BrainModular

Hi,

New here, and probing for some answers and/or suggestions...

I'm a long-time [old school] modular synthesist, and I'm now looking into possibilities to use a digital/modern workflow for "directing" live performances. Since I don't want to do 100% improvised performances, but rather use a fixed, rigid backbone (a score, as it were) to have a time-based foundation on which semi-improvised performances can "float", I'm looking into software which can make this possible.

Been using Numerology for quite a while, which can have a linear timeline, but doesn't allow me to interact bi-directionally with it in a flexible way. Meaning: the software can/should control the hardware, but the hardware must also be able to talk to (and control) the software in real time.

Hollyhock does seem to be able to handle the latter well (bi-directional interactivity) -- or at least, I think so -- but doesn't have a timeline in which certain actions can be performed/executed in a linear manner. Or does it ?

For example: I need a software-based master clock (tempo & timebase), which also controls the hardware (modulars) -- easy enough to do. But since none of my synths have preset memories (well, my Buchla Easels kinda have that, with their program cards), I need to send control signals (and other stuff) to the modulars at certain - and pre-defined - points in time. I use a DC-coupled audio interface to do so, which is configured to both send and receive CV's (and audio). Additionally, I can also use MIDI, but only in primitive ways, to control certain parameters of the modulars.
Besides the tempo-backbone, the software must also be able to run a "backing track" in parallel (there's only so much one can do live with modulars), and have hardware-triggerable samples (via MIDI controllers and/or analog CV/Gates) ready to launch at any given time.

Put simply: I need something which allows me to define a complete composition beforehand (a basic score), then run that live, allowing me in the most flexible of ways to interact with it in real time.

So, basically, the question is whether Hollyhock could be used in such a manner ?


Thanks for any replies and suggestions !
_Guy

Though I do not understand everything... I believe the grid already meets half of your requirements. (see the manuals-wiki, there is a section about "the grid" - http://www.sensomusic.com/wiki2/ )

"More powerful than a sequencer or an audio tracker, Usine has an integrated Grid to organize your live set.
All racks can be triggered at a precise time and can last as long as you want.
Each line has its own duration and any controls can have an automation curve."

That's your timeline, isn't it?




In Usine you also have thousands of possibilities how to deal with samples. It is no problem to launch them via a midi controller.

The "piano roll" can import your scores in form of midi data. most score editors should be able to export midi files. http://www.sensomusic.com/wiki2/doku.ph ... :pianoroll

what do you mean with backing track? something like an audio recorder? I would use a built-in sampler for that. look up the manual-wiki under "Modules reference" and seach the page for "sample"; then you find some possibilities.

how does the audio interface work? does it translate MIDI data into CV and back? if my interpretation is correct, then that should be easy for Usine to generate data, manipulate it and communicate with the interface. You also have almost unlimited possibilities to use freely definable envelopes, sequencers and lfo's in Usines patching system... in the meanwhile I believe, I can uninstall many of my software synthesizers, if I kept them so far only for the modulation section that they have implemented...Usine provides something like that for nearly every synth and in my opinion in a much more flexible way...

I cannot say much about the clock... there are other users who use it and who might say more about it. In my case there is still a knowledge gap.

I would like to know more about the CV thing... Maybe I can adjust my Microbrute settings with it via software?

Thanks for your reply, magickz !

Yes indeed, the Grid is my timeline.
(it's very similar to Numerology's Preset Management List, BTW)
As far as I can tell, the Grid meets every requirement I have for a timeline-based performance... Good !

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The Piano Roll would help as well. Good !

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A backing track is just an [large]audio file which "plays along" during the whole performance. It could/would contain the music which can't be played live... It could also be called a cheating track.
I guess a simple sample player would suffice here, if it can handle large files.

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The audio interface is DC-coupled, so it can pass DC signals (duh) like LFO's, automation curves, pulse trains and such through to the modulars, and vice versa. Sometimes I use dedicated software for it (Expert Sleepers' Silent Way), sometimes I just pipe stuff straight through.
Since I now have a timeline in Hollyhock (Grid), it should send these DC signals as well (in time with the timeline). I suppose this won't be much of a problem, but I'll have to study the manual a bit more.
Sending/receiving a clock then -- which is just another DC signal as well -- won't be a challenge either, I reckon...

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You might want to check Expert Sleeper's Silent Way software to send CV's & Gates to your Microbrute. If your audio interface isn't DC-coupled, Expert Sleepers also have hardware (modules) to allow to do the same thing through AC-coupled interfaces.


Cheers !
_Guy

magickz wrote:Though I do not understand everything... I believe the grid already meets half of your requirements. (see the manuals-wiki, there is a section about "the grid" - http://www.sensomusic.com/wiki2/ )

"More powerful than a sequencer or an audio tracker, Usine has an integrated Grid to organize your live set.
All racks can be triggered at a precise time and can last as long as you want.
Each line has its own duration and any controls can have an automation curve."

That's your timeline, isn't it?




In Usine you also have thousands of possibilities how to deal with samples. It is no problem to launch them via a midi controller.

The "piano roll" can import your scores in form of midi data. most score editors should be able to export midi files. http://www.sensomusic.com/wiki2/doku.ph ... :pianoroll

what do you mean with backing track? something like an audio recorder? I would use a built-in sampler for that. look up the manual-wiki under "Modules reference" and seach the page for "sample"; then you find some possibilities.

how does the audio interface work? does it translate MIDI data into CV and back? if my interpretation is correct, then that should be easy for Usine to generate data, manipulate it and communicate with the interface. You also have almost unlimited possibilities to use freely definable envelopes, sequencers and lfo's in Usines patching system... in the meanwhile I believe, I can uninstall many of my software synthesizers, if I kept them so far only for the modulation section that they have implemented...Usine provides something like that for nearly every synth and in my opinion in a much more flexible way...

I cannot say much about the clock... there are other users who use it and who might say more about it. In my case there is still a knowledge gap.

I would like to know more about the CV thing... Maybe I can adjust my Microbrute settings with it via software?

I am glad that I guessed right. This way I can also learn from you how an old school musician would think. I am still kindergarden

At the moment I am still in a stage that I can barely read a score or count til four without stuttering. But one day it will work . I consider visiting the old Berlin school one day, or at least getting in touch with it.

About the electronics I also still have to learn more to have a more complete vocabulary. But sooner or later it will be there Thanks for telling me about the Expert sleepers' tool.

Best regards.