I would go for a vca that has at least two amps but preferably four. The primary reason is to control amplitude of the plaits going into the OT or A4. Modular sends out super hot signals meaning the volume is way to loud for your Elektron inputs. A vca will help to control the volume much like a mixer but with way more control. The other advantage is you can run cv modulation signals through it. Imagine running a lfo through a vca then controlling the signals with an envelope. It’s a utility module that creates all sorts of options and opportunities for you that you may not realize in the beginning. This is an excellent video explaining why.
Did someone already mentionned Blokas Midihub ?
Because for the most part, “generative” ideas are based on midi delays, feedback, arpegiators, chance and random modules…
For 140 bucks, feed it 3 midi notes, output tons of unexpected developpement.
I personnaly like midi voices rotation allocations…
I’m gonna have to look into this Thanks for sharing
(On the update front re: evolving/changing patterns (well, melodies for now), I just figured out how to work the OT midi arp on the A4, applying slow moving lfos on secondary arp notes or arp transpose when the arp is in key. Awesome stuff…)
Or… you could achieve the 'generative, find a pattern rather than enter a pattern ’ vibe if you use Octatracks midi lfos and and arps to create super complex modulated scale locked arps, to control one of A4s voices… no euro required.
Antumbra Atom is a fun 18HP version of MI Elements and if you would pair it with Pamela’s New Workout, which has quantised S&H now, you would have a 2 module random machine. I assume that OT can send a clock pulse to keep PNW in time.
for unexpected rhythms and melodies (nothing too out their but still turn knobs = get new ideas) buy a Mutable Grids with midi output (various options for this though I can’t name any of the top of my head). For crazier rythms you need a bunch of LFO’s + mixer + trigger to midi.
Hey man!
You got some MIDI channels free on the OT, right? Maybe pair it with something fun and have it triggered by multiple MIDI tracks with polyrhythmic patterns, arps and conditional trigs?
This! I was always a bit afraid of the difficulty of this, and had done some half-assed attempts that didn’t work out really. But now I’ve really sat down with the A4 and OT manuals (to see which parameters are scaled in key over midi vs internal sequencer etc) and tried a bunch of simplified test patterns I get it and it’s awesome!
If you lock the arp to a key and start to modulate the pitch of the notes (note, note2, note3, note4) with an lfo you can let OT generate patterns easily.
Also, the arp is basically a mini sequencer (setup page).
Plus I get this now! Never really realized you can send two midi tracks to the same midi channel of another synth. Just watched some videos about Euclidean patterns - simplified version is actually super simple: f.e. Set two midi tracks to send patterns with different trigg amounts or pattern lengte, and distribute the triggs always as much as evenly over each sequence as possible, et voila, let the syncopation unfold!
Thanks everyone.
Re: shifting topics in this thread. What’s common courtesy/practice, should I edit the title to fit where this thread diverged to? Or add something in my first post? It’s basically morphed into: Adding modular to OT+A4 for generative/evolving patterns or how to achieve them without
Hi there,
I use Plaits plus Rings controlled by Digitone’s MIDI traks thru mutant Brain.
I’m in ambient bliss.
To have that unpredictability I use extensively Digitone’s probability per track, per step, different track length, you get the idea.
One word of warning: once you go eurorack there’s no going back.
As reference to the original post: it won’t get more simple when you would add more hardware. So if you were already afraid of the difficulty using two machines influencing each other modular isn’t really the way to go (at least right now). And think of reproducibility in the modular world …
I guess this would be a good idea. Searching the forum becomes easier when topic titles match what you are looking for.
Where Euro really shines is modulation, even though Plaits doesnt have alot of modulation destinations, modulating the modulators is when the fun begins. With That Said i would probably go with a microfreak instead of investing in a small system.
And of course you’re completely right! Buying more stuff won’t fix things, funny how easy you can get tricked into that direction of thinking.
Will stick to what I have and enjoy the exploration again. Still, I really appreciated all the comments here by everyone, learned a lot again. Interestingly enough, watching lots of videos on YouTube about modular has really inspired me again with exploring how to achieve those modular patches/results with new techniques on my current non-modular gear.
I finally figured out how to get my A4 MK2 to sequence and control my new modular system. I used the CV outs and layered FX from the A4 to my small modular setup. Such crazy fun.
The beauty is you can save a large sum of cash on things like sequencers, clocks, and so forth. That frees up space for cool stuff like extra synth voices in your modular but you still need basic utilities like VCAs and envelopes. I love the cool filters and oscillators in modular that are very unique and not found elsewhere.
Nice video, props to you for showing the parameters you’re tweaking!
I’m still thinking about a small setup myself. To protect myself financially I’ve set up a system of saving up for it instead of spending in advance of selling off other gear. In the meantime whilst I’m saving, I can conceptualize my modular wishlist.
I’m actually thinking of something really really small. Basically the only thing that I really want is a sequence generator that can come up with sequences/patterns for me, next to my own xoxo / Elektron sequenced synth and drum tracks on the OT + A4. So basically just a pattern module, a voice, a filter, a vca and a modulator (if I understand things correctly). I’m currently really looking at small, affordable, and when possible multipurpose modules. Basically just the most simple setup built around something like the 2HP TM (Turing machine). The 2HP TM really appeals to me in that it can spit out patterns for you, which you can evolve as quickly or slowly as you want, varying step lengths, and which you can lock for a while when you like a sequence its come up with. Currently for example looking at something like:
Sequencing / pattern generator: 2HP TM
Voice: Plaits (I like the broad array of sounds for this purpose)
Filter: Dreadbox Eudemonia (also has a vca; and a mixer for a hypothetical second voice to come)
Envelope: Dreadbox Ataxia (also gives an lfo)
A4’s CV for trigs/tempo and pitch (hope that works with this setup)
Not jumping in yet, but incl. a small Eurorack case this would amount to €600 and 34HP.
I’m also looking at the semi-modular Pittsburgh Modular Lifeforms SV-1b Blackbox or module. I think it sounds amazing, and apart from the voice/sound it would give all the modules above in a packaged semi-modular form. Paired with a module like the 2HP TM it should also be heaps of fun:)
I literally mentioned it in my post above you It’s not available for purchase anywhere though at the moment, none of the shops or online resellers in my country (NL) or nearby (Germany, Belgium) seem to offer them. Which is fine I guess, financially
Haha, early morning posting. Yeah it’s now Nov at earliest in the UK, even for the Eurorack module, not the self contained box. They keep selling out before they arrive.
It’s not available for purchase anywhere though at the moment, none of the shops or online resellers in my country (NL) or nearby (Germany, Belgium) seem to offer them. Which is fine I guess, financially 