paulyv
New Member
Getting to grips with it all....still.
Posts: 22
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Post by paulyv on Jul 1, 2020 12:22:54 GMT
Hello there, I hope you are well. Nice to meet you.
I have just taken delivery of my first ever modular system - a Modular 1. What a lovely thing it is and congratulations to all those involved with it's creation. I look forward to getting stuck in.
I have been involved with synths since 1987 when I was lucky enough to have a Roland HS-60 bought for me by my parents. Essentially a Juno 106 with speakers. Been through many models since then and have been at it long enough to know that it isn't the gear you have, it's the music you make with it so I am agnostic when it comes to the digital v analog debate. Ease of interface and depth of the environment are more important as I age.
I cannot wait to get under the skin of the Modular 1 which is going to sit alongside my Crumar Bit 1, and most often my Native Instruments Maschine/Komplete 12/Ableton system which I really enjoy. My aim being to trigger the Modular 1 from my Arturia Beatstep alongside anything running on the computer. I love to write Berlin style techno.
A quick first question would be about the spare space that is in the Modular 1 - about 3 spaces I think? One between the 2OSC and the VCO and two spaces on the far right of the rack. What would you recommend going in those spaces given the other equipment I have? For now I hope to keep it all in one rack but will doubtless expand later in the year to a second rack once I have got to grips with things.
Thank you for reading and for any suggestions I receive, and again - a pleasure to get to know you all.
Paul
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Lugia
Wiki Editors
Ridiculously busy...ish.
Posts: 556
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Post by Lugia on Jul 2, 2020 21:57:32 GMT
My suggestion? SEQ8 and a QUANTIZER! When you look at the Starter 1, the architecture closely resembles some great monosynths such as the Pro-One, etc that also incorporated hardware sequencers, albeit not ones as potent as the SEQ8, and certainly no quantizer as beefy as AE's. And of course, you can clock that sucka up via the incoming MIDI clock or, with a little ingenuity, you can use the AE as your master clock.
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Post by slowscape on Jul 2, 2020 22:42:34 GMT
I was going to say, use it for a good month and you’ll have a good idea of how to expand based on your own usage... but Lugia’s suggestion is actually pretty spot on. Currently there is no way to make a real “song” without a midi controller. His suggestion solves that. I would even go as far as to say they should be in the starter 2 by default! When I bought my aem (having no knowledge of modular), I did not realize I basically needed a midi controller of some kind.
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Post by admin on Jul 2, 2020 23:11:07 GMT
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paulyv
New Member
Getting to grips with it all....still.
Posts: 22
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Post by paulyv on Jul 2, 2020 23:15:39 GMT
Thank you all for this - a pleasure to meet you.
I do have the Beatstep which I was planning to use as the main sequencer for the Modular 1...
I get your point about the Modular 2 but as this came up on Ebay it is my starting point!
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Post by slowscape on Jul 3, 2020 14:50:08 GMT
Oops I forgot we were talking about the 1! Given you have a beat step, I retract the suggestion! Instead I would look into effects/filters that might appeal to you.
I have a beatstep pro, and for me this makes most triggering and sequencing modules redundant, so this is where I personally focus.
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paulyv
New Member
Getting to grips with it all....still.
Posts: 22
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Post by paulyv on Jul 3, 2020 16:15:47 GMT
Wonderful - thank you very much Slowscape.
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pol
Wiki Editors
Posts: 1,349
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Post by pol on Jul 5, 2020 13:51:15 GMT
I would suggest the SV filter (it's my favourite of the AE's, sound and versatility), and either/or more LFOs/Envelopes. gives you more options for movement over your beats etc...
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Post by Daniel Linger on Jul 13, 2020 11:32:07 GMT
Apologies for the lateness of reply, but here's a suggestion that MIGHT be of some use.
I'm a cheapskate - mostly due to being on disability for the last couple of decades. As such I tend to try and get the best bang for my buck.
And if you're after something to either control or sequence, there might be a cheap option out there. If you nose through ebay or your local ads, you might want to try looking for some of the old Yamaha QY style "pocket" sequencers or something in those veins. They're dated as hell as far as sounds go, so you can sometimes get such things quite cheaply.
I bought a QY10 back in the day just for ideas, and it's inbuilt sounds are awful but I still use it as a small easy to use sequencer and basic keyboard. I also picked up a less portable later model qy300 a few years back for £30.
I've used both with the AEM. So maybe think a little outside the box?
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paulyv
New Member
Getting to grips with it all....still.
Posts: 22
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Post by paulyv on Jul 17, 2020 8:51:44 GMT
Thanks everyone. Appreciate the responses.
Currently the Module 1 system only has one free slot after the purchase of a Wavefolder and a Headphone Amp module.
Your point about the QY10 was well made, and funnily enough I have one of those in a drawer dating back to about 1994 - I had completely forgotten about it.
Unless anyone can make a case for a 'must have' module to fill that single space I will likely wait until I am ready to go to a second rack now.
What a wonderful little synth this is.
Have a great weekend.
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