Modular synth and octatrack

Elektron Gear Octatrack
#14

Revising this old thread.

I’m looking at using OT to sequence an Intellijel Atlantis and Shapeshifter.

I have absolutely no experience working with modular, I just really like the sound of the two units.

Is the Vermona qMI the best thing to link the OT to sequence the modules?

How reliable is the timing working this way? Is this all I’d need or would I need any other other modules to get things working?

The other option would be invest in a couple of modular sequencers like Metropolis and just have the OT sending clock. How would this work and how would I do this?

Alternatively, anyone know of any modern non-modular desktop synth that sound anything like these two units? I quite like the Dreadbox stuff, but not sure they’re versatile enough.

Thanks.

#15

I use Shuttle Control by Endorphines - couldn’t recommend enough. Non-stepped CC’s is a huge plus IMO. Also they’ve just released a load of extra modes so the 16 outputs can be configured to any of the following:

14496_cargo_commands_1-2.jpg547×768 74 KB

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#16

I clock my modular from the A4. Works well - lots of flexibility.

#17

Pittsburgh midi 3 here. Turns out I like using it better than the a4. Tough call-wish the OT had the a4 chorus.

Poly phonic midi note out
Can record the modular live and loop
Capture magic moments and save them as audio for later

#18

Thanks. How does this play with the OT though? I don’t see a MIDI port. Looks like it’s USB MIDI only.

#19

Can you sequence 2 synths independently in duo mode?

#20

I also use Shuttle Control. I’ve tried quite a few MIDI to CV converters and this is the only one that works. I use a Terrasoniq MIDI One cable to link them up. I believe these will be obsolete soon so I would advise looking for something that contains the same chip. Very cheap midi to USB adaptors won’t cut it.

#21

Use any good (not cheap) MIDI2USB cable/adapter or Shuttle Mate

#22

Check out CVOCD. 4x Pitch/Gate and 8xTrigs/Gates (or other…see the sysex configuration page). It’s priced really well and doesn’t waste any space on the rails. I use mine in a hybrid OT/Reaktor/Euro rig and it has worked great so far.

I’ve also run modular levels in the OT for quite some time without any issues…just lower the amp. Not saying you can’t or won’t have issues, but it hasn’t been a problem for me.

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#23

Yes, sort of.
Either you do a midi note split <>25 or it alternates. The first is more literal but the second gives you another source of weirdness.
They each get a gate but share velocity and assigned cc. I haven’t used arp mode.

#24

Also take a look at Mutable Instruments Yarns. If you are just processing audio from the OT then a small mixer with a couple of aux sends is your best bet.

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#25

Mutable Yarns all the way, I did try the Vermona and its idiot proof, great interface, just a little heavy on the hp.
Yarns has many other modes and uses and for the hp and elegance it is perfect for me.
Think there is a new os for Yarns adding some extra modes and ways of doing things…

#26

If you live in Europe and you can handle a soldering iron I recommend the Befaco Midi Thing. It gives you four channels of Gate/CV for only 160€ using only 6hp. Perfect for interfacing with the OT.

#27

Like @CliffordMilk, I use the Terrasoniq midi to USB cable - works perfectly

#28

Thanks everyone. So baring in mind I have no modular experience at all can someone break down exactly what I’ll need and how it all connects to have the Atlantis and Shapeshifter act like regular desktop MIDI mono synths, sequenced by 2 MIDI channels from the OT with the two mono signals coming back into OT’s inputs?

Or alternatively - if you have any suggestions for regular MIDI mono synths that can sound as gnarly as these…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Io5V1LT34qI&t=1122s (7:20 onwards)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkSnnc9tNJg (5:35 onwards)

I think you can do some Shapeshifter-like stuff using single cycle waves automated by LFOs in the OT by itself - but not quite the same.

Likewise I think you could maybe get close to Metropolis sequencer using some plays free type sequencing stuff?

Any thoughts?

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#29

The midi 3 can record the modular or do you mean the OT? Are these Midi CCs working good?

#30

The Atlantis is a full blown synth voice, so all you really need is a Midi to Gate/CV converter to trigger it from the OT. The Mutable Instruments Yarns is probably the easiest available multi channel Midi/CV converter. If rack space is an issue I recommend the Befaco Midi Thing that I mentioned earlier.

The Shapeshifter is a different beast. It is just an oscillator so you will need a VCA module for volume control and an envelope module to control that VCA. Otherwise the Shapeshifter will just blast at full volume all the time. It also has many parameters to modulate so I would recommend more than one envelope for sure. This is where the fun really starts.

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#31

Midi3 is just a midi interface. No recording.
OT will record your audio.

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#32

Another vote for Yarns here, I’m currently using it with the Squarp Pyramid, and before that with the Monomachine. Lots of fun using Yarns in Euclidean mode along with the Elektron sequencer, especially with the arps to trigger changes.

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#33

Thanks Alfred, really important info that I’d missed. Not sure I can afford to build a complete voice around the Shapeshifter. I could maybe use it as an external source into the Atlantis though and control it that way, but that would only leave me with one effective voice, either Atlantis, Shapeshifter, or combined. Might be quite nice though.