will do so much. It will be cool to add the Bastl pieces too.
Anyway, glad to be here. I feel somehow special and stuff, like I have been granted something special. Looking forward to the upcoming modules too.
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Post by pt3r on Sept 24, 2021 6:42:51 GMT
The only real difference between AE and other modular systems is the voltages it communicates between the modules. Eurorack goes +/-12 volts whereas AE does 0-5 volts. And compared to other semi modular synths, AE is more straightforward; no patch = no sound and more forgiving on the wallet. Be warned though you can still go down a GAS rabbithole without a problem given the rate at which new (third party) modules are being released.  |
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Post by NightMachines on Sept 24, 2021 9:59:33 GMT
Interesting line of thought. That’s actually what pretty much all modular formats “suffer” from: too few inputs. Modular synth users basically want CV control (i.e. inputs) for everything, because that’s what makes the modular synth so special. Outputs on the other hand aren’t that special to us, because we know them from other instruments already. Inputs are a tricky thing though, not just because it might be difficult and/or expensive to add CV control to circuits, but also because there might just not be anything to control or you could easily expand control with an additional utility module. Let’s take a multimode filter for example. Typically it has three outputs: LP, BP, HP. The inputs are audio signal and cutoff CV. What else would you want to input or control? So two inputs really are enough. Okay, CV control of resonance might be nice … but what’s resonance? Filter feedback! So to control resonance with CV, simply add a VCA and mix the filter output back into its audio signal input. Now, by controlling the VCA with CV, you get CV control over resonance. Adding that resonance CV control to the filter module would make it more expensive. So by outsourcing the functionality to a VCA and mixer, you get a more affordable filter and also more flexibility, because when you don’t need resonance CV control, you’ve got a spare VCA and mixer. Of course that example doesn’t apply to all modules and I generally do want CV control over everything as well of course Personally I also prefer to have affordable “basic building block” modules which I can then creatively patch together for more complex stuff. In euro land I'd just bring in extra splitters and Dude mixers but AE requires more thinking because it isn't as open that way. I don’t understand this though. You have lots of (free) splitters and mixing capabilities on the AE Modular as well. The mixers are even cheaper than Dude mixers and something like the POLAMIX lets you really go wild  |
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pol
Wiki Editors
Posts: 1,332
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Post by pol on Sept 25, 2021 8:52:16 GMT
Let’s take a multimode filter for example. Typically it has three outputs: LP, BP, HP. The inputs are audio signal and cutoff CV. What else would you want to input or control? So two inputs really are enough. Okay, CV control of resonance might be nice … but what’s resonance? Filter feedback! So to control resonance with CV, simply add a VCA and mix the filter output back into its audio signal input. Now, by controlling the VCA with CV, you get CV control over resonance. Nice tip, thank you TNM! |
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Post by pt3r on Sept 25, 2021 13:03:14 GMT
NightMachines might put ketchup on fries but he surely knows his way around on a modular synth. Great tip indeed.
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Post by keurslagerkurt on Sept 25, 2021 13:56:39 GMT
Very interesting on the VCA feedback, makes me realise I have still so many tricks to discover in modular world 😊
Adding CV to some parameters is indeed sometimes almost impossible without rethinking the whole circuit or making an expensive / space consuming helper circuit,.. I was suprised how hard it Often is to 'replace a knob with CV'. It's def one of the more tricky and challenging part of module design.
Also, making eg Four normal 'low pass' input points in your filter also would need extra circuitry: you basicly need a filter in front of your circuit then.
Adding extra outputs however is often easy: most circuits have a buffer in the end, and taking multiple signals from that same buffer output usually is not a problem (it's what a buffer is for!)
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S&E
Full Member
Posts: 116
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Post by S&E on Sept 26, 2021 20:53:45 GMT
Interesting line of thought. That’s actually what pretty much all modular formats “suffer” from: too few inputs. Modular synth users basically want CV control (i.e. inputs) for everything, because that’s what makes the modular synth so special. Outputs on the other hand aren’t that special to us, because we know them from other instruments already. Inputs are a tricky thing though, not just because it might be difficult and/or expensive to add CV control to circuits, but also because there might just not be anything to control or you could easily expand control with an additional utility module. Let’s take a multimode filter for example. Typically it has three outputs: LP, BP, HP. The inputs are audio signal and cutoff CV. What else would you want to input or control? So two inputs really are enough. Okay, CV control of resonance might be nice … but what’s resonance? Filter feedback! So to control resonance with CV, simply add a VCA and mix the filter output back into its audio signal input. Now, by controlling the VCA with CV, you get CV control over resonance. Adding that resonance CV control to the filter module would make it more expensive. So by outsourcing the functionality to a VCA and mixer, you get a more affordable filter and also more flexibility, because when you don’t need resonance CV control, you’ve got a spare VCA and mixer. Of course that example doesn’t apply to all modules and I generally do want CV control over everything as well of course Personally I also prefer to have affordable “basic building block” modules which I can then creatively patch together for more complex stuff. In euro land I'd just bring in extra splitters and Dude mixers but AE requires more thinking because it isn't as open that way. I don’t understand this though. You have lots of (free) splitters and mixing capabilities on the AE Modular as well. The mixers are even cheaper than Dude mixers and something like the POLAMIX lets you really go wild It's not a big deal I don't think, but my point is I can use 1/8 splitters and mixers and the like in euro land, but in AE land I need to think things through more carefully to start with because I can't use a 1/8" star-splitter. I think I'll be ok though. |
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Post by NightMachines on Sept 26, 2021 22:55:34 GMT
Most AEM modules come with built in splitters, so you get plenty of those for free They’re the patch sockets labeled “mult”. |
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pol
Wiki Editors
Posts: 1,332
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Post by pol on Oct 1, 2021 8:24:40 GMT
Most AEM modules come with built in splitters, so you get plenty of those for free They’re the patch sockets labeled “mult”. Occurred to me this is a classic we all know this but do we realise we know this! Have put on the new Wiki page.... wiki.aemodular.com/pmwiki.php/AeManual/Hintsandtips |
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S&E
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Posts: 116
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Post by S&E on Oct 2, 2021 3:12:28 GMT
Most AEM modules come with built in splitters, so you get plenty of those for free They’re the patch sockets labeled “mult”. Occurred to me this is a classic we all know this but do we realise we know this! Have put on the new Wiki page.... wiki.aemodular.com/pmwiki.php/AeManual/HintsandtipsAwesome, this is great. I though I knew what mult were but reading the wiki made me realize it is a very powerful feature. There isn't really anything like it in euro is there? Really looking forward to trying all this soon enough. I am currently waiting on TW to let me know when my orders will be ready (I ended up doing 3 orders, each time forgetting some other piece). Once I know that is moving I will do my noisebug order, so that I can get everything around the same time. |
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pol
Wiki Editors
Posts: 1,332
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Post by pol on Oct 2, 2021 8:39:51 GMT
Awesome, this is great. I though I knew what mult were but reading the wiki made me realize it is a very powerful feature. There isn't really anything like it in euro is there? Really looking forward to trying all this soon enough. I am currently waiting on TW to let me know when my orders will be ready (I ended up doing 3 orders, each time forgetting some other piece). Once I know that is moving I will do my noisebug order, so that I can get everything around the same time. Hope you enjoy the AE when it all arrives, and welcome to the Forum - don't forget to post a picture when it's all set up, (especially as you've ordered lots!). forum.aemodular.com/thread/1076/gear-thread-post-pics-systemsIf there's anything you aren't clear about, or think "wow, that's a cool feature" then can you let us know as, like the MULT thing, it may be worth making sure everyone is aware. This was the reason the hints and tips page was started.... If it's module specific then it may go on the patch suggestions on that module's page... Whatever you do, enjoy,  |
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