andy
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Post by andy on Mar 2, 2021 14:20:22 GMT
As I am coming from many years of working with a DAW (Fruity Loops 3 to 11) I really feel the need for a complex multitrack sequencer to open up my workflow with the AEM. I have an empty powered Eurorack case and have set my mind on a Squarp Hermod. Since it’s an Eurorack module, obviously I have some questions for anyone who’s used one with an AE modular system. The only forum member I know that has used Hermod with the AEM is thetechnobear, so this is also a shout out to him… First, I’ve read the quick start guide for Hermod regarding the fact that it works within a CV output range of +4 / -4 V, but that’s Euro specific, and I am not sure whether I can set it to work within the 0 to +5V range for the CV outs or I simply need to work within the 4 octaves between 0 V and +4V. Second, in a couple of posts here and also on the Muffwiggler forum (2019 and early 2020) I read about hum/ noise coming out from the Hermod. thetechnobear mentioned in one of the Patch Challenge threads that putting a passive mult between the Hermod and the 4I/O on the AEM sorts this out. Also read that supposedly a new firmware released by Squarp last year should solve/reduce the problem, but can’t find a clear confirmation. I will definitely need 5 4I/O modules to be able to fully interface the Hermod with the AEM, but I’d really like to avoid having to DIY build 16 passive mults just to remove noise polluting the audiopaths so I'll be happy to hear that the issue has been resolved… Anything else I think I can sort out... Thanks in advance.
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Post by NightMachines on Mar 2, 2021 18:31:06 GMT
I don't think a 4V range would be a big problem in most use cases, compared to the full 5V range. But does it have to be a hardware sequencer? I assume Fruity Loops can do MIDI sequencing too, so you could get a performance controller like the Akai Fire and a multi-channel MIDI-CV converter, like the CV.OCD: six4pix.net/product/cvocd/
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Post by 101 on Mar 2, 2021 18:57:53 GMT
I don't think a 4V range would be a big problem in most use cases, compared to the full 5V range. But does it have to be a hardware sequencer? I assume Fruity Loops can do MIDI sequencing too, so you could get a performance controller like the Akai Fire and a multi-channel MIDI-CV converter, like the CV.OCD: six4pix.net/product/cvocd/I use to use a dell mini 10" notebook running Ubuntu Linux and Renoise to trigger all my various synths. It was a multi-midi channel tracker on steroids. It cost me peanuts to put together compared to like a polyend tracker, which does look pretty cool though. The advantage with software trackers is that you can simply back up tracks as a midi file, so easily transferable between DAWS. I'm too lazy for all that now though
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andy
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Posts: 38
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Post by andy on Mar 2, 2021 19:34:03 GMT
Thanks guys, you're both right, some time ago I also got Ableton and Akai apc and even set up quite a powerful desktop PC just for music purposes, but since discovering modular with the Nanosynth and especially AE I thought I could now move away from the computer completely and it still is a main objective for me. Currently I only use it to record with. I use a Keystep 32 for inspiration, it's a great hardware sequencer in itself, prior to that I had a lot of fun with the M-Audio Trigger Finger Pro, the cursed one that couldn't sync to a DAW but manages hardware synths brilliantly...they are both a single channel though. Last winter I wanted to try to DIY some basic Eurorack modules so now I got a PSU in an empty case (and a couple of unpresentable DIY abominations). So I thought now I just need a multitrack sequencer, the AEM and it's compatible pals and something to record with like the Tascam DP-008EX and I'm done with computers once and for all..
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Post by thetechnobear on Mar 12, 2021 20:00:52 GMT
hermod is +/- 5v ... not 4v you cannot set its output range, however if you use the master CV IO and 4 IO, these will just clip the -ve voltages, so thats not a big issue. (the other cool thing, is you can also output midi to AE modular as well from the hermod) I dont remember using a passive mult to sort out hum - usually my issue with hum is to do with power supplies IF you use USB (which you might if your using it to bridge from a DAW) its interesting what you say about 5 4IO modules ... (so that you can output the 16 outputs of the hermod + 4 inputs) I wonder, if you really need this? 8 of those outputs are just gates - so will only (at worst) be putting out 0 and 5v ... so you could pretty much directly connect these (at your own risk), this means you'd only need 3 4IO modules of course, Im not sure the Hermod is not a bit overkill for this... given you need a eurorack rack, power etc - but if you have all of this and need it for eurorack - its is a module that I like.
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andy
New Member
Posts: 38
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Post by andy on Mar 15, 2021 9:13:32 GMT
8 of those outputs are just gates - so will only (at worst) be putting out 0 and 5v ... so you could pretty much directly connect these (at your own risk), this means you'd only need 3 4IO modules Good point, thanks. My AEM "project" of 4x16U is nearing completion and I am wondering whether to build a tiny (104hp) eurorack rig to complement it but also to serve as a standalone instrument. Hardly a true modular, more like a DAW in hardware - digital multifunction modules like the Hermod, the 4ms SWN, basically everything that AEM isn't I guess I still need to think a lot about it, as others have pointed DAWs with midi to cv is a good cheap option. Maybe I'd be better off using the AEM for sound design and jamming and the PC for composition... Thanks for the input everyone, much appreciated!
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