newb modular questions vs semi mod ... guidance needed

kinkujin
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newb modular questions vs semi mod ... guidance needed Feb 28, 2019 15:15:58 GMT thetechnobear likes this

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Post by kinkujin on Feb 28, 2019 15:15:58 GMT

Hello all! So happy to have found AE Modular.

I have told myself that I would not get into modular synthesis due to the cost. Over and over again I would say "i'm not getting into modular!". Then I stumbled on a post on GearSlutz that mentioned Tangible Waves and here I am!

I have no patching experience. And I'm cash poor due to three kids and one in college. :-)
I do have loads of synths, some semi modular, and am looking for answers on how these would/might integrate in my future AE build.
1) I have 4 volcas (beats, keys, bass and kick). Is there anyway to integrate these with an AE mod setup?
2) I'm going to get a Korg Volca Modular someday. Is there any way to patch these in to an AE format?
3) I also have a Doepfer DarkEnergy and DarkTime. Same questions.

I'd love for all of this to coexist in my world, but when I embark on my modular synth, if there is no way to get everything "talking to" each other I will be sad.

Other questions:
1) I have read earlier posts that said to get a double rack because you'll fill it up. But, I also see that now you can link them together, so is that old wisdom still true?
2) Is it more economical to buy piece by piece (may be the only way I can do this) or to get a packaged deal with prefilled racks?

Sorry for all the questions. I'm super excited but also a tad overwhelmed. I'll get there with your help! Cheers.

-kinkujin

arti
Senior Member

Exploring the soundspace - one patchwire at a time

Posts: 343

newb modular questions vs semi mod ... guidance needed Feb 28, 2019 15:55:02 GMT

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Post by arti on Feb 28, 2019 15:55:02 GMT

Hi there, I'm newbie in AEM world too, and yet I'm in a position, where I can answer for Your questions as I shared some of them just a few days ago and found my answers.
I have some volcas too, and eager to buy Volca Modular. There is a way to communicate between AEM and volcas in some way - There is Master I/O module and 4 I/O module - both of them may take in or put out 3,5mm cables for control voltages or audio - so with these You may sync AEM with volcas (as far as I know) or process their sound through AEM - (this I know for sure). In fact You may patch this way any other 3.5mm synth You have with AEM. I'm going to connect AEM with my Behringer Neutron and make it part of the bigger rig. Also the module to integrate patchwires with Volca Modular is going to be ready soon.
It's much cheaper if You buy preconfigured set than one module at a time. If it's not affordable for You at once (as it was for me) you may took small debt (as I did) to partialy cover the costs, I also found a used set (2 rack), with slighlty lower price and some more modules - so there is a way

Hope it helps, AEM is great!

Last Edit: Feb 28, 2019 15:57:13 GMT by arti

kinkujin
New Member

Posts: 3

newb modular questions vs semi mod ... guidance needed Feb 28, 2019 17:01:04 GMT

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Post by kinkujin on Feb 28, 2019 17:01:04 GMT

Thank you Arti - very helpful!

I did not know about this ... Also the module to integrate patchwires with Volca Modular is going to be ready soon. Very exciting!!!

I'll have to either sell some gear or piece it together one-at-a-time. But I'll get there. Thanks again my friend.

arti Senior Member Exploring the soundspace - one patchwire at a time Posts: 343	newb modular questions vs semi mod ... guidance needed Feb 28, 2019 17:28:28 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by arti on Feb 28, 2019 17:28:28 GMT No problem, glad I could be of any help. We're waiting for you here Btw - You may sync volcas via master I/O module outputs - now I know it for sure - tested!

admin
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newb modular questions vs semi mod ... guidance needed Feb 28, 2019 21:57:46 GMT

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Post by admin on Feb 28, 2019 21:57:46 GMT

Feb 28, 2019 15:15:58 GMT kinkujin said:

Hello all! So happy to have found AE Modular.

Welcome, great to see you here. Although arti did a fantastic job in answering your questions, I will add a few more infos.

Feb 28, 2019 15:15:58 GMT kinkujin said:

I have no patching experience. And I'm cash poor due to three kids and one in college. :-)
I do have loads of synths, some semi modular, and am looking for answers on how these would/might integrate in my future AE build.
1) I have 4 volcas (beats, keys, bass and kick). Is there anyway to integrate these with an AE mod setup?
2) I'm going to get a Korg Volca Modular someday. Is there any way to patch these in to an AE format?
3) I also have a Doepfer DarkEnergy and DarkTime. Same questions.

I'd love for all of this to coexist in my world, but when I embark on my modular synth, if there is no way to get everything "talking to" each other I will be sad.

I don't personally own Volcas so I can't comment on the specifics, but as arti has already told you, you can route any audio into the 2 master module 3.5mm audio ports. The I/O module will give you 4 of those. You can then mix the signals in the AE 4MIX module. I've used this already to patch in my eurorack and even a microphone for integrating voice into a performance. Those audio ports can either be used as input or output, but obviously not at the same time. So because you need to get sound out of the AE you may want to use those two audio ports on the master module for audio out to your speakers or mixer and then get the I/O module for input of your Volcas.

I have just made my first tutorial video where I'm showing how to set up the audio and also MIDI, maybe this give you an idea:

This thread is a good discussion on how to capture audio out of the system: forum.aemodular.com/thread/116/question-regarding-audio-output

Feb 28, 2019 15:15:58 GMT kinkujin said:

Other questions:
1) I have read earlier posts that said to get a double rack because you'll fill it up. But, I also see that now you can link them together, so is that old wisdom still true?
2) Is it more economical to buy piece by piece (may be the only way I can do this) or to get a packaged deal with prefilled racks?

This has been discussed in here: forum.aemodular.com/thread/158/first-ae-modular-sanity-check a few module combinations were suggested, but overall there is definitely large savings if you go for the Rack2 instead of buying modules individually.

The beauty of the AE system and the biggest benefit over a semimodular like the Neutron, Crave or even Volca Modular is that you can gradually expand it with just adding more modules. And you will find that you don't always add just new and exotic modules, but you will want to have more standard modules, LFO, Envelopes, VCAs (on can never have too many VCAs!) as you become more adept at patching. Therefore it is recommended to go for the dual rack from the start as it will fill up. Also once you have a base system, the individual modules are not that expensive anymore and even shipping for individual modules becomes cheaper.

If you want to get ideas of what you can do with the system, check out the performances and especially the Patch Challenges: forum.aemodular.com/board/5/ae-music-performances

Last Edit: Feb 28, 2019 22:05:23 GMT by admin

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Lugia
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newb modular questions vs semi mod ... guidance needed Mar 1, 2019 1:59:37 GMT

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Post by Lugia on Mar 1, 2019 1:59:37 GMT

OK...let's see here. Answering questions and such...

"I have told myself that I would not get into modular synthesis due to the cost. Over and over again I would say "i'm not getting into modular!". Then I stumbled on a post on GearSlutz that mentioned Tangible Waves and here I am!"

Ha! You're totally screwed now! The patchcable bug has you in its grips...and it's like malaria! You'll NEVER get over it! But that being said, the AE stuff isn't Eurocrack...you can load up a build to ludicrous proportions and barely crack $2500 across a pair of 20-space x 2 cabs, for example. Same sort of rig in Euro would cost you plenty more, and be loads more difficult to carry around (one unsung benefit of AE: it's VERY portable!).

"I do have loads of synths, some semi modular, and am looking for answers on how these would/might integrate in my future AE build.

1) I have 4 volcas (beats, keys, bass and kick). Is there anyway to integrate these with an AE mod setup?"

Yes. You can use a number of different AE modules for this, such as the 4I/O and of course, the Master. It's also worth noting that Volca sync, being a +5 pulse, can go straight into an AE for clocking use as long as you have a ground established between the Volca and the AE rig. That last bit is very important since, like any other pin or banana patch system, there's no common groundplane continuity created by a two-conductor patchcord. There's also another device that Soundmachines makes, the NS1 Nanobridge, that can take both 3.5mm and pinpatch cables, and it has circuitry that protects the pinpatch side from overvoltages and negative voltages. It's intended for Soundmachines' Nanosynth, but that device has some very similar requirements to the AE system, so it makes a great (and cheap!) match if you need more than just the 4I/O and/or Master. It does require a ground and +5V connection from the AE to power it (and establish that groundplane) but adding the AE USB module should take care of that.

"2) I'm going to get a Korg Volca Modular someday. Is there any way to patch these in to an AE format?"

At present: sort of. Later on: presumably, yes. Apparently there's a bridge module in the works for this.

"3) I also have a Doepfer DarkEnergy and DarkTime. Same questions."

See the answer to #1 above. I should note that if you're going to get super-busy with interconnecting the AE with any-and-everything, the Nanobridges are potentially a best bet for your CV/gates, with the 4I/O perhaps being better suited for moving audio in and out of the AE environment (since it has the 3.5mm jacks, hence it can easily connect with grounding to a mixer or other audio jacks) if it's part of a large-scale rig.

"Other questions:

1) I have read earlier posts that said to get a double rack because you'll fill it up. But, I also see that now you can link them together, so is that old wisdom still true?"

Always leave room for dessert. Or more modules, as the case may be. Seriously, though...given the pricing for the AE gear, it's incredibly easy to add on new modules, cabs, and the like, so thinking ahead is a good idea. Just keep in mind that the Master module does have a current limit which limits one to an output for about four 20-space rows at a time. Still, that means you can power up a pair of those 20 x 2 cabs off of a single Master. Not too shabby. Also not too shabby is that you can fold that pair of cabs up and put them in a 49-key hard case with room for the P/S and a pile of patchcords.

"2) Is it more economical to buy piece by piece (may be the only way I can do this) or to get a packaged deal with prefilled racks?"

There are some prebuilts in the shop, and of course, they're stoopid-cheap! Both versions also have some blanks, so that you can add to them as you like later on. However, what I would advise is that you spend some time assessing what you need the modular to do, what you want it doing with other devices, and so on. Then sit down with some graph paper and a price list and plot out a few practice builds that feel right, then total up the damages. You might find that the cost isn't as bad as you'd anticipated, and that your build is very doable in a few batches, if not in one shot! F'rinstance...an Intellijel Morgasmatron (their current iteration of their dual SVF) will run you $389. However, you could get two of ALL of the AE filters (LPG included) and you won't get close to that price ($268, last time I checked xe.com). And sure, the Morgasmatron has more to it than just filtering...but even so, if you threw $389 at some AE modules to just duplicate (as close as possible) the functions there, you'd still come in at under that price and wind up with a module set that has more uses besides just a dual VCF with a lot of complex control/modulation capabilities. Which brings up an interesting point: while the Eurorack environment has a lot of snazzy modules with loads of functions apiece, it's quite doable to build up the same sort of functionality within the AE environment and still have money to burn. True, you have to use discrete modules...but given that AE is way more cost-effective in the long run, the results tilt in AE's favor as the pricing on any given Eurorack build starts to rise. That's why, for the current studio refurb that I've been working out and cost-optimizing for some time, the AE system threw a massive wrench into the idea that I would need a very large Eurorack rig to up the modular game here. Not that I'm complaining, mind you...

arti
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Exploring the soundspace - one patchwire at a time

Posts: 343

newb modular questions vs semi mod ... guidance needed Mar 1, 2019 10:55:38 GMT

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Post by arti on Mar 1, 2019 10:55:38 GMT

Mar 1, 2019 1:59:37 GMT Lugia said:

as long as you have a ground established between the Volca and the AE rig.

Would You kindly excuse me beeing technicaly illiterate and explain how to do it with volcas and another equipment?

Last Edit: Mar 1, 2019 10:56:23 GMT by arti

thetechnobear
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newb modular questions vs semi mod ... guidance needed Mar 1, 2019 11:03:45 GMT arti likes this

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Post by thetechnobear on Mar 1, 2019 11:03:45 GMT

Mar 1, 2019 10:55:38 GMT arti said:

Mar 1, 2019 1:59:37 GMT Lugia said:

as long as you have a ground established between the Volca and the AE rig.

Would You kindly excuse me beeing technicaly illiterate and explain how to do it with volcas and another equipment?

connect any 3.5mm (audio/cv/sync) from the AE modular to your other equipment will do this.
(this is because the 'tip' of the jack is the signal, and the 'ring' of the jack is ground)

the only time you really have think about this is when connecting patch wires between equipment.

Last Edit: Mar 1, 2019 11:09:07 GMT by thetechnobear

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arti
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Exploring the soundspace - one patchwire at a time

Posts: 343

newb modular questions vs semi mod ... guidance needed Mar 1, 2019 11:43:51 GMT thetechnobear likes this

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Post by arti on Mar 1, 2019 11:43:51 GMT

Mar 1, 2019 11:03:45 GMT thetechnobear said:

Mar 1, 2019 10:55:38 GMT arti said:

Would You kindly excuse me beeing technicaly illiterate and explain how to do it with volcas and another equipment?

connect any 3.5mm (audio/cv/sync) from the AE modular to your other equipment will do this.
(this is because the 'tip' of the jack is the signal, and the 'ring' of the jack is ground)

the only time you really have think about this is when connecting patch wires between equipment.

Haha, it's easy enough to do, even for me

Thank You!

kinkujin
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newb modular questions vs semi mod ... guidance needed Mar 1, 2019 13:13:54 GMT admin and pol like this

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Post by kinkujin on Mar 1, 2019 13:13:54 GMT

ah! So much good information here from you all. Great community spirit happening at this space. Thanks!!

I have alot to consider and of course none of this will be impulsive (thankfully not a trait of mine). So I'll likely be hanging around the shadows and gleaning all I can from you all.

Many thanks for your consideration!
-kinkujin

newb modular questions vs semi mod ... guidance needed

Post by kinkujin on Feb 28, 2019 15:15:58 GMT

Post by arti on Feb 28, 2019 15:55:02 GMT

Post by kinkujin on Feb 28, 2019 17:01:04 GMT

Post by arti on Feb 28, 2019 17:28:28 GMT

Post by admin on Feb 28, 2019 21:57:46 GMT

Post by Lugia on Mar 1, 2019 1:59:37 GMT

Post by arti on Mar 1, 2019 10:55:38 GMT

Post by thetechnobear on Mar 1, 2019 11:03:45 GMT

Post by arti on Mar 1, 2019 11:43:51 GMT

Post by kinkujin on Mar 1, 2019 13:13:54 GMT