soundslikejoe
Member
Anyone here using a Eurorack style hardware synth with their DAW in a scoring or sound design fashion? Curious to hear about experiences regarding this blended workflow.
Which synths are you using?I don't have a modular setup but instead several modern hardware synths that save patches and have CCs on nearly every parameter. That way I can send envelopes/lfos via cableguys' midishaper...making them 'midi-modular'...i print that CC info to a track in Cubase.
For the past few years I've switched gears a bit and started using a Virus TI in my according template. It's mostly the best of both worlds. Lots of knobs, awesome fat analogue sound with fabulous filters, AND fully recallable parameters. Not exactly modular, but I'm getting similar results.
I've read that it's possible to clock modular without any specialized module though... From Make Noise's FAQ section...
If you require only timing/ synchronization information, it is possible to do this without any additional hardware. Use a spare track/ channel on your drum machine, sequencer or DAW. Program a sharp, short, loud sound on this track. Set the volume for this channel as high as possible. Patch this signal to any clock input...While that should work in theory... has anyone used this method?
I'm doing ok w 0-127 though. And some of these synths have doubled CCs for extra steps. I was thinking of building a small modular rig and using the dc coupled out of my motu interface along with the expert sleepers software. Maybe I'll try it with the Minitaur first since it takes CV.
Haha yeah! That's my favorite button!Press Shift & Store on the Virus Ti to make it sound more modular
We are just finishing a nearly all modular score. Not some indie, but a big, commercial film. It's been such a great, but time consuming experience. It's very different than thinking about the normal palette of strings, woods, brass, perc. It's a far more 'painterly' and expressionistic experience. And the best part is sort of the worst: you are quite literally building the instrument for each note. And you can't safe the pre-sets, so you're always starting from scratch. We are about three months past the original schedule, but we have a super supportive director and music department at the film-studio.
People used to do synth scores to save money. Trust me, that time is gone (actually, "Bladerunner" and "Midnight Express" where already taking electronic scores seriously). A good electronic score is much more expensive than a few days on a scoring stage with a standard orchestral line-up...
There are truly an amazing amount of modules out there and the quality is getting really good. Not just sonically, but solid builds. This is absolutely the time for adventureous synthesis. There have never been as many manufacturers building original and inspiring modules. Of course, the same goes for plug-ins and software synth, but there is something glorious about the home-made quality of modular synthesis for me. And it's important to remember that some decent analog outboard is part of the deal. You need really good a to d's good pre-amps, different compressors and eq's to really take advantage of your modules - so include that in your budgets and setup...