Expert Sleepers : Silent Way

[jim]

This is a new set of plugins for controlling analog modular gear via a "DC capable" audio interface, similar to MOTU's Volta. For all the details, and a demo video visit: http://www.expert-sleepers.co.uk.

As with Volta, I plan to add 'extra' support in Numerology for the Silent Way plugins to make them easier to use. Once I have a prototype running "in the lab", I'll post more information on when this support will become available.

Cheers,
Jim

[amoeba]

dammit. you are NOT helping me squelch my modular lust.

[jim]

Well, at least you'll be able to economize, by not having to get a separate MIDI-2-CV converter (assuming you have a compatible audio interface), and perhaps by using some envelopes and LFO's in Numerology until you can afford to get some hardware ones. I'm very interested to see how far I can get with just an oscillator, a filter, and a VCA... ;)

Cheers,
Jim

[MrBiggs]

.... I'm very interested to see how far I can get with just an oscillator, a filter, and a VCA... ;)

Hi Jim. New user here.
I'm responding in this older thread because I'm curious how far you got with the described combination. The combination of Volta and my discovering Numerology has led me to spend a lot of time reading about and "shopping" on the Analogue Haven website, wondering just how inexpensively I can fall into this modular synth hole.
I was thinking over the weekend how it seems that, with Numerology and Volta (I have a MOTU Ultralite), all one would really need to get going would be something like the Doepfer A-111-5 or, if I feel up to it, the Cwejman VM-1, in a little Doepfer mini case. I like knobbies and blinky lights, and I know I don't have the power to resist signal splitters and sequencers as time goes on, but it seems like this would be a slick way to get started, and your above post got me thinking that maybe I am right.
Any thoughts on what I might be missing? Are there any little splitters or anything that would make this oh so much better that I should look at?
thanks

[jim]

I only have 3 proper cables so far, so I can't say for sure yet. I've done a bit of playing around and the results are pretty interesting. It does take a little while the first few times to get everything setup properly and find a convention for things like how you allocate audio I/O for CV vs. audio, labeling cables, etc. Once that is all in place, getting started on any new project is pretty easy. The control flexibility, and the complete absence of stair-stepping are a huge step up from using a MIDI 2 CV box.

One thing I think that is important is a well-organized hardware controller setup for the Numerology project, with a good "mis en place" selection of LFOs, envelopes and sequencers always ready to be used.

BTW: I'm working on a couple techniques videos, one for Volta, the other for Silent Way. I need to re-record part of the Volta vid, as the room wasn't bright enough so the video is pretty noisy -- or perhaps it just makes it look vintage....

Jim

[MrBiggs]

Thanks for the reply. Interesting that you mention hardware controller. As I've been using Numerology (demo mode so far), I've thought that it kind of makes obsolete the Axiom 25 I have and it's eight knobs. This has served me well for Reason and Live and other things. But Numerology seems to want something else entirely. I'd love to have some way to adjust sliders in the different step sequencers as I want to change up patterns and whatnot.
Your remarks about I/O cables and all are a bit over my head as I've not yet used Volta, so I look forward to seeing the videos. I get some really fine results using Numerology with one-oscillator/one-filter Reaktor synths, so I imagine it would be the same and better with something like the Cewejman VM-1.

thanks
Brian

[jim]

It's just nice to have some dedicated controls handy when working with the modular. There will be more control options in future releases...

According to the Volta manual, to use MOTU interfaces "safely" as a CV source, you need to use special cables. For interfaces with 1/4" jacks, that means a TRS jack with the ring unconnected on one end, and a 1/4" or 3.5mm unbalanced jack on the other.

Jim