What is your favourite modulation system to use?

futures_untold · Post by **futures_untold** » Sun Jun 09, 2013 12:20 pm

Some synths are easier to program than others, based partly on the layout of the synth, partly on the visual theme and partly on the modulation system.

What are your top two modulation systems to use when programming synths? (See poll above, two votes per person)

Personally I really like pre-routed stuff as it means less clicking to get a sound varied and lively, but the problem is usually there are only a couple of destinations available to modulate with the pre-routed envelopes. I also really like the drag and drop method used by Massive and Circle.

My least favourite is drop down menus, used by the likes of Alchemy and any synth with a modulation matrix.

Interestingly, Reason uses several modulation methods including drag and drop virtual CV cables, pre-routed (amp and filter envelopes on every device), drop down menus on the Combinator and a modulation matrix on Thor.

What are your favourite synths to program? What are your least favourite synths to program? Have I missed out a crucial modulation method from the list in the poll? Opinions and debate welcome!

Patrick

Benji · Post by **Benji** » Tue Jun 11, 2013 3:44 am

Massive all the way and the events thing in FL is pretty sweet too

Artie_Fufkin · Post by **Artie_Fufkin** » Tue Jun 11, 2013 4:03 am

The drag and drop in massive is nice. So intuitive.
For some reason, I really enjoy the matrix in OxeFm. I guess the layout makes it easy to see what signals are going where.
From what I've seen on youtube with the virtual cables in reason, it looks like a pain in the ass. Working in the box is supposed to be more convenient, not remind you of spider webs of cables.

Renoise uses drop down menus for modulating/automating parameters and I like it unless the parameter names that come up don't help me find what I'm looking for. Being able to use a search on the drop down menus is nice too.

Fowles · Post by **Fowles** » Tue Jun 11, 2013 4:05 am

its pretty fucking easy to do anything in massive really. Too bad it doesnt have better quality oscillators. Absynth and fm8 are good for the envelopes. not a fan of synths w a matrix, but it does the job if you dont need to do anything too complex.

wolf89 · Post by **wolf89** » Tue Jun 11, 2013 8:16 pm

An actual physical modular synth where you build it using cables is by far my favorite. It's both logical and clear whilst also being a physical process

Any synth where stuff is buried behind a load of menus is my least favorite. Especially if it's a piece of hardware with a little screen to do it all on (like a Yamaha TG77 for example)

fragments · Post by **fragments** » Tue Jun 11, 2013 8:30 pm

wolf89 wrote:An actual physical modular synth where you build it using cables is by far my favorite. It's both logical and clear whilst also being a physical process

Any synth where stuff is buried behind a load of menus is my least favorite. Especially if it's a piece of hardware with a little screen to do it all on (like a Yamaha TG77 for example)

+1 for routing real boxes and cables. By far my favorite. Therefore when using my DAW I love Patcher in FL Studio.

wolf89 · Post by **wolf89** » Tue Jun 11, 2013 8:40 pm

I also have to say any virtual synth where the layout you use doesn't follow a easy to see signal flow path type though it. This is most important with anything using a subtractive style of architecture.

For example Massive is clear to use but the subtractive synths in Logic aren't

Gewze · Post by **Gewze** » Wed Jun 12, 2013 12:53 am

only clicked one option

the other ill say point and click.
Drag and drop is the one though, its like looking where you want to drive

futures_untold · Post by **futures_untold** » Wed Jun 12, 2013 1:28 am

Loads of people are saying that the drag and drop system works well for them.

What is it that you specifically enjoy about the system?

Patrick

claudedefaren · Post by **claudedefaren** » Wed Jun 12, 2013 1:29 am

Drag and drop for sure. I haven't used FAW Circle, but I'm mainly thinking of all my Fabfilter plugins, including Twin 2. Blows Massive's "drag and drop" out of the water.

wormcode · Post by **wormcode** » Wed Jun 12, 2013 1:33 am

wolf89 wrote:An actual physical modular synth where you build it using cables is by far my favorite. It's both logical and clear whilst also being a physical process

Same, but I really dislike it in software. It's just dumb to me to emulate this aspect of hardware when you can do something like point/click/drag/drop as in Massive. Reason bothers me because of that, and a few modular emulation synths I have installed. It's just more messing about than necessary in software, and honestly isn't fooling anyone lol.

I figured the poll was about software, but I picked modulation matrix and drag/drop. Mod matrices because it's what I'm used to with hardware, drag and drop because it makes the most sense on a computer... point and click is pretty much the same though.

wolf89 · Post by **wolf89** » Wed Jun 12, 2013 1:48 am

futures_untold wrote:Loads of people are saying that the drag and drop system works well for them.

What is it that you specifically enjoy about the system?

Patrick

Well the drag and drop system works well in software because it's essentially taking the logical "you can follow what you're doing" approach of a modular but does it in a way that both suits and takes advantage of the way handling a synth on a computer works. Makes sense to be able to drag the device causing it onto the desired parameter if you have it all laid out in front of you with the signal flow clearly traceable. Massive I feel is excellent in it's design in this regard

futures_untold · Post by **futures_untold** » Wed Jun 12, 2013 2:06 am

claudedefaren wrote:Drag and drop for sure. I haven't used FAW Circle, but I'm mainly thinking of all my Fabfilter plugins, including Twin 2. Blows Massive's "drag and drop" out of the water.

I need top check out the Fabfilter stuff by the sounds of it then

Thanks for the heads up.

futures_untold · Post by **futures_untold** » Wed Jun 12, 2013 2:08 am

wolf89 wrote:
futures_untold wrote:Loads of people are saying that the drag and drop system works well for them.

What is it that you specifically enjoy about the system?

Patrick
Well the drag and drop system works well in software because it's essentially taking the logical "you can follow what you're doing" approach of a modular but does it in a way that both suits and takes advantage of the way handling a synth on a computer works. Makes sense to be able to drag the device causing it onto the desired parameter if you have it all laid out in front of you with the signal flow clearly traceable. Massive I feel is excellent in it's design in this regard

So you're one for signal flow markings on the synth GUI?

shakas · Post by **shakas** » Wed Jun 12, 2013 5:45 am

Massive's circle style is absolutely the best i've used. It's the quickest, easiest and most visually representative of what you're trying to achieve. I wish every soft synth had it.(or better) Zebra is very similar, and I love Zebra...but massive's is still slightly more intuitive & that makes it my main 'go to' synth when i want to try and accomplish an idea for a sound *quickly*.

I've always hated Reason's cables, but, mod matrixes like the one in Thor (or Helix VST which i also like) aren't too bad.

VirtualMark · Post by **VirtualMark** » Wed Jun 12, 2013 9:07 am

I've always said that drag and drop is a superior modulation system for software - it only takes a click and you can see exactly what you're doing.

That being said - if I was using hardware I'd prefer another system. Depending on the type of synth, maybe patch cables, pre routed or mod matrix. Patch cables are ideal for a modular synth, pre routed can be good for a live performance synth and a mod matrix is tried and tested for other synths.

futures_untold · Post by **futures_untold** » Wed Jun 12, 2013 9:59 am

I guess mod matrices are basically just 'routing wires' between points, we just don't see them.

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ThisIsSovereign · Post by **ThisIsSovereign** » Mon Jun 17, 2013 3:47 am

Massive is just so easy to use, I've tried other synths and none have been able to stand up to it. I just seem to get the results I want with it so easily. I love how visual everything is, I feel like I can see exactly what is happening with everything.

AxeD · Post by **AxeD** » Mon Jun 17, 2013 9:59 am

You can see what you're doing with virtual cables, unless you don't know about synthesis.
With drag and drop, I can't see a damn thing.