How I record the modular, other gear, and keep everything in sync with MIDI 

Thanks, thats nice to hear! But still, I always like to see old studio tour/interviews of artists after making their first hits, in compact, improvised or messy studios. You can do great music with a lot less, or the focus on other things, or, well, anything you like I guess :)

Thanks for watching, cheers!

Thank you! And I wll, cheers!

Glad you like them! all the bests:)

Glad to hear it, thanks for watching!

Glad it was helpful! Enjoy the mixer! :)

Happy to share it, cheers!

Hey, that's lovely to hear, happy to help! I did 5 years of weekly youtube Jams just recording the stereo mix, lot's of fun to be had without multitracking :)

Glad it was helpful!

Glad it was helpful! Cheers!

Glad you liked it. Alles Gute!

Glad you liked it! Cheers!

Glad you liked it, cheers!

Sounds great! Interesting to hear the Blue Box can take the hot signals, lovely device. Thanks for sharing!

Glad you liked it!

Glad it was helpful!

Hey, thanks, happy that worked out :)

Glad you like them! And thanks for your support! :)

You're welcome, cheers!

That's not stealing, that's what this is for! Glad you get some value out of it :)

You're very welcome, hope brought you something! :)

Of course! All your videos are of quality information!@@MonotrailTechTalk

Hey, that's nice to hear, sounds like a great setup, thanks for sharing! It's so important to have a nice worksflow for productivity :) Also Ground Control is great. Indeed love the BSP, mostly for writing and performing live, so I'm happy it doubles as a midi>cv at the moment, but there's room for improvement, always, haha. Enjoy your studio! :)

Glad to hear you like my videos! Finding the right tone and speed that suits everyone is hard, so many different people with different knowledge. But appreciate the feedback. I aim for beginner/intermediate users, and have to say recording myself is still awkward to me. I notice I rush through a bit some times. Always room to improve! The light pink represent the 'returned' audio, in a send-return setup. Audio comes from the modular to a channel on the Mackie Mixer. I use the Insert of that channel to route that audio to my interface so I can multitrack. But an Insert 'interrupts' the audio to the mixer. It's meant to send the audio through a device, like an outboard effect. So the interface I use needs to send the audio back to the mixer so I can use it in a mix and listen to it :)

You're welcome! :)

Glad you liked it! I use standard Insert cables. They have a stereo plug (tip ring sleeve) on one end, and two independent mono plugs on the other. In an insert situation the stereo cable plug is used to send and recieve a mono signal symultaniously. www.thomann.de/de/cordial_cfy_09_vpp.htm?gclid=CjwKCAiAlrSPBhBaEiwAuLSDUF63BPAqm2U1LN9-0u6skEiA3Gd8p-iXuE9-W2sI4hmmwJfDq3AYUBoCDHgQAvD_BwE

@@MonotrailTechTalk Awesome thanks!

Haha, nope. not gonna make it over there XD

Hey, thanks for the idea! Indeed it would function as a clock etc, something I could look at! I think I would still do the MIDI routing via the laptop a lot, as the daw is also used for sequencing. But interesting indeed!

@@MonotrailTechTalk One of the up sides to this config is that you wouldn't need to do that routing in the daw anymore. Of course there are many ways to set it up, but the way I have it is to use one midi port and matching midi channel, so port 3 is channel 3, port 4 is channel 4, etc. As you know, most gear doesn't have any concept of "port", so from something like a midi controller you can just change the send channel, and it hits whatever device is using that port/channel. This means I can literally send to ANY device in my studio from any other one, just with the turn of a knob. Very fast. So then the magic happens... I do things such as, use the MPC Live, Keystep Pro or TR8s as the master clock. Everything follows, including the computer (ableton live/bitwig in my case). Work daw-less as long as I want. Then when I want to track it all into the computer, set that master device to follow, and switch the DAW to master. Press play, everything works exactly as before, but now you can route audio into your daw and record it. No reconfiguration. So easy to just walk up and jam instantly without a computer, or work from the box while recording hardware. (I have my audio routing set up basically the same way through an RME UFX+) When sending MIDI out from your DAW, you do need to choose both a port and a channel, and thats where some smart configuration comes in when setting up the device, but it's not a big deal. Modulars sync up as long as you have a device to translate midi to cv (but you already know that stuff super well!) If you have any questions about it I'd be happy to answer in any detail. I appreciate all the fantastic and detailed stuff you have shared, especially some modular stuff. I've learned a lot, and thanks!

Hey, thanks for the detailed workflow! It's interesting for sure! Glad to hear you're enjoying the setup, I'll let you know if I have questions :)

Glad to hear you liked it! More people asked about latency, so I am curious in what situations they experience it? I have no trouble with it ever, but that's moslty I guess because I dont use the laptop for effects or synts or other vsts etc. In my setup all hardware gear is hooked up to the monitors directly via the mixers, without passing through the laptop, there is no latency there.

Hey, glad to hear it! I'm sure you will enjoy the Beatstep Pro, lot's of power! Alles Gute :)

Hey, that's a great idea, thanks for sharing! Both the offset removal, and 20db reduction will remove any unwanted or unexpected signals :)

Thanks for sharing! Would you recommend using a passive DI box between the DC coupled outputs of an audio interface and the inputs of studio monitors? I read somewhere that DC coupled outputs might damage monitors, but I don't have more info on that.

Do you use one box per channel? Sounds kind of expensive if you want to have individual modular channels go to the mixer.

Hey, thanks for letting me know, that's lovely to hear! Enjoy the experiments, cheers :)

Hello! And im sorry, that confused more people and I should have explained it properly, ill make a pinnend comment. As far as I know windows and most software can only work with one ASIO driver at the same time, so the simple solution is to use two DAWs, or a daw and any kind of recording sofware (could be simple, could be free). I use Ableton with the MOTU, so to mutitrack the modular side, as well as send midi via the MOTO. Then I simultaniously run Adobe Audition, to multitrack the Onyx. For edditing I have to dragg the tracks recorded with one, into the other programm, and then good to go!

@@MonotrailTechTalk OK ! thx for the quick response. I'm not at that stage for the moment because I'm still in the process of building my racks and buying my gear but I'm looking forward to setup a MOTU 896mk3 with an Expert Sleepers ES-9 and mixe both with the ASIO4all tool. This tool is able to combine multiple audio interface and show only one to the daw with all the INs and OUTs combined (going to test this solution but haven't yet so can't confirm it's working just fine). Not perfect but maybe more practical and once setup more convenient then the double record software solution

Hi there, thanks! let me know what you mean with "recording process" (concept / daw / practical etc. Latency is no problem for me, never was, and don't really get it :) Maybe it's because I don't run much on the laptop, like heavy VST's like effects etc. But All audio is going to the MOTO, that is passed on to the speakers directly, without going through the laptop first. So there is no latency when listening to, sequencing, or jamming with hardware.

@@MonotrailTechTalk I’d like to know what is your aproach with Ableton live. What is your process when you’re jammin ? When your’re making a track, is your approach different ? I’ve got a similar setup and trying to find the most effective way to record my ideas. I’m struggling with Live latency, especially when recording the TR8s. I’ d like to make loops on the fly when jammin and afterwards take the time to edit all of this in the daw. I’m using beatstep pro who’s receiving master clock from live transmiting it to the TR8s and to the keystep pro who’s controlling my synths and the modular. Thanks 👍

Ha, that's to much to type in a comment! I actually already have some thoughts written about this, and will make some videos about it in the future. Very short version: I jam a lot, just make music, explore gear, record ideas etc. Mostlty use Ableton to store sequences and progressions etc. Sometimes some jams are worth exploring or expanding on, then I go into multi tracking mode. As for latency, when it's caused by MIDI, when you run all gear from Ableton, make sure to check the preferences-MIDI tab. There is the possibility to create a timing "offset" for each device you sync to the clock. If there is audio latency, make sure to monitor directly. So for example use a mixer to mix the tr8s and synths, listen to the mixer out, and not what the laptop is recording, that might be delayed. If your pc is crucial, for example your using the tr8s with synths in the DAW, I believe the audio interface, and it's power is mostly responsible for latency. But like I said in the first post, I'm not to sure about this :)

@@MonotrailTechTalk thank you for your answer 👍 Looking forward the futur videos

Hello, hope I get the question right. All channels can go into a DAW seperately. So for example, you can set track 1 in your DAW to record channel 1, track 2 in a DAW to record stereo pair 5/6 etc, up to 14 channels (on the onyx 12). That means all 12 inputs (not inputs 13/14 - which kind of are effects return), as well as the stereo mix out. The stereo mix out record exactly that, the stereo mix, eq and fader settings per channel included. The other outputs (1 to 12 on the onyx 12), are direct outputs, so pre fader, and pre eq. So fader and eq settings don't effect the recording at all. This is annoying maybe if you want to record a liveset and just render it out, but of course that's what the mix outputs are for. The direct outputs are good for multi-tracking and making decisions later. That way can eq afterwards in piece, or even have a track fade in earlier then when you recorded it :) Let me know if that helps.

@@MonotrailTechTalk That was of great help and exactly the answer I was looking for. Thank you! When you record on the SD card/USB will it save all the individual channels and/or just the stereo mix with the effects and eq included? I am having a hardware synths and samplers set up and want to be able to jam and turn it later into a final mix. So I was eyeballing for this mixer or a Zoom Livetrak L-20. I own a Mackie Mix 8 which is excellent for its job. Thank you for your prompt answer!

Ah yeah, good one. Onyx series can only record the stereo mix to SD card. So for multitracking you need a laptop/DAW setup.

@@MonotrailTechTalk check! Thanks again for your concise and prompt reply.

Glat to hear it! The moto has dc coupled outputs indeed, and yes dc signals are harmfull to speakers. It mostly means you have to pay attention to what you are doing. The DC outputs can be used with silent way for example to control the modular, very powerful, but don't send modular dc signals to your speakers. I did find it to tricky, so stoped using it for dc. never had problems. I do think a passive DI box could remove dc, but check the specific box!

@@MonotrailTechTalk Thank you!

Thanks! Ther'e custom graphics/animations made with Adobe Illustrator and Animate.

@@MonotrailTechTalk alright! Thanks!

Thanks! In general I'd say the answer is always yes. But depends on what you want to do exactly. There are modular midi/audio interface for example. But don't know what the output possibilities of the I pad are.

I used to play with jhs color box (overdrive pedal) : i use a sound card to be able to connect the iPad to the pedal. But now i want to use iPad as a sequencer and the modular system as an effect processor ( reverb , delay , LFO , modulations … ). I m new to this modular world so i want to get the maximum of information about how i can use the modular system as an « effect pedal board » , which module for midi to cv input and which for output ( if i need a module as an output (bc i saw in intellejel cases there are outputs build in the case , if I’m not mistaking ) thank you for your help 🤍

Yes, for the money, but mostly because I see that as a secondary feature set, next to being a great live performance tool. I don't have trouble with cv convertion when sequencing though, but the clock is slighty edgy when the moon is off.

@@MonotrailTechTalk I will not get rid of my BeatStep Pro as a sequencer or playing my voices live.

Hi there! Indeed you can adjust the delay for midi devices in Ableton. But you can also create a piano-roll sequence in Ableton and control the drum trigger outputs that way. A C note is the first trigger (forgot which one) c# the second and so on. So I always dedicate one drum trigger out to sync the modular via the BSP. It's a lot tighter than using the midi clock.

Cool! Thanks a lot!

Hello! In general, no, a mixer should't add any noticeable sound to your sound :) Of course old or cheap mixers might, but the most likely sound would be noise or crackles. Humming as you describe could be a grounding issue. Check if you use a grounded socket for the mixer. Also in my studio I found that any USB powered devices powered from laptop or modular instead of a wall socket cause grounding hum. Maybe it's a fault in the mixer, hard to tell from here of course! And for volume. If you record the main or sub outputs of the Mackie, or any mixer, the levels should set the volume for each channel, creating a mix. But if you have a digital mixer with direct outs, or you record the inserts of an analog mixer like I do, that sound is pre EQ and fader. So than it's recording the sound going into the channel, and the volume fader doesn't change that. So as I mention, make sure to attenuate the signal on the modular, before going in to the mixer!

@@MonotrailTechTalk Appreciate the reply and potential issues. I will investigate the outlet use for a couple things. I know at least one thing direct to an outlet. I use power conditioners for most things. Also I plan on introducing a few things at a time and check the hum / buzz. Its not loud but I can def hear it. Going to check outlets first and then a bunch of trials. I am inclined to take the mixer out of the signal path and just go from my eurorack to a device like the Analog Heat or OTO BOUM then into an audio interface for recording. That way, when playing live, the setup will be the same. I dont want to have a mixer eq setting at home and then have to make changes to whatever space I play.

That's good to hear! Which Mackie? Edit: Actually doesn't matter. Both have aux send outputs. The vlz also has two dedicated stereo returns. The Onyx doesn't have any returns, so you would need to send the effects back into one of the regular channels. With both mixers though, send and return with modules is very easy. The only thing to note is that some modular effects are really designed for 'hot' modular level signals, others work fine with line level signals, which would come from the mixer. So check with the manufacturer of the fx you like to use like this to be sure.

@@MonotrailTechTalk Yeah right, I was talking about the VLZ but okay, perfect then. Thanks again for the response, cheers :)

Glad to help. It's really a fun setup though. I'am also thinking of expanding the modular effects in send return style. So far I'm using a Mutable Clouds, as well as a Doepfer spring reverb this way, both work great as fx send :)

Hello there! If you want to multitrack the most important thing is an interface with multiple inputs that can multitrack of course. If you have a good one they often come with software to mix, and create routings. Then, as I mention in the video, you don't need multiple output modules, just use an attenuator or VCA to lower the volume of your sound. Then you can go directly to your interface, and slowly open the sound on your modular to see what levels are good for recording. No mixer needed. But in case you like to know: On the Mackie I use, if you mute a track that signal is sent to a second pair of outputs cald ALT. These are also send to my interface (Ihave a MOTU with 8 inputs), so I can hear both the main, as well as the alt outputs. On top of that the 4 inserts are send to the remaining 4 inputs on the interface, so I can hear and record those as well.

Very much! But I'll be honest, I only got it recently, when setting up the entire rack side of the studio. So now im super excited about the new workflow it offers. You can ask me again in a few months if I have remarks on recording, and or using it for a while :) But, yeah, it seems like great choice for the money, which is why I got it!

​@@MonotrailTechTalk Checking back in on your multitrack progress. Any changes?

Not a stupid question at all, that's not possible indeed. I mostly use the sides as two projects independently, but if I want, I can use two different programs, each with another drivers to record both sides. Then just import the recorded stems into the DAW I like for editing.

Sure, if you don't want the EQ/mixing/colouring part, direct to the converters is best!

Yes, any good mixer wil be fine! Just make sure to use a VCA or attenuator when sending signals to a mixer, start with the knobs down, and go up from there to see what levels are right.

@@MonotrailTechTalk Thanks for the reply. Love all you work. You've helped me so many times through my modular journey

If it's a multitrack recorder you might be able to record left & right channel separate for a stereo recording.