Molten Modular 18 Pt 2 - How do you write a track on Eurorack?

[@davidiseley]

Well, V. I see that you are simply a master at Moving Ahead! I was in a p-funk electronica band in Washington DC USA starting in 1982, already had a Korg MS-20 starting in 1978... the Band Leader had a 2600, Roland Drum Machine, Octave Cat, String synth, Casio Synths, big PA system; and I eventually got the Blue Box GR Roland Guitar system with the 808 controller- yet you have EXCEEDED us at our [admittedly obscure] peaky best by simply Moving Forward and maintaining a clear presence of mind. WELL DONE! Clearly, you are no amateur, and I give you props for modesty. While your approach is not at all 'clean engineering', it IS 'clearly human'. Thank you for a lovely series of videos so far.

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Such nice comments, thank you.

[@RawVeganRising]

Good choice in your new modules that add those not so obvious features. It’s really entertaining to watch you actually learning the modular synth. I like how you’re not just hanging out in beginner land but actually integrating some of the finer details of modular synthesis now. Great video this one!

[@christoroppolo8742]

Shane Sterling is there such a thing as beginner land? What exactly is the expectation? Peace 🤨👽👽🎶🎶✌🏻👍🏻🛸👏🏻Christo

[@BrianKupferschmid]

This is the second time I’ve watched this video, the first time was right as I got into modular, and now, after one year of working with it. It’s amazing how parallel my journey is to yours. I’m willing to bet that you’ve watched a lot of the same videos I have since you posted this, and I need to get caught up on your posts. Keep up the good work.

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Will do

[@45jimbers]

Brilliant … the honesty is spectacular Robin! Always a joy!

[@colinwright27]

Another fantastic video. I started to create my system a few months ago and stumbled across your channel (which was exactly what I needed at the time). Since then, I've bought a Mantis case and a few modules (STO, Plaits, Kinks, Pams New Workout & Veils). Really looking forward to the time when I can afford a few more modules to give me the options that you have available. Brilliant stuff and keep the content coming.

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Cool and I will do

[@browniecharles6947]

Going to start building my first Eurorack synth, so excited! Your videos helped me a lot! Keep up with the amazing work you are doing! :D

[@PaulWillocks]

This is certainly something I am wrestling with at the moment. I look forward to watching this video later this evening.

[@45rpm.]

I've had a modular for almost 10 years and it still feels good pulling all the wires out - the more there is the better it feels.

[@silasecho]

You took the words right out of my mouth with magneto, good luck Robin i'm sure you'll nail it sir, personally i think hit record and just "intuit" the most unique and valuable module in any rack is you, thanks for sharing, go and make sone tunes already! ; )

[@batch8415]

Hey Robin. Here is my tip for you. Songs are about parts. You can use VCAs to create them bring things in and out. This can be done on steroids using Tetrapad (in voltage memory mode) or PP+Analog Memory combined with say VCA matrix or a VC8 module. Then you have 8 things that can be changed across 4 parts (PP) or 8 parts (TP). Tetrapad can slew the changes too to smooth things out. Of course with Brains you can sequence this too. My workflow is to build a patch with lots of voices, wiggle it a lot then figure out which ones to control with the above technique, then hit record. Hope this helps.

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Some good thoughts. Sounds a lot like a whole other row though 😊

[@ScottofOakland]

Also check out Colin Benders channel. He has videos where he starts from scratch and builds whole tracks from no cables plugged in. Very helpful for performance ideas.

[@JuanDale]

Do you have any specific video recommendations? I've watched a fair amount of his material, but haven't found much that would be useful in the way what you're describing would be. Thanks!

[@ScottofOakland]

@@JuanDale Umm i dont have specific recs but he is doing a class series pretty soon on how to patch

[@Lostyron]

You could try to use the shift CV input of the quantizer with the Moog's sequencer ? Or any other sequencer, but using the clock divider to generate longer notes with this sequence.

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Yes that seems to be the task for today - getting sequencers interplaying.

[@attichatchsound-bobkowal5328]

A good analogy for Modular composition is Sand Sculpture. ( Or maybe Etch-a-Sketch)

[@solarlarvae]

For automatic transpositions of a sequence plug different fixed voltages (say ch.2 and ch.3 of Maths) into your sequential switch and clock the switch using your clock divider. Good luck!

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Ah yeah, that’s what I want to do - thanks!

[@stefanhansen5882]

Awesome! Just listened to your track on the album. It was great!

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Thanks! Lots more music in the channel and more to come.

[@centersadventures]

Love the video log. This one game me some really good ideas on alternative ways to use some of my modules. 👍💯

[@ludotex]

Hi Robin. Love the way you explain your questioning and reasoning on your journey of discovery. I think you made some reallly good choices of modules for your rack. Turing machine is awesome and you should check the Pulses and Volts expanders. They're both cheap and easy to DIY (even its SMD, its still simple), and open up the turing machine even more. Also the Uscale is really awesome and there is that video on vimeo "uscale demo 1" which was an eye opener for me, on the melodic/composition side with 2 voices, you should check it out. Good luck on the song for the compilation, such pressure, you can do it! :)

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Thanks

[@WiredBrain]

You might try to use "human touch" modules like Pressure Points / Tetrapad / Doboz TSNM so you can play your system at your fingertips, it does realy help seeing a system as an instrument.

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Funnily enough i was just looking at the Sound Machines LS1 Light strip for just such a purpose. But i don't want to try anything else new now for this track. Really like the look of the TSNM though.

[@WiredBrain]

I totaly understand it was just than from my point of view it is maybe one of the thing missing in your system, a playable thing other than knobs. But as you have the Magneto coming you should have a lot to test out for while hahaha

[@AndyVonal]

Have you considered the Morphagene and/or the Radio Music sampler thingies?

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Yes i have.

[@ScottofOakland]

Try limiting the quantizer to within one octave. Most melodies seem to be in a small range on the "keyboard" btw, your videos are awesome

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Ok, i'll try that

[@mgscheue]

And don’t forget you can use your clocks as cv, too. You can even use Maths for slew and round off the edges. Or invert the clock, etc.

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Oh, cool

[@AndyVonal]

Best of luck with the track...looking forward very much to hearing what you come up with. I think you are are on the right lines but should seriously consider integrating the beatstep pro. Two sequences and a rhythm track freeing up your Varigate for other control duties/extra noodles! Whatever you decide - have fun and don't worry...just let it flow. There's nothing quite like a deadline to get the juices flowing! Best of British to you!

[@martineitler]

i use clouds very often as stereo output and using it as reverb effect...brings alot of character to the sound. it can do alot more, but i would use it only sparingly, maybe on a single pad-voice. I love to see your progression, cheers :D

[@jefdamen2977]

Make a bassline, to mix in play with filter, attack, release Maybe add an harmonic similar to the bassline with another oscillator, use as lead Simple hihat, simple snare, kick, some variations White noise + rhytmic effects, repatch to lead Some delay The hard part is trying to find a logical path in the woods of cables. It needs to be played with more feeling like a guitar, so practice is needed so u can groove out the paths of arranging. Enough options to choose, choose wisely. Practice makes perfect. Good luck

[@SoundsMick]

I've found with modular in the year or so I've spent with it, the less voices I have to play with the better my output. I've gone from having many different interesting and exotic sound generating modules to just plaits and shapeshifter with a lot of modulation running off Rene. It's less to distract and more to get in deep with. Have been inspired by make noise shared system and their releases made just on that 6u system.

[@MoltenMusicTech]

I know what you mean... and yet... more stuff.... dunno

[@WiredSpaceWizard]

Have you tried using the Clouds outs as modulation sources? That added a whole bunch for me with that module.

[@MoltenMusicTech]

No i havent

[@smacksalad]

Just catching up with these next two parts, sounds like you're on a great path. And its interesting to me as someone who owns no synth parts, and I dont really intend to. This video is a goldmine of samples and loops tho :D REMIX TIME!

[@sopalen]

7:19 yes you are right, also pull the plug often and redo the patch this will take you a freaking long way (learning wise) (you don´t need a quantizer they only limit you) a quantizer is a freaking limiter DON´T use them :) , they cut a lot of sonic abilities away , don´t layer do everything live. Don´t listen to other people, make your own decisions, (like this post:) ), a sequencer can control more than just pitch CV maybe a filter or sequence "scroll" between sound. Use your drug of choice and think about it. a buffered multiple is a good thing to have (one signal in 4 copies out normally), use your vari as a clock to other stuff, shuffle a sequencer like i said, get into your thinking mode and think about it. The stutter is a repeat there are also an delay in that module. I think you are doing it rather good Peace /jimmy

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Epic comment, thank you :)

[@EZBOT_]

That Batumi could sure use a quad passive attenuator as a neighbor in your box :) Great video, I love your stuff, and I also use a Surface Book with Bitwig :P

[@Velvet_hippo]

eZbOT does that limit the amount it modulates?

[@EZBOT_]

exactly!

[@jamesbaynton1881]

The 0Coast has a great flavour you can use. And a couple of interesting modulation sources. But anyway another useful video, thanks. Happen to be considering the uScale and cv mixers myself at the moment. Good luck!

[@mutedsounds2k]

For live (or studio) interactive performances, I'd suggest using one or more Joysticks (i.e.: Intellijel Planar) and / or Wheels (i.e.: Doepfer a-174-2). Unfortunately, Doepfer A-174-1 Joystick went out of production because the Joystick lever itself was no longer manufactured by their supplier. But you can go without. After all, you have ton of knobs to turn! As per the effects, a reverb can be interesting, but a delay is what can make the difference. Specially, if its parameters can be voltage-controlled.

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Yeah, I’m feeling like I need another row of controllers, or maybe the sound machines Arc, something like that.

[@mutedsounds2k]

Or maybe some DIY... Just drill a blind panel, filled with potentiometers and female plugs and maybe some switches as well. The you can close your empty rack space and have some enhanced interactivity. Plus the pride of having it done yourself.

[@Jesslayc]

Robin! I love your videos, would love to see a video on the Disting Mk4

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Here’s a review: the Disting 4 is the most useful and frustrating device known to human kind. I’m very unlikely to do a video on it.

[@pzapzapzapzapza]

hey! You can mix the envelope and lfo that you are using to modulate your filter using the maths sum out (sum out is just a mix of each channel as set by each channel's attenuverter)! you can even just use your other maths channel to generate the lfo, so you can save your other lfos and mixers for other duties and get the same result just using the maths

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Ah yes, good tip. It was just easier to demonstrate when taking it all out to a mixer.

[@pzapzapzapzapza]

For sure, i thought about that after i commented. PS I really appreciate the way you're documenting and sharing your process!!

[@iansunderland117]

There is an interesting new video out from Make Noise where they run the sequence CV through a VCA first which seems to create a transposition of the sequence when the vca is modulated. I'm going to be trying this tonight using chanel 2 of my Maths as the modulation source.

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Cool, yes, that’s pretty much what I did in this video

[@AnxiousCowboy]

Erica Synths Graphic VCO is even more badass than I knew!

[@burakeren]

Small trick you might find useful. If your oscillator has exp FM input you can use it to transpose the tuning of it. So you may not need an adder for transposition. Also M32 can transpose its internal sequencer too. You might want to look at it again, its not that complicated.

[@burakeren]

Also making gate track and CV track different lengths creates some interesting semi random melodies.

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Yes, good tip, thanks

[@ScottofOakland]

+1 for Morphagene. Can cause the right amount of chaos to your rig

[@colinmoxey6978]

Not sure if this info is any good,but I alway run a hard disc recorder to capture happy acidents .But love your vids mate👍

[@dan_dorjay]

I love it, time to "stop fannying around" lol. I know that feeling!

[@InkyDaCaT]

I wish I could help...but I thought that was the point of euro rack, its on its own course and you've got to steer it???

[@HoboMiracleMan]

Yay, y'all got a switch! Also Macarena stabs @26:22

[@MoltenMusicTech]

I was aiming fof Erasure

[@MaarzTheMartian]

I think you should get the make noise morphagene, some cool samples could be that special thing.

[@mgscheue]

Try mixing your sequence and some cv and then out to your quantizer to add some variety to the sequence.

[@MoltenMusicTech]

yes, worth having a go i think

[@ScottofOakland]

I guess you'd need to know certain limitations that you'd be working within. For example, how long does the track need to be? Then just noodle around and record a bunch of things until something stands out. Use that. Done. It doesn't need to be a whole massive production for your first release. Just a teaser to leave the listener wanting more!

[@MoltenMusicTech]

It's 4-6 minutes - i can happily produce a 20 minute noodle, but with this length it feels like it needs something more intentional.

[@ScottofOakland]

Molten Music Technology I guess it depends on also how "composed" the piece needs to be. You could write down all changes like as a schematic if you wanted to perform that piece again.

[@samshuijzen]

How about a granular theremin vocoder sampler compressor/limiter, with clouds and compression and limiter for real-time ???Whatever that may be?!

[@christoroppolo8742]

I am going to do a show with only an iPad Pro an iPad Air loaded with only my sounds beats etc and a simple controller with a mixer . A microphone will also be present....effects and percussion also a video synth and film etc . Live tracks are a mix of things to entertain not confuse or impress with tech ness. Just saying.🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🤪☠️😈🙏👽🐕🐕🕺🕺🕺🕺🎶🎶🎶🕺👏🏻✌🏻🔦👍🏻Peace Christo ps iPads are also illuminated so it’s a no brainer for a perfect live tool with incredible samplers and daws etc to drive them (the audience-wild!)

[@christoroppolo8742]

Then all that synth stuff I own stays home safe and sound. I lost an arp 2600 moving it to a show on the freeway. 🚐🎇🌋👽🎶🎶Christo

[@RiczWest]

Hi - meant to comment on your 1st one, but you've done most of the stuff I was going to suggest (like just having record "permanently on" (I'd recommend that for video also) and using your Moog). I've only found you in the last month and have finally "caught up" now. The only thing I'd add is to "practice" - if you want to do a 4 min track, then set a timer and just keep doing 4 minute tracks to train yourself. The only "live" "modular" (well a Korg MS-20 mini) track/vid I've done is "Korg And Animoog - Noodling" vimeo.com/108166936 and it was by no means random. I probably spent a few hours patching the Korg up and learning / planning what adjustments I'd do as the track progressed. Funny thing is that I did the Animoog track after a lot quicker as it was really just a "lead accompaniment". All the best with your new track - can't wait to see / hear what you do as you've really got me inspired to go "full modular" as you're the only person that has really explained the benefits and methods of modular :)

[@timc3]

Which actual modules did you add in the end?

[@MoltenMusicTech]

An Abstract Data ADE-60 4:4 Mix Utility, a Manhattan Analog Mix, a Doepfer A151 switch and A160 Clock divider

[@adamk589]

You are going to love the magneto

[@DBPawlan]

You need an SMR and I just happen to have one for sale!

[@TerekkiTerekki]

Great vid - in the same boat Friday deadline ;-)

[@krachwerkstatt8112]

Take a look at AJH Finaliser, great video,.thanks.

[@coreyostman]

I would love to hear the Magneto in your Eurorack. I think it would provide the "stage" on which your "audio actors" perform, pulling everything together. Cheers!

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Nice

[@christoroppolo8742]

Good luck. Keep it you. Peace 👽👽🎶🕺🔦✌🏻🐕👍🏻👏🏻🛸🙏Christo

[@jopo5694]

Hi, Vincent First of all, I want to thank you for your modular videos. Im interesting in modular since 20 years but you're the one who gave me the desire to have a hardware one ! I'm in software modular since long time and especially that one : scope.zone/index.php?id=1373&lg=en , its first version is 20 years old... It's not very famous but fantastic. So, if I start to build a hadware eurorack, I'll not be too lost (as you were !). The magnifinence is that this S|C Scope modular run on separate dsp's with « real real time » : less than 1ms latency and I can use plenty of analog I/O for CV signals and integer it to my future eurorack. Sorry if my english is not perfect : I'm from France. I wanted to talk with you about something... When I started to make music with electronic machines, and still now, i had the same purpose as you : studing every parts, aspects of computer, synths, effects, softwares in order to produce the music I like and to work with those technologies in the most intuitive way as possible. But my approach is on the opposit as yours. When I had my first computer, I didn't even know how to save a file ! Each thing I wanted to do was impossible as I didn't know how ! After some time, I decided to have a method : when I wanted to achieve something, I would do other thing before the achievment. So, I started to read manuals. And I still use this method. And I didn't ind it avoid to work with intuition : it's the opposit ! When you know exactly what produce a change on any parameter and spend time to play with, it becomes completly intuitive. The benefit s that you need much less time than withour opening the manual ! And you don't give up easily like when you're facing a module you don't understand, don't know what it does and can't get any interesting result from it. On the link I give you to the Scope modular, you'll see the Scope platform which is an entire studio in a box : mixers, fx, synths, sampler, midi stuff, etc. For using it and take advantage of the huge amount of features, i would have need 3 time more years without reading manuals ! Didn't you watch modular videos in order to know which eurorack modules you would buy ? And asked to developers and users ? Isn't it a bit like reading manuals ? Nowadays audio gears are complicated and normal people like you and me are not able to guess every feature, how they work just by moving some knobs. In this way, we would miss a lot of amazing features. I'm teacher for adults on industrial automatic machines maintenance. I always say to my students that when they'll receive a new sensor, automaton, motor driveor any piece of gear, they don't know yet, they'll find a manual in the same box. Without reading it, it's simply impossible to hope making it working as it should. To summarize, I'm trying to convince you that opening a manual will not kill your intruitive way of working. It's even the opposit : you'll use your gear intuitivelly fastest ans achieve nice results fastest too ! One can see that when you was amazed to be able to mix modulation signals ! After maybe 1 years of experiments ! That is the essence of modular : mixing modulation signals ! You can modulate the depth of an LFO with an enveloppe, for instance and much much more ! Anyway. Your videos are really awesome and you seem to be a very sympathic person. I really enjoy watching you, it's fun ! Keep on going like that ! Cheers ! JoPo Ooops ! Yes ! My music : soundcloud.com/jopo-3 Eh eh.

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Hi - the name's Robin :) I'm mostly pulling people's legs about the manual thing. If i'm reviewing a module or any piece of gear i will pour myself into the manual, videos, tutorials, whatever I can find in order to fully understand the product. So I DO READ MANUALS. I also used to build Scope systems so I used to be very familiar with what you're using. It's great stuff. However, i don't like to read manuals particularly, i find them often tedious and not always helpful. And i like to come at products with an inexperienced eye - like most people do. I find that there are too many experts who know everything already and forget how mysterious this stuff is. I like the mystery. I like the fact that i keep discovering things about Maths even though i've never read the manual. I've spent many hours with the Clouds manual and i still don't like it. So while i appreciate the advice i just don't work the same way you do - and that's ok! :D

[@jopo5694]

Oops ! Sorry, Robin... I'm glad to read that you read manuals ! :) Very good news ! And indeed, if what you find (or don't !) in the manual doesn't satisfy your need, the piece of gear is certainly not done for you. So why did you buy it ? Anyway... You gave me the desire to start eurorack. But I'm not going to buy case : I'd like to put aluminium rails on a 19'' rack. If you know some reference for those rails.... Cases are expensive ! And I'd lke to keep that money for modules. I'm sorry to ask you that here. In fact, years ago, I tried to register at muffwiggler but at some point, it asked me which animal is famous on the forum, I answered 'cat' as I can see a picture of one but it seems to not be the right answer... If you have any idea about the animal... Tell me ! Maybe I didn't understand the question correctly but I never was able to register and I miss it if I start eurorack. Thank you, Robin ! I'll not miss your future videos ! They are so pleasant to watch.

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Cases are expensive but i vital part of the system i think. I don't know anything about rails - sorry. And yes the answer was "cat" as far as i recall.

[@JohnnyCogs]

Good vid btw Jove does have 2 cv inputs CV2 is just unipolar

[@MoltenMusicTech]

which means...?

[@JohnnyCogs]

Yeah, the word pops up a lot but basically unipolar means only CV above 0V can modulate it, while bipolar accepts positive and negative modulators. Since CV2 only accepts positive voltage, it's great for the env you used for that acid sound. Then using the CV2 knob you can attenuate the amount of enveloping. CV1 is free for lfos or whatever and most importantly, you save space in the abstract data mixer. Hope that made sense 😛

[@MoltenMusicTech]

That’s awesome thanks, I hadn’t considered the envelope thing. I always assumed cv2 was resonance.... and then notice the ResCV input.... and then forget about cv2 until next time. That all makes perfect sense now 😀

[@triplebacon1]

maybe an Complex Envelope Generator 'Doepfer' ;-)

[@ab9286]

I suggest a Music Thing Modular Radio Music. It is small, easy work with and it is just different. You could even use it as a sample player...

[@hjhkjhre454554]

Robin you need the MMTS module

[@MoltenMusicTech]

That's a what now?

[@Natemasterflex]

Isn’t that the joke? Everyone who hates modular says “once you get into modular you stop making music”. lol A lot of people use modular for sound design and then do their actual writing of tracks in a DAW. I have no answer for you, sorry. Finishing tracks is the biggest problem for most artists, it all depends on the person. Their limitations and strengths. Thanks for the content on your channel, I think it helps a lot of newcomers. Edited for spelling

[@chemicalBR0]

it depends on the rack you build.. i built a kinda groovebox thing so it is quite simple to set up and play out a 5 minute track (usually longer but i try to limit it to around 5 or 6 mins or it gets real repetative) it has drums oscillators lfo's and enough sequencers to make it interesting (4 sequencers in all) I've made more finished pieces since getting into modular than I ever did. I find that the urgency of modular (the fact that when you unpatch it you have lost everything you did) forces me to record and finish what I have patched up at the time. the bleepy bloopy stuff you see a lot of modular dudes making does my head in TBH (for the simple fact it's not music). take a look at some of Lightbath, the surgeon or Stevios vids to see whats really possible with modular.

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Nice recommendations, thanks

[@Natemasterflex]

I wasn’t being serious when I said that once you go modular you stop making music. I’m a modular user. It’s just a very common saying among the haters.

[@Natemasterflex]

Again, it’s just a common joke. I wasn’t saying it seriously 😹

[@zorglub76]

I guess that's not entirely a joke. Thing is, modular offers you huge possibilities, and you usually get lost in experimenting. Also, modular synthesizer is still an instrument, and you need to _learn to play it_. Once you master the instrument, it will become an extension of your creativity, but until then, you will be the slave of bleeps and blops.

[@shroom2ma]

Rainmaker!

[@wildaudiosociety]

something special? plug your BIA in! and modulate the hell out of it. ;-)

[@MoltenMusicTech]

good plan :)

[@tomnussbaumer6077]

Finally you can reduce all that rambling to "how to make a track with a synthesizer?" ... because what's an Eurorack? Just a flexible kind of synthesizer.

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Yes and no :)

[@mayafaulhaber6388]

5-10 minutes........more like 25

[@JureJerebic]

Get Ornament&Crime

[@MoltenMusicTech]

There is no module that i am inspired by less than the O&C. I may warm to it eventually but screens and menus are not my thing. The Graphic VCO is just about tolerable. But my view may change. :)

[@JureJerebic]

You can save settings if that helps. And the uO&C version really saves a lot of space. Disting + O&C is a win

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Ugh!

[@badmonkeyspilljuice]

I'm loving my O&C and I've not even scratched the surface of what it can do.. It is a fiddly beast though and can really tear you out of a creative moment with a lot of menu diving. :/

[@johnnybeaver4093]

Steevio.

[@kaptnwelpe5322]

I think the "special sauce" missing is you. The Eurorack programming is "only" a represantation of you which only goes so far. A "real" instrument needs to be played live to be and sound alive...

[@MoltenMusicTech]

Yes, like it

[@markmccarthy3304]

Get a Morphagene