FAQ - READ THIS BEFORE POSTING, PLEASE :-)
May 13, 2020 7:19:12 GMT
admin, pol, and 3 more like this
Post by NightMachines on May 13, 2020 7:19:12 GMT
Hello and welcome to the AE Modular community! If you’re new to the AE Modular format, or modular synths in general, here are some frequently asked questions, answered conveniently in one place 
What should I buy?
Generally, buying one of the starter racks is a good idea. They include everything you need to make modular synth music right away, while also leaving some empty spaces for when you want to expand the system later.
Popular modules for expansion are the MULTIFX, SOLINA and ALGODRONE, as well as more filters or utilities like LOGIC, 3VCSWITCH, more 2ENVs or more VCAs. The AE Modular planner website can help you with arranging your modules: grid.aemodular.com
If you’re unsure and want to ask the community for advice, please describe what kind of music you want to make with your AE Modular, what equipment you already own and how your (desired) music making workflow looks like. E.g. with or without DAW, live shows, studio use or mobile use, etc.
How long is the order delivery time?
Check the frontpage notice at www.tangiblewaves.com
There is no other information about this.
Delivery times vary due to large order volumes after trade shows like SuperBooth, or due to unforeseen situations like the COVID-19 pandemic. tangible waves is a small manufacturer and they’re doing their best to ship orders as fast as possible. Wait times have decreased over the past months and they will decrease further
How to get started?
Check the AE Modular Wiki’s “Getting Started” guide:
wiki.aemodular.com/pmwiki.php/AeManual/GettingStarted
... and The 5th Volt’s YouTube tutorial videos.
Where are the manuals?
Here, in the AE Modular Wiki:
wiki.aemodular.com/pmwiki.php/AeManual/Modules
Please read a module’s manual before posting questions about it on the forum.
How to connect the AE Modular to a mixer, Eurorack or other gear?
The MASTER I/O and 4I/O modules have 3.5mm jack sockets, which can be used to connect the AE Modular to the outside world. The sockets are bi-directional, so you can either send a signal into the rack or out of it.
The 3.5mm sockets are protected!
So you can patch Eurorack or other hot signals in there without worry. Signals will be clipped to a range of 0-5V.
Make sure you have the right 3.5mm jack cables though. There are mono (TS / tip ring) and stereo (TRS / tip ring sleeve) ones. If you’re having issues, like hum or noise in your signals, you might be using a stereo TRS cable with equipment that expects a mono TS cable.
The 4I/O module also offers stereo input or output on a TRS cable. Please read its manual.
MIDI Problems?
The MASTER I/O module converts monophonic MIDI note data (i.e. one note at a time only, no chords) into a CV and gate signal. These signals are available on the BUS CV and BUS GATE outputs throughout your case. When the MIDI-CV converter receives a note, the GATE LED will light. If it doesn’t, then please check that your MIDI source (keyboard, sequencer, DAW, etc.) is transmitting on the correct MIDI channel, or set the channel switch on the MASTER I/O module to OMNI, to make it listen to all channels.
The module also converts MIDI clock data to analog trigger signals, available on the BUS CLK and BUS START/STOP outputs throughout your case. When receiving MIDI clock signals, the CLOCK LED on the MASTER I/O module will flash. If it doesn’t, then please check that your MIDI clock source (keyboard, sequencer, DAW, etc.) is actually sending MIDI clock.
Please read the manual of your MIDI source devices before posting a question and in case you do, please describe exactly what is not working, how you have everything connected and what you have tried already
MIDI Clock too fast?
MIDI clock signals consist of 96 pulses per quarter (ppq). In many situations this is too fast for modular synth applications, so you need to divide the clock rate to something slower in your AE Modular system. The first step is usually to run the BUS CLK through a BEAT DIVIDER module, which is specifically made for MIDI clock division. It divides the clock by 3, resulting in a more useful 32 ppq signal. You can also divide it further down with the module’s front panel potentiometer.
Oscillators out of tune?
Analog modular synth VCOs need time to warm up and they can also drift over time. It may be necessary to tune them frequently, by adjusting the front panel COARSE and FINE tune knobs. This is normal and part of the modular synth experience. Play the root note on your keyboard and then tune the VCO to that frequency. A tuning device will help you speed up the process, in case you want to make traditional music.
Pitch CV is often delivered as a 1V/Oct signal, so a 1V increase should shift the pitch of the VCO by one octave. The octave range of the current AE Modular VCOs is around 3 octaves. Towards the end of that range and beyond that, the VCO will be out of tune. This is normal. There will be VCOs with a wider range in the future.
Patching can affect the tuning, for example when using several copies of a single pitch CV signal. You should keep an eye on tuning during the patching process and you might have to re-tune your VCOs again at the end. This is also normal.
Do I need to calibrate my VCOs with the trimmers on the back?
Most probably not!
Can I use multiples to mix or combine signals?
No, you shouldn’t. Multiples are simply connected sockets without any electronics in between to regulate current flow. They should only be used to copy a signal.
To mix audio or CV signals, use a mixer module. To combine triggers or gates, use a mixer, the OR2X4 module or the LOGIC module’s “OR” functionality.
Questions about a specific module?
Check the module’s manual first:
wiki.aemodular.com/pmwiki.php/AeManual/Modules
Will there be new modules in the future?
Yes, check out this website for a sneak peak of what's coming up:
www.tangiblewaves.com/upcoming-products.html
Is there AE Modular music somewhere?
Yes, we have a Music & Performance sub-forum and we have also released a community music compilation for charity:
aetherwaves.bandcamp.com/
What should I buy?
Generally, buying one of the starter racks is a good idea. They include everything you need to make modular synth music right away, while also leaving some empty spaces for when you want to expand the system later.
Popular modules for expansion are the MULTIFX, SOLINA and ALGODRONE, as well as more filters or utilities like LOGIC, 3VCSWITCH, more 2ENVs or more VCAs. The AE Modular planner website can help you with arranging your modules: grid.aemodular.com
If you’re unsure and want to ask the community for advice, please describe what kind of music you want to make with your AE Modular, what equipment you already own and how your (desired) music making workflow looks like. E.g. with or without DAW, live shows, studio use or mobile use, etc.
How long is the order delivery time?
Check the frontpage notice at www.tangiblewaves.com
There is no other information about this.
Delivery times vary due to large order volumes after trade shows like SuperBooth, or due to unforeseen situations like the COVID-19 pandemic. tangible waves is a small manufacturer and they’re doing their best to ship orders as fast as possible. Wait times have decreased over the past months and they will decrease further
How to get started?
Check the AE Modular Wiki’s “Getting Started” guide:
wiki.aemodular.com/pmwiki.php/AeManual/GettingStarted
... and The 5th Volt’s YouTube tutorial videos.
Where are the manuals?
Here, in the AE Modular Wiki:
wiki.aemodular.com/pmwiki.php/AeManual/Modules
Please read a module’s manual before posting questions about it on the forum.
How to connect the AE Modular to a mixer, Eurorack or other gear?
The MASTER I/O and 4I/O modules have 3.5mm jack sockets, which can be used to connect the AE Modular to the outside world. The sockets are bi-directional, so you can either send a signal into the rack or out of it.
The 3.5mm sockets are protected!
So you can patch Eurorack or other hot signals in there without worry. Signals will be clipped to a range of 0-5V.
Make sure you have the right 3.5mm jack cables though. There are mono (TS / tip ring) and stereo (TRS / tip ring sleeve) ones. If you’re having issues, like hum or noise in your signals, you might be using a stereo TRS cable with equipment that expects a mono TS cable.
The 4I/O module also offers stereo input or output on a TRS cable. Please read its manual.
MIDI Problems?
The MASTER I/O module converts monophonic MIDI note data (i.e. one note at a time only, no chords) into a CV and gate signal. These signals are available on the BUS CV and BUS GATE outputs throughout your case. When the MIDI-CV converter receives a note, the GATE LED will light. If it doesn’t, then please check that your MIDI source (keyboard, sequencer, DAW, etc.) is transmitting on the correct MIDI channel, or set the channel switch on the MASTER I/O module to OMNI, to make it listen to all channels.
The module also converts MIDI clock data to analog trigger signals, available on the BUS CLK and BUS START/STOP outputs throughout your case. When receiving MIDI clock signals, the CLOCK LED on the MASTER I/O module will flash. If it doesn’t, then please check that your MIDI clock source (keyboard, sequencer, DAW, etc.) is actually sending MIDI clock.
Please read the manual of your MIDI source devices before posting a question and in case you do, please describe exactly what is not working, how you have everything connected and what you have tried already
MIDI Clock too fast?
MIDI clock signals consist of 96 pulses per quarter (ppq). In many situations this is too fast for modular synth applications, so you need to divide the clock rate to something slower in your AE Modular system. The first step is usually to run the BUS CLK through a BEAT DIVIDER module, which is specifically made for MIDI clock division. It divides the clock by 3, resulting in a more useful 32 ppq signal. You can also divide it further down with the module’s front panel potentiometer.
Oscillators out of tune?
Analog modular synth VCOs need time to warm up and they can also drift over time. It may be necessary to tune them frequently, by adjusting the front panel COARSE and FINE tune knobs. This is normal and part of the modular synth experience. Play the root note on your keyboard and then tune the VCO to that frequency. A tuning device will help you speed up the process, in case you want to make traditional music.
Pitch CV is often delivered as a 1V/Oct signal, so a 1V increase should shift the pitch of the VCO by one octave. The octave range of the current AE Modular VCOs is around 3 octaves. Towards the end of that range and beyond that, the VCO will be out of tune. This is normal. There will be VCOs with a wider range in the future.
Patching can affect the tuning, for example when using several copies of a single pitch CV signal. You should keep an eye on tuning during the patching process and you might have to re-tune your VCOs again at the end. This is also normal.
Do I need to calibrate my VCOs with the trimmers on the back?
Most probably not!
Can I use multiples to mix or combine signals?
No, you shouldn’t. Multiples are simply connected sockets without any electronics in between to regulate current flow. They should only be used to copy a signal.
To mix audio or CV signals, use a mixer module. To combine triggers or gates, use a mixer, the OR2X4 module or the LOGIC module’s “OR” functionality.
Questions about a specific module?
Check the module’s manual first:
wiki.aemodular.com/pmwiki.php/AeManual/Modules
Will there be new modules in the future?
Yes, check out this website for a sneak peak of what's coming up:
www.tangiblewaves.com/upcoming-products.html
Is there AE Modular music somewhere?
Yes, we have a Music & Performance sub-forum and we have also released a community music compilation for charity:
aetherwaves.bandcamp.com/