#ms-20 mini

[itsmercymercy]

[aleprouswitch]

Another thing I recommend that beginner noise artists do - keep a workbook of all your settings for different songs and/or stems you come up with. If you have a semi-modular or fully modular synth, this will help you out tremendously.

Also, when playing live, I recommend playing songs where the settings are similar. In doing so, you will have smoother transitions between songs. Then again, if you're doing improv, that might not matter as much...but you get what I mean.

[newryuworld]

(Tatsuya Suzuki)

[newryuworld]

(Tatsuya Suzuki)

[newryuworld]

(Tatsuya Suzuki)

[soundcollider]

Modulation with 0-Coast and MS-20 Mini

Well now. What I want to be able to do is automate the 0-Coast's dynamics control preferably at the same time as the decay control. However directly modulating the dynamics input with CV doesn't work as this is a level control and all this produces is a drone as it is basically like holding open a gate. So what I want to be able to do is send  the contour out to an attenuator, modulate *that* with a mod wheel, and send the resulting modulated contour signal back to the dynamics input. Unfortunately the 0-Coast attenuvertor does not have a modulation in point. Fortunately my MS-20 Mini does have a CV controllable VCA So the setup goes: - Mod wheel controls 0-Coast MIDI B CV - MIDI B CV out goes to the attenuvertor to split the signal (short yellow patch cable) - Attenuvertor output 2 goes to O-Coast decay in  - remember we are trying to also modulate decay time - (pink patch cable leading from attenuvertor out - ignore the other pink cable leading from gate out, that's doing another thing) - Attenuvertor 1 goes to MS-20 VCA control input (long red lead) - Contour out goes to MS-20 VCA in (long yellow cable) - MS-20 VCA out goes to dynamic in (long blue lead) By using the 8cc (or similar) Max plugin I can automate mod wheel MIDI out in an automation lane. Automation achieved.

[soromon510]

[thealienelement]

Synths and The Empty Wallet e1

So, here we go. I've decided while I work on finalizing details on the album and send it off to mixing I would blog my dive into eurorack as well as some of my current synthy and hardware friends. Best way to begin is with

Why Eurorack?

Basically, it's going to play well with my existing patchable gear- which are the Korg MS-20 Mini, SQ-1, and Make Noise 0-coast. Right now, the MS-20 can be heard prominently throughout my album on at least 5 songs.

Here is a photo of that madness.

As well eurorack appears beginner friendly, in what I've seen, compared to other formats. It has drawbacks, but the sheer amount of modules available is staggering (for better or worse, but more on the worse later.)

Because of these reasons, I can essentially plan and configure a system that plays to what I have and allows me to explore neigh any sonic territory hardware synthesis and sampling has to offer. And holy shit, those Boomstar filters- but I digress.

The Concept

As it happens, I'm happy with my existing VCOs, especially as someone who loves FM the 0-coast covers that ground pretty nicely (though I will likely supplement with a sub oscillator/sine wave down the line.) I want to build a nice contained system that plays to the strengths of my existing gear while adding effects, opening ways to blend and route signals and explore more. I'm planning on making heavy use of the Korg's (and 0-coast) envelopes and lfos to modulate these potential effects, as well as being able to mult them to play into each other better.

The "affecter" is what I'm planning this system as. I'll also be using this to process external stuff as I explore and build sounds for The Alien Element. I have found, as well, working outside of software is so much more inspiring to me.

Lastly, plugins get outdated. They can't be resold. They don't hold value, and they won't always be supported. And yet, like plugins, a modular system can be combined any which way you want to accomplish amazing things. It's possible to open and troubleshoot hardware, to modify it, to trade it. Plugins? Not so much. Basically, I just really wanted to get outside the computer and stay there as long as I can, though The Alien Element never was and never will be a stranger to it.

Next update I'll cover from scratch building up the beginnings of my first system- case, modules, cables- and cover my choices, early sounds, and discoveries.