Modular Recordings Puns

DAWless by the way

Instagram decided that because I like eurorack I must be into all rectangular boxes composed of smaller colorful rectangles with knobs on them and I have to hand it to them for being right in this case.

you know what I'm talking about tho? I usually see the modules come in compressors, eqs, pre amps, and so on.

I usually record individual stems to Ableton through my ES-9. Often, I'll record a modular performance, where I'll typically have a few transitions, builds, drops, and some movement. When I go this route, I try to avoid doing much to the recordings in ableton. I'll sometimes add a few effects, do some EQing, touch up drops and slightly alter arrangement, etc. Largely, though, I'll try to let the "track" be a reflection of the performance.

Sometimes though, I'll land on a generative patch or glitchy texture that I like, and I won't really play it while I record it. I'll let it go for 3 or 4 minutes (or however long until I think it starts to sound boring), and then stop. Sometimes I'll patch up a simple rhythm, and play with that a bit, but these recordings don't usually have the "performance" aspect. As such, I want to take these recordings and develop them into tracks, but I'm not sure how to make them more exciting. I enjoy them since I came up with them, but I don't think they stand on their own as full tracks. What tips or tricks do you guys have to take a generative recording and turn it into a track? What tools are useful to create variations or b-loops that I can use? Does anyone else use a similar workflow? I want to start using Ableton more, since it's so powerful, and I think this is where it can really add to my flow, but I'm not sure where to start.

Thank you! The 2006 recording just doesn't do it for me the way the original did.

Hi there,

I couldn't find any discussions of this anywhere. I'd like to ask about your compression usage and go-to plugins for mastering your modular recordings, with emphasis on the abstract / experimental / non-beat-oriented side.

I know it depends on what kind of music you're making, but I tend to use quite a bit of compression, either when passing through my octatrack, which I use as a mixer for my modular, or after the fact in a daw or editor. I find it really sharpens the sound and I just tend to like that edge.

What's your approach? Get into specifics of your settings, if you like — actually I'd love to hear the details. And what specific compression plugins are you using?

Thanks.

I've been looking to replace my favourite, but now out of action, M10. However most options look unappealing, bulky, very pricey. I'd maybe have gone for the D100 but it felt like I should at least get XLR options at that price point.So I started wondering if the Zoom F1 was a good compact recorder, that I can keep the option open to buy an XLR capsule. But can start with just the Stereo mid-side capsule (XY capsule seems awfully quiet) or some 1/8 mic inputs (shotgun seems good but might be a bit long). Just haven't seen it being tested for anything more than speaking, lav situations. So wonder if it's limited to that.If the goal is nature recording and a very compact size (so that I carry it more often than forget it at home) are there any flaws to my plan I'm not seeing?

Otherwise my options may be the Sony A10 or Roland r-07.

The Korg volca modular is kinda weird. On my Korg Minilogue there are the audio input jacks which let you put in an instrument cable like you would a guitar, but on the volca modular they are super small. I’m guessing this is because it’s supposed to be a small instrument you can carry around with you, but the jacks only fit an auxiliary cord. This is a problem because as far as I’ve checked there’s no way for me to plug it in to my presonus audio box. Any advice?