I was wondering if someone would finally make a proper demo of this module interacting with VCV.. I'm now 100% sure to get the ES-9 ! I might as well thank you for all the time and energy you put in your videos. I discovered and learned all about VCV because of you.
@@VictorSteiner I'm really not sure what I'd put in a such a tutorial. The ES-9 is basically equivalent to a cable - it connects things together. It doesn't actually *do* anything. What are you confused about?
Expert Sleepers I configured it in the mixer matrix to use it without a PC. Now I attach the cable to my iPad and AUM as usual with the ES-8. I don‘t get any sound out. I thought the USB-connection would break my configured „use without PC, just with headphones“ settings. Doesn‘t it? Do I have to go back to the pc and reconfigure the use case by hand every time I switch my usecase?
@@VictorSteiner Currently, yes. It seems to be a popular feature request to have the option of saving two configurations (at least) for computer & no-computer.
Thanks again for this video Omri. When you say your outputs are going into your main interface and that PC's don't allow for multiple audio interfaces... is that on a separate computer or straight into the monitors? If straight into the monitors... I'm assuming the DC blocking in configurator would make this safe for the monitors? Really nervous about blowing up my nice monitors. In my case it's the ES-8
Yeah, that's on a separate computer. I have a laptop which is dedicated for music so I use it with the ES-9, and from there the sound goes to my interface and monitors. I'm not so familiar with the ES-8, does it have DC blockers as well?
You mentioned not being able to hook up two different audio interfaces. If you're on a Mac, look into how to create an aggregate device which is a software way of combining interfaces into a single interface.
is this going to work in PRO TOOL (first) ? i mean is it going to work as a normal whatever focusrite scarlett soundcard? im interested only in multitrack recording and i want to avoid external soundcards ... ?? connecting usb from this module to mac laptop i can set the DAW (in my case pro tool) to have one track for every input of the module? correct?? no latency involved if i use it just for recording multitracks, right? (i have a macbook pro retina 2015 with 8gb ram) what about the power consumption? i saw it like 450 mA.... it's a lot. im currently using simple wooden doepfer case (capacity is 1200mA) and with this module current left will be not much! it's 1/3 of the total
I'm not so sure about pro tools, but it will work as a normal interface and you will be able to multi track record things. I have it in a small case of its own, so it wouldn't take the space and power.
Hey Omri, this video is super helpful thanks. I'm about to jump into modular for the first time and having a hybrid system is my ultimate goal. The ES-9 seems the perfect solution for it, however I'd like to use VCV Rack as a VST on Ableton on Windows 10. You said you can't use two audio interfaces on Windows 10, do you know if it's possible to route VCV Rack to the Euroack via ES-9 while running VCV Rack as a VST on Ableton? I can't find the answer to this question anywhere and it's the missing piece I need before I grab my wallet (: thanks
Hi! Well, I'm not so sure how this will work in Ableton... Maybe this will help - community.vcvrack.com/t/vcv-rack-2-plugin-ableton-expert-sleepers-es9/18073/3
I want to use my DAW(Ableton) as my sound source to send the audio from the DAW into the "ES-9" via USB to one of the "ES-9" outputs, from there to a filter module for example a "Doepfer A-106-5 SEM Filter", and from the "Doepfer A-106-5 SEM Filter", back to one of the "ES-9" inputs, back to the DAW via USB. My goal is to give digital sound a warmth character through modular filter modules Is that possible? Greetz
Thanks so much for the amazing informative video! I'm considering getting the ES-9, but i would love to have more CV outputs to send from VCVrack to hardware. Preferably not just extra gates, but also LFO's etc. The ES-5 expansion only sends an extra 8 gates or clock information, correct? Would it make more sense to get an ES-3 and hook it up to my Audio Interface as an addition? Simply asked... If i'd like to expand the ES-9 with more CV, what is my best option? :)
Oh how I drool over modern technology, so many ins and outs! This reminds me of when I was working on a project involving Eugene Gavrilov's kX project around 2001-2005 that unleashed the potential of the E-mu10k2 chip. I bought 3 discounted Audigy 2 ZS Gold cards and linked them all together with one acting as primary and the other two as slave passing sound between them with spdif. Being able to directly/ internally route my own signal paths through the kX driver, I was able to achieve 12 analog ins, 16 analog outs, 6 digital spdif outs, 3 midi in/out, super low latency sound with impressive SNR, effects run directly in the DSP of all 3 cards, and control of the effect parameters through midi or software. It was such a fun project. At the height of it, I was working on creating a 13.1 channel spherical array of speakers with near real-time control of positioning each individual sound within 3d space. It sounded wicked and could have sounded so much better, but the monitor speakers for this project was the most expensive part that I never was able to afford and only achieved a setup using 12 cheap self powered computer speakers. Then everything got packed away in a corner of the basement because parenting became a priority 🤷♂️
This is great Omri, have you had a chance to see how Ableton cv tools work ? Would really like a video like this one explaining that, I'm excited to go hybrid, thanks to you and your awesome vids
Awesome Demo ! Do you have more information about the DC blocking filters ? I know how they work, I know how to activate them and what they are meant for, but I see no real difference in sound when using them. For example I have Inputs 1 & 2 with DC blocking ON, but when I send an oscillator in one of them, they are no real difference. I used them as inputs for my Morphagene and Mimeophon for example (assuming they send audio outputs) but again if I plug them in 3 & 4 it sound the same. Even sending LFOs through a DC blocking input have no incidence. So anyway, does somebody know the exact use of those filters and have a real example on how it alter a specific source ?
They shouldn't sound different on most sounds. However, if you record a number of tracks, all with DC offsets, they will accumulate and eventually severely compromise the headroom of your DAW. Less commonly, a DC offset will mess up how a sound interacts with an effect, for example waveshapers.
@@ExpertSleepersLtd Thanks ! So a VCO for example can always be plug in a "no DC blocking filter" IN for audio use, audio rate mod use, LFO use etc or is it better tu send it through a DC blocked IN for audio use and in an other IN for modulation purpose ?
Hi Omri!!! Can you explain how to use vcvrack with es1/es2 Disting mk4 algorithm without DC-coupled interface? (I understand that it is not necessary to have a DC Coupled interface to use these algorithms)Thanks!!!
@@OmriCohen-Music Can I ask how you handle gain structure? If you wanted to record into a DAW through the ES-9, I'd assume all gain staging would have to take place before entering the ES-9?
Thanks for showing the workflow with this thing. So basically for every setup you have to use this 'adorable' Configurator to get the ES-9 to do what you want? Is it possible to use it's headphones out without usb being plugged in?
Well, there was an update a while ago that allows having 2 setups, one for stand alone, and one as an interface. But anyway, you can use the headphones also without it being plugged in, but you will have only 8 inputs instead of 14...
Help... I have a silly question for you... I just purchased an ES-9 this week and want to use VCV Rack with it. Do I need to purchase the VCV PRO version to get signals from the ES-9 to VCV? I currently have FREE VCV and easily get signals out of VCV, but can not get anything from my hardware ES-9 to VCV rack. :(
@@OmriCohen-Music thank you for the quick response and clarification. I also reached out to VCV for help and got the same response. I was not thinking (I have an iMac) with an Apollo interface connected to my system. I think there is a conflict between the two interfaces. I connected my ES-9 to a different MacBook with vcv and the ES-9 worked properly. Yay. Wow is this an amazing way to work and experiment. My eurorack world just expanded 10x.
Hi! Well, I have to select it twice always in the configurator but I guess that's not what you mean or? Are you on Windows? Did you install the driver?
@@OmriCohen-Music I'm on a Mac. The issue is that it was working for months, and then it just stopped. I'm running High Sierra and I can't find a proper Mojave download to update. I've tried all the obvious fixes - cable switches, case power, rebooting, firmware update, etc. It still doesn't work. It works with other computers and my iPad which tells me its a problem specific to my Mac.
thanks for this clear tutorial Omri! unfortunately it does not work for me. my es9 seems to go into stand alone mode, when I set everything like you have in the configurator. I thought it was working, until I unplugged everything in vcv rack and had no changes in the audio and I could still hear everything from my modular. Sending and receiving DC worked though. Any Ideas?
Hi! I think that stand alone will work when you turn on the ES9 before the computer, so maybe try and turn it off and on again? I'm not so sure... I still didn't update my ES9, so I don't have these different modes.
omri hi. yestarday i got my es-8 what if my main moitors are hoocked up to my RME Audiointerface and i choose the ES8 as an audio source. whre does the sound come out. in VCV im just able to choose one or the other. in my abeloton is not a problem tho. i can choose the es- 8 and the RME as put. but i really dont know how to hanle it in vcv, tho! do you have an idea?? the ES-9 has monitore outputs, but the 8 doesn't.
@@OmriCohen-Music thx omri my man.i already got it. i totaly forgot that you can use how many audio interfaces as you want in vcv.. LOL..., but eventho i have a quite strong imac, i have couple of hickups here and there...that not cool! i told Andrew im gonna send him a video! thank you sooo much!!! Love ur channel!!!!
Hi Omri, do you have a simple patch on how to calibrate the es9 with vcv rack. I have the commercial expert sleepers calibration in vcv however its not the same as yours. Hope you can help. And what is the best module in eurorack to use for calibration? I have saich and tsl from instruo, so could use that i guess
How come yours looks different? Do you have this - library.vcvrack.com/ExpertSleepers-SilentWay basically, you will have to do this with each oscillator you want to use...
Thank you for the video. I'm wondering as someone who is new to eurorack/vcv and going to buy my first modules. What modules can't be replaced with VCV rack and an ES module? The second question would an ES-3 / ES-6 combo work better if I already have an audio interface (UAD APOLLO 8) .
Good questions! Well, I started with the Morphagene, it's something I wanted for a long time. There's something though in having the modules before your eyes, under you fingertips, that makes the experience totally different so even if the module is available in VCV, I would still like to have one as hardware so for example, I would love to have a Chronoblob2, I would love to have Plateau, all of the Geodesics, more Vult, and so on. Even though they're available in VCV, I still want them as hardware because the way I will use them would be different. Not better, but different. About the ES-3 and ES-6, I also started with them, but I needed more inputs than what the ES-6 had so I got the ES-9 eventually. For now, it's not possible to use 2 interfaces in VCV, but as I understood from the main guy behind VCV, it will be possible on VCV 2 so I would be able to use my main interface and the ES-9, which is much more flexible and I could eventually use the ES-3 and ES-6 again. So I say wait a bit more, and if it will work perfectly with having 2 interfaces, go for the ES-9.
Hello omri, I don't really understand here. Is your es9 connected via usb on this video ? I don't se the cable and you said you used your main interface to record
Man, i have à question, do you have an idea of why when i connect harmonaig(hardware version)intro vcv rack to differents modules, the signal goes like with glide or slide, an also it's the same with cèis(hardware version) i send the enveloppe to an vca in vcv rack, and the enveloppe is not the same as the state in the modular, i make the differences between the hardware and software version, and is like there is glide in every modulation or pitch information, and also it has like offset, thanks i now that is kind of long..but i try to find the answers in the manual etc, and i dont get it:(
Hi! Well, that glide is coming from the AC inputs. You will need DC coupled inputs\outputs to send things like pitch and modulation. If you use AC coupled inputs\outputs, they will be filtered and will get this glide or slew to them. Are you using the ES9? Did you make sure to change the inputs from AC to DC?
@@OmriCohen-Music thanks you so much!!! I fixed it, and yes is the es-9, but really thanks, i looked too the video 5 times to understand hahahaha thanks man really
Thank you for this video :-) Meanwhile, we are a few years further in time. Is this still the better module to buy, or are there better solutions on the market right now?
Thanks :) I'm pretty sure that the ES9 is still the best option out there for something like this. It's not perfect, but there's no other module that can do the same, as far as I know.
Hi Omri, this video really helped me get my ES-9 configured and running, thanks so much! I do have one question for you - for configuring the mixer on the ES-9 to headphones, I made my mixer panels look like the ones you have ~3m:26s (mix 1 through 4). I would think with these settings that if audio is running into say "input 1" on the ES-9, that this would be audible on both the L and R headphones because of the "Mix 1" and "Mix 2" "Mix 3" and "Mix 4" settings. However, I can only hear input 1 on the R hand side and input 2 on the left hand side! Similarly I hear 3 on R, and 4 on L and so on... If you happen to know what I am overlooking here, I would love to know also :)
Hi! Well, there's a new firmware available actually, that allows linking channels I believe so you could use mono signal and still hear them on both sides. I still didn't update mine though, but I'm sure it works really well.
Hello, I'am big fan of your quality work and have a question : how about the audio quality of ES-9 inputs versus audio interface audio quality input like, UAd Apollo, RME Ufx+ ? tks in advance
Good one Omri, supplemented Paul's video nicely. And great you demonstrated the signal delay. Setting your blocksize and then setting the right amount of signal delay for signals in VCV Rack, it should be possible to attain complete sync between all signals in hardware and software, having one big, happy hybrid system :-)
a wireless mouse in this video is a shame ^_^ btw great video as usual, and great interface...I think I have been sooo lucky to get one in europe in early 2020! I'm setting up my (small) hardware rig with vcv rack in these days, everything is flawless. I have really found some kind of peace, I'm really enjoying it 🙏
Just picked up an ES9. Excited to finally bridge software with hardware. Great tutorial, your channel is a huge collection of information Omri, thank you a lot my psychedelic friend. Amanitas are an interesting fungi
Thanks so much for this wonderful tutorial! It really helped fast track my understanding of my ES-9. I would love to see a tutorial more about the internal mixer mode of the ES-9
I've had this video cued up for some time figuring I'll get to it one of these days and well today is that day. Imagine my surprise when I'm looking at your name and realize, this is the guy who's watching Colin Bender's streams all the time too. I like your stuff even more now :)
You've got yours too ! :-) I'm preparing a review in French, it will be published in 2 weeks (I'm hoping), and will cover VCV and Bitwig. Until this time I've got to manage how to drive correctly the ES-5... The midi breakout is working like a charm, but the ES-5 is another piece of cake, docs form ES are really the worst in the world... I most cases I found that this is not mandatory to play with the DC-coupling parameters, it works well with CV and audio without modifying them. Did you experienced some problem or did you set the DC-coupling parameters "just in case" ?
@@OmriCohen-Music I did not noticed any problem but if you reserve some lines that are always used for audio it is certainly not a bad idea to cut DC to keep audio clean. Do you find a way to make the ES-5 working from VCV ?
@@ExpertSleepersLtd Thanks for the link. I know it seems obvious for you, but for example it is not so clear you must connect a 8GT module to the ES-5 to get it working. It is of course not a problem once you know it, but it is not something you think about spontaneously. But you did a so good job that we will complete the user manual with our videos! ES-9 is really fantastic (like was the ES-8 but better) and it worth some efforts :-)
Love how did some actual patching in and out of this thing, and an easy way to battle latency. Thanks so much for making this Omri, it is killing me waiting for this module to ship to me. Question: I usually run “direct sound” in VCV for Windows because ASIO4all never worked for me. Can this ES asio driver run a decent size patch in VCV?
I'm happy you enjoyed it, Adi! Well, ASIO should perform better than Direct Sound in most cases so I'm pretty sure you will have no issues with it. And yes, ASIO4all performs pretty badly... One thing though, and I will have to test it further, but I have also a Motu interface, and I noticed that the ES-9 will not perform as well as the Motu.
@@OmriCohen-Music thanks for the response man. I'm now curious what this performance difference is between the Motu and ES-9. Let us know if you end up testing further.
Hey! Great Video :) I was wondering if the latency keeps at the same amount or can vary. So I mean when you delay the singnal in vcv, is it possible that the cpu capacity is reduced (because of adding more modules in vcv) and therefore having a longer latency (and therefore the delay is too short for the new latency)?
Someday I will get enough money to turn hardware... Sorry for a noob question, but, don’t you loose signal while coming from computer to hardware and conversely?
Well, it's never enough money in the hardware world... It's a never ending story... Luckily though, it's addicting so once you start, there's no looking back :) About the signal, yes, there's some differences, but nothing major. And if you're dealing with pitch and such, there's the silent way module for that.
question about stand alone settings...can input channels 1 3 5 7 be routed to Main L + Headphone L at the same time - while input channels 2 4 6 8 be routed to Main R + Headphone R at the same time so that studio monitors and headphones get duplicate stereo mix?
Great vid - have an ES9 on the way - Lets say I have the ES9 set up with Ableton Live - using CV tools to clock Pamela's workout (and the rest of my Eurorack system) is there a way to also use VCV? or do I have to use a separate audio interface as an aggregate device? in short how would I use both vcv and ableton with just the ES-9 - thanks.
Thanks! Well, that's a tricky one... You will need to find a way to send signals from VCV into Ableton so you will have the ES-9 set up in Ableton as your main interface, and in VCV you will have some sort of driver to send signals into Ableton and from there to the ES-9. I'm doing this with Reaper and it's pretty easy (on Windows), but I'm sure there's also something that can work with Ableton. I know that for Windows there's VoiceMeter Banana that allows you to route signals between different apps, and I'm sure there's something also for Mac. Another option will be waiting for the VST version of VCV to come out, which should be relatively soon I hope, and then you can just load VCV inside of Ableton so there's no problem with routing or anything.
@@OmriCohen-Music thanks Omri - yea the VST will be the cleanest solution. VCV currently not working with Mac Os Catalina - so guess I'll have to do with Ableton's CV tools until that's fixed/released.
Hi Omri, thank you for this. I'm waiting for my ES-9 to ship and in the meantime trying to integrate some pedals with my Eurorack. Could this work as a send and return to a pedal (such as a Chase Bliss Mood or Dark World)? I've been looking at units like the Sewastopol II, but don't want to waste rack space and money, if I could achieve the same with the ES-9. I suppose I'm not sure if the latency would be too high and whether the levels would be right. Thanks!
Is the configured routing in the digital mixer overwritten once you plug in your usb cable or do you have to re-configure things when switching from use without a pc to use with pc?
Once you save the settings, they will stay saved until the next time you change something so yes, you can set everything up and use it as a stand alone interface. Just keep in mind, you will have access to 8 channels only.
Omri Cohen I have it configured as a mixer without the need of a PC or iPad. But if I use my iPad and want to send stuff from input 1 to output 1, nothing comes out of output 1 (it worked on the ES-8 without problems).
@@OmriCohen-Music Almost like you, I hear sound from VCV and i'm able to send modulations to the ES-9 outs, but I'm not getting sound from the ES-9 inputs into VCV or my speakers.
@@antilophobia You almost certainly don't need to touch the config tool. If you're on mac, make sure you've given the DAW permission to 'access the microphone' in the security settings.
Thanks for making this video. As it turned out, the configuration tool was tripping me up. Now, I just have to decide what modules will work best with my hardware rack.
