The Modular Synthesizer Thread

[LNerell]

Fantastic pictures Loren....how did the performance go?

It went well I thought.

It seems the mixer is a focal point for you...could you explain the performance process and how each part of your setup interacted.  Im very interested in what is involved in a modular performance and making it all come together in a live situation. 

Well the mixer is kind of the focal point since everything goes through it. It looks like that because of the two side tables that attach to the mixer rack. I think more central was the computer. I was doing a short (20 minutes) version of my album Taksu, so I ended up using a lot of samples. The modular I had programmed with six different patches that I could play, so it wasn't all samples.

Was a recording made?

Yes and a video as well, it should be done shortly, I will let everyone know when it is up.

[Julio Di Benedetto]

Thanks for the info Loren.....post like yours really make this modular thread a living breathing personal experience  .

Yes your mixer is front and center but I understand how the computer is really the core.

From my own experience Im beginning to realize how the Akai APC 40 just shines for live performance, well, my own studio performance that is but still I can envision this out in a live situation.  One Apc may not be enough.  I believe they can be daisy chained so one could almost ignore the computer.

Staring at all the eye candy I was distracted and missed  the story about the Moog 35....thought it was a Synthesizer.com, they do share a resemblance.  Damn Maths teachers....stick to fractal and algorithmic music

Looking forward to the video of your performance.

[Julio Di Benedetto]

A new module added to my system...Iron Ether Pithoprakta, a probabilistic rhythm generator.  Basically a very random gate sequencer



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_z2FY7tDqH0


FYI....Iron Ether is primarily a guitar pedal manufacturer out of Lafayette Louisiana with just this one astonishing eurorack module 

[LNerell]

Not sure why but I can never get youtube videos to show on this forum. Any way here is a link to a video of my concert from a few weeks ago:

https://youtu.be/I37auFrlFNA

[Castleview]

A new module added to my system...Iron Ether Pithoprakta, a probabilistic rhythm generator.  Basically a very random gate sequencer



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_z2FY7tDqH0


FYI....Iron Ether is primarily a guitar pedal manufacturer out of Lafayette Louisiana with just this one astonishing eurorack module

Wow, I didn't know that Iron Ether was from Louisiana, let alone 40 minutes away from where I live. Thanks for posting about that.

[Julio Di Benedetto]

Not sure why but I can never get youtube videos to show on this forum. Any way here is a link to a video of my concert from a few weeks ago:

https://youtu.be/I37auFrlFNA

Excellent performance Loren....what a beautiful kaleidoscope of tone and texture.  Really enjoyed it.   

Might be an idea to repost this in the members projects section so others who want nothing to do with us gearheadz can experience the piece. 

[El culto]

Not sure why but I can never get youtube videos to show on this forum. Any way here is a link to a video of my concert from a few weeks ago:

https://youtu.be/I37auFrlFNA

You have to use it in this way --> starting with www. and not using the given short https
Like this (I typed the first "w" in brackets otherwise the video would be visible but not the link) --> (w)ww.youtube.com/watch?v=I37auFrlFNA

www.youtube.com/watch?v=I37auFrlFNA

[LNerell]

Not sure why but I can never get youtube videos to show on this forum. Any way here is a link to a video of my concert from a few weeks ago:

https://youtu.be/I37auFrlFNA

Excellent performance Loren....what a beautiful kaleidoscope of tone and texture.  Really enjoyed it.   

Might be an idea to repost this in the members projects section so others who want nothing to do with us gearheadz can experience the piece.

Thanks Julio, yes I posted it in my Loren Nerell news thread and also updated it so it now appears not as a link.

Speaking of links I guess you have to change everything so it reads "(w)ww.youtube.com/watch?v=" and then add the "I37auFrlFNA" for it to work. Thanks for that info.

[Julio Di Benedetto]

Heres a new module recently added to my system....The Modcan Touch Sequencer



This is the eurorack version of the Modcan Series B Touch Sequencer from their large format Modular system pictured below.
Both modules behave the same way.  The eurorack version has to be the smallest 4 track sequencer I have come across.  It is so straight forward and simple to use and yet deep and complex results come out from it.



These are the video manual for both units for those curious


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VS9IUQl_380

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwJ8Ir3E44A

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRkAmFTRp3U

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1FQiutD6K0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLBsS5rvLBQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRoI2A1zhtQ

[Julio Di Benedetto]

Came across this video of the history of the Modular Music and the East coast / West coast paradigm give by Tony Rolando, the man behind Make Noise.  Its short and has an interesting selection of music that demonstrates the 2 coasts and the Moog & Buchla philosophies. Ultimately he gets to his main purpose of exhibiting his new and about to be released Make Noise "0 Coast" or No Coast synth voice.....like the Moog Mother 32 this is a great place to start for anyone looking to get into modulars or add it to your existing system.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJ97tOfU6Io

[Julio Di Benedetto]

Robin Rimbaud....aka Scanner talks about his live modular setup.  I always enjoy listening to artist discuss their gear and method if any.  Its slutty and education

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-EoJ97dXGQ


And here is what I believe is the pre performance practice run.....I cant be 100% sure but its the same setup 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfrWxACXkzs

[ffcal]

Julio, How do you like the Modcan Touch Sequencer?  Love the display.  Reminds me of my Atari ST from the old days.

Forrest

[Julio Di Benedetto]

Julio, How do you like the Modcan Touch Sequencer?  Love the display.  Reminds me of my Atari ST from the old days.

Forrest

Hi Forrest,

The Modcan Touch Sequencer is quite amazing.  Only had it a few weeks, yet it is so straight forward to program via the touch screen. I have been looking for a 4 track sequence that has 4 individual clocks, this sort of does in that it has 4 independent clock dividers.  Sort of the same thing though I dont think I could elaborate more....its a bit beyond me.

For something this powerful it has rather a small foot print.  Initially I was a bit apprehensive of having to menu dive....it could not be more pleasurable to work with.  Its just one of those piece of kit that reaches out so far into a system that it changes the way you work and makes the music that much more exciting to create.

I see the similarity to the Atari ST.....Its something to look back on those old yet special machines.  They offered the possibility for the future!
 

[Scott M2]

How come I always see these guy with these huge modulars but they never release any actual music dispite often superior sound..
it feels like it is only a plaything for them like toys..

If I had more analouge stuff I would make good music.. but right now I have been forced to sell off my converter so I do not even have sound in my speakers anymore.. that sucks

You definitely get the modular=lego set vibe from watching I Dream of Wires and I think that collecting modules and making weird sounds is a pretty great hobby compared to most. I suppose the guitar collectors with great instruments who never release albums would be a good comparison (although they're kind of taking the vintage instruments away from the non-wealthy players).

There's still lots of folks wielding their modulars to make good music though. Living in Toronto, I get to see lots of shows with artists carting in modulars small and large. I love how much weird firepower people can pack into a choice Eurorack.

I'm very sorry to hear you've been parted from your converter. I know how much pure sound means to you. Perhaps you can find a reasonable smaller used unit to keep you working on music until you can connect with your dream unit(s) again. Good luck...

[Julio Di Benedetto]

it feels like it is only a plaything for them like toys..

For many that is the case.....it is a hobby and they have no intention of making recordings other than to share with friends and demonstrate sounds of new modules.  Keep in mind the eurorack modular system has taken about the last ten years to reach this zenith where it is now.  How many Moog's, Buchla's, Serge's and Arp's have appeared on records....many but they have been around 40 years or more and could only be bought by successful recording artist due to the insane cost.  The eurorack format by contrast is for the people.....there are a lot of people in this world.

[Julio Di Benedetto]

So here is a successful musician with lots of modular toys......Oxygen was the first electronic music I had heard, guess I was about 12 years old when it came out.  Still love to this day!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctOhwRGdVvo

[doombient]

So here is a successful musician with lots of modular toys......Oxygen was the first electronic music I had heard, guess I was about 12 years old when it came out.  Still love to this day!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctOhwRGdVvo

Well, a 2600 or a Putney are (semi-)modular in nature but due to their size and the limited selection of modules closer to hard-wired synthesisers like an Odyssey or Mini Moog. Patching is a nice bonus but not the main purpose of a 2600.

It's a great educational toy. So is the EMS.

Stephen

[LNerell]

Well, a 2600 or a Putney are (semi-)modular in nature

The VCS3 or Synthi are fullly modular in nature, they don't make any sounds unless you make connections with the pins on the matrixboard.

It's a great educational toy. So is the EMS.

They are hardly toys, I would say they are great synths, maybe a bit more limited then a full modular synth.

[Julio Di Benedetto]

Well, a 2600 or a Putney are (semi-)modular in nature

The VCS3 or Synthi are fullly modular in nature, they don't make any sounds unless you make connections with the pins on the matrixboard.

It's a great educational toy. So is the EMS.

They are hardly toys, I would say they are great synths, maybe a bit more limited then a full modular synth.

I probably should not of used the word toy in the Jarre post....bad sarcasm though following Ekstasis's lead, so it is his fault

[doombient]

Well, a 2600 or a Putney are (semi-)modular in nature

The VCS3 or Synthi are fullly modular in nature, they don't make any sounds unless you make connections with the pins on the matrixboard.

[...]

They are not internally pre-wired and ready to be played (unlike a 2600 or a Mini Moog), that's true, but "modular" in a sense of "give me three of these modules and four of those" they are not. They are fairly limited in terms of options and you're stuck with what you've got (they don't even have a proper envelope generator, for a start).

I do love my educational toys but I don't refer to them as "my modular rig". That would be a bit pathetic.

Stephen