S&E
Full Member
Posts: 116
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Post by S&E on May 6, 2022 20:53:30 GMT
What’s up everyone,
I am trying to see about building my cases and modules so that the modules are relatively logically laid out and I am going from one to the next in order and not having to jump around too much. Now, I realize this is probably not 100% possible and all that. I have thought about preconfiguring using the grid program, but I also thought what if I could learn from others here that have been through all the learning and pain already. I’m wondering if some of you can post pictures of how you ordered your modules, or maybe share your grids that I could download and look at for inspiration. I’m looking to learn from you veterans and seasoned builders. I thought about doing a search and maybe these are already here but I didn’t know what to search for and I thought hey maybe I can just ask fresh. If you’re interested in helping me out please post here or pm me. Thank you.
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Post by MikMo on May 6, 2022 21:29:17 GMT
The honest truth is that probably most AE users have asked them selves the same question. I started with a preconfigured AE stock system, expanded, bought two 2x20 cases, took everything apart and made an attempt at a "logical" layout.
fast forward 2 orders, and i just toss any module in whereever theres is room and buy more of the green patchcables.
This is not to discurage your attempt at making a logical layout, there are some combinations of modules that it makes sense to keept close together, it's just that 5 minutes later other combinations makes more sense :-)
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Post by Kyaa on May 6, 2022 22:03:27 GMT
I've generally found it helpful to build out synth voices in their own little pockets. Could be a standard voice, or a drum voice, or drone, etc... Helps keep patch cables shorter and more concise.
The only other section I usually build is mixer/effects.
The only downside is that is encourages less creative patching I guess.
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Post by tIB on May 6, 2022 22:11:00 GMT
I'm not quite there yet in AE, but generally I group modules in functional blocks - processing, sound/CV generation etc, interspersed with mixing and vcas which I keep as centrally as possible.
My finished bug system was a work of art like that - loads of doubles, CV to generation to processing and as near to perfect as I could get!
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Post by maydonpoliris on May 6, 2022 22:12:38 GMT
so true MikMo , I originally wanted the most playable (seq, mixers etc) at the bottom front with the voices on the top rack and the triggers in the middle. expanding meant all the voices and all new modules went into another rack way up out of the way with utilities where the voices were and the drum modules and mixers moved off to the side and purchased all the long cables and now I have received a portable battery I want to condense everything back into 2 main 2*16 racks  oh the decisions... for what its worth here is my current layout  |
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Post by dizzeesatchel on May 6, 2022 22:18:00 GMT
Yep my main rack was a Starter Rack 2 which i've mostly kept in roughly the configuration it came in - oscillators, filters and envelope/VCA stuff across the top, sequencing/trigger, logic and mixer stuff along the bottom. Along the way a few things have been shoved in wherever they fit best; i'm not motivated enough to disconnect an entire row of modules just to move them all along so something can go alongside its 'brethren'. That said it seems to have worked out alright because i rarely used green cables until recently when i started patching between that rack and a separate third row.
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Post by MikMo on May 7, 2022 7:41:38 GMT
I've generally found it helpful to build out synth voices in their own little pockets. Could be a standard voice, or a drum voice, or drone, etc... Helps keep patch cables shorter and more concise. The only other section I usually build is mixer/effects. The only downside is that is encourages less creative patching I guess. That was the approach i tried too. |
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Post by pt3r on May 7, 2022 8:16:14 GMT
Don't blame your patching on the layout of the modules, that is completely on your account. Lay out the modules in a way that you can use all lengths of cables in a logical way. There is no good reason to put all your envelopes in one corner and all your vca's in another that is just a waste of long patch cables an will imo not cause any more creative patching.
I think we eventually all develop a kind of modular muscle memory which makes us return to some form of our classic patch. The only way IMHO to avoid that is to patch in a very purposeful way for example today I will try to patch a completely different setup from what I usually do perhaps avoiding my classic goto routes or even avoid that module that I always use, the patch challenges are good catalysts for that.
Go ahead an try to patch the sound of a bouncing object or sequence a beat without using your sequencers, skip the use of envelopes and see how far you get... the sonic results will vary but you will discover new patching possibilities that you never thought of before.
You can practice those same riffs over an over again but your guitar playing will not get any better neither, you will just get really good a playing those riffs.
My 2 euro cents.
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Post by tIB on May 7, 2022 15:52:43 GMT
My reason for grouping modules is simply about knowing roughly where things are, so I don't have to spend time thinking/looking for what's needed. Patching creatively has nothing to do with module layout I agree, but removing the time finger wiggling around searching is a good way for me of making patching efficient.
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pol
Wiki Editors
Posts: 1,277
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Post by pol on May 7, 2022 17:01:35 GMT
The honest truth is that probably most AE users have asked them selves the same question. I started with a preconfigured AE stock system, expanded, bought two 2x20 cases, took everything apart and made an attempt at a "logical" layout. fast forward 2 orders, and i just toss any module in whereever theres is room and buy more of the green patchcables. This is not to discurage your attempt at making a logical layout, there are some combinations of modules that it makes sense to keept close together, it's just that 5 minutes later other combinations makes more sense :-) I'm pretty much where you are, to the point I haven't got most of my modules screwed into the case so I can move them..... |
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Post by MikMo on May 7, 2022 18:27:34 GMT
I think that a decent approach could be to identify modules that it makes sense to put together: Topograf next to the drum sounds, envelopes close to VCA's. Also those modules that have outboard connections like 4I/O, Mixers etc. close to left or right edge. Then prepare to have some modules that is just thrown in, and prepare to change as you expand. It's really not very difficult to remove / insert modules in the AE.
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S&E
Full Member
Posts: 116
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Post by S&E on May 18, 2022 23:08:16 GMT
Some good tips here, thanks guys. The part that doesn’t make total sense to me is that the master module or power has to be on the left right, but it seems the vca is usually on the further right? That doesn’t seem logical does it? Would love to know what people think of that. Otherwise grouping things into voiced or by drum group or synth group and then the gates and cv stuff around them accordingly makes sense. I’m thinking it makes sense to think of the set up as a 2 by 2*16 rectangle that is partitioned into 4 sections equally with each of the 4 sections dedicated to sequencing, cv/gate modifiers and then at least 2 (possibly more) drum or voices sections. Though it may make sense to put some things like the kyaa module or some of the drum sequencers right next to the drum voices. I am not feeling the grid program but I will definitely sketch things out on paper first.
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Post by maydonpoliris on May 19, 2022 3:13:18 GMT
The power/master can fit anywhere on the rack. I've got one on the left of one rack and one on the right of another so the power splitter cable can easily sit in the middle and reach both.
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Post by pt3r on May 19, 2022 6:20:15 GMT
The power/master can fit anywhere on the rack. I've got one on the left of one rack and one on the right of another so the power splitter cable can easily sit in the middle and reach both. So you power two sperate racks with one standard tangible waves power supply via a splitter cable, or do you have a more beefy power supply? Asking for a friend. |
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Post by maydonpoliris on May 19, 2022 9:31:25 GMT
The power/master can fit anywhere on the rack. I've got one on the left of one rack and one on the right of another so the power splitter cable can easily sit in the middle and reach both. So you power two sperate racks with one standard tangible waves power supply via a splitter cable, or do you have a more beefy power supply? Asking for a friend.  nothing beefy. let your friend know  both racks in total almost 4 * 2*16 powered by a TW power supply via a splitter cable and I turn them both on at the same time using an on/off switch cable below the splitter. (same as the one on a recent thread asking if it is useful to be on the TW shop website that I can't seem to find.....). and by doing that I can patch comfortably between the racks without sizzling |
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oh the decisions...
both racks in total almost 4 * 2*16 powered by a TW power supply via a splitter cable and I turn them both on at the same time using an on/off switch cable below the splitter. (same as the one on a recent thread asking if it is useful to be on the TW shop website that I can't seem to find.....).