ａｍｂｉｅｎｃｅ (your fav 'verbs, delays, granulators, and more)

peripatitis · Post by **peripatitis** » Thu Dec 07, 2017 10:38 am

I bought recently a Mungo s0 and it does sounds surprisingly good as a sampler and a granulator (i was a cynic regarding the sound difference to other modules but i was mistaken).
It offers a lot of functionality with a small footprint but it has some bizarre design choices that i find a bit puzzling (especially the manual only loading of samples, for live processing you need to remove the sd card, etc).

So i'd say it is a interesting module to try, whether it fits with your workflow is a bit personal..

Tristana · Post by **Tristana** » Thu Dec 07, 2017 1:18 pm

geh2oman wrote:It's a granular processor that really gives you modular/hardware access to tearing up the grains, and is very unique in its working.

I'm no stranger to mucking about with granular processing- my capstone project for my CS&Music Tech degree was a granular synth plug-in- so I'm sure I'll have lots of fun with it ;D

p.s. if anyone wants to muck about with it, you can grab it here for Mac/Win AU/VST:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ds57khmsjgy2m ... -0_1_0.zip

features include
- not having all features yet implemented
- buggy file loading
- not yet optimized code
- minimalist default JUCE UI
- makes really neat noises
- costing a mere $0

geh2oman · Post by **geh2oman** » Thu Dec 07, 2017 1:23 pm

Tristana
Excellent! I think Clouds would be especially enjoyable then, I just meant to contrast to expectations that it's something it isn't. Also glad to see more people joining the scene in Philly!

I think it's also worth adding this to the conversation:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/84 ... ynthesizer

Montgomery Word · Post by **Montgomery Word** » Thu Dec 07, 2017 1:59 pm

i’ve spent around $15k on modules now over the course of four or so years, and my most happy ambient moments/wall of sound moments have been from the following modules (in no particular order):

•erbeverb
•echophon
•er-301 (probably best for granular right now)
•morphagene/phonogene
•clouds (but i hate clouds 99% of the time, fuck that squeaky reverb thing it does! i know others love it)
•ALL LPG’s (u gotta put something in other than drones, right?)
•i really like the reverb and delays etc in the disting. don’t underestimate its power.

just my $.02, a dime a dozen haha. too many puns.

___tomk · Post by **___tomk** » Sat Dec 09, 2017 3:43 pm

If hp is a factor at present, you might check out Michigan Synth Works build of uBurst - Clouds in 8hp. Just got mine today and it's rad:

taylor12k · Post by **taylor12k** » Sat Dec 09, 2017 3:47 pm

one of the best new modules i've found for creating slower ("ambient") passages, as "boring" as it may be next to a fancy granulator.. is the intellijel Shifty... as it allows, with a very easy interface, multiple oscillators to share the same sequencer and have overlapping long envelopes...

there are other ways to do this, but shifty does it well and easily

a few simple sine oscillators, VCAs and envelopes and it's about all you need.

Tristana · Post by **Tristana** » Sat Dec 09, 2017 3:47 pm

___tomk wrote:If hp is a factor at present, you might check out Michigan Synth Works build of uBurst - Clouds in 8hp. Just got mine today and it's rad:

Ooo.... want!

A big problem with a lot of my favorites thus far is that they eat up a lotta rack space. µClouds would be nice indeed.

___tomk · Post by **___tomk** » Sat Dec 09, 2017 3:54 pm

Yeah it's nice. The workflow is (obviously) a bit different as things are more compact, but I'm happy with it thus far. There are (as far as I know) two designs for a 8hp Clouds module - one is called uClouds, the other (the one I'm using) is called uBurst. You can check out the uClouds design on modulargrid, otherwise if the uBurst design is more attractive to you then order from Altitude909 on here.

___tomk · Post by **___tomk** » Sat Dec 09, 2017 5:30 pm

Also - if you're a programmer, you might get a lot of mileage out of the Rebel Technology OWL module:

https://www.rebeltech.org/products/owl-modular/

Tristana · Post by **Tristana** » Sat Dec 09, 2017 6:00 pm

___tomk wrote:Also - if you're a programmer, you might get a lot of mileage out of the Rebel Technology OWL module:

https://www.rebeltech.org/products/owl-modular/

Much as I might, my aim is to get away from a computer ;-) I have limitless sound possibilities with a text editor, a compiler and caffeine- but I feel that that's what's gotten me into my sonic/musical rut.

My goal with pursuing a Eurorack system is to connect with a tactile interface that controls a limited (but expandable) tool-set.

Kent · Post by **Kent** » Sun Dec 10, 2017 3:57 am

I'll throw the Moog ClusterFlux in there.

Outside of Clouds and the Z-DSP, I do most of my processing in a laptop as it is both cheaper and more convenient for what I wish to achieve.

101010oxo · Post by **101010oxo** » Tue Dec 12, 2017 4:51 am

As input for all those great reverbs and delays I would like to add the A-143-4 Quad VCLFO/VCO to the list, great with the A-138m Matrix Mixer. Also for me a Benjolin/Blippoo or a Rungler is essential...

Zerstorte Zelle · Post by **Zerstorte Zelle** » Tue Dec 12, 2017 6:01 am

Moog mf104 / lexicon mpx-1.

funky catsmell · Post by **funky catsmell** » Tue Dec 12, 2017 12:44 pm

I use Samplr on a now-vintage iPad 3 for this, honestly.

Tristana · Post by **Tristana** » Tue Dec 12, 2017 8:53 pm

I've been doing some culling of my wishlist to my favorites, and this is what I'm at currently:

I'm seeking advice on filling out the rest of the space; with the current arrangement there's 8hp up top, 58 below.

I've included two sloths as I'm building both a slow and very slow one myself, the triple seemed a bit too much for a first DIY project. I'm curious if you think the WoggleBug would be redundant with them.

The aim in my selection here isn't really rhythm or tonally focused so much as just seeking to create vast, ever-morphing sonic spaces. I'm not sure if there'd be much of a point in seeking clocks/sequencers/ADSRs and such.

Utility module suggestions would be nice, as there's currently a healthy selection of generators/FX that are capable of many different sonic areas. Perhaps mults for the uncertainty modules to have parameters of different modules controlled by the same CV?

I'm not sure if I need something to trigger & pitch the E352 or if it'll drone on its own.

Some filters would also be nice. As much as I love the Verbos Bark Filter, it's a big space commitment. Maybe a matched pair of lowpass filters or a stereo one would do for taming things if they get a bit too noisey. Smaller form factor multiband/formanty/weird filters would also be nice to know about.

Tumulishroomaroom · Post by **Tumulishroomaroom** » Wed Dec 13, 2017 2:49 am

For "ever morphing" you'll need more modulation (maybe Batumi ? It's hard to go wrong with this one; or my favorite : Just Friends), and VCA and also AR/ADSR envelopes. Modulating or at least limiting the modulation is important : hence VCAs. The pure droning sound of an oscillator ins't that thrilling, you'll want to modulate its amplitude at least hence AR/ADSR. Something like Voltage Block gives you 8 channel of modulation stepped or smoothed + pitch cv if ever you want some. You'll need a clock or square LFO to clock it though.
Filter wise there are so many it's really up to your tastes : gritty, smooth... I'd recommend one with two CV input though.

steveoath · Post by **steveoath** » Wed Dec 13, 2017 3:22 am

I'm kinda in same position, getting rid of equipment I don't use and slowly building a 6U rack.

I'm may rack I currently have Batumi with a DIY poti. It's a great module. For tonality I have an STO and rings. And I'm building a MTM radio music to loads noise/nature and random samples for strumming rings. Ali's have a maths... Because maths.

Coming my way at Christmas is an Omsonic Really nice filter. Can't wait to have a play.

If the person who's bought Ableton push on eBay pays up then a uClouds will be added. If I get stiffed then an ALM stomp box gateway will be added to let me use some guitar pedals for reverb and delay.

flonaise · Post by **flonaise** » Wed Dec 13, 2017 3:33 am

2hp Verb for reverb, Alright Devices Chronoblob for delay, and everybody's favorite...MI Clouds.

cptnal · Post by **cptnal** » Wed Dec 13, 2017 4:30 am

Modulation (for the ever-morphing stuff), attenuation for same, switches & triggers for structure if you want things to change over time. Maybe some logic.

Maths & the Doepfer A151 would cover most of those bases in the first instance, and you can take it from there. I'm toying with the idea of the A150-8 myself...

Struggle · Post by **Struggle** » Wed Dec 13, 2017 8:16 am

No redundancy with Woggle and Sloths. Btw I had a hard time getting anything subtle out of the Wogglebug and much happier with the QuBit Chance for randomness and the other features. You’ll want attenuation. I’ll 2nd the Batumi recommendation. I think Three Sisters filter is great for what you’re going for. Also the new 4ms Tapographic delay for amazing layered drone heaven.

hh · Post by hh » Wed Dec 13, 2017 8:55 am

take a tool you're not familiar with or a tool which seems to not be suited to the task and work with that. i know this is a usual approach to creative tasks and it helps finding new ideas and approaches, but i think it's also an important method in how we can overcome the simple, easy and mostly boring way of doing things... eg want ambient - use reverb, want techno - use 4/4 bd etc etc.
in a way i doubt that anything good will come from this mindframe of how do i achieve this and that the easy way, this thread just proves that certain modules became a genre and in a way completely un-modular. of course if you're happy to just flood the media world with more same-ness then go ahead and buy modules your favorite artist use and repeat and imitate, if that makes you happy. start new threads asking about best modules for lofi ambient drone or find out what module is on the lower left corner of that blurry picture picturing the rack of an artist you love. or make ambient without reverb, but create space with filtering and frequency choices. try to find out what you love about a specific genre and find your own approach to it, find a voice which tells a new story, a story that is valid and doesn't just repeat the same old shit over and over and over again

cptnal · Post by **cptnal** » Wed Dec 13, 2017 9:01 am

Or to put it another way, modules don't care what kind of music you make with them.

But seriously, Maths... no one?

Tristana · Post by **Tristana** » Wed Dec 13, 2017 9:21 am

Tumulishroomaroom wrote:For "ever morphing" you'll need more modulation (maybe Batumi ? It's hard to go wrong with this one; or my favorite : Just Friends), and VCA and also AR/ADSR envelopes. Modulating or at least limiting the modulation is important : hence VCAs. The pure droning sound of an oscillator ins't that thrilling, you'll want to modulate its amplitude at least hence AR/ADSR. Something like Voltage Block gives you 8 channel of modulation stepped or smoothed + pitch cv if ever you want some. You'll need a clock or square LFO to clock it though.

I think multing the sloths or wogglebug and perhaps adding in some logic modules to create even more weird-but-interrelated modulations is more my flavor than stereotypical triggered envelope setups.

This here is Braids patch into Clouds being modulated by a Triple Sloths and it's both huge and morphing-
[video][/video]

Playability and rhythmic grids just aren't really of interest to me for this rack. I wanna connect cables and watch the sound grow.

williamjturkel · Post by **williamjturkel** » Wed Dec 13, 2017 10:05 am

Circus of Mind wrote:NLC Triple Sloth is great for slooow chaotic modulation.

This - it is the one essential module if you want to make something you could literally listen to all day.

Tristana · Post by **Tristana** » Fri Dec 22, 2017 1:27 am

roast this:

the main motivational factor in this was that all modules have black panels available (except for the English Tear)...

The actual goal was generative ambience. Wogglebug and the Sloths I'm making get modulation going, the Intuitive Quantizer could take those and give E352 some melodic stuff to play, whereas the English Tear would lend some manual control. ROT8 can get some patterned stuff going and look cool while doing so.

Ultimately this is an exercise in futility as A. this is at the edge of my LC6 PSU3's power draw and B. I intend to grab things as I can, seeking out DIY and second-hand stuff to keep costs down, and may perhaps be influenced by some spiffy new module coming out. That said, for educational purposes I'm curious if you think this box could efficiently 'live', chewing away at sounds all on its own.

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ａｍｂｉｅｎｃｅ (your fav 'verbs, delays, granulators, and more)