|
|
Post by moruial on Mar 12, 2019 23:17:29 GMT
Hello everybody,
It's with a great joy that I settle here the first stone on the path of me adventure into AE Modular! I'm completly new to the Modular world, but I've been lurking in the silence for a while, but I wish AEM to be my first real entrance into the modular (already own a Boog).
But prior to that I'm quiet lost with what moduls I should go first? As people who already own AEM, do yo think the one row and two rows pack are the best thing to go with or should I try to change some little things there and there to make it more enjoyable for a first time?
Or is there any module you think are "mandatory" to start experimentig and having fun?
|
|
|
|
Post by arti on Mar 13, 2019 1:02:58 GMT
Welcome  going straight to the point, preferences of particular modules or setups may vary as it depends on what do You want to do with it and do you have other gear to connect AEM with (synths, effects). Nevetheless I would recommend starting with 2 rack with addition of seq16 module. You will have tones of possibilities to explore and still some room to expand, when You'll know what's missing according to Your needs. Enjoy Your adventure |
|
|
|
Post by admin on Mar 13, 2019 3:25:42 GMT
It's with a great joy that I settle here the first stone on the path of me adventure into AE Modular Welcome moruial! I hope you will find the AE system as inspiring as I and many on this forum do. In answer to your question about what to get, please review this thread: forum.aemodular.com/thread/158/first-ae-modular-sanity-check where a few module combinations were suggested, but overall there is definitely large savings if you go for the Rack2 instead of buying modules individually. If you are a complete beginner to modular you may find the tutorial videos, that I'm now producing regularly, useful. the5thvolt.com/category/tutorials/getting-started/I'm just starting to produce videos more seriously so you will find the production quality and content will hopefully improve over time. But I'm interested in feedback. Especially if you want to know more a particular module or technique, I'm happy to make a special video about it. |
|
|
|
Post by moruial on Mar 13, 2019 9:02:31 GMT
Ahaha Well I was about to ask if I could use my Keystep with the AEM and here is my answer! Thanks for the link, i'll definetly check that out!
To be honest with you the SEQ16 is the first module that catch my eye  (with the MULTIFX) but for now I'm unfortunatly on a budget so the SEQ16 will be for a latter time
Apparently the 2Row rack looks like a good start, I think I'll head this way and see if there is anything that can be add, or changed to suit my liking.
|
|
|
|
Post by thetechnobear on Mar 13, 2019 10:26:40 GMT
yeah 2 row saves money, and its really well balanced... its the one to go for if you have the budget, and don't have a very particular direction in mind.
the recent improvements to both case and modules, I also have made the decision a bit easier. (bit more space left, better tuned oscillators, easier case expansion)
you might want to consider adding an HPAMP, the AE modular is a little more portable than it looks, and its fun way to use it... felix did a great video on this side of it.
|
|
|
|
Post by moruial on Mar 13, 2019 11:52:03 GMT
you might want to consider adding an HPAMP, the AE modular is a little more portable than it looks, and its fun way to use it... felix did a great video on this side of it.
Is the HPAMP only need to be use in a portable way, or it has other interesting features?
Saw that video and it's also why I think the AEM is better than Eurorack (in my opinion)
|
|
|
|
Post by thetechnobear on Mar 13, 2019 12:15:23 GMT
for me, I find the following really useful:
i) stereo output - so you don't need a Y cable, to route from both audio 1 and 2 to your headphones (or recorder/fx, if its has a a single stereo input)
ii) frees up audio 1/2, so you can use for audio inputs
iii) stereo/mono switch - mono is handy, so you don't have to run 2 wires to it if your doing mono (which is quite common)
iv) two stereo outputs - so you can listen on one, and record from the other
v) gain control - useful to boost signals, and just have an easy way to control gain
its a module, I didn't get till much later, because I knew it wasn't essential... but then Ive been surprised how often i do use it, just for its convenience.
it's great for portable use, or when you just want to use headphones - but I do sometimes use it in the 'studio' when Ive moved it out of its 'normal place', or im doing a direct recording to my Zoom recorder.
if I didn't also have a 4IO, Id probably use it even more, as id use it to be able to get audio input AND stereo output .... but 4IO gives me this as well.
(if you have more gear, so want more inputs, or more cv control , and you have a more 'fixed' setup, then 4IO is worth a look at... though starting out, the two audio and two cv channels on MASTER is usually enough)
|
|
|
|
Post by moruial on Mar 14, 2019 20:00:19 GMT
Thanks for all the tips! Much appreciated. But I don't think i'll need that for now, at least for a start.
Is there an audio or video, that show how the AEM spring reverb sound like? I'm quiet curious.
|
|
|
|
Post by moruial on Apr 14, 2019 19:26:04 GMT
Recently got my hands on my AEM and I have to say that is it so much fun to play with and trying ne things every time. Now I'd like to record my littles experimentations to build something more complex like a song or something. The problem is I don't know Jack aout music and recording in general and I'm so lost right know.
Do I need an Audio Interface or a little recorder (zoom h1n/tascam d05...) ?
I have the chance to have a nice reel-to-reel tape recorder I'd like to use in the process of creating music. But where should it goes?
I know I can creat loops and such and was already thinking of it, but I dont know wher I have to connect it :/ If I use it as a loop in a mix it should be plug to the mixer, right? But can I use it as an "effect"? like at the end of the mix just to add a "touch" to the sound (as it's tape it should add a bit of something to the sound, no?)
Thanks!
|
|
|
|
Post by admin on Apr 14, 2019 23:02:25 GMT
Hello moruial I have the Zoom H1n which is a nifty little handheld recorder and also works as an Audio interface if you plug a USB cable into a PC or iPhone/iPad. This would be a great start. I also use the Behringer UCA 222 which is much cheaper than the Zoom and works great to connect my mixer to the PC or iPhone for recording. I'm not sure how to use a reel to reel tape though. |
|
|
|
Post by spacedog on Apr 15, 2019 0:07:06 GMT
Recently got my hands on my AEM and I have to say that is it so much fun to play with and trying ne things every time. Now I'd like to record my littles experimentations to build something more complex like a song or something. The problem is I don't know Jack aout music and recording in general and I'm so lost right know.
Do I need an Audio Interface or a little recorder (zoom h1n/tascam d05...) ?
I have the chance to have a nice reel-to-reel tape recorder I'd like to use in the process of creating music. But where should it goes?
I know I can creat loops and such and was already thinking of it, but I dont know wher I have to connect it :/ If I use it as a loop in a mix it should be plug to the mixer, right? But can I use it as an "effect"? like at the end of the mix just to add a "touch" to the sound (as it's tape it should add a bit of something to the sound, no?)
Thanks!
Hi moruial, my opinion is to keep it simple. If you are just starting out, you could potentially make life quite difficult for yourself by trying to get to grips with too many things at once. The AE Modular is a beast on its own, even for experienced users.
The Zoom that admin has noted looks like a good solid solution that gets you recording, with the option of transferring what you record later. Recording software and soundcards are not always easy to get working, especially if you're new to all of it. Something standalone, like the Zoom does provide a nice entry, with potential for growth.
As for the reel-to-reel, that is likely quite specialised. My first "real" studio setup was a reel-to-reel 8-track and whilst it was great to learn how to do everything "the hard way", it was hard work. If you want mutli-track, you don't need to go that route. If it's a stereo (two-track) reel-to-reel, well that might give you a nice analogue roundness to your recordings (aka tape hiss and wobble , OK and a nice bit of saturation), but it still will be hard to handle if you're not used to these things. They're also quite big...!!!
Just my opinion, try to keep it simple. There's plenty of time to make it complicated later and something like a Zoom isn't a huge investment if you upgrade later. It will still be handy for quick 'n' ditry recordings, or just leaving it running whilst you jam.
Have fun with it all and ask more questions. There are people here that know a lot about how to get started and how to get the best from small amounts of equipment.
|
|
|
|
Post by moruial on Apr 15, 2019 8:53:56 GMT
Thank you very much to both of you for the help. it seems that the field recorder might be my best option at the moment , so I'll go that way to keep it simple as I'm already a bit overhelmed by all this.
Another question about the field recorder: Can I record my jam/things/whatever and then mix them in a DAW? I don't want, at the moment, to record fully on computer, I need knobs et things to touch rather than a digital interface to do things. However I'm aware that there are interesting VST out there that might be of some use to shape the sound I'd like to have and I think it would be idiot from me not to use them as they are avilable. So can I process my sound into a DAW after recording it or would it be wiser to adjust the vst setting (reverb, delay, effet in general...) while I'm playing?
As for the reel-to-reel I have no idea if it's 8 track mono or stereo or anything... it was my father's reel-to-reel and was sitting in the celling for 15 years... Fortunatly enough it seems to work perfectly fine, it's a Philips N4506. Hope I can figure how to use it proprely and get good vibe from it |
|
|
|
Post by spacedog on Apr 15, 2019 9:20:19 GMT
Thank you very much to both of you for the help. it seems that the field recorder might be my best option at the moment , so I'll go that way to keep it simple as I'm already a bit overhelmed by all this.
Another question about the field recorder: Can I record my jam/things/whatever and then mix them in a DAW? I don't want, at the moment, to record fully on computer, I need knobs et things to touch rather than a digital interface to do things. However I'm aware that there are interesting VST out there that might be of some use to shape the sound I'd like to have and I think it would be idiot from me not to use them as they are avilable. So can I process my sound into a DAW after recording it or would it be wiser to adjust the vst setting (reverb, delay, effet in general...) while I'm playing?
As for the reel-to-reel I have no idea if it's 8 track mono or stereo or anything... it was my father's reel-to-reel and was sitting in the celling for 15 years... Fortunatly enough it seems to work perfectly fine, it's a Philips N4506. Hope I can figure how to use it proprely and get good vibe from it Definitely keep it simple, at least at the start There's so much complication still ahead of you (and some of it is worth it). If you're interested in one route through this journey, I thoroughly recommend The Synth Story of Tuesday Night Machines. I don't have a Zoom, but I did a quick check (and I seem to remember admin saying this) and it has a USB socket that allows you to transfer files into a DAW. According to their advertising, Zoom give you licences for a couple of products that will get you started on the DAW front as well (Cubase and WaveLab LE versions). If they don't any more, there is plenty out there for free (e.g. Audacity) or reasonably priced (e.g. Reaper - my tool of choice). A DAW that allows you to use VST instruments will give you access to some free instruments to play as well (e.g. drum machines) and you can then replace these with hardware later if the mood takes you. There is so much that will be demanding your money as you venture into this As for the reel-to-reel, that's a nice piece of eqiupment so defintely hold on to it. If it's been unused for a while it may need servicing - things like belts gum up and/or snap when you try to use them. Also, it may have acculated a lot of dust in the pots, etc. You may spend a lot of time getting it working, so something for when you have a little more time in parallel with the experiments. It would unodubtedly be a nice sound and you can decide if it fits into your workflow later. Have fun |
|
|
|
Post by moruial on Apr 15, 2019 10:37:58 GMT
Definitely keep it simple, at least at the start There's so much complication still ahead of you (and some of it is worth it). If you're interested in one route through this journey, I thoroughly recommend The Synth Story of Tuesday Night Machines.
I'll keep it simple then I'm currently following NightMachines and enjoying his videos, very interesint for a newbie such as me. Was checking lately about field recorders and ordered the Tascam DR05 V2 instead of the Zoom as it looks sturdier to me, pretty sure they're mostly the same and will be used in the same way.
Before I realised I NEED to have knobes in hands to actualy enjoy doing music, I was using MuLab as a DAW. There is a free version up to 4 tracks, and the final product is quiet cheap (70€) regarding other DAW. It has some cool feature and from I think you can use all it's internal synth/effect/drumachin and rewire them internaly. (not totally sure about that though)
The reel-to-reel is in perfect condition, belts have been changed and head have been cleaned. No dust, everything works fine when used.
The fun is already here  |
|
|
|
Post by moruial on Apr 30, 2019 11:00:12 GMT
As some of you may now, I do now have my AEM, "unfortunatly" it's an old version and some modules aren't exactly the same.
Anyhow I do have a problem with understanding VCA. I don't understand how they work and how to add them in my patches. I know that "you can"t have enough VCAs" but at the moment every time I try to use one, it doesn't work. I do have the old version without DC/Audio switch.
How do I use them? Can someone give some advice or maybe a simple patch that allows me to fully understand how they work because it kinda drives me crazy. Until now I've used most of my modules but the VCA are a complet mistery...
|
|
|
|
Post by admin on Apr 30, 2019 12:17:28 GMT
As some of you may now, I do now have my AEM, "unfortunatly" it's an old version and some modules aren't exactly the same.
Anyhow I do have a problem with understanding VCA. I don't understand how they work and how to add them in my patches. I know that "you can"t have enough VCAs" but at the moment every time I try to use one, it doesn't work. I do have the old version without DC/Audio switch. How do I use them? Can someone give some advice or maybe a simple patch that allows me to fully understand how they work because it kinda drives me crazy. Until now I've used most of my modules but the VCA are a complet mistery...
Hi moruial, I also have one of the old style VCAs and it works just as well as the new style. You patch two signals into it: 1) into the IN you patch an audio signal 2) into the CV you patch the output of an envelope or an LFO The input signal will then increase or decrease in strength proportionally to the strength of the CV input. By turning the knob to the right you can increase the amount in which the CV will affect the input signal, so all the way to the left there is nothing and all the way to the right, the CV will affect the input signal the strongest. It's important to remember that the knob just by itself DOES NOT affect the input signal. This tripped me up in the beginning as well. Hope that makes sense? |
|
|
|
Post by arti on Apr 30, 2019 15:23:21 GMT
How do I use them? Can someone give some advice or maybe a simple patch that allows me to fully understand how they work because it kinda drives me crazy. Until now I've used most of my modules but the VCA are a complet mistery...
I would say VCA is a module which allows you to turn the sound of OSC on and off instead of hearing it constatntly. I see it as the way to play separate notes without keyboard. With keyboard you press the key to hear the note, you release it to turn the note off. By patching different things into CV input of VCA You determine the pattern of ons and offs. Try this: LFO trigger output into STEP16 clock input. Set the LFO's switches and knob to make green light of trigger to blink. Everytime it blinks, it will send a trigger signal to the sequencer, setting the tempo for changing the steps. STEP16 CV output into OSC cv input to change osc pitch according to voltage set for every step of the sequencer. OSC output (choose the wave type you like) to VCA in. Before You do this, make sure the knobs of osc are set in a position where the sound is within audio range - to check it put the osc output straight to Master audio and turn the knobs untill You'll hear the osc, then do as stated above. Envelope output to VCA CV. You have to trigger the envelope to make it move so take STEP16 GATE output to ENV gt1 input. Play with ENV switches FAST/SLOW, turn the decay knob to hear the difference. To hear anything You have to send the audio signal from VCA output to a mixer or directly to Audio of MAster I/O. You may add a filter or two or Delay on the way to make the sound more interresting. Let us know if You understand or need more help Good luck! |
|
|
|
Post by moruial on May 1, 2019 10:45:59 GMT
Thank you very much to both of you!
what got me was the CV in, I didn't get why I needed CV to amplifie a signal. Because of you arti, I now have solved this issue I had with the SEQ16, continuiously playing note until it changes. Was great fun exploring VCAs today, thanks again, it has been a great help
|
|
|
|
Post by admin on May 1, 2019 11:05:06 GMT
Thank you very much to both of you!
what got me was the CV in, I didn't get why I needed CV to amplifie a signal. Because of you arti, I now have solved this issue I had with the SEQ16, continuiously playing note until it changes. Was great fun exploring VCAs today, thanks again, it has been a great help
Hello moruial, I have created a tutorial video about how to use the SEQ16 a few weeks ago. Maybe this is still of interest to you: |
|
|
|
Post by spacedog on May 1, 2019 12:49:52 GMT
Thank you very much to both of you!
what got me was the CV in, I didn't get why I needed CV to amplifie a signal. Because of you arti, I now have solved this issue I had with the SEQ16, continuiously playing note until it changes. Was great fun exploring VCAs today, thanks again, it has been a great help
With apologies for the late reply, moruial , you may find this a useful article (if you haven't found it already). The first few diagrams are really good at showing how the CV shapes/modifies the incoming signal to produce the final output. It's good to ask these questions, in a few minutes you can be getting on with actually using the modules and finding things that suddenly give you those wonderful "aha" moments This is why the videos from admin , NightMachines and thetechnobear (as well as many others) are a huge resource. I've always been a solitary learner, wanting to make things real so that I understand them, it's taken me a while to get used to the more social way of learning - and I'm enjoying it. Who says that you can't teach an old dog new tricks...? Some days, I feel like a very old dog, like today when I spent a little time investigating making videos for YouTube, realising how much is out there to help me. Doing a good job isn't easy, but getting started is relatively so. The AE Modular is rather like that: it allows us all to get started and eventually get to the point of making those sounds inside the head appear on the outside. |
|
|
|
Post by spacedog on May 1, 2019 13:06:59 GMT
And another thing... A really good investment is the Patch & Tweak book. It's not cheap and it does basically advertise a lot of Eurorack modules; however, it's a handy source of infomation about what modules do and also some background on sound design/musical endeavours of some interesting people. It does have a small reference (about half a page) to the AE Modular, but the real benefit of the book is understanding how modules work and how they are/can be used. This is equally relevant for the AE Modular, especially as Robert brings out an ever-increasing array of modules. You're probably better finding a local reseller, but here is a link to the website. |
|
Lugia
Wiki Editors
Ridiculously busy...ish.
Posts: 556 
|
Post by Lugia on May 2, 2019 5:45:12 GMT
One other thing about VCAs...they're not just for audio. You can feed a modulation signal into the input, then use a CV or modulation signal to control the amount of modulation at the VCA's output. Say you want a bit of vibrato on one pitch of a sequence, but not the others. Just route one of the step triggers from the SEQ to an EG on the 2ENV, then send the EG's output to the VCA's CV input. LFO goes in the VCA, but nothing happens until that selected step happens, triggering the EG which then shapes the level contour for your VCO modulation. Set the EG to values that sound right to you, then there you are. You can also use them as psuedo-ring mods by feeding audio into both the Input and the CV Input. Loads of uses, VCAs...
|
|
|
|
Post by moruial on May 3, 2019 13:31:12 GMT
With apologies for the late reply, moruial , you may find this a useful article (if you haven't found it already). The first few diagrams are really good at showing how the CV shapes/modifies the incoming signal to produce the final output. It's good to ask these questions, in a few minutes you can be getting on with actually using the modules and finding things that suddenly give you those wonderful "aha" moments This is why the videos from admin , NightMachines and thetechnobear (as well as many others) are a huge resource. I've always been a solitary learner, wanting to make things real so that I understand them, it's taken me a while to get used to the more social way of learning - and I'm enjoying it. Who says that you can't teach an old dog new tricks...? Some days, I feel like a very old dog, like today when I spent a little time investigating making videos for YouTube, realising how much is out there to help me. Doing a good job isn't easy, but getting started is relatively so. The AE Modular is rather like that: it allows us all to get started and eventually get to the point of making those sounds inside the head appear on the outside. Thoses diagrams are perfect, way more easy to understand for me. It is way more easy for me to understand something when I can see it and then do it.
Asking questions about something you don't understand and not in your mother tongue can be quiet a challeng sometimes. You are right here abot the videos from many members, they are really usefull source of knowledge and I often find myself watch them. As I spend countless time reading again and again thread on the forum to understand better and better.
Lugia it tooks me quiet a long time to understand how to patch all you were saying, but I finally got it! Was one of those wonderful "aha" moments that spacedog talk about.
And now I realise that it's been at least 2 hours I've been trying to answer this post... And well, in the mean time it appear that a strange grey and red box invite me to play around and I had sooooo much fun with it that I record something I think is nice and I'd like to share with you.
As usual, I have no idea where to upload it and how... (I guess i'll figure out the "how") but the "where" is a big question... is there any place I can upload music or sound to share with you and others?
|
|
|
|
Post by spacedog on May 3, 2019 13:58:39 GMT
With apologies for the late reply, moruial , you may find this a useful article (if you haven't found it already). The first few diagrams are really good at showing how the CV shapes/modifies the incoming signal to produce the final output. It's good to ask these questions, in a few minutes you can be getting on with actually using the modules and finding things that suddenly give you those wonderful "aha" moments This is why the videos from admin , NightMachines and thetechnobear (as well as many others) are a huge resource. I've always been a solitary learner, wanting to make things real so that I understand them, it's taken me a while to get used to the more social way of learning - and I'm enjoying it. Who says that you can't teach an old dog new tricks...? Some days, I feel like a very old dog, like today when I spent a little time investigating making videos for YouTube, realising how much is out there to help me. Doing a good job isn't easy, but getting started is relatively so. The AE Modular is rather like that: it allows us all to get started and eventually get to the point of making those sounds inside the head appear on the outside. Thoses diagrams are perfect, way more easy to understand for me. It is way more easy for me to understand something when I can see it and then do it.
Asking questions about something you don't understand and not in your mother tongue can be quiet a challeng sometimes. You are right here abot the videos from many members, they are really usefull source of knowledge and I often find myself watch them. As I spend countless time reading again and again thread on the forum to understand better and better.
Lugia it tooks me quiet a long time to understand how to patch all you were saying, but I finally got it! Was one of those wonderful "aha" moments that spacedog talk about.
And now I realise that it's been at least 2 hours I've been trying to answer this post... And well, in the mean time it appear that a strange grey and red box invite me to play around and I had sooooo much fun with it that I record something I think is nice and I'd like to share with you.
As usual, I have no idea where to upload it and how... (I guess i'll figure out the "how") but the "where" is a big question... is there any place I can upload music or sound to share with you and others?
, you're doing exceptionally well considering it isn't your native language. I can barely make sense in English most of the time, so I salute you I'm also pleased that the "aha" moments are coming to you - a time of great joy. I find the easiest way to post music is by using Soundcloud. You can set up a free account and you can put a lot of music up with that. I upload both wav and mp3, depending upon the purpose of the upload. Others also use YouTube and Instragram, bu that does add the complication (for me) of video - I believe in keeping it simple, at least at the start. If you use Soundcloud, when you have the track uploaded you simply use the "Insert Audio Track" button (looks like a speaker) and paste the URL into that. Even if you get it wrong a few times, no one will mind whilst you work it all out. |
|
|
|
Post by moruial on May 3, 2019 14:21:12 GMT
Well let's go then! Hope it'll work.
Everything started with Lugia 's post. I set an LFO to clock the SEQ16 that send CV to the VCO, square wave to WASP then to the Delay and Mixer. The 8th step of the SEQ16 trigger an EG that give CV to VCA. The same LFO is used as the IN of the VCA that control the Mod Input of the VCO. The VCA 2nd Out is set to the CV1 of the WASP. The same LFO is also sent to 2ATT to attenuate the CV2 of the WASP The second part consist of, again, the same LFO that trigger an EG for the NOISE, it is then set to the HP of the Nyle Filter and finally the Mixer.
Everything was played live with a bit of reverb from a cheap Alesis Microverb III.
PS: I know you it might be scary to see codfish from this close, I'll try to get rid of that when I'll have a better idea.
|
|
(with the MULTIFX) but for now I'm unfortunatly on a budget so the SEQ16 will be for a latter time 
