The Mixer My Ambient Modular Synth Has Been Waiting For

This video is not sponsored or affiliated in any way with AI Synthesis. I bought the module and am just excited about this mixer fitting my case so well and want to share the pretty major evolution of the synth.
AI018 Eurorack Stereo Matrix Mixer: aisynthesis.com/product/ai018...
A Case: www.modulargrid.net/e/racks/v...
B Case: www.modulargrid.net/e/racks/v...
The cases themselves: blackholecases.com/collection...
0:00 Patch Preview
0:30 What changed and why?
8:55 New Init Patch
18:20 Patch 2
23:00 Patch 3

[@VocalChainsStudio]

Excellent work. Thank you.

[@McEnroe911]

Great video. I love seeing the evolution of your unique case. Looking forward to seeing where you go with it next.

[@thismeanswarbasse]

Thank you!

[@nicolashildmusic]

This video is sooooo inspiring, thank you 🙏 !!

[@user-oz7cu2qj1g]

I’m loving the Drezno thank you! It’s absolutely mental the sonic wonderland you are able to create. Keep it up.

[@thismeanswarbasse]

glad you like it! and thank you for the very kind words my friend

[@domek.]

Your videos make me want to try modular synths, that setup sounds great! I felt like I opened up a whole new world of sounds when I got my matrix mixer.

[@thismeanswarbasse]

Come on in the waters warm

[@MichaelFurtak]

Nice overview! I recently picked up the BearModules Stereo Matrix and have been similarly extremely pleased with what it brings to my case. That, lots of stereo effects, and Jumble Henge, are a ton of fun as you've shown!

[@thismeanswarbasse]

oh nice! I haven't really seen it in many cases, but I also know the popularity of stereo is still growing. The more stereo modules, the merrier

[@linewizard]

I just built one of these from the kit last night. It already feels like one of the most important modules in my case. This is another win for the algorithm, as many of your videos seem to be extremely relevant for me lol

[@thismeanswarbasse]

Had the same experience here. It’s this crucial intersection and routing module for me now, even when I merge the two cases too

[@Jimantronic]

Awesome, thanks. Really resounds with me as I've just removed a 4ms vcam from my effects rack as it wasn't stereo. Cool sounds you're making there 👍

[@thismeanswarbasse]

Hey thanks. Stereo is the wayyy. I’m bias since I always use headphones instead of monitors, so the difference is more obvious, but still. All stereo all the time

[@Hessencemusic]

thank you so much. it was so good that you make me buy an AI synthesis stereo mixer man! in diY format! so it will be my first module built by me if I'm able to finish it successfully

[@thismeanswarbasse]

I got a pre-built but I bet it’s a fun little project. Enjoy!

[@monkeyplusplus]

One of my most used modules is a NLC Clump - I love that it has cv control over each matrix connection. I wish this mixer did - it would be a wonderful tool for sequencing effect sends/returns. Still really cool, though. Great video, thank you for making it!

[@thismeanswarbasse]

Thanks! I agree, CV control would really be incredible here. I’m curious how much HP it’d take to make that work but also keep it reasonable to reach the knobs

[@M_orcan]

Makes perfect sense for this setup! Would be super cool to see lubah on an output & being able to resample things from around the case. Also really like the approach of just piping the outputs of a bunch of things straight into jumble henge. Having the whole chain controllable from a single volume control is v smart

[@thismeanswarbasse]

Great idea. I'll give it a shot

[@marzbitenhaussen]

nice insights

[@radical_ans]

Mine is nearly built. Just have to solder the pots and jacks. Can't wait to get it in my system.

[@thismeanswarbasse]

nice! I went with pre-built, seems like it'd be a fun project though

[@radical_ans]

This is my 4th AI kit. All of them are top notch. The AI006 is great for integrating FX pedals into your rig. 4hp if you're doing it in stereo.

[@MSPatterson]

I've been eyeballing that since it was announced. Has real excellent potential, I think.

[@thismeanswarbasse]

Agreed. I’m very pleased so far

[@faruambient]

Thanks! Found the missing link 😊

[@tracyharms3548]

I’m very attracted to this matrix mixer. Got excited when I saw it announced. But I have recently added two stereo mixers and am also out of space. 😅

[@thismeanswarbasse]

which ones did you pick up? I'm always a fan of stereo mixers

[@painstruck01]

totally!!!

[@GatedCaffeine]

Awesome video! Curious why you decided with Stereo Matrix on the right vs in the middle between beads and 1f? makes it sort of a central hub of mixing in and out. The idea of feedbacking stuff through it to the other effect modules is really great. I just diy'd my own stereo matrix and am loving the sound of panharmonium into beads

[@thismeanswarbasse]

I just mentioned in another comment that I forgot to explain that in the video.. oops! Top right placement made it so the knobs would always be easily accessible, that’s basically it. In another video about my B case I talk a lot about how I approach playability and thinking about what my hand’s roles are during a performance, in this placement it lets my left hand focus on pressure points and my right really easily play the mixer.

[@turbotambourine]

When you mentioned that empty spot in your case, I wondered if this is what you were expecting!

[@thismeanswarbasse]

Hah! Called it

[@turbotambourine]

@@thismeanswarbasse That being said it seems like an awesome addition. I might try and DIY one. I love the control you have within the case and the flexibility of not only routing but attenuation. A couple questions: 1) Is there additional gain with the mixer or is all the way up just a full signal? 2) Not about the matrix mixer, I love that mastering chain idea of the Jumble Henge, Hi Pass, Librae Legio. Do you find it easier to mix signals down this way and do you ever skip that chain and just use the Golden Master when you're using your other case? (Of course to totally different effect). I ask because the Jumble Henge definitely interests me but definitely an interesting one to jump on without hearing it. 3) If you were to get one before the other, the HiPass and the Jumble Henge, which would come first?

[@thismeanswarbasse]

@@turbotambourine 1) seems like it is just attenuation, not amplification which is inline with what I'd expect from a mixer like this. they usually don't amplify 2) When I mix in my B case to the right, its typically just using Jumble Henge's unfiltered Ext In or by skipping and going straight into HiPass or Librae Legio. Since the B case puts out a stereo signal (after 100grits, nautilus, etc) instead of easily breaking out individual parts, it's easier that way. My previous video before this one had no Jumble Henge at all. That being said, I actually almost got a second Jumble Henge for my B case because I like it so much, but I had the golden master (originally in my A case) and the 1U cockpit (originally bought to live within my palette case which is now just storage pretty much) laying around so I decided to just run with modules I had for the mixing and EQ steps on that case to have a different setup. The mutes are a nice bonus too 3) Easily jumble henge by 100x over HiPass. I'd pick jumble henge over golden master too. Golden Master does nice EQ/Compression/Stereo-Field adjustment on set bands, but it doesnt do anything to help separate individual parts like Jumble Henge does into those bands, which to me is way more important and useful.

[@turbotambourine]

@@thismeanswarbasse thank you so so much for this info. Suuuuuper helpful! Well, I guess jumble henge is the next thing to save for given I need some additional mixing capabilities anyway.

[@thismeanswarbasse]

@@turbotambourine no problem at all. if you haven't seen divkid's video about Sound Stage I'd highly recommend that to show off some of the other creative uses of this kind of mixing. I had one prior to getting Jumble Henge and switched to save HP - also I have a hunch (unconfirmed) that the filters on Jumble Henge have a tinyyy bit more resonance, which I like. I ended up selling my Sound Stage and just sticking with Jumble Henge for good.

[@modifythis1]

Just picked one up, and this thing friggin rules. Although I find it is a little more playable when it's flipped upside down. I am waiting to get some right angles cables, and then I might flip it back to the normal orientation.

[@thismeanswarbasse]

Ah that reminds me I think I forgot to mention in the video why it’s positioned where it is in the case. Totally agree. It sitting top-right made the knob-reaching much easier for me

[@modifythis1]

@@thismeanswarbasse Its my only complaint honestly. I wish the panel would have had the outputs on the top, but nothing is perfect for everyone. I really think the tendrils will allow me to experiment with placing it in different parts of my case.

[@thismeanswarbasse]

@@modifythis1 tendrils are great. They’re my only right angle cables and have been reliable so far. I think if I had anything to add to the matrix mixer it’d be a little LED at each knob or something to show signal level. It’d probably make the mixer a little bigger but it’d help a lot

[@modifythis1]

@@thismeanswarbasse If only there were right-angled LED cables...

[@Qwiv]

Why not just use as ES-9 in standalone mode? You would need a midi controller, but I really like having my controller away from all the patch cables. You also have basically two 8x8 matrix mixers (4x4 stereo) and all the other things an ES-9 can do. I guess this solution is cheaper.

[@thismeanswarbasse]

Yeah I don’t have an ES-9 and don’t particularly want one. I also don’t want to need a midi controller separate from my case. To each their own of course. The beauty of modular after all

[@Qwiv]

@@thismeanswarbasse When yo outgrow that mixer, consider it. It does 2x as much, has a built-in EQ and can stack functions/controls. Does take a day to set it all up and tweak all the settings, but once done no computer is needed. I actually control mine on case with Droid, so it is an all in one solution. I of corse have droid in the case for other reasons, so that might not apply to your use given you are just using an effects chain.