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Post by fabian on Sept 27, 2019 16:10:00 GMT
So after work I got the chance to sit down and try it out at home - thanks spacedog and admin for your help - I have a couple of solutions thanks to you. The way it works best for me is to use the bsp gate via the AE envelope to modulate my filter. Still I am not 100% happy because the gate is quite harsh even if I open the envelope attack - as I want to open & close the filter over 32steps for example. One last question so if I understand correctly spacedog there is no way to modulate the LFO (and its cycles) via its sync to an external clock i.e. the bsp clock? |
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Post by spacedog on Sept 27, 2019 16:44:14 GMT
So after work I got the chance to sit down and try it out at home - thanks spacedog and admin for your help - I have a couple of solutions thanks to you. The way it works best for me is to use the bsp gate via the AE envelope to modulate my filter. Still I am not 100% happy because the gate is quite harsh even if I open the envelope attack - as I want to open & close the filter over 32steps for example. One last question so if I understand correctly spacedog there is no way to modulate the LFO (and its cycles) via its sync to an external clock i.e. the bsp clock? You can modulate the pulse width (of the pulse output), but not the frequency of any outputs. The SYNC just acts as a reset trigger for the LFO. These are my findings and they appear to match the video. |
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Post by Gaëtan on Sept 27, 2019 17:16:03 GMT
Oh I have the SEQ-16 already (and having fun with it), I'm just wondering what external sequencing options could be interesting on a budget. I'm actually tempted to get a Microfreak just for the controller part. Have you tried live coding? I've been playing around with patterns in Supercollider to sequence my AEM and it's great. Other languages easier if you're not into programming are TidalCycles and Sonic-Pi, all of which can send MIDI over USB. You need an adapter, but works great for me and has endless possibilities. It's not turning knobs, but is pushing buttons  I have actually seen Sam Aaron present Sonic Pi last year at a conference. It was really cool and inspiring, but I never got to really try it because... well, I program for a living, and sitting in front of code at night after a whole day of work doesn't appeal that much to me  |
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Post by fabian on Sept 28, 2019 13:41:27 GMT
So after work I got the chance to sit down and try it out at home - thanks spacedog and admin for your help - I have a couple of solutions thanks to you. The way it works best for me is to use the bsp gate via the AE envelope to modulate my filter. Still I am not 100% happy because the gate is quite harsh even if I open the envelope attack - as I want to open & close the filter over 32steps for example. One last question so if I understand correctly spacedog there is no way to modulate the LFO (and its cycles) via its sync to an external clock i.e. the bsp clock? You can modulate the pulse width (of the pulse output), but not the frequency of any outputs. The SYNC just acts as a reset trigger for the LFO. These are my findings and they appear to match the video. now I get it, thank you for your help - much appreciate it! |
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Post by loopier on Sept 28, 2019 21:15:44 GMT
Have you tried live coding? I've been playing around with patterns in Supercollider to sequence my AEM and it's great. Other languages easier if you're not into programming are TidalCycles and Sonic-Pi, all of which can send MIDI over USB. You need an adapter, but works great for me and has endless possibilities. It's not turning knobs, but is pushing buttons I have actually seen Sam Aaron present Sonic Pi last year at a conference. It was really cool and inspiring, but I never got to really try it because... well, I program for a living, and sitting in front of code at night after a whole day of work doesn't appeal that much to me I agree! Nothing beats patching hardware! |
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Post by admin on Oct 26, 2019 23:12:41 GMT
So to get back to the original question of this thread ... SQ-1 or Beatstep PRO? I have now tried both and my personal choice at the moment is NEITHER I went a bit on a rampage fuelled by terrible G.A.S. and bought both a Beatstep PRO and an Electribe2 Music Station (not the sampler) for a pretty good price on ebay. The Beatstep Pro is really great as a sequencer and performance tool and I have actually used it at my first ever live performance! However I bought it to sequence my Volcas and the AE modular and while I was setting it all up and down and up again and transporting it to rehearsals and so on I realised that I had way too much gear on the table and waaaay to many cables and then I had to get a MIDI merge and MIDI thru to pass on those MIDI messages everywhere ... and while I had fun figuring it all out ... I also became overwhelmed and wanted badly to reduce the clutter. With the Electribe I get 16 MIDI channels of either internal voices or external sequencing and it sounds amazing. I also never really got my head around the Volca FM programming although I really wanted to and the Volca Sample is so tedious to get samples on to (in my opinion) ... SO - I'm now selling the SQ-1, Volca FM, Volca Sample and Beatstep PRO and stick only with the Electribe2 as my non-AE synth - for now BTW ... I also have a Keystep which I debated whether to get rid of ... but it's just too good as a keyboard and it can connect easily to the AE's and the Electribe, I'm going to keep it. Here is my new studio setup:  I'm really intrigued by how you can route audio in and through the Electribe and will soon make a tutorial video on how to connect the AE Mini Modular with it. |
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Post by 101 on Oct 27, 2019 15:07:11 GMT
My input to this would be not to underestimate the capabilities and possibilities of the SEQ16. I use it so much with the trigger resets and the 3VCSWITCH. I've also had a lot of fun in the past using a netbook running Ubuntu Linux and Renoise as a multi channel sequencer, which is like having a song mode sequencer on steroids, especially if you just think of it as a sequencer without using audio.
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Post by slowscape on Oct 28, 2019 16:49:57 GMT
I don't have experience with the SQ-1, but I bought a BSP a couple weeks ago and I am very happy with it so far. The amount of connectivity is great. The only downside for me is the interface. You pretty much need a cheat sheet next to you in order to use it to it's fullest potential. There are firmware updates which add new features, so some tutorials are out of date.
Once you get comfortable with it, you will be very happy imo.
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Post by spacedog on Oct 29, 2019 13:40:33 GMT
It was time to install some new modules, so I decided to play with the SEQ16 to test out the triggering from the Topograf, which was firing off the SEQ16 (controlling the new 2OSC/D) and KICK modules. Here's a small excerpt from what happened (and has now been used in its full form mixed into one of my releases). This seemed like an interesting place to post it. The SEQ16 promotes a different kind of improvisation to the BeatStep Pro and one that worked for me in this context. The Topograf acts as a very interesting trigger generator. There was a fair bit of modulation going on in the patch as well.  |
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pol
Wiki Editors
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Post by pol on Oct 29, 2019 16:17:29 GMT
I've just been having fun with my newly arrived Topograf & Kick too - will post soon.
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Post by Gaëtan on Nov 13, 2019 9:58:07 GMT
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Post by spacedog on Nov 13, 2019 10:44:15 GMT
I watched a YouTube video on it only yesterday. More out of interest, rather than I want one. Whilst it does look "interesting", I was left with the impresion that it's overpriced and there is little that I couldn't do with my current setup anyway, plus it's a little bit too flimsy. OK, I do have a problem with TE as they seem to have had a great product in the OP-1, but they haven't really built on that. IMO, of course. Anyway, here's the video. |
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Lugia
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Ridiculously busy...ish.
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Post by Lugia on Nov 14, 2019 0:56:42 GMT
That TE keyboard/sequencer seems rather flawed where serious modular use comes in. For example, no per-step trig/gates, no start/stop under gate/trig control, etc. Like the other "fold-it-yourself" TE gear, it's got flaws that would preclude a serious modular user from getting the same results that you could get (better, with more channels, and for only $60 more) from a BeatStep Pro.
Also not all that impressed with the rig that Ricky Tinez is using with it. For one thing, the first three 3U modules there cost more than an AE Starter 2. And yet, the damn thing is hobbled by a lack of dedicated VCAs or a proper stereo mixer to feed the stereo output module. Yeah, I know his whole point is to create this tiny rig in a Palette case, but there are better ways to do that than those overpriced, pretentious Noise Engineering modules; I considered myself done with Latin when I left academia, so I'm not a fan of trying to sort out a module's function from some schoolboy-level cod-Latin nonsense and a panel slathered in indecipherable, unreadable graphics. Over on MG, we got a name for this sort of problem: "Sexy Module Syndrome". And since I know the difference between a musical instrument and a sex toy, well....
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Post by Gaëtan on Nov 14, 2019 8:01:16 GMT
Yes after looking more into it it seems pretty limited. Too bad, I liked the concept of a cheap and compact multitrack cv/gate sequencer with a bit more options than an SQ-1. It just looks like a sub-beatstep pro. I can't even find how many volts it outputs.
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andy
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Post by andy on Nov 14, 2019 14:35:59 GMT
Although I don't have much experience with the AEM, I can point to two other external options, that I have tried with both the AEM and my NS1 Nanosynth and they worked fine. I don't see any of them mentioned here, so here are my two cents:
Division 6 Business Card sequencer
This one is actually the size of a business card (would fit nicely within a DIY 4U AEM module if you wish). 16 step sequencer (no memory, though, so you can't save patterns, it only stores the last sequence edited before powering it off). Sends out CV (1v/oct, 3 octaves) and GATE via 3.5mm ts/trs jacks, takes external clock, again via a 3.5mm jack, and is powered by either a battery or 9 volts via (yes, you guessed it) a ts/trs 3.5mm jack. It also has an internal clock, which is running till it gets a pulse from the CLK IN. Fun thing is that when not in sequence running mode you can use it as a keyboard.
Very very simple, but perfect for sequencing a bass line for example, and the form factor is unrivaled.
M-Audio Trigger Finger Pro
Looks great, a lot of capabilities (i.e. 16 64-step sequences and a bunch of controls transmitting via MIDI). No separate CV/GATE outputs, only MIDI. Can be powered from USB (I am happy that I got the USB AEM module now, as it also powers my Nanosynth). The TF Pro cost $400 when it came out, before people understood that it has an inherent flaw in its MIDI implementation, which made it impossible to sync with most DAWs most of the time. So, the poor sod went to many a trash bin. As someone really interested in DAWless workflow though, I understood that it has no problem controlling hardware synths. That's the reason I got one, it's doing a great job as an external MIDI sequencer.
Key point with this one is that because of its issues with DAWs it can be purchased dirt cheap - I paid like $60 for mine.
Otherwise, looking at the options I've personally already researched, I'd go with the Arturia KeyStep...
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Lugia
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Ridiculously busy...ish.
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Post by Lugia on Nov 14, 2019 23:47:54 GMT
Actually, that Division6 sequencer makes _a lot_ of sense. It's widely available as a DIY project right now, it's small, and yeah...it should fit in 4 AE spaces. Power requirement is 7-15 VDC @ 15 mA. You'd have to change the interfacing, since it has 3.5mms that're oriented toward the module's rear. But the clocking is +5V coming and going, and it looks like it outputs positive CV voltages within the AE range. Should make a good candidate for an AE "hack".
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Post by lorizon on Jan 4, 2020 16:49:04 GMT
Hey there, I'm new to the forum. I bought a starter rack 2nd hand a few weeks ago and have a beatsep pro too. Is it possible to use all 3 sequencers (2 for melodies, 1 for drums) of bsp to control the ae modular via midi since one can only choose between channel 1 or omni? Or do I have to use the cv i/o as the only possibility for this purpose? I don't have any drum modules for the ae modular yet, but I'm curious about that. Thanks in advance  |
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Post by spacedog on Jan 4, 2020 18:49:46 GMT
Hey there, I'm new to the forum. I bought a starter rack 2nd hand a few weeks ago and have a beatsep pro too. Is it possible to use all 3 sequencers (2 for melodies, 1 for drums) of bsp to control the ae modular via midi since one can only choose between channel 1 or omni? Or do I have to use the cv i/o as the only possibility for this purpose? I don't have any drum modules for the ae modular yet, but I'm curious about that. Thanks in advance Hi and welcome. I use the BSP with the AE Modular and the easiest way to do what you want to do is, in my opinion, to use the CV/Gate outputs, but make sure that you patch in via the Master and 4I/O modules, as this will offer some protection to over-voltages. Also, be aware that only 0-5V of the CV will work, so set up where you want those voltages to be in the BSP (via the Control Centre). You can set the Gate signals there also. You can only receive all the MIDI combined (via Omni) or just Ch1 in the old Master module. If you try to use both MIDI and CV, the timing can get slightly out in my experience, whether you actually notice it depends on what you're doing. If you do, remember to only have one of the BSP channels set to Ch1, or you will have a lot of confused sequencing. The BSP works well with the AE Modular, but do also watch out for the linearity of the oscillators (especially the older ones) over large note spans. I keep my sequences quite tight when coming into the AE Modular from outside and all is well. Have fun |
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Post by slowscape on Jan 6, 2020 23:09:26 GMT
I have a starter rack 2 and an BSP as well. I typically use midi for one of the sequences + clock ran to SEQ16, CV for another sequencer, and a single drum CV if I need something trickier than what the SEQ16 can provide.
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Post by lorizon on Jan 9, 2020 16:56:27 GMT
Thanks guys for your quick responses. I appreciate that. |
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Post by sycophante on Jan 10, 2020 10:24:24 GMT
Hey there, I'm new to the forum. I bought a starter rack 2nd hand a few weeks ago and have a beatsep pro too. Is it possible to use all 3 sequencers (2 for melodies, 1 for drums) of bsp to control the ae modular via midi since one can only choose between channel 1 or omni? Or do I have to use the cv i/o as the only possibility for this purpose? I don't have any drum modules for the ae modular yet, but I'm curious about that. Thanks in advance If you want to use all the trigger outputs from BSP with, say, the drum module, you should consider the nanobridge from soundmachines. It gives you 14 protected inputs to the AEM! |
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Post by lorizon on Jan 10, 2020 16:46:53 GMT
Hey there, I'm new to the forum. I bought a starter rack 2nd hand a few weeks ago and have a beatsep pro too. Is it possible to use all 3 sequencers (2 for melodies, 1 for drums) of bsp to control the ae modular via midi since one can only choose between channel 1 or omni? Or do I have to use the cv i/o as the only possibility for this purpose? I don't have any drum modules for the ae modular yet, but I'm curious about that. Thanks in advance If you want to use all the trigger outputs from BSP with, say, the drum module, you should consider the nanobridge from soundmachines. It gives you 14 protected inputs to the AEM! Thanks for the hint, sycophante! |
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Post by slowscape on Jan 10, 2020 20:26:35 GMT
I wonder, how common would overcurrent from a midi controller actually be?
I was running the cables straight to my modules with a little adapter I made from scrap parts. Haven’t had issues
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Tony
New Member
saying farewell... :-(
Posts: 7
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Post by Tony on May 20, 2020 13:39:02 GMT
I'm also currently thinking about the whole sequencing of my gear. I have the KeyStep and the SQ-1 and they play well together and also sync perfectly to my Volcas. However I find the SQ-1 too simplistic .. I already have the SEQ16 module for simple 16 step melody lines so I'm thinking of selling the SQ-1 and getting either the BeatStepPro or something that's more versatily like the Korg Electribe 2 which apparently can sequence up to 16 MIDI channels at the same time. Of course the Electribe is much more expensive than the BSPro ... Or get into DAW sequencing ... but that to me is just not interesting, because I do like to "touch" my music. I've got the KeyStep and was contemplating to additionally get either the AE SEQ16 or the Korg SQ-1 to sequence e.g. the AE Solina (chord progression) but would also like to be able to use it for other external gear e.g Volcas. Does it makes sense to choose between the SEQ16 or the SQ-1? Hopes this question makes any sense as I'm quite new to sequencing.... |
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Post by admin on May 20, 2020 13:54:56 GMT
I've got the KeyStep and was contemplating to additionally get either the AE SEQ16 or the Korg SQ-1 to sequence e.g. the AE Solina (chord progression) but would also like to be able to use it for other external gear e.g Volcas. Does it makes sense to choose between the SEQ16 or the SQ-1? Hopes this question makes any sense as I'm quite new to sequencing.... They are different beasts. The Korg SQ-1 is more powerful than the SEQ16 because it has MIDI out, CV/Gate out, different running modes (up, down, pingpong, random, etc), has a quantizer (Major, Minor, off) and can send either one 16 step sequence or two 8 step sequences in parallel. It plays really well with MIDI gear, Eurorack and also the AE Modular. While it can sequence the Volcas (via MIDI) I'm not sure why you would want to do that, as all the Volcas have their own sequencer built in. The SEQ16 only runs in one direction and has no quantizer, but it has a ratchet feature (repeat a step multiple times), is smaller, cheaper and better integrated into the AE system. While I still have the SEQ16 and use it very often within my AE patches, I sold the SQ-1 because I was looking for a more complete sequencing solution outside the AE. The Keystep is also a very capable sequencer AND arpeggiator and I've use the latter very often in my videos. |
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