7 Semi-Modular ideas, tips and tricks for synths like MatrixBrute, Mother-32, MiniBrute 2 and more

[@Calverhall]

Loopop appears to be fast becoming the best and most professional music tech channel

[@michelnassar9706]

Agreed!

[@loopop]

Thanks very much guys :)

[@paulbergel9191]

Calverhall total agreement! Plus his demo tracks always sound stellar!

[@pat2rome]

Same, I'm so glad I subscribed. The only hardware I have is a friend's Minibrute but stuff like this is still amazingly helpful.

[@naught101]

Yep. And it's because every video is 0% bullshit. No useless intros or gimmicks, consistent useful content, and really nice work on the timestamping, to make even long videos really useful. Excellent work, loopop! Keep it up :)

[@1stofNine]

Woooo - I have a MatrixBrute here and you showed even new aspects of it. Your videos are great - I look forward to more stuff!

[@strangersun7721]

I miss these kinds of videos from loopop. I get that reviews probably pay the bills, but these idea generating videos are awesome for creators.

[@loopop]

Thanks! Reviews don't pay any bills actually, I don't accept payment from companies, but reviews are in more demand relatively speaking so it's kind of tempting to make videos a lot of people want to watch, I have to admit! I now try to include tips and ideas in almost every video, and all of them are summed up in my book.

[@adpt_music]

Great video as usual, always fascinating to see your thought process. To anyone who doesn't have hardware but has Reason or Max MSP, all of these ideas can be done in these applications as well. Definitely a great way to discover new things and create happy accidents.

[@HarryFullerCT]

This was great and it comes at a perfect time as I just recently added a 60HP row of modules to use with my Mother-32, DFAM, Erebus v2 and Hades. This is exactly what I had in mind with the Maths and Disting Mk4 modules that I've added.I will try the ideas you've listed and also look for more. Love being able to mix and match all my gear. Thanks!

[@CHROMATICFILMS]

That re-trigger ratchet trick is awesome! 15:10

[@soyallergy]

your voice is so calming lol.

[@RobertDorschel]

I've gotten more ideas (and learned more) from watching this video on semi-modular and modular synthesis than I ever have from any of the modular jam videos out there.

[@felipsfroughly9666]

Robert Dorschel he dont fuck around!

[@harrychrome844]

A lot (if not most?) guitar pedals actually send out their own reference voltage through the EXP jack to the expression pedal, which then in turn acts as a simple passive attenuator. In these cases you could connect the guitar pedal's EXP jack with an 1xTRS-to-2xTS insert cable to the In and Out of an VCA. Since you don't actually send voltage to the guitar pedal, but instead only send the pedal's own reference voltage through an voltage controlled attenuator, you cannot fry the guitar pedal when you patch it up like this.

[@danvandal4127]

Should try this.

[@ElectronicazMusic]

Finally! I've patched my Matrixbrute lfo to the gate in. That ratcheting via the sequencer mod is magical! Thank you for explaining so well.

[@JEPeters00]

I love your videos, man. Always unique and creative subjects! Keep up the good work.

[@loopop]

Thanks very much :)

[@GunariPike]

Rumor has it Loopop has a head and a body attached to his floating hands

[@localtechnique]

Thanks for the detailed description of sending CV to expression inputs. I watched a demo video recently of the Boss RV-6 pedal and was wondering about sending CV into it's exp input. I didn't know how to go about limiting the CV range (or needing a floating ring cable) but now I do.

[@producertools8875]

amazing, there should be much much more videos about the matrixbrute in combination with eurorack

[@johnsch8634]

Delightful intro to modular synthesis!

WOOOOOAAAAAAh tip number 1 is just crazy... maybe too much for me thanks for the great video would love to see mother 32 and Matrixbrute connected together too to create some polyphonic sequences

[@eddraper]

Thank you sooo much! Nice to see this material.... this is very fertile ground. I'd suggest turning this into a full blown series / playlist with at least a monthly installment. This would make me - and I'm sure many others who have purchased "gateway drugs" to bring them to new heights.

[@loopop]

Thanks - yeah I sprinkle these every now and then when an idea comes to mind - another quick one coming in a couple of weeks. Happy to hear of topics you want me to tackle

[@roberto.a.cumsille]

Excellent video thanks ! Question: at 10:30 you show a red cable to connect modular cv output to the arturia TRS audio input, how you name that cable? Would it be the same type of cable if in reverse i want to connect my korg wavestate TRS output to my minibrute 2s cv input ? If not how i connect standard trs output to my cv minibrute cv input ?

[@ethermod307]

Great video! I'd love to see how can I extend my 0-coast possibilities with extra modules, like Clouds for example.

[@MartinDoudoroffLLC]

Good tips here. Thanks!

[@dox1755]

09:10 is it possible to get looping going at audio rates with that so its like Amplitude Modulation ?

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

I use my Elektron gear to sequence and sample Make Noise 0-coast. Works great.

[@magnuslindberg973]

Maybe you know but watch out for the trigger input on maths when it is in cycle-mode, it tends to send trigger that way. Thanks great videos!

[@cqbs]

Unbelievable knowledge here as always! Great work. thank you !

[@thom-alphaxiii-5106]

another nice clever tutorial tips and tricks...i want a loopop t shirt and coffee mug ^^

[@loopop]

Me too! Will work on it..

[@petermgruhn]

Wait, there's a module called "Ornament and Crime"? Are synthesists generally familiar with Adolph Loos?

[@timhatch27]

Excellent stuff.

[@talweg384]

Hello and thank you for your videos. I have learned so much from them. About the first tip "Safely connecting CV to the Expression inputs of synths and guitar pedals using a floating ring cable". Is it possible to use a 3.5 mm TS to 1/4 in TS cable like a "Hosa Tech CMP-303" for example (instead of the ring cable) ?

[@pvillez]

Great tips for the Matrixbrute. Thank you very much for nice clear explanations¡

[@KiR_3d]

I use an additional envelope mixed with LFO to my Neutron going from a MIDI-CV device. I generate all "fluctuations" in DAW and can make any form (that's not possible with a traditional analog envelopes/LFOs). Oh, yeah. This tip can be used *without* any MIDI-CV device if your synth is getting ModWheel messages from a computer (usually it's possible through a regular USB-MIDI or MIDI cable!). So you're just making multiplication (or addition) to your Modwheel parameter with any envelope/LFO generated within DAW. One con in this method: you need a pretty fast modern CPU (from 2015 and later) with more than two cores and a good sound card with ASIO. Or you'll get lags so it will be not useful enough.

[@LaughingBubba]

As always an informative vid delivered with the mellifluous tones of loopop. What was the scope app you used if I may ask?

[@loopop]

Thanks ;) It's Scope by VCV

[@TPsynth]

Kind of an off-topic question about your 6U rack brute cases. I also have two but I am not able to get the bottom case to stay tilted up like you have it here. I tighten those red knobs all the way, but it’s still slips down into a flat position. EDIT watching the video again it looks like maybe your top rack is actually 3U , maybe having my two 6Us is too heavy for bottom to tilt up.

[@loopop]

Sorry I don't remember, I may have propped it up somehow

[@chrisaillon]

Great tips and reviews as always! I am a guitarist trying to enter the world of Synths. I bought a Zoia and I am waiting for my Mother 32 to arrive. How can I use the Zoia and the mother together? Can I use the expression in the zoia? Thanx!

[@loopop]

Thanks! You can definitely use it as an effect for mother. It also has CV in and out so you could do that potentially as well

[@chrisaillon]

loopop It would be awesome if you could make a video of the Zoia interacting with the Mother or another semi modular or modular hardware🤘🏽 thanx for the videos and the quick responses!!! Hugs from Brazil

[@varde6965]

I was wondering. Could you do a video on how to record your eurorack into a DAW?. It seems very tricky to do. Like how to record each VCO into a seperate channel in your daw ect.

[@loopop]

Feed low/attenuated levels into a regular interface or use an es8/es9

[@varde6965]

@@loopop Thank you. :)

[@saifeek]

Another awesome video keep it up 👌🏻

[@WeBackYoutube]

The Prophet Rev2 also has an expression pedal input, and I looked it up on the website and it says its 0-5 voltage range and protected against negative voltages and voltages that are too high. I'm scared of frying it but it seems like a safe bet, could I plug a single Moog mother 32 into it and modulate it in that way?

[@talweg384]

If it's protected you should be ok. Did you try it ? What kind of cable did you use ? A TS cable ?

[@miceskin]

So, if you're routing your signal from your module to the external instrument jack do you have to have it come from the audio jack on the module?

[@felipsfroughly9666]

Are you going to Knobcon this year?

[@loopop]

There’s a good chance

[@felipsfroughly9666]

loopop how will I know if I meet you?

[@loopop]

Check out my video about the Moog Grandmother from Moogfest. I’m on tv there :)

[@badnessofhour]

Is the external instrument input of the matrixbrute affected by the envelope, if so, is it possible to have it bypass it just for the external input?

[@snoopyoverthehills]

did you try the h9 expression pedal input?

[@loopop]

Not yet

[@TheSpiderTube]

Thanks Loopop. I have the Minibrute 2S and Rackbrute 3U. The FX route interests me most and rather than generating new sounds I want drive the brilliant sequencer into the rack and take stereo out at the end. But what are the modules that can provide the maximum F#*kedupedness for the buck? Is it Maths to screw with rhythm and Clouds to distort space or maybe the 4MS Sampler. Jeez I'm already way over budget. Are there cheap and cheerful alternatives?

[@Foxandxss]

Very nice video. I have a neutron and I wanted to extend it with a ES-8 (so I can try vcv stuff on it) but I am not sure yet

[@loopop]

Yes - check out my hybrid modular video - ES8 is a great way to try out different modules and figure out what you want in hardware form and which you’re OK with in software

[@johnbrakefield1102]

Hey! I’m sure you have covered this but I’ve watched several of your videos covering minibrute 2/2s and am still a little confused. The cv outputs for each waveform in the patch bay of my minibrute2s send a volt /octave pitch signal that could be used to control external oscillators? This seems obvious but the manual is vague on this!

[@loopop]

No, they send out audio. Use the KBD to send out v/oct to control external oscillators. You can also configure the mod 1 and 2 outputs to control two additional oscillators with volt/octave

[@CHROMATICFILMS]

Anybody made a Matrix Brute Eurorack breakout patch-bay? Help keep things a bit tidier?

[@modularmusings4077]

CHROMATICFILMS I ve been thinking about that often. It s a great idea to have the out and inputs of the matrixbrute accesable next to a eurorack case. Doepfer has an expansion rhing that alloes you to plugin lots of cables and connect it to another extension using a standard network cable. That might be the easiest way to fo

[@welterdavin5486]

great job

[@mpmi7588]

I just wanna know what that is on the lower right of the matrix brute

[@dominicbrazzale9064]

So, that voltage issue is just with the expression jacks? What about the input jack?

[@loopop]

You mean the cv jacks? Shouldn’t be a problem

[@dominicbrazzale9064]

Well I saw at one point you plugged the rack into the external jack (It has a volume knob below the VCO3 knob.) So you could have another voice in the synth. I checked the manual and they don't say the voltage requirements either.

[@mattsynth]

I am interested in adding a scope to my modular. Can you please explain how you have your scope setup.

[@loopop]

I used a software scope by VCV fed thru ES8 by expert sleepers. There are a few diy options and if you can spend more there’s DATA by Mordax

[@lucidview12]

@loopop I have a Minibrute 2 a Neutron and A Blofeld. (No Mixer) how can i get them to be integrated together? Thank you

[@CHROMATICFILMS]

Hi In your opinion is it possible to ratchet without patching? There is a claim made by somebody that this is possible but I am sceptical.

[@mustocarnero8537]

Can I do the multiple mod source trick on a Microbrute??

[@loopop]

There's no mixer on it, so no. You can send multiple sources mixed elsewhere to one of the inputs, or mix the env and lfo outs on a mixer outside the Microbrute

[@loopop]

Sorry I think that’s very wrong - you might want to delete the comment because I think that’s not safe.... it’s ok to use a stackable cable on one output to multiple destinations but it doesn’t work the other way around. To combine two outputs you need a mixer. Unless I missed an important electronics lesson :)

[@ppilasiewiczz]

Thank You for another inspiring lesson. I have Matrixbrute, which is fantastic tool to find connection between classic world of playing and modern sound sculpting, but it has some natural limitations, especially in sequencing area. What could You recommend as an extension for MB? Which modules could be useful for beginning the trip to more complexed world? All the best🎶

[@loopop]

Thanks :) which module to get is a very individual question, but if you want to know what I think, the modules are on screen right there. You mentioned sequencing limitations - I think ornament and crime combined with the Matrixbrute creates lovely and surprising sequences!

[@ppilasiewiczz]

loopop thanks 🎶 I will check this sequencer. All non-linear algorithms and complex sequencing ideas are fantastic. This module seems to be good compromise between possibilities and clear interface, not too complicated. All the best :)

[@paulbergel9191]

loopop speaking of, I’d *love* to see you do a video on your favorite o_C algorithms!

[@loopop]

Paul Bergel noted!

[@AndrewSouthworth]

The curvy wall of China.

[@griffmurph7067]

!!!GAS ALERT!!! I already own MatrixBrute, but now seeing it next to the RackBrutes (which are on my list), I'm feeling quite impulsive... On a real note, this is a fantastic video and is going straight into my watch later list so I can refer back when I am trying all this stuff. Cheers!

[@izme4700]

Instead of logarithmic and exponential why don’t they just say concave and convex wouldnt that jeasier since they’re both kind of like opposite to each other and be simple to use the same word with a variation

[@miceskin]

Dude holy shit. This fucking. Ahhhh

[@CHROMATICFILMS]

Agggh confused. First he says that a floating ring cable has nothing connected to the ring but then says to check what voltage your synth sends to the ring...

[@loopop]

Yes, they're both true. Let me explain. The ring being disconnected means whatever the synth or guitar pedal is sending out doesn't go anywhere. It stays "floating". However, you need to know what that amount IS, in order to know what to send it back from your eurorack system. It's typically either 3.3 or 5 volts, buy you want to check to make sure.

[@CHROMATICFILMS]

Ahh OK. So I have a Matrix Brute and an Eventide pedal with an expression input on it I want to control. I don't have any EuroRack stuff but I do have a Moog VX 351 expander for my Voyager and also the CP251. The CP 251 has an attenuator. Could I go from a CV out on the Matrix Brute to the attenuator and then to the pedal? Can I just use a volt metre to check how much is coming out?

[@loopop]

Not familiar with the moog expander but as long as you use the positive-only outputs on the Matrixbrute and keep the mod depth down (and check with a voltmeter to make sure!) you should be good without the expander

[@TheRumanx]

The curvy wall of China.. haha

[@Phychologik]

3 VOLTS LIMIT MONKAOMEGA

[@bugeats]

No no no! Don’t tell people to blast their hardware with random eurorack level voltage. So wrong. There’s a safe way to do this: use an cable that splits the ring and tip. Usually the tip has voltage from the synth, and the ring is the expression. Now - USE A VCA to modulate the tip voltage return. In this way you simulate an expression pot, and only send the synth exactly what it can handle.

[@loopop]

Not sure you watched the video through because I specifically say not to blast it with random levels, and rather attenuate and keep the voltage positive, or use a dedicated module like the one by ALM... but your way is good too, unless they do that wrong somehow, though you weren’t specific enough because you need to split the one cable into two - one out to the VCA and then one back in. When described fully it’s a legit solution

[@loopop]

Let me know if it checks out - I can add it to the description and perhaps mention it in a future video

[@CHROMATICFILMS]

That re-trigger ratchet trick is awesome! 15:10