The best way to record your modular synth? (Optx ADAT Eurorack module)
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 22 ส.ค. 2024
- One of the biggest hassles I've had with my home studio is finding a way to easily route audio in and out between my modular and my DAW - either for recording, or for re-processing signals.
Optx from @BoredbrainMusic provides a really neat solution to this, acting as an ADAT expansion with 8 inputs and outputs. It is also DC coupled, which opens up a whole world of possibilities. Have a watch for more info, and check out the page here: boredbrainmusi...
SUBSCRIBE OR ELSE: www.youtube.co...
I post all of the music I make, including WAV stems; sample packs; Dirtywave M8 song bundles; collections of video textures; early access to videos; and a whole pile of other stuff on Patreon. I know I know, I hate doing this as well, but if you like what I do and want to get more of it, while also helping me offset some of my ludicrous gear purchases, this is the best place to do it:
/ allmyfriendsaresynths
If you just want to hang out and chat with me or other (nice) folks, drop by the Discord: / discord
If you just want individual sample packs or downloads of video footage to use in your own projects, get them on Gumroad here: gumroad.com/al...
If you're in the market for new gear, my favourite place to find new and interesting synthesizers and other electronic music gear is Signal Sounds. They are based in Glasgow, but ship all over the place and often have stuff nobody else does. Find them at www.signalsoun...
and a whole pile of other stuff...
Instagram: / allmyfriendsaresynths
My main photo and video art blog: allmyfriendsare...
The band I play guitar and sing in: closetorgan.ban...
The band I play bass and sing in: hogwyld.bandcam...
My DIY tape label, Cow Tongue Taco Records: cowtonguetacor...
My occasional music blog: unexpectedbowti...
Get in touch for possible collabs/offers of large sums of money, etc: allmyfas at gmail
Hey Stephen, thanks for sharing your excitement for Optx. You've certainly discovered our reasoning behind making it, "because it needed to exist!". Quick correction: only the outputs are DC-coupled, although we are working on a future update that will address this and add some overall improvements. We use this module everyday ourselves, and we're glad you've found it to be an integral part of your music-making process. Oh, and you should check out the new Audient EVO 16 interface, as it has two sets of ADAT I/O and has an unbelievably low price tag. Cheers!
Thanks for clarifying!! It's such a brilliant idea - I was searching for something like this, and kept coming across those CAT5 patch bay things for modular, but this is so much better.
@@StephenMcLeod Ooo yeah the OPTX is so amazing (though I've barely scratched the surface of doing cool things with it). I'm glad BB chimed in to mention the current hardware rev can't do CV input recording. That was disappointing, but not nearly enough of a deterrent to keep me from getting my money's worth!
@@drd8974 I'm glad they did as well, since it's something I was about to play about with. The recording itself is more than enough greatness for me anyway. So convenient!
@@StephenMcLeod I have been able to get Silent Way VST to work perfectly with the OPTX too and make some nice Reaper templates. Using the CV out is a breeze, as well as fx processing VSTs/audio tracks out from OTPX to the modular and looping back to DAW.
Oh my god. Instant wish list. Perfect for my UAV Apollo. Thanks for making this.
Hell yeah! I use the expert sleepers ES-3 and ES-5 for this and it's been working perfectly for years!🙌
They're made in Edinburgh too apparently! Just up the road.
Expert Sleepers ES-8 and ES-9 also have this feature. This is also how I record my modular in multi track stems for slicing and arranging later.
Both cool options, though with slightly different specs. Either less ins/outs, or more HP. ES make awesome stuff though.
ES-8 and 9 are both USB audio interfaces, so can also be used without ADAT gear. Makes it easy to use computer/iPad for FX or with VCV-Rack or Mirack.
Hi Stephen, thanks for all your highly entertaining and useful videos. I would like to offer you a tip to make life easier, buy a Brother P-Touch label printer. I use the E110 model and have all my patch bays, cables, ports, knobs, devices and controls clearly labeled, absolutely invaluable when adding new equipment and rerouting connections. Hundreds of cable ends clearly labeled where they are coming from and where they are going. I am surprised you do not already use one. Get one, you will not regret it. Cheers, Alex.
Top tip Alex. I might need to get one of them... I have a dymo thingy but it's no good for cables. I'll check them out.
Love the OPTX so much I'm considering buying a second one for even more channels and tracks. One suggestion is mine pops loudly when I power on or off my rack. Always have to remember to mute everything. My main interface is an RME fireface UFX+
Make sure to check your interface can support two ADAT expansions before getting a second one. Many of them only support one :)
@@StephenMcLeod My RME supports two ADAT interfaces! :-)
@@wolfereeno Ya jammy dodger!
That module is going definitely to my wishlist. Been using the same Behringer option for some time and lately just been limiting myself to 8 channels. I have also considered the Expert sleepers option, but this takes a lot more room in the case and is two separate. Optical selectors are aslo a good idea, will look for those.
The ones I got were cheap as chips. I couldn't find many that were bi directional, so look out for the UFO like creatures that I'm using...
You never seen the expert sleepers modules? They’re fairly old by now (ES-3/6, ES-8, ES-9) also these are DC coupled both ways
I wasn't familiar with the older ES-3 or ES-6 actually. I had seen the ES-9 and others before. TIL!
@@StephenMcLeod Expert Sleepers pioneered this concept, check out their Silent Way software
@@danielroberts2364 I'm less interested in the CV side of things as I don't really like sequencing from the computer, though it is cool to have it as an option. It's perhaps why I've not looked at the ES stuff before. I assumed it all required config. Plus they are from Edinburgh (jokes).
@@StephenMcLeod Reason I mentioned the ES modules is because I use the Es-3/Es-6 combo myself to record modular mainly like your particular use case, I've used CV on occasion which is a lot of fun but for example I've never actually used the Silent Way software, only the built in CV tools in Ableton... I know I'm probably being overly cynical (not towards you but Boredbrain hah) but I always find it weird that they don't seem to acknowledge that this has been done before (the whole Adat modular thing in most videos/comments), even in their post on this video ie:"because it needed to exist"... To be clear I think the module looks great (it's good to have options) and I love their other products too (the transmutron being my own personal favourite that I use), I guess because not a lot of people seem to be aware of the ES range the last thing I'll say to whoever read this far is that generally you can get the Es-3/6 combo really cheap used as there as been a few versions by now probably on MK4, I believe most of the version changes are cosmetic...
ffs now i want that!.....my patchulator 8000 is my only patchbay and it has been a godsend.
It is genuinely excellent so I won't dissuade you...
Did they fix the problem with noise ..ive read so many complaints
I honestly can't say I've experienced that issue at all - and the examples I've heard of the noise have been so minimal as to be a non issue for me. I'd suggest reaching out to Boredbrain directly if you are interested though, as I know they've been speaking to folks about it.
@@StephenMcLeod thanks mate . i want this module to the the Big one ive been searching for and when i grab it im in hopes it will work as expected but yes ill contact them very soon. id be so happy to have 8 independent channels of Modular audio on my DAW . That would be the best ever
I got this when it 1st came out. I previously considered the ES-9 but decided on the OPTX. The downside has been that now I want an RME Digiface USB to run my modular exclusively into an ipad pro. I have not yet done this because of intense sticker shock.
Sticker shock?!
@@StephenMcLeod its when you are buying something and you look at the price tag (sticker ) and start convulsing
@@noxfubar hahaha
Please delete my message in case someone makes the same mistake i just made. The RME digiface USB is not class compliant therefore it doesn’t work with ios. I thought i had slready resolved that it did but i was wrong. Im hoping to return so i can put it towards an ES-9. 64 channel iPad dreams now dead. Sigh.
Cool Module! it is not the first to offer ADAT. I have an expert sleepers ES-8 paired with my Motu ultralite avb through ADAT. There are expander modules for the ES-8 to increase the inputs and outputs. It is good to know another option such as the Optx exists. I was looking for another ES-8 last year and did not have much luck.
Aye! I didn't realise ES were still making these. Awesome stuff.
@@StephenMcLeod I am not sure if they are still in production. I searched for another last year and could not find any in stock or on the used market. I feel foolish for not using the ADAT capabilities on the es-8 sooner. I struggled with line noise for a bit and going optical cleaned it right up. :D
Expert Sleepers in combination with Bitwigs Grid !
I need to try out some of the ES modules. They're even here in Scotland...
The expert sleepers es8 or 9 have been available for long time.
Yes. The ES8 doesn't have the same number of ports, and the ES9 is much much larger.
@@StephenMcLeod also doesn't require any other gear to function.
I haven't watched yet but you're using an interface to go from your ADAT right?
It's pretty cool you can go from software to CV out, that means a ton of possibilities where you can now do some crazy assed sequencing from software and still be able to track your hardware back in.
Seems like you're on a winner.
Right! The audio interface connects up to the Optx module which acts as a dedicated Euro expansion. It's DC coupled too which means you can do all sorts of crazy things with CV to and from your computer. It's pretty amazing.
@@StephenMcLeod I think as they had to include a different adat chip as initially planned, so only the outputs are CD coupled, the inputs are not!
@@sebastianlexer4591 So I've learned!
is that an MPC 2500 in the background?
It is indeed
I use an nw2s module for 16 outs 😊
Tell me more!
@@StephenMcLeod from the nw2s O16, 2 cables feed into a Ferrofish Pulse 16 and then into my RME interface via 2x adat. It’s great, if expensive.