ben
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Posts: 123
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Post by ben on Dec 9, 2020 21:19:19 GMT
So I've had this question troubling me for over a year or two:
AE Modular is my only analogue hardware synth (and some other DIY synths) so I have no way of comparing it's sound directly to anything else. But, sonically, how different actually the oscillator sounds let's say comparing to 3340 or anything else? I only have AE's VCO from all oscillator modules, and am I correct if I'm missing some "umph"/thump/fatness? Does it have anything to do with the voltage range or something else? AE modular runs on 5V, and on Eurorack and most other synths are running on +/-12 or 15V, so I guess there you can expect more "depth". But is it only on a paper maybe?
I was thinking maybe to get only a 3340 chip VCO running on +/-12V power, and all the modulation and filtering do on AE modular rack? would it still have all the sonic richness? (if it's the case in the first place) Or maybe I would have to get also a filter too, and AE Modular could provide all the modulation?
Don't want to start all that Eurorack modular expensive madness while I have this lovely small AE Modular and DIY modules, so thought maybe there's a way to incorporate all of it into one machine?
What do you think? Maybe I'm totally wrong.
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Post by arti on Dec 9, 2020 21:42:29 GMT
So I've had this question troubling me for over a year or two: AE Modular is my only analogue hardware synth (and some other DIY synths) so I have no way of comparing it's sound directly to anything else. But, sonically, how different actually the oscillator sounds let's say comparing to 3340 or anything else? I only have AE's VCO from all oscillator modules, and am I correct if I'm missing some "umph"/thump/fatness? Does it have anything to do with the voltage range or something else? AE modular runs on 5V, and on Eurorack and most other synths are running on +/-12 or 15V, so I guess there you can expect more "depth". But is it only on a paper maybe? I was thinking maybe to get only a 3340 chip VCO running on +/-12V power, and all the modulation and filtering do on AE modular rack? would it still have all the sonic richness? ( if it's the case in the first place) Or maybe I would have to get also a filter too, and AE Modular could provide all the modulation? Don't want to start all that Eurorack modular expensive madness while I have this lovely small AE Modular and DIY modules, so thought maybe there's a way to incorporate all of it into one machine? What do you think? Maybe I'm totally wrong. There are many wiser men than me here and they will surely help you to clear it up, but as the happy owner of Behringer Neutron (with two 3340-based oscs) I can hear the difference in the sound - I would say 3340 is somewhat fatter, which make it great pair with AEM as their sound doesn't overlap too often. Anyway I would recommend to add (one way or another) 3340 to already existing AE osc sound (instead of replaceing it) to have wider sound possibilities. Buying Neutron wouldn't be all-in-one solution, but it's relatively cheap and You can interconnect it with AEM (with 4I/O module) using filters, oscs, modulation sources and what not, sending it from one to another according to Your wildest fantasies  Just a thought. |
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ben
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Posts: 123
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Post by ben on Dec 9, 2020 21:49:25 GMT
Thank you arti! That's a very helpful answer. I was indeed looking into Behringer's inexpensive 3340 VCO synths, although I really don't like the company's politics and attitude, so maybe will get something similar or DIY  |
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Lugia
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Post by Lugia on Dec 13, 2020 6:15:42 GMT
Actually, I've been 3340-ed for a long time prior to Uli, since my Digisound 80 uses the OG ones.
The AE VCO doesn't sound like the 3340 VCO. It's got a "grit" to it, very much along the lines of my old Synthacon. Another point of reference would be the EML synths, which also had a nice heft to them because of a similar "gritty" character. Curiously, the VCO itself looks pretty pure on a scope...but once it goes downstream, yeaaaaaahhh baybee! As for the 3340 comparison, the Curtis chip VCO sounds very "mannered" when compared to the AE's. Some of this is probably due to the origin of the system, where Robert was aiming for more of a Lunetta-ish result...but whatever it is, I hope it never gets changed!
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Post by keurslagerkurt on Dec 13, 2020 11:16:17 GMT
I love the VCO for it's grit, but I also think for deep basslines it misses the 'oomph' I get out of my Arturia Minibrute. Could it also be the lack of a sinewave sub? I feel like that's at least part of the magic of my Minibrute.
Anyway, Neutron seems like tons of fun, just like the Crave, but after the Behringer Swing/Arturia keystep debacle I think i'll just wait a bit with buying Behr stuff. See which road they'll decide to take before i sponsor them more (already got a TD3 and UMC from them).
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Post by Gaëtan on Dec 14, 2020 10:34:14 GMT
I love the VCO for it's grit, but I also think for deep basslines it misses the 'oomph' I get out of my Arturia Minibrute. Could it also be the lack of a sinewave sub? I feel like that's at least part of the magic of my Minibrute. The square sub on the 2OSC/d sounds really great for bass sounds. |
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Post by keurslagerkurt on Dec 14, 2020 14:11:40 GMT
I love the VCO for it's grit, but I also think for deep basslines it misses the 'oomph' I get out of my Arturia Minibrute. Could it also be the lack of a sinewave sub? I feel like that's at least part of the magic of my Minibrute. The square sub on the 2OSC/d sounds really great for bass sounds. I'll be trying this later this week, thanks for the tip I've managed to get incredible low end already out the machine with the square/pulse waves, but me personally I like a good low sinewave sub underneath all the square dirt. Could be just my ears or taste  but I'm hoping I can try something like that with the FMOS module once it arrives. |
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Lugia
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Ridiculously busy...ish.
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Post by Lugia on Dec 20, 2020 0:57:37 GMT
Yeah...go with some pulsewaves with some PWM going on via an EG on each note. Remember, the venerable TB-303 could ONLY output square waves...so that ought to work like gangbusters.
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ean
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Post by ean on Jan 3, 2021 12:37:49 GMT
I run the AE out the heaphone module (with a mono cable) into a klark teknik parametric EQ. This is then fed into a klark teknik compressor. I do this chain with all mono sounds regardless of the synth, just to control the tone and cut or boost freq. From the comp the audio signal is fed into the AE with the 4I/O.
In the case of the AE you can certainly get a huge bass from EQ and comp. I had it next to my Dreadbox NYX and the AE is a beast.
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Post by slowscape on Jan 7, 2021 21:39:31 GMT
Could it also be the lack of a sinewave sub? I think it's the lack of a sine, or at least that's the case for me. That's why I like my self oscillating MS20 so much, perfect sine, great sound! |
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Post by Gaëtan on Jan 8, 2021 9:36:50 GMT
Remember, the venerable TB-303 could ONLY output square waves... Actually you can choose between square and saw. |
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Post by dreamsinwinter on Jan 8, 2021 17:51:28 GMT
That's why I like my self oscillating MS20 so much, perfect sine, great sound! How's the pitch tracking on it when using it like this? |
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Post by slowscape on Jan 12, 2021 18:16:01 GMT
dreamsinwinter probably non existent  . I don't have perfect pitch and don't check. I just do what sounds good to my own ears
The FMOS has a sine wave and probably better tracking, too.
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Post by dreamsinwinter on Jan 13, 2021 13:03:02 GMT
Haha, so I thought . Still a great way to get that additional sine wave if the filter is otherwise not needed in the patch
I like the way you think! I think this is far more important than always being in perfect tune |
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Just a thought.
but I'm hoping I can try something like that with the FMOS module once it arrives.
. I don't have perfect pitch and don't check. I just do what sounds good to my own ears