Today we are taking another look at the Moog DFAM. This time we brought along the Arturia Beatstep Pro to help control it. We also have the Eventide H9 on the table to add a little space.
So how did you connect these two together? What inputs and outputs? I see you have different wirings. Could you explain the possibilities? Nice sounds btw!
A nice starting point would be pitch out on the Beatstep Pro to VCO1 CV and gate out on BSP to the TRIGGER input. This would give you the basic functionality of a "normal" synth. From there you could mult the pitch CV to VCO2 CV so you could have control over both oscillators. Perhaps you don't want the same sequence playing on both oscillators, you could use pitch out on Sequencer 2 to VCO2 CV. Just remember that the oscillators on the DFAM share the same gate input which will trigger the envelopes of the VCA and VCF, so plan accordingly. In my experience it is best to use the gate out of whichever sequence has more gates or just have them fire at the same time. Maybe an even easier way would be to use one of the drum gates on the BSP to trigger the DFAM. All depends on the sequences and what you want to accomplish. Another use of the drum gates on the BSP would be to patch one of them into the ADV/CLOCK. Now you have timed control over the two step sequencers on the DFAM (pitch and velocity). A common use would be to patch PITCH out on DFAM to VCF MOD, thus turning the NOISE/VCF MOD knob into an attenuator for that incoming CV. Another destination might be the 1-2 FM AMT. With all things modular there are many different ways to patch. These examples are where I started for a lot of these patches. I hope this helps, thanks for watching.
@@felix_ennui great sounds... I was about to ask the same question... Contemplating getting the BSP or the keystep Pro specifically to work with the moog studio 3... still not sure which to go with as my lab is getting crowded and what i need over what i want is the true question hhhaha...
I have two dfams. I love keyboard tracking the oscillators from the grandmother. Arpeggios, sequences, and just playing the board. This reminds me of my jams.
Recently I play with the DFAM all the time and discover new sounds. This was a great video of the DFAM. A kind of funny thing is that I bought a Beatstep pro, didn't really like it so I returned it and bought a DFAM insted. But now I want a Beatstep pro again :)
I know what you mean. I had this set up for a couple days and would keep going back and finding more. Had to cut myself off so I could start editing. Just curious as to what you didn't like about the Beatstep Pro.
felix_ennui To be honest, I didn’t really give it a chance. I don’t have much time to make music so I didn’t want to read the manual and so on. Would be different today I think.
Yeah, it has some quirks. I do like how Arturia keeps updating the firmware and adding some new features. I'm really hoping they add some ratcheting at some point.
This is the best NOT Subharmonicon vid yet! I wish I bought 2 DFAMs. They hold value unlike the 2 Mother 32s I sold. Gonna grab another DFAM at some point, and yeah, maybe a used Subharmicon next Covid outbreak 😷
Hey thanks. I don't think I could ever sell my Mother. Besides being my first synth and having a bit of sentimental value, it just consistently sounds good. Two DFAM's would be a lot of fun.
I agree totally. I was listening to an interview with Peter Gabriel where he explained how he forced musicians to work harder by imposing limitations. This led to some of his best songs.
Totally agree. It's actually the very essence of all great bands really. They all started out (Nirvana, U2, Beatles, Sonic Youth) with really shxt gear... so they were forced to be creative. Same with synths. DAW can be cancer to creativity/production.
Thanks Felix! This video has really pushed me one step closer to getting a DFAM with the BSP as a controller. Am dying to know though, is there a way for me to layer an 8-step bass sound/pattern on the BSP, and also layer an 8-step lead sound/pattern at the same time? Each run through the DFAM at different settings..
thanks for this inspiring video, nice patterns, playing chords is mindblowing! I'm trying to get all same tricks with Octatrack, but definitely missing a midi-CV converter due to low Octatrack output =( But I've linked a tempo at least and can record accurately trimmed loops now, which is really great for making a loops library
Great work bro! but in my BSP i cant switch my resolution\division only on the drum sequencer (Shift+pad 7 or 8 like you did) maybe you have idea how i can make it work?
Really like the fact that Moog is innovating; also recently with mavis... but THIS one is going to be a real classic synth. The relationship between drums and bass, the integration with euro rack and no "hidden features, button combinations" makes this thing a perfect and "nothing like it" synth.
Hello, love your channel! I am totally new to synths. I have some gear on the way (dfam , mother 32, Korg sq1, strymon big sky). Question--can I control the dfam with the Korg sq-1 just like you are doing with the beatstep pro? If not, would a key step work like the beatstep? Thanks!
Thanks for the kind words. Sounds like a nice setup coming your way. Welcome to the synth family! You can control the DFAM with the SQ-1 just fine, you just loose the playability of having a keyboard. Its a handy little cv sequencer to have around. My biggest gripe with the SQ-1 is at its slowest tempo, it just isn't slow enough for my liking. But you can use an external clock to sync it so its not a big deal. Here's a great video going over some features of the SQ-1. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-moU0zwMybUA.html The Keystep is also a handy tool to have around the studio. For the DFAM you would have to multiply the pitch cv to control both oscillators, which is something I do in the demo with the Beatstep Pro. Might not be a bad idea to use with the Mother either. I will say I did have an issue with tuning stability after the last update. I also moved before the install so I don't know if it got jostled around or something. Nevertheless it was an easy fix, just had to open it up and mess with the internal trim pot. Sorry for the essay, have fun with with that bundle of joy coming your way.
@@felix_ennui thanks for the extensive reply Felix! It's all a bit overwheleming to me but im going to put in the time. I got the sq-1 cheap but i think I'll will get the BSP, because i really do want to slow things down.
A basic setup would be PITCH from BSP to VCO 1 or 2 on the DFAM. Then GATE out on the BSP to TRIGGER in on DFAM. Just be sure to use the same sequencer on the BSP.
@@felix_ennui liked how you used a drum trigger on the BSP to advance the sequence on the DFAM. Thanks for the inspiration, I just got a BTS and still struggle when connecting it with modular gear, but I love it.
@@felix_ennui hello, great video... I had a question... the sequence recording is done on the beat step correct? If you had 2 dfams you could synch together via adv clock out if one to adv click in on the other and use a separate sequencer on the beatstep correct? You would not need to bother with any synch out of the beatstep to any of the dfams correct?
Hey Felix, are you ever worried you are sending to much voltage to the DFAM from the Beatstep, since the Beatstep is 0V to 10V and the DFAM is -5V to 5V..?
I wasn't, but having another glance at the BSP manual there might be cause for concern. The DFAM's adv/clock and trigger inputs accept +5v but are tolerant of up to 10v. All good I thought, but after checking the BSP manual again, the gates output at 12v. According to the manual, "If your destination device requires 5V, it will work and won't damage it. But in long term, we advise to use attenuators to avoid any risk of premature wear." So there it is, attenuate them gates, and read those manuals. Twice in my case. Thanks for the comment and good looking out Alexander.
@@felix_ennui So where do we get these attenuator cables? I tried searching for some, but I couldn’t find anything close to what I thought was right... That is what they are talking about correct? I don’t have a euro rack setup, which I know you can have a attenuator module in your euro rack. Love your video, by the way. It is actually what made me decide to invest in a Beatstep Pro.
@@felix_ennui I ended up getting a pack of 5 of the Koma Attenuator cables. Is the BeatStep Pro your main go to for controlling and sequencing the DFAM? Have you found any other useful equipment?
Did you know there’s a voltage differential between the volt per octave from the BSP and the DFAM. The DFAM works on -5 to +5 and the BSP output 0-10 volts. Doesn’t look like you did anything to account for that so none of this tracks correctly.
