I probably only used the MPC1000 half a dozen times, but I do think I got a good feel for the workflow of the device using JJOS 2. And while I did enjoy the workflow I can’t say that it was worth having considering that I already have Ableton Live. I never had any illusions that the MPC would offer more than Live, I was more drawn to the simplicity and limits of the hardware compared to my limitless computer. Self imposed limits on the music technology I use can really breathe life into my creativity in a world overflowing with options.

It was a good experiment trying the MPC but in the end I am happier using the combination of my Arduinome, TriggerFinger, Oxygen49 and Live to sample and sequence my software and hardware instruments. I spent some time recently and created a few Ableton templates that let me do almost everything I need to without ever touching a mouse.

Doepfer Dark Energy

So with my return complete I decided to double my analog power and picked up a Doepfer Dark Energy. Don’t let its diminutive size fool you, this little semi-modular analog mono synth is a sonic beast of highest degree.

Though it is only a single oscillator synth there is more going on here than that implies. You can actually combine a pulse wave (with full PWM of course) with either a saw, a triangle or just have the pulse on its own. There are two LFOs that are hardwire routed for frequency modulation, logarithmic filter frequency modulation, linear filter frequency modulation, pulse width modulation and amplitude modulation. Additionally an inverted LFO1 is available as an output on the front panel and can be routed to VCO F, VCO PW, VCF F and VCA A.

This is a semi modular analog so there are CV inputs and outputs on the back and in addition to the ins and outs mentioned above there are is also external audio in, gate in, envelope out, and of course main audio out.

I’ve got to say that after several weeks of playing with the Dark Energy I am only beginning to scratch the surface of its sonic potential. I am particularly loving running it through my Moog MF-104Z Analog Delay. They also looks damn smart sitting next to each other with their tank-like black metal and wood panel builds.

Dark Energy with Moog MF-104Z Analog Delay

In addition to the CV control the Dark Energy has MIDI and USB connectivity both of which work without a hitch when connected to Ableton Live. You can actually use it between your computer and your old pre-MIDI analog gear as a MIDI to CV converter. Of course this synth doesn’t have an patch memory but I did find a great Flash based patch saving tool here.

I’m finding the timbre of this little synth to be a perfect compliment to my Mopho Keyboard and Zebra soft synth. The 24dB low pass filter has a great sound and the resonance goes all the way into self oscillation. In fact, if you turn off the triangle, saw and pulse you can just use the self-oscillation as a sine wave oscillator.

I think the Dark Energy is a great introduction to the world of modular synthesis. I’m betting Doepfer will be finding a lot of people wanting to expand their Dark Energy with further modules, and there are a lot out there. Looks like the Dark Energy could be the start of a black hole that pulls you inexorably into the expanding void of modular synthesis. So be it.

Haven’t made a post in a long time, not that I haven’t been in front of a computer for 16 hours a day, seven days a week. To say work has been busy would be the understatement of the year. Anyway with all this time spent working on a computer, when I do have a few minutes to spare I have been loathe to continue sitting at my desk to do what I really love; make music.

As a result I have been playing guitar and singing more than I have in almost a decade. Writing new stuff too. And I am happy to have my finger tip callouses back; though I have discovered that my computer’s touch-pad is less enthused about them than I am.

But guitar isn’t my only vice. I’m not about to give up synthesis, sampling, sequencing and mixing. So when I recently got a small inheritance I decided it was time to start building a hardware setup; one I could work at standing up. Now I am not swearing off Ableton Live, MaxMSP, soft synths or my Arduinome. Far from it. In fact I look forward to integrating the whole thing eventually but space is a bit of an issue for me at present. And truth be told, sadly so is time…

Anyway, to get me started on building a studio away from the screen I got myself an Akai MPC1000 sampler/sequencer, a Dave Smith Instruments Mopho Keyboard monophonic analog synthesizer and a Soundcraft EPM8 mixer. I’ve had very little time to play with my new setup, and I don’t expect that will change any time soon, but the time I have spent has proven to be very exciting.

MPC1000 running JJOS 2.0

I absolutely love sequencing with the MPC. It only took a few hours for me to know what I was doing and I can feel myself getting insanely addicted to the MPC style of working with music. Once I transfer my sample collection over to the add-on internal hard drive it will be the perfect center for my studio.

BTW I am running JJOS 2.0 which I highly recommend. If you own an MPC and are not running a JJOS of some sort you should really check it out.

Mopho: a modern monophonic analog synthesizer

I have wanted an analog synth for a very long time and when the Mopho Keyboard was revealed this year, and for such an incredible deal, it was a no-brainer. It is a solid piece of gear, with a well thought out layout and powerful architecture. It has two oscillators plus two sub-oscillators, three envelope generators, four LFO’s, a 16×4 step sequencer and a ton of other modulation options. This thing is capable of a huge variety of sound and is just as good at making deep womping bass as tweaky tripped out sequences. The only thing I’m not totally digging is the filter which is a switchable 2- or 4-pole low-pass. Its not that there is anything wrong with it, but to my ear it just doesn’t have the character of some of the filters I am used to using in for example the U-he Zebra soft synth.

Soundcraft EPM8

The EPM8 glues everything together, taking the six channels from the MPC and the two from the Mopho as well as providing me with two effect sends and inserts on all 8 mono channels (there are also two stereo channels). I decided to go with Soundcraft because I would never buy another Berhinger product and I think the Soundcraft mixers sound better than Mackies. I really like the EQ which has a selectable mid.

Though this mixer isn’t the best for studio recording because it has no direct outputs (only a stereo output) and doesn’t have track solos, it is great for my current needs and was in my budget. Eventually I will want something with direct outputs to feed into a multi-channel audio interface, but as I only have an Apogee Duet right now with one stereo input I am very happy with the EPM8.

The tactile nature of music hardware has always appealed to me and so far, as expected, I am really enjoying doing everything with my hands. I expect it will be a while before I have a chance to catch my breath and make a post again, but when I do, hopefully I’ll have some lessons learned to share from my new hardware setup.

Arduinome dual panel faceplate design

These aluminum panels are each 5 mm thick which leaves about 2 mm of the SparkFun buttons exposed. My initial test of the faceplate has resulted in a lot of the buttons getting stuck, though most of them not enough to actually make contact. I think that with some time put into smoothing out the button holes and edges that this will provide great button mashing action.

Here is another view:

Arduinome with aluminum faceplate

and another:

Arduinome money shot

I just can’t get enough glory shots of blinky button grids!



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