jatwo
New Member
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Post by jatwo on Apr 21, 2020 2:47:05 GMT
Hello new friends,
I'm a guitar player who recently discovered modular synth. I’ve been using VCV Rack for the past few months to learn how it all works. I just learned about AE modular recently and am very intrigued about jumping in with this platform as my first step into real modular. I’m really impressed by the realistic pricing and especially what looks to be a supportive DIY community. I’d like to use this rig for slower, ambient/experimental/generative music.
I’m currently considering STARTER RACK 1 + MULTIFX + SOLINA strings, but would like some advice on this:
1) I’d like the case to have extra space for more modules in the future, how does one order a larger case for the STARTER RACK 1?
2) Should I take a second look at the STARTER RACK 2 instead? Or would 1 be a good start to see what I use the most first?
3) For my use case, should I be considering any other modules to start with? (LOGIC, GRAINS, MM DIVIDER, SLEW/EDGE, SEQ16/TRIQ164, ALGODRONE,...)
4) I’m really interested in modular synthesis for generative music, I find it’s strength is the surprising creative sounds the circuits come up with. In VCV rack, I frequently use Turing Machine, Marbles, or JW NoteSeq to achieve this. Is there any alternative method in the AE world to do this? Is this something that could be DIY’d?
5) The other main modules I think I’d miss in AE are clocks and quantizers. It sounds like a Tangible Waves quantizer is currently in development so I look forward to that! For the clock, are there any simple solutions out there now, or are there any DIY guidance on doing this? I don't have a midi device as a clock source.
(Edit: formatting) |
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Post by admin on Apr 21, 2020 3:29:45 GMT
Hello jatwo, this is probably the most asked question on the forum  However everyone come from a different background and wants to get into the world of modular and especially AE Modular for slightly different reasons, so no harm in asking this question again and again. However for most people that are new to this world the answer is really simple: Starter Rack 2 gives you some really useful modules that will keep you occupied for weeks and has enough empty spaces to expand. It also offers the most savings over piecing together your own system. You're not completely new to modular as you've worked with VCV Rack, but if you haven't worked with hardware it's still good to start small. Especially the AE system has some quirks that you will only find out (and enjoy) if you spend enough time with it. Because you are dealing with analogue circuitry for the most part, all kinds of things can happen when you turn a knob, I find those happy accidents the most rewarding over VCV Rack (which I love, too, btw). Once you understand more of what's there, then you look at expanding the system with more individual modules and later add another case easily. The only must have addition to the starter 2 IMHO is the MultiFX module ... it is just so sweet to have a good reverb at the end of the audio chain. But to answer you other questions: - there isn't a turing machine module yet, but something along those lines will definitely come up. I know that Robert is very interested in this. - for clock you can just use the pulse-out of an LFO! Starter 2 includes the TRIQ164 4 channel beat sequencer, this together with an LFO will give you many rhythmic options. Also if you plan your system, do use the grid.aemodular.com app. It makes it very easy to plan and find out more about each module. Alse the wiki.aemodular.com has detailed documentation for almost every module, definitely a good read! Anyway there are many choices, but each will let you explore beautiful soundscapes, enjoy the journey! |
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jatwo
New Member
Posts: 4
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Post by jatwo on Apr 22, 2020 2:42:17 GMT
thanks for the quick and useful advice admin! that grid.aemodular.com resource is neat. I'll spend a bit more time reviewing it all, but definitely looking forward to try this system out soon! |
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Lugia
Wiki Editors
Ridiculously busy...ish.
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Post by Lugia on Apr 22, 2020 23:46:41 GMT
I'll endorse the Starter 2 as well...when I was getting the godliness that IS Gargantua, we also got a longtime friend and colleague a Starter 2. He promptly took it out gigging! Check here to see what a flat-stock Starter 2 does in the hands of a hardcore minimal techno master: forum.aemodular.com/thread/467/owwwch-starter-system-right-wrong
And remember, that thing has 13 open spaces for AE's not-all-that-expensive modules...it really IS a "starter", because it encourages you to keep dropping things in!
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Post by young Protoboard on Apr 23, 2020 0:21:48 GMT
As a beginner, I'd like to echo @careck 's recommendation-- Starter Rack 2 + MULTIFX is the way to go. Starter Rack 2, in my opinion, is simply a Starter Rack 1 plus the modules that 95% of people who bought Starter Rack 1 would probably buy in three or four expansion orders. It's priced in the same scheme as SR 1, though, so for most people, the cheaper option in the medium- and long-run is to go full SR2. I personally bought a MULTIFX following a SR2 and was happy to do so; it took my effects options from 1. delay and... um... inputs 2 and 3 on the delay, to 15 different glorious effects plus that lofi (admittedly sexy) lofi delay. I think the MULTIFX is the module/upgrade with the most utility compared to any other when holding a SR2, and especially so if you already know you want it.
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jatwo
New Member
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Post by jatwo on Apr 23, 2020 12:54:02 GMT
Great to hear a consensus! I’ve upgraded my plans to Starter Rack 2 + MULTIFX. Now just debating if I want to add SOLINA to the mix also 🤔. From the videos I’ve seen online, seems like it would be right in line with what I’m trying to achieve in terms of sound.
Thanks for the useful advice everyone!
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Post by arti on Apr 23, 2020 14:46:32 GMT
Great to hear a consensus! I’ve upgraded my plans to Starter Rack 2 + MULTIFX. Now just debating if I want to add SOLINA to the mix also 🤔. From the videos I’ve seen online, seems like it would be right in line with what I’m trying to achieve in terms of sound. Thanks for the useful advice everyone! Knowing what You are up to I would buy Solina too. I don't have it myself yet (waiting for the order) but i think it would be useful addition to Your drone/ambient machine. |
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jatwo
New Member
Posts: 4
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Post by jatwo on Apr 24, 2020 1:26:08 GMT
Great to hear a consensus! I’ve upgraded my plans to Starter Rack 2 + MULTIFX. Now just debating if I want to add SOLINA to the mix also 🤔. From the videos I’ve seen online, seems like it would be right in line with what I’m trying to achieve in terms of sound. Thanks for the useful advice everyone! Knowing what You are up to I would buy Solina too. I don't have it myself yet (waiting for the order) but i think it would be useful addition to Your drone/ambient machine. Thanks! That’s the way I’m leaning right now. With $30 shipping to US trying to bundle things where I can, without going overboard. |
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pol
Wiki Editors
Posts: 1,349
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Post by pol on Apr 25, 2020 9:34:44 GMT
Great to hear a consensus! I’ve upgraded my plans to Starter Rack 2 + MULTIFX. Now just debating if I want to add SOLINA to the mix also 🤔. From the videos I’ve seen online, seems like it would be right in line with what I’m trying to achieve in terms of sound. Thanks for the useful advice everyone! I believe Robert has started supplying some shops, certainly has in UK. I think I read somewhere there was to be an American stockist, I'd Google it! I recently bought one module and more patch wires locally (you can never have enough patch wires). I agree with rest of posts about going straight to Starter 2, but personally I would suggest you hang fire on buying anything else until you have used it and find what you really need to expand. Also, there is a learning curve to all this so even if you are an experienced synthesist it may blow your mind a bit about all the possibilities. Getting to grips with the basic machine before expanding further may well help you get more out of the AE. If you bought the starter 2, then you can enjoy planning the next order to be the modules to fill all the blank spaces in your case.... :-) I found I bought more Envelope Generator, VCA and LFO modules on my early orders for instance as I ran into wanting to have different modulations, delayed modulations etc. and they all need their own patching.... |
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However everyone come from a different background and wants to get into the world of modular and especially AE Modular for slightly different reasons, so no harm in asking this question again and again.
