Does anyone have any of these yet? Seems like a cheap way to get more modular happiness!?
I nearly pulled the trigger on an AE system a few times but as yet haven’t.
I was initially waiting for his quantizer to be released, but I’ve since sorta gone off the idea due to the dupont cable vibe.
I’m still following its progress tho
also interested in this to add some logic/modulation to my 0C.
afaik it has 2 cv-I/O for interconnectivity with eurorack, and there’s also a 4-I/O-module for actually expanding this.
i’d be really interested in its cross-functionality with eurorack-CV…anyone here using it?
me - what do you want to know ?
I got one of the first AE 2-rack system from Kickstarter, nearly 2 years ago!
Initiailly used it standalone - but then got into Eurorack, so added a 4IO (and also bought the Eurorack adapter)
yes, its got 2 CV on the master unit plus 2 audio , all can be used as input or output,
then you can add as many 4IO as you like. the 4IO can be used for both CV and audio, again in or out.
limitations (with respect to eurorack)
- it’ll ‘clip’ CV to 5v,
- audio is line level
(this means you might want to attenuate (Eurorack->AE) , or amplify (AE->Eurorack), but generally Ive not really found it to be an issue)
more questions, ask here, or you can also ask over at the AE forum for more peoples opinions.
thx, this was a great help!
I find this AE Modular stuff strangely alluring - I don’t even know why. Is there much to be gained for someone that’s not a beginner in the modular world? Any particularly fun or powerful modules that you might want to build a system around?
Yes to your first question - it’s a single manufacturers format with a pretty extensive array of modules… what’s not to like?
In terms of modules to build around that’s hard to say without knowing your approach/style, though I’m particularly fond of the algodrones, seq8, kya’s Euclid grid and there’s plenty of bread and butter.
Yea I guess it’s the ‘beyond bread and butter’ stuff I was curious about - the wavetable oscillator looks pretty dope - the prices are crazy.
I don’t need it, I just want it.
I’ve been watching his progress since the beginning and I’ll probably purchase a custom system eventually when I get more financially situated. He seems like a great guy and I love his philosophy behind it, inspired by Volcas which I also love. He is great at updating the public through his blog and is definitely doing his best not to go under like many others because of the Ukraine war. I once emailed him to ask if he’d ever make a clouds clone and he responded swiftly and with the utmost respect. I hope his business survives and thrives.
He made that clouds btw, albeit in a chip shortage currently unavailable way. It’ll be back though…
So outside of the bread and butter there’s the TBD which is interesting if you don’t mind limited controls but do like planning, the ornament and crime, cirrus, topograph, some fun drum stuff, wavetable I haven’t tried…
Obviously lots of that is available in euro if you are that way inclined (I’m not) but there’s plenty to get stuck into, and I very much am a fan of bread and butter.
I just love having a really portable, functionally dense system I can run off a powerbank. It’s like having a shrunken doepfer with fiddly (but usable) cables and some crazy extras is probably the best way I could describe it. If that appeals go for it.
Here’s mine btw - the new front panels/knobs are a huge upgrade. I’ve a couple of tweaks to make it more functionally dense coming up with the micro modules replacing some b&b stuff, which will free space for a 2auto (knob automation recorder type thing) and possibly a switch matrix. I like it, but then I like single manufacturer formats (and am no stranger to them).
Love the new black panels
I always liked the look of the grey’s but the black PCB material is miles stronger and they’re better wearing.
Ive had AE from the beginning from kickstarter… a long time ago, and before I got into eurorack!
I think the most impressive thing about AE modular, is how Robert has continually improved it… and listens to feedback.
(and has been doing so continually for something like 6 years now?)
Initially AE was great largely because it was a cheap way into modular, to dip your toes in, without a ridiculous expense. but honestly (even as #1 fan) , this cost saving meant it was a bit ‘rough around the edges’. wires and connectors were a bit iffy, oscillators tuning was a bit fiddly…
don’t get me wrong, it was still great, a great way to learn, and bit a more experimental with modular - I loved it
what’s amazing is Robert hasn’t just expanded the modules (no mean feat in itself), but has addressed all the ‘less desirables’ aspects. better cables/sockets/knobs, better cases, and much better tuning… its just all much more ‘refined’.
even the aesthetics which were deliberately lo-fi/low cost, now has become ‘optional’ as some wanted a more ‘pro’ look… I think partly because it is so much better now
But yeah, I’d totally recommend it…
Even when I got into eurorack, I kept AE for the more bread n’ butter modular ( * ) where its handy to have lots of modules… which gets very expensive in eurorack!
I must admit, I really do want to revisit my AE system… whilst its still working well, Id really like to upgrade the whole lot to the newer black look, and also the newer cases.
just need to get some $
also frankly… getting into AE modular is also a great way to support one of the nicest guys in the business… someone that really enjoys his craft, and takes nothing for granted !
(*) as others have said, it can do much more, this is just my use-case alongside eurorack.
Yeah Robert is a lovely chap and has done an incredible job of moving the system forward.
I’ve gone for a digital - analogue hybrid with mine, with digital sound generators and a mix of analogue and digital processing… a different approach (by and large) to the other modular stuff I have, and it’s become something of a strength for where the system has gone imo.
one point to note, if you are interested in buying AE modular…
Robert has long held off an inevitable (?) price increase (due to components etc), but is going to have to increase prices by 15% in November!
it’ll still be good value, but if you are already planning to buy, then you might want to consider this as a call to make a decision !
note: of course, not suggesting anyone should buy something they do not need… you don’t save money by buying something you have no use for
I’ve not really zoned into these…. Is there a sampling workflow with it, for some Venetian snares style goodness?
afaik , there is no dedicated sampler for it…
current modules :
that said, Robert is continually adding modules, add has recently add some digital modules, so could be he has a sampler planned… you could ask him, he is really open about future plans.
(there was a clouds clone (cirrus) , but that is currently being reworked due to component supply issues)
so whilst there isn’t a dedicated sampler… I will say AE modular (like eurorack) is a great way to create sounds/textures that you record into sampler (ofc, my personal fav is the Octatrack )
I know many like these things all contained in one system,
but honestly, I prefer to combine different things… personally, for me, modular excels in sound design…
but things like samplers/sequencers., I do prefer to something dedicated, tends to get a better ‘hands on’ user interface.
(ok, I do like sequencers in modular, but more for generative type stuff, rather than just laying down patterns etc)