Hello, it’s my first post here, and I want to start with a demo of a module I’ve built.
I came up with the idea of it playing a lot with NI Massive software synth and performing techno on a modular system live. I always wanted to replicate part of the power curve modulations editor Massive has but also make it playable. It feels like I’m close to the goal.
In short, the module provides two sequences of AD envelopes that can be put into the polyrhythmic relationship. Check the video and tell me what you think.
However, I am not familiar with Massive, and do not understand the basic concept of what your module does. I have no idea what power curve modulations means.
What is the unique or new feature that it brings to VCV? Or probably more accurately, what does it allow you to easily do that would otherwise require many modules, and perhaps complex patching.
Regarding uniqueness. I couldn’t even find decent MSEG with hands-on control. The ShapeMaster is as close as it gets, but it’s both an overkill and its UI design I find hard to use for live performances.
I’ve built Entangled Voltages because there was nothing like this in terms of both technical features and the playability of the controls. The only module I know about that has something like this is a hardware one Westlicht Performer. It has quite an advanced curve sequencer, but it’s not playable.
So, there is this unique feature of building up the automation curves with controllable rhythmic parameters with an added goal of having it easy with performance-oriented UI.
It’s not very clear from the video what you’re demonstrating. However… what I’m hearing reminds me of Grids, which means I’m a big fan, so keep going, release the module and show us some clearer demo videos. Thanks!
So you want to be able to create/manipulate complex, multi-segment envelopes similar to what you can do with Shapemaster, or Massive, but to facilitate live performance, you want to modify the “shape” via knobs and buttons (or CV?) instead of interacting with a graphical representation of the shape?
Perhaps having a graphical display of the complex envelope would help so that you can see the impact of each knob twist / button press. You need not provide direct interaction with the shape. The display could be part of the module, or in an expander. Or maybe that is only useful for learning/demos, but not for performance? So might not be worth the effort?
I agree with Lars - a clearer demo with accompanying narration and/or subtitles, and/or accompanying descriptive text could help convey what you are doing. Even if you release the module, an effective demo can help entice people to explore it. I liked what I heard in the demo (except for some click artifacts when pressing one of the buttons), but didn’t understand what was going on, or how the module helps create the sound.
I like your idea of a MSEG, I know NI Massive and U-He Zebra, which have some interesting MSEG,
when I think about VCV audible instruments stages and the DHE envelope modules come to my mind, which can make also interesting MSEGs.
But your approach seems to be unique, so keep it up the work and if you need some beta testers, just let us know.
To make it work you’ll have to plug a 24PPQN pulse into its clock input. My favourite way of doing this is VCV Library - Impromptu Clkd.
Just turn up the output multiplier to 96 and plug it into the Entangled Voltages clock input.
Feel free to ask me about patches that shine the light on the specifics of my module. I have some magic going on with two Entangled Voltages and one Modal Synthesizer.
MacOS version does not work. Rack fails to load it with this error:
[1.444 warn src/plugin.cpp:228 loadPlugin] Could not load plugin /Users/XXX/Documents/Rack2/plugins/Nek-LiveToolbox: Failed to load library /Users/XXX/Documents/Rack2/plugins/Nek-LiveToolbox/plugin.dylib: dlopen(/Users/XXX/Documents/Rack2/plugins/Nek-LiveToolbox/plugin.dylib, 0x0006): symbol not found in flat namespace ‘_pluginInstance’
echoing Stephan’s comments - working almost OK in Win7 amd VCV 2.06 (“almost” used mostly because of the same problems with getting to grips with it
Anyway, after semi-blind experimentation (mostly randomizing) I found your module very interesting, thanks in advance and waiting for some technical explanations.
@fractalgee, which version of VCV Rack are you using? UPDATE: Just noticed you’ve posted it.
@rsmus7, I’ve made the UI too personal. It makes sense to me, but not to the other people. I’m rethinking it right now, and it will change over time. Would providing a demo patch help?
Just my 5 cents here again - for starters, I would very much appreciate your short comments on knobs (what they do), and what 3 color mods are for (below 16 knobs and especially in output section)
I’m not too familiar with the Performer, but this does remind me of the Acid Rain Maestro - it’s worth checking that out if you are not familiar with it.
The manual is helping but it would be useful if you said something about the knobs on the right. I figure the top one next to the clock input is a multiplier/divider? and I figured the bottom one was a steps knob but that can’t be right as it goes up to 16 and your module has 2 sets of 8 steps. It might be clearer if you visually separated those knobs from the clock and reset inputs, which would allow you to then label the knobs.
A few ideas/suggestions for things I’d like to see in a module like this:
Per step clock multiplications/divisions - so you could have steps of different lengths like:
1/16, 1/16, 1/8, 1/16, 1/16, 1/4 for example. This would really help in terms of adding groove. (The Maestro does this really well).
A log/lin/exp knob for shaping the curves - ideally per step but even a ‘global’ knob (or one per envelope) would be useful. I haven’t tried it yet and I might be wrong but from the manual this currently seems to be a ‘curve sequencer’ that doesn’t do curves?
An option to make it one envelope of 16 steps
Unipolar/bipolar output options (because this would also be very useful as an LFO)
I agree with what Dave said about having some visualisation - looks like there would be enough room for the 4 rows of knobs plus a thin wide screen at the top which showed the result.
There’s a lot of potential for a module like this so I look forward to seeing how it develops. Great name too.
Anyway, after semi-blind experimentation (mostly randomizing) I found your module very interesting, thanks in advance and waiting for some technical explanations.
