Quick question about this mixer. I’ve been thinking about getting it–> I see a lot of people using it with Eurorack, but I don’t understand how you would without trim to lower the input. Do you have to use an attenuator before your signal goes to the mixer, or does it just work?
1 Like
Isn’t that a major perk of a 32-bit float interface? Just lower your levels in your DAW and you shouldn’t get any clipping or loss of fidelity.
Thanks for this, but that would be when using it as an audio interface? I have that covered. I want to use it as a mixer. But, maybe since it’s a digital mixer it still uses 32bit float stand alone? I’m not sure what I just said.
you are tuning your oscillators? 
i tune by ear until it sounds ‘right’ but that tuner on the apple app store works pretty well and it’s wicked cheap and no brainer to operate
3 Likes
I generally trigger a digital synth and the cv at the same time and then tune to the pitch to the digital
1 Like
Pretty happy with how it is . Like leaving the top as it is as half a doepfer basic … only gives me 104HP of flexibility which is more than enough
Paired with the PWM Malevolent, Pulsar 23/Ornament 8 and an NTS-3 for FX
Wonky!
5 Likes
Want to take the time to say some nice things about Robert’s Tangible Waves format - he’s had a bit of a tricky time recently with his health, which has triggered me to take stock of his achievements and the system I’ve been able to put together as a result of his work…
I’m a big fan of single manufacturer modular formats and am fortunate/obsessive enough to own a fair few now. What Robert has done with the tangible waves format is remarkable, and credit to him for sticking to his principles in an attempt to bring modular synthesis in at a lower price point to a wider audience.
I hope that he continues to succeed there, but also that his format becomes seen as a valid option for folk who, like me, just love modular synthesis…
How far the format has come is incredible - he’s taken it from however many modules were in his starter systems to a fully fledged choicemonster. As a result, I’ve managers to do with my system something I don’t think I could have done in any other format, euro included really since while I could replicate the setup it wouldn’t be with the same degree of cohesion within a single manufacturer formats (not to bash eurorack, I just know how important that cohesion/approach is to me hence why I don’t have a euro system any more).
So yeah, below is a shot of the analogue digital hybrid I put together, initially with the intention of having a take-out system for live play. While I’m not really looking to realise that anymore (post pandemic) I’ll link a release in a minute that I was able to make with a single patch, which ultimately realised that concept. The patch picture (which has been very slightly altered thinking about it) is this:
That one patch made over two hours worth of related but hopefully not identical rhythm messes, editted into a release here - there’s a post in the your tunes section on it so apologies for the cross post, I just thought it would be interesting to hear as well as see the patch here:
And yeah, that’s the sound of the AE system. Crazy to me that something originally put out there as a ‘modular for the masses’ budget prepopulated modular mono synth has come so far that it can do all that mess without a repatch. Quite incredible!
Thank you very much Mr Robert Langer - I take my hat off to you!
12 Likes
Iko cases with lids aren’t fancy but;
Nano bussboards (seem nice to me). Meanwell transformer (fine, right?) and kettle flex (easily to replace or substitute).
Plywood (not heavy, strong enough).
Closes patched (even with knurlies if you must).
Definitely cool to see people loving AE, the format has come a long way… I do think there are some euro makers who offer some equally diverse lineups under one name but yeah lots of time and effort involved in getting familiar with everything going on in euroland.
1 Like
amazing sounds! ezra buchla has some nice recordings around with the ae system as well
1 Like
I’m having no trouble mixing my eurorack. I did get it to clip once. The master knob was too high and the dB meter was hitting the red. Dialing back the master volume until it didn’t clip any more and raising the monitor knob to keep the same level was all I had to do 
3 Likes
To dial in on that aspect of what I said, and pardon me for doing so if the following is a snooze, while you’re right and euro has moved on since I left the format a decade or so ago…
With this specific patch I’m not sure there is a single format with the range of sound generation used here, which thinking about it more I could perhaps achieve with five or more TBD modules… Obviously that manufacturer doesn’t have the other range of sequencing, effects etc… I’m effectively describing 5-10 patch recall over five different sound generators/samples alongside all of the other stuff going on, and the whole set being recorded with perhaps three cable switches/unplugs.
But yeah, not looking to bash euro - I could do a lot with say a makenoise system with how that has progressed since I got out of euro, but I guess where I’m suggest Robert has done a really good job is that he’s taken the core of a fairly ‘vanilla’ format like doepfer and added harvestman-esque digital madness in a really short space of time.
(I mean that as a compliment to doepfer too - vanilla is good - and thinking about it I bet if I looked at their offerings now they have perhaps done the same. Great designer is Reiter)
Should also say that without that leap forward in euro the AE system wouldn’t have become so advanced - this has mutable stuff generating and processing, a couple of those TBDs mentioned earlier, some third party trigger/sequence generators which are either euro ports or now available there (I think).
And if there’s anything my time in euro taught me, it’s that I like a single format approach much more. Personal preference, but give me a system (like for example Tom Bugs has put together) with a single ethos/approach where everything is designed to play nicely together and I’m (personally - to each their own) very happy.
1 Like
Couple of other of my AE modular releases if anyone is interested here too:
This one with added axoloti core/senseless morph melodic content:
And this with the two row starter system plus 2/3 of other modules (forget how many) I started out with:
3 Likes
Superb! I’ve one of his dad’s systems too!
1 Like
Short video I did of my “portable” modular case, with my modified DevTerm connected. DevTerm has an internal battery and the case is using a myvolts stepup and USB battery.
DevTerm is providing drums, piano, and midi sequence (via Renoise), while the Disting NT is on synth, granular, reverb, and mixer duties. Not really much modular patching going on here.
Can I just say how awesome the NT is, especially in a small case like this? I love the EX but this takes care of all its shortcomings. Really it’s whatever you want it to be, multiplied.
I’m thinking of adding a 4ms Dual EnvVca and an Industrial Music Electronics Piston Honda Mark III. I feel like envelopes/ function generators are something I like to have hands on control of, same goes for something like a wavetable oscillator. I like my modular to act as an instrument that you actually play, that’s why I have the Plinky in there, as a touch interface (makes a cool synth too).
4 Likes
thanks everyone for the input regarding a new case. I finally went with the Intellijel case.
Reasons:
- got a b-stock from musicstore. just a little odd looking color error on the inside of the lid - saved me some bucks. otherwise working great
- light weighted and fits into the Intellijel bag I already have
findings
positive:
- looks great! the angels are also realy nice to setup the case
- it’s really light weighted
- Ornament & crime and Zeroscope can go to the 1u row, which frees up some space. Finally I can add a buffered multiple.
- I feel there is a little less noise then on the mn skiffs.
- Need only 1 powersupply instead of 2 for the 2 skiffs.
- can be closed fully patched! Yeah!
negative:
- it’s all metall. So it’s not as good looking as a wooden case in my opinion. And so it feels when you touch it. (but wood comes in cost of weight ofcourse).
- my 2.5mm knurlies don´t fit
- 1u row is nice to have, but ofcourse to fill it can nearly cost as much as the case itself.
1 Like
I sold almost everything to start modular and just got erica synths travel case so finally I can use everything I have
Can’t decide if I should get modular drums, change tr-6s to syntakt or just keep tr-6s
What would be nice to have in here for live Improvised techno? 
6 Likes
Check this Erica Synths - LXR Drum Module
only downside is that firmware will probably not be updated.
I don’t play live improvised techno for anyone other than myself, but I have a couple of general-purpose drum modules, a TR-6S, and I’ve owned Model:Cycles but not Syntakt. Personally, if I were interested in rhythmic variation and moderate live sound tweaking, I’d go with the TR-6S. The independence of patterns and kits is very handy, as is the ability to create pattern variations and use a couple of them as fills. For the reverse (lots of live sound tweaking and moderate rhythmic variation), I’d go with Syntakt. You may not have enough space left for proper modular drums (and I don’t think of them as very easy to handle live) but I know some who post here actually play in front of audiences, so hopefully they chime in for a more informed perspective.
4 Likes